~*~Kingdom Hearts: Mirror Dance~*~

By: Dew

Author's Note: *starts running around bowing* Thank you very much! I'm very happy that you have taken the time to tell me the bad points of my fic. ^^ I hope I improved a little in this chapter… Anyway, the angst is a little cut down on here (even if it doesn't look like it at first…) and yes…I am aware that angst could kill my story. ^^;;; But thank you for reminding me!! The long-awaiting angst-relief will come soon…or so I hope. ^_^ If you're worried about being buried in angst again like the last chapter…don't worry, this one is more of a plot-mover than anything else. I did this with an essay-test and science tests in my schedule so please forgive me for some of the stupid mistakes. ^^;;;;;;;;;;;; I'll try and get a chapter out every week…two weeks at max…or so I hope. ^_^;;

Disclaimer: I DO NOT CLAIM KINGDOM HEARTS. IT BELONGS TO SQUARE AND DISNEY. ONLY THE STORY PLOT BELONGS TO ME. SUE ME AND YOU WON'T GET ANYTHING EXCEPT A PENNY AND THAT'S IF YOU HAPPEN TO BE LUCKY. THREADS OF FATE DO NOT BELONG TO ME EITHER.

~Chapter Three~

Mint was still screaming by the time she collapsed onto her knees, pounding the wooden decks of the ship helplessly. She was broken, screaming her heart out…her voice broke in several places yet the scream still rang in the ears of Riku. He had never seen her so vulnerable – Mint, the fiery princess of one of the greatest nation this world would ever see, royalty of the nation that was burning before their eyes, the victim of the cruel licks of the flame.

"God no!!" she sobbed out, "No, this isn't happening…no!!" Riku watched her draw her head into her hands, shaking like a leaf. "Father! Pops!" She curled into a tight ball, shaking like a leaf as she switched from screaming to crying to then back to screaming… The Keyblade Master grimaced and Mint shrieked, "Maya!!"

Rue knelt beside her and drew her into an embrace. A lone tear escaped the boy's eyes silently for Rue seemed to have vowed never to utter a word, only holding the broken princess in hopes of comforting her. Mint was still crying, not able to recognize her beloved partner at that one, single moment where the fire laughed merrily, devouring more and more of her world.

…and…the Keyhole…?

Riku reprimanded himself for being such a bastard, only worrying about the problems he faced while doing nothing to help Mint in her suffering. Conscious heavy in guilt, Riku took a step forward; but he was not accustomed to soothing people's pain. Even back on Destiny Island, it had always been Kairi…or…Sora…that had been the ones to help any of the other children in their moment of grief. He reached out towards her but he was afraid – afraid that she might break and afraid that her sorrows would triple his.

He felt the Keyblade rematerialize within his hand, vibrating softly, singing a melody in an attempt to calm its master's mind. Riku would have chuckled, had it been appropriate for this situation. Instead, he accepted the weapon's comfort, carefully keeping his shields up at the same time searching for the words he could say to Mint. Anything was fine…any words that could make her feel anything but pain…

The princess did not, however, show any response of calming down.

He barely had a second to blink before Mint tore away from Rue's embrace and whipped out her rings. She planted her feet firmly on the ground and her rings started to float around her right wrist, spinning in some ancient ritual. Mint brought up her left hand to aim.

The center of the spinning rings was power…a power that glowed sea blue. Shots of powerful water spells flew towards the fire. Riku stabbed his hand out and opened his mouth to stop her. Magic was draining the girl too much…

"Let me go you bastard!" the girl screeched. Rue had moved faster, holding her wrists so that they could no longer shoot the spells; the rings dropped to the ground, lifeless without their mistress to fuel them. "You cold hearted son-of-bitch! I need to…I have to save it…!"

"Mint!" Rue barked, shaking her roughly. "Mint, listen to me! Mint!!"

"Let me go!" Mint shrieked. She pulled at her wrists and jump-kicked Rue away from her. The boy crashed to the side of the boat – Riku stumbled for the impact rocked the vessel they were on. He cursed and ran towards the princess, spinning the Keyblade so that the blade part was facing him than Mint and thrust his weapon to her stomach.

The redhead grunted and fell to the ground, clutching her injury, writhing.

Riku ran a hand threw his hair, breathing heavily. He dropped the Keyblade and bent down to Mint. She didn't look up at him – she had started to cry again. Riku grimaced and quickly sent a cure spell over to Rue, in hopes that the boy wasn't unconscious. The kick had looked painful. The white-haired boy swirled his head up towards him, nodding in thanks.

With a soft sigh, Riku murmured, "…Mint?"

She did not answer.

"You can't do anything," Riku murmured. "You can shoot all your power at it but that fire won't stop."

"Then what do you want me to do? Just stay here and watch it burn?" Mint shrieked, jumping up so fast the Keyblade Master barely had a second to register before the princess gave him a kick of his own. Fortunately for him, his battle instincts had flared. He brought up his Keyblade for protection.

The attack hit the weapon but in the end, he too flew backwards to the side of the ship. It hurt. Hell it hurt a lot. However, his vision did not waver and he could feel his limbs – that was good. His Keyblade was tugging at his hands furiously, towards Mint, angered (or as angry as a magical weapon could be) at the attack the girl had launched at its silver-haired master.

I'll live.

Riku clenched his jaws as he forced his body up, refusing to give into his rage.

Mint was panting heavily. The sailors around them had backed away, retreating back into the cabins to protect themselves from being kicked as well. Riku sneered at their cowardly act and extended a hand, a spell forming at his lips. He had to stop Mint…before she did any more damage.

"Riku. Wait."

Rue's calm voice broke his concentration and his spell – Riku glared at the boy furiously. Rue stared back steadily, forcing the Keyblade Master into submission. With a firm rein on his rage, the Keyblade Master forced his pride down and nodded once, giving Rue a silent okay. The white-haired boy smiled and walked over to Mint, who was watching her burning kingdom.

"Are you alright now?" Rue began.

"Yeah sure," Mint chuckled bitterly. "Yep…as good as 'alright' goes, I suppose. Sorry about…yeah."

Rue let out a shaky sigh and smiled. "Don't worry about it, Mint."

At least that's over… Riku stared at the fire again. …There's no way nature could have caused something that big. He narrowed his eyes. Damn you Heartless.

Try to kill his mind, body and soul, Riku did not care. However, the Heartless were sadistic to the point where 'cruel' was too nice to represent the darkness they represented. Not only had they succeeded in getting their message across, they had hurt Mint and had sealed off the easiest route to the Keyhole, where he could depart to the new world. He could've left this world before the Keyhole was unlocked.

Silence came over them and Riku shut out the sounds of the burning, also taking the energy to turn away from the scene. It was already embedded into his mind – there was no need for him to look at it anymore. The memory was tucked away in the deep recess of his brain, settling in with many others. He wanted to claw out his eyes. The Keyblade Master did not want to watch it anymore. Yet he did not turn away – a call from the Heartless was impossible to turn away.

"Keyblade…"

Mint spoke. "It's the Heartless right? It's the son-of-bitches that set East Heaven Kingdom on…" A pause, "…fire, right?"

"…Yeah."

"Keyblade…"

"I'll make them regret that they even heard of the name, Princess Mint of the East Heaven Kingdom!" Mint vowed. She stomped the deck so hard. The ship rocked once more under the display of Mint's power. "Maya can't be dead," she murmured. "That snake would never die without causing me more grief."

"When we get off at Cacin," Rue suggested, "We'll go looking for Maya."

"I don't need your help to find that witch," Mint protested. "…but…I appreciate that. But don't get in my way."

"Do we ever?" the white-haired boy smiled, looking slightly amused, which Mint scowled to. "We still have about two hours left until we reach Cacin – it'll be best if we all go back and get some sleep."

"Keyblade…"

"Not a bad idea," Riku agreed.

Rue turned to the princess. "Mint? What about you?"

"You lazy bums go ahead. I just…want to stay here for a while."

Rue nodded and tugged Riku's arm then trotted down into their cabins.

The Keyblade Master stayed on the deck a little longer, not ready to obey the other boy's unspoken request. It was a wonder why Rue had left without much of a hesitation. Mint had her arms crossed, watching him with a glare, trying to chase him away so that she could mourn a little longer silently, without disturbance and alone. He was unfazed. The fear within his mind flashed him with images of the girl jumping off the ship, plunging to her death in sorrow. Riku shook his head.

"I'm not going to kill myself, ya know," Mint said dryly.

Startled, he inquired, "How'd you know?"

"Instinct."

Riku smirked. "Right."

"Can I have my alone-time, now?" the princess asked, ignoring his carefully placed bait. "You get plenty of time to sulk off your pain – I think it's only fair if I get mine."

Riku turned away slowly and traced Rue's steps into the cabins.

Inside, he reclaimed his seat in the corner, exchanging glances with Rue, who had taken a lumpy bed as his haven. His cloak settled around him like wings when he sat down, keeping his warm. At the same time, it blended him in with the darkness, like Ansem had…

Shut up.

Despite the huge fire outside, it was very cold. The Keyblade was murmuring again, lulling him back into the abyss of sleep.

Riku closed his emerald orbs tiredly. It had been a long night.

Two more hours…

"Keyblade…"

---

Cacin wasn't the kind of city the people of Karona had said when the trio had departed. Kraus had told them that it was a busy, lively city, booming with industry from both East Heaven Kingdom and the West Dragon Kingdom for it rested smack on the border between the rival countries. It was a place where the countries' merchants could trade in peace, the fear of arrest from either side gone as long as they were protected by Cacin's great walls. It was a place where ships full of newcomers were welcomed as they were coaxed into buying things at a ridiculously high price…

Riku saw none of this.

Instead, he saw a ghost city with the signs of shops squeaking noisily in the silent breath of wind. The voices of people were absent from the streets and there was no crowd of people that pushed and pulled, each considering their business more important than the others. Riku did not see merchants. Cacin was empty.

He heard the distant shuffling feet of Mint and Rue, both joining him on solid ground. The ship behind them departed almost immediately, the sailors and their captain were cowards – fleeing the moment the trio had paid their expenses. Riku scowled. To save the world and leave people like them alive…he sometimes believed it wasn't worth it.

Everyone deserves to live… Who am I to judge? I'm just the Keyblade Master.

With the answer as clear as day, Riku continued his look around the ghost-town. The smoke from the East Heaven Kingdom was floating above their heads menacingly but it was only causing discomfort, no real threat to their lives…so ignoring that detail, the Keyblade Master took a step into Cacin. Nothing. No movement of people or the whispers of fear.

Even the Keyblade was silent.

"Where's everyone?" Mint muttered. "This is better not be some kind of sick joke."

"Maybe they evacuated when the fire…" Rue theorized, walking a few more steps into the city of Cacin. An eerie wind blew past them. Riku's emerald eyes darted to his left and right then back to the front.

//You are the source of all Heartless.//

Finally, the Keyblade stirred into life, vibrating and rumbling a quiet tone in his mind. It was the noise generated when danger – the Heartless – was too close for comfort. Riku felt his muscles squeeze against each other. He massaged his right arm, in an attempt to relax himself before the battle. His legs would move upon instinct…it was his arm he needed to concentrate on.

Then he heard it.

"Keyblade…"

"Heartless," Riku murmured back.

"The little buggers?" Mint sneered, whipping out her rings. "I'm going to enjoy killing them this time."

"Shush," Rue said.

"Keyblade…"

The green-eyed youth bent down instinctively, holding his weapon in a firm grip in his hand. Mint held her rings in front of herself protectively, magical energy literally glowing off her while Rue placed the Arc Edge in between his body and anything else in front of him.

"Come…finally come Keyblade…"

Slick, black bodies withdrew from the ground, wiggling and twitching. They were laughing again. They danced around Riku, Rue and Mint, moving quickly to trap them as a wolf pack would trap their prey. Yellow eyes burned with lust as their orbs peeled away the light their skin and flesh hid. The demons didn't like human meat – inside the demons' sick minds, Riku knew, to them, only one thing mattered.

The heart.

Riku held the Keyblade with two hands, watching anxiously when the yellow eyes flickered with some kind of odd acknowledgement.

"Keyblade…"

A demon took a step forward and Riku took a step back. He felt himself bump into the backs of Mint and Rue, who had backed up as well. The Heartless were closing in on them, drawn by the call of the Keyblade and their hunger for the light of their heart. The green-eyed youth resorted in standing his ground (there were no more options left), not moving save for the light rising and falling of his chest.

Breathe and don't move. his mind commanded him yet again. This is like any other battle. No need to get…nervous. Just breathe and don't you dare move. Wait until they attack – don't move.

"Keyblade…" The Heartless hissed and the Keyblade's hum was silenced to a threatening whirr.

Riku glared at the demons and their yellow eyes looked back in response, recognizing the Keyblade and slowly recognizing him. They howled in sadistic joy – or true happiness – and Riku flinched. He felt Mint and Rue tense up behind him. Now they were truly trapped, helpless under the obsessively hungry stares of the enemy.

The Keyblade Master breathed in. Then out. Same thing…hack, slash, kill. Easy stuff.

"What are they doing?" Mint whispered furiously, waving at the twitching Heartless. "They're pissing and freaking me out. Not to mention I'd like to –"

"Shush," Rue repeated.

"They're not going to attack us," Riku murmured. His muscles relaxed a little bit. Still tense but not to the point where it was painful.

"Yet," Mint added sardonically.

Riku cocked his head and gave Mint a flat look. She shut up immediately, her fury lingering only as an angry mutter, which was then hushed by Rue. The Keyblade Master watched his opponents with a weary look, careful not to provoke any of them by avoiding direct eye contact or sudden bursts of emotions – he kept himself empty. The Keyblade tugged at his hands, much like it had done on the boat, gently towards the giggling and hissing Heartless, asking in its own way for some action. Riku frowned and the weapon went limp in his hands, silenced.

"Keyblade…come…called us…"

They whispered and sniggered. "Called us…rain…day…since then…called us the Keyblade…Keyblade Master…you CALLED us…" Riku listened in horrid fascination and their voices became a comfortable creature in a distinct corner of his head. He tried to focus with the Keyblade translating bits and pieces of the Heartless language.

"…Pure Hearted One…you…like Pure Hearted One…Keyblade Master…"

"Do you know where he is?" Riku asked.

"Hoo…boy," he heard Mint. "He's doing it again."

"Mint."

"Shutting up. Sheesh."

Riku ignored the voices of his companions and focused on the Heartless, the raw strength of determination flowing in his veins. No longer fearing the Heartless, he took a step forward, making the demons shriek and take a step back in fright. They hissed, taking his actions as a challenge – a challenge from the Keyblade…something they never turned down.

They lunged and he felt his companions explode into action.

The green-eyed youth took that time to crouch and launch into a charge, twirling the Keyblade to its side and ripped one of the demons from the ground by the neck, his momentum carrying his feet to the nearest building. The Heartless shrieked in confusion, fear and pain for the Keyblade burned its dark skin. It did little to stop the noise until Riku sandwiched it in between the wall and his weapon.

It just started screaming louder.

"…burns, burns, burns, burns…!"

Breathing raggedly, Riku bit out, "Shut up and listen to me."

"…Keyblade!! …it calls…burns…KEYBLADE!!"

"Where is he?" he hissed, "Where is this Pure Hearted One you were talking about two weeks ago? Where is Sora?" He slammed his Keyblade tighter against the throat of the Heartless, growling. The noise of its scream multiplied by two and Riku winced against the mental ringing. He did not, however, let his firm grip on the Heartless weaken. "Answer me!" He was getting impatient. The Heartless refused to do anything but scream. "Where is Sora?"

"…burns…pain…KEYBLADE burns!!"

The Keyblade Master gritted his teeth, fighting for control against the raging fury that threatened to spill over and swallow him. Riku evened out his drawing of air, the rhythmic pace of his breathing making his chest move up then down. Up then down. With burning green eyes, he hissed out, "Where is Sora?"

"…calls, Keyblade calls, follow…follow the Keyblade's call…burns…"

Screams of the captive demon before him was growing an edge of panic. Riku smelt its dark body decaying for the Keyblade was like the cross upon a vampire. "KEYBLADE!! Call of the Keyblade…follow…listen…follow…call…it calls…burns…!!"

"The call…?" Riku asked, pushing harder. His eyes narrowed. "What call?"

"…call…the Keyblade…to Keyblade…calls…it calls…listen…!! IT BURNS!!" The shrieks turned more violent. Riku winced and felt his legs weaken under the pressure. He swore.

Slowly but surely, the shrieks of the Heartless turned into a snicker. Yellow eyes were flashing despite its body slowly evaporating into the air as the Keyblade burned into its skin – then Riku felt it. He gritted back a cry as a sharp pain attacked his chest; the demon before him was tugging at his heart, trying to pull out the light and devour it. The Keyblade Master fought its yanking long enough to push the Keyblade further, snapping the neck of his assaulter with all the hatred he felt for the Heartless.

All of the Heartless started to scream.

Riku sneered as the captive Heartless exploded into a black fog, signifying its death.

Good…riddance… he thought, collapsing to his knees, a hand pressing a hand against his chest, doing his best to steady the crazy beating of his heart, the crazy sneer he had worn long since swallowed by the pain. The Keyblade was in his other hand, pulsing and shrieking. It was punishing him for his stupidity…the Heartless…it had been too close…

"…follow the call…Keyblade Master…"

Riku's head snapped up. They were leaving. The Heartless were leaving. Fury burning deep within his green orbs, the Keyblade Master hauled himself to his feet, stumbling after the melting Shadows. No…I won't let you go…not this time… He cursed his legs for being so shaky; he cursed himself for being so weak. The Heartless…it had been giving him genuine clues…he couldn't let it go now…

Sora was waiting.

Using the Keyblade to grip his balance firmly, Riku started walking, planting his feet firmly on the ground then quickened into a run after the sniggering Heartless.

"Catch us…play…lets play Keyblade Master…"

It's a game to them.

"Riku! Goddamn it, Riku! Wait!!"

I can't.

"Riku! Come back!"

Sora…Sora's waiting…

The Heartless snickered. "…bring you away…push you away…alone…you'll be…Keyblade Master…"

I don't give a crap.

"…catch us…the Keyblade calls…"

He felt himself stumble. He felt himself fall. He heard the Keyblade shriek to protect him and the writhing of the Heartless as they feel victim to his weapon's attacks. Riku couldn't help but smile. He pushed his legs upright. He felt himself running again, the ruthless wind of the upcoming storm whipping his face harshly as if the world was against him.

But the Heartless kept calling.

Riku kept following.

He began to fall into the darkness. To the darkness where he saw ocean blue eyes…smiling at him…

…and he felt himself hit something hard. Darkness flooded into him.

---

Riku jerked awake. He blinked, his vision hazy. He didn't recognize this place – it wasn't his room back in Karona… He groped around for his Keyblade, panic quickly rising within his chest when he couldn't find the weapon… He called for it, even mumbled its name out loud. There no response to his fears except a dull ringing of his voice inside the tiny room.

"You're awake…that's good. Would you like something to eat, Keyblade Master?"

He turned his head to the side to face his caller. "Mint?"

The girl smiled then shook her head. She bowed, her shoulder-length hair flowing around her. Then, as gracefully as she had bent, she rose and faced him again without flaw. "No, Keyblade Master," she said. "My name is Maya."

"Maya?" Riku's eyebrows flew up in surprise. "Mint's sister."

"Yes. I am Queen Maya of the East Heaven Kingdom, younger sister to Princess Mint…" she murmured. "How is my sister?"

"She's fine," he answered. He ran a hand through his hair. "What did you have in mind when you saved me?" He narrowed his eyes. "You obviously know the Keyblade…are you going to try and talk me out of this world like Wylaf did?"

"No," replied Maya. "Why don't I get you something to eat…you had passed out last night…"

Riku's stomach rumbled quietly. "Sure," he nodded. "But why are you doing this?"

"Bearing the Keyblade…" the queen smiled, "…is a great task. I could never find it within my hear to drive you out in a storm great as this…not to mention the Heartless roams the streets for more hearts to devour…"

"What are you trying to say?" Riku snapped, annoyed at her careful evasion. There was something under those words…something…he did not want to hear yet at the same time, it was something he wanted to hear, something that he was expecting when he had stepped into this world…

Maya sighed. "The Keyhole is open, Keyblade Master."

"…what?" Riku asked.

Maya said nothing. She turned away and waited.

…well. he thought, blinking. I expected as much…that fire couldn't have been caused by humans or magic… He couldn't help but chuckle, hiding half of his face in a hand. He felt something small and wet damp his glove. I knew it would happen. …then why the hell…

"I'll get you some soup…" Maya said, bowing once more before departing for the kitchen.

Riku withdrew his hand, eyeing the little drop of wetness on his black glove curiously. A tear…I'm still allowed to cry…? He chuckled again. God, you're too nice to a sinner like me.

"Damn it," he swore and tore the glove off. He threw it across the room, hearing it collide with the wall with a loud and satisfying noise. It sounded like a slap. He smirked at his stupidity. I'd do anything…humph…things like this didn't affect me before.

Maya reappeared in the bedroom. She was holding a tray with a bowl on top of it and Riku accepted it gratefully. He was very hungry. "I'm not much of a cook," she blushed. "And I have something that belongs to you…" Maya walked out of the room once more.

Riku attacked his bowl of soup as viciously as he could without looking rude to the queen that returned to his side a minute after.

She was holding something else this time.

"My Keyblade," he murmured. He put the spoon down. His fingers twitched.

"No, Keyblade Master," Maya shook her head. "No. If you touch it, the Heartless will come."

Riku nodded slowly and took the spoon in his hand as a substitute for the weapon. He eyed the Keyblade again. He could feel its pull, its call for him and the slight anger it created towards Maya, who kept it prisoner in her hands. Riku was, to say, surprised that the weapon did not shatter into light and form inside his grip. He guessed it to be magic – some ancient power passed down to the royalty of the East Heaven Kingdom, or something – that held the magical weapon in its place.

"Mint's looking for you," Riku finally said. He lowered his body back onto the bed, cautious for his sore limbs.

Maya smiled softly. "I'm pleased to hear it…"

Riku did not mention Mint's little minute of insanity on the boat to Cacin. He shifted his body to grab a comfortable position before speaking again, "Why did you save me?"

"Because you are the Keyblade Master," Maya answered simply. "I could not let the Heartless take you."

"I can't lock the Keyhole. If anything, I opened it."

Maya did not answer.

"I just brought destruction upon your world," Riku whispered. "Aren't you going to say anything? Slap me, scream at me…tell me to leave… Why did you save me? It would've been more satisfying for you and everyone else if you let me die. The Heartless…"

"Will not leave, whether you are alive or not," Maya finished. "The Keyhole is open – they will keep coming until this world is destroyed."

"Don't you want revenge or something?" Riku asked bitterly.

"As easy it is to fault you with the appearance of the Heartless…" Maya murmured, "…I shall not." She disregarded his look of shock and went on, "You are not the being that calls them here. It is the Keyblade…this weapon that you wield…is the true caller of the Heartless." Maya smiled. "You give yourself too much credit, Keyblade Master."

His lips twitched with a smile of his own. "Do I now?" He shifted again, trying to face Maya and be comfortable at the same time. He grunted and gave up soon afterwards. He sat up. "…don't you miss Mint?"

"Yes," the queen nodded. "I miss her a lot. She is my older sister, after all."

"I can't stay here," he said abruptly.

"And where do you plan on going?" Maya inquired. She stood up as well. "You are in no condition to travel…let alone face the Heartless." The queen frowned. "I will not let you pass Keyblade Master, until you have fully recovered."

Riku sneered. "How are you going to stop me?"

Maya lifted up a hand, her other firmly holding the hilt of his weapon. "I will not permit you to exit this house," she said. "You are injured, Keyblade Master and if keeping you here, safe, means for me to tie you down to the bed…" Maya gave him a determined look, her feet grounding themselves into the earth. "…so be it."

He growled. Mint and Maya…they both were stubborn as mules. He gritted his teeth in sheer frustration. "You can fight," he said, "But there is no way you can win."

"With you injured to this extent and your Keyblade stripped from you," Maya countered, "I can beat you with one hand." She held one up and pushed him gently back onto the bed. He fell without resistance. There was no point. The queen gave him a smug smile and sat back down on her chair. "The Heartless would tear you apart without mercy."

Riku snarled. "I don't have time…!!"

"Yes you do," Maya said. "If this world has time, so do you. It seems to me you do not yet know of the secrets this Keyblade carries. Are you aware of its name? Or what its true potential is?"

"It cuts down Heartless and it translates their language to me," he snapped. "I think that's enough."

"This Keyblade is called the Pretender, Keyblade Master," Maya informed him. "Since we have time…allow me to explain to you what this particular Keyblade does to its master."

***

EXTRA NOTE (^^;;; I know, you're all probably tired of listening to me but I have a lot of thanking to do!)

*starts running towards everyone that has reviewed*

Ruaki-san for your encouraging reviews. ^_^ Thank you!!

Tornado-san for pointing out my mistakes. ^.^ I appreciate it!

Lurial-san and Kaya-san for your wonderfully long and helping reviews! Thank you very much!! ^_^

Rosalyn Angel-san for analyzing all the good parts of my fic. ^^ Thank you!

MoMo-ChAn-san, Chibi Kitty-san, Skies of Blue-san for your compliments. ^_^ Those drove me on during my writer's block.

Last but not least, Cooro-sama, my idol! XD She promised to beta me so…after this chapter, it'll get better! ^___^ She wanted to beta this chapter too but I have to go somewhere for the weekends and I don't really want to stretch into a third week. ^^;;;;;; Sorry Cooro-sama!