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Yoichi's heart pounded against his chest as he sprinted across the humid woods, the static buzzing in his head as he looked around frantically. he simply didn't have time to take in what was going on around him, as he could have been attacked at any given moment by the enraged spirit who had taken his parents from him. He'd devoted himself to making sure it wouldn't happen to anyone else and yet...here he was, trapped in some hellish nightmare with that very soul.
"Yoichi!" a voice called, a voice he'd found so much comfort in, it was Claudette.
his head jolted towards the sound amongst the fog, until he spotted three figures in the distance and the realization came to him, they'd been waiting for him to meet them at the gate, but upon seeing he hadn't arrived, had gone in search for him.
but, he knew he simply wouldn't make it as he limped towards his fellow survivors, the burning pain along his side screaming at him as he ran. David was quick to grab his shoulder and help him run, and out of the corner of his eye, he saw Sadako right behind them, his blood ran cold when the realization that Claudette was at the back of the group settled in. He couldn't let that demon take the woman he cherished so dearly from him, he'd do anything.
"C-Claudette!" Yoichi choked, ripping free from David's grasp but before he could protest, Asakawa grabbed Claudette and pulled her to stand in front of him, pain immediately irrupting in his back mere seconds after, Claudette gave a frightened scream once she saw Yoichi collapse onto the damp grass beneath them. She stared in horror, feeling David's hand clasp around her forearm.
"c'mon or we're gonna be next!" David ushred, Claudette pulled against his grip but it proved useless, seeing as he was much stronger than her. Dwight's eyes landed on Sadako, and for a moment, a chilled feeling ran through him, he swore he could feel her eyes on him behind her jet black locks.
"no! no I cant just leave him!" Claudette quickly protested, tears flooding her eyes as he watched Yoichi squeeze his eyes shut in pain, Sadako silently looming over him. that could've been her, and yet..Yoichi had saved her.
"we cant save'em now! he'd want us to leave come on!" David pleaded, looking at Dwight who stood guiltily, he was supposed to be leading the survivors, yet he only led them to their death..
he followed silently as David yanked Claudette towards the gate, Morel having to watch as Yoichi was lifted into the air by a sudden force on his neck, he grasped at air for a short moment to loosen his airways before his right arm jolted and quickly snapped at the elbow, prying a scream from Yoichi before his leg soon followed, snapping at the knee before his limp form collapsed onto the ground with a strangled cry of pain. He tilted his head back, his eyes meeting with Claudette's once more before his face twisted into an expression of pure terror.
before she knew it, he was dead before her eyes.
Her blood ran cold as they were chased out of the gates, black fog swallowing her whole.
*****
as she sat upon one of the logs surrounding the campfire, Claudette buried her head in her hands, her glasses shifted as she choked on a sob.
Meg put a hand on her friends shoulder, it pained her to see her in such a state, "hey, hey don't worry he'll be back soon don't worry okay? please Claud don't..don't cry."
Claudette raised her head, glancing at Meg with tear stained cheeks, only heightening her worries, "Calm down!?" Claudette cried, "how can I when Yoichi is being tortured! i-i cant calm down!" her glasses fell to the ground as her hands returned to her face once more, she couldn't bare the thought any longer. why would Yoichi save her? it didn't make any sense, but she owed it to him nevertheless.
Nea scooted in to try and comfort her clearly distressed friend, putting a hand on her shoulder, "look, he'll be back before you know it, he'd want you to calm down.."
Claudette went to open her eyes once more, but upon doing so, a figure stood before her infront of the camp fire.
"Yoichi!" Nea laughed, clapping her hands together in excitement. The man in the yellow coat knelt down and picked up Claudette's warm blue glasses, sliding them back onto her face.
"I believe you've forgotten to put your glasses back on.." Yoichi replied, scratching the back of his neck with evident nervousness before Claudette shot up and pulled him into a tight embrace, gripping the fabric of his jacket in her palms.
"I..i was so scared for you.." Cludette hiccuped, burying her face against his shoulder upon feeling his hands against her back.
Yoichi didn't know where to begin, what would he tell her? she was clearly worried, after all, she had been one of the most notable who had welcomed him into the realm, and they got along quite well in their shared interest in biology, also learning something from one another. He refused to give up that bond, "I...am so sorry.." he admitted faintly, lowering his head, "but I had good reason to, believe me dear, please.."
*****
the two strolled down the clearly decayed pathway in the woods, both questioning why exactly the entity would create such a thing and where it would lead, but they stood together closely. the silence was defeating.
"Yoichi I.." Claudette began, trying to muster up what she would say, "I know this might sound ungreatful, selfish even but..why? why did you save me? i-"
"because I refuse to let go of what we have, I didn't want that demon to have her hands on you, it is..simply something I cannot bare." Yoichi replied lowly, lowering his head. his english of course wasn't the best but many of the survivors had opted to teach him upon his arrival to the realm, which he was evidently thankful for.
"but I've been sacrificed many times before, your still relatively new to this place Yoichi!" Claudette said desperately, holding onto his arm, "I would've been fi-"
"I couldnt stand watching what had happened to my parents happen to you!" Yoichi cried, turning his head away, even through his thick coat Claudette could feel his body trembling beneath the fabric, "I..i couldnt bare losing you, even for a short time, I cherish our friendship Claudette, truly. i lost both of my parents to Sadako, I will never forget, and I will not lose you too.."
Claudette blinked, staring up at Yoichi with newfound tears in her eyes, is..that why he'd saved her? she couldnt be more grateful, she did feel so bad for him but..he'd rescued her because he cared. "Y..Yoichi I.." she paused, "I'm sure your parents are so proud of you for not forgetting what they've done for you, and I promise you I wont forget either,,"
Yoichi's pale cheeks burned red as he looked down at her, taking in the sight before him. The woman before him was so kind, so caring, so loving, he couldnt have asked for more in another person. she looked so beautiful in the moonlight, her eyes sparkled.
"I'm so glad.." Yoichi choked on his own words, he hadn't realized in that moment that he'd been consumed by his thoughts and had leaned in to press his lips against Claudette's. he wanted to move, to apologize profusely, worry coursed through his entire body, fearing he may have just ruined their friendship and yet..what he hadn't realized was that she was returning the kiss with a smile.
wrapping his arms around Claudette's slim waist, the two shared a loving kiss in the middle of the woods, ignoring the entities displeased whispers surrounding them.