See the Bottom of this chapter for Notes

Suggested Music

1. Sacrifice - Steve Jablonsky

2. The Last Samurai OST Suite #1 - Erhu Cover - Eliott Tordo

3. Going Home - Jon Schmidt

4. Reunion and Final Rest - Trevor Morris

5. Benedictus - 2Cellos

Chapter 10

He braced himself.

Ready for the pain that would come and then fade, ready for the darkness that would follow.

Mitsuhirato had won.

A body suddenly darted in between him and Mitsuhirato. In reality, it happened as fast as a speeding bullet but for Tintin the moment stretched, unfolding in slow motion. The Captain pushed him away from the trajectory of the sword. Unable to steady himself, Tintin fell flat on the floor, helpless as Mitsuhirato's blade pierced the Captain's chest. Tintin screamed with all the air that remained in his lungs as The Captain hit the floor.

NO

Tintin couldn't speak.

As Mitsuhirato grabbed him and pulled him towards the door he fought as hard as his body would allow, desperate for release. He was pulled through the door and onto the unsteady scaffolding but he didn't relent. Blood was flowing from the Captain, absorbing rapidly into his blue jumper.

Mitsuhirato pulled Tintin on his knees placing the edge of the sword beside his neck.

"His death is your fault" Mitsuhirato stated blandly.

Assuming an executioners stance he swung the blade up

"Now where were we?"

Tintin grimaced, moving his head to the side and scrunched his eye's shut. Suddenly Snowy jumped from the door, landing straight in front of his master. Tintin hastily moved backwards putting some distance between him and Mitsuhirato and Snowy followed suit, backing up but defensively growling all the same.

"GET OUT OF MY WAY YOU MUTT!"

MItsuhirato stormed forward just as a section of the scaffolding collapsed under his feet. As the air filled with his screams Tintin grabbed Snowy and swiftly rolled towards the door narrowly avoiding the falling scaffolding. Clinging to the doorframe he froze, unable to move as the gravity of the situation hit him.

The Captain ...

Tintin struggled onto his feet and staggered over to the Captain. Falling onto his knees he gently moved the Captain onto his back. He pressed his fingers against the wound but the red fluid slipped through his fingers.

"Tintin ... "

"Stay with me, Stay with me please" Tintin begged.

Please I'm begging you, stay with me. I can't lose you.

"I'm .. I'm trying" The Captain whispered.

As his eyes started to shut, Tintin shook him, managing to rouse him.

"No... No, no. Please!". His voice caught in his throat as tears spread across his face, slipping across his cheeks. "I need you ..."

The Captain didn't say a word but as he raised his hand, placing it upon Tintin's cheek, Tintin lost all of his remaining control. Tears plunged from his eyes. The Captain's thumb pushed away the tears but they were soon replaced. His soft but cold hand was all Tintin could rely on to comfort him in this moment of suffering.

"You're the son I never had .. I .. I'm proud of you"

I'm proud of you, he'd longed to hear those words for so long. He was glad the Captain had been the one to say those words. Pulling the Captain into his arms he held him tightly.

"You're accomplished so much, more than me ...you've still got so much left to give" The Captain whispered softly, as he wrapped his hand into Tintin's. He was breathing hard, trying to hold on but Tintin could sense that his best friend was giving up.

"Not without you" Tintin sobbed. "Please ... "

As Snowy gently nuzzled the Captain, Tintin's chest wrenched at the idea of being without him. Seeing him so weak after all they had been through together scared him the most. It was unthinkable to see him as anything but the man who had always been there for all this time. Sure they'd had bad times too but the moments where their friendship had brought them victory superseded everything.

"This is all my fault ... I wish I hadn't come to China"

"No .." The Captain murmured as he stroked Snowy.

"You're the closest man I have to a father ... please" Tintin begged. "I don't want to lose you"

The Captain gazed up at Tintin, smiling proudly at him.

"Never ... never stop being who you are. Speak well of me, look after Calculus ... Nestor .. Say farewell for me" The Captain breathed. "Goodbye ... son"

As the Captain's eyes slipped shut Tintin held on to his hand even as the grip disappeared but the guilt still remained. He pulled the Captain closer and wept, drowning out the sounds of Snowy's howls as the remnants of his soul disintegrated into a million pieces.

Woah, I never anticipated that I would end up writing a chapter like this. There's only one more chapter left. I used number two on the suggested Music list the most whilst I was writing this chapter.