She didn't know that September 5th was her birthday, then again, her birthday was never celebrated or even acknowledged. The Mistress noted, absently, in her diary that she didn't remember much about Ryuuko being born outside of the fact that she was outside of her body and that Rei took a photograph. On the anniversary of our baby sister's secret birth, Rei took her life, leaving behind her diary, revealing a child who was kept locked away. Her birthday was also the day that our mother's final diary entry was written on, four days after our father's death. To celebrate would be bittersweet, sweet because of what we had overcome and bitter because of how much we suffered and how much we've lost.

I found myself talking to a photo which sat by an of his ashes, telling him about how I had to thank him, saying, "Father, I must thank you, frankly, as, despite it all, you had left Ryuuko with a memory of kindness, showing her that cruelty doesn't have to be all she knows." My eyes stung with tears that were defiant. I had only cried once and that was after the Mistress had died, yet, while I felt the need, I found myself unable to.

I would wonder as to how we should celebrate the day she was born. I suppose we could bake a cake for her, however, she'd probably eat it, likely before we'd even have the chance to put icing on it. Of course, she'd probably eat the icing, too, out of the can of course. She's not particular at times with visitors, so, perhaps, a quiet celebration with just Aikurou and us. Wasn't sure as to what to get her for presents or how many but, well, I figure one or two will suffice.

It'd be nice to give her something extra special to look forward to, considering that she's never celebrated a birthday before and is generally used to getting something special as a reward, thus she'd love the thought of her birthday.

With curiosity, she watched us make preparations for that day, not bothering to interrupt, just that watch. I suppose it would be like a surprise, something that she'd be overjoyed to see, yet didn't expect. She didn't ask about what we were doing, thank heavens, however, she was content with watching and trying to piece together what she was seeing. I suppose she was making an effort of this, considering how quiet she was during our preparations. She would leave her spot, certainly, but she'd always return to watch.

If she wasn't watching, she would find something to sate her curiosity, in which case, she grabbed an eggshell, lightly fingering it. She would have eaten it had I not have stopped her but, either way, she was fascinated with what we were doing and with an eggshell. Of course, when she broke it, she went to steal another and took a great deal of care not to repeat the same mistake. Frankly, I am not really sure as to what she'd do with an eggshell, then again, she'd probably add it to her collection of interesting things. I would suppose a suitable birthday present would be one of those plastic Easter eggs, that way, at least, she could have an eggshell and one that she probably won't break, not with ease anyway.

Surely, her birthday occasion will be a special time. I went about buying a few presents, including those plastic Easter eggs, regardless if I was slightly overcharged. I neglected to buy gift wrap but I figured newspaper will suffice, considering that she'd just tear at it, like she always does. I could imagine her happy, very much so and I knew she would be.

That blessed day came and Ryuuko found herself curious, yet very much elated. It seemed with the cake, she didn't seem to want to share, considering that she decided that Nui's slice was hers, promptly eating a large chunk of it. She was ecstatic and quite happy to share her happiness with us.

The day was lovely.

Hey ya'll,

Anywho, sorry for getting this to ya'll like way late but this chapter took a long time to write and, obviously, I don't have internet at my house (yet, though I hope to) and the fact I don't work on one project. The next chapter, I have to find an idea for it, perhaps making it Nui or more Ryuuko-centric.

Hope ya'll enjoyed,

-Amo.