(SHINO) When my mother walked into my room and I saw the handprint on the side of her face, It made me angry. I walked over and gently turned her face to the side. "He slapped you..." She smiled up at me. "It's ok Shino. It worked though. He said you all are free to do as you wish outside for one year!" I sighed and kissed her forehead. "I'm 25. One year means nothing." I walked away. "My boy....when did you grow so tall...so sad?" I looked back to see tears streaming down my mothers face. "I accepted my fate a long time ago. It's too late for me. The kids still have a chance though. They can go to school and make friends. Be...normal." With that I closed the door, and left her to her tears.
I needed to pay Kanayuki a visit. When I got there I saw little Kaoru was with him. Since Kaoru is so young he doesn't understand what Kanayuki is really like. It scares me how attached he is to him. Like I used to be. I called out to him and asked him to run along while I talked to Kanayuki. He frowned up at me. "Nono-Nii you always get to keep Yuki-Nii all to yourself. It's not fair." I sighed and pat his head. "Please just do as I ask."
After Kaoru left Kanayuki laughed. "My darling little mutt, I wonder what brought about this rare visit. He hugged me, and reached up to pet my head. "How is my puppy today?" I looked into his eyes. "You slapped my mother." His eyes widened, but he was still smiling like he hadn't done anything wrong. "She shouldn't have talked to me like that. She knew better." He kissed my cheek and wrapped his arms around my neck. "I'm happy you came to see me though. You've been locked up in your room so long. Were you ignoring me? It hurts me when you do things like that, but you're still my favorite Shino-Kun." I submitted and kissed his forehead. "I wasn't ignoring you Yuki-San. You know I like to be alone."
He shoved me away like he had been scolded by hot water. "You shouldn't ever want to be alone! You should want to be with me!" He turned his back and started to retreat back into his office. "I should be the most important thing in your life! The being that sheds light on your dark cursed existence!"
I hate him. Hate him and love him. It had been this way since he beat me. I remember a time when I had purely loved him just like Kaoru. Had craved being with him. "So are you leaving me too?" I shook my head. "There's no reason for me to leave." I saw his smile. I knew that this is what he wanted all of us to say.
"I would like...to go outside to walk around. Maybe take some photographs of things that I can paint. Or find inspiration to write songs about." His smile disappeared. "So you will be leaving." I shrugged. "Not really. It's not like I'm getting a job or going to school." I turned away and started back down the hall. "I will be here. I won't leave you." I heard him mumble. "Where would a mutt like you go anyway?" If only he knew what I really wanted. I heard his door close and knew he would probably be crying. It hurts my heart when I know that he is suffering. But I don't know if that is because of my own feelings, or if they are the feelings of the spirit inside of me.
Everyone was running around getting things ready to go outside. I ignored them. Most of them would be going to school. But there are a few of us who received such a gift. It didn't take me long to find Akane. She was sitting in her tree like always just staring up at the clouds. Traditionally the cat was shunned by the zodiac, but Kanayuki did away with that rule when Akane was born. He loves her as much as he says he loves the rest of us. But in terms of relationships she is more keen on being close to me.
She laughs at me all the time and tells me I am the big brother to all the other zodiac kids. Not like I wanted to be. I just...I just want to protect them and give them the chance for a better life. I would let Kanayuki beat me everyday if it ment those kids got to keep smiling.
"Oi...Shi-Nii! What are you doing outside without your leash you dumb dog?! You might get lost. It's not often you grace the outside with your presence! You sure your room won't miss you?" I just rolled my eyes and climbed up into the tree. "Aren't we a little old for this Akane?" She pouted. "Awe...you're no fun when you are in serious mode. Whatever happened to that cute puppy I used to play with?" I looked up into the sky. "He grew into a tired old dog..."
She frowned at me. "Shino...what's wrong? Aren't you happy about the kids getting to go to school?" I nodded. "But what about you? What is it that you want to do?" She leaned against me. "I want to go to college. To be a vet. But I don't think that is possible in a year." I nodded. "You could start though. Who knows...maybe he will make this a permanent change?" She looked very sad for a moment. We both knew the truth. This deal might not even make it the full year.
