Authors note: To those out there who have supported this story, thank you. Asphodel in the language of the flowers means my regrets follow you to the grave. Please enjoy.

~Snow

Asphodel

Dew coated the grass on the morning of the kayak race. The crisp air made the idea of plunging into a river and riding the rapids an unappealing endeavor. Yumi was awake long before the sun's rays hit the mountain top. She looked over the valley. Excitement flowed in her veins and her body thrummed as adrenaline already began to course through her veins. In a robe standing at the window she turned around and looked at the bed. There were so many things she and Sei have been through. Some of those things made Yumi feel horrible, like a player with the heart of this woman. She often wondered why she was so drawn to Sachiko when she was the one that took her whole life and flipped it upside down. She often wondered why she never gave Sei the chance she deserved until now. The sound of a beep indicated the coffee finished brewing and she smiled as she made two cups of coffee. She sat on the edge of the bed and simply watched the magic of the scent of coffee work its magic. Little by little the beautiful woman began to wake. Yumi smiled as she saw Sei's grey eyes and her smile brightened more as Sei swung her legs of the side of the bed and sat next to Yumi. Yumi placed the steaming cup of coffee with two table spoons of sugar into Sei's hands and her chin upon her lovers shoulder. God she adored this woman. Sei yawned and took a sip and smiled then rested her cheek to Yumi's forehead.

Never in her life had she felt more content, or more loved. It did not go unnoticed that Yumi has not told her she loved her but she knew she couldn't let this bother her. She knew without a shadow of a doubt that Yumi was hers and only hers. Yumi didn't have to say those three words that Sei herself was afraid to say until she met Yumi. Sei understood her lover, and understood that in time Yumi would be able to confess her truest feelings. Sei placed her lips to Yumi's forehead as she remembered Yumi's fears. She took another sip from her cup. Even though she promised she would never leave Yumi the fact was inevitable that there was a possibility she would die for her. The thought scared Yumi but Sei would gladly do it. With a sigh and a hand perched on her bare stomach as the sheets bunched at her hips, she let the heavy thoughts of death subside and the thoughts of the race to flood her. Suddenly she felt her entire body shudder and a noticed a smile on Yumi's lips.

"You keep your current path up, and we will not make it to the race on time," jested Sei as she grasped Yumi's roaming fingers and entwined their fingers. Yumi let a playful rumble out of her throat as she took their entwined fingers together and slid them beneath the sheet. Yumi smiled and closed her eyes and she felt Sei's body jump at the contact of their combined fingers on Sei. Sei leaned her sleek body over and put the cup of coffee on the nightstand. Yumi let her mouth tease and lick at Sei's nipple as they lowered to the bed. Moans from both woman filled the room as both edged closer to the edge of ecstasy.

"Room Service," called the hotel staff outside of the door. Yumi's hand jerked from the silky sheath of Sei's sex. Sei growled and grasped Yumi as she went to stand and answer the door frazzled. She pulled Yumi on top of her with a searing kiss, and then plunged Yumi's fingers into her filling her.

"Room Service," called the staff member once more. Sei's hips lifted off the bed as Yumi worked her lover and a screamed ripped from her lips. Yumi stifled Sei's screams with her own blazing kisses. When Sei settled, Yumi kissed her once more and answered the door feeling flushed and dare she say smug. Sei lay back on the bed feeling dominated and loved every moment of it. She never let anyone possess her the way she let Yumi take her, dominate her, control her. She looked to the clock on the nightstand and nodded. There was plenty of time for reciprocation. Then she heard it and her smile dropped and her annoyance surfaced. Yuuki and Suguru let themselves into the suite. Yumi began pouring mugs of coffee. Sei tossed the covers from her body and walked to the shower. Once under the hot spray she tilted her head back and cursed the timing of those two hellions. As she cleaned her body and breathed deeply the fresh scent of soap and water she prepared. Yes her loins burned for her lovers again and again but the race filled her thoughts and her body craved Yumi.

"Sei?" called Yumi as she opened the door and steam made her hair slightly curl. Yumi noticed the small growl as Sei threw off her sheet and stomped to the shower. She served coffee to her brother and his lover but buy the gods she wished she could be back in that bed with Sei on top of her. She wanted something more from Sei. It became very apparent to her that she began to fall even more down the rabbit hole of love when it came to her lover. She could not think of why it was Sei but her heart beat differently than when she lusted after Sachiko. She thought love had been found in those pale blue eyes, but it was the grey irises of Sei that captivated her. She was not a casual lover. She gave all of her to that person except one thing, her heart she only just came close to throwing her heart at the feet of Sachiko. She continually asked herself if she could give to Sei, the Romeo, the lothario, her heart. As she stood inside of the bathroom with tendrils of steam caressing her skin she wished she was also in that shower with Sei. There was no response just a heavy sigh.

"Sei?" Yumi tried once more and stepped close to the shower door. Then all of a sudden a hand shot out and pulled her in to the spray. Yumi hastily shed her robe and tossed it on the counter then turned back to shower. There she stood face to face, breast to breast, thigh to thigh with Sei. Yumi was spun so she was under water and found hands massaging her scalp. Once her hair was rinsed she opened her eyes. Sei looked at her, watched her and Yumi swallowed at the open gaze of Sei. Then Sei blinked and turned away. Yumi caught a small hint of sadness there and reached up to capture her lovers chin and bring her eyes, her wonderful grey eyes back to her browns.

"I am not angry or running away Yumi," Sei confirmed then kissed Yumi gently, chastely, "I just really wish your brother and his lover hadn't shown up."

"Me too love, me too," Yumi smiled to Sei in understanding and then Sei nodded and exited the shower to let Yumi finish her own shower with her own thoughts. When she walked to the bed room she dressed. As she turned to the living area she let a smile play upon her lips. When Suguru saw his newest friend he too let a smile grace his lips they understood each other.

"Boys" nodded Sei in greeting as she browned toast and retrieved another cup of coffee then sat down at the breakfast nook. She looked up to find both men staring at her then exchange a look. Yuuki blushed and Suguru shrugged. They knew they interrupted a delightful morning and that Sei would be in angry.

"Suguru," Sei spoke getting his attention, "I'm going to kick your ass on the river today."

Suguru chuckled, "of course, and would blame your for having … pent up energy to expel." As they both stared each other down Yumi came through the door. She at once felt the electricity of a challenge in the air and had to smile. She wanted payback too.

"Pull harder! Dig!" Sachiko shouted to Suguru. The rapids thrust the entire group into a cluster at the beginning but as she expected three groups pulled away from the rest. Sachiko's, Yumi's and the team of Olympians. Sachiko could feel the rapids push the kayak faster along the river. She saw Yumi in the front of her two man boat and squinted. Their lead was minimal, only a boat length. It was incredible how they didn't have to speak in order to communicate. She turned her glance at the blue kayak in front of them and willed her screaming limbs to pull harder, dig further.

"Sei, bend coming up with rocks to the left. Get us past the rocks and we will hard right!"

Sachiko watched as Sei nodded and they both pushed and dug their paddles into the water when they noticed the Olympians slow up at the rocky rend in the river. It was then that she saw Yumi pull hard a few more times then pull her paddle out of the water. Sachiko followed suit and Suguru saw this and nodded. They could do this. Yumi's Kayak pulled next to the Olympians and they edged along on who would take the lead. They teetered and fought a battle with the current as Sachiko and Suguru stayed behind them.

The boat the Olympians drove popped up slightly and shouted words in a language they didn't know were shouted to correct then crack! The two boats slammed into one another. Yumi pulled in her paddle as did Sei as they tried to stabilize to boat but to no avail. The Olympians and Yumi and Sei flipped and sputtered as they swam with their boat to shallow water.

"Hey you both ok?" shouted Sachiko as she and Suguru slowed.

"Keep going, and beet the other team. Go Go Go!"

Sachiko nodded and Suguru began the pace. The race was almost over and she and Suguru would win as long as they don't flip. Sachiko sighed as their boat crossed the checkpoint. She and Suguru Hastily pulled their boat to shore and waited.

"Yes!" Suguru and Sachiko cheered. Yumi and Sei came around the bend by about four boat lengths ahead of the Olympians. The crowd shouted for their teams to pull harder, dig deeper and then eruption yells and cheering hit to valley. Sei steered the boat to shore with a huge smile on her face and then got out of their boat. She helped the boat steady as Yumi climbed out the front and they both embraced and them shock hit as Sachiko and Suguru ran into them with bear hugs and congratulations. Sei tugged on Suguru's arm.

"We could have killed you. You were lucky," Sei smiled at her friend.

"Oh yes we know we are lucky," Suguru grabbed Sachiko's hand, "that's why we think you are the true winners." Sachiko nodded then turned around and looked for Youko and Yuuki. There they stood smiling at the two teams waiting for the crowd to disperse so they can retrieve their boats.

"Good showing Sachiko," Youko complimented as Sachiko walked up to them and shook Yuuki's hand and hugged Youko.

"Yuuki, did you see what happened to the boats?"

"Yes I did, strange for Olympians to hit to rocks isn't it?" asked Yuuki suspiciously. Sachiko only nodded. "Let's go collect our gear," Yuuki said as he saw to Olympic team beach their kayak.

Yuuki walked casually to the boats and asked the Olympic team if he could see their kayak. He claimed he liked the boat and wanted to check it out for he wanted one of his own. The team gladly let the young man look at the lines of the craft, and how deep it sat in the water. Yuuki smiled shook their hands and dismissed himself to collect the gear for Yumi's team and load it on the Land Rover. Yuuki walked back with Youko and lifted Sachiko's kayak and loaded it on same car.

"Sachiko, I think we should have a private dinner in Yumi's suite," Yuuki turned to Yumi whistled a high pitch that only his sister could recognize. He waved as she napped her head to him. He saw that look on her face then looked to Sei. Sei kept the smile on her face as she grasped Yumi's hand and walked to the car. Suguru merged with the group. Yumi waved at a few of her corporate world acquaintances and left claiming her arms felt like rubber and she was dead on her feet, and after falling in the cold river all she wanted was a hot shower or she would catch her death. Once in the car she looked at her brother.

"What's wrong?" asked Yumi her voice lower as she slipped into her natural instincts, the instincts of a killer. Sei looked out the window watching the countryside flyby on their short trip to their next check point and hotel. They were approximately ten miles downriver but still in her valley. If she had to she can steal Yumi away to her cabin.

"The other teams kayak bucked up causing the team to lose control and crash into you. When I was looking at their craft under the pretenses of wanting one for myself I saw part of the right side rail with a defect. A defect the size of a high powered rifle bullet. It impacted the top and out the side above the waterline so it didn't affect the boats buoyancy." The car fell into silence as Yuuki drove and the other four passengers crammed into the car digested the information.

"Yumi, I suggested we meet tonight to talk about preparations for tomorrow's hike," Yuuki told his sister. He watched her in the rearview mirror and saw her nod. His heart did go out to the girl. She couldn't seem to get a break. He noticed one more thing. Sei had not once looked into the car. She searched to tree line for a killer she knew was out there.

"Yuuki, do we have our usual gear for situations like this?" asked Sei. Yumi's eyes finally focused at the sound of her lover's voice as she looked to her. Yumi raised her hand to cover Sei's. Sei didn't move. Yumi felt the tendons and muscles in her arms and hands tense. You could not tell buy to look on Sei's face but she was like a coiled snake ready to strike, ready to lunge and cover Yumi with her own flesh and shield her from harm. This race changed from fun and philanthropic to a race of survival.

"Yumi," Sei finally spoke to her lover. Yumi squeezed her hand. "I think we should pull out of the race," confessed Sei.

"Is that what you want?" asked Yumi.

"Yumi," Sei turned from the window and looked at Yumi with sad eyes, "I only want your safety." Sei felt a profound sense of pain for Yumi. She could never have a simple and uncomplicated life in the corporate world. Instead she would always be hunted.

"We will continue the race," announced Yumi.

"Damn it Yumi! What are you trying to do? Die?" Sei shouted in the car as they pulled into the parking lot of the new hotel checkpoint. Everyone in the car held their breath.

"We need to find out who is out there Sei."

"Yumi do you know how close you were to dying today? Do you know how close we were just sitting there not knowing there was a threat? They could have picked us off one by one sitting there on that river. Who knows how many other shots were fired?"

"You will check your tone Sei Satou. As my bodyguard you will follow my directions." Yumi ordered her employee. Sei looked at her. Her jaw dropped. She stared down her lover shocked. Then turned her sight to the trees.

"Yes Ojou-sama," replied Sei then got out of the car scanned the area deemed it clear and announced it as such then stood aside. Yumi stepped out of the car and walked up to the building with Sei behind her. Yumi almost let loose unshed tears at the way she treated Sei. Her lover, the one person who loved her with no boundaries, and the one person she knew she could love.

"Who and the hell does she think she is?" asked Youko as everyone sat for a moment in silence. Sachiko understood Yumi and her reasoning but she felt that Sei was right. This was not the place strategically to use her as bait. There were too many possible traps. Suguru also believed Sei was right and Yumi was being careless. It was Yuuki who replied.

"She was being the head of the company. Her word is finite, law if you will. IF she wants to go ahead and offer herself up as live bat so be it," Yuuki gritted through his teeth. "We must remember that Sei is also her employee, her protector, and yes her lover. Their relationship will never be easy if they remain like they are, employer to employee, master to servant."

With his words hanging in the air Yuuki got out of the car and unloaded bags and took them to his sister's room. Suguru took Sachiko's bags as well as Youko's bags to her room. When they both came back for their bags to their room Yuuki saw the frown on Suguru's face. Yuuki shook his head and went to their room.

"She is wrong and you know it," challenged Suguru. Yuuki waved his comment aside.

"I'm not fighting you on this. I think Sei was right. We need to get out of here. But if Yumi will not leave then there is no use."

"Then knock her out, stuff her in the back of the car, and drive. Drive back to her mansion or corporate office with maximum security. But don't keep her here."

"Don't you get it? Who is gonna knock her out?" replied Yuuki. He thought of kidnapping his sister to the city as well but who in the hell can beat her to knock her out. Yuuki heard his lover sigh as he sat on the bed. It was a lost cause. They got ready for a very uncomfortable dinner.

Sei didn't stay very long for dinner. Everyone sat down and ate the meal Yuuki and Suguru prepared in Yumi's suite. They would not trust room service and who could blame them. The tossed salad and baked lemon chicken was a great meal to end the day. She had a job to do. She looked at the security cameras and had Yuuki patch into their network and gain access to their camera system. Sei sat on the floor with a pair of headphones on and her eyes trained on the monitor separated in to 4ths. She cycled through watching and waiting. When she felt the floors were as secure as she could make it she opened another black case and set up the communications equipment.

"Set me up with one of those two," Sachiko said as she came and sat with Sei. Sei turned into case and pulled out an ear piece and communicator then gave it to Sachiko. Sachiko put the ear piece in her ear and tested it. Sei put a thumb up and said she was good as did Sachiko. Sei then reached behind her for yet another case and pulled out a case with two handguns. She pulled one out loaded and chambered the bullet and gave it to Sachiko. Sachiko took the weapon and watched her friend. She never saw Sei so mechanical, so precise, and so very hurt. Sachiko stood up as Sei focused back on the monitors and went back to the table.

"It is time for us to go Youko. I don't see a reason to stay when reason is not being seen," Sachiko held out her hand and Youko nodded in agreement. True her onee-same was not born into the world of espionage and assassins but she was clever and smart. Sachiko glared at Yumi just as Yumi glared at her. The two men also excused themselves to bed seeing as they also could not make Yumi change her mind.

Now Yumi was left alone with Sei. Yumi looked over to Sei on the floor and saw her bodyguard watching a screen with an ear piece in her ear and a gun in her hand. Sei then moved and put all the equipment on the table so she could sit in a chair. Yumi bent down to help her lover place the security equipment on the table. A piercing dart of pain lanced through her chest when Sei never looked at her, never acknowledged her. Sei sat down in a chair facing the windows and watched the monitors ignoring Yumi.

She felt small warm arms circle around her shoulders. She stiffened at the contact and the yearning it brought. Yumi still held her lover and kissed her temple.

"I am sorry for saying that Sei. I am sorry for making your feel like nothing more than an employee. To me you are so much more than that."

"Why do you really want to stay? What are you not telling me?"

"I have intelligence on one of the contestants and it would be a huge merger in the best circumstances or a great ally," Yumi pulled Sei's chin to side and made her look at her. "Aren't you tired of this, all of this death? Sweetheart, how can we truly happy if we are dodging bullets the entire time we are together?" Yumi felt a weight on she shoulders lift and Sei nodded in understanding. The more people to protect Yumi would make her untouchable, and guarding her easier, safer for everyone involved.

"My main goal is to protect you, no matter what. Serve you, and follow you were ever you may go. It is my job to be here for you and help you and protect you in any way that I can." Sei stopped, "It is my duty as you have stated and made very clear today."

Yumi let go of Sei and back off as if slapped by Sei's words. Yumi hated tears. They were the sign of weakness and defeat. She stood back watching to woman in front of her and closed her eyes as she heard Sei's question whispered like a breath of wind.

"Am I an employee or a lover? Do I just work for you and then enjoy each other's company in the early morning hours? Shall I stop making love to you and think of it as servicing my mistress, no my employer?" Sei's questions stabbed at her soul and plunged her to her knees inform of her lover. Yumi was willing to beg to get the afternoon back, to bring her partner back to her. Sei felt the chair turn and saw to top of Yumi's head in her lap. Hot tears dripped onto her legs and Sei's own heart clenched.

"Please don't. Please don't ever stop making love to me," Then Sei saw Yumi tilt her head up to her own eyes pleading, begging, "Please don't stop loving me." Sei placed her hands on her shoulders and rubbed them soothingly listening to Yumi over and over beg her to never stop loving her.

"Yumi you hurt me," Sei edge out before tears took over.

"I promise I will start right this moment to try and never hurt you again," Yumi promised as she pulled Sei down off the chair in an embrace. She clutched at her as if Sei was her life's source afraid she could never lose her. She loved her too much, she needed her too much. Yumi pulled away slightly and looked into Sei's sad eyes. She opened her moth to say it, to confess it, but the words caught in her throat. Sei placed a small kiss to Yumi's lips and the lifted her to bed, tucked her in just like the one night months ago. She pulled a comfortable looking chair up to the bed and lifted her feet. Yumi knew Sei would not join her in bed and she missed to warmth but after her actions she was lucky Sei didn't leave her.

When the corporations met at the start line with packs on their backs and another air of excitement about them the contestants chattered jovially and enticed competition. Yumi and Sei stood ready. Sei still had in her ear piece that was now patched in to a communications radio with Yuuki. Yuuki, at Sei's request patched in to a satellite and monitored the area via inferred. If there was someone in the trees waiting for them Yuuki should see them.

"Be careful with my car Youko," joked Sei as Yuuki handed of the keys to his newest friend. Yuuki saw the smile was back, it lost some of its luster, but the smile was back. Sei's eyes were dark circled, and Yumi's were puffy and baggy. Youko noticed her friend looked like hell. She knew better than everyone Sei's hurt ran deep. She shook her head; these two women always seemed to run amuck of the worst luck but would end up together in the end. After seeing them together she saw that there was such a thing as a soul mate.

Youko waved off her friend with a smile and Yuuki sat in the front seat with a computer and a gps tuned into their GPS device to monitor their progress.

"Have fun," called Yuuki as he turned back to the others. Sei gave her thumbs up to indicate she heard him loud and clear through the ear peace. Sei walked up to Yumi and got ready. Yumi was already stretching like everyone else and Sei followed Suit. She very much wanted to reach out and brush her loose hair behind her head and hold her but there was a killer near, and she needed her head in the game. A 60 second call was shouted and the contestants toed the line, and Yumi looked to Sei. She had not touched her since that beautiful moment yesterday morning. Yumi reached out and placed a hand on Sei's arm and nodded. Sei nodded in return and smiled. Everything will be ok.

With the POW of a starter pistol the teams shot off like a rocket. The base of the small mountain had a winding path that gradually increased in gradient. For the older crowd it was perfect leisurely hike, but for Sachiko and Yumi's teams it was a race and it was on. Sachiko and Suguru took the lead immediately leaving Yumi and Sei behind. Instead of full out sprinting up the mountain Sei and Yumi took a fast hiking pace faster than a walk but slower than a jog. They will conserve their energy.

Aside from the race it was the wall of trees that put Sei's nerves on edge and increased her speed. She knew she was pushing harder than discussed but she simply wanted this race over and Yumi safe in the other checkpoint. She watched and left the air shift as they climbed higher. The trees grew tall and large. And the feeling of the air was ominous and heavy. Sei let Yumi lead and set the pace. Every little snap of a twig underfoot, or a crack of a branch made Sei's eyes jump from the treetops to the, to the branches, and finally to the forest floor. Her heart rate was up and her senses were alert. She could feel them out there waiting to pick them, but how? Would there be a trip wire and an explosion? No, any one could walk into that. Sniper from up in the treetops seems feasible, or an ambush. Sei's stomach fell to the ground. She stumbled as thoughts ran wild on the possibilities.

Yumi turned around as she heard the scuff and stumble of shoes on the path. She saw the look of high alert fear in Sei's eyes and sighed. She held out her hand.

"Don't think about it. Don't think about the person out there wanting to kill me, or the race. Just think of this as time for us," Yumi soothed as Sei gingerly took her lovers hand.

Sei felt anchored as they trekked up the small mountain. She heard a crackle on her ear peace and Yuuki's voice. "There is a warm body approximately 300 yards up hill. I only mention it because it's off path. Be careful." Sei squeezed Yumi's hand and Yumi squeezed back. She made Yuuki give her and earpiece and heard everything. Yumi sighed and walked up the path slowly looking and watching. She saw nothing, saw no one. Then she heard a tree branch crack, and then the thud of the limb hitting the forest floor. Sei had her hand on her gun faster than lighting and Yumi had her field knife in hers. They heard the stumbling of a person and then hid the weapons as soon as they saw the event coordinator. The photographer from high school.

"I swear, I almost got pummeled by that falling branch. Yumi-sama and Sei-sama, I just saw Sachiko-sama and her team mate not far ahead. I am taking pictures of the event, check it out." Yumi slapped that gorgeous smile on her face and looked at the pictured of Sachiko and Suguru posing briefly then another picture of Sachiko shoving him off to the side urging him to pick up the pace.

"Come on you two get together now and smile," Instructed Tsutako. Sei and Yumi smiled as they put an arm around each other but they needed to get moving.

"How far ahead is the other team," asked Yumi as she drank from her water bottle.

"Oh not far at all. They look tired, as if they ran the whole way there," Laughed Tsutako. Yumi and Sei laughed knowing it was accurate. No matter what it was still a race. Once the pictures have been taken Sei and Yumi waved as the woman snapped pictured of their departure.

"Yuuki is it was the event photographer and coordinator. False alarm," Yumi spoke into her communicator looking up the mountain. A whoosh of breath and a groan of pain were heard behind her. Yumi didn't have time to turn as Sei took her hand and threw her off the path out of the way. They tumbled and rolled down the hill until Sei's back slammed into a massive tree and Yumi skid to a halt on her belly scrapping the flesh from her abdomen. Plink! Plink! Two arrows narrowly missed Yumi on the ground and another grazed Sei's arm as she rolled toward Yumi. Yumi could hear a hiss from Sei and she looked up. Her breath escaped her lungs and refused to return.

Damn, thought Sei as she tried to move her torso but all that happened was falling limp against the tree. The first arrow drove right through her shoulder. Even after the tumble down the hill the arrow still protruded from her shoulder. Sei lifted her hand slowly to the shaft and tried to pull but the pain was too great and her hand fell to her lap. When the other two arrows barely missed Yumi her entire system jump started. The arrow grazed her bicep only because she moved toward Yumi bracing all of her weight on her good side. Once she was near Yumi Sei pulled on Yumi to get her lover behind the tree. Yumi worked quick on Sei who began to look pale.

Oh God this will hurt, thought Yumi as she braced Sei against the tree then shoved the arrow through her shoulder. Sei's screams rang out and echoed off the hill side.

"Sei! Where are you and Yumi?" asked Sachiko through the radio rushing back down the mountain to assit them. Sei finally got feeling back into her finger tips but she couldn't grip her gun in her right hand. She shifted the gun to her left and shook her head.

"No don't come back. We can run as soon as I get my feet under me. Find Yuuki and see if you can't track the little shit. I took an arrow in the shoulder and so far Yumi only has cuts and bruises."

"Arrows? Sei this isn't normal for us?"

Sei looked at Yumi and shook her head. Yumi nodded in understanding. "Sachiko we are going down the side of the path to the bottom of the valley then head toward the last checkpoint not the next one. Please find Yuuki and have that person tracked."

Sachiko reluctantly let the conversation die, and Sei knew just as Yumi did, Sachiko and Suguru were on their way to the next checkpoint to find Yuuki and his equipment. Yumi searched her bag for bandages while Sei watched the hilltop checking the area around them. When Yumi was finished bandaging her arm Sei lean further around the trunk of the tree. Plunk! Another very close arrow embedded into the bark too close to Sei's head to provide any comfort. Yumi and Sei settled down and controlled their breathing, listening, waiting for anything to tell them where the hunter was.

Snap! Sei's head turned slightly to the left in the direction of the disturbance. Suddenly Yumi grabbed Sei and tugged her to the side of the tree just as bark flew up.

"I guess they decided to stop using arrows," whispered Yumi as she noted the caliber of bullet lodged in the tree. Yumi looked back to Sei and noticed the sweat on her brow, and the whiteness of her lips. Sei's eyes began to burn and redness rimmed her eyes lids. Yumi looked at Sei's wounds. There was a black line that traveled the vein on her shoulder across her collarbone.

"Sei," Yumi tried to get her lover to respond but couldn't. Sei only grunted and moaned. The arrows must have been poison tipped. Yumi looked around and could do nothing. She saw her lover in her arms with a sheen of sweat blanketing her skin and all she could think over and over was no no no. Her bream came back to her. How did Sei did in her dream? It wasn't like this was it. No, no , no, please god no. Sei placed a weak hand to her cheek and waited for Yumi's brown eyes to see her.

"Go, please. I can stay here and cover you. Please go," Sei pleaded for Yumi to save herself but she only shook her head telling Sei she would never leave her. Sei heard foot falls come from in front of her and shot in that direction. Sei smiled as she saw him.

"Take her away from here! NOW!" ordered Sei. Suguru's hands restrained Yumi and she tugged and pulled at him as he towed Yumi away from Sei. Sei fired blindly in the direction they had last known of the target. Once Sei was sure Yumi was safe, she waited and saved her bullets. How in the hell did this happen? How did she not know it would happen on their hike? How could she be so irresponsible? Gasps of breath hitched in her chest as she laid her hand down. She could barely lift it any ways. She didn't even care to flinch when she heard the leaves rustle, and twigs snap as footsteps came ever closer. When the steps stopped Sei could hear the other person breath on the other side of the tree.

"Funny," spoke the voice softly, "You all thought I was here for the Daiske heir but I wasn't." The voice stopped as steps came around the tree. Sei followed the path of boots to pants, to the gun in a woman's hand, then to her face.

"Why?" Sei queried.

"My father was a photographer, in South east Asia on assignment. The CEO of a pharmaceuticals company ordered his death because he caught the company selling and processing illegal drugs, weapon, biological weapons," Tsutako passed as she trained the gun on her, "Mastersen Pharmaceuticals killed my father…"

"Oh for the love of all that is holy woman! You are going to die today all because you think I had something to do with all of this," Sei yelled hoping adrenaline would surge through her and give her something, anything. "It's not my company bitch!"

"You are the only Heir to the company Sei Satou. I know this to be true!"

"I sold it off years ago."

"Your company killed my father! Hiro Takeshima shall be avenged today!" Sei cocked her head and started to laugh a wicked evil laugh that broke the rants of the standing woman.

"You poor stupid, neglected, and cast aside girl," Sei Laughed as she covertly tilted to gun in her hand, "The man who profited most from the sale of my company to make the weapons was none other than your dear daddy, Hiro Takeshima. He signed papers for my company faster than category 5 hurricane blows wind."

The look on Tsutako's face melted from blind twisted fury to shock, painful shock. Tears escaped her eyes as she claimed over and over that Sei lied. She walked backward away from Sei, telling her she lied like a mantra as she withdrew. When Tsutako tripped over the overgrown earth of the hill side Sei took advantage and with every last bit of strength she lifted the gun a pulled the trigger twice. Tsutako Takeshima was no more. Then Sei with that final thought spoke Yumi's name. The autumn colors of the gorgeous mountain side fade to black as Sei's hand hit the leaves that cushioned her body from the hard black soil beneath.