The beginning is the end, and the end is the beginning. Well then, let us begin again. And to each, their own tale.

Yuhi did not know how long he was running for but by the time his legs finally gave out, he found himself in an abandoned alleyway. When he looked up all he could see was pitch red skies. The moon looked unusually red too. To normal citizens the moon and skies did not look this way. But it was different for him. The throbbing pain in his eyes and his head. His parched throat and the pain from the wounds he sustained.

It hurts, this is painful.

Yuhi slumped onto the ground and he leaned on the wall clutching his right eye. They were both in pain but the one that hurt the most was his right eye. Despite his weak state he knew there were no signs of civilization in this area. This is a good thing. Those people from before are no more too. With his own hands he once again ended a life no several.

These hands he used to hold her.

In order to measure a person���s worth, you must do more than push them. The real way to test their worth is to give them power. When they gain the freedom to act outside the boundaries of law and ethics, you can sometimes see their souls. When the weak become strong. Terashima Yuhi, he was raised without ever knowing who his parents were.

If he did have them he certainly wouldn't know anything about whether or not they were alive or cared about him or not. Throughout most of his life, he's always been enslaved by the system, always reaching out for the things that most people took for granted. He was always treated as this savage beast, all because of a hue that wasn't deemed acceptable by society.

People told that no matter how hard he tried, no matter what treatment they suggested, there would be no way to change his psychology.

A monster, a beast. He had heard it all before, at a very young age he was told by the person who took care of him.

A teacher at a dojo who found him abandoned in the middle of the forest and decided to take him in.

That old man taught him a lot of things.'

'You are a person who is different then that of a regular person. Your actions and words will influence a great number of people in the future. Your words alone are like 'Gods'.

Back then he hadn't understood what those words meant. However once his sensei passed away and he left the dojo and was faced with the rest of the world. He understood it. The second he stepped foot into society, it had become quite obvious.

So when he meets her everything changes.

But no matter how close they got, no matter how much he learned of her despair and pain all he saw whenever he looked at her was a young, bright girl filled with hope. Yes hope, in those eyes filled with despair, hope often flashed whenever she spoke about her dreams. A part of him was envious of her, envious that she could have bright eyes despite falling into despair. Her ability to think positively of impossible situations, her determination to walk head on despite failing.

It did not take him to realize that he was in love with her. Yuhi already had an inkling feeling after their first meeting that snowy night several years ago. But it took him time to adjust to the present.

No matter how much he loved her. Yuhi understood there was a twisted part of him who wanted to see her fall apart, to see her break down. He wanted her to see the dark side of the world, he wanted her to lose whatever hope she had. To see her crumble down on the floor and have everything taken from her.

This twisted part of his mind was something he loathed. It was an unhealthy habit of his - no this part of his mind resembled a criminal. Akatsuki often told him to seek help and he entertained the idea for awhile. But even when he was talking to the psychologist he could not help but think. He wondered what sort of damage he could do to this person.

How far can he go until he can no longer see anything? How long until he completely loses himself?

He has always been chained to the walls of a secluded spot. Not once has he had the luxury to choose who he really wanted to be.

However if he thought about it carefully now, even if he did have that luxury. He probably wouldn't know what to do. At least that's how it was supposed to be. At the beginning of their partnership all he saw is that innocence.

But even when he realized there was darkness in her heart he was unsure. How can her eyes be filled with hope despite all the pain and suffering? How can she smile like that?

Yuhi closed his eyes. He needs to rest for a few minutes, and then go back.

…..

The following morning Yuhi dragged himself out of bed early to get rid of his clothes and patch up his wounds. But much to his surprise he was already wearing new clothes. Right he took them off somehow...but where did he put it? It would be bad if anybody saw it. The reality of what happened again last night filled his head.

Yuhi sighed as Hino entered the room. "Quit bothering me and let me rest, I'm not a robot."

He has worked non stop the last few days. "Let me go back already."

It's getting quite close to her birthday, he doesn't want to miss it. Moreover when he last called her she looked awful. It should be a matter of time before she gives birth. He wants to be there for her.

Hino looked very troubled before he took out something from a plastic bag. It was the shirt he wore last night, but there were no signs of the red stains from before. ".."

"Yuhi you--"

"It was nothing."

"Let me tell Sumire."

At that comment his gaze darkened. "If you tell her anything then you will never see me again." Yuhi knew this was Hinos weak point. The man treated him as family so he obviously would not want this to happen.

He does not want Sumire to once again find out that he broke down and did something that has no meaning. He does not want to trouble her anymore than he already does. She already has a lot going on, if she got involved in his problems too she would fall apart. Right now her emotions are still as fragile as glass.

Yuhi did not say anymore and Hino saw that as a signal to leave. It was right after Hino left did he hear a beep sound from his phone. It was a message from Sumire.

From: Sumire:

Yuhi, thank you so much for calling me every night since then I feel a lot better.

Your words have saved me once again..

I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

His gaze softened when he saw her message. 'This girl really knows what to say to make me feel better.' It seems she is working very hard there, so he ought to do the same so he can quickly return to her side.

Incoming call: Sumire

Yuhi blinked and immediately picked up. "Hey, weren't you supposed to be at a sourie?"

A deep sigh escaped her lips. "I broke my heel when I was walking up the stairs so I am waiting for new shoes."

Yuhi laughed. "Too bad I am not there to Princess carry you."

"I feel awful, I didn't want to attend this stupid event. In the first place we all know what kind of place these gatherings are. The people who attend these places only want to expand their wealth and power. Their empty words and flattery, their intentions of getting close - all of it is superficial. I do not wish to associate with such people."

Yuhi could sense the pain behind her words when she said those things. If only he was beside her, he would tell her that she would not have to go.

A person's outlook on life depends on many factors. The amount of knowledge information you consume from books, the net or a individual. However he was none of those. Although he made good use of the knowledge he learnt from books. Never once has he strained from the path of his own belief or took the words written in books to a degree of anything life changing. Yes his outlook on his life was quite different then all the others. It wasn't from any of the usual factors, it wasn't as though he disagreed with evidence presented. Since during those circumstances if there is concrete evidence then he would have no reason to disagree.

His outlook on life came from his observations of the world, his observations of how society functions as a whole and how the people around him reacted. When he met her though those observations took more of a degree of seriousness then before.

He really was under the impression that she was a sheltered and protected individual. Someone who knew the love he had been lacking. But that's not what it was. He had made a mistake.

'It's not the final judgement of "good" and "evil" that's important. What matters is that you come to that decision yourself. That you agonize over it and eventually accept it '

It wasn't until he went on a job with her, that he realised the meaning of the words she had told him during the first stages of their partnership. After seeing her in action, everything became clearer to him. This girl wasn't like all the other princesses, no she really couldn't be compared to the frivolous members of royalty who turn a blind eye to the reality around them. She was different and he realised it. Perhaps if he hadn't then it would have saved him from entangling their fates.