A/N: I briefly mentioned a very important character in the previous chapter. I'm surprised that no one caught it. :O

Thanks: WarriorKing849, Kurenai no Musha, and Lord Razer. :)

~ "Faster," he challenged, and Aqua wasn't planning on backing down.~

45) Challenge

"Faster," he challenged, and Aqua wasn't planning on backing down. At least, not willingly.

Unfortunately for her, her body and mind was letting her down.

The big concert, the one that was deciding their whole future, was coming closer and closer and Leon had no choice but to be extra strict now that she was slacking...and how. This was nothing like the Aqua he knew, because usually, the bluenette played flawlessly, in sync with everyone else and simply brilliant in every way. Judging by that uncharacteristic grimace that adorned her otherwise flawless face, she knew she was messing up big time too.

When he saw her flinch before giving up altogether, his expression softened slightly and he forgot about the concert for a brief moment. Leon had a feeling that this had something to do with that friend of hers that had been in an accident recently.

"How's your friend Terra doing?" he finally dared to ask when she paused.

She put down her white violin and walked over to him to sit next to him on the piano bench. Aqua made a forlorn impression.

"He's still the same. He still doesn't remember anything."

She was unconsciously holding onto the necklace Terra had given to her for her eighteenth birthday. The pretty bluenette could still remember how he had promised never to forget about her.

"By giving you this locket... I promise I'll never forget about you and all those great memories of us together. I'll always cherish them, no matter what happens," he had promised solemnly.

A promise he hadn't been able to keep.

"Oh... I'm so sorry."

Saying the truth out loud made it so definite; she couldn't even look Leon in the eyes. Aqua quickly stopped talking when she felt like she was going to cry. She didn't see how Leon was deciding on whether to put a comforting arm around her or not.

"Let's get back to practicing," she muttered, getting up from the bench before he could ask more.

Thank Gods she had music to distract her from everything. Vowing to not let Leon down, she straightened again, putting her bow on the strings.

No matter what's happening, the show must go on!

A/N: This will most likely be the last quick update, because tomorrow I'll have to start taking preparations for the coming school year. :/

Next chapter: Sometimes he wondered if it was all for nothing.