I've been obsessed with Matrix, Ghost in the Shell and the various life philosophies and fate dribble movies. Hence this story was born. It might not look like it but it was inspired by it along with something else I can't remember. I wanted to make this a GrimmIchi but for some reason it just fit KenShuu more. Plus that couple is the apple of my eye at the moment. Made listening to "Diamond on a Landmine" and "Surrender" by Billy Talent. Good songs. You can see why I felt it necessary to name the story after one of them.

Oh, and this was supposed to be a oneshot but I couldn't help adding details and more scenes because…well…I wanted to avoid loopholes in the plot. I do believe there are some because there's just always a glitch. So now it's a multi-chapter story. But I hope you all still like it! This is one of my fave pairings and I wanted to do a direct story on these two compared to my "Just A Number" story where I do Hisagi's life and POV.

Those eyes observed him tentatively, their cloudy color seeking some sort of permission. A tongue swiped over plump lips. Before they leaned over to press softly against his own.

'Ai, for the last time, no means no!' Kensei sighed in exasperation. The silver side-ponytailed teenager pouted and crossed her arms.

'But, Da-deeee!' she whined and stomped her foot. 'All my friends have one! How come I can't have a kPhone L3?!'

'Firstly, all your friends are stuck-up 14-year olds who are given more than they should be. And secondly, it's too stupidly expensive for me to give a damn about it!'

'DAAAAD! You're always being so mean to me!'

'Alright, alright! I'll buy it! Jeez, don't throw a tantrum in the store!'

But the young girl completely ignored her father's last comment and took to jumping up and down in glee while clapping her hands.

'Thank you, Daddy!' she squealed and tiptoed to kiss the gruff man on his cheek. 'I love you!'

'Yeah, now you love me,' Kensei grumbled as his daughter skipped off to choose a color for her new phone. Suddenly, something smacked him at the back of his head.

'Stop spoiling her all the time, Kensei!' tutted a slim, pretty woman with a jet black mane that swayed gently as she hefted the purple-haired baby in her arms a little higher. Her husband grinned sheepishly.

'I can't help it. She's my angel, Sayo,' Kensei admitted. Then he tickled the chin of the baby boy who gurgled happily. 'How's my champ?'

'Hiro is hungry again,' Sayo sighed. ''He's got a big appetite. Just like his father.'

'What can I say? We like to eat. Would you like me to feed him this time?'

'No, it's all good. Besides, I think Ai needs your wallet more than anything right now.'

'Well, at least she gets the grades. See you in a bit, babe.'

He pecked the petite woman sweetly on the lips, watching her smile that smile that made him first fall for her. Her grey eyes sparkled as she took one last glance at him before walking out the store.

He twisted his single jade studded wedding ring around, wondering how the hell he landed such a beauty as Sayo as his wife. He was one lucky bastard.

He turned around to locate his overzealous "angel" and yelped in surprise.

'Jesus fucking Christ, kid,' he gasped, surveying the dark-haired boy now standing casually before him. 'A little warning before you go sneaking up on people like that, huh?'

The teenager simply tilted his head to one side, as if he was observing Kensei. It gave the silver-haired man a minute to recompose himself and give the boy a once over. He started.

Not that the boy looked odd. Youngish. Could pass as 20 but was probably only 18. He was dark all over; milky coffee skin, slate grey eyes, ebony spikes all over his head, black leather jacket, shirt and even blacker jeans along with fingerless black gloves. The typical punk goth look.

But what really made him start was the number 69 stamped so defiantly across the boy's cheek. A carbon copy of the same type branded on his own abdomen.

He'd gotten his on a drunken whim back in his college days and just didn't have the heart to get rid of it. He wondered how the kid got his and most importantly, why was it so identical to his own.

He whistled.

'Um, interesting tattoo, kid,' he finally managed to utter, contempating on how he was going to ask without seeming like a stalker.

'You've got the same tattoo across your stomach,' the dark teen remarked curtly. Kensei blinked in shock and staggered back.

'How'd you-?' he sputtered, his heart racing again.

'I've known you for a very long time, Kensei,' the boy murmured softly, eyes looking pained for a split second. Then they hardened.

He flicked dark shades that had been perched on his head over his eyes. They reflected twin images of a bewildered Kensei. Nodding, the teenager walked briskly out of the store.

'Daddy, Daddy!' Ai yelled and tugged on her father's arm insistently. 'I want the one with the pink cover and automatic texter! Please, please, please?'

Kensei recovered and craned his neck towards the store exit, his daughter's voice dulling out.

Just who the hell was that kid?