Chapter 3
-Hotake-
Everything felt like it was falling apart. Nothing in this world would stop the shattering of my heart. To realize that my little sister, the one I had sworn to protect, was gone. Probably to never return was too much to bear. I knew it was no use to try and go after them. One boy against who knows how many soldiers would be ridiculus. Unless they laughed themselves to death first. Though the ninja were from the Sound Village it didn't nessicarily mean that they would take her to the Sound. Even if they did there was that witch to consider. Argh! Why can't anything in my life ever be easy? I wondered, not really expecting an answer. I could still remember one night a while back of one of the stories I had told Misumi to get her to go to sleep.
-Flashback-
"What's wrong Misumi-hime?" I asked calling her by her nickname. She looked up at me her green/gray eyes wide with fright as I slowly crossed to room to sit on the edge of her bed while she brought her knees up to her chest.
"I had a bad dream." She mumbled her bangs falling into her eyes. Smiling I reached over and ruffled her hair.
"That's all? What was it about Misumi-hime?" She giggled at the nickname.
"Okay Nii-san I'll tell you. There was this giant dragon chasing me breathing fire everywhere. But then you showed up..." She trailed off burying her head in her knees again.
"What?"
"You... got... fried... to... a... crisp. And I was left all alone. Then the dragon came after me destroying everything!" Misumi's voice rose and I could tell that she was crying because her shoulders were shaking fiercely and her grip on her knees tightened as she rocked back and forth trying to get a hold of herself.
My eyes softened and I reached over and picked her up cradling her to her chest.
"Shhh. It's alright. I'm not going anywhere Misumi-chan. I swear. It was just a dream. A horrible horrible dream. Now you, little princess will not be chased by any dragons nor eaten by one." I said softly stroking her hair. Sniffling she looked up at me, fresh tear tracks on her cheeks.
"Promise?"
"Promise."
She smiled at that and let out a yawn. Chuckling I told her; "Someone needs to go back to sleep."
"Okay Nii-san. But only if you tell me a story." Misumi said scrambling off of my lap and leaning back against the pillows on the head board before exclaiming; "Ack! I almost forgot!"
Confused I watched as she reached under the bed and pulled out a messily wrapped old box and handed it to me. "Open it.' She ordered. Smiling I did as she said and carefully pulled off the newspaper wrapping paper and opened the box. In the box laid a folded handmade quilt. Small but big enough to cover both of our small frames.
"Happy Birthday Nii-san!" Misumi said giggling.
"Thanks. I love it." I said hugging her. 'Okay about that story. What kind do you want?"
"Um... A counter story to the dream I had." She said desisivly.
Inodded and sat indian style on the bed facing her and tucking her in.
"Once upon a time, there was a young princess. Kind and sweet,but she had a habit of running into trouble due to people wanting to kidnapp her among other things. One day she had been out berry picking with some of the other girls from the visiting kingdom, unaware of how far she had gone the princess got lost and made the mistake of taking the path through the forest where tales of monsters and evil things lived. Not too far away a dragon had smelled the princesses berries and decided to take the berries and the girl for himself and set out to find her. Not knowing that she was being followed the princess kept walking but getting more and more lost. The dragon using his mighty wings caught up with her quickly and swooped down to grab her. Turning around just in time the princess ducked then started running and the dragon followed. Thankfully the princess had an older brother who instead of becoming a prince had decided to take the life of a knight so he could protect his little sister always. He had noticed the princess wander off and decided to follow her just in case she ran into trouble. But his horse had spooked by something in the forest and had bucked. Making the Knight fall off and have to continue on foot. Hearing his sister scream the knight took a short cut and soon caught up with the princess only to find her being chased by the evil dragon. Quickly he drew his sword and readied his shield and shouted at the dragon "You shall not harm her!!" Before charging at the dragon. Fearful for her brother's saftey, the princess grabbed the bow and arrows from her brothers backpack which he had thrown on the ground and joined her brother in combat. Remembering their archery and sword lessons together the knight smiled and worked as a team with his sister. Together they destroyed the dragon. But still had to make the long journey home. Embarressed at having to be rescued by her own older brother the princess started to sob uncontrolably. Smiling the knight wiped his little sister tears and said; "Don't worry. I'm always here. I'll always be there to protect you."
Expecting a question I turned back to her, but she was sound asleep clutching the striped stuffed cat with the big head. Smiling, I turned off the overhead light and silently strode from the room.
-End FlashBack-
Things were better back then. I thought fingering the stuffed toy. I think its a tiger but it's hard to tell. Anyway, I still wish Misumi-hime was here.
