A/N: There's about two more chapters left to go until the conclusion/epilogue! I'm excited that this is actually going to be finished =]
Reviews are greatly appreciated and for all you who have continued reading, thanks for your support!
Matsuda gripped the pistol tightly between his fingers. So far, no one disturbed them. He leaned against the door, breathing softly. Gun shots continued to echo, piercing his ears until he thought he'd explode. Most of his fellow captors surrounding him all held solemn, frozen faces, waiting for their turn to die; hope glimmered in only a few eyes, including Soichiro's.
He lost his daughter and possibly his son, but somehow he was able to spit at the face of death. A thin arm wrapped around his hips as his wife wept on his shoulder. Sachiko wasn't strong like her husband, but she never hid it. Matsuda did, though. He yearned for Sheriff Yagami's courage and strength.
And compared to Aiber, Matsuda was nothing.
He bowed his head, suddenly grief-stricken. The man had so little, yet he sacrificed it for a few lives with a smile on his face. He accepted his fate willingly, as long as he fought the good fight. Matsuda's gun trembled in his hands as a tear rolled down his cheek. He immediately turned from the group, hiding his shame.
Someone's burly arm wrapped around him. In a gruff voice, Sheriff Yagami muttered, "Don't take it to harshly, Sheriff. We're gonna be just fine, aw'right?"
Matsuda nodded softly, glancing at Soichiro. The man looked broken, yet there he stood, comforting Matsuda. Shame and embarrassment pierced Matsuda's heart. "I know," he answered back. "We're all gonna be okay."
Suddenly, something slammed against the door. Gasps rang through the crowd as they began to bustle away from the entrance. Another bang tore one of the hinges off. Matsuda inched toward the window, peering out to the front. Sure enough, several men stood at the doorway, tossing their body to break it down. And they didn't look too friendly.
The group was deathly silent. Matsuda whispered loud enough, "Everyone shuffle on to the back. We're gonna be aw'right, just get away from the door." He glanced at Sheriff Yagami and Deputy Mogi. "We'll hold them off," he grinned weakly at them.
"Damn right we will," Mogi chimed.
"Give those bastards what they deserve," Sheriff Yagami's face hardened as the door off the hinge. The three, plus a few others with weapons, braced themselves and aimed their pistols at the door. As soon as one man's head peaked through the crack, they all pulled the trigger. The man toppled over, his face mutilated.
The group behind the man obviously hesitated at the sight of their fallen comrade, but it didn't stop them. They began to pour in, greeted by heavy fire. Bullets flew across the room as both groups ducked for cover. Matsuda suddenly realized they were highly out numbered. He glanced behind him, spotting the captives cowering in the back of the other room. Without thinking, he jumped up from his place and ran full force towards the other crowd.
He didn't plan what he would do, he just knew to do it. He plummeted into the unsuspecting men, knocking them onto the ground. Before the others could react, he jumped up and began to shoot as fast as possible. The distraction provided Sheriff Yagami and his men with the full advantage.
Matsuda knocked men's hands away as they tried to aim at him and dove for their feet when he had the possibility. Sherrif Yagami watched in shock as Matsuda took down a whole army. His fingers never left the trigger, though.
Fists slammed into Matsuda's cheeks and head, but he continued to fight, shooting, and biting, and kicking. Suddenly, being a hero didn't seem so difficult. He smiled triumphantly at the bodies of men scattered at his feet.
"Damn," he laughed. "Now that's an adrenaline rush for ya!"
Before he could head back to the group, though, one final man stepped through the doorway and pulled the trigger. The shooter immediately collapsed as Sheriff Yagami pelted him with bullets.
Matsuda glanced down at the new wound spouting blood on his gut. "Oh," he murmured. He never gave his life a second thought; there were too many other's at stake. He crumpled to the floor, suddenly overwhelmed with pain. "Ohh," he moaned.
Sheriff Yagami and Deputy Mogi scooped him up and brought him to the back room, closing the door behind them. Then, Matsuda's vision began to go hazy. It felt as if they were ripping his close straight off his torso. Then, someone placed pressure on the stinging wound.
"I did good," Matsuda moaned, chuckling slightly. They weren't very heroic last words, but they were good enough for Matsuda. At least he would die a hero.
The ride felt excruciatingly long. Light breathed steadily, sprawled out amongst the hay on the wagon. Lawliet crouched near him, resting his hands on his knees. His large eyes never left Light's. He almost seemed to be studying him. Light fingered a piece of hay, smiling to himself. Mello repetitively provided him with morphine, sending Light into strange, yet intoxicating comas.
He glanced toward Lawliet, unaware of the large smile spread across his lips. Lawliet cocked his head and asked how Light felt, although it sounded too drawn out to be just one question. Light attempted to answer, but instead groaned in response.
The sun glittered against Lawliet's pale skin. Light reached a trembling hand towards him, wishing to touch his soft skin. Another hand immediately smacked him away. He moved his gaze towards Mello, who sat quietly besides him. Mello shot Light a warning look, as if to remind him Beyond would throw a tantrum. Light retreated his hand, but let himself admire Lawliet some more.
Light would do anything for him.
"How are you feelin'?" Mello nudged Light, bringing him back to the harsh reality.
"Fine," Light mumbled.
"Lawliet's been tryin' to talk to you for hours, but you just been droolin' all over the place."
Light sat up, cringing from the pain. Lawliet had fallen asleep, curled amongst the barrels of hay. Pieces stuck from his hair. Light began to pluck them out carefully, watching Lawliet's face intently. Suddenly, Lawliet's eyes snapped open.
He gazed solemnly up at Light and muttered, "It's going to be okay, Light."
Lawliet, who rarely perceived the world optimistically, somehow provided Light all the comfort he needed with those few words. Light didn't question Lawliet's assurance, but continued to clean his messy head. He smelt like hay and Lawli; the Lawli he'd known as a boy. When they went camping together, the strong scent always soothed Light and this situation was no different.
"Let's just look up at the sky and watch clouds again," Light murmured, suddenly realizing how delusional the statement sounded. But Lawliet seemed to understand. He placed a bony finger gently on Light's neck, tracing it absentmindedly.
Light hesitantly backed off as the wagon began to slow down. Mello sat against a barrel of hay, gazing up towards the clouds. The carriage came to a halt. Beyond jumped out to the back and smirked at the group.
"According to Light's directions, we're almost here. The trail ahead is too rough, though, so we must walk."
It was difficult for Light to pull himself to his feet. He stumbled slightly, catching his balance. Before he even got off the wagon, he was out of breath. But he never complained in fear of Beyond's reaction.
The four headed towards the valley which Light so vividly remembered. His eyes met Lawliet's as Light hobbled to keep up. Lawliet gazed apologetically towards him, nearly pleading. Of course Light forgave him; survival was important.
Besides, a strange inkling told him Lawliet had a trick up his sleeve. After all, neither he nor Lawliet would succumb and lose to such a worthless bastard. With that, Light began to devise escape plans and ways to imprison Beyond without killing him. But, it was no use. His body failed him when he needed it most. The beatings intensely handicapped him. If he was lucky, Beyond would keep him alive a bit longer so he could build his strength...
Behind Beyond's back, Light stretched his fingers toward Lawliet's, brushing them slightly. The world, even in it's desperate moments, was beautiful. It needed work and uncorrupted, knowledgeable leaders, but Light believed peace was possible. If all this ends and they're still left standing, Light vowed to show Lawliet how extraordinary human kind could be.
Lawliet just needed to forgive the world for it's sins. A strange thought suddenly gnawed at Light's mind. "Do you forgive yourself?"
He could practically see all their faces. How he watched as their eyes froze over, completely void of a soul. He would breathe in their last gasp of breath, thinking they deserved death. A few lives to save millions. His stomach churned. It was never his place to decide.
'No,' he thought. 'I supposed I don't.'