Omg! They're so emo today! Ohh, the drama! Please forgive, but after an eternity of no updates, I shall present you with THIS! Chew slowly and gratefully, as this will be my last chapter for another eternity! I'm still working on WWB, and have started a story on fanfiction(.net). Ironic...I told myself I'd never write a fanfic ever, because I was never obssessed with any story in particular. Ha, say that to Twilight and anime fans and you'll hear something just a little different..

That rant aside, enjoy chapter 22! :D

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He turned his key into the lock, opened the door, and slammed it shut once he stepped inside. He threw his backpack to the floor by the couch and stuffed his keys back into his jean pocket. The day was relatively the same as every other day, except for the fact that Athena had tried to talk to him, and more importantly, had just been updated on his current life situation. Basically, he was told that if Hikaru couldn’t come up with anything to counter the many subtle attacks on him, he would probably die.

Not being able to do anything to save himself, he felt helplessly pathetic. I’m just burdening everyone. I shouldn’t have to make them feel so depressed. Especially Haru…I can tell he’s really down. But they’re all idiots for worrying about me. He flopped on the couch and rubbed his eyes. I may be exhausted as hell…

But I am not going to die.

( -- -- -- )

At around the same time Takashi entered his house, so did Hikaru. After stepping inside, he walked straight into the kitchen. He took out a bowl from the cabinet, poured in some cereal and milk, and took it to the dining table. Then he pulled out a chair and sat down, backpack still on. A minute passed by. He pushed the bowl away from him and put his elbows on the table, cupping his cheeks into his hands. He didn’t hold back the truth, but…

But telling him he’s gonna die? Yeah, great, Hikaru. You’re really best friend of the year, aren’t you? So supportive! He buried his face into his hands and sat there for what seemed like eternity. Thinking of Takashi, he accidentally picked up on his thoughts. He listened for a moment. He wanted to cry.

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Determined more than ever, Takashi got up and walked toward the phone. He was going to call Akane, Manami, and Hikaru to his house. He thought the presence might show up then, once they were all together. After all, it apparently happened last time, as he was told. He just wanted to find out for himself who exactly wanted him dead, and why.

At about four fifteen, he put the phone back. He ruffled his hair. He hadn't been able to get through Hikaru. Takashi began to wonder if he was evading him, but then dismissed the idea by it's simple foolishness. But then again... He decided to go check on him, first. They won't be coming for another twenty minutes.

( -- -- -- )

In roughly five minutes he was at Hikaru's door. He knocked their special knock. Nobody let him in. That's right... He remembered Rini was getting extra piano help from her music teacher today, but Hikaru might be out somewhere. Takashi had tried calling his cell phone, but he hadn't answered.

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Takashi sounded a lot...different on the phone. After receiving the call, she knew something was up--something in his tone told her that he was ready to do something about the situation. Akane suddenly found herself smiling, a little sense of joy filling inside her. Takashi hadn't called her in a long time. Well, I'm on my way. Hopefully I'm right... But if I know him well enough, he's on his way or is already at Haru's house. When she called him, nobody picked up the phone.

A few minutes later she became acutely aware of a lingering human presence behind her. She took a few big steps forward and turned abruptly, ready to inflict damage if necessary.

( -- -- -- )

You'd think it would be a little less hot today, but the cold doesn't seem to want to come.

After walking to the end of her street, she turned the corner, across from Hikaru and Rini's house. Once she turned, she saw Hikaru a few feet ahead of her. "Hey!"

Hikaru stopped and looked behind him. "Michi?" he asked.

"No, it's Santa Claus!" Michiko walked up to where he stood.

He scowled in irritance. "What's up?"

She cocked any eyebrow. "Okay, now I know for sure."

"What are you talking about?"

Michiko looked straight at him. "Well...you aren't being yourself. It's easy to see through you. And it's strange even for you not to notice that I was right behind you."

"What are you trying to say?" he said, refusing to read her thoughts.

"You know," she said, "I wouldn't expect--"

"Why do you expect anything from me?" Hikaru looked away, fixing his gaze upon an street lamp. "Aren't I just like anybody else?"

Though Michiko was a little hurt by his voice, her face was impassive. "You're smarter than most people. You can't deny that. And you're not only telepathic, but you can detect detailed auras from a person--and a lot better than anyone else can, just by simple gestures and tones." Hikaru faced away from her. "Why can't you just accept that?"

"What's your problem? Why can't you just leave me alone?" Hikaru demanded. He then a heard a sad sigh and felt comforting arms wrap around his shoulders from behind. "Get off me," he mumbled as a heat wave came over him, flushing his cheeks.

"I don't know what's going on, but I don't like seeing you like this. Depression really doesn't suit you," she said gently. Michiko smiled and rested her chin on top of his head, looking out into space. "You know, whatever it is, you can only get through it if you just stop blaming yourself." Hikaru turned his head slightly, wanting to break free from the suffocating hug. "I've noticed that no matter what, you take full responsibility for everything, and make sure everyone is okay." She pushed him away and turned him around, and then smoothed his messy hair. "Ever since you were little--I always saw that."

"...so now I'm irresponsible?" Hikaru muttered sarcastically, crossing his arms childishly as he looked up at her. He turned away from her all over again, staring at a lawn covered with weed flowers.

Michiko stepped forward and squeezed him tighter, this time around his neck, choking him. "You idiot." She laughed, then let him go. "You're so difficult," she said, pushing him away, yet again.

Frowning, he said, "I just don't know what to do! What happens if I can't do anything about it? What if I fail?"

"Pshh. Then you fail. Don't pressure yourself into winning every time."

"You don't understand. If I lose, I can't get back what I lost!" he said, forcing his voice to remain steady. Michiko crossed her arms. "I'm not going to lose." Hikaru said. "...I can't."

Michiko grinned. "That's what I like to hear!" She then turned around and said, "Have fun!" and then walked toward her destination.

What the...? Hikaru stared at her back. A small, baffled smile came across his face. She just...manipulated me.

...ME!

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Do not be saddened, oh readers! There is more to come, in TIME!

Plus, ugh. I need to edit every single chapter before this. No storyline changes should be made, but a lot of my earlier chappes need some major fixing.

(p.s. For any of you a little confused in this chapter, it takes place a few days after the wonderful ice skating trip! A day after school. I didn't think I'd need to explain, but you are reading this after what, a year?)