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Chapter 4

X-X-X-X

I stared at Takumi and he couldn't bring himself to return my stare. Due to it being Sunday, I didn't have anything to do for the day and my guards thought I should have more interactions with someone my own age. I reached out, grabbing ahold of his ears. He froze when I did this, before slowly leaning towards my touch as I continued to pet him. While he was rather nervous with me, when I began to pet him was when he started to calm down enough to move closer to me until he was practically resting his head on my lap.

"Are you uncomfortable with me, Takumi-kun?" I questioned staring down at him.

"I...on't...know...many people so..." Takumi said unable to look at me.

"You're a shy person then." I smiled at the tiger boy, he's cute...so innocent. He'd be destroyed by this world when he's an adult...with how cruel it can truly be. "I'll be your friend, okay?" I asked smiling.

"Amaterasu-san..."

"Call me Ama-chan, if you do then that means we're good friends."

"Ama-chan...?"

"That's right."

"Ama-chan..." Takumi was smiling, he looked so happy that I decided to be his friend. "We'll be...best friends, right?"

"That's right."

"Best friends..."

"Since we're best friends, that means we must do whatever we can for the other. You protect me, I protect you."

"Protect you?"

"That's right. If anyone dare hurts you or speaks badly of you, tell me and I'll deal with it. I'll always protect you."

"You'll...protect me...?" He looked at me with eyes of hope. "Even...from..."

"Why don't you tell me everything, it'll be our little secret." I placed my index finger to my lips. "That means it stays between us."

"..." Takumi looked around, afraid. "I..."

"We can whisper, if you want." I moved closer to him so we were incredibly close. "So, just say it very quietly so no one can hear."

"My big brother...he doesn't like me..."

"Do you know why?"

"No..."

"Has he hurt you?"

"...I...don't know..."

"Did you ever get hurt when you were with him?"

"No..."

"Did he say mean things?"

"Yeah...lots of times."

"Then come over whenever I don't have lessons and on Sundays, we'll play here and you can spend time away from your big brother."

"W-What time do I come by...?"

"Come by around one. Your big brother goes to school, so if you stay here when he gets home then he can't do anything to you."

"Y-You promise?"

"I promise to protect you to the best of my abilities."

"Ama-chan...then I'll protect you too. When I'm bigger and stronger, I won't let anyone hurt you!"

"I'm happy, Takumi-kun."

"...Ama-chan reminds me of someone...from a long time ago...really long ago...like a dream..."

"Ama-sama, Takumi-chan, we brought you two some snacks!"

"Ah, Yemon-san."

"Yemon, don't run with the tray." Yukio approached us and he placed the tray down with the tea. "Would you like anything with your tea, Takumi-kun?"

"I-It's fine..."

"Takumi-kun, do you like your food sweet or bitter?"

"S-Sweet..."

"Yukio-san, please add some sugar and a bit of milk. Takumi-kun, if you want it a bit sweeter just add to add more milk and sugar."

"O-Okay..."

"It's hot so be sure to blow on it a bit."

"U-Un..." Takumi blew at the tea and he tried sipping it, only to burn his tongue. "Itai!"

"Let me see that." I took his cup and took a small sip. He really does have a cat's tongue. It wasn't very sweet. "Do you like it really sweet?"

"I guess..."

"A bit more milk and sugar please." Yukio added it in and I took another small sip. That tastes about right. "Here, try this. It's cooler now."

"Thank you..." Takumi took the cup from me and took a small sip. "It's good."

"I'm glad you like it then. I like tea quite a bit so I'm always happy to have someone drink with me."

"You like tea?"

"I absolutely love drinking tea."

"I see..."

"Ama-sama, look! The cooks made the Manju shape feline themed!"

"Yemon-san..."

"Yemon..."

"Hm?" I took note of the tiger looking Manju and I could feel I could do something rather amusing. "Takumi-kun, this one is yours."

"A-Ah." Takumi looked down at the Manju I specifically chose for him. "Tora..."

"..." I smiled as he ate it after a bit of confusion. "Cannibalism."

"W-What?"

"Pff!"

"Amaterasu-sama...Yemon's bad habits are getting to you."

"I-I don't get it..."

"I knew Ama-sama had a sense of humor somewhere!"

"Ama-chan...?"

"It's just a small joke, don't worry." I put my cup down and I began petting him, paying attention to his ears. "You're so cute."

"I'm a boy, Ama-chan."

"It's fine, I like it when you're cute."

"I-I see..."

"Hooh, so you're calling Ama-sama 'Ama-chan' are you?" Yemon was grinning at Takumi. "So, do we have anything to tell your father?"

"You tell my father anything and I'll be the one to hit you."

"What a cruel princess you are. Well, I guess you do need a protector your own age, a tiger prince?"

"Yemon, your joke's really bad. Also, don't tease her."

"W-What are you guys saying?"

"Also, I think he's more of a pet tiger cub. His fangs and claws aren't quite sharpened and polished to protect this princess." I paused, pulling him into a hug, causing him to turn bright red. "He's so cute though, I want to keep him with me for as long as possible!"

Yemon had busted out into laughter while Yukio only sighed at our behavior. Takumi remained oblivious to what we had been talking about and could only stay within my arms, blushing up a mess. I find Takumi to be rather cute, not to mention he's still a child so...I can make it so he's always going to listen to me. While I feel the slight guilt of thinking of using him, but it disappears when I know I won't actually be using him to commit any crimes. No...He's going to be there, he's going to protect the side I will show to the public...before I release hell upon this world. Before I decide my true colors.

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I silently continued to dance, mimicking Obaa-sama's movements. My movements were rather stiff and awkward rather than graceful and elegant. That doesn't mean I won't strive to be like her. The grace she exhibits was taught to her when she was young and now I'm the one being taught. I will one day be as graceful as her, but it's very surprising just how graceful she really is when she dances.

"Keep your hand steady, Amaterasu. Don't merely mimic me, you must make these moves your own." Obaa-sama said not breaking her concentration.

"Make these movements my own...Yes, Obaa-sama." I said looking up at her.

"Your concentration is slipping. Stay focused."

I turned my focus away from Obaa-sama and I began practicing it all over. Keep my hands steady, make these moves my own. I wasn't sure if I was doing it right, but...I sometimes liked to add a slight flick of my wrist with movements being a bit faster than Obaa-sama's. I finished my dance the same way Obaa-sama did. I felt rather proud of myself, but I noticed Obaa-sama was frowning and that pride quickly crumbled.

"Your movements were too sloppy. We'll start from the top."

"Yes, Obaa-sama..."

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"Akew!" Takumi sneezed, his ears sticking up when he sneezed. "Snfff! Winter is finally here, huh?" Takumi asked as I pressed my handkerchief to his nose.

"It is, blow." Takumi blew into the handkerchief and I pulled away the snot. "I wonder if it'll snow soon." I said placing the handkerchief down.

"I hope so. I heard from Hana-obaa-san that if it snows that Shizuku-obaa-san will let you have the day off so we can play together." Takumi said giving me a big smile.

"..." He just needs the tail wagging behind him...and dog ears instead of tiger ones. "You're a good boy, Takumi-kun." I said petting his ears.

"I...really like Ama-chan..."

"I like you too, Takumi-kun."

"Takumi-chan, it's time for you to head home!" Yemon opened the door to the tearoom, which became Takumi and my usual play area since it is too cold to go out to play. "I got your coat and I'll be the one to walk ya home. Let's get going."

"Thank you, Yemon-san. Ama-chan, I'll see you tomorrow!"

"Take care, Takumi-kun."

I watched Takumi leave with Yemon and I went off in search of Yukio. Since he has a snow-based Quirk, I also know that he has a connection with cold weather itself. He's more resilient and attuned to the cold meaning he should have an accurate time when it will snow. The only strange thing...I couldn't find him and he hasn't asked me once about going out.

"Ah, Hana-san, have you seen Yukio-san?" I asked approaching the elderly woman.

"Yukimura-kun? I'm afraid not, Amaterasu-sama." Hana said looking concerned.

"When was the last time you have seen him, Hana-san?"

"Hm...earlier at lunch, but after that I have not seen him."

"How strange, he has not asked me to go out..."

"I'm sure he'll show up eventually."

"I suppose so..."

"Do you wish for me to have a search team created?"

"No, it's fine. As you said, he will show up eventually. I wish to take a bath before dinner. Can you please get that ready for me?"

"Of course, Amaterasu-sama."

"Thank you, Hana-san. I'll be in my room until then."

"Yes, I'll send Nanami once it's ready."

"Alright."

I went to my room and I began to study in silence. I really...really hate Japanese. Not only is the language a pain in the ass, the writing has three different styles! Not only that, being the 'perfect' Yamato Nadeshiko is hard as hell! I want to cry, I want to cry dozens of times over, but I can't be seen as weak! I refuse to be seen as weak or pathetic!

"Amaterasu-sama?" There was two knocks at my door. "It is Nanami, are you ready to take your bath?"

"I'm coming, please wait a moment."

I walked towards the door and it was indeed Nanami waiting for me. I grew used to the fact that they took care of me...basically treating me like a small child who must be taken care of. It was...a difficult thing to accept at first, but it's only until I'm physically old enough for them to stop babying me.

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I watched as Yemon ran away from Yukio after throwing a snowball at his face...accidently of course. He was aiming for Takumi, but missed and hit the snow user. I was rather amused when I saw Yukio use his Quirk to create dozens of large snowmen above Yemon who was running about trying to dodge them. Although this reminds me of something, but I can't put my finger on it.

"Someone help! I'm going to be killed by killer snowmen!" Yemon shouted running away.

"Killer...snowmen?" Takumi questioned blinking in confusion.

"Don't question it my cute little tiger." I began patting his head. "This is why you don't annoy someone with a snow based Quirk in the winter. It only amplifies their power." I said smiling at him.

"I wonder what kind of Quirk I'll get..." Takumi questioned looking at the ground.

"It'd be nice to have a Quirk that is more useful than strong."

"I want a strong Quirk though..."

"Hm?"

"T-Then I could...I'll be able to prot..." Takumi looked up at me and he started blushing. "I-I want to pr-protect you..."

"You're so cute, Takumi-kun."

"I'm a boy, Ama-chan!"

"I know, but you're just so cute." I felt something cold hit me in the head and then there was a strong silence. I slowly turned my head to my guards, the only guilty looking one is Yemon. "Your aim is atrocious Yemon-san. Yukio-san, bury him. Yemon-san, if you move, you die."

"Tha-Gwaahh!"

"Takumi-kun, it is cold. Let us go inside for some hot chocolate and tea."

"A-Ah, y-yes..."

I led Takumi away while Yukio got revenge for the earlier snowball. The snowmen would remain until spring due to the fact the cold would keep them preserved...but Obaa-sama was not approving of the many sized snowmen crowding the garden, but didn't say anything as Takumi and I often patched up the various snowmen while also adding new faces to them. I think she was rather fond of us since she didn't tell anyone to get rid of them until spring came and the various lumps of snow looked rather ugly when there are various patches of grass everywhere. I can't really tell what Obaa-sama was thinking, but she was fond of me...although it was probably due to my looks rather than myself.

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Chapter 4 Ends

Takumi will play a large role in the future, but for now...he's more of Ama-chan's pet than anything else. His claws are much too dull to do any damage now, bu in the future...well, they'll be sharpened to protect his master~! Slowly, but surely, Ama-chan will become a Yamato Nadeshiko on the outside, while on the inside is a plotting devil just waiting to sink her fangs into her prey. Nothing else to add today! That's it for now and until next time my dears! Bye-bye~!