Well, everyone this chapter is a bit short, but it's kind of the halfway point of the story... you'll see what i mean later...

Disclaimer: as before (hey, im too lazy to right it out again!)

Chapter 8- Goodbyes

Selene hurriedly threw clothes and her belongings into a small suitcase. It wasn't neatly packed and ordered, rather it looked like a bomb had exploded in the suitcase, which Selene was now trying to close. With one last effort Selene ran forward and did a handstand onto the suitcase which was on the floor. Now it was shut, she balanced first on one hand, then the other, and finally got it closed again. Standing up in triumph, she did one last sweep of the room and frowned when she saw her photo album lying abandoned on the floor. How it had got there she didn't know. What she did know is that she was extremely frustrated that she hadn't packed it. She stalked over and picked it up, smiling as she ran her hands over the familiar suede casing, with golden letters on the front. She flipped it open to her favourite page. Two pictures were there. One of her and Hilary as a baby. Two year old Selene cradled the small girl tightly but lovingly, glaring fiercely ahead. As if she was daring the world to hurt her sister. The other was her and Kai. Both now eight years old. The two were holding hands and grinning at each other. It was taken the day before… before everything changed thought Selene and slammed the book shut roughly. Then she threw it on her bed, deciding she wouldn't take it with her this time.

Then, after one last look around the room, she picked up the suitcase and opened the door, heading downstairs. She could hear her mum humming happily to herself in the kitchen and felt a pang of guilt. Then, with a deep breath, Selene entered the kitchen and stood in the doorway. Her mum turned around and saw her and then her face saddened, as it always did.

"So soon?" she asked, her voice cracking slightly. Selene nodded, "But you only just got here!" her mum protested and walked over and hugged her daughter tightly.

Kathy felt Selene stiffen when she hugged her, but still she held her tight, crying quietly. She hated this time of the visit. She hated the arrangement that was made with the divorce. She hated that her daughter wanted to go back. She could tell, as mother's can, that her daughter didn't want to be here. So, with one last squeeze she let go and looked at her eldest child. There was almost no emotion in those hazel-green eyes and her face was set.

"Say goodbye to Hilary for me" Selene said, again, she added silently.

"Say it yourself." came Hilary's voice from the doorway. Hilary stood there, still in pyjamas, her face angry and her whole body tense.

Selene sighed, "I'll see you soon Hil's." she said.

"No you wont." Hilary said, more a statement than a challenge, "You'll disappear again like you always do. Then you'll waltz back in here, causing trouble as if you own the place, and you know what? We'll let you because you're the special one. You're the daughter that no one sees much of, the mystery one, the amazing one. Well, you know what? You're not! You're just an unfaithful daughter and a rubbish sister! And… and…" Hilary was yelling now, upset and angry at Selene, "I hate you!" and with that Hilary stormed out of the kitchen. A few seconds later they heard her door slam.

Kathy opened her mouth to speak, but Selene shook her head, "She's right. You know that. And I know that." Selene breathed deeply, trying to speak without letting her mum hear the tears that were lodged in the back of her throat, "See you, mum." she said and left the house.

As soon as she was gone, Hilary came back downstairs and her and her mum cried together and comforted each other as Hilary thought, Why does it get harder every time she leaves? It never gets easier. Just harder.

Selene walked slowly down the road towards the airport, thoroughly depressed, thinking, Why does it get harder every time I leave? It never gets easier. Just… harder. Her eyes were filled with tears, that she wouldn't and couldn't cry. She hated leaving like this every time. No notice, just leave one morning, not knowing when she would come back. And worse… knowing that her sister and mum, the two people she tried to protect, were upset too. There was one more place she'd like to go, but knew that if she did, there would be trouble. Just when she was starting to get her old friend Kai back… she left, leaving him confused and probably angry and worse… leaving him the same way he had left her.

No note. No explanation. No goodbye. Just questions. Questions and no answers.

A few hours later…

Hilary was round at Tyson's now. She had come round as usual, but she was quieter than normal. Sitting on the grass, ignoring what was going on, even Tyson's remarks and behaviour that would usually drive her mad. But today she just sat and stared into space.

"Are you alright Hilary?" asked Kenny, who was sat next to her.

"Does she look alright to you Chief?" Tyson snapped and stalked over, pulling Hilary up and leading her away from everyone. "What's up Hils?" he asked, actually concerned. Hilary looked at him, suspiciously. Tyson blushed, "Well, I don't like you being upset." he muttered.

Hilary smiled at him widely and he smiled back then she said, "Selene left this morning." Tyson raised his eyebrows waiting for her to go on. "I just hate it when she does this!" Hilary continued, feeling her emotions spill out of her, "She doesn't even care! That's the worst part! She just stands there with no emotion on her face, her eyes cold. And then she just leaves. Doesn't really say anything. Just walks away and I never know when I'm going to see her again. Or if I will. She doesn't say anything about what goes on in Russia where she lives. She could be in a gang for all I know!" Hilary began to cry as she spoke, her frustration coming out now. Tyson felt sorry for her and all his feelings towards Hilary surged to the top. He reached out and hugged her, wanting to protect her from feeling hurt and he was angry at Selene for making Hilary feel this way. Hilary hugged him back and realised how comfortable she was in his embrace.

"It's okay Hil. You've got me." Tyson muttered into her hair.

"Thanks Ty." she replied smiling.

"You've always got me." Tyson said, sincerely.

"Really? You mean that?" Hilary asked, looking up at him, with pleading eyes.

Tyson smiled at her and kissed her on the forehead. "Of course."

They stayed in this embrace for a long time, until Hilary's mobile rang and she had to leave. When she left, everyone noticed the change between Tyson and Hilary. There was no arguing or insults, just a smile and a hug between them.

"So you finally asked her." laughed Max when Hilary was out of earshot.

"I don't know what you're on about Max." Tyson replied, blushing.

Max laughed and immediately started chanting, "Tyson's got a girlfriend" over and over. Tyson just threw a small stone at him to try and shut it up. It didn't work. It wasn't until Kenny asked, "So, what was wrong with her?"

Tyson sighed and said, "Well, she's pretty bummed coz Selene left this morning."

"She left?" everyone asked, except Kai who asked, "Why?"

Tyson shrugged, "I dunno. Something about going back home to Russia again. She didn't know."

Kai nodded and walked away without another word. Something was wrong, he was sure of that. Kai was angry now, so confused, why would Selene leave without saying goodbye? Could it be revenge? Payback for what he had done? He almost laughed. It was ridiculous! After what had been said the other day it could only have been a real emergency that had taken her away like this.

Couldn't it?

Aww... poor Kai she didnt say goodbye to him sniff lol anyways... Well, once again. sorry for the short chapter, but i will write more soon!

The next chapter will be a few months on from this at the tournament where they are all reunited... and Hilary gets one hel of a shock!

Well farewell for now... back in a week or so with more lol