I'M BACK!

TNTiggris: I'm glad! It's been a while since I've decided to come back and write this, since exams are over it makes life a whole lot easier.

HiwatarisSista: I doactually, two of them. The restricted: which is a crossover with inuyasha and Never let me go: which isn't completed yet.

Bittersweetsymphony: In this, Ray's busy jumping to conclusions

Hipa: I lose stories all the time and then I find them…eventually. Thanks for the long review! I love reading them! …I think I been in the dark so long I'd forgotten about this fic -;;

Dearest Ray

RAY'S POV

Here I am sitting on my four poster bed wondering what Kai's doing this precise moment. Was he thinking of me perhaps?

No, I'm just being silly. I picked up the sketch he gave me and traced the fine outline of the beautiful tiger cub. Beautiful…who'd have thought the great Kai was capable of so much feeling?

Sometimes I just can't figure him out. Then again, people are highly unpredictable creatures who just aren't meant to be understood. You just have to watch from afar and learn to appreciate what you see.

But what I can't come to appreciate is the very fact that Kai hadn't written or spoke to me in over three months. Hasn't he the decency to at least call and say hi? Surely his parents have the address to our place. I can understand that they must be busy, but Kai? Why he does nothing but draw.

Hold that thought. There seems to be someone outside my chamber door. And I think I know who that someone is.

I sighed deeply and snuggled up to the pillow nearest to me, "Come in Lee, I know you're there."

There was some grumbling before the handle finally turned and my older brother stepped in.

"How'd you know it was me?" Lee asked coming to sit on the edge of my bed.

"Who else is insane enough to disturb me when the sign on my door clearly says not to."

"What sign? Oh! You mean this one?" Lee held up a battered piece of manila paper with the faded words, 'Leave me alone.'

I made a face and buried myself under the heap of blankets.

"How long do you plan on hiding yourself in your room like a hermit crab?" Lee's sarcastic voice sounded after a moment of silence.

"Why do you care?" I mumbled still under the blankets.

"Oh. It's not me that cares, it's mother." Lee said matter-of-factly, "You know how she gets when she's all worried that her poor baby is suffering."

I shot out of the blankets and snapped back, "I'm not a baby! And I wouldn't be suffering if it wasn't for Kai."

"Really now? What has that boy done?"

"He hasn't written in three months and 6 days!"

"Someone's counting." Lee snorted, "And have you written to him?"

"Why should I?" I asked, "Am I supposed to?"

Lee looked at me like I was the most idiotic creature on the planet, "If you don't write." He said getting up to leave, "Then why should Kai even bother with you?"

The door closed with a quite click and I was once again alone with my thoughts. Only this time they were more confused than ever.

Maybe Lee's right…what if Kai's not writing because he thinks I've forgotten bout him. But if I write, after so long, will he write back? I guess I'll never know unless I try.

I got of the bed and worked my way over to my desk. I was going to write a letter to Kai, short and sweet, no lectures. I was just going to let him know I haven't forgotten about him.

Sitting down I took out a black ink pen and a sheet of cream paper. I pondered long and hard about what I was going to include in this letter. Even if it was just a few lines it had to carry across a message.

After hours I was done, my joints hurt for sitting in one position for so long but I was done and that's all that really matters. I took the paper in my hands to proofread it:

Dear Kai,

How are you? I haven't heard from you in a long time. Hope you haven't forgotten your old friend yet. You must be busy so I'll stop here for now.

Write back when you get time.

Ray

Well, the deed was done. I sealed it in an envelope and printed Kai's address on the back. Now for the tedious task of walking down all those stairs to mail this thing. Hopefully I'll run into someone to do this for me.

I stepped out of my room, letter in hand. Unfortunately I had to run into Lee that while walking down the hallway.

"What's that in your hand?" He asked stepping in front of me.

"Nothing you'd be interested in." I quickly walked past him but he was still following me.

"What do you want Lee?"

"What's so bad that you have to run away from me?" Lee grabbed the envelope from me and read the back, "I see, so my little talk really did get you thinking."

That was all he said before he handed me back the letter. I was quite amazed that he didn't press further. I guess the satisfaction of knowing he got me to think about things in someone else's perspective was enough for him.

Oh well, one obstruction out of my way. I walked down the stairs and saw my mother reading a book in the lounge, another obstacle to get past. Hopefully she won't notice me.

"Ray dear, come here for a moment."

Cross that thought, I stuffed the letter into my pant pocket and walked up to her.

"Where were you all these days?" She began, "I was so worried something was wrong."

"I'm fine, you shouldn't worry."

"I suppose so." My mother smiled softly and noticed something behind me, "A letter Ray?"

I took that as a sign to tell her who it was for, "It's just for Kai. I just wanted to say hi."

She gave me and award sort of look, accompanied with a happy smile that I knew so well, "Very well, I'm sure Kai will be just trilled to hear from you, it's been so long."

"I know. I'm going to mail it now." I left the area and walked through another hallway. Finally the front door.

I easily pushed aside the heavy wood doors and walked to across the grass to a large mailbox.

"Ray! Hey Raayy!"

I turned around to see who the voices belonged to, great. This day just seems to get better, a bouncy Max and a hungry Tyson. If I post the letter now, I can escape any questions. But before I got the chance someone snatched it from my hands.

I groaned and looked up, "Enrique, give that back."

"It's to some address…so, who're you writing to Ray?" Enrique asked in his usual playful tone.

"Yah Ray, tell us." Tyson panted after his 'long' run.

"Come on guys." The nice as ever Max put in, "Whoever it's for it must be pretty private. Right Ray?"

I thought for a moment on how to escape this.

"Not really Max." I smiled as my usual self, "It's a letter my mother wrote to a friend."

"Really then."

Johnny. One more problem to my growing list.

"I recognize this address." Johnny continued, "It's where that Kai person stays, isn't it Ray?"

Great, think up something Ray!

"Of course, My mother is writing to Kai's mother. Who else?"

"Fine." Johnny grunted.

Enrique handed me back the letter and I quickly posted it.

We sat and talked for a while and then the group divided into their own houses. I walked back to mine, hoping Kai's letter would come soon.

-

"Is something wrong Ray?" Lee asked, annoyed.

"No!" I rudely replied.

"Then stop your nervous fidgeting, it's getting on my nerves."

"It's been a week! A week!" I growled, pacing back and forth the living room carpet.

"A week for what?" Lee sighed, angry to be disturbed from his book.

"A week that Kai still hasn't written back! What if he's forgotten me?" I whined and slumped down on the nearest chair.

"Patience Ray, these things take things, besides you took a whole three months to get a letter to Kai."

"Not helping!"

"I'm sorry was I supposed to?" Lee snickered.

"What'd you think is keeping Kai." I asked after a while.

"I don't know, why don't you ask him?"

"Lee! My whole problem is that he's not repling!"

"Ray! Calm down! He lives quite far so the mail will take a while to get to us."

"I didn't think of that." I puffed out my cheeks and sat in silence.

Half an hour had passed and I hadn't moved one bit.

"Master Ray, I've been looking all over for you. A letter has arrived." The butler informed walking over to me.

I hastily grabbed the letter and waved him of. I wasted no time checking whom it was from, Kai of course.

I opened the envelope and pulled out the letter:

Dearest Ray,

I should have sent you a letter a long while back but I was quite busy. I hope you are doing alright. Everyone here is fine. How could you even think I've forgotten you? Someone like you isn't easily forgotten Ray. I'm free for sometime so feel free to write.

Hopefully we'll meet up sometime soon.

Take care,

Kai

I smiled broadly and hugged the letter tightly, Kai hadn't forgotten about me.

NOTE: I finally got of studying for exams and I'm back on writing! …..i hate exams….they get you all worked up for nothing! You end up studying like an animal and it turns out the questions are so easy! …..i shouldn't talk, I've yet to see my results, I hope I didn't fail or bye bye to the Sims 2 for me.

Sorry this chap is shorter than the rest, I needed it done fast. I've figured out a new problem with the keyboard: the 'A' letter doesn't work unless I bang it a couple times…stupid computer…

Review!

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Final Fantasty Crystal Chronicles rox!

And I've beat the game! woopie!