Disclaimer: Not mine. Yes, we all know that.

Warnings: n/a

A/N: That's it. The end/end of the line/fin/epilogue/whatever you want to call it. Of course, I just had to end it on a depressing note, but… it makes me happy (maybe I'm a sadist?). It's not hard to work out time placement (especially as it can be seen as a tie-in to the previous part), so… yeah. I'll just leave it at that. Thanks to those who supported me throughout this, and enjoy

Locked in a Cage
31
(Locked In A Cage)

"I guess this means this is the end, huh?" A soft chuckle, as if he was amused with the situation, despite the pain they were going through (if their wounds counted for anything at all).

There was a scuffling sound of shoes against concrete, as someone took a seat next to him. "We can still find a way out of this, Micchi. I know it seems impossible now, but…"

A scream and a crash – not far away at all – and they both started. The half a minute of silence had been broken, as the battle raged on around them.

He tried to take a deep breath, yet winced as pain lanced through his entire body, and then reached over to take her hand. In response, she squeezed it, as if to reassure them both that everything would be alright.

"Himeka-san, you don't need to be here." His voice quiet. Fading.

He wasn't supposed to sound like that.

"Maybe I don't," she agreed calmly (although she felt far from it), "but I needed to see it for myself; I didn't want to have to wait, like last time. Even thought I'm weak and useless…"

A flash of light streaked past them, and they froze; when no one came over to where they were hidden, they relaxed a fraction. Mismatched eyes glanced blankly at the sky above, as he spoke.

"Kazune-kun would never forgive me if he found out that something had happened to you." A true fact, which neither one of them could ignore. "And I think I'd be more of a hindrance trying to help you to safety than a help. We need Kazusa-san…"

Fate seemed to like them, as the girl in question bent over to peer at the pair. Save for a few shallow cuts on her arms and face, she seemed otherwise unharmed; "So that's where you were. Nii-sama was worried."

"I know," Michiru struggled to stand, until Himeka leaned over to help, "I suppose I should apologise to Kazune-kun about that."

"Micchi…" She didn't grip on his arm any tighter than necessary; knew it would hurt.

He tried to smile, as he gently prised her fingers away; "Kazusa-san, take care of Himeka-san and get her out of here. We don't need unnecessary deaths, if possible."

The blonde hesitated, but as another scream rang through the air, a decision was made and she took Himeka's hand. She met his eyes calmly, unshed tears present; "We could have avoided all this."

"Maybe. But it's too late for that."

There was nothing left for them to say – if they were to be completely truthful to themselves, there was just too much to say, and too little time. He watched as Himeka and Kazusa left, and turned back to where the destruction lay.

He had barely summoned his trident back to his hands, before a familiar someone came into his line of vision. "You should have run when you had the chance."

His voice, but not (it was a little surreal).

(And it didn't matter anymore: Kazusa and Himeka were safe, and that was all he needed to know. They could never save everyone. This was life, after all; reality at the bloody core – fantasy and dreams had nothing to do with their situation now.)

Michiru scrubbed a hand across his face, smearing blood in the process, as he tried to keep focused on his former team member.

If only Jin would remember… if only if only if only…

"I couldn't have left without you."

(fin)