Chapter 21:

Daddy

There was no sign of Daichi or Tomaru the rest of the evening. Feeling exhausted, Emochan decided to leave a little early and have Toshira drove her home. She retired to her bedroom and sat at her desk, staring at her computer screen. Gackt was singing through her stereo speakers. "What do I do..." She thought out loud to herself. She placed a hand at her monitor and looked at the faded reflection of herself in the glass. "I will fight for you, Daichi. I'll free you. Shomehow…" she sighed. "I promise."

Her eyes fell to her arms, which bore the scars from her darkest moments. "I'll make sure there is NO more fighting after this. This has to end. I can't live like this…neither can my friends…." she said to herself. Sparkling charms attracted her gaze and she smiled upon the charm bracelet from her mom. She took it and placed it around her wrist. Her fingers played lightly with the small objects that dangled along the chain. Her mind began to drift and for the first time in years, she started to think about her father.

"Daddy!" A young Emochan cried out, chasing her father through her old backyard. His face was shadowed but he was built like a boxer: strong, toned, and tall. The two laughed as she caught up to her father and tackled him to the ground. "I got you, Daddy!" Emochan exclaimed, kissing him playfully on his cheek. He let out a loud laugh and pulled her loose hair back behind an ear.

"That you did, Emo. I can never out run you! You're so fast!" he said through his laughter, trying to catch his breath. Emochan giggled and lay down on his chest.

"Daddy...do you love me?" She asked.

"Of course, Emo. You're my princess," he said, making Emochan giggle a little.

"I love you, Daddy. I hope you're always with me!" Emochan said and got off of her father. He stood up as the sun flashed across his face. He wore a pair of glasses and his blue eyes shined through them. His short black hair rounded his face as he smiled, wiping his forehead.

"Don't worry, Emo. I will be." he said and the two headed into their home.

"You aren't here, Father. When I need guidance the most…I never think or talk about you. It's too hard. I loved you so much. Then you had to die..." she sniffled, a tear falling onto her charm bracelet.

"Emochan....Remember that I love you very much..." her father said. Emochan covered her eyes. The sight of her father in the hospital bed was too much for her. She felt his big strong hand take hers and she looked at him. He was covered in IV needles and his skin looked so pale, it was as if he was a ghost. "I am sorry, Honey. Try and be strong. Your mama will need you to be strong," he said

I must be strong for Daddy! She thought.

Emochan nodded slowly and leaned over to kiss her father on the cheek. "You're my princess, always. Remember that…" he said.

"I love you, Daddy. I hope they treat you well in Heaven," Emochan said, her voice a little shaky. Her father smiled a little.

"I've been a good boy so I think God will give me a special spot to watch you from. So you better behave!" Emochan smiled slightly. Her father smiled and yawned, closing his eyes. He was silent now.

"Daddy? Did you fall asleep, Daddy?" The young girl shook her father's limp hand.

"Emochan...it's time to go," The nurse said and Emochan walked out of the room, unaware that her father had just passed away. She joined her crying mother in the hallway.

"I'll be strong for you, Mommy! You'll see!" Emochan said. Her mother only cried harder, grasping her tightly in an embrace.

"I hated you for leaving Mom and me alone…" Emochan said in tears. "I could hear Mom crying every night after your death for weeks. I heard her screaming at God for making you sick. I hated every minute of it." She walked over to her bed and got under her covers. Tears streamed down her face as she tried to close her eyes to sleep.

"I love you, Daddy!"

"Try and be strong…"

"Will you always be with me?"

"Don't worry. I will be."

"Daddy…" Emochan sniffled, falling into a slumber.

"You're my princess, always. Remember that…"