Eyes of a Child
Chapter 3
By Michi-chan
Author's Note:
Sorry that this is so late. I've been so busy, what with my new computer and all. (It's so pretty, Michi-chan loves Dells) Ok, on with the story.
March 29
Bachelorette Time! The party that Minako threw at her house was wild and out of control. Even though I had fun I had a nagging feeling again, and saw something I wish I hadn't. I was a little tipsy, but I remember all too well.
Almost everyone had passed out; I think it was about three in the morning. I wasn't quite asleep all the way and my eyes were just kind of floating around. Then I caught something moving and I slowly, silently turned my head. It was Ami pattering around the room. The sun wasn't out yet but the moonlight illuminated the entire room. I could see that she was upset about something. It was the way that she walked, the way that she favored her left shoulder. Then in the moon light she pulled down her sleeve and on her shoulder was a bright red bruise. I couldn't contain my gasp of surprise and horror. Ami spun around like a top.
"Usagi-chan!" she hissed, quickly pulling up her shirt. I got up off my place on the floor and walked over to her. I wanted to demand how she was injured, but I stayed gentle, somehow.
"It...it was Kenta..." she stopped and looked out the window. "We had a fight."
"Did he strike you?" I asked. I was simmering and it was hard keeping my anger inside.
"Well... no... I mean he has a little temper..." she stuttered. I knew about that first hand, but to think that anyone could harm such an innocent soul such as Ami's made me sick to my stomach and raised such emotions in me that I could never imagine. "We were fight about where we were going to live after the wedding. I wanted an apartment and he wanted a house in the country. It's the first real fight we ever had." She looked so sad now.
"Then he hit you?"
"No! I started it really. I was in his face and he pushed me away. I fell back against the counter and bruised my shoulder. I deserved it Usagi."
"Ami..." No she didn't deserve it, and once again I kept my mouth shut.
April 1
The wedding was beautiful and Ami and Kenta looked so happy. I easily forgot about all the reasons why I didn't want them to be together and enjoyed all the festivities. The wedding party was full of lights and dancing and really good food.
"I swear, I've never had better sashimi," cooed Minako as she plucked another piece in her mouth.
"Your gonna get sick eating all that," Rei fussed. Makoto laughed and encouraged everyone to eat up.
"Look at the, dancing without a care in the world," I commented when I caught sight of the happy couple.
"I though that Ami would be the last one to get married out of all of us," Rei said.
"True," Minako said after swallowing her last bit of sake, "but her shyness is a major turn on for guys. I'm not surprised she was able to hook such a guy."
"I still don't like him," Makoto said flatly. I looked at her and I saw the hatred in her eyes. How could she hate Kenta that much. Then what surprised me was that my own anger began to resurface. Why? I hoped that Kenta wasn't a wolf and sheep clothing. Ami was too sweet, too gentle, too innocent. Then I remember something I thought of something. Wasn't April first April Fools day in America?
May 30
It's been two months and we've seen Ami on the regular basis at the café. She's so giddy and happy, I had begun to think that I was wrong about Kenta. Maybe he wasn't so bad. Then I noticed that every week Ami seemed a little more tired and worn.
"Kenta must be keeping her up late at night," Rei joked and we had a good laugh, but my heart wasn't into it. I just think that Ami looked healthy. She was a little thinner and the bags under her eyes increased every week. She seemed to be rapidly ageing before my eyes. It was as though she missed the boat to the fountain of youth. Ami was a full time housewife. Maybe the job was wearing on her. All the cooking and cleaning and keeping Kenta happy, the shopping the bills and gardening; just thinking about it made me tired. Then on top of that Ami didn't have a car of her own. Kenta used it to drive to work so she was stuck with the bus, the train and plenty of walking. I know that my mother did similar things with Shingo and me, but she never looked as down as Ami did. I wondered, was Ami really happy, or was there something deep down that she dosen't want us to worry about.
June 12
It's the start of the summer and the pools are open for business. Every year the girls and I visit the local pool for a few laps. I decided that I would pick up Ami. She and Kenta lived way out in North Tokyo. It was a bit of a drive, but I didn't mind, especially since Mamo-chan left his lovely red cresta in my care. I couldn't wait to feel the wind in my hair and sent of the summer air. Before I went I gave Ami a call to let her know that I was on my way.
"Moshi, moshi?" Her voice was tired.
"Ami-chan! It's Usagi! You sound tired."
"I am."
"Well I got just the thing for you. The gals and I are heading up to the pool, wanna come. You know it's tradition now." It had been a while since I had seen Ami and I just knew that the fresh air would be good for her, but I didn't get the response that I wanted. There was a long silence then she softly declined my offer. I questioned her naturally and there was more silence.
"I don't look very good in a bathing suit today," she said. I thought a moment.
"Are you expecting already?"
"No!" Her voice was so sharp and tormented that I couldn't speak for a long time.
"Ami, what's going on? Are you in trouble? Is it Kenta?" I blurted out. I couldn't help it. I was really getting scared. There was silence.
"I have to go now," she whispered and in the background I herd a door slamming.
"Ami! Ami" I screamed into the receiver, but all I got was a dial tone.
June 20
Ami stopped coming to the café and stopped answering our phone messages. She always said that she was busy or tired. That was when I knew that something wasn't right. Ami was never this closed off to us, and I had a gut feeling that she was suffering.
"I think something is up as well," Makoto said over the phone. I was sitting at my desk in my living room one afternoon while Mamoru slept in my bed in the next room.
"Ami's not normal, she hasn't been herself for days."
"She's been pulled from her dreams! It's Kenta, I know it is!" she screamed.
"I'm going over there," I said impulsively. I didn't know why I had decided that, but I did know that I wouldn't be able to sleep until I knew the full truth.
"Im going too."
At about four o'clock Makoto, Mamoru and I pulled up to Ami's small house. It was beautiful, so how could Ami look so horrid all the time? We slowly advance to the door and I noticed that there was no car in the driveway. Mamoru run the doorbell and when there was no answer Makoto pounded on the door. A garbled voice came from the house and the door slowly opened.
"Ami, it's Usagi, Mamoru and Makoto. Open up."
"Oh My God!" She slammed the door shut and left us puzzled. Makoto was about ready to knock again, but then the door reopened again. Ami was pale and she herself seemed to be fading against the fresh summer breeze. She had tried to fix herself up, but I could still see the signs of misery.
"We haven't seen you at the café. We got really worried," Makoto said, stepping inside. Ami moved aside and let us in and closed the door behind her. She carefully locked it and turned to us.
"Your house is beautiful Ami," I said. It really was. Everything was delicate and shiny and clean. Crystal figurines were on polished shelves, various Japanese art works were hung on the walls, flower were arranged on window sills, and the rugs were soft bright. But despite all that, it seemed hollow.
"Haven't herd much from you Ami," Mamoru commented. It was then that Ami bursted out crying. We were stuned as she literally crumpled onto the floor, sobbing, I couldn't move, I couldn't breath, or talk. She was on her knees with her hand balled up in fists bawling. I was the first to snap out of it and drop to my knees beside her.
"Ami, what's the matter? Tell us!" I was frantic and started to panic.
"I can't stand it! I can't stand it!" she cried.
"What is it Ami? You have to let us know so we can help you," Mamoru said.
"I hate Kenta! I tricked me." she cries.
"I knew it!" Makoto yelled. "I knew that S.O.B was up to something."
"He... he..." Ami suddenly sat up. We were silent. It was then that we herd a car pulling in.
"He's home," Maokto snarled, rolling up one sleeve.
"No no, not now. Please come tomorrow, at tree. You have to help me..." Ami whimpered, quickly drying her eyes. What came next was a blur. We were ushered out the house with a small hello to Kenta then we were on our way. But as we made our way to the car I could have sworn that I herd a women cry out.
Chapter 3
By Michi-chan
Author's Note:
Sorry that this is so late. I've been so busy, what with my new computer and all. (It's so pretty, Michi-chan loves Dells) Ok, on with the story.
March 29
Bachelorette Time! The party that Minako threw at her house was wild and out of control. Even though I had fun I had a nagging feeling again, and saw something I wish I hadn't. I was a little tipsy, but I remember all too well.
Almost everyone had passed out; I think it was about three in the morning. I wasn't quite asleep all the way and my eyes were just kind of floating around. Then I caught something moving and I slowly, silently turned my head. It was Ami pattering around the room. The sun wasn't out yet but the moonlight illuminated the entire room. I could see that she was upset about something. It was the way that she walked, the way that she favored her left shoulder. Then in the moon light she pulled down her sleeve and on her shoulder was a bright red bruise. I couldn't contain my gasp of surprise and horror. Ami spun around like a top.
"Usagi-chan!" she hissed, quickly pulling up her shirt. I got up off my place on the floor and walked over to her. I wanted to demand how she was injured, but I stayed gentle, somehow.
"It...it was Kenta..." she stopped and looked out the window. "We had a fight."
"Did he strike you?" I asked. I was simmering and it was hard keeping my anger inside.
"Well... no... I mean he has a little temper..." she stuttered. I knew about that first hand, but to think that anyone could harm such an innocent soul such as Ami's made me sick to my stomach and raised such emotions in me that I could never imagine. "We were fight about where we were going to live after the wedding. I wanted an apartment and he wanted a house in the country. It's the first real fight we ever had." She looked so sad now.
"Then he hit you?"
"No! I started it really. I was in his face and he pushed me away. I fell back against the counter and bruised my shoulder. I deserved it Usagi."
"Ami..." No she didn't deserve it, and once again I kept my mouth shut.
April 1
The wedding was beautiful and Ami and Kenta looked so happy. I easily forgot about all the reasons why I didn't want them to be together and enjoyed all the festivities. The wedding party was full of lights and dancing and really good food.
"I swear, I've never had better sashimi," cooed Minako as she plucked another piece in her mouth.
"Your gonna get sick eating all that," Rei fussed. Makoto laughed and encouraged everyone to eat up.
"Look at the, dancing without a care in the world," I commented when I caught sight of the happy couple.
"I though that Ami would be the last one to get married out of all of us," Rei said.
"True," Minako said after swallowing her last bit of sake, "but her shyness is a major turn on for guys. I'm not surprised she was able to hook such a guy."
"I still don't like him," Makoto said flatly. I looked at her and I saw the hatred in her eyes. How could she hate Kenta that much. Then what surprised me was that my own anger began to resurface. Why? I hoped that Kenta wasn't a wolf and sheep clothing. Ami was too sweet, too gentle, too innocent. Then I remember something I thought of something. Wasn't April first April Fools day in America?
May 30
It's been two months and we've seen Ami on the regular basis at the café. She's so giddy and happy, I had begun to think that I was wrong about Kenta. Maybe he wasn't so bad. Then I noticed that every week Ami seemed a little more tired and worn.
"Kenta must be keeping her up late at night," Rei joked and we had a good laugh, but my heart wasn't into it. I just think that Ami looked healthy. She was a little thinner and the bags under her eyes increased every week. She seemed to be rapidly ageing before my eyes. It was as though she missed the boat to the fountain of youth. Ami was a full time housewife. Maybe the job was wearing on her. All the cooking and cleaning and keeping Kenta happy, the shopping the bills and gardening; just thinking about it made me tired. Then on top of that Ami didn't have a car of her own. Kenta used it to drive to work so she was stuck with the bus, the train and plenty of walking. I know that my mother did similar things with Shingo and me, but she never looked as down as Ami did. I wondered, was Ami really happy, or was there something deep down that she dosen't want us to worry about.
June 12
It's the start of the summer and the pools are open for business. Every year the girls and I visit the local pool for a few laps. I decided that I would pick up Ami. She and Kenta lived way out in North Tokyo. It was a bit of a drive, but I didn't mind, especially since Mamo-chan left his lovely red cresta in my care. I couldn't wait to feel the wind in my hair and sent of the summer air. Before I went I gave Ami a call to let her know that I was on my way.
"Moshi, moshi?" Her voice was tired.
"Ami-chan! It's Usagi! You sound tired."
"I am."
"Well I got just the thing for you. The gals and I are heading up to the pool, wanna come. You know it's tradition now." It had been a while since I had seen Ami and I just knew that the fresh air would be good for her, but I didn't get the response that I wanted. There was a long silence then she softly declined my offer. I questioned her naturally and there was more silence.
"I don't look very good in a bathing suit today," she said. I thought a moment.
"Are you expecting already?"
"No!" Her voice was so sharp and tormented that I couldn't speak for a long time.
"Ami, what's going on? Are you in trouble? Is it Kenta?" I blurted out. I couldn't help it. I was really getting scared. There was silence.
"I have to go now," she whispered and in the background I herd a door slamming.
"Ami! Ami" I screamed into the receiver, but all I got was a dial tone.
June 20
Ami stopped coming to the café and stopped answering our phone messages. She always said that she was busy or tired. That was when I knew that something wasn't right. Ami was never this closed off to us, and I had a gut feeling that she was suffering.
"I think something is up as well," Makoto said over the phone. I was sitting at my desk in my living room one afternoon while Mamoru slept in my bed in the next room.
"Ami's not normal, she hasn't been herself for days."
"She's been pulled from her dreams! It's Kenta, I know it is!" she screamed.
"I'm going over there," I said impulsively. I didn't know why I had decided that, but I did know that I wouldn't be able to sleep until I knew the full truth.
"Im going too."
At about four o'clock Makoto, Mamoru and I pulled up to Ami's small house. It was beautiful, so how could Ami look so horrid all the time? We slowly advance to the door and I noticed that there was no car in the driveway. Mamoru run the doorbell and when there was no answer Makoto pounded on the door. A garbled voice came from the house and the door slowly opened.
"Ami, it's Usagi, Mamoru and Makoto. Open up."
"Oh My God!" She slammed the door shut and left us puzzled. Makoto was about ready to knock again, but then the door reopened again. Ami was pale and she herself seemed to be fading against the fresh summer breeze. She had tried to fix herself up, but I could still see the signs of misery.
"We haven't seen you at the café. We got really worried," Makoto said, stepping inside. Ami moved aside and let us in and closed the door behind her. She carefully locked it and turned to us.
"Your house is beautiful Ami," I said. It really was. Everything was delicate and shiny and clean. Crystal figurines were on polished shelves, various Japanese art works were hung on the walls, flower were arranged on window sills, and the rugs were soft bright. But despite all that, it seemed hollow.
"Haven't herd much from you Ami," Mamoru commented. It was then that Ami bursted out crying. We were stuned as she literally crumpled onto the floor, sobbing, I couldn't move, I couldn't breath, or talk. She was on her knees with her hand balled up in fists bawling. I was the first to snap out of it and drop to my knees beside her.
"Ami, what's the matter? Tell us!" I was frantic and started to panic.
"I can't stand it! I can't stand it!" she cried.
"What is it Ami? You have to let us know so we can help you," Mamoru said.
"I hate Kenta! I tricked me." she cries.
"I knew it!" Makoto yelled. "I knew that S.O.B was up to something."
"He... he..." Ami suddenly sat up. We were silent. It was then that we herd a car pulling in.
"He's home," Maokto snarled, rolling up one sleeve.
"No no, not now. Please come tomorrow, at tree. You have to help me..." Ami whimpered, quickly drying her eyes. What came next was a blur. We were ushered out the house with a small hello to Kenta then we were on our way. But as we made our way to the car I could have sworn that I herd a women cry out.