The Dark Heirs Volume 1

Chapter 9 (1): Reunion with an old friend

Tw: a child smoking, addiction, mention of a risk kf smoking
I think that's all:,)
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It was the 2 days after Nanako's birthday. Kate was feeling upset looking at her little gift that she'd gotten Nanako. This year it was a little pocket for her cigarettes since Kate knew how she liked to smoke. She sighed.

Suddenly the doorbell rang. "Can you open it, Will? I am not feeling like socializing right now." Kate asked William who agreed regarding the circumstances.

When Will opened the door Kate could hear him yell all of the sudden. "KATE, YOU NEED TO SEE WHO'S HERE!" Kate didn't really want to socialize but William wouldn't scream if it wasn't important, so she just went to the door. Once she saw who was standing in front of it she almost fainted. She suddenly burst into tears.

It was Nanako. HER NANAKO. The person she cared most about in the whole world. Kate was so excited that she jumped into Nanako's arms hugging her tightly. Nanako wrapped her hands around Kate tightly. "Hello dear. I'm back. I finally escaped my parents and can stay..." Nanako said tearing up too.

Kate imidiantly introduced her to Desmond and all the new kids like Michael and Ethan. After that Kate spent some quality time with her by going on a walk through the forest.

"Hey Nanako, I got you a gift for your birthday!" Nanako's eyes lit up. "For real? I got you something too!" Nanako said and pulled out her gift for Kate. Kate pulled out her gift for Nanako too and they exchanged the gifts. Both were delighted by their gifts and hugged each other.

"Oh I missed you so much Kate... I don't want to ever be away from you again, my sweet child." Nanako said cupping Kate's face with her hands. "I missed you too, Nanako. It's been hard without you..." Kate explained.

"You know, Kate I've been thinking...
I want to adopt you. I can't stand the thought of you staying here." Nanako exclaimed keeping heavy eye contact with Kate. "I... As much as I would like to Nanako, I can't. I need to stay here. What would the children here do without me? No one would take care of them. No, I just can't let them stay here without me." Kate explained looking down. Nanako frowned and then went into deep thought.

"What if I just stayed here with you and take care of the children? After all I already have experience. That way you can receive some help in taking care of the children and I can stay with you." Nanako suggested to which Kate quickly nodded. "That sounds lovely. If course we can do that!" They smiled at each other and then went back to the others.

In the late afternoon Kate went on the balcony with Nanako, took out a cigarette and offered one to Nanako who's eyes widened and she stared at Kate in shock. "You...smoke?" She asked Kate being completely dumbfounded. She quickly snatched her cigarettes. "When did this start? Why did you start?" Nanako's tone turned urgent and strict.

"I started the day you left. You told me before that smoking is to help you when you're exhausted and can't bottle up all the emotions. So I started smoking too when I felt exhausted. It really helps." Kate said trying to get her cigarette back. Nanako stared at her in pure shock. "That's not... Kate, hear me out, you need to stop smoking now. It will harm your lungs and potentially get you cancer. Please stop." Nanako pleaded.

Kate was shocked at that revelation. She would've never thought it could harm her that bad but she was already way too addicted to the nicotine to stop. "Please just one more and I will stop." "Not on my watch, young lady. You're already talking like an addict. This can't continue, you hear me? I will make sure you never smoke again." Nanako exclaimed with determination.

In the evening Kate again struggled to sleep. She was worried about so many things again and she was deprived of the nicotine she was so addicted to. Nanako who had got the free bed that was next to Kate also wasn't asleep. They stared at each other for a long time until Nanako began to hum a melody. It sounded familiar to Kate until she realized that it was the bedtime song she had always sung for her as a baby, well except that it was just the melody.

Kate gave a thanking smile to Nanako and tried to relax. This soon even worked for her and she slowly but surely drifted off to sleep feeling safe and protected near her finally gotten back Nanako.

After Kate fell asleep Nanako herself closed her eyes thinking of the things she could now experience with Kate by her side, like mother child baking and slowly she even drifted off to peaceful sleep herself.
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Not much to say here lol
Norman out!