There was nothing in this room but the smell of paint and walls. He had not seen the outside world in a long, long time. He couldn't remember what day it was, what season, what year. All he knew was that stench of wet paint, the black walls glistening as he curled in the center.
When the door opened the small boy lifted himself up, black eyes locking on a darker figure, eyes dimly watching as the person sat down to continue painting the walls.
This was his hell. His punishment. Everyday was the same. Everyday he sat here, silently waiting for his punishment. Waiting to be placed back in order, allowing small hands to caress his cheeks, cold lips to touch his forehead, soft hair tickling his cheeks. He would never leave this room, never drink in the breathe of air outside. He would stay here, a plaything to a boy he would never see the face of, only knew his soft kiss on his forehead and light touches to his cheeks.
"You're a good dog."
The boy that was his master had turned to speak to him for once, his hand lifting his chin so that he was forced to look at the dark ceiling. "Do you even know how old you are today?"
No.
This boy was his age, and yet he would always be more than him. Because he was a sin. He was the child that was unwanted, un-needed. He had no purpose. So, he had been given one. The pet of a boy that would become head of a separate family, a boy that would be married to his sister to combine the families. To keep the family happy, he was used to please this child.
"Come." The other boy called, reaching out his small hand. Their hands met, and the master pulled him closer, dark eyes peering into black ones, a small smirk on the masters lips.
"You are my favorite toy, Sin."
------
"Shaiiiiii!"
Shai's head snapped around as a warm mass collided into him, sending him from his seat by the furnace into the hard wood floor. Wriggling on-top of him was a black haired, amber eyed girl, eyes large and wild with goofy joy as she shoved back long, hip length straight hair to get a better view of her beloved brother. The smaller girl giggled, stretching his cheeks as the red eyed boy glared at her, attempting to swat her off.
"Nuishan! That's enough!" Shai managed to shove off his sister, sitting up and rubbing the back of his neck as she fixed her dress, looking up at him with a pout.
"Not only do you look like an old geezer, but you're mean like one, too." She pouted, tugging on his white shoulder length hair with a smile. The taller boy shoved her off, again, and stood, brushing himself off with a scowl.
"Sheesh! We're turning eight today! Grow up a bit!" Shai grumbled at her, eyes drifting across the room as a woman walked by, then focusing back on Nuishan. "Do you even know the dance?" He asked, heading to the closet of the ceremonial dressing room to pull out a yukata, shoving Nuishan a kimono.
Nuishan tossed the kimono aside, shaking her head as she folded her arms. "I don't see why we gotta do this every birthday." She grumbled back, choosing to ignore his question. She spotted a chair, flopped down on it, and wagged her legs back and forth, watching her brother with little interest.
"Oh! Did you see my dress? This year I'm dressed as Selene, the goddess of the moon!" She chirped, grinning. Shai wagged his hand at her, shaking his head.
"Is that all you care about? Being Selene?" He rolled his eyes at her, moving to find their shoes. "Nuishan, we have bigger things to worry about or think about. You're seeing Neym again, right? I have to speak to the head of the family while you speak to the future head of the Norin family, your future husband." At his words Nuishan got up, glared at Shai, and threw her kimono at him, roughly. "Hey! That is a heirloom!" He yelled, watching his sister storm out of the room, pausing to glare at him.
"All you ever care about is training! S-Stupid head!" Ah, she was gone then. Shai was left staring at the door she had exited, silently wondering why she couldn't come up with a better name then...stupid head.
((To be continued))
