Tsukushi's POV

"Where the hell were you?" Tsukasa screamed as I felt his warmth all around me. "I was so worried about you…" he whispered more quietly, tightening his grip "I thought that something happened to you."

"I was just getting the beer." I gestured with my hands. But instead of looking at the bag, he looked straight into my eyes, his warm hands slowly caressing my cheek. He bent down and slowly pressed his soft lips against mine. The kiss was so gentle, his lips softly brushing against mine as though I was made out of glass. With the same gentleness he took my hand in his and led us home.

I closed my eyes and leaned against him. The warmth of his body spreading through mine as though he was a blanket enveloping me, a shield – protecting me from every danger of the world. I always wanted to remain like this, next to each other – in silence.

Silence was natural for us. Since we were little we didn't need words or sounds to communicate with each other. And after the accident we felt better not speaking – sometimes he would come to my room at night and stare at me and I would look at him. He wouldn't say anything – but I knew what was wrong. And I would hold his hand just like now.

We found Tsubaki snoring on the couch, still holding a bottle in her hand. While Tsukasa gently carried her off to the bedroom, I opened the beer and took a sip. I knew what would happen in the morning – I would have a horrible headache and wouldn't remember a thing. But I didn't care. I wanted to forget all the thoughts in my head, all the emotions that were tearing me apart. The last thing I remembered was Tsukasa warms arms tucking me into the bed, but my thoughts weren't about him. They were about the mysterious man, the one that I hated or I thought I did – Mr. CEO.

My dream was very strange. I was once again in our secret place, the Martian standing next to me opening the secret box that held our secret. I turned to look at my note but it was blank, I looked back at the Martian but instead of him there stood the CEO.

I slowly opened my eyes it was still dark outside – I closed my eyes and tried to sleep. But every time I would close my eyes – he would appear. I tried to shake my head but it only brought the picture clearer. He stood there motionless, looking with his piercing eyes right through me, as he could hear my innermost thoughts. I thought that I hated him but every time I would try to get angry at him my anger would dissipate as his lips curved into a thin smile.

I tried to imagine Tsukasa now. I remembered when we first met – his arrogance towards everyone as though he was the king of the world. It surprised me when we became friends. I didn't even realize it when we did – it always seemed like we were always friends. Since then we have become inseparable. He was always there besides me, every day, every hour, and every minute no matter what. I wanted him by my side forever. He was my sun, always leading me and guiding me towards happiness.

I heard soft footsteps getting closer, the silent creaking of the door – but I didn't open my eyes. I didn't need to. He bent down and tucked me once again, his lips pressing against my forehead. I could smell him, and I felt myself at peace once more. Everything about him was wonderful. I was so lucky to have him, and I was even luckier to have him for forever.

Rui POV

I went to sleep with her on my mind. Her silence was so intriguing and mysterious but her face displayed every emotion. Maybe that is why she was so fascinating, she reminded me of the girl in the past. But the girl in the past was different – this girl could never be the same girl. Even the girl from years ago wouldn't be the girl – she would be a woman now. I am not the same as I was few years ago. What about twelve?

It was so stupid to hold on to such a small memory! One week! Who remembers a week? Usually people remember few days of the year, and as humans grow older they forget even more!

But no matter how hard I tried, every single time I closed my eyes I saw the same thing – the little girl laughing silently her face growing, her arms stretching. Her face slowly morphs into the silent woman but the smile remains the same.

I couldn't stand this anymore – I was going to get married! Yet whenever I would try to think of Umi, I would get annoyed. Could I really learn to love her? Or at least be happy with her? All I know is that I have to try and this trip will help. I will escape everything even if it is for a few weeks. No more Umi, and no more of the mute woman that kept haunting my thoughts.

Few weeks later

The first thing I noticed was the soft breeze tickling my face. With a deep breath I could smell that I was somewhere else. There was still the familiar smell of the city but with it was mixed up another smell – a fresh one just born out from the ocean. How refreshing. I slept calmly the last couple of nights – no more dreams, no more faces. My head was finally clear. I was away from all of the things that bothered me the girl, Umi and the woman.

The sun was slowly rising over the horizon, slowly peeking through the covers as if to make sure it was time for her to finally come out. I stepped out into the patio and let the warm breeze tickle my body. I wish I could just stay here forever like this. Alone.

I didn't feel like going to work today. I wasn't even really needed there; there were too many people to boss each other around. And probably most would just rejoice by my absence. Out of habit I dressed in my suit again, while putting on my tie I finally realized it but as I looked back in the closet I didn't really see anything different, and I didn't care.

I took the bus – probably for the first time in years. But people didn't look at me or move out of my way, or even avert their eyes as if to hide from me. This time I was the invisible one. Someone pushed me and didn't say "sorry", the driver stopped too quickly and everyone on the bus flew forward – but no one complained. I laughed to myself – I would have fired my driver for this. How funny! Few weeks ago I was thinking of how different I was few years ago – but look at me now and yesterday!

The door closed and opened but I didn't pay attention who got off or got on, people moved their own ways and I was happy to be in my own little world. But as fate would have it my world was interrupted. The bus stopped with a force again and everybody flew forwards and then backwards. The woman standing in front of me fell towards me and instinctively my hands went to catch her before she hit the ground. I expected to hear a low "thanks" or "sorry" but I didn't hear anything. Few moments later as she was stable on the ground she turned around and faced me. Her smile illuminated her face, and her hands showed me probably one of the two signs. But instead of being surprised or furious that my world has been disturbed, my mouth stretched into a wide grin.

Tsukushi's POV

Soon Tsubaki started making plans for the wedding. All I needed to do was my point my finger at a certain selection. I tried to listen but most of her words just slurred and I really couldn't care more of what color the tablecloths were going to be or what shade of yellow should a certain flower in the centerpiece should be. Once I asked who would all be there besides the three of us. That was a mistake. Tsubaki instantly started pulling out a huge list of people I could vaguely recall. As I got more and more disinterested Tsubaki threw herself into this more and more. She loved to plan things but she loved buying them even more. I remember the birthday party's she used to throw. And now with the business being so good money wasn't a problem.

Somehow Tsubaki didn't complain that Tsukasa was taking me to see the doctor few months before the wedding. Instead she was glowing and saying how much easier it will be without us bothering her. So we went.

The doctor saw me within few days. He didn't say exactly how much he could do but he told me to come back. So I came back every day. The doctor did one thing after another, asking me to open my mouth then close it. Afterwards just talking to me for hours sometimes, asking me different things. His name was Mimasaka Akira. He went to school in London and then came to work here in Atami because he liked the Ocean and how calmer the resort was from Tokyo or other big city. He would go back to examining me but would keep on talking. Then I had to try some things but he asked me questions and I responded, however, I could. He said that having conversations even without words can help people recover their speech. One time our conversation went on for such a long time we didn't even notice how dark it was outside, and only the ringing of Akira's phone broke their conversation. It was almost eight o'clock and I could faintly hear an angry woman's voice on the other side of the phone. But instead of being frustrated Akira just gently spoke and apologized for keeping me so late.

Tsukasa was ecstatic as well. He was so glad that the doctor was allotting so much time to me – that meant that she has a chance – and a pretty big one too! He got along the doctor well too. Usually he would stay and talk with the doctor, while I was busy doing vocal "exercises" as they called them.

But today the doctor was full, and Tsukasa had flown back to Tokyo for a few days to help Tsubaki with the arrangements for the wedding. So I was left alone with nothing to do.

I never had a single thought about him being here. So when I saw his face inches away from mine smiling at me, I did the only thing I could I smiled back. I didn't even get a chance to say anything because this stop was mine. I waved goodbye to him and stepped of f the bus heading towards the beach. But few steps outside of the bus a cold hand grabbed mine and I heard his voice:

"Hey, where are you going?"

Hey sorry I know I am quite pathetic. I never meant for this to happen. I was so sure to keep sure to update this story. But I have been super busy, school, college, job, family and crazy creepy boyfriend. But that is no excuse. Mostly I wasn't writing because I have been in a major writer's block and I just have no idea what to write or how to write it. I am really really sorry! I will try to do my best and finish up this story. Thank you soooo much for reading and reviewing. And when I read review they really help me write. So any input is really welcome! Thank you