As always, Akito nee-san was throwing a tantrum because she started feeling lonely. I still don't understand why my mother decided she would be raised as a boy and I as a girl. It really hurts seeing her turn into a completely different person than what she was like when we were both six. After dad died, everything else died; we could always count on him to control our mother and never let her have her way. But now, it's been almost ten years since the last time I saw Akito nee-san wearing a dress. I get some comfort in knowing our mother can't interfere with our lives anymore, she's been enclosed in her room by nee-san's orders.

Akito nee-san's behavior has become even worse since we lost our rooster. I can't describe the pain we both felt when Kureno nii-san just vanished from our sight. It was like something was missing and still is missing after all these years. The pain has softened ever since but we can still feel it, especially when all the other 'animals' are gathered. Nee-san truly lost her mind and now has Kureno nii-san under her grasp 24/7. I can only get to see him whenever I see her but I can never spend time with him alone, nee-san has got him under her control.

Not everything's bad, at least I get to spend time with my dragon, or should I say, our dragon. It's really hard to share my dragon with Akito nee-san but she also has a hard time sharing her dog with me. I got really scared one time because I felt our bond weakening, I didn't want to lose him like we lost Kureno nii-san. I don't know if it was a good thing or not, but when nee-san called Hatori nii-san, his eye got hurt. I felt really bad about it, but at least his bond was back to normal. It was very weird because nee-san didn't feel his bond weakening as I did.

After his injury, I've been going to Hatori nii-san's almost every day at least for an hour. He spends the day sitting on his futon and looking at the window aimlessly. I don't know how long he has to stay and rest. I keep him company before going to visit my other 'animals'. He looks sadder each day that passes and I still don't know how to make it better for him. It has gotten to the point where I can't keep quiet anymore.

"Hatori nii-san" I call him.

"Yes?"

"How is it for you? Our bond?" I ask him. Will he ever understand how it had felt for me to feel our bond faltering?

"I don't think I understand what you're asking Arisu" he stops looking at the window and stares at me with his one eye.

"Akito nee-san and I can feel you, we can't locate you but we can feel you all" I try to explain "For me, whenever I think of you, I feel warmth in my heart" I said "I think it is the same for nee-san"

"I don't think it works both ways" he smiles at me, the first smile since he got hurt. I can't take the guilt anymore.

"I have to apologize nii-san" I tell him looking at the floor "You have to understand, there was nothing else I could do"

"What do you mean Arisu?"

"I'm the reason you got hurt" I told him "I felt our bond weakening and I got scared" I said "I should've known she would be aggressive but I never expected her to hurt you"

"It's not your fault Arisu, I forgot we were different" he got sad again.

"I can't stand seeing you sad Hatori nii-san" I sat on his futon facing him "You've been strangely happier for months before this whole thing happened" I reminded him "I made you sad, tell me, how can I fix this?"

"It's not your job to fix things Arisu" he said "I'm a doctor, I fix people" he tried to make a joke but I was not having it.

"Please, you're really bad at jokes" I said "tell me, what's changed? I know it hurts, but is that the only reason you're sad?"

"Akito didn't tell you?"

"We might be close but we have our secrets"

He sighed, debating whether or not he should tell me. "I'm sure she would tell you if you asked her but I guess I'll tell you" he turned away from me and stared at the window. "Do you know what comes after winter?"

"Spring?" I said "Hatori nii-san, you know I'm not good at metaphors, if you don't want to tell me then don't"

"I saw a beautiful flower and wanted to keep it to myself, Akito didn't want me to and apparently you didn't either" he explained "I thought I could smell that flower forever but Akito showed me the truth, the flower had already wilted before I could keep smelling it"

"Who is she?" Is this how Akito feels whenever Kureno or Shigure nii-san get away from her?

"Her memory has already been erased, there's no need for you to know her name"

"You're MY dragon!" I made him look at me "Mine! Mine! Mine!" I repeated "You don't get to smell flowers, I won't allow it" I felt the rage taking over me "I don't care if it's the last flower on earth, you don't get to smell, got it?"

"I got it" he was perplexed, his eyes were wide open, as if he got caught off guard.

"What? Did I remind you of my sister just now?" I tried to regain my composure, I've never lost it before "Just because my hair's longer doesn't mean we're not twins" I sighed "Did she tell you the same thing?"

"Pretty much"

"Good, now you've been told by both of us, I hope it sticks" I pursed my lips.

"You're so childish sometimes"

"Now, go get some rest, I'll come back tomorrow" I ignored his comment.

"You don't have to come by everyday"

"I've got to make sure you're not smelling any more flowers"

I was very inspired after watching the second season and this fic came to life. I hope you're liking Arisu so far. I took the liberty of changing the timeframe a little and obviously it won't be Hatori/Mayu pairing at the end.