I had practiced the piano endlessly, really. Of course, in my determination, I didn't realize I was neglecting someone. I hadn't visited her in all that time I practiced, let alone took care of myself. I had been practicing the piano, forgetting about the one who took the time out, despite being sick, on medications, and pending surgery, to teach me how to play. I had been practicing for so long until I heard her voice say, "Ryuuko..."

The fact that her voice said my real name woke me up, brought me back to reality. She hardly ever calls me by my real name, so for me to hear her voice say my name convinced me to pull myself together and go see her. In all honesty, I was afraid to visit her, as for all I knew I betrayed her, yet, to some extent, I was hopeful, as maybe she'd understand. The walk to the hospital was a rather lonesome trip and the hospital I had visited some time before made me feel small.

I made my way to her room, each step labored and slow. I had stood by the doorway awhile before going in. It was quiet and the shades were cracked. Whatever she had reached critical, so she was connected to breathing tubes, a heart monitor, and IVs. She was sleeping or so I thought, as I couldn't tell. Even though everything felt and looked cold and gray, her room didn't, actually, it looked a bit sunny and felt warm.

Trying not wake her, I slipped off my shoes and climbed in bed next to her, sitting with her once again. She seemed not to notice at first and, as far as I knew, she didn't, until I found her arms wrapping around me. For a split second, I noticed her smile. She didn't care about the fact that I haven't visited her in awhile. She was just happy to see me, right then and there, before her surgery, during her illness, either of which she knew she might not survive. She just wanted to see me one last time and, apparently, I couldn't have come at a better time, as the next day, in late afternoon, she was going into surgery before being transferred to a different facility for the next two, once she recovered. Unfortunately, during her recovery for the other two surgeries wouldn't allow her visitors.

I felt myself crying, yet, she held me close, holding me as tight as she could with her weakened arms. As she held me, I could feel her anguish. Even now, as I sat crying into her shoulder, she wanted to give me support anyway. With tired, heavy, raspy breaths, she hummed a song I asked her to play, "Baby Mine". Of course, she also did sing that to me and probably wanted to but her breathing didn't allow it.

Visiting hours were drawing to a close, however, an exception was made. It was a small one but it made a big difference as it gave me a chance to say what I wanted to say. "I don't want you to go," I said, "and leave me all alone. You're the only sister I have and I kinda feel like a barely know you. I love you, I really do. Please, please, please don't leave me, Nee-chan." I was pleading and she held me until her arms got tired and, even then, she didn't stop holding me until she had no choice. Even though she was too tired to speak, it didn't stop her from saying she understood. She gathered enough of her strength to run her fingers through my hair, as I got up.

For a split second, I noticed that she was crying, too. She hated the thought of leaving me alone and having my life continue without her. She was crying over what was stolen from us. Nature, fate, ambitions, and life fibers stole a chance for us to have two loving parents, us growing up together, and living a relatively normal life, until recently. Of course, she's had more than that taken from her and so much that she'd never get back. Knowing that and how much we've lost, she wanted no more than to leave me with her memories.

The next day, I went straight to the piano and proceeded to play. It was a melody that didn't have sheet music, no, actually, it was just something I had strung together, dubbing it "Satsuki's Lullaby". It made sense to call it a lullaby, as it sounded like one and calling it a requiem sounded too depressing. I was determined, determined to make her happy. As I played, it seems that I had called her a memory imprint of her back to play alongside me.

I don't know how long I was playing, as I woke up in bed the next morning. Apparently, before going into surgery, Satsuki asked Mako and the Elite Four to look after me for awhile. I suppose she was right for that, after all, she did dread the thought of me being left alone. I didn't protest, as now was a time for what she wanted and, as far as I knew, it was best that she leave this world happy and at peace.

I wasn't always a sociable person but I didn't feel like talkin' to anybody. I just wanted to spend my time playing the piano but they weren't having that and made me spend time with them. In all honesty, I enjoyed it but that enjoyment was bittersweet. It just wasn't the same without Sats. They knew but they wanted to comfort me anyway, especially Mako. Mako would let me play the piano but she was insistent I'd get out of the house.

I had almost forgot that Mako liked to talk. We didn't talk about much and Sats and her illness was a touchy subject. So far, she avoided saying anything about her until she asked, "You miss her, don't you?" I was shocked and kinda didn't wanna answer but then she goes and asks it hell? I couldn't duck it, so I answered, "Yes, I do."

"Oh, okay, is that why you've been playing the piano all this time?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Because, before she was put in the hospital, she was teaching me how to play the piano."

"Oh."

"You see, it wasn't about her teaching me, it's just that she wanted to spend so much time with me before she passes. I don't know how she's doing now because she's in a different facility and they won't have visitors."

"Hmm, okay, I think I wanna show you something."

I didn't know what she could have been driving at until she brought me to the beach, or, rather, Honno Bay. "Sometimes, people need a place to cry and, in this case, I brought you here so you could cry and get it out." she said. I wanted to ask why, but I knew. This place was where we met, found out we were sisters, and saved the world, so, it made sense.

Tears bubbled over and Mako had her hand on my shoulder. "I don't want her to go...I just don't want her to go." I said. By that point, I was screaming, screaming about what I didn't want. I didn't want her to go and I wanted her to stay. Like an angry toddler, I screamed and protested, rivers of tears falling down my face. I kept at it until I was on my knees and had Mako holding me in her arms. "See? You can't keep ducking this forever. You have to deal with it and Satsuki would have wanted that but it doesn't mean you're alone."

We came home later and she brought me to the piano, saying, "Remember what she taught you." I tapped out a few notes and then moving on to play a little melody I composed. I must have been playing a concert, as I had an audience. I played until my fingers went stiff and Mako had to massage them. I was put to bed soon after.

It had been awhile since that day. I don't know how long it had been. By that point, the Elite Four had went home and only Mako and me remained. The days went by fast and, eventually, Mako went home, too. The house was just quiet. I hadn't played the piano since that day but that didn't stop me from waiting for her to come home.

After awhile of the house being quiet, I woke up to the sound of piano. At first, I thought it was my memories playing tricks on me but I was curious. I walked down the stairs and into the piano room. I couldn't be believe it and I had to rub my eyes, twice, to make sure I wasn't just seeing things. I wasn't seeing things.

I was seeing her play the piano. Fine black hair, pale blue dress, delicate hands, and tall height. Most of everything was the same but some things about her was different, like how she had an oxygen tank, a walker, and was wearing a hospital band. "Sats?" I asked, to which she stopped playing and turned around.

"Yes, Imouto, it's me."