And the thunder rolls

[Suoh]

Suoh tensed momentarily, but relaxed. Goddammit why did she always attack him like this? This was what he had gotten the bear for! But he relaxed and awkwardly wrapped his arms around her, rubbing her back.

"Ssshhh, it's okay," he tried to soothe her. "You're safe."

Still awkwardly, Suoh lifted Kira in his arms as he stood and carried her over to the couch. He sat, settling her in his lap, and slowly rocked her.

[Kira]

Kira didn't even seem to notice the change in where she was, her mind was too far gone with pure fear. With her eyes closed tightly she tried to stop from crying but a few tears leaked out. Clutching at Suoh she did manage to stop her body from shaking, although for how long she didn't know.

Go... gomen.... Su... Suoh....senpai...

[Suoh]

Suoh smoothed her hair away from her face. "Hey, it's okay; if you're scared, your scared. It's just thunder, it's just a whole lot of noise and the lightning's just flashes of light while you're in here. You're safe, you don't have to go anywhere, and I've got one of Oki's stuffed toys right here for you if you want it," he offered hopefully, but didn't push it.

[Kira]

Opening her eyes, Kira nodded her head and took the toy, her arms clutched it as if it were a lifeline while her eyes finally started to show something besides fear.

Thank you... Suoh-senpai... I... I know that it... that thunder can't hurt me.... but I just... I've always been scared of it...

[Suoh]

"I know how that is," Suoh nodded. "I've been afraid of birds for almost as long as I can remember and nothing helps. Sometimes we have fears that we just need to live with."

[Kira]

Nodding her head, Kira placed her head against his chest, snuggling into his lap while holding onto the toy. Pressing her ear above his heart she tried to drown out the storm with his heartbeat but it didn't work well enough, forcing her to keep her tight hold on the bear.

Mommy use to hold me when I was scared though... it's been a long time since someone was home to do that anymore...

[Suoh]

Suoh was uncomfortable, but made no move to dislodge the girl. She was like Oki, needing someone there through the worst of her terror. Oki he knew how to comfort; she was older and he could relate to her. But Kira was so young! He couldn't shake the feeling that he was doing something wrong by having her sit there.

"You don't have anyone?"

[Kira]

Opening her eyes slightly Kira started to lightly pet at the toy bear, holding it close while she did so. With the heartbeat gently thumping she was able to calm down a bit, the sound comforting her.

Outo-sama goes away for missions a lot... he's all I have left now...

[Suoh]

"Whoa, and he just takes off and leaves you with no one? Not cool..."

[Kira]

Holding the bear a bit tighter Kira nodded her head, her eyes downcast slightly

He misses Mommy a lot... and I look a lot like her.... sometimes he calls me "Mika" before he remembers.... sometimes I think... maybe he would have been okay if I was the one who got sick... but Mommy wouldn't like me to think that...

[Suoh]

"I don't like you thinking, like that, kid. Who you look like shouldn't matter! Oki looks like my mother, but I'd never wish her dead so that I could have my mother back. You're his daughter. If he can't see the value in that, then he doesn't deserve to have a daughter. You don't just have kids so you can ditch them when they're inconvenient."

[Kira]

Growing tense at how Suoh was speaking about her father, Kira whimpered lightly. Still clutching the bear she spoke, her voice unsure and scared, the storm all but forgotten to her how as the new fear of losing her new friend took place.

Outo-sama has to go away sometimes, Suoh-senpai... it`s just how things are... they were the same when Mommy was here too. Dadd-Outo-sama would go away and Mommy and I would clean up and cook for him... I`m not much of a cook by myself though... but it`s okay... he`s my Outo-sama... and we`re all we have anymore....

[Suoh]

"Kira, don't take this the wrong way but... You're just a kid. There's no way he should be taking off and leaving you responsible for the house and yourself while he's gone. What if something happens to you? You already banged up your hand and needed someone to take care of that for you. What happens if you get burned while cooking, or cut yourself? What happens in the village is attacked while he's away? If he's a ninja, he knows the importance of making sure that the people you care about at home are well looked after while your away."

[Kira]

Shaking her head, Kira suddenly felt cold. Not knowing where the cold was coming from she tried to bury herself against Suoh, here eyes shut tight in denial. She knew that her father was different now but the words that Suoh kept saying were starting to make her feel like her worst nightmare had come true

[i[Maybe he doesn't love me anymore... but why.... what did I do?...[/i]

[Suoh]

"He should love you. You're his daughter! He just sounds like a selfish jerk to me."