I can't actually believe I'm doing a second chapter to this, especially so far after the fact, but here it is! Umm, I'm not actually too sure why I'm writing a second chapter, just felt like it, I guess. I suppose even I need a break from the yaoi every now and then...I know, scary. Oh well, enjoy!

MoonExpression: I'm with you on the EyesKanone thing, they're the best. I don't even know what inspired me to write EyesRio, but I guess it's not that terribly bad...everyone else seems to like it, and I aim to please! Thanks for reviewing, and I can't wait for your update!

inuwolf04: Heh, glad you like it! Thanks for reviewing!

vampireprincessZ: I guess this is a little after the matter, but what friend wants to meet me? Well, either way, thanks for reviewing!

Yume Anzaki022: Sorry I haven't updated this, but I'm doing it now! Thanks for reviewing!

Polaris18: Heh, so you'd rather keep Rio with Eyes rather than Kanone? (cough) weird(cough). Who said that? It certainly wasn't me...Thanks for reviewing!

Yuumei: Absolutely. EyesRio is nice...but EyesKanone is simply...better. It doesn't matter how you look at it. Still, I have to at least try and keep an open mind and realize that not everyone loves yaoi (though those people are odd and I don't understand them...). Jk to those people who that last comment applied to...Anyway, thanks for reviewing!

CeTe: I'm suprised I even held my attention with this pairing! Yeah, EyesKanone is just more natural to me. I can't even remember a time when I didn't love EyesKanone. Those were the dark ages, though, that I perfer not to speak of...Thanks for reviewing!

honey bunny boo: Glad you liked it. Thanks for reviewing!

alpha2nd: Heh, how could I have been so mistaken? I see now, Eyes is a wonderful person, how could I have ever thought any differently? Aw, poor Kanone...

Kanone: It's alright, we're doing it in the next chapter of A Spiral New Year.

Me: Since when?

Kanone: Since you tried to stick Eyes with Rio.

Rio: He's mine! (grabs onto Eyes' arm)

Eyes: Don't I get a say in this?

Me, Kanone, and Rio: No!

Me: Fine, you can have your lemon.

Kanone: I want two.

Me: Leave (points to the exit)

Kanone: Okay! (drags Eyes out with him and smiles)

Me:...Anyway...Thanks for reviewing! (watches Rio run after Kanone and Eyes) Hope she gets him back, we need him for this fic...

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I was early the next morning when Eyes woke up. His piercing gaze immediately trailed down to the little girl next to him, her arms wrapped tightly around his waist and her head resting on his chest. He slid out of the embrace and sauntered out into the kitchen to brew some coffee. As he watched the brown liquid drip down into the coffee pot, and thanked the heavens for whoever discovered coffee. A few minutes later he was sitting in peace at his kitchen table, sipping his coffee quietly. Of course, nothing peaceful or quiet ever lasts for Eyes, and today was no exception. He glared as a sharp knock sounded on his door. Sighing, he stood to answer it when Rio shot out of the room and opened the door, nearly ripping it off it's hinges, "Room service..." the boy on the other side of the door said, backing away from the crazed look in the small girl's eyes.

Rio smiled, "Breakfast!" she cried, grabbing the cart and dragging it into the bedroom.

"Uh..." the boy began, looking at Eyes, "I need the cart back." he said, afraid to confront the girl directly.

Eyes just sighed, "You'll get it back." he assured the boy and gave him the mandatory tip that went along with room service.

The boy bowed, "Thanks." he said, quickly, then walked off, leaving Eyes to close the door. He winced as he heard dishes crashing in his room, and just hoped that Rio hadn't spilt anything on the carpet.

Instead of dealing with the mess now, he decided to put it off until later when he had the energy to deal with it. He could always just call a maid up to clean, but he really hated other people (especially strangers) touching his things. Besides, he didn't trust people that worked at this hotel not to steal his things. Sitting back down with his coffee, he glanced towards his bedroom door as it opened to reveal a very wet-haired Rio. She laughed nervously, "Umm, I think I'm going to take a shower real quick." she stated, then darted into the bathroom.

Eyes raised an eyebrow and sniffed the air, recognizing the scent, "Milk?" he thought, then cringed at the thought of how milk had gotten into Rio's hair. Sighing, he stood, figuring he best not let the nasty, white liquid set or else it would never come out. He would usually wait for Rio to come out of the shower, but he was afraid to trust her to clean up the mess without making a bigger one. Rio was a smart girl, and she was good at many things, but she was clumsy as hell.

Entering his now not-so-sacred room, blue eyes narrowed at the sight. She had missed the carpet, thankfully, but everything else he owned was covered in milk and cereal bits. He walked cerfully over to his bed, and decided it would be best just to throw the entire thing in the wash. So, he rolled up the blankets, sheets, took off the pillowcases, and grabbed the pillows as well, and headed to the washing machine. While the other guests had the laundry room downstairs, Eyes had his own personal one (spoiled...), which he was greatful for. He didn't know who any of the other guests were, but he didn't feel the need to come in any more contact with them than neccessary.

While the silver-haired Blade Child was busy washing his beddings, the grey-haired one came out of the shower with nothing but water in her hair, and returned to her breakfast. She found the mess she had left cleaned up, and plopped down onto the unsheeted bed to grab some eggs and bacon. After, of course, she first dug through Eyes' wardrobe trying to find something to wear until her uniform was cleaned. Pulling out a shirt that looked to be too big even for Eyes, Rio slipped it on and found that it came to a rest right below her knees. Figuring that was good enough for now, she went back to her breakfast, but was interrupted by a knock on the door, "Can't a girl eat some breakfast in peace?" she wondered to herself, but got up to answer it anyway, figuring Eyes would be busy with the laundry.

Opening the door, she gasped at who was on the other side of it. The boy looked slightly confused to see her there, but smiled anyway, "Hello, Rio, it's nice to see you." he said, then frowned slightly, "Is that my shirt?"

"Your shirt?" she glanced down, then shrugged, "I just got it out of Eyes' closet."

"Where are your other clothes?" he asked, hurt that Eyes would lend his shirt away like that, "Of course, it probably means nothing to him that I gave him that shirt before I left." he thought, sadly. It had been his favorite shirt, but Eyes had worn it after his got dirty, and it was never returned to him. Of course, he hadn't minded the younger one keeping it, but now Rio of all people was wearing it; why was she even here? She and Eyes weren't...no, that was ridiculous. Eyes loved him, he just hadn't realized it yet.

Rio was about to answer when Eyes appeared in the living room, "Kanone?" he whispered, unable to believe that his childhood friend was actually at his door. He quickly covered his suprise with a glare, though, "What are you doing here?"

"Well, hello to you, too." Kanone said, frowning, "I can't stop by and see an old friend and..." he trailed off, glancing to Rio, then back to Eyes, "his...girlfriend?" he asked, not really wanting to hear the answer-

Rio, however, was more than happy to provide him with that answer, "Yep, we even slept together last night!" she claimed.

Kanone looked to Eyes, hurt. Eyes, however, just sighed, "Rio..." he said, in a warning voice.

"I mean, not slept together." she corrected herself, "Just...in the same bed."

Kanone said nothing, but the relief was evident in his eyes. Eyes was the next to speak, "Rio, your clothes are dry, so you can get changed." he informed her.

Rio frowned, "Do I have to?" she asked, a little stubbornly.

Eyes could see that Kanone was about to jump the girl and rip the shirt off of her; it had meant a lot to him, Eyes knew. So, he nodded, "Besides, you can't go to school dressed like that."

"Oh!" Rio exclaimed, "I almost forgot I had school!" With that, she ran into the spare room that had been dubbed the laundry room to change. A few minutes, she reemerged, fully clothed, Kanone's shirt in hand. She handed the shirt to its rightful owner, then turned to Eyes, "I'll see you after school." she told him, then wrapped her arms around his neck, and pulled him into a kiss.

Eyes returned it for a moment, then became aware that Kanone was watching. Pulling back, he offered Rio a slight smile, "Have a good day."

Rio beamed up at him in return, "I will." she said, turning and running past Kanone, "Bye Eyes, bye Kanone!"

Once she was gone, Kanone looked to Eyes for an explanation as to what was going on. When he gave none, the older one entered the apartment, closing the door. Only one question was on his mind, and he had to get it out, "Do you love her?"

Eyes had turned his back to Kanone, but the latter could still see him tense up at the question, which they both knew was loaded. If Eyes said yes, Kanone would be able to tell he was lying. However, if he told the truth, it might give Kanone false hope that Eyes didn't want him to have. Deciding that it would only hurt Kanone more to be lied to, he opted for the truth, "No."

He knew Kanone was smiling, if only inside, and hated that he knew what the next question would be, "So, then why are you with her?"

Eyes sighed, he didn't want this conversation. He really didn't want Kanone here, but he couldn't just tell the other to leave. Like it or not, Eyes owed Kanone a lot, and he knew that Kanone would play this to his advantage. Even if Eyes tried to get out of it, Kanone would guilt him into talking; he was the only one who could. Still, "How is that any of your business?" he asked; he really didn't want to have this conversation.

Kanone faltered, "I...suppose it isn't." he answered, "I just want to make sure that you're doing what makes you happy, Eyes, and I don't think you are."

"What would you know about my happiness?" Eyes asked, a little bitterly. He instantly regretted that, though. He could feel Kanone wince at his words, and knew that he had been too harsh. Kanone was one of the only people in the entire world that could make Eyes smile a geniune and true smile, and even that had been years ago. Eyes could remember back when they first met, the first time Kanone laughed, it had actually brought a smile to Eyes' lips to hear that sound. The effect, of course, wore off, and eventually Eyes couldn't find anything to make him smile even if he had tried. That was the first time, though, that Eyes could remember smiling, and he at least owed Kanone that much.

Kanone knew Eyes didn't mean those words, at least not entirely, but they still hurt, "Eyes, all I've ever done is try to make you happy."

There was the guilt Eyes knew Kanone would throw at him. He almost hated it, but it still worked on him, and he sighed, "I know." he admitted, turning around.

Kanone smiled, "So, then tell me, why are you with Rio if you don't truly love her?" he asked.

Eyes hesitated, but didn't see anything wrong with opening up to Kanone. It wouldn't have been the first time he told the older one what was on his mind or in hsi heart. Though, the last time he did, it hadn't ended so well, "She makes me feel..." Eyes didn't know how to end that sentence, but then realized maybe that was the end. It was an extraordinary task just to make Eyes feel something, "She shows me affection." he added. That was what he liked most about Rio, she was always there for him; always offering him a smile or a word of advice, even if it was 'buy me a melon'.

"And I never did?" Kanone asked, already knowing the answer. He knew it was simply foolish to ask the question seeing as how he knew what answer Eyes would give, being 'no'. Still, he had to ask it, though he wasn't sure what addicted him to being rejected by the one he loved.

"I never said that..." Eyes hesitated. He didn't want to shoot Kanone down completely, but didn't want to give him hope either. He knew he didn't love Kanone, but he didn't love Rio, either. In reality, Kanone had given him so much more than Rio, but he still couldn't bring himself to be with Kanone.

"Then, what is it?" Kanone asked, hoping to find his flaw. If he knew why Eyes didn't love him, then he could fix it. At least, he hoped he could, "You love neither Rio nor I, and yet, you still chose her. Why?"

Eyes shook his head, "I don't know." he confessed, "I'm just...confused." he barely whispered. He didn't understand love, and he was starting to hate the emotion. It made no sense to him, and he hated things he didn't understand. Besides, such a useless thing wasn't worth his time. He'd rather wash his hands of the entire ordeal, but no one around him seemed to feel the same way. So, he finally cracked under the pressure, and Rio was the first one there. Was that why he had ended up with Rio and not Kanone?

Kanone slowly approached Eyes, "You don't need to be confused, Eyes." Kanone told him, "It's understandable that you want affection, and I'm sure Rio is more than willing to give it to you." he continued, "I just...don't see why you passed me by." he hesitated, "Is it that you're uncomfortable with the idea of us together?"

Eyes wondered if that was the reason, but pushed it in the back of his mind. He could as easily have what he had with Rio, with Kanone; that wasn't the problem. He looked up into Kanone's patiently waiting face, and wondered what it was about him that Eyes didn't like. Sure, he had betrayed them and tried to kill them all, but thinking about it, Eyes couldn't fault Kanone for that. There was something else that kept him from the other boy, "I...I think I can't be with you...because I do love you." Eyes responded, "I love you as a friend, though, as a brother. I can't be with you because we're too close."

Kanone was bewildered by this, "Too close?" he repeated, "Eyes, if anything, shouldn't that bring us closer together?"

Eyes nodded, "It should, but it just doesn't feel right. I've always looked up to you, Kanone, and you've taught me so much; I don't think I could ever truly see myself as your equal, and because of that, I don't think I could love you like you want me to."

Kanone sighed, "I...suppose I understand." he said, though he wasn't sure he did. If Eyes looked up to him so much, then why could he reject him? Shouldn't it be the other way around; Kanone rejecting Eyes' advances? The older one shook his head, it didnt matter what should be, just what is. Another second passed before Kanone could look at Eyes and summon a smile somewhere deep within him, "Well, it was nice to see you again." he said. He was glad that he could still see Eyes, and he counted himself lucky for that much, "Perhaps we can catch up at a later date?" he looked to Eyes, hopefully. He saw that the younger one was hesitating at the offer, and despised himself for that, "Eyes, we're still friends, aren't we?"

Eyes knew the answer to this question, and nodded slowly, "Of course."

Kanone smiled, "Then, why can't old friends, who haven't seen each other in such a long time, at least talk a litte?" Eyes stayed silent, "Well, if you change your mind, let me know."

As Kanone turned to leave, Eyes wondered if he was too on his guard. After all, he and Kanone did used to be best friends, and had vowed to never let anything split them up. It had been a childish promise, and completely unrealistic, but that didn't mean that they had to say seperated forever, "I won't break up with Rio." he informed Kanone. He would know, by Kanone's reaction, if it was possible for them to ever be close again.

Kanone paused, and turned to Eyes, a smile on his face, "I never expected you to." he said. Sure, he had hoped coming here would change Eyes' mind, perhaps the younger one would even confess that he had been thinking about Kanone every day since he left, and that he missed him desperately. That hadn't happened, but that didn't mean they couldn't still be like they used to with a few modifications. Obviously, Kanone couldn't have the famous one all to himself anymore, but they could still see each other on occassion.

"I'll call you tomorrow." Eyes promised. If Kanone could put his feelings behind him, then Eyes didn't want to lose the best friend he ever had. Kanone said nothing else, deciding it best to leave it at that, but inside he was elated that things had at least worked out this well.

The rest of the day, Eyes stayed in, thinking. Mostly over his and Kanone's conversation. He didn't want to break up with Rio, and didn't see any reason to. He liked the attention she gave him, and he knew it made her happy, so why ruin that? Still, he wondered how long he could put it off until she wanted the relationship to progress. Eyes didn't want to sleep with anyone he wasn't in love with, of that much he was sure, but he didn't know how long it would be until that aspect came up. He also dreaded Rio finding out that he didn't love her, but knew that the innocent girl probably wouldn't even get those thoughts for a while. He knew she was content with the relationship as it was, so there was no reason to worry yet. It wasn't exactly like Eyes to not plan things out, but Eyes had been doing many things that were unlike him lately.

As if she knew he was thinking of her, Rio bounded in the apartment, "I'm home!" she called, then saw Eyes on the couch.

"Home?" Eyes thought, "Don't you have your own home?" he asked, hoping Rio wasn't planning on moving in anytime soon. That bridge might get there sooner than he thought.

Rio frowned, "Well, yeah..." she looked down, "I didn't mean anything by it."

Eyes sighed, "I didn't mean it like that." he assured her.

This wiped away her bad mood and frown, and it was replaced by a smile, "I didn't think you did." she told him, and climbed onto the couch next to him, "So, what were you doing?"

"Just thinking." he said, wrapping an arm around her as she snuggled into his embrace.

"About what?" she asked, closing her eyes and yawning slightly.

"You." he answered, suprisingly honestly. Though he hadn't meant it in a sweet way, he knew she would take it like that, which was fine by him.

"Hmmm." was the only reply she gave as she drifted off to sleep, safe and secure in her boyfriend's arms.

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(shrugs) There was really no point to that, so don't go looking for one. Just decided to throw it up there for the hell of it. Hope you liked it; I doubt I'll be doing anymore of it, though, unless I get inspired like I did tonight...er, last night. Not really inspiration, just bored and decided to do it. Anyway, reivew!