Sayu

By Maria Rivera

Ding Dong! Ding Dong!

The doorbell resounded urgently throughout the cozy little house. Footsteps are heard, moving steadily through the dark, towards the front door.

"Now who would be here at this time?" Yoshi wondered aloud. A quick glance to the illuminated clock in the living room showed it to be after eleven o'clock at night.

Opening the door as the bell rang again, the blonde was shoved backwards, arms wrapped tightly around his chest, a head of long brunette hair tucked against the crook of his neck.

Sighing lightly, he returned the embrace. This was a routine he had once been very, painfully familiar with. His dearly beloved friend, Aya, had quite a troubled family life when they were younger. Between his older sister's abusive boyfriend and his parents' constant bickering, Aya always ran to Yoshi for the protection and support no one else could offer.

Returning to the present, he stroked Aya's back, waiting until the sobs subsided. It had been a long time since Aya had come to him in the middle of the night in tears. Two years ago his parents' divorce was finalized and his sister freed from her tormentor. Since then Aya had been happy. Content at least.

"Aya? What's wrong Aya?" He whispered softly, holding his friend close.

"S-Sayu," the brunette murmured against Yoshi's shoulder, usually vivid amber eyes tightly shut against the on-slaught of crystalline tears. "My sister."

Yoshi paled at the name. He knew how much Sayu meant to Aya. She was more than just a sister. She was a friend.

"What about Sayu? Aya, where is she? Is she okay?" He pulled Aya away, holding him at arm's length. Dark chocolate eyes searching his distraught companion's.

"Oh god, Aya," Yoshi had always been exceptionally good at reading Aya.

Wrapping an arm around his shoulder, Yoshi steered Aya away from the entryway and into the shrouded living room. Aya moved away and instantly curled into the plush forest green sofa.

Yoshi knelt by his side, stroking his long, dark hair in a way he knew, comforted his friend.

"Sayu.. S-she.."

"It's okay. I'm here for you."

"S-she was dr-driving home..." Aya choked out. More sobs racked his body.

"Drunk...accident..Sayu..." His voice was strained and broken but Yoshi understood perfectly.

A drunk driver had taken his sister. Someone who shouldn't have even been on the road took an innocent life and hurt the ones close to that life.

Tears welling in his own eyes, he gathered Aya in his arms and let him cry on his shoulder. Just like old times, but now they were older.

After awhile, Aya's sobs slowed. He would be asleep in a few minutes, having worn himself out, Yoshi knew.

"Aya. Stay with me. Move in with me. I'll protect you. I'll shelter you from the harsh cruelty of humanity. You've been through so much already. Let me be there for you, always."