I growled and ran to my closet to grab my gun. Kaoru grabbed my arm and pulled me back. "Keiko. No. We need to hide, we cannot fight. We escaped from jail, they are probably looking for us!"

I pulled away and grabbed my gun. "Which is exactly why I want to fight them. I am going to show them that I am not a pussy who just sits and hides from them! I have more respect for myself than that..."

I headed towards the door and Kaoru grabbed my hand. I looked back at him. His face was stern and angry, almost resembling how he used to look at me. I was a little scared, but I didn't let it show. He pulled me back and went for my gun. I moved my hand away from his. He looked at my face, surprised but very angry that I had disrespected him like that. He gripped my hand tighter and spoke in a dark tone. "Keiko. If you go not stop this right now, you will not like what is in store for you."

The sirens wailed as he spoke, making more and more eager to get out and fight. I looked into his cold, hard eyes and bit my lip. I didn't know what he was talking about, but I knew it couldn't be good. I didn't care. I ripped my hand out of his and ran out the door. He screamed in rage and chased me down the hall. He stopped and held his hands in front of him, slowly closing them into fists. It slowly became weaker and weaker. I put my hands on the walls, trying to keep my balance, trying to make it outside. I fell to my knees, whimpering as Kaoru spoke to me in my head, hearing him walk closer, his heavy boots slowly hitting the floor as he walked.

"Keikochan... I tried to warn you." I felt myself grow colder and more weak. "But now it looked like I have to take care of you myself." He lifted me and slammed me against the wall. What was he doing? I thought he changed!

He slapped me once across the face. I was so weak, I just hung my head. He slapped me again and again. He used his claws, them occasionally digging into my cheek. I whimpered as he began punching me. He then threw me to the ground, kicking me and watching me bleed.

I tried to stay awake, tried to stay conscious. I crawled towards the stairs, wanting desperately to make it outside. I then felt Kaoru's boot on my back. He was weighing me down. I couldn't move. I was to weak and tired. I finally closed my eyes and let the feeling of pain and weakness slowly overtake me...

I suddenly felt warm and heard the fading of the sirens. I opened my eyes softly and looked around. I was in an apartment room. I had never been in this bedroom before. I sat up, looking around for something... anything...

I had a blanket around me and my clothes had been changed to a small night gown. I wrapped the blanket around myself and got up, kneeling on the bed. I was in great pain. I raised a hand to my face and felt scars on my cheeks. A single tear fell as my whole body ached. My eyes adjusted to the darkness and I saw a figure staring at themselves in the mirror. I tilted my head gently, trying to see who it was. They were breathing heavily and growling softly. Then, in a flash, they raised their fist and punched the mirror. The glass shattered and fell to the floor.

The figure reached down and picked up a piece of the glass. They turned and sat on the floor, leaning against the wall. They laid their arm face up on their leg, reveling their wrist. My eyes widened as they cried softly, cursing themselves under their breath.

I couldn't move. It was like what I was witnessing had put a spell on my body. I shook slightly and wanted desperately to say something as they raised the glass. A small glimmer of light from outside sent a ray of moonlight bouncing off the glass and onto the figures face.

It was Kaoru.

My voice finally broke the silence, breaking and holding back sobs. "Kaorusan..."

He didn't move his head or look at me. He continued raising the glass as he set it on his wrist. "Keikochan..." His voice was hurt and soft, like he was holding back tears. Like he had lost all hope, and had no reason to live. "Please... look away..."

I crawled forward and reached my hand towards him, pulling it back gently. "Kaorusan... what are you doing...?"

He bit his lip, a single tear falling down his cheek. "I am no different than the others... I hurt you. I cannot change... I cannot bear the knowledge that I may hurt you again..."

I opened my mouth to speak, only to hear the subtle sound of the glass cutting through his wrist. I watched as he pulled the glass clean through his skin He looked at his wrist and held the bloody glass tight. He whipped it across the room and it shattered against the opposite wall. He began to cry softly, finally looking at me as the blood flowed out of his wound.

"Keikochan... Just remember..." His breathing was labored and his words were short. "I love you... and I always will..."

His eyes rolled in his head as they closed softly.

"No no no no..." I jumped out of bed, tears clouding my vision. I ignored the pain in my body as I sat next to him. I took his wounded hand in mine and placed my hand over the gash he had made. I closed my eyes and breathed slowly as I focused on healing him.

I felt the bleeding slowly stop, pulling him against me and leaning his head against my chest. I leaned my head on top of his, holding his hand tight and sobbing silently. His body was cold and his breathing was very shallow. I couldn't bear this... I didn't want to lose him.

I ran my fingers through his hair as I closed my eyes, my tears falling. I gripped his hand tight, wanting him to know that I was there for him.

I love you too...