Chapter 3: Kaoru, Enma, and Mami OR: Mami Really Doesn't Like Being Used So She's Going To Train Like Crazy And Hope For The Best Pt 3


Mami sighed as Enma rushed off to greet Kaoru. She liked the older boy, really, she did, but he was taking up all of Enma's time. After the birthday party, the two had become closer in their pursuit of keeping her secret. It was sweet of them, but she had it covered. No one would believe that the sweet two year old Mami would be able to manipulate gravity to the extent that she did.

(Granted, there were kinks to work out. She was never really too sure how much she affected the gravity, nor was she too sure if she was targeting the right object.)

Above her, a shadow loomed. Mami scowled at it, wondering what the hell was haunting her like this. It could only be a ghost or something that was probably out for her blood. Though that didn't seem right, as it would have struck earlier. She had sensed it since she was an infant but couldn't actually see it properly. It annoyed Mami very, very much, and she wished it would either go away or come clean.

Enma, she knew, could see it. The way he stared at it was a dead giveaway. Lately, he seemed to get better at ignoring it. He didn't stare as intensely anymore, and he paid more attention to Mami when they were by themselves.

"Mami-chan," Kaoru's voice snapped her out of her thoughts, "I brought something for you." Mami looked up at the large five year old, excited. He handed her a worn stuffed rabbit and she hugged it close.

"Kao-nii love rab-rabbit?" she asked, only slightly annoyed by her speech patterns. It was hard, learning to talk in an infant's body. Kaoru, surprised, nodded. Mami frowned at him. He shouldn't give away his precious stuffed toys.

"I love him a lot. I want you to have him," he said slowly, looking her in the eye. Kaoru didn't talk down to her, which was another reason why she liked him so much.

"Ok," she acquiesced, arms tightening around the stuffed animal. Kaoru ruffled her hair affectionately. Mami, thankful and slightly guilty for the gift, reached up and pecked his cheek. Kaoru blushed at the action and Mami giggled at him.

"Kao-nii red!" she chirped cutely. Enma chuckled at his friend's blush and patted his shoulder in consolation.

"Mami, be nice to Kaoru," he lightly scolded. Mami stuck her tongue out at him, adjusting her hold on her new toy.

"Mami not mean. Mami nice!" she stated, cuddling the rabbit. It smelled like Kaoru, which calmed her somewhat. Kaoru patted her hair softly.

"Mami-chan is nice. Enma-kun, it's ok," he quietly said, taking Mami's free hand. Her fingers tightened around his, looking at the two older boys in confusion. What was happening exactly?

"Mama has lunch ready," Enma told her, noticing her confusion. Mami dropped her mouth open in understanding.

"Food~!" she trilled excitedly, pulling on Kaoru's hand. Both boys chuckled at her enthusiasm, which she ignored because her mother's food was heavenly. The trio quickly wandered into the kitchen where Haruka was, their stomachs rumbling. Mami hadn't even noticed how hungry she was. Haruka spotted the rabbit in her arms and knew that she hadn't bought one for her daughter. Besides, the rabbit looked slightly worn. It was missing part of its' left ear and there was a pink stain on its' torso.

"Aa Mami, where did you get that rabbit?" Haruka questioned the toddler, who snuggled the soft fur.

"Kao-nii!" she responded, swinging her other hand. Haruka blinked at the boy, a soft smile blooming on her face.

"That was very nice of you, Kaoru-kun. Did you thank him Mami?" Mami frowned and shook her head.

"Thank you Kao-nii!" she blubbered, her fingers releasing his to wrap around his taller frame. Kaoru flushed darker and hugged the toddler. Haruka cooed at the scene while Enma scowled.

"How cute~!" Haruka squealed, hurriedly grabbing a camera to snap pictures. Mami frowned at her mother but the effect was lost on the woman. She wouldn't be deterred by a frowning two year old.

"Mama, stop taking pictures!" Enma ordered, embarrassed for his friend and slightly jealous of him. Mami had taken such an immediate liking to the intimidating boy that it was hard not to. Haruka pouted at her oldest but complied.

"You're no fun Enma~. I think it's cute that Mami and Kaoru-kun are such great friends," she said. "Could it be that you're jealous of their friendship, hmm~?" Enma blushed at the concerned look on Kaoru's face. Mami blinked then nearly ran Enma over in her bid to get to him.

"Mami loves En-nii! En-nii, don't be sad!" she stated, clutching him tightly. She felt bad that she had made Enma jealous. Kaoru might be a friend but Enma was her brother. He was the boy who loved her so much that he went insane trying to avenge her death(or well, he would be, if she didn't manage to live through the Flood of Blood).

"...I love you too, Mami," he murmured, effectively subdued.

Mami grinned, and Enma had the slightest inclination that he'd been duped by his two year old sister.


Mami was taking one of her naps when Kaoru came over, a few days after he had given her his rabbit. Kaoru hadn't regretted the action. It was either Mami took it, or one of his cousins did. Between the two, it was obvious who he felt deserved it more. His cousins were obnoxious brats who would only tear the precious stuffed animal apart. Mami was oddly careful with her toys, too.

"Mami is sleeping, Kaoru-kun," Enma whispered conspiratorially. Kaoru nodded, silently following Enma to the boy's room. He stopped outside Mami's door, curious. Enma entered his room, not noticing that Kaoru hadn't followed.

Kaoru poked his head in, a smile on his face as he spotted Mami. The little girl was sleeping peacefully, one hand clutching the rabbit as gently as possible while the other laid across her chest. It was a heart-warming sight, to see his favorite toy treated so nicely even while she was sleeping. He could tell how much the present meant to her.

"Kaoru-kun?" Enma whispered, poking Kaoru's back. "What are you-" Enma peeked in as well, dropping the question he was about to ask. He stopped and his own smile lit up his face.

Mami slept peacefully, unaware of the boys watching her sleep.


Kaoru blinked in surprise at Enma. The boy floating above him shrieked in terror, turning every which way.

"I thought Mami-chan did that?" he asked, reaching for Enma's hands. Catching on, the redhead tearfully grabbed Kaoru's larger hands and yanked himself closer to the ground. Suddenly, he fell on top of the other boy, landing with a painful thunk.

"I thought so too! Mami has always made things float," he retorted, rubbing his sore bottom. Kaoru groaned and pulled both of them into a sitting position.

"Always? And this is the first time you've done it?" Enma nodded bashfully, a blush staining his cheeks.

"I'm sorry about falling on you," he apologized, rubbing the back of his head. Kaoru waved him off in much the same way he'd seen his own father wave. Enma's mouth screwed up into a confused pout, not understanding the simple gesture.

"It's ok Enma-kun," he clarified for the boy. Enma opened his mouth in understanding.

"I've never floated on my own. It was Mami that made it happen. I don't know how she did it," Enma said, returning to the subject at hand. He had wondered how Mami made things float but that was overshadowed by excitement.

"We can ask her how," Kaoru offered awkwardly. Enma scrunched his mouth into a frown.

"She's two! She can't even say your name! I don't think she knows how either," he confessed. Kaoru ruffled his hair.

"She's smart though," he pointed out. Enma had to give him that. Mami was actually very smart, probably smarter than both boys combined. The fact that she was two was kind of depressing though.

"I guess. Let's-Let's do it," Enma blurted, before he could chicken out. Kaoru grinned and pulled him by the hand towards Mami's room. The two-nearly three-year old was coloring absently, her strokes neat and orderly. She was coloring within the lines, something even Kaoru had trouble with.

"Mami-chan?" Kaoru started cautiously as he closed the door behind him. Mami glanced up at him, the smile on her face slipping at his expression.

"What wrong Kao-nii?" she asked, shakily standing and making her way over to the boys. Enma gulped.

"How do you make things float Mami-chan?" he asked, looming over her. Mami's confusion turned to shock and then understanding.

"Can't tell. Secret," she said, blinking at him. It wasn't even a lie. She couldn't tell them, she didn't have nearly enough vocabulary or control over her vocal chords. Kaoru searched her face for a moment then nodded.

"Sorry Mami-chan. Enma made himself float," he told her. She wasn't as shocked as she should be, probably. Mami knew that Enma would be able to do the same thing as her, but he was only four(like she had room to talk. To be fair, she had some semblance of an understanding about her powers, foreknowledge that Enma didn't)and people didn't manifest their Dying Will Flames at the age of four, did they?

"En-nii so cool~!" she cooed, encouraging him in her own little way. Enma blushed at her praise.

With any luck he'd figure out how to manipulate gravity on his own, Mami mused.


A/N: Chapter 3 done! This chapter, I focused on the dynamics of these three little rugrats. Kaoru is quickly worming his way to the 'best friend/Guardian' position lol. (Don't worry, though, Adel will still be Enma's Right Hand Man.)Mami and Kaoru are the best of friends too, don't you know? I imagine he's gentle with little kids and loves to play with them(little kids, rather than be afraid of tall/big people, are rather enamored with them I think). The second scene where Mami is sleeping is so adorable I can't even. ALSO I made up cousins for Kaoru that will probably be killed off in the Flood of Blood cause they aren't heirs. Daemon killed EVERYBODY that wasn't an heir to the rings/title. Crazy bastard.

(Speaking of Kaoru, I still have NO IDEA what to do about his Flame. I thought it might be called the Wind Flame cause it leaves lacerations upon the opponent's body but...wind isn't part of the Earth. It'd be a Flame of the Sky, if it were a thing-and yes, I AM aware of those fanfics about 'Wind Guardians' for Tsuna.)

After next chapter, I will be at the Flood of Blood! I'm still writing the first half of it and have yet to start the second half. OOOOH I'm just soooo excited! It's bound to be a good chapter! And then the aftermath of the incident will be a real eye opener and explain some questions that I KNOW must be stewing for some people.

(Like, seriously, what's up with that raggedy ghost? Why can only Enma see it? Why can't Mami? Isn't she technically dead in one plane of existence? Shouldn't she see the ghost as well?)

On another note, I got 713 views for both stories combined last month which is hilarious to me because my birthday is July thirteenth or 7/13. Make of that what you will.

Next chapter: Mami angsts shortly about her inevitable murder, a hair clip is bought, and Kaoru begins earning his nickname plus the introduction of the Guardians and plot!(It's the longest chapter so far!)
Don't forget to leave a review and let me know what you think! Plus, I just updated my other story, The Tumultuous Sky and his Entourage of Weirdos, so check that out as well!