This Is Gospel (ShimaxYukio)

53. One More Time

A/N: This chapter is sad.

They had been ambushed.

Shima had dragged himself across the ground, dodging rapid gunfire as he shielded Mugen's body with his own.

His ears were still ringing.

"Mu...we have to run. We're  outnumbered."

Silence was the only response that he received.

"Seriously? You want me to carry you?"

Shima chuckled into the crook of Mugen's neck.

"Okay. Just this once."

He lifted Mugen, drawing his gun to assist Kinzo in countering. There seemed to be only two gunmen, but Shima was certain that there was a sniper somewhere.

That's what Mugen was trying to tell him.

Kinzo managed to take out one and send the other into a retreat, giving Shima the opportunity to assess the area and pin down the sniper. There weren't any tall buildings or towers, just a shit ton of trees.

That's it. The trees!

He ducked down just in time to miss a bullet that nearly grazed his head, taking a wild aim to the highest tree in the area and squeezing the trigger until the clip emptied. There was a moment of silence before a loud thumping noise could be heard and a body tumbled down the branches.

"Renzo! Get in the fucking car!"

Kinzo was shoving him into the backseat, allowing him to drag Mugen along with him. The faux blonde sprinted around the car, throwing the dead driver out and taking the car for themselves. Once they were out onto the street, Kinzo spoke.

"Bro...are you okay?"

"I'm fine, but Mugen's hurt so please hurry so that we can get help for him."

Kinzo's brows knitted together and discomfort quickly flooded his features.

"Ren..."

"Please, Kin. He needs me."

Kinzo didn't say anything else simply because he was afraid that saying anything more would shatter his poor brother. When they lost Takezo, Shima hadn't dropped the slightest tear. He just pretended that Take never existed. Even then, whenever anyone brought it up, he would pretend that he hadn't the slightest clue of who they were talking about. It made their sisters extremely upset and Yaozo wanted for him to get help, but Juzo insisted that it would only serve to make things worse. It would seem, now, that Shima needed that help more than he needed comfort. He didn't seem to realize that Mugen was long gone.

It seemed like he would just pretend that Mugen was still alive. It broke Kinzo's heart.

"You'll have to wake up soon, Mugen. I'm not carrying you inside; you're too heavy, you know."

Shima leaned down, brushing his thumb against the samurai's  cold lips.

Then he smiled.

"Who am I kidding? I'd carry you anywhere if you just asked me. I'd do anything for you if you just asked me. You've done so much for me; how else could I repay you?"

Kinzo was crying, moving to roll up the partition so that Renzo couldn't see him. So that he couldn't see Renzo destroying himself. He had to call his father. Yaozo would know what to do.

#

Yukio sat in his kitchen with Ling, an awkward silence settling among them. Rin needed his rest and Bon had to work, so the teen was put on guard duty until Shima came back.