As promised, here is chapter six. I'm sorry to say that, after this chapter, there will only be one more. I greatly enjoyed writing this, but Downward Spiral is finally coming to a close. ToastedWhiskers was kind enough to BETA both this chapter and the previous one, so be sure to leave her thanks as well.

I've had the notes for this chapter for a while now, but I haven't gotten around to writing it, and I am sorry for that. Happily, I finally got around to it (obviously) and I apologize for the gap between the two chapters. I am uploading this from my laptop during anime club and we're watching -man... so I kept getting distracted by the screen (...haha...).

Regardless, enjoy the second to last chapter and I apologize for the poor author's notes for these two chapters. Again, I blame -man.

Chapter Six

"Souji-san, are you ready to switch to the wheelchair? Dojima-san and Nanako-chan will be here any moment. We should go downstairs and wait for them."

"I'm fine, Naoto…" Souji muttered from the bed, "Really. I can walk… I just can't see where I'm walking. That's why I applied to get a dog—so I don't have to depend on someone pushing a wheelchair for the rest of my life."

"Alright…" Naoto's voice sounded faintly skeptical, but amused none-the-less. "Here, take my hand, I'll help you out of the bed so you don't trip again."

"I didn't trip!" Souji protested, blushing. "The scrub pants were just too long and I got tangled. That's all…"

Naoto snorted, "Yes, tangled. Whatever allows you to sleep better at night, Senpai."

"You're cruel…" Souji said, sporting a fake pout.

"Perhaps I've simply been spending too much time with Rise-san." The sleuth stepped forward and took both of Souji's hands in her own, leading him to the edge of the bed.

"Maybe… I didn't think she'd be able to make that much of an impact on you, though." Souji paused, grinning as he knew Naoto was most likely giving him the look he had dubbed 'that look'. "How was breakfast? She stopped by on her way to another audition, didn't she?"

Naoto nodded, knowing Souji could sense the movement of her head. "Yes, we went to the small restaurant across the street. It's a comfortable little diner and the food is quite good, despite it's questionable appearance and fat content."

"…Questionable?"

"I'm joking…" Naoto chuckled softly, "I simply meant that it served the classical 'greasy food' that most diners are well known for in this area. It isn't something that I would allow myself to eat every day, but I wouldn't mind eating in such an establishment again sometime."

"Maybe we could during one of my check-up visits."

"I wouldn't mind… Here, I'm going to pull your forward now so…"

The door behind them swung open with a loud bang. Naoto wheeled around, eyes wide as she stared at the doorway. Behind her, Souji yelped loudly as he lost his balance and toppled forward, sending both himself and Naoto onto the cold hospital floor.

Naoto lay falling in a spread-eagle position, while Souji managed to catch himself, his hands on either side if Naoto and his knees between her legs. It was obvious he had no clue that he'd just landed above her if the daze look on his face was anything to go by.

"Oops, sorry! I didn't mean to um…" The soft, childish voice of Nanako filled the room as the young girl stared at the questionable position the two had landed in. "Um… S-sorry, Naoto-san, Big bro. D-did I—"

"What on earth is going on in here!?"

"D-dad!" Naoto squeaked as Dojima walked into the room, her eyes wide. "U-um! W-wait! It's not their fault… I, um…"

"You two never came downstairs, so we came up to get you… but just what the hell is this!?"

"…Uncle Dojima?" Souji called, confused. "I… tripped. I'm sorry… I, ah… Naoto? Where are you? Could you help me up?"

"Um…" Naoto shifted uncomfortably under Souji, unable to form the words 'You're on me,' properly. "S-Senpai…."

Souji froze, his head snapping downward as he lifted one of his hands, slowly and cautiously, feeling around for the figure he now knew was below him… when his hand hit something soft and he instantly frowned, having no idea what he'd just done.

A fist connected with his jaw as Naoto, by reflex, threw her balled hand forward, squeaking loudly. Souji was thrown backward, a loud yelp of pain escaping his lips, followed by a second as his head connected with the bed-frame. In the doorway, Dojima started laughing; having pieced together the situation once Nanako had managed to calm him down.

The silverette whimpered in pain as the two females rushed to his side, both apologizing profusely for their actions and asking if he was alright.

"F-fine…" Souji finally managed to choke out. "Just fine… Never better. Can, um… s-someone please help me up now?"

Two firm hands grabbed him under the arms and Souji suddenly found himself on his feet, dazed from the sudden movement. "T-thanks, Uncle…"

"Ahahaha… N-no problem." Amusement still danced in Dojima's tone, "You're a lucky man, Souji. Most males would have gotten Shriogane's revolver after a pass like that."

"D-Dojima-san!"

"A pass like… huh? I don't understand, what did I—" Souji suddenly stopped, his face going pale before he blushed a bright crimson. "O-oh my… Naoto! I'm so—"

"It's alright, Souji-san… Calm down. It was an accident. I apologize for striking you like that. I should have exercised more self control. Is… your jaw alright?"

"It's fine, I—well, at least we know you're getting your strength back, huh? That was… a good punch."

Naoto blushed in embarrassment, glaring heated at Souji before turning for the door. "A-anyway. We should get going… We need to check you out."

Souji laughed and nodded, slowly feeling his way around the room until he found Naoto and took her hand. The smile he offered her instantly melted the irked glare as he said, "So, let's go home…"

"Be careful of the tables, Souji." Naoto said as she weaved her way through the food court at Junes. "There's one in front of you and another to your left. Our table is just…"

"I know, don't worry." Souji chuckled softly as he maneuvered his way around the tables flawlessly and sat down next to Naoto, smiling in self-satisfaction. "We used to come here so often… it's one of the few paths I'll never forget, sight or no sight."

"You're doing very well… I'm impressed, Senpai. I suppose being back in a familiar area helps you in navigating around."

"Impressed?" Souji smirked. "Did it really take a whole month back in Inaba without me managing to kill myself to get you impressed? You're a hard shell to crack, Naoto."

"Senpai!" Naoto scolded, her eyes amused but her tone irked as she used the old title she'd gradually grown out of using back at the hospital. "You're horrible! I must remember not to allow you to spend so much time with Yosuke-san and Kanji-kun."

"Come on Naoto, be fair."

The sleuth quirked an eyebrow.

"Some of it's Dojima too."

"…Fine then, shall we simply lock you in a box?"

"That depends… Are you in the box with me?"

Naoto fought the urge to roll her eyes and bent forward, hitting Souji's noise lightly in a manner that was both affectionate and annoyed.

"Senpai, do be quite. You're starting to sound like Teddie."

"I'm sure he'd love to hear that."

"Heeeeeeeeey! There they are! Senpaiiiiii! Naoto-kuuuun!"

Both heads turned as they heard the familiar voice of Rise. The pig-tailed girl ran toward, them, smiling and grinning as she waved. Behind her, Kanji followed quickly carrying what appeared to be two Junes shopping bags that were obviously Rise's. Yosuke and Chie followed after him, both grinning at their seated friends and waving with their free hands, while the other was clasped tightly together with its partners. Teddie and Nanako followed soon after them, smiling and laughing as they played a sort of half-tag with one another on their way to the table.

"Everyone's here…" Naoto muttered, as she and Souji stood up to greet their friends.

"Just like old times…"

The soft glow of the setting sun shone down over Inaba, giving the rustic down a beautiful orange glow. Souji's silver eyes gazed off into the distance absently, while Naoto's intently took in the scene before her, a content smile on her face. She leaned against Souji, his arms wrapped tightly around her waist with her head curled under his chin. They had been standing there for nearly two hours, but her legs weren't tired in the slightest and she was too comfortable to move.

"…Naoto?" Souji spoke, finally breaking the silence between them.

"Hm?"

"Happy Birthday…"

Naoto smiled softly and shifted closer to Souji, tilting her head upward.

"It's been so long since we were last up here alone…" she muttered softly, her tone both sorrowful and happy at the same time. "I… really wish you could see it with me."

"I can always imagine it… Tell me what it looks like. I've always had a good mind for painting a picture.

"Well…" Naoto began, pulling away from Souji as she leaned over the railing, carefully taking in the scene before her. "Everything is covered in a beautiful glow, it…" And she launched into an explanation, carefully voicing even the smallest details as Souji listened with a soft smile, nodding every few seconds as he shut his eyes and carefully pieced together the image in his mind, taking care to add himself and Naoto standing hand in hand of the center of it all.