Disclaimer: Do I look like a multi-million corporation to you? Really? I don't know if I should be flattered or insulted…

I unfortunately can't respond to reviewers since my computer is seriously messed up. Sorry!

Look, I know you're great, you know you're great. Who doesn't think reviewers are great? Well, those people suck. Here are your Boris punching bags. Treat them with care… NOT! Mwa ha ha… oops. I'm evilly hyper. Need to tone down on the hot chocolate… WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

Last time: Raven talked with Tala. They kissed. Others saw. Raven said they'd talk the next day, alone. Mariah was in a taxi, on her way to Tyson's house. O.o'

XXX

Chapter Twenty-Seven: Return of the Pink One

Raven was outside, staring at the glowing moon. Its eerie white light shone down on Tyson's house and caused large shadows behind the huge wall and many tall trees. She knew that she didn't want to stay here. Nuh uh. Not happening. She wanted her own apartment, away from Tyson and Hilary. Sure, Hilary was a nice girl but she was just so loud. And bossy. And bigheaded. And just goddamn ANNOYING! She felt sorry for her to be putting up with Tyson and she felt sorry for Tyson to be putting up with her.

The blue haired girl thought of Tala. And what would happen tomorrow. Sure, they had kissed but did this mean they had both accepted their feelings? Did they now admit to having feelings for each other? Did Tala 'feel' anything when he kissed her? Raven sure did but…

She couldn't stand being hurt emotionally again. If her soul or heart were attacked again, she didn't know if she could bear it. All these emotions and feelings – though wonderful they were – had made her weak. No longer could she call herself 'The Lone Raven'. No longer could she just ignore people and put on a deceiving front. He had changed her. For the best or for the worst, Raven did not know.

These feelings were either the antidote for her icy cold personality, or the poison that would make her a weak little girl, dependent on others.

Antidote or poison? Antidote or poison? Antidote or…

A blue haired man sitting down next to her shook Raven out of her repeating thoughts on her confused feelings. Her very confusing feelings about herself and the one that she 'loved'.

Raven just sat there on Tyson's doorstep, an eyebrow raised in curiosity as her older brother stared at the trees in the house's courtyard.

"Now, what to say," he began, "do I act like an overprotective older brother and tell you that he is no good for you and that he'll just hurt you, even though I have no evidence…"

She scoffed. Whatever Hiro said was always deeply amusing. And his analogies were even better. She guessed that he had listened very attentively in his Philosophy Classes, if he ever did go to school. Raven had only been taught the basic subjects: Maths, Japanese, English, French and Science. Not that she ever paid attention. Even though they had tests, Raven would deliberately fail them all, despite knowing that she would be punished for it. She smirked as she thought how rebellious and strong she had been against good old Boris. Poor guy… not.

"Or do I allow you to see him and then suddenly in nine months we have a little baby Tala."

Raven chuckled. She couldn't exactly remember 'the birds and the bees' talk but she did remember that fateful moment that would scar her for the rest of her life and had made her unable to ever look at Tala the same way again, and had also made her realise that he was quite attractive… Actually, she had forgotten about it recently and just remembered now. Oh… the horror…

Raven was walking to the showers to get the fowl smell of BO off her (Boris always did insist that she trained until the smell knocked her out). The door was not locked, and she could not hear any voices or water running inside.

So she opened the door, and stepped in, only to see the back of a lean, pale body. Naked. She – very uncharacteristically – shrieked at the sight of the person's arse. Jumping in shock, the boy turned around. Tala. Her eyes (much as she willed them not to) went downwards. Her eyes widened then she quickly shut them tight and slapped her hand on them. Dear God, the sight burned her 'innocent' eyes.

"AH! What are you doing in here? GET OUT!"

"It's not my fault you didn't lock the door!"

"I DID LOCK THE DOOR!"

"NO YOU DIDN'T!"

"YES I DID!"

"NO YOU DIDN'T!"

"YOU'RE JUST A PERVERTED LITTLE GIRL!"

"ME? I'M NOT THE ONE PRANCING AROUND BUTT-NAKED!"

There was silence. "You just couldn't wait to see me naked, that's why."

Raven was so angry, that she forgot about Tala's current situation and opened her eyes, only to see that he hadn't even bothered to cover up. She abruptly turned around to face the corridor, and saw that Bryan and Spencer were watching with shocked expressions.

"Please, that 'thing' is tiny. I've seen much better."

She then stormed out, ignoring their faces and slammed the door to her room. It was then that she felt the warm blush spread across her cheeks but she shook her head and began muttering obscenities about boys…

Raven shook her head. That was just embarrassing.

"I do believe you're blushing," Hiro remarked. Raven's eyes widened as she did feel the warm sensation once against on her cheeks. Curse Tala…

"Please, Hiro. Spare me from this torture. I'm an adult and even if we did decide to do that, it wouldn't be any of your…"

A yellow cab pulling up in front of Tyson's house interrupted Raven. She raised an eyebrow. What on Earth was a taxi doing here? Who was the person inside? She had the vague feeling that it might be Tala, but pushed it away. He knew he was visiting tomorrow, so why come now?

The door of the yellow taxi opened, and a foot wearing white sneakers appeared, followed by another. The feet were too small and dainty to be masculine, so it was a girl but… who could possibly be visiting Tyson's house this late at night?

Pink hair appeared as a young girl got out of the cab completely, and shut the door behind her. She paid the driver and he sped off, leaving her just standing by the arch with a small suitcase in hand. Her amber eyes were wide as she noticed Raven, and another man that she remembered to be Hiro Granger, who had been the coach of BBA Revolution and was Tyson's older brother. Sitting next to each other, she realised that they looked very similar. Like they were related.

"Raven?" she whispered quietly, but the wind carried the sound to Raven. She stood up and walked over to Mariah. Mariah went to hug her but she stepped back and just extended her hand.

"Mariah," she replied, "I'm sorry for running away but… it was a weak and cowardly decision."

The female White Tiger shifted uncomfortably. "You shouldn't apologise to me. I also ran away."

Raven smirked. "Believe me, if I had Hiwatari lusting after me I'd run far away. I don't even know what you see in him. Then again, Kon's a bit of a poof as well…"

"Hey! Don't get me started on that pasty faced guinea pig that you like."

The blue haired girl narrowed her eyes. "Tala is a decent bloke. And he's much better than any guy that you like." She then added possessively, "But that doesn't mean you can have him."

Mariah giggled and hugged her friend. After a couple of seconds the more serious of the two pushed the other off whilst growling.

"Don't invade my personal space." But it was in a friendly-ish way that made Mariah smile.

"Have you chosen?" Raven whispered so that Hiro did not hear, even though she was sure that he managed to pick up everything, being the little spy he was. Invading her privacy and then mocking her…

Mariah nodded, "I have chosen—"

"Don't tell me now, idiot!" Raven hissed, "Otherwise I won't be able to face the others with a straight face!"

The pink haired girl nodded. "Are the others…"

"Here? No. But they'll be here tomorrow to see me and Ta…" Raven trailed off, knowing that she had let something slip.

"You and Tala what?" Mariah asked, one eyebrow rose. Damn. When did she turn the tables? "Go on a date?" she teased, her golden eyes gleaming in delight.

"Pfft." Raven scoffed and picked up Mariah's small suitcase. She didn't say anything else other than to show Mariah to a spare room ('Grandpa' had not been home for a long time so Raven had never met him and Tyson was sleeping). She muttered a 'goodnight' then left to her own room.

Raven lay down on the bed, yet could not get to sleep. All she could see was Tala's face, all she could hear was Tala's voice, all she could feel was Tala's touch, all she could think was Tala's name and all she could taste was Tala's kiss.

Finally, Raven sighed and slept soundly, with dreams of her love and for the first time since she could remember… no nightmares.

XXX

Mariah yawned as she walked into Tyson's living room, expecting to see Raven, Hiro, Tyson and possibly Hilary. She did see them, but also others. Ray, Kai, Max, Kenny and Emily were also present and all sitting and talking happily (apart from Ray and Kai, of course). Neither Hiro nor Raven had let the fact that Mariah was in the house slip.

Immediately, the owner of Dranzer and the owner of Driger stood up, their eyes wide as they stared at Mariah. Kai recovered first, crossing his arms and trying to look unaffected but… Mariah could see the emotions in his eyes. His guard had been shattered. Would she also shatter his heart?

"Mariah…" Ray whispered. The room was silent; everyone was in shock apart from Raven and Hiro. In fact, Raven was beginning to enjoy this. Hey, she only changed a little. There was always going to be that little sadistic part of her that enjoyed watching others make a mockery of themselves. It was… entertaining. And besides, she was also vengeful and Kai had been hassling her all morning. It had taken quite a lot of control to not blab about Mariah being there.

A satisfied smirk settled upon Raven's lips. She could just feel the surprise radiating off Hiwatari and Kon. Which one would she pick? If it was Raven's choice, she would just beat up both of them and then laugh. Ooh, her sadistic side was being very active today. It better not ruin her da—MEETING with Tala.

"You're back." Kai stated. Raven couldn't miss this opportunity.

"That's quite obvious, Kai. She's not some ghost. Remember, I'm the ghost haunting you. Woo." She said in a sarcastic tone. The mahogany-eyed blader sent Raven a sharp glare and clenched his fists. Who knew that angering Kai could be so fun? And she thought Tala was funny when he was mad. Kai was much better. And she could safely say that her relationship with Kai was HATE. Every time she saw that pale, face-painted, arrogant face she just wanted to punch it in. DIE KAI! DIE! DIE! DIE!

Coughing mentally, Raven scolded herself. She was getting carried away. Kai dying was an entertaining thought but Mariah was going through some serious angst. Raven knew what that was like. Then again, she only had one guy and Mariah had two. Who knew guys went for pink? Ooh, another insult for Kai.

"Never thought you'd be one for pink, Kai. What ya gonna do next? Paint your bedroom pink and walk around wearing a frilly tutu?"

Kai wearing a tutu? She didn't know if she should find it amusing or scary. Ack, help. Kai's dancing to Swan Lake and he's passing out love and rose petals. Everyone, to your bomb shelters!

Raven snickered, and then everyone turned to her with weird looks on her face.

"Hey, what you staring at me for? Mariah's the one about to make the big decision," she said. She hated to put the attention back to Mariah but hey! She was Raven and she could do whatever the hell she liked and if anyone didn't like that, she'd be happy to sort him or her out. (Insert maniacal laugh here).

"Have you finally decided?" Ray asked.

Mariah sighed. This was it. This was the decision that would change her entire life. Of course she had already thought this over and decided, and even when she thought about it again, she had no second thoughts. She knew who she had chosen. It would be better to say it now. Now. Now. Now. Now. How did 'now' suddenly become so ominous?

She looked to Raven for help, but she seemed to be in her own little world. She was probably daydreaming about Tala, or daydreaming about killing Kai or Boris. Either way, she wasn't really going to help her through this dilemma. And she had a feeling that she wouldn't like her decision. But it was Mariah's decision to make, and Raven didn't have to love him.

"I have chosen…"

Anticipation was thick in the room; people were leaning forward, eager to hear just whom Mariah had picked. Just whom Mariah loved. And just who would be hurt. Most would place bets that she would choose Ray, would they win, or would they lose?

"Kai."

"…"

"…"

"…"

Silence. It was so loud that Mariah thought she was deaf. Surely someone would say something. Anything would do right now. The silence wad deadly and she was sure that she would die if the silence continued.

"YOU CHOSE KAI!"

Mariah expected the outburst to be from Ray, maybe even Tyson, but once again, the guesses were wrong. Because the outburst came from… Raven.

The blue haired girl was obviously confused. She was so sure that Mariah would have picked Ray but KAI? She was off her head! She was insane! She had been brain-washed! The thought was implausible!

She turned to Kai, and saw that he looked equally as shocked. She growled before settling down.

"Whatever," she muttered and leant back, "It's not my decision to make."

Her only friend in the world loved her despised archrival? The object of her hatred? The entity of her abhorrence?

The world was seriously screwed up.

XXX

Lol. Poor Raven. Now she's gotta put up with Kai. XD Sorry Ray/Mariah fans but I warned you all. It is now officially a Kai/Mariah. There are only 2-3 chapters left. Aw…

Next Chapter: Friends (Everyone – including Tala – goes back to the Carnival. Raven and Kai are forced to shake hands and agree not to hate each other as much, Mariah explains that she will always be Ray's best friend and Tala and Raven try to get some privacy. Lol. Not much chance of that happening.)

Quote:
I'm not opinionated; I'm just ALWAYS RIGHT!

- a girl in my class. She wants to be Prime Minister (I live in England) and is so controlling. She's an ok girl, once you get past the country-domination thing. Now me, I plan for world-domination. Mwa ha ha! (She thinks too small)

REVIEW ALL MY LITTLE MINIONS OF DARKNESS! MWA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA! ((chokes)) Um… I'm ok. Go back to your… whatever you're doing. BUT REMEMBER TO REVIEW! MWA HA HA!