That was how Masaki found her. Under the same tree where they had first met crying in agony. He felt a rush of guilt and almost ran but fought the urge as her saw how desperately she needed someone to comfort her and swallowed the guilt. He slowly approached her knowing how fast she could react. Kaosu heard the footsteps but couldn’t hardly stand up. Masaki crouched low beside her and laid a hand on her shoulder gently.

Had the pain not been so great she would have looked away and wiped the tears from her eyes, but now, when normally she’d have Chaos beside her, there was a void and she grabbed the hand hastily and turned toward Masaki. He pulled her into his chest wishing he could take away her pain for the moment. She looked so heartbroken.

“Kaosu everything is going to be alright. I promise you that. I swear upon my own life that Chaos will pull through. He has to. Look at the wonderful sister he’d be leaving, heartbroken, if he didn’t.” Masaki told her in a gentle voice. He held her tightly against her chest as if she would fade away if he let go. Kaosu relaxed a little in his arms. Her heart, so cold from the onslaught of pain, warmed as he cradled her.

“I can’t…..Masaki I just can’t.” Kaosu said through strangled tears. “If he dies……I don’t think I’ll be able to pull through……..Chaos is my lifeline, my other half……I know it sounds odd but without him I can’t live…….I need him…….Please Masaki……Understand.” She cried out as another wave of anguish struck her heart. Masaki slowly caressed her. He rubbed circles into her back with two fingers and used the other hand to pull her face toward his.

“Don’t think like that. I know you’ll survive. Because I won’t let you die. I’ll always be here for you Kaosu. Please remember that.” Masaki said and kissed her eyes where her tears fell.

Shocked Kaosu just stared as Masaki’s lips brushed against her eyes which fluttered closed at the soft touch. Then, as if time had slowed to a halt, Masaki leaned in and gently, so gently that to Kaosu it felt like a dream, Masaki grazed her lips with his own sending sparks of electricity through both of them. Kaosu jerked back slightly wide eyed. The intensity of his gaze sent all thoughts of Chaos out of her system. Suddenly rain drops began to fall upon them and Masaki smiled at her.

“We should go in and check on your brother. I bet Chaos is in there waiting to see you.” Masaki told her letting her go and standing up. “Besides you’ll catch cold if you stay out here.” Kaosu watched Masaki still a little stunned.

“Masaki…..I…..” Kaosu stuttered but Masaki held a hand up to silence her. He turned toward her his expression serious.

“I’ll wait until your ready to accept them but my feelings are what they are and nothing will change them. I love you Kaosu. So much. Right now I can’t give you my heart but please wait. Soon you can have the whole thing. If you’ll accept it. So don’t worry now. Nothing is going to change. After all I’d hate to lose my best friend.” Masaki told her before grabbing her hand and pulling her toward the mansion.

“Masaki.” Kaosu sighed sadly. Her head was racing with so many emotions. “I’m sorry. Masaki…..” She trailed off and allowed herself to be lead inside. Kizoku was there waiting with his arms open, a comforting smile on his face. Kaosu threw herself into his waiting embrace and grabbed his shirt desperately.

“He’s fine. A little worse for wear but he should have a smooth recovery. I know he wants you to be the first one he sees so get up there quick.” Kizoku told her. Relief flooded her system and more tears fell replacing the old. Tears of relief and she sprinted down the hall toward his room. Kizoku turned toward Masaki and bowed.

“Thank you for finding her. I know how hard it must be to feel like your under Chaos’s shadow but understand that those two grew up with just one another. They had their own world that Masahiro and I weren’t allowed to see or enter. Being separated is so hard for them. They’re not as bad as before but it’ll take patience. If you truly love her then your going to need it.” Kizoku looked at Masaki intensely. “If it helps I approve of your feelings but I’m not a nice guy. If you hurt her then you’ll have made more than one enemy for life.”

“I would never hurt her. You have my word of honor on that.” Masaki said bowing to Kizoku. From a corner Masahiro emerged arms crossed.

“Good cause I kinda like you and I’d hate to have to burn both your legs off.” Masahiro added. Kizoku and Masahiro then bowed back and headed for the medical ward. Masaki sighed.

“I guess I need to be prepared to fight them if something happens.” He felt his legs buckle and he collapsed to the floor exhausted. Within his mind Azarael chuckled. ‘Poor Masaki. You won’t need to worry. I’m not letting you back out next time I emerge. Kaosu will be mine and you my friend are going to fade away to nothing! MUHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!’

Kaosu rushed into the infirmary and over to the side of her brother’s bed. He was still unconscious but the color had returned to his skin and he was no longer sweaty and feverish. Kaosu let the breath she had been holding in escape. Taka stood from her chair by his side and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.

“He’s okay Kaosu. Why don’t you stay here tonight. I’ll pull a bed over here for you.” Taka said smiling. Kaosu nodded and sat in Taka vacated seat. She slowly reached over and grabbed her brother’s hand between her own and brought it up to her face to caress it. Masahiro and Kizoku walked in behind her quietly and watched as she leaned on the bed and began to talk to Chaos.

“Your gonna get it when you wake up Chaos. You had me so worried. You can’t do that kind of stuff to me.” Kaosu started as Kizoku crouched beside her and Masahiro wrapped his arms around her from behind.

“He looks peaceful doesn’t he? Probably because he knows he’s safe from your wrath asleep.” Masahiro chuckled watching Chaos’s mouth twitch. His breathing was slow and even. Kizoku wasn’t looking at Chaos. He was watching Kaosu as her lips formed a tentative smile. One of her hands moved to grasp Masahiro’s arm while the other gripped firmly to Chaos’s hand.

“Of course he does. I would never attack him in his sleep.” She replied quietly. Suddenly, Chaos began to stir. His eyes fluttered open slowly and unwillingly. He cocked his head slightly wincing in pain and smiled at his three siblings. Kaosu swallowed back a sob that threatened to escape. The noise that came out was a strangled sound of relief.

“Well what are you waiting for. Give me my damn hug already.” Chaos grumbled and without care Kaosu latched onto her brothers neck and sobbed. Kizoku and Masahiro stayed back while Chaos wrapped his good arm around her and clung to her for dear life.

“Don’t you ever worry me like that again Chaos Kuronoshi. I swear to god you’ll be sorry if you do.” Kaosu threatened. Just as Kaosu let go Seiji came in carrying a passed out Masaki. Startled all four siblings jumped slightly.

“Don’t worry it’s just me. Poor kid. He must be exhausted from searching for Chaos and later for Kaosu.” Seiji whispered laying him down on a bed opposite of Chaos. Masaki turned on his side and then went limp. “You two sure have caused a lot of grief today. I’m glad you pulled through though Chaos don’t get me wrong. Just please be more careful next time.” Seiji left them alone and suddenly Kizoku grew somber.

“Now that it’s been mentioned do either of you remember seeing Masaki at all during the search. He wasn’t there when Anya called us together.” Kizoku watched his brother and sister’s faces carefully. “I had Hoshi help me keep an eye on everyone in case they found him and needed help but I couldn’t sense Masaki at all.” As he said this Kaosu was adjusting Chaos’s bed so he was sitting up a little.

“Hmmm. I don’t remember seeing him either. Maybe I should ask him about it later.” Kaosu said looking over at Masaki. The guy looked so pale. Chaos followed her gaze and frowned. He wasn’t quite ready to let his sister go. He grabbed her hand and kissed it softly. Kaosu smiled and turned back toward her injured twin. She smirked.

“Don’t worry Chaos. You don’t have to be jealous.” She added kissing her brother on the forehead. “I better go change into some pajama’s. Taka is going to let me stay in here tonight. I’ll be back shortly.” Kaosu ran off. As soon as she was out of sight Kizoku punched Chaos.

“OWW!! What the hell was that for!” Chaos exclaimed rubbing now bruised cheek. “For the love of god Kizoku I’m injured enough.” Kizoku crossed his arms and glared at Chaos.

“You didn’t see the look on her face Chaos.”