Chapter 10...has arrived. Well its go time for our Hero...but to where? That is the question isn't it. Looks like some tough times are ahead for Kyosuke both in mind and body, but hey that's what all the training has been for right? Welllll maybe, Anyway its about time for this story to enter the here and now...enjoy! Like always reviews are appreciated...I might respond, 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 10: Fears, Anger and the Bulldog...

Kyosuke:

Do you ever have that feeling ... you know the one, it feels like anxiety crossed with excitement...yeah that one. Whatever the reason as I left the warehouse and started down the street toward my house I could feel it starting to creep in.

I'm no psychic I don't believe in any of that garbage, but what I do believe in is my gut. Whatever the reason when I hit that street and the warm summer breeze hit me it felt like it was trying to tell me something...but what? I thought.

Relax Kyosuke your getting yourself all worked up for no reason.. The thought of what happened last night crossed with the idea that my parents were coming home was getting to me. I mean really I had no idea how Kirino was going to act around me at home anymore...Would she be her aloft reserve self? or all affectionate? or what? and it was causing this feeling of anxiety I was having for sure...

No matter how much I didn't want to face facts in the end I knew I had deep feelings for Kirino. There was no way in hell my parents would put up with any kind of... well what was going on with Kirino and me. I shuddered at the thought of what my dad might do if he found out. One thing for sure would be to toss me out of the house regardless of how Kirino felt about it. I just hoped that when she got back today from whatever modeling job she was at that she would keep her usual masked up self around our parents to avoid raising any type of suspicion...

When I really thought about it though, it wasn't my detective of a father I was worried about, it was mom... Yeah I know she seems like nothing but rainbows and sunshine but there's an observant side to her. It has taken me many years of work to mask myself well enough to not give anything away.

I get the feeling that it annoys the hell out of her that she can't figure me out like when I was a little kid...Kirino on the other hand...sighhh. Shes like an open book to mom, she can't hide anything from her and recently I think she's noticed Kirino is acting a bit weird. I doubted she had put two and two together but with mom I knew it would only be a matter of time... and then all hell would break loose..

I continued my walk home and I hadn't noticed but I was walking slower with each step... hey now...no reason to be afraid you got this under control... I shook my head and took a long deep breath to calm my nerves. Yeah no reason to be afraid they know nothing and I am going to try a bit harder to resist Kirino. Well at least keep her out of my room anyway...

I turned the last corner and my house came into view and that's when it started...my hand started to shake a little. I continued to walk toward home but with each step I took I could feel my hand begin to shake harder like my will was breaking like fractured glass. Each step felt like it was putting pressure against me, holding me down toward the ground...choking the air from my chest.

I stopped, I clenched my jaw, closed my eyes and gripped my shaking hand into a fist. No... no way in hell will I let this happen, I just have to act normal and try to relax...and believe that Kirino will do the same... Grandpa told me there would be challenges... Kyosuke my grandson do not to let your fears control you, fear...fear can rule you like the sun rules the sky or you can rule it...it is only a choice of wills...right then it all made sense...fear...I wassss afraid...well I won't let it control me...thanks grandpa... It was right then I felt it in my head...like a chain that had been holding me down..and I began to mentally break it. I felt the anxiety and fear flow out with the breath I had been holding..

I released my fist and was surprised to feel that my hand hurt like hell... Geez freaking out like that almost in front of my house embarrassing... I think I knew mom and dad were already home so I wasn't to surprised when I passed through the gate and opened the front door to see both sets of their shoes in the doorway.

I took another deep breath and then announced my arrival. "Mom, Dad I'm home I hope your trip was a safe one." There was silence for a minute...that's weird? I took off my shoes and headed into the kitchen to see my mother sitting at the table drinking some tea and watching the TV. She turned to me and smiled.

"Ah Kyosuke I am glad your home, yes your father and I had a safe journey. Grandma, grandpa and Aunt Yukie send their love." I smile and nodded to mom it was good to hear that grandpa was doing well. Some time soon I would have to make a trip out there and see them, I know they miss me and I missed training with grandpa among other things. It was about then that my mothers smile faltered a bit and she patted the table motioning me to sit.

I narrowed my eyes a bit knowing all to well that we were about to have one of those awkward mother son talks... Greeeat I can only imagine where this was going to go. I continued to the table and sat down while putting up my mask of neutrality, I was not going to let mom get to me I already had enough on my mind as it was..

"Kyosuke I have a few questions I would like to ask you about something I saw yesterday on TV." I could tell by the look on her face that I'd been had...she must have seen the tournament on TV..Shit she never misses any of Kirino's televised events. It had dawned on me that she might be watching the tournament to see Kirino doing her but now I was sure she had been...Great just Great..

"Now Kyosuke I saw someone yesterday at that tournament your sisters job was at that looked a lot like you, was that the case?" she sat back and crossed her arms waiting for a response... "Huh you saw that did you?" I said as I rubbed my face in disgusted and sighed. She nodded and raised an eyebrow, "Yes mother that was me on that mat fighting against those other schools competitors."

Now I've done it I imagine shes going to start yelling about having secrets and lying... "Well Kyosuke your father told me you let him know but you were keeping this secret from me...and Kirino...Why?"

I was kind of taken aback by her question...I mean she always gave me such a disapproving look because I guess she thought I had no motivation right? I know that she kind of ignores me when it comes to after school stuff and really keeps tabs on Kirino. I can understand that really but she looks hurt by this...huh really?

"Well mother I don't want to hurt your feelings here but for the past three years all I've heard is Kirino did this, Kirino did that and its not that I'm jealous or mad it just that she always seemed to have your main attention."

She put her had to her mouth but I kept up my explanation I needed to get it off my chest. "I mean dad knew and I asked him to keep it a secret, I didn't want any attention really but I also didn't want any unrealistic expectations put on me either, so I decided to keep it a secret so you could keep focusing on Kirino. She always loves that kind of attention anyway."

Mom closed her eyes and put her hands on the table, I could tell she was trying to understand where I was coming from. She surprised me all together with what she said next. "Kyosuke...I'm sorry...Well I never knew you felt like that. I wouldn't want you to feel like that. I love you and Kirino equally. I know that I may not tell you but I am very proud of you really."

I raised an eyebrow in disbelief...my own mother apologizing to me? there's a new on me. She looks like she going to cry geez I need to try and smooth thing over... "Well its no big deal mom I mean I know you love me and all I just felt like I needed to have my own thing, just mine for me. I guess the whole world knows about it now though.." A fact that I truly did hate...

Mom saw my face turn at that and a frown began to appear. "Well I was so excited to see you out there trying your best, You were moving and fighting so fast and four of our neighbors called my cell phone later in the day and were asking all about it." Great that's all I would need the neighbor-mill starting their crap...

"Well its no big deal I didn't win but I did do the best that I could I gave it my all." Mom eyed me skeptically but shook her head in agreement. "Huh I wonder about that though, I've seen you train with your grandfather and I still think you might have had a little bit more...you were hiding?" she said with a bit of a smirk..

What the hell!...seen me train with grandpa? Where? When? "First off when did you see me with grandpa? I thought he always trained me alone... and I don't know what your talking about I was going all out!" I said exasperatedly trying to cover my tracks a bit.

"Well...I don't totally believe that , but I know you have your reasons so I'll just leave it at that. Hmmm as for you and Grandpa that was all grandma's doing. when we took that trip to their house last year and I was going on about Kirino and her modeling, your grandmother told me that if I wanted to see something interesting I should head out to the far end of the garden."

I nodded and she could tell she had my attention now and continued.."Well I was curious so I went out past the koy pond and around to the garden and I was so surprised to see you and your grandpa working with that old training dummy...so I hid in the bushes and watched you. I was shocked to see how determined your face looked. I knew then what I know now, that your very serious about martial arts...among other things."

I didn't know what to say...mom knew I was training? She'd seen me with grandpa and what just kept it to herself? Why? More importantly what the hell did she mean by other things? This was starting to make me a bit nervous but I kept up my act...

"Ah what is it that you mean by other things? exactly?" I just had to know where she was going with that. There was no way I was not going to know what she ment by that. Then my body decided that my answer would just have to wait as my stomach made a loud growling noise.

Mom raised an eyebrow "I think that answer will have to come at another time Kyosuke, go out back and sit outside at the picnic table while I get your father for lunch. I'll bring it out in a few OK?"

I narrowed my eyes at her...obviously mom is trying to avoid the subject I thought. I decided that at some point this conversation was going to come up again today so I could just bide my time, mom is a gossip queen and there is no way she was going to leave it alone so I shook my head and got up from the table and headed out back.

I couldn't believe how beautiful it was outside the sun was still behind the neighbors trees and the shade was really nice. That warm breeze was still easing across my face as I sat at our picnic table just soaking up the warmth. After a few quiet minutes my father came outside to join me at the table...That's strange whats with the picture in his hand there?

As usual my dad came out with his stoic frown and serious eyes but something today about them just didn't look right to me. The looked clouded or unfocused, which for me would be pretty hard to believe rarely if ever did my dad look uncomposed...I mean he is a high ranking detective in the Chiba police department after all...and yet here he was looking pretty our of sorts..

He came over and just plopped down at the table across from me closing his eyes and set the picture he had brought with him face down on the table. He then rested both of his arms on the table around the picture as well. I felt this was completely strange and for the first time in a while I felt very uneasy...

I was just about to ask what was with the picture and if there was anything wrong with my dad when mom came out with a tray of sandwiches and a pitcher of tea. This got my attention she smiled at me and then frowned at dad like something was bothering her about the way he was acting. "Well here is some lunch for both of my boys lets enjoy this and the tea"...Well for the moment I'm just going to try and act like nothing is wrong here. I though.

We all sat there and started to eat in uncomfortable silence for what seemed like forever so I decided I wanted some answers about the emergency trip they went on. Just what the heck was so important that they would just run off with like two days notice like that?

"Mom, Dad I wanted to ask you guys what was it that was so important that you guy had to run off to aunt Yuki's and grandpas house like that? Grandpa or Grandma weren't sick were they?" My father stopped eating and sat there for a while with his eyes still closed. I guess that was the Que for mom so she spoke up.

"No Kyosuke dear it was nothing like that your grandparents are doing just fine so is aunt Yuki, uncle Kole and Sakura too." Well that's a relief I am glad to hear no health problems have befallen my family over there...but then why did they go? I was really starting to get confused and was about to speak up again when my dad finally opened his eyes and spoke... what the hell, his eyes look pretty red I think dad had been drinking?

I was broken from that thought by what dad had to say, "Kyosuke we went to see your aunt and grandpa and grandma for a very important meeting but first I need to ask you something." I raised an eyebrow and then squinted in total confusion at this. "Yeah go ahead ask whatever it is you need to ask, I'm not really sure what going on though."

I looked over at mom and she smiled at me and rested her hand under chin as she watched our exchange...that's weird.. I knew this probably wasn't good I just hoped that they hadn't figured out about Kirino and her bro-con issues...

"Kyosuke I need to show you what it is I have here, I know you were curious about it when I brought it out to the table at lunch. What I need you to do is to stop and take a good long look at it and tell me if you can remember anything about it OK?" I tilted my head and shook it in agreement. "OK dad I'll try I guess, I'm really not sure what this is all about but you have my attention now."

I sat up more straight and held a breath as my dad passed me that picture frame he had brought out with him. I took it and looked over at mom who was still sitting there with her hand under her chin and giving me that smirk of a smile...

I then looked down at the photo in my hands.. Huh this was that guy sitting on his desk when I dropped that file off... I tried to concentrate who was this man? Had I ever seen him before? He sure was tan, looked kinda foreign in the face but what got to me was that easy smile and his eyes... I know I had seen his eyes before...but where?

After a few minutes I shook my head no and frowned and handed the frame back across to my dad. "You know Daisuke honey you can't blame him, I didnt think he would remember he was pretty small after all." I looked over at mom she was still smiling but was now resting both her hands around her glass of tea.

"I know Yoshino but I had hoped that maybe he remembered something, I mean anything would have been nice." Mom let out a chuckle and shook her head... GRRRRRRRR what the hell is this about now? I have no idea what they are talking about, how the hell am I supposed to know a guy I haven't seen before...or at least don't think I have.

Dad could tell I was starting to get a bit frustrated feeling left out of the loop so he sighed deeply and began to explain. "Kyosuke this was my friend and partner from the police force." What did he mean was? "His name was Sato Kaito and he and I knew each other for a very long time. We were friends going all the way back to high school."

"Really you had a friend like that dad? I never knew that?" My dad seemed to frown more deeply as he talked about this subject. I could tell it was hurting him...maybe that's why he has the red eyes going on and all? Mom reached over and rubbed dads hand and smiled at him. "I know Dear it hurts to talk about it but he needs to know all of it."

Dad looked over at mom smiled and then continued, "Well any Kyosuke he and I did everything together. Graduated together did some university met our future wives at the same party." Mom laughed out loud at that comment, "Oh my yes those were some really fun times."

"Anyway Kyosuke we also both had children." My fathers deep frown returned. "While I was very fortunate in life my poor friend was not. The day his child was born was the day his wife passed away." I couldn't imagine how awful that must have been. I looked over at mom and she had a napkin to her eyes. Seems this guy meant a lot to both my parents.

"That sounds bad dad, did you try to help him you and mom that is?" I mean I didn't even know the guy and just this story alone made me wish I could have helped. My father nodded and continued.

"Oh your mother and I did all we could to ease the pain and burden of that loss to him my friend Sato and for a time Kyosuke he was pretty happy. That's when it happened. He and I were celebrating our anniversary at work together one afternoon when he wanted to talk to me about something bothering him."

My dad had me pretty much wrapped up in this story I just nodded and he continued, "I was like sure we can go outside and talk. When we got there he asked me that if something happened to him would your mother and I step up and be the god parents to his child." Whoa that's a pretty serious request no matter who you are...I mean taking care of someone else kid.. that would be crazy!

"What did you say to him, Did you agree to that dad?" My dad had a sad look on face and shook his head yes. "Yes Kyosuke honestly I told him nothing was likely to happen to him, I mean he and I were always watching out for each other. It wasn't five minutes after that a call came in over the radio about a drug deal going bad and a gun fight had broken out."

All I could do was shake my head up and down as he continued. "Sato and I rushed to the situation there were a few officers on the ground bleeding already, so many rounds fired and we both jumped out of the car and started to return fire as well. It was then that my partner and best friend was hit, we managed to stop the drug dealers but by the time I was able to get to Sato and help him it was pretty much to late. unfortunately on the way to the hospital he died." My dad shook his head and sighed deeper than I had ever heard him do so in my life...

wait...wait...wait wait wait wait wait.. He died? he died... seriously? Like killed in the line of duty died? "Really I mean he was killed? Did you get hurt dad?" My dad shook his head no. "No Kyosuke I was not injured I really am not sure why not though I mean there were so many bullets." His face looked sort of haunted..

"Daisuke dear its alright, like I say all the time sometimes bad things happen and we just have to try and forge ahead." Mom was rubbing dads hand and smiling at both of us. This seemed to help because dad spoke up again.

"The reason I bring this up Kyosuke was to help you understand why your mother and I did what we did and why what we have done was so important." what did they do? what the hell are they talking about?

"I don't get this what is it you mean dad? What did you do exactly that I don't know about?" My dad hesitated like he didn't want to tell me but he forged ahead. "Well I told you that Sato had asked me to watch over his child if something happened to him."

Hell I had forgotten about that! That whole story was overwhelming me, yeah dad said he would take care of his child but who? "Yeah you said that but who was this child you took in...was it me or something?" My heart was beating so hard in my chest it making me feel dizzy.

"No Kyosuke you have always been our boy we love you very much, the child was your sister Kirino." I sat there with my mouth open. I looked at mom then back at dad he nodded and then mom did to as tears started to well up in her eyes.

I leaned back in my chair and just let my arms hang loose at my waist..while my mouth just hung there open while I tried to process this... what the hell? Did they seriously just tell me this? Did they just tell me that for the last 18 years of my life I thought I had a little sister and I don't? I mean seriously...

"Kyosuke I know its a shock honey but we did this with the best of intentions, please dont be mad. Your father and I did this for Sato's promise yes, but also for Kirino's sake as well. She was just a baby when her whole family was taken away from her...she had no one in the whole world to take care of her." My mom continued to cry.

I could feel anger, confusion anxiety yeah pretty much all the things a teenage guy might feel in a day I felt all at once. It was clouding my judgement so I closed my eyes and tried to breath.. "Dad, Mom why lie to me like this? I mean did you think I couldn't take it or something?" I said as non threateningly as I could..

"No Kyosuke your mother told you who she was when we brought her home, but you were so small yourself I doubted you'd understand it." What? I don't remember that at all yay for being like what two years old I guess when she came...Shit this just keeps getting better and better doesn't it... My father sighed and looked at mom I could tell that this wasn't the end of the complete upheaval of my world there was more to come I guessed. I crossed my arms and narrowed my eyes. Yeah I was definitely starting to get pissed now.

My dad could see this and his frown returned as he looked over at my mother again and she was making a serious face now. "Yes Kyosuke the other part of our promise to Sato." What there's more to this madness I thought. Great so giving me a fake sister wasn't enough they just had one surprise after another today.. God and the day started out so good too..

"What other part of your promise dad?" He sighed and I raised an eyebrow. "You wanted him to know Yoshino, so you tell him." My mother frowned at my dad, "Kyosuke the other part of the promise your father made was that if you showed signs that you liked Kirino that we would allow her to marry you... An arranged marriage of sorts but it had to have your blessing." Mom smiled and chuckled nervously to try and soften the blow of this.

I bolted straight up out of my chair surprising both my parents and walked to the edge of the patio. What the helllllllllll are you fucking kidding me? You tell me that if I have feelings for her we will be engaged? "You are joking right? This is some kind of ruse to see if I have been messing with Kirino right?"

I turned around and hoped...hoped that this wasn't real. I mean I was already having a terrible freaking time trying to deal with my feelings for Kirino as it was and now... now you tell me were not related. Then you tell me her I guess real dad wants her to marry me? Were they all on crazy pills when I was a little kid or something? What was wrong with these people? I mean you go and lie to me for 18 years of my life and then just decide to spring this shit on me now?

I decided to try and act rational although every fiber of my being wanted to go bat shit crazy on both of them right at this moment... "So your telling me mom that if I have feelings for Kirino I would have to marry her because you and dad agreed to it? I mean never mind that I'm not sure how I am supposed to act around my what fake sister?"

It was then that my dad spoke up to cut mom off, "No Kyosuke, I told Sato at the time that I would be willing to take Kirino in and treat her as my own flesh and blood daughter, but that you decide who you love, not us. A matter of the heart is a man's own. Your 18 now and I do want to know you are taken care of yes... but I will not let anyone, even your mother force this on you."

Well at least dad was sounding somewhat sane at the moment at least. "This was the real reason we went to your grandparents house Kyosuke. It was your mothers belief that you had started to show signs that you were interested in Kirino, and it was your grandparents, aunts and mothers hope that this was the actual case. I on the other hand felt no such inclinations." ...so there it is what this was all about that whole trip was about me and kirino...figures...

I looked over at mom and she looked like someone put dirt in her tea she looked angry at what dad had said. "Kyosuke let me ask you something honey?" I narrowed my eyes at mom I was now treading dangerous ground and since I was no longer in the dark there would be no way for her to get past my mask now.

"Sure mom ask away, though I'm not sure I want to answer anymore.." She crossed her arms and laughed at me! Really you want to make me mad again? "Its just as your father says Kyosuke me aunt Yuki and your grandparents were hopeful about you and Kirino. Let me ask you how do you feel about Kirino...as a girl not your sister but asss a girlll?" she just comes right out and ask me this shit right in front of dad too.

I closed my eyes and thought about it. Its obvious...I can't exactly put my finger on the date but I stopped looking at Kirino as my sister a while ago..and damn it, it frustrates me to have my own parents put me on the spot like this. I mean in the beginning with the massages, then the hand holding and arm stuff, then the kissing and sigghhhhh then last night..geez its obvious I love her.. I need more time to figure this out...do I really want to get married to Kirino?

"I..I I don't know, now that you guys have told me this. I mean I always believed she was just my little sister now I feel like I am living in a house with a complete stranger.. So you ask me how I feel about her as a girl, I can't answer that right now. Don't hassle me about it either or I'll just get pissed." yeah just cussed in front of my folks that's new...

My dad looked at me sort of sideways and frowned more deeply while mom smiled and patted the table a few times excitedly which just confused the hell out of me even more. She looked like she just won some sort of bet.. what was that? Did she expect that or something? "Well it is a lot to take in Kyosuke, for what it is worth we have told you everything we were hiding from you. Now it is up to you how you take it son, but know that we are both very sorry."

"I probably know the answer to this but have you told Kirino this yet?" My mom just about spit out her tea and dad coughed. "Heavens no Kyosuke she does not know any of this. I mean we will have to tell her soon, but shes more emotional than you and were not sure how she will take it." Oh my god that's a relief..I can't even imagine what she might do once she finds out her real parents are not mom and dad. Also that shes pretty much been lied to her whole life and that there is nothing stopping her from her goal now. She is stubborn as hell and she is going to be soooo pissed when they tell her. I doubt she will hide her feelings for me at all anymore either...

That thought alone brought the anxiety I had been feeling earlier back in full force. "No Kyosuke I told the family at that meeting we would tell you first and give you time to adjust to it and then at some point down the road we would tell Kirino."

"Your mother seems to think that Kirino has been hiding feelings for you for a while now but I think she is crazy." My mom smiled at me and then stuck her tongue out at my dad and laughed. "Kirino does have feelings for you mark my words Kyosuke." Just great mom the matchmaker neighbor-mill gossiper has returned.. She thinks this is a game or something sighhhhhhh

I just shook my head and tried to put on one of dads trademark frowns and came back to the table and sat back down. "I'm not really all that hungry now but I'll try to finish my lunch." This seemed to satisfy my mom and she started humming and went back to eating. My dad on the other hand could tell the wheels in my head were spinning but he let it go as well. We finished eating in silence I had about as much talking as I could handle with them for how long I wasn't sure...

I did decide one thing though right there as I sat at the table eating...after today I was going to take a trip to where I didn't know and for how long..no idea either but I needed time to think, to sort out my feelings and there was no way in hell that could happen here...no I needed to escape and I had an idea at least...

"Thanks for the meal may I be excused I need time to think." Both of my parents nodded and I took my plate and cup inside and dropped them off in the kitchen. I ran upstairs and stopped in front of my door and looked down to Kirino's and sighed.

I guess it couldn't hurt if I took one last look while she was out. I quietly walked down and opened the door to her room and went in. I flipped on the light switch and was assaulted with pink... god this room is offensively pink, I thought as I breathed in the smell of strawberries...man that smell is never going to come out of my clothes...

I quietly walked around her room looking at the pictures of her friends, that crazy octo-pillow thing and what was this? Right under her pillow I could see the edge of something. what the hell its a picture of me? It was a picture taken and my grandparents house with me in my cut off black T-shirt and a serious frown

Why was I frowning? oh I remember mom made me stand there when I wanted to secretly run off and train with grandpa and she was holding me up. I had no idea she had this picture. well if you have something of mine I want something of yours I thought. I continued to look around her room until I found what I wanted.

If I really was going to leave and take time to think. I wanted something of Kirino's that would help to ease my mind while I was away. I spotted it and quietly grabbed it and then flipped off the light and shut her door and headed over to my room.

I went in opened my closet and pulled my black duffel bag out and stuffed said item inside and then went over to my desk. I sat down and pulled out two pieces of paper and two envelopes and started writing...

I took me a little over an hour to write them both and stuff them. I tossed them into my bag and went drawer to drawer loading my bag with what I thought I might need. It took me about another thirty five minutes or so to pack and once that was done I dropped the bag back in my closet and shut it.

I went into my wallet and pulled out the card that crazy captain guy...what was his name? Cliff yeah Cliff.... gave me and then I laid down on my bed and flipped out my phone and dialed the number.

rinnnng riiiing riiiinnnnng "Hello this is Cliff can I help you?" I took a deep breath "Hey Cliff this is Kyosuke I don't know if you remember me.." He chuckled, "Hey yeah the guy with the girl problem right? You ever get that thing figured out man?" I laughed, man if he only knew. "Well that's why I was calling. I wanted to know if you still needed a guy for your trip and if you did I would like to go. I'm looking for some time to think."

This seemed to excite the guy because he piped right up, "Sure man that's what being at sea gives you, plenty of time to think. We still need a guy were heading out tonight though so as long as you get out here to pier thirteen around eleven pm you would be welcome to come aboard."

"Yeah man I'll be there and I'm more than willing to work for my pay so I hope I can be some help." This made him laugh,"Yeah your going to work hard man and earn some pay for it too, see you then."

"Thanks Cliff see you then." I hung up the phone and then dialed Akagi. The phone rang about three times and then Kohei answered. "Akagi how you doing man?" He must have been asleep because he sounded groggy to me. "Kosaka is that you man?" "Yeah wake up man what the hell are you doing napping at like two in the afternoon...lazy!"

Akagi laughed, "Stop bustin my balls Kyosuke anyway what do you want man?" as he yawned into the receiver... "Well I need you to come to the warehouse around ten thirty tonight. I can't say why but you have to come its important and its serious and don't tell anyone OK?"

There was a long pause as it sounded like Kohei was sitting up. "Yeah Kyosuke I can be there, is everything alright? you OK?" Its good to know that I have a friend like Akagi that cares so much, I know there rare that's why in the long run I won't leave him in the dark. "Yeah I'm fine man I'll fill you in tonight see you then man." we said our goodbyes and I sat up and went over and set my phone in the middle of my desk.

I wouldn't be needing it from this point on. It was time to man up a bit and take some time to sort out my feelings. This trip I was going on scared the hell out of me, the open sea, a boat I had no idea what to do on a boat. The prospect of no idea where I was going once I got there scared me too. The only thing I knew was that if I wanted to sort this out I had to get away and this was my best option, that way I would not be found easily.

I opened my desk drawer and opened the small wooden box I kept in there. I pulled out two very recent pictures of Kirino one in her track suit and the other was her freshman school picture I slid both inside my wallet and went back to lay down until dinner.

I was awoken by my mother coming up to get me for dinner. "Kyosuke wake up its dinner time." I snorted awake and sat up shaking the sleep from my head. My mother moved into my room and shut the door. "Kyosuke Kirino is downstairs at the table, remember what we talked about you have to act normal around her understand?"

I sighed and waved my mom off a bit, " Yeah yeah I know act normal be cool I got it." I said haphazardly as I rubbed my face awake. My mom frowned at me but seemed OK with my answer. She stepped out shutting my door behind her. I got up and headed down to the table about three minutes later.

Sure enough there was Dad and Kirino in all her modeling radiance sitting at the table. The good thing was she was ignoring me like usual and talking with mom about her job that day. She started talking about the photo shoot, her clothing and dad interjected his opinion, something about her skirt being a bit to short for his taste.

Kirino made a face at him and mom worked on calming him down. I got the sinking suspicion though that she was watching me out of the corner of her eye. I was glad to have slept since I imagined that later tonight I would be up pretty late. Its hard to believe I'm sitting next to a person I'm not even related to...man my folks really had me snowballed..

I was jerked from my thoughts by Kirino.. "Hey Kyosuke did you hear me?" I shook my head and looked over at her.. "What? What did you say?" she gave me the same face that she gave dad earlier. "Baka I said there's a big party at school next friday are you and your sempai Kohei going to show up?" she looked at me expectantly.

"I don't know really, I'm not much of a Party guy so I don't think so." This cause her to deeply frown. "Geez you should go you need to socialize more it would be good for you." I laughed at that me socialize that's not gonna happen. I decided it would be best to agree with here for my own health. "Yeah sure I might go check it out."

I need to avoid Kirino coming to my room tonight so I'll just remove myself now. I thought. "Hey mom dad I'm feeling a bit sick I think I will go back up stairs and get some more sleep OK." My mom waved me off but my father stopped eating and stared hard at me...what the hell is that about? It wasn't an angry stare it was more of suspicious stare. Kirino stared at me then at dad with the weirdest look on her face as I excused myself and went back up stairs and sat on my bed facing the clock.

It was eight pm when I went back to my bedroom and it wasn't ten minutes later there was a knock at the door. "Hey Kirino come on in.." She stepped into my room and shut the door. "Hey aniki are you feeling sick? If so I can help take care of you tonight."

"No Kirino it might be a fever and I don't want you to get sick as well, so you just go on to bed and sleep well tonight. I'll go to sleep in a bit for now I need to sit up." It hurts so bad having to lie to her like this...I really just want to stay, but I need some time to think.

Kirino stared at me warily as I did my best mom neutral face I could, "OK Kyosuke just make sure you get some more rest and I'll see you in the morning, she moved in front of me and sat down on my lap. what the hell? Geez this girl... "Hey Kirino easy there." I said trying to stay calm. "I just need a serious hug alright?" as she sat there giving me bedroom eyes where the hell did she learn that? Then she leaned in deeply against my chest giving me a tight long hug.

Her strawberry smell was intoxicating and it took all the will power I had to gently hug her back and not do anything else. She then got up and smiled at me and left my bedroom. I would seriously miss that girl while I was gone but once she found out the truth, I wanted her to have some alone time to sort through her feelings. I reassured myself I was doing the right thing and sat there in the dark and waited.

The clock felt like it moved quickly and I was totally away at ten fifteen. I moved to my door and listened. Sure enough everyone was either in their room or dead asleep. I grabbed my bag from my closet took one last look around my bedroom for good measure and then made my way downstairs and out the back door as quiet as I could. I hopped the fence not opening the gate to keep the noise down as much as I could and bolted down the block.

I strolled slow and easy after about a block and then broke into a run again to get to the warehouse by ten thirty when I was to meet Kohei. Sure enough as I went through the fence in the dark it was actually pretty light the moon wasn't full but it was pretty close and I could see Kohei leaning against the warehouse door.

"Damn Kyosuke you almost gave me a heart attack man!" I walked up and lightly punched Akagi in the shoulder. "Yeah man good to see you too, I'm glad you made it thanks for showing up." Kohei saw my coat and bag and was confused.

"Hey Kosaka are you going somewhere or something whats with the bag?" I shook my head yes, "Yeah Akagi I am leaving for a while I had some things come up at home and need some time to sort shit out so I'm going to leave for a bit."

"What the hell man?! Where you going exactly? Also you are coming back right?" again I tried to calm Kohei shocked look about this. "Yeah man I'll be back for sure and I can't say where I am headed for sure, but I promise I will be back."

This seemed to calm Kohei down a bit knowing that I wasn't leaving forever. "Hey Kohei here I need a favor from you." I reached into my bag and got out the two envelopes from earlier in the day. "Kohei I need you to promise you will not read this letter until a certain event happens."

Akagis confusion returned, "what do mean man what event? explain." I hoped I could clear up Akagi's confusion but I was running outta time. "I'll lay it out for you, I need you to keep an eye on Kirino, now you know shes going to be upset that I left. That will be normal, but in a few months there will be a change in her when that happens you tell her to meet you here and give her this envelope and you read that one at the same time. OK?"

Akagi seemed to understand which seemed good to me. "How am I going to know for sure man?" I laughed, "Oh I promise you will know, also you could have her two model friends bring her here if you want that should really start some fireworks heh." This made Akagi grin. "Yeah that would be bad shit wouldn't it.." I laughed at the face Akagi made.

"I also want you to tell her at that point what we do here she has a right to know, OK?" Kohei shrugged but agreed to do that. "I promise Kohei you wait and open that letter when I told you to and it will all be worth it man, I promise." I said as serious as I could muster.

"Your killing me here Kosaka, but I promise I'll keep an eye on your sister and I'll do as you ask man. Kohei then stuffed both letters in his jacket pocket. "Your the best friend a guy could ask for Kohei I'll see you soon." we trade grips and I started to head for the door.

"Oh yeah Kohei two more things one we never talked, and tell shin when I get back we can struggle as long and hard as he wants. Tell him I'm sorry for leaving and to keep it to himself." Kohei laughed, "Sure Kosaka I can do both those things, man be safe and take care." I nodded and waved as I left. With that errand completed I headed out the door and down toward the docks.

Man there are going to be so many pissed off girls when they find out your gone Kosaka..and you left me holding the bags..Your sisters really going to be pissed. Shit I'm going to go hide out for a while at the karate club.. "I doubt I'll even be safe there," Kohei said as he scratched the back of his head and started home.

It took me around twenty minutes to get down to the docks and I found the pier quite easily and sure enough out on the far end was the boat named... the Bulldog? I could tell the guys on deck were getting it ready to set sail. It had smoke coming lazily out of the stacks and flood lights on all over.

I headed down to the end and sure enough there was Cliff standing on the dock waiting for me. "Oh hell you showed! great man! how are you Kyosuke?" I shook his hand and he took my bag from me. "I'm good man ready to come aboard and get this show on the road I guess." Cliff smiled and nodded, "Good man your going to fit in just fine here come on let me introduce you to the other three guys on the boat.

As I boarded I could see three other guys pulling ropes and chains and tying stuff down, that's when I met the him... The roughest most colorful person I had ever encountered. Cliff called the guy salty, I couldn't tell ya what his real name was but man he was crazy.

"Hey Cliff who the hell is this kid?" the guy looked me up and down with a scowl on his face. "Hey easy there salt this guys going to be your new deck hand lets not run him off before we even leave port OK?" He took another long look at me and addressed me directly.

"Where the hell'd they find you greenhorn?" as he spit on the deck and continued to roll rope up and tie it off. "Hey don't worry about him Kyosuke hes like that with everyone. Hes got some people issues." Salty looked and Cliff with an even bigger scowl on his face, "People issues go to hell Cliff!" This just made Cliff laugh and shake his head. I was shocked that this guy just said that to the guy who owned the boat. What the hell?!

Cliff then walked me around to the front side of the boat and introduced me to the engineer a thirty five year old guy named Art, next to him was a guy that cliff said was the ships cook Carl and lastly was myself. I was glad I had studied English because it looked from here on out I'd be using it I guessed. This surprised cliff he didn't have any idea I could speak the language. I still had an accent but it was understandable at least.

Cliff then teased me a bit, " Oh the ladies are just going to love you where were going with that accent and all." I raised an eyebrow at him and made my dads serious face. This just made him laugh even harder for some reason...weird.

"Hard to believe you can run this ship with five guys is that really enough Cliff?" He laughed and patted me on the shoulder. "Oh yeah Kyosuke once you learn the ropes you'll see five is more than enough."

I took my stuff below decks and stowed it in my small but cozy looking bunk. Once that was done we headed back out on deck and I was started on what it took to run a deck of a service tug boat.. The next hour or so flew by and when preparations were completed that's when I had about twenty minutes to myself before we were to leave. For the most part I felt pretty good about the situation maybe it would be so bad.

I stepped to the back of the boat to look out over the bay in the quiet night. The breeze was salty and tickled my nose as I took a deep breath and had some time to think, I really can't believe mom and dad hid the fact that Kirino really isn't my sister, and an arranged marriage?... What did her real dad think of me at two years old to think that was a good idea? I wonder what he would think of me now? I'm going to have to sort all this out.

I was pulled from my thoughts when Cliff yelled down to me, "Hey Kyosuke you want to make any last minute phone calls were about to head out man, I wouldn't want your family to worry or anything, this would be your last chance for a while." I looked up toward the wheel house deck and said, "No thanks Cliff I took care of the last bit of goodbyes I need already man. I'm ready to head out when you all are."

With that Salty and I tossed the last boarding ropes off to the port authorities and Cliff blew the horn and backed us out and turned us toward the open dark sea. Salty looked over to me and said, "Hey Greenhorn, don't worry I'll keep you so busy you won't even have enough time to wipe your own ass let alone worry about home heh." I took a long sideways glance at this guy salty with is crazy eyes and thought...yeah plenty of time to think this is going to be fun...

He laughed and headed over to the deck door and headed in for what I assumed was a rest period. I turned around toward the lights of our Chiba neighborhood and took one long last look and committed it to memory, it would be a while before I came back here and I hoped by then that I would have all these feelings sorted out...

(FLASHBACK...ENDS)