Konnichiwa! Whoa. It seems like some time since I waltzed onto the fanfiction floor. Sumimasen for the late update, but I've been so busy!

That's my excuse (insert cheesy smile!) Hope everyone's enjoying the New Year!

Chapter 10: Pink Rose

"Where is it? Where is it?" Isn't it dreadfully annoying when you put something down, then forget where you put it? I have managed to misplace my old school photo album. Back when I was seven. "Damn it. You'd think in a house this big there wouldn't be so much junk!"

Ring. Ring. Ring.

"For the love of…Where'd the phone go. Hell…Oh! Moshi moshi, Hiwatari residence, Kai speaking."

"Wow, Kai. Sooo formal!" I am in no mood for friendly chit-chat.

"What do you want, Max?"

"You sound happy today! What's up buddy?"

"Oh, nothing." Like I'm going to stress over one little photo album. So immature.

"I'm gonna log onto the World in an hour. Will I see you there? My dad says I spend too much time on this game. He might ban my computer access! He did that with sugar once. Three. Whole. Days. It nearly killed me."

"I know. That was almost the worst three days of my life. Look, no offence, but I'm in no mood to discuss petty problems. I might log in if I have time. Wait for me at the server, okay?"

"Sure. Good luck with whatever you're doing. Bye!"

I hang up the phone and pick up the scattered papers covering the wooden floor beneath.

"Ow! Darn!" I forget about the stupidly placed cabinet, and walk into it. There was some stuff on the top that fell off, hitting me on the head. "Here it is…" Must be my lucky day. I bend down to pick up my photo album. These were the days before I transferred schools. "I look so young…there's that awful teacher and…! I…I don't believe it…" So I was right. Some one in that photograph I had met recently. That boy. The mysterious red-head. He was Tala Valkov. My old rival…

XOXOXOXOXOXO

"That'll be 500 please. Thank you." A wavemaster with kitty ears and an odd outfit left the shop with his recently purchased items.

"What to do to pass the time…?" He wondered allowed. Sitting down on a patch of grass in the sun, he crossed his legs and began to mediate quietly, his eyes closed in clear concentration. The area was in perfect harmony. Silent, peaceful harmony. But not for long…

"Rei! Are you purposely trying to piss me off? (Ha, this is quoted from .hack/infection!)" A girl's voice demanded. "I thought your e-mail said to meet me at the chaos gate. Liar! I had a feeling you'd come here though. Are you avoiding me?"

"No, honestly, Mariah." The boy stood up and sighed. His childhood friend could be quite annoying at times.

"Don't say my real name out here in the open!" She gasped, pushing her hand over Rei's mouth.

"Why? Nobody's here except us."

"Alright. I'll let you off this time." Giving the wavemaster a big smile she grabbed his arm. "C'mon, let's rack up some more points. Chaos gate, here we come!" It was a funny sight to see a spluttering neko-jin being dragged along by a loud mouthed pink-haired girl.

XOXOXOXOXO

"A new message on the board…hmm. What? 'Coma'. Hey, its been deleted by CC Corp. But why? Is this topic related to what Max was telling me before? Ah great. More unanswered questions."

I arrive in the server a little later than I had hoped, but I found Max was still waiting for me. What a loyal friend. I give him a smile for hanging around twelve minutes after the time we were going to meet.

"Glad you could make it, Kai. So, did you read the board?" Max asks, leaning against the wall opposite the chaos gate.

"Well, I did see the title. Are you talking about the 'Coma' message?"

"Yes. Didn't you read it?"

"I couldn't. It had been deleted!" I exclaimed crossly, leaning against the wall with Max.

"Really? I read it just after it had been posted. I had no idea that it had been removed. I guess news like that is bad for the game's popularity, but still…this is a serious matter." My blonde friend, usually happy and full of energy seems a little down and depressed. It was strange to see him talking so seriously, his blue eyes glazing over.

"Yes. I fear CC Corp deleted the e-mail not to worry the gamers. If The World is responsible for the comas, they could be in big trouble. Even we might get into real trouble…"

"You don't think we'd fall into…"

"Who knows. All the players here could be in danger. But, perhaps, only specific people are attacked? Maybe it's a conspiracy?"

"…" The two of us think silently about the matter for a while. Max's amulet flashes dimly for a second. He doesn't even notice. His expression shows unease. He's afraid. Scared that we could playing a dangerous game. That the programmers are hiding a big secret threatening the health of the players, perhaps even unaware of the results. Even so, Max isn't alone in this worried pondering. I'm scared too. And it takes a lot to scare Kai Hiwatari…

XOXOXOXOXO

"M…Max? Kai? L…long time, no see." A familiar voice breaks us out of deep thought.

"Rei?" Max says, smiling once more.

"You know these two?" A girl asks. She's just a little shorter than Rei but taller than Max. Her long pink hair reaches her waist and her outfit is a little skimpy to say the least.

"Yes. These players are Kai the Blademaster and Max the Twin Blade."

"Nice to meet you I guess. My name is Pink Rose. I'm a Heavy Blade."

"Hi!" Max steps forwards to shake her hand, which she does with a frown.

"So, you're newbies then?"

"Sort of." I reply sensibly. "But we're not weak if that's what you're implying."

"Oh. I didn't mean that." She forces a laugh. "Anyway, nice to meet you. Maybe we will 'hang out' together some time. Rei and I are busy now, gomen. We're gonna gain some big points!" And with that, the rather pushy girl pulls Rei into the chaos gate with her and selects a random place to orb to.

"Bye guys! Keep in touch!" Our neko-jin friend smiles, disappearing a few seconds later.

"Well, she was quite a character!" Max laughs. He seems himself once more.

"Yeah. But I didn't like her attitude. Rei didn't even stand up for himself."

"Do you think she's his girlfriend? Or his sister even?" Max asks me, looking up into my eyes.

"Who knows. I'm sure we'll find out later."

"Kai, I never asked before, but is there anyone you like?" Why I was asked that question, I don't know, but Max stared at me intently, trying hard not to laugh.

"No. Only friends. And I don't have them in abundance."

"I knew you'd say that!" Max grins. But I know he isn't making fun. Besides, we're both single, and we're not even that interested in girls. Don't get the wrong idea! We're definitely not interested in guys! Stop staring, you'll live to regret it!

XOXOXOXOXO

"I think it's time to play a little game with the Twilight Hackers. Do you agree, Valkov?"

"…"

"Hn. You're going to miss all the fun…"

"What's the plan?"

"Time for event 'numero uno'." A smirk curled up on the face of a man hidden deep in shadow.

"I'll check the systems. We have a free date tomorrow. The event can go ahead there."

"Perfect. The fun is only just beginning. Let's see how you do, .hackers…"

TBC

So. There it is. Chapter ten already! I'm so happy. I should be practising my French. And I want to study my Japanese books. There's just not enough free time! Sorry for moaning so much in the author's notes, but hey, it fills up space and wastes my precious time too! Hope this chapter was enjoyable, and I'll see you (not literally o' course) for chapter eleven. Please keep reviewing, I love the feedback!

Byezies,

Minako Angel out xxx

(A:N/ I have posted the next chapter along with this one, so hopefully everyone won't mind that its been months since the previous chapter! My next update may take a while. Please be patient! And no guns unless I say so!)