"What do you want for your birthday?" That questioned was asked to Ace more times than he could count. What he wanted more than anything was to have his brother back, but no matter how much he wished for it, it just never happened. So, he guessed the next best thing would be a beach day.

"Which beach do you wanna go to?" Xuan asked him once he told him he wanted to go to a beach.

"Surprise me." Ace told his father. Xuan chuckled and nodded, giving Ace's head a pat before turning to look for Yuuhime.

***

A knock came at the door. Yuuhime looked up from her book and stood up from the couch, walking to the door and opening it to see Everett.

"Everett?" She questioned.

"Is your kid around?" He asked.

"Yes, why?"

"Alright, come out then."

Yuuhime, confused, walked out and looked at Everett, then her gaze shifted down to a young girl waiting patiently just beside the doorframe.

"This is Blanche." Everett said. Blanche waved.

"Hi there, sweetie," Yuuhime said, bending over and waving at her, "it's nice to meet you."

"Yeah." Blanche said.

"We're not free today," Everett said, "but do you think Ace would want to meet her sometime?"

"Oh, yes. He's been very lonely, a friend would be amazing."

"Awesome. What days work for you?"

"Well, Ace's birthday is tomorrow. It's at the beach."

Everett looked down at Blanche, who gave a crazed nod.

"We'll be there."

"Awesome!" Yuuhime said, a big grin on her face. "You can trail us when we go out."

As Yuuhime and Everett talked details about the birthday, Blanche peeked into the house. Down a short hallway, she saw an open kitchen, that was opened further into a living room. A tiny boy peeked around a counter, staring out the door. When he saw her, he pulled back slightly, keeping eye contact with her. He had long black hair that covered one eye, and she noticed how his eyes had a star-like shine in his eye that reminded her of something she couldn't quite put her finger on.

"Thanks," Everett said to Yuuhime, then lightly tapped Blanche's heads, "come on, kid, we should get going."

Blanche nodded and followed after him, waving again at Yuuhime.

"What do boys like?" Blanche asked Everett. "Besides the weird stuff."

Everett couldn't help but crack a smile. "From what I've heard, Ace likes beach toys."

***

Ace ran into the hot and sandy beach as soon as the car stopped. He looked around with wide eyes, so excited to actually be at the beach again. He always loved the beach, but couldn't go for a while.

Xuan chuckled as he and Yuuhime pulled out decorations and gifts for the party.

"Hey, there you guys are!" It was Leo, his mother Asura, and his boyfriend Ethan. They had come early to set up the dessert table. There was cupcakes and muffins, all colored blue and red, per Ace's request.

"Thanks again for getting all the desserts," Xuan said to Leo, "are you sure you don't want pay?"

"Only if you insist." Asura said and winked.

"What my mom means to say is no, don't worry about it." Leo said, smirking at his mother. Xuan nodded as he began to decorate the beach.

"Want any help?" Leo asked, running over and taking some decorations from Xuan.

"Sure!" He replied, as if he had any say as Leo began to set up.

Ethan chuckled, then snapped his head at the water as his creature companion splashed water at Ace.

"Haha," Ace giggled, "kitty!"

"Sorry!" Ethan gasped as he ran over to grab the white creature.

"As long as it doesn't hurt him," Yuuhime said, "he's ok to play with it."

Ethan huffed, then looked down at his companion. It's big eye looked innocent, and though Ethan knew better than to trust the creature's innocence, he also knew he could just punt it if it tried anything. So, he let it go to play again.

***

After a lot of hard work, the decorations were finally up and ready. Everett and Blanche arrived, and Blanche held a small bag.

"Where do the gifts go?" She asked Yuuhime politely.

"I'll take it, thank you." She said, smiling down at her.

"Where have you been, hot shot?" Xuan asked, smirking at Everett.

"Me and Blanche just went looking for a gift around here," Everett explained, "if you needed help, you should have told me."

"I'm just messing with you!" Xuan laughed, giving Everett a slap on the back.

Blanche looked around and saw Ace playing in the water. She slowly walked to him, pulling the ruffles of her new swimsuit shyly. She'd never talked to a kid-boy before, even if he was way younger than her. She hoped he wasn't like Cricket.

"Come on in!" He called to her. She realized she had just been standing there like an idiot. Blushing in embarrassment, she ran into the water and gasped at how cold it was.

"Hee hee," Ace giggled, "colder than you thought?"

"I've never been to the beach before." She admitted. Ace gasped and before she knew it, he grabbed her hands and smiled wide.

"We'll just have to have the best day ever, then." He said. "My birthday and your first time at the beach!"

Blanched nodded a little, smiling.

So, they played in the water a little longer. Ace splashed her a lot, but she liked it. It was nice and cool under the hot sun. After that, he pulled her out to make sand castles and holes.

As they finished the most to their awesome castle, the adults called them over. The table with the desserts was set up next to the water, the sunset shining off the water.

"Time to sing!" Yuuhime said with a smile. Ace sat in the biggest chair, cupcakes with ten candles in them just for him. He smiled in embarrassment as everyone sang the birthday song. Ace stared into the candles, the flames dancing against the water. The fire shone in his eyes, his sunset eyes, into the water.

And then suddenly, he was eighteen.

"Happy birthday, Ace!" His friends and family all cheered around him.

But he could hardly focus on them when he realized something.

Nine years. Nine years of this shit and Amon was still missing.

And yet, he still had this shitty, fucking hope that wouldn't leave him alone. It told him his twin would come back, but it hadn't happened.

Nine years, and Amon was still missing.

Why was Ace even trying anymore?

He held back his tears as he blew out his candles. Eighteen years, all gone in a blink, just like the candlelight.

"I need to use the bathroom." Ace croaked as he got up and ran off, unable to hold back his tears as soon as he closed the toilet door behind him.

***

"Where's my birthday boy?" Yamato called giddily. "Somebody's finally eighteen!"

Amon's emerald green eyes peeked out the doorway to his room. They glittered with excitement, but he didn't come out.

"Give me a second, uncle!" He chirped. "I'm still getting ready."

"I'm sure you are!" Yamato chuckled as he leaned against the wall next to Amon's door. "I'm sorry I couldn't be here all day, I-"

"Don't be!" Amon called out. "I know your work is very important."

"Not more important than you!"

"Uncle, it's ok! We'll just have to party tonight."

"Ah, just as I had planned. That's my boy!"

Amon laughed as he came running out. He wore a navy eyepatch that matched his navy pants. On top, he wore his late father's jacket and on his tail, his late mother's bow.

"How do I look?" He asked, smiling in pride.

"You look perfect," Yamato purred, rubbing the sides of Amon's ears, "just like your father."

Amon smiled even wider, tail springing up.

"Are you ready now?" Yamato led Amon along.

"Of course! What have you planned?"

"Oh, you'll just have to see."

As they walked, Gui peered at them from behind her book. What a spoiled boy, she thought. Alas, he was talented at swordplay and was decently kind to her, unlike someone else she knew (YAMATO). Amon was the perfect warrior.

And she knew, tonight, he would prove his title of "perfect warrior" to the whole Twilight Order.