*Writers Notes*
Hey everyone! Here's a brand new chapter. In this chapter, Mika runs off and soon encounters Shigure and the others (our main characters finally make an appearance in the story). How will their first meeting go? Read on and find out. You can leave feedback if you want to.
By early morning, 4am at least. The wind had died down. Mika didn't get much sleep last night. Her mind was wrapped around a lot of things esp. the loss of her husband. After hours of crying in bed, Mika was trying to figure out what to do. When she finally planned it out, she got out of bed and grabbed her bag. She quietly walked through the hallway, trying not to disturb Michi. She set her bag down & turned on a desk light. She winced by the sudden brightness. It caused her eyes to burn a bit due to the crying she did hours ago. When her eyes were finally adjusted to the light, she found a notepad & pen and began writing a letter. It took her about 10 minutes to finish writing it. It was also a challenge, trying to figure out what to say in this letter. She then picked up her bag & took the letter in the kitchen. She set it on the counter by the coffee machine. She then unzipped her bag and opened the small food pantry. She grabbed a few munchies and then opened the fridge. She took some cold meats, cheese, and some fruit. She placed the food in her bag and zipped it up. She then took her bag in the living room and began looking around Michi's desk. She opened a few drawers and finally found a flashlight. She closed the desk drawers and then turned off the desk light. She picked up her bag once more and then quietly headed out the front door. She closed the door behind her and began walking into the night. She then stopped and turned around, facing the front door.
"Thank you for everything you did Michi. I will miss you," said Mika
She then continued her way. When she was far enough away from Michi's place, she turned on the flashlight and continued her way. Thankfully it was the Summer Season so the nights and early mornings weren't cold. She walked through the empty streets and made sure to avoid ally ways and bad areas. She then found a bus stop. She checked the map route and figured out where to go. It only took about 15 minutes for a bus to arrive. When she got on, there was nobody aboard. She actually felt good about this.
"Well, what's a pretty lady like you doing out here at this hour?" asked the bus driver
"I'm just traveling. I wanted to get a head start," said Mika
"Alone?"
"Yeah. Does this bus go outside the city?"
"Not on today's route, but I can make an exception for you."
"Thank you."
"Not to pry miss, but where are you going?"
"I'm going to visit a relative. She lives outside the city. My poor aunt is sick and asked me to come and help her."
"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that. Well, let's get a move on."
Mika sat down in one of the seats and the bus took off. She felt guilty for lying to the bus driver like that, but it was for her protection. It's best that no one knew where she was going. Mika wasn't really sure where she was going herself. She just had to get out of the city, far away. About 5 hours later, Michi woke up. He walked down the hallway rubbing his eye. He went into the kitchen and started up his coffee machine. He then noticed a letter. He picked it up while shaking the rest of his sleep off. He began to read it.
Michi,
By the time you're reading this, I'll be long gone. This was a difficult choice to make, but I don't want you to have to deal with my burden anymore. You've done so much for me & Hayato. I can't thank you enough for that. The last thing I want is for you to get into trouble. I can't tell you where I'm going or where I'll be. I know that Hayato's family will be looking for me after they learn he passed, as well as my family. I hope you understand that I'm doing this to protect you. It's best that you don't know where I am. Please don't come looking for me. I promise you that I'll be alright and I won't do anything reckless. You'll be in my thoughts. Thank you again for everything,
Mika
Michi's eyes became wide eyed after he finished reading the letter. He then charged into the spare room.
"MIKA!" he cried out as he opened the door
The room was silent. It wasn't occupied. She really was gone. She took her bag and left. Michi then fell to his knees. If only he had stayed up all night or laid in front of her door, he could have stopped her from leaving. Even though he knew that Mika was only safe at his place for a short time, he would have taken her somewhere else. A new place that was safe. Tears began to pour down Michi's face.
"I'm sorry Hayato. I let you down," he cried
During those past few hours, Mika was dropped off outside the city. She had to convince the bus driver that somebody was going to pick her up where he was dropping her off. Mika waved as the bus drove off back into the city. When it was out of sight, she took her flashlight and began venturing into the woods. It probably wasn't the smartest choice to make, but Mika didn't want to be found and she had to avoid the roads. By sunrise, Mika was exhausted. She wasn't sure how far away she got from the city, but she didn't care. At least no one would bother to come looking for her all the way out here. She leaned against one of the trees. She was tired and wanted to sleep, but something told her to keep going a little further. She walked a bit further until she came across a small garden. What would a garden like this be doing out in the middle of nowhere? Mika then slid down to her knees. She tried to get back up, but couldn't move. Her legs couldn't go any further. Rest, her body needed to rest. Mika then laid down on the soft ground. She used her bag as a pillow. The scent of grass entered her nose, but she didn't mind it. She soon drifted off to sleep.
Hours passed as the afternoon struck. Tohru, Yuki, & Shigure were heading out to the secret base.
"I'm sure the strawberries are about ready to blossom," said Tohru
"I hope so. Then we can harvest them at the end of the month," said Yuki
"It's been awhile since I've last seen your garden," said Shigure
"I'm actually surprised that you decided to come along," said Yuki
"Well, I have nothing better to do today and it's pretty nice out so why not?" Shigure replied
"I'm going on ahead. See you guys there," said Tohru
She was so excited about gardening with Yuki today. She took off, disappearing into the distance from Yuki & Shigure. All Shigure could do was laugh. The dog was glad to see the rice ball so happy. Even the rat look forward to the gardening.
"Ever since Tohru came into our lives, she's made my place happier," said Shigure
"I do agree. With Miss Honda around, I felt that I've became a better person," said Yuki
"Even Kyo seems to have better control of his temper around other people."
"Oh I highly doubt that. The stupid cat likes to pick fights with me."
"Don't worry, I'm sure that'll change."
Suddenly a loud scream filled the air. This alerted the dog & the rat. They knew that scream belonged to Tohru.
"Miss Honda!" shrieked Yuki
"We're coming!" yelped Shigure
When they made it to the base, the dog & rat saw the rice ball petrified with fear. She just stood there, trembling. They approached her.
"Miss Honda are you hurt?" asked Yuki
"N...n...n..n...no," stuttered Tohru
"Then why did you scream?" asked Shigure
Tohru pointed down by the garden. The dog and rat were pretty shocked by what they were seeing. It was no wonder the rice ball was freaking out. There laying by the garden was a woman. One that none of them has seen before. How did she even get there?
"A dead body," Tohru finally said
"Now let's not jump to conclusions Miss Honda," said Yuki
"You both stay here. I'll check it out," said Shigure
They both watched as the dog approached the woman that was laying down. Shigure was afraid, but after he checked for a pulse he sighed with relief. He stood up and smiled at Tohru and Yuki.
"It's okay. She's alright. Just sleeping," said Shigure
"That's a relief," said Tohru
"Who is she?" asked Yuki
"I'm not sure," replied Shigure
"Is she a Sohma?" asked Tohru
"I'm afraid not. I know everyone in the Sohma House and I've never seen her before," said Shigure
"So she's an outsider, but where did she come from?" asked Yuki
"Good question, but I'm sure we'll get answers when she wakes up. By the looks of it, it seems like she's been through something awful," said Shigure
"What makes you say that?"
"Well if you study her face, you can tell that she's had lack of sleep and has been crying. She also has a bag."
The dog pointed it out to the rat & the rice ball. Whoever this woman was, it seemed to them that she was trying to get away from someone. Suddenly, Mika started to stir. The dog, rat, & rice ball watched her wake up. When Mika opened her eyes, she saw the faces of strangers looking at her.
"AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" she screamed
"AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" they screamed back
They were all silent for a moment until the dog started to snicker.
"Well, that was fun. What a first impression that was," Shigure chuckled
"Don't mind my cousin madam. He's harmless yet eccentric," said Yuki
"Are you okay?" asked Tohru
Mika didn't say anything. She only nodded and then sat up. She was trying to remember where she was and how long she was asleep for.
"We found you laying here and thought you were hurt," said Yuki
"I...I apologize," said Mika
"Ah, she finally speaks," said Shigure
"I'm just amazed that someone like you found my garden," said Yuki
"Oh is this yours? I'm sorry. I didn't mean to trespass," said Mika
"It's alright."
"So where are you from if you don't mind me asking," said Tohru
"It doesn't matter. I can never go back where I came from," said Mika
"Why? What happened?"
"It's complicated."
"So, do you have any place to go?" asked Shigure
"Not really. I'm just planning things out as I move along," replied Mika
"Well, why not come back to my place?"
"Huh?"
Everyone was silent. Mika just didn't know how to respond to this stranger's offer.
End of Chapter 3. Looks like their first meeting was...interesting. Will Mika be taking Shigure up on his offer? Wait for the next chapter to find out.
