Everything is smoothly sailing…except for my low grade in History!! Damn…I get all HW right, but my quiz grades suck ass. And so, life goes on…

Now, let's talk about the knuckleheaded ninja, Hikaru Kasai. He had an older brother (nameless, by the way) who was best friends with one of his first cousins, Fukaso. The cousin killed Hikaru's brother in order to join the Kyuubi. His brother was depicted as a lighthearted person, so Hikaru adapted too much of that trait and became a prankster.

I'm almost done in the rough draft! Let's go!!

Chapter 10

It's been a week since their sudden encounter with the Kyuubi's second tail, Niro. Six down, three to go. But something else seemed to bother Chikane…and Himeko became worried.

The lunar priestess sat casually on the windowsill in one of the rooms. Another free day with no practices or fights; just a day of relaxation. She looked at the empty yard; the boys were busy at Ototachibana Academy as Souma had to teach at Phys Ed. The only ones at the house were herself and Himeko.

At that moment, the said priestess popped her head into the room with a content visage.

"Good morning, Chikane. What do you want to do today?"

She didn't respond to her question. Himeko waited before she walked in, aware of Chikane's silence.

"Chikane?"

She turned her head towards Himeko, looking at her with shining blue eyes.

"Himeko…do you love me?"

Himeko's expression was blank…until horrid memories flowed back into her head. The last time Chikane asked that question was on that rainy evening, the cataclysmic night that both she and Souma tried hard to push away.

Why did she suddenly ask that question again? Was history…about to repeat itself?

Himeko didn't want to relive that night. Chikane stood up and walked towards her, eager to get closer. Denying her thoughts, the solar priestess immediately approved.

"Yes! I do love you, Chikane! I love you more than anything!"

Chikane stopped her advance as Himeko closed her eyes shut. She hoped her confession would stop the temptations of the lunar priestess. Himeko revealed her orbs once she heard an audible sigh. She looked over at Chikane and saw an elegant smile.

"Thank you, Himeko. You mean so much to me."

Chikane rushed up and wrapped her arms around Himeko. The solar priestess inwardly sighed with relief as they embraced: her fear subsided…for now.

The buzzer rung loudly as Souma waited impatiently at the call box. Guards stood quietly all around him, giving the boy shivers every passing moment. It's been a while since he visited Mahoroba Prison.

His adoptive brother, Kazuki Ohgami, told him stories about the dark past, but failed to actually introduce Souma to the real blood relative. His real father was killed during an act of self-defense, making him go to juvenile delinquency. But at long last, or at least what he remembers, Souma was able to meet him.

But would he remember the alternate reality…when he was the first neck of the Orochi?

The cell doors finally opened and revealed a bishōnen in his mid-20s. He had long teal hair, flowing elegantly to his knees. The crimson red eyes looked upon Souma, and a grin spread across his face.

'My older brother…Tsubasa.'

He sat across from Souma on the other side of the glass, unable to reach his younger brother. Together, they reached for the phones and placed them on the ear, waiting for the other to talk.

"It's been a while…Souma."

"Tsubasa…big brother…I've been wanting to ask you something."

Tsuabasa's eybrows lifted with interest. Why would the brother of a murderer want to visit him, of all reasons? It was only recently that their relationship started to take a turn.

He reached for a cigarette and lighter; the guards were aware and allowed his addiction. As Tsubasa took a smoke, a little chuckle was heard through the receiver.

"How are the priestesses?"

Souma gaped widely. Tsubasa knew about Chikane and Himeko all along! So, did he remember the time when they fought…?

"Big brother…"

Tsubasa was glad his younger brother found out. "Yes, Souma…I knew it all along…what really happened." He leaned back in his chair, rocking back and forth. "So…is that why you're here: to see if I remembered?"

The younger brother looked down and nodded. "I'm sorry…if you still hate me about what happened." Tsubasa was his enemy. He went against his own organization. If he remembered those dark days…who knows how he'll treat Souma?

But Ohgami heard a small chuckle through the receiver. He glanced questioningly through the glass and saw Tsubasa trying to stifle a calm laughter. For once, his brother didn't look like a dangerous criminal.

"Big brother…? Tsubasa…?"

Crimson eyes looked upon hazel ones. They held sympathy and care, despite his past heinous deeds.

"That's all in the past. What's done is done." Souma could have sworn he saw a tiny speck of an innocent grin.

"Souma…I could never hate you. I killed to protect you, my little brother." He set the chair straight and leaned over the desk.

"I'm glad you visited. It's been hard…to think what I've done scarred you. It means a lot you came. Thanks."

Souma wanted to say more but another buzzer rang, signifying the end of visitng hours. Just as he was about to hang up the receiver…

"Souma…"

He saw his brother's lips move and quickly returned the receiver to his ear. Who knows when he was going to visit again?

"Remember my sword?"

Souma nodded.

"I left it with Kazuki Ohgami before I was arrested. Whenever time gets rough…use it."

Tsubasa trusted his younger brother to do what's right. There was something in their bond that Kazuki couldn't even cheaply imitate. Although they were seperated during their childhood, Souma could never replace him.

They were finally forced to hang up and Souma walked out of the building. He dove deep into his thoughts, seeking a way to help his brother.

Brothers untied in blood. They'll be together…eventually.

Yay! After this story, it's on to Family Love!