Shadows of Yesterday and Light of Tomorrow

[HIRO JUN MIZUSHIMA]

Hiro opened the black french door that led to the backyard where you could find the giant pool. The sun was setting on the horizon. Hiro basked in the remaining rays of sun. It was rather peaceful. He leaned on the frame of the door as he started out onto the horizon. To think it had been eight years since he and Isabella had lost their parents. He sighed as he remembered the days that followed, specifically the events of two days after the funeral.

~FLASHBACK

Hiro sat near the window in his parents bedroom on the second floor. He was stared out onto the horizon as the sun was setting. It had been two days. Two days since he had laid his parents to rest in the ground. He had not cried, he had not let himself show any vulnerability. He could not afford it. Not now. Not yet. He had been so lost in his thoughts that he hadn't even heard the knock on the door nor it opening. "Hiro? It's time for us to be heading to the airport. I wish we could stay longer." he uncle spoke in a soft voice trying to get Hiro's attention. Hiro didn't move or turn his head. "I'll be down in a minute." he said without emotion. He heard a sigh come from his uncle. "It's not to late for us to take Isabella." Hiro just scoffed. He had been expecting this from the start. "With all due respect Uncle, like I said before. Like Hell." he said in a harsh tone. His temper rising at the fact that one of the final things that would be spoke between him and his uncle would be the thought of them taking Isabella. All it had done was earn him another sigh from his relative. "It would be in her best interest." that had only earn him another unamused chuckle from the teenager. "Considering that my parents left me as her legal guardian I would beg to differ. My parents knew what I've already told you and the rest of them. What's best for Isabella would be for her to stay here with me in our home. Not go off with family that she's what...once a year?" he said, spite filling his voice.

"Hiro be reasonable. You're only eighteen. Starting college. You've never taken on responsibility of another person like this. You have no experience. It would be better for Isabella to live with family who do. Plus it would be for forever. Only until the time comes for her to attend the academy. Then if she so chooses she could move back here with you." the more his uncle talked the more his blood boiled just because they were still discussing. When would they get it through their thick heads. It was only because they were family that he didn't send a blast of fire or just punch him. He kept himself calm as best he could as his hands slowly turned into fists. "Do they know her favorite color? Her favorite story? Game? Sweet? Movie or song? Fruit or cartoon she likes to watch when eating breakfast?" he asked plainly. Then for the first time since this conversation began he looked at his uncle and slowly rose from his sitting position and began to make his way towards. "You're right. I don't have any experience raising child. But I don't need it to know that this is where Isabella belonged. We just buried our parents. I will not allow her to be ripped away from the only home she has ever known. That is final." he said the last statement filled with a serious harsh tone that basically screamed to drop the subject. And if that didn't do then surely his glare did the job. Family or not he was done talking about this. All his uncle could do was sigh and submit. He walked out of the room which gave Hiro a moment to recompose himself before exiting and heading downstairs.

After a couple of minutes of final goodbyes Hiro watched as his family drove off in their taxis and softly closed the door. Then there were two. His sister was sitting on the stairs and he slowly turned around, leaned on the door, closed his eyes and took in a breath. Suddenly the house became very huge and empty. Had it always been this way he wondered? No, because even though it was only four, it had been filled with love, joy and laughter. It was the sound of a soft bell like voice that brought him out of his thoughts. "Things won't ever be the same will they?" He opened his eyes to look at the very sweet face of his sister staring at him. He just sighed and walked over to sit next to her. "I won't lie to you Isabella, it won't. But I do promise you that everything will be alright." he said in the best voice he could. "I'm not mom and dad. I'm not perfect like they were. Big brother Hiro makes mistakes. And I'll probably be making a lot more. I'll be needing your help but you've always been able to count on me before right?" he looked at his sister and she nodded her head. "And that will never change."

He got up from his sitting position and knelt in front of her. "I promise that I'm going to do the very best that I can to take care of you for now on. I need you to promise me that you're going to do the same. Can you do that for me?" he asked her in a soft voice. He just watched her as she softly nodded her head. He raised his pinky and she intertwined her's with his. They shared a big hug that lasted a couple a moments before they released each other. "Alright then. How about we order some pizza and watch a movie. Your choice." he said with a soft smile which was returned with a soft smile from Isabella. Hand in hand they walked into the living room. Hiro was unsure what the future would hold but he was going to make sure that Isabella was taken care of exactly how his parents would have wanted.

~END OF FLASHBLACK

Hiro opened his eyes as he reminisced about the first days when it became just Isabella and he. Eight years later here they were. Living in their same house. He had graduated college and became a history teacher at the academy. Isabella was now in her second year at the academy, growing every day farther from that eight year old little girl that had taken his hand. He only hoped that wherever their parents were watching them from in the skies that they were proud and happy that they had stuck together. It hadn't been easy. They had definitely had their trials, and he was sure that there would still be many more to come but as each day passed they got through it and managed. They made it work and he was sure it would continue this way.

It was the familiar sound of feet coming down the hall that brought him out of his thoughts. He smiled when he heard that soft sweet voice speak. "What are you doing Hiro?" He just turned to look at his sister. "Nothing. Just thinking." was all he said as he began to close the french doors. "I see. So, what's for dinner tonight?" He walked towards her and stood next to her before he answered. "I was thinking ordering pizza tonight. And maybe watching a movie. What do you think?" A light squeal came from his sister as her enthusiasm rose. "Sounds perfect. My choice." he just smiled and nodded in agreement as she ran towards the living room to make a selection. He grabbed the phone and started dialing to place the order. Eight years. Eight years they had live together helping each other get through life the best they could. As much as Isabella needed him back then he needed her just as much. That was their secret. Relying on each other. It had worked for eight years and it would work for many years to come.