I deleted that because I friggin' hated it... But now I'm uploading it again in honour of May Madness (which you should totally check out; look at my profile :)

Everyone was crying.

Her daughter, her daughter's friends, that man Narumi he remembered from their school days, hell, even Luna, that crazy girl who never acknowledged the fact that Yuka had been an important part of her life. Everyone mourned the loss of a great person, of the mother they never had, of the friend they never really wanted but depended upon.

Everyone was allowed to mourn.

Everyone but Shiki.

He knew what he had to do. During their times together, Yuka had often told him to continue their deeds, to continue protecting even in case she died. She had even made him promise. Back then, he had hated those moments (as much he could hate moments with Yuka anyway) but now his chest felt light, the promise fluttering in his insides like a freed bird.

He kneels and gently takes her in his arms. The body that was once Yuka weighted a lot and her once-warm skin froze him even through the thick material of his gloves.

Izumi Yukihira loved Yuka before he died. Yuka loved him even after he died. The evidence of their love was in the form of a girl, still young but having to face things even adults shudder at.

Narumi Anju gave Yuka all his love. Loved her even if she just left him for another. Continued to love her even if she disappeared from his life.

Their turns to love her were over. Now, it was his time.

(One might argue that it's too late but he disagrees; if it's in her death, then he'll go on loving and protecting her. Until she doesn't need it anymore.)