Hakkenden: Eight Dogs of the East [FanFic]

Chapter 28: Meeting the Shadow

You went down after a few minutes or so and went to the dining area for dinner. You sat between Sosuke and Keno silently. You had no energy to talk to them because of what happened. You were mad and annoyed.

"Let's eat." Your brother said. They were all talking to each other while eating.

You ate silently. Although, your silence bothered them the most.

"[Your Name]. Would you like to take a stroll to town tomorrow?" Shinobu asked and you just shook your head no with a small and pained smile.

He looked disappointed but showed a little smile.

"Nee-chan. Why are you silent? Are you okay? Did someone hurt you?" Your youngest sister asked. You shook your head with a smile and glared at your brother who doesn't give a damn.

"Nii-san! Did you forbid Nee-chan to do something she likes?!" She yelled. Your brother looked at her.

"I just forbid her to meet up and communicate with Ao. Nothing big." He said and continued eating.

Your youngest sister's mouth was agaped so your brother looked at her with a 'what?' look.

"Nii--" She was cut off by your other sister.

"Nii. Do you know how similar the story of a novel is about Onee-chan?" She said while looking at him seriously.

"What do you mean?" Genpachi asked.

She looked at all of you first before sighing.

"Forbidden love. A story like that can lead the main protagonist of the story to be a rebel. In our case, Onee-chan is the main protagonist which means she can be a rebel when the time came that she had enough of the people saying or thinking bad about her and even telling her what and what not to do in her life." She explained. They were all shocked with her explanation but it wasn't new to you so you just smiled at her.

"H-How can you s-say such a thing?" Your brother asked with his widened eyes.

"Nii. Novels are always true. I read nonfiction books, remember? It always are TRUE." She replied and continued eating.

You suddenly burst out laughing aloud.

"Wh-What's funny?" Kobungo asked.

"All of you boys." You replied while holding in another laugh.

"Wh-Why?" The boys asked in unison.

"All what my sister had said was true. That's why I sometimes escape the Mansion without asking any permission to Satomi." You said and laughed again.

They were shocked. All eyes widened at what happened. They didn't realize it at first.

"Who would have thought that you were the main protagonist." All of you were frozen at the sudden voice.

"I would know that voice anywhere." You thought as you suddenly spun around to see Ao leaning against the door frame while smirking.

Your eyes started to tear up but held it in and immediately stood up to hug him. The others didn't do anything but your brother was giving death glares to the both of you.

"I-I thought... I wouldn't see you again." You said and hugged him tighter.

"I would do anything just for you." He said and emphasized the word 'anything'.

You smiled at him and he pulled away slightly.

Your brother fake coughed and the both of you looked at him.