2. Bon FestivalPlaces Not Welcome

Characters: Keith, OCs (grandfather and cousins), and mentioning of Shiro

Summary: Visiting the family grave is painful, but also something expected of him. Family is a cold place for those who aren't welcome.
Pairings: None

Theories: Shiro and Keith are biological siblings.
Warnings: Emotional abuse

Anger...

Keith couldn't help but feel anger at everything, more than he ever did before Shiro died. The traditions that Shiro taught him now seemed meaningless. The older teen was the only one who went out of his way to teach him how their culture worked, and without the notes here and there Keith was sure he would have been majorly lost due to the fact his personality clashed with the way the social structure worked. Maybe though it had something to do with him being unable to form social connections period, because thinking back he'd not managed to make any connections at the Garrison outside of Shiro's friends.

He'd gone back to the funeral, even went to the memorial ceremony held at the Garrison, only for some kid in his class to get majorly pissed that he'd gotten an invitation. The young man appeared if Keith could guess, of Hispanic decent, like a couple of Shiro's friends that Keith knew to be siblings. The male was a fighter pilot like his older brother, but the girl happened to be the Garrison's psychiatrist. Hands down Keith wanted to avoid her, and yet she made sure he was called in for counseling twice a week. This honestly stunk, as he knew all too well the stigma in Japanese society, but also knew his classmates knew.

In all likelihood, it solidified him as the delinquent hoodlum everyone already thought him to be.

Keith tried ignoring everyone, but he couldn't ignore the summons from the family head reminding him that Obon would be coming soon and that he expected Keith to come to the family home even though Shiro was no longer around. The steadfast way the family stuck to the Shinto and Buddhist traditions made his stomach twist, as any chance of believing found itself crushed when he received news of Shiro's death. The omamori he'd gotten his brother proved useless, making him ask why, and how way too much.

He'd hope Commander Iverson would refuse the leave but instead found the man annoying. "I hope this trip helps you heal from Shiro's death. It might clean up this attitude problem we've been getting from you."

This resulted in said attitude problem surfacing, his voice raising as he yelled at the Commander for not getting it, only to be reminded that the Commander wasn't his parent, so to check the attitude. Keith, of course, snapped back that he didn't want a parent, plus some choice words before he stormed out.

The young man boarded the plane, allowing himself to sleep the whole trip. Arriving at the large house sent a shudder down his spine, but worse yet the looks the family gave him made him wish to turn on his heels. One of the servants made a slight bow to him. "Lord Shirogane wishes to see you."

Keith followed close behind, not at all sure what the old man wanted. The door to the sitting room slid open, and his mouth twisted up upon seeing the sour look on the man's face. Somehow he fought back the urge to spit on the tatami mats and instead took a seat. The old man remained silent, and instead, let his eye drift over Keith's clothing. The teen thought for a moment the old man would chew him out but then spoke up. "I thought you wouldn't come, particularly since I've gotten word that you're having disciplinary issues again."

Two eyes looked into the old man's defiantly, something he should do. "I'm here for Shiro. That's it. I could care less about everyone..."

"What about your mother and father? They to have passed on to be with our ancestors."

The words stung deep. Keith let his fingers tighten around his pants, wishing the old man wouldn't be so cruel. "May I take my leave?"

"We're not finished talking."

"Tell me what you wish of me while I'm here, so I can do what you want, and then be out of your way." The teen watched the old man's eyes widen in shock.

"I thought the attitude problem was like before, but I see it's actually gotten worse."

"I don't share the same last name with the family anymore, so does it actually matter?" Keith felt a tug, wishing to melt away into the background.

"That fact does not excuse your behavior, Akira."

"It's Keith."

"I've arranged for you to stay in Shiro's old room. A yukata is there for you. Use it. And do stay out of everyone's way. The last thing I need is your temper causing problems."

"I know. I'm here out of formality, not because I'm wanted. I've known that for some time, so you don't need to remind me. I'll do my part at the grave, and then go back to training." The teen stood up and headed out to leave the room.

"Don't you dare wash out Akira."

Keith nearly choked, turning his head to look at the man. "You know, maybe I should just wash out just to spite you."

Making the old man angry felt good, but arriving at Shiro's old room to find all of his things removed made the pleased feeling quickly leave. He stood in the doorway, wondering why he'd even come as his heart felt as empty as the room.

A giggling sound made his entire body tense up, and he realized one of his female cousins was nearby. "Oh, Akira. You're here."

That cousin's voice was filled with surprise, but the other female cousin's voice was filled with disdain. "I'd hoped you'd stay away."

Keith turned his head to see the two females and then noticed a small female poking her head out from behind the girls legs. "A new member of the family, the family I'm not allowed to be a part of?"

The little girls eyes twinkled though with curiosity and acceptance, allowing Keith to let his guard down , his facial features softening slightly, almost breaking into a smile. The cousin who'd insisted on telling him how much she didn't want him there, however, pushed on the younger one with her hand. "Ignore him, stay away from him. Akira is a curse, an unlucky one."

Quickly Keith stepped into the room, slamming the doors behind him. He could feel his chest tighten, his anger trying to get the better of him. He slipped in, sitting down on the mat, looking at the yukata waiting for him. He didn't want to move, and yet he knew he needed to get ready for the ceremonial cleaning of the family grave. Carefully, he slipped into the traditional clothing, carefully folding his own clothing and putting them aside. "At least I don't need to interact with anyone until tomorrow. I can go to the grave early, do what Shiro and I always did."

The teen felt his forehead hit the floor hard, the sudden wave of emotions pouring out overwhelming him. His teeth gritted together, and finally, he opened the door to let some air into the stuffy room. The fresh air felt good, but the looks received every so often as people passed did not. A different look though made him look up, and he saw the small child peeking at him from behind a pillar. His hand raised up to wave hello, but the girl took off. A sigh escaped his mouth, and he closed the door. He ate the meals brought but kept otherwise to himself until the morning when he woke up at dawn.

The trek was long but normally worth it as the rising sun could be seen. This time around the sight seemed empty, and he simply walked to the family grave with the cleaning items and incense sticks rather than stopping to watch. He began to clean, only to stop when his mind asked himself if his efforts were fruitless. He couldn't even look at the kaimyo placed for Shiro, but also wondered if there would be one for him somewhere if something were to happen to him.

"Akira..."

Keith startled, his head turning to look up at the old man, the sun at the old man's back. "What do you want?"

"Can we not talk civilly for once?"

The teen felt his blood run cold, wondering why of all times the man would try to make an effort. "Why? It's not as if..." His eyes darted down. "If you're trying to replace Shiro with me, it won't work! Don't insult him like that! Nobody can replace him, and I won't be pulled into family politics, not after..."

"I wouldn't think of doing that." The old man sat down on the stone bench near the grave, and Keith noticed the little girl. This time around fright was apparent, making him realize he'd been yelling. "Let the others clean the grave for once this year."

"But..." Keith felt a sudden pain, his eyes darting to the ground. "That was the only connection I felt to this family, that and Shiro."

"Takashi and you have always been dutiful to your parents every year. Come and sit for a bit." The old man's words stung.

"Saying such things, being..."

"You said you would do what was asked of you yesterday, did you not."

Keith sighed, sitting down at the far end of the long bench, his eyes to the ground. Instinctively he looked up, his hand reaching up to grab something the old man threw at him. His mouth twisted into a frown, and again he noticed the young girl watching him.

"If you want some, you need to ask your cousin."

Keith felt the hairs on the back of his neck bristle with irritation but soon felt the hand of a small child touched his leg. "Um... I don't..." His eyes blinked a couple of times as two big eyes looked up at him. "I don't do touchy-feely with strangers."

The child quickly climbed up into his lap, and he opened the bag of hard candies to give her one, only to stop. "Is she old enough to have hard candy?"

"Yes. Just give her one."

Keith felt his teeth grind together, wondering why the old man took the time to be kind to him. "If you're trying to make up for the past, it's honest to late for that." The hard candy went into the child's hand, and then she leaned up against him as if he'd suddenly became her new friend. Something he'd not expected to say came out of his mouth. "If I wash out of the academy, it's not because I'm trying to spite you."

"So, you expect then to wash out of the Garrison?"

"Don't I do that with everything I do?"

"I'm sorry to hear that."

"No, you're not." Keith shut his eyes. "You, like everyone else expects me to fail. I'm the black sheep of the family. There is no point talking. I'm only here..."

"Out of duty." The old man said nothing, but a stern look sent a shiver down Keith's spine, making him wonder what the man was thinking, let alone why he'd choose to be kind. Looking down at the child, he wondered if she had anything to do with it. No one spoke to him the next few days, and he went home, feeling even more empty than before.

Having a taste of what he could have had hurt.