I know I still haven't finished Afterall Part 4. *Gomen* Right now I 
came out with a couple new twists for the story and I'm
presently trying to fit it together. I promise it will be worth the wait.
Just hang in there ok? LOL DarkElf. Oh! Let me know what you
think ok? Arigato!! 
* = means thinking or in a dream state

A Rose for Mamo-chan
DarkElf
E-Mail: usabunny@moonkingdom.com
Web Page: clik.to/darkelf19/
Rated G

*Who am I?* He imagined it a very silly question. Of course he 
knew who he was...didn't he? Everything hurt. His whole body
hurt. Voices. He could hear voices. Quiet voices. What were
they saying?
Carefully he sat up, every muscle protesting even this slight 
movement, and removed the bandages from his eyes. 
*Where am I?*
He looked around the small room in confusion. He knew this 
place, but what was it? Why couldn't he remember? His feet 
padded softly to the bathroom, knees scrapping lightly against the
counter as he climbed in front of the mirror. Stormy blue eyes 
looked at the reflection in confusion.
*This isn't what I look like...is it?*
Upset he returned to his bed once again wondering what he was
doing there.
*Why am I here? My parents....we were going...somewhere...
but where? Where's my mom and dad? Why aren't they here?*
Fusterated he tore at the blankets, taking his uncertainties out on
the crisp sheets. Feeling no better he walked to the door his hand
paused on the handle when the whispers become audible.
"Dead? Both of them?"
"I'm afraid so. Contact Social Services. He's in their custody 
now."
"Yes sir."
"Your results doctor."
"Thank you."
A soft crunching was heard as the doctor flipped through the 
pages.He held his breath, his sweaty hands gripped the handle 
harder. *Dead? Who did they mean?!*
The file closed with a muffled clap.
"Amnesia. Karen have Dr. Mizuno stop by."
"Yes sir."
*Amnesia? Do they mean me?* Lifelessy his hand dropped back 
to his side. He stood motionless in the dark room wating for the 
tears to start. They never came. Disappointed he returned to his 
bed and waited. Dr. Mizuno stopped in about an hour later to 
inform him of his situation. He'd been in an accident which had 
killed his parents. With no living relatives he was now the custody 
of the city. Luckily he had no major injuries-except for his amnesia. 
They doubted he would ever get his memories back. 
He'd looked at her unfazed and asked the only question he could
think of. "What is my name?"

*Endymion*

Mamoru. Chiba Mamoru. He rolled the words around his tounge
playfully. They told him that was his name. It didn't sound right to 
him, but he liked what it meant. Protector. He wondered absently 
what it was he was supposed to protect. He really didn't have 
anything left to protect. That made him sad. Quietly he tiptoed from
his room, planning to sneak into the play area when two voices 
stopped him. Curious he walked to the room, crouching beside the 
doorway and peered in. A large aging man spoke quietly to a young 
child. Suddenly the child jumped forward grasping the man's 
extended hands, a large smile glued to her pale face.
"Really daddy? You promise?!"
"I promise Samantha. As soon as you're better." Squealing
happily she threw herself into her father's arms.
"I love you daddy!"
"I love you too, Sam."
He watched them embrace and tried to remember. Tried to 
remember his parents and how much they loved him. Tried to 
remember all the hugs and kisses, his father's hair color or his 
mother's favorite perfume. Tried to remember how much he loved 
them. But he couldn't. It was all just a blur; a faded mamory he 
could no longer recall. Tears welled up, turning the stormy blue into 
a frosty gray.*Why can't I remember them! Why did they leave 
me? I'm all alone! Mommy! Daddy! I'm scarred!* The first tear 
came. Another followed. And another. He clutched his heaving 
chest feeling like someone had squeezed every ounce of air from 
his lungs. *It hurts!! Mommy! Daddy!* He stumbled back into his 
room, his vision clouded by tears and threw himself onto his bed,
beating his pillow in anger. *Why?! WHY!! Mommy! Daddy!* 
"Come  back!!"

The darkness pulled at him, swallowing him like the pain he knew. 
The only thing he know. Screaming he tried to pull himself out but 
failed. It closed in on him suffocating him with it's thickness.
*Alone.*

"Won't you eat Mamoru, please?"
He looked away, his attention once more on the world just outside 
his window; a world he didn't remember. He wasn't hungry. He 
hurt. He hurt so bad he just wanted to die. Then he would be with 
his parents. He wouldn't be alone anymore. He didn't want to be 
alone. But the darkness scared him. He didn't want to sleep. The 
darkness was there. And he feared the darkness. Feared it would 
consume him.

*Endymion.*
He turned. Had someone called him? He waited, listening, hoping. 
Silence answered him. Alone. He was all alone. No one would 
save him. No one would love him. *Alone.* He turned again to the
darkness. It no longer seemed threatening. It no longer seemed
dangerous. It no longer scarred him. Now it promised an end; an 
end to all the pain that consummed him. An end to the loneliness.
*No longer alone.* He started towards it.
*ENDYMION!!* 
He spun quickly knowing he'd heard it this time. A girl's voice. 
*Hello?* His voice echoed eerily, bouncing off unseen walls. 
*Who's there?*
*Who's there...who's there...who's there....who's there...* 
A soft giggle came from his left. He squinted in the darkness 
looking for the voice. 
*Where are you?*
*Here. With you.* Her sweet voice surrounded him, comforting 
him.
*With me? Who are you?* 
*A friend.*
*Oh.*
*Why are you so sad little prince?*
*My parents died. I miss them. I was going to join them.*
*But you musn't. I'll miss you so!*
*You will?*
*Yes. I know it hurts, Endymion, but be strong. For me. I promise 
once were together, you'll never be lonely again. I'll always be there 
my love. Whenever you need me just look in your heart, and I'll 
be there. Awaken now my prince.*
*Wait!..Who are you?!*
*Your princess.*

The sound of chirping birds woke him. Wearily he turned to stare out 
the window. Sunlight danced across his features masking his youth. 
Silent tears slipped from beneath his lashes. "Princess...." Numbly he 
watched as the sun rose spreading it's glory across the blue sky, 
sharing it's life-giving warmth with the Earth. Once in a while a tear
would slip past unchecked. Dr. Mizuno checked on him later that 
afternoon and informed him that a social worker would come talk to 
him tomorrow. He  mearly nodded and returned to his window. 
*Princess....* A sob began to fill his throat. The creaking door caused
him to jump slightly. He refused to look, not wanting to see the cold
faces of the doctors or listen to their cold words. They'd speak soon 
enough, so he waited.  Silence answered him. Curious he left his 
window perch crawling to the side of his bed. A small blond-haired 
girl looked back at him, brilliant sapphire eyes looking into his with 
unmasked warmth. 
She said nothing at first, just watched him with a child's innocence. 
She couldn't have been more than three he guessed. He couldn't help 
but wonder where she'd come from. She smiled resting her head 
against his hand, her eyes never once leaving his.
"Don't cry. Starting today I'm going to be a big sister. My mom had a 
baby and I brought this as a gift. Here." 
She handed him the perfect red rose she had held in her tiny hands. 
Wordlessly he accepted it.
"Congradulations."
He stared at her angelic face knowing he knew her from somewhere.
Her eyes were familiar, full of warmth, like his princess. Clutching the
rose to his chest he smiled back at her, knowing for the first time that
he could go on.
"Thank you..." 
*Serenity.*

*****************************************************
Well what do you think? I know the ending could've been better but
I kind of liked it that way. *Shrug* Don't worry...I haven't given up
on Afterall. Hopefully the next part will be out soon. (I'm about 3/4
done!!) Lol DarkElf