When Ash woke up again a storm was raging outside. As if mirroring the tumult of feelings boiling inside of him. Hope and happiness, desperation and fear, frustration and disheartenment, comfort and worry. How fitting, Ash thought sarcastically.

Dark blue clouds were covering the formerly bright azure sky. Joining hands with the fading and weak glow of the sun hiding in the background it seemed as if the sky was bleeding. The gloomy play of the elements flooded his room, seemingly pulling him back to the sinister world he belonged to.

Eiji wasn't here anymore. Well, of course he wasn't... Although he had promised him he would be. I'll be right here. His expression then had been filled with so much compassion and worry that he had been so close to believing him. It was selfish of him, he knew, but deep inside he had hoped Eiji would still be right here at his side, but... He wondered why Eiji would even stay for someone like him? Such an amazing person as Eiji could be easily friends with anyone. He was kind, warm-hearted, compassionate and so pure and innocent... So why would he choose a heartless creature of darkness like him, a devil, a murderer? It made no sense why he wanted to stay by his side. His logical mind painfully reminded him that Eiji staying close to him was just wishful thinking.

Fuck, he had nearly killed Eiji, even failing to protect him! He was the reason why he could barely walk and was tied to a damn wheel chair!! He should keep his distance from Eiji. It was better that way. He would only drag him down into the darkness with him, getting him killed eventually. He just couldn't do that to him...

However, after that final reckless stunt he had pulled...he'd surely never forgive him anyway... Eiji had probably only waited until he was waking up and once he had seen that he was alright he'd left for Japan again. He only hadn't told him so because Eiji was too nice a person and didn't want to upset him in his pathetic state.

Damn, he had never expected Eiji of all people to find him while bleeding out. He used to always plan five steps ahead of time but for once he hadn't bothered knowing he'd be dying soon anyway. So the worst-case scenario of Eiji finding him was one he hadn't seen coming at all... Holy shit, how could he have done that to him? He was the worst person ever. No wonder Eiji wasn't here anymore...

Totally lost in thought he nearly jumped when Max entered his room again, cursing at the pain the sudden movement had caused. Shit, he had never even heard him come in ... he really wasn't up to his game! He really hated being caught off guard. Talk about an easy target...on the streets he would have been long dead by now...

All this medication was really fucking up his usually sharp mind...Ash hated feeling so pathetic and useless but he hated even more having to rely on others for help.

"Are you all right? You look really pale." Max said, suddenly concerned. When he saw Ash's face twisted in pain, trying to lie back down again, realization hit him. "You never heard me come in, did you?" He looked taken aback and worried.

"Shut up! I'm fine.", he said stubbornly, green eyes boring holes into the ceiling above him. After a moment he admitted reluctantly "But I still don't have complete control over my body. It's making me nervous."

"Don't worry. No one knows you're here. This is a private hospital of an old Army buddy of mine. It's safe.", he assured him. "Only a few selected people know you're here." Ash still looked doubtful, already thinking ahead of every worst-case scenario. After a short silence he asked the question he had always been curious about:

"So, tell me, Dad", Ash laughed bitterly, "how the hell could you let Eiji escape from the airport? He could be safe by now, you know? In Japan. Far away from me."

Ash's green eyes filled up with true regret, crossing his arms over his chest in defiance. Even while severely injured Ash only worried about Eiji, not caring about himself at all. Eiji had reacted exactly the same way when he had been badly wounded. The irony wasn't lost on Max...He smiled. If Ash could only be a bit more honest with himself and just admit how much he cared for Eiji, it would make things so much easier. He sighed dramatically.

"So time for smalltalk with your "dad" is over, I see...", Max answered with a sardonic smile running away from his face, trying to lighten up the frosty atmosphere. The dark blue storm clouds outside devouring the sun's warmth weren't helping.

A moment later he got serious again. "I honestly never thought Eiji could escape in a fucking wheel chair.", he admitted uneasily, guilt apparent in his eyes while nervously running a hand through his hair. "And besides, you of all people should be really grateful that he did escape. You'd be dead by now if it weren't for Eiji.", he added bluntly, frowning down at him in frustration.

"Maybe that wouldn't be such a bad thing...", Ash said more to himself, looking out of the window. The rain clouds appeared even more threatening now and the outside world seemed to drown in pitch-black darkness.

"Are you fucking serious?!", Max grew even more agitated while gripping his shoulders forcing Ash to face him. The hurt reflected in his features made Ash actually flinch and lowering his gaze.

"You wouldn't say that if you had seen Eiji desperately applying direct pressure to your wound while being severely injured himself." Max's furious eyes mirrored the raging storm outside. "He could barely stand, his face was glistening with sweat and tears were running down his pale face.", Max's stare shot arrows coated in pain and hurt at him, still shivering while remembering that situation in vivid pictures in his mind.

"He did what?!" Ash's green eyes were glowing fiercely with pure horror. He got so worked up that he moved too fast. All of this was coming as a shock to him since he had no recollection at all of the past events. He suddenly grimaced with pain, clutching his side and turning white as a ghost. Max gently pushed him down again and told him to lie still. Max knew he'd get upset but there was no gentle way of telling him. If it concerned Eiji he would get upset anyway. But someone had to tell that idiot that Eiji had actually risked his own life while saving him. Or Ash would never understand how much he meant to Eiji. Ash confirmed this by asking incredulously "How – How could he do that?", color slowly returning to his ashen face. "What about his own injury?", Ash's eyes were tormented by guilt and worry.

"Eiji didn't care for his own injury. Or even noticed. He only remained standing thanks to the adrenaline rush running through his veins. According to Sing Eiji was scared to death when seeing you. But he didn't hesitate for long and tried desperately to stop the bleeding. Eiji had to be in pain as well, you know." Ash's downcast eyes were overflowing with regret, his hands tightening into fists. Max sat on the side of his bed, looking directly at him. "Eiji didn't notice anyone else around him. All attempts to get him to let go of you were in vain. You know how stubborn Eiji can be when it comes to you. His eyes were on fire, burning golden with an unbreakable resolve, dead set on saving you. Protecting you. At all costs." Ash was at a loss for words. Feeling his chest tightening, he was clutching it firmly, breathing really hard. Max's words had turned into a thousand daggers boring directly into his bleeding heart. Ash wanted to tell Max to stop talking but he couldn't find his voice again. So Max gave him the final blow that he obviously deserved. At least Ash felt that way by now. "Eiji was risking his life for you. You realize that, don't you, Ash?" Ash slowly nodded, an arm covering his eyes, a silent tear running down his cheek.

"He never left your side. Only when you had been taken care of at the hospital, he finally collapsed. I don't even know how he managed to stay conscious in his state until then.", Max admitted. "That boy will do anything for you. When will you finally get that?" Max asked incredulously. "You're really dense sometimes for someone this smart." Ash just smiled sadly up at him.

"So...Where is he now? Obviously he's not here anymore. Finally decided to leave me after all I've put him through, huh? Can't really blame him..." Although it was selfish of him he had still hoped Eiji would still be close by when waking up. Not that he'd admit that to Max. Instead he hid behind his walls of indifference. "That's the first smart thing he's done so far. Staying away from me." He concluded stubbornly, a bitter smile on his lips.

"Ash, of course he didn't leave! He'd never do that to you." He pointed at him, a storm of frustration overpowering his eyes. "You're really a lost cause, you know that?",he scolded him, a look of resignation on his face. "After what I've just told you, you should know better! Were you even listening to me?" Max said, clearly disappointed.

Despite hearing those harsh words happiness made Ash's jade green eyes shine like emeralds for a fraction of a second. His blonde hair shimmered golden touched by the bright sunshine after the storm and the clouds both had slowly taken their leave, freeing Ash from the gloomy darkness around him. Eiji was still here after all.

But then his sadness returned when realizing his hopeless situation again. That violence would always follow him everywhere. That he would never be able to achieve complete freedom. That he'd never be able to take off into the air leaving all his baggage behind like Eiji had done. There was no way out for him, his life was a one-way street directly leading to a dead-end.

"Eiji should go to Japan like he had planned. I'll just mix him up in violence and warfare again. Or I'd bring the violence to Japan. I can't do that to him. He'll only suffer as long as he stays by my side." It had sounded much more convincing in his mind. Now it sounded like a computer generated automatic response. Like he was saying it on autopilot. Max saw what he tried to do and asked sadly "Are you trying to convince me or yourself?" Heaving a sigh in frustration he simply asked "What do you want me to say? As long as I have enemies looking for me we have no other choice but to lead separate lives. We. Not I. That was a start at least.

Max got up from the chair next to his bed and sat on the side of his bed again. He wanted to be at the same eye level when he told him the next part.

"Ash, you now have a once-in-a-lifetime chance to turn your life around. You've officially been confirmed dead, so no one will look for you anymore."Max was smiling warmly at him.

"Huh?" Ash's empty stare told Max he had no clue what he was talking about. "What do you mean?", he asked bewildered.

"Here you go. "He gave him the latest New York Tribune. "I asked my boss to let me publish another article about gangs in New York and I incidentally confirmed your death at the public library as well. Besides I told you that this hospital belongs to an Army buddy of mine. I saved his ass so many times over there that he agreed to fake your death and signed the official papers for it. So, congratulations, gang leader Ash Lynx is officially deceased now. Again. Your enemies won't be looking for you anymore. You're free.", he explained to him. Ash still looked skeptical. "Seems too easy for me. They won't give up that easily. You can't be that naive." He wanted to believe that he was finally free, but he had already played out various options and worst-case scenarios in his mind. He just couldn't help it.

"You forget that most of your enemies already think you're dead. Or they will at least believe it now. The New York Tribune carries a lot of weight in the media world. If they publish it people will take it at face value. Oh, and you'll need this now that you're dead.", he said, handing him a small package.

"It's a farewell gift from your former teacher." Ash eyed the package and then him suspiciously. "Stop glaring at me like that and just open it.", Max complained.

After some hesitation Ash reluctantly opened it. Inside was an ID card and a passport with a new name. They both looked genuine or at least flawlessly and professionally faked.

"Why?", Ash asked immediately, already wondering what favor he had to carry out as repayment. Max was actually laughing at him. "Ash, you know why. Don't play dumb with me, ok?" Ash smirked up at him, crossing his arms.

"But how did you even get those? Last I knew you're neither a spy nor a criminal mastermind. Even if you have a safe house at the docks."

"Blanca."Ash's eyes slipped him a curious glance, then suddenly frowned. "Oh, right."Max had already told him that it was a gift from Blanca. His mind was apparently going in slow motion today. He didn't like that. Or maybe he was just tired.

"But you don't even know Blanca. How would you contact him?" As always Ash was looking for the ulterior motive behind his words. Or behind Blanca's actions. Maybe Blanca wanted his help with some mission for the passport? He never received gifts without strings attached to it. "I get that you probably did it just for me. Whatever the reason... But what does Blanca want in return? I never get gifts without having to repay the favor eventually." There was shock and disgust on Max's face. He knew what Ash was hinting at. And was that...worry?

"There really isn't a catch. Blanca has already returned to the Caribbean. Sing handled the rest. Seems he forced Yut-Lung to ask Blanca for help."

"That bitch would never help me! He fucking hates me! And he hates Eiji even more!" Ash growled, his jade green eyes flaming up with pure hatred. He winced again.

"Don't get so worked up every time. Just lay still, goddammit! Max scolded him.

"Apparently Sing can handle him. Seems Yut-Lung has a soft spot for him. Sing was really shocked seeing you bleeding out in that library and learning that it was Lao who had stabbed you. He blamed himself for that and wanted to help. So he talked some sense into Yut-Lung, mainly that you and Eiji nearly dying was his fault to begin with and to put things right again. Make it up to you.", he explained in more detail.

Ash still didn't look convinced at all. "Stop looking for an ulterior motive. Sing promised that Yut-Lung won't interfere. According to him Yut-Lung doesn't see you as an enemy anymore. He was just jealous of your relationship with Eiji.

You don't have to use these documents but keep them just in case. Maybe you'll need them sooner than you think." Having a devilish grin on his face, he winked at him. Ash just rolled his eyes dramatically.

"Honestly, Ash, just do yourself a favor and talk to Eiji, all right? And I mean really talk to him. About everything. He'll tell you the whole story. But after that stunt you pulled he'll never leave your side again. That's for sure...", he told him while leaving his room, looking back at him. Max wondered when Ash would understand how much he meant to Eiji. He secretly hoped Eiji would get mad and tell him what a big idiot he was. And then ask him to come to Japan with him.

Ash just stared at him, wide-eyed. And then he stubbornly faced the other way, hiding from Max the smile that was slowly spreading across his face.