The Orange Sky

Author's note: Hey guys! This is my first ever proper fanfiction and I'm so excited! Please do tell me if I make mistakes, as English is not my first language (Please, no flames though). So, on with the story!

Kakeru's POV

"Um, Naho?" I asked nervously. We were standing in front of a theatre, and we were trying to decide what movie to watch.

"Uh, what about a kids movie?" She asked.

I smiled. Typical Naho, unknowingly making my nerves melt with her cuteness.

"Sure! What about Ice Age Collision Course?"

"Yeah!" She smiled. Suddenly her phone buzzed.

"Um, Kakeru, can you give me a minute?" She asked.

"Sure." I said, hopefully reassuring her.

It was a text message, and it seemed to be bad news, because her face became pale.

"Naho? Naho! What's wrong! Do you hear me!"

There were tears running down her face.

"NAHO!" I caught her just in time as she passed out. I grabbed her phone before it hit the ground, and I read the message.

Naho, you have to come to the hospital on 1st street right away. Your mother..

She had a heart attack.

Naho woke up in my arms sometime later. I was carrying her bridal style to the hospital, which wasn't far away. With each footstep, I thought, "Stay alive. Stay alive."

When Naho could walk again, I set her down and told her to lean on me.

"K-Kakeru, do you think my m-mother will be alright?" She asked weakly.

I couldn't lie to her. "Let's hope so."

She nodded and we continued walking. Naho's father was waiting for us. He was very anxious, and he rushed us both inside.

We looked through the window Naho's mother was in and saw her, as pale as sheets, lying in the bed, the heart monitor beeping faintly. I hugged Naho with a tight grip, and she squeezed my hand.

The doctor came out, looking very grave.

"I'm sorry, but she might not make it, there's too much damage. She wants to talk to you.

We rushed inside.

Naho's mother first talked to her husband, in slow whispers we couldn't hear. Then she turned to Naho and me.

" Don't be sad without me Naho, I'll always be with you. Have fun, do what you want… and take care of the ricefish. I love you both, you both are family to me. Kakeru, take good care of my daughter. And you too, Naho. I'm sorry for leaving you."

Naho opened her mouth to say something, but she couldn't.

"I know, you both love me too. You don't have… to….say….anything…" Her breathing became laboured. We made way for the doctor, and she muttered, "No….regrets….."

All I could do was cry and hug Naho. She was a second mother to me, and Naho….

Naho!

I have to take care of her! I have to be strong for her!

I wiped my tears. She was going through the most pain here. I held her hand.

"Naho, we are going to overcome this. We will be strong."

Her eyes filled with more tears, but these tears were her regrets slipping away. She smiled at me.

"Thank you, Kakeru."

We walked to her house together, where we met the others. We all comforted her, and cried with her. But most importantly, we were there for her.

So we all cried together, under the orange evening sky. And I saw a smile amidst those tears.

Under the orange sky.