Tears leaked from my eyes and evaporated as soon as they ran down my blazing hot skin. My vision began to fail me, and as the darkness enveloped my senses, the last thing I saw was Ryuu's face as he called out to me. I couldn't hear, couldn't move, as if I was being crushed under a massive unseen pressure.

Terror seized my heart. I can't breathe...  I desperately gasped for air, fighting off the overwhelming sensations assailing my body. I need to regulate my breathing, remembering how that helped ease some of the pain last time. I shakily drew in a couple of breaths and tried to open my eyes.

The darkness began to fade slightly, and I could barely make out Ryuu's concerned face near mine.

"R-Ryuu…," I gasped in a raspy voice. I don't know why or how he is here, but I don't have anyone else who can help me. If this is what dying is like, I don't want any part of this anymore. Maybe he can put me out of my misery.

"Ryuu," I called out a bit more forcefully, "P-please... just kill me. I-I can't take it..."

Ryuu's expression instantly changed from concern to utter shock mixed with pity, "Takashi! I-I couldn't..." His words trailed off as his face showed a sudden and strange resolve.

Shouta pulled Ryuu back swiftly when he saw his expression.

"No, Ryuu. Don't even think about it," Shouta restrained Ryuu slightly, "You know what would happen to you."

Ryuu shook his head, and pushed Shouta off of him, "Yori can remove the defilement if it does spread to me." His face hardened, his choice clear.

As I gasped in pain at my boiling skin, Ryuu walked up and threw himself over me. My eyes widened in shock and I grimaced as he touched me, a slight mist I couldn't describe floating off my skin at the places he touched. I begged him to kill me, not throw himself over me. 

What the hell...

As I opened my mouth to plead with him to remove himself from me, a faint golden glow pulsed from Ryuu's body and slid to envelope the both of us. I stared in awe and terror as I watched it seal us inside.

My breathing I had worked soo hard to regulate began to become irratic again as I watched the warm light pulse off of Ryuu. My heart beat rapidly inside my chest. Looking down at Ryuu, I saw his face resting on my chest, his eyes closed, a calm expression covering his countenance.

Abruptly, as if someone was reaching deep inside my soul, I felt a tugging sensation and a thin, black smoke began to seep through my mouth. Startled, I cried out as it made it's way toward Ryuu. He opened his mouth and he accepted it as it slid in past his lips and out of sight. He grimaced, his soft features twisting slightly in pain. He continued to lay there, collapsed on me, as the light around us began to fade.

My heart suddenly felt somewhat lighter, my skin was cooling, and I didn't feel as if I was completely incapable of movement. I gasped softly and moved my fatigued arms to reach for Ryuu.

"H-hey... Ryuu…," My throat was like sandpaper as I croaked out the words.

Before I could reach for him, Shouta stomped over and scowled at me, almost as if he was territorial. He gently wrapped his arms around Ryuu and lifted him up into his strong embrace. He paused for a moment and looked deep into my eyes.

"Stay away from him from now on," His gaze pierced me as I lay there confused and motionless. Ryuu moaned softly, seeming to be sleeping and having a nightmare, causing Shouta to look down at him. His expression turned into a tender one as he brushed Ryuu's soft, golden hair out of his eyes.

"Wait...," I called as Shouta made his way to the door. He paused without looking back. "I-I have soo many questions... please..."

"Forget everything. We are done here. You shouldn't have any more problems."

"I can't..." I started, as he slammed the door before I could finish, "Forget..."

Why does my heart feel soo heavy... I am no longer in pain, but I feel like a part of me is missing and I just don't understand. 

I had soo many unanswered questions. I lay there, staring up at the ceiling and unconsciously put my hand where Ryuu's face had been resting moments before.

"Ryuu…"