Disclaimer: I know, I know, it's been ages since I've updated this story.
Chapter 34:
Go City Mall:
Kim arrived at the mall in Go City and quickly found Ayumi.
"Thanks for meeting with me."
Ayumi said.
"No problem. Anyway, what's the urgent thing you wanted to meet with me about? Also how did you get my number?"
"From Ciel's phone. Anyway, I need your help."
"You need my help? With what?"
"I want Ciel to have a good Christmas this year. This time of year is always rough for her. Which is understandable considering what my siblings put her through, when she was only four years old."
"What did your siblings d-"
Kim suddenly let out a surprised gasp.
"Wait a minute. Hiroshi and Chiharu are your siblings?"
Ayumi gave a nod.
"I take it she told you the story?"
Kim gave a nod.
"Did she happen to tell you why Hiroshi and Chiharu are currently incarcerated?"
"Wasn't it for the kidnapping and attempted soul stealing?"
"No, they never got in trouble for that. They're currently locked up for something else. Something that as far as I know, only Ciel knows about. I was kinda hoping she had told you, because I've been dying to know for years what they did that was so bad. Honestly, them being locked up is a big reason why we broke up. I just couldn't stand to be with someone that took my family from me."
"Well if she did tell me what makes you think I'd tell you? Also, why did you get back together with her then?"
"I guess you do have a point there. As far as why we got back together, I missed her. I messed up a lot in our relationship in the past and put her through so much pain. I spent so much time after we broke up, hating myself and feeling guilty. Getting back in contact with her has been the best thing that's ever happened to me."
"Well you're lucky to have her. Ciel can be a bit rough around the edges, but I know deep down she's a really caring and loving person."
Ayumi couldn't help but smile.
"She really is. Anyway, will you help me make this Christmas a good one for Ciel?"
"I will."
"Thank you."
Ayumi then took a look at her phone.
"I need to get going, but we'll talk more later."
"Okay, talk to you later."
The pair then parted ways.
Ayumi & Shego Residence:
Once back home, Ayumi stored the gifts she had just bought out of sight, then went to go search for Shego. She soon found her sitting on the back porch, watching the light snowfall.
"There you are."
Ayumi said, taking a seat next to Shego.
"Hey, how was shopping?"
"It was good. Had a nice chat with Kim."
Shego raised an eyebrow.
"You chatted with Kim?"
"Yeah. Actually I asked her to meet me down at the mall."
"Why?"
"I asked her to help me to make this Christmas a good one for you."
A small smile graced Shego's face.
"You're really sweet, you know that?"
Ayumi wrapped an arm around Shego's shoulders.
"I do what I can."
Shego then rested her head on Ayumi's shoulder.
"Did you talk about anything else?"
"We did."
"What else did you talk about?"
"I asked Kim if you happened to tell her why my siblings were locked up."
"I see."
Ayumi didn't miss the sadness in her lover's voice.
"Listen, I know you don't want to talk about what happened, but don't you think I deserve to know?"
Shego let out a sigh.
"I guess so."
"So why not tell me?"
"Because I'm not ready to talk about it."
"When will you be ready?"
Shego shrugged.
"I don't know. Maybe I'll never be ready."
"So I'm just supposed to live with not knowing what my siblings did?"
Shego didn't miss the upset tone in Ayumi's voice.
"I really don't get why you're getting upset. What they did to me is in the past and was handled accordingly. Why do you want to dig up old wounds?"
"Because it's my family you broke up!"
Ayumi didn't intend to yell, but she couldn't help it. They may have had their faults, but Hiroshi and Chiharu meant the world to her.
Shego stood up, her hands clenched tightly into fists; her body tense.
Ayumi stood up as well and wrapped her arms around Shego's waist.
"I'm sorry."
Ayumi muttered, kissing the back of Shego's neck.
"I didn't mean to get so upset. It's just…you know how much Hiroshi and Chiharu mean to me. They even apologized for what they attempted to do to us. So not getting to have them in my life, aside from a phone call once a week, hurts a lot. And I don't know, I guess maybe it would hurt less if I knew what they did. I mean, what's worse than trying to steal the souls of a couple of kids?"
Shego let out a deep sigh, then muttered something under her breath that Ayumi didn't quite catch.
"What was that?"
"Ask them. The next time you have your weekly phone call, ask them what they did."
Shego then pulled away from Ayumi's embrace.
"I'm going to Kim's."
Shego then left before Ayumi had a chance to say anything.
End of chapter 34: