A/N: Thank you for your patience with this update, guys. I've got a broken shoulder that's hindering me a bit on this, so it'll be slow for a couple of weeks, but updates will still keep coming, just slower for a bit. Thank you for being so patient.

"Takashi. Takashi can you hear me?" Takashi groaned and his eyes cracked open a little. There was darkness around them in the car. They'd pulled off in a little rest stop and stayed away from the lights, parked up under the trees. Fuya was sitting on the top of the car, his legs visible in the window, but if he was keeping watch, why was there someone leaning over Takashi. "Takashi?"

"Michael?"

"Hi," Michael whispered. He jerked up and Michael sat back a little, Takashi's cheeks flushing a little as he realised Michael was sitting astride his lap. "I'm sorry, Takashi."

"I-I thought you were dead," Takashi snapped, glaring up at him. Michael's face was hidden by shadows under his hood and Takashi reached up slowly, stroking his cheeks. "Michael... Why would you do that to me? I thought you were dead! I saw what he did to you. I saw you fall. I- I thought- Michael-"

Michael wrapped his arms gently around him and Takashi buried his head in Michael's chest. He supposed it wasn't Michael's fault. He'd fallen. It was hardly his fault he couldn't come and tell him the truth. And none of it mattered anymore. He had Michael back. He could hold him tight and protect him now. Michael was safe. He had him back and safe and nothing else was more important. He laughed and shook his head a little.

"I should have known better," Takashi whispered, his fists tightening around Michael's red hoodie. It was damp. Water seeped out of his fingers. "As if anything could ever get rid of you."

"I'm sorry, Takashi."

"Don't be," he said, shaking his head. "Don't be sorry. You're here now, that's what matters." He leant up slowly and pressed his lips gently to Michael's. "I'm just so glad you're safe."

"Takashi?"

"Yeah?"

"Takashi. Takashi, can you hear me?" Takashi's eyes widened a little. He was... why was he...? "Takashi?"

"Michael? Michael, what's wrong?"

"I'm sorry, Takashi."

He was repeating the same things like a broken record. He stared up at Michael's face, still hidden in shadows. His fingers brushed his cheeks and his skin was cold and damp. No... It couldn't be a dream. It couldn't be some cruel dream.

"Michael, please-"

"Takashi, can you hear me?"

"Michael-" The seat beneath them crumbled and Michael fell, plummeting to the raging river below. "Michael! Michael!"

He ran to the cliff edge, tears streaming down his cheeks as Michael fell. Michael fell, reaching for him and Takashi jumped from the edge, reaching for him desperately. If he could just reach him... if he could save him this time...

Their fingers brushed and Michael's emerald eyes softened slightly, a little smile coming to his lips. "I'm sorry."

He hit the ground hard, face first in the mud. He groaned and lifted his head slowly. There was the four of them- Mr Heartland and his generals. The rocks and rubble frozen in mid air. A frozen frame in time.

"Takashi, can you hear me?" He lifted his head and found a child in front of him. Michael? He was cute and short, his pink hair curling around his face beautifully and those gorgeous green eyes sparkling with life. "Takashi, can you hear me?"

"Michael?" He grinned and nodded. "I'm dreaming?"

"Sorta," Michael replied. He toddled over and wrapped his arms around Takashi's neck. "I'm calling to you from beyond..."

"You're dead."

"My soul is calling to you," he said, stroking Takashi's cheeks. "I'm not really him. Not the him you know. I'm his true self. His essence."

"Before everything that happened?" Michael nodded and Takashi took his tiny hands gently. Michael called to him from another world. His soul called to him. Takashi was honoured. "I love you so much, Michael. You're really dead?"

"Don't cry," Michael giggled, stroking his tears away. "Silly, don't cry. Just look. You saw the memory of it. It's stuck in your mind. Just look."

"Look? Look for what?" Takashi cried, shaking his head. "Michael, please! Tell me what I'm looking for! Tell me what I'm looking for in Sargasso! Please, Michael..."

Michael giggled and patted his head gently with his tiny hand. "Look. You'll see it. You'll figure it out. I believe in you. I always have."

He smiled and kissed his cheek before fading into nothing. Takashi reached for him desperately but the youngster vanished and Takashi could do nothing to stop it. What was he supposed to be seeing? What could be in the memory of Michael's fall could help? He brushed his cheeks slowly, trying to stop the tears. If Michael's soul wanted something and was trying to show him something, he had to pay attention. He had to figure it out.

He forced himself to his feet, looking around slowly. Mr Heartland and Semimaru were standing there quietly, not caring about Michael falling while at least Kaninja and Kurage were looking concerned. What was he looking for? What could possibly find here?

"Takashi. Takashi, wake up. Takashi." Fuya was leaning over him and Takashi sat up a little. Fuya smiled, stroking his tears away slowly. "You ok? You were calling to Michael?"

"Yeah just... dreaming..."

Fuya smiled bitterly and kissed his cheek gently- the exact spot where the childish vision of Michael had. His heart race and he gripped Fuya's wrist tightly. Michael had been calling to him. He wanted something. He wanted him to find something and he couldn't figure out what.

"Takashi?" Fuya whispered.

"I can't let him down," Takashi said, shaking his head. "I can't fail him again."

"Come out," he said softly, taking Takashi's hand. "Come outside and get some air." Takashi nodded a little Fuya helped him out the car, taking out a flask and pouring them each a cup of hot cocoa. "Do you want to talk?"

"When I was fighting with Mr Heartland and his generals... Semimaru used his powers and showed me what he did to Michael. He showed me how he died. I can't shake it. I keep replaying it and I can't shake it. I let him down. I should have been there."

"I don't pretend to know exactly what happened," Fuya murmured. "But I know that he was incredibly powerful. I know that... It sounds like he loved you too and you probably couldn't have helped him. I know it's not what you want to hear but... sometimes one person isn't enough. Sometimes you just can't save the people you really wish you could. No matter how hard you try."

"Fuya? Has something happened?"

Fuya smiled bitterly. "My mum... she's one of them. I couldn't stop her. I tried so hard but I just couldn't convince her it was wrong."

"I don't know if we can do anything else, Fuya," he sighed, closing his eyes. "What are we supposed to do? The rest of the Astrals should be gathering at the academy but... we were over come so easily at HQ, who's to say we'll do any better at the academy? And then the four of us heading out into Sargasso? What makes us think we stand a chance? To summaries, we've lost and four kids cant make any difference."

"You're wrong!" Fuya cried, grasping his hands. "You're so wrong. Even one person can make the difference. Just one person can save the world." Takashi gasped as he was pulled into Fuya's arms, held tight by the older boy and completely stunned. "You changed my world. Don't give up."

"Fuya..."

He wrapped his arms around Fuya slowly and leaning into his shoulder. He didn't know what difference they could make but if Fuya really believed in him and would help keep him going then he had to figure things out and find a way through.

Byron wanted to be proud of Thomas. He was a Lord now. Lord Orrim. No longer his little Thomas. He swept passed in the halls like he didn't even know his father. Byron wanted to be proud of his son but he wasn't sure Orrim was his son. His eyes were cold and lifeless and Vector led him around like a pet.

Long gone were the days when Thomas would hang onto his sleeve and follow around faithfully. He was glad Thomas seemed happy with Vector but he missed him already. When he was with the Astrals, Byron could tell himself it was just the Astrals' brainwashing him. Now, he was here. He was within reach, wandering the same halls and within reach and still not his.

"What's wrong, Byron?" Wolf murmured.

"I'm worried about Thomas," Byron replied. Wolf rolled his eyes. Those two just couldn't get along, could they? "We've just lost Michael and with Kaito... He's in no state to be making his own decisions and quite frankly I'm not sure Vector has his best interests at heart."

"Ignore Vector and the brat," he sighed.

"Did you just call my son a brat?"

"He is." Byron sighed and moved to rest his chin on his palm. "I've babied you about him for long enough. Really. I've put up with them hating me for... what, ten years? Your sons are spoilt brats who demanded their father's attention and when they didn't get it they rebelled."

"They're not that bad."

"Why do you think he's with Vector now? Because Vector sees only him. Vector gives him undivided attention. You're a fool."

Byron glared at him and Wolf flashed a pleasant smile. He certainly didn't appreciate such accusations. He'd never let his boys behave in such a way. They were good boys. Well behaved. They loved him and there was nothing wrong with that, was there? They weren't that bad. Thomas was a good kid. It was normal for kids not to want to share, wasn't it?

"He's not that bad," he insisted. He wanted Thomas to come home and be with him again but now he was with Vector all the time. "I just want my boys to come home. With Michael gone..."

Michael had always been his sweetheart. His little baby. Byron and Vivian used to love dressing him in the cutest pink outfits to match his hair. He was tolerant of it. He was warm and playful and loved to be with them. Thomas had been jealous and pouty when Michael came along but Chris had eased him into it. Of course, Chris understood the jealousy as well. He liked being with Chris. The pair got along far better once Michael had come along. He didn't see why Chris had taken them. He'd never been cruel to them. He loved his boys. His interest in the Barians was for their greater good, wasn't it? He'd never meant to hurt them. How could Chris have thought he was such a bad father he'd sneak away with Thomas and Michael in the dead of night?

"Byron?" Wolf said softly, pushing his hair from his neck. "You were a good father. You did your best."

"Not enough," he whispered. "I lost them a long time ago, didn't I?"

Wolf sighed softly, leaning his chin on Byron's shoulder. "Byron, you're over thinking. Your boys were brainwashed by the Astrals, and they love you very much, but the damage is done. They will never be the same. Your relationship with them will never be the same. But then, you already knew that when you asked me to come stay with you."

"I offered you a place to stay because you had nowhere and were useful. You just wanted my money and a roof over your head."

"It's no coincidence that you found us- me just after little Chris went off to the academy," he murmured. "You wanted some sort of replacement. You knew they were slipping away."

"You are nothing like my boys."

"No, but we filled the house. That big house all on your own? It would have driven you to madness right? You already imagine your wife to still be there."

"Vivian is-"

There was a knock on the door and Wolf sighed, moving away as the door opened. Vector was leading Orrim in. Orrim... Byron hated calling his own son that. Both were dressed for bed- he'd be surprised if they weren't this late unless they were celebrating with the others. The pair were close still, even if Vector seemed to want to keep their relationship secret from everyone.

"What is it, boys?" Byron said softly.

"He's having nightmares," Vector said, lowering his hood. "I can't settle him."

Byron nodded slightly, becoming them over. Wolf slipped away off the bed, glaring at the boys. Byron didn't care if he still thought he was too soft on his boys, he didn't care. They were his family he would love them no matter what.

With Wolf gone, Vector and Orrim seemed to settle a little. Vector pulled off his hood completely, leaving it over a chair as the pair joined him sitting on the bed. Byron couldn't have been more pleased. His sweet boys.

"Do you two want to stay with me tonight?"

They nodded and Byron smiled, climbing under the covers and letting the boys join him. Thomas curled up close to him and Rei stayed close to Thomas. Watching them like this, he couldn't see the Lords. Just his sweet little boys. Just Thomas and Rei. Maybe he should have tried to take Rei from Mar too. Maybe he could have saved him. No... That was almost laughable. He hadn't saved his own boys, how could he save someone else's?

"Dad," Thomas whispered. "I'm sorry I tried to kill you."

"I know, sweetheart," Byron murmured, stroking his hair gently. "You were just confused and struggling to understand what was going on. Don't worry. I know you didn't mean it."

"I'm sorry, I wasn't..." He closed his eyes and Byron stroked his hair gently. "I'm sorry."

"Don't be," Rei whispered, nuzzling against him. "It wasn't your fault."

Byron frowned a little as the boys began to drift off. They were close. Oddly close. Byron knew Rei was keen to be close to the family he'd only just found but he seems too close. His arms were wrapped around Thomas more possessively than protectively and the way he rested against him was more what Byron would expect of lovers than family. Perhaps Rei merely didn't know how to interact with family. After all, Mina died when he was young and Mar was hardly a great role model. Perhaps Rei didn't know how else to show affection and be comforting. Either way, it struck Byron as odd. Still, did it matter? Thomas knew better than to get in a position where such a thing could happen. Why was Byron even considering it it?

He smiled softly, watching Thomas and Rei sleeping. Even if he'd lost Michael, he had Thomas and Rei. He could never replace Michael but Rei was a scared, lonely little boy how needed family and love. He was as much Byron's family as any other. They needed to be together. Thomas and Rei needed each other. If he could find Chris perhaps he could give them the family they needed. And at least Thomas seemed enough at ease now that he wasn't having nightmares. He supposed there was a lot that could torment Thomas in his sleep. He could only hope he helped with some of it.

"Michael," Thomas whined suddenly. Byron sighed as Rei snuggled closer against him in an attempt to calm him. "Michael, wait-"

"It's alright, Thomas," Byron murmured, stroking his hair. "We're here for you. We'll look after you."

Nasch opened his eyes a little as Don Thousand entered his bedroom. No one ever came into his quarters except Durbe and Merag. Don Thousand stepped forward slowly and Nasch gazed up at him. He must have had a job for him. What other reason could he had for being here this late? Nasch sat up slowly, waiting for orders.

"It's odd," Don Thousand said softly as he approached. "It speak with this voice, to finally have control of the body and mind I've been a part of for so long."

"I imagine it must be," Nasch said, gazing up at him.

"My children are resting and tending to each other," he murmured. "Although, perhaps it's odd to call them my children when I'm not in a body younger than one of them."

"Your soul is still old enough."

"Yes. Do you fear how Yuma truly felt for you? Everything he was, I was a part of it. Aren't you afraid his feelings for you were the same?"

"I don't fear anything," Nasch replied. "You removed such childish emotions."

"Yes. I suppose I did."

He unfastened his robes and Nasch's gaze flickered over his body for a brief moment before he gazed up at Don Thousands face once more, still waiting to know exactly what was expected of him. The robes slipped off his body to the floor and Nasch got the feeling he understood the situation but still waited patiently for orders. Don Thousand had been half of Yuma since he was born. Don Thousand had experienced his relationship with Yuma and now inhabited his body completely.

"Shark." The name sounded stiff and awkward, it had nothing of the usual teasing and playful shark of Yuma's normal voice. "Why did everyone call you that?"

"Because I wore I shark's tooth pendant," Nasch said. "A locket. A picture of my family."

"Yes," Don Thousand said. "I remember." He slipped up onto the bed with Nasch, tipping his head up gently, his lips ghosting over Nasch's. "My ferocious little Shark."

He kissed him softly and all Nasch could think to do was kiss him back. If his master wanted his attention, who was he to say no? His life and that of his sister was all thanks to Don Thousand. Whatever he wanted to do with him, why should Nasch resist? He sighed softly as Don Thousand pushed him back to the pillows gently.

"Shark, please fight it! Shark! It's not me, Shark! He's not me!"

Nasch couldn't fight even if he wanted to. Don Thousand was his master and ruler and Nasch owed a lot to him. Why would he want to fight? It wasn't like he had anything against relations with Don Thousand in a form he was so familiar with. Why should he fight against it?

"Shark!" Yuma struggled desperately against the darkness holding him. "Shark, please!"

This entire day was insane. Some ancient unearthly Sorcerer had taken his body, and now he was trapped in the darkness, watching helplessly as Don Thousand used his body to seduce the man he loved. Ryoga was still in there somewhere. Even if Nasch was the one in control, even if he was cold and emotionless, the Ryoga he loved had to be in there somewhere. He struggled desperately and tried to pull at the darkness holding him but he was stuck fast.

"Shark, please, you have to fight him," he sobbed.

"You shout too much."

"Shark?!" He turned quickly and found Ryoga smiling. "I- I was so- how- Shark!"

He threw his arms around him him, suddenly free of the darkness and holding him close. "Don Thousand's power is inside me as much as you. Our souls can reach each other like this."

"I don't get it, Ryoga, why are you just sitting there letting him do this?" He glanced back at the vision of Don Thousand and Nasch. Nasch's eyes were so dead and glazed over. Like he really felt nothing. "Why do you let him down that?"

"I feel nothing like this, Yuma," he sighed. "It's all suppressed. That's why I can only reach you like this. I'm just as trapped as you are."

He closed his eyes and smiled softly as Ryoga drew him into his arms, holding him close. "I'm sorry, Shark. I should have listened to you. I should never had taken off my key after I promised you I wouldn't. But they'd killed Kaito. I couldn't let them... I couldn't lose you too."

"I know," Ryoga murmured, kissing the top of his head. "I know. You've got that soft heart. You can't see people suffering."

"But now I know what happened to Durbe, I can help! You've all suffered, I can help. We just need to get you all to-"

"Yuma. For now, all we can do is hope the others will figure things out."

"How? Michael's dead, Kaito's dead, Thomas is as bad as you, I don't know what else has happened to the rest of the Astrals but-"

"Trust me, Yuma. You have more power here you think. Things will be ok."

"You hope."

"Hope is about all we have right now."

Yuma sighed, snuggling against him, taking comfort in the fact that their souls could still reach each other in this dark world no matter what their bodies did. He hated that Don Thousand could use his body and touch his beloved Ryoga. Even if Ryoga was suppressed by Nasch and Don Thousand's darkness, he was still his Ryoga. He wrapped his arms around him, pushing Ryoga's hair from his neck and shoulder, kissing his neck softly.

"Yuma-"

"I missed you, Shark." He sighed and kissed Ryoga gently. "I missed you so much."

"Kaito!" He jerked back as Haruto's scream echoed around them. Ryoga vanished in Yuma's arms and the darkness seemed to close in around them again. "Kaito!"

"Wait here," Don Thousand told Nasch firmly. "We'll continue this later."

Kaito awoke in darkness. He was floating in nothing as a blue light moved around him. He didn't remember much. He'd been taken out to the platform to be executed and Yuma had stepped in like the idiot he was to save Ryoga and the Lords took Thomas away into the palace with them. Everything else was a blur.

"Where am I?" he whispered, reaching out to the blue light. "What's going on?"

"You're bordering the world between your world and the Astral world," said a firm voice.

"Am I dead? Will I be taken to the Astral world?"

"Do you want to be taken to the Astral world?" the voice replied. "You're Ethereal. If this is what you want, you are welcome. Once you're cleansed."

"I thought I had a fate," Kaito said. "To save the world. Wasn't I supposed to kill Thomas and summon the power to rewrite the universe."

"You were corrupted. We had no other options."

"Corrupted?"

"Kaito..." Thomas' voice in his ear. Kaito shivered and closed his eyes, relaxing into Thomas' touch as he pressed against his back, teasing his hair absently. "I love you, Kaito."

Corrupted? They thought Thomas had corrupted him? Because of the way their powers merged, or whatever they did that night? He opened his eyes and little and tilted his head, gazing silently into his beautiful crimson eyes.

"Thomas..."

Thomas leant in and kissed him softly. "My sweet Kaito."

Crimson... Kaito pulled back a little, running his thumb over Thomas' cheek. Where his Barian marking was. Only it wasn't. Where was the Barian marking? Where was the blue Barian eye? What was going on? And through out their night in each other's arms, Thomas had never once admitted to loving him.

"Whatever you think you achieve by showing me this fake, it won't work," Kaito hissed. "I want Thomas the way he was."

"A Barian Lord?"

"I don't care what he is, he's important to me and I loved him the way he was. I won't have you trying to change him. I don't care if you think he corrupted me, his power merged with mine... I don't care!"

"You would jeopardise your place in the Astral world for some Infernal creature? You place with your brother?"

"Don't you dare use Haruto to make me bend to your will!" he snarled. "Haruto would never forgive me if I changed myself just for your consideration of purity and worthiness."

The light faded and Kaito closed his eyes slowly as the illusion of Thomas faded. He loved Thomas as he was. He didn't know if he truly loved Thomas romantically but he loved him like his own family, he knew that. He would never change him. Hands stroked his face softly and Kaito sighed.

"Please, protect him for me, Kaito," Chris whispered.

"I failed," Kaito replied, reaching for his hand. Chris sighed, their fingers lacing together. "I'm sorry, Chris. I failed. Thomas belongs to the Barians and Michael is dead. I tried my best but I wasn't strong enough, Chris. I wasn't strong enough to protect our family, I'm sorry."

"Not yet," Chris whispered, holding him close and petting his hair. "You've not failed yet, Kaito. You've still got a chance."

"How?!" Kaito yelled, shaking his head. "How am I supposed to do anything to help my family?! Haruto is being held captive, Michael is gone, Thomas belongs to Vector now and I... I told him it was ok... I'd rather see him a Barian Lord than have to kill him with my own sword!"

"I know, Kaito. But fate is fate, and you can't fight it."

"But they just said-"

"You are stronger than you can imagine, Kaito. You'll understand soon enough. Don't think you've failed yet, Kaito."

"Oi, wake up."

Kaito coughed and choked, struggling to swallow to water being gently poured into his mouth. There was a familiar figure above him but Kaito couldn't make it out enough to know who. He just swallowed the water as much as he could. Why was there water? Why was he drinking? Wasn't he dead?

Still, he swallowed it down as best he could until it was taken from him. His hair was brushed back from his face and he sighed softly. The figure about him adjusted the pillow under his head and Kaito's eyes began to slid shut once more. Whoever this was, they were looking after him.

"Why aren't I dead?" he whispered hoarsely.

"Because Yuma's an idiot," the familiar voice replied. "Hold on, ok. I'll look after you. Don't die."

"I'll do my best," he laughed weakly. "Haruto? Thomas?"

"Haven't heard any news of Haruto, sorry. Thomas doesn't exist anymore. There's only Lord Orrim."

"Orrim?"

He sighed and closed his eyes. Thomas really was a Lord. How disgusting. But Kaito would hold onto him no matter what. He knew his sweet Thomas was in there somewhere. No matter what Don Thousand did to him, Thomas was always going to be his Thomas, right? Don Thousand would never be able to turn Thomas against him, right?

"Where are we?"

"The middle of nowhere. Don't worry, just rest. I'll keep you safe so you can recover."

Kaito sighed and nodded, falling back into darkness of rest. Whatever had happened, he was safe and at least when it came to Haruto, no news was good news he supposed. He'd get back to them now. Whatever that vision was, he needed to make sure he didn't fail. He had to protect his family. Even if Michael was gone, he had Haruto and Thomas to look after. He had to protect them. Somehow. He had to protect his family.