Chapter one: Family is important

Rin was the youngest child, her two brothers both older than herself. Haru was four year older, and Taka even five years. It wasn't easy to be the only girl around boys, but she never complained. She loved her little family, and her parents always looked after her so she wouldn't be squashed by her brothers.

Even though they fought sometimes, she still looked up to them and if it came down to it, her two brothers would always protect her.

One warm spring day, she went into the village with her brothers because their mother asked them to buy some bread. The whole way from their home to the village was filled with teasing, but Rin had learned early in life to ignore them or, if she felt like it, to stand up to them.

"Rin, you are a big girl, right? Would you mind buying the bread all on your own?" Haru asked, throwing a meaningful look at his brother, who grinned lightly. She knew they wanted her gone so they could play with the other kids. She nodded. Even if she was only six, she was old enough to buy bread for her mother.

The two boys gave her the money and told her to meet them in the center of the village when she was finished. Rin also knew it was the place where the other boys met and played together.

She entered the bakery). A beautiful woman stood behind the counter and looked up when the doorbell jingled. She smiled down at Rin. "All on your own? Well, what can I get you?"

Rin looked at the amount of food and shyly pointed at the bread they always ate at home. "Alright, just wait a moment, I will wrap it up for you." The woman said and started to wrap the bread. "You are a little shy, aren't you? But it's fine. I was the same at your age. Just don't let anyone pick on you, alright?"

The woman handed her the package with a kind smile, and Rin nodded and gave the friendly woman the money. She could defend herself… or so she thought.

She left the store and to look for her brothers at the meeting point. It wasn't hard to find the center, but finding her brothers proved to be more difficult. Where were they hiding?

"All alone, little girl?" The voice behind her was not really pleasant, so she quickly turned around. Rin's eyes widened when she spotted Kematu, the village bully whom everyone hated. "What have you got there? Looks a little bit heavy, want some help?"

She quickly shook her head and took a step back. Handing him the bread would mean that her family wouldn't eat that night, and that was something she didn't want to happen.

Kematu just raised an eyebrow and took a step closer. This continued until Rin tripped and landed on her butt. When she fell, a little scream escaped her and the boy grinned. He reached for her and the bread, but before he could touch either, two blurs ran past Rin and lunged at the older boy, who let out a scream.

Rin watched with wide eyes as her two brothers fought Kematu off and yelled after him. In the next moment they were by her side.

"Are you okay, little sis?" Taka asked, looking very worried. She grinned and let out a little laugh before nodding. Now she was okay.

"Rin, I am so sorry we let you wander off alone." Haru sighed, stroking her hair. She shrugged a little, but stopped when she saw the way he looked at her.

"Don't be sorry," She said quietly. It was nearly a whisper because she didn't speak often. She only spoke to her family when nobody else could hear her. "You saved me and the bread. So I am really happy." She smiled to show him she meant what she said.

Taka laughed a little and then gave her a piggyback ride back home, where their mother waited for the bread. Rin knew she wanted to make something special tonight because it was Father's birthday.

She couldn't wait till they got back home…