OK Minna! I've been having some writer's block lately, and decided to make this to get back into the groove. This will be a one-shot based off of a song. Also may be a preview to my next story, depending on how my poll goes.

It was inspired by the AMV Blinding using the anime Akatsuki no Yona and made by AnimeStar. I suggest you listen to the song on repeat while reading this. It makes it more epic. ;) The song itself is called

TAKE A LOOK AT MY POLL! So far 6 is winning! It will remain that way if no one else votes!

Also, for those of you reading Ghost Hunt; A Strange Continuation I will be updating soon because I finally got my laptop! YAY!

Please comment, review, correct, criticize… Yes i need criticism. I want to improve my writing for all you readers, so be as harsh and mean as you can be, i don't care. In Fact, i welcome it.

So without further ado!

Song: Illuminated

By: The Hurts

DISCLAIMER: I do not own this song, anime or amv mentioned in any way or form. All rights are reserved for their rightful owners.

I heard the screams; I heard the cries, echoing through my mind even after they dissipated. Tortured, deafening cries, begging for help, their families; death... How did it come to this? Why, after all this, must we continue the treacherous path of life?

Time waits for no one

So do you want to waste some time,

Oh, oh tonight?

Don't be afraid of tomorrow,

just take my hand, I'll make you feel so much better tonight.

I trudged forward among the cries, mud-drenched clothing heavy and sticking to my skin. My jacket was mottled with dirt and rain.

Rain?

Oh, right, its raining.

When did it start raining?

I don't remember.

I stopped my stumbling gate and strained the muscles in my neck, slowly lifting my head to throw a careless glance at my surroundings. I was walking through a city.

A city? No, the remains of a city. A city I knew all too well.

There were cars littering the streets at all angles, forgotten in the mindless struggle to get off the streets. Some just sitting there as though waiting for their owners to come back and claim them. Others were dented and dirty, windows cracked and sometimes missing altogether. A few were rammed into each other causing what must been car accidents and jams.

Not that it mattered anymore. They were ghosts of the previous lives of people most likely vanished from this world. Just like some people I knew. Huh, I could almost laugh at the similarity that was all too familiar. Laughter was rare nowadays, no one finding any reason for it. Laughter doesn't keep your belly full.

The buildings were worse. Broken, mangled; shattered window panes and scattered glass. They looked like I felt with my torn up body. I knew i was a mess. My hair tangled, dirt and matted. My clothes, torn and practically drenched in the mud, gore and rain that surrounded me. my hands rough, cut and calloused. My small body was shrunken and malnourished. But none of that mattered anymore. I had no energy left, let alone the will to keep fighting the end. My end.

The buildings were like so many people I had seen. Once tall, proud structures had been reduced to shattered windows and empty hallways. Everything was just so broken, nothing would be able to fix this. It was over for the rest of us. The survivors. We had been reduced to empty beings with nothing but the will to survive. Sometimes even that failed us. Then I noticed the silence, the absence of any presence but my own. Ha, I must really be out of it to not notice that. The souls of other people were huge and hard to miss. Was I the last of us? Ha, what irony.

I threw my dirt smeared face back and let my gaze wander towards the sky, rain droplets marring my vision. At some point in time I would have wiped them away, but now there was no point. All I could tell was that it was growing dark. I found there was no point in anything anymore. There was no one left to make this wretched world worth living in. I used to curse the government, spitting out curses and obscenities as I ranted, sparing no one my wrath. I felt the droplets hitting my face, collecting and rolling down my cheeks leaving trails in the caked dirt that stuck there. I opened my parched mouth and caught one.

Huh. for some reason it tasted like salt

Unable to find the strength to keep my head up any longer I let my head droop forward and set my blank gaze to the muddy cement road. Where was I going anyway?

Suddenly my eyes are open,

Everything comes into focus, oh,oh.

We are all illuminated,

Lights are shining on our faces, blinding.

Sometimes I wondered, why must I live while they all die? Why can't I walk onto the path of oblivion with them? They had left first, when was it my turn?

But I knew it would be soon. After I had struggled to keep alive; I had fought every day, every hour, every minute, every second to live. I clawed my way out while others fell around me. But what for? There was nothing left in this world for me now. He was gone and now I was finally leaving this world.

Swing me these sorrows

And try delusion for a while.

Its such a beautiful lie.

You've got to lose inhibition -

Romance your ego for a while.

Come on, give it a try.

It was so easy to give up.

I stumbled over to the side of a relatively intact building, my heavy boots dragging against the ground. In the last couple steps towards my end, I stumbled and my shoulder hit the wall. I didn't feel anything except a small twinge.

Flipping myself sideways, back meeting the wall I finally allowed my knees to buckle and my legs to give out. I slithered down to the soaked cement, hitting it with a satisfying thump. Once more, I tilted my head back towards the sky.

The rain had stopped and the clouds were dissipating. Squinting I looked beyond the destroyed buildings and grey clouds. Beyond the smog and smoke, I saw the first star of the evening. I closed my dull, bloodshot eyes and leaned my head against the wall. I felt my bruised and battered body relax. I was covered in deep cuts, new and old, and I felt my breath coming in short gasps. Was this it? Would I finally be sent to oblivion?

'Whoever spots the first star of the evening gets to make a wish!'

I snapped my eyes open as a dull echo sounded though my head. A wish, huh. I chuckled hoarsely, darkly; for it was too late. Suddenly I was sent into a coughing fit and I doubled over, my rough and calloused hands coming up to my mouth in an attempt to stem the fit. Bring my hand away, I saw blood splattered all across the palms through my blurred eyes. That must have been from the bullet wound, I thought, that was the only thing that hit close enough to my lungs.

But wait, I thought, Witch one?

Oh well, I didn't have the energy to check anyway.

Using what was left of my strength I focusing my darkening gaze once more on the glistening sky, I saw it was not just one but a thousand, to million- no, billion stars that gazed down on this god forsaken world.

They shone so beautifully, peacefully up there framed by the lapis lazuli blue of the night sky. For some reason that hue reminded me of something. But I was too tired to bother with it.

Instead I gazed back at the twinkling orbs in awe, it had been a long time since I had gazed at the stars. I had long forgotten the comforting beauty they held.

Tears welled in my eyes, for that witch I had lost. For hat all of Japan had lost. Maybe, one last time I would wish upon a star.

My eyes were drawn to the smallest, most forgotten star I could see with my darkening gaze, and made my last wish upon in, pinning my hope on that tiny forgotten star that reminded me of much of me. Somehow, I knew I could leave my last wish with it. It was all I could do. When I went to hell, there would be nothing I could do about it.

The little star shone next to a brilliantly bright star, nearly rendering my star unseeable. Again, it felt familiar. For some reason, at that moment I felt compelled to look at the building across from me. It was a simple building, two stories with what must have been a cafe beneath and some sort of office above, being connected by a flight of outside stairs running along the side.

For some reason, it also felt familiar. Comforting, even.

My eyes widened as my dimming vision landed on the still legible writing of the sign for the office.

Suddenly my eyes are open,

Everything comes into focus, oh, oh.

We are all illuminated,

Lights are shining on our faces, blinding.

Shibuya Psychic Research. SPR.

I wheezed a laugh at the irony of it all. It ends where it all began, I guess. Ha! They'll never stop haunting me will they.

We are, we are Blinded.

We are, we are, blinded.

Life was so short. There was so much to do, and so little time to do it. So much that could have been, would have been, should have been… but it was over now. There was no way I'd survive this pinch.

I have survived so many tight situations, lived throughout so many horrors and come out the other side. I had began my journey with many by my side; now I was the only one left; it was my turn to cross over.

Suddenly my eyes are open,

everything comes into focus, oh, oh.

We are all illuminated,

lights are shining in our faces, blinding.

I remembered when I was fifteen, the first time i'd met Naru and the rest. Over a measly camera, ha! But it had brought our makeshift family together, and for that I would kiss the measly camera it it was still in existence.

I remembered the first case with all the irregulars and regulars together. Fighting, being stupid, laughing, yelling. glaring. Thank god that had been an unimportant one, or we would have died right off the bat with how careless we were.

I grinned at the memory and felt my dry lips crack and split. I still carried around the group photo from after that case, when everything was normal, laughter common. I think its in my pocket…

...What was in my pocket again? I don't know.

Where am I? Oh, yeah, yeah I'm up against a building facing the… office…?

Office?

I felt a nagging feeling that I needed to get something out of my pocket. But what?

I was just so tired, i felt as though I was floating.

But that nagging feeling was still there, fighting for notice among my numbness.

Just go away! I want to sleep, let go. It would feel so nice…

Fine, I'll get it!

Slowly i reached a hand into my pocket, straining as the motion left me even more exhausted than before. But there was rest after this, so I kept going the simple thought keeping me motivated.

Triumphantly I pulled it out of my pocket and let my shaking hand fall into my lap. It felt thin, like, like…

Oh. I can't feel anymore. what was it again?

Suddenly my eyes are open,

Everything comes into focus, oh,

We are all illuminated,

Lights are shining on our faces, blinding

We are, we are, blinded,

We are, we are, blinded.

I try to focus my eyes on the thing, but for some reason I couldn't see. The lights kept growing dimmer and dimmer, until it was just, nothing.

It was then I realized that there was just nothing. I was floating once more, the last attachment to the ground had been severed and I was simply nothing. But there was a slight awareness still, a little thread of light holding on to something. What was it? It was bothering me. I wanted to sleep.

But there was something holding me there. A slight pressure upon my lips. What was it? Why cant I open my eyes? Please, please just let me see.

He had come to greet me. Who was He? Why do I feel so happy and sad at he same time. Feel? Whats that?

I don't know. But somehow, I felt at peace.

I felt my lungs take their final, shuddering breath. A single word breathed past my lips.

"Naru"

PROLOG

He came across a body sitting propped up against the opposite wall of the old office building. Matted brown hair and practically threadbare clothing was all he could see.

He walked towards it.

Naru had past many bodies on the way over, broken, mangled things they were, but he never stopping to take a second look. He didn't know what made this one special. But it was a feeling, and a past friend had taught him never, ever, take those lightly.

As Naru walked over, he glanced back up at the stars. Night had fallen, and this was the first time in a long while you could actually see the stars from the city. It was amazing how fast nature healed itself when left to its own devises.

He enjoyed it. He had once heard that stars were the souls of the dead gone to heaven, and he hoped it was true. After all, logic had no place in this world anymore, only comforting thoughts and instincts mattered anymore with what the world had , he knew so many who might be up there that it was comforting to think they might be watching over him.

Naru's gaze was drawn to a rather large star that to him seemed to outshine the rest. It made him think of himself. He chuckled to himself; ever a narcissist, even in this god forsaken world.

But that had not been what had caught his eye. What had caught the narcissists eye was a little star, just beyond the big one. It seemed so small and forgotten, but shone with an intensity that almost rivaled the huge on next to it. It made Naru think of a very dear girl whom which he knew. They were in love. The deepest love, one that he felt could surpass every obstacle.

But in this age, love sometimes wasn't enough.

They had been separated and him almost killed in an attack on their strong hold. Out of 13 people, they were the only two left alive. He knew she believed him dead.

It had happened only hours ago. Now Naru was searching for her. He knew the wounds he had sustained were going to kill him, but he just wanted to see her beautiful honey eyes once more, kiss her soft pink lips one more time before he slipped away.

But he was growing to tired. Up until then, he had been able to keep going, but now he knew his time was up. So Naru focused on the body he was drawn to and stumbled slightly over to it.

In a few strides he had reached the half destroyed wall and collapsed with his back against it, sighing in relief as he did so.

But a sudden jerky movement made him tense up again as he watched the body beside him move. The head was hanging down and from where Naru sat about half a foot away he could hear ragged breathing. His piercing eyes scrutinized the dying person before him once more, and a vague feeling of familiarity washed over Naru. The cinnamon colored hair and military clothing seemed so familiar to him, but he couldn't quite place it. His scrutiny led him to know that this person only had a few moments at most.

The little girl in front of him was dying.

Naru cursed the world and the Japanese government once more as he watched the girl struggle to breath. This girl should have lived. He should have lived. All the people who had died for this confounded war should have lived. But it was not to be. Japan was losing the war anyway, so it no longer mattered. Either way Naru would be prosecuted for doing what he had done and looking as he did.

This girl- no woman Naru now recognized- would have had a similar fate. But it was still so unfair, the cruelty of this world. His thoughts were shot as the woman moved. It seemed to be her last from how badly she was shaking. Naru watched as her arm, ever so slowly reached for her pocket, fumbling as she did so. Taking pity on the woman, he reached over and opened her pocket for her, allowing for the small, bony hand to reach inside and grasp what it so desperately wanted to. Naru watched the brunettes hand tremble so badly she nearly dropped the rectangular object.

As the calloused hand fell into the woman's lap, Naru couldn't help himself and took a peak.

It was a picture or a group of grinning figures. Red hair, blond, brown, black and cinnamon decorating the familiar picture, all happy and joking, some fighting, some glaring, some trying to make peace and his gaze landed each of his makeshift family members until he landed on himself. Dressed in all black with his jet black hair and piercing blue eyes, he was smiling slightly in this picture. A rare occurrence in itself.

With now trembling hands Naru reached towards the girl and tilted her head back. His breath caught as he saw the woman's face, and tears rolled down his stained cheeks as he wrapped his arms around her and clutched her dying body to his chest.

It was Mai.

No! Naru screamed internally, no this can't be. She should be living, far, far from here by now!

He knew their time was up. He knew by the way Mai looked that she was barely holding on, and Naru felt himself slipping.

Tears ran down his face and, Nar noticed, Mai's as well. When he gently cupped her dirty face in his rough hands and kissed her pink lips softly he knew that this would be the last time. Naru tasted tears as he kissed Mai for the last time; it was a kiss of farewell, soft and passionate; filled with sorrow of all that could not be. It was the end. He heard a whisper of a word pass through her lips.

"Naru," He couldn't help himself, Naru began sobbing into her matted hair as he clutched her body to his.

The last thing he remembered before the white of nothingness claimed him was the slight pressure of Mai's lips against his own, and her voice, soft and echoing as though coming from a distance.

May I see Naru one last time. May we be together after we depart from this dying world.

END

SO… This was the end of this. It was my first song fic and death of character kinda one-shot so please dont hesitate to tell me what you thought of it and what I can do to improve on my writing in the future! I know the song wasn't perfect, but It was my inspiration so I had to put it in.

This was the very end of a supposed story so let me know if you want me to make a story based off of the same kinda theme. ex, dark, romance, MaiXNaru + other couples… wartime, exc. It would be VERY VERY DARK! So remember that.

Incase you didnt get it, Naru's wish was to see, hold and kiss Mai one last time, and hers was the same! So the universe was like 'well, there dyeing anyway so OK, well let you have that.' Also, when Mai says "May we be together after we depart from this dying world," The world part is not the entire world, just their world if you get what I mean. Like Japan.

Anyway!

Thanks for all your guys's continued support! Let me know what you thought!

Until next time!

Sammy-chan