I had known for years that the people who called themselves my parents for the past eleven years weren't my actual parents. I mean, if you put the three of us together, you could see I was the puzzle piece that didn't match. Though, I can't say that I remember much of my childhood before being adopted. I remember coming from a more populated area in Japan, and like I was somehow someone of importance to my family. Though, no matter how many times I tried digging in my head, I couldn't remember a single thing about my past. Almost like there was a giant wall blocking me from it. So that's why it came to me as a shock now, after all of these years. My biological family wanted me to return and see them. It seems my adopted parents received the news while I was in the hospital. I was born with a weakened immune system. So something as small as a common cold, I could find myself sometimes admitted into the hospital.

My parents broke the news to me one night during dinner after I had been able to return home. I'm guessing they didn't want to put me under any more stress and worsen my condition. My father couldn't wrap his head around why they wanted me to come back to my birth family, going as far as saying as far as he was concerned, I was his true daughter instead. Hearing him get so worked up, I couldn't help but chuckle. Since he was always a serious man and it was rare to see him like this. My mother disagreed since she was someone who always tried to see the best in any situation, voicing that perhaps they may have regretted putting me up for adoption. While maybe they wanted to try and form a relationship with me. But in the end, this was something for me to decide. I was already twenty years old, and I just wanted some answers. I wanted them so desperately since trying to remember always ended fruitlessly. "I'm going to go." I announced, causing my parents to look at each other in surprise. "Even if this trip fails, I still wanna hear what they have to say." I was nervous, but still, I felt like maybe I could finally have the answers I longed to have.

And; that's how I found myself a week later on a one-way train ride. It seems I was only a few hour's distances from them, but it didn't mean I couldn't feel the anxiety already clinch its hold into me. Since I didn't know what to expect when I arrived, I could at least hear their reasons for why they gave me away. But I also felt scared of knowing the truth as well. The side of my head rested against the crisp train window watching the cherry blossoms pass, while my grey eyes slowly closed, slowly finding myself drifting into something that felt fuzzy. Like it was something from my past.

"Akiko, remember, like Akito. You are also just as significant." I heard a male's voice behind me while I stared up at the cherry blossoms in the courtyard. "You are both loved. And very dear to everyone in this family." I felt him put a hand on my head. Looking up, we both had silver hair, although mine was shorter like a boy's. It was silent between us before I looked up at this blur of a person. "Am I truly as significant as you say, father? I've heard the maids and others gossip and sneer at me." He didn't respond to my words. But; gazed down at me in only what I could describe was a sad smile on his face, soon embracing me into his arms, feeling tears against my cheek. "You are very special, a god that deeply loves those that she is close to; please don't forget that, my precious daughter."

My eyes shot open as I panted loudly for air while feeling a throbbing sensation in my head. I don't understand what that dream was, but for some reason. I couldn't help but feel a tightness in my chest. It seemed like I woke up just in time, as we were now arriving at Kaibara station. I didn't think I had passed out for that long. Leaving my seat, I headed to the train doors as it slowed, coming to a halt. Adjusting the duffle bag that rested on my shoulders, I stepped onto the platform and headed into the station. Walking around for a while, I found myself lost. I was informed before I left, there was someone here waiting to drive me to where my family was waiting.

My eyes soon met someone who soon gave a nod of a response, as I assumed that he might be the man that was supposed to pick me up. I hurried over to him as getting a closer view of the man; it looked like he was only a few years older than me. The corner of my lips soon curved up into a smile as I hoped I hadn't just run-up to some random person. "I'm assuming you were the person who was to pick me up?" As he looked down at me, I could see reflecting in his eyes as we met, it was as if we had known one another, and for some reason, I could feel a bit of pain coming from him. Yet to me, he was nothing but a stranger.

Hatori, I soon found out was his name, as the two of us made small talk while we walked outside to his car. "We'll be heading straight to the Sohma's main estate from here. You have people there waiting for you." Wait a moment, did Hatori say estate? Just hearing that, I already can tell that my family must be mildly well off. Climbing into the car, I was now with even more questions. Since it still didn't make sense why they got rid of me. I guess the confusion and anxiety were written all over my face; as Hatori looked over at me, soon giving what I took as Hatori trying to tell me some reassurance. "I'm sure any questions that you have will be answered, Akiko. So please, do try and relax."