Chapter One

Some rock music invaded the bedroom, but not loudly enough to hide the violent argument that raged downstairs. In the dark, two little girls were hugging each other, trying to escape from this terrible reality. They were hiding under the duvet, using it as a barricade. Only a fragile light came from the ladybug nightlight. It had already been a week since everything really started, and it only became more and more intense. The people arguing didn't care about eavesdropping neighbors. The challenge was to provoke the other to shout more, and tonight it started earlier than usual.

"You don't understand, you never did! I want a divorce! I don't love you, and I never loved you! This family destroyed my life! I tried to play that horrible role, being a perfect wife and mother, but I can't do it anymore. Your love destroys me. I'm not a possession; I don't need that kind of sick love. I need my freedom. And now, because of your selfishness, I'm burdened with that girl that I didn't want! Never!" A feminine voice screamed.

"How dare you to treat your own daughter like this! She deserves better than that! Than you! You are a slut! Did you really imagine I didn't know about your man? Or the others?"

Another object broke against the wall; the noise startled Natsuki and Shizuru, who remained silent in the bed. The blunette could feel her best friend shivering in her arms, and she couldn't protect her. How could she? She was only eleven. But Shizuru was only eight. She wouldn't leave her alone. She would stay with her, no matter what might happen. How could parents fight like that when their own child was at home? Normally, home was a safe and loving place. But it was not anymore. It was more like a battlefield where blows could happen at any moment. An innocent Shizuru was the spectator of this hatred, and she simply felt responsible.

"Natsuki… it-it's… my fault… that my parents are sss-so… a-angry… if I wasn't here… they-they will be happy… everybody… will be…" The chestnut girl stammered, afraid. Natsuki, upset from listening to this nonsense, simply answered by pressing her lips atop the other's head, and she forced the red-eyed girl to look at her. She cupped the smaller girl's cheeks and fondly kissed her nose.

"Of course not, sweetie. I love you more than anything, my Zuru, and your dad, and mom… they are simply… stupid… they don't realize how lucky they have to have you. It's hurt me badly that you forgot about me. You are precious to me. You are my little angel, my family, my friend, my kitten."

A shy smile spread on Shizuru's face when Natsuki tickled her belly, and she wrapped her own frail arm around the brunette's neck. "Ka-kannin na...I-I also lll-love you sooooo much…Suki…" Shizuru hiccupped, and her best friend tenderly wiped away her tears with her fingers.

"More than your chocolate?"

Shizuru pondered for a moment. "Yes!"

"More than your parakeet?'"

"I-I…yes? But I can't love you both?" Shizuru asked, nervously biting her lips.

"Of course you can, silly."

"But…"

"But?"

"You will be always my favourite!" Shizuru said, blushing an adorable pink.

"Aaah…you are such a cutie." The bluenette pinched Shizuru's cheeks, making her friend giggle. Next, she stretched Shizuru beside her, and continued to hold her in her arms. She began to sing a song, a lullaby. She created it herself, even if there were no rhymes.

Please don't cry, my little princess,

Everything will be fine….

I promise you will smile soon

Because I will protect you…