AN: Well here you go!  Thanks guys for all the reviews, you rule!  This chapter is actually quite humorous, but there is a major plot development, so I hope you like it ^^  It's also longer than normal so, enjoy =)

"Ah!  Get away from me you crazy banshee!"  Ian yelled, tearing away from the cave entrance at break neck speed.  "Out of the way!"  Tala and Bryan were forced to step back as Ian flew by.  Their eyebrows shot up.  What the hell…?

The answer came soon enough when a blue vision streaked past them, hot on the short Demo boy's trail.  "You have pushed me too far you big nosed midget!  I just did that laundry you bastard!"  She screeched.

Tala blinked then turned his head towards the cave.  Sure enough small piles of laundry lay in the dirt, the laundry tub knocked over beside them.  He shook his head, whistling to himself.  "Can't say I wouldn't kill him too."  He said, chuckling.

Bryan grunted, continuing to watch the two short teens run around the clearing.  Somewhere along the way Liika had picked up a thick branch and was swinging it at Ian's head.  She was very violent, especially for such a goody good.  He couldn't help but slightly admire the trait.

"Hey Ika!" Tala called, his eyes dancing with amusement.

Liika looked up, scowling.  "What?!"

Tala laughed.  "Don't maim him too bad eh?"

"Got ya.  I wont kill him…much."

Liika was seeing red.  The irritating midget had knocked all her clean laundry onto the dirty ground.  Now she was going to have to wash it all again!  Her hands were already raw and slightly numb.

Though early April was warmer than mid-March, not by much.  Everything still froze at night, and so they had to dry their clothes in the cave by the fire on a rough clothes rack she had demanded Spencer make for her.   After all, the majority of the laundry she did was theirs.  Bloody men.

The two weeks since their drop had been filled with adjustment for both Liika and the Demolition Boys.  It was clear they were not used to having a female present at all times, let alone at all.  Ian and Liika clashed quite a bit, as they both had such big mouths and short tempers, however, an uneasy friendship began to build between them; a truce of sorts, in defense against the three bigger boys, who liked to pick on them incessantly.  Especially Tala, because it seemed that he took great joy in irritating the smaller teens –most specifically Liika.  He would do small things such as leave a log or stick in the path he knew she'd take first thing in the morning when she was half asleep just so he could watch her trip, or even sabotaging her crafts or activities, or multiplying her work load to the point where I was obvious she wouldn't be able to do it all –and then complain loudly when it wasn't done.

However, despite his picking on her, Liika couldn't really dislike him.  After they're initial bonding time, were she had glimpsed his true personality, they really only got closer.  In fact she had gotten closer to all the Demolition Boys, save one.

Bryan remained an enigma to her.  Tala teased her, but obviously looked out for her, Ian complained but more often than not found himself teamed up with her to get back at Tala for some prank or another and Spencer became her tutor.  He taught her about basic survival and hunting, in case, he said, she should get lost on her own –she prayed that would never happen.  But Bryan…Bryan for the most part either avoided her or ignored her completely.  It was strange because by rights, she should know him the best.  She had spent the most one on one time with him, but she didn't know him any better now than she did the first she laid eyes on him (which was when they crushed the Bladebreakers bus).  There was one development in her relationship with the burly Demo Boy, and that was that she was no longer terrified of him.  In fact, the only thing she felt towards him now was an intense curiosity, a desire to learn more about him, to learn what made him tick.  What could have happened to make him the way he was?  He was even distanced from his teammates!  Why?

Liika was jolted out of her musing when she felt a rock shift under her flying feet and her body jerk forward as she plummeted to the ground.  "Ow…"  She moaned when she finally came to a stop after sliding a good three feet through the dirt.

"Wahahaha!  What a klutz!"  Ian laughed loudly.  "Why am I not surprised!"

The blue haired girl growled, pushing herself up with her hands so that she sat on her bottom glaring at the short, navy haired boy.  "Shut up midget!  It's your fault you little…"  She spat, glowering at the howling boy.

A hand landed on the top of her head and tilted her face up to look into laughing eyes the same colour as her own.  "You'll live?"  Tala asked, raising a red eyebrow and smirking.  His other hand came up and smudged a clump of dirt that was stuck to her cheek.

Liika scowled, slapping the offending hand away.  "Yes."  She answered in a surly voice.

Tala chuckled, crouching down to her level.  "I think I have just the punishment for him."  He winked.

A grin spread over her face.  Ah…and that was why she liked Tala.  He dealt out the irritation in equal amounts to everyone –though it seemed that it was just mostly her.  Her eyes flicked behind Tala to fall on Bryan to gauge his reaction to the situation. 

He was watching as impassive as ever, his eyes central to her and Tala.  Didn't anything move him?

"This is such crap!"  Ian complained loudly, plunging his hands into the lukewarm, sudsy, water.  "I'll get you back for this Tala!"

"Oh stop your complaining."  Liika commanded, wincing as she stabbed herself with the needle she was using.  "You brought it on yourself and you know it."

"You were the one that left the damn tub right in the middle of the path!  It was waiting for someone to trip over it!  Hell, I bet if it was Bryan, he wouldn't be doing your job!"  He snapped back, running the dirty shirt he had grabbed over the washboard.

Liika snorted.  "That's stupid.  Everyone knew it was laundry day today and that I do the laundry there.  So, if Bryan had been the one to knock it over, I would have made him rewash it."

Ian paused for a moment before bursting out laughing.  "You make Bryan do women's work??  That's funny!"

She huffed, dropping the shirt she was attempting to mend to her lap.  "And why is that so funny?!"  She demanded with a scowl.  "I could do it!"

He sent her a wry look, a smirk taking over his face.  "Tala couldn't make Bryan do what he terms as 'women's work', what makes you think you could?"

"Haven't you ever heard the saying 'Hell hath no fury like a woman's scorn'?"

"It's a woman scorned and that pertains to something entirely different."

Liika shrugged.  "My way's still true.  Bryan would do it, I'd make him if I had to hold his hand all the way through it."  She said haughtily tossing her ponytail.

Ian howled once more, this time falling over and clutching his middle, laundry forgotten.

"Now what's so funny?!"  Liika demanded in confusion.  She really didn't see what was so funny about anything she had said.

"Hahahaha….I just pictured Bryan learning to do laundry while you actually held his hand!"  He broke out into another fit of laughter.

She stopped, her eyes rolling upwards as she pictured the scene herself in her head.  Slowly the giggles built up until they erupted from her throat and she too collapsed in a fit of laughter.  It really was too funny!  Just the picture of the surly Bryan doing laundry was enough to cause a heart attack from laughing too hard! 

"I should have known neither of you would be doing what you were supposed to be doing."  Tala's dry comment cut in through the peals of laughter that echoed through the clearing.

Both teens looked up momentarily, but as soon as they caught sight of Bryan who stood beside Spencer, behind Tala they began laughing again, tears leaking out of the corners of their eyes.  The other three just stood there confused, shooting each other looks and shaking their heads.  Really, sometimes the two short ones were a really bad combination!

"May we inquire as to why you are laughing so hard?"  Spencer spoke up first, raising a blond eyebrow.  He clearly didn't see what was so funny.

"Or do we even want to know?"  Tala seconded, crossing his arms to peer suspiciously at the two teens on the ground.  "For all we know it could be something decidedly sexual.  In which case I really don't want to know."

Again the laughter paused as Ian and Liika looked at each other, then looked at Bryan before breaking down in laughter once more.  By this time they were both rolling around, clutching their abdomens and crying large tears of mirth.  Ahh, who would have thought a ritual argument would break down into something so funny?!

This time however, all three of the boys caught the direct look at Bryan and started to piece things together.  The something that the two were finding so amusing had to do with Bryan, that much was clear, but what could be so amusing about the stern, grouchy pale haired teen?  Tala looked thoughtful.  A lot actually, but nothing that was that funny.

"I'm glad I'm not doing that laundry!"  Liika exclaimed suddenly through fits of laughter, throwing a meaningful look at Ian.

Ian caught the look and laughed harder, obviously catching the hidden innuendo.  "Me too!"  He echoed chortling loudly.

Tala blinked.  "Ok, so now I'm lost."  He stated, looking perplexed.  "What does laundry have to do with Bryan?"

This only sent the two howling some more.  It was getting to the point where both were having troubles breathing because they couldn't stop laughing.  Tala and Spencer were trying desperately to put together the meager information they had while Bryan's face got progressively darker.  His hands clenched at his sides, and his breathing became erratic.  He did not like to be the brunt of someone's joke, especially when he didn't know what the joke was about.  A low growl emitted from the back of his throat.  If those two didn't stop laughing he was going to break their necks… And he would take particular happiness from snapping that slim, pretty little neck of that girl who had been infringing on his space for the last two weeks…mmm  Maybe he wouldn't snap it…maybe he would just chain her to the wall of the cave by her neck and make her their slave… that would probably be worse torture than a swift painless death.

The red head captain noticed the pale haired boy's slowly shortening fuse and decided that it was probably best to stop the foolishness before someone got hurt.  Ian should have known better than to piss Bryan off.  Now life would be miserable for days.   "Ok, that's it.  I've had enough of your never-ending giggles.  Ian, get back to work, I want that laundry done by sundown.   And Liika since it seems that you are failing at your mending work, you go with Spencer and catch our dinner."  Tala commanded sternly, leveling both giggling teens with a no-nonsense glare.

It didn't have much effect on the laughter, but it got both teens moving.  Ian picked himself up of the ground –still snickering- and set himself back to washing the laundry, while Liika –also snickering- stood, one of Ian's shirt that she was trying to mend in her hand before she scurried off to the cave, throwing a shining glance, along with a mischievous smile at Bryan as she passed.

Bryan's eyebrow twitched.  Something about her eyes bothered him.  "Are you looking to die wench?"  He growled at her back.

She turned back around and grinned saucily, trying desperately not to laugh again.  She liked a good laugh, but she wasn't stupid!  She could see that he was angry.  "Gomen nasai Bryan-sama!"  She chirped before disappearing into the cave.

Bryan grit his teeth and muttered a few choice words under his breath before stalking off down a trail, his hands shoved in his pockets. 

Tala sighed, rolling his eyes.  "The maturity level around here just dropped about fifty points."  Spencer chuckled, adding his agreement.

"What was so funny that you had Bryan ready to kill you?"  Spencer asked curiously as the two trekked through the northern bush checking traps.

It was getting late in the day and the sun had dropped below the tree line.  Liika shivered slightly under her parka, glad that she had had the foresight to bring it.  It was cold!  Of course, she was cold 90% of the time, and almost perpetually wore the parka, either that or a sweatshirt as she had become accustomed to doing during the daylight hours when it was sunny.  The four boys often snickered at her as she cursed the cold violently.

Liika giggled at the memory.  She knew Bryan was angry, but ready to kill them?  Heh, maybe she was still scared of him after all.  "Oh, it started in with an argument and escalated.  Me and Ian were picturing Bryan doing laundry…then when Tala commented about it being something sexual…well hell just broke loose."  She explained, smiling.  "I didn't realize it would anger him so badly."

Spencer smiled slightly, and shook his head.  The thought of Bryan doing laundry was rather amusing.  "Bryan…has trouble reacting to situations where he feels uncomfortable, or put on the spot, so he reacts with the only emotion he knows really well.  Anger."

Liika's smile turned into a frown as she bit her lip musingly and furrowed her eyebrows.  "I see…Does my being here really bother him that bad?  He always ignores me, or avoids me when he can."

"Hm.  It's hard to tell what bother's Bryan and what doesn't as he has the same attitude about everything, whether he likes it or not."  Spencer explained, looking down at her.  "However, neither I nor Tala are of the opinion that Bryan dislikes you in anyway.  In fact I doubt he has feelings of any kind towards you at all."

"Oh that makes me feel better.  I don't exist."  Liika sighed.  "I would like to at least try to be friends with you all.  I mean, you're not so bad…once you get used to you."  She winked.  "He's the only one not even willing to look in my direction…let alone allow me to befriend him.  Gah!  I'm not asking to be buddy, buddy!  Just to have some sort of working relationship…we don't even have that.  Just me there, and when I get in his way he growls at me.  If I don't, I don't exist." 

Spencer listened to her rant with a patient ear, nodding when appropriate or adding a comment here or there when he felt it was necessary.  It was interesting to listen to her talk about the four of them.  It had never really mattered what other people thought of them, so they never really listened, but now that she was, essentially, a part of their team, her opinion mattered.  He had never heard the outside take on their personalities, and found it fascinating.  She saw things so very different than any of them.  And her whole preoccupancy with Bryan was utterly amusing.  One moment she was ranting about him being cold and unfeeling and completely frustrating, and the next she was pondering why he was like he was.  Next came the hypotheses, to which he said nothing as it was not his place to say.  She appeared to be quite fond of all four of them…especially Bryan who she seemed almost…worried about.  Perhaps the old man had been right to send her with them, he couldn't deny that she had, for the most part, had a positive effect on their team structure and personalities.  Unless of course you counted Ian, who was of the opinion that she was breaking them apart.  (Spencer suspected this was just for show though.)

"…so why is he like that?"

Spencer blinked, tilting his head as he caught the end of her rant.  By 'he' he assumed she meant Bryan, which was what the majority of their conversation had been about.  "Ask him and find out."  He replied, knowing it was not his place to explain his teammates past.

Liika deadpanned and rolled her eyes.  "Oh yes, because that's such a simple solution.  Ask the one that would kill me than answer me just why he would kill me than answer me.  Sounds like a brilliant plan to me."  She muttered, crossing her arms over her chest and glaring into the bushes around her.

The blond chuckled, shaking his head.  They stopped at the last trap in their run and emptied it, adding another hare to their one rabbit and a squirrel collection.  "You never know, you might be surprised by the answer."

"Ha, and maybe one day Ian will shut his big trap."

Bryan stomped back towards the cave, his mind a confusing jumble long repressed emotions and thoughts.  He had followed Spencer and the wench for a little bit, just to see if she would tell his blond teammate just why her and the little runt had been laughing so hard at his expense.  He had found out all right, not too long after they had set out, Spencer had asked and received an answer.

Doing laundry indeed.

As if he'd ever touch the laundry tub, let alone when it had soapy water and clothes in it.  It'd be a cold day in hell before anyone caught Bryan Kaminov doing a woman's job!

However, that wasn't what had his mind whirling so much.  After she had told Spencer the truth she had proceeded to talk…and talk about him.  She seemed to have a million opinions on what his problem was, a million questions on why he ignored her, disliked her or glared at her.  She was a walking mouth, and when her questions and angry rants turned to thoughtful half-worrying, that's when he bailed, deciding that he had heard enough and turning back for the camp.

Why would a little Bladebreaker wench worry about him?  She had no business being concerned about his past or his actions.  She wasn't part of his team, she wasn't even really part of his life.  She was just…just like a pet –a rather loud pet.  She cooked and cleaned for them and as long as she did her job everything was fine.

But why couldn't he believe that?

Something about knowing she worried after him just as much as she worried about the other three made something shift inside of him.  Something he didn't like.  It was sort of…a…strange…click.  Something moved in his chest and Bryan wasn't sure what it was.  Just like he wasn't sure about a lot of things that pertained the tiny blue haired sylph.

Like, for example, why he didn't shove her back to her own bed when she crowded in his –which was almost every night.  Pretty much every morning consecutively, he woke up with her wound around him like a clingy vine desperately seeking heat.  She really was so frail and weak, no cold resistance at all.  It was a wonder she wasn't already dead.  Why didn't he just leave her to freeze in her own bed…or at least call attention to it in front of the others (though he was sure that Tala and Spencer already knew).  He knew that if she thought that the other three knew and would bother her about it, that she wouldn't do it anymore.  So why then didn't he?

Part of it was that he really didn't want to listen to Ian yap about it relentlessly –though he would enjoy watching her squirm and her pretty little cheeks turn a bright red.  Another part of it, he told himself, was that he couldn't be bothered to expend the effort to move her when he felt her worm her way under his covers and press herself against him.

And, somewhere in the very back of his brain, was a voice –one that he pointedly ignored- that commented on the fact that he himself was warmer when she occupied his blankets.  That reason was cast aside quickly however.  Bryan wasn't weak like the little woman.  He could take cold and lots of it.  Like in the cave…He hadn't let it on, but he had been half frozen by the time Tala had shown up the next morning.  However, he knew that the little woman was warm, and for some reason, that was enough.

He growled inwardly…what was she doing to him…?

"Feeling better now?"

Tala's question startled Bryan out of his intense thoughts and he realized that he was back in the clearing where Ian was just finishing up the laundry and Tala was sitting on a rock beside the path that led north.  His only answer was a snort and a scowl, before he stomped past Tala and into the cave where he could be alone with his extremely puzzling and angering thoughts.

Liika stared at the dead rabbit carcass that was unceremonially shoved into her hands seconds before.  They had to be kidding…they didn't really expect her to gut, clean and skin the animal did they?  She had to cook it!  Why should she do the dirty work too?  Frowning, she looked up at Spencer who had already started to clean the two animals that he had.  He expected her to watch him and follow his example.  "I'm not cleaning this."  She stated firmly, shaking her head.  "I'm not!"

Spencer rolled his eyes and paused in his ministrations.  "And why not?"  He asked patiently, raising an eyebrow at her.

"Bec-because!  I'm just not!  It's like cruelty to animals or something!"  She cried, trying to shove the rabbit back at him.  "Take it away!"

"It's not cruelty to animals and you didn't seem to think so when you were eating it last night.  It's important that you learn how.  Consider it part of your training."  Spencer replied, refusing to take the dead animal.

Liika wailed quietly and wrinkled her nose at the animal.  Why did she get stuck with the nasty jobs?  She struggled not to gag as she slit the animal's pelt and ran the knife down the belly causing blood to leak down onto her hands.  Oh god, she was really going to throw up…

Suddenly the animal was snatched out of her hand, along with the knife and a gruff voice growled lowly, "You're doing it wrong."

Liika felt a wave of relief wash over her as Bryan dropped to the ground beside her and proceeded to skin the animal that she was supposed to be skinning.  So he was good for something!

"She's supposed to be learning."  Spencer interrupted, frowning at the pale haired teen.

Bryan snorted.  "She looked like she was going to throw up all over it."  He retorted, glancing over at Spencer, before moving his eyes to Liika.  "Watch.  Learn to do it right."

Liika swallowed heavily and nodded, biting her lip.  I will not throw up, I can handle blood and guts.  She chanted to herself like a mantra.  Ugh, how did it not bother them?  Poor little bunny…she was seriously considering becoming a vegetarian then and there.

"Uggh…" She moaned, clenching her eyes shut as the guts of the rabbit spilled into the small hole Spencer had dug.  Blood reminded her of hospitals, hospitals reminded her of needles…and needles scared the crap out of her.  Not to mention that the whole process of gutting and skinning was just disgusting and revolting.  "How can you just do that and not throw up??" 

Spencer shook his head giving up, while Bryan snorted again and muttered something about weak women.  Liika scowled, cracking her eyes open and sticking out her tongue.  "I'm not weak just because I can't skin an animal!"  She exclaimed indignantly.

"No you're weak because the sight of blood makes you nauseous."  Bryan replied clenching the knife handle tightly in his hand.  "You're weak because you can't take cold.  You're weak because you depend on others.  You're weak because you're emotional.  You're weak because you're female.  You're weak because you never shut up.  And you're weak because you care!"  He let his breath out with a loud whoosh.

Spencer and Liika stared openly at him for moments after the outburst.  Both were absolutely stunned that so many words had come out of his mouth at once.  As the words registered however, Liika's face sort of crumbled.  She blinked rapidly and frowned, trying to figure out why he would say such things until finally she sprang to her feet and ran down the trail towards the cave, leaving the two boys behind.

The two boys sat in silence.  Spencer watched his teammate with surprised and confused blue eyes, trying to figure out just why the normally silent boy would say something so cruel to a girl who, in all rights, had done nothing to deserve it.  As the silence stretched out, Spencer became leery about Bryan's stability at that moment.  "You're hacking that animal to bits."  He said quietly.

Bryan blinked slightly and looked down at the carcass in his hands.  Sure enough it was mutilated and almost beyond recognition.  He was angry with himself.  How could he just lose control like that?  He never exploded, but some how she had made him lose the one this that he prided himself on having.  Control.  He was a master of his emotions to the point where he blocked them completely.  So why then did she throw him so badly?  Whatever he had overheard earlier that afternoon had obviously thrown him off track, and he didn't know why.  Ever since he heard their conversation something had been building inside of him until finally it exploded…on her.  He cursed violently in every language he knew before tossing the animal to the ground and storming away, a black rain cloud in his wake.

Spencer sighed.  Something was bothering the pale haired boy, but he knew from experience that Bryan would say nothing.  He would brood about it for a few days before forgetting about it, or solving it.  It was the way things worked with him.  However, Spencer had never seen him this upset, and he was upset.  He wasn't really angry as he wanted the world to believe, but more…frustrated.  There was an air of confusion, helplessness and aggravation that hung around him and he figured it had something to do with their female companion. 

First he helped her, then blew up at her.  It didn't make a whole lot of sense.  Unless… unless the feeling that someone had been following them earlier hadn't just been a feeling.  What if Bryan had been following and over heard their conversation?  She had ranted quite bit about him…and knowing him something she said probably upset the angry boy.  Spencer sighed again.  This was going to make for a tense and very awkward night.

Tala frowned, staring at his slightly burnt supper.  Something had happened while Spencer was supposed to be teaching Liika how to clean animals…something very big.  However, he hadn't had the chance to ask the blond, and he didn't dare approach the obviously volatile female.  What was curious though was the fact that Bryan was nowhere to be seen.  He hadn't come back since venturing out by himself just before Liika had come running back to camp.  It was well past dusk.

The clues were everywhere, and even the normally dense Ian who didn't see anything but himself was picking up on it.  The major tip off was when Liika had practically begged him to switch sleeping places with her.  He didn't want to, after all he got cold on the end, she would freeze to death, but he just couldn't deny the look in her eyes.  She was so…hurt and angry.  Something told him that whatever went down, had gone down with Bryan, and since the said culprit wasn't around, he pulled Spencer aside to ask him.

"Explain."

Spencer merely raised an eyebrow at his captain as if to inquire what he was talking about.

Tala's eyes narrowed and his mouth set in a firm frown.  "Don't give me that look.  Something happened and I want to know what.  Liika is hissing like a cat dunked in water and Bryan is nowhere to be found."

Spencer sighed, shrugging his wide shoulders.  "To be honest I don't really know.  Bryan just sort of exploded and ranted about how weak she was."

The red head's eyebrows shot up.  "Bryan?"  He said, incredulously.  "Bryan doesn't lose control."

"I have suspicions that he followed Liika and I when we went to check traps.  She had some…very interesting things to say about him on the trip."  Spencer said, shrugging again.

"What sort of things?"

The question brought a slight smirk to the blond's lips.  "She's a walking contradiction.  Despite what she says or does, I think she worries about Bryan…the most out of the four of us."  He explained casually.

"Really…" Tala replied, looking mighty interested.  "And your conversation gave these hints?"

"Yes."

"Hm."  Tala's frown turned into a smirk as he shoved his hands into his pockets.  "Everything is becoming clear.  If Bryan overheard her concern, I just bet it set things stirring in that big head of his.  What I don't get is why he let it bother him.  He's never cared what anyone thought about him –that includes if they were concerned about him."  A grin like that of the Cheshire Cat crossed over the captain's face making Spencer raise an eyebrow.  "This is definitely interesting indeed."

"It's troublesome.  Bryan has disappeared and the girl is surly.  I don't overly enjoy burnt food.  Not too mention the tension around here is going to be ridiculous."  Spencer stated, clearly not as amused as Tala was by the whole thing.

"You have a point, but you have to admit.  It will make our normally boring lives a little more exciting." 

Spencer shook his head.  He often wondered at his captain's state of mind.