Chapter 3 : The spark within

The rooftop had always been a special place for Sakura. The winds were gentler up here, the view stretched endlessly across the estate, and the sky—oh, the sky was her favorite canvas. Tonight, the horizon had been painted in shades of orange and gold, slowly giving way to a deepening purple as the sun sank lower.

Sakura sat with her legs crossed at the edge of the rooftop, the cold, smooth stone beneath her comforting as she stared into the fading light. Her heart felt lighter than it had in days. There was a subtle peace in the stillness, one she always found when she could escape into the quiet, away from the pressure of expectations.

Beside her, Shin stood, leaning against the cold stone wall, arms crossed, his eyes fixed on the horizon. The rooftop was wide, a space meant for quiet contemplation, but it also had a large area perfect for practice. Tall pillars surrounded the space, giving it a sort of ringed boundary. The center was open, offering enough room to move freely, the stone tiles beneath their feet smooth yet gritty enough to provide traction. This was where they trained—where their sparring sessions took place.

"You know," she said, breaking the silence, her voice soft but full of energy, "I think I might be able to take you on now."

Shin turned his head slightly, one eyebrow arching in curiosity. "Take me on? In what, exactly?" he asked, his voice calm and measured as always, though there was a small hint of amusement in his eyes.

Sakura grinned, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "A challenge. A real one. You know, to test my progress," she said with a playful glint. She stood up, brushing the dust off her clothes. "I’ve been training all day. I’ve gotten better, I promise!"

Shin’s lips curved into a small, knowing smile, though his face remained mostly impassive. "You think you're ready?"

Sakura’s grin only widened. "Of course! What better way to prove it than to face you?"

For a moment, there was only the sound of the wind as it swirled around them, carrying the last traces of the day. Then, without waiting for another word, Sakura raised her hand, focusing her energy. "Let’s see if I can make something happen."

Her fingers twitched slightly, a small spark of energy crackling at the tips. She closed her eyes and whispered a soft incantation, trying to draw the magic from deep within her. It was like trying to catch the wind in her hands—fragile, elusive. The small spark fizzled out before it could even gain form.

Sakura’s shoulders slumped, but her smile never wavered. "That’s alright," she murmured. "I’ll get it next time."

Shin watched her, his expression unreadable, but there was a glimmer of approval in his eyes. He stepped forward, standing in front of her. "You’re persistent, Sakura. I’ll give you that."

Sakura nodded, her grin still wide. "Persistent is my middle name."

Without another word, Shin dropped into a fighting stance, the moonlight now casting long shadows across the rooftop. "Alright, then. Show me what you’ve got."

Her heart raced in her chest as she mimicked his stance, though she was still a little unsteady. She focused, her mind swirling with the lessons she had learned, the techniques she had practiced over and over again. She could do this. She just had to keep trying.

Shin’s eyes narrowed slightly, and he gave a small nod. "I’ll start slow," he said, voice calm but laced with a challenge. "Let’s see how long you last."

With that, Shin launched forward with astonishing speed, his movements swift and calculated. He was a blur of motion, his body fluid and graceful as he moved. The rooftop, with its open space and smooth tiles, was the perfect arena—ample room for dodging, flipping, and footwork. Sakura barely had time to react before he was upon her, his arm sweeping out to tap her shoulder.

It wasn’t painful, but it was enough to send her stumbling back, her foot slipping slightly on the smooth surface. Her breath hitched, and she quickly regained her balance, her eyes narrowing in determination.

Shin was a master—his strikes precise, his movements fluid. But Sakura wasn’t going to let herself fall easily. She squared her shoulders and lunged forward, trying to push him back. She wasn’t using magic yet, but she had trained in hand-to-hand combat, her body as sharp as her focus.

Shin blocked her strike effortlessly, twisting her arm and flipping her to the ground in one smooth motion. She hit the floor with a soft thud, the wind knocked out of her for a split second. The rooftop tiles felt cool beneath her, but she didn’t have time to dwell on it. She pushed herself back up immediately.

"Still not there yet," Shin said, his voice almost gentle, but there was a faint trace of something else—pride? "But you’re getting closer."

Sakura grinned up at him, dusting herself off. "I’ll get it next time. Just wait."

She was about to stand when Shin’s next words stopped her. "You’re stronger than I thought. But don’t get too cocky, Sakura. You have a long way to go."

Her smile softened. "I know," she said, meeting his eyes. "But I’ll get there."

Shin stood tall, offering his hand to help her up. "Maybe," he said, a small smile pulling at the corner of his lips. "But if you want to get there faster, you need to stop relying on just your fists. Your magic is where your real strength lies."

Sakura hesitated, glancing at her trembling hands. "I can’t even use magic properly yet."

"You’re too hard on yourself," Shin replied, his tone serious. "You have potential, Sakura. More than you realize."

"But I—"

Shin cut her off, his voice softer now. "Listen to me. You have something I don’t. A fire within you that others don’t see." He took a step closer, lowering his voice. "It’s in your heart. Not your fists. Not your magic. It’s in the way you refuse to give up, no matter how many times you fall. That’s what makes you strong."

Sakura’s breath caught in her throat. Her heart swelled with an emotion she couldn’t quite name. He saw it. He saw her.

She nodded slowly, her eyes bright. "I’ll get there, Shin. I’ll make you proud."

Shin stepped back, his gaze softening. "You already have."

There was a quiet moment between them, the wind rushing around them, the last light of the sunset fading behind the horizon. The rooftop was still, the only sound their breathing and the gentle rustle of the wind. The atmosphere between them was charged, yet peaceful—a place of growth, a place of challenge.

Sakura took a deep breath, feeling a warmth in her chest. She may not have magic like the others, but she had something more. Something Shin believed in. And that was enough for her.

She stood straighter, her hands clenched at her sides. "Next time, I’ll make sure I get you."

Shin smirked, his gaze distant again. "We’ll see. But remember, it’s not about winning. It’s about learning."

Sakura nodded, a grin tugging at her lips. "I’ll learn. And then I’ll win."

For a moment, neither of them spoke. The night had fully settled in, the stars beginning to peek through the darkening sky.

Shin turned to her again, his eyes thoughtful. "You know, Sakura... it’s not always going to be easy. But when you find your strength, you’ll be unstoppable."

She looked up at him, her eyes full of resolve. "I’m already unstoppable."

Shin chuckled softly, his expression softening. "I like that fire. Keep it burning."

Sakura smiled, feeling a spark inside her that she had never noticed before. This wasn’t about proving herself to others. This was about finding her own path—her own strength—and carrying it with pride.

As they stood side by side on the rooftop, the stars began to shine brighter above them. Two siblings—one with the weight of the world on his shoulders, the other searching for her place in it. But for now, they were just brother and sister, standing together against the night.