34 Chapter 34 - Grim Fate

It was nightfall, and almost everyone had retired from the guild hall and gone back to their homes. A few of them, however, lived in the guild's building, and among them were Genta and the duo (Kazuya and Orihime), who would also be spending the night there as well. By instructions from Master Shizu, Orihime was to freeload with Genta, and Kazuya with her male young disciple, Kenpachi. 

At the moment, Orihime and Genta were in a bathtub, resting and having fun together. "Damn, I don't think I've had this much fun in a bathroom in my entire life!" said Orihime. "Do you do this every day?"

"Pretty much," Genta said, "but that's because I almost always have the time to do so." "Mostpeople who have other things to do would settle for a regular bath, and that would be it."

"Interesting," she remarked, "well, enjoy it while you still can."

"What are you talking about, little punk?" asked Orihime. "I mean, you are coming with us, aren't you?"

Genta widened her eyes when she heard that. "What do you mean?" she asked.

"I believe you heard me correctly, brat," Orihime said, "You are coming with us."

"That is ridiculous," Genta replied. "I belong to this guild; it is my home." "What makes you think I would leave here for anything?"

"Gee, maybe because you want to?" the woman said. "You are quite easy to read, you know?"

"Okay, let's just act like I do want to come with you—Kazuya wouldn't want it; I would be a liability to the team, far less than an asset to you guys," Genta replied.

"I think Kazuya would beg to differ on that," Orihime retorted, "I would even go as far as saying that the big man wants you to join us more than everybody else." If today's success has proven anything, it is that you are the most needed addition to our duo right now, more than ever. Besides, it'd be fun! "I mean, who doesn't love slaying goblins?"

Genta's cheeks reddened, glowing up so suddenly that it was difficult to ignore, and when Orihime noticed, she laughed. Genta hid her head in the water as if trying to kill herself to avoid further embarrassment.

"Tell me, little brat," she said to Genta, "do you want to come with us?"

Genta remained silent, staring at the water without saying a word.

"Oh, bummer," she said before getting out of the water to grab her towel. "Thankfully, the big man wasn't here to witness this." "I will be in the room; please don't take too long." Orihime left, leaving Genta alone in the bathroom, staring at the pool of water like it was a speaking mirror.

-

On the other side of the building, Kazuya was having a bath with Kenpachi (the young male disciple of Shizu). They were both also in a bathtub, having taken their regular baths and now taking their time to relax in the hot pool.

Kenpachi was appointed to take care of Kazuya for the night, and with both being men of few words, they never said a word to each other throughout their time there. That, however, was until Kenpachi broke the silence: "I hear you intend to take Genta away from us; is that true?" he asked Kazuya, who looked at him with an arched brow.

"What are you talking about?" he asked. "Where is this coming from?"

"It's nothing personal; trust me," he said to Kazuya, "but take care of her, alright?"

Kazuya frowned when he heard this, unsure of what to make of everything he was saying: "Genta is a great mage, and I admit she would be a wonderful addition to me and Orihime." But I don't intend to bring her with me; if she wants to join in, that's entirely up to her. Besides, my alliance with Orihime is only temporary, as we are only after a mission of temporary value. After the mission, we would most likely get disbanded to go our separate ways, and our alliance would cease to exist. So why would I want Genta to become part of something that isn't destined to last?"

"Tell me, Kazuya," Kenpachi said to him, "what is this temporal mission you speak of?" I assume it is part of why you needed my master's help, isn't it?"

"It's simple," Kazuya replied. "We wish to slay all goblins, and the only known place where we can find a majority of them is in an area that has been sealed off by hidden magic; that is why I needed your Master's help."

"You seem to have some sort of resentment towards goblins," Kenpachi pointed out.

"You got that right," replied Kazuya.

"Would you mind if I asked why?" asked Kenpachi. "I don't understand."

"Well, when you wake up to see all you know and love being destroyed... when you see your family get devoured alive by those hideous bastards... only then would you understand my hatred," Kazuya replied.

"I see," Kenpachi replied, "so it is revenge you are after?"

Kazuya remained silent, believing what he had said before was self-explanatory.

"I won't go down the road of explaining to you why that is a stupid motivation altogether," Kenpachi continued, "but at least Genta would have vital experience, so maybe the process wouldn't be all that useless after all."

Kazuya didn't have the strength to argue with the man. After all, he already said it: Kenpachi did not go through what Kazuya went through, so Kenpachi's lack of understanding shouldn't have come as a surprise to him. 

No longer in the mood for bathroom leisure, Kazuya got out of the pool to grab his towel right before turning to leave. "My mission was initially supposed to be executed alone, but I found someone who shared the same desires as I did, and she was willing to join in." If Genta also wants to do the same, I have no reason not to let her, as she would be a great asset to us, given her gifts. "If she joins us, it will be because she wants to, and if she remains with us, it will be because she is needed."

Then he headed towards the door, but once he got to the entrance, he looked back at Kenpachi. "Might I ask—where did this speculation of Genta leaving with us come from?" he asked. 

"An old woman's intuition—one which hardly goes wrong," Kenpachi replied.

"I see," Kazuya remarked as he left, closing the door behind him. 

-

Just after Kazuya left the bathroom, on his way to the room where he would be spending the night with Kenpachi, he found the guild's master standing in front of the door in an obstructive manner. 

Kazuya arched a brow as he came closer to the door, wondering what the old lady was doing there. 

"Good evening," Kazuya said, greeting him questionably. "What are you doing here?"

The old woman smiled and said, "Have no fear, child." "I just want to talk," she said to him, stepping out of his way so he could get into the room, but he remained where he was. 

"Please go and put on your clothes," she said to him, "or you might catch a cold."

"I don't think that would be a problem, old woman," he said to her. "No offense, but I should be the one concerned about you." Besides, we could talk right here and now if you want."

"No offense taken, young man," she replied. "I'm used to people pitying me unnecessarily because of my age." Besides, that isn't important right now. "Can we at least step onto the balcony if you want to talk here and now?"

"Oh, fine," Kazuya replied, walking with her to the balcony, which gave a beautiful view of the town from a high perspective as they were on the highest floor of the guild building. 

The moon was full that night, and the streets were lively once again, just as they had been the previous night when he and Orihime had first arrived. He could hear and recall some of the old and overly repeated songs coming from the bright and busy streets, as masquerades went about with their dancing convoys following behind. 

"Is this how it is every night around here?" Kazuya asked, referring to the festivities going on around the streets. 

"Yes, it is," Shizu replied. "Cultural showcase is the trade of a lot of people, as their artistic displays and performances are highly appreciated by the people." However, that is not what I wish to discuss with you tonight, as we would have enough time for an idle chat during our journey to the area where I am needed. "For now, I wish to talk to you about something else—something important."

"Alright, old woman," Kazuya said to her, "you have my attention." So tell me, what is it you wish to talk about with me? If it is about Genta, I get it, alright? "I'm not trying to woo her out of your guild, okay?"

"No, this is less about her and more about you," the old woman replied. "Apart from specialising in opening hidden portals and whatnot, I am also occasionally known for seeing fates on special nights such as this," she said as she pointed at the full moon. "And your fate, young man, is looking far darker than anything I have ever seen."