You're alive.

Akito remembered those words like it was yesterday, and listening to them running through his mind, it was almost as if Tohru was right there beside him. He felt guilty for what he did to Tohru that day – so guilty he wanted to cry. In fact, he was already starting to have tears running down his face. He didn't want to lose her, because he was madly in love her. He had to do something; he then had an idea.

Tohru was finishing up at her job and getting ready to leave when Momiji noticed Yuki, Kyo and Hatsuharu standing outside. Tohru was curious as to why they were out there, so she made her way with Momiji outside to the front of the building. By the looks of it, all three boys had looks of concern on their faces. Tohru knew Yuki and Haru would look concerned every now and then, but she had never seen Kyo so concerned before. It didn't matter; she had to know what was going on.

"Is everything okay?" she asked.

"Everything is fine Ms. Honda," Yuki answered.

"But the truth is, Akito called this afternoon," Kyo added.

"Why?" asked Tohru.

"Apparently he wishes to speak to you," Haru answered, "and he wants to meet you here; so we thought we should stay close in case something happens."

As Haru said that, Akito appeared from around the corner. He looked different to the teenagers; it turns out they were correct, he was different in the way he dressed. He wore black skinny jeans with a gothic belt; he wore a black t-shirt underneath a black zip-up hoodie. He also had piercings in both his ears (one on each side), and a small loop on his lower lip, (that's right, Akito has piercings). As he approached the five teenagers, he noticed their looks of utter shock; this was the side of Akito they had never seen before.

"Problem?" he asked.

"What on earth did you do to yourself?" asked Yuki.

"Nothing," Akito answered, "I just put some clothes on and put my piercings back in. Is that okay with you?"

"If it's okay with me then it should be okay with you," said a voice behind Akito. He turned around only to find Riko one of his old friends from school standing there with a gun in his hand; that did not look good at all.

"What the hell happened to you?" asked Akito.

"My girlfriend left me," Riko answered.

"Huh," said Akito in disbelief. "Is that why you're holding a gun and smelling like alcohol and marijuana? Which by the way stinks to high heaven."

"He has a gun because he's being an idiot," said another voice around the corner. It was Jako another one of Akito's old friends. "Like I told you, she only went for a walk. I know that because when she walked out the door she only had her phone with her, nothing else."

"Gee, thanks Jako," said Akito, "I knew you would always have my back."

"What the hell is going on?" Kyo whispered.

"I don't know," Yuki whispered back, "but I don't like it."

"Why are you even out here?" asked Riko.

"I came to talk to somebody," Akito replied, "but then you showed up."

"Oh well sorry to interrupt," Riko continued as he pointed the gun right at Akito, "but you haven't been in touch with me lately like you were supposed to be."

"Dude, that's just the alcohol talking," said Jako, "Akito did tell us why he wouldn't be able to keep in touch as often."

"Who cares? I wanna kill him."

"Again, that's the alcohol talking;" Jako repeated, "besides, if you kill him, his sister will hunt you down."

"Akito, this is scaring me," said Tohru.

"I know Tohru," said Akito, "but he's my friend, I have to help him."

"Why are you being so gentle with her?" asked Riko.

"Because I love her," Akito answered before turning to the others. "Yeah, you heard what I said."

He then turned to Tohru.

"I love you Tohru."

Tohru was very shocked to hear that from Akito; all she could do was smile.

"Gee, if you love her, what would you do for her?" Riko sneered.

"I will do anything in my power to protect her," said Akito.

"Anything?" asked Riko.

"Anything," said Akito through his teeth.

"Dude, you heard what he said, so drop it," said Jako.

"No," Riko answered, pointing the gun at Tohru, "I want to see Akito prove that he'll do anything to protect the love of his life."

Without another word, he fired the gun; but instead of the bullet hitting Tohru who was pushed out of the way…

The bullet hit Akito.