The doctor gave me a look of pity and said " She has lost a lot of blood "

My vision became blurred , I blinked twice so that I could see better .

" She will be fine. Nothing to worry "he added.

That's all I ever wanted to hear.

" Thank you , doctor "

Right now , the only thing I wanted was for her to be alive and she was. It was such a relief. My heart slowed it's pace of beating . My vision went blurry again , and I felt a stinging pain in my chest.

I almost forgot about the cut she gave me. I took off my black cloak only to reveal my white shirt which was drenched in blood. I was surprised that I didn't feel this pain until now .

" You are injured too! " he exclaimed as he dragged me to a nearby cushion and sat me down. I didn't protest . I couldn't , even if I wanted to. My body felt limp and fragile.  He called out for a few more men who came with tools and warm water.

They began treating my now wounded chest. I let them do everything they had to. I was loosing consciousness, but I tried my best to stay awake.

After what seemed like forever , the doctor was done .I looked down at my chest and noticed thick white bandages wrapped around it . I thanked him once more , before falling deep into sleep.

I woke up a few hours later and found myself in my own chamber and felt nostalgic. I smiled to myself when I looked around , but the smile soon faded when realisation dawned upon me.

A few butlers came in and offered me fruit juices and other healthy drinks . I reached forward to grab a glass , but quickly retreated my hand.

" Is she awake ?" I asked.

"No, your majesty " he answered as he kept his head low.

That means she hasn't eaten anything either. We've been starving for a day and a half now . I signalled the butler to leave and he obeyed.

~~~

As I knelt in the freshly dug earth, roses clasped in one hand, memories ransacked my mind. Tormented with what could have been and what should have been, words and regrets taunted me with a savage intensity. The images were so acute and so crystal clear.

" Tou sama ... Ka sama " I bowed and laid flowers on both their graves .

________

Akira's POV :

My surroundings were slightly dark, but there was enough light to see. I could smell blood and nothing else. I was in the basement of an unknown building .It felt like I was here before , but it seemed impossible to recall. Everything was grey and it was clear that I was in the wrong place. I turned  around hoping to find my way out  , only to find mother and father standing cold and still in front of me. I screamed and took a quick step back. Aren't they supposed to be dead?

" Akira ..."  father called out as he smiled at me.  Mother brought her hand forward to touch my face but I backed off. There was perfect horror written all over my face. This is not real!

I moved away from them and tried to run in the other direction , but stopped when I noticed a man approaching me. The masked man would come closer with the knife, making sweeping movements to a music only he could hear. He was closer, then further away and then closer again.   Shivers ran down my spine and my hands and legs trembled with fear.

I ran past him as if he was just a mere projection . I ran as fast as my legs could carry me but stopped abruptly when I heard screams . I looked back to see my parents lying in a pool of blood.
My eyes widened at the sight and I didn't know what to do.
Mother looked at me and mouthed two words which left me in complete horror.

" Avenge us. "

Those word kept resonating in my ears over and over. I looked at the masked man who now took off his mask to reveal his face underneath. Tears ran down my face when I saw a red haired heterochromatic eyed male who smiled and walked towards me.

Akashi .

He dropped his knife and stretched his arms forward attempting to hold me.  I tried to convince myself that what was happening wasn't real , as hard as I could.

I was lost in fear but i felt someone touch my arm and I jumped at the contact. I looked back to see who it was and I saw myself.

She was pale and skinny like me, but she was weaker than me. That was when I realised that he was approaching her and not me.

A knife lied on the floor in front of me, and the other was in her hand. She was too weak to hurt him. But she could still kill him. So I picked up the knife and stabbed her, right in her heart. She looked into my eyes one last time before collapsing to the floor with a thud.

I looked around and saw Akashi with tears in his eyes . I scrutinized my own body and noticed that it was fading away as if i was just a projection too. I could see through myself . I was dying .

I then realized that she was me, and killing her meant killing myself.

...

An ominous boom startled me out of my abysmal nightmare. My cheeks were wet and my body was bathed in a cold sweat. The sheets were twisted around my limbs, probably because I  was thrashing in my sleep. My heart pounded against my chest.

I felt an agonising pain in my abdomen and moved my left hand towards the wound. I felt bandages wrapped around it and i opened my eyes when i heard someone speak.

" Are you okay dear ?"

I looked at the female dressed in a maid's outfit  towering over me ,with a concerned look on her face.

" Where am I ?"

She brushed some hair off my face and fixed the blanket that covered me. I looked around to find few more maids giving me looks of sympathy.

" Palace of Rakuzan " she responded.

What? Why? I wanted to scream because I didn't want to stay , I wanted to run away but I was too weak to even speak ,let alone run.

" Would you like to have some water ?" she questioned.

"No" was all I could mutter.

She gave me a smile before she turned to leave .

" I shall go inform his higness , that you have regained consciousness " she said.

I held back from stopping her. As much as i wanted to protest , i wanted to see him too . I hated this man as much as i loved him.

My eye lids felt heavy and I let them fall. I was awake , but had the least energy to even keep my eyes open.
The remnants of my nightmare still clung to my mind, haunting me. I shall requite my parents.

I heard somebody unlock the door and enter. I wanted to open my eyes and check who it was, but I froze when he ordered the maids to leave . I didn't budge an inch.

It was him . Who else could it be?

I could hear his footsteps and then the sound of a stool bring dragged forward.  Though I didn't open my eyes , I could feel him sitting close to me.

He took my right arm in his warm ones and stroked the back of it. I wanted to flinch at his touch , but my brain told me not to.

"Akira.. " he spoke. His voice as smooth as velvet. It was soft and pain was very much evident .

I waited for him to continue.  He probably assumed that I fell asleep again, because he wasn't waiting for my response as he spoke .

" I...I've lost everything. Mother died in my arms ,and now father too. You don't know how it feels to be me. " his voice cracked.

" You loved me when I couldn't even love myself and you do not know how thankful I'm . "  I felt a warm drop of liquid hit the back of my hand . " I don't want to loose you. " was all he said .

He lowered his head and pressed his forehead to the back of my hand. I tried my hardest not to move .  He remained that way for a few minutes but he soon let my hand free.

I heard the creaking of the wooden stool and the sound of his footsteps soon faded away.  I waited until there was no sign of him and opened my eyes a little at first , and then full . He was gone.

My eyes were dry. I didn't know if crying was of any use. One thing I was sure of , I would never be able to kill him.
I could kill myself , but he didn't want me to do so. He has been through a lot too and the least I could do was not worsen his already open wounds.
My only option was to move away from my past which was a nightmare  and my future which was him. I shall leave as soon as I can and never return. It won't heal him , but as time passes , it'll atleast dilute his pain along with the memories of me.

=========

A/N: That was a long chapter :o
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