Hello! I decided to start next chapter right now, that way I can take it relax later. To Josh, if you see this, I would like to talk with you by emails or msn, but I can't reach you another way than on my fic ; please let me know if you're interested or not. By the way, that chapter contains some spoilers about the end of the fourth .hack game.

Chapter 7

People scared of involving themselves into a relationship doesn't experience a greater fear; risking to lose its dearest person. Kite fought his urge to run away from deception but now he faced his exposed sin. "She hates me". Kite declared, after relating what happened a while ago to Blackrose.

"No she doesn't! … Well she might b-but don't give up on her!" the hesitating heavy blade said. "You lied to her. Of course that she's angry. You have some explaining to do now."

Kite interrupted their conversation to buy many recovery drinks. The ultimate battle approached. Despite his personal problems, he prepared himself mentally and physically to the final confrontation.

"Why didn't she dump me right away? I'm disgusting. For her heart, I mislead her, I took advantage of her."

Hearing Kite's whining Blackrose became irritated. "Stop it, baka. Talk to her; tell her why you acted this way. She might forgive you. Come on, you knew her better that me. Go right now, before the battle. It may be your…" she didn't finished her sentence, realising what she was about to say.

Kite put a hand on her shoulder to encourage her. "I know, it may be my last chance. We might fall into coma like Kazu and Orca. It's a possibility but we will win. We will free all the coma victims. I swear it to you. I want to see Orca again and… Natsume too."

Blackrose bit her lips, staring at the paved path of Mac Anu. Kite took her hand and they walked over to the bridge. When she lifted her head up, tears fell down her face and she quickly whipped them away. Her friend smiled at it, she never liked to cry, even less in front of people. He squeezed her hand and logged out.

His clock showed seven o'clock pm. After Miki left the room back at her house's, he closed the computer, grabbed his stuff and left but not without perking into the bathroom. He hated himself as much as she hated him when he saw her, hunched in a corner of the room. He stepped into the bathroom. She threw him a cold look. It was enough to make him leave her alone but he still felt guilty for something unknown.

The big day showed up rather ordinarily. The rising sun made its way into Kiyoshi's room, right in his face and he buried his face under the over stuffed pillow. He rubbed his face and his neck, stretched his arms and yawned loudly. His lovebirds began chatting with each other. Concluding there was no chance left for a few minutes of sleep he got out of bed and feed his birds.

Fifteen minutes later, he was on his way to Miki's house. He still ignored why exactly she was upset about this but he didn't want to lose her. Kiyoshi loved her like no tomorrow. Deep in his heart, he only wanted to remain with her.

At the Ouguro's house (1), the teenager pressed on the bell. A few seconds later, Miki's mom answered the door but didn't seem too happy to see him like usual.

"Hello Miss Ouguro. Can I talk to Miki?"

If she didn't have manners, he swore she would show him her finger. She was looking at him, despising him with her eyes. "Sorry dear. She doesn't want to see you".

Kiyoshi put his hands in his pockets. As he was about to say good bye, a large man came behind the woman, holding a hockey stick. "Hey boy, what did you do to my girl! Leave our property, you …" (2)

The boy ran as soon as Mister Ouguro started cursing. He looked back, the man didn't pursue him. He sat on a bench at the park and gasped heavily. A shadow appeared but he didn't notice him, until he sensed something on his arm. Kiyoshi yelled and stood up. Convinced that it was Miki's father, he searched for somebody in the park but instead, he saw Miki herself.

Her eyes were red from crying, her pale face struck him hard. "Sorry about my father. He's over protective when someone … hurt me" she said, insisting on the last part.

"He's right to protect you. You're someone precious, wonderful."

Miki looked down and blushed a little bit, even though she wished not. "If I'm so precious, why did you refuse to go out with me in the first place and then told me to go after the real in The World? It makes no sense. You hid your identity the whole time we dated."

"I love you, I did those stupid things because I love you Miki" he said.

"No, you don't!" she shot back. "When I first asked you out, you told me you liked somebody else and yet, as Kite, you encouraged me to frequent you!"

"But we are together now! I'm your boyfriend now!"

"Not anymore." She left the park, leaving Kiyoshi alone. He took place on the bench, putting his hands on his face. The burning of the spring coming to an end was burning his neck but he didn't move one bit. Only the sound of his watch ringing reminded him of the operation in The World that was about to start soon and he left the park.

Kite viewed the scene; all the people he met during his journey in The World preparing for the big fight. Each of them accepted to risk their lives in order to play in a World that is not polluted by virus. This game, this world meant more than anything to them and they also wanted to free the coma victims. They supported Kite and considered him the leader.

Wiseman, Lios and Helba surrounded the young hero. All of them were charged of surveying the operation. The notorious hacker then walked (3) in the center of the circle they were forming and hit the ground with her weapon, showing all her might.

"We have located the virus. It's now only a matter of time before we head off to the field. Little boy, you must form a party. Who will you choose?"

Kite turned over to Blackrose who drew out her sword. "I won't let you go without me Kite so you better pick me."

"I never expected somebody else to come with me Blackrose. We are a team since the first day. We went through every challenge. We will win this one fight together."

Wiseman approved his choice by nodding. "And who is your next choice?"

He seriously had no idea. All of them were of equal strength to him and held the same value. However, Natsume stepped in front of the group. "I will come with you and nothing will change my mind Kite."

The elder wavemaster clapped his hands together in satisfaction. "Well now that the party is formed, let's p-"

"No! You won't come with us! No discussion. "

Wiseman and the others frowned. How usual was it that Kite refused someone harshly. Blackrose, on the other hand, felt uneasy. She knew that if those two worked together, there was no way to tell if they were going to throw themselves at each other's throat or make up.

Natsume clenched her fists. "I'm going. I'll prove myself strong!"

"It isn't about strength; it's about saving The World and the coma victims. You're not going." Kite turned around and pointed Balmung. "Balmung, do you want to come with Blackrose and me?"

"I… huh…" Balmung couldn't quite decide. Natsume wished to accompany Kite but he declined her proposition and they were now fighting. "I … I would be honoured but Natsume…"

"No, she won't come. She'll distract me from our goal" declared Kite. The situation started to annoy him.

Natsume approached him dangerously to face him. "What do you mean, 'distract' you? What the hell is that!"

"How do expect things will go fine with you around, Miki! You just dump me an hour ago!" he nearly shouted.

"It hurt? Hmph, I'm not the one who lied."

"If you don't like me anymore, why do you want to come!"

The last question stunned her. She looked away, played with her hair. Kite recognised that habit. He touched a sensible spot. At this very moment, both of them ached from the separation but neither of them would admit it right now.

Finally, Natsume emerged from her silence. "It's not because you're not my boyfriend anymore that I abandon Yasuhiko or the other victims as well. Please let me come."

Kite considered her request. After a while, he looked at her. "Sorry Natsume. It's for the best that someone else will come with Blackrose and me. Balmung, what is your decision?"

It appeared that Natsume and Kite sorted things out in a way so the Blademaster didn't hesitate anymore. "I gladly accept."

The discussion continued and time arrived for the party to leave. While the golden rings carried away the heroes, Kite saw Natsume blowing off toward him a kiss. He did the same but he disappeared before she could catch his'.

"We beat it!" yelled Blackrose. Their controllers were soaked of sweat. The last phase fell apart before their eyes. They expected to return at the root town but strange long arms suddenly burst out of the phase and rushed into their directions. (4)

Balmung draw out his sword. "What is happening!"

Kite watched in fear the authentic arms coming towards them. "It's Drain Heart!" All arms now encircled Balmung, leaving him no chance of escaping. They pierced him brutally and data drained him. His body vanished on the ground while the arms looked for their next victims.

Blackrose put the head of her sword on the ground as the enemy located her. The arms stroke her and her scream at that moment was full of pain. "Blackrose!" Kite yelled. He was the only one left, the arms turned toward him and speeded but instead, Elk put himself between them and Kite and took the shot. "I'm sorry, I was selfish…" the arms data drained him.

"No, I won't let you take us down!" he escaped before the arms touched, dashing through them. The phase was just in front of him. He picked his weapons and jumped in the air, aiming the phase. Aura materialised in front of him. He couldn't turn around anymore. His dagger pierced her perfectly. Seeing Aura dying, Kite yelled her name painfully.

After that, he just lost consciousness for what seemed a long time. When he opened his eyes, he saw everyone on the ground, slowly waking up. Helba acknowledged in disbelief their presences. "The operation was a success…"

All the coma victims also woke up. Orca helped Kite to stand up. They watched each other and hugged. After a while, it turned out into a small party. Blackrose presented Kazu to Mistral, Piros met Lios' employees and Balmung gladly told Orca about Kite's improvement. Elk was also there, at first alone in his corner. Rachel grabbed his hand and threw him into a group of person. He told them his story with Mia and quickly became comfortable.

Kite retired from the people to enjoy seeing them all happy. He felt a hand on his shoulder. "Looks like you did it without me."

"He looked over his shoulder. "Yeah I did Miki."

It was obvious that she had a grudge against him. "Alright. I'll go see Orca to see if he's feeling well." She started to walk away. Kite put himself in front of her.

"Let me pass Kiyoshi. You're not funny", snarled Natsume. She tried to push him to the side but he didn't budge. She protested but he forced her to sit down.

"Miki, do you want to know why I refused that you come with me for the operation?" In answer, she crossed her arms. "It's because I was scared that you get hurt. If it went wrong, I wouldn't forgive myself for getting you into this."

Natsume glanced at him. She started to feel less cold toward him. Deep down, she wished everything would just come back to normal.

"Do you also want to know why I lied to you?" Kite asked.

"Yeah…"

"The person that I loved when you asked me out the first time was Natsume. It was you. But at that moment, I ignored who the real Miki was. Later that day, when I made the connection between Natsume and you, it was hard to tell you right away my true identity because I feared that you would hate me for rejecting you that day. So I tried to put the broken picture and Kiyoshi and Miki back together before revealing who I was in The World. My only concern was to be with you, and be loved for the real me. I'm beginning to see a bit why it made you upset. It was a very confusing situation but I never meant to hurt you in any. I'm very sorry Miki."

While talking, he put her hands into his and looked at her. Their eyes connected immediately, and their lips locked together. After a moment, they broke the kiss, both panting.

Kite put his arm around her waist and she posed her head on his shoulder. "No more lying, okay?" said Natsume.

"No more ever, I promised."

(1) Ouguro is Natsume's real last name. Yup, I have it right this time, thanks to Steeple333.

(2) I don't know a lot about English swearing and let's keep it that way!

(3) I noticed in .hack games that Helba doesn't walk. She floats O.o

(4) They are not really arms… if someone knows the proper way to call that thing, please tell me!

That chapter, the last one, was hard work too. I realised that I not only made errors of grammar or stuff like that. I forgot details or more like, mixed them. For example in chapter 3, I described Kite as a black haired boy. In chapter 5 though, he changed to brown.

Nonetheless, I was thinking maybe of writing a short, very last chapter because I still had a scene in my mind with Yasuhiko, Kiyoshi and Miki. Hey, I could do a sequel. Big titles "Orca likes better and better Kite's first girlfriend. So much that he tries to win her heart!" … I'll think about it. Tell me your opinions. Big thanks for your reviews. Honestly. I never thought I would write a fic after the last one. Seeing how you liked it encouraged me a lot. I have something to be proud of, finally.

Katreda