A/N: Well I was kinda pissed off at the time but I did find this one awesome idea and =3 here it is.

Pairing: Akabane/Ban

Rating: PG-13

Disclaimer: Don't own GB

Sleepless Beauty

The landscape was torn to shreds as two figures zipped across it, breaking the soft dirt and cracking everything else in their path. Hardly anything remained standing when they attacked each other with such a fierce and intense rage that would make the world quiver in fear. It was an intense feeling of hatred, despair, and death in the air. That hung like the moon in the sky. Which was a deep blood color that night. Like it would bleed just for this occasion, yet it never went unnoticed. Even when behind the clouds that blocked it's vision, it was always there. Looking over.

An explosion rang through the night, breaking the soft silence that was barely noticeable as the ground shattered. Crisps of dirt and rock were thrown into the air as one of the figures looked up with absolute malice. His fingers were halfway into the dirt, feeling the icy cold part of the earth. Thankful that it cooled his body down for a brief moment before he got up and lunged at the black clad being. Swiping his hands, now vaguely like claws, at the opponent with no mercy. Easily cutting into the flesh, like fabric didn't exist to him.

Several gashes in the skin were no secret from the black clad man as he held up his one wrist to shield the rest of himself from the striking blows of the snake bite. But it was all just a distraction as one amethyst orb widened a bit, seeing the faintest opening in the right side, just below the ribcage.

And he took it.

A startled yell of surprise and a long hiss escaped from the recent offensive figure as he jumped back, giving some distance, clutching the wound right under the ribcage. It pulsed like an artery, pumping out blood like a small river. Staining his already shredded shirt. Focusing his blue eyes on the panting black clad figure he couldn't help but smirk, seeing as the other wasn't any better off than he was.

"Midou-kun, you're holding back"

The figure tsked, like the wounds were never inflicted and brushed the dirt from his jacket, a frown creasing his face as he looked at Ban's state. The urchin head had his whole top almost shredded completely by several scalpels within the last two hours. Barely holding on by the single piece that refused to slice in half by anything. The glasses were long gone. Buried underneath the earth, under several feet of dirt that had been continuously torn up and put back. Not even a single hint of purple tinted glass was visible. Gone forever.

Ban's pants were spared though, only being ripped at the kneecaps for the excessive fighting. The shoes hardly touched, but the flesh on the other was a different story. It was hard to tell how the other was standing, having a few pieces of skin hanging off like a zombie, a few bruises marred the others skin while some of the cuts seemed definite that they would scar. Having cut so deep that it almost touched the veins and bones.

"Heh," Ban forced out his usual mocking tone, not bothered by the stinging of the wounds. He had to keep up with jackal "I would say the same to you too, Jackal"

Indeed Akabane had held back of the better of two hours. Only using a fraction of his power as he tested Ban for his limits. And found, to his surprise, that the other was also holding back. As if afraid that the real power would instantly kill Akabane. But that was what the fight was, wasn't it? One of them was going to die. And he didn't frankly care. Because if he didn't die then who else was there to test his abilities against? That would only mean that he hadn't reached his limits and there would be no one else to challenge him except for Ginji. At full power.

But then if that failed, since Raitei would be at full power only in Mugenjou then...what of him?

He mentally cringed at the wound in his shoulder. Ban had gotten a lucky shot when studying the other distracted him. And had managed to take out a good chunk of skin, along with the fabric of his outfit. His own jacket was still intact—somewhat. The sleeves were ripped clean off, barely able to protect the flesh underneath. His hat had been blown off by a stunning display of power when he used his Bloody Sword earlier, fully bent on impaling Ban. But with the explosion by a similar attack the two had cancelled each other out.

One of his arms was practically useless. Snapped in half to make sure that he would have a harder time in fighting. The snake bite had come out of nowhere form the shadows of the night. It hindered his progress but it was still movable. But very, very weak.

And he hated that above everything else in his life.

"Maybe..." Akabane smoothed out, having not lost the coolness of his voice. "Why not settle this? I'll use my full power and you use yours. And we'll see who comes on top" he smiled faintly, but it was lost not a second later.

Ban had simply vanished with his incredible speed, hands twitching to feel Jackals body, to kill. Like a snake would when it would sense a rodent and squeeze the life out of it. His hands automatically moved to catch the whizzing scalpels between his fingers, throwing them aside as his fist connected with something solid. Narrowing his eyes he held the satisfaction that it was Jackal's face. Currently one of surprise as he closed one eye, letting Ban know that had hurt.

There was a cry from Ban as a fist sent the snake doubling over, clutching his stomach, still tender from all the other wounds inflicted on it. There was a tense moment between the two as they panted for breath, neither willing to give up in the heat of battle. Both responding at about the same time to continue the battle. The bloody sword formed once more, swiping air as ban moved to fast. Doing his own counter attack, aiming for the other arm. If he could break that. Akabane had no chance at battling.

But he was blocked much to his dismay and stabbed several times as he left his back wide open for attack as Akabane moved behind him, leaving ten identical scalpels in his flesh. The snake gasped in surprise and clenched his teeth firmly together, stumbling forward as he stood back up. Taking a few cautionary breaths before whipping his head around to catch the scalpel that aimed for his skull. Bending it in such a way that sent a pleasurable feeling down Akabane's spine.

It seemed the time for foolishness was over.

The moon grew lighter as the battle raged on, taking on an orange glow, like the fruit as it hung there. Suspended for all eternity. The clouds started to cluster together, becoming one massive dark brooding cloud. Thunder clashed minutes later, startling the figures down below, if only for a second. Before they continued. Wrecking havoc everywhere they stepped.

But the moon still shined, Still able to see everything, and be seen itself.

"SNAKE BITE!" A large snap echoed as the attack was met with nothing but a simple twig as the other did a fancy leap into the air, doing a back flip before landing on one knee. His hair ruffling from the sudden movement, but his eyes stayed the same. They seemed mad. Like the plan that Akabane had originally had was not going accordingly. Like the battle wasn't satisfying enough.

Ban continued to hold the broken pieces of the branch, clenching them tightly as he looked at the ground angrily. He had told Ginji he was just going out for a walk. But that was a lie to see Jackal. But then the other started to claim a few things, then out right attacked him for no reason. From there he just merely protected himself, taking a few shots at Jackal when the time was right. It was an accident (and a lucky shot) when he snapped Akabane's arm. Then the battle had gone from bad, too worse.

But the truth was he couldn't hurt Akabane. It was like trying to hurt Ginji, it wasn't going to happen (unless he stole his food) and Ban had an idea of why Akabane was acting this way all of the sudden. It was like the other was trying to tell him something, but he couldn't quite grasp the concept of the rage. The hate that he felt with every blow that struck him.

Because Akabane was like him...

And because of that he couldn't fight back.

"Midou-kun if you don't defend yourself, you'll lose yourself!" The fury came back and Akabane was once again putting all his power and might into several attacks. Most that connected with Ban's body. Slashing the tissue that was called skin and allowed more blood to seep through the fragile organ. The two exchanged blows and before long they were panting like dogs, hardly able to support themselves with there two feet alone.

Sweat poured down Ban's face as he huffed and puffed like a train, wishing dearly for a smoke, but with Jackal being on his case every second. He didn't think that was going to happen anytime soon. Instead he tried to figure out what the hell was wrong with the courier as he stood there. And then it happened.

So fast.

Like he never even moved...

The bloody sword was formed, but this time it seemed different. Like Akabane was in a trance, watching the sword more than him. In one fluid movement though he stuck it in the ground and the ground seemed to become one with the air. Turning to a black color like the night, which gazed down at them from above. Taken by surprise ban moved backwards, ignoring the protest form his limbs as he in took a breath. He couldn't even see the moon. Let alone anything at all.

Looking downward, he could see the ground but that was it. It was faint, but he could make out the dirt. Even though it looked like the sky and ground had mixed together. Making it impossible to tell apart. Well he was Midou Ban-sama. He could do anything!

But when corpses started coming out of the ground he wasn't so sure what to think. They grabbed his limbs, holding onto the flesh so that he could feel the bones against his skin. He could smell them. But they were dead! Corpses! They couldn't get up and walk on their own! He made a disgruntled noise as his foot moved on it's own accord, from fear, or maybe he just didn't like the position he was in and slammed it down on the bones hearing a crunching noise.

It wasn't pleasant but the shadows seemed to disperse a bit as he didn't get so afraid from the darkness and fought back with his usual attacks. Breaking everything within reach. Until at last it completely vanished and Akabane was still there. In the same spot, wavering a bit on his feet as he fought to keep upright. "Bloody illusion. Interesting isn't it Midou-kun? Did you see Ginji-kun?" The raven-haired man wasn't smiling as he gazed at Ban with an intense look of...something.

Ban really needed to get an eye reader or something.

But now that he thought about it. The corpse did look faintly like Ginji, minus the skin peeling off and bones showing but it had yellow hair and Ginji's clothes. But it had no eyes, not that he could tell. But he couldn't help but wonder why Akabane did that. Was that the others final attack? He shrugged inwardly but smirked on the outside, to show his opponent just how much of an effect that had on him.

"You're losing your touch Jackal..." Ban breathed out, letting his hands run over the gashes and such. The pains hitting him like a ton of bricks as he stumbled a bit. The world going blurry a few times from the blood loss. Though it was nothing serious to him. He was invincible for a reason!

"...And maybe...you need a jumpstart ne? Something to boost you to get up and finish what you started." He looked down, gazing into Jackals eyes letting them glow for a small second before he turned around. Taking out Yamato's lighter and a small package of cigarettes.

It was only a minute. A long one.

Akabane on the other hand knew he shouldn't have looked up in the first place. But he was so tired and didn't quite think straight until he was wound up in Ban's words to notice. Then it happened. The Jagan flashed and now he was seeing a dream. He knew when he was in a dream and not reality but this was....a nice dream. Wound in a blanket he could forget the battle earlier, he knew he reached his limits a long time ago. And so did Ban. But Ban had something he didn't have. That was why he could reach higher in strength than him.

He snuggled against the blackness of the covers of the bed, wondering why Ban used the Jagan on him. Maybe to give him a minute of satisfaction? A moment of pity? No.

"Jackal?" It was a faint sound but Akabane could hear it as clear as day. And gazing over his eyes landed on a bare chested figure moving from the side on top of him. Looking at him with loving eyes. The fingers of the figure on top trailed over the delicate skin. scarred from the recent wars, smiling with a fondled look.

"Midou-kun?" Akabane spoke softly, raking his hands gently through the others hair, knowing it was a dream but...it pained him so much. Was this what the Jagan did? Showed him his deepest desire? It didn't matter right now. He could be at peace with a mirage for all he cared. The other laid his head against Akabane's shoulder letting the courier trail his fingers all over the Ban before he stopped.

This was the Ban he wanted. The Midou-kun he desired but will never have. What use was it now? The hand fell against the soft mattress of the bed and in an instant it was like someone turned out the lights. Leaving everything in an eternal darkness. Yet Akabane was lying there on or under...maybe beside it. He couldn't tell up from down but it was cold. Like he'd died...

Died... Maybe this was hell? -

"Just one minute..."

The dream shattered before Akabane's eyes as Ban was suddenly kneeled by the others side, puffing it like the train that could. Holding the smoke out of his mouth, Ban smiled lightly (still a bit disturbed by the dream) and spoke "have a nice dream?" he mocked. Only getting a glare in return. Before a scalpel slid forward, impaling Ban in the shoulder. There was an odd moment as Ban tried to take it out and instead delivered a harsh punch right to Akabane's chest. Not caring if the bastard died.

Dammit he just tried to help a bit! Some people were never satisfied.

"What the hell is your problem Jackal? Attacking me out of nowhere and hurting yourself probably beyond repair!" Ban yelled at the black clad man, throwing the cigarette to the side. The small drops of rain that had begun to fall instantly put it out. Ban's eye bore into Akabane's until he grimaced as his eyes glanced downward at the blood slowly seeping out from the chest shirt and jacket. Staining it.

Maybe he hit too hard. Or maybe he just felt like hitting him either way that...

"Oi Jackal!" Ban snarled something at Akabane as he undid the jacket and lifted the shirt, eyes going wide with surprise as he noticed just how much Akabane was bleeding. Hell, he never knew Akabane could bleed in the first place! It was...almost scary to see. It was evident that the punch, which hit right in the chest area, wasn't very good. Considering how bruised it was. And if it was bruised earlier then...

Ban suddenly found it very hard to swallow.

"Hey, Jackal..." Ban cautiously prodded the other, ignoring his own status at the moment as he dipped his head down. Wincing as his shoulder easily made itself known. "You okay...?" He bit down on his own lip to keep himself from retorting. It would look odd if Akabane found he was talking to himself again. Like he did when Ginji wasn't around. And no one else was...

A groan and a curse—surprising Ban once again ("I never knew Jackal cursed!") as the black...well more like a white lump shifted a little. But other than that he didn't move. Or open his eyes. It was unnerving to see Akabane like that, but for some reason Ban felt a bit of guilt. This wasn't what was suppose to happen! "Jackal!" His tone was harsh as he moved his hand to the paler face, the color draining away like eroded rock. Gradually over time.

Upon contact the eyes snapped open to stare at Ban for a long moment, like Akabane knew something the other injured being didn't. But he made no other move except to close his eyes. Looking much older than he let on. His eyelids seem to grow heavier at each passing second. The strength that once flowed within him suddenly seemed to die off, not having the will to stay inside the body. Flowing out amongst the blood that was spilling out of his skin.

Blood...

The essence of what made a human move. What kept them alive, what kept them in line and kept organs alive and beating well. Blood Akabane had splattered through his lifetime as Dr. Jackal and just doing his everyday job. "Midou-kun..." his voice sounded alien now, unable to hold the usual teasing tone, which aggravated people to no end. It was now truthful. Holding nothing but what he could offer now. But this was finally what Akabane had seeked out. His adventure was at an end. He'd finally see and experience death.

Something he had not been able to since he was born... No matter what happened, he'd never been able to be at peace.

"Don't scare me like that. Thought you died on me" The usual arrogant look was back on Ban's face as he plopped down on his butt and let out a sigh of relief. Jackal wasn't dead so that was good. "I will eventually...no one can live forever. But I must say. You beat me..." the grin was once again plastered on the lips of the courier as he gazed at Ban. Looking, grateful. But Ban couldn't figure out why. He just about killed the bastard. Why the hell was he smiling?

"You should know when to call it quits."

"So should you. You better get to the hospital before you get infected."

A snort sounded as Ban tapped his cheek "I'm the invincible Midou Ban-sama. I can't die from something so simple." That wasn't true. He might pass out form the pain but that was nothing new. He grimaced as he looked at the chest and adverted his gaze. Looking at blood wasn't helping him feel any better. "You should go see the doctor though" Ban let out a hallow laugh "I don't think you want to die do you?" the feeling down in the pit of his stomach increased a bit as Akabane started laughing.

The night was totally fucked up now. Either that or he Jagan'ed himself somehow. Talk about creepy.

It lasted no longer than 30 seconds, but that was more than enough. The laugh was filled with happiness, like a child laughs at something funny. And innocent being to look at. "You don't know me at all, Midou-kun" Akabane moved his hand, creased and caked with blood sticking to the ripped parts of the glove. Taking hold of Ban's arm, fully expecting the snake to pull away but he didn't. A look of confusion spread across his face as he gripped a bit tighter dismayed that he couldn't put any pressure or strength into it. To make Ban feel it.

Ban's look was understanding as he frowned, guilt settling in. Akabane was the only other that could understand how he could feel. How he was hated long ago because of his witch blood. And Akabane was the only other one that knew how it felt...to be hated. That was why he considered Akabane more of a friend than an enemy. A worthy enemy he could trust. Even if it was the infamous Dr. Jackal.

"So, maybe you do. Then you know what I want" Akabane let out a hiss as he moved the wrong way and sent a pleading look to Ban. It was evident there wasn't going to be hardly anymore mobility from Akabane as the hand simply fell to the ground with a soft pat. The rain began to fall harder and harder, soaking up everything it touched. Mixing dirt with water and creating small mud puddles. Washed away the blood on Ban and Akabane to make it seem like a battle never happened.

With a sorrowful expression Ban dipped his head down, face to face with Akabane. Trying to determine what the other may be thinking at this time. "I know..." he muttered softly. Pressing his lips gently against Akabane's, running his hand through the others hair wondering why he wasn't crying. Maybe the clouds let the rain fall for them. Since neither would cry, maybe the heavens cried for them. Than again, it wasn't Ban's thing.

It was only when the hot breath from Akabane's mouth seemed to cease did he pull away and took a moment to understand the beauty that was in front of him. And to think...

It only took a hard earned battle and a near death experience to understand.

And overhead the moon glowed white, as full as any other day.

And for once, Ban cried. Knowing the rain would cover for him. Just this once.

In a sleepless night with the beauty destroyed,

But never forgotten.

owari

------

A/N: HOLY COW! It took me two days to do this and I'm so HAPPY! Probably was kinda bad but I just proved to myself that I CAN do a akabane/ban and a deathfic =3 ne, ne, ne review onegai! I really want some people's opinions on this one. ; Kagami left me to go to New Brunswick so I couldn't ask her ; Anyway thanks for reading!

Any ideas for the next one? I was thinking of doing another Juubei/Akabane...- snirk- I was listening to Sleepless beauty form Gravitation ; That's where the name came from LOL! So yeah XP