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!

Special Author's Note: I'm sure at least a couple of you are wondering how the heck I could make another chapter to that one (death of a character can do that sometimes...lol) But here's my (as my history teacher would call it) bold, and provocative question: How could you guys forget poor Touma, in his sad predicament? *pats poor Touma on the head* Poor Touma, left all alone after Ryo died for him.

Ryo: Whaddya mean, poor Touma?! I freakin' died!

SM: At least you're dead, and don't have to bother with living after a loved one's death *sticks tongue out at Ryo*

*Ryo mutters something about unfairness and walks away*

Touma: *blink, blink*

Okay! After that little splurge, um….*ahem*

Back to the story!

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Too Late

By Sanada Mirako

Chapter 4: Resolution

Ryo was dead; when the paramedics came, they took one look at him, and placed the white sheet over his head. We all really fell apart after his death, and then did we truly realize how much he held us together. I know my eyes have never been properly dry since then.

I straightened the black tie, and stared at the person I had become; my pale skin starkly contrasted with the black suit I wore; my eyes were red, and swollen, and bloodshot. I heard Shin softly knock on my door before he entered; he was also dressed suitably in black. " Touma, are you ready? Everyone's here already." I nodded grimly, and followed Shin out onto the property.

After 5 minutes of slow walking, we finally reached The Hill. We had decided unanimously that Ryo was not to be buried; his soul was free, and untamed…it would have been a sin to trap his body in the earth. But no one understood why I chose this spot in which to let his body go; of course, no one knew that this was where Ryo offered me his life, and confessed his love to me, which I refused. God, if there was one decision I would change now, it would be that one.

So many people were there; us, our families (save mine, who as usual, were too busy to make it), and at least half our year came to mourn the loss of Ryo Sanada.

It's normally customary for the speech praising the deceased to be said by a family member. Ryo had no kinsmen, but he had us, and we were all a family, so when tradition called for the speech, I got up to the microphone. I remember every detail of that moment. How Nasuti held Jun's hand, her porcelain skin made whiter by the black dress, and hat she wore; her face was an emotionless mask; she had no more tears to shed, and her eyes lacked their luster, and were dead to the world. Seiji had his head bent to the ground, and was biting his lip, while his shoulders shook just a bit, as a tiny drop spilled down Mr. Emotionless's face, followed by several more salty droplets. Shin was crying so hard; his fist was pushed against his lips to soften the sobs, while Shuu gently comforted the water warrior, his own eyes beginning to spill the saline that we now tasted every day. I cleared my voice, and began to speak, " Ryo was one of the most virtuous people that ever lived. I'm sure at least a few of you have been receiver to his kindness, and selflessness. I know I was. He was also a passionate, fiery person, always optimistic, and a magician with a soccer ball. He also taught me one of the most valuable lessons in life; one that I learned too late: Love is never unnatural, or wrong." A warm flicker of wind caressed my hair and back; it reminded me of Ryo, and I knew that somewhere, he was here, listening to me, and I talked to him, forgetting the hordes of people watching my every move, " Less than one week ago, we were both here, in the pouring rain, and you told me that you loved me more that you loved yourself. You offered to me everything you had, and I was stupid enough to refuse, believing such a love was wrong, and never meant to be. 2 days ago, you pushed me out of the way when a car sped down the road, and sacrificed your life for me. You told me to live my life to the fullest, and I will try my best to fulfill that. But I lost my chance when I turned my back on you. If Fate would bless me with another chance to decide, I would give myself to you, heart and soul, but Fate won't give me that kind of favor. So all I can say is this: Ryo, it's because of you that I have lived so long, and now that you're gone, I will live because of you still. Ai shiteru, Ryo, goodbye. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for making my life so beautiful in those 3 years." I took the ashes, and scattered them into the wind, which also picked up my tears with the cremated remains; they danced with the wind in little circles, picking up sakura blossoms in season, before finally carrying Ryo away, with my tears, and the essence of spring. When the jar was empty, I walked back to my friends. We looked at each other for a moment, and felt the warm wind caress our hair. We were the four remaining Samurai Troopers, and a disturbing thought crossed my mind; how long until the next one leaves us? I stared at my friends, before wordlessly pulling them into a hug, and crying, for fear of losing another, but most of all, for Ryo.

Fin.

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Hey…I'm back! So whaddya think? I meant for this to be a tearjerker, but I'm not sure how well I pulled that off -_-……

Anyways, please, please, I doth beseech thee, please write reviews? Pretty please? With ice cream? And your favorite topping? And whipped cream? And the bishounen of you choice? *puppy dog eyes* please, R&R!

~Sanada Mirako~