Jaheira1000: Well, here it is people! I'm sorry it took so long, but my computer decided to get a virus. Thanx to everybody who reviewed!

Disclaimer: How many times do I have to say it's not mine? It's like they're trying to rub it in!

"blah blah" Speaking Russian

CHAPTER SIX: Big Problems for Ray

Kia was in a very bad mood. It was two hours later, and they were still sprawled on the ground, waiting for help. An uncomfortable silence had prevailed after they managed to detach their faces. Ray blushed every time he looked at her and she sighed inwardly. 'Was it really that bad?' Little did she realise, that the young man below her was wondering the same. After a few more moments of silence he said, "I'm sorry. I should have just let you go if you wanted to." She shook her head slightly, "Don't worry 'bout it. I don't blame you. I'm the one who's trapping us both." Smiling slightly at her he felt relieved. The tension lifted and Ray was able to muster the courage to say what was on his mind. "Was it that bad?" Smiling slowly she answered, "Of course not. It was just a bit of a surprise." On these words, she snuggled up to his chest and fell asleep...

Ray could hardly believe it. He knew that Kia had opened up and become much more emotional since turning into a girl, but he never imagined her falling asleep in his arms looking like a complete angel. He slowly took deep breaths. He searched his mind for answers. Why was he having these types of thoughts about her? Why was he always thinking about her? Why was he holding her in his arms? After a long period of soul searching, he decided to give it up. He didn't have a clue why she inspired such thoughts. He might as well give up talking to himself. Ray's thoughts were interupted by a small delicate yawn, and a very kittenish stretch. Blinking a few times, Kia smiled up at him and asked, "Do you know what time it is?" Ray looked at the silver watch dangling from his wrist and gasped silently. It was midnight already! They had been sitting here for three full hours! Suddenly Kia's head jerked up. "Do you hear that?" She asked. Ray strained his ears and noticed the faint noise. It was voices, and they were getting closer! Ray called out to the voices, and they became louder. Eventually, Tala and Tyson appeared in front of them. Both boys froze in shock at the sight in front of them. Tala lifted an eyebrow, as if to say, 'What the hell?'. Tyson however, was not so subtle. "What are you doing?" Propping himself up on his elbow, Ray frowned and said, "What do you think we're doing Tyson? Kia tripped and got her foot caught in a tree root, she dragged me down with her when she fell. Neither of us can move, or we would break her ankle." Tyson just kept staring. Tala however, started to gently untangle Kia's ankle from it's prison. Having thus finished, he helped her stand. After stretching her stiff muscles, Kia shocked them all by practically jumping into Tala's lap, and giving him a kiss on the cheek. To their further astonishment, the russian boy's face flamed a red brighter than his hair. "Thanx Tal!" She stated smiling at him. Tala's face turned an even brighter red and he mumbled something in reply. Free from her uncomfortable position, Kia managed to drag all three boys back inside to enjoy the rest of the night...

After explaining their disappearance to the other teams, the fun continued. They all thoroughly enjoyed themselves, except for a certain neko-jin, who noticed that Kia had spent a lot of time in the company of that red-haired psycho-ehm...Tala. He had always known that Tala and Kai were like best friends, but he had hoped-ehm...thought that would change when she became a girl. Ray, the normally calm and sane member of the Breakers, was having wonderful visions of murder, death and destruction, and all of it centred around a certain red-haired russian. He was seriously starting to stress. He had been trying to think of reasons why he was feeling this way about her spending time with Tala, but the only reason which sounded plausible, was the one he refused to admit to. He was NOT in love with her, so he COULDN"T be jealous...could he? 'Give it up Ray, she'll never feel that way so stop torturing yourself.' He thought to himself. Making up his mind, he decided to stop thinking about her, and promptly returned to staring at her for the rest of the evening.

Kia was really enjoying herself. After the first few awkward moments of explaining where thay had been, everybody was able to relax. Kia felt slightly bad for ignoring her best friend for the whole evening, and decided to spend more time with him. Looking up at the older russian, she felt a surge of happiness. She had been half afraid that Tala would ignore her now that she was a girl, but they were still good friends. As the two friends chatted happily in russian, the talk turned to relationships. "So Tala, have you found yourself a girlfriend yet? I mean, everybody knows you've changed after the world championships and all." This statment was surprisingly accurate, since all of the Demolition Boys had managed to reclaim their original personalities. Tala's old personality was surprisingly bubbly. He was also a bit of a clutz, but Kia wouldn't have traded her Tala for anybody else. "Well, I must admit I haven't thought about that kind of thing a lot in the past, but as of late there is somebody I think I would like to ask out." Kia looked ecstatic. "Who is it? Is she nice? Do I know her? You've just gotta tell me!"

"Umm, well..."

"Talaaa..."

"It's umm..."

"Come on!"

"Well uhh..."

"Spit it out already!"

"I'm not sure if she'll like me like that."

"Oh come on! You're a chick magnet! I'd be surprised if there's any girl out there who can resist you!"

"Weeell...she's not like other chicks."

"Oh come on! I used to be a guy and I can tell you're hot!" Kia flushed bright red as she realised what she had confided to him. She was only thankful that she had been speaking russian, so the only people who understood was herself and the Demo Boys. Tala was flushing an even brighter red than her, but that was because his team-mates were laughing at him. He tried glaring at them, but the effect was lost due to the blush. Tala cleared his throat, "Well, since that's the case...um...well...uh..."

"Don't tell me you're gonna start that again."

"No...it's just...uh...would you...um...like to...um...you know...uh...to...go out with me?" Kia looked at him in shock, her face flushing red again. This time, it was her turn to stutter. "Um...well...uh...well...uh..uh...ok!" Tala smiled brightly before wrapping his arm around her waist. The others were in shock, as were all the bladers who witnessed this moment. They obviously didn't understand the conversation, but Tala's possesive movement was universally understood. Mariah and Emily glanced at each other. This was definitely not what they were hoping for. Now they would have to break up Tala and Kia so that Ray could get together with her. They just knew that Kia and Ray would make the perfect couple. Looking around the crowded room, they noticed a certain neko-jin by his absence...

Ray was sitting next to the lake that he and Kia had visited earlier. When he saw Tala wrap his arm around Kia, he just couldn't take it anymore. He sat staring at the water, his eyes dark and life-less. He finally admitted it. He was in love with her. She had stolen his heart forever. Sighing, he scolded himself for not realising it sooner. He cared about her, more so than he had ever thought possible. He had been jealous when he saw Tala wrap his arm around her. Hearing a noise, he turned his head to see Mariah. "Hey Ray, how you feeling?" She asked softly, as she plopped down next to him. He just shrugged. "We knew." His eyes widened at this statement. It was said with no emotion. It was as if... "We know that you love her. Don't ask how. Girls can always tell." Ray sighed in defeat, "It doesn't matter. You saw it too. They way he put his arm around her. The way she looks at him. The way..." Mariah cut him off angrily. "When has that ever stopped you? When have you ever given up without a fight? Are you really just gonna give up?" Ray's eyes lit up. She was right! When did he become such a loser? When had he ever given up without a fight? That was one of the things Kia had always admired. His determination. She said so often. He would have to fight for what he wanted. Standing up, he smiled, "You're right Mariah, I can't just lay down and give up. After all, she is worth fighting for. I just hope it works." Mariah smiled at him. "I think we've moped about for long enough, after all, if you want her, you've got a lot of work ahead of you." He turned and helped her up, "Thanx Mariah, and I hope you manage to snag Lee too." Mariah flushed bright red. "You noticed?" He laughed at her embarassed face, "Yeah, but only 'cause he asked me to find out if you would go out with him." Mariah squeeled, hugged him, and ran back towards the party. Ray followed at a more leisurely pace, after all, he had to plan his strategy...

Jaheira1000: So, what did ya think? Let me know or no more chapters!

Ray: As if! You made me suffer!

Jaheira1000: .