"Why don't you leave the Gnis here? Everyone's gonna get freaked out if they see you heading towards the Academy."

Kagura grunts. "And how do you suppose we get there?"

I point in the direction of Neo-Kowloon. "We'll take a boat from the city."

"We're gonna walk all the way there?"

"Well, like I said, people will get freaked out if they see your Gnis. Besides, it's Altean equipment. If you're joining us, then you're going to have to ditch it at some point."

He crosses his arms. "Fine. But this is gonna take a while."

We begin to walk away. The Gnis is hidden amongst the remains of a dilapidated building. No one should be able to find it. Then again, this place is completely deserted and destroyed. I don't think anyone is going to be walking through here anytime soon.

It's a long, silent walk. About twenty minutes go by without either of us saying a word to each other. Shush sits quietly on my shoulder, also scared to do anything.

"So, Amata, huh?" Kagura finally breaks the awkward silence.

I look over at him, but my eyes move down to his still shirtless body. If I didn't know any better, I would say he's pretty damn hot. "Um, yeah. What about him?"

Kagura takes notice that I'm staring at his abs and snorts out a chuckle. "What did you even see in him?"

I avert my eyes. "Well, where do I begin? There were so many parts of him that I loved. But, I can't really explain that. I love him. I love everything about him. Even his flaws. When I'm with him, I couldn't be happier. It's like he's my whole world. A part of me is missing when he's not around, including this very moment. And it hurts me to see him in pain. With everything he's been through lately, it really made me realize- No. Made both of us realize how much we need each other. He sacrificed his life for me. Our commander even said that Amata would've given up and let himself die if it weren't for me. Amata even told me himself that I was his reason to live. I know that he loves me just as much as I love him. Maybe even more so. He said he would do anything for me." I smile sadly, wishing he was here. "I love him. I love him so much. There's so many more things about him that I just can't put into words. It's deep. So deep that you'll only understand it once you've experienced it. I just wanna see him again..." I trail off before clenching my fists and straightening myself up. "That's why we need to move as quick as we can, so I can get back to him."

Kagura's head hangs slightly. "It's obvious that...you don't feel that way about me." He sighs. "Whatever. As long as that bastard makes you happy."

"Don't be so down about it," I pipe up. "I'm still your friend! I'm here whenever you need me! Besides, I'm sure you'll meet someone special at the Academy. There're plenty of girls to choose from." An image of green hair, purple eyes, and a skimpy outfit comes to mind. "Yeah. In fact, I think I got the perfect match for you."

He blushes. "R-really? Well, if you say so. I doubt she's anything like you, though."

We continue walking with another few minutes of uneasy silence. Is he really this terrible with socializing?

"So, once we get to the Academy, try not to kill Amata please," I joke.

He grunts. "I'm not going to kill that son of a bitch only because he means a lot to you and it would make you upset. I still hate him though."

"Well, even though you two are rivals, you realize you're going to have to work on the battlefield together, right?"

Kagura just grunts again, grumbling something under his breath.

"By the way, how are you not cold? I still have your top, you know." I hold it out to him. "I'll be alright without it."

"I'm fine. You have holes in that suit of yours. You're going to be cold."

"But you're not wearing anything!"

Kagura stops walking, and I stop alongside him.

My arm extends out to him, his black top still in my grasp. After a few seconds of silence, he grabs it and puts it on again.

"Uh, thanks, I guess," he says, blushing a bit with a very small smile.

"What's this? The 'big bad wolf' Kagura can smile?" I tease. "That's something you don't see everyday!"

"Kn-knock it off!" he stutters.

"Wow! I've never seen you get so embarrassed either! What an interesting occasion!"

He growls.

As we continue walking, the streets leading into the city come into view.

"Look! We're almost to Neo-Kowloon!" I point.

Without thinking, I grab Kagura's wrist and drag him towards the city, laughing in delight as I do.

"Whoa! Hey! Slow down!" He stumbles along.

The bustling noises of cars, people, and city life greet my ears. The smell of street vendor food and gasoline fills my nostrils as I gaze at the skyscrapers all around me. This is where we had our field trip, where Amata and I shared a moment on that balcony before the red-haired doofus who's with me now interrupted it, where I was kidnapped and both Amata and Kagura were shot. So many things happened in this city, and it's where the recent chain of events started.

"Well, we made it!" I say excitedly. It's only a little while longer before I can finally see Amata again. "Let's go, Kagura!"

Kagura isn't behind me. I turn around to look for him. "Kagura? Where'd you go?"

I see him next to a street vendor's cart, drooling and licking his lips. "That smells, unbelievable!" he says.

I walk over and take a whiff. "Wow! That does smell great! Lamb shish kabobs!"

Kagura's drool drips all over the ground as he nods his head.

"Okay. Come on," I say as I grab him by the collar to drag him away.

"No! I'm hungry! Let go of me, bitch! Just because I like you doesn't mean I won't hurt you!"

I let go and face him, a smirk making its way across my face. "Oh? You'd actually hurt your precious Sylvie? I'm shocked."

He growls. "You're pissin' me off!"

I sigh. "Alright fine! You're hungry? I'll get you something to eat." I dig around my Element suit for money, but I realize I don't have anything. All of my money is with my regular clothes back at the Academy. Crap.

Kagura notices that I'm broke. "Um, over here." He waves a hand in front of my face and I look up. He's holding some change. "I'll pay for it."

I bite the inside of my cheek in annoyance.

After several moments, Kagura walks up to me with the kabobs as well as some other stuff.

"How much did you buy?!!" I screech.

"Well, I bought two kabobs, some mochi, chocolate, and popcorn."

My stomach rumbles in response. "I-I'm not hungry."

"Yes you are! Your stomach is making weird noises." Kagura shoves a kabob in my hand. "Eat."

I stare at the chunks of lamb meat on the stick. It's just like when I told Amata to eat and he refused. Why am I rejecting food? Is it because Kagura bought it for me?

Reluctantly, I take a bite and the flavor of the lamb automatically fills my mouth.

"Whoa!" I exclaim with my mouth full. "That's awesome!" I bite again and again, devouring it like a hungry animal. Kind of like...

"And you said last night that I eat like an animal," Kagura snorts. "Look at yourself! You're no different than me in that respect!"

I stop eating and realize that I'm making a huge scene. Swallowing whatever is left in my mouth, I say, "Sorry."

"Come on. Let's get moving. You can eat that and walk at the same time." Kagura starts to make his way through the city and I follow, continuing to munch on my kabob before digging into the chocolate, mochi, and popcorn.

"Is your stomach satisfied now?" Kagura asks.

"Yes. Thank you. I owe you for the food."

He shakes his head. "It's fine. You don't owe me anything. It's the least I could do after all the crap I've done to you and your friends."

"Oh. Well, thanks."

We make our way through the streets. I point out landmarks and cool places to Kagura, who actually takes a slight interest in what I tell him.

Out of nowhere, a loud noise interrupts me. I notice a shadow casts itself over us, so I look up.

"Is that-Aquarion?!" I yelp.

"But, there aren't any Abductors nearby," Kagura says. "And I don't remember any missions to Vega being planned for today."

"So why..." And then it hits me. "They're-they're looking for me..."

Kagura turns to me, an angry glint in his eye. "What?! They aren't taking you away from me! Over my dead body-" He cuts himself off, obviously remembering that I no longer belong to him.

"Maybe we can scream to get their attention," I suggest before flailing my arms in the air and shouting "HEY! DOWN HERE! LOOK AT US!! GUYS!! IT'S ME! MIKONO!"

Aquarion just passes right by.

"No! Kagura help me! Say something!"

"There's no point," he says.

"What?!"

"They can't hear you from down here, not above all the city noise. And we blend right in with everyone else. It's not like they'd be able to find us anyway."

I stamp my foot. "No! We have to try! Come on!" I start to run towards Aquarion, screaming as loud as I can.

Kagura chases after me. "It's not gonna work, idiot!"

"HEY!! WE'RE DOWN HERE!! LOOK AT US!!" But Aquarion is too fast and never notices us. I watch in defeat as the giant robot disappears behind the skyscrapers.

Kagura catches up. "I told you it was pointless. We're just gonna have to wait until we get to the Academy."

I hang my head and nod. I wonder if Amata was in there. Was he looking for me? Was my brother in there, too?

"Amata... I'm coming."

Kagura grunts. "Geez. 'Amata this' and 'Amata that'. You'll get to your puny Prince Charming eventually. Now let's go before it gets dark." He grabs me by the arm and starts to lead me away. My feet just follow absently.