A/N: Thanks a ton to skywolf666 for the idea for this chapter, and also to everyone who has read, reviewed, favorited, or alerted this story. Y'all are my inspiration, and this would be impossible without you.

Disclaimer: No, I don't own. What, are you insane?

Regret

He was angry. That much was obvious.

But wasn't obvious, at least not to most people, was that he had lost control.

She saw it, but then, she wasn't most people.

She could see that furious glint in his eye as he glared at the oncoming troops, and to be honest, it scared her. It wasn't him she was scared of, she could never be afraid of him, it was what she knew he could do, what he might do.

She knew she had to stop it, stop him from becoming a monster.

He took a step toward the reinforcing troops, and she reached out for his hand.

"Ling," she whispered softly, "Don't do something you might regret later."

He glared daggers at her.

"What's there to regret?" He growled, pulling his hand out of her grip, "Ran Fan, these people want to kill us. Will try to kill us if we don't kill them first. Fuu, your grandfather, is dead because of people like them! Why on Earth would I regret killing them?"

"Because you're human," She said, voice shaking slightly, "And you have a conscience."

She stepped in front of him, standing firmly in his way. He twitched angrily and took a menacing step forward.

"Ran Fan," He growled, voice trembling in rage, "Move."

Ran Fan glared right back.

"No," She said.

Gunshots and shouting sounded from behind her as the remaining Briggs men continued to protect the gate, but she stood in place, jaw set, eyes confident. He scowled.

"They need me," He hissed, "They'll all die!"

His voice shook, but no longer out of anger. He was obviously scared for the other men's lives.

"I'm not saying you can't kill them," She said, glancing sideways at the battle, "I'm just saying you should be careful not to do something you'll regret later. Promise me that, and I'll let you come by."

"I promise," he muttered grudgingly under his breath.

Smiling, she stepped aside.

"I'm going with you," she said with a smirk.

"How did I guess?" He chuckled softly.

It was the end. The battle was over, and the gate was protected.

But not without a price.

Most of the Briggs men were dead, only three or four remained, standing bloody and beaten next to the gate they had given everything up to protect.

And he was on his knees, cradling a limp head in his arms.

She wasn't dead, at least not yet. She had suffered several gunshot wounds when she'd jumped in front of him though, and was seriously injured.

"Help!" He called out, "We need a doctor! Please!"

One of the Briggs men called for an ambulance at the nearest pay phone, but help seemed hopelessly far away.

Tears clouded his vision as he wondered what he would do if he lost her.

"Ran Fan," he muttered to the unconscious girl, "I've broken my promise. I did something I regret; I should have never let you join the battle. I'm sorry. Forgive me."

Minutes later, the sound of sirens sounded like music to his ears; she would be saved!

That day, many people died.

But, then again, many more lived on, some scars healing, others remaining always. And even though what they did that day was right, some were never able to outlive the regret.

A/N: So, what did you think? Review!