Birthday Surprise!

*Kyuu's POV*

The darkness gently fades into soft light, as my eyes drift open. Thrusting my hand into the air and clenching my fist, I feel my senses come back full swing.

"Time to get up."

I try to lift up, then feel a sudden bundle of weight over my other arm… sleeping soundly and curled up like a ball, was the brat. Warmth rushes to my face as I remember what I said last night… ugh the cringe! I want to crumble into a piece of paper! Whatever, as long as she slept ok.

Careful not to disturb her, I try sliding my hand out… almost there, suddenly her hand grasps onto my arm and snuggles into it.... Disgusting!! Don't drool over my arm!! I'm gonna clean the bed sheets after today... no one's making a damn mess on my bed! I curse under my breath, until I hear the door creak open.

"Mom? What are you doing so early?"

"Well I know exactly how Sura-chan loves to cling when she's snuggly. I'd thought you'd be in trouble."

She comes in gently, and in a swift motion, loops her arms around the brat's waist, and gently lifts her off without resistance. I don't know how she does it...

"Oh please, Kyui... I've done this many times including with you when you're younger. Come on, I've made breakfast~"

Relieved, I get up… slipping into my slippers, I move to my closet. The poster of Alycia Sapphire on the cabinet doors.

The sarashi bandages wraps coarsely around my chest and I cut it off... my chest looks flat. In contrast the imagery of Mokuren's achingly bountiful, soft chest comes to mind... what am I thinking? I dismiss the petty jealousness as I put on my daily freshly washed black gi...Though something claws at the back of my mind. I feel like I'm forgetting something today… I'll deal with it later. Closing the closet, I give one last look at the poster, and give it a fist bump... let's do this.

I come out and… mom and the brat are gone.

"Where the hell?"

… weird, where would they have- I look at the time, and it's nearly 7am.

"Shit!"

The dojo's about to open, they're probably gone somewhere for something. I quickly brushed my teeth, and on the table were some fruits and eggs, and pudding. Ah… whatever! I grab the pudding and eat it, it's overwhelming sweetness waking me up. I'll listen to mom nagging me about a healthy breakfast later!

I jump into my shoes and start running, tch, Klara would tease the hell out of me if I was late for the dojo. I'm not about to break my 50 year record.

Kicking up wind and focused to get to the dojo, a cart suddenly wheels into my view from the side as I'm running. I skid to a halt and rearing back in surprise, the centaur-kin woman pulling the cart yelps.

"Woah there lady! You should watch where you are going."

"My greatest apologies!"

More merchants and people begin to stream in as Heiwa wakes up. I don't have time for this… I look up at the roof... ugh, this is the brat's fault for ever putting this idea in my head!

"Hup!"

Biting my code of honor, I sail across the roofs… great Goddess Kaiyo forgive this indecent display I think the brat is rubbing off on me! Soaring through the air, the wind blows my hair a mess… I even forgot to do my pony tails!

Squeaking loudly down the glass, I landed on the glass dome of the high school and slid down… watching as slack jawed students pointed at me. Jumping off, I continue.

Landing on the familiar slated roofs of the dojo, I quickly hop down at the center training area. The wind blows lonely across the training mats and empty arenas... Not a clang of weapons, not a sound of huffs or shouts, not a peep, not even Klara's incessant flirting… There's no one here.

"The hell?"

I scan with my eyes all around… nothing's been moved. Where is everyone? My breath slows down to a stagnant flow, as I close my eyes… I sense… quanta.... wait no, everyone is here... an approaching presence speeds towards me.

"Hah!!"

My arm swings behind me just as I deflect a fast ball of quanta, it's flashing blue light blinding, sailing away into the sky… but there's was no power behind it why would someone-

*the sliding door of my dojo slams open*

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY KYUU SENSI!!!!"

The ball explodes into a shower of fireworks, raining the sky in incandescent sparkles. All my students, Klara, even Mom and the brat, jumped out from the sliding doors in surprise.

"Wha-...I…"

Today's the 12 unum, 22nd. I forgot it was my birthday!!

"That look on your face tells me you forgot it was your birthday, again~"

She whispers into my ear, that dewy voice could only belong to

"Mokuren! Don't whisper into my ear!"

"Well you were too slack-jawed to notice I was behind you~ Happy Birthday!"

"Happy Birthday Sensei!"

Like a horde, my students crowd around me... poking antlers, intruding tails, and trying to make space to greet me. It's always like this on my birthday… but, it's not unwelcome.

"Happy birthday Kyui, my baby is growing up yet again."

"Mom!"

So that's why she got up so early, so she could surprise me… and the brat. looking like she's just woken up in a wolf's den, the brat smiles ear to ear at me.

"Happy birthday Kyuu big sister!! Sorry I overslept, you were super comfy to hold onto!"

"Awwwwwww… sensei is so kind~"

The cooing and awws started around me as my students poked fun. I can't have my students look down on me!

"Don't say that out loud, brat!!"

"Sensei!!"

A cart rolls in, with a large cake on it… too large for one to eat. Like a mountain, covered topped with sliced fruits, and layered like some geological study, dark brown chocolate layer covers the layer of white, and as you go deeper into the core layers of pink, and violet.... then at the top is a snowy cap of frosting. It looks... delicious! I restrain myself. gotta watch my sweet tooth, I don't want to gain weight.

"We all poured together to make this big cake haha! By that I mean money and some help… there's no way we'd be able to make something like this."

Artemas reminiscences… Klara hovers over the cake.

"Had to use a big glass cover to preserve it, come on you grumpy fox, don't leave your heart-felt fans behind~"

Last birthday, everyone handed small treats of their own to me… but this time. Feeling exposed and a little flushed, I cross my arms as if it'll stop my sense of just… maybe… elation.

"…I… thank you, everyone. Ahem! I'm very proud of you all for being my students!"

"She's smiling! Sensei smiled!"

Grrr…

"No cake for you if you spread this rumor around!"

"Ah! She's threatening us!"

"Yes Sensei!"

"Alright!"

Pandora heaves a Dragon Slayer on her back.

"Who wants a slice!?"

The rest of the day… we didn't get any training done. A plate of cake in hand, we sat around, eating so much we deserve diabetes. I'm sitting next to Mokuren and Sura, along with Mom.

"You've got some on your face, brat."

I point at the cream on Sura's nose as she tries to get it off. Mom had to keep wiping the brat's face cause she couldn't keep the cream off her smug face.

Laughter all around, jokes, stories, memories… I suppose taking a day off isn't exactly harmful. Her supple skin against mine, Mokuren's head rests on my shoulder... the sweetness of the cake suddenly seemed a lot duller as she grabs my full attention. A tingling trickle of electricity goes down my nerves, Mokuren's finger sliding down my back.

"Ah! Mokuren!"

"Shhh… I've got something to show you."

Following her, I can't help but follow the scent of magnolia… a bit stronger than usual. Opening the sliding, she peeks behind me, making sure no one was there before closing. My heart begins pounding as I realize we're alone… what's she up to?

"Here, look~"

Shrouded in a veil, was a stand…

"It's… a stand?"

"No, silly… Come on, unveil it."

Mokuren averts her eyes away, twiddling her hands… the fllowers upon her body clenches to a bud... a tell tale sign of being nervous. I've rarely seen Mokuren be nervous before... I approach slowly, putting my hand on the veil, it slips off with a gentle pull.

Sheathed in the starry night itself, was a dress ornamented with fading violet with a the hem curving towards the floor. The midriff had a sewn in built of orange flame leaves and two orange ribbons encircled the sleeves like rings of fire… it reminded me of my gi a little, yet it was made into a dress… it's… beautiful.

"So?... what do you think?"

"Did…did you make this? What for?"

A flicker of pain jolts me as she flicks my forehead while pouting, a blush of slight green on her.

"It's for you! You dense block!"

… I remember when we were looking at the clothes store and had me try on the black dress… she must've kept note of it. Mokuren's got her hand under her chin as she explains the dress to me, her charming slightly upturned lips, and sparkling emerald eyes... and just gracefully messy hair that always occasionally rests on her plump lips...

"Hmph! Anyways, I know you're a big stubborn shy person so I also made some adjustments where you can change the dress to a short casual wear- Mmph!!"

Soft… soft like a marshmallow and just as sweet… I didn't want to let go until I realized what I was doing. I pull away suddenly and wipe my lips.

"So-sorry about that! Just… thank you~"

The heat was overbearing as I realized what I've done and I looked away from Mokuren's peach pink lips…

"Oooooooooooh~"

"Way to go Sensei!!"

"Awww I lost to Mokuren-sama!!"

"Aha I always knew it!!"

What?! I snap my head to the sliding door to see my students peaking in with the most mischief squinting eyes and the purest smirks that could put Klara to shame.

"You all!! You're all punished!!"

Roots curls around my waist and holds my arms down as they spring up from the floor.. Mokuren as she closes in with glee in her eyes as the roots draw me closer to her... uh oh-

"How daring, Kyui~ so this means an invitation right?"

"Wait-"

"Do it!! Mokuren-sama!!"

I hear Klara-san enthusiastically chanting.

"Make her your woman!!"

I panic as Mokuren draws nearer... like funnel vision I can't help but look... her face up to mine… she's so close!! Needless to say… I was entirely embarrassed in front of my students and Mokuren had her way… it's a good day.

"Kyuu!"

Sura hops onto the roof, clopping along with her geta. She doesn't mind it as much now… I scoot over from my spot, and she plops on her back and looks up at the sky.

"No matter how many times I look, it's still just as pretty... and makes me feel peaceful!"

"Yeah, it would've been more peaceful if you weren't blabbing."

"Hey…"

Her cheeks puff out, but soon forgets as she looks up again.

"...Kyuu, what do you see? When you look up at the stars, planets, and space?"

"Hmmm…"

I gaze at the cosmos… and I see what I always see..

"A chance… a chance to be better."

"What do you mean?"

"There are nearly countless lives out there, civilizations, people… as well as dangers. I've always wanted to be a part of the Prometheus clan. You can't protect everyone, brat… but that doesn't mean you stop trying."

I look at her befuddled face.

"If you can't even try… how can you ever call yourself a warrior? How could you even begin to attain your goals?"

"But… what if I don't have a goal yet?"

Hmmm…

"Then you must find it, your goal."

She looked like she was on the brink of saying something, then she turns to her side to face me.

"I've been... trying to find out more about Asura. My nightmares, they're scary, but they're somehow has Asura in it... but I feel like I'm getting nowhere. The books I tried to read are confusing, the more I learn... do you think Asura was a bad person? Asura seemed evil, there's even a weird cult!"

Asura… I figured she wanted to find out what primordials are like. But…

"They're a hero, to me."

"But I heard Mokuren say Asura was like a monster… not a hero. All the wars Mokuren said, and the destruction... it looked so sad."

Mokuren… always had that view of Asura. I can't blame her though, after seeing all the destruction and deaths... I had even questioned my own beliefs then, even now but-

"Yes, Asura was a warrior… but they weren't a monster to me… Asura saved mom. A hero means having the will to do what it takes to protect others…"

I wish I could say it with more confidence... but no, I refuse to see Asura as a monster. Not someone who saved mom.

"Asura… saved mom? How did you know?"

Ever since I found out about mom being in the Prometheus clan. She used to sing songs and mention Asura, how she said they saved her… at some point I put two and two together. And realized what she truly meant…

"I always knew brat... they're heroes to me, Asura, especially Mom. It was from mom, that I realized the world s never black and white... everything is more complex no matter how simple you want it to be."

I hear her chest rise and puff as she sighs loudly, defeated.

"I wish I knew what Kyuu really meant! I know I'm just a dumb kid... I don't know what to do. I still don't know who I am! Why am I... like this. I've been trying to read all these stuff and boring history about others that I have no clue about!"

Well she's right, the brat's just a kid... I don't want to overwhelm her brain.

"Then why not make the first goal discovering yourself? What drives you? What do you want? Your values? That is one the first things I was taught as a martial artist. Understanding yourself first. Your limits, your strength, weaknesses... why do you think I've been trying to train you?"

A little gasp escapes her as the realization hits her.

"What... do I want? Well... well I want everyone to be happy and not hurt each other! When I see nice people be hurt I don't like it! I don't wanna be out of control... and there's tons of food to eat so everyone can be happy! And you're there, mom's there and..."

"That's not what I-... forget it."

She's just smiling like some simple idiot... but sometimes simple is what you need.

"...hehe, you're awesome, big sis!"

"Eh?"

Catching me off guard with that stupidly sweet compliment, and get up.

"Flattery doesn't work on me, now come on, take a shower and get ready for bed!"

The brat puts her hands up to "stop" me.

"Not yet! I've got something for you..."

From behind her, a box comes out, "Limited Edition", my hand instinctively snatches the box out of her hands. Alycia Sapphire, in all her glory... I double over and couldn't hold the laughter inside.

"Hahahaha!!!"

Tears obscuring mu vision, my stomach in knots... when's the last time I laughed this hard? Sura's distraught as she pouts.

"Meanie!! What are you laughing for!! I worked so hard to buy it for you!! Do you not like it?"

This brat...

"No, thank you, brat... I would be even more surprised... if I didn't already ordered this limited edition."

Her jaw hits the floor and she rolls around, flailing her arms.

"Whaaaat?!! But I worked so hard to get it and it was super expensive!!! Awwwwwww!!!"

"Hahaha! Did you really think I wouldn't be more onto it than you would be? I've been a collector's fan of her for over a century."

"Eh how come I don't see them?"

"Cause I hid it away from you cause I knew you would mess around with all of them!"

"Oh..."

The moonlight glistened off Sura's cheeks... oh no, she's tearing up.

"Hey. Really, thank you... I'll just cancel the order online."

"But... but you already was going to get it... now my present feels like nothing!"

This brat, I pull my fingers back and flick her forehead.

"Ow!"

"It means more when you give it to me ok? Don't get the wrong idea, brat... thanks for the birthday present. You worked hard for it didn't you? Be proud."

...she hurriedly wipes off her tears with her forearms. She's looking at me with her puppy eyes...

"Alright, alright! Just once..."

Oof! Tackling into my stomach, the brat snuggles her face against me, wrapping her hand around me in glee.

"Heh, brat."

She muffles into my stomach.

"I think I sorta get it now a little...I should find out what I like, and what I think is important first... like this, it makes me super happy, fluffy... that I made big sis happy and other's happy. All that other stuff comes later when I'm ready!"

I rub her head a little... she's on the right path, sort of... so this is what it feels like to have a little sister... not bad, not bad at all.

"Sure, little sis~"