Each Breath Screaming

"Ikki! Ikki!"

He woke up with the taste of blood in his mouth. He sat up quickly, and his head spun, eyes struggling to focus as he looked around in the dim room.

"Ikki!" her voice shook with sobs and he turned his head to see her at his side, cheeks streaked with tears and nose running.

"Esmeralda?"

"I"m so glad you're awake," she hiccuped, wrapping her arms around his neck and embracing him tightly, hiding her face in his neck, "You've been unconscious for hours." He flinched as she held tighter, and she quickly pulled away, tears welling up again. "I'm sorry."

"What are you doing here?" he asked, inspecting the cellar Guilty gave him as quarters, "I told you not to come here!"

Esmeralda shook her head, and he saw the blood matted in her hair at her temple. He grabbed her shoulders, looking at her closer, and she looked away in shame. "Guilty found you."

"I...I saw you training and he attacked you and then you weren't moving, so I..." she bit her lip, "I asked him to let me take you here so I could wrap your wounds, that's all."

"I told you not to worry about me when I'm training!" Ikki reminded her, "Guilty let you go this one time, I don't think he'll do it again. You shouldn't still be here."

"But I had to make sure you woke up," she pressed, "I couldn't...If you were gone Ikki, I don't know what I'd do..."

"I'm fine now," he sighed, "Now go back, quickly." She shook her head. "What? Why?"

"Ikki, I can't bear it," she whispered. He blinked at her in shock. "I hate...I hate seeing you hurt. I hate that you have to go through this, every day."

"You know why," he mumbled, and she bit back a whimper, "Soon, I promise. I'll get the Cloth and then I'll leave. I'll take you with me, and we'll go somewhere safe."

She shook her head, biting her lip, "It hurts to see you in pain."

"I can handle it," he said, making her sniff loudly and hold back more tears, "I know it'll be worth it."

"I don't want you to go away from me," she mumbled softly, covering her face in her hands. "I don't want to be alone again."

"I won't leave you alone," he swore, taking her wrists and pulling her hands from her face. She looked up and he hesitated, before quickly pecking her lips. "I won't leave you behind."

"Ikki!"

They froze, staring in sudden fear at the shadow that loomed in the entryway.

"Ikki!"

"Hide!" he hissed, jumping to his feet and shoving her behind some old pots in the corner of the cellar, pushing her head down out of sight. "I'll distract him and you run!"

"Ikki, you're slacking off!" Guilty boomed as he stomped down the cellar steps, "How long do you plan to be on this island! You'll never become a Saint at this rate!"

"I will!" he said defiantly, moving away from the pots and Guilty followed him, "I'm going to get that Cloth and become a Saint!"

"Useless!" Guilty roared, swinging his fist. Ikki tired to block it but it connected with his side, and he cried out in pain. He heard her scream and Guilty's head suddenly turned towards the sound. He looked, and she stood only a few feet from the steps, rooted to the spot. Guilty moved toward her, and she threw her arms up over her head, cowering. He grit his teeth, and moved, throwing a punch as hard as he could. His fist connected, and Guilty's head snapped to the side.

"Run!" he shouted at her, and he saw her legs shake before she broke out into a run, stumbling up the stairs. He turned just in time to see Guilty's leg come up and connect with his side, sending him flying into the wall. He groaned, gripping the spot where Guilty had kicked, and looked up as he walked slowly closer.

"I hope that was worth it Ikki!" he growled, and he swallowed thickly.

"It was."