DISCLAIMER: I don't own any of the characters

Please R & R^^

Okay, this chapter might need a warning. So here goes: there will be some descriptions of injuries. I'll try not to make it detailed, but it happens and therefore needs to be told. Lots of bishie abuse ahead, both physical and emotional. I would feel bad about making them go through all this, but I'm too much of a sadist to feel bad about it ;)

Either way, you're warned… but if I haven't scared you away yet, please enjoy reading^^

Edit: Thanks to Sky'sShadow for pointing out some mistakes... well... a lot of mistakes. They're corrected now^^

When Rei woke, he felt two strong arms wrapped around his slender frame. Ruka, he knew. Who else could ever make him feel so safe? With a deep sigh, he opened his eyes to see the clear night sky above him, with an almost full moon and a few small stars. It looked pretty, but to judge at the color of the sky, it was still the beginning of the night. Which meant he'd have to manage to fall asleep again, or he'd be tired tomorrow. Of all possible days to be tired, tomorrow would definitely be one of the least convenient ones.

"Rei, you're awake?" he heard someone whisper.

A bit startled, he looked at the direction of the sound and saw Shin. "Yes."

"Since you were still sleeping, we thought it would be best if you'd take the last shift to be guard," Shin told him. "I hope that's okay with you."

"Sure," Rei replied with a soft smile. "I just hope I can fall back asleep, now that I'm awake."

"Change your position, close your eyes and try to think about nothing," Shin suggested. "That usually works for me."

"Good idea." Carefully, not to wake up Ruka, Rei turned unto his side. With his face against Ruka's collarbone, he closed his eyes. Now he only had to manage not to think about anything, which prove to be quite hard. Somehow, he kept thinking about all things that had happed so far, and then his thought shifted towards the future, which only scared him because of how unsure it was. With a soft groan he opened his eyes again. "I can't think about nothing."

He heard Shin chuckle. "Then try to concentrate on something else. Ruka's breathing, for example."

That might work. After a long yawn, Rei snuggled against his beloved again and listened to the taller angel's soft, steady breath. It did work calming, and it took his mind off other things, such as tomorrow. After some minutes, he was actually starting to feel a little sleepy again. About ten minutes later, he drifted off again.

He dreamt about Ruka, not surprisingly. His beloved was flying, and he tried to follow, but Ruka was too quick. Then suddenly, he disappeared and Rei was lost for a moment. Before he even had gotten the chance to get scared, he suddenly felt two arms being wrapped around his chest from behind, and knew it was Ruka. His angel smiled at him, and then the dream ended and he just slept dreamlessly, his mind finding enough ease in having Ruka so close to him physically.

A soft kiss onto his lips woke him up again, and he opened his eyes to see Ruka leaning over him. "It's your turn to be guard," he whispered, not to wake the rest. "Shall I stay awake with you?"

Rei wanted to say that Ruka needed his rest, but looking at his beloved, a strangely suffocated feeling came up in his chest. Like a bad presentiment. He hoped it was nothing, but it didn't do much good for his mood. "If you don't mind… I'd really like you to," he admitted softly, while sitting up.

The silver-haired angel gave him a slightly worried glance. "Rei? Are you okay?"

"I-I'm fine. Just…" No, he couldn't tell him. This feeling he had, it would only scare Ruka, which would make him more vulnerable. And besides, it probably was just his own nervousness, nothing more.

"Just what?" Ruka asked, reminding Rei he still had to finish that line.

Instead of finishing it, he suddenly threw his arms around Ruka's shoulders and hugged him tightly. "Please… be careful," he whispered in his beloved's ear. Then, a thought came up in his mind. It would sound a bit unlike him, but it was the best way he could think of to ease the tension a bit. "I really want you to be able to keep a certain promise." He felt his cheeks heating up. "If you know what I mean."

"How can I forget?" Ruka smiled. "But I want to succeed on this quest to spend my entire life with you. Not for just one night of fun."

Indicating he wanted more than one. But it was nice to hear, and it made Rei smile a little too. "Same here." But he still didn't feel like letting go of his beloved. Besides, Ruka had wrapped his arms tightly around Rei's waist, making it impossible for him to move. Silently, he closed his eyes again, nearly falling back to sleep. "Hm… you'd be a nice bed."

He heard Ruka chuckle. "Thanks… I guess."

"It was meant as a compliment," Rei giggled. "No one makes me feel more safe than you, my angel."

His beloved didn't reply, but he did tighten his embrace. For the rest of the night, they just sat there in silence, Ruka holding Rei warmly, and Rei enjoying Ruka's warmth. When morning finally came, no one appeared to be in the mood to talk much, or at all really. In a rather uncomfortable silence, they ate some fish. Not even Gai seemed to have the courage to say anything, like one wrong word could destroy the balance that kept them from panicking when thinking about what laid ahead of them.

"So…" Yuda said, when they all were done eating. "Shall we go?"

"The gemstone is suppose to be at the top of the mountain," Shin told. "We should be able to see the mountain itself as soon as we're a bit away from the water."

"Isn't it supposed to be high?" Gai asked, while they started walking.

"No, actually it's only a bit bigger than a hill, and a lot rockier. Like said, it's the weather that's so dangerous. Not the height," Shin explained. "And there are many cracks in the ground. That and the landslides make it possibly more dangerous than anything we've ever been through."

"Sounds comforting," Gai muttered.

"It is what it is. We'd better be prepared for it, rather than ignore it," Yuda defended Shin.

"Either way, let's keep close to each other. Whatever happens, I don't think it's a good idea to split up," Goh said, before Gai could go on nagging.

"Indeed. If one of us gets hurt somehow, the rest should help immediately," Ruka agreed.

After that, they walked in silence, watching the mountain coming to view. Rei couldn't repress a shiver when he looked at it for the first time. It wasn't big, but it was sharp and pointy. All rocks, not any life on it. Not even some grass. It looked painful, somehow, sharp stones sticking from it everywhere. There were also black stripes to be seen, probably the cracks. But at the top of it, there was something shining brightly in the sun.

"Is that the gemstone?" Gai asked, softer than his usual tone of voice.

"I think so," Shin replied, his voice a bit tense.

When they came closer to it, like entering some strange room, the temperature dropped to almost freezing, and a strong wind almost cut their breath. Suddenly, there was some loud rumbling, followed by several large rocks sliding down the mountain, destroying some others stones on their way down.

"Okay, I understand what you meant by 'dangerous landslides', Shin," Gai commented. "We really can't fly to that gemstone?"

"With this wind?" Rei responded. "It would be impossible not to be blown away."

The ground underneath their feet was now all rocks, and to make it even worse, also slippery. "Rei." Ruka took his hand, and like it had been agreed on beforehand, they all took each other's hands. It did made it easier not to lose balance due to the wind, but Rei felt less sure about not slipping now he couldn't use his arms. They were already walking up now, past dangerously deep cracks. "Be careful not to fall," Yuda warned, walking at front, with Ruka behind him.

No one replied, the wind was getting too strong to be able to understand each other anyway. Almost at three-quarter, Rei saw. But walking was going slow now, as it was almost impossible not to get blown of their feet by the strong wind. He suddenly heard Yuda yell. Almost like a nightmare, Rei saw the red-haired angel's feet slip. Ruka tried dragging him back up, only causing himself to fall too. Before Rei could even respond, the silver-haired angel let go of his hand. Another sharp gust of wind, throwing Rei backwards against Goh.

He heard someone screaming when he saw a small landslide coming towards them. It wasn't until Goh dragged him to the side, out of the sliding rock´s way, when he realized it had been himself and Shin. Because what their minds refused to register, their eyes couldn't help but see. That they and Gai and Goh were as good as safe. Ruka and Yuda weren't. In blind panic he tried to run to them, seeing from the corner of his eyes that Shin was trying to do the same, but Gai and Goh wouldn't let them. Within a fraction of a second, the wave of rocks crashed over Ruka and Yuda. For a moment, they screamed. Then there was only the sound of the rocks rolling down the mountain.

Then, all went strangely silent.

"Ruka!" As soon as the landslide was past them, the danger was over, he ran to his beloved's side. He didn't move at all, lying there face-down next to Yuda. The red-haired angel didn't move either, though Shin desperately called his name. Feeling like his own heart could stop beating any moment, Rei suddenly realized how much blood there was. How quiet the two lying on the ground were.

No. That wasn't possible. It just couldn't!

"Ruka, please! Wake up!" Panicking again, he turned his beloved onto his back, not even caring that he could make certain injuries worse by moving him. And this time, he did felt his heart skip some beats. "Ruka… no…" There was even more blood on his chest, like all his ribs had been cracked due to the impact of the rocks hitting him. His face was uninjured, as beautiful as ever. But deadly pale. "No!" Unable to fight his tears any longer, desperate not to allow this to be the truth, he placed his hand on Ruka's wrecked chest. "No… please…" No movement. He wasn't breathing. Which meant… "Ruka! You can't leave me!" He gasped for breath, heavy sobs shaking his slender frame. "Ruka!"

Shin barely heard Rei screaming, feeling like the world had ceased to exist. Yuda's face was just as pale, though his chest was less wrecked than Ruka's. He did have a horrible wound on his head though, and his neck appeared to be broken. "This can't be…" He barely felt the tears dripping down as face, as he felt the same lack of movement from Yuda's chest, as Rei had felt with Ruka. No! If they'd hadn't fallen… If they had been quicker, this wouldn't have happened!

Yuda couldn't be gone forever. He just couldn't, because Shin felt sure he wouldn't be able to bear another second without him. But… he didn't have to be. Suddenly feeling strangely calm, he looked at Rei. Like the purple-haired angel felt it, he looked back, the look in his eyes so completely devastated, it hurt physically. "Stand behind me," Shin said softly, hinting Gai and Goh to do the same. Goh had to practically drag Rei away from Ruka's lifeless body, but when they all were at a safe spot, Shin slowly stood up, gathering all his powers for what he was trying to do.

A strange, clearly angelic light came over Ruka and Yuda, also covering Shin. The sharp wind on the mountain was replaced by dazzling, but soothing gusts of wind, as Yuda and Ruka were lifted off the ground a bit. Using all the power he possessed, time turned back at his command, only affecting the two bloodied angels. Slowly, the wounds started disappearing.

Rei watched breathlessly, sobs still wrecking his body. 'Please let this work...' he begged in his mind. 'Please… it can't end like this. Or it'll also be the end of me'.

"Damn…" he suddenly heard Goh mumble, looking at some spot close to the top of the mountain. Outside of this safe spot created by Shin's magic, the weather hadn't changed a bit. Rei gasped when he saw what Goh already had spotted. Another landslide was forming, slowly coming their way. If it would hit them, would stop Shin's magic, it would all be over.

Rei heard Shin's breathing turning increasingly irregular, indicating how much using his powers was draining him. But Ruka and Yuda seemed almost healed. Only some more moments, and they would be saved. If only the landslide wouldn't be here sooner.

"Gai, there still is time to use your powers!" Goh said to the small blonde.

"But with all those cracks, the mountain might crumble apart!"

"Take the risk, or we'll be dead anyway!"

Gai nodded and then placed his hands on the ground. With loud rumbling, huge walls came out of the mountain, shielding them from the landslide. At the same time, the ground underneath them slowly started collapsing. Rei saw Shin trembling, nearly losing his balance. Without thinking, he threw his arms around Shin's chest to steady him, feeling the magical aura almost hitting him away, but refusing to let go until the magic was done.

Slowly, Ruka and Yuda were lowered to the ground again, and while the last bit of magic disappeared from the air, they slowly opened their eyes. All Rei wanted to do was run to Ruka immediately, but he felt the blue-haired angel suddenly going limp, collapsing into his arms like some ragdoll. "Shin?" No response came, but he heard his friend breathing fast and irregular. Which meant that he at least was breathing.

"What…" In a moment, Yuda kneeled next to Shin, being followed by Ruka.

"He'll be okay, using his powers just took a lot of his energy," Rei explained, his voice only trembling a bit, and handed the blue-haired angel over to Yuda. Then, suddenly looking at Ruka's beautiful face, at those breathtaking crimson eyes, so full of worry and love, he finally broke. While the sobbing, that had almost ceased, came back twice as strong, he practically threw himself at his beloved, wrapping his arms around him and burying his face against his beloved's throat. Trembling a bit, Ruka embraced him and carefully caressed his back.

Unable to talk through his crying, Rei left it to Goh to inform Ruka and Yuda about what had happened, and about what had almost happened. By the end of that explanation, Ruka was trembling almost as badly as Rei was, holding the purple-haired angel so close, Rei almost got trouble breathing properly.

"I'm so sorry," Ruka suddenly whispered in Rei's ear, his voice wavering. "I'm so sorry…" It ended in a soft sob.

A bit startled, Rei looked up to see tears forming in Ruka's eyes. "No… you s-shouldn't… be s-sorry. I just…" Another sob. "I t-thought… I… I h-had lost y-you…" He had to stop talking for a moment, desperately trying to calm himself, but unable to shake that terrible feeling off just yet. "I… I love you!"

"I love you too, Rei." Tenderly, Ruka kissed him. "I never want to leave you." He took a deep breath. " But we shouldn't stay here too long. Shin is unconscious, which makes it even more dangerous. We have to get that gemstone and then get away from this place. Can you go on?"

Letting out a shaky sigh, Rei nodded, and then looked at Yuda. The red-haired angel was holding Shin tightly, apparently fighting back his tears. "Yuda?"

"I'll carry him." Slowly, Yuda stood up, Shin safely in his arms. "Let's hurry."

This time, they didn't care about slipping, running up the mountain as fast as they could. As soon as there were any signs that a new landslide could come, Gai made the protective walls around them. It did cause the mountain to collapse further and further though. At the exact moment Goh grabbed the gemstone, the whole mountain seemed to fall apart.

"Rei!" Ruka yelled, trying to speak through the heavy wind. "You take Yuda and Shin!"

Immediately, Rei understood what he meant to do, and together they flew off the mountain, carrying their friends. The wind blew them away more than that they were actually choosing where they were going, but after some horrible seconds they had finally gained enough height to fly back to the lake with the caves, and land safely. Nearly losing his balance when he landed, Rei dropped onto his knees voluntarily, before he would really fall.

"Rei?" Ruka asked worriedly, placing his arm gently around Rei's thin shoulders. "Are you hurt?"

"No." Rei sighed. "Just… so tired." Both physically and mentally. How Ruka had been lying there, bloodied and not breathing, that image would never be erased from his memory, no matter how much he'd want that. And his worries about Shin didn't make him feel any better either. "Yuda, how is Shin doing?" he asked softly.

"He's still unconscious," Yuda replied, his voice tense from worry. "And he's so pale…" His voice trailed off, his face tense from worry and guilt.

"After using so much of his powers, it wouldn't be surprising if he'd stay asleep for days," Goh tried to comfort him. "As long as you're with him, he'll be safe, right?"

"I hope so," Yuda sighed, sitting down next to Rei. "Can we stay here for the night? Then at least he can regain some energy before we travel on."

No one disapproved with that suggestion, all of them feeling to drained by today to even want to go through the underwater caves right now. For some time, they just sat there, talking quietly, until Rei baked some fishes and they ate dinner in silence.

"So… who'll be guard after who?" Goh asked after a long and awkward hour of silence.

"I'll go first," Ruka offered, giving Rei a quiet glance. The purple-haired angel understood immediately, and offered to go next. That way, when he had to take over from Ruka, they could talk in private for a few minutes. Goh offered to go after him, then Yuda, and last in line went Gai.

A few minutes later, Rei was trying to fall asleep with his head on Ruka's lap, concentrating on the feeling of his beloved's hand caressing his hair. As always, it felt great. But it also made him thing about how close he had been to losing him forever. Briefly, he came to the realization that Ruka must have felt the same way, after their fight. Though that probably had been worse, since Ruka had been the one who had inflicted the damage on Rei. The purple-haired angel was sure that his angel hadn't been in his right mind, and that it was in no way Ruka's fault. But he knew Ruka still secretly blamed himself.

Which brought his mind to a lot more unpleasant memories, making it now completely impossible to fall asleep. "Ruka?" he mumbled.

"Yes?" Worriedly, the silver-haired angel took Rei's hand and squeezed it. "Are you okay? You're so tense."

"I just… Ruka… I can't stop thinking about it," Rei knew he probably made no sense, but he felt the grip Ruka had on his hand tightening. Of course, his beloved always understood, somehow. Well, most of the time, at least.

"I'm here, you know that. Is there anything I can do to make you feel more sure?"

That, he didn't know. "Maybe…" But then he'd make Ruka sit in an uncomfortable way. "Ah… never mind."

"No, tell me," Ruka insisted. "Please? I really don't like seeing you so tense, especially not when I can help it."

"Well, could you please hold me?" Rei asked softly, feeling too shy to look at his beloved. "I mean, sitting on your lap sideways, and leaning against your chest." Then he'd be able to feel and hear his beloved's breath and heartbeat. That would definitely help against this scared feeling.

"Sure," Ruka immediately agreed. "Come here."

Relieved, Rei sat up and moved onto Ruka's lap. Gently, his angel wrapped his arms around Rei's small shoulders, allowing the purple-haired angel to rest his head against his beloved's collarbone. Somehow, Rei instantly felt a lot better, feeling a lot closer to his beloved. "I love you so much," he whispered, suddenly feeling sleepy.

"I love you to," Ruka whispered back, starting to caress Rei's hair again. Finally, his entire being fully concentrating on Ruka's gentle touch, Rei drifted off to sleep.

So… you all probably hate me now for doing that to Ruka and Yuda, and for making Rei and Shin witness it… But they survived, so please don't kill me! *hides behind her laptop*

Well, either way, now there's just the journey back left. And then two of our favorite angels have a certain promise left to fulfill… ;) But knowing me, that's going to take some chapters, so you're not rid of me yet! (probably going to do a sequel… so you'll won't be rid of me for a long time! XD )

I'll update next weekend, or maybe sooner^^

By the way, while uploading this, I killed again! This time no angels, but the 'Caps Lock' key on my laptop. Oops...