Nekozawa was unwrapping the bandages around my arms, underneath the soiled binding was fresh, untouched skin. It looked like I was never in a fire too begin with. My hair had fully grown back and I no longer looked like some kind of monster. I was my plain old self again. Since my clothes were burned away in the fire, Nekozawa managed to find some worn out gym uniform someone left behind. It was a bit too large for me but it was better than nothing.

We were currently sitting outside, watching the sunrise. Even though, Nekozawa kept a safe distance from the actual razes from the sun. He said he wasn't a big fan of the light and that's why he was always in the shadows. We stayed up all night talking about our past. Even though he was never abused growing up, he had it rough as well. His family wanted him to excel in life, but not in his own way. They wanted him to follow their footsteps and go into the family business. However, Nekozawa didn't want that. He wanted to live life the way he wanted. When he got transferred into Ouran High, he created a double life. When he's at school, he can be who he wants to be.

I wish I could have done the same.

Looking at him, he was still wearing his fry cook uniform and his blonde hair was equally greasy. He was currently working at a fast food place because his parents refused to buy him anything that had to do with his club. He received some funding from the school but they were not a big fan of the black magic idea either. So he took matters into his own hands and tries to provide for his club. He kept it a secret for a while until I showed up.

"Even though I hate the sun," He spoke. "I do enjoy sunrises."

I nodded, "I agree."

Before, when I was still alive. I hated sunrises. They reminded me that I was still living in a cruel world. They reminded me that I was forced to wake up to another day. were Mother was in control. It was different now. I saw them as a reminder that I was here, on this earth. That I was blessed to wake up and still be able to talk to everyone. I didn't know how much time I had left so every sunrise was a joy to see.

Last night, the topic came up. On how much time I had left. Nekozawa said he could feel it. That the aura around me was fading and that it wouldn't be long before it would disappear. What would happen at that point, we both didn't know. I knew it wouldn't be good. Before, I would have done anything if it meant I could vanish. Now, I would give anything if it meant I could have another day.

If I was going to disappear soon, then I needed to quickly settle some things. I didn't want to leave anything unfinished. I want to go without any regrets. Maybe, that's why I'm still here. Perhaps, I was given another chance to fix my problems. Being dead gave me the courage to step out of my shell. I managed to make some friends and stand up to Mother. I've loved and have gotten my heart broken as well. I've been able to feel so many emotions and experience situations that I would have never been able to if I was still alive.

I fumbled with my fingers, "May I ask you a question?"

"Go ahead," He smiled

If I wanted to make sure that I would leave no regrets, I needed to do it now. My time was running out, "Last night... Before you found me, I was in a fighting ring."

"What?!" He gasped, "Why?"

"I wasn't literally fighting, " I reassured him. "I went after a friend. I tried to break up the fight... I only made it worse." I struggled to keep my voice steady. I was still coming to terms that I was the reason the fire broke out. "I started a fire, it broke out and engulfed everything." The images of red and orange filled my vision. I remembered the screams and students trying to get away. Being pushed into the dirt and seeing Tomo defenseless. "I didn't mean to start it, it was an accident!"

Nekozawa placed a hand on my trembling shoulders, "It's okay."

All I could see was Tomo struggling to breathe, trying to get up but failing due to his ankle. To see him so weak was heartbreaking and I was the cause of it. The way the fire was roaring around him and any minute he would drown in its flames made me want to scream in agony. If it wasn't for me, he would have never been in that fire. Nobody would have gotten hurt! Tomo wouldn't have been hurt...

"Listen, Hara." Nekozawa shook me gently, forcing me out of my trance. "I don't know what fully happened but it's not your fault. It's gonna be okay." I could only nod as he tried to give me a reassuring smile, "Why don't you ask me your question?"

Oh, that's right. I was going to ask him something. I shook the memory of the fire away, I needed to focus on other things. I couldn't change what I had done, I could only make up for it. I can only hope that Tomo will let me.

I took a deep breath, trying whatever I could to make me feel better. I needed the strength to forget. "I need to use your phone for a minute." I had to find out what happened to Tomo last night. He didn't have a phone and neither did I. The only person who I could call was Takashi. He would know what happened to him. A big part of me hoped Tomo was okay and recovering at home. I tried pushing the nagging feeling that he was in much worse condition.

"Of course," He went to the cabinet and pulled out his phone. "Are you wanting to call your father? I can just take you home." He offered.

Taking the phone from him, I chuckled, "I wish I could return to him but not yet. I need to make things right." I went to the dialing screen on his phone and realized, I didn't know Takashi's number. "Do you know Takashi's number? He's from the Host Club."

His eyes lit up, the blue shine making me not want to ask questions. "I have Haninozuka's number. Usually, you can reach him from there." He took the phone and punched in the numbers. How did he know it by memory? Some other time, I'll have to ask. I needed to concentrate on my task.

He handed the phone back, I placed it against my ear, listening to the dialing tone. Each passing second made me want to think the worse. What if no one answers? What if Tomo was seriously hurt? Stop thinking! Just breathe and take one step at a time. Eventually, someone picked up the phone.

"Haniozuka residence, may I ask who is calling?" On the other end was the voice of a middle-aged man. I was taken back a bit, not suspecting a stranger to answer. I shouldn't be surprised. Honey and Takashi are from a rich family, it would only make sense for a butler or maid to answer the home phone.

"My name is Figumitsu Hara." Giving my full name seemed like a good idea.

He cleared his throat, his tone not changing in the slightest. "How may I help you?"

"I would like to speak with Takashi, please?"

I heard what sounded like papers shuffling and an uninterested sigh. The man made me feel worse about calling. I would have loved to hang up and never call again but I had to know what happened to Tomo. While the man was doing something on the other end, my eyes glanced at the rising sun. It was still early and I hoped Takashi was awake.

He finally answered, "I'm afraid you can't speak to him at the moment."

My heart sank.

"Please, it's very important." I pressed on, "It will only be for a second."

He sounded even more uninterested, "The young master is-" While he was talking I heard a door open loudly in the background. The man then paused and talked away from the phone, "Good morning, breakfast is in the dining room-" Then there was some silence. "Just a young lady, sir."

I could hear footsteps and someone finally answered me, "Hara?" It was Takashi's voice! To hear him was like taking the weight off my shoulders. The relief washed over me like a wave and if he was here in front of me, I would surely run into his arms. "Are you alright?" Was the first thing he asked, worry lacing his tone.

"I'm okay," I responded, not being able to wipe my grin away.

He didn't sound convinced, "I couldn't find you last night. Where are you?"

Glancing at Nekozawa, I answered, "First, I need to ask you something." He didn't say anything, waiting for my reply. "Where is Tomo? Is he okay? I need to see him."

"He's in the hospital."

I almost choked, not wanting to hear the answer. Tomo must be seriously hurt. It's all my fault! He's in the hospital from my stupid mistake. The world felt like it was spinning around me and that I would slip into some kind of dark pit. Words refused to leave my mouth as I tried to compose myself. Nekozawa tried to place his hand on mine but I shot away.

I didn't deserve to be comforted.

Eventually, I barely managed to squeeze my words out. "Can you take me to him?"

"Hara-" He tried to avoid my request.

I butted in, "Please... Takashi, I need your help."

That's all it took for him to sigh, "Where are you?"

"I'm at the high school, I'll be waiting at the front." I bit my finger, trying my best to not shake. I was so grateful to have Takashi in my life. He didn't press for an answer even though I knew he wanted to desperately know. He never pressed me. He didn't beg for me to tell him everything. He knew something was going on but couldn't bring himself to ask. Even if he did, I don't know if I could tell him.

"I'll be right there." With that said, he hung up.

My body felt heavier then relieved. I didn't know if I should be happy or more upset. I managed to get ahold of Takashi but now I knew that Tomo was in the hospital. I didn't know his condition and I was the reason why he was there. It was all my fault. He wouldn't be hurt if I never showed up. I had to let my curiosity get the better of me. Why couldn't I just return to the hotel? I bet Father is worried sick about me. Even Seika must be concerned.

Why must I only cause problems!

"Hara!"

Nekozawa's cry made me jumped. Then I felt it, looking down I saw that my hands were disappearing again. I gasped, shoving them under my armpits, not wanting to see myself getting worse. I choked back my tears. Emotions were swimming like a frenzy in my mind. My body felt extremely light like I was a feather about to be blown away. I couldn't think straight as my arms began to vanish.

"Not yet!" I sobbed. I didn't get to apologize to Tomo yet. I still have so many things to do and so many things left I need to say. I can't go away! I need to stay here! Again, I couldn't calm myself down. I began gasping for air as I felt like I was suffocating. It was like I was drowning, deeper and deeper. No matter how much air went into my lungs, it felt like it was filled with sand. My mouth was open, gasping, and saliva dripped from my lips. I was having a panic attack. Too many things were going on and I couldn't handle it.

Nekozawa grabbed my cheeks, forcing me to look into his eyes. I went to push him away but my arms went through his body. This caused me to panic more but he refused to let me go. My eyes were filled with panic and he knew this. He hands then traveled to my ears, covering them completely, his fingers tangling themselves in my dark hair.

"Can you feel my hands?" He asked sternly.

His voice was muffled since his hands were tight around me. I couldn't concentrate on him. My body was trying hard to struggle against whatever force I was under. Everything felt like it was coming to an end and I was dying all over again. I was pleading silently that whatever was happening to me would finally stop. It felt like my entire being was crumbling into a million pieces. I couldn't collect them, I was being crushed.

"Can you feel them!" He almost yelled. His voice grabbed me like a hook. I grasped onto it, using it as a lifeline.

I closed my eyes tightly, trying to focus on his hands. They were cupped around my head and his fingers tangled in my messy strands. His palms blocked out any outside noise, his fingers were like a safety net. I tried to grab them but my hands were gone. This made me want to cry but I could only breathe.

He loosened his grip, one hand was cupping my cheek while the other smoothed my hair. "You need to calm down." He spoke quietly, "You're going to be okay."

A part of my mind was screaming that he was wrong. I was not going to be okay and that I was going to disappear right now. I would never get to apologize to Tomo, I would never get to see Fathe or Seika again. I would leave things undone. I crushed these thoughts the best I could, trying to only pay attention to his soft touch.

"Look."

I did what he said and glanced down at my hands. They were slowly coming back! When they fully returned, I touched Nekozawa's hand, afraid if he removed it from my cheek, I would disappear again. My body was still shaking and my mind was still a mess. Words refused to escape as I could only continue to heave. After several minutes, I let him go.

"I..." Licking my lips, I finally spoke, "I'm running out of time."