Grandmother

Yuuki and Yumi go down stairs and find their mom and dad sitting on the couch watching TV.

"Hey kids, have you finished your homework?"

"Yes sir", they both reply.

"Would you like to join us?", their dad asks, making more space for them on the couch.

"Yumi, are you okay? Have you been crying?" Yumi's mother notices Yumi's red eyes.

"Actually, we wanted to talk to you", Yuuki says. He pulls Yumi over to the other sofa and sits them down.

"Of course son." Their dad turns off the TV. "What seems to have upset you?" Yuuki nudges Yumi.

Yumi clears her throat. "Well, Onee-sama is engaged to Kashiwagi-san."

"Oh isn't that great. They make such a lovely couple", her mom gushes.

"It is also impossible for them to love one another", Yumi continues.

"What do you mean, Yumi?"

"Kashiwagi-san only has romantic feelings for men, thus he can't love Onee-sama. They will be entering a loveless marriage. I wish to stop it."

"That is terrible, Yumi, but we don't have the power to do anything", their father finally speaks up.

"I believe we can, Otou-san", Yuuki counters. "What about Obaa-sama?"

"Your mother's mother won't be able to…"

"Not that grandmother, but our other grandmother, your mother, Otou-san." Their parent's eyes widen.

"You know your other Obaa-sama died before you were born", their mom gives a sad smile.

"We believe otherwise."

"Wha…"

"I happened to overhear Otou-san shouting over the phone one day." Their dad's eyes widen in recognition of the phone call. "He was calling the other person Oka-sama."

"That was your mother's mom…"

"Don't lie to us Otou-san!", Yumi yells. Her parents are shocked. "You would never yell at Obaa-san." Yuuki grabs Yumi's hand. Yumi looks down at her lap and more tears fall. "I need her help, if she can offer any. I would do anything for Onee-sama." Yumi takes a breath and whispers, "Anything for Sachiko."

Their parent's eyes widen yet again. Somehow, their eyes have not yet popped out of their head. A tear rolls down their mother's face, but Yuuki and Yumi don't notice, since Yumi is still looking in her lap, and Yuuki is consoling her.

"I see…", their father mumbles. Their mother places a hand on his shoulder and gives him a slight smile and nods. He sighs. "Oka-sama…" Yuuki and Yumi's heads shoot up. "She is known as Shigemi Utako, the only daughter of the Shigemi Corporation with no heir."

"But you", Yumi cuts in.

"I forfeited my past lifestyle for a life of freedom. As Sachiko-san is now, I was once thrown into a loveless marriage for business. My fiancé was beautiful and kind, but there was no connection. I thought I could live my life content enough. I was fine until I found real love." He grabs his wife's hand. "When I met your mother, I just wanted her. She didn't care about the money to my name. She wanted me and I wanted her. Oka-sama would never let me take a mistress, that isn't how our family works. The men and women share equal power. She wanted me and I wanted her. Oka-sama would never let me take a mistress, that isn't how our family works. The men and women share equal power. Oka-sama…she found out about us. She scolded me and told me to stick with my priorities, that what I was doing was silly. Of course I argued. She gave me a choice. Either marry my fiancé and take over the company or be estranged from the family and do what I want. As you see," he holds up his joined hand with his wife, "I chose the latter. She wanted nothing more to do with me. She hasn't spoken to me since I told her of you twos birth, until that day Yuuki overheard the phone call."

"But why did she call?", Yuuki asks.

Their father sighs again and a grim looks covers his features. "She apparently isn't doing well. She also couldn't find a suitable heir to take her place when she will no longer be able to. She wants to take one of you, since you are still young and should be able to learn quickly. I refused, and thus we entered another argument, after having not spoken to each other in years."

"I want to go." Everyone stares at Yumi.

"What?", her parents say.

"I would do anything for Onee-sama. If Obaa-sama has any power that can help, I will take it."

"Yumi, you don't know what you are getting yourself into", her father tries to explain.

"No, but I have a feeling. I have seen the way Onee-sama lives. All I want is for her to be happy."

"Yumi, the life you are trying to enter is a prison. There is no freedom, no fun. All you do is work to please."

"I don't care!" Yumi gets on her knees in front of her parents and bows. "I would do anything. Please, just give me this chance." Yuuki bows next to Yumi.

"Please allow her to try. I will watch over her." Their parents are shocked about how serious they are about this.

"I wanted a better life for my children, but it seems my past has come back to haunt me."

Yumi grabs her father's hands. "My life would be a nightmare, if I knew Sachiko couldn't experience true happiness and love like you. Everyone deserves a fair shot at love."

"You told us to fight for what we believe Otou-san. I will help Yumi with her fight. She will not be alone."

"Please Otou-san", Yumi begs.

"You kids have grown up before we even realized." He pats their heads. "You have a hard path to take Yumi. It will be very difficult." Yumi nods. "But it seems I will never be able to change your mind. You two go on up to bed. I will think of someone way to get in contact with Oka-sama." Yumi and Yuuki smile widely and tackle their parents into a hug, thanking them. Their mother kisses their faces and sends them up to bed.

"I'm scared for them dear." His wife clings to his arm.

"They will be okay. They are stronger than we think." He hugs his wife. "Plus, Yumi has something worth fighting for. Sometimes, that's all someone needs." He leans in and kisses his wife.

These are some of the shortest chapters I've written, but I plan on writing more chapters than my previous stories. I hope everyone likes it so far. Please continue to review and I will update as soon as possible.