Chapter 1 - Sisters

My arms tighten around my book as I turn to face the man, who appeared to be very old to me. Around the same age as my father who was in his forties if I remember correctly. He had a creepy grin plastered on to his face with messy hair and baggy clothes, overall gave me this uncomfortable feeling.

The man takes a step towards me as he held his hands out in front of him which causes me to take a step back as he opened his mouth. "If you come to my car, I could give you some of the candy I have." The creepy man tells me.

I fought to keep my eyes from rolling. The man was trying to pull one of the oldest tricks in the book, treating me like some brainless kid. I narrow my eyes onto him as I knew I was anything but brainless as I shook my head no while staring at his nose before turning to walk away but the man's voice stopped me. "I also have toys too."

With my back facing him, I rolled my eyes before ignoring him and continue walking away before feeling a hand roughly grab ahold of my shoulder and pull onto it which caused my back to crash into his chest before moving his arm around my neck.

I let out a soft gasp at the force before a shiver ran through my spine when I felt the creepy old man's breath against my ear. "Listen to me very closely kid. If you don't come with me. You'll be very sorry." The man spoke calmly and softly, it was as if he was reading a lullaby but in a haunting and creepy way.

I quickly glance at the area around us, noticing that there were some thick trees and bushes that were covering us so that anyone that came to the park wouldn't see us unless they were at the right angle.

I frown as I realize why I was the one he targeted. As I was not only out of the public eye but was also a cute little red-headed girl. This fact only caused me to press my lips together as I was trying to form some sort of plan of escape. Normal people would call for help but my pride kept me from doing that. Not only that, but I haven't spoken a word for a month. I didn't know how strong my cry for help would be.

Even if I did scream for help, who is to say that he doesn't have some sort of weapon on him. This thought caused me to drop my book as I place my small hands onto his thick arm to try and stop him from choking me in case he tried to. Even though, I would probably fail in the end,

I swallowed a lump in my throat as I feel tears prickle at the corner of my eyes as I felt his warm breath against my ear once more. "Now do exactly as I say and nothing bad will happen. I want you to follow me out of this place as if I am your father. Understood?"

I bit the inside of my mouth as to keep my mouth shut as all I wanted to do at that moment was sass him as he was very much like my father. My father didn't kidnap little girls or children in general. Though, I wouldn't put it past him as he did every terrible thing you could think of, including murder. RIght in front of his precious daughter.

But sassing him wasn't going to help my situation so I say nothing and just nod, just like the obedient child I was, and always will be, no matter what happens. I kept a frown on my face as I blink my eyes, trying to keep the tears from falling and to get rid of the feeling and kept track of my breathing as I couldn't show fear since it would only give him the upper hand in the end,

"Good." He then pulled his arm from around my neck and placed his hand on my shoulder. I felt his hand suddenly disappear from my shoulder. I stood there for a few seconds, excepting him to do something but when a groan reached my ears, I turned around slowly, only to come face to face with the annoying brown haired girl, otherwise known as my adopted sister, Ichigo Hayashi.

My eyes widen as it lands on the brown-haired girl that stood taller than me grinned widely at me while holding my bag that was filled with books that Miss Amano was keeping a hold of for me as I didn't know how long we were going to be here so I brought a small bag I owned and stuffed a few books in there since I was a fast reader,

I stare at her in shock as my lips parted slightly before looking down to see the man on his knees with hands on his head and were groaning loudly. Most likely from the pain of being hit by a bag full of hardback books.

I look back up and watch Ichigo as she swings the bag onto her shoulder before grabbing the book I dropped and my wrist and begins dragging me away from the scene with me staring at the back of the cheerful brown-haired girl in shock while she ran while giggling wildly. We didn't stop until we reached the swing sets which was right out in public so if that man were to try and make a grab at us. We could just scream our heads off since the park was full of people, or at least, that was what Ichigo said as she smiles at me while still breathing unevenly due to our run, I raised my eyebrow at her after looking around us, noticing that Miss Amano wasn't anywhere near us which caused Ichigo to continue talking,

"Miss Amano is still at the ice cream truck and she told me to come to see if there was a flavor you wanted. But I couldn't find you at the swing sets so I started looking for you when I caught sight of your red hair in between the trees and bushes. That's when I saw that you were being held captive by that man and I had your bag with me because I wanted to help Miss Amano since she was nice enough to buy us some ice cream so I said that I would hold it for her. So I swang this bag at that man at the back of his head as hard as I could. Didn't expect the results to be so efficient through. But all wells that end well, except for that man of course. He seemed to have taken that blow pretty hard." Ichigo explains.

I just stare at her with a blank stare for a few minutes before a small smile appeared on my face as I snorted before falling to my knees as I started laughing before I started crying heavily as all I could think about was how that I was almost taken. I could have been killed and the girl I thought was annoying and hated was the one that saved me which caused guilt to weight heavily on my heart,

Ichigo stood there awkwardly and rightfully so since I didn't laugh, I didn't smile, I didn't cry, I didn't say a single word. I kept everything inside for a whole month and I was finally letting it all out as it was far too overwhelming to keep it in.

"Lily," Ichigo spoke causing me to look up at her as I was wiping the tears away, trying to make them stop but I was failing to do so. When I did, I saw no hint of a smile, no amusement in her eyes. Only sadness. It was definitely a new sight and it caused me to become completely silent, despite the occasional sniffling. "Do you think I'm perfect and that I have a perfect life?"

I give her a nod as my answer, surprised by the question.

She smiles a little but there was still sadness in her eyes. "I had a feeling, the kids at school think the same thing and hate me for it. Just like you do." Ichigo tells me which caused my eyes to widen as I never thought much about it when she had told me that none of her classmates liked her, simply because I was to caught up in my own problems to realize hers.

At my old school, the kids didn't like me either but for a completely different reason. They outcasted me because of who I had chosen to be my best friend, but I didn't care because I was happy when who I hanged out with.

But I'm not perfect Lily and my life isn't perfect either. It has never been and it never will be. I have my own problems. They may be different from yours but there still problems. There still hard to come over. Maybe not to you but we are two different people. So it's understandable." Ichigo stopped as she stared at me but when I said nothing, she went back to talking, explaining her thoughts to me in a way, I didn't think she was capable of as she was only ten years old herself.

"My mother may still be alive but, every time I turn around, She is always going on business trips and is always leaving me alone with the butlers and maids and since no one at home is my age and they're always busy and that none of the kids like me at school. I'm always alone, I was so happy when I found out that my mom was bringing a girl my age to live with us. I didn't care why, I just thought that I wouldn't be alone anymore but then soon after meeting you, I realized you didn't like me but I so badly wanted to hang out with someone that was my age so I ignored the fact that you didn't like me. Hoping that as time pass, you would eventually like me. But it would seem that isn't so, sadly.

"Not only that but I know what it's like to lose someone. I lost my dad at the age of five. He died in a car crash. It left my mom heartbroken and it made me really sad since he was really nice. He was really funny and he spent a lot of time with me. A lot more than mom ever spent with me. I understand why you don't like me though. I'm far too positive for my own good. I talk too much and ask far too many questions and I know that I'm really annoying but if possible, could we just pretend to like each other so then we don't cause mom to worry?" Ichigo then stopped talking and forced a sad smile on her face. Something that shouldn't be there in the first place and only caused my heart to hold even more guilt.

I was honestly stunned. I wasn't excepting this from such an optimized girl. That was when I realized, no one can ever be perfect and no could ever have a perfect life. That was when I realized that being perfect and having a perfect life wasn't possible. It will never be possible and I'm just gonna have to accept that and live my life to the best of my ability.

I smile at Ichigo as I made a new vow to myself. "I-I've d-decided something I-Ich-Ichigo," The words falling off my tongue felt weird and my voice was unclear. I coughed as my voice felt rough before clearing my throat out. Watching as Ichigo's eyes widen as I continue talking. "Y-You are right in what you said. I-I was wrong in hating you and I don't hate you anymore instead, I am thankful that you never gave up on me." I tell her, my voice coming out as soft and low.

Real happiness then spreads across her face as she lets out a squeal before throwing her arms around me, catching me off guard with the incoming hug. "Your voice sounds so cute! It's so adorable! You have to keep talking for like, forever!" She tells me, excitement laced her voice.

I let out a laugh, which felt completely weird as I wrap my arms around her in a hug. Glad that the real Ichigo was back and for the first time in a month, I felt happy and safe, and I felt I could be myself without a doubt in my mind.