Chapter 3- An Introduction

A few days later, the Kasshu Family brought Domon home, and by the end of the day, he was put into his blue and white-bordered crib for a nap. But while Raizo and Mikino retired to the living room for the time being, Kyoji had other plans. Creeping down the hall like a cat on the hunt, he made it to the door to the nursery and tiptoed inside. Why he was so intent on getting a look at his new brother was beyond him since he'd spent the past few days either avoiding or scowling at him. Still, he made a quick dash for the crib and stood up on his toes to peer inside. Blue eyes met brown eyes.
"Didn't Mom tell you to go to sleep?" Kyoji asked sternly.
Baby Domon blinked and grinned toothlessly up at him. The 8-year-old suppressed a laugh at how funny it looked. "I guess you're lucky as far as having no teeth goes. Brushing is annoying."
The infant cooed and reached up with a tiny hand, trying to reach the boy looking down upon him. Kyoji cocked his head at first, unsure of what to do. But then, slowly, he lowered his own hand into the crib, which Domon took readily. "Geez," Kyoji muttered. "You can only hold one of my fingers. Babies sure are helpless..hey that's a pretty strong grip though."

He wasn't sure what it was at that moment, but the moment Domon grabbed hold of his finger, Kyoji felt something that he'd never felt before. It was a feeling that made his chest want to swell, one that struggled past his pride and anger to form a smile on his lips. And it was a warm feeling, a content feeling.

Kyoji allowed his emotional barriers to collapse and smiled awkwardly. "Eh, you aren't so bad I guess. Maybe I can teach you a thing or two."

Domon released his brother's hand, but continued to look up at him with a happy smile. Feeling a bit more at ease, Kyoji rested his head in his arms over the edge of the crib. "Okay, now here's the deal. If you're gonna be my kid brother, there are a few rules you need to go by." Kyoji cleared his throat, trying his best to seem grown up. "First off, no crying at night. Mom wouldn't like it, Dad wouldn't like it, and most of all, I wouldn't like it. Second of all, since Mom said I'm gonna have to help feed you and such, never ever spit out your food. You eat what you're given and like it. Now third.."
Mikino heard her son's voice as she made her way slowly upstairs. "What in the world." She crept over to the nursery door, which was slightly ajar, and took a peek inside, only to cover her mouth with her hands. "Oh my."

There was Kyoji, leaning over the side of the crib, laying down the laws and telling Domon the things they could do when he was old enough. The newborn, from what she could see from the barely opened door, was listening intently in whatever way such young children could.

Deciding not to let Kyoji know of her presence so as not to embarrass him, she turned and headed back downstairs. "Raizo was right," she thought to herself. "Domon is just the one to help Kyoji."