BMFM are not mine. Amaris is.

Thank you all for reviewing!

""..."" Means television personality.

Chapter 4

Video: Suzuka International Circuit

DISCLAIMER: Characters stated in this are purely fictional. I have never been to this circuit, nor to Japan. All incidents, deaths and outcomes are purely fictional and pertain to no persons living or dead., Nor to any business in existence. Doozo Yoroshiku.

""Welcome to Round four of the 12th World Endurance Championship. We're here in Japan at the Suzuka International Circuit, and so far the rain has let up and is drying up the track. We have a lot of hopefuls here today, and it looks like it's going to be an interesting race. Today's first look before the race is the Shiwakawa company's main four riders today.""

Throttle watched as the image of Amaris slid into view along with three other guys. One was a tall and lanky blonde in a black and yellow suit; the other was lean man with slightly slanted eyes and a yellow/bronze complexion in a yellow and orange suit. And a man with dark brown skin and laughing eyes, in a blue and yellow suit. Amaris was wearing a suit of red, orange and yellow. They all had the same sponsor tags on their suits.

"Man I hate pre-show fodder!" Vinnie muttered, "Can't we fast forward it?"

"SHUSH!" by three voices

"But it's like three years old!" Vinnie frowned and then settled down to watched.

""Josh Kiltan has really pulled through this year as one of the main underdogs in the Endurance Championship this year. Already he is becoming a much better rider. He hails from New Orleans, Louisiana USA and is one of the few to have gotten accepted by the Shiwakawa in their second sponsorship in motor racing.""

"Doesn't seem all to bad." Modo muttered as the film played a few clips of Josh's riding abilities and then the camera moved towards the dark skinned man.

""Issak Hetzer, one of the best racers to come out of Argentina this year. His tactics on the tracks are amazing and he's known as the front man of this team. Mostly because this quartet rides like they're team playing. Has only had two accidents coming into the endurance race, but is determined to ride this one through.""

"Hmm, guy's got some good moves." Vinnie muttered as Issak's portfolio flickered by, "Not as good as me though."

""And saving the best for last we can't forget the affianced-""

"AFFIANCED!" Four shocked voices echoed the word as flashes of Amaris and the Asian man were flickered throughout the screen, apparently this was big in Japan because they showed magazine images of the two.

""Racing couple, Amaris Oneal and Tsuyoshi Tenkai.!""

"You bitch!" Charley hollered through the living room roof to upstairs. "You were engaged, and didn't even tell me!" Three pair of eyes looked at her, and she settled down slightly embarrassed, and continued watching.

""...This will be Tenkai's last year on the track, but don't think he's gone. He's joining the upper ranks of Shiwakawa's finest engineers in development and research to create a more fantastic racing cycle by the company. As for Amaris she'll be heading off for her finals and graduating ceremony after the race as a veterinary doctor. As they head out on the track, we wish them the best of luck with their future together.""

Vinnie listened with half an ear until the race actually started. He looked at Charley with a confused look on her face. He couldn't blame her, one of her best friends' seemed to have left out to the fact that she was engaged to be married. But where is the guy? Did it get called off?

Throttle watched as Issak was placed in a row ahead of Amaris and Tenkai, Josh was behind the two; in accordance to the placement of their wining rank. They tapped their helmets and said something inaudible against the roar of engines before putting the helmets on over their smiles. He saw how it had started out smoothly enough, how Issak was leading point and how Amaris and Tenkai used it to slide by their competitors. As they neared the hairpin turn three bikes suddenly lost control in front of them. Tenkai swerved out, and Amaris somehow crossed.. Sideways?

"Whoa.." Vinnie watched as Amaris's bike slid by with ease at an accident that would have, hell, should have taken her out. Although it wasn't like the races on Mars or the Interplanetary circuit where it was more of an obstacle course free for all, it did have it's moments.

"That was great! How'd she pull that off?" Modo watched in admiration as she zipped through and pulled away from the pack, her cycle and body moving seamlessly together. Josh was soon up beside Amaris by the fourth hour and into the pit side for quick fixes, refills and look overs. Then all four peeled out fast from the pits and back into the race.

As the seventh hour was halfway through, Issak pulled away from the pack, with his friends behind him.

""It's now a race between the four that Japan fans call MotoBandits, it's the last lap! Hetzer has mere feet ahead of his fellow teammates of Shiwakawa...Tenkai is losing ground as Oneal is tearing up the track! But wait- Kiltan is making a move against Oneal! He's getting past her! This is going to be close!""

Charley covered her mouth, still not believing what she saw for the second time. As the last word was uttered from the announcer, Amaris' bike flipped forwards and slid, smashing into Kiltan and Hetzer somehow; they rolled and twisted. Tenkai couldn't move anywhere to avoid it and his bike and body became entangled along with everyone else's. It rolled through the barriers, and a helmet was flung away and..god knows what else. Pieces of bike, skin, body and then the stream of gas. There were people running from the scene and then the help arrived with foam canisters to neutralize the gas. Paramedics ran into the fray as the red lights flashed and ambulances came into view...

""Oh..my god. Ladies and gentleman I have never.. What happened? Let's take that into replay... There's nothing there... Nothing. Oneal's bike...This announcer is stunned.. We are getting reports from our fellow reporters in the Japan station- Ladies and gentleman there is no response from Josh Kiltan or Issak Hetzer. The fire department is now trying to release the bodies of Amaris Oneal and Tsuyoshi Tenkai. We are now going to shut our live broadcast, and hopefully return with news..""

And with that the tape showed empty snow.

A thump from upstairs, and then another as Amaris made her way downstairs, her eyes empty and blank. Throttle inwardly cursed himself at the sight of her.

"He lived for only three months after that." Her voice was tight and sad, as if she was trying to separate herself, "I didn't get a chance to say goodbye.. I.. Was in a coma for six months after that race. I had to train- train! Myself to walk and relearn how to think and write for ten months. While I was going through, pins in my bones, skin grafting and plastic surgery." Her voice sounded hard and bitter as her arms and fists shook at her sides, "The Shiwakawa Corporation thought it was the least they could do, to fix me up as if nothing had happened. That's why I don't ride anymore. I killed three of my best friends on that circuit- on a damn bike!" Her fists and teeth were clenched as she stood stock still there at the foot of the stairs. Charley seemed frozen in place, her hand clutching over her mouth. "I didn't know."

"I know you didn't Charley, I found that out last night when you called me. You told me to bring my bike over. I thought that my guardian would have told you in the letters I told him to write. Damn him for being a coward."

Modo noticed how still she was; it was tension that looked like it would break her. Right now; I don't care if a memory flash hits me or not. She's been hurting all this time trying to get over someone she loved, and her friends. They were her bros.

"Modo." Throttle gave a warning tone as Modo moved away from everyone and towards Amaris. If she was upset then whatever happens to them when she touched them...

Amaris was staring into nothingness for awhile, barely noticing the grey furred chest right in front of her. She looked up at him, damning the tears even as they filled her eyes.

"It's okay darlin'." Modo tried to use the softest tones of his voice and offered his left hand. "It's going to be okay."

She raised her right fist and willed it to relax, and she placed her fingers over his large palm. "Just when I think I've ran out of tears." She choked out, her head bowed down.

"Why don't you guys head off with Charley ma'am to the distributers. I'll stay here with Amaris." Modo looked at Throttles dubious glances. "We shouldn't take her anywhere, give her some time Throttle."

"Alright. Charley you up for it?" Throttle knew Modo was right, he just wasn't so sure to leave the two of them alone.

Charley took a deep breath, it was the past, but she would help her friend through it. But Modo was right, Amaris needed time and the guys, particularly with Throttle, needed time to see if she was a friend or foe. As Throttle walked out to his bike; Vinnie walked up to Amaris. He lifted her head with a finger and wiped away one of her tears with his thumb, "I'm sorry, sweetheart. I was out of line back there. Forgive me?" ,he asked quietly. Amaris nodded and attempted to give him a smile as he left. The sounds of two bikes and a truck driving away. Modo gave her hand a squeeze, "Let me lock up the garage and then we can talk okay?"

"Okay." Amaris said softly. Strange, no visions, maybe they went away? Modo is so nice too. It might be nice to just get to know them one by one instead of as a group. I get so nervous around people.

Modo came back and again offered his hand, "Why don't we head off into the kitchen for awhile?"

Amaris' fingers felt cool against his hand as he clasped them and walked with her to the kitchen, "I need some tea after all that."

She busied herself with a teakettle and a mug. Modo watched her for a moment before reaching over her and grabbing a small box labeled tea on a shelf too high for her to reach. As he brought the box down, she turned to face him and realized how close he was to her. "I hate being short sometimes." She joked. But it does have some advantages.. Ack! What am I thinking?

Modo blushed as he realized he was almost leaning against her, the same thought must have occurred to her as well because he saw a shade of pink coming up to her face. She suddenly shifted, accidentally brushing up against him and his body reacted with out his permission. "H-having someone tall around helps tho." He backed up, handing the box over and sat down. Amaris brought down a second cup, "Would like to have some tea with me?"

"Sure." Modo shrugged, damning his brain to think up something. Proximity alert when it came to someone he liked, and was interested in seem to result in complete mind blank to the point of stupidity. It was a curse he had since he was in school. He could joke and talk about anything to anyone as long as he wasn't becoming attracted to them..Wait. Did I just say I found her attractive? Oh, mama!

"Um so, it looks like you were a racer." Modo brought up. "How did you get started in the first place?"

Amaris thought for awhile and then brought two cups of steaming tea to the table. "Charley's dad. He loved bikes and the motorways. Chance was really something. Taught Charley everything he knew about mechanics, and with me, he taught me how to ride. Then I got the idea of entering races and obstacle courses once I found out how much it costed to be a veterinarian. So with Charley as my mechanic, we went into small town races; mostly dirtbike runs at first until I could afford a real bike. Then I started finding out the business of finding sponsors and what not, and I kept on doing it to pay for school. Until the accident happened." She took a sip from the mug for awhile. Modo sniffed his at first. "Give it a try with nothing in it, if you don't like it; add sugar." Modo took a sip. It was a bit bitter, but not all that unpleasant. "It's not that bad."

"Glad you like it." Amaris smiled. "Green tea happens to be my favorite. It was Tsuyoshi's favorite too."

She grew silent for a few moment and her smile faded, "What's worse is that I still want to ride.." tears began to fall as she griped her cup tightly, "But my body and mind won't let me. 'The soul is willing, but thy flesh is weak' how pathetic."

Modo kneeled in front of her, took the cup from her and offered his hand again. She placed her hand over his and then moved it up to his shoulder. "Every time I've tried to get on, I'm taken back to that day; and.."

She wrapped her arms around his neck and cried against him. She felt a hand rub her back soothingly, heard soft, nonsensical words from him and it felt good. Guardian tries his best but he was raised so strictly. He never knew how to handle emotional situations.

She let herself cry until the rawness subsided and then left her in shaky sighs. She felt the steel arm wrap around her waist as Modo stood carrying her to the living room. She didn't move, didn't protest as he slowly lowered them both on the couch; not sitting across his lap, but beside him facing the left side of the couch as he faced the right.

Modo kept silent for awhile, her tears had soaked his fur and as sobs subsided, she'd turned her head towards him, her light breath tickling his neck. He rested his left hand on her back, his thumb brushing against the middle of her spine. He suddenly he felt her head move close to his neck.

"Modo..?" He felt her lips brush against his fur lightly and it sent fissions up and down his spine and tail, his entire awareness went up twenty notches to that one point. And suddenly he found that he was of two minds. One side was the gentleman his momma raised him to be and the other... the other...

Well, let's just say he wasn't helping matters none. So all Modo could do was reply, "hm?"

She gave him a quick nuzzle and pulled away, wiping the moisture from his shoulder with her sleeve softly "Thank you."

"Um miss Amaris?" Modo shifted slightly. Now was a good time to ask about those visions. The one he had while holding her showed and older man, petting her right shoulder with a disturbed look on his face as she cried. "Can I ask you something?"

"I dunno, can you?" She smiled weakly as she scooted back, folding her legs indian-style on the couch.

"Have you..- I mean do you?" Modo tried to figure out what to say when her eyes were just dancing with mirth, and maybe a little mischief. "Do you have any talents? I mean like mental talents."

Amaris tilted her head slightly, her eyes avoiding his look as she thought about it for awhile. "Well..."

"It's just that well I think Throttle's a but unnerved by you." Modo interrupted her thoughts, "And well, things have been happening... I.."

Amaris blew out a long breath. "Modo, no offense, but until I met you three. And I really mean for you not to take this the wrong way. But" She shrugged, "The only thing I've ever had close to what you want to know is what would be called animal empathy. I can feel things from animals, but with people..." She gave him a lost look. "I'm sorry if you're offended by it.. I guess then that I'm not the only one getting visions."

"I saw an old man next to you as you were crying." Modo admitted.

"That was my guardian. I was just thinking how good it was to be comforted a lot better than with pats on the back!" Amaris smiled. "I saw two little mice playing in a cave..."

"That was niece and nephew" Modo replied, "Rimfire is the boy and the girls name is Primer.."

With each one there were questions answered and a conversation began, He began to feel comfortable around her, just talking about his family; she talked about a few childhood times with Charley and the sights of Japan, Europe, and Australia. The shadows lengthened out and suddenly it grew too dim to see each other.

"Hey? What time is it?" Modo looked around and noticed the clock showing one o'clock.

"Wonder where everyone went?" Amaris got up and then stumbled, "Ooh pins an' needles! Pins an' needles, owie owie owie!"

Modo chuckled until he realized his own leg was numb, but he wouldn't admit it. As he started to head for the door the rumble of engines came to his ears. He pushed the button to open the garage door and let in Charley's truck, loaded with new parts and various other supplies. His bros came soon after, having a grand ol' time. "Seems I missed the fun this time." He grinned.

"Ol' Greasepit and his goons never saw it coming!" Vinnie laughed. "And that bit of exercise really built up an appetite!"

Throttle shook his head, "After we help unload, Vincent." He caught sight of Modo already unloading one of the larger parts. Amaris joined in, helping Charlie move boxes full of smaller parts, he noticed she seemed a bit better than when they left. He decided while on the long ride to give her the benefit of the doubt. Maybe she had no clue it was going on?

He watched as she piled up a few boxes, and then Vinnie plopped another box on top of it; making her unable to see where she was going. She took a few small steps towards the storage room when a corner of a box hit her in the eye, "Uh, Vinnie.. Vin I can't see!"

"Well, neither can I, sweetheart, so that makes two of us!" Vinnie also had a high stack of boxes.

"No, I mean I really-" Vinnie's boxes bumped into her and with a shout she fell forwards, letting go of the boxes. She was going to try and land on her side when a hand shot out underneath her and caught her. Her face went red, but it was better than breaking something.

Throttle tried to maintain his cool. He had been trying to catch her, but when she shifted he ended up catching more than her shoulder, arm or waist. I am not coping a feel, I am not copping a feel!... But she is a nice handful...ack! Now is NOT the time!...

Modo caught sight of it and nearly dropped his boxes on his feet, Vinnie was about to apologize for the bump, except it died in his throat at the sight of Throttle having a full on feel of Amaris' left breast. Charley mouth was open and no sound was coming out. And Throttle was having a not so happy vision of the last time a man unwantedly groped her and his own thoughts were she is so going to kill me!

"Yes, they are real, and it's a bit too late in the day for the tish call." She said in a flat voice. Suddenly the memory faded, without any dizziness- his mind was his own as he helped right her up. He wasn't sure what a tish call was until he caught the inkling that it meant something sexual, at this he turned bright red. She grinned up at him. She's teasing me!

Vinnie snickered and moved out of the way and headed back to the store room. Charley laughed nervously as she moved some boxes to the side and Modo kept on moving along, but keeping his head down. Amaris picked up the boxes and left one behind to grab later. Throttle shook off the moment and went to help; which was already quick work. Soon the smell of hot dogs floated into the room and Amaris left. Everyone else continued working until they heard a high pitched whistle.

Greasepit was watching through a pair of binoculars, sporting a black eye. He watched as that girl brought out a plate of hot dogs. Damn he was hungry; he was also irritated. The boss hadn't given him any plans or orders to deal with those rodents, and his men were getting bored, not to mention tail whipped. Suddenly his walkie went off. "Greasepit, report back immediately with your men."

"But boss, what about de equipm'nt n' stuff?" Greasepit gave the signal to his subordinates.

"Leave it where it is you bungling buffoon! Now!" Limburger's voice had an edge to it. In a few minutes all his men were heading back to the tower.

Well that's all, but before I continue this I want to forewarn everyone that chapter 6 splits into two parts, and that one (or both) might be considered an R rating, or that after 6 I'll have to place the R-rating on the whole story. So review, tell me what you think and keep up the work!