V 4 ch 3
Acceptance
Onari slept curled up on her futon, her hand raised towards her face. She was sleeping rather hard. A few weeks ago another person had moved in. she had a brother named Daiya now. Onari pulled the sheets over herself tighter. She wanted to stay in her dreams a little longer.
A lady wearing a beautiful long kimono was playing with her. The woman didn't speak only watched her kindly with her dark eyes. The woman wore netting over her face and her hair was tied in the back, but her bangs were long and hung in her face. Onari watched the lady show her a long scroll. There was writing on it. It was the same funny writing Izumi had been trying to teach her.
Onari pointed at the scroll with her small hand. The lady's gaze was always kind as she showed her the writing. The lady spoke to her softly in a language she didn't understand. It was the one she was still learning.
The woman formed quick hand seals in front of Onari. Light flew off of the scroll and danced in her vision. Onari watched as birds made of light flew around her.
She pointed to them as they flew up to the ceiling. Onari's eyes focused on them. They were miniature birds fluttering about. The dream she was having was starting to fade. Onari tensed, jerking. "Mama," she said softly.
Daiya shook her again. Izumi had asked him to wake Onari up. He heard her speak in her sleep and tilted his head. "Onari, it's time to get up," he said softly. "Onari." The girl jerked hard before opening her eyes to look at him. "I'm sorry to wake you. Izumi said it's time to get up. We have company coming today. Were you dreaming about your mother?"
Onari reached up to touch Daiya's face. He was the only one in Konoha that was from the lightening country like her. She was bonded to him on those grounds alone. He was also a year older than her and had begun to watch over her like an older brother. "Daiya, Onari see birds of light."
"Birds of light? You were dreaming, Onari." Daiya watched her tilt her head. "It was a dream." He moved her long hair out of her face. "You need to get up." He tugged her.
Takeru came into the room with his toothbrush in his mouth. "Ri, get up. Idai is coming over. You need to get dressed." He walked out to finish brushing his teeth.
"Who Idai," Onari asked.
"Idai is a friend of mine. He has white and red hair, tall, kind of lanky. He's a nice guy. He's playful like you are. You'll like him," Daiya said. He watched as she sat up rubbing her eyes.
"Onari, you need to wash your hair this morning," Izumi said. She walked into the room. "Come on, you need to look presentable for Daiya's friend." Onari clutched to Daiya trying to get out of it. "Onari, you're going to have a bath. That's final."
"Daiya go Onari," Onari said softly. Daiya's eyes got wide. He blushed badly. "Daiya Onari brother. Daiya go Onari."
"Oh, boy," Izumi said. She took a deep breath. "Onari, Daiya can't take a bath with you. It wouldn't be proper. You two are too old for that. I'll stay in there with you. We'll compromise. Now please let go of him." Onari finally agreed to let go. Izumi marched her out to the bath.
Daiya went back to his and Takeru's room. He waited until Takeru had finally changed before changing out of his pajamas. He didn't want Takeru to see the scars on his back and chest. They would shock the younger boy. He sat on the bed signaling for Takeru to turn around.
Takeru sighed annoyed. "I would like to know why you're so secretive about changing in front of me." He crossed his arms. They went through this routine every morning. "Do you think I'm going to attack you?"
"No," Daiya said as he ripped the bandages off of his chest and arms. "You're too young to understand, Takeru. Some things are not for your eyes. Don't get mad at me for it. No one's seen under my bandages before. I'm not accustomed to prying eyes." He began to re-wrap fresh bandages around his chest.
Takeru shook his head. "Are you some kind of monster under there?" Daiya didn't answer. "Or do you have something odd like three nipples?" Takeru started laughing as a pillow hit him in the back of the head.
"You can turn around now, you idiot," Daiya said. He started to re-wrap his arms. Takeru turned around to watch. "It would be no different if you had a secret that had to be kept. I'd have the respect for you and turn away like asked." Daiya glanced at him. Takeru looked away entirely. "Why do you always take things hard?"
Takeru stared at the bed. "I don't want to look to be rude, Daiya. I thought you trusted me, is all." He closed his eyes. Takeru didn't want to press the matter. Upsetting Daiya was like teasing a badger.
Daiya got up. He changed into his normal outfit. Takeru wasn't looking at him. "Are you going to act like this when Idai gets here? Takeru, I trust you to a point, but you need to look at things from another point-of-view besides your own. I don't trust easily. You know that. Your father knows that. My past is mine and mine alone. If I want you to know, I'll tell you on my own terms – not yours." Daiya left the room. He wasn't going to be forced into what Takeru wanted.
Takeru punched the bed. Whenever he thought he was going two steps forward with Daiya, he was sent three steps back. Takeru wanted nothing more than for Daiya to be his brother. He was a single child. Onari wasn't regarded as his sister. He didn't view her that sort of way. I don't know what his past is like. He won't tell me. He won't tell anybody. How can I know someone so guarded? What happened to him?
Takeru couldn't help but be hurt. He was sharing a room with someone he hardly knew. Were things so bad for Daiya that it was going to remain that way? Takeru got up. He didn't want to be in the room if Idai was coming. That was another person he didn't really know.
Takeru walked to the garden. It was his place for solitude. He walked across the small bridge past the little creek that flowed. At least, the garden was big enough to lose yourself in. it was connected to two other houses on the Uchiha compound. Takeru looked at the empty buildings. He had never been inside of them. His parents always kept him to the main house. He glanced back at his house.
Takeru moved towards one of the houses cautiously. Why do I get this sense I'm not supposed to go closer? He felt odd. The air around him felt heavy. What was in the houses? Takeru didn't know. He approached the side area slowly. The closer he came to the house, the more the age of them showed. They were unkept and dusty – he could see in through the paper rice doors because they were full of holes.
Takeru walked up the steps slowly. The porch area was cold for summer weather. He looked down the way. Takeru froze. Something moved past the door. His eyes went wide. He slowly turned his head, his heart racing. There was no one there. "D-Daiya?"
Takeru swallowed. He didn't know why, but his hand was reaching for the door. As his hand grabbed the old wood, he swallowed again. "Daiya, if you're trying to scare me for earlier, I'll set your shorts on fire," he threatened. The area around him became uneasily silent. I am not a coward. I'm not! Takeru forced the door open quickly. It went back with a clack. He put his head inside. No one was in front of the door, or down the main hall.
Takeru stepped in. he didn't take his shoes off. It was unnecessary. No one lived here. "S-Sorry for the in-intrusion," he said not knowing why he had said it. "R-Ryu? O-Onari? I know it's one of you." Takeru turned around. Something was urging him to go that way. He slowly walked in that direction. "M-Mom? D-dad?" No answer.
Takeru felt like a foreigner in a strange place. He looked out a window and the area wound the house seemed distant. He moved closer to a certain room. It was telling him to go in. Takeru turned the handle with difficulty. The brass knob creaked. The door swung back kicking up dust. It's an old bedroom. He walked in.
The sheets on the bed were old. They were dusty, pale and terrible looking. The bed was made. Whose room is this? Takeru looked at an old bookcase. The books on it were un-readable. A few old toys were left in the floor. Takeru bent down to look at a picture that was cracked in an old frame. He blew the dust away. "Huh? Who are these people?"
There was a man and a woman with long hair smiling as they stood behind two boys. Takeru tilted his head. He didn't know who the older boy was. It was someone he was unfamiliar with. Both of the boys wore the same type of shirt he had on. Takeru's eyes examined the younger boy. "Is that… my dad?" His hand went to touch the photo lost in time. He froze.
Takeru felt panicked. Something was behind him. His body told him not to turn. His heart was leaping out of his chest; breathing increased. Takeru's eyes became wide as he saw his breath in the air. "Sasuke," a soft voice said from behind him. Takeru's body was shaking. "I-I'm not S-Sasuke. I-I'm… Ta-Take-ru," he forced out. Whatever was behind him was rooted to the door entrance. It wasn't making a move towards him. It wasn't going to let him leave.
Takeru had to know what was there. He turned around slowly looking at the door entrance. Chill bumps were all over his arms. There was no one there. Takeru sighed. It was only his imagination. He approached the door. As he stepped outside of the room and looked back, he felt the same overwhelming presence again. A gust of wind blew at him causing his hair to flutter. Takeru felt it stand right behind him. "Sasuke," the voice said into his ear.
Daiya was searching the garden for Takeru. He knew the dark haired boy hid out here when he was troubled. Maybe I was too hard on him. He walked across the bridge, his shoes hitting the wood gently. Daiya stopped off of the bridge as he heard a blood curdling scream come from one of the houses in front of him. Daiya took off in the direction of the scream, his feet flying, and arms out.
Daiya Eimino flew up the steps. The sliding door was open. Was Takeru in here? He went through the door flipping his head around to scan the area. "Takeru!"
Takeru heard Daiya. He had to make a break for it. Daiya's voice was coming from behind him 0 where the voice was. Takeru closed his eyes, threw himself against the opposite wall and ran. He opened his eyes once he knew he was clear.
Daiya heard running coming from his direction. His body tensed ready for a fight. Daiya started to raise his chakra until he saw Takeru come flying around the corner. "What's wrong? Takeru!"
Takeru reached for Daiya's wrist, latched on, and pulled him to run. "Get out of here! Someone's in here," Takeru shouted as he forced Daiya to run. They went running down the hall and out the door as fast as their feet could carry them. Takeru didn't stop until they were on the other side of the bridge.
Daiya stared at the two houses. He looked at Takeru. The boy was shaken up. "Why did you choose to go to a place infested with spirits?" He breathed hard. "You're safe on this side of the bridge. They don't trespass here."
Takeru looked at Daiya frightened. "Sp-spirits? You… can sense them?" He watched Daiya lean against the bridge, crossing his arms. He looked away from Takeru. "Why are there spirits over there? What do they want?"
"Spirits remain on property that has a tragic past. Either for them, or the occurrences that happened on the foundation," Daiya said. "I know they're there because I died, remember? It's what ties me to them. You shouldn't go over there. Some of them are angry. Angry spirits tend to mess with you and enjoy scaring you. Onari knows better than to go over there."
Takeru kept his eyes focused on where they had been. "What happened here? I saw my dad as a boy in a picture in an old bedroom. Was that… where he grew up?" Daiya was looking at him. "There was a voice that kept repeating my dad's name into my ear. I heard it, Daiya. It was behind me, too. I couldn't see what was there."
"I don't know anything about your father. I'm not from the fire country. If you are curious about his past, ask him. Yet, as much as you think you need to know, it might be best to leave certain things alone. Your father may not adhere to your questions. It is his job and duty to protect you," Daiya said. He looked over his shoulder. A shadowy figure was standing just out of sight, watching them. He didn't know who it was, but it creeped him out. "If you go back over there, Takeru, I'll electrocute you," he threatened.
Takeru turned his head sharply to regard Daiya's words. "You wouldn't." He watched as Daiya stepped closer to him. The boy's eyes were hard, serious.
"Do it and find out, Takeru Uchiha," Daiya said
so sternly Takeru tensed. "I'm not the type to make idle threats. I mean what I say. You go past this bridge and I'll have Izumi serve you up with miso soup."
Onari came running into the garden wearing nothing more than a bath kimono. Izumi came flying out the door after her. "No, Izumi," she shouted. "Onari no like color!"
Daiya and Takeru both turned around to watch Onari run. The girl avoided Izumi as she skidded on the dirt and took off to the opposite side of the garden. Takeru and Daiya both tilted their head as they realized Onari was completely nude under the thin article of clothing. "Never a dull moment with Onari," they both said.
"Idai's here," Sasuke said as he poked his head through the door. "It's just going to be you three together. Onari is upset with your mother for putting her in a pink outfit."
Takeru figured she would be. "Well, I don't know Idai so…-"He looked away trying to get out of it.
"And you never will if you don't try," Daiya said. "I can understand Onari being cautious, but you know all of us from the Academy." Daiya tugged him along. Takeru grumbled.
Idai was nervous and hesitant about being at Sasuke sensei's house. He had never been invited to go to anyone's house before. Daiya normally came to his house to spend the night and hang out. He took his shoes off slowly. "S-Sorry for the intrusion," Idai stuttered as Daiya and Takeru showed up.
"You're not intruding. Takeru, this is Idai. Idai, this is Takeru," Daiya said formally. They all knew each other, but Takeru hadn't seen Idai since the day Ryu and he forced Idai to visit Daiya at the hospital. They only knew of each other.
"H-Hi, again," Idai said nervously. He didn't know if Takeru wanted him there or not. The Uchiha boy was watching him with a blank expression. It made Idai uneasy. He blinked as a woman with long white hair and lavender eyes hugged him. She pressed him against her, her hands on his head. Idai blushed. "D-Daiya….?"
"That's Izumi, Sasuke sensei's wife," Daiya aid embarrassed. He had gotten the same treatment from the woman. Izumi seemed to be the motherly type.
"Mom, you're embarrassing him," Takeru said, embarrassed as ell. "Mom, it's not polite to smother others." Takeru popped his forehead.
"Takeru, look! He has hair the same color as mine," Izumi said happily. She moved her hands around Idai's body, feeling. She blinked. "Gai doesn't feed you enough. Come on, I'll fix you something!"
"I figured that was coming," Takeru sighed as Izumi pulled Idai towards the kitchen.
Daiya followed behind them. "Why does your mother always think we're malnourished?" He crossed his arms.
"It's her way of caring, I suppose. That and she wants Idai to feel at home. She did the same thing to Onari, but she was malnourished." Takeru smiled at Idai as they sat down. Idai was uncomfortable with the situation. He was blushing and his hands were on his legs. Takeru could tell his posture was stiff. "Idai, my mom can cook really well. If you tell her what your favorite dish is, she can fix it for you."
"Oh, that's a really good idea! We'll pretend this is a restaurant and I'm the waitress," Izumi said as she kneeled beside the boys. "What would you gentleman like to drink?"
"Tea," Takeru said. Idai was slowly untensing. He leaned towards Idai. "You can name anything you want and Mom will fix it. She likes to cook."
"I like qyuniku negimaki a lot," Idai said softly. He felt Daiya petting his head. It was something he did to calm Idai's nervous behavior.
"Takeru, what would you and Daiya like?" Izumi brought the tea over on a tray. She gave each of them a cup.
"Something spicy," Takeru said smiling at his mother. Izumi quirked a brow. "Please," he said smiling so big his teeth showed.
"Takeru, pick something else. You eat enough spicy food as it is. Your intestines will give out before you hit adulthood," Izumi said. Takeru pouted. Idai started laughing.
"I'll have tori mizutaki," Daiya said emotionless. Izumi gave him a stern look. "Please," he said rather fast. He didn't trust Izumi because she was a woman. He was cautious of her. He was the same with Sasuke. He didn't know either of them well.
"Alright, fine, can I have ramen," Takeru asked.
"Yes, but more vegetables and less noodles," Izumi said compromising. She looked up. "Onari, what do you want to eat?"
"Izumi make Onari dumpling," Onari said rather annoyed with Takeru's mother for making her wear pink.
"No way, girl. I heard about what happens when
you eat those. You can have stir fry. Onari, say 'hello' to Idai," Izumi said as she stood to prepare the food.
Onari tilted her head. There was a boy with white hair sitting at the table with Daiya and Takeru. She tensed. "Ah! Boy Onari no knows!" She took off running back to her room.
"What just happened," Idai asked. He looked at
the space where Onari had been standing a moment ago. "Am I that dislikeable?"
"Onari's afraid of people she doesn't know. It's not you. She did the same thing to Saori," Takeru said. He smiled sheepishly.
Onari heard someone come into the room. She hid herself under the sheets in the closet. The person opened the sliding door to the closet and exhaled. Onari looked up as she was uncovered. She sat up looking at Sasuke.
"Onari, get out of the closet," he said lowly.
Onari grabbed his face and came really close to him. Her yellow eyes were wide as she looked into his dark eyes. "Sasuke, there boy Onari no knows," she whispered as if she was telling a secret.
"You don't say," Sasuke said as he looked at her. He sighed. Onari was comical. She sure made his son laugh. He picked her up out of the closet and set her down. "Onari won't know anyone if she hides in the closet."
"Onari no know boy," she said again. Sasuke raised a brow at her. "Who boy Idai?"
"He's a friend of Daiya's. Idai won't hurt you, Fire Bird. You need to associate with other kids. You're not eating in your room. You'll have to sit with the guys," Sasuke told her. Onari scowled. "I guess we'll have to do this the hard way." Onari tried to run, but he was quicker. "Train harder with Neji. You might get away one day. Not today though."
Onari crossed her arms. Sasuke made her sit at the table. She was still scowling as Izumi gave her a plate of food. Daiya and Idai were both watching her. Onari had an idea. If she ate really fast then she'd be finished and she wouldn't have to sit at the table. Onari picked up her chopsticks. She tried to get a snow pea. "Stupid choppysticks," she said annoyed with the eating utensil.
Takeru was watching her with a noodle hanging out of his mouth. Might as well add chopsticks to the list of things Onari hasn't mastered yet. She was constantly trying to get food but everything was falling off. Onari soon got frustrated and began to stab the food violently.
"Fire Bird, you'll break the table," Sasuke yelled at her from the family room.
"Stupid choppysticks," Onari shouted. She kicked her legs and the table lifted off of the floor. She glared at the stir fry as if it was the food's fault.
"Onari, you're making a lasting impression," Daiya said looking at her with a placid expression.
"Daiya brother choke chicken," Onari said aggressively. She narrowed her eyes. She didn't need a comment from him. He could feed himself with the stupid utensils.
"Did she just tell you to choke on your food," Idai asked. He looked at the girl in front of him. She was still glaring at Daiya.
Daiya narrowed his eyes right back at Onari. An electrical current went through his hair causing it to spike on all ends. "You want to run that by me again," he said lowly.
"Onari walk words to Daiya – not run," Onari challenged.
Takeru grabbed Onari as she tried to come across the table at Daiya. Daiya leapt at her, too, but Idai had his arms around his waist to hold him back. "You guys knock it off! If dad comes in here, both of you will get it!"
Idai looked up. "Too late," he said as if he was the one in trouble. Sasuke stood in the doorframe with a stern gaze directed at Onari and Daiya.
"Onari, go to you room. Lay on the futon and don't get up. I've had enough of your aggression as of late! Daiya, you do the same. I know she started it, but you're older than her and need to act more mature. Move, Onari. You don't want me after you," Sasuke said so seriously that she practically threw the table out of her way so she could get up fast enough. "Daiya, don't you start with me. Go." Daiya tched before moving to his room.
Takeru sighed. "I'm sorry they got in trouble. Onari doesn't like to be ordered around. She does get frustrated with things and that's when she gets upset. However, Daiya shouldn't have said anything to her. Onari only listens to dad. She considers what everyone else says and tends to weight it out."
"That sounds like Daiya," Idai said as he ate. Ever since he had saved Daiya's life, they had started to get closer. Idai liked hanging out with the boy from the lightening country. "That might be why he said Onari was his sister. They have the same aggression problems," he smirked.
Takeru had to agree. "True. Wait. Idai, does Daiya open up to you?" Idai stopped chewing his food. "He's been here for a while now, but I can't get through to him. It bothers me."
"Daiya is guarded for a reason, Takeru. You must know why." Takeru shook his head. "You haven't noticed how he stands his ground with your dad? I don't know if I should tell you anything. Daiya wouldn't be happy with me," Idai said matter-of-factly.
"Can you say anything that would help me and not tell the secrets he has to keep?"
"Um," Idai had to think. "I'm trying to think about what I can say that will be advisable. I don't want to discourage you, Takeru. First, what is your view of him? Um, how do you see him exactly?"
Takeru played with his ramen. He bobbed a bamboo shoot with his chopsticks. "You'll laugh at me if I say. Daiya would."
"No, I wouldn't," Idai said. "I'll start if it'll help. I view Daiya as… a best friend. I've never had anyone want to know me, or give me a chance. I can't be the same around my team- it isn't the same. Daiya doesn't judge me. It doesn't matter what I do, he still likes me. He isn't a selfish person. He lets himself out of the cage, but at certain moments." Idai looked up. "Sorry." He averted his eyes. "I normally don't talk to others."
Takeru smiled at Idai. "I like you. You're helpful. I know you don't usually speak though. I rarely heard you say anything back at the Academy. I understand what you mean about Daiya. I would like for him to be my brother. I've never had a sibling. I don't have any family, but my parents. It'd be nice if it was Daiya. He's older, stronger, and more mature most of the time. I just don't want to get in his way," Takeru said softly.
"Takeru, I could talk to Daiya. It won't occur right off though. He doesn't trust me fully. He doesn't' trust anyone. I don't want to take that away from him. He needs to be cautious. It's what protects him," Idai said.
"Can I get off of this stupid bed now," Daiya shouted.
"No, you need to lay down. That is what we told you, Daiya," Izumi said. A loud sound came from Takeru's room. Izumi walked to the room in a hurry. Daiya had thrown the bed over. "Daiya, why did you do that? Was there any reason to tear up the bed?"
Daiya breathed hard. "I'm not a little kid! I'm not yours! I don't take orders! Stay away form me!" Daiya moved back quickly as Izumi came into the room. He was watching her with wild eyes.
Izumi knew it was an outburst. He had been having them since he came to live at their home. Sasuke had to tell her why she was resented. It had torn her heart into pieces when she had learned the truth. Daiya was afraid of her. She had to coax him into calming down. "There's nothing to be afraid of. I don't have any weapons on me. I'm only asking you to rest so you have energy for later."
"I'm not weak! I'm not your kid! I don't have to do what you say! I can take care of myself! I've done so for a long time! I don't need you," Daiya said as he erupted his electrical charges. The area around him started to pop as the currents touched the floor.
Idai and Takeru started to run to the bedroom,
but Sasuke cut them off. He grabbed both of them. "No! You two can't go in there! Daiya's throwing a tantrum with your mother. Don't underestimate her, Takeru. She's stronger than you possibly know. Daiya has to trust us. He needs to stop pushing us away. We're trying to help him."
Idai's eyes were wide as he heard the lightening striking the floor in the bedroom. He was worried that Daiya would over load again. He couldn't take that. Takeru was alarmed, too. Idai felt himself being picked up and carried away from the turmoil. Sasuke was attempting to keep them out of it. "Sasuke sensei, he'll overload!"
Sasuke put them down once they got to the training dojo. He had added it to keep his skills in check. He crouched to look up at Takeru and Idai, his hands firmly holding onto their arms. "You two need to understand our position on this. We know about Daiya's past. I know he's told you, Idai, but not Takeru. Daiya is afraid of your mother it's because she's a woman. He was beaten and tortured beyond belief by the woman who gave birth to him." Takeru's eyes told Sasuke he was in shock.
"We are trying to help Daiya by giving him a home – a family. It hasn't been easy. He's very defiant and anything we ask him to do is met with an outburst of anger. I know he doesn't understand why we are being concerned. But the way he treats us is unfairly. We haven't hurt him in any way – yet, he still doesn't give us a chance. I already went through this with Onari. It's getting to be too much."
"W-Will Daiya have to go," Takeru asked sadly.
"I'd hate to do that, Takeru, but the options are limited. I have to protect my family, first. If Daiya refuses to be a part of it, then there is no other way. He isn't open to anyone."
"He is with me," Idai said. He tensed when Sasuke looked in his direction. "I-I'm sorry."
"Idai, I'm not going to hurt you. I f you can get Daiya to understand that he can't be alone – that he has no reason to be, then please make him realize it. I don't want to go back on my word. I want him to stay here," Sasuke said. Daiya reminds me of myself. It's all familiar. He's hurting and tormented by his past, but there is one difference. He has us now.
The lightening erupting around her did not frighten her. The look of hurt on Daiya's face was what got to her. Izumi knew if he wasn't stopped, the house would catch on fire. She began to approach him slowly. Izumi raised her arm towards him. He was backed all of the way to the wall.
"Stay away from me! Don't touch me!" Daiya tried to push himself into the wall more. "Stay away! I didn't do anything!" He closed his eyes, practically panicking as Izumi stood in front of him. His chakra ended abruptly. He couldn't hold onto it. "I didn't do anything," he repeated shouting. "Don't hit me! Don't hit me!"
Izumi lightly touched his face. "Daiya, I'm not going to harm you," she said softly. He was so afraid. She rubbed her thumb against his cheek. He gasped as she remained touching him. Daiya slowly opened his eyes to regard her. "I won't ever hurt you. And if anyone lays a hand on you, I'll kill them."
Daiya was unsure. The woman didn't sweat at him or strike him – even after his anger had been displayed. Why as she still in the room with him? "Wh-Why are y-you not hitting m-me?"
Izumi's eyes widened a little. Daiya expected to be struck for existing. She pushed him towards her and wrapped her arms around him. Daiya was tensed up. Izumi placed her hand on the side of his head to reassure him. "You're my kid. I'd never hurt you," she said choking on the words. "You're my kid. No one else's."
Daiya didn't know why Izumi chose to be his
parent. He didn't know the real reason Sasuke had taken him in. he thought he knew. He thought it was because of his arrhythmia. Could it have been another reason altogether?
"Please lay down, Daiya. It's not going to hurt you. It's meant to help you," Izumi said. She kissed the top of his head. "We don't want anything to happen to you. You are part of our family now."
Daiya subsided to lying down. It was Idai who had coaxed him into it. Idai lay next to Daiya on the bed even after Daiya had fallen asleep. Takeru was in the family room thinking about everything he had learnt. Daiya's mother had hurt him so badly, that it affected every aspect of his being. Takeru laid his head on the floor looking out at the garden.
Idai petted Daiya's head. His friend was sleeping hard. That little outburst had worn him out. I wish you'd stop fighting everyone, Daiya. It's not healthy. At least they are reaching out to you. He pulled the bed sheet over Daiya's body. He planed to stay right where he was until he awoke. It would help build up his security.
Sasuke approached his and Izumi's bed slowly. Ever since Daiya had fallen asleep, Izumi had taken refuge to their room. "Are you okay?" She nodded slowly. If she was doing what he thought, he was going to be upset with himself. He had brought Daiya here. "Izumi, are you crying?" She never cried.
Izumi felt him sit beside her. Sasuke turned her face towards him. "I-I want to kill his mother," she said as she cried. "But I can't. Sh-She's already dead."
"Izumi, I know you want Daiya to belong to our family, but with the way he is right now, I don't know if it's possible. He's pushing us away regarding every decision we make on his behalf," Sasuke said seriously. "I can only do so much to help him. If he harms you in any kind of way, it won't go over well with me. I don't care what the reason."
"Sasuke, he could have hurt me when I grabbed him – he didn't. Daiya thought I was going to beat him. He was up against the wall trying to get away from me. He's not a bad kid. None of it is his fault. He's more difficult than Onari, I'll admit, but challenges aren't bad."
"You're not giving up on him. Alright, I don't know where this will take us. I'll keep fighting with you as long as we're able. I just don't want Takeru or Onari hurt. Neither of them understands what is going on and why. We'll give it some more time. Hopefully, Idai can convince Daiya to ease up," he said. Sasuke leaned in to kiss his wife. He closed his eyes as their lips met. Izumi was a caring person despite her horrible past. It seemed everyone in their family came from a terrible background. Takeru was the only innocent one.
"Thank you," Izumi said softly as she looked into his eyes. He smiled at her a little. She kissed his cheek in return.