*puts on glasses* I'm back... I think. u; I've been VEEEERY BUSY. m Also, I signed up on Tumblr to find out that there is a user called Ask Hiroki Kamijou! That outta be interesting~
Chapter 6: Learning
Akihiko watched as Misaki played with some of the neighboring kids. He seemed to be having a good time. The rabbit loved to hear the sound of Misaki's laughter, along with seeing his smile... But, he was jealous. Jealous because it was not directed at him. Crossing his arms, Akihiko called out to the boy, "Misaki, I'm hungry."
Misaki stood and put his hands on his hips. "You ate a whole bundle of carrots not even 20 minutes ago!"
Akihiko shurgged. "I can't control my hunger. Come on, let's get something to eat."
Groaning, Misaki waved good-bye to the kids before running up to Akihiko. The two walked back to Misaki's cabin to find that Takahiro and his wife were gone. Misaki started to warm up leftover beef stew while Akihiko sat down. "You'll have to occupy yourself while the stew warms up," Misaki said, stirring the said stew. Akihiko looked over to see a scroll. Curious, the rabbit unrolled it and stared at the words.
"Misaki, what does this say?" Akihiko asked, flipping the scroll so Misaki could see.
"Ah, that's for school... We had to write a short story."
"What's it say?"
Misaki gawked. Akihiko seemed confused... Was it that big of a deal for him not to understand?
"You can't read?"
"Apperently not."
"What about writing?"
"What's that?"
Misaki face palmed. Yep. It was a big deal.
"How do you not learn how to read or write? Didn't anyone teach you?"
Akihiko turned his head to look out the window. "I didn't grow up with intelligent beings."
Misaki tilted his head. "Well... What about your parents?"
"I don't remember them. I just remember growing up by myself."
Misaki frowned and walked over. Akihiko was surprised when Misaki suddenly knelt down and hugged him.
"That's sad... Did you really grow up by yourself? Who fed you? Took care of you?"
"I found my out food. If other ra-... people were nice enough, they would give me something to eat. I took care of myself..."
Suddenly, Akihiko heard sniffling. He looked down to see big teary eyes looking up at him.
"I-I grew up with parents... Even when they were gone, Nii-san still took care of me...!" Misaki choked out, using one arm to wipe his eyes.
Akihiko smiled and wrapped his arms around the smaller male.
"What happened to your parents, Misaki?"
Akihiko didn't want to be rude, but he couldn't help but feel curious.
"They... They were beheaded," Misaki replied before bursting into tears, "t-they didn't do anything! Everyone knows that! Bu-but King Usami accused them of attempted theft of their horses!"
Akihiko's heart broke at the heart wrenching sobs Misaki let out. He ran his hand through Misaki's soft hair, in an attempt to sooth him.
"It's alright, Misaki. You still have your brother... You've had a good life with him, yes?"
Misaki slowly pushed away from Akihiko's chest and crossed his legs as he nodded.
"Yeah... Yeah, Nii-san has been very good to me. Him and his wife."
Akihiko smiled. "You weren't alone. Your brother was still there to care for you... That's good."
Misaki smiled in return. "You're right... Thanks. I shouldn't have been selfish enough to only think about me. They were also his parents, too."
"It's okay to be selfish once in a while."
Misaki shook his head. "No, I think I do it a lot."
Akihiko found that a bit hard to believe. He just shook his head and looked at the pot over the fire. "Misaki, the stew..."
"GAH!"
That night, Misaki started to teach Akihiko how to write, as as they went along, read.
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Sorry for the short chapter, but my friend wants me to write a Pai x Zakuro fanfic for her birthday, so I need to get on that. 3