Hakkenden: Eight Dogs of the East [FanFic]

Chapter 22: Alone Time

3rd Person's POV

All of you guys were hanging out and having fun when your sister's expression changed.

"Onee-chan. When will you be... going back... to the Mansion?" [Sister's Name] asked. Sadness evident on her voice.

"I don't know yet. I am willing to stay here until I have decided to go back." You said and folded the piece of cloth evenly.

"Wait. You're not yet going back with us?" Kobungo asked.

You shook your head as no.

"I wanted to stay here more. Its been quite a while since I hung out with my family." You explained with a small smile.

"That was long ago. Its different now." You said with a wide smile this time.

They just stared at you.

"Oh. I will just go buy something. I'll go on ahead for a while, bro." You said and stood up as your brother nodded.

After that, you went to your room to get changed which left the guys staring at where you left to.

"I feel bad for my sister." [Brother's Name] said and sipped his tea.

"Why so?" Satomi asked.

"You asked her to leave us here all alone and while that was being thought of, you immediately gave her two options." He replied. The bead holders looked confused and so did the three families.

"And what you meant was?" Kaname asked this time when everyone was silent.

"What I meant was that Satomi asked [Your Name] two things. One is that if she didn't live with you guys, we'll suffer and die because of her abilities. Second is that if she stayed with you guys, we will be safe." Your brother said while watching your sisters play in the yard.

"R-Really?" Shino asked and your brother nodded as an answer.

"S-So... she was... just forced to live with us then?" Shinobu asked. Your brother shrugged.

"I don't know. She doesn't tell me everything about the things that's happening in her life. Only if she need me. That's when she blurts out everything." He smiled a bit and drank his tea. The others did the same.

"Bro! I'm going now. I'll be back later." You said while going down the stairs.

"Alright but be back before lunch." You nodded.

"You guys just keep yourselves comfortable and relaxed." You said and was about to leave when Keno asked something.

"[Your Name]. W-Were you just... f-forced to live with us? J-Just because S-Satomi said so?"

You were taken aback but turned to them with a wide smile.

"Of course not. I didn't even know that you guys were already staying there so... I didn't mind living there." You replied truthfully.

"O-Oh. I see." Was his only reply. You felt bad for them. Your conclusion was your brother told them everything which was really true.

"I-I'll be going then." You said and rushed off like you were being chased.

They just stared at your figure as you run as fast as you could.

"Don't judge or say anything bad to her. She's just as confused as you guys are." Your brother said and stood up.

"Where are you going?" Daikaku asked.

"I'll just go and check what I have in store for lunch." He said and went to the kitchen.

"O-Oh. Okay." Was their reply. Disappointed but they didn't show it.

[Your Name]'s POV

Nii-san must've said something that made them like that.

I don't care what things my brother told them. I have to focus on giving time to my family.

Ever since our parents died, I wasn't the usual cheerful and loving [Your Name] they knew but it changed when I met those guys.

They brought back the old me but this time, I put their lives in danger so... I have to stay away from them.

"It's no use though."

They still followed me because... they love and care for me?

I sighed as a lot of things get stucked in my head. I didn't actually mean to go here. I wasn't going to buy anything.

I felt the awkwardness and tension at home and I wanted to escape it. Its nerve wrecking.

I suddenly stopped in front of a ramen shop. I felt hungry so I decided to stop in for a while.

"I should eat now so that I wouldn't be able to join the awkward tension at lunch later at home." I thought as I walked inside the shop.

"Welcome." The guy said.

"[Guy's Name]?" I said as I suddenly recognized his [Hair Color] locks when I went in.

"[Your Name]. Its been a while." He said.

I shrieked and tackled him in a hug. He's my best friend. Before I live in the Mansion, he was the one I was with all along.

We were great friends until he confessed to me that he loved me. I wasn't ready that time and I was surprised so... I said that I couldn't accept his feelings and encouraged him to find another girl better than me.

He knew me well and so was my abilities.

"What would you like to eat?" He asked with a wide smile and a warm embrace.

I missed him a lot and all those times that I need someone to talk to, he was there for me. *sighs* I feel bad for rejecting him.

"The usual." I replied and broke free from the hug.

"Alright." He said and pecked my cheeks before rushing to the kitchen. I felt myself blush and found a seat for two.

I touched my cheek. I am really blushing.

After 5 minutes or so, he came back with my meal on his hand.

"Extra spice. Just how you like it." He said and took the seat across to mine.

"How are you?" He asked with his usual smile.

"I'm doing good. You?" I asked as I dig in.

"I'm doing pretty good. Still can't stop thinking of you though." His smile saddened.

"[Guy's Name]. I'm sorry for rejecting you. I am terribly sorry." I said sincerely.

"It's alright. It was too sudden, I know." He said with a pained smile. I held his hand but he said that he have to go back to work.

I ate in peace and after that, I just left the payment on the table and left. I didn't need the change so I'll just let them keep it.

I went back home after that. I saw them having fun and so I just sat by the river and thought of all the mistakes that I've done.

I cried silently knowing that its all my fault why the people that I love are now judging me.

I felt my inner demon talking to me. Asking me to kill them all but I fought it. I hugged my knees tighter and bit my lower lip causing it to bleed.

"I'm leaving. I should leave." I thought as I hurriedly ran through the forest while my siblings shout my name.

"I'm sorry. I'm so so sorry."