Chapter 9

Lavi rushes away from the scene crying. He hid behind the tree to let it all out.

An hour passed, he somehow calmed down but still feels hurt. Tears were no longer on his face but the pain remained.

`Tyki

It had been passed the time we talked about. I searched for Lavi and saw him sitting alone by the tree reading the book he brought. He smiled as soon as he saw me but it didn't feel real.

Something isn't right. His lips may form a smile but those eyes show sadness. What happened? Why is he suddenly like that again?

"Lavi, is there anything wrong? Where's Lenalee?"

"She has left already. Let's go home. I'm really hungry," he tried saying in a cheerful manner.

"Let's go then. I think Aunt Tricia is already done preparing the snacks. They're your favorite."

"Really? Let's hurry then," said Lavi coming up with the best smile he could.

He stood up from his seat after closing the book. He pulled my hand and led the way until he became tired from hurrying up too much.

"Tired already?"

He nodded.

"You shouldn't have run," I said as I picked him up and carried him on my back. "Now I have to carry you home so we can arrive fast."

"Tyki-nii-sama!"

"You're tired. Rest for a bit. It isn't that far anymore."

He rested his head on my back and stayed silent until we arrived home. It seems he has fallen asleep. I placed him down on the chair and slowly woke him up.

He was slightly surprised seeing that he was already before the table where the snacks were already placed.

He ate the snacks hurriedly then went up to his room. He reasoned out that he wanted to finish the book at once. He can't wait for the ending. His eyes expressed differently though so I followed after finishing and helping out.

What is going on? Why is he acting so strangely?

Knocking on the door, I entered when there was no answer. In the corner, my eyes saw him crouched down crying.

I approached him. He moved slightly away. I noticed that the eye patch wasn't in its usual place. He had removed it. I only noticed since I almost stepped on it. His hands are covering his eyes.

"What's wrong, Lavi?"

I asked but I think I know what happened. She probably saw his eye.

I never saw it myself though since mother had already told me about the situation. We were to only wait until he finally opens up. We shouldn't force things on him.

"Don't come near."

"Why?"

"Don't, please."

"I'm sure it's not that bad," I said as I neared.

"But... if you see, you'll probably be like the others and leave me. I don't want you to leave," he said with a near hoarse voice.

I came closer and squatted down in front of him to his level.

"I'm not going to leave."

"Really?" he said as if not believing his ears.

He finally faces me with tears still streaming down.

My eyes widened in surprise as I saw the way the color of his eye changed to different shades. There had been a scar near it but that is all.

He cried harder after seeing my reaction.

"Tyki-nii, please don't call leave me. I'm no monster. This eye is. Please don't leave me, Tyki-nii. Please," his voice shivered as the cries grew louder. "Please, Tyki-nii."

Pain grew within as I saw his saddened face worsened. I shouldn't have acted that surprised. Now, I've only worsened things.

What should I do? How can I make the painful feeling stop?

I don't like seeing him this way. How can I make him smile?

When I was his age, what had mother done back then to make things better?

I woke up gasping for air with fear within growing worse. I had a nightmare so scary.

Mother heard my cries and held me in her arms. She held me in her arms and said, "Don't worry. You're not alone. I'm here. I'll always be here."

I'm here. I'll always be here.

She isn't here anymore though.

I'm here. I'll always be here.

Really?

Don't worry. You're not alone, Tyki. I'm here. I'll always be here.

Indeed, that's true. You never left. You're always here. I should have just listened and realize I'm not alone.

And he isn't too. I won't let it happen.

Holding him in my arms, I whispered into his ears the words that often gave me comfort.

"Don't worry. I'm here. I'm not leaving. I'll always be here."

His sobs slowly stopped then his eyes looked at me cheerfully along with his smile.

"Really? I'm glad," he said while holding on tighter. "Promise?" he added on playfully.

"Yeah, promise," I said while holding him tighter into the embrace. "I'll always be here."

"Thank you, Tyki-nii."

Thank you too.

If it weren't for you, I may never have realized and believed mother's words.

She's always here for me and I'll always be here for you. None of us is going to be ever alone.

`little bunny: Thanks for reading ^_^ I hope you like this chapter.

Thanks to 'In a silent night', 'KageHime90', 'Lari', 'lal', 'You still love me' and 'animechick57' for reviewing.

10/20/2011