Konoha had been standing at the door for quite some time now. He wasn't sure if he was to enter since the hostile boy had howled at him for doing so the past few times.

'He really hates me huh...' he thought, quite discouraged.

He was hoping that Shintaro and Ayano would make up soon too. He heard them quarreling again earlier. After that, Ayano ran out crying and Shintaro chasing after only a few minutes later.

He sighed, can't help but worrying a little.

'Since Shintaro is trying his best, maybe I should too...'

Forgetting to knock, he entered.

"...Hibiya?"

The room was dark despite it being only afternoon. The curtains wee all drawn, the dolls of Hiyori he collected seemed rather threatening.

"Go away," a voice cold as ever loomed.

Should he go though? He wondered. Ever since the beginning, Hibiya had made it as clear as day to him.

"I hate you." Konoha still remember those words sounding furious, jealous. It was nothing less than honest hatred.

But so much has happened. People died, places got quiet, hearts got broken. Konoha couldn't leave him at a time like this. It is scary. Incredibly scary and torturous when someone you care for leaves this world. He knew that feeling well, and that is why he can't leave Hibiya alone while he's feeling this way.

"Go away!"

Konoha flinched, realising he had been standing there, at the door, for quite some time now.

"No."

Hibiya looked up at him, rather apaled by his rebellion.

"I want to stay with you," Konoha said in a soft but defiant voice, "and protect you..."

Hibiya blushed, quite speechless, but then frowned.

"What can you even do?"

"I don't know."

Konoha heard him snort in mockery.

"But I won't give up," he persevered.

Hibiya stared at him for awhile, then buried his face in his knees.

Silence took over for that moment.

Then, with a small, quivering, fragile voice, like that of a dying puppy, he whispered.

"I'm scared..."

He was trembling. Konoha understood, that as hostile as Hibiya can be, he was fragile. Even having survived till now, his mind could already have been broken.

"I'm scared that everything would end...'

Konoha panicked a little. He was unsure what was to be done. Perhaps he really was powerless?

"What can you even do?"

He really didn't know.

"Don't worry," he tried to assure, "no once else will die anymore."

"That's not what I mean..." his voice shook violently with his small body.

And then, everything seemed to move in slow motion. And even though everything was moving painfully slow, so that one could not forget, Konoha barely dodged the pair of scissors that were after his life.

His eyes flashed in disbelief, fear, and anxiety.

Hibiya stood before him, clutching the pair of scissors tightly, his eyes glowing incredibly crimson.

He raised his scissors, and once more charged to take his life.

Konoha grabbed Hibiya by his wrist, the scissors waving to and fro his chest, at the same time forcing forward to cut him open.

"Stop it Hibiya!" he heard himself choke.

With a cry, Hibiya forced out an unfound remaining energy to burst forward at Konoha. Instinctively, Konoha shoved the boy and his weapon aside.

Hibiya flew from the impact, his head smashed against the wooden corner of the bed and tumbled onto the floor. Motionless.

As blood trickled out, Konoha held his breath, not daring to believe what he had just done. If only everything was a nightmare, he could just wake up from it. This is why he hated reality, and had perhaps ran away through entering the world of dreams.

'That's not what I mean..."

Konoha gasped, afraid. He only understood now, what he had meant.

"I'm scared that everything would end..."

Hibiya meant death. He wasn't afraid that everyone would slowly be engulfed by those sinister red eyes. He was afraid that he was going to be next. He was terrified that he would kill everyone. He was petrified that he will die.

Only now Konoha realised. his hands tingled, and his body shook.

It had proven, rather clearly.

That he was powerless

after all.

KAGEROU DAYS -END-