Thousand Years Promise 9 Chapter 9 I'll Be Your Big Brother

"Aw, I've always loved your hair so much. It's so soft." Toko said cheerfully rubbing her cheek against a strand of Fuzuki's hair. Chuckling Fuzuki stared back at her from the corner of her eyes before her eyes moved to grey and white uniform hung on a hook by Toko's closet.

"Don't worry, you'll have fun. I'll be there for you, even introduce you to all my friends."

"ugh, but my brother will be there too i guess."

"Don't worry, I'll protect you from my idiot brother and all the wolves at school."

Toko said determinedly as nodding her head to herself as she began scheming plots in order to protect her dear cousin from all the perverts at school. Fuzuki who was too innocent sometimes didn't notice how much attention she received from the men wherever she went. Both young and old men, and shockingly even some girls. For this reason, Toko swore to herself she would protect her darling cousin.

"I was to protect Fuzu-chan too."Shusei suddenly declared as his small little head popped up from the edge of the bed in front of Fuzuki. Chuckling Fuzuki reached up ruffling his soft hair with a small smile.

"Thank you, Shusei."

"Hey, what about your big sister," Toko said with a fake playful pout as she poked her head from around Fuzuki.

"Shu-chan wants to protect both princess Onee-chan and princess Fuzu," Shusei said cutely with a determined look on his face. The two girl's heart swooned at the younger boy's cuteness and innocence as he tried to protect the two like a small cute shining knight.

"Oh, little puppy don't ever grow up to be like that idiot older brother of ours." Toko cried out as she leaped from behind Fuzuki to pull Shusei into a tight hug. Rocking his in her arms back and forth as she rubbed her cheek against his soft face. Smiling like an angel the young boy only laughed as he bathed in his older sister's attention.

"That hurt, Toko," Hotsuma spoke out leaning against the open doorway with crossed arms and a playful grin painted on his face.

"If anything Shusei will be one h.e.l.l of a chick magnet when he grows up. Look how he's already got his Onee-chan and cousin wrapped around his finger." Hotsuma added with a chuckle holding out his index finger as he twirled around in a circular motion.

"You be quiet! Shu-chan is an angel compared to you, you Fox."Toko yelled out with an angry pout holding Shusei close to her chest, his face practically squished against her chest.

"Huh? An angel?" Hotsuma chuckled at his sister's words his eyes drifting to the true Fox wrapped in her arms.

"Your very funny, little bunhead." Toko let out another frustrated cry at his nickname for her. Ignoring her protesting Hotsuma's eyes moved over to Fuzuki giving her one of his rare soft charming smiles warm gazing eyes.

"Mother told me to tell you she left your luggage and stuff the doctors subscribed your room across the hall. You should get some sleep soon, the maid will be bringing you some tea to help you sleep. I'll see you tomorrow princess." Hotsuma told her gently with a small wave turning to leave before gazing over his shoulder with a smirk.

"You better get some beauty sleep too, bunhead. You need it." Toko's face turned red at her brother's words before she reached over grabbing one of the pillows. Her aim to short as it missed him falling to the ground behind him.

"Work on that too, bunhead." He remarked with a laugh walking away to his room, is laugh still echoing as he walked away.

"Ugh!That stupid brother of mine! It's no fair Fuzu-chan, he's only nice to you!" Toko cried out with an angry pout as she punched a pillow on her lap. Smiling faintly Fuzuki slightly turned her head away gazing out the open door where he once stood. Her most fond yet sad memory resurfacing as she thought of Toko's words. The memory of a promise between Hotsuma and her. It had happened the day of her mother's funeral, the heavens above have rained down adding to the depressing atmosphere around. Her father had left her sitting alone a long distance away from her, his eyes never meeting hers and her words so distance. Instead of her father's comforting words and touches she had received those of the new nanny. Back then she had never really known her cousins only the small forced words of greetings between the three at family parties. She had run off from the nanny when she was forced to leave. Sitting in front of her mother's tomb the young girl cried out all her agony and pain not noticing the coldness of the heavy rain. It had been Hotsuma who had seen her running off and followed her. Feeling awkward and conflicted the young boy remember the manners her father and mother had taught him. Soon he walked forward placing his jacket around the young girl.

"I'm all alone now." The young Fuzuki cried out sobbing as she tried to wipe away her endless tears. Staring down at her with a broken heart determination suddenly filled his heart before reaching out gripping her small cold hands in his.

"No, your not! I'm here now! I won't ever let you be alone, I'll look after you so you won't ever be alone. I'll be your big brother." The young boy yelled out to the girl who gasped out at his words. Shocked how he had promised such a thing when they hardly close.

"You promise?" The young girl hiccuped with a soft sob.

"I promise." From the simple sweet child's promise their fate would become intertwined with one another.