To say that things were tense after the news of her sister's escape from prison would have been a bit too light a description for the atmosphere.

Amaya couldn't stop shaking inside. Despite the anger she felt at her sister for being an accomplice to her boyfriend, she was also terrified, and not only for herself, but for Fushimi as well. He may be cool and level headed even in the face of danger, but he had a tendency to be reckless about himself when it came to her, and she was terrified that this time, she would lose him too.

And she would rather die than lose him.

Following the disturbing news that Captain Munakata and Lieutenant Awashima had relayed, the latter had convinced the hospital to discharge Fushimi earlier than expected, with a promise that he would rest in the infirmary once arriving at headquarters, and once it had been confirmed that he could leave, he dressed in the clothes Amaya had brought for him the previous day.

Fushimi hadn't wanted Amaya out of his sight – even when he was changing, and she, for her part, turned a hot, bright pink before her face took on the color of an overripe tomato at the thought of seeing him without his clothes on.

" No way! " she squawked. " We might be engaged, but that doesn't mean that I've seen you in your underwear – let alone your birthday suit! I'm waiting outside! "

" You're blushing NOW?! " Fushimi snarked, his blue eyes wide. " I've been sleeping next to you for how many years, and you had to pick now to say no?! "

" That's because we BOTH had our clothes on, dummy! " Amaya retorted, reddening even further.

Fushimi stared at her. " You had to take off your uniform in front of me when you were six! " he reminded her.

" We were kids back then! " she shrieked. " We weren't anywhere near puberty! And besides, that was because you accidentally spilled your coke on me when you slipped while we were on our way home! I had to take off my blouse so we could wash it in the fountain we were passing by! "

Munakata's deep throated chuckle, along with Awashima's strangled attempt not to laugh, interrupted the argument between the two individuals while Akiyama, Benzai, and Kamo were trying to hide their grins.

" I must agree with Tenjin-kun, Fushimi-kun, " Munakata reasoned. " She will be perfectly safe outside while you are dressing. "

A still bright pink Amaya looked at the Blue King gratefully. " Thank you, Sir, " she breathed, before darting out of the room as if the hounds of hell were at her heels.

The girl was still bright pink when Fushimi was done dressing, and she finally came back into the room. He was dressed in dark jeans, a grey shirt, a black denim jacket, and sneakers, his ever present purple wrist bands peeking out from under the sleeves. Munakata would learn later on that they had been a gift from Amaya Tenjin when he was just starting as a new recruit at Scepter 4.

As Akiyama drove the truck taking them to Amaya's apartment so she could collect her clothes, while Benzai sat in the front passenger seat, Fushimi kept his arm around her waist, refusing to let her out of his sight for even a moment. When they stopped in front of the building, and their third in command got out, holding his fiancee's hand, he told them that they could go back to headquarters without them if they wished; he and Amaya would take a cab when they were ready.

" We'll wait here if that is the case, Fushimi-san, " Akiyama decided. " The Captain specifically ordered us not to return to headquarters without you two. "

" Tch. Suit yourself. "

" Saruhiko, " Amaya chided. " Don't be like that; they're just following orders, and I doubt that Captain Munakata would have issued them if it wasn't serious. "

Scepter 4's third in command clicked his tongue in irritation, and followed his fiancée up the stairs.

" She really knows how to handle him, " Benzai commented as he watched them.

" Yeah, " Akiyama agreed. " Although it's no surprise since they grew up together. "

It was suddenly awkward to be alone with him in the same room with him now that their relationship was official. Back then, it was just normal for them to sleep next to each other because they were content to be… together. Now that their relationship was confirmed, being alone with him in her apartment felt something akin to intimate for Amaya.

He combed the entire apartment to make sure everything was secure, and that no one would be able to get in while they were gone; he made sure that there were no hidden cameras either.

When she had finished packing, Amaya picked up a towel, along with some underwear, and clothes before heading to the bathroom. " I'm going to take a shower again. "

" Sure. "

He sat on the couch and leaned his head back, staring up at the ceiling without seeing anything at all. He listened to the sound of the shower being turned on, listened to the sound of the spray…

She hadn't locked the door because she usually took a shower without having to worry about him, coming in at the most inappropriate of moments.

She heard the door open, and close, knew it was him.

Her heart pounding in her chest, her throat dry, Amaya turned to see Saruhiko Fushimi enter the bathroom with his own towel slung over his shoulder, his eyes on her, taking every detail, and she could have sworn she saw appreciation in those blue depths. Placing his towel on the rack, he locked the door behind him before taking off his glasses and discarding his own clothes, joining her in the shower.

" Saruhiko… "

This was crazy, he knew, but at the same time, he couldn't bring himself to stop. Taking the bottle of shampoo from its place beside her, he poured a generous amount into his palm, and massaged it into her hair, almost smiling as the top of her head disappeared in the lather he made, enjoying the feeling of the soft waves between his fingers.

When it was his turn, she lathered his head with the shampoo, smiling at the way his glossy strands felt.

She then lathered his body with the soap, in awe of the almost marble like perfection of his skin, even with the self inflicted burn mark below his collar bone.

He was perfect…

She memorized every angle and cure of his lanky body with her hands, at one point stopping just above his erection, unsure what to do. His blue eyes smoky with desire, he took her hand, and guided it downwards so that she was touching him, her fingers closing around him. Amaya was gratified to hear the gasp of pleasure he made as she touched him, becoming bolder with every moment, every stroke. Fushimi braced himself with his palms against the wall as she washed and touched him, his breaths coming in tiny whimpers as the pleasure washed over him. When she was done washing him, he took the soap from her.

Amaya was pretty shy, blushing as his hands moved over her skin, especially when he touched her waist. He knew that she was quite sensitive there, and when they were children, he had often tickled her there in that area.

Only this time, it was different…

" Saruhiko, " Amaya gasped. " I… "

He never gave her the chance to finish.

Pinning her to the wall, he parted her legs with his knee as the soapy lather made its way downward, and she cried out as his fingers went in between her inner folds, touching her so intimately that she thought she would die of shame and pleasure. He then applied the soap all over her before rinsing it off.

Closing the distance between himself and Amaya, he cupped the back of her head with one hand while he wound his other arm around her waist, and pulled her closer…

Their lips met in a deep kiss, parting to let their tongues meet and duel in an erotic dance. Her arms went around his neck, pulling him closer as she kissed him back, desire racing through her.

With the water still running, Fushimi scooped Amaya up in his arms and lay her on the floor before following, kissing her deeply and possessively.

Pain sliced through her insides as he penetrated her, and she held onto him, trying to fight the pain. He buried his face in the crook of her neck, breathing in her clean, citrus scent. It wasn't long before he rose above her and began to move, both of them crying out with each thrust.

They could feel the pressure building, felt themselves reaching for something that they could only do together. When they reached that peak, they held on to each other, afraid of falling, because they didn't know how far they could go.

" Does it hurt? " Fushimi asked her as he held her, their bodies still joined. " Was I too rough? "

Amaya shook her head, her throat thick with emotion. " It always hurts the first time, Saruhiko, " she answered. " But it's okay; it was you, and it was beautiful… "

Reluctantly, he pulled out of her, and helped her to her feet. When both of them were standing, he noticed how she winced, and pulled her into his arms, holding her.

" I love you, Saruhiko. "

In response to her soft words, he tipped her face up, and kissed her tenderly, wishing that they didn't have to go, and that they could stay like this forever.

Akiyama and Benzai noticed the dark clad figures nearing their vehicle, and felt that something wasn't right. There were more than five of them, and they seemed to have their eyes on Amaya Tenjin's apartment building, although they had also noticed the Blue Clansmen parked outside.

It was Benzai who placed the call to headquarters. " We have a situation here, " he reported after Awashima answered. " It seems that Amaya Tenjin's sister has found her… "

They had just finished getting dressed when the hair stood on the back of Fushimi's neck, and his eyes moved to the sliding glass door that led to the balcony. He had locked the door earlier, but still…

" What's wrong, Saruhiko? " Amaya asked as she continued to comb her hair.

" I don't think we're alone, " he answered.

Amaya stopped what she was doing, and turned to him. Saruhiko Fushimi had sound instincts that were a lot sharper than hers by far; if he said that something was amiss, it always paid to heed his words.

" An intruder? " she asked, her eyes on him, the atmosphere suddenly becoming tense.

Before he could answer, the sound of gunfire erupted outside on the street, and he tackled Amaya to the floor as the glass doors exploded inward.

" Stay down! " he ordered, activating his aura, and grabbing his knives, along with his sword.

Amaya stayed down as ordered, but she didn't remain still. Crawling on her stomach, she upended the coffee table and grabbed the pistol she'd hidden there, along with the spare ammunition beside it as bullets began to rain into the apartment from the outside, followed by three masked figures clad in black.

Dammit!

The sounds of gunfire and clashing swords outside told them that all hell had broken loose. Keeping his aura activated, Fushimi stood up and flung his knives at the unwelcome visitors just as the front door was blown inward, the debris almost blinding. Amaya turned and fired at the other visitors who had decided to let themselves in, assured by the yells of pain that accompanied her own attack.

Blinking her eyes against the smoke, she made her way to the kitchen counter, and grabbed the knives on the chopping block, ducking just as the faucet flew out. Keeping her head down, her ears wringing with the sounds of battle, she made her way to one of the masked intruders, coming up behind him silently.

He never knew what hit him until it was too late.

Amaya grabbed the man around the neck from behind, and plunged the skinning knife in her hand into his side before stabbing him in the crook of the neck with what was known as a " Commando Thrust ", and as he fell, she went for his partner who was about to attach Saruhiko who had his back turned, driving the blade of her weapon into his throat.

Both of them were so occupied with their opponents, and watching each other's back that they didn't see the other two individuals who stepped calmly into the fray.

For some reason, Amaya suddenly felt her strength leaving her, and realized that she was falling into a crimson puddle, her legs failing her, her vision slowly beginning to fade.

She wanted to move…

She wanted to speak…

So …

Why…

Couldn't…

She…

Saruhiko saw Amaya fall into the puddle of her own blood just as the hooded figure that cut her down revealed its face, which could only be described as evil as she stood over her fallen sister before turning to look at him, her smile widening when she saw his despair as his eyes came to rest on his beloved.

Chou Tenjin.

" AMAYA! "

Slashing at his opponent and flinging his knives, Scepter 4's third in command rushed towards the figure that had destroyed what he loved the most, but before he could strike her down, he felt a blinding pain at his back, almost robbing him of his breath. His knees buckling, he fell facedown on the floor, realizing that his own blood had pooled around him, and was know mixing with Amaya's…

He saw the other figure remove its hood, saw another face he remembered well…

Another face of evil….

" Did you think that Ayato and I would just sit in prison, and wait? " Chou taunted, bending over Fushimi, Ayato standing beside her. " Nobody crosses me and gets away with it, Saruhiko Fushimi. Remember that when you see my sister on the other side. "

With those words, she turned and left with her boyfriend and accomplice, amidst the sounds of battle outside.

He was dying…

Amaya was dying…

Fushimi raised himself up on his elbows, feeling so tired. Amaya raised her head to look at him, and tried to smile, but failed to do so as she began to cough, the life giving liquid that was her blood gushing from her lips.

" Amaya… "

His limbs heavy, his life's blood leaving his body, Fushimi pulled himself towards his fiancée as she tried to make her way towards him, despite their injuries.

When they reached each other, they reached out at the same time, their fingers entwining. Amaya tried to smile again, and succeeded, although there were tears in her eyes.

Tears for the man in front of her, for the life that they would have had together that was taken from them…

" I love you, Saruhiko… "

Their lips met in their final kiss with their living breaths, and as the gates of death opened before them, Saruhiko Fushimi squeezed Amaya's hand, breathing her name, and what was in his heart:

" I love you too, Amaya. "

He had made love to her once, but even if he could have done it again and again, it would never be enough.

As Fushimi finally succumbed to his injuries, he squeezed Amaya's tiny hand one last time, his last thoughts being that she had been taken from him too soon.

He couldn't let it end like this…

He wouldn't…

The Blue King felt a chill run through him as he and his clan faced off with the enemy, the sounds of battle filling the streets.

He didn't know how long had passed before their opponents were either dead or subdued, and when he raised his eyes to the stairs leading to Amaya Tenjin's apartment, he couldn't help but feel a sense of foreboding and loss within him.

Scepter 4 had been alerted to the scene by Akiyama and Benzai, and the fight had been quite brutal when the rest of the Special Squad arrived, led by Munakata himself. Once the Blue Clan had arrived, things had seemed to escalate.

Now, as everything seemed to calm down, the Blue King, led by Akiyama and Benzai, ascended the stairs leading to Amaya Tenjin's apartment. The front door was missing, except for a few sharp pieces of wood attached to the hinges, and when he saw his two clansmen stop at the sight that greeted them upon entering, he knew that his worst fears had come to life. Stepping through the explosion damaged doorway, his two subordinates moving back to allow him to take in the scene better, the Blue King found that the inside of the apartment looked like it had been hit by a tornado following an earthquake.

Four men dressed similarly in dark clothing and masks lay dead on different parts of the floor, several knives, and empty bullet shells surrounding them, but what caught the attention of the three individuals were the two figures not far from them.

Saruhiko Fushimi and Amaya Tenjin were lying next to each other in pools of their own blood that had merged, their hands joined, fingers entwined, even in death. It was obvious that both of them had fought back with all their strength, but had lost…

Munakata maintained a stoic expression as he gave orders to have the scene secured, body bags brought in to collect the dead, his heart heavy within him.

Saruhiko Fushimi may have been a former member of HOMRA, and quite unsociable, but the Blue King had considered him his son, and enjoyed his company. The appearance of his childhood friend and fiancée, Amaya Tenjin in Scepter 4's line of vision had been a pleasant surprise, allowing glimpses into Fushimi's softer side.

His eyes moved to the young girl who had loved his third in command with her whole heart and soul. He remembered how polite she had been, how comfortable she had been when speaking with him, a striking contrast to his men who had always maintained their distance from him due to his rank as their commanding officer. Munakata remembered the way she smiled when looking at Fushimi, the way she had stood up to protect him…

Such a tragic loss,he thought to himself as he continued to stare at the two lovers. Such a waste…

News of the deaths of Saruhiko Fushimi and Amaya Tenjin spread quickly through the Blue Clan, stunning all those present.

But someone else had also felt the loss before being told.

Anna saw Saruhiko and Amaya as she slept, saw the red that surrounded them, heard the young man's cry of despair…

" Misaki! "

Everyone turned to look at the little girl who had rushed down the stairs in her nightie, her ruby eyes wide, and filled with tears.

It was Tatara who stood up and approached her. " What's the matter, Anna? " he asked gently. " Did you have a bad dream? "

In response, Anna shook her head, and continued towards Yata who, like everyone else present, looked concerned upon seeing the state of their little princess. " Misaki, " she wept. " Saruhiko and Amaya are dead! "

The stunned silence that followed the little albino's words was so thick, it became hard to breathe. Yata blinked, trying to comprehend if he'd heard right. " What…? " he shook his head. " It can't be… "

" It's true, Yata-chan, " Izumo confirmed, turning to the young man after answering the call from Seri Awashima that had come in just as Anna was coming down the stairs. " They were attacked at Tenjin-chan's apartment when she was going to get some clothes after Fushimi was discharged from the hospital. Prior to that, they were informed that Tenjin-chan's older sister, Chou, and her boyfriend, Ayato, had broken out of prison the night before; they even left behind pictures of Amaya and Fushimi in their cells. It seems that they came for revenge, and got to them, although Fushimi and Tenjin-chan put up a fight… even if they lost. "

Tatara picked Anna up, and carried her with him as they settled on the seat facing Yata, who had turned pale.

That damn monkey is dead, along with Amaya! he thought, their faces flashing in his mind. And he never even told me anything!

The turbulent relationship between Chou and Amaya Tenjin had been no secret to the Red Clan. Yata revealed the reason she had been staying with them prior to Fushimi's defection, so they had been pretty careful to tread lightly around the girl, considering how traumatized she had been. Despite Fushimi's leaving them for the Blue Clan, along with his and Amaya's falling out with Yata, the young girl had been like an older sister, and surrogate mother to Anna, as well as a friend to Kosuke Fujishima who was an animal lover like herself. Several times, she had been the one who'd found stray animals and brought them to him, asking for his help in finding permanent, loving homes for them; other times, it had been Fujishima who had asked for her help for the little creatures.

Now both of them were gone, and it weighed on both clans…