Rhyth rested against a wall, watching everyone set themselves up in a line. The facts were that the Rokkaku Police wouldn't show up in this place again. Dogenzaka was so obviously dominated by GG's. Rhyth closed her eyes and rested there, not even aware when the race had begun.

"So, how did your days of rest go?" Boogie asked, turning to her.

"Good. I feel a lot better now," Rhyth replied, smiling slightly. Boogie stared for a moment , but turned away again.

"I can tell. You've been cheerful since the moment you came back. I hope you're ready for a good race," Boogie said. "It would be shame if the lack of skating had gotten you rusty,". Rhyth laughed quietly.

"Lack of practice? I had a lot of practice, actually," Rhyth said, she saw the look in Boogie's eyes. "I know, I wasn't supposed to leave Corn's side in case I started trouble among you guys. But you know I can't stay in one place for long when I have my skates,". Boogie chuckled knowingly.

"So you two fought out your differences, huh?" Boogie said, grinning. Rhyth looked away stubbornly.

"I wouldn't use 'fought' exactly. I mean, what is a few arguments here and there and a fist fight?" Rhyth said, and both burst into laughter.

"Between the two of you thin little things, I don't know who would be victorious," Boogie teased. Rhyth stuck out her tongue childishly. Skating echoed off the walls behind them.

"I think the winner is approaching," Rhyth said quietly, then looked over to see who it was. Boogie remained ready to judge the winner. And wouldn't you know it, Gum's blonde head and blue helmet could be seen around the bend , using the half pipe to boost her speed. The others were close behind. Gum passed first before the other panting GGs who were disappointed.

"Well, she wouldn't be queen if she didn't know how to skate," Beat said, and some laughed. Gum and Rhyth met. Gum wasn't tired. Rhyth wasn't tired. The others were silent as the two seemed to be fighting a battle of wills in a staring contest alone. Each peered intensely into the other's eyes, analyzing, estimating, challenging. Neither would admit defeat. It bursted more courage and energy into Rhyth. This match would be fun. Slowly, Rhyth smiled. Gum grinned likewise and set out her hand to Rhyth. Rhyth took it and they shook hands to seal the race.

"Good luck," Gum said.

"Good luck," Rhyth replied in the formal way that was expected. "Shall we begin?". They both took their places at the start. The gang watched curiously, feeding on the excitement of the race. The two fiery souls, that could so easily shift from comraderie to rivalry. But just for the race. The race was like a different time and place. People were just themselves. There was no one they would take pity on in a street race. That was cruelty. The street races were full throttle. They would battle, in this race.

"Alright, 3....2....1...GO!" Boogie called, and the two set off at a fast pace. Rhyth had been hanging around this neighbourhood long enough to know the shortcuts. She used the rail on the right hand side to grind so she could get a lead on Gum. She jumped and landed on the second rail, then Gum caught on to the idea. Rhyth was a bit ahead, so as Rhyth jumped onto the right side of the double rail that went down in a slant towards the ally , Gum took the left. Unlike Gum, who fell straight down to lessen the pain of falling that far, Rhyth jumped up at the last moment and wall grinded * (a/n: ground just isn't the correct terminology for the action!) against a large poster of a monkey and landed a length ahead of Gum. Gum was surprised to see Rhyth use such a tactic and be able to keep her pace steady after such a long fall. Gum knew the tricks to this place though. She followed Rhyth's cutting path that went straight down the first hill instead of taking the road. Rhyth and Gum had to boost for the last hill because it went up however, and Gum was lucky enough to have just enough cans to pull it off. Even as they went out into the half-pipe, Gum knew there was no way of catching up to Rhyth. Rhyth was on fire. But she smiled softly. She wouldn't lose by so much. She boosted with what was left but was shocked when Rhyth did the same thing, boosting her win. Gum scowled for a moment, but felt perhaps after all that rest and relaxation that Rhyth dserved at least this victory.

To any male, Gum would not be like that. However, for one of her own, her own girls- she would. She had learned only girls could be trusted. The males didn't have the same mind nor heart as the females. She needed a female companion. Male companions were simply expendable pleasures to her. Rhyth would be her successor, she decided.

"Good job!" the crowd greeted them cheerfully, and all were shaking Rhyth's hand and congratulating her and such.

"Thank you, thank you! But I must admit Gum is a very tough adversary, isn't that right?" Rhyth said, looking back at Gum who had received no attention upon arriving. Gum smiled. This was why she could trust. Rhyth could empathyze these feelings that Gum felt and wished for relief from. No matter what happened, it seemed she could trust Rhyth not to be a glory hog like Yoyo. That's why Yoyo never won.

"I am , aren't I? Well, no matter! Let's go back to the garage everyone! Great job Rhyth, I'm very proud of you," Gum said, shaking Rhyth's hand and speaking to her with genuine pride.

(a/n)~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz...... *clock reads midnight* *Kita is slumped over the keyboard sleeping*

For The Reviewers:: (You'd better be grateful, I'm REALLY tired!)

Tallulah- thank you so much!!! *hugs* Finally! And I promise, the day I have the time I will eventually edit these chapters seriously and repost them so that they may be fit for human consumption. Although, people don't get paid for writing fanfiction. But you'll see, one day I'll be a famous writer! Bwhahahaaha! And just to you I'll dedicate many hours of actual editing! Lol, thanks for all your support and your fast reviewing skills. It really makes me feel as though this story is special and that people really read it and look into it. Please review again!

Mai's hamburger-

....well, I'm too tired to eat you. *puts it high up on a shelf so crazy dog can't eat it* There you go. Wouldn't want you getting eaten before the end of the story, ne? And that's quite a while from here, I think.

Mai- Thank you for all your support and kind words. I admit that to this day no other has told me that my story is juicier than a hamburger. *sniffle* *bursts into tears of joy* I'm *sob* so... happy! *cries* Please review this chapter! I don't know what I would do without the support of my reviewers!