Online Romance: My Angel

The characters based on the game .Hack belong to Bandai. I just picked a few and used them in a fanfic I wanted to write. May contain spoilers to those who haven't finished the forth and final installment of .hackQUARANTINE Part 4 The Final Chapter.

p.s. um, I think this story is a little choppy? I dunno, maybe you won't understand it. I was like writing it in the wee hours of the morning so don't expect much from me! I didn't want to go through re-typing it either.. I'm just lazy :P DDR RULES!

Contains shonen-ai. Kite/Balmung

Written by Tipama

"I miss him," I confessed. Blackrose stood idly watching me. She knew how I felt about the azure angel. I had previously admitted it to her from her frantic nagging. At first she was astonished then she began to avoid me. Declining when I asked her to join my party.. Logged out when our eyes met in any root towns.. I needed her. She was my first friend in 'The World'. That was when I realized what I had done. I only thought of her as a 'friend'. I felt lonely without her and wanted to apologize. So I sent out for her. Posting on the Board apologizing and asking to meet, but my attempts were futile. The other friends I have made asked what was wrong.. But I would only avert them. None of them were like Blackrose.. On my most need, I almost gave up on her. I was nearing breakdown when finally she sent me an e-mail. 'Meet me at (Omega) Dreaming Eternal Feeling.' At once I went. After finding and talking for hours, things went back to normal.. Almost. Except my yearning for the angel.

"Ah, just invite him and tell him already!" she was growing flustered. We were at Root Town Mac Anu at the chaos gate, gathering weak items for the 'Item Contest'. "Either you quit dawdling and tell him, or I will!" she warned.

"Tell who what?" it seemed both our hearts stopped. I saw the alarmed look on her face, which was priceless.. But nearly at the cost of my secret. Balmung had strolled up to us, walking in on our conversation. He looked from the horror-struck Blackrose, to the ever blushing me. A smile crept on his face. "Tell who what?" he asked once again, this time with a hint of amusement in his words.

I stood there, numb. Then I glanced at Blackrose, who looked at me then back at Balmung. She laughed, "N-nothing! We were just rehearing for a play I was trying out." She gave me the look, 'I got this covered.'

Balmung looked intrigued, "Really. What play are you trying out for? Maybe I can be of assistance?"

"I er, um. Look at the time! I gotta go start supper! See you later!" then she logged off. Leaving the two of us alone.

She didn't leave me enough time to say anything to stop her, I stood astounded. 'She abandoned me!' I thought, and felt betrayed. I laughed inside though, her plan had backfired on her when she felt that she had it figured out.

"Fu. I wonder what play she had in mind." Balmung had looked from the spot where Blackrose once stood than his gaze settled upon me. "So, Kite."

"Urm, yes!" I couldn't stop the excitement in my voice. I was just really happy that he was here with me.

"What are you up to?" he sounded partially bored. Stepping closer.

I could feel it. My cheeks burning, my hands sweating on the controller, my breathing quickened. And my heart pounding. Thank goodness we were online, otherwise he could see how much of a mess I am when he's around. "I– " my voice screeched to a note I never knew I had. I coughed. "I'm sorry! Blackrose and I were looking for items for the 'Item Contest'."

"Really? Here. I have something for you then." Without hesitation, Balmung sent and I received Amateur Blades, Steel Blades, Phantom Twin, Assassin, Spark Blades, Lath Blades, Fuse Blades, Shadow Blades, Cat Blades, Ronin Blades, Spell Blades, Bloody Twin and 47 of the other Twin Blade weapons.. "I'm sorry if it's not enough, but I thought it would help. As you can see. Not all of the weapons are accounted for."

"Balmung. A-are you sure? I can't accept all of these items for nothing." I looked over my item list. This would greatly help my search.. But I feel bad for not able to give anything in return.

"There is one thing.." Balmung began.

Kite finished looking from the item list then back at Balmung. "What is it? I'll give you anything. I'll do anything." he sounded hasty, but he meant every word, he only wanted to repay him.

"Accompany me on going to a dungeon. After that, your debt will be fully paid for."

"Debt? I knew there was going to be a catch.."

"Ah. So? Shall we?" he grinned from ear-to-ear. Sometimes he can be really sneaky. "Okay. The Keywords are.. (Omega) Reincarnated, Evil-Eyed, Fallen Angel. Add me to your party, Kite."

"Right!" quickly I added him, and he accepted. When I was about to enter the keywords, an envelope appeared over my head. "Oh?" I looked over to Balmung, "I have mail. Can you hold on just for a second?" He nodded. I accessed the Altimit screen and clicked MAILER. Blackrose's picture came up, along with a message:

Sorry I took off like that. Balmung is just too sharp. Be careful not to let anything slip, he may just figure it out on his own Take care!

-Blackrose

I smiled. Then quickly I wrote back saying I was going to a dungeon with Balmung for the items he had given me. And a few other things that really didn't matter. Soon, I was back at Mac Anu with Balmung waiting. He was standing, facing the other way when I returned. "Balmung?"

"Are you ready?" he asked. His arms were crossed.

I didn't answer. The way he looked, standing there. The sun's rays were reflecting off his armor and lightened his feathers. Making him look more dreamy than ever. I was entranced by how beautiful he was. But if he ever found out how I felt.. And refused me.. I wouldn't know what to do..

"Kite?" Balmung had turned around and found the younger player staring in his direction. "Is something the matter?" his voice had brought back Kite to whatever land he was in. The blue haired boy seemed startled and looked down at the ground, as if he found something interesting to look at.

"Alright. Let's go." Kite went to the Chaos Gate and went to Other Servers and clicked (Omega) Server Relic City Lia Fail. Both soon entered the distorted city and Kite entered the keywords and soon, both were encircled with the golden rings and lifted to the field.. 'Why does he look away..? Does he know how I feel about him? I wish things didn't have to be this way..' Soon they were greeted with the cool night, but dead valley. Clouds of dust blew in the area, making it a little hard to see, but after dealing with an Ominous Skull and a few other monsters, both players found themselves at a spring.

"Throw something in." Offered Balmung. Kite rummaged around and pulled out a high level weapon (level 94 Eternity). The Grandpa Spring Spirit Level 5 appeared.. The item proved to be too strong to weaver, so in constellation he gave Kite a Silver and Golden axe, along with the previous weapon he threw in.

"Hum. Here." Kite gave Balmung the Eternity.

"What? Kite, are you sure?" he equipt it right away. His attack power increasing.

Kite smiled. "Of course! Now that the field is free from monsters, let's head to the dungeon." With that both players entered it..

After defeating all of the monsters in all five floors and making it to the Gott Statue, Balmung and Kite healed themselves.

"You may take the treasure inside." Balmung motioned towards the treasure.

"But, Balmung. You asked if I accompany you here. It's your treasure." Kite protested.

Balmung smiled and shook his head. "Like I said before. Not all of the Twin Blade weapons are accounted for."

Kite stared at Balmung and finally gave up, he looked at the treasure and opened it. Inside was 2 Crystal Stones and 1 Sublimer. The final weapon he needed for all of the Twin Blade weapons.. "Balmung. You mean this is for–"

"Kite. I want you to have that weapon. Use it to remember me if you wish to. Think of it as a trade for the Eternity you gave me." He used an Ocarina to gate out, leaving Kite confused and lonely.

"Balmung."

The Azure Knight returned to Mac Anu. His form appeared as the golden rings vanished. He looked down at the Eternity that the blue-haired Twin Blade gave him.. Gave him.. What does this mean? To strengthen their friendship of course. He unequipped the weapon and equipped his former weapon. He doesn't want to damage this gift he attained. He began proceeding forward when a well-known voice began to utter something, "You care for the boy, don't you Balmung?"

"Helba." he addressed her.

"Yes?" she strolled by and advanced on the angel by moving in front of him, stopping him in his tracks.

"Can I help you with something?" he didn't hate the hacker, he just didn't care for her, or what she did now. He was just surprised that she would meet with him, unaccompanied.

"No. There is nothing 'you' can help me with. But if we exchanged our look upon things, I'm sure there is something I can help you do." she cooed.

Balmung frowned, "What could a hacker like you, possible assist me in?" he didn't somewhat trust the women, but there isn't a reason why he shouldn't.

Helba chuckled, "Do you always address someone far greater than you in such a manner? Really, I thought Balmung of the Azure Sky had better formalities.." she knew she struck a cord, she noticed that he clenched his fists. "Come, come, Balmung. No need for risen tempers. I am merely here to help grow a budding relationship..oops!" at once she became quiet. Then again she chuckled.

"If you think of what you said strikes my attention I'm afraid you're mistaken, excuse me." he stridden aside and made way to walk ahead, but Helba sustained Balmung from going any further by holding out her weapon and stopping him in his pathway again. "Remove your staff and let me pass."

"You always had a short attention span with others, didn't you? Aside from those who you admire.. Or adore.." she withdrew her weapon and logged out of Mac Anu. Now it was Balmung who was confused..

A few days later..

"ARG! KITE! PAY ATTENTION!" Blackrose fought off some monsters in a weaker level, but they outnumbered her greatly. In no time she had exterminated them all. But was left exhausted and in need of healing. "Damn it, Kite! Heal me!"

Kite was busy envisioning his time with Balmung to really pay any concentration on what was going on now. He glanced at the semi-angered girl and beamed. "Oh. Sorry. Pha Repth." the spell healed her HP fully.

"You shouldn't leave me to all the fighting.. Even whereas the experience points are great and all... You should help out once in awhile! Don't you want to finish the 'Item Contest'? Then stop daydreaming about that ninny and help!" she gave Kite the items she obtained and looked around the field to see any magic portals left. "So he gave you all the Twin Blade weapons, did he?" she asked, still observing the field.

Kite silently nodded. "He did."

Blackrose exhaled, "Then that must mean something! I mean," she rotated and faced Kite, "why would he give you those items? And to invite you to a dungeon to complete the list?"

The Twin Blade shook his head.. He didn't know why.. Maybe he should have asked him when he had the chance.. But he doubted that Balmung would have told him anyway.

"You're utterly worthless! No wonder why you're not doing anything about it! You're untouched, aren't you?"

Kite looked up at Blackrose and cocked his head. "Untouched? What do you mean by that?"

"W-what! Do you really mean that! You seriously don't know what 'that' means! Omigod! Forget about it.." she gave up on Kite on that subject. "We're done here. Let's go." Both gated out and returned to Mac Anu. "It's late. I'm going to bed. See you tomorrow?"

"Huh?" Kite looked up. He was acting more of a space case than usual.

"DAMMIT KITE! Later!" then she logged off.

'What's gotten into her?' Kite thought. He smiled. He turned and saw the Event NPC and talked to him, registering the items that he and Blackrose (mostly done by Blackrose..) had gotten.

"Hey, Kite!" a female high-pitched voice greeted Kite. Mistral, stood by the blue haired boy and beamed up at him. "So you're entering the 'Item Contest', huh? Ooo! Can I help? Please:)"

"Oh. Hello. Of course you can."

"Great! I know this really cool place where you can get lots of items. Wanna go:D" she jumped up and down.

Kite smiled. "Where to?"

"(Omega) Sickened, Imprisoned, Fallen Angel. Sounds kinda depressing if you ask me / "

"Data Bug!" Kite dodged a head-on attack by a large monster with glowing green wrapping around it's body. Kite had used a Speed Charm to avoid most of its attacks, but was stricken a few times.

"Pha Repth!" Mistral yelled out from a safe distance. She quickly healed his HP and watched on. "I'm sorry, Kite! I didn't know:( "

The battle was long and grueling, but as soon as the Protect barrier broke, Kite used his Data Drain technique to return the monster to it's original form. Kite quickly disposed of the creature and gained 1 EXP. "I think we should get another player on our team.." Kite panted.

"But we came so far! I don't want to go back unless we have what we came for!" Mistral clenched her fist and thrust it in the air. "Yahhh:D"

Kite couldn't do anything but laugh, the sight was too adorable. He reluctantly agreed to go on. But if things get too bad, they would just have to turn around and head back. But things were not going smoothly as planned.. The deeper they went into the dungeon, the more stronger the Data Bugs were.. And Kite's Data Drain Infection was increasing rapidly. Soon he was on the Danger Zone of the Infection.. He already lost 600 EXP, and caused numerous poisonings and paralysis. But Mistral wouldn't want to give up. 'We're almost there!' she would say. Then they would go another level down..

They entered another room and there was another magic portal waiting for them.. Another strong Data Bug also. But this Data Bug didn't go for Kite, as the other's did earlier, it went straight for Mistral. With a few strikes, Mistral was down. "Kite! I'm so sorry:'( " Kite reached for a Resurrect in his Item List, but the Data Bug advanced to quickly for Kite to react. It struck him hard and hurled his body at the other side of the room. "UGH! AHHHHHH!" Kite's impact on the ground caused him to be paralyzed for a moment.. But that moment lasted too long for the Data Bug once again advanced on Kite further. It raised both of it's claws in a death blow and ready to strike.. Then suddenly an instant flash of white and blue swept by and collected the paralyzed Twin Blade and evaded the oncoming strike.

Kite noticed that his avatar was still in one piece.. But his gaze veered up and understood that someone had rescued him! "Balmung!" Kite shook his head, he couldn't believe that he came and rescued him! "Balmung!" Repeatedly he said his name over and over, as if he couldn't accept he was really there. Holding him.

The Data Bug registered on what happened and wheeled around and saw the two not to far from where it poised. Than it charged forward and gave another all out attack on the two.

But Balmung proved too agile than the Bug, again he evaded the strike and this time moved a little farther away. Kite opened his eyes and looked up at the angel. All thoughts lost of the items, contest, dead Wavemaster, Data Bug were gone.. Only..

"Can you stand?" Balmung's words cut through Kite's thoughts and brought him back to the current situation.

"Y-yeah. I can." In real life, he couldn't feel Balmung's arms around him, but he let go of the Twin Blade and directed his weapon in the Data Bug's direction. But before he went and attacked the Bug, Balmung used an Antidote on the paralyzed boy. "Resurrect the Wavemaster, we may need her." he instructed. Than he thrust forward and engaged in battle. Quickly Kite found a Resurrect and revived the dead girl.

"Ooo! Thanks:) " squealed the housewife. She looked at Balmung than back at Kite. "Pha Repth!" she healed what little HP he had left. "Oh, Kite! I'm soooo sorry:( I didn't mean for any of this to happen!"

"Don't worry about it." Kite waved at her, and soon was signaled.

"Kite! Do it now!" Balmung had meant to use the Data Drain, the protect had broken and was vulnerable to the technique. Kite dashed toward the Bug and raised his left hand.. He felt it.. The infection growing stronger. He had no choice but to use it or they'll all perish. 'Data Drain!' he felt his body being pulled by the bracelet, then it thrust forward and soon everything became cloudy. Slowly he felt like he was collapsing. But someone had caught him.. Who? "Balmung.." he felt faint and unstable. Balmung had defeated the monster and in time caught Kite.

"Is he alright!" Kite heard Mistral's frantic cries.

"Give him time. He'll come around." Balmung still carried the youth.

"This is all my fault! Is only I hadn't insisted on coming here– he would be alright!"

"Don't distress. Kite will be fine."

But the Wavemaster didn't heed to the words and continued panicking.

Balmung payed no attention and remained by Kite's side. He noticed that Kite was staring up at him, almost shocked. "Kite.." he murmured. "Don't push yourself so hard." then he gently caressed the younger player's cheek.

"Balmung..?" Kite, it seemed, to have finally snapped from his hypnosis and blinked several times. As if he was confused. "What happened?"

"Kite!" Mistral pushed Balmung out of the way and hugged the Twin Blade. "Forgive me! I'm a terrible person! I'm not fit on being a mother! I was so blinded on getting rare items! Please forgive me:( " she wailed.

Kite gasped. He smiled down at the Wavemaster and hugged her back. "Don't say things like that. You're a wonderful mother, Mistral. And I never blamed anything on you. Please, don't worry." Well, it seemed that his words went though her, because she finally hushed down and silently nodded.

Balmung had straightened up and cleared his throat.

Mistral looked up at Balmung and quickly went to her feet. "I'm so sorry if I pushed you out of the way!"

"It's truly alright."

"Ah! Oh no! I have to go! The baby is crying! I'll see you later Kite!" then she gated out.

A silence fell between the two.. More of an awkward silence to Balmung. He didn't know what to say to the Twin Blade who was still on the stone floor. He felt out of place and was essentially turning to depart when he had heard a soft 'thank you' from the other player. Balmung nodded in respond.

"I'm sorry." Kite meekly uttered.

"You're sorry? What were you thinking! You could have been comatose!" he realized he was furious, but not at the younger player. For at himself for letting him go off and fight alone. It was true. He was watching him from a far. Only when he felt it was necessary to do so. He glanced down at the Twin Blade and noticed something glistening.. He was weeping! "Kite– Forgive me, I was not angry at you. Bear in mind, I was never infuriate at you, ever." he knelt down and Kite averted his gaze and turned the other way. "Kite. Look at me." he touched Kite's cheek and cupped his face within his hands and turned his head so he was looking at him. "Please do not think that I am mad at you.."

Kite trembled and shook his head slowly. "It's not that.. Balmung."

"Then what is it?" he leaned in closer, only for Kite to turn away again. "Please. Tell me." he wanted more than anything to help the boy.. If only he opened up to him.

"I... I think I.." oh how his heart is pounding! But he can't tell him! He would rather be in a coma than be refused by his angel, Balmung of the Azure Sky, Descendant of Fianna.. So he quietly agreed that now would not be the time to tell him.. "I don't feel so well..." he lied.

Balmung sighed. He dropped his hands and leaned back. "Do you need assistance in returning back to root town?" he offered. Somehow, he felt a tang of disappointment.

"I think I'll be alright."

"Let's go back to root town."

"Good night, Kite. Get some rest, you'll need it." At that, Balmung logged off.

"Night. My Angel.." then he too, logged off.

IRL, Kite took off the Neuro Goggles he was wearing and set them down on the desk he was at. Soon, he wiped his teary eyes and sighed. Then he pushed himself from the desk and wearily walked to his bed. He collapsed in it and nuzzled in the pillow. Why does he do things to himself! Allowing himself to fall in love with someone he doesn't even know! No less, met.. "Oh Balmung.." again be began to cry.. Feelings of hopelessness overwhelming him.

IRL also, Balmung had already shut off his computer and walked to the window from his desk. He ran his hand though his hair and let out a great groan. "Why do these things to yourself? Silly heart of mine.. You want things you can never have.." then he shut the blinds and went to bed.

A/N: Ah! My first ever .HACK fic.. I'm so delighted! This turned out longer than I though.. I wrote it in like... nine hours straight! Well.. Not completely nine hours.. I had supper.. Then I went back to writing this chappie . Just think of the other stuff I could have done instead of writing this thing.. Bah! Nothing! Anyways, I hope to get some reviews from anyone who read this first chapter. Yes, I did say first chapter. And if I get any reviews saying you want more, than more you shall get grin. Anyone out there know Kite's and Balmung's real names? Criticism is always welcomed! And keep flaming to a minimal.. You don't want to hurt anyone's feelings do you:P