Matt stared at his pictures, eyes burning and memories clouding his mind. Raven and Xeno were still missing… And Kei… he ran his hand through his hair, trying to erase the horrific image from his mind… but he was afraid it would never go away. He couldn't believe it. Kei… dead. He cursed under his breath, swearing to find who had done that to her. She was so young… She had been so full of life when he left for Garden the first time… Matt, refusing to cry, pinned up the picture of the little girl sitting on his lap. It had been taken less than a year ago. He couldn't force himself to look at it. If I had come sooner… maybe I could've stopped it… and Mom and Xeno… if… then I'll have nothing left.

Yuki stared at the newspaper in shock and sickness. Oh no… could that be his little sister? It says that 'a teenage boy found his young sister dead, murdered by a currently unknown killer, in the closet of her room'… so it is him, right? I really need to talk to him…How can he handle this? I'd fall to pieces if I were in his shoes… She got up, put on her jacket, and hurried to Matt's dorm.

You let her die, Matt.

I did… didn't I?

Yes. How can you live with yourself? She believed in you…

And I failed her…

Yes! You feel it isn't worth the fight, don't you?

What do you mean?

Exactly what I said, Matt.

Who are you?!

I am your curse… I am your conscience. I am your burden. I am you're truth, seeking to put you out of your pain.

'Put me out of my pain'? I don't like the sound of that.

You know inside your heart that you are alone.

Mom and Xeno are still alive. They are. Mom would NEVER submit without a fight!

You know they're both dead. You're all alone. Alone. No one cares.

What are you getting at?

What I'm getting at… you're horribly alone in an army base with no friends… what's the point in life?

I h-have friends! Yuki, and…

That girl? Ha! You make me laugh. She's throwing a pity party. All knows her heart lies with some one else.

Who?

I won't reveal that.

Shut up and leave me alone! Just shut up!

Put yourself out of the misery, fool. You want to, and it'll be for the best.

You mean…?

Yes!

            Matt put his head in his hands, forcing himself to ignore the harsh voice and the throbbing it caused in his head. It felt like someone was driving a nail into his skull. He shook himself, thinking it was ridiculous to even consider what the voice was purposing… right? Of course… It would be insane. He heard a knock on the door and answered it, happy for the distraction. His heart sank when he saw Yuki's smiling face, and his mind grew bitter. His face was in a hard, tight smile as he stepped to one side.

Her heart belongs to someone else… Pity Party…

No! No!

Yes.

"Hello Matt!" she said cheerfully, coming inside.

"Hi, Yuki…"

"Sup?"

"Nothing." He snapped, then caught himself.

"What's wrong?"

He sighed apologetically, smiling grimly. "Sorry. I haven't had a good day."

And it's not going to get any better unless you-

SHUT UP!

Yuki felt a wave of power emitting from Matt. It startled her that he would put up such a mental defense. He must've been keeping someone –or something- out. She wondered briefly what it was before deciding not to press. Yuki's deep eyes seemed to burn a whole in him, attempting to sway him to confide in her. She longed for his trust, though not quite sure why. Duh, they were friends, but she wanted to relieve his affliction. Yuki shot him a concerned look but only received in return a tired, troubled smile.

"If you're sure."

"I am. Thanks for checking up on me."

She noticed how his eyes were hidden, shaded from view, and it solidified her conclusion. It was his little sister…she realized with sympathy. 

"So… um…"

"Well, I just wanted to drop by and say hello, 'cause I haven't seen you in a while. I've been really busy studying. I'll be going now. But if you ever need someone to talk to, I'm always willing to listen, alrighty?" Yuki beamed brightly.

"Yeah. See ya."

She received another small smile from him, and no other emotions were revealed this time than appreciation and happiness. Her heart was in her mouth as she walked out. Behind her she could hear the beginning of 'Boys of Summer' on his guitar and she stopped to listen, even though the door was closed. It was played flawlessly. Yuki shook her head, and as she walked back to her own dorm, her anxious trouble came back heavier and heavier the farther she got. I have to visit my parents. She wrinkled her nose distastefully. Well, it's time to face them! If they don't like me for me then they shouldn't like me at all. She swung open her door and stared at her answering machine. It was blinking, and there were a lot of messages. She clambered over and hit play.

"Yuki, I gotta talk to you, please call me as –soon- as you get in. It's Dameon; you know where to reach me. It's urgent. Thanks."

"Yuki, this is Nakisho… Come home right now! We need you!" She stared suspiciously at nothing in particular at that message. It was her mother. She scowled and then listened to the next one.

"Things are getting bad, Yuki! Please come to Esthar A.S.A.P.!"

"Yuki, hurry. People are getting killed. Don't let anyone hear these messages, or I'll probably get killed to. I'm not allowed to call anyone. When they confiscated our cells I kept mine from them, so erase this. Please hurry. A lot of lives depend on you. I know you'll pull through. Love always, Dameon."

A chill crept up Yuki's spine. Dameon, her mother, her father, were all trapped, maybe even dead by now. All because she had left to go see Matt. She cursed loudly and grabbed a sword and nunchakus and dashed out the door.

                                                                        ~*~

Yuki crept into position. There were guards everywhere! How could she possibly get past them all…? She felt a strong hand on her shoulder. She gasped and spun around. It was only Dameon. Her breath caught in her throat. '

"Dameon! What happened here…?"

"Soldiers invaded this entire section of Esthar."

"When?"

"Just about half an hour ago. They swamped us… Defeated are best fighters without hesitation or even a glance back." Dameon shook his head.

"How can I help then?" Yuki asked desperately.

"You, Yuki, are more powerful than a lot of the people here combined. You forget, we never went to a military base to train."

She looked into his deep green eyes, but her fear remained a solid mass preventing her from moving. What ifs where racing through her head.

"You can do this. I know you can. Maybe I haven't seen you in a year or two, but I still know that you're the best, Yuki." He smiled at her, but the grim situation made it impossible to believe that it was genuine.

"Dameon…" Here's the guy who's been my friend for years, asking me to help the town I grew up in. He has faith in me. What if I fail him? I used… to like him so much. I trusted him, and now he's trusting me. I can't just back off. I can't just let him down. But… I can't fight so many soldiers at once! I could only wish to ever be –half- that powerful… Her cheeks turned red and she turned away, not wanting to meet his eyes.

"Yuki, we can do it…. Together."

She debated with herself for another second.

"let's do it." She spun on her heel, drew her weapon, and ran into the midst of battle.