Disclaimer: I do not own .hack or any of their characters. I do however, own my characters and this fanfic plot. If you wish to borrow them, then just ask.

:Eternal Sunshine:

Chapter 5: Confusion

Sirena was riding on Derrin's back, laying her head on his shoulder. She held a dreamy expression. They were in a feild, and it was nice and sunny. There were wild flowers everywhere. Effie picked some as she went along. Mya was leading the group, humming as she went. Tai was behind them, thinking hard and reading and sending emails. Sirena let out a content sigh. Derrin dropped her all of the sudden.

"AHH! WHAT WAS THAT FOR!" she screamed, rubbing her back. Tai came out of her trance, tripping over Sirena. Derrin caught her, holding her close.

"Well, for one thing, you're heavy. For another, I think you should hold your own, like everyone else. Look, Effie is stronger than you."

Effie hopped up and down at this, "Yea, and I'm higher level!"

Derrin laughed, but Sirena continued to give him a glare, "That is no excuse. I'm lazy, and lazy people need love and attention, and I demand those now!"

"You're always loved..don't ever think your not.." Tai said absentmindedly. She righted herself and continued to walk, right past Mya, who had stopped when she heard the yelling. Mya glanced sideways at her, then at Derrin, who merely shrugged. Sirena watched Tai walk off.

"HEY! I'M NOT DONE RANTING!"

Tai kept walking. She felt someone come up and match her strides. She looked to her right a bit and saw big black boots. She smiled.

"Heyo Marin.."

"Why so spacy today?" replied a deep voice.

"Hmm...just thinking.."

Tai came to a stop, and looked up at the sky. Marin came to a stop as well.

"There's a special event coming up.." he mentioned.

Tai looked at him. Marin had long green hair, and pale red eyes. He was tall, and big. He was part of those that followed Zane.

"It's tomorrow. Thought your young friend might be interested, the rare item freak."

Tai glared and grunted, "She isn't a freak. She's a better friend than..most.."

"Than me? Don't forget I'm the one that saved you and your stupid rare bracelet."

Tai shrugged and was about to walk back to the others when he suddenly grabbed her and kissed her. Tai backed away, in shock. He smirked at her and tapped her nose with his finger.

"Heh, what? Tyler the all-knowing didn't see that one coming?"

Tai slowly shook her head. Marin glared at her.

"I suppose you're into Ryu or Gun? You never show interest in anyone, except for friendship, which, well, we want more. How about a date? A real one, in the real world?"

"No flirting with players, now, Marin. You know the rules." remark an oily voice. Remaura stepped from the portal in which she had travled from. She swept her long black hair behind her, her brown eyes alert. She winked at Tai, then grabbed Marin.

"I wasn't flirting! I was just...uhh..."

"Flirting?" asked Remaura, glaring at him, "Don't worry Tai, we'll watch him. He isn't suppose to be here anyway. We're on a job, you idiot."

Marin looked guiltily at the ground, the teleported off. Remaura turned and looked at Tai.

"So, Kitten, you've got all the guys you could ever need wrapped around your finger. What do you want now?"

Tai started to walk back, this time without being held back, "I want out of this confusion.."

Remaura looked around before teleporting off, "Don't we all.."

XzX

Derrin hugged Tai as she came back. Effie hopped on one foot, "Where'd you go? Find any new rare items!"

Tai smiled at her, "As a matter of fact, There's a rare event coming up. It's tomorrow. Just found out, Marin told me."

Effie jumped up and down, "YAY!"