"Couldn't you have waited until I was done to yell at him. Also where is Yamanbagiri?" I said jumping down from the porch. Sohayanotsurugi was sitting under a tree and looked to be talking with someone, but he didn't look happy that I was out here so soon.
"He's over by Sohayanotsurugi. Now if you don't mind would you please take Sayo back inside and get ready for the bed. Sayo is also staying with us tonight." Oodenta said and he didn't look so happy that I was out there so soon.
"Fine but please don't kill Yamanbagiri, because if you do I will kill YOU."I said, giving him the best glare I could at that moment. I turned around headed back inside.
"Come on Sayo let's go get ready for bed." I said before taking his hand, I was kind of worried seeing as Sayo never stays the night in our room, he had never stayed over. Sayo looked confused but seeing as I wasn't saying anything he know not to ask questions. Sometimes it's better to be in the dark than to know everything that happens.
"Hikari, why do we have to go get ready for bed while the others are still up and going?" Sayo asked looking up at me.
"While Sayo one of us is still recovering while you are a little kid and your body needs all the sleep it can get and that means we are stuck going to bed, earlier." I said bending down to look him in the eyes.
"But that's not fair. Yami is the same age as you, and still you have to go to bed before him." Sayo said wrapping his arms around my neck.
"That's what I've been saying for the last fortnight. But sometimes it's better to just go along with it. I also know that I will get back at them on a later date. If you wish to help me than, you are more than welcome to." I said lifting him up before heading to our room. Okay I get lost again and if not for Sayo leading the way than I'm sure I would of landed us back where we started. I waited out side of our room to give Sayo some privacy so he can change into his night clothes. I like to sleep in my shorts and tank top. Not one of my brothers understood, why I only wore them. I hate wearing the dresses, and traditional clothing. I couldn't move the same as anyone else. Traditional clothing for woman are thick multiply layers that often weigh a person down.
"Hikari why is it that you always wear shorts and tank tops?" Sayo asked very curious, about why I have a habit of only wearing shorts and tank tops. I put my hand on his shoulder before roughing up his hair.
"Sayo do you know how heavy traditional female clothing is?" I asked which earned me a shake of his head.
"While they all are thick clothing but a woman wore many layers and they were all made a dark colors and heavy fabric. We can wear anywhere between four to six layers in one outfit." I said sitting down by the table, it was a common thing for me and Yami to write for a bit before going to bed, be it our day or any missions we might have had that day. There is also the fact that me and Yamanbagiri like to write little notes to each other. I was currently working on a note for him. Every night Yamanbagiri stops by to talk with Oodenta about something.
"Hikari what are you writing?" Sayo asked looking over my shoulder.
"I am writing a note for Yamanbagiri. Would you like to write something for your brothers. Or maybe draw them something." I said after receiving a nod from him I set up some ink and paper for him. I knew that would make this night a little better for him. I know it was hard for Sayo to stay some where without his brothers. I could only image what it would be like if my brothers were not here with me.
"Sayo I know tonight is going to be hard but at lease we know that everything is going to be alright. For all we know they might be out on a mission. I've heard this has happen before, Kashuu told me that once if he hadn't gone with a second team the first team would have been killed. All we can do is pray and hope for their safe return." I said, for the first time thinking of the Buddhist teaching past to me from my former master. I am glad to say that the teaching weren't lost to tail of times.
"My former master was a Buddhist, I am not much of a writer of script but I do remember much of the script. If you want we can sing some more positive verses." I said taking his hand into mine. It had been some time but the one I needed the most would never leave me.
"whatever bad sign,
inauspicious events,
or whatever ominous bird shriek there is,
also evil planets
and unpleasant dreams
may they perish through the power of the Buddha!
Whatever bad sign
inauspicious event,
or whatever ominous bird shriek there is
also evil planets
and unpleasant dreams may they perish through the power of the Dhamma!
Whatever bad sign
inauspicious event,
or whatever ominous bird shriek there is
also evil planets
and unpleasant dreams may they perish through the power of the Sangha."
I sang softy letting my voice travel through the citadel, I didn't know at the time that my pray of protection would help. Not only Sayo's older brothers but also the guy that I just so happen to love. I wasn't expecting for Yamabushi and another sword to come into the room, to tell the truth I had thought that I was the only Buddha here at the citadel.
"You have an amazing voice Hikari." Yamabushi said sitting down across from me and Sayo.
"Thank you Yamabushi, however you are not the first to say that to me." I said twisting my hair around my finger. It was than that not only my family but also Sayo's came charging into the room with Yamanbagiri in the lead.
"Hikari is everything alright?" Yamanbagiri asked taking my hand that was before Oodenta pulled him away from me and took that seat. Or that was until I finally lost my temper with the overly protective big brother act. I stood up and dragged Oodenta out of our room by the back of his shirt. I might of gone over broad by throwing him off of the porch, before drawing my sword.
"Oodenta I am only going to say this once, I am sick and tried of you acting like an overly protective brother. Yes I am a girl, yes I am in love with a boy. But that doesn't change the fact that no matter what you will always be my big brother, and I will always love you." I said before sliding my blade back in the sheath on my hip. I turned on my heels and walked away when I was out of sight, I broke down. Feeling like a weight that had been weighting my down for so long had finally lifted. I was luckily that Yamanbagiri had followed us knowing that I still couldn't handle a ton of stress. In other words I crumbled as soon as I was around the corner and I couldn't see Oodenta.
"Hikari everything is going to be alright. Oodenta is just overly worried that something might happen to you." Yamanbagiri said wrapping his arm around me. Pulling me into his chest where I felt safe knowing that no one could take me away from my one true love. He was the only person that I got along with other than my brothers. Yamanbagiri unlike so many others thought that I had not only a great mind but also a strong will and muscles.
"Come on Hikari I need to show you something." Yamanbagiri said taking my hand and dragging me up several flights of stairs, until we got to the roof. The light from the full moon lite up the cherry tree.
"Wow this is beautiful!" I said sitting down on the roof line.
"I know. Kashuu the one that showed me this spot. When I feel like everything is falling apart, I come up here to get away from everything." Yamanbagiri said wrapping his arm around my shoulders. It was than that I notice that Yamanbagiri wasn't wearing his cloak.
"Where's your cloak?" I asked looking at him confused.
"I finally took it off, feeling that I don't need it anymore seeing as I have you." Yamanbagiri said looking down at me with a whole new sense of self worth. I wrapped my arms around his neck just as a soft melody played through the night.
"Come on Hikari I better get you back before your brothers send out a search party." Yamanbagiri said leading the way back down stairs. He also had to lead the way back to my room because I am horrible at directions and still couldn't find my way around the citadel.
"So I'll see you tomorrow." Yamanbagiri said looking bashful, about actually talking to his girlfriend.
"That sounds great." I said rocking back and forth on the balls of my feet. I was waiting for Yamanbagiri to make the first move but that was before Sohayanotsurugi came storming out of our room before stopping in his tracks. He waited until Yamanbagiri had left before turning towards me and he didn't look happy at all.
"Hikari no tamashi, where have you been?" Sohayanotsurugi said looking really pissed off.
"Simple Sohayanotsurugi, Yamanbagiri was showing me the cherry tree lite up by the full moon. He was trying to cheer me up because you three are being giant Idiots that can't see that all you are doing is destroying the relationship between the four of us. I don't want to hate you three but all you three see is that I am some little kid. I am in love with Yamanbagiri." I screamed at him, too tried and stressed out to hold back any more.
I turn on my heels before running off. I had no idea where I was going but I really didn't care seeing as I was numb to the world. Or that was until someone wrapped their arms around my waist. At first all I could see through the tears was the deep blue hair but even than I couldn't help but feel like everything was falling apart. I pulled away before running into someones chest. This person wrapped their arms around me forcing me to stay in one place.
I could smell the lavender around the person holding me; which helped to somewhat ground me. I could tell that Sayo was watching from behind me, and that the person holding me was Kousetsu while Souza was talking to me. I wrapped my arms around Kousetsu letting everything flow out of me. I could feel Sayo clamping on my legs which helped me to sit down.
"Hikari what's wrong?" Souza asked stepping forward to push some of my fallen hair out of my face.
"I… finally yelled at them. Sorry Sayo I said that you could help me take revenge on my brothers, but I couldn't take it anymore. I just want my brothers to approve of me and Yamanbagiri. He makes me happy." I said before breaking down in sobs. I rolled in on my self while sitting in Kousetsu's arms.
"Hikari come on let's go to bed, you can stay with us tonight." Kousetsu said lifting me up before taking Sayo's hand. I laid my head on his shoulder too worn out. I don't know what came over me but I couldn't help but feel shamed for the way I was acting. Sayo's brothers had put a hammock up in their room for little Sayo, it was similar to the one in my room.
"Sayo do you mind sharing your bed with Hikari?" Kousetsu asked knowing that no matter what me and Sayo liked taking naps together.
"I don't mind. Kari hums in her sleep; it's very soothing." Sayo said clawing up into the hammock. Sayo wasn't wrong I do hum but most of the time it's because Sayo is having a nightmare. That and I don't sleep that much. A few hours here and there, but other than that I am pretty much a night owl.
"That's fine with us." Souza said before pulling the covers up. I was still in my shorts and t-shirt. But I don't care seeing as I am perfectly fine in my shorts and t-shirt.
"Good night Sayo, Hikari. Sleep tight you two." Kousetsu said pushing the hammock slightly it was a nice feeling.
"Thank you Kousetsu, Souza. I am sorry you had to witness my appalling behavior." I said after a few minutes of calmly rocking. I had waited until Sayo was asleep before saying anything.
"Hikari, it's fine you are like a little sister too a lot of us. Don't get me wrong, a lot of us don't like the idea of you dating but seeing how happy Yamanbagiri makes you, shows to me that I can trust your happiness to him. You have also brought Yamanbagiri out of his shell, and that it more than anyone has ever done." Souza said before picking me up from the hammock.
"Hikari can you explain to us what happened?" Kousetsu asked, looking confused as to why I might have lost my emotions.
"While you see me and Yamanbagiri had just gone to supper where my brother thought it be funny to start laughing at the two of us. It doesn't help that Oodenta and Sohayanotsurugi haven't left the two of us alone since they found out that I had feelings for Yamanbagiri. It didn't help that I had made my self so sick with worry that Yamanbagiri might never wake up. But what really got to me tonight was the fact that Sohayanotsurugi know where I had been seeing as he had followed the two of us to the roof. Than he acted like he didn't have a clue where I was, I am a sword of a shinobi clan, I can tell who is around me." I said wiping at the tears in the corner of my eyes. I couldn't afford for anymore tears to fall. I felt Souza wrapping his arms around my shoulder.
"I can see where that would upset you, but did you think that maybe your brothers are just overly protective seeing as you are the only girl here." Kousetsu said taking me hand.
"I can take on Yamabushi when sick and win. I know how to protect myself. Like I said, I come from a clan of shinobis, my former master was a girl her self but she was to become the next head of the Takahashi clan." I said pushing away from Souza so that I could calm down a bit with out losing my emotions again.
"Yes but right now do you think that if a guy tries to hurt you that you could take them down?" Kousetsu said bring up a really good point and I know that he was right.
"I know that I couldn't protect myself if someone attacked me." I said sitting back down in between them.
"Normal you could take anyone on and win but still that doesn't change the fact that at times you are not going to be at 100%. And even if you are not at a 100% doesn't mean that you can't ask for help." Souza said pushing hair out of my face. I was about to say something when the door open and Oodenta and Sohayanotsurugi stepped in.
"Hey Kousetsu can we ask you something?" Oodenta asked not even noticing that I was sitting right there.
"Yeah just give me a second." Kousetsu said before following my older brothers out into the hall way.
"Hikari I know you are mad at your brothers for being your brothers but don't you think it would be better if you just talk with them." Souza said after a few minutes of silent.
"Yes but I said so many mean things too them, I know they don't want me as their sister anymore." I said pulling my knees to my chest.
"Kari do you really think so little about us." Yami said slipping into the room. He sat next to me before handing me my short blade.
"While I am going to let you two talk. I am going to talk with your older brothers." Souza said before leaving the room.
"You know we love you too much to let any guy near you. But I am like Kousetsu and Souza I can see how happy you are with Yamanbagiri. I can also see a change in Yamanbagiri." Yami said sitting next to me so that our shoulders were touching.
"Yeah but that is something that makes me nuts. I understand why you are so protective but Yami we are from a Shinobi's clan, we are a lot stronger than what people give. I just can't take it anymore, I love you three but I also love Yamanbagiri. He makes me happy. Yami you know me better than Oodenta and Sohayanotsurugi how often did you see me smile?" I said, leaning my head on my twin's shoulder.
"I know after you screamed at Sohayanotsurugi, I finally couldn't take it anymore and yelled at them my self. I actually reminded them of what you used to be like. Of the straight face and boring voice." Yami said wrapping his arm around my shoulder. I just couldn't help but break out into laughter the way my twin had described how I used to be.
"I really hope that you never go back to past you. I like hearing you laugh." Yami said leaning his head on my own head. I know Yami was right and frankly I didn't want to go back to faking a smile or laugh. Now that I know what it really feels like to actually smile and laugh.
"Come on let's head back to our room. I can't sleep if you are not in the same room." Yami said helping me to my feet. Souza and Kousetsu were waiting out in the hall.
"Thank you Souza, Kousetsu; for the offer to stay tonight but I think I am going to go back to our room." I said before hugging them both.
"You are always welcome Hikari." Kousetsu said, before heading back into their rooms. I was walking and talking with Yami when I felt someone grab my shoulder. To say I didn't freak out would be an understatement. I literally throw the person over my shoulder.
"Wow Hikari you throw our brother over your shoulder."Yami said before clapping his hands. I look down to see that I had just thrown Oodenta over my shoulder.
"And you guys learn why I never touch her. I am literally scared that she will throw me over her shoulder into the ground or going flying through a wall." Yami said standing behind me.
"Says the guy who would do the same thing." I said as we started back up with the normal disagreement.
"Okay note taken don't walk up on Kari." Oodenta said rubbing the back of his head. I held out my hand for Oodenta to take so that I could help him to stand up. I ended up being pulled down into my brother's chest.
"That's pay back, now come on let head to bed. We've all had a busy day." Oodenta said lifting me up as he stood up. I curled up into his chest feeling at peace, that and this is my oldest brother he's one of the few that no matter what happens I will allows feel safe with him. I was glad to say that for once I slept all night next to Yami, wwith the two of us in between Oodenta and Sohayanotsurugi.
"Kari wake up." Yami said shaking my shoulder. I was about to swat him when I notice that I couldn't lift my arms, I was just to tried. I couldn't even open my eyes with how heavy everything felt.
"Hikari, come on time to get up." Yami said shaking my shoulder again. It took me close to four tries before I could open my eyes.
"Hikari, are you okay?" Yami asked lifting my head and shoulders. I tried to talk but not a sound come out. I felt the panic settle in when Oodenta came over and started checking me over.
"Okay so Hikari is not going anywhere until she can rest up and regain her strength. I am going to get some broth from the kitchen and let Yamanbagiri know what's going on." Oodenta said after fifteen minutes. Oodenta lifted me up before laying me on my hammock. I again tried to talk with them but still nothing came.