Authors Notes: Meh…I've been lazy. Sorry…blame Deathscythe767 for distracting me…xD Plus I had some "Lost and Found" issues…

Chapter Sixteen: Old Man (MajorKris)

Yuki was the only one who hadn't gotten any rest that night. The burden wasn't so hard on her however, due to the fact that her cause was more important to her than sleep.

Progress was taking so much time however, and Yuki's patience for Ryoko was running out. Sure, she knew she had Ryoko's word, but Yuki knew it would only be a matter of time before Cassandra located them again and decides to cause a ruckus. Not to mention that the Thought Entity probably realized that Ryoko was now trying to contact Yuki's own master.

Thankfully, around six thirty in the morning, Ryoko had opened a secure and private link with Yuki's master, Yuki felt her heart pounding in her chest once she realized this and found herself unable to stop her feet from stomping on the ground over and over as she continued sitting in chair impatiently, she also found herself tapping her fingers on the keyboard. Was this excitement, or nervousness? She wondered.

Yuki then suddenly felt an urge to move and nearly gave Taniguchi brain damage as she shook him awake in order to go get the others. Taniguchi couldn't help but mumble and force his body off the chair as he yawned and stretched, trying to move as quickly as possible to wake everyone up, trying hard to simply not fall face first to the ground from dragging his legs, which were still asleep, around the apartment.

As he awoke Mikuru and Itsuki he made his way to Mikuru's bedroom, following his gut that his best buddy was there to only find the naked love birds sleeping on Mikuru's bed. He quickly ran out of the room as Haruhi screamed and threw her pillow at him, but quickly came back and gave Kyon a thumbs up and a smirk before he left, leaving poor Kyon to embarrassed for words as Haruhi blushed and clenched her fist.

After a few minutes of trying to find clothes and eyeing the other as they dressed, Haruhi and Kyon met with everyone else in the living room, gawking in surprise as they suddenly realized who Yuki was now speaking to.

There was a man on the small computer screen. An old man that is, but one that gave the look of a friendly grandfather. His face consisted of bright, blue eyes and a long but messy, fuzzy white beard. The man looked greatly happy as he saw Yuki, looking as though he was about to cry as his big, blue eyes began to swell up.

"Oh my little Yuki! I'm so happy to know that you're alright…I was so worried that Ryoko's new programming would kill you! Damn superiors of mine! But at least you're well. Please Yuki, how is the personality program I made for you working?"

Haruhi looked toward Yuki, she didn't really understand what exactly Yuki was, but because she heard the word, 'programming,' so much, she took a pretty good guess. She then waited for Yuki to respond, but as Haruhi looked down at her she couldn't help but noticed that she looked sad, yet happy at the same time. It was only when Haruhi made those observations that she spoke.

"It's fine…father," Yuki spoke the last word quietly, trying to hold back whatever it was that was threatening to flow out of her eyes.

"I see…" the man stated gently, giving Yuki an accomplished smile, "I am very proud of you Yuki, I see that you're taking good care of Ms. Haruhi too."

Haruhi flinched as the man looked her way, finding she was getting a bad vibe off the guy. She quickly stiffened up, and strutted to the computer, slamming her hands on the desk where it stood.

"O.K. old man! I demand an explanation of whatever is going on here! Why is it that all of a sudden everyone is trying to either kill me, and why there is a psycho, humanoid bitch trying to take what's mine!?"

Kyon couldn't help but looked shocked at Haruhi from her outburst and gripped her shoulders to pull her back only to have Haruhi push him away from her.

"Well c'mon! Answer me! Why me? I heard what everyone said that night in the hospital room that night that I was thrown out like trashed and used for your own experimentation! Now, all of a sudden, I'm suddenly on an alien's most wanted list!" She turned around back at Kyon who tried once again to calm her down, "Kyon, let go!"

Haruhi's frustration had built up so much that she didn't even think about her actions when she slapped Kyon's hands away as he tried to hold her once again, leaving Kyon stunned and hurt. Haruhi didn't even notice she only turned to look back at the man.

She was surprised however to see such a great look of sadness. It was only then for the first time in her life that she ever came close to regretting her words, but she still scowled at him, waiting patiently then for a reply.

"I…never wished for such horrible things on you my child, I only wished for good things to come from you…"

Haruhi became confused, unable to figure out how or what the man meant, and quickly responded, "Then what?"

The old man shook his head, the years or regret were easy to see in the man's eyes, "I wished for you to do the world good. You see Haruhi, what you carry is the power to make the world what you wish it to be. However, I had not realized the massive amount of imaginations children can have, and so, as when you get angry, the universe itself expends from your imagination. And if you get bored of it, it changes. I did not foresee this to happen, but fortunately, it would seem that my first hypothesis was correct."

Yuki responded before Haruhi this time, "What do you mean father?"

The man smiled, nodding his head as he began to comb his beard with his hand, "When a child feels loved, the world around him appears only to be full of life and happiness. I can tell right now with the word perceptive, that love is what is causing this sudden change Haruhi, if you want to live, and to stop what the Thought Entity has planned for your fate, you must never, ever, forget what you have or doubt," he then turned his head to Kyon, not showing as much excitement as usual when he spoke to him. "Do you remember how Ryoko was destroyed the first time, young Kyon?"

Kyon had been starring at the back of Haruhi's head the whole time, but then blinked and looked toward the screen in surprise, "You know me?"

"Of course, you're Haruhi's guardian. Only the one who is loved the most by the Goddess can protect her."

"…Guardian?" whispered Kyon to himself simply, "is that why I've been able to change so suddenly?"

"Whether happy, sad, angry, or in danger or not, Haruhi controls our world. It can thrive or it can perish, and you sir, where chosen by her, same with all of you."

O0o0o0(iWillhexyou)

"What…" Haruhi whispered her bitterness turning into complete confusion, "How could I choose anyone? I never met Mikuru, Itsuki, or Yuki when I was a child. This isn't making sense."

"I agree my dear," the man on the screen said, "it is very complicated and you are right about the fact that you never met any of them as a child, but you wished for them. They already existed in different parts of this universe but your longing for them brought them here."

Haruhi's eyes suddenly swelled up with tears and she shook her head, "So I did do it! I took everyone from their normal lives with friends and family for my own gain!"

The old man was silent for a moment as he seemed to try and determine the right thing to say but Haruhi was laughing hysterically with tears rolling down her cheeks and she couldn't stop herself.

"Everything, everything that has happened is my fault! I've ruined everyone's life!"

"I did not say that Haruhi…" the old man started before he was cut off again.

"You didn't have to say it! I should've put the pieces together when I first learned of this! Why not just end it now? Let that crazy bitch kill me then everyone can be rid of me!"

"Haruhi!" Mikuru cut in trying to wipe her tears away, "No one ever said that! We love you! What is happening isn't your fault! We should've protected you better…"

"That doesn't justify anything Mikuru! You shouldn't have to waste your life protecting me! You and Itsuki should be out having fun and being with your family! I took that away from you!" just then Haruhi fell to the floor her laughter dying as she continued to sob.

"But it's because of you that I met Mikuru," Itsuki said resting a hand on Haruhi's shaking shoulder, "if you hadn't wished me to this time and place I never would have met Mikuru and fell in love." His eyes momentarily looked up at Mikuru before he noticed Yuki standing behind him and he moved so that she could reach Haruhi.

Falling to her knees Yuki sat on the floor by Haruhi and wrapped her arms around the girl, "And if you hadn't caused such a fuss I would've never been assigned to come here. It's because of you Haruhi that I now know what it is to feel. Before I was nothing but a piece of cold machinery but now I'm a normal girl and I couldn't be happier. You must understand Haruhi that something like this will have positive and negative effects. But think of our friendship and the love we all have for each other. Can you say a couple of monsters are worth destroying all that?"

Haruhi shook her head as she rested herself against Yuki. She had quit sobbing but a few tears still made their way down her cheeks as she looked up to Kyon who was looking at the floor. Gently pushing Yuki away Haruhi slowly stood and took a hesitating step towards Kyon.

"Is it worth it Kyon?" Haruhi asked the words barely able to leave her mouth. She felt her eyes water again as she waited for an answer.

When Kyon's beautiful brown eyes locked on her own and she saw that deep glow of love he held for no one else she knew her answer and stumbled into his arms. She hated herself for her moment of stupidity and loved Kyon more for tolerating it. No one else in the world would ever suffer what he'd suffered for her and although it wouldn't be the last time Haurhi knew he'd never stop loving her.

Kyon, whose hands were clenching the shirt on her back, buried his head in her hair as he tried to keep himself from crying. Luckily Haruhi clung to him and he was able to just stand there holding her.

"Hum," coughed the older man, "I couldn't be happier to see my Haruhi so loved but I'm afraid we must come up with a strategy to stop Cassandra."

Kyon's eyes slightly narrowed but no one noticed, he hadn't liked the way the old man had said "my Haruhi," but Kyon just shrugged off the feeling taking it for jealousy as he sat down on he coach and pulled Haruhi into his lap.

"Father why exactly is Cassandra here?" Yuki asked not leaving her sitting position on the floor.

"Well you see, dear Cassandra started out only as a sort of watcher. I assigned her to keep an eye on Kyon and document any progress between Haruhi and he but I guess behind my back Ryoko set up a program that made her feel love. A dangerous love too, for Cassandra is a dangerous girl. She may be even stronger than you are Yuki…"

Haruhi snorted most unattractively, "Are you kidding, she's a pussy," Haruhi snapped and Kyon surprisingly smiled as he whispered something into her ear receiving an annoyed glance from the old man, it had been worth it though because Haruhi had blushed, she always looked cute when she blushed.

"Haruhi you can have unimaginable fighting skills whenever you wish, of course she will be no trouble to you, but what I am worried about is her database. It's quicker and smarter than anything I've ever created and if she wanted to she could think of a way to kill you all right now."

Yuki's eyes widened momentarily but continued to ask questions, "What is it she is after exactly? I went through Ryoko's drive and found nothing significant."

"She is after Ryoko's chip because it holds important information concerning Haruhi's whereabouts. As of now I am the only one here who knows about where she is but I programmed her location into Ryoko and yourself but not the exact location in Cassandra. She wants to find Haruhi because her mission is to destroy her and get the device I've implanted in her; they have promised her that she can have Kyon-son if she completes her task, so she is very eager to find Miss Suzumiya."

"But…" began Kyon, "That is the total opposite of what she told me, she claimed that her mission wasn't to kill Haruhi but only to locate the chip, she claimed she was under your control!"

The old man appeared to be thinking of reason for this, and so after a few moments he sighed, "I'm afraid I lost my power over her, and so, the Thought Entity got to her first, she may have used that excuse for she knew that she didn't stand a chance against Haruhi, but knew that if she had Ryoko that she could get what she wants."

Haruhi had been so lost in her own thoughts about the creepy robot bitch that it made her jump slightly when she felt Kyon wrap his arms around her waist protectively.

The old man was still talking and everyone was listening except Haruhi who leaned over and whispered into Kyon's ear. "Don't be afraid, Kyon, I'll protect you the way you've protected me. Don't think for one second I'd let that bitch get her hands on you."

Kyon smiled, "I know you wouldn't," he replied planting a light kiss on her cheek.

"Hum ummm," the old man interrupted again, "like I was saying this whole thing is spinning out of control. If I am found they will kill me and I am the only one who can find a way to get the device out of Haruhi safely, I just need some more time…" the man never finished for the screen suddenly went fuzzy and the screen went dark.

"Father!" Yuki cried suddenly standing and heading for the computer but she stopped and turned to the door.

At the same time Haruhi suddenly stood from Kyon's lap and looked in the same direction as Yuki, it was there again, that feeling of pure hatred and fear she could only have for one person.

"Can't this bitch take a vacation?" Haruhi hissed raising her fists ready to fight.
Kyon and the others were looking around bewildered when Yuki's poor front door was pushed with a loud thud onto the floor.

"I'm sorry to disappoint," Cassandra said as she elegantly took a few steps into the room, her red eyes resting on Haruhi, "but I'm not going anywhere. Unless I have Kyon by my side"

0o0o0o(MajorKris)

"Ugh! Can't you take a hint!? Beat it!" shouted Haruhi as she rushed toward Cassandra, being held back by Kyon once again as Cassandra sent out an evil glare.

"You're not going to stop me this time…" hissed the humanoid when suddenly a massive spark erupted through the room, forcing everyone to cover their eyes from the bright light that now engulfed them. Mikuru was the first to be heard as she screamed, grasping onto Itsuki's shirt tightly.

Once the light had finally died down, Haruhi was greeted with a feeling of pain in her stomach. She fell to her knees, pressing her fists against her stomach as she looked up to see whom or what had struck her.

Cassandra stood above her, offering Haruhi a cocky grin as the red eyed girl gave a powerful kick that sent her stumbling across the floor and into the wall.

"Haruhi!" cried Kyon as he tried to rush over to her, suddenly finding that his arm was held back painfully tight by Cassandra who somehow managed to stand before him almost instantly.

"My love…" she whispered, "I promised you that I would come back…"

"Don't touch me!"

Kyon tried to pull back but it was useless. Cassandra then gritted her teeth, simply turning her wrist to twist Kyon's arm, sending Kyon to his knees as he cried out in pain.

"Why!? Why are you defending her? I can do so much more than her! And now…now that I can feel the burning passion in my heart, we can have eternal love!"

"Stop shouting nonsense like that! I don't love you! And I never will!"

"Liar! She did this to you! She's forcing you to love her! I know she is!" Cassandra turned back to Haruhi who was struggling to raise herself up from the ground. Haruhi looked toward Kyon, mouthing his name as she attempted to reach out to him.

It was then that Mikuru ran toward her, quickly helping the young girl to her feet as Cassandra stared in disgust. Itsuki came over as well, now taking the job of carrying Haruhi as Yuki felt a presence swish by her from behind.

"Get away from my best bud!" the loud, outgoing voice of Taniguchi reached Yuki's ears as she turned to where the voice came from. She gasped as she saw Taniguchi, who had managed to free Kyon from the delusional girl as Kyon clutched his arm from the pain.

"Damn you…" Cassandra whispered as she held her wrist from where Taniguchi had injured her, "you will regret ever getting involved in this…worthless human!" She vanished from his sight, appearing next to him as she then kicked him across the head. Yuki could have sworn she felt her heart stop as she watched the sight.

"Taniguchi!" screamed Yuki as she ran up to him, catching the man as his body flew toward her. Yuki groaned as she felt the minor pain on her body, but completely forgotten her nerves as she saw the deep red substance on her hand. She looked down, seeing that Taniguchi was unconscious, but still alive. The power Cassandra had was above anything Yuki had imagined from her kind, for if her kick was good enough to crack a human skull, then she knew that she was indeed an advanced fighting unit.

"Yu…ki…" she heard him whisper.

Yuki clenched her fist as a fiery look of anger shot to Cassandra. The Kyon obsessed humanoid only ignored her however, for she had now brought her attention back to Haruhi.

"Put her down esper! Or I'll be forced to kill you too!"

Itsuki glared from the threat, placing Haruhi in the care of Mikuru who was now protectively holding Haruhi against her as she laid her Brigade leader to the floor, "I'm sorry to say that I can't do that. But I warn you, I won't go easy on you."

"Like I care!" Cassandra shouted as she vanished again, finding a big surprise that Itsuki was able to keep up with her speed. The sight of fire and electricity filled the room as Kyon and the others could only do their best to try and keep up with their movements. Objects flew around the room only to break into thousands of pieces as Itsuki tried using them to slow Cassandra down. She was too quick however, and soon, Itsuki felt his body grow tired and slow down. He knew he was in trouble because of this, for the fact that she wasn't human and didn't have to worry about such things, brought him at a massive disadvantage.

Suddenly a loud smack was heard as Itsuki collided to the ground, creating a massive impact that instantly placed cracks onto the hardwood floor. Mikuru cried out to Itsuki as he laid on the ground, not moving or appearing to breath. The time traveler would have run over to him is she could, but she knew she had to stay with Haruhi. She felt tears sting her eyes, and the fact that Kyon had gone over to his friend did not bring any relief to her once Itsuki didn't respond right away.

"Now then…" the humanoid whispered as she began advancing toward Mikuru, who was doing her best to not show any fear even though her knees were shaking.

"Get out of the way time traveler…"

"N-no way! I w-won't let you harm Haruhi!"

Cassandra smirked, finding that she was somewhat amused. "Funny…I would of assumed that you would have been happy if I had gotten rid of her…"

Mikuru stared up in shock, unable to find the words to reply with.

"Don't give me that look. I know about you, all the things she makes you do. Think about it…if you let me kill her, then you wouldn't ever have to deal with her anymore…" the humanoid bent down on one knee in front of the secretly terrified girl, staring directly into her eyes, "Think about it…"

"You're wrong…!" Mikuru suddenly shouted, startling Cassandra as she pulled back, "I would never wish for something so horrible to anyone! Haruhi may have selfish moments sometimes but she's a good person! She would never wish for anything bad against any-"

It was then that a sharp sting of pain crossed Mikuru's face, forcing her to stop her words as she looked back up to Cassandra, tears threatening to roll down her face.

"If there's one thing I hate…it's someone who won't admit how they truly feel." She grabbed Mikuru by her shirt, forcing her up to her feet as Haruhi was left helplessly on the floor. She smirked, suddenly throwing her to the side next to Itsuki who still refused to move. Kyon called out to her, barley catching her before she had hit the floor. She looked up to Kyon, unable to hold back her tears, "I'm sorry…I'm so useless."

Cassandra laughed from the comment, "Maybe so, but be grateful. The only reason I'm letting you live is because I know that you love that pathetic esper. But now then…"

Kyon placed Mikuru next to Itsuki, who was now crying on Itsuki's chest as she silently begged for him to wake up. He then looked toward Haruhi, who was now starting to stir from being unconscious this whole time.

"Haruhi!" he called out to her, finding a smile of relief come across his face once she gave him eye contact, Cassandra witnessed this and clenched her fists from the burning rage that was growing inside her. The humanoid then grabbed her by the arm, forcing the young girl to her feet as she then grabbed Haruhi by the throat as she pushed her against the wall.

"I'll only say this once! Tell him the truth! Tell him that all along you've been forcing him to love you with your powers, admit it!"

Haruhi dug her nails against Cassandra's arm, finding the words even though she was now unable to breath, "…Screw you…"

"Cassandra, stop it!" Shouted Kyon, "That has nothing to do with what I feel for her, with what we feel for each other! Please Cassandra! If you really love me you'll let her go!"

Haruhi's figure then crashed to the ground, she held her throat, coughing and gasping for air as Cassandra then turned toward Kyon, running to him as she then brought him into a hug. "Oh, Kyon! Of course I love you! I would do anything you asked for! I would do anything to prove my love for you!"

Kyon flinched as she hugged her, looking toward Haruhi with regretful eyes once Haruhi witnessed the scene, he didn't bother to hug the humanoid back. He instead, brought his voice to a whisper as he put his lips against Cassandra's ear, "You love me, right?"

Cassandra only smiled, hugging Kyon tighter as she giggled from the feeling against her ear, "Yes, yes I do! I always have!"

"You would do anything for me, right?"

"Of course! Of course my love!"

"Then there's one thing I want you to do for me Cassandra, but you must realize that if you really love me then you must do it."

"I will! Please tell me what it is!"

"…I want…I want you to go away, away from Haruhi and me. I want you to learn to love someone on your own and that you weren't programmed to love. I want you to live a life of peace and happiness, and to never bother us again."

Cassandra didn't speak a word, but instead widened her eyes as she pulled back away from Kyon, staring at him with disbelief and confusion, "But…why?"

"Cassandra…" Kyon began, trying to be as kind as he could to the troublesome girl, "…the truth is, is that I don't love you, I am in love with Haruhi, just as you're in love with me right now, except…she loves me back."

"You're lying…" The humanoid began as she shut her eyes and clenched her fists.

"Why would I lie about something as serious as that!?" Kyon suddenly shouted, forcing Cassandra to stare up at him in fear. He then gripped her shoulders tightly, trying to force reason into her from the intense look in his eyes.

Haruhi couldn't help but feel such a strong wave of love for Kyon as she watched them, praying in her mind that Cassandra would listen to Kyon.

It was then that Cassandra turned her head away, staring down onto the floor as a wave of emotions filled her body, even now, the strong love she had for the man in front of her was massive, even if the pain of rejection was still there. "I don't…" she whispered, "I don't like this feeling…"

Kyon blinked for a moment as he then sighed, knowing full well what she meant by that, he tried offering her comfort, and so patted the top of her head that he did many times before. "I'm sorry. I never wished for you to get hurt."

"…I don't…I don't…"

"Hey…take it easy, you'll be alright."

Cassandra only kept repeating herself over and over, "I don't, I don't, I don't…" Kyon was starting to worry; he didn't know what she was capable of now that the feeling of rejection came over her. He looked to Haruhi, who was now attempting to stand up.

Kyon wished he could go over to her, but he had a strong feeling that he should stay where he was until Cassandra calmed down. Haruhi smiled at him once they made eye contact, even though they knew what a pain it was going to be to look after the humanoid now.

It was then that they noticed that her words were becoming louder, she soon began screaming, "I don't! I don't! I DON'T!"

Kyon tried to shake her, but Cassandra only pushed him away, the humanoid then turned around to Haruhi, her red eyes now shining a bright orange as they stared into Haruhi's surprised brown orbs. Kyon looked up in fear, calling out Cassandra's name to only find that the girl had forgotten all about him.

"Damn you…Suzumiya… You'll regret ever making me feel this way!!"

Suddenly, the room seemed like it was expanding, changing, reconstructing, and soon, everyone realized they were trapped in what appeared to be a void of pure darkness.

Yuki, who was attending Taniguchi's wound at the moment, gave out a cry of surprise, seeing nothing but the glowing orbs of Cassandra. She wasn't able to see the others, she tried calling out, finding only that it barley came out as a hushed whisper.

Mikuru was still laying up Itsuki, she had finished crying, and had somehow managed to find Itsuki's hand as she was still grateful that be was still warm and carried a pulse. It would only be when he would awaken that she would know whether or not he was alright.

Kyon had risen to his feet, trying to rush to where he last saw Haruhi, only to find that he wasn't capable of locating her at all. He tried calling out to her, finding that he wasn't able to rise is voice as he clutched his throat. He tried again, hearing only a whisper as he then heard a scream.

"Haruhi!" Kyon cried, still finding that he was unable to speak any louder. He soon began running, trying to locate where he heard the scream from as he heard another cry, and soon, the sound of sobs and laughter.

"Your little guardian can't help you now, can he!?" yelled Cassandra.

Another scream then erupted from the darkness, forcing Kyon to his knees as anger and fear was forced into his heart. He tried calling out for her again, feeling the pain of uselessness fill his heart as he began to cry out in frustration.

"Dammit!" Kyon cried in the back of his mind.

"Kyon!" Haruhi cried, forcing Kyon to cringe and begin to cry as he heard the desperate cry for his name as another agonizing scream filled his ears.

Suddenly a bright light surrounded him, forcing the darkness to become swallowed by the massive blue light that illuminated around Kyon's body. Haruhi was the first to notice it, trying to open her eyes even though the pain on her body almost consumed her. She suddenly noticed a white feather land next to her and into her open palm, she clutched it tightly as she let the gentle softness tickle her skin.

Cassandra couldn't help but then cry out in surprise as she turned to see Kyon standing before her, the bright light nearly blinding her as she tried using her arms to defend herself from it. She then turned back to Haruhi, knowing she didn't have much time to finish her off.

Unfortunately for her, she didn't even have a chance.

She suddenly cried out, finding that she was now completely surrounded by the light as Kyon then grabbed her by the arm. Cassandra was then given a massive blow to the face, forcing her body to drag into the darkness away from Haruhi. The humanoid looked up, finding now that her control of the room was fading and the darkness had vanished. She looked toward Kyon, as she brought her palm to her face, unable to believe the fact that he had just struck her like that.

Haruhi, who was a bloody mess on the floor with her clothes torn and her arms badly bruised and scratched, was now suddenly being held by the glowing figure. She opened her eyes, finding Kyon who was now brushing her hair out of her face. He was still glowing, the blue light surrounding him as his wings wrapped themselves around her. Haruhi never felt so relaxed, she was warm, and was being held against the one person she's ever truly wanted. She then felt her pain fade away, the blood disappear, and then, he kissed her, suddenly bringing the light to fade as the light quickly forced them out of the darkness.

Haruhi then opened her eyes as Kyon pulled away from the kiss, seeing now the fearful Kyon as he then held her tightly against him, "I'm sorry…I'm so sorry…"

"…Kyon," she whispered, now finding the strength to hold him as well.

"So that was it then…it was never Haruhi I was to be worried about, it was you…"

Kyon and Haruhi both looked to Cassandra, finding that Kyon was unable to hold back his anger anymore as he picked up Haruhi, letting her rest against the wall as he looked back over to the humanoid.

"You had now right or reason to harm her that way…"

"I was angry…" responded the humanoid.

"I don't care!!" he shouted back.

"As long as she isn't in danger…you can't do anything…" she whispered, now expressing a smile that was now crossing over her face.

"What do you mean?"

"You may not love me Kyon…but that doesn't mean we still can't be together…"

Kyon didn't understand these words until suddenly the room began changing again; Kyon looked to Haruhi, who then suddenly vanished from his sight. He looked toward Cassandra, finding that she was coming closer and closer to him. She then vanished, appearing behind Kyon who didn't sense her till the last second as she stuck the back of his head. Kyon fell to the ground, on the verge of loosing consciousness as he whispered Haruhi's name, now feeling what appeared to be Cassandra as the humanoid girl held him to her chest. "Let's go together…"

"Kyon!" cried Haruhi as she ran to the barrier that had now surrounded him. She tried forcing herself inside, only to find that she wasn't able to break the barrier to get through, "Kyon!"

"It can't be…" came a voice that Haruhi realized was Yuki, who had just finished wrapping a part of her jacket around Taniguchi's head to try and prevent anymore bleeding. Mikuru and Itsuki were there as well, for it seemed that Itsuki had finally awakened, cringing from pain still for Mikuru had practically tackled him once he had finally woken up.

"What do you mean?" cried Haruhi in desperation as she gripped Yuki's shoulders, "Please help him! Let him out! What is that thing!? We have to get him away from…"

"Haruhi please…" began Yuki.

"Don't tell me to calm down! She's going to kill him I know she is! Please do something!"

Yuki turned her head away, now regretting the fact that she was human now, "….I can't…Cassandra is doing what is called data configuration, she is manipulating the matter around her and Kyon so that we can't get to her…but I am surprised."

"What…?" Haruhi whispered, as she looked back to Kyon who was now being held against Cassandra.

"Even though Cassandra is a powerful fighting unit, she is very emotionally unstable. Her new programmed emotions force her logic to be easily manipulated and her personal input on judgment is…not that great, and I am thought to believe that she was not given the upgrade to be able to manipulate date because of this reason…but then again, it could be the strong emotional desire she has to be with Kyon, brought out this ability from inside her."

"But what do we do!?" shouted Haruhi in frustration, now looking for anything to hit the barrier with as Mikuru looked as though she was about to cry again. Itsuki spoke up.

"Maybe I could…"

"No," stated Yuki, "esper powers are futile for these kinds of things; you're only useful if we get inside."

"Dammit…" grunted Itsuki as he fell to his knees, still trying to get over the pain his body was going through.

"Kyon…"whispered Cassandra into Kyon's ear as she stroked the boys hair, "Please don't struggle, you won't be able to move because of the power I have in this space."

Kyon couldn't help but remember his event with Ryoko as she said this; he could tell right off the bat what she had planned, his only hope being that Haruhi wouldn't witness what was about to happen to him.

"Cassandra, don't…"

"Shh…my love. We'll be together very soon."

Suddenly a dagger appeared in her hand as Kyon began to realize that her body was slowly starting to vanish as Ryoko's did when Yuki had beaten her. Cassandra smiled at Kyon, forcing another kiss against his lips as Kyon closed his eyes in disgust. The dagger was then raised, and so Kyon waited for the blow, saying Haruhi's name one last time.

Haruhi could only look on in fear, erupting one last scream from her lungs as a bright light on her heart began to glow, "Kyon!"

0o0o0o

What do you know, I'm gonna put you in suspence, fo-shaw! xD