Chapter four

How strange life can be at times. To be able to gaze at the beautiful and delicate blooms of a sakura tree and feel such peace in a world ravaged by chaos and violence. A world that knew nothing of the great and terrible battle destined to come, to determine its fate.

Arashi watched the tiny pink blossoms with great fascination, completely lost in thought. It was barely spring, not completely warm enough to support the little budding flowers that seemed determined to bloom, despite the chill that still lingered on mornings such as these.

"Good morning Nee-chan!"

Arashi jumped in surprise, entirely caught off guard by the energetic greeting shouted her way.

"For heaven's sake Sorata-san! Aren't you old enough to know better than to sneak up on someone like that!?" she griped angrily.

Sorata drew up short, somewhat taken aback by her anger. He hadn't meant to sneak up on her, in fact, he had assumed that she had already heard him approaching. She usually had a talent for sensing things coming before they actually arrived or happened. Especially when it came to his presence he had noticed with some inner satisfaction. But within the past few days, she had seemed distanced and distracted. Many times he would catch her staring off in dazed confusion or even more surprising, just sleeping.

He recalled one occasion just yesterday afternoon that he had found her completely out cold at the kitchen table amongst all of her textbooks and homework. It was SO unlike her. In trying to rouse her, she had jerked awake and had nearly drawn her sword on him. After being yelled at about not respecting her space and leaving her alone she had gone off to her room.

The thing that concerned him even more so, was that no matter how much she slept she still seemed so exhausted. Something was up with her, but he wasn't sure what and of course she persistently insisted that there was nothing wrong and that she was simply tired. He had wondered if it had been due to the nightmare she had a few nights ago, which seemed to be when this whole mess started.

His mind skimmed back to that night when she had come to him, more upset than he'd ever seen her, and had allowed him to comfort her somewhat. After falling asleep while sitting on the couch with him he had carefully carried her up to her room so as not to wake her. Apprehensive about leaving her, he stayed near her bedside the rest of the night, just in case she needed him. She slept soundly the rest of the night and as far as he knew, she experienced no more nightmares. In fact, just the past few nights he would go check on her before going to bed late himself, and he always found her deep in sleep.

It just doesn't make any sense! He mused. Well, whatever was wrong, he was determined to get to the bottom of it.

"I'm sorry Nee-chan! I didn't mean to startle you; I was just so taken in by your beauty this morning that I couldn't help but call out to you!" He exclaimed cheerily as he closed the distance between them.

"I guess it doesn't really matter." She replied with a tired sigh and turned back to the sakura tree. She and Sorata were usually the first to be ready for school in the mornings and it had become habit to use the big tree in front of the mansion as a meeting place where she, Sorata, Kamui and Yuzariha would walk to school together.

"So beautiful…" Sorata murmured over her shoulder.

Arashi turned to glare in his direction but Sorata simply smiled and pointed at a tiny cluster of petals.

"The blossoms Nee-chan. So beautiful, yes? It's amazing that something so lovely and fragile can still be so strong and fiercely determined to bloom regardless of the cold and frost still around." Just like you… He thought admiringly to himself.

Looking back at Sorata, Arashi looked at him quizzically. "Sometimes Sorata-san, you surprise me."

"Why is that Nee-chan?" he asked with genuine interest.

"Because sometimes it seems…it seems like you can hear my thoughts." She said quietly, unsure if she should have said anything.

"How do you know I can't?" he teased happily. Arashi shot another heated glare in his direction. Waving his hands in a gesture of apology Sorata quickly backtracked.

"I'm just joking Nee-chan. Great minds just think alike I guess. But, perhaps we are more alike than we know." He said quietly, smiling to himself.

Arashi's look softened at that and turned to face the mansion.

"It's time for us to go." She stated and started to walk in the direction of the school.

"But Kamui and Yuzariha are…"

"….Are on their way." She finished for him without looking back. Turning back to the mansion, Sorata saw that sure enough Kamui and Yuzariha were just coming out the front door, backpacks in hand.

"Hmm…" Sorata smiled. I hope that's a sign that things are starting to look up. He thought to himself as he turned to follow Arashi.

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It was only eleven o'clock in the morning and already Arashi felt her eyelids begin to droop. Trying to pay attention to her math instructor was becoming an impossible task.

What is WRONG with me!?! She mentally cried. Usually she paid astute attention to every class she was enrolled in even though a small part of her wondered what the point of even being in class was. It had been Mr. Aioki's suggestion that since Kamui was going to school in Tokyo that she, Sorata and Yuzariha should enroll in school as well, as a way to "keep an eye on him". They worked their schedules so that at least one of them would have the same class as Kamui throughout the school day. That was a bit of a challenge considering they each fell into a different year of High School. But somehow, it had worked out and for that they were relieved.

At that thought Arashi shot a glance over at Kamui a few rows of desks over. He seemed to be concentrating on his textbook, oblivious to her wandering gaze.

Well, he seems focused this morning. He's doing exactly what I should be doing! What is my problem?

"Miss Kishuu!?!"

Arashi jumped at the sound of her name being shouted across the room by her instructor.

"Yes Mr. Kusunato?" she asked in surprise, quickly rising out of her seat.

"Miss Kishuu, when I call on a student for an answer, I expect an immediate reply. I called your name three times. Math must not be as interesting to you today as Mr. Kamui Shirou over there in the corner is."

"No sir!" Arashi replied in shock, trying to ignore the small snickers coming from her classmates.

"No!? Math is not as interesting to you!? Is that what you mean!?" He asked heatedly.

"No sir! What I meant was…I....Im sorry. I just wasn't paying attention." She said, looking down at the linoleum floor in humiliation.

"Well, at least you're honest about it." Mr. Kusunato huffed turning back to the chalkboard. "You may take your seat Miss Kishuu."

Arashi slumped back into her chair, her gaze never leaving her desk. She could feel the eyes of her classmates on her, could hear their whispers and giggles. She could feel the heat in her cheeks of a blush she could do nothing to stop.

How embarrassing! And Kamui! Kamui must hate me for drawing that kind of attention to him! She thought in complete dejection. At that, Arashi couldn't help but shoot a glance at Kamui, expecting him to be glaring at her. Her eyes widened in surprise to see a look of concern in his eyes... Concern for her!

Arashi felt a lump form in her throat and quickly returned her gaze to her desk. Why would he be concerned about me? I'm the one who just embarrassed myself AND HIM in front of our peers! By all rights he should be furious with me! So why did he look worried? Well, one thing was for sure, she would NOT draw attention to him again.

Self consciously, she fingered the tiny silver star necklace hanging just under her shirt collar and shot a glance at the clock. Eleven fifteen…this is going to be a long day she thought with a sigh.

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Curious as to how she got the necklace? Should I even go on? Help me decide! Read and Review!