Precisely two days later, at five after three in the afternoon, Kimon left her last class for the day. She walked around everyone else in the class to the main hallway, feeling good. Nothing bad had happened and life was back underway. Everything was normal again and she didn't regret anything except not telling Cye. He didn't run, he understood, and he still carried on as usual with her. A smile tipped her lips as she heard others ahead start to go their own ways in the hallway ahead.

A pair of hands suddenly clasped around her waist, immensely startling her, and easily maneuvering her out of the crowd. Being yanked aside so quickly made her lose her balance and she stumbled against a broad chest, hands instantly fisting against a t-shirt. The second the majority of surprise wore off, she looked up with a shy grin, face heating a little. "You could've just CALLED me out of the crowd..." She dryly retorted, brushing her cheek against the t-shirt.

"But then you wouldn't have lost your balance and THEN where would I've been?"

She was going to ask what he meant by THAT joking comment, but those strong arms wrapped around her waist and she just smiled. What an excuse. All he had to do was go up next to her if he wanted to hold her... With an amused shake, she sighed and relaxed into his hold, content to let her other classmates pass them by and leave.

Silence entered long after everyone's footsteps on the floor, she finally pulled away and fixed her laptop bag. "What're you doing here? You get done with classes at two. How come you're still here?" She asked, head tilting to the side.

Cye gave a small, almost sad grin and cupped a cheek with his hand. "I have a surprise for you. Come." His hand entwined with her fingers.

She blinked, too startled to do much until her brain regained its functions. Her fingers gently squeezed in reassurance to his less-than-happy tone to let him know he could talk to her. "Go? But I have to wait for otou-san! YOU know that..."

The ends of his lips quirked. "I talked to your otou-san last night while you were at work. He knows you're with me and that I'll bring you home later."

Raven brows rose to her hairline. She blinked as he started tugging her toward the exit to his car. "Always the last to know everything... Why wasn't I notified of this??" She lightly retorted, falling in step with him.

His lips twitched again. "Because then it wouldn't be a surprise." It was a good thing she couldn't see his face or she would've KNOWN something was wrong. He was trying to keep his voice lighthearted and happy to see her, even if his mind was cluttered with all sorts of questions brought up by Sage's doubts. Those doubts were transferring to him, making him ponder whether or not this was even a good idea.

Part of him wanted to do this. Kimon could see again and she deserved that chance. Maybe it would help her get over every doubt and horrible thing detailing with her past and in her mind. He wanted to believe that it would help her to recover from the pain of that day. Maybe she could start healing and letting go if that happened. He wanted her to be able to do anything she wanted. Being blind still restricted a lot of things she could do. And there was so much he wanted to show her...

But he was also unsure about even telling her. He was nervous to take her to Sage's and have those two talk about whatever Sage would ask. It was okay to skip taking her there and later explain to Sage that his negations were founded. It could always be done later... Kimon was a consenting adult and he was just directing her with her faith in being honestly led. He hadn't told her anything yet. What if she DIDN'T want this? Was never knowing better than warring over two lives? Would he end up screwing up her life again, just to plague her with what could be?

Before he knew it, they were right in front of Sage's house and he stopped the car. She STILL didn't know where they were, or why they were here. He supposed a small explanation WAS in order before bringing her inside...

"Kimon-chan." He murmured, gently taking a hand. He found it a little tense and briefly wondered at that, but a thought struck him. She had no clue where they were, so that wasn't the deal. He always noticed she was a bit high-strung during their Sunday drives. She was blind and in a car...that probably haunted her since the accident. He chalked it up to ANOTHER reason to give Kimon her sight. "I know you have no clue where we're at. I just thought I'd let you know we're at one of my friend's houses. He wanted to talk to you about something, but I'll let him discuss the details with you. I don't really know much about it myself."

She blinked and gave a small, odd look. "O...okay..." She bumbled, letting him help her from the car. As they walked up the steps, she took note of the different emotions she felt, most of them calming. What was it about this place that made her feel that way? "Which friend is that?" She asked, expanding her senses to take the place in.

"Date Sage." He answered, stopping at the front door.

"Ah...the one with the even, collected tenor." A small smile appeared. "The one that Epiphany-san was in love with?"

Cye gave a grin and knocked. "Hai...THAT one." Seconds later, Yayoi's head popped out again, though she didn't look as surprised to see him, just giving Kimon an inquiring look.

"Konnichi wa Cye-chan. Back again?"

He politely smiled. "Hai. Sage should be expecting us."

Sage's older sister blinked, but she nodded and let them inside. She waited again as the two got into guest slippers, his female companion looking a little uncoordinated with hers. When they both went for the step to the wood flooring, she headed for the bottom of the stairs. "OTOTO! Cye-chan's here again!" She shouted, turning around.

Kimon tried to keep most of the fierce grimace off her face. Both eyes squeezed shut as that voice ricocheted off her eardrums, giving her a small, brief headache. When Sage's sister went to a different room, she leaned close to Cye to not be overheard. "Did she have to SCREAM?" She quietly whined, going to rub her ears.

He smirked and looked to her put out look. "No. It's a sibling thing. But don't worry...I've never experienced that kind of thing either." He gave her hand a small squeeze and looked up upon hearing footsteps.

Blue met violet before violet looked to unseeing gray, staring almost directly at him. Sage nodded to Cye. "Konnichi wa Kimon-san....Cye. Would you like to talk outside? It's nice enough yet."

She didn't know whom the question was directed to, as Sage used both their names. She for one would like to go outside, as the sun was still full in the sky and there were little clouds to hinder it. The weather for fall was warm enough to be out in until night fell. "I would like to go outside. If you don't mind Cye-chan." She answered, looking to both people.

"Then let's head outside." Cye agreed, giving her a small grin. His mouth leaned close to her ear as Sage descended the steps. "Besides, Sage has a thing for sunlight." He kidded, loosely knocking his head against hers before straightening.

She was directed back to her shoes and slipped them on in automation, still too ruffled by feeling his breath on her skin. It tickled the fine hairs around her neck and sent shivers up her spine. She was trying to fight the blush on her face, but knowing it didn't do any good. Seven straight months and STILL blushing like a schoolgirl in front of him! Sigh...

Sage kept a discreet, eagle eye on Kimon as soon as he first spotted her. Every motion, every facial structure, every word was important, even if she might not know it. How she acted would tell him what to ask and see how comfortable she was with being blind. Any longing or wistful looks would only sway his decision either way. But he had to be careful about his questions. Judging by her posture, she had little to no clue why she was here and that told him Cye respected his wishes and kept relatively quiet.

He directed the two to the backyard area, sitting in a patio chair. After the others got comfortable, a thought of where to begin sprouted. He didn't know Kimon very well and was unsure of any changes she made while being with Cye. She seemed a lot more at ease than she did before and that was reassuring to know she could change.

It was getting rather uncomfortable the longer they sat in silence and she wanted to break it, but didn't know how to. The sounds of the backyard were little to no comfort to ease the distress of a new place with someone she really didn't know. She'd always been polite toward Sage. She resisted the urge to smile at a sudden thought. It was highly amusing that she didn't want to up and speak NOW, when she walked up to him long ago and started a conversation from something that had to deal with Epiphany. If she could do that when she hadn't even gone out with Cye, why not NOW?

Taking the chance, she quietly coughed. "So...Cye-chan says you wanted to see me Sage-san? Talk to me about something?"

Sage felt a little relieved at being given the opening. "Hai. I wanted to ask you a few questions regarding your blindness."

A shocked brow rose, then fell into suspicion. "Why?" She slowly queried.

His kanji wasn't helping him out any here. What he wouldn't give for Rowen's intelligence. Strata would have spun about three different plausible explanations even before meeting up. HE was just going by the seat of his pants. "Well...I was the one to find out first. Since then, I've seen how you move. It always intrigued me how well you got around with that. I was just curious about it." He leaned forward a little across the glass table. "What do you think about it?"

She blinked, unsure how to react with his subtle flattery, his tone of voice, or his questions. Why was he asking THAT? If he was curious, why did he wait so long to ask her? Was he afraid to? Did he think he could offend her? Perhaps in the past, but after meeting with Cye, she was a lot different. Pride wasn't an issue as it was back then.

Gray looked to the hands in her lap. "Well I...I haven't really thought about it I guess. I just...DO..." Teeth bit her lip as she really thought. Sage wouldn't ask unless he wanted an answer. He wasn't the type like Cye's other friends to just blurt out any question off the top of their heads. Especially with as serious as he sounded about it. Someone like Sage didn't talk unless he had a point to make, advice to give, or something that needed to be said. He kinda reminded her of herself in that way...

After a moment of quick, deep contemplation, she gave a small smile. "I'm used to it I guess. I...I haven't always been blind you know...but I dealt with it. It wasn't so bad after I got used to Braille and my new senses. I learned to adapt. There's times when it's actually BETTER to be blind...ya know? I can tell what people are feeling and thinking by hearing their voice. My senses are great too. I like being able to hear about as much as Beethoven-kun does." A small smirk appeared.

It dropped seconds later as the doubts that always appeared from time to time weighed on her heart. "Yet at times..." A tiny, wistful smile tugged at her lips. "There are times when I'd like to see. It'll always be on my mind I guess." She gave a small shrug as if to say 'nothing I can do about it'. "The little guilty pleasures I'll never get to have when it comes to nature or people. There's...there's nothing better than being able to see someone's smile. I often wonder what the sakura blossoms in the park look like in the springtime too... I can smell them whenever I go there, but I can only imagine how they look and I can simply see so much with my fingers..."

She lapsed into an uneasy silence, mentally wishing all the things she COULD do with her sight. No it WASN'T easy to be blind. She missed so much out of life and she was quickly finding that out. Her old life wasn't a real winner; it wasn't even remotely INTERESTING anymore. With Cye by her side, she was given chances to opportunities she never imagined. And only half of them she could actually DO.

Violet studiously stared at Kimon, gauging her facial expressions. She looked caught up in her own thoughts, but none of them looking to be pleasant. It was what he told Cye...she might have been used to being blind, but being with him changed her. There WAS a need to see, which she was telling and showing him how much she wanted it. Her posture slipped a little with the statements of sight, even if she didn't know it. Her aura also dimmed a little more, changing from pleasant to slightly dreary.

Sage leaned over the table, feeling Cye's serious gaze, and ignored it. "Do you ever wish you could see sometimes?" He quietly asked, getting to the point. Depending on her answer would depend on his.

Gray looked back up to that soothing voice, eyes narrowing almost in painful contemplation. Why ask THAT? What was he driving for? To make her wish something impossible? It was a sixty-forty wish to see, and that was steadily increasing in percentage the longer she was with Cye. Though being with him was wonderful, it was just agonizingly reminding her of her handicap. Gray slowly closed. "I...I guess...a little of me does now and then. It's possible...my sight can be fixed...but I've given up hope of it being done. We can't afford it and we'll never be able to." A small, almost helpless shrug appeared. "I've come to accept that. I used to like being blind but that was before..." A tiny smile formed. "Now...I'm being reminded of everything in the world that I can't see. It...it just takes getting used to. I know I can't have it and I just need to know that I'm not allowed to see."

A fake smile popped up at one of her inner fears. She'd spoken too much. A finger reached up and scratched an itch on her cheek that'd been bugging her for a while. "Did...did that answer your questions?"

Sage sat back with a quiet sigh, gravely staring at her. Not ALLOWED to see...what kind of lie was THAT? He wanted to know who told her that...or wondered when she told HERSELF that. He noted that she realized how she acted before she started going out with Cye. At least she was aware of it. Finally, violet switched to the right. He met blue and violet softened at the worried, anxious emotions in those depths. Cye would have a lot on his head after they left here... "Yes that did Kimon-san. Thank you." He stood and Cye pulled Kimon with him. "I'm sorry I don't have much time right now. There's something I have to prepare for."

She blinked at the sudden change in voice, finding his tone turn utter serious and abrupt. She let it pass, not knowing him to understand his mood swings. With a small bow, she reached out for Cye's hand. "Thank you for having us."

Sage led the two to the front steps and grasped his arm. Cye turned to Kimon. "Kimon-chan, I need to talk to Sage for just a second. I'll lead you to the car and then I'll be right back." He did so in record time and nearly ran back up the steps. Sage was still leaning against the siding in wait. "Well?"

Violet looked to the ground. "You heard her answers. That poor girl is a little messed up in her thinking, but she DOES have a desire to see. I think even more so than even SHE realizes." Two pairs of eyes met. "My answer is yes. Now it depends on when YOU want to do this. When do you intend on telling her?"

Cye gave a wide, relieved smile. "I can tell her today. I assume she'll be confused and curious at your questions and I can explain everything to her. I'll give her a week to think about it and then get back to you." A small smirk appeared. "I'll keep an eye on her in the meantime."

Sage's lips quirked. "Don't doubt you won't. I'll be waiting in a week. But you NEED to tell the guys first. I haven't talked to any of them, so they're in the dark. I suggest you do that first so they at LEAST know what's up."

He nodded, mind already spinning with plans. "Wakaru. Ja ne Sage." With a brief wave, he let Halo go back inside and headed for the car.

~*~*~

"Okay buddy, so tell us why you called us here and Sage isn't with us."

He heaved a sigh and sat back in the chair, looking around Ryo's apartment. Not much had changed in the few years he'd lived here... "Sage isn't here because he already knows what's going on, and he suggested I tell you guys too." A hand tersely ran through his hair. "I...found out about Kimon-chan's past. She told me a few days ago..."

"Really?"

"Wow...so what's up? Anything we get to know?"

"Yea spill."

"I can't tell you guys..." He sighed. "I don't want to say anything without her permission. She said I could tell Mia, and I have yet to tell HER. If you want to know when, ask Mia. But I can't say anything."

"Shinrai." Ryo knowing answered, nodding in understanding. The other two grinned.

"Okay, so all we know by your answer is its not good. Then what's the reason for bringing the rest of us together?"

His lips momentarily pressed together as he eyed three pairs of blue. "Kimon-chan's blindness isn't permanent." He evenly answered. A small crick in his neck from the past two days started making itself known and he tried ignoring it. "It resulted from an injury that happened from what she told me. Her eyes were damaged, but they can be fixed with surgery."

Rowen's brow rose. "What're you saying Cye?"

A grim line split his mouth. "I thought to myself, 'if it can be done with surgery, why not with magic?' And I asked Sage if he could heal Kimon-chan."

"No way!"

"But we all know what Sage's take on that is. He didn't even heal White Blaze that one time..."

"Yea...why is he willing to heal Kimon?"

"Because I'm asked this as a personal favor. I talked to Sage first to bounce the idea off him two days ago. He talked to Kimon-chan to judge her answers about how she felt about being blind. He gave me his answer a few hours ago, but said I should tell you before I told her." Blue speared three sets. "It's a lot to ask of him, I know. It's a lot to ask of YOU guys as well. It'd mean revealing what we've kept secret for half a decade. But I think she can be trusted. It took her a week just to tell me the secret she kept harbored for eighteen YEARS..."

Grave silence followed as the others looked to the floor. This was quite a serious situation that affected them all, even if they had nothing to do with it. What Cye was proposing was quite honorable and generous, as it was from Sage, but it was risky. From what they knew of Kimon, she was nice and polite. But that was it. They didn't really know her at all... Who's to say she wouldn't mention it?

"Have you REALLY thought this through?" Rowen finally asked, his voice thoughtful and quiet. Blue looked to blue. "There's too many pieces for everything to fit that easily. What about her being able to see? If she wants it, that whole problem will come back to us. That's too many questions we don't need or want to answer. What is she supposed to say? That it was a miracle of the gods?"

"I have to agree with blue boy buddy." Kento murmured, his mouth in a small scowl. "That's just one scenario. What about her home life? What'll happen to THAT?? What's she supposed to say THERE? Can her family be held trustworthy with the secret WE hold? We've never met her family to make an assumption on that. You know them better. Can they be trusted?"

"Not to mention the being able to see point as well. How will she be able to adjust?" Ryo seriously muttered, also looking to Torrent. "If she hasn't been blind her whole life, but I'm assuming quite a bit by the way she acts, how will she react to being able to see again? She'll be all twisted around. She'll have to learn so many new things. And she's in college right now...she won't have time for that. Do you intend on teaching her everything?"

He heaved a sigh and slouched in the chair. Their answers were about as encouraging as Sage's initial. "You haven't said anything I haven't thought up, or that Sage already mentioned. I previously thought about all that. I KNOW she can keep it a secret...I trust her that much. As for her father...he's different, but it's debatable. They don't really get along anyway. But she's twenty-two...she can change her life if she cares to if she wanted it. As far as teaching her, I'd make it my personal mission to help her as much as she needed it for whatever it was she wanted. She can have the assistance of my entire family if it comes to that." A small, wry grin appeared. "And she's so good at fooling people into thinking she can see, why not the opposite? It'll take a little time I admit, but she's almost graduated. All she needs is a few more semesters. Then she can do whatever she wants to."

"Sounds like you HAVE thought this through Cye." Ryo thoughtfully replied, fingers pressing together. "I admire you telling us at least. It would've been easy to just have Sage do it and we wouldn't know." A humorless grin appeared. "We don't know much about her anyway, so it wouldn't change anything..."

A small thread of guilt hit him. These four were his best friends, yet all of a sudden he let his love for Kimon take up all his time. Of course, college and work were also major factors...but those were always planned out. Any excess he had nowadays, he spent with Kimon. A grimace appeared. "Gomen nasai... I guess I DO spend quite a bit of time with her, don't I?"

Kento was the first to defend his friend, knowing him better than the others. "Hey, it's okay Cye. They'd understand if they heard what you said about being in love with her that one day." A grin appeared.

Both Rowen and Ryo looked to Kento with wide eyes before directing their shock to the redhead. He just gave a sheepish smile and nodded. "Yea...it's true. I love Kimon-chan, but I haven't told her yet. I know she cares about me back, but I haven't found the right time to tell her. When this came along, it got pushed to the backburner."

"Sheesh Cye, if you love her, don't hold yourself back on telling her..." Ryo sputtered, virtue sprouting forth.

After a while, Rowen shook himself from this sudden news. "At any rate, I agree with Ryo. We don't know this girl and I for one have always had a bad track record with that. IF she wants it and Sage is agreeing to heel her, I say the rest of US spend some time with her. Even a few hours to see how different she is. The last time we did that, she didn't talk to any of us."

The other two nodded. "Good idea. That's not asking too much." Kento piped up, arms absently crossing. "Well, I guess you have our blessings then Cye... So, what do you intend to do NOW?"

Auburn leaned against the back of the chair as blue stared at the ceiling. "I told Kimon-chan I had to see you guys, and that I'd be back around sunset to talk to her. I'll tell her then. Sage and I agreed to give her a week to think about it." A humorless smile appeared. "If it's anything like last time, I wonder if she won't need MORE than that..."

"Well, when she does decide, contact us and we'll set up a time. Make sure you let her know however you decide to tell her."

"How ARE you going to tell her anyway?" Rowen suddenly queried, leaning on his knees.

"I won't immediately say anything about the armors. Even though she trusts me, she doesn't FULLY trust me that much to believe something so farfetched. I'll tell her I know of a way to heal her, but it's up to her to let me know if she wants it. When she's through thinking of it, I'll let her know a little more. I have a feeling once she sees the Halo subarmor, she'll want to know the whole story though." He dryly added.

Kento chuckled. "Well either way it goes, good luck to you buddy. I have a feeling you'll NEED it."

"Yea, you look stressed out ENOUGH." Ryo added with a grin.

"Thanks." He retorted, getting to his feet. "Well, I should go then. Have to get to Tokyo."

~*~*~

"Well that didn't take you long today."

"Yea...I like to be punctual. I think you bring it out in me."

She giggled and leaned against him. "So what's up with today? It was rather strange. First you, then your friend. You seem a little different too... Care to...tell me what's on your mind?"

His arms tightened subconsciously as everyone's questions plagued his head. He was honest in saying he already thought about it all. But above the doubts was the hope for her...a hope for a better LIFE. Now all he had to do was get the courage to find a way to begin. Gods this was harder than he THOUGHT!

She shifted in his arms and turned to face him. The awkwardness of being cradled in his body had long since passed, now replaced with the warm, fuzzy feeling she gained whenever he touched her. It was rather cold tonight and he nearly jumped at the chance to cradle her again like that to help her keep warm. A hand rose to touch his cheek, fingers tentatively dancing over a little of his face to read him. She hadn't bothered to try and mentally picture him yet, as it was an extremely personal thing for someone. She knew that this POSITION was highly personal, but she had never mentally mapped out someone else's face before. She had a small vision of his smile, a tiny indication of what it was. That was enough for her for a while.

"Cye-chan?" She breathed, brow slightly furrowing. "Doushita? Come on, don't you know I'll always listen to whatever it is you have to say? I've learned that keeping things to myself is never a good thing. You shouldn't follow in my footsteps." She kidded, trying to lighten the mood.

Blue looked down to unseeing gray, a wisp of a smile appearing. She was right though, and it was mildly ironic that she would say that to HIM. He heaved a sigh and only held her tighter, not letting her move from the frontal position she was in. It had to be uncomfortable, but she didn't show anything more than worry. With a harsh swallow and plea to the gods, he looked back to the sunset. "Kimon-chan... That afternoon with Sage...there was a reason behind it."

Her brow furrowed even farther. "Are? I kind of thought it STRANGE that he would ask me so suddenly..."

He gave a tiny nod. "He wanted to talk to you about your blindness because-"

'Please don't let me screw this up...'

"Because I went to him two days ago with questions about your sight. Sage has a...knowledge about healing and I value his...wisdom. You told me that your sight can be fixed. It got me thinking."

A shaking hand gently pressed against his chest, halting him. "C...Cye-chan...what're you...SAYING?..." She breathed, eyes wide.

"I know of a way you could see again..." He whispered, watching her.

She gasped in shock, eyes widening to almost painful sizes. That was IMPOSSIBLE! She would NEVER be able to see again...they couldn't AFFORD it! Was THAT what he was getting at?? "Cye-chan...I can't ask you to pay what it'll cost to-"

"I'm not talking about cost." A hand rose and brushed against her face. "I'm asking you to believe in what I say and trust me. I can't really tell you a whole lot now...because I don't know what you want. All I can say is...I know of a way for you to see. Your blindness can disappear as if it never existed. But it depends on YOU. How much do you want to see again Kimon-chan?"

Her head dropped to his shirt, heavily using it for support. Gods...this was not happening!! Why did he have to go and give her hope, then not a definite reason how to go about it?? What did he mean he had a way?? And getting rid of it as if it never existed?? How was THAT possible? Even with surgery, she assumed her sight might not be fully healed ever again... There would be damage to deal with and she might be stuck with glasses as a small penance...

But his last question was a good one. How much DID she want to see? That brought on so many emotions, many of them happy yet panicked. Eighteen years of blindness was a long time to get adjusted to. She was comfortable right now and knew exactly what to do and where everything she needed was at. Every little routine and placement of what she owned was never totally tampered with. She had that as a reassurance to keep from panicking of not knowing what was in front of her. She liked that...having monotony in her life.

Yet, his question also sprang forth an unknown hope she didn't know she even possessed. To be able to SEE again... If it didn't come from Cye, she would've scoffed at it. But just KNOWING she could see again sent a surge of anticipation and expectation. She WANTED to see again...wanted it badly. A part of her ALWAYS wanted to be able to see, but she ignored that in the past. As Cye changed her, she came to regretfully accept that fact and ignore it for a different reason. She didn't want to be engulfed in 'what if's' and feel bogged down for the rest of her life. Not dwelling on it was the only option she ever HAD...

His hand stopped petting her hair, feeling her slowly stiffen. He screwed this up...he knew he would. Of course, saying a friend of his could magically restore her sight wasn't exactly the best way to say it EITHER. He felt it in his kanji for not being totally truthful with her...and it was sad to know he couldn't trust her with the knowledge of the war and the armors. But it was too intense and his armor was what he was thinking OF. The others would never forgive him if he just blurted out their most important secret. There was trust and then there was tactful trust. Right now, he needed be tactful.

"Kimon-chan?" A tongue darted out and tensely licked his lips. Both arms moved to gently pull her to a sitting position and keep her chin rooted so he could see her face. "I swear to you I'm not lying. I'm not stringing you along with false hopes here. I CAN help restore your sight. It can be done. I've done my part in telling you and making sure that it's okay to be...done...now it's up to you. I know you have a lot to think about. I'm sorry for putting so much on your shoulders. Just think about this. I can give you a week...I think that's long enough." His fingers tightened on her chin when she didn't respond or even react. "Will you promise me you'll think about it?"

She finally blinked, tears falling in the dusk. "Why...why are you......doing this for me?"

A tender smile appeared. "Because I want to." He whispered, brushing over her jaw line with his thumb.

Her heart fluttered and expanded. One week? "Then...I'll think about it." She breathed, giving a tiny nod.