This Desolate Existence (boy x boy) COMPLETED

Part 14

A/N: My lovely cookies, this is part 14! This story is coming along so great! Don't worry, though, I have so many more chapters planned. I can't believe how it's developed. I never expected all the twists and turns it's taken. Poor Ranmaru, he's going through so much. Will he be able to keep living? You'll just have to keep reading to find out. ;P 

Finally, it seems we've outrun our pursuers. We all stop to catch our breath. Corporal winces, clutching his side. That's when I notice the deep slash that's freely bleeding. I grab a roll of cloth and quickly wrap it around him, tying it tight enough that the bleeding will hopefully stop. He's lost a lot already, I'm surprised he's still standing.

"We won't be able to sleep tonight. We need to get back to base. At least one of us." He locks eyes with the four of us in turn. "Do you understand? If I tell you to run, even if you have to leave me or someone else, don't you hesitate. The General needs to know about what transpired. It may just help our efforts."

Blandly, I say, "Of course we understand. Team 2-C has to live on, even if there's only one of us left. There has to be someone to remember them all. They can't be forgotten and lost in history as simply some kids who died. They were my friends and someone has to be there to remember that."

Takeshi nods. "I agree."

Tobio smiles. "They weren't just our friends. They were our brothers. Our brothers in arms."

"Alright, then. I'm glad you at least have a reason to keep going," Corporal says. Kotaro just stands there mutely. I can't even look at him. We push on, although we're all tired and wounded at this point. We don't have much strength left, but we lean on each other. We combine our strength to make a wall to prop us up. 

"I froze," I whisper tearfully. Takeshi and Tobio turn to me. "When he came at me, my limbs wouldn't work. I couldn't even feel my fingers. I just froze. If I hadn't...if only I would've lifted my sword...Yayoi wouldn't...he wouldn't..." I can't continue.

"It wasn't your fault," Takeshi says. "He died for you. Haven't you figured it out yet?"

"Huh?"

He sighs and Tobio takes over. "We promised, didn't we? We promised to follow you straight into the fire. We promised we'd die for you. Because you're the only one who can change this world, Ran. We'll give our lives so that you can see your wish fulfilled."

Tears spring to my eyes for the millionth time. "I don't deserve your undying loyalty. I've gotten everyone else killed because they believed in me."

"No, they died because of their faith in you. None of this is your fault." Suddenly, Corporal falls, a dagger protruding from his throat. As he hits the ground, I see Kotaro standing behind him. The look in his eyes is one I've only seen once before. When he tried to claim me and I refused him. Kotaro snatches the Corporal's clothes.

"Kotaro, what are you doing?" Takeshi asks.

Kotaro replaces his clothes with Corporal's. "I'm stealing his rank. It's such a pain to work my way to the top. So, I'll just kill my way there. Now, stay out of my way. Ranmaru and I are leaving." He turns to me, a hand held out towards me.

"You can go to Hell," Takeshi snarls, standing in front of me. "You can't just do this. I won't let you steal. Not after you killed our Corporal. You're not taking Ran, too."

"Get out of my way."

"NO!" Kotaro leaps at Takeshi and they begin fighting. I don't know what to do. If I get in the middle of this, I'll risk getting injured. But I can't let them do this. Takeshi could die and I can't sit here and watch it happen. Not again. Out of nowhere, Tobio lunges into the fray.

"Wait!" I yell. I can't tell who's who or what's going on. Finally, they stop moving. Takeshi is on the ground, bleeding from several places. Kotaro raises his sword, but Tobio leaps at him. They tumble to the ground, rolling around. "Kotaro, stop it!" I have to do something, anything. "Please stop!" Takeshi joins the two again. My heart is tearing apart. My last friends are going to die in front of me and there's nothing I can do about it.

Kotaro stands up, victorious. "Now stay down. If you get back up, I won't hesitate to end you." He turns back to me as I rush over to my fallen brothers. "Now, we should be leaving, Ran."

I glare furiously at him through my sobs. "I'm not going anywhere with you!" I scream. "You think I'd just follow you after what you did to my friends, my brothers?!"

He looks take aback. His hand slowly draws back. "But..."

"You took all I had left! You're crazy! Stay away from me, I don't want anything to do with you!"

"Ran..."

"I HATE YOU! LEAVE ME ALONE AND NEVER COME BACK!" I check Takeshi's pulse as I hear Kotaro step back. I don't feel anything, he's gone.

"Fine. I'll leave by yourself. Don't expect me to be happy when you come running back to me." I ignore him and his footsteps recede. I cradle Tobio's body in my arms. The only one I have left.

"Ran..." Tobio gasps.

"Shh, don't try to talk, Tobi."

"I'm...sorry..."

"It's not your fault."

"There's something...I never told...you...I was...too afraid...to say it...out loud..."

"What? What is it?"

"I...love you..." He smiles weakly. "I'm...in love...with you...I have been...for a while...but I didn't want...to ruin...our friendship..." He coughs before continuing. I don't want to hear anymore, but I stay quiet. "Then I found out...you loved Shuhei...I definitely...couldn't tell you then...I was weak...and stupid...forgive me..."

"Tobi..." I weep. 

"Don't cry...for me...I'm going to see...father again...and our brothers...but I want you...to promise me...something..."

"What is it? I'll promise anything."

"Live...for us...don't let them...forget Team 2-C...and achieve...your dream...so you can...live and be happy...like we never can...be happy, Ran..." His head falls back and his last breath rattles from his lungs.

"Tobi, don't leave me! Please come back! DON'T DIE AND LEAVE ME ALONE! TOBI!" I can't utter anything more. Any other words I try to speak come out garbled. The only discernible thing is Tobio's name. I'm not sure how long I sit there, weeping even after all my tears have dried up. Eventually, I manage to collect myself. I want to bury their bodies, but I have no way to. So, I do the only thing I can. I create a funeral pyre and I burn their bodies. My eyes are dry and empty as I watch the flames lick up the wood and clothing. I'll keep living, just like I promised. I'll protect my heart and prevent anyone else from hurting it. That's how I'll be happy.