Here's Chap. 24. Have fun reading guys. ^^ *hugs* _ *.*

Double Post today! ^^

Chapter 24: Silent Shadows.

The crunching of the leaves we're expected. The front of the house was not in the best of shape. Sayu could tell that much. Her mother was no where to be seen. Sayu felt reluctant to knock at her once childhood home. The feeling was curling her stomach a bit. The dread filling her head soon came to plot negativity in her. What if the new threat had got to her mother.

Gevanni stood beside Sayu. Reassuring her with his glance to let him cover her by leading the way. Sayu nodded taking a step back. Sayu felt worry all over her spine; as thought the negativity was bending it like a tooth pick being snapped in half.

"On the count of 3 Sayu. I'll be going in." Gevanni informed.

1,

2,

3...

...

Gevanni barged in, right before picking on the lock. Something he was skilled at.
Sayu followed behind. She was prepared for anything, or so she tried telling herself. But both quickly trooped they're guards. Sayu's mother was standing up on a chair. Re-painting the walls that was once a home of harmony; that held love, or so Sayu once upon a time thought.

"Sayu! Dear! Your home?!" Sayu's mother rushed over her daughter as soon as she got down from the chair she stood on. Reaching her daughter with a hug that seemed like the end of her existing life. Like if a bit of home was still possibly able to be fixed in some way.

"Mom...! I thought..." Sayu whispered; tears ready to burst any minute; if not for her holding them back.

"You thought what?! That your mother would be so weak as to die from depression. No such thing! I have to live for you, and my Granddaughter." Sachiko said; all the while looking around Sayu's waist for signs of Maria.

"Where's Maria... Sayu?" Sachiko asked rather confused.

"Back at home with Rose mom. I just came here for a short amount of time. There was no need of tiring the poor thing. Plus she can't miss out on school." Sayu said. Looking her mother all around for any signs of needed help.

Sachiko looked at her daughter.
Questions spread through her face. "Are you sick dear? Do you need something?" Sachiko asked concerned. Then noticing Gevanni by her side.

"Oh, and who is this dear? A special friend I see! He's handsome! Sayu; how could you not tell me sooner?!" Sachiko questioned in shock.

"Mother... This is a friend. Just a friend along for the ride is all." Sayu confirmed. Feeling like she was back with Rose in England.

"I see... You won't admit it yet huh? If your father was here..." Sachiko tsk tsk Sayu.

Gevanni felt a bit squished and forgotten. As thought as if he being questioned did not matter. Coughing a bit to get Sayu's attention. Sayu looked Gevanni's way, then looking at her mother again. "Mom, I have to go. I'm running late for something, but I'll come help you if I can with re-decorating..." Sayu told her mother.

"So soon?" Sachiko asked quite disappointed.

"I a sure you mam. I'll make sure your daughter comes back. Don't worry." Gevanni promised with a well meant promise.

"Oh Sayu... Your boyfriend is so wonderful! Where did you meet him?" Sachiko asked dreamy eyed.

"Goodbye for now mom...!" Sayu said, avoiding her mother further by pulling Gevanni beside her.

"Bye dear! Be safe! Behave yourself with your boyfriend!" Sayu's mother said; still feeling dreamy all the while Sayu stomped her way out the door.

Sachiko watched them leave in a car. Awaiting till she could see no more traces of them. Closing the door behind her with a smile to herself.

"Oh Soichiro... Honey. If you could see our dear Sayu now..." Sachiko kept dreaming with her assumption.

...

Sayu sat there beside Gevanni in the car. She took a deep breath. Thinking about what she was doing. And most of all she felt relieved her mother was fine and well. Gevanni looked at the young woman. Wondering if she was even up for this.

"Are you alright Mrs. Yagami?" Gevanni asked in a serious tone.

"Yes, I'm fine Gevanni. And please; from now on call me by my alias; Suzumi Takahashi." Said a relieved Sayu.

"Very well then Suzumi." Gevanni responded.

Sayu sat there, her forehead supporting the weight of keeping up on the car window beside her. She made sure not to fall asleep.

From a distance they we're being tailed by Rat and Terr.

"Who's that with Gevanni?" Asked Rat concerned.

"Probably another cop. I'm not sure." Responded Terr; still driving a good distance to keep away; just in case.

"Let's keep tailing them Terr. Then will break away shortly for other important things that need to be handled. Like Takada." Rat said.

Terr looked at the corner of his eye. Right at Rat. If anything was being plotted in Rat's head... It would not be good, not when it was towards a dangerous cornered animal like him...

Hope you enjoyed so far. ^^