Disclaimer: The characters of this fic are owned by Hiro Fujiwara. I do not own any of Maid Sama's characters.

A/N: before you read this, you must know that the chapter was well taken care of since my dear sis from the other end of the world is the one who proofread it. She is A.N-Mellow; you'll notice the difference and how great she did. I would like to thank her so much and give lollipops to everyone for reading this :3

..Sacrifices..

Chapter 3

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-…Flashback…-

Since time is of the essence, Usui took the hammer and tired his best to untie himself first before getting them out of here. Due to the wound inflicted on him prior he wasn't allowed to sit still on ground without having to wince at the pain every few seconds. In the end he had to kneel while holding the hammer to do its trick which made the job even more demanding.

He tried to reach the chains that were holding his wrist, which had been locked by handcuffs. Due to his inflexibility, he couldn't seem to bend his body towards the ideal angle which will lead him to the chain. The box seemed pretty useless in this situation as it would not be much help to them since he couldn't climb on it with one hand. Let alone having to sit on it to reach the chain that was above his cuffed wrist.

Usui knew that what he's trying to do next would be much more painful than kneeling but it doesn't matter now. Misaki's life is in danger and she's here because of him. He had to save her. It was his fault for bringing her to the forest at the first place.

*..*..*..*..*

Using his free hand, he tightened his grip on the hammer. Took a deep breath and started hitting the cuff, since it was the only way to break free where the chain was totally out of reach.

However, breaking the cuff would take lots of strikes that were too nerve wracking.

With each hit he would grit his teeth to prevent himself from making any sound that would cause a sense of insecure to Misaki. He just couldn't watch her suffer any longer.

Misaki was pretty confident that Usui's having shortness of breathes due to his irregular breathing pattern from breaking the cuffs. But it never crossed her mind that he would be smashing his wrist just to break free from the handcuff.

With every hit he made, she swore that she could feel the pain he's experiencing but twice as worse. Her patience was running out as time passes, with every breath of his, she wondered how long these breaths would last before he would be gone unconscious. Will they ever make it out alive together?

The tension in the air broke her trains of thoughts; she wanted to know what he was attempting to do because all of these strikes just felt wrong to her. But she did promise him that she will not open her eyes until he says so. She could only pray now; that he's not doing something that she'd regret. This only applies if there was time for her to feel remorseful.

The metallic part was becoming thinner as compared to prior, Usui had lost too much blood, and his injury was bringing him a step closer to the other world. His sight was blurry and he could barely see his surroundings. There's quite a number of times where he mistaken the cuffs for his hand.

All he did was to keep his yelps in so they sounded like weak whimpers. "What are you doing?" Misaki said in a worried voice. Those croaky voices she heard didn't help her fulfill the promise of not opening eyes. At least she has to know his current situation.

*Panting* *Panting* "Don't talk." Usui was astounded that he still has the strength left to reply her. He wasn't expecting any sounds due to all the pain he has endured. Hearing his voice at the condition didn't decrease her fear, worry, and stress. 'Almost there, Usui. You can do it.' After a few more strikes, he couldn't control the pain any longer and let out a yell.

Eventually, the handcuffs broke. No matter how painful it is to him, He would not show Misaki this side. Looks like the lady luck wasn't on his side, the water level was near his waist level and he could only use the other hand as the one he used to free himself was full of bruises and wounds.

He knew that he smashed a few bones by accident judging by the pain. It was nearly impossible for him to move without feeling the urge to yell. He started seeing dark spots blocking his vision. "This isn't the time." He thought. Leaning against the wall, he stumbled his way to Misaki. Even though the distance was short, with both the pressure coming from the water and injuries made the distance felt longer than usual. "Y…ou can ….op..en ….your eyes now…."

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Misaki's P.O.V

As soon as I opened my eyelids, I saw him standing right in front of me, but that didn't last for long; he swayed towards me, losing his balance

"TAKUMI!"

I caught him in the nick of time with his head resting on my shoulder now. His hair was drenched. I could no longer feel any heat coming from his body. For that instance, I really thought that he's dead. Tears gilded down my crimson cheeks when I felt his hot breaths on my neck.

"Why are you crying, heh… I'm still alive." He whispered. His laughter was faint. I never heard it so weak before. He placed his hand on the wall behind me. "Do you mind lending me your hand so that I can stand up?" Usui said it weakly. His request shocked me; it saddens me to see him in this manner not able to stand on his own.

Without hesitation, I grabbed his body using my free arm trying my best not to press onto his wounds. Giving him all the strength that I had, I shivered at the contact with his blood stains on his shirt but he was shivering more than me!

Takumi aimed at the chain that hung above my hand cuffs, He couldn't even stand and now he's trying to free me. My eyes widened. There's more than meets the eye.

"Usui, why aren't you using your other arm? Why is it limp?"

Even though I asked, somehow I didn't want to hear the answer. I tried to smile so that my tears won't fall out. But I couldn't in the end I could only bury my face in his chest as I wrapped my arms around him protectively.

This time round, I won't cry. Instead of crying I would turn all my tears into strength to assist him. It was hard to breathe while supporting our weights. I can't make things worse by crying. Somehow Usui managed to free my other arm which I instantly used to support him.

End of Misaki's P.O.V

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The water level now reached Misaki's ears. She lifted her feet up and started swimming while holding Usui close to her. She was trying to keep their heads up the water surface in order to be able to breath. Usui cursed, how could he not thought about what they were going to do after they have wriggled out of their cuffs.

"Well done, Usui Takumi." "What now?" Even if he wanted to break the door, it was nearly impossible in his current state. The legs he used to swim are starting to lose its mobility.

"The door" Usui mumbled weakly while trying to break free from Misaki's hold. His tries were futile as Misaki tightened her grasp around him strong enough to prevent him from moving an inch. Ayuzawa has gotten his cue, he wanted to sink to the bottom to break the door, but in his state, it's the faster way to end this life once and for all.

She was sure there must be another ways to escape. It wasn't on the ability to break the door or not. It was a matter on his condition. He was barely breathing. She would not let him go no matter what. He can hate her all he wants. She won't risk it.

Misaki did thought of sinking to break the door herself, but Usui was in no condition to swim on his own. She could tell that his legs under the water were barely moving, not strong enough to keep him up the wave.

Breaking the door would take time, and letting go of Usui wasn't an option. In the midst of her confusion and hesitation, her sight landed on the ceiling that they were getting closer to it. Thank god it was wooden. Breaking it would still allow Usui to hold onto her for support.

"Hang on."

Misaki informed Usui before letting him off to dive and retrieve the hammer.

The water was bloody red due to its contact with Usui's blood. Just by looking at the sight Misaki felt the urge to cry. But she couldn't; she had to focus and find the hammer. Luckily it was only a few centimeters away from her reach, realizing that Usui was sinking for being unable to swim. She caught him just in time after retrieving the hammer.

After both of them got a deep breath out of water, she observed the ceiling, waiting for the water level to rise making her close enough to reach it. By her looks, Usui could tell what she was thinking.

At the moment, she was way more capable than him. He's still in doubt whether he would live to see the next sunrise, but he wanted her to survive. Seeing her distressed face wasn't the last thing he wanted to see; he's determined to change it.

"Misaki, whatever is going to happen later…"

"Silence." She interrupted. She didn't want to hear it; one more word from him will make her cry on the spot.

"I love you ..."

"I said don't talk! No one will die here! I would want to see how your handsome face will turn when you grow old" Misaki said with a shaky voice. Despite all her efforts not to, her voice cracked.

"Is that all?" Usui laughed weakly. "Or is it a proposal for us to stay together forever? He teased.

"Haha, not funny" Misaki said while trying to avoid looking at his pale face.

"So that wasn't a proposal?" Usui pouted. Getting ready to earn a scold from her, seeing his facial expression, she has decided to let him off this time round but Misaki made a metal note to her self which is to reprimand him when he recovers.

"Heh... You're so... cute "He said while trying to fix his sight on her. The blurriness is driving him insane. "You're still teasing me even in this state?" She asked half-heartedly. It was a mere comment that carried no sense of scolding or annoyance. In fact, hearing him talk was a big relief.

"Will you marry me?"

"Idiot!" Misaki exclaimed while pushing his forehead slightly, for heaven's sake she was blushing.

"You can't... hit me. While I'm… injured" He said while blinking his eyes to get a better view.

"Any girl can hit you when you say such a thing at the worst time ever!" this time energy got back to her voice. How could he say such a thing at this time?!

"But if you marry me, you'll be able to see my face when I'm old." He reasoned simply. It was simply amazing how he could still pick his words.

"You're injured, remember? You shouldn't talk much" She said. Looking once more at the ceiling, she instructed: "Hold on to my waist "She realized she was close enough to the ceiling.

Without a word, Usui did as she said. She let go of him and started hitting with all of her force. She knew Usui was now much weaker than her. His skin was as pale as a ghost. She was terrified he'd slip out of this life any moment, which gave her more strength to strike.

Breaking it was tough and it seemed like it'd take forever, but that was her only hope and she couldn't give up. She voiced thousand curses at the ceiling. She even asked stupid questions like: 'why in the world is this hammer so small?', but in her desperate state, none of that seemed ridiculous.

In less than a minute, the water covered them totally. There was no air and also she has no time to check on Usui. She had to break it fast to get him out of there. The grasp on her waist was getting weaker and weaker with each second, which urged her to give no excuse for her sore arm muscles.

She could at least create a hole, but despite her tries, it was not big enough for even her head to rise into the air.

She needed to enlarge the hole, but she's starting to lose her breath, producing bubbles in the water. She hated how exertion made her lose her breath faster than usual.

She was bewildered by Usui, who got closer; pressing his lips on hers, and pushing the last amount of the air in his lungs into her mouth. He smiled faintly as he pulled apart, closing his eyes, and allowing himself to sink down, engulfed by the darkness that was threatening to take him along.

His last wish was for her to make it out alive and his last breath… was 'sacrificed' for her.

o-0-0-O-ooo-O-0-0-o

A/N: Okay, it was supposed to end at this chapter but the words count is going higher and higher as I type so I think there'll be another chapter. Sorry for the cliff hanger, but it seemed like a good spot to end it.

Thank you for the reviews, I know I always say the same but it is true, your reviews makes me glad:D

Abby: I looked at the date of your review, and did the math. It's been twelve days since then. The 'update soon' you mentioned, how soon was it supposed to be?

PrincessSkylar: Good to know you thought it is great! Keep sharing your opinion and giving me smiles :D

TaigaRAWR: The reason behind wanting her to close her eyes, was it fun?

A.N-Mellow: The Pasta way is the best :P

Murdering someone… he might do that, 'if' he survived, which I highly doubt. God bless you for helping me out :D