Weehoo! I get to do my fight after all! I guess that's what happens when you play too much Soul Calibur III, Super Smash Bros. Meelee, and Halo. I came ----- close to killing Sasha last chapter, but then I remembered fans would kill me. And I have to live...at least long enough to finish this story.

Chapter 7: Vengence, Honor, and Bloodstained Regalia

"On the day the tower fell, you killed my father," Gino stated, glaring still. "Prepare to die." Without warning, the blonde lunged.

The assassin stepped to the side and used the flat of his great blade to guide Gino's sword away. With a heavy swing, he pushed Gino back, making the teen fall back onto the floor. Gino winced and got to his feat as the assailent slammed the blade where Gino's shadow was. The blonde's movements were like lightning; striking quickly and making the metal of the two blades ring out. His hits were blocked by the assassin's blade; the man of black used his sword as a shield.

The man let out a frustrated growl and grabbed Gino by his unguarded wrist, throwing the blonde to the ground where he pinned the teen. Gino struggled, kicking at the cloaked assassin as he tried reaching for his rapier that was just a breath away. He froze as he felt the weight of the sword on his chest and the cold aura of the blade near his throat. The teen swallowed in a dry throat, wide eyes staring at the wall to his side.

"Do you give up, boy?" The assassin growled.

"Why?" Gino whispered, not facing his captor. "Why do you want me dead? Why did you kill my father?"

"All questions are answered in death."

Gino closed his eyes. I'm going to die... he thought. By the same man who killed my father, and most likely the man who released the grunnies and set fire to the mansion. Ian...I'm sorry...I wasn't strong enough. He winced, tilting his head up to avoid the nearing blade. No...I can't give up...Not now...Not ever!

The rapier came to his outstretched hand and before the assailent could react, Gino pushed him back and slashed. His attack missed and Gino yelped as he was again pushed to the floor, now on his stomach. The teen winced and struggled; the assassin forcing him to sit up by pulling his braid harshly. The broadsword again hovered near Gino's throat.

"Any last requests, boy?" The assassin snarled.

"Go to Hell!" Gino shouted, a fist flying backwards to hit the lump of the assassin's nose. The assailent roared in pain and dropped the great sword to nurse his broken nose. Gino used this bought time to wiggle away from his captor and get to his feet. He grabbed the huge sword and moved it from the assailent's reach, picking up his rapier and taking a defensive stance away from the man in black.

The assailent stood, blood dripping from his black facewrap. Gino didn't move from his stance as a katana was drawn from the folds of the cloak. The assassin lunged at him, swinging the sword over his head wildly. Gino panicked a bit, not knowing where to guard. A third yelp of pain escaped the blonde as the steel of the blade cut through regalia and light armor to create a deep gash from heart to hip on Gino's chest. He winced and stumbled back, touching the wound and watching his hand be painted red.

"Now you see," said the assailent as he lifted the blade for another attack. "You cannot defeat me. I am your Grim Reaper!"

Eyes empty, Gino lifted the rapier. The assailent charged at him, but struck only air. Gino stood beside him, leaning against the assassin tiredly or weakly. His sword was embedded deep in the black-cloaked man's chest.

"I said..." Gino whispered. "Go to Hell. And tell my father...I said hello..."

He twisted the blade and stood on his own as the assassin went limp, then fell down dead. Gino's rapier clattered as it slipped from his hand to land at his feet. His body moved on its own, the blonde feeling as empty as a marionette as he went to a security keypad, entered the password, then listened to the metal doors being raised as the security lockdown was aborted. Floors below him, Gaians crowded out of the mansion.

Gino didn't turn when running footsteps entered the hall and a woman's gasp was heard. He leaned against the wall, ignoring the blood staining the walls and his clothes. "Gino?" The voice was distant and hard to hear. The blonde's vision was becoming foggy and there was a growing ringing in his ears. Something rested on his shoulder. "Gino, are you okay?" The voice was close, yet still distant.

The teen's body suddenly felt heavy, and the ground became moist and warm under Gino's body.

"Will he be fine?" Sasha asked the doctor, the two standing outside of Gino's room. She glanced through the doorway at Ian, holding Gino's hand as he sat by the teen's bed. The blonde's skin was pale, eyes open and staring at the cieling almost lifelessly. Now and again, he'd blink to wet his dull amber eyes and the movement of breath caressed his chest. "I mean...he'll get better soon...won't he?"

The doctor spoke solemnly. "I believe he's going through some psychological trauma, and it's slowing down his recovery rate. If he doesn't snap out of it soon, you'll have to start force-feeding him so he doesn't suffer from malnutrition."

"What could get him out of his internal suffering?" Sasha asked.

"I don't know," sighed the doctor. "Just keep an eye on him and hope for the best...that's all I can really advise for now."

"Thank you..." She bowed to him and went to stand behind Ian as the doctor left. "The doctor said-"

"I heard," he cut Sasha off mid-sentence. "He hasn't responded to anything I've said or done yet..."

"What should I do with the assassin's body?" Sasha asked.

"Bury it...all of it...in one piece," Ian commanded. "Find a place near the ruined labs and dig a deep hole, throw him in, cover it with dirt, cover it with cement, then with more dirt. We can put plaster of paris over it if it starts to smell. Don't look at his face or take his things. Just bury him and clean up the mess."

"And the sword?"

Ian didn't answer immediantly. Instead, he gently gave Gino's hand a light squeeze, as if seeking solace or knowledge from Gino's empty shell. After several moments of thought, the shopkeeper spoke, "Bury the assassin with his own blade. As for Gino's rapier...clean it and take it to my shop. I'll hold onto it until Gino wakes. He'll know what to do." Sasha nodded and scurried away.

A soft sigh escaped Ian as he lightly kissed Gino's knuckles and held his hand to Ian's forehead. "I'm sorry...I wasn't able to protect you," the shopkeeper whispered, tears brimming his eyes. "I feel like this is my fault...for letting you make that announcement and try to go public...Gino, please...be strong...since I'm so weak..."

He blinked, some of his tears falling down his cheek, when he felt Gino squeeze his hand in return. The blonde looked at Ian, his face emotionless. "I...killed him..." Gino said in a weak whisper. "I lost my mind...and killed him...I didn't really want to...but...I did..."

"It's okay." Ian smiled and kissed his cheek. "Sometimes, to do the right thing, you have to do the wrong thing."

This made Gino chuckle tiredly. "You don't make sense...but I know what you mean..."

"Good." The shopkeeper gave his hand a squeeze. "Now rest. You need to let your wounds heal so you don't get stuck in bed for too long."

"Will you stay with me while I sleep?"

"Yeah...I promise...I will forever stand beside you...because I love you..."

Gino smiled. "Love you too, Ian..."