Forming a Promise
Chapter 1

Kohari: Welcome to the sequel of "Breaking a Promise." Hope you enjoy it!

NOTE: DISLCAIMER IS IN EFFECT FOR THE ENTIRETY OF THE STORY!

(Begin!)

"Soooo…"Tyson began, on the dojo porch, everyone lounging around near him. He sat leaning his back against the wall beside the door, hands behind his head in a thoughtful manner (Tyson? Thoughtful? Ha!). Kenny was sitting 'Indian-style' ("Criss-cross applesauce!") on side of the door, Dizzi, the lovable laptop, balancing on his knees, fingers dancing swiftly, but gracefully, along the keyboard, doing who-knows-what (He's playing Asian Empires.). Max sat on the steps right palm cradling his chin. Ray was beside him, on the portion without stairs, legs dangling over the side. Kai stood against one of the support posts, silently wondering why Hilary wasn't there. "What're we gonna do?" (Tyson speaking)

Max sighed. "There's nothing TO do, Ty."

"You have to go back to the U.S. at the end of this week, don't you, Max?" Kenny asked, just for the sake of conversation. Tyson, who wasn't aware of this fact, the dope, perked up, listening. But then again, so did everyone else.

"Yeah, school starts August 25 (to comply with new regulations in my area)," the American answered. He was anxious to go see the (PPB) All Stars again, but he was also a little hesitant to leave his old team. They'd been through a lot together, even to the point of rivalry.

"I have to leave soon, too," Ray commented. A shower of 'why's followed.

"I thought you were in the exchange student program or something," Tyson added.

"Sort of," came the response. "It was the summer program."

"You can do that?" Max asked.

"Yeah. I was going to, but Mom didn't like the idea," Kenny said. Kai remained quiet the whole time (in case no one noticed). Once, his eyes wandered to the gate, but immediately returned before anyone could notice.

"When does your school start Ray?" (Max)

"Oh. Actually, I'm going back to help with the harvest. Lee wrote and told me they should start picking in a few days."

"So you don't go to school?" Kenny wondered.

"I do, it's just that the fields come first, as it is my family's business. I still pass. I get by. Don't worry about it."

"Hey guys!" a voice called from the road. The subject was dropped. All heads turned to see Hilary jogging up to them. If you looked closely, you could see Kai's eyes light up for a second. "What's going on?"

"Absolutely nothing," Tyson told her. They had all forgotten the previous conversation, curious to see what was in the package she had brought with her.

"Oh. I made cookies." She showed them the box she had to reveal that this was true. All eyes got starry (except Kai's, who's never/hardly ever happy about anything). "Dig in, guys!"

They did. Crumbs were flying everywhere as Tyson shoved a handful in his mouth. Kai wiped some off that had landed on his cheek. Max, Ray, and Kenny managed to snag a few before the whole container was dumped down Tyson's throat.

Hilary, disgusted at her classmate's eating habits, looked away. Both she and Kai found themselves staring at one another. After a few moments, she smiled at him and turned toRay,asking about flight times.

Kai grinned back, a little too late, but it didn't matter to him.

Hilary walked by him to fetch the broom and he noticed that she was dressed like she had when she was with the BeyKats. And since when did she wear perfume? Well, she had when she had defected, but he had assumed all that would change after…she was even acting as though none of it had happened, except that she was being nicer to everyone. It sort of worried him. Would she leave them again? He sincerely hoped not.

She swept up the mess that Tyson had made on the porch, and even the dirt. Throwing it away, everyone complimented her. She was actually a pretty good cook, and sweet as her cookies (NO WEIRD THOUGHTS!).

After some chit-chat of exchanging recipes, the group grew quiet once more. Boredom spread like the plague.

"Sooo…what're we gonna do?" (Tyson)

Authoress's Note: That whole chapter was typed to the 'Josie and the Pussycats' CD, particularly the following songs: "Shapeshifter," "Spin Around," "Three Small Words," "You Don't See Me," and "Backdoor Lover" in that order.