I have nothing to say. Shock horror disaster! Except that I hope you enjoy, as always. Until next time!

-o-

"Hayabusa!"

She ran over. He was slumped against the tree, breathing heavily. "I thought there was somebody else around," he told her with his eyes shut.

This is my fault. I told him to not be so suspicious… and look where that got us. Sometimes you really can't go by the benefit of the doubt…

She glanced upwards into the trees. It seemed that the person that attacked Hayabusa had simply gone; escaped during the commotion.

Emerald eyes flickered open for a brief instant, as Hayabusa grabbed the arrow protruding out of his side and pulled. With one sharp, sickening tug, the arrow dropped to the ground. She flinched as the blood started to flow from the wound. It looked a painful one.

"You weren't supposed to get hurt. Haven't you heard those stories about the hero taking down the enemies without a scratch?" she whispered, stroking Hayabusa's chestnut hair softly. He has to be alright. He has to be. It can't end like this.

Hayabusa's breaths were short and uneven. "Either that or there is a dramatic scene in which the hero declares his love for the beautiful woman he just saved before he dies,"

Even with the pain that he must have been in, a small smile formed on his lips. Just a small lip-turning up, and only for a few seconds. "You are a beautiful woman, Kasumi,"

"But you're not going to die on me, are you?" Concern and that distant feeling of panic were beginning to bubble up within her; however that couldn't shake off the strength of his words. Does he… does he… love me…? He said… oh, now what do I do?

She tugged on the material of her outfit until a small tear appeared. Grasping the material with both hands, she tore it into a makeshift bandage. "Can you move so I can bandage it?"

He winced, but nodded, moving so she could easily access the wound. "It will have to do for now. We should probably get you to shelter, just in case it rains or something," She started picking up her things, her tanto off the ground, even her blanket, it was still with her… just…

"No, Kasumi, this is foolish,"

She started, turning to face him. "What are you talking about?"

"You will be an easy target if you stay with me,"

Her voice was indignant. "I can't just leave you to die!"

"Kasumi. Promise me that if we are under attack, you will leave me here. Promise me!"

Any other time, she would have made a joking remark that the ever-stoic Hayabusa was actually using emotion and tone in his voice. Now, however, she was just scared.

"No. I refuse to leave you. You would do the same for me,"

I can't believe that he… he loves me. That is… unbelievable. But so nice that someone cares for me like that. That somebody cares that much whether I live or die. I can't leave him here to die.

"Kasumi. You have to. I can't help you. I will just slow you down,"

There was pain in his voice, even behind the seemingly stoic exterior. She could distantly hear it. "I think it was… it was poisoned. If you stay with me, we will both die. You have to leave me if assassins come after you,"

Poison? "Are you saying that I can't look after myself, or lack the skills to defend us?"

Hayabusa shook his head slowly, then stopped abruptly as even that simple action was hurting. "Not at all. However, the assassins that are going after me are working on a different… sense of honour… to the ones hunting you, I suppose. Hayate still has some form of honour within his clan and the assassins will execute that. If the assassins going after me find you with me, they will torture and kill you, if you are lucky. They have no sense of honour and will kill or hurt you if they can, simply because they can,"

"So you're playing on a totally different level to me,"

"Essentially,"

He loves me… he loves me… but if he's not lucky, he's going to die.

He had broken into a sweat, perspiration beading his forehead. There was certainly some form of poison coming into effect now, rather quickly, mores to the point. "We have to get you to some shelter somewhere," she instructed. "Can you stand?"

His eyes flickered shut. She shook him less-then gently. "Hayabusa-san, you have to stay with me! Open your eyes!"

"Ryu is fine," he told her quietly, eyes remaining shut.

"Hayabusa… Ryu! You have to stay awake! Please!"

No such luck. She swore softly under her breath, scanning the surroundings. Nowhere that could be considered sufficient shelter for a night, which was probably what they would need, at the very least. But there was no getting him to move at this stage. Already, he was in a deep state of unconsciousness.

She gently moved him under the shade of a nearby tree, glancing up at the sky. The sky was clear and blue… well; at least it was until she turned her head. Stormy grey clouds hung like an unpleasant smell in the sky. She gave it an hour before the rain started to fall.

She cursed again, somewhat grateful that Hayabusa wouldn't hear her swearing her head off. They had to find somewhere decent for shelter, and quickly.

But I can't leave him alone. He could as easily be attacked when I'm gone. So it has to be somewhere around here.

Eyes of amber scanned the area worriedly, before stopping on a small cave about a hundred metres away, where they had originally left the bucket and fishing rod earlier. I forgot about that. That's perfect. Just what we need.

A few minutes later, and both she and Ryu were inside the cave. She draped her blanket over his prone form, before sighing softly. Nothing else I can do. And I have to find food. So I will have to leave you for a bit, Ryu. But I will be back soon! Don't misbehave while I'm gone!

She stood up, snatching the fishing pole and the bucket from off the ground. Now, let's see if I can catch us a fish or two… please Ryu, be safe…

-o-