The Future Bides Its Time

Kohari: Ohmigosh! I had no idea how long it had been since I updated. (insert gasp). I really am sorry. So here's the update. I really apologize...I don't think it'll happen again.

"Would you please SHUT UP, Tyson!" Robert tried to remain calm as he yelled at Tyson, trying to press the sides of his pillow(s) to block out the noise. It was 2:00 in the morning, and Tyson was talking in his sleep (his snoring was at least somewhat bearable).

"Mmm...donut...(slurp, hugging pillow)...where've you been all my...(drool)...marshmallow...Yum...Mmmm...marry me...OW!" He was brought back to reality by the contact of his head with a small, frilly, bright pink pillow with lime green stitching. "Hilary!"

"It wasn't me!" she protested as he threw it at her. "It's not even mine! It's Oliver's!" She tossed it back to its rightful owner.

"What was that for?" Tyson demanded.

"Well, duh," Johnny answered for him. "You were talking in your sleep, moron."

"Honestly, Tyson, do you ever dream of anything normal?" Robert wondered aloud. "From the sounds of it, your dreams are rather - oh, what's the word...?"

"Un-," Enrique tried to finish Robert's signature word for him, but was interrupted by Tyson.

"Don't you dare say 'uncouth'!"

"I don't have to. You said it for me," the Italian pointed out. Tyson cursed himself.

"Um..." Hilary tried to interject. The cacophony of Tyson's voice, however, drowned her out.

"Can we please go to sleep now?" Oliver asked.

"Yes, may we?" Robert inquired of Tyson. "Without being woken up by obnoxious ramblings about sweets?" he added.

Tyson mumbled who-knows-what as he pounded his pillow and lay back down. Everyone else followed suit. But it was only a few minutes later that they found themselves once again unable to rest because of Tyson's dreams. This time, apparently, he was talking to a walking gingerbread man.

"TYSON!" They all shouted, in synch.

"Wha-What?" Tyson rose, sleepily.

"You're doing it again," Hilary informed him.

"I swear, Tyson, you are the most disruptive roommate I have ever had the misery to meet," Robert commented. (Not saying much. You never had to have a roommate before...)

"Hey, you wanna take this outside?" Tyson challenged.

"Why? We are in a dojo, Tyson," Robert reminded him, receiving laughs from the others.

"In a dojo," Tyson muttered, angry at the retort, then returned to yelling. "Come on, let's go!" He lifted his beyblade, ready to launch.

"Hey! Keep it down in there!" came Grandpa's muffled voice.

"Fine!" Tyson called back. He turned his attention back to his opponent. "So how 'bout it?"

Robert sighed. "At 2:00 in the morning. Really, Tyson."

Before Tyson could retort, Kai entered the conversation. "Tyson, just shut up, lay down, and go to sleep."

"But - "

"Tyson!" Hilary hollered at him.

"Alright. Alright," Tyson resigned.

The teams finally got to sleep. All except for Hilary. She threw on her jacket and an extra pair of pajama pants as quietly as she could and went outside. It was snowing, and amazingly peaceful.

"Couldn't sleep?" came a voice from behind her. She looked behind her and her eyes met with Kai's.

"Nah, not with Tyson in there," she replied, halfway joking. "I was just thinking about things. About...well, ya know, just stuff."

"About what?" he couldn't resist asking.

"It's none of your business what I think about." The words were out of her mouth before she even knew they had crossed her mind.

Kai said nothing.Hadshe beenthinking about Tyson? He had the urge to take her in his arms, to tell her he loved her, to watch the snow fall together, to just stand there and be with her. But he suppressed the urge.

"I'm so sorry. I didn't mean that."

"You're right. It isn't any of my business."

An awkwardquiet followed. Kai was usually silent, but Hilary sensed something this time. "Kai, are you okay?" His lack of response told her he wasn't."What's wrong?"

"Nothing." His voice pained her. It was so full of...hurt. Was it what she had said? Or was there something else going on that she didn't know about? He went back inside, leaving her hurt and confused.

Kohari: Sorry this was so short, but that's all I have time for right now. Besides, I have to make sure you're all still loyal reviewers. Remember, this isn't the end. And it wasn't proofread, so any mistakes you see, lemme know. I'll shut up so you can click that cute little rectangular button and tell me how much you missed me and loved my chapter! I promise, I'll never be that late in updating again, so long as you're never late reviewing for me! I value the input of every one of you, so please, recognize your importance in my writing and tell me what you think of my work.