Disclaimer: I do not own Kekkaishi.

A/N: Sorry for the late update. Any way, thank for the review. Yeah, I am kind of flipping Yoshimori and Tokine's situation. But, don't worry. Yoshimori is still the main character even though I can't guarantee I will pair him with Tokine. Oh, before I forget. Thank for those who add this story to their Story Alert and Story Favourite. Your supports are highly appreciated. Any way, on to the story.

Chapter 2: The Crumbling Family

It's been a week since Sumiko's death. Things were not the same as before. Before, the house was filled with laugh and happiness. Now, sadness and despair loomed the house. It didn't cease at all even though many people, including Yukimura family, came to pay their last respect for Sumiko at her funeral, offering help and support to Sumimura family. In fact, it just added more despair and sadness. Of course, the Sumimuras politely thanked and turned down the offers, saying they will ask when they needed help.

Many things had changed for the past week. Their home was in disarray. There are many unwashed dishes in the sink. Dirty clothes piled up as high as a huge mountain. Their backyard was not properly kept tidy as the dead leaves scattered around. In short, their house was in a great mess. There was no one to look after the house. Shigemori was not healthy enough. Shuji and Toshimori were still affected by Sumiko's death while Masamori was too busy with his stuff. Luckily, Tokine's mother was kindly enough to cook lunch and dinner for them. Or else, they will starve. Yoshimori was very worried about his family members.

Toshimori didn't smile and laugh at all like he used to be. He kept crying and crying silently, asking to see his mother again. It didn't do any good at all when he kept holding and staring the card they made for their mother. Grandpa with heavy heart explained patiently the reason why their mother can't come back anymore. Of course, being a small child of four years old, Toshimori couldn't understand the explanation. He refused to eat and drink until he saw his mother. He only ate and drank after being coaxed by Yoshimori and Grandpa.

His father was not in good condition too, at least, in emotional way. He's been brooding since their mother's death. He didn't speak to anyone at all except when people asked or talked to him first. Even so, he barely said anything. He just gave a very short reply and brushed them off. Sometimes, his father will suddenly snap at them for no reason. This made Yoshimori worried. No matter what happened, his father always managed to maintain his composure. Yoshimori also noticed that his father didn't care about his surrounding at all. It was as if, he was in his own world.

Deep in Yoshimori's heart, he was very worried about his Grandpa. Shigemori's health was deteriorating. He coughed a lot. Sometimes, he had difficulty in breathing. Yoshimori could remember clearly how his Grandpa suddenly collapsed at the funeral. The doctor said it was probably because Grandpa was very stressed and sad over their mother's death. He told Grandpa to rest a lot. The Yukimura family volunteered to help them, watching over Karasumori which Grandpa reluctantly accepted. However, deep down inYoshimori's heart, he was very grateful with Yukimura's help. His Grandpa can't do kekkaishi work with his current health.

Yoshimori sighed when he thought about his elder brother, Masamori. Yoshimori didn't know what to do with Masamori. He thought at time like this, Masamori will act more mature and do what elder brother supposed to do. For example, comforting them, telling them everything will be okay or at least, helping Grandpa with Karasumori work. He should act as their leader at the time like this. But then again, Yoshimori probably was overdramatic. Masamori is not their family's legitimate successor but Yoshimori is. The one should shoulder these responsibilities is Yoshimori.

Yoshimori sighed again, looking outside his window. For the past week, Yoshimori didn't go to school at all. His teachers understood his situation and allowed him to take a break from school. Usually, a break from school made Yoshimori happy. He didn't have to listen to his teacher's lecture. He didn't have to worry about schoolwork too. He can play as much as he can with Toshimori. However, this time, it didn't make Yoshimori happy at all. It was probably because Yoshimori knew her mother wouldn't come back no matter what he did. He won't see his mother again…

….for the rest of his life.

This realization hurt him badly. His mother will not be there when he got sicked. His mother will not comfort him when he had a nightmare. His mother will never greet him when he got home after school. His mother will never tell bedtime story. His mother will never cook for him at all. This made Yoshimori sadder. It made Yoshimori wondered if this is how it felt to lose precious people….

…..forever.

Was it always painful like this? Will this pain disappear? Can time really heal this pain? Can their family be the same as before? Yoshimori thought harder and yet he couldn't find any answer. His train of thought was stopped when he heard an angry shout.

"I don't care. Whether you approve it or not, I'm still going," Masamori shouted angrily.

Apparently, his shout didn't only catch Yoshimori's attention alone but Toshimori and Shuji's too. They quickly went to study room to find the source of shout, silently opening the sliding door to see Masamori was standing, glaring intensely at Shigemori. Shigemori didn't back down at all. He glared at Masamori with the same intensity. He'll be damned if he let this arrogant, young man in front of him thought him as someone that can be pushed around. Yoshimori as well as Shuji and Toshimori knew better not to interfere with this argument. Therefore, they didn't enter the room. Instead, they just stood in front of the room, watching as the argument become heater and heater.

"For the last time, Masamori, I forbid you from joining them. They are not what they are used to be," Shigemori said patiently.

"This is the best opportunity for me to expand my talent. To be acknowledged properly," Masamori argued.

"Look, I know you have a lot of talent in kekkai technique. But, there's no reason for you to join them. You can still expand your talent here. I can teach you," Shigemori made his counterargument.

"But, there are no challenges here. Besides, I already master kekkai technique. The one that you need to teach is Yoshimori," Masamori sneered.

Yoshimori flinched at Masamori's last words. He felt those words were directed to him rather than to his Grandpa. Toshimori was starting to cry. He didn't like all this shouting. In fact, he didn't really understand why his Grandpa and Masamori were shouting at each other in the first place. Shuji motioned his two sons to come closer to him. He had this feeling that they will lose another family member. Shigemori's face was becoming red. He can't believe how disrespectful his grandson was.

"Masamori, watch your tongue. There are still many things you don't know about kekkai technique. Besides, it's not even a week since your mother's death. You can't seriously want to leave us like this. We need you right now especially with Karasumori job," Shigemori raised his voice. His patient was becoming thin.

"Well, I am," Masamori slammed his hands on the table. He then pointed his hand at Yoshimori without breaking the eyes contact with Shigemori. "And for the last time, Karasumori is not my responsibility. It is that brat's responsibility. Why I have to shoulder this responsibility? I'm not even this family's legitimate successor."

"You don't really mean it! You can't seriously mean it!" Shigemori shouted.

"Yes, I am. Watch me leaving this place," Masamori stormed away from the room, pushing his way through his father and siblings to his bedroom.

"Masamori," Shigemori raised from his seat. "Come …cough…cough…..back ….cough…cough…. here….cough… I – I'm….."Shigemori couldn't continue his shout for he was coughing badly.

Shuji quickly move to Shigemori's side. He rubbed Shigemori's back to sooth Shigemori's pain. However, it didn't seem to have any effect. He then dashed to kitchen, getting a glass of water and Shigemori's medicine. He gave them to Shigemori. Shigemori swallowed the medicine carefully. It seemed to help him a bit. He didn't cough any more but he looked fragile.

"Father, are you okay?" Shuji asked worriedly.

Shigemori just nodded. Shuji wanted to chase after Masamori. Masamori needed to be reprimanded. But, he was hesitated and thorn apart. His father in law didn't look very well. He can't just leave him like that. His train of thoughts was stopped when he heard a sob. It came from Toshimori. Toshimori was scared and confused. The fight really scared him. Sure, his Grandpa and Masamori fought sometime but it was never as serious and as big as this. It confused him at the same time. He didn't know what to do. Shuji motioned Toshimori to come to him. He hugged Toshimori tightly, telling the little child that everything will be okay. It was then that he realized that Yoshimori was not there. Unfortunately, he had more important thing than finding Yoshimori. He needed to look after his father in law.

Yoshimori was watching Masamori as Masamori stuffed his clothes and things into his backpack. Masamori's words rang loudly in Yoshimori's mind. Masamori can't truly and seriously want to leave them. Yoshimori tried as best he can to push away this thought. He berated himself for doubting his elder brother. However, the words kept coming back to haunt him. It didn't look really good when Masamori just ignored him and continued packing his stuffs as if Yoshimori didn't exist at all. For some reasons, Yoshimori had this nagging feeling that if he didn't do something, he will lose another family member. So, he decided to make his presence, which was obvious, to be noticed.

"Umm….A – Aniki , what are you doing? Why are you packing your stuff?" Yoshimori asked in a timid voice.

There was no response. Masamori just ignored Yoshimori. He didn't pay any attention to what Yoshimori said. After packing his stuff into his backpack, he stormed away through Yoshimori, knocking Yoshimori down in the process. Yoshimori's fear and worry grew bigger and bigger. His elder brother isn't going to abandon them, right? They were his family. Yoshimori quickly picked himself up. He needed to go after Masamori. Surely, if he talked nicely to Masamori, Masamori will realize his mistake.

With that, he ran to Masamori as fast as his legs can run. It was difficult. Since he has a weak body, he spent most of his time at indoor rather than at outdoor. Therefore, he didn't really have as much as stamina like other kids in his age group. But, he won't give up. He'll give more than 100% to catch up with his elder brother. Yoshimori didn't stop even though he was starting to breathing and sweating heavily. Soon, he managed to catch up with Masamori. Yoshimori eagerly waved his hand to get his elder brother's attention.

"Aniki! Aniki! Wait up!" Yoshimori yelled on top of his lungs.

However, Masamori continued his strode as if nothing happened. Yoshimori kept running. Finally, he was able to reach his brother's side. He tugged Masamori's sleeves to indicate that he was there. Masamori just ignored him again. But, in Masamori's head, he cursed Yoshimori's persistence. Why can't Yoshimori just leave him alone?

"Aniki, wait up. Where are you going?" Yoshimori tugged Masamori's sleeves harder this time.

Unable to restrain his annoyance and irritation toward Yoshimori, Masamori snapped, "Where I'm going is none of your business. Now, go away."

With that, he pulled away his sleeves from Yoshimori's grip, causing Yoshimori to lose his balance and fell on the ground. It was very hurt. Yoshimori's right knee was bleeding from the fall. However, Yoshimori ignored his pain. He tried to catch up Masamori who didn't even bother to check Yoshimori's injury. He also didn't bother to slow down his pace to allow Yoshimori to catch up him.

"Aniki, please wait up and listen to me," Yoshimori stood in front of Masamori, spreading his arms to stop Masamori from leaving. "You can't seriously mean what you said before, right?"

Masamori stopped and said with annoyed voice, "Yes, I am. So, stop getting my way."

Masamori continued his strode. But, before he could leave Yoshimori behind, Yoshimori tackled Masamori.

"Aniki, please don't leave us. We need you right now," Yoshimori pleaded.

Of course, the strength of nine years old child cannot rival the strength of sixteen years old teen. Yoshimori was not able to knock down Masamori. In fact, Masamori didn't budge at all. With a dagger glare, Masamori pushed Yoshimori down, causing Yoshimori's head to hit on pavement.

"Well, I don't care," Masamori said without even looking at Yoshimori.

With that, Masamori continued his strode. This time Yoshimori didn't bother to get up at all. He didn't bother to call out Masamori. He just lay on his stomach, trying to figure out what had truly happened. Yoshimori wanted to deny it with all of his heart but he couldn't. Masamori truly abandoned them…

….when they needed him the most.

Yoshimori's eyes started to form tears at this sudden realization. He tried as best as he can to hold his tears. Slowly, he picked himself up. His head was hurt. He could feel there was a liquid on his forehead. As he swiped away the liquid, he realized it was his blood. His forehead must be bleeding from the fall. Yoshimori just ignored it. It didn't hurt as much as Masamori's betrayal. Then, another realization came to him.

He had lost another family member within a week.

Yoshimori couldn't hold his tears any more. He cried hard for his loss. He didn't even bother with his surrounding even though it was starting to rain. At first, it was light. Then, it became heavy. It was as if the rain was mourning together for the little boy's loss.