Chapter Four: Family
It's been about three months since I've come to live with the Ito's, and two months since I was discovered in an old well, with no memory of who I really was. I still don't have my memory back, but Mika and Itsuki both have faith that I'll remember my true identity someday. I do too. Since those days, we have visited plenty of different places near their cabin. My most favorite place was the old temple. It had the most beautiful castle and was built long ago. It had lots of gardens, ponds, and a deck wrapped around the whole place, but we weren't allowed to go past a certain point. So, I had to admire the sections we were allowed to visit.
In those three month's I would have bizarre dreams of the same little girl. She would still run through a field, with the same little green toad, and two headed dragon. Then she would stop to turn to a voice that called to her and run with joy at him. But that dream would always end with a bright white light waking me up. I haven't told Mika or Itsuki about my dreams. I feared they would find something wrong with me.
Then there was one night I dreamt of a beautiful man, with long silver shiny hair, that flew down his back, ending past his knees, and piercing golden eyes. Was this man the little girl called Lord Sesshomaru? It was hard to tell because from that one dream I only saw golden eyes and nothing else. Since I've had this dream of this mysterious man, I started to draw him almost every morning when I woke up. I would go sit by the window and draw till the sun was above the treetops. The most striking thing about this man was the crescent moon on his forehead and the two thin stripes on both his cheeks.
As I sat in the window drawing the same man again, I remembered today was a new day for me. A day that I've been looking forward to since a few weeks ago. I will be attending a private high school with Oakley and Kiki. I would be joining the tenth grade from what Mika told me. I was excited to start there in just a few hours. "I wonder if I'll make more new friends?" I probably will.
Mika helped me do my hair into side braids and then into a ponytail. "How does that look?" She asked, placing both hands on my shoulders.
"I love it! Thank you, Mika." I really wanted to call her mom, but not at this time. I had a feeling that my real parents will be found here soon before too long.
"I'm glad you love it, dear," she smiled brightly. "Do you have your bag packed and ready?"
"I do! I am nervous though," it felt like my stomach was in knots.
"First day jitters. It happens to everyone. I have a feeling things will turn out great for you, Hana. You'll make even more new friends soon! And if anyone tries to be mean to you, Oakley and Kiki will be there to help you out." That's so awesome.
"They're awesome. They're still picking me up?" Oakley drives and it makes me wonder if I ever learned how to drive a car.
"Yes, in an hour. So that gives you plenty of time to do whatever else you need to get done, like eat breakfast!" My stomach growled when she said that. "Haha. Come on, Hana, let's make something simple."
Within the hour it was time to head off to school. I met Oakley and Kiki outside, where they both waited inside the car. "Hey, Hana. Are you excited for your first day?" Oakley asked, as she pulled off onto the road.
"I am, but I'm also nervous." Part of me thinks everyone will stare at me and wonder who I am since they've never seen me before.
"It's alright and if anyone wants to be an ass towards you, will have your back. No one messes with our friend," Kiki reassured me.
"Thank you." They are amazing.
"You're welcome. So what are you most excited for the first day at school with us?"
"Umm…" I know meeting new friends was one, but I didn't want to say that… then it dawned on me, "taking art class!" I was very gifted with drawing.
Kiki turned back to face me with a giant smile on her face. "Oh! That's exciting! Do you remember if you took classes back in middle school?"
"I don't, unfortunately." I wish I could still remember, but I can't. "I can only remember up until I woke up in Mika and Itsuki's home at the cabin."
"Maybe you were homeschooled before! Man, I wish my parents would do that."
"Homeschooled? I don't think I've heard of that."
"Yes! It's where you learn at home instead of in the classroom with other students. Man I wished my parents would have done that for me, but they wanted me to have a higher education at the private school."
"You don't like the school?" I had to ask.
"Oh! I love school. It's just I hate getting up so early and spending my life inside a classroom with kids we've known since grade school." Oh! We pulled up to the school soon after. "Alright, we're here! You ready Hana?"
My stomach felt like it was in knots, but I put it off to the side, and smiled my way through the pain. "I'm ready!"
After Hana left for school, I began to get ready for work myself. It would be a long day of twelve hours at the hospital. I had a few meetings this morning and then the rest of the day on the floor. Itsuki had already left for work two hours earlier. He too had several meetings today.
I was in the kitchen pouring my coffee when my cell phone began to ring. I noticed the caller I.D was Chidori. I felt a strong pit in my stomach that Hana's family had finally been found. I held back my tears, and answered the phone, hiding the pain. "Hi, Chidori. How are you?" Start off slow Mika.
"I am well, Mika. How are you all doing? How's Hana?"
"We are all doing very well. Hana is doing extraordinarily well too. She just started her first day of high school today at the local private school," and today would be her last.
"That's marvelous to hear! And speaking of Hana," here it comes. But the way she sounded didn't seem like bad news one bit.
"What about Hana?" I had to ask.
"We'll, Mika. Today marks ninety days since you and Itsuki have found her." Wait what!
"You mean... Can Hana be adopted now?" I would sign the papers immediately. But I also would like to make it a surprise. A Christmas surprise! To make it even more special, I would like to give her a piece of jewelry. A necklace perhaps.
"Yes! She is now declared an orphan of the state and is now available for adoption. I have all the papers ready when you and Itsuki are able to come in and sign. You two can make a date to come together and we'll get everything set in motion." I want to be at her office right now and sign the papers. Itsuki and I will have to take a day off of work to go down there. "Would you like Hana to be here when that day comes?
"I actually want it to be a surprise. A Christmas gift." Just a few more months. "Is that okay?"
"That's totally fine with me, Mika. We can set a date at the beginning of December." Perfect timing.
"That will be perfect for me! Thank you so much, Chidori. You don't realize how happy I am." I cannot wait to tell Itsuki here soon.
"I'm really excited for you Mika and if you like in the near future to take in another child…" I would in a heartbeat.
"I most definitely will!" Ahh… Hana I think would love to be a big sister!
After my quick call with Chidori, I texted Itsuki, knowing he was in a meeting on the wonderful news about our soon adoption of Hana. He was excited and thought surprising her on Christmas would be the best idea ever. It was our turn to host the family gathering and that day would make it even more special to announce the news to our loved ones. "Just a few more months!"
The first few hours of school were going really well, but I was still nervous being somewhere different. A lot of eyes were on me from other teenagers who were seeing me for the first time. I noticed a lot of the guys blushed when I walked by some of them. I gave them a gentle smile in return.
My next class was the one I was waiting for the most. Art. This was one class I didn't have with Kiki and Oakley. And that's okay. We would be meeting up for lunch afterward. When I walked into the classroom I found it quite filled. Everyone had a table partner, but one boy in the back was sitting alone. From where I stood he actually looked quite cute. I decided to go sit with him.
When I walked over to the table, he was shocked to see me come sit beside him. Does this always happen for him? Since I was here, I might as well talk. "Hi, I'm Hana, and your name?"
His mouth dropped for a few seconds and he shook his head like he was in a daze. Strange? Never seen a guy act this way before. "Hello, I'm Kiyoshi." He held his hand out for mine. I accepted his hand shake. "I don't think we ever met. Are you new?"
"I am. This is my first day here. So you like art?" If he does, I wonder what he loves to draw.
"Uhh… yeah. I guess you're the same?"
"Yes! It's my passion!" I had to ask, "is it your passion?"
"Umm… not really." I noticed his voice has more of a different accent to it. I actually quite like it. It still has a hint of Japanese. "I'm actually into soccer."
What's soccer? I'm afraid to ask and feel like an idiot. "That's neat!"
"So… did you recently move here?" How do I answer his question? Would he find me strange if I come out and say I was found in an old well?
I was about to answer his question, but the teacher called the class to order. So quietly under my breath I whispered, "yes."
During class I could feel Kiyoshi's eyes on me. I wasn't sure what color they were, but they were heavenly. They were a mix of green and brown when I had a chance to peak. I lifted the corner of my lips to show I knew he was looking at me.
When class was over Kiyoshi walked out with me. "So where do you hail from?"
"Hail?" Such an odd word.
"Where did you move from? If you don't mind me asking?" Oh!
"The country," I don't know the name of the town.
"Nice! It must be difficult to change from one place to another? How do you like the city?" He led me outside and we both took a seat under a shaded tree.
"It's different and it has its ups and downs, but it's something that I'll have to get used to." Now I have a question of my own, "what about you? I noticed your accent is a bit different from others. Is that normal?"
"Haha, I'm actually a halfer. I'm half Italian and half Japanese. I was originally born here, then I moved to Italy for five years. I recently moved back last year." Wow!
"That's interesting!" Even though I never heard of Italy before. So I had to ask, "what was Italy like?"
"Oh! It's amazing. So much to see and do." I wonder how far it is? But I would feel like an idiot to ask where it was located.
"That's awesome! Was it hard to readjust when you returned?"
"Ah, no. I was already pre well adjusted to returning. So… are you ready for…." He couldn't finish his sentence.
"Hana!" A familiar voice called to me. I looked ahead to see both Kiki and Oakley. "There you are… oh! Hey Kiyoshi." They looked smitten seeing him here.
"Hello," he greeted with his adorable accent. Kiki and Oakley were both smiling at him.
"So… uhh...Hana it's lunch time. Or did you want to eat with…."
I had a better idea, "how about we all eat together?"
Over lunch Kiyoshi found out who I was and was shocked to find out that I still don't have my memories back. He asked me simple questions that I answered the best that I could. I just didn't say anything about my dreams. I'm not ready to come out and explain what happens in them.
After school let out, Kiyoshi, and I still communicated on simple questions about our lives. Though I didn't have much to say about mine, he still enjoyed hearing that I was adjusting well with the family that took me in their home. I agreed. The Ito's are amazing.
Back home I did what was called homework. Strange they have you do hours of work at school and then more stuff at home, but I got it done. Afterward I worked more on my sketching until Mika and Itsuki both arrived home. We all joined in the living room, with our annual cup of tea for the evening.
"Hana, how did school go today?" Mika asked, curiously.
"It went well," it went better than I thought. "I wasn't nervous at all."
"That's great! Did you meet any new friends?" Itsuki asked, pouring more tea in our cups.
"I think I have," do I tell them that it's a guy?
"Oh! That's great to hear, Hana!" Mika had the look of joy on her face. "Well since today was a big day for you, why don't we all go out for dinner?"
"Sure!"
Christmas morning has arrived at Mika's and Itsuki's cabin home, near the lake I was found months prior. It feels strange to be back here, but feels more like home to me, and I don't know why. I feel so connected to this town, like I lived here all my life, but in a different home, living with others. Though it's hard to tell where I'm actually from since my biological family still hasn't come forward yet. I began to wonder if I left home at a young age for unknown reasons and traveled to find a place that I called my own. I will never know until I regain my lost memories.
It was still really early in the morning as I sat in the window admiring the snow we were having. I had just woken up from the same dream, of the same man I keep seeing, and drew his sketch again. The man that I now call Lord Sesshomaru. Is there a connection between him and I? Or is he just an imaginary figure my mind made up? But he doesn't feel human to me. He seems more out of this world, like an angel, a protector that watched out for me for all types of danger.
I had just finished sketching my latest drawing of Lord Sesshomaru when a light knock came at my door. "You may enter!" I knew it was Mika.
The door opened and she walked in with a cup of tea in her hands. "Good morning, Hana. Merry Christmas!"
"Merry Christmas, Mika," I still so badly want to call her mom.
"Are you excited to celebrate your first Christmas with us?" She asked and she took a seat beside me.
"I am! Are you excited to celebrate your Christmas with me?" I know she was.
"Of course I am. Itsuki is too. I've waited a very long time for this day. It's been a dream of mine to celebrate with someone special like you."
"What do you mean?" I still don't know much about them.
"Well, I'm unable to have children. I have a condition called endometriosis. A good way to describe what I have is that the tissues outside my uterus cause pelvic pain." She pointed to the area where the pain occurs.
"Oh! Is it curable to where you could have children in the future?" I hope that it is.
"Unfortunately no. But it will eventually go away after menopause. Though that is still a little while away."
"I'm sorry." That's so sad.
"It's okay, Hana. That's why I decided to be a foster parent and how we got you." She held the same smile even though she felt pain for not being able to carry a child of her own.
When I heard her say foster parent, it made me want to ask her if it would be okay to call her mom. "Mika?"
"Yes?"
"Since you are my foster parent, would it be alright if I called you mom?" I watched as her eyes shot wide open.
"Hana, I… Yes! Of course you can," she put her tea cup down and wrapped her arms around me. "You have made my day even more special."
I too wrapped my arms around her shoulders and felt like I was going to cry. "I've been wanting to ask you that since I started school."
"You could have, Hana. It just makes me happier to hear those words. Today is going to be an amazing day. We have so much planned for today with our family when they come over later."
"Yes! I'm excited to see everyone again."
"So while we wait for them to arrive, would you like to come downstairs, and open your gifts?"
"Really!" I knew they had gotten me a few things, but they didn't have too.
"Yes," she pulled me from the window where I left my sketch of Lord Sesshomaru and headed downstairs. When we made it into the living room where the man who I would call dad soon, sat in his recliner, drinking his tea.
"Good morning, Hana and Merry Christmas," he got up and came over to give me a hug.
"Good morning and Merry Christmas, dad." I watched as his eyes became shocked to hear me call him dad.
"Hana, did you…."
"She did, dear. Hana wants to call us mom and dad now."
"Yes! For a few months I've been wanting to." How bad I wanted to cry, but I held them back.
After a long embrace with my parents, I was passed a rectangular box, wrapped in blue and silver paper. I opened it to find a deluxe drawing tablet. I was beyond shocked. "Itsuki and I thought you would like to take your drawings to the next step."
"I love it," I got up from the floor and gave each of them a hug. "Thank you!" I tested this at the store a month ago and fell in love with it, but the price was a lot. They didn't have to spend that type of money for me. I would have been happy with more colored pencils and drawing pads.
"You're welcome, dear." They gifted me more with more drawing stuff, clothes, shoes, a very beautiful necklace, and even a phone. I kept thanking them for everything they gifted me. I will appreciate everything for a lifetime. When I thought I had opened everything, "Hana, there's one more gift for you."
"Really?" Mika handed me a thin long red box. "You've given me enough already!"
"Well, Itsuki and I thought you would really appreciate this one a lot! This gift here is something we've had for a few months." Mika had a big smile on her face, but her eyes had tears in them. What could the gift be?
I undid the big red ribbon, pulled the lid off to find a pile of paper, with lots of writing on it. "What is this?"
"Hana," they both said my name and took a seat on the floor with me. "What you hold in your hands is going to give us permission to adopt you as our daughter, permanently. Will you allow us to officially become your parents?"
My jaw hit the floor. I didn't think this day would come. I at first thought my biological family had been found and this would be a letter telling me how much the Ito's would miss me. But hearing that it was adoption papers… "yes! Yes you can!"
They both held me as I couldn't hold back my emotions of bliss. There were days where I wondered if they would ever ask me to be a part of their family, but part of me thought I might have been too old for them to adopt me. I guess I wasn't and I'm glad. I'm excited to see what our future brings.