Edited/Revamped: 2005 November 22nd –Very rough edit. Not thorough.

AN: If it wasn't for Kyouhi-san, I would be dead in the water with this fic and probably every other one.

Disclaimer: Don't Own It. Never Have. Never Will. And I'm getting sick of writing Disclaimers.

Warning: Sou angst and torture in this chapter. What can you expect when he lives with that (insert string of curses here) family...


To Make a Difference

Chapter 3: The Strength of Friendship


Soujiro grinned and nodded once again. Misao then crawled up and snuggled beside him, casting the large coat across both of them. Soujiro, nervous, but at the same time excited that he had a friend, allowed himself to curl up beside Misao, resting his head on hers. "You know what, Misao-chan? You're my very first friend."

Misao looked up at him as best she could. "Really? Well…I'll be your very first best friend, too!"

Soujiro sighed happily. "Okay. Good night, Misao-chan."

"Good night, Sou-chan."


The first rays of light peaked across the artfully uneven horizon of Japan. Instinctively, Soujiro's internal alarm went off, being that he had to get up at dawn every day for chores. Though sore, he stretched and yawned before turning his gaze down to the small form beside him, sleeping under the oversized coat. 'I wonder how she got that coat from the angel-girl…'

Soujiro's thoughts turned to getting Misao a hiding place. He knew it was highly unlikely that the family would ever step foot in the barn, but he couldn't take that chance. Ever so gently he shook Misao's shoulder. "Ohayo gozaimasu, Misao-chan..." He whispered into her ear.

Misao stirred and opened her eyes letting them focus on the unfamiliar surroundings. She saw Soujiro and let out a small squeak of surprise. "Ah!"

Soujiro dashed forward, quickly clamping a firm hand over her mouth. "Shhh! If they were to hear you bad things might happen." Soujiro stated, glancing towards the barn door to see if anyone was coming.

Upon realizing "He was still holding her, he let go and bowed, putting his hands together in a prayer-like gesture of appeasement. "Please forgive me, Misao-chan. I'm going to have to take you down to the stream and you can stay there until night time. I'll try to bring you some food during the day, but I don't know if I can. I just don't want them to find you. They might hurt you."

Misao shook her head, smiling softly. "Sorry for yelling, Sou-chan… I was surprised. Un, let's go then. I don't want you to get in trouble." She stood up and dusted herself off, pulling hay out of her messy braid.

Soujiro nodded, grabbing the coat and dusting it off, handing it to Misao. "We should go now, before they come to see if I'm awake." Before Misao could protest, Soujiro grabbed her hand and ran to the door, cautiously peeking out. After confirming the coast was clear, he hastily led Misao out behind the house, into the wood.

Misao bit her lip, struggling to keep up and not trip over the length of the coat folded over her arm. "Sou-chan, where are we going?"

Soujiro turned his head and smiled at Misao. "Don't worry, Misao-chan. I'm taking you to a place near where we met. It's kinda my secret place. You'll be safe there. Yes, much safer than in the barn."

He nodded, agreeing with himself as he continued down the trail.

Misao's brow creased as concern showed on her childish features. "Will you be okay?" she asked, bottom lip trembling.

Soujiro replied with a smile suitable for the future Tenken. "If I smile, they'll leave me alone. Don't be sad, Misao-chan. I'll be okay."

They both reached a small clearing in the wood beside the stream. It was sheltered by tall trees and a few large rocks. Soujiro turned around. "I'll be back when the sun is at the highest point of the day. If you're quiet, they won't hear you."

Misao nodded, "Come back soon!"

Soujiro smiled and waved at his new friend and returned to the path, jogging back to the house.

Misao could only hope he would be okay.


"SOUJIRO!"

Soujiro came running up the path and upon hearing his name, plastered a smile on his face. "I'm here."

The younger of the two brothers sneered. "Where were you, gaki?"

Soujiro bowed. "Sorry, I went to the stream for some water."

The younger brother scoffed, "That's what the well's for, stupid. Or were you afraid we were gonna dump you in there again?"

Soujiro trembled a bit, his smile wavering. "P-please don't..."

"Leave him alone," the father boomed, stepping outside. "He's got enough damn work to do today and I don't want to fish him out of there later. Go out into the fields and start cutting rice, brat. And you better not drop so much this time or I'll beat your ass. And get more than two rows done!"

Soujiro nodded and bowed, "Hai…" 'But, it's so hard...'

However he left this thought unspoken and trotted towards the field, taking a plow with him. The sun was barely in the sky and already the temperature was high. Soujiro sighed and went to work.

Meanwhile, Misao had quickly become bored and had proceeded to hop from rock to rock like a frog. She realized she was rather strong for a child, because she could reach the higher branches of trees. She punched and kicked, finding this all too familiar with her body. 'I wonder who I am...' She stopped and tilted her head up to the bright blue sky, barely visible through the thick canvas of the forest. 'Sou-chan, please come back soon...'


Soujiro stood in the field, wiping sweat form his brow once again. He surveyed his work under the heat of the sun. 'One row complete…' He winced upon hearing the older brother yell.

"Damnit, why are you just standing there! Are you a moron? There are more rows left! If you don't get more done you aren't getting lunch, bastard!"

He could barely make out the sister who spoke up from the kitchen doorway. "You should go easy on him. If he passes out from the heat, you're going to have to cut the rice yourself."

"Well, for his sake, he better not pass out."

It continued like this as the sun rose high in the sky into the late morning hours. Soujiro finally collapsed to his knees, panting heavily. "S-so hot..."

It only got worse as the younger brother marched across the fields to him. "Get up! You're not done!"

Soujiro tried to stand but fell back down to his knees. "I…I need some water..."

"You'll get your damned water after you finish the rice, boy!" He ended the statement by jerking Soujiro up by the collar of his gi and shoved him towards the till. Soujiro stumbled and fell, causing a cloud of dust to rise. He coughed, breathing in the dust and choked.

Just when he though he could do no more a voice from the back porch yelled, "Let him get his damned water; your mother's got lunch ready!"

The brother nodded and obeyed his father, leaving Soujiro and walking back to the house.

Soujiro paused for a moment before trying to get up and get out of the field. He made a beeline for the woods but collapsed yet again, unable to get back up "M-Misao-chan…"


Misao attempted a cartwheel, but fell during the middle, landing on her rear. "Itai…" She winced rubbing her backside. She paused for a moment and swore she had just heard Soujiro call out her name. "Sou-chan?"

Fearing the worst, Misao crept out of the clearing to the wood's edge and cast her eyes across the rice field.

She immediately recognized the familiar colors of Soujiro's clothing and saw that he couldn't get up. Making sure it was clear, she ran out to the field and pulled Soujiro to his feet, dragging him into the shelter of the woods. It took all of her strength and effort, but in a few minutes she had him in shade and out of the view of the house.

Misao helped him lean against a tree and peered into his face, wide green eyes full of worry and concern. "Sou-chan? Are you all right?

Soujiro coughed, shaking his head. "Water...p-please…"

Misao furrowed her brow and dashed towards the stream a few feet away. She cupped her hands into the water and ran back, trying her best to keep it from dripping all out before she got back.

Putting her hands up to his lips, Misao watched as Soujiro drank down what he could, ignoring what spilled on him. Soujiro coughed some more but then his breathing began to steady as the water immediately began to cool him down. He looked up at Misao, his face dirty but with a smile. "Thank you so much… You're the first person ever to be concerned about me… besides my real mother. But, I don't remember her very well…"

Misao pondered for a moment before empathizing. "I don't remember much of my family either."

Soujiro smiled once again and replied, "Well, whoever they were cared for you a lot. I can see happiness in your eyes--" His sentence was cut short by another set of coughs.

"I think I need some more water…" Soujiro concluded, before trying to stand again.

Misao helped him by lending her shoulder and made him lean against her as they walked towards the stream. "But I don't know about my family. Not much. I can't even remember anything from yesterday before I met you."

Soujiro thought for a moment. "If you don't find your family…or ever remember..." he trailed off and seemed to shy away, looking down. "Maybe… maybe I could be your family…"

To his surprise, Misao smiled widely, stopping at the stream's edge. "Really! You mean it?"

Soujiro looked up and nodded, reflecting her smile. "Yes."

Misao catapulted herself towards Soujiro, squeezing the poor eight year old boy in a death-grip hug. "Thank you so much, Sou-chan!"

Wide eyed, Soujiro tumbled backwards, unable to support her weight with such short a notice. Both fell into the stream, landing with a large splash. "Areh..." Soujiro gurgled dizzily.

Misao sat on top of him, smilingly. "S-sorry, Sou-chan! You OK?"

Soujiro began laughing. "Yes…I guess I get my water now!" He grinned and splashed Misao, laughing even more.

Misao squealed before huffing childishly and splashed him back. "Augh!"

Soujiro giggled and sat up, causing Misao to fall backwards. "Oops!"

Misao stood up and shook her head, attempting to get the water out of her hair. "No fair!"

Soujiro giggled until he realized he'd been away too long. "Oh, I should go back to work before they get done eating..." He quickly took another gulp of water before running back towards the field. "I'll be back at nightfall!"

Misao watched him go, a bit disappointed, before going back to wringing water out of her hair.


As Soujiro ran into the field, he was greeted by the father of the family. "Where were you? And why the hell are you wet?"

Soujiro bowed his head. "I went to get some water and I fell in."

"Clumsy fool. Get back to work. I want half that field done by sun down."

"Yes sir…" was Soujiro's reply as he bowed and smiled softly.

Later, that evening...

Soujiro was tired. Well, tired was an understatement. He was slowing down and lagging. And the brothers noticed.

The older of the two spoke up. "Keep moving, you've got three rows left, you lazy bastard child."

Soujiro shook his head, "But...I can't… no more..."

The younger brother scowled. "What did you just say? Don't defy us! You can and you damn will!" His temper was short and thus he kicked over the container of rice, knocking out the contents. "Damnit! Now look what you made me do!"

The older brother sighed and shook his head. "Sou! Look what you did!"

Soujiro's eyes widened. "I…I didn't!"

The father heard the commotion and stepped out, sake bottle in his hand. "Damn that little..." He stormed across the field, angry and somewhat drunk.

Soujiro trembled and shook his head. "It… it wasn't me!"

The father glared and scathingly replied, "Oh, and I assume the clouds did it?"

Soujiro, taking a step back replied, "N-no!"

He was smacked across the face as the father roared, "Don't mock me, boy! We give you a roof over your head and a place to call home and you mock us with your stupid tales!" He proceeded to deliver a swift kick to Soujiro's already sore stomach. In reply, Soujiro tried to cry out but could not, his breath knocked out from him.

As the rain of blows continued upon him, Soujiro just closed his eyes and smiled. 'Just smile, Sou… soon, they'll go away. Smile...smile! Misao-chan...' Soujiro's smile widened. 'She's all I have... just smile for her.'

Eventually, they gave up, wondering if they had beat him senseless as the poor boy smiled emptily the entire time. Soujiro continued to lie in the field, choking from the bitter pain and coughing up blood. He stayed still, storing up strength to go back to Misao.

By the time Soujiro was able to hobble to where Misao waited, it was late past nightfall. He could make out her small figure pacing back and forth in the dark. He stayed in shadows because he didn't want the little girl to see him hurting. Especially this bad. "I'm sorry, Misao-chan. I…" Soujiro swallowed back the urge to choke or sob. "...I had to do a few extra chores."

Upon hearing his hoarse whisper, Misao whirled around, crying out his name. "Sou-chan!" She couldn't see him and scanned the dark shadows for him. "Sou-chan, doko yo?" Despite her fear of the dark as most children her age had, she stepped into the darkness. "Sou-chan...?"

"I'm here..." Soujiro replied, stepping out just enough so that she could see his silhouette, but not enough to see the blood, bruises or tears that marred his face and body. "I'm so sorry to make you wait, Misao-chan."

Misao smiled and ran up to him, hugging him. She was startled when Soujiro gave a gasp, almost a silent shriek and curled up reflexively. She jumped back, bewildered. "I'm sorry!"

However, her apology was cut short when she felt something thick and wet on her hand. "What's this…?" She inquired meekly, holding her hand up to the moonlight.

Soujiro smiled weakly, even if Misao couldn't see it. "Don't be upset when I step into the light, okay? Promise me you won't get scared."

Misao stared at him, confused, as the familiarity of the scent that lingered with the substance on her fingers began to dawn on her.

Soujiro didn't wait for an answer as he stepped out from the shadows. The moon reflected the almost black-looking blood dripping down his face and hands and from a narrow gash across his chest. "It…It's not as bad as it looks..." he muttered, holding onto his stomach.

Misao stared at him, horrified as Soujiro stepped toward the creek's edge, sitting down in an undignified heap and trying to clean himself up. "What happened!"

Soujiro didn't respond. He only smiled and attempted to clean his hands, face, and body from the dirt and blood that caked his skin. Misao immediately jumped to his side, using the torn edges of his clothes to wipe away the blood and dirt. "Let's go back to the barn; we need to get you cleaned up."

Soujiro shook his head. "I don't want you helping me. You'll get your pretty coat messed up."

Misao pulled him to his feet, a determined look puckered onto her visage. "I don't care! We gotta get you better, Sou-chan!"

It didn't take much more persuasion for Soujiro let Misao help him and then they both walked in silence to the barn. He spoke to her once inside. "I'm so sorry, Misao-chan. I didn't want you to get upset..."

Upon having a better view out of the woods, Misao's eyes widened at seeing his injuries. She tried to suppress her sobs, but only resulted in hiccups as she treated his wounds to the best of her abilities. "How did you get these?"

Soujiro didn't want to answer, thus he smiled.

Misao peered at him. "Sou-chan...?" She crawled closer to him and sat down in front of him.

Soujiro closed his eyes and smiled. "I'm alright, Misao-chan. Really, I am."

Misao's face scrunched up as she wrapped her small arms around him, her head buried in his shoulder.

Soujiro took his good arm and stroked the top of Misao's head. "It's OK, Misao-chan. Everything will be fine."

Misao slowly stood up and took Soujiro's hand that had been patting her head. She pulled him back to where they had slept the night before. Soujiro followed, trying to shake off the feeling that something bad was going to happen soon. 'It's my imagination, haha...'

He sat down beside Misao as she pulled the coat over both of them and lay down.

"Sleep well, Misao-chan," Soujiro whispered, lying down beside her. Misao replied by wrapping her small arms around him as best she could, lying on her side.

He could hear her muffled sobs as she hid her face in his shoulder. His smile quickly faded, replaced by a concerned look that rarely came across his face. "Misao-chan...please don't cry."

Misao tried to get a hold of herself, but failed, crying even harder. Soujiro tried to cheer her up. He really didn't know how to go about doing that, but he tried. "One day things will get better, ne?"

Misao held back her sobs, resulting in short, uneven breaths as she gave a jerky nod. "Yes…" She muttered, before hiccupping. "G-good night, Sou-chan..." She whispered, pulling the coat more over Soujiro's body.

Soujiro smiled and squeezed Misao's shoulder lightly. "Good night...Misao-chan."

End Chapter Three


Translations

Ohayo Gozaimasu: Good Morning

Gaki: Brat

Itai: Ouch

Areh: Sou's trademark word. Like Ken's Oro.

Doko yo: Where are you? (AN: I left this particular phrase in because I like hearing it said. Yes, it's fangirl Japanese. You'll live.)

break

AN: Never thought I'd get this chapter done! I had it all planned out but no urge to write it! Until I started to get threatened to update. Many thanks to Kyouhi-san for her help on this fic. All ideas are greatly appreciated! Just a note, Misao's coat didn't shrink with her. It stays the same. It will sort of be something that both of the children treasure because of its beauty. And as for present day Soujiro, when the fate gave him his second chance, basically he turned into what the future of this Soujiro will be. Guess you'll have to wait and see! (You know how time travel stuff is, very confoozin' ;o )