Another moment with you
A/N: Sage: Well well well, we're getting down to the climax of this story! ^_^
Kaley: We are?
Bakura: No one told us that.
Elk: (still crying) you're going to kill off Mia aren't you?? Nasty old hag!!
Sage: (twitching) I'm not killing anyone off…and just because I'm over 6,000 years old doesn't mean you have to call me old.
Kaley:…you're old…
Bakura: I'm 3,000 and even I think you're old…
Sage: Enough!! Elk, tell the poor reviewers what's going on!!
Elk: (sniffs) Mean old…
Bakura: I'll do it…ok, so far we see that Mia is hurt, Balmung kissed Elk and Tsukasa is obviously at least in "like" if not in love with Elk. Kite is just observing mostly and Sora is being annoying…I mean adding valuable plot points…but this chapter is aptly titled…
Kenshin: Aptly titled that it is! ^_^
Kaley: YAY!! (gets distracted and glomps Kenshin)
Sage: -_- great, more pointlessness. But anyways, I'm going to start this chapter out right and hopefully I'll show everyone that this isn't a silly yaoi but an amazing story of love, teenage feelings and hope and triumph and and and…
Elk: Oh, ignore her…someone emailed her saying this story is obviously just a stupid yaoi that only exists for the sole purpose of making new couples.
Sage: (cries) It's not true damn it!! So I'll prove it!! I'll show you all!!! (laughs insanely)
Bakura: (shakes head) Start the Ra damned fic…please…
Kenshin: Start the fic that you must ^_^
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Come with me…stay here forever…it's very beautiful isn't it? This place…it's here only for us…just you and I…forever…together…it's what I want…I think…wait no…it's not…it's not what I want…my head hurts…I don't feel so good…who…are…you…?
"STOP!!!"
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"Stop!" A young boy sat bolt upright in bed, his face covered in sweat. His breaths came in ragged sets from his lungs and his heart beat rapidly. He shook his head and buried his head in his hands. A dream…it was a nightmare really though. Mia was sitting alone on a bed in the middle of a dark forest. She wanted him to come see her but then someone grabbed her and dragged her away. She screamed for them to stop…or had he been the one screaming?
He felt hot tears streak into his palms. He hated crying, he didn't want to cry anymore. Why did he have to cry all the time? Mia was fine…she had to be…without another thought he jumped out of bed and threw on his headset. With his quick keystrokes he logged onto the World.
The digital clock by his bed beeped. It was 3:00 A.M.
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Elk opened his eyes. It was nighttime in the World too, so around him the lights from the stores shone and the stars above glittered beautifully in their peaceful heaven. A few people were gathered in small groups, talking quietly amongst themselves and looked up when he logged in. Seeing it wasn't someone they knew, they turned back to their conversations, leaving Elk to figure out why he was up at this time of night.
"Mia…" He mumbled as he walked in a circle. It seemed pointless to just wait for her but now he really needed her. He needed someone to take his mind off of everything. Balmung and Tsukasa were causing a strange feeling inside him and he wasn't sure what to do about it. They both seemed to like him more than he could imagine and it was odd. So he couldn't talk to them. He only could talk to Mia about it…she'd understand…
"Elk?" He jumped and turned to see Kite standing with a puzzled look on his face. Elk gave him the same stare.
"What are you doing online?" They both asked, followed by a small laugh.
"I'm on for the Midnight Murder event." Kite explained. "It's not over yet…I don't have school tomorrow luckily. I was waiting for Blackrose but she said she's got to get her sleep. So I've been doing the event by myself…"
"I'm…I'm…" Elk paused, biting his lip. Then he fell down on the ground crying. Kite ran forward and cradled him.
"Elk! Are you ok?" The twin blade asked, already thinking up ways to comfort the boy.
"I…I want Mia…" Elk sobbed on to Kite's chest. "I want to see Mia!! She'll make everything make sense again…I want her back…" Kite shook his head, rubbing the wavemaster's back.
"Hey…don't cry…Mia's probably just busy…" Kite smiled reassuringly as Elk lifted his head, "I'll bet she'll be on later today but…I doubt she'd be on right now…but you sound like you need some sleep…"
"I…I…I…" Elk stammered before he burst into fresh tears, "Kite I don't get it!! Balmung kissed me and Tsukasa likes me too I think but they're both boys and I don't know if I like them too or who I like more and my chest hurts a lot lately and I don't know what to do and I just don't know…I want Mia…"
"Whoa hang on!" Kite's eyes grew wide. "Balmung did what? And…Tsukasa…wait Tsukasa…you said they're both boys and…Elk you just confused me…"
"I'm so sorry!" Elk cried. "I just don't know what to do but I want Mia…"
"Alright, then when she logs on then we'll have to…" Kite stopped and listened close. He could barely make out the conversation of a group near him but he heard 'A cat like player' so now he was interested.
"Yeah so the cat girl killed the whole party asking 'Have you seen him?' over and over again…"
"Freaky! I heard she stays in one area and that she looks like she could die any second…"
"My friend told me she's a virus…"
"I heard she's an AI."
"No, she's an event I bet! Yeah, a secret event or something like that! Maybe you need to find someone for her…"
"Excuse me!" Kita stood, helping Elk up with him. The group turned to him unsurely. "You mentioned a cat girl?"
"Yeah, have you seen her too?" Asked one of the heavy blades. Elk quickly grabbed her hand.
"You've seen her?! You've seen Mia? Where is she?" Elk demanded.
"Ah geez kid…" The girl pulled away. "She's only been spotted in one area so far, in Beautiful My Wavemaster…it's the only place she goes I guess…but she's been killing off players left and right…she's really dangerous…"
"Kite!" Elk turned right around, yanking the poor teen with him to the chaos gate. "C'mon!! Let's go see Mia!"
"But Elk!" Kite began but the two were warped away before he could speak.
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The two arrived in the dark field with a small whirling noise. However, that sound was the only sound in the area besides the occasional chirp of a cricket. Kite shivered and gripped his daggers tighter. The field wasn't normal, like the kind he had to hack into. Elk grasped the twin blade's wrist, his body shaking slightly.
"Kite…you really think Mia's here?" He asked as the screen glitched, distorting their view for a moment.
"Don't worry…but…Elk, be on guard ok?" Kite hesitated, he didn't really want to scare his friend but he was getting a bad feeling…and his feelings usually had some merit to them. "Elk, I've got a this…feeling…something isn't right here…"
"Kite…" Elk bit his lower lip, raising his staff up as if the enemy was already upon them. "I'm…I'm kind of scared…"
"Don't be, we'll be fine if we stick together." Kite smiled reassuringly and held onto Elk's hand. The boys smiled at each other and Elk nodded, his eyes filled with a sudden confidence.
"You're right…um…thank you very much Kite…but umm…if it's too late then you can go to bed…" Elk said.
"No, I'm going to help you find Mia…" Kite quietly admitted to himself that he really didn't want to leave Elk alone right then. After all, this 'Mia' sounded like a player killer and probably wasn't the same Mia they were looking for. Leaving Elk by himself with a potentially dangerous look alike wasn't a good idea. So, no matter how tired he was, Kite decided to stay by his friend's side. Elk seemed to relax greatly knowing Kite would be with him.
"Kite, really…this um, means a lot to me…I'm really glad you're my friend!" Elk grinned and pulled Kite forward. "Now c'mon, we need to find Mia!" Kite nodded and the two set out across the ominous field. Lightning crashed somewhere in the distance and caused disturbing shadows to fall over them. Both boys expected an ambush or a threat to appear at any second but none came. Rain started to pour down from the billowing black clouds that covered the sky. Kite paused and stared up into the air.
"Something really is wrong…" Kite muttered, "It never changes like this…I mean, it looked stormy but now it really is raining…"
"Kite?" Elk frowned, his fear creeping back into him. "Um, what do you think is…is wrong?"
"I don't know…" Kite blinked back the water. Rain swirled around them as the winds picked up. Kite noticed that Elk was getting scared again and gave him the same calming smile as he did both. The wavemaster smiled back and the two continued on their quest. Finally, after what seemed like an endless walk through the hurricane like weather, they reached a strange tree, different from all the others.
"Kite, what's with this thing?" Elk asked, poking it cautiously with his wand. The twin blade frowned and walked towards it.
"I don't know but…" He stopped mid sentence, drawing his daggers up in a defensive position. "Elk! Get ready, something's up in the branches!"
"Huh?" Elk tilted his head up and saw a dark shadow moving jerkily through the treetop. He pulled his staff up to his chest, already considering what spell to use against the mirage in the trees.
"Have you…seen him?" A female voice asked from the branches. Elk froze, the voice in his ears.
"Mia?!" He called into the tree.
"Elk!" Kite stood closer to the mage. "Be careful…don't let your guard down!" He tried not to sound bossy but there was something in Mia's voice that made him nervous.
"Mia!" Elk yelled again, ignoring Kite. "Mia it's me Elk!"
"Elk…" Mia mumbled. Without her usual grace, she fell from the branch above them, landing awkwardly on her knees. She stared at the boys before her, her eyes glossy and distant. "Elk…"
"Mia!" Elk gasped, seeing her in such a sorry looking state. Her fur was dirty and her sword was covered in blood.
"No!" Kite grabbed Elk's shoulder as the young teen tired to run to her. Elk struggled against the grip but to no avail.
"Kite let me go! Mia's hurt!" Elk cried desperately. "Please Mia looks terrible! Kite let me go!"
"Elk! Think clearly for a minute! Something's wrong here!" Kite pleaded. "Please just hang on a second!" Mia stood up and moved in a slow zigzag towards them, raising her sword up in front of her.
"I need…" The cat girl whispered, her voice having a drunken tone. "I want…need…him…" Mia stumbled forward, her sword stabbing into the ground. "You…aren't him…"
"Mia?" Elk took a step towards her, stopping as Kite's grip tightened. "Kite…what's wrong with her, what's she talking about? Is Mia ok Kite? I'm Elk Mia, don't you remember me?"
"Elk…Mia…" Mia looked up at him. "Yes, I am…Mia…no…I'm…who are…you?"
"Mia?" Kite said, pulling Elk behind him. "Mia, I'm Kite, this is Elk. We're your friends remember? Now…who are you?"
"I am…Maha…" Mia stood and nodded as if her mind was clearly. "I am Maha…and I need…I want to see Tsukasa…"
"Tsukasa?" Elk repeated in disbelief. "Mia…but we…you know Tsukasa?"
"You know Tsukasa?" Maha said, picking up her sword and coming closer. "I need…I need to see Tsukasa."
"But Mia…wait…Maha…" Kite's eyes grew wide and he yanked Elk away. "Elk, this isn't Mia…it's someone else!"
"But Kite! She's Mia she really is, I can tell she's Mia…I really can…I know it's her…" Elk finally pulled away from his friend and ran to Mia. "Please Mia, what's wrong…do you need help? Are you sick?" Elk asked, looking over the girl. The storm around them slowed its pace and the rain came to a stop. In the distance, thunder still rumbled it's soft growl. Mia looked at Elk as though she'd finally realized who he was.
"Mia…yes…Elk…oh Elk…" Mia collapsed to the ground, grabbing Elk's shoulders as she fell. The boy fought to keep standing but fell down with her. She leaned her head against him, her ears falling on his cheeks. Elk blushed and hugged her without a thought. "Elk…I'm sorry…my head hurts…I just…I just…don't know who am I anymore…I don't remember…a lot of things…"
"Do you…remember us?" Kite asked, approaching cautiously. Mia lifted her head and nodded with a small smile. As she did, the clouds that still threatened to pour rain began to lighten, until they were gone and the stars and moon took their place.
"Yes Kite…I remember you…and your magnificent bracelet." Mia held the twin blade's hand and jerked it back and forth with interest. "I really love your bracelet, you can see it right?"
"Of course…" Kite grinned and sat down next to Elk, who was still quite crimson. "So Mia…err, can I ask…why you called yourself Maha? That name sounds familiar…"
"Maha?" Mia said thoughtfully. "Well, I don't know anyone named Maha but you know the name does ring a bell."
"Let's not think about it right now…" Kite said quickly. Something was still up with Mia but he didn't want anything to happen, not when Elk was in her arms. "Uh, well Elk was pretty worried about you, weren't you Elk?" Kite nudged the wavemaster but to his surprise, the boy had fallen asleep against the cat girl. "Err, Elk?"
"He must be tired." Mia stated. "It's very late. Tuck him in for me ok? He needs sleep. I need to go." Mia stood, gently laying Elk down in the grass. Then she winked seductively at Kite, causing him to blush out of pure surprise before she left the field. Kite sat still, looking over Elk with a smile. The young boy had curled up in a loose ball and seemed to be at peace. Kite knew of course that lately, with Balmung and Tsukasa and now this Mia trouble, Elk had obviously slept badly. This may very well be the first time he was able to sleep knowing things were ok. To him after all, Mia was fine now and her fate had pushed Balmung and Tsukasa from his mind. Kite sat in silence for a long time, letting the boy sleep soundlessly next to him.
"Mia…Maha…" Kite muttered. He knew he'd heard that name before. This 'Maha' had asked for Tsukasa. The boy decided to have a chat with the wavemaster later but first, he had to wake Elk up. He put his hand on Elk's side and shook him lightly while gently calling his name. "Elk…hey Elk…come on Elk, it's time to get up…"
"Ohh…" Elk groaned and rolled over on his back. Kite smiled as the boy sat up, rubbing his eyes.
"Good morning…" Kite sang. Elk frowned and yawned.
"Where's Mia?" He asked, causing Kite to laugh. "Huh, what is it?"
"You worry about her so much…she had to log off but she told me to tell you to get some sleep." Kite stood and held out his hand. Elk took it and he pulled him up. "So, you should go to bed ok?"
"Yeah…" Elk stretched and nodded. "I'll see you tomorrow Kite…umm…thanks so much…for everything…I uh…really needed a friend like you…" Elk blushed. "So um…well…I mean with everything going on I really…I just…"
"No problem…" Kite grinned, "If you ever need help, just ask me ok? Now go get some sleep…"
"Alright…well um…see ya…" Elk logged out, leaving the twin blade in the field with nothing but the stars and wind to keep him company. Kite sighed, a satisfied smile spreading across his face and fell back into the grass, fast asleep before he even hit the ground.
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It was about noon when Balmung finally logged into the World. He yawned and shook his head until the ground around him spun. He closed his eyes and leaned against the wall. The swordsman hadn't really slept much. He was busy thinking of well, many things actually but mostly his life.
"Hey, you're Balmung of the Azure Sky aren't you?" A small heavy ax asked. Balmung nodded and went with his usual routine as the girl giggled and told him how great he was. After a few minutes of his nods the girl grew bored and left him back to his silent thoughts.
It wasn't like he was normally a romantically aggressive guy. He was terrible around his female co-workers, usually unable to even tell them their skirt was cute without it coming out wrong. The girls thought he was fairly hot and he admitted that he loved their attention. To him women were wonderful heavenly beings, so innocent and caring. He didn't date much however and when he did the relationships didn't last very long. A few dates later and he suddenly something fell apart.
"Wow, are you Balmung?" A small party of girls approached him and he sighed. Maybe standing near the chaos gate was a bad idea. He nodded and the girls grinned and thus began their useless banter. Balmung smiled through it but he was so tired and just wanted to be alone with his thoughts.
"Hey, can't you go anywhere without your groupies?" The girls suddenly fumed and turned towards the voice. Tsukasa was leaning against the wall, his staff next to him and his arms crossed. He was of course wearing his favorite smirk, the one he saved just for Balmung.
"What's wrong, Lady Subaru left you?" Balmung walked over to him, ignoring the girls. They all realized that he had forgotten them and wandered off to leave the two men by themselves.
"Actually, Subaru isn't logging on today. So how are you and Elk doing?" Tsukasa asked, though Balmung knew this wasn't a friendly conversation.
"Why do you care?"
"Because he's my friend." Tsukasa said simply. He sighed and stood closer to the blademaster. "Listen, I'm going to tell you something so let's get this straight. I do like Elk. I'd love to date him. But it's complicated. You don't understand a lot of things about me. So when you hurt Elk, I'd like to know."
"You're right, I don't understand you." Balmung glared at him. "If you like Elk then ask him out so he'll be happy!"
"I can't…because I don't know…which Tsukasa he'd like…" The wavemaster looked away as if suddenly guilty. "Besides, aren't you like my rival or something? Don't you want Elk?"
"I…I don't know." Balmung sighed and threw his back against the wall. "I mean…that'd mean I'm…gay…" He looked over at Tsukasa and grinned. "Of course there's nothing wrong with that but it's not something I see my myself…I just…but when it comes to Elk I feel differently…"
"So then you'd date him?" Tsukasa asked.
"I guess but dating over the internet is something I'm not for…"
"Geez, with so many limitations why do you bother?" The boy pushed some of his silver hair into his hat. "I mean, you don't like guys, you don't want to date over the net, you can't even talk to him without screwing things up. Just give up already, it's pretty pathetic to keep after him when you don't seem to want him."
"Tsukasa…you're such an immature brat." Balmung scowled, causing the other to look up in surprise. "You must have had a very sad childhood. You pretend to be beyond your years as though you were forced to grow up quick. But really you're just a scared child…attack me if you wish, question what I feel in my heart if you must but don't say I don't want Elk. Regardless of my feelings he is a friend to me. Elk will always be my friend. I may mess up occasionally but…that doesn't change our friendship." Balmung shook his head and ruffled his wings. "Never mind…you told me I don't understand you…that's true but…you don't know the first thing about me." With that he walked away, leaving Tsukasa to ponder what he'd said.
"Heh, I guess I misjudged him…" The wavemaster muttered as the smirk returned to his face.
"Yeah, Balmung can be weird can't he?" Tsukasa looked up and saw Kite walk out of the chaos gate. "He acts so different…he and I misjudged each other too a while ago. But now we're friends…"
"That sounds optimistic." Tsukasa shrugged. "So maybe Balmung isn't so bad but he's still pathetic."
"Whatever you say…" Kite smiled, then yawned. "Ah man, I couldn't sleep very well because I was thinking about something…about you actually."
"About me?"
"Yeah…listen, does the name Maha ring a bell?" Kite tried to sound casual but the look that appeared in Tsukasa's eyes made him realize he'd found something big.
"…Where did you hear that name?"
A/N: Sage: Nice huh?
Kaley: Yeah it's grrrrreat!
Bakura: (sweatdrop) must everything be long and dramatic?
Elk: Who's Maha? Is Mia really ok…? Sage, you're hiding something aren't you!
Sage: Uhhh…find out next chapter bye!!
Elk: -_- She is…