Ch 9:Family

I walk around for a bit as the shop was selling multiple different items.

I hum to myself as I walk further into the village.

I stop when I could hear shouting from nearby. Curious,I went towards the source of the noise.

'Seems like an orphanage?...'I step inside and look about.

The building from the outside was neat and tidy, however, the inside was dirty with stains and mud on the walls.

'Eh...'

The yelling stops as I can footsteps approaching towards me.

"Ah hello there!.. What can I do for you?"

An elderly woman with her hair tied up into a bun, wearing a white kimono greeted me.

"Just wondering what all the noise was about.."I glance at her clothes before looking back at her.

"This is an orphanage no?"I move my head to the side.

"Ah yes, I was reprimanding the children as they dirtied the walls with mud..."She looks at the room where she came from with a tired look.

"Are you interested in adopting?"She turns to look at me with a gentle smile.

"Ah no...I am only 13 you see.."I scratch the back of my head nervously.

"Shame, you look like a responsible person."

"I will take that as a compliment. I don't mind spending time with children though."

"Ah..Do you want to meet them?"

I nod my head as she started to call for them.

"Children! There's a person who wants to meet you!"

Five heads poke out of the doorway.

'Such vibrant hair colours...'I watch them slowly approach me.

"I don't bite you know?~"I crouch down to meet their eye levels.

"These are the oldest of the batch."She ruffles their hair.

"This is Mako."She points to dark maroon hair colour with dark amber eyes.

"Kazemi."Light sky blue hair, with beautiful ocean eyes.

"Satsuka."Midnight blue to dark grey hair with mellow yellow highlights in her hair, tied up into a bun. Her eyes were a pretty shade of baby blue. She reminds of a storm cloud, her yellow highlights as thunder with her eyes as rain.

"And lastly Kaki and Hoshiko, the twins."Black hair with red highlights for Kaki and dark grey highlights for Hoshiko. Their eyes shine a lovely shade of ruby red in the light.

"My my everyone here is so striking with their hair."

"Haha, Mako is the oldest,11 while the twins are the youngest,6."

I hum as she told me their stories. Demons had killed their parents here and now they are looked after here.

I glance at them as they stare at me.

"Mm if you don't mind, why not I look after them?"I look at them, making them flinch at my sudden movement.

"Are you sure? They can be quite a handful..."

"Yeah, I changed my mind, although my place is being 'refurnished'?.."

"Though the choice is really up to them. I will wait for your response!"I step outside to see the sun almost setting.

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I started to walk back on the path that I used before today.

Not before being pulled by someone into the forest.

I quickly shook off the force and drew my katana to face the figure.

"Wait...Rui-kun?"I adjusted my eyes to the dark.

I sheathed my blade as I walk towards him.

"What are you doing here? You might get caught!"I adjust my clothes before crouching down.

"I just wanted to see Onee-Chan..."His eyes stare at the ground.

I sigh, "Do drop a note next time okay?"

"Did you need something from me?"I gently pat his head.

"Mm! I want you to meet my family!"He grabs my hand before leading me to the nearby mountains.

"How did you even find me?..." we were slowly walking together with my hand holding his.

"I can sense who walks by the boundaries here."

"Ah makes sense."

We stop at a run-down house in the forest.

"Hai, let's meet your family okay?"I ruffle his hair as I step in.

"Ah wai—"

I duck below to avoid an attack directed to my head.

"Mm, that's rude of you to attack me..."I pout under my mask as I step back.

"Stop! She's with me."Rui quickly steps in front of me.

The demon quickly apologizes as they thought I was a human.

"Hai hai no harm done~"I pat my haori to show that I didn't get hurt.

"Maybe I should get rid of him..."Rui mumbles under his breath but I could hear him.

"Rui-kun, it's fine."I ruffle his hair as I look about.

"Mm, your house is a bit run down though..."

"If it works, it works."He shrugs before leading me to their dining room.

I enter to see the rest of the so-called 'family'.

I sat down next to Rui, entering into a non-defensive state. I glance at the demons before Rui would introduce me.

I hum in response as Rui would go on to ask me whether I could stay for the night.

"Mm, sure I don't see why not."

The demons then spilt up as Rui shows me his room.

"Wow, I get to sleep with Rui-kun?"I spin around freely.

I remove my boots and katana as I sat on the futon.

I pat the empty space, motioning for Rui to sleep next to me.

"Hai~Sleep tight."I gave him one final head pat as I remove my mask to sleep.

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I wake up as my body clock starts to kick in. I open my eyes to the darkness of the room as I notice that Rui had gotten up before I did.

I yawn, wearing back my mask on and adjusting my boots and katana.

I walk towards the dining room to see Rui with the other demons.

"Morning! I will be heading out now okay?"

"Oh okay..."Rui gave me a sad puppy look as I guiltily walk into the sunlight.

"Okay..Time to do my duties..."I stretch my limps before walking through the forest, back to the compound.