The next day passed without much incident. Rie, Mistral, and Mirei took it in turns to stare almost enviously at Sora's ring, and Sora himself was finally up and around, without a trace of illness. Akiko, as well, despite her long and very close proximity to Sora, had absolutely no symptoms. That night, they both bid Mistral and the whole family farewell, and headed back to their own homes. Sora sighed happily as he opened the door to his room.
Instantly, a blur of motion catapulted out of the open door and tackled him in a bone-crushing hug. "So-chan!" called a high voice. "You're finally home!"
Sora grinned ruefully. "Hey, Shizuka," he said. "Tadaima… and sorry to worry you."
Shizuka giggled. "Okaeri," she said softly, completing the traditional exchange. "And I'm sure you'll find a way to make up for worrying me."
Sora leaned forward and kissed her warmly. "Like that?"
Shizuka replied by planting her feet on the ground, lifting Sora over her shoulder, and carrying him into the room, hanging bemusedly like a sack of potatoes. She turned to the bed. "We'll figure out something," she said, with a wicked grin on her face.
Sora rolled his eyes. "Oh?" He pointed to the bag on the ground. "Can we sleep in that instead, though?"
Shizuka nodded. "Sure." She pulled it open and slid him gently inside, and then slipped in on top of him. "Comfy?" she asked.
Sora grinned, and pulled the bag tightly around them. "Now I am."
Shizuka giggled and slumped gently against him. "I'm glad you're back," she whispered.
The next day dawned brightly, and Shizuka and Sora reluctantly parted for classes, but by that afternoon, they were reunited and relaxing together. "Hey, So-chan," Shizuka said. "So, are you feeling better now?"
Sora nodded. "Yeah, I think so."
Shizuka giggled. "That's good." She paused. "But, were you really sick? That's what I heard."
Sora smiled. "Only a little bit," he said reassuringly. "And Mistral-chan took good care of me, so I'm fine now."
Shizuka pouted. "And what's all this I hear about Akiko-chan?" she asked, glaring. "You went ahead and spent all your time with her while you were getting better."
Sora raised a finger. "Against my wishes, though. I might have been contagious; none of you should have been so close to me." He grinned and added, "Besides, it was the weekend. In case you've forgotten, that's when she has her turn with me."
Shizuka pouted. "Darn it…" she muttered. "You're right." She looked at him. "But really, I want it to be my turn all the time. The only reason I'm not keeping you all to myself is that I know what it would do to Akiko-chan, and I don't want to put her through that."
Sora hugged her. "I know… I'm sorry. I know it's hurting you both to keep stringing you along like this."
Shizuka smiled. "Yeah, but it's not really your fault. You're too sweet to want to dump one of us." She pecked his cheek, and whispered, "You'll figure it out someday. And you're so fun to be with, I'll be able to last until then."
A moment later, she added, "But… could we do something in the meantime?"
Sora paled. "You're talking about… that?" he whimpered. "Shizuka… I can't. I mean, Akiko…"
Shizuka stroked his cheek. "So-chan, I told you before, I don't care what you do with her. I just want you to do it with me, too." She sighed. "I want to know what it feels like… and, I have to admit that the thought of it is driving me crazy." Her body tensed against his. "I want you…" she said softly. "There, I said it."
Sora held her tightly. "I'm sorry…" he whispered, "But I can't do it."
Shizuka looked into his eyes. "Why, though?" she asked. "I know you like the way I look. And you and I both know it would be a wonderful experience." She giggled. "Are you worried I'll end up like Renée-chan? I wouldn't mind if it happened by accident." She blinked. "Or is it just because of Akiko-chan?"
Sora sighed. "There are a lot of reasons. First, because I know it would really hurt Akiko if I did it with you first, just like it would break your heart to play second fiddle to her. I'm not sure I'm ready to do it with anyone, even you, and even though you're right and it would be fantastic." He looked away. "But the most important thing… is that I'm scared. I'm scared of what it might do to me to actually do this."
Shizuka drew him close and kissed him. "So-chan," she said, "You're worried about losing that innocent nature of yours. And you're worried you'll turn into Amy-chan, am I right?" When Sora nodded, she smiled and said, "But you won't. If anyone should be worried about that, I should be, and I'm not. We're in love, So-chan. This isn't about lust; it's us expressing our love for each other." She gently turned him over and pinned him down.
Sora stared up at her. "Shizuka…"
Shizuka gave him a wide smile. "I won't take you against your will, So-chan. But stop being so scared, and have some fun for a change." She moved closer to him. "Come on… please?"
Sora trembled slightly, but then gave her a slight nod. "I… Okay." He tensed as Shizuka picked playfully at his shirt. "You'll be gentle, right?"
Shizuka giggled, and bent close. "Of course I will," she whispered. "Right now, I couldn't love you any more than I do." She knelt on his legs and took hold of her shirt. "Now, let me show you how much love that is…"
Before she could do anything, though, three loud knocks came on the door. Hiruma burst into the room an instant later. "Sora-kun! There's…" He broke off, bemused. "I'm interrupting something, aren't I?"
Shizuka sighed. "Darn it, Hiruma-kun… I finally got him to agree and everything. I'll never be his lover at this rate." Hiruma began to apologize. "Don't bother," she said, waving her hand. "I'm not mad at you. Although, whoever's responsible for whatever made you interrupt us is going to get it," she added, clenching her fist.
Hiruma chuckled. "You just might get a shot at doing that." He turned to Sora. "It's Atoli," he said softly. "And Moon Tree."
Shizuka gasped, and quickly got off of Sora. "What happened?"
Sora grit his teeth. "It's him, isn't it?"
Hiruma nodded. "Sakaki made his move," he said grimly. "And worse, he's got AIDA on his side. Atoli's being overshadowed, and AIDA-PCs are running amok in the guild's headquarters. Lord Zelkova has already been PKed."
Sora grabbed his M2D from his bedside. "Assemble everyone," he commanded. "We've got to save everyone we can."
Hiruma nodded. "Okay. I've taken temporary command. But will you meet with us, at least? At least take some of the Twilight Guardians with you as party members."
Sora nodded, and slotted his M2D into place. "Fine."
Shizuka smiled at him. "That's my So-chan," she giggled. "You're always jumping back into the fray, no matter what. I'll see you in a minute or two." She giggled again. "And when we've finished… maybe we could finish what we were going to do?"
Sora chuckled nervously. "Well… maybe."
Shizuka kissed his cheek. "I'll be waiting!" she called over her shoulder, as she left the room.
Hiruma nodded to Sora, and took off for his own room. Sora grit his teeth. "Sakaki-san…" he growled. "I told you to keep her out of your little power struggle…"
By the time Haruko reached the guild headquarters, the others had already gathered there. Helio nodded to him. "Good, you're here."
Yuki smiled. "Haruko!" she called. "Glad to see you're not sick anymore!"
Fata caught his hand. "We've all missed you, Master Haruko," she said softly. "Where did you go? I was worried!"
Haruko laid one hand gently on her head. "I got sick for a while. Don't worry; I'm fine now." He sighed. "But, I'm not the 'master' here any longer."
Fata shook her head. "You're always my 'master'," she insisted. "I'll follow you no matter what."
Natsuko giggled. "Yeah! Haruko's the leader, after all!"
Helio stepped forward. "I've already briefed the others. Sakaki's holding Atoli in the throne room, so you should head there." He paused. "But… Sora-kun, I want you to lead us."
Haruko blinked. "Hiruma-kun…" he muttered. "What are you saying?"
Helio clenched his fist. "We've lost far too much recently. Losing Captain Akiko threw the guild into disorder, and you leaving only makes it worse." His voice became hard. "Haruko, we need you to lead us."
Zefie tugged his arm. "Please, Haruko?" she said softly. "They need you."
Haruko smiled. Turning to the others, he said, "Actually… I was hoping that you all would let me." He looked slowly around at everyone. "You guys have been there, every step of the way. I'd be a fool to throw that all away."
Helio broke into a wide smile. "You'll really take back the leadership?"
Haruko nodded. "Yes," he said sternly, "but under one condition. You all have to be careful, and make sure to keep yourselves alive. We've lost too many members over these past few months."
Yuki smiled. "Of course we'll be careful," she said softly. "Besides, you'd break like a twig if something else happened to one of us. We all know that, and we won't let it happen."
Haruko sighed. "I know…" he muttered. "I don't want to lose anyone else."
A soft voice spoke up. "What about me?" Mayako called, stepping forward.
Haruko blinked. "Mayako-san?" he said, confused. "How'd you get in?"
Yuki stepped forward. "She wanted to join," she explained. "I knew you'd be here, so I loaned her a Guild Key and asked her to come."
Haruko rubbed his chin. "Mayako-san…" he said sternly. "This isn't something to play around about. There's very real danger here. Do you understand that?"
Mayako nodded firmly. "Yes," she said.
Haruko nodded. "Then… You're a Harvest Cleric, right?" he asked. "What level are you?"
Mayako blinked. "Um… I'm level 62, but…"
Haruko scratched his temple. "Sixty-two…" he muttered. Then he smiled. "Well, it's not quite as high as most of us, but it's good enough, I think."
Mayako lit up. "Thank you!" she cried out. "And… um…"
Haruko blinked. "What's up?"
Mayako blushed. "Well… I finally finished that 'project' I mentioned all those weeks ago…" she said softly. "I sent it to you… did you see it yet?"
Haruko shook his head. "Your picture? No… I must have missed the e-mail." He grinned, and added, "Well then, you'll have to promise me you'll make it through this, so I can tell you how nice it looks!"
He straightened up, and called out, "All right! Enough waiting around! We move on Moon Tree and Sakaki-san's troops now!"
A cheer went up from the guild. Haruko grinned and went on, "Our first priority is the groups still loyal to Zelkova-sama. He may have been defeated already, but I know that First Unit and Kaede-san's Third Unit will stick by him."
Helio nodded, standing beside him. "Be prepared," he cautioned. "Sakaki's Second Unit, and likely Matsu's and Hiiragi's as well, will definitely be fighting for him. There are a lot of enemies, and worse, some of them might be dear friends."
Haruko grinned. "But don't worry," he reassured the others. "We already know from the last server incident that if we break an AIDA server, everyone who got PKed should come back. So don't be afraid to take down Sakaki-san's troops if need be."
Henako came up. "What's the strategy, then?" she asked.
Haruko shrugged. "We go in, fight who we have to, and rescue the loyal Moon Tree members," he replied. "Meanwhile, I'll find Atoli and save her, and then I'll find Sakaki-san and put an end to AIDA's source."
Henako grinned. "Well, you heard the man!" she called out. "Everyone, form up battle groups! Two support to every combat person! One healer in every group! Be ready!"
Fata clenched her fist. "Let's go, everyone!" she shouted. "We'll bring AIDA to its knees, and save our friends!"
First Unit and Third Unit rallied around her, and Haruko nodded approvingly. "Maybe I should make her First Captain after all," he muttered.
Within minutes, the guild had gathered around the Chaos Gate. Haruko strode to the front. "Now… they've got the place locked down, naturally," he said. "Zefie-chan, could you help us with that?"
Zefie smirked. "Of course, idiot," she said smugly, and laid her hand on the Chaos Gate. "Let's see…"
"Hold it right there!" called out a voice. "Your days of defying the system are over!"
Haruko spun around and groaned. "Great," he muttered. "Like I need another reason to be angry…"
Adam strode forward purposely towards Zefie. "You! Vagrant AI!" he shouted angrily. "What are you doing there?"
Zefie snorted. "Breaking open an AIDA seal, so these idiots can go help Moon Tree," she said, without turning around.
Adam grit his teeth. "As an executive of C.C. Corp, I won't let this stand!" he yelled. "Prepare for…"
Haruko cut him off with a crushing, two-handed sword blow. "Deletion? I don't think so," he said coldly. "Go away. The grown-ups are going to go clean up your messes now."
Fata giggled. "Isn't it funny, how a ten-year old girl is more of a grown-up than this guy?"
Adam glared. "How dare you talk to me like that?" he shouted. "You forget your place, little brother."
Mayako caught her breath. "You're… his brother, Haruko?"
Haruko nodded curtly. "That's right. He's my elder brother, Adam. And it's been seven years since he acted anything like it."
Adam tossed aside his cloak. Underneath, he was clad in some kind of flexible, close-fitting blue armor. "Michael…" he muttered. "You're the one who's acting like a child here." He drew out his weapon, a golden bastard sword. "Stop running around like a fool and take responsibility for your actions!" he howled.
Before he could move, however, a deep voice called out, "Suvi Lei!" and he was suddenly paralyzed by a golden light.
Yata walked slowly up, his eyes fixed on Adam. "That's enough from you," he said calmly. "I already gave Helio the go-ahead for this."
Adam glared at Yata. "How dare you interfere?" he yelled, struggling to move. "I am an executive of the Cyber Connect Corporation!"
Yata returned his glare. "And I am an administrator of "The World". You may not like my decision, but as long as this place is under my administration, you are bound by it." He glanced at the others. "As much as any other player is."
Haruko nodded. "Does G.U. know about Atoli?" he asked.
Yata nodded. "Of course," he replied. "However, we do not have access to the same… shortcuts that you have. The others have gone to breach a Tri-Edge sign at Sif Berg; they'll enter Moon Tree from there, as a second wave."
Haruko grinned. "Good. But, if all goes well, they might not have anything to do."
Yata smiled slightly. "I hope that will be the case," he said softly.
Zefie leapt up and landed lightly on Haruko's head. "It's open, dummy gaijin," she said curtly. "Let's go already."
Haruko rolled his eyes. "As the little lady commands," he quipped, and tapped the Chaos Gate.
Author's Notes: Here we go...
