Thanks for sticking with me … I know I'm a bad person for leaving you hanging …

Innocence

There she is right before me. Strung up completely bound hands and feet in this cold steel cell I can see her every breath she takes, the white hazy mist that emanates from her lips. Her head hangs low her face blocked by those midnight tresses, blocked from my view.

Even now without seeing her face, I'll always now it's her.

She stirs and her eyes rise to meet my own, I lie frozen staring into those beautiful eyes.

"Himeko ..." she speaks above a whisper.

I rush to her freeing my sword and cutting the leather bounds from her from hands letting the sword fall to the ground below. With the bindings now severed she slips to the ground below. I reach out and catch her in my grasp before she meets the ground.

Chikane, the world around us was about to be torn apart and all I could think about was you the most beautiful person in my arms.

You really are my sweetest downfall.

She reaches up to my face, I grasp her hands in my own, her hands they are so cold. I pull her closer trying my best to warm her shivering form.

"Chikane…" my voice became broken, "I couldn't … do anything .. I wanted to save you, but I couldn .." With each passing word that left my lips I became more and more unraveled. In a vain attempt to regain some sort of composure I clung desperately to her already battered form, burying my face deeper into her soft hair.

Smoothing my hair she whispered softly "Himeko, I can't take this anymore. I can't bare to see you tortured like this."

Upon hearing these words I lifted my face to meet her eyes marred with the same pain, the same sense of helplessness, but as I looked deeper I realized that is was more like a desperate resolve.

"Himeko I'm not going to make it out of here I need you to finish this ..."

"No!" I cried out clutching to her as tightly as I could.

With that movement, her hand flew from my head and her body was racked by fierce series of choking coughs. The painful sound tore through my entire body.

I pulled sharply away from her figure, worry taking over my face as the agonizing sound continued, until she lay limp in my awaiting arms.

Her hand falling from her lips stained with blood.

"Please ..." she whispered great effort, "Himeko I'm already dying …"

I wanted to say something anything, but my words failed me. My mind completely devoid of all coherent thought.

Without her I'd always felt alone, like there was a gaping hole in my heart.

Waiting.

Forever waiting for her.

Now I can feel her, the real her by my side.

I won't let you go.

With my moment of hesitation she slumped unconscious in my arms, my eyes widened in horror and panic set in.

"Chikane!" I screamed, "Wake up! Please don't do this to me."

CLAP.

CLAP.

CLAP.

I hear the slow rhythmic applaud from behind me. My head jerks sharply to the source. There she stands.

Miyako, that purple haired witch.

My hand shaking my eyes blurring from the tears I hadn't realized I'd shed, as I searched the ground for the blade that had lay forgotten for so long.

"You ... did this to her! You intended this from the beginning ..." I choke out as my grip tightens on the hilt, " ... touch her again and I'll kill you."

"Such feeble threats from a girl as weak and pathetic as you are," smirking slightly, "I told you to do nothing, that I would rebuild this world and at long last you'd be with her."

I avert my eyes from her, the hot tears still falling free from my eyes. This weakness. How deep into my heart did they have to reach before they would break me.

"You were too greedy too selfish to wait seven days to be with her. The saddest part of this story was that you could have saved her, and now she lays there all because of you."

"You lied to me … you had her this whole time … you killed her." I gritted through my clenched teeth.

"It is tragic, someone being deceitful in this world of sinners. I can assure you of one truth that she's not dead … well not yet."

The words hit me instantly, she's alive. I jerk my head downward to confirm that yes, she was still breathing. My heart swelled at the sight.

"Chikane …" I cry out.

"You know you can still walk away from this and I will still extend my most generous offer" Her words seemed too close now.

I turn my gaze to the source, in time to see a hand extended out in a friendly fashion. With that same twisted smile spread crudely across her face, my vision turned red.

Never.

My body set into motion and I never slowed down. The blade in my hands swung upwards slicing the air as it came dangerously close to the tan woman's face.

Retreating a safe distance away, her face contorted into an ugly sneer, "You insolent wretch of a person, since you have refused my gift I will ensure that is the new world, carved by my hands alone, she will never exists and you will forever be tormented day in and day out."

"Fuck you." I spat out as I readied myself for my next move.

The woman's eyes widened in surprise at the language taken against her, then narrowed into anger, "So be it."

OooOoOOoooooo ... I'm such a bitch.