Blossom or Wilt? ~ A Soul Eater Fanfiction

57. The Truth?

There was nothing.

Only a thick substance Saki just couldn’t get through.

She knew there was something beyond it, but she just couldn’t reach it. She was swimming through molasses, and her lungs didn’t have enough air. She felt as if she were… dying. Or maybe she was dead already.

Suffocation was the one thing she truly feared. The thought that even water could kill you, was something she couldn’t ever get over. She felt the pressure like she hated, felt the struggle for breath, and fought so hard to reach the surface, knowing someone would be waiting there for her.

After all, Mifune had promised he always would.

 

Saki’s eyes shot open the moment her mouth did, and she sucked in breath so large she feared her lungs would explode due to their new-found air.

She propped herself on her elbows, her chest heaving. Her hair was stuck to her neck with sweat, and she just felt exhausted.

That didn’t stop Mifune from kissing her so hard she fought for air again.

His arms were there, wrapping around her, and his lips melted against hers. She barely had time to see his face before his mouth was slanted across hers, his fingers in her hair. Saki pulled away after what felt like eternity, breathing too heavily.

She finally got a good look at him. His hair was a bit tangled, as if he hadn’t bothered to brush it, and he had dark bags under his eyes, a sign she knew was lack of sleep. He still looked beautiful, though. He always would to her.

She set a hand on his cheek, assuring her that it was really him, and Saki pressed her forehead to his. “What… what happened?” she managed.

“You don’t want to know,” he choked, keeping a hand on her shoulder, rubbing it softly. She then realized his face was blotchy, and his eyes were puffy and red from crying.

“Please,” she whispered, her lips already hurting from moving so much.

“Stein will want to see you first,” Mifune said, but she was already passed out. He smiled, if only the slightest amount. She really did look cute when she slept.

He pulled the thin blanket up and around her, kissing her forehead.

He’d have to deal with the truth later.

 

Stein and Mifune waited patiently for Saki to wake, which only took an hour, and by that time, she seemed a lot more… energized.

“Saki… how are you feeling?” Stein asked. He spoke tentatively, as if she were a scared animal.

“I’m fine,” she responded, wiggling almost nervously in the bed. “I just want to go home. And I want someone to just tell me what’s going on.”

“I can explain, if you’d like,” Stein offered.

Saki puffed out her cheeks, but eventually sighed. “Sure.”

“Well,” he cleared his throat, “after Mariko… well, after she…”

“I know what she did, doctor. You don’t have to scoot around it like that.” Saki looked strong, but if you got closer, you could see her slumped posture and quivering lip. She cared more than she let on.

“Alright. Well, after that, when Logan…killed you...he brought Devy your soul. Mifune and I defeated her, and your soul was left intact. Just as Mifune was about volunteered his life,” the samurai flushed at that. “Kota stepped in. He sacrificed himself for you.”

“Kota is…” Saki whispered, letting her pain show.

“He is," Stein confirmed, bowing his head in respect.

A single tear slipped down her cheek, but she pushed it away angrily. “Continue,” she hiccuped.

“There’s nothing more to tell,” Stein muttered, casting a quick glance back at Saki. “I’ll leave you two, then. You’re free to go whenever, Saki, alright?”

Saki nodded and pushed the blankets from her legs, making her way shakily up. When Mifune went to comfort her, she held up a trembling hand and mustered, “I’m okay. Just… just take me home.”

He pursed his lips, knowing not to cross her. “Alright.”

So they went.