Online Romance: The Kiss.

That night...

Rippling colors of the distorted city brought a shining ray of tranquility to the lull root town. All of the broken PCs wandered amongst themselves, yet they remain silent unless spoken to. Other Users accessed here, but few are actually brave enough to venture into the fields because they prove too strong for most advanced players. Still. The place would have collapsed if it weren't for the–

"Dot hacker.." Balmung breathed under his sigh. His back was turned from the Chaos Gate, he was staring out at the empty darkness which seemed to cover the town. The Azure Knight grew accustomed to this place. Although his avatar appears beautiful and righteous, his feelings are far from that. He's been avoiding his duties lately.. Sometimes you can see a lone angel standing by himself in the distance.. Others would say.

"My. You're here quite a lot. Is there something the matter?" Helba, it seemed, just suddenly appeared. She smiled because Balmung hadn't acknowledged that she was there. "Are you ignoring me, hm?"

"What do you want?" The distraught angel replied cooly. He didn't bother to turn around and face her. He had too much on his mind to really bother with a hacker. Oh, not just a hacker, but a legendary hacker at that. Feh, that didn't bother Balmung the least.

"That's twice already that you talked to me in that manner.." she began to trail her thin delicate fingers up the cool armor of Balmung's right arm. "I came to offer you my help. Do you care to talk about it? I'm sure I can be of assistance."

IRL Balmung shivered at the supposed on-line touch. He pulled back from Helba and looked at her with slight disgust. "Talk about what? And if there is a reason, I won't discuss it certainly not with you." Why is he being rather rude to her you ask? Let's just say that he has a lot on his mind and he doesn't have the patience with anyone, especially with Helba at the moment.

"I bet if someone were to come along and talk to you, you'll accept his company.." she gave a sly smile.

This caught his attention, and not blowing her off like he would desire to now, he questioned her. "What do you mean?"

Helba raised a brow, and if she didn't have her cool head gear on, you could have seen it. "Interested I see."

"I asked you a question. What do you mean?" he asked again.

She let out a small chuckle. "I should really be going.." she enjoyed the idea of Balmung wanting to hear her out. She decided to play with him a little..

"I shall not permit you to go unless you finish what you started." he took a bold step forward and faced the hacker.

"Your threats do not waver me, Knight. But if you're so interested in listening to what I have to say.." then she got an idea. Well, she had a million ideas, but this one seemed most intriguing. "You have to do a small favor. Well, not a favor, more like a gesture."

Balmung growled in frustration. "What is it?"

Helba's lips curled into a smile. "It's nothing big, really." she wanted to prolong this confrontation and see his reaction.

"Will you stop your delays and tell me already?"

"Ha ha ha. You really are cute when you're angry, did you know that?" she cooed.

"Helba." he growled.

Well at least she finally had his attention. She drifted towards the Knight and leaned in close enough so she can whisper in his ear. "Kiss me.."

That was enough to send Balmung staggering back. He was too stunned to actually say anything. Certainly this can't be the favor she was asking for. It plainly had to be a joke. There's just no way.. "W-what?"

"Just a simple kiss. No harm done in that is there? We can't exchange saliva over the net so no distress over any sickness we may contain."

Balmung shook his head 'no'. He was still shocked from her request.

"Mm. Too bad. I was really hoping to tell you this juicy piece of info.." she turned to go.

"Wait!" he called out. Balmung rethought about his decision. Where's the harm in an on-line kiss? This certainly is the most strangest request he's been asked. Did he have a choice in the matter? Of course he did. If he denied the favor, Helba will keep any info to herself and not share it with him. But if went along with the kiss, then perhaps Helba knows more than she actually lets on. With a sigh, Balmung nodded and accepted her favor. "Alright. I'll do it."

"Good."

After his talk with Orca earlier this afternoon, Kite thought it would be a good idea to go to a field and get a few more items before heading off to bed. He checked the other servers but found nothing interesting in any of the places. So he decided to go to the Omega City and see what's in store. Unbeknownst to our hero on what lies there and what image he may encounter... Kite reached the Chaos Gate in Mac Anu and was about to switch servers when someone called him.

"Kiiiiiiite!" a girls voice. "Wait for me!" it was Blackrose. What was she doing up at this time of night?

"Blackrose?" Kite turned from the Gate and looked at the exhausted tattooed girl.

"Hey. Where do you think you're going without me? Huh? I thought we were in this Item contest together." She got her breath and rested her hands on her hips and leaned her weight on one side of her leg as her other leg stuck out. "Well? Aren't we a team?"

Kite smiled. "Of course!" he didn't want to disagree with the girl, unless he wants an ear fill of complaints and threats.

"Keep it that way. I don't want you going off and having this little adventure all by yourself. We started this together and I plan to see we finish it together!" She crossed her arms with a final nod. "Now invite me to your party so we can go finish out list!" she demanded.

"Alright, alright.." Kite quickly sent the invitation and Blackrose accepted.

"So where are we going?" she asked.

"Lia Fail.."

He shouldn't be doing this... This isn't right. Balmung thought to himself. Both he and Helba got uncomfortable close. IRL he was nervous and was losing grip on the remote. This was the last thing he wanted to do. Kiss me.. Those words will forever haunt him till the end of his days. Balmung gulped.

"What's the matter? I told you before. There's no harm in doing this." she whispered seductively in his ear. She reached up and gently stroked the Knight's wings. Then her other hand trailed from his arm to his face where she gently cupped his chin. "Now close your eyes and pretend that I'm the person who you really want to kiss." she instructed.

His eyes widened. Where was she getting at?

"Close your eyes. It'll only be for a few seconds." she reassured.

Reluctantly, he obeyed and slowly closed his eyes. 'This isn't a big deal..' he told himself over and over.

Slowly Helba leaned forward and tilted her head slightly so they won't brush their noses together and...

Both Kite and Blackrose appeared to the warped city of Lia Fail. With the golden rings vanishing, both characters looked around.

"Well! Let's get going–" Blackrose chirped but suddenly quieted.

"What's wrong?" Kite turned from another direction and looked at Blackrose's blank expression and followed her gaze.. His throat tightened, his voice caught. Suddenly he couldn't breath. This isn't happening. What Kite saw caused this reaction. BALMUNG AND HELBA ARE KISSING! "No.." he whispered. Helba's hands were on Balmung while the Knight's were at his side. Both of their eyes were closed.. A sob escaped Kite's lips. He couldn't bear this..

Balmung had undoubtedly heard the sob. He opened his eyes and pulled away from Helba and quickly looked about. Who he saw there had nearly stopped his heart. "Kite!" Oh how he wished he didn't see anything.. "How long have you been watching!"

"Long enough to actually see what you two have been doing!" Blackrose yelled. She clearly saw that her friend has been gravely hurt by the scene.

Tears were about to spill from Kite. He clutched his fists and looked down at the ground. He couldn't look at Balmung any longer. What he done has broken his heart. "I got to go.."

"Kite, wait–" Blackrose reached for the Twinblade.

"NO! I have to go!" he cried. He dismissed Blackrose from his party and without watching what keywords he entered to go to a field, any field, as long he is away from them all. Soon once again, golden rings encircled him..

"Kite!" Balmung left Helba's side and ran towards the gate and tried to grab hold of the boy but his attempt was futile. He simply disappeared. "Damn!" Then Balmung entered a few random keywords and he too was surrounded by the golden rings and whisked off.

"Well. That went as planned." Helba smiled. She glided over beside Blackrose and looked at the spot where Kite and Balmung once stood.

"WHAT THE ARE YOU DOING! DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW BADLY YOU AND BALMUNG HURT KITE! YOU DIRTY !" Blackrose shrieked. She didn't care who heard her, as long as she got the message over to Helba.

"Please calm down. You don't want to disturb the residents here." Halba smiled.

"WHO CARES! KITE'S BEEN HURT AND IT'S YOUR FAULT!"

Helba sighed. If only the girl would be quiet for a moment, she'll be able to explain.

"Damn!" Balmung yelled in frustration. This was the fifth field he's been into and Kite was no where to be seen. He couldn't have gone very far so he still has a chance in finding him. "Dear lord. What have I done?" He clearly hurt the boy. He instantly knew that right away. But why was he affected so? What did the boy mean to him anyway? Why does he care if Kites alright? Why didn't he want him to see that kiss so badly? Arg! All of these questions and no answers! He'll soon find them after he finds the twinblade.

Balmung left the field and quickly went to another..

"Rerun that one again." Blackrose said.

Helba sighed, but complied. "I tricked Balmung into thinking I knew something that he might in interested in."

"So that's when you two kissed?"

"Yes."

"Why is that again?"

"Easy. Clearly so Kite can see us together and run off while Balmung refuses me and chases after his beloved."

"What are the chances of that happening?"

"I honestly didn't know. But it was good timing that you both did come when you did."

Blackrose thought for a moment. "So this is just a sham to get those two together?"

"Quite right. You've seen how those two look at each other. But both are afraid of being rejected by the other. So I thought I'll give them a little push towards each other."

"Agh! Now why didn't I think of that!" Blackrose and Helba remained in Lia Fail while the other two players played Hide n' Seek. Kite hiding and afraid of being discovered by the one he truly cares for, and Balmung in search of the one who might hold all the answers to his questions..

A/N: I need sleep.. Another all-nighter. This time it was not as long as the first.. About 5 ½ hours this time? Ah who's keeping count? Anywho. I hope you enjoy this chapter... And thanks to the lovely reviews I got from the last chapter Please R/R on this current one and tell me if it's going okay.. I just need to know if it's going in the right direction..