A/N: Hi all! Contains SPOILERS to the end of the manga series (end of volume 12) so read at your own risk! This is my interpretation of the ending, but it is still how the manga ends the series. So if you don't want to know the ending, then please don't read this first chapter!
Characters are not mine; I own nothing.
From Where I Am
"A moment lost, forever gone…can never be again, so know how much it means to me; all you said, all you gave, all your love to me…"
Light pink sakura petals fell from wind played trees like a gentle rain shower on a Spring day. The light blue of the sky complimented the pastel hue; a perfect painting. Mai's hair tussled in the breeze, her cheeks painted with the color of the blossoms around her. However gorgeous her surrounding were, her eyes were trained on the image of black before her. Naru stood leaning against a nearby tree, out of place any way one looked at it. His black attire and even darker expression were in stark contrast to the flawless green at his feet and the pink flurry above him. Naru too was trained solely on the girl before him, her features burned into his mind much like a brand to snow-white flesh; the pain he was feeling certainly mirrored the analogy. Petals gently landed at his feet and Naru noted in annoyance that they were not the only thing to be falling like rain to the ground below; Mai was crying.
Mai's tears fell forth like a swift cascade of emotion. She didn't want to cry, didn't want to let her emotions run wild like they were…but she was but a teenager; a teen girl at that. She simply did the only thing that felt right. Naru had revealed he was returning to England…it figured all things considered. He finally, and after so long, had succeeded in his ultimate goal, his mission. But rationally knowing what was, and actually hearing it from Naru's mouth were totally separate things; Mai was too shaken to be rational. She blurted out what she knew she never should have.
Mai confessed her love to Naru.
Beautiful backdrop, perfect weather, harmoniously falling flowers; what more could a young girl ask for? Her confession rolled from her mouth as if it had a will of its own. It had felt so right. All the time they had spent together, Mai simply couldn't ignore her feelings a moment longer. The boy she loved was leaving…going so very far away…she just had to say it. Unfortunately for Mai, she was not one to think things through.
Maybe if she had taken note of how strangely Naru had acted after mentioning that she often sees him in her dreams; taken notice of his unease…his sadness. Maybe if she was a bit less impulsive…or even a bit more mature, more experienced through and through; things would have been different. Maybe if she had considered his feelings a bit more…no, Mai was not sure…even then it was highly possible that her efforts would never have been rewarded.
"Me?" Naru had responded, a shadowy expression washing over his features as he stared down the girl before him. Her face that of loving good intent, all her emotions clearly visible. "Or Gene?"
The shock that washed over her face at the time was stunning. The teen girl was genuinely confused and it tugged at Naru's heart in a way he never wanted to feel…ever again. Had what he just voiced been cruel? It would have been worse had he not been honest…but maybe, just slightly, Naru was feeling guilt over his response.
"What…" Mai had started, still stunned. "What are you talking about…because I know…"
Mai knew, she had always known. Naru was her savior in every way. He was there for her when she needed him most. He was special to her…
Naru had stayed with her and protected her when she had fallen into that sewer drain. He had saved her when the ceiling collapsed at that time, was the first to arrive when she was being attacked, and he had protected her numerous times from wayward spirits. For her sake, Naru had even used his powers…something he was not supposed to do especially since it cost him dearly…yet he did it for her. Naru had pulled her from danger and even watched out for her well being when she was possessed. He had protected her from danger over and over again and saved her when she was in trouble…it was always Naru.
Mai was confused.
Even as her tears ebbed and her senses returned, Mai still didn't understand. Was it…was it Gene that had been there for her in her dreams? Could it really be like Naru said…could it have not been Naru that she loved…but the boy that frequented her visions? Naru was always the one to save her, physically pull her from the darkness when she needed it…but…
Gene was the one that smiled for her; supported her and bonded with her. Gene was…
New tears welled up and spilled forth slowly from Mai's already reddened eyes. She couldn't help but cry. As soon as she realized it was Gene, the painful truth also came crashing down; he would no longer appear before her, she would never see him again. Mai would never be able to confirm the truth…
"Idiot scientist…" Mai mouthed softly causing Naru to perk. "That is what he called you once…"
Mai had always assumed the pleasant, smiling Naru in her dreams was Naru none the less…maybe a Naru she hoped to see when waking? She never imagined that it was a completely different person altogether; it was Gene. That person smiled for her, was kind to her…there for her. Mai always thought it was Naru…
Naru clenched his teeth but refused to let his displeasure show, he would not break…even as a soft smile graced Mai's flushed expression. He had no right to confront the girl further. He was the one that pushed her away, that rejected her. What was the point anyway? England was his destination and that would not change…
"His…" she paused giving the tree at her side a long sideways glance. "His smile was so…so very beautiful…"
Taking a breath, Mai brought her face to meet the boy's standing before her. She failed to see the dark expression he wore, the tensed posture of his body. Naru didn't know what to say. There were no words. Sure, he was the one to bring it up…but he had not anticipated such a…
Fortunately for Naru, he didn't have to think in depth on the uncomfortable situation he was in. Lin fetched him before long with the news that Gene's body had been pulled from the lake. Without even a secondary glance, Naru briskly followed the older man before him. He was sure that Mai was still crouched to the ground behind him, her face red and tear stricken…but he couldn't be bothered with such a thing. She would follow when she was ready.
Even if he didn't want to, Naru reluctantly and wordlessly confirmed that the contents of the torn and dilapidated bindings pulled ashore were indeed his decaying brother. Shocked outbursts and stunned expressions resounded, but Naru didn't allow his expression to waver in the least. A sidelong glance confirmed that Mai had indeed followed him…her expression mirrored that of so many others surrounding them. Mai was always terrible at concealing her emotions and the pain and sadness on her face almost made Naru wish he could comfort her…comfort them both. But he could not, would not, do such a thing.
Naru didn't want to think anymore; not about Mai, not about Gene, not about his parents, not about anything.
His parents had arrived complicating matters even further, but Naru just wanted to get away. He didn't want to deal with it any longer. What more could be said anyway?
Mai had received a picture of him, courtesy of his good will as he liked to think of it, with Gene at his side when they were younger; it was such a convoluted feeling. Naru wished he could just pass it off on immaturity and youthful foolishness. Maybe Mai was…fooling herself. She had confessed her love to him after all…she must obviously care, but perhaps to protect her self she denied the information presented…the possibility of Gene. Maybe she actually loved…
No, what was done was done. The words Naru had spoken then could not be unsaid. He could not take them back nor change the fact that he had cruelly confused and turned away the girl that loved him so honestly and forthright. Mai would be alright…it was better for her anyway; especially given the circumstances…
There was but one irrefutable fact that remained; Naru would leave Japan.
A/N: So here is the first chapter of this new story! Please let me know what you all think! I am really excited about this one! Thanks for reading!