Chapter 33

Leiji Hikaru

"Leiji… was innocent," Takara says while still staring at the journal.

"What do you mean Leiji was innocent?" Sakura asks.

"Leiji only joined the group because of Leitangi. Leitangi forced him. Leiji wrote here that he had a little crush on me," Takara says.

Neji makes an annoyed face.

"It says here that whenever I took the beatings, he purposely would be in the back not doing anything, keeping an eye out just in case Hiroshi or the rest saw him. Whenever it was feeding time, he gave me a little extra. He also says that he wishes that he could admit he was actually a good guy, but didn't want to die or get treated like me. He also said that if he and I somehow got out alive, that he wishes he could tell me the truth and possibly… marry me," Takara says.

"A little crush, but wanted to marry you?" Neji asks, annoyed.

"I basically have to follow Hiroshi, Eito, and Leitangi's orders. I want to take Takara and run and tell her the truth, but she would never believe me, hell she'd probably want to kill me, and I understand. I always thought Takara's long black hair was pretty, and those blue eyes are so beautiful. I don't care for the short blonde hair that Eito did on her. After I took Takara outside to give her to Leitangi, seeing Hiroshi's little brother on fire traumatized me, along with seeing Hiroshi, Eito, and Leitangi beating the crap out of Takara. Hearing her screams echo throughout the basement would always give me chills. The forced surgery… If Takara had any plans of having a family, well, it's gone. Part of me thought Leitangi was going to set Takara on fire. If he did, I probably would have fought off Leitangi, even if he killed me. Takara has been through enough. After I went inside, I went to my room to go to bed, but cried for hours. I couldn't get the image of Hiroshi's brother on fire, and possibly dead. Later on, Leitangi told me he beat him to death. I hate being a part of this group. It might be better if I were dead. God, Takara I'm so sorry," Takara reads.

Takara looks up with tears in her eyes. Takara gently puts the journal down and puts her head in her hands.

"I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT TO THINK ANYMORE!" Takara yells in her hands and starts crying.

Neji sits next to her and puts his arm around her. Takara turns around and puts her head in Neji's chest as she keeps crying. Neji puts his hand on her head. With his other free hand, Neji slowly rubs her back.

After a little bit, Takara lifts her head up and takes a deep breath. She wipes away her tears. "Sorry about that. I'm just so overwhelmed."

"We understand, you don't need to apologize," Neji says.

Takara puts her head on Neji's shoulder. "Hey, did you guys realize he called me Takara in his journal?"

"He cared about you," Sakura says. "He wanted to save you, but was terrified."

"He was," Takara says.

"May I ask how you got your song book in the first place?" Sakura asks.

"It was…" Takara had to think. "It was Leiji, actually," Takara says. "I was unable to speak, my mouth was swollen from a bad hit, and Eito kept yelling at me to speak. Leiji ran in with a journal and gave it to me and told me to "use this to speak until you can properly talk". No one took it away but they probably let me keep it so I'd shut up from my whining and cries. I'm surprised they never took it from me and read it. I know Eito was just being a dick when he kept yelling at me to speak, knowing that I couldn't. God, I feel horrible. Leiji was a victim too. I wish there was some way I could talk to him, because I forgive him and only him." Takara looks up at the sky. "At least he's not depressed anymore. Leiji if you hear this, I forgive you, and I'm sorry for everything you dealt with."

"I know he would be happy to hear that you forgive him," Neji says.

Takara nods. "Looking back, he was the nicest one out of the four. I didn't think much of it because I was barely alive. Come to think of it, I don't think he ever laid a hand on me, unless he was told to. When everyone smoked and used me as their ashtray, he never partook in it. Leitangi would always make fun of him for not smoking. "I'm good guys, the smell kind of bothers me. I do care about my body. Oh Leiji, you're such an f-ing idiot." Takara looks at her feet. "I feel kinda dumb, for not realizing he was a good guy."

"It's okay Takara," Neji says. "You were really young, and like you said, barely alive. Your brain was barely functioning."

"My brain didn't form right according to doctors," Takara says.

Takara, Neji, and Sakura feel a raindrop fall on their heads.

"Let's get Takara home," Sakura says.

Neji looks at Sakura and nods, "I'll get her home, and you get home safely."

"I will," Sakura says.

Sakura dashes off to go home. Neji stands up and picks up Takara.

"Hey, before we go, can I do something?" Takara asks Neji.

"Of course," Neji says. "What is it princess?"

"I would like to make a little memorial for Leiji," Takara says. "He deserves that at least."

Neji smiles. "You have such a beautiful heart and mind."

Takara smiles at Neji's comment.

Neji walks Takara out of the rubble and out to the mud and grass. Neji puts Takara down. She puts her finger in the mud and writes "Remembering Leiji Hikaru. Misunderstood, but forgiven." Takara wipes the mud from her finger onto her shirt. She grabs some debris from the building and puts it above the writing.

"Rest in peace, Leiji," Takara says.

Neji gently picks up Takara and carries her home. The rain starts to get heavy. Takara looks back and immediately sees Yaketsuku on fire. The heavy rain reminds her of that night.

"If I could change one thing about all this, I'd bring Leiji back to life so he can live a better life. Why should I be allowed to, but not him?"