Akashi's POV :

She gripped on to the dagger tighter, with both her hands. Her eyes have frozen over like the surface of a winter puddle, robbing them of their usual warmth. She's in there, I know it, but it's like she just took a huge step back from life.

I want to reach in and tell her that I love her, but she won't believe me. I want to rekindle her heat but her insides are too damp with uncried tears. I always knew she had pain inside, but now its visible on her face and I wish it would go away.

I know that's a selfish want, people have a right to their pain, they don't ask for it - it just arrives like the gift you never wanted.

She took a step forward and scooted closer to me while I stood still. If she's going to stab me, let her. She has all the rights to do so. It was my mistake after all. I killed her father, and indirectly her mother too.

She stood a few meters away from me, and her eyes bore into mine. She held the knife in her right hand while she dropped her left. She lifted the dagger up and pressed it's tip against my chest. It stung.

I kept reminding myself that I deserved this.

She pushed it in further. An inch of the dagger was now inside my flesh.
Searing fiery bursts pulsated around the wound, intensifying with each dragging push. With each centimeter that buried itself into me, the pain amplified, the bloody muscle quivered.

She quickly pulled it out, while her eyes were filled with tears.

" Leave " she mouthed.

" No " I responded .

" I might end up killing you Akashi. I know you won't fight back . Leave before I do something I'll regret later ." She said looking away from me ,while her eyes were fiery red.

"If you have enough anger to take my life , I have enough affection to loose my life for you. Go ahead ." I said .

She looked up at me ,a tear escaped her eye . "Why Sei? Why did it have to be you ?" She questioned .

I didn't have an answer .I stood still and watched her break down in front if me. It broke my heart to see her weeping . I wanted to reach out and comfort her , but she wouldn't let me.

" Why ? What are you?!" She screamed .

Her words cut deeper than the knife . I remained silent . Her eyes bore into mine as she took a few steps away from me.

" I broke my own heart by loving you " she said . She turned the dagger around and pointed it's edge towards her abdomen.

I realised what she was about to do, and took a quick step towards her so that I could stop her. But I was too late. The knife pierced through her flesh and all she let out was a gasp painful to hear.

She took a few more steps backwards as I moved towards her. She pulled out the knife and threw it aside. Her right palm pressed her wound while she used her left to push me away .

" Don't touch me!"her voice cracked and she bit her lip and tried not to cry out . She collapsed and fell on her knees.

It would have been kinder to kill me .

" Akira"... Her name was the only word that escaped from my mouth. Blood trickled down her clothes and stained the floor. I tried touching her again. But she moved backwards until her back hit the wall .

I couldn't let her die. I hurried towards her and held her in my arms. She protested and tried to push me off , but I didn't want to budge. "Please.." I was angry and broken at the same time .

" I can't afford to loose you. " I said. Another warm tear escaped her eyes and she lost her consciousness.

I tore a piece of her own clothing and wrapped it tightly around her stomach.

' Please don't die ' .

I picked her up with both my arms and made it out of the hideout .

I rode as fast as I could . Unshed tears now flooded my eyes , blurring my vision. I had to occasionally wipe my eyes and remind myself of who I was and how strong I was supposed to be.

Once we reached the palace of Rakuzan, I got off my horse and carried her into the palace . I knew this would be the last place she would want to be , but I had no choice.

" Doctors ! " I yelled. "Somebody help her."

I saw men running towards me and I quickly recognised them all . They took her from my arms and carried into a room close by so that they could tend to her. A few doctors who were treating father now rushed into the same room to treat Akira. I stood frozen and stared at the door which closed shut . My lashes were dry.

She left me standing here with a heart filled with nothing but guilt .

I was surrounded by a few soldiers , but none of them dared to speak a word. One of the oldest ministers who was also the king's close friends approached me. He placed a hand on the shoulder, " Are you okay ?"he asked.

I nodded in response . It was necessary to hold in my emotions for a while. "Where is father ?" I questioned.

" This way your Highness " he bowed and led me towards the room . He opened the door for me and closed it behind us. Father laid on a huge bed, covered with a golden colored duvet . He was surrounded by butlers and a few nurses. His face was pale and his eyes were lifeless. He looked at me and raised his right hand.
I ordered all the others except the minister to leave,and they bowed before doing so.
I moved closer to the bed and stood beside him while the minister kept his distance from us.

Father gave me a faint smile which I failed to return. He further extended his hand ,and I hesitantly held it .

" You are back. " he said ,his voice almost inaudible.

" Yes " I stated.

" My time has come to an end. I'm sorry for everything I've put you through. I don't know if I was a good king , but one thing I'm sure of..I was never a good father. " he chuckled , pain evident in his voice and a drop of tear left his eye. He blinked a few times before looking at me once again. " I'm sor-ry "he chocked on his own words.

" I'm sorry for everything. " he took a deep breath and continued , " You need to know that I was always proud of you. " he coughed and I instinctively rubbed his chest. He tightened his grip on my hand.

" It's time for me to join your mother. "

" Don't ..." I uttered . I felt my cheeks get wet with tears. I was never emotionally attached to father , but now ..i felt like my insides were being torn apart. It hurt way more than i thought it would.
He coughed again and a trail of blood escaped his mouth .

" Rule" ...

His breath hitched and his grip on my hand loosened . His eyes stayed open and his lips slightly parted . He was gone . I lost him too.

I took my hands off his , and closed his eyes. I stood up and wiped my tears before turning to the minister who was now on his knees.

" Your majesty...." weeped the old man. He quickly pulled himself together when he noticed me standing before him.

" I would like to have his body buried as per the tradition, next to mother's grave." I ordered.

" Yes , my king " he bowed.

I was the king now? I was so indifferent to it. All that occupied my mind was guilt and the fear of loosing her. My pain was an ocean of unknowable depths.

I took one last glance towards father , before making my way out of his room. I walked down the hallway and my heart felt heavier with each step that I took.

I reached the chamber in which Akira was being treated. I didn't dare to enter. I wouldn't want to loose her. The thought itself killed me. I stood still and frozen waiting for someone to walk out. After what seemed like forever , few doctors came out.

" How's she doing?" I immediately questioned.

He gave me a look of pity before he spoke.

_______

A/N:

Another cliff hanger . I'm sorry. :p
Next chapter coming up soon. Thanks a lot for all the love and support.

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