New Feelings Chapter 6:
Sad and Happy
Emiko went to ask Kisshu and Ichigo what they wanted for breakfast the next morning, and found them curled up together on Kisshu's bed, asleep. She smiled and decided to let them sleep in, and went to make chocolate chip muffins.
After putting them in the oven, she sat down to wait. Somehow she got to thinking about the events of yesterday. It had been really hard to hear Ryou say that her parents didn't deserve to live, and while she felt better after killing him, she still missed her parents. She sighed, and snapped her fingers. A picture in a frame appeared in her hand, and she looked at it. It was a picture of her parents that she had drawn soon after Kisshu took her in. That was how he found out about her drawing skills. She looked at it, and a tear trickled down her face. Most of the time, she could push away the sorrow, and it had gotten better lately, but sometimes she got sad. She didn't let the others see, but sometimes she would just go back to her room and cry.
Unfortunately, today Pai was walking by the kitchen while she was lost in thought and crying, and saw her. He knew he wasn't good at calming people down, so he quietly left and went to wake up Kisshu.
Luckily for him, Kisshu was already awake, and trying to get Ichigo to wake up. He looked up as Pai came in and asked, "Is something wrong? You look more serious than usual."
"Emiko's in the kitchen, and she's crying," Pai said. "I think you'd be better at finding out why."
At that, Ichigo woke up too, and said, "We'll go see what's wrong."
Kisshu nodded, then took her hand and teleported into the kitchen. Emiko heard the teleportation, and looked up, startled. Then she quickly tried to hide the fact that she was crying. Kisshu and Ichigo weren't having that, though, and Ichigo said, "Emiko, can you tell us what's wrong?"
Emiko sighed. I miss my parents.
Ichigo noticed the drawing on the table and said, "Is that a picture of them?" Emiko nodded. Ichigo came over and hugged Emiko. Emiko hugged back, burying her face in Ichigo's shoulder. Ichigo felt her shoulders shaking and hugged Emiko tighter. "It's fine, we're here for you," she said softly. "You're not alone."
Kisshu had come over too, and said, "Ichigo's right, Imouto-chan. We're here for you. You don't need to hold everything inside."
Emiko looked at him. Kisshu smiled and said, "You think we don't know why you lock yourself in your room sometimes? We're here for you when you need us, and even when you don't. You're not alone."
Thanks guys, Emiko said. I appreciate your support.
Kisshu and Ichigo both smiled. "You're welcome," Kisshu said. He came over and hugged Emiko too. Then he said, "Are you making something? It smells like chocolate in here."
I was making chocolate chip muffins, I should check on them, Emiko said.
Kisshu let her go with a smile. Emiko smiled back, and went to take the muffins out. They were ready, so she put them out to cool.
"Kisshu, you're drooling," Ichigo said. Emiko turned, and saw Kisshu sheepishly wiping his mouth. She laughed- but to her surprise, she actually made a sound this time. Kisshu and Ichigo looked startled too. "Emiko, you laughed," Ichigo said. "Even when we were giggling yesterday, you made no sound. Do you think you're getting your voice back?"
Emiko tilted her head to one side, then tried it. Ichigo and Kisshu saw her throat work, and then she said aloud, "Maybe…" her voice was scratchy, so she cleared her throat, and said, "I can talk again!"
"That's wonderful!" Ichigo said. "I bet this means you can sing too, you said you missed that."
"Yeah!" Emiko said excitedly. "Can I try?"
"Sure, we'd love to hear you sing," Kisshu said.
Emiko smiled and took a breath.
(Insert 'Kimi o Nosete' here)
Kisshu and Ichigo listened as Emiko sang, not even noticing Pai and Taruto, who came in after Emiko started singing. Her voice was almost angelic, and when she was finished, she said, "I really missed that."
The others were speechless. "Y-you have a beautiful voice," Kisshu said.
"Thanks, Kisshu," Emiko said. "I've always loved singing."
Pai and Taruto were coming out of shock, and Taruto said, "Emiko-oneechan, when did you get your voice back? I thought when Pai examined you, he said you'd never be able to speak aloud again."
"Just now," Emiko said. "Ichigo noticed that I made an actual sound when I was laughing, and she suggested I might be getting my voice back. And she was right!"
"That's great!" Taruto said. "I'm happy for you."
"Thanks Taruto," Emiko said with a grin.
I know it's a horrible chapter ending and it's too short, but since almost no one seems to be reading this, I guess it doesn't matter too much.
