Jayden (June 2011)

It's been 7 months since we defeated Xandred and you entered the Kaifuku state. Everyone is still living at the Shiba house waiting for you but I wouldn't have it any other way.

Mia enrolled in a cooking school in the city and has made great improvement in her abilities. She plans on cooking a great big feast when you wake up.

Kevin has resumed his training for the Olympic trials. We don't see him a lot during the day but we are proud of his dedication. He and Mia started dating a few days after that kiss in your room and they are going strong.

Antonio is still getting on with his fishing business. He says its really starting to take off so he's looking at renting a storefront and hiring other local fishers. He's also meet a girl that he really likes named Stephanie. You will love her. He's really looking forward the two of you meeting.

Mike will be the biggest surprise. He is studying game design at the university in the city. It was a shock when he told us but he's sticking with it. I don't think anybody has seen Kevin so proud before. He's convinced that it was his dedication to the samurai life and now swimming that changed Mike's attitude.

I've also started studying at the university. I'm studying business, something I can use to provide us with a stable future. I've been thinking about going into business with Antonio. To be honest I needed something to get me out of the house and somewhat living again.

I spent the first month after the battle with Xandred in your room, waiting for you to wake up or show some sign that you were still there. It took Mia slapping the back of my head and reminding me that you would want more for me to get me to start living again.

We all miss you Em, me more than anyone. It seems silly since you're still here but we miss your smile, your laugh, your general happy attitude. The house is strangely quiet without you. We all come into your room and tell you what happened during the day, hoping that you can hear us.

You're looking better though. You're not pale and the injury to your back finished healing about a month ago. I don't know if you'll walk when you wake up but it's just something we'll have to wait and see.

The glow around you is definitely stronger. I'm hoping this means you'll wake up soon. I hope so; I don't know how much longer I can go on without you next to me.

Emily

Ugh this is so annoying. I'm lying here in bed unable to move. I can't even open my eyes to let them know I'm here. I'm paralysed.

I regained consciousness about a month ago. Yes that's right. I've been lying here, unable to move for a whole month. The worst part is I can hear everything they say to me. I can hear the pain in their voices and I can't do anything to relieve it.

I can't figure out why I can't move yet. I'm awake so I should be able to move right? Apparently not. I just want to hug everyone and tell them I'm ok and that they can stop with the worry and stop feeling guilty.

It's another week later when something interesting happens. Out of nowhere I can hear a click in my back. Now I'm confused, why did my back click? Why does it feel like I can only now feel my legs?

What happened to me? I start panicking. Maybe I'm under some nighlok spell, meant to torture me by not letting me be with my loved ones. I start crying and have a panic attack at the possibility of being in this state forever. Never being able to see or talk to my friends, never seeing Mia's and Kevin's wedding, never seeing Antonio's business take off or meet Stephanie, not being there for Mike's graduation or worse, never seeing Jayden's eyes or smile again.

Something must have happened to my body during my panic because I can feel Jayden holding me, stroking my hair, hear him reassuring me and telling me to calm down.

As I work on calming down I realise that I feel like crying. It's the first time in a long time that someone has responded to me. Maybe I'm finally on my way back to him. My little panic attack has exhausted me so I go to sleep smiling.

Jayden

I'm in my room studying when I hear a voice I haven't heard in months. Emily. I start smiling thinking you've woken up when I realise that you're crying and hyperventilating. I run to your room faster than I have ever run before. Sure enough you're having a panic attack. Actually your moving so much it takes me a minute to get a hold of you. I pull you into my chest and stroke your hair.

"Shh Emily. It's ok. I'm right here ok I'm not going anywhere. Just calm down. " I hope you can hear me, I hope you can feel me next to you. I hope you're coming back to me.

Your crying slows down until its non-existent. Your breathing slowed and at first I was expecting the worse but then you rolled your head and went to sleep. The most amazing thing was that you were smiling. I realised then how much I missed your smile, how much I'm dying to have you back.

"That's a good sign. A very good sign." Mentor mused to himself. I peeled my eyes off you and looked at him. The others had come in to check on you. Everyone in the room was waiting for him to explain.

"It seems that she is starting to connect with her body and this world again." And with that he left the room. We all looked at each other with hope, hope that you would be back soon.