Warning: It's not the "love love" kind of way, but the "family love" way. Just sayin' :)

Also, for those who read my story, "My Life of Pain", you know the two OC.

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Takeo opened the door leading to her bedroom, holding a tray of breakfast. He was almost completely bandaged from head to toe, and his right eye was covered with an eyepatch. His grip on the tray tightened as he saw her sitting on the bed, her hands placed neatly on her lap.

Ayame.

Takeo placed the tray on the table beside the bed and sat beside his best friend. She didn't move nor said anything, and the plain sight of her makes Takeo want to tear up. "H-hey," he said, holding Ayame's good hand and squeezing it lightly. Ayame's left arm was fully covered with bandages, her sense of sight and hearing long gone. "It should've been me..." he thought, a tear coming out of his good eye.

Ayame gave a weak smile as she moved her head where she supposed Takeo is. "It's okay..." she said, her voice soft and mellow. "You don't understand..." Takeo mumbled, more tears streaking and soaking his bandages. Ayame let go of Takeo's hand and guided hers to his shoulder. "I can't hear you now, but I understand you're guilty." she whispered, letting tears of her own pour out.

"Y-you don't understand..." Takeo repeated a little louder. Ayame couldn't hear it, of course, but her inner sense can. "It's not your fault, Takeo." she said reassuringly, but Takeo didn't respond calmly, his vision blurred with tears.

"YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND! IT'S CLEARLY MY FAULT WHY YOU'RE LIKE THIS!IT SHOULD'VE BEEN ME WHO GOT HIT BY THAT BOMB! IT SHOULD'VE BEEN ME WHO'S LIKE THAT, NOT YOU! It's me... who's supposed to deserve it... not you."

Takeo calmed down from his outburst, awaiting for Ayame's reaction. As expected, she didn't react. Her hand was still on his shoulder, slowly moving to a one-armed hug. Takeo wrapped his arms protectively around Ayame, like it was going to protect her from any more harm. His tears soaked Ayame's black hair as he muttered in their native language. "Watashi wa anata o aishite, shimai." (I love you, sister.) Ayame mumbled a response so faintly, but enough to make a smile crack on Takeo's lips. A smile he had never shown since that day.

"Watashi mo ototo o aishi teru." (I love you too, brother.)