My heart sinks deeper into my stomach. I can't move my organs around, but I think I can with enough deep feelings.

Ignoring the aching, growing pain. I sprint to the scent of Daisuke-sama. "Please tell me I'm wrong. Don't let me down now, Daisuke-sama." My thoughts ran around, and my eyes couldn't stop shaking from the images.

I opened the door so fast, and it made a thud when I slit it open. I stop in my tracks when I see Daisuke-sama lying next to a stand, putting Itsukori-san's picture. His back is against the wall. He's still breathing heavily, already on the brink of death.

The sight would've made sore eyes melt. A demon had chopped off his one leg, still eating it. I take my nichirin blade smoothly out of my sheath and cut his neck off.

The cut is so fast he hasn't noticed until his head fell off. Tears threaten to fall from my eyes, but I refuse to let them. If they did, they'd probably never leave and stay behind my eyeballs.

Silence fills the room as his head falls with a low thud. I sprinted towards Daisuke-sama only to fall like I was a newborn.

The pain had caught up to my entire body, and it hurt like hell. I drag my body towards if I look desperate, then the truth is, I am. I am desperate. Desperate to get to him.

"Daisuke-sama.." I weakly let out a breath. My body is so tired, but I need to get to Daisuke-sama. "Fujimura, please.. don't rush yourself," he chuckles, "I'll still be here when you get to me."

I finally get to his side, clinging my back against the wall next to him. I put my sword back on my sheath, breathing heavily. "Told you I'd still be here. But you're late again. Fujimura.." He lets out a soft, weak laugh.

"Yes, I know. My legs were weak again." I say to him. He laughs at my joke and then coughs up blood. "Daisuke-sama, please don't say anything more. The kakushi are almost here. Just give them a little bit more time." I take off my white haori and place it on his stomach where the demon had sliced his stomach.

I gently take his crystal-designed haori off him and apply pressure on his leg. He turns to me, smiling ever so weakly. "Fujimura, you act like Tsukori." He says. And I wanted to burst into tears, but I'd scold myself until I die if I cry right now.

"Always caring about me. I'm not as weak as you think. Don't worry."

"Please, don't say anything. I can feel the Kakushi's footsteps running. Just a little bit more time. Stay awake, Daisuke-sama. Stay awake, please." I beg. Looking down, I am unable to look at him. Scared that if I did.. He would die.

"Don't worry too much about me, Fujimura. I could run a marathon if it'd convince you not to worry." He jokes, and I try to laugh, a real laugh, but all I got out is a choke sob. I quickly shut my mouth tightly to prevent tears.

"Shh.. come." He says, opening his arms to me while his other hand lay still on his wounded stomach, and I immediately go to his side, cuddling him.

I let out a heavy sigh, feeling the lump on my throat disappear, and that tug on my chest flying away.

"You know, I've always had this one wish." He whispers, stroking my white titanium hair softly. "Yeah? What's that? I'll make it come true. I'll do whatever it'll take." I sniffle, not closing my eyes.

"For you to learn the crystal breathing." He places his head on top of mine. "You mean, the.." I trail off, eyes widening and lips starting to part. Crystal is just as tiring and hard as sun breathing.

Although it is said that every breathing is connected to sun breathing, crystal breathing isn't. It's a different type of breathing that doesn't require a nichirin blade.

It's hard because you need an instrument to work with it. An instrument that connects with you. Emotionally.

Daisuke-sama taught me it, but I gave up because I couldn't control and keep up with its high speed of breathing.

"Yes.. Crystal breathing." He gulps and lets out a breath. Am I sensing hope? From him? How? He's dying, and what? He has hopes that he'll live? Maybe if the Kakushis gets here, there'll be more time.

"But you know how hard it is for me to concentrate. You know how terrible my breathing is." I chuckle, reminiscing the past images that had been stuck on my mind.

•

•

•

♤♠︎ Start of Past Time ♤♠︎

I was only 14 when he taught me crystal breathing. It was deep in the woods behind our house. I was just practicing my striking when I heard something and followed it.

I heard a flute playing calm music. And I felt so calm, it scared me. I walked deeper and saw Daisuke-sama. He was holding a flute, and in the opposite direction is a demon.

He looks so white. He had red markings on him. His head fell to the ground, and Daisuke-sama looked at me. I sensed him, feeling startled to see me. "Daisuke-sama!"

I run to him, tugging at his white crystallized haori. "How'd you do that? You didn't even have a sword with you?" I asked in amazement. He looked at me, and although I was still wearing a mask, I knew he saw stars in my left eye.

"It's a different breathing technique, Fujimura." He places a hand on my shoulder. "It's called crystal breathing. But it's not like water breathing. Instead of a sword, you use an instrument that fits you best." His voice soft and bright.

"Woah! Really! Who made it?" I clasped my hands together in excitement. "My ancestors. Asana Miko made the crystal breathing, and she was the first to use it in battle. She passed it down to my ancestors, and they passed it down, and now I want to pass it down to you."

And he taught me crystal breathing, but I never got the hang of it. So we continued to practice other breathing that could be perfect for me.

♤♠︎ End of Past Time ♤♠︎

•

•

•

I look at him, feeling sad. I hesitate before lifting my hand to my mask and removing it. He gasps when he sees my face. He smiles lightly.

"Your eyes.. They're different. Different in a good way. Don't let anyone else say otherwise. It makes you even more unique, Yashimi."

He slowly and weakly lifted his hand to my cheek. I come closer to him, holding his hand and letting him cup my left cheek. "I know, Daisuke-sama," I chuckle at his comment, "since you've done so much for me. I decided to let you see my face for the first time." I smile sadly at my stupid thought.

"I.." I hold back my choked sob and breath in to not let my tears drip. "I thought that you'd like it. It'll be like my early gift for you." I whisper, and he smiles.

My eyes widen as Daisuke-sama's hand feels heavy. I place it beside him. Dismissing a troubling thought. "Daisuke-sama?" I smile weakly at him. "Daisuke-sama?" I repeat, that lump in my throat growing even more.

My weak smile quiver from sadness. That hope that he'll still be alive slowly disappears and changes into something else.

Fear.

Fear that he won't be..

"Daisuke-sama! Please stay awake! The Kakushi are almost here! You have to stay awake. Please!" My head falls on his heart.

No sound. No beat. No, nothing at all.

"Please, Daisuke-sama!" I scream, slamming my fists on the ground. "The Kakushi are so close! I can hear them. T-their footsteps. I can hear it!" I yell.

"Daisuke-sama! Daisuke-sama!" I scream and repeat his name again as I hit the ground with each name.

"NO! NO! NO! NO! PLEASE DAISUKE-SAMA! I CAN'T LOSE YOU TOO, PLEASE!" I shut my eyes even more, wishing that he's still awake and was just joking. My voice begs and begs. My soul wishes that this is all just a joke.

Like old times when he'd pretend to die or disappear, then scare me with a small scream.

"Please.. Daisuke-sama. I'll learn crystal breathing.. I'll learn it for you, just please stay awake.." I whisper, desperation dripping from my voice.

I hear the door open with a thud, and I grab my mask and put it on quickly. I just wanted Daisuke-sama to wake up and say just kidding. I look up at his silent body.

Lying lifeless.

I see one Kakushi checking for his pulse. Something inside me snap, and I push him away aggressively.

"STAY AWAY FROM HIM!" I scream. Turning my head to them. I grab the flute from beside me and take my sword from my sheath.

I point the sword towards the three kakushi. "If only you would've been here faster, he could've still lived!"

Anger hogs my mind. I didn't wanna yell or scream, but I couldn't help myself. They could've run faster, but no, they ran so slow, Daisuke-sama died.

"Please, miss! Let us help him!"

"NO!" I shield his body from them. I know I should let them take care of him, but they were the reason why he's now looking like this. Like..

"Miss, you have–"

I run towards the talking female kakushi. I wanted them out of here. It's THEIR FAULT. I wanted them out. Away, and to never come back.

"Tomioka-san!!" One of them screams, and a strong impact hits my neck. Suddenly, the floor comes rushing in and hits my body like a ragdoll.

I feel my body being carried and thrown over someone's shoulder. I wanted to fight, but I couldn't. The impact, the exhaustion, the pain, and the emotional pain. All of it hits me at the same time.

I black out, whispering, "Daisuke-sama.."

"I'm.. sorry.."