She kissed his cheek and smiled. “I like you, Kiyo-kun.”

He didn’t know what to say, this was his best friend. He cared about her but he couldn’t love her, he was too happy being single. “-chan… I…”

She shook her head, still smiling. “It’s okay Kiyo-kun. I know you don’t like me like that and all, but I just wanted to tell you before we graduated. I think by telling you, I can move on and we can keep our friendship.”

Sengoku just watched her turn and walk into her house. Turning around to start his way home he smiled. ‘Give me a few years, -chan’.

One week after, she left to study abroad; that was almost ten years ago

I Wish You’d Stay

Sengoku Kiyosumi opened his mailbox, taking out the contents and making his way to his apartment room. Dropping his briefcase onto the coffee table and plopping down on the couch, he loosened his tie, letting out a heavy sigh. Something in the stack of ‘junk mail’ and ‘bills’ caught his attention. He picked up an envelope that was towards the bottom, a smile coming to his lips. On the top, left-hand of the corner was what made him do so. [Yamabuki High School] He opened the letter and skimmed through the contents. His eyes widened. ‘Ten year reunion…’

“Has it been that long?” He murmured to himself. He rubbed the back of his head and turned sideways, lying down on his couch. Pulling the paper to eye level he read over the small survey attached.

[Marital Status] “Ha. Would they believe me if I wrote that the Sengoku Kiyosumi is single?” He laughed sadly to himself. “It is next week, I doubt I’ll even go. I mean who is there that I’d want to…” Before he could even finish the sentence there was a knock at the door. “I’m coming…”

He stubbed his toe on the way but in the end swung the door open with a grumble. “What?”

He looked up into the eyes of a woman. She raised an eyebrow at his attitude. “Sengoku Kiyosumi, correct?”

Sengoku nearly groaned. “Yeah, do I know you?” His old flirty ways seem to have become a little rusty.

----

The woman took a deep breath and finally knocked on the door. She jumped slightly when it sounded like the person ran into something. The door swung open and she was speechless for a moment. ‘It’s him.’ Sure, his hair was a little darker and his face older but it was him.

“What?”

She felt like kicking him in the face, he didn’t recognize her. ‘How rude! Fine I can play too!’ “Sengoku Kiyosumi, correct?”

“Yeah, do I know you?” His tone was cold and distant and it hurt. The woman actually pouted and looked away.

----

Upon seeing the woman close to tears, Sengoku started to regret his tone to her. “Look, I had a rough day. Is there something you need? If not I’d like to get some rest.” He said in a much nicer voice.

His breath caught in his throat when the woman turned to him, a small shy smile playing on her lips.

“I was hoping you’d remember me. Suppose that was silly to hope for. It’s been ten years.” The woman laughed and Sengoku took a step back.

‘I know that voice, that smile, that laugh…’ He turned his eyes away from her, deep in thought. “You sound just like -chan…” He mumbled without even thinking.

The woman’s face lit up and she smiled a smile that made her eyes sparkle. “You remember me, Kiyo-kun!” was sent into a fit of giggles.

Sengoku’s eyes shot up. “?” She nodded, still smiling. “My -chan?” He looked at her suspiciously.

Her face heated up and she puffed her cheeks. “I told you not to call me that!” She pouted crossing her arms over her chest.

Sengoku let out a loud laugh. “It’s really you. You never change you know!” He leaned against the door to catch his breath.

“Yeah, but you didn’t even know it was me by looking at me! I’m hurt Kiyo-kun!” She pouted and peeked into his apartment. “Are you going to invite me in? Or should I just stand here and allow you to laugh at me?”

He quickly opened the door all the way and ushered her in. He didn’t know why or how she was here but she was here. His was walking into his apartment right now, and she looked better then ever.

----

A few hours later.

“And Akutsu nearly punched you.” giggled as she reminded her friend of his less than perfect past.

Sengoku rolled his eyes playfully and took another sip of his beer. “It was your fault. You told him that I left you at the park.”

“You did!” She playfully glared at him, which he returned just as playfully.

“I did not.” He smirked, getting up to get another drink. “Do you want something -chan?”

She smiled as he disappeared around the corner. “No thanks.” Her eyes caught something on the table. She picked it up and began to read.

Sengoku came back into the room but stopped in the doorway. He stood there for a moment watching her. He felt it all coming back to him. Those weird feelings that he never understood before, but he knew them now. Once he found out what they were he regretted so much letting her leave without telling her. It took her being completely taken away from him for him to realize how much he’d miss her.

They talked for about a year after she left. Through emails and phone calls but he never once mentioned how much he wanted her home. It was too late; in his mind, she wanted to move on; he didn’t want to hold her back. The phone calls soon stopped, both ways, and the emails dwindled down to nothing.

Finally shaking himself out of his own thoughts, he looked down to what she was reading. “Ah, you little snoop.”

jumped, the letter flying out of her hand. “S-sorry, I was just curious.” She stumbled over her words and quickly picked up the paper, setting it back onto the coffee table.

Sengoku ruffled her hair. “It’s alright. I was just joking.” He withdrew his hand and smiled at the cute pout on her face. “So, ten year reunion. Makes you feel old huh? Are you going?”

shivered slightly at the ruffle, reminding her of how she used to long for him to do that. Just so she could hear him laugh at the pout it caused. Eyes lowering she looked away. “Ah, I don’t think I will be able to make it. It’s a shame really, it would have been nice to see everyone again.”

Sengoku nodded and leaned back smiling. “I don’t think I will go either.”

Her head spun and eyes landed on his. “Why not! You get to see everyone and you get to talk about old times and new times. It should be loads of fun.” She looked distressed, like she desperately wanted to go but she couldn’t.

Something ran through Sengoku’s heart at the look in her eyes but he pushed it aside and smiled, reaching out and taking her hand in his. “The only person that I would have wanted to catch up with is sitting on my couch already.”

felt her face heat up as Sengoku leaned towards her and kissed the corner of her mouth. “I’ve missed you .” He lowered his head so his forehead rested on her shoulder.

She pulled her hands free, wrapping one arm around him and running the other through his hair. “I know, Kiyo-kun. I’ve missed you too.” She buried her nose into his wild hair and took a deep breath, taking in his scent. “I’m sorry it took so long, but you know you made me wait too!”

He chuckled lightly, pulling her closer into a tighter hug. “My …” He whispered.

“Who makes a girl wait nearly ten years?” Her hug grew tighter as a few happy tears rolled down her cheek. “I love you, Sengoku Kiyosumi.”

He lifted his head, taking hers in his hands, smiling that smile that always melted her heart. “I love you too. More than anything .” He kissed her lightly on the lips. “More than anything.” He whispered against her lips.

----

She opened her eyes and lifted her head from his chest. Looking towards the clock, and then back at him she smiled a small, sad smile. “I better get going…” She ran a hand lovely down his cheek.

He pouted, taking her hand and kissing the palm repeatedly. “Already? You just got here.”

Tilting her head, smiling, she kissed his cheek. “It’s our fault for waiting till now.” She kept the smile on her face.

“Wait till I fall asleep then,” he smiled at her with pleading eyes. “Please.”

She nodded and laid him down on the couch, cuddling up next to him. “If I can’t make it to the reunion, be nice to Jin. Okay?”

Sengoku only ‘hmm’ed his response before he ran his fingers through her hair. “I love you .” He whispered sleepily.

She leaned up, stealing his lips once again. “And I you, always.” After a few minutes past she slipped from his arms, getting up and making her way to the door. “Thank you Kiyo-kun.” She whispered into the dark room as she closed the door.

----

The next week.

Sengoku sat at the bar, drinking a glass of water, as he surveyed the group of people. Every once in a while someone would come up to him to reminisce about the ‘good ole days’. He looked over, recognizing people, wondering how long he’d stay. Sighing he turned back to the bar and ordered a beer.

“Didn’t think you’d come.”

Sengoku didn’t have to turn to know whose voice that was. “Yeah, and I’m surprised you are here too, Jin.”

The tall man just grunted, sitting down next to Sengoku and ordered a drink as well. There was silence between the two old friends; even the voices of the hundreds of people behind them seemed to disappear. “She couldn’t make it, huh?” Jin downed his drink and ordered another.

Sengoku shook his head watching the ice melt in his glass.

“When’d you get it?” Jin asked in a low voice.

“The same day as the letter for the reunion, about a week ago.”

Jin nodded in understanding, running a hand through his hair. “She was going to come home, wasn’t she?”

Nodding, Sengoku took a deep breath, trying to get his emotions under control. “She was supposed to arrive yesterday.” Sengoku finally turned to his taller friend and tried to smile.

“Sengoku…” Jin took pity on his friend.

“She’s gone again…” Sengoku’s voice cracked slightly. “After ten years, I was going to see her again.” He took another sip of a drink, returning his gaze to the bar counter. “And now she’s really somewhere out of reach.” He closed his eyes, trying to will away the tears he knew wanted to fall.

Jin leaned his elbow on the counter staring at his empty glass.

Taking a few more deep breaths Sengoku laid his head back onto the back of the chair. Turning his head slightly he looked at the board that graced one of the tables. It hurt so much but he couldn’t take his eyes off of it. “My …” He looked over the picture on the board, reading the lines above it.

[Rest In Peace - ]

©Wanna.Be, October 2007

Authors Note: This is my first time writing anything sad (involving death), so forgive me if it’s not good. I’ll try better next time!