Accidents

I stood there for a few moments looking at her shocked expression as she turned towards me, staring right into my eyes. Her gaze was piercing through me and paralyzing like Medusa's gaze. I wanted to open my mouth and apologize but instead she smiled and pointed at something far away. Swiftly she turned and walked with my hand still in hers. Soon I was bringing me. Her hair flung in the air she never looked back, she just kept moving forward. I kept my hand firmly attached to hers like a young child holding on to his mother when crossing the street but she never took her hand away.

She stopped and her hands dropped down to her shows. Within few moments she was in the the ocean whit her hands holding her shoes. She waved at me with a huge smile and motioned me to come forward.

We stayed there until the sunset. She would look at me a few times but I couldn't keep my eyes off her. And every time our eyes would meet she smiled wider and I smiled, too. And every time I would realize that I should be here my legs would fail to move – because I didn't wanted them to. She built castles with the children and even though they couldn't hear her they understood. I wish I could understand her as they did

As the children left the sun began to set. She sat close to me and moved her hands in order to say something. She shook her head and traced in the sand.

"Are you waiting for somebody?"

I said no and she didn't say anything else she just sat next to me looking at the setting sun. Tsukushi stood up and started walking, I panicked. Not yet ready to part with her I said "wait I'll walk with you!"But instead she just waved and ran. I stood there wishing to meet her again here away from the rest of the world.

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"I missed you" he grabbed me with his arms, but I didn't' mind. Like a natural instinct my hands reached his back and I felt like this was my home.

"I talked to the doctor we will have to stay kern for a while. But he will see you tomorrow! I will try to get a job so we don't have to abuse Tsubaki. I was thinking about getting a job in …"

He kept on talking but everything just turned to a soft murmur. I felt his hands support my weight and place me under the covers.

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"I am Dr. Akira Mimasaka" he greeted us wig a huge smile. He was very handsome, his eyes kept mile and he started asking questions. Tsukasa would answer them as though he was the one with all the problems.

He held his hand in mine as if it was just another day when we were kids. Like on the fateful day when both of our lives were changed forever. He still thinks about it every day, but I don't blame him, or anyone else. That'd what happened. It was not meant to happen, nothing is ever meant to happen. If it did then why would we have to make decisions or do anything? Things would just happen without us, we wouldn't have to walk or speak. The family we always want and the dream house will suddenly appear out of thin air. It wasn't my fault and it was his either. Nobody knew and even though I could be different I wouldn't want to be. I would rather to speak than lose my memories of the past fourteen years. But this time he smiled – our troubles and our silence would soon be over.

said that my injury most likely didn't affect my vocal cords diaphragm or any other mechanical parts of the speech. The problem was my brain or thoughts. They underwent such a shock that I lost my voice during shock or something like that. And because I didn't have any therapy something happened to worsen the situation. I am not completely sure if that's what he meant. But Tsukasa and I knew one thing. He said that recovery is almost certain.

I went to the beach each day. I wanted to see her again. But she never came. Why was it coming to this? I kept questioning myself! I barely knew the women but she would always remain in my head! For hours I would wonder across the streets, thinking by some chance of luck I would run into her again! Then I would ask for her phone number, and then it would be easier to find her. But of course nothing happened at all! Umi came and went as she liked, but I would barely notice her there. She would talk, and ask me questions, but my only responses were headshakes and a few "yes" and "no's." Why the hell that girl did have so much influence in my life? She was a nobody, just a speck of dust that should have disappeared with all the others! But I knew that she wasn't just a speck of dust, she was something more. Why else would I search for her?

"Are you feeling ok" Umi smiled her trademark smile that seemed to light up the whole room.

Rui looked at her, he hated this smile. The artificial smile, the cheery voice, why couldn't she be quiet? Or why couldn't she just be normal? Always cheery, always smiling, always the same.

"No, I do not" Rui slowly replied getting up from the table.

Umi latched onto his hand, and replied with another beam of light from her wide mouth "But you haven't eaten almost anything at all!"

"I wasn't hungry in the first place."

"You should eat more!" she still replied with a smile as she jumped from the table and latched onto Rui's arm "I think you are losing a lot of weight."

When Rui didn't reply, she just kept on rambling about her adventures, a myriad of words spilt from her mouth but Rui only caught a few of them, trying his best to walk faster to his car so she would be quiet.

"Guess who I met yesterday?" Umi happily exclaimed.

"Who?"

"Akira! He's a doctor here!"

"What?" Rui turned back to look at her and wondering how many years it has been since he has last seen or heard from him. He knew it must have been few years. Rui knew Akira aspired to be a doctor, and was attending medical school but he never knew that Akira actually made it. How lost in his work had he become? He has abandoned his only friend, and eagerly began to listen to Umi's story.

"I was just walking in the park outside your office building when I saw him walking down the path. He didn't recognize me at first! Can you believe it! One of my closest friends! Huh?! But I guess we haven't seen each other in a long time. He became a doctor, and works with people who have speech disabilities – something or other. He has been living here for a few years now! He asked about you and he said he wanted to have lunch with us or something to catch up! Wouldn't that be fun? So I said we would meet him tomorrow! Will it not be nice to chat like old times?"

"That's good" Rui said to Umi, he needed to talk to someone, and only Akira knew Rui so well, and would actually listen to him. He couldn't wait to renew his old lost friendship.

She had no idea how this happened. Tsukushi looked at the two men laughing together. Tsukushi closed her eyes and thought about the first few encounters that the happy men had. During her first few appointments Tsukasa had come with her to her "therapy sessions" and when Akira touched her that seemed unnecessary to Tsukasa, he unleashed fury, threatening to break Akira's jaw. And of course that caused a fight between Tsukushi and Tsukasa, which led them to ignore each other for a few days. Somehow in the midst of the threats, audible and inaudible yells, and all the insults – Akira and Tsukasa became friends. They both found a common bond - teasing Tsukushi mercilessly. At first it was her name, and then her manners, and the way she ate, the list seemed to go on forever.

It has been months now since Akira started coming over for dinners, lunches and any other occasion possible. Akira and Tsukushi grew closer, too. Tsukushi's endless energy inspired Akira, and his patience with her during her therapy sessions, it has been months now and there was still no progress. Tsukushi grew restless, and with her Tsukasa, too but somehow Akira calmed them down and still encouraged them to believe that Tsukushi will recover – she just needs time. Somehow Akira also became the peacekeeper between the two. Tsukasa and Tsukushi still fought a lot, and with no Tsuabki there to calm them down, Akira took her place. Somehow he always knew what to say to Tsukasa or Tsukushi. Akira saw it as quite an amusement.

"I guess it's getting late" Akira walked by Tsukushi and patted her on the head "don't get into too much trouble without me!"

Tsukushi just waved as he left and closed the door behind them. Still lost in her thoughts Tsukushi didn't even notice when Tsukasa's arms encircled her, and his warm lips gently nuzzled her neck.

"I have to show you something" Tsukasa whispered in her ear, and gently tugged on her arm to make her follow him to the balcony.

"Akira lent me this, so don't complain about wasting money" Tsukasa pointed at the telescope "look through here!"

He gently held her hand as she looked through the telescope – trying to find something. Suddenly her breath was caught in her lungs, as she gazed at one of the most amazing sights she has ever seen. A giant planet with rings around it, the brilliant colors blending together, creating an incredible sight.

It would be nice to put it on a necklace Tsukushi smiled at Tsukasa, and he smiled back. He took something out of his pocket and gently placed it in her palm.

She opened her palm and saw a beautiful necklace shimmering in her hand. It was a Saturn with its rings around it.

What is it?

"It doesn't matter, it's yours."

How much money did you spend on this?

"I told you, it doesn't matter!" Tsukassa started to get a little bit angry.

This must have cost a ton of money!

"Why do you worry so much about money?" Tsukasa replied "Why can't you just be happy? Why don't you try this on?"

I still can't accept it – Tsukushi gestured, as Tsukasa shaking fingers was trying to clasp the necklace around her neck.

"Can't I give something beautiful to a person I love" Tsukasa gently whispered in her ear, and he slowly turned Tsukushi around to kiss her.

She couldn't do anything else but give in. Tsukasa's kisses were always so gentle, so warm, so familiar. She always felt like she was on a cloud when he touched her, when he gently picked up her body to adjust it, it felt like a gentle wind was caressing her arm, her back. As Tsukasa kisses became more urgent, Tsukushi's finger found their way to his curly hair, twirling the little hair, as her body tried to be closer to his.

Tsukasa gently picked her up, and still kissing her, started carrying her to his bedroom. Tsukushi felt her heart quicken with Tsukasa's. As he laid her down on the soft bed, Tsukushi was trying not to panic. This was normal, natural, this was supposed to happen. For God's sake – they were what – in their twenties – probably the oldest virgins in the world! She never had a boyfriend, Tsukasa had a few girlfriends that didn't last long – mostly he was pressured into them by either Tsukushi or Tsubaki. Plus they were going to get married soon, they were in love, this was supposed to happen. Then why was she so scared? Tsukushi tried to calm herself with her thoughts, repeating it in her head- this is what is supposed to happen, this is what people in love do, and Tsukasa and I are in love!

Tsukasa has been waiting so long for this to happen, to kiss her in this way, to be so close to her! He remembered Tsubaki's merciless taunts about how he will never find a wife, and will never lose his virginity, he remembered Akira laughing for what seemed like hours. They were both drinking together, Tsukushi was already asleep, and somehow amidst the conversation Tsukasa confessed. Akira swore it was the most hilarious thing he has ever heard. But now it was finally happening!

Tsukasa's hands slowly found their way under Tsukushi's blouse, the warmth of his fingertips traveling the length of her body, turned her body on fire. But when it reached more intimate places, Tsukushi's body and mind froze, every single muscle in her body locked. Sensing her panic Tsukasa gently ended his kisses, and covered them with a blanket.

"It's late we should sleep" he whispered into her ear, and pulled her closer. Already knowing how fragile Tsukushi was, Tsukasa wasn't willing to take any risks with her.

When Tsukushi woke up, she found the bed empty, and a note besides her.

"Went to work, will be back around 7 – Love Tsukasa"

Maybe it was better not to face him immediately, Tsukushi thought; it would help dissipate the awkwardness that was for sure created by last night's events. Maybe he will have forgotten about it and won't tease her, or try to avoid her, and maybe in the time that he's gone, Tsukushi will be able to compose herself enough and finally be able to take the next step.

For the rest of the day Tsukushi was lost in her own thoughts, and didn't notice as Akira was calling her.

"Tsukushi, Earth to Tsukushi!"

I'm sorry, I was just zoning out.

"It's ok, are you hungry?"

No

"Are you sure, your stomach is sure protesting" Akira smiled as Tsukushi stomach loudly grumbled. "I am supposed to meet with a few old friends today, would you like to come?"

No, thank you I wouldn't want to impose!

"Oh it's ok" Akira smiled at her "I've been imposing on you for long, and you've fed me for so long, it's my time to feed you!"

Are you sure they won't mind?

"I am sure, they will be fine" Akira replied imagining what the encounter might be like. Maybe by being there Tsukushi will release some tension and unfamiliarity that has built between the three friends. They haven't talked in years. Akira laughed at himself as he thought of how funny life was. He always thought of himself as a moon in people's lives, there but usually missed, always a crescent moon never to be full. For years he has been trying to find friends after Umi and Rui left him, and now when he finally stopped looking he found new ones and old ones came back. It was funny too that when he stopped looking for love it found him too. For years he dated many women, mostly older ones,that were more mature and were easy to converse with because they didn't hide behind giggles and useless smiles. Then he just stopped dating – it became boring. He knew he would never tell anyone but he was in love with a girl standing next to him. A girl that made him feel like he was a full moon every moment he was around her.

So what happened? Life happened, lost interest, stress. Honestly I got lazy too, mostly uninspired. School, work, college, family, crazy ex boyfriends. So I am very sorry for not updating for so long. I had the story done when I started and then my computer crashed and so I have to rewrite everything. I really would like to finish this, and the only inspiration I have is people who read this, so please leave a review they are really really nice to read. And I promise I will try to update sooner!