"Jama da yo…kare wa."

My heart jumped before forgetting to beat for a moment as my mouth instantly filled with saliva. I quickly covered my lips with a hand to prevent any drool from escaping. Hanako stared me down, eyes bright and piercing like a demon cat. Her hand was slowly coming out of her robes, but I could not concentrate on what it might be. My knees were shaking; I wanted to bite her…and badly.

My eyes slowly glazed over and I felt myself blacking out again. I swallowed hard, trying to regain my senses. This was not the time for a fit.

Hanako laughed low in her throat. She sounded close.

Forcing my eyes open, I saw her rush past me on my right. A sharp pain erupted from my arm and I grabbed it. My hand slipped on my sleeve, already soaking wet. I looked for my hand through my blurry eyes and finally focused on it, covered in blood. Awareness struck me hard as I felt tiny streams trickling down my sore arm. There was a nicely sized gash.

Quickly turning around, I gave myself enough time to dodge another try from Hanako. I stumbled and fell to the ground.

This was insane! I didn't understand. Hanako stood a good distance away from me this time. She held, to my disbelief, a great sword which shone a bright platinum shade in the late winter moonlight. Sure enough, the tip was glossy with blood. My blood. The hilt glistened with small gem stones which appeared to be rubies and emeralds, a couple topazes on the edges.

A beautiful piece of work, but come on! This was twenty-first century Japan; no one in their right mind carried a sword around any more, yet alone one that elegant. Was I delusional? Maybe I had blacked out and I was merely imagining this whole thing. Pain shot up and down my right arm and I felt the tiny rivers of blood begin to move toward my hand once more. This was no dream; otherwise there would be no pain.

I crawled as fast as I could, losing my sunglasses in the process. My limp arm and my uniform skirt slowed me substantially, yet I fled like a mouse from an owl. The escape was hopeless, but every creature has the right to fight for their life. I settled behind one of the largest tombstones, wanting to rest. I felt incredibly weak. Perhaps I was losing too much blood.

I ripped off part of the hem of my skirt and wrapped it around my arm, a tourniquet, just above the wound. I tied it as tightly as possible, having to use my teeth with my left hand. My other hand was useless.

"Feeling tired yet, onna?" Hanako's voice drifted over the stale graveyard air. "Don't worry, though. That cut won't kill you. You're a vampire now. It's healing as we speak, albeit slowly. You've only awoken, so you must earn your perquisites."

If it wasn't going to kill me, then why did she do it? I'll just tell Satoshi what she did to me.

"Oh, it must hurt," Hanako continued. "Just because we vampires can heal any wound doesn't mean we don't feel the pain. I almost consider it a nuisance rather than a blessing."

I attempted to move once more, but my body had become heavy.

"Some scar you'll have," Hanako said, her voice coming nearer. "You see, vampires are almost immortal creatures. We die, yes, but it takes hundreds of years. We age differently. How lucky you are to have stumbled on this unfortunate fountain of youth."

I heard footsteps. No doubt she was a few gravestones away.

"There is only one thing that can kill us before natural death finally calls or judgment day sounds. Would you like to know what it is?"

I tried to stop my breathing, be as quiet as possible.

"Take a look at your shoulder, itoshii onna."

I pulled back the piece of fabric that was sliced, exposing the gash. True, it was slowly healing, but I had to keep myself from gasping. The skin around the actual cut had turned a disgusting color of green mixed with black and rusty orange. The severed flesh puffed and swelled, oozing blood and puss. I wanted to cry.

Hanako giggled and I heard the scrape of metal against stone. The tip of the sword appeared along the edge of my hiding place. I looked up and her eyes met mine as she leaned over the tombstone.

"Silver," She said. "A cursed allergy…stings like something else, doesn't it?"

My desire to bite her had gone, but it was replaced with such fear I had never known. I cried for Satoshi in my head. He sat at home waiting for me, thinking I was shopping. I should have never lied to him. I should have listened to him from the start. Hanako was too dangerous for me to handle and I learned that the hard way.

"However—like I said—that little cut won't kill you," Hanako grinned. "So, I'd appreciate it if you sit still…because, it will be very difficult to split your heart when you are moving."

Without thinking much, I scrambled to my feet and dashed toward the gate, my right arm flapping pathetically at my side. Dodging the graves proved difficult and I barely prevented myself from falling many times. I cried as I ran, the tears finally coming, my moans strangely foreign from my dry and raw throat.

The graveyard never seemed so large. Dizziness began to consume my head as I felt fresh, hot blood squirt from my wound. All I could smell was grave earth and the irony sweetness of my own essence. Everything swam around me and it soon hit me that resistance was futile. No matter how hard and desperately I fought against Hanako, the chance of victory was in her favor.

My foot suddenly refused to lift from the ground and I fell flat. My ankle twisted as I realized my foot was trapped in a rogue tree root. I freed myself and simply curled up on the spot. My face was now covered in the muddy mess left over by melted snow. I could no longer feel my right arm and the numbness was spreading into my chest. The hunger in my stomach slowly ate at me. My head pounded and the feeling of despondency crept up my legs and choked my lungs.

"Oh dear," Hanako sighed as she reached my resting place. "I almost pity you. Yet, you've done enough damage to my family that I find that pity to be swept away quite easily."

She laughed softly as if she told a bad joke.

An arctic breeze blew and I thought I felt a drop or two of frozen rain.

"If only Satoshi could see you now," Hanako said. "Disgusting. Even a half-vampire like him could see how completely revolting you are. He deserves so much better than a rat like you."

My stomach clenched and I groaned. My jaw ached and I felt my fangs extend again. I tried my best to contain my growing hunger. I curled up tighter.

"Oh, oh," Hanako said. "Look at your fangs. You want to bite me, don't you?"

She laughed hard, mouth open wide, brandishing her own fangs.

"The idea of it," She exclaimed, "is so unfeasible!"

I closed my eyes and held them tight. The sadness in my heart was becoming unbearable. The desire for her to finally plunge her blade into my heart actually flooded my mind. Barely opening my eyes, I saw the horrid shade of death green had spread to the back of my hand.

"A lowly person like you, drink the blood of a Tajiri…it's unbelievable," Hanako sighed once more as she circled me. "But it will all be over soon. You will no longer have any hold over my Satoshi."

The blood still left in me pulsed again and I finally understood. Every time Naoko-chan mentioned Satoshi—or any boy for that matter—I had a reaction. Hanako's overprotective nature of Satoshi gave me a reaction. Ryu…Sae-chan told me he was incredibly envious of the relationship between Satoshi and me. My blood reacted to the coveting in others…their jealousy.

Tension lifted from my shoulders. I finally got my answer, what I came here for.

My slight relief put me in a daze, which was all too abruptly lifted as Hanako slashed my calf with her sword. White hot pain danced up my leg and I moaned into the dirt, biting my lip, almost piercing it with my teeth.

"Get up!" Hanako demanded. "Face me! I want to see your eyes go dark!"

I managed to lift myself to my knees, my calf beginning to swell. I looked forward, my eyes level with the silver sword held loosely in Hanako's hand. This was it. I had no energy left. My hunger raged on; only a short time before I fainted. Maybe it would be best if I were unconscious. Come on, for one time on this twisted journey, let me have a fit at the right time.

Hanako slowly approached, lifting the blade higher as she went. Her eyes widened, ready to plunge to sword, when I finally saw nothing but black.

Ah, my breath grew extremely short, but I felt no pain. Maybe this was what death felt like; weakness, dizziness and unable to fill my lungs. In a way, I was slightly disappointed.

My vision began to blur when I idiotically realized…I wasn't dying. Warm blood was dripping onto my lap, but the source was not my own chest. I blinked rapidly, repeatedly. The black I saw happened to be Satoshi's sweater, barely inches away from my face. The truth hit me so heavily; I hardly had to look to prove myself. The tip of Hanako's blade had pierced Satoshi's back and was peeking out his chest, blood dripping from it.

Satoshi groaned and slouched against me, mumbling something I couldn't understand. His sunglasses slipping from his noise fell with a clatter to the stone path.

"No, no, no," I whispered over and over again, my jaw quivering as tears began to flow endlessly down my face.

It was a dream. This was all a dream. It didn't happen.

The puddle in my lap slowly grew with Satoshi leaning his head against my shoulder as he also fell completely to his knees. I wrapped my left arm around him as if it would provide the magical touch to heal him. He coughed and more blood gurgled in his throat. His back began to quiver as if he were cold.

I knew what was happening, yet my mind did not want to grasp the concept. Sorrow was choking me as I held the dying body of the most important person in my life. I was hopeless as well as helpless, and sadly, all I could think of was that dream I had: how Hanako killed her husband in hungry greed with Satoshi watching a few feet away. History, in an odd way, was repeating itself.

I freed my face from Satoshi's mass of black hair and gazed up at his mother. She stood still, an arm shielding most of her face as if to cover up a horrid stench. Her eyes were as wide as ever, but full of fear and surprise instead of hate. She wouldn't meet my stare, yet I held my gaze. I hoped she would say something, for I was speechless myself. I was afraid to try.

Suddenly, I felt Satoshi's hand grab mine, the sickly green right one resting lifeless on the ground.

"Ka--…Kasumi."

"Satoshi," I replied automatically, trying to see his face, but his body had officially gone limp and heavier than ever against me.

Rage finally entered me as I looked up once more at Hanako. She backed up slowly and before I could say a word, she vanished. I thought her to be a coward, running away from her son. However, a second later, a glass-shattering scream split the night air. It was painful to hear; I endured by holding onto Satoshi's body until the hellish sound ceased.

Time that had slowed tremendously now seemed to speed up once more. I gently laid Satoshi on his side and shakily checked for a pulse, anything. After a couple excruciating seconds, I managed to feel a faint beat. Everything suddenly seemed a shade brighter and I quickly ripped off the bottom hem of my skirt. Wrapping it just above the wound in Satoshi's chest, I tied the knot three times as tightly as my feeble hands would allow. I wasn't sure how much a tourniquet would help at this point, but I didn't want to skip over the possibility.

I carefully took hold of the sword's jeweled hilt and eased it out of Satoshi's chest. He made no sound, no groan of pain. It worried me greater that Satoshi remained still. Yes, I found a soft beat in his pulse, but that was not good enough to ensure his precious life. The blade undoubtedly pierced his heart. No, I would not allow myself to assume such a conclusion. Satoshi was going to be fine. His eyes would open, and that sheepish grin of his would appear. He would go home with me.

I threw the weapon aside, afraid of it and its potential.

Despite my efforts with the makeshift tourniquet, blood continued to seep onto the muddy walkway, crawling in-between the cracks of the stones. As I watched him fade in front of me, I felt my own strength draining to a deeper level. I crouched beside him, my face inches from his to pick up any trace of breath escaping his mouth.

"Satoshi," I whispered. "Say something…"

I croaked up a few tears, whatever was left inside.

"Please, Satoshi," I tried on, "don't leave me. You can't."

I looked even for a twitch in his face, but he lay dormant on the ground.

The frigid rain mixed with snow I felt before started to fall once more, this time in a steady drizzle. I leaned over Satoshi, trying to protect him from the onslaught of the wintry mess. I thought I would feel empty at such a loss, but my soul became more of a tar, infesting every nook and crevasse, spreading like a cancer. The world was barren now; it was full of water but none could I drink. Nothing could satisfy my hunger, my thirst, my desire. With Satoshi gone…with Satoshi gone…

I could not bring myself to finish my thoughts. I pressed my fingers gently on his neck, checking for a pulse one last time. No matter how long I waited, relief never came. Reality had finally sunken down to my very core and I wailed, tumbling to the ground, and sadly, only one thought crossed my mind.

"Satoshi," I moaned, "… I'm hungry."

My face fell to the lake of Satoshi's blood, fresh from his chest wound. The smell repulsed me, dark and woody, yet the void in my stomach urged me onward. Taberu, it whispered. I lapped at the pool pathetically, slowly, letting each drop creep into the corners of my mouth. Worse than the smell, the taste gagged me. I could not define the essence, but my tongue favored it not, my teeth almost aching in disgust. Still, I drank and swallowed each bit I got. Through the pieces of dirt and ground that diseased it, through the earthy aftertaste left from the stone of the pathway, I drank. I drank, and couldn't seem to stop myself. The heavy liquid filled my stomach gradually, not alleviating my hunger but replacing it with a sickness. I felt weighed down with guilt, the very essence Satoshi preferred.

Ah, I felt weighed down with Satoshi.

I lay there, allowing whatever blood that was left to be swept away by the lightening, frozen shower. How long I stayed in that one spot was uncertain; I may have even fallen asleep. However, as soon as I gained my awareness back, I knew what I wanted to do. With some difficulty, I crawled awkwardly back to where my school bag was dropped and began rummaging through the pockets. I finally came across my cell phone and pressed the speaker button.

"Sae," I said faintly, hoping it would pick up.

I waited, my eyes unable to focus on the tiny screen, unable to see if I was actually heard, understood.

Suddenly, "Moshi moshi," Sae-chan's voice came.

"Sae-chan," I sighed, glad to hear her.

"Kasumi-chan? Is that you?"

"Sae-chan, onegai!" I yelled hoarsely into the phone, my voice nearly gone. "Please come. I'm…"

"Where are you?" Sae-chan cut me off, sounding frantic.

"Yousei,"

"What's wrong, Kasumi-chan?" Sae-chan asked, high-pitched.

"Just…please come," I croaked.

"I… I'll be right there," Sae-chan answered.

I closed the phone and stuffed it back into my bag. Next, I dug for my handkerchief. I found it eventually; it was rarely used. The creases were crisp and the cute, little penguin embroidered on the corner was still face up. The cloth was as white, I now realized, as Satoshi's face.

Returning to his side took some time, but I managed. I dabbed away the dirt and grime from his face with my handkerchief, the blood from the corners of his mouth. The rain came to a halt and I was able to dry his cold skin. He looked too peaceful to me. They always said the dead are simply sleeping, but I never believed it. Yet, here in front of me, Satoshi rested, his mouth slightly ajar like it was this morning. Oh, it seemed so long ago that I sneaked away from him, dreaming on my couch. I kissed the tip of my finger, and then placed it on his closed eyelid. His eyelashes were so long and feminine, so handsome. To the plain eye, Satoshi could have woken at any moment.

"Aishiteru," I whispered.

My eyes began to tear up again. I knew Satoshi cared for me deeply, but we never actually said we loved each other. It may have been implied many times, but the words were never said. How I did love him…him and our bizarre story.

"Kasumi-chan!"

I quickly glanced over my shoulder to see Sae-chan running toward me, a scarf over her head to protect her from the few stray raindrops. Her face was pink; I assumed from possibly running all the way from her house. When she finally set her eyes on my condition, and worse, Satoshi's condition, she collapsed to her knees, tears brimming on her lids. Seeing her cry brought me down as well and I fell into her lap, sobbing.

"Kasumi-chan," Sae-chan said breathlessly, "what…what happened? Oh, dear God."

"I'll explain," I hiccupped, "later, just help me move him into the shrine, please. I can't by myself, with this arm. It's useless."

Sae-chan then noticed my right arm, limp at my side, and grabs the hand, now a greenish purple.

"Oh, Kasumi-chan," She inhaled.

I looked up into her eyes. "Help me?"

Without another word, Sae-chan lifted me to my feet. She took hold of Satoshi from under the arms and I took hold of his legs the best I could with my good arm. Slowly, but surely, we moved Satoshi to the shrine and placed him onto his bed. Sae-chan removed the homemade tourniquet and positioned him peacefully, one hand over his wound and the other at his side. I sat before his bed, bowed low as in an apology. Sae-chan took my right arm and examined the gash. It didn't hurt anymore; it was probably dead flesh.

"Kasumi-chan," Sae-chan started, "did…did you want to talk at all?"

"Thank you, Sae-chan," I sighed. "But I'd rather just sleep right now."

She nodded her head silently.

"I'll stay with you," She said.

I nodded as well and began to lie down.

Sae-chan shook her head and grabbed my good hand.

"How about over here?" She suggested, gesturing toward the other side of the shrine, away from Satoshi.

I caught her eyes and I somehow knew it was for the best. We moved to the area Satoshi had designated as a kitchen. I instantly curled up on the dusty floor and Sae-chan sat next to me, gently stroking my hair. She was taking everything so well; I was surprised. Yet, she probably knew asking questions wouldn't help her understand Satoshi's and my world any better. As easily as Ryu died, so had Satoshi, and I only wished that I was next on the list.

Sleep enveloped me, sending me into the dark bliss. Strangely, dreams did not visit me. My horrid day did not come back to haunt me. The touch of a cool breeze against my face woke me with a start. I sat up to see Sae-chan coming into the shrine, brushing a few snowflakes off her of coat.

"Ah, Kasumi-chan, ohayou," She said. "I'm sorry if I woke you."

Without replying, I glanced over to Satoshi's bed. He was still there, in the same pose in which we left him. I crawled over to his side. He looked the same. Pale, dull, skin with dry lips. His eyes were still closed peacefully, hiding the creamy brown only I was lucky enough to see. I patted his tussled hair, trying to press down the strays but to no avail. His hair was always so messy. It was also soft; you wouldn't think it would be, compared to that awful, itchy sweater of his.

I reached for the hand covering his wound.

"Dame, Kasumi-chan," Sae-chan said from the door.

I obeyed, sighing, but placed a small kiss on his cheek. Then with extreme shock I looked at my own hand, still on Satoshi's…my right hand. It no longer held the color of death. The green, orange, and black were gone. I checked the cut on my shoulder and it was magically healed. A scar remained, the very center of it a deep purple bruise. My calf, as well, had healed. It was tender to the touch, yes, but it was perfectly fine. I may have well just taken a bad fall from my bike instead of battled with a vampire sword.

"Sae-chan," I said, holding up my hand.

"What?" She replied, moving closer.

It took her a moment to realize what I was showing her. She gasped, grabbed my hand and turned it over a couple of times.

"How did you do that?" She asked.

"I don't know!" I said, voice cracking.

"It's not…completely disgusting," Sae-chan continued, amazed.

I agreed with her silently, but my face apparently did not convey that.

"Oh, sorry," She apologized. "But…"

"Yeah, it was gross," I said, almost wanting to giggle in light of things. "It was the silver."

"Silver?"

"Yeah. I'm allergic to it now, being a vampire," I rambled on. "It's the only way to kill us, without waiting for the inevitable. Well, if it pierces the heart."

I looked back at Satoshi's body.

"His heart."

"Ah," Sae-chan said softly, slowly. "But, how?"

"How?" I repeated, not quite understanding her simple question.

"Kasumi-chan…why are you like this?" She asked. "Why is Satoshi-kun…?"

She placed her fingertips over her mouth, not wanting to finish her phrase.

"Hanako," I said flatly, poorly reflecting the mess of emotions I held for her, especially now.

"Hanako?" Sae-chan questioned.

"Hanako!" I bellowed this time, standing up as if hit by a bolt of lightning.

I strutted to the shrine door, slid it forcefully open, causing the frame to shake.A thin, fresh coat of snow covered last night's scene. The flakes glistened in the sunny, unknown hour and as I marched down the steps, the frosted wood creaked under my weight. The brightness burned my eyes and a splitting headache developed within moments. Still, I trekked over the snow in my new angry stride, searching for the tallest oak tree where I collapsed last night.

"Kasumi-chan!" I heard Sae-chan call after me, following my path. "Matte! Doko ni ikimasuka?"

I did not answer, but kept going. I eventually reached the wretched tree that watched my misfortunes. The sword should have been near it, where I tossed it aside. There were no bumps in the perfect blanket of snow. I got to my knees and started to shift it, digging in random areas. I couldn't find it; I became frantic. I had to find it. I had to retrieve it and face Hanako again. I had to give her a taste of her own medicine. I had to do so much…so many things I progressively realized I probably couldn't do.

"Kasumi-chan!" Sae-chan said, catching up with me and bending over to rest her hands on her knees. "What are you doing?"

"The sword. I have to find the sword," I replied. "Hanako's sword."

"Sword?" Sae-chan repeated, astonished. "There was a sword?"

I nodded quickly. "Silver sword."

Sae-chan looked upward in stunned disbelief. "Ah, kami-sama…"

"Sae-chan! Help me look!" I yelled.

She didn't move, but stared at me.

"Sae-chan, please!" I said, continuing to fling snow left and right. "I need to find it! I need to…"

"Kasumi-chan," Sae-chan whispered, taking hold of my crazy arms from behind and tried to contain me.

I trashed. "Hanashite!"

She held on tighter.

"Sae-chan, hanashite tte ba! I need to find it," I pleaded. "I need to…Hanako, she needs to be…"

"Kasumi-chan, you can't," Sae-chan said. "You can't! I'm not going to let you put yourself at risk, too!"

I shook my head violently. My right arm was still a bit sore; I didn't have the strength to break free from Sae-chan's grasp.

"I'm not going to let you die like Satoshi-kun!" Sae-chan finished.

I went limp, staring at the eerie blood spot I had uncovered earlier from the snow. I avoided uttering such words. But, they were true; I guess when Sae-chan finally said them, it hit me as such. He looked so serene on his futon this morning, like he was sleeping in again. I let myself fall into that cushioning thought; I believed he was resting.

Oh, Kasumi, get it through your head…Satoshi is dead.

Sae-chan moved in front of me, and replaced her hands on my shoulders. I lifted my face to meet hers. She was biting her lower lip. Her eyes were red and her worried eyebrows created a line in her forehead. I probably looked ghastly. I could feel the weight of the bags under my eyes and my cheeks were heavy, chapped skin from the cold. Still, Sae-chan gazed into my eyes, determined for me to return the gesture.

"Kasumi-chan, gomen, ne?" She began. "I don't think I can comfort you in such a time like this. I'm not good at it, you know that. I offer snacks, a few sitcom reruns and a shoulder to cry on. But I want you to know that I will do anything I can right now, okay? I love you, and I hate seeing you fall apart like this, Kasumi-chan."

I squinted to keep out the sun and oncoming tears.

"But one piece of advice I will give," Sae-chan continued, "is to not go after this Hanako person. You're too important to me."

"Sae-chan,"

I crashed into her, hugging her tightly, and cried. It seemed that lately all I did was cry and lament. I couldn't help it, though. However, this spell felt different. It was more relieving, as if my pain was actually being released with those tears. I heard Sae-chan crying as well, shaking from a couple sniffles. She held me tightly and I felt my body warm up gradually. We sat in the snow for quite a while, allowing our tears to slow and dry up on our chilly faces.

The sounds of the town started to finally enter my ears. The graveyard bubble was breaking down, meaning I would have to return to reality all too soon. The wind blew oddly loud, whistling through the naked trees. Snow crunched beneath the feet of strangers, sending a slight chill up my spine.

Suddenly, Sae-chan's grip slackened, arms dropping to my side, and I could feel her muscles tighten in her back. Her breathing became abnormal; short, enunciated exhales and awkwardly filling her lungs back up.

"Sae-chan?" I said. "What's the matter?"

I pulled back from our embrace to see her face. Her eyes were wide and her cheeks were cranberry red, the rest of her complexion completely pale.

"Sae-chan?"

"Kasumi-chan," She whispered back, lips twitching at the sides. "Look over there."

She lifted an unsteady hand, pointing a finger behind me.

I followed her arm, slowly, until my eyes reached her fingertip. Something in me did not want to look beyond that point. Sae-chan's face was so wonderfully terrified. I took a breath and forced myself to gaze over my shoulder, toward the Yousei shrine.

I sunk back into the snow, my chest swelling by an unknown force. I clumsily situated myself for a better view. There, on the main path, stood a figure, completely dressed in black. An arm was lifted to its face, shielding its eyes from the horrid yet glorious sunlight. It must have seen me, for it lowered its hand gently to its side and took a slow step forward.

I was already on my way. I could not contain myself. Scrambling on my hands and knees in the wet snow, I finally managed to get on my feet. One graceless step at a time, I gained speed. Running across such cursed land to the one thing I could see as blessed. I spit out awkward sounds as I went, something between a laugh, a hiccup, and a sob. I ran dizzily in the winter sunlight toward my figure and when I finally stood in front of it, I began to not believe.

I fell to my knees at Satoshi's feet. This could not be, absolutely inconceivable, undoubtedly impossible. Yet, here I was, staring up into his white face, his black hair casually swaying in the breeze.

"Sa…sa…sa," was all I could utter.

It was subtle, but one side of his mouth curled up and I immediately knew it was him. My Satoshi stood in front of me.

I wanted to stand, but my legs had turned to lead beneath me. So, I reached out and embraced his knees. Coming in contact with actual flesh gave me such assurance, I intensified my hold. I breathed in heavily, trying to extract one moment of that Sandalwood scent. Once I had it, I began to cry once more.

"Satoshi!" I wailed. It was all I could say. "Satoshi! Satoshi!"

I felt him trying to bend his legs, so I loosened my arms. He sunk to his knees as well and pulled me in. I continued to cry, happily enveloped by Satoshi's presence. His warmth, his scent, his love. I clung to that black sweater as if clinging to life itself. I rubbed my face in it, to feel that awful itchiness. I was home again; I was complete again.

"Kasumi," Satoshi said incredibly softly.

My sobs ceased at once, hearing his voice calmed me.

"Kasumi, aishiteru," he said.

I gasped, for who knows why, and instantly melted into him. How this could be happening, I did not know. No matter, I never wanted this moment to end. Satoshi, watashi no daisetsuna, itoshii hito Satoshi, ga watashi to koko ni imashita. Alive.

All too soon, Satoshi gently pushed me away. He placed his hand on my cheek and looked me straight in the eyes.

"Kasumi, are you alright?"

I was almost shocked.

"Yes, yes, I'm fine! Look who's talking," I replied, emotions still controlling my voice, cracking everywhere. "But you, you're…you're alive. How?"

I didn't even give him time to answer. I reached for his wound. I stretched the hole in the sweater, revealing a deep red circle, still black in some places from clotting. Yet, there was no fresh blood, no deep gash. He had healed.

"How?" I repeated. "Your heart!"

That sheepish grin I loved to death appeared on his face.

"I don't know," He said. "Must have just missed it. Little low."

He laughed weakly.

I wanted to hit him.

"Don't laugh about such things!"

He shrugged.

"Oh, Satoshi," I sighed and fell into his arms again. "I was so scared."

"Everything is going to be fine now," He replied.

"I'm so sorry!" I continued. "I'm so sorry, Satoshi. It was all my fault…all my fault."

"It's okay… no it wasn't," He said.

"Baka, don't lie to me," I softly hit him on the knee.

"Ah, Kasumi," Satoshi said. "Forget about it. Just forget about it."

"I don't know if I can."

"Well, we'll have to try our best," He said, rubbing my back.

"But,"

"Don't give me more buts," Satoshi replied kindly.

"Satoshi,"

"Do you really want to talk about it?" He asked.

"Well," I pondered, considering how many questions I had about what happened and what was to come, "no."

"Alright then," Satoshi said, giving me another squeeze.

"How can you be so calm about all this? Didn't you just…"

"You said you didn't want to talk about it," Satoshi replied, nodding behind me.

I turned to see Sae-chan standing there, watching us silently, her scarf almost sliding off her shoulders. She was sniffling again, trying to be supportive and holding back. She wrung her hands together patiently, nervously. The same look painted her face as when she spotted Satoshi in the distance.

Satoshi patted my shoulder and stood up slowly. He walked over to her, greeting her like it was any other morning. She bawled, obviously confused but still happy for his return. Her awkwardly contorted face made me grin slightly. She held out her arms and it was Satoshi's turn to look baffled. When he didn't respond, Sae-chan went in herself, hugging him lightly. He did the same.

I couldn't hear what Sae-chan was whispering to him, and her stretched lips were difficult to read. I simply remained sitting in the snow, watching them as she had watched us first.

Even though I was completely overjoyed, something about all of this did not seem right. True, I didn't want to talk about it, but I also felt that I had to.

I stood and joined them.

"Satoshi, I would really like to talk with you about this."

He looked at me, paused, "Okay."

Sae-chan quickly, oddly perkily, grabbed her wallet out of her coat pocket.

"I'm going to go buy us some coffee," She said. "Sounds good, doesn't it? You want some, right?"

I giggled a little bit. "Sure, Sae-chan. Sounds good."

"Great!" She replied. "Anything else I should bring back with me?"

"Sugar," Satoshi said immediately.

"You got it," Sae-chan winked and ran off towards the gate.

It was cute how she wanted to give us privacy, but perhaps she tried too hard to cover up her intentions.

Satoshi looked back toward me, waiting for me to begin.

"I'm not sure how to start," I said. "I'm just confused on how you're taking this."

"Kasumi," He replied, "don't think I think this was nothing. I'm just glad my intuition was correct last night."

"Wait, you thought I'd come here?" I asked.

He placed a hand on my waist. "I know well the look on your face when you're lying, Kasumi. I didn't stop you because I didn't want you to think I was being controlling."

"Oh, no, you weren't!" I instantly shook my head. "I'm sorry. I should have listening to you about…her."

"Yes, she," Satoshi paused, "she has quite the temper."

"What about her?" I asked slowly. "What are we going to do?"

He gazed down at the ground for a moment, and then turned toward the shrine. "She's gone."

"Gone?" I said. "How do you know?"

"I don't feel her anymore," Satoshi replied. "Before, she was like a shadow, almost a guilty conscience. Now, though, I feel lighter."

"She's…dead?" I wondered aloud.

"No," He answered immediately.

"Sorry," I dropped my head.

"Don't be. She's gone as in she's left. My guess is back north, where we used to live."

"Are you sad?" I asked plainly. "I mean, after all, she is your…"

"It's alright," Satoshi said. "No, I don't like her choice, but now we're free to be without having to look over our shoulders all the time."

I didn't know what to say anymore. The thought of Satoshi notably choosing me over Hanako definitely made me speechless. He was, indeed, a mother's boy. He held his head high, knowing then that he also held the control. Even though Hanako was the source of most of our troubles, I believe she helped Satoshi and me. Unknowingly, most likely, but she helped. Her constant efforts to drag us apart had indeed brought us closer. She made our relationship stronger. In that sense, I felt I owed her some sort of thanks. In what form, no ideas came to mind, but I knew someday I would think of a way.

I stepped forward and my arms around Satoshi's middle, resting my head on his chest.

"How does your wound feel?"

"Alright," Satoshi replied, embracing me back, "a bit tender. I won't be able to do anything too strenuous for a week."

"That's understandable."

"What about yours?"

"Can barely feel them," I said, flexing my calf to test it. "That, I'll admit, still freaks me out."

He laughed shortly. "You'll get used to it."

"Are we alright?"

"We're fantastic."

I sighed deeply. "I'm glad."

"Me too."

Soon, Sae-chan came jogging through the gate once more, carrying the three coffees and a white paper bag, which I assumed to hold some anpan or azushi pan. Sae-chan loved her morning time sweets. We decided to return to my house to indulge in the coffee and pastries for too many sour memories were linked to the shrine at the moment.

We walked slowly, peacefully, with Sae-chan doing most of the talking. She made me laugh. Satoshi may have made a noise once or twice. I could no longer tell if Sae-chan was deliberately trying to get our minds off of the previous night or simply rambling off like her normal self. Either way, her endless chatter made me happy for it reminded me of a simpler day, a normal day. I couldn't have made it through this journey without Sae-chan.

Satoshi grabbed my hand, but did not say anything. I squeezed it, looking up toward him, but he was staring straight forward. I couldn't see his eyes due to the sunglasses, but I felt their warmth. I couldn't have made it through this journey without Satoshi either. I gained so much through him.

There would be, without a doubt, countless more changes in my life. However, with Satoshi at my side, they will be overcome.

I remembered from my childhood that I used to be afraid of the night. It brought darkness and anxiety. Everything about it was uncertain and it scared me. The wind would whistle through the trees and shadowed alley ways, creating a deep moan. The night was in pain, for it brought pain for me. That sound, the horrible wind's groan, has now become sweeter and silkier. The night no longer composes a dirge, but a saccharine song. The night has evolved into this beautiful thing, all because of Satoshi. We were the night, not just because of our lifestyle, but because we were formed by it.

Surely, we were only at the foot of our pathway. It stretched before us, winding every which way, holding many nights. But I felt—no, I knew that everything would come out alright. For this past autumn into winter was full of beginnings. Some had yet to conclude, but the future was bright. I no longer feared them, because night would always melt away into day, and that gave me hope.

Satoshi squeezed my hand back and we continued down the road.

The End

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Japanese Romaji Translation! (in order of appearance)

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Jama da you…kare wa – This literally means, "He is a hindrance", but can also mean "He is in the way."

Itoshii Onna – dear woman

Taberu – [to Eat

Moshi Moshi – Hello (only on the telephone)

Onegai – this literally means "favor" or "wish", almost, but it can also be used as a way to say "Please". Kind of "pretty please!", or "I beg of you."

Aishiteru – One form of saying "I love you". It is a more intimate way of saying it.

Ohayou – Good Morning

Dame – Don't, (most commonly means "no good", which can be translated as "don't")

Matte! Doko ni ikimasuka? – Wait! Where are you going?

Kami-sama – God, literally

Hanashite – Let Go

Hanashite tte ba – I said, let go!

Gomen, ne? – I'm sorry, okay?

Satoshi, watashi no daisetsuna, itoshii hito Satoshi, ga watashi to koko ni imashita – Satoshi, my most important, beloved person Satoshi, was here with me.

Baka – Idiot

(Sorry if I missed any…I write the translations after I'm done with the whole chapter, and this one spanned across, um…9 months? Yeah, so I may miss some scanning it through)

Anyways, thanks to all my readers who stuck with me! I'm sorry this too me so long. I had the ending in my head forever and I just never wrote it. Well, actually, I changed the ending quite a bit than what I originally planned (Satoshi was going to stay dead…), but I changed my mind. College takes a lot more time out of my free schedule than I thought it would. Haha. Thanks again.