Mega: It sure has been a while, right Kirino?

Kirino: Yeah. I thought you died during Halloween from a sugar coma.

Mega: Nope, but I bet you wished I did!

Kirino: *suspicious* Why would I want that?

Mega: This chapter is all about you and Shindou (plus the occasional other character)! Yay!

Kirino: NOOO!

Shindou: *holds out the reviews while bowing* The reviews, Mega-san.

Mega: Thank you, Shindou! *takes reviews from Shindou*

Reviews!

OTP's are all you need: Thank you for your kind wishes! In return, your wish has been granted! This chapter is ALL about Kirino! Yay! Kirino's not thrilled to be called cute, though. (Kirino: NO I'M NOT!) I'm glad you like the story and chapters. The story thus far is just laying the foundation for the true plot. Hopefully, this chapter will begin to reveal that plot. Wish me luck!

2gatita8: You don't have to worry. Having you as my friend, as sappy as it sounds, is a perfect gift for me! Thanks in indeed due to you, my friend. You were my first reviewer and have helped me with my stories, so I'm gonna thank you like a good friend. Kirino, Shindou, if you'd please. Shindou and Kirino: Sure! Mega, Kirino, and Shindou: Thank you, 2gatita8! :D

Mega: Such good reviews!

Kirino: Can we get to the story, already?

Mega: Sure! Shindou, Kirino, places please!

Kirino: What?!

Shindou: Just do it, Ranmaru. *kisses him sweetly*

Mega: Enjoy the chapter!

~Chapter 8: Revival~

~Kirino's POV~

I hated it. I hated, no, DISPISED being so useless. Everyone else was working hard to regroup the team and get ready for our next match. What could I do to help? Nothing. Absolutely nothing.

I was disoriented, somewhat confused, and just flat out exhausted. While everyone else was running laps, I was slowly dribbling between two cones. I couldn't even play attention to Tsurugi and Shindou's positioning directions. I had gone to the wrong position not once, not twice, but THREE TIMES! Everyone was sympathetic and understanding, but that was even more irritating! I was recovering from an illness, not from a near-death experience!

I was glad when practice finally ended. I tiredly followed Shindou, Fei, and Tsurugi into the latter's room. I found myself leaning quite heavily on Shindou during the short journey. When we arrived, Shindou gently pulled me towards Tsurugi's bed. Too tired to resist, I allowed myself to be pulled gently onto the bed. I leaned my limp for against his chest. 'He's so warm,' I thought drowsily. I nuzzled into his chest ever so slightly and allowed the exhaustion and drowsiness to pull me into the realm of sleep.

When I woke from my short doze, Tsurugi was arguing with Shindou and Fei. It took me a moment, but I eventually grasped what they were talking about. I was tired, but the nap had given me some energy, and I knew just how to use it.

"Don't blame yourself, Tsurugi. I was part of the chaos today, too," I murmured quietly, but loud enough for them to hear me.

My three friends froze before they turned to look at me. They stared at me for a moment. Did I do something wrong? I never received an answer as Shindou pulled me up and leaned my tired body against his.

He quickly regrouped himself, "You can't be blamed, Kirino. You've been very sick, so it's only natural that you would be tired and not as focused."

"I know that, but I could've at least helped with organizing the team!" I growled, angry not with him, but with myself. "I hate being so useless! I can't help the team at all!"

"Relax, Kirino. You're not useless. You just need rest," Shindou soothed calmly.

"I am and you know it! Don't lie to me, Shindou!" I sobbed angrily. Shindou immediately pulled me into a hug and began to comfort me.

Shindou nodded to Tsurugi before he pulled me into his arms and walked out of the room. I tried to pull away, but I was weak and his grip was strong. Why was he doing this? Who would care about a weak defender like me? What significance did I have? I was just an orphan (we never see his parents, so I inferred that he had no parents.) that was lucky enough to meet and befriend one of the best people I would ever meet.

I was nothing. I had known that for a long time. I was expendable, not needed, forgotten. Everyone knew it, they just never said it. Why did everyone feel the need to tell me I was special? I knew I wasn't, so why did they bother lying? Why couldn't anyone ever tell the TRUTH?! Was it so hard? All they had to say was, "Kirino, you're not special, and everyone knows it." It was that simple!

My musings were brought to an abrupt halt when Shindou proceeded to sharply pull me into a room. He marched into the room swiftly. It was then that I realized exactly whose room it was. It was Shindou's room. It was relatively neat asides from the music strewn around the room. I liked it. Unlike Tsurugi's room, it had a warm atmosphere. It felt like home, like Shindou's house. It suited him.

Shindou tugged my arm roughly and threw me onto the bed. I winced at the harsh actions of my friend (and possible lover. I wasn't quite sure.). He turned to face me, his expression a mixture of worry, anger, and fear. His face was actually quite stoic, but his eyes revealed all of his emotions.

"Kirino," he began, "do you really think I would lie to you?"

"No," I answered truthfully. I trusted Shindou completely, and I doubted he would ever lie to me.

"Good," he smiled. "It's good to know that you still trust me."

"Why wouldn't I trust you? You're my best friend, and I, I," my voice faded before I could finish.

"You what, Kirino?" He asked, curiosity lacing his voice.

"I love you," I whispered softly.

He smiled broadly, "I love you too."

He pulled me into a tender, loving kiss. I wrapped my arms around his neck and hugged him silently. We remained like that for a while. I liked it; it was nice.

When we broke apart, he turned to me. "Why do you think you're useless, Kirino?"

"I am useless, Shindou, so why would I think of myself as anything else?" I countered.

He blinked in shock, "Who told you that you were useless?"

"No one," I answered, "I just figured it out as I grew up. I'm useless and can be easily expended. That's what I am."

"You don't really think that, do you? Please tell me you don't," he pleaded.

"If I didn't, why would I tell you that I did?" I inquired simply.

"You wouldn't," he answered hollowly.

"You're right, Shindou. I wouldn't," I told him plainly.

He was silent. The tension slowly grew as the silence remained in the room. I didn't want to speak and neither did he, so we remained quiet.

I wanted to run so badly, to escape the awful confrontation and silence. I didn't want to be here. I wanted to be free, not confined in Shindou's room! Why couldn't life ever be in my favor?

"You were never useless, Ranmaru. You should have known that." Shindou's calm voice shattered the silence and tension completely in a single blow.

Tears began to form in my azure eyes. No! I couldn't cry! Not in front of Shindou of all people! I fought them, but the tears quickly won. Tears began to cascade down my face, dripping onto my shirt hem. Shindou looked alarmed. He swiftly pulled me into his embrace, whispering apologies and words of love into my ear.

"Shindou," I whispered, "I'm sorry."

He froze completely. "Why are you sorry, Ranmaru?"

"I made you worry over such a stupid thing. I've just wasted your time. I'm so sorry." I sobbed softly.

He lifted me up silently as he began to pull back the covers of his bed. Once he had finished, he laid me on the soft mattress. He then slid in beside me and pulled me into his arms. Finally, he tugged the covers over both of us. I snuggled up against his form, pleased with the warmth it provided. His arms wrapped around my back and hugged my tightly.

"Don't ever say that you're sorry about something so dumb, Ranmaru. You're always worth my time," he whispered affectionately. "Let's get some sleep. Both of us really need it."

I nodded sleepily. "Good night, Takuto."

"Good night, Ranmaru." He kissed me softly before we both drifted off to sleep.

~?'s POV~

I looked at the sleeping couple, completely livid. My mission was simple, tear the two apart, but what did I do instead? I brought them even CLOSER together! I was dead. Boss was going to tear me to shreds over this!

I cursed silently. I needed a new approach. A new angle, if you will. I would my plan be now?

I thought for a moment. Killing one of them was going too far, that I knew, so what else was left? I pondered again before it finally came to me. The thought was small at first, but it soon grew into a lovely plan. It would take time, though, so I would have to bide my time for the moment until everything was in place.

I smirked. The plan was flawless. The ever-so-happy couple would soon find out exactly how deeply they were involved in this game, and I was all too happy to show them.

~?'s Boss's POV~

That idiot! Why did I choose to send such an unreliable person to do this very task? I didn't know, but I did know that I was really regretting it.

I made a mental note. Next time, send a better agent to do an important job. Chances were that I wouldn't remember it, but I could at least try.

Our plan was finally ready to be set in motion. Ranmaru's sickness had been the first step, and Tenma's panic attack and collapse had been the second. A few more steps and our plan would be complete. I smiled maliciously. How great would it be to finally see our gorgeous plan take shape?

Everyone was ready. Everything was in place. The only thing preventing us from completing was that retched Kirino Ranmaru. He was the only obstacle in our way. We should have overcome him long ago, but he was strong-willed and brave, thus our failures to break him were the result. He was an obstacle, but soon, he would be gone. We were ready to begin, and nothing was going to stand in our way.

~Chapter 8 complete~

Mega: It's done!

Kirino: Hey! There are villains in this chapter. We've never had villains in a story before!

Shindou: This is quite an interesting turn of events. It would appear that Mega is attempting to add some plot into this story.

Mega: That I am! What did you think everyone? Good? Bad? Mediocre?

Kirino: Don't forget to review, minna!

Shindou: Follow and favorite us too!

Mega: That's all for now, guys!

Kirino and Shindou: Sayonara, everyone!

Mega: Ciao for now minna!