This contains a lot of events that happpen in one chapter, probably a bit too much for one chapter but I wanted to keep things interesting and dramatic. It's one of my favourite chapters so far.

Another one of my own chapters seperate from the main series story, I guess you would say. I named the chapter because well it's pretty obvious by the end but I think that approaching this story again may be a bit tiring but I suppose I never really thought it ended in Love and War. Also it is kinda inspired by something that has happened to me fairly recently.

You know the drill by now: Read and review also enjoy.

Chapter Ten: Realisation

"We're not as bad as you think. At least not all the time." I say probably in denial.

"Could have fooled me then. Do you know what happened out there? Cos I sure don't!"

I let out a deep sigh as I don't get it anymore than he does. I just I wish I knew as well. Zack has been standing on the sidelines for a while and he didn't think that it was so bad. I guess I had been making it sound less than it really is.

"Look, I'm just as lost as you are. Seeing Shun that worn out is new to me too." I continue.

"Paige was sent here to learn from the Brawlers. It's not the way I remember you guys."

"How do you mean?"

"Well, you guys just decided to help protect my home world without a second thought. That was admirable to watch."

Zack rests his head in his hands. He looks defeated which is a look that I have never seen on him before. Zack has always been the type to keep faith unlike me. I have to cheer him up somehow! My attitude isn't helping! Think of something!

"Yeah maybe. Even if you two decided to stay and help, Shun isn't in the listening mood." I reply sitting down next to him.

Seriously, that was a failed attempt. Am I even trying to be cheery anymore? No, probably not.

"Sorry." Zack responds looking into my eyes.

"What for?"

"Well, I haven't been a Battle Brawler so I don't know how you guys work."

"You don't but it's not complicated. We're a team in the end. We look out for each other."

I snap my head up sensing something. I don't think we're alone here.

"What is it?" Zack asks confused.

"Wait here." I request.

"Sure."

I leave the waiting room and I see Shun walking down the corridor. Was he actually listening in on us? Considering that spark between Zack and I, there's definitely suspicison about where we draw the line at friendship for others.

"Hey!" I shout.

"What is it?" Shun asks bitterly.

"Wow, nice to see you're alright too. I was worried about you. It's not like you to storm off like that. It was...to be brutally honest Dan like?"

"No need to worry. I'm fine!"

"Look, don't get defensive. I'm not saying anything. I'll be honest, you're the leader and considering you could have done a lot worse, I think it isn't a bad job. But you shouldn't cut us off. You shouldn't cut me off! I won't ever judge you! You know me better than anyone just like I know you! Just trust me!"

"There's nothing to say, Xen."

I feel my heart beat faster in absolute frustration! It's like talking to a wall! I guess he learnt something from his best friend after all! I really could slap him! What is he not seeing!

"Are you...! I'm really going to go insane here!" I gasp quietly trying not to lost it.

"I can handle this on my own."

"You know, I'm just gonna say it! Didn't Dan say something like that when you offered your help?" I snap walking back into the waiting room.

I let out a gasp of anger and my fist lands against the wall! I'm not gonna let him make the same mistake as Dan! I just won't! After all this, I'm still trying to help Shun out.

"Your ex is still stubborn, huh?" Zack guesses without a slight hint of questioning.

"What gave it away?" I say sarcastically.

"Damn, you two are going through a tough phase."

"Do you want me to say the same thing again?"

"Calm down, Xenia. I ain't the enemy here, you know."

I take a deep breath trying to regain my sense of calm. This isn't like me either. I'm not as calm as Shun normally is but I'm not completely hot-headed either. I'm somewhere in the middle. My hand is slightly bloody. That's natural for punching a wall really hard. Anger doesn't make you do logical things.

"God, he really does get under your skin sometimes." Zack observes.

"Part of being with him for four years. I'll be fine."

"Physically anyway."

"That's the plan."

"You deserve better than this, you know that?"

"Thanks but I'm not gonna leave."

"I'm not saying you should but you shouldn't put up with this crap either!"

I have a look of amazement on my face. It's not that I don't disagree with him but Zack doesn't normally get so aggressive. Phoenix pops out eyeing me and I return the glance. I shake my head lightl actually in absolute disbelief. I knew Zack cared about me. He's my best friend so it isn't that surprising to me. But I don't think that I knew the length of how much he cared.

"You really care about me, don't you?" I realise.

"More than you will ever know. Look, I'll support through everything but not if it's just gonna end up with you getting hurt."

I smile thankful for the concern and the amount of compassion that Zack seems to have for me. Okay, this is getting a bit too passionate for me.

"Seriously, I will never be able to understand how you put up with me through everything. I would have given up by now." I say with a light laugh.

"Years of practice." Zack says returning with a small smile.

I smile back. Alright now this is starting to scare me. I have a deadly beauty to confront before this day is through. God, will this be a day to remember for more than one reason.

"I have to meet up with someone." I say after a short silence.

"Alright. I'll see you tomorrow then."

"Sure."

I leave the room taking a deep sigh and resting my head against the wall. Man, this could not get any better. I have a friend who's MIA, my ex-boyfriend is a battling machine and my team is crumbling apart around me. Talk about things getting worse before they get better. There's another lesson I should have learnt last year.

"Are you alright, Xenia?" Phoenix asks with light alarm in her voice.

"Yeah, it's just been a very long day."

"We'll make it through."

"You sure about that?"

"I know that it's true."

This whole comforting thing is also becoming a bit suffocating not to complain or anything. Talking hasn't seemed to have any effect on anyone, let alone me.

"One pep talk at a time. I have a manipulative psycho to confront." I decide.

I go to the Interspace Cafe and much to my unpleasant surprise, there she is.

"Sellon." I call in a neutral tone.

"What can I do for you, Xenia?" Sellon asks.

Yeah, I'm not in the mood to play around things. It's been a hell of a day without me having to sugarcoat things. Actions seem to speak louder than words recently but I really haven't got the time to really care about it.

"Cut the act, Sellon. I know that you're the reason Shun is doing what's he doing. You may not be the main reason but you're the person who pushed him to it. The others may not know but I do."

"I don't know what you mean."

"Yeah, deny it all you want. I really don't care. I only came to tell you something."

"Fine, you caught on to my game. What are you planning to do about it?"

"Nothing. Just when Shun catches on and believe me, he will. He's gonna kill you. And as corny as it sounds, I have to say it like this considering this is the way that you would normally talk like: Hell hath no fury like Shun scorned."

Sellon just gets this look of ignorance and I walk off not needing to say anything else. Just don't say I didn't warn you, Sellon. I could have been more threatening admittely but I'm not give her any satsification of thinking she's got to me and I would like the dangerous one in that confrontation. Besides, when Shun does find out...he'll have enough fury for both of us.

"That was something I wouldn't have expected from you." Phoenix notes.

"Things have changed." I answer.

"They must have. You're stronger than last year."

"Good, I wanted to be. It saves me a lot of trouble."

Okay, enough of being the wannabe badass. Just not me. I'm the only girl brawler to being going this long so what does that even make me, I wonder. I guess I'm the exception to the rule.

"You were right earlier." Phoenix sighs.

"About what?"

"Zack cares about you. He's a friend but you can tell as well as I that he wants more than that."

How many times do I have to repeat myself? It's starting to become a recurring theme along with everything else as well. Man, there's a lot to moan about. My life is not going anywhere if I have this much to complain about at eighteen.

"Phoenix, it's not gonna happen."

"Why not?"

"Just can't."

"Can't or won't?"

Zack's my friend. That's all he's gonna be. Okay, true enough that something could have happened before when I was on Neathia but Shun has always been the one for me. Through thick and thin although this has to be one of our toughest times we've gone through since the whole Fabia thing. Then again, I'm still wondering whether there is any hope considering the way he is now.

Compared to Shun though, Zack has never been shy to admit to wanting to be with me and he said he would be there if I wanted to be with him. I made my decision last year but what if...? What if I never really got over him? Maybe it was just me being in denial? It wouldn't be the first time that I did that. Oh, you have got to be kidding me!

"Christ..."I say.

How much stuff can happen in one day?