Hide-and-seek

AU in which the siblings play hide-and-seek and Sanji becomes scared of dark places.

Sanji was running. Coming to a stop, he looked around the hallway, making sure he was alone before he disappeared into empty room. Just as he was about to relax, he heard quiet and quick footsteps from the hallway. With a startle, he ran to the wardrobe and jumped in, closing the doors behind. He tried to remain indifferent, but his lips and a quiet gasp betrayed him.

Hearing the doors opening, he covered his mouth, making sure he wouldn't make any noise. He looked to doors when he heard footsteps coming closer.

"It!" There was a distant voice.

The footsteps that stopped right in front of him turned around and ran out of the room. Sanji let out his breath he held, knowing that he was safe.

"That's not fair Reiju! You already know all the secret places!"

Sanji recognized Yonji's voice. He chuckled and pulled his legs to his chest, waiting.

A minute passed.

No one was coming.

And another minute.

Still no one.

Sanji leaned his chin on top of knees, his lower lip slowly plumping out into pout. A quiet sigh left his lips. Closing his eyes, the sound of bird chirping in the background and the soft wind breeze lulled him to sleep.

He could hear the voices outside and people rushing on the hallway. And Sanji wondered why everyone was on their toes, but feeling too tired from all exams and training, he could barely move a muscle anymore.

"-ji!"

Sanji hummed and rubbed his eyes.

"Sanji!"

He blinked and shivered when he realized he was still in the wardrobe. The space was dark and he immediately woke up. He stood up and tried to open the doors, but they didn't move. His heart skipped a beat and he knocked on doors. Parting his lips, he wanted to call, but all he could manage was a squeal.

"Sanji!"

It was his father calling for him, followed by voices of workers. A dreadful feeling spread in his stomach.

"F-father!" Sanji called with a stutter. "I-Ichiji! Reiju!" He banged on doors. His eyes welled up. He wanted to get out of the wardrobe as quickly as possible. "I'm here!" He called louder when tears streamed down his cheeks. He was scared of this dark and small place that seemed to grow smaller.

There were footsteps rushing into the room before the wardrobe was swung open. Sanji was shivering and his head was in-between his hands, his knees pulled to his chest.

"Sanji!" The three siblings called for their brother and rushed to his side.

Sanji raised his gaze, his face stained with tears. He wanted to cry. But the moment he saw his father's angry expression, he bit his lip. Hard. He trembled, already seeing himself being scolded.

"It's not Sanji's fault!" Ichiji immediately spoke and hugged Sanji as he stared at his father.

"Yeah!" Yonji piped in, rushing to stand between his siblings and father. "It was my idea to play hide-and-seek!" He said, despite feeling a chill run down his spine when he was met with Judge's eyes filled with anger.

"It was my fault that I didn't keep an eye on them." Reiju spoke in normal voice. She could hear the whispers of the maiden workers behind.

"Niji," Judge called for the second son.

Niji quietly stood beside Reiju. He was terrified. But it wasn't because of his father, no, it was because of Sanji. He was terrified of the fact that Sanji spent hours of being locked in a wardrobe. "Father?" He called quietly. His voice shook and Reiju held his hand, letting him know she was there.

Judge looked at Niji. No one said a word and the only sound the room was filled with were the sobs and hiccups of Sanji. He tried to quiet them down, yet the comfort of Ichiji weakened him longer he was embraced. Sanji's hiccups grew louder until he broke down. Niji rushed on Sanji's other side without hesitation and embraced his younger brother. Reiji stepped beside Yonji, her gaze hard as Yonji's darkened. Neither of them liked hearing Sanji cry and they were determined to not make it happen again.

Judge looked from one son to another before he looked at Reiju last. He didn't say a word as he sighed and turned around. He left the empty bedroom, one of maiden workers approaching Sanji, her eyes filled with worry. She wanted to make sure he was alright, but before she could, the siblings beat her to it.

"It's alright Sanji." Ichiji was the first one to speak.

Yonji's lips were turned into thin line before he turned around and looked at Sanji. "Are you hurt anywhere?" He asked and approached him, Reiju following in tow.

Sanji shook with head.

"You're safe now." Reiju spoke in soft voice as a gentle smile spread on her lips. If not, we'll make sure you are.

Notes: I'm not too confident about this one if I'm honest. And I'm still not sure what role to give Judge in this AU, so if in some one-shots he seems a bit different and odd, it's just me...trying to figure out his character for it.

Midnight I saw your request and will work on it. ^^,

Any kind of review/feedback (good or bad) is welcomed.