Hikari no Tamashi
chapter # 2
By Yuri Muto
When I woke up next I was still laying on my side but everything didn't hurt as much as last night. I could just tell the time from the shadows on the floor, it had to be about eleven or noon. That and there was a bowl of broth in front of me, with my brother talking to some other guys. I slowly pushed my self until I was sitting almost all the way up, but my back was to sore to even make it. If it hadn't been for Sayo and my brother helping me, I'm pretty sure that I would be in even greater pain.
"Kari I have to go on a mission. Will you be alright staying with Souza and Kousetsu while I am gone?" Nii-san said looking at me with worry filling his silver eyes.
"I will be fine Nii-san, or are you forgetting who your little sister is?" I asked smiling at him although I was in so much pain, I didn't want my big brother to worry about me while he is on a mission. I may have just gotten here yesterday but I know how dangerous missions can be. It helped that Sayo was going to be staying with me for the few hours while my brother was gone. I had wanted to make sure he was alright last night but that didn't happen because of the amount of blood lose I had suffered from after the branch had landed on my lower back. It wasn't until I notice the lavender sitting on our small table that it hit me that Sayo and his brothers had been very worried about me. I noticed other small gifts but most of them where cards that people had made. I was thinking about how I was going to thank everyone and also how to apologize for all the trouble I had caused last night.
"Hikari are you alright?" Someone asked carefully touching my shoulder, I turned to the person before stopping it was a guy with pinkish purple hair pulled into a bun with braids connected to it.
"Yeah I was just thinking." I said looking down into my lap, because of this I didn't see the look of pity he gave me.
"Oh my name is Souza, you already know Sayo, and this is our brother Kousetsu. It's nice to meet you Hikari." Souza said changing the subject as a way to cheer me up. I was surprised that anyone know who I actually was. I mean sure I am the younger adopt sister of Ookanehira but that all anyone knows. I mainly hide from people than actually interact with them. I was hiding behind my curtain of thick brown hair when I heard shouting coming from the distance. I could also hear people running all over trying to stop something(s). It wasn't until a tiger cub came charging in did I realize what was going on.
"I see what the issue is." I whispered before putting my fingers to my lips and whistled as loud as I could. Which in many cases was pretty loud to begin with. The three guys all blinked as the cubs came charging over to me before laying around me. The cubs were nice and warm and I felt comfortable until a young boy with white hair and freckles covering his nose came into the room.
"I'm so sorry about this. They are usually well behave." He said picking one of the cubs up.
"Hikari this is Gokotai. Gokotai this is the newest sword warrior Hikari no tamashi." Souza said introducing us to each other. Out of the five little tiger cubs only one wouldn't return to Gokotai's side, instead it wanted to stay next to me. I scratch behind the little guy's ears happy that I wasn't the only female here anymore. Or I think the cub is a girl I might be wrong thought.
"Hello Hikari, are you feeling better?" A kid with black hair and glasses asked coming into the room.
"I feel better than last night, and you must be Yagen." I said looking him right in the eye before I couldn't hold back the cough that had been itching at the back of my throat for the last fifteen minutes or so. I wasn't expecting the taste of Iron to overwhelm my sense of taste.
"Hikari are you okay?" Kousetsu asked holding me up by my shoulders, it hurt but I couldn't find the strength to hold my self up anymore.
"Kousetsu keep her sitting up I might of missed something last night when I was treating the wound from the branch." Yagen said taking something silver out of the black bag by his side. I actually ended up curling into a ball the more they had me sitting up. I was in so much pain that I actually wanted my real big brothers, but their blade had been missing for a long time. I however didn't know that they were here. So when Oodenta Mitsuyo and Sohayanotsurugi came running into the room I however couldn't think straight. Not that I could think straight if I wanted to, my brain wasn't getting enough oxygen to function right.
"Hikari..." Sohayanotsurugi said rushing to my side only for the cub to start growling at him, however Oodenta Mitsuyo was able to take Kousetsu's spot holding me up.
"Onii-san I'm scared." I whispered to weak from blood lost. I could feel my brother's hand on my back softly rubbing it trying to clam me down.
"I know Kari just rest don't talk okay." Sohayanotsurugi said helping me to lay on my side, I don't know how he got around the cub but he did. Or that was until I notice that the cub was next to me sensing everyone's worry at the sudden change in my condition. I coughed a few more times before finally my body started to shut down from the amount of pain that I was in.
"Rest for now my little light." Oodenta said before I fell into a deep sleep. I don't know why I finally was able to relax after my brothers came to my aid. When I woke up next I was laying on my back head raised so I was taking in more air, I remember hearing Oodenta say that stress was the cause of me coughing up copious amount of blood up. It also took a lot out of me so that I didn't have much strength and needed help just for simple things like taking a drink of water.
"Hey there Kari, how are you feeling?" Sohayanotsurugi asked coming into the room that I currently was sharing with Ookanehira, who was like a big brother to me because we were welded by the same clan. Hasebe couldn't believe that I was actually related to one of the five great swords of Japan. I know that Sohayanotsurugi was a copy, but that didn't mean anything to me, after all he was still my big brother.
"Still rather weak. I can move a like more today than yesterday but Oodenta doesn't want me to push my self." I said smiling up at my brother.
"While that's good but you better listen to Oodenta after all he does know the most about healing." Sohayanotsurugi said pushing some of my lose hair out of the way.
"I know Onii-chan, but I feel worthless because I can't help with chores. I want to do more than just sit here and sleep." I said before throwing my self into another one of my coughing fits. I could feel Sohayanotsurugi lift me up some more so that I was sitting up and getting more air into my lungs. It didn't help that Oodenta wasn't even coming near me out of fear that he might scare me away. After my coughing fit had passed and I was breathing regular and Sohayanotsurugi was happy about that he helped lay me back down, the way our oldest brother want me.
"While Ichigo needs a hand watching his younger siblings while we work out in the field today. Or you could read to some of the younger swords, that way you are doing something but you aren't putting that much stress on your healing body." Oodenta said standing in the door way, still scared of losing me.
"Oodenta good your here we need your help with Kashuu, after his last mission. He has literally stopped caring about his own welfare."Hasebe said running over to Onii-san.
"Onii-san isn't a people person but your in luck I am. Oodenta isn't the only sword out of our family that has a way with healing others." I said pushing myself into a sitting position. Oodenta didn't look happy about me pushing my self, but even he couldn't stop me when I get going. I know Kashuu is beating himself up over something very stupid but even I can't help but think that something might be wrong.
"Hikari are you sure that you can do this? If not I can always do it." Oodenta said putting his hands in front of him.
"This doesn't seem like a health problem but more along the line of self esteem issue." I said grabbing onto the wall to gain some form of balance. It wasn't until Sohayanotsurugi grabbed onto my right arm and let me use him similar to a crutch. Hasebe's look of complete confusing was funny enough for me to start laughing, Sohayanotsurugi however know that I was on a short period of time before I couldn't move anymore. I was still trying to build up strength and energy. The injury on my back was also taking up to much of my energy trying to just heal.
"Are you sure Hikari?" Hasebe asked moving out of our way. Sohayanotsurugi was taking me towards the dojo where Kashuu was practicing.
"Kashuu, let's spar." I said standing at my full height, holding a wooden blade out in front of me. Sohayanotsurugi was waiting out in the hall trying not to be over baring, that and he was blocking Oodenta from stopping me from doing something very stupid.
"Hikari are you sure?" Kashuu asked looking at me.
"Come at me, or are you a chicken?" I said trying my best to get into his head. I pulled my track jacket off of my shoulders, leaving me in not only bandages but also my tight tank top. I pulled the wooden blade closer to my body before dropping into a back stance. I was going into defense knowing that Kashuu was a lot stronger than I was. As a way to stop from falling I braced myself on my back leg and blocked his upper strike. I was able to use my size to my advantage, and slip under his guard and pinned him to the wall.
"Kashuu it would be better if you give up now. I am used to pushing my self past my breaking point but you need to stop before you hurt yourself begoned repair."I said pushing the wooden blade against his neck.
"I truly am worthless." Kashuu said sliding down the wall. I slid down next to him. To tried to stay on my feet anymore.
"And why do you think that?" I asked leaning on my arms.
"Because the master no longer send me out on missions. All I am good for is showing the new swords around." Kashuu said wrapping his arm around his knees.
"Let's see here you are not worthless. Kashuu don't you think the master choose you because they trust you the most." I said leaning my head on my knee. I don't know how much longer I can take being awake. My eyes were closing and I could just see a new hope in Kashuu's eyes.
"Hey Kashuu can you go get Sohayanotsurugi from out in the hallway?" I asked feeling the darkness creeping closer. I'm not sure if Kashuu understood why but he did get up and run out into the hallway. With in a few seconds Sohayanotsurugi and Oodenta entered the room.
"Hikari when I said not to push your self. I didn't mean for you to spar with Kashuu." Oodenta said pushing some of my lose hair out of my face.
"Come on Kari let's get you back to bed." Sohayanotsurugi said helping me to stand up. Kashuu was standing by the door holding my track jacket. Oodenta helped put me onto our brother's back which for the most part was easier than having me walk or even standing.
"Hikari, I don't even know what you were thinking but I do know that next time please don't pull a stunt like that again?" Kashuu asked laying my jacket over my shoulders. The little tiger cub that has been following me around non stop was sitting by the door. I just couldn't help but also laugh when Kashuu almost tripped over it.
"Keep a clear eye out on your surroundings Kashuu." I said laughing slight at him, but than again I ended up in another coughing fit.
"Okay I think that is enough for one day." Oodenta said rubbing my back lightly. I wrapped my arms around Sohayanotsurugi's neck, before laying my head down on his shoulder. I was tried and I couldn't help but fall into his warmth and stop my fight to stay awake. I could feel my limbs get even heavier.
"Good night Hikari." I heard Oodenta say as him and Sohayanotsurugi laid me down in my nice warm futon. I turned on my side and grabbed onto Oodenta's hand.
"Onii-san don't go." I said muffled, by my pillow and covers. I know I scared him by doing that but Sohayanotsurugi is with me all the time, I just wanted my oldest brother to stay with me for a little bit longer.
"Okay my little light, I'll stay for a bit longer." Oodenta said pushing my hair off of my face. I gripped his hand and didn't let him go. I just wanted not to lose my oldest brother. Just having him here with me was all that I could ask for. I can say that with my oldest brother with me I fell asleep so easily for the first time since my first night here. When I woke up later that afternoon, I found Oodenta was a sleep next to me on the floor a blanket thrown over him.
"Silly Onii-san you should get into a proper bed." I said pushing some of his hair out of his face. Sometimes I wondering why he thought I would be scared of him. He is my Onii-san after all and no matter what I will always love him.
"Hi Hikari, how are you feeling?" Gokotai asked coming into the room.
"I'm doing better, thank you for asking Gokotai. I was wondering who might of thrown the blanket over Oodenta?" I said sitting up for the first time with out any pain. I scratch behind the tiger cub's ears, he was laying on my lap peacefully. I kept scratching behind his ears trying to wake him up, which it never did look like however when I stopped scratching behind the cub's ears he literally rolled over and grabbed at my hand with all four of his paws.
"While ain't you a silly like thing?" I asked picking the cub up so that we were eye to eye. He actually put his paw onto my nose and purred at me.
"Ain't you just a cute little thing?" I said holding him close to my chest. I know that I was getting better and soon he would go back to living with his brothers. For a moment he looked sad, like he didn't want to leave me.
"Hikari I think the cub actually wants to stay with you." Oodenta said sitting up. I look down at the little fella before feeling a wet tongue wipe across my nose. I look at Gokotai to see if it was okay for the cub to stay with me. He was smiling and took the tiger cub from me before giving it one last hug.
"Now listen to Hikari and don't cause her any trouble." Gokotai said before putting the tiger cub back into my arms. The black ribbon around his neck changed colors to a simple sliver.
"Now to find you a name. How about Hana?" I said looking the cub in the eye when I notice the flowers engraved into the ribbon. I was happy when the cub placed it's paw onto my nose again.
"I'll take that as a yes." I said putting Hana down on the ground next to my futon and my oldest brother who had gone back to sleep. I yawned before curling up with Hana under my arm. After awhile I just fell asleep with Hana next to me thinking of nothing beside what could come out of the next day. It had been so long since I no longer felt pain and right now every thing was perfect.