What Makes a Family

Makoto Narumi wiped the sweat off his brow as he took a brief moment from fixing the wall of the shed that Yuu had punched a large hole through during one of his demonic transformations after he had managed to break one of his restraints. Fortunately, Mika had managed to hold him down long enough for Shiona and Mitsuba to slap on another demon restraint talisman until Yuu finally calmed down enough to revert to his human form.

Since his transformations were unpredictable, Mika insisted on being near Yuu at all times, and the brothers were currently taking a walk together on the beach near the village while Narumi repaired the shed. He had been at it for a few hours and was nearly finished when he heard light footsteps heading his direction. Turning, he saw Shinoa with two tea cups in one hand and a pitcher of water in the other.

"Are you thirsty, Narumi-san? You've been at this for three hours already, and I assume you might want something to drink since it's pretty hot today. Mitsuba also wanted to know if you'll be done soon because dinner should be ready in an hour or so."

Narumi smiled. "You left Miss Sangu in charge of the kitchen, Miss Hiragi? Isn't that a little dangerous?" he teased. Shinoa laughed.

"I'd try not to let her hear that if I were you, Narumi-san, not unless you want to go without dinner for the next week or so."

"Of course, I'm just kidding. Yes, I would like some water, thank you."

Putting down his tools, the former Demon Army sergeant took a seat on a large nearby wooden crate and invited Shinoa to do the same. Taking his invitation, Shinoa poured him a cup of water before sitting down next to him. She also left the door to the shed open so they could enjoy the view outside while they sat and drank. From what the pair could see, the sun would be setting soon, and they would be expected inside the house for dinner when the others returned from their work in the village.

Pouring herself a cup of water, Shinoa set the pitcher on the ground next to her before raising the cup to her lips as her older comrade did the same.

"Will you be finished soon?" she asked. "If there's still a lot of work left, you can finish tomorrow. If need be, we can put Yuu somewhere else if he shows signs of transforming."

Narumi shook his head "No, I'm almost done", he insisted. "And besides, I feel that this is the safest place we can restrain him since it's far enough from the house and the village for them to avoid being damaged if he transforms; I have to finish it as soon as possible."

"I see… when do you think you'll be done?"

"Just another half hour or so. There's not much left to be fixed. I've been talking to Kimizuki about how we can strengthen the walls to better withstand Yuu's struggling; he thinks he can use his demon, Kiseki-O, to pull it off."

"Sounds like a good idea. But you know that it would be best if Yuu could find a way to restrain himself. I'm sure he's doing the best he can but I still worry about him to be honest. We should consider ourselves lucky we haven't seen any signs of the vampires or Demon Army yet."

"I don't think that should come as a surprise since both sides suffered heavy losses at Nagoya. All we can do for now is hope that will buy us and Yuu enough time to control his powers; I believe they can be a great asset to us."

"You could be right", Shinoa agreed. "Say, Narumi-san, can I ask you a question?"

"Sure, if you pour me another cup."

The purple-haired girl smiled as she complied and poured her comrade another cup of water as well as herself before asking the question that had been on her mind for a while.

"Why did you choose to come with us? After all, Yuichiro isn't your problem."

Narumi raised a brow at his younger comrade's question as if she had just asked him the sillest thing.

"Why did I come? Well, now's a fine time to ask since neither of us can go back!"

Shinoa frowned, thinking Narumi must have been displeased at her question.

"Sorry if I offended you, Narumi-san; forget that I asked. I think I better return to the kitchen and give Mitsuba a hand before the others get back."

As she got up to leave, Shinoa felt Narumi's hand close gently around her wrist.

"There's no need to apologize, Shinoa, I'm not offended" he said gently. "To answer your question, I came because I can no longer follow the Demon Army or the Hiragis now that I've seen their true colors. Not to mention the fact that I openly committed an act of insubordination towards your big brother, Kureto. I'm pretty sure your reasons are the same?"

Shinoa frowned. Narumi was right. She had never really been close to any of the other Hiragis except for Shinya, and always saw her older siblings as being cold and distant.

This also included her father, General Tenri Hiragi, the head of the Japanese Imperial Demon Army as well as Japan itself. Ironically, it was Shinya, her adopted brother, who treated her like a sister more than her blood brothers ever did, and she regretted having to leave him behind when he ordered her squad to flee Nagoya. But Shinoa knew that Shinya would be all right since he was worth more to the Hiragis alive then dead, unlike herself.

Shinoa also couldn't say she was surprised that Kureto did not hesitate to order her execution when she chose to defy him to protect Yuu and her other squad members. Their father wouldn't have cared one way or the other, and they both knew it. After all, Tenri Hiragi had no patience for weaklings or insubordinate soldiers in the Demon Army, even if they were his own children.

"Yes, you're right" she answered. "Do you believe it strange that I think of my squad as more of a family than my own blood relatives?"

It was the first time Shinoa had asked anyone such a question. Even though she was the leader of her squad, Shinoa often found herself turning to Narumi for advice as he was the oldest and most experienced fighter of the group. She had also been wanting to apologize to him for the loss of his previous squad for some time, but wasn't sure how to go about it, fearing that bringing them up might put a strain on her new-found partnership with Narumi, and she did need him as an ally. If Narumi was still angry with her for Yayoi's and Taro's loss, which was partly her fault, or Rika's and Shusaku's loss which was Kureto's, he didn't show it. Maybe because Narumi's rational side told him that there were more pressing matters to worry about at the moment like keeping Yuichiro from falling into the wrong hands.

Narumi was silent for a moment as if contemplating her question, and Shinoa wondered if she asked him something he might not have any idea on how to answer since this was different from their previous discussions on what they should do and where they should go once Yuu finally gains full control of his powers. Not wanting to waste his time further, Shinoa apologized again.

"I'm sorry, Narumi-san. It was a silly question that has nothing to do with our current situation. If you'll excuse me."

"It's all right, Shinoa, I don't mind. I should get back to work and finish fixing up the hole before the others get back. Why don't you go check on Mitsuba to make sure she doesn't burn the kitchen down?" he joked with a wink.

The purple-haired girl laughed as she got up to leave.

"You're right, Narumi-san. I'll see you at the dinner table then."

After picking up the cups and water pitcher in her hands, Shinoa was about to walk through the door of the shed when she heard her older comrade calling out to her from behind.

"Shinoa."

"Yes?" she asked, turning around to face Narumi.

"To answer your second question, I don't think it strange at all that you see your squad as family more than the Hiragis."

"And why is that?"

"Because… blood and genetics are not what makes a family- love does."

A/N: Ok, fourth snippet done. I hope you all enjoyed it! Since Narumi doesn't come in until about half-way through the Nagoya Arc, I had to take some liberties about his character based on what I've seen in the anime and manga. Though I try to stay IC and canon as possible, sometimes I might wander a bit off to make my stories work out. I hope it won't be too much of an issue for the fans. See you next chapter :)