Here's chapter two. Sorry for the wait. I got distracted.

Disclaimer: I don't own Beyblade or Wicca Themes. Amber is Zadiens as is Ruin. Shahero belongs to Coors and Miyami to Unlucky-Star. Anyone else you notice who you don't recognize is mine.

Chapter Two

03/09/05

Great, got a new journal and I swear, I will actually write in this one frequently. Maybe actually making some grand gesture of swearing in blood would make me keep the vow… Hmm, there's something to think about. This will double as my Book of Shadows. I plan to get a lock for it, I don't want someONE, namely Kai, coming along and reading this. I doubt he'd approve of me being Wiccan. I should tell him, but for some reason people tend to be very prejudiced against Wiccan. I don't want Kai to be like that, I think he will be though. So, I'll keep this little secret to myself. And even though I write this, I just know that writing something down is the one guaranteed way for someone to discover it. Maybe my subconscious wants him to find it and that way I don't have to tell him and he'd still know… I hate my subconscious.

Oh, we're back to school today. I'm finally a senior and still short… I bet there are freshmen who are taller than I am. Oh well I'll deal with that situation later. I'm getting the funniest feeling, a trickle of dread that tells me not everything is, as it seems. And I worry about it. Sometimes I feel like looking further into my feelings to seek out the truth but I hold back because I'm scared. I sense things around me at times and see things out of the corner of my eye that are not really there. That's part of my reason for turning to Wiccan, to seek out the truth, to find an understanding for what bothers me so much. However, deep down inside, I'm scared of what I'll find. Nevertheless, something's coming, I hope to hell it doesn't involve me, but trouble likes me. A lot! Damn, why'd I have to be so pretty…?

Blessed be

Amber

Preston-Lee Family home 08:00

I jogged down the stairs the next morning in the usual uniform I had to be kitted out in. There was the white blouse, which was a little too long so I had to roll the sleeves up. Then there was the usual skirt and one size to large blazer and I'd rolled my socks down to rest at the top of my flat-soled hiking boots, which were scuffed and scarred.

As I entered the kitchen, Mum was busy packing her brief case while holding a triangle of toast between her teeth. Dad was in his shirt and tie, sipping his coffee and checking the stock reports. I can't really say what my father does because I don't really understand what exactly he does myself. Mainly he goes to work, makes money and comes home again, that's all I know. However, I'm not complaining. From through the arch, Alyssa's laughter came floating through. I could just see her now, curled up on the cream sofa in her thick pastel pink terry cloth robe watching TV while eating cereal.

"Morning honey."

"Morning Mum, morning Daddy."

"Good morning sweetheart." Why do parents add in terms of endearment into sentences like 'good morning'?

Dad folded his newspaper and set it down on the table. "Are you ready for school?"

"My skirt and books say yes; my heart says I'm not." I grumbled as I took my seat beside him.

He patted my hand as he chuckled and looking up at him I felt a deep rooted love for this man who'd taken me into his family and stayed up with me when I was sick. Crane Preston-Lee with his mild green eyes and bronze hair is an amazingly generous and lovely man, even though his enemies would say he's cold hearted even devious. I've no doubt he is, but he's also my father. When he gives his love and more importantly his trust, he gives it absolutely, so it's a deep betrayal when someone throws it back in his face.

That's what Julia did and since she's his flesh and blood, it's going to take her a very long time to earn it back. I worked so hard for his love, affection and especially his trust. It took me a long time to work out I'd always had it, but I'll never do anything to lose it. It means too much.

Mom left a plate of pancakes down in front of me and ran a hand through her soft brown hair. "Do you want a lift, Kirby?"

"Nah, I'm walking with Daichi. He'll be here in a moment."

"What about that Fox kid?" Dad asked, helping himself to a syrup-drenched square of my pancakes.

"Foxy offered." I told him primly knowing about his dislike for Foxy. It's thinly disguised so I'm sure Foxy's noticed it even though he's said nothing, yet. "But it's tradition for me and Daichi to walk to school on the first day of school."

This year though, he'll be able to drive me to school because he got a car for his 16th back in August. It's a cool car, which Seth did up on his own. The rewards of having a mechanic and an ex-race car driver for a father.

"That's nice. Tradition should never be ignored or shoved away."

"Not even to make way for progress?" I asked slyly motioning with a forkful of pancakes.

Dad only smiled blandly before he bit my pancakes off the fork. Scowling I pulled my plate away from him and closer to me.

"I'm going to head off now and possibly snag that parking spot from Monroe this year." Mom decided looking up at the sky as though judging whether she'd need a jacket or not. Sighing she plucked the pale lemon jacket from her chair and shrugged it on. "It's going to get chillier later Kirby, so remember to take your fleece with you/"

I nodded listening to the wisp of Irish through her voice. She crossed to Dad and pecked him on the lips but seemingly, Dad had other plans as he toppled her into his lap. I frowned down at the plate before me trying to block out my mothers giggles and other sounds. Really seeing my parents making out just after eating my breakfast was so not what I wanted to see or hear, so the sharp rap of the knocker on the door was very welcome.

I jumped out of my seat and darted down the hall, bumping my hip off the corner of the telephone table. I winced as it began to smart. I opened the great oak door and blinked at Daichi who stood there in his new uniform. I knew it was new, because he ripped the sleeve of his blazer, there'd been a hole in the knee of his pants and the cuff of his shirt had come clean off in a fight with a senior hothead for which Bryan came along, hauled him off Daichi, and said something that made the senior go pure white. It was so cool, especially since Bryan was only a junior. Though fair enough Bryan's a fairly big guy and is often intimidating without meaning to be. The only person who I can say is utterly fearless of him is Amber, but that's because she adores him and vice versa, or because as she terms it, she's terminally stupid.

"Come in." I invited; stepping back to let him in. "Boy am I glad to see you, they're at it again."

Daichi grimaced. "Same at mine, and then Ozuma spends his time making kissy noises down the phone. It's so gay!"

I laughed. "I dare you to say that to him. He'd deck you again."

"Don't remind me," he moaned mournfully, rubbing his jaw to ease the phantom ache.

"It was a total sucker punch. He couldn't even hit me like a man."

"You couldn't have been feeling very manful when Seth ordered you to pull your pants down so he could tan both your hides!"

"Didn't help with you and Amber howling with laughter."

"We were snickering with dignity." I corrected though he was right. We had been howling with laughter, but we were very dignified about it. I hope.

He 'Hn'd' and grumbled under his breath as he headed to the kitchen, making himself totally at home as he did in every Benson home.

"Hey Chi, why did you knock?" Usually he just walks in the front door, never the back because he's too lazy.

"I didn't." he replied casually pouring himself a cup of coffee. "Hey Anne, Crane, your daughter's hearing things."

"I'm not. You knocked. How else did I know you were at the door?"

"I don't know. All I know is that I never knocked. I'd just strolled up as you opened the door."

"I never heard anyone knock." Mom said as she got off Dads' lap and brushed down her skirt, smoothing out the creases.

"Not surprising." I muttered. She sent me a look through the mirror as she reapplied her lippie, while Dad winked at me. I rolled my eyes. "Someone knocked." I stated.

"Who knocked?" Alyssa wondered as she shuffled into the kitchen and dumped her empty dishes in the sink.

"Daichi."

Alyssa cast him a curious glance. "Oh, I never heard you knocking."

I gaped at her. The TV was not that loud. "But… how else did I know DC was there?"

"Maybe you sensed him." Alyssa gasped with a smirk, wiggling her fingers in front of my face.

I batted them away. "Piss off!" I snapped grouchily. I heard a knock, didn't I? Of course I did.

"Well whatever. DC, we should get going."

Daichi made a face. I wasn't too thrilled about going back to school either, but still there was a little flutter of excitement at the prospect of seeing my friends again. Though I knew at the end of this year, my older friends would be leaving, including Amber, Kai, Ozuma, Bryan and Tala. It would be weird not seeing them around but I still had this year to be teased mercilessly by Tala about a crush I had on him when I was twelve. It's completely understandable; Tala is a capital H-O-T, Hot! Even Amber can admit he's probably the most perfect male specimen that she's ever seen and she's seen loads. Bakuten's like a bishi magnet. All hot guys are drawn here like moths to the flame. Of course, Amber's feelings for Tala are strictly platonic. If they weren't… I shuddered. Wrong.

"Come on DC."

"I'm coming." he sighed. "Hey are you taking English this year Aunty Anne?"

"Yes."

"Ooh." he rubbed his hands together mischievously. "I hope I get you."

"Who are the alternatives?" I wondered. No Mrs. King, please no Mrs. King.

"Mr. Landon or Mrs. King." Damn!

Daichi and I both groaned while Alyssa chuckled. "Mom, I've never asked you to abuse your position as a member of the faculty, but please, please don't let me be in Mrs. King's class, she hates me! She keeps comparing me to Lyss and Jules. Sometimes she even compares me to Ozuma and that's just not fair!"

Daichi cast me a look of pure sympathy. "Same here."

Sometimes it's not cool having to live up to your far superior and more intelligent siblings. "Please mum, I wouldn't ask but it's really a life or death situation. You didn't like her when you met her, did you dad?"

Dad shook his head. "She didn't like my mother, probably holds that against you."

"She liked me well enough." Alyssa said with a delicate shrug.

How couldn't she? "You're a straight A student Lyss, you're every teachers wet dream!"

"Kirby!" Mum reprimanded me sharply.

"She likes Amber too." My sister pointed out and I damned her logic.

"Amber's too damn likeable. Besides King probably has a crush on James or something."

Daichi shuddered. "Ooh, that brought all sorts of images to my head; all very nasty and vomit worthy."

"Kirby you will take whatever teacher you are given and you will accept them graciously."

I wanted to roll my eyes at the tone but I didn't want to be bold after all she's my mother, if it wasn't for her I'd be in a home or worse. "Yes ma'am."

"You too Daichi."

"Yes'm."

We both stood there looking sheepish as Alyssa grinned. Dad got to his feet, kissing Mum's cheek, and heading out to fetch his jacket and brief case.

"Now you two better get going. You don't want to be late on your first day back."

"Right, right, we're going. Just a minute Daz, I gotta get my bag."

"Don't forget your jacket." Mum called after me as I jogged up the stairs.

My feet slapped against the wooden floor as I headed to get to my room. My room was my own personal sanctuary. It was pine, like the rest of the house since Mum had a penchant for it, though I wouldn't' have minded something dark, like mahogany. My computer or laptop to be exact, and it was my sister's old one that Kenny had upgraded, sat on the study table. The bed was by the window and the walls were a primrose with a pale blue trim. Posters had left faded paint splotches and chipped bits. I guess it was cheery, but it wasn't pink and I'm going to paint it at Halloween or the midterm break.

I crossed to my closet where I kept my clothes, even though I had a walk-in wardrobe I hardly ever used since I had a distinct lack of clothing to put in it. I swung open the door, catching a glimpse of myself in the mirror. I usually looked good in the uniform and today was no different. I tugged out my back pack which was a faded denim bag with people's names signed in correction fluid and bits and pieces sewed on courtesy of Miyami when she'd been bored on a school outing.

As I tugged it out, I caught a glimpse of something out of the corner of my eye, surprised I yelped and dropped my bag. Turning with my pulse thundering, I breathed a sigh of relief and laughed at myself. Just my reflection. Silly. Yet, even as I laughed, I felt a niggle of doubt, that I hadn't just seen my reflection.


Ten minutes later, Daichi and I were laughing over my little incident.

"Oh I wish I'd been there to see your face."

"I think I was suitably humiliated without your help! Thank you very much."

"Don't get thick with me."

I sighed. "Oh, I'm not, I just feel edgy today. I didn't mean to take it out on you, Daz."

"No problemo. I am Daichi Benson, the human punch bag."

I gazed levelly at him, wishing I hadn't snapped at him. Then he laughed and I scowled, realizing that he was just messing with me.

I growled. "Idiot."

"Aw I wuv you too."

I grinned, hooked my arm through his, and leaned my head on his shoulder as he guided us down the promenade, a cobblestone street, flanked with large Victorian style houses with shops and offices. A gazebo stood at the end of the street where a live band usually played to the town square on Weekends. A small thatched roofed building was tucked to the side, Sam's bard. As I looked at it, a figure darted out of the front door and into a silvery black Nissan Skyeliner.

"Ruin's getting an early start." Daz commented.

"She's probably sorting out her work hours for this week." I mused.

"Maybe but I heard a rumor that she moved out of home."

I blinked at him surprised. I hadn't heard that and Amber was Ruin's best friend, or as close to a best friend that the lukewarm Goth girl would allow. "Come to think of it, I haven't seen her or her car around my neighborhood recently. Woah."

"Yeah." Daichi whispered. Like me, I doubt he could ever imagine living away from home while still at high school. "I guess her parents are keeping it pretty hush-hush."

"Would smear their precious reputation as the most perfect people in the world. Self proclaimed." I added darkly. It made me feel bad for Ruin but I doubt she's want my sympathy. She's so self-sufficient. Speaking of… "Oh Daichi, remind me to go to the drug store on my way home."

Daichi's gaze whipped to mine concerned. "Why?"

"Because." I squirmed uncomfortably, wishing I hadn't brought this up.

"Because?" He pressed.

"Because I need pads." I mumbled it quickly. Please drop it; please god just let him drop it.

Daichi laughed. "What pads would you get at a drug store?"

I looked at him steadily. Oh, you are not that simple.

Suddenly it struck him with the force of a lightning bolt. His eyes popped wide and his coloring darkened to almost the same shade of his hair. "Oh those kind of pads."

His embarrassment made mine pass. "Oh Daichi come on, a period is a perfectly natural part of a woman's life."

"Hmm." he murmured as we walked down past the town hall where the town meetings were held once a month on a Wednesday night at eight, so the inhabitants could discuss everything that involved the town. "So what's it like?"

I shrugged. Did this strike anyone else as weird? "I don't know. Normal I suppose." he looked at me as though I was doting, but then again I wasn't exactly feeling quite sane discussing periods with my male cousin. I barely discuss them with my sisters or Amber. "I've gotten used to them, so much so that I can forget I'm having one. I'm pretty lucky, really, I know some girls who bleed so heavily that they have to change during the night and their cramps-"

"OK! Way, way, WAY too much info cuz." his voice was slightly high and his face was pale except for the bloom of color on his cheeks.

I laughed. "Sorry Daz."

"Yeah." he swallowed and I chuckled.

"You'll make a great boyfriend, being so understanding."

Daichi fell silent and I knew he was thinking of his one sided crush on Miyami. Poor wee darling. "She's with Johnny." I said gently.

His features darkened. "I know."

"He's good for her. Just…" I trailed off not knowing how to ease his pain. I wish I could have acted outraged on his behalf but the fact was I'd always been kind of rooting for Miyami and Johnny before and after finding out about Daz's crush on her. They were just meant to be and she and Daz weren't.

"So, um, anyway I uh, saw Miguel this morning." He changed the subject, so I let him.

"Oh?" I tried to keep the disinterest for the subject out of my voice.

"Yeah, he's looking very well despite the rain in England."

Rain in England is hardly much worse than rain in New England but I didn't say so. "Good for him."

"Yeah. He wanted to give me a lift to school in his kick ass Beemer, but, yeah, you know, I had to walk with you."

I glowered at him, feeling enraged. "Excuse me, but didn't I say that Foxy would give me a lift? And you threw a hissy fit!" I pointed out bitterly.

"I wasn't trying to-"

"Yes you were."

His nostrils flared. "No I wasn't."

"Yes you were."

"No-"

"Oh hold up till I get some popcorn!" a female voice said from in front of us.

I looked up and realized that we'd reached the park. Shahero Kaeto, who spoke, sat on the steps in front of us leaning forward and resting her folded arms on her upright skateboard.

"He/She started it!" we both accused with pointed fingers.

"I don't really care." You're both wrong and I am right, because I am the Queen of Insanity and you'll all bow to me!" She declared, her bright blue eyes challenging us to counter her. Do we look stupid?

"DUDE!" A heavy weight collided with me and forced me to stumble and brace, or hit the ground face first. "You're alive!"

"Not for long." I wheezed.

"Get off her, you moron." Daichi muttered, relieving me of the weight that was Tyson Kinomiya, my friend, Amber's next-door neighbor and Miyami's cousin.

"Nice to see you too man." The navy haired teen grumbled adjusting his cap.

I surveyed him affectionately. In my own way, I love Tyson. I love his ability to speak his mind, admire his need to protect and help each of his friends, his restless energy only rivaled by his appetite for food, his boundless enthusiasm and endless strength. His boyishly handsome face, which had hollowed out some during the summer. The dark brown eyes, which had changed from navy when he hit puberty. His warm grin, a white flash in that sun tanned face. In addition, that long lean frame, which must have an incredible metabolism to eat so much and gain next to nothing. How could I not love this guy as a brother? He's a close to me as Daichi and Joseph. Some times more because he can make me laugh like no one else can.

I left the two boys insulting each other as a sign of affection and crossed over to Shahero, Amber's stepsister though they might as well have been blood sisters. They are so close and understand each other without saying a word. They share the same problems of being short; thought Shahero is a couple of inches shorter than my cousin is. Shahero prefers to use her fists in a fight; Amber prefers her mouth. Shahero is more daring than Amber and loads more confident and sure of herself, and where as Amber bruises easily, Shahero hardly bruises at all. They make quite a pair. Shahero acts and Amber thinks, sometimes. They are a killer team and stand by each other.

Shahero has short black hair, which falls to her shoulders and is streaked with silver not gold. Big blue eyes and a damn-you-all mouth, her skin tone is Japanese pale and her petite slender stature is incredibly deceptive. I think she rocks big time, and why not? She can kick a guy's ass without breaking a sweat. Damn right, she's cool.

"Hey bitch." I greeted dropping down beside her.

"Some day you'll say that to the wrong person and get your ass kicked."

"Yeah probably. I'll come hire you if I do. Family discount."

She snorted and rolled her eyes, leaning back to absorb the sun's warmth. Her sleeves were ripped off to reveal a tat of thorns pricking flesh. Her skirt was pulled over a pair of black skater pants.

"Why didn't you get a lift with Kai and Amber?" I wondered, tilting up my face to be kissed by the suns rays. I closed my eyes and was lost in orange light.

"To hear their gooey talk? I think I'd rather have my brain burst one cell at a time," she grumbled.

I winced seeing the pain flash into those blue, blue eyes. Last Summer Hitoshi, Tyson's older brother, had been paying a lot of attention to Shahero, and when she began to reciprocate those feelings, she caught him making out with Kali Quinn or Queen, as she likes to be known by us commoners. The thing is that Hitoshi now acts as if everything he did last summer never happened. It's weird and it really hurt Shahero. Feeling bad for the girl who had adopted me as a younger sister, I attempted to lighten the mood.

"So you actually think you have a brain?" I teased.

She stuck out her tongue. "More of one than you do."

"Hey, I have a brain."

"Yeah it just goes on long continuous vacations."

Tyson laughed and hi-fived Shahero.

"C'mon rug rats, I have to escort you to school."


By the time we reached Bakuten High, which over looked the cornflower blue sea, looking ancient and mystical in its Queen Anne Red brick, students were already head into the main building. We followed the majority. Shahero dropped her board and began to push herself along navigating herself through the student hoard.

"Hey Hero where are you meeting your group?"

By rights, Shahero should be in my year but she was boosted up a year. Supposedly for being smart. I have, yet, to see this fabled smartness, but supposedly, it's there like oxygen, you know it's there but you just can't see it. Or that's how Amber once described it.

"I don't know…" if she was going to say more she never got the chance as a figure fell into step beside us.

"Hey bro, Benson brats… Kaeto."

There! See! There is a funny note to his voice when he says her name. I could almost here Amber bouncing around on the spot shouting. We'd been discussing this, a couple of days ago and Amber had told me to listen out for it. Reluctantly I had to admit, she was right. There was an off note to his tone when he spoke her name. Not the lust filled drawl and there was no trace of her usual arrogance, it wasn't disinterest or casualness either. It almost sounded confused… Men!

Each of us fell into an uncomfortable silence.

"Oh there's Kane, I'll see you guys later."

The boys and I exchanged a look. That just show's how uncomfortable Shahero was if she was willing to leave us for Kane, who she fights with all the time.

"What was her problem?" Hitoshi asked looking at us.

Tyson shook his head dismally. "You are a piece of work, bro."

"What did I do?"

I looked at Hitoshi. He didn't seem as easy in his skin as he usually did. He's tall, his hair is long, and a slate blue that's loads lighter than Tyson's and it fell choppily to his shoulders so he had to scoop it back out of his face. His heavy lidded brown eyes were lashed thickly and lacking something. He was still arrogantly handsome but it was missing something.

I sighed at how I was sounding, like Fox Mulder from the X-files. It was aliens!

Tyson shook his head again with a sigh. "Nothing."

We opened the doors at the end of the corridor and headed down the steps. Hitoshi left us to find his senior friends.

My friends were assembled around the fountain, well two of them were, the other girls weren't really my friends more like girls I know because they're friends with Mariam Magee. Mariam Magee and I have been friends since we were in kindergarten. She's glamorous and gorgeous and she knows it. She can wear a sweater and jeans and make them look elegant. I guess it has a lot to do with body language and self-confidence. Miyami Kinomiya has it too. Mariam's tall and slender, not skinny; she has curves in all the right places. She's every guys dream girl. Flirtatious, strong, confident and dislikes possessiveness and strings of all shapes and sizes. She's also gorgeous. Her long royal blue hair falls to her waist with thick bangs framing her face. Her eyes are the same jade green of Joseph. Her skin is flawless and creamy though that doesn't mean she doesn't wear makeup. She does, I just haven't figured out why. It's not as if she needs to, as I do. However, it's her decision.

As we approached, she squealed and leapt to her feet to an animated dance complete with hand movements. After a second her clique joined in, it was only as I approached that I realized they were trying to swat away a wasp. Joe sat there and roared with laughter as the girls squealed and whimpered, jittering this way and that. God knows what the wasp was thinking. Maybe he thought Mariah Tanaka was a five foot six" rose. I blinked surprised as Mariah ran straight into Rei Kon, her crush and coincidentally enough, my friend Salima's too.

I can see why, Rei is the star of the hockey team with his agility, leadership qualities, sense of fair play and his vicious desire to win. He's also very pretty, one of the prettiest senior boys. You can't really call him handsome because his looks are too bordering on feminine at times and he's often too nice for his own good. However, I can understand why Salima and Mariah like him apart from the nice guy vibes that just waft off him. His eyes are golden, like molten gold. His skin is smooth and the skin tone is the tanned hue of China. His hair is raven black, silky and long to his ankles, I think, but it's braided so it doesn't get in his way and most time you'd think it's short.

Rei immediately caught and steadied her then smiled kindly which sent Mariah into blush dome. When he released her to head to school, she stumbled to back to Mariam and Hillary and there was a lot of nudging and teasing. Girl bonding at it's best.

"Don't they realize how obvious they're being?" Daichi wondered.

"When have you known those three to be subtle?" Tyson demanded. "Look at Mariah's hair for Gods sake!"

I laughed despite myself, then nudged them to be silent as we arrived beside them in time to hear Hillary's coaxing.

"Mariah, you should totally go for it. He's so into you. After all, you have more chance than Salima."

Unfortunately, Hillary missed M&M's frantic waving until it was too late. She looked round and squirmed uneasily. "Oh, um, hi Kirby."

Tyson, feeling my unease, looped his arm around me. "And that ladies and gentlemen was Hillary, Queen of Tact. Her special ability is not being able to keep her big fat mouth shut."

"Oh drop dead, Kinomiya."

"Only after you, so I can find out where you're buried and get as far away as possible."

"Someone fetch a diaper, Tyson's got diarrhea of the mouth again!"

"At least I don't look like I'm constipated while sucking on a prune!"

The rest of us stood back as they got nose to nose, both seething in self-righteous fury. Any minute now…

"Children, Children." a smooth masculine voice drawled mockingly from behind me. Everyone slumped and groaned while I tensed in anticipation. Arms encircled me in their strong embrace. I leaned back into my boyfriend and felt a surge of warmth and comfort at his nearness as well as an itch that crawled through me, a need to scratch followed. As though sensing my need, his large warm hands gripped my waist firmly and kept me in my place.

"Ugh, I'm out of here." Tyson snarled turning and stalking off. Hillary stomped off in the opposite direction.

"I just saw the second floor janitors closet being vacated, if you guys wanted to meet up and sort things out."

Tyson glared back and gave Foxy the bird. Hillary said nothing.

"Damn, I really thought they were going to kiss then." Mariah sighed.

I said nothing though I caught the roll of my cousin's eyes and felt Joe's reaction was similar. I don't think I'd subject anyone to Hillary, not even my worst enemy, never mind my best friend. It's not that she's not a nice girl. She's extremely pretty, with the cute bob of chestnut hair and the matching eyes and fresh feminine face. Generally, she's smart and responsible but she's just soo bossy. It drives me insane at times; I just want to tell her that the world won't end if she takes a break.

"In front of all of us?" Foxy questioned in a tone that suggested he didn't agree.

"Well now we'll never know." Mariam scowled looking pointedly at my boyfriend.

I sighed. Mariam and Foxy really didn't get along and quite honestly, I don't know why. However, it's their choice and it's not my problem. I just wish that they could call a truce for my sake because they both pull me in two different directions. I wondered idly if Tala had had the same problems when Amber and Kai fought all the time, then again, they got together in the end, so Tala wouldn't be feeling so torn anymore and besides, he knew why Kai had been so miffed with Amber. She of course had been oblivious. This is nothing like that situation.

"So where were you on Saturday night? I called and you weren't home."

I winced. Saturday nights, Mariam phones and we talk for half an hour then usually I'll go round to Foxy's. "Oh, I got kidnapped outside the Friar's Rest by Ams and Shahero and dragged up to theirs to play street hockey."

"Oh, ok." Since it wasn't Foxy who'd taken me away, Mariam relaxed. "So was Hitoshi there?"

I tried to remember while at the same time I wondered why she wanted to know. Then mentally I groaned, why else? "Well yeah, after all he lives next door to Shahero." I wondered if she got the subtle point. Possibly.

"Is he at school today?"

No, she didn't get it. "Yeah he was speaking to Shahero and me earlier." I didn't out and out lie, just came close.

"Hitoshi's taken, find yourself another victim." Foxy bit off coolly.

I groaned. Great, just great.

"Bite me." Mariam snapped, grabbing her shoulder bag and storming off, royal blue hair swinging with each step. Mariah looked between us; then chased after my best friend.

Daichi and Joe exchanged glances before they too left, both giving me a subtle wave. Sighing woefully, I turned to James Fox. My best friend and love, my other best friend's bane. His hair is pure sunshine gold, silky and parted into wings. His eyes are a bright, brilliant blue, like the sky on a summer's day, warm and open. His face is gorgeous, he really had to be the most gorgeous boy I'd ever set my eyes on, well apart from his cousin Tala but if he doesn't stir your juices, nothing will. The body pressed against me was warm, hard and trim. As for personality wise, when he's not winding up Mariam, he's friendly, driven, has a healthy ego and he puts up with my family's eccentric ways. Brownie points for him.

"I wish you and Mariam didn't fight so much."

"It's not that I want to fight with her, Kirbs." he said with a sigh, his arm wrapping loosely around my shoulders, urging me closer as he guided me back into school. "She just gets on my nerves."

"I guess, but me and her have been friends for a really long time and it's down-"

"I know, I know. You feel some kind of duty to her, but if she really were your friend then she wouldn't make you feel as though you owe her anything."

That made me frown because it was very true but all the same. "She's my friend."

"Ok." he replied simply but I got the hint that everything wasn't ok. I felt weird, wrong and there was a tickle at the base of my gut. It felt as though someone was tickling my bladder with a feather, not a particularly nice feeling, and it made me want to squirm.

We entered the school and looked around at the bustle of students that wandered down the halls. I spotted a few people I recognized but I didn't pay them much attention. I waved over at Emily Davenport as she talked to her boyfriend Max Tate and the computer geek Kenny.

"Did you hear about Miguel?" I finally asked.

Foxy tensed, his arm tightening around me for half a second. "Yeah I heard he's back."

"You're not going to do anything stupid, are you?"

He turned to me and smiled, his blue eyes darkening. "Like what?"

I jerked one shoulder. "I dunno, something guy like."

He laughed richly and it rolled over me like a wave of heat. I shivered delicately. "Don't worry I won't kick his head in, if that's what you mean."

"That's good to hear."

We both froze at the smooth accented voice that interrupted our conversation, and then finally Foxy turned round. I followed and stared shocked at the tall figure in front of me. It didn't take much to tell me that this was Miguel Davidoff in front of me. His pale platinum hair was still in that ridiculous style he'd sported when he'd been younger. It was parted in the middle and looked like a wild untamed mane. His eyes were still as clear as lake water, not quite blue and not quite gray. There were caught in the middle and so very clear. His skin was bronzed from his mother and he had the sharp aristocratic bone structure from the Russian side of his family. His brow was high, arched, his cheekbones prominent, and hollowed beneath. His mouth was full and serious but not in any way feminine.

He'd changed subtly. For one he was taller, he stood over a head taller than I did and I didn't like the way he looked down on me. His build was rangy and lean, his legs made up most of his height. He stood tall and commanding, an authoritive air surrounding him as though he were in control of his emotions and the world around him. He didn't look phased by the fact that he was coming back to the home he'd left so long ago and he didn't look the least bit unnerved by the fact that he was staring down his half brother who had always stood out against him. Yet looking back at my memories, Miguel always seemed the more formidable of the two. Foxy although bright and shiny didn't hold attention the way Miguel could by just entering a room without a word.

"James, it's good to see you again." Oh yeah, he'd gotten the Oxford accent and it didn't make him sound the least bit pompous.

"I can't say the same Miguel." Foxy's broad American accent -which never stood out much before- was clipped and formal. He sounded pompous… How very odd.

Miguel's attention then turned to Foxy's companion, namely me. "Kirby." he rolled my name out as though savoring it and had me cringing in reaction. "You have changed."

I gave that gallic half shrug again. "I grew up."

"And you're dating James?" he inquired politely.

"Yes she is, dear brother." Foxy mocked his accent. "Now if you'll excuse us, we have places to go, people to see."

"Yes of course you do. I'll see you both later, I'm sure." with that he smiled and I felt a spark somewhere deep inside. He turned around and left, striding off down the corridor with the students seeming to part before him like Moses and the red sea.

I rubbed my arms feeling suddenly chilled to the bones. "That was creepy."

"Yeah, you're telling me."

"People are not that formal in England." I said with an almost surety. I had visited my Nana in Ireland many a time and had listened to the English radio stations and watched the English TV channels and I knew that they weren't that formal. Something was very wrong with Miguel Davidoff and that bothered me. The feeling of dread increased and I groaned. I felt sick and even though it sounded utterly stupid, I had the funniest instinct that the feeling had something to do with the platinum haired half brother of my boyfriend.


Beyblade-gal: 50 times? Wow. Well I guess I did leave it a long time between posts. Been caught up in school stuff and the like. Enjoy this chapter.

WindWitch: Oh thank you for the compliment. It helps that I can look at Zadien's stuff and see where I'm going wrong and such. Miguel and Mikel are one and the same. The title means Sorcerer/magician/witch in Irish. You figured it out, wasn't too difficult me thinks then again, I could twist it all.

Kusu rana: LOL well it's handy you don't know how. I wish more people didn't, it's very mean to take someone's work and degrade it like that. LOL Like Kai would let his Ember die out from the cold, -grins-

ArcadaAvalonWow it's one of the famous Octopussy owners, lol. I'm so honoured you reviewed. Foxy and Miguel are half brothers, they share a dad and Tala is their cousin. Kirby is starting High School as a junior and Alyssa is going to college. The title means person of magic in Irish. Like witch or sorcerer. I hope you like this chapter too.

Vinter: What was disturbing for you? Your sister or the fact that she was doing sit ups voluntarily because that's what's disturbing to me, lol. But I'm so glad you like this.

Coors: It's the illustrious Coors, cool! Aw thanks, I'll hold you to that. Yeah I just didn't like how the fics were just like every other one out there. I may return to do some work on Desiring Magick.

Smiley-Joe: Miguel hasn't shown up that much yet so his piece is very little at the moment. Oh I'm glad Amber's in Character, so many people adore her, I wouldn't want to get her wrong. I think the family is an ideal, everyone wants a family like that. But they're still wicked cool. I'd love an uncle like Seth, he'd rock! Sorry about the late post.

AlexysWell I hope you like this chapter too. I should really thank Zadien for the plugs she gives Kirby and Miguel.

Cokey: Aw thanks babes. You're a star! Oh and thanks for typing some of that crap for me when I couldn't be arsed. Hope this chapter is good too.

Destructive Habit: Oh the Benson family is complex. But I guess it's not too bad, I'm used to large families but when it's someone else's it is confusing, lol. Man my grammar and spelling are crap so please forgive me.

And there we go for another chapter.