Within hours from the accident, the girl was still breathing. At least with her skin and unnoticeably for everyone. People gathered around her bitter pain, gawking at the awfully mutilated corpse. She was staring up at blank faces. It felt as if she was the one watching the dead, not the others. Her vision was blurry and dotted with red. She couldn't move her limbs, but struggled and struggled on the inside, knowing that if at least one finger won't be in the same place as the other, and anyone would see it, she'd be taken from that unnatural position and embarrassing situation.

"Yes. We're still investigating this. Yes, I understand, but- alright…we have no choice then." She heard a voice. It was a male's, hoarse and irritated.

Probably from the cold, she thought. Oh wait no…I'm the one who is cold. The man is dressed in summer attire. She sighed mentally. So…am I dead already? It sucks when you can't feel the gentle summer breeze. It was one of my only pleasures…Well, I guess it doesn't matter anymore. Psh, so that's what dead people do. When they realize they're goners, they throw the small stuff away. Family too, perhaps.

Suddenly, she was being moved from the bloody asphalt, on a stretcher. A female doctor sighed sadly and pushed up her glasses, pulling a dark material over the girl's body. She had the aura of a kind mother, yet that strong and intimidating glint in her eyes. Like every female, on the inside. A small strand of her unusual green colored hair fell onto the corpse's face, just before she managed to cover everything.

Now you're leaving your mess on me?—Wait…what is this? The strand…it's…it's warm. Who ever thought that such a tiny thing can emanate such radiant and comforting warmth? I almost wish I could swallow it so I could feel it on the inside too.

In front of her eyes appeared a light. Bright and with the same warmth as that woman's strand of hair. Though she hesitated when she was called in, later she was offered to make a deal. What kind of deal? And with who?

What do I have to do? Not that I can do much but…I'll try.

Actually, you can save a life.

Can I?

Yes. You see, that kind looking woman that you saw before your body was covered, she's my mother.

Did you die too?

Oh, of course not. I wasn't even born yet. But I won't survive long enough to see what you came to love. To feel like everybody does, to eat, sleep, walk and talk…I have a mere duration of 2 days left. I want to survive along with my brother. So, let's make a deal: I'll offer you the chance to be born again.

But…but what can I do for you? You give me the gift of life, what could I possibly offer you in return of equal price?

A fusion. Let us become one. I watched your memories, and they made me sad. I want you to become me and survive a few more hours, so we could step into the world and enjoy life together, at the same time. Though none of us will notice the presence of the other. It's rather convenient, don't you think?

I guess…but how does it work?

I have no idea. I guess we should just…hold hands?

Hands? Where? Where are you? The girl stretched her hand to the light, and a yellowish aura touched her arm gently.

Right here. Even if the entity had no facial expressions, actually, no face at all, the girl could feel the smile it held. The beauty and happiness, true happiness. Like the feeling you have when you feel…whole.

They joined hands, and the light became even brighter, until it became pure darkness. There was a faint sound of heartbeats, two at the same time, in unison. The two children, still attached to their mother. And then, the loud cry of beaming newborns resonated through the hospital room, covering the cries of happiness of the female that endured horrible pains for a while.

"Congratulations, miss Midorima Hyori. They're twins, a handsome boy and a beautiful girl." The doctor handed the tired woman her creation and she cuddled the little persons to her chest, shedding tears of happiness and relief.

"Thank goodness they're both alive! Doctor, you have golden hands. Thank you so, so much!"

"Don't thank me, it was by a miracle that the little girl survived. She was and is so tiny we were afraid she would end up a miscarriage. But-"

"It didn't happen. Whatever deity placed their hand upon my little girl, they shed light. She's alive, they're alive..." she cooed at the now asleep babies and the doctor couldn't help but smile.

"How will you name them?"

"Hmm...that's a good question. How can I name these little rays of light?" she searched inside her mind for a while. "My little boy...I still can't believe it's true that I finally gave birth. The fact is true, it's real. So let's see...Shin...Shin...taro?" she bit her lip thoughtfully. "Shintaro." she spoke slowly, trying the new name. Giggling, she caressed his small chubby cheek gently, eyeing him with warmth. "You're going to be big and strong, aren't you Shin-chan?" He made small, gurgling sounds of what seemed to be approval. He was wide awake now, taking in the appearance of his mother. His sister, however, was quiet, she hadn't made a sound during birth either. This slightly alarmed her mother, but she allowed herself a few moments to think about her name too before returning them to a nurse. She had hope that her little girl will be fine.

She took a good look outside. Children were running around cheerfully, the chicatas were singing their mesmerizing song, the scorching sun created waves of heat and probably gave those without a hat sunstrokes. Everything was so peaceful and serene...but Hyori knew that a storm was coming, a big one. The air was much too dry and there was no wind. Thunder was about to rule the summer skies.

"Natsuki." she muttered, turning her gaze to the small twin. "Your name is going to be Natsuki. Sun rays touched your cheeks, my girl. You're the hope for tomorrow. You know, when you'll be older, you'll learn the kanji too and maybe, just maybe, I'll tell you what your name means..."

夏 Natsu - summer, 希 Ki - Hope…the baby of two souls, guardian of a secret and forbidden technique. Unique and rare, the fusion of death and birth. She, the center of attention and the forgotten. The born and the dead. The raised and buried. Fleeting like a summer breeze and stagnant like the waters of a lake.

She, Natsuki.