So I was art whoring (my term for going through art on deviantart) and I came across KHR 8059 Alive for contest by Armelia. And I was immediately inspired to write. It's a beautifully done piece that has such a story behind it, so I decided to write that story.

I cursed loudly, my body pinned underneath the rubble from the house. We really should have expected it, we had been at peace for such a long time now.

I could faintly hear metal meeting bone as Hibari did his best to defend whatever was left of Namimori Middle. Of course the families would attack our school, regardless of the innocents they killed in the process. The Guardians had done their best to fight and defend, but even we couldn't stop the hidden bomb from going off.

My right eye wasn't opening, and I could feel the various cuts bleeding. My katana lay just out of reach, and I couldn't feel my legs anymore. I looked over my shoulder as best as I could, and I caught a glimpse of a large bar against my back, pinning me down. My spine is probably broken.

I see the rush of orange flames and I look up. Tsuna's face is contorted in pain of such magnitude that it's frightening. He goes after the retreating families, determined to kill despite his belief that everyone should live.

I hear struggled breathing nearby, and I turn my head.

I froze.

Gokudera lay only eight feet away from me, his body lying on its side. His eyes are half opened and glazed over, and he is struggling to take every breath. He is covered in wounds, and shards of glass stick out of his skin.

No. Not Gokudera. He can't die.

I use every bit of energy to reach towards him, my arm stretching as far as it can go.

It's too far. No! It's too far! I can't help him!

Those emerald eyes stare at me, ragged breaths of air escaping his slightly parted lips.

His eyes bore into mine as his lips move to mouth three words.

I struggle against the weight on my back, trying to reach towards him.

"I do too, don't give up Gokudera! Please don't give up!"

His lips curl into a small, sad smile, and he mouths the words again.

The ragged breathing stops. His eyes unfocus completely.

He's gone.

I still struggle, still trying to reach him. But he's gone, to a place I won't follow.

Despite the fact that I am battered and will never walk again, I know I won't follow him.

I let out a scream of anguish as I look at the unmoving body of Gokudera Hayato.

Despite my pain, I am still alive.

Why can't he be?