Lies In The Family (Tribe Nine)

Birthday

Ojiro didn't stop punching him until his mask was covered in Blood. The Adachi Tribe was defeated, and brutally beaten by him. He showed no mercy, only the strongest survived.

He tossed the ball over his shoulder once he won, and went back to the castle going towards the throwing room. He entered, and bowed in front of Tenshin.

"Marvelous job Ojiro" Tenshin said impressed. "I think that ground will be stained with their blood for weeks!"

"Only the strongest survive," Ojiro told him. "If you're weak, you're not welcome in Chiyoda"

"Funny you should mention. I heard Oka was able to hit your pitches?"

"Yes sir" Ojiro answered.

"Interesting. I was half expecting her to have some kind of injury. But from what the nurse told me, she only had a mild sprain in her Wrist"

Ojiro gritted his Teeth. He was thankful he had his Mask on, Tenshin would have caught on.

"Was it treated?" Ojiro asked.

"Of course not! Our soldiers need to learn to toughen up and walk it off"

"...Sir, permission to speak"

"What?"

"She's only 6, she needs time to adjust. Fixing her Wrist would be a good idea"

Tenshin glared but laughed afterwards.

"Oka is 7, her birthday was yesterday. I would've thought you of all people here would know that"

"Meaning what?"

"Considering you know, you've gone soft"

Ojiro grimiced.

"I have NOT-gone soft"

"Whatever. Just don't let it distract you or your performance. You have my permission to go"

Ojiro got up, and stalked off frustrated. He checked the time, and looked at the throne room again seeing Tenshin still there. Ojiro looked at the dining hall, and walked in past everyone and into the kitchen. The cooks were confused why he was there.

"LEAVE" he threatened.

They quickly got out, and he looked through a few books finding the right one.

*Few hours later*

He walked down the hall, and opened Oka's cell seeing her sitting on her bed winging her legs with her teddy bear. She looked at Ojiro and then saw the plate with a burnt cake on it.

"Is...that for me?" She asked.

He nodded putting it on her nightstand. She saw it was overcooked and the frosting melted due to putting it on too early, but she ate it anyways. It definitely wasn't a good cake, but she liked the thought in it.

"Thank you" she told him.

"Is it fine?"

"No, I love it! You made it, so I like it even more"

"Good, I guess"

She finished it, and was about to hold the plate back when she put the plate back down holding her wrist. Ojiro took out the bandages he got from the nurse earlier, crouched and started to wrap it. He tied it tightly, but not enough to cut off circulation. When he was finished, she hugged his neck and he patted her head awkwardly. She let go and sat back down as he stood back up.

"I have to go. But...happy belated birthday, or whatever"

"Thank you. And thank you for the cake"

He picked up the plate, and left locking the door putting it in the garbage shoot.

"Your fiance will be here tomorrow" Yui said walking to him.

"What?" He asked. "Thought Tenshin put you up to that"

"Not anymore. He thinks that you should be the one, considering you have a 'better sense of leadership'. So, are you ready to be married soon?"

"No. And I'm not doing that"

"You have no choice, Tenshin's orders. Unless, you want to make him angry"

"...Fine"

She smiled and left. He went to his room, and closed the door locking it. He heard knocking on his window, and he sighed walking over opening it. Sure enough, Kazuki was there again.

"I told you to not be here" Ojiro growled.

"Ojiro, please. You hate this place, I know you do. They made the two of us kill so many, and they made you break my arm. Why are you staying?"

"I told you, I have things to do"

"...Do you remember that one time we were in that field? You said you didn't care what team we were on, as long as we were together. I ask you, do you still want that? And if so, why?"

"...Kazuki..."

Kazuki hesitated, but touched the side of his mask taking it off. It fell on the ground, and Kazuki held the side of his cheek. Ojiro smacked it away, and picked up his mask putting it back on.

"Don't do that again," Ojiro snapped. "Leave, now. And don't come back"

"...Okay...I won't...goodbye Ojiro"

Kazuki slipped down the pole connecting to his room, and ran off out of sight. Ojiro sighed and walked back inside. He held the side of his mask Kazuki touched, and squinted kicking the dresser. He laid up against the wall, and put his head in his hands.