I'm really sorry that I haven't updated sooner but school took over most of my free time and I didn't have chance to write this last week. This chapter gives an insight of what is about to come, and I can't wait to write it! Yes, that does mean that updates will come sooner, just after I have completed my English essay but hopefully I will update some time on the weekend.

Disclaimer- I own... *opens envelope*.... nothing! ...oh. *awkward silence*

Ulrich stared at the girl in front of him, not knowing how to approach the problem. He watched as he saw her play with her fingers, linking them every so often. Her eyes were trained on the cream carpet, hair hiding her face, Ulrich not knowing her expressions. He forgot exactly how they arrived at his home. All he remembered was that she wouldn't let go of him and since she was too scared to talk, he couldn't take her back to her house as he didn't know where it was. His bedroom was the only place he could think of. His parents were working and Clarita was in the kitchen preparing dinner for the family, so he knew that they could have some privacy.

Slowly, Yumi lifted her head. Ulrich frowned when he saw the dried tear streaks on her cheeks. "Ulrich?" she mumbled, a hint of fright mixed in with her voice.

Ulrich stayed pressed up against the plain wall, "I'm here, Yumi."

Looking around the unknown room, Yumi's eyes widened in fear, "Ulrich! Where am I?"

She began to cry once more, seeing this, Ulrich ran towards the bed, embracing her in a hug as she cried. "It's okay, Yumi." he whispered in her ear, "You're in my bedroom, it's alright, I'm not going to hurt you."

As he said the last words, Yumi felt her body relax. Normally, if anyone said they weren't going to hurt her, she never believed them. But there was something in his voice, something about him, that made her believe that what he said was true. She gripped onto his shirt, creasing the thin, white material.

His hold on her loosened as her sobs silenced, "Yumi? Are you okay?"

Her head shook against his chest, "I don't know." she mumbled.

Sighing, Ulrich once again tightened his hold on her, "Please tell me, Yumi."

Raising her head from his strong chest, she looked at him with tears and confusion, "Tell you what?"

"What's really wrong with you?"

Letting out a small sob, her head returned to his chest, tears soaking the shirt, "I-I can't."

Ulrich frowned at the pain in her voice, "Yes you can. You can trust me, I promise."

Yumi shook her head again, "No, I just can't."

Telling him about her past, her life, would cause more damage than good. To replay every memory with another person was something she swore never to do. Most people that she met found out by themselves, but moving away meant that no one but the selective few knew about her. At least now she had a chance of starting again, a brand new life.

"Tell me about your arms, Yumi." his voice was stern, but not too frightening for her.

Glancing down at her scar covered arms, hidden by the thick material of her hoodie, she closed her eyes tight, "No."

"Yumi, tell me."

Letting a single tear fall from her glossy eyes, she lifted her head, eyes connecting with his demanding green ones. "It hurts too much."

Inside, Ulrich was smiling. She was finally letting him in, finally expressing her emotions. "I'm here. It's just me." he encouraged her, knowing that there may be a chance that he could get her to talk about why she made the ugly marks on her arms.

"It hurt too much." she repeated, Ulrich frowning with confusion.

"What hurts too much, Yumi?"

Blinking slowly once, she began to speak, "The memories, they hurt so much, Ulrich." she cried. She could feel her brain shouting at her, begging her not to continue, not to let him know. But she could also feel her heart fighting stronger.

Ulrich held her as close as he could, "What memories?"

"My past," she swallowed hard, not believing that she was going to tell him, "When I was-"

A soft knock cut her off, Ulrich turned to look at the door, frustration written across his face. "What do you want, Clarita?" He didn't mean for his voice to be so harsh, but with the prospect of Yumi telling him about why she had cut herself, being taken away, he didn't regret his words.

Clarita stood there, an apologetic expression across her face, "Sorry," she began, realising that she had interrupted something and not acknowledging Ulrich's tone, "I just came up to say that your parents will be home soon. Just wanted to warn you in case they get the wrong idea." she referred to Ulrich holding a distressed Yumi in his arms.

Ulrich rolled his eyes, "It's not like that, Clarita."

Clarita smiled at him, "I know, honey. But your parents..." there was no need to finish her sentence.

Thanking Clarita and watching her leave the doorway, Ulrich loosened his grip on Yumi, "Come on, I'll take you back home."

Yumi whimpered at the lost contact between herself and Ulrich. Taking his hand, Yumi followed him out of his room and down the tall staircase. This was the first time she truly took in her new surroundings. Large pictures decorated the flawlessly painted beige walls; the soft carpet lay under her feet, perfectly contrasting with the walls. The thick oak banister felt smooth under her fingers, freshly polished. She stared at the house in awe, never had she seen a house like his, it was beautiful... it was rich.

He was rich.

Flashing memories spun around her brain, causing her to gasp and grip the smooth wood tighter. Ulrich whipped his body around, eyebrows raised as he saw the girl's position. "Yumi! Yumi, are you okay?"

Yumi nodded her head, feeling the relief that came with the flashbacks fading, but also felt the dread of the knowledge that they would come back."Yeah, I'm fine."

Ulrich frowned but said nothing. Both of them knowing that what she said was a lie.

She would never be fine.