I'm just finishing up packing the last of my things when my bedroom doors flies open. Kin rushes in and embraces me. Her thin arms wrap around me and she crushes me to her chest. She is openly crying as I struggle to free myself from her choking hold.
"I can't believe you are leaving today Yumi!" Kin cries and squeezes me tighter against her. I hear a chuckle and manage to sneak a look and see Ruka walking in along with my mother.
"Let her go Kin before you suffocate her." Ruka chides softly all while smiling. Kin releases me and I stagger back while sucking in deep breaths. Kin clutches her hands in front of her and gazes at me with tear filled eyes.
"I'm just going to miss her so much mom." Kin sniffles and I feel sadness wash over me. It's just now starting to hit that I'm leaving behind everything I've ever known. Including my best friend who has been with me since we were babies. I walk over and hug Kin.
"I'll miss you to Kin. I promise to write as much as I can. And call when we are near a phone." Kin sniffles once more and embraces me again, albeit much gentler this time. Kin releases me and steps back as Ruka approaches. Ruka gathers me in her arms and kisses the top of my head.
"Promise to keep in touch squirt." Ruka's usually steadfast voice wavers. I snuggle into her embrace and promise to do so. Ruka kisses me once more and steps away. She moves over to kin and smoothes some hair back from her face.
"We will be downstairs waiting with the others." Ruka gives Kin a pointed look and they both exit my room, closing the door softly behind them. I turn to face my mother and see her holding a picture of us from when I was little. She looks up at me and smiles sadly. My mother sits on my bed and pats the spot beside her. I sit down and she takes my hand.
"I need you to promise me something Yumi." My mothers usually smiling face is now stoic and weary. I nod and she sighs.
"The world out there is a dangerous place. I want you to promise to always be vigilant even when everything seems to be perfect." I'm extremely confused.
"You make it sound as if the shadow's are going to get me." I laugh trying to diffuse the tense atmosphere. My mom isn't laughing though and instead watches me with stern eyes.
"What do you honestly think will happen? Trust me nothing will happen." My mother gets a faraway look on her face and touches her neck.
"Mom? Are you ok?" My mother sighs and squeezes my hand.
"I need to tell you something." She pause and touches her neck once more. "I hoped never to tell you or your brother this but if it will help you see that there is evil in this world, so be it." Silently my mother unsnaps her pearl necklace and as it falls away I gasp. In a jagged thick line across my mothers pale skin is a scar. It is about three inches long with jagged edges. The skin looks like it had been torn and has scar tissue that looks like it would be rough to the touch. It is also an off-color gray. My mother runs her fingers along the scar and her face takes on a pinched look.
"What happened?" I whisper and reach out my hand to gently touch the skin. I was right. Unlike the smooth softness of the rest of her throat the scar is rough and ugly. My mother sighs and moves off the bed to look out the window.
"A long time ago after your father and I became one and got married, a man who used to be a senate member became obsessed with me." She closes her eyes and swallows as if the words are some how lodged in her throat. I sit patiently and wait for her to find the words.
"Your father and I were on our honeymoon when the man came and kidnapped me. I tried to fight back but he held a knife to my stomach and threatened to kill you and your brother." My mothers face is pale and strained.
"He drugged me and he and his men stole me away to his country home." She pauses and once again fingers the skin of her throat. "He wanted to make me lose you and your brother and have me for himself. I fought him tooth and nail though." Her face darkens as if remembering a violent memory.
"He assaulted me until I thought he would accidentally kill me." My heart thuds painfully in my chest.
"I prayed for your father to find me and eventually he did." She stops speaking and looks out the window once more.
"Then what happened?' I whisper afraid to disrupt her thoughts. My mother clenches her small hands.
"He tried to once again kidnap me. Only this time your father found us before he could get very far." Her shoulders shake as she gets lost in her memories.
"Your father had a gun trained on him and was prepared to end it. However the man had other plans." Not once has she said his name. I clench my hands in the fabric of my dress.
"He held a knife up to my throat and was prepared to kill me. Luckily Ruka and Kain took him out from behind." She pause and takes a deep breath. " Unfortunately he managed to cut me, opening a main artery in my throat."
"I thought I was going to die. I despaired at the thought of never getting to hold you or Kai. Of never getting to tell your father I loved him again." My mother turns to look at me and her eyes are filled with unshed tears.
"Did you almost die?" I manage to get the words out. She gives one small nod.
"Why haven't you ever told me or Kai this before?" My mother moves to sit down beside me. She takes my hand once more.
"I wanted to protect you and Kai. I didn't want to let any darkness touch you." My mother brushes her fingers across my cheek.
"Why are you telling me this now?" My mother sighs and gathers me into her arms.
"Because you wont be here for me to protect and look after." My mother cries softly. "And because I never thought something like that would happen to me and it did." I hug her tightly and close my eyes.
"I promise to be safe." I would promise my mother anything just to never hear her so broken again.
"Thank you Yumi. I love you." My mother kisses my hair and snuggles me. I close my eyes and breathe in her sweet scent. Ever since I was little she has always had such a soothing scent. Like wild flowers. After a few moments my mother releases me and swipes at her wet eyes. She hooks her necklace back around her throat.
"Well we best be going then. Wouldn't want to keep the men waiting." My mother moves to the door.
"Thank you for telling me. I love you mom." My mother looks at me and smiles lovingly at me. She opens my door. I stand up and with one last look around my bedroom, I gather my bags and follow her out.