I stare at the moon, letting it mesmerize me with its shining glow. I sit curled up in the cushioned chair, resting my head against the back of it. Shush is asleep in my hand. The city of Neo-Kowloon is visible through the hospital window, all of the lights turned on, reflecting the night-life. I really need to get some sleep, but I just can't. My thoughts keep me awake. The only thing I feel like doing is staring off into space, wondering about what would have happened if I never came here. I'm stuck here in a world of war. Not just the war with the Abductors, but the internal war with myself. Being an Element isn't as glorious as I first thought it was, especially now. And the whole reincarnation thing. I can't stop thinking about it. But I did choose this. I could've said "no". Yet, I agreed to fight.

Amata is sleeping. He still hasn't woken up. All of our friends and even Chairman Crea and Commander Donar came earlier, but he still showed no signs of life in front of them. It wasn't very long after that Ms. Suomi came in and ushered everyone out. She had looked at Amata solemnly before making everyone leave, except for me. "Knowing how close you are with Mr. Sora, I suppose I can give you a pass for today." And then she walked out.

I think about how Ms. Suomi let me off the hook like that. That's not something I think she would normally do. I guess she felt sorry for the both of us. I'm not quite sure.

Around sunset, a nurse had come in and said visiting hours were over. But the doctor that followed her shook his head and said it was alright for me to stay. I had been given permission from the Academy, well, Commander Fudo, to stay as long as I wanted. That's...odd.

Now, I sit here pondering everything.

That's when I hear a voice. "M-Mikono..." It sounds hoarse and weak.

Could it be?

I turn my head. Amata is reaching for me, and this time his eyes are finally open.

I shove Shush into my bun.

"Amata!" I exclaim. I want to fling myself at him and wrap my arms around him in a big hug, but I know that wouldn't be a good idea. Instead, I run to the edge of the bed and grab both of his hands. They are still cold, but they're warmer than before. I notice that one of his fingers has a clip on it that attaches to the heart monitor. "Amata!"

He looks at me with both pain and happiness in his eyes. "Mikono. H-how long have you been here?"

"Since this morning."

"A-and how long have I been out?"

"About twenty four hours."

He tries to sit up a little, but it hurts him too much. He plops back down and his eyes squeeze shut. His grasp around my hands tighten.

"I wouldn't move if I were you," I say.

He nods his head before loosening the grip on my hands, trying to relax and let the pain recede.

"How do you feel?" I ask, which is a stupid question because I can obviously see that he's not feeling very well. But I ask anyway.

He looks at me, his eyes hurting, but still filled with laughter. "Like I got shot and had my ass kicked by your past-life's lover's reincarnation," he says jokingly. "Isn't that a mouthful?" At least he still has some humor in him.

But I'm not laughing. He knows. Amata knows I'm Sylvie, and that Kagura is Apollon. The thought of Kagura makes me feel upset.

"You okay?" he asks.

I shake my head to clear it. "Yeah. I'm alright, I guess."

"So, a-are you the only one who's been in here?"

I shake my head. "No. Pretty much everyone from Neo-DEAVA was here to see you, but you weren't awake for that." I suddenly wonder if he remembers what happened earlier, when he said "Don't leave me" and kept murmuring my name. I highly doubt it, but I try probing him anyway.

"So, what do you remember?"

"Well, I-I remember the petals, but then everything went black, and I woke up here with you just a little while ago."

He stares at the wall ahead of him. "But I did have a dream. I saw my mother leaving again. Only this time it wasn't exactly her. It was you."

A small gasp escapes my mouth. Then again, I should've seen this coming. He did say my name several times and cry "Don't leave me". But still, I feel just a little bit shocked.

"Oh Amata." I press his left hand against my cheek again, just like I did earlier; this time it is warmer and I don't shudder at its touch. I need his warmth. It comforts me. Although, I think right now my warmth is comforting him.

His eyes start to close. "M-Mikono?" he says softly.

"Yeah?" I reply, not wanting him to pass out again. "What is it?"

"Will you stay here in the room with me? F-for tonight?"

I nod my head, but then I realize that his eyes are closed and he can't see the movement, so I tell him, "Sure."

And then he falls into the clutches of sleep.