A/N: Thank you for the new reviews on my update! A word of warning: the following chapters will be dealing with heavy content, so unless you are sure that you can handle such subjects, I advise you to stop reading as of now.

Chapter 8

The doorbell rang, jarring me from my sleep. I groaned and sat up, clutching my throbbing temple. The doorbell rang again. Sunlight filtered in through the curtains. It rang again.

"Shut up!" I muttered. I had a terrible headache. Hangover. I got dressed and cleaned up the empty sake bottles and trash.

I opened the door to find Sanae and Akio there. I knew who was behind them. I had tried to tell them not to bring her here. Do they listen? Of course not. I caused me great pain to think about the sacrifice required so she could live.

I sighed and moved so Ushio could come in.

"Go away," I told Akio and tried to shut the door. He did, of course, catch it.

"Listen up, punk!" he growled. I gave him a glare of venom. "If you so much as make her cry, I'll murder you!"

"Quit acting like she's your daughter!" I snapped, and slammed the door. I turned around and saw Ushio run behind a wall. I sighed and rubbed my temple. This would be a long day.

I walked over to the wall she was behind and stopped. She ran away. Whatever. I sighed again and went into my room, keeping my eyes off the other fouton. I lay down and coveres myself after hanging another, darker curtain. I went to sleep.

I woke up several hours later. For some reason, I felt like a pair of eyes was watching me. I kept mine shut. I opened them and shouted out, scrambling back. Ushio squeaked and huddled into a ball.

"W-What do you want?"I asked, getting annoyed.

"I want Aki!" she said. I hated to admit it, but Ushio was adorable. I caught her hairstyle. Huge bangs, shoulder length.

Nagisa.

I flinched, painful memories welling up. I looked away, beginning to get depressed. My own daughter didn't want me. Whatever.

"Aki's not here," I said, lying down again. "Go play with your toys or something."

"Aki!" she insisted.

I glowered. Did she not understand?

"I said-"

She stared at me. I stared back. We stayed this way for several seconds. I finally turned over.

"Go away," I mumbled. Ushio suddenly looked as downcast as I felt. I instantly regretted my words. She teared up.

"H-Hey! Don't cry! Please, for the love of God, don't cry!" I stammered. She heaved. Oh God, help me! What do I do? I spotted a Dango plushie. Sharp and painful memories surged as I grabbed it and gave it to her.

She stopped crying as she hugged it close. It worked!

"Uh... uh..." I stammered. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean that. I'm just depressed."

Ushio nodded and ran off, leaving me alone. What... just happened?