Chapter 18

Nails became longer and pointed. Body curved, male face shape changed to female face. The red hair grew longer and two bunny ears emerged. The watchman turned into a woman. As soon as that broken hand entered his body, it completely captured him." Now I'm back Haruto, You'd better pay to kill my brother," she said with a monstrous smile. Saki your sister is alive. Yaki is alive. Oh poor Haruto how did you not notice that a part of my body was missing. And you thought you destroyed me..." She gave a disgusted grin.

" It means the one who saved me was the one who kept food for me on the day Mom and Dad weren't home." Two streams rolled down her cheeks "I'll find you no matter where you are. It's a promise to myself "Inoue's eyes lit up .

" Good morning Aunt Inoue. Can we meet Inoue? "Takemichi said with a smile. " What did you say? Do I look like an aunt to you? I humbly suggest that you should get your eyes checked. I'm not that old yet" she pulled Takemichi's ear. "Oh! Sorry my beautiful, gorgeous lady. I won't call you Aunt again." Takemichi screamed in pain.   "Hmm good boy" she said as she freed his ear. Here Hina and Sato started laughing out loud seeing him in pain. "Mom, how many times have I told you? not to bully my friends" Inoue said coming from behind her mother "I didn't bully them . But this guy called me aunt. Which means he thinks I'm old " she pouted.  " Of course you are getting old. And addressing his friend's mother as aunt I don't think there's anything wrong with that" Inoue grumbled to herself ."What?" she asked "Nothing, let's go to my room guys" She took them to her room and also apologized to Takemichi for his strange behavior, Inoue went into the kitchen to get them some snacks and drinks.

" So, how is he now? Did he admit his mistake "A woman with long dark hair, wearing a traditional type of kimono, asked a man with a hunter in his hand. "No not yet," he replied, looking at the man whose hands were tied with chains. His body was covered in blood and wounds.  Due to darkness his face could not be seen.  The woman lit a candle and walked closer to him. I didn't know you had such thick skin. The man raised his head, now his face was clearly visible because of the flame of the candle. It was Minamoto.

" So, Takemichi can I ask you something?" Hina asked while looking at Takemichi who was playing with Inoue's toy bear "Hmm, go ahead" he replied "So, when will you tell her about your true feelings? you are sure about her right or not ?" As she asked this the bear slipped from his hand and fell on the floor . He blushed "Shh! Don't say it out loud or she'll hear you." Takemichi placed his index finger over his lip. Sato felt sad. She tried to smile to hide her feelings." "Okay, but at least answer my question." "I don't know. If I tell her what I feel. I'm afraid that she might break our friendship" "But..." "Look here guys, I've brought you delicious yummy chocolate pastries and mango juice. Hina was saying something, meanwhile  Inoue intervened as she entered the room.  " Oh wait did I interrupt your discussion "Inoue was confused because when she stepped inside the room they all fell silent." Ah! No, no, you didn't interrupt. Actually we were talking about you." Hina's voice trembled. Takemichi and Sato looked at her in fear. "About me? "Yeah, about how you keep up with a weird mom like Aunt Inoue" She changed the subject  "Oh no, she's really nice. Yes she is weird. But she is the best mother in the world. Actually she herself has made these pastries just for you guys. She was very happy when I told her that you all are coming today. "Oh... that's good" Takemichi, and Sato sighed. They felt as though a huge burden had lifted off their shoulders. " So, let's discuss where to spend our holidays, " said Takemichi. " Guys, I can't come with you!" Inoue interrupted. "What but why?" They all shouted in surprise. After coming back from school yesterday, Mom said grandma wants me to spend the vacation with her. And even I want to meet her ​too " " oh, just because of that you are not going to spend your holidays with us. that's not fair" she  looked at Takemichi and Sato from the corner of her eyes" They understood her point and said "Yeah it's not fair". Inoue was confused. "What??" "That means we've decided where we're going." Takemichi replied. "What? Where?" "Where else,  we are going with you to Grandma Chiyo's house " said Sato with a smile. " Hein??"  Inoue was stunned " Grandma Chiyo lives alone. And she is very kind too. We have decided, we are going to meet her. And it's final " They all looked so happy and excited that Inoue could not refuse so she agreed to take them with her the next morning. "Yes, finally we 're going on a trip" they all clamored happily. "Inoue what's going on over there? Are you all fighting?" Her mother heard their noise and asked. "No, everything is fine. Sorry we won't shout again, " she replied. Her mother shook her head and went back to the drawing room.

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" So, you won't admit your mistake?" the woman asked Minamoto. "I don't think I did anything wrong by protecting Ichika. I am not a toy of your hand that I will do whatever you say," he replied spitting. " Then die here," she slapped him. She turned and was about to leave. "Mom, when I was a kid." You loved me dearly and cherished me with all your support . But why did you suddenly change? Why have you started to hate me so much now ? That Daruma said I am just a tool for you. it is not true . Right ?" His voice quavered. "You killed my husband and your own father. And you expect me to forgive you so easily". Her eyes were burning with anger. Two streams of tears rolled down and she cried out loudly. Suddenly she shouted "Kabuto". A man came out of the shadows "Yes, Your Highness." His voice was creepy . By seeing him, Minamoto's eyes widened, he shouted out of the blue "you jerk how can you be alive?" "You know what to do? Don't you ? " The woman asked "Yes, Queen Yua. You must take a rest. Just leave him to me." She left the room as her long traditional kimono swayed on the floor. As soon as she left Kabuto turned to Minamoto and he walked towardshim saying "Hello, Prince, how are you ? It's been a long time since we've talked openly with each other. Right? " Minamoto was so angry that his sharp nails began to grow "Oh, wait! You asked me how I survived your ultimate bunny attack. I'll tell you my story." Minamoto was taken aback when he heard him. He was both sad, angry. "You were just a brat that day when you saw me fighting with your father. I thought you were weak. So, I spared you but when I ripped off the king's body. You jumped on me like a wolf. Remembered something" He turned his back and said "They are still there. The proof of your evilness . Thanks to this I was able to convince the queen that you had killed the love of her life. I would have killed you that day if that guy wouldn't have interfered between us, but I can do it now. Don't worry boy you will join your father soon. He walked towards the entrance, and stopped "One more thing your father died because he wanted to save you from me". His words really shook Minamoto as he had been blaming his father for so many years. For not letting him lead a normal life. " But he did all this just to save me from evil people like Kabuto. It seemed as if the pupils of his eyes  would come out of their holes. His mind went blank, he could only see the smiling face of his father. "Dad, you sacrificed yourself for a demonic child like me. Why? Why? Why? It's all my fault. I'm the one who deserves to die. Not you? Dad! Dad! Dad...I'm sorry " he shouted loudly. Kabuto was standing near the door. He smiled as if he had succeeded in whatever he had planned.

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"Alright, Inoue bye see you tomorrow. "Everyone waved her goodbye." Ah Inoue! One more thing don't sleep too much again. We have to catch our train by 10:00 am " Sato said laughing. " Ah yeah.." Inoue got nervous. They all walked forward smiling. As soon they left Inoue gazed up at the sky and murmured to herself " Once I get back from the trip. I will surely find you " Her eyes twinkled and suddenly she remembered "Yeah, tomorrow I'm going to visit grandma . It means that I can hear the story of that Bunny prince from her again. "Ichika." Her mother called her from inside the house. "Yes, mom " so she went inside closing the main door .