Guess what? I finally updated! this chapter took me longer than normal to write, hope you enjoy it!

If I force someone to live one, regardless of if they themselves desire to do so… would that make me kind or simply selfish?

A faint smile had crossed her lips; she was gazing into the palm of her hand. But what is she so happy to have that she can smile even at a time like this? Ruka wondered. An alice stone, her son's alice stone; a fragment of what she had lost that could never be restored... But what alice stone was the color of darkness? Ruka gasped, the skin touching the stone was darkening, and he had to get that stone away from Sakura. Without wasting a second Ruka lunged to knock it out of her hand.

At first Ruka didn't realize what had hit him, all he knew was his right arm engulfed in white hot pain. He winced at the sight of his arm, dark bruises cover his skin. I see can why this alice is called 'mark of death' Ruka thought as he rose to his feet once more. The horror plastered on Sakura's face was a small relief, she was regaining emotion. On the down side she was reaching down for the stone again, so obviously she had yet to regain the will to live. He lunged for the stone again, this time falling upon it, feeling the agony of the mark of death spread to his chest. With his left hand, he clutched the stone and rose once more.

Were those tears in her eyes? Through the pain, Ruka smiled at her returning emotion. Sakura's lips formed the word "why."

"Because I won't let the person most dear to me die. Natsume… he felt the same way, right?" Ruka found himself fading into unconsciousness.

One day later…

Ruka felt so warm when he awakened that at first he simply wanted to return to the comfort of sleep. Despite this, he cracked his eyes open for a split second; just long enough to take in the basic subject of his surroundings. He was in a white room, and a woman with long fawn colored hair sat crying next to his bed. Sakura… The alice stone… he slowly began to recall everything.

How long had he been out? Where was the alice stone of Sakura's son? He was free of pain now; did that mean Imai had cured him of the shadowy marks that had been nearly engulfing his skin?

Reading himself to face a distraught Sakura, Ruka lifted his eye lids. At first she didn't realize he had awakened for her face was in her hands, through her tears she murmured that same word, "why?" again and again.

~Mikan's POV

Why is it that you continue to care? This 'care' is breaking my heart.

Mikan was hesitant to look up, with her face in her hands it felt like she could escape from the world. But she knew that reality would always find her no matter where she tied to hide. But when she looked up Ruka's clear blue eyes were open, she flinched, half ready to hide again. She could cover her ears perhaps, for she knew whatever he would tell her would hurt. What can I do? I am so afraid… why, why does he refuse to hate me, even after all I've done?

"What are you afraid of, Sakura, what is it that's making you cringe like that?"

Had he read her mind? Mikan wondered, realizing that she herself couldn't describe why or what exactly she feared, all she knew was that she felt terror. Too shocked for words, all she could do was wait for him to continue.

"Am I what is scaring you? If that's the case perhaps I can ask Imai-san where his sister is so you can stay with her instead of sticking with me, would that make you happy?" Ruka continued, a fragment of sorrow in his voice.

Hotaru. How on earth did he think facing her would be any easier than facing him? Her voice was still lost in shock, so Mikan simply shock her head. Ruka's crystal blue gaze darted away, as if he was afraid to look Mikan in the eyes. After a few long moments his eye returned to her, he drew in a breath and and began to speak.

"Okay, Sakura," Ruka paused. "Just promise me one thing. Promise me you'll give life a second chance, promise me you'll try to live despite the fact that Natsume isn't with us."

Mikan froze, caught by surprise. How could he ask this of her? He was being so cruel! He knew she would never be able to learn to forget Natsume, not ever! She sighed, carefully preparing her answer and pulling together her composure.

"And if I can't promise you that?" Mikan began weakly. "How can you even ask me that? Do you even realize what you're asking? You're asking me to forget Natsume!"

"No, Sakura. That isn't at all what I mean." Ruka responded, quiet but firm. "I know you'll always love Natsume, no matter what my feelings for you are." Mikan froze as his voice cracked when he said 'Natsume' and 'my'. "What I'm asking is for you to not give up, I'm sure Natsume would want the same."

Struggling to hold in tears, Mikan barely managed to speak. "Why… why! Why can't you just hate me!" She cried, beginning to feel light headed. Ruka smiled softly.

"Because I love you." He said simply. A long silence followed, finally Mikan found her voice, and her resolve.

"Okay." She said very quietly. "I'll try living."

So there you have it. Now I have an important announcement. Lately I haven't really been into this story, in fact I've been thinking about dropping it. But not yet. I'm going to at least try to finish it. But, if I do decide discontinue this in the future, any of you are more than welcome to finish this fic. If you'd be interested, just so in a review.

Thank you! please review!

~Tsubame-go