Wishing on a paper moon
A/N: Sage: (rubs eyes) Damn, how many reviews?! 20 reviews?! Crap, I didn't think this story would be this popular…
Kaley: (grins and dances) Huzzah!! I just KNEW people liked this story!! I knew it I knew it I knew it!! (does more happy dancing)
Bakura: Geez, happy nutcases…in any event, it's now clear that this story is pretty good. That's scary, something Sage wrote is good??
Elk: Bakura…that's not very nice. Umm, as the official counter of reviews, I had to tally up the votes for who gets the most show time…
Kaley: And?!
Elk: Umm, it's pretty close…between Balmung and me and Tsukasa and me…
Kaley: (grins) Go Tsukasa!!
Sage: Go Fruitypants!!
Elk: (coughs and blushes) Al-also there were a few votes for Sora and Kite…more for Kite then Sora.
Bakura: So what does all this mean anyway?
Sage: Well, it means that the story will be more centered around Balmung, Tsukasa, Elk and the growing love triangle between them.
Kaley: So, does that mean the others won't try to win Elk over?
Sage: C'mon Kaley, you know me, do you REALLY think that I'm going to let Elk off that easy?!
Elk: (bows head) Damn
Kaley: Elk swore!!
Elk: Kaley!!
Sage: ANYWAYS!!! I was going to add .hack manga characters to this…but the only one I could add would be Orca so even though she's cool, since I like Hotaru better there isn't going to be .hack manga characters.
Kaley: So, in this chapter we'll see some great Balmung on Elk action!!!
Everyone else: o_O!!!
Balmung: Whoo-hoo!!
Kaley:…hee hee, it's not what you think!! Just read the fic…
Sage: ON WITH THE FIC!!!
Elk grinned as he opened his virtual eyes. He'd just logged in, it was Friday and nothing could go wrong. He had all day to play with his friends and though he wasn't sure what happened to Balmung and Sora, it didn't matter. Right then, he only wanted to talk to Tsukasa. The two had already become friends after only three days. Sure, that was three days without Balmung but…Tsukasa was so nice.
"There you are…" Tsukasa gave Elk a small smile as he walked over. Elk grinned back. The silver-haired boy was so…real. It was the only word Elk could think of. They talked about real things, like stores they liked and snack foods they ate and parks were they played and so many other things that were real. Tsukasa was sarcastic, quiet and shy. He was…real.
"I'm sorry, I just got home…" Elk said quickly.
"It's fine, don't worry about it." Tsukasa shook his head. "I actually just got here myself."
"So um…" Elk tugged nervously at his robes. "What do you want to do now?"
"I don't know, let's go to the usual place." Tsukasa smiled and Elk nodded happily. "But first I have to trade for something."
"Trade for something?" Elk repeated curiously.
"Yeah, my friend wants this one sword and I figured I could get it for her." Tsukasa said thoughtfully. "I have some pretty good items to trade after all."
"Yeah, you have really good items!!" Elk grinned. "I don't have many rare items at all. It'd be kind of nice to have some."
"Really?" Tsukasa gave him a strange look then walked over to a nearby group of players. "Excuse me but do you guys have the Empire's Kiss heavy blade weapon?" Tsukasa asked. The players looked at each other before a blademaster came forward.
"Yep, got myself one this morning." The girl said. "But it'd going to cost you."
"What do you want?" The wavemaster asked. Elk stood quietly behind him. After all, he couldn't help out much. All he had were normal items.
"I want…two Sports Drinks, a Boxed Lunch, nine Pure Waters, five blademaster weapons and one other thing. A tradable item…a rare one…" She said, smirking. "Got all that kid?"
"Damn, I need one more blademaster sword…" Tsukasa muttered under his breath. Elk looked up at the boy, then down at his feet.
"Um, Tsukasa…I umm…" Elk then produced a beautiful looking sword. It had a long elegant blade with a small curve at the end. The blademaster stared at it with amazement.
"Holy hell that's a rare sword…" She muttered as Elk handed it to the surprised wavemaster.
"Elk, are you sure?" Tsukasa asked as he took the sword.
"Umm, I was going to give it to Mia but…umm…I-I want you to have it…" Elk blushed and looked away as Tsukasa smiled. He knew how much Mia meant to Elk. For him to give up such a rare sword that he wanted for her…that really meant something.
"Thanks Elk…" Tsukasa grinned and added the sword to his pile of trading items. "Now, listen carefully blademaster." Tsukasa locked eyes with the girl. "You want this sword too?" The woman nodded, her eyes moving up and down the blade. "Then I need something else too…"
"What is it??" She asked, her eyes wide.
"A kimono. A nice, male kimono." Tsukasa waited patiently while the girl turned and gathered with her friends. They talked in hushed whispers until finally she pulled away from them.
"Gah, fine, FINE!! For that sword anything!!" So the trade was made. However, Elk noticed that Tsukasa only received the sword and a strange looking box. Elk looked at it curiously.
"What's that Tsukasa?" Elk asked. The boy smiled at him and pulled the box away.
"It's my kimono for the Tanabata festival. It's in two days…" Tsukasa put the box away. "I nearly forgot about it…it's one of my favorite events." Tsukasa stopped however when he noticed the look on Elk's face. "Huh, what's wrong with you?"
"The festival!" He cried out. "I forgot about it!! I don't have a kimono!" Elk groaned and leaned against his staff. "Ohh, now what? Kimonos are hard to get and I don't have any more rare items!!"
"Well, then let's go get one for you." Tsukasa said with a shrug. "It's no big deal really. I mean, there are areas where you can get them."
"Huh? B-but Tsukasa!" Elk stared at him. "We're two wavemasters!!"
"Hmm, yeah you're right…" Tsukasa tapped his rod thoughtfully (A/N: Kaley: If anyone thought sick I will beat them silly -_- Thanks kid reading behind me for pointing out sickness…) "Well, let's go to the server and see if we can find anyone to help us." So the two wavemasters went to Carmina Gadelica and waited.
"I'm such a fool…" Balmung glanced around and sighed. There was no sign of his friend anywhere. He'd been hoping to see Elk but he knew the boy was avoiding him. Of course, sitting next to the save point wasn't helping much. He saw many people, just not the one he was looking for.
"I have to apologize…again…" Balmung groaned and hung his head. "Why do I put myself in these situations? If I had just ignored Sora's comments then Elk wouldn't have run off…and then maybe I would have been alone with him for a bit longer…" Balmung then realized what he'd said and mentally slapped himself.
"Elk, maybe we should just go to the area by ourselves…" A strangely familiar voice said. Balmung looked up and saw two wavemasters walking by. One was Elk, the other…was Elk with silver hair and tan robes. Balmung stared at them in confusion.
"But Tsukasa…" Elk looked kind of sad. "We can't do that dungeon alone!! It's a really high level…"
"Do you want to go to the festival or not?" Tsukasa frowned. "C'mon, don't worry so much! We can handle ourselves." Balmung's face lit up. Elk needed help in a high level area. He could do that!! With his sword, he'd show Elk how sorry he was. He'd prove he was a loyal friend to the poor boy!! Just as he got up however, a voice yelled out.
"Elk!" The two boys stopped as Kite ran up to them. Elk smiled at him.
"Hey Kite, done with your project yet at school?" Elk asked.
"Yeah…more or less." Kite laughed nervously. "I'm not sure how it turned out actually. So what are you two up to?"
"Well, it's nice of you to come by now!" Elk said. "We need a high level player to help us in a special area…want to help us?"
"Sure, sounds great!" Kite nodded and the three left for the area. Balmung grunted and sat back down.
"Shit…" He muttered and propped his head on his hands. "Now what do I do?" Then a thought hit him. The only festival, the only event for that matter coming up was the Tanabata festival!! Balmung stood up and grinned. He had work to do…
"So you're Tsukasa?" Kite said smiling. "I remember Elk saying he was spending a lot of time lately with you." Kite said as the group walked on through the field.
"Yeah, I like spending time with him." Tsukasa said. "He's…I don't know…not as annoying as most people."
"Heh, do you really think that?" Elk asked, a slight rosy tinge in his cheeks.
"Elk's shy but he's such a nice person once you get to know him." Kite said with a nod. "I mean, I guess I haven't known him for that long but I feel like we're best friends…" Elk looked surprised. Kite thought they were that close? He smiled at Kite, feeling even better about the day.
"Yeah, I know what you mean…Elk's good…I guess…he is my friend now that I think about it. He's like me…" Tsukasa grinned and laughed. "You know, it's funny, just last year I only had maybe one friend…now I have a bunch, what's up with that?" Kite laughed while Elk watched the two closely. It was odd, hearing two of his friends talk so joyfully about him…however…
"Um, guys, I'm right here you know…" Elk said quietly. "Um, I-I'm not mad but it's just weird you guys talking about me…"
"I'm sorry Elk." Kite smiled at him. "I don't want you to feel left out of the conversation." Kite turned fully to see him, still beaming. "So, how was your Friday? Got any homework this weekend?" (A/N: Sage: Enough with the homework Kaley!! Kaley: Ahh, sorry ^^;;)
"Actually, no so…I can be online as much as I want!" Elk grinned.
"What if one of your friends call?" Tsukasa asked. "Do you have two lines or something?"
"Huh, oh no umm…they won't call…" Elk looked away from his friends.
"…you don't have any real life friends do you?" Tsukasa said plainly. Elk felt his face burning.
"I, um…err…you see…" But Elk just couldn't find any words. Tsukasa was right and that popped Elk's happy balloon.
"It's ok." Tsukasa shrugged. "I only have only or two real life friends. I like you better then anyone else I could be friends with. They all hate me…well, except her…" Tsukasa smiled suddenly and walked ahead of the others. Kite frowned.
"Elk, you know…if you lived near me, we could be real life friends…" Kite said, reassuring his friend. "I know Blackrose and the others would feel that way. It's fine to have a few friends…quality over quantity." Kite grinned and tugged on Elk's hat, pulling it just above his eyes. "It's better to have one great friend than hundreds of faceless hellos." Elk fixed his hat silently. He really wasn't totally sure what Kite was talking about but it made him feel better nonetheless.
"Thanks Kite…for helping me…" Elk said. "I think I know what you mean."
"Yeah and don't forget…I know of a certain winged blademaster who'd love to know you in the real world." Kite said slyly as he ran ahead to catch Tsukasa. Elk gapped at him before shaking himself free of his paralysis.
"Ah, guys wait up!" Elk called, hurrying to his friends.
"Well, you look…really good Elk."
"Yeah, that kimono is pretty good, bet Minstrel would want one…"
"Who?"
"Ah, you don't know her…she loves rare items…"
"Um, um, um, um…GUYS!! This is really embarrassing!"
"Why? You look…I don't know, cute…" Tsukasa grinned at the pure red-faced wavemaster. He and Kite had forced the boy to change into his new outfit and he looked absolutely amazing. The kimono was deep blue with sky blue in the corner to match his hair. A dragon curled around his shoulder and gold curled around the edges. The sleeves even had splashes of water designs on them. It looked great. (A/N: Sage: Err, I should draw a pic of it…what do you think? It's hard to describe…)
"But guys!!" Elk whined. "You're staring at me!!"
"How could we not?" Kite said before he had time to think about his words. "I mean, you look great…bet all the girls go for you at the festival."
"And a few guys I'm sure…" Tsukasa smirked.
"GUYS!!" Elk groaned loudly. "Can I get in my other clothes now?! PLEASE?!"
"Ah, I guess so…" Kite said. "But I can't wait to see you in it again…"
"You and me both…" Tsukasa said. "Only a few more days…" Elk blushed, glaring at the two.
"Turn around!!" Elk cried out.
"Oh, c'mon…" Tsukasa sighed and turned his back on the wavemaster. "Not like I get to see anything anyway."
"Ah, play along Tsukasa…" Kite smiled, turning away from the boy. "He's shy, let him be…"
"He's so silly…" Tsukasa said.
"I think it's…kinda…"
"Kinda what?"
"Umm…"
"You like him."
"I don't like him like that…"
"Prove it…"
"How?"
"Kiss him and tell me what you feel." Tsukasa smirked. Kite's jaw dropped.
"What?!"
"You heard me…" Tsukasa smiled. "Kiss him and if you don't feel anything then you don't like him in that way…"
"B-but I can't just go up and kiss him!!"
"…I can arrange for it…"
"B-but how?"
"You'll see…" Tsukasa smiled mysteriously.
"Ok, I'm done you guys…" Elk said quietly. The two spun around and saw he was indeed back in his wavemaster robes.
"Ah, you should at least take your hat off." Tsukasa said. "You look better with it off…" (A/N: Sage: The less clothes the better. Kaley: o_O what??!! Stop interrupting o hyper one!) This statement caused Elk to blush deeply and he started to fidget with his sleeves.
"Um, Um, I-I guess so…" Elk slowly took off his hat and groaned when both Kite and Tsukasa laughed. "W-what's so funny?!"
"You're cute." Kite said, still laughing. Elk gave him a puzzled look. "With your hat off, it's cute. Your hair's a great shade of blue you know."
"Oh umm, it's my favorite color so…" Elk smiled nervously. "Kite, umm, you're going to the festival aren't you?"
"Yeah, of course I am!" Kite grinned. "I have my special black kimono all picked out for it."
"Oh, that's good…" Elk said slowly.
"Balmung's going you know…at least I think he is." Kite smiled at Elk. "I think you should go make sure though."
"Ah, I-I will later…" Elk said as he reached for his ocarina.
"Hey, Elk." Tsukasa looked up at him. "Meet me tonight at Delta Singing Starlight Chaos ok? Around 9 sound good?" (A/N: Sage: That area doesn't exist so don't bother…)
"Ok Tsukasa!" Elk said brightly. "I will make sure that I clear the computer for then. Well, umm, goodbye guys…" Elk then left the two standing by the broken Gott Statue.
"That area…" Kite gave Tsukasa a strange look. "That area is…"
"I know, under repairs." Tsukasa shrugged. "Don't worry, he'll be able to get in without gate hacking. I can do…some things to let him…"
"What are you, a system administer?"
"No…" Tsukasa sighed. " Not too long ago, I refused to log back into the world because of something that happened to me here…but…my friend Mimiru talked me into it. So I did…turns out I still have a bit of power over this place…"
"Oh…like my data drain?" Kite asked, holding up his hand.
"I guess so…" Tsukasa looked at Kite's wrist. "Anyways, there's something special in that area…I think Elk would like to see it…"
"Now who likes him?" Kite teased. Tsukasa rolled his eyes.
"Whatever…"
Elk smiled to himself as he stood by the savepoint. He didn't want to lose this kimono…it had taken a bit of work to get and he did like it a lot. After saving, he wondered what to do next and wandered over to the Grunty Farm. He sat down next to a cute baby and started to pet it, feeling happy that he was finally by himself. However, it turned out he wasn't alone….
Balmung's eyes widened when they fell on the blue haired wavemaster, absent-mindedly petting a Grunty nearby. His plans weren't done yet though, he didn't want to see Elk yet. However, at the same time he wanted to talk to Elk badly. Very badly in fact. Since he hadn't really been doing much since his fight with Sora, he'd had time to think about the boy.
"He's a young boy…a boy that I don't really know…" He's thought many times. "But at the same time…when he smiles I feel so happy and when he's hurt I want to do everything I can to ease the pain…" Balmung sighed and leaned against a fencepost, watching the young boy. "I really hope it's not love…"
"Love is strange but I hear it's a pretty good thing! Why wouldn't you want it?" Balmung jumped and saw Sora standing next to him. Balmung was about to shout at him but Sora clapped his hands over Balmung's mouth. "Wait Fruitypants! You don't want Elk to see you drooling over him do you?" Balmung glared at him as Sora removed his hands.
"What are you doing here?" Balmung questioned him.
"I'm here to feed my Grunty!" Sora said brightly. "I just got some Golden Eggs for him from some other players. They didn't need them so I took them." Balmung rolled his eyes.
"That's called stealing."
"No, it's called borrowing without the intention of returning it." Sora corrected him. "I'm not a petty thief."
"Well, go feed your Grunty then!" Balmung hissed. "I don't want to deal with you today!"
"Tsk tsk Balmung, you really shouldn't be mad at me." Sora said with a grin. "You only have yourself to blame." Balmung felt like growling or shouting but instead he just settled for a good glare.
"You know what? Bite me." Balmung snapped. "It's my fault ok?? I know that!! I just can't stand the fact that I hurt him…"
"Ohh, well, want to know what I think?" Sora asked.
"No, I don't."
"I think you should give up." Sora smirked at the look on Balmung's face. "Yep, give up. You really should, I mean, what would Elk want with you? You're just too weird and high strung. And besides…" Sora leaned close and whispered, "He's mine." Balmung's eyes widened and he lunged at the man, only to have him teleport away, causing Balmung to fall right over the fence. Elk jumped and spun around.
"Balmung?!" He said in surprise. He ran over to him. "Are you ok?"
"Yes, I'm fine…" Balmung muttered, pushing himself up. Elk stood up and grabbed Balmung's hand. Balmung looked up at the boy in confusion.
"Um, here, I'll help you up…" Elk tugged on the man's hand and he stood up easily, though he was still staring at the mage. "Um, did you trip?"
"Huh, uh, yes, yes I…I tripped…" Balmung shook himself and sighed. "Elk, are you busy right now?"
"No, not at all…" Elk tugged on his hat. "Balmung, I need to talk to you actually…"
"Me too…" Balmung said. They stood there for a few minutes before Elk spoke.
"Umm…I'm sorry…I think I freaked out the other day…I didn't mean to…" Elk swallowed nervously. "A-anyway, I wanted to tell you…that I'm sorry."
"No, that's what I needed to say." Balmung said quickly. "I'm the one who should be sorry Elk…I upset you."
"No, you didn't." Elk said honestly. "I was just…I didn't understand…" Elk sighed, choosing his words carefully. "I didn't understand what I was feeling…because it hurt so much to think that you two were fighting…" Elk looked up at Balmung. "So I ran…I'm really sorry…"
"Elk…it hurt to see us fight?" Balmung felt a bit lost. "In your heart?"
"Um, yes…I don't know why it did and I wanted to get away from that…"
"Oh, I see…" Balmung smiled and without a second thought he grabbed Elk's hand and pulled him into a tight embrace. "It's fine…let's forget the fight ok?" Balmung looked down at the shocked boy and grinned. "So, what have you been up to?"
Want to help with the Tanabata festival?? Then Read below!!!
A/N: Sage: Not too much in this chapter, just leading into two grand events…which I shall tell you about now…
Kaley: I will!! Let me!! Ok, see, Tsukasa's going to take Elk out to see something really special…
Bakura: Plus, the Tanabata Festival with its strange race will happen. It's not the same race as in the manga either…
Elk: Another vote is needed…well, a lot of people are going to enter the Tanabata race so…who would you like to see win? I can't tell you much about the race itself…that's a special secret ^_^ Everyone is entering and I mean everybody so go ahead, it's your choice but…
Bakura: Be careful (smirks) Because the prize is something very…interesting…
Kaley: OK!! Also, I get to host the Tanabata race!! Yay me!!
Sage: (rolls eyes) Writing yourself in for such a tiny idiot part?
Kaley: Uh-huh!! With my co-host of course…(grins)
Bakura: Who's that?
Kaley: I'm not telling!!
Sage: So, anyways, if you want tell us who should win the race and we'll go from there…sorry if the chapter was a bit odd…I was hyper when I wrote it so, you know…
Elk: So, please review and see you again!!