The lack of electricity was something that was slowly driving Suguha, Kazuto, and Asuna insane. They lost their only direct communication with their friends and, in the case of Kazuto and Asuna, their daughter. Naturally the three had grown frustrated with each other considering not only the cramped quarters of the apartment they'd been shoved into, but they also had no way to occupy their time. To top it all off they had to stick to eating dry, tasteless food due to not having an oven.

They were bored out of their minds, to say at the least.

Normally they wouldn't have to deal with this, but with the impending invasion they were stuck in the apartment with no right to leave. There were police officers and government officials guarding every exit, making sure no teenagers or children left the safety of their homes. All in all they were frustrated.

The new imprisonment had given Suguha, and she was sure Kazuto and Asuna, plenty of time to think. The biggest thought was her feelings for Kazuto. Sure they had remained the same, but in some aspects they had changed drastically. She had started viewing him as more of an estranged brother. A normal brother.

And of course that thought brought tears to her eyes. She didn't like the to think of Kazuto as a stranger; more than ever, she wanted to love and cherish him. She wanted to savour those feelings, not push them away.

The mere idea of those feelings leaving her terrified her. She wanted to always hold on to those feelings even if they would never be returned.

A loud knocking noise broke through the silence of the apartment. She gasped sharply and shit up into a sitting position. There were so many things that a knock could mean. An invasion, a notice of invasion, and evacuation declaration, etc., etc. Suguha made her way out of her "bedroom" and headed towards the front entrance where Kazuto was reading over something with a concerned Asuna. "What is it, onii-chan?"

"With the new invasion of the Mongol-Korean Empire planned, an evacuation has hereby been ordered by the higher authority and the country of Japan," Kazuto answered in a mocking tone. "Signed by Honda Kiku, personification of Japan."

"Where are they taking us?" The question came from Asuna.

"Germany or France," Kazuto answered, running a hand through his hair. "This isn't good."

"What?"

"We have an hour to pack before the guards come and get us."

The guards came early and they were rushed out of the apartment and onto a helicopter headed for France. They were quickly joined by Keiko, Rika, and Shino, and Kazuto felt a small spark of concern for Ryotaro and Egil, for they would be fighting on the frontlines unless they escaped. The chances of their escape would grow slim with each passing second that the evac helicopters left with the Japanese teens.

He felt Asuna's grip on his hand tighten as the helicopter made it to the edge of Tokyo. He understood her concern; they'd never left the country before and these were trying circumstances to be leaving under. They were all nervous. There was a rational fear of being shot down and killed. It seemed to hit all of them that if they died here it was real—they wouldn't respawn, they wouldn't log out. They'd be dead.

Before long the sight of the ocean came into to sight and they were presented with battleships and fighter jets. A shiver ran up his spine with the realization that his home wouldn't be his anymore. Soon it would be part of the Mongol-Korean Empire. Japan would soon be no longer an independent country. Part of him wanted to believe they would be able to fight off the invaders but he knew that idea was ludicrous. They couldn't fight off what was becoming the next Roman Empire. It wasn't possible.

Keiko stiffened and Kazuto felt something similar to remorse when he remembered just how young she was. This had to be the most terrifying experience for her. The first explosion could be heard in the distance as their home country faded away and they began their travel across Asia to Europe. They all came to a quiet acceptance that they'd never see Japan again.

And when they did, it would be a wasteland.

When evening came they were informed that they were flying over Belarus, but due to weather they'd have to fly up by the Baltic Sea. Rika was scared. She didn't know where the Baltic Sea was or how much longer they'd be in this helicopter, but she was thankful that she wasn't with strangers. It would of been much worse if she didn't know anyone on this God forsaken helicopter. Asuna shifted in her sleep and Keiko snuggled closer into her side.

Shino locked eyes with her and her gaze held the same look of fear as hers. "Do you think we'll ever go back?"

Rika sighed and looked back. "Not anytime soon," she replied quietly. "Maybe sometime later, but I think this might drag on for a while."

"How long do you guess?"

"I can't be sure, years, months, weeks." She stared back wistfully. "Who knows, the whole country could be taken over in hours."

"I hope not."

"Me too." She sighed, finally looking forward as the Baltic Sea came into view and sun slowly rose above the horizon. "Let's make the best of it," she said, forcing a smile of reassurance.

Asuna was violently woken the turbulence and the pilot cursing loudly. "Kazuto—" The helicopter rolled and wind started howling. She could just barely hear Keiko and Rika screaming over the sound of the air rushing past as they quickly made their descent towards the ground. They slammed against the ground and she felt her body slam against the roof and the world turned black.

—End—