.Hack/ Shadows of Rebirth

Hello people sorry that you had to wait so long. My laptop died, and took all of the story chapters with it, so I had to buy a new one. Anyways I'm so happy! I got 31 reviews and thought that getting 10 was a blessing T-T. And many people mark my story as favorite! I feel so ....lucky. I'm not that bad at this. Thanks to you all!

Shadow K: Woop de do! Now can you Shut up and go with the story!

Dark T: Sheesh your a grouch! Anyways I don't think he can.

Shadow K : Why? ( annoyed)

Dark T: Because he fainted from over excitement.

Me: * fainted*

Shadow K: Gah! Humans! So worthless. Fine I'll do it. For those who bother reading this weakling's fic here is the next chapter.

Dark T : A two part chapter! Enjoy!!

Shadow K : Whatever. Let's get some boiling water to wake him up.

Dark T: Isn't that going to hurt him?

Shadow K: Yes.

( It begins: Part 1)

( New Moon Castle)

Shadow exited the room only to be greeted by the others. Once he closed the door behind him he walked toward the others, soon after screams of pain were heard. The others looked stunned for a sec before getting their composures back.

" So...What happened in there?" Dark asked.

Shadow stared at him before answering " We got infiltrated by the members of Shicksal and the Twilight Knights. They seemed to be on opposite sides this time, anyways their no more."

"Aww! Does that mean Kite is gone?" Cubia asked in a whine toned. Elk looked un-faced, whoever his eyes told another story.

Shadow shook his head " No, he wasn't. The group consisted of Pi, Kuhn, Black Rose, Balmung, Subaru, and Mimiru. It doesn't matter anymore Morganna took care of them."

Elk felt a little sad by the lost of some of his comrades, but he couldn't let his thoughts and feelings be known. " So what do we do know?" he asked trying to sound casual, however Mia wasn't fooled. She knew Elk better than anyone and knew the 'death' of his friends bother him.

Unknown to them Shadow also saw through his facade, but decided not to bush it " They know where we are so our plans must be put into action. Prepare everyone, for the time is near."

Dark looked stunned " What?! But it's soon don't you think?"

Shadow shook his head once more " In a week or so the moons will align opening the area. Before that time comes we need to have everything ready. So prepare yourself physically and mentally for we shall strike soon. Understood?"

Everyone nodded.

( Mac Anu)

It has been exactly a week and The Twilight Knight had calmed down from the ordeal. Everyone was working hard on their next move. Haseo still was being plagued by the visions but he ignored them. Kite felt angry with his other even though he wasn't the one who dealt the blow on his teammates. Tsukasa and Shugo had become close friends, thought Tsukasa never admitted it. The others were busy with finding clues and come with strategies. Zelkova had halted their progress and gather them in a room for a meeting. Except for Haseo, who he send away to do an errand so he wouldn't hear any vital information.

" I'm sure your wondering why I gather you here, right?" he said cheerfully.

"No." Was Tsukasa's replied.

"Well too bad! Anyways the reason I gather you all here is to tell you I have finally decipher the riddle from the talisman and know the area words to the location of the temple where the item lays."

" You do?! Yes!! Something finally comes right for once!" Kite cheered.

Zelkova sweat drop " Right.....anyways, the area words are ( delta) Hidden Temple of Rebirth."

Kite had a determined look " Right so lets go there and get that item!"

" Sorry Kite. I'm afraid that won't be possible." Zelkova replied.

"What?!! Why not?!!!" he demanded for an answer.

" You see I did some research and found the following information. To enter the temple we need the three keys. The Key of Light, The Key of Twilight, and The Key of Darkness. The Key of Light as we know is Haseo and the Key of Twilight has still to be founded."

"Wait! If Haseo is the key of Light and The key of Twilight is unknown, then who is the key of Darkness?" Shugo asked.

Kite thought about it for sec before it hit him " Please don't tell it is who I think it is."

Zelkova nodded " The Key of Darkness is Shadow Kite himself." Kite groan in annoyance " As I was saying we need those keys to open the temple. In addition we can't enter the area because it is tightly sealed and not even Kite bracelet can hack it. The area will open when the moons of chaos and order align. Only the keys themselves can enter whenever they want to. But to open the temple they will need the others."

" So what, we wait?!" Kite took a deep breath " Ok, so when do these moons align anyway?"

Zelkova laughed sheepishly while rubbing the back of his head. " Well....In about three days."

Kite stared and blinked while the information sank in " THREE DAYS!!! But we aren't even ready !! I can't believe this!! This has got to be the mos fucked up day I......." he continue to rant.

The group sweat drop, this was going to take a while.

( New Moon Castle)

The group were standing before Shadow. He stared at them looking boredly " Is everyone ready?"

He receive a nod from each one. He let out a smirk before replying "Good, you each know what to do. Not lets move out."

( Mac Anu: Raven)

Kite had finally calmed down and was now frustrated. Haseo had return from the errands given to him by Zelkova, who informed him of the details with out revealing anything crucial.

" So technically we need to these keys before them, right?" Haseo summarized. Zelkova nodded.

"Correct." he replied.

" But first we need to get the keys first. Not to mention the treasures of the wave. We are clearly at a disadvantage here." Yata stated.

Kite growled " I can't believe this!! That fucker Shadow has beaten us in every turn!! God dammit! I wish he was right in front of me so I can give him a good punch in the face!! That stupid mother fucker! GAH! How I hate him!!!......" he continue his cursing.

Tsuksa glanced at Shugo and saw him looking at the ground. His hand were fisted and shaken. It was just a matter of time before he burst and do something that would surely anger their hard headed leader. " Kite! Shut Up!" he said while grabbing him by the collar.

Kite was startle for a moment before he became angry " What the fuck did you say?!" he gritted his teeth.

" Think you hard headed dumb ass! Whether you admit it or not Shadow IS You. He was able to outsmart us because he predicted everything you would do to the point! And I think it can work the other way around as well." Kite's anger began to fade but still felt irritated to be compare to him.

' You know he has a point.' Cubia O. said inside his head.

' Shut up! I don't need this kind of crap from you right now!' Kite barked inside his mind.

' I'm just saying maybe you should give it a try.' with that Cubia O. went back deep inside Kite's mind.

His thought were interrupted when Tsukasa shook him a little " Now Think!! If you where in Shadow's place and you have everything except for a few thing to complete your mission, what would you do?" Tsukasa let go of Kite's collar and gave him space. He looked at Shugo who silently thanked him.

Kite ponder this carefully " Well.....I would.....I, I don't know, would launch a surprise attack to get me unguarded and at the moment....take....the..." his eyes widen in realization. The others soon follow.

Shortly a loud explosion could be hear from outside, along with players screaming and running.

" You have got to be fucking kidding me!" Ovan said. Everyone gave him a strange look " What?!" he said like nothing was up.

" Never mind, lets go outside now! Zelkova bring the item with you just in case."Zelkova nodded at Kite's command and quickly went outside.

It was a serious de-ja-vu all over again. Mac Anu was being attack again and was set in blaze. Many player were fighting monsters such as Shadow's dragons, Dark's ice birds, and among other things.

Kite cursed silently. " We need to find them and drive them out of here. This may be our last shot. Ready?". He received nods from all of them. " All right! Lets go!"

They ran forward to and tried to avoid the raging beast that invaded the town, letting the other players handle them. They kept running until a sword was thrown in their path. The group immediately stop on their tracks. Out of the shadows came Mia smirking at them.

" Well looked at what the cat dragged in." she said while chuckling at her own joke.

"....Mia...." Kite said with surprise.

" Well hello Kite. It's been a while. I assumed you know why I'm here right, right?" she said while still smirking.

" Why are you doing this?! This is your home! Why re you helping him anyways?!" asked.

" For Elk." Kite eyes got wide " You hurt him badly you know. What I do, I do it to protect him!" she grabbed her sword and pointed it at Kite "Even if it is from you." as she said this huge felines appeared by he side and her back. They were all purple and their eyes were yellow. They were growling at the group.

Kite hesitated. A voice from the back snapped him out " Kite, you go ahead! We'll handle this." Piros said. Natsume, Bo, and Mistral soon follow and stood in front of him.

" Guys." Kite whispered.

" Now go he of fair eyes. For if we fall, let it not be in vain."he said while summoning his weapon. The others did the same.

Kite was speechless but soon recover " Thanks guys! We'll try finishing this quick, so don't go dieing on me."

" Understood!" was their replied.

Kite and the rest quickly went on their way. Mia looked at the four with amusement .

" Well, this is interesting. How about we get this cat fight on the go." she said slyly.

" Bring it on Cat....thingy!" Bo shouted. The rest, including Mia, looked at him. " What?!" he said while blushing.

With her signal the cat creatures launch forward to attack. The group also rush forward and prepared for a battle.

Kite and the rest kept their paste and continue to move forward. As they passed a clearing, lighting struck their pass effectively blocking the way. Shugo, Tsukasa, and Haseo recognize the attack and frantically search their surroundings. A chuckle was heard from the top of on of the buildings.

" Well hi there, again." Cubia said while smirking.

" Oh! Hell no!" Tsukasa cursed.

"Oh hell yeah!" Cubia replied as he jumped down from the building and landing in their path.

" Get out of the way Cubia!" Kite ordered.

" No can do. Well maybe if you hand over the talisman and the Key of Light." he said teasingly.

" The hell we'll give them to you!" Haseo replied.

" We'll guess I better do this the hard way." Cubia chuckle while he summoned is blades. Electricity flowing threw them.

Kite growled and was going to get his weapons when he felt a hand on his shoulder. " You better go on ahead. I'm sure we'll be able to hold him off." Said Yata as he, Ovan, and Orca made their way toward their opponent.

Cubia laughed " Man! You guys think you can take on me?! Well fine by me. The others, or what's left of them, can go on ahead." he said motioning the direction with his head.

Yata looked back at Kite " Go on ahead. We'll do everything in our power to hold him off and stay alive."

Kite nodded and darted forward with the rest of his group and passed Cubia.

Cubia was smirking the whole time " Well no use in waiting any longer." He jump high into the sky and came down onto them with force. As he touch the ground lightning expanded from that spot. The three of them barely manage to doge.

" Man! He's fast!" Orca said.

Cubia kept on smirking " Don't blink and you might survive." with that their fight began.

Kite's team was now compose of himself, Tsukasa, Shugo, Rena, Zelkova, Atoli, and Haseo. The rest were fighting a member of the Shadow Knights or the monsters attacking the city. The odds were big. As they approach another clearing the came to a stop once again. A wall of blue fames obstructed their way and they got a pretty god idea who was responsible for it.

Their eyes landed on a figure resting on a wall on one of the damage buildings, his on visible eyes staring right back at them. He slowly pushed himself off the wall and walked in their direction.

" A. Kite. I should have known." Kite mutter.

" Nice to see you again Kite." he said while he fixed his hair, now both eyes were visible.

" Well looks like it's our turn" Zelkova said as he Atoli, and Rena stood to face the Azure Flames. As Zelkova passed Kite he skillfully gave him the talisman and gave him a look. Kite understood, he gave it to him for protection when he failed in this fight.

A. Kite looked un-faced " You three are no match for me. So why bother? Your still going to die."

Zelkova sighted " True." he quickly summoned his scythe " But at least we can bide some time." Rena and Atoli also knew this, but they still prepared to fight.

A. Kite shook " How futile. I guess I'll just have to...." his word were cut when two orbs floated along side the trio. In a flash of light two warriors stood facing the threat. A. Kite cursed silently.

" A. Kite we have come here to stop you and bring you back to lady Aura." A. Balmung said.

A. Kite looked uncomfortable but kept his cool. He wasn't expecting to see them here " No. She doesn't need me. She told me herself. If you want me..." he said while summoning his weapon "....you'll going to have to do it by force."

A. Orca sighted sadly " I was hoping to avoid this Azure Flames. But it seems it cannot." he turned to the three " we shall aid you in this battle."

Zelkova nodded feeling hope of winning. "Kite go on ahead. We already have the help we'll need right here."

Kite nodded, assured now, and headed straight toward the path with Shugo, Tsukasa, and Haseo following shortly behind.

" I'll show how strong I can be without Aura to support me. Not like she ever cared." A. Kite said bitterly, but quickly hid it with a smirk.

" You are mistaken Azure! Aura does care about you! She just...." A. Balmung tried to reason.

" She just what? There is no excuse for that! Every time she saw me she only saw Kite! No matter what I do I could never get her to see me! I have endure that pain for too long!! I have others like me to aid me, to care for me...I don't need Aura." A. Kite replied.

" Your wrong! Listen Azure try to reason." A. Orca tried to convince the other.

A. Kite had a look of indifference " Enough talk. Time for you to fend for yourselves."

Kite lead the group toward through the city in hopes of finding the rest of their foes. The kept their pace until they reach an intersection leading to two different path. If they were going to find the rest of the Shadow Knights they would need to split up.

Kite did not like the idea but it had to be done. " Alright guys this is the part where we take on different ways. Tsukasa, you and Haseo go to the right. Meanwhile Shugo and I will take the left. If we don't find anything head back here and take the other root. One of these path must lead us to Shadow himself. Are we clear?"

" I guess. We'll meet up with you guys as fast as we can if we don't find anything. Good luck." Tsukasa replied before he and Haseo went their way while Kite and Shugo took the other.

As they proceed Kite decided to tell Shugo what was on his mind. " Shugo I know you can feel it too."

Shugo looked stunned but agreed none the less " Yeah. He is on this path, isn't he?"

Kite nodded " Yeah. When Tsukasa told me to think like him it all made sense now. He is leading us to him. And I have the suspicion he knows I carry the talisman. I choose you because of your healing abilities. This is going to be one though fight. I don't even know if I can beat him, but I don't intend on loosing either. If I have to go, I'm taking him with me.......Somehow."

Shugo looked uncertain " What about Tsukasa and Haseo?"

" Knowing Shadow he probably sent some one to greet them. But they'll be alright."

Shugo nodded " Don't worry Kite we'll beat him and save everyone."

" Right! So there's no turning back now. Lets go!" he replied.

They both sprinted in the direction of where the powerful aura was coming from.

Tsukasa and Haseo made their way toward where the path lead them. One thing they notice is that it was getting colder. Tsukasa did not like it one bit, but he knew what was the cause of it. He only hope that he was wrong. As they continue they began to walk on ice, later it was snow. This part of the town was deserted, or so they thought. Upon arriving to a section they notice players frozen in solid ice. Apparently they were trying to get away from something.

" Aren't they beautiful, little Tsukasa." a voiced echo in the area.

Tsukasa frowned knowing that voice to well " I knew you would be here. The ice only proves my suspicion." he growled.

" Aw, don't be like that I made them just for you!" the voice said before a small gust of snow began to swirl at the center of the area.

" Dark Tsukasa. Here to do that bitch's biding?!" Tsukasa growled but not at Dark.

Dark sighted " You know it."

" Why the hell?" Tsukasa asked frustrated.

Dark frowned " You know why. Please stop making it difficult and let's get this over with." Dark mutter not looking into Tsukasa's eyes.

" So your under her influence or are you doing it for Shadow?" Haseo asked, pretty annoyed that he was being ignored.

" How did you know?!" Dark asked surprise.

" Shugo told me." his gaze landed on Tsukasa " He also told me I was the key of light they need to open the temple. You guys really shouldn't tell Shugo these things." he chuckled " He also told me about your little crush."

Tsukasa's face turned ten different shades " I am so going to kill that brat!"

Dark cheeks were tinted pink " Anyways. I'm here to do my job. Haseo you'll be coming with me."

" Sorry Dark, but that's not going to happen. If you want him your going to have to go through me!" Tsukasa stated.

Dark giggled " You said go through you, didn't you?"

Tsukasa blushed " Daaaaark! Stop being such a pervert." he whined. Haseo looked at them oddly. Like they were a couple.

" Fine. Let's get serious then!" he summoned his staff and took a fighting pose.

Tsukasa and Haseo followed soon after " Bring it!"

" Here I come!" Dark said as he send a barrage of ice spells toward the two.

Kite and Shugo continue on their own path. As they go on, they started to notice some changes in the atmosphere. They were getting close. Shugo seemed to be nervous about this, Kite didn't miss the look. He remember all the times that Shugo tried to defend his lookalike, he knew this was going to be one of those moments.

" Shugo. You don't have to come with me if you don't want to. You can turned back to help the others." Kite told his companion.

Shugo looked at Kite stunned but quickly replaced it with determination " No, that's ok. I need to do this."

" You sure?" Kite asked.

Shugo nodded " Positive!"

Kite nodded and they continue on their way. Like many other times they came to a clearing of the city. However unlike other times their opponent wasn't hiding. Shadow stood in the center with his eyes closed, his cloak was moving softly from side to side thanks to the wind. Kite stared at him frowning, but not with hatred for some reason. He soon let out a smirk.

" I hope we didn't make you wait too long, Faker!"Kite said with fake mock.

Shadow opened his eyes to look at the intruders " Not at all. And what do you possibly mean by faker? We only look alike, nothing more." Shadow replied.

Kite chuckle bitterly " That's were you're wrong." Shadow stared at him, expecting an explanation " Before your little 'surprise attack' I already knew what you were going to do. Separating my team from each other to make us weaker and leading me here, right to you. It's also clear to me that you know that I posses the talisman. So you see, we're not that different from each other."

Shadow smirked " You put your place in my shoes, didn't you? Impressive. But now we will be taking what is rightfully ours."

" We?" Shugo asked.

" It appeared you miscounted. As we speak Dark is fighting Tsukasa and Haseo to get the key of light, probably no my best idea seeing as their crushing on each other." he mutter the last part. " So how many of us are left?" Shadow asked with a smirk.

Kite thought about it before he came to a realization "......Elk" he whispered with dread.

" Bingo."

As in cue a wind blew across the field carrying rose petals. It swirled right beside Shadow, his cloak moving out of the way revealing his black clothings. Out came a figure that Kite recognize all to well. Elk appeared right beside Shadow.

Kite growled " Damn you Shadow! I was expecting you to be alone!"

Shadow frowned " That makes two of us. I was expecting You to come alone too. Looks like neither of our plans worked perfectly, huh?" he chuckled the last part. " Now how about we start this thing."

Kite got out his weapons " You bet on it! Shugo you go and handle Elk. I'll go after Shadow."

Shugo took a few step forward " Sorry Kite, but I'll be the one taking on Shadow."

Kite looked stunned, while Shadow raised a brow " What?! You can't be serious! Why the hell?!" Kite blurted.

Shugo shook his head " Because you have some business with Elk, not me. Beside there is something I want to prove." he said with the look of determination.

Shadow looked confused " Oh? And what might that be?"

Shugo summoned the blades that Dark gave him " I going to show you that you are a hero! Not a bad guy that you think you are!"

Shadow frowned " You think I'm playing the bad guy? That I'm faking this whole thing?!"

Shugo still looked determined, fire burning in his eyes " I don't think, I know!"

Shadow growled at his response " So you want to prove me wrong?! Well be my guest!! Elk!" said payer looked stunned at the way he called him " Take care of Kite and take that talisman!" he said, his gaze laid on Shugo the whole time " I will show this little runt that we mean business."

Kite looked at Shugo with worry " Shugo, are you sure about this? The guy is strong, not to mention the fact that you seemed to upset him."

Shugo grin at his hero " Don't worry about me. You just get Elk to come to our side." his gaze landed on Shadow " I'm going to prove to everyone that Shadow is a hero!"

Elk looked at Shugo frowning in thought ' Can he really do it? None of us could. But maybe.....'

Shadow smirked " Oh ho! Talking big a mighty will get you no where." he summoned one of his black blades. Shugo gulped at the sight of it. " I'll humor you and simply use one of my blades. The result will still be the same."

" We'll see." Shugo replied smirking back.

Kite looked at Elk " I never thought I would be facing you Elk. You must've grown strong." he said while a smile appeared on his face.

Elk was unsure but decided to replied " True. I wasn't expecting to fight you now. But I guess it can't be helped. You brought this upon yourself."

" No!" Kite shouted " I wasn't thinking straight and a was an asshole back then."

"And you still are." Shugo said with a grin.

" Shut up! The point is I'm sorry. But seeing as you won't listen to me. Then I'll have to drag you back by force! You're one of my best friends Elk and if I have to beat you up to get it through your head then I will. I will have your forgiveness!" Kite said, determination evident I his voice.

Elk was stunned ' he'll go that far to get me back and beg for my forgiveness?!!' Elk smirk as he went into a battle stance " Well Kite, I guess you will have to drag me back by force because I don't intend on going anywhere with you anytime soon."

Kite sighted " I was hoping to avoid this but... Bring it on Elk!"

With that said both Shugo and Kite launch forward toward their foes.

Hope you enjoy this fic. You know the drill reviews are welcome flames are out of the question. See ya next time.

Shadow K: What? That's it? You usually say more.

Me : Yeah, well usually I don't get hot boiling water on my face to wake me up!

Shadow K: Touche. See ya later humans. If I get looking I won't see your faces soon.

Me & Dark T: Hey! That's not nice.

Shadow K: Do I look like I care. Farewell.....for now.