XIII: In Which She Is Gone!

A/N: Here's another chapter. The previous one was rather quick, but we delve more into the tantalizing, newly devised plot now.

Then, everything turned black as I slipped all the way into the tub and felt my head submerge…

It's funny. When you feel like you're floating one second, and in the next, you feel the cold stone of reality smash into you with such a sudden impact that you feel like jumping up from whatever you are doing, and screaming. It's also quite the unforgettable experience as well, I must insist.

This was what happened to me as I woke up from the local anesthesia they'd put me on. My slow breath stopped for a moment, giving me enough time to choke on the air that threatened to burst forth from my hoarse throat. My body gave a small convulsion as I struggled to remember how to breathe without killing myself. My arms grasped at my throat helplessly as I grunted repeatedly. It was such an animalistic movement that it repulsed even me, but I was confused.

Still in a state of acute confusion and panic, a medic with chestnut hair came in and reassured me that I was safe and in a hospital. She told me to relax, and that too much stress was not good. She handed me a glass after I'd calmed down, and she reminded me that my parents would be notified of my consciousness as she left.

I raised an eyebrow in sudden realization of my parents, and their existence. I sank into the bed, eyebrows furrowing now as it hit me that I'd failed to kill myself. Oh boy, what would I tell them? In silent, self-response to this question, I glanced down at my arm; the one I'd purposely wounded. It was all stitched up; and there was only a very pale line descending the length of my arm. Amazing healing powers, these medics had. However, I worried as I turned my face to look out the window of beautiful, sunny Konoha, upset.

Soon enough, they arrived. Of course, their faces were solemn and forlorn as they entered my room, ushered in by the same medic. However, as soon as the medic left; my mother burst into tears as she rushed at me with her open arms. I was shocked; rather expecting the opposite reaction from her. I lay there feebly as she attempted to blubber excuses about how she and my father had been irresponsible and stupid to leave me in the care of a neighbor whom they hardly knew.

This part, I had to agree with. Even though Kakashi had been pretty hot.

My father hovered near our two figures, his stern look softening in the slightest bit, until he broke into my mother's blathering with a clearing of his throat. We both turned to look at him; directing our attention.

"Yelin," his baritone rumbled out, and I winced, anticipating what dreaded question was to come. I glanced down at my hands sadly, unable to move my eyes further downwards to see the scar. Shame filled me as I felt hot tears spring to my eyes in fear of explaining. I felt my mother's warm hand run up and down my arm, a comforting gesture.

He ran a hand through his hair, sighing deeply before continuing, "we decided that we will not ask you about why you took such …actions upon yourself. However, we do want you to know that we will be moving shortly. Very shortly." His tone was brisk and businesslike, but I knew that behind those words, was an undertone of weariness and sadness. It was upsetting to see him like this; and it even more so, because I knew that I could have possibly caused all of the weariness.

I could do nothing in response to that statement, but to nod dumbly. Everything else that happened after seemed to pass by in a blur; the signing of my release, the visit of Pinky to help move me into a wheelchair, and packing up.

However, upon the act of packing up, I found a rather curious item. A slightly-lavender scent coming from a piece of paper. I picked it up.

Dearest Darling Yelin,

I'm truly sorry for having caused all of this. I feel mostly responsible for having made you feel like you needed to give up on this world. It was never my intention, and I hope you understand that. Also, since this is my last day here in lovely Konoha, I wanted to leave you this note, for you to see when you awake.

Also, I just want you know that I am moving back to my town, and that I called the engagement off. It seems that there was an end to arranged marriages for a reason. Haha, what irony.

If you ever want to talk, I am available at this address, write anytime. I'll be waiting.

Sincerely & Regretfully,

Queen.

At the end, she'd written out an address in a far country.

I sighed, wondering for a moment if I should toss it out, but thought better of it and tucked it into my gown's breast pocket. I would get back to her later.

Soon enough, I was strolling outside, in the lazy afternoon summer sun, rolled along by my mother in the wheelchair. I felt so weak, like a vampire, as if I'd been exposed to the sun for the first time in my life.

Before I knew it, I was at the front steps of my house, and a horrible flashback occurred to me. About that night. The giving up, the release of this horrid world; it all returned. I seized in my chair, squeezing my eyes shut as I was wheeled inside.

What I observed inside was shocking, to say the least. The house was completely packed into many boxes, all ready to be moved out. There lay two futons on the floor, obviously for my two parents and myself. I opened my mouth a managed to peep out a, "When are we moving then? Tomorrow?"

I was answered easily with a positive nod by the two parents.

Suddenly, a lump formed in my throat. I'd been here such a short time, it seemed so unfair that we'd be leaving once again. It seemed that nothing pleased my parents. However, a small part of me was glad that I wouldn't have to face anybody from the town, or better yet, Kakashi. I would be able to simply close this chapter of my life behind me without as much as a goodbye.

The next morning, without any appearances by the neighbors or townspeople, we moved out, and I was driven away from Konoha.