A memory trickled in

as he laid down the flowers

before the old destroyed building,

feeling her presence prick at his whole being for a moment

"I miss you"

"You'd be happy to know that No. 6 has changed"

"I love you like a sister; I'm sorry if that wasn't ever enough"

Tears pooled in his eyes

and he wondered if he'd said too much

though he still looked up some days

and only saw what he'd missed

Safu wasn't alive anymore

and Nezumi had left,

but Shion wasn't one to be bleak or hopeless

He just knew that he'd see them both again

someday,

that he'll look up

and Nezumi will be home

to see how No. 6 was

or he'll leave this life,

exhausted from these long years

and he'll see Safu waiting there

to welcome him into warm arms

and be a part of his family that he'd longed to see again for so long

He had to focus on what he did have of his family,

his mother ran the bakery

and Inukashi wrote letters to him,

telling him about her son,

and Shion worked long hours

for everyone in No. 6,

for their futures

He couldn't help though

that he had to seek Safu out,

It was the anniversary of her death after all,

and he missed his best friend

so much more than he'd ever felt sorrow,

and he hoped that she was near

to see him,

paying his respects

and longing to just talk to her

like he used to.