Saving Me

Disclaimers: All The World Ends With You characters are owned by Jupiter Corporation and Square Enix and are all copied without permission. I have made this story for fun and not profit.

Writer's Note: Ever since watching the anime on Hulu, I really wanted to try writing a story based on the franchise.. While I am sad that the series was only so many episodes, I wanted to try and write a fanfic based on what had happened.. This is my first ever story for TWEWY so a lot of the characters may be out of character and the plot may not make much sense, so please bare with me? (Rated for Drama)

Prologue

Neku's eyes shot open as he took in a sharp intake of breath. He could feel his heart pounding in his chest as he stared up at the pale white ceiling of his room. While it had been nearly a month since he been revived after the Reapers Game, he still expected to find himself sprawled in the middle of Scramble Crossing with everyone passing him by. Neku let out a groan as he slowly sat up and turned to gaze out the window, surprised to see it was still dark and he fell into his bed with a groan.

"Really, you can't just be normal." he grumbled softly.

He inwardly kicked himself for thinking those words. Neku was sure others would probably wake up in the middle of the night like he did, though it would be for completely different reasons.

"Neku, stop thinking like a stupid emo."

He rolled onto his side to look at the clock on his bedside table. The bright neon blue numbers 3:51 gleamed coldly back at him. Neku sighed and rolled back over. As much as he wanted to, it would be difficult for him to get back to sleep. The same thoughts continued to run through his mind ever since he had been brought back to life.. The others had stood by him during that time, regardless of how he had treated them in the beginning, especially Shiki. Shiki had stood by him even after a made an attempt on her life. True, he had been controlled by the Noise but he still couldn't forgive himself.

After a few more moments, he slowly sat up again. Neku tiredly raked his sunset-orange hair back from his face before swinging his legs out over the edge of the bed and standing up, shivering involuntarily as his bare feet made contact with the wooden floor. He Neku ignored the feeling and went into the bathroom, catching the sight of his reflection. The boy who stared back at him looked sleep-deprived as dark half-moon circles had begun to spread from beneath his eyes.

"God.. I look like sh*t.."

Neku ran some cold water and repeatedly splashed his face with it. After a moment or so, he turned off the water and stared at his reflection. He wondered what the others actually thought of him and why they could possibly-.

Neku shook his head.

"Stop feeling sorry for yourself!" he growled angrily.

After a moment or so, Neku let out a breath and began to make his way out of the bathroom. He stopped as he took notice of the desk across the room. The half-finished graffiti art stared back at him. Subconsciously, he ran his fingers against the image and was hit by a splitting headache as images of the past came rushing back to him.

"I'll.. Trust you.." he heard himself say. It was followed by the ear-splitting sound of a gunshot.

Neku stumbled back, his head kicking back as his head began to throb painfully. His ears were ringing as Neku gripped at his head, eyes clenched shut. When he finally managed to steady himself, he found he was breathing quite hard. Shakily, Neku reached up to touch his face. He was shocked to find a wetness on his cheeks.

"W-why the h*ll am I crying?" asked Neku. "I know he shot me.. Twice.. But that was over a month ago and I'm alive now.."

Neku turned to look out the window and found it had begun to get lighter outside. He turned to look at the unfinished artwork for a moment before letting out a sigh and went to get ready. Neku had a feeling it was going to be a very long day.

X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X

Shibuya seemed much busier than usual. Perhaps it was because of his time in the Underground, but Neku was sure something was different. The streets seemed more crowded, while before he would have tried to avoid the crowd, he was thankful to be a part of the city again.

He knew he would not have been alive if it hadn't been for his friends, especially Shiki. Shiki had been the one who had slowly broken down the walls he had built around him. The fact that she had been the one to make him see the care and compassion in others-.

Neku was so lost in his thoughts it wasn't until he felt a tap on his shoulder that he was jolted back to reality, causing him to jump and whirl around to face whoever was there. Shiki jumped back surprise at Neku's sudden reaction, causing her to drop her Mr. Mew plush onto the scuffed up ground.

"O-oh! Sorry.. You didn't answer so I just kinda.."

Shiki trailed off as Neku stared at her for a long moment. Neku soon turned his attention to the plush on the ground before leaning down and carefully lifting it up out of the dirt. Neku very carefully brushed away the dirt and handed Mr. Mew over to her. Shiki smiled softly as she reached out to gratefully take the plush when her hand brushed against his, causing Neku to tense up a bit.

Shiki looked at him a bit curiously, her greenish brown eyes meeting with Neku's silvery blue ones. Neku couldn't help but get lost in them.

"Neku? Are.. You okay?"

"H-huh? O-oh uh.." Neku stammered.

He turned his gaze away.

'What the h*ll is WRONG with you, Neku?' he growled at himself. 'You only MET her over a MONTH ago!'

"Neku?"

Neku froze as he heard Shiki's confused voice. The brunette looked at him a bit concerned.

"Are you okay?"

"I'm fine, Shiki."

He turned his attention to the traffic light at the other side of the street. Neku was thankful that the collar of his shirt obscured most of his face or she would see the soft tinge of red on his cheeks. Shiki was about to press further but was interrupted as a voice rang out.

"Yo, Shiki! Phones!"

Neku never felt so relieved to hear Beat's voice as it gave him the excuse not to explain why he was acting like such a creep. Why was he acting like this? True, Shiki was his best friend but it was because of her that they had become friends in the first place.

'So why am I constantly acting weird around her?' Neku wondered, feeling confused. 'She's my best FRIEND. That's IT! Why can't you get it through your skull that she's your friend!?'

"Yo, Phones. You aight?" asked Beat, cutting through Neku's thoughts.

"H-huh Y..yeah.. Just kinda tired.." Neku muttered, turning away from them.

"Well, we can always go to the coffee shop." Rhyme piped up. "I bet Mr. H. would be happy to see us."

"That's a great idea!" Shiki smiled. "Maybe some coffee could help."

Neku gave her a side glance but soon nodded in response, causing Shiki's smile to falter.

"Are you sure you're okay?" she asked, becoming concerned.

Neku felt her hand on his shoulder again and couldn't help but stiffen a little, his face suddenly going hot again.

"I'm fine." Neku responded quickly, pulling away from Shiki's grip.

Shiki bit her lip. "But-"

"Let's go get that coffee." Neku added, taking considerable effort to sound calm.

Fearing that he may make a fool of himself again, Neku stepped away from her and briskly began to walk down the street. He could sense her staring at him but he kept his gaze at the street as he continued walking.

Shiki watched him go before letting out a sigh and she glanced down at Mr. Mew still in her hand.

"Whassup wit' HIM?" Beat said finally.

"Maybe he's still getting used to being alive." Rhyme responded, equally confused.

"It's been over a month since we were brought back to life," said Beat. "Ya think he'd get over it by now."

Shiki ignored their conversation as she glanced up from Mr. Mew and looked in the direction Neku had gone before letting out a sigh and racing off after him with Beat and Rhyme trailing behind.

Author's Notes: I apologize for making them out of character.. I had only played part of the game and watched the animation so I still don't know how they would act.. I might need some help in getting their mannerisms right.. So, if anyone can help, it would be greatly appreciated..