Here is chapter four at last! I am aiming for five so the end is near! I hope someone reads this and reviews! This series deserves more attention!
Disclaimer: I do not own Rin! Some lines are actual quotes from volume 1 just to let you know.
Warning: Shonen-ai.
Cupid's Lost Arrow chapter 4
Kouichi tossed and turned throughout the night. He felt completely over-heated and sweat clung to him. His mind was filled with nightmares of Katsura and Sou. They were laughing and kissing until they noticed him. Suddenly, they turned and stared coldly at him as he fell to his knees before them. His chest heaved and his bleached hair became soaked as his body became feverish.
"Katsura…no…" he mumbled.
The dream changed and Kouichi suddenly found himself back at the beach with Yamato-senpai, Sou, and Katsura. The smell of the sea hit nostrils, but instead of feeling at ease, his heart beat sped up and his limbs numbed.
Sou spoke without glancing back at him, "The Seven Defilements of archery…Sakurasawa, you say them."
Caught off guard by Sou's sudden interest in teaching, Kouichi gaped at him for a few seconds before replying, "You mean the seven emotional obstacles they say affect shooting, right?"
"That's right. You learned that a strong mind, uninfluenced by those obstacles is important."
"I can say them. Happiness sunders the heart…anger, the liver. Sorrow tears the large intestine."
Yamato added, "Expectation, the spleen. Surprise, also the large intestine."
"Katsura! And the rest is?"
Katsura's eyes widened and he hesitantly answered, "Umm…fear, the kidneys, and…"
"Greed sunders the soul," Sou ended.
That day, Kouichi felt Katsura begin to drift further away. Kouichi then realized that all of those emotional obstacles were starting to eat him alive. How long would he have until he was completely destroyed? Sou had helped Katsura grow stronger, and in the process, the cute boy's archery had improved. Every day, Kouichi watched his best friend live life to its fullest with a beautiful smile. Kouichi had wanted to be the one Katsura depended on…and he didn't care how selfish he was being. But now, he knew it was too late. Katsura didn't need saving. Katsura didn't need Kouichi.
The young captain shot up as something brought him back to reality. Tears streamed down his face as he stood on shaky legs and walked to his window. Sunlight sneaked into his dark room through a slit opening between his curtains. He pushed them apart slightly and peeked out, but he didn't notice how violently he was trembling. He squinted as the light burned into him before his eyes finally adjusted enough for him to recognize the source of his sudden awakening. On his front porch, only six feet away from his room, stood the familiar forms of Katsura and Sou. Kouichi's heart fluttered in panic and everything began to swirl around him. He could hear Katsura and Sou quietly arguing. He winced as he remembered that he had told Katsura of his parents' trip which would last the whole week.
"I'm still shocked and upset that you know where the Sakurasawa's hide their spare key, but I suppose we'll discuss that later. You know he probably won't open the door so why don't you just use the key? The sooner we get in and check on him, the sooner we can go," Sou grumbled.
Katsura sighed and said, "Yeah, but it's for emergencies only! Besides, it doesn't seem right to just walk in unannounced!"
Sou opened his mouth to continue the argument, but was interrupted by the sound of glass breaking. Katsura jumped and Sou's eyes narrowed.
"That sounded like it came from inside Kouichi's room!" Katsura yelped.
"Katsura… this counts as an emergency doesn't it? Open the door."
Katsura immediately obeyed and as soon as the door was unlocked, Sou shoved it open and rushed inside, kicking off his shoes roughly. Katsura bit his lip and followed him. His mind was racing as he worried for his friend's safety. He finally arrived at Katsura's room but stood frozen in the doorway. Time had stopped as he saw his best friend lying in a pool of blood in the arms of his boyfriend.
Sou glanced up, his eyes wide with panic, and shouted, "Katsura! Hurry! Get towels and a bowl of water. He's losing a lot of blood from these cuts."
Katsura wanted to move. He knew he had to move. Kouichi needed help. Kouichi needed him. But, he was afraid. He was unsure. He felt his heart crumbling at the sight of his pale, bloody and unconscious best friend.
"D-d-did he…?" he whispered.
Sou probably would have snapped at him for not jumping into action, but he saw the look in Katsura's eyes so he quickly and firmly replied, "No. This was an accident. He has a fever and it seems he knocked over that vase and that picture frame. He must have landed on the glass so his arms got cut up. Now Katsura, please…go get the supplies so that we can clean him up and stop the bleeding."
The smaller boy nodded and wiped away his tears. Kouichi was hurt, and he was determined to take care of his friend. After all, it was the least he could do after breaking his heart. He turned and ran to search for the supplies Sou requested. Sou continued to apply pressure to as many of the cuts on Kouichi's arms as he could reach. He tried to ignore the fact that blood was everywhere. He tried to ignore the fact that he could hear Kouichi struggling to breathe. He tried to ignore the fact that the body which had felt so hot earlier was now losing that heat so that Kouichi felt cold to the touch. Most of all, Sou tried to ignore the fact that he was terrified. He had to be strong…for Katsura…and for Kouichi. He found himself reciting the Seven Defilements of Archery in his mind and remembered that a strong mind uninfluenced by those obstacles was necessary.
"Don't you dare die Sakurasawa," Sou whispered and ignored the fact that he wanted to cry.
Ah, so dramatic! Don't worry folks! Despite being depressed, Kouichi did NOT try to commit suicide. I would never allow that! I know this was short but all of these chapters have been short anyway! Please review and stay tuned for the last chapter!