Jashomara: Thanks to: Bluestray, Moonlight Serenity, BeMyfRIeND4eVA, Anna,:) and Demoness-MarlstonWells69ner for reviewing! I'm glad you guys/girls thought the chapter was funny.

Lady J: Sorry about the wait. These days have been kind of busy.

Disclaimer: We do not own beyblade. We do own Moka, Jou and James.


Camp Torture

Morning Time

Thought of the day: Why do girls have boobs? Are they there just to tease us guys or what?

Last night, oh man! Let's just say, me and Kai saw some things we shouldn't have… and I liked it! Kai did too, even if he won't admit it. I know it sounds perverted, but I'm a guy… a straight guy! It's only in my nature. Plus, we didn't mean to get lost in the woods, walk for along time and stumble upon the exact part of the river the girls just happened to be bathing in.

Man, Mariah was hot!… Don't look at me that way, it's my diary and my personal thoughts. Personally, I think Mariah has a bangin' body! Wait! What am I writing! I don't know who I am anymore!

Wait, let me check my boxers –looks on the back of boxers- Well, they say I'm Talaver Yuriy Ivanov and boxers don't lie… But, enough of my perverted boy-ish thoughts, back to camp.

Kai's sleeping beside me. Nobody's up yet, just me and my diary… and the moon. Yes, I know it's early, but I don't sleep for along time when I'm around other people. I feel like someone's going to come in my tent and kill me… I'm very paranoid. Hold on! I think someone is awake. They just came out of their tent and is now walking away from the camp sight. Where are they going? I'm about to follow. I hope Kai doesn't wake up while I'm gone, just between you and me, diary, he doesn't like to be alone.

Tala

The redhead quietly got up, upon not being able to see the figure any longer. All he could rely on was his hearing. He turned off the flashlight he was using, wondering if the person noticed it. Due to the tent surrounding him, he couldn't tell if the person was a boy or a girl. Slowly and silently, Tala moved to the flaps of the tent, careful not to wake Kai, or anyone else for that matter.

As he opened the flap, he was greeted by a cool wind, a different temperature than the one inside the tent. As his eyes adjusted to the lack of light, he crept out of his tent and on to the dirt. They were advised by his mom to keep shoes on at all times.

Slowly, he made his way to the space between the tents that he saw the person walk out. He could still barely see them walking through the darkness of the woods. Slowly, he followed, not knowing exactly what he was getting into.

After walking for a couple of minutes, he started thinking that maybe it wasn't such a good idea to wonder away from camp. He didn't even know his way back! And to make matters worst, Kai wasn't with him this time. He was already well into the woods though, so there was no turning back now. He just had to keep reminding himself that the sun would be up soon and if Kai woke up, Tala knew he would come look for him. Deciding that following a person in the woods was a waste of his time, he started to think about his mother.

I know I was a bit hard on her the other day, but she deserved it! What? Am I suppose to forget about all those years she hasn't been there for me and just accept her back with open arms? Pftt.

Something moving behind a near bush caught his attention, taking him away from his thoughts. His first thought was that it was some wild animal. After becoming less tense, he thought that maybe it was the person from before. There's only one way to find out…

Turning to the bush he began to walk slowly, careful not to make a sound. His whole body was alert and ready for anything. The rising sun gave him some light, which would be put to good use. Stepping closer, he realized that it was indeed a person. Not just any person though…

His mother…

Upon hearing something behind her, Jou turned around quickly. She clutched her chest and gasp when she saw Tala, but after noticing it was just him, she said, "Tala, you scared me! What are you doing up so early?" she walked over to him.

"Couldn't sleep." He said, playing the short sentence game again. But it was different now, he felt like it was possible that he could actually open up to his mom and tell her how felt without yelling. His pride, however, would not let him apologize for before.

"Tala, you're not suppose to go anywhere without a buddy, you know that." The brown haired woman scolded. "Where's Kai?"

"Sleeping." He said a bit annoyed that she was trying to boss him around… well, that's what he felt like she was doing.

"You need to come back to camp… now." She added that last word sternly.

Tala folded his arms letting his full rebellious adolescent side show. "I'll go back when I'm ready." He turned his head from her and looked into the lake, which was on the opposite side from where he came.

"Talaver Yuriy Ivanov, I will not have back talk from you. You are going back to that camp right now!" she yelled through her teeth.

"Look who's trying to be a parent." He snorted with his back now facing his mother.

"I will have you suspended from this trip." She promised.

"Good, then I won't have to deal with you!" and with that he walked off. Jou thought about following him, but resolved that it would do no good. He'd just walk away again. Sighing, she began to walk back to camp.

"I'm gonna have to go ghetto on this boy." She muttered under her breath.

Tala only walked a little ways away from where they were, sure that his mother would not follow him. Sighing, he splashed some water in his face from the river. This action jogged a few memories from last night. "Girls…" he said dryly. Closing his eyes, he sighed again.

"I'll preoccupy my mind with girls." He decided facing the lake, but not opening his eyes. "Why can't guys stop thinking about them? I can do it, no problem. I guess that's just for mindless, love struck puppies with no lives…" he was now just mumbling.

"What's so bad about think about girl?!" a feminine voice came causing the redhead to snap his eyes open and look around. "What's the matter? Can't find me?" the voice teased with a little giggle behind it.

"Who are you?" Tala demanded standing up and searching the treetops carefully for any moving thing. "Where are you?"

"If I wanted you to know that, I wouldn't be hiding." Tala could hear the smile on the girl's face. "Tell me…what ails you young one." The youthful girl voice was poorly disguised to sound like an old woman's.

"What are you talking about?" the redhead asked, annoyed that he couldn't find the owner of the voice.

"I've been it this forest of 125 year." A snicker came after that, insinuating to Tala that she was lying. "Only people with troubles will stumble upon this part of the lake."

"Oh," Tala said in disbelief, even though something was bothering him. "Then how is it that the girls were bathing here just last night?" he asked feeling clever.

"How do you know that?" the shot the words out so quickly Tala had to replay it in his head a couple more times to understand it. Then he realized he had just dug himself a very deep hole. "How do you know that?!" she demanded even louder.

How do I know that!? How do I know that?! Tala thought, desperately trying not to make his and Kai's dirty little secret known. He clenched his teeth and fidgeted with his hands. "Listen, old lady, I have no time for you. I have to get back to camp." Then he stalked off. He figured he'd kill three birds with one stone: If he went back he'd avoid the situation, get back to Kai and find out which girl is missing from the camp, thus finding his mystery girl… whom is probably going to put 2 and 2 together and get 4, thus having knowledge that he did indeed peek at the girls while they were bathing... but it was an accident.

He didn't realize he was now speed walking in some direction. Before he knew it, he was back at camp. Everybody drug their bodies as they went to go brush their teeth and get ready for the day. When he got back to his tent, he came face to face with an angry Kai.

"Morning Kai." Tala greeted with a weak smile, hoping Kai wasn't too mad as him for leaving.

"Where were you?" Kai asked looking straight ahead of him from his standing position.

"I took a walk." The redhead responded searching through his bag for his morning items. "Hey, did you notice any girls missing this morning?" he added suddenly.

After Tala got his stuff they started to walk to the guys side of the lake. "No…" he averted his eyes away from Tala for a moment and then said, "My mind has been a little preoccupied… you don't forget life changing stuff over night, you know." He said taking a breath.

Tala smirked and momentarily lifted his head to see the dragging line of boys heading to the guys' place. "I know that feeling." He said with a dazed look.

"Read your diary… Mariah?" Kai read Tala's diary all the time so it was no big deal. It wasn't like Tala wasn't going to tell him anyway.

"Read your mind… Mariam?" The redhead grinned widely when the slate haired teen blushed. "What's this? The great Kai Hiwatari… blushing?" he grin grew.

"How'd you know?" Kai asked as they had reached the spot.

"Come Kai, I've known you since you were 5. I can tell, by now, when you like a girl." There was al least three feet between Kai, Tala and the rest of the guys.

"I can't believe I'm about to brush my teeth in a river." Tala said shaking his head.

"Hey, guys! What are you doing!" they heard Tyson yell. Before they knew what had happened, Ray, Lee and Bryan were standing at the shoreline laughing with the rest of the guys. Tyson was emerging from the cold, yet calm water.

The two best friends gave a little chuckle. "Hey Tyson!" Kai called to the wet and shivering teen. "Are you awake yet!?" a rumbling laughter from all the guys followed after that.

"O.k. boys." Came Salima's dad's voice. "Put on your swimming trunks and let's get read for some super fun river canoeing!" he announced.

There was another exited 'yay'! Kai looked over to Tala who's face was pale. Let's just say, water wasn't exactly Tala's best friend. Especially, not when any kind of boat was involved.

"It'll be o.k. Tala. No body's going to let anything happen to you." The slate haired teen tried to calm his best friend.

Tala wasn't havin' that! "I am not getting in that canoe." He said determined.

They quickly changed clothes without exposing the lower parts of their body to any other guy, although, they weren't ashamed to show off their rock hard abs and well tanned and toned upper body. So, just tease the other males, they changed their shirts extra slowly. (A/N: They'll take them off when they get in the water.) Tala got a glare from Ray, who had a six pack as well. But Ray's glare was met with a smirk.

"O.k. men!" James said, sounding army-ish. "Let's move out!" then they were led to the canoeing part of the lake.

"Hey James, how about we dropped by the girl spot to see if they're ready?" Enrique suggested raising and lowering his eyebrow.

"I'm pretty sure they're already at the spot." James responded pretending not to know what the blond was insinuating.

Tala was really feeling the pressure when he got to the canoeing spot where all the girls were already dressed up in their bikinis and ready to go. He could feel the blood boiling under his skin as he took a long glance in Mariah's direction.

To his surprise, she was wearing a blue bikini with little hot pink flowers designing it in certain places. He gulped, there was no way he could back out. Everyone would think he was afraid.

"Man, Kai. What am I going to do?" he asked nervously.

"I don't know, but I over heard your mom and Moka talking and they say that if the girls agree they might have girl/boy partners." Kai whispered back, making Tala even more nervous. He tried to control his breathing, but there was not a jumping feeling in his stomach.

"Girls," when that word came out of his mom's mouth, he just knew he was doomed. The girls gathered. "We've decided that it would be o.k. to have girl/boy teams if it's fine with you." Jou announce.

"But you can not let the school know about this." Moka added, pretending to be sneaky even though the school probably couldn't care less.

"I'm cool with it!" Salima piped up. "As long as I get Tala!" Tala's head turned to Salima, Salima to him, Mariah to Salima then to Tala, Ray to Tala. "How 'bout it Tala?"

"Um…" Man, I wanted Mariah… I mean, no! I don't want to go at all! "Aren't you going out with Ray?" he asked slyly.

"Yeah, but Mariah's going with Ray." There was a tinge of jealousy in Tala when she said that.

"When did I say that?!" the pinkette protested.

"Girls, girls! We're not saying you have to date the guy. Just get a partner, or we'll choose." Judy finally spoke up.

"I want Tala." Salima said folding her arms.

"I want Salima." Ray glared at Tala as if it was his fault he was so irresistible.

Then, without thinking Tala said, "I want land." Everyone turned their head to him. He mentally slapped himself.

"Oh, yeah! You do have that fear of water, don't you?" Jou remembered, making Tala blush.

"I do not!" he said, louder than necessary. "I mean… I just don't want to go."

"Whoa, Tala's afraid of water." Bryan smiled. "How come you never tell me these things!?"

Tala lowered his head in shame. I hate my mom!, was all he could think.

"Alright, everybody get in a canoe." James ordered then walked over to Tala. "You don't have to go if you don't want to." he whispered.

Everyone got their teams and got in a canoe. Much to Ray's pleasure, Salima gave up and got in the canoe with him. Then he smiled victoriously at Tala. Tala glared back and was so busy glaring, he didn't notice Mariah walk up to him.

"Hey!" she chirped.

Tala, and Kai, whom refused to leave his best friend on shore by himself, looked at her. "Hey?" it sounded like a question.

"Wanna go? Before you say no, I am an extremely great swimmer. I can save you." She grinned widely.

Tala turned back to Kai, tempted to smile and said, "Kai doesn't have anybody to go with and he's never canoed in his life."

"Don't worry, he can go with Mariam. We went to lake camp together." Another smile lit her face.

"Kai?" Tala asked knowing Kai was not going to turn down a canoe ride with Mariam.

"Let's do it." The slate haired teen responded, almost smiling.

"Ok." Mariah said turning around and heading to the canoes. As she was walking, she mouthed, "Yes!" to Mariam whom started to giggle.

As Tala approached the canoe his old fears started backing up on him again. He looked out in the middle of the water where it seemed dark and deep.

"I promise I won't let anything get cha' either." The pinkette giggled, steadying the wobbling canoe for Tala to get in. "Promise." She assured with another prize-winning smile that made Tala forget his fears… for a second.

He looked back at Kai whom was already seated at the front of the canoe and putting on his life jacket. "I don't think I want to be at the front!" he said looking down at the water.

"You have to because the person at the back is the one who has most control." Mariam informed.

"I have to get at the front." Tala asked finally stepping in the seemingly sinking boat. He slowly moved to the front and sat in the seat shaking. His weight made the boat bob even more. Then he picked up the life vest and looked at it skeptically. "How do you put this on?" he asked.

"Just put it around you and buckle it up." Mariah instructed, but it didn't seem to help Tala who was struggling with just the putting it around him part. Mariah giggled and stepped into the canoe and walked up to Tala. She grabbed the life jacket, unclasped the front and put it around him so he could put his arms through it. "How did you get along with out your mother for so long?" Mariah laughed. "Can you buckle it up?" she teased.

Tala just rolled his eyes with a hint of a smile.

"Bye baby!" Jou and Moka shouted together.

"Mama!" Mariah shouted back, embarrassed, while sitting down.

"Ready boys?" Mariam asked.

"As ready as I'll ever be." Tala said, holding on tightly to the canoe sides. Then, they pushed off.

"O.k. I'm scared." Kai admitted, looking into the slowly darkening water. Mariam and Mariah giggled.

"Too late." They both said and started to paddle away. The trees over them seemed to reach out. They saw a few fish already.

"So, where are we going?" Tala asked to get his mind off the water.

"I don't know, there's a dock somewhere further down." She said. "We're in for another one of James's surprises. Get ready for a long ride." Mariah smiled. Tala slightly groaned before realizing he and Mariah were actually having a conversation. It made him slightly nervous, yet happy.

"Give your mom some slack. She's trying the best she can." Mariah said randomly, catching Tala off guard.

"Hu?" he asked, feeling stupid immediately after.

"Your mom. She really is trying." Mariah informed. "I didn't meet my mom until not even a year ago and we're already best friends. I know how embarrassing they can be, believe me, but that's just because they missed so much time with us that they don't know how to act." She explained.

Tala looked up at her as she put her hands inside of the canoe, letting it drift down stream. "Whoa, you're just going to let it go like that!" Tala exclaimed.

"Yep." Mariah said maintaining the serious face.

Tala sighed. "I like my mom, it's just… She can't just come tumbling back into my life like she never left in the first place." He said.

"Tala, do you even know why she gave you to Biovolt?" Mariah asked defensively.

Tala had never asked that. "No, I never really thought about it." He admitted.

"It's because she couldn't take care of you, Tala. She was 15 when she had you and had to quit school because her stupid, negligent parents and that thug father of yours didn't want to help her. She couldn't build a life for you. Our moms met in a maternal school when they were pregnant at the same time, which wasn't long because you're older than I am. They became friends. Anyway, when you were three your mom moved in with mine. That's when the coldest winter Russia had ever had came. Our parents couldn't pay the light bill, electric bill, food was running low and they didn't want us to live the way we did." Tala suddenly realized that his dream was no dream, but a moment in his past, it was real.

"So, why'd she give me to Biovolt?" he asked. "Why didn't I go where you went?"

Mariah had now started to paddle again seeing that Mariam and Kai were getting to far ahead. "She thought it was just a regular foster care. She had no idea what Boris was up to. As for me, I couldn't go there because it was a male's facility so I went to my daddy in China." She finished.

"Oh." Was all Tala could say. He had been giving his mom such a hard time when he didn't even know what she had been going through. "I had no idea." He said feeling bad.

"How could you have." Mariah said softly. "I didn't either." Then a wave of silenced passed over them. (Tala: I don't like waves either.) There was just the sound of the water sloshing against the paddles, the cool wind blowing the hovering, green trees and the occasional river bird singing or flapping its wings.

"I love nature. It just takes me away to my own little place." Tala smiled at the pink haired female looking around at the trees, unaware of his gaze. Then she looked back at him and seemed shocked. Then the 'O' her mouth formed slowly turned into a smile. Then she laughed.

Tala was confused before he heard a splashed from behind him and turned to see Kai and Mariam bobbing in the water and their canoe upside down. Then he started to laugh.

"Oh, Tala I know you ain't laughing!" Kai swam over to his best friend's boat and grabbed the side.

"Kai please, I'm sorry! Don't-" but before he could say another word Kai tipped over the boat.

The redhead came bouncing up gasping for air. "Kai I'm going to kill you!" they heard Mariah yell from behind them.

"Uh-oh." Kai said, swimming back to his canoe. After realizing that he wasn't going to drown, Tala started to laugh at Mariah. Her hair was down and sticking to her face and it just seemed funny to him.

"Oh, I see you're not afraid any more!" she yelled swimming over to Tala and dunking his head in the water only for him to come back up and shake his wet hair on her. They both laughed before getting back into their right side up canoe and paddling off.

"I guess the water isn't that bad." Tala smiled, daring to take off his life jacket so he could remove his soaked shirt that he forgot he had on. Mariah stole a glance at him while his head was covered by the shirt.

"That was fun, but now I'm freezing!" Mariah exclaimed as a wind passed by. Another laugh. Then silence…

"Hey, Mariah?" Tala asked. "May I ask you a question?" he said shyly with a light blush.

"Sure." She agreed.

"Promise you won't laugh." He smiled weakly.

"I can't promise that. I laugh easily." She admitted.

"Never mind." He shook his head.

"No, ask! I'll try not to laugh." That, she could promise.

"O.k." another shy blush came as he looked up at the trees. "W-Why… whydogirlshaveboobs (Why do girls have boobs?)?" he asked in a flash hoping that Mariah understood so he wouldn't have to say it a second time.

The pinkette thought for a moment before realizing what he said and failing to stifle a chuckle. "Sorry, I couldn't help it." She laughed a little more. "Well… so we can breast feed I guess."

"W-what's that?" he dragged out the 'what's'.

"Um…" Mariah struggled. "You know how cats feed their kittens?" she asked not wanting to explain the actual thing.

"You mean… milk… come…" this left many question mark over Tala head and on his face, but it was quickly replaced with a discussed look. "Ew…" he said immaturely.

"What do you mean 'ew'?! It's perfectly natural! It reduces the risk of a baby having heart disease. And that's how you were fed when you were born!" she said defensively.

"I was?!" the redhead asked shock.

"Yeah."

Tala thought long and hard about that, playing with different ideas, but not wanting to picture anything. Then he ask, "Well, how come when women get stranded in the desert they don't drink their… milk. Most die of thirst!"

"Because in order to produce milk you have to have been pregnant." Tala still had more questions, but they were now at the dock. Mariah smiled as Tala helped her out of the canoe.

Tala spotted Kai sitting down on a log, writing something. "Kai, you will not believe what I just learned." Tala exclaimed wide-eyed.


Well, I hope this long chapter made up for the long wait. And I hope you like the Tala and Mariah moment. Trust and believe that there will be more. And there will be more of the person Tala was talking to that morning.

Please review!