Hello. I know I know. I haven't updated in nearly 2 months you can hate me. I haven't died. After updating last time I was landed with coursework essays suddenly so I was very annoyed. So I decided I would only update til AFTER my deadline date. I also have been busy writing up the new story and even that hasn't progressed in a while. I've just been through a really rough patch at home (no not a break-up) and I just haven't felt the spark to do anything. I hope you understand and still continue to read this story as it's nearly finished. I am extremely sorry for making everyone wait but please understand that I had my reasons. Thank you all my loyal and new reviewers and followers, I am so grateful that you have stuck by for this story and I can't explain in words how much it means to me that you have been so patient. Thank you SO much, I love you all3
FranKay.97: Thanks for reviewing and being patient, so glad you like the story still and hope you enjoy the last 2 chapters before I reveal if I am writing an epilogue or sequel! Enjoy and please review xx
LadyAmazon: Juan isn't dead yet! I hope you don't hate me after this haha. Thanks for reviewing lovely and waiting, please enjoy and review xx
Guest 1: Thanks for the review! I feel bad for hurting Juan too :-( enjoy and review and thanks for being patient! xx
Ariao: Thanks for being so patient and reviewing! You're confusion should be answered in this chapter :-) I hope anyway? I hope what happens with Demetri, doesn't dissapoint you! Her father is very mentally unstable and it's explained in the chapter. Please do continue to review and hope you enjoy it. xx
leikoashimage: Thanks for being patient and for the review! I know I am cruel, I'm sorry! See what happens to them in this chapter! Enjoy and review! xx
anubhuti: Thank you for reviewing and sorry for the delay. I'm okay now thank you :') I hope you enjoy this chapter and please do review it xx
AKA: Sorrry! D: See what happens to Juan in this chapter! YES I have completed ALL my coursework thank god, it was the worst weeks of my life -_- thanks for being so patient, and hope you enjoy chapter 20 and please do review it xx
Rebelle Boss: I loved reading your review lovely, thank you so much and for being patient. I know everyone hates me for doing that to Juan but it had to be done I am sorry! See what happens in this chapter and enjoy and review! I am a little excited about my new story too, it's different to anything I have ever written. Whether it is a sequel or something else will be revealed soon! xx
Guest 2: Glad you liked the plot change! I am sorry for the delay and thank you for the review and being patient! She isn't cyber Juliette lol but just threatened. I hope your exams are going/went fine! Enjoy this chapter and please review it too? xx
Guest 3: I won't reveal anything! Read and find out! Thanks for reviewing and staying patient, means a lot. Hope you enjoy this chapter and review it too :') xx
BloodMiztrez Wolf: Thanks for your review lovely and so sorry you had to wait so long! I'm so happy to hear you and your friend read and love my story. Thank you so much for the support! I hope you enjoy chapter 20 and review it too xx
DesertRose101: You are awesome too! I'm happy you like my story :') sorry for the wait and hope you enjoy and review xx
XxFlame-GirlxX: Thanks for reviewing, I am so happy to hear you like my story! Enjoy this chapter and please review xx
WingedxSapphire: Writer's block for my new story yes, but Breaking the Ice is complete. I am so sorry for the hold up! I hope you understand my reasons (though not fully explained I know) but thank you for being patient and loyal, I do feel really bad. I hope you enjoy this chapter though xx
Okay this chapter was previously a long one and was going to be the last but I decided to be mean and divide it into two so hence why this one is kind of short. The next is longer I promise and also the last chapter! So after that dramatic chapter 19, here is 20 after nearly 2 months (still sorry :'() and hope you guys enjoy it.
Chapter Twenty
Not a word was spoken for a moment as Juan's fallen body hit the ground, his cry echoed through the room while he frantically clutched at his lower abdomen and wheezed. Everyone watched the little boy in horror but none were more shocked than Juliette. She fell to her knees, clutching Juan and pulling him onto her lap as she cupped his face with one hand and the other held pressure down on the wound that was now bleeding out. Furiously.
"Juan! Oh god, you're going to be fine, just keep breathing and stay awake!" Juliette frantically cried.
The little boy on his lap had tears in his eyes as they read fear. They were shaking and it was deteriorating Juliette's confidence as she continued to gaze into them. What had just happened? She was sure that she was now to be on the ground in pain instead of the innocent boy in her arms. Her father hadn't even aimed to kill her; she could see that from the low aim of the gun in his hand. With Juan being much smaller, the bullet proved fatal for him. He had come out from nowhere.
"Juan!" Keiji was the next to cry out, collapsing by Juliette's side.
At once he took off his jacket then his shirt leaving his t-shirt as he rolled it up into a ball and nodded at Juliette who removed her hand quickly so he could press down the material onto the wound and held it down to stop the bleeding. Juan began coughing, each cough like swallowing fire as the overwhelming pain was excruciating. He looked up apologetic as he saw the tears in his beloved sister's eyes.
"Why...Why did this have to happen!?" her sudden raised voice cried out as tears leaked and she closed her eyes tightly.
"I...I'm...s-sorry...onee-san" Juan choked out between wheezes.
A hand froze on his mouth as Juliette looked down at him and shook her head.
"Don't...speak" she whispered. "Everything... everything is going to be fine!"
She said it with such determination that she almost fooled herself. Everything had been her fault. She was the reason why everyone suffered. Ever since she had gone to the abbey. If only she had more courage to speak up against him back then... then maybe none of this would have happened. Just watching the fragile boy dying on her lap was enough to set off the tears and the weak side of her. His amber coloured eyes never looked so afraid, so full of fear from death. Her first thoughts were straight to the man behind this. As her eyes narrowed, turning almost bloodshot, she jerked her head whilst gritting her teeth at the man across from them. Pure disgust and hatred was all that was portrayed in Juliette's eyes. Her father, now looking more than shocked had his eyes widened at the scene, hand shaking as the gun slipped out from his fingers hitting the ground with a shrilling thud.
Tamaki trembled to his knees. Shooting someone had never been a problem for him but a child? Where had the kid come from anyway? He aimed to injure Juliette, not to kill. He purposely lowered the aim to her leg but the boy who took the fall was small and the bullet seemed to be close to fatal for him. Now he watched in horror as he bled out tremendously- thick, dark red blood. His mind went blank.
Tala and Bryan stood speechless as they watched aimlessly at the two teens clutching and giving their attention to the child and Juliette's mother clutching Demetri across them who was still wheezing. It was a no brainer on who was in more mortal danger right now. Tala felt numb. His azure blue eyes widened unable to keep his eyes off Juan. He came out from nowhere and how he managed to do so was far beyond his knowledge. Why did he have to play hero? But neither the less, he didn't know whether to be thankful that Juliette remained uninjured or to regret Juan taking the fall. It should have been him! Not Juan, not Bryan, Keiji, Ayane or even Demetri. It was HE who should have been shot, stabbed, killed... but he wasn't. Now an innocent reckless kid was suffering in his place. His hands tightened and he suddenly recalled the beyblade in his hand and remembered his plan before entering the room.
## Flashback ##
'Listen to me carefully Tala, the possibility of you getting caught is high. In a worst case scenario, there is something you must do.'
Tala frowned, having mental conversations with a bit-beast was still new to him and very strange and he didn't like anyone in his head but Artemis knew what she was talking about.
'Which is?'
'Threaten to set me free in order for you all to escape.'
'What?!' He almost spoke aloud but refrained himself. What was the spirit thinking?
'Juliette would never forgive me if I rel-'
'You won't be.'
Now Tala was confused.
'Tamaki's obsession and greed to gain control of me and possess me is extremely overpowering. You can use this at your advantage. He will believe you if you threaten to set me free, though you must know, I cannot leave Juliette until said time. You must be as convincing as possible Tala, there is no room for mistakes.'
Devious. He never would have believed a bit-beast to be so intellectual. They had always been seen as weapons in his eyes and that was perhaps due to Boris.
'What if he doesn't fall for it?'
The terror if that failed... He risked all their lives.
'I can assure you, you will succeed. If it comes to the worst, you must hand me over to Tamaki and leave with everyone else as soon as you can.'
'You know I won't do that. Giving up is for losers.'
He could hear her light chuckle which instantly reminded him of Juliette.
'Your faith and pride is strong young one, I admire that. We cannot put others, especially Juliette, at risk.'
Tala felt a shiver run up his neck, something he rarely experienced. The thought of losing her was unbearable, but would she be happy with the idea of giving up Artemis? She probably wouldn't forgive him if he took up on that plan. She was so selfless, she would give up her own life for others.
'I guess I'll just have to trust you.'
## End flashback ##
He almost smirked when Tamaki fell for it as Artemis predicted but he didn't think the outcome would ever come to this. No one could predict Tamaki's actions as they went out of control while burning on his greed for Artemis. Time seemed to slow down.
'Tala, hand me over to Juliette! Immediately!'
He woke up with a jolt as the voice almost screamed in his mind. At once he bent down and grabbed Juliette's free hand while trying not to get in between Keiji and herself in helping Juan and slipped the blade into her hand. He glanced at her face only to feel his heart break on seeing the sorrow. The amount of tears born on her eyes, the fear, the dread of the outcome. He couldn't bear to see her in such a state but what could he do? Juliette looked more than relieved to have Artemis back in her hands.
"Artemis! W-We have to...to use channelling! I have to save Juan!"
'Yes of course but he is quite badly injured, it would require a lot of strength and energy...'
"I don't care!" Juliette cried out as she looked down at Juan's face.
"Wait, what is she saying?" Tala suddenly spoke up concerned that she was making a sudden decision.
Juliette refused to speak.
"Tell me!" his voice raised up sternly.
Around the room, everyone watched the young doctor and listened to half the conversation. Tamaki was still numb and motionless to even comprehend what was going on. Juliette prepared herself to begin the process as she placed a hand over the wounded spot on Juan's abdomen. Keiji didn't dare question her.
"Wait Juliette!"
Shocked at the sudden raised voice in the room, all eyes fell to Ayane who was still holding a very immobile Demetri in her lap but blinking very slowly.
"Okaa-san?" Juliette whispered out loud enough for her mother to hear.
"He needs your help too" she looked down at Demetri who was still clutching the spot he was stabbed.
"He deserves nothing!" Tala defended bitterly.
"Juan is who is most important here" Keiji added.
"That is not fair. You are not obliged to decide on who gets to live or not" Ayane snapped, furious at the boy's reactions.
"Whose side are you on?" Keiji questioned with a frown.
Ayane glowered and ignored them as she looked at her daughter. The daughter who was raised with morals and ethics and pure of heart. She was a doctor saving lives and was now put in an estranged situation. No matter what sin or bad deed was done by the victim, they didn't deserve to die if the opportunity to save them was present. The boy may have tried to harm her daughter but he didn't deserve to die by Tamaki's hands, he didn't deserve death at all. She could see right through Juliette's emerald eyes and caught the horrific expression. Something was wrong.
"Juliette, he had bled out too much blood, if you do not do something right now then he will die!" she pleaded.
Juliette looked down at Juan then back at her mother and the man she despised resting on her lap. After years of training and saving lives she knew she couldn't let Demetri die. She couldn't let Juan either. She could help them both had she needed a little energy. But they both were in mortal danger with Demetri having less chance to survive. Channelling was already dangerous to use on a single person, but for two? Could she do it?
'You cannot. I'm sorry Juliette, you must pick one or the other.'
Juliette's eyes widened as tears streamed down her cheeks. Her heart lurched.
"No... No! I can't... I CAN'T!"
Tala fell by her side at once and held her shoulders.
"What? What are you thinking?"
Juliette's breath quickened as she choked out sobs while eyeing Juan and Demetri. She couldn't even hear Tala's words.
'We both will die if you try to save them both! You have to choose Juliette, forgive me.'
It only made Juliette cry out harder, scaring her friends and mother who were questioning on what was wrong.
"We're running out of time Juliette! You have to save Demetri first!" Ayane rushed in a panic.
Juliette shook her head.
"I can't...choose... I CAN'T SAVE ONLY ONE!"
Tala leaned back, astounded. No... Did he just hear right? His eyes widened. She wanted to save Demetri? He knew how dangerous this 'channelling' was for Juliette and couldn't risk her using her strength and life on the scumbag he watched dying in Ayane's arms. But that wasn't all. Juliette was being forced into deciding who she wants to save. Artemis must have warned her that saving them both could risk them both. His heart broke a little more and even a stinging began forming in his eyes and a strange liquid began forming. He was crying silently... The girl he loved was put into such a life scarring situation that he couldn't even look at her. She had to make the difficult choice on who to save and who to leave for death to take them. Juliette would never forgive herself for as long as she would live- and he would have to watch her torment herself and he wouldn't be able to bear it. If it was up to him, he would save Juan but could he live with the guilt of letting someone die who needed him? If he hadn't opened his mouth about Demetri trying to molest Juliette, none of this would be happening. This was his entire fault, as always.
"Wait... Are you saying what I think you're saying?" Bryan stepped in, heart pounding.
Juliette only cried as Keiji watched helplessly while trying to keep a strong hold on Juan's wound and looking at Juan who was also looking up at Juliette with sorrow filled eyes looking more scared than ever.
"Why can't you save them both?" Bryan questioned brutally, panicking.
"She won't have enough strength. Look at her Bryan! She could die if she tried saving both" Tala hissed dejectedly.
Bryan turned horrified as he exchanged glances with Demetri and Juan.
"Juliette, my child, I know this isn't easy, but you have to make a decision and one way or another, neither of these boys deserve to die and we may still have a chance to save Juan later. I have help coming."
"I'm not even going to ask how you managed to get help" Tala bitterly replied.
"Onee-san... H-Help...Demetri..." Juan coughed out with complete struggle.
Juliette looked horrified, mind racing. She had no time to waste and something had to be done. She wiped her tears harshly and stood up but not before gently moving Juan to a secure position on Keiji's lap.
"What are you doing?" Tala questioned, hoping she wasn't doing what he thought she was doing.
"What needs to be done" Juliette replied confidently as she walked across the gap between the two wounded boys and knelt beside her mother and Demetri.
As she looked into the sea blue eyes of the guy she could see he was fading away but also fear and guilt filled his dull eyes.
"You're choosing HIM?!" Tala erupted with fury, stepping forwards but was held back by Bryan.
"Get off me! She can't choose that scumbag over Juan!" Tala struggled in Bryan's grasp.
"Get it together Tala, she knows what she's doing" Bryan hissed back.
Ayane gave a look of admiration and guilt to her daughter. She knew the choice was difficult but it had to be done. Juliette places her hand over the wound and closed her eyes.
'Are you sure of this choice Juliette?' she heard Artemis warily ask.
"There is always another choice" she replied and let the energy flow.
For the first few seconds she felt warmth of the energy flowing through her veins and moving towards her hand and out her tips onto Demetri's abdomen. Then as soon as it begun its work, it hit her chest and hit her hard. She gasped out but continued her focus as she concentrated. Starting to feel heavily weak after a minute she coolly breathed deep breaths as sweat began to appear on her forehead. Everyone watched in amazement, including Tamaki who was stunned by this new power his daughter held. Alas, Juliette cried out as the fatigue kicked in and she collapsed to her side by refused to move her hand away as the process continued.
"Juliette!" Tala tried to charge forwards but was held back by Bryan.
'Stop Juliette! That's enough!'
A gasp escaped Juliette's lips as she moved her hand away and strived for air as the world became a blur before her eyes. Her head was spinning consistently and she felt nauseous. Ayane looked down at Demetri to see the wound healed without a mark in sight. The boy blinked slowly but drowsy back at her and was breathing normally again. She exhaled in relief. Her eyes suddenly caught her daughter moving slowly on her knees across the gap once more.
"Juliette! What are you doing?!" she cried out, wanting to move but was held down by Demetri's frail body.
Tala's eyes widened and he felt ice cold for the first time since the night he thought he lost her.
"B...Bryan...keep...T-Tala...back please" she whispered out with a voice that sounded extremely drained of life.
Bryan turned to stone. He knew what she was going to do and his brain worked fast as he tightened his hold on Tala who realised too late.
"No... NO! NO! Don't you dare! Don't you bloody dare Juliette!" Tala began shoving and tried to pull free from Bryan's iron clad grasp. He furiously glared icicles at her. "GET OFF ME BRYAN!"
Bryan winced and shut his eyes wanting to apologise but this was what Juliette wanted... He couldn't refuse her.
"You will kill Artemis and yourself! You haven't got enough strength to save Juan, stop right now! Stop her Keiji!" Tala pleaded with a dark voice, begging as horror washed over him over what may come.
Keiji panicked and eyed both figures and saw the pleading expression on Juliette to side with her. Could he do it? Could he let her go, knowing he could have stopped her? But what about Juan? He didn't deserve to die...
"Please...Keiji" Juliette pleaded.
He cursed loudly and looked down, clutching Juan. "How can I let you Juliette? I...I can't!"
"Look a-at...Juan" she croaked.
In doing so he felt tears succumb his eyes and regretted it. He couldn't see the child dying and he promised Cole he would bring him back safely. Juliette would never forgive him or herself if they let him die. Weakly, he nodded.
"YOU SCUMBAG! I'LL KILL YOU!" Tala growled at Keiji's decision as he swerved a punch at Bryan in an attempt to break free but Bryan held on tight, ignoring the pain on his chin.
Juliette felt the tears once again and ignored his pleas. As she crawled over to Juan's side she saw the same expression on his face as she did on Demetri's only more frightened. She could even see the shaking of his head of him saying 'no don't do this' but she had to. As she dared to look up at Tala whose own eyes were watery and face paler than ever, she felt a stabbing at her heart.
'Juliette... I am strongly against this but... If this is what you really want, I shall stay by your side until the very end.'
'Thank you Artemis... Forgive me for I failed to set you free.'
'I will be free, just not in the same way we both had planned. Let us do this together Juliette.'
'Thank you for everything, I couldn't have asked for a better friend and partner.'
'As for you, my dear Juliette.'
She wept as she glanced up at Tala one last time.
"I'm sorry... Forgive me Tala. I love you" she whispered before placing her hands on Juan's wound and began the process.
Tala watched in awe struck horror as Juliette began channelling. His heart dropped and stomach lurched. His whole body turned to ice. He was going to lose her... He really was going to lose her. The only person in the world that kept him sane and together, the one he loved, was leaving him. Silent tears fell and he was numb. Bryan closed his eyes, leaking tears of his own as he watched Juliette begin to drain away of what was left of her life energy. Such a great sacrifice and he was witnessing her death. She made so many sacrifices, tolerated all their punishments, cruelty, and pains and suffering, risked her life to save them ever since she set foot in the abbey and this was her end? Her repayment? Her death? She was the most selfless person he had ever seen and met and he couldn't be more than happy that she came into their lives. Keiji was thinking the same thoughts as he watched Juliette lay down by Juan's side and the color of her face and eyes drained away. He could see the weakness showing and her body began to lose mobility. It was the worst thing to watch.
"My daughter..." Ayane whispered out in a sob as she watched the heart-breaking event in front of her.
Juliette felt the oxygen coming in lesser and lesser, constricting her lungs and cutting off her air supply. Her eyesight turned dark and she could feel it coming. Her end. But Juan would live, that was all she cared about. Thinking of Tala made her heart ache as she knew he must be feeling tortured on watching her die. But she could never live if she allowed Juan to die.
Tala felt a wave of panic and started breathing quick gasps of air. Juliette had merely seconds; he was really going to lose her. Never hear her speak again. Never feel her soft warm touches, her tender kisses and loving hugs. She would be buried 3 metres underground never to be seen again for the rest of their lives. His life. No... He couldn't live with that. Catching Bryan off guard, he elbowed him right in the chest and broke free from Bryan's grasp, jumping to Juliette's side and reaching for her hand that was laid on Juan.
"NO TALA! STOP!" Ayane cried out frantically.
Keiji was too late to catch the hand that grabbed Juliette's own and pulled away from the young boy. A burst of light blinded them. As it cleared, Tala glanced down at the two motionless bodies in front of him. Juan's wound was gone but he wasn't awake. His eyes were shut and he wasn't moving. His heart hammered as he fearfully looked down at the pale girl in his arms. Her eyes closed and body that seemed dead. With a heavy heart he placed a finger on her wrist to find a pulse and felt nothing. Not a trace. Unless it was so weak...
"No... No... Wake up! You can't leave me!" He roared out at her face.
When no movement came nor sign of life. He realised then, that he may have just killed them both.
YES HATE ME.
Cliffhanger and such a torturous way to end this chapter I know I am sorry! I just thought it would be better to read this way.
So, Demetri is alive (boooo) but what about Juan? and Juliette? Dead? Alive? All is revealed in the FINAL chapter!
I am so sad to see this story coming to an end soon and I remember first writing this story which was yoinks ago. I loved writing every part of it! For all my loyal followers/reviews/readers who stuck by this story I am SO grateful and happy that it was a success and hope you forgive me in the times I delayed updating. Because this story is nearly finished, if this story is still good enough to continue (thats if you don't hate me by now and have already given up reading this because of the delay of update) I will upload the final chapter within this week I PROMISE. Whether I will be doing an epilogue or sequel will also be revealed next chapter at the end.
In the meantime, I am going to continue my writing since I am free of uni until October. Awesome right?! Again I apologise for making everyone wait. Please forgive me if you can. I love you all xx