Chapter 3: Mommy

Princess Sango

2 weeks later…

Ai returned from school but nothing was normal at home, and everyone could feel it when Ai walked into the room. She felt arms go around her and saw Heiji under her crying. Ai kneeled down next to him and hugged him, asked him what was wrong, "Mama died today Ai-san; she couldn't take looking at me and then thinking of daddy, and her she had just lost her job and…"

Ai stroked his dark brown/black hair, "When was this?"

"She lost her job about a week ago and just last night she was found dead in her room. Shinichi-san is looking at it right now, but I always knew where to go: to you."

Ai looked at him and gave Heiji a small smile, "I'm glad you know I'm here for you. Come on now, you can stay in my room for now, did you move your stuff yet?"

Heiji shook his head, "No, Shinichi-san said he'd by me new clothes, and my stuff will move over soon. Are you hungry?"

Heiji nodded and allowed his godmother and caretaker to feed him, since she was the only one who seemed to be around more than anyone else. Sure he was only nine but he needed someone like Ai to help him, and she was the one he thought he needed. Heiji remembered ever since he was little that Ai was the one to watch him, and not complain that he's a bother. When he had asked Ai why she would lose her smile but then regain it and say, "I promised your dad that I would take care of you, and then I didn't know you would be so great though."

Then he would ask about his dad and Ai would answer, but she always stayed away from how he died. Heiji would ask but they brushed him off. That was the only time, but other than that Ai was always there for him, even when his mother wasn't. Sure Kazuha was an awesome parent but it never helped him when he had a soccer game, a school event, or even a parent-teacher conference, Ai always showed up in her place.

That was probably what made him more of a person to be called to the principal's office yet Ai always showed up and calmed him down or would take him out somewhere and help him out with his own problems. Heiji looked up to her, and she knew it too, and she helped him the best way she could: showing him someone cared.

When Ai handed him something for lunch he thanked her and ate it quietly as Ai started to do homework. "Ai-san, are you going to be my mom now?"

Ai looked at the boy confused, "What do you mean?"

"W-well you've acted as my stand-in mom for a long time, ever since I can remember, and now my real mom's gone and you were the next one," Heiji said innocently with his blue eyes staring intently at her's.

Ai smiled and hugged him, "I can be, but it's going to be hard, we both are going to school, and I only have a part-time job, do you understand?"

Heiji nodded, "I don't care about most of the things like toys, but I do enjoy being with someone who does care. I hope I don't impose on your life."

Ai backed away, "No, actually you'd be helping me. Look if you're going to live with me, the way you want it, then I guess I should tell you about your father. I was there you know, when he died."

"What happened, I really want to know, don't hold anything back," Heiji said.

"Well he was kidnapped by the Black Organization, it was a few months before you were born too. Then I was kidnapped by them to, along with my mom, Genta, and even dad, but I was with him in his last hours. You see Heiji-kun, your dad died just before they were out to torture him again, and that's how he died: torture. He was a mess, and there and then he made me promise to take care of you. When he died I was crying but I've kept my promise," Ai explained.

Heiji looked up at her, "You were only in third grade right?"

Ai nodded, "Only in third grade but ready for a responsibility. It doesn't matter to me if your mom tried pushing me away, I would've come. Well why don't we head out? This homework isn't due for awhile and I need some air, and I bet you do too."

Heiji smiled up at Ai and allowed her to take him anywhere, as long as someone out there cared.

TBC…