Arc IX Chapter 14

Arc IX Chapter 14

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.

“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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