Eeeep! Drama! Lovin' it! Enjoy!
I slowly sat up, and cast my eyes around.
I was safe within the confines of my old bed chamber.
I was clean, and dressed in one of my silk yukata.
My body and head ached slightly from the exhaustion of my long journey away from home.
Nothing'd moved. Nothing'd changed.
It was almost as though I'd never been gone... Just like he said...
A few hours previous...
Bankotsu stopped, suddenly, and I ran right into him.
Before I had time to think about words, he pulled me around, and pushed me up against a rock, putting his arms up to keep me from running.
At first, I was terrified, thinking he was going to take the jewel shard and kill me now.
But, as he continued to stare down at me, with a look like he wasn't entirely sure what to do, I began to feel I had more time than I thought.
"What's wrong?" I asked.
His eyes seemed to come in to focus, as though he was just turning his attention to me.
"I said you could have the shard, and I meant it!" I said. "Don't you need them to keep yourself alive? Didn't you say you'd kill me if I kept a shard from you?"
He glared at me the instant that was out.
"I NEVER SAID THAT! DAMN IT!" Bankotsu roared at me.
I stood there, wishing I had room to move back while he watched me, looking angry, and confused.
He closed his eyes for a moment, and sighed, leaning his head down onto my shoulder.
"I... I don't want... to kill you." Bankotsu said. "Maybe I started out wanting to, but... I don't want to now. You're a pain in the ass. You're a headache. You're a danger to anyone's sanity... I'd trade mine to let you live, though."
My throat was stuck, and wouldn't let me make noise, let alone words.
What was I to say to that? He wanted to protect me every bit as much as my mother did. How do you reply to someone like that?
He raised his head once more.
"I won't let you die, now." Bankotsu said. "I've let you live this long, and even learned to protect you. If you die now, there's no point in... Never mind... I brought you home. If you can manage climbing the mountain by yourself, I have to go."
I slowly cast my eyes up at the rock I was leaning against.
This was the mountain, on the face of which my father's castle sat.
"I know you don't want to be here." Bankotsu said. "But, this is the safest place I can leave you. And you can't come with me, this time. I'm going to do what you've been asking me to do this whole time..."
I brought my attention back to him.
"I'm going to leave... and I won't come back." Bankotsu said.
My chest screamed, and my eyes grew warm.
My body drew near to his.
Slowly, Bankotsu turned away, and started to walk.
"Wait! Bankotsu!" I cried.
He continued on.
I finally began to understand now... all those times of trying to impress him, and earn his praise... those times when we would argue until my throat was sore... all those times I sat and wondered why I wanted to protect him... be near him... they were all symptoms of one thing.
"BANKOTSU NO BAKA! AISHITERU!" I shrieked at the very loudest I could.
Right after that, my breathing became rough, and I could do nothing more than sob, as I waited for a reaction.
He stopped, just under the shadow of the trees.
I always imagined... love would feel so good... because my mother spoke of love like it was one of the sparkly trinkets I liked so much... only... she was so much more passionate...
But, now that I felt it... it hurt so badly... but I couldn't bring myself to wish it'd never happened... I wanted this pain. And I would always want it.
Bankotsu turned back to look at me.
My face was probably a mess by now, with my uncontrollable tears... but, I did not care. If seeing my tears would make him stay; keep him from leaving me… so be it.
I brought my hands up to rub at the tears, and soon found that I wouldn't put my hands back down.
My whole body was working to get me to curl up into a ball, and cry myself to death.
This is how bad the pain was. This is how badly I'd truly wanted him.
I was beginning to crouch down. I was about to collapse into a severe mess, of sobbing and tears.
Until, I felt my head touch something, and arms wrap around me.
My tears and sobbing came to a halt, instantly.
Slowly, Bankotsu lifted me up into his arms, gently this time.
"One night." He said. "And then I'll leave. After that, take in your old palace life, and forget about me. Just in case I can't get back to you..."
With that, he carried me up the mountain, and into the palace, easily evading the guards...
Present morning...
I brought the covers to my face, and took a deep breath.
His scent lingered in the fabric. Though it was painful, I still felt a certain comfort in this scent.
Bankotsu... the first and only man I've ever loved...
I shook my head. "He told you to forget him!" I said. "And I don't want to remember that dummy, so, forget him, I shall!"
I threw the covers off of me, and went to pick a kimono for the day... only to find I didn't want to wear them.
They were all so heavy, and some of them had rough threads that scratched at my skin.
I looked around for the kimono I'd worn on my travels.
But it was missing. He'd taken it, hadn't he?
I shook my head again, and ripped out my smallest kimono, quickly shoving my arms through the sleeves, and tying it shut.
I went to look at my face paint, and quickly did myself up.
But, when looking at the finished product in the looking glass... it seemed, I was staring at a painting of a stranger.
My face had disappeared behind these substances.
I frowned at this, and the woman in the mirror frowned with me.
I picked up a handkerchief, and wiped away the face paint.
Upon standing up, I heard the sound of swords colliding outside.
I opened the door, and saw my older brother, Ryotarou, training with some of the guards.
I eased my way outside, watching him as he overthrew every one of our highly trained guards.
My swords were back where I'd dropped them in the forest, and I knew this.
Still, my hands came up to my waist, as I searched for the swords that I'd once wielded in battle.
Ryotarou was so... cool. I never really appreciated this before. And I'd been so cruel to him... betraying his trust so many times...
Tears came to my eyes.
"Onii-sama." I said.
Everyone stopped, and looked at me.
"Mori! You're back!" Ryotarou said.
He quickly called a time out, and came to me.
"When did you return? How did you escape?" Ryotarou asked.
I looked up at him.
His eyes grew wide with a new kind of surprise.
"Last night." I said. "He returned me to my room last night."
"What? Mori stop talking nonsense." Ryotarou said. "Surely he wouldn't have done such a thing?"
I lowered my head. "It's the truth this time." I said. "Somehow, with all the time we spent together, he found it in himself to let me go."
Ryotarou shook his head, and stepped back, not willing to turn his back on me.
"Onii-sama." I said.
He gave me a wary look.
I looked over at the guards, all worn-out from their training session with my brother.
For once, I could tell they were tired, and I cared.
These same men had protected me through-out my pathetic life... they deserved a break.
"May I train with you?" I asked, bringing my attention back to Ryotarou.
He raised his head, slightly, becoming wary of me.
"Just until the guards catch their breath, alright?" I asked. "All I need is a sword."
Ryotarou gave me a very distrusting look. I lowered my head slightly, but kept eye-contact.
I'd never actually met my brother's eye before. I had always lied to him before, and couldn't meet his eye for fear of being found out.
His eyes were fierce, and strong. My mother'd always loved looking into Ryotarou's eyes. Saying he had the eyes of a hero. I didn't see it before.
After a moment, Ryotarou threw one of his swords to me.
I reached up, and caught it with one hand, letting him know I had had some practice with it.
Ryotarou nodded, and pointed his sword at me.
I raised my sword, and moved in to take the first attack.
Moving as quickly as I could in my heavy kimono, I came up by his side, swinging my blade.
I heard my blade collide with something. Just a second later, I saw Ryotarou had blocked it.
Shock over-took me. Was he always this good? Why hadn't he used these techniques on me when I played my tricks on him?
"Is that all?" Ryotarou asked.
I looked up at him.
He looked down at me with a very stern look. He was... daring me.
Ryotarou thought that much of me? He knew I'd keep going?
I straightened up, and started again.
Time after time, blow after blow, dodge after dodge.
I fell to the ground several hours later, bested by my older brother once more.
Ryotarou'd already kicked my sword several feet away. I couldn't keep fighting if I had the strength.
"This is all you wanted?" Ryotarou asked.
I slowly looked up at him.
"Just a fight?" Ryotarou asked. "What do you gain from this, exactly? Otou-san's out defending a village, and he won't see this. You can't accuse me of beating you up."
As I heard this, I knew why he'd asked if my first attack was all.
He meant to ask if that was all I wanted. If I was going to play a trick on him again.
I eased myself up onto my knees, not entirely sure why I'd asked for this fight myself.
I didn't like going into battle. It was too much work.
And yet... I was bored without it. The maids had all the chores covered here. My clothes and make-up were no fun anymore. All I had was combat.
But, even after all I'd learned, I still wasn't very good.
"Onii-sama..." I said, getting to my feet. "Onii-sama... kendo wo oshiete kudasai!"
Ryotarou stared at me.
"Wakari mashita." I said. "I've been cold, and cruel, and I've betrayed you at every chance I had at earning your trust. But, after all I saw while I was away... I realize that you've been so very patient with me. I realize how difficult your job is. I realize why our parents love you the most."
I wiped a bit of sweat from my brow, and sighed slightly.
"You are incredible, Onii-sama." I said. "You and Okaa-sama put up with so much from me... yet, you've continued to forgive me... Okaa-sama gave her life to forgive me once more... I don't want that to happen with you! I've lost too many people already... people that I didn't realize were precious to me until they were gone! So, please! If you help me now, I swear, I will do everything you say!"
Ryotarou stared down at me. I looked him right in the eye, praying with every ounce of hope in my body that he would believe me. For I was being more truthful than ever before.
He looked me over, being particularly careful to look for signs of lying this time.
I waited quietly, though I was becoming upset inside.
Ryotarou circled me once.
I kept my head high and my arms down.
He came back around to stand in front of me, and looked me in the eye once more.
At this point, I was fighting the urge to blink. That would tell him I was lying for sure, even though I wasn't.
My eyes got cold, and my tears welled up, begging me to blink.
I was beginning to glare, simply to keep from blinking.
Right then, a gentle breeze blew by, brushing across my aching eyes.
I could fight no more, and growled in frustration as my eyes closed.
Curse me... why couldn't I have been a better person? What did I gain by being so awful?
Nothing... I was cruel for no reason whatsoever...
"You need something lighter." came Ryotarou's voice.
I opened my eyes, and brought my gaze straight to Ryotarou.
He had his back turned to me, and he was walking away.
"Get a lighter kimono. The maids should have a spare." Ryotarou said. "I won't tolerate complaints about colors, or whatever. Hurry up! You're burning daylight!"
I jumped at his sudden sharp tone, and quickly ran into the palace.
On my way to the maids' quarters, I couldn't help the small smile that spread across my face.
"He's forgiven me... thank goodness!"
Yukata - Thin kimono.
Bankotsu no baka - Bankotsu you dummy.
Aishiteru - I love you.
Onii-sama - Older brother.
Otou-san - Father (not quite as formal as when Mori addresses him).
Kendo wo oshiete kudasai - Please teach me kendo (I wasn't sure what else to call it).
Wakari mashita - I understand.
Okaa-sama - Mother.
Woooo... Lots of drama there! More than I originally planned, but, not quite to the point I wanted to be at. Suppose I could write more, but, I wanna make my sister suffer the wait! Hee-hee! Please, review!