I heard the shot, but I didn't even realized what had happened until Baralai tumbled forward. I hadn't even begun to turn around when a sharp pain wedged itself in my shoulder. Red spots exploded before my eyes and I fell to the ground beside Baralai.

"Nooj!" I heard Paine gasp.

"I said your work is done!" Nooj shouted.

Another shot. Paine making a anguished noise. A muted thump, probably Paine falling to the ground. Then a loud clatter, the camera hitting the dirt.

Baralai and I were lying on the ground, facing each other. He looked exactly as he did in the Den of Woe. His eyes held the same fear.

Nooj was pacing around. I could hear his footsteps crunching through the grass and dirt. He was breathing heavily and mumbling to himself. I was afraid to move. If Nooj thought I was dead I didn't want to give him any reason to think otherwise.

Something wet tickled at my cheek. Blood, I realized. Baralai's blood. It was spreading over the dirt rapidly. Suddenly the regrets flooded my mind. All the things I should've said, should've done, should've this, should've that. And especially...the feelings I should've told Baralai about. I didn't know how bad we were hit. I didn't know if we both were going to die or live. Or if only one of us would live.

Despite the pain I shuffled closer to Baralai. The entire side of my face was covered in dirt and blood by the time I reached him. He was losing strength, I could see it in his eyes. He became a bit more alert when Nooj's footsteps sounded again. He was walking over to us. Hoping I would live to explain this I moved my head forward, brushing my lips across Baralai's. When I pulled back there was a bit of happiness mixed in with the fear in my friend's eyes. Despite the situation I felt myself begin to smile. That all changed when Nooj set one foot on my back, the muzzle of his rifle poked into the back of my head.

"No..."

I looked over at my silver-haired friend, silently urging him to stay quiet. He ignored me.

"Please don't..." Baralai pleaded.

To my surprise Nooj backed off. His foot left my back and his gun left my head. The footsteps sounded again. Nooj was leaving. I let out the breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding.

"Guys?" Paine asked weakly. "Are you two ok?"

I looked at Baralai. His eyes were closed. He had passed out.

"I'm not that bad." I replied, painfully sitting up. "But Baralai isn't too good."

"Take him to Luca and get help. I'll head to Djose Temple for help."

"Paine..."

"We have to split up Gippal. Baralai needs help the most and Luca is closer. You two go."

I carefully got up. Paine was already standing. Blood was running down her arm in rivulets. Nooj had hit her in the shoulder as well.

"Go!" She ordered. "Otherwise Baralai is going to die right there!"

I didn't argue any longer. I scooped Baralai up and started running down the Highroad. I glanced down at my friend's face as I ran along. I hoped that he would live to hear me explain that kiss.

Tada! Crappy, I know...but the yaoi-faeries aren't cooperating that much at the moment. ^_^;; Please, Read and Review.