AN: The Gentleman's Alliance was the first manga I ever read, so it's very special to me, and my favorite part was the complex love-hate relationship between Shizumasa and Takanari. You wanted so badly to hate Shizumasa for what he did to Takanari, but at the same time you feel bad for him because he's so guilty for it. That was the inspiration for this poem. Hope you like it! Please reveiw!

The sand will fall in the hourglass,

The second hand ticks away.

No matter how I wish the time would freeze

It can never stay.

I have turned your life to ashes.

I have ripped your joy from your hands.

And as I watch your crystal tears fall

I can hear the falling sands.

Every second hurts me

For what I've done to you

But I can never ask forgiveness

Because it's what I will always do.

I don't want your forgiveness,

I'll just let the tears pour

Because I built my paradise

On the charred ruins of yours.