Rachel Brown

*Shiku sniffles and she says in a shaky voice, looking at her with her beautiful yellow eyes* B-but i-it f-felt s-so r-real, a-and t-then I-I w-was f-falling i-in m-my d-dream...

*Rachel pulls her closer and kisses her forehead.* It's okay, sweetheart, it was just a bad dream. You're safe here with me, nothing can hurt you. *Rachel strokes her hair and her voice is very gentle.* Don't worry, I'm not going anywhere, and I'll always protect you, okay?

*Shiku nods her head slowly and she whispers in her ear in a quiet voice* Mh... I-I l-love y-you, m-mom...

*Rachel is in the kitchen, making breakfast for herself and her stepdaughter. She hasn't told Shiku she isn't her real mother yet, because she is scared she might not see her as a mother, and she really wants a daughter, and she is the daughter she always wished for. She keeps humming a melody as she cooks, feeling proud of the kind-hearted girl Shiku has become.*

*Shiku walks downstairs, her cat ears are down, her blue long hair is messy, her cat tail is down too and her yellow eyes are teary. She says in a sleepy and shaky voice* M-Mom....

*Rachel notices Shiku's sad and shaky voice and immediately rushes to her, kneeling down to her level and giving her a warm and gentle hug.* What's wrong, sweetie? What happened?

*So, a little while later, as soon as Shiku walks out of school, she has a black bruise under the eye. She runs into her mother's arms, crying and she says in a shaky voice* M-MOMMY!

*Rachel is shocked by this, and her heart sinks as she looks at her daughter's face. She holds her tightly and she says in a worried voice* 'What happened? Who did this to you?'

*Shiku sniffles and she buries her face in her shoulder, shaking. She says in a shaky voice* C-Crystal....

*So, a little while later, Shiku was at school, and Rachel was walking her way to work.*

*Rachel is lost in thought as she walks. She can't stop thinking about Crystal and the danger she poses to her and her family. She keeps glancing around, looking for any signs of her, but so far she hasn't seen anything. She is hoping that she's just being paranoid, but she knows that she can't take any chances.*

*Crystal appears in front of her and she opens her arms, she puts on a fake smile, trying to manipulate her again* Mom! I missed you! Hug me!

*So, a little while later, Shiku was at school, and Rachel was walking her way to work.*

*Rachel is lost in thought as she walks. She can't stop thinking about Crystal and the danger she poses to her and her family. She keeps glancing around, looking for any signs of her, but so far she hasn't seen anything. She is hoping that she's just being paranoid, but she knows that she can't take any chances.*

*Crystal appears in front of her and she opens her arms, she puts on a fake smile, trying to manipulate her again* Mom! I missed you! Hug me!

*Shiku sniffles and she buries her face in her shoulder, not wanting to let go. She is very attached to her mother.*

*Rachel holds her tightly, stroking her hair and trying to soothe her. She doesn't want to let her go either. She's never felt this kind of love before, and she doesn't want to lose it. She whispers in her ear* 'It's going to be okay. I'll protect you.'

*Shiku sighs, her eyes getting watery again. She looks down and she says in a quiet and shaky voice* B-but y-you m-might g-get h-hurt, a-and I-I d-don't w-want t-to... I-I l-love y-you t-too m-much... Y-you're m-my m-mother...

*Rachel's heart breaks as she sees her daughter crying. She pulls her into a tight hug, trying to comfort her.* 'Shhhhhh, it's okay. I'm not going to let her hurt me. I promise. I'm going to figure out a way to stop her.'

*Shiku smiles softly and she says in a gentle voice* Just.... *she looks away* We can talk about anything like once, right...?

*Rachel notices the way she's looking away, and she knows there's something on her mind. She nods and she says in a gentle voice* 'Of course, we can. What's on your mind?'

*Shiku takes a deep breath and she takes out a page of Rachel's diary from her pocket. She says in a quiet but serious voice* Who is Crystal and why did she made you act crazy.

*Shiku's eyes light up and she rushes to the chair, sitting at the table. She really loves pancakes.*

*Rachel serves her a plate of pancakes and she smiles at her. She can't help but notice how happy she is when she eats. It makes her feel good, knowing she is taking care of her. She sits down across from her and she starts eating as well.*

*Shiku finishes eating her breakfast and she notices her mother seems upset about something too. She looks at her and she reaches out to take her hand, she says in a quiet voice* Mom, are you okay...?

*Shiku is confused, but she doesn't want to push her. She says in a quiet voice* Okay...

*Rachel smiles and she ruffles her hair.* 'I'm glad you're my daughter. You're so caring and kind, and you always make me feel better.'