Second chapter up! I own nothing except Ame. To Guest1995 who asked what Ame looks like, she looks similar to Ema in the way siblings tend to, only with darker hair and her skin is half a shade darker.

I own nothing except Ame.

Goodnight

"Honestly," I sighed, stroking my hand over Ema's forehead. "When I say don't stress yourself, I really do mean don't stress yourself so much that you faint and scare the heck out of me. I really hate seeing you sick," I threaded my fingers through her hair gently, combing the strands out of her eyes.

Masaomi knelt beside me, while Ukyo drew the curtains shut. Ema turned her head to face us with an apologetic smile. "Sorry, Ame-chan. I'm sorry for worrying you all."

"Damn right you are," I muttered, kissing her forehead and nuzzling the warm but no longer burning skin. "How are you feeling?" I asked, pulling the covers higher up her chest to her chin.

"I'm feeling much better," she replied softly, her voice quiet and heavy with drug-induced drowsiness. "But I really am sorry for making you all worry so much."

Kaname spoke from his place near the doorway. "There's no need to be sorry, little sister."

"In a worst case scenario," Ukyo added. "We do have a physician."

He was referring to Masaomi, who chuckled a tad bashfully and shrugged. "More like a pediatrician," he corrected, but he smiled kindly at us nonetheless. "Just tell me if you need anything."

Ema smiled up at us gratefully, looking rather cute and helpless with the covers pulled all the way up the way they were. "Thank you very much," she said. "I'm alright already."

"Maybe, but you're still going to stay in bed and sleep off the drugs," I instructed her, cupping her cheek with my cooler hands. "I wish this hadn't happened. I should have been there to help you with everything."

Juli leaned closer to Ema. "Mai-chan, it isn't your fault. Your job kept you late, so don't blame yourself for this. You two must be tired, since you both stayed up so late last night for work, and to finalize the moving details."

"That must have been difficult for you," an unfamiliar voice spoke from the door. A new person peered in. He was pretty, I decided, with pale ash brown hair that was arranged in a gorgeously simple and messy style. His eyes were mauve, and his expression was gentle and serene.

The brothers shot him welcoming smiles from their respective places. "Oh, have you come home?" Ukyo asked.

He nodded, stepping further into the room. "Yes...I heard voices...so I came." He had a peculiar way of speaking, I noticed. Just like his demeanour, his voice was slow and relaxed, calming even.

"We mentioned him earlier," Kaname turned to us. "This is the eight son, Louis."

Ema sat up to greet him properly, and I resisted the urge to fuss at her. "Oh, I'm sorry. I'm still dressed like this..."

Louis came closer and knelt beside me. "It's not...your fault, Chii-chan."

How did he know that nickname? "Yeah, it's not your fault," I smiled at her, brushing the thought away for the time being. "Besides, I should have gotten home earlier so I could help you anyway."

"Don't be silly...Mai-chan was working late...you were tired as well..." How do you know that nickname?! How do you know any of this anyway?! He ignored the perplexed expression on my face, and continued staring at Ema. "You've both...been surrounded by people...you just met. You must have both...been tired."

Juli turned tilted his head to the side. "Did he just refer to both of you as Chii-chan and Mai-chan?"

Ema and I glanced at each other, both wondering the exact same thing. "Your hair," Louis suddenly said. He leaned over to touch Emi's hair, and then mine. "It's pretty. When you...recover from your cold...let me...rearrange your hair."

What? "Ah, Louis is a hairdresser," Ukyo explained, staving off our confusion.

"Oh..." I nodded in understanding. "Thank you." Louis smiled at us, and I smiled back.

"Do you feel dizzy when you sit up?" Masaomi asked kindly, turning the conversation back to Ema's health.

My sister shook her head. "I'm fine," she replied. "The medicine seems to have worked."

"I see," he got to his feet and turned to Ukyo. "I think you'll be fine, but let's have rice porridge for tonight's dinner."

"Ah, do you need any help?" I asked, torn between offering my services, and staying with my sister. The blonde looked like he might refuse, so I pressed on before he could. "It'll reduce the workload on both of us. Besides, I'm just spare baggage here."

He opened his mouth to decline again, and then he smiled. "Alright then."

I grinned and turned back to Ema. "Sleep," I instructed her. "Juli's in charge of making sure you don't get out of bed, alright?" The squirrel saluted in response, and I kissed my sister's forehead again, before spinning around to follow Ukyo out of the room.

"For taking a bath," he told us. "Please use the one on the fifth floor. The bath in this room is currently broken."

"I'll leave instructions on how to get there on your desks," Kaname added as the five of us backed out of the room. "Don't stay in too long. Goodnight, little sister."

He shut the door quietly, and I exhaled softly. I really hated it when Ema got sick for any reason, no matter how minor. She was always the delicate one of us both, the one that needed to be protected from things. Not protecting her made me feel like I was somehow a bad sister.

"Little sister?" Masaomi touched my shoulder, sounding concerned. I quickly fixed a smile on my face and shook my head.

"It's nothing," I replied. "I just hate seeing Ema-chan sick."

Ukyo smiled down at me, and even Kaname's normally flirty smile seemed kinder. "Ema-chan will be fine," Ukyo told me. "In the meantime, we should make her something delicious to eat when she wakes up, shouldn't we?"

"Yep!" I chirped, rocking forward and backward on the balls of my feet. Kaname wrapped an arm around my shoulders and cooed something about me being adorable as we made our way downstairs to the kitchen, but I didn't mind. Ema and I hadn't had much in terms of human contact, although she'd had more of it than I had. Kaname was warm, and his clothes were like a large blanket.

Ukyo glanced back at us and shook his head with a wry smile. Before any of us had even touched down on the landing, the other brothers were off the couch and asking about Ema. Wataru raced for me, attaching himself to my waist. I automatically stepped out of Kaname's hug to hold him closer.

They look...so worried, I stared at the boys in wonder. Of course I'd have been worried if they hadn't been, but I hadn't expected this level of genuine concern. Well, it was Ema, she had that effect on lots of people.

"Ema-chan is fine," Masaomi answered. "The fever has been reduced, but she's resting right now. She will also be eating in her room for tonight."

There were sighs of relief. Ukyo directed me to the kitchen and brought out everything we needed to make the porridge. He even gave me an apron, the first one was too large, but the second one – which was pink and blue – fit a bit better. He then explained that it actually belonged to Wataru, hence the colours and smaller fit.

I started by washing the rice in the sink. Ema and I used to do the cooking back home, whether sick or healthy, though I took on the bulk of the burden more often than she did since I knew more dishes and enjoyed the act.

I started singing inaudibly as I worked, but I could hear my voice cracking terribly on the notes, so I stopped and hoped that no one had heard.

"Well done, Ame-chan," Ukyo commended, peering into the pot where the rice pudding was warming gently. "Would you mind setting the table? The plates are in that cupboard."

"Okay," I carried out a set of white china plates and cutlery, and placed them on the table.

Tsubaki sighed happily from the lounge where he and the other brothers were talking amongst themselves, and also watching me. "I could get used to this," he grinned. "Ame-chan, you look really cute in that apron."

"Big sister is wearing my apron!" Wataru beamed happily. He skipped over to me, staring at the plates I had set out. "Big sister, are you going to eat with us?"

"I want to, but Ema-chan isn't feeling well," I crouched down to look into his eyes. "Don't you think I should spend time with her?" He pouted, puffing out his cheeks, but nodded. I smiled back, and patted his head gently. "Thank you for being so kind, Wata-chan. You can come with me to see Ema-chan though, is that okay?"

He cheered happily. "Yay, I get to see sis!" He practically vibrated with joy as I dished two bowls of porridge, adding less sugar and more milk to one of them the way I knew my sister liked it, and placed it on a tray.

"Let's go, Wataru-chan." We made our way upstairs, Wataru skipping around me and ahead of me. When we reached Ema's door, he pressed the buzzer to the room, and brightened when Ema opened the door. She had changed into her pyjamas – a pink and white shirt and frilled pink bubble shorts.

She looked slightly dazed and surprised to see us. I raised the tray higher. "I brought food."

"Sis, are you feeling okay?" Wataru asked worriedly, grabbing her hand. "We won't get to play together today, but that's okay. I can wait until sis feels better!"

Ema looked surprised by the outburst, but then she smiled. "Thank you, Wataru-kun. When I feel better, we can play together."

"Yay!" He cheered. "Sis needs to eat and sleep! Eat and sleep so she can feel better!" He declared, before turning and running back the way we had come.

I snickered and arched an eyebrow at her. "You heard the kid," I stepped into the room and placed the tray down on the nearest flat surface, by that I mean one of the boxes. "Eat up! I put lots of milk in it for you."

Ema crawled back into bed, and I perched on the edge to eat. We talked about the day, our brothers, and I handed Juli the sugar cube I'd pocketed from the kitchen for him. While we ate, we could hear the voices of our new family through the ceiling and walls. It sounded pretty lively. So this is what it's like to live with loads of people.

It was noisy, but the good noise that meant companionship and friendship, and not simple chaos. I could get used to this kind of noise. "You don't have work tomorrow?" Ema asked me.

"I asked my manager for a few days off so we could get settled in here properly," I replied, scooping the last of my porridge into my mouth. Ema was about ¾th of the way done with her bowl and slowing down. "Not finished?"

She pouted and took another spoonful. "You don't even really like rice porridge."

I didn't, but I could eat anything as long as it was doctored with enough salt or sugar. "You don't have to finish it all. You've eaten most of it anyway."

In the end, she did finish it, and I gathered up everything to wash while Ema lay down again. "Ame-chan, are you going to take a bath?"

"Yeah," I nodded. "I'll probably have my bath upstairs though, since I want to explore the house a bit more." Kaname had drawn two maps, one for each of us, and had left them on Ema's table. I grabbed one and stuck it in the pocket of my jeans. "Try to get some more sleep, okay?"

"Alright, Ame-chan," her response was nearly drowned out by her yawn. I shut the door and returned to the kitchen to wash up.

Most of the brothers had retired by now, leaving only Azusa, Tsubaki, Kaname, who were watching something on TV, and Ukyo, who was cleaning up in the kitchen when I walked in. He smiled at me, taking note of the empty bowls. "How is Ema-chan?"

"She's fine," I replied, coming to stand beside him. "She's sleeping right now so she'll probably be better by tomorrow morning." I hoped. Ema was delicate, in my eyes anyway.

He had already started washing the dishes, so I decided to rinse and dry them. "Ame-chan, you don't have to-"

"Too late," I sang, and then I turned to him with a sincere smile. "Besides, I don't mind. You were so kind and helpful, so please let me help."

Ukyo stared down at me for a few seconds, and then nodded. Was it just me, or was his face just a bit flushed? "Ah, Ukyo-nii, stop stealing all of my little sister's time!" Tsubaki whined, walking into the kitchen. He wrapped his arms around my shoulders from behind. "Ame-chan, smile for me too!"

Quick, before something happens! I twisted around and returned the hug. I caught sight of Azusa's surprised face over Tsubaki's shoulder. He looked like he was just about to smack his twin again. Even Ukyo looked surprised by my reaction. "Ame-chan?"

Whoops, that was probably too weird. I quickly pulled away from Tsubaki, my face pink. "S-Sorry, I just really like hugs and I don't get too many of them, so...I'm sorry if that was strange..."

A hand landed on the top of my head. "Well you'll get plenty of those now," Azusa said, smiling softly. "Just don't indulge him and Kana-nii too much, or they'll never let you rest."

"Hey!" I giggled at how affronted Tsubaki sounded, and he looked pleased that I had. "When you're done here, come spend some time with us."

"I will." Once Ukyo and I were done in the kitchen, I walked into the lounge quietly, sticking near the wall. "What are you watching?"

"Fuuto's on TV again," Ukyo replied. Kaname shifted a bit and patted the space between him and Azusa. I squeezed between them to watch the interview, which looked like it had only just started a few minutes ago. Instead of the flashy clothes from earlier, Fuuto was dressed in informal but stylishly designer clothes.

Unlike onstage, where he had carried a smug, near cocky aura, he now looked cheeky, playful, and almost sweet, like butter wouldn't melt in his mouth. "Ema and I haven't met all of you yet," I cocked my head to the side. "What's he like?"

Tsubaki snorted, looking slightly disgruntled. "He's a brat."

"Tsubaki," Ukyo scolded, although he didn't dispute it. "Fuuto's rather...difficult to get along with at first, but I'm certain you'll be able to handle him, Ame-chan."

Well, one of them had to be the one to give us trouble. I could ignore any rudeness directed at me, as long as he didn't treat Ema in the same way. "So that's...ten of you? Who else haven't I met?"

"Hikaru-nii and Natsume," Kaname replied. "They don't live here. I'm sure you'll get along with both of them, don't you think Ame-chan?" He used the arm that he'd rested along the back of the couch to pull me closer.

"I hope so," I sighed, and stifled a yawn. It was getting late, and today had been tiring to say the least. "I'm should go back to my room now."

Kaname rose as well. "I might as well turn in as well." Ukyo followed our lead, but the twins stayed sitting on the couch.

"We have to practice for our next job assignment," Azusa explained, pulling my attention to a booklet I hadn't noticed was even on the table.

"We're voice actors," Tsubaki told me, seeing the curious look on my face.

Oh. Oh! "Wait, have you guys heard of this show Uta no Prince-sama?" Please say yes, please say yes!

Azusa and Tsubaki blinked at me, and then smirked. "Ame-chan, you watch anime?" The darker-haired twin asked.

"Yes! So, if you have, were you...by any chance...I mean..."

They took pity on my stumbling, stuttering self, and Tsubaki chuckled. "We were voice actors for two of the main characters in the show."

I think I was glittering by this point, just staring at them in awe because I was related by law to two voice actors from one of my favourite reverse harem animes to exist. "Ame-chan, weren't you going to bed?" Kaname asked, breaking me out of my thoughts.

"Oh, right. Goodnight, Azusa-sa-...Azusa-nii, Tsubaki-nii!"

Ukyo wished me goodnight when he reached his room, but Kaname insisted on escorting me all the way to my room. "How was your first day, little sister?"

"It was great," I skipped ahead a few feet, and spun on the tip of my toes. "You've all been so kind to us. Thank you for caring for Ema-chan, it really means a lot to me."

"Of course. You're our darling little sisters." We reached the door of my bedroom. "You can come to big brother for anything, Ame-chan." I nodded. "Well then, goodnight, little sister."

With that, he leaned down and kissed me on the cheek. It wasn't the casual, familial peck I expected, it was the kind of kiss you might give someone at the end of a first date. However, considering Kaname's naturally flirty personality, I was pretty sure it meant nothing, and I didn't want to make a fuss about it. "Goodnight, Kaname-nii."

Once I was in my room, I spent some time skimming through the boxes of my things. I pushed a few of them to the sides, and then grabbed the bag that held my pyjamas, towel, and toiletries. "Okay, I have a map, so even I shouldn't be stupid enough to get lost."

Luckily I didn't, since the diagram and instructions were really clear. Painfully aware of the fact that the house was full of boys, I made sure to lock the bathroom door behind me. I took a quick bath, washing the sweat and dirt of the day with liberal amounts of berry-scented soap and shampoo, and lingering only to revel in the steady stream of warm water.

Someone tried to open the door as I started to change into my nightclothes. "I'm in here!" I called.

"Ah, sorry Ame-chan!" That was Subaru. I dressed quickly in an oversized blue shirt with sleeves that went way past my wrists – it had belonged to papa before I appropriated it – and a pair of fabric shorts.

Subaru was hovering a few feet from the door when I unlocked it, and he flushed when he saw me. "Sorry to make you wait!" I smiled a bit shyly, stepping out. "Also, sorry if I made the bathroom smell a lot like strawberries."

A small smile twitched at his lips. "It's alright," he told me.

The smile surprised me, and I spoke without thinking. "Thank goodness." He blinked in confusion, and I lifted my shoulders in a nervous shrug. "No, it's...you were so quiet all day, I thought you didn't like that we were here."

"I-It's not that!" He replied, his forceful tone telling me he was being sincere. "I'm just not used to talking to girls..."

I shrugged with a smile. "I'm not experienced at talking to boys either," I told him. "So this is going to be a learning experience for both of us, huh?"

He chuckled at that. "I guess so."

I shifted aside so he could step past me and into the bathroom. "Goodnight, Subaru-nii!"

At least he doesn't seem to hate us, I thought to myself, drying my hair as much as I could with my towel before it dripped all over the floors. My hair was a few shades darker than Ema's, and longer as well. This was mostly because when I was fifteen, I was obsessed Rapunzel and the idea of having crazy long hair, and spent a lot of my allowance on hair care products whose instructions I followed to the absolute last letter.

I was over that period in my life, thankfully. My credit card wouldn't be able to take it.

Finding my room was a bit harder than I thought it would be, but I eventually found it. Before I went to sleep, I fired off an email to my boss to tell her I'd be back at work on Tuesday. After clicking through, and deleting a few more messages, I rolled onto my side and curled up with my stuffed teddy bear.

For those of you aware of it, I have been working on my Hellsing fic and I plan to update by tomorrow. Please review!