IX

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Arc IX Chapter 14

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Asami finally arrived at home after a long day. The night was still young, and the moon stood high. It was a rare day. The never-ending rain took pity on the village, gracing Amegakure with a brief respite.

The rain had ceased, and the usual thick, impenetrable layer of clouds was gone. From above, down from the crystal clear sky, shimmered the moon and a few lonely stars.

The day took a toll on Asami, and the thought of finally returning home warmed her heart, despite her current home being located Pain's loveless steel tower.

The spartan apartment Pain provided her with, barely befitted her standing, but home was home, and for the time being, her modest accommodation sufficed.

Asami opened the door. “Yuki-chan~, I am home~.“

No response. Silence.

“Hmm ...“ Asami tilted her head, rubbing her chin. Where was her cute little Yuki-chan? Her Yukipie couldn't have possibly gone missing.

Asami shook her head, dispelling such evil thoughts. Her little treasure would never disappear. Yukipie would never worry her beloved nee-san.

Asami commenced her search. In the living room. “Yuki-chan~?“

Yuki-chan wasn't there.

In the kitchen. “Yuki-chan~, where are you~?“

In the refrigerator. “Yuki-chan~, are you there~? “

In the shelves. “Yuki-chan~, nee-san is worried~.“

In the bathroom. “Yuki-chan~, come to nee-san~.“

On the sofa. “Yuki-chan~, don't hide~.“

Asami grew worried, her Yuki was nowhere to be found.

Asami entered her room, finally locating her missing little sister. A slight smile adorned Asami's lips.“Found you~. You can't hide from nee-san~.“

Yuki was sleeping in her bed, wrapped tightly in her warm, fluffy blankets. Not tightly enough for a certain caring nee-san. It was cold these days as winter was approaching. Her Yukipie was not allowed to freeze under any imaginable circumstance.

Asami took the blanket and tucked Yuki in tightly. She also added another blanket layer. Just to be sure. And another one to be even more sure. There never could be enough blankets.

Unfortunately, her actions waked up Yuki from her deep slumber. A most careless on her part.

Yuki rubbed her sleepy eyes, still in a dazed state. “Nee-san, what are you doing?“

Asami countered with a smile. “Nothing. Just paying a visit to my dear little sister.“

Yuki nodded. Her words made sense. “Nee-san, will you stay, or will you leave again?“

Asami patted Yuki's head. Her hand glided through Yuki's dishevelled hair. “Don't worry, I will stay as long as you want.“

Yuki smiled. Nee-san's hand was so wonderfully warm. A feeling of warmth spread through her body. Her little heart beat faster. “That makes me happy. Being with nee-san is everything I need.“ And want.

Asami chuckled in response, while ruffling Yuki's hair. “Silly girl, you are still you. How can you tell what you want, and what not?“

Yuki sulked in protest. “But it's true, I only need nee-san.“

Nee-san's gentle voice, her calming aura, her infinite kindness. Nee-san was her sun, making her every day a little brighter.

Whether nee-san ever felt the same way? Whether nee-san reciprocated her feelings? Yuki didn't know. She dreaded the answer.

Yuki gripped her blanket. What if nee-san didn't? She should better not ask.

Yuki looked up. “Nee-san, can you sing me a lullaby?“

Her request startled Asami. “A lullaby?“

Yuki nodded vigorously.

Asami raised her eyebrow. “Why?“

“It's time for me to sleep. Okaa-san always sang for me a lullaby when I had trouble sleeping. You woke me up, nee-san. Now I need a lullaby.“ Yuki was already a big girl. She didn't need any lullaby, but nee-san wouldn't know, and Yuki wouldn't miss out on such a precious opportunity.

Asami hesitated. “I see ... But singing is not necessarily my strength, not to mention lullabies. I don't know any lullaby, except for one, maybe.“

Yuki dismissed Asami's concerns. A happy smile surfaced on her face. Her smile was infectious. “I don't care. I only want to hear nee-san's voice.“

Asami wasn't fully convinced yet. “...“

“Please~.“ Yuki begged, supported by her puppy eyes. She hadn't forgotten nee-san's lessons. Yuki was an attentive student.

Asami sighed. “Understood, I will give my best. Give me a moment. I will try to remember the tune. “

Yuki smiled, overjoyed like a little girl. Her cheeks turned bright cherry red. “Nee-san, what lullaby are you singing?“

“It's an old lullaby from the distant past, from a land far, far away. You wouldn't know it.“

Yuki wondered under her warm blanket. “So it is from your okaa-san?“

Asami shook her head. “Not directly. It's far older.“

Her nee-san confused Yuki. “Then where does it come from?“

Asami chuckled and ruffled Yuki's hair. “It's a complicated story, a story for another day.“

Asami leaned closer and Yuki placed her head in Asami's lap. For inexplicable reasons, Yuki felt safe, protected, and loved.

Asami intoned her voice.

“Ladybug fly, fly, fly ~

Child do not cry ~

Your father went to war ~

And mother is no more ~

Ladybug fly, fly, fly ~

Child do not cry ~

The soldiers burned your home ~

You are now alone ~

Ladybug fly, fly, fly ~

Ladybug fly, fly, fly ~.“

Asami repeated her tune until Yuki slowly closed her eyes and finally fell asleep. Yuki passed out, carried away into the sweet lands of dream and slumber.

Asami kissed Yuki's soft cheeks. “Sleep well, my cute little treasure.“

Yuki figure, her little angel. Such a serene, such a pristine presence.

The world she would create was not only for her, but also for Yuki. The girl was the last person left to her in this cursed world. Hopefully, Yuki would appreciate her work one day, the future her hands had forged with iron and blood.

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