Disclaimer: Standard Disclaimer. I don't own Samurai Troopers, though I wish I did. Do not sue me, cuz I'm dead broke, and you won't squeeze nothin' outta me. ^^
This fic is Shounen-ai, as in gay, homosexual, yaoi, whatever you call it. Do not flame me because you don't like this. As many wise people have said, if you don't like, don't read it. R & R please!
Character Names (for those who don't know Samurai Troopers)
Ryo = Ryo
Rowen = Touma
Sage = Seiji
Kento = Shuu
Cye = Shin
Back to the story!
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Too Late
By Sanada Mirako
Chapter 3: Sacrifice
Weather reports said that a typhoon'll come sometime tonight, so we all head off to the city to buy supplies, and stock up for the storm. In the car, I look at Touma from the corner of my eye. More than ever now, he wants to keep me at a distance, never sitting next to me, and god forbid if he touch my hand while reaching for something like, say, the salt. It's like I'm diseased or something. When we all huddle together for a movie or a picture, and I put my arm around him, he suddenly freezes, lifts my arm off like it's a dead rat or something, and tells me in a really severe voice, " I don't appreciate that, Ryo."
But I can tell, in the few moments when he lets his guard down, that he does love me, although he tries to ignore it, and tries to wish it away. When he forgets that he's supposed to be straight, he leans in or pulls me into a hug.
And then he remembers that rainy day, the day he refused my love, and continues down his fake path, and suddenly pushes me away. But I know, deep down in under that cold shell, he does love me, and that's all that matters. That was all that kept me from jumping off that hill, rolling down the side until it hit that sheer drop. As I sat in that car, I resolved to always stay by Touma's side, to protect him, and keep him safe from harm. Touma had such a bright future ahead of him, he was worth so much more than me; he aced every test that I passed by the skin of my teeth, or didn't pass at all. He was witty, fun, and smart, while I was just a soccer-playing nature boy. He belonged in this world where intelligence was everything, and I'll be damned to hell if he wasn't gonna make it. I'll keep him from danger, and keep his path safe so that he can reach the top of whatever it is he'll throw himself into. While there's breath in me yet, there won't be a single blue hair harmed on his head. I smiled to myself. Yes, Touma just got his very own bodyguard; one that would sacrifice his life just to keep him safe.
Nasuti parked the car, and we all got out; the black clouds could be seen in the distant horizon, " We'd better hurry," Nasuti said, " The typhoon's coming fast, and I don't want to drive the car during it."
" Yeah," Seiji agreed, " the weather reports are wrong. I'm sure it'll come by dusk, if not earlier. Let's go."
We entered the shopping mall, filled with people who, like us, were stocking up for the storm. Shuu and Seiji went to pick up wood, and other things to protect the house while we were in the basement. Nasuti and Shin had gone to pick up the food and the drinks, them being co-heads of the kitchen after all. Touma and I went to pick up the practicalities, flashlights, and all the other things that only the genius and nature-boy could remember. Toilet paper, for instance.
We rejoined after about 2 hours, laden with groceries, and knick-knacks, and lumber. The typhoon had come that much closer; the smell of rain about to fall was in the air. Shuu was joking about how Shin bought enough food to feed an army, and Shin was saying that an army, and Shuu were not that much different. Touma was pushing us along, telling us to hurry it up. As Bearer of the Armor of Tenku, of course Touma would know of the currents of the air, and how much time we had until the typhoon would hit. We were walking across the parking lot, and Touma started to walk ahead, telling us sternly that we did not have enough time as we thought we did; the pathway of the air currents will make it speed up in the last stretch, and we'd have less than an hour to get home. Already, a light drizzle was beginning; it would not take long for the winds to come.
Then, out of the corner of my eye, I caught sight of a red sports car hurtling across the lot. I barely had time to shout to him, " Touma! Watch out!" before it had crashed headlong into the archer. I dropped my bags to the ground, and ran to him, my love and desperation giving me wings to reach him before the others. I fell down next to him, cradling his head softly, one hand in his damp hair, and the other checking his pulse.
There was none. I hugged him even tighter," No, Touma!" Tears threatened to fall, blurring my vision, but I could feel Death's presence among us, " Why him?!" I cried out, " Let him live! You have no idea who you're killing!"
" I do not give for free, mortal boy," Death replied; his voice was airy, and rasping; his breath smelled like decay and rot.
" Then… I'll die in his place!" I shouted. Time suddenly froze, and took on the feel of an image in a yellowed photograph.
" Your life in exchange for his?"
" Yes, I give you my life, if you'll let him go." I stood up, droplets of rain falling from my hair.
" Very well, it is done." On his last word, I was surrounded by a whirlwind, blending the colors so that I couldn't even see anymore. When the wind died down, I was back in time; the instant before Touma was hit by the red sports car. " While there's breath in me yet, Touma, I'll protect you from harm. Even in death, though, I'll still protect you. Ai shiteru, Touma. I'll see you on the other side, though that'd better be in a long while." I murmured. I took my last breath, and threw myself in front of the car, pushing Touma out of harm's way. The colors returned to normal, and I felt the sickening crunch. My ribs…they must have punctured something; it was so hard to breathe…
I heard cries and shouts of bystanders, but I heard, clearer than anyone, Touma, and saw Touma fall to the ground next to me, and hold my hand, squeezing it tightly, and cradling me, " Why'd you do that?" He asked me quietly. hiss eyes were misty.
I smiled softly, reassuring him between my coughs, " I did it because you have such a better future ahead of you. So that…you can live your life to the fullest. I love you so much more than I love myself, and I'm willing to sacrifice everything for you."
" But…I've been dying slowly each day since then." Touma held my hand tighter.
I smiled through the pain, " Touma, cornyness so isn't you. But seriously, you had better make the most of your life, or when I see you in Heaven, or Hell or whatever, I'll give you my best right hook." Touma opened his mouth again, " and if you don't want to live for yourself, do it for me." Touma deftly closed his mouth, and his hand raked through my hair one more time.
" Okay, Ryo. I'll do it for you."
" That's my koibito." I smiled. Touma smiled back at me through his tears.
" Ryo, ai shiteru."
I struggled to get the words out, and could sense Death just nearby, ready to seize my soul, " Ai shiteru, Touma. Bye…" The world dimmed, and the pain lessened. I felt myself beginning to float above my body, and saw Death waiting for me.
" Come," it said. I looked one more time at Touma, crying over my body; I memorized every line, and curve. The color of his eyes, a clear twilight blue, and his scent, as mysterious and clean as the stars. Then I followed Death home.
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Konnichiwa minna! Anywayz, I've noticed that my second chapter wasn't as well-liked as my first…*sniff, sniff* but I decided to continue anywayz, so here's the third chapter! I will now beg and grovel for reviews ^^
Believe it or not, I'm gonna have one more chapter, and the epilogue. This is not the end! Bwahahahaha!
*becomes cheery little happy self again*
Ja minna!
~Sanada Mirako~