A/N: Well, I had not really planned to upload these so soon, but I guess since I had started going back to Grad school, the stress will be back on and to 'celebrate', I decided to upload these short stories that I promised quite some time ago.

And no, I am not dead.

I had uploaded quite a few things onto my blog, including little 'tidbits' on the two stories for Angel Beats!. I have also included several other plot outlines of my other stories that I would be uploading over time... eventually.

So sit back, and hopefully enjoy some of these.

The uploads for these shorts are random and do not really have any end. So this story is considered 'indefinitely' on-going... ish.

Disclaimer: I do not own Angel Beats! Or any of its merchandises. I do own my own original characters.

Angel Beats!

What We Fight For

Operation 1

The broken clock

Arisato Minako (Hamuko)

I silently looked at the small pocket watch that sat neatly in her palm. Having a hole through it, it had stopped working a long time ago. I did not want to let it go. The last memory of my love. A gruff and wild-looking senior at my school. But I knew another side of him. Another face that he showed. He was kind, caring and thoughtful of others while being a little shy on the side. He was also a good cook. A man who could not express his own feelings properly.

'Why should I do it?'

He would ask with his annoyed voice.

'Because I want it!'

I would demand of him. Senpai was the kind of guy who would not agree unless you pushed him to.

'People rely on you because you have the ability to lead.'

'You don't need to listen to others. Just believe in yourself.'

He would comfort me, erasing my doubts about myself. He would hand me his scarf to cry on. His shoulders were always so broad.

'Senpai, let's go on a date for Christmas!'

I happily pleaded him. He simply smiled at me.

'Sure.'

.

.

.

Senpai... you liar.

Then came that snow filled day. It was meant to be just any other day. A day that was no different from others. A day should not be different. A day that was not meant to be so painful. I ran into the alleyway and saw him. Lying on the ground in a pool of red liquid. My heart stopped. I could not think.

Senpai.

Don't go.

Senpai.

Wake up.

Senpai.

Why?

Senpai.

Tell me that everything is fine.

Senpai.

Hold me close.

Senpai.

Open your eyes.

Senpai.

Didn't you promise me?

Senpai.

... Liar.

I wanted to be with him. Seeing him in a coma, hearing nothing but the monotonous sound of the machines around his bed. I reach out for his hand. It is cold to my touch.

'Senpai... merry Christmas.'

No matter how many times I cry, he would not wake up. No matter how much the others comfort me, the pain will never leave. No matter how much time has pass, the scars would refuse to heal. What good was living if he weren't there with me? But I had to. I had to fight to protect the World he loved. I had to fight to ensure that there would be a tomorrow. A tomorrow in which senpai could wake up to. I refused to let the World end. And so I picked up my weapon. I fought. I won. I died. As I lay on the roof of the building, feeling so tired, I wondered if senpai was having a good dream. The sun was bright, making my eyes extremely heavy. I suddenly sensed his voice. An exhausted pant as I felt familiar hands cradle me into a warm scent that comforted me.

'You were always there. You always stood by my side. Yet why... why did you have to go to this extent? I would have been happy with just you by my side. I know... I know that you did it for all of us. For our happiness. But why did it have to be you?... No, it could not be anyone but you. I knew that... yet... I refused to accept that fact. Because I did not want it to happen. I did not want to lose you... but it was too late... I just... I just wanted to say... thank you. For showing me that there would be someone like you... who would still accept me. Thank you... Minako.'

The watch that senpai carried. The weight of it in my palm feeling heavier. The second hand had long stopped. I look up to the large gate that stood before me. With its twisted and unnatural form of people struggling towards the centre. I wonder where this path will take me? I did not know. I walk over and placed a hand on the door. I could feel it drawing me closer, pulling me in. I guess... this is where the next part of my fight would take me. My war isn't over. Not yet.

"... Senpai... thank you."

I placed the broken pocket watch on the floor and pushed the doors open.