Then and There by blackdragonflower
Chapter Two: Why
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Sayu opened the door to her aunt and uncle's place still feeling a bit moody. Surprisingly her aunt was actually home. "Hello Sayu! Nice to see you! Did you have fun at the mall?" The woman was juggling paperwork, still dressed as if she was at work, lips still painted flawless and bright red.
"It was fine. Thank you."
"Have you seen Tsuki around?"
"No... I think she left a note on the coffee table or the fridge... Something about being with her friend Erin..."
"Ah, the silly girl. I told her to leave me messages on my phone. I'll never see her stupid little messages..." The woman sighed tucking her light brown hair behind her ear and squinted through her glasses. "Well, I see then. If you excuse me I have work to do. If you're hungry help yourself... You do live here after all. Just don't leave a mess."
Sayu remained silent and walked away from her aunt. She kind of felt sorry for her cousin having to live with parents who were never home, and when they were they didn't spend any time with their daughter. Sayu climbed the polished mahogany stairs and locked herself in her room. She flopped down on the plush bed feeling tears prick her eyes. So far she hated Winchester, England. It was a nice place it just wasn't, home...
"Sayu Yagami what is this?" Soichiro Yagami, her father, held the cell phone inches from her face a text message opened. Sayu's face went pale.
"It's a... text message daddy."
"What does the text message read Sayu? Read it aloud." Sayu bit her lip. Her voice shook as she read, quiet.
"Hiya honey. I miss you. Wanna go on a date at the movies? Maybe tomorrow? Love your girl. XOXO"
Soichiro closed the phone his stance tense. "Is there something you want to tell me? Something you've been hiding for about two months?! Don't lie to me... I've been through your text messages."
Sayu stared at the floor her shoulders shaking as she tried not to cry. She clenched her fists tightly. Sachiko put a hand on her husband's arm. "Soichiro..."
"No. She needs to tell me. I will not have her having secrets underneath my roof."
"I... I'm in a relationship with a female." Sayu whispered. "I... was worried about telling yo-"
"You're going to stay with your aunt and uncle in Winchester, England."
"What?!" Sayu's eyes widened and she stared in disbelief at her father.
"You heard me. Pack your things. They've already said you could stay there. You'll be leaving as soon as possible."
At the airport the next day he didn't even touch her. His face screamed he was ashamed of his daughter's actions. Light gave her a one armed hug, but still retained a little distance. Sachiko was the only one who showed true affection to Sayu. She crushed her daughter close, but not a single tear fell. "Take care Sayu. You're aunt and uncle will take good care of you. I love you sweetie. Goodbye."
Sayu held her mother close. "Bye mom... I love you too."
"Your plane's about to leave. You better hurry." Sayu hesitantly let go of her mother and adjusted the bag on her shoulder.
"Goodbye." She turned her back on her family and walked slowly away her heart drowning in its own tears.
...Then again, what was there for the girl to call home? She felt a vibration in her pocket and pulled out her cell.
Hey hun. What's up?
Sayu smiled. Nothing much Ame-chan. You?
Missin hugging my gf that's what.
I'm sorry. My parents are the ones who sent me here. I don't like it.
Yeah I know. Still... this sucks. I just wanna smother you in kisses!
Giggle. Ame you are the best! I love you.
Yeah love you too. Hey, g2g. Mom's callin. Later hun.
Sayu held the phone close. 'I love you Ame. No matter what.' The young woman sat up and put the phone away. She had been kicked out of her home because she had loved and had a relationship with another girl. She was always afraid her father would find out. He was old fashioned, believing a girl loving a girl, or a boy loving a boy was just wrong, no arguing with him, he was just too stubborn. Sayu wrapped her arms around her waist a tear running down her cheek. Despite the fact he wouldn't accept this part of her however, she still loved him, all her family dearly. Sayu stared at the laptop in her room, it was a new model out on the market, but her uncle had called it 'out of date'. Since her aunt and uncle were both pretty high up in a computer company they had some nice gadgets. She lifted the lid and opened up her email. Clicking on the 'compose' button she began to email her mom, but stopped midway when she heard yelling.
"Tsuki Anei Kodomo were have you been?!" Sayu knew she shouldn't pry, but she couldn't help it. Leaving the email halfway finished she crept from her room and to the top of the stairs.
"God mom I left you a note!" Tsuki cried out angrily.
"How many times do I have to tell you young lady? Leave me voicemails. I'm a busy woman who can't go about looking for silly sticky notes. Now where have you been?!"
"I've been with Erin!" The girl adjusted her short red skirt that was over her black jeans. "Not like you would care anyways... All I'm good for is insurance if I passed away."
"Tsuki Anei!"
"What?! What the heck do you want from me mom?! Do you want me to say I'm sorry or it won't ever happen again? It's not my fault! You're the one who didn't get my note that I left right there on the table!" Tsuki pointed and there was indeed a note on the table. Tsuki's mother picked it up.
"This? This is worthless! It just says you're with Erin. Doesn't say where or how long. Goodness gracious, use the brain's you've got child!"
"..." Tsuki stuck her tongue out and bit on it hard to keep from saying something she might later regret.
Tsuki's mother rubbed her temple. "Go tell Sayu that I found a place where she can work part-time to keep herself busy. They could use help. She'll be working as a cook at Wammy's House orphanage."
Tsuki was silent.
"TSUKI! Answer me or go!"
"Yes mother..." The girl in all black (except her red miniskirt and a white cross that dangled from a choker on her neck) stomped away from her mother and towards the stairs. Sayu scrambled back to her room and plopped down in her desk chair trying to act like she hadn't eavesdropped at all. Tsuki knocked on the door. "Yo? You in there?"
"Yeah. Come in!"
Tsuki didn't need to be told twice. She kicked open the door and collapsed on Sayu's bed. "I've got something my workaholic mother wants me to tell you."
"What?"
"She's forcing you to get a job."
"...What?" Sayu feigned confusion.
"Yup. At the orphanage a mile or so from town... Wammy's House? You're gonna be a cook."
"Why a cook?" Sayu questioned.
"Mom heard from her sister, a.k.a your mom, you like to cook so why not?"
"Oh... Tsuki... are you okay?"
"Nope." The fifteen-year-old girl laughed. "Don't worry 'bout me. I'm a toughened soldier living under my own rule!" Tsuki got up her blue eyes somewhat dim even though her smile was large. Sayu's nose wrinkled, she could smell the traces of cigarette smoke off her cousin. "Well... I'm gonna... go to my room... I've got some stuff to do... for Erin... Later cuz."
"Kay. See ya Tsuki. Take care."
Tsuki didn't answer just closed the door behind her. Sayu groaned wanting to bash her head against a very hard object. 'She signed me up for a job?! What the hell? Can't I find my own job? ... Well... at least it's cooking, so it's something I like... but for an orphanage full of children? I've never cooked for more than five to six people! How can I cook for that many? I want to go home...' Sayu decided to try and forget about it and finish up her email to her mother, not including the fact she was apparently getting forced into a job.
Mom, wrapping this up... How's dad and everyone? I miss you all very much. My English is getting better, but still is kind of bad sometimes. I met some very interesting people today when I went to Winchester's mall. They were very nice. Sayu lied. They were interestingly weird was more like it. It was a lot of fun. How's your latest tv drama been going? I'm sure it's full of great twists and romance. I'd like to hear about it when you get the time. Well, I should probably be going. Love you mom, tell everyone I love them too. Yours truly, Sayu.
The young woman closed out her email and shut down the computer. Flicking off the lights she went and crawled into bed. The pillows and blankets absorbed her into them clutching her with soft, plushy delight. Sayu grabbed the stuffed animal she'd brought from home, a stuffed neko colored gray with black stripes, and cuddled it close. Her father had gotten her the cat, the first toy she'd ever owned. Sayu stroked the tips of the cat's ears and hugged it. "Maybe cooking at an orphanage won't be so bad..." She gave a weak giggle. "I love you too Stripes. Night."
Sleep stole her away whisking her to a land of fantasy and dreams, where wishes come true.
End of Chapter Two.
Disclaimers: Characters belong to Death Note by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata. / Tsuki and Erin belong to xxdemonchild. / Ame belongs to me. / Tsuki's parents are co-owned by blackdragonflower me and xxdemonchild
Neko means cat in Japanese
blackdragonflower