School
Minato was never really fond of it, but since he knew about Akinaris decision he just couldn't concentrate on what lay in front of him. Be it any subject in school or a social-link.
While training with his kendo-team, helping out Mitsuru at the student council or visiting "Bookworms" with Bebe...
His thoughts would always drift back to a certain white-haired young man and he would always wonder how much time was left, 'til he came to the shrine one sunday to find Aikinaris spot on the bench empty.
It was so bad, that some people even registered his weird behavior, so at the end of the week he was called to Mrs. Toriumi.
She voiced out her concerns about her model student, but a fake smile and a few reassuring words put her to rest and she let it slip.
How dense they all were.
Every one of them.
They all would feed the lies out of his hands if he just wanted it. They would be blinded by a fake smile and some beautiful words and even follow him into their doom, if he wanted to bring it over them. Well... that wasn't his style, but it would be possible anyways.
Nobody could see the mask he was wearing, that made them all believe he was only the fearless, understanding and optimistic friend and leader.
Nobody could see that he too could be impatient, in fear or enraged.
Nobody could see that he too could suffer.
Nobody... Akinari was the only one, who took one look at him and had seen behind his mask.
For Kamiki his eyes were an open book - no matter how hard he tried to hide what lied in the depth of his heart.
It wouldn't be a wonder if he knew just how much he meant to Minato...
Yes... because he was the only one who could see into his very soul, like Pharos would do it all the time... but the little boy was probably nothing more than his mind going crazy - a result of the long nights in Tartarus.

But Tartarus seemed to have one positive side-effect: It would take Minatos mind off Akinari.
The higher they reached, the stronger the shadows got. So as the leader of SEES he had to stay on alert.
He had to make sure to lead the group higher and higher every night, so he had settled for a team he was the most comfortable with.
Akihiko would accompany him, Aigis and Koromaru.
He didn't care for Junpeis begging to get into some action, or Fuukas try to persuade him to take a supporter with him.
Aigis and Koromaru were the most loyal companions he could ask for - neither of them would ever even dare to question his instructions - and Akihiko had long ago proven himself as team player, very strong and flexible.
It wasn't seldom that Minato would unintentionally rip off his micro and headphones, just to cut Fuukas unnerving blabbering off. He could see what lay in front of him, he didn't need more information.
More of, he didn't need to be told three times in a row how much foes he was forcing or her scared screeching, if a battle turned out the wrong way.
He had eyes to show him that Aigis mechanism was running so hot, that stream was coming out of her ventilation, and how many foes he was facing.
But here too, he just plays the patient leader and wouldn't complain - wouldn't even make a face - when Fuuka was shrieking inside his ears because Sanada-san was getting knocked down.
It was just how it goes: To live or to die. To kill or to get killed.
To fight for your life made you forget everything that wasn't connected to any action that would save your life.
Tartarus was the only place where he could tear his thoughts from the horrible fate of his beautiful sun...
Even if it was only for a short time... Because he would already steal himself back into Minatos mind, while he was leaving the nest of the demons.
And he would keep the silent leader awake until dawn.

It was Saturday when Minato felt worst.
He felt sick the whole day. His felt like his stomach was flipping itself upside down and it even got that far, that he had to sit down a few times, when he got too dizzy and his mind was slowly turning black.
As hard as he tried to hide it, he was found out.
Akihiko was talking quietly with Mitsuru and - after finally persuading her of his distresses - Minato was told to be under arrest until he had settled down. Misturu told him how important he was - not only as the leader from SEES, but as person and friend for his teammates - and asked him - told him - to get rest this weekend, so he was fit for the upcoming week. She didn't seem overly worried, because she by herself hadn't seen anything wrong with her leader, but the trust in her old friend lay too deep to be ignored.
So Minato was left with little choice and retreated into his room.
After long thinking what he could do now - and a long thought about the question since when Sanada-san could read him like that - he decided to play 'innocent online'. To his luck Maya was online, so she distracted him until late in the night, before he got to bed. At the beginning of the Dark Hour he lay motionless in his bed and stared holes into the ceiling.
He was surprised when he felt a weight next to his feets on the foot end of the bed and see a smiling Pharos looking down to him. Minato had long ago discovered, that the little boy would only appear on chosen days, like a week before encountering another strong foe, but today wasn't one of them. In addition, he didn't say a word.
He just sat there and smiled sadly, before he began to swing his legs lightly and stare at the ceiling. He started to quietly hum a sweet lullaby, that took Minato slowly but steadily into a dreamless sleep.


So, here's the 2. chap ^.^

It took me a little, 'cause work held me and my proofreader back, but i hope you're as pleased with it as i am ^.^

I hope to be able to upload the last chap soon...

'Til then: fare well ;)