A/N: My friend who reads these chapters before anyone nearly strangled me with the last preview. She was excited because she wanted to know about the 'little brother' deal but after reading this chapter she is, and I quote, ''done with my shit.''
Some of you may feel like this is rushed but I ask you-after being attacked by a monster and tormented by voices wouldn't you want all the answers immediately?
Exactly.
Thank you to those who have reviewed/favorited/followed! Warms my heart. (: I listened to Naruto sad soundtracks on YouTube while writing this chapter- beautiful songs. The video is called 'Naruto Shippuden sad songs' uploaded by '19NarutoLover98s kanal'. Listened to them up until the scene change just to give you guys a feel! (:
Enjoy!
DISCLAMER: I DO NOT OWN THIS AMAZING SHOW OR ITS CHARACTERS. *Sobs*
Chapter Four: Little Brother
Alaura cracked her neck back and forth as she sighed tiredly, dropping her dorms key on the counter. She heard Liz shut the door with a soft click and scuffle around until the smell of their candle filled her senses.
Vanilla.
Popping her knuckles by pushing down on them with her thumbs the older girl opened the door to her dimly lit room and threw her purse on her black comforter. She pulled her shirt up over her head and tossed it into her dirty hamper, kicking off her shoes before stripping herself of her pants.
Scavenging the drawers she smiled triumphantly when her fingers closed around a shirt three times her size with a picture of a titan on it. Attack on Titan was one of the most fucked up animes she had ever watched and she loved every moment of it-even the horrible feels.
Not bothering with shorts she closed her door and twisted her hair up into a messy bun, shivering with a large grin.
Comfy at its finest.
''Uh, I made us some tea…'' Alaura looked up to see Liz sitting on their couch looking horribly awkward as two mugs rested on the coffee table. The raven haired girl was still wearing the clothes from the day.
Softly Alaura smiled, remembering the person who had made them these as a gift.
"Do you remember how proud Kuroh was when he gave us these?'' She picked a cup up and settled on the opposite end of the couch, tugging her knees under her and leaning into the couch. "He insisted on serving tea or coffee with every meal until you fell to the floor and begged him to stop.''
"Yeah,'' Liz picked up her cup and looked fondly into the liquid-seeing images of her past that had been altered thanks to the girl next to her. "You picked up the cup when he started sputtering nonsense and sat down to drink it happily. First time I've ever seen him stutter when you thanked him for the meal.''
''He was so happy with them.'' Alaura admired the slight swirls of pale silver and white that decorated the cup. "I wasn't lying either-he fed my addiction.''
Liz snorted into her drink and covered her mouth with her hand. Alaura raised a brow in amusement and sipped at the tea.
It was quiet for a while-but not a stressful silence. Alaura set her cup down now completely finished before clasping her hands in her lap and waiting for Liz. She was ready.
Said girl shook slightly before breathing deeply, settling her own cup down. The cup clanked in the silence against the glass but Alaura paid no mind to it.
"Well, uh-'' Liz began unsure. "What do you want to know?"
Alaura thought that one question over. What did she want to know? She wanted to know how Liz knew that thing and how it knew them.
"I want to know how you knew what that thing was after it started attacking us. I want to know how it knew you.'' She answered, smiling to reassure her friend.
Liz scratched at her throat and scooted further from her. "Right…well, okay. If I tell you I have to start from the beginning-but no interruptions until the end. Understand?"
Alaura nodded and raised her hands in surrender. ''No interruptions, you've got it.''
Liz looked ready to hyperventilate and for a second Alaura thought maybe she shouldn't ask for this-she had never seen Liz like this before; so frightened.
"Well…'' Liz began. ''You remember how you, Kuroh, and I grew up under Master Ichigen's care? Never mind don't answer I said no interrupting…Well it was just the three of us learning from Master Ichigen, you how to use a gun after asking while learning medicine and Kuroh and I mastering the sword.''
Alaura plopped her cheek into her palm wondering where this was going. Of course she remembered that. She spent her entire life under Master Ichigen's care before he…before he died.
"Well uh, um…there was someone else with us who grew up under Master Ichigen's care.'' Liz took a shaky breath. "That person was a year younger than Kuroh and I and he-Alaura, he was your little brother.''
No.
Alaura wanted to shut Liz up now. Wanted her to stop talking as that boy's smiling face appeared in her mind.
Liz squeezed her eyes shut and kept on, not seeing the way the color drained from Alaura's face.
"It was the four of us who did everything together. He was studying proof of Auraleo-''
Alaura sucked in a breath at the mention of Auraleo, the world that was believed to reflect their own. A place where the dead with unresolved business remained but had the power to see and walk among their loved ones. Sweet torture in its purest form.
Master Ichigen had taught them the legends of this other world, but only she had been the one of the three to read about it. Auraleo was shrouded in secrecy and no one knew when it had come into play-only that a total of eight books had been written revolving around it.
She had read every one, remembered the late nights scribbling her own theories on how it was brought into legend.
Slowly, annoyingly so, an image of a young boy sitting at her desk appeared. He was slumped over and was passed out with a trail of drool seeping from his mouth-
NO!
"-because he wanted to write his own book. He was determined to unlock its truths after he found out you read all the books in a week. He was your little brother and you loved him so, so much.'' Liz's eyes watered as her voice trembled.
Alaura wanted to cry for her to stop but she couldn't.
"Almost every memory I have of him he's right next to you goofing off and knowing you'd get him out of trouble. It was the four of us against the world with Master Ichigen behind us, you were like a leader for us all. Keeping us up and fixing problems, it was a great life but then- but then…he went outside by himself.''
Alaura remembered that rule. When she met Master Ichigen at the age of four he had forbidden her from going out at night by herself. He spoke of monsters and demons, but that had only made her want to go outside more to see for herself.
She never did, her respect for Master Ichigen too large. He had rescued her and gave her a home and she couldn't bring herself to go against his word.
"He went outside in the middle of the night and you woke up Kuroh and me, telling us where you were going. We followed to go get him and expected nothing but to see a lost little boy ready to cry for your forgiveness…'' Liz's voice cracked as the tears began to fall.
Alaura's breath was becoming ragged, eyes wide in disbelief. Why didn't she remember any of this?!
"H-he was…I can't, Alaura I can't.'' Liz hunched over, wiping away at her eyes hastily.
Alaura stumbled to stand, her legs shaking. She didn't say a word just waited for the azure eyed girl to gather herself.
After a moment Liz breathed in, shaking, but continued. ''We came out from the tree line and that…that thing from earlier had her jaws clamed on his jugular, crushing his throat and preventing him from screaming. Gods, Alaura, I've never seen someone move as fast as you did then. One moment…one second you were next to us and the next you were screaming.''
''You charged forward and I could feel the anger in the air, the fury bursting like a dam and soaking everything in its path. Kuroh and I were terrified-we had never seen you angry before. You jumped on that thing, crying and screaming before digging your thumbs into its eyes until it let your brother go.''
''As soon as it did you clung to him, and we-we saw you mumbling as you slowly began to soak in blood. That thing screeched and charged at you but we jumped in its way-fighting it even though we had no clue what it was. It knocked us away like rag dolls and began to charge for you, screeching in its damn horrible howl but you…you looked at it and screamed right back.''
''You clung to your dead brother and looked his killer in the face, screaming until your face went red and the veins on your neck appeared. I was shaking at the sound, my very bones urging me to run away from the emotion in the air. Whatever you did, scare it or something, it slowly retreated cackling and taunting us all. ''
''We weren't able to make you move…we had to get Master Ichigen but by the time we had come back you were staring out over the cliff watching the sun rise. Master Ichigen went up to you and you merely brushed him away before picking up your brother and walking home.''
The tears had dried as Liz stared at her but Alaura felt like throwing up. She had gone through that? She had scared her closest friends?
"What happened next was so odd. You slept and ate fine but it was obvious something was wrong. You weren't hollow like a shell but it was like someone had cracked you to where you were about to shatter into a million pieces. We were scared, even Master. You're so bright and optimistic even when it comes to death but it felt like you were slipping away.''
''Kuroh and I begged Master Ichigen to help you. He too was worried and offered us a solution that we had to take. The three of us feared you would hunt that beast down and kill it yourself if we didn't take action-'' Liz shifted in her spot and wiped her nose.
Alaura felt the tears welling in her eyes as her life was retold to her.
"We…we locked away every memory that involved your brother. Your other memories wouldn't alter, those are real…we just made it to where it was as if he had never existed in your life. Every year Master Ichigen would renew the sealing and every time Kuroh and I were still in shock that this power existed.''
Alaura clutched her head, mind spinning. She had a baby brother, someone she had cared for her entire life? Wait…if Master Ichigen had to renew it every year just-just when had her little brother died?
"When did, when did he die?" Her voice cracked. "How old was he? How old was I?''
Liz's shoulders shook as dry sobs escaped her. "You had just turned fifteen...it was two days after your birthday. He was eleven years old.''
Alaura's throat closed up at the image she pictured-that boy smiling so happily-twisted until dead, soulless eyes stared back at her.
No…How could this be?
"What about everyone else?" She cleared her throat. "The villagers…how did you make them agree to never mention my brother?"
Liz looked ashamed and Alaura felt like soothing her troubles away, but she needed to know more, needed to fill in the blanks in her head.
"Master Ichigen asked them all to never mention your brother after we enacted the seal. They agreed whole heartedly, worried for you as well. Everyone was worried for you Alaura-we were afraid you would do something crazy!" Liz pleaded, but for what she didn't know. Forgiveness?
"Why am I remembering him?" Alaura demanded.
Liz's head snapped up so fast Alaura worried her neck would hurt. The girl's eyes were wide as saucers as her whole body began to shake horribly, tears beginning to stream down her face.
''You-you remember him?" She gasped.
Alaura shifted and crossed her arms, wiping at her nose before nodding. "Today…today I heard a voice calling me big sister. I thought I was going crazy knowing I was an only child. That's why the glass shattered, I dropped it before I could pull myself back. Then again at the hospital… but Mikoto snapped me out of it. ''
Liz seemed defeated and frowned deeply. ''Master Ichigen renewed the seal every year just in case on the anniversary of your brother's death. It's nearing the normal time so I suppose with Master Ichigen's soul no longer being in this world the effects of the seal are weakening quicker.''
Alaura felt her heart breaking for a boy she couldn't even remember. "So on the anniversary…will the seal break completely?"
"I don't know, Alaura. Master Ichigen kept the details a secret from Kuroh and I.'' Blue eyes filled with tears as they looked at each other, the light from the kitchen all they had.
Alaura wanted to wake up from this nightmare, wake up in her bed safe away from this ugly truth. But she couldn't.
She watched as Liz crumpled before her-dropping her head into her hands and allowing the cries to take over her.
"I'm so sorry,'' she cried. "S-so sorry! There was no other choice! You were hurting, we were all hurting and you were being so tough trying to hold us all together while you fell apart! We couldn't take it anymore! Ple-please don't hate us-oomf!''
Whatever Liz had to say next was cut off by her face being shoved into Alaura's shoulder. The brunette had gotten on her knees and enveloped her in a tight hug, not saying anything. Alaura bit her bottom lip as she gripped the back of Liz's head and wrapped her other arm around her.
Liz sniffled. "You-you don't hate us? Master Ichigen, Me, Kuroh?''
Alaura closed her eyes and sighed as she listened to Liz cry. "How could I hate the people who tried to care for me? Who burdened themselves with this secret just to see me happy again?" She pulled away to bump her forehead against Liz's, and offered the shocked girl a true smile.
"How could I hate my little sister, hmm?''
That did it.
Liz burst into sobs and buried her head into Alaura's shoulder, muffled apologies reaching her ears. Alaura smiled through her new pain and patted Liz's head.
"We-we took away his memory!" Liz choked. "We stole him from you!"
Alaura frowned as years of guilt and sorrow poured forth from the eighteen year old. They had taken her brother's memory from her…and though she wished she could have grieved she only felt guilty for burdening the people she loved. They had gone through so much to protect her.
"Forget about it, Liz.'' She sighed, tightening her hug. "Just forget about it.''
Alaura slipped on her house shoes as she snagged her phone and carefully opened the balcony door, mindful of Liz who had fallen asleep in her room after she had finished crying. They felt easier around one another after their secrets had been discarded and Alaura had forced Liz to bed with the promise they would talk more later.
Now it was almost midnight and Alaura was wide awake.
She settled down on one of the wooden lawn chairs they had brought up here and looked out over the ocean. The city lights bounced off the dark waters, alone in tonight's light show as the moon was hidden by clouds.
So even you, Kuroh…the sensible one of us and you allowed Master Ichigen to place a seal on my memories without knowing the full extents. She smirked in irony.
She could see him now-the usually collected one of their group probably back home unaware that her memories were beginning to come back.
Would he even be home? She shook her head and tossed her phone in the air over and over. No…he had left right after Master Ichigen's death, claiming he had duties to attend to that he couldn't share with them.
Liz had gotten angry at him, calling him a coward for running away from the place they all called their home. Kuroh claimed he was no coward; only someone following their Master's wishes. The two had screamed at each other, both blue in the face, until Alaura had opened the door.
Immediately those two had looked ashamed, silencing and looking away from one another. She had been wearing a black kimono with white lilies coming up the side for her Master's funeral that would be held later that day. The outfit had made them embarrassed when they realized they had been fighting while Alaura was greeting guests.
Alaura had gone up to Kuroh and kissed his forehead, him having to bend just to allow her to. She hadn't said anything, just patted his shoulder and walked away.
After the funeral he had left but had come to her, asking her for her blessing in his leaving. Alaura was older than both Kuroh and Liz and viewed both as her siblings. She had laughed at the boy and said to visit when possible and that she loved him. Kuroh had left with a smile.
It's been almost a year now hasn't it? Not once have you replied to us Kuroh…texts, calls, you've ignored them all. She brushed aside a stray hair that had fallen from her bun. I miss you, you idiot.
Liz was slightly peeved at Kuroh for not calling them and often told her to stop sending him pictures of what they were up to. She said if he wanted to know he should call. Alaura knew that but she couldn't help it-she hoped that once he would reply with something…anything.
Now here she was with the secrets they kept hung out in the open. Idly she picked up her phone and clicked Kuroh's text messages. All from her and all read and left alone. Smiling sadly she typed in a text message:
I know everything, Kuroh…please call.
A few minutes later she checked to see if he had replied, was texting, something. With a heavy heart she saw how she had been left on read with no reply.
"Stubborn fool.'' She mumbled, tilting her head up to look at the sky.
This had been one of the most eventful days of her life…first the voice, then the monster, HOMRA, Mikoto...her brother. Her heart was filled with emotions and all she wanted was to feel peace…the peace that she had felt next to Mikoto earlier today.
Alaura couldn't tell you why but being around him had already become addicting. His voice, his eyes, and the way he held himself, all of it. She was also damned determined to know what was behind his eyes; she could see a whole other world hidden in those depths.
Hearing his voice would help…but it'd be weird if I called him so late wouldn't it?
Alaura opened her phone to see the time glaring back at her, teasing that she didn't have the lady balls to call a devastatingly attractive man. She bit her lower lip and groaned before pushing call and bringing it up to her ear.
Maybe he won't answer and I can be totally content with my dreams.
…Ring…
She fidgeted and bounced her knee up and down. She was a person who thought before speaking or acting so this was insane for her.
…Ring…
What if he was asleep and yelled at her for waking him up?
…Ring…
No, she couldn't see him yelling at her for that. He'd probably just hang up.
…Ring…
Good gods! How many times would this damn phone ring before he-
"Yeah?"
Alaura's face heated up at the deep and groggy voice on the other side of the phone. Her poor lip was in danger of being bitten to death.
"Alaura? What the hell is going on?" His tone changed from groggy to irritated, and she jumped when she realized she had zoned out.
"Nothing! Nothing I…I just felt like talking to you.''
On one hand Alaura wanted to throw the phone off the balcony for that sentence, on the other she was pleased with herself for telling the truth.
"You wanted to talk to me?"
She heard sheets rustling softly and closed her eyes to try and school her racing heart. She had never acted like this, but then again she had never thought someone attractive in the way she thought of him.
"Yeah,'' she replied softly, lowering her voice and smiling. She brought her knees up to her chest and rested her chin on them. "Were you asleep?"
"Not really…Why did you want to talk to me? It's past midnight.''
"I saw that.''
…
"What's wrong with you?"
He didn't mean for his voice to come off so gruff, she knew that by the sound of him cussing beneath his breath.
''I didn't mean it like-''
She giggled. "I know what you meant, Mikoto. You don't have to apologize.''
He was silent for a second before she heard him sigh. "Are you going to answer my question?"
"I think the answer will be best if I tell you in person,'' she tilted her head and smiled. "It's kind of a long story.''
''I hate waiting. I'm not a patient man.''
"Lucky for you I am a patient woman-you'll just have to get used to that.''
He snorted. "Maybe I could use some patience in my life.''
Alaura blushed. "Really? I thought you were fine how you were.''
"I burnt a TV. Did you not see that?"
"Casualties of war, I'll write the hospital a check.'' She joked, pleased when the sound of him laughing reached her ears.
"I'm going to ask you something-''
''-If I agree-''
''-and I want you to answer.''
Alaura nodded before realizing he couldn't see her. "Alright, shoot.''
''How old are you?"
She raised a brow. "Very forward of you sir, but I agreed. I'm twenty about to be twenty one in a couple of weeks.''
''Hmm.''
"How old are you?"
"Twenty four.''
She sent a quick thankyou to the heavens and did a little dance in her head. "So you're older-old man.''
''That's a three year difference, how am I old?''
Breathing in deeply Alaura decided to give her next move a shot. "If you're not old…then prove it.''
….
Her knee began to bounce up and down again as she attempted to control the blush spreading over her breasts.
''I will. Tomorrow after you tell me what was wrong with you.''
Mocha orbs widening slightly a full blown smile split across her face. "That's a deal.''
"Why are you in high school if you're twenty?" He asked.
Her shoulders drooped. "We're from a small town in the country and were never really taught in a classroom. When we applied for the college entrance exam the school board suggested the two of us spend a year going to high school. They were worried about funding a college scholarship for two people and wanted to see how we did taking advanced courses in our fields.''
"And?"
She smirked and couldn't help the way her shoulders pushed back. "Liz and I got all honors in last year's semester, and that's how it's looking now. ''
"What are your fields?"
"Medical field for me, and Liz wants to work with dead people who have been murdered and help solve the crimes.''
She heard him whistle lowly. ''So that's how you knew how to save Tatara.''
''Yeah-but I've been learning since I was four on how to deal with all sorts of injuries. The courses are interesting but they're a little tedious.''
He laughed and she smiled. "What happened to that patience?"
"Patience dies in classrooms.''
"I know a weakness of yours then.''
"Hey-'' she laughed. "-Schools and classrooms are everyone's weakness! That's not fair.''
Mikoto's laugh deepened before he sighed loudly. Curious, Alaura cocked her head to the side.
"Mikoto?"
"Thank you-'' her eyes widened, "-for saving Tatara…even though you're in all this.''
Feeling the conversation pull into a serious note her eyelids lowered as she shook her head. "I wouldn't be in it if I didn't want to, Mikoto.''
She heard sheets rustling again before the soft padding of bare feet on the floor.
''You can still back down,'' his voice dropped. "No one will hold it against you if-''
''Mikoto…stop talking.'' She cupped the bottom of the phone with her other and chuckled. "You're being ridiculous again. I want to be in this and so does Liz. Tatara is our friend-and I've already declared everyone else I met today my friend as well. Anyone else in HOMRA…they're my friend too. Once you're my friend you can never get rid of me, Mikoto.''
"People you've never met are your friend?" He snorted.
"If they're important to you and the others then they're important to me.'' Her lips pulled up. "If you care for them, Mikoto, then they must be amazing people.''
He quieted and Alaura could picture him closing his eyes and resting his cheek in his palm. She wished he was here. "You're ridiculous.''
Alaura laughed. "That's the pot calling the kettle black, Mikoto.''
"You handled today well.'' He complimented and her heart fluttered. "Both of you accepted it easily.''
"Well,'' she started. "After being saved by Yata and the others the rest was easy to swallow. The thoughts of Kings is crazy but I can see it-you being one I mean.''
"Oh?"
"Yeah.'' She stood up to lean over the balcony, the cool air nipping at her exposed dkin. "You strike me as a King.''
"How interesting.'' His tone went bland and she frowned.
"You do. You were kind to me when we met and even insisted I see a doctor. You tried to keep us out of this mess but listened when we were sure. You're trying to find this Colorless King and kill him because he hurt one of your people. You're talking to me because there was something bothering me-not everyone is that kind, Mikoto.''
''Some say kind rulers are the first to die.''
''If a King was a cruel and harsh man he would be the first to die.'' She said passionately. "Kings are meant to be leaders in my books, and a leader helps his people to the finish line and does what is best for them. An asshole would let them fall behind while he raced to the top. Kings are meant to guide and that is who you are Mikoto.''
…
"You got all that from one day?"
"One day.''
It was silent while he moved around and she took out the falling bun, her hair lifting slightly in the wind.
''You never saw a doctor.'' He said suddenly and she pulled back before grinning.
"Haven't you heard? I am a doctor.''
His voice lightened again. "Not officially.''
"Cold, Mikoto, cold.''
He chuckled and she paused to look down at her phone, eyes bulging comically when she read that it was already two in the morning. Had they been talking for that long? It didn't even feel as such!
"Oi, Mikoto.''
"Hmm.''
"If you want me at the hospital by nine I should sleep now, it's two.''
More scuffling before she heard the man exhale in realization. "Look at that. Well alright, I suppose I can let you go if you make it on time tomorrow.''
It was Alaura who snorted this time. "Aye aye, Cap. ''
"Ridiculous. ''
Feeling reluctant to hang up but knowing she needed sleep Alaura smiled against the phone's receiver and closed her eyes. He didn't know it but he had helped her much more than she thought.
She knew she would have tossed and turned all night if she hadn't talked to him.
"Mikoto?"
"Hmm?''
Alaura bit her lip and felt the blush bloom in her cheeks. "Thank you.''
…
''See you tomorrow, Alaura.''
She nodded. "Defiantly.''
Click.
Grinning like a fool Alaura pulled the phone she now realized as way too hot away from her face. A sort of giddy feeling was circling around her, and even while she still felt torn about her new found little brother she couldn't help but feel happy as well.
Before Liz had said she seemed like she was about to break after her brother's murder, and she knew once the memories hit home she just might. But…
If I have him here, she bit her lip to stop the smile as she closed the balcony door. Then I don't feel like I'll shatter.
Mikoto Suoh stared down at the phone in his hand, the warmth from it still on his cheek. Running a hand through his chaotic hair he put it on the charger. He had a feeling he would actually be using it now.
Crawling into bed he rested his arm under his head and laid on his side facing the window of his room. The city's lights cast over him, the only source of light in his otherwise black room. Amber eyes closed slowly as he thought of a woman with open brown eyes and a loud laugh…
A small smirk pulled on his lips as he recalled her words when he first answered the phone. When he had seen who it was his first thought was she was in trouble and to his shock the thought of her hurt brought his anger to a boiling point.
As soon as she began talking it had disappeared, vanishing like smoke and soon a forgotten emotion while she babbled.
"Hmm,'' his mind began to slip quickly into a dream world, the smirk never fading. "Ridiculous…''
A/N: TRUTHS ARE REVEALED!
Damn, that's a little cold of me to make Alaura find out her own brother was murdered-and she can't even bring herself to feel the full impact of emotions. Poor Liz, nearly six years of guilt…at least Alaura doesn't hate her!
I did throw in some more Mikoto and Alaura action to relieve the tension-looks as if our Red King is developing some sort of feelings for Alaura. How fun yes?
Review, eat awesome food, and have a great day/night!
-ScarlettWriter
PREVIEW OF CHAPTER FIVE: My treat!
''Come on!" Liz laughed, holding the fruit in the air. "One bite!
Yata scrunched up his nose and attempted to shove the offensive fruit away. It was all…yellow.
"Hell no! That's so gross!"
