Yup, yet another chapter, from me… yea… anyway, like you all know, I do not own DOA, in any way, shape, or form. I do however own my own characters and original things thrown in like that. So enough of this disclaimer stuff, lets get on with it, shall we? This might be a longer chapter.

Surprises

As Helena and Hitomi prepared to duel on the battlefield of riffs, chords, and busted eardrums, there was a faint knock at the door. Upon opening it, there stood Zack. What's Zack doing here? Well you shall find out since you asked (or not…). He really didn't say 'til he was in the room, 'cause he just stormed in, and took a seat on the couch.

"'Eh, Zack, 'sup?" Gigs asked out of confusion and curiosity.

"We goin' home." Zack bluntly stated.

Gigs really couldn't say anything, and Helena and Hitomi really couldn't hear much because they'd started playing already. The TV was blasting out the Ozzy song Bark At The Moon. Gigs was even more confused now. Wasn't Zack still in the tournament? Didn't he want to win? Didn't he want to mooch off these sweet digs a little bit longer? Well, either way, there was a reason for this, and why he came to Gigs room.

"So, Zack… why'd you find me first?" Gigs curiously inquired.

"You was the only guy in his room. Can you call up the guys or something?" he was laying down on the couch now.

What they decided to do was shut up and watch Helena and Hitomi go at it in a crazy guitar slingin' match. It was quite enjoyable, seeing as Hitomi was rockin' out like it was a real guitar, and Helena didn't know crap of what she was doing. She was hanging in there though. They did five songs, and yes, they were all laugh out loud funny. Overall though, Hitomi did end up winning… was it because she wasn't rich? Maybe. Was it 'cause she loves rock music? I dunno, probably? Anyway, that's who got the date. Yes, by this time, everyone was pretty much there, throwing themselves a party. Not one of those parties, neither…

Zack cleared his throat and announced through the room "Guys, sad to say… we gonna have to leave all this. We leave in the morning, 'aight?"

The guys really, really didn't like that. "What the hell? All of a fuckin' sudden? NO! I just started getting to know Lei Fang!" Yup, that was Ramsie. Angry as all hell.

"I agree, I feel that I'm not going to be killed by Ayane now… besides, I love her, and feel pretty safe with her." Cassius, always the honest one.

Gigs just hugged Helena and gave Zack one of those looks… you know the one. Then he was peeled off of her by Hitomi, and she cuddled him herself, which got a rather scornful growl out of Helena. It was apparent why those guys didn't want to go… what about Valencho and Jhon Quei? Why them? Zack turned to them, just to hear what they really had to say.

"Zack, you know I've got a plan cooking to get my deadly little cupcake…" Oh god… now Valencho is a lover boy.

"Hey, I'm ok with it. I'll probably see Brad next year, and we can fuck with more peoples' heads." Jhon Quei wasn't reluctant at all.

Zack said sternly "It's decidjamacated, kids. Better do whatcha gotta do 'fo mornin'." It's not like Zack really came out on top either. He loved seeing Tina, because during the break, she's usually working on movies, training, or busy in some other way. 'Sides, they're apart! NY and Cali. C'mon.

Gigs REALLY wanted to spend his evening with Helena. He really did. He promised the victor a date, though, and that means he has to be with Hitomi for the night… Oh well. That's his big BIG loss. Hitomi's gain, though. Cassius exited the room, and quickly went to Ayane's where she was just lounging around the fireplace in her room, 'cause it's so nice and peaceful. Ramsie rushed off to Lei's place, to spend all the time with her he could. Then there was Valencho, who just decided to go bother Christie to see how long he'd live. Jhon Quei went to his own room. Brad would probably get him outta there anyway. Everyone's night was set, and their misfortune was absolute, it seems. Thems the brakes, y'know?

"So, where do you want to go?" Gigs asked Hitomi, even though he was still looking at Helena.

She grabbed his chin and pulled his face to her view, and said "How 'bout we go walk around in the park, then get something to eat?"

Gigs nodded, even though he practically wasn't there. He just wanted to make Hitomi happy. Besides, he doesn't lie to people. They exited the room, to which his head snapped around, looking at Helena's disappointed expression. He hated to see her like that. The glow from her beauty faded, and cast a shadow on her, making her into beautiful darkness… he wanted to go back with her so badly. He wanted to return her light to her. Hitomi and Gigs began on to the park, taking in the brisk nighttime air, and gawking at the fragrant night life that thrived. It was quite impressive really, when you think about it.

"Gigs, I know you like Helena… maybe even love her… but please keep you heart open… I want to dwell inside." when Hitomi spoke it seemed like a stylized poem, but it was what she truly felt.

"You wrestled me from her clutches… I-" then he turned to her, and he could see the look of hope on her face. She looked pretty close to tears.

Then he gave a smile, and said softly "Alright. I guess I can keep it open, but you have to try your best to get in."

They arrived at the park, and were walking around the river that ran through "Hey… I got an idea… let's go play in the playground!" that type of ghettoness came from him and his friends.

"I guess so… just don't play too rough with me!" Hitomi laughed, as she and Gigs ran towards the playground.

Of course the first thing Gigs went for was the monkey bars. He swung across and back with satisfaction on his face. Hitomi got on the swing and Gigs came over when he saw that she went to them. He gently pushed her, starting her off nice and slow.

"I really liked the swings… I used to jump out of them and flip and stuff…" her voice swam through the air serenely.

Gigs just gave a soft smile, and kept pushing, starting to get her to a pretty nice height and all. She began to giggle out of her enjoyment, feeling this was quite a great night. Her, the stars, a guy who's nice and tough all in one package… she wanted him for herself…

Then she said something that struck him hard "Gigs, did you know you're the first guy I ever really wanted to date?"

I know it doesn't seem like much to some people, but to others, that's a helleva lot. In NY, that's alright I guess, but to him, it's important. Every time he went out with a girl, he felt it was because they were afraid of his friends. The only girl besides him to catch him so emotionally was Helena. He had emotions swirling here and there, but overall, he still remembered Helena's warm, unconditional love that washes over his body. This is decision time for him, alright.

He really didn't know much to say, except…"Y-yea…"

She knew she was messing with his head, but it wasn't malicious! She just wanted to be with him… sure there's plenty of single, handsome devils out there, but he's so… ghetto, I guess you could say. Maybe she was trying to hard… she thought that to herself, though. Like hell if she'd say it to him.

"Let's go to the slide!" and Hitomi hopped off the swing, as Gigs ran after her.

On to someone else, who you might be thinking about. Cassius was at Ayane's and he was antsy and had to take a minute to clear his head to speak true, and clean. He really didn't want to leave. He didn't care about the tourney. He cared about her, and being close to her.

"Ayane… I have to leave to morrow and it's not really my choice. I feel that it wouldn't be right to leave without spending just a little more time with you." Cassius was trying to say what he wanted, but he always felt he was coming up short.

She looked up at him from her couch, and it almost seemed like it wasn't her. "I know, Cassius… I saw the look on Zack's face today. I know how you feel, and I know I'm not your average girl, and you love that. Of course I'll give this night to you… I'm not doing anything else, after all."

Her voice was so soft and flowing he felt like he was going to melt, and the look in her eyes lovingly melted his soul. Was that his influence? Maybe the fact he'd be leaving, perhaps? Either way, he couldn't believe it for himself, but he went over wiping a little sweat off his forehead from dashing there so fast. Once her sat on the couch beside her, they stared at the fire in front of them, as she hugged closely to him. It seemed it would be simply perfect. Then, the ceiling crashed with great force, and they both scattered away, Ayane bracing herself for a fight, and Cassius picking up something. Some huge matter of beast landed on the floor then blocked a vertical heel kick from a grey-haired guy that hey didn't recognize. Then the beast backed so quickly, it left shadow illusions, and crashed through the wall, the man dashing just as quickly after it.

"Fuck! Damn it, why the hell does somethin' like that have to happen?" Cassius couldn't help but be mad out of his mind. What was that?

Ayane gave a long sigh, then just calmly drew Cassius to her "It's ok… doesn't bother me…"

Cassius asked in a semi-angry-but-not-at-her voice "Now what do we do? The mood is ruined, there's no fireplace, the sofa is covered in ruins… God…"

Ayane whispered to him "Let's use our imagination…"

I think I'll leave them alone… on to Ramsie, the hero, y'know? He took his time getting to Lei's place, mostly because of the fact he was going over things to say. He got it together by the time he got there. He knocked on the door and stepped back, almost like he was going to present himself. He knocked on the door and heaved a big sigh, as Lei Fang opened her door to him.

"Ramsie, hey! How're you this evening? I got a match tomorrow with Jann Lee. I hope you'll be cheering me on…" She noticed the expression on his face when she said tomorrow, which explains why she toned down. Then his face totally got worse when she said Jann Lee.

He came in, to which Lei hugged him, and held him, having a feeling that something really stupid was about to happen. You know the feeling. Yup, here was Jann Lee, walking up the hall towards them, and just when Lei Fang was about to close the door, Ramsie grabbed the door and shook his head… he wanted to see if Jann made any progress in his people skills. When he got there, he seemed to have improved quite a bit after a strong suggestive look from Ramsie.

"Hey Lei, hey Ramsie. How's it hangin'?" Jann was finally acting… normal. (normal person, you know.)

"I see you've calmed down, and humbled yourself a bit?" Ramsie questioned.

"Just outside the ring. 'Cause next year, I'll stomp you too." He then gave a soft laugh, as he stuffed his hands into his pockets.

"That's what I like to hear… expect for the fact that you stole my line y'know." Ramsie leaned against the door frame, pulling Lei gently to him.

Then he had an announcement "Yea, but… I'm leaving tomorrow… I can't stay for the rest of the tournament. Sorry, Lei…"

Lei Fang had a fake happy, easily sad spotted look on her face, as she sighed "It's ok… just wish me luck tomorrow, ok?"

"Of course…" He hated this as much as she did… but it was going to happen anyway…

End of Ch. 10

This one is long, and it ended abruptly, because I didn't want it to get to long. Anyway, I feel happy to have written another nugget of my masterpiece… well, you know the drill… I'll have the next chapter soon.