Leaving Home I

Three years have passed, I am now 10 years of age. And my daily life hasn't changed one bit. The only thing – more children have arrived in the orphanage. 

This influx I homeless children was because the tension between Amaterasu's group and other groups begun to rise. Resulting in attacks on villages on the border territories were becoming more frequent. 

And even though the Amaterasu familia is the strongest in the east. They aren't omnipotent and it won't take long for the smaller groups to co-operate. That's my theory at least. 

But there was one significant change. While we were sneaking out Haruhime as usual, A guard spotted us and reported it to the head of the Sanjouno family. 

I then heard from Haruhime that her relationship with her father worsened and the support the orphanage got from the Sanjouno's was declining.

'But now that it is done, we can't do anything about it. I also overheard a guard say that the head now spends more time with Haruhime's younger sister. So I don't know how to start mending the relationship between the two.' I mulled over the problem as I was lost in thought and then started writing in the notebook once again.

In term of my musical performance over these three years, I have composed about 20 songs. And each one was greatly received by the kids in the orphanage. 

Oh, I also started socialising more in the orphanage so I have a good bond with the kids. But I still spend most of my time alone.

My training is also going great.

I already mastered all the techniques in the book, and practiced a lot against lord Takemikazuchi. And even he calls me a genius due to my fast learning ability.

I was already the best among the children training under Lord Takemikazuchi so there isn't much to do. Well, I can always become better but… I don't know. I feel like I've become stagnant and haven't made any improvement these past few months.

'Maybe I'll talk to lord Takemikazuchi about this some time.' I thought when I suddenly heard rustling leaves from a distance.

Normally I would ignore it and assume it to be some animal or bird, but I knew that it was late, and someone was here to fetch me to eat dinner with the others.

I turned to the source, and I could see lady Tsukuyomi, the main caretaker of the orphanage, walking towards me.

I have known her for 6 years now and she became something like a mother figure to me. I don't think of her like a god because she doesn't have the pride and arrogance that I associate with them but that holy white hue around her says otherwise. 

"Nagisa." She spoke with the same sweet voice she always had. "It's time to go back, it's dinner time."

"Seriously, always going so far from the orphanage." She sighed. "So, what were you doing this time?" She suddenly asked curiously. 

"Did you make another song?" 

"No, lady Tsukuyomi." I replied as I walked past her, ignoring the pouted cheeks she showed and the gaze that drilled into the back of my face. "It's not finished yet."

"Oh, how many times did I tell you, call me 'Mom' or 'Mother'! You always do this! Everyone else calls me that. So why won't a cute child like you do it." She pouted and began to throw a playful tantrum while following me back towards the orphanage. 

"Because you're a goddess." I stated with a deadpanned look as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

"But I swear you said it behind my back sometimes! But you won't ever say it to my face!! So, everyone thinks I'm crazy or says that I'm daydreaming too much!" 

'Ah, yes I might have done that to teas her sometimes.' I thought before turning to her again.

"Alright 'mother'. Now happy." I stated with a sly look.

"…" But lady Tsukuyomi just stared at me for a while before making a little celebration, jumping like a bunny and running in circles.

"AAH!! Finally, you said it!! You said IT! Now I have to tell the others!! I'm a certified mother now!!" 

"Yeaah… But who would believe youu."  I trampled over her whole parade with that single line.

"…" lady Tsukuyomi stopped right in her tracks as she slowly turned to me with a betrayed look and tears slowly running out of her eyes.

"Y-you wouldn't…" She stuttered.

"OOOh, yes I would." I stated with a sadistic smile that rivals the devil before turning around.

"BUUT NAGISAAA!!" She screamed while crying and running behind me.

'Aah, it really is fun to tease her.'

.

After being chased by lady Tsukuyomi, we finally arrived at the orphanage.

"Look!! Big brother Nagisa and mother are back!!" One of the kids screamed enthusiastically as the other kids their heads snapped in our direction.

"Big brother, can you play us a song later?"

"Big bro, play with us after dinner."

The kids bombarded me with questions, but I couldn't answer even one as lady Tsukuyomi interfered.

"Now, now children. Let's first go to the dining hall and eat. And no brother can't play because he will be busy soon." Lady Tsukuyomi explained as she directed the children away.

I shrugged at the sudden change in personality and followed the herd inside.

.

After dinner I went over to the courtyard following my usual routine and met up with the others.

"Oh, Nagisa-dono. You arrived." Mikoto greeted me.

"Yes, Mikoto. Where are Ouka and Chigusa?" I asked as I couldn't spot the two of them anywhere.

"Oh they already went to the mansion saying it would be quicker that the two of them picked up Haruhime and we should meet up at the flower field." She explained and I nodded in understanding.

Without further delay, me, Mikoto and Asuka started running toward the beautiful white flower field.

But weirdly enough, when we arrived there, the trio weren't there yet.

"Let's wait for a while." Mikoto suggested and I didn't have a reason to object.

I found and nearby tree and sat down.

I began to lose myself in my thought once again. 'What should I do to overcome this stagnation. Train more? Gain more life experience? Or maybe join a familia? If I do join one, then I should go to Orario. Should I go alone, or with some kids of the orphanage?' As I was having these thought, I suddenly noticed that it took way too long for Ouka and Chigusa to get Haruhime.

As I was about to stand up, suddenly two figures emerged from the bushes nearby and two familiar figures came into view. Ouka and Chigusa.

I waited a little but there wasn't a third person that came out, so I was starting to get confused but then I saw the colours around the 2 children that weren't the usual ones.

Their hue had turned into dark purple, this confused me greatly but then Mikoto suddenly asked.

"Where is Haruhime-sama?"

They both remained silent for a while before Ouka finally admitted.

"… We don't know."

"… What do you mean you don't know." Mikoto asked, unease growing in her voice. And I began to get a bad feeling about this situation.

"We were waiting at the usual spot for Haruhime to show up but she didn't. She didn't even come out to say that she couldn't come or something." Chigusa explained.

The feeling became more apparent as Chigusa finished her sentence and I made quick decision.

"Ouka, Chigusa, Mikoto, Asuka. Go back to the orphanage." I instructed as I stood up and turned towards where Ouka and Chigusa appeared from.

"What do you mean? Nagisa-dono." Mikoto asked, suspicion evident in her voice.

"Mikoto, I have a bad feeling about this. Now go back to the orphanage. Don't come even close to the mansion." I urged as I nodded towards Ouka to keep an eye on Mikoto and luckily, he understood my intent.

"But Nagisa-dono…" Mikoto tried to protest but was cut off by Ouka.

"Mikoto, let's go." He spoke firmly, and I could see Mikoto standing there for a few more seconds before hurryingly following after Ouka and the rest. While I went towards the mansion.

And in just a few moments, I arrived.

I swiftly climbed up the wall as I was all too familiar with it now and scouted the area. And I noticed that there were less guards posted outside then usual.

'Something's not right… has it to do with the civil war? No that can't be. The Sanjouno's are a mid-ranking noble house in Amaterasu's order, and they don't have any territory on the border. 

But that doesn't explain why Haruhime isn't coming out. We played with her just yesterday.' My mind ran through different explanations on what is happening, but none could be legitimate with the information I have now.

So without hesitation, I jumped onto the balcony of Haruhime's room. Barely catching the ends with my hands and pulling myself up. 

And without delay I started my stealth mission to retrieve more information.

.

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a/n

words: 1528 

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