WARNING

Shounen ai

Foul language from Kite

Cheezy quote taken from the dub (you'll see...)

.hack//UNISON

"After all that has happened, we managed to form a party," Orca said with a grin. "But you guys are so much stronger than I am. I missed out!"

"That just means you have to work harder," Kite laughed. I've been amazed at Kite since Orca's return... the smiles are brighter, and there's never any shadow of doubt in his face. Those bird-like eyes never lie--he's always thinking of something wonderful. I've found it strange that he occassionally glances at me, then blushes and looks away. Nonetheless, I've grown attached to such a face.

"The pretty people are always stronger," Orca teased. I couldn't help it--I let a laugh escape me. He was still a bad sport for waking up like he did. Now that Kite and I had out level counters maxed out, and he was still only level 50 or so.

"Hmm, you've worn your name thin, Orca," I told him with a grin. "You better rise up like a tsunami if you want to regain the title, 'Orca of the Azure Sea'."

"Kite, why don't you join us? You deserve a title as an Azure Knight," Orca suggested.

"What would we call him?" I asked curiously, "Orca of the Azure Sea, Balmung of the Azure Sky..."

"All that's left is the earth," Orca laughed.

"The earth, the stars, the moon, the sun..." I retorted. I hadn't had a playful banter like this in a long time. Kite was looking at me funny--I was definately out of my late character.

"The Epitaph refered to the entity opposing the Wave as the Twilight Dragon..." Kite said softly, smiling a bit.

"Orca of the Azure Sea, Balmung of the Azure Sky," I said, pausing a moment before finishing, "And Kite of the Azure Dragon. Warriors of the Twilight Dragon--the Azure Knights."

"How poetic," Orca teased.

"I'd rather come up with something poetic than let the fans come up with something crazy."

"Oh, that's right, I remember some of the old suggestions..."

"Like what?" Kite asked curiously.

"Trust me, it's better left unsaid," I laughed, shaking my head. "Where are we off to, Kite?"

"An area in Theta server. There's a Data Bug wandering around, so we're gonna go finish it," he said, grinning.

"You sure you're going to manage making it to Helba's celebration? What, with all of the interviews people are asking of you..." I laughed. "You are a freshman in high school this year, right?"

"That's right," he responded, nodding.

"You're the most mature high school kid I know," I shrugged.

"Best find that Data Bug before someone else does," Kite said, punching in the keywords and warping the party into an ice field. It was low level for Kite and I, as we sped through it. Poor Orca had to be revived a few times. We located the Data Bug, and defeated it using Kite's Data Drain.

"Kite... I wonder... why did Aura return the bracelet to you, even after you destroyed it to defeat Cubia?" I asked, wondering what his thoughts may have been. To me, it was obvious--Data Bugs were still everywhere, and the only one who could fix them was Kite.

"I don't know, really," Kite said softly. "But whatever it was, she gave it to me and she wants me to use it. So, I'll still use the bracelet for whenever it's needed."

"You're not going to play The World all the time, are you?" I asked. I thought about stopping, myself.

"Hmm, no. I'll worry more about school. I'll leave my email open, though, and I'll respond to emails. I'm thinking of leaving a page on the BBS for reports of Data Bugs."

"That'd be the best way," Orca agreed. "You, Balmung?"

"I'm almost through with college," I said with a shrug. "I'm trying to see if I can become an Administrator to help make The World a more enjoyable place."

"I'll be there for your graduation," Kite said, smiling at me. I returned the favor, giving him a rare smile of my own.

"As will I. Four years, you'll be out of high school?"

"Hey, now, since when were you two flirting so shamelessly?" Orca asked uneasily. I found myself laughing.

"We better get going, we're going to miss the party," Kite said, gating out with Orca and I behind.

Entering the party, we were a little late. Nonetheless, we still made it soon enough for the dancing. "This shindig looks like the bomb-diggity."

"What the FUCK was that??" Kite asked in disbelief. After only a smirk as a response from me, Kite laughed, shaking his head. "You going to dance?" Kite asked me.

"Hmm, I don't think so. Go have fun," I told him, leaning in close and whispering in his ear. At what I said, he blushed profusely and nodded, beaming as he ran down to dance with the others.

"What did you tell him?" Orca asked, suspicious.

"Hmm, I could tell you, but you'd be afraid of me," I said, logging off before he could question me.

I changed into casual wear--my black jeans and my black leather jacket, along with other assorted things such as my wallet and my keys. I grabbed my motorcycle helmut and the small halfsheet of paper with Kite's address and ran outside, locking my apartment shut and reving up my bike.