Under the Shaded Willow

Chapter Thirteen: A Strange Promise

Spirit awoke to the sound of quiet sobbing. He rubbed his tired eyes and say up, trying his best not to disturb the "sleeping" Hakase at his side. The younger boy was turned away from Spirit, his breathing shallow and steady. If Spirit didn't know any better he would assume that Hakase Hamas was already awake, which he was, but Spirit knew the boy to be a quiet sleeper so he went on his way. He stepped out of bed, his bare foot meeting the floor and causing a shiver to crawl through his body.

He tiptoed to the door, creaking it open further. He then slid through the exposed crack. The sobbing was coming from Hakase's mother's room. Given any other situation he would avoid that woman, however, Spirit had a compassionate soul; one that could never turn his back on someone who was suffering. He came to a stop at her door, seeing the light pour from the cracks. He took a deep breath and lightly knocked. The sobbing momentarily ceased and the door opened.

Mrs. Stein stood before the young boy in her pajamas. Her eyes were red and watery. Her newly dyed cherry hair fell in strands around her cheeks.

"Oh, Spirit, this is certainly a surprise... I was expecting someone else, this is no way for a child to see an adult figure," she said rapidly, her hands moving to wipe her cheeks.

"I may be a child, but-"

"I know sweetie,"she said, cutting him off, "you're such a caring young boy. I wish my Hakase was more like you."

"Mrs. Stein... Hakase is hurt when you say things like that..." Spirit told her, looking to the ground.

It was odd though; that was the first time Spirit had heard the woman refer to Hakase as hers. She usually denied him in every way.

"Hakase is a big boy. He's mature enough to handle things such as this. I treat him no differently than my mother and father treated me when I was younger."

"Hakase is younger than I am and you treat me a lot better..."

"Spirit everything happens for a reason... Sometimes mommies and daddies... well, it's not for young ears to hear. Listen, Spirit, if I asked you to do a favor for me, would you?" Shiori asked him, kneeling and taking his hand.

"I could do a favor for you, if it didn't hurt Hakase. He's my only friend in the whole world, aside from Ichigo," Spirit replied with a curious face.

Shiori smiled at that. It was a gentle smile, one that Spirit had never seen grace her face before now. It nice, it showed how beautiful she really was, her aqua eyes glistening in the light.

***
Hakase watched from the doorway as his mother held Spirit's hand. She spoke to him lowly, so the silver haired boy could not hear. He had to stay as far away from them as he could, so neither one would take notice to him. But his hatred was welling up inside of him. Even though Spirit was becoming important to him, he couldn't hold back his jealousy. Spirit already had a living mother...and he was still stealing his. That was one thing Hakase would never forgive Spirit for.

***
"Hakase...has he...been warming up to you well..?" the woman asked nervously.

This almost baffled the boy. Why would this woman care? She didn't show any other forms of compassion towards him.

"Kind of. He doesn't like to admit it," Spirit said in response.

"I see, he always has been bad with showing emotion. I guess that's just one of our traits."

"He can be soft sometimes, like he sometimes shows me he cares."

"Does he? That's good then, at least he shows that side of himself to someone. Don't get me wrong, he's still a monster, Spirit. You should be careful around him... but also, you should continue to care for him. I am his mother, but I could never love a child like him."

As Shiori spoke these words Spirit could sense the feeling of regret lingering in them. But since he was still so young, and had never felt true regret himself, he didn't understand.

"My mother was right when she said that my father's family and all of our offspring would be cursed. But maybe...just maybe...little Hakase could... Oh, Spirit, would you promise me?"

The woman was near hysterics at this point, still showing that smile while tears poured down her cheeks.

"Yes, ma'am?"

"Would you promise me that you will always care for my boy? That you will always be his friend?"

"I promise," Spirit responded, and with that the woman told him to go back and go to sleep.

He didn't understand, but he hoped that one day he would. He crept back into the room, shutting the door all the way behind him. In the dimness of the nightlight he gazed at Hakase's sprawled out body. His hand was over his eyes and he lay on his back.

"Are you awake?" he asked.

Hakase didn't reply, though he was awake.

"Are you awake, Hakase?"........."Something good happened, Hakase. Something really good happened. I hope you sleep sound, Hakase," he whispered as he climbed beside the boy. A light smile graced his lips as he turned on his side to face the younger boy.

He took the silver haired boy's pale hand in both of his, squeezing gently.

"I promise you too, Hakase. I promise..." He murmured as he fell into a deep sleep.