Clannad

The Lost Girl

Note: Sorry for the long wait! I'm trying to go and update all of my stories. Just stay tuned! x/

Also Note: This is a drama-filled chapter to hopefully stir up your emotions and make up for all this time I've spent lollygagging. Hopefully. XD

Please Read, REVIEW, and Enjoy!

Chapter Fifteen – Goodbye

"This town only brings death and sorrow."

"This place isn't where I want my daughter to spend her life."

"I know this for a fact...After what happened to Nagisa..."

"This is why we are leaving...Forever."

All I could do was stare at Tomoya as he finished speaking. We were sitting in the living-room part of the Furukawa Bakery, which was still littered with many decorations from the party that had gone on earlier that day.

Ushio had explained everything to me before...But I had to hear it from Tomoya to believe it.

"What the hell are you talking about?..." I muttered. Tomoya continued to stare at me intently, and then took a sip of his coffee. "You should understand the situation here...My only reason for letting Ushio stay here was to be close to her mother, and, well-" he began to trail off, and I cut in;

"Dead! She's dead! What does that have to do with Ushio? She's been happy all throughout this year, and there's rarely been a time when she hasn't smiled!" I shouted, my voice coming out louder than I had expected.

Tomoya remained calm as he asked me, "And for what reason should she stay here? Are you sure this isn't just for your sake?" That question took me by surprise, and it made me think...

Is that true? I thought, Am I trying to benefit from having Ushio around? Tomoya continued on to say, "Ushio can be much happier with me showing her the world that she will enter as a grown-up. She can make new friends, and I'll personally guarantee that her life can be spent without any sorrow."

Hearing that, I clenched my fists. There's no way I'm being selfish...I...I love Ushio! And she... "She loves me!" I shouted, and Tomoya was obviously surprised by my outburst. "I can't think of how she'd feel if I wasn't there to comfort her, to support her, guide her. You know, the things that a father is supposed to be responsible for in the first place!"

As I said that, Tomoya finally seemed to snap, and he slammed his hands down on the table and stood. "You don't know anything! I've had to sacrifice everything I have-" he began to yell, but I cut him off, and said, "You're the selfish one here...Trying to take Ushio away from her loved ones because you are the one who needs her!"

Tomoya went silent, and I was tempted to let a grin slip out on my face. So that's it then, I thought, satisfied that I had it all figured out...

But Tomoya suddenly began to laugh. What...? I thought. Tomoya stopped after a few moments, but kept a smirk on his face. "I guess you're right." he said, "But even if it's out of selfishness; Ushio is coming with me."

My eyes widened and my fists tightened in anger. I suddenly found myself standing up and jumping over the low table, grabbing Tomoya's collar and pushing him back against the wall. "You-!" I began to shout, but Tomoya gave me a swift punch into the gut, which made me lurch forward and fall over.

I felt a tear come to my eye, and I realized that I had actually never been hit with that much force before. Tomoya shook his hand and held onto his knuckles for a few moments, then straightened his tie and turned to walk away.

"Hey...wait!" I said, still catching my breath. Tomoya stopped in the doorway and looked over his shoulder. "Goodbye." he said simply, and he walked away. I slowly tried to stand, but the pain came back in a jolt, and I went back to my knees...

No...why? I thought, Am I really this weak? Can I not stand my ground? Tears began to come to my eyes, as the thought of Ushio leaving my life came to mind. "Ushio..." I said softly through a sob, and I sat there on my knees, feeling helpless...

My eyes opened to the feeling of something prodding me in the side. I quickly sat up, and realized that I must have fallen asleep on the living-room floor.

Above me was Akio, who, for the first time since I met him, had a stern expression on his face. "Yo, brat." he said. I rubbed my eyes, which were still a bit blurry, and slowly stood. "What is it?" I asked.

Akio raised an eyebrow at me. "Huh? I guess I was wrong about you after all." he said. I tilted my head in confusion. What? I thought. Akio sighed, and rubbed his forehead. "I'd think you'd be running off to stop Ushio before they board the train and never come back...But I guess not." he said, shrugging and starting to walk away.

I quickly put a hand on his shoulder and stopped him. "Wait, what? Are they leaving now?" I exclaimed. Akio grinned and nodded. "Yep, heading for the nine o'clock train. You'll have to run pretty quick to-" he told me, but I quickly slipped into my shoes and ran out of the room before I could hear the rest.

I was out of the bakery in a second, and realized quickly that I had forgotten my jacket. I'll get it later, I thought to myself, quickly running down the street.

Then it occurred to me that I had no real idea as to where the train station might be. However, a faint recollection came back to me. I suddenly remembered signs indicating the train station over near the jewelry shop where Mr. Koumura worked.

Crap! I thought, There's no way I'll make it! It's almost nine... I looked around, wondering if there was a source of transportation for me to get a ride on...

And, as if an angel had heard my prayers, I could see headlights coming down the street towards me. I quickly stepped out into the street and waved my arms into the air. The vehicle came to a stop, and I recognized it as a silver scooter...

And none-other than Nyou was riding it. "N-Nyou?" I exclaimed, surprised to see her. She looked equally surprised, and had her usual blush going on, which usually happened when she talked to me...

I shook my head. "Nyou! I need to borrow your scooter!" I said. She was obviously surprised by me asking that. "Um..." she said. I clasped my hands together and said, "Please!" I could tell Nyou was even more surprised by my begging.

"I-I guess it's okay..." she said, taking off her helmet and getting off. I smiled and instinctively ran up and hugged her. "Thank you!" I exclaimed, and she seemed to be frozen in place, probably embarrassed by the sudden hug.

I hopped onto the scooter, and examined it for a few moments, trying to recall what I had seen on TV before. "Alright..." I muttered to myself. Let's do this! I thought, as I suddenly sped off faster than I had planned on. "Um, wait-!" Nyou said, holding out the helmet after me, but I was already long gone.

Going as fast as I could on the scooter, I was able to arrive at the train station in a matter of minutes. Once there, I could see the shapes of Tomoya and Ushio ascending the stairs to the main part of the station...

But suddenly, as my focus went onto them, I hit a patch of ice, and went skidding forward. I leaped off the scooter, and watched as it hit a wall, then fell over with a thud! I winced as I watched it happen, knowing there would be some damage. Sorry Nyou... I thought, as I stood and quickly ran towards the stairs.

Once I arrived at the foot of the staircase, I shouted, "USHIO!" ...For a few moments, I didn't see her, but then, suddenly, her figure appeared at the top. She smiled and quickly began to run down the stairs. I ran up towards her, and, once we met up in the middle, we both came into a warm embrace...

"Tokoi...I'm...I'm sorry, I-" Ushio said, starting to sob. I ran my hand gently along the back of her head, and nodded. "I know..." I said to her softly. I wanted that moment to last forever, with Ushio in my arms, and no outside distractions...

"Ushio!" Tomoya's voice came from behind. Ushio moved beside me, and I glared up at Tomoya, who was eying me suspiciously. "Come on, the train is pulling it." he continued. Ushio looked down at the ground, and took a step forward...But I gently grabbed her hand.

She turned and looked at me, surprised. I felt the cool metal of the ring that I had given her, and it helped give me the courage to shout up at Tomoya, "No!"

Tomoya's gaze turned into a glare, and he started to descend towards us...But Ushio suddenly cried, "Stop!" He stopped, and we both looked at Ushio in surprise. Tears were starting to run down her face. "I...I don't want to leave..." she said, sniffing.

"Ushio..." Tomoya said softly. Ushio wiped the tears from her face, then gave her father a serious look and said, "I'm staying!" Her hand gripped mine tighter, and Tomoya's face expression made it look like he had just gotten a slap to the face...

"She wants to stay..." I told him calmly, "Can't you respect that?" Tomoya looked at both of us in shock. "But...but..." he started to say. His eyes then adverted down to the ground, and I could tell that he was deep in thought...

Suddenly, flashes of images came into my mind. Images of Nagisa and Tomoya...Happy moments from when they were together. Playing baseball...Practicing theater...Visiting the beach...

Ushio's birth. My eyes widened as I watched the scenario as if it were happening right in front of me. "It's Ushio, Nagisa..." Tomoya said, "She's here...And now we're a family..." Nagisa didn't seem like she was listening, and Tomoya began to sob.

"Nagisa..." he said. "Nagisa, can you hear me?" There was no response, and I realized to my horror that Nagisa had gone pale, and appeared to be lifeless. "NAGISA!" Tomoya shouted at the top of his lunges...

What...was that? I wondered, looking over at Ushio. Nagisa didn't die after having Ushio...So what is this memory? As I was pondering this, Tomoya suddenly sniffed, and I looked up and was surprised to find him crying.

He wiped his tears onto his sleeve, and then looked up at us...And smiled. "I guess I...I forgot how it feels," he said, sobbing slightly, "Being in love...Thinking...no, knowing that we'd always be together..."

"I'm sorry." he said, and the biggest surprise of the night came as Tomoya bowed his head towards us. The respectful, courageous man whom I had seen before had now given way to a hurt and forgotten soul. I wasn't quite sure what to say...

But I knew what the right thing to say was. "It's okay..." Tomoya stood back up and nodded towards us. "Ushio...I'm sorry for not being here for you," he said, "I guess taking you away from here wouldn't make up for that..."

Tomoya turned his head and looked up at the train that was waiting at the station. "So I guess...this is goodbye," he said, "For now, at least." Tomoya walked up to the top of the stairs, and Ushio began to run forward. "Dad!" she shouted, but Tomoya ignored her and continued walking...

After Tomoya disappeared from sight, I saw something odd floating up through the air...It was a small orb. An orb of light...

Where have I seen that before? I wondered. Ushio turned and looked at me. "What is it?" she asked. I opened my mouth to explain...But stopped myself. I'm not sure, I thought...

Ushio walked over to me and grabbed my hand, resting her head on my chest. I could tell she was beat after all of the happenings of today, like I was. I put an arm around her, and looked up at the dark sky...

And I watched the orb of light float up and up and up...until it disappeared from sight.

To be continued...

Next Chapter - Revelations

Note: Nyou's random scooter appearances, just like her aunt Kyou! xD Please give feedback, becuase this probably the most drama-filled chapter I've EVER written!