A/N: Hey! ...Yeah a lot of you are probably pissed with me for taking so long, but I promise I'm trying. I'm not abandoning anything, I'm just seriously trying to finish another project that's so close to being done. I'll try to get another chapter on IDWF posted before summer is out for those of you who care.

Never Again

"O-nii-chan!" Suguha scolded from behind the grille of her men. "Your stance is all wrong! Bend your knees more! This isn't the same as wielding a sword in a game! And your center is wide open!"

"R-right," Kazuto stuttered, getting into a small crouch and bringing his sword to his front so he could hold it between both hands. He was beginning to regret taking up Kendo again.

"Again!" his sister commanded like an echo, holding her shinai between them in the offensive.

Kazuto was tempted to just call it quits. Seriously, how was this supposed to work when he hadn't trained in years and was going against his prodigy sister? She was so much better than him now, and quite frankly, that wounded his pride. He was older. He should be more experienced and yet….

But then he remembered exactly why he was doing this and readied himself for another sparring round.

Suguha struck immediately, and Kazuto brought his sword up to block before going in for a strike of his own. His opponent dodged easily, slipping by his defenses and thrusting her sword under his arm. She struck him hard in the side, and it definitely would have left more than just a sting and a forming bruise if he hadn't been wearing padding.

Kazuto stumbled to the side, gritting his teeth as he turned to his awaiting sister. Grip tightening on his sword, he lunged, desperate to make any sort of hit at all. Suguha easily braced herself against the blow, shoving her shinai down the shaft of his and aiming for the spot where neck met shoulder. Stomach lurching, Kazuto thrust his sword up, catching hers on his guard. Her arm jerked into the air, blade still clutched in her hand, center wide open. Kazuto dashed forward, his shinai slamming right into her solar plexus.

Suguha jolted, grip slackening and sword tip hitting the ground, and Kazuto immediately regretted everything. She froze in shock, a small grunt of pain escaping her throat. Slowly, the girl sank to her knees. Kazuto stared at her, stunned, guilt and horror leaving him unable to move.

"S-Sugu—"

"Haha," Suguha laughed. It was weak, strained and out of breath, but it was still there, good-natured and confident. "That was good," she praised, shaking slightly as she got back to her feet, shinai poised at the ready. "Let's go again. You're getting the hang of it."

For a moment, Kazuto hesitated, suddenly rethinking this entire thing and wanting more than anything to quit now. But as she stood in front of him, ready for another go, he saw the steadiness of her stance, the confidence in her face behind her men, and his uncertainty slowly slipped away…

"Sugu?"

His room was dark, moonlight streaming across his bed and onto the floor as he hadn't bothered closing the curtains or turning the light on. He had wanted to be left alone, just like he always was, and yet there his sister stood, peeking around his door with tears in her eyes.

The little girl sniffed, wiping at her eyes with the back of her hand, erasing the tracks that streaked down her cheeks. "I-I'm sorry, Onii-chan," she said, voice small and trembling. "I didn't w-want to bother you but… but…" More tears welled in her eyes, sparkling in the silvery light as they cascaded down her face. Suddenly, Suguha rushed to her brother. Stunned, he could only watch as the little girl ran to his side and clung to him, a choked sob escaping her lips before she broke down, her face buried in his shirt. "I can't… I can't…!"

She couldn't form words beyond that as she wept, her small frame shaking against him and raw cries muffling into his shirt. Kazuto was speechless, staring down at the top of her head, a ring of silver light reflecting in her hair.

What was he supposed to do? He and Sugu hadn't been close for a long time, he had made sure of that. And yet… now she was breaking down in front of him, clutching at him and seeking comfort.

Steeling himself, Kazuto lifted his arms. Hesitantly, he rested a hand on her head, the other on her back. The touch encouraged her to hold tighter, face pressed to his chest and tears staining his shirt as she cried harder. He ran his fingers through her hair, somber as he gave as much comfort as he could offer. He had been distant until now, but now was different. They couldn't afford to live without each other now.

"I know, Sugu. I know…"

Sugu wasn't that girl anymore. And he wasn't that boy. He had to realize that things were different now.

Nodding, Kazuto lifted his shinai, stance at the ready.

Yes, things were different now. That darkness was in the past. He would never let it return, never let it corrupt a life whether it be in his own or Sugu's or anyone else's. Never again.