Speechless (Book 3) - The End

02 - Familiar Face

Hi all! Don't worry, this is not an April Fool's joke! It's a new chapter, and I plan on finishing Ririn's story with this book, and I can't wait to tell her story one last time. Thank you to all my lovely readers who braved the 2 year wait, your support means the world to me!

~Enjoy!

Chapter 2: Familiar Face

***

Our new home glistened with dust and a dream for a better future, yet for some reason, I was having a hard time smiling. Still reeling from the brief red-eye scare earlier, I hide my frown behind moving boxes and hard work.

On the other hand, Akio's too busy trying to take the heavier ones from me. He takes a heavy box filled with books from me, not noticing the battle raging in my mind.

Of course he doesn't, I tell myself. He doesn't know what I went through.

The last of the boxes are finally moved into the living area. It went by way too quickly, I'm not ready to smile yet.

"Ririn!" Akio comes running up to me with a smile bright enough to make the sun jealous. His smile falters slightly at the fake one lining my face. "What's wrong?"

I shake my head, feigning ignorance. "Nothing."

He shrugs like he doesn't really believe me, but brushes it off anyway. "Where should we start?" He eyes all the boxes warily, "Kakashi-sensei said he'd come later, but maybe we should get started first?"

"Sure..." My words fade along with my fake smile as my thoughts return to the red eyes I keep seeing. I realized it yesterday. I knew I've seen those eyes before. They remind me of Sasuke's.

I haven't seen him in years, so it'd probably be hard to find him.

A sudden clap yanks me out of my thoughts and there stands my brother with his hands together and an eyebrow raised. "I've called you at least 5 times. What's got you so distracted?"

"Nothing."

"Is your dictionary broken?" He rolls his eyes, "That's all you've been saying all day. I know you're lying, you're not very good at it."

"I'm fine, honest." I lie again.

He lets out a frustrated sigh, "That's not what I asked." His low mutter is almost unheard. "You know you can tell me anything, right?" He rests a hand on my shoulder and squeezes softly.

I force a wide smile, "Of course!" It doesn't last long, "...But, um, I think the dust is getting to me. I'm going to take a short walk." I turn and walk out the door before he can stop me.

Then again, it's not like he couldn't stop me. He chose not to. Maybe he shouldn't have.

***

"Come back before it gets dark!" His words are cut off by the door slamming in his face. He lets out a deep sigh, "There's definitely something going on with her."

Akio turns to the piles of boxes behind him, but his mind remains locked on his sister. Maybe she doesn't trust him enough to tell him what's wrong? He's been trying to make up for not being there for most of her life, and at times like this, it almost feels like his efforts were meaningless.

He shakes away the negative thoughts and opens the first box of essentials.

He promised he'd take care of her, and he wasn't going to break that promise now. He'd make sure she had nothing to worry about in their new home.

All he had to do now, was unpack.

***

The turmoil in my mind continues without pause the minute I step outside. Sasuke is the only person I remember with those distinct eyes. But then how would another person have them. He never mentioned anyone else, but it's not like he spoke much anyway.