I cried while writing this chapter and I don't cry for just anything! LOVE IT, DAMMIT! It's my most favorite chapter yet! And don't forget what I said about the use of color to enhance the feel of the scenes! It comes into major play here!

Courage of One, Love From Another

Just minutes after Levi had drawn the Hunters away from Toushiro-

Ichigo: "Toushiro!"

Toushiro looked up just as Ichigo, Vegeta and the others all ran towards him with Ali leading the way. He was safe... But...

Rangiku: "Captain!"

Gohan: "Hang in there."

Toushiro: "I'm fine-I'm fine! Vegeta! You must hurry!"

Vegeta: "Why- what's wrong?"

Toushiro: "It's Levi! Those things are after him!-"

Vegeta: "What?!"

Toushiro: "He lured those things away to protect me! Now they're after him!"

Vegeta: "Which way?!"

Toushiro: "That way (points east)! I think he's heading for the cliffs!"

Vegeta didn't waste any time in turning around and dashing off!

Val: "Hurry, Vegeta! You must get to him before those Hunters do!"

Levi was already miles away with the creatures hot on his tail! The soldier was running as hard and fast as he could go, just barely staying ahead of the alien creatures. A web of tree roots blocked his path, but Levi squeezed his way through them. Not far behind the Hunters just smashed their way through! Poor Levi was doing everything he could think of to throw the Hunters off his trail. He slid down a steep embankment and ran upstream of the creek. But the Hunters still followed. The soldier ran past the home of the rukon districts best known brother and sister, the Shiba Clan. Kūkaku and Ganju heard the commotion and came outside in time to see Levi run passed.

Ganju: "Hey, isn't that Levi?"

Kūkaku thought it was odd to see him running so hard and heard a noise just beyond the bushes. Four Hunters suddenly appeared and both of them ducked inside!

Ganju: "We're dead... we are so dead!"

The first Hunter ran passed.

Kūkaku: "Quiet, Ganju! They're not after us, they're after Levi!"

The second ran by.

Kūkaku: "We've gotta help him!"

The third dashed by.

Ganju: "Hey! I have an idea!"

Ganju stood up and whistled. Just as the fourth Hunter was just reaching the house, Ganju's giant boar Bonnie charged forward and smashed her tusks against the Hunter! The Hunter was nocked out of the chase instantly.

Ganju: "That's my girl!"

Kūkaku: "Not bad, Ganju."

One Hunter maybe down, but there were still three chasing Levi! The soldier leaped down into the old trench and hurried on, looking over his shoulder just in time to see the Hunters jump down into the trench too. Meanwhile, Vegeta came to a stop as he tried to pick up Levi's trail. He spotted the smashed tree roots the Hunters had crashed through and followed, now having picked up the trail again! Levi raced into Kusajishi, where the inhabitants were a little more than happy to see him again. Especially the head thug that was still waring that ugly porcupine cape.

Head Thug: "Well, well, well. Looky who's here!"

The thugs all ganged around Levi, not knowing the danger chasing him.

Head Thug: "Guess somebody didn't learn their lesson!"

Levi: "I learned plenty!"

Levi stomped on the loose floor board with all his weight! The lead thug was sent flying up into the sky and Levi dashed off again. The thugs all suddenly noticed the Hunters and hid. But then the Hunter in front shrieked and yelped when the airborne thug landed back first onto the beasts back, the porcupine quill cape sinking into the creature's backside. The beast threw off the thug and lay defeated on the ground while the thug himself was a little more stunned by what had just happened. A few miles away, Vegeta found Kūkaku and Ganju carrying a dead Hunter.

Vegeta: "Where's Levi?!"

Kūkaku: "That way, hurry!"

Kūkaku pointed the way and Vegeta ran off towards that direction, hearing Kūkaku shout out that there were still three more on his tail. Thunder roared across the sky as the storm clouds continued moving on, heading towards the same place Levi was. The solider stopped at the edge of a calm river, its waters now building up power and speed from the rain beyond them. He crossed the river and headed towards the east, towards the cliffs. If he could reach them, he'd have a fighting chance. But to get to them, there was one thing in his way. He stopped just at the edge of the Red Meadow. He hesitated, fearing the open forbidden land. After all it had been the heart of his problems for the past few months. He didn't want to cross it, but it was the shortest path to the cliffs and it was too late to double-back. With the Hunters closing in, their barks and roars standing out against the approaching thunder, Levi bravely ventured out into the field. The storm clouds rolled in as the soldier headed across the meadow, the tall red colored grass almost consuming him. Levi glanced back to see the Hunters right behind him... and then disappear. But Levi wasn't fooled. He knew they were still there, somewhere. The sky rumbled as the soldier ducked down into the long grass. Wind swept across the grass and rain began to pour. The Hunters circled around their human target. The wind, thunder and his own panting made it impossible to hear, and the rain made it hard to see. But Levi knew they were there. He just didn't know where. The Hunters slowly started stalking the soldier. Scared, Levi began to panic until he remembered something. As the Hunters started to move in slowly, Levi closed his eyes and concentrated on sensing them. The Hunters cut off the soldier from the right and left as they were just about on top of him. Despite his fear, the noise and the cold rain, Levi focused on finding the Hunters energy signals. At the last moment, Levi faintly sensed the Hunters... and jumped up and over them at the moment they tried to pounce on him! As the Hunters untangled themselves, the soldier made a mad dash for the other side. The thugs of Kusajishi looked on as Vegeta ran right through their village as the storm grew wilder. Out of the four Hunters, only two remained. So far Levi has done what most dared not to. The rain continued to pour as the soldier reached the foot of the cliffs. He's never been able to climb them without help, but with the Hunters close behind, the soldier started to climb them all on his own. The same river Levi and the Hunters had crossed raged wildly from the storm as Vegeta leaped across it effortlessly! Lightening flashed and thundered as halfway up the cliffs Levi stopped for a second to look back. The Hunters were closing in. Despite being out of breath, drenched to the bone and freezing cold, Levi continued on up as fast as he could climb regardlessly! Lightning streaked across the dark red sky with an angry crash and crack as Vegeta raced across the meadow Levi had just moments ago! The rocks were slippery and unstable but Levi continued on up regardless. He jumped across a shallow gap, almost loosing his balance as the rock underneath trembled slightly. But he regained his footing and hurried on. One Hunter made the same jump successfully. The Hunters roars and barks filled his ears as Vegeta raced up the cliffs, just seconds behind them! The second Hunter jumped over the same gap but the ledge crumbled underneath it and it fell. With that path no longer an option, the saiyan prince took another. He knew these cliffs better than anyone. But the second path was longer and Levi was running out of time. The soldier was climbing the steepest part of the cliff, hoping the Hunter couldn't follow. But the creature's claws helped it dig into the rock. The last Hunter eyed its prey hungrily. A sudden crash made Levi look up to see a bunch of rocks come loose and stop on a ledge. It gave him an idea and he climbed higher. The Hunter growled and bared its long fangs as Levi started hitting the loose rocks as hard as he could! All at once the rocks came loose and tumbled down the mountain side. Levi lost his footing and slid halfway down with them, landing on a narrow ledge just above where the Hunter disappeared with the rocks. The solider looked around but couldn't see the creature anywhere. He sighed exhaustedly with relief that it was over. He just continued to stare at the spot the last Hunter had disappeared at.

Only watch it pop up again.

Lightening flashed and thunder roared as Levi gasped and widened his eyes with fright! The last Hunter barked at him as it clawed the at the steep ledge, its bright red eyes gleaming. Levi watched helplessly as the Hunter jumped and clawed again and again at the cliff, every attempt bringing it closer and closer to him. What could he do? He couldn't fight it, he couldn't run from it. He was too tired, too cold, too scared! He was only human. Every jump got closer and closer. Vegeta slid to a stop on a ledge just above and out of reach of Levi.

Vegeta: "Levi!"

The saiyan prince could only look on helplessly in horror as the Hunter finally dug its claws into the ledge and pull itself up. Levi gasped as he watched the beast loom over him with hunger, lightening flashing off of its long fangs. But as the beast leapt forward, its claws aimed at the soldier, Levi's courage returned to him! The second the Hunter was over him, Levi rolled over and copied Vegeta's famous signature move and sent the beast hurling down the mountainside to its eventual death! The storm began to pass and Levi gazed down towards the bottom at the Hunter. Above him Vegeta gasped at what he had just seen... before sighing deeply with relief. The soldier gazed up at the saiyan above him. Vegeta leaned over the edge and reached out with his hand, offering to help the human soldier up. With a soft smile, Levi stood on his toes and reached up towards the prince's hand. He was almost there when they both suddenly heard rocks cracking and crumbling. The ledge crumbled away... and Levi fell to the bottom of the mountain.

Vegeta: "LEVI!"

With his cry still echoing, Vegeta quickly climbed down the mountain! A thick fog turned everything a gloomy grey as it covered the ground while the saiyan prince searched for the soldier. And then... almost hidden within the fog on a patch of grey dead grass... Vegeta found his limp body. Slowly the great saiyan approached. Not a muscle on Levi twitched as the last raindrops crashed against his skin.

Vegeta: "Levi?... Get up..."

No response.

Vegeta: "Get up! Get up right this sec-"

He caught himself. What was he doing? Anger was no good here. It never was. The prince sighed deeply and laid down next to the fallen frame in front of him. Everyone finally caught up and saw the scene before them. Hearts ached and lumps formed in throats as it began to dawn on them all what was before them. As he stared at the lifeless body in front of him, Vegeta looked back on what had led to this tragic point. Sorrow and heartache filled him as he realized the truth. He... was the one who had made the mistake...

From the very beginning...

The great saiyan leaned down and nuzzled the cold body gently... just before a single tear rolled down his cheek. Tears filled all eyes as Vegeta sat up and sighed before starting to leave...

There was no more he could do...

"Ve... geta..."

That small faint plea made the large mighty saiyan stop dead in his tracks. Vegeta gasped to himself silently and turned around. There... Levi lifted his head up weakly. It was remarkable. Levi had survived the fall... a fall that should have killed him. Shocked but relieved as well, Vegeta gasped with joy as he leaned back down to gently comfort the weak and injured soldier.

Vegeta: (Softly) "It's alright, Levi..."

As the clouds parted, a golden moon appeared in the calm starry night sky and lit up the world with its warm glow. When they realized that Levi was alive, Toushiro and the others slowly went over to them both as Vegeta's comforting words echoed against the warm golden moon.

"You're safe now..."