~Chapter 11~

Shadow stood by a tree and stared into the sunset, deep in thought. How was he going to talk to Claire if Taeo was constantly around her and on guard 24/7. Suddenly, Shadow had an idea. "Maybe I could get Night to tell me how I can get around Taeo and talk to Claire," he thought. Shadow then realized, at that moment, he had feelings for Claire. Shaking that thought out of his head, Shadow went in search for Night.

Later that night, Claire sat on the roof of her house and looked at the stars. "I wish Shadow was here so I could talk to him," thought Claire. "Hmm," she said, "I never really thought I would miss Shadow so much." "You shouldn't worry about that freak, Claire," Taeo said. Surprised to see him, Claire asked, "What are you doing here?" "The question is, what are you doing here, LITTLE SISTER." Claire got angry. "TAEO!!! WHY YOU THINK I AM STILL A LITTLE KID IS BEYOND ME!!! JUST LEAVE ME ALONE SO I COULD LIVE MY LIFE THE WAY I WANT, NOT THE WAY YOU THINK IS BEST!!!" said Claire. Taeo became furious. He ran up to her and grabbed Claire by the neck and lifted her off the ground (still holding her neck) before she could even get away. "NEVER SPEAK TO ME THAT WAY," said Taeo. A dark cloud started to appear around Claire and all she could do was laugh. Taeo became quickly confused and asked (still furious), "Why are you laughing?" At that moment, Claire transformed into Nightmare and kicked Taeo so that he was hanging off the ledge of the house.

Once Shadow got to the scene, he saw that Claire changed to Nightmare and she was fighting Taeo. "Looks like we're too late," said Night. Shadow looked at him and said, "Maybe not." Shadow then ran up to the top of the house right in between the two.

Shadow, not saying a word, walked up to Nightmare and gave her a bear-hug. Taeo didn't like it, but refrained from attacking. Nightmare then passed out in Shadow's arms and changed back to Claire.

Shadow carried Claire to her room and placed her on the bed. He then noticed that Taeo didn't attack him the moment he hugged Nightmare. "You like her, don't you," asked Taeo. Shadow looked at him and nodded. "How did you meet her," wondered Taeo. Shadow sighed. No one had ever asked that question to either him or Claire before. "When I met Claire," Shadow started, "Mephiles was holding her by the neck on the top of a 30 story building. I noticed she was in danger, so I tried to stop Mephiles, but I was too late. He had already dropped her and me, still on the ground, caught her before she could hit the ground and become seriously hurt. As she was falling I noticed she had passed out due to the trauma of the event. I took her to my place and after that, we became friends." "That's an interesting story," said Taeo. Their gaze then went to Claire, who was stirring in her sleep.

Taeo sighed and said, "To tell you the truth, Shadow, I had never seen her happy except when she was with you." Shadow looked at him and said, "That is because you never let her have any friends." Taeo sighed and nodded. He hated to see his sister sad. Taeo then held out his hand and said, "It is good to know that someone is keeping an eye on her. I'm leaving in the morning, so please, take good care of her." Shadow took Taeo's hand and said, "I will."