Senjuro's age: 5
A loud clap of thunder jolted Senjuro awake with a gasp. His limbs tangled in his blanket as he tried to sit up. Rain pounded on the roof, and even though he was perfectly dry, he shivered. There was just something about the sound of it that unsettled him. If Mother was still alive…
He pulled his blanket over his head as a flash of lightning lit up his room. At the next roll of thunder, he let out a whimper and pressed his hands to his ears, trying to block it out. But as the sound crescendoed, it seemed to echo in his bones, making his whole body shake. He just wished the storm would end.
He needed not to be alone. He shoved his blanket away and got to his feet, darting into the hallway. He passed the door of what was now only Father's room and continued on to Kyojuro's room. Kyojuro wouldn't be upset if Senjuro woke him; he'd probably even let Senjuro stay with him until the storm ended. He knocked three times, then waited, trembling as wind gusted against the walls of the house.
Only a few moments passed before the door opened to reveal a sleepy-eyed Kyojuro. "Senjuro?" he wondered, yawning. "Is something wrong?"
"The storm!"
Kyojuro nodded, immediately moving to wrap an arm around his shoulders. "It's all right."
Senjuro leaned into him and let out a sigh of relief. Kyojuro's steadiness was contagious and he already felt a little calmer. His big brother would protect him even if he wasn't really in any danger.
Kyojuro led Senjuro into his room, guiding him to sit down on the edge of his futon. "The storm will pass soon, Little Flame," he murmured. "It's okay."
Senjuro blinked, a little startled by his usage of that nickname. That was what Mother called him; Kyojuro had never called him Little Flame. But…it was nice to hear. It kept a piece of her with him even when the rest of her was in heaven.
He snuggled a little closer to his brother. The pounding rain gradually lightened to a steady rushing sound that was soothing, rather than scary. As the storm faded, so did his energy, and before long his eyelids were drooping shut. He should probably head back to his own room. But he couldn't quite bring himself to leave Kyojuro's side.
At least Kyojuro didn't seem to mind. When Senjuro glanced up to see his face, he appeared to nearly be asleep himself. So really, to move now would only disturb them both.
"Thank you…Kyo'..." he mumbled, practically falling asleep as he spoke.
Kyojuro smiled without opening his eyes. "'F course…Li'l Flame…"