DISCLAIMER I DO NOT OWN BROTHERS CONFLICT IN ANY WAY SHAPE OR FORM
Kimi could feel a shiver go down her spine at the sight of her bully seated in front of her. He swung the blue crayon in front of her back and forth.
"You want the crayon?" he taunted with a smirk. Kimi could feel her heart beat fast. She decided it was best to avoid the boy all together and instead moved to another coloring table. She barely sat down and started to reach for a blue crayon when once again it was snatched from her. She looked up and realized it had also been taken by Aiji.
"Ha ha I got your crayon!" he taunted some more. Kimi tucked her head low, wishing she was a turtle and could hide in her shell. She looked around for some sort of way to hopefully get away from Aiji. Finally she just got up and moved to yet another coloring table where she tried looking for another blue crayon.
"No that's mine too!" Aiji sunddely shouted as he all but dive bomb on to the table to take the crayon from Kimi again. Kimi was starting to have enough to this to the point she started to cry.
"Wow, this is quite impressive Natsume," Masaomi said as the two brothers watched one of the other animators bring a child's drawing to life on a screen of a computer.
"Oh it's pretty simple really. No matter what the characters are, there's at least six different scenes they can work the character into and interact with other characters," Natsume explained.
"Still though," said Masaomi, "I can see why the kids are enjoying it so much." The two suddenly heard a loud crying sound and followed it to see it was Kimi crying. "Kimi, what's wrong?" Masaomi asked as he raced over to Kimi and picked her up.
"He won't share the crayons!" Kimi shouted as she kept crying.
"Who won't?" Natsume asked looking over at the table where Aiji was startign to slink away. "I know you, you're Ichigi's boy aren't you?" said Natsumi, "Weren't you also the one that's been harassing her at school?"
"You're the boy who's been having problems with Kimi at school?" asked Masaomi.
"No," said Aiji.
"Yes," Kimi said softly.
"Masaomi, Natsume, Little Sister want to see my character in action?" Wataru asked running up to his big brother and tugged at Masaomi's pant leg. However he frown when he saw Aiji at the table."You!" he shouted angrily, 'What are you doing here?!"
"My daddy's helping out today!" said Aiji pointing to a man sitting at computer helping with the kids' animation. The man turned at the sound of his son's shouting.
"Aiji, son, what's wrong?!" he asked hurrying over to his son and picking him up, "Are you being harassed my poor little angel?"
"Yes Daddy," Aiji hugging his dad close, "Tell them to leave me alone!"
"Who do you think you," Ichigi stopped his rant when he realized he was standing in front of Natsume. "Oh it's you. Asahina, why are you bothering my son?"
"Well we weren't really. We were just wondering why he was making our sister cry," said Natsume.
"She's not crying," Mr. Ichigi insisted. She wasn't crying as loudly as before but tears were still coming down her cheek.
"Uh Mr. Ichigi was it?" Masaomi spoke up, "I think there's been some sort of misunderstanding going on between my brother and sister and your son. I've been hoping for a chance for us to maybe sit down and talk."
"What's there to talk about? Your kids need to learn to back off and quit gaining up on my son," said Ichigi.
"Well I still think it would be best if we could talk," said Masaomi.
"You should listen to him," said Natsume.
"I'll talk to my wife about it okay?" asked Ichigi, "But why you and not your parents?"
"I'm afraid both my parents aren't available at the moment. They're still both in California on business," said Masaomi, "As Kimi and Wataru's oldest brother I'm often called on to act as a guardian for them. If not me, one of my other brothers."
"That includes me," said Natsume, "And I agree with my big brother. You two really should sit down and talk about this whole conflict between our brother and sister and your son."
"Fine, fine I'll talk to my wife and we'll work something out," said Ichigi.
"And how about in the mean time we keep your son away from our brother and sister and we'll keep them away from your son?" Natsume suggested.
"Fine, Aiji, make sure stay away from these kids for now on okay" Ichigi asked bringing his son over to his computer.
"You okay now Kimi?" Masaomi asked Kimi asked. Kimi barely nodded. "Do you want down?" Kimi nodded. "Okay go ahead and finished your drawing so you can get it animated. I'm sure it'll look great when it's done."
"Where is the drawing?" asked Natsume.
"Here," sid Kimi holding up her picture with all her brothers as princes with she and Ema as princesses.
'Oh wow, this is nice," said Masamoi.
"I just need to finish coloring it," said Kimi.
"Oh sure go ahead," said Masamoi.
"Masa, Natsume want to see my drawing? It's been animated already!" said Wataru.
"Sure," said Masaomi. Natsume however studied Kimi's drawing carefully.
"You're really good Kimi. Do you like drawing?" he asked. Kimi nodded as she finally started to use her blue crayon to color one of her brothers' prince jackets. "When you're done we should show this to Chomi Hogo, your teacher's brother. He likes to draw too and I think he'd like it.
"Okay," said Kimi as she kept drawing, "Is Miss Hogo here?"
"Probably, but why don't you focus on drawing your characters okay?" said Natsume.
"So what brings you here today Mr. Asahina?" Akemi Hogo asked as she and Ukyo walked around the museum behind his brothers and sister.
"Well since Kimi had to miss her field trip to the zoo my brother Natsumi suggested we bring her here so she can have some fun," said Ukyo.
"Oh I see," said Akemi, "I came to support my brother. I thought it was nice when my brother said he was volunteering to help out with kids like that," said Akemi.
"Your brother's here?" asked Ukyo.
"Don't worry he's probably off at the kids' area. I doubt he's going to show up making some sort of big scene about you staying away from me," said Akemi as the two walked on.
"Oh no it's fine, really," Ukyo insisted.
"Tsubaki, you did not voice this character," the two suddenly heard Azusa say.
They looked over and saw the two brothers and Ema looking at a picture of a really handsome character from a video game.
"Yes I did, who else could give this character the sexy voice he has?" Tsubaki asked looking towards Ema as he said that.
"Actually Tsubaki if memory serves me right, Azua's correct. You didn't voice him," said Ema.
"Oh are you both calling me a lire?" Tsubaki asked. "I bet l Kimi would believe me."
"No Kimi's too smart for that," said Azusa.
"That's true, Kimi's a really smart girl," said Akemi.
"Miss Hogo hello," said Ema smiling at the woman.
"Hello everyone," said Miss Hogo, "It's nice to see all of you here."
"Surprised to see you here," said Tsubaki.
"Well I thought I'd come and see this huge thing my brother's been going on and on about," said Akemi, "I'm having a good time though. I really do enjoy having a good day at the museum. There's a lot other exhibits open in here I was thinking of going to look at as well. Would any of you like to join me?"
"Oh I'm sorry but I promised my wonderful sister I'd show her all the characters I've voiced over the years," said Tsubaki putting his arm around Ema.
"And I'm going to make sure to correct each one," said Azusa.
"Maybe just you and Ukyo should go off together," said Tsubaki smugly.
"Uh well," Ukyo sputtered.
"You don't have to if you don't want to. I was just asking. I hope you all have a good time. I'm going to check out the old housing exhibit they have. It's supposed to be interactive," said Akemi as she started to walk off.
"You're really going to let her go off on her own Ukyo?" Tsubaki asked.
"Uh Miss Hogo, please wait!" Ukyo said hurrying after her.
"Are you sure? Wouldn't you rather spend time with your siblings?" asked Akemi
"Oh no it's fine," said Ukyo as they walked off together, "I like the idea of seeing this kind of exhibit."
"They do look cute together don't they?" asked Tsubaki.
"I supposed," said Azusa.
"I think it's sweet Ukyo has a friend he can be around with like that," said Ema.
"You're right, and we should get going, looking around some more," said Tsubaki, "Oh you know Azusa, maybe you'd like to go see that exhibit with Ukyo." He started to lead Ema off.
'Nice try Tsubaki," said Azusa as he followed the two of them.
"Are you really okay that you're wanting to go off like this and leave your family alone?" Akemi asked as she and Ukyo walked on together.
"Oh it's fine. To be honest the last time my mother was home she dropped a serious hint that both me and Masamoi maybe should branch out more instead of constantly focusing our time on our family," said Ukyo.
"When was the last time your mother was home?" Akemi asked.
"Gosh it's been a while since they first adopted Kimi," said Ukyo. "The day my mom and stepfather picked her up they both got called in suddenly to work and they had to leave her with us earlier than they were expecting."
"Really that long? Has Kimi been able to spend any time with her parents?" asked Akemi.
"No, not like they were hoping. But they're going to give her lots of their time and attention when they come back," said Ukyo.
"When is that?" Akemi asked.
"I don't know and neither do they I'm afraid," said Ukyo.
"Oh," said Akemi, "I just hope that Kimi's not feeling neglected over the idea of her parents leaving her so soon and not knowing when they're returning."
"Oh she's doing fine. She has so many big brothers and a big sister to dote on her. We're all very fond of her," said Ukyo.
"I know but, no offence or anything, it doesn't look good with your parents to adopt a child and suddenly just leave her. There are some who would think Kimi shouldn't stay with you," said Akemi sounding nervous of the idea.
"You don't think that do you?" Ukyo asked.
"No of course not. If anyone were to suggest it I'd stand by your side. I'm just saying you may want to contact your parents and try to see if they are coming home soon because of people like that," said Akemi.
"I wish it was that easy," said Ukyo.
"I'm sorry, maybe I'm making a big deal about nothing. Look, here's the exhibit I was talking about." All around were different version of old fashion inside homes from either Japan or other countries.
"Wow, could you imagine living in a house like this with a kitchen like this?" Ukyo asked looking around at one of showcases.
"Hmm if I had the right person with me living there I'm sure I could manage," said Akemi, "What about you?"
"Probably the same," said Ukyo smiling at the woman. She actually returned the smile.
"Do you think you'll ever find a woman like that?" she asked.
"I hope so," said Ukyo, "What about you?"
"I hope so too," said Akemi blushing as she said that and turning away. Ukyo raised his eyebrow feeling eager. Could Kimi's teacher be dropping a hint or was it just him wishfully thinking?