A/N: After hiding for several days (with valid reason), I'm back alive and kickin' ;)

Chapter 4. Parents

"Send her in," Tooru Ogasawara told his maid just as he saved his work at the notebook. She hardly came to his study unless it's something important and this time, he had an idea what it's all about. There could only be one reason that his wife would come here.

Their daughter.

"Tooru."

"Did something happen to her?" He asked without preamble. Straight to the point. That's the only way to deal with it.

He glanced to his wife, only to see her face a picture of something that he didn't see often. Sayako only showed emotion like that when it came to their daughter, their daughter whom he didn't know how to deal with anymore.

"How long, how long are we going to watch her like that? I can't take it anymore, Tooru," she said in trembling voice.

He looked away, unable to look at his wife who had always been strong.

"Didn't you talk to her?"

"You know it's useless. She never listens, she will never listen to anyone or anything."

This time, Sayako let go of her tears that she's holding at bay as she came to him and held his shoulders.

"Do something, Tooru. Do something before our daughter truly leaves us."

He winced. Yes, he was worried, worried that it's only a matter of time before his daughter tried something, try to end her life. And that's what his wife was so worried about. If it's only possible, Sayako would have watched Sachiko's every move. But Sachiko wouldn't like that, and so he had people to watch her all the time, in or out of the house.

"What can I do? Money couldn't buy what your daughter wants, Sayako. And I don't think there's any possibility to bring back what she wants," he said in weary voice.

Sayako cried harder. She knew that. Oh how well aware she was that there's no way it could happen, because if there was, she would have done it a long time ago if only for the sake of her daughter, and she didn't care what people would say.

It was just all too sudden. She wasn't expecting it to happen. She hadn't gotten over with her surprise then of her daughter's relationship, before she was met by another surprise that changed Sachiko's life to what it was now.

He held her as she cried, but that's all he can do at the moment. Hadn't he been thinking about doing something for his daughter? However, there were too many things to consider, too many things that might happen if he'll ever do what he knew as the only way. And so he threw it at the deepest corner of his mind. The fact that might destroy him and his family, the fact that was hidden to his daughter and even to his wife because if any of them knew, they would surely do something about it.

But how long he's going to hide it from them? Wasn't he known as a shrewd and ruthless businessman? Would he be ruthless to his family, too?

He took a deep breath as he remembered one of his conversations with his father.

"I'm doing this for the sake of our family. I would have expected that you of all people, should understand this, Tooru. We didn't raise her to be like that. Or have I made a mistake to entrust my granddaughter's growth to you and your wife? Why did you let something like that to happen? You spoiled her too much."

"Aren't we all spoiled her? But Sachiko is a good daughter. She won't bring any dishonor to this family. Besides, my daughter is happy, Father. I've never seen her like that before, full of life. Have you ever taken a closer look to her? She's been smiling a lot. She isn't angry anymore. So why would I or Sayako take that happiness from her? Besides, she's still young. If she didn't want to marry her cousin, then why force it on her? I'm sure she will meet someone whom at least she can live with."

"That's not what I'm talking about or are you blind?! Your daughter wouldn't marry a man whom she can live with. She will live with a woman!"

He was surprised. So that's what it's all about. And looking at his furious father, he feared what he will do to his daughter.

"You wouldn't do anything to Sachiko, are you, Father? I won't let you," he said with conviction.

His father smiled ruthlessly.

"I am the head of this family, my son. No one, not even you, can dictate what I will do. And if you can't do something for this family, then I will do it. And don't you interfere if you don't want me to do something to that daughter of yours."

"What are you going to do?" He asked evenly. His father could be cruel if it suited him.

"I will put a stop to that madness!"

And his father did act. And yet, it didn't ended well, at least for his daughter. When he tried to do something about it, it didn't bring any result.

He still remembered the conversation…

"Father, I will tell it to her if only to see a life in her," he said one time when he came to his office after Sachiko got sick due to too much stress.

"You will do no such thing, Tooru, unless you want that family to be wiped out."

He gazed at his father's serious face. There was no doubt in his mind that he will do it. And that would be worse.

"She will forget her. Time would make it go away."

No. He didn't think so, but hopefully, it would.

Tooru released a heavy breath at the memories.

"Why not try to have her friends cheer her up, Sayako? Why don't you call Youko-chan? Sachiko's birthday is near. Have a party," he suggested, though somehow, he doubted it will work. No one could penetrate Sachiko's despair before.

But maybe, just maybe, it will do her some good even if only a little.

"Sachiko wouldn't like a party."

"Then just a little gathering with her friends. You know them, don't you?"

Sayako nodded.

"Yes. I'll arrange it. I'll make sure that they would all come on Sachiko's birthday."

A/N: Until next time folks!

---Arvendell---

01 September 2008