Shadow-Assassin: Hey there everyone! I'd like to thank my best friend once again for helping me with this chapter. She was a big help. =^-^= I had to put up the rating to

PG 13 due to some stuff in this and the last chapter.

Tigra: You really need to work on your social skills... Talking to yourself is... well... not normal.

Shadow-Assassin: What are you doing here?

Tigra: I'm here to complain that my fanfiction hasn't got any reviews yet...

Shadow-Assassin: Not my fault no one want to read about a bunch off mutant human/cats with amassing strength and all that. I guess it's not... IN.

Tigra: Well then make it IN!

Shadow-Assassin: The only ones who can do that are the readers. Ask them to read.

Tigra: PLEASE READ THE ORIGIN OF THE KATZ!!!

Shadow-Assassin: O_o Ouch... *Hands over her ears*

Tigra: Wimp.

Shadow-Assassin: Am not!

Tigra: Are too!

Shadow-Assassin: Am not!

Tigra: Are too! Are too! Are too! Are too!

Shadow-Assassin: -_-" I give...

Tigra: Wimp... *Laughs*

Shadow-Assassin: Oh... before I forget... I DO NOT OWN ANY ANIME ON THE FACE OF THIS PLANET OR ANY OTHER PLANET!

Tigra: *Gets blown away by Shadow's yelling* AHHH!!!

Shadow-Assassin: As team rocket always says. Your blasting off aaaagggaaaaiiiinnnn!! *Laughs*

Legend Of The White Dragon

Chapter 8 - Confession and Departure

Ray looks through the bushes at the village. Most of the villagers have gone back to their daily routine, though they all look a bit nervous. He looks around for Mariah and the others but they seem to have gone as well.

Suddenly he fell a hand on his shoulder and he turns abruptly coming face to face with Mariah.

"Ray!" Mariah smirks, "I thought you where leaving."

"I... I am." Ray says looking at the ground.

"Your just a coward you know that!" Mariah yells suddenly.

"Mariah... I'm just trying to protect the people I care about... protect you." Ray says.

Mariah's eyes widen, "What did you say?!"

"I care about you Mariah... I always have." Ray says as his face flushes red.

Suddenly Mariah jumps at Ray hugging him with a smile on her face and tears in her eyes, "What took you so long?"

"Huh?" Ray says looking down at Mariah, his face a darker red then it had been a second ago.

"I've been waiting for that for so long... I love you Ray, " she says as the tears stream down her cheek.

"I... I love you too." He stutters as he wraps his arms around her returning the hug.

She looks up at Ray suddenly tears still flowing down her cheeks, "You do?"

"Yes... I have for a very long time." He says smiling at her.

"Why didn't you tell me...?" She asks looking into his yellow eyes.

"I'm... not exactly human... I didn't think you'd... accept me." Ray says looking away.

"I love you Ray... no matter what, " she says running her hand through his bangs.

"And I will always love you... but I still have to leave the village. I'm going to go with the BladeBreakers to the next tournament." He says sadly.

"I can't bear the thought of you leaving me again Ray... but if that's what makes you happy..." she says turning her attention to the ground.

"I don't want to leave. I want to stay here, but I can't, I have to fulfill my destiny... as do the rest of you." Ray says placing a hand on her chin and lifting her head to look at him.

"My destiny is being with you." She says trying to smile.

"And we will be together again... I promise, but for now I have to leave." He says smiling at her gently.

She smiles going on her tippy toes reaching to his lips and kissing him gently, wrapping her arms around his neck.

He looks at her shocked then gently kisses her back.

She backs up slightly and smiles sweetly.

He smiles back and lifts his hands over her head fixing the ribbon in her hair.

"I better find the others so we can get going." Ray says.

"Ok then. If your going to the next tournament... I'll make sure I'm there as well... with my new team! Prepare to lose!" Mariah giggles as she hugs Ray once more.

"At least this time we meet as friends... not as enemies." Ray says.

"Friends?!" Mariah says glaring at Ray, "Is that all I am to you? A friend?"

"No... but I didn't want to offend you by calling us a couple." Ray says winking.

"Well that's was we are... aren't we?" Mariah asks in a slightly sad voice.

"Yes... We are a couple." Ray says brushing a loose strand of hair from her face.

"Till next we meet I guess." She says looking into his yellow eyes.

"Till next we meet." He smiles as he backs up and turns to walk away.

"Remember... you promised." Mariah says is a soft tone.

Ray smiles back at her then turns a corner to find his friends.

________________________________________________________________________

Tyson is pacing around the park as Kenny and Max consult Dizzi on the events of the day.

"It's a very long story Kenny. It would take years to explain it all." Dizzi says.

"At least tell us something Dizzi. We have no idea what's happening." Kenny says.

"Ya Dizzi. Tell us about Ray and why Kai turned traitor on us." Max says a bit angry.

"Kai never turned traitor I'm afraid." Dizzi says.

"So he really was working for them the whole time?" Tyson says suddenly looking over at the laptop that Dizzi was trapped in.

"I'm afraid so. He works for his Grandfather known as Voltare. Voltare's known to be cruel and vengeful." Dizzi says.

"I wouldn't want to be in Kai's shoes right about now. His Grandpa's going to be really mad." Max says cringing.

"And what about Ray?" Kenny asks.

"What about me?" A voice says.

The three boys turn to see Ray standing just a ways off from them.

"Ray?" Tyson says a bit shocked.

"Ray please tell us what's going on!" Kenny says a bit too loudly.

"Ya! Why'd you leave!" Max growls.

"Calm down both of you. You'll learn all you need to know in due time. Right now we need to leave." Ray says looking serious.

"Not till you tell us who and what you are!" Tyson says glaring at Ray.

"There are some things your not ready to know just yet. Just know this. I am on your side." Ray says before turning around and walking away.

"That's convincing enough for me." Tyson says to himself shrugging.

"Wait for us!" Max shouts as he and the other two run after Ray.

_____________________________________________________________________

The plane trip back to Japan is a long one. Tyson once again ate the Airline food and is groaning in pain in his seat next to Kenny.

"I told you once and I told you again. Don't eat the Airline food. Didn't you learn from the last time?" Kenny says.

"Ohhh... I was hungry... What was I suppose to do Chief?" Tyson says holding his stomach.

"Your hopeless." Kenny says going back to typing.

"Careful Kenny. Break it you bought it." Dizzi complains.

"Sorry Dizzi." Kenny says.

"Hello? Earth to Raymond." Max says waving a hand over Ray's face.

"What's up Max?" Tyson asks.

"Ray's been off in his own little world ever since lift off. He keeps staring out the window." Max says.

 Ray sighs and ignores Max's comment. He continues thinking of Mariah and the past... and the future. He wasn't sure what they where in for but he was sure it was going to be tough. He wanted so much to end this whole thing and just be with Mariah, but that wasn't going to happen... not for a while anyway. He smiles slightly at a vision of Mariah in the window.

"You ok Ray?" Tyson asks putting a hand on Ray's shoulder.

"Huh?" Ray says turning to look at his friend, "Ya, ya I'm fine Tyson."

"You sure. What's up... you've been quieter then usual." Tyson says.

"Ya you're starting to scare us." Max adds.

"I was just thinking about the tournament. That's all. Just wondering if we can beat the American team," Ray says, "There suppose to be really strong. Maybe even stronger then our team."

"Better then our team... ya right. We are almost impossible to beat." Max says.

"Trust me Max. Things can always get harder. And so can people." He replies.

"Uh... Ok." Max shrugs.

"Ah don't sweat it Ray... We can beat em just like we beat the WhiteTigers." Tyson says with his hands behind his head.

"Ray's right guys. The All-Stars have never lost a game... Nor have they ever really needed to try their best." Kenny says.

"There a real top notch team. You guys will really need my help for this one." Dizzi says.

"Right Dizzi. This is going to take strategy and planning, but I think we can pull it off. Right guys." Kenny says.

The other three agree smiling.

________________________________________________________________________

It was late that night and Mariah was in a deep sleep. The glowing from her dresser going unnoticed.

________________________________________________________________________

Mariah awakes and looks around. The Dragons clawed hand draped over her in a protective embrace.

She smiles and nudges closer to the bright, white scales before taking a look around at her surroundings. They seems to be in a large cave of some sort. It was damp, dark, and dreary, but she wasn't afraid. She had nothing to fear when she was with the White Dragon. She knows he will protect her to the death if need be.

She slowly closes her eyes once again and drifts off to sleep.

________________________________________________________________________

The pain is excruciating and the blood flows like a river down her brown dress. She cries out in pain from her spot on the floor of the cave and looks to the man who'd caused her injury.

"Why?" She asks between painful breaths of air.

"He's betrayed his kind by, not only coming to this wretched world, but by falling in love with one of its inhabitants." The man in the black cloak says.

She looks over to the injured Dragon who is lying on its back panting. Blood flowing from the deep gash in his stomach.

"How could you. He trusted you! And look what you did to him." Mariah sobs as the tears flow freely down her cheeks.

"I trusted him as well... and he betrayed me. So why should I not betray his trust? He deserved what he's getting." The man spits.

"Your disgusting!" Mariah growls before once again yelping in pain.

"That's a compliment coming from a human." The man laughs.

He then motions to one of the men who'd come with him and the man hands him a long, shiny sword.

"I suggest you say your good-byes." The man grins evily.

"NO!" Mariah yells out, "LEAVE HIM ALONE!"

Mariah tries to get up but the pain stops her in her tracks. The tears flow down her cheeks from both the pain and the knowledge of what was about to happen.

The man slowly walks up to the Dragon and lifts the sword just above its head.

"NO!!!!" Mariah yells out with what energy she has left.

But it came too late. The man drops the sword quickly... killing the Dragon.

Mariah cries out hysterically before she passes out from her injuries...