As Kai hovered over the ground, his wings beating gently to keep his and Ray's weight lifted over the ground, he let Ray pull himself from his grip and touch the ground. Ray let his hands slide down Kai's pale arms, making sure he didn't pull the other teen down with him as he settled all his weight on the ground.

"You're lucky." Ray said, eyes darting to take in the blood-red wings behind Kai's back that still beat against the air to keep him hovering. "You can fly, while I turn into a big ass cat." Ray chuckled when Kai arched an eyebrow at him, Kai smirked and landed on his feet beside the neko-jin.

"It was fun at first." Kai said, shrinking his wings into his back after shaking them a few times.

"Does it hurt?" Ray asked as he started them towards the back of the school grounds.

"At first." Kai said as he walked beside him.

The two walked beside each other in silence, coming through an archway at the right of them. Already Ray could hear the school coming alive, before his hearing had been more heightened than a human's, but since his merge everything came to him clear as day. He could hear the headmaster pacing his room, the teachers preparing their studies for the coming week all the while he was still at the back end of the school.

It wasn't just his hearing that had heightened, his vision had doubled. The colors around him were brighter and more vibrant, if he focused harder on a particular spot he could see the dust in the air. His limbs felt lighter as well, his normal pace seemed to speed up without him willing it to and he had to push himself not to walk as fast and leave Kai behind.

His pointed ears perked as he focused his new hearing abilities to find his other friends, a coy smirk when he could hear them still all in the dorm. Tyson's snores not going unnoticed, while Max was already up and running around to get ready for the day. He could hear Bryan humming something within his throat and Ray's smirk widened at that, the only one he had a hard time hearing was Tala. He recognized the breathing pattern, but his steps were light around his room as if he was hardly moving at all.

"When Tala freezes people… Does it hurt him?" Ray asked, looking beside Kai on his right.

"It takes a lot out of him, why?" Kai asked with an arched brow.

"Just asking." Ray shrugged his shoulders, continuing on to their dorm. "Tyson's the only one not awake yet." He said as he opened the door to their dorm, letting Kai go in first and he followed closing it behind him.

Kai nodded before turning his attention away from Ray as he went straight for the stairs, Ray followed him up and to his room, while Kai continued to the other flight of stairs at the end of the hall. Ray watched him go, listening to the slow steady rhythm of Kai's breathing and heart beat as if he was hearing it right in front of him. It seemed calming to him and with a relaxed breath he pushed past his white sheet into his room, heading for the dresser and a change of clothes.

"There you are!" Max called out, though this time Ray didn't jump as he had heard him the entire time Max had come down the hall from his own room.

Ray turned to greet him, giving him a warm smile. "Here I am." He said, his voice open and calm.

"We were so worried about you guys, when Dickenson and the nurses came in to check on you guys you weren't there!" Max wailed out, his blue eyes on the verge of tears.

Ray winced, grabbing the side of his head as he shifted his clothes to one arm. "Not so loud Max, please." Ray asked, his voice still calm even though his ears were ringing.

"We're fine, Kai and I just went off to train some more that's all. I'm sorry if we scared you guys, but we're fine… How is Tala though?" Ray asked, pulling his hand away and back under the bundle of clothes he had pulled from his dresser.

Max blinked a few times, trying to register everything Ray had said, and a large smile spread across his face, his eyes beaming.

"Tala's fine, it just takes a lot out of him. I'm glad to hear you and Kai are getting along, he's not that easy to get close to."

Ray rolled his eyes, a laugh escaping his lips. "Tell me about it." He chuckled. "We're fine though, really. I'm gonna take a shower though, get this sand out of my hair." Ray said as he started for the doorway of his room.

"Where were you guys anyways?" Max asked as he spun around on his heel to watch Ray leave.

"We went back to the beach last night." Ray said as he stopped in his doorway, holding back the sheet.

"How'd you get back to the beach? You didn't have a pass."

"Kai flew us over the wall." Ray shrugged, and Max's smile widened his blue eyes brighter than Ray had ever seen.

"Kai never flies with anyone! That's some progress you've made there Ray." Max giggled out when he saw Ray's face redden in a faint blush.

"Um… Well it wasn't like we could train on school grounds… I mean… He had no choice and all… It was nothing…" Ray mumbled out, his blush increasing as he remembered the warmth of the other teen as he had been carried to the beach. The beautiful blood-red wings that effortlessly carried both their weights, and the intense training that had ensued until he had successfully merged with Driger.

"It's still pretty cool if you ask me, well I'll let you go clean up and get Tyson up and then we can all head to breakfast." Max said, his voice still loud and excited.

Ray simply nodded and started for the other flight of stairs at the end of the hall, Max already bouncing out of his room to Tyson's that was three doors to the left of Ray's own. As he worked his way up the stairs he could hear the showers on the third floor turning off, Bryan's humming stopped while he began a conversation with Kai.

"You two gave us a heart attack this morning." He started, and Ray smiled as he reached the center of the stair well.

"Glad to see you're doing alright, Tala's pretty pissed at you though. Should apologize to him when you see him." Bryan continued as Ray reached the third floor.

"We were tasked to watch over him, not fry him to a crisp." Bryan's tone changed, and his words sounded like he had growled them out through clenched teeth. Ray quickened his already fast pace as he headed for the shower room where the other two were.

"It worked in the end, so get off my case Kuznetsov." Kai growled out as Ray opened the door, the other teens turned to look at him as his face fell.

"Morning Ray." Bryan said, rubbing the towel through his lavender hair as he stood there naked as the day he was born.

Ray kept his eyes high, afraid if he looked down his flushed face would only brighten. Inwardly he was cursing himself for being so careless, he knew the shower room was nothing but opened stalls with a few lockers along the wall by the door, but he had been hoping Bryan had at least put his pants on.

"Morning Bryan." Ray said stiffly, going straight for a locker on his right making sure to turn his back towards the other two.

Kai was in a stall; his back had been turned to Ray the entire time as he let the spray of the shower wash over him. Having removed the bandages from around the right side of his face, and any of the others that had been placed on him the day before. Ray didn't have much to worry about if he kept his back to them, his hair was long enough it covered his backside completely, it was his front he was more worried about as he stripped from his only covering.

Ray decided it best to wait it out for Bryan to leave, unwrapping the bandages from around his chest and his right shoulder. Behind him he heard Bryan shuffling around, only to have the lavender teen come up beside him to his own locker on Ray's right.

"You feeling alright?" Bryan asked as he opened the metal door, rummaging through till he pulled out his clothes.

Ray nodded, setting his bandages inside the open space of his locker over his clothes. "Yeah, I'm fine."

"Good, should hurry up. The second Tyson wakes up he'll be ready to eat." Bryan said through a chuckle, pulling his pants on over his legs. "And don't be so shy, you've got nothing to be ashamed of." Bryan said as he walked around Ray, taking his dirty clothes with him and shutting the locker door and slipped out of the shower room before Ray could utter a word back.

Standing there more flushed than before Ray shook his head violently, trying to still his nerves. He would have been fine if Bryan had decided to say that to him when he wasn't completely naked, but since he was and knew Bryan had side glanced at him before he said it, did nothing to help his already stiff nerves. Without meaning to he slammed his locker shut, and spun on his heel to take the farthest shower stall on the left of the room.

He prayed the water would help his nerves and the warmth he felt along his body, keeping the water cold, he stepped under the spray and closed his eyes. Already he could feel the gritty sand rolling off his arms and from his hair, the water weighing it down as it soaked into his scalp.

He scrubbed the sand off his skin and out of his hair, his nerves settling as he worked the last of his conditioner through his hair and rinsed off. A purr escaped him as he turned the water hotter, dunking under the spray entirely, and the vibrations caused him to shake a little.

"Why do you do that?" The second the words hit his ears the purring stopped and his face blushed once more. He had been so content he forgot Kai was still in the shower room with him, now that he was back to paying attention, he could hear him at the lockers on the right of the room getting dressed.

"It just happens." Ray shrugged, making sure his voice didn't come out anything but normal. "All neko-jins do it."

His answer seemed to be enough for the other teen as he didn't say anything else before leaving the shower room, letting Ray breathe a bit easier as he finished bathing. Without the extra noise from the showers and his mind clear once more, he could pick up Tyson and the others on the first floor talking excitedly about their day.

With renewed speed Ray dashed over to his locker and threw the door open, dressing with lighting speed before he ran out of the shower room and back down the stairs to his room. He barely paused long enough to toss his dirty clothes and towel into the hamper by the door, dashing back down the hall to the first floor with the others. The wind he had been producing with his speed caught up with him as he stopped at the bottom floor, Tyson jumping two feet into the air.

"Whoa!" He cried as he landed on his rear. "How… How'd you do that?!" He yelled out in shock, blinking a few times to make sure Ray was still there where he hadn't been a second ago.

"I was just walking." Ray chuckled.

"That's some speed you got there then dude." Tyson said as he pushed himself onto his feet. "You weren't walking like that yesterday."

Ray shrugged. "Must be cause I merged."

"No way! You did! That's totally amazing!" Tyson shouted and jumped with joy. "That's where you and Kai must have been, how was it? Did you pass out, did it hurt?"

Ray went to speak when Tala cleared his throat from his leather chair. "We should get something to eat before they close the doors and we have to wait for lunch."

"Oh, yeah…" Tyson laughed rubbing the back of his head. "I almost forgot how hungry I was."

Tala just shook his head as Bryan groaned, Max giggled behind his hand and Kai looked like he hadn't noticed anything go around him. Ray waved to them, taking the initiative to lead them this time to the cafeteria.

"Ray, slow down man!" Tyson called as Ray became a blur as he walked to the door and was already out into the open space of the northern courtyard their dorm building sat in.

"Oh, sorry Tyson. Still getting used to this." Ray said as he was now standing in front of Tyson, rubbing the back of his head with a toothy grin.

Slowing his pace, he started back out the door, leaving Tyson behind him gaping like a fish out of water. Restraining his legs from working their normal pace was putting a strain on them, though he smiled to his friends as he led them to the flight of stairs under the second-floor corridor. Once they reached the cafeteria he didn't hold back, walking towards the line of other boys, leaving a gust of wind in his wake that ruffled and confused more than half of the boys that he walked by.

"He's going to need some training on that." Tala sighed out as he stepped into the cafeteria with the others.

By the time the other boys had reached the line Ray zipped past them to their table, once again leaving the crowd of other boys with wind tossed hair and muttering under their breaths. Ray sat himself down at his normal spot on the bench, digging into his food before Tyson even had a chance to come and sit on his left where he normally placed himself.

"That's really cool Ray that you can run around and all, but tone it down a bit."

"I told you Tyson, I'm just walking." Ray sighed out, setting his fork down. "I can't help it, really. Trying to slow down to stay with you guys was cramping my legs."

"Oh... Well…" Tyson mumbled, as the others came around the table and took up their spots.

"He'll eventually slow down as the days progress, it's nothing to worry about." Tala said as he sat down across from Ray and Tyson, Kai sitting on his right in front of Ray.

"Well that's good to know." Ray said before stuffing a fork full of his eggs into his mouth. "Do you think you could get another pass for the beach Tala?" He asked after swallowing.

Tala arched a thin red brow at him. "Why?"

Ray shrugged his shoulders a bit. "I'd like to go run, being on school grounds is just too cramped."

Tala nodded his understanding. "Yeah, I can get one."

"Thanks." Ray smiled, finishing his breakfast before the others could blink he was gone, the same gust of wind that had been following him whipping everyone's hair around.


Ray bounced on the balls of his feet as he watched Tala walk up to the iron gate, holding the slip of paper up to the iron bars and when the lock clicked, and the gates swung open Ray dashed by them all, leaving their hair a mess over their faces.

"Someone needs to put a ball and chain on that guys ankles." Tyson mumbled, fixing his hat back on his head and adjusting his pony tail.

"He's just excited." Max giggled, brushing his bangs back from his eyes. "C'mon lets see if we can catch up."

Tyson nodded and the two took off down the dirt path after the blur of their friend, the other three boys decided to take their time and walked along the path. When they met up at the end of the path on the beach Ray was just standing there, looking out along the beach that was now covered with other boys from their school.

Some had set up a volleyball net and were busy playing with teams of five on each side of the net, the ball flying high in the air over the net. There were a few in the water, some swimming while others floated. The one thing that had shocked Ray when he came down the path, was some of the animals that were lazed about.

He recognized the gryphon that Tala had fought the day before, his white wings covering his body as the sun's rays landed on him. Around him sitting in the sand was a white unicorn with a red mane and tail, his head erect as it was watching out over the water. Around the unicorn's neck was a gold-plated circlet, around its ankles were cuffs made of the same gold and purple armor. Its horn was covered in the same gold and purple armor, where jewels had been placed at the base of the horn, just above the center of its forehead.

Along the side of the cliff was a large yellow and green salamander, using its claws to dig into the rocky side to keep itself hanging off the side of it. Though the body of the salamander was designed more humanoid than animal, its hind legs looking as if it could stand upright like a human. Around it's head was a dark-grey head piece, where a bright green gem was reflecting the sun's light. Shooting out the back of the head piece were two sets of red horns on each side, the salamander's frills in-between along his back.

There were other beasts that roamed around the beach side, a silver armored covered bison was galloping around the water against the shore. In the sky a large golden eagle was hovering over the water, catching the breeze as if he was playing in it along with a few other large birds that Ray could only assume were other boys in their Bit forms.

"It's a bit crowded." He mumbled as he could hear the other boys come up behind him.

"That's typical for a Sunday." Max said as he started for the water's edge, stripping off his white hooded vest, leaving his bright orange swim trunks on, kicking his sandals off his feet on his way.

Ray watched him curiously as Max dove into the water, a bright purple glow shooting out from under the waves. Ray held his breath, excitement washing over him, and he jumped back when the purple head of a large tortoise broke the waters surface.

"Max!?" Ray shouted out, his excitement unwavering.

"He can't talk in that form, but yeah, that's Max. Or, Draciel." Tyson explained as he headed for the water.

Ray just nodded and followed Tyson over to the water's edge as Tyson pulled off his ballcap and his own shirt.

"Are you going to change too?" Ray asked him as he watched Tyson pull off his sneakers.

"Nah, takes too much out of me." Tyson said as he ran into the water, turning slightly to see if Ray would follow him. "You coming?"

Ray shook his head. "No, I don't like water."

"You don't like water, or you can't swim?" Tyson asked, a cheeky grin plastered on his face.

Ray bristled, and his cheeks turned pink. "I… I know how to swim!" Ray shot back, though the waver in his tone was unconvincing.

"Hey Max!" Tyson called out over his shoulder, from the water rose Draciel as he lazily came out of the water onto the shallow bank. "Ray can't swim, care to give him a lesson?" The cheeky grin still on his face, Ray froze when he saw the blue eyes of the tortoise shimmer and their eyes locked.

"Max… No..." Ray went to take a step back when he bumped into a chest, hands clamping down on his arms.

"I'm not passing this up, it'll be too funny not to take the offer." Bryan chuckled as Ray tried to pull away from his grip.

"This isn't funny!" Ray growled out, his eyes widening as Draciel came closer and turned slightly in an offer of his back for Ray.

"He won't let you get hurt." Tyson said through a laugh, Bryan pushing Ray closer to the tortoise.

"I'm still in my clothes, no stop Bryan!" Ray cried out, trying to dig his feet in the sand to stop himself.

"Oh, how silly of me." Bryan chuckled and before Ray could stop him, Bryan jerked Ray's shirt off over his head and then pushed Ray's back till he stumbled on top of Draciel's shell.

"Off you go!" He called out, and before Ray had time to blink the large tortoise jumped back into the water all the while Ray let out a girlish scream.

Tyson burst into a fit of laughter when Ray and Draciel broke through the surface of the water, clutching his stomach as he doubled over in laughter. Ray's bangs covering his face, his arms were wrapped around the large head of the tortoise in a vice grip. Draciel's blue eyes still shimmering with amusement and his mouth opened as if he too was laughing at the expense of their new friend, Bryan let out a snickering laugh and hit his leg.

"I told you, it was worth it." Bryan laughed out, hitting his leg.

Ray growled in his throat, trying to shake his bangs from his face as he refused to let go of Draciel's neck. "I'd like to see how you'd like it!"

"You'd have to get over here and try." Bryan taunted, straightening himself as if in a challenge, his grey eyes glowing with amusement.

"Why don't you come out here, so I can drown you instead!" Ray shot back, barring his fangs.

"If you insist." Bryan shrugged, slipping out of his shirt and pants, kicking his boots off and diving into the water till he broke through the waters surface before Draciel and Ray.

"You have to let go of the turtle though." Bryan chuckled.

Ray growled in his throat and slowly released Draciel's neck as the body of the tortoise slowly began to sink under the waves, letting Ray stand on the back of his shell. Ray kept his balance on Draciel's back, testing it out by shifting his feet and then his golden eyes snapped up into Bryan's grey ones before he lunged for the other teen, knocking them both into the water.

On the shore line Tala and Kai were settled in the sand, having been watching the others childish antics. Tala had an amused smirk on his lips while Kai sat there with his eyes closed, enjoying the warmth of the sun beating down on them. Tala sighed out, looking over to the teen beside him.

"What made him change his mind?" Tala asked, breaking the silence between them.

Kai shrugged his shoulders. "Don't know, maybe he just realized that he needed to do it sooner or later."

"How did he take it? I mean, when it happened?"

"Pretty well actually, he passed out afterwards though." Kai answered, opening his eyes to watch the others out in the water. "I think he's finally come to accept everything, there's nothing any of us can do about any of this and I think he understands that now."

Tala nodded before focusing back out to the others. "I'm guessing he knows everything then?"

"Not everything."


Chapter 10: Sides

"Good one Kai!" Tyson and Max cheered, jumping in the air and high-fiving each other. "Watch out!" Max yelled as a stream of fire shot out towards Kai's back.

Tala dashed ahead thrusting an arm out in front of him, shards of ice shooting out from the palm of his hand freezing the fire.

"Ozuma." Tala growled, and parted his legs slightly in a fighting stance as said teen's Bit form of a black leopard in purple body armor swished its tail agitatedly.

The leopard growled and dashed forward, initiating the fight. Tala didn't flinch, lunging out himself as his body transformed into his white wolf, the heat in the air chilling slightly as the two animals collided. Bryan went to step in and Ray held an arm out across his chest, shaking his head to him.