CAGED – After Story

PART 1 – Shiami’s Return

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Three Weeks

Sakura petals fell slowly, scattering on the ground, surrounding a pair of black heels. The owner of the heels sighed as a bus pulled out.

“I can’t believe this…” Shiami smiled, looking down at an invitation. For the fifth time in a row, she read it aloud:

Miss. Shiami Mishiyama

You are, here-by, cordially invited to the wedding of Naio Shirayuki and Amy Landon.
Date: Saturday, May 10 2010
Time: 12:00 PM
Location: Lot # 5 (Next to Kuroi Kafe), Mottowa District, Tokyo, Japan
Reception: Kuroi Kafe  3:00PM - ???  

PLEASE DO ATTEND!

With Love,

Naio and Amy

It wasn’t the fact that Naio and Amy were finally, getting married, it was that it was an American wedding and that Shiami herself, was invited. Again, she read the invitation aloud.

“Shiami-Chan? How many times are you going to read that, before you believe it?” An airy voice came from behind her. Shiami turned around, facing a now, 18 year old Amy.

“A… Amy-San?” She breathed, taking in the sight. Amy had grown, a lot. She had gained a bit more weight, and she looked incredibly healthy. Her white skirt fluttered wildly in the breeze, matching perfectly with her silky, pink, button up, blouse. She looked incredible. With a giggle, Amy wrapped her arms around Shiami, and pulled her into a tight hug.

“I'm so glad you could come! I was so worried that my Maid of Honor wouldn’t be able to come!” Shiami smiled softly. It had been two, very long, years since the Hikari incident, and two years since Shiami moved back to America. Shiami herself had grown well. She looked more adult and even sounded grown up. She smiled.

“Well show me to your house!” She cooed, giving Amy the silliest grin. Amy frowned.

“What do you mean… show? You know exactly wear I live!” She laughed, giving Shiami a stupid look. Shiami frowned, confused.

“Wait… You’re telling me… You and Naio-Kun aren’t living...”      

“We are!” Amy interrupted, blush painting her face. She grabbed Shiami’s hand and pulled. “Just… Come on!”

-.-

Sitting atop a box, Naio drummed his fingers with anxiety. His hair was all ruffled and he was sitting cross-legged. He looked like a little kid. Amy was late, and he was growing impatient.

“Jeeze! Where is she?” He groaned, leaning against the wall. Yukito, Naio’s elder brother, poked his head in, and laughed.

“Naio-Chan! If you worry too much about your fiancé, you’ll become a stalker!” He teased, a mischievous smiled pasted on his face. Naio was about to speak, when Daichi came around the corner, holding a box labeled “Décor”.

“Hasn’t he always stalked her?” He asked, a serious look on his 21 year old features.

“You’re one to talk! What are you doing here any way?” Naio asked, getting off the box. Daichi grinned, and continued walking ahead, ignoring the boy in front of him.

The group was gathered in Amy and Matt’s house, helping rearrange things. When Hikari had died, her bank account had been transferred into Matt’s. It was a shockingly large amount of money, and the family was given the freedom to use it.  So, Matt bought a house down the street, and allowed Amy and Naio to live in their old one.

Naio groaned again, this time, a hard punch landed on his shoulder.

“Shut up, you retard. She’s back.” Daichi growled, irritated. Naio was being a bit too annoying. Naio cringed in pain, but stood up as soon as he saw Amy’s pale blue hair. She was hand in hand with Shiami, who carried a suitcase in he other. A black back-pack was slung on her shoulder, ready for the weeks ahead.

“Amy! Shiami-Chan! What took you so long?” the boy asked, going over to them. As he took Shiami’s suitcase, Amy laughed nervously. Shiami pointed to her.

“This one wanted juice, so we stopped at the Juice Box.” She explained, making Amy blush. Naio blinked and smiled softly.

“You and your juice…” He teased, making Amy stick her tongue out.

“Well! It’s hot outside!” She retorted. Yukito came in and slug his arm onto Amy’s shoulders.

“Looks like ‘A-Cup’ is embarrassed, right, Naio-Chan?” He smirked, making fun of both of them in one sentence. Naio clenched his fists and lunged at his elder brother.

“Anniki!” He growled, latching his hands around his brother’s neck. He was about to strangle him right there, when a loud laugh sounded from Shiami. Amy shrugged out of Yukito’s grasp.

“Shiami-Chan!? What’s so funny?” She hollered, stomping her tiny foot. Shiami finished laughing, wiping the tears from her eyes, and smiled fondly at her.

“I’m just so happy! You all are back to being happy. Unlike when Hikari was here and everyone was sad and…” She stopped when everyone’s face fell. Amy stared at her best friend, looking as if she were to cry. Naio stepped forward before Amy could say anything.

“Shiami-Chan… Just don’t...Yeah, just don’t say her name... Please?” He said, and then turned to comfort Amy. As soon as he turned around, Yukito batted Amy on the back of the head.

“AMY! Don’t get that sad look! Here!” He then shoved a box labeled ‘Amy’s Dishes’ into her hands. Amy quickly forgot what was going on and rushed o the kitchen and started putting the dishes away. Yukito gave Shiami a nearly menacing glare, before going to help. Shiami glanced at Naio, a shocked look on her face. All Naio could do was smile softly, before going to help. Daichi just shook his head, and went back to the other room to clean up his bubble wrap mess. Shiami stepped forward, only to have a strong hand land gently on her shoulder. Jumping slightly she turned to face a smiling Matt. She smiled brightly before bowing.

“Landon-san! Hi!” She called, grinning. Shiami looked at the man; his smile had finally returned to his face. His hair had grown a little, filling out his face a bit. He looked older, but in a good way. Shiami found him handsome. Matt smiled down at her.

“It’s been a while Mishiyami-San.” He said, watching Amy and the others mess around in the kitchen. Shiami nodded, before a sudden crash. Shiami turned around too see a box of dishware on the floor, and glass everywhere. It wasn’t five seconds before Naio had his hands around his brother’s neck.

“If you would shut up and help! This won’t happen!!” He started yelling, while Yukito was trying to apologize. Amy sniffled a bit, and started punching Naio lightly. Obviously, she had liked those glasses.

“Such children.” Matt laughed, grinning like an idiot. Shiami turned back around. She had too many thing swimming through her head to care about broken glass.

“Hey, Landon-San… Did something happen to Amy? I mean, she looked scared when I mention –“

“Hikari?”

Shiami nodded at Matt’s intrusion. She had been wondering why Amy looked so scared when she had said anything about Hikari, and the way Yukito had looked at her had sent shivers down her back.

“Did I do something wrong?” Matt gave the girl a soft look, and placed a kind hand on her head.

“It’s fine, you did nothing wrong. It’s just… Amy has a hard time dealing with anything… Bad that happened in the past. It’s the same if you ask about her mother. So… It’s best not to bring her up.” He explained, a serious look etching his features. Shiami nodded, feeling guilty. She turned around again, only to be hit in the face with a pillow. In shock, Amy gasped.

“Sorry Shiami-Chan!” She called, being the one at fault. Laughing, Matt threw the pillow back. The four “kids” seemed to be “playing”. Daichi was struggling in Naio’s choke hold and Yukito and Amy were beating him with pillows. Shiami ran to join them, leaving matt to stare on, shaking his head.

“My daughter and son-in-law are nothing but a bunch of kids.” He said, almost adoringly, as a pillow flew past him.

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END PART 1