'The Pure Ones'

Chapter Four.

Toshiro's POV.

I awaken with a gasp, a sharp pain going through my shoulder at the same time. I grit my teeth. I hear the beeping of machines around me, I'm in a hospital room. I don't recall anything happening to me. All that I remember was Kenji leaving because his sister got in an accident.

"Toshiro!" I jump and look to the right, where the door is located. There stands my mom and Kenji, who give me a smile. They both look relieved. "Hi...?" I say as my mom walks over and embraces me, being careful not to hug me too tightly.

"Er...What happened?" I ask, pulling away from my mother. Kenji casually walks over, examining me. "That's what we were hoping you could answer, buddy." He says. I don't respond or do anything. Kenji crosses his arms. "Whatever happened, great job. Now I have two people to worry about." I smile a little.

"Uh, was Erai with me? Is he okay?" I ask and Kenji nods. "Yeah, he's fine. He wasn't with you though. A couple of guys found you in the woods. We asked Erai if he knew why you were there and all beaten up, but he didn't have a clue."

"Oh.." I take this moment to examine my body. My right arm was in a sling, my left arm had a long scratch across it. From what I can tell, it looks deep. I wish I knew what happened. Maybe I'll recover the memory someday, hopefully. Judging that I was found in the woods, maybe I got attacked by a wolf or another animal of some kind.

If it was an animal, I can't imagine how it fractured my shoulder, though...

(When I wrote this, the next day at school a kid had fractured his shoulder. What a coincidence lel)

"When do I get released?" I ask, rubbing the blanket covering me up in between my fingers. My mother tells me that I will be leaving the hospital in two days. "I'm sorry, but I have to go pickup your father. I'll visit you again tomorrow. Love you.." She informs me afterward, grabbing her purse. Kenji sighs, shoving his hands into his pockets.

"Your mom took me here. I am leaving, too. Hope you heal quick, Toshiro." He says with a tiny smile. I nod, "Oh...Okay. Bye. And hah, thanks." I shift a little so I'm sitting up properly. They both exit the room and I sigh.

°*°*°*°*°

The days in the hospital were long and boring, except for the times I got visitors, which were mostly family and Kenji. I didn't regain the memory that answers what happened, which frustrates me. I want to know! Was I attacked, why was I in the woods? That memory would answer both of those questions. Ugh... I stare out the window as I'm driven home.

"Oh! Toshiro, I know this is a bad thing for you to come home to, especially since you just got out of the hospital, but Otome is staying over." I groan. Otome, my annoying little cousin that always barges into my room, breaks my stuff, and is obnoxiously loud. I don't really want her here at this time, I can't handle her.

"I'll make sure she doesn't bother you, don't worry." My mom says reasurringly, looking back for a second to give a smile. I mutter a thank you just as we pull into our blue colored home. I unbuckle with a sigh and turn to the car door to open it. I pull the lever and hear a click, indicating it is open. I push it forward just as my mom walks over to assist me. "I'm fine." I say as I slowly step out of the car.

"A-Alright..." Mom turns and walks along the path to the front door, carrying the bag of medication she had gotten for me. I follow close behind. As soon as she opens the door, I hear a scream and the thumps of feet running on the wooden floor. Otome appears from around the corner. She gasps and a wide smile appears on her face. The tiny brunette drops her stuffed horse exclaiming, "Toshiro!!"

She runs towards me, her arms out wide, ready to hug my waist. Otome soon reaches me, making stumble a little back as she wraps her arms around me. I pat her head with a little sigh. "Hi, Otome."

My mom gently taps Otome's shoulder. "Otome?" The little girl looks back at my mother questionly, letting go of me. "Yes, Auntie?" She asks in a sweet voice. I walk past them toward the hallway which leads to my room, dismissing myself silently. "Uh, Toshiro isn't in the greatest condition. He got hurt. So, please leave him alone." I hear my mom say as I enter my room.

I close my door and approach my bed, not bothering to switch the light on. I know my way around. Flopping on the bed, I hear my door slowly start opening.

"Toshi..?" I hear the quiet voice of Otome say in a questioning voice. I look up at the ceiling. "Yes, Otome? What is it?" The door creaks as she enters fully. The little girl silently walks over to the matress with her stuffed horse. "I heard you got hurt. So I...I brought my horsey so he will help you feel better." She lays the stuffed horse on my bed. "His name is Friend!" She informs me with a cheery tone.

I laugh a little. Friend. Silly name. "Thanks Otome." I flash a smile and she giggles. "I'll leave you alone! Have good dreams!" She runs out, shutting the door quietly.

*°*°*°*°

I woke up to the sound of my alarm going off, the constant beeping annoying me in the process. I groan and sit myself up. Turning off the clock, I yawn and swing my legs off my bed. I walk to my wardrobe and look at my sling. This is going to make getting ready for the day way more difficult.

I manage to get fully ready by the time Mom has breakfest ready on the table. I say good morning to each of my family members, which are just my mom and Otome. My dad already left for work. He got a ride with his friend. I sit across from Otome and she glances up at me. Her jaw drops and a gasp escapes from her mouth. "Woah!" She says staring at me.

"What...?!" I question and she points. "Your ears! You're becoming an elf! Auntie, look! Look! Look!" She smiles ear to ear, excited. I sit there, completely motionless. Me? An elf? Hah, no. I slowly bring my hand to my ear, touching the top.

It's pointed.

My eyes widen and I look at my mom, who is also smiling. I stand up abruptly, not sure why. "I-" I start to speak, but a knock on the door interrupts me. Quickly, I go to the door opening it.

It's Erai. He smiles and greets me. "Hey! I heard you fractured your shoulder! Sorry that happened." His eyes show sympathy. A rush of hatred goes through me for Erai. I'm not sure where it comes from, but as if queued, the memory of what occurred that day comes back.

Hatred shows on my face and Erai gets a little smirk. "Hey, uh, that's a nasty scratch you got there." He says, pointing at my arm.

"...I know."