Blood of a Lost Girl (Book 1, Naruto)

Chapter 35

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Reina stared in awe at her brother as she watched him spar with Itachi. They were exactly on par even though Itachi was a year older. For every hit Itachi gave Usui, he gave them right back. They were equally skilled, but she knew that if Itachi were to activate his Sharingan her brother would lose. The Sharingan was a strong ocular prowess and even stronger in Itachi's eyes. He was a prodigy liker her brother.

Reina picked the discarded kunai up from the ground and stared at its shiny surface. She suddenly felt the urge to fight too. Being impulsive, she acted on that tiny urge and ran forward as Itachi sprang at Usui. She turned to Itachi, but seeing him unable to stop his powerful attack frightened her. Itachi's eyes were wide but he couldn't stop his attack. Reina hid behind her hands with closed eyes, but when she felt someone's arms wrapped around her she opened her eyes. She stared at Usui's worried face. "Rei-chin, what were you thinking?" He asked and winced.

Reina gasped and sprang out of her brothers arms, seeing that he was injured. She had been the cause of that. Her lip quivered. "Usui-nii... I-I didn't mean for you to get hurt... I only wanted to be strong like you..." Her eyes stung with tears. She felt guilty for having made her brother protect her.

"Oh, Rei-chin... Don't cry. It is alright. It does not even hurt, you see?" He gave her a bright smile, but Reina knew it still hurt him. She turned around and ran back toward their mansion, leaving her hurt big brother there so she could get Asahina, her maid. Asahina was the best at healing between her two maids.

"Asahina-san! Asahina-san!" She tugged on Asahina's robes. "Usui-nii has been wounded!" She tugged on her hand, pulling her toward their training field.

"Oh my! What has happened, Usui-sama?" Asahina rushed toward Reina's big brother, seeing his bleeding arm.

Reina looked down in guilt. "I-"

"Oh, it was only a little sparring accident." Usui laughed sheepishly, rubbing the back of his head. He sent Reina a comforting, kind smile. He didn't want her to worry about something as small as this. He didn't regret it at all; he would protect her all over again. A little pain was nothing. Itachi had already gone back to his village, feeling guilty for almost harming Usui's precious little sister, but Usui had assured him that it was not his fault. Usui watched Reina as Asahina cleaned his wound. Her face was covered in guilt. His lips pulled into a gentle smile. She always did portray her emotions so perfectly on her face. "Rei-chin, come here." Reina hesitantly walked closer. He held up the bandages. "Would you like to help me?"

"But Usui-sama -" Asahina tried to protest, but he waved her off, saying she could do it properly later on.

Reina took the bandages with bright eyes. At least this way she could make up for her big brother getting hurt because of her. She started to wrap his wound, trying to be careful and to do it properly. She smiled, satisfied at her work. "There. All fixed up!" She exclaimed and looked at her big brother.

Usui chuckled and hugged her. The bandages were too tight and here and there skin was visible, but for now he'd keep it like it was just to make her feel better about it.

*

"Come now, Rei-chin, it is time for bed." Usui sighed as he tried to catch Reina. She was being stubborn, refusing to go to bed. She had too much energy even for him.

"I am not tired yet!"

Usui jumped in front of her and Reina squealed, turning around. She tried to get away, but Usui's hands darted forward and caught her. He picked her up, but had trouble holding on to her since she wiggled too much. He winced. His wound had been properly bandaged, but this was straining it. "Shall I tuck you in tonight then?" He asked in an attempt to calm her. She stilled in his arms, seemingly thinking about it. Usually it was their maids who tucked Reina in at night.