Rimnerel: Welcome back everyone!

Rei: What the heck are you talking about, welcome back?

Rimnerel: It's a new chapter, so we're welcoming back all our reviewers! It's the next chapter of the story! And just think, we're almost up to twenty!

Tyson: This story is going to be as long as A Place For My Head isn't it?

Kai: At the rate she's going, probably.

Rimnerel: Well, anyway. I want to thank all my reviewers. Thanks to SelenaWheeler, russle, FREAK014, The-Dark-Fire-Elf, B. Tiamat Atardecer, Nancys-little-Obsession (like I said, if you need help, just email me), and Death and Hell for all your wonderful reviews and hope you all like this chapter also. It has a surprise.

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[July 7, 1999]

[It's been almost a week since I last wrote. A lot has happened since then. I want to give everyone as much as I possibly can before I head out for the day. Tyson's already left, he and Max were meeting up with Johnny, Mariah, and Emily to shop for Jordan a birthday present. I just found out that her birthday is four days from now. She's already invited me to her party. It's interesting really. I mean, almost a week ago, she discovered the truth about me and that I didn't like her. She was upset, but told me it was hard for her to stay mad with me about it. So, I guess that's the close of another chapter in my book.]

[But where should I begin. Well, everyone already knows that I met him a while ago on my way into town. Then again when I was almost raped. I know, a great way to have fun. Let's see, I learned about his reputation and that of his cousin Kai. I think Tyson is beginning to have feelings for Tala's cousin. It's sometimes in the way he speaks about the male, or the way Max and I say things, only to have Tyson flush over it. Or become defensive about what Kai means to him. It's amusing.]

[At least Tyson's over the not eating stage. Come to find out, the reason he was so distant was because Kai kissed him. I'm not sure if Tyson wanted to be kissed or not, he still won't go into the details over it with me. Yet he's always pestering me to know what goes on between Tala and I, as if Tala's going to kidnap me. I found out the reason why I didn't see Tala for a week before. He was on bed rest because his ribs are broken. I learned that it was his uncle that did it. I'm not sure why he would allow that to happen, or why he didn't call the police or something.]

[There are a lot of things about Tala that I don't understand. Whenever I ask him something about his past, he changes the subject on me. It's one big tug of war into finding out anything about him, other than what he wants to tell me. I want to ask Kai about Tala, but I'm not sure what Kai would say. There's more to the two than I know. Tyson continues to criticize the males, but I doubt he knows the real truth behind their pasts either.]

[Currently Tala is staying in my friend Max's mother's private office. I hear that it's not safe for him to go home because of his uncle. Can the male really be as bad as I hear, that he would hurt Tala even more? I wonder do Tala's parents know that this is happening to him? Why aren't they around to stop this from happening? Or do they treat him like he's a nuisance? Thinking about it, Kai doesn't speak about his parents either.]

[One day I asked Tyson on the way to visiting Tala if he ever saw Kai or Tala's parents. He gave me a funny look, saying no. Does anyone in town know about their parents? I would ask my aunt but she would probably have a meltdown if I told her. No one in town seems to like them too much, with exception of Mrs. Tate, Max's mom. She overlooks their attitudes, as if she's use to it by now. I wonder how long has she known the two.]

[I'm curious to find out all I can about Tala...if he would open up to me. I like him a lot. I don't know if he feels the same way about me. I think I might really be in love with him. There is nothing else to describe this feeling when I'm just around him. His presence is calming, and I tend to find all sorts of things about him to notice. Like the way his eyes dim when he's thinking about things, or brightens when I walk into the room. The way his mouth curls into sly smiles as he pulls me to him in order to kiss me. The way his voice deepens when he tries to get me to give in to his touches.]

[Okay...maybe that was more than everyone needed to know, but that's the way it is. And yes, I'm stating now that I'm still a virgin. Tala claims that give one good day when he aren't interrupted, he will change that. It would be interesting to go back to school in August and tell Kain that I'm not a virgin anymore. Well...knowing him and Rei, they probably aren't by now. I can't believe that I never noticed that. They are my best friends after all. Well, I guess it goes to show that I'm not as bright as everyone thinks I am, if that slipped my attention.]

[I haven't told Tyson yet. He would probably have a heart attack. I want to talk to Rei about my situation with Tala, but I haven't had another chance to call him. The last time I spoke with them, Kain was trying to get into Rei's pants. That was about a day or so before my last entry. I'm sure that I will hear from Rei again, but I feel the more time that I wait, is more time that I'm missing something important. I don't know what it is, but there's something there.]

"Kenny, are you still here?" He heard his aunt calling him from the bottom of the stairs. The young man looked up, hearing footsteps coming up the stairs. A minute later, Ian walked into the room, his eyes staring at Kenny for a second before turning away.

"What is it Ian?" Kenny said, turning his eyes back to the screen. Since that incident with the closet, the little brat did his best to stay out of Kenny's way when he was there. The two still didn't see eye to eye, but Ian knew better than to cross Kenny.

"Aunt Hikari wants you," Ian said. A sly smirk rose to the boy's face. "What did you do to get in trouble?"

"I didn't do anything, shortie, mind your own business," Kenny said, finishing up his journal entry and adding it to his other entries.

"You had to do something," Ian said. "Otherwise why would she want to talk to you?"

"I think I'm going to overlook that little statement," Kenny said, cutting off his laptop once he was finished. "Don't you have anything better to do with your time besides sticking your nose into other people's business?"

"I was actually going to hang out with some of my friends, for your information?" Ian replied in a matter-of-factly tone. "I just came up here to get my money from my other pants' pocket."

"They actually let trolls walk around in daylight, I'm surprised," Kenny threw back coolly before getting up from his seat on the bed to head for the door. Not having seen Ian sticking his tongue out at his back. He didn't feel like getting into it with Ian right now. When his aunt was finished speaking with him, he would head out anyway to go see Tala, who was walking around a little.

Doctor Tate said that it would be another two weeks before Tala's ribs were completely healed up and he would be able to ride his bike around. Right now he was depending on Kai to sneak him in cigarettes. Kai wasn't staying at the house either. The boy stayed with Tala many times and then when Kenny got there, disappear for a few to do how knows what. Occasionally, Kai would come back distant, often thoughtful.

"Kenny," his aunt called, just as Kenny rounded the corner into the kitchen, but then stopped, seeing his mother was there also. He wondered what was up. As usual his father was nowhere to be found, probably off with his uncle fishing or whatever.

"You wanted me?" Kenny asked.

"It's nothing serious, you can relax, take a seat," his mother said, patting the chair near her. The young man said nothing as he sat down.

"Kenny," his aunt began.

"Yeah?" The boy pushed his bangs from out of his eyes and behind his ear, staring at his aunt. Today was another of his ponytail days.

"Well, I noticed that lately you and Tyson are hanging out less. I was just wondering why. A while ago, you both would come and go together, now you come and go at different times," his aunt said. "I was just wondering if you had a fight or not."

"A fight? No, Tyson and I are still on good terms." Kenny leaving out the fact that Tyson was still getting use to Kenny liking Tala though, so at times Tyson would get defensive about things relating to them.

"You sure you didn't get into a fight? I wouldn't feel right if you were and I didn't know about it," his aunt worried. Kenny mentally sighed, and there she goes. More of his aunt's hysterics, she would know if he and Tyson were fighting.

"I'm sure. We talk all the time when we get back here," Kenny said. "You don't have to worry about us fighting. We get along well."

"See, I told you, Hikari. You don't have to worry about those two," Kenny's mother said. Turning her head to Kenny smiled at her son. "So, what have you been doing this summer. I see that you spend a lot of time outside the house. I'm proud of you, I told you it wouldn't be as bad as you thought."

"Thanks mom. You were right. It's not so bad. Someone put it into perspective for me," Kenny smiled, thinking about Tala and how the male had subconsciously lured him out in the open.

"What do you mean? Was it Tyson?" his mother asked.

"No, it's a new friend of mine," Kenny said.

"You made a new friend, that's wonderful!" his mother gave him a big hug.

"Actually, I made a lot of new friends, but one in particular sort of got me out of the house. I've been hanging around him as of late, which is why I come in at different times than Tyson," Kenny stated.

"I'm glad you made some new friends. So what's your friend like?" his mother asked, letting him go.

"Well...do you remember that guy that helped us on the way into town when we had a flat tire?" Kenny inquired.

"You're talking about that nice looking young man who was kind enough to help us, of course," his mother said.

"Well, he lives in town."

"What nice young man that helped you?" his aunt said.

"Oh, well on the way into town, our tire blew," Kenny's mother explained. "This nice young man with red hair happened to be around and helped us change the tire. He was just the most polite young man that I've ever met. And so friendly too."

"Red hair?" Kenny's aunt frowned, thinking about what young man her sister could be speaking of. There weren't too many young men in town with red hair.

"Yes. He was so handsome too, must look like his father with those looks of his. He had sky blue eyes. Very handsome, if I wasn't married and a few years younger, I think I would have picked him up," Kenny's mother giggled. Kenny watched his aunt's eyes widen with realization about whom it was that the two were speaking of.

"Kenny," his aunt said.

"Yes, Aunt Hikari." Uh oh, here it goes. He was about to hear from another one on his choice of friends. Emily found out about two days ago and nearly screamed his head off about it before he ignored her and walked out the house. Tyson must have said something to calm her down because when he showed up that afternoon, the only thing she said was for him to tell her or Tyson if Tala gave him any problems.

"By chance is your friend named—?"

"In fact it is," Kenny said before she finished her sentence. "And I know what you're going to say because I've heard it from Tyson and Emily, but in defense, I want to say that he's not like you think of him."

"What are you talking about Kenny?" his mother asked puzzled.

"The friend that Kenny's speaking of is named Tala Ivanor," Hikari stated. "That boy and his cousin are horrible little delinquents who have no respect for their elders. They drink, smoke, riding their bikes all over town disturbing everyone's peace, and they have rumors attached to them."

"What type of rumors?" Worry filled the young man's mother's voice as she looked at her sister.

"For starters, I hear they do drugs."

"That's not true!" Kenny stated.

"How do you know?" his aunt said.

"Those rumors about them aren't true. I've gotten to know both Tala and Kai. They aren't anything like the rumors I've heard. Everyone just looks at them in a bad light, they aren't bad."

"Kenny...those boys have been around this town longer than you. They aren't going to show their true colors immediately, until they're sure that they have you. That's how they operate," his aunt stated. "Now I want you to promise your mother and I that you won't keep their company, they'll have a bad influence on you."

"How do you know what they will do? How can you be so judgmental of someone that you've probably never sat down and talked with?" Kenny questioned. "I've sat down and talked with Tala, and I realize that he's different from what everything thinks of him."

"Kenny, I'm telling you, he's not the type of person who you should associate yourself with. Both he and Kai are dangerous individuals. When they were younger, both of them went to local psychiatrist before they did something to make her quit and become a doctor instead. They enjoy playing with people's head and are probably only being nice to you so you'll let down your guard," Hikari told her nephew.

"I don't believe that!" Kenny stood up from the table. It wasn't true, when he looked into Tala's eyes when they were together, the male's azure eyes beckoning to be put at ease, to remain with its owner until he could no longer do so. He wasn't about to believe that everything was just a lie so Tala could eventually hurt him in the end.

"Kenny! Please listen to me. He's always been like that. Ever since his parents died when he was six, Tala's always been a destructive person," his aunt begged.

"His parents..." Kenny stopped in his tracks as he was about to head out the kitchen. His eyes went back to his aunt who was halfway out of her chair. "Died?"

"If he was really your friend, you would know that," the woman said. "See, he doesn't want to be your friend."

"He doesn't like talking about himself," Kenny said softly. "There's always pain there if he tries to bring himself to mention it." Was that why he changed the subject so often? Was that why he never spoke about things? It made sense when Kenny thought back to how he had asked Tala how many times his parents pushed him to the side, and Tala replying none. They couldn't because they died. "How...?"

"No one knows. Everyone just heard about it briefly before the whole thing was hushed. The funeral wasn't around here. When the boy came back into town, he was different from the little boy that grew up in town."

"Has anyone ever thought he was lashing out because of his parents' death? That maybe no one paid attention to him and he had to find some way to get someone to realize he was suffocating?" Kenny replied.

"That boy has a loving family. His uncle on his mother's side took him in. He's a wonderful man that has tried his best to raise the boy, but he continues to defy his uncle with every aspect of his being."

"I doubt it." Kenny thought back to what Tala had told him about his ribs. How could anyone so 'loving' beat one's own nephew in that fashion? Even if Tala was defying his uncle, it was for a damn good reason. "I'm sure that Tala has a reason for any and everything he's ever done. You just don't see it."

"Kenny!"

"I'm leaving. I'll be back later." And with that, the young man was out the door before his aunt could stop him.

Who was she to be so judgmental of someone? Why did everyone think that they could predict the actions and nature of one individual based on what they see? What happened to things they couldn't see, to looking deeper to find the hidden meaning? Humans had to be the most flawed creatures ever created.

"We can never look without tainted eyes or seek out the truths laying behind many lies. Why do we want it to be handed to us on a basis set to each of our mannerisms?" Kenny asked the sky as he set out on his way.

-----------------------

Tyson stared into the window of a card shop. His hands were shoved into the pockets of his blue jean shorts as he tried to focus in on where he was and what he was suppose to be doing. In a few days, Jordan's birthday would be there. He, Max, Emily, Mariah, and Johnny decided to head out to the male today in order to get her something really nice, since of course they've known her for as long as they have all been friends.

Kenny was probably with Tala by now. For a second, Tyson's mind focused in, fuming over the fact still that his cousin liked the idiot. What was so great about the hot headed, troublemaking, smart mouthed, horny, perverted bastard that Kenny could possibly fall head over heels for? It was like mixing peanut butter and tuna fish to make a sandwich. Tyson swore that if Tala did anything to his cousin, he would do more than break a few of the male's ribs. It would take God to stop him from ramming his head into a wall.

Tyson sighed, letting the thought drop from his mind before it picked up another thought pattern, the one that continued to flicker in and out of his thoughts since...that day on the road with Kai. Every time he thought about it, the young man wanted to smash his head into the window in front of him. He talked so ignorantly in front of the male, but when it came down to it, he was scared as hell.

Scared that he was in fact falling in love with the male, scared that Kai's feelings for him were genuine, instead of Kai just wanting to get into his pants, scared that...that maybe it was always there. That he always felt something for Kai, and only now it was surfacing up. If it was true, that meant that...well, that he had been denying himself the truth. Tyson didn't want to believe his feelings for Mariah were a lie, even if she chose stupid Lee over him. For some reason, that didn't sit well with him.

"That would mean that all the talking I did was just because I was scared of facing the truth, and that I'm nothing but a coward inside," Tyson mumbled to himself. "I don't want to say that but..."

When Kai kissed him the first time, he did nothing to push the male away. It was only when other's were around that he acted on that learnt impulse to shove Kai away from him. When it was just the two of them, there was always hesitation to push or shove or retort. When they were alone, Tyson weakened and Kai let him. Kai never tried to force himself on Tyson, just enjoyed the fact that he was proving a point and Tyson was so ignorant to know it.

But now, now Tyson realized it. It mocked him constantly the way Kai had first kissed him. How Tyson allowed the male to steal his first kiss from him, and when he pulled back, Tyson only wanted more. Want probably leapt from his gaze, begging Kai for more, but the male pulled away, allowing torment to set in. Tyson didn't fight back when the male walked away, nor the next time he saw Kai.

He shot off at the mouth, acting tough yet again, only to have Kai bring him down off his ladder. Even now, Tyson knew what Kai's lips felt like. How his tongue worked expertly over the inside of his mouth, bringing up emotions Tyson could drown in. Reminding the male that it was someone he was suppose to hate that caused him to feel this way. Tyson wanted to kick himself in the ass.

"Tyson?" The blue haired male looked up into the reflection of the window, seeing his pink haired friend walking up. Turning around slightly, Tyson stared her in the eyes, seeing worry lingering within her golden eyes. "Are you okay?"

"Mariah...yeah, I'm fine," Tyson forced a smile on his lips.

"No you're not," she frowned, her arms crossing over her chest. "I've known you for as long as I've liked pink. I know when you aren't okay. You're one of my best friends, it's not nice to leave me in the dark."

"Riah..." Tyson sighed, turning his attention back to the window. "Can I ask you something?"

"Sure, you can ask me anything you want. As long as it's not anything too personal," Mariah said, coming to stand next to the blue haired male. Tyson sighed once again before looking at her.

"Why did you choose Lee over me? I know you knew that I liked you a lot, yet you chose Lee?" Tyson questioned. For a long minute Mariah remained silent, looking in the window shop before answering the male.

"I knew you felt something for me Tyson, but I wasn't the one that your heart truly belonged to. You were in love with someone else before you decided to like me. I couldn't go out with you while your mind would eventually go to the person that you really care about."

"Mariah."

"Tyson, you're my best friend. I've known for almost forever that you're attracted to Kai. The only person that I think is clueless about it would be Emily, maybe Jordan also...and Johnny. But I knew, and realized if I had chose you, we would have eventually broke up because you're realizing how much you're attracted to him. Am I wrong?" Mariah spoke.

"I..." Tyson never knew that Mariah... "I do like him. I think I like him a lot Mariah. I don't want to. It would just mean that my feelings for you were fake and I was trying to replace what I felt for him with what I was trying to feel for you."

"No, Tyson, it doesn't mean that at all," Mariah smiled. "I'm sure that you like me. But you like Kai more, am I wrong?"

"I..." Tyson hesitated. Saying it out loud would mean that he accepted he was gay, and that he liked Kai. Was he really ready for that? Hell, he already kissed the guy twice by now. "Yeah...I like the jerk. I can't help but to like him for some mysterious reason."

"Fate," Mariah said simply.

"You can't be serious," Tyson smiled.

"What else do you think it could be?" Mariah grinned.

"Bad luck maybe."

"Well, he does got quite the reputation. But if you fell in love with him, there has to be something great about him. I doubt you would go for the reckless, self destructive, bad boy types on a whim," Mariah giggled.

"Thanks for reminding me," Tyson groaned. "How am I going to explain this...?"

"You don't have to tell anyone right now. It can just be between the two of us," Mariah winked. Tyson stared at the girl who was grinning beside him.

"If I didn't know any better, you're getting a kick out of my revelations."

"Of course, in opinion, you make a funny, but nice couple."

"You sound just like Kenny now."

"He knows?" Mariah inquired.

"Of course, after all, I have to try to keep Tala from screwing him when I'm not looking," Tyson said hotly. Only to have Mariah's eyes widen to the size of golf balls.

"No way! Your cousin and Tala! That's like a two for two deal!" Mariah gaped. "How in the world did you both manage to fall in love with two self destructive cousins? This is one for the books right here."

"You know, I just realized how strange a person you are, Mariah Shoran," Tyson said amusingly shaking his head. "And how did you and I get to this point anyway?"

"I guess...it took me choosing someone you hate about as much as Tala," Mariah smiled.

"You are an evil, evil woman, you know that?"

"Oh, I know."

Meanwhile, as Tyson came to terms with how he felt about Kai, a certain young man with a brunette ponytail was sitting with his favorite person of the summer. Well, should it be said that he really wasn't sitting with the male. More like leaning against a wall, his hands around a certain red head's neck, while that red head dominated his mouth. For the past two minutes, the two had been that way, small requests for air being met every now and then before Tala grew impatient and resumed what he was doing.

Finally, Kenny broke Tala's lock on his mouth, panting heavily. His eyes met with a pair of dark azure eyes, half lidded by long lashes. "You know, air is an essential part of me living. You may not need air, but I do."

"You're wearing that ponytail today," Tala said as he leaned in pressing his mouth against the younger male's neck. "You know how much it turns me on?"

"No, but thank you for telling me that. I know now," Kenny smiled as he tilted his head up to allow Tala access to the flesh.

"What took you so long today?" Tala mumbled, sucking at the flesh.

The question brought Kenny back to what he discussed with his aunt. "Tala...is it true about your parents? And about you?" Silence filled the air as Tala quickly moved to stare Kenny in the eye. This was probably the first time he recognized shock in the male's eyes. "So, it's true?"

"What have you heard?" Tala said to the male, dread filling the pit of his stomach. He couldn't know the truth, not now, not while he was ready to try to trust this male. Maybe not with the truth, but trust him like he has with only Kai and Judy.

"My aunt...she said that your mother and father died when you were six and that you saw a psychiatrist for a while before your psychiatrist quit. I want to know, is it really true?" Kenny asked. Tala was silent as he turned his head from Kenny, placing both hands on the wall behind Kenny.

"Why are you asking me?" Tala muttered, lowering his head. "Why do you want to know about me? What is it benefiting?"

"Tala...I care a lot about you. I would tell you any thing about myself you wanted to know if you asked. Is it that you really don't care that much about me that you wouldn't want to share who you are with me?" Kenny asked, using his hands to turn Tala's face back to him.

"Is that how you associate what you feel for me? How much you know about me? Can you not feel something without knowing all the little details?" Tala stated.

"No. I fell in love with you over little and I can love you on little, but I want to know you better. Know what makes you happy, what makes you sad, what you like, what you hate, what you wish and dream for." Kenny leaned up, kissing the male for a long second before pulling back. "What is so bad about your past that you would shut everyone out?"

"You don't want to know," Tala said. He didn't want to lose the male. Kenny was the first person he was beginning to care for in maybe...six years. Having the male stare at him with disgust and pity...

"But I do want to know," Kenny urged. "Tell me please Tala."

"I can't," Tala whispered, pulling away from the male to go back to the bed. Kenny's heart went out to the male. His eyes flickering with so much turmoil that maybe he shouldn't ask. Maybe it was best that he didn't know the truth just yet. If it was going to make the male this uncomfortable, then it was best left alone, for now at least.

"Tala," Kenny said, following the male back to the bed, Kenny right beside him. "If you feel that I don't need to know, don't tell me. But before I leave, tell me something so I don't go back loving a stranger."

"You think you're loving a stranger?" Tala raised a brow to the male beside him.

"No, I think I'm loving the most eccentric person I had the courtesy of meeting," Kenny smiled, happy when he saw that familiar twitch of the red head's lips. "I think that's the real reason that it's so hard to say no to you."

"I think that's the same reason for me also," Tala murmured, leaning in close to kiss Kenny. "There's something about you that no matter what kind of mood I'm in, you snap me out of it. Is this what love really is?"

"How am I supposed to know, I've never been in love before?" Kenny grinned. Waiting for the male's lips to brush his. He watched Tala chuckle before leaning in closer.

"Neither have I, so stupid question."

"Completely stupid."

"I suppose so," Tala shrugged, pulling the male all the way to him before kissing him once more.

Eventually the kissing led to Tala on top of the male, pushing up his shirt in order to kiss the pale skin underneath it. Of course Kenny was on his back on the bed, allowing Tala to have his way. Bad influence on him indeed, Kenny thought with a mental grin as Tala's tongue danced around a taut nipple.

"What are you grinning about?" Kenny didn't realize the male noticed the smug smile tucked away at the corner of his mouth. Kenny met the male's curious stare as Tala was moving his hands to undo his pants.

"My aunt, she told me that you could be a bad influence on me. I wonder what would she say to this," Kenny grinned with emphasis on Tala now undoing Kenny's pants also, tugging the material of the jeans down slowly.

"She would probably commit you and herself into a mental institution," Tala stated with amusement.

"I can just imagine that for some reason," Kenny laughed as he arched up so Tala could remove his pants, tossing them to the floor. Sitting up, he allowed Tala to pull his shirt over his head, tossing that way too. "She's always thought of me as such a perfect child. Probably take ten years off her life."

"You know, once I'm done with you, the only thing perfect is going to be how perfectly helpless to my touch you're going to be," Tala said, pushing the male back down to the bed. Kenny watched the male push his pants down, kicking them off onto the floor. A blush crossed the younger male's cheeks noticing the bulge making a tent out of the red head's boxers.

"So, we're really going to go through with this?" Kenny said, his pulse racing a mile a minute. "Do you know...?"

"How to do this? Let's just say that I had one or two experiences with an older guy who taught me a thing or two," Tala smirked, pulling off his shirt.

"Will you be able to do it with your ribs like that?" Kenny questioned.

"Of course. I'll have to go easy on you anyway, since this is your first time. But Kenny, you'll have to trust me for this to work out right. It's not going to be as simple as most people think it is. I'm going to be honest with you, it might hurt like hell at first, but I promise I will do everything in my power to make you like it," Tala said. "Do you trust me?"

"I told you before. You're the only one I could possibly do this with. I trust you because you're trusting me," Kenny said, as the red head leaned in, kissing him. Kenny gasped into his mouth, feeling hands massaging his inner thighs, moving up until he had Kenny arching up against him, which was when Tala removed the last article of clothing the brunette wore.

"Just relax now, okay," Tala whispered into the brunette's ear, kissing it gently as he reached into the drawer of the nightstand by the bed, pulling out something. Thank god for having a sex freak for a cousin sometimes. "I promise you'll love it."

----------------------

Tyson felt a little bit better after having talked to Mariah about things. The thing that he had to overcome now was Kai. What sort of reaction would he get from the male when he told Kai that he thought things over, and he was ready to stop denying things. More than likely, the dual haired male would smirk and tell him he told Tyson so. Maybe having Tyson hit him with something for being correct. Who knew?

Checking his watch, the numbers read 5:17. Dinner would be served in another two and a half hours. Just enough time to drag Kenny way from Tala, go home, and play a few games of King Of Fighters and end Final Fantasy 7 once and for all. Tyson pulled the door open to Doctor Tate's office, which doubled as a small private hospital that maybe one or two patients could stay at. Doctor Tate's current patients, Tala Ivanor and Kai Hiwatari.

Walking into the air-conditioned waiting room, he immediately spotted Tierra, Doctor Tate's assistant. The girl looked up at Tyson, giving him a wide grin. The young man returned her smile. "Hi, Tyson. How are you doing today?"

"Fine, I can't complain so much. Have you seen my cousin today?" Tyson said.

"He came in about an hour ago in fact," Tierra chimed. "Tala's so lucky to have such a cutie concerned about him. Makes me wish my boyfriend was that dedicated." Tyson shook his head at that remark, a short smile rising to his lips.

"Thanks Tierra."

"Oh yeah! Kai just came in also. In fact no more than a minute before you," she said as Tyson was walking off. The male nearly stopped in his tracks, butterflies spinning in circles in his stomach.

"Great, now I have to deal with them both at the same time." He managed to successful feign annoyance in his tone, but he was scared as hell. What was he going to say? Or do, or think? He would have liked to deal with him another day.

"Poor Tyson," Tierra giggled. "Have any problems, just call me and I got your back."

"Thanks a lot." Well, it was inevitable there was no way around it. With butterflies still doing acrobatic stunts in his stomach, Tyson made his way to the back room where Tala currently resided. He was surprised though when he found Kai standing outside the room, with his arms crossed and a strange half smirk on his lips. The male turned his head when he heard Tyson approach.

"If you came for Kenny...he's currently occupied," Kai said softly. Tyson was just about to ask what he meant when the blue haired male distinctly heard the soft, rhythmic creaking of a bed. Occasionally a muffled moan accompanied the sounds of the bed. Which was about enough to widen Tyson's eyes with realization to what was going on in the room.

Yet, before he could burst into the room, Kai promptly clamped a hand over the male's mouth, wrapping an arm around his waist, and dragging him out the hallway, out the waiting room and building. Away from the building before Tyson exploded into meltdown.

"WHY THE HELL WERE YOU JUST STANDING OUTSIDE THE DOOR WHILE HE WAS....WAS....!!!" The words stuck to the back of Tyson's throat. Horrified Kai would just stand by while Tala violated his cousin.

"I didn't think I should interrupt them. I was actually waiting around for you, so you wouldn't disturb them either. I had a feeling you would go into meltdown you found out. You really don't approve of my cousin, do you?" Kai smiled, keeping his hold on Tyson's waist so the male didn't rush back into the building.

"Do you think I would rush into rooms while people were screwing otherwise!" Tyson screeched, feeling slightly uncomfortable with how close he was pressed to Kai. The dual haired male chuckled, shaking his head.

"You might think it horrible, but I think Kenny's the first person in a very long time that Tala's wanted to do that to with as much tenderness as the creaking of those bedsprings had," Kai stated, tightening his hold on Tyson when the male had the impulse to try to make it for the building again.

"Thank you for ruining every experience we might ever have with statements like that," Tyson said without thinking. Only to blush, lower his head, feeling Kai's arm loosen around him. He could make a run for it now, but that would seem cowardly. No, he had to face this like a man.

"What did you just say Tyson?" Kai whispered, not believing his ears. "You better be sarcastic about that, or I'm going to smack you over your head, you idiot."

Tyson turned, looking at Kai, the blush on his cheeks darkening more. "No...I wasn't being sarcastic about it. I thought about it today, Kai. And I realized that...all those times, you were right. I couldn't resist how I really felt about you forever. I...I do like you...a lot Kai. I think I might love you."

Kai stared down at the young man who was studying his feet now. Kai lifted his hand, pushing up Tyson's face, so he could stare into those dark blue orbs. For as long as he's admired Tyson, those words were all he ever wanted to hear. Now that they were spoken, he had nothing to say to them. No I told you so, no about time, nothing. All he could do was stare into those eyes, grateful.

"Kai..." Tyson was becoming nervous the longer words didn't come. What was the older thinking about so intently? "Aren't you...going to tell me that...you told me so?"

"I don't think I could say it if I wanted to. So, how about we get missing for a while instead," Kai grinned. "Lucky for you, I'm always prepared for times like this." Tyson's eyes widened when Kai reached into the side pocket of his dark cargo pants and pulled out a white tube.

"You really are a pervert!" Tyson flushed.

"Isn't that one of the reasons you love me?" Kai said, leaning in to kiss the young man.

"I think that's one of the reasons I worried about falling in love with you in the first place," Tyson countered with a shake of his head. "The last time someone got lost in the woods with you, everyone found out."

"I didn't tell that girl's friends to explore the woods for the noises they heard," Kai smirked. "You and Kai are exactly the same. Scold me for things I had no control over."

"For one, you compare me to that even bigger pervert, and I'm not going to give you a chance to use what's in your hand. Secondly, you had control over where and when you decided to do it," Tyson countered.

"That's what makes me want you even more. I don't think that attitude could work for anyone else but you," Kai murmured. "Now come on before I decide I don't care who comes by and see and take you right here."

"You keep that up, and you're seriously not going to get into my pants," Tyson countered, yet in a teasing manner. He watched Kai pout in one of his usual manners, for some reason, Tyson found it sexy now. It was amazing how in a matter of weeks things could change so rapidly from hating this male and his cousin...okay, so he still didn't like Tala. He doubted that would change any time soon.

So really, it went from hating Kai to kissing Kai to wanting Kai to loving Kai, and now about to be screwed by Kai. Really, this was probably the strangest summer any of them ever had, Tyson thought as Kai pulled him towards the dirt bike parked by the building. In fact, Tyson wondered if any of these changes would have happened if Kenny hadn't come this summer.

Probably not. For some reason, he's putting everyone into different perspectives. This must be what he meant when he said that I was seeing things blindly. I guess...I really was.

"So, where should we go to do this?" Kai inquired, seating the blue haired male behind him on the bike, placing his helmet on Tyson.

"Remember the first place we met, by the river?" Tyson inquired. "That was were I insulted you for the first time." That received a laugh from the male starting up the bike.

"See, that's what I love about you so much," Kai flashed a wicked grin. "Hang on tight to me." What the two boys, well...four counting the two that were already well into their own throws of love, didn't know was that this was not the end of things by far. An event was about to happen that would either strengthen bonds made, or send them drifting apart, causing one white oleander become potent.

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Rimnerel: Okay! I'm done, how did you guys like my surprises!

Rei: Well done for a change. Really managed to get a lot done.

Rimnerel: Yeah, now I'm going to bed. Next chapter has more surprises and shocks. Come back next week...give me Monday. I don't have anything to do then. Later gang.