Author's Notes: One final interlude before the beginning of the end. Wow, I think I'm actually out of things to say here so I'll shut up and let you read. Tee hee.

Wonderland of My Own Making
Chapter Twelve

The next day, Takamoto Kenji called in sick.

Then he made blueberry pancakes.

There was something comforting in standing barefoot in his kitchen, the morning sunshine streaming through the window blinds, the hazy memories of dreams still dancing in his head as he mixed pancake batter. He thought about nothing in particular as he cooked, simply relishing a quiet and serene morning alone. He had woke with the knowledge of what he was going to do and that finality had given him peace. Pancakes had never looked so good.

In fact, Kenji realized that taking out the trash could also be enjoyable. His neighbors waved at him and he only smiled as they shortened his name to the Americanized "Ken", unperturbed when he had to walk through dew-drenched grass to grab the paper. How had he overlooked all these different pieces of his life? They were small, and perhaps without meaning in the grader scheme of things, but Kenji knew they were what filled each day. The tiny little nothings that eventually equaled one glorious something.

The crown to all this was Akira.

After stacking a plate full of pancakes, he left it on the table and went to check on her, standing in the doorway of their bedroom for a moment just to watch her. She had fallen instantly asleep after their early morning return from the hospital. She had seemed fearless in the face of, what was to her, very real contractions, taking the pain with a grimace and sharp breaths. She had also flipped the tables on him.

He had stepped into her hospital room expecting to have to reassure her that everything was alright. Instead, she was the one to comfort him, brushing off her experience as if she had just been overly paranoid. Kenji, of course, knew better, and so he had not been able to push the matter aside and pretend everything was fine.

Later, after Akira had fallen asleep, he had realized that he had failed her. Once again he had clammed up and said nothing, letting her build a façade that kept either one of them from dealing with the problem.

He had stayed awake, turning everything over in his head, Akira breathing softly near his ear, and he had come to a conclusion. He could not have everything. He could not have The World and have a life. At least, not the life he wanted to have. Akira deserved more, their son deserved more.

It was time to end things.

And that was something Kite deserved.

Kenji smiled softly as he padded over to his sleeping wife, her shoulders rising and falling with every breath, one hand curved around her stomach even in sleep. The morning light was just beginning to slide over their rumpled sheets, a few rays of it tangling in Akira's dark hair and making dust motes look like specks of gold. Lying there, unaware, snuggled into the spot he had vacated, Kenji was sure she had never looked more beautiful.

Leaning over her carefully, he brushed a lock of hair from her face and kissed her forehead. Wanting only to stay there with her, locked into an endless morning where they could stay in bed and imagine together what their son would look like.

But there was something he had to finish.

"Dream of me," he whispered and left her, pausing only long enough to close the door behind him.

Whatever happened, he didn't want to wake her.

"What do you mean Brill is blackmailing the Admin?"

Dagger's jaw was tight as he watched Ruka pace, his usually lax gaze focused intensely on the small Wave Master, waiting for an answer he hoped was good.

The third Moderator wore a grim expression, her edited-in pink witch's hat almost slipping from her head as she turned to glare at him, her fiery temper only matched by her flame-red hair.

"I'm not an idiot, Dagger," she said scathingly. "We've known for a long time that Brill was running things even though all three of us are Moderators. I hacked into his email yesterday— "

"You what?!"

"— and found letters from the Admin," Ruka finished, ignoring his outburst. "The older ones were threats to have all three of us deleted. Brill replied to these and the drafts were saved to his inbox." She leaned forward, amber eyes serious. "Dagger, he threatened the Admin. Apparently they know each other. Brill kept referring to some 'event' that he would bring to light if the Admin didn't let him do what he wished. He never said exactly what it was but the Admin backed off so it must be something big."

Dagger rubbed his temples. "What exactly are you telling me? That you want to stop Brill? You know I won't do that."

Ruka's lips thinned. "I'm telling you that he's going to have us removed if we're not careful. Ever since he got this position he's been power hungry. You said yourself that he rarely leaves his house. He's becoming obsessed!" She sniffed. "It's not healthy at any rate. If you were really his friend you'd realize that."

Dagger grimaced and looked away, indecisive. Ruka snorted and straightened, backing away from him.

"You know, I don't need your help," she continued, her voice hard. "I can do this by myself. I'm tired of being at his beck and call. He even forced me to hack into that Kite character's personal files." She shook her head in disgust. "I won't do it anymore." She paused. "And if you're waiting for Brill to come to his senses, you're wasting your time. He likes it here too much. He likes the attention, and the power."

She stepped away, turning her back to him, long red hair curling in the wind. Her last words drifted to him.

"Oh. Did you know? He's revoked our deletion ability."

He wheeled around, surprised, but caught only the golden rings as they fell around her, teleporting her away. Instead, he was left standing there, mouth open, wondering if events were passing him by.

"Brill," he muttered, "What are you doing?"

"So, this is how you want to do it?"

Standing on the bridge of Mac Anu, staring down into the sunset-colored water, Kite nodded solemnly, watching his reflection do the same. Next to him, Orca smiled slightly in that world-wise way of his.

"Alright then," he agreed, leaning his elbows against the railing. "I'm with you. I'll let the others know as well." He paused, thoughts turning calmly in his gaze. "Do you really think it will work? Something so simple…"

Kite smiled mildly. "The simplest way is often the best." He took a breath. "And I'm ready. There are others who need me more."

The painted Blademaster nodded in understanding but said nothing, letting the silence roll around them in the twilight city, the water rushing past them both, uncaring if anyone saw them there.

The time for hiding was over.

Only after a warm ten minutes had passed did Orca straighten, his expression almost reminiscent.

"I will miss it though."

Kite closed his eyes.

"Me, too."

To be continued…