The Last Rain

Chapter Eight: A Prayer In The Rain

Kyo once again leapt off the horse and tried to run through the mud. "Oh God…"

Haru stayed on the horse but pulled it over to where Yuki lay, and Keiko clung to his back.

Kyo shook Yuki lightly, and then hard. He didn't respond.

Haru got off the horse. "He…He's not…"

Kyo looked at his brother. He was covered in blood. "He's still breathing… How did he get hurt so badly…?"

"Look, you take him back on the horse. I'll catch you up with Keiko. It can't carry the four of us, and we have to get Yuki back as soon as we can. I'd take him…But I'm afraid I'll get lost."

Kyo looked up at him, and picked uyp Yuki. "Take care of her."

Haru lifted the little girl off the horse and carried her. "Take care of him." Kyo smiled, and carefully draped his brother over the beast. He then mounted it from the rock.

He put a hand gently on his daughters head, then spurred on the horse.

Haru watched as his two older brothers sped away."Good luck, Yuki."

-

Kyo felt the rain falling softer. Yuki was sitting in front of him, his head lying against his arm.

"The…Rain…"

Kyo looked at his brother. His face was tilted sideways, so he was looking straight ahead. He could see tears mingled with blood and rain on his face.

"What…?"

"She's like…The rain."

"…Yuki…"

"Even when you can't see her…You know you will…Because it will always rain…Someday."

Kyo pulled the horse to a walk. "Yuki… It…You…"

Yuki felt the tears coming, and knew Kyo could see them. "I…I don't want the rain to end… I…I want to see her again…"

Kyo felt Yuki trying to sit up, and wrapped an arm around his chest to help him. His other hand held the reign. "You will. I promise. We're going home…Right now. I'm taking you to her."

"I… Want the rain…To fall…always."

Kyo shut his eyes. Yuki was confusing himself, as always, and just seeing it made him overflow with compassion and anxiety. "I… I know. It'll always rain, brother."

Yuki clung to his brother's arm, and the two of them hastened across the forest.

-

Momiji ran back through the woods as fast as his legs could carry him. Tears ran down his face, and he needed desperately to reach the palace before Tohru realised he had gone, or the others arrived.

The he'd dropped the quiver full of arrows a while back, but was still holding the bow in his hand as he ran.

"Death…To the King of Sohma." He was about to kill Yuki. I knew it. I could see everything from that tree. I did the only thing I could think of. I drew an arrow, and shot my brother.

I'm a murderer. I…committed patricide…I killed my big brother…

He tripped on a rock and the bow flew out of his hand and fell from the rock shelf to the muddy river below. …But what else could I do?

-

Yuki had fallen asleep once more. Kyo was nearly falling asleep himself. The moon was still high, and the trees only sent ghostly shadows down atop the face of his dying brother.

He'd lost all hope. He had no idea if he was even going in the right direction, and Yuki wouldn't stop bleeding. The grey stallion had blood staining it's white coat.

Kyo buried his head in his brother's shoulder, and sighed. "I'm sorry, Tohru."

Help him. Please.

Yuki blinked his eyes open. "K-Kyo…?"

Kyo looked at him. He was sure Yuki was already dead. "Yuki…"

"Bring me back to her…..Like you said you would…"That was enough. Kyo pulled the horse to a sudden stop, and began to rip his own cloak. "What…What are you doing…?"

Kyo didn't answer. He tied a strip round Yuki's stomach and pulled it tight. It didn't take long for the blood to seep into it. He took another strip, and another, and another until he was nearly satisfied Yuki would survive at least the journey back, if not longer.

He kicked the horse's sides until it began to gallop, and rode furiously ahead. Mud flew from around the horse's wildly moving hooves.

Yuki winced, the horse's movement jerking his body so the wounds moved aswell. Kyo tried to ignore it.

Help Yuki.

He closed his eyes. Something was nagging at the back of his head. It had been for hours. It was as if a prayer was sounding in his brain. The thought that he couldn't grant the wish it was begging for was hurtful enough.

Save Yuki!

"Stop it!"He cried. The horse ran faster. I'm trying. God…I am trying.

Help him…Please.

"SHUT UP!" Kyo yelled, the horse shied at the sudden noise. "I'm trying! Can't you hear me! I'm saving him! I'm helping him!"

He desperately kicked the horse, but it couldn't run any faster than it already was. Yuki was unconscious again, and Kyo felt as if his life was slipping by.

"Don't give up Yuki…I'm…I'm taking you to her…Can you hear me? I'm bringing you to her, and she's praying for you."Yuki gave no reply. Kyo shifted his arm that was round his waist a little higher so it was on his heart. Still beating…

-

Help Yuki. Save him. Protect him. Do whatever you can. Send him an angel, or some creature who can stay his death. Give him courage. Give him hope. Give him life. Keep him awake for me to see him. I know it's a lot to ask, but I love him so very much. Keep him living, so I can hold him one last time. Please. I beg you.

-

AN: Epilogue next. Hope you have enjoyed this! –sniff-

AN2: I will give details about something I'd like readers to tell me at the end of epilogue…K? Love you guys!

AN3: Fic is dedicated to:

Princess Mononoke

Leanne

Natalie

TK

Lara

Liz

And Laura, who read every chapter when I told her about it! n.n

Thankyou all!