Naomi gasped. Then everything became black. Naomi wasn't in the tunnel. She was just standing in an empty, black space which seemed to stretch on forever. She fell down to her knees. The new knowledge which she had attained was too much for her.
Naomi's body lay in that empty space, unmoving. Time became unknown to her. She suffered in her own little world, confused and hurting inside. How…how could I have been that little baby…ow could i…how could Uni be my mother? And Gamma my real father? How…how is this possible? Naomi cried out silently.
Yet in her heart, Naomi knew that the baby…she always knew…deep inside…there was a little voice in her that had cried out as the baby…Secretly, Naomi could see the resemblance of the baby. That soft, black hair…Naomi said silently, I knew it all along…I just didn't want to admit it.
From high in the clouds, past the black, empty space where Naomi was in, her parents watched silently. "Poor Naomi…I'm so sorry…" Uni said softly. Gamma put his hand around her. "She'll be fine. We had no choice…it was better ff this way," he said, comforting Uni. Uni nodded, tears running down her cheeks. "Come, it's time…" Gamma said. Uni nodded again, her throat choking back a sob. One hand held Gamma's while the other clutched the orange pacifier that was held by a string around her neck.
A bright white light appeared where Naomi was. Then, the whole black space was filled with light. Naomi shielded her eyes against the light. Slowly, the light began to dim. Then a voice spoke, "Stand up, Naomi-chan, great granddaughter of mine."
Naomi looked up and saw a woman standing before her. She looked somewhat like her mother. The woman smiled down at her and knelt down beside her. She touched Naomi's legs and Naomi found that she could now move. The woman stood up and offered Naomi her hand. "My name is Luce, Uni's grandmother. I am the original holder of the orange sky pacifier. You are the next guardian, child. See, your mother's here to greet you," Luce said.
Naomi looked up. Behind Luce stood Uni and Gamma. Naomi could tell that her mother had been crying. Her father was holding Uni's hand. Uni smiled at Naomi. Luce laughed. "I see the resemblance. This would have been a very happy reunion indeed. However, it can't last long," she said. Uni nodded. "You know what to do," Luce said and turned away from them. She disappeared into thin air.
Naomi stared into her mother's kind eyes. She was unsure of what to do. Gamma however, disappeared then reappeared beside Naomi. Naomi gasped. Gamma smiled and looked straight into Naomi's face. Then he hugged her. "We missed you…" he whispered into her ear. "Yeah…" Uni said. She walked towards Naomi.
"Come…let's sit down…" Gamma said and three chairs appeared in that white space. "Yeah…sure…" Naomi said and sat down. "Let me explain what really happened the day of your birth," Uni said. Naomi nodded.
"When you were born, both Gamma and I were overjoyed. But our happiness was short lived when Byakuran easily took over that world. We feared for your safety and I asked the arcobaleno to give you some of their power and they agreed. It took place in the woods. Then one day, Byakuran came to destroy the village and kill everyone, including the little children. The adults had mostly escaped, leaving the children behind. I decided to send you to another dimension, one where Byakuran did not have full control over. One where there was still hope. That was the world where you met that uncle, Irie, uncle Reborn, Vongola Decimo and his guardians," Uni said.
"We went to help the children. But Byakuran was too strong for us. Uni sacrificed her life to protect them. And I died trying to protect Uni. It was sad…" Gamma continued.
"Byakuran…" Naomi whispered. At the sound of his name, all the memories of the times that they had spent together came flooding back. She still loved him although he had killed her mother. He showed such compassion with me…was it all a lie? Naomi thought sadly. "Naomi, child…" Uni said softly. Naomi looked up, curiously. "I know that you love him…" Uni said, making Naomi gasp. Gamma nodded. "We've been watching you, Naomi," he said. "I'm sorry…it's just that I can't let go…he was so kind…" Naomi said, hanging her head. Uni shook her head.
"It's not your fault. It is understandable. He took you in and accepted you, which is a thing that only a few people in your life did. After what you've been through, wouldn't be surprised that you fell for him," Uni said, patting Naomi on the shoulder. "Mother…I'm sorry…" Naomi said softly, hugging Uni. Uni shook her head again and smiled. "Don't be. I don't mind it at all. Beside, I truly believe that Byakuran is not entirely bad. At some times that I truly believe that he is good, especially when he is with you. No one can be entirely bad, my daughter…just...different. I really think that he does love you…in his own twisted way," Uni said smiling.
"Mother…" Naomi said softly tears running down her cheeks. Gamma came over and hugged them both. "Thank you other…thank you, father…thanks everyone!" Naomi said, happily. Luce watched them from a distance. Reunions are sweet…Luce thought, remembering the arcobalenos first meeting together. None of them knew anyone there so they were increasingly wary of each other. Luce had been the one to break the ice.
She had made cookies and offered them to everyone. She was the one who had convinced everyone to eat her cookies and told Reborn that his sideburns were his most attractive features. She had somehow managed to get Reborn to dink her espresso. At first he had refused to eat her cookies as he said that cookies were sweet things and he did not like them. So, Luce offered him her espresso and finally after her gentle persistency, Reborn had agreed. Reborn…you were the kindest there…even though you did not know me…Luce thought. she missed Reborn but had willingly accepted her destiny as the orange arcobaleno cursed with short life.
"I hate to break the moment but it's nearly time," Luce said, appearing before Uni, Gamma and Naomi. Uni nodded. "Naomi…it's not time for you to die yet. You have to defeat Byakuran," Uni said. "I didn't say kill, just defeat him…" she quickly added when she saw the look on Naomi's face. "You'll know what to do when the time comes. You have to help the Vongola Decimo and his guardians…Besides, I've been watching them and I think you should know that the Vongola Decimo cares strongly for you. He doesn't want anything bad to happen to you. Oh…and that kid with the orange hair…he was weeping on your deathbed. Take care of them, Naomi…and that means defeating Byakuran. For as long as Byakuran continues to rein over the world, they will continue to suffer…" Uni said, softly.
"My daughter…don't let your feelings get in the way of defeating Byakuran. Promise me…whatever happens…you must help the Vongola Decimo…" Gamma said, clutching Naomi hard, "The consequences will be bad if he takes over the world." "My feelings…" Naomi said softly, "I can't promise you that…but I can promise you one thing. I can promise you that I will try my best." Gamma smiled. "That alone is good enough. Remember, we're counting on you…" he said, putting his hand around Naomi. "Yeah…" Luce and Uni said. Naomi smiled. "Thank you, everyone…" she whispered as tears filled her eyes.
"Now…" Luce said, approaching Naomi, "This orange pacifier has never been passed down after Uni's death…until now…" Uni smiled and took off her pacifier from around her neck. She approached Naomi. "This is yours from now onwards. Take good care of it. You are now the guardian of the orange pacifier. Remember though, the me from that world –as you know- isn't dead yet. The power of this pacifier won't activate until I die. Which…I know…will be soon enough…" Uni said.
"Mother…" Naomi said. "Don't worry. Soon, she will join me and we will become one. I will meet her soon. It is our destiny. Accept your destiny, my daughter, as you wear this orange pacifier around your neck. Orange arcobalenos always live a very short life. Live your life to the fullest and enjoy every moment of it," Uni said, handing the pacifier to Naomi.
Naomi nodded and accepted it. "I will save the universe –or at least I will try- no matter what…" she said and embraced Uni. Uni smiled and hugged her back. Gamma joined them. And after awhile, so did Luce. "I won't be seeing you in a long time to come I hope. Good luck on your mission," Uni said and smiled. "Thank you, everyone! I promise that I will do my best!" Naomi cried out. "That will surely be enough…" Gamma said, smiling.
A bright flash of light blinded Naomi. And in a second, Uni, Gamma and Luce were all gone. Naomi found herself in a white tunnel. Good luck…Naomi heard Uni say softly. Naomi smiled as the tunnel opened up to swallow her.
Naomi felt life and energy being fed into her. She closed her eyes and when she opened them again, she found herself back in Irie's room.She was back! She was back in her own body again! Finally…Naomi thought.