Ronin Warriors Fan Fiction ❯ Family ❯ Meeting the family ( Chapter 8 )

“Cye!” I heard Kento yell from behind me before I was tackled, forced into a headlock and had my hair ruffled into a puffball.

“Agh!! Dammit Kento!” I growled, trying to sound intimidating which I found to be not working all that well at the time.

Kento didn't find me very scary either apparently because he just laughed and continued to jack with my hair. “Aw lighten up!” he laughed letting me go. “I'm just palyin' around with ya!”

I smirked, my hand going to the pocket of my jeans unconsciously to make sure the little ball was still there. “Yeah, you're just lucky I have to leave. Otherwise I'd take you down right here in the parking lot.”

I dodged another attack and laughed, jumping on the bus. “Too slow big guy!”

“Oh you're in for it tomorrow, kid!” Kento shouted at me through the bus windows. “ You wait until tomorrow! We're gunna have a throw down!”

I laughed as he threw his arms out in a “come-and-get-me” manner. He waved and grabbed his bag, walking the other direction.

I leaned back in my seat, straightening my hair and checking my watch. Damn, it's 4:15 already…Sister Carla's gunna kill me. I closed my eyes slowly, mentally preparing myself for the lecture. The bus ride was actually very short in reality but in Cye world it seemed to take eternity plus a day.

I couldn't stop thinking about my new home and what it was going to be like to finally have a place I could call my own. What will my new parents be like? Would they like me? Would I like them? Would they have any other kids? All of the questions reverberated in my head as the bus screeched to a halt in front of the orphanage.

Sister Carla all but ran into the aisle and drug me out, griping the entire time about how late we were. “Come on, my boy!” She said, pushing me into the small Crown Victoria that had hardly ever seen the light of day. The car smelled new but with a hint of dust as well…kind of an odd mix to be subjected to.

The little nun threw a shirt at me and grabbed a brush from the glove compartment, setting to work on my hair. While changing and gripping the armrest for dear life considering Sister Carla was driving with one hand and not watching the road, I looked back and saw the other orphans waving and smiling at me as we rode off. I felt tears prickle in my eyes but shoved them back as we rode on. Good bye you guys…

Once it was safe to look up at the road again, the questions once again began to circle through my head. Where do they live? Is it close to the school? What did Sister Carla put in my bag? Did she get all of my stuff? What about my drawings cause they were by my bed? What about—shut the hell up Cye!!

 

The car ride was actually a lot longer than I thought it would be. We drove for a good 20 minutes, never slowing down, until we reached the outskirts of town in a small wooded area. A short, two-story house rested in a little cove of trees and had a long drive way leading up to it. I smiled a little. It seemed nice.

A tall man with graying black hair stood beside the mailbox and smiled at us as we drove up. Sister Carla got out of the car and walked over to him, shaking his hand as they exchanged greetings. I walked over hesitantly, my bag in hand. The man smiled at me. “Hello young man. You must be Cye? My name is Mr. Yochi, I'm the Katsugara's landlord.”

I smiled lightly. “ Nice to meet you.”

Behind me, Sister Carla was shifting on her heels excitedly. “Well, shall we go inside and meet Cye's new parents?”

Mr. Yochi hesitated and glanced at the house slightly, probably thinking no one saw him. He took Sister Carla's hand and pulled her over to the side a little. One they thought they were out of hearing range, he began to explain something about the house to her. Too bad I heard every word of it.

“Sister, there's something I need to tell you that I probably should have mentioned over the phone. The Katsugara's have a shadowy past. You see, they had a son a few years earlier. Michael if I'm not mistaken.”

Sister Carla listened intently, watching his facial expressions closely. She was always good at detecting when someone was lying or hiding something. The CIA should use her to their advantage. “What happened to him?” she asked after a tense moment had passed.

“Well, sadly, he was killed in a car accident on the way home from work one day. The Katsugara's were devastated…”

“Oh my goodness!! That's horrible!”

Mr. Yochi nodded and continued. “They were really shaken up by the accident and went into seclusion for a while. About 2 months after the incident, Mr. Katsugara was charged with a DUI. As his punishment, considering it was a first time offense, he was sent to a Defensive Drivers course and was made to pay the fees for the class. That night, he and his wife got into an argument over the money issue and it quickly escalated to a full-blown fist fight.”

I don't really think Sister Carla's eyes could have gotten any wider. “ He beat his wife?! And you're expecting me to leave one of my children here?!” She threw her hand down from his and turned to me. “Come on, Cye! We're leaving!”

Mr. Yochi grasped at her hand again. “Sister, please! Mr. and Mrs. Katsugara are two of my closest friends. If I felt for even one minute that they would put Cye in danger I would not leave him here.”

“No!”

“Please just let me-“

“No!”

I listened half-heartedly as their fighting continued. The more Mr. Yochi persisted, the angrier Sister Carla got for him not telling her. I sighed softly and was about to intervene when I heard something coming from inside.

I snuck over to the side of the house and peeked through a window. A woman was sitting on the floor, beer bottles spread all around her like a barrier. She had a picture of a young man in a cap and gown sitting in front of her and she appeared to be crying.

I wanted to ask if she was alright but the glass in the window prevented me from doing so. I hated to see people cry, especially when there was nothing I could do about it. I had seen my mom cry too many times when I was little to just sit around and do nothing. Maybe my staying here really would help these people, maybe all they needed was a person in their house that reminded them of their son to help them get past their grief. Sounds ludicrous I know but it was worth a shot.

Sister Carla was still fuming but she cast a look at me. “ Cye…it's your decision…” I know she was leaving the choice up to me but from the look in her eyes I could tell she was trying to make me say no.

I glanced back at the house, the image of the crying woman still engraved in my mind. I felt so bad for her, for what had happened to her and her husband…I felt I needed to stay even if it was only to make sure they were alright.

I smiled at her. “I'll be alright. I want to stay…that is if you'll let me.” I smiled at her, trying to give off that puppy-dog effect that the younger kids get away with so much.

Sister Carla nodded a little and looked at the sky, I think probably to stop tears. She came over to me and wrapped her arms around me and I braced myself for the crushing hug I knew was coming. But instead, she just sat there and held me, her head resting on my shoulder. I hugged her in return and rubbed her back. “ Sister, I'll be okay, really.” I smiled at her again.

She smiled at me and ran her fingers through my hair one last time. “ I know Cye, I know.” She wrote something on a piece of paper and pushed it into my hand. “ If anything goes wrong, and I mean anything, you call me immediately understood?” She looked at me seriously.

I nodded and put the little piece of paper in my pocket. “ I understand. Don't worry, you know if you come back crying all the little ones are going to swarm you.” I smirked a little which made her laugh.

“Yes I suppose you're right.” She wiped her eyes uselessly and hugged me tightly once more, kissing me on the forehead. “ Please be careful dear.” She smiled sadly, tears falling down her face and walked back to the car.

I watched as she pulled out of the drive way, tears still staining her face. I couldn't help but smile, she was trying so hard.

Mr. Yochi put his hand on my shoulder. “ You're very brave, young man. I can tell she cares a lot for you.” He smiled at me and handed me a key to the house.

I looked at it then at him. “ Sir, please tell me honestly. Am I in any danger staying here?”

Mr. Yochi smiled and shook his head. “Son, I'd trust these people with my life. I really think you'll be completely safe here.” He looked at his watch. “Oh my goodness, is that the time already?!” He grabbed his briefcase and shook my hand hurriedly. “I'm so sorry, my boy. I'm terribly late for my next client.” He handed me his business card. “Please call me if you need anything!” And with that he ran off to his car and jumped inside.

As I watched him drive off it suddenly occurred to me that I would be going into my new house alone. I felt a little nervous but tucked the key into my pocket and grabbed my bag, walking to the front door. Well, here goes nothing I thought as I tapped lightly on the door.