Disclaimer: I don't own anything. Blah de blah blah blah.
Author's Notes: This was the beginning of a fic, months and months and months ago, but it's been so long that I forgot where I was going. Knowing me, I was going to dive into some angsty drama about her lying bloody and broken in his arms, but I'll just spare myself the trauma for now. I'll tag on another chapter if I figure out what I'm doing.
The Way Her Nose Crinkles
Tamahome glowed as she clung to his leg, pigtails flying. She barely reached his knee, and her eyes looked up at him with such wonder. And oh, how he glowed, as he picked her up and spun her around, or held her, or gave her piggyback rides, or lifted her upside down. She would giggle ecstatically as he held her head an inch above the ground, and then swing her around to clutch her to his chest. Then she would sneak her little hands into his pockets, searching for gifts. And, the entire time, he glowed.
In the city, he was closed. The joy and smiles in his sales pitches were all a scam, just like his products. Grow more hair! Magic fabric mender! Beauty cream! He would grin and charm and sell, but it was all an act.
When he left home, his first steps were the hardest. He gave everyone a brief hug... 'Tou-san, Chuei, Shunkei, Gyokuran, and finally Yuiren. She clung to his shirt, not quite understanding. Prying her small fingers free, loosening her legs around his chest, and setting her on the ground, that was the easy part. As he walked away, he didn't dare look back. Looking back meant staying. Looking back meant remembering all the wet kisses and cozy hugs, the butterflies and flowers, the laughter.
During his sales, he would always look out for gifts for his precious imouto. He would be preaching the wonders of an incredible "enlargement cream," while scanning the crowd, watching for toy sellers, for dolls, balls, combs, jump ropes, paper flowers, and pinwheels. She was his one true love.
The way her nose crinkled up when she smiled, that was his personal heaven.