Bankotsu frowned as he sat beside her in the driver seat. She was quiet and he glanced at her every so often. Jakotsu and Renkotsu sat in the back seat. She looked like she was on the verge of tears and that killed him.

They stopped in front of Renkotsu's apartment. They dropped off Jakotsu and it was only so long before they reached their own home. He frowned at her before getting out. She waited for someone to let her out; it was force of habit now.

"You coming?" Bankotsu asked from outside. She snapped out of her daze and nodded as she stepped down from the dark grey Escalade. She jogged to catch up with him and he opened the door for her. She cautiously walked in and jumped when he shut the door behind him. "Relax." Bankotsu whispered.

"I know…" She mumbled. She had changed. He missed the fun-loving, loud, always speaks her mind, sarcastic Masumi…not what that bastard had created. A shy, timid, afraid girl.

"Do you…want to stay up for a little while? It is early but I know you're probably exhausted." He rubbed the back of his neck and she tensed.

"Why would I be exhausted?" She asked shyly.

"Well…you haven't been home in a while is all…here, you sit down." He led her to the couch. "And I'll handle supper, ok?" He smiled and she nodded. He grabbed the blanket that hung over the couch and covered her up. He pecked her forehead and she faintly smiled. "Alright, what do you want? Pizza? Steak? Anything." He smiled with slight enthusiasm.

"Since when did you become a chef?" She smiled.

"I only cook when I need to." He winked and she giggled. He practically ran for the kitchen and she put on the TV.

After an hour, he exited the kitchen with two bowls. She cocked her eyebrow at him.

"Spaghetti O's." He shrugged. "Guess it's been a while since I used the stove." He smiled and she nodded. "I know I've asked you before but…did he really take care of you?"

"Yeah…can we….not talk about it right now?" She frowned.

"I guess it's just…I was so worried…" He looked to his lap. "And…I couldn't protect you. I wasn't there to help you and…" He stopped when she pecked his cheek.

"I don't blame you." She mumbled and he nodded.

"How was your birthday?"

"Nice." She looked down and dismissed the memory of Hiten being nice to her.

"We're still going to do something." He assured.

"I missed you."

"I missed you, too, princess." He smiled. She scooted closer and rested her head on his shoulder. "Don't worry, that bastard won't get anywhere near you now."

"I know." She finished her 'meal' and put the bowl on the coffee table. "Can we sleep out here tonight?"

"Huh? Uh…sure…"

"I'm going to change."

"Wait." He dug through his pocket and growled when he spotted the diamond necklace on her neck. He ripped it off and she yelped. "Here." He held her for-star pendant necklace out and her eyes lit up. "I'll put it on." He offered and her eyes got wide. His name was still there.

"No…I'll do it." She snatched the necklace away and he frowned as he watched her run up the steps.

-

She groaned as she awoke. She was sleeping on her side and Bankotsu's head rested against her hip. She knew he was terrified of losing her again and would take any closeness he could. She was close to most of his 'brothers', too.

Renkotsu was a genius. He assisted her in schoolwork and any time she needed it. He actually tutored her one year and since then she's done great. He's also probably the most rational. He'll make better decisions because he thinks before he acts.

Suikotsu could be one of the sweetest guys she knew. He did have a split personality, but even when he was having his 'dark' moments, he took care of her as much as he could.

She wasn't close to Mukotsu, Ginkotsu, or Kyokotsu, though. They always irked her…especially Mukotsu.

Then there was Jakotsu. He was probably her best friend. When ever she couldn't talk to Bankotsu, he'd be there to listen. He knew more secrets about her than anyone and he never slipped to her brother, which meant the world to her. She loved his sarcasm, even if it was directed towards her, she knew better than to take it seriously.

Bankotsu stirred and she smiled. She stroked his bangs and he opened his eyes.

"Good morning." He lazily rolled on his back and she sighed. "Go check the mail."

"You." She playfully kicked him and he looked up to her.

"I was thinking we could have a big dinner here or something…I mean, everyone's been worried…if you aren't up to it…"

"That sounds fine." She smiled.

"I'm sorry I couldn't find you sooner."

"I already told you its fine."

"What did he do to you?"

"What do you mean?" She felt her face get red.

"I saw the way he looked at you…and talked to you…and you're so timid now…" He sat up. "What did he do to you?"

"N-Nothing…" She looked down.

"Don't lie to me, Masumi." He glared.

"Nothing happened!" She snapped.

"Did he force himself on you?"

"No…" She crossed her arms and whispered.

"Look at me!"

"He didn't fucking rape me!" She yelled and he growled.

"Then just tell me what happened! I know you aren't this paranoid for nothing!" He barked and she just bowed her head. "Answer me!" He grabbed her arm and forced her to face him. She flinched.

"Don't hurt me!" She whimpered and his eyes softened.

"Did he hit you?" He asked and she still refused to meet his gaze. "Masumi…" He wrapped his arms around her. "I'm so, so, sorry…" A tear rolled down his cheek as she returned his embrace, tears stained her face. "I'm so sorry." He rocked back and forth.

-

"Hiten?" Manten whispered as he walked in his brother's room.

"Yeah?"

"Are you alright?"

"Yeah just…thinking…"

"It's only been one day…"

"I miss her so fucking much."

"At least give her some time with her brother." Manten suggested.

"Yeah…I know…" He sighed.

"Just…try and get some rest."

-

She frowned as she waked out of her bathroom and into her bedroom. She was dressed in another pair of pajamas and she sat on her bed. She opened her phone and saw everything unchanged. She went through the contacts and bit her bottom lip when she reached his name.

She flipped the phone shut when her door opened. She threw it on her nightstand.

"Masumi?" Bankotsu walked in.

"Yeah?"

"Sorry about…before….I…I don't want to scare you."

"It's ok…"

"I just…I was talking to Renkotsu…and he suggested maybe…therapy?" He frowned. "I mean, I don't like the thought but…you should probably talk to somebody and you obviously won't talk to me." He sat on the edge of her bed.

"I…I can't tell you…"

"Why?" He asked. "I'm your brother…you can trust me…"

"No because…I just can't…"

"But…"

"Bankotsu…it's because you're my brother I can't."

"Is there someone else you want to talk to?"

"No." She said quickly and watched his eyes show hurt.

"Alright…I'm still considering therapy, ok?" He watched her nod. "But you know I'm here for you?"

"Mhm." She looked down again.

"And I always will be."

"Yeah."

"Ok." He pecked her cheek.

-

She quietly sat at the table and ate. Her head was bowed down and she ate slowly. Bankotsu continued to frown as he watched her. How long would she be like this?

Renkotsu assured him it would be a huge adjustment, especially if she was being abused, but he still couldn't understand why she wouldn't just tell him. Suikotsu said it may be personal, which only infuriated him more.

"I'm done." She mumbled and he snapped out of his trance. He nodded and picked up her half-empty plate. He glanced at her but she never lifted her head to face him.

"How are you feeling?" He whispered and she shrugged. "Do you want to do anything today?"

"No…" She whispered.

"Masumi…"

"I already said I don't want to talk about it." She glared. He sighed but nodded.

He was ready to go after Hiten, but Renkotsu convinced him to wait. They both agreed she had been put through enough and he would get Hiten back on his own time, after he was sure she was alright.

But it seemed as though she was making no progress.