Hakusho: Parenthood

Chapter 10: R stands for Rambunctious

Hina Matsuri (Girl's Day/Doll's Day): Is a day in Japan where people pray for the happiness and healthy growth of young girls. Families with young daughters celebrate this day by displaying dolls inside their homes and offering food.

Kodomo No Hi (Children's Day/ Originally Boy's Day): Is a day in Japan where the happiness and healthy growth of children. Families with boys fly huge carp-shaped streamers outside their home while dolls of famous warriors are displayed inside.

Sweet Chimaki: Japanese dumpling wrapped in a leaf (bamboo, banana, or reed) and steamed.
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March 3, 2009

Hinamatsuri (Girl's Day)

"Papa~! I wanna play with the pretty dollies!" Ayako whined as she made grabbing motions towards the traditionally dressed male and female dolls seated on the multi-tiered, red cloth covered doll stand.

"No, Princess," Kazuma said, holding his daughter closer to his chest. "Those are display dolls. They're not for playing."

Ayako peered up at her father. Her eyes were wide and glistening with unshed crocodile tears, her nose was scrunched up along with her freckles, and her lower lip was jutted out. "B-B-But, papa...Aya wants to play with them~. Let Aya hold one, just one, at least...Pwease~?" Her twintails held up by Hello Kitty bows, frilly white dress, and Mary Janes added to her appearance of innocence.

Kazuma flinched. Must. Not. Give in. Not again!

"Your papa said no, Aya. You shouldn't guilt him into saying yes." Yukina said with a stern lilt to her voice, shaking a finger. She handed her daughter a bowl of Hina-arare and bopped her on the nose with a loving smile. "You have plenty of toys already. Now offer the rice crackers to these dolls as a sign of respect."

Ayako pouted as she dejectedly stared at the bowl of rice crackers she was holding. "Mm...Okay, mama...Sorry, papa."

Kazuma breathed a deep sigh of relief and mouthed 'Thank you' to Yukina before helping Ayako set the bowl on the stand with the Ministers. Ayako's lips puckered in extreme disappointment as she was hauled back to her father's chest, away from the beautifully dressed dolls. They were right there, practically begging to be played with!

"Well, will you look at that. Someone actually said no to our Spoiled Highness. Is the world ending already?" Hibiki said, pushing back his oval-shaped glasses. The corner of his lips quirked up in a mocking smirk.

Ayako's head whipped towards Hibiki and she scowled. "Suck my privates, jerk! SUCK IT!" She roared, shaking her tiny fists at him.

"You're not my type." Hibiki spat.

"Die in a ditch, you four-eyed freak!"

"Make fun of the fact that I'm wearing glasses. Real original. Next time use one-hundred percent of your brain power instead of two percent when you decide to insult me, Your Spoiled Highness."

"You wanna fight!? I'll break that pretty face of yours!"

"Try me."

Ayako stuffed her hand into her dress' pocket, grabbing the Hina-arare rice crackers she originally stashed for later out of it. She threw the crackers at Hibiki, getting them all over his natural perm.

"Hey!"

Everyone watched the confrontation between cousins with equally exasperated expressions. There wasn't a single day these two went without arguing or insulting each other. This spat began when Ayako was born and it pretty much worsened with every interaction. It didn't help that Hibiki would attempt to steal Ayako's tear gem necklace every chance he got and that her violent temper was easy to trigger. They were never physical with each other, but that was only because they were in constant supervision. The parents made the mistake of taking their eyes away from them on May 5th, Children's Day. Everyone cringed at the memory. So much insanity had happened that day...everyone was still trying to process it.