Disclaimer: If i owned X, i wouldn't have to write a disclaimer.
The pain was incredible. Kakyou, who had been sheltered from everything all his life, had never felt anything so intense. Except, of course, for his love for Hokuto.
Hokuto. He had failed her.
He gritted his teeth. The physical pain of being shot was nothing to the emotional pain he was going through. If only . . .
He felt himself drifting away.
What good was seeing the future, if you couldn't do anything to change it? He didn't know. He'd give up this power, willingly, if it meant she would be safe.
But the things he dreamed always came to pass.
With that knowledge, he ignored the people rushing around him and let the pain carry him away to sleep.
He dreamed.
She was dreaming too, in her ceremonial robes and beads. She stood staring off into space, but as he approached, she turned to look at him.
"Kakyou," she said. "I . . . i think i'm dying."
He couldn't reply. He choked like he was in the real world and had a throat to stop up with tears. This was Hokuto's death dream. He had never seen someone's death dream before, hadn't even been sure they were real, but now he knew.
With the knowledge came tears, running hot down his face. "I'm so sorry" he gasped. " I saw it. I saw it, but even though i knew this would happen, i couldn't do anything for you."
"I'm sorry, too." Hokuto tilted her head, pressed her lips together, then opened her mouth. "I'm sorry i never took you out into the world like i promised."
"I left," Kakyou admitted. "Or tried to, anyway. They stopped me. I wanted to come help you, but i couldn't do anything!" The emotions he was fighting down broke free, and he began to cry again.
"No," Hokuto said softly. She gently took his chin in her fingertips, making him look up at her. "Don't cry. It's good you left. Smile for me."
"How can i smile? You're . . . you're . . ." He couldn't say it. Saying it would make it real. He had thought he didn't believe in nightmares anymore, but he wished with all his heart that this was just a bad dream.
"Do it for me. Please? I'm going to go very far away now, and i won't be able to see you anymore, but i'll still think of you. I'll think of you, and i'll wonder if you're all right. I'd worry less about you if the last time i see you you'll be smiling." Her shoulders trembled. So did her voice.
Surprised, Kakyou looked at her as if he had never seen her before. He had always thought of her as so strong, but she looked so vulnerable now. With an effort, he forced his tears back and tried to curve his lips upwards. His smile was small, and shaky, but it was there. He hadn't been able to do anything for her, as long as he had known her, but at the very least he could smile for her, if that was what she wanted.
Hokuto leaned in and kissed him on the cheek. "I love you, Kakyou," she said, pulling away just far enough that her eyes could meet his. There were tears in her eyes as well.
Then she kissed him again, hard. Her arms snaked around his head and shoulders, fingers weaving into his hair and grasping at his kimono like a lifeline. Kakyou wrapped his arms around her, pulling her tight against him like he could protect her.
But nothing could save her now.
She kissed him with all she had, pouring her heart and soul into him. It was her last kiss. When it broke, she didn't pull away, instead resting her head where his neck and shoulder met. Kakyou leaned his own head against her. They couldn't let go.
They stayed that way, arms around each other, until she melted away and Kakyou was left embracing the empty air.