Shin sighed as he watched Shu. He had been acting strangely, withdrawing from him. Just when he was getting close…no matter. It was best not to hold anyone too close to him. That would just give Kage or the warrior incentive to attack them. So, he'd have to set aside his feelings until things had died down. When he stood up to leave for home, he found his way blocked by Shu's arm, keeping him inside the classroom, long after the teacher and students had left.

"What is it, Shu?"

Shu hesitated, and his shoulders slumped. "Am I evil, Shin? Am I wrong to feel…how I do…about you?"

Shin started. He wasn't certain what the second question implied, but he shook his head.

"No, Shu, you aren't evil."

Shu was relieved, but then again…he was talking to Shin. Shin would always soften his words, hide the unbearable truth from his friends. Shu looked at Shin, who was leaning against the wall, arms crossed. Shu paused for a moment before leaning in, and, to Shin's ultimate surprise, kissed Shin.

Shin was caught completely off-guard, his eyes widening as Shu pulled away.

As he was about to speak, Shin put his fingers on his lips and shook his head. This…was not expected. But it was not unwanted. Shin withdrew his fingers and gently kissed Shu back.

Kage turned away from the window, chuckling to himself. Oh, wonderful! This was…amazing. Kisu was right. Take one and the other follows. He could plan around this now. He'd have to tell Kisu what his suggestions had wrought…oh, this would be so much fun.

Kage sat on the edge of the pool as he watched Shin finish practice. He really was quite beautiful when in the water. He understood how Shu could want him. But that didn't matter much, now did it? He had a weapon, and he would use it. He was true to his name, and shadowed Shin as he left school and began to walk home. Kage appeared suddenly next to Shin and before Shin could react, he had dragged him into a clearing in the forest. Shin crouched in a fighting stance, and Kage remained standing, relaxed.

"Did you enjoy your little time alone with Shu? Who do you think kept people from walking in on you two?"

Shin paled, then flushed. "You were watching?"

Kage gave him a disdainful look. "I'm not that sick. But still, imagine what slander would have been applied to your names…and isn't it sad that you have to hide all of your emotions?" Kage walked up to him and gently laid a hand on his cheek, and Shin pulled away, frightened to see Ryo is Kage's eyes, equally joined in the malign machinations Kage and the Warrior were working about them.

"Shin, why do you fight?"

"To protect the people I care about, to ensure that the world isn't taken over by people like you!"

"Uh-huh. Then you've already failed."

"What?"

"Shin, you couldn't protect Ryo from 'people like me'. You weren't able to protect the people at school, in the business buildings, the shopping mall, the department store, the apartment houses."

Shin flinched at each location listed, and the guilt weighed more heavily on his soul.

"You're incompetent, Shin."

"No! I've saved the world so many times…"

"But the world has never cared. Others have been sloppy. This is the first time you can't win. Shin, you are fighting a pointless battle against yourself."

"What do you mean?" Shin was looking for a way out of the forest, but every opening was blocked by…something.

"I can see the shadow rising in your heart. You're being consumed by the doubts you have about your feelings, your friends, your fitness, your sanity, your very existence. Do you want to continue this self-mutilation? I thought you were smarter than that."

Shin paled, speechless. He wasn't that way…right?

"Stop denying yourself, Shin. I can help you find a way to forget about all these silly rules you are bound by. You won't have to listen to anyone, worry about what other people think…Kisu nor will I bind you to any promises. You won't have to help our plans. We will force you to do nothing."

Kage was suddenly far too close, his violent blue eyes boring into Shin's.

"Come with me, Shin." His voice was soft, compelling, reasonable.

Shin's eyes were clouding as the words he had said were worming their way into his mind and everything he had been experiencing solidified into a wall barring him from the rest of the world, and his desire to be rid of all the social conventions strengthened, and his sea-blue eyes were filled with decision. Kage smiled and place his hand on Shin's chest, and Shin's subarmor appeared, and darkened to the grey/blue of storm water. Kage withdrew and in his hands came the faintly burning Torrent armor ball and he disappeared into the growing twilight as Shin's civilian clothes returned, and Shin relaxed, his eyes their normal color, but nothing the same about him.