A/N: Last chapter folks! I had to rewrite this many, many times so I do hope you'll like it :D Please Review!

Disclaimer: I do not own Sasameki Koto or any of its characters.


Chapter 7: Beginning Anew

[Kazama Ushio's POV]


"It's been a whole hour, what're they doing in there?" Tomoe tapped her foot impatiently and the sound echoed in the white corridor.

Before I could respond, the doors opened and a man in a doctor's coat came out with a clipboard, "Murasame Sumika's family?" he asked us since we were the only ones there.

Sharing a look, Tomoe and I shook our heads.

"Friends then?" we nodded and he asked, "I need one of you to come in with me."

I looked at Tomoe who simply nodded at me encouragingly while handing me the bag that held clothes for Sumika.

Standing up, I hurriedly entered the room before the doors slammed shut. Inside, Sumika was sitting on a hospital bed with no clothes on. Her lower half was wrapped in bandages and her torso was currently being bound by 2 nurses standing on either side. Her left arm was bent and resting on a sling while her other arm was raised so the nurses could move about more easily.

"Miss..." the doctor asked me.

"K-kazama." I stuttered, pulling my eyes from Sumika's battered body.

"Okay, Miss Kazama, will you be looking after Sumika?" the doctor asked and I nodded, following him to Sumika's bed.

"Hey." Sumika mumbled when we were within earshot. I smiled in response.

Taking her bandaged hand into mine, we both listened as the doctor went on and on about Sumika's injuries. I tried my best to listen, but it proved to be rather difficult when all I wanted to do was pull my best friend into my arms and tell her how much I've missed her and how sorry I am.

The doctor finally stopped talking, checked his clipboard one last time before he grinned, "I think that'll be all. Just need you to fill in some forms and pay the bill. You can do this at the front desk."

With that said, the doctor and nurses left the room. Remembering the bag from Tomoe, I reached inside and pulled out the contents.

"Thanks." Sumika slipped on a pair of jeans that probably belonged to my brother and, with my help, draped the jacket across her shoulders.

I looked down at her bandaged chest and asked, "Do you want to zip it up?" gesturing to the jacket.

"Nah, not like you can see anything anyway." Sumika said then pushed off the bed and landed on her left foot. I quickly moved to support her and we carefully made our way outside to where Tomoe stood waiting while chewing nervously on her lower lip.

"Murasame-kun, I want to-"

"Enough apologies already. Come here." Sumika cut her off and smiled. Tomoe was confused but then moved forward to hug the tall woman and since I was under her good arm, got pulled in as well. Not that I minded at all.

"It's good to see you two together again, haven't seen her smile so much." Tomoe grinned after we pulled apart and I bit back the urge to protest, "Are we done here? 'Cause boy am I starving."

"Just have some papers to fill in." Sumika told Tomoe and we went to the front desk together.

After Tomoe and Sumika argued non-stop, Sumika ended up paying her own bill and we were all headed back to my brother's house in no time.


When we arrived, everyone had been waiting to have dinner together. They greeted Sumika warmly and even a few tears were shed that night but the highlight was dinner.

With everyone huddled around the ridiculously, small dining table, we feasted together while chatting, laughing, joking. It was something I never wanted to end but alas, we all finished eating and had to help clean up.

It was around this time that Yuki woke up from her nap and Kinuta insisted that Sumika meet the newest addition to my family. As Sumika cooed and teased the baby cradled snugly in her one good arm, there was a sparkle in her eyes that showed how happy she was, and I found myself unable to stop smiling as well.

Later that night, when Yuki was fast asleep once again, we gathered in the dining room to discuss what happened next.

"I have to return to Tokyo tonight." Tomoe sighed, "My dad's been interrogating me every second of the day."

"We can go with you." Sumika offered, "I can explain what happened."

"No need. You can come back with me but it's a long drive and you're in no condition to travel. Also, my dad doesn't need to know why I was here. As far as he's concerned, Nakajima Hiroyuki, now a millionaire, is off travelling the world to his heart's content." Tomoe looked each of us in the eye and we all nodded in agreement.

"Sumi-chan, we can go back when you're feeling better." I told the injured woman.

"Okay. So I'll see you in Tokyo then." Sumika stood and hugged Tomoe before we all said our goodbyes, and the dark-haired business woman left the apartment for the long drive back to Tokyo.

"We're off to bed then. Nights, oh and, no late night business or you'll wake the baby." my brother warned and I instantly turned red while my brother laughed at our embarrassment.

"O-onii-chan!" I whined but by then he and his wife were long gone. I sighed, he just had to make everything awkward for us didn't he?

"Come on, Kazama." Sumika suddenly said and I turned to see her walking into my room. I blushed and followed numbly behind.

Inside, Sumika had automatically retrieved the bed spread from the shelf by the wall and did her best to lay it out on the floor. Scampering over, I took the sheets from her and laid it out neatly.

Before I could say anything, Sumika threw her jacket on the desk and fell onto the bedding with a loud, contented sigh.

"S-sumi-chan! You can't sleep on the floor, take the bed!" I quickly said, pushing against her good shoulder.

"I'm good." she sighed happily as her eyes slid close.

Not wanting to argue, I went to freshen up and changed into a comfortable shirt and shorts before returning to the room only to find that Sumika was fast asleep on the floor.

Her breath was even and peaceful but her face showed signs of unease - a frequent twitch of her eyes, eyebrows knotted together, lips upturned in a frown.

Switching off the lights, I tiptoed over to the bed and laid on my back listening to Sumika's quiet breathing. Sleep didn't come as I was too aware that the woman I had lost for 4 years was currently sleeping right next to me.

Instead, I just listened to her regular breathing and occasional mumble. Some time later, I succumbed to exhaustion.


[Murasame Sumika POV]

For 4 years, I never slept peacefully, haunted by nightmares of my father and brothers' deaths. After all, if I hadn't left to America, I wouldn't have put my dad in debt and I would have been the one to fight that challenger, and none of this would have happened.

But what's done is done. I can't bring them back and I can't change what I did 4 years ago.

My eyes snapped open and I stared into the darkness before me. I had long since forced myself to wake up without thrashing or screaming but it always took me a few minutes to calm my nerves as the last of the nightmare faded into the dark.

Sitting up took some effort and I was then reminded of the previous days events. Once my eyes adjusted to the darkness, I took in Kazama's room and recalled the good times.

Turning to my right, I smiled as I saw Ushio's peaceful sleeping face. Keeping my hand to myself, I resisted the urge to touch her as I remembered the kiss we shared.

Running my tongue over my lips, I tasted the metallic blood from my busted lip and allowed myself to relive the kiss. Relive the emotional turmoil that came with it.

What did it even mean? She said she loved me but we're both so messed up, if those awful kisses weren't proof enough... Then again, it's not like we can go back to being friends after everything that's happened.

What am I going to do now? I left my life in Tokyo behind because I had nothing left but that's different now. I have Kazama. Or do I?

Millions of questions filled my mind as I fell back into bed. I can never go back to sleep after a nightmare and tonight was no different. Usually, I'd spent the remaining hours working or thinking about what my schedule for the day was but my mind came up blank this time. Not that it was a surprise. I did sell off my entire business about a week ago.

"S-sumi...chan..." Kazama's whimper pulled me out of my self-pitying thoughts and I sat upright again to look at the fidgeting girl. Wincing when my injuries protested the sudden movement.

"I'm right here, Kazama." I whispered, pulling myself closer to the bed and that was when I realised the girl was still sleeping. She must be dreaming then.

"Sumi-chan..." her voice grew stronger and more desperate, "Don't... please..."

Trying to calm her down, I reached up and caressed the soft cheek I had always dreamed of kissing and whispered soothingly, "It's just a dream, Kazama. Just a dream."

Ushio began groaning and mumbling incoherently. I watched beads of cold sweat develop across her forehead as she began squirming in her sleep.

"Hey, Kazama, it's okay. It's okay, Kazama." I tried to comfort her when she abruptly jerked upright and horrified, dilated eyes stared warily at me.

"Sumi-chan?" she asked disbelievingly and next thing I know, she tackled me to the ground in a bone-crushing hug, "Sumi-chan!"

"Kazama-ack. My.. my shoulder! Shoulder!" I gasped out desperately and she let go a second later, looking apologetic.

"I'm so sorry! I forgot but the dream and then you and..."

"It's all good, don't worry. Was just taken by surprise." I laughed, hoping to dismiss the awkward atmosphere while my shoulder throbbed and the pain made my chest constrict, making it slightly harder to breathe.

We both grew silent and it wasn't long before things got awkward.

"So... uh..." I started and she looked at me expectantly, "What was your dream about?"

She looked down at her hands and mumbled something under her breath.

"What?"

"-ou."

"Huh?"

"-out you."

"I'm sorry, I can't hear you."

"It's about you!" Kazama admitted, face flustered.

"Oh."

Just great, 2 whole years working with all sorts of cunning people and when your best friend tells you she had a dream about you, all you can say is 'OH'?

"It's always the same dream." she continued, ears starting to go red.

"...oh." seriously Sumika? Can't you say something other than that?

"Everything is black and I'm all alone. I try to look for help, try running away but I never get anywhere. And then you'd show up and guide me on the right path but then I can't keep up with you and no matter how fast I run, how loud I scream, you'd keep going and I'll eventualy be left alone in the dark again."

"Oh." I mentally slapped myself and carefully edged closer to her, "Erm... I-I would never leave you behind. I made some terrible decisions in the past and... I do regret them, really I d-arck!"

I was once again tackled to the floor with Kazama's head resting on my good shoulder as she whispered, "You're not the only one, Sumi-chan. We both made horrible mistakes but I'm ready to let go of the past if you are."

"But-" I started to argue but the words died on my lips as Kazama lifted herself up to hover over me, our faces alarmingly close. My mind blanked out and I could only stare adoringly into her boundless orbs.

"No buts. We all make mistakes but we can't dwell on them forever. We've spent so many years apart... I-I want to make up for that lost time." Kazama stated, her beautiful eyes transfixed on my own with fierce determination and something else I dare not identify, "We have to move forward... together."

"To-together?" I repeated, feeling blood rush to my face when Kazama smiled cheekily. Then she lowered herself and I full-on panicked.

When her lips touched mine, I froze. Waiting for the crushing emotion to come through, I was surprised when none did. Instead, the kiss was sweet and it made my insides all gooey, fuzzy and tingly.

She pulled away a little too soon and I found myself wanting more. An adorable giggle reached my ears and I opened my eyes dazedly to see Kazama smiling with a cute blush on her cheeks.

"What's so funny?" the question slipped out before I was even aware I could talk.

"I keep forgetting how adorable you are." she smiled. I suddenly felt light-headed as all the blood in my body surged up to my face. I briefly heard another giggle before soft lips landed on my own once again.

The next time we parted only lasted a few seconds before Kazama kissed me again and again and again. Each kiss grew more passionate and when she lowered her body onto mine, I couldn't help but break the kiss to moan out loud. Her body was flush against mine and so I didn't miss the shiver than ran across her body before she doved down to kiss me again.

"K-kazama." I panted, my right hand reached up to push against her shoulder. She obliged and supported herself on her elbows with a patient smile gracing her pink lips.

"Yes?" she asked innocently.

"What happens now?" I gazed into her eyes and watched them soften as she thought about her answer.

"Anything."

"Anything?" I repeated.

"Anything we want," Kazama leaned down and kissed my forehead, "We can stay in Ume," she kissed my cheek, "We can finish our education," she kissed my other cheek, "We can travel the world," she kissed my nose, "Or we can settle down somewhere and start a life together. Buy a house, find stable jobs," she pecked me on the lips before pulling away to hide a blush as she finished her sentence, "Get married."

Get married?! My face must've betrayed my utter shock as Kazama obviously regretted saying anything as she waved her arms around desperately.

"We don't have to, it's just an idea... I mean, I'm just giving every thing I've got... I'm not actually being serious or anything.. Not that I don't want to! I mean... I do... but, if you're not ready and maybe it is too fast. Yeah. We should jus-"

"It's a splendid idea." I pulled her down with my good arm and kissed her on the lips, savouring the unique taste that belonged to my Kazama's cute, pink lips and cutting her mindless rant short before it ruined the moment.

We pulled apart after a couple minutes and I felt myself grin when I noted the dazed look on Kazama's blushing face. I snickered and leaned up to whisper in her ear, "Which one sounds better, Kazama Sumika or Murasame Ushio?"

I erupted into fits of laughter when Kazama flinched and rolled off me, her face completely red.

But my moment of glee didn't last long when I was tackled, again, onto the floor and she crushed her lips against mine heatedly, her tongue darting out and I shivered at the new sensation being initiated by a pleasantly dominant Kazama.

"What about kids?" Kazama whispered into my ear and I knew I had just dug my own grave as it was my turn to become completely flustered.

We spent the rest of the night teasing each other and talking about our unknown futures. Gradually, my fears, worries and insecurities began to fade away.

The woman I spent half of my life fawning over loves me back and right now, I couldn't care less about anything else except that I wasn't going to waste any more time. If there's anything I've learnt after every thing I've been through, it's to never take time for granted.

The end.


A/N: And that's the final chapter! Woots! Review? :D Pretty please with a cherry on top :)