Just so everybody knows...this is giving an insight into my mind. Most of these events are things that I live with on a daily basis. I'm not perfect...not by a long shot. It's a constant battle each day and night...just...enjoy :)

Kana

Chapter 6

I had been taking the new medicine Shiro had given me for a little over a month now. The first few nights, the dreams weren't as violent. Kana was still torturing Michiru to the point of her passing out. But he was no longer raping her or killing her. I felt as though I could sleep peacefully.

My thoughts of Kana had shifted over the last few nights. I was no longer the one unable to move while he tortured Michiru. It was the other way around. She was the one powerless to help as he raped me over and over again until I hurt too much to even cry.

My whole body felt numb as I walked out into the visitation room. I slumped down in a chair and rested my head on the table. Mom told me last week she wouldn't be able to make it tonight. I completely understood why. It was the twenty-three year anniversary of Miyoko's funeral. She never came during that week. Miyoko would have been 37 this year.

"Why so glum blondie?"

"Leave me alone." My ears didn't register who's voice it was. I had assumed it was just one of the nurses. I never really did pay attention to their names. They changed so frequently.

She sighed before I heard her pull the chair beside me out to sit on it. "Well, I'd really like it if you came over and had a cupcake with mom and I."

"A cupcake? Do I look like I really want a...oh..." I blushed when I looked up and saw Michiru starring into my eyes. "Hi Michiru." I forced a smile to my lips.

"Why so down?"

I only shook my head then stood up. "You said something about a cupcake?" She giggled softly. I loved that noise more than anything else. Even, dare I...even more then Makoto's cookies. I followed her over to the table where her mother sat. "What's the special occasion?"

"It's my birthday."

I watched her as she drug her finger through the white icing and held it up to my lips to taste. I just looked at it, then her. "Don't put your finger in the face of crazy people."

She smirked, not swayed by my words. "Why? Are you going to bite me?"

"Behave you two, jeez. You both act like a couple of high school kids when you're around each other. Haruka, take the cupcake. Michiru, act your age."

We both looked at each other before looking at Yumiko. "How old are you anyway?" I spoke before accepting the small chocolate cake.

"Old enough to know I don't have to answer you." She glared.

"She's 24." Yumiko chimed in.

"You're so young." I proceeded to lick the icing off. Michiru started to blush.

"Well, I wasn't going to tell you until you told me how long you've actually been here. And saying since you were seven isn't a good enough answer.

I smirked. "I've been here since I was seven." I inched away from her when she glared at me. "But...give me a chance to finish first...but, I just turned 30 in January." I burst into laughter when she spit her bite of cake out and it landed on the table.

"Why didn't you celebrate it?"

I should have known the question would arise. "Would you want to celebrate another birthday when you're trapped in this place?" She shook her head. "That's what I thought."

"Well, when you get out of here, I'll throw you a birthday party."

"I haven't had one since I turned seven." I looked away from her when my lower lip started to tremble. I don't remember the last time anybody was so nice to me. "I'm..." I pushed myself to a standing position. "I'm going to go lay down. Happy birthday Michiru." I walked away before she could stop me.

It was July now. The weather outside was absolutely gorgeous. Kana was only tormenting me once a week now. I sighed. It was that time of the week again, my therapy session with Shiro.

"Are you even listening to me Haruka?"

His words brought me from my daydream. "Honestly, not really..."

"I asked how the medicine was working for you." He made notes on his pad of paper.

"I still see him. But it's about once a week or so and only in dreams."

"Are they still violent toward Michiru?" I shook my head. "What about toward you?" Again I shook my head, I was lying though. His lips formed into a smile. "Do you think you're ready?"

"Ready for what?" I looked at him, confused.

"I'm going to be sending you home Saturday."

"You're what?" My eyes grew wide in shock. I felt my heart begin racing. Never before had I felt such an anxious feeling run through my body.

"I think you heard me. I know how long you've wanted to get out of here. You're sentence from the court was over in April. From April, you became my responsibility. It was up to me as to when I decided when you were ready." I couldn't find any words to speak. "So tell me Haruka, what's the difference between you and I?" I shook my head, I didn't know. "There is none. We both get to go home to our families now."

"Promise to keep in touch?" Ami spoke through tears as we shared a tight, loving hug.

"Of course. Do you really think I could just forget about those cookies that your wife makes?" She giggled. "I'll write to you. And I've got your home address and phone number."

"Mako said to give her a call if you ever need anything. Even just to talk. She also wants you to call when you get home."

I smiled and placed a soft kiss on her forehead. "You'll be coming home soon. I know you will."

"Hey Haruka." I turned to look. It was Yumiko. "Promise to look after Michiru for me. She really likes you." I smiled and nodded.

"I will, I promise."

One of the nurses picked up my suitcases. It wasn't much, just a small and medium duffel bag. I didn't really have much that much that belonged to me.

"Good luck Haruka." She smiled at me after loading my bags into the trunk of the taxi. Mom had to work this morning, but paid for the ride home and made sure I had a copy of the house key.

For the first time since I met Kana I felt scared. I'm 30 years old. How much has changed while I was in there? I didn't recognize any of the scenery as the car made its way through town. New businesses had taken over once abandoned buildings. New buildings had sprung up where there were once fields.

A smile came to my face as I closed my eyes, allowing the July sun to warm my skin.

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