I let out a sigh closing my locker after we changed into our uniforms. Luckily we made it to work just in the nick of time, even though we should be enjoying life as teenagers and not having to pretty much work ourselves to the bone. I looked over to my sister, showing that big smile of hers saying that she was fine and didn't feel that sick. You don't have to act so cheerfully, it's okay to say how you feel. As we walked out of the locker room, I remembered that Yuki even noticed Tohru being sick. And I probably looked rude to him being in a rush, and not thinking about my sister's condition. I've always been like that, never thinking before I do anything.
You see, we lost our father to an illness when Tohru and I were around three. So our mom worked harder than anyone I knew to support the three of us, even if things were hard, she still smiled so cheery like Tohru does. Our mom was our entire world so, it never once crossed my mind that in a moment, we could lose her. After that, no one in our family wanted us, like we were some kind of damaged goods. But luckily, our grandfather on our father's side decided to take us in. But he relies on a pension, so we told him we'd find work so we could pay for what we needed. After moving in, our grandfather would always call Tohru after our mother. While he always said my name.
Though I do remember one time as a child, I had to have my hair cut short, since a neighbor boy stuck some gum in my hair. My grandfather called me once by my father's name. And I can never forget the look in his eyes when he did. I could see how much he missed our father and how much I looked like him. Though after four months of living there, he was going to get some remodeling done since some more family was going to move in, and asked if we had a place to stay.
We couldn't ask our friends since we didn't want to add to the burden for them, so Tohru came up with some genius plan of us just staying in a tent. Since we would be living on our own one day, so why not start now? Honestly, I thought she was crazy, but I knew my sister and she was serious. Plus it wasn't like I could protest. We didn't have any money for something better. I rested my chin against the top of the broom, leaving my train of thought while Tohru mentioning that work was finally over. Once changing back into my uniform, I closed my locker door. Placing my hand soon against Tohru's forehead. "Is something the matter Hikairi-nee?" Her forehead really was burning up. Dammit, what am I going to do? "Let's hurry home. You need to rest."
I grabbed her hand a little too tightly as it caused her to gasp some. I apologized as I didn't mean to hold onto that hard I was just upset. She shouldn't be working so hard an just went home since I could have done both of our workloads! We made it finally back to our tent as I tucked Tohru in, even though she was protesting that she was alright. I told her to lay down as I fished around for a washcloth, telling her I would be right back. Though as I opened the tent, I surprisingly greeted by Yuki and his cousin Shigure. I was about to open my mouth on how did they know we lived here though the sound of Shigure laughing soon filled the forest. My fists soon balled as I couldn't help but mutter under my breath. "I'll fucking punch you."
Yuki had suggested to the four of us heading back to his place, as I agreed since at least Tohru would be much warmer there. As we all sat around the table, Shigure was still snickering. That ass, was it honestly that funny to find us in a tent? "How long have the two of you been living in a tent?" Yuki questioned as Tohru did her best to fill the two in our situation, Yuki now understood why we lived so close since apparently, his family owned a lot of the nearby acres of land. Wait, are you serious? Not only was he blessed with looks, but he's also rich to boot too? I shuffled a bit, anxiety starting to rise as what were we going to do now? "Um, if you don't mind, can we continue living on your family's land? We can pay you, even though we don't have much money!"
Shigure crossed his arms, explaining that the forest wasn't a safe place to be camping in, with the occasional landslides, not to mention shady characters. When he said that, I couldn't help but send my glance over his direction, causing him instantly to stop laughing. My sister jumped up, saying that we would be fine. Though, I couldn't help but shake my head. Since they at least were being kind in telling us about the dangers, it wasn't like we couldn't just find another spot. Though as soon she finished, Tohru soon collapsed onto her knees. I turned next to her as Yuki also rushed over, putting his hand to her head, causing me to pull back a little watching. "Honda-san, you're burning up." Shigure mentioned something about ice though I soon got distracted by the horrible mess that revealed to be their kitchen. "It's like a garbage jungle in there."
Shigure let out a chuckle that soon was cut short. I could feel the whole room turn into a tense atmosphere. I could see him looking back as his words caused my stomach to drop some. "There was a landslide just now." I didn't hear anything as when asking him how he could tell, Shigure just mentioned it being animal instinct. I could see the worry spreading across Tohru's face as I was trying my best to mask it, as inside, I was worried sick since that place could be our home is. Tohru looked over to the two males voice voicing what was in both of our heads, her voice quivering some. "Could it have been near our tent?" After a few moments of no one giving us an answer, I jumped up from my spot, gritting my teeth. If you knew where it could be, why not tell us?!
I ran from the house, ignoring the muffled voices from Tohru and Yuki calling out to me. Right this moment mine and Tohru's home was all that mattered. I refused to let us lose something again! As I kept running, I tripped over my footing, falling onto the ground. Grunting as I pulled myself up as my eyes soon grew as what was in front of me was the landslide. I could see the tent poles sticking out of the dirt, as what felt like I was on autopilot mode walking to the rubble. Both my hands digging furiously. "Dammit, not again!" I cursed loudly. As I could feel hot tears start to well up in my eyes, now is not the time to be weak Hikairi, you have to be tough. You have to be the tough one. I could hear someone calling my name. As looking back, it was both Shigure and Yuki.
"I have to get her picture out. I won't leave our mom behind!" My fingers kept digging as I could feel small cuts forming on them. Though as much as I unearthed, I felt like I wasn't getting anywhere. I had become so focused I didn't hear both Yuki and Shigure kneel next to me as Yuki placed his hand over mine. "Honda-san please; calm down." My fingers still wanted to dig more as Shigure placed his hand over mine as well, causing me to look up to him. "Let's come back out when there is light out if another landslide were to happen and you got hurt. It would hurt both your mother and your sister." Sniffling a bit, I agreed to head back. Looking back to the rubble once more, I mentally apologized to mom before walking with them to Shigure's house. As we walked to the house, Shigure said that I could sleep downstairs for the night with Tohru, while I just nodded in silence, as Yuki decided to run ahead to check on Tohru's condition.
"It seems we lost our home again." I muttered once it was the two of us. He was silent for a moment before asking if it hurt, though I just shook my head looking up to him. "You would think so, but the two of us have been through much worse. I hate you. Why did I have to tell my mother that?" I stopped walking as we made it to the middle of the front yard. "I had a stupid fight with my mother one morning before school. The day we also lost her. I was always attached to her, but ever since I was a child, I felt like she loved my sister more. So when she mentioned Tohru, I snapped. Telling her that I hate her, that she always depends on her, but what about me?" I could hear my voice start to waver some as I steadied my breathing. "It was just anger speaking, but after the accident, I hated myself. Even more, I couldn't even bring myself to look my sister in the face."
Shaking my head a bit, I looked at Shigure while something of a laugh escaping my lips."But I know she loved us both dearly since we were her entire world. But even if I think this is some nightmare sometimes. I know in reality, there is nothing we can do that will bring her back to us." As I finished honestly my way too long feelings, both Shigure and I stared at one another. The silence caused me to look away as I was worried, maybe I came off to weird since I just told a stranger something so personal. I didn't know what to do; I panicked as I muttered something of an apology before rushing inside. Not even hearing the chuckle from Shigure at my change in character, I pulled the covers soon over me, letting my eyes close; and to drift off into sleep.
