Chapter 4

Haruka woke up feeling sick. She retched a bit in the bathroom. She leaned against the bathtub, staring at the blank ceiling. "Time to restart the cycle."

She changed and grabbed her bags. She opened her front door and jumped back. Mamoru gave a bow and smiled. "Good morning, Miss Haruka. Did you sleep well?" he asked.

"Um..yes," she said quietly. She went over to the elevators and pressed the button. Mamoru was patiently waiting besides her, humming softly. Haruka's heart skipped as she recognize the tune. It was the tune to her mother's lullaby. She didn't dare question how he knew it though.

The doors opened and they both stepped in. The soft jazz music played in the back ground. All that Haruka could hear though was her beating heart. She felt the heat from her face travel everywhere. She coughed lightly and turned to the side. Mamoru noticed it and he just smirked. The door opened and she quickly stepped out.

Mamoru followed her in the same quick motion. Haruka headed to the lobby for breakfast. She didn't need to tell Mamoru what she wanted since he was like...basically a mind reader. She played around with her phone and stared into empty space. Then, someone placed their tray next to her hand. "Sorry, do you mind?" Renshou asked.

"No..It's okay, Uncle Ren," Haruka nodded.

She moved over a bit and Renshou sat. She noticed that he was having udon for breakfast. "Uncle Ren, eating udon for breakfast is weird," she mumbled.

"Don't judge me," he scolded.

"Here you go. Today we have waffles and fresh strawberries on the side," Mamoru interjected.

"Thank you," Haruka said. She began to butter her waffles.

"By the way, Mamoru, have you seen Nobara anywhere?" Renshou asked.

Mamoru shook his head. "I'm sorry. I haven't seen her since yesterday. She came in late and she was upset about something. Did you mess up again?"

"No, I swear! I did spill curry but I didn't do anything bad!" Renshou confessed.

Haruka pondered to herself. Who is Nobara? Do I know her? Does Mom know her?

"Who is this little cutie?" someone questioned.

Haruka turned around to face...

Soushi picked up the phone. "Hello?...Ah! Mamoru! Thank goodness you called! How is Haruka-chan?" Soushi answered.

"She is doing fine here," Mamoru said.

"Ah..I see. She must be at home. Well, in a few months, we'll be visiting soon. Watch over my angel, okay?" Soushi smiled.

"Yes sir. I won't fail you again," Mamoru replied.

"Good. Because if you do.."

"I know."

"Good day then."

"See you soon."

Soushi placed the phone down and sighed. Ririchiyo saw her husband stressed. She walked over and gave his shoulders a squeeze. "Is everything alright?"

"Yeah..it's just that...why does he have to choose her out of the other new residents? She is a difficult one and I was hoping that Sai would be her SS Agent. We've known Sai longer than Mamoru," Soushi protested.

"But..he owed you a lot and he repaid every single debt. I was the one that helped him regain back to his senses. Then he saved you, remember? You did say that he could take anything he wanted," Ririchiyo pointed.

Soushi remembered that night like it was yesterday...

"I owe you so much. How can we every repay you? You can have anything..anything!" Soushi smiled.

The tengu looked at the little girl, sleeping on her mother's lap. He walked over and sat besides Ririchiyo and grazed his finegrs softly against the girl's face. "I want her...not her soul...but.."

"You can't," Soushi stopped.

"What do you mean!? You said that I could have anything I wanted!" Mamoru protested.

"Then prove that you can protect her. Prove your name!" Soushi shouted.

"Soushi! Mamoru!" Ririchiyo scolded.

Soushi looked ashamed while Mamoru looked away. "You can have her...but...in just a few years, she will become of us. She will have her powers and become a powerful Soushi family member. She will follow my bloodlines or her father's. You will live your name.."to protect". You shall became a SS Agent and live in the Ayakashi Kan and wait for her there. That is the deal," Ririchiyo concluded.

Mamoru was shocked. He looked at Soushi who looked away. "I will do it," he said.

"You swear?" she asked, her eyes bearing in his soul.

"I will never her hurt her..I will protect her to the fullest..."

Soushi sighed. "Also, she hasn't figured out her powers yet! She will just end up killing Mamoru," he pointed.

"Just because you don't like her future husband doesn't mean you can bash on him so harshly. Give him a chance!" Ririchiyo pointed. She turned to her twins and smiled. "Besides, once these two munchkins grow up, they will protect her too."

Soushi hugged his wife tightly and smiled. "Yeah."

Nekosama01 is alive! She was just very busy and forgot to update. UUGGGHHHH. Gomenasai! Please R & R. Thank you!