There had been more youmu than usual for the past couple of weeks. While Mitsuki was still staying at Mirai's apartment during that time, she was finding it to be a tad stressful. Even though Mirai and Akihito tried to keep their lovemaking quiet, it truly was not. Not at all. She would pull the covers over her head while curling up on the couch, but it did little to muffle the sounds. Yakiimo too was disturbed by the sounds, but he always burrowed into her shirt and hid there until it was over. Mitsuki sighed.

"I want to go home…" the words came to her, unbidden. Yakiimo chirped at her, and Mitsuki shook her head. No, she couldn't. Not yet. She wasn't ready to face him again.

But she still missed him.


Hiroomi was nearly at his limit.

He constantly worried over Mitsuki. He'd check up that she was at school everyday, but that was all the limited contact they had. He had no idea if she was safe or not during the evening, and that would cause his skin to become encased with goosebumps. It unsettled him, but he said nothing to Akihito.

His friend was under the impression that the distance and time apart would make Hiroomi's feelings disappear, but it just heightened them due to his concern over her well-being. For the first time in a while, he went out to frivolous parties with friends and fooled around as a normal teenager did, but even then, his mind could not separate himself from Mitsuki. It was almost an obsession.

He chuckled to himself, rolling to the other side of the bed which felt so empty now. He felt like a man who had been wandering in the desert for years, desperate for a drink for water. Even if he were offered a glass right now in his parched state, he would have to refuse. That was most likely the worst part about it. His mind was made up, and he hoped that nothing would come along to shake his resolve.

He hoped she was doing well.


Mitsuki and Mirai waited in shadows, the unsuspecting youmu prowling the streets. Mirai signaled for Mitsuki to serve as a distraction, and the Nase princess nodded, dashing forward. She waved at the youmu, shouting, "Hey, over here!"

The youmu, as most of them were not particularly clever creatures, took the bait and began pursuing her, saliva dripping out of its maw. It was fast, but not as fast as Mirai. With a loud battle cry, Mirai stabbed the youmu through the torso with her blood blade, ripping it out with a grunt.

The youmu poofed into a smooth stone, and Mirai wiped her forehead. "That was a little risky!" she said, and Mitsuki shrugged.

This was becoming commonplace to her. Because Mirai was such an impulsive spender, Mitsuki had been dragging her out to defeat youmu every day so that she could keep up with her living expenses.

As they walked to Ayaka's, Mitsuki chastised her friend. "Now, listen. This is for the rent, not for bonsai." Mirai hung her head in shame. "I know you love them, but remember you need a place to keep them."

"Yes, yes," Mirai groaned in sadness.

Ayaka greeted the girls fondly, and they walked away with a handful of cash. Mirai tapped Mitsuki on the shoulder.

"Ne, Mitsuki-chan?"

"Yes?"

"Are things still rough at home?"

I don't know. "Yeah," Mitsuki replied simply.

Mirai looked at her with love in her eyes. "I'm only saying this because I care, but it seems like you're running away from problems. Things will never improve with Hiroomi-kun if you guys don't sort this out."

"I think…it's better this way," Mitsuki said, her eyes focused on her feet.

Mirai shook her head violently. "That can't be! I know you two love each other!" Mitsuki froze for a moment, panic seeping into her throat. "You're such good siblings!" And then relief washed over her, tension in her shoulders easing.

"I just don't know if I'm ready to go back," Mitsuki admitted. "I'm scared."

Mirai smiled and hooked her arm in her friend's. "Hiroomi loves you a lot, so don't be afraid! I'm sure you two can work something out!"

Mitsuki forced a smile. "Maybe."

They got some groceries and chatted on the way home. Once inside the house, they heard a soft retching sound. There was a stew cooking on the stove, and it hadn't been turned off. Mirai dropped her bag. "Akihito?"

She walked to the bathroom, and she found Akihito hunched over the toilet, hurling his guts out.

"Akihito, are you sick?"

He chuckled, wiping his chin. "I guess so. Don't worry about me. It's just vomit, I'll be all right. I made dinner so go ahead and eat without me."

"Are you sure?" Mirai said, rubbing his back.

"Yes, please. Don't let my hard work go to waste."

Mirai smiled, a bit unnerved. "Okay. Let me know if you need anything." She pressed her lips to his sweaty temple and returned to the kitchen, assuring Mitsuki everything was all right.

However, she really was not so sure.


Hiroomi was just about to finish up his work and get to sleep when he heard someone knocking on the front door. He pushed his feet into his slippers and shuffled to the front door. He peered through the eyehole, and he raised his eyebrows. It was Mirai.

He opened it up and leaned on the doorframe. "What are you doing here so late, Mirai?"

Mirai twiddled her thumbs. "Hiroomi, please resolve your issues with Mitsuki-chan."

Hiroomi scratched the back of his head. "What issues?" he said flatly.

She pointed a dainty finger at him. "Don't play dumb with me," she barked. "There's something shady going on with you two. I don't need to know what, but you need to fix it because it's making her miserable!"

Hirromi sighed. "That is entirely up to her."

He choked on his tongue when Mitsuki hit him with her bag. "No excuses!" she screeched. "It doesn't matter whose fault it is. It's up to both of you now." She frowned. "You're the big brother so it's your responsibility to fix this!"

She jabbed his chest. "Fix it!" And then she dashed off into the night.

Hiroomi gingerly rubbed where she struck him.

Inside, he knew she was right. He would fix this tomorrow.

Hiroomi arrived at school early and slipped a note into Mitsuki's cubby. Hopefully, she was open to reconciliation and would heed his request. Mistuki was stubborn, but even she…

He shook his head. Now was not the time to entertain these thoughts. They would drive him insane. He would focus on school for now.

Akihito passed by him and smiled, entering the classroom before him. Hiroomi had not told Akihito of his plan, and he had no intention to. It was best to keep his friend in the dark, lest he stress himself into a panic attack.

Akihito was looking ill today. He had dark circles underneath his eyes, and his pallor was even paler than usual, green even. Hiroomi slipped his fingers underneath Akihito's elbows and tickled his friend's waist. Akihito didn't even notice.

He removed his hands. "Akihito, are you all right?"

Akihito shrugged. "I've been nauseous, but I think I'm all right. Just feel a bit off."

Hiroomi patted his friend's back. "You let me know if you need anything, all right?"

Akihito nodded. "Sorry, I need to go to the bathroom." He covered his mouth and ran off, and Hiroomi felt something uneasy settling in his stomach. Something bad was coming. He just knew it.

Mitsuki arrived at school, and she opened her cubby for her shoes. Her eyes widened in surprise when she found a slip of paper covering her school shoes. She took it and smoothed it out.

"Mitsuki, we need to talk. Meet me on the roof after school," Mitsuki said quietly. "Hiroomi."

Why did he want to meet up with her? Was he going to scold her for being disgusting? Was he going to tell her that they couldn't even be siblings anymore?

She released a shaky breath. She couldn't avoid this forever. She had to meet him.


Tohru stood outside of Hiroomi's room. The man was clearly distracted by something, but there was no way that he had not noticed Akihito's rapidly deteriorating state.

Pretty soon, Akihito's body would begin to protect itself. Then he would be more powerful than anyone could imagine.

And Tohru would have all the control.


Mitsuki walked up the stairs slowly. She was hesitant, still. She didn't want to run anymore, but she didn't want anything to end.

Hiroomi was leaning against the wire fence. She felt her heart speed up, and she closed the door behind her. She walked to her brother. "Aniki," she murmured.

Hiroomi smiled softly. "Mitsuki," he replied. He exhaled, his cold breath evaporating in the air. He adjusted his scarf. His eyes were gleaming. "I'm sorry for everything. I miss you. Please come home."

Mitsuki's lips trembled. "You missed me?"

Hiroomi nodded. "I did."

Mitsuki let out a sob. "I missed you too," she whispered. "So much, nii-san."

"Will you come home?"

She nodded frantically. "Yes, I will! I'll come home today." She ran into him, and she hugged him, burying her face in his chest.

Hiroomi sighed and embraced her.

"Welcome home."


I will get another chapter out soon! I've missed all of you so much, and I missed this story.

Until next time!