Long time, no see my lovely readers! I know it's been way too long for this update, but that's life – crazy and complicated, and unpredictable. I'd like to say thank you Tabby Kat for writing your review. I am determined to finish this story and I don't think I would have posted if not for your review. So, I am sure that my faithful readers are very grateful to you. Thanks again and please let me know what you think about this new chapter.

Lost Love, New Love

Chapter Eight

"Perhaps we can take this inside. There are some important matters that I think we should discuss." Mamoru meant to address both women, but he could not remove his eyes from those of – what was her name – Usagi.

The young woman nodded her head and tore her eyes away from Mamoru's piercing gaze. "Yes, I would like to know what is going on." Her voice was angelic and Mamoru had to take a moment to realize what she had said.

Looking to her left he took in the distraught raven-haired woman leaning on Usagi. This was Ayame's non-existent sister. Yes, questions needed some answering right now. He would have plenty of time to find out more about the blonde.

Rei tried to collect herself and wipe her tear-stained face with a dirty sleeve. She had to tell Usa, let her know that Ayame was dead and that she had a nephew, but how did one start that conversation? I'm such a coward, Rei thought; I'll let Mamoru tell her. I don't know what I'd say.

Mamoru called Josuke to him and gave Usagi and Rei a slight nod of his head to indicate that they should lead the way into the shrine. The two woman headed down the stone pathway towards the screened doors of the Shrine. Once the four entered the sitting room, they silently found their seats. Rei was still clinging to Usagi and refused to let go, like a scared little child herself, forcing them to take the larger couch.

"Okay, enough of this. What is going on? What did you say to Rei that got her this upset?" Usagi finally burst out. This was ridiculous; everyone was just sitting around staring at one another. Even Josuke was quiet as though he knew that this was a very significant moment.

Mamoru, realizing that Rei was leaving it up to him to explain, took a deep breath and faced Usagi. He decided that first things first, everyone should be introduced to one another.

"My name is Chiba Mamoru, I am Josuke's father. And firstly, I would just like to thank you for looking after him today. I know that he enjoyed it and unfortunately, that's rare for him. Secondly, I was married to Ayame." The moment the words left his mouth, Usagi was up on her feet.

Her long-time rage at the sister that abandoned Rei came suddenly flooding back. But she had to hold her tongue, for that meant that Josuke was Ayame's son and thusly he should not hear any foul words about his mother. Usagi's angry expression melted away immediately to a gentle smile upon looking at the young boy. He was just too adorable. And perhaps he should not be here for this conversation.

"Jo, would you do me a huge favor and finish sweeping the steps? I don't think my back can handle it, but a big guy like you could get it done in no time at all right? I'd really appreciate it."

The big smile and endearing name for his son did not go unnoticed by Mamoru, but he was shocked when his son suddenly stood up and gave an answering smile.

"I can do it for you Usa!" Jo answered enthusiastically, "I'll get it done real fast!"

"Thank you Jo, but don't rush, you don't want to miss anything now do you? And maybe after you're done, I'll give you a little treat." Usagi's smile lessened but became more intimate.

With an eager nod and slight flush to his cheeks, the boy ran out to the porch where they could see him pick up the forgotten broom and begin to carefully sweep the leaves into a pile.

"You're very good with him. Usually he doesn't feel comfortable around strangers. And he hates doing any kind of cleaning or chores. Perhaps you should come home with us and you could entice him to clean the house." Mamoru's words were made in jest but his meaning was sincere. The blonde flushed and looked towards the dark-haired man under her lashes.

"I love children, but Jo is the most adorable child I think that I have ever met."

Usagi and Mamoru's gazes caught and held for one intimate moment. But they were interrupted by Rei's loud sniffle. The two jerked their eyes to the one who had remained silent.

"Okay, let's get on with this. Chiba-san, if you could please tell me what is going on. Where is Ayame? Why did she leave us?"

Mamoru wasn't sure what to say but he figured that bluntness would be the easiest route in this scenario. "Ayame passed away 6 years ago, Usagi. She died while giving birth to Josuke. We had only been married for a little over a year. Ayame told me that she was an orphan and that she had lived in an orphanage her entire life, just like me. I can't imagine why she would have lied like that. What happened that made her leave and never contact you again?"

"She said that? Ayame didn't once mention us? How could she be so – cold, so cruel? We were her family. She was supposed to look after Rei and their grandfather but she up and left instead." Usagi's voice was full of tears, but her eyes remained dry, unlike Rei's.

"I'm sorry, who were you to Aya?"

Mamoru's question startled Usagi slightly and she hesitated before she answered. "I grew up here with Rei and Ayame. She became my older sister and it broke both Rei's and her grandfather's hearts when she left after her graduation. She was supposed to inherit the shrine with Rei and help when Grandpa got too old. Instead she wasn't here when he passed away or when Rei and I couldn't feed ourselves and didn't know how to run a shrine at the ages of 17. She turned her back on those whom had been there for her, those who loved her. The only reason we found out that she was even alive and getting married was because a friend of hers had heard and thought that we should know. Grandpa died not knowing whether his eldest granddaughter was dead or alive. She was selfish and I will never forgive her."

Finally, Usagi's tears began to fall. Her tirade had brought back all of the forgotten emotions of years past; the hate, the loss, the feeling of abandonment once more. Suddenly it hit her, Aya was dead and she would never be there to atone for her mistakes, to hear how much she had missed, or for Usa to tell her how much she had hurt her two sisters by up and leaving them. Unable to deal with the whiplash of emotions, Usagi ran out of the room towards the kitchen.

At Usagi's sudden departure, Mamoru stood to follow the troubled woman, but was stopped by Rei's soft voice. "Don't follow her, leave her be for now. Usagi has needed to let go of these demons for years now and maybe now is finally the time. You see, I think Aya's leaving was harder on Usa than it was on even me. Usagi has a family, but when she was young her father kicked her out of the house and disowned her. Her mother and brother were forbidden to communicate with her and unfortunately, they didn't even try to. We were all she had. And no matter how cruel Aya was to her - which she was, every chance she got, Usa loved her and envied her. Actually, I think that she envied both of us, because our family loved us, whereas hers had abandoned her. Usa was so fiercely dedicated to the Hino family that she was doubly betrayed when Aya left. After that Grandpa and I were all she had, and only a year later Grandpa died." Rei took a deep breath and tried to push back the tears and ache in her heart. "I'm sorry, I just thought that perhaps you should know why Usa is so angry."

End Chapter 8

Okay guys, sorry for the long wait, but I've been really busy and just lost track of all of my stories. I would like to finish all of my existing ones, not to mention all the un-posted ones, but I have a feeling that will take a few years at least. Thanks so much for all of you who are so patient and continue to review and show your support. If not for ya'll, I surely would have given up my writing. Thanks again and hopefully I'll find my muse again soon. And please, any suggestions or advice is always welcome and much appreciated.

-Lara