I don�t remember how long it�s been since I�ve last been here, nor how long I�ve even been trying to get back. The last week (at least, I think it�s been a week) has all blended into one very long day somehow without bothering to consult me first. Thanks a lot, life, now I don�t even know what day it is. Or month. Hell, do I even remember the year?
But, now I�m rambling, and I have more important things to worry about than the date, time, or blood pouring out of my side and various other wounds I�ve recently acquired, so never mind about answering that. Something I�m looking for is around here somewhere. Close by, I remember that much. It�s dark, cold, and I could probably see better if I wasn�t wearing my shades still, but fuck that. My vision�s all screwed up and blurred to hell anyway, so I don�t think it�d make that much of a difference.
The only sound I can hear as I stumble into the graveyard, besides the fresh snow crunching under my boots, is my own haggard breaths. I�m leaving a trail of blood behind me that looks black in the night, and I have to say I didn�t expect to make it this far. But since I have, I have to press on before I collapse. I mutter something about the graveyard being too large, and him being too antisocial that he had to be buried in the back away from all the �good little citizens; damn sheep� that disgusted him in life (and probably even now in death).
He was a real piece of work, Arashi was.
He was also the best one I�d ever had the pleasure of working with throughout my career as an assassin, thief, terrorist, and all around outlaw. It was kind of ironic he�d been the one to leave this world first, as he had at least ten years of seniority in the �job� (as well as life) on me. It really should have been my demise instead of his, but don�t think for a second I�m saying that just to be sentimental.
It was an ambush, plain and simple.
The government, naturally, disliked us. �Agents of Chaos,� they called us. Heh, the two of us really made a name for ourselves back then. We were coming back (well, �running from the rain of gunfire� is more like it) from our latest hit, some rich politician that didn�t need all that money now that he was dead anyway. The boys in blue had figured out how we worked by now, and cut off all our expected escape routes by placing five or seven men lying in wait. Just as soon as we�d think we were in safe territory, they�d pop up and prove us wrong.
It just so happened that we were headed down an alley, and just as they caught sight of Arashi, they opened fire. Their first few shots missed, and I remember expecting them to hit me, because he would run. He was fast, and he�d take advantage of the fact they�d missed to get behind them and take cover.
But he didn�t.
No, he just stood in the entrance of the alleyway, effectively shielding me from all the shots being fired at us, shooting back at them with the type of insane, completely psychotic smirk he was famous for. He wouldn�t let them touch me.
It�d only taken maybe a full minute for him to take them all down, but that was enough to sign his death warrant. The last cop fell with a strangled cry as he was shot in the throat, and Arashi fell backwards into my arms with roughly twelve dozen bullet holes in his arms and chest. I was ever-so-grateful my life had been saved.
�What the fuck did you do that for?�
He just smiled that half-smile, half-smirk only he could pull off instead of punching me in the face like I might have if someone had reacted in that way to me saving them.
�Hey, would you rather that they have the satisfaction of killing only one of the Agents of Chaos, or both? You and I both know it had to be this way unless we both wanted to die. Backup would have arrived in the time it�d take us to kill them if we�d tried to--� His head turned to the side, and blood fell from his mouth as he coughed (talking was apparently becoming too much of a strain now), but he continued as if he wasn�t even fazed, ��Well, you know.�
�I never knew you were so damned reckless,� I muttered, shaking my head slightly, �and look at you, throwing your life away for me, even.�
He smiled again, but softer this time, as if he meant it. Clouded midnight blue eyes stared into mine. �Do you remember�when you said you loved me? I just looked at you like you were a fucking nut back then,� he laughed, one hand raising to graze my cheek, �but now�I�m finally answering you.�
I couldn�t say anything then. I was too much in shock he�d admitted it, and at first I didn�t even notice the shouts and sirens were getting closer and louder.
�Adel,� he snapped, forcing me out of my zoned out state, �get your ass in gear and get out of here already�and take care of my gun.� Aforementioned weapon was shoved into my hands, and I couldn�t help but smile. He was never one to be sentimental, even at a time like this if he could help it, but he was still giving me some part of him to hang on to besides the memories. The smile was reflected in his face as I glanced back at him once more before taking off, and the last thing I heard from him was, �Have a nice life, partner.�
So here I am, back in this town, specifically the graveyard, losing all my blood and riddled with bullets myself. I collapse in front of the grave I�m glad I was able to reach, stretching out an arm to trace the letters of his name. A smirk forms through the blood dripping down from some gash on my forehead and I sigh contently. I�ve managed what I�ve set out to do tonight, even as my vision steadily got dark and blurred, and even now I can�t see what right in front of me.
�I�m�returning your precious gun�� I manage to choke out, as I place it in front of me and roll on my back, �rest assured its�in the same good condition you left it in��
I can�t see the stars anymore, but I know they�re there all the same. I think I can hear approaching footsteps as my senses fade, but who the hell would be out here now besides the law that�s chasing me? Coldness is creeping in as the blood flow slows, and the darkness is growing darker, but it doesn�t stop me from lighting one last cigarette.
�Adel, that shit is going to kill you someday.�
�Yea, no sooner than all that damn alcohol you drink daily.�
Harada, this one�s for you.
