Disclaimer: Don't own Fastball.... or milkyways.. (Yum!) or the Ronins/Warlords.

I walked out of the school, feeling freedom at last. Finally! Summer vacation was here! I couldn't wait to get out of my school uniform and change into shorts and a tank top. It was hot out today, as it usually was during the summer months. Just for a brief period of relief from the head, I dump my books under a shady tree and lean against the trunk. My thoughts again for the thousandth time, wandered to the mysterious Dais.

Sometimes I feel

Like I am drunk behind the wheel...

Kento suddenly walks behind me and covers my eyes. "Boo! How was your day, Rose?" The lucky bum had been out of school for several years, graduating long before I did.

I shrug at his question. It was decent: invited to a few more parties then I had time for, no homework, and I had thoughts of Dais- err, Kento to keep me company. "Good I guess. Are we still on for tonight?"

Kento nods. "Yeah, of course! It's gonna be a wild party! Need a ride anywhere?"

"You can take me to Mia's if you want. I just need some help understanding my algebra."

Ok, that wasn't the full truth. I needed to ask Mia a question about Dais, how she knew him. I had asked earlier if she knew him, but she wouldn't answer me directly.

The wheel of possibility

Where ever it may roll...

He drops me off at Mia's giving me a kiss goodbye. I admit, I feel guilty thinking of Dais instead of Kento. Kento really is a big teddy bear, and really sweet. But Dais... has this... thing. I don't know how to describe it. Mysterious air, perhaps? Or was it the fact that I know somehow he's watching over me? He hadn't been there in the night as of late, but I can still feel it. Oh, how I hate quandaries! I couldn't just ditch Kento like that, not for Dais... Could I?

As these annoying thoughts raced through my brain I walked up to the porch. White Blaze was stretched out, gathering the heat of the sun contently. I scratched his stomach and he purred. "I take it Ryo's here too, huh kitty?" Blaze only yawned and moved out of the way so I could enter. Giving him one last ear scratch, I walked in, only to see Ryo ready to leave. He smiled at me as he walked out, calling White Blaze to join him in a race. The engine of his motorcycle revved, then disappeared.

I sigh as I take a seat at the table. Mia was working on something on her computer. I swear she never leaves that thing, not even to eat. She looks up and smiles. "Need help with your homework again, Rose?" I nodded and gave her the notes for the week. She read through them, then started to explain them to me, little by little.

Still, despite the deep concentration I put myself into, I thought of Dais. I mentally smacked myself six times before screwing up my courage to ask Mia. "Mia? Where have you seen Dais before? I know you say he's a cousin of Cye's but I really want to know."

Mia doesn't look up from my notes. "Ask Cye some time. He'll probably tell you."

Give it a spin

See if you can somehow factor in

You always know there's more then one way...

I left late. Mia and I got into discussing the theories of legends. The sky was already inky black. Remembering the last time I walked alone, I shiver. That was not an experience I hoped to soon go through again... I hurry so I'm not late meeting Kento.

Halfway back to my house, I felt his presence. It was distinct... something like lighting struck me every time he was near. "Hi, Dais," I said.

He appeared out of the shadows, as always. In his hand, he held a perfect white rose. He handed it to me without a word, seeming to take a pleasurable note that Kento wasn't here with me. My heart pounded as I took it from him. The way the light reflected on his skin was so thrilling. I smile I appreciation, afraid my words would ruin the moment. "Wish to walk me home?"

"I would be honored," he said. He took my arm and we started walking.

Oh, how I wanted to ask all the questions that flooded my mind! I felt unreasonably safe around him. It was something that I didn't feel around Kento. Was it because Dais had saved me from that gang, and not him? I would never know. I'm not sure if I wanted to know. "Who are you, really?" I wanted to ask. "Where do you come from? Why are you here?" Of course, I can't ask these. They may just pop the little fantasy bubble that had closed around us.

To say exactly what you mean to say...

He touches my shoulder as we approach my house. "Rose..." He started. He couldn't seem to finish. I wait patiently, but he seemed to be at a loss for words. "I'll see you some other time." He finished, not able to look me in the eye.

"Thank you for walking me home," I said. "I know we'll see each other again."

Just at that moment, a car pulled in. Kento. Dais suddenly vanished. How did he do that??? It was so annoying! Why did Kento have to go and ruin this? I stick the flower in my door and walk up to meet Kento.

Was I out of my head? Was I out of my mind?

How could I have ever been so blind?

Months passed, us meeting in secret. Cye would only tell me Dais comes from another part of the world. It sounded as if Cye had a deeper meaning to it. I believed whatever it was. Dais indeed seemed to be from a totally different world. The more I thought of him, the more apart I drew from poor Kento. He couldn't figure out this change in me. In fact, we had a fight yesterday about going out or not. I wasn't honestly feeling well, and I guess Kento's patience finally snapped.

I felt horrible living two lives, but I couldn't help it. I did care for him. And Dais. It just happened to be Dais I was leaning towards. Damn my human heart!

I was waiting for an indication

It was hard to find...

I was taking a walk in a park. The same park that I figured out I was in love with the white-haired man. The same one where he-- Oh, knock it off Rose. Life isn't a soap opera. Or was it? It was a silly question, really. I wasn't paying attention, and almost knocked over Dais in my musings.

"You seem lost for thought," he commented, catching me before I fell off-balance.

I blushed, feeling a fire run up my arm where he touched me. "It's nothing. Sorry for running you over like that."

Dais smiled, my heart melted into a puddle. "You can run me over anytime."

I couldn't resist; I had to kiss him. I pulled him down towards me. He was surprised at this move, not expecting it. I wasn't either. Normally, I'm shy about the first move. But then again, this isn't the first move either...

Doesn't matter what I say; only what I do

I didn't mean to do bad things to you...

He pulled away, breathing heavy. "Rose... you really don't want to do this."

"And why not? You're all I ever think about." What was his problem?

"I- I'm not from this plane of existence." He suddenly blurted out.

Ok, this was a shocker. I took a step back, confused.

So quiet but I finally woke up...

Dais looked ashamed. "I'm from the old Dynasty... we tried to take over a few years ago. I'm not Cye's cousin. I was once his enemy before Talpa's fall." He paused, voice choking. "... I am Dais... Bearer of the Armor of Illusion."

Now this was getting ridiculous. Talpa? He was just a legend! But perhaps that would explain some things that I've been wondering. No, it couldn't be. It was absolutely absurd! I felt like laughing at the idea.

However, this time, my intuition, no matter how strong it was about people, was wrong. Before I could say something about the apparent joke, people started to appear. People in armor?! No, this wasn't right! They all glared at Dais, who suddenly looked wary.

One of the armored things started laughing. "You pissed Kale off one to many times, Dais."

Dais growled low and clenched his fist, his only eye narrowed. For the first time, I began to realize what he was telling me was true. I saw a flicker of something only possibly Ronins, for they must too exist, have seen. His clothes were suddenly placed by a purple and white sub-armor. I took a step back, not knowing what to do.

One of the armored people struck at Dais with an axe. Dais easily dodged it, bringing his fist up to the facemask. He threw the body into a batch of the people attacking him. It was only a matter of minutes before all the armor had been freed from its strange black mist that seemed to be holding it together. He was hardly phased from the attack and muttering something about "weak-minded fools." He looked over at me with an apologetic look, which quickly turned to one of horror/alarm.

I felt a cold metal hand go around my mouth and waist. No! Please not again! I thought silently, fear tasting like rotten fish in my stomach. I heard a shout from behind us. Kento! He has come to help Dais!

"Funny how unexpectedly Master Kale's plans turned out," laughed my captor, low enough for Dais to hear, but not Kento. "See you later." And I felt myself dissolve.

If you're sad then it's time you spoke up too.

Woo hoo! Sorry it's late guys, but I had a severe writers block for this, then I lost my disk! I had to rewrite it. Hehhee... Trouble is brewing for Dais.