Chapter 12- Better late than never

He lifted her gaze from the ground with his finger under her chin. She stared into his dark stormy sea-blue eyes with guilt. They drew closer and closer until their lips touched each others in a long passionate kiss.

He tightened his grip on her and said, "I'll always be right here with you Izumi, no harm will come to you anymore". She smiled while whispering in his ear. "I love you, Koji Minamoto, I always have, I always will." "I love you too Izumi, I love you too." They fell asleep in each others arms.

The doors were all open for her now. Not keeping her locked in from the outside world. Not keeping her emotions hidden. Open for more, better experiences. All her sadness, gone. She was free. All though she could not forget her past, she remembered what she still had and would always have, friends. She was happy she wasn't afraid to make something of herself anymore because someone would be there for her, forever.

************ THE END***************