Awaiting Your Response

Returning Home

I know we'll meet again, no matter how far apart we are.

As the plane flies closer and closer to Japan, I can feel the distance growing between Ash and I. Sing said that he gave my letter to Ash and that he said "see ya" but I know Ash, he wouldn't respond like that. I cant help but worry about him, knowing that he's all alone now, no one to love and care for him.

I don't care what he thinks is best for me, he needs to think about what's best for him. I want him to know that he matters too. If, no when, he uses the ticket I put in the letter for him, I can finally show him the love he deserves... I just need to wait. Please stay safe Ash.

~~~

The plane lands after a 14 hour flight and I wait for Ibe to help me get off. This would be so much easier without the wheelchair, but after everything that happened I'm glad that I don't have any worse injuries.

Ibe takes me home where I'm reunited with my family, my parents rush out to greet me. They give the usual "oh we missed you so much tell me everything" talk. I glance over at Ibe and he gives me a worried look. We both know how terrified my parents would be if they knew what we've been through, "um, it's been a long flight, if it's ok I'd like to get some sleep. We can talk tomorrow." I finally manage to get a word in once they stop showering me with attention. They let me go to my room where I can finally relax.

I lay on my bed and cant help but think that Ash never had this kind of loving family and I feel myself missing him again. It's only been a day and I cant stop thinking about him. I sit up and move over to my desk, finding a pen and paper. Staring at the ceiling I let my mind wander, debating what to write.

My last letter took me a long time to write, wanting to properly convey everything I felt that Ash needed to hear, but this time? What do I want the purpose of this letter to be? I could let him know how things are going for me but that might make him feel lonely. I could write about what I'm going to do now that I'm home but that might make him think that I've already moved on.

Ash,

Well, that's a start. What would he like best right now? I wonder what he's up to.

I've landed in Japan safely. I thought you might be worried about that but everything is fine here.

I should probably assure him that I'm ok, even though I'm sure he has much bigger things to worry about than me right now.

Now that things have died down a bit, I hope you're able to find time to relax. Your health is important, please remember to take time to yourself every once in a while.

Not like he'll listen to that, he's probably already out fighting or running for his life again. I wish I could be there to help but I'm much more of a burden than a relief. Things only really got bad for him once I showed up, maybe now that I'm gone he'll be able to survive better.

I hope you're able to visit eventually, no rush, but I miss you. I know how much I dragged you down but if the time comes I'd like for us to just, get away from it all... maybe go on a vacation and-

There's a knock on my door. I quickly hide the letter before moving back to my bed, "come in."

My mother opens the door a crack and sticks her head in, "Eiji, dinner is ready come out and eat." She smiles and wow, I didn't realize how much I missed her.

"I'll be down in a minute, thank you mom."

She quietly closes the door and leaves. They're probably going to want to talk about everything that happened while I was away, but how can I avoid telling them my story, they'd never let me leave the house again.

I eventually manage to get the courage to make my way down to the dining room where my parents are already waiting for me, of course they made all my favorite foods for my return.

"So.... when are you going to tell us how your trip was!" My dad is the first one to speak up, worry across his face at the fact that I still need a wheelchair for long distances. Moving around home is fine but going out in public I'll need assistance.

"Oh actually I'm still pretty tired, is it ok if we save it for another time?" I'm desperate to change the subject, "what did you do while I was gone?"

"Well you know, same thing we do every day, but we were really worried about you! We rarely heard from you and when we did it was always through Ibe." I've never seen my mom this upset before, I definitely can't tell her about what happened yet.

"I'm sorry, a lot of things happened and we were really busy. I'll try to keep in contact more often from now on."

"You're sorry? You're sorry?!? I couldn't sleep thinking something bad had happened to you! What if... what if you had gotten hurt, or worse you had died." I can hear her voice wavering as she speaks. I feel really guilty about everything now.

"I'm sorry, but that's all in the past, I'm here now and I'm fine, nothing really bad happened and I'm safe."

"You call that fine?" Now my dad is speaking up again. I cant take any more of this, I need more time to collect my thoughts.

"Listen, I'm really not up to talk about this tonight. Please just give me time to adjust and then I'll tell you everything. I promise."

"Ok, well as long as you promise, I can trust you Eiji." My mom gives me a supportive glance before we continue eating in silence.

When I finish eating, I excuse myself and go back to my room. I need to finish this letter. I sit back at my desk, my heart still racing from the discussion during dinner. Where was I, oh yeah...

maybe go on vacation and we could spend some quality time together, just the two of us. Anyway, I hope this letter finds you in good spirits.

Is that too cheesy? Oh well maybe it'll make Ash laugh, he definitely needs more happiness in his life. How to finish it off though, I should do something that only he'll know and appreciate. Staring at the page, I find my mind going blank. I could sleep on it but I want to get this mailed out as soon as possible. OH I got it!

Since we never finished our Japanese lesson, here's another word for you, Aitai. It means I miss you. I know it hasn't been super long since we last saw each other but I cant help but think about you all the time. Until I see you again, aitai,

Love, Eiji

As soon as I finish writing, I proofread the letter once more before putting it in an envelope and addressing it to Ash. I rush to the door to put it in the mailbox.

"Eiji, what are you trying to mail this late at night? You know it wont be picked up until tomorrow right?" My mom calls to me from the couch where she and my father were watching a movie.

"I know mom, but I want to put this out there before I forget, it's an important letter for a friend." Before she has a chance to respond I'm out the door. I sigh before putting the letter in the mail, please find him and get to him safely. When I walk back inside, I head straight to my room, exhausted by the days events and collapse onto my bed, falling asleep almost instantly. Maybe I'll be able to see Ash in my dreams.

~~~