AN: Lol sorry guys I posted the wrong chapter! For anyone who read that one and was confused this is the missing piece! My bad :P Anyways, so sorry for the long wait! Truly, I am really sorry! I kinda had writer's block but was thinking of plot ideas all the same! (I feel like Kakashi with all of his excuses for being late! ^-^) Anyways, I decided to update my main page (or whatever it's called) very frequently to let you guys know I am still here and how much progress I have made. So check that if I haven't posted a new chapter in a while. There is also new news on the story as well if you want to know! Well, thank you to those who reviewed and those who follow and favorite! It's very much appreciated! Well, enjoy the next chapter! And sorry it's short! The next one is like 1,500 though:)

Disclaimer: AnE not mine


Chapter 4 - Found

My first thought was, Oh, crap because how was I supposed to explain the black tail wrapped around my waist? A brilliant idea sprang into my mind on how to keep my tail a secret. Well, if it wanted to be wrapped around me waist, then so be it. I quietly pulled up my hoodie and shirt and let the appendage, which I still had no control over, make its way around my bare stomach.

I shivered at the unfamiliar feeling, but at the same time, it was like someone was giving me a hug. It was warm and snug against my waist, and somehow made me feel more secure than I had before. When the rustling picked up again, I quickly yanked my hoodie down.

"Rin?" Yukio called out again, this time a little louder.

My thoughts were racing. What do I say to him? What will he think of me? What-

"There you are." He interrupted my thoughts. I hastily spun around to find my brother, standing in a break in the trees, half covered in brush. The light reflected off of his glasses, making it impossible for me to see his eyes.

"I… I…" My tongue couldn't form any words as I stared at him blankly.

"Come on," he walked up and gently grabbed my hand, tugging me with him. (He obviously knew that I wouldn't have voluntarily followed him). "Everyone at the monastery is waiting; we need all the help we can get getting the injured to safety and getting the majority of the rubble cleared away." He then swooped down and gently picked up the Koma sword with his other hand while I silently stared ahead. I did notice how his jaw clenched as he gripped the sword harder, though.

I numbly followed after him, my feet dragging, as I dreaded approaching my childhood home. The whole way back he hadn't let go of my hand, leading me back like I was a troublesome toddler. That wouldn't have been that big of an overstatement either, considering my eyes were downcast and Yukio was devoid of expression. I could tell his back was stiff, though, the way it always is when he is distraught.

The morning sun slowly cast creamy, pastel light over the scorched house. There were injured outside laying in the grass, and medical personal were flitting about them like bees scoring over different flowers. Two people carried a cracked, blackened board out of the front door.

Once we passed through the gate, he let go of my hand. I finally found my words, although they were small and dim. "What did you tell them?" I mumbled. They obviously couldn't have told regular people that it was a demon attack, and it would have been outright stupid if no one had noticed this.

Yukio responded clearly and with authority, disregarding my lack of voice. He had not faced me this entire time. "A gas leak started in the kitchen and erupted when it reached the candle flames in the main hall." The reason was simple but effective – a story anyone could believe.

I clenched my fists. "And what about…"

I couldn't finish, but he knew what I was going to say. "The funeral will be in a week, once all of this stuff is cleaned up." A breeze rustled my brother's hair as he walked away and into the monastery doors.