Chapter one

I blow the brown hair covering my left eye feeling the heat of my breath as it only moves so slightly. I laid on the cold, polished, old wood floor in the center of the living room lazily. A shadow of a person cast over my small body. The person to whom the shadow belonged too is named Haru. The second youngest child in our family.

"Why lay on the floor when there are couches"? I glared up at him stubbornly. " I can do what I want". My voice comes out stubbornly. " Reeeeally"? He smirked. Before I knew what was happening air flew out of my legs as his strong arms rip me off the wood floor and onto the warm, soft cushions of our tan couch.

I sat up my hair frizzy from the impact. My eyes narrow at my now smiling brother. " It looks as though you need to reiterate your statement from before". He mocked. I don't move, not a muscle in my body bends and I allow my narrowed brown eyes to glare at him staring into his soul. Most people got scared by my death glare, Yet all of my brothers, especially Haru, knew this face all too well.

He walked over with long strides and gently ruffled my hair. " No, pouting". He said. " I only play you know that". I scrunched up my nose. "Jerk". I speak like a true sister. He only chuckled turned and walked away sticking his hand into the pockets of the solid black hoodie he commonly wore.

After a couple of short minutes, I lifted myself from the couch and wandered down the long hall. There were eight spruce wood doors along the hallway each marking a different location. At the beginning of the hall were Jaren and Noah's rooms directly across each other. A Little farther down were logan and Levi's rooms. Next was Haru's room and the bathroom. Lastly was my room and an empty room we never entered after the 'incident'.

After I make it to the end of the hall I slow my feet to a stop in front of the closed door, The door that will probably never open again due to the family tradition. I clenched my fist, turned my shoulder, and pulled my body from the spot entering my room.

I sigh resting my hand on the mint green wall. The wind from the A/C blew throughout the room like a cool breeze blew through the leaves and branches of high forest trees; The room also smelled of pine the relaxation of the spring and summer months had overcome me.

A smile rested on my face as I walked over to the handmade desk where my father's initials still engraved into its body. A booklet laded rested in the center of what to me was a complete organization, yet to the rest of the world... chaos. I pick up the book flipping the cover open ever so slightly and going through each page one by one. The pages were full of chalk, pencil, and pastel. Combining into a piece of art on every page.

In my mind, it was not something someone would have expected. The youngest child of a family of assassins drawing? What a waste of time... I would sometimes think. Then again, My brothers never allowed me to go with them. I never got to train, fight, or even leave the forest. I was safe here. They all intended for it to stay that way. It isn't fair... But trust me when I say I have tried too. Yet every single time they catch me sneaking out and it doesn't end well.

I guess I understood why they do so. I was the last girl in our family not to mention their youngest sibling. It's their job, and under the circumstances, I would have done the same thing. They did watch what happened to my mother.

Whatever it was... That is another secret I had never been told. No one ever would I got scolded for it every time I asked. It frustrated me to on end, The nagging feeling in my stomach never ceased when that topic was brought up.

In some way, I felt like I had caused that event and it always left me unsteady. I heard a gentle knock on my bedroom door as it creaked opened revealing Levi. " Dinner time Jaren made ramen with a side of shrimp". My eyes went wide and I bolted past him and flew through the house till I felt someone grab the back of my shirt and pull me back. " Hold on their monkey slow down now".

I looked back to see Jaren and pout. " But but ramen". He let go and patted my head. " You know the rules. " Youngest-" I cut him off. " Serves the food and eats last. Yeah yeah, It shows respect". I said rolling my eyes and walked back to the living room getting a stool and pulling it over to the cabinet.

Pulling out the handmade wooden bowls and spoons I looked at them with curiosity. I wonder who made them they have been in the family since I was born so much detail... Each spoon had a different pattern carved on the side every time I looked at them there was always a new thing I noticed. It must have taken a steady hand.

I hop off the stool and walk off to the oh so good smelling food. The steam from the pot made a picture before disappearing into the air. I feel the heat radiate off the meal as I fill all the bowls and bring them to the table. I filled the cups with pure, clear, cold water and set them to the left of the bowls in front of my brothers.

Walked over to the right side of the table and set down on the soft green pillow feeling my weight press it down. I bow my head and listened to my brother's prayer to the gods as well as the spirit kami of nature his voice quiet and full of meaning. He then lifts his head and smiles. "Dig in". I picked up my chopsticks and started eating away at the ramen using the spoon for the broth.

"It's good". I smiled and Haru and Levi busted out laughing. "W-what's funny"? I looked at them blankly. I Felt a napkin rub against my cheek and nose roughly. I looked over at Logan, the middle child, And he smirked. " There was some food on your face Sis". I felt my face go red. " Hey, Levi how come logan is only a year older than you but acts so much more mature"? I pop off with sass.

Everyone went quiet.

"You should respect your elders Helena," Jaren said In a strict tone.

"You're not my dad".

"so?" He replied.

I glared.

" So don't tell me what to do and don't treat me like a child" I retorted angrily. Why does he treat me like a child?! My mind raced as my blood boiled. He clenched his fist. "Go to your room Helena you need to lay the attitude back". I felt my teeth clench making my jaw tight.

"No," I said vehemently.

"What"?! He remarked.

I smirked with sass. "I said... No".

His eyes grew dark and in them was a raging storm. He stood up and took steps to me, each one was like thunder hitting the earth.

I was paralyzed, my eyes were wide as I saw the full power my brother had over the family. He picked me up, put me over his shoulder, and carried me down the hall to my room.

He put me on the bed and looked me straight in the eyes.

" I don't want you out of this room till morning or I'll tan your hide little miss". He stood, striding to the door.

"I mean it".

And with that, he shut the door leaving me on the bed.

"Whatever" I mumbled to myself lying back onto the soft cushions. I let my mind wander off into its own world of thought, hoping it would help ease my stress. It doesn't seem to, though, with all the negativity pulsing through me.

Why? Why must there be so many secrets? Why do my brothers not listen to me? Why must it be this way? My mind raced with a thousand unanswered questions. I felt the heated anger on my red cheeks.

I just wish to leave and to know what they know. Yet lying here sulking isn't going to get me anywhere...With that thought running through my head I sat up.

The wrinkles on my comforter perfectly curve to me. This was mothers... My train of thought switched then. Did she ever have to make a decision like this? Ever sit like this? Ever wish to leave as I do? Did father annoy her like my brothers annoy me?

No, No of course not. If that were true then surely I would know what to do. Surely her spirit would have helped me by now... Wouldn't it? Of course; she is my own mother, why do I doubt myself like this?

She was my own mother of course she would... The nagging feeling in my gut speaks otherwise. I frowned pressing my eyebrows together in confusion. Why does my body respond to my thoughts in such away?

Ga! Why must my mind be so infuriating? I press my head into the palms of my hands in frustration and confusion.

My mind suddenly pictured my brothers. It's their fault I'm like this! I'm a complete wreck and my head swells at the very thought of them. It pisses me off! All I want is to be with them, And to know about my own parents! They are terrible!

Suddenly, cutting off my train of thought, I hear footsteps descending down the long hallway. I take a deep breath trying to calm myself down. The knock on my door came as no surprise.

" Come in". My voice shook as I tried to control my tone.

My door opened slowly, the creaking sound cutting through the silence in my room like a knife. I narrowed my eyes at the figure in the doorway. There stood Levi with a troubled look upon his face.

"Hey Sis, I brought you a glass of water". He half-smiled.

" Thanks"... My voice came out tired, a bit irritated, and parched. I didn't realize how thirsty I was until I saw the cool glass of water.

" I'm sorry I and the others laughed at you," He paused looking at me, "It's just you are little sister and we still think of you as a cute little thing we have to take care of".

I frowned in irritation. " I know you came here to make it better but you're worsening the situation".

He sighed.

"I don't wish to be treated like a little kid", I clenched my fist as I spoke. " Why can't you guys understand that"? The tears of aggravation and confusion I had been holding back now fill my eyes making it hard to see. I felt the swelling of my head as I started to get an aching feeling.

I felt strong arms wrap around me. " Don't cry sis", Levi whispered patting my back. " It will be okay". He set the cup of ice water down on my bedside table and patted my head sincerely. I pulled back and looked up at him. " Please tell me about mother". I said recovering from the breakdown.

He sighed and shook his head no. "You're not ready. We'll tell you when you're strong enough to be one of us".

I Gawk. "So never"?! I exclaimed even though I was sure my facial expression gave away what I was thinking.

" Well, you have to earn it.. to prove it to us..." He shrugged.

" Did you have to"? I scanned his eyes.

" Well no, bu-". I cut him off there

"Then why do I"? I stated defensively.

" Because we said". A new voice flowed into the room. I look up to the holder of it and made direct eye contact with Jaren.

"And we know best". He sighed. I didn't even notice him come in... My eyes traveled to the ajar door. How long has he been here? How did I not notice? I squinted in confusion. Jaren motioned for Levi to leave and sat down.

I slid back from him, distancing myself. My eyes traveled to Levi as he got up and left the room. Now it was just Jaren and me alone. Fantastic. My mind echoes with sarcasm.