1. Thankfulness

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Natsume had been writing for hours now and he knew he wasn't going anywhere with his list. He had been asked by his teacher at school to write ten things you were thankful for and so his dad happened to think it would be great if Natsume shared those thankful thoughts when having dinner on Thanksgiving day. Not only that, but Aoi thought it would be fun and decided to join in.

There was absolutely, positively no way that Natsume would let himself get beat by a girl - a younger girl nonetheless.

So with his pencil in his balled hand, Natsume began to write at the top of the list.

Number One...

Wasn't he thankful for his father? He was the one who sheltered him and nursed him, pfft; his dad was two parents in one since his mom died. With the tip pressing against the paper, he wrote down "father." The reason was never put down because he had other things to do.

"Brother!" Aoi called from the door. She waved her paper in the air with a giggling smile on her face. "I've finished my paper and I'm so excited to share it with the whole class! Are you done yet with yours?"

By the sharp, glaring look in his red eyes, it said that he was not but he wasn't going to admit that to anyone. Without replying, Natsume continued writing on his piece of paper.

"You're only on number one?" Aoi asked when she peeked over her brother's shoulder.

Natsume snatched his piece of paper and trapped it against his chest. His eyes kept glaring at the most innocent pair of eyes. "Go away," he snarled and pointed to the door. She didn't look where he was pointing but she offered Natsume to let him look at hers.

"Do you like it?" Aoi asked with her eyes glittering with happiness. "You're on this list too! You always protect me from those big bullies. You're the best big brother I could ever have - no, anyone could ever have!" With that, Aoi hugged him and started skipping over to the door.

Before Aoi could leave the room, she said, "Oh, you better be happy that the bathroom door was shut and locked because I was about to go in there when you were taking a shower."

He nodded only in acknowledgment but he wasn't listening. Then the words suddenly cracked into his mind.

Number two, doors.

Number three, locks.

This was getting easier and easier...

A/N: I'm actually giving myself a challenge because I'm that bored. Someone give me a theme challenge! D8