WO AI NI: Part 2
TROUBLE
Days went by quickly. Tamahome was devoted to taking care of Yuiren, and Yuiren on the other hand, grew to love him dearly. She was with him anywhere he went, be it to the market place or just to the kitchen for a drink. She cried when placed in the arms of another (except for the father of course).
Never was there a time where Tamahome found her exasperating. Sometimes when the small one would wake up in the middle of the night, he would take her for a walk around the village until she went back to sleep. The rest of his siblings spent as much time with him as Yuiren. After their mother...passed away, the five of them grew closer.
Here was the hard part now: There wasn't enough money coming in. Yuiren demanded food almost half the day and the children growing up demanded food the other half of the day. Tamahome had to work double time with Yuiren happily perched on his shoulder.
She had grown up all right, and her looks had changed. Now she was no longer a shriveled up baby. She was a walking two year old angel with the face of her mother- another reason why Tamahome loved her so much.
Evey single day he would still train with his Master. So all these things kept him mighty busy and left him very tired. Tokaki was thrilled with Yuiren, who, not knowing the difference between adults and family, called him "onnichan" too.
Dusk was falling. That meant all shops closed for the day. Tamahome fixed the sleeping Yuiren in his arms, gathered the money he had made and the things he hadn't been able to sell and walked home. On the way, he met Gyokuran coming back from the well with a bucket full of fresh water. Delighted, she ran and grabbed his arm since his hands were full. He exchanged the light items with the heavy bucket so she wouldn't have to lug it home.
The small hut was filled with a delicious smell of fish cooking. In the corner was Shunkei, watching Chuei as he ran from pot to pot making that night's dinner. At the sight of their onnichan, the two boys gave a joyous cry, which aroused their father from his sleep, and threw their arms around his legs.
"Onnichan! Did you bring Shunkei something?" The youngest brother pleaded.
"Yes. Something for all of you." Tamahome answered, pleased that his siblings were smiling. They gave another joyous cry and began asking for them right away. Gently but firmly, their eldest brother answered, "Yuiren is asleep, and you just woke father up. I don't want anymore noise or you won't get anything. Besides that," He gestured with his arm, "I haven't even been able to put down anything, much less get into the house." Apologizing tenfold, the children helped him put away the things.
Tamahome went over to his father. "Father. I didn't get to sell everything today. I'm sorry."
His father merely smiled as Tamahome gave him that day's pay. He patted his son's shoulder, and indication that everything was just fine. Yuiren suddenly awoke, eyes big. Her face was screwed up with what seemed like sadness.
Instantly alarmed, Tamahome demanded, "What is it Yuiren? You don't feel well?"
"Niichan....hungry...." She whimpered. That's right. None of them had eaten since the day before. He nodded. "Dinner is ready now. We'll be eating soon." Much to his dismay, there wasn't enough food for everybody. His father gave up his share for the children, and Tamahome gave up his share for Yuiren. He could go without food for another night...
Yuiren was not a stupid child though. She plucked the chopsticks out of Tamahome's hand when she was finished her portion and pushed his portion toward him. "Eat." She instructed. Surprised, Tamahome took the chopsticks and his portion and said, "Niichan isn't hungry. It's for Yuiren. Niichan worked hard so that Yuiren can eat." He tried to feed some to her but she stubbornly clamped her mouth shut. He coaxed and pleaded with her, but she refused to take another bite. The other children looked on without a word. She raised big eyes at him and laid her small hand on his cheek.
"Yuiren love Niichan much. If Niichan love Yuiren much, Niichan eat." She pushed the portion of food toward him again, wiggled out of her chair, and ran to the bedroom before he could say anything.
* * *
"That's 3 ryou." Tamahome was at work again. This time, business was great. He had made enough to last them a week. Yuiren smiled at the elderly lady, who had taked her hand. She smiled at all the customers as they came and went. Sometimes, she noticed that her Niichan looked very tired. At the end of the day, Tamahome brought her to a restaurant with Tokaki. His master sure ordered alot. Then they started talking about things that she couldn't understand, but she didn't dare interrupt. For a while, Yuiren just fidgeted in her seat. Then with teary eyes, she slipped quickly and quietly out of the restaurant.
"...So you're leaving next week then?" Tamahome asked, helping to clear the table.
"Yup. I was invited to a banquet by one of Subaru's friends." He winked. "And you know me, I wouldn't miss food for the world." They laughed. His master did what he always did - ordered again for Tamahome's family. Today must be his lucky day.
"Ne Yuiren. We'll have a lot to eat today won't we?" He stopped, when no response came to him. Scared, he turned to Tokaki when he didn't see her in her chair anymore. "Ano...Master, have you seen Yuiren?" Tokaki shook his head. Trying to surpress his fear, Tamahome kindly asked if Tokaki would bring the food to his house. His master sensing something was wrong, nodded.
Tamahome ran out in the darkness. This was bad. He should have kept an eye on her.Now it was dark and she was probably scared and crying and lost. His fear rose at the thoughts. What was even worse, what if she was taken by someone? What if he couldn't find her? He tried to think positive thoughts and reprimanded himself for being too pessimistic. Even so, he couldn't surpress his worry.
"Yuiren! Yuiren, where are you?" He called, running down the street. He checked each ally way, careful not to bump into anyone. "Yuiren!!!!"
A man who was working outside on his farm turned around at the noise. "Young man," He snapped, "do be silent! My wife is ill! I will not tolerate any noise!" Panting, Tamahome stopped. He couldn't help it - tears glistened in his eyes.
"Sumimasen...I'm so sorry. Please excuse my rudeness." He bowed twice, nervously biting his lip. "What's wrong Son?" The man asked noticing his wretchedness. Tamahome looked down the street.
"It's my sister Sir, she's - she's missing. Have you seen her? Small with brown hair and blue eyes? Her hair is up in two buns." He said hopefully, and described her clothes and height. The man looded pensive.
"Sorry Son. Haven't seen her. Wish I could help." He said sympathetically. Bitterly, Tamahome thanked him and ran off in search of her again, chiding himself for his stupidity. He conjured up a whole lecture for her when he found her again. Now he was just getting upset.
"Tamahome!" A commanding voice called. No one but his master called him like that. He froze, trying to catch his breath. "Did you find her?" He asked hopefully.
"No. She wasn't at your house either." Tokaki said slowly. "Let's split up and look for her. If you find her, send your chi out to me and I will find you just like I trained you to." Tamahome nodded his understanding and they parted ways again.
* * *
She sniffled. She was cold and she wanted to go home. Burying her face in her small arms, she started crying. She was so afraid. She didn't know where she was, or where her Niichan was. She just wanted to be in his arms right now.
Her heart stopped beating as a big dog came close and started sniffing at her. It bared its long ugly yellow teeth and snarled. Yuiren started to panic. "Go 'way!" She cried, trying to back up away from it. "Go 'way!!!" At the sound of her voice, it started barking. Terrified, she screamed for her Onnichan.
"What is it Pal? What did you find?" A man stopped and looked down at Yuiren who was crying uncontrolably and shouting for her brother in a small frightened voice. The dog, hearing its name, backed away from the small figure and nuzzled its master. "Why...it's just a kid." He squatted next to her. "What's wrong? Are you lost?" Terrified, Yuiren got up and started to run away again. The man watched after her, dumbfounded.
She was right. Her Niichan didn't care. He wasn't looking for her because a monster almost ate her! She was very upset at him. Tamahome on the other hand, was in a state of frenzy trying to find her. Konan was a very big place, and he was terrified that he wouldn't be able to find her.
"Yuiren! Please! It's Niichan! Where are you? Yuiren?!!" In the distance, he heard a dog bark and a man's voice say, "Quiet Pal! You'll wake the whole village." Not wanting to be yelled at again for making noise, Tamahome decided to quit calling her for the time being.
Suddenly, the dog jumped out at him, barking like mad. Tamahome took a step back in surprise. Then the man's voice called again. "Pal! I told you to quit!" He looked up at Tamahome. "Sorry about that Son, he has this thing today with frightening people. Why, he nearly scared the life out of a little girl a while back." Tamahome's eyes widened. "A little girl?" The man nodded. "She was screaming for her brother and then she ran away."
He grabbed the man's hand, who looked at him in surprise. "Sir! Did she have her hair up in buns - brown - with blue eyes? About this small?" He motioned with his hand about how high up. The man nodded. Relief flooded through him like a wave. "Sir! Do you know what direction she ran off in?" The man pointed with his finger down the street. "Down that way. But I don't think -"
"-Arigatou gozaimasu! Honto ni arigatou!!" Tamahome cried, bowing once, dropping the man's hand and running in the direction he had pointed. Puzzled, the man whistled to his dog and walked the opposite direction.
* * *
He found her perched against a wall, shaking with sobs, repeating the word 'Niichan' again and again, with her head buried in her small arms. At the sight of her, all anger was swept away with relief. The lecture he had made up was forgotten as he cried out her name. Hearing it, she looked up through blurry eyes and made out her brother's face and his dark green clothes. With a cry, she raised her arms to him and he caught her in his.
His forehead glowed, sending his chi as promised, to his Master. "Niichan! Niichan!" She cried, burying her face on his shoulder and tightening her hold around his neck. He embraced her tightly as well, whispering reassuring things in her ear while he rubbed her back. "Oh god...you had me so worried..." He said. After a while, her sobs quieted and Tokaki appeared.
"What happened?" He demanded. Tamahome shrugged and coaxed her into telling him.
"Niichan no love Yuiren much." She said after a few moments. His breath caught in his throat. "W-why do you say that Yuiren? You know Niichan loves you very much." He said casually, trying to conceal the hurt. She took deep breaths. Then: "He doesn't talk to Yuiren anymore!" She burst into tears again. Feeling numb Tamahome apologized for making her feel unwanted. This was the last thing on the earth that he wanted her to feel. That he was the one to make her feel this way made his heart break. Tokaki suggested that they turn home.
He followed behind his master, feeling empty. "Yuiren..." He didn't know what to say. He felt a lump form in his throat. They made their way to his front door. The children threw their arms around him happily when he walked in. Yuiren outstretched her arms to her father, who surprised, took her from Tamahome. He said nothing as she was taken from him. There was nothing he could say.
The following day, he went to work without her for the first time. He did buy her a doll though. His father had suggested that she no longer go with him for the time being, so as to avoid what had happened from happening again. Once again, he was greeted by everyone cheerfully except for Yuiren who clung onto her father and looked at him. In her heart, she was glad he was back. She missed him terribly, and was mad at herself for getting upset at him. Catching her eyes, he walked over and absently handed his father the day's pay. Then he took her by the hand without a word and led her into the bedroom.
Scared that he would spank her, she tried to pull away as he placed her onto the bed. Closing her eyes, she waited for a slap. When none came, she opened her eyes - to see the most beautiful doll she had ever seen in her life. Her Niichan was smiling.
Delighted, she took the doll. Then feeling guilty, she threw her arms around his neck. It was her sign that she had forgiven him.
* * *
Whistling to himself, Tamahome came back home one day in high spirits. His day had gone well. His training had been a breeze, he had earned enough money because business had been good, and his birthday had been a joyful celebration. Of course, he never got anything - he wasn't expecting anything. He remembered three years ago, where his mother had given Yuiren to him as a gift. He was happy to see her enjoying life even though it wasn't the best. Her smile alone made his day.
His whistling stopped as he heard her crying. He knew it was her. He broke into a run, worried something had happened to his family. He heard their father arguing with someone. Then Chuei's voice : "Go away! Leave us alone!" Tamahome's anger rose. Someone was hurting his family. He felt his symbol light up. As he reached their front gate, he realized that it was government officials that were lugging things out of their house.
"What is going on here?" He demanded. One of the officials turned around at the question. "Onnichan! Onnichan! He took my doll!" Yuiren cried, rubbing her eyes. Tamahome turned questioning eyes toward them. The official raised a scroll.
"Your tax payment has been due for three months. It has not been payed. It is law that we possess all your belongings until such time where you can pay the government." Tamahome clenched his fists. His symbol glowed even brighter.
"Who made up that damned law?!" He demanded through gritted teeth. The official looked undisturbed. "The Emperor." Tamahome couldn't argue to that. He watched as they took everything - the table to the last of their food. They were left with their clothes and a bucket full of water.
He watched after them, a hatred growing in his heart for the Emperor. How dare he! Didn't he have everything and more that he could possibly ever want? Didn't he have a heart at all?
Yuiren grasped onto his pants' legs. He reached down and stroked her hair.
"Don't worry Yuiren. I'll have your doll back to you yet."