Chapter 1: Alive Again

I do not own any part of Angel Beats. But that'd be awesome… Anyways, this is my first story. Hope you guys like it :)

YUZURU AND KANADE

She was standing there, checking her cell phone. As he walked by, she started to hum a song, a song that would set anyone free from burdens. He heard the notes float to his ears, like balloons across the skies. The melody rang bells. He quickly twirled around and walked towards her as she started to leave. He reached out his arms, just a little further each second…

…She turned around. His face was in shock. He stuttered not knowing what to say.

"K-K-Kana-d-de" was all he could muster.

"Yuzuru! Is that…you?"

"Kanade! I've found you at last!" He broke down into tears. He held her and wouldn't let go. His grasp seemed to drive the life out of her, but he didn't care. He was finally with her again.

"Yuzuru…"

"W-What is it?"

"You're crushing me…"

"Oh! I'm sorry. I just can't believe I found you."

"I'm curious…"

"Huh? Why?"

"I remember you and you me."

"…That's true… We should find Yuri, Hinata and everyone else! Maybe they'll remember too!"

With that, they headed off and searched for their teammates, their friends.

HINATA

He was up. There was only 23 seconds left to the game. If they lost this one, they wouldn't make it to the semifinals. They were down two points, and two of his teammates were stuck on first and second base. His only solution was to hit a home run. The anxiety and pressure was getting to him. He breathed heavily, his heart was pounding. He had to do it, as a baseball player.

"You can do it. You can DO IT. YOU CAN DO IT!" was rushing around in his mind. He focused on the pitcher, then the ball. Would he pull a spit? A fast? He couldn't tell. The time came and the pitcher let out with all his strength into this one throw. Everything slowed, all he could hear was his heart pounding louder and louder. He swung, he swung with all his remaining might. The ball and bat collided resulting in the flying of the baseball. The shining sun was blinding his eyes. He didn't bother looking if it made it or not, he ran at the speed and grace of the wind.

The MC cried out, "HOOOOOOOOOOME RRRRRUUUUUUUUUUUUUUNN!"

All Hinata could hear was the cheering and the applause of the crowd. What was this sensation he felt in his heart? He shook it off as he continued to run passed the bases. First, second, third, HOME! He did it. He got the team to the semifinals. His team carried him on their shoulders chanting, "MVP! MVP! MVP!" over and over again. He couldn't help but smile, but he felt a sort of emptiness in his heart, like something, someone was missing…

YURI

She was now alone in this world, no one to turn to. She needed to find a place for shelter, but where? She needed money, fast. "I need to find a job." Was the only thing she was thinking. She pushed through the sea of people walking against her on the busy sidewalks on a clear Monday morning. Passing store after store, there were no places requesting help. She was desperate. This made her uncomfortable. She was always the leader. But that led to the deaths of her siblings. She never remembered what happened after. Something was missing, something important. She didn't want to deal with it right now and quickly snapped out of her trance.

She was now running. Glancing at every window of every store and suddenly came to a quick halt. She was standing in front of a glittery and colorful sign taped in front of a glimmery and surprisingly cute store.

She let out a long sigh and face palmed like there was no tomorrow. "Well, beggars can't be choosers." Was the only thing she said. She opened the door quite swiftly which she regretted since what seemed a burst of rainbows and sunshine smacked her face. The store was so bright and colorful she felt she could fall unconscious at any moment.

As Yuri glanced around, she asked herself, "Ahh… should I really work here?..Whatever, what's the worst that could happen?"

NAOI

He chose to continue on, even though his father and elder brother were no longer with him. He felt he was dead, yet he was alive. He never understood why his father and brother died when they were the ones who seemed alive. Naoi had work to be done, or he'd starve to death and join his family. He dedicated his time to pottery, putting his sweat and energy into it. He knew he couldn't stop.

"OWW! DAMNIT!"

He was rushing, or he wouldn't be able to sell any of his pots. He recklessly twisted his wrist and was in agonizing pain. He knew he had to finish, quick. He pushed himself by the time he finished, he felt limp like a doll.

He was muttering curses under his breath only thinking about his pottery. He was frustrated and torn remembering how his father never admired his work. He was never told he was special… or did he?

YUI

She was immobilized. Paralyzed. All she could do now was watch television all day and get pampered by her mother. She had wished for a better life where she could run, jump and take responsibility. But it was far from reach. She wanted to wrestle. She wanted to kick a soccer ball and score a goal. She wanted to hit a home run. She wanted to jam on a guitar and sing to the world. All she could do was dream.

With all her spare time, she reflected on her dreams, but something was supposed to be there, but what? What was it that tugged at her mind? She couldn't quite catch it. She needed to know. Maybe time would figure its way, like time would fix her. Hope was all she had.

IWASAWA

Music, it was her only escape. She played the many songs in her disposal. But one song was left. She had just remembered it. The notes were coming together very slowly. The lyrics were harder to remember. She pieced everything together. She didn't remember the name, but played from the heart.

Iradachi o doko ni butsukeru ka sagashiteru aida ni owaru hi
Sora wa haiiro o shite sono saki wa nanimo mienai
Joushiki butteru yatsu ga waratteru tsugi wa donna uso o iu?
Sore de erareta mono daiji ni kazatteokeru no?
Demo asu e to susumanakya naranai
dakara kou utau yo
Naiteru kimi koso kodoku na kimi koso
Tadashii yo ningenrashii yo
Otoshita namida ga kou iu yo
Konna ni mo utsukushii uso ja nai hontou no bokura o arigatou

My days end as I'm trying to find where to vent my irritation
The sky is gray, I can't see anything beyond
People who act like they have common sense are laughing; what kind of lie will they tell next?
How can they treasure what they obtain with those lies?
But we've got to move ahead, toward tomorrow
So I'm going to sing like this
You may be crying, you may be lonely
But that's perfect-that's what human is
The tears you shed say
Thank you for giving life to us-beautiful, honest, and real.

She dropped her guitar at the very end. Her memories flooded in like a tsunami. One after another, they were flashing in. A tear slowly formed and trickled down her cheek and was quickly followed by many more. She fell to her knees. Iwasawa knew but one thing she had to do; she had to find her friends. Quickly packing her guitar and stuffing the money into her jacket pockets, she ran out of the train station and ran up the stairs. But, where would she start. She had just remembered, she was the first to regain life. Were they still in the afterlife world? Did they ever make it back? Where should I start? With the memories, these questions came to her as well.

Realizing she couldn't do this herself, she finally realized what she had to do. "Who would ever believe me enough to help me? No one will ever believe me… But who can help me? I can't do this myself?" whispered the lonely Iwasawa.

Right on the spot, the brightest of all ideas had occurred to her. She quickly ran back to her house, the place she dreaded, the place she never wanted to return.

TO BE CONTINUED…

What has happened to the other members of the SSS? What will become of the friends? Will they ever see each other again? Find out more next time :D