The old picket fence's paint has long since flaked off. The lone few smatterings of cracked white chips hanging on for dear life.  Harbored inside it's small borders is a lawn long overdue for maintenance, bustling with menacing weeds up to the waist.  The native insect's choir rehearses loudly upon this land long ago purged of human hands.

How long has it been?

The scenes of old of this house slide though my head like an old projector from another life.  Scenes of a love I still tenderly miss.  Memories of a year ago, memories of golden fields and hair, blue skies and eyes, and the quiet black nights.  Funny how I reminisce in these pictures, I wonder how it would be though your frame of mind dear.

Funnier still, I muse while throwing the latch open on the gate, that this could be considered trespassing.  I mentally imagine Akira sitting in a rocking chair on the porch, jug of whiskey in one hand, a firearm in the other yelling 'Get the hell off my lawn!' all the while still wearing the trademark suit.  I inwardly sigh while wading though the disarray of the yard beyond, reminding that this is a forgotten place.  No such greeting to be had, this place is not one I'd expect to have visitors at while I spend a day or two away from it all.

Mutou was relentless once he discovered science was in fact a passion of mine, and my entrance exams reflected it.  I kept my mind occupied in my studies, my body to health, and finally turned my heart back to books... away from others.  I tried to be friendly, to hold on to the lessons taught when I first came Yamaku, but a lead heart truly was cold.

Hanako was still a dear friend, possibly the only real one I had left. Yet, she was blossoming into a brilliant young journalist, and I hadn't the heart to hold her back.  She always would come hang out with me at least once or twice a week and keep me up to date.  Her excitement for her work was intoxicating, I couldn't help but be proud for her.  I tried to convince her to come with me on this trek, but even with a two week warning she was already booked up with interviews and editing.

I took myself on this pilgrimage of solitude anyways.  I'm an idiot, as always.

I inwardly sigh as I tip the lantern over by the front door where the key was hidden and replaced on the last romp here of our trio.  Key in hand, returning to the place where love once flourished.  The fluorescent lights buzz overhead as they come back to attention from a long slumber.

Just like we left it.

Those old feelings wash over me, drowning me.  Wishing I was beside that beautiful girl again.  I set down my overnight bag and take a seat on the futon.

I hold my head in my hands as the line repeats in my head over and over, "Don't go away, I beg you.  Never, ever go away."  The pangs of regret crash in with unforgivable force.  Well Lilly, I didn't go away, I'm here now.  Now what?

I'm staring at the inside of this beautiful old shack, moderately cleaned after the misadventures of a few teenagers, and surrounded by ruin.  Wouldn't it be nice if they had a tidy home to come home to?

It's safe to assume I've gone completely crazy, but perhaps a little work would do some good and clear the mind.  Even if it's for no one's sake.

Fishing though my bag I find some worn old clothes, and ditching the current set, gently folding them atop the now long neglected TV.

The late afternoon sun pleasantly beckons me forward I return outside, saluting over the shoulder of my searching though the small shed around the rear of the house.  Soon venturing forth again to the front with a small swagger in each step; returning now armed with a spade, some worn down gloves, and sheers holstered into my belt loop.  For what the yard lacks in size, the overgrowth offsets in both variety and voracity.  My gloved hands wrap firmly against it's first victim, and deliver a firm eviction.  The soft sounds of rolling breeze over the lands that surround me is only stunted by the occasional vehicle plodding along these long lost roads.

By the time the sun gives it's farewell the ground is near barren, sans the few strands of grass that held their ground against the invaders.  Wiping the sweat from my brow only seems to leave as much dirt and dust as it helped to remove.  The fresh scent of earth and upheaved vegetation fills my senses as I bag the last of my work of the day.

Carrying the bag of clippings and upturned weeds towards it's comrades of the day a faint illumination on the side of the house comes into view, accompanied by the sounds of a slowing car... one now in idle.   Shit, I am trespassing after-all.  I... trespassed to tend to a yard.  This will look great on a police report.

I toss the bag onto the small pile, peel off the gloves and tuck them into my belt.  The engine's idle silences.  I stop for a moment and rub the dirt I can off my face, and run my fingers though my hair.  The sounds of a car doors opening.  The gate latch being thrown.  Time to face the music.  The hair stands on the back of my neck with every step.

"Good work, Hisao." rings out from a beaming Akira.

A beautiful woman returned from the past stands by her side.  Her light dress and hair flutters in the breeze.  Hands clasp firmly in front, her beautiful blue eyes wide on the verge of tears.  I'm a little out of breath from the hard work today, but I have no words to say anyways.  I run across the yard and wrap my arms around her.

She pulls me in just as tightly, her chest heaving.  'Welcome home' runs though my head a million times.  I shouldn't be rude despite this being all I ever wanted, "Heyo to you too Akira.  You'll get a hug soon enough."

Akira laughs boisterously and places her hand atop my head and ruffles my ill-'fixed' hair.

Lilly pulls away a short distance and raises her face to mine.

This simply was all a dream, a short intermission that had now ended, a soldier returning from war, a long lost friend found again.  It's time for the play to begin anew, the kiss was the same I once knew, and wanted to have again for the rest of my days.  A million feelings flash in and roll though my body - longing, love, lust, and all the memories that Lilly brings.

As the kiss breaks, Lilly lets out a curt laugh as well, "Sorry Akira, you can have a hug, but not that."

I oblige Lilly's request and only wrap Akira in deep hug.  The three of us, in the yard of this old shack.  I don't care, it means something to me.

As we step inside I can't help but feel that Lilly seems tired.  My wonder drifts to all the possibilities for it.  It's been a long time since our last letters, and they never were particularly intimate.  I felt bad for excusing myself for a shower, I have so many questions to ask, so much to catch up on... but I did also feel one was in order.

Lilly ever-so-slightly begrudgingly took the initiative to prep a dinner for us, after seeing my intentions of a frozen meal plan.  No hard feelings lost on the alternative to a microwaved meal.  As I took for the shower I spied Akira uncorking one of a handful bottles of red wine she had in tow.  It's been a while since I've drank, but I can't help but look forward to a good glass or two after the labor of today.

I grin at the thought of a home-cooked meal and wine with a dear old friend, and a woman I love while drying myself off... which quickly turns sour.  I brought a towel in here... but not a change of clothes.  I'm sure the sound of the palm contacting my face sent all birds within a kilometer radius a-flight.

A worried voice sounds on the other side of the door, "Hisao... are you alright?" Now I've upset Lilly before we've even had a chance to really talk again.

I close my eyes firmly and speak softly at the door, "Yes.. I uh... forgot to bring a change of clothes into the bathroom with me."

Akira's laughter fills the entire household.  Thanks for peeping.  Lilly takes charge though a light fit of giggles, "Oh, well I'll bring some in for you."  I feel my cheeks flush.  She's blind... and it's nothing she hasn't seen befor... uhm.  Well, something she hasn't known before.  I hear her call out from the living room, "The ones on top of the TV okay?"

As I wrap the towel around my waist I reply, "Yeah, those will do." This could have gone far worse, truth be told, at least Akira seems incapacitated by laughter.

Lilly returns to the other side of the door frame, "You can open up now." in a quiet voice.  I open it a crack expecting to be handed a set of clothes to make myself halfway decent.  "May I come in?" she stands cradling two glasses of wine in one hand, and the clothes draped over the other.  The flush in my cheeks suddenly renewed.

"Uhm... sure." I manage to croak out.  As she passes in she sets both my clothes and one of the glasses of wine on the counter and closes the door.  I reach out and take her hand and interweave it into mine.  As our lips contact I taste a touch of the wine on her breath already.  She wraps her other hand about my waist and giggles.

"Well Hisao, at least you had the decency to cover up." her eyes sparkle a little, her mouth hinting at a little mirth.  "Dinner is ready when you are."  I would respond if my stomach didn't for me, we share a short laugh again in each other's arms. I take an appreciative dram of the wine, and finish becoming 'decent' for dinner.

As we stroll out of the bathroom hand in hand Akira shoots me a catty glance, "Well you're fast."  I though sheer force of will keep from spraying the wine out of my mouth, as Lilly stands rigid as a statue for a moment.  She quickly regains her poise, "We were both being mature adults I'll have you know."  Both her and her sister laughing at the remark as we take our places at the table.  How did I get to be this lucky?

The food is delicious as I remember Lilly's cooking to be.  Her meticulous planning and deftness astounding, the way she put thought into every scent, and care into every taste.  Constantly amazed by this woman, the wonderful conversation, the wine spotlighted the love shown though between all in attendance of this table.  The tales of where we have been, what we have done, how Lilly had to shut down a near-stalker at her new school, Hanako's recent successes.  This is the way it should have always been.

The thought rings though again, how did they know I was here? And why did they come back?  It pains me to break the impeccable conversation, but curiosity is a hard thing to strike down - I note as I finish my second glass of wine.  I clear my throat before speaking, instantly changing the tone of the room, "So how... did you know I would be here anyways?"

Lilly looks down for a moment, closes her eyes tightly then returns to her previous pose, "Well uhm... Hanako told me."  Nothing wrong with that, but it was the motions before that spark me, I press on.

"Well, what else has Hanako told you?" I notice my voice has a touch more waver than I thought it would.  I didn't realize they still kept in such connection, I thought she was done with Japan.

Her somber demeanor breaks under a light glowing smile.  "A lot.  A lot about loyal young man who focused on his future with a passion."  She places her hand on my thigh, I take it into mine.  "Don't think I didn't miss you.  I simply did not have the heart to distract you with letters."

I soon find my smile mirroring hers.  Love isn't something that ends, it's something you learn to live despite, or something you learn to embrace.  I bring her hand in mine to my lips.

Akira laughs at the gesture from across the table, "That, and she was totally a coward, afraid that Shizune had robbed you from her."  I join in Akira's laugh, Lilly's scowl tossing daggers at us both until she breaks into laughter herself.

She raises her other hand to her mouth to show her shock, once pulling away adds in, "Yeah, and that too.  I'd hate to have to come back to Japan for vengeance."

Soon another bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon is opened, and a night of bonding anew is well underway.  Just as it should have always been.

After a few hours, Akira retires for the night citing a 'Early morning in store' for herself begrudgingly.  Lilly says she's off for a shower and will return shortly.  Curiosity slowly sets into my bones.

I approach the bathroom a few minutes later, cautiously as my wine-addled mind will manage. However, the door a few inches ajar.  Mistake? Habit? ... Invitation?  As I gently open the door wider I see the shower curtain is only pulled about two thirds of the way across, with a generous amount of steam pouring out from within.  Lilly sits in the center of the tub, her head titled downwards as the hot rain continues falling around her, her hair matted to her sides ending on the floor of the tub.  She looks so serene, yet, so tired.

As I continue to take in her sight I notice something wrong.  On her side... my eyes widen... that's one hell of a bruise.  I start to take a step forward into the bathroom and break this scenario of espionage when she opens her mouth.  "Hisao."  I'm not sure if I heard it, and I'm not sure how she heard me, but I saw the words leave her lips.

She tilts her head upwards, the water quickly throwing aside the hair that had clung in front of her face.  Her lips curl into an ever so small smile, her eyes betray her tranquility, squinting not only against the water.  She reaches out a hand towards the door.  "Join me."  Her voice again not coming though the torrent of water still falling on her, only the motions.

I step into the bathroom and close the door behind me, and begin to take her hand in mine.  This time her smile is genuine, turning away from the steaming water and towards me.  "Unless you entered the bathroom in a lewd state I don't believe you're ready to join me."  I can't help but laugh a little, as I kiss the back of her hand, and make myself more presentable for a shower.  I took one but a few hours ago, but I am not one to say no.

Her beautiful pale skin tinged an ever so slight pink from the barrage of a hot shower is betrayed by the bruise across her abdomen, wrapping fully from her right side to the center of her torso.  It pains me to think how such a thing happened to her.  I step into the steaming mists, almost afraid of being burned.  Sensing my reluctance Lilly reaches behind herself and adjusts the water just a little and plugs the drain.

"The heat makes it hurt a little less."  I cringe and start to ask her to turn the heat back up.  "But this is fine too, I'd rather your company.  I've missed it."

A meek smile finds it's way to my face as I sit down next to her in the tub now filling tub.  It's still quite hot, but I can adjust.  Or boil.  One of the two.

My hand runs across hers, up her shoulder and across her breast, eventually lightly tracing the black and purple welt.  Her breathing deepening as I examine the damage.

"Hisao, Scotland isn't my home."

I pull my hand back though the steaming torrent.

"It's not the same.  They don't understand, or care."

She opens her eyes and stares straight though me.  Her eyes outlined in red.  A tired angel in the rain.

I start to say something when Lilly's finger reaches my lips.

"I was afraid to go home then.  Afraid to hurt you, afraid what the world held for me there.  And I was justified on all fronts as far as I can tell."

Her hand nuzzles against my face.  Slowly drawing across my jaw, up to my ear, her fingers lightly skirting my forehead and ever so slightly dragging across my shut eyes to my cheek.  So calculated, just a cartographer checking measurements one more time.

"I'm sorry.  For a lot of things.  I loved you then, and even more now.  I was afraid I'd be alone again.  I'm tired of holding things in."

Her hand falls away, I catch it before it arcs into the still filling tub, and interweave my fingers into hers.

I... "Lilly, you're not alone.  Stay with me.  I'm... not going anywhere."

Her deft fingers tighten around mine as a light smile illuminates her face.

She tilts backwards still gripping my hand until she lies on the floor of the tub, only a few centimeters from submerging her face fully, and draws me on top of her meeting our lips. Her hair floating freely in the half filled tub, for the first time today - she looks relieved.

Lilly, stay with me.  You're home.