A/N: It's already been a year since I started writing this story! I can't believe I couldn't finish it yet! But it's close to the end. Thank you everyone :)

Lost Soul (part two)

(General POV)

A gloomy morning arrived. But it was welcomed with warm embraces from the Irie family as they were desperate to see their loved ones. Kotoko was the first one to wake up so they went to meet her.

"Irie-kun… Is he okay? Where is he?" She asked as soon as she saw her family.

But they remained quiet not knowing the answer, so instead Mio answered her who had a routine check-up on him earlier.

"He is fine. He is still asleep and recovering."

"Recovering? From what?" She asked as she didn't know about Naoki getting injured due to the storm.

"Ohh… umm…" Mio felt loss of words as he totally forgot that she didn't know about that part.

"Well you see…" He tried to come up with something to cover up immediately but Kotoko knew him better.

"Mio… What happened to Irie-kun?" She asked in an unexpectedly calm voice which made Mio to blurt out the truth.

"He was injured yesterday when he went out into the storm." At this Kotoko widen her eyes and tried to get up from her bed but he pushed her down and added "But they weren't serious injuries. He is fine." He skipped about his leg.

"What? What did you say?" She stared at Mio open-mouthed.

"He was exhausted mostly." He added. This wasn't a lie at all.

"Irie-kun…" She mumbled.

"Kotoko, what happened yesterday… to you both?" Mr. Aihara asked finally what they all wanted to know.

Kotoko looked around at all of them. They were looking very exhausted. She felt so guilty and started to tear up. Lately that's the only thing that she seems to be doing. Either she cries or she made her family cry for her. She should already just die and spare them all from all the hurting she was causing, she thought.

"Kotoko please… Naoki didn't talk to us yesterday. Please child, just tell us what happened. We can help." Mrs. Irie told her kindly slowing running her fingers through her hairs.

"It's… umm… the accident…" She sobbed.

"Accident? Which accident?" Mr. Aihara asked.

"Before my treatment started… I…" She stopped not knowing how to break this to them knowing it will hurt them too much.

Realisation hit Mio when he heard Kotoko utter those words. She was talking about the accident due to which he and Hana met her for the first time.

"He found out and you didn't tell him about that either? What the hell is wrong with you Kotoko?" Even Mio felt bad for Naoki and mad at Kotoko which he thought was never possible.

"I don't know what I was thinking. I shouldn't have hid anything from him in the first place. But once I started, one thing led to another and in the end, I didn't tell him anything at all." She sobbed in her hands.

"We still don't get it." Yuki mumbled dreading the answer. He could guess what was coming and he hated the feeling.

Mio sighed looking at his friend who looked so helpless and weak. He decided to help her out and explained everything that took place during the time of her accident. The room remained pin drop silent when he finished. It nearly even made him gulp in fear since he felt like the culprit as he broke the news to them. He just looked from one to another.

Everybody else was staring at Kotoko who has her face hidden behind her palms as she was sobbing on them. A long silent followed after Mio was finished talking, partly because no one knew what to say. They were all flabbergasted. Also partly because they were thinking, trying to remember the time. They couldn't believe something this big happened right in front of them and it missed their eyes. Four sets of eyes!

"When… did this happen?" Finally Mrs. Irie asked in a shaky voice.

Mio stayed quiet because he wanted Kotoko to speak up. Mrs. Irie asked the question to her after all.

Kotoko tried to compose herself and replied to Mrs. Irie.

"Right before I went to visit grandma Yoshida."

"Your wrist was injured. Yes, your wrist was injured. But you said it was minor." Mr. Aihara mumbled.

"The wrist injury was minor otou-san. It heeled in four days."

"Your ribs were fractured." Yuki stated in a dry voice. "How did I not notice? You must have been in pain. I should have noticed. I promised oni-chan I will look after you when he moved to Kobe. But I absolutely failed him."

"It was not your fault Yuki. The pain wasn't too much." Kotoko tried to console him.

Mio just raised a brow hearing that statement but didn't intervene. Hiding facts to relief from the pain temporarily doesn't solve anything permanently. Kotoko just doesn't seem to get it. He just shook his head.

Yuki, on the other hand, just glared at her with hurtful eyes.

"You… you went to Yoshida-san's house only to hide this from us, didn't you?" Mrs. Irie asked in a trembling voice.

"Oka-san… I'm so sorry. I didn't think anything before I did that. I was too overwhelmed after I found out everything. I just needed some space. So I ran away… from everything." She said with broken voice.

The entire family fell into the dilemma. They wanted to be mad at Kotoko for hiding something like that but then they felt bad for her. Then they felt mad at themselves for being so oblivious and again felt sad about the whole situation. Overall they couldn't decide what to feel. They just felt messed up.

"I should have been honest to you all from the start. I shouldn't have hid anything." She repeated her lines. "I thought I would burden Irie-kun. I thought I was protecting him… protecting me from being a burden to everyone. But I didn't know I will end up hurting you all so badly. Please forgive me."

"Kotoko…" Her father went closer to her and gave her a hug. "How can you think you will be a burden to me?" He asked her patting on her head.

"Otou-san, after I found out about oka-san, I… I lost my mind. I knew nothing about Neuroshia at that time. Dr. Shinju explained things but I didn't understand everything. I thought oka-san wouldn't have died if she didn't have me. I thought about telling you, but then I couldn't find the courage to face you with the truth. I was blaming myself at that time."

"Kotoko…" Mr. Aihara tired to say something but she cut him off.

"I know… trust me, I know otou-san. I understood it later, that it wasn't my fault and I don't blame myself anymore."

"But I couldn't help it the first time I found out. It was too much for me." She sobbed at her father's arms.

Mr. Aihara didn't say anything. He just held onto his daughter tightly while she cried on his shoulder. He was also crying. Mr. Irie put his arm around his crying wife's shoulder to comfort her. Yuki looked around his family feeling frustrated. He was getting mad at himself being so unable to help any of them. He decided to check on Naoki. He looked for Mio who had snuck out of the room a while back.

Yuki found him in front of Naoki's cabin. Mio came out of the cabin when Yuki reached the door.

"Is oni-chan awake?" He asked him.

"Err… Well yes…" Mio hesitated.

"He refused to see us?" Yuki stated. He knew his oni-chan so well. He could read what was going through Naoki's mind right now. Naoki was probably feeling too guilty and mad right now. He would want to be left alone.

"Yes. He doesn't want to see anyone, even Kotoko." Mio replied.

Yuki sighed. He could feel how sad his brother was right now.

"How is he?" He asked.

"He is fine. His injuries weren't very serious and he is a fast healer. Dr. Ayano said he can get discharged soon." Mio replied him.

"Oh… That's a relief." Yuki mumbled looking down.

"What happened?" Yuki looked up when he heard Mio voice the question to the person behind him and turned around to see Hana coming towards them.

"Kotoko wants to see Dr. Irie." She replied Mio.

"But he refused to meet anyone. He wants to be left alone."

"I know. But I don't know what to tell Kotoko. She is really tensed and was crying to see him."

Mio sighed and scratched his forehead.

"Well… Let me talk to Dr. Irie again." He entered the cabin again. Hana and Yuki waited outside.

"Err… Dr. Irie?" Mio called Naoki moving closer to him. Naoki opened his eyes when he heard Mio but stared at the ceiling blankly.

"Your family really wanted to see you. Yuki-kun is right outside the door. Umm… Kotoko is also asking to see you." He told Naoki knowing full well that Naoki won't see any of them right now.

He could see it in his eyes. Empty eyes were talking a lot. Naoki was really vulnerable at this moment. He needed time. He needed to be alone. But at the same time he needs someone to reassure him that everything is okay. Everything is just fine.

Naoki sighed closing his eyes. He doesn't want to see anyone. He isn't ready to face anyone.

"Please… I don't want to…" He mumbled weakly. "Tell them to leave me alone."

"Are you sure you will be okay alone?" Mio asked him kindly.

Naoki nodded his head slightly in answer. Mio didn't press the matter anymore and left him alone again.

"What did he say?" Yuki asked as soon as Mio was out of the room. Mio just shook his head. Yuki let out a long breath. He knew this will happen.

"Let's inform the others." Yuki said that and walked towards Kotoko's cabin which was three doors to the right from Naoki's.

"What did he say?" Kotoko asked Hana when she entered the room after Yuki.

"He doesn't want to see y… anyone." Mio said bluntly. He knew Kotoko wouldn't listen if he talks nicely. Hana gaped at him.

Has he lost his mind? She wondered.

Kotoko stared at Mio desperately. She was dying to see Irie-kun. She needed to see him with her own eyes to be sure he was okay.

"Let him rest for a while Kotoko. I'm sure he will see us soon. Just give him some time." Yuki told her.

"Please don't cry." Hana added quickly moving closer to her.

Kotoko stopped her tears with difficulty. She couldn't make her family more worried. They suffered enough to last for a lifetime. Hana gave her friend a hug and patted on her back.

...

One more day passed…

Throughout the whole day Kotoko attempted to see Naoki many times but he kept refusing to see anyone. The next morning Kotoko was discharged. Mrs. Irie took her home immediately although she didn't want to leave Naoki. Mrs. Irie said she needed proper food.

Naoki was discharged at the evening. He told Dr. Ayano that he can go home alone, since Mrs. Irie who was in the hospital for them went home with Kotoko. But Dr. Ayano instructed Mio to inform his home. He didn't want Naoki to wonder around alone when he was so down emotionally. Dr. Ayano, Hana, Mio- they could tell Naoki was suffering for something, but they didn't pry on his personal business.

Mio called Yuki who left his contact number to Mio for emergency. Yuki told him he will be at the hospital as soon as possible.

Naoki signed his own discharge paper and was ready to leave when Yuki arrived to pick him up. Yuki didn't start driving yet, so they took the tube back home.

They walked home from the station. Naoki was very quiet during the entire ride. Yuki didn't bother him much.

"Yuki, I would like to go for a walk before I go home." Naoki said suddenly when they were near their home.

"Do you want me to come with you?" Yuki asked him already knowing the answer.

"No, that's fine. I won't be out for long." Naoki replied.

"Oni-chan… You should talk to Kotoko, you know?"

Naoki looked at Yuki blankly.

"You both should talk out everything. Earlier you didn't talk about anything and you both are suffering now for that. If you don't talk now, then you will suffer in the future for it." He said wisely.

Naoki stared at his brother. What he said was right. It made sense. Slowly a smile broke into Naoki's face. It felt like he smiled after ages.

When did Yuki grow up so much? He thought.

"You're right. Let's get home." He told Yuki.

Yuki smiled. They both resumed walking. When Yuki opened the front door for Naoki, they both entered a very quiet house. Yuki didn't inform anyone before he went to pick up Naoki. He had a hunch Naoki wouldn't want to come home straight and the delay might worry everyone. Also Naoki didn't need any loud welcomes and confetti right now. Although Mrs. Irie is too upset to do any of that right now.

Mr. Irie had just returned home from office and he was upstairs in their room. Kotoko was also in her room. Mrs. Irie was in the dining setting up the dinner. Mr. Aihara was still at work.

Naoki went in and sit on a sofa in the sitting area. Yuki closed the door and followed him.

"Yuki, is that you?" Mrs. Irie said while coming towards the front door to check.

"Naoki…" She called out loudly in surprise and dropped the chopsticks she was holding on the floor.

"You're home! When did you get discharged?" She asked running towards her son.

"Just now." Naoki replied and looked up at his devastated mother. He felt bad for her. She didn't deserve this. He got up and hugged her. Slowly patting her back he reassured her that he was okay.

Mrs. Irie held onto her son for a while then pulled back and called Mr. Irie to come downstairs. Mr. Irie half ran to downstairs when he heard his wife.

"Naoki, are you alright son?"

"Yes, otou-san. I'm absolutely fine now."

"That's good. You should rest." Mr. Irie advised him.

"Did you eat anything? Dinner is ready. I am setting up…" Mrs. Irie trailed off when she saw the person who just appeared at the door behind her husband.

"Irie-kun?"

Everybody looked behind Mr. Irie who also turned back to see Kotoko standing at the door holding the door frame.

"Kotoko! What are you doing here? You're not supposed to use the stairs yet." Mrs. Irie scolded her.

She didn't response but kept staring at Naoki who was holding back her gaze. Kotoko was told not to use the stairs. So every time she needed to use it Naoki carried her. Sometimes Yuki also volunteered if Naoki was unavailable.

Naoki couldn't look for too long at Kotoko. His mind went blank and he didn't know what to say. So he looked down. Guilt was eating him alive inside. He felt his hands started to shake.

"Irie-kun…" Kotoko moved closer. She was feeling scared. She thought Naoki was angry, as well as sad. She was afraid she broke him beyond repair.

Naoki didn't look up. He didn't know how to meet her eyes. He was trying to keep his composer very hard. But he failed. Tears started to fall astonishing his entire family. But they didn't utter a single word. They let him cry and take it out.

Kotoko flung her arms around him hugging him tightly. Naoki was shaking. He stood rigidly and cried silently in her embrace. She just held him and tried to shoot him silently.

After a while he pulled back and wiped his face. He felt slightly better after crying. He wanted to explain everything to his family. But when he intended to speak, his father cut it off.

"We know everything Naoki. Don't worry about us. You just take care of yourself."

Naoki nodded his head. He felt relive that he didn't have to go through the painful story again.

"I'm sorry I made you all worried. Running off like that was very immature." He said in a shaky voice.

"You're okay now. So everything is okay. But please don't ever scare me again like this." Mrs. Irie said putting a hand on his shoulder.

Naoki nodded again in agreement.

"Go to your room and rest. I will call you down for the dinner. Kotoko already ate." Mrs. Irie said.

"I had dinner in the hospital with Dr. Ayano before I left."

"Oh… okay then you should rest."

He nodded for the third time and moved towards the stairs. Kotoko followed him quietly feeling nervous. However when she was about to climb up, Naoki stopped her. He picked her up in bridal style.

"Irie-kun… I can go by myself."

"Oni-chan… I can take her."

"Naoki, you sure you can carry her?"

"Do you need help Naoki?"

Everybody talked at the same time.

"It's fine. I can handle it." He replied and started to climb up. Everybody followed him with their eyes but didn't object. If he says he's fine, then he is fine.

Kotoko and Naoki also remained silent until they reach their room.