Author's Note: Well, I finally uploaded the second and last part. But surprise, I added a little bit of humour, which is different for me. Well...I should say, that if I was in the situation the characters were in and they said and did some of the stuff they do in this chapter, I, at least would find it funny. Maybe you readers won't. Oh well, we all have adifferent sense of humour. SO, anyways now that I've quit rambling on, I want to thank my reviewers.

Thank-you to:

blackdranzer91, Ice Witch101, kamikazegirl, myownworld,Cath, Kendo Baby, Blue-Blade-Liger, Kais Devil, Kimkizna, kai/hilary all the way, zoclover2,CrystallineAngel, vamina12, demon-lulu, Kichitara, Samantha, knowlee, tigeress, jg, Nubia, AnimeLady Noriko, Dumbass,SOMEONE2003, RavenToriBlack, ReisLilNekojin, misunderstoodsoul, & Darksunshine01

You guys rock! Well, I won't keep you waiting any longer...enjoy!

Rising Tide

Part II

Hilary gasped and choked as salt water found its way into her mouth. Spitting it out harshly she tried to adjust her position, moving as far up put of the water as she could. But it was already nearing her throat. She spluttered. "David, I really hope you found the boys."

In the murk beneath the dark water something touched her foot and she squealed, trying to jump out of the way. She was jerked back by the pull of her arm and her head was once again dunked under the cool water. When she resurfaced she cursed and held in a silent sob of fear.

As the minutes ticked away and the water level reached the top of her chin, Hilary reached her arm up in a desperate attempt. Her fingers scraped at the cavern roof but they could not find a jutting rock to grip. She let her hand fall in a loud splash and screamed in anger. Then she let her head drop in submission and a tear coursed down her porcelain skin, to meld with salty water beneath it.

"Don't cry."

Hilary screamed and was again dunked beneath the water as she jumped in surprise. A hand reached down and gripped her arm, pulling her to the surface. She blinked as she met of all people, Kai's crimson orbs, and glanced in shock at his slate hair plastered over his face from the seawater.

"Oh…my God. What are you doing here? Did David reach you? What are you playing at anyways; you scared me half to death!"

Kai looked at her, his expression neutral though slightly perplexed. "You shouldn't talk. Don't move." He dived beneath the surface.

Hilary stared at the area of water where he had disappeared in surprise before stating indignantly "It's not like I can move" and leaning back against the pile of stones, being careful to keep her chin as high as she could above the water.

A few minutes later Kai resurfaced and took in a breath of air. He looked at Hilary, who was staring back at him. "I can move the boulder. There is a few rocks jammed beneath its base, that is why you could not remove it from your arm on your own." He grunted slightly, lifting his grey bangs out of his eyes. "You'll have to swim pretty fast though. I can only hold it in place for a few moments before it starts rolling. You got that?" He added when he realized she wasn't looking at him any more.

Hilary nodded distractedly and groaned as she moved her arm and a fresh wave of pain shot up through it. "Hurry!" she spluttered as the rising water had now covered her mouth. She tested her ankle beneath the water and winced once again as she renewed the ache. This is gonna hurt like hell…

Kai nodded slightly and dived beneath the murky water. Hilary raised her face so it was pointing upwards, in order to avoid swallowing salt water and prepared her ankle and arm to move at as fast a pace as they could under the circumstances. A few moments...then suddenly, the boulder trapping her arm seemed to come to life behind her as it emitted a slight rumbling like the low growl of a wolf. She tensed her waiting limbs. The rumbling became louder and then she felt the great weight on her arm loosen, and start to move.

With her good leg, Hilary pushed forward and dived beneath the surface of the rising water, as her arm was now free of the boulder. She reached forward under the dark murk and grabbed something rough. As her hand tightened its grip she reeled the rest of her body in and curled up beneath what she though must have been a rock. Her ruby eyes opened and she wildly strived to retain what was taking place as a stream of bubbles shot up from her mouth. Hilary shuddered as a thick cloud of grime, bits of seaweed and other such memento's of the sea surrounded her body in the cold blast from the now rolling boulder. She clung unto her rock and shut her eyes.

When the swirling in the water around her subsided she carefully let go of her anchor and drifted to the surface immediately bumping her head on the cave roof. Coughing, she titled her face up to take in a mouthful of air and curse at the rising tide. Then as she tried to blink out the salt that was clogging her eyes, she gazed at her surroundings.

Hilary's eyes roved the churning waters around her but did not see any sign of the crimson-eyed captain of the Bladebreakers. With difficulty she raised her chin and called out his name.

"Kai!"

No answer rewarded her call and her pleas became desperate as the water rose steadily still.

"Kai, are you o.k? Answer me!" as the last syllable left her mouth a sob clung to it. Hilary shuddered and listened to the now, still quietness of the cave, with only echoes of dripping water to be heard. She leaned over to peer into the dark water surrounding her, slipped and struggled to regain her position with her nose out of the water. Another dry sob left her throat.

"I thought I told you not to cry."

Hilary shrieked again as Kai's words cut the unbearable silence. She turned around and resisted the urge to slap him.

"Kai…I though you were dead! I thought-Hey! What's the big idea, scaring me all the time like that? You're going to bring about an early death in me!"

Kai looked at her, this time his perplexity barely hidden. "You're going to bring about an early death to yourself if you don't start moving." After beckoning then he turned and started to swim toward the entrance. After a few moments of childish fuming, the water of the rising tide tickled her nose and Hilary starting after him.

"Kai. Kai stop!" Hilary frantically scrabbled at the rock wall as she stopped swimming. Kai turned to her and carefully remained treading water, his raised chin almost scraping the cave roof.

"What is it?"

Hilary found a hold under the water and clung to it urgently. "Kai, we're going to die! The end of the cave is too far! We only have minutes before the air is gone and I can't swim very fast with my ankle and arm injured."

Kai looked at her, his crimson eyes flashing in the dark. "So. What are you saying?"

Hilary looked away, slightly flustered. She fidgeted with the collar of her soaked halter-top and then glanced up again and met his stare. "What I'm saying is, you should go as fast as you can and get out of here. I'll swim too, but I won't be there to slow you down."

Kai didn't even blink. "No way."

Hilary frowned and stuck out her lip indignantly. "Kai! My ankle and arm are killing me. There is no way both of us will be able to make it out of here alive under the circumstances and you know it! So…just go already! You'll have a better chance alone."

Kai drifted closer to her, and Hilary was surprised to see his expression had not changed. "I came down here to retrieve you and I intend to do so. Let's go." He reached out to her but she pushed away from him and began to tread water herself.

"Didn't you here what I said! I said die, not injured or unconscious! This is serious Kai. It's not about pride, it's about survival now."

Kai smirked and lifted his hand toward her once again. "Exactly. If it's about survival then we'd better go, don't you think?" Hilary stared at his hand as if it were a snake and backed away yet again. Kai sighed, as best he could with his chin pressed up against the ceiling. "C'mon Hilary. I'm not leaving without you so I think our best chances of survival remain with your decision as to if you are giving up or continuing."

Hilary silently gawked at him and then in resignation moved forward towards his treading limbs. He nodded slightly, as if to himself and turned towards the failing light hinting towards the exit of the cave. Hilary swam after him, muttering to herself.

"Stupid boys and their stupid pride."

Hilary scrabbled wildly at the rough ceiling of the cavern and shouted through the side of her mouth to Kai.

"I can hardly breath!"

Kai nodded silently at her highly muffled words and peered around the corner of the waterway they were currently in. His heart gave a painful lurch as he spotted a tiny sliver of air at the far end of the next path. A dark grey sky could just be seen through the tiny space and an occasional brilliant flash of lightning. His gaze quickly scanned over the boiling, swirling water that pounded into the caves walls, from the arising tempest and the many lengths to the exit. Then he shouted back, his mouth pressed against the hard rock of the roof.

"The cave entrance. I see it up ahead. Take a deep breath."

Hilary spluttered as she came up from a frothing wave that had just crashed over her head. She heard the last of Kai words.

"…deep breath."

She turned the side of her head towards him, the water sloshing at her ear.

"What?"

"…a deep breath you idiot!" was all Hilary caught before being grabbed around the wrist and unmercifully dragged underwater, her breath streaming from her nose in bubbles. She immediately panicked and kicked forwards, her foot ramming into something. Hilary winced slightly as her bare feet felt the fabric of Kai's swimming trunks and realized in her blind terror that she had kicked Kai. She felt no response from the cool captain, except for the tightening of the fingers around her wrist.

After a few moments had passed Hilary's fear vanished with the burning desire for air and she lifted her head up, expectant of the tiny space of air that had been there only a minute before. Instead, her head hit cold rock, completely covered in the frigid seawater. Her heart gave a terrified leap inside her chest and her brain froze with shock, until the tight grip on her arm gave a sharp tug. With what seemed a final note of resignation, she closed her eyes to the stinging sensation of the seawater and kicked her uninjured leg to match the pace of the slate-haired boy in front of her.

Hilary struggled and pushed her leg again. In vain it seemed, for it was as if she had been swimming for miles and the distance did nothing to correct the replacement of air with the cold rock of the cavern roof.

Air. Sweet, air.

Her lungs burned with lust for oxygen. She was nearly bursting with her desire and her head felt as if it was being repeatedly struck with a heavy, metal bat. A low buzzing started in her ear, blocking out her concentration.

…delicious, fresh air…gotta get to the surface…need to rest…

Her thoughts were breaking. Splitting into millions of fragmented reflections and contemplations. Her limbs felt like lead, they were weighing her down…she felt so relaxed now….

Just rest…must rest. Sleep…air….

The tight pressure on her hand lifted and she felt herself floating. Floating into oblivion it seemed…

"Hilary!" She felt the familiar aching of her head as she was roughly shook by her shoulders. Hilary's eyes fluttered weakly and she opened them to a strong hand on her shoulder. Comforting, ecstatic words rose to her throat, but instead she choked and started violently hacking out water.

Recovering from her coughing fit, Hilary quickly scanned the area. They were sitting on a narrow collection of rocks about 5 meters from shore. The sea caves were located to their right and were still enduring the relentless pounding of the thundering waves though the dangerous storm clouds had dispersed and were drifted silently away. Kai sat calmly across from her, his slate hair dripping water and falling into his eyes.

"Are you o.k? Can you move?" He voiced calmly to her.

Happiness bubbled inside Hilary like she had never felt before. Move? She felt as if she could dance, leap, fly! After that nightmare of hellish, swirling waters and no air, she was alive! They were alive!

"We're alive! We survived it! I thought we were dead!" And in her immense joy, Hilary leaped forward and placed her lips on Kai's in surprising, but full-of-passion kiss.

It took a moment for Hilary to realize what she had done. The light feeling of her joy suddenly ebbed as she felt the rim of Kai lips upon her own and her eyes opened in shock to meet the equally taken aback look of Kai's. She quickly pushed herself away from him and clutched unconsciously at a huge rock, scared but exhilarated. But the sensation of shock outshone all other emotions and her heart pumped a million beats a minute.

For a moment, the two teens only stared at each other, both more stunned then embarrassed. Slowly a light blush stole across Hilary's cheeks and a blossoming sense of hope started billowing up inside her, despite her desperate misgivings. Then as they both continued to stare, the silence stretched until it became almost unbearable for Hilary and she scrambled franticly for something to say.

"Um…well…sorry about…kicking you. You know…in the cave."

Hilary watched Kai as looked at her; his expression possibly even more stunned then before by this absurd statement and opened his mouth but was interrupted by the sound of hoarse yelling.

"Hilary? Hilary, are you o.k?"

"Kai, you found her!"

"I could have found her too, you know!"

"Yes, Tyson. We know. But the point is that she is safe, isn't it?"

The other four members of the Bladebreaker team were pushing their way out of the bushes lining the beach and the small running figure of David was hurtling himself toward Hilary as fast as his legs would carry him.

"Hilary! I thought you were dead!" He cried as he threw himself upon her in a welcoming hug. When she didn't move, he looked up at her, his violet eyes scrutinizing. "Are-are you o.k?" he asked, his voice once again small and frightened.

Hilary started and then shook her head and smiled slightly. "Yeah. I'm all right David. Just…daydreaming." She looked harassed for a second and then her smile brightened, though uncertainly. "I should thank you, you know. For getting to the Bladebreakers so fast, I mean. Good job!" She patted his head fondly.

David grinned back at her. "Now, we're even."

"You're a brat!" She laughed.

After sending David on his way home, Hilary and the rest of the Bladebreaker team started heading back on the long trek home. Though it was still a balmy warm, a cold wind tinged the air from the retreating storm. The sun's light was waning and only delicate rays shone through the bounty of leaves on the trees above them, making shadows of shimmering gold and black. Hilary studied them as she limped along, keeping quiet and away from the raucous laughter and talk of the rest of the group, feeling violently self-conscious.

She shivered as a blast of icy wind brushed past her bare shoulders and wrapped her arms around herself, being careful not to disrupt her injured arm too much. Though she was cold, Hilary could still fell the heat of a blush painting her cheeks. She was embarrassed and surprised, but deep down she felt a heavy weight of disappointment. This confused her most of all. How could she feel disappointed over a totally random and unplanned thing, such as that kiss? She shivered again as the wind howled unmercifully over her freezing skin.

"Here."

Hilary blinked as she felt warm fabric over her shoulders and felt warmth flow through her frozen body. Her eyes traveled downward to a navy jacket, which was now resting over her shoulders. She then looked up and saw to her vast surprise Kai standing beside her. His eyes were fastened on the setting sun and the blood-red haze that was surrounding it. He glanced down at her, not a trace of the surprise he had shown before evident on his face.

"You kick hard."

Hilary smirked and smiled inwardly as the disappointed feeling ebbed away. Kai moved forward, toward the rest of the group and beckoned for her to follow. She smiled brightly at Kai before pulling the navy jacket tighter around her shoulders and running to catch up with him.

Author's Note: Well, I feel that it turned out all right and I had tremendous fun writing it. Only Kai could get away with saying 'You kick hard' after someone had kissed him. I could totally picture him saying that, though if it had happened in the series he probably would have been all cold and distant, like usual, the damn idiot. When I was writing the part where Hilary kicked Kai in the cave (accidently of course) I was thinking, I wonder if anyone will notice that Kai and Hilary are both wearing black?I just thought it was weird that I'd written them both wearing black. Anyways, there will not be a continuation, unless I get struck with some sort of weird inspiration, but there will be more one-shots like this one (with different plots of course) but not until I finish Heaven's Call. I hope everyone enjoyed Rising Tide! R&R!