Fragments of a Shattered Mirror

Disclaimering: I own Bandai & all the .hack enterprise.. In my dreams, that is... Look, I don't technically own any more than copies of the games, manga & some of the anime (as in Liminality & 2 volumes of Dusk)... But the plot and some facets of the characters as I have chosen to portray them belong to my imagination..

Review would be nice once you've read this. If you truly hate it, tell me why... But don't expect me to fix everything that bothers you. Suggestions are always welcome, if not always followed.

A/N: This is my longest chapter yet. Ten pages in word… Anyway, I had finished the chapter a while ago, but I needed to type it up. Sorry if there are inconsistencies… If so, please alert me to them in your review. I have chapter 10 done, as well.. but I need to type that one up…

Chapter 9

Tsukasa appeared in Mac Anu amid three golden rings. Remaining only a split second, he warped to the Cathedral of Twilight. Once there, the wavemaster waited outside. He had only to wait a minute or so before Kite warped in. However, Tsukasa was amazed at how much the twin blade had changed. Kite was paler than ever, dark rings beneath his sunken eyes, a strange gauntness to his person not normal and the bracelet was wreathed with darkness. Seeing Tsukasa's wide eyes and compassionate look, Kite ventured a weak smile.

"I'm a sight, aren't I?" he commented, voice low and haggard. "I'm not even supposed to be out of bed. But mother is getting groceries and father won't be back from his trip until late tonight or tomorrow, so I thought I'd use the opportunity to get on."

Tsukasa shook his head. "Your mother's right, though. Sleep is important, especially when you are sick. Giving your body rest helps it to fight infection."

Kite frowned, face growing a littler paler, if possible. "No… no," he said. "Not sleep… Not for this virus." His eyes held shadows of remembered pain. "You don't have the dreams if you're sick with something 'normal.' Amaya, with dreams like that, sleep does more harm than good. I go to sleep.. then the darkness comes followed by dreams… terrible things…" A shudder coursed down his spine. "And pain like you wouldn't believe in my head, a piercing ache about my wrist. Motrin, Advil, Tylenol… whatever the pain killer doesn't do anything to alleviate it. And the fever only gets worse…"

Amaya, both as Tsukasa and simply as herself, knew dreams too well, though the girl's dreams didn't cause sickness or make it worse. No, they were merely dark memories still haunting her nights. Memories of things like her mother's funeral and her father's first drunken rage… things like being data drained. Still, Tsukasa both sympathized and empathized with Kite.

"Don't think about them now… Just calm down and relax," said the wavemaster, putting a hand on Kite's shoulder. He was amazed by the heat he felt emanating from the twin blade. Guiltily, Amaya though it was not an unpleasant feeling. "I know that Morganna puts images, feelings and that sort of thing into your head, but remember, they are just dreams."

"No!" cried Kite. "They are more than dreams! Do dreams leave you aching, leave you in agonizing pain?"

"Yes!" replied Tsukasa, voice quiet, yet emotional. "They can… I should know… You've never been Data Drained, never had your very existence ripped apart only to awaken from the darkness only half there – your mind still lost in the shadows. You have no idea how often I relive that in dreams, nightmares. Then I awaken still felling that pain…"

Kite lifted his head – he'd been staring at the ground – cerulean eyes meeting lavender. He nodded and sighed. "I'm sorry, Amaya… I shouldn't rant at you like that… I forget that you know probably better than anyone what I'm going through…"

Tsukasa's lips curved in a weary smile. "It's all right. We all need to rant sometimes."

The smile then slipped away, replaced by a sad, bitter look, as if at some memory stirred up. Then that look, too, faded back to the apathetic gaze Tsukasa's friends had grown accustomed to over four years before… Kite blinked and tilted his head to the side. Tsukasa sighed and, letting his hand fall from Kite's shoulders, began to walk down the pathway to the great stone building.

"What's the matter, Amaya?"

"… nothing."

"But there is." Kite followed the wavemaster.

"…I'd rather not talk about it."

Tsukasa had reached the doors as did Kite, a moment later. The wavemaster paused, gazing at the ground. Kite put his hand on Tsukasa's shoulder, returning the earlier gesture meant to comfort. Tsukasa looked up at him, then, almost as if he didn't notice what he was doing, the wavemaster took Kite's hand and entered the cathedral, drawing the twin blade after. Once inside, a slight exclamation passed through Tsukasa's lips.

"What?" asked Kite.

"That statue… Aura.. she wasn't there last time I was here…"

Kite shrugged. The statue had been there as long as he could recall, although the first time he saw it, the statue had been bound by eight chains, one for each of the eight phases. Being here did stir up memories. One by one, the chains had been broken as he and his friends defeated the Phases… his friends, especially Blackrose… Akemi…

Kite wasn't sure if he loved her or not. Certainly he had a close friendship and affection for her. After all they'd been through, it made sense… but love? Kite had never actually bet the heavy blade in the real world… The polar opposite of his own personality. Yet opposites attract. But Amaya was altogether different. Kite knew her in the real world, though friends he had been with her only a short time. Yet, the two had a closeness, a familiarity that was uncanny. Was it that Amaya was becoming a replacement of his best friend Orca? Or was it that the two 'clicked?' Or was it perhaps born of mutual suffering? Mutual burdens, though born at different times, placed upon them in order to save the World? Kite truly liked Amaya and was certain that they would be friends for a long time to come… But love? Again he was unsure.

His heart was torn between the two, but it was drifting closer to Amaya. Still there remained a strong leaning for Blackrose. Morganna had exploited that in one of his dreams the night before. But she had yet to attempt to exploit any feelings Kite had for Tsukasa. However, that didn't stop Kite from sensing the remnant of corruption's great wrath against the wavemaster.

Clearing his throat as they walked down the aisle, Kite broke the silence. "So, are you going to tell me what's wrong?"

Tsukasa stopped, releasing Kite's hand and taking a seat in a pew nearby. "Oh, Kite.. everything's wrong. The whole bloody world's a mess. But locally, did you read about the suicide?"

"Yea, but I just saw the picture and the headline," said the twin blade, taking a seat next to Tsukasa.

"That was my god damn father," hissed Tsukasa, tone both dejected and bitter. (A/N Since I don't know any Japanese curses or the Japanese equivalent of "god damn," I'll just leave it as the English)

"It was?! Oh. I'm so sorry, Amaya," stammered Kite, aghast. "I know you don't care for him… but… it must be quite a shock."

Tsukasa nodded. Biting his lip, the wavemaster cried, "You have no idea. How could he, the selfish bastard! Why should he end his wretched existence with only apologies for the way he's fucked up my life! He didn't even /try/ to make things better… Didn't try to make himself better! And now I'm a bloody orphan… Couldn't even bother to think what damage he might inflict with his cowardly, worthless death! I hate him! Damn Yoshi Yamamoto to hell…" Amaya paid no heed to the hot tears welling up in her eyes, dripping beneath the headset and somehow appearing within Tsukasa's eyes as well. (a/n: I start referring to Tsukasa as 'she' a bit after this because Amaya's true feelings & whatnot are being poured out and Tsukasa is merely a 'mask' of sorts she wears… similar but not quite the same as her actual self)

"Don't say that," admonished Kite.

"Why the hell not?" shrieked the wavemaster as the tears threatened to overwhelm her. Blinking rapidly, Tsukasa stared at the ground.

"Because he was your father," said Kite, gently, gazing at Tsukasa. "And you loved him once and still do, or else you wouldn't be so upset."

"What would you know?" demanded Tsukasa, looking sidelong at Kite, then turning away.

Kite reached forward and gently turned her head to face him again. "Trust me," he said. "I know… My mom was the same way when grandma-ma died. Really mad, spouting hateful words about grandma-ma, but she was just grieving. You don't grieve for people you don't love."

Then, suddenly, Tsukasa her intent lavender eyes and began to sob. Now, very much Amaya… lonely, scared, sad Amaya. Almost without realizing it, she leant her head against Kite's warm chest, sobs still wracking her body. Kite hesitated a moment before wrapping his arms around her and patting her back.

"It's ok," he murmured; his voice had not yet acquired the deeper tones gained in adolescence, but it was soothing, calm, a voice of reason. "Go ahead and cry…"

A few minutes passed and gradually Amaya's tears ebbed to a mere sniffling trickle. Kite lifted Tsukasa's head away from his chest and brushed the tears from her cheeks. She hiccupped and a half smile lit Kite's face. Tsukasa, face flushed and miserable, whispered, "Thank you," and leaned forward, hugging Kite.

Unbeknownst to the pair, (but knownst to us) a figure watched them, garnet eyes wide as saucers and mouth agape. With tanned skin, light tattoos, light pink hair and a curvy, yet well muscled body, Blackrose could be considered quite lovely. Now, however, she just looked appalled. What the hell was Kite doing hugging and being so close & cozy with Elk?! … No wait, that wasn't Elk… But who was he, then? Briefly Blackrose debated just leaving, but then Kite caught sight of her a few feet down the aisle.

"B-blackrose!" he stammered, equally shocked.

"What are you doing?" exclaimed the heavy blade, taking a step forward. "Who /is/ that?"

Tsukasa drew away from Kite, looking at Blackrose through eyes still blurred with a faint trickle of tears, bewilderment foremost within. For a moment, the past scene played through her head, adding a little more confusion. Did Kite actually feel that way about her or was he just being comforting? What about Amaya's feelings? Did she feel the same way? She certainly felt an attraction for him, partially born of shared connections to the distant past, sympathy, empathy and shared events in the recent past. But the pair hadn't really know each other well for /that/ long. Still… In this bemused (but sort of happy) state, Tsukasa continued to watch Blackrose.

When neither the wavemaster nor Kite replied right away, a flushed Black rose snapped, "Well? Of all the people… You – you –"

But she couldn't seem to find the right words. The other two continued to stare, then, to the further surprise of Blackrose and Kite, Tsukasa began to laugh. And then she sighed.

"What the hell is so funny?" demanded Blackrose.

"You think I am a guy," stated Tsukasa. "And that Kite and I are gay. That is what is so funny."

"And you are not?"

Tsukasa shook his… er… her head. "No, but my avatar is technically a male wavemaster. Let's just say I preferred the character design to the female wavemasters available."

Blackrose blinked once, then shot an even darker glare at the pair. "Way to lead someone on, Kite! Way to act like one thing then turn around and … Ach!"

Kite rose and gazed at the floor in pain, sighing wearily. Tsukasa, sudden understanding dawning upon her, nodded to herself and rose, going towards Blackrose. The heavy blade pretended that she didn't notice, gazing balefully at Kite.

Tsukasa half bowed and said, "Blackrose, um… May I talk with you outside, please?"

Taken aback, the heavy blade stammered, "Uh.. I… Hey! What do you want? Surely you can say it in front of your boyfriend," she hissed, bitterly.

The wavemaster flushed, looking slightly hurt. "I was going to explain things to you."

"Fine! Do so!"

The wavemaster glanced at Kite, who looked supremely uncomfortable, tired and… in pain? No, that had to be just Tsukasa's imagination, but she /had/ sensed a twinge…

"Well?" Blackrose's demand brought Tsukasa back to the matter at hand.

"Sorry. I was just thinking how to begin. I suppose I ought to start with something Kite probably won't admit even to himself."

"And that is?"

"Umm… Well, his heart is torn in two. On the one hand there is you. He's not quite sure if he loves you or if you are merely a close friend. You two've been through a lot together and have subsequently become close. On the other hand there is me. Kite isn't quite sure how he feels about me other than being a friend. Besides," her voice trailed off a moment. Then with a sigh, she continued, a slight bitter note to her voice, "Is there something so terribly wrong with giving a hug to someone overcome with emotion?"

Blackrose blinked, then looked at Kite. He nodded with a sigh. "Accurate, very much so, Sherlock… Blackrose… I… Augh!"

He suddenly doubled over, clutching his head with a cry of pain. His skull aplit apart, or at least felt like it.

"Kite!" cried Blackrose and Tsukasa at once, each taking a reflexive step towards the twin blade. The wavemaster then closed his eyes, 'feeling' as Morganna rose up within Kite, holding more power than ever. Then the lavender eyes snapped open, worry clouding their depths.

"This is not good," he mumbled.

"What?! What's not good? Kite, what's the matter?" demanded Blackrose.

"No time to explain," said Tsukasa. "Be ready to defend yourself. Kite! Don't let her control you!"

Blackrose gave Tsukasa a blank stare, but it went unnoticed. Kite barely heard the words. Earlier, he'd felt slight twinges, like a probe poking his brain. Foolishly, however, he had ignored them as, it seemed, had Tsukasa. Or maybe Amaya hadn't felt them. Either way, the dark corruption sensed his emotional distraction as well as two of her enemies. Therefore, Morganna took the opportunity to force herself into control. Now, the only thing that could stop her would be either a Kite who had not been worn down or perhaps Aura's power. And that power would be channeled through Tsukasa. Thus would Morganna's plan to bring about the wavemaster's doom would be manifest. A long drawn out doom, if the corruption had her way. But for now, she concentrated on attacking Kite's last mental defenses.

Coming to a halt next to Kite, Tsukasa hesitated a moment, wondering whether to use her staff or hands… Surely Aura's power would work better directly from Tsukasa, right? Therefore, the wavemaster reached forward and grasped Kite's bracelet – now quite visible to Blackrose who, sword drawn, watched with horrified facination.

Tsukasa gasped as an icy chill followed by fire shot through his body. However, he held on, a white light appearing about the bracelet to counter the darkness. Kite felt the pressure of Morganna ebb, but she remained, fighting the light. For a moment, it seemed as though the light was winning and Blackrose could swear she saw a faint, ghostly form of Aura next to Tsukasa. However, the darkness suddenly surged forth, through the bracelet and Kite's mind. Tsukasa gritted his teeth and held on, still attempting to fight it with both Amaya's own and Aura's strength. However, the virus's power continued to expand and Tsukasa cried aloud as he was flung backwards, knocked hard into one of the stone pews.

With an agonized moan, Amaya forced herself, forced Tsukasa to get up, though she knew it was too late to help Kite now. Blackrose, quite confused and unsure what to do, could only stare at Kite as he collapsed against a different pew, a tortured moan escaping his lips. Suddenly, he lifted his head, staring strait at Blackrose, ignoring Tsukasa as he slowly got up and attempted to walk without falling. However, this wasn't Kite. Kite's cerulean eyes were friendly, not icy cold, and his smiles were born of mirth rather than a sadistic delight. Furthermore, his bracelet was invisible, not comprised of black polygons. No, this was Morganna controlling Kite's body.

"K-kite?" ventured Blackrose. "Are you all right now..?"

The twin blade only grinned. Then he stood up and began to walk towards Blackrose. She didn't move, but stared. Akemi's hands shook as they held the controller.

As quick as lightening, Kite leapt forward, twin blades in his hands. He slashed down at Blackrose, who barely lifted her own sword in time to block. As it was, she was thrown off balance, giving Kite the opportunity to wound her, then knock the heavy blade backwards with a well placed kick. Only then, Akemi came to her senses and began to defend herself properly. As she and Kite dueled, she said such things as "Kite, snap out of it," or "What the hell is wrong with you?" But the twin blade didn't respond.

Meanwhile, Tsukasa managed to steady himself on his feet. He then cast a form of 'repth,' healing himself of the damage and ending the dull aches of bruises. The wavemaster now removed his staff from his inventory hand gripping it tightly. Kite and Blackrose were too close together for Tsukasa to cast an offensive spell. And Morganna had undoubtedly ensured that Kite's stats were high enough that ailments would be ineffectual. Besides, Tsukasa wasn't sure that possessed Kite could be defeated by normal means, or, if he could, that it would help the situation. Killing the character might have adverse affects for Kite in the real world. The wavemaster had the dreadful feeling that deleting Kite while he was possessed might even kill Kite in the real world. Besides, killing him might open him up even further to Morganna's influence, thereby destroying any possible way of purging her without harming him.

Tsukasa closed his eyes, concentrating upon that strange linkage between Amaya and Aura, the linkage by which he'd been able to channel the power in the first place. This time, however, he tried to call Aura. Faintly, he felt a response, a gentle warmth, but it faded quickly. Tsukasa tried again, all but oblivious to the battle betwixt Blackrose and Kite. This time, Tsukasa felt a greater reaction. It seemed as if Aura was telling him that she could do nothing, that the corrupt data had somehow found a way to block her from actually coming near, from assisting with all her power. Disappointed and more worried than ever, Tsukasa opened his eyes, watching the battle.

He stepped along the edge of the aisle, making his way closer to the pair. Though neither seemed to be faltering, Tsukasa could tell that Blackrose was loosing. Still, the wavemaster could find no way to intervene or assist without hurting both.

Blackrose knew that she had few hit points left before she would reach "breaking point." She wasn't exactly sure what Kite was trying to do, whether he would data drain her or simply PK her. The heavy blade barely avoided a series of swift cuts and swipes, but she didn't have time to counterattack before Kite leapt at her again. This time she couldn't avoid the combo and was sent a few steps backwards, half collapsing upon the stone floor. Her heart sank when she heard the distinctive shattering sound, though she could not see the blue orb about herself shatter. Akemi found, suddenly, that she could not move.

"No," breathed Tsukasa, realizing what was about to happen. He had seen & heard the breaking of the shield and now that he knew what that meant…

"Kite?!" screamed Blackrose. "Don't! You wouldn't!"

Kite hesitated, the renewed struggle for control of his mind and himself obvious. However, Morganna won over again and he stepped forward, planting his feet firmly and lifting his arm. Yet, there was a regretful look upon his face mingled with a bitter agony. As the bracelet glowed, expanding and activating, the boy managed to force his lips to say, "Forgive… me…"

A spasm of pain crossed his face, then Morganna was completely dominant once more. "Data drain!"

And the bracelet unfolded completely. However, the pain of data draining never reached Blackrose. Tsukasa had darted forward, diving at Kite and grasping the bracelet, dragging it and the bearer to the floor. A scream of agony ripped from the wavemaster's throat as the data drain affected her, instead… sort of, anyway. Because Tsukasa retained the meager protection from the data draining (in other words, he had not been 'protect break'-ed), the attack had not been directed at him, Morganna wished to be spiteful and he was not exactly a normal player, the data drain didn't drain his data, didn't unravel his digital existence, though it would soon result in casting Amaya into a coma. It did cause intense pain like the data draining of the wavemaster's memory. However, it was different for the only purpose (besides tormenting Tsukasa) that it served was stripping aside several barriers and granting Morganna some access to Tsukasa's data and Amaya's mind. With glee, the program probed around, intentionally sending waves of pain through Amaya's skull.. no, Tsukasa's skull.. or was it both?

For the moment, Blackrose went ignored by Kite who, still under the influence of Morganna (xD under the influence…), flung Tsukasa off of him into the side of the pew across the aisle. The wavemaster thudded into the bench, landing collapsed upon the ground with an agonized moan. Different colored sparks of light flickered up, down and around Tsukasa for a few moments, causing or perhaps caused by an odd glow around him.

Shocked, Blackrose only stared for a few moments. Then, it occurred to her that she ought to do something; She could attack Kite while he was distracted, attempt to grab Tsukasa and get out of there, escape alone while she had the change, attempt to distract the possessed Kite and reach who she knew to be the real him or call for help and do any of the aforementioned. A part of her, a great part of her wanted to just flee, but her heart and conscience wouldn't let her. Therefore, certain that help wouldn't arrive in time, she emailed Elk and Mia (they were the only ones listed as online) and stood up.

"Leave him.. er.. her alone!" called the blademaster, stepping towards the twin blade, holding her sword forward. "Kite, if you truly feel for her or me, then you won't hurt her! You can't! Come on! I saw you fighting whatever's wrong with you. Cant' you keep fighting?! Don't you give up, damn it! I can't bare anyone else giving up on me!"

The twin blade, daggers poised, gazing malevolently at the wavemaster – now curled into a semi-conscious twitching ball that occasionally moaned – turned his attention towards Blackrose. He seemed about to attack when a twinge occurred. A struggle wrote itself in his features. Then, dropping the blades, he brought his hands to his head.

Kite said, "No… damn you, leave me the hell alone! Out of my head!!"

He sank to his knees, the fight increasing. "NO!" he yelled at the top of his lungs. He collapsed onto hands and knees, breathing labored and shaky, body aching, wrist and head in pain, but Kite fully in control. A moan escaped his lips as he closed his eyes with a shudder.

"What have I done..? Dear god, what have I done?" (A/N: I am not sure precisely what religion Kite would be, though Shinto seems most likely. Therefore, I'm just putting the English equivalent of the sort of thing he might say. After all, they are Japanese… and direct translations betwixt oriental languages and English are next to impossible)

"Kite..?" queried Blackrose, approaching slowly. "A-are you really you, now?"

The twin blade opened his eyes, looking up at Blackrose. "Blackrose," he whispered. "I…" But he could not find the words to go on.

Blackrose seemed to accept that and she helped Kite to his feet. They both gazed at the now unconscious Tsukasa in silence. Kite took an unsteady step towards the wavemaster.

"What's wrong with her?" asked Blackrose.

"I… I'm not quite sure," murmured Kite. "I think it… might…"

However, he never finished his sentence, for the drain of his energies and emotions caught up to him and the twin blade collapsed. At near enough to the same moment, unnerving Blackrose even more, two other things happened: Tsukasa's eyes flickered open as she gasped, as if the wavemaster was staring at something awful, and Mia and Elk cam running into the chamber. Blackrose knelt next to Kite and called to him, but he did not respond.

"He's tired… Very drained," said Mia, coming to a halt behind the heavy blade. "The strain of… everything has been too much. Kite has collapsed…"

"But what happened?" asked Elk, looking from Kite to Blackrose to Tsuaksa.

"I wish I knew,: said Blackrose, now kneeling next to Tsukasa, attempting to awaken him as well. "Tsukasa, I think, tried to warn me, but there was not time…"

"Morganna, or at least a corrupt remnant of her, resides within Kite's player data and, it seems, has found a way to control him, enter his mind. Following logic, if a player's mind can enter the game as Tsukasa's did once, then why cannot some of the game enter the mind? Because of events in the past, Tsukasa holds a strong bond with Aura and thus he can channel Aura's power with her permission. Using Aura's power to push Morganna from control thereby aiding Kite worked before… But it seems that either Morganna found a way to block Aura's power, or she has grown strong enough to defend against it and possible defeat it. If the latter…" Mia sighed. "A perfect parasite."

"How do you know that?" asked Elk. "Is that what started to happen to Kite last time?"

Mia nodded and murmured, "I know… I can see, hear and feel these things… And Aura told me as much."

Blackrose nodded slowly. "What now? And what can we do?"

"… I think that Morganna may pull Kite entirely inside The World… He will no longer be in the outside part of himself," stated Mia in a worried tone. "Tsukasa may get dragged in, too.. I can't tell.. I'm not sure what happened… Each is fighting within their minds whether they know it or not… Hung in limbo, neither here nor there… yet."

"Y- you mean that th-they are falling into comas?!" exclaimed Blackrose. "No! That can't happen!"

Elk looked shocked, but Mia said nothing for a long moment. Then, "Yes. But let us bring them somewhere else where they may awaken…"

Shocked into a dazed numbness, Blackrose complied without comment. Together, they warped Tsukasa and Kite to Mac Anu, then swiftly to Mia and Elk's favorite field, their warm sunny sanctuary.

"Poor Kite, poor Amaya," murmured Elk.

Author's Notes & whatnot:

Names That I Have Given Them So Far:

Kite - Kite Nakahara
Elk - Hidezki Moro
Mimiru - Mimiru Kurosawa Blackrose - Akemi
Tsukasa - Amaya Yamamoto, her father: Yoshi Yamamoto
Kazu - Kazu
Subaru - Marie Misono (I felt like giving Subaru the name Marie because it fits her… and there are Japanese people with English names…)

I told you I'd give you guys a longer chapter this time. The whole story, discounting my notes is over sixty pages now. Buahaha..

To My Reviewers:

Steeple333: I think part of your review was deleted somehow. O.o But Sora ish awesome. I just think he deserved to get zapped by Tsukasa.. I think I'll have him pop back in later... Not in the next chapter, but maybe in the 11th one.

Macky: Thank you. I'm continuing, I swear!

Dragon's Hitokiri: Thanks! -pokes you- It's the next chapter...

Dreamcaster555: Whenever I get around to updating my profile, you so get user of the month or whatever! You're so nice about reviewing. Thanks!

Twilight Faerie: Ooh! A new reader! Spiffeh! Thanks!

Hmm.. Not as many reviewers.. where did my other regulars go..?

Anyway.. Next chapter'll come as soon as I work out a couple kinks & get it typed..