It's getting close to the end, I can't wait! The last chapter is going to be great...well, at least what I currently have planned for the last chappy will be great (planned in my head only, don't worry, I'm not organized or anything like that). Huh, I'm actually pretty glad I continued this...who asked me to do that again? (checks back) MoonExpression! She's the reason I continued, so thank her. Kind of like what alpha2nd did with HoTwB...by the way, wtf is she (the 'w' stands for 'where' in this particular instance instead of the usual 'what')? I haven't heard anything from her in so long...I don't suppose anyone knows why? Hmm...well, enjoy!

Polaris18: What, you expected Kiyotaka to be nice? Since when has Kiyotaka ever been nice? (glances to HoTwB and Trapped) definitely not nice. Thanks for reviewing!

Red Kitsune Flames: That he is. He probably just knows...things that you don't. Hmm...I'm not entirely sure she's going to hurt him, per say, but...it's confusing. It'll (hopefully) make sense by the time this is all over. Nope, not Kousuke...Thanks for reviewing!

Answer: The quote was from Kanone to Rio. The episode was Whispering Shadows.

Points: Polaris18:8 (2 bonus points)

Red Kitsune Flames:5

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After Kanone and Ayumu officially woke up, they got showered and dressed. Ayumu made breakfast and the two sat down to eat, thinking about the game that Kiyotaka had begun, "I need to talk to Eyes." Kanone stated, "Polaris as well." he commented to himself.

Ayumu looked up at Kanone at the mention of the pianist's name, "What for?" he asked.

Olive-green eyes snapped up to meet Ayumu's knowing ones, as if he hadn't realized he said that out loud, "Nothing too important." he said, "Just some last minute house cleaning."

Ayumu knew Kanone was lying, at least partially. He wondered briefly if he should tell Kanone about Eyes' switch to their side, but decided against it. If Eyes really wanted Kanone to know, he could tell him himself. Sighing, he sat back and stared at his food, "I need to find Madoka." he said, almost unconsciously, "And talk to the other Blade Children; make sure they know what's going on."

Kanone looked up, slightly interested, "So, they're playing as well?"

The chocolate haired boy nodded, "As far as I know. Why wouldn't they?"

Kanone shrugged, "If it were me in their position, I'd sit back and watch everything unfold before I made my move. Either way, in the end, they'll be better off."

"How do you figure?"

"Regardless of whether I live or die, after everything is all said and done, it won't be likely that Kiyotaka will continue to ally himself with the Rebels. Without him, they'll fall apart, and the Blade Children will have nothing to worry about."

Ayumu supposed that made sense, "Still, they won't sit back while others fight for their fate."

The Blade Child laughed at this, "Fight for their fight? I'm doing no such thing. I'm fighting only for myself; I needn't rely on others to change my destiny."

"It won't make you any less of a person to accept someone else's help, you know." Ayumu informed his boyfriend, standing to take his plate to the sink.

Kanone followed suit, smiling, "I know that as well as you know I'll do no such thing." he whispered into Ayumu's ear before kissing it.

Ayumu let out a shuttery breath before turning to face Kanone and put his dishes in the sink, "Things would be so much simpler if you would." he pointed out.

The older one frowned at how true that statement was, but covered it up with a smile as Ayumu turned back to him, "Things would be just as simple if everyone would admit defeat to me as well." he objected in a tone not nearly as confident as his words sounded.

"You know that's not true." Ayumu told him, leaning into his arms.

The frown returned, "Despite what may or may not be true, knowing it will change nothing now. The only thing I would accomplish is showing self-doubt, which I cannot risk right now."

That sentence caused Ayumu to mimick the frown. It showed more about Kanone's insecurities and weaknesses than any confession he had ever heard from the Blade Child. Ayumu slowly turned Kanone's face towards his and placed a soft kiss on his lips, "Then believe in yourself." he whispered. The last thing he wanted was Kanone to fail because he had self-doubt.

Smiling lightly, Kanone returned the kiss, "I always do." he replied, then broke out of the embrace, "I need to get going."

Ayumu nodded, "I do, too." Kanone nodded as well, placing a heated kiss on Ayumu's lips before turning and exiting the apartment. The latter sighed to himself, "First thiings first." he thought, "I need to find Madoka."

Kanone opted for Polaris' first since he was a bit nervous about seeing Eyes. He knew the younger one had figured at least part of what he had planned out, and also knew exactly how he would react. He would stop him, or at least try to. Though, in the end, he would realize his flaw too late. Before he knew it, his feet had led him to the silver-haired girl's place and he knocked on the door a few times. He heard her shout to hold on and smirked as the sound of footsteps neared the door. It opened to expose a wet-haired girl in nothing but a towel. Kanone chuckled and looked her up and down, "If only I were straight."

Polaris blushed slightly, "Sorry." she said, quickly, moving to let him in.

"For what?" Kanone wondered, closing the door behind him.

The silver head shook a few times, "Uh, nothing. Hold on a minute." Kanone said nothing else, but took a seat in her living room to wait for her. Finally, she reemerged, dressed and with combed hair, "Alright." she said, taking a seat across from Kanone, "So, has something happened?"

Kanone nodded, "Apparently a lot." Polaris looked at him, interested, "Ayumu informed me that he had a run-in with Kiyotaka."

"Kiyotaka?" Polaris repeated, eyes widening the slightest bit.

Kanone nodded, "I received a call from him last night as well. It seems the game has begun."

The younger Blade Child swallowed hard, "So, what now?"

"Now..." Kanone trailed off, "Now, we fight." He looked to Polaris, "Make sure you're prepared."

She hesitated before nodding, "I haven't forgotten anything you've taught me."

A smile crossed the elder's lips before he stood, "Then we shouldn't have a problem. I'll contact you soon." he promised.

Polaris bit her bottom lip, "Kanone?"

He paused and turned, gasping as a silver-haired girl pulled him into a tight hug, "Polaris?" he asked.

"I...I can't lose you." she whispered, "You're all I have now, and I can't lose you."

Kanone smiled faintly as he returned the hug, "You won't, I promise."

She looked up to him, fear and uncertainty in her eyes, "How can you be so sure? How can you make a promise like that?"

"Because." he told her, kissing the tip of her nose, "I'm completely confident that I will come out of this victorious."

" 'Don't be overconfident in your abilities. Even if you are the best, there's always room for error.' Isn't that what you told me?"

Kanone nodded, impressed that she had listened so intently to everything he said, "It's true, but even though I may be overconfident, so is Kiyotaka. I know for a fact that he is underestimating me as well."

"How could you possibly know that?" she asked, confused.

The brunette grinned, "Because, my dear, I do not fear Kiyotaka Narumi."

"Madoka?" Ayumu called, entering his own apartment. It felt like it had been months since he had last been here, yet everything looked the same. That meant one of three things; either Madoka had learned to clean up after herself, it really hadn't been all that long since he'd been home to clean, or the last possibility that he didn't even want to consider: Madoka hadn't been home to make a mess. Of course, with the way his luck was going, the third option was not only likely, but probable. He searched the house to confirm his suspicions of Madoka being gone, "If anything happened to her." he thought, clenching his fists. He would never forgive himself if she was hurt because of him.

Sighing, he pulled out his phone and dialed a number. Soon enough, a cheery voice answered, "Ayumu?"

"Have you seen Madoka?" he asked.

"Huh?" Hiyono thought back, "No, not after she left. Why? Did something happen?"

"No, it's nothing." he lied, "I'll talk to you later."

"Wait!" Hiyono stopped him.

"What?"

"Something did happen, Ayumu, what is it?"

"I told you, it's nothing you need to worry about." It wasn't that he didn't want Hiyono knowing, but that he wanted to protect her. He couldn't have her getting caught up in all of this and putting herself in danger; she had given him enough as it was. Before she could object again, he closed his phone, "Hiyono." he thought, "You don't need to worry about me."

On the other end, Hiyono was doing just that, "I know he's only trying to protect me, but he can't do it all by himself." she thought, desperately wishing he would let her help him, "Ayumu, be careful."

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Okay then. Next chappy Kanone will talk to Eyes (won't that be fun), Ayumu will talk to the rest of the Blade Children (maybe not as much fun), and Madoka will make her decision about what Kiyotaka asked her to promise him (somewhere in the middle of funness). So, yeah, review!

"Why are you throwing away the strength I've given you? Why can't you see what I've done?"

a)Relentless Rain

b)Manor of Death

c)Only One Wise Action

d) Dry Eyes

Good luck!