Here is the next chapter. Tell me what you think. I'll try to update again soon. Reviews faster updates.

Disclaimer: I don't own esca…sob

A girl with soft blonde hair shot up in an unfamiliar room. Her green eyes blinked around her in confusion. Nothing made sense. After a moment, a middle aged woman walked into the room and noticed her. She smiled.

"Oh, so you are finally awake. I am so glad you are alright. My husband and I were so worried when we found you unconscious and half-drowned on the edge of the little river nearby, especially when we noticed that huge bruise on your side. Thankfully, you had no broken bones." The woman smiled warmly at her and came over to sit on the bed beside her. "By the way, my dear, what is your name? We could find no I.D. on you, so we had no idea where you were from. If you can tell me, I'll get you home as soon as possible."

The girl just blinked for a minute and then seemed even more confused. She frowned as she considered the question. Finally, with a soft, slightly scared tone, she murmured, "I don't know. I can't remember. I can't remember anything." After a moment, she could not take it anymore and started weeping into her hands. She was so lost and confused. Nothing made sense. What was going on? Why couldn't she remember anything. The woman, filled with compassion, wrapped her arms around the child.

"Oh, you poor thing. You must have amnesia. Don't worry darling, we will look after you until you can remember something. Ok?" She smiled slightly at the girl trying to encourage her. She just nodded, sniffling, into the woman's shoulder. "Well, let's see. I suppose we shall have to call you something. Hmmm…how about Ayame? That was my mother's name."

The newly dubbed Ayame just nodded. At least now she had a name, even if it wasn't her real one.

"Well, I suppose if you are going to be living with us than you should the family." A smile came to her face. "I have a son about your age. How about if we enroll you in high school with him? That would help you get out of the house a bit and not dwell on the issue. And maybe something will spark your memory." Again, Ayame just nodded mutely. "Wonderful," the woman continued. "Alright, then let me just go grab my son and husband and I'll introduce them to their new family member." With that, the woman swept towards the door. Just before she left, she looked over her shoulder and smiled again. "By the way, my name is Higurashi Miki. I'll be right back!" and she swept out the door.

Ayame sat on the bed, flustered. Questions filled her head but she could find no answer to them. Finally, she chose to push aside all thoughts and deal with the present. The past was closed to her and until something change, she had to focus on dealing with the present, one step at a time. She was very lucky that this family had found her. Miki-okaa-san seemed very kind. She was curious to meet the rest of the family. Steeling herself, she committed to making the best of this situation that she could. If she didn't, she would just sink into depression. She was stronger than that. So until she could remember, she would make the best of this situation.

A minute later, Miki reentered the room, ushering in two gentlemen, a kind-looking middle aged man that must have been her husband and a very handsome boy about her age, who she assumed was Miki's son. When he looked at her, she couldn't help but blush. He really was very attractive, and he had such friendly eyes. She felt immediately comfortable with them.

"This," Miki began, "is my husband, Shingo." She then turned toward her son, all smiles. "And this handsome fellow is my son, Yuki." Ayame smiled softly.

"Hello, Higurashi-san, Higurashi-kun," she greeted, unsure how to act. Shingo spoke first.

"No need to be so formal. We are going to be family after all, until you can find your own. Just consider me a surrogate father." He grinned at me. Yuki smiled at her, walking over to her and smiling into her eyes.

"And you can address me by my first name. None of this Higurashi stuff." He grinned a goofy, lopsided grin, and Ayame's heart felt much lighter just talked to him. "After all, we are practically gonna be family," he laughed, and to prove his point, he reached out and ruffled his hair with his hand. Ayame's eyes widen at the sudden familiarity, but for some reason, she found it comforting.

"Arigatou," she said softly.

Short, I know…but I figured I would try to get something up. R&R