Mouse Turned Dog

Chapter 4

    Opening the door, I hollered to Mom letting her know I was home.

"You're back earlier than normal," called from the kitchen. Undoing Zil's harness, I answered back with the truth.

"There were some pretty sketchy people hanging around, figured I would head back before they caught my scent.".... well most of the truth, I don't want to worry her too much.

"Maybe you should start taking one of the boys with you, just in case."

     Heading into the kitchen, "Mom, I'm fine, and if anyone does try anything. I'll just let Godzilla get'em." I snickered.

     Mom chuckled as she looked down at the fluffy monster laying in the doorway of the kitchen, "Oh yes, he's so scary." The sarcasm is strong with this one.

"Hey, you know that and I know that, but to everyone else, he's a cold-blooded killer."

"Fine, but if there are ever anymore creeps, you come straight home like you did tonight. Deal?" Her green eyes locked on with mine, the look of 'no-negotiations' flashed strongly.

"Deal," I smiled hopping onto the counter, "So what's for dinner? Toru, Hajime, and I stopped for Yakitori but I could always eat."

     Laughing Mom shook her head, "Why am I not surprised? You could eat a horse and still want ice cream."

"Hey blame Mr. Okiawa for that, for the dessert stomach is real."

"I blame Oikawa for everything too."

    Turning to see Hajime smirking in the doorway, "Oh shit!" I cussed finally remembering.

"Umeji!" Mom snapped, a look so stern I flinched when my eyes caught her's.

"Sorry, but Toru has my bags. I was gonna get them on my way back but I totally forgot." My eyes locked onto my brother's, "Mind coming with me to get my bags?"

"He's a block down, you've gone there by yourself more than I have." he snarked only to be shot down by Mom.

"Hajime, go with your sister. She said there were some sketchy men hanging around."

     And like that his posture changed, got to love overprotective brothers. His eyes locked onto me, the question clear.

"I'm fine I left before they even saw me, I was in a rush to get home or I would've stopped to get my bags." I half lied.

"I'll go get my shoes," Hajime stalked off to his room.

"Can you grabbed me a jacket from my room?!" I yelled after him. Hearing an annoyed 'yeah' as well as the pounding of his feet up the stairs.

"You're gonna cause your brother to have gray hair before he's twenty."

"Not just me, I'm sure Toru is helping with it too."

"Ume, you need to stop worry your brother so much." she said in her 'mom-tone.' You know, the tone of 'this is an order, not a suggest even if it sounds like it is,' that tone that makes you feel guilty for everything you DIDN'T do.

"Maybe if I had a boyfriend to be worrying over me instead of Haji, then he won't go gray."

     Laughing Mom answered, "Honey, your brother would rather go gray than have any other boy, besides Toru, watch over you."

"Yeah but Mom, I'm seventeen. I haven't even had my first kiss yet. I'm behind the imitancy quota."

"And it's gonna stay that way!!" Haij-nii stated from the front door, "Let's go Little Sister!!"