Domon was exhausted. It had been a long night. Unlike Rain, who slept sound like an infant, Domon stayed up the whole night in fear that something might happen to his Rain. It sounds stupid, but Domon was taking the unlikely event that Rain might be kidnapped seriously. He couldn't just nod off anytime he wanted. An obligation that he'd keep, Domon stayed awake every true minute till sunrise.

By the time Rain awoke from her slumber, Domon was already up and about. It was a new day, and the clear sky promised good weather. Already Domon was manning the outdoor grill AJ had brought. The smell of the morning morsel was strong enough to lure a bear, literally.

"Good morning," said Domon. Transfixed at the presence of the brunette, he soon forgot about his job.

"Morning," Rain chirped. 'My, isn't she in a good mood' Domon thought gleefully. 'Score one for Kasshu...Speaking of which, where the hell is AJ?'

The smell of burnt meat brought Domon's attention back to the grill. He cursed, silently berating himself for letting his breakfast go to spoil. Rain didn't seem to mind, but was curious about the whereabouts of her friend. Domon suggested he'd go find them, but Rain shook her head.

"Why not?"

Rain rolled her eyes. "Because, Captain Clueless," she started. "You know AJ. And I know Allenby. No doubt they're in a state that wouldn't require our curious eyes to spot. And besides." She walked over to him and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Where did we leave off?"

Domon was taken aback at first, but soon recuperated. 'If there's a deity up there that arranged this, THANK YOU.' He smiled and was awarded a kiss on the lips. Not minding the pink lipstick on his face, he allowed his lips to explore the vast region of Rain's neck.

In between kisses, Domon smirked. 'Wonder what the poor and love deprived couple are doing.....'

~~

AJ woke up expectantly. A sweet aroma was tickling his nostrils and dared him to move. But a slight problem stood between him and the delicious smell…the blue-haired girl who was sound asleep on his chest. AJ sighed in disappointment. It's not everyday that he has a beautiful girl sleeping soundly on him…well, Allenby's an exception…but its not everyday that he's very hungry.

An aged raccoon stalked across the grass in distance of AJ's eyesight. It must've smelled the succulent fat sizzling from the camp, AJ surmised, or else it wouldn't be so eager to expose itself in the open. AJ eyed the raccoon warily as it looked back at him. There was a brief pause, a fierce staredown between man and raccoon. Some minutes later, the furry creature stalked off. Even if it'd made AJ sound crazy, he was sure the raccoon had smiled when it saw his inability to rise up to the challenge.

Allenby woke up grudgingly when AJ finally decided he'd had enough. After a long moment of name calling, Allenby asked why AJ woke her up. And the look in her eyes suggested that if the reason did not include the word "Armageddon", AJ was in a world of pain.

AJ started to sweat profusely. A teen who survived many a street fight, he'd never encounter a worthier adversary than the irate blue-haired girl.

"Uh…I saw a bear?" he answered, trying his best to keep a straight face. The thought of such a huge beast roaming near a hot spring was less than likely, but he was supposed to be the Biology genius right?

"Ooh, what do we do?"

AJ almost felt guilty for lying to Allenby. The look of irritability soon changed to apprehension after hearing his response. He didn't, in any form or way, want to mislead the girl, but it was either his credibility or his hide. And he sure as hell wasn't about to risk his beautiful hide.

"Let's go. There might be a way to dodge it. Just follow my lead."

~~

There's a reason why the proud and arrogant are the first to fall. Domon would learn that lesson the hard way…

Rain, who had asked to get dressed, went back into the tent to change into outdoor clothes. Domon was left alone outside with one thing on his mind: To see that the bet would be finally over, and in his favor as well. Pride before pain, AJ had once said. He was pretty hammered at that time, as was Domon, but there was a sense of truth in his saying. The success over failure ratio favored AJ, and it was then and there that Domon finally realized the key to his success.

Clearing his mind of all judgment, Domon unzipped the tent zipper. He stopped instinctively. There was still time to back out. It wasn't about his pride or that he would always stand second to AJ, it was for his, and more importantly, Rain's well being. He would never betray her trust or make her mad, but…maybe he'd grown too predictable and docile that she doesn't even think of him as a threat anymore?

Shaking his head to avoid any assumptions, he slowly entered the tent. He'd postulated many scenarios and never in his calculations had he thought that Rain would really be mad enough to KILL him.

Domon slowly backed out the tent as Rain went dead silent.

It was time to run…

~~

AJ walked ahead of Allenby pretending to keep an eye out for bears. Subconsciously, he had to applaud himself. Maybe he should pursue a career in acting? The way he's been pretending, he concluded that he'd be winning Oscars in no time. In a way, it was partly Allenby's fault for believing him. If only she'd study the chapter on Biomes in a thorough manner…

He bounced on the ground after getting hit by something big and hard. It couldn't be… "No! There's no such thing as bears near hot springs!!" He gasped and covered his mouth with his hands hastily. He kicked himself in the shins mentally.

Allenby grinned evilly. The malicious look on her face was back, and it promised a few broken limbs, bones, and punctured lungs. The thing that ran into AJ started to get up. It was Domon!

AJ had half a mind to beat him to an inch of his life, but deferred it when he realized HE'D be receiving the same treatment from Allenby. But all was not lost, AJ though as he saw a maddened Rain stampeding toward them, Domon must've screwed up even worse than he had.

The morning and afternoon drifted by slowly as both the guys received beatings that would've made Master Asia's most intensive training seem like child's play. The trio went back to camp afterwards. Domon was beaten so severely that the girls had to DRAG him back to camp. AJ was no better off; his face resembled that of the result of Barney coerced to entertain sixteen year olds. He staggered to and fro, tripping over his own foot every so often. What promised to be a good day turned ugly for Domon and AJ. The duo was happy just to reach camp alive. Anything else would have to wait another day, as both figures collapsed upon reaching the open fire.

The girls smiled apologetically at each other. Maybe they'd taken things too far?

To Zero: I am flattered that you'd use my character. Please do so; you have my blessing.