Sorry for taking so long to update, but I had to do . . . stuff. *shudders* Stuff is evil.

Protective and Perverted

When Ray and Mariah finally arrived in the living room they were both very surprised at what met
them there.

Sitting on the couch was Lee, with his arms draped lazily over the back of it. Kai was sitting in
an old armchair with his own arms crossed, obviously not pleased with being there. Angel sat in
his lap with her arms hanging loosely around Kai's neck, which, Ray noticed, had a new scarf
around it, one with the Chinese characters for love, peace, joy, and insane.

Ray had to hold back a laugh. 'Only for Angel.' He couldn't help thinking. 'Only for Angel would
he ever wear that.'

While Ray was looking at the people around the coffee table, who were happily talking, Mariah
stared openmouthed at the other end of the room.

Kevin and Gary were playing checkers with the chess set, not knowing how to play chess at all.
Kailey and Kari sat watching. Well, they were pretending to watch, giving the boys forced smiles
whenever they looked at them. Really they were talking to each other quietly. Mariah couldn't
help but notice that Kailey kept shooting Lee and Kai longing looks, obviously not sure which
one she wanted, only knowing which one was available.

Suddenly a woman, looking to be around her early forties, came into the room with a tray of drinks
and snacks.

"Mariah, Raymond! You finally decided to come down stairs! Well, this is just a perfect little
morning, isn't it?" said the woman in a very bubbly voice.

She had red hair, which seemed to be fading with age, so instead of the deep scarlet it used to
be it was now a very dull burgundy. She had a slim figure, and a beautiful face. She had aged
very gracefully. She wore a dark purple sun dress like she would usually wear when there were
guests.

Ray had known her since before he could remember, her being Mariah's mother and all. Even
though, he only knew her eye color because Mariah had once told him. They were a dark brown
color, she kept assuring them all, more likely trying to reassure herself. You see, Mrs. Ling
always had on a bright smile with her eyes closed happily.

Ray had to hold back a laugh again. He couldn't help but think that no one would ever notice
if she went blind.

"Well, go ahead you two!" encouraged Mrs. Ling stating to walk forward to distribute drinks
and such. "Join your little friends!"

Everyone suddenly looked at them. The room went silent for a second. Suddenly Kai stood up.
Most unfortunate to Angel, though she maneuvered it so she was back in the chair somehow.

Everyone's gaze changed direction as they stared at Kai, waiting to see what he would do.

Everyone was surprised when he simply dusted off his pants and strode forward till he was facing
Ray.

"A word please Ray."

But he didn't wait for an answer. He grabbed Ray's upper arm and dragged him through the
kitchen, out the back door, to the fence farthest from the door and pushed him at it. Now,
this really surprised Ray. What surprised him even more was when he opened his eyes he met
mahogany orbs.

Kai had his arms on each side of Ray's head, his face inches away. Anyone could feel the anger
radiating off him.

"So, hey Kai." Ray squeaked out weakly.

"Hey Ray." was the growled response he got.

"So, um, do you mind telling me what we have to talk about?"

He knew it was the wrong thing to ask at the look Kai was giving to him, but better get it over
quick, right?

"Lets see. There's only one thing to really talk about isn't there?"

Ray stared at Kai in confusion. Only one thing to talk about?

It all of a sudden hit him. What was the only thing that really ever got Kai mad? When
someone messed with his stuff of course. He was a very protective young man. And why would
he be mad at Ray, who never ever dared to touch anything of his? Well, it was obvious,
wasn't it? Kai thought there was something between him and Angel.

Now, Kai would never ever admit that he loved Angel. But that didn't mean he couldn't
keep all other males of any species away from her and called her his. He had no problem
with any of this at all. What was wrong with calling a girl his? Nothing, it shows everyone
else to back of. What was wrong with saying he loved her? Well, everyone would know his
one weakness, that's what.

Ray put his palms on Kai's chest, gently pushing him back as he stood up straight and dusted of
his clothes.

"I assure you Kai, I have never touched anything that was yours, and I have no need to now. I have
my own things, you know."

Oh, god, that came out wrong. But Kai took it in.

In fact, he backed away, crossing his arms over his chest.

Good, now I can go in and forget this ever happened.

And he smirked.

Damn! I actually thought that he would let me drop it here.

"So, you got your own things to touch, Raymond?"

They way he said it made it sound so dirty.

Ray just nodded.

"Mariah yours?"

Ray glared.

"She's my girlfriend, I guess." he replied.

"Yours, huh? One of your things to touch?"

Now, that just sounded perverted. And dammit! Look at that smirk!

"I think I'll go in now."

And with that Ray walked back into the house.

As soon as he reached the living room Mariah came up to him.

"What was that all about?"

Ray just smiled at her as Kai walked calmly back in. Their eyes met for a second, coming to a
mutual agreement.

"Nothing important, now, where are those snacks your mother brought in?"

Mariah frowned, her hands on her hips. For a moment Ray worried that she would question further,
but all she said was "Really Ray! You just had breakfast!"

Ray grinned at her. Quickly he scurried over to sit in his favorite chair. It was white,
except for the occasional black stripe. He sat down in it, pulling the foot rest p to it
between his legs, knowing Mariah would get the hint. She did.

Sighing the teen walked over and sat down, leaning back into Ray's embrace.

As soon as Kai had entered the room Angel had jumped up to make sure he was okay.

"Kai-Kai! You look absolutely horrible! What did Ray-Ray do to you?" she exclaimed.

The four people around the coffee table raised their eyebrows at her. Kai looked just
fine, and everyone knew Ray wasn't stupid enough to do any harm to him, Ray would be dead
in a second if he did.

Kai just sighed and sat. Of course as soon as he did this Angel was in his lap again,
poking and prodding his chest. It seemed she was looking for bruises.

"I'm fine." Kai growled out every now and then. But Ray new better. Kai was loving it,
he was hardly ever fussed over.

"So." Lee started in a bored voice. "How'd you sleep Ray?"

"Oh, just fine Lee. Thanks for asking. I mean, after such a perfect night, this is such a
great morning! And with that wonderful sleep packed into the middle, well, I couldn't be happier!"

Everyone knew Ray was being sarcastic, except for Angel, who just glared at him,
probably thinking something along the line of 'How dare he get such a wonderful time
when my Kai-Kai doesn't.' But she quickly smiled at Ray, probably forgetting why she was mad.

Ray couldn't help but roll his eyes. 'First Lee breaks the moment between me and Mariah,
I have to run for an hour because we have to get back here, I'm kept up half the night
reminiscing with Mrs. Ling and then go into a fitful sleep were I kept getting buried
by roses, then falling into freezing cold water with Lee's head yelling how late I was,
and Mariah's asking me why I wasn't home yet. Oh, and then this morning I couldn't
remember where I was, got yelled at because this insane girl said good morning to me,
then nearly got beaten to a bloody pulp because of a misunderstanding. Oh, and I was
made out to be this perverse boy with his own girlfriend to touch.'

He was brought out of his thoughts when there was a horrible stinging sensation running
along his leg. Yelping he grabbed it out of reach of it's attacker.

"What was that for?" he exclaimed.

"Well, you weren't paying attention."

It was Mariah. Ray shook his head. He should have known. 'She's the only one with claws
instead of finger nails, isn't she?'

"Well?"

"Huh?" Ray looked up. It was Lee talking now.

"How long are you staying Raymond?"

He growled.

"Not very long if you guys keep calling me that."

"Stop being o sensitive Ray-Ray! You've either got to stay here or your coming home with
me and Kai-Kai. Right Kai-Kai?" Angel turned to her boyfriend for back up.

He somehow had a cup of tea. After taking a sip he replied, "No." then went back to his tea.

"But Kai-Kai, we have enough extra rooms! Mariah could come too! It would be so nice to
catch up with one of my bestest friends! And you and Ray-Ray could become buddies again!"

Kai nearly choked on his tea, so did Mariah. If Ray and Lee were drinking anything they
would have too. Mariah and Angel had never been friends. Mariah hated her because Ray
used to have a crush on her when they were little. Mariah wouldn't believe Ray when he
told her it had been admiration, no one did. But it was, promise!

And then there was that second part. Ray and Kai? Buddies? And what was this again crap?
They had never been buddies! Okay, they were friends sure, but not buddies! They might
make it to chums one day, but never ever buddies!

Ray and Kai sighed, hanging their heads.

'This is going to be a long day.'

~AN~Sorry for Kai's little outburst in there too, but he had been holding it in, oh you'll find out
later anyway, won't ruin it now.

And again sorry about the wait thing. But next chapter will be up in a few days or so. . . I hope.
It's going to be a mostly profile chapter, filling you in on Angel, Kailey, Kari, and a few
you haven't met yet. Like Demon, Angel's evil older sister (lame name I know), and Jess, a
boy from Angel's past. After the first 5 or 6 chapters the story might focus on Kai and his
home. Okay well, Love you all lots for reading my story, and please review, the more people
that like my story the more confident I'll be, the more confident I am the faster I write
because of the pride swelling in my stomach that comes out in sentences. Well, thanks again.
Review, and don't be afriad to e-mail me at cheetariemon@aol.com or the_Dawn_of_Dusk@yahoo.com.
I'll love to hear your opinions and e-mail you back if you have questions.