Neru POV

"Dad." I grit my teeth, my grip on the old payphone tightening. I hate using that word to describe him.

"You don't sound happy to talk to me!"

"Gee, I wonder why." I growl defensively

"Aww, are you still angry about what happened last month?"

"Obviously. I thought you of all people wouldn't care what happened to me."

"But imagine my surprise that night! Coming home to see my poor defenceless little Neru bleeding all over the kitchen floor!" my breath picks up yet again, and my arms start to itch, as well as my legs. I pull down my hoodie sleeve ever so slightly, starting to rub my arm. "And then you started begging, pleading for me to just let you die."

"And you didn't." I finish his sentence for him, scratching at my arm with my free hand. "Did you call to make fun of me, or to check on my well being, which we both know you don't care about."

"The latter, oh un-caring daughter of mine."

"I'm not your daughter."

"Oooh, cold. You've hurt me Neru!" he sniggers from the other end of the phone, probably smirking.

"Just get on with it then, I don't have all day." I take the phone with my left hand, scratching that arm with my now free right hand.

"Fine then," he laughs "how's the loony bin? Make any new friends?"

"It's not a "loony bin" you inconsiderate narcissist."

"Oh so you haven't made any friends! I should have expected as much, you haven't made any real friends since you met That Girl, have you?" I don't respond to his question, clenching my teeth. I just had a dream about this, I don't need him making fun of Her too. "Aww, is little Neru getting angry? You haven't said anything in a while."

"You don't say." My arm starts hurting, and I look down at it, realizing I've drawn blood. Oh shit…

"Don't worry, you can leave in a minute." I can practically hear his smirk "I just have one more thing to ask you."

"And what might that be?" I take the phone in my right hand again, scratching my right arm.

"If you ever feel like ending your life again, please do. You would really be doing me a favor, and besides, you can go see your girlfrie-" I slam the phone down on the hook, cutting him off and looking down at my arms. Both are red, and have little puddles of blood scattered around the skin, some having pooled over the sides and trickled down to the floor.

"Bandages." I almost draw out each syllable as I pull down my hoodie sleeves roughly, making myself wince. "I need bandages…"

Haku POV

"Ah, Haku, you're a little late today, mind if I ask why?" Ms. Megurine asks as I open the door to her office. I sit down in the corner, something we're both used to by now. Pulling my knees up to my chest, I hesitantly answer her.

"I wa-was with Neru, ma'am." She motions for me to continue, giving me a reassuring smile. "Well, a w-w-while ago now, I had a dream of… when I w-was a kid," I pause for s second, trying to dispel any lingering memories "a-a-and I had a panic-attack. I ended up talking to Neru, and sh-she helped me calm down."

"It's nice to know you're getting along with her." Ms. Megurine nods approvingly. I know I skimmed over a quite a bit, but I'll tell all that later.

"So what do you think of Neru?" she tilts her head to the side questioningly.

"She's really nice, and I w-want to," I look up at Ms. Megurine, who's looking at expectantly, waiting for me to finish my sentence.

"Want to?"

"I want to help her." I look down again, not used to talking so much.

"Seems you're making some great progress Haku! Have you tried what I suggested?"

"Y-yes, I di-didn't work out to well though." I start to shorten my sentences, hoping she catch on.

"That's too bad, maybe you can keep trying."

"Yeah."

"So, how are things going in terms of flashbacks?" her calm expression changes to a look of concern, her blue eyes locking onto my red.

"I had one with my friend in it earlier, th-the dream I mentioned."

"And who was this friend? I don't think you've ever mentioned them."

"She used to keep me s-s-safe back the-then. She wo-would always comfort me whenever sh-sh-she could." My stutter keeps getting worse with every word, and it looks like Ms. Megurine understands.

"Well, I hope you start feeling better soon. You can listen to music, or take a nap, or just think for the next little while if you want." She smiles, gesturing to the headphones around my neck- oh crap, I still need to give these back to Neru! I'm sure she won't mind if I keep it for a little longer.

I pull the big can headphones over my ears, turning on her iPod and switching to random, wondering what types of songs she has here. I end up skipping over a few of them, until I stop at a very familiar one.

"Take what you need while there's time. This city will be earth in a short while, if I'm not mistaking, it's been in flames. You and I, we'll escape to the sea side." I have to say I'm pretty surprised that Neru listens to these guys. "There is a storm in the distance, the wind breathing warning on its imminence. There is a lighthouse, five hundred yards down, you and I will be safe there." I start to think about Neru, and what might've happened to her, what triggered her anorexia. I start to wonder if she ate the food I brought up for her, and what she might be doing now. "there is a girl who haunts that lighthouse, she saved me, I wa swimming; so young I almost drowned. Under the water, she sang a story of losing her lover. She calls a warning."

"Oh drat…" I hear Ms. Megurine mutter, and I pause the music. "We're getting another thunder storm tonight."

Uh oh…


Told you I'd be back soon! Anyways, I think the next chapter is going to take a break from the slight drama/angst and just be fluffy. Update soon,

-CronaxMakaFTW