Author’s Notes: This chapter is unfortunately a collection of snippets between Masa and Kai and what’s been happening in their lives while Cha and Gackt are angsting liek woah.  I’m hoping to mention Sarah (last segment) again later. All you need to know is that she tutored both Masa and Kai in English and now she and Masa are a thing.

shat·ter    (shăt’Ər)

1. To cause to break or burst suddenly into pieces, as with a violent blow.
1. To damage seriously; disable
2. To cause the destruction or ruin of; destroy
3. To disorder; to derange; to render unsound; as, to be shattered in intellect

He’d come to visit for the first time since their “escape.” Yoshiki’s very presence in the living room brought back all those emotions that had subsided over the years – the anxiety, the fear, the grief.

“Have you heard anything…?” Masa asked as he took a seat on the chair across from Yoshiki.

The elder man pursed his lips and leaned forward to place the mug on the coffee table. “Masa,” he began, “I haven’t heard from him since he called on his cell to tell me you and Kai were on the plane.”

*****

“Hey, it’s me.”

“Masa! How are you?”

“Good. We’re all good.”

“You sound nervous. What’s wrong?”

“Oh – no, nothing’s wrong. I just…I have a favor to ask.”

“Shoot.”

“You…you still have copies of our stuff…when we were all still together, right?”

“Of course.”

“Do you think you could–”

“Check your mail on Tuesday.”

“…Thank you.”

*****

Tossing the bills on the table, Masa held the parcel in his hands. Wrapped in non descript brown paper, it didn’t seem too suspicious.

But a CD would fit in it with ease. And the return address only read, “Los Angeles, USA.”

With utmost care, he placed the disk into the player and sat on the floor, his back against the couch. Letting his head fall back against the cushions, he listened as the first chords of Ares came from the speakers.

He cried silently, surrounded by the memories.

*****

The sanctuary glowed with the light of candles which reflected warmly off of the dark stained-glass windows. The pleasant scent of a hundred or more flower arrangements wafted through the air, carried to him by the sweet-sounding voices of the choir. Kai stood among them, a shining star in the crowd of faces.

A few days earlier, she had practically tackled him as he met her before Mass to tell him that the choir instructor had given her a solo for Ave Maria, which – not really surprisingly – was the girl’s favorite of the selection.

When the woman had asked if her musical talent was inherited he had answered, “Yes,” but went no further. The woman had smiled and said something about him joining the choir as well. He turned her down.

Sarah’s hand was clasped loosely with his, resting together on her thigh. She smiled as Kai stepped forward and sighed as the girl began. “She has the voice of an angel,” she whispered.

“I wouldn’t know – I’ve never heard an angel sing,” he murmured, not taking his eyes off of the girl at the altar.

The woman was silent for a moment. He felt her shift against him and her lips pressed a chaste kiss to his cheek. “You are now.” Her breath was warm against his skin.

He squeezed her hand and smiled.