Warning: Rated for language, some violence and adult behavior.

The main characters of this story are based on characters from the cartoon 'Code Lyoko.' I do not own, nor do I claim, any copyright to these characters.


In her dreams, she saw it lying on the ground, a wounded dove.

The dove had been battered and savaged by God knows what. She was surprised that the bird was still alive, it was hurt so bad.

"The dove was injured protecting its chick," came a voice.

Miko Ishiyama looked around and saw a woman, the darkest woman she had ever seen. The woman's hair was white with age, and her face spoke of many years and much wisdom.

"What would do such a thing to this bird," Miko asked the woman.

"Her mate," was the reply.

"How could this be allowed to happen! What can be done?"

"That depends on you. Will you help it?" the woman asked.

"I don't know. I wouldn't even know how to begin," Miko said.

"Beginning things is almost always easy," replied the old woman, "seeing them through to the end can be hard a lot of times. And I will tell you right now, Miko, this Healing will be hard."

For an instant, the bird changed. In its place was a piece of her nightmares, a piece she thought she had buried years ago. It changed to her daughter Yumi, and her husband Ulrich, writhing in agony as Hell itself tried burning its marks into their bodies, their souls.

"What you saw that time has happened before," the old woman said, "though in that case, the husband was a willing servant and the wife unknowing until too late. She must make the choice to be free, and if she does, you must do as much as you can to help her until Help arrives."

Miko looked again at the bird, then at the woman.

"Before All the Gods In All the Heavens and Earth, before the Creator Of All Things, I will help her."


The next afternoon, Miko Ishiyama got out of her car and walked to her front door. It had been another dull day at the office, mostly moving data from one place to another. The fact that data was classified information didn't make the work that exciting any more.

It was a cool day, the leaves well into their autumn colors. Now that Yumi was away at college, the house was much quieter; no teens coming around, sometimes at all hours; no daughters sneaking out in the middle of the night to do heaven knows what. All in all, it was boring.

She walked up to the front door and was going to open it when she heard a soft hello. At first, Miko thought it was her imagination, but she heard it again, hello. She looked about and found the source of the sound.

At the corner of the house, crouched a woman. Miko could tell it was a woman by her dress. She was wearing an light overcoat, with a dress underneath, hose and shoes. She had a scarf tied around her head, and was wearing big, dark sunglasses. The woman was crouched and leaning against the corner of the house, like she was afraid she would be spotted by someone.

"May I help you?" Miko said to the woman.

"I... I... had to see you," the woman softly said, "I... had to know if she is all right."

"Who, Yumi?" Mrs. Ishiyama said, "she's fine. I just spoke with her today as a matter of fact. Other than being a little overwhelmed by school, she's fine. Now, come out of there and tell me who you are."

The woman violently shook her head no. "I can't," she said, almost sobbing, "if he finds out, I'll be punished."

Miko walked back down her front steps and turned to the woman. When she did, the woman shrank away from her.

Miko sat on the front steps and said, "no one's going to punish you. No one will hurt you here. Please, at least tell me your name so I'll know who I'm talking to."

"Rachael, Ulrich's mother," the woman said after a moment.

"Mrs. Stern? It's been too long! Come out and have some coffee. You can tell me how Ulrich's doing."

Rachael Stern wouldn't budge. "I can't," she said, "he'll find out, and when he does, he'll punish me."

"Who, who will punish you?"

"Deiter."

"Your husband? Why would he do such a thing?"

The woman wouldn't answer Miko's question. She suddenly came out, rushed at Miko, handed her an envelope and ran off.

Once inside, she opened the envelope Rachael handed to her. It was a note from Ulrich, and it contained another letter. The note read:

Mother,

If you can, please see that this somehow gets to Yumi. I don't have her mailing address in America, and I have no other way of talking to her.

I would have sent this to Yumi's parents, but I'm not entirely sure they would forward it on. Though they never let on, I'm sure they're glad I'm away from her now.

I'm sorry I have to ask you to do this. I know what will happen if He finds out but I'll be eternally grateful if you could.

Mother, I swear before God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost and before all the Hosts Of Heaven, I will free you from that man someday.

Until then, stay safe. I Love You.

Ulrich

The letter inside the envelope had Ulrich's address at Ravensbrook written upon it. Miko didn't read any further, for it was for her daughter's eyes, not hers.

Miko thought for a moment, then pulled out a pen and some writing paper.

My Dearest Ulrich,

I had the opportunity to chat with your mother today, and she gave me your letter for Yumi. Rest assured that I will forward it on to her.

It seems you have misunderstood us. So that will not happen in the future, let me state our opinion of you clearly: You Are My Daughter's Husband until You or She says otherwise. You are part of Our Family now, and We Miss You, and are just as concerned for You as we are Her.

I fully expect you to correspond with Your Wife as often as you are able. And I expect you to correspond with Us as often as you can.

I do not know what troubles your mother, but know she is always welcome in our home.

Take care until we are reunited,

Miko Ishiyama


A strange friendship was born that autumn day. A week after she first appeared, Rachael Stern visited the Ishiyama residence again. Again, she hid and couldn't be coaxed out. But she did speak to Miko more. Not of the things she truly wanted to talk about, but other things, little things.

One day, soon after winter arrived, Miko managed to coax Rachael out of her hiding place. The woman was so scared that she almost bolted and ran again, but the cold weather helped convince her it was safe enough to come inside for coffee.

Rachael almost ran out when Hiroki burst into the room, coming home from school. She almost left again when Takeo came home. Each time Miko would soothe the woman, calm her fears.

Miko spoke to her husband and son about her new friend. She warned her son not to be so rambunctious when he came home, or at least call and warn her first. She had a somewhat different conversation with her husband.

"Takeo, there's something wrong with her," Miko said.

"Other than shyness, and being a little skittish, I don't see anything wrong," he replied.

"Of course not, you haven't been around her that much. When she first came by, she hid around the corner of the house so no one could see her! She's skittish because she thinks her husband is going to punish her for coming here."

"That's crazy! What kind of man would do something as stupid and pointless as that?"

"I know it's crazy, but she really and truly believes it. Haven't you noticed the way she doesn't look at you? There's something seriously wrong there, and we need to help her as much as we can."

"If what you say is true, she needs professional help," Takeo said, "you probably should have her see somebody."

"And drive her away? If what I think is true, this is probably the first time in years she has ever reached out to somebody, anybody. If I were to do that, it may drive her away and she'll never trust anyone again! No, we will have to help her, until she is more sure of herself and can accept additional help."

"Alright, what must I do?"

"Just be quiet around her, and no drinking! I think all husbands frighten her, and if you get drunk, it will only make things worse for her."

"Alright, but I must say! People following her? How paranoid can you get?"