Disclaimer: Someone as pathetic as me could never own .hack//INFECTION. I only own the game... :-( I want more .hack....

Author's Notes: I edited this! Thanks for informing me! ^_^

Things you should know:

1. In the real world, their names are Elk and Kite, (or shall at least be called that)

2. Elk is abused.

3. They both are guys in the real world, (you don't ever figure out Elk's real sex)

4. This is shounen-ai, or in other words, male x male relationship.

5. This is a KitexElk.

6. This doesn't have any real spoliers..if not...none.

7. This takes place at a time 'before' phrase one, Skeith.

8. Other characters won't really be mentioned. Maybe for the plot, but they won't have a plot of their own.

9. This is short of AUish.

10. NO flaming about the shounen-ai. Why don't yaoi fans start flaming girl x guy relationships? We accept the fact that you don't like yaoi, so accept the fact that we do. Plus you must be pretty lame to click on these types of fanfics, don't even read them, and flame.

Thanks, now READ!!!!!!!!!!!!

Aqua Capital Mac Anu was usually the first server that anyone would log onto. Its calm music would fill your ears, and then you would experience the chatter of all the players. You could communicate with other people so freely in "The World." The appearance and age of you would be dismissed. You could start another life.

And as Kite logged into the world, and appeared at chaos gate, he felt as though he had entered another world. And instantly, he began to walk down the streets, passing by people, and occasionally shoving once the street grew crowded enough. It is the perfect place to escape from the real world.

The first thought that registered through Kite's mind was Elk. Elk was the first, and possibly the only one, who was innocent, shy, and not hyper. Not really the best aspects for battles, but... cute.

He at first seemed to be a weak, shy person who wouldn't benefit for a good alley. He seemed to be too scared to oppose other monsters correctly, and definitely wouldn't be able to defend himself. Kite first decided to stick with Mistral. Then, he was proven wrong when he once encountered Elk in Mac Anu. Elk invited him to go with him, on their own dungeon adventure.

In the dungeon, Kite encountered several moments when he required a full recovery. That was taken care of almost instantly as Elk used Repth on Kite. Second, when a monster was powerful, and he didn't have a skill that it was weak against, Elk would be there. Wave masters can't work alone well, but they always benefit when in a party.

Kite was startled when he spotted the Wavemaster at the weapon shop, browsing through some weapons. When Kite wanted to see him, he usually had to call him, instead of meeting him unexpectedly.

The Wavemaster soon noticed Kite there, and immediately began to run in his usual slow pace. As he neared Kite, he brushed off his clothes, as if they were real and attracted dust. Kite would never really understand why they added dust effects to The World.

He stopped in front of Kite and huffed slightly, looking down at the ground before doing another action. He moved his arm up to scratch his head. He was always nervous. Elk really needed to learn that it was okay to be slightly tired.

"Um...I uh," The red-eyed boy never was good at making words come out of his mouth. It wasn't an unusual thing to see; stuttering just when meeting someone you knew.

Elk currently looked adorable. He always did, but at this particular moment it was unbearable. His little innocent eyes appearing petrified, a slight blush on his checks, the scratching, how Elk was pushing his hair back, crouching slightly. He really took showing emotions seriously.

Elk's character was good looking, too. Short, blue hair, brownish, reddish eyes, that black attire that he wore, and his staff only added to the outfit. He was, however, a edited character, and it was foolish to think of these things. Kite secretly hoped that Elk's appearance was similar to his real one.
"I uh...h-here, take it." Kite examined the new weapon that Elk had received and gave away. Level 9 Sotetsu. How had he acquired this? It must have been lots of work. Kite had been going around for days trying to find a better weapon.

"Wow! This weapon is way better than my old one!" Kite replied, immediately equipping the new weapon. "Thanks!" The Twin blade took a breath and calmed down. "But, how did you obtain it?" Elk shook slightly after Kite had asked the question. "And...why?"

"....Well, you always were giving me scrolls and even new weapons. I felt as though I should repay you. I, umm...kind of went to some random keywords throwing Shadow Blades in springs until they became this."

He gave them to Kite in consolation of giving him items? He was very gracious. Everyone that knew him knew that. And everyone who knew Elk was very delicate with him. But, was he like this in reality? Did anyone take advantage of Elk in reality?

"Elk, you really didn't have to. I really appreciate this, but you shouldn't have wasted all your time getting this weapon for me." Kite patted him slightly on the shoulder. "Don't let anyone take advantage of you, O.K.?" For some odd reason, Elk whimpered slightly after Kite said that.

"I understand. You don't like them."

"No!" Kite instantly corrected him. "I really like them. They have a better status then my old ones, but you still shouldn't go through all that trouble. Here, I want you to have this, in a sort of consolation thing."

He reached through his pack, and seconds later pulled out a big rod. "I hope it is better than the one you are using, or than there wouldn't be much point in giving it to you." Kite handed the level 11 Almighty Wand to Elk.

Elk examined it with a big smile on his face. How cute it was to watch him do so. "This....is great! I only had an Air Wand, but...this is about 6 levels higher!" Elk equipped it and began swinging it around to get used to the feel of it.

"Hey, Elk," Kite started, but seemed as though he didn't want to continue what he brought up.

"Yes, what is it?" He asked as he always did. In that little innocent manner. This compelled Kite to finish.

"I was wondering.... are you anything like how you are in the real world?" Elk slightly whimpered again, and, lowering his head, began fixing his hat. Playing with it. Trying to make the moment pass. Kite continued to stare at Elk, and Elk decided there wasn't a correct way to ignore the question.

"I-I... guess I am," he answered in a startled voice. "And maybe... in some ways I am not. It depends on your perception. How about you?"

The conversation was getting the best of them. It contained gifts, thanks, and curiosity. It contained two people asking questions that they weren't familiar with, and were slightly uncomfortable.

"In most ways," Kite answered. "In real life, I might be a little different, but from the most part, I'm the same." He yawned. "It's getting dark. Or...at least for me. I'm not sure about you."

"Yeah, it is late for me, too." Elk answered. "Though I am not sure I want to log out."

"Elk, where do you live? Japan, Tokyo?" He nodded in return. "Sorry if that question was personal."

"That is okay," Elk replied. "So, I guess you live there too, right?" Kite nodded, and appeared happy.

"You know, maybe we could meet in the real world some time. That would be nice, and since we are close it should be okay. Member addresses don't really count. It's difficult to meet online at the same time. Could we arrange something?"

He didn't want to answer. It was all too hard. He could get Kite in trouble, but Kite didn't appear to care. He really seemed to want this, and probably would find out Elk's real address if he didn't say it. "I-I...will e-mail it to you."

After, he immediately logged out before Kite could say anything further.

~*~

"M-m-mom...I...uh, umm......"

"I TOLD YOU TO STOP STUTTERING WHEN IN MY PRESENCE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NOW, IT BETTER BE IMPORTANT!"

"I-I g-guess it i-is n-not i-important."

"ELK! TELL ME WHAT YOU WANTED TO SAY. I WILL JUDGE IT AFTER HEARING IT!!!"

"I-I t-t-told Kite o-our a-address. I w-was wondering i-if he could c- come over."

"So you finally made a friend!" The mother began to spread laughs through the room. This was Elk's first friend. His only friend that was real. Elk used "The World" to make friends. Finally, he made one that would come over.
"I'd have to think about it...I'd like to see you try and make a friend in real life. You're so useless, I have to wonder why that Kite would even like you on "The World." It's a shame, really. If you really want Kite over, you will do three racks of dishes."

"W-why do I a-always h-have to e-earn e-everything?"

_SLAP_

Elk was brought down to the dirty mats on the floor in pain. Several more blows were being lifted. He was in so much pain. Why did Kite have to go about asking like he didn't know. Of course, he didn't, and that was his fault.

"NEVER ASK THAT AGAIN! NOW DO THE DISHES!"

Elk got up by supporting all his body weight on his one leg, and then almost fell down again. After taking one glance at the mirror on the door, the one that led to the kitchen, he saw all the blood that stained his white T-shirt and black cargo pants. His one shoe had broken, and no doubt that it would be for a while, and he appeared paler than usual. His hair was in a mess, all tangled up, and where he was slapped... it was red. Pure red.

"Why do I h-have to e-earn e-everything?" He whispered after putting his hand on his face, where his mother had slapped him. "What did I do to deserve this?" Tears swelled up in his eyes, then fell down his cheeks. Blinking, he stopped them. He had to do the dishes, or than he'd never meet the real Kite. Slowly walking, trying to adjust to the feelings inside him, he walked down the steps and to the kitchen to do the dishes.

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A/U: I didn't write all that for nothing! So, review!!! FEED ME!!!!--then I'll continue.