A/N: Hey guys! We are now either at the halfway point or past it, depending on how long this ends up. Thanks go out to all of you guys for your reviewing and reading and I hope everyone is enjoying themselves!
Xros-Hero, Sunnystorms, and Musically Correct (extra shout-out because I think you may have caught the truth) are absolutely fabulous for reading and reviewing. Thanks guys!
XX. Truth
"A pain so gentle leads to cold."
Akari looked at the black eyes and shook her head, face pale and stringy red locks flopping awkwardly by her shoulders. "He threw us apart."
"Oh yes," Taiki agreed easily enough. "He did. Yet you never sought the song out, or rather, they didn't. You were indisposed at the time." A small sigh left his lips. "Such a shame, it wishes to be more beautiful than it is."
Akari shifted, agitation rising from her shoulders to her eyes. She didn't speak, watching taiki move restlessly to the side. He could never stay still for very long. That was the right gesture for him to do, walk around and shift himself, occupy his body so his mind could focus. Yet it was too practiced, even for him. Her lip curled, yet she remained quiet again.
Taiki turned on her, the red wisps singing the song in the frailest timbre of a voice she had ever heard. They almost lunged, yet they waited. Are they waiting for me? Are they hoping I have an answer?
Or... do they know my answer?
"Well now," hummed the boy in front of her. "What are you going to do?"
Akari paused. Then... her fists clenched and she crouched. "I'm getting my friend back... no matter what! And... you... aren't him!" She leaped to tackle him to the ground. He leaped aside to catch her wrist, but she grinned, spinning her foot to kick into his stomach. He coughed, but only a little. Just enough for her to laugh and laugh with delight.
"I don't know where he is... but you do. So... all I need to do at this moment... is beat it out of you."
Taiki blinked slowly... then he grinned, that sweet smile back on his lips. "I'm not allowed to make it easy for you, you know."
He snapped his fingers... and then she fell.