Home Coming
By: Kohana Uzumaki
I had never been a morning person, as that was when I remember everything that haunted me. Most people if they looked at me, they wouldn't see the scars that were hidden under my clothing, they wouldn't see my struggles with eating or sleeping. I had once been a bright bubbly little girl, with nothing that could put me down, but that all changed ten years ago when my older brother, the only family that I had, went missing. I had spent my whole life bouncing between different foster homes, and different orphanages just trying to find where I belong. While not my whole life, because for the first four years I was safe because my older brother Yusaku had always protected me. Yusaku was two years older than me and he always made sure that I was well taken care of. But that stopped when my brother went missing for six months, and after that Yusaku changed he became cold and distance, almost uncaring. We were separated after that and I haven't seen him since, but that didn't mean that I had given up hope that I would see him again. Every chance I got I would be on my old desk top computer trying my hardest to find him. It was the early hours of the morning and my latest foster family had just sent me back to the orphanage, it didn't help that they had been the family I had been placed longest with.
The social worker who had been over my case since I was four was this old woman that frankly was not very pleasant. It didn't help that I was the last case she had to place before she could retire, but I wasn't just a case number on a piece of paper, I was a living being that had feelings and scars of my own. I turned towards the window tired of the constant insults that the other kids, both at school and at the orphanage, throw at me. My case worker could finally retire and I would live out on the streets away from the eyes of other people. The only thing I left was a note with a total of sixteen words and a single picture of me and my brother as little kids. A silent message of blame pointed at all the people that had let me down at one point or another.
I got to the far side of Den city near the cliffs, when I heard the sirens off in the distance. No one should know that I was missing just yet because it was still before five in the morning. I quickly hide inside the thick brush just under the windows of the house overlooking the ocean, trying to hold myself together because I was at my breaking point. I still had my trump card hidden away in the front pocket of the faded blue jeans that I was wearing. I shiver as the cold morning air hit my bare skin, my hair standing up in fear of someone finding me. And I would have been found if a young man hadn't been walking by. He saved me from the police and myself.
"Hey are you alright?" the young man asked noticing the sound of me falling over a tree branch. I looked up at the thin white-haired man with my big green eyes, tears running down my cheeks as I just broke down. My fingernails digging into my arms, thin lines of blood slowly making their way down my arms to my elbows. The young man quickly rushed to my side, trying to pry my fingers out of my arms. It took him fifteen minutes to get me to let go of my arms before he moved us to his family's home.
"Okay, so I'm Roken Kogami. And you are?" The young man said once he had gotten my arms patched up. I waited until he was across the room from me before saying anything, scared out of my mind.
"Fuyuko Fujiki…I'm sorry for intruding this early in the morning." I said rubbing at the thick bandages covering my arms. I had been stupid trying to run away without thinking anything through, this is what happened when I went off of emotions alone.
"What are you doing out this early in the morning Ms. Fujiki? Are you related to Yusaku Fujiki?" Roken asked confused. I sighed, before slumping forward in my seat.
"I am but he no longer wants anything to do with me. I was tired of the foster system messing up every time they placed me with families…" I said giving him the basic information about my situation.
"So, you've gotten so fed up with how the system treats you; that you've pretty much ran away from the orphanage where you live, because you are being bullied or abused at the foster homes. You know that I will have to call the police and inform them that you have been found, correct?" Roken said coming to stand in front of me; I nodded my head before getting up from my spot on the couch. Just because he had to inform the police that I had been found didn't mean that I would be here when they arrived, I wasn't going back to that place if I had anything to do about it. And before you asked, I don't mean the Orphanage, as I mentioned earlier, I had some issues that most people wouldn't believe if they could see them.
"Where are you going Ms. Fujiki?" Roken asked as I made my way to the door, bag slung over one shoulder, I had been trying to discreetly leave without Roken noticing, it was then that I pulled out my trump card the Taser that I had messed with to the point that when it goes off it would shut down any electronic devices in a twenty-foot radius.
"Just because you have to inform the police that I have been found, doesn't mean I have to be here when they arrive…and before you ask you won't know what hit you." I said throwing my Taser onto the floor, setting it off and sending the house into total darkness. I slipped out of he's house before leaving the public eye. Now just because no one saw me didn't mean that I wasn't around, I just didn't want to be taken back to that place. It took the police close to four months to find and apprehend me, but I wasn't going to go in easily. I bit four different police officers before finally they had to sedate me, I later found out that the damage I had caused was far greater than even a drug kingpin would cause and I'm a 14-year-old.
When I woke up, I was in a hospital tied to a bed, connected to tubes and wires. I laid there for fifteen minutes before two police officers entered the room, rudely eating and drinking coffee, when I hadn't had anything to eat in three weeks.
"I see that the street rat is awake." The big guy, with brown hair and a scar across his throat, said putting his hat on the foot of the hospital bed. That was before I kicked the hat off with a flick of my right foot. The guy looked mad but he became pissed when I stuck out my tongue at him. The guy's partner, this thin noob from the looks of him, was able to tell what I was up to before I could even think of my next step.
"Okay enough of that you two, Ryo she is a 14-year-old girl that has been abused to the point that she ran away to save herself. And your young lady should be respectful to your elders." The thin man said picking up his partner's hat from the floor, before putting the bag of food on my lap, just in the reach of my hands. I had to twist my wrist in a semi-circle so that I could take a look inside the bag. I found a ham and cheese sandwich and a juice box. I took one look at the juice box before letting the bag fall back on my lap, my stomach growling non-stop. I couldn't eat the sandwich because of the preservatives in both the ham and cheese, while the juice was also inconsumable because of the artificial flavors. It was then that a nurse entered the room my file, which was several inches thick tucked under her arms, she took one look at me before rushing to get a doctor. It didn't even matter to her that my stomach was growling for food.
"Hey kid why don't you eat what we brought you?" The thin man asked looking at me confused. I throw him a glare before turning my head to look out the window, at the bright blue sky, I was so high up that I couldn't even see the ground.
"You know this isn't what he meant by being respectful to your elders. When someone ask you a question you are meant to answer them right away in a timely manner." The big guy with the scar said as I tried to twist my hand out of the cuff holding it to the bed rails.
"I can't eat the chemical used in processed food or artificial flavors, just from the smell of the meat and the glaze on the cheese I can tell that they are processed, while the juice box clearly states that it has artificial flavors." I explained while getting my left hand out of the cuff before reaching to undo the right one.
"What are you some kind of escape artist?" The thin man asked from his spot by the sliding door. I looked over at him, while working on the right cuff. I had never been very good at splitting my attention between solving a puzzle and answering questions. Once I had gotten the cuff off of my wrist I laid back down arms above my head, I turned to the thin man, nurse and my normal doctor.
"I told them when you were first brought in to not tie you down, because no matter how tight we make them or if we use metal cuffs you always, always seem to be able to get out of them." My doctor said as he picked up the bag lunch still laying on my lap.
"So, she is some kind of escape artist." The thin man said finally getting the answer to his question.
"Oh no Fuyuko is not an escape artist, she just can solve any puzzle that you put in front of her." The nurse said moving to put a bowl of soup on my lap.
"She can eat soup but not a ham and cheese sandwich." The big guy with the scar said getting up from his seat.
"Homemade vegetable soup, with fresh baked bread. Both made using only organic and fresh ingredients, all made by my lovely wife." My doctor said handing the bag back to the thin man by the door, before wrapping his arm around his wife and nurse's shoulders, placing a kiss on her cheek. I took my napkin balled it up and threw it with all my might at the man, but because I hadn't eaten in three weeks, I was nowhere near my normal strength level.
"You are a very rude young lady, kid." The big guy with the scar said, clearly trying to pick a fight with me again. I just stuck my tongue out at him again. That was when the nurse stepped in to stop the fight.
"Fuyuko behave; officer please don't antagonize her. Fuyuko you should eat your meal before it gets cold." The nurse said, giving me her 'no back talk' look, I shudder in fear. I quickly ate four bites of the soup before giving up, as my stomach tied itself into knots again. It didn't help that I was so stressed out that even the smell of the food was affecting me. The nurse and my doctor both looked at me confused until they notice how I was holding myself.
"Fuko are you alright?" The nurse asked sitting down next to me on the hospital bed rubbing her hand up and down on my back.
"No, it's in knots again." I said crying into her shoulder, trying to keep everything together. I had been trying to keep my head level and not lose control of my emotions, because that would just send me back to the that place. Right away I felt someone wrapping their arms around me before everything went fuzzy, I don't really remember what happened after that but when I came around, I was back in what looked like that place with a nurse sitting right next to my bed, reading a book. I slowly sat up in the bed my brain pounding against the inside of my skull, it didn't help that my vision was unfocused.
"How are you feeling Ms. Fujiki?" The nurse asked not even looking up from her book. I turned to look at the woman, having to squint just to make her out. She was a thin red headed woman; she seems to notices this as she put down her book before picking up a flashlight. I would have asked the nurse what she was doing is she hadn't started flashing the light in my eyes, most likely trying to judge if I had a concussion.
"No concussion, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't take it easy. Your normal doctor moved you to the ICU after noticing that you had a nose bleed that wouldn't stop. I am the doctor that is taking care of you." The woman said putting the flashlight down on the bedside table before picking up her book. I looked at the woman confused, as everything she had just said went completely over my head. Now don't get me wrong I know how to get deactivate the security system at the orphanages using just house hold items, so I wasn't dumb my pounding head was just making it hard to understand what was being said.
"I'm sorry, but can you repeat what you just said?" I asked looking over at the woman. She looked up from her book as if she wasn't expecting me to ask her to repeat her statement, I can tell from her expression that my question wasn't a common occurrence.
"Ah because of the headache you can't understand what I said. How long have you been having the headaches? Or the nose bleeds?" the woman asked picking up a pad of paper and a pen, that was when I notice I wasn't in that place but in a different part of Den city hospital.
"A few days, and I get nose bleed every few days for the last two weeks. Now you said I didn't have a concussion, and that my normal doctor transferred me to…" I said blinking at the woman confused, why would she care about how often I got the pounding headaches or nosebleed.
"You're in the ICU…do you remember your name and you date of birth?" the woman said writing everything that I had just said down. I looked at her before closing my eyes and not even thinking about her questions.
"My name is Fuyuko Fujiki and I was born on Dec. 21st." I said slumping forward on my spot on the hospital bed. The ICU wasn't as bad as that place, they didn't see me as a number on a piece of paper, until after I was discharged and they wanted the money they were owed. I looked over at the woman before relaxing on the hospital bed, worn out.
"You should get some rest Ms. Fujiki." The woman said petting my hair out of my face. I fell asleep to the woman's soothing touch. When I woke up, I was alone in the room, a book on the bedside table about some of the greatest illusionist. My head was no longer pounding and I could finally see straight again, it was the first time in four months. I was forgotten in that hospital room for maybe two weeks before I ran away again; it took the two clowns…I mean police officers three weeks to track me down and this time instead of taking me back to the hospital they took me to the first orphanage I was in as a child.
"Why did you bring me here? It would have been better to take me to Juvie or the local loony bin…unless you want me to run away again?" I asked looking up at the big guy with the scar, the whole time I was working on picking the lock of the handcuffs currently pinning my arms behind my back.
"Kid, this is the best place for you until your surprise comes through." The thin man said throwing my old thread bared tan bag over the roof of the car to his partner, I quickly caught it with my right hand, being careful of the hole at the bottom right side just under the strap. I raised one eye brow, in suspicion. I held the metal handcuffs to the big guy with the scar, a triumphant smirk gracing my lips.
"Next time check me for Bobby pins." I said holding up the two Bobby pins from the back of my pants waistband.
"You really are an escape artist." The thin man said coming around the car to see why his partner was stunned into silence.
"Do you know how many times I've ran away?" I asked moving to stand in front of the thin man, my hand clenching the left strap of my bag.
"Your file said four times…" The thin man said before I cut him off by laughing, the thin man stood there waiting for me to stop.
"My file is completely wrong; I've run away three times that number in just the last four years…" I said once I had calm down, shifting my weight from my right leg to my left, I wasn't going to give them the real number of times I've ran away because I didn't need them to station someone outside of the orphanage waiting. Just so no one misunderstands I only run away when the stares or insults get too much for me to handle. I've never been a fighter; I am more a thinker put a puzzle in front of me and my skills shine the brightest.
"A genius street rat; who can pick locks. That's just what this city needs." The big guy with the scar said finally coming out of his shock.
"Not a genius, just smart. Oh, by the way officer if you need any help studying for the detective exam let me know." I said letting my hair into a tangle mess behind me, the one good thing about being at an orphanage; I could finally take a shower.
"Oh Fuyuko, you've grown so much." The owner of the orphanage said rushing out the front door, most of the kids right behind her in the doorway. I looked at the woman, the warm smile that had been the only way through some of the roughest times was still the same. The owner was older but to me she was still that beautiful lady that had been my safe haven. It was my first time in possibly ten years that I smiled before rushing forward and wrapping my arms around the woman's shoulder.
"My sweet Fu, you are finally home safe and sound." The owner said in my ear as she hugged me tight to her chest, I had to close my eyes tightly to hold back my tears, as I was assaulted by memories both good and bad. I wrapped my arms around her shoulders tighter, afraid that if I let her go, I would be taken away again.
"Thank you for welcoming me home." I said softly in her shoulder, my emotions over powering myself control to the point that I just started to cry.
"You are welcome any time Fu. Now let's head in so you can get a shower and some much-needed food. You are far too thin Fuyuko." The owner said before turning towards the door and the bunch of children watching our reunion, the owner quickly shooed the kids away most likely having read my file from the last ten years. I should have told her that kids didn't bother me as much as grown up or Doctors did, but I know that the owner was just trying to make me feel safe and comfortable just like she did for all the children in her care.
"You're in your old room Fuyuko. Now I've put clean sheets on your bed, along with some clean clothes." The owner said pushing me towards the staircase, my old tan thread bared bag forgotten by the front door. I could tell that she planned to fix the old thing.
"Okay, I'm going…um…owner after my shower can you cut my hair?" I said going up to the second step before turning around to look at the woman.
"Sure thing Fuyuko. Now go get a shower, I can tell from just your smell how long you've lived out on the street." The owner said before moving towards the kitchen. I slowly made my way up to the second floor, fifth door on the left. I could still remember the way to the last room I shared with my big brother. It hadn't changed much, sure the walls might have different pictures over new paint, even the signs on the doors were still the same old white boards except for the single wooden board at the end of the hall, left side of the second floor. I put my hand over the small faded yellow hand print, my hand had grown much bigger since I was three years old.
"11 years since we were happy Yusaku…I miss you big brother." I said looking over at the slightly larger faded green hand print on the other side of the crooked wooden board that Yusaku had found on his way home from school one day, that print belonged to my brother when he was five years old; and I could still remember how his hand would hold mine, tightly making sure that I was safe and sound by his side. I pushed the door opened to see that where my toddler bed once stood was now a wooden platform twin bed covered in green and white sheets under a green, white and gray bed spread. I looked over at the other side of the room to see that my bothers old bed was bare and covered in plastic, I could remember the gray bedding that used to cover it, and the duel monster that was always by Yusaku's pillows. I turned back to my bed looking for the clean clothes that the orphanage owner had mentioned, which were at the foot of my bed under my plush Petite Dragon plushie, I was sure that as my case worker dragged me away, I had dropped Petite dragon, but here he was clean and still in one piece. I moved the little dragon from my pile of clothes to just below my pillows, so that I could get a shower. I spent 20 minutes washing the dirt from my body and hair, which even after all that scrubbing was still a tangle rat's nest, but I was much fresher. I was wearing a clean pair of faded light blue jeans, a tan and black plaid blouse under a black cargo vest. My hair which at one point had become dark and dingy was now a bright and vibrant dark blue with natural pink undertones. I slowly made my way down stairs to the kitchen, where the orphanage owner was waiting for the old rice cooker to finish; everything she would need to cut my hair was on top of a towel off to one side for afterwards.
"Oh, Fuyuko just in time, the rice is about finished. Now let me get a look at you; your hair is still a tangled mess but at least you are clean and looking much better." The owner said making me spin around a few times, but luckily after either the third or fourth spin the rice cooker beeped letting the owner know that the rice was done. One of the few things I could eat was plain white rice, I didn't feel like I was chocking, or couldn't breathe.
"Okay here you go Fuyuko." The owner said putting the bowl of rice on the placemat on the kitchen counter, a fork and glass of water to one side of the bowl. I sighed before taking a seat in the spot that she had indicated, I pushed the glass of water away before picking up my fork so that I could dig into the food that the orphanage owner had made. I ate about half of my bowl of rice when the owner took a seat next to me, a cup of tea in her hands. I could tell from how she was sitting and how far she was sitting away from me, that she had read my file or at least part of it.
"I'm not crazy, or unstable." I said putting my fork down a little hard than I should have but the way she was treating me was driving me nuts, now don't get me wrong this was just one of the measures I used to protect myself from the people around me, I used rude or sharp comments to keep people at arms length.
"Oh, I know you are not crazy or unstable Fuyuko, but I also know that your PTSD will not allow you to relax in any kind of environment." The owner said taking a sip of her tea, being careful of what she was saying so as not to set me off. I couldn't really blame the owner, seeing as she didn't know not to mention the fact that I had PTSD because I had been made to think that there is nothing wrong with me.
"No…You're wrong I don't have PTSD, I'm just fine…there is nothing wrong with me." I said standing up from my seat to fast because I sent the chair falling to the floor, in a fit of anger.
"Fuyuko your file says that you were diagnosed with PTSD five years ago when you were nine…after you were removed from the ninth home you had been place with." The owner said reciting the report from my file. I looked at the woman before falling to my knees, I had read my file several times over the last ten years, but never once had anyone else ever read it to the point that they could recite any reports connected to the file. I broke down, not knowing that at that moment on the other side of Den city someone was doing just that, getting to know everything that I had been through. I shut down at the shock that someone cared about me.