Naomi ~

Heavenly Host was nearly three months ago. Despite my promise, I haven't turned up at school since. The memories... Suffocating me in a never ending pile of guilt, of horror. Of fear.

I understand now that nothing was my fault... Really. Seiko deserves to be remembered with happy thoughts and nothing other than that. I still miss her. But I refuse to dwell on it.

But the memories often give me nightmares, only refreshing the gory horror of it all. It seems impossible to get over this.

The worst thing is the fear eating inside me. After everything that has happened, how can I move on, have a family and live a normal life? I've always wanted a proper family. But it seems impossible now. I will only be a burden to them.

There are only four other people who can relate. However, Yuka is still too young. I have never been close to Shinozaki. Kishinuma is already going through enough. And after all he's done for me... I can't burden Satoshi with my thoughts anymore.

I don't want to be suicidal. Or depressed. But I cannot escape the fear, the sadness that I will probably never have a family. I do not wish to trouble them with the past that will haunt me forever.

Satoshi~

I cannot help but worry about Naomi. Her disappearance has troubled many at school already. But not as much as me.

I lie on my bed, thinking of nothing but the hellhole we barely escaped nearly three months ago. The image of Suzumoto's bloody remains... Morishige's psychotic laughter... Yui's lifeless form... Naomi sobbing over a pale body with bloodshot, emotionless eyes... Shinohara.

I shake my head.

"Gotta think happy, gotta think happy..." I murmur to myself. Depression is the last thing any of us need. We are all fighting our own demons.

An image of Naomi forms in my mind. Smiling, laughing. Care free.

I can't let her struggle anymore. The countless days of waiting for her return... I long to see that beautiful smiling face again.

I slip on my jacket, recheck her address and start to head to Naomi's. It's about six in the evening, even though I'm freezing cold. You'd think it was nighttime.

I approach a neat looking building, a small garden leading up to the door. I look at the number. 101. I nervously make my way up the stony path and knock on the door. I've never been here before.

I wait but no one answers. I gently push the door, to find it open. "Naomi...?" I say.

I hear shuffling upstairs. At least she's home.

I go up the stairs, the creme wallpaper decorated with photos and such.

The shuffling seems to be coming from the white door to my left. Tentatively, I knock.

No answer.

I sigh and push the door open, to reveal a pale lilac room with a person sitting at a snowy white desk.

"Naomi?"

The figure is hunched over something and I hear scratching sounds. I lean over her shoulder and peer at what she is doing. She is sketching a simple rose. She doesn't look up, not seeming to acknowledge my presence. I look at the drawing, surprised at the perfected detail of it all. I never knew Naomi could draw so good.

I stand awkwardly behind her. When she is done, she finally sits up and turns to look at me. Her eyes widen when she sees me.

"What are you doing here...?" She asks.

"I was concerned about you... And nobody answered anyways." I reply.

Surprisingly, she doesn't look as rough as I thought she would. Her hair brushed, her eyes shining her clothes (light pink shirt and jeans) seeming almost new. But I can sense the depression she is trying so hard to conceal. The façade, so well crafted yet so blatantly obvious.

"Sorry.. I didn't think it was you." Her voice is quiet, subdued. Her eyes cannot meet mine. She's running her fingers through her hair constantly. There is something wrong.

"Naomi..." I'm not sure where to begin.

Suddenly, she breaks down sobbing, and I put an arm around her. She soaks my shirt with her tears.

Naomi~

I've tried so hard not to show my weakness in front of him. I wish he never came. Yet I feel somewhat comforted as I sob onto his shoulder, feeling protection as his arm wraps around me. What is it I am experiencing? Have I become closer to Satoshi? Why do I feel so different around him...?

"It's okay..." He whispers in my ear, "Shinohara is watching over you, you know..."

He thinks it's Seiko. But it's not. Do I really want to tell him the truth? Can I trust him? After everything we've been through together...

"It's not Seiko..." I say and stop crying. He looks at me, unsure. I finally meet his eyes and when I do, I start to blush. Why am I blushing? A small smile displays on his face and I know he's seen it. I blush harder.

His chocolate eyes gaze into my own and I know at this moment that I can trust him with anything.

"This will sound stupid, considering everything, but..." I begin, trying my best not to sound whiny and annoying.

"Hm...?"

"Well... Every night, I'm haunted by the m-memories of... You know..."

He nods, understanding.

"And it takes me a while to calm down again... And I doubt I'll ever get past this and..." I pause, knowing I wasn't exactly saying any of this too well.

He waits for me to continue.

"... well, I don't think I'll ever be loved in this state. I'll be a burden to any family I raise. Freaking out. Scaring my family. I've always wanted a family... But I can't now I'm trapped in the ghost of my past." I finish, certain Satoshi thinks I'm a nutcase. But now I've actually told someone, I feel so much lighter...

His concerned expression softens and his holds both of my hands in his own. I feel giddy with pleasure at this gesture.

"Naomi." He speaks gently but firmly. "You will always be loved. A part of all of us died back there but we have so many reasons to persevere. What you said didn't sound stupid but I don't agree. You will never be a burden to me. Even if you feel as though you're not loved... I will always love you."

He finishes quickly. Did he just confess to me?

Satoshi~

It does not seem as if she understands what I'm trying to say. Or maybe she simply does not know how to reply.

"Me and you have gone through this together. There is no need to fear the past anymore... I am always here for you." I say.

Still no response.

Her eyes are glazed over, focusing on nothing.

"Naomi? Please... I love you."

Her warm gaze focuses on me, looking up at me. Finally, I hear a reply. Not one I want to hear though.

"Why?"

I stand still, looking away. She obviously doesn't return the feelings. Her stare can change from so inviting to so cold... Icy...

"I'm sorry." I say and turn away. I open the door and make my way downstairs, preparing to leave. I open the door-

"Wait!" I hear a yell from above.

I head back upstairs, to find Naomi standing in the door frame. "You forgot your jacket."

Damn.

I take it from her, desperate to get away. The awkwardness is too much to bare. To not be loved back...

"Satoshi. Hear me out." Naomi says.

"..."

"Don't ignore me..."

"..."

Suddenly, she grabs my sleeve. "Please! We've been through hell together and I don't know how I can live without you. You mean so much to me, it's unbearable. Don't ignore be... Without you, I'm nobody..."

I face her. She is not lying.

"Please Satoshi... I love you."

Her last words make me fall forwards in shock, accidentally landing on Naomi and trapping her underneath me. We both crash to the floor, a feeling of embarrassment welling in my chest. What a stupid reaction to a confession.

I hear muffled squealing and realise Naomi can't talk or breathe as I am smothering her. I lift my chest, allowing her to breathe but she still winces in pain.

"Sorry!" I say, climbing off her and helping her up. I feel so stupid, my reaction has probably made her change her mind about me...

She collapses onto her bed, panting. Feeling guilty, I sit next to her. She doesn't sit up or even look at me. This trip wasn't going at all as I expected.

Naomi~

I lie there, confused about Satoshi's reaction. Maybe I was wrong. Maybe I'm not meant for him.

I feel his gaze on me and sit up, defensive. "What!?"

He raises an eyebrow. "Chill."

I stare at him. Chill? He can be such an insensitive bastard sometimes... But still, I am confused as to what is actually going on between us. Does he love me? Do I love him? Do we feel anything for each other?

"We've got to sort this out..." He says. I nod.

"Naomi, I've loved you for a really long time... I'll protect you with anything I have and no matter what, even if you don't return the feelings... I want you to always have the feeling of being loved."

I realise what I want now. What I've always wanted, too oblivious to the truth. I just want Satoshi. He is the only other person who understands what I'm going through. He won't judge me, he'll support me... And imagine the thought of raising a family together...

I blush suddenly. Having a family means-

"Satoshi... I love you too. We can understand each other and support each other and I love you."

He wraps his arms around me, protectively. I am his now. He is mine.

Satoshi~

I let go of Naomi and look at her red, smiling face. In a way, I have saved her and she has saved me. We no longer have to pine for comfort, feel different to everyone else. We will be together for as long as possible.

I check her small clock and realise how late it is.

"I've got to go... I'm sorry. Will you be okay?" I ask.

She nods, understanding.

"I'll be fine." She gets up and leads me to the door, checking I have my jacket this time. Before I exit, I lean over to her, enjoying the closeness. She radiates with warmth...

I kiss her then, feeling her arms wrap around my neck. Finally we can be happy. We don't have to be separate from the rest.

We break apart and our eyes meet before I turn away and walk down the path, happier then I've ever been in my life. Naomi whispers something so quiet, I can barely hear.

"I will always love you."

I'm sorry this is so late

But there just wasn't many reviews

So I didn't think you wanted it continued.

I thought of this myself

Because at least some people wanted more

Hope you enjoyed :)

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