Hello dear readers! How're you all? As for me, I was quite stressed today, feeling a bit sad and almost the urge to stop writing fanfictions but has your love ever let me do so? That's why, I'm back! :D

Here I come, with a new one-shot, featuring KaneXSalima, an enlightening and righteous pairing. Like them, the concept of the story is also enlightening and righteous. You remember Vermilion Birds? The story against rape? Yes yes, the topic of this story is the same here!

It was considered to be another welcome gift for Seafoam Green under Twilight aka our Nain because after a long time, she's stepped in Beyblade fandom. But...the title of the story was suggested by Cutetyhil aka Simy, so I would like to dedicate it to both since they both are die-hard KaneSal lovers. Dear Nain, dear Simy, pardon me, I think I've messed it up a bit...hehehe...*Sweatdrops and joins hands*

Genres: Hurt/Comfort, Angst, Crime, Romance.

Pairing: KaneXSalima (Umm...maybe a teensy, slight mention of one-sided RaySal too xDxD)

Rating: T+

Warnings: Mention of rape, character death, very brutal murder.

So...relish!

Darkness. It became my one and only companion since the last six years. No no, not exactly six years. Maybe, five years, 11 months, 29 days and a few hours…

Nah, there was no use to keep counting the track of time. Let it flow, let it go. As I was saying, my cell was so dark that at nights, I couldn't even see my own palm whenever I brought it before my blue eyes. Sometimes, I used to feel that I was getting dissolved like ink in this rectangular, large inkpot of eternity. I wish there could have been any pen to absorb me and spread me on a white paper, in a beautiful way, through one hundred words or some straight lines and curves, being an author or any painter. But guess what? With each day passing and disappearing from my life forever, I was getting dried. Nobody would consider me worthy of that.

I sneered, folding my knees and leaning my head against the damped, discolored wall of the prison cell. There was a time-when I had used to hate the sunlight. Whenever the sunshine had landed on my eyes, I had always turned my face away and commented, "Ugh! This damn light would blind me!" Really, I had been blind now despite having a good power of sight still. Now, my azure orbs were desperate in search of light, only a single ray would do too. However, I think the sun God became much irritated with me, thus, pouring only ink and ink all over me.

But…why was I suffering like that? No, I, Kane Yamashita, an ex-blader, had been the topper in the department of Mechanical Engineering of Tokyo Institute of Technology. With an excellent academic record, I'd completed my graduation and had been planning to apply for higher education, maybe in Australia. Because of my praiseworthy results, a lot of companies had been offering me tempting jobs with handsome salary and many facilities. But I'd been sticking to my goal of achieving higher education. Ah! How many dreams there had been, residing in both of my eyes! Then why? Why were they shattered in such a devastating way? The answer is: Only Kane Yamashita and Kane Yamashita was responsible for it.

And he wasn't even repenting for what he had done. Rather, he was quite satisfied.

I could still remember her. Whenever I closed my eyes, her deep, blood-red hair would flutter in the air. Jet pupils would gleam at me. They were very peaceful. Never did I like those girls who had restless, vibrant eyes. Calmness always attracted me. Now, the atmosphere around me was also calm but…why was I feeling repulsed by it? Why were my ears craving for hearing her mellifluous voice once? Of course, the ever-deafening silence was also mocking me now. Light, sound, heat-all the forms of energy were ditching me. I was losing energy. I was feeling weak. But…to whom would I share it? The person with whom I had used to share all my feelings wasn't present there.

Well? How was she? Was she like previous? Or…did she change? Did she still use to dial my number every morning and try to call me? Did she still use to shed tears when she found out that I wasn't picking up her calls? At nights, did she, as always, keep Romeo and Juliet open beside her and stare at the ceiling blankly? Did her heart still cry for me? I wanted to know, I really wanted to know.

'Sal…' I breathed, closing my eyes, 'I know that you hate me now, knowing that I'm only a murderer. Yeah, I'm a murderer, no denial to that. I've taken someone's life with my own hands, no objection against that. To the eyes of the society, it was an assassination, a grave crime which really cannot be given any mercy. But in the eyes of this Kane Yamashita, it was only a task of removing dirt from the society. When the cleaners clean the roads, they are never be punished. Then why me, Sal?

Can you remember the five-year old little angel who used to come to you for listening to your fairytales with her wobbling footsteps and bubbly brown eyes? Had she been alive, she would have been eleven today. Had I had any sister, she might be just like her. Her appearance, her cute manner of talking, her laughter-everything was peaceful, Sally. You mayn't believe me but I used to dream to have a sweet daughter just like her. She was a treat to my eyes and ears.

But…the beasts, wearing the masks of human beings, didn't let her come to you and listen to your songs and fairytales, Sal. They raped and murdered her brutally, tempting her of chocolates. Her corpse was found right under the tree where we used to gather. I can still remember, Sally, you fainted right after hearing the news. You couldn't eat, nor could you concentrate on any of your work. My eyes didn't have the courage to see the dead body of the angel. I let her remain the same in my memories. Bubbly, cheerful, cute, serene, divine.

I couldn't bear her death. I knew who the killers were. In fact, all the society knew but they couldn't open their mouths because they were terrorized by the rapists. Only six months, and they were out, walking in the area like heroes who had gained victory in a war and conquered any might kingdom. Power and money-they are bitches, I cannot disagree. But let the world turn against, I couldn't sell myself to them. That's why, at one night, when entire Japan fell asleep, I came out of my house with a chainsaw. I had all the preparations; I did a good homework before the mission. It went successful.

The next day, the bloody corpses of the animals were found-each of them having his own dick shoved in their mouths. The police came, as usual. Through their investigations, they found the real criminal out. He also confessed all his guilts. According to the laws of our country, he was sentenced to a six-year imprisonment. Society spat on him, complaining that the punishment had been too less.

In this country, the punishment of the rapist and the killer of a five-year old is nothing but the imprisonment of six months. Again, in the same country, the punishment of the killer of the same rapist is six years. Very righteous, isn't it, Sal?"

After blabbering these things for a few minutes, I stopped for taking a sharp breath. Right then, a constable came and cleared his throat, "Mr. Yamashita, someone has come to meet you."

"To…meet me? Who?" I stood up. Were these eyes finally blessed with some light?

"She introduced herself as Salima to us."

I was shocked now. Salima…she came to meet me? Wait, was it even possible? How? Salima didn't have any idea in which prison I was captive, nor had she come to visit me in the last five years. Then why today?

"You've ten minutes," The constable managed to smile, "Though you will be released tomorrow."

I smirked. What was the difference by the way? Would I ever get released from the prison of the society? They would still point their fingers at me, saying that I was a murderer. Would I ever return to the place where I had been once upon a time? To the heart of my precious redhead?

Anyways, along with him, walking, I entered a chamber. A single electric bulb was hanging from the roof there, so dim it was, yet, able to make me squint. A table was at the center, along with a pair of chairs. On one of them, there was she. She'd grown taller and lost a few pounds. Her hair was still red but thin. Dark circles were evident under her dark-pupiled eyes. I frowned, seeing her condition. Didn't she take care of herself properly?

At my arrival, she rotated her neck and jolted as if she'd received a 100-watt electric shock. I sighed. Yeah, I know, I received some changes in my appearance too. I was looking like a real criminal. Tattered, suffering, devastated, counting my sins in the world of darkness and in search of light. Did I get it finally? Or would it turn its face away from this worthless, unfortunate Kane Yamashita? I didn't know.

The guards went outside, locking the door of the room so that we could talk peacefully. No profit it did bring, nonetheless. For the first five minutes, we kept facing each other, maintaining a pin-drop silence in the room. Her cheerful, sweet avatar was rising before my eyes. Maybe, she was also trying to imagine the same Kane Yamashita six years back. The time flowed, so did we.

"Kane…" She slowly asked, "How're you?"

"Fine…" I didn't have the courage to look at her eyes, "What about you, Sal?"

"Me?" She weakly smiled, "I'm fine too. Just…couldn't sleep at night."

"Thinking about me?"

The redhead didn't answer, just nodded. I grimaced, "Why? Why to destroy your precious sleep only thinking about a murderer, Sal? You deserve better."

"You aren't a murderer, Kane," Gently, she held my hand, "Rather, you're an avenger. Finishing the rapists and murderers of Elizabeth, you really gave her justice."

I was shocked. How did Salima know it?

"Like the rest of the society, I also used to think that you are a murderer, Kane," She heavily continued, "But, before a few months, I got to know that what you did was justified. Perfectly justified. After knowing the truth, I was so embarrassed that I couldn't even see my reflection on the mirror. I couldn't eat, nor could I sleep. Soon, I realized that I should apologize to you, Kane. That's why, I…I searched for you like a desperate woman in search of light in utter darkness. Finally, I found you."

Bowing her head and not fixing her eyes on me, all of a sudden, she sobbed, "Kane…I-I'm sorry. I…I shouldn't have doubted you. I should have known that my Kane could never commit any heinous task. I should have felt proud of you but…what did I really do, Kane? I…I kept misconceptions about you in my heart. How did I cease believing you? How?"

I raised my head and looked at her onyx orbs. They were puffy, bleary. Her cheeks went red. Streams of tears had their dried marks on them. I couldn't hold myself back. Quickly, I cupped her face and lifted it. Wiping her tears, I shook my head, "No, Sally, you don't need to apologize to me. You did what you were supposed to at that time. You really have no fault in this, believe me."

"Kane," She held my hands and placed her eyes on it, pressing soft and quick kisses, "You're the best man in this world. Not only that, you're the best lover. I-I'm proud of you, Kane!"

"What's the profit now?" Tearing my chest, a deep sigh came out from my nostrils, "Six years have passed. You shouldn't have come here in this way without the permission of your husband.

At these words of me, Salima went totally silent and lowered her head as if I'd hurt her. Her expressions were agreeing with me. Though I managed to smile, my heart was being crushed. Did she really marry someone else? What was my position in her life then? Told ya, even after getting released, the whole world would become a prison for me. So did it.

"I…I didn't get married, Kane," She shook her bent head, "I got many proposals from a lot of famous men in this world. You know, even Ray proposed me too but I rejected his offer because here, none apart from Kane Yamashita can claim any right over the heart of this Salima ever. Though I was hating the fact that I fell in love with a criminal, I honestly speaking, I could never erase you from my heart. Each and every second on the day, I used to think and daydream only about you."

That was another shock from her, on the very same day. I frowned, unable to believe her words.

"Yes, I'm still single," However, she took a vow to make me have faith on her, "I left the city which was bearing your memories. I started working in an agency which deals with the welfare of rape victims. I also walked across the same path which was thankful and fortunate to have your feet on it, Kane."

"You shouldn't have troubled yourself in this way, Sally," I snickered, "You could have accepted the proposal of Ray."

"Duh, whatever you say, Kane," She sighed, "For the welfare of the society, for giving Elizabeth justice, you did such a huge sacrifice. If I didn't do it for you, wouldn't it become an injustice to you? If you can sacrifice, why cannot I, Kane, why cannot I?"

Her words, indeed, removed all the burdens from my heart. Now, I was getting new hopes. Now, the light in whose search I had been was present in front of me. Not wasting much time, I put out a rectangular box from the pocket of my pants which I had been bearing for the last six years. Opening it, I knelt down before the precious redhead, "Will you marry me, Sally?"

"Of course," Pressing her lips and trying to hold her tears back, she nodded, "I'm waiting for the day, Kane."

Smiling, I captured her ring finger in the diamond circlet. Standing up, I bound her in my arms, she buried her face in my chest. My prison suit was getting drenched because of her tears but I didn't mind. I closed my eyes. Soon, the meeting time would be over. Salima would have to go. Tomorrow, I would get released from the prison. No, I didn't have to worry. I had Salima beside me, being my guardian angel, my support, my inspiration, my love.

My light which I had been searching and finally, got before my eyes.

And done! So dear people, how was it? Good or bad? *Nervously crosses fingers* I know, the 7th story for each couple turns sad no matter how much I try. This was my seventh KaneSal, as a result, it was bound to be sad and angsty (But it was not sad like my 7th TyHil, my 7th RaySal and my 7th MaxMari, was it? :P)

Anyways, do read and review. Pardon the grammatical and spelling errors. Take care and stay safe :D

Dear Nain, dear Simy, I hope you both have liked it. Thanks so much for making me feel better today, once again *Gives you both a hug* :)

-Misty ^_^ ^_^