Author's Notes: Soooo, yeah, I took a page from Renfro's book "How To Write Duel POV's For Dummies". This chapter is basically the events of the previous chapter told instead from Kite's POV instead of BlackRose's. Hehehe. Oh, and I'm just curious, but how many of you had already guessed what BR's tattoo was? I know a couple of you had already figured it out but others were completely surprised. Verrrrry interesting. (grins)

And if you're a Kite/BlackRose fan (which I assume you are or you wouldn't be reading this) you need to head over to CyberConnects website. It's got a new top picture I think you all will like immensely. I'd include the link but we all know will just eat it.

Wonderland of My Own Making

Chapter Ten

Kite stood perfectly still in the shadows of the doorway leading to the Gott Statue, his eyes trained on the opposite door from where Kazu and the Moderator would enter, hopefully somewhat worn out after the long haul to the bottom floor. He wasn't sure just how strong Dagger would be and so it seemed safest to wear him down with monster battles before trying to trap him. Kazu had promised not to heal him too much before the final floor as well in an attempt for Dagger to reach the last room at at least half health. Any lower than that would cast suspicion on Kazu.

The Twin Blade took a deep breath and released it slowly. Somehow, the plan had seemed so perfect the day before, but now that the time had almost arrived, he had a funny feeling that everything would not go so smoothly. They were dealing with a Moderator after all and they had powers above that of other Users. If it got rough, what was to stop Dagger from deleting him?

The answer was simple: nothing.

Not that his partner would just stand by and watch, of course. Glancing to the right a little, he searched for a flicker of movement and found it, a sign BlackRose was restless in her own hiding spot. Come to think of it, they had been waiting at least twenty minutes. Had something gone wrong above?

But just as he readied a FlashMail, Kazu stepped into the room followed shortly by a Twin Blade dressed in muted shades of blue set off by the vivid yellow markings on his face. Calm sky blue eyes gaze about the room nonchalantly, the Moderator's spine curved slightly as if he couldn't be bothered to stand up straight.

Kite arched an eyebrow in mild surprise. This was one of the feared Moderators? The thought served as a reminder and he nodded to himself. Despite the guy's looks, he had been made a Moderator for a reason. It would not do to underestimate him.

Because of that, Kite only threw one of his Sin of Hades straight at the other Twin Blade's neck, a silent test. Kazu moved out of the way gracefully and Dagger lifted one of his own knives and knocked Kite's out of the air an inch from his skin, that lazy smile never leaving his face as he sank into a battle stance.

Kite rushed him, knowing for sure now that he needed to end it quickly. The guy hadn't even blinked during Kite's attack, as if it were perfectly reasonable for a dagger to fly at him out of nowhere. This player was dangerous.

Kite lunged, his remaining Sin of Hades going for Dagger's ribs. The Mod deflected the strike while bringing his other knife up to slash at Kite's face.

"It's you," he said, a small amount of surprise in his voice. "What are you doing here? Don't you know we're looking for you?"

Kite felt the momentary sting of a shallow cut and flipped backwards into a back handspring, bringing him out of Dagger's reach. "I know you've found me," he replied, sinking into a crouch and sweeping the Mod's legs out from under him with one of his own. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a flash of movement to his right and hid a grin.

Flat on his back, Dagger gathered his energy to roll to his feet only to be stopped by the flat of a massive sword put to his neck, the tip pushing into his throat.

"Hello there," BlackRose said simply, a rebellious smile on her face. Kite grinned to himself and leaned down to pick up the Sin of Hades he had thrown, flipping the knives in his hands as his partner's gaze caught his. "Are you alright?'

He rubbed his cheek with a fist. "Yeah, just nicked me." He glanced over at the silent Wave Master. "Good job, Kazu. We were beginning to wonder if you would make it."

Kazu crossed his arms over his chest. "You could have picked an easier dungeon," he muttered good-naturedly, "Did it have to have seven levels?"

Still on the ground, Dagger coughed as if to catch their attention. "Uhm, excuse me— "

BlackRose's blade twitched closer, the Heavy Blade's eyebrows drawn together in a frown. "Did I say you could talk?"

Dagger glared at her but shut his mouth, his attention focusing on Kite as the brightly-garbed Twin Blade stepped closer, a determined look on his face. "You may think we've come to PK you, but that's not the case. We could have done that the moment you entered the dungeon, BlackRose could even do it now if she wished." Dagger's fingers twitched. "Unfortunately, our solution is not so simple as that."

The Moderator glanced at BlackRose warily before answering, "What solution?"

"My partner and I are being hunted by you and the other Mods, and Users are being deleted just for standing up to you." Kite's voice hardened. "We have questions we'd like answered. If you agree to speak with us, I promise you won't be harmed. Refuse…" He deliberately trailed off and watched with reluctant satisfaction as the captured Twin Blade began to realize just what the situation was.

"You… If they find out I talked to you… It could get very bad for me."

Kite moved his head to the side, one cobalt eye watching Dagger with a coldness that wouldn't have been possible had he not suddenly recalled how chaotic his own life had become. "Then I suggest you cooperate. The less trouble you make, the quicker you can leave."

Leaning over Dagger, BlackRose gave him a hard smile, her blade tilting. "Well, what do you say?"

He sent her a rueful grin in return. "Looks like I don't have a choice. What do you want to know?"

However, before Kite could fire off the first question, BlackRose stiffened slightly, her eyes looking upwards as she read something only she could see. He had only to wait seconds before her attention was back and she looked over at him, her garnet eyes serious.

"It's Sasuke," she said to his unspoken question, "He wants to meet me." A quick glance at their prisoner. "Will you be alright if I…?"

He nodded, secretly wondering what Sasuke wanted. They had not told the other rebels about their plan so the young Heavy Blade couldn't know what bad timing he had. Still, the situation was not ideal. Three against one was much better than two against one. But Kite knew Sasuke had become important to BlackRose, a combination of her rising motherly instincts and the fact that he seemed to look up to her as well. And if the boy needed help…

"Go ahead. Kazu and I can finish here," he told her, watching passively as Kazu took her place, the end of his staff pushed hard against the side of Dagger's throat. The Wave Master grinned.

"I shouldn't be very long," she reassured him over her shoulder as she teleported away and he returned his attention to Dagger, gripping his Sin of Hades more firmly incase the Mod wanted to try anything. Not that there was much chance of that. Kite had seen for himself how quick Kazu could be with his spells, but it was better to play it safe.

"Alright then, we'll do this quickly, the better for the both of us," he said. "First, tell me why BlackRose and I are wanted by the System."

Dagger looked at him incredulously. "Don't you know? I thought it would be obvious." His eyebrows had risen in surprise. "The Bracelet, of course."

Kite's expression thinned. "Why would the System want that? It's an illegal item. If they were to follow their own rules, it would have to be destroyed." Or quarantined.

Dagger snorted. "I didn't say the System wanted it, you did, but it's Brill whose after it. It was him that gave Ruka and I the order." His eyes latched onto Kite's right wrist. "It's said it has the power to hack through gates as well as monsters. Maybe even characters." His gaze flickered up to Kite's face and the Twin Blade answered honestly.

"I don't have it."

The Moderator looked unconvinced. "Well, it's invisible, isn't it? How can I know if you're telling the truth?" He shrugged then, as if it didn't matter. "Brill wants to get rid of you two anyway, now that you've shown yourselves. He can't stand anyone stronger than he is."

Kite had a flash of Brill fighting with Balmung, the Long Arm's face twisted with hatred. Given the chance, he would have erased Fianna's Descendant without turning a hair.

In the real world, he half heard Akira speaking but had to ignore it in order to stay focused on the situation. It wasn't over yet.

"Why are you deleting characters?" he asked firmly. It was almost a surprise when Dagger looked ashamed and uncomfortable.

"As to that, well, I didn't agree with it at first. Brill wanted to fulfill his role as a Moderator and thought that anyone questioning the order of things should be thrown away, scrapped." Dagger gave a sudden, harsh laugh. "He's always wanted to create a perfect world, preferably one he could control. Those Users simply got in the way of that."

"You said 'at first', so now you agree with his actions?" Kite asked, struggling to stay calm.

"I like it here," Dagger replied simply. "I like The World. Brill's a bit overboard, but we've known each other for years. Life's been tough on him, I guess he just wanted to find a place that wouldn't disappoint him." Sky blue eyes hardened. "I may not agree with him, but I won't betray him, either."

Kite tensed, feeling the tension in the room rise a few notches. On the floor, Dagger gripped one of his knives. Above him, Kazu reached inside his jacket for a tarot card.

Then it happened.

"KITE!"

For an instant, he was struck powerless, the scream echoing in his head making both Kite and Kenji tremble at its implications. Then, with a surge of adrenaline, he ripped off his headset and jumped up from his computer, his chair scrapping backwards across the floor.

He never saw Kite go limp, his User gone. Nor did he see Dagger lunge forward, swatting Kazu's wand away as the Wave Master raised The Hanged Man.

All he saw was his wife's startled face as he pulled off her headset, her dark eyes at their widest as he touched her face quickly, frantically, his own eyes reflecting the sudden terror her scream had awakened in him. "Kira, Kira, what happened? Tell me, what happened? Are you alright? Are you hurt?"

She gripped his arms, her expression turning to one of amazement and maybe happiness. Her voice was filled with wonder when she spoke. "Kenji, you won't believe this. It was the baby, the baby…"

Kenji felt his heart sink, his chest suddenly unbearably tight. Almost the words wouldn't come. "Oh God." He swallowed and held on to his wife's shoulders. "What do you mean? Is he alright? Are you alright?"

To his disbelief, Akira laughed, a full glorious laugh and threw her arms around his neck, holding him tightly.

"We're fine." The tones of her voice made him start breathing again. "Our son saved my life."

To be continued…