Handy Disclaimer: Oh, brethren! Tenjho Tenge and its characters belong to their respective owner.

Maya was surprised upon knowing what happened. She didn't know what to say; she didn't know what to do.

Her boyfriend killed her brother.

Her heart was pounded by shock, loneliness, grief... and anger. This was the first time in her life that she couldn't believe the truth.

She doesn't want to believe the truth this time.

She ran away and she couldn't care less on where she was going. She wanted to set herself to be free from him and run away from reality. Her mind and heart were arguing.

She didn't expect him to do this.

---

She shook her head. Did she hear him right?

"Maya, after all these years... my heart still belongs to you."

This was the second time in her life that she was in pure disbelief.

"You killed my brother, his blood was dripping from your dirty hands, and you're telling me those words. Do you suppose that there's still hope for the two of us after what you've done?" She was trying to sound bitter towards him, but her eyes betrayed her. The tears started to come out of her eyes.

"Maya, I--"

"Blood is thicker than water." She bit her lip.

"You know that I never wanted that to happen."

"Don't try to cover up your lies. You know that you're just jealous of Shin-niisan's growing powers and you thought that getting rid of him would be the best way for you to reach the top."

His features darkened. "That isn't true."

He couldn't control his heart. He ran charged towards her, his hand attempting to slap Maya.

The white-haired girl froze in shock. She gulped, closing her eyes.

She was expecting to feel the sensation of pain at that time, but she felt nothing.

Opening her eyes, she was surprised upon seeing his face so close to her.

"I'm sorry. I know you will never understand the situation I'm currently undergoing even if I explained it to you to the smallest detail, Maya Natsume. Nevertheless, I will let you know that I'm not expecting you to return my feelings. I also have a brother that I care for so much, and if I were in your place I would still harbor feelings of ire towards that person who claimed my brother's life. I... just told you what I feel about you before it's too late?"

Her eyebrows furrowed. Before it's too late?

He turned back to leave the room, not waiting for her response.

"Mitsuomi!" She was screaming his name inside her. "Wait!"

She felt so numb, unable to move her feet. Her sweat turned cold. She tried to speak, but it felt as if her throat was dry and no world would come out of her mouth.

"No... don't go. I'm still..."

Just when she felt her hopes were crushed in front her, he looked back at her. They each other's gazes. He felt that she was yearning for her and vice-versa.

"Maya..." he whispered. "Would you ever...?"

"Yes," she was finally able to speak, her voice shaking, "I forgive you. I cannot escape the love I have for you. I know that if I keep running away just like before, nothing will happen."

He gently smiled at her, laying his eyes on the beautiful woman before him that he had fell for ever since. "Thank you."

As he was about to leave, he heard her shout his name.

"Mistuomi!"

She was running again, but this time, she's off to the path her heart has always wished for: to his direction. Her open arms were ready to embrace the person who's been the most precious to her.

This was the truth she could not believe, but she wanted to believe it: she's still in love with her and so is he.

—END—

(A/N: This was written for the 15_minute_fic LJ comm.)