Love Far Beyond the Ashes

Floating In The Lake

Reine pov: Kiara swam around me. She seemed to be in a great mood; her gentle smile honestly illuminated my sour day. I looked away for one second, and she wrapped her arms around me, making my body heat up.

"Kiara?" I questioned the random hug.

"Reine, you look like you need a hug." She said to me: I giggled a little bit. I'm not sure how I looked like I needed a hug, but I guess I won't complain about getting one.

I looked around. "Where is Calli?" I asked

"She swam back to talk to Irys for a bit," Kiara explained. I was a bit frustrated that Calli had gone over there with little notice, but I guess family comes first."

"Reine I see you want to be a fighter, but are you sure that you are really cut out for the battlefield?" Kiara asked me

I wondered myself Kiara, Mumei, and Lui have amazing battle senses, but Subaru-senpai has zero.

"Kiara, I want to keep you safe, though," I mentioned to her.

"Reine, it's the older sister's job to protect the younger siblings; you should just sit back and let me protect you," Kiara said.

I sighed "You're right." I then turned to look her in the eyes. "But what if the younger sister wants to protect her older sibling?" I asked

"I wouldn't be opposed, but Reine, are you sure you really want to fight?" Kiara asked

"No, but maybe you can help me," I claimed.

"Reine, it's my job as your older sister to help you find yourself." Kiara stated I averted my gaze from her and nodded. I didn't want her to see my expression.

"Thank you, Kiara," I softly said, only for my sister to pull me into another embrace.

"I love you, Reine!" She said affectionately

"I love you too, Kiara." Kiara I stated

"Kiara, I've never heard you tell that to me!" Lui-nee called out, getting a laugh from the Phenoix.

"Lui-nee, I do love you, but do you realize those words are sacred? I can't keep throwing those words around," Kiara said.

"I know, but you could at least say it to more than just Reine and Mumei," Lui-nee said.

"Lui-nee, we should talk more!" I said to her:

I realized that out of all my siblings, she's the one I've talked to the least, so I want to change that. After all, we live under the same roof.

"Ollie is apparently calling me!" Calli yelled over to us.

"Ignore it!" I yelled back.

I'm not ready to face them again. I want to figure some things out first. I'm not sure if I'm qualified to fight.

"You do need to at least tell Ollie where you are." Kiara softly spoke.

I sighed yet again. "You are right," I said to her. I turned to Calli. "You can pick up," I told her.

Calli did so, and she glanced over at me and nodded. "Ollie said you stormed away for no reason," Calli informed

"For no reason?" I angrily questioned

What the hell is she talking about? She saw I was mad, and she didn't even think to ask me if I was okay. Some girlfriend Ollie is...

"Reine, you need to cool off. Ollie has never been the brightest, so you need to think from her perspective; she didn't know you were mad!" Kiara stated

"Maybe you're right," I said. I balled up a fist and took a deep breath. As I exhaled, I felt all my rage exit my body. Kiara had latched onto my arm to see my results.

"I've calmed down," I said.

"Good, think about things rationally," Kiara said.

"Thank you for helping me with that," I giggled before hugging Kiara. She seemed shocked by my taking initiative.

"It's fine, Reine. I'm just glad that you accepted my help!" Kiara said

"Why wouldn't I?" I asked

"Well, it just seems like sometimes you shut yourself off to people, but you always share your insecurities with me, and I'm glad I can be this safe haven for you." Kiara said

"Thank you for listening to all my troubles!" I told her

Kiara is probably the one thing I'm really grateful for. She treats me well. She is an older sibling, sure, but at the same time she is also a good friend to me, even though we aren't related. She really makes me feel like a sister, and I couldn't ask for anything more.

I could sense Mumei getting closer and smiled big. I get to see her and get her opinion on everything: should I fight or not? She probably will say the battlefield is no place for a peafowl, but that'll be to protect me after all. She did tell Zeta not to let me fight out of protection.

She is really nice despite how she acts, but again, does she only really show that to us? After all, as the guardian of civilization, she has destroyed many civilizations in the past, and to be completely honest, she is the greatest threat to civilization.

"What are you thinking about, Reine?" Kiara asked

"Mumei!" I blurted out

"That's cute!" Kiara said before jumping onto me.

"Wait Kiara!" I said, but it was too late; she had already knocked the two of us down into the water. I looked at her, and she was just staring back, laughing.

We both came up to the surface and laughed off what had just happened. Kiara really is a good time; she has never made my life boring.

"Do you feel better now?" Kiara asked

"Yes, I do thank you," I said.

"Reine, please remain happy. I don't like seeing you mad." Kiara told me

I hugged her once again because of how sweet she is to me, and I wondered if I could really stay happy for her. I want nothing more than her happiness, and I will make it happen no matter what.