The memories had been drifting in and out of her mind, ever since Kyou got back to Tokyo.

Kyou stripped off her clothes, as she walked towards the bathtub, the scent of sakura and peaches filled the entire bathroom. Kyou dipped her entire body inside the hot, steaming water. Feeling the rush of warmth and comfort reach every part of her body, she slumped in the water, feeling as if her very body and soul were being cleansed.

"Ahhhh...that feels so good..." Kyou purred, as she started to sink in the water even deeper.

But even though she felt so relaxed, there was still the thought of something gnawing in the back of her mind, as if it was trying to escape. The so-called monster were Kyou's past memories, Kyou kept remembering and trying to forget the nightmares that were her memories.

No, I started recalling these memories after I realized what needed to be done, I couldn't run away anymore, I had to face my fears and attack them head on. That's why I came back. I was not going to act like some coward in front of my son! Kyou thought.

"But it's so much easier to run away!" Kyou yelled as she rustled her hair, frustrated at how much of a coward she was. Kyou couldn't stop being the coward that she truly was, but Kyou is going to try her best. One small step could change everything, and if she is able to take that step, it's better than taking none. Kyou only came back for Kyouta's sake. Kyouta is her light and shining star, he's the only reason that Kyou could still be able to smile. Kyou stopped, sinking in the water once again, as she dunked her entire body under the water.

As Kyou was drowning herself inside the pool of water, she heard a knock. Hearing that, Kyou popped her head back up, water splashing as she gasped for air, taking a deep breath, regaining enough oxygen in her lungs.

"Kyou-chan? Are you alright?" Satsuki said, as she continued to knock on the door. She felt concerned, it has been awhile since she had talked to Kyou. She wanted to know more about her, since they lost touch after a few years.

Turning to the sound of Satsuki's voice, Kyou answered. "I'm fine, is there something you need Satsuki?"

"It's just that...I wanted to talk with you in private, and it seems like the best time...do you think I could come in?" Satsuki said with a bit of hope in her voice. Ever since Kyou had arrived, Tetsu had been hovering around her, as the protective older brother he was. But that just made it harder to question the girl, she wanted to know everything about her. There just wasn't enough time at the moment to find out everything that she wanted to know.

"Yeah, the door's open so go right ahead." Kyou answered as she continued to rest in the comfort of the bathtub. Kyou wanted to talk to Satsuki since she arrived, they haven't talked over the years so Kyou wanted to catch up. She heard the door open, seeing Satsuki walk inside as she quickly closed the door, giving her a sheepish grin.

"I didn't want to act all secretive with Tetsu, but there has been no privacy in this house since I have gotten pregnant!" Satsuki said with a huff, as she sat down beside the bathtub.

A smile appeared on Kyou's lips. "I can guess, Tetsu can be such a worrywart, he is probably hovering over you all the time Satsuki." I could imagine my brother tending to Satsuki's every need. Helping her walk, massaging her feet, to probably even feeding her. The very thought made her giggle.

A pout shown on Satsuki's face. "You're so right Kyou! I appreciate his help...but I can do some things on my own as well, I'm not disabled or anything!" Satsuki sighed, she loved Tetsu and all, but she needed space sometimes. But she couldn't help but love him more by how sweet he was. She turned to face Kyou. "But that aside...how are you Kyou?"

"Well, I'm a teacher, I teach English in high school. I lived in Kamakura with my grandfather and Kyouta. But to be honest, I don't have much of a life, other than Kyouta and teaching." Kyou realized her life could just be boring at times. Especially when she was busy with work and Kyouta.

"So, are you seeing anyone now?" Satsuki smiled at Kyou, she was happy that they were finally able to talk and catch up, she missed Kyou over the years. She invited Kyou to her wedding, but unfortunately, Kyou couldn't attend. She said there were "work reasons" but she knew it was just an excuse so that she didn't have to see him again. They were still friends, so she had to invite him. Satsuki understood why Kyou wanted to avoid the wedding, but it was sad that you weren't able to keep contact with one of your best friends.

A sad smile appeared on Kyou's lips. "No...I'm not seeing anybody. I dated a few guys...but they were all short relationships."

Kyou didn't elaborate any further and Satsuki knew that her love life couldn't be doing that well if she didn't talk much about it. Knowing the bluenette, she was always one to keep her problems bottled up inside her and that is probably what she is doing now. Satsuki didn't want to pry, but she also wanted to make sure that she was okay.

"Were you in love with any of them?"

Kyou's shoulder tensed for a moment.

"I don't know."

Once again, Satsuki received a simple answer from Kyou. She could see the pain in Kyou's eyes, she could see that she was afraid of getting hurt by a man again. Through Kyou's tough exterior, Kyou was a soft-hearted person. She knew that Kyou always tried to act strong, but it made her an easy person to read. Just take a look in her teal eyes, and everything was obvious.

"Enough about me Satsuki, tell me more about your life! I did miss your wedding after all!" Kyou said frantically, as she tried to change the subject.

"My wedding? It was amazing, I wished you could have come, but you were so busy...it was such a shame." Kyou knew this was true. She could imagine Satsuki in a beautiful white wedding dress, walking down the aisle, arm and arm with her brother. The smiles of the people around them, and the happiness that they shared...but it was something that she just wasn't a part of.

"Really, I wish I could have come too, I bet it was beautiful." Satsuki nodded, glancing down at the ring that was given to her by the love of her life. She couldn't be happier with where her life took her and she wished the same for Kyou. "What else is new though?"

Satsuki and Kyou spoke for some time. Kyou found out that Satsuki was a sports trainer, but ever since she found out that she was pregnant, she was on a leave. She was now a housewife until the baby was born, while Tetsu was a kindergarten teacher. It was amazing to see her again and hearing of everything that is going on with her life. Watching her eyes light up at the mention of Tetsu was really something to her. It reminded Kyou of their middle school days, when they would have one of their Tetsu-LOVE talks.

"So how is everybody?" Kyou was curious on how her old friends were. Many years have passed, but Kyou never contacted them once when she left.

"Do you want to meet them?" Satsuki asked, she was happy that Kyou wanted to reunite with the Generations of Miracles again. They were all close friends, but they were more like a make-shift family.

Kyou nodded. "I do...but I don't know if they want to see me again..." She left, she left the most important people in her life behind. Kyou didn't know how they felt when she disappeared but Kyou assumed that they were angry and disappointed. They were so close, but she just disappeared without a word of goodbye.

Satsuki sensed guilt coming from Kyou's words. She knew that everyone was heartbroken when Kyou left, but they understood her pain. She put on an encouraging smile and patted Kyou's shoulder. "It's fine, everyone has forgiven you for leaving. We understood that you were confused, we knew you would come back some day."

Kyou didn't know what to think. She felt as if she betrayed my friends. "Arigatou." Her friends have forgiven her, but Kyou doesn't deserve such amazing friends, she didn't deserve her friends at all.

Satsuki stared at Kyou with worried eyes. She knew Kyou was pushing too much of the blame on herself. She wanted Kyou to forgive herself, she wanted her to smile from the heart again. She knew things were hard on Kyou, she wanted to relieve some of her pain, but she didn't know how. She stood up and headed for the door, she wanted Kyou to have some time to herself. Satsuki couldn't just push all of this emotional stuff at Kyou, but she knew they had to talk soon. Turning the door knob, she turned to face Kyou with a smile. "You shouldn't stay in the bath too long, you can catch a cold. I'll make you some tea before I head to bed, oyasumi nasai Kyou."

And with that said, the door closed, leaving Kyou deep in thought. If only words could change what happened. Things are never that simple. Feelings were hurt and lives were changed. Don't misunderstand. Kyou didn't regret what happened, because she was a firm believer that all things happen for a reason. Sometimes that reason is just a little unclear. Even now Kyou wasn't sure what she gained from it. Maybe it was the chance to move on, find a new life. But even though she had done that, it was still painful.

Kyou stood up, grabbing a towel from the towel rack, wrapping it around her body as she dried myself. Kyou slipped on her bra and panties and her oversized special edition Kuma shirt she received from Riko years ago. The shirt was big enough to fit her chest, but was still too long for her curvaceous body. Slipping her legs in a pair of pink pajama bottoms with white polka-dots, she pulled the pants until it reached her waist, rolling the pant sleeves until it reached a little below her knees. Looking in the mirror, Kyou gave herself a check of approval before she left the bathroom. "I'm ready..." With that said, Kyou clipped her sakura pin on her bangs and headed out the door.

Life moves on. You can either go with the flow or get left behind. And she was almost left behind.. Kyou picked herself back up at the last moment. Saving herself from losing what she had left of her life. Kyou was always told that she was strong, but if she truly was then how did that ever happen? How could she be so weak, that she left. Leaving all of her friends and family behind.

Kyou walked down the stairs and headed for the kitchen. It was peacefully quiet in the house, Tetsu and Satsuki were probably sleeping, and Kyouta must have been snoring away in the guest room. Kyou spotted the cup of tea that Satsuki left her, walking towards it, Kyou grabbed the cup.

Kyou sat down, wondering where her life would take her, while Kyou stared at the night sky. Seeing the steam release from the mixture, she took a sip as she continued to look at the stars. Cringing a bit from the taste, a smile appeared on her lips. "You were never able to make a cup of tea Satsuki..." Kyou whispered as she continued drink the tea, wondering if Kyou could ever see the stars that she was searching for.

Sorry that I haven't been updating as fast!

Sorry if this was a bit boring though...but I'm getting to the juicy parts!

I also wanted to say that if you didn't notice, I changed that Kyou lived in Kamakura instead of Kyoto. Wonder why?

It's because I watched Nerawareta Gakuen. It was an awesome movie! The animation was beautiful, and so was the background and scenery. It took place in Kamakura, so if you watched it, I want you to picture those scenes as where Kyou lived. Isn't it beautiful?

Sorry that it was changed on a whim though...

I also wanted to say thanks for the people who read and reviewed. I appreciate the encouragement. Especially when you review, because that made me really happy. Please read and review and tell me if there were any grammar mistakes. I'm a perfectionist after all!