Hi All,

Surprise! Here's a new chapter for New Years.

I hope you all had/have a great night wherever you are around the world and the next year is everything you hope it to be.

For now though, please enjoy and as always, feedback is appreciated but not expected.

xx

Chapter 8

The team had decided to gather at the dojo for an afternoon. Currently Daichi was still at school so they were waiting for him to join them so they could start, leaving them all to their own thing. Since their private lives were still hot news, they were limited on what they could do to avoid further attention. Kenny was working away on his laptop; Ray was meditating with Ryuu whilst was Tyson and Max played a game. Kai however was laying on the grass in the garden staring up at the sky.

It had been 2 days since his day with Liana and Kiyoko and it was still on his mind. After he'd agreed to join in on their lazy day, Stanley had arrived with clothes for him which had given Alastair the chance to call Alyssa. She wasn't happy she was being told to stay away but she'd agreed at the least. Then Alastair had tried to address Stanley's assistance in Kiyoko's disappearance. It had been more than amusing to watch Liana as she picked apart his every argument by pointing out how hypocritical he was being since he'd done the same thing with her as a child. Then she and Kiyoko had gone on a tangent that by trying to reprimand Stanley, he was in essence trying to stop Kiyoko from acting her age and trying to stop Stanley who was helping her act her age. Alastair had admitted defeat and the matter was as Liana said, 'water under the bridge'.

Then they'd all settled into their lazy day. Kai had quickly showered and changed whilst Kiyoko picked out the first movie. By the time they'd gotten to dinner, they'd each picked a movie of their choice to watch. They'd debated with each other over silly things, played and joked whilst watching the movies. Dinner had come and gone quickly, with Kiyoko falling asleep shortly into the second movie choice, whilst Alastair had gone out after dinner. Once they'd put Kiyoko to bed, they settled on the sofa to watch a movie and enjoy each other's company, though Liana hadn't been able to stay away for long. Instead of putting Liana in a bed though, he'd let her use his shoulder as a pillow, just restarted the movie when it ended. Overall, the entire day itself had been and felt effortless, and he couldn't believe how easy it had been for him to fall into the family vibe.

He didn't leave until Alastair had returned, but before he left, he carried Liana to a bed and left her a note to wake up to. When he'd woken up the next morning, he'd smiled when he found a message from Liana on his phone. It had mostly been a thank you for spending the day with them, but she'd also suggested another lazy day. They'd been messaging back and forth since.

"You're quiet today."

Kai sat up and looked at Ryuu with a raised eyebrow, clearly he and Ray were done meditating. The old man chuckled and walked over to join him.

"What I mean is you're quieter than usual today," Ryuu answered.

"I'm just thinking," Kai stated.

"About one of those girls at the club you boys have been going to?" Ryuu asked, "Tyson told me about them. You and Ray should invite them here for a day."

Kai smirked. He knew what the old man was up to. This was his way of trying to subtly hint that he wanted to meet them. And he had to wonder if Ryuu was starting with him or if he started with Ray.

"Before you ask, you're the tougher nut to crack," Ryuu stated.

"So that automatically made me first?" Kai asked.

"This time it does."

"You could have just asked."

"I don't like to be predictable; you know that."

"Then I'll ask."

Before Ryuu could ask or say anything further, Daichi announced his arrival. They all congregated in the garden and caught up on their days, namely at Daichi's insistence after he'd told them all about his day at school. When Ryuu decided to make a start on dinner, they got started on their training. They barely noticed the time fly by until Ryuu called them all in for dinner.

They'd only just finished eating when someone rang the doorbell. Ryuu went to answer it whilst the boys cleared up, but when he call them all, they swapped confused glances before they all went out into the hall. They all went completely still when they saw who was stood next to Ryuu.

"Why do you all look so shocked? I left a note saying I'd come back."

She was dressed in the latest fashion trends and held a confident air about her, but she still looked the same. Hilary had come back to them. Daichi was the first to recover and move forward to give her a hug, which prompted Max, Ray and Tyson to do the same before they all moved to the lounge. Hilary was sat in the middle of them all. Whilst Ryuu had made more drinks, she'd asked them all what they'd been up to since she had left. They'd all taken turns in talking, each giving a brief summary. Kai had stayed silent through the exchange, just watching them all from a distance.

Even by the time the team were done telling their brief summaries, it was late. Ryuu had offered to put Hilary up again, like they had in the past. She had initially refused not wanting to push anyone into sharing rooms, until they told her Kai and Ray had moved into their own place. Once it was settled she was staying, Kai and Ray had decided to head home. They were waiting for the car Stanley was sending when Hilary came out.

"You're leaving already?" she asked.

"It's late," Kai answered.

"I thought we could talk before you left," Hilary stated.

"We can talk another day," he offered as the car arrived for him and Ray.

"I wanted to talk tonight," Hilary stated as Ray got in the car, "Out of everyone, I missed you the most and we haven't had a chance to talk yet. Can you at least tell me if you missed me when I was gone?"

"I miss the Hilary we used to know," he stated before getting in the car.

Ray stayed silent, opting not to attempt conversation giving Kai time to think. She'd certainly given the pretence of being the girl they used to know but something didn't sit right about the whole thing. Her interest on what they'd been up to felt fake and she'd continued to glance at him throughout the conversation. Add in that she'd shown up out of nowhere after nearly 2 years of no contact in any way, 3 days after the news report that put their personal lives on show was suspicious. She wasn't back because she missed them or home. She was back for a reason, a purpose. Now he had to find out who she was now and what she was here for.

"What are you thinking?" Ray asked once they were in the apartment and could talk freely.

"Are you asking because you want my opinion or because you need help forming your own opinion?" Kai asked as she headed into the kitchen.

"I want to know if our opinions are on the same wavelength," Ray stated

"So, what's your opinion?" Kai asked making coffee for them both.

"She's not someone we know anymore and she's back for a reason, not us. And it's a little suspect she came back after the news report," Ray stated as he took his mug.

"Then we're on the same wavelength," Kai informed.

"What do you think we should do?"

"We be careful, keep an eye on her and keep this between ourselves for now."

"Well, that shouldn't be hard. But you need to watch your back," Ray said, "She singled you out tonight."

Ray disappeared into his bedroom with his mug of coffee, leaving Kai alone. If Ray had noticed that tactic, Hilary was in 1 part being transparent. Deciding he needed to clear his head, he headed out to the balcony and let the night-time breeze wash over him. The plan seemed to be working until his phone rang. But when he looked at the Caller ID and saw it was Liana, he suddenly didn't mind the interruption.

"This is a surprise," he greeted.

"And I haven't surprised you before now?" she asked amused.

"No but this is the first time you've called," he stated.

"I thought you might want someone to talk to but I'm going to assume you haven't seen the news yet," she explained.

"I haven't been home long," Kai sighed, "What did they say this time?"

"They seemed to have caught wind that you might have re-gained a team member and now they're speculating about your relationship with said team member in the past," Liana advised, "Hence thinking you might want someone other than Ray to talk to."

"What makes you think I talk to Ray?" he joked.

"I doubt those looks you throw each other are to flirt," she sassed, "So do you need someone to talk to?"

"Probably. But not on the phone," he quipped.

"Well, how about you let me up and show me the view from that balcony of yours?"

He looked over the edge of the balcony and while he couldn't see her very clearly, he could just about make out the figure of someone waving.

"How did you know where I live?" Kai asked.

"I'm a resourceful woman with a meddling family," she answered, "So do I get to see the view from up there?"

"Wait there, I'll come down to get you," he said before hanging up.

When he got down to the lobby, he found her talking to the night security guard about a recipe for a stew that would be perfect in a thermos and that she could get him a coat which he could hide a hot water bottle in. In fact, she seemed to be quite taken with the old guard. He couldn't blame her, the elder man was quite sweet to all the women and children within the building, and fatherly to the men. He was everyone's favourite guard and the stereotypical sweet grandfather figure.

"So sorry Mr Hiwatari," the guard greeted, "I didn't see you there. I was busy speaking to this lovely young lady."

"It's fine," Kai stated as he walked closer, "I didn't want to interrupt. You both look like you were enjoying your talk."

"Oh, I was. She's a truly kind young lady to his old man."

"Oh stop, you're not old," Liana argued softly.

"And a flatterer. You'd do well to find a woman like this sir," the guard advised.

"We can only hope so," Kai stated, "But I am going to have to steal her away now."

"Don't let me stop you. Would you like me to put her on the list?"

"Please."

"What's your name dear?"

"Liana," she answered.

"And your surname?"

"Dickingson," she stated.

"Go on you two, go enjoy the rest of your evening."

"I'll be back with that coat Raymond," Liana smiled as she stood with Kai.

"I don't doubt that miss," the old man smiled.

She followed Kai to the elevator who was giving her an amused look once the doors closed.

"What?" she asked.

"Dickingson? Really?" he asked back.

"You don't believe me?" she asked with fake innocence.

"Not one bit. But I'm not going to ask."

"Thanks. It's a rather long story and we're not talking about me tonight, remember?"

He smirked and stayed silent until they were in the apartment. He gave her a quick tour before taking her out to the balcony. She seemed to just stop for a moment before leaning on the railing.

"This view is amazing," she awed, "Please tell me you bought the place for this view."

"Mostly. The security was the bargain."

"I have to say I'm a little jealous," Liana stated, "I'd prefer a view like this over a garden."

"You're welcome over anytime," Kai offered.

She smiled at him and continued to look out at the view. When he saw her start to shiver, he headed inside and grabbed a hoody for her, helping her put it on. Once it was zipped, she turned, leaning back against the railing to face him.

"So, is it true? Is she back?" Liana asked.

"Apparently," Kai answered, "She just turned up this evening with no warning."

"What actually happened?" Liana asked curiously, "One day she was making appearances and then it stopped suddenly. And it's a rule of mine to never believe rumours from the tabloids."

He leaned back against the railing next to her as he began to explain about Hilary. He told her about how she'd changed when her mother had left, her father's remarriage and when they announced they were leaving the world stage. He guided her inside to the kitchen to make coffee and so she wouldn't get any colder when he began to explain her desire to find her mother. How she'd opted to go home ahead of them during a tour, working to fund her search and how she vanished without a trace whilst they were still away.

He'd led her into the lounge to sit on the sofa as he explained when they stopped hoping to hear from her before telling her how it had been nearly 2 years since they heard from her and her appearance today. By the time he got through the story, they were on the 3rd cup of coffee and Liana had yet to say a word.

"So that's the story of Hilary as we know it," he finished.

"Sounds complicated," she offered.

"You don't have an opinion?" Kai asked.

"I'm not here to give my opinion. I'm here to be someone to talk to," she answered calmly.

"I'd like to hear your opinion anyway," he stated.

"You might regret that," she warned.

"Doubtful."

"In that case, can I get another coffee before I give my opinion?" she asked with a smile.

He chuckled and headed into the kitchen, making them both another coffee and joining Liana on the sofa again. She took a sip of hers and smiled before setting it down.

"Last chance," she warned jokingly.

"I'm not asking again," he stated.

"Ok, my opinion is all of you need to watch your backs," she stated seriously, "She gave up on the family she had in all of you to find someone who gave up on her. She's not back for any of you, she's back for something else and she won't be leaving until she succeeds. Today's reports are not a coincidence."

"You think it's deliberate?" he asked.

"I'm a sceptic by nature. But she returned 3 days after your love life appears in the news and within hours of that, her return is in the news with sources confirming she's returned, when no one had found a trace of her for 2 years. It's the most basic of set-ups and in the meantime, she's playing on a rumour about the two of you, genuine or not for her."

"There's never been anything between us," Kai stated.

"That doesn't mean she didn't feel something for you. She might have just kept it to herself," Liana advised, "Also doesn't mean you didn't feel anything for her in the past."

"I didn't if that's what you're asking."

"I wasn't," she giggled, "Regardless, her feelings could be genuine, so you need to be extra careful. More careful than the rest of the team. If she's still not revealing anything over the next week of what she'd been up to the last 2 years or even if she succeeded in finding her mother, then that's your tell that she was part of the set-up."

"You think so?"

"I know so," she said checking her watch before putting her mug down and taking the hoody off before handing it to him, "I should get going."

"We have spare bedrooms," he offered.

"Maybe another time," she responded with a gentle smile he hadn't seen before.

He walked her out and accompanied her down to the lobby, walking her out the doors himself.

"Thank you for tonight."

"We all need someone to talk to," she answered with a smile, "Get some sleep. I get the feeling you have a few long days ahead of you."

So that's it for this chapter. I hope you enjoyed it.

For anyone who's an Escaflowne Fan, please check out my story 'Return to Gaea'.

As always, any feedback is great feedback, but it's not expected.

Next Upload will be: 31st January.

Again Happy New Year and see you in 2022 xx