Salty tears streamed down his deeply scratched cheeks, burning insanely. His legs were ready to give in any moment, but he pushed himself. His heart and lungs were ready to burst. The winter weather did not lessen the pain. Puffs of his erratic breathing misted in front of him. Why am I still running? he wonders, trying to keep his pace, hasten it, if he can. Is he still behind me? Quickly, he peered behind him. His eyes widened, worried and shocked that he couldn't see a thing. There was a light curtain of fog obscuring everything around him. Fog of all things! During winter no less! I have to get out of here! He ran and ran, until finally, he tripped. He scrambled to get up but ended up slipping back onto the ground. Sadly, the ground was layered with a thin sheet of ice, so getting back up was useless. He struggled to get back on his feet, limbs flailing at every attempt. "Tenth? Are you there?" His blood froze from hearing the voice. Hurriedly, he started his earlier attempts again, but the voice got closer. "Tenth? Are you all right? Answer me, Tenth. Please." He decided staying still was his safest option; besides, the fog will most likely hide him just enough. "Tenth?" If he wasn't already, he froze again. Paralyzed. The voice's owner war RIGHT THERE. So close. He had to keep silent. "Tenth? Where are you?" The voice faded as it moved farther from him. He waited a few more seconds before releasing the breath he held. He lay there on the icy ground, tired. Exhausted. He had just escaped death again.
But...maybe he thought that too soon.
Dead cold fingers wrapped around his lithe neck, the grip just loose enough to be able to breathe. "Tenth, why didn't you answer me?" He didn't respond. He couldn't. Too dangerous. "Tenth, answer me." No. He won't. "Answer me, please, Tenth." He just can't. A yelp escaped his lips as he was suddenly-and forcefully-flipped around to face his capturer. Those dead cold fingers still in that vice like grip. Hazy green eyes narrowed dangerously at him. "I said. Answer. Me," he growled. "..." he remained silent. Too afraid to do anything really. The grip tightened. His breathing hitched. He began to panic, making his breathing worse. His heart staggered. If this continued he would most certainly-"S-stop."
"Hm? I'm sorry, Tenth. Did you say something?" He couldn't take it. He needed air! "STOP! PLEASE!" he choked. Fresh tears began to leak down the corners of his eyes. It stung his cheeks again. "Tenth..." he was released from the grip, and dropped to the ground. He inhaled sharply and coughed. "Tenth! I'm so sorry! Please forgive me!" Those narrowed eyes had softened in concern. He started to crawl away, still trying to catch his breath. "Te-"
"Get away from me!" The sudden shout hurt his throat.
"Tenth, please-"
"Get away!" He slapped those pale hands as they reached out for him. "Just get away! Why can't you get away? ! Why, Gokudera?" A hand lurched forward. He shut his eyes when his cheek met the hard ice underneath. "Why don't you answer my questions first, Tenth?" The voice murmured darkly, lifting his face away from the ground to face him.
"..." Again, he couldn't answer. The grip on his hair tightened, but those eyes softened once again. "Do I scare you, Tenth?" The voice sounded hurt.
"...yes," he answered finally. He winced when the other hand placed itself on his scathed cheek. He squeezed his eyes shut to keep the tears from falling. He bit his lip to keep from screaming. A finger rubbed lightly on the raw skin, breaking the small blood clot; soon, fresh blood began leaking. "Why do I scare you, Tenth?" Another finger was added to the 'caresses'. "Answer me, Tenth." The caresses got rougher. "Tenth." Now they were digging. "Look at me." Clawing. He could feel the blood run down to his neck. "Look at me, Tenth." No, he can't. He won't! "Look at me!" His head was shoved into the ground. "LOOK. AT. ME!" His head smacked the ice over and over. A large quantity of blood poured from his head. The slams didn't cease, and he accidently opened his eyes. He let his tears flow as he took in the sad sight.
There, in front of him, was an old cherished friend. A friend whom he shared laughs with. A friend who was there for him always. But soon that friend became too overprotective. Obsessed. His murderer...Gokudera...The pain long since faded. He was dizzy. Tired. Very tired. But he won't be anymore.
The morning sun slowly poked its orangey halo out onto the white, white snow. Snow, where in a secluded area, was lathered with crimson red blood. And as soon as the fog lifted, the body of a youth could be seen. His eyes sockets empty, and his cheeks wet from tears.