I never died, or... maybe I did. For a brief moment I thought I'd gone and passed to the other side. I half-expected to be beneath cerulean skies, and barefoot on vibrant green pastures trailing a brightly colored butterfly off an endless paved path. Was that my definition of heaven?

I suppose I don't have that great an imagination, or simply it's a concept I've come to associate with peace, and with peace I've associated heaven. It wouldn't be absurd, given that it was what I had begged for, what I had fought for, and hoped for at the end of every full moon.

That is me expecting I'll go to that place. But that is a topic best left untouched, though it doesn't matter now, where I'm going doesn't matter at all. I'm not going anywhere. Not... anywhere...

After I 'died', I discovered later on that what had been my deteriorating state was my soul's slow albeit excruciating transition to become the seal.

Being reminded of the fate I had come to accept had made me... determined to... face what duty I had as the bearer of such... cruel... burden.

For I had loved, and was loved. For I had loved, and was... loved. For... I...I...

I had loved.

I saw everything, and nothing; sensed everything, and nothing. Smiles on faces I had not known; Pops of happiness sparkle like soda bubbles in clear moistened glass. Tears on faces I had not known; In their hearts I see so much that is broken; the tear of being parted, the bleeding wound of a betrayal, it is a miasma that dances like fire in each individual that is afflicted. And here I am a witness, a voyeur to each one, and to no one.

I knew everyone, yet none at all- save the few I had loved, and had loved me in return.

From time to time I would get glimpses of the people that had once been important in my 'life'; Junpei in his shy but budding relationship with Chidori, Ken grown taller walking a wisened Koromaru, Yukari in one of her rehearsals as a rising artist, Fuuka in the midst of appraisal and development of some kind of technology, Aki...hiko and Mitsuru-senpai under piles of paperwork after an investigation done, and Shinji... in front of a stove looking disheveled but professional, shouting obscenities to those under his wing.

I was so happy for them, so... happy.

So... terribly happy. So... terrible. So... horrible.

Everyone had the chance to make more of their lives, but I was without a body, or so I believe. I had been unable to move for so long as I had regained consciousness. I am here, and nowhere. I could barely count the number of times I've wanted to reach out to them, but had no arm to stretch nor hand to touch.

I feel so helpless.

Would someone save me? Someone? Save me, please?

I can feel them, all of them. See them. Why am I here?

Familiar persons smiling, holding, laughing. I say live, but another part says 'not without me.' Don't leave me here!

Shouldn't I be the one with him? It's... crowded here. And I can't move. I... I can't move!

Get me out. Get. Me. Out! Out! Let me go. Please. Please. Please. Please. Please. Please. Please.

"Minako-sama..."

The sound felt like cool balm on... my soul. It sounded so familiar, yet not... The voice was someone's I've heard before, the tone however... was soft, and... hoarse. I feel as though I was used to hearing it expressed in a more business-like manner. Somehow the thought saddened me.

"Minako-sama..."

Ah. I remember, it was Theodore.

"Minako... It'll be alright."

My dear... Theo. Has he come to visit me in... this prison? It seems I've forgotten so much. What I had meant to do. I hope he's here to keep me company. A moment would be enough. Even if brief. Let me just... remember. I... I want to be...

"I am here... Minako."

Where was he then? I could feel everything and everyone, but him I could not. There is nothing of him that I can see.

"I'm... scared, Theo." Those were words I've forced from my thoughts. How it works is simply to imagine it being said. I didn't think I had a mouth to speak. Not here.

And as though he's heard, he answered with a hum, a gentle tune of contemplation. It made me remember... the moments I've had with him. At the Palauwnia mall standing near an object of his fascination, his chin caught between two fingers, mouth puckered to a pout, skin almost white against the mall's colored background, and gold pair of eyes lit up in curious determination.

"Theo..." I wish I could see him "I... can't see you..."

Warmth held somewhere I believe my hand once was, and I knew, though I could not feel, that I have begun to cry. It's been so long.

"Minako... Please. Shed no more tears." I felt heat brush across where my cheek would have been "I am... here"

But I couldn't see him. I couldn't.

"Ple-please, please. Don't cry, my-Mi-Minako-sama." Warmth was where my shoulders were "It'll be... fine. Everything will be okay soon."

"T-take me back, Theo..." I wanted to see everyone again, I knew it was futile to beg. But I could not seem to help myself. "Please. Theo. Please."

I felt heat touch where my lips would have been, like the fleeting contact between fallen snow and skin. It was... a lingering sensation. I knew I cried harder "As you wish, Minako..."

A/N:

This was real shitty to write. Tryna fit into Minako's dollie shoes was exhausting, and Theo's role in this makes me feel a wee bit guilty.

Yeah, and I just winged SEES' future in Minako's timeline. I have absolutely no idea what they ended up as in the game, and based them on some of the fics I've read on here and just added a few personal touches here there. If there's an official say I'd love to know, I may or may not make revisions.

Anywho, thanks for making it this far, lol. Tell me watcha think. I'm open to suggestions.