Chapter 3: The Quarrel And The Phone Call

I ran as quickly as I could back to my farm house, and now, I was sitting at the pine wood dinner table with a luxurious feast in front of me.

My aunt had always been a good cook, and she never ceased to amaze me with her beautifully, gravy-wrapped roast dinners, and her delicate custard-coated cakes, adorned with strawberries and other luscious fruits.

However, I didn't feel like eating at that precise moment, so I just sat with one elbow leaned on the table, followed by my connected hand, cupped against my cheek in a slouched manner.

I fingered my carrots with the metal tips of my fork, and sighed with boredom.

My aunt was in the lounge, reading a letter that had come for her in the post.

I couldn't eat anymore, I was too shocked and depressed.

My legs swayed back and forth underneath the table until they finally came to a decision and lowered down to the wooden floor.

I dawdled past the long table with my head down, my fingers, running along the varnished edges.

I then exited the dining room, and as I was walking into the lounge, I poked my head up slightly.

My aunt had her spectacles balanced on the edge of her nose, with the letter still in her hands.

She flicked her eyes up at me and stared with a questioning yet strict expression.

My eyes locked with hers for a brief moment, but then I pulled them away to a seat opposite her, and made for it.

My feet were still bare, and I felt the soft and fluffy carpet run through my toes.

When I arrived at the chair, I watched my own hand reach for the arm of the furniture.

I then turned around, and sat down, taking care into not looking at my aunt once.

I could feel her eyes still on me though.

Her mind brewing up questions as to why I was so glum.

A few moments later, words seeped through her lips.

"What is the matter Anzu, dear? Was the dinner I prepared not to your liking? Or is it something else that you wish to talk to me about?"

Her voice was posh, with a mixture of different tones, especially at the end of questions.

My hands automatically started to fiddle with one another, and I hunched my shoulders with my gaze cast down to the floor.

"It's nothing aunt… Your dinner looked lovely… I'm just not hungry"… I murmured.

My aunt still wasn't convinced.

"Nothing? What a load of nonsense Anzu! It can't be just nothing, you look positively miserable!"

I tried to resist telling her, but alas, my childlike will to share the magic with people was too strong, and so, I told her.

"I made friends with a child around my age up behind the cornfields", I said in a soft and secretive voice.

My aunt looked at me expectantly.

"Go on"… She pushed me.

I almost mistook her for the wind.

I let out a short sigh.

"Well, I asked where he was from, and he said he lived in the chestnut tree! So we talked some more, and then-"…

"Chestnut tree? What chestnut tree?... Lived?! Oh, Anzu… I do hope you're not still daydreaming about magic and other ridiculous fantasies. You know none of it exists."

"But it does auntie!" I interrupted.

My aunt looked surprised, and if I wasn't mistaken, speechless.

"Daddy told me about it before he went to heaven! He said that the chestnuts turned crimson every autumn!... The boy… He disappeared! Right before my eyes, and-.."

"NOW THAT'S ENOUGH!" My aunt shouted, whilst standing up and pointing a stiff finger towards me.

She lowered it slowly, but kept her gaze firm.

"That is… Quite enough. I can't have you babbling about magic, if I am to raise you to be an elegant, and well-mannered young lady".

She then looked me up and down disapprovingly.

"Mind you… I don't suppose you can help being a liar. It runs in your genes after all. Your father had always been very strange… I warned your mother that he was a liar and not to marry him, but did she listen?... And now look! He lied to you!... His own little girl"…

I felt my heart suddenly crack at the mention of my father.

And in such unpleasant ways!

All of a sudden, my head shot up, and my tear drenched eyes locked with her beady ones.

"STOP IT! None of that is true! You're the liar auntie, not him!" I screamed.

My voice was slowly cracking, and it started to go hoarse.

"My daddy, was the only person I could talk to about things which truly mattered to me. As little as they may have been, he would sit down and actually listen. He would give me advice on things, and supported me all the way with my ideas… That moment in the cornfield with him was the best moment in my life… I'm glad he told me about magic… At least now I can go into a different world, and get away from snobby old witches like you!"

My aunt's face, was a picture.

"GO TO YOUR ROOM! GO TO YOUR ROOM THIS INSTANT! I HOPE YOU DON'T EXPECT ANY SUPPER MY DEAR, BECAUSE YOU CERTAINLY WON'T BE RECEIVING ANY!" She bellowed, at a loud and furious tone.

Inside I was shaking like an earthquake, but I'd never let that show through for her to see.

I wouldn't give her the satisfaction.

I suppose you could say that I was a brave and strong-minded five year old…

Intelligent as well.

When I had something to say, I would just say it.

Some people would consider my behaviour to be too open and honest.

But to me, I was only being myself.

Analysing and stating what I thought of things…

After she had shouted, I stomped out of the lounge and towards the staircase in the hallway.

As I looked up at the long, windy flight of stairs, my hand felt for the smooth and varnished banister.

Once it had discovered it, I turned my head to face my aunt, who was fuming in the lounge opposite me.

Words weren't needed.

We both knew what we thought of each other.

A short while later, I drew my face away from her view, and started to climb the vine-like staircase.

When I reached the top of the spiral, I let out a deep sigh.

I unclenched my fists and noticed that my palms were sweaty.

I then walked along the red carpeted hallway, and finally reached my bedroom door.

My arm reached for the handle, and my hand grabbed it tightly.

I then pushed the door open, and walked inside, lighting a candle so that I could see.

When my eyes met my bed, they automatically started to fill up with tears.

Without a second thought I sprinted towards it, and flung myself on top of the soft blankets and pillows, tiny trickles of water running down my cheeks.

I buried my head in the materials, with my eyes tightly shut…

After a few minutes, I turned onto my side as my sobs died down.

As I did that, I felt a forgotten lump dig into my thigh.

I cautiously reached into my dress pocket, and pulled out a small object.

…It was my crimson chestnut…

I had to bite my lip to stop myself crying again.

The soft skin belonging to my fingertips ran along the shiny frame of the chestnut.

"Yami"… I whispered.

All of a sudden, the phone rang, and I heard my aunt pick it up and answer it from downstairs.

I couldn't hear what she was saying, but I could tell it was her voice.

(Downstairs, aunt on the phone)

"Hello?... Yes I did receive your letter...uh-huh…well, of course… Monday morning?... Yes that should do nicely"…

…

…

…

"I'll have her bags packed by then."

To be continued…

What did you think of that chapter then?! Not as long as the second chapter but there weren't many big events to be witnessed. Sorry if this chapter was boring. It won't be like that in the future I swear! It's just that I need to shape the plot, if you get me. ;)

Thanks for all the lovely reviews on my past chapters!

Please, read and review.

I would like to thank:

'Cheating Death'

'Alex Fisher'

'Fantasia-49'

'Dancers of the night'

For their wonderful and inspiring comments on chapters one and two.

Thank you very much my friends. Xx

Disclaimer: I don't own Yami or Anzu.

Yami and Anzu © Kazuki Takahashi