Standard disclaimers: These characters are not mine, alas. If they were, I wouldn't be worrying about how much grad school is costing me.

Unforsaken

Take (11/27/04 –2/5/05)

Pairing: Shinobu/Itsuki

Rating: T

Summary: I just want to be by your side, always.

Why should I bitter be,

Although he cold has grown?

There was a time when he to me

And I to him were quite unknown

Priest Saigyo (1118-1190), "Forsaken"

Itsuki slowly approached the figure standing at the cliff's edge, his steps making no sound. Shinobu did not acknowledge his presence, nor did Itsuki expect him to. Moving to stand beside the dark-haired man, the psychic kept his eyes fixed on the bright lights of the city spread before them. The youkai let the image blur as he turned his gaze inward.

How long had it been, he mused. Ten years at least. Ten years of planning, of hiding, of increasing isolation. Ten years, Itsuki thought. And it was all coming to a head. Shinobu had gathered his merry little band of pet psychics, ready to deal with Koenma's new Tantei. In a matter of days, it would all be over.

All be over. . .

Shinobu shifted his weight, startling Itsuki out of his thoughts. He glanced at the other man through a curtain of blue hair.

"Look at it, Itsuki." Shinobu indicated toward the city with a sweep of his arm. "Soon that cesspool will be nothing but rubble, dust in the wind. This world will finally be cleansed of its pollution." He laughed, a deep harsh sound that grated on Itsuki's ears. "All our plans are coming to fruition, all our years of preparation. . . " he trailed off into silence once more.

Itsuki moved closer, laying a hesitant hand on Shinobu's arm. When he wasn't rebuffed, he carefully tucked his arm into the crook of the other man's elbow and laid his head on a broad shoulder. With a sigh, Itsuki stared once again at the twinkling lights of the city. The feel of Shinobu's pullover rasping against his skin made goosebumps appear on his flesh. "Aa," he murmured, a noncommittal response to the other man's words.

Shinobu had used "our", when in fact it was his plan alone. Itsuki had had no part in its formulation, would simply do his part and create the hole in the kekkai separating the Ningenkai and the Makai. It was what Shinobu wanted, after all.

And what Shinobu wanted, Shinobu got. It had always been that way, from the moment they'd met. I never could say no to you, Itsuki thought with a twinge of sadness. Not when we were partners, not when we were lovers, not now. Perhaps. . . not ever. While his feelings for Shinobu had not changed, he understood that any love that the other man had felt for him had been buried by his all-consuming goal.

Itsuki felt the muscles beneath his cheek shift as Shinobu's free hand came up to briefly caress his hair. Closing his eyes, he savored the increasingly rare display of affection.

"Tomorrow, Itsuki." Shinobu's voice was hushed but confident. "Tomorrow we start the tunnel."

"Hai." Itsuki turned his head to press a kiss to Shinobu's shoulder, disguising his urge to hide his face in his beloved's neck. "Tomorrow."

"We'd better turn in; we've got an early start tomorrow." Itsuki could hear the grin in Shinobu's voice. "After all, the end of mankind waits for no one!"

"Aa," Itsuki agreed, letting Shinobu lead him back into the system of caves, letting the other man's voice wash over him.

I just want to be with you. No matter what, I want to stay by your side.

Finis