Well I have completed Chapter 6 for you all. I think this was good chapter if gives us insight into what many party's are thinking and how our hero is trying to deal with some new and growing emotions. All good stuff I'd say, hope you all enjoy reading it. Your welcome to PM me or review. i might respond or...I might not -DJ Tenki

legal jargon:

I do not own Oriemo or any characters related to light novels, manga, or anime...but i love the story so here we are...

Chapter 6: The Vote... The Investigation and The Spoiled Imouto...?

Diasuke:

The train pulled into the station and both I and Yoshino gathered our Items and headed down the aisle to get off the train. Once outside I took a moment to stretch my legs, lord knows I'm not as young as I used to be and I get stiff on those long train rides. It was then that we were called out to by none other than my sister-in-law Yuki. "Diasuke Yoshino! over here, I'm so glad you finally made it. It has been way to long since you both came to visit." Not long enough for my taste.. I mean don't get me wrong I love my family and when you get married you get all her relatives as well, but Yuki just loved to stir up trouble, she thought it made life exciting, for me it seemed to cause years of endless headaches.

"Hey Yuki its great to see you too, You are looking very well" Yoshino responded as she hugged her sister. Sigh.. well let's get this show on the road I just know this is going to be a long weekend. Yuki seemed to notice the exasperated look on my face and she smirked at me. "Hey Diasuke don't worry this whole weekend isn't going to be as bad as you think, you just have to have an open mind is all." She knew just how to get under my skin so all I gave was a nod and a grunt in responds to her. "Oh Yuki you know how Diasuke is, long trips make him grumpy. So how is Kole doing in american? Will he be home anytime soon?" Yuki sighed at this and frowned herself looking a bit defeated.

"Well every time he gets done with one of the productions, they entice him with more money! I keep telling him we have enough just come home already, but you know him...he says our daughters college fund could always use a bit more! I did put my foot down though, I told him after this movie he comes home and takes a break no matter what." This made me raise an eyebrow I'm pretty sure that if she is that serious my brother-in-law Kole will be on a flight back here in less than six months I guess. I decided it was time for me to chime in. "Hey Yuki if Kole isn't here how is he going to be part of this meeting is he phoning it in or something?" This made her chuckle, "no no he set up a Skype video feed on your fathers big screen TV so he can video conference with us live, so he will be alright and there to give his two cents on the matter."

Just great I sighed again, just when I thought I might have one less person to convince my father had to go and let the tech guru in the family play games with his set. We dropped our stuff in Yuki's trunk and drove the twenty minutes to my parents house, all the while the girls caught up on all the family gossip about my niece Sakura. Shes the same age as Kirino and is Kyosukes real cousin, a real girly girl like Kirino but not as independent. I've gathered that she's more the cheerleader type but still respectful if my father has anything to do with it. It's not that Kole and Yuki aren't good parents they just are a little more free-spirited with their parenting, I don't agree with it but what can you do right? "I tell you Yoshino sakura is doing so well in school and she's the lead cheerleader on the squad this year, she looks at all of Kirino's pictures and tells me she won't let Kirino beat her."

My wife chuckles at this and tells here that Kirino has always looked at Sakura as a rival at home and says similar things. "I dunno Yuki they both have a stubborn streak a mile wide so I still think its best we keep them apart you remember last Christmas right?" I tried to remind her of that little fiasco my jaw still aches after being hit with a lamp...yeah cat fight don't ask, thank god Kyosuke was there to be peacemaker, I just about pulled out my hair. We arrived at my folks house and I grabbed the luggage as Yuki and Yoshino headed into the house where my mother a very kindly face woman sat at a table drinking some tea sat. I enter the house and heard "Yoshino it is so good to see you and Daisuke, you both are looking very healthy!" She got up and came around to give Yoshino a hug and then moved to me.

"Hello mom good to see you looking well too, Where is dad at? I'd like to speak with him if I could." My mother Hoshiko smiled and patted me on the back and told me he was out in the rock garden sitting next to the pond feeding his Koi. I strolled out back into the Garden the smell of jasmine, rose, pine and some other sweet flower assaulted my senses and helped me to relax a bit. A very large and stern looking man sat on a bench looking out over his pond. His name Daiki Kosaka Patriarch of the Kosaka Clan.

He looked my direction as he sprinkled bread crumbs over the pond to all to eager koi that were tackling each other to get to it. "Hello son where is your greeting?" I took a few steps out in to the garden and bowed "Hello father I am glad to see you looking quite well these days." Hmm and a nod were all I got initially. "Tell me Diasuke how is my grandson doing these days? I saw him on the television and he brought great honor to our family with his performance."

I was shocked...my father giving a compliment, this must be how Kyosuke felt when I was talking to him at home. I think I am going to have to take it a bit easier on him with the discipline stuff this is annoying as hell. "Yes he trains pretty much daily and also surprised me as well when I watched his progress at the tournament." My father coughed and then went in to a quite hearty laugh and then said something that I didn't fully understand.

"Oh Diasuke hehe he only showed us a fraction of what he was capable of there. I know he is not one to seek fame I am sure he cut himself off early, if he had pushed his limits the people in that arena would still be talking about it." I shook my head and gave my father a very confused look. What does he mean by that? I think Kyosuke gave it all he had it sure looked like it on the TV to me, hmmm maybe I'll ask him about it. My father seemed to be able to read my face like a book. "No Diasuke don't ask him about it, I am sure he had his reasons as to why he cut himself off in that match he may tell us, he may not that is his choice to make. Just know that his martial arts potential is greater than yours was at that age I can see it. I raised an eyebrow at my father when did he become such a sage at see potential? I wondered.

"Come Diasuke sit next to me you and I have more to discuss." as he patted the bench next to him, I moved over and sat down next to my father on the comfortable mahogany bench and took some of my own crumbs to feed the Koi. "Diasuke how is my grand-daughter? Have you seen any signs recently on the issue we are here to discuss and vote on?" I closed my eyes and took a long slow breath, what I was about to say needed to be clear this would be my real test, trying to convince my father that this was a bad idea to begin with.

"Father I have watched them both quietly over the past two years, very closely in fact and I have seen no reason to believe they have anymore than a sibling affinity for each other. If anything until very recently they didn't even talk with each other at all. It seems in the past few weeks that she has interrogated Kyosuke and its usually with disdain at best." My father listened to my statement closely as he threw some crumbs out to the koi and once I had finished my initial statement he asked me something I did not expect. "You know we are here to discuss this as a clan correct?" I nodded in response

"Let me ask you before our discussion, do you think that she would make Kyosuke better as a person if she were to be told the truth? Also if you tell Kyosuke how do you think he would respond to it?" I leaned far back against the bench and rested an arm behind my fathers back and took a deep breath as i tilted my head to think about this.

My father smiled at me and raised an eyebrow because he could tell I was really thinking this through. How would she take it if she knew about the arrangement and the truth of her family...What would Kyosuke be likely to do if I told him the truth? I...I...I just don't really know do I? "My father laughed and patted me on the knee as his sagely smile returned.

"You don't really know do you? I know that you think this is a bad idea but we are Kosaka and our word is our bond, you know this. The decision was made when your hand touched Sato's. I have quietly watched over the years as well. I see a very independent and beautiful girl in those magazine photos, who has run track and kept up her grades to prove she is above her peers, but Yoshino tells me that there is a loneliness in her eyes she is compensating for with all of this."

I shook my head and contemplated what my father Daiki said, I am not an unreasonable man and yes I knew my word was my bond when I took Sato's hand. I mean I love Kirino as any father would love his daughter, and I really do want all the happiness in the world for her, but I gave those stipulations to Sato so Kyosuke still had a choice.

I didn't think and still don't that I have the right to chose the love of his life. "I just don't see what it is that Yoshino is seeing, i mean I'm a police detective for Kami sake! You'd think if there was something there I would have picked up on it and then maybe I wouldn't have so much of an issue with it ojiisama." My father continued to smile and shook his head in understanding but then said, "Well son it is at those times we often see what it is we want...not what is, let us take this to the rest for a discussion. You have given me somethings to ponder though and for that I appreciate your time son."

He said this as he gave me one more pat on the leg and threw the rest of the crumbs far out into the pond and got up to head in, dinner was about to start and then what i could only assume a very lengthy discussion in to the night.

Daiki and I entered the house after our private conversation to find all the women had worked to complete dinner, I was also somewhat surprised to see my niece Sakura finishing up the rice and then bring it to the table. She gave me a very bright smile and bowed to me. "Hello uncle I am so glad you made it safely to ojisama and jiichans house." I raised an eyebrow I couldn't believe this polite rather grown up looking girl with a curvy figure and similar hair to Kirion's was talking with me. The thing that always struck me was her eyes green as grass similar to her father Kole...what are they feeding her? she looks like she is eighteen or something.. "Good to see you as well my niece, You are looking quite grown up these days." this cause her to blush furiously and she ran over and took a seat next to her mother Yuki. "Uncle I have a question for you, how is Kyosuke doing? I saw him on the TV, did you guys know he was participating in the Prefecture Martial Arts Tournament?"

Yoshino spoke up to answer in my place. "Oh Diasuke knew alright he and Kyosuke hid it from me and Kirino, and there will be a lengthy discussion about that with him when I get home." This cause Sakura to get a very concerned look on her face. "You won't punish him will you aunt Yoshino, I mean he did do really well and all." Yuki chimed in "Sakura mind your manners no matter what you don't keep secrets from your parent's, I can understand Yoshino's concerns." I raised an eyebrow at this and decided I need to drop in my comment. "Yoshino and I will have a discussion with Kyosuke after this is all over but as for punishment I will have to think it over." there that should end the conversation. It did for the next hour we ate and Yoshino, Sakura, Hoshiko (my mother) and Yoshino all went on and on about all kinds of things. My father and I sat in silence eating our meal and listening. The thing I did get concerned about was the extraordinary amount of questions Sakura had for my wife about Kyosuke, this bares some watching I think I'll have to keep en eye on her a bit.

Once the meal was finished and the dishes were cleaned Yuki dismissed Sakura and locked the main hall door. We all retook our seats around the table and waited for Kole to join us. It wasn't even 5 minutes until Kole appeared on my parents sixty inch TV screen. "Hello everyone you all are looking well and man honey you're a sight for sore eyes I can't wait to come home and hold you!" Yuki blushed furiously at Koles comments "Oh Kole stop it your embarrassing me, but you better come home as soon as that movie is finished." He shook his head and then looked back to my father "Greetings ojisama, jiichan, Yoshino and lastly Daisuke" and bowed toward us and we all did the same. I returned the bow and smiled at him. It was always like that with him and I, always a smile and a laugh i just couldn't keep a straight face around the guy he was to easy going so it surprised me that he wanted in on this discussion.

It was then that Daiki spoke up, "Well now that the pleasantries are out-of-the-way we must discuss what to do about the future head of our clan..Kyosuke. The reason I and Hoshiko called this meeting is because of a promise that was made fourteen years ago by Daisuke. He promised Kaito Sato that he would watch out for his daughter Kirino if anything happened to him. Hoshiko and I believe that you and Yoshino have lived up to that promise. The second promise made was for an arranged marriage between Kirino and the future head of our clan Kyosuke. Hoshiko and I feel that it is time to show the truth to them both so that they can adjust to this idea." I frowned deeply at my fathers comments and everyone around the table could see my displeasure. "Let us open the floor for discussion on this matter before we take a family vote." The first person to speak up was myself I explained about the stipulations I had put in and was agreed to by Kaito and that it would be rushing it to tell them while they were still young.

Then Yuki piped up, "Look Diasuke I understand your reservations but don't you think Kirino is an above average girl for Kyosuke? I mean she's responsible and determined and I think she is caring maybe she doesn't show it to him yet, but if she knows the truth it might change her. I shook my head but didn't respond allowing Kole to have his say. "Look Diasuke I feel where you are coming from this choice wasn't made for you or I when we went out to find our wonderful wives we had a choice right? Well i think kyosuke should have the same choice. I say tell them but make sure Kyosuke knows that it's just one option for his future not the only one." I was shocked by this I didn't expect Kole to take my side somewhat. This made Yoshino frown and she decided it was time to deliver some facts to me, Yuki, Kole, Ojisama and Jiichan. "I think I need to open your eyes to some things here, First believe me when I say I see the two of them more than any of you and for the longest time they were getting along well until a year ago.

I think that was about the time this martial arts stuff got serious and Kyosuke stopped talking with Kirino. I could see she put up a brave front but the real hurt in her eyes started when she was being ignored. I think Daisuke will agree that it was about six months ago she started to lash out at him and start the cold stare and mean attitude." I looked at the group and can honestly say I did see this happen so I nodded in agreement. Once she saw my confirmation Yoshino continued, my parents listened intently. "Well it was strange I'd say about a month ago something must have happened between them because they started talking again at the dinner table it seemed at first.

Then I could hear them talking in both his and her room off and on some over the last month. Then I could see in Kyosuke's eyes there has been something nagging him, oh he's hiding it better than Kirino but I can see it I'm his mother I know where to look. The last thing I did was I called Kirino right before we left to come here and told her she had to ride home with Kyosuke from her modeling job in Tokyo. She seemed happy about it no complaining about a gross older brother and that said something to me, there are feelings there. I am not sure if it's just sibling affection or something more. I think we need to find out though." I shook my head in disagreement and Yoshino gave me a stern look and I decided I needed to make a bit of a stand so i gave one right back to her.

After we all had our say my mother spoke up, "Yoshino, Diasuke I think you have both done a fine job raising both of your children, i know at first I told you it was not a good idea to take Kirino in that it would be too much but it was Yoshino who showed your father Daisuke and I that we were wrong. She did know what was best for Kirino and I think here to she maybe right as well. I also will not have my grandson grow old alone and without a wife. If i must see to it that he has one so be it I love my grandson and he is our future. I also love Kirino as if she is one of my own and I will not have her feelings ignored and I want happiness for her as well, but this comes at a price for all of us adults. That price is the secrets we have kept, i am not certain what will happen when they are told the truth but I believe it is the right thing to do and it must be done."

My mothers gaze was one of absolute authority and she passed it around like it was her right to do so upon us, I was feeling more and more that this was a lost cause. finally my father Daiki spoke "I think Hoshiko makes a wise point and the only thing I will add is that we are Kosaka and once a promise is made it is our bond, but with the stipulations Daisuke inserted I am willing to let my grandson and grand-daughter decide their own futures. I do believe that to do this the truth must be known to them both, but I will not allow this to be done at the same time. I believe if they are told at the same time conflict will break out, so I propose this. You tell Kyosuke Diasuke in a quiet and meaningful way and give him time, after a period you have a conversation with Kirino this will be a terrible shock to her and she will need support to accept this. it is my hope that Kyosuke will be there for her and see if there is something there or not." The rest of the group nodded at this sagely proposed idea...I did not. "Mother, Father listen to me I know Kyosuke and if he finds out he has been lied to for 14 years there will consequences for these actions. He is level-headed yes but there is a possiblity that he will do something drastic in anger as a responds. I really believe this will occur."

Yoshino covered her mouth she knew I didn't speak lightly on these terms. "Diasuke honey you must make him understand that we only did it for his own good it was not intentionally to hurt him." Yoshino pleaded with me. I still shook my head in the negative, my thought is that he may end up hating Kirino or both of us for lying to him about such a large secret. My father spoke up one last time, "Daisuke do you believe Kyosuke to be a rational man at his core? What I mean is do you think given time he would be able to search his feeling?" I leaned back in my chair and really thought about it...

"Yes I do, but I know there will be something from all of this if we tell him, you all must be made aware of this." My father shook his head in understanding as did the rest of them accept Yoshino she seemed to think differently. "Daisuke i think you're over-thinking it, once you tell Kyosuke he will need a bit of time but I really do believe he loves Kirino and that once the truth comes out he will adjust I just know it." you fool hearted woman I have a bad feeling about this it wont end well. Yoshino could read me like a book and frowned at me as she could see my thoughts written on my face and she still disagreed.

"Enough we have spoken on this long enough so it is time to vote, all those in favor of my proposal on the truth raise a hand." I watched as four hands went into the air. "all those opposed to the idea raise a hand." both mine and Koles hand went up which surprised me but still a major loss for me. "Well then I leave it to you and Yoshino about how you deal with this but go with the clans blessing on this attempt and let us hope cooler heads will prevail with those youths. I am tired so i shall retire all good night and sleep well." With that the decision was made and my parent got up to go to bed. Both Yoshino and Yuki looked very pleased with themselves but all i could feel was another one of those headaches coming on...

(Kosaka household)

Kirino:

Well here I am at home and my whole plan is ruined...First off everyone was staring at me on the train including my two best friends. I had to spend half my time glaring at everyone to keep them at bay. When I finally do get some alone time with Kyosuke we did manage to sort a small amount of things out and it made me really happy and warm inside.

Then I planned to march Kyosuke home so I could continue our treatment but I get pulled away by Ayase and get the third degree in questions about kyosuke. I can't seem to get rid of these two, they followed me all the way home...what the heck...go find a boyfriend already you two geez...

Kirino stifled a yawn while she thought about all the things she wanted to do if only she could politely get her two best model friends to decide it was time to head home. She had hoped a few yawns would help give them the hint but it hadn't. She also got the feeling that at least one if not both of them were waiting around to see Kyosuke when he got home. Kirino looked up at the clock where is he? its starting to get pretty late. It wasn't until the living room clock chimed ten o clock that Kirino finally told her friends that they would have to leave since her parents weren't home.

They both protested asking if they could spend the night but Kirino was having none of that. "No Kanako, Ayase if you all are here when my brother gets back he could tell my parents and I'll get grounded so shoo you two I'll talk to you tomorrow." With that finished her two friends headed out and off toward their own homes. "Great now that they are gone I'm going to go take a bath and relax until Kyosuke get home" she thought with a big smile on her face.

Finally things were going the way she wanted. She would have plenty of time to explore her feelings this weekend and hopefully prod some of the hidden feelings from that dense aniki of hers. She had just finished scrubbing down and had entered the bath to soak when she heard the door open then close down stairs. Well it looks like he's finally home...what the heck took him so long? Kirino laid back in the tub relaxing her tired muscles and sore head from all the questions her friends berated her with, she knew that it was only a matter of time before all her side stepping would have to end and she would have to have a showdown with her two best friends. "Man why is it just when I finally get him to start thinking different about me that these other girls have to come and mess it up...well enough of that for now time to rest and make my aniki wait for his bath another twenty minutes should be enough to get him restless as that smirk returned with a vengeance. This weekend is going to be sooooo fun now.

Kyosuke:

I casually made my way back home from the docks, I reached into my pocket and fingered the business card that Cliff had given me. I decided to pull it out and have a look at it, couldn't hurt I thought. It was a tan card with a picture of a boat of some sort on it that read "When you're at sea and you need a tow, we are the guys who never say no." Kind of catchy I thought and at the bottom it read The Lucky Bulldog with an emergency number and I guess a radio coördinate or something?

Man that guy was strange I thought as I put the card back into my pocket. What in the world would make him think I might be cut out for work at sea? My thoughts were interrupted when I was about to turn onto my street but I could hear arguing I thought it was coming from my house...great whats all this about I wonder? I peeked around the corner to see my sister and her two model friends arguing about what I had no idea, but there was no way I wanted to get into that so I decided to hop the privacy fence across the street and wait it out until the two of them decided to take off. Man Kirino do your friends stay late sheesh I wish they would shove off so I can go in and take a bath.

The soreness had started to return and I was starting to lose my second win of the day I knew shortly I would need to be resting or suffer the consequences. I still couldn't believe the amount of blow back I had received from my match with Shin, he did really well I sorta wonder what would have happened if I did go all out..he might have been able to keep pace with me. I was shaken from my thoughts as I finally heard Kirino say something about getting grounded and shoo the two of them off, that a girl nice work there. It will be nice to have a quiet evening, maybe I can take it easy after all. That is if I can keep my very grabby imouto under control I still felt restless about the things she had told me on the train, it made my chest tighten up and my head wasn't in the mood to disagree.

I shook my head thinking No stupid she's your sister! You have to keep it together be nice but brotherly no funny stuff. I watch through the fence as finally the two models my sister calls friend took opposite directions and I guess headed home. I think I'll wait about ten more minutes to be safe, after I was sure it was quiet I hopped back over the fence with my workout bag in tow as I tiger crouched from hopping over I saw the bathroom light come on. Shoot that was fast looks like my imouto beat me to the punch so I decided I'd head in quietly so I didn't disturb her and take my bath after, hopefully she would be too tired to try any of her treatment ideas she had.

I threw my bag over my shoulder and started to cross the street when I heard a whoop whoop and a squad car pulled up to me in the dark with its lights off. An officer rolled down his window and called out to me "Hey Kyosuke is that you man?" It was officer Shino I had seen him a few times when he stopped by the house to drop off files to dad or pick him up for work. "Hey officer you scared the hell out of me man! Whats up can I help you?" He laughed real hard it sure looked like he was getting his fill from scaring the hell out of me. "Yeah Kyosuke I came by to drop off a file for your dad imagine my surprise seeing you out here but it was a good break all the same.

Hey by the way saw you on TV today you did us all proud I was rooting like hell for ya, so were a lot of the guys down at the prescient maybe next time you win eh?" This totally embarrassed me I knew there would be issues since they televised the damn tournament but just how many people were watching I wondered? "Well yeah who knows man, I did what I could and I am not sure I'll enter another tournament for sure." This made officer Shino frown but he handed me the file and told me to leave it on my dads desk in his study so he could look it over when he got home. "Well Kyosuke that would be a damn shame I think you have real talent and really I thought you were going to win the thing, but hey at least a guy from your school won it right? That fight with you and him was way more exciting than the last match." I rubbed the back of my head and took the file and thought that I needed to get outta here before my ego started to balloon.

"Yeah well thanks man I'll keep it in mind I need to be getting inside I'm feeling pretty sore and all." At that officer Shino laughed again and waved me off as he rolled up his window and headed back out on patrol. Well its just been one-off the wall thing after another tonight I'm beginning to think this nights not ever going to end.

I crept quietly inside and locked the door behind me I looked up the staircase as I took off my shoes and put them in the cubby hole. I picked up the file officer Shino gave me and went to my dads study just off the kitchen I opened the door and went inside. You know I hardly ever come in here but it sure hasn't changed much, I set the file down on my dads desk and looked at all the police paper work he had spread out it was all neat and orderly. I had no idea what most of it meant but as i looked up to the corner of the desk something caught my eye.

There sitting facing the chair was a picture of a guy...who is that? I wondered...I know I have seen him before but where? It was young man in the picture he had a very easy-going smile and sandy blonde hair, I could tell by that smile the world never troubled him I bet..but what caught my eye was his eyes.

They seemed to be the brightest blue I had ever seen, like he was staring right at me. Why the hell would dad have a picture of a guy on his desk? I decided I'd keep that as food for thought and ask dad about it later...or maybe not because the last time I had come into his study I got grounded for a week. It was when I heard the thump and shuffling of feet on the second floor that I knew Kirino was done with her bath. I decided to vacate into the living room before Kirino came down and I cause even more misunderstandings between us.

I made my way out into the living room and plopped down onto the couch and grabbed the remote and turned on the TV to see what was on, I never really watched TV this late at night so I had no idea what to expect. After surfing a few channels showing some reality show, some drama and some anime show called maschera..what the hell is this mess? I settled on sumo wrestling in my mind it wasn't to far off martial arts and I could get into it. It was about then that Kirino appeared from hall entrance into the kitchen.

I didn't really notice her at first i was kind of into the sumo match when she called out to me. "Hey Kyosuke you ought to take a bath soon before the water gets cold." I turned to respond to her and I dropped the TV remote to the couch and it fell to the floor. I think my mind just locked up when I saw what Kirino was wearing while she went over and opened the fridge to grab a bottle of tea and then made her way out to me in the living room.

She had on a pink little T-shirt on and a blue and white pair of striped panties her, her hair was still wet and stuck to her face a bit and she had a towel wrapped around her neck. I felt two things the moment I saw her, first was a cold sweat began to run down the back of my neck and second I felt my heart thumping inside my chest trying to get out.

"W-w-why wha whoaa Kirino where's the rest of your pajamas's seriously?!" It was all I could do to look away as she made her way over to the couch and plopped down next to me way inside my personal space. Hey is that strawberrys I smell in her hair? " Well a-ni-ki I wanted to feel more comfortable and now I can because mom and dad aren't home." she said with a smirk that turned into a devilish smile as I turned back to look at her. I could feel my eyes going half lidded to the smell of her shampoo and the very curvy look as her shirt stuck to her in all the right places.

I had to get up and move away from her I thought this is way to dangerous, but I couldn't get the message from my brain to my feet. "Well look Kirino who knows if someone might still stop by you ought to put the rest of it on anyway." She giggled at this and rebutted my attempt at common sense. "wwweeeelll you tell me that I don't look good in this and I'll go change but if you can't then no more complaining." as she moved a pillow up to the end of the couch picked up the remote and laid back and settled herself to watch the screen. I had completely lost...there was no way she didn't look good in that and I knew I couldn't deny it. My instincts were trying hard to take over.

The way she was laying gave me a full view of her from her feet up her legs to those striped undies and the pink shirt, she smirked at me when our eyes met and said "what Kyosuke do you see something you like?"...I shook my head and it took all I had not to reach out and touch her. I rubbed my hands on my knees and finally brought my senses back. "Well I need to go soak and have a bath so enjoy the TV err and your tea." As I tried to walk past her she reached out and grabbed my pant leg, "Hey don't stay in there to long because I'll be headed up stairs after I lock up and turn stuff off.

We have a treatment to take care of OK?" Man she will just not let that go will she? I tried not to tense up and I thought about trying to squash her idea but I knew it would hurt her feelings she was putting herself out with this so I nodded. "Geez just remember no funny stuff I mean we are siblings and need to respect that." she smiled at me and giggled a bit.

"well I won't make any promises, now go get cleaned up because you stink baka." I laughed it off because her words had no real bite to them and they seemed more playful than anything. "Hai Hai my imouto give me about twenty minutes and I guess I'll meet you in my room." i sighed in defeat. These words made Kirino really excited and she smiled as she wiggled her legs and went back to watching TV. I made my way over to the hall and looked back at my imouto...how can she look that cute?...sheesh.

I spent the next twenty minutes not really able to relax at all. I began to get paranoid that Kirino might just pop in on me in the bath so I had locked the door. I layed back in the tub and closed my eyes. I had dropped some of the herbs my grandfather had given me a long time ago into the bath. then seemed to be helping with the bruises. As promised my phone timer went off after twenty minutes and I got out dried off and but on a pair of black silk boxers and a white T-shirt and took my towel to finish drying my hair on my way to my room.

I looked downstairs and it seemed everything was turned off, I looked over my shoulder and Kirinos light was showing on from under the door. I went into my room and sat down on my bed and finished drying my hair. While this was going on a knock came on my door and it opened to a grinning Kirino who had her medical ointment in one had and her green octopus pillow in the other. I raised and eyebrow as she strolled in and dropped her pillow onto the head of my bed.

"Hey whats with the octo-pillow there?" Kirino looked me dead in the eye and stated, "Well after your treatment I will be sleeping here tonight, that is your punishment for coming home late." Now I know I said that i would try to be nicer to her, I know i need to be a better onichan but there is a limit to what I can take! "No Kirino that's just too much, I can do the massage...barely but you need to go sleep in your own bed." She gave me an angry glare and crossed her arms in front of her. "You said you would take better care of my feelings baka aniki were you lying?" I sighed and thought about that, she would put me on the spot with that guilt trip...damn it I wish mom and dad were home already, this is going to be to hard spoiling her like this...

I growled at her comment but then softened my face to calm her down. "Alright Kirino you got me, I can't believe how much I am spoiling you and its been like a month since we started talking again sheesh." Kirino relaxed her posture and began to smile at me again. "oh you hush aniki I have been spoiling you too, be grateful that such a cute imouto like me is taking care of her baka onichan, you know you like it too." I was at loss for words I really wanted to retort to her comment and I hated to admit it that deep down I really was starting to like it and it made me nervous.

I knew that I should have stopped her but I had allowed her to much rope and now i was hanging from it like her oni-puppet. I was brought out of this thought as Kirino poked me. "Hey earth to baka? take off your shirt I know you have a bunch of new bruises under there." I shook my head and did as i was asked man I really am a push over.

Once my shirt was off I could see a deep seeded concern in Kirinos eyes as she saw I had a lot more bruises than before. "What the heck Kyosuke! This looks bad lay down now and put your arms out to your sides so I can work on your hands too."

Like before Kirino's magic hands went to work on my back sides arms and shoulders. She seemed to take extra time on both arms and hands. To be totally honest this felt like heaven she had a soft touch where she needed it but would work out kinks she found with a harder press. "Ahhhh Kirino if modeling doesn't work out you have a future as a masseuse for sure." I kidded with her. She layed down against my back and blew into my ear. "Hey whats with that!" I responded in surprise as she sat back up giggling and got off of me for a second.

She walked over to the light switch and turned it off so that only moonlight was once again coming into my room through the window. She really did look beautiful as she slowly slinked back to my bed with her hair falling all around her face. "Roll over Kyosuke I need to do your front." This caused my breathing to hitch and i hesitated. she reached down and tickled my side until I squirmed over onto my back. "That's better" she whispered as she climbed back onto me and reached for her ointment.

I could tell that she was probably enjoying this about as much as i was because as she started to work my shoulders and chest and biceps her face took on a red hue that I could even see in the dark and her eyes started to become half lidded. After about ten more minutes I called out to her to bring her out of her trance.

"Hey..Kirino I think that's good enough for tonight really I am feeling a lot better now." This seemed to shake her out of her shallow breathing. "Oh..ohh yeah OK Kyosuke I guess I am getting tired, so yeah let's go to sleep." I went to turn onto my side but was stopped by a hand on my shoulder I looked up at Kirino with a raised eyebrow. "No you stay on your back and put your left arm out to your side...please" she whispered. I knew this was going to happen I thought, oh well why try to fight it right? I chided myself.

Kirino slipped off onto my left side over my arm laying her head on her octo-pillow and laying an arm and heaven help me a very soft and smooth leg across me. She then reached around to grab my left hand and wrapped it around her. She finally snuggled up as close as she could get to me and covered herself up. "Thanks Kyosuke for taking good care of me...and maybe spoiling me some too, I want to sleep like this anytime I sleep over in your room from now on so remember this ok?" she whispered as she gently blew into my ear causing me to wiggle some, this caused her to giggle.

This is gonna be soooo troublesome I'm just to weak against her feminine charms, I am gonna have to work on this seriously..."Well I'll try to remember Kirino...but don't make it a habit ok, now let's go to sleep my imouto, good night Kirino." I never got a response her breathing had slowed and she was fast asleep in my arms...I found it strange that I no longer was feeling anxious around her anymore. I guess she is slowly working her way into my heart I thought, but I was beat from one of the strangest days of my life. I don't remember going to sleep but it came quickly.