Chapter 3

I've never really wondered who my real parents are. Or for that matter, if I had any brothers or sisters. I have Nanami so I know what it feels like to have a sister. But what is a father? What is a mother?

What is… a brother…?

"Brother…?"

The word rolls easily on my tongue. But the meaning doesn't sink in at all. But somehow, each time I call his name, a strange yet very familiar kind of warmth engulfs my chest.

"You're calling out to your brother again." Jowy flops down beside me. "Don't force yourself to remember. "

That's right. I heard about Nanami's past from Grandpa Genkaku. How her parents used to own a small bakery in another town that was also burned down by highland soldiers. I've also heard about Grandpa Genkaku's past from Miss Annabelle. Among the three of us... I'm the only one whose past is unknown.

Grandpa Genkaku never told me or Nanami anything, and now I'm having doubts if he even knew me at all. He's a very kind person, so I'm sure, even if it was our first meeting when he found me, it didn't stop him from taking me in.

"Kenji, I..." Jowy turns to me and plucks a stray leaf off my hair. "I don't know if there's any way I can help, but, I'll stay beside you all the way."

"Mm. Thanks, Jowy." Smile at him.

'I really need you right now.'

Looks like I didn't how tense my shoulders were until I feel them slowly relax. Looking ahead, it feels like I have just now become aware of my surroundings even though I've been out here in the patio since I woke up. So deep in thought, I never realized how beautiful the weather is. The cloudless sky, giving way to the sun and its golden rays filtered by the leaves of the lone tree in our backyard… Oh, crap. Each time I look at that tree… our tree… heat just creeps up my cheeks.

"Your face is red. Are you okay?" Jowy gently presses his palm on my forehead. "You don't have a fever again do you? You were often sick back then."

"Sheesh Jowy, I'm not a kid anymore." Pout at him.

"Right. Bet you don't realize you look like one when you pout like that." He ruffles my hair.

I struggle to get his hands off me when Nanami's head pops out of the window and hits Jowy's head with an empty basin, making a soft thump.

"It's too early to flirt, you two. How about getting in here and helping me with breakfast, hm?"

"You! Why is it always me? You never hit Kenji, that's not fair." Jowy puffs his cheek out.

"It's his privilege as my cute younger brother." Nanami smirks.

Over breakfast, Jowy and Nanami gets in a heated argument over which one is cuter - a raccoon or a squirrel- when a knock on the door and a rather loud announcement of "Messenger from Orange Castle!" abruptly stops them. Nanami gets up to open it, with us tailing behind her.

There are three people standing outside. Who should have been the 'messenger' turns out to be Victor, who you could easily tell from that raucous voice, with Flik by his side as usual and another person clad in white behind them.

"What are you two doing here?" Nanami bluntly asks, before stepping aside and letting them in, then turns her attention to the third person. "And you are…?"

"Seisuke-san?" I unconsciously blurt out.

"Yeah, it is you." Jowy seconds.

"Yup yup! My name is Seisuke!" She… I mean, he enthusiastically shakes Nanami's hand then turns to us and waves, beaming.

We all walk back to the wooden dining table except for Nanami, who heads over to the kitchen sink to pour three cups of tea. The three men give her soft thanks when she gives each their own drink. Flik pulls out a piece of parchment from inside his coat and unrolls it.

"Kenji, we've come to deliver a message from Shu."

He passes it over to me, prompting Nanami to scoot closer to me and peer in.

"It's a mission." The mumble escapes my lips and I turn to Jowy. He reaches his hand out to me and I reflexively pass him the letter.

Jowy's gaze dart from one corner of the letter to the next and finishes reading the contents in less than a minute. He turns to Flik.

"A request from the empire of Lumina to overthrow the acting emperor?"

Flik nods.

"Lumina…" Nanami echoes. "Isn't that the kingdom located at the mountain of snow?"

"Yup. Also known as the ghost empire. It's been said that ever since the imperial family fell 10 years ago, the people kept the gates closed and set up a barrier in the form of a snow storm." Viktor adds.

"So how did this letter… Seisuke, does this mean you're from Lumina?"

"Yes."

Seisuke nods, with a small smile brightening his delicate features. He really does look like a girl when he smiles like that. But when he opens his mouth, the voice that comes from his lips is undeniably masculine. I guess Jowy and I should've noticed that yesterday too. We just weren't paying attention.

"I'm a student of the magic guild. Or was, at least before our school was shut down by the presently ruling empire."

He gets up from the chair and squats right beside where I'm sitting. Looking up at me, meeting his eyes that reflect the sun's rays coming in from the window makes me feel like I'm on a boat, looking down on sparkling blue waters on a warm summer day.

"Lord Kenji, as the leader of the Orange army that brought down the kingdom of Highland, I want to ask you to please help our country too. It's true that ten years ago the empire had been closed off. In order to prevent any uprising, the new emperor ordered to close the magic guild, the military academy, schools, the church and even the market so there's no place for people to gather. The villagers are like prisoners in their own houses, their food is rationed and they aren't allowed any contact with each other nor with the outside world. And those who don't agree with the new imperial laws that were unreasonably imposed aren't even allowed to leave. "

"That's horrible…" Nanami gasps.

"A group of select magicians, knights and talented scholars were brave enough to rebel and decided to meet discreetly. But our number is too small, and if the emperor ever finds out about us, we'll be no match against the imperial guards. That's why we need your strength."

He asks with pleading voice, eyes unwavering.

"… Can you give me time to think about it?"

After hearing his story, I'm surprised at how steady my voice sounds as I utter this seemingly uncaring reply. But to go on another quest? Just when our lives have gotten back to normal? Come on, the last time I left Kyaro, I didn't even know if I would still make it back alive. If I… would ever see Jowy again.

I've finally been reunited with Jowy and Nanami, and now this?

Besides, as much as I want to help, I don't want to rush headlong into this either. I don't want to just up and commit if I'm going to be half-assed about it. Especially if it involves an entire empire.

"Gotcha."

Victor gets up. Flik follows.

"We know that this ain't gonna be an easy decision for you, kid. So we'll give you some time to think this over." Victor grins smugly, as if he heard my internal monologue. But his smirk is soon wiped off his face when Flik whacks him on the head.

"Don't make it sound as if you were the one who said that." He sighs, then turns to me.

"Shu figured you'll need time to think it over, so he said to tell you that it's okay to think about it for a while. Once you've made up your mind, just come to Orange Castle and let us know your decision. Seisuke-kun will be staying there while waiting."

He tilts his head towards Seisuke who, in turn, speaks.

"Yes. I'll be waiting, lord Kenji. Whether or not you decide to do it, I am still happy that I met you and am thankful that you heard me out… even if it was kind of a surprise visit." He grins sheepishly and playfully sticks his tongue out.

After thanking Nanami for tea and slightly burnt buttered scones, the three head out.

After lunch, Jowy goes out too, saying he wants to drop by the Atreides manor for a bit. Right, he says for a bit but it's almost time for dinner and he isn't back yet. I hate the sad feeling the setting sun always evokes. It doesn't help either that sunset plus missing Jowy brings back bad memories.

It's not like I'm worried that it'll happen again. I trust Jowy and his promise that he'll never leave me again. It's just… somehow, that fear still lingers. I guess I just haven't fully recovered yet. That's right… I don't even know how to start getting over the pains our last journey left me with and now there's a new one waiting already.

"What do I do… Huh?"

I shouldn't be surprised that my feet somehow brought me to Grandpa Genkaku's grave while I was lost in my thoughts. I always run to his side whenever I'm worried. After I kneel down and put my hands together to offer a silent prayer, the unspoken words run through my mind without reserve.

'Grandpa… You were a hero who lived your life for others, and for me and Neechan, to the very end. I wonder if you're disappointed at this selfish me… who wants to just forget about everything that happened today, and just stay here in Kyaro. I want to help those people, but I also want to stay here and just live with Jowy and Neechan. Will you be mad at me…?'

"Grandpa… I'm sorry…"

As my intertwined fingers clench tighter, another hand softly clamps over mine.

I look up and see Jowy, his gentle gaze fixed at me. He kneels beside me and offers a quiet moment for grandpa Genkaku, then shifts to sit beside me. As if by instinct, I mimic his actions until we're sitting side by side, cross-legged in front of Grandpa's grave.

"Kenji, I'm sure wherever grandpa Genkaku is, he understands you, just like Shu and the others do. You've been through a lot… all of us have. So it's not strange that you're still scared."

Simple words… But that was all I needed to hear to lift the heavy fog that seemed to have engulfed my chest since this morning. Jowy gets up, and just as he always does, he offers his hand to me. And just as I always do, I take his hand and surrender my weight to him as he pulls me up.

I feel my body relax, but at the same time, a slight shiver runs through my body. Before I can pull my arms up to hug myself, Jowy's arms wrap around me.

"Today… I looked around what was once my house. I didn't have a lot of fond memories there, but the garden was important to me, so I wanted to etch every single detail of it into my mind. Do you know why?"

That garden... If I remember correctly, that was where we met Jowy for the first time. Nanami and I were hiding at the bushes near the fence. We were fleeing from grandpa Genkaku who got angry because we ditched practice.

"Yeah…"

"That was where I first saw you. You were so small, and you were trembling as you held on to Nanami's arm. From then on, I decided that I was going to protect you."

He nuzzles against the top of my hair.

"From now on, whenever you're scared, I want to be right by your side to fight off everything that threatens you."

A sigh escapes my lips and I feel as though all the worries I've been having has left along with it.

"Jowy… I think the Black Sword Rune really suits you."

"How come?"

"Because you're like a knight who fights for the people you love."

With my head still resting on his chest, I feel its gentle vibration as he chuckles.

"And you. You were given the Bright Shield Rune because it's your heart's innate desire to protect. Kenji… You've already made up your mind, haven't you?"

He knows me too well.

"Yeah…"

After dinner, I head to the bedroom to re-read the letter Seisuke delivered while thinking over the day's events.

"Kenji."

I put it down for a bit when Jowy comes in.

"Yeah?"

He 's lugging a pretty bulky bag. As if reading the question from my face, he puts it down on the wooden floor, unzips it, and takes out the contents.

"… Winter coats?"

"Yup. I went back to my house to get them. I got some of my dad's, mom's and mine too."

"But why so many? Or rather, why'd you get them in the first place?"

"Why? Well, I figured you were going to do it even before you made up your mind." Jowy smirks. My goodness, he reminds me of Victor when he does that.

"Here, try this on."

He wraps a long coat around me, and the inside feels so soft and fluffy. I don't know what material it is, because I've never worn something like it before. But I'm sure it's expensive, because it's so comfortable. But on an autumn night it doesn't take much time before I feel it get a bit too warm.

"Good, good." Jowy walks around me, checking the fit from front to back. "Looks like it's just the right size."

"Really!" So that means I've grown. Yes!

"Yup! You can use that and my other winter coats too. Nanami can use my mother's. As for me, I'm using my father's." He babbles on as he puts on his dad's winter coat. And much to my dismay, it fits him just right.

"That's so unfair. How come you're wearing your dad's size now? Did you really grow that much?"

I can't believe this. These were at Jowy's house, so that means this was his size before the war even began. You're telling me it took me this long to grow to that? And now this guy is as big as his father!

"See for yourself."

He walks over to me with a very smug look on his face. This bastard.

"Isn't it okay? Look, we're just the right height for kissing."

I can feel my face heating up, but I won't give him the pleasure of thinking he ca tease me like this all the time. I'll show him. Since it's open anyway, I'll just throw my hesitation out the window and make the move.

Here goes.

Ha. See how wide Jowy's eyes open as I initiate a kiss.

"I guess you're right."

For a moment, I thought I saw the parchment on the desk glow. Was it just my imagination? Maybe it was just from the moon's rays passing through the window. The thought slips my mind as soon as Jowy pulls me in for a payback kiss.

At that time, I had no idea how that single letter would be the beginning of another journey.

A journey that would awaken what had long been sleeping inside me.

A/N: It's been a while! A… very long while? (grins sheepishly)

I know no amount of apologetic words can change the fact that I made you guys wait for a long time. But just the same, I can never give enough thanks to those who are still willing to read this story. To those who are reading this for the first time, nice to meet you!

There's abundant fabrication in this chapter, and there will be more in this fanfic. (sweats) But even so, if you still enjoy the story anyway, I'll be happy.

See you in the next chapter!