I tried to not give away how panicked I was. There was no way out of this. I tried the breath in-and-out stuff, but it didn't help at all. I was starting to see little stars.
My friends didn't make it better at all.
"Hey, Hinamori, cool it, will ya? No bad feelings but a fainting bride these days..."
"Kukai, shut it, will you? You have to handle this carefully."
"Sure, honey."
"Don't call me honey."
"Utau-chan, stop that. She's already nervous enough. She'll have a mental breakdown if you continue like that."
"Hey, Kukai, cross dresser, aren't you guys supposed to be with the bridegroom or something?"
"Rima-chan, please don't call me that. And he is already there."
I started to flash.
"Nagi, you baka, what the heck did you say that for! She's flashing! Amu-chan, drink this. It calms."
Rima was right and I drunk the jasmine thee while she and Utau worked the boys out of the door. They came back and said to me: "It's time, Amu-chan. We are to walk down the aisle before you, you know that. So we'll see you later." They disappeared out of the door themselves, their black dresses that had the same design flowing after them. Ami would join them for the walk, seeing as she was my youngest and third bridesmaid.
You'll have it by now. I'm marrying today. With Ikuto. For one thing I am really happy; that my hair hasn't fallen out completely. It has dunned down a lot, but at least I won't stand bald on my wedding pictures. Nothing against bald people, but I was kind off -okay, really- happy I still had some hair left. I have had one session Chemo already. The doctors postponed the next one so I could have my wedding night. My blush hit the ceiling.
My father entered the room. Luckily he has accepted Ikuto by now.
"Ready, Amu-chan?" He was trying to hold back his tears, I saw it. I gave him a smile and stood up with a confidence I didn't have.
The moment I saw him standing there at the altar in his black tuxedo, smiling at me, I let go of my fear and walked up to him. They were all there: my friends, my family and everyone I knew. I also knew that outside the church a whole bunch of people were watching the big screen were everything was played. As were all those people behind the television.
I could care less. All but him, his smile and his hand extended toward me was a blur that didn't matter.
I released my father's hand and took Ikuto's.
*** General pov ***
They all had to admit that she was a beautiful bride, even though she was thin and pale. A blush was on her cheeks. Her pink hair fell down her shoulders. She wore a long, white strapless dress with a low waistline and a train that went to the ground and was made from silk and satin. Around her neck a necklace laid, given to her by Ikuto. She wore white peep toe heels that matched her dress perfectly. Needless to say, she was the perfect bride as she walked elegantly down the aisle. Some said she looked like she was floating instead of walking.
All watched as her father gave her away and Ikuto took her hand. And all saw how they said their 'I do's and exchanged rings. And, most of all, they heard the priest say: "You may now kiss the bride."
Ikuto looked down on Amu, meeting her sparkling eyes. Gravity seemed to pull them as their lips joined together in a long kiss. They were married now.
-xXx-
I watched the ring on my finger as they came to take me away. The silver lines had a diamond pattern of floral wreath.I absolutely loved it. My engagement ring was still on my right hand. I didn't even let the thought of putting it in a jewelry box complete itself. The ring seemed to give me confidence. I didn't freak out or anything. I was calm now, accepting. I knew I had to go through this. The coin was finally thrown.
Ikuto and Natsu stood by the door. They didn't say anything. I flashed them a smile. Ikuto seemed to ... no, he couldn't break. My calm composure would fall if he did and I wouldn't be able to hold back my tears.
What is there to say when you are so close to death and the gateway is only an inch away? What can you do, but to calm down your family and friends and tell them everything is going to be alright, a truth you knew that was a lie?
Ikuto walked towards me and kissed me.
"I love you, more than everything else I ever loved." he whispered. I smiled, a real, warm smile.
"I love you too, and I wished I could be with you forever." I said.
He looked shocked. "Amu, don't say that."
"I get to say what I want." I said stubbornly. He looked taken back.
I laughed.
"Don't worry Ikuto-koi. I'll meet you again. If not in this life, then in another. And remember, I will always love you. Forever and ever, even when I'm not there to say it."
A tear spilled and rolled over his cheek. I gently wiped it away and kissed him once more.
The doctors came in and took me away. I didn't look back.
"Amu! Listen!" He called after me and he tossed me an Ipod I didn't see until one of the doctors caught it and gave it to me. I plugged the ears in and listened.
It was Utau's voice, speaking on the radio.
"Hello, Japan. I am sure you know who I am, but I'll tell you once more. My name is Hoshina Utau.
Standing beside me is one of my best friends, Mashiro Rima. Unfortunately, our other best friend, no our other sister can't make it today. Her name is Tsukiyomi Amu and she was formerly known as Hinamori, that was until she married to my brother last week. I am so happy for them.
But there is one thing that is threatening their happiness, and the happiness of all our friends and family. Amu has a tumor in her head and she will be operated right now. So, Amu, and I know you are listening, this song is for you. We got it from that little boy, so thank him. We only edited it a bit, I hope you don't mind. And, Amu? We all love you from the bottom of our hearts."
Then the singing started and I was surprised to hear the lyrics of the song I had written not so long ago. It had been my goodbye song. Now it fitted that description even more.
A single tear escaped my eyes when I listened to Utau and Rima's voices singing so sincere. I kept listening, even when I started blacking out because of the medicine they had given me.
I fell in the black with a smile.
'No exception'
written by Amu and edited and sang by Utau and Rima
Hey girl, there is no exception,
not even for you
Accept life the way it is
No running away.
Show where you stand for, head high
For the whole world to see
In all your weakness, it makes you strong
There's no exception, girl
Not even for you
When heaven calls you answer
It's a one way street.
Life goes on they say
Time heals all the wounds.
But the gap you left behind
cannot be closed.
There is no way to forget
No way to remember your image
As the rain washed it away.
There's no exception, girl
Not even for you
When heaven calls you answer
It's a one way street.
You may not want it,
but it has come
And it'll take you away
Away from us.
Hey girl
hey girl
As much as we wish we wish
It was not true not true
We'll save our tears as strength (as strength)
There's no exception, girl
For no one out there
When heave calls, you answer
It's a one way street.
When heaven calls... When heaven calls...
There's no exception, girl
Not even for you
When heaven calls you answer
It's a one way street.
Leave your smile, girl
for all of us
Show us the way
To your memory..
Hey girl...
-xXx-
The boy sat on the little bench staring at the Sakura petals falling down. Next to him was the empty space she had been sitting last time. He remembered the way she would try to catch the rosy petals. Just as his little sister had, so long ago. He remembered the both of them, the image clearly before him. He looked up to the sky. One of them had left, the other was still balancing in between worlds.
A movement caught his attention.
A girl his age was trying to limp to the bench. She felt his gaze and looked up, startled by his presence. She turned and wanted to return to the hospital, but his voice stopped her.
"Please, don't go."
She turned, and crimson eyes met violet one's. She nodded and limped on her crutches to the bench. She sat far from him, as if she wanted as much as space as possible. He didn't mind. He studied her a bit. She had violet purple hair that matched her eyes. Her skin looked soft and silky, but it was cut and she had bruises on her face and her neck. Actually on every place he could see. There was a bandage around her left hand and her right leg was in a cage. It was white, but there was nothing written on it, as he had seen it before with kids from his class.
There was silence. His thoughts drifted back to her.
She hadn't planned on speaking. But she knew what was going on inside him. As if it was hard to miss. She had seen him with that famous pop star, Amu-and-something. She had seen how they had been laughing and chatting and she had tried to ignore her wish to have someone like that.
"I'm Miyumi Tenshiyami. 'Meeting you." The 'nice' was a bit over the top for her.
He looked up, surprised but then he nodded as one off the corners off his mouth pulled upward.
"I'm Natsu."
"No last name?"
"No." he said.
Miyumi didn't ask anything more and they stayed in silence until she spoke again.
"I hope she survives too."