(Author's Note: Text in square brackets are Yuri's thoughts, just for this and the next chapter. Enjoy!)
[That night was one of the worst of my life. I had reached the age where I realized that we were having financial trouble, but I never thought it was this bad.
Running everywhere with tears streaming down both my cheeks, I was desperate to find her. I had to find her before some lowlife John did. I had to find her…. I had to save her from that sort of life; that horrible, soul-sucking existence.
My lips tore open as I rounded the corner. Snow was lightly starting to fall now. I have to find her…. I have to find her!
Dear God, if I never do anything else in my life, let me find my sister and bring her home!]
Loid was glancing over the ads for apartments to let in the city. I was making us a nice, easy breakfast of toast and eggs, quietly humming and grinning to myself. Only one more day until the interview now…. I shouldn't be too worried about it; Loid certainly didn't seem to be. He was preoccupied with finding us a new place to stay recently, though we did do some practice for the interview- just to be on the safe side.
My hand was about to crack two eggs when the phone suddenly rang. I blinked over to it curiously. That's odd; no one ever calls this early in the morning. Still, I gave my husband a little wave to tell him to stay where he was as I went to answer it. "I've got it," I grinned, plucking it up. "Hello? Forger residence."
"Yor?" "Yuri! Hi! Good morning. What a pleasant surprise," I beamed in delight. "How are you? Hope you are doing alright since…. well… you know." "Oh, I'm fine; we're both fine, me and my husband." "Are you sure? Have you moved yet? Please tell me you've moved somewhere else- preferably with barred windows." I chuckled; he's being overprotective, as usual. I guess I can't expect anything different from him; he did call me every couple of days just to check in. In reality I knew how lucky I was to have a brother like him….. He's always been there for me, even when we were little. He did become an assassin more for my sake than his, after all…..
"Don't worry. Loid's looking into getting us a new apartment; I'm sure we'll move soon." "I can still find the bastard and "take care" of him, if that would make you feel better." "Really, Yuri; that's not necessary. He's in jail now and we haven't had any incidences since then. I think we'll be alright," my free hand wrapped around the phone cord. A heavy, pregnant pause ensued. "Are you sure, sister?" "Yes, brother; I'm absolutely sure," this grin rolled across my lips. Yuri let out a short sigh. "Very well, if you say so…"
"To what do I owe the pleasure of a call this early, Yuri? You're usually at uh…. at work now," I had to be careful how I phrased things around Loid; he still had no clue Yuri was an S-rank assassin. I doubt the government would be ok with that, considering that it was an illegal profession. "I have some good news!" "Oh?" "I'm in the city! My boss sent me on a special "errand" in Berlint, so I've taken the train back home for the day." "That IS wonderful news! Will you have time for a visit? I'm sure my husband would love to meet you! Or do you have to grab the train back this afternoon? In that case, I can walk to the station with you!"
Yuri chuckled softly on the other end of the line. "Slow down, sis. Never fear; there's plenty of time for a visit. I wouldn't come all the way to the city and not see my beloved older sister! I do have some work to get done before tonight, but there's some time for tea later this afternoon." "Great! Tea this afternoon is perfect. Would you like to come here or should the three of us go to a café?" "I think it should be at your place. I shouldn't show my face around in public too much, lest the wrong people see me," he lowered his voice a little. I nodded, knowing he couldn't see it. "I understand. We'd love to have you here then! How does two o'clock sound?" "Terrific! I'll see you at two, sis." "Heh, see you then, Yuri. I'm really looking forward to seeing you again." Yet another pause on his side. When he spoke again, his tone was low, soft, and very soulful. "Me too, Yor….. Me too."
[I will never let Yor live in poverty again. She was willing to give everything away for me, but no more. She will never be that desperate to save me from destitution again.
Thankfully I found her out on the streets before anything happened, and that was the day I decided I'd drop out of school and become an assassin.]
