A/N: I beat .hack//Outbreak...I certainly hope Quarantine is longer. Well,
the story's winding down to the last chapter. Sorry if I made Tsukasa look
like an ass last time, but that's how I view his character. He's everything
she's not, which is why it was so easy for Morganna to manipulate her. I
view Tsukasa as playfully flippant.
Chapter 5
"Study group?" asked her father, his arms folded across his chest. The timid girl nodded, her hands clasped in front of her and her head bowed slightly.
"Y-yes, it's f-from four to eight..." He studied her. Could he tell? She was shaking and swallowing constantly, afraid to be found out, even though he didn't believe she even had friends. But he was sure to percieve something in her scared manner.
"Fine," he agreed. "be home at eight on the dot." Her eyes widened, but she did not dare lift her head to show her excitement. She simply nodded her appreciation. She was surprised he didn't figure her out, but maybe it was because she was always afraid of him.
***
Clad in a long white t-shirt and baggy blue jeans, the auburn haired girl walked down the street, looking from house to house for the proper address that was written down and handed to her by Shinji after school the other day.
They would be watching some older anime and eating junkfood. Being teens. Was she really allowed to be that relaxed in the real world? Hardly. Ryoji didn't seem so bad, but Yuri...if she was anything like her character...
To top it all off, her teacher had called home, reporting that she hadn't dressed again for gym and would have to serve a detention. This left her with a black eye and some bruises on her left arm. She was ashamed to go out, but if she didn't go she would only be letting him win. This was to be her first step of defiance.
The proper building came into view. Taking in a deep breath, she walked forward and up the porch, rapping lightly on the door. She continued to hold her face of confidence as the door opened, just like Tsukasa.
The brown haired boy that answered the door smiled at her, standing aside to let her in, his brown eyes as kind as always. She took her shoes off and set them next to everyone else's.
"Glad you made it!" Shinji greeted happily. "Have any trouble finding the place?" She shrugged lightly, picking out her words for her response.
"No trouble." she replied. Her face may have been bruised, but it was confident. That confidence shattered when she noticed a red-headed girl reclining int the chair in front of the sofa.
She looked up at her, her green eyes narrowing as she stood to "greet" her.
"You never said Tsukasa was a girl, Shinji..." She had like a guy from afar. She inspected the auburn haired girl's face. "Jesus, what happened to you?" The redhead watched her peer look to the floor.
"W-well, th-the other day..." No more words came. Shinji broke the silence.
"Hey, has Ryoji started the show yet?" Yuri shrugged, walking over to her classmate, throwing another glance over her shoulder at the "sharp- tongued wavemaster" that was supposed to be Tsukasa.
***
Shinji gave her the grand tour of his small home. He lived with his parents who were out for the evening, as they usually were on friday nights so as to give their son and his friends some privacy.
"It must have been wonderful to have considerate parents..."
"Oh, they like getting out on the weekends," he scratched the back of his head. "I really threw a wrench into their love life ya know..."
She flushed furiously as she averted her gaze to the floor. The boy led her around the house and back to the living room, having shown him all but his room.
Ryoji, she guessed that's who it was, was sitting on the couch. not knowing where else to sit, she sat on the opposite end of the couch, recieving a nod of acknowledgement from the person on the other end, she turned her gaze to her feet once again. Shinji soon sat between them, his blue oracles searching the menu of the dvd they were watching for the episode guide.
For accidentally excluding her, a glare from Yuri was sent her way.
***
"So what'd you think?" the auburn haired girl looked over to the male adolecent sitting beside her.
"I'd never seen Neo Ranga before..." She thought it would be mecha but it wasn't, in fact it had a lot of fantasy elements to it. "I liked it." she replied.
She looked at the clock; one volume contained 8 episodes that while short still consumed most of her time.
"I have to get going..." she said, standing up. Shinji grabbed her arm, causing her to flinch and anchor herself to where she stood.
"If you want I can loan you the next two volumes." She sighed softly, shaking her head free of fears. He wouldn't hurt her.
"Sure." she accepted. He smiled and stood up, tugging her arm in the direction of the hall.
"Okay, I'll get them for you and you an see my collection real quick." She nodded hesitantly and followed him down the hall.
"Stupid dyke..." muttered Yuri, the comment being picked up on by Ryoji's keen eavesdropping abilities. He snickered as he watched her finish off her can of soda.
"What's a matter? Jealous...?" he asked teasingly. The very can he'd watched her finish came flying at him as she shouted.
"Shut your hole, dumbass!" The boy laughed at her fury as he raised his arms in time to guard against the offending piece of aluminum.
***
"Wow..." said the young girl upon seeing her companion's room. Gundam action figures out up all over the room in various poses. There were also a few Evangelion figures set up around the room and a Vandread wallscroll on the ceiling. It was a bit messy, not like her room. Her room had to be kept clean.
"Sorry it's a bit of a mess," he said, wakling towards a book case amidst the motionless war that seemed to go on between the figures. "Here it is." he said, motioning to the tall bookcase that was filled with various mangas and DVDs. Most of them were about mecha and sci-fi, but there was also a decent selection of fantasy and even shojo.
She was so taken a back that she sat back down on his bed, lowering her gaze to the floor. She was happy with nothing but her health and her world, but seeing all these things that she couldn't have made her a bit depressed. She felt the brown haired boy sit down next to her.
"Are you okay?" he asked, his voice filled with that concern that she was starting to believe was there.
"Fine." she replied. The next volumes of Neo Ranga found their way to her lap. She looked down at them, flipping them over to read what was on the back.
"Listen," he started off, a bit of hesitation in his voice. "you don't have to answer me. I've put it off before, but I'm just worried about you. What are these bruises I see on you?" She froze.
I don't want to tell him. I don't want him to know. It's none of his business.
"I'm just clumsy, that's all..." she said. He put his hand on her shoulder, causing her to inhale sharply.
"You can tell me," he tried to assure her. "I won't tell anyone."
I don't wanna lie like this...but I don't think I have a choice. This might be the only way.
Blue orbs looked up at the brown ones that looked down at her. Her slender hand reached up to touch the hand of his that was resting on her shoulder. She smiled. She actually smiled at another human being.
"Don't worry about me," she said, letting her smile broaden a bit. "Please." He smiled a bit himself, a slight blush creeping across his cheeks.
"I think that's the first time I've seen you smile in person," he said, chuckling lightly. She wasn't prepared for what followed. "You're really pretty when you do smile." Shut up! You lie! A butch, battered, and bruised girl?! Don't make me laugh!
All she could do was suedo-shyly looked down and take her hand from his and return it to her lap.
I hate women that play themselves off to change the subject, but it works...sadly.
She barely had time to gasp before her mouth was covered by his, cutting off any sound she would have liked to make. But instead of her mouth amkinga noise, she soon heard another noise. The sharp, familiar sound of an open palm meeting with the flesh of a cheek at a high velocity.
Time was frozen, regardless of how quickly everything had just happened. She stared at her hand for a moment, then looking up at the red flesh of Shinji's right cheek. Her lips quivered as she backed into a corner of the room. She had been foolish enough to strike back at her father once, and her efforts had landed her in the hospital. She knew what would come.
"P-please, d-don't hurt me," she said, her voice shaken with fear as she awaited the blows she knew would come.
The blows never game. She looked up to see the boy's head bowed, a tear slowly trailign down his still pink cheek.
"I...I'm sorry..." he said, swallowing down a lump in his throat. "I shouldn't have done that...it's just...I really like you."
"I know you're kind of in your shell, but I really wanted to help open you up..."
She rose to her feet, her cowering replaced by an anger that was fueled by feelings of betrayal.
"So...so I was just some conquest to you?!" she shouted, seeing him cringe at her words.
"N-no, it's not like that!" he protested, standing up as well.
"So it was pity then?" she asked, her fist closing tightly as she stared into his eyes, trying to be intimidating, but not realizing it.
"No! I really just...I..." he lost his words. He had never expected things to turn out like this.
"See? You can't find an explanation because it's true!" she said, ognoring the wetness that began to slide down her cheek. "All you were looking for the from the beginning was that kiss!" Now it was his turn to become frustrated.
"Can't you just accept that someone wanted to be your friend?" he replied. "Listen to you; do you know who you sound like?!" he said, pointing out how her alter ego was beginning to show through.
"So what!" she replied, a hand opening and resting across her chest. "I'd rather be him anyway! Things would be...would be...so much easier!" He shook his head, scoffing a bit, and was that a hint of disgust she sensed?
"What is with you?" he said, resting his head in his hand. "I didn't want to say anything, but those clothes, your hair, your real attitude...it's like you really do want to be a boy! Maybe that's why that kiss freaked you out so much!"
Silence.
"I-I'm sorry," he said, moving closer to her as he looked to the door frame to see it's space filled with his friend Yuri's slender figure. Her eyes narrowed at the other girl and fists clenched, outraged at the treatment of her friend.
Her figure was pushed out of the door however as the auburn haired girl pushed past the two of them and out the door, taking off down the street, leaving the two in dumb silence. Ryoji walked in, rubbing the back of his head.
"Hey, she just tore out of here...did I miss something?" Shinji sighed.
***
She ran. She blindly ran in the direction of her home. It was late, and there was a hurt inside of her that was hard to describe. It was friday...she head all night. The World. Yes, The World. If she played The World, if she was Tsukasa she'd feel better.
She reached her door while fumbling for the key, but the door opened for her, a large hand shooting out and grabbing her wrist and painfully yanking her inside. Her father towered over, the alchohol the plagued his breath making her gag slightly.
"So in this study group, you use books?" he asked, putting emphasis on his last word. She didn't think he would really be that thoughtful, but to her dismay, her books were stacked on their kitchen table, which she could see from the doorway.
She'd been caught.
"Where've you been?" She began to sob slightly. She was trapped. "I asked you a question, boy!" A slap fell onto her cheek, hurting more because of the already present mark. The first of many she would recieve.
***
The wavemaster sat in his favorite spot in Dun Loireag. Father had been too drunk and too tired after the punishment to take the computer away. He laid back in the grass and looked up into the night sky, when person with spiky red hair blocked her view.
"Hey bitch," the person greeted. "get up!" Tsukasa haggardly rose to his feet, casting an annoyed look to the person bothering him. It was Raisequal. The twin blade glared daggers at him, walking forward and shoving him backwards, causing him to stumble back a bit.
The silder haired wavemaster glared right back at her, quickly composing himself and standing up.
"Heard about how you slapped Shinji," she said, her grip on her daggers tightening. "noboy treats my friends like that." she said in a matter of fact tone. Suddenly, she rushed forward, bringing one blade upwards to slash at her opponent, the blade halted by his staff.
"Why can't you people just leave me alone?!" he asked, doing his best to parry her attacks. A plump man that looked like one of the shop keepers appeared next to them.
"Please take all Player to Player duels to a field. Combat is not allowed in the Root Towns and is punishable by access limitation." The man's soft message interuppted their struggle. The spiky headed girl ceased and scoffed.
"I thought so..." she spat, looking to the Chaos Gate. "I fixed up this nice little place for us; Rejecting Oblivious Wavemaster." She grinned at the irony of her choice of keywords. "If your not afraid, you'll meet me there." With that, she stalked off towards the spinning gate.
Amethyst eyes closed in silent frustration, opening a second later to reveal a more calm expression.
"I'm not afraid..." he whispered to himself, stepping towards the gate that was located across the several bridges that link the mountain tops of Dun Loireag together.
***
"Hah, so ya actually came?" The red headed twinblade snorted as she readied herself in a combat stance. "Hope you're ready to get hurt!" Twinblades were fast, but weak.
Confident in a swift victory, Raisequal rushed forward recklessly as Tsukasa raised his staff in the air, calling out the name of a spell, causing his opponent to stop dead in her tracks.
"P..paralysis?!" she gasped in disbelief, mentally scolding herself for her carelessness. She looked up at the offending wizard, casting him a furious look.
"Listen..." Tsukasa began as he walked towards his paralyzed opponent. "I don't know why you're doign this, there's no point."
"There's a big point to be made!" she snapped back. Tsukasa smirked.
Listen, I don't particularly care if you have some crush on that guy." he said, closing his eyes and sighing. "I don't want anything to do with either of you, and he's not exactly my type." Raisequal scoffed.
"Yeah, I know what your type is." The silver haired boy's eyes remained closed in frustration.
"No one is my type, I just want to be left alone." he said, looking up in time to see the twinblade rush at him. She slashed him before he could think, making a clean slice across his abdomen. The youthful mage fell to the ground with a sharp cry of pain. The spell didn't work long on other players and he was careless for ignoring that fact.
Her weapon must have had a Death effect, for the one slice had left Tsukasa reeling, his HP bar barely showing anything at all. His attacker looked back at him, spitting to the side arrogantly.
"Well, guess I'll leave you alone then." With that, golden rings decended around her, warping her back to the Root Town.
The silver haired boy placed his hand where the gash was, watching the palm of his hand glow a soft yellow as his HP restored from the effects of a Healing Potion. He stood, rubbing his head as he sat down on a large rock nearby, listening to the crashing of the waves against the rocks.
If you are lost in your way
Deep in an awesome story
He looked towards the dungeon. His head hanging, he stood and walked towards the entrance, the gaping mouth symbolizing to him how he wished this world could swallow him up so he wouldn't have to go back to the other world.
Don't be in doubt and stray
Cling to your lonesome folly
I
Now you're too close to the pain
Let all the rain go further
He rounded the corner, thankful that the encounter rate in the dungeon was not high. Fighting was the last thing he wanted to do.
Come back and kiss me in vain
Mother oh do not bother
Hear the chorus of pain
Taking you you back to proper ways
He looked down at the floor, noticing how the gooey substance stuck to the bottom of his shoes as he decended to the bottom floor. but what to do once he got there? He'd just have to go back.
It's so easy to find
If you could remind me
Now, you are lost in your way
Deep in an awesome story
The chest was opened, but before the young mage could look to see what was inside, there was a voice. It wasn't part of the background music and it wasn't another player's voice.
So I will find you again
Kiss you for lonesome folly
*I have been waiting for you for such a long time...*
Blinding pain; that was what the wavemaster felt. He screamed loudly as he felt as though he were being ripped apart. It was just a game, and a game shouldn't hurt like this did. But it wasn't really Tsukasa screaming, it was the scared little girl on the other end.
She tried to pull the goggles off but she was shaking too badly, losing all form of self control as her body spasmed from the intense pain. Her conciousness faded to the point where she could no longer hear her own pitiful cries. Slowly - painfully slowly - both worlds went black as she heared the same calm voice before she went out completely.
*...I need you...just as you need me.*
***
I
I
I
I
P
I
I
I
I finally realize...I don't have to be afraid of you or my father anymore.
I
Welcome back
A/N: Those quotes might not be in order - heck, they might not even be correct, but I tried. Anywho, somehow I felt like I should briefly recap .hack//Sign in some way, or at least Tsukasa's experiences during it. It's not by any means a good solution, but I think it works. I had trouble thinking of where to put it: at the end of this chapter, or at the start of my next one. Ultimately, I think it makes more sense to put it here. What do you guys think? Let me know and stay tuned for the final chapter, where I'll try to wrap everything up!
Chapter 5
"Study group?" asked her father, his arms folded across his chest. The timid girl nodded, her hands clasped in front of her and her head bowed slightly.
"Y-yes, it's f-from four to eight..." He studied her. Could he tell? She was shaking and swallowing constantly, afraid to be found out, even though he didn't believe she even had friends. But he was sure to percieve something in her scared manner.
"Fine," he agreed. "be home at eight on the dot." Her eyes widened, but she did not dare lift her head to show her excitement. She simply nodded her appreciation. She was surprised he didn't figure her out, but maybe it was because she was always afraid of him.
***
Clad in a long white t-shirt and baggy blue jeans, the auburn haired girl walked down the street, looking from house to house for the proper address that was written down and handed to her by Shinji after school the other day.
They would be watching some older anime and eating junkfood. Being teens. Was she really allowed to be that relaxed in the real world? Hardly. Ryoji didn't seem so bad, but Yuri...if she was anything like her character...
To top it all off, her teacher had called home, reporting that she hadn't dressed again for gym and would have to serve a detention. This left her with a black eye and some bruises on her left arm. She was ashamed to go out, but if she didn't go she would only be letting him win. This was to be her first step of defiance.
The proper building came into view. Taking in a deep breath, she walked forward and up the porch, rapping lightly on the door. She continued to hold her face of confidence as the door opened, just like Tsukasa.
The brown haired boy that answered the door smiled at her, standing aside to let her in, his brown eyes as kind as always. She took her shoes off and set them next to everyone else's.
"Glad you made it!" Shinji greeted happily. "Have any trouble finding the place?" She shrugged lightly, picking out her words for her response.
"No trouble." she replied. Her face may have been bruised, but it was confident. That confidence shattered when she noticed a red-headed girl reclining int the chair in front of the sofa.
She looked up at her, her green eyes narrowing as she stood to "greet" her.
"You never said Tsukasa was a girl, Shinji..." She had like a guy from afar. She inspected the auburn haired girl's face. "Jesus, what happened to you?" The redhead watched her peer look to the floor.
"W-well, th-the other day..." No more words came. Shinji broke the silence.
"Hey, has Ryoji started the show yet?" Yuri shrugged, walking over to her classmate, throwing another glance over her shoulder at the "sharp- tongued wavemaster" that was supposed to be Tsukasa.
***
Shinji gave her the grand tour of his small home. He lived with his parents who were out for the evening, as they usually were on friday nights so as to give their son and his friends some privacy.
"It must have been wonderful to have considerate parents..."
"Oh, they like getting out on the weekends," he scratched the back of his head. "I really threw a wrench into their love life ya know..."
She flushed furiously as she averted her gaze to the floor. The boy led her around the house and back to the living room, having shown him all but his room.
Ryoji, she guessed that's who it was, was sitting on the couch. not knowing where else to sit, she sat on the opposite end of the couch, recieving a nod of acknowledgement from the person on the other end, she turned her gaze to her feet once again. Shinji soon sat between them, his blue oracles searching the menu of the dvd they were watching for the episode guide.
For accidentally excluding her, a glare from Yuri was sent her way.
***
"So what'd you think?" the auburn haired girl looked over to the male adolecent sitting beside her.
"I'd never seen Neo Ranga before..." She thought it would be mecha but it wasn't, in fact it had a lot of fantasy elements to it. "I liked it." she replied.
She looked at the clock; one volume contained 8 episodes that while short still consumed most of her time.
"I have to get going..." she said, standing up. Shinji grabbed her arm, causing her to flinch and anchor herself to where she stood.
"If you want I can loan you the next two volumes." She sighed softly, shaking her head free of fears. He wouldn't hurt her.
"Sure." she accepted. He smiled and stood up, tugging her arm in the direction of the hall.
"Okay, I'll get them for you and you an see my collection real quick." She nodded hesitantly and followed him down the hall.
"Stupid dyke..." muttered Yuri, the comment being picked up on by Ryoji's keen eavesdropping abilities. He snickered as he watched her finish off her can of soda.
"What's a matter? Jealous...?" he asked teasingly. The very can he'd watched her finish came flying at him as she shouted.
"Shut your hole, dumbass!" The boy laughed at her fury as he raised his arms in time to guard against the offending piece of aluminum.
***
"Wow..." said the young girl upon seeing her companion's room. Gundam action figures out up all over the room in various poses. There were also a few Evangelion figures set up around the room and a Vandread wallscroll on the ceiling. It was a bit messy, not like her room. Her room had to be kept clean.
"Sorry it's a bit of a mess," he said, wakling towards a book case amidst the motionless war that seemed to go on between the figures. "Here it is." he said, motioning to the tall bookcase that was filled with various mangas and DVDs. Most of them were about mecha and sci-fi, but there was also a decent selection of fantasy and even shojo.
She was so taken a back that she sat back down on his bed, lowering her gaze to the floor. She was happy with nothing but her health and her world, but seeing all these things that she couldn't have made her a bit depressed. She felt the brown haired boy sit down next to her.
"Are you okay?" he asked, his voice filled with that concern that she was starting to believe was there.
"Fine." she replied. The next volumes of Neo Ranga found their way to her lap. She looked down at them, flipping them over to read what was on the back.
"Listen," he started off, a bit of hesitation in his voice. "you don't have to answer me. I've put it off before, but I'm just worried about you. What are these bruises I see on you?" She froze.
I don't want to tell him. I don't want him to know. It's none of his business.
"I'm just clumsy, that's all..." she said. He put his hand on her shoulder, causing her to inhale sharply.
"You can tell me," he tried to assure her. "I won't tell anyone."
I don't wanna lie like this...but I don't think I have a choice. This might be the only way.
Blue orbs looked up at the brown ones that looked down at her. Her slender hand reached up to touch the hand of his that was resting on her shoulder. She smiled. She actually smiled at another human being.
"Don't worry about me," she said, letting her smile broaden a bit. "Please." He smiled a bit himself, a slight blush creeping across his cheeks.
"I think that's the first time I've seen you smile in person," he said, chuckling lightly. She wasn't prepared for what followed. "You're really pretty when you do smile." Shut up! You lie! A butch, battered, and bruised girl?! Don't make me laugh!
All she could do was suedo-shyly looked down and take her hand from his and return it to her lap.
I hate women that play themselves off to change the subject, but it works...sadly.
She barely had time to gasp before her mouth was covered by his, cutting off any sound she would have liked to make. But instead of her mouth amkinga noise, she soon heard another noise. The sharp, familiar sound of an open palm meeting with the flesh of a cheek at a high velocity.
Time was frozen, regardless of how quickly everything had just happened. She stared at her hand for a moment, then looking up at the red flesh of Shinji's right cheek. Her lips quivered as she backed into a corner of the room. She had been foolish enough to strike back at her father once, and her efforts had landed her in the hospital. She knew what would come.
"P-please, d-don't hurt me," she said, her voice shaken with fear as she awaited the blows she knew would come.
The blows never game. She looked up to see the boy's head bowed, a tear slowly trailign down his still pink cheek.
"I...I'm sorry..." he said, swallowing down a lump in his throat. "I shouldn't have done that...it's just...I really like you."
"I know you're kind of in your shell, but I really wanted to help open you up..."
She rose to her feet, her cowering replaced by an anger that was fueled by feelings of betrayal.
"So...so I was just some conquest to you?!" she shouted, seeing him cringe at her words.
"N-no, it's not like that!" he protested, standing up as well.
"So it was pity then?" she asked, her fist closing tightly as she stared into his eyes, trying to be intimidating, but not realizing it.
"No! I really just...I..." he lost his words. He had never expected things to turn out like this.
"See? You can't find an explanation because it's true!" she said, ognoring the wetness that began to slide down her cheek. "All you were looking for the from the beginning was that kiss!" Now it was his turn to become frustrated.
"Can't you just accept that someone wanted to be your friend?" he replied. "Listen to you; do you know who you sound like?!" he said, pointing out how her alter ego was beginning to show through.
"So what!" she replied, a hand opening and resting across her chest. "I'd rather be him anyway! Things would be...would be...so much easier!" He shook his head, scoffing a bit, and was that a hint of disgust she sensed?
"What is with you?" he said, resting his head in his hand. "I didn't want to say anything, but those clothes, your hair, your real attitude...it's like you really do want to be a boy! Maybe that's why that kiss freaked you out so much!"
Silence.
"I-I'm sorry," he said, moving closer to her as he looked to the door frame to see it's space filled with his friend Yuri's slender figure. Her eyes narrowed at the other girl and fists clenched, outraged at the treatment of her friend.
Her figure was pushed out of the door however as the auburn haired girl pushed past the two of them and out the door, taking off down the street, leaving the two in dumb silence. Ryoji walked in, rubbing the back of his head.
"Hey, she just tore out of here...did I miss something?" Shinji sighed.
***
She ran. She blindly ran in the direction of her home. It was late, and there was a hurt inside of her that was hard to describe. It was friday...she head all night. The World. Yes, The World. If she played The World, if she was Tsukasa she'd feel better.
She reached her door while fumbling for the key, but the door opened for her, a large hand shooting out and grabbing her wrist and painfully yanking her inside. Her father towered over, the alchohol the plagued his breath making her gag slightly.
"So in this study group, you use books?" he asked, putting emphasis on his last word. She didn't think he would really be that thoughtful, but to her dismay, her books were stacked on their kitchen table, which she could see from the doorway.
She'd been caught.
"Where've you been?" She began to sob slightly. She was trapped. "I asked you a question, boy!" A slap fell onto her cheek, hurting more because of the already present mark. The first of many she would recieve.
***
The wavemaster sat in his favorite spot in Dun Loireag. Father had been too drunk and too tired after the punishment to take the computer away. He laid back in the grass and looked up into the night sky, when person with spiky red hair blocked her view.
"Hey bitch," the person greeted. "get up!" Tsukasa haggardly rose to his feet, casting an annoyed look to the person bothering him. It was Raisequal. The twin blade glared daggers at him, walking forward and shoving him backwards, causing him to stumble back a bit.
The silder haired wavemaster glared right back at her, quickly composing himself and standing up.
"Heard about how you slapped Shinji," she said, her grip on her daggers tightening. "noboy treats my friends like that." she said in a matter of fact tone. Suddenly, she rushed forward, bringing one blade upwards to slash at her opponent, the blade halted by his staff.
"Why can't you people just leave me alone?!" he asked, doing his best to parry her attacks. A plump man that looked like one of the shop keepers appeared next to them.
"Please take all Player to Player duels to a field. Combat is not allowed in the Root Towns and is punishable by access limitation." The man's soft message interuppted their struggle. The spiky headed girl ceased and scoffed.
"I thought so..." she spat, looking to the Chaos Gate. "I fixed up this nice little place for us; Rejecting Oblivious Wavemaster." She grinned at the irony of her choice of keywords. "If your not afraid, you'll meet me there." With that, she stalked off towards the spinning gate.
Amethyst eyes closed in silent frustration, opening a second later to reveal a more calm expression.
"I'm not afraid..." he whispered to himself, stepping towards the gate that was located across the several bridges that link the mountain tops of Dun Loireag together.
***
"Hah, so ya actually came?" The red headed twinblade snorted as she readied herself in a combat stance. "Hope you're ready to get hurt!" Twinblades were fast, but weak.
Confident in a swift victory, Raisequal rushed forward recklessly as Tsukasa raised his staff in the air, calling out the name of a spell, causing his opponent to stop dead in her tracks.
"P..paralysis?!" she gasped in disbelief, mentally scolding herself for her carelessness. She looked up at the offending wizard, casting him a furious look.
"Listen..." Tsukasa began as he walked towards his paralyzed opponent. "I don't know why you're doign this, there's no point."
"There's a big point to be made!" she snapped back. Tsukasa smirked.
Listen, I don't particularly care if you have some crush on that guy." he said, closing his eyes and sighing. "I don't want anything to do with either of you, and he's not exactly my type." Raisequal scoffed.
"Yeah, I know what your type is." The silver haired boy's eyes remained closed in frustration.
"No one is my type, I just want to be left alone." he said, looking up in time to see the twinblade rush at him. She slashed him before he could think, making a clean slice across his abdomen. The youthful mage fell to the ground with a sharp cry of pain. The spell didn't work long on other players and he was careless for ignoring that fact.
Her weapon must have had a Death effect, for the one slice had left Tsukasa reeling, his HP bar barely showing anything at all. His attacker looked back at him, spitting to the side arrogantly.
"Well, guess I'll leave you alone then." With that, golden rings decended around her, warping her back to the Root Town.
The silver haired boy placed his hand where the gash was, watching the palm of his hand glow a soft yellow as his HP restored from the effects of a Healing Potion. He stood, rubbing his head as he sat down on a large rock nearby, listening to the crashing of the waves against the rocks.
If you are lost in your way
Deep in an awesome story
He looked towards the dungeon. His head hanging, he stood and walked towards the entrance, the gaping mouth symbolizing to him how he wished this world could swallow him up so he wouldn't have to go back to the other world.
Don't be in doubt and stray
Cling to your lonesome folly
I
Now you're too close to the pain
Let all the rain go further
He rounded the corner, thankful that the encounter rate in the dungeon was not high. Fighting was the last thing he wanted to do.
Come back and kiss me in vain
Mother oh do not bother
Hear the chorus of pain
Taking you you back to proper ways
He looked down at the floor, noticing how the gooey substance stuck to the bottom of his shoes as he decended to the bottom floor. but what to do once he got there? He'd just have to go back.
It's so easy to find
If you could remind me
Now, you are lost in your way
Deep in an awesome story
The chest was opened, but before the young mage could look to see what was inside, there was a voice. It wasn't part of the background music and it wasn't another player's voice.
So I will find you again
Kiss you for lonesome folly
*I have been waiting for you for such a long time...*
Blinding pain; that was what the wavemaster felt. He screamed loudly as he felt as though he were being ripped apart. It was just a game, and a game shouldn't hurt like this did. But it wasn't really Tsukasa screaming, it was the scared little girl on the other end.
She tried to pull the goggles off but she was shaking too badly, losing all form of self control as her body spasmed from the intense pain. Her conciousness faded to the point where she could no longer hear her own pitiful cries. Slowly - painfully slowly - both worlds went black as she heared the same calm voice before she went out completely.
*...I need you...just as you need me.*
***
I
I
I
I
P
I
I
I
I finally realize...I don't have to be afraid of you or my father anymore.
I
Welcome back
A/N: Those quotes might not be in order - heck, they might not even be correct, but I tried. Anywho, somehow I felt like I should briefly recap .hack//Sign in some way, or at least Tsukasa's experiences during it. It's not by any means a good solution, but I think it works. I had trouble thinking of where to put it: at the end of this chapter, or at the start of my next one. Ultimately, I think it makes more sense to put it here. What do you guys think? Let me know and stay tuned for the final chapter, where I'll try to wrap everything up!