I freed my raven hair from behind my ears and let it hang loosely around my face; trying to hide the marks of my most recent beating as I shoved my weight against the swollen wooden door of my house and opened it. Mother stood in front of a large pot of boiling broth; dishing vegetables into it slowly. I tried to be quiet, but my mother had ears like a fox.

"Aro?" she said softly, putting her wooden spoon down to turn around. I covered my 12-year-old face with my hand and quickened my pace towards the stairs. "Aro!"

"I'm fine, mother," I answered, a little to briskly to not catch attention. Mother took three large steps and blocked my way, grabbing my chin and lifting it upward; not harshly, but forcefully. My long hair fell backward, and my mother gasped.

"Not again," she sighed sadly, touching my swollen and blackened eye with her thumb softly and eying the other scratch and fist marks covering the majority of the right side of my face. I tried to pull away from her hand, but her grip was too solid. "Was it Alonzo again?"

"Yes; he and his simpleton friends," I replied quietly, but laced with plenty of venom for her to hear. Mother sighed again and released my chin.

"I don't know what we're going to do; have you tried reasoning with them?"

I scoffed harshly. "They have no minds, mother. They're as beasts; they cannot understand nor comprehend logic."

"Aro!" My mother chided, voice no longer soft. "You are higher than that; do not ever belittle others."

"But it is true! They will not accept my answers to their inane questions!"

Mother grabbed a rough, cotton cloth from the sink and touched the edge into a basin next to the wood stove, walking back over and rubbing at the dried blood up by my eyebrow. I scrunched up my face and leaned away.

"Aro, stay still,"

"Let me be!" I shrieked, wrenching away from her and running around her as she knelt; up the uneven wooden stairs and to my bedroom. Although my bedroom was not large - roughly the size of four pig troughs side-by-side - it was private enough. The thick mud walls kept my words and doings silent to prying ears.

I ran into my bedroom and kicked the sack of hay that was my bed, before flinging myself down onto it; turning my face so that I didn't put pressure on my swollen eye. Although my family was a well-to-do vineyard-keeping group, my father believed in humility, and working for your privileges. Personally, I thought he took that a step too far. But I have indeed learned that in order to get something you want, you must work for it yourself.

I lay face-down, feeling the rough straw on the back of my hands as they lay still by my side. I wished to disappear from the world for a brief moment, and be able to roam out into the village center without fear of being dragged suddenly into a side-alley by five of the most brutal and brainless boys ever made.

I was watching a ladybug crawl across the pebbles on the ground slowly as I enjoyed the momentary solitude; feeling the peaceful setting around me soothing my worries. My chin rest on my interwoven hands as I smiled softly at the ladybug. It was incredible to watch. She would come across an obstacle, but always figure out a way to wriggle out of whatever crack she lodged herself into. I wondered if there was some deeper meaning there...

I didn't have much time to contemplate such things before a swift kick to my side doubled me over. My arms clutched my side instinctively as I rolled over, seeing my attacker.

Alonzo.

"Enjoying your time with the grubs? Wouldn't be surprised; you're one yourself." he sneered. His friends all laughed their stupid laughs and shoulder-bumped each other in a show of masculinity.

It made me sick.

Alonzo lifted his foot and kicked me again, this time in the gut. I grunted as all of the air whooshed out of me in an 'oof!'.

They laughed cruelly. "Just like his father; he won't get up and fight! Does your money do the talking now, scum?"

I rolled over onto my hands and knees, standing slowly until a blow from behind dropped me to the ground once more. I wanted to get up and defend myself, but I knew I was not a physical fighter, and I did not stand a chance against five ruthless and rowdy boys.

But if I could get on my feet, then I could run...

I'd always been one of the faster boys in the village. I knew that as soon as I got them out of sight, they would give up. But if I could only get to my feet...

"STOP IT!"

A shrill voice squealed, breaking the tension in the air. I opened my eyes and lifted my head from my arms; my heart lurching as I recognized the voice.

My younger sister, Didyme.

"Weave him awone!" she huffed, as she ran over and stood next to me as I lay crumpled on the ground.

Alonzo and his friends backed away from me immediately. It was amazing what influence a little girl with golden hair had over such bullies. I guess I couldn't blame them.

She was father's prized-possession, after all.

"Or what?" Alonzo sneered.

"Or I'll tell my father that you hit me." She countered, folding her arms and looking stern.

I did not expect such a little thing to hinder such demons, but to my shock and absolute delight, Alonzo took a step backwards, muttering something to his group of fiends, and turned around; running from us.

Didyme smirked triumphantly; her youthful 6-year-old face beaming. Then she turned to me, and her face fell.

"Aro...?" she whispered, her voice broken and laced with sorrow. Didyme approached me, kneeling down and brushing my hair out of my face. I felt a small drop of liquid fall down from my eyebrow and across my cheek. I thought it to be perspiration, until she withdrew her hand, and I saw the crimson liquid dabbled across her fingertip. Didyme frowned sadly.

"I don't like them hurting you..." she mumbled, wiping her fingers on the grass. I pushed myself up with a grunt and knelt on my knees, standing little by little by pressing on my uprighted knee.

Didyme tugged on my elbow in an attempt to help. Although futile, it was a very sweet gesture. I smiled softly, in spite of my obvious injuries - getting more painful by the moment - and straightened myself up; deciding to abide by my father's teachings: "To act dignified in the most objectionable of situations is to instill confidence in yourself and others; a true quality of leadership."

I rolled over on my hay sack, sighing softly as father's words rang through my ears. Though that experience was many weeks ago, some of the pain still lingered. I put my arms behind my head and rested; looking up at the thatched roof and losing myself in thought.

My thought was broken up, however, when my entire body suddenly bounced upward, startling me quite a bit. My arms flew out from behind my head and I curled into a ball; preparing for whatever was about to come my way.

But a little girlish giggle caught me off-guard.

"Didyme!"

"Scawred you?" she laughed, perching on the edge of my bed.

"No!" I answered defensively, clutching my heart. She giggled again; like a chorus of little angels. My sister was perfect in every way, and I loved her dearly. Not because she would attract a wealthy suitor, but because she was kind, genuine, and innocent. I wished she could hold onto those things forever...

Her little smile fell as she saw my face. I noticed my mistake immediately and turned away from her.

"No..." she said quietly, crawling further up my bed and taking my face in both of her little hands. She frowned, then leaned forward and kissed the tip of my nose. "I'm sowry I wasn't there..."

"Don't be foolish; there was nothing that could have been done."

"But..."

"No, Didyme." I answered briskly. My tone obviously frightened her. She reeled away, returning her hands to her sides.

"I wish they wouldn't hurt my brother," she said sadly, looking down at her hands. "If they touch you again, I sweawr to the Fates above-!"

I couldn't help but chuckle in spite of her anger and vengeful attitude. I slid forward and scooped her little body into my arms, kissing the side of her face. "You mustn't worry about me, piccola; when I am old enough, I will go away, and you will come with me."

She looked up at me with those gorgeous green eyes, smiling softly. "You mean it?"

"I do,"

She smiled brilliantly and threw her arms around my neck. "I love you, Aro."

"I love you, Didyme."

This is not the oneshot I promised you guys about Aro; that one is MUCH longer and much more interesting, I think. I was simply in the mood to write this. Tell me what you think! The button is right down there...*points*