Misty Memories {Muichiro Tokito}

Survivor

I ran home feeling so happy. I couldn't believe that Mui-Kun and I had made a promise like that. I could feel my face warming and my heart thudding in my chest. I felt so happy that I could fly away like a bird if I was able to. Soon, I made it to my house, my father was standing outside waiting for me like always. He smiled when he saw me.

"There you are. I was about to go looking for you." He said as he placed his hand on top of my head as I walked towards him. "C'mon in. Your mom has dinner ready." I smiled as I felt my stomach grumble with hunger.

We walked in and I saw my mother preparing the table for us to eat. The smell of fresh rice and fish was divine. "I'm home, Mommy!!"

"Welcome back, sweetie. Did you have fun today??"

"Yes I did!!" I said as me and my father sat at the table.

"What about Muichiro?? Did he and his brother enjoy the leftovers you gave them??"

"Yes. Well, just Mui-Kun. Yuichiro refused them."

"Seriously?? How dare that kid refuse your mother's perfect cooking?? What an ungrateful kid!!" My Dad said angrily as he picked his hashi, almost breaking them.

"No, Dad, it's okay. He just had the wrong idea when I brought them the leftovers. He thought I had pity on them." I explained so he wouldn't get too worked up over this.

"Those poor boys.... Losing their parents so young and having to fend for themselves."

"Yeah, life can be very unfair to others." My mother commented saddeningly. I nodded with my head lowered, feeling so bad for Mui-Kun and Yuichiro.

Suddenly, my mother groaned and held her belly. "What's wrong, Mommy??"

"Nothing, honey pie. It's just your brother thanking me for the food." She said smiling as she rubbed her round belly.

I giggled at her words and so did my father. "I can't wait to have another man around here. I could use a fishing buddy, you know??" He said jokingly.

"And I'll have someone to play with other than Mui-Kun. I'm gonna teach him so many things like throwing rocks at the river, climbing trees..." I said, excited and impatient to meet my baby brother.

"Hey, remember that you're a lady, Yoriko. You gotta learn a few things with your mother if you wish to find a good husband someday." My father said, elbowing me playfully.

"Alright then. I want to be as good as Mommy is in the kitchen so I can cook the best meals for Mui-Kun." I said out of the blue. My parents looked at me shockingly. My Dad choked on his rice.

"What?!? You and Muichiro?? Is he your boyfriend??" He asked with worry in his voice. I giggled at his reaction.

"Not yet. But we made a promise to always be there for each other today." I told them shamelessly as I ate. I wasn't planning on hiding this from them anyways, so I might as well enlighten them now.

"Aww that's so adorable!!" My mother said with a smile.

"Well, tell him that if he wants anything serious he's gotta come to me first. I know he's a good kid but he's gotta show commitment with my baby girl." My Dad said with a small smile. I could tell that he was worried and jealous, but he knew that I'd have to find a husband someday.

"Fine, Dad." I ended the conversation. But on the inside I was glad that he didn't have anything against Mui-Kun.

Soon, we were all done with our dinner and I went to help my mother with the dishes. My father made our beds and soon we turned off the lights for the night. I laid in between my parents in my futon and we soon fell asleep. Until later that night I was disturbed from my slumber when I felt my mother shaking me abruptly. I opened my eyes and looked at her, who seemed worried. That was when I heard a noise coming from the door, where my Dad was holding his ax in defense for anyone who was trying to get in.