Author's note: So I've decided to continue this, (Thanks to MISSANTISOCIAL, MssCassandra, Euronymous and XD1411) Hope you enjoy!

I stood there for a few more moments saying my final goodbyes to the sky. I closed my eyes and smiled, I wasn't happy, not by a long shot. But I was content; I was content because I had hope. And at the moment, that was enough.

I still wouldn't go as far as to say I'd reached 'closure,' but I was damn sure I was getting there. I knew that this wouldn't be easy, and the worst was probably yet to come. But I could face that later, and when I do, I'll be ready.

But no matter what comes, Naoi will be with me all the way. I have hope in a friend, which is all I need. Naoi. Crap, I agreed to meet him.

I only stressed over the thought for a moment before simply shrugging, he's patient, I'm sure he wont mind me being a few minutes late. I walked down the stairs and into the school canteen. I looked around for a few moments before seeing Naoi on his own with his head intently looking at his food. I couldn't help but smile, I don't think I've ever seen someone this hungry before...

I ordered my Mapo Tofu as usual and started walking towards Naoi.

I had only been walking for a couple of seconds before he noticed me and started motioning for me to join him excitedly.

I smiled and sat opposite him. 'Hi, Otanashi!' He said. 'So urm... Are you okay?' Naoi seemed to be trying to pass this off as a casual question, but I could tell he was worried about me. It made me feel bad... but at the same time, (though I hated to admit it) I kinda loved the attention. Maybe it's because I've always been worrying about others, but it was nice to have someone worry about me.

'I just have a lot to deal with. But i'm fine, really!' I replied confidently and honestly. I had realised it would be useless to lie, he could read my mind after all. Naoi slightly smiled at me before returning his attention to his food. We spent the next few minutes eating in a comfortable silence, that is until Naoi saw what I was eating . 'Is that... Mapo Tofu...? How can you eat that stuff?' He asked me with an eyebrow raised.

A memory suddenly washed over me and there was nothing I could do to prevent a sad smile plastering itself on my face. 'It was Kanade's favourite...' I replied. Naoi looked at the floor guilty, 'I'm sorry, I didn't meant to-'

'It's okay.' I interrupted. 'I'm just... I'm just happy I got to know her, ya know?' He looked back up at me and smiled, 'Yeah, I know what you mean.' He said sympatheticaly. 'What does that mean?' I asked him quizzically. Naoi looked down at his bowl 'Well... I kinda liked someone, and I knew they didn't like me back, but, being friends with them was enough!' he said and smiled. I couldn't help but be curious on who he was talking about, he doesn't seem like the type to get close to girls easily. Though of course I was careful to hide my curiosity.

'So what's the plan?' I asked in attempt to change the conversation. 'Hmm...?' Naoi asked. 'I mean with the whole saving soul business? How do you suggest we do it? And how will we know the difference between the people who came here and the people who were always here?' Naoi looked down with his hand on his chin in deep thought for a few more moments before looking back at me. 'Well, finding them shouldn't be too hard. Monitering the school system is shockingly easy. I'll just wait until someone unexpectedly joins the school and we have our target! How we'll do it is a different matter though, I guess we'll just deal with that when the time comes.' I nodded, I've always wondered how he does that; One moment he's cute as a button and another he's serious enough to kill. I've met a lot of one dimensional people in my time, and Naoi's defiantly not one of them. He is indeed brilliantly complex, in a way that could almost be described as divine. Hell, maybe that whole 'I'm god' business isn't as far fetches as it seems.

I saw Naoi proudly smile to himself. Shit, he read my mind again.

'Would you... Stop doing that...?' I asked a little agitated. He chuckled guilty and rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. 'Sorry... Haven't quite figured out how to control it...' We ate for a few more moments in silence before Naoi made an uncomfortable groan. I raised my head with an eyebrow raised to see what was going on. Naoi took a couple of pills and drank some water. He saw my quizzical gaze and held his forehead. 'Urgh, it hurts like hell. I can just hear everyone. All these loud thoughts jumbled up in my head, it hurts like a bitch!'

I couldn't help but almost laugh at him saying 'bitch'. Naoi wasn't exactly the kind of person to use bad language, which makes it all the more amusing when he does. 'Wanna go somewhere quieter?' I asked him in which he painfully nodded. We got up to leave for the roof in silent agreement.

The weather was remarkably great that day. It was one of those days that you get in late summer; it was still warm, but the air was cool. And every so and then a gentle breeze would pass by. It was one of those days, and I truly did love it. I smelt the air and grinned, the lingering smell of freshly mowed lawn had mixed with the frosty essence of early winter.

I stood leaning on the wall as I watched Naoi take in a deep breath of air and happily stretch his arms to his sides. He walked around the roof for a few minutes aimlessly, enjoying the peace and quiet. He did it in a way I could almost describe as... graceful. Yes, that's the word, graceful.

'Graceful am I?' He asked in a teasing tone. I mentally slapped myself. Stop. Thinking.

'I-...well-...urr-' I stuttered, unsure of my intentions.

He chuckled nervously, 'Sorry... I really need to learn how to control it, don't I..?' He said in a sweet and awkward tone. I couldn't help but feel a little part of me shatter from his kind hearted tone. I softened a little and smirked, 'It's okay, it's... actually kind of nice...' I admitted. Naoi in response looked relieved, almost like... he expected me to get angry... But I'd never be angry at him, he knew that... Right..?

'No, no, no!' He said quickly. 'I just... I mean... I-I know you'd never get angry with me... It's just... I'd gotten so used to people being angry with me. People used to yell at me all the time, half of the time I didn't even know why... I guess it's just instinct.' He played with his hands nervously and looked at the ground like he would burst into tears.

A burst of guilt ran through me and I cursed my mind. I was so busy thinking about my past I barely spared a thought about Naoi's. Maybe I should have shown more of an interest... I ran up to him and hugged him without a second thought. 'It's okay, you know I'll never be angry with you.' I said to him. To be truthful, I actually have a lot of trouble being comforting to people. But with Naoi, it just kind of came naturally. He buried his face in my chest and cried silently. I brushed my hand through his hair, Christ, was his hair always this soft?

'..Hey... Otanashi..?'His words suddenly brought me back to reality and I realized I was still holding him, though he didn't seem to complain, so I didn't move. 'Yeah?' I responded. 'Remember when you said you liked that I could read your mind, what did you mean?' He asked and we both slowly pulled away from each other.

I was slightly surprised he was still thinking about what I said... 'I meant... what I said.' I knew that answer wouldn't be enough, but I kind of wanted to avoid some kind of heart to heart. It wasn't that I didn't love talking to Naoi, but I wasn't really ready to have another emotional talk. Something else was making me feel slightly uncomfortable and confused too, but I couldn't put my finger on it.

'Yeah but... what does that mean..?' I looked at my feet deciding it was inevitable. 'I guess it's because now... I know someone can understand me. Someone can show me...' I paused thinking of the right word, '..sympathy...' I decided.

He smirked a little, 'empathy'

'Urr.. what?' I felt a little uplifted seeing his new found confidence.

'Empathy. The word's empathy.' He said and smiled, for himself this time. And I admit, the smile was infectious.

'Oh?' I asked with an eyebrow raised.

'Sympathy is acknowledging someone's troubles. Empathy is understanding' He said with a cocky grin on his face.

I must confess, I love it when he does this. It seems to piss most people, but me? I love it. I feel somewhat prideful for him when I see his proud look. I laughed a little, then he started to giggle. Before we knew it we were both laughing like a bunch of drunk nitwits.

We eventually started to calm down and sat next to each other smiling. I don't think either of us were sure about why it was so funny. Maybe we were both just missing the silliness from the old SSS. It was something I had always taken for granted while I was with them, It was only now I realised I missed it... They may have been dysfunctional, Idiotic and insane; but they sure new how to make me laugh. I looked to my right to see Naoi mesmerised by the clouds. Though maybe I don't need them to make me laugh any more...Naoi came out of his trance and started blushing. I was actually starting to enjoy him hearing my thoughts. It made me feel... important. I gave an amused look at Naoi's red face and messed his hair up with my hand. 'Time to go kiddo,' I announced getting up. I was stopped when Naoi grabbed my hand. 'Wait!' I stopped. 'Something on your mind?' I asked. Naoi smiled sweetly, 'I just... wanted to say thank you... for everything' I squeezed his small tender fingers and gave a reassuring smile, 'Well then... Thank you to you too.'

We slowly let go of each others hands and Naoi bolted for the exit. 'Beat you there!' I grinned and started running to the exit. 'Not if I beat you first!' I yelled after him.

Naoi, you gave me the hope I needed to continue, thank you. I realize I can never pay you back, but in return I will try to give you whatever hope I can. Naoi... I put all my hope in a friend.

So thanks for reading! Reviews are extremely appreciated, I'm open to hear criticism as I always look to improve! So I've decided to make this Otanashi x Naoi as no one seemed against it when I asked. I apologize if the quality has dropped as I'm not very good at writing about gay relationships. :)