Bandages

Follow the Waves

The Muse Sway

Disclaimer: Do not own any of these cool characters EA Sports Big does so…. Don't sue!

Nate, Elise and Griff won the final heat in Ruthless Ridge and Peak two's races were practically halfway done. Kaori like the other boarders were feeling the midway blues. When everyone was already just tired and wanted to go back home. Of course that wasn't going to happen anytime soon. It was Saturday….Saturday and she had nothing to do. She practiced for the Launch Time during the last heat of the Ruthless Ridge Finals feeling slightly bad but knowing perfectly well she needed the practice for that course. Kaori walked toward the café for lunch where she ate by herself which she didn't mind one bit. She had other things in mind. Things regarding the likes of Mac and Allegra. The thought of them boarding around the lodge kept popping up in her head along with the idea of spying on them to see it was true. Kaori gasped at the thought of spying on Mac and Allegra almost choking on her Spanish rice. No it's wrong to spy on Mac-kun and Aregra-san. Mac was her friend and that was just wrong spying on him and Allegra was nice to her most of the time. Then again you have spied on him many times before. No but that was different, that was just for fun. Is it really different wouldn't spying on him now would be FUN! FUN! FUN!

Kaori shook her head to regain control of her contradicting head. She took a bite of her spicy burrito and smiled as the heat overwhelmed her body. She bit her lip as she looked towards the window. She stuffed the rest of her burrito in her mouth and disregarded everything other then her Sprite, making her way towards her room. Kaori got her gear and was set for ninja style action. Kaori made her way downstairs feeling anxious then ever but reminded herself that she needed to show a calm exterior. She walked across the street waiting for the sign of Allegra or Mac but an hour passed and nothing , had they already left or returned? Kaori was about to give up walking back towards the lodge when suddenly she heard voices yell out in joy as if they had just been freed from a prison.

"Are you ready Mac we're going to board from Peak three to Peak two, I hope you're up to it." she smiled smugly as she passed to lead the way caressing Mac's cheek with the back of her hand as she passed. Kaori glared at Allegra disregarding all her self taught principals. Mac smiled dumb like and followed her as if he was in cloud nine. Kaori clinched her board tightly hearing her gloves squeak as she gripped tighter.

"Well aren't you going to do something about it?" came a voice from behind and Kaori jumped up in fear as she turned to see Zoe examining her from behind. " I mean if I was you I would…but that's just me." Zoe continued looking at her multicolored glossy nails.

"What make you thought I was spying?" Kaori replied sternly sounding strangely like her father looking truly offended.

"The fact you were sitting down holding onto your board for about an hour and a half." Zoe said surreptitiously. Kaori looked down still standing up somewhat straight and proud. " Oh, come on let's go before we loose them." Zoe said urgently as she pushed Kaori forward and took the lead in walking behind Mac and Allegra.

They followed them up towards the lift that lead to Peak three. Keeping their distance and always making sure they weren't in plain view. Once in a while when they saw one of them about to look back they would hide behind a bush or an object. Twice they hid behind some scared tourist. One time they hit the ground as their only cover was the snow. Kaori regretted wearing pink and she was sure Zoe regretted dressing as she always did. Finally they let Mac and Allegra enter the lift and headed up towards peak three. Kaori and Zoe rushed into line as soon as Mac and Allegra were a couple feet up, pushing those that were about to beat them in line. After three minutes the next lift arrived and Kaori and Zoe ran in closing the door immediately making sure no one else could enter.

Kaori and Zoe sat in the lift once in a while looking up to try to see the lift in front of them knowing Mac and Allegra were there.

"I think you should sit down Kaori, they're aren't going anywhere." Zoe told Kaori as she saw Kaori look for her fifth time her head on the glass looking up at the lift above. Kaori looked back at Zoe her hands till on the glass, Zoe looking calm and relax. Kaori stared for a couple of minutes before she nodded and sat down. They sat there in silence. Kaori knew Zoe had comprehension of what they were doing . It was more like a silent agreement that she knew how Kaori felt about Mac without engaging into conversation.

"Why are you helping me faaa--llow Mac-kun Zoe?" Kaori slowly spoke to speak correctly, breaking the silence easing the boredom making time go faster with small chit chat. Zoe looked up from her crossed arms and leaned forward putting her head on her hand propped up by her elbow which was being held up with her thigh and knee.

"Well because I knew you were going to try…… and figured you would chicken out." Zoe said not making any eye contact. Kaori sat there in silence grasping the answer.

"Oh, it's just that I didn't think you cared about that.…I mean that kind of stuff." Kaori shrugged looking down feeling awkward as Zoe just looked at her, her face blank as if she wasn't listening at all.

"Hmph, I guess I don't seem like the type but I knew both you guys since the beginning of the SSX tournament……therefore I feel that I as your friend should help you in this obvious time of need." Kaori smiled at the thought of Zoe being her friend and wondered why she never consider her as one before. "Besides I know now that you really suck at stalking." Zoe smiled up at Kaori who tilted her head and nodded glowing once more as she always did.

The lift started to squeal more than usual, they both stood up and saw that there were almost at peak three check point. They looked at each other knowing that the chase was now on. They waited as the lift stopped momentarily as it always did to let anyone on or off. Finally it was there turn and they ran out to look for any sign of Mac and Allegra. They walked on searching but there was no sign of them.

"My God where are they?" Kaori shrilled looking around.

"Don't panic what did they say they were going to do?" Zoe said in the lead obviously knowing where whe was going , even though., Kaori had no idea where she was heading towards.

" To board down from Peak three to Peak two…." Kaori said finally realizing what Zoe was trying to get across.

"Exactly!" she said and lead them towards a area where there was a path with a sign stating Peak connection Path, boarders and skiers alike safe tread. Zoe smiled before she frowned when she realized she didn't have a board. Kaori dropped her board and stepped into it and shrugged as she saw the wild path and Zoe without a board. Finally a man came up to them.

"Hi there."

"You, give me your board pronto!"

"Wha-what!" the man looked confused until Zoe punched him in the face and knocked him out conscious. She took the man's board and goggles and put them on. They were then off zooming down the path.

"Hey Kaori, I'll race yeah let's try to see who can catch up first." Zoe yelled from her side. Kaori nodded and they zoomed down the path heading back towards Peak two. They were dodging trees and shredding around boulders and rocks, grinding along fallen logs and jumping over obstacles finally they heard voices up ahead of them.

"Shhhhh" Zoe let out loudly as she braked suddenly falling on the ground in the processes. The snow breaking her fall, she slid down towards a rock. Kaori stopped more easily as she had enough warning time. She heard the voices as well which saved her from the burst of giggles she was about to release.

" Are you okay Zoe-sama." Kaori asked in a whisper helping her up to her feet. They then got off their boards and walked up slowly and quietly as possible hiding to nearest tree for cover. Finally they were close enough to see them and listen to them suitably.

" Man is it nice out here or what? Look at the view." Allegra said almost to herself except she turned to glance back at Mac who nodded in agreement, they were watching the sun setting over the mountain causing everything to shine an orange gold.

"I love it up here the fresh air, the smell of pine." Allegra mused on.

"Yeah, it's just wonderful…. This is truly a sight for sore eyes." Mac let out as he closed his eyes taking in the moment. Kaori and Zoe silently watched on.

"Yes I'm glad I get to share this moment with you… Mac." Allegra said sweetly and turned her neck to look up towards Mac. She then reached out to hold Mac's hand which he held on to willingly. Kaori's heart sank a bit and she swore she literally felt it.

- - -( crack )

Zoe and Kaori turned around as they heard a soft crack from behind. There stood a man well covered he was wiping his goggles as they were sprinkled with snow. Zoe glanced back to see if Mac or Allegra heard but they watched on undisturbed.

"What are you doing here?" the familiar voiced asked, it sounded so odd being so serious. Kaori gasped in recognition.

"Viggo you dumb ass is that you?" Zoe whispered towards him. He continued to walk up closer as he nodded towards Zoe as a reply. They all silently watched on as they saw Mac and Allegra carry on in conversation, still holding hands. Kaori looked back at Viggo trying to figure out if he had noticed the small mishap as well. But instead he glared on his eyes glazed not aware of Kaori studying him.

"It's getting dark, I think we should go." Mac finally said as he slowly let go of Allegra's hand. She looked towards him and nodded they finally got back on their boards and headed off again. Zoe, Kaori and Viggo walked up out to the open engaging in conversation.

"What the f!. I swear what in the hell are you doing here?" Zoe let out when she was sure they were out of ear shot.

"I presume we're doing the same thing." he said sarcastically as he bent down to put on his skis.

"Oh really, didn't think you cared much for stalking, figured you were too cool, oh wait this is Viggo never mind." she said as she tossed down her board to step into it.

"Ha Ha, very funny." he replied once again sardonically. Kaori began to step into her board as well. As she saw the sun was now heading behind the mountain.

"How did you know where to go Viggo-san?" Kaori let out softly. Viggo looked at her as he had barely noticed her for the first time. He looked down moving his skis' in place holding himself still with his poles.

"Because she took me up here once before." he said solemnly as he adjusted his goggles. Kaori looked down in understanding. Zoe looked somber as she glanced at both of them finally she tilted her head to the side.

"Come on, let's go." this time she said it politely and headed back down to the path following them once more. Kaori and Viggo glanced at each other as they too followed Zoe down the path. They had just reached Peak two's area they were about two miles away and it was already dark. Zoe, Kaori and Viggo followed them slowly. Every once in a while they had to stop because Mac and Allegra decided to take a detour or slow down to pull of tricks on some of the benches and other inanimate objects. Finally they were near the lodge and Viggo, Kaori, and Zoe stopped following as they saw they had the lodge in view. They took off their goggles all feeling exhausted they sat on the cold snow.

"Well, it wasn't that bad." Zoe said as she took off the board and remembered it wasn't hers. She shrugged as she tossed it aside.

"Yes, I suppose so." Viggo said as he began to remove his skis.

"I don't know what to think." Kaori said as she sat there feeling somehow content but slightly guilty for stalking her friend. Zoe looked up at Viggo her face with an odd expression neither Kaori or Viggo could figure out.

"So you really like Allegra don't you? I'm sorry this situation is happening between you guys." Zoe said as she stood up and started to walk ahead. Kaori and Viggo slowly followed her back to the lodge. When suddenly orange and white lights started to flash. Zoe Payne, Viggo Rolig and Kaori Nishadake you are under restraint for breaking SSX Rule Competitor Violation. Viggo looked down at Kaori his face in scrunched up in confusion.

"What? There's rules even outside the tournament?" Viggo blurted out. Kaori just gave her best innocent expression she can think of. Zoe strutted towards the commune officers.

"Officer's I can explain." Zoe said nonchalantly as she let them comprehend her and the others. They forced them into a small car and headed towards their station.

X-o-x-X-x-o-X

"As you see, we caught the whole thing on tape…or have you forgotten the almost three hundred cameras that are placed for the SSX tournament?" the officer asked as he sat them all down in front of his desk. Each of them with guilt on their faces for the exception of Zoe who looked angered.

"Okay so you caught us, us doing what? Why are we comprehended for?" Zoe stood up as she spat out towards the officer. Kaori and Viggo just looked at each other realizing Zoe had a point but none of them had any intention in showing agreement.

"Sit down ma'm you are here because we have reason to suspect that you were trying to sabotage the following" he paused to look down on his paper he held on his hand. "Mac Fraser and Allegra Sauvagess."

"Oh NO!" Kaori let out in horror.

"Wait a second…"

"What! Oh no officer if that's what you think we were doing then you got this all wrong." Zoe said as she shook her head.

"Is that so?" he paused once again to turn on a tape showing different views of them following Mac and Allegra down the path. "Then explain this!"

"Damn, is that us, Well I must admit here I look good, I look like some sly fox on those skis!" Viggo said as he saw them follow them down the path the camera cutting off to show different angles.

"Oh rook here's when I grind that rog and I jump onto that other rog and then I jumped over that rock!" Kaori said as pointed herself urging Viggo to look at her instead.

"Well you please! Knock it off!" the officer bellowed over their voices as he turned off the TV screen and Zoe's eyes brows raised when she finally took her eyes of the screen.

"I beg your pardon?" she asked. "Oh right…. It's like this we were simply just checking up on our friends. And besides I mean if your girlfriend was going to ride with another man other than a relative would you be so keen to let her go by herself?" The man sat down taken aback and thought for a while trying to figure out what she meant.

"So, she's your girlfriend? He pointed to a picture and file of Allegra. Viggo glanced at Zoe and Kaori they all nodded in encouragement.

"Uhh Yeah, she's my girlfriend." Viggo said as he's face expression was just giving it away. Zoe glared at him as she cracked her knuckles egging Viggo to do a better job. " Yeah I mean of course she's my girlfriend why else would I be stalking her unless I was jealous." he said more believable and the officer stepped back and turned to Mac's profile.

"And you are probably going to t tell me that this guy here is your boyfriend right?" Zoe stepped back looking slightly guilty.

"Don't look at me I'm just a friend." Zoe pleaded and then everyone turned their attention to Kaori. Finally attention pointed towards her and she would gladly handed it back to Elise or any other boarder.

"Ah,ah, ah hai! No, I mean yes. Mac-ku, erhm Mac Fraser is my boyfriend.." she said slowly as if she didn't know how to speak English at all. Viggo and Zoe gave weary smiles their brows shot up towards their foreheads both of them giving guilty looks to the officer who sighed and shook his head.

"All right you are free to go. I don't want any more of this kind of business you here." and showed them to the exit. They all rushed out of the station and walked hurriedly to the lodge.

"Man that was so close dudes." Viggo let out in a high whisper.

"Shit, I thought they're were going to get me for beating up that boarder and jacking his board and goggles." Zoe said as she chuckled out feeling how lucky she was.

"Ohhh. I thought that board didn't look, what?" he said as he couldn't believe his ears and stared at Zoe in disbelief. Zoe just smiled.

"Walk, faster." she urged as they all continued their way back to the lodge.

.: It set the mood for Kaori's mass self destruction. Ha just playing. Scared ya didn't I? This was inspired with PJ Harvey, Is This Desire. Hehe sorry very long chapter. Have any questions email me at Thanks and read and review.:.