I'm baaack and remember that reminiscing part I mentioned, weeell I decided to write it anyway, and it was fun to write and trust me it's a mood lifter.

So now on to the disclaimer: I do not own .Hack

And now the story

.Hack G.U./Repose: Pre Sequel

By: The Not So GeniusVampire

Chapter 2

'Four days . . .' Ryou thought. 'Four days since I've logged into the World . . . actually it's been four days since I've done so much as turn my computer on . . . I know it's wrong, but Kaoru's in the hospital and I've been to so many with no luck . . . And Kite . . . I've tried looking for him but it's like he's dropped off the face of this planet!' He roughed up his dark brown hair and paced his room shortly before throwing himself on his bed. This ruffled up his black sleeveless shirt with 'Terror of Death' scrawled across it in jagged letters, and caused his black jeans to run up his leg slightly. He fidgeted around for a moment. 'This feeling won't fade . . . I'm restless . . . unsteady . . . and anxious . . . I haven't felt this way in a long time . . .' He rolled over. 'In fact, the last time I've felt this way it was because of him . . .' He closed his eyes.

- Flashback -

Eternal City Mac Anu: Alchemy District

Haseo's neck ached and his fingers were falling asleep. His PC had been trapped in the same pose for three hours and the stiffness in his limbs was settling in. He wanted to speak, to . . . move, but he dared not to. The reason behind his immense discomfort said "Annnnnnd done!" in an airy voice.

The adept rogue stretched. "OOOh I hope you're happy now." He snapped "You've been bugging me over a flyer pose for months!"

"This is PERFECT costumers will come in droves now!" Bikman giggled "This is sooo exciting!"

". . . Whatever just let me see it."

"Oh no,no,no,no,no,no that won't do! There's still a few things I have to do to it."

"What the hell?! I've been standing here like a moron for three hours and you mean to tell me you're still not done?!"Haseo stamped his foot in frustration. "What more could you possibly need to do?!"

"There are a few tweaks I need to perform on it, hun, you can see it then."

"No way! I'm getting a look at it now!" The rogue jumped at the NPC.

Bikman shrieked and ran, but he tripped and the poster flew out of his hand. Haseo tried to grab it, but it slipped from his fingers as well. Bikman fainted as it blew closer and closer to the stream below; however he fainted before someone caught it.

The gloved hand holding it belonged to a long-armed, blue-haired lanky AI who was covered in stitches. He stood balanced on the edge of the bridge's railing via one leg. He seemingly fell over, but even then his feet barely skimmed the water's surface. His eyes were closed.

'Kite . . .' Haseo surveyed the odd appearing AI. 'I know now he is meant to protect the World, but after so many months of misjudging him I don't think we can get along so easily . . . Actually he makes me . . . kinda . . . nervous . . .It's not like I don't want to talk to him he simply makes me nervous . . .'

Azure Kite opened his eyes and looked the poster over; Haseo could have sworn he saw a hint of interest in his bright jade eyes. After about two minutes, he floated over and fanned Bikman with it. The artist sprang up practically crying in appreciation and hugging him tightly. Azure Kite moaned something, which caused Bikman to blush brightly and mumble something in return; he could have been mumbling words of humility. This time he rolled it up carefully and tucked it under his arm. With a final glare at Haseo, he went off to a less windy part of the city.

The blue-haired knight's eyes followed him until another noise caught his attention. Haseo popped his wrist, the sound resembled several gunshots. He wished that his muscles had not tensed. It happened both in the World and in real life; when his fingers did not move for an extended amount of time, they tensed, at the same time, his PC body would lose some of his flexibility after a period of standing still. It also happened when he was nervous and the sound became that much louder.

His bones stiffened at the look Azure Kite was giving him; it was not exactly evil or malicious, but it was not exactly hospitable either. 'His eyes . . . they're so . . . big . . .' Haseo thought randomly. ' . . . It feels as though I could get lost in them . . . that's a bit scary . . .' He blinked twice, the second time around he caught Azure Kite turning to leave. 'He can't speak in way humans understand, but understanding words and communicating are two different things . . . At least that's how Endrance put it . . . This is going to be hard . . .' He forced his words out. "H-Hey Kite!"

Azure Kite jolted and turned around, the shock apparent even in his dilated unfocused eyes. 'Haseo . . . he doesn't really talk to me much . . . actually he ignores me . . . it kinda hurts, but I suppose he still doesn't trust me . . . So . . . why is he talking to me now?' He thought actually allowing his feet to touch the ground.

'I got his attention . . . wow . . .' Haseo mused in equal shock, too floored to think he blurted out the first words he could think of. " . . .Doyouwannaformapartywithme?!"

'Eh?' The AI looked lost.

Haseo took a breath. ". . . Do you wanna form a party with me?"He repeated slower.

Azure Kite's unnaturally large eyes widened.

"What?"

Azure Kite looked left then right of himself, looking for any other people. Then he turned back to Haseo and blinked slowly.

"Is what I said that amazing?"

". . ." The AI nodded slowly. He looked into the horizon allowing the setting sun to cast shadows on his shortish lithe frame. When the shadows subsided, he shook his head with one hand up in a polite decline and warped away at light speed.

'It seems like I'm not the only one who's nervous.' Haseo thought 'Then again it must feel like I'm ignoring him . . . maybe I've offended him . . .' he ruffled his hair 'I'm not quite ready to log out, but I've got nothing to do either . . . well maybe I'll just go to my thinking spot.' He warped to the sigma server and input a few area words.

- ∑ Chosen Hopeless Nothingness -

The area words were given to him from Endrance who said the area was 'distinctly unique'. This piqued Haseo's interest because Endrance was not easily impressed. The first time he went to the area he was run over by a herd of giant black Slephnir. Another time the platform was hanging from a huge oak tree. There were other less painful incidents, but one thing remained constant: the same thing did not happen twice in the area. He tread cautiously to the oak tree and sat on it with the 'pins and needles' approach. He looked left then right, so far all he saw was vast quiet grassland. 'Hmmmmm . . . so far nothing's happening . . .' Haseo thought then he flinched '! Gah! Spoke too soon . . . what's he doing here?!'

In the far distance he spotted a familiar flaming azure AI. ' . . . Something about this feels like karma . . . I've spent so much time and energy avoiding him and now . . . well maybe with luck he won't come this way . . . Oh COME ON!' Haseo would not have his way, Azure Kite turned his way, but on closer inspection, he appeared unusually uncoordinated, he even stumbled twice. His eyes were barely open and his head swayed as though disconnected from his body. '. . . He's both alone and out of it . . .' Haseo crossed his arms feeling guilt settling in again 'Actually, he's always alone . . . and it's not like very many people want to talk to him . . . except Balmung and Orca, and even they keep their distance . . .' He sighed.

Azure Kite could not have seen Haseo for he simply groaned sleepily and toppled over in his lap. "AHH! W-WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! GET UP!" He snapped into deaf ears. 'Me and my stupid thoughts!!' he fumed while trying to push Azure Kite off, a task he found harder than it ought to have been. 'What's going on?! My arms are actually aching and he weighs more than I do in real life! What's under that data? Bricks?!' He stopped at a rather peculiar sound. He put his as close to AIs mouth as he dared to; a definite snoring sound issued from him, Haseo's brain froze. 'Snoring huh? Well . . . I suppose I can let him sleep . . . Besides he sounds kind of cute . . . of course he'll be pissed when he wakes up, but that's not my fault.'

Azure Kite shifted now and then but he did nothing weird like kick and swing in his sleep. Haseo watched him, he knew that the AI was not like most programs, but he did not expect him to be this different, it actually felt like another human being was lying there. 'I wonder if any other parts of him feel this real . . .' He reached to the top of Azure Kite's cap and let his fingers skim the thick cottonish material, oddly enough the stitches felt like real gauzy hospital stitches. The bands encompassing his shirt felt like tight leather with cool copper fastenings; being as careful as possible he removed the cap and ran his hands through the spiky bluish hair. 'It's coarse . . . coarse, but not brittle . . .' he twirled a few locks between his fingers 'Actually, his hair feels nice . . .' Haseo ran his fingers through the bluish green forest one last time, that time was enough his fingers brushed one of Azure Kite's ears, and a cool shiver ran down his arm.

'I'm so weird . . .'He thought as he ghosted the back of his hand over Azure Kite's icy cold skin. 'I mean I may as well be molesting him . . . but his skin feels cool . . . and he's not half as scary looking this close up . . . I have yet another reason for feeling bad for ignoring him.' His hands traced the rigid tattoos that were Azure Kite's wavemarks. Azure Kite suddenly rolled over, his bangs falling to one side revealing the red lining around his closed eyes. He squirmed some then open his eyes slowly. Upon seeing Haseo, he sprang up and leaped back in alarm and drew his blades defensively. Haseo jumped back "Hey cool it! You were the one who passed out over my lap y'know! I was being nice enough to not throw you off!"

Azure Kite's eye twitched and he shook his head hard as if to knock that last bit of sleep from his mind.

"C'mon Kite do you like me that little?" Haseo inquired. Then he received a text message. 'What kind of timing is this?! I can't look away not when he looks good and ready to behead me!' He was caught by surprise when Azure Kite stood down and nodded. Haseo briefly scanned the message; it turned out that it was from Azure Kite himself. /Whatever, you just happened to be here so don't talk to me about being nice! And don't tell me what to do!/

"You need to calm down."

/Why should I especially for you?! You, the one person who hates me the most! /

"H-hate you?! I don't hate you!"

The AI shook his head again. /Yes you do. It's obvious . . . you ignore me too much to deny it. /

"I-I'm ignoring you?" Those words hit him right in the gut.

/Oh come on, you do it all the time . . . you either ignore or outright ignore me . . . it's like you still don't trust me . . . is that it? /

". . . It's not that simple . . ." Haseo said weakly. 'I'm just nervous around you . . . but it's not like I don't want to trust you . . ."

/Then what's stopping you? /

". . . I'd rather not say . . ."

/Are you still tripping out over that whole mistaken identity thing? Or is our second fight in the cathedral still fresh in your mind? / The AI tilted his head.

". . . Both . . . probably . . ."

He shrugged. /I actually understand, but that's no reason to not want to change your ideas. /

"I do . . . I mean I spent a lot of my time thinking the wrong thing . . . it's kind of hard to change now."

/If you really wanted to you would at least try. /

"I told you it's not that simple!" Haseo flared.

/And I'm telling you that it is . . . how about this for an idea, I'm sweeping this peculiar area for any suspicious activity, but it's a pretty big dungeon and it's tiring work when you have to do it on your own./

"Why didn't you ask Balmung or Orca?"

/They're off scoping out similar dungeons and our communication has been cut off since. Anyway, you're a strong fighter so things should work out if we simply form a party and check it out. /

". . . I have a question . . . why didn't you propose this the first time I asked to form a party with you?"

/You're not the only person in The World who feels unsure now and then. Honestly, I thought you were asking 'cause you were bored or simply 'because I was there and not really because you wanted to. /

Haseo opened his mouth but the only word that came out was a lame ". . . Oh . . ."

His less than impressive response was ignored. /This area . . . is so strange . . . / If Azure Kite could speak then he would have been doing so in a slow tone. /Y'know, and this is from some of my memory . . . the original Kite found Skeith in this area . . . As a result it seems to have assimilated R:1 elements with R:2 features . . . it's weird, not bad, and I just want to keep it that way. There are people aside from me that come here . . . /

"There are?"

/Yup./ Azure Kite drifted off to the beast temple. /There's this one guy who comes here on an almost regular basis, he doesn't actually do anything but mull around, but all it takes is one person . . . /

Following suit, Haseo wondered about this person. "What did he look like?"

/Well, I'll use one word for now . . . / He thought about it for a few moments. / . . . Tempting . . . that's what he appeared to be . . . /

'Yup he saw Endrance . . . I wonder if they talked . . .'Haseo wanted to ask, but he decided not to, he had a feeling Azure Kite would not tell him anyway. Instead he restated "You're doing a virus check?"

/Basically./

"Are you sure that's such a good idea, I mean with . . . nevermind . . ." He was about to mention the AI's level, only to find with extreme embarrassment and dismay that his level was exceptionally high.

Haseo's shock must have shone on his face for Azure Kite commented. /Don't feel too bad Haseo, I'm used to doing things on my own. /

"! . . .Whatever . . ." Color threatened to paint Haseo's cheeks.

Azure Kite shrugged and continued to float off to the temple. Looking back, he stated /Like I stated earlier this area has R:1 elements in it so you may want to watch your step. /

Haseo was unsure of what he meant for he expected to see a hallway leading to a Gott statue. However, he saw a long hallway leading into darkness. The corridor appeared endless. Its stone walls were covered in strange markings and on the floor a red carpet traced all the way under a threshold which opened into the unknown. Haseo said slowly "This is . . .new . . ."

/Not to me. / Azure Kite pointed to his forehead /I've memorized most of the dungeon already . . . all the way down to B4 to the problem that is. /

"What? Why didn't you just clear up the problem?"

The AI ran his fingers through his teal hair in exasperation . /Give me a break . . . weren't you paying attention?! I told you I was tired because I was clearing out everything on my own and I haven't been able to contact Balmung or Orca! Is it that hard to believe that even I burn out now and then? /

"Actually . . . it is . . . you always spring right back up after being knocked over or out."

/. . .That's not fair . . . even I burn out sometime . . . The only reason I left the dungeon was because the monster actually tried to grab me . . . that's how I knew something was wrong with it. I didn't want to risk anything else coming at me like that so I left and went as far away as I could./

"Oh . . ."

/And Haseo? /

"Hm?"

/Do yourself a favor and try to get on my good side . . . I'm not in the best of moods as it is, so you say or do something I don't like I will leave you behind . . . also keep in mind that when we reach a certain point I won't need you anymore and I can get out of here on my own./ He began to move forward.

Following suit, Haseo began to speak. "Fine with me, I'll just use my map to get out."

Azure Kite smirked.

"What?"

/I have a question for you, Haseo. /

"What?" The white-haired rogue demanded.

/Can you even see your map? /

"Huh?"

/The small steps we are taking right now, can you see them? /

Haseo scanned all corners of his screen only to nothing. He tried to turn it on several times, but to no avail. "Ah . . . n-no . . . I can't see it . . ."

/So you have two options: either pray that your map turns on, or don't piss me off. Even if this place didn't have monsters it can make you want to pull your hair out after a while. /

Haseo gulped as he crossed the threshold. As he did, all of the gates leading in any direction closed. "What th . . ." He was used to things limiting his battle movement, but he did not expect 

anything like in a 90's adventure movie. Nor did he expect the monsters to creep out of the walls and attack without restraint. He went flying into the wall at least five times in five different directions. He even crashed into Azure Kite who appeared unfazed by all the chaos. When the fight was over Azure Kite waited for Haseo to heal. /How are you doing? / He asked.

"I'm doing marvelous, thanks." He scowled "What was that?! I just my ass handed to me by lower level monsters!"

/Oh that? That has nothing to do with any virus of any kind; R:1 was just like that, everything was harder than it ought to be, and PKers did not exist. This is only the beginning, but I'm sure things will begin to work out if we can work together . . . if not . . ./ He trailed off.

'He plans on leaving me here . . .' Haseo thought. "Kite . . . are you sure you won't leave me for the hell of it?"

/We'll see, although if I really wanted to get rid of you I wouldn't have proposed to work together with you now would I? Anyway let's get a move on these dungeons are a pain./

Haseo saw what Azure Kite meant. He had never seen more turnpikes, dead-ends, or wrong turns in his time playing The World. Then he began to notice that Azure Kite appeared lost. "Are you having problems?" He asked dreading the answer.

/. . . Maybe . . . I think the area changed when I left . . ./ They were standing in front a huge caged skeleton with horns (Haseo half expected it to move) and the teal-haired AI was staring at it like it popped out of nowhere. /I honestly don't remember this thing being here . . . I know it wasn't . . . this isn't good . . ./ He sat down.

"What do you think you're doing?" Haseo demanded.

/The area's changed, I need to think of another way to take this on . . ./

The crimson-eyed teen huffed and flopped down. "Great . . .just great . . . well is there something I do to speed this up?"

/No . . . wait . . . well, we can exchange a few words if you want./

". . ."

/Not for nothing but you were the first enemy I focused on./

"What is that supposed to mean?"

/It means I actually thought of you as a target worth focusing on./

"I never thought you were focusing on much of anything, and attacking players at random doesn't exactly help your case."

/It would take me a while but I can tell a threat from a bystander./

"Right . . ." Haseo said sarcastically, a part of him knew he was pushing Azure Kite's buttons, but that same part of him did not care. "So your attacks were not only random they were pointless."

/Dammit I don't need you to tell me that! And I don't need you to come up with some half baked assumption that because I'm an AI I supposed to be perfect!/

"I didn't say that! I'm just saying that if you had made your motives clear from the start a lot of grief could've been avoided!"

/Like you have any room to talk! You were even worse than me!/ at these words Haseo's jaw dropped. /That's right 'Terror of Death' I kept an eye on you how could I not? And I know all about your power conquest, like I said at least the people I harmed were mistakes, you just took a stab at everything that breathed, so don't talk to me about causing grief./

"People change . . ."

/OH AND PROGRAMS CAN'T?! WHO DIED AND MADE YOU KNIG OF THE WORLD HUH?! ANSWER ME WHAT MAKES YOU THINK YOU'RE THAT MUCH BETTER?! ANSWER ME HASEO!!/

"A . . ." Haseo was lost for words. He did not expect Azure Kite to be that emotional. He spoke much slower. "You asked what I meant by what I said; whether or not programs change in specifics . . . I . . . don't . . . think . . . they . . .change . . . as much as you don't want to believe it programs don't change. Even when they evolve they just find more brutal ways to do the same thing. You aren't an exception, Kite . . ."

He suddenly felt the most crushing blow ever dealt to him right in the gut, and he barely managed to dodge the second blow. Before he knew it he was facing a blinding storm of hard slashes from a thoroughly angered Azure Kite. Even when he thought he was in the clear he was caught in the face with a flying kick. Haseo drew both guns in order to keep the infuriated AI at bay, but the knight enveloped himself in an impenetrable blue flame and charged foreword. Haseo drew his broadsword at the last moment and used all of his strength to swing Azure Kite into the wall. When he crashed the wall it cracked several ways and the caged skeleton shook. Azure Kite landed on his face and when he looked up it was the face of bloody murder. Haseo went to defend, but Azure Kite did nothing ; instead he texted /You're on your own./ and warped away so fast the cage fell and the skeleton tumbled out. Haseo jumped back. 'I never thought he'd be so . . . sensitive . . .'


- Area B3 -

Azure Kite limped but he was not injured he felt overwhelmed by Haseo's words. 'I never knew he thought so little of programs, AI, and me . . .' He pounded the wall . 'Damn, why do things like this always happen when I' m near Haseo and why, even now do I want to change his way of thinking? It would be like trying to move a mountain. . . Do I truly have the patience to do such a thing?' He looked down the flight of stairs then back.

- Area B2 -

No matter what he tried Haseo always ended up in the last place Azure Kite left him. 'Damn how did he do it, in just a few steps I've ended up completely lost!' he fumed. 'He wasn't kidding when he said I'd need him . . . But I doubt he'd come back . . .' he flinched and clutched his stomach. 'Ouch . . . his blows feel real, just like his body did . . . I think I'm puke if this keeps up . . . and I think I taste blood on my tongue.'

His thoughts were intercepted by a flash of bright blue light. His vision blurred slightly but he could make out the form of Azure Kite. 'What? No . . . way . . .' He demanded "What are you doing here? I thought you were going to just up and leave. "

/I never said how long I was going to leave you on your own./

"Oh really? Why'd you come back?"

/I'm not like you, and I still want to try my hand at your respect once more./ He held out his arm. Haseo stepped back. /I'm serious, Haseo I'm not going to do anything but heal you. I'm a heavy hitter and I hit you where it hurts, therefore I know you're in pain right now and you can barely stand. In all honesty, I need you and I need you in good health./

"I-I'm fine . . ."

/Haseo I can tell that your real body is bruised and you probably want to blow chunks right now it's all over your face./ Azure Kite's expression was flat, unreadable. /But I can heal both your PC and real body if you let me./

Haseo considered it. 'Well, he does keep his word, and there has to be some way to bury the hatchet . . . or at least carry it to the burial spot . . .' He nodded. "A-all right, just don't blow me up, got it?"

Azure Kite let out what sounded like a low chuckle. /I'll think about it now give me your hand./

When Haseo reached out far enough, Azure Kite snatched his wrist. The bracelet around his wrist glowed gold. Haseo felt an odd sort of spark run down his spine then all of his previous aches subsided. He had no idea that he closed his eyes, when he finally opened them the knight's hair could have put one out. /Feel better?/ He inquired.

Haseo nodded slowly. "Yeah . . .thanks . . ."

/ . . .Good . . . let's go . . ./

Haseo quirked his silver-white eyebrows. "Why did you come back?"

/ . . . I decided on something . . . it's something I plan on making you understand . . ./

"What?"

/Changing is not limited to humans neither is having a personality, but to see that it sometimes involves looking at the other person in a different light as though they are human; you have to step back and look at the person as though they are the same as you. Wait . . . that doesn't make sense . . ./

'Maybe not . . . but . . . I think I understand anyway . . .'

When they reached the third block, the monsters became easier to dispose of. As a result, Azure Kite posed a question in the middle of one confrontation. /I know I asked already but do you remember the first time we met? The confrontation in particular?/

"Yeah, what about it?" Haseo destroyed a monster that tried to sneak up on him.

/Didn't it strike you as odd in any way that I was there at all? I mean you did try to draw me out with no luck, so why would I show up then?/

"I wasn't really thinking about it, but now that you mention it your appearance was a bit off. By the way where do we go from here?"

/We go . . ./Azure Kite thought about it. 'Everything seems to be the same here . . .' He continued. /We go left for the monster, but this is important so let's go right, it would be rude if something just grabbed you while I was explaining something./

"Good point." Haseo nodded.

/All right point blank I didn't know who you were or why you were there, and like you I wasn't thinking too hard on it./

"What were you thinking about?"

/Well, there was an infected player in the vicinity and I was just doing what I was created to do, take out the offending anomaly . . . I believe you called it AIDA./

'Wait a second . . . He was after Ovan? . . .' Haseo thought. Aloud he said. "I didn't see anyone else there."

Azure Kite sighed. /It's like you said . . . you were after me, so you could've cared less if anyone else was there. Besides, the person was standing behind you the entire time./ The AI clicked his 

sharp teeth. /It was annoying, and you wouldn't take a hint so I tried to push you out of the way./

Haseo remembered his weapons breaking into fragments, and he distinctly remembered Azure Kite's hand on his face roughly pushing him aside. However, something did not add up. "Kite . . ." He said in a slow cautious voice.

/Yes?/

"You Data Drained me . . ."

/Actually I tried to shoot through you . . . it just didn't work . . ./

"Why you . . ." Haseo's crimson eye twitched.

/Oh come on you just had a computer crash and your PC was blasted down to level 1, big deal . . ./ The AI waved his hand dismissively. /At least you didn't have your arm in a wall and your arm overseas./

Haseo flinched. "Ouch . . ."

/Exactly so stop complaining!/ He scolded.

"Sooo, is that why you have more stitches on your right arm than your left? Because it's been ripped off twice?"

/Right . . .What?/

"Look at your right arm."

Azure Kite complied out of curiosity he squinted and began to count. /Heeey your right I do have more stitches on this arm . . .huh . . . you learn something new everyday . . ./ He looked at the odd set one last time. /Well anyway, I just wanted to tell you that, I don't know if it changes anything , but there you have it. Let's go, this wall is starting to depress me./

'Hm that sounded a bit comical coming from him . . .' Haseo followed suit.

The Entrance to the monster's area was lined in a purple haze. When Azure Kite and Haseo crossed the threshold they were faced with a flaming phoenix but its feathers were lined with an odd green ooze in addition, one of its wings were a green version of Azure Balmung's. 'Time to get to work.' Haseo thought; following Azure Kite's lead for once he drew his blades. "I've got it!" Haseo shouted.

Azure Kite was not listening he sprang first, and dug his sword into the phoenix's long thick tail, pinning it to the ground. In one swift blow he broke its protection barrier. However, before he could Data Drain it the infected creature drove its hard beak into his stomach. His body arched strangely and he went as limp as a wet doll.

At the far wall, a neon red symbol resembling Haseo's three-eyed horned avatar Skeith grafted around Haseo's body and a bracelet similar to Azure Kite's formed around his arm. Standing protectively over the fallen AI, he finished what Azure Kite started. The monster burst into fragments and that was the end of it.

Haseo turned to Azure Kite with real panic in his eyes, usually the pale knight would have simply leapt up and kept on moving. However, he simply lie still, and he felt even cooler than before when Haseo pulled him into his lap for support. "Hey Kite . . . KITE wake up!" As he shook him he panicked even more. "Wake up damn you, being immortal doesn't give you the right to completely ignore others!" Haseo's voice shook with each syllable he hardly knew why, but he seriously feared for Azure Kite's life. "You idiot! C-c'mon . . ." All of a sudden, he heard muffled, raspy giggling. 'H-huh?! Wh-wh-what?! Wh-wh-who . . .?!' He looked down at Azure Kite who had turned over with the brightest toothiest smile ever on his face. "What the . . . ? Y-you bastard!!" Haseo stammered and dropped him.

Azure Kite rolled onto his back, laughing lightly. /Haseo were you worried about me? It sure sounded like it./

"You shameless bastard of course I was!"

/Why? I thought you wouldn't care about what happened to a program like me./

Haseo mumbled something.

/What?/Azure Kite tilted his head a little.

He raised his voice only a little. ". . . different . . . humanlike . . .friend . . ."

/Seriously, I didn't understand a word you said./

Beet red, Haseo shouted. "I've known for a long time that you're different all right?! In fact I know that you're more human like than the people that claim to be human, and . . ." He swallowed hard. "I want to get to know you better, y'know like being friends . . ."

/What? Really?/ The teal haired knight sat upright. /You honestly mean that Haseo?/ He tilted his head again. /I mean you really hurt me with that 'programs don't change' speech. /

"Sue me I don't know when to shut the hell up, no need to make a production out of it . . . Besides, you're reaction made me regret it . . . and then I thought about it . . ."

/Did it hurt?/

"Ha ha ha . . ." Haseo rolled his eyes. "I just mean I started thinking about how you feel upset, angry, offended, sad, tired, happy, and you even joke around when you feel like it . . . it all seemed odd, yet natural . . ." A thoughtful look crossed his eyes. "Aside from that you look rather attractive when you sleep and when you smile."

A new expression graced Azure Kite's visage, and for some odd reason he tried to hide it behind his hair. However, his greenish blue forest could not hide the bright red flush creeping up his cheeks.

Haseo, stood up with his hands on his hips. "Are you feeling embarrassment now? You're a pretty busy guy you know that."

The AI felt one of his cheeks, they burned as hot as his reddening face /Let's go./. He turned his head 'Stupid Haseo . . . you're just trying to get on my good side . . . maybe it's working just a little bit . . .'

'I think I rattled him . . . he almost looks lost . . .' Haseo mused. "Hey Kite, is there a faster way out of here?"

/I could teleport us out of here, but I've never tried it with another person . . . I could try it with you, but . . ./

"What?"

/Well . . ./

"What, spit it out already."

/I could end up splicing you and that would affect you in real life . . ./

Haseo gulped trying to get the fatal image out of his mind. "O-oh . . ."

Staring at the ceiling the knight scratched his head. /Hoofing it would be safer . . ./

"Let's . . .try it your way . . ."

/What?!/

"Maybe I have a death wish, but you haven't killed me so far, and on top of that I've got feeling everything will be . . . fine . . ."

/Whoa . . . that's unusually positive for you, Haseo./

"I'm crazy today."

/All right . . . just grab my arm . . . the right one . . . and whatever you do DON'T lose your grip./

Haseo knew what happened every time Azure Kite flashed, but it felt different when his own body heat increased and he lifted off of the ground. When it actually happened his scream could have been heard even at light speed. Outside, Azure Kite landed neatly in the grass, Haseo continued to grip his arm shaking uncontrollably. Even when he let go he fell weakly on all fours with very little voice. "H-how can you do that as much as you do?!"

Azure Kite shrugged /It's how I move, to me it's as natural as walking./ He transformed into a blue fireball and zipped around Haseo a few times.

"Geez . . ." He took a deep breath. "Y'know what Kite?"

/Huh? What?/

"I was serious about getting to know you better . . . personally I could kick myself for . . . ignoring you."

/Ah . . . well like I said don't worry about that I'm used to being overlooked . . ./

Haseo grabbed him. "But it bothers you! You don't like it and I'm saying . . ." He stopped. 'What am I saying?'

/You're saying you'll fix that even if you have to do it on your own?/

". . . Uh yeah . . . that's it . . ."

/Wow Haseo you're much nicer than your lousy attitude implies./

"Heh . . ." Haseo began to laugh then he blinked. "Hey!"

Azure Kite smiled rather shyly /Well I'll take you up on that, Haseo, I hope this time around we get along better./ He looked up. / . . .Y'know . . . not being alone sounds pretty good./ with that he warped away.

- End Flashback -

'After that, we really did start off better, and we got along much better than before', Ryou thought. 'Even though I'm not quite sure as to how he met Endrance, aside from the one time he mentioned, the two of them seemed to get along fairly well . . . So what happened?' Without thinking, he stood up and crossed the room to his computer and turned it on. After somehow fishing through the junk he found two mails.


From: Azure Balmung

To: Haseo

Subject: Kite

-Meet me at ∆ Passing Forbidden Two Wings, Orca's here too. I'll be here every day at 12:00 for two hours. Kite's been missing for a while now and we just want to know if you know where he is or the last place he's been.-


From: Sakubo

To: Haseo

Subject: Endrance

-I know where Endrance is, meet me at Θ Passing Forbidden Two Wings and I'll tell, I know this has been hard on you too, big brother, so I'll wait in the afternoon, that's when you're the most alert.-

P.S.: I miss you


'Who should I reply to? I shouldn't lay off Balmung and Orca, but if they don't know where Kite is then I really don't know where to look. I'm as clueless as they are . . . still should say something . . . But . . . I also want to know how Kaoru is. There is so much I have to say . . . it's times like this when the decision should not be mine.'


And there you have it! this chapter came out much longer than intended but I think it's good. Please Review and if you have any questions feel free to ask.