Hakuoki : Tale Of Yuki

Chapter 30 : Fleeting Dream

Nighttime was a dull moment.

Yuki kept twist and turn, wishing sleep would come. But it never did. For the reason, his chest felt tight with slight pain under his abdomen.

His breathing was heavy.

Yuki golden eyes wondering between the ceiling then sleeping Masato. He's sleeping so soundly, probably tired of.. Probably everything from working, fulfilling his responsibilities and taking care of Yuki.

The thumping in his chest wouldn't stop so Yuki gets up quietly and discreetly exit the room.

"Khak..!!" Yuki gagged.

Red begans to spill. Mixing between the water droplet.

Yuki tried to calm his breathing for the last few minutes since he starts vomiting blood. But the thumping his chest still wouldn't comply to his wishes.

It's happening more and more often lately. Yuki spats out the remaining blood in his mouth and rinse his mouth with water.

Of course, Masato didn't know.

Even if he did, he couldn't do anything.. And Yuki knew the pity he had in his eyes whenever he looked at Yuki. From his skinny pale figure to his bandaged impaired one eye. There was guilt.. And hope.. Masato had hoped he could've give Yuki more and help him. But reality is often not that kind.

Between the flash of guilt in his eyes.. There was helplessness.

Yuki didn't want him to know..

And let him drown in more of that helplessness..

Like he did to Sannan..

Yuki knew Sannan had lay awake countless nights trying to find a cure. But there's no such miracle..

Whatever Kuroha made him drink before was definitely a poison deadlier than he ever tasted. Yuki sat leaning against the well. The cool stone temperature gives him as little comfort from the burning pain in his stomach.

This is all your fault..

Kuroha..

If you haven't run away I wouldn't have to hurt you..

I ran away because I couldn't stand it..

Even though I loved you so much..

That's not love..

It never was..!

Yuki grabbed the small bucket and threw the remaining water on top of his head. The cold water washed away his anxiety and the chill kept his wake from the lies.

No more..

Yuki dropped the empty bucket as it fell with a thud to the ground.

*********

"I've failed"

Masato-san mumble weakly as a cough escape his throat. A cold wet towel was placed on top of his forehead and his body lay underneath the futon.

"I-I am very sorry!" Nanami squeak as she apologized. She and Yuki was sitting next to a very sick  Masato.

How does this happen? Yuki recalled how the began cleaning the house bit by bit for few days. Yesterday as they were halfway done cleaning, Nanami-san slipped as she was carrying a bucket of water.

It was.. Quite amazing.

The bucket falls directly on Masato's head. The man was drenched completely in matter of second. Now they all end up having to wipe the floor again.