Heya everyone! Sorry its taken me so long to update, I had so much to do lately, school wise especially. It didn't really help that I had an acute bout of writer's block, but I eventually got this done.

Disclaimer: Ha. Yeah, right.

ENJOY!

Eye of the Storm

Chapter Twenty Seven: Burn In Hell

"Hey Kara…Kara!" I started as I walked back into homeroom with Johnny (grinning stupidly) in tow, only to find the youngest Hiwatari slumped forward in her seat, her head resting on the wooden surface of the desk. I would've thought she was sleeping or something if it wasn't for the fact she was sitting rather awkwardly on the chair and her breathing was shallow and irregular.

"Kara!" I exclaimed again, rushing towards her. Johnny was quick to follow, the stupid grin gone and a look of concern settling in. He gently pulled her into a more comfortable position, her head lolling back against his chest.

"Kara, sweetie?" I tried, placing my fingers against the pulse point on her neck. Relief flooded me once I felt the strong thudding against my fingertips. Slowly, Kara's eyelids flashed and fluttered, as the blue haired teen stirred. "Kara?" I encouraged, and slowly auburn eyes flickered open.

"Urgh," she moaned. "What the hell?"

"I could ask you the same thing," Johnny said, placing a friendly kiss on her forehead, "You scared the shit outta us."

"Johnny?" she said, looking up at him. Slowly, she turned and looked at me as well, confusion written clearly all over her face, "Willow?"

"Last time I checked, yeah, that's us." I joked.

"What happened?" Kara frowned, pulling away from Johnny's embrace, only to falter and fall back into the redhead's arms. We looked at each other, alarmed. "I only remember you guys leaving, and then, I dunno, some time passed, about five minutes I reckon, and everything got a little hazy after that…"

"I think you fainted." I concluded.

Kara scowled.

"I passed out," She corrected. "'Fainted' sounds like a pansy word."

Huh, she's definitely acting normal.

"Well, at any rate you shouldn't even be at school. You were throwing up this morning, and now you just fainted—"

"Passed out!"

"—so school's not really the best place for you to be." I finished, ignoring Kara's angry interruption.

"Bullshit. I can tough it out. I don't think it'll last all day anyway," said Kara stubbornly.

I shared amused looks with Johnny.

"Of course, we can always call Max and tell him you're ill. You know he'll panic if he finds out that you fainted." Johnny said with a smile.

All the fight immediately left Kara.

"I hate you," She mumbled.

"I know," Johnny grinned.

"That was weird," Johnny said as we left my house, having deposited Kara with Max and kept schummed about Kara passing out, just as we promised.

"Yeah," I agreed. "I wonder what's up with her."

"Ah, whatever it is, it'll blow over. In all the time I've known the Hiwataris, they have never been sick for longer than a day."

"Go figure," I muttered, as we got into Johnny's silver Jaguar. It was eight thirty in the morning, and boy had this morning been long.

After five minutes silence as we sped down the main street, weaving in and out of the morning traffic effortlessly, Johnny finally spoke.

"So, um, we're okay now, right?"

I looked at him in surprise.

"Dude, you are so under probation." I said with a grin.

We skidded into the car park, Johnny parking effortlessly. Just as he switched off the engine, he leaned over and kissed me softly on the cheek.

Whoa.

"What was that for?" I asked incredulously.

"Cos you deserve all the kisses in the world," he said with a bemused smile. "I thought that was obvious,"

Okaaaaay, I don't what happened, but I'm thinking along the lines of him being hit by lightning. Maybe that would explain his weirdness today.

"You've gone weird," I muttered, as we climbed out of the car and walked towards Kai, Tala and Mirror. "Totally weird…"

"Hey!" Kai called, "Have you seen Kara? She was home earlier with Voltaire and she said she would be here, but I haven't found her,"

"Oh, she's staying at my place today. She's feeling sick," I replied, greeting Mirror with a quick hug.

"Is she alright?"

"Oh, yeah, we reckon it'll blow over pretty quick," Johnny was quick to assure.

Kai didn't look altogether happy about it but let it drop anyway. He trusts us after all. And HE of all people knows how stubborn Kara can be.

"Hey, Will?" Tala started uncertainly, "Uh…how's Holly?"

I blinked.

Holly.

Tala.

Ray.

Bad.

Right.

Okay, memory shortage. Brain overheating. Way too much to deal with at the moment.

Oh, Jesus.

"Oh, um, she was pretty upset last night." I said, remembering the sobbing and the hugging and Mom flipping out on me, shrieking it was my fault that her favourite child was crying, and then the yelling that followed, along with the curses and swearing and Mom using her favourite line I wish you were never born! on me like she does every time we get into a fight and then finally Dad yelling at both of us and Max taking Holly to her bedroom and then me sitting with my twin until she fell asleep because she didn't want to be alone.

I had a headache by the time I went to bed.

Everyone's eyebrows shot up.

"You do not wanna know what happened last night, okay?"

"If you say so," Tala conceded tiredly, running a hand through his hair. "Is she coming in today? I mean, she's usually here by now, right?"

"Tala, calm down," Mirror said soothingly, "You can't blame Holly for not being her normal chirper self, can you? She's probably just caught a few more winks before getting up. She'll be here, don't worry,"

"Yeah," he breathed, as if trying to convince himself.

Everyone jumped as a shrill beeping filled the otherwise still air.

"Um, I think that's mine," Kai said as the boys dove for their phones. Mirror and me sniggered as Tala and Johnny put their phones back in their pockets looking extremely sheepish.

"Shit!" Kai spat, staring at the screen of his phone, re-reading the text message. "Who the hell does he think he is! School starts in fifteen minutes!"

"What is it?" Mirror asked with concern, placing a hand on Kai's arm.

"My Grandfather," he spat the word out like it didn't deserve to even be uttered at the old man's pitiful dying moments, which, by the way, it totally doesn't, "Wants to 'talk' to me. Says it's urgent. Although why he's resorting to text messages is beyond me."

"Well, that's stupid," Mi muttered, "School starts in fifteen minutes!"

"I said that!" Kai exclaimed.

"I know you did! I'm just agreeing with you!" Mirror retorted, rolling her eyes.

I sniggered at their light bickering, admiring how they had always held steady. It always had been Kai and Mirror, like Max and Kara, two pairs of rocks that everything circled around, ever changing, but those two pairs of rocks always stayed the same. Kai and Mirror.

Max and Kara…

They weren't exactly never changing rocks anymore…

Shit.

"You'd better go then," Tala said, bringing me out of my reverie, "Don't wanna keep the old bastard waiting."

"Yeah, I guess so. I'll see you guys later," Kai said, kissing Mirror quickly, clapping Tala consolingly on the shoulder and giving me and Johnny a quick wave as he headed towards his Dodge Viper.

"SAAAAAAAAANDY!"

I winced, before my eyes widened as blue and silver blur slammed into me. Next thing I know I'm catching Sky Williams, who, by the way, is meant to be SICK, around the waist to prevent us both plunging to the ground.

"SKY!" I yelled, setting the taller, not to mention heavier, girl on her feet.

"Did he tell you?" Sky demanded immediately.

"Wh- how- hang on a bloody second! You weren't sick, were you? You were just giving Jamie the perfect opportunity-- CHRIST SKY! Why didn't you WARN me!"

"Erm, cos Jamie's my friend too and I don't rat on my friends?" Sky said with a frown, "But that's not the point! He told you didn't he? He did! Oh my God, what did you say!"

I glared at my best friend.

The nerve! Honestly!

"Is it just me or are you totally lost as well?" Mirror muttered to the two redheads. They shrugged.

"Jamie's in lo—mmmph!" began Sky before I slapped my hand over her mouth. I mean, I just got back together with Johnny, who doesn't trust Jamie anyway, I don't need it getting worse!

Unfortunately, Mirror just happens to be that fraction smarter than Tala and Johnny.

"James…whoa," Mirror blinked. "He's in love with Willow?"

Oh, great!

Well, lets face it, Johnny was gonna find out sooner or later. Better sooner I guess…

"He's WHAT?"

SHIT!

I take it back! Better LATER than sooner!

"Erm, it's not a big…deal…" I trailed off at the look on Johnny's face. "Eep!"

"Johnny, don't." Mirror tried. Unfortunately, it didn't work.

"So what did you say, huh? What did you plan to do?" he snarled at me. "Take after your sister and juggle two boys like a cold, heartless bitch?"

That was it. My eyes darkened and narrowed. My hands clenched into fists. I was seeing deep red…nobody, not even the guy I love, gets away with making snide comments about my sister. Nobody.

"Willow, wait--!" Mirror cried out, but it was too late.

THUMP!

"Oow!" I whimpered as Johnny cursed. I cradled my excruciatingly painful hand, wondering if it had been a good idea to give Johnny a black eye before suddenly remembering as to WHY I had given him a black eye in the first place.

"You fucking wanker!" I screamed in anger and pain, "Where the hell do you get off saying things like that about my sister! AND GUESS WHAT! Jamie WANTED me to get back together with you cos he knew it would make me happy! Okay? He just wanted me to be happy!"

I barely noticed him going pale or his eyes widening, I was too busy fighting off the tears of pain and frustration that were welling up in my eyes.

"Shit! Willow, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to—Willow!"

But I wasn't listening on the account I had spun on my heel and was running, just intent on getting away from him and finding out why the hell my hand was hurting so much, but I found myself suddenly skidding to a stop. The reason as to why was clear when my eyes collided with golden cat like eyes that could only belong to one person: Ray.

"More trouble in paradise?" he asked lightly, his eyes never leaving mine. The whole world blurred from the tears that wouldn't fall, and I broke away from his gaze, staring at the floor. My hand throbbed in sheer agony as I clutched it to my chest. Next thing I know the tears were falling, silently making a path down my cheeks.

Then Ray gently placed a hand under my chin and lifted my head up. He was taller than me, much taller, and he was standing pretty close to me. And nothing could prepare me for the words that came next.

"Perhaps, Willow, he is right," his voiced lowered to a whisper in my ear, "Perhaps, Willow, you are a cold heartless bitch, just like your sister,"

There was something about the way he said it…whispered in my ear, his hand resting under my chin lightly, it sent shivers down my spine and incredibly enough, the pain in my hand doubled.

"Perhaps, Willow," he continued in a cold whisper, "You and your sister deserve to burn in hell for the rest of eternity,"

My eyes widened as he pulled away, his golden eyes blazing with hatred and anger and God, it scared me. It scared me so much that I stumbled backwards, almost losing my balance but suddenly an arm reached out and steadied me and I jumped in surprise.

"Get lost Kon," came Danny's cold voice.

Oh thank you God.

"It's a free world Evans,"

"Indeed it is. Get lost Kon,"

Ray's golden eyes blazed with anger and I winced, but next thing I know he's walking away from us, towards the gates where Mariah and Destiny were arriving.

"Sandy? You okay? What did he say to you?" Danny muttered, pulling me into a hug. I whimpered in pain.

"My hand…"

Danny eyed the hand I had clutched at my chest, before reaching out and taking hold of it gently. He squeezed really lightly, but it was enough for it to feel like hot knives were stabbing every inch of my skin.

"Ow!" I wailed, snatching my hand back.

"Looks like you've broken it," Danny said with a sigh, "How d'you manage that?"

"I punched Johnny," I mumbled.

Danny snorted. "Great. Nice one. C'mon then, lets get you to hospital,"

"But I don't wanna--"

"Don't be stupid,"

Is it just me or does God hate me at the moment?

"Amazing, Willow. The moment I leave you and Johnny have another fight and you go and give him a black eye and break your hand in the process," Kai said dryly as him and Johnny walked into the A&E of Taniana Hospital an hour later where me and Danny were still waiting to be seen.

"Oh, shut up," I muttered in a strained voice. My hand wasn't getting all that better, in fact, it feels worse than ever.

"Don't tell me you haven't been seen yet?" Kai said, watching some paramedics rush in with somebody on a stretcher looking like they just got hit by a car, which they probably did.

"Nope," Danny replied, narrowing his eyes at the nurse calling out someone else's name. A young woman got up, limping towards the nurse with what was obviously a twisted ankle. Honestly, who goes to the Hospital with twisted ankles anymore? I mean, that's just something you get wrapped up in bandages and rest it for a bit, its not as if you need professional help.

Kai snarled something under his breath before marching towards the receptionist.

Ha ha, feels his wrath receptio—owww, my hand!

"As soon as someone sees me I'm demanding morphine," I mumbled weakly.

"That would also make you totally off your head," Johnny added quietly.

To be honest, I can't even be angry with him. My hand hurts too much.

"I'm already off my head," I groaned.

"You're right there," Danny smiled.

"Right," Kai announced as he came back with a pleased smirk, "The nurse has got you down as next, Willow, so don't worry. You'll be seen soon. Danny, want to grab some coffees?"

"Sure," Danny said, getting up and stretching. "Don't move your hand Willow," he told me sternly before him and Kai walked away. Johnny sat down in what was Danny's seat and ran a hand through his hair tiredly.

"I'm sorry,"

"You seem to be saying that a lot today," I commented dryly.

"I noticed," he sighed, "Willow, I swear I didn't mean to say anything bad about your sister; you know I care about Holly."

I didn't reply.

"Willow Tate?"

I stood up silently, cradling my hand that was suffering badly. I followed the blonde nurse through several corridors, dutifully ignoring Johnny who was walking beside me.

"Look, Willow, I just…you and James have history, y'know?"

I looked skywards, wondering why the hell I was listening to this.

"Miss Tate?" said the doctor standing at her office door.

"Yeah?"

"My name is Dr Santos, if you'd like to step inside…will your boyfriend be joining us?"

I gave Johnny a disgruntled look who looked back pleadingly.

"I suppose," I muttered.

"What seems to be the problem Miss Tate?" Dr Santos, a brunette with warm blue eyes and glasses, asked.

"I broke my hand," I sighed, "And it hurts like hell,"

I offered my hand, which she took. Squeezing gently like Danny had done, the now almost familiar sensation of hot knives stabbing every inch of my skin came into action.

I whimpered in pain, for once glad that Johnny wrapped his arms around me.

"Yep, definitely broken. In several places in fact. How d'you manage that?" Dr Santos asked with a warm smile.

"I punched the idiot currently hugging me," I replied wryly.

"You wound me Willow. Literally," Johnny said in response, smiling.

"Lovers' spat, eh?" Dr Santos said with a grin. "Glad to see just a broken hand and a black eye—I've seen much worse. If you'll just come here, and I'll X-Ray your hand so we know the actual extent of the damage,"

I followed her, and placed my hand in some weird, metal machine. As light glowed around my hand, I turned to Johnny.

"Just because there's history between me and Jamie and he just so happens to be in love with me, there is no bloody reason for me to leave you, is there? I'm in love with you. You fucking know that, on the account I made it quite clear. You're too bloody possessive when it comes to Jamie and you gotta get over that cos he happens to my friend," I said, glaring at him.

"I know, I know," Johnny agreed with a sigh. "Its just…we broke up remember? Don't you remember why?"

"That was ONE kiss! I was drunk, remember that? D'you also remember the part that came afterwards? Y'know, when you broke my heart?"

"I was upset!"

"So was I!"

There was a pause as Dr Santos stared at the screen, which showed my broken skeleton hand.

"I love you Willow," Johnny finally whispered.

It was only the third time he had told me this, compared to the amount of times I had said it to him, it wasn't a lot, but nevertheless, my heart soared and my hand hurt just that little bit less.

"I love you too," I replied quietly.

"Well, now that you've sorted that out perhaps you would like to see how much damage you've done to your hand," Dr Santos said wryly from behind me. We grinned sheepishly at her.

Wow, that's MY hand?

I never knew it was THAT small. Seriously!

And…damn, no wonder it hurts so much. I have fucking cracks in my bones…

"Looks like the only thing we can do it wrap it up real well in bandages and give you a sling. After that, its up to your bones to do the work," Dr Santos said, getting up and retrieving a roll of bandages. She took my hand and began to bandage it, which, unfortunately, hurt like hell.

"Can I have some painkillers as well?" I asked, grimacing.

"Sure, hun. I'll write you a prescription for some once I've done your hand. Then you can go to the chemists and get some, okay?"

"Thanks," I said with a relieved sigh once she had finished bandaging my hand, which still throbbed painfully. She gave me a sling and Johnny helped fix it into place.

"Okay," Dr Santos announced, coming back from her desk with the prescription, "You'll have to change those bandages every night before you go to bed and every morning once you get up. Try not to use your hand as much as possible, since it needs to be able to heal. These painkillers aren't to be taken more than four times a day, when is totally up to you, alright?"

"Sure," I muttered, getting to my feet.

"Great! Come back in a few weeks, so we can see how your hand is getting along. Til then, enjoy Christmas!"

"Bye!" we chorused as we left, walking down the corridor and occasionally jumping to the side as paramedics and a stretcher came whizzing past, yelling things as they went.

"I'm still angry at you," I told Johnny as we approached Danny and Kai, who were waiting for us at the reception.

"I know," he sighed as we finally reached Danny and Kai.

"Hey!" Danny yelled as I stole his coffee and took a gulp of the scolding liquid.

"Ahh, caffeine," I mumbled blissfully.

"Yeah, my caffeine!" Danny growled, snatching it back. I pouted.

"So you two okay now?" Kai asked with raised eyebrows.

I snorted. "Yeah, right," I grumbled, glaring at Johnny.

"She loves me really," he said with a grin, and with that, wrapped his arms around my waist and kissed me. And I couldn't help but respond, placing my good arm around his neck, deepening the kiss. It was only when we broke apart did I register the cat calls and whistling from everybody in the waiting room, which was enough to make my cheeks burn.

"You are such an idiot, Johnny!" I said.

"But I'm your idiot," he replied cheekily.

I couldn't help but smile.

And then he was kissing me all over again. And I loved every second of it.

Honestly, those two never know if they're coming or going. -rolls eyes-. Anyways, thanks to everyone who reviewed and waited patiently for this chapter. It might be a while til the next one as well, since this year I'll be focusing a lot more on my school work, on the account I've got GCSEs this year. What with rehersals for Drama coming up sparodically and Orchestra every monday, I can hardly believe I have time for ANYTHING anymore.

On another note...please review. It would totally make my day.

Ciao!

Chiya