AN: Guess whhhaaaattt?? We're back! cackles

That's right! Ha is back! After a long period of hiatus I'm back on track and have a will to write this! I'm not going to tell you what happens, but I will say that you're all in for some serious surprises from this fic ;)

You all have the anime convention Anime Evolution to thank for this! It gave me inspiration to write this fic again! XD

I hope you all enjoy this chapter! I like it =D

This chappy goes out to my bestest bud Rynnie who has been badgering me for MONTHS to write it here ya go sweety =)

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"If Kon doesn't stop glaring at me, I'm going to break his nose," Tala growled, drumming his fingers on the table top and glaring back at the black haired teen that glowered at him from two tables over.

Kai snorted, shifting his arm along the seat behind Liika's head. "We've been through this, if you hit on another man's girl, expect some sort of retribution."

"Yeah, can you really blame the guy? I mean, if the situation was reversed, you'd probably be doing a lot more than glaring Valkov." Liika spoke up, toying with her straw.

Tala smirked a bit at the thought. "True," he stated, "He just knows that I will eventually win. Speaking of which, you're close with Kitty, Iki, she say anything about me?"

Liika smirked back and tossed a rolled up piece of napkin at him. "Even if she did, I wouldn't tell you!"

"Evil witch." Tala snerked in reply, tossing the small paper ball back. "I bet she talks about me all the time, don't worry, you can tell me the truth."

The blue haired girl merely rolled her eyes, while the pink haired girl that sat beside her shook her head, an amused smile on her face.

"Rather arrogant isn't he?" She said, raising an eyebrow and looking at the girl beside her.

Liika chuckled fondly. "Unfortunately yes. He's got it in his head he's God's gift to women." She snorted. "Of course, this one isn't any better." She tilted her head towards the bemused looking Kai. "You know what they say: we can't live with'em, but we can't live with out them."

Sakura laughed, the chiming sound over powering Tala and Kai's simultaneous groans. "Too true I think. Gaara is too, in his own quiet way," a smile played on her lips as she glanced at her auburn haired boyfriend on her other side. "In fact, in my opinion, most guys are."

Liika nodded sagely. "Actually, to be honest, most of us here –after meeting Kai and the rest of your team last year—thought arrogant and conceitedness are taught as classes of Abbey."

Sakura blinked for a moment before bursting out laughing.

Liika blushed a bit, laughing nervously. "After meeting you of course, I realized that not everyone in Abbey is like Akito or how Kai used to be." She paused throwing a wink at Tala, "Or how our dear Red still is."

Tala threw her a dry grimace and once again turned his eyes to glare at Rei. Liika rolled her eyes. Things were about to get ugly, not that they already weren't ugly. She decided to ignore the Tala/Mariah/Rei situation for the time being and talk to Mariah later. Surely the pink haired girl knew what she was doing…

Sakura saw Liika's slight preoccupation and nudged her. "I'm sure things will work themselves out," she said quietly, following Liika's gaze to the table that held Mariah, Rei, Tenten, Lee, Max and Emily. "They always do. The thing to keep in mind is that Highschool is like a soap opera: horribly predictable and melodramatic."

This earned a giggled out of Liika. How true!

Kai's eyes swept lazily over the two huddling, giggling girls, his hand descending from it's perch on the seat behind Liika's head to thread itself in her hair, tugging the band out of the blue locks. He twirled the silken strands around his fingers, his head tilting to the side lazily. He didn't want to admit it, but he was rather annoyed at having to spend time out with Abbey, not because it was Abbey—most of the members weren't really that bad—but because he wanted to take Liika home and…have fun. His body heated up at the thought.

Gaara smirked, reading Kai's thoughts clearly. "Thoughts like those could you in trouble," he murmured amusedly, his eyebrow arching.

Kai smirked, wiggling his eyebrows up and down crudely. "They could also inspire a really good time."

The two girls paused in their conversation to give their boyfriends suspicious looks. Liika's narrowed turquoise eyes met with Kai's twinkling mischievous eyes. "I'm not even going to ask," she said, smacking him upside the arm, "Just stop thinking what ever you're thinking, you're not getting any."

Sakura burst out laughing. "You tell him!"

Kai's expression didn't change, instead only got wickeder. He sent both Gaara and Sakura a sinful glance and then settled his flashing auburn eyes on his small girlfriend. "She says that, but she knows the truth. She'll be all over me as soon as we're alone."

Liika rolled her eyes, giving him an amused, but dry look. "Now you're really not getting any." She said manner of factly, flipping her now loose hair. "And here I was thinking about it… but with that ego of yours, I don't think there's any room for me."

"I'll be glad to help you out there if you need a real man to fulfill your needs."

A twitch developed in Liika's eyebrows, a sigh lodging in her throat. Kai's teeth clamped down together tightly, and his arm snaked around Liika's shoulders, hugging her close to his side.

"Imoraz," Liika growled, all too aware that her boyfriend looked ready to commit homicide, "How many times to I have to tell you to drop dead?"

Akito smirked 'charmingly' rocking back on his heels, his hands shoved in his pockets, in front of their booth where he had come to a stop. "As many times as it takes you to actually mean it." He grinned toothily.

"Imoraz, you are one step away from getting a fist through your face." Kai snarled, glowering at the lanky blond. "Get lost."

The blond's eyebrows shot up, the cruel amusement never leaving his face. "Hey don't blame me if your girl is looking for something more, and that she so obviously has at least some taste—though her choice of you discredits any taste of course."

"Excuse me, but said girl is sitting right here," Liika complained loudly, also glowering at the Abbey captain. "And I'll have you know Imoraz, that I am perfectly happy with my man." As if to emphasize her words she leaned towards Kai, pressing her front against his side and sliding her hand up the inside of his thigh. This brought an interested glance from Kai, as well as Gaara and a giggle from Sakura.

Akito's haughty grin only grew and he opened his mouth to retort, however, before he could speak up and shoot scathing remarks back at the couple, Tala interrupted the angry scene by creating an angry scene of his own.

He jumped out of the booth, his teeth grinding and his eyes dark. Rei, one booth over, jumped out his booth as well, his face cloudy with rage. The two met between the two booths, their eyes flashing with ill-disguised contempt for one another.

"Do you have a problem Kon?" Tala asked calmly through his teeth.

Rei glared, his fists clenched at his side. "Obviously I do. And I'm sure I don't need to explain to you what it is."

"On the contrary, I think you do." Tala spat back, leaning forward, using whatever height advantage he had to its full potential. "Because I don't have any idea what the hell you're talking about."

"You know Valkov!" Rei ground out, grasping Tala by the front of his shirt. "Stay away from Mariah. I'm getting fucking sick of you and your machinations to break us up. She's with me, deal with it."

Tala's expression changed then, a sickeningly sweet smile spreading across his face. "Hey, if your inadequacies are making the beautiful Mari look elsewhere for affections, you can really only blame yourself. Maybe you should fix your own problems rather than blaming others for them."

It was if something snapped within Rei. Red seared his vision and he jolted forward, his hands reaching for Tala's neck. "You fucking bastard!"

By now the entire diner was in an uproar. Mariah watched helplessly from the booth Rei had just occupied, her face in her hands, her head shaking with grief as Tenten tried to comfort her beside her. Most of the other boys, Abbey and Bakuten alike, were watching in amusement, knowing that the two combatants had been spoiling for a fight all day. The other girls were shaking their heads, mourning the peace, and dreading the drama. Liika groaned out loud, a hand rubbing at her face, Kai sighed heavily beside her, his eyes drifting closed in irritation. Akito grinned, calmly stepping out of the way when the two boys rolled in his direction,

"This is better than Springer!" Akito laughed, watching as Rei and Tala reigned punches down on each other.

Oliver's mother was there in an instant, clucking like an upset hen. She was too small to stop the two teens from fighting, so she turned scolding violet eyes on the large group of teens that milled around watching the fight. "Would some of you please stop this madness? Or at least have them take it outside!" She cried, looking pleadingly at her son while saying something rapidly in French.

Kai, while not understanding a lot of French, was the first to make the move. He was quickly joined by Max and Oliver as the three young men dove into the middle of the fight and dragged their respective friends away from each other, earning a few punches for their effort.

"That's enough." Kai stated firmly, smacking Tala upside the head. "I told you not to do anything stupid," he hissed, glaring. "And starting fights in the middle of restaurants definitely counts as stupid!"

Tala glared back, wiping some blood away from the corner of his mouth. "I couldn't help it Kai. He was pissing me off." He coughed, moving a hand over his midsection while grimacing. Who knew Kon had such a hard punch? "Besides, he started it."

Kai rolled his eyes. "The logistics of who started it are not up for discussion here. You could get us kicked out of here. You've seriously compromised Oliver's mother. Get a brain and some maturity. You're above fighting Kon for some girl." His voice was low, and he was leaning towards Tala. He wanted to reprimand Tala, not embarrass him.

"She's not just some girl Kai," Tala answered smartly, "She is to me, what Iki is to you. Just think, how would you feel if you lost Liika because of a stupid mistake on your part and then had to watch her with another man? Would you sit and do nothing?"

"I would respect her decision."

"Oh bullshit," Tala grumbled. "You can lie to yourself Kai, but I know you too well. You'd have forced the bastard to break up with her so that you could have her back and you know it. I want my woman back Kai, and I will make it happen somehow, even if it means getting kicked out of our favourite hang out."

The blue haired teen sighed, knowing that reasoning with the lanky red head was all but useless. He did know how Tala was feeling, and would probably be doing the same thing if he were in his shoes. "Whatever, just apologize to Mrs. Dubois before you get us in any more trouble."

Mrs. Dubois meanwhile, was glowering at them impatiently, her hands on her hips, her toe tapping on the floor. Tala smiled charmingly at the plump woman, wincing as the smile pulled at his split lip. "Sorry Mrs. D. It won't happen again."

"I'm sorry too. We should have taken our fight elsewhere." Rei spoke up also, throwing a mighty glare in Tala's direction.

Mrs. Dubois huffed and eyed the two boys dubiously. "Very well, I will not kick you out this time seeing as you are such good friends to my Oliver. But next time I won't be so nice! Take your quarreling outdoors next time boys!" With that she whirled and stormed away to serve other customers.

"Come on Mariah, we're leaving. Now."

Mariah blinked, slowly moving out of the booth to her fuming boyfriend's side. "But-"

"Now!" Rei grabbed Mariah's hand and dragged her from the restaurant, leaving a dumbfounded crowd and an angry Tala.

"Well, wasn't that amusing." Akito drawled, smirking. "Maybe you all should have your own soap opera. You could probably get better ratings than the O.C."

"Can it Akito." Came several voices at once.

Akito merely scoffed.

xx

Liika let out a loud breath of air as she watched the suburban houses fly past the window as Kai sped through the small, darkened town of Bakuten, Colorado. "You know, I really don't get Tala, I mean he broke up with her…and was a right ass about it too if I remember correctly," she spoke up, breaking the easy silence that had fallen between them.

Kai glanced at her from the corner of his eyes, his eyes drooping lazily. "Red was fourteen witch, fourteen and human."

"You mean fourteen and male."

"No, fourteen and human. Humans make mistakes."

The blue haired teen eyed her boyfriend dryly. "I repeat: Fourteen and male. I almost guarantee you wouldn't catch a girl dumping her boyfriend because he wouldn't sleep with her. And that was exactly why Tala dumped Mari, because she wasn't ready to jump into bed with him. Typical male thing."

"I'm trying very hard not to be insulted by that." Kai replied flatly, shooting her a look. "I would like to remind you that we have been going out five months and not once have I pressured you to sleep with me. Though sometimes you make it difficult." His wry frown turned into a roguish grin. "Extremely difficult."

Liika scoffed. "You just know I'd kick your ass if you tried. I'm not ready."

"I know." Kai sighed quietly, his face scrunching into his typical frown, turning his attention to navigating through the narrow suburban streets.

"Anyways," Liika continued on, deciding that she didn't really like the silence, "Tala had his chance."

"He loves her Liika, it's not as simple as that."

Blinking rapidly, Liika unhooked her seatbelt and scooted closer to Kai's side. "Really?" she asked, disbelief clear in her voice. "I could have sworn it was a territorial thing, you know, cause she's going with Rei, he wants her back."

Kai couldn't help but roll his eyes. "Witch, I know you like to think you have men all figured out," he snorted, "But you don't have a clue. Tala has always loved her; he just made a stupid immature mistake. It happens."

She hummed, frowning and leaning up against his shoulder. "What is love anyway? How does one know they are 'in' love with someone? It seems all so fickle to me."

It was Kai's turn to be surprised. He glanced down at the top of her head, his eyes glazed with confusion. He couldn't help but wonder what brought that sort of talk on. "What are you talking about? What brought this on?" He asked, half-scowling. If she was unhappy he'd rather her just come out and say it. He could fight something he could see.

Liika shrugged, her eyes wandering over the bright night sky that was only partially masked by the reflective windshield. "I don't know, I just sometimes wonder if we are all too young to know what love really is. After all, what kind of experience have we had? I loved Robert…or at least I thought I did. It's made me question a few things."

The scowl that found its way onto Kai's lips was both dark and daunting. His fists clenched around the steering wheel until his knuckles turned white. What exactly was she saying? That she didn't love him? That they were headed in the same direction as Jagen and herself? Fuck she was confusing. He thought they were fine. "Liika, just what the hell are you trying to say?"

Tension knotted his shoulders and posture, and Liika felt it instantly. She sighed loudly, rolling her eyes inwardly. He was so temperamental. He took everything way too personally.

Sliding upwards against his side, she brushed her lips against his cheek, not wanting to distract him too much from driving. Her hands moved over his chest so that her arms wrapped around his middle firmly. "I'm not trying to say anything Kai," she said softly against his neck, "I was trying to be philosophical."

"It sounded to me like you were hinting around ditching me."

Her light laugh echoed though the expensive Mercedes interior. It calmed Kai slightly to hear her laughter, to know that she didn't mean what he was almost afraid that she meant.

"No, I'm afraid you're not going to get rid of me that easily."

"Good. We're here."

Liika looked up, and sure enough Kai was pulling into his and his mother's older, but still extremely large, house on the edge of the west side of Bakuten. She much preferred this house, especially compared with the mansion that continued to haunt her nightmares, as well as, she was sure, Kai's.

It was white on the outside, with pretty navy trim and shutters. It had a large yard, kept trim and neat looking, as well beautiful garden that would have been, had it not been fall, lush and green. A balcony stretched across the front of the house, being occupied by various boxes, miscellaneous items, and an old fashioned, but brand new, bench swing.

She loved the bench swing, a love she shared with Kate Hiwatari, a woman who had become her third mother (Enrique's mom being her second). Kai was indifferent, but if it meant getting some action, which it did, then he was all for it.

Kai turned the car off and unbuckled his seatbelt. He turned to face Liika and fit his lips against hers, his hand threading itself in her loose hair. "I've been waiting to do that since this morning," he growled after pulling away.

She smiled saucily. "Took ya long enough."

"Hn," he grunted, nipping at her bottom lip, "Keep that up and we might just stay in the car."

"Promise?"

He threw his head back and laughed, opening his door as he did so. "I wish," he growled, stealing one more kiss before exiting the car, "But unfortunately mom is expecting us for dinner before we go out tonight and entertain Abbey."

"I know," Liika replied, sliding out of her side, closing the door behind her. "I can't say I'm all too excited to see that blond idiot again. However, I really like Sakura. It's too bad that Imoraz has such an aversion to letting girls on the team, I think she's a great blader, I'd like to see her in action some time."

Kai waited until she had rounded the car before taking her hand and leading her up the stairs. "Yeah, I wouldn't doubt it. But then, some people are just more technically skilled than physically, look at Johnson, he couldn't spin a blade to save his life, but he's a genius as repairing, and thinking up strategies."

"True," she said, frowning a bit, "But something tells me Sakura isn't really like Kenny."

They entered the house as they normally did, chatting away, or rather Kai listened to Liika chatter, her voice bright and lively as she took off her shoes in the hall. He always enjoyed listening to her talk, even if he didn't really listen to what she was saying. It was more her voice. It amused him for some reason.

However, while he was removing his own shoes, listening to her talk as she made her way towards the living room down the hall, he froze when she suddenly fell silent. It was then that he noticed the very different atmosphere that permeated his normally cheerful and happy house. His eyes narrowed.

Straightening he made his way down the hall to where he could see Liika rooted in the doorway to the living room. His eyebrows furrowed over his narrowed eyes. Something wasn't right…something was wrong. A nerve struck through him. "Witch what is the-"

Kai found himself also freezing in the doorway, only inches behind Liika. Instinctively his arm shot out and wound itself around Liika's waist, drawing her closer to him protectively. He couldn't help the snarl that formed on his lips. "You." He growled, glowering at the lone man that sat in the middle of the pretty room.

The man shifted his gaze from Liika to Kai, no emotion reflecting in his dark auburn eyes. "Hello Kai."

Kai's grip on Liika's waist tightened as hate began to pour from his aura. Liika glanced over her shoulder and she placed her hands over his on her waist and squeezed them, hoping to calm him down. This was all they needed.

Just then Kate bustled down the hall, a bright smile on her face as she approached the pair of teenagers that mingled in the living room doorway. "Hello sweeties! It's good that you're home, dinner's just about ready."

"Mother. What is that man doing here?"

Kate looked stung, her cheerful smile falling off her face, replaced by a stern frown. "Kai Daemon, 'that man' is your father and you will treat him as such."

Kai's teeth clenched. "I have no father." He stated sharply, glaring at his mother. "That man's blood may run through my veins, but he's not my father and he never will be. I want nothing to do with him."

The older woman gasped, her hand flying to her mouth, surprise and hurt reflecting in her silver eyes. It was as if she couldn't believe her son would say such a thing about the man that sired him.

Kevin Hiwatari was standing by that time, his emotionless mask never slipping. "Kai, you're upsetting your mother."

Kai's eyes narrowed, his chestnut orbs clashing with eyes the same color as his own. "And you beat her until she almost died. I don't know how she can stand your presence, because I can't."

The older man's eyes flashed, his lips twitching, although they did not settle into anything besides a flat line. Kate stayed silent, her gaze moving between the two obviously angry men. Liika felt very out of place, like she had intruded in a family moment. Even if it was an unhappy moment. She wished she could just disappear.

"I would like to speak to Kai alone. Katherine, take the girl and go and check on dinner."

Kate nodded, looking pleadingly at Liika as she took her arm and began to tug her away. Liika would have followed with no problem if Kai hadn't tightened his grip on her waist, and tried to push her in the opposite direction.

"No," he said, a sneer on his lips. "I have nothing to say to you. Come on Liika, we're leaving."

"But-"

"Now."

"Kai Daemon Hiwatari! You are not walking out on your father. Come on Liika, let's go." Katherine cut in before Kai had the chance to move. She grabbed Liika's arm and pulled the petite young woman away, disappearing into the kitchen and shutting the door behind her.

Kai was seething. His mother, his sweet, caring mother had betrayed him and let the man he hated more than anything into his house. His home was supposed to be a sanctuary from the outside world. Now it was just a nightmare. He didn't want to talk to his father, hell he didn't even want to see the older man. But here he was, forced to be alone with him, his girlfriend the ransom. Normally he'd just walk out, but he couldn't leave Liika alone in his house… not with that man there.

"I can't say that I am overly surprised that you are still with that girl. You always were one to rebel against authority."

Kai snapped out of his raging in his head to stare at his father. What the hell was the old man going off about now?

"But I want you to know right now," Kevin continued, seeing that he had his son's attention, "That it no longer matters to me if you date her."

Now Kai was extremely suspicious. His father never, never conceded to anything, and he rarely changed his mind about something. Especially something like what social stratum his son associated with. "Why?" He asked, suspicion clear in his voice.

Kevin shot his son a flat look before returning to his seat in the lone armchair. He waved at the couch to his left, making it clear he wanted Kai to sit. Kai, though he didn't want to, obeyed the silent command, now curious as to why his willful father was conceding something as important as whether or not he dated Liika Tomoda. It was after all, the reason he used to justify beating his wife.

"It seems, my son," Kevin said, his voice flat and calculating, "That whether or not you mean to, you always seem to find girls of hidden worth."

"What the hell are you talking about?"

Kevin sighed, as if just talking to his teenage son were taxing to his patience. "I of course investigated your little…girlfriend's," he paused at the word girlfriend, as if amused by it, "Past. I couldn't have you ruining your family's name by dating some criminal's offspring."

Just the way his father talked about people of lower stature made Kai want to hit him. He had no right insulting people who did not have billions of dollars, as if they were worth nothing. Kai himself had learned, and it was a lesson gladly learnt.

"In any case, I was startled to discover that not only did she not come from criminals, but that her parents were quite notable in their day."

"What do you mean?"

"She is going to be a very rich little girl in a couple of years Kai. She stands to inherit some two and a half million dollars when she turns twenty one."

Kai froze, floored by the news. Two and a half million dollars?! Where the hell had her parents gotten that kind of money? Obviously Liika had no idea… or she would have said something. She had always told him that she didn't know how much money was in her trust fund.

"I'm sure she told you her mother was a lawyer." Kevin continued, seeing the obvious shock on his son's face. At Kai's nod he plodded on, "However, I do not even she realizes just how good a lawyer her mother was.

"Her mother's maiden name is Granger, her mother was Aiko Granger, younger, but extremely good at what she did. I was still vice-president of BD when she was hired to defend it against a malpractice suit. She was a junior partner at the firm that represented us, but was the only one available at the time to take the case. She got lucky, but then, so did we. Aiko Granger excelled in defense law, and had a husband that was in medical school.

"We won of course, and counter sued the company that sued us. The settlement was twelve million. Our custom lawyer fee is ten percent. She gained one point two million dollars from that win, and I'm sure I don't need to spell out for you that twenty one years of interest on that money is a lot of money. Three hundred thousand when to David Granger, her father, when she died for care of her child. She died almost directly after that. She was pregnant when she won the case for us."

To say that Kai was shocked would be a horrific understatement.

His girlfriend's mother had ties to his father. It was…unnerving to know that Liika's mother had known his father and grandfather. He wished he would have gotten to meet the woman that had earned enough respect from his father to entrust his companies future in her hands. She must have been a strong woman. A half smile pulled at his lips. Not unlike Liika. He bet she looked just like her.

"So you see Kai, your little rebellion isn't really a rebellion at all. That little girl is a wealthy little girl, when she comes into her own. I also looked at her grades, and criminal record, almost as good as yours. I almost want to commend you on your choice. If it wasn't for the fact that she was raised to be poor and ill mannered, and the fact that she is an insufferable mouth piece, I'd almost like her." Kevin sniffed at the end, making it clear that he did not, for all intense purposes, like Liika Tomoda, no matter what her redeeming qualities were.

"You don't like anyone." Kai growled, jerking to his feet and glaring at the man in the chair. "Contrary to what you believe, the world, and my life does not revolve around you. In fact I had almost forgotten about you, and would have if mom wasn't sore on damp days." Kai gave his father one last nasty look and crossed the room. "I don't want you any where near me or Liika. You've apparently bewitched mom again into believing your sainthood, but I never have believed it and I will never will. Goodbye Mr. Hiwatari." With that Kai stepped from the room into he hall and bellowed towards the kitchen. "LIIKA! COME ON WE'RE LEAVING!"

Liika appeared seconds later, a worried frown on her face. She took one look at Kai's black expression and decided to say nothing, merely coming to his side and following him out the door.

xxx

Tala stretched out on his couch, his clothing already changed from the beyblade training clothing to a pair of baggy blue jeans and a tight black T-Shirt that said: "Keep staring. I know when others are picturing me naked." He glanced up at the clock over the TV he was only half watching. Fifteen minutes.

It had been decided—more like challenged—that the three teams would engage in 'friendly' games down at the bowling alley. Akito had made the challenge, exclaiming that since there was nothing else to do in their pathetic town then kicking their ass at bowling would have to do. They ended up booking half the lanes.

He sighed, annoyed at the knowledge that Mariah wasn't going to be there. Not after the episode in the diner. Kon wasn't going to let her within fifty feet of him unless watched.

Mariah was half of what made it worth going.

Tala wished he hadn't been so fucking stupid as to dump her in the first place. Especially not for a dumb ass reason like not getting sex. Sure he had slept with a few other girls since the break up, but none of them were anywhere near Mariah. He couldn't even remember their names.

Ha. And he swore he would never get as bad as his best friend.

Truth was, he was probably worse than Kai. He had loved Mariah longer… and while not as possessive as Kai was, he was still hopelessly lost. No one knew it, but he thought of her more often than anything else. It was really shitty on a lot of levels.

The sound of his doorbell ringing broke through the monotonous sound of stupid commercials that sounded in the background of his thoughts. With another sigh he hauled himself to his feet to answer the door, thinking it some solicitor and readied himself to tell them off.

However, when Tala opened the door it was not a solicitor standing there, it was a sobbing, red-eyed Mariah. Instantly she threw herself at him, clinging to his chest, her sobbing intensified.

His eyebrows furrowed, his arms circling her quaking for instinctively.

"Tala…" She whimpered.

Tala pulled her inside, pushing the door closed behind her.