Nagi's POV

"Can you move it?" my doctor asked.

I tried, flinching slightly as I raised my foot a little too far, "Not really."

She nodded and turned to her pad, "You'll need to do some physical therapy now that it's healed quite a bit. Saturday and Sunday starting at 12?"

"Yeah, that's fine," I nodded.

I limped out of my doctor's office to where my mom's car was waiting. I slipped in.

"So, what did the doctor say?" she asked, tapping her fingers nervously.

"She said now that my ankle better I should do physical therapy two times a week. Saturday and Sunday, here's the paper," I said, handing her the paper without looking at it.

"Are you sure you want to do it on Saturday and Sunday?" she asked.

"Why not?" I mumbled.

Rhythm peeked out, "Oh, I don't know. Guardian meetings?"

"Shut up, Rhythm," I whispered harshly.

"You want to hang out with friends don't you?" she said.

"Mother, I don't need to. I think having my ankle better is more important than socializing," I said.

"No, it's just I feel like you're secluding yourself. You haven't gone out in a week. Not even to walk," she said.

"I wanted to get better soon since school is starting on Sunday," I said.

My mother went silent as she drove home. I wasn't sure if I had said the wrong thing or what, but it was true that I hadn't contacted my friends in a long time. Not even through the phone. I just didn't want to see anyone at the moment, or talk to them. I'm not sure why my mom was suddenly encouraging me to do so.

"What do you say we go outside and get some fresh air?" Rhythm said, showing up in front of my face and blocking the book I was reading.

"Rhythm, I'm resting," I said.

"You can almost walk without crutches, so it'll be fine if you go out with them, right?" Rhythm said, beaming.

"Rhythm, I know you're trying to cheer me up," I said, gently brushing him aside, "but I don't really want to be bothered right now."

"Temari isn't answering," Rhythm said.

I stopped. My heart felt like it dropped a million miles as I turned to Temari's egg on the shelf. "What do you mean? She's closed in right?"

"I could still communicate with her," Rhythm said, floating down to sit at my bedside table. "Until that day when we saw the street dancers. The last thing she said to me was 'He's growing up'."

I wasn't sure how to respond. "He's growing up"? What was that suppose to mean. Did that mean I didn't have anymore dreams of my own? That I didn't believe in myself? What exactly was I thinking when I was watching those street dancers that made Temari go back into her egg…for good?

"I'm sure it's fine, right? It's not like anything bad it going to happen," Rhythm said. "It'll be okay."

I looked at Rhythm and into those large purple eyes of his. I could see the doubt and fear in his eyes. If I was growing up, that would mean I wouldn't need my Guardian Characters anymore. But I did, they were the only thing that kept me sane in this crazy house. If I hadn't had them, I would not have met Tadase and Amu and the rest. I wouldn't have met Rima. I wouldn't have gone on those crazy adventures. I would still just be Nadeshiko Fujisaki for all they care. They wouldn't worry about me. Lastly…I would have broken ages ago if not for them.

"Yeah, it'll be fine," I smiled.

Rhythm stared at me, wide-eyed. "DUDE! You're smiling!"

I nodded, "I'm fine. Let's go out for a walk."

"Okay! Yeah, let's do that," Rhythm swirled around my head happily.

I grabbed my satchel and tucked Temari's egg in the bag. I put my book in there, my phone, and a water bottle. I went to the kitchen and packed a bento for my lunch. I left a note for my mom, telling her I was going out.

Rhythm floated next to me happily. I towards the river and laid down.

"Picnic!" Rhythm smiled.

I pulled out Temari's egg and made sure it was stable before I pulled out my bento and my book.

"Here," I pushed the small box towards Rhythm, "You eat first. I'm not really hungry yet."

Rhythm ate a little, then looked at me and repeated the process a few times, as if to make sure I was still there.

"Oh, purple-head," came a sly and silky voice.

I looked up, it was the cat. He landed smoothly next to me and stole rice ball.

"What you doing here?" Ikuto asked.

"Just hanging around," I said.

"How's the ankle," Ikuto said, looking at my leg.

"I need to get physical therapy," I said, I laughed quietly.

"Whoa, what's with the good mood?" Ikuto said, sitting up.

"What do you mean?"

"You haven't laughed since, you know," Ikuto said.

"It's just, I thought it was funny. If I didn't have my Characters, I would be completely different. I wouldn't have a dream. I'd just be a shell of someone that could have been," I shrugged. "I also found it funny that you're the first and only one I'm gonna tell I'm going through physical therapy."

Ikuto stared at me, "That's some deep stuff kid, but what's with you not tell anyone else?"

"I'm guessing you didn't tell Utau that you're back," I said.

"Yeah, I don't want to ruin her life. She's not exactly over me," Ikuto sighed. "And I saw her together with Kukai. Until they settle, I won't be saying I'm back sister."

"You didn't tell Tadase either?" I pointed out.

"He's…" Ikuto laid down and folded his arms behind his head. He closed his eyes, "I don't want to hurt him anymore. Amu obviously likes me."

"Well, aren't you confident," I chuckled.

"All the couples are settling, I just don't want to mess with that fact," Ikuto said. "I've kind of been gone for a while. The only one I ever talked to was you, because you were the one that kind of saved me."

"Tadase said you left a week ago. Why did you lie?" I said, pulling my legs close to myself.

"He thinks his presence is way too life changing," Yoru said.

"Yoru?" I stared at him. He was still there. Ikuto was free though.

"I don't feel free from my burden," Ikuto chuckled lowly like he always did when he was messing with Amu, "I just can't let them free yet. My dreams."

"What are your dreams?" I asked.

"Well," he grabbed my face, "I can't tell a kid that, now can I? Maybe when you're older."

"When I'm older, you'll be seventy," I rolled my eyes.

"Ha, right. Well, I'll see you around, chibi," Ikuto jumped up and Yoru followed behind him.

"I can't believe I kind of missed him," I laughed, grabbing a rice ball. I turned to the purple egg, "Did you hear that Temari? Ikuto still has his guardian character and he's at least twenty now. Come out please?"

Rhythm poked at her helpfully, but no luck. Rhythm looked up at me with a smile, "It's warm at least? Maybe if you're happier then she'll come out."

"Yeah. Hopefully. That's what I'm going for at least," I smiled.