Disclaimer: I don't own SM
A/N: Haha! Here it goes… It took longer than usual, because I had to revise this over and over again... my first Makoto/Minako fic, dedicated to PrincessSerenity101. Makoto and Motoki are siblings here... I dunno why I wanted them to be like that, but hey! It's a fic! ) BANZAI!
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REPLACEMENT
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Chapter 1
I was my brother's replacement. That was as plain as day. My father often told me not to think that way, but as far as I am concerned, that's exactly who I am.
A mere replacement.
Whenever my brother, Motoki, feels like not competing, participating or just appearing at a very important assembly, I'm the one my father turns to.
I look like him, so much like him, just a tad smaller, with my brown hair always in a queue. We're like twins, although he is in fact much older than me. Yet, I'm his mirror image, as he is mine. The only difference between us is the lump on my chest; nothing more.
My father often mused that I am stronger than my brother and my heart is of purest. I just nod at him, never really feeling the urge to share his sentiments. Because, even though my brother is weak at heart and of standing, I love him. He is me and I am him.
I never saw him in a more-than-brother light. But I feel the knack to save him of any loss of face. It was my destiny, as a little sister. What else is there to do?
Only our personal aids knew the difference between us at a glance. His eyes are conceited, they say. And mine is charming. And yet, whenever he looks at me, his eyes become a little less arrogant; his grin becomes a smile. At one point, I'm sure he appreciates my covering for him.
My mother died when she gave birth to me. That was sad but my brother never seemed to mind me or him growing without her. He had everything. He was, after all, the heir of my father. I, on the other hand, remained focus at living to improve myself, day in and day out.
My brother engrossed himself to mindless flirting, always showing himself as the grandeur that he is. The funny thing is, whenever someone challenges him, he cowers. He makes excuses as elegant as possible. And of course, I am there to replace him. Unlike other replacements, though, I am more than happily accepted by the challengers.
Because they know that I am a better opponent than my sweet, twisted brother.
And due to his constant lapses, he neglected his duty as a Kino. He neglected aiming to be the strongest and forgetting that his young days will soon end once our master arrives. He really forgot that.
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"Mako-chan…" his voice warm and feeble. I was trying my hardest to hate him, hate his self-centeredness. The smile was given, though, and a slight jump at my heart at the intensity of my hidden torment.
I turn to him and he smiled his sincerest. "The more I come to your room, the more I am at awe. " He gently moved to were my swords were placed. His hand moved to touch the hilt. I stood up and watched as he idly caressed the fine texture that every once in a while saved his throat and honor.
He felt my gaze but never wavered. I wonder why he never liked using one.
"Corrupted as our system is, sister, I will not succumb." The words were always a joke for me. I had tried understanding them before, but I choose to let them pass now. My sanity is all that's left of me.
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Aino, a powerful family rooted from a very ancient mikogami lineage.
Our clan always provided one of us to be under the servitude of their heir. And this generation, it was directly our family who now has to send one of us to serve the current heir to the master of the house.
My brother was told of this, countless of times. At meetings, special family gatherings, even during our dinner my father never faltered in reminding my brother about the time Aino's heir will visit.
And my brother would just pretend to hear nothing and just occupy himself with looking at me, his young prodigy sister. My father can't yell at him when my brother does that, because he knows that the only person who can talk sense to him was me. He gave the look of a weary man which prompted me to keep what I feel inside.
My father was reluctant, in me taking my brother's position as the Kino representative for the Aino master. However, he also understood that my brother is incapable of fulfilling any task that may be given to him.
He looked at me again and I felt that, for a long time, I have been regarded nothing more than a second choice. It pained me but as I am trained not to flinch, I did not.
After all, I am a replacement.
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A/N: Read and review please... I'm no good in nonPOV telling so, expect this fic to be in all that... This is short, yep.. and is intended that way... I'll continue this as soon as it gets good feed.. Hehe.. hope you enjoy my other fics.. Visit my profile for the list and stuff.. BANZAI!