Kiku Leaving

Even then I knew he was lying. He wouldn't be back for months, maybe even years. I ran out the house to see mother and father standing just in front of the gate.
"Brother!"I cried out desperately as I ran towards him with my short legs. My hair was getting in the way of my vision. A couple of the flowers fall out as I ran. I could feel my dress sliding across my legs and it frustrated me a little more each time my legs would hit it again. I put my head down in an effort to go faster.
My name was being called out behind me by mother, who was sobbing behind me. She probably had a handkerchief in her hand while father put a arm around her.
All my other brothers were gone already. The only one left behind was Kiku and Yao. Yao wasn't even there to see him go. Not even to say goodbye. He was never there, not when the twins left, not when sister left, not even when Lee was taken from us. He was the oldest yet didn't have the guts to face his siblings.
If Kiku left, I would be all alone. He always played with me when father and Yao were working on the farmers. When mother was sick he looked after her. He taught me how to read and write. He was the one who gave me my little, flowery broche. He promised me to find a way to bring back our family.
Mother didn't tell me he was leaving today. Why did she tell me after he left? Was I the only one who didn't know? Tears started to form at my eyes. It was always me that was left out!
"Kiku!"Finally he turned around with his usual small smile. I reached out my arm as I came closer to him and he stood waiting for me. I grabbed the clock that was hiding his uniform and looked up to him. He was so much taller than me.
The wound on his cheek that was covered with mothers' bandages was hard to miss. If it wasn't for that man then brother wouldn't have to leave. He ruined everything.
Just as I reached with my other hand to him, he took off his hat and put it on my head. I stopped running, my eyes were covered. Using my hand I lifted the oversized hat so I could see Kiku. He stood there chuckling with his hand resting on my head. He crouched next to me and wiped away the tear that was rolling down my cheek.
"It'll be ok, I Promise. Make sure you help mother around the house ok? I'm passing my responsibility onto you" He didn't look away, not even once.
"But…our promise" I whined "Your breaking it, you're not bringing everyone back, you're leaving" I couldn't stop crying.
"Come on Mei, I'm not leaving forever. I'll come back. So makes sure that when I return you're a big enough girl to help me get everyone back, even Lee" He got up and gave me a proud smile. He became a giant again for the last time.
"Even Lee…"I whispered thinking about how amazing it would be to have him back. "I promise" I told him as I straightened my back and showed him I was being serious.
He gave a salute, which I returned with a smile.
"Just keep believing"