Seeing, REALLY Seeing
Ok! Ahotep wanted to see the other regulars' reactions, so here it is! Also...any spelling or grammer issues...blame it on WordPad...it has no spellcheck!
Disclaimer: I do not own PoT. You have seen the damage.
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Epilogue Part 2
Tezuka stands in front of the gravestone, covered with two expensive and huge bouquets. 'Sakuno-chan and Fuji-kun must have visited...' he thinks sadly. He kneels down in front of the stone, planning to stay for awhile. 'Fuji-kun hasn't visited since the funeral I believe. He must have finally gained enough courage to do so...' He sets a small bouguet of pink carnations (I'll never forget you) onto of the huge ones. 'Seems like we have had the same idea for going today. Finished the World's so we want to celebrate with him...' "This is for you, Kikumaru-kun..." he murmurs softly.
The young man explains from where he left off, University. "I decided to go to Tokyo University. Oishi-kun, Kuwamura-kun, Inui-kun, and Fuji-kun are there, as well. We all leapt right into the tennis team except for Oishi-kun. He didn't have the courage to pick up a racket again. He's taking Biology now...he's really good at it. Fuji-kun and I are the ultimate rivals on the team, but not as openly as Kaidoh-kun and Momo-kun were in Seigaku. We beat the World's last year. You would have loved to see Atobe's face when I beat him. It was even funnier when he saw us on TV. He's at a school in the United States," he explains.
Tezuka reaches his hand out to trace the name in the stone. His finger halts at the K. "Eiji Kikumaru; 1987 to 2001. The light of our lives," he reads softly. "It's true...it seems so much darker without you here, Kikumaru-kun..." He stand up and wish him farewell.
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On May 10th a young 18-year-old boy walks over to the stone. "Hi, Kikumaru-sempai. I came a day late, but yesterday held to much pain. I...I'm sorry. I should have believed it long before I did. It just hurt too much to accept." Kaidoh falls to his knees in front of the tombstone. "Why did it have to be you?" he whimpers softly. Kaidoh traces the engravings on the stone much like Tezuka had done the day earlier. The snake-like boy holds back tears. "Bye, Kikumaru-sempai..." he murmurs, knwoing it's well over time to say it. "I'll miss you..."
Kaidoh hears somebody come up beside him. Looking over, he sighs. "Momo..." he greets. The two haven't been fighting anymore. They are still rivals but much more compatible with eachother. "I miss him."
Momoshiro looks over at his rival. "I hope you do..." he retorts. He helps pull his doubles partner up off of the damp ground. "I see you came a day late, as well..." he murmurs. Kaidoh nods slowly. "I agree with your reasoning there...it hurt so much yesterday..." The two set their respectable bouquets on top of the wilting ones. Kaidoh's is a bouquet of cyclamens (Good-bye) and Momo's is made up of dark crimson roses (mourning). The two walk off, sorrow in their steps.
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Kuwamura walks over, smiling softly as he sees the teams' newest doubles pair walk away. "Surprising, eh, Eiji-kun?" he questions softly, standing in front of the stone. "I visit you twice every year...once on your birthday and once on the day after you're death. I can't seem to force myself to come on the nineth...other than that, I think I have finally gotten past it. I seem as if I can smile honestly again. I'll always miss you, though."
He smiles and looks behind him, catching sight of the data player. "Hello, Inui-san. Nice day...Eiji-kun would have enjoyed it..." he comments politely and truthfully. Inui nods, making up a few calculations. "I'm going to the restaurant after, want to join me?"
Inui smiles. "Of course...I came here to visit him and show him I care." He sets down a yellow tulip (There's Sunshine in Your Smile) down. He watches as Takashi sets a few mixed zinnias (In Memory of an Absent Friend). "Let's go, Kuwamura-san."
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Ryoma stops at the grave. "Eiji-sempai...how are you?" he questions. The teenager kneels down and sets a lavender-colored heather (admiration) on top of the zinnias. "I envy you, sempai. You have the most beautiful girl in the whole world loving you more than anyone in the whole world. I wish she loved me like that, but I can understand...you were her true love. It's understandable. I miss you so much...I would rather you live and take her away from me than this," he whispers out. "I believed you'd live because of your undying spirit, but it gave out right at the end."
Tears escape his eyes as he punches the ground in anguish. "I need you back, Sempai. I need you back..." he murmurs, letting the moisture run down his face. "Why did you have to go? I need you here..." he sobs out. "Please come back..." In ten minutes the boy stops crying and gets up. "Sorry, but it hurts and always will, Sempai...Eiji..."
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The only one not to visit was Oishi who couldn't bear to. It hurt him much to much to even think about him, let alone visit him.
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(November 28)
Sakuno walks into the graveyard, clutching a pink camellia (Longing for you) to her chest. She hurries over to the stone. "Happy birthday, Eiji-kun. Aishiteru..." she whispers. She sets the flower down, smiling as she spots a pink carnation there. "Takeshi-san..." she says out, smiling. "He always, like me, comes here to celebrate your birthday. I have to go, though. Grandma Sumire is taking me to our cousin's house in China." She gets up and walks away. As if on impulse, she turns back...something none of them has donw before. She spots a redhead sitting on the grond, softly stroking the camellia. "Eiji..." she breathes out, not believeing her eyes. "EIJI!" She runs over to the surprised boy and kneels in front of him. He hasn't changed a day since his death except looking healthy again.
"Sakuno...you looked back? You're not supposed to! I'm supposed to not be seen!" he argues softly, looking up at the girl who looks three years older than him now. "But I am glad you did..." His cheery smile covers his lips as he says the words. He jolts as she throws herself into his chest, sobbing in joy. "I missed you..." he murmurs into her ear, hugging her back. "And I love you, as well. Aishiteru, Sakuno-chan..." He kisses her forehead gently, a blush covering his cheeks faintly.
"Eiji-kun..." she whispers, leaning up. Her lips claim his as his blush intenifies. She kisses him and puts all her love, longing and sorrow into it as he responds lightly and inexperiencedly. She parts and kisses his forehead and his cheek where the bandage is. "I miss you so much..." she whispers softly, hugging him. "I wish I told you that I love you before you died!" Sakuno rests on his chest for a few minutes. "I miss you, Eiji-koi..."
Eiji blushes deeply before pushing her off of his chest. "I have to go, Sakuno-chan. Ryoma said he envies me, but understands. He also called you the mose beautiful girl in the world...I agree! And I envy him for actually having you as his girlfriend. I love you..." he whispers. He starts fading. He grips her hand softly until he completely disapears, her hand holding nothing but air where his hand was. I love you...
Sakuno sighs happily, knowing that her love was returned. "I love you too, Eiji..."
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And on that fluffy moment our tale will end. Ja ne!