Here's chapter 1 for you all.

Its a bit of a slow start on this one but I've tried not to take it too slow.

Any feedback is appreciated but not expected.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy the chapter x

Chapter 1

He woke to the sound of the coffee maker starting in the kitchen. Rolling onto his side, he saw it was 6am. Whilst it wasn't abnormal for Ray to be up early, it was unusual for him to head straight to the coffee. He'd known the neko long enough to know he was worried about something. He doubted he'd be going back to sleep anytime soon now he was awake. He moved to get out of bed and headed down to the kitchen, leaning against the island whilst Ray's back was still turned.

"Want one?" Ray asked quietly.

"Please."

He waited until Ray was facing him and gave him his coffee. From what he could tell, Ray was being guarded.

"What is it?" Kai asked.

"Lee called. Mariah's getting married," Ray answered.

"Who?"

"He didn't say. Probably Gary to add strength to the Wong Line."

"Are you ok with that?"

"I was expecting to feel upset. But I just feel free," he stated, guilt heavy in his tone.

"And you feel guilty about that?" Kai asked.

"More like thinking what sort of person that make me? Or what it says about the love I thought I had for her?"

"You fell out of lover with her. You were weighed down by the guilt of breaking her heart and the village put more guilt on you for breaking free from their self-imposed isolation. It's called being human and finally letting go," Kai summarised.

"You think so?"

"Either that or it's your subconscious throwing a party and saying you can go get laid now she's moving on," Kai stated with a smirk as Ray choked on his coffee.

"Have you been smoking something?" Ray asked.

"No. You wouldn't accept a serious answer so I gave you a Tala answer," Kai stated.

"That does sound like something he would say," Ray mused, "Don't do that to me again!"

"Noted. Feel better?"

"Yeah. Thanks. Sorry I woke you."

"What's the plan for today?"

"Nothing. I'm going to bed," Ray yawned.

He watched as Ray downed his coffee and walked off, heading to his room. Deciding to make sure of the early hour, he headed upstairs putting on his running sweats, vest and hoodie before heading out for a run. He was an hour in and going through a residential area to head back when he spotted a woman backed against a wall with 3 men surrounding her. He slowed down to a walk as he got closer though.

"C'mon sweetheart. We can show you a good time," one leered.

"Yeah? Will it involve learning how to use a toothbrush? Your breath could kill an elephant," she retorted coldly.

"You think you're funny, huh bitch," one of the thugs yelled as went to hit her.

He was about to rush forward to help when she caught his fist whilst delivering her own, on target though, and following up with a knee to the groin. The guy to her right stepped back, whilst the one on the left tried his luck and ended up like the first. She turned to the last one as he pulled out a knife pointing it at her. She was quick enough he almost missed her moving forward to grab the knife with one hand and twisting round to deliver her elbow to his nose with her free arm, loosening his grip. He stumbled back, holding his nose and suddenly looked scared.

"You want to end up like them?" she aske coldly getting a terrified shake of the head, "Good. Then leave, take them with you and find some new friends and respect for women."

He nodded as he helped the other 2 off the ground and walked away. She kept watching them until they were out of sight, relaxing and looking at the knife in her hand. He watched her gingerly unwrap he hand and drop the knife into a convenient gutter hole before inspecting the blood on her hand with a wince.

Now he could actually see her properly, he was a little stunned. She was beautiful and obviously fit, healthy and agile. The 3 quarter length leggings and turtle neck sleeveless top suggested she ran often, if not daily, even with a hoodie around her waist. Her black and white ombre hair was pulled back into a sleek ponytail and her fringe wasn't out of place. She was also now giving off a completely different aura. From hostile to serene.

"You ok?" Kai asked.

She jumped and turned to look at him fully with a shocked look.

"Um yeah… sorry, didn't see you there," she said a little flustered.

"Well you were busy. Not that you needed any help."

"The thought counts though," she said as she wiped her hands on her leggings, before digging in her hoodie for a cloth to grip for the time being.

"Happen often?"

"Often enough. I've dealt with worse so a trio if idiots and drunkards aren't anything I can't handle," she stated, "I don't usually see you round here."

"My room-mate woke me up to clear his thoughts, then decided to sleep it off. Thought I'd take advantage of the time," he answered, "You live round here?"

"I'm not far. A street or 2 away. Why? You thinking of stalking me?"

"No, stalking requires a can," he retorted getting a smile, "This is just in case there's another attempt since you have a war wound to contend with."

"Well aren't you a knight in shining armour," she joked, gesturing the direction to head.

They walked in a comfortable silence for 5 minutes until she stopped outside a set of gates. At first glance, it reminded him of Tyson's, the only difference being that this was hiding a 2 storey house and probably had a large garden compared to the dojo.

"Thanks for walking with me."

"No problem," he answered as she opened the gate.

"You know if you & the team ever go out to enjoy the night life, you should stop by 'Elements'. I'll have your name added to the VIP list permanently," she offered, "Oh and Tyson's isn't far from here so you might want to put your hood up and use the alleys since your fanboys are out at this time. They haven't clocked that you've moved out yet. It was nice meeting you Kai."

With that, she slid through the gate, shutting it behind her. He couldn't help but chuckle as he walked away, heading back the way he came with his hood up and a smirk the whole way.

He didn't go straight back to the apartment, deciding to use the buildings gym facility for a while. By the time he did, Ray had gone out for the day. It was 3 days later, on Friday morning before he and Ray saw each other again. He was making himself coffee when Ray walked in yawning.

"Morning," he greeted.

"Was wondering if we'd have to declare you missing," Kai joked.

"I'll return the favour the next time you do it then," Ray fired back.

Silently, Kai carried on making the coffee as well as one for Ray. They stayed silent for 5 minutes as they sat at the island. Clearly the last time they talked, something had changed for both of them, seeing as she was still thinking about the girl he met.

"So, what's had you so busy then?" Kai asked.

"I ran into someone and the days got away from me," Ray answered.

"Anyone we know?"

"No. But I mean, I literally ran into her. I was on a run and got distracted. Knocked her over as well," he grumbled.

Kai had to stop himself from laughing, but he did smirk and raise an eyebrow as if to tell him to explain further.

"She had her 8 year old cousin with her but they both laughed when I apologised and said I was obviously distracted because apparently I didn't hear them ask if I was ok when I helped her up. I offered to take her to the training centre to get a first aid kit for knee's but she was already heading there. Turns out she teaches a kids class in the afternoon so I ended up helping."

"I didn't think you'd take the 'get laid' joke seriously," Kai joked.

"It wasn't like that. I just got to know her," Ray muttered.

"For 3 days?"

"Do you always notice everything?"

"Yes. What happened after?"

"When did you become a gossip?"

"Would you rather be talking to Ryuu and Tyson?" Kai asked with a raised eyebrow.

They stared each other down until Ray finally gave in with a sigh.

"We just talked. Her name's Alyssa. She didn't give a damn that I was famous at all though. The kid, Kiyoko, had a moment but then treated me like she'd always known me. I took both of them to get food after. It was just normal. Wouldn't let me pay either," Ray explained, "Rinse and repeat for the last 2 days."

"You sound like you're interested," Kai noted.

"She was beautiful," he mused before looking down, "But I'm not so sure I'm interested in her like that."

"Bullshit."

"Says Mr Feelings," Ray retorted, "I barely know her."

"So what do you know about her?"

"She lives with her 2 cousins, Kiyoko and her older sister. They lost their family when Kiyoko was around 1 so it's just the 3 of them. Her and the older sister raise Kiyoko together. Their guardian and uncle home schooled them so they could be around for Kiyoko and they finished ahead of others their age and been working since. The uncle takes Kiyoko 3 times a week to home school her. Her sister takes a day since she has a night job. But they all have Mondays off to relax as a family. Alyssa is an assistant at a school 3 days a week and then goes straight to the class at the training centre with Kiyoko. It's the only time the kid can interact with other kids her age and teaches her to blend in since she's a little prodigy. Friday and Saturday nights they work for their Uncle and help him prep for the week on Sundays or help out at the sister's job for the day. If they aren't working they have Kiyoko but they've nearly got enough savings banked for 1 of them to go full time while the other teaches Kiyoko. They've been saving for 4 years," Ray explained, "Kiyoko is also a fan of yours. She wants to be like her sister when she's older since she's smart enough to take over the world. She's building her own Beyblade so her sister can teach her."

"Cute," Kai answered with a smirk, "But you proved my point. You're interest in her."

"No I'm not."

"Favourite colours?"

"Alyssa's is forest green, Kiyoko's is pastels and her sisters depending on her mood is white or phoenix red or blood red."

"Again you proved my point. If you weren't interested you wouldn't remember that in 3 days."

"Ok fine. I'm interested," Ray conceded, "Doesn't mean it'll go anywhere though."

"Then let whatever happens, happen. You and Mariah were basically pushed together by the village and her own expectations. This time it's on your terms."

"Seriously, how do you do this?" Ray blurted, "You've never had a girlfriend before."

"Don't need to when you're observant," Kai shrugged, "Do you want to stop talking about it and act like it didn't happen?"

"You're an asshole," Ray stated, "We should go out tonight."

"Got anywhere in mind?"

"Not really, know anywhere?"

"Want to try out Elements?" Kai asked with a smirk.

"I'll call the others then," Ray offered as he got up and walked out.

Kai kept smirking. Meeting that woman had worked in his favour after all and with any luck he'd run into her again so he could get her name.

Hours later, they were standing in the queue to the club with Max and Tyson who were chatting away about plans they had next week. Ray was patiently waiting, Kai's attention was on their surroundings. By the time they got to the front, save for a few people in front, there was some sort of commotion behind them, which had gotten Ray and Tyson's attention. Kai was looking ahead at the girl checking IDs. She looked familiar but her hair was mostly a pastel mint green with the exception of the black roots. It was long but she had 2 thin braids tied back and a side fringe. She was pretty to say the least.

"I've had enough of this," someone yelled.

Kai turned and saw a guy storm past, grabbing the girl's arm.

"You're going to let me in or I'm going to ruin that pretty face of yours," the man threatened.

"Would you please let me go?" she asked sweetly as the doors opened, "You won't like what'll happen if you don't."

"What do you think you can do against me?"

"Don't say I didn't warn you," she sang mockingly.

Kai heard Ray utter 'Alyssa' just as the man was tackled and pushed against the opposite wall, by the girl Kai had meet the other day.

"Keep your hands off my cousin fuck-wit," she growled, keeping an arm at his throat tightly.

"Told you so," the pastel haired girl he assumed was Alyssa cheered, "Liana, don't forget to let this one to breathe or he'll pass out like last week's victims."

"Oh, but that would be no fun," the girl responded evilly with an evil smirk to match.

Kai noticed the guy moving to get something out of his pocket and rushed forward to slam his arm against the wall and take the knife from his pocket with a glare. Liana looked furious as she kneed him. Kai took a step back letting him fall to the ground holding his groin. Liana smiled evilly before he kicked him as hard as she could as 2 huge men came out the doors to escort the man away. Kai took the moment to look at Liana and took note of her outfit. She had her hair down but it didn't distract from the black off the shoulder long sleeved crop top and black hip riding jeans. She had a fingerless leather glove on the hand she injured. Then she looked at him with a smile.

"Thanks for that."

"No problem. How's the war wound?"

"Healing."

"Healing with the help of stitches which she probably just ripped open," Alyssa quipped before turning to the queue, " Hey Ray, didn't think I'd see you here. Boys night out?"

"Something like that," Ray answered with a smile.

"Well come on in, we'll get you set up in the VIP section."

"They're already on the list as Kai and team," Liana stated, "I'm going to stay out here for a bit and go through the line. We got a new list of trouble makers."

"With stitches in your hand? Nope, not happening," Alyssa growled.

"But I'll have someone with me," Liana argued.

"Not. Happening!" Alyssa growled, marching over and moving to Liana's back to push her inside.

"But…"

"No buts! Follow me boys."

"Alyssa!"

That's it for now

I hope you enjoyed the chapter and again, any feedback is appreciated but not expected.

Anyway, the next update will be on: 11th September

Until next time xx