My eyes are directed at the ground as I enter the dojo. I am here only because my dad made me. He's been quiet lately, and somewhat angry. I suppose…I don't know why, really. You'd think he'd have calmed down by now—it's not as if I yelled at him or anything. Actually, I went down and apologized, playing the old 'Aren't I the perfect kid?' routine, helping out around the house and all…anyway, I don't want it to go on like this for too long. Not that I mind him leaving me alone, of course. It's quite a bit nicer not to have some therapist poking around your mind every other Wednesday.

In any case, Tyson is smiling as I enter. A bit worried, a bit afraid…and very concerned. Odd.

Ray and Kai seem to be standing sentry, alert as bodyguards. Tyson, as always, is oblivious. He's pathetic, seriously.

"Listen, Tyson…" I say, allowing my eyes to leave the wood flooring. "I'm sorry about the other night. I just sort of freaked out."

"It's fine, Max!" Tyson says, cheerfully. There is a black line of stitches down his face, I notice. I hope it hurts. "But…why'd you do that? I mean, what did I say?"

You dissed my sister, you idiot. You can't do that to people who can't defend themselves.

"It's hard to explain. I've just been tense lately."

"Really? Max, you can tell us what's going on." He is suddenly VERY concerned. I feel like ripping his stitches out from his smug little face, and letting him bleed to death. "We're your friends, you know."

Are you, now?

"No. My dad says that I can't tell people. Sorry, Tyson," I invent.

He looks put out, then begins badgering me.

"Oh, come on. We won't tell anyone, really, Max, it's Okay! We want to help, you know—"

"Cut it out, Tyson."

I look up, surprised. Tyson does to—straight at Kai, who has spoken. Interesting…Kai has never come to my defence before. Then again, his life isn't exactly perfect. Perhaps he has suspicions.

I have to find out how much he knows. If he does figure it out…

Senna, I wish you were here. I wish you were anywhere than where you are now.

Okay, okay! (Dodges rotten fruit) Ooh…I wish I really could do that…anyway…

I'm REALLY sorry it's been so long! I actually have no excuse, other than many things have been happening lately, and that I've discovered Neopets…but anyway…SORRY!

Anyway…the reviews…I love doing these, by the way, you peoples really make writing worth it! 

Jani Reme: The last bit…whichever do you mean? If this answers your question (I'm seriously not sure which last bit…), he really hasn't had to face anything like this before. He's never been discovered in the least, never blown his cover…Well, Mr. Granger (Anyone know his name?) didn't tell the team. He's not evil, you see. And Tyson is kind of stupid, and VERY accepting. Besides, people have spazzed out at him before. Maybe not THIS much...but still.

Oooh…Sorry about the soon. Ouch.

Tigerelly: Thankees! I actually liked the way this turned out, but I was REALLY messing it up before. (It's not posted, don't bother looking.)

Max sort of clawed Tyson. hard…Yeah…Max's dad really should have been better about it. He's just shocked, though—really, he gets nicer, you'll see!

Yaysies! I liked the subtle bit…I get a bit obsessive over those things. Nice to know someone appreciates them! 

personne du monde: Um…Is that a good sad, or a bad sad? Anyway…thanks! Assuming that was a complement…anyways…

twincharm: Well…I sort of just wrecked the fast part. But I'll try harder! REALLY!

Yep, Max is psycho. Seriously…

Abotut he Kai-ness…it's just the qualities of the stories, and the characteristics of Max that you liked the most….very Kai-like ones, you see.

Rehgai: Thankees! Love the poem…It's a bit too revealing for the style of the story, so I probably won't use it. It's awesome, anyway! PEOPLE! GO READ REHGAI'S POEM!

liereal amellia: yepsies, Max is full of surprises! Thank you!