A/N; I'm very sorry for the long hiatus there, I had planned to release this chapter sooner but I honestly lost the inspiration to write for a while, so this stayed unfinished in my notes for months. I'm officially on summer break so I have time to write and the next Chapter is somewhat a work in progress but I'm not too sure what to do next to make everything go smoothly, for those still interested in this I'd appreciate if you could comment some suggestions! I'll credit you if I do intend to them. And I want to apologize ahead of time if I don't update this again for a while more. ^^

Chapter Three

When she first joined the club all those months ago, Yuri knew something was off with their youngest member.

She was sure everyone in the club had some faint idea of what was going on but it was to be expected no one would bluntly ask about it. There were warning signs all over. She even took time to look it up online and read about similar situations, taking note of what fit Natsuki best. She'd seen how skittish and reclusive the other had been when the topic of family arose and how she always seemed to always want to stay at school late.

And the fact one day she seemed to have a dark purple bruise on her leg causing her to limp.

At the time, she'd only seen a small glimpse of it before the other had hastily covered it up with her skirt before making an excuse and leaving the club for the day. Yuri never asked about it and Natsuki kept her distance for a few days afterward. Just knowing something was happening ate at her yet she didn't feel it was her place to step in and help due to how distant they were.

She wasn't close to the others either and talking about another member's business seemed rude! So, like a coward, she paid less attention to Natsuki and read her books during club time while the others played around. They occasionally did work together for festivals, they never did seem to attract new members though, but only then did she open herself up.

However, when they began their daily poem assignment they didn't exactly get along too well. Having to constantly defend her poem when she shared it with Natsuki because she didn't seem to grasp her writing and always feeling unsure how to tell the pink haired girl 'cute' wasn't exactly a creative style. It only seemed to worsen when the topic of manga was brought up.

It was tiring, yet, very interesting to her as well. Monika and Sayori both had appealing and apparent styles of writing and always seemed to enjoy her poems while with Natsuki, she seemed more blunt and honest about what she thought. It had irritated to her at first and, childishly, she criticized the other back harshly.

Sayori scolded them regularly into apologizing while Monika seemed unsure on how to help but overall amused at how they seemed to fight over the same thing each time in a never-ending cycle.

Yuri rarely shared her writing with anyone and always did her best to improve so she could grow into a flourishing author and release her own books into the world. Her fear and overall hesitant behavior, along with a few bad experiences, stopped her from doing so. She believed she could achieve a better style of writing over time and in order to do that she knew she had to take other people's opinions into consideration.

And she wanted friends to help her do just that.

Monika and Sayori seemed to consider her as a friend but her relationship with Natsuki was rocky, especially when the younger girl didn't seem to want to be friends. Usually that would be enough to stop her from pursuing someone but... she was sure all Natsuki needed was someone to be there for her. There was something about her that stood out from everyone else in the club.

So, she didn't argue back as much and tried calmly talking to the other about her style of writing and in her own time thought over Natsuki's poems, trying to understand the pink haired girl better through them.

The older girl was certain her interest wasn't out of pity or spite or anything else, she genuinely wanted to help. Even before Monika had called her the night before, she'd already been conducting her own plan to help Natsuki by merely being friendly towards her and wanting to make her smile. Even if they only saw each other during club time, she would hope to make it more comfortable for her.

What Yuri didn't know was how bad the situation at home was, she'd hoped it has stopped somehow, but seeing the pain in Natsuki's eyes when the pink haired girl hit her side on the desk scared her. It scared her knowing she was most likely hiding an injury and pretending everything was okay. It especially angered her knowing it could have been prevented.

So, here she was; hashing it out in the hallway with Monika trying to understand the others reasoning for not intervening. Of course she was very aware she was being a hypocrite, she hadn't done anything the first time either, but she was ready to stop beating around the bush and help.

"We need to do something to help her, truly help her, Monika," She argued but the club president just looked overall conflicted, giving her a strained smile. "I know what you planned was with good intentions, I may have had the same idea before but we need to involve someone other than us."

"Yuri, please calm down. I know this situation is very bad but... we can't involve the authorities, it could end up with Natsuki getting taken away," The light rose haired girl told her. "We just need to help her see we're here for her so she could be the one to come to us. From there we can help her."

"Monika. I don't mean to talk rudely about Natsuki but we both know she's very headstrong, she won't come to us sooner than you think. We need to act now," Yuri told her sternly and a bit angrily.

It was a good thing the school was partly empty by this point, aside from a few teachers, she'd be embarrassed if anyone else saw how heated up she was.

"I've seen a bruise on her before... back when I was too meek to intervene. And now, I believe she's been hurt again because in the classroom she bumped into the desk and seemed to be more hurt than she let on," Yuri explained hoping this would help her case.

"Yuri-"

"No, listen!" Yuri for the first time in their conversation snapped and looked at the other as she continued. "When I asked if she was okay she seemed very distressed and tried to convince me she was fine. I just know there is a bruise there."

Monika didn't flinch at her words, she just seemed to look even more conflicted while she looked off to the side. Her signature smile no longer on her face.

The taller girl couldn't understand how Monika didn't see just how serious their younger friends situation was. How, without proper help, could end up with Natsuki getting more hurt or even killed if they didn't act fast enough. It didn't help that the other seemed to know more than she let on.

Did she know more?

"...Did you know what's been happening at home?" She quietly questioned her, gripping the pitcher tightly in her hands.

Monika didn't respond for a moment, still looking as though she was gathering her thoughts.

"Answer me."

Monika finally looked up at her and sighed sadly, "A few weeks ago, I found her in the club room with bruises on her arm. She told me privately what happened and she seemed more scared of being taken away from us than whoever hurt her. She then made me promise I wouldn't tell anyone."

Yuri was about to protest but stopped herself as the other girl continued.

"I know you want to help her, we all do, but I don't intend to break that promise." Monika told her truthfully with a sigh. It didn't truly extinguish Yuri's argument but she stayed silent for a moment feeling unsure, promising something was very important as was seeing it through but in this situation it didn't sit right.

"We all care about her very much," Yuri began softly and blushed faintly. "And I care about her very much. I don't want her to be taken away but I can't stand by anymore, so I won't ask for your assistance with this. I can talk to her on my own and convince her this is for the best..."

"But is this what she wants?" Monika questioned her softly, all the fight in her seemingly gone for the moment, and in a way knew the other knew this was the right decision. "I care about her too. Isn't the best way to help is to be there for Natsuki?"

Yuri have her a small smile. It was sometimes hard to forget how despite Monika always seeming to be perfect, she had a flaw like the rest of them that couldn't hide itself. The club president always seemed to try to help everyone in her own way to keep the problem under control and avoided hurting them or herself in the process. That's what it seemed like to her anyway. Yuri understood in her own way but she needed to shove her selfish needs to the side.

"Yuri? Monika?"

Both girls turned to see the one they were specifically talking about, both blanked for a moment unsure of what to say. Yuri mentally scolded herself for taking so long to get the pitcher filled knowing this would seem suspicious. Maybe this was a sign to just get it over with to avoid anymore hurt?

"Hello, Natsuki!" Monika greeted her quietly with a sad smile and Yuri sheepishly looked down at her pitcher.

"I bumped into M-Monika as I was getting water and lost track of time. My apologies, Natsuki." Yuri had a faint smile on her face and tried to remain calm but there was so much to say.

"Weren't you getting things from downstairs?" Natsuki, obviously suspicious, asked Monika with a tiny bit of a pout.

Monika remained calmed and answered her with her usual smile, "I couldn't find much to use so I was coming back here when I saw Yuri filling the pitcher, we were discussing about the song she wanted us to perform."

"Oh, okay I guess..." The pink haired girl murmured but didn't seem too convinced, though, she seemed more concerned about the taller girls absence. "You were taking so long I actually started to get worried but whatever."

"I-I suppose I just lost track of time and forgot about the tea, my apologies about that." Yuri couldn't help but smile sensing the others concern. Her heart felt as though it was going to burst out of her chest. It didn't seem right to lie, especially now when all this danger could be stopped. The question was, how was she going to go about it?

"...Yuri, what's wrong?" Natsuki's eyes seemed to bore into her making her remember the flash of fear in them she saw only ten minutes ago.

"... I'm not going to keep this facade any longer," The taller girl began to say, despite knowing what this would cause, and turned to Monika. " I'm sorry, Monika, but I have to step in. "

Monika didn't seem too shocked by her actions but gave her pained expression, "Yuri, please reconsider this."

"What's going on? What are you guys talking about?"

"Natsuki, I want you to get help and report what's been happening at home," Yuri spoke gently and sternly to the other girl trying to keep everything calm." I understand that this might have been going on longer than I've known but we can put an end to this now and make sure you never get hurt again. "

"..." Natsuki was silent for a moment, a mix of emotions appearing on her face as grasped Yuri's words. She then quickly turned to Monika and she didn't know if she'd ever seen Natsuki this angry before.

"You told her, didn't you? You promised you wouldn't say a word to anyone, I knew I couldn't trust you!" She yelled at Monika who looked panicked for a moment at the sudden accusation.

"Natsuki, please believe me when I say I didn't say anything. I wouldn't do that to you!" Monika told her sincerely and Yuri felt a pang of guilt for a split second before stepping in.

"Promises aren't worth keeping if it involves someone getting hurt. I understand you're angry now and scared but we can help protect you-" She tried to explain to calm the smaller girl but took a step back as Natsuki turned to face her.

"You don't understand at all! This club was all I had!" She exclaimed before pausing for a brief moment and looked to the side, her breathing quickening and it was obvious she was on the verge of having a panic attack. "I just.."

"I just wanted a place that feels nice to hang out with friends. A place where I can forgot how shit my life is! There aren't... there aren't many places like that for me." Natsuki's words made the two older girls tense up as they stared at her. Yuri could hear the sincerity and unhappiness laced in her voice, it pained her.

Natsuki soon looked up and glared right back at Monika, "And now Monika wants to take it away from me!"

"Natsuki, I don't want to take anything from you. I just... wanted to help you in my own way to show you it was okay to talk to me, all of us even, about your problems." Monika attempted to explain but Natsuki just shook her head and took a step back from the two and had wrapped her arms around herself.

"I don't know why you brought her into this but it's not okay. You know damn well it won't be okay even if I said anything, they'll just take me away and I don't want that." Her voice shook as she spoke.

"No, it's not okay," Monika seemed to hesitate for a moment before speaking, looking panicked once more. "I-I think I've honestly been handling this all wrong. I just wanted you to reach out to us for help and I selfishly assumed everything would instantly be okay if you did."

"You all don't need to handle shit. It's only a few more months until I'm old enough to leave and I'll be alright -" Natsuki began to argue back before being cut off by Yuri.

She couldn't let Monika take all the blame for her sudden confrontation and she had to bring in reason to help her realize how much danger she was in. "Natsuki, please listen to yourself and understand how serious this situation is. I'm not sure how long you've been dealing with this b-but we can help you."

The pink haired girl only scowled at her and kept her gaze on Monika, "If I wanted help I would have asked for it already, I don't know what Monika told you but she doesn't know anything!"

"Monika didn't tell me everything, I've known for a while you've been getting hurt but never knew how until now," Yuri confessed to her and making the younger girl pause. "And she's not the one who wants to make you get taken away... I do. "

Natsuki froze up at this and looked at her in shock and let out a small, "W-What?"

The dark haired girl felt anxious but knew she had to say it clearly since it seemed like the only choice at that point, she frowned and looked her in the eyes. "I consider you one of my good friends, Natsuki, and everyone in the club isn't as blind as you think. In some way or another, we've all known what's been happening but we didn't do anything to help you. I'm so sorry for that, I'm also sorry for what I'm going to do but this is for your own good."

"I'm going to tell the principal so they could look into this and they can help you." Her words instantly made the smaller girl pale.

"...It's for the best, Natsuki." Monika looked down for a moment seemingly unable to look the other girl in the eyes.

"You... You can't do t-that!" Natsuki sputtered out and her face soon became red with anger. "This wasn't any of your fucking business in the first place!"

"I know it's none of my business but it scares me to think what else has been done to you or what they could do next! " Yuri's voice quivered but she tried to keep her composure hoping to make the other understand why she cared so much. "I'm... I just want you to be safe."

Natsuki's small frame shook and the smaller girl glared at them as she began to back away, "I thought... you were my friends but you were just digging up dirt to get rid of me." She looked betrayed more than anything else.

"Natsuki, please understand, we weren't planning to get rid of you," Monika tried to step towards her to put a hand on her shoulder but the smaller girl just swatted her hand away.

She then looked at Yuri with such a crestfallen expression on her face, "I... I honestly thought you were starting to like me. Do you hate me that much?"

Natsuki looked so small in that moment that Yuri wanted nothing more than to comfort her and take back her words but she felt her throat close up. She couldn't bring herself to reply, she wasn't even sure what to say at that moment.

The pink haired girl looked away from the lack of response and in an instant she ran from them, from Yuri, down the hall. There were tears in her eyes.

She heard Monika go after Natsuki but there was no point for the younger girl was already gone. Yuri felt herself tearing up and she looked down wondering if what she had done was right.

The pitcher fell from her grasp as she hugged herself. She felt the familiar urge to scratch at her wrists swell inside her but she ignored it for the first time in months. The pained expression Natsuki had and question was all she could focus on.

"Do you hate me that much?"

"Yuri, are you all right?" Sayori peeked around the corner and approached the taller girl.

Yuri cried softly as Sayori did her best to comfort her.