©Sunrisepainter: Golden Skies

A/N:

Dear readers,

I'm sorry I always taking so long uploading new chapters and this one is actually quite short. At the moment, I'm a little more busy writing my German fanfictions and studying English and History. I can't promise you anything but I'll try to put more effort into this story as it is even one of my favorites. Please also note that there might be some words missing or some strange signs in the text (e.g. x, (?) etc.). Sometimes I forget a word or a name and leave it out for the moment. So, if there is anything strange in this chapter, please tell me immediately and I'll change it. However, for now I hope you can enjoy this chapter as much as possible.

Happy New Year (even after one month^^)

Nina

Merry Christmas, 3-D!

"Deck the halls with boughs of holly, fa la la la la, la la la...tis the season to be jolly...fa la la la la la, la la la la..."

"You sound like you're having fun", Nao giggled at her older brother who was humming while hanging small angels on their little Christmas tree.

"Just happy that I'll finally have the chance to let you meet my darrrlin'..."

Nao smiled but she was still uncertain about the whole thing. She met a lot of girls her brother dated during his high school days and they were always too arrogant, too dolled up, too sluttish or too violent for her taste. Though, she never meddled in her brothers relationships because to her love had always been something strange and distant.

"How did you get to know her?", she asked her brother inquisitively. He snickered:

"That's a funny story. Her first impression of me might have been a little...how should I put it? Well, the result was that she was yelling furiously and eventually pummeling me with a wet towel."

"I don't even want to know what you did to her", she sighed.
"That's not the point here anyway", he smirked, "I fell in love with her furious face and her short – tempered personality. She looked just so cute at that time that I kissed her on impulse and made her fall for me, too."

"Well, you're that kind of guy, onii-chan", she was not sure how to judge his rash actions.

"Yeah, I used to be a real player but since I met her I changed that part of me. Beside my cute sis, she's the only woman I need in my life", his smile was really affectionate this time and made Nao happy as well.

"I just hope you won't be too lovey-dovey this evening or I'll feel left out..."

"Don't worry, I don't want to make you jealous", he pinched her nose, "and there is also her little brother."

"He's still in grade school, right?"

"Of course, he's only eight. Both of them lost their parents, so my honey is taking care of him. Isn't she so dedicated? Don't you love little children?"

She nodded her head. Yes, when she was younger she even wanted to become a kindergarten teacher. Did she still have that dream? Maybe she could practice a little while taking care of that child. Maybe this Christmas would become the best she ever had.

"What are you doing here?"

This was his first reaction after he saw her standing in the narrow living room beside the crooked Christmas tree. Nao could not answer. She was still too confused. In fact, she could have had a slight presentiment as they arrived in front of the house of her brothers new flame. She had not been observant enough.

"I-I-I...", she stuttered and looked at her older brother in confusion, "I thought her brother was eight and not eighteen?"

"Well", Tatsuya scratched the back of his head, "maybe I misheard."

"Don't tell me he's the new boyfriend of my sister!", Kazama Ren looked more than shocked. Nao opened her mouth to say something but at that moment Kao – chan appeared beside her brother. Her face lit up in excitement.

"Darling", she exclaimed and flung her arms around Tatsuyas back. He smiled as well and kissed her on the cheek. Nao turned her head in embarrassment and her eyes landed on Ren. Her classmate was trembling with anger and his eyes were fixed on the hugging pair. It seemed like he wanted to kill the young man clinging to his dear sister. The couple did not even realize that their younger siblings were watching them.

"Let's talk", determinate Nao pulled Ren into his room.

"Could you tell me what your good for nothing brother wants with my sister?", he asked furiously. Nao felt that she was getting angry as well:

"Don't call him like that. My brother is a real gentle person and you don't know anything about him!"

"But he actually deceived you, did you forget? I just want to protect my sis!"

"Well, you're a good brother, aren't ya? We're the same here", both of them shrieked when Tatsuya also entered the room. He had a cigarette between his teeth and a quite amused expression on his face.

"Don't drag my little sis to cramped places, alright partner?", smirking the man ruffled the boys hair. Angrily and blushing at the same time Ren wiped Tatsuyas hand away and glared at him:

"I won't ever accept you as her man. Either you leave right now or I will!"

"If you really want it to be that way, you may go now and never come back", Kao -chans voice had a menacing tune to it and Nao was sure that the woman was deadly serious.

Although Ren was still in a huff and shot death glares in Tatsuyas direction, he did not dare to go against his sister.

"Well while your brother and I'll prepare dinner, you and Ren can go and take the Christmas cake I ordered yesterday, okay Nao-chan?", Kao -chan suggested. Her brother just shrugged his shoulders and took his jacket.

"Please, only you can make him change his mind", Kao -chan whispered in Naos ear as she passed her by. Nao wondered what she meant by that. For now, she could only follow her classmate out into the cold evening snow.

"I can't believe that she fell for such a...such a..."

"Why don't you give onii-chan a chance? He really is a nice guy."

"Nice guy, my ass", Ren huffed and kicked a street lantern, "my sister has everything beside a good eye for guys."

"Kazama-kun", Nao's voice was firm as she blocked his way and he was forced to stop, "I wonder if you really care for Kao-chan or if you're just having a big sister complex. Aren't you just afraid that she might leave you as she marries some day?"

"And what about you?", he shot back, "don't you have a huge brother complex? It doesn't matter what your brother does, you'll always be on his site, won't you?" They looked at each other for a moment and then they started laughing.

"I can't believe we're quite the same", he was really amused, "I mean we really love our siblings, don't we?"

"Yeah, when I was small I always wanted to marry my brother", she giggled.

"And I swore that I would never let anybody marry my sister", he put his hands in his pockets and carefully made his way on the icy pavement. Nao was a little too careless and slipped.

"Are you okay?", Ren slithered back and helped her up.
"Yes, I'm used to it. You know how clumsy I am", she laughed in embarrassment.

"Ichi once said that you're the kind of person that has to be protected twenty four hours a week or you would fall over you own feed", he informed her.

"Ichi can be really mean at times", she grimaced and he laughed even more.

"Don't take it to heart. It just implies how much he cares about you."

"I'm not as weak as everyone thinks!"

"I know that already", his smile was genuine, "but do you want to hold on to me anyway? We still have to walk a little more." She blushed. On the one hand she was still embarrassed but on the other hand she was happy as well. She hesitated for a moment and finally she clasped the sleeve of his coat with her cold fingers. Together they went on in silence.

"Listen", Ren said as they were already on their way back. He carried a big box with a Christmas cake while Nao still was holding on to him. As he spoke up, she looked at him full of expectation. It seemed as if he was looking for the right words. Eventually he sighed and stopped walking:

"I just hate the idea of your brother dating my sister but she seems to be very impressed by him. I think there is nothing I can do about it now but that doesn't mean I accept it either. I just wondered what you think about this whole situation."

His seriousness and sudden rationality surprised her. She could only tell him what she herself felt like when she heard about her brother's girlfriend:
"To tell the truth I'm a little worried because everything seem to happen so fast. My brother just came home and in the blink of an eye I have to share him with someone else but", she stopped and the frown on her face turned into a smile, "I'm sure that this is the first time my Onii-chan ever was so smitten by a girl. The way he talked about her and the way he looked at her is very special. Additionally, I like your sister very much. I hope it would work out between the two of them."

Ren remained silent. It seemed as if he was thinking hardly about what she just said. It was not until they stood in front of the door as he gave his answer:

"Fine, I'll give your brother a chance. I'll do it for my sister and for you."

Nao beamed with joy:

"Thank you Kazama-kun. This is the best Christmas present ever."

For a moment they stood on the door step, smiling at each other and did no longer care about the cold or the snow falling gently on their heads.

"Why did you take so long?", Kao- chan asked impatiently, "we were about to start dinner without you."

"I'm sorry, it was my fault. I couldn't walk properly because the ground was so slippery", Nao apologized.

"Man, I was just kidding. You don't have to take everything so serious, Nao- chan", laughing Kao- chan ruffled the younger girls hair. And then she asked her boyfriend jokingly:
"How come your little sis is so well – behaved whereas you have no manners at all."

"I can behave myself, too. Please, take this seat, Kazama- san", bowing his head tauntingly, Tatsuya pulled out a chair while Kao- chan shuddered:

"Stop it, you're creeping me out."

"Yeah, let's stop this charade and let's eat. I'm starving right now", Ren exclaimed and pushed Nao on a chair, "and you should stop being so polite and make yourself at home. How many times do people have to tell you to relax a little?"

"Oh, I see. I don't have to worry about my sister. After all, she has someone to care for her", Tatsuya winked at his sister who immediately blushed.
"Shut up, and just don't make my sis cry, 'kay?", Ren muttered and started to fill his bowl with rice.

Kao- chan looked at him in surprise and as she sat down next to Nao she whispered happily in her ear: "Thank you."

Nao smiled and as she looked at the happy faces of the three people she cared about the most and she almost dared to have this warm, cozy feeling only a family could provide.

And it turned out to be a pretty happy Christmas. They ate and joked and laughed together. Tatsuya told them some funny stories about Taiwan and its people whereas Ren and Nao talked about school life and especially Yankumi.

"No kidding, she's really strong", Ren said.

"No, that can't be true. You must've dreamed. Where do you find a woman who can take on so many guys? Besides, she looked like a pushover." Tatsuya laughed.

"It's true", Kao- chan helped her brother, "I saw her fighting some guys without even blinking an eye. When I was younger I used to be stronger than all the girls in my school but I'm nothing compared to her."

They went on discussing about fights and delinquency until the clock stroke midnight. Nao who kept quiet for the whole time and just listened in amusement addressed her older brother:
"Onii- chan, I think it's time for us to go."

"Yeah, you're right", he looked quite disappointed but he knew that his sister needed to work the next day. Therefore, they helped Kao- chan and Ren clean the room and got ready to leave.

"Thank you, it was a very nice evening", Nao bowed her head. Kao- chan smiled and hugged the girl warmly.

"Thank you as well, Nao- chan."

"Get home safely", Ren ruffled her hair while Kao- chan and Tatsuya kissed goodbye, "maybe you'll be back for New Year's"

"Ren, that's the best idea you ever had", Kao- chan laughed, "how 'bout it?"

"What do you think, Nao- chan?", her brother asked her. His tone was indicating that he was really looking forward to it so she had no other choice as to happily nod her head.

"I didn't know that she was the sister of your classmate", amused Tatsuya lit a cigarette. They were on their way back home, walking slowly, careful not to fall.

"And I didn't know that your taste in women has changed", Nao smiled.

"Well, I'm older now. I'm seriously thinking about my future", his expression was as mature as it never was before, "and I can picture a future with Kao- chan."

"I'm very happy about the two of you, onii- chan", Nao said, impressed by her brothers transformation, "but I could never face them again if you mess this up, okay? You know that I loved you even though you made so many mistakes but this time I really want this to work out."

"Thank you for telling me your true feelings", he looked at her in such a loving way that it made her heart melt, "and I also want this to work out. Don't worry. I'll make sure to never disappoint the three of you. Let's become a real family!"

She giggled about his childish and hasty dream. Ren might have accepted him but that did not mean that he would accept their marriage or something else in that direction. For a moment, she even thought about living together. Immediately she shook her head. No, now she was the one who was too hasty.

Roughly, she was brought back to reality when Tatsuya pulled her behind a wall and covered her mouth with his hand. She struggled and tried to free herself but that made him hold her even tighter.
"Please, just stay still for a moment. It's too dangerous."

At that moment she saw the sinister figures in front of their house and shaking with fear she nodded her head. The figures had motorbikes and baseball bats. They were definitely the dangerous kind.

"Oi, come out, Katsuragi and we'll kick your ass", one of the men shouted and kicked the door. Of course, no one answered as the siblings were still hiding at a corner. Nao squeaked in fear as the men started to smash the windows and the door of their home.

"Pst, be quiet or we'll be in even more trouble", the voice of her brother was anxious.

The men entered their house and in shock the siblings had to watch them throwing their things out the window. When they did not find anything satisfying, they left in a wild ruckus. When Nao's brother was sure that they would not come back, he left their hideout and examined the mess.

Nao could still not believe it. It took some time before she was able to move. The fear was replaced with anger:
"What did you do, onii-chan? Who were they? What did they want here?"

"Listen, Nao-chan. I'm very sorry about what happened today but let's talk later about it. It would be better if we spend the night somewhere else. I'm afraid that they'll be back. Can you go to your friend, what's her name again?"
"Mai-chan spends Christmas with her parents in Okinawa", she explained.

"That's bad", Tatsuya scratched the back of his head, "okay, take some of your things and I'll take you back to Kao-chan."

"No, you can't be serious", she objected, "we can't-"

"Please", her brother grabbed her shoulders and looked at her with pleading eyes, "I'm sure they'll understand. Just do as I say. It's too dangerous to stay here. We don't have time." She could tell that he was really troubled by this whole situation. These guys were different from all the delinquents she met until now. They were far more dangerous and criminal.

"Kao-chan will kill you", she mumbled.

"I think I deserve it", his smile was agonized.

"Are you freaking kiddin' me! I'll kill you!", Kao-chan screamed and leaped forward to beat up her boyfriend. Ren and Nao somehow managed to hold the furious woman back. Tatsuya had just explained what had happened. It seemed as if these troublemakers were some old friends of him or rather a motorbike gang he once ruled. After he went to Thailand some other guy took the lead and now they wanted him to fight all of them.

"The problem is that I have to join them again if I win and that means I have to live as before. As a gangster", he explained.

"And what if you just lose?", Nao-chan asked.

"In that case they won't let you off so easily, will the?", Ren guessed.

"That's right, the winner has to decide about the fate of the loser", Tatsuya confirmed, "in most cases that means..."

"That's terrible", Nao aspirated.

"You idiot, why did you establish something like this in the first place!", Kao-chan hissed.

"I was young and reckless. I didn't care much about rules and didn't know the worth of a life", Tatsuya nervously ran his hand through his hair, "I wish I could go back and delete my past, believe me."

"And what do you intend to do about it?", Nao wondered how Ren asked this question so calm, "what about your sister?"

"I know that Nao-chan is in danger, too", her brother admitted, "if it weren't for her I would've already take them on. Before I find a way how to deal with it, I entrust you with Nao-chan. I know you'll protect her for me, won't you?"

"What do you mean?", Nao intervened, "do you want to leave me again?"

"Nao-chan, I can only assure you that I won't be gone forever. I'll be back after I solved everything. You just have to promise me one thing: don't trust anyone beside your friends and don't leave the house on your own."

"Onii-chan, that's…", before she could ask further questions, he was already gone. He did not even say goodbye or give more explanations. He left her in state of mess, chaos and fear.

"Shit, what a mess", Kao- chan cursed.

"Your brother's right, don't do anything unnecessary", Ren gave his classmate an insistent look. Nao shrieked. It was as if he was reading her thoughts. She was just thinking about finding out more about her brothers past and looking for a way to help him. She was already busted. Ren would keep his eyes on her from now on that she knew for sure.

"I see and now you're in a pinch", Yankumi ran her fingers through her messy hair. Some strands of her hair came loose and fell in her worried face. Nao nodded her head. She had just told her teacher about the situation with her brother. Somehow, she had trusted the teacher. She knew that Yamaguch-sensei would not tell anyone about this. She also hoped that Yakumi would give her some good advise.

"And you have no idea where he could be?"

"No, he just disappeared and is gone for a whole week now. He did not even call Kao – chan."

"And how I know Kazama's sister she's fuming right now", the teacher sighed.

"Yeah, and from day to day I feel guiltier for staying with them. I mean I help them with the chores and with cooking and they never complain but I feel like I owe them."

"There might be a time when they need your help", Yankumi tried to cheer her up, "and I think that they don't mind your presence, so don't worry too much."

"Kazama-kun said something similar", the girl mumbled, "however..."

"Maybe you should just concentrate on finding out your brother's whereabouts. Have you been to your house lately?"
"No, I don't dare to go there alone and I still need to get all my things."

"You should ask the guys to take you", Yankumi suggested, "but call me immediately if something's off. "

Nao liked that idea. She was long running out of fresh clothes as she had brought just the basic things to the Kazama's place. By going to her house, she felt as if she was at least doing something. Ichi and Yamato offered to accompany her and she agreed without hesitating. Shunsuke wanted to tag along too but (unfortunately) his mother asked him to help her with moving.
"I didn't know you were moving", Kengo was surprised and even a little disappointed that his best bud did not tell him beforehand.

"You see, my mother got a better job so she can afford a greater place."

"Does that mean you finally don't need to sleep with your mom in one room anymore?", Kura snickered.

"Shut up!", Kamiya kicked his side and blushed. Carefully, he glanced at Nao to make sure she did not hear this embarrassing statement. The girl noticed it and acted as if she was busy checking her English notes.

"We're waiting for you, we don't want to intrude", Yamato said as they stood in front of Nao's house after school. She nodded her head and uncomfortable took a look around. The front garden was still in a mess but she could not clean it up for she did not want to stay for too long. She was afraid that the dangerous men would come back and threaten her and her friends. She did not want to cause any more trouble for the boys. As fast as she could she packed an old suitcase with anything she could find and headed out the front door again. Ichi and Yamato were busy collecting some pieces of broken furniture and other stuff on the yard.

"You don't need to do that", she said with an embarrassed voice.

"Oh, we we're just bored", Ichi smiled, "besides, you can't leave it like that anyway. Don't you want to come back here?"

Nao sighed. At the moment it looked as if it was unlikely that she would ever come back here. In secret she was already looking for a new house to live but they were either too expensive or too far from school.

"Alright, let's just take some of this, Ichi", Yamato ointed at some smaller pieces of furniture that were still undamaged, "and let's take everything to the Kazamas."

"Thank you, guys", Nao could not even express with words how happy she was to have them as her friends.

End of Chapter Twelve.