"My guinea pig is dead!" The now nine-year-old Tang Xuan cried. The window was broken, and the cage was completely shattered, making a huge mess.

"Oh dear, a bird or something must of came in." His mother said, hugging the small boy.

"This damage is bad..." His father sighed, annoyed.

Tang Yun watched, silently stuffing his hands in his pockets. He would have felt bad for his brother if he himself wasn't the reason for the poor thing's demise.

Yes, Yun killed the guinea pig. It would have lived if it didn't take so much of Xuan's precious attention away from him.

Xuan sniffled and wiped his cheeks.

"Why would a bird even come in here?" He sniffled. Yun shrugged.

"Don't cry, Xuan. Your pet is in a better place now." Yun wiped his brother's eyes carefully.

"I-I'm not crying!" Xuan mumbled, sniffling. Then, as if he needed to hide himself, he hugged Yun. Yun in return cradled his brother's sniveling head.

He couldn't help but feel pleased with Xuan turning to him for comfort over the murder of his beloved guinea pig. He smiled satisfactorily as he gave his brother pats on the back.

***

"Hey, Tang Xuan! Meet me behind the gym today after school!" A girl said, smiling brightly.

Xuan and Yun were now fourteen, in their first year of high school. Although the twins looked identical still, Xuan had gotten the idea to put beads in his hair and ribbons in Yun's to differentiate them.

"Of course!" Xuan said brightly. Yun quietly picked at his nails, annoyed. This was again going to be a confession, that which Yun would have to break up as soon as possible.

The bell rang and they went off to their classes. Unfortunately, Yun didn't have the same class as Xuan at this hour, so he couldn't talk to him about why meeting that girl, who he was pretty sure was named Heng Mei, was a terrible idea.

Drifting off to sleep, he suddenly heard something that interested him.

"Have you heard about Heng Mei's secret?"

"No, tell me!"

"She goes on dates with older men to get money off them!"

"What? I thought her dad was super packing."

"He is, but apparently she's so greedy that she'll do any job she gets. Kenny boy told me so."

Yun smirked under his breath. Getting Xuan away from her would be easy, especially since his brother would believe anything he told him.

Soon, the final class of the day came. Yun and Xuan shared that class, it being math, and even sat next to each other.

"Psst, Xuan."

"Shh, Yun, I'm trying to listen."

"It's important."

"Alright, let me copy down these notes first."

Yun sighed but let him. He was the only reason he was passing the stupid class, so he was silent until work time.

"Xuan, I heard a pretty nasty thing about Heng Mei today." Yun whispered.

"That girl that wants to meet me behind the gym?..." Xuan's face darkened

"Yep, apparently she goes on dates with old guys and is super greedy and gets her money from wherever she can."

"Who told you that?"

"I overheard it today, from those guys who-"

"So it's just a rumor?"

"What? No, well maybe but-"

"Whether it's true or not, I promised I'd meet her behind the gym. I'm not one to break promises!"

Yun wanted to scoff. If he really didn't break promises, he'd listen to him and stay with him.

"At least let me stay nearby just in case." Yun suggested.

"Alright. Just don't interrupt us, ok?"

Yun nodded and gave a small smile. Even if Xuan wouldn't admit it, he knew that a small part of him believed in Yun's words. He had to, Yun knew all too well how his brother worked.

And just like that, Xuan was once again sniveling on his brother's shoulder, applying ice to his bruises in their kitchen.

"If you weren't there, she would have stolen all my money and those guys would have seriously beaten me up..." Xuan whispered.

"I told you so." Yun said.

Heng Mei had brought a bunch of burly looking guys to jump Xuan. She acted like she didn't know them, but Yun knew better. He was lucky he got Xuan and himself out of there, or else worse might of happened.

"I kinda liked her too..." He wiped his eyes, clearly feeling embarrassed about his crying. Yun knew all too well that Xuan hated to cry and hardly did it, and he also knew that whenever he did cry, he would hide himself away. Yun liked it best when Xuan turned to him to hide.

Xuan lifted his head and smiled at Yun.

"I'm glad to have you as my brother." He said.

"I'm glad, too." Yun said, smiling at his beloved brother.

***

"Yun...Yun...Yun...?"

Yun woke up, rubbing his eyes. He could of sworn he was just with Xuan...

Ah, that's right. He was apart of the Shadow Degree now. Xuan was miles away probably, and he was going to kill Yamato in just a few hours. Perhaps, he could even tell Xuan off while he was at it.

He imagined himself killing Xuan millions of times, but the memories of their childhood always made that task horrifying to think of. No, now was not the time to kill Xuan. He would kill Yamato and then find a much better time and place, preferably somewhere private where he could satisfy his feelings of anger, to kill Xuan.

...maybe.

He shook his head and got up. He peered at the time, it being 11 am. The masquerade would start at 8 pm, so he had about ten hours to prepare. He got up and stared at his costume; a silk suit and a glitter blue-and-gold mask that covered his whole face.

'I ought to be the most secretive person there.' Yun thought, pleased.

Yamato would never see him coming.

***

The night sky flooded through the windows, the cool air of seven at night flowed through the cracks, giving the whole venue the chill is needed.

"This venue is massive." Xuan said, walking around the huge ballroom.

"Yes," Yuuhime said, "there's more than just this room too."

"Right you are!" Yamato sang, spreading his arms out. "Two smaller ballrooms and the balconies will be open to the party-goers."

"You said there'd be private rooms?" Yuuhime asked.

"Yes, one for us three and some others for the people who paid for the VIP."

"Hm." Yuuhime smiled at Xuan. He smiled back, though briefly, before looking at the stage at the very end of the ballroom. The orchestra was setting up, practicing the songs they'd play through the night.

"May I have this dance?" Yuuhime asked, twirling her skirt. She wore a black dress and a dark red cardigan, and her mask was matching, rubies dotting the spiked sides and covering her eyes.

"Of course." Xuan responded, taking her hand. He himself wore a black suit and red silky tie, his mask the same as hers, just wider eye-holes to "accommodate for your large eyes," according to Yamato.

The two of them twirled and skipped, neither knowing how to properly dance.

"Ow!" Yuuhime yelped as Xuan stepped on her foot.

"S-sorry!" Xuan gasped, stepping away. Yuuhime huffed and pulled him close again.

"I'll just have to step on your foot to make it even." As she said this, her foot landed on his, softer but she still smirked.

"Owie, ow!" He said said, smiling at her. She giggled and spun him to the dessert table.

"There's matcha ice cream and strawberry pudding." She said and got herself a scoop of ice cream. Xuan followed her lead but got himself pudding instead.

"Mmmm..." Xuan sighed as he took bites. Yuuhime took a big bite, her cheeks full like a chipmunk's.

"Now, now, you sillies!" Yamato folded his arms. "Don't eat all of it! I ought to put you in my private room, eh?"

"Please do, bro." Yuuhime said.

She had been noticing the past few weeks, since she and Yamato were around Xuan a lot, she and he picked up some of his lingo. Yamato would have never said "sillies" or "ought" just two months ago, and she would have been too nervous to call him "bro."

She liked the confidence Xuan gave her.

She also liked the ice cream Yamato bought. Perhaps there was an upside to having a lot of money.

"Oooh, guests are going to be here soon!" Yamato shoved the two towards his private suite. "Do be good and don't let anyone see your faces. I'll let you out in an hour!"

Xuan huffed as Yamato shut the door behind them. Yuuhime smiled and sat down on a couch nearby.

"I brought some cards, wanna play with me?" She asked. He smiled and quickly plopped down beside her.

"Sure, why not!"

***

Ling grumbled. Being stuck in traffic was one thing that always, without fail, annoyed the living hell out of him. He could see the large venue where this "Yamato" character would be having his New Years Eve Masquerade.

"Hope some Shadow Guards do show up," Chuan mused, "so this whole night won't be a bust. Instead, their faces'll be!"

Ling growled lightly. He hoped Yun would be there, just so he could beat him up.

Finally, they parked and got out.

"Here's to a long ass walk..." Ling said, pulling his mask over his face. Chuan chuckled and pulled his on as well.

The walk was crowded with other party-goers, all in fancy and expensive clothing. The hum of their loud conversation didn't mind Ling, for he had a mission.

Chuan, too had a mission: keep Ling occupied. Yue had gotten some passes to get in, as well, but to face off against Yamato with Gaius and Raven.

"I'm not much of a fighter," She had said before they left, "but I think I'm figuring out how to counter the burns from Divine Weakening."

"How so?" Chuan had asked.

"I only said I think." She had responded, and didn't elaborate more.

"Finally here." Ling grunted. Pulling out the golden pass, he and Chuan entered. They were met with the sound of slow and welcoming music and a magnificent ballroom.

The giant ballroom was beautifully decorated. Balloons and ribbons lined the tall walls, leading to the end where a massive stage with orchestral accompaniment played. The curtains let in cool light, giving the place a dim look and feel.

Chuan already felt the tension in the building. People whispered, snooped, and laughed. Not at all what he thought a party should be like, but he was sure all these people were here for the sole reason to see Mr. Yamato.

The elusive figure he was made him attractive to the public eye. Apparently, he had a large track record of impressive feats and jobs and lots of money.

"Xuan talked about how much he wanted to bring Yuuhime to a big party like this," Ling said, his fists clenching, "I'll make sure he gets to do it."

Chuan peered around. The time was 8:58. A clock was conveniently placed right where everyone could see it from any angle.

"If Yamato's hosting this whole shebang, shouldn't he be here?" Ling asked.

The clock suddenly sounded loudly nine times, bonging and clanking to get everyone's attention. The ballroom went silent, staring. Ling looked around, his eyebrows raised.

"What was that about?" Ling whispered to Chuan.

"I'm not sure," Chuan whispered back, "but keep your eyes peeled."

"That's what I-"

Suddenly, out of the blue, a figure appeared above the rest of them. He yelled out and smiled deviously down at them all. The crowd knew at once this was Yamato himself.

"Welcome one and all." He called out. "I'm so glad you made it here tonight. We're going to have such a ball, wouldn't you say?"

Two figures in matching red and black attires swung out on the opposite side of the building compared to Yamato, above the crowd and holding each other tightly and closely.

The music began to play differently, swifter and more haunting. The couple dancing clearly had trouble keeping up and dancing in sync, their long hair getting in the way.

Ling squinted and realized the suited individual's long hair was the same color as Xuan's, even styled the same way. The skirted individual's hair was black, tied into a pony tail.

"Are those-" He turned and found Chuan to be gone. "Master?"

He started to push around, calling out to Chaun.

This caught Xuan and Yuuhime's attention. Yuuhime felt Xuan squeeze her hand more, biting his lip.

"It's Li Ling...why is he here...?" Xuan murmured.

"Easy. They know the Shadow Degree is here." Yuuhime murmured back, trying not to step on his foot again.

"What if..."

"I'll make sure Yamato doesn't do anything." Yuuhime squeezed his hand, and he gave a small and worried smile.

"Alright, that was how you all shall dance." Yamato announced before disappearing once again. That was their cue to get away, too, and so they did.

"Do you think...I could sneak out and see Li Ling?" Xuan whispered to Yuuhime.

"I'll try to keep Yamato occupied," Yuuhime whispered cautiously, "but you have to go now."

He nodded and slipped out into the crowd.

'I'm surprised Yamato didn't tell us to stay away from the crowd,' Xuan thought to himself, 'I hope I'm not walking myself into a trap.'

Little did he know, anther figure watched him from afar.

Yun watched his brother snake around the confused crowd. His nostrils flared, ears ached, and eyes searching for any way to reach Yamato.

'Perhaps if I follow you, my dear brother, I can find Yamato.' He thought, smiling at his smarts.

Yun quickly followed Xuan, covering his ears, zigging and zagging past people with clothing brands he'd never even heard of before.

'Damnit, Xuan! Stop being so fast!" He thought to himself. He suddenly felt a large arm ram into his face.

"Ow!" He hissed.

"Sorry-hey, wait a minute, I know those ears..."Ling grabbed the smaller Esper by the arm and scowled. "What are you doing here?!"

"Hey, hey, let me go!" Yun growled, realizing that Ling was the one he ran into.

"Not until you tell me why you're here."

"I'm gonna lose him!"

"Who?"

Yun zipped his lips and refused to say more. Saying that was going to seriously dent his mission.

"It's Xuan, isn't it?" Ling tightened his grip and dragged Yun around. "I'm not letting you lay a finger on him."

"How do you know he's here?"

"How do you?"

"Who has five feet of bright red hair? Xuan, and only him."

"Guess that's one thing we can agree on." Ling shoved Yun down once they were alone. Yun quickly got up, glaring.

"This had been soooo fun," Yun said sarcastically, "but I need to go. Get out of my way."

"Not a chance, brat!" Ling summoned his weapon, intending to put Yun six feet underground. "Pay for your crimes!"

He charged towards the agile Esper, who jumped out of the way. Yun swung his staff, summoning two shadow clones, that charged at Ling. He then sprinted back out into the crowd. Ling quickly slashed the clones into nothing, and followed closely behind.

'Where's that little...' Ling bared his teeth, until he felt someone pulling on his sleeve.

"Wha-" He turned to be face to face with Xuan. His anger turned to relief and joy.

"Xuan! You're-"

"Shh, come over here." Xuan led Ling to a very specific spot, looking behind his shoulder every now and then.

"Where have you been?! It's been a whole month!" Ling cried. Xuan looked back, guilt creasing his face.

"I'm gonna sound crazy, but-" His voice cracked, "-but you have to leave now."

Ling's joy quickly deflated. "Why? What's wrong, I can help."

"I wish you could, but-but you m-might get hurt-"

"I don't care about getting hurt, I care about protecting you!"

"Please, Ling, do this one thing for m-"

"Ah, what do we have here!" Ling heard Xuan make a small sound of terror. Looking up, he saw Yamato walking over, hands clasped.

"Hah, Yamato. What are you..." Xuan shakily asked before Yamato held his hand up.

"Stop talking. I'd like to talk to Mr. Li Ling here."

"Xuan, do you know this guy?" Ling asked. Xuan stayed silent, staring at him with wide eyes. "Hey, bro, answer me!"

"He won't be answering anything," Yamato smiled, "at least, not right now."

Ling noticed Yamato stroking a music box, its strange craftsmanship confusing him.

"You are here for Shadow Degree rats, correct?" Yamato asked.

"Yes," Ling said, "but finding Xuan was top priority."

"That's cute. Unfortunately, I don't think this reunion will last long."

"Why do you say that?" Ling glanced at Xuan, who stared intensely at him.

"Didn't your friend tell you?" Yamato tapped the music box. "Think, big boy, I know you can remember."

Ling stared at him, then Xuan, then the music box.

The music box.

It clicked.

"You're lying." Ling clutched his weapon and pointed it at Yamato, only for Xuan to snap it out of his hands.

"I'm not a liar," Yamato said, eyes slitting, "right, Mr. Tang Xuan?"

Ling desperately looked at Xuan, whose arms shook from panic and fear.

"Right...Ling, run right!..." Xuan croaked before Yamato pointed at Ling. Ling grabbed his weapon and dodged a bright flash of light that emitted from Yamato's fingertip.

"Tsk..." Yamato growled. "You've been very naughty, Tang Xuan."

"I-"

"Shhh, go be a good boy and wait for me on the roof." He said this and then was gone after Ling.

'Where the hell is Yun Chuan?!' Ling thought, weaving through the crowd in search for Chuan. He knew Yamato was close on his heels, but his only hope of surviving this chase was if he found Chuan or someone else conveniently there.

"I still can't find Yamato, he was here in the beginning but then disappeared!" He heard Yun's voice hiss nearby. Following the complaining of the high pitched boy, he quickly found Yun by the food table.

"Oi, brat," Ling grabbed for Yun again, "looking for Yamato?"

"So you heard, eh? You gonna protect him?" Yun snapped, dodging his grab.

"No, I'll lead you right to him." Ling looked around and saw Yamato heading towards them.

"Oh?" Yun looked at him.

"If you're after him, I assume you have less than good intentions?"

"Just...some thievery."

"Here's the deal, if you help me deal with him, you can take everything off his back, I'll even help."

"Hmmm..." Yun stroked his chin, watching Yamato get closer and closer. "You have a yourself a deal."

"Great," Ling said, "this is NOT gonna be a normal thing."

"It better not be." Yun said, readying his staff.

Yamato approached them, his smile forced and his hands gripping the music box tightly.

"So you've made a friend?" Yamato said, his eyes narrowed.

"You could call him that." Ling replied. Yun pointed his staff at Yamato, who kept smiling.

"Hey, hey, if you want a fight, why fight where everyone can see?" Yamato said softly, gesturing towards the crowd of the wealthy folk.

"Suck it up," Ling growled, "you'll pay for what you did to Xuan!"

"Yes...your head will be hanging on my wall when I'm done with you." Yun hissed.

Yamato's nose wrinkled, but he held out one hand. "I would say the same, but your ugly faces wouldn't be fit for my perfect one."

He shot a shockwave through the ground and into the lights, which turned off. Ling felt himself getting shoved, to which he fought back.

"Heh, not used to the dark?" Yamato shoved him into Yun, both of them stumbling back into the dessert table.

Yun felt cold hands grab his shoulder and drag him backwards. He grabbed this person's ankle and tripped them. He heard a soft squeak before getting up and rushing off.

"Hah, there you are," he heard Ling panting behind him, "soooo do you got a plan?"

"You don't?!" Yun growled as he felt stairs on his feet.

"Well I didn't really have time-"

Suddenly, they were on the second floor. Candles lit the corridors, allowing them to see.

Yuuhime was close behind them, her arms outstretched.

"That Yuuhime is trying to get us too!" Ling hissed.

"Use your brain! She's being controlled too, idiot!" Yun hissed and stopped running, turning and sending shadow clones at her.

"Then why are you attacking her?!"

"I don't like her!"

Ling grunted and saw Yamato climbing up another fleet of stairs. He charged after him, ready for battle.

Once he reach the top of the tall stairs, he saw Yamato standing in await. They were not behind the clock, its gears clanking. Yamato held an earring aid, quickly stuffing it in his pocket.

"You've got nowhere to run!" Ling yelled. He heard Yun running in, panting.

"Yuuhime, you may stop." Yamato said as Yuuhime ran in, too. She stopped at his command.

"It's almost midnight, my good sir." Yamato's eyes glittered with anticipation.

"Yeah, and?" Ling yelled. Yun's eyes went wide.

"You-" He started, but it was too late.

The bonging of the clock was the loudest thing they'd ever heard, shaking the whole ground. The first bong lasted five seconds, but it was enough time for Yun to scream and fall to his knees, covering his ears. Ling, too, covered his ears. If he thought it was loud, just imagining how Yun felt made the situation slightly lighter.

Yamato quickly shot lighting at the two of them. Ling dodged, but Yun wasn't so lucky and was sent flying across the clock room. He staggered up as the fourth bong shook the ground.

"YAMATO!" Ling yelled as he charged at him as the seventh bong shook the ground. Yamato simply smiled as he pointed his finger at him, all the divine power surging through his body to his finger, clumping together until it was to burst, shooting right at Ling's chest.

At least, that's what was supposed to happen. What actually happened was a large plant shot up and slapped Yamato's finger away, so his lighting shot out at the wall as the ninth bong sounded.

"Li Ling!" Chuan yelled, he and Yue standing behind Yamato. Ling smiled and went to attack Yamato, who dodged.

"Tsk..." Yamato growled as he ran up another flight of stairs.

Yue gave Ling some earplugs and led him after Yamato. They were now on the roof, where a helicopter blew the dirt from the roof in await.

"You're persistent," Yamato mused, putting his hearing aid back in, "but I'm afraid you won't be going any further."

"You'll pay for your crimes against Tang Xuan!" Ling shot towards Yamato. Before he could react, Xuan was right in front of him, his left eye glowing red. Ling was taken aback, slowing his charge, but that was his mistake.

Xuan slammed his staff onto Ling's stomach, causing him to shoot backwards.

Chuan clenched his teeth and looked at Xuan. "What the hell?!"

"He's not himself!" Ling yelled. "Yamato did...something to him!"

"You're making this harder than it needs to be,"Yamato sighed, "just leave me and my family alone."

Chuan and Ling ran towards Yamato, but Xuan was quick to block their advances.

Yue pulled out her communicator to call in support, but Yuuhime was suddenly on her, pulling her communicator out of her hand.

"Get off!" Yue snapped at Yuuhime, biting her fingers.

Yamato was increasingly annoyed. He honestly couldn't see where he was at fault. Sure, taking someone's will was probably not kind, but his intention was to protect, not harm.

But seeing Yuuhime and Xuan's pain and struggling made him pause. Was he in wrong?

Xuan barred his teeth, trying to look mean and completely under the spell of the music box.

'Come on...' he thought. 'Hit me down so I can't get up!'

He couldn't bear the thought of hurting them. He wished he could yell out, but his mouth felt sewn shut. He saw Yamato's slitted eyes watching him, making sure he didn't make a peep. He watched Ling dodge his attacks, Chuan trying to push him away without hurting him.

It felt like years, having to jab at his friends and almost hurt them. Eventually, Ling and Chuan were panting, hardly able to stand up from exhaustion.

"Yawwwwn..." Yamato finally said, "this has gotten boring, hm?"

Ling wiped sweat from his brow, "I'm just getting started!"

Yamato scoffed, smirking at them.

"You can hardly stand." He snorted. "How can you still fight?"

A sound came from a shadow. Yamato glanced at it, when Yun popped out of it, wrapping his arms around Yamato's neck. Yamato yelled and tried to pull Yun off, but Yun pulled a knife out.

"How the hell did you get there?!" He yelled, his face getting scratched. "Yuuhime! Get this bastard off me!"

Yuuhime let go of Yue, who at up quickly and darted to Ling and Chuan's sides.

"Quickly, drink these." Yue said, holding out small bottles of water. They chugged them.

Yamato screamed in pain as Yun stabbed his stomach, and a crash was heard.

The music box had fallen from Yamato's hands. He tried to grab it, but Yuuhime quickly kicked it away from him before collapsing to her knees.

"NO!!" Yamato screeched. "How DARE you?!"

Xuan ran to grab the music box, tripped as tiredness caught up to him, causing him to fall down and hold his head.

"Tang Xuan!" Ling yelled and grabbed Xuan.

"The music box, Li Ling!" Xuan gasped. "Go get it, now!"

Ling looked up and saw Yun kick off Yamato before grabbing the music box and then put the knife into his pocket. He looked at Yamato, who had retreated to the helicopter and was flying up. He held a gun, pointed it down and started shooting.

"You'll pay!" Yamato screamed, eyes blazing with hatred. "I'll never forgive you for taking my family!"

Ling protected Xuan, calling for Chuan to protect Yuuhime.

Xuan started up at Yamato, then turned his attention to the escaping Yun.

Yun glanced back, stuffing the music box into his waistcoat. Xuan's fists clenched.

Eventually Yamato was gone. No more bullets were pulled, and no one was shot. Still, Ling examined Xuan.

"Are you ok?" He asked, checking the red head for any injuries.

"I should be asking you that!" Xuan yelped. "You had plenty of opportunities to get me down but you let me hit you instead."

"I didn't wanna hurt you!" Ling turned his head, blinking his eyes quickly.

"Xuan!" Yuuhime ran to Xuan and hugged him tightly. He hugged back, feeling her hair in between his fingers. She pulled back, clutching his face in her hands, big bubbly tears streaming down her face. He carefully wiped her cheeks.

"I'm glad you're both ok." Ling held both their shoulders.

"I hate to break you up," Yue said, "but we have a bigger problem."

"The Shadow Degree has the music box!" Yuuhime said and grabbed Xuan protectively.

"Specifically, that Tang Yun." Ling said darkly. Xuan quietly held Yuuhime's hands.

"We should go," Chuan said, turning, "we have to report this."

They started walking. Xuan and Yuuhime's fingers were intertwined. Yuuhime's sniffles were enough to make Xuan uneasy.

"This is the longest I've been free for a while..." Yuuhime whispered, "...it's a weird feeling."

"But it's good?" Xuan asked. She was silent, eventually nodding.

"The best feeling, I think." She thought for a moment. "Actually, the second best."

"What's the first?"

"Loving you."

***

Yun fell down onto the wet grass. He clutched the music box, cursing himself for not being able to kill Yamato.

He was too wiggly and was incredibly strong, causing Yun to only get one stab in.

He held the music box close to his chest, biting his cheek. The frustration he felt was indescribable. He felt the music box's craftsmanship, scowling up at the sky.

"Yun!" He heard Xuan's younger self's voice yell from his memories. "I promise we'll be together forever!"

"Promise?" Yun's younger voice asked.

"I pinky promise!" Xuan had held out his pinky for Yun.

It struck Yun what he could—no, had to—do now. He smiled and got up. He dialed Fu Shi's number.

"Tang Yun! How did it go?"

"I'm so sorry, I couldn't get it." Yun said, smirking to himself as he stroked the music box.