For the first time in years, I had finally came up with an idea to make a new fanficition. This was inspired by one of the best horror games I played, Fatal Frame 3. So this one sets after Kei, Rei and Miku survived and woke up from the dream they have. But it actually focused more on Rei and Kei's relationship.

I love seeing Kei and Rei together..

My writing skills are getting rusty, so please be kind. I am not as good as I used to.

" When you " die, then I'll be gone forever. As long as you go on living, a part of me will continue to live on.

That's why.. I need you to live. "

Those words echoed in my ears and still lingered the moment I opened my eyes. The light from the morning sun burst through the window of my room, breaking every inch of darkness and enlightened every corner. The chair was at it's rightful place, in front of the desk, untouched. As I slowly rose from my almost eternal slumber, I stared at the window, and glanced at my left arm.

Never I understood why I braced myself to feel the pain and see the bruise. Maybe it was because I was so used to it, but then again, I was relieved. The tattoos are gone. There's no more pain left, only a deep sadness and emotional breakdown as I remembered what happened in my last dream. Yuu took my pain away as he had always did for me, and this time it was permanent. I loved Yuu with all my heart, but I never told him how much I loved him. But I know he knew. That was why he never wanted me to go with him. Because it was enough. Like the gentle rain, he drifts away taking fear and sorrow along with him. He's gone forever.. but he will always be etched into my heart.

Like tattoos.

I stood up and walked with such haste that I almost stumbled in front of my bedroom door and without glancing at the living room downstairs, I made my way towards Miku's room. I twisted the knob of the door, and pushed it away. I didn't care at that time. I just wanted to see Miku.

" Rei ? " Rei... " Miku was still in her bed, her eyes wide open. She puts her arms around her, as if she was about to be taken away but when she realized my presence, she burst out in tears. I didn't hesitate, and ran towards her. I put my arms around her small body and cried even more. " It's okay Miku... it's over.. we'll be alright. " I sobbed, and like a crying child, I hugged her even thightly.

" I was so scared, Rei .. I thought I was done for. I did try to escape and forget everything... forgive myself... I'm so scared... " Miku reciprocates and our embrace grew even tighter. As I brushed her hair with my right hand, I said to her.. " Miku .. I was scared too... but it's okay.. it's over now.. we don't have to go through them anymore.. " my voice stabilized. It was not easy to escape from the nightmare we had. When I thought we had lost our hopes to live, and giving ourselves to our loved ones seems to be the best choice, Kei helped us to think it through and told me to not give up yet.

I gasped and had a sudden realization. " Kei! ".

Miku's bedroom door was opened and a man barged in. Miku and I was startled and turned our heads towards the door to see who's there. The man was breathing heavily as if he had just sprinted. Which I think he really did, and judging from the expression on his face to see us in front of his eyes, alive and unshadowy like, he gave out a faint smile. A smile of an unexplained relief. I could almost see the tears on his bottom eyelids, but as soon as he approaches us, I raised from Miku's bed and put my arms around him just like I did to Miku.

Withput muttering any word, he puts his arms around me gently. At a brief moment, I could feel Yuu's presence when I pressed my forehead against his chest, but then when I looked up, I stared into his well-refined eyes. He smiled at me and said. " Rei.. you did it. You saved us all... You awakened us from the dream. " I couldn't respond to what he said. I was too dazed by his almost angelic smile, remnided me of Yuu. When I realized that my arms were still on his chest, I stepped back and apologized for being rude. I looked down, trying not to make an eye contact because I was embarassed of what just happened. Then when I had finally regained my calmness, I stared into his eyes and kindly said. " No, it was us. It was our choice to survive. We did it. "

After that short reunion which was after a week, we finally settled down and talked about how I solved to wake myself and others. It was unbelievable, to tell the story where only three of us understood. Kei told us that Mio woke up the same day as we all did, but is still afraid to close her eyes again. Kei tried to help her overcome her fear and accept the fact that it's not her fault. We even managed to console each other and made a visit to Yuu's grave where Kei had finally said his goodbye. That day was the day I will never forget. I was sure that Miku and Kei didn't want to forget the day we survived and woke up from the dream which terrorized us for almost weeks. I insisted in visiting Yuu's grave because I don't want to waste another second not thanking him and letting him go.

On the way to the car, Miku went first to get the car while Kei and I stayed to give Yuu one final prayer.

" I will never forget your gentleness and kindness. I will always love you, and will never forget you. I promised that I will stay alive as long as I can to make sure that you also live within me... Yuu.. until we meet again. Next time, maybe for eternity.. "

I whispered. Kei stood behind me, keeping silent. He bowed and then he turned his back on me. I could see his gesture from the corner of my eye. I turned around, and made an eye contact with him, giving signal that I have finished. He nodded a little and beckoned me to leave the area.

" He was a very nice guy, Yuu, he was my best friend. He helped me to find every way to save Mio when he found out about her. I just couldn't believe that he left us while I'm being too busy saving Mio.. but it must have been harder for you, huh? .. " he said, walking alongside me towards the road where we will wait for Miku. I just nodded, as a sign of agreeing to what he stated. I feared that if I started talking about Yuu, I would get all emotional. It wasn't really fine with me crying in front of other people because being fragile is my weakness. I kept staring at his flawless face, his hair was blown gently by the wind, eyes focused to what lies in front of him. When I realized I was being rude to stare at other people, I looked down, kept searching for something to lock my eyes on.

" Yuu once told me that he had a fiancee.. I didn't know that his fiancee turned out to be beautiful.. " I glanced at him after hearing those words. I looked at him, surprised, and my eyes were immediately locked onto his. He looked at me with an expression which I have always seen in Yuu's. Gentle but mesmerized. But Kei had a sudden awareness of what he just said and then added..

" Uhm.. I mean, he told me.. that you are pretty. He said that he couldn't imagine having anybody else as his wife than you. Not just because you're beautiful.. it's because of your strength and will to not give up. He always said that even though you are a quiet type, he never minds. He always finds it beautiful to have a talented person work in such humility " I kept staring at him, and I was certain that he was trying to avoid my stare. I was hoping for the same thing, because it would be awkward. I never heard Yuu's opinions from the third party. Never really understood why Yuu never told me what he thought about me.

Beautiful? I never considered myself as beautiful. When I met Yuu, I thought he was the most beautiful person I have ever met. Yuu..

" So.. what now? " Kei suddenly spoke after a few seconds of awkward silence.

" What do you mean? " I asked, honestly confused of what he tried to say. I turned to him, and realized that he was looking at me the whole time I've been thinking and looking down. He stopped walking and I automatically stopped too.

" I mean.. what's your plan? Are you still working as a freelance photographer? " Oh.. I thought he was going to say something else. " I don't know yet.. Why do you ask? " Kei replied. " I was wondering if I could bring Mio to your house tomorrow. So you guys could meet? It will be a wake up call for her, and I wanted to introduce you to her. Probably she is wondering how she survived the whole thing too. But I am still anxious if she could forget the whole thing. "

" I'm fine with that. I would like to meet her in person. I am sure Miku is fine with that too. " I smiled faintly to him. It's weird. I forgot how to smile after Yuu died.. I felt guilty that if I had the urge to feel happy, it would be unfair to Yuu. But Kei.. Kei was definitely something else.

Was it really okay if Kei just made me smile or feel happy? Kei gave a genuine smile in return and then I went into the car just as soon as Miku arrived.

We just got back from the cemetery where Yuu was buried. Kei drove the other way to the route leading him to his hometown. I still remember what he said before he left. " I know Yuu wouldn't want you to suffer. It may take a while to heal.. but I just want you to know that I'll be there for you when you are completely healed.. and I want to help as a friend to get you through this. " It was right before we went our separate ways.

I was surprised that he thought about being a friend to help me get over the feeling of sadness and loss of my loved one. But what did he mean by being there for me when I'm completely healed? I wondered to myself as I turned the pages of my notebook to revise what I have researched. I kept a photo of Kei that Miku found when she was browsing through the albums in my notebook. Even before I met Kei, I thought of him as a handsome man. From what I can conclude, he is humble and down to earth. Very focused to what he does and his determination in making as many researches as he can.

" Kei's a really nice guy.. isn't he? " I was shocked, Miku spoke after a while. She had always been the first to initiate conversation between us especially regarding something to do with personal opinion. It was the first time any of us to be talking about something normal other than paranormal activities. For the first time after having those dreams, we finally had something else or may I say normal to talk about.

" Yeah.. he is.. he helped a lot. " I put down my notebook and turned on the television. I had an instinct that Miku was going to bring that up. Although she didn't say it out loud, I knew that she had been eyeing Kei ever since she saw Kei for the first time. It occured to me that she might have a crush on Kei.

I mean.. what's not to like about him? He's handsome, has a very deep and genuine pair of eyes. When he smiled, I had to admit. I could feel myself melting inside... wait. What am I thinking? He just have a sweet smile, that's all.

" It's really sweet of him though.. to go all the way to our house just to get us by. But frankly.. I think he wouldn't have done this if it wasn't for you. " she let out a small giggle. She glanced at me and continued. " Don't you think that he has a feeling for you, Rei? "

" What are you talking about Miku? He did that to save his niece, Mio.. and I really think that we need to work together to do that.. That's why he came to our house. Especially knowing that you wouldn't wake up... " I carefully arranged my words to keep Miku quiet for a while. How could she think like that knowing that I still miss Yuu and there I was, thinking that she was the one who has a crush on him.

" Even so.. he could have done that all by himself, you know? Rei.. I think he likes you. He just don't want to rush things because it would be disrespectful to you and Yuu.. Don't you think so? At least that is what I think.. besides.. I could see the way he looks at you.. full of attention and honesty. How sweet! " Miku giggled and I was really embarassed that Miku had that kind of idea. But still.. I was relieved her seeing her being her usual self again. The cheerful Miku I know. It only took weeks after that incident for us to move on and lead our normal lives again.

" You just had a silly idea... But that reminds me though. He's coming over tomorrow. " I intently changed the channel on the television. It was changing from a romance movie to the daily news. Not that I was interested.

" Kei? Why? Is he taking you out on a date? " Miku teased. I blushed and tried to look away.

" NO! Miku! He's bringing Mio over.. " Miku replied. " Oh I see.. well, I guess we should prepare for tomorrow.. they're not coming here just to have dinner, are they? " " No.. Kei said that he was wondering if he could sleepover. Besides.. he used to spend the night here.. I guess it should be fine. Mio can sleep with you.. if that's okay.. " I suggested to Miku.

" Really? That's great! I'm okay with it.. " Miku answered with a sweet smile. She has always been helpful to everyone.

" Okay.. I'm gonna go upstairs.. I need to work on something. " I raised from the sofa and walked towards the stairs when suddenly Miku said.

" It's okay to love again, Rei.. I'm sure that Yuu would want you to do the same. "

What did Miku suggest me to do? If she told me to love, who did she really mean? Is it really okay for me to love again.. when I still need to forgive myself completely and time to heal?

I guess I need to find out if truly ready to forgive and live with the unforgettable pain.