AN: Okay, so Ren's just been thrown into those boxes and everybody's watching as the pipes start to fall. Lot's of things are going through Yamato's head. I hope it's not too OOC. Let me know what you think, kay?

STANDARD DISCLAIMER APPLIES

We all knew what was about to happen, all of us saw it coming with sickening dread. My cut lip hurt like a bitch, but the pain disappeared. It was replaced by a thumping in my chest and a pounding in my ears.

I want to scream. I want to run forward and freeze time. I want to save him.

I can't move. It's like watching a train wreck, but knowing it's your life that's about to be screwed.

Goda does nothing. He just stands there. Everything's his fault.

Where's Yankumi? She's meant to be here. She's meant to come running in to save us in the nick of time. So where is she? When our world's about to fall apart, where the hell is she?

I meet his eyes. He knows it's coming. Dammit, he's not meant to look at me like that. He's meant to be strong and brave and I'm meant to be able to look at him and know that it's all going to be okay.

I need to know that everything's going to be all right. I need someone to hold me together.

Everything we've worked for... We're so close I can taste it. Don't take it away from me. I'll do anything. Just don't let it all be for nothing.

The sound of the first pipe hitting the ground is like a starting pistol on race day. Like we were waiting for it, we all rush towards Ren. I shove past Goda and am the first to his side.

Goda and his gang stand there and watch as we claw our way to our friend.

Please let him be okay. Please let him still be breathing.

I push his hair away from his face.

Oh god no.

There's blood on my hands.

Don't let it be his. Anybody's but his.

"REN!"

They're all screaming. Goda's gone. I'm on my knees next to the person I was fighting with not even a full year ago and wishing that, god, let him be okay. It can't end like this.

I find a pulse. There's a fluttering in my stomach. He's alive.

Yankumi's still not here. We're alone. After everything she's said, she's not here when we need her the most.

I don't know what to do. I can't do this anymore. I don't want to be the strong one by myself. Ren's meant to help me. He's supposed to be there when I fall apart, and help me pull it all back together.

He can't die, because I need him to keep me alive.