Disclaimer: I don't own the Ginga series or characters except for my own.

Note: Hey, I know I haven't posted for my comic yet. It's just, I feel like a mess and I need to be stable and stuff. You all don't need to worry, but all I have to say is, have a beautiful Christmas day, and tell your family you love them. Least you can do. Anyway's enjoy.

Previous Message: Febuary, this story will be a year old. I want to do something special for you, leave a review for any suggestions. Yadda Yadda.

Chapter 38: Maxim Vs Jerome

"Get up." Maxim said to Jerome laying down sleeping on the ground. Jerome awakened from his sleep. It wasn't the best sleep, not after what happened to Hakuro. It should have been my death he thought to himself. He hangs his head in depression. Lydia helps him up.

"Want my help?" Lydia asked.

"Why is he here? I thought he was going with Spike." Jerome asked.

"The Hell with Spike, never liked him from the word go. I came by to get my sister and go to my father." Maxim said.

"That's all. Not to come by and help Spike kill Hakuro." Jerome said.

"Aram wouldn't have let me come if all I was coming for was just my sister. He just wants to kill. Not come for loved ones. In fact, even if he had a beautiful mate and young pups, he would have left them for dead." Maxime said.

"I honestly don't care about Aram. Hakuro is dead because of me and . . ."

"You?" He interupted. "He got himself killed. Hell, your lucky you still have a piece of flesh still left in you."

"It wasn't supposed to be him. It was because of me. I even lost Jane, when that Spike took her away. You all took me for a hostage." Jerome stopped as Maxime turned around.

"Listen Asshole. It was that, or be dead."

"I'd rather be dead." Jerome said.

"Boys, stop." Lydia said. The two of them ignored her.

"You must have some type of death wish. You want to be dead first before a young Kishu and an old man could be. Lady friend is probably being torn apart by now." Maxime said getting up in his face.

"Say's the man who leaves his sister to kill innocent pups, and women for sport. Now he decides to come back for her." Jerome says.

"That's enough!" Lydia yelled, it wasn't enough to get there attention.

"You wanting to die has probably come a long way for you. How many males do you think died and had an honorable life. YET, The great ol' Jerome is still left breathing."

Silenced was filled in the ears. Jerome was clawing the ground. He knocked Maxime to the ground and grabbed him by the neck.

"Jerome no!" Lydia tried to pull him off. Once she did, Maxime head butted Jerome making him dizzy. He slammed him against a boulder. He grabbed the back of his neck and slammed his face to the boulder over and over and over. "Maxime!" Lydia tried to stop him by pulling his back leg making him fall to the ground. Jerome fell to the ground. Maxime laid on the ground looking at him.

"Hurt? That's probably what Jane felt, when you left her for an old man. Not like you really cared about her, right?" Maxime was giggling. Jerome had a stern look and growled.

He grabbed him by the neck and started choking him. Maxime was trying to stop him but the pain of not inhaling air is killing him. Jerome was looking at him choking, it reminded him so much of when he killed the two doberman a long time ago. He still remembers every word Weed said to him that made him feel ashamed of what he did. He opened his mouth, Maxime was breathing again. Jerome got off of him and hung his head. Maxime was about to attack, but Lydia restrained him.

"Haven't you both had enough?" Lydia asked.

Maxime sat there looking at him. Jerome stared at the ground. He was so depressed he could barely think. He's not happy with the decisions he made. But, who's to say that they were right in the first place.

Up on a mountain . . .

Spike was watching over Jerome, Lydia and Maxime. He smirked as he watched them fight.

"Why did we let the bitch go?" Aram asked with a curious look.

"Who, Jane? I want to scare Gin." Spike said. He stared at Aram. "I want to make sure he's ready for a battle he cannot win." He started laugh.

To be continued . . .

Note: Merry Christmas. I love you guys. Have a happy Christmas day. or I hope you enjoyed Christmas. Depends on when you read this.