Disclaimer: If I owned it, do you really think I'd be writing FAN fiction? Huh? Didn't think so.

Reviewers:

GothicSabrina: I know! Raven's reaction was so funny. It was like… ok, to shut you up I'll kiss you… wait a second… WHY AM I KISSING YOU? What should I do now? Oh, I know! I'll punch you! AH! What do I do now? Er… RUN AWAY! Thanks for your review!

HumanInspirations: There's some hints of Kai/Mariah this chapter, but I'm afraid there's none next chapter. Raven wanted to be free! And now she is! But now she wants to kill Kai! NOOOOOOOO! Thanks for your review!

Last time: Raven stole Mariah's beyblade (while wooing Tala at the same time). Kenny finally got the coordinates and they rushed to save Mariah. They found Mariah and on the way out, they bumped into Raven. Raven gave Mariah Galux back and Mariah asked if she wanted to come. Raven was happy to. In the car, Mariah asked if Raven had any family. Raven said that she could not remember anything.

Er… this has lots of talking. Sorry GothicSabrina!

xxx

Chapter thirteen: Enter Lee: The Overprotective Brother

"What do you mean you don't remember?" Mariah asked.

"I just don't remember, ok?" Raven said angrily, the volume of her voice increasing as she grew agitated. This woke up the others, excluding Tyson.

"What's the earliest thing you remember?"

"Leave it out, powder puff."

"You work for Boris. How can we trust you? You might just be a spy." Kai said from the front. He looked at her suspiciously in the mirror.

She narrowed her eyes. "Don't get me started on the secrets you have, Hiwatari."

Kai flinched but just matched her glare. "Is that a threat?"

"Perhaps. It's obvious that he does not know. Don't mess with me because you will regret it."

"Ok, guys, calm down." Max said.

"We can't trust her. She used to work for Boris." Kai said.

"According to Valkov, you did too." Raven countered.

"Hn."

Raven looked back out the window. There was silence until the blond broke the silence.

"So, Mariah. I'm glad you're ok now. Lee and the others should be arriving at Kai's house soon." Max said.

"Kai's house?" Mariah questioned, confused.

"Yeah. Since it's so big, we've been using it as a base." Kenny said.

Raven decided not to listen to the rest of their stupid pathetic chatter. Where was she meant to go now? Would Boris go looking for her?

She sighed and leant her head against the window, feeling the cool glass relieve her forehead that was burning from all the stress.

xxx

Raven raised an eyebrow at the large mansion. She turned to leave but her wrist was grabbed. She looked at the hand's owner and saw Mariah looking at her, concerned.

"You're not leaving, are you Rae?"

"What reasons do I have to stay?"

"You just helped me escape and you got me Galux! I owe you one!"

"This isn't your place, it's Hiwatari's."

"Kai won't mind."

"He seemed to have a different attitude in the car." Raven turned and began to once again walk away. She didn't have time for petty conversations.

"Don't mind him, he's always moody."

She was getting tired of this. She turned sharply and put her hands on her hips.

"Oh yes, I know you know Kai very well." Raven accused in a harsh tone. "Shame Ray doesn't know you as well."

Mariah's eyes widened. Then she closed her eyes tightly and turned away. Raven's face instantly softened.

"I'm… sorry Mariah, I shouldn't have said that. It wasn't my place."

"No, you're right. I'm such a bad girlfriend to Ray. I don't deserve him. Or even Kai."

"What did you do to Kai?"

"I… kissed him. After he kissed me."

"That's it? Jeez, I thought you'd… never mind. But there's no point staying." Raven crossed her arms.

"You don't have anywhere to go! Please Raven… for me?"

Mariah begged Raven with those pleading, golden eyes that weakened Raven. She tried to look away but it was like some sort of spell.

"Fine. I'll stay for a short while. But don't blame me if I end up castrating Hiwatari."

Mariah grinned sheepishly as Raven walked past her, then pulled on her top self-consciously.

At least that would sort out the terrible dilemma I'm now in. The thing with Kai, it wasn't JUST a kiss. It felt… sort of… like when I kiss Ray but… there's more… feeling.

Mariah shook her head. That was just stupid.

xxx

There were urgent knocks at the door and Mariah smiled broadly. They were here!

She rushed over to the door and opened it only for her to be nearly squashed to death by Lee. Kevin had tears in his eyes and hugged her as well. Then Gary lifted them all up and hugged Mariah.

"I was so scared when I heard! Don't you ever do that to me again, Mariah!" Lee said, his voice wavering.

After a few more minutes, Gary finally put them all down and Lee let go of her.

"Thanks for coming, guys." Ray said as he stood forward. Kevin and Gary greeted Ray but Lee looked at him icily, his form stiff.

Mariah noticed this and laid a comforting hand on his shoulder.

"Lee, it wasn't Ray's fault. I should have never been out that night."

"Ray should not have left you go out on your own!" Lee looked at Mariah. He looked like he was about to cry.

"Ray didn't know… I went out on my own. Please Lee, Ray had nothing to do with this."

"Look! You're bruised and you've got cuts all over your body!" Lee exclaimed, as he glared at Ray.

"They'll heal! Please! Can't we just leave it behind us?"

Lee looked to the others, and saw Kai leaning against the wall, his eyes closed. He charged over to him and grabbed his collar.

"This is your fault! If Boris wanted you why couldn't he just take you? Why did he take Mariah?"

"Because Mariah is the best female in beyblading." A girl said. She had dark blue hair and her face was scarred. "At the moment." She added.

"Yeah? And how do you know?"

"I was working for him."

Before Lee did anything drastic, Mariah justified Raven so he would not feel tempted to hit her.

"She got me Galux, and sacrificed everything so we could escape. It would never have worked without her and Boris would have my beyblade."

Lee dropped Kai and grabbed Mariah's arm.

"You're coming back with us to China now."

"Lee!"

"No Mariah! I'm your brother!"

"I don't want to go! Please Lee! I just want to spend some time with Ray now! It's all over!"

She pulled away only for Lee to tighten his grip.

"Lee! You're hurting me!"

Lee stopped and turned to his younger sister. The tears that threatened to spill from her eyes tore his heart apart. He let go of her arm.

"I'm sorry, Mariah. I was just… so worried… I wouldn't have been able to cope if something had happened to you."

"You guys are free to stay here as long as you like." Kai said. It was the least he could do. After all, Lee was right. It was his fault. But what about what Raven said? Did Boris want to recruit Mariah?

Kai was sure Boris was well pissed now. Having lost Mariah, Kai and Raven. Then again, she didn't even blade.

Which added to Kai's suspicions. What did Boris want with her?

What was it about Raven that Boris had recruited her for?

"Thanks Kai, and sorry." Lee said, bowing his head. He then turned to Ray. "You too. But I know you'll take good care of Mariah. You and Mariah were meant to be."

Kai felt something tug at his heart.

Were Ray and Mariah meant to be?

Did the kiss mean nothing?

Did the visions mean nothing?

Did the feelings he got whenever he looked at her mean nothing?

Was it all just a waste of time?

He did not realise that the others had walked into the living room, all apart from Raven who was leaning against the wall and staring at the ceiling.

"Sometimes things are not always what they seem. Some things are meant to be different. But everything happens for a reason. And it's all for the best. Nothing is easy. But if you fight, if you put all your heart and soul into it, then you might just win. Don't give up, Hiwatari. If you did, Mariah would be disappointed. I can't stand the sight of you, Hiwatari, my first impression of you was that you're an arrogant arse. Prove me wrong. I can't be right at everything."

She then pushed off the wall silently and walked into the living room with the others.

What did she mean by that?

Does she want me to go after Mariah?

Does Mariah want me to fight for her?

Do I really want to ruin my friendship with Ray?

Argh. My head is starting to ache.

I need to know what Mariah wants. I need to know if Mariah feels the same way I do.

But what did he feel for Mariah?

Did he like her?

Yes. But… more than that.

Did he…

Kai shook his head and walked into the living room.

He wouldn't say the 'L' word.

xxx

Woo! Lee is SO protective! Sorry Lee fans!

Next Chapter: Late Night Wander

Quote from me: I don't have an anger problem; you have a problem. Your nose is broken…

((punches))

See… now it's broken.

REVIEW!