It was like looking in a mirror, only, not.

"Nii...chan?" the stunned girl before me asked again.

Her soft brown-hazel eyes were wide, her mouth half agape. It suddenly struck me how normal she looked. To be completely honest, I wasn't sure what I had been expecting. There was no one else I could think of who looked so damn similar to the face I saw in the mirror that morning. There were differences, of course. The most obvious of which would be our hairstyles. While my single braid reached the length of my back, her hair was just long enough to reach her shoulders and was held back by a butterfly hair clip.

Her skin was slightly tanned, and noticeably darker than mine. After all, my epidermis still had yet to adapt to sunlight, even after several months. I never stayed out long enough for it to darken. If I did, I burned far too easily. I thought I looked like a vampire or a ghoul of some kind...

Oh wait.

She lacked the scar on her cheek that I had. It had faded over the years and wasn't all that noticeable, but its absence on a face so similar to my own was disturbing. She noticed it on mine though, and I could have sworn her eyes widened even further when she did.

"Hey…" I swallowed a massive lump in my throat.

I think… I didn't know what to think, actually. All the plans and thoughts on how to approach my sister I had been stewing over didn't actually prepare me at all for actually interacting with her. It was always a matter of working up the courage to find her, then apologize for making her believe I was dead. After that? What was I supposed to do?

Hinami released her hold on her side of the doorknob and her trembling fingers reach up towards my face. I tried not to flinch away, I really did, but the narrowing of my eyes and small step backwards seemed to startle her. I did not want to react like I did with Touka and Yoriko. I'd never forgive myself if I did something like that again, especially to her.

"Hiro? Is that you?"

My knees nearly buckled. How long did I wish for her to say my name again? Something so simple but it meant more to me that I could ever have anticipated. I could only stare at her as I struggled to formulate some type of response.

I grit my teeth and nodded, quite shakily.

She sounded shocked, although I could empathise with her. Her words were barely above a whisper and she seemed like she was trying not to pinch herself. I couldn't ignore the pained look when I flinched away from her.

Enough of this, I told myself. She's right there! Your sister you haven't seen in eight years!

My eyes began to burn and her face slipped out of focus. My arms felt like lead, but I fought to lift my right hand up to her. She followed the motion and bit her lip as the tips of my fingers gently brushed her cheek.

"It's me, Hinami."

The dam broke.

I cupped her cheek, feeling the soft warmth that felt so alien yet overwhelmingly familiar. I wasn't sure which of us moved first. It may have been a combined act anyway. One moment, Hinami was pressing her cheek into my palm like a kitten, and the next we closed the distance between us and our arms wrapped around each other tightly. Desperately.

Not a single inch of space existed between us as we clung to one another. I couldn't even think clearly. I was so afraid of what would happen when we met, but all those fears simply ceased to exist. I was tense, and she obviously felt it, but I nearly came undone in her arms.

I had always been a very physical person when it came to expressing sentimentality or affection. I craved it, and when it was not reciprocated, I felt hollow. Among family or lovers, it was incredibly important to me. When I was an infant and toddler again, I relished the attention and warmth. It was wonderful.

Hinami was warm. So incredibly warm. Her hair clung to my moistened face and although her entire body was trembling, she somehow found the strength to remain standing. My legs had long since given up and I clung to her not only out of blissful relief and affection. I feared I would collapse if she let go.

There was a choking gasp from behind me and Touka muttered something to the effect of "oh my god," but I honestly did not care. She fell silent after that-out of respect or surprise I don't think I'll really know. But she seemed content to wait for us to finish.

If I had my way, she would be left waiting for a very long time.

While I was momentarily distracted, Hinami caressed my back and fiddled with my braid, letting it flow between her fingers. She probably had no idea what it symbolized or meant to me, but it must have signified something to her. More so than just me being here, it symbolized time in a way that she obviously recognized. The time we spent apart. What would she think when I explained it to her? Would she be horrified? Could she even understand?

I don't think either of us really understood what we were feeling, or how much of it. A part of me was surprised-but incredibly relieved-that she recognized me. From what I learned prior, it would have been near impossible for her not to know about me. The fact that she knew who I was instantly meant many things.

She remembered me.

Most importantly for me, I felt relief. It had been oh so very long since I felt the way I did now. Whole, complete, warm, safe. Maybe it was a twin thing, but it suddenly felt like no time had passed between us. Like she was still the clingy toddler I used to know. My mind and body reminded me otherwise, but I tried to hold onto that sensation. I don't know how deep her's went for me, but I already knew that the foundation of our relationship remained. I still trusted her.

Did I?

I wanted to say yes, that I did in fact feel the same way about my sister that I did when we were little. But, maybe I was only being desperate in seeking her affection that I already decided that I trusted her, whether I actually did or not. Desperation and loneliness did crazy thing to you.

I shut my eyes and let everything apart from my long lost twin drift away. Her scent was still the same. Somehow I remembered the smell from so long ago, even though so much time had passed and those years I spent living as a nearly empty shell. There had been just enough of me buried there that I held onto it.

Oversimplified, yes, but not incorrect.

Hinami was now on the verge of collapse. I tried to think about how she felt right now but it was difficult to focus. All I wanted to do was sleep; like I finally felt comfortable enough to allow myself to relax.

I was the first to pull back, and I could feel both her surprise and her reluctance. It wasn't because I wanted to separate, because I kept my arms wrapped around her shoulders. No, I just wanted to look at her some more. Our foreheads met, just like the hugs we would share so long ago.

"I-it's really you? Isn't it?"

Even though she was sniffling through her tears, I could tell she was smelling me too. And whatever she found, it was as powerful for her as it was for me. Her lips parted in a small smile.

"You're really here?"

We stared at each other for a very long time, our eyes scanning and taking in every detail.

"Hinami I-"

"Hinami-chan?"

We both froze. Our eyes locked and went wide at the exact same time. I could feel Hinami begin to pull away. Or was she trying to pull me with her?

That voice.

I took a shaky step forward. Towards that voice. Though her cheeks were stained with teartracks, Hinami beamed as we moved simultaneously. It was like a shared response that neither of us fully understood or could explain, but we both acted upon it instinctively.

We staggered into the hallway together, neither of us relinquishing our hold on the other, and left Touka and Steve behind. The two of us made our way down the stairs and into the cafe, where the voice had originated from.

Koma and Yoshimura were behind the bar, and there were only a small handful of other customers in. I noted that none of them were human. Of course, that thought was thrown so hard to the backburner that it sailed clear over the stove and fell down behind it and out of sight. And out of mind.

The scent of of home that engulfed Hinami like a warm blanket was even more prevalent. It saturated the air, and I choked out a strangled sob. Hinami's grip tightened as she half dragged my stumbling self along towards the scent.

Yoshimura was smiling as we passed, and several of the more regular customers watched with unrestrained shock. It seemed most of them were aware of the situation and the clattering of cups and cutlery followed us across the cafe. Irimi took one look at the two of us and smiled wider than I had ever seen her do so before.

We reached the end of the bar and the few tabled tucked around the corner when I finally saw her.

She sat facing the wide windows and cradled a steaming drink in her cupped hands. Her outfit was plain and ordinary. She wore a light green sweater overtop a long white skirt, with a wide leather belt across her stomach. Her right leg was crossed over her left, exposing her legs and black shoes. The entire ensemble was something you would see on a librarian or someone who dressed up a little bit for the day. It was simple, yet looked like it favoured comfort above all else.

It was also the most beautiful sight I had seen in a very long time.

She turned her head towards us as we approached and the afternoon sunlight caught her light brown hair; making it shine and sparkle like silken gold. She didn't look a day over thirty, but there was an aura of weariness and exhaustion clinging to her that made her feel much older. Her soft hazel eyes immediately focused on Hinami, like some maternal instinct, but her attention quickly shifted over to me.

My sister and I must have looked like quite the pair. Tear-stained faces and watery smiles. All I could think of was how warm I felt. It was nothing like the dark and stuffy underground or the heat made in a fresh bath of blood. I basked in the gentle heat from the sunshine and I had never felt better.

The fear, anger, anxiety, and insecurities constantly plaguing me with a connection as unbreakable as my own shadow had lifted. They would return in due time, but with the reprieve I felt lighter than air.

Her eyes flicked between us, comparing one to the other in a way that she had probably long ago given up hope of ever doing so again.

"Hinami?"

Both of us responded. Hinami with overflowing tears of happiness. I with tears of relief. It had been so long. So very long that all I had were memories of her smiling face. Only, the face had long since faded away. The sensation, the feeling and her aura, had always remained.

The teacup clattered on the plate as she turned to fully face us. She stared in shock, her entire body had frozen.

"I-it can't be…" she breathed in barely a whisper.

I don't know where Hinami pulled her courage from, but she took the first step towards our mother, and carried me with her.

Ryouko, my mother, tentatively reached towards me, as if reaching out for a mirage in a dream. I braced myself, afraid I would react to her touch harshly and I squeezed my eyes shut. In my self imposed darkness I held my breath and waited for the masked bird to appear with a wicked grin and a quinque scalpel.

I waited.

And waited but it never came, like something shielded me from the shadows.

Just as I was beginning to grow afraid of its absence, a warm had cupped my cheek.

The sudden heat flooded into me and my fear vanished, replaced by the soft and gentle touch. So tender.

"It is you…"

My eyes cracked open as my beautiful mother knelt before me, our faces nearly at the same level.

"M-mom?"

My throat was not prepared to speak and my voice came out in a terrified squeak. It didn't sound pretty. In fact, it grated on my ears and I hated the feeling of that lump in my throat.

However,

To my mother, as evident by the smile that threatened to split her face in two, it was the most wonderful sound in the whole world. The first tears spilled from her glistening orbs and she felt my face, gently moving her thumb over the scar on my cheek.

"I always knew…I knew you were still alive…" Ryouko said shakily. Her voice trembled with the emotions coursing through her. "I tried to find you but we never knew... oh kami...I'm so sorry...Hiro…"

She smiled through her tears as she apologized. The woman looked both terrified and ashamed.

"But I never stopped believing…"

Hinami's grip tightened considerably when she said that. I didn't know if it was denial or faith that she pursued, or if it was guilt that plagued her, but at this point I could only imagine how sweet her vindication and relief must taste.

"Oh my poor boy...could you ever forgive your Okaa-san?"

How could she ask me something like that? It was my fault for leaving. It was because of me she had to suffer. Had she truly blamed herself this entire time? She must have put herself through hell in doing so.

It would seem she did. The pain in her eyes pierced right through me. Eight years of living with the fear and guilt. If I could ease that burden of her unconditional love, I would do it in a heartbeat.

I stepped closer, keeping an arm wrapped around my twin as I reached out with my free hand. Ryouko tracked my arm and I pressed my hand to her cheek as well, just like I had with Hinami, and mirrored her own.

How how long I had dreamed of this. It had long since become something I could only imagine, not an actual possibility. But now, I could scarcely believe it was actually real. I was afraid Steve-the cow, not the kitten-would come crashing through the window and jostle me awake. But as the seconds stretched by, he never showed up. I didn't know what else to say but a memory from a long time ago resurfaced in my mind.

Hinami and I were with Tou-san. It was a warm summer day and Tou-san carried us, one in each arm, for a brief walk around the neighbourhood. He placed us down on the front steps when we got back and he quickly explained what we were supposed to say when we returned to announce our presence to our family. He knelt before us and his glasses glinted in the light as he looked between myself and my two year old twin.

"Do you remember what to say?" he asked us.

I nodded happily but Hinami was too distracted by his short scruffy beard.

"Tadaima!" I squeaked excitedly.

"Hai! Good work Hiro! Okaa-san will be very happy to hear you say it!"

Hinami scrunched up her face as she tried to imitate me. "Taa-daa-ma?"

Asaki laughed at her adorable expression and I grinned along with him. "Ta-dai-ma," he repeated. "Try it again sweetie."

Hinami struggled on the word a few more times before she finally got it and when she did, she looked right at me and giggled. I took her hand and pulled her towards the door. Tou-san followed and he unlocked the way for us. With a large smile on my face, I pushed the door open and stepped inside, taking a deep breath and shouting with all my little lungs...

"Tadaima."

Her smile warmed my heart. She laughed and tilted her head to the side, letting the sunlight shine upon her head like a golden halo.

"Okaerinasai" she whispered through her tears, no doubt having dreamed and hoped with all her heart to be able to say those words again.

So it's been a hot minute since I updated and I've had this chapter pretty much done since my last one but never got around to posting it. Sorry for it being a short one, but I think I've done enough with the cliff hangers as it is.

Thanks to everyone who keeps reading this and faving and following. I do have a rough idea for where this story can go from here as this is kind of where I wanted to start originally, so yay the prologue is done? Something like that.

No promises on when I'll update again, so until such a time as I do, I think this is an okay place to leave it for a while.