essenceofthedark: thankyou! Cute is what I was hoping for.

Bittersweetsymphony: I think so to. But last chap was really rushed, and this one is semi-rushed. Tala is in this one, planning on it all the while

MilliKilo: well thankyou.

Moonlit Sea: thanks!

ChibiNekoSakura: yup I beat it! and proud to, Raem is so bad, but memoria is really hard(raem's second form) the bosses are pushovers compared to him. where are you in the game? Nope! Can't forget about Ray!

Yoko-obssessor: thanks I will!

Sapphire-sama Dreamer: don't worry I will!

Omili: how sweet!

Kiko cat: cool new name, pretty

probladergirl: thanks a lot for reviewing for all chaps

Forfirith The dark angel: exams were fine…not really, I hate them…but I didn't fail! I think Ray is a bit dense…I tend to write him like that at certain points of the story.

KAI'S POV

Ray's reply to my letter had come in three days, despite the problems at the post office.

Obviously I was going to reply right away. I walked down to my study room and leaned back on the large leather chair.

I grabbed some paper and an ink pen from one of the desk's numerous drawers. I thought about what I would say to Ray briefly before turning to read his letter one more time:

Dear Kai,

I was so worried you had forgotten me. But your letter reassured me that you hadn't. I'm glad for that.

I still have that drawing you gave me. Which reminds me, I still have to get even with you. I spent quite some time looking in the mirror and there's no way do I look like a cat!

How would you feel if someone related you to an animal?

I really have no tact, do I?

I shouldn't be arguing with you when I really should being saying that in an odd way I miss your rude comments.

Ray

I chuckled softly at that, Ray really is something else. I quickly figured out what exactly to write to my kitten:

Dear Ray,

If I recall correctly, I called you a kitten, not a cat.

Don't you know what they say? People who look in the mirror every spare moment are rather vain. Then again, look who I'm talking to. Feline's are vain themselves, and quite proud too. You can't fall for their large eyes and cute faces, because their already sharpening their claws.

Take care, kitten

Kai

Ray wasn't going to be happy with me, but I'll take my chances. Just as I sealed the envelope, a knock was heard on my room door.

I sighed and pushed the letter aside, "Come in."

"Kai, I've been running in circles looking for you. About time I found you." Tala growled while walking up to me.

"Running in circles Tala? Don't tell me you're still trying to catch that tail of yours?" I mocked, watching in amusement as Tala took a quick peek behind him.

"I have to ask you something." Tala shoved away any papers in his way and sat on the edge of my desk, "Valentines day is coming up and I need to find Bryan something."

"And you're asking me this because?" I raised an eyebrow in questioning.

Tala paused for a moment, "Actually, I don't know why I'm asking you…"

"Because Spencer just stares, Ian's an idiot and obviously you can't ask Bryan."

"That's true…so, what should I get him?"

"And you actually think I'm going to tell you?" I asked.

"You're my friend! You're supposed to help!"

"Don't whine Tala, it's pathetic. Besides I have other things on my mind."

"Oh…you mean Ray. Right?" Tala nodded as he read the letter Ray had sent me.

"What about him?"

"You said you had things on your mind." Tala scratched his head confused.

"That doesn't mean I have Ray on my mind."

"Oh well." Tala sighed, "So what are you getting Ray for valentines?"

"I'll write to him." I answered simply, not quite sure myself.

"That's it? It has to be meaningful Kai! Get him something he wants."

"Valentines day is way too commercialized these days. It's meaningless."

"Don't say that." Tala ran a pale hand through his fiery red hair, "It may be true, but that's the way the media sees it. Not you."

I turned around, thinking about it, "So what do you propose I do?"

"I came to you with that exact problem, seeking an answer. And I still want one."

"Figure it out yourself. Now I really have things on my mind." I waved Tala away and sat down to think some more.

What should I get him? We're only friends, Ray shouldn't mind if nothing appears at his door. Right? No, I have to get something. Perhaps he won't mind my letter so much if something spectacular shows up on his doorstep.

I checked the calendar on my desktop and rubbed my temples in thought. Visiting is defiantly out of the question since I'm booked solid. But I can go out today and buy something. Yes, I'll have to do that.

I got up and tucked my letter to Ray in my front pocket and walked out the door in search of my butler.

Luckily I didn't have to search for long since it was his lunch break. He heard me coming and turned in greeting, "Master Kai. How may I assist you?"

"Get this letter to the post office." I simply said before turning on my heel.

"Certainly sir."

Back through the wide open area of the main room and through spacious hallways until I reached the front doors.

I put on black shoes and hesitated with the car key's, no I think I'll walk. I could do with the fresh air.

Pushing down the gold handles lightly I cracked open the door and walked out, letting the warm breeze toss my bangs around.

"Kai, are you going somewhere?"

That was the sound of my mother's voice. I turned in her direction and nodded briskly.

"I'd wish you'd tell me before rushing out like this." She sighed coming up to me, "Where are you headed dear?"

"I wanted to get out, that's all." No need for the whole world to know just yet.

"Are you going to pass the market side?"

Once again I nodded.

"Oh wonderful, would you mind giving this to you great aunt Lila?"

Just perfect. It's not that I don't like her it's just that she tends to treat me like a 5 year old, "Sure." I took the letter and headed of.

"Don't forget the letter!" My mother called behind me.

I waved shortly to show I heard what she was saying. I would deliver the letter first, while I'm still in a good mood.

I kicked the leaves out of my way as I headed for my great aunts house, it wasn't too far so I took my time getting there.

Aunt Lila was huge and so was her house, only because she inherited a great fortune after her husband died in his late 60's. Who knows how old that Lila is, all I know is that she's been around for quite a while.

I was soon hit with a completely new smell, it sickened me. The smell of roses on thick vines and freshly cut grass. My great aunt's house.

One of her 12 cats came up and brushed it's head on my knee. Instead of pushing it away I kneeled down and stroked it's soft head. Maybe it's because I've met Ray that this sudden like of feline creatures arose. That I may never know.

I sighed and looked up at the door ahead of me. Getting up of the ground I knocked on it's light colored wood.

In no time my Great aunt answered the door the door with a grand squeal of delight. I've got to brace myself.

"My darling nephew has finally come to say hello to his dear Lila!" She screeched while almost crushing my bones in deathly hug.

"Good morning aunt Lila." I greeted forcefully, "I've just come to deliver a letter from my mother.

"A letter? For me? Oh well how thoughtful of you mother!" She wiped away fake tears and opened the door wider, "Do come in my dear. I have cake and cookies and we can bake cupcakes!"

I had to make a break for it while I still had the chance, "I'm sorry aunt Lila, but I really have to go, I promised my mother that I'd be right back."

It was a complete lie but it had to be done, I really didn't like the idea of baking something every time I go to visit her. I don't think even as a child when I came here for a short vacation I'd like baking cupcakes with bright pink sprinkles.

"Come now, a short while wouldn't do much harm now would it?" Lila persuaded.

"I'm terribly sorry, but can't break a promise." I said as truthfully as I could.

My aunt sighed in defeat, "Alright dear, but you've got to promise me you'll visit sometime soon."

Great, I just had to go saying I don't break promises, "I'll try my best. Goodbye aunt Lila." I waved politely and patted the little cat on the head once more before disappearing from sight.

Now for the market place. It shouldn't be too crowded since it's still quite early in the morning.

I seemed to notice that every so often when my mind remained idle for a bit too long my thoughts would drift towards Ray, my friend. We got of on a rough foot but somehow we managed to repair whatever damage was done.

I blinked twice to escape the bright morning sun and soon realized I was already in the market. Open stands of food, jewelry and other presents awaited me.

I walked right up to the presents stand and smiled softly at the teddy bears holding small red hearts in their hands. I picked up one in the shape of pure white cat holding the heart in it's plush paws. This would be perfect for Ray. But it wasn't enough.

I purchased the cat and walked to another stand. It was full of crystal figures. The finishing touch of my gift. I looked over all the sculptures carefully. Finally I decided on medium sized one. It was of mighty tiger stretched out on a great tree.

"You want that one?" The owner of the stall asked a hint of impatience in his voice.

"Sure." I handed over the sculpture and thought back to how differently I was treated here.

Back home people would trip over themselves just to get a good look at me, but here they didn't know who I was, I was just a regular human being. And I liked it. I was refreshing to be treated normally for once.

I could walk all over town and not be followed and asked numerous questions. Plus my parents didn't exactly arrive announcing to the world how they were. We came here for a change of pace. That's exactly what we're getting.

"Here you go."

I thanked the man and walked of with two bags in my hand. I could only hope Ray would like this.

NOTE: this was originally supposed to be posted last week so the V-day chap is a bit late.

Hoped you liked it anyways! Last chap was terrible, I hope this is slightly better, Tala will appear more often with more complains and maybe Ray will get to meet Kai's great aunt Lila.

Review please!