From Far Away
Chapter Three
By dana-chan and Lucia
Disclaimer: We don't own Pokemon, Pikachu, or Monopoly. Neither of us sees dead
people, but if you sue us, we'll pretend we do, and then plead insanity.
Author's Notes:
Lucia: Lookie! The third part! And I confess, the ending is entirely my fault.
Dana: Which wasn't a bad thing, because I loved it to bits. We hope *you* love
it bits as well! Don't we?
Lucia: *looks around darkly* Noooo...must torture readers...evil...*blinks
nervously* Um, right, right!
Dana: *giggles* Yes, what she said. One thing to note in this chapter, though,
is the change of POV... It's Shigeru/Satoshi for the first part, then changes to
Hiroshi/Satoshi, and ends in Shigeru's POV... Could be confusing so I wanted to
point it out. ^^
Lucia: *muttering darkly, ignores Dana* Must...scare..readers...
Dana: Ahehhhheh... *giggles nervously* Yes, what she said again. Please, enjoy
the fic. ^^
Lucia: *looks up absently from where she's mixing some dangerous-looking
chemicals, waves, and goes back to...whatever she's doing*
Dana: *waves* Bye bye! ^_^
Archiving: Nope, this is ours, and WE (not Lucia and I, I think I'm being
imperial here) ARE MEAN! Archiving only on end of summer and Lucia's site.
Okay, and fanfiction.net too. Cause I'm nice. Confuzzling sentences, ne?
Feedback: Feed the kitties! And the authors too. ^^ Millions of authors die each
year due to lack of feedback... Have a heart! Give some feedback!
~~~~~
I grin, sipping some coffee out of a cup. If I wasn't already dead, I'd probably
think this stuff was trying to kill me, but since I am, and I feel like having a
coffee buzz...ever seen a hyper ghost? I tend to literally bounce off the walls
after having coffee.
Satoshi's mother passed on a year ago, leaving the big, old house to Satoshi and
Nanami. And since it's big...Both happy couples of Satoshi and Hiroshi and
Nanami and Kasumi live here, now. And I'm one happy ghost, since I have people
living in my house who not only don't run off screaming, but actually count me
as their friend.
Hiroshi stumbles downstairs, trying to get his shirt on frontwards at the same
time. He leaves for work at nine.
Nanami is our homemaker; she stays around with me and cooks and cleans while the
others go off to their jobs in the day- Hiroshi and Satoshi at a toy company,
and Kasumi as a school teacher.
"Nnngh," he grunts at Satoshi, who already looks entirely too cheerful.
"Good morning, love," Satoshi says as Hiroshi sits down across from him. Nanami
hands him a huge plate of food, and Hiro quickly wakes up and begins to down it.
"Mmmph!" Hiroshi says after a minute, and Sato's grinning at him. I have a
sneaking suspicion they're playing footsie under the table. Nanami rolls her
eyes at me before retreating back into the kitchen.
"Know what today is?" Sato questions me.
"Nooo..." I say, trying to remember the date.
"It's Hiroshi and my anniversary. We're going on vacation to celebrate. Leaving
tonight and getting back Sunday morning."
Oh, yeah, it's Friday.
"OK," I say, absently. "Maybe I'll go out or something so Nanami and Kasumi can
have the house to themselves."
~~~~~
"That might be a good idea, they deserve to have some time alone, too." I poke
at my food before taking a bite, toying with the piece before actually eating.
"Where do you plan on going, then?"
Shigeru makes a non-committal noise.
I wish he were solid, at least then I'd kick him.
"Oh come on, that's no answer at all." I say with a mock glare. "At the least,
aren't you going to miss us?"
He blinks innocently at me. "Well I don't think you'd find me useful in the
situation so I guess I'm going to have to miss you."
Hiroshi makes a weak choking noise and Shigeru pats him on the back to clear
that up. My love's not the only one who's blushing...
"Anyway, what *do* you plan to do while we're gone? You never answered that,
Shigeru!" That, and I know we have to get to work soon. At least Hiroshi and I
finished packing most of what we need last night...all we have left is a few
pieces of last minute stuff...
This is going to be a perfect weekend. Eh, I hope it's one, that is.
~~~~~
I guess I shouldn't tell them that I'll probably be running back and forth
between spying on them and spying on Nanami and Kasumi.
"Um...heh heh," I laugh nervously, trying to come up with something. "I heard
there was a musical playing in Tamamushi. Maybe I'll go see it and do some
shopping there."
Satoshi gives me an odd look.
"Well, as much as a ghost can shop," I amend. "I _do_ like looking at stuff. And
if I see something I really like, I can form solid and buy it."
"And where do you get money?" Hiroshi says, curious.
"I have my sources," I reply, grinning.
Satoshi and Hiroshi apparently decide to stare romantically into each other's
eyes while they finish breakfast, and I think they're playing footsie again. But
it's hard to tell. I rolling my eyes- they're still like a couple of teenagers-
I take my coffee mug into the kitchen.
~~~~~
I sort of lose myself in Hiroshi's eyes, and I like where I find myself. Yes,
this is going to be a perfect weekend. One of the better ones in our
relationship, I must admit.
All right, so if I'm about to get sappy, every day with him is better than the
one before.
I love him so very much. Anyway, it's fun playing with him this way.
"We're gonna have such a fun weekend, aren't we Hiro-chan?"
He nods and sips at his orange juice. "The best vacation that we've had in
forever. *Plus* it's our anniversary..." He smiles at me in that sort of knowing
way. Of yes, this is going to be a wonderful weekend.
I sigh and then look at the clock on the wall. "Are you finished? We need to go
soon..."
I look back and he crinkles his nose at me. "Why do we have to work today?"
"Because it's our responsibility..."
He hmphs and sighs. "It's not fair."
"Oh, I'll make it up to you..."
I *love* it when he blushes...
~~~~~
I grin, watching from the kitchen. Sap alert! Those two are too sweet sometimes.
I mean, they're cavity inducing.
As opposed to Nanami and Kasumi, who are just silly. I missed them, though,
since Kasumi had to leave earlier.
Maybe I will go see that musical tonight. It was supposed to be good, and they
do need some time alone without a voyeuristic ghost (but you didn't hear that
from me!).
"Let's go," I hear Satoshi say, and the sound of chairs scraping the floor came
from the dining room.
"I'll come with you," I say, floating in. "I'm kind of bored."
"Being a ghost must be," Hiroshi agrees. "Not a whole lot to do, huh?"
No, not really. I kind of miss matchmaking, like I used to do when I was
younger, but everyone who knows about me already has someone.
We're out the door now- the two walk to work since it's so close. They're
crossing the street when I see a car turn the corner sharply and come barreling
towards the two in a zig-zag pattern.
"Look out!" I yelp, forming my hands solid enough to push them out of the way.
They both look dazed for a minute, before Satoshi shakes his head. "Geru? Geru,
are you OK?" He hasn't called me Geru in awhile. I appear, floating in midair.
"Don't worry, I'm already dead, remember?"
He breathes a sigh of relief. "Yeah, but...you never know, it could still hurt
you..."
~~~~~
"But... I mean... are you sure you're okay?"
Shigeru nods and waves his hand dismissively. "Of course I am! Stop worrying
about me, Satoshi!"
"But..."
"I said don't!"
"Oh all right..."
I sigh. So I don't believe him. I put my hand on Hiroshi's shoulder. "Are you
okay?"
He smiles and nods. That was a brush with death that I didn't expect... not that
you ever expect these things to happen... You know one thing I've never asked
Shigeru? Even though I've known him two-thirds of my life? How he died...
"Think we can go to work?" Hiroshi asks.
I don't know what to say...so I nod.
He smiles shakily. "Okay then, on we go."
He takes my hand it's sort of nice after that. At least I'm not worrying
anymore. But that car could have *killed* us...and now it's no where in sight...
Hiroshi kisses me outside our place of work, distracting me very well.
"Sato-chan, stop worrying so much. You're all right, I'm all right, Shigeru's
all right, we're all all right..."
This is going to be a good day, though, and the weekend is going to be even
better. So even if I'm a little shaky... "I love you, Hiro-chan."
He smiles and gets on his tip-toes again to kiss me. He's still shorter than me
by a while... "Love you too."
He smiles and holds my hand still. Yes, everything is still all right...
~~~~~
I snicker. One fine day in spring...
"Have fun at work, you two!" I yell, floating off to just wander around and
window shop or whatnot.
Several hours later, when I finally return home, I'm greeted by flying objects.
Satoshi and Hiroshi are packing for their trip, and I'm guessing one or both of
them can't find something (big surprise there) and their solution is to just
throw everything around, hoping the missing object will surface.
I laugh, because I can hear Kasumi in there, yelling at them for not keeping
their things neater, and it's a miracle they don't lose more stuff to their
room, like job documents, the job itself, blah blah blah.
"Welcome to Chaos Hotel," Nanami says from the couch where she's watching TV.
"Would you like a normal room or a suite?"
I grin at her. "They're all the sweetness I need," nodding towards Hiroshi and
Satoshi's room. However, I hope they finish packing soon...
~~~~~
I squeak, dashing out the door with Hiroshi right behind me. Oh dear, I think
Kasumi's mad. Oh well, she'll have cooled down by the time we get home. I pop
the trunk and Hiro-chan and I put our stuff in.
"Yay! We're off!" I say delightedly as I hop into the car and start the engine.
Hiroshi leans back in his seat and sighs.
"So, Sato-chan, you never did tell me where we were going."
"Uh-uh," I reply. "That's a surprise."
Hiro giggles. "OK, Sato. Whatever you want."
We're out of Masara now and onto the freeway, and I can devote one hand to
reaching over and pulling Hiroshi to lean against me. He sighs and snuggles
against me. He's such a snuggler, my Hiro-chan.
"Have I told you I love you today?" I ask, my eyes flickering down briefly to
his golden hair.
"Yes, but tell me again," he says.
"I love you, Hiro-chan."
~~~~~
(Hiroshi)
I love it when he says that. I don't think my darling Satoshi has any idea just
how much of an impact his words have on me. Even little things like that...
I really wish he'd let me know what the surprise is, though. He can be stubborn
about these things. It's sort of tradition on our anniversaries, if anything.
Ever since the first...
But I love him that much more...just because of the little things he *does* to
show me how much he loves me.
I snuggle closer, being careful not to jar anything. We've already had one brush
with death today, I don't need to go and repeat history.
I close my eyes, though, because it's nice just snuggling like this. It'll be
better when we're not in a car, and a room of our own...but I'll just have to
wait for that, now won't I?
I haven't said anything in awhile, though, so I turn and kiss his shoulder- just
because it's there. "You're really sneaky about your surprises, Sato-chan. Sure
you can't share with me?"
He chuckles. "I'm very sure."
"Oh pllllease, Sato-chan, please, please, pleaseee?" I kiss his cheek. "Please?"
"Ehhh... Hiro, not while I'm driving, please..."
I pout and sigh, kissing his cheek. "Oh all right if you say so..."
~~~~~
Hiroshi can be damned distracting sometimes, but there are better places to
carry on these activities than the backseat of a car on the side of a road.
Better places like where I'm taking him. I hope he'll like it- I think he will,
I hope he will.
I turn the CD player on, with the volume down to low, and my love song anthology
in the player. "They're playing our song," Hiroshi whispers drowsily.
"Yeah," I agree simply.
We drive like that for an hour, with the music on low and Hiro-chan snuggled up
against me. I can see our destination up ahead, as I take the off-ramp and
travel through the little town and out to the countryside.
"Here, Hiro-chan," I say, nudging him as we pull up at the small woodland type
resort, complete with rustic cabins. I haul the stuff from the trunk, letting us
into the cabin I've rented.
~~~~~
Sato-chan's putting away our stuff as I crash on the couch. It's not that he
didn't try to stop me. I'm just so tired and that was such a long ride...
"Hiroshi?"
"Mmm?" I murmur, rolling over. I feel a hand on my shoulder. "Love, I got
everything inside. Want to come to be with me?"
"Mmm...I don't want to move..."
"Hiro-chaaannn." He should know not to mess with the master. I have that whine
down completely...
"Sato..." I throw my arm over his shoulder and pull him close, "I like it here
don't make me move..."
"Hiro-chan..." he whispers faintly.
I kiss his cheek. "Please?"
"I guess I'll have to get my way at least once in my life..." he murmurs then I
feel like I'm floating. Oh, I guess that's because he picked me up...
"Satoshi!" I giggle, spinning like I am.
"Hiroshi, stop squirming!" But he's laughing too so I know he's not serious.
But then it all abruptly drops away and I'm lying on the bed. It's nice and soft
and I don't want to move. Satoshi's suddenly a pleasant weight and warmth...
"Hiro-chan..." he whispers before kissing me. I wrap my arms up around him,
kissing him back, "I love you..."
I open my eyes for a moment, smiling sleepily at him. "Love you too, Satoshi.
Happy anniversary..."
He smiles and kisses me again. "Happy anniversary, Hiro-chan..."
Of course, I don't think I decided I wanted to sleep. It just sort of
happened...
~~~~~
Aw...nuts, he's asleep. Little brat. You're not supposed to fall asleep on your
anniversary vacation. Although I guess I am a little tired. It was a pretty long
drive for me.
I poke Hiroshi experimentally. No response. I sigh. When Hiroshi crashes, he
crashes, and he won't wake up if a marching band walks by or an earthquake
occurs.
Well, nuts. I guess I should get some rest then, but first I need a snack. I dig
in one of the bags I brought with me, and pull out a cooler and some other food.
I take it to the kitchen, leaving the food on the counter and emptying the
cooler into the fridge and putting the icepacks in the freezer.
I quickly boil some water and make myself a cup of tea, and fix myself some
crackers and cheese to go with it. After putting the cheese back in the 'fridge,
I join Hiroshi in the bedroom. Although unlike him, I choose to at least change
into my pajamas before lying down on the bed and pulling him close to me. And,
of course, I fall asleep...
~~~~~
I feel my Satoshi's arms around me when I wake in the morning. Turning over, I
find him sleeping beside me. Just the way it's supposed to be...
At least today I'll be able to figure out what he has planned for our
anniversary... So I lean close and kiss him, trying to wake him. "Sato-chan,
wakey-wakey." But there's no response. I shake him a little, annoyed at his lack
of conscious state.
"Sato-chan!"
Nothing.
With a sigh, I roll him over and straddle his waist, leaning down and kissing
him again. He mutters something, I think I'm getting a reaction! "Sato-chan..."
I kiss him again and then when he's blinking up at me I start tickling his
sides. Within five minutes we're a pair of very awake, yet out of breath, guys
tangled up in sheets...
"So, Satoshi," I'm trying to worm my way out of this mess I've gotten myself
into, kissing his cheek since I happen to find it available, "what are we going
to do today?"
~~~~~
I blink at him innocently. "Do? What do you think we should do?" He glares at
me, and I laugh. "Well, we have a beautiful cabin out in the middle of the
woods. There are lots of things to do. Just enjoy the scenery." I point.
"There's a nice hammock outside if we wanna snuggle. And I have dinner
reservations in town for tonight. And it'll be really special, but you have to
wait 'till later, OK?"
Hiroshi grins. "You like secrets, don't you?"
I just smile sweetly at him, and then I yelp as his hands make contact with my
ribs again. I shriek like a girl and try to get away from him. "You're evil, you
know that, Sato?"
I'm giggling to hard to make a reply other than "W-w-who's *gasp* evil *choke*?"
He gives me an innocent expression, and I seize the slight opportunity to roll
over, so now I'm the one sitting on top of him. I do have a size advantage- he's
trying to get me off unsuccessfully. "Who's the man?" I ask, grinning at him and
pinning his hands above his head.
~~~~~
I glare at him, even as I squirm and try and break his hold. "I am not going to
say that! You can not make me say that!"
He just smirks at me from his superior position. "It's not that hard, Hiro-chan.
You can say it."
I can't help but blush. "No, no, no! I am not going to...nooo! Satoshi, don't
lick my neck!"
But he does again, leaning down to get a good angle, and I writhe about, trying
to free myself from the slimy assault. "Satoshi, no- no!"
I start laughing and I can't help myself. But Satoshi's not giving up. Can he
ever be *stubborn*! "All right, all right," I gasp as I try and gulp down
breaths of fresh air, "you're the man, are you *happy*?!"
He smiles and leans down again, kissing me and letting go of my hands. "I am,
very much so, my love."
I smile and glomp onto him, hard enough that we end up rolling off the bed. That
sends us into another spasm of laughter and giggles.
"So," It's sort of strange that we're snuggling on the floor of the bedroom now,
but it can't be helped, "can you want until later?" he asks.
I nod. "I can, Sato-chan, I can. But there's still something I want to do..." I
smile sweetly and he lifts an eyebrow.
"Oh? And that is?"
"Eat breakfast. I'm starving. And it's early enough that we can still watch
cartoons!"
He laughs softly. "Is that really what you want to do, Hiro?"
I nod and pout. "I love snuggling with you and watching TV. I know it's not that
romantic..."
He shakes his head and pulls me closer to kiss me, "Anything is romantic,
Hiroshi, when I'm with you."
I blush again. "Even when we had to clean the rain gutter together that one
time?"
He laughs and snuggles closer, and he says that I'm a snuggler, "Yes, even when
we had to clean the gutter together."
I don't quite know what to say. So... "I love you." I tell him softly. That will
just have to do.
~~~~~
I'm blushing. Silly. I know he loves me, but every time he says so, I can't help
but flush. I think he sometimes does it just to see me turn red. "You're cute
when you blush," he teases me.
"I love you too," I reply, pulling him closer. (Not that that's technically
possible...)
"Do you want to go for a walk in the woods when we get done watching..." I look.
"Pokemon? You know, we should be too old to watch this."
Hiroshi holds up his shoe. "Size seven..."
I snicker. "Shoe size aside, Hiro-kun."
"Who cares?" Hiro replies. "But the walk sounds nice. It seems to be a pretty
area. Lots of flowers."
~~~~~
"Then that's what we can do," My Sato says as he feathers a hand through my hair
and we get comfortable watching Pokemon.
It's an old episode...I think we've both seen it half a million times before.
Don't you love re-runs? "Mm, Sato?" I ask.
"Yeah, Hiroshi?"
"What are we going to have for breakfast?"
"Oh really, Hiroshi..."
I give him a pouty look and he melts to goo. "Sato-chan, you can't expect me to
go traipsing through the forest with nothing on my stomach, do you?"
He grins and kisses my nose. "You're evil, you know that?"
I blink innocently. "Me?"
"Don't do that or I don't think we'll get any walking done," he says with a
delighted little grin and I squeak and blush, "what do you want for breakfast?"
"Do we have cereal?" I ask meekly.
Satoshi laughs. "You're really going for the childish outlook today, aren't
you?"
"Got a problem with it?" I retort, sticking out my tongue.
~~~~~
I laugh. "Not at all, Hiro-chaaaan," I tease him. "It's really adorable,
actually. Just kind of weird."
"I miss being kids," he replies. "We didn't have to worry about anything."
I raise an eyebrow. "Of course we didn't...except for grades, and what other
people thought of us, and-"
"OK, OK," he laughs, waving his hands. "Point taken!"
The Pokemon episode is over, so I stand up and offer Hiro my hand, hauling him
up as well. "Come on, let's get your garbage disposal of a stomach some
breakfast, and then we can go for a walk."
~~~~~
After we're finished with breakfast (and my Sato-chan says that *I* have a
garbage disposal for a stomach), Satoshi and I find ourselves walking outside.
You know, I was right...
It is nice out... and the flowers are nice... heck, everything is nice. I think
I'm having a problem... you know, with describing things today.
I don't care, though. I'm just happy to be with him. And the great thing? Soon
we're going to be able to have that dinner in town... We've spent most of the
day playing around and just enjoying ourselves...
I cling onto his arm as we start back towards the cabin. "Have I told you that I
loved you lately?"
"Hmmm..." he sounds thoughtful. "No."
"Well, I do. Love you, Satoshi."
I love the way he looks after I've said that... "I love you too."
Because he has no idea just what those words do to me...
"I'm glad we have this weekend together. You always come up with the best plans
for us, Satoshi."
"Well, you inspire me."
I laugh softly. "Thank you. Now..."
"Hmm?"
The cabin is in sight now... "You're not going to give me even a teeny clue
about tonight, are you?"
"Nope." He replies with a laugh.
"But Satoshi!"
"Don't you want to be surprised?"
"Well, of course I do... I just want to know now..."
"Hiroshi..."
"You know I can wait for it, Sato-chan... because it's going to be perfect."
"You have that much faith in me?" he asks with a smile.
"That much and more. Come on, let's take a shower now!"
God this has been a fun weekend... and it's still just the beginning... so it
can only get better.
~~~~~
We're both dressed up in semi-formal outfits and ready to go to dinner. I put on
a mock-gallant show for him, opening his car door with a sweep of my hand. "My
lord," I say, in a gallant tone of voice, and he giggles. I hop into the
driver's seat and we head off to town.
Our destination is a steak house on the edge of town, where the woods begin to
swallow it up. I again open his car door for him and tease him some more. I
laugh, because I realize we're flirting like schoolchildren again.
"Love you, Hiro," I tell him with a smile. "I don't say that enough."
"Yes you do," he says. "Only about every ten minutes!"
"Oh?" I reply archly. "Do you mind?"
"Not in the slightest," he replies, as we go inside.
I speak briefly with the waitress, and she nods and smiles, leading us into the
back room, shutting the door behind us. A table is set for two, with flowers on
Hiroshi's plate, a note tied around the stem saying, "From Satoshi, with love on
our anniversary." White candles match the tablecloth, and a bottle of champagne
is the centerpiece.
"Oh, Sato-chan, it's beautiful," Hiroshi says, hugging me around the waist.
I grin, reaching behind me to press play on the CD player behind me. A familiar
tune begins playing softly, and I draw Hiro against me, swaying softly to the
music.
~~~~~
Oh god... I feel like I'm being overwhelmed with too much emotion and sensory
input. But... I thought that earlier was perfect...this has to be nearly
divine...
It's almost like the first time we ever danced together...but this has years and
years behind it and it's just so beyond words... "I'm so glad we met, Satoshi,"
I whisper under my breath, pressing closer against him.
"I'm glad I tried running in on those bullies who wanted to take your lunch
money," he replies just as softly.
"We've changed a lot, haven't we...?" I ask after a moment, swaying, swaying.
"But we're still the same..." he replies and it just blends in right with the
music. I feel like we're spinning...or maybe it's just the world... Whatever it
is, I don't want it to end. I don't want this moment to end. But I know we're
going to have to go on...
Just...for the moment...this is better than anything else...
"Hiro?" I hear Satoshi murmur, and I look up. Our eyes meet, and then he leans
close to kiss me. And...he's kiss me a million times before it seems...but this
is better than anything before...
~~~~~
I pull Hiroshi closer to me as we kiss. At the moment, it feels like...I'm being
given an incredible gift- I could swear Hiro's soul is melting into mine...or
maybe it's the other way 'round. I honestly can't tell and don't care.
"Hiro..." I'm muttering against his mouth. "I love you, I love you, I love..."
He giggles. "I love you, too."
I break away, looking into his soft, smiling blue eyes. "You want to eat?"
He nods, and I poke my head out the door, gesturing the waitress over.
***
Later that night, I lie with Hiroshi in my arms, the moonlight shining on his
face. I feel like I melt into the shadows, like we personify the night. We go
together so well....and, like the moonlight and the shadows, we will always be
together.
~~~~~
(Shigeru)
I peek in the window to see Hiroshi and Satoshi spooned together, and smile.
They don't need me anymore. I think I realized that awhile ago, but something
happened tonight. Their hearts beat as one.
I smile and float off to visit Nanami and Kasumi. If I see that they will be all
right, I think I can put my soul at rest.
Nanami and Kasumi are sleeping chest to chest with their arms wrapped around
each other. Sometimes I wonder how they keep from getting stuck to each other.
They certainly look like they're tangled up. It gives a new meaning to "wrapped
up in each other". A small smile crosses Kasumi's face, and I see her tuck her
head under Nanami's chin.
They will be all right, as well.
I float into the room. Kasumi was apparently not asleep before, although she
looked as though she was. I want to talk to her. The level-headed Kasumi will be
the best one to tell.
"Shhh," I whisper. "Don't wake her up."
She gives me an odd look. "What are you doing in here, Shigeru? Hentai!"
"No, no!" I protest, waving my hands. "Not at all! I just wanted to talk to
you!"
"It couldn't _wait_?"
"No...Kasumi, I'm leaving."
"Leaving?" Her tone is almost incredulous. "For where?"
I smile. "I don't know, exactly. Somewhere I should have gone a long time ago."
Her face pales a little and she tries to sit up. I solidify enough to hold her
down so she doesn't disturb Nanami. "Shigeru- are you sure? I mean, you've been
here so long-"
I sigh. "Honestly, Kasumi, I have no idea why I was tied here in the first
place. Maybe it was my destiny to meet Satoshi and Hiroshi- and you and Nanami
as well- but I died before I could fulfill it. But my soul was put at rest
tonight, and I'm...tired, Kasumi. I've been here longer than I should have, and
you guys don't need me anymore."
"But Shigeru-!" she protests.
I can feel myself growing lighter, and I think I'm glowing softly. Kasumi gasps,
and I look behind me and see wings. I flutter them experimentally.
"I love you, Kasumi. Tell the others that I'm fine and I love them too.
Goodbye!" My feet push off the ground and I'm fluttering in midair.
"Goodbye, Shigeru, I love you too," she whispers, so softly I can barely hear.
She then waves a little, almost desperately. My last view before I fly through
the ceiling is of Kasumi trying to discreetly wipe away a tear while stroking
Nanami's dark hair.
But I know they'll be all right.
Because now they have each other.
Chapter Three
By dana-chan and Lucia
Disclaimer: We don't own Pokemon, Pikachu, or Monopoly. Neither of us sees dead
people, but if you sue us, we'll pretend we do, and then plead insanity.
Author's Notes:
Lucia: Lookie! The third part! And I confess, the ending is entirely my fault.
Dana: Which wasn't a bad thing, because I loved it to bits. We hope *you* love
it bits as well! Don't we?
Lucia: *looks around darkly* Noooo...must torture readers...evil...*blinks
nervously* Um, right, right!
Dana: *giggles* Yes, what she said. One thing to note in this chapter, though,
is the change of POV... It's Shigeru/Satoshi for the first part, then changes to
Hiroshi/Satoshi, and ends in Shigeru's POV... Could be confusing so I wanted to
point it out. ^^
Lucia: *muttering darkly, ignores Dana* Must...scare..readers...
Dana: Ahehhhheh... *giggles nervously* Yes, what she said again. Please, enjoy
the fic. ^^
Lucia: *looks up absently from where she's mixing some dangerous-looking
chemicals, waves, and goes back to...whatever she's doing*
Dana: *waves* Bye bye! ^_^
Archiving: Nope, this is ours, and WE (not Lucia and I, I think I'm being
imperial here) ARE MEAN! Archiving only on end of summer and Lucia's site.
Okay, and fanfiction.net too. Cause I'm nice. Confuzzling sentences, ne?
Feedback: Feed the kitties! And the authors too. ^^ Millions of authors die each
year due to lack of feedback... Have a heart! Give some feedback!
~~~~~
I grin, sipping some coffee out of a cup. If I wasn't already dead, I'd probably
think this stuff was trying to kill me, but since I am, and I feel like having a
coffee buzz...ever seen a hyper ghost? I tend to literally bounce off the walls
after having coffee.
Satoshi's mother passed on a year ago, leaving the big, old house to Satoshi and
Nanami. And since it's big...Both happy couples of Satoshi and Hiroshi and
Nanami and Kasumi live here, now. And I'm one happy ghost, since I have people
living in my house who not only don't run off screaming, but actually count me
as their friend.
Hiroshi stumbles downstairs, trying to get his shirt on frontwards at the same
time. He leaves for work at nine.
Nanami is our homemaker; she stays around with me and cooks and cleans while the
others go off to their jobs in the day- Hiroshi and Satoshi at a toy company,
and Kasumi as a school teacher.
"Nnngh," he grunts at Satoshi, who already looks entirely too cheerful.
"Good morning, love," Satoshi says as Hiroshi sits down across from him. Nanami
hands him a huge plate of food, and Hiro quickly wakes up and begins to down it.
"Mmmph!" Hiroshi says after a minute, and Sato's grinning at him. I have a
sneaking suspicion they're playing footsie under the table. Nanami rolls her
eyes at me before retreating back into the kitchen.
"Know what today is?" Sato questions me.
"Nooo..." I say, trying to remember the date.
"It's Hiroshi and my anniversary. We're going on vacation to celebrate. Leaving
tonight and getting back Sunday morning."
Oh, yeah, it's Friday.
"OK," I say, absently. "Maybe I'll go out or something so Nanami and Kasumi can
have the house to themselves."
~~~~~
"That might be a good idea, they deserve to have some time alone, too." I poke
at my food before taking a bite, toying with the piece before actually eating.
"Where do you plan on going, then?"
Shigeru makes a non-committal noise.
I wish he were solid, at least then I'd kick him.
"Oh come on, that's no answer at all." I say with a mock glare. "At the least,
aren't you going to miss us?"
He blinks innocently at me. "Well I don't think you'd find me useful in the
situation so I guess I'm going to have to miss you."
Hiroshi makes a weak choking noise and Shigeru pats him on the back to clear
that up. My love's not the only one who's blushing...
"Anyway, what *do* you plan to do while we're gone? You never answered that,
Shigeru!" That, and I know we have to get to work soon. At least Hiroshi and I
finished packing most of what we need last night...all we have left is a few
pieces of last minute stuff...
This is going to be a perfect weekend. Eh, I hope it's one, that is.
~~~~~
I guess I shouldn't tell them that I'll probably be running back and forth
between spying on them and spying on Nanami and Kasumi.
"Um...heh heh," I laugh nervously, trying to come up with something. "I heard
there was a musical playing in Tamamushi. Maybe I'll go see it and do some
shopping there."
Satoshi gives me an odd look.
"Well, as much as a ghost can shop," I amend. "I _do_ like looking at stuff. And
if I see something I really like, I can form solid and buy it."
"And where do you get money?" Hiroshi says, curious.
"I have my sources," I reply, grinning.
Satoshi and Hiroshi apparently decide to stare romantically into each other's
eyes while they finish breakfast, and I think they're playing footsie again. But
it's hard to tell. I rolling my eyes- they're still like a couple of teenagers-
I take my coffee mug into the kitchen.
~~~~~
I sort of lose myself in Hiroshi's eyes, and I like where I find myself. Yes,
this is going to be a perfect weekend. One of the better ones in our
relationship, I must admit.
All right, so if I'm about to get sappy, every day with him is better than the
one before.
I love him so very much. Anyway, it's fun playing with him this way.
"We're gonna have such a fun weekend, aren't we Hiro-chan?"
He nods and sips at his orange juice. "The best vacation that we've had in
forever. *Plus* it's our anniversary..." He smiles at me in that sort of knowing
way. Of yes, this is going to be a wonderful weekend.
I sigh and then look at the clock on the wall. "Are you finished? We need to go
soon..."
I look back and he crinkles his nose at me. "Why do we have to work today?"
"Because it's our responsibility..."
He hmphs and sighs. "It's not fair."
"Oh, I'll make it up to you..."
I *love* it when he blushes...
~~~~~
I grin, watching from the kitchen. Sap alert! Those two are too sweet sometimes.
I mean, they're cavity inducing.
As opposed to Nanami and Kasumi, who are just silly. I missed them, though,
since Kasumi had to leave earlier.
Maybe I will go see that musical tonight. It was supposed to be good, and they
do need some time alone without a voyeuristic ghost (but you didn't hear that
from me!).
"Let's go," I hear Satoshi say, and the sound of chairs scraping the floor came
from the dining room.
"I'll come with you," I say, floating in. "I'm kind of bored."
"Being a ghost must be," Hiroshi agrees. "Not a whole lot to do, huh?"
No, not really. I kind of miss matchmaking, like I used to do when I was
younger, but everyone who knows about me already has someone.
We're out the door now- the two walk to work since it's so close. They're
crossing the street when I see a car turn the corner sharply and come barreling
towards the two in a zig-zag pattern.
"Look out!" I yelp, forming my hands solid enough to push them out of the way.
They both look dazed for a minute, before Satoshi shakes his head. "Geru? Geru,
are you OK?" He hasn't called me Geru in awhile. I appear, floating in midair.
"Don't worry, I'm already dead, remember?"
He breathes a sigh of relief. "Yeah, but...you never know, it could still hurt
you..."
~~~~~
"But... I mean... are you sure you're okay?"
Shigeru nods and waves his hand dismissively. "Of course I am! Stop worrying
about me, Satoshi!"
"But..."
"I said don't!"
"Oh all right..."
I sigh. So I don't believe him. I put my hand on Hiroshi's shoulder. "Are you
okay?"
He smiles and nods. That was a brush with death that I didn't expect... not that
you ever expect these things to happen... You know one thing I've never asked
Shigeru? Even though I've known him two-thirds of my life? How he died...
"Think we can go to work?" Hiroshi asks.
I don't know what to say...so I nod.
He smiles shakily. "Okay then, on we go."
He takes my hand it's sort of nice after that. At least I'm not worrying
anymore. But that car could have *killed* us...and now it's no where in sight...
Hiroshi kisses me outside our place of work, distracting me very well.
"Sato-chan, stop worrying so much. You're all right, I'm all right, Shigeru's
all right, we're all all right..."
This is going to be a good day, though, and the weekend is going to be even
better. So even if I'm a little shaky... "I love you, Hiro-chan."
He smiles and gets on his tip-toes again to kiss me. He's still shorter than me
by a while... "Love you too."
He smiles and holds my hand still. Yes, everything is still all right...
~~~~~
I snicker. One fine day in spring...
"Have fun at work, you two!" I yell, floating off to just wander around and
window shop or whatnot.
Several hours later, when I finally return home, I'm greeted by flying objects.
Satoshi and Hiroshi are packing for their trip, and I'm guessing one or both of
them can't find something (big surprise there) and their solution is to just
throw everything around, hoping the missing object will surface.
I laugh, because I can hear Kasumi in there, yelling at them for not keeping
their things neater, and it's a miracle they don't lose more stuff to their
room, like job documents, the job itself, blah blah blah.
"Welcome to Chaos Hotel," Nanami says from the couch where she's watching TV.
"Would you like a normal room or a suite?"
I grin at her. "They're all the sweetness I need," nodding towards Hiroshi and
Satoshi's room. However, I hope they finish packing soon...
~~~~~
I squeak, dashing out the door with Hiroshi right behind me. Oh dear, I think
Kasumi's mad. Oh well, she'll have cooled down by the time we get home. I pop
the trunk and Hiro-chan and I put our stuff in.
"Yay! We're off!" I say delightedly as I hop into the car and start the engine.
Hiroshi leans back in his seat and sighs.
"So, Sato-chan, you never did tell me where we were going."
"Uh-uh," I reply. "That's a surprise."
Hiro giggles. "OK, Sato. Whatever you want."
We're out of Masara now and onto the freeway, and I can devote one hand to
reaching over and pulling Hiroshi to lean against me. He sighs and snuggles
against me. He's such a snuggler, my Hiro-chan.
"Have I told you I love you today?" I ask, my eyes flickering down briefly to
his golden hair.
"Yes, but tell me again," he says.
"I love you, Hiro-chan."
~~~~~
(Hiroshi)
I love it when he says that. I don't think my darling Satoshi has any idea just
how much of an impact his words have on me. Even little things like that...
I really wish he'd let me know what the surprise is, though. He can be stubborn
about these things. It's sort of tradition on our anniversaries, if anything.
Ever since the first...
But I love him that much more...just because of the little things he *does* to
show me how much he loves me.
I snuggle closer, being careful not to jar anything. We've already had one brush
with death today, I don't need to go and repeat history.
I close my eyes, though, because it's nice just snuggling like this. It'll be
better when we're not in a car, and a room of our own...but I'll just have to
wait for that, now won't I?
I haven't said anything in awhile, though, so I turn and kiss his shoulder- just
because it's there. "You're really sneaky about your surprises, Sato-chan. Sure
you can't share with me?"
He chuckles. "I'm very sure."
"Oh pllllease, Sato-chan, please, please, pleaseee?" I kiss his cheek. "Please?"
"Ehhh... Hiro, not while I'm driving, please..."
I pout and sigh, kissing his cheek. "Oh all right if you say so..."
~~~~~
Hiroshi can be damned distracting sometimes, but there are better places to
carry on these activities than the backseat of a car on the side of a road.
Better places like where I'm taking him. I hope he'll like it- I think he will,
I hope he will.
I turn the CD player on, with the volume down to low, and my love song anthology
in the player. "They're playing our song," Hiroshi whispers drowsily.
"Yeah," I agree simply.
We drive like that for an hour, with the music on low and Hiro-chan snuggled up
against me. I can see our destination up ahead, as I take the off-ramp and
travel through the little town and out to the countryside.
"Here, Hiro-chan," I say, nudging him as we pull up at the small woodland type
resort, complete with rustic cabins. I haul the stuff from the trunk, letting us
into the cabin I've rented.
~~~~~
Sato-chan's putting away our stuff as I crash on the couch. It's not that he
didn't try to stop me. I'm just so tired and that was such a long ride...
"Hiroshi?"
"Mmm?" I murmur, rolling over. I feel a hand on my shoulder. "Love, I got
everything inside. Want to come to be with me?"
"Mmm...I don't want to move..."
"Hiro-chaaannn." He should know not to mess with the master. I have that whine
down completely...
"Sato..." I throw my arm over his shoulder and pull him close, "I like it here
don't make me move..."
"Hiro-chan..." he whispers faintly.
I kiss his cheek. "Please?"
"I guess I'll have to get my way at least once in my life..." he murmurs then I
feel like I'm floating. Oh, I guess that's because he picked me up...
"Satoshi!" I giggle, spinning like I am.
"Hiroshi, stop squirming!" But he's laughing too so I know he's not serious.
But then it all abruptly drops away and I'm lying on the bed. It's nice and soft
and I don't want to move. Satoshi's suddenly a pleasant weight and warmth...
"Hiro-chan..." he whispers before kissing me. I wrap my arms up around him,
kissing him back, "I love you..."
I open my eyes for a moment, smiling sleepily at him. "Love you too, Satoshi.
Happy anniversary..."
He smiles and kisses me again. "Happy anniversary, Hiro-chan..."
Of course, I don't think I decided I wanted to sleep. It just sort of
happened...
~~~~~
Aw...nuts, he's asleep. Little brat. You're not supposed to fall asleep on your
anniversary vacation. Although I guess I am a little tired. It was a pretty long
drive for me.
I poke Hiroshi experimentally. No response. I sigh. When Hiroshi crashes, he
crashes, and he won't wake up if a marching band walks by or an earthquake
occurs.
Well, nuts. I guess I should get some rest then, but first I need a snack. I dig
in one of the bags I brought with me, and pull out a cooler and some other food.
I take it to the kitchen, leaving the food on the counter and emptying the
cooler into the fridge and putting the icepacks in the freezer.
I quickly boil some water and make myself a cup of tea, and fix myself some
crackers and cheese to go with it. After putting the cheese back in the 'fridge,
I join Hiroshi in the bedroom. Although unlike him, I choose to at least change
into my pajamas before lying down on the bed and pulling him close to me. And,
of course, I fall asleep...
~~~~~
I feel my Satoshi's arms around me when I wake in the morning. Turning over, I
find him sleeping beside me. Just the way it's supposed to be...
At least today I'll be able to figure out what he has planned for our
anniversary... So I lean close and kiss him, trying to wake him. "Sato-chan,
wakey-wakey." But there's no response. I shake him a little, annoyed at his lack
of conscious state.
"Sato-chan!"
Nothing.
With a sigh, I roll him over and straddle his waist, leaning down and kissing
him again. He mutters something, I think I'm getting a reaction! "Sato-chan..."
I kiss him again and then when he's blinking up at me I start tickling his
sides. Within five minutes we're a pair of very awake, yet out of breath, guys
tangled up in sheets...
"So, Satoshi," I'm trying to worm my way out of this mess I've gotten myself
into, kissing his cheek since I happen to find it available, "what are we going
to do today?"
~~~~~
I blink at him innocently. "Do? What do you think we should do?" He glares at
me, and I laugh. "Well, we have a beautiful cabin out in the middle of the
woods. There are lots of things to do. Just enjoy the scenery." I point.
"There's a nice hammock outside if we wanna snuggle. And I have dinner
reservations in town for tonight. And it'll be really special, but you have to
wait 'till later, OK?"
Hiroshi grins. "You like secrets, don't you?"
I just smile sweetly at him, and then I yelp as his hands make contact with my
ribs again. I shriek like a girl and try to get away from him. "You're evil, you
know that, Sato?"
I'm giggling to hard to make a reply other than "W-w-who's *gasp* evil *choke*?"
He gives me an innocent expression, and I seize the slight opportunity to roll
over, so now I'm the one sitting on top of him. I do have a size advantage- he's
trying to get me off unsuccessfully. "Who's the man?" I ask, grinning at him and
pinning his hands above his head.
~~~~~
I glare at him, even as I squirm and try and break his hold. "I am not going to
say that! You can not make me say that!"
He just smirks at me from his superior position. "It's not that hard, Hiro-chan.
You can say it."
I can't help but blush. "No, no, no! I am not going to...nooo! Satoshi, don't
lick my neck!"
But he does again, leaning down to get a good angle, and I writhe about, trying
to free myself from the slimy assault. "Satoshi, no- no!"
I start laughing and I can't help myself. But Satoshi's not giving up. Can he
ever be *stubborn*! "All right, all right," I gasp as I try and gulp down
breaths of fresh air, "you're the man, are you *happy*?!"
He smiles and leans down again, kissing me and letting go of my hands. "I am,
very much so, my love."
I smile and glomp onto him, hard enough that we end up rolling off the bed. That
sends us into another spasm of laughter and giggles.
"So," It's sort of strange that we're snuggling on the floor of the bedroom now,
but it can't be helped, "can you want until later?" he asks.
I nod. "I can, Sato-chan, I can. But there's still something I want to do..." I
smile sweetly and he lifts an eyebrow.
"Oh? And that is?"
"Eat breakfast. I'm starving. And it's early enough that we can still watch
cartoons!"
He laughs softly. "Is that really what you want to do, Hiro?"
I nod and pout. "I love snuggling with you and watching TV. I know it's not that
romantic..."
He shakes his head and pulls me closer to kiss me, "Anything is romantic,
Hiroshi, when I'm with you."
I blush again. "Even when we had to clean the rain gutter together that one
time?"
He laughs and snuggles closer, and he says that I'm a snuggler, "Yes, even when
we had to clean the gutter together."
I don't quite know what to say. So... "I love you." I tell him softly. That will
just have to do.
~~~~~
I'm blushing. Silly. I know he loves me, but every time he says so, I can't help
but flush. I think he sometimes does it just to see me turn red. "You're cute
when you blush," he teases me.
"I love you too," I reply, pulling him closer. (Not that that's technically
possible...)
"Do you want to go for a walk in the woods when we get done watching..." I look.
"Pokemon? You know, we should be too old to watch this."
Hiroshi holds up his shoe. "Size seven..."
I snicker. "Shoe size aside, Hiro-kun."
"Who cares?" Hiro replies. "But the walk sounds nice. It seems to be a pretty
area. Lots of flowers."
~~~~~
"Then that's what we can do," My Sato says as he feathers a hand through my hair
and we get comfortable watching Pokemon.
It's an old episode...I think we've both seen it half a million times before.
Don't you love re-runs? "Mm, Sato?" I ask.
"Yeah, Hiroshi?"
"What are we going to have for breakfast?"
"Oh really, Hiroshi..."
I give him a pouty look and he melts to goo. "Sato-chan, you can't expect me to
go traipsing through the forest with nothing on my stomach, do you?"
He grins and kisses my nose. "You're evil, you know that?"
I blink innocently. "Me?"
"Don't do that or I don't think we'll get any walking done," he says with a
delighted little grin and I squeak and blush, "what do you want for breakfast?"
"Do we have cereal?" I ask meekly.
Satoshi laughs. "You're really going for the childish outlook today, aren't
you?"
"Got a problem with it?" I retort, sticking out my tongue.
~~~~~
I laugh. "Not at all, Hiro-chaaaan," I tease him. "It's really adorable,
actually. Just kind of weird."
"I miss being kids," he replies. "We didn't have to worry about anything."
I raise an eyebrow. "Of course we didn't...except for grades, and what other
people thought of us, and-"
"OK, OK," he laughs, waving his hands. "Point taken!"
The Pokemon episode is over, so I stand up and offer Hiro my hand, hauling him
up as well. "Come on, let's get your garbage disposal of a stomach some
breakfast, and then we can go for a walk."
~~~~~
After we're finished with breakfast (and my Sato-chan says that *I* have a
garbage disposal for a stomach), Satoshi and I find ourselves walking outside.
You know, I was right...
It is nice out... and the flowers are nice... heck, everything is nice. I think
I'm having a problem... you know, with describing things today.
I don't care, though. I'm just happy to be with him. And the great thing? Soon
we're going to be able to have that dinner in town... We've spent most of the
day playing around and just enjoying ourselves...
I cling onto his arm as we start back towards the cabin. "Have I told you that I
loved you lately?"
"Hmmm..." he sounds thoughtful. "No."
"Well, I do. Love you, Satoshi."
I love the way he looks after I've said that... "I love you too."
Because he has no idea just what those words do to me...
"I'm glad we have this weekend together. You always come up with the best plans
for us, Satoshi."
"Well, you inspire me."
I laugh softly. "Thank you. Now..."
"Hmm?"
The cabin is in sight now... "You're not going to give me even a teeny clue
about tonight, are you?"
"Nope." He replies with a laugh.
"But Satoshi!"
"Don't you want to be surprised?"
"Well, of course I do... I just want to know now..."
"Hiroshi..."
"You know I can wait for it, Sato-chan... because it's going to be perfect."
"You have that much faith in me?" he asks with a smile.
"That much and more. Come on, let's take a shower now!"
God this has been a fun weekend... and it's still just the beginning... so it
can only get better.
~~~~~
We're both dressed up in semi-formal outfits and ready to go to dinner. I put on
a mock-gallant show for him, opening his car door with a sweep of my hand. "My
lord," I say, in a gallant tone of voice, and he giggles. I hop into the
driver's seat and we head off to town.
Our destination is a steak house on the edge of town, where the woods begin to
swallow it up. I again open his car door for him and tease him some more. I
laugh, because I realize we're flirting like schoolchildren again.
"Love you, Hiro," I tell him with a smile. "I don't say that enough."
"Yes you do," he says. "Only about every ten minutes!"
"Oh?" I reply archly. "Do you mind?"
"Not in the slightest," he replies, as we go inside.
I speak briefly with the waitress, and she nods and smiles, leading us into the
back room, shutting the door behind us. A table is set for two, with flowers on
Hiroshi's plate, a note tied around the stem saying, "From Satoshi, with love on
our anniversary." White candles match the tablecloth, and a bottle of champagne
is the centerpiece.
"Oh, Sato-chan, it's beautiful," Hiroshi says, hugging me around the waist.
I grin, reaching behind me to press play on the CD player behind me. A familiar
tune begins playing softly, and I draw Hiro against me, swaying softly to the
music.
~~~~~
Oh god... I feel like I'm being overwhelmed with too much emotion and sensory
input. But... I thought that earlier was perfect...this has to be nearly
divine...
It's almost like the first time we ever danced together...but this has years and
years behind it and it's just so beyond words... "I'm so glad we met, Satoshi,"
I whisper under my breath, pressing closer against him.
"I'm glad I tried running in on those bullies who wanted to take your lunch
money," he replies just as softly.
"We've changed a lot, haven't we...?" I ask after a moment, swaying, swaying.
"But we're still the same..." he replies and it just blends in right with the
music. I feel like we're spinning...or maybe it's just the world... Whatever it
is, I don't want it to end. I don't want this moment to end. But I know we're
going to have to go on...
Just...for the moment...this is better than anything else...
"Hiro?" I hear Satoshi murmur, and I look up. Our eyes meet, and then he leans
close to kiss me. And...he's kiss me a million times before it seems...but this
is better than anything before...
~~~~~
I pull Hiroshi closer to me as we kiss. At the moment, it feels like...I'm being
given an incredible gift- I could swear Hiro's soul is melting into mine...or
maybe it's the other way 'round. I honestly can't tell and don't care.
"Hiro..." I'm muttering against his mouth. "I love you, I love you, I love..."
He giggles. "I love you, too."
I break away, looking into his soft, smiling blue eyes. "You want to eat?"
He nods, and I poke my head out the door, gesturing the waitress over.
***
Later that night, I lie with Hiroshi in my arms, the moonlight shining on his
face. I feel like I melt into the shadows, like we personify the night. We go
together so well....and, like the moonlight and the shadows, we will always be
together.
~~~~~
(Shigeru)
I peek in the window to see Hiroshi and Satoshi spooned together, and smile.
They don't need me anymore. I think I realized that awhile ago, but something
happened tonight. Their hearts beat as one.
I smile and float off to visit Nanami and Kasumi. If I see that they will be all
right, I think I can put my soul at rest.
Nanami and Kasumi are sleeping chest to chest with their arms wrapped around
each other. Sometimes I wonder how they keep from getting stuck to each other.
They certainly look like they're tangled up. It gives a new meaning to "wrapped
up in each other". A small smile crosses Kasumi's face, and I see her tuck her
head under Nanami's chin.
They will be all right, as well.
I float into the room. Kasumi was apparently not asleep before, although she
looked as though she was. I want to talk to her. The level-headed Kasumi will be
the best one to tell.
"Shhh," I whisper. "Don't wake her up."
She gives me an odd look. "What are you doing in here, Shigeru? Hentai!"
"No, no!" I protest, waving my hands. "Not at all! I just wanted to talk to
you!"
"It couldn't _wait_?"
"No...Kasumi, I'm leaving."
"Leaving?" Her tone is almost incredulous. "For where?"
I smile. "I don't know, exactly. Somewhere I should have gone a long time ago."
Her face pales a little and she tries to sit up. I solidify enough to hold her
down so she doesn't disturb Nanami. "Shigeru- are you sure? I mean, you've been
here so long-"
I sigh. "Honestly, Kasumi, I have no idea why I was tied here in the first
place. Maybe it was my destiny to meet Satoshi and Hiroshi- and you and Nanami
as well- but I died before I could fulfill it. But my soul was put at rest
tonight, and I'm...tired, Kasumi. I've been here longer than I should have, and
you guys don't need me anymore."
"But Shigeru-!" she protests.
I can feel myself growing lighter, and I think I'm glowing softly. Kasumi gasps,
and I look behind me and see wings. I flutter them experimentally.
"I love you, Kasumi. Tell the others that I'm fine and I love them too.
Goodbye!" My feet push off the ground and I'm fluttering in midair.
"Goodbye, Shigeru, I love you too," she whispers, so softly I can barely hear.
She then waves a little, almost desperately. My last view before I fly through
the ceiling is of Kasumi trying to discreetly wipe away a tear while stroking
Nanami's dark hair.
But I know they'll be all right.
Because now they have each other.