Thank you's go to:

AmazedByAngel: Yeah, he is a bit ooc, but I'm tired of writing him the same way everyone else always writes him. So I thought I'd change it around slightly for this fic. By the way, good luck cleaning!

Moonlit Sea: glad you like it.

ChibiNekoSakura: they will, in this chap!

Kiko cat: I'll try when I can.

Forfirith The dark angel: Finally I get quicker huh? next chap on it's way. Ray sure does love cats!...and fish…

Hieisbabysammy: nice new name cute! They won't be too lovey dovey for a while, I'm sure you can wait.

Soul's Eclipse: glad you did.

Sciko: thanks! Techers are good…although my French teacher told me I failed my French exam before I even wrote it ;; And for the record… I passed!

Reis1gurl: me too! You're not alone Ray needs to also.

Yoko-obssessor: I don't know yet what to do about Tala's side of the story, but I'm thinking about it…long and hard…Bwahahaha!

And after so long

"Why don't you go out?"

"No." I replied glumly.

"Why not?" Lee asked.

"Because." I said stubbornly.

"Because why?" Lee continued to ask.

"Because it's raining!" I hissed.

"Yeesh, no need to yell…"

"Lee!"

"You're doing it gain."

"What's up with you anyways?" I questioned moving in my seat.

"I'm just restless, the rain makes me sleepy." Lee yawned to emphasize his statement.

"I know, I feel a bit tired too, and it's only…7:30." I looked at the clock and stretched.

Getting up I went to sit on the furry white rug in front of the gently blowing fire, I grabbed a red silk pillow and lay my head on it. Kai, I haven't heard from you since Valentines Day, and it's now the 21 of March. The nights are cool and long and I constantly find myself thinking of you. What could you possibly be doing that you can't write a simple hello to an old friend?

"Thinking of someone?" Lee settled beside me, but lay on a gold coloured pillow.

"Not really." I sighed and cuddled closer to the warmth, "It's just that Kai hasn't written in quite a while and I'm growing quite anxious."

"You think too much you know." Lee laughed a bit and rolled over so he was now facing me, "Kai's a busy person. He needs some time. Nothing great ever comes from rushing."

"That's true…but he didn't reply to my letter."

"No? Well, in time he will. Patience is virtue Ray."

I puffed out my cheeks briefly, "That's what dad sys."

"And it's true, not everyone has it, it comes naturally when you really work for it."

"Lee don't get all smart on me, the last thing I want to hear right now is a long talk about patience."

"Alright, but really, Kai will return you message. He's not the type to leave a job unattended." Lee said closing his eyes.

"That's very true. I'm sleepy."

"Same here, night Ray." Lee turned his back towards me.

"So…you really think I'll hear from Kai soon?" I asked after a period of silence.

"Wow, you really do have a one track mind."

"Sorry, Good night."

"Yup."

"So you're really going to sleep on the floor?" I made a face, even thought Lee couldn't see it.

"Technically, it's not the floor. And yes, I do plan to spend the night here." Lee sounded bored.

"It may be soft and comfortable but it still counts as the floor."

"Good night Ray." Lee said strictly, signaling that this pointless conversation was over.

I groaned but soon fell asleep, it must be a record for me to fall asleep so early, and I blame the rain totally.

"Boy's, Boy's wake up."

I stuffed my face in the pillow trying to drown out the sound. Beside me Lee was mumbling something.

"Come on now, breakfast is getting cold." My mother's voice never rose above a normal tone in the mornings so it was hard to pay attention to something you could barely hear.

"Boy's now, don't get me angry."

That was a down right lie.

"I'm going to call your father to get you up if I can't do it myself."

That wasn't. In an instant I was up and running to the breakfast table with Lee in tow.

I ate slowly, there was no rush anyways, the day was going to be just like any other. Boring with nothing to do, unless Tyson and the others decide to do something, they're always so busy caught up in family affairs or school.

As for me, I get home schooled, yes that is my life. My mother insists that I be at home when I learn so there wouldn't be any distractions around me. Plus she can keep a beady eye on my and pop into the study room to see how I'm doing whenever she pleases.

I start in September, right now, I'm taking a break.

Bite, chew, chew, sallow. Bite, chew, chew, sallow. I repeated this process until my pancakes and French toast were wiped clean of my plate. I sipped at my tea and sunk back into my seat, Lee was still eating, and gosh he's slow.

What can I do today? Maybe I can go see what Max is doing, or I can talk a walk in the park, it's fine in the mornings so it'd be great for just that. No, I'd only look stupid pacing to and fro in a park full of people doing something or the other.

"Master Ray, a letter has arrived for you." The kind butler announced, walking his usual stiff way towards me.

A letter…A letter! Could it be Kai? It has to be him. Who else would write to me?

Taking a quick peek before it was handed to me, the name Kai quickly caught my eye.

I ripped open the envelope and pulled out the letter, no one was bothered to look in my direction, it was considered rude, so I opened out the folded sheet of paper and read what it had to say:

Ray,

Sorry I haven't been writing, I got your letter by the way,

glad you liked my present.

If it isn't too much to ask I would

Like it if you would accompany me today for dinner.

If you decide to come, meet me at Midway Gates around

7:00pm today. That way we can walk there, it's a short

distance. Sorry for the short notice.

Kai

I was dumbfounded in shock. After all this time I would finally get to see Kai again. I pocketed the letter and quickly excused myself from the table.

I walked up to my room but I knew all the while Lee was following me. He's always inquisitive that way. Not a problem, at least I would get to share my good news with someone.

I opened the door to my room and stepped in, Lee of course right behind me.

"So it was Kai." He judged by my happy reaction.

"Yes and he wants to meet me tonight." I smiled broadly and sat on the edge of my bed.

"Wow, finally." Lee sat beside me, "Told you things would look up."

"Yeah, it really did." I paused in thought, "But what will I wear?"

"You have all of eternity to decide that."

"Yes but we got up late so it's already 12:30." I got up and walked over and opened another door in my room to reveal my walk-in-closet.

"Well, you have lot of variety." Lee snorted and leaned on the door frame.

"But what to wear is the question." I walked between shelves and racks continuously looking for something.

"You'd want to wear something a little warm, the night is going to be quite chilly." Lee joined in my search.

"I heard…how about this?" I asked holing up a golden sweater.

Lee ewwed immediately, "To flashy."

"This?" I asked again, it was a white silk shirt.

"That material would get cold too easily."

"What about this?" Now I had a light blue sweater.

"Too casual. What the occasion again?"

"Dinner. Come on, this one?" I held out a thin black coat which was quiet lengthy. "It's to wear over a shirt."

"I like the smooth black lining...satin is it?" Lee rubbed a finger over my coat.

I nodded and threw it over my shoulder.

"You've got to let me wear this at least." I pleaded holding up a maroon dress shirt.

"Well, diner is formal, so it'd be perfect." Lee nodded in approval.

I tossed it over my shoulder and looked for some pants, "Ah ha! ...no…wait…no."

This when on for hours so many that my legs felt as if it would fall of.

"How long does it take to find something black? You have millions of pants."

"I got it!" I yelped in giddiness and held up pants quite form fitting.

"Ah…Our search is done."

"I need shoes." I grabbed a pair of pure black dress shoes and walked out the closet and into the bathroom to change.

"Hurry up Ray, how long does it take to change?" Grumbled the ever impatient Lee.

"Hold on a sec, I'm almost done here." I shot back from behind the door.

I heard Lee growl and shift his feet.

"I'm done!" I opened the door and hoped out for effect.

"Fabulous!" Lee laughed and placed his hands on his hips, "But something's missing…"

Lee handed me my black head band and I gladly accepted it, at least my bangs were guaranteed to hold in place the rest of the night.

"What can I do now?" I tapped my long fingers on my chin, "I have an hour left."

"You can sit around and wait." Lee answered.

I groaned, but sat down to read a book.

After a while lee spoke, "What time were you supposed to meet Kai?"

"Seven, why?"

"Then you'd better get going, it's 6:30 now."

"Perfect, now I can leave!" I glanced at the clock, it did indeed read, 6:30.

"Wow, a whole six hours passed by just like that, amazing." Lee scratched his head and opened the door for me.

"I know, I won't be back too late, tell mother where I am, I don't want the trouble of explaining everything to her right now." I waved back before walking out into the cool air.

"Do you need me to come with you?" Lee's half worried voice rang out behind me.

"Thanks, but it's ok. I know my way around here pretty well, I won't get lost." I waved and Lee closed the door with a quiet click.

I made my way to the front of our property and around the corner where Midway Gates, a wide open area of greenery wasn't very far away.

When I got there I was instantly on guard, looking to see if Kai was here, I was early by 10 minutes.

A carefully shaded figure sat on one of the benches with a large weeping willow, covering his features. Lean, yet muscular, I made out the shape as I drew nearer. With wild hair every which direction. Kai, I was sure of it.

The one who I identified to be Kai, turned around slowly. I didn't know whether to cry or run up and hug him. Never did I think I would see Kai so soon.

"Kai?" I said softly, hoping this wasn't just a Kai look-like, then again no one really looks like Kai.

"You're early." His tone was unreadable, I thought he'd be a bit more surprised to see me, but I guess not.

"Aren't you glad to see me?" I huffed when he was a mere few inches away.

"Sure I am, but I didn't think you'd show up." Kai half smiled and lead me down a carefully lit stone path.

Willow's were every where here, long branches shading the parts of the walkway where the lights didn't shine.

"And why would you think that?" I questioned slightly not believing how calm he was.

"Well for one, I hadn't replied in so long, two, it was too short a notice." His rich voice spoke.

"You know, I liked you better in the letters." I joked, walking at a faster pace to keep up with Kai.

"Really?" He raised and eyebrow and turned to face me, "So you don't like me now?"

"I didn't say that!" I rose my voice, defending myself.

"So you do like me?" Kai continued to tease.

"I didn't say that either! Stop taking words and putting them together!"

"Ah, you don't like it when I read your mind." Kai walked up to me, forcing me into a wall.

"Who said I had you on my mind?" My voice shook, Kai was so close I could feel his hot breath on my neck.

"I guessed by the way you were looking at me." Kai leaned in.

I felt myself panicking, not that I didn't like it, it was just so sudden, "Kai lets go to this diner place."

I moved from under him and stood by his side. Kai looked slightly surprised, but he didn't let it get the better of him.

"Sure, don't want to keep my guest hungry now do I?" Kai shot me a side glance and I felt myself relax.

I like Kai, a lot. And I know it by the way I feel around him. I don't know what was about to happen back there, and I never will know. Asking would be too awkward and I don't think Kai would appreciate it very much.

The silence was suffocating, and after what just happened I needed to say something to break the tension that was gradually building.

"Where is this place?" I wasn't sure if Kai heard or not, my voice was quiet low.

"It's called, Aerillea. You'll like it." Kai slowed down to show he was listening.

"And how would you know that?"

"Wild guess."

I smiled, "I thought so."

"What have you been up to?" Kai asked after a while.

I was slightly amazed that Kai was starting a conversation, "Nothing much really. You?"

"Same, nothing ever changes."

We stopped in front of a well lit building that looked like castle cut in half. With white brick walls and gold rimmed windows, this place looked like something out of a fairy tale.

Not to mention the cute umbrella trees near the entrance and strange tall trees with yellow and orange leaves going all the way around it. A large dusty pink fountain was placed in the middle of a stone path with a river bed on both sides. I walked up to the river and noticed fish of all colours and sizes were swimming about in it, careful not to bump into the rocks.

"It's beautiful Kai, you were right, I do like it." I laughed and poked a fish that swam to close to the edge.

"You know, there's fish inside that you can actually eat." Kai smirked and watched me play with the fish.

"Then lets go." I walked up beside him and then to the building where well dressed butlers of some sort greeted us.

"Good evening sir, how may I help you?" One of them bowed out of courtesy.

"I reserved a table for two under the name of Kai Hiwatari." Kai nodded and they let us in.

"Have a good day sir." The other one said.

The inside was huge, marble floors of ivory colour extended as far as the eye could see. The jade walls had frames and portraits of many ancient rulers. And the buffet table was draped with silver cloth and dish after dish of food.

Along with many people walking about there were open tables and some with red curtains that could be pulled around them for privacy.

"Come on, our tables here." Kai led me to a table, and as I suspected it had a red curtain hanging by the side.

I sat down on a small tan leather sofa and Kai sat directly opposite of me, the dark wood table being the only thing between us.

NOTE: 8 pages! At least this one's longer than the others. I hope you enjoyed this chappie, Kai didn't come too soon did he? I hope not.

Anyway, the diner will continue with the next chapter, which will be up, soon since I have march break now, woopie! Maybe I can even finish of "Never let me go."

For those of you who like the story, it will be up soon sometime! I haven't forgotten about it!

REVIEW PLEASE!