Hi everyone! I'm back with chapter 3. Chapter 4 is in the works, but I don't know when I'll have time to a: complete it and b: post it. I did find a muse though!

Cara: I'm here why? I'd much rather be practicing!

Lighten up! You're starting to sound like Kai!

Cara: Am I supposed to care?

:giggles: You'll have to forgive her she's not in a good mood. She's usually much more pleasant.

Review responses

Ray 4 ever- Thanks! And I'm defiantly going to have to agree with you there!

Kai's the Best- Thanks! I'm still thinking about if I could work it in, but it's not fitting so far.

Disclaimer: see chapter 1. all unrecognized characters are mine!

Tyson woke with a groan, sore from the fight with Cara. He glanced at the clock trying to figure out how long he'd been out. 'It was about 4:00 PM last I looked and the clock says it's about 7:00 AM, so I was about a maximum of 15 hours' he mused 'I probably spooked the guys though. I don't usually lose my temper like that.' Just then, Max poked his head in the room, "Hey, you're awake!" He said "Yep, was I really out the rest of the day?" Tyson asked. "Uh-huh, scared us too, Kai being the exception to that. Or rather, if he was we didn't see it. It was impressive though." Max replied "That's nothing. You should see me when I'm actually focused on what I'm doing." said Tyson "Cara does want to see you in the main room practicing if you woke before she got home." Max told him. "That's what I was planning on doing." Tyson replied, rising in search of his gi. "Can I come watch? Kai isn't here to make the rest of us practice." Asked Max "Sure, just stay along the wall so I don't risk hitting you." Answered Tyson.

Several hours later, Cara returned to the dojo. She stepped into the main room and the sour look on her face indicated something was up and she didn't like it. "They've move the test date up to Saturday." She replied in answer to their inquiring glances. "Do you know why?" Tyson asked, pausing in the middle of a kata to look at her. "No, I don't but it sounds like that council is worried about something." Cara replied, cursing under her breath. "We had better get practicing then, hadn't we?" She murmured. Rei, Max and Kenny continued to watch them spar in fascination for some time afterwards.

Elsewhere, a cluster of figures sat talking softly. "Are you sure it's wise to move the date?" asked one. "Of course, we need him to take that test and soon!" answered another. "Please trust our judgment, Lady Kiara." said yet another. "I do, I'm just not sure if he's ready for the kind of responsibilities you want him to take on, and he's still under age, even by our standards! You have to admit it's quite a step up from where he currently is!" said Lady Kiara, concernedly "We know, we know. That's why we are asking you to assist him." the speaker's voice held a sad note. "I will do my best, but don't expect fantastic results soon." Lady Kiara said resigned to what they asked. "I still think it's going to be too much for him."

Back at the dojo, a shadowy figure watched Tyson and Cara spar. "Soon," it murmured "soon."

Who were those people? And what did they mean by responsibilities?

Cara: They were :author puts hand over mouth:

Now, now! No telling prematurely!

Cara: Hmpf

Find out later! See you next time!