…I'm…lazy… that's all there is to it.

This has been sitting in my laptop for a month with only one paragraph to finish, all because I'm lazy. Sure I've got school; just took a practice ACT (I got a 21) for school to prepare for the real one. School testing is around the corner and because of that teachers don't really give homework, plus it's the second semester and people get bored and tired. But I've just been so damn lazy… got obsessed with an old love; Dragon Ball Z, when TeamFourStar released its new episode. I swear anime obsessions should be illegal… I'm bugging my friends saying quotes and crap Lol. And besides today is Super Bowl Day, that makes me extra lazy.

How many DBZ fans do I have reading my stuff? I really want to know…

Anyways so here's the new chapter. Have fun

Chapter 12: The Unexpected

During golden hours, it's filled with cheerful joy; precious laughter echoing in your ears, smiles wherever you look, happiness entering your heart with every step, bustling with joyful never ending life. It truly is a sight to behold, hidden away like a precious treasure. It's filled with an ambiance of nothing but cheer, yet the minute the golden sky disappears you're left in shock and awe at how it's transformed.

A once cheerful village, filled with never ending life, transforms before your eyes into a beauty like no other. The calm of nightfall echoing its beauty in the air; chimes blowing harmoniously as the wind passes by, playing with them almost as if just to hear the melody. The sound is beautifully hypnotic, Kurain's own secret lullaby that plays its inhabitants to sleep.

The silence of midnight fills the air, heavenly stars shining above where he lays; the softness of the moonlight caressing his skin. Yet he finds himself not admiring nor enjoying the nocturnal beauty, instead finding himself falling victim once more. He's tossing and turning like a madman; failing in every attempt he makes to find comfort. He's tired, exhausted to say the least, but his body continues to betray him. His mind, no longer focused on sleeping, instead focusing deep in thought; wandering from subject to subject, sleep the last thing on its never ending list.

In one final attempt to find what he longs for so deeply, he tosses the covers of the foreign bed off his body.

He finds himself sighing tiredly as he pulls a nearby shirt over his body, thinking a walk can clear his clouded mind. He's careful to make minimal noise, keeping in mind the hour, sliding the door to the room he had so graciously been provided. Finding himself passing room by room until finding himself not a moment later under the midnight sky.

He can feel the Earth beneath him, the soft almost velvet like dirt touching his bare feet with every step. Walking to his unknown destination his mind is taking over once more as a realization hits, he had for so long been use to the cold of the night the city provided. It's not cold, it's surprisingly warm. The air is warm, an obvious fact, but its loving. Warmness filled with good feelings, a sense of comfort and security overcoming him like a mother's embrace. Warmness, that although welcomed, is unexpected.

The last word lingering a bit longer in his mind, unexpected, a word that seems to reflect not just the warm air but more what he had hours ago experienced…

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o

Phoenix himself was never one for tears, growing up the way he did, the way his life had passed tears were nothing but pain; sadness, hurt, and guilt always filling his heart at the mere sight. Yet as he stood there with his family watching as his "fiancée" was trying not to cry, her tears whether sad or happy threating to fall as she pulled herself closer to the mystery man. To his utter shock a moment later tears had not left her fragile body merely a soft whisper that took him by surprise.

"I missed you, Uncle Mark."

An infectious melody, a most beautiful sound, escaped her in the next moment; her laughter filling the surrounding air, ringing beautifully through the ears of those around. Phoenix once more found himself smiling at her, watching as the man, presumably her uncle, twirled her around in his arms before releasing her. The older keeping her within arm's reach as he inspected her appearance for a moment.

"It's been years since I've seen your face, and yet your still as beautiful as ever," the simple comment making her blush and giggle, "How have you been?" he asked her, genuinely curious. Maya looked at him, sending him a dazzling smile before responding, her sudden smile seemingly taking him off guard, as his arms had suddenly dropped from her shoulders, staring at Maya in silent shock. "Wonderful, great, perfect, all of the above really. Never felt more alive in all my life."

"…You're smiling...really…actually smiling…" he whispered to himself, his words falling on deaf ears, Maya leaving him alone in his shock gasping at a sudden realization. Walking quickly towards where Phoenix had been watching her silently. "Guys, come here, I want to properly introduce you." Maya exclaimed looking at Phoenix with sparkling eyes. Grabbing his hand as she had earlier, along with Derek's, walking back towards her Uncle.

"Uncle Mark," she whispered catching his attention, breaking the older out of his trance "I'd like to introduce you to my guests Derek and Alyssa..." gesturing to her right where his younger brother stood holding their sleeping sister.

Mark looked towards Derek, unknowingly cutting her off, "I'd shake your hand but it looks as if your arms are full. A pleasure none the less, Derek." the pleasant reply making Derek chuckle, commenting on how right he was. "Who's this?" Mark inquired, looking towards Phoenix making Maya chuckled; "I was getting there, before you interrupted." her comment emitting chuckles from those around.

She looked towards him for a moment, her smiling dropping as she seemed to contemplate something, leaving Phoenix confused. He found himself looking at her, an eyebrow raised. She smiled sweetly at him a moment later, latching herself onto his arm gently resting her head against it.

It was an action that took him by surprise, it wasn't anything truly new, she had done it a few times before, being best friends it wasn't anything truly new. It was a sweet action, a friendly gesture in his mind, recalling the time she had done it to Larry, even to Edgeworth that day she was sick and he so graciously cared for her. It was like her angelic smile, one of the few things that made Maya who she was, a sweet charming friendly girl now woman.

Yet the next words that left her lips seemed to be sweeter than her angelic smile, sweeter than her friendly demeanor. Words that seemed to address him more so than her uncle. "This is someone special to me, who holds one of the few places in my heart, who means the world to me, who I don't say how much I really appreciate, who I don't really thank for all he's done, the man who gave me the greatest gift in the world recently, the man who's always there, My shoulder to cry on when things get rough, the person who I've come to admire ... This is Phoenix."

He found himself looking at her in silent shock, the words something he never expected to come from her, not truly knowing why she exactly said them; whether it be to make a nice impression for him to her uncle or to keep their charade they had with his siblings, who stood nearby. At the moment he couldn't truly focus, barely hearing her uncle's reply, only remembering shaking the man's hand, hearing Maya's laughter, not once even registering they were moving towards Fey Manor. If it hadn't been for Maya still latched onto his arm, her head resting comfortably against him, he probably would have been still standing there in silent shock.

Yet she was the reason why he couldn't focus, the words she spoke so unexpected in his mind and being the person he was he wanted to know why.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o

Phoenix finds himself chuckling half-heartedly wondering why and when he started to second guess himself. Her actions had always been so clear, always knowing the reason behind them, yet now he finds himself asking why; wondering the reason behind simple words or actions, which once never meant anything other than what they were. She had changed, when she had he didn't even know, and he couldn't get over it; questioning himself on how well he truly knew her… how well he though he knew her. He was frustrated and confused, not entirely sure if it was due to her or something else.

"She meant it, all of it. I hope you know that." A voice as soft as the harmonious chimes whispered, breaking the silence of the night. The voice had startled him to say the least, finding himself turning toward the source in surprise. Seeing Maya's uncle standing in the dark, a small fire lit lantern in hand, looking towards him with a knowing smile. "She meant every single word she said." He whispered it once more, looking at him expectantly, silently waiting for his reply.

"I know that…" Phoenix whispered with confidence in his voice, his eyes expressing the uncertainty of his words, knowing full and well of the lie he just told the man.

He heard a soft chuckle, "A man such as you wouldn't be out here if he truly did know." Phoenix only looked at the man, his mind processing the words spoken to avail, his eyes expressing those of a confused child looking towards the older for clearer words. The older merely smiled, his eyes softening for a moment, walking forwards motioning for Phoenix to follow.

As he found himself following the man he truly didn't know; only knowing he was his best friend's uncle of whom he had never heard of, he wondered if he was truly that desperate at the moment for answers. Wondering silently if the man knew he was part of the reason to his dilemma, surely she wouldn't have said those words had he not been there…right? He shook his head rapidly for a moment most likely obtaining the attention of the man ahead of him.

"Being the man you are you pride yourself on knowing the answer to everything thrown your way. Wanting only the best for those you care for around you, whether be family or friends, but the best requires understanding. You pride yourself on your confidence when it shows, confidence of a clear understanding of what's occurring. But understanding requires no room for error, confusion, or doubt. Something you hold at the moment, Mr. Wright." The words striking Phoenix heavily, not understanding why they did; they rang true in his ears whether he knew it or not.

"Please… just call me Phoenix… I…." he whispered in a defeated tone he didn't understand the reason for, sighing loudly as he sat down on a nearby porch with his head hanging low; his own action catching him by surprise but not the man who stood before him.

Once more he heard the man chuckle, imagining him smiling once more in his direction, before settling down next to him. "There's a reason for that too, you know?" he said continuing once Phoenix had looked at him in confusion. "Mr. Wright is the man who has clear understanding of what's occurring, the name you pride yourself on. Mr. Wright is the person you'd rather be. Phoenix on the other hand is the man who's confused and slightly defeated, he has no understanding of what's occurring as he is plagued with confusion and doubt. Something, if I'm correct, he has trouble dealing with."

The words once more striking true as Phoenix found himself shaking his head once more, chuckling, and looking at the man in disbelief. "What are you a therapist? Physiatrist? You're in my head and it's getting creepy." the man chuckled once more, patting him gently on the back before replying, "Nah, I'm just an old man who understands people."

Phoenix looked at him about to say something before he was interrupted. "Besides I've been in your shoes," Phoenix watched as he looked down staring at his bare feet, "hypothetically speaking of course." The man smiled, chuckling at his own joke, patting Phoenix softly on the back once more.

Phoenix couldn't help but chuckle, finding himself enjoying the man's company, wondering if it was his intention to loosen his nerves; yet a thought occurred to him. "Mr.-"

"Marcus or Mark, take your pick, just don't say Mr., makes me feel old." He said with joking smile, winking at him.

"Marcus," he said smiling, the name rolling of his tongue, as he looked towards the older. Looking at him he looked as if he was only in his late 50's, an old age to many, yet the aura he gave off was one of a younger man in his early 20's. The constant chuckles and jokes coming from him, creating a sense of security. The smile wore giving a sense off guidance. Eyes emitting wisdom that matched his years, but not his aura; understanding coming from within the black orbs.

Phoenix found himself wanting to ask him a million questions, but the moment he opened his mouth the words seemed to die. His action not going unnoticed by Marcus as the man smiled knowingly, relaxing his body against the wooden porch.

They sat only in the silence of the night, the sound of the passing wind and chimes echoing through their ear; neither man making a move, sitting only in silence and the company of the other, almost as if they had made a silent agreement not to move, silently enjoying the calm feeling of the night. Marcus not pushing him any further, making Phoenix wonder if the man could sense his internal struggle. The confusion that had plagued him, the silent doubt he held, that if he had to guess the older already knew of. Debating with himself on whether to tell the man what the source, of what he thought was the source, of his confusion was.

"Marcus-" he started, making the mental decision to tell the older, feeling like he was wasting the man's time by merely sitting out here, until Marcus' voice had cut him off.

"You don't have to do it, Phoenix. I'm not pushing you. I'm only here to help and guide." His words were soft, neither forcing him nor urging him towards a decision, only letting him know he had a choice in the matter. A choice Phoenix found himself deciding upon in the long silence that followed.

In the next moment he found himself looking on in confusion as Marcus suddenly rose; grabbing the small lantern he had set down upon his talk with Phoenix, motioning with his head for him to follow. The action catching Phoenix by complete surprise; as he had unknowingly found himself enjoying the older's company, the jokingly calm gentle feeling that had filled the air when Marcus had arrived. Finding himself nodding silently, getting up slowly as he walked with the man; the same unfocused feeling he had experienced earlier that day returning once more, his mind focusing on his internal struggle; listening a moment later when Marcus spoke.

"I meant what I said Phoenix, I've been in your shoes. Not going to tell you everything, because you don't learn anything that way. But I'm older than you, wiser than you; I have more experience than you do. I know what it's like to see disappointment in yourself, what it's like to be confused and have doubts about things that should be simple. I know Phoenix, believe me I do." His voice was soft, like that of a loving father's, a voice that still gave him a choice as he only nodded his head.

He became aware of his surroundings not a moment later, noticing for the first time that they had ever so slowly exited Kurain; taking a small stone path by the nearby river before walking into what seemed like a cluster of blooming trees. He looked towards Marcus, questioning the man as to their whereabouts and what they were doing, only getting a small knowing smile.

It was pitch black, the only light source, besides the small lantern Marcus held, the shining moon, so as they continued on his eyes widened in confusion and shock when he noticed a small dim light glowing from within the trees.

It was only as they drew closer to the mysterious light did Mark speak once more, returning back to the subject that had started it all. "I've known her longer than you have, Phoenix."

"Well I would believe so, you're her uncle." Phoenix replied, thinking it was the simplest answer in the world at the moment, the only thing at the moment he was truly sure of, earning a sarcastic chuckle from Mark.

"I'm not her uncle, Phoenix." He stopped in his tracks, looking towards the man in pure surprise. Yet before he could express his confusion, Mark spoke, nodding with his head once more to follow; but it was the way he spoke and his tone that took Phoenix by surprise. "Family friend… if anything…" There was disappointment and an underlying guilt as he spoke.

"I know how hard it is to read her, to understand her; because, with her there's so much more than meets the eye." Phoenix watched as his eyes seemed to soften, his own eyes widening as Marcus pulled back a few blooming branches, revealing what they had been doing there or more so who they had been there for.

Clothed in a white sea of silk, ebony hair splayed across the ground below, soft breathing escaping her petite body, eyes closed lightly deep in sleep, an angelic smile on her pink lips; how long had she been there he hadn't known, why he didn't know either, all Phoenix knew was that there she was sleep peacefully on a bed of cherry blossoms.

"She's complicated, although she doesn't look the part." He whispered, handing Phoenix the lantern he had been holding earlier, blowing out the one she most likely lit, before gently picking her up; adjusting her slowly so that her head rested against his chest, "But, when you come to realize who she is, it's something else."

He found himself not focusing once more on where he was headed, following Marcus' every step once more, lost in his thoughts. In Marcus' arms she looked like who he had come to see her, an angel with pure intentions. Finding himself no longer focusing on reasons for things she said, only focusing on Marcus' words; realizing who she was and not who he thought.

Marcus had made him realize something, he should have days ago. From past experience he knew people were not always what they seemed, his job as an attorney making come to the realization; yet the more he thought about it, it wasn't his job that made him think that. No, it was the life he lived up to this point, the wrongs and rights it took for him to be here; the family affairs that shaped him into person he became. A person he knew Maya didn't know, just as he hadn't yet to discover who she was.

Marcus' words rang true in his ears, he prided himself on understanding and had trouble dealing with what he couldn't. The mere fact that his best friend, whom he had known for six years, was becoming a person he didn't understand troubled him. Finding himself questioning things that in retrospect should have been simple for him, all because she was changing from whom he had thought. A person, upon closer realization, he had brought out the moment he made her smile that night.

"It's late, Phoenix. I think it'd be best for you to get some rest, now that your mind is slightly at ease. Just close your eyes and don't think, I promise you'll fall asleep. Trust me." His soft voice whispered, careful not to awaken the woman sleeping in his arms, as they stood before Fey manor; walking silently through its halls.

Phoenix only nodded; feeling like he was a child once more being taken to his room with hooded eyes, ready at any moment to sleep. Reaching his Fey manor room he looked towards Marcus, eyes hooded and yawning slightly making the man smile, "Thank you…" he whispered, grateful for the small talk the two shared; the unexpected insight he gave him. Marcus merely nodded, before turning to put Maya in her room and back to what Phoenix could only assume as his own home for some much needed rest.

Walking back into the room he had so graciously been provided, laying his tired body in the foreign bed he had left earlier that night. Listening to the harmonious chimes he could only guess played its residents to sleep. Letting the warm air that surprised him earlier, flow over his body.

Following Marcus' advice, he closed his eyes falling asleep with ease. Not once caring that the sun had just risen, alerting its residents to the start of a new day, for Phoenix it was the start of a good night.

YAY! You finished. Lol anyways let me explain this chappey for a bit. This will probably and hopefully be the last chapter in which Phoenix is like this for a while. I don't want to keep having him confused like this over Maya, but I needed and excuse for Phoenix and Marcus to talk so I could properly introduce his character. Marcus will be in ways be the guiding source of this whole story, he's there for wisdom and insight when things get confusing to our favorite couple. He's a pretty smart guy, but at the same he's joking, friendly, and loving. I hope it made sense to you guys; it makes sense to me, maybe because I'm the author and I know what's going to happen next. But like always any problems review or PM I'll answer I promise… unless I'm having a lazy day.