Well here it is Chapter 9...They say, What goes around comes around. Its time to open Kyosuke's eyes a bit and see where the road takes him. I think personally we all go through a bit of a war with ourselves from time to time...In the end though we always look back on that fight and we all knew what was right, were all just to stubborn to admit it. It's a pretty decent chapter...Hope you enjoy reading it, like I enjoy writing it... as usual reviews are always appreciated, but not always responded to... -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 9: Distractions and The Wavering Heart...

Kyosuke:

Kyyyossssuuuuke...Kyyyossssssuuuuke why are you looking at me like that? Silly all you have to do is come over here...come over here and I'll ease your pains...all of them... Just let me hold you close, Let me give you my warmth, you know you want it...

I felt a warmth wrap around me that truly eased my mind, it just made me feel so secure... I looked up and over my shoulder as a pair of arms enclosed my shoulders as someone leaned against me, I looked over my shoulder and all I could see was blue. It was brighter than any sky, clearer than any ocean..

It was right then I saw her face...Its Kirino? She started to giggle and tightened her grip on me... holding me closer...tighter... hey now ahhh that's a bit to tight... I felt like I was starting to get choked...hey HEY HEY!

It was right about then I woke up... Pain is what I felt as I woke up in total darkness and with what it seemed... was a hand in my face? What the hell...man why does my face hurt? I looked over at the clock and the dimly blue lit numbers showed 2:15 a. m.

I figured this was going to happen, how did I even get up here? I gently moved the hand that was resting on my cheek aside and knew right away who it belonged to...how in the world did she get in to bed without me noticing?

Then it all came flooding back to me... the beer, the roof, the stumbling as quietly as I could upstairs after having a hard time taking off my shoes.. and then hitting my bed and then...that dream...and now this.

I decided that trying to kick Kirino out of my bed was probably a lost cause, as I looked over at her I could make out her face in the darkness resting peacefully in.. what the hell? one of my button down shirts?... It was then that I noticed in my drunken state I had mostly just dis-clothed myself before I went to sleep... No pajamas nothing...just boxers..

It also seemed that Kirino had just made herself at home with her face just a few inches from mine and her arm and leg across my chest and body. I swear she has a full leg and thigh laying across me again? I lightly shook my head and let out an exasperated breath.

I really have changed haven't I? This situation would have rattled me a week ago, I probably would have leaped out of bed fearing for my life, and physical harm from my imouto... but now... it sort of felt right... Not good

I decided that I wasn't going to make Kirino leave but I at least needed to let her know I knew she was there. I had a good idea that I was going to get an earful if she came in and tried to wake me and notice I was out of it...OK drunk I admit it, but hey I deserved a reward that tournament was hell...

I ever so gently whispered her name "Kirrriino, hey Kirino wake up." and lightly blew a little air on her face. She moaned a little and wiggled her face a bit. I said her name one more time and she opened her eyes but didn't move an inch.

"Kyosuke, why'd you wake me up, I was sleeping so good." she yawned as she moved her arm back so her hand could gently rub my bare chest under the covers. what in the world?... This caused an electric shock to run through me for some reason, but I kept my breathing relaxed.

"I just wanted to know when you came in here and how you snuck in to bed without me knowing?" she quietly giggled a bit. "Well not long after I shut my light off I could tell Ayase and Kanako fell asleep, they both snore heh. I laid there quietly listening since earlier when I checked you weren't in your room.."

"where were you by the way?" she glared a bit in the dark and continued. "Also when I finally heard you come up stairs, I quietly crept over to your room. I tried to wake you but I think you were drunk?" Kirino asked now a little more awake. "Honestly?" I said, she nodded and kept looking me in the eyes. I guess I owe her an explanation since she is staying calm about all this, "Well I went out on to the roof to watch the night sky while you and your friends, were fighting or playing or whatever three models do for fun.. I didn't want to be in the way. As for the drunk thing...errr I might have had a bit to drink tonight..."

Kirino giggled quietly again, "Ah so that's where you were, and drinking too? such a bad boy you are Kyosuke," she said with a now raised eyebrow. "Shoot I had no idea you went out on to the roof like that. How long have you been doing that I wonder?" she huffed and then continued her questioning. "Well anyway once I saw you weren't going to wake up... baka" she balked at me heh. "I applied some medicine to your chest and arms while you were out and then got undressed and got in to bed and covered us up and went to sleep."

No wonder I am not feeling that sore, man I can't believe I am such a light weight when it comes to beer...but my arms going to sleep with her there like that..oh well. "Thank you for taking care of me and sorry that I wasn't awake when you came in." I pulled Kirino a little closer and hugged her to show my thanks, she hugged me back and I could see her glare soften then a smile crept across her lips in the dark.

"Well someone has to take care of a reckless baka aniki like you right?" she said playfully. "Well I guess so, I just wish you would wear pajamas when your over here, your to distracting... and ah why are you wearing one of my shirts again?" She laughed at me and her smile widened, "because I like your smell and your shirts always remind me of you and make me feel warm inside." ah okkkkkay that's weird but I guess I just have to let it slide...for now...

I couldn't stop my eyes from wandering over her soft features like usual the bright light of the moon seemed to make her hair, her face and those clear blue eyes glow even in the dark. I could easily tell how beautiful my imouto was and it was starting to affect my judgement. She leaned up on her elbow to face me and talk some more... Great it seems I have her undivided attention tonight after all and I was trying to avoid this so much..

It was then that Kirino stopped my distracted thoughts with an unexpected action. she gently pushed me on to my back and slid up to lay on top of me. "Hey now what's with this Kirino?" She silenced my complaint with a finger to my lips as she smiled.

"Kyosuke please stop and hear me out, I need to tell you something I have held back from telling you." I layed there now fully awake and unsure of exactly what Kirino was talking about, I thought that we were sharing many things these days as strange as it seemed to me. We had moved from not talking at all for like three years to this little moment and it left me at a total loss. I knew that whatever was about to be said was going to challenge my will power much more than before...well I have come this far so I can't complain I'll have to hear her out.

"Well what is it Kirino, you...you can tell me anything I will not judge you for it." I could see that caused a change in her eyes...from what looked like what? fear? to possibly hope? so she took a deep breath nodded and continued.

"Well when I was coming home tonight before you came to my rescue.." Her face took on enough of a red hue that I could see it in the dark. "...I had been at a cafe with Ruri and Saori those two friends you met the other day, and they started grilling me about my feelings for you, saying how much I cared for you and I mean not in an imouto kind of way..." I nodded to show that I was listening intently to what she had to say.

"...Well it got me to thinking about how I feel about you, at first I tried to deny it and tell them that they were plain crazy. I found the more I tried the tighter my chest got, so I got nervous and ran off home but when I was riding the train home tonight ...I started to think they might be right, that maybe I don't care for you like an imouto should."

"What is it that you're trying to say exactly Kirino your confusing me a bit" she bit her bottom lip and then continued. "What I mean is that in one of the most scary moments of my life when that boy grabbed me all I was thinking was that I hoped you would come and save me...and then like magic there you were...like a gust of wind?" At this point I could see tears welling up in her eyes but she would let me say anything and she continued...

"I...I just laid there and watched as you made both those boys slide across the ground and then whatever you said made them run in fear, that when I got up you were there to hold me, protect me and make me feel safe...I know you were doing it as my aniki...but..but I couldn't see it that way. It was at that moment Kyosuke that I stopped having feelings for you as an imouto and started to feel for you as a girl... I...I know it's not right to be like this but.. I can't help it..."

The tears started to run down her face and on to my chest, I tried to talk but my throat was so dry now that all I could do for the moment was lay there looking in to those two pools of cerulean. "...I know it's not right Kyosuke but once I let those feelings in, my heart just won't let me see it any other way. Then both Ayase and Kanako started staring at us when we came home tonight and I felt my chest get tight again... In my mind I wasn't going to let anyone have you not them, not the plain girl, not my Otaku friends.."

What the hell does she mean by that?!...I mean do I tell her my true feelings...Do I show the fact that I too don't see her as a sibling? That I want exactly the same thing she wants?

"...thats why I kissed your cheek Kyosuke but now I have made my decision.." I mentally slapped myself back to reality and raised an eyebrow and knew I would be sorry for asking.. "what decision exactly do you mean Kirino" I whispered. "I have decided that I want you to know my true feelings and that I want to be more to you, to be all you think of when you wake up, when you're at school...when your hanging out, and when you get ready to go to sleep. That I won't back down from any of my friends anymore when it comes to you. That I will fight them and anyone else who might try to take you away from me and that...that ...that I love you very much."

Before I could fully process what she had told me she dried her tears and then she leaned in and kissed me square on the lips... Honestly I tensed up at first trying not to kiss back and push her away, but she slid her hands behind my back and leaned a little deeper into me. I just couldn't help it...my will power all but evaporated right on the spot. I relaxed into her kiss and laid my hands out to my sides in defeat.

strawberries...is your first kiss supposed to taste like strawberries? I thought as I opened my eyes and came out of my dazed state to see Kirino staring back at me not sure on how I might have reacted to all she had said and done..

"Geez Kirino ohhh I mean really?" Kirino nodded and a little smile started across her lips and she started to giggle a bit. "Man Kirino I mean I guess I understand where your coming from I mean..." I know I told Akagi I would try to be a good brother but now...now.. I just can't deny her like that it would hurt her she's being totally honest with me, so I will have to be as well... great one Kyosuke...letting this happen...geez

"Kirino I want to at least respond to your feelings with the truth.." She stopped giggling and her worried eyes returned as she laid there looking me in the eyes. "Let me tell you a little secret I have kept." I gently reached up behind her back and pulled her into a hug which seemed to catch her off guard and she tensed up a bit but I pulled her a little closer and put my mouth close to her ear so I could whisper.

I quietly whispered in to her ear, "I care for you the same way Kirino, probably more so and for a lot longer than you might have known, but I hid it from you so I could be the aniki I was supposed to be. I just acted like I didn't care about you these last three years trying to ignore you but I was just trying to fool myself I guess... in the end the truth is I really do love you too Kirino." I tightened my hug on her a bit. She all but shivered in my arms and I could hear her starting to sob again and hug me tighter like I would run away. So I thought it best to just gently rub her back until she calmed down a bit...such a troublesome girl she is...I thought.

After about five minutes of that she seemed to come back to herself and I loosened my hug on her so we could talk some more. "You feel better now Kirino? you get that out of your system?" She nodded and gently rubbed her eyes clear of the tears. Then she spoke up, "You mean it Kyosuke, you aren't messing with me you really do love me, and I don't mean as an imouto but as a girl?"...

"Really I have to say it again?" I sighed as she gently hit me "You baka" I put up my hands gently to defend myself, "Hey oww yes yes I did mean it I do love you that way Kirino. So embarrassing to say though.." this seemed to turn her from night to-day her smile and eyes seemed to glaze over a bit causing a similar effect on me too, I had to shake my head to stay focused.

She then reached across and grabbed my phone and started to adjust it... "Just what are you doing with that Kirino? I asked somewhat confused by her actions. "Well I have to go back to my room before Ayase and Kanako wake up in the morning so I am setting the alarm to vibrate" I nodded ...wait a minute?

"Aren't you going back to your room now to sleep I mean they could wake up anytime tonight and if they found us it would be a big problem... you told me what you needed right?" Kirino sat up and shook her head no... "Nope I'm sleeping here I'm sure there both deep asleep so I'm stay right here tonight, and I have an extra request.." I was starting to get that sinking feeling again.

"What?" Kirino set my phone down on the bed next to us and then did something I wasn't expecting.. she laid back down on top of me and covered us up and began to rustle under the blanket. "What the heck are you doing Kirino?" I asked as a shirt hit me in the face from under the blanket.

Kirino's head popped out and she looked up at me and said, "Ah better I plan to sleep like this tonight to celebrated. So relax and enjoy my warmth." I think it was at that moment that I lost my mind...I'm sure I'm feeling her bare chest on mine...geez I am going to have to find some will power to keep my hands off of her tonight... "Hey Kirino this is going a bit to far I mean I care about you and all but I don't want things moving to fast like this."

She looked up at me and frowned, "Kyosuke you said you loved me didn't you?" man she is playing that card right off the bat... I sighed and nodded in agreement. "Then let me do as I please I want to be close to you, to feel your warmth and share my own and I'll sleep better like this OK?" I sighed there is no winning with her is there? "OK as long as the covers stay up and your gone before your friends wake up alright?" Kirino smiled and nodded and then hugged me closer and started to go to sleep. I laid there trying my best to stay calm because this was getting to be too much stimulation for a guy my age...it just your imouto stay down for goodness sake...

I decided it was best to try to go back to sleep as fast as possible, to ah avoid any physical issue so I said, "Goodnight Kirino sleep well." Her face turned up toward me with a small smile and she said, "Good night Kyosuke you too." and then leaned up and kissed me again... I had lost this round for sure but the war was far from over no matter how much I like this situation I knew that it would only cause more trouble for both of us.

I guess for now I'll just have to humor her and try harder not to get to caught up in her flow. I thought as the smell of her strawberry shampoo started to invade my consciousness and was causing me to relax along with her body warmth and softness, Geez she feels so soft...are all girls this soft? I thought as I started to feel myself falling fast asleep.

(Sunday...Kosaka Residence 8 A.M.)

Kyosuke

vvvvvvveeeeerrrrrrrmmmmmmm verrrrrmmmmmmm "Mmmmmmm what the heck?" I awoke to sunlight...sunlight! I shot straight up in my bed half awake looking around for what I assumed would be a half-naked blonde next to me only to find that she had gone back to her room as promised.. I let out a slow long breath...well at least I avoided any trouble with her model friends last night I guess..

My heart started to slow back down and I laid back in my bed and yawned and started to stretch the tiredness out of my body. It seemed that Kirino's magical care had done wonders because I wasn't feeling any ill effects from my err roof exploits or alcohol consumption from the night before.

I looked over at the clock to see that it was a little past 8 am... and wait a minute?! I was supposed to go with Kirino and her friends to that modeling thing today right? I shot outta bed and started to get dressed, once I had my shirt on I sat down on my bed to pull on my pants when I noticed my phone was flashing...

huh looks like I have a message who left that? I opened the display and pressed the button and it was a message from Kirino? Hey Baka Kyosuke I thought you were too tired to be coming along on our modeling job so I quietly left you at home...regardless of how much Ayase and Kanako wanted to wake you up! Please stay home and take it easy I still don't think your all better yet. Also like I told you last night, I won't share and its better to keep these two away from you... be good! ( . O) Kirino

Well it figures she had some ulterior motive to leaving me behind, such a troublesome girl I have gotten involved with I thought. Well I decided not to think to hard on last night I just have to assume that things are going to be different now but maybe better? "Hmm maybe not."

I just can't sit here warring with myself I need to do something so I decided I needed to go for a run it looked like it was going to be a great day. The clear sky and the sun was shining bright and I figured I needed to get it in before mom and dad got home in a few hours from Aunt Yuki's house.

I headed down stairs threw on my shoes and went outside for my run it would give me time to think about what to do now that I had spilled the beans to Kirino like that. Stupid...so stupid it was to do that... but really what choice did I have?

I mean she threw all her chips on the table while I was taking the safe route like Akagi told me to. It seemed like the safe choice but in my heart I felt like I couldn't do that to her...or any girl for that matter regardless of whether she is my sister or not... Still thought I just hope that Kirino can at least keep it a secret around mom and dad...or who knows what might happen.

I had been so deep in thought that I hadn't even noticed that I had run my normal route and was now in front of the warehouse fence...Maybe I ought to go in and train a bit I'm not ready to go home so why not...

I popped through the cut in the fence and made my way over to a warehouse that I used for my own private training. The ceilings in this warehouse are a lot higher than the one me and Akagi use for training. All the windows were pretty much broken out...and that's mostly my fault but it didn't really matter no one uses these places that I know of so I can train as hard as I want to.

I took off my jacket and set it down on an oil drum all the objects in the room had either been pressed into the warehouse walls or were broken in piles. I went over to a small pile of broken crates and pulled out my black workout gloves and put them on. I cracked my neck and mental put on my training face. This warehouse is like my school and I knew that class was now in session.

I went to the middle of the room where I had a heavily battered wooden training dummy bolted to the floor. It was here that I practice many of the moves my grandfather had worked with me on at his house. He would always tell me that perfection is not something that is ever achieved, that it was endlessly training that would lead me on my path in martial arts. That one does not strive to achieve for others but for ones own inner balance...huh inner balance yeah like I have that these days...sorry grandpa I think I still have a long way to go..

I shook out my arms and shoulders stretched a bit and then took up my kata stance and started in on the training dummy. I tried to imagine all my inner turmoil rolling out of me with each punch and kick as my rhythm increased so did the speed of my attacks. As I started to feel my strength ebbing away I decided once again it was time try something my grandpa trained me the basics on. I stepped into the dummy grabbing it and using it to back flip away from it as far as I could...

I landed and closed my eyes tensing up as much as my body would allow and tried to remember the movements I watched grandpa do. I could feel the sea breeze flowing in through the broken windows and across every part of my skin...right at the peak of my tension I felt the moment to strike...I all but vanished from the spot I was standing on and appeared low in front of the dummy

I pressed hard in to it with a top and bottom palm strike working the technique as I felt the pressure building all around me... for just a second I could feel the dummy start to fully give way...Daburu toppū yashi no sutoraiki...just a little more...and then it happened... I was sent blasting away dust gusting in all direction, the dummy rocked hard as if it was on a spring and I was sent violently into a pile of crates, I sighed and rolled over to look at the ceiling with starts flashing in my eyes.

Damn...I was close...how the heck did you do that grandpa... "Ahhh my shoulder damn that hurts." I said to no one in particular. I shook my head and got up and dusted myself off maybe next time I'll finally get it right...not perfect but right at least...

I decided I didn't need to hurt myself again so I took off the gloves and slipped them back in my wood pile and grabbed my coat. I could only imagine that mom and dad would be nearing the house or already home by now. At least I felt better after working out all the tension that had built due Kirino's advances and the tournament... I decided to walk the rest of the way back home it was almost lunch time and I figured if mom and dad weren't home I would cook some lunch...maybe some tempura?

Kosaka Residence 1 PM

Daisuke

I got out of the cab and went around to the trunk to pay the cabbie as I watched Yoshino and the cabbie start to unload our bags. I reached over and grabbed the suitcase away from Yoshino. "Look honey I got this you go on ahead up to the house and I'll get this guy paid and bring up the bags." Yoshino smiled and nodded "Such a gentleman you are honey" as she started for the gate and up to our front door.

"Hey thanks for the ride man I appreciate you helping me get these bags out and all, Keep the change." The cabbie smiled at me took the money and bowed, I returned the bow and he went around got in and left me standing there in the street with two suit cases and face full of worry.

I looked up at our house how many years had it been since any great unrest had happened...I thought. Sixteen years I'd been able to keep this secret for sixteen long and peaceful years... bringing a wonderful little girl into our families lives, so full of energy, stubbornness and beauty... That wasn't what I really appreciated though about her...it was her kindness that gets to me most.

Many times I would catch her in the hallway or kitchen watching Kyosuke or helping Yoshino with chores with such a kind smile on her face that's what gets to me... heh Now that I'm standing here and thinking about it she really did grow up to be a good match for Kyosuke didn't she Saito... My frown deepened at that thought. Kyosuke what will he think, I always thought it strange that he didn't remember that we had brought Kirino home that day... Maybe he was just so little he didn't understand...I was never really sure and I for one never had the heart to tell him the truth.

I know that's bad, makes me seem so cowardly and I am ashamed of it but I really was doing it for his own good..and hers too. Now... now it's all going to become such a hassle... I huffed and exhaled deeply shaking my head. I reached down and picked up both bags and started for the gate slowly knowing that the next events of this day were either going to make me and my son closer, or send him into a fit of anger of the likes I doubt I will have seen before...So stupid Yoshino......yeah always good to come home... I sighed and frowned all the way in to the house...

I dropped the bags and took my shoes off and then took the bags through the living room and in to Yoshino and my room. Once I set them down I headed out to the kitchen to talk with my well-meaning wife one last time to try to convince her this was not a good idea one final time.

"Hey hon, you got a second? she was watching TV and sitting at the kitchen table, looks like the news she must be trying to catch up since we were gone. "Yeah Daisuke what is it?" she asked quite warily. "Well is there any way I can talk you out of this I'm telling you this isn't gonna go well I can feel it deep in my bones Yoshino.."

She turned and looked me square in the eyes and I could tell that her mind was set. Nope there was no getting around this, no running from this event. "No Daisuke we promised your parents and my sister that we were going to do this. Plus I know you saw it while we were there right?"

Saw what? What the hell is she talking about? I narrowed my eyes and I could feel my frown return, "Saw what? What do you mean Honey? Nothing seemed out of the ordinary to me." Yoshino shook her head and gave me a half-hearted smile.

"It was Sakura Daisuke, didn't you see the way she was prodding me and you about Kyosuke? I'm sure Kole and Yuki would have no issue if we didn't tell Kirino about this." I sighed took off my glasses and rubbed my face with both hands...how does this day go from just annoying to infuriating in the blink of an eye...now I have to deal with this as well... Yeah women they are definitely going to be the death of me...

"Oh come on I mean she was asking a few more questions than usual but she's harmless at best. I think your all over thinking that a bit." This cause Yoshino to stand up and come around the table to face me ...you're putting a finger on my chest? really?

I tried to step back but bumped into the counter, I had pissed her off for the first time in a few years, "Now listen here Daisuke, there is something there, a woman's intuition is never wrong. If we don't handle this now then it will only embolden Sakura. I know my daughter best, she competitive and if we just give her a little nudge you know how she is."

I shook my head and sighed, "She wont share...no definitely not that's not how she is. Tch... if she has any feelings for Kyosuke at all Yoshino, its all speculation at best. I still think your all getting worked up about nothing in the end."

Yoshino gently rubbed my chest and gave me an easy smile, "Look Daisuke I am almost positive I am right about her. I love Kirino I can feel her pain, her joy and I have seen her anxiety. I can see a longing in her eyes, she hides it very well from you and Kyosuke...but she can't hide it from me I am her mother. I have watched her over the years becoming such a strong and wonderful girl that I would be so proud and she is my everything, I love Kirino soooo much, I just want her to be happy honey..."

With that I had totally lost...Yoshino smiled at me and patted my chest... all I could was hurmph in agreement and frown. She went back around sat down and began sipping her tea and went back to the news...

I decided after that little conversation I need a drink, I went into my study and shut the door. Huh looks like they delivered that file after all huh... I sat down at my desk opened my bottom draw and brought out an old bottle of scotch I hide for just these occasions.

I poured myself a large glass leaned back and threw my feet up on the desk. I looked over the file as I drank... huh few B & E's hmm some possible issue down at the docks too...i'll have to look into that...sighhhhhh. I reached over and picked up Saito's picture from my desk and took another sip. I sure wish you were still here Saito these are the times when I would lean on you with my troubles, but in the end it looks like you won... well-played sir well-played...

I set Saito's picture down on my desk picked up the bottle unscrewed the cap and pour a bit bigger glass of scotch for myself. I put the cap back on and put the bottle away in my desk. It's time I guess to slow down, sit here relax and just wait...I picked up Saito's picture again and thought..yeah its the waiting that's the hardest part... the calm before the storm...