Disclaimer: I don't own Kaleido Star

Broken Promise

Chapter 23

- After I talked with Jack, I phoned my parents and asked for my aunt's address. When I got there, she was very surprised. She mustn't have expected that. She greeted me in an awkward way…she was way too nervous. When I asked her why she lied to me…she began to say things like "I didn't want you to suffer", "I thought it was the best for you" and "I knew that boy wasn't good for you".

- Like she cared! – said May annoyed.

- Then, she began to tell me what happened. She said that when Sophie died, I did look as if I was deeply hurt and lost. She couldn't say she was happy with Sophie's death, but she said she felt relieved. She thought that I wouldn't involve too much with Leon now that Sophie was dead. Also, she didn't know how to help me, so she just left me alone. When I moved with Leon, she said that she thought it was improper…but also, she knew I was a good girl and she shouldn't worry. Probably Leon could help me more than her. That's why she didn't complain or anything.

- How nice from her! – said May sarcastically.

- When she went to the hospital, she was surprised. She expected Leon to be with me, but he was not there. That made her feel better, but she also thought I was on the hospital because of Leon's fault. But, when she talked with Jack…she just figured that Leon didn't know where I was and what happened to me. After the examinations on the hospital, the doctor told my aunt that I had psychogenic amnesia.

- It is also known as dissociative amnesia – explained the doctor.

- Why does it happen? – asked my aunt.

- It is caused by an emotional shock, basically, any intolerable life situation which causes severe psychological stress and internal conflict.

- Her best friend recently passed away.

- That could have been the trigger.

- Really?

- Well, yes. Depending on how it affected her.

- I'm not sure. She met that girl when she arrived here…3 years ago.

- Exactly the period of time she has forgotten. It must have been too much for her to handle. As a defensive maneuver, her mind blocked those memories. So now, it is as if it never happened.

- She did that to herself?

- Unconsciously. She isn't aware of what she did. Also, I think her lack of sleep contributed to that. Since sleep deprivation can adversely affect the brain and cognitive function.

- Which lack of sleep?

- When she arrived here, her conditions were from someone who didn't have any sleep in many days.

- Many days?

- That must have been just part of the stress she was passing through. Chronic insomnia has serious effects.

- Will she recover her memories?

- She has a partial loss of memory and this kind of amnesia resolves itself without treatment.

- But, you said her mind blocked the memories…

- She will remember things that weren't related to the incident. Family support is crucial in helping a patient with amnesia get better. If they are surrounded with familiar objects, photographs, smells, and sounds…everything will come back easily.

- I see…

- For the incident, it's going to be harder for her to remember it. She may or may not get to recall it. It depends on her and on the help she gets.

- So, basically…if I never mention it to her…she will not remember it?

- Probably…but as I said, it also depends on her.

- With that being said…my aunt decided that the best was to not mention Sophie or Leon ever. "Ignorance is bliss" She believed that my life and her life would have been better if I had never met them. My aunt never liked them, so she was kind of pleased by my situation.

- If I ever see you aunt I'm going to beat her, it's a promise – said May raising her hand.

I looked at May with disapproval and continued.

- She knew that making someone disappear just by not mentioning it…was impossible. That's why she asked Jack for help. She was kind of hopeless, so she accepted Jack's deal. Also, she bribed the doctor. That's why when I woke up for the second time…I had bandages on my head, even though my head was physically all right. It was just part of the set up for the story of the blow to my head. The doctor told me I had another kind of amnesia, which fitted with that made up story. The first days after being discharged from the hospital, I stayed home. My aunt thought that sooner or later Leon was going to the house to look for me. She couldn't be wrong.

- Oh, Leon Oswald – she said.

- Hi madam – said Leon.

- Can I help you?

- I hope so…

- So?

- Have you seen Rogue? – he asked shyly.

She laughed.

- Did she run away from you?

- No…but, I don't know where she is.

- I shouldn't have let her go with you!

- I thought she would have come back to you because you got angry or something.

- Well, she is here.

- Can I see her? – he asked impatiently.

- I don't think that's possible.

- Why?

- Some days ago, she came back here by herself. I didn't ask her to come! She told me that she didn't want to see you ever again.

- Impossible…

- She said she was sick of you...

- You are lying. I want to talk to her!

- I won't call her. If you want to talk to her, try to come across her in the streets. Oh, but she might not be alone…

- What do you mean?

- I think she got a boyfriend…

- Enough! – he exclaimed and left.

- What the f*ck was wrong with your aunt?! – exclaimed my friend – Damn, I could never forgive something like that…

- And I won't forgive her – I said.

- I'm glad to hear that.

I sighed.

- So, what happened? – asked a sleepy May.

- Well, she said that her plan worked. Since Leon didn't appear again….he must have saw me with Jack around the city…although I'm not really sure if that happened. She said that she tried to resolve Jack's issue as fast as she could in order to make us return to America quickly. She believed that in America, it would have been impossible for me to discover the truth.

- She was wrong!

- I told her that I met Leon in Kaleido Stage…but I couldn't recognize him. My aunt told me that the doctor said that the inability to recognize faces could be long lasting. So, that was why. She said that it must have been destiny, and that she shouldn't have interfered in our ways. That some reason shouldn't be understood…then, she apologized and began to cry…

- The damage was already done… - said May as she seemed to fell asleep.

- Exactly…May, wake up – I said patting her shoulder - I will never agree with her. Her reasons for not liking Sophie and Leon were childish. Her excuses of "I didn't want you to suffer"…I just can't believe them. She was always cold towards me, so I really don't think she cared. I wonder what could have happen if she knew I was about to flee with Leon before the amnesia…

- There was no way for her to know…so it couldn't become a problem.

- Probably her worries would have been related to "her reputation" and to what my parents could have said…She was the one responsible for me and they could have said she was doing it horribly wrong.

- Well, she wasn't really kind to you…

- Probably she will regret forever the day she accepted to take care of me. However, she can't turn back the clock.

- Yeah, it's too late – said my friend yawning.

- So, after talking with my aunt…I was heading to my hotel, but you called me.

- You were very confused! That's why you forgot the Festival, right?

- Yeah…that's why.

- So, when did you told everything to Leon?

- After you were announced as winners, I looked for Leon. When I finally found him, you took him away! – I complained.

- I did that? I'm so sorry Rogue! I had no idea! I'm really really sorry!

- Don't worry…

- So that's why he kept asking for you when we were back here! And then – May began to laugh – I didn't give him your number because I thought you hated him! Damn! I was an obstacle!

- That's why I came back. It would have been coward to confess everything over the phone!

- True that.

- When I came to see you…first, I met Leon and told him everything.

- He forgave you, right?

- He said that he never held any grudge against me and that he could never hate me.

- Aww!

- Then, he asked me if I was willing to fulfill my promise…Then, you appeared again and took me away!

- It can't be! I did it again! – she said laughing – Rogue! I'm so sorry! I must repay you somehow!

- Don't worry May, you were totally unaware. So, I'm not angry.

- I'm sorry!

- So, that day, I came back with you and then I could talk to Leon.

- So that's why you insisted so much! You should have told me, I could have helped you!

- It's too late…

- I would say it's too early! – she said pointing the window.

I walked towards there and looked through the window, the sun was rising. We spent all the night talking; I wasn't sure how that even happened. But, I felt…lighter. As if a heavy burden was taken away from me. I don't think I could have told all to anyone else. However, I felt the need to talk to with Leon about Yuri. Probably, I was not crossing words with Yuri ever again. I wondered if Layla knew anything…most likely she did.

I wanted to know if Leon really believed in Sophie's dream. Otherwise, any effort from me…and even from Sora would become useless. Leon needed to have faith in the dream.

Author's notes:

F-I-N-A-L-L-Y! We get to know ALL the damn truth! Hahahahah Damn aunt!

All the things that the doctor said are true stuff, I made my research!

In 2 days, I'll upload the extra chapter: Leon's POV of some chapters. After that, we will continue with the story normally. We are close to the end! I already have it in my mind...but there are things that need to happen first -.- I'm kind of having troubles to get to where I want...But I'll try my best.

cami (neko-rin): Jack just got in the story to mess up things xDD Well I guess Rogue has her anger focused only on her aunt haha