This is my first Fanfic so I hope I get some reviews…

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters from Zatch Bell! They, along with all other relations to the plot, belong to Makoto Raiku.

It had been almost a year since Zofis's book had been burned and the end of the Mamodo battle. In the quiet city of Mochinoki everything seemed to be back to normal. There were no rouge teams out to get one another or brave children fighting to become King. One year ago Zatch became the King of the Mamodo world.

We faced many tough adversaries—Zatch and I—but overcame the odds. He defeated his brother and with the help of our friends, Zofis also returned home. The remaining mamodo went all out against each other, but it wouldn't matter who won: either way there would be a kind King.

I sat the park reflecting on all the battles I shared with the young King. Zatch Bell made quite an impact in my life when he showed up that day. It was my fourteenth birthday and my dad sent me the boy as a present.

I never expected to form such a close bond with Zatch. It just… happened. It was difficult parting with him. I wanted him to stay and I even considered taking him with me once Zofis was defeated. But I didn't. I knew how much Zatch desired to end the battles. I fought and together we came out on top.

Yeah, I cried when he was finally gone. Not only had I lost my partner, but my best friend. We all sat there bawling our eyes out, not being able to wrap our heads around the idea that they were gone. Megumi no longer had Tia, Sunbeam was Ponygon-less, and Kanchome had left Folgore. We were a miserable group.

There is one thing in particular that keeps occupying my thoughts. Zatch's words right before he left are permanently engraved in my mind. Zatch was in horrible condition, but his happiness overshadowed all the injuries. Tears streamed down his face as he hugged me.

"Kiyo," he started, "I won't ever forget you." He paused to wipe his tears and I hugged him again. Zatch sobbed harder. "Kiyo, I promise I'll see you again! I swear I'll come back!" All I could do was nod and try to etch every detail of him into my memory.

"I'll try day and night to return and…Kiyo?"

"Yes, Zatch?" I whispered.

"I love you." He said and then he was gone.

My energy failed me at that point and I collapsed, tears flowing freely. I'm probably hoping too much for it to be true. I hope not since I'm not the only one who wishes for them to be back.

The wind ruffles my hair and I think of why no one stayed in touch. Once everything was over, everyone went their separate ways. We promised to stay keep in contact, but work never allowed us to meet. It was just the occasional phone call, if that. I especially miss Megumi.

She's having a concert here next month, and I hope Suzy asks me to go with her. My eighteenth birthday is also next month. I'm about to graduate high school as valedictorian, too. I guess things aren't as bad as they seemed.

I mentioned work and that's because I finally got a job. The local orphanage needed people and I applied. The kids remind me of Zatch, but I was fired a couple days ago. They were able to find homes for most of the kids, and the others will be sent to another orphanage in Tokyo. I'm not in any rush to find another job; I don't need the money.

The sun starts to go down and a quick glance at my watch tells me it's time to go. I grab my backpack that I always carry with me by habit and sprint home. 'The track team has a meeting next week,' I remember while running. I'm the fastest runner on the men's team, which isn't much of a surprise. I got into great shape those years fighting mamodo.

Mom isn't home since she and Dad had gone on a month-long vacation. I was home alone and I'm proud to say that I can cook now. I whipped up some sushi for dinner and was about to finish some of my homework when the doorbell rang. I wasn't expecting anybody tonight, but it definitely wasn't going to be someone looking for a fight.

Outside on my doorstep was a package wrapped in brown paper and scribbled in the corner were the words Kiyomaro Takamine. I picked it up carefully, taking it to my room and placing it on the floor.