Sorry guys for taking so long… this is your bridge for the climax! ENJOY!

-IrisKitsune-

Night Life: Round 19

It was nearly dark again when Misao rolled onto her side of the bed closer to Aoshi's. Vacant was the spot when she opened droopy eyes and stared at the void of the room. Glancing over at the digital clock it read 5: 42 p.m. in red numerals. Groggily getting up and padding out of the bedroom in bare feet, she made her way to the showers and shut the door behind her.

XxxxX

Simultaneously in another part of the city, Tokio sat on her coach leafing through the newest addition of Tokyo Q. Hajime walked out of the kitchen with two cups of tea and a stern look on his jagged features. Looking up, Tokio recognized that harsh look and stared quizzically at the tray of tea.

"Did you loose your new pack of cigarettes? Pity…and you just bought it today too." She sighed and turned back to her magazine, ignoring his glare as he placed the tray on the table.

"Your humor skills are deflating; hopefully your combative ones won't follow in suit."

Tokio was quiet for a short while, just long enough though to have Saitou merely questioning the timing of his retort, and then said in a very dead-pan tone.

"Do you hope, Hajime?"

His answer didn't come immediately; he merely stood there staring at the steaming cups of tea, hands in his pockets and an almost lost look in his eyes.

Slowly, he rose piercing gold orbs towards matching gold and answered in an almost unrecognizable voice, "Should I?"

Before she could answer him, Hajime's cell phone rang out. Flipping it open he didn't even pick up the line, when he shut it again after glancing at the number on the screen and snapped at Tokio, "Get up! We have to go now!"

"Himura?" Tokio asked as she threw down her magazine and swiftly walked to the coat hanger to grab her jacket and umbrella.

Saitou merely grunted as he threw the door open and walked briskly out turning back only slightly to throw Tokio the keys to lock up the apartment as he walked over towards the stairs. The elevator would have taken too long. Waiting was not an option as time was of scarce supply.

Inside the now empty room laid an untouched tray of steaming tea and the newest copy of Tokyo Q.

XxxxX

Sano had been thinking about heaven for a bit now. The chilled air was getting to him. Yes… yes, that must have been it. He never dreamt about heaven before or even thought about what it must be like to be there. Sure he's had a few memorable "rolls in the hay" before that that took him pretty high, but to actually feel like that all the time, must really be a bummer. He laughed at that thought. Who would believe him that he would actually think that that was what he truly believed. But to him, to have that much happiness all the time was frightful! How the heck would he ever know the true value of happiness if you never had anything to compare it to? If you never felt sad, down, pissed, lost or depressed, how the hell would you know what happiness, serenity, and contentment was?

Glancing over towards Megumi as she was locating a secluded area for them to land and he thought, no, he would definitely take immortality over heaven any day. Who knows if he would be with Megumi anyway if he died?

And besides, heaven won't want people like them. Heaven won't take them; hell would probably want him; but Earth…

Earth needs them…

Landing in a deserted alleyway, Sano and Megumi walked over towards the designated location that they were assigned to meet the rest of the gang. Looking around the crowded street pick pocketers, drunks, and thieves were shading the true shadows over werewolves, zombies, and half dead things.

Yep, earth definitely needs them.

More than they would ever know.

XxxxX

Black pants companied by a black form-fitting t-shirt and black combat boots, Misao walked into the kitchen and saw Aoshi turning from his briefcase and closing it and mixing the combination code.

"What's that for, Aoshi-sama?" Misao asked going over towards the refrigerator and pulling out a pitcher of water.

Aoshi merely gathered up the last of the papers that were scattered on the counter top and turned to her saying something about a gift.

Walking over to where Misao was standing next to the sink, Aoshi took the half empty cup of water from her hands and placing it softly on the counter next to them. Cupping her face lightly, he leaned forward and grazed his lips on her forehead. Taking in a fresh breath of her soft perfume, Aoshi opened his eyes to gaze out at the world through the kitchen window. It was raining.

So dark was the whole world compared to what he felt for her. He would do anything to protect her from the darkness that had already engulfed them both.

Damned for all eternity.

That was what they were. The hope filled immortals.

"We have to go, ne Aoshi?" Misao said pulling back to look up at him.

"Hai." Aoshi said and pulled away and grabbed his "gift" and walked towards the door placing his trench coat on and waiting for Misao to walk over to where he was and proceeded to leave the apartment.

"Don't look so down Aoshi… the cup is half full; not half empty."

Xxxxxxxx Treefairy - Your Next xxxxxxxX