A/N: OMG I'm updating so fast. I don't know why, perhaps to take my mind of exam stress. I'm writing this at 11.15pm and i'm pretty tired. And I mean writing. Not uploading. O.K little more humour here, and perhaps a little more yaoi. Not much but a little more implied than before. Song- Bring Me To Life by Evanescence. Please listen to the song on You Tube or something to know what I'm talking about. Oh yeah- I DO NOT OWN SO DO NOT SUE ME K?

Ray's POV

Is there absolutely no decent stuff in here? It's all… Girly music. Who knew choosing a few CD's could be so hard? O.K so you want to know what's happening right? Well, it's been a week after Tala and me had that little spat, and now he's called up for a "panic practice", because we have exactly one week, 2 days, and 13 hours before the competition starts. Oh and Tala said that, not me. The good thing is my ankle is sufficiently healed now, Tala really knows what he's doing with first aid. Anyway back to the here and now- hm… S Club 7? No, not manly enough. Erm… Pop Party 3? Perhaps… I'll put it on the "maybe" pile. Hang on what am I doing? Tala'll probably turn up with some heavy metal or something equally worse. If I turn up with this I'll be a laughing stock. Of course if I turn up with nothing then I doubt I will live to see tomorrow, so I don't have much of a choice… Yes I know- I'm over exaggerating. O.K… So find something sophisticated, sleek, and… WTF ARE THE TELETUBBIES DOING IN MY CD COLLECTION?! TYSON!

"Ray what're you doing?"

"Oh crap, er nothing Kai."

"Were you screaming at your reflection again?"

"NO! Well… Not exactly… The last part was for Tyson."

"Jeez- Tala's training must be really tough to be turning you insane."

"See what it's like living here?" (directed at mirror)

"… I'll leave you and… Yourself to er… Yourseleves."

" …No comment."

(scene 2)

Tala and Ray were sitting next to each other in the stands, going through each of the CD's they had bought. It wasn't as bad as Ray had thought it would be. Tala had a grand total of- 3 CD's. Ray had 1 album borrowed from Kai who had advised him on what Tala would consider appropriate. Tala took it and scanned the song choices

"Greenday? This is Kai's CD." he told Ray, frowning at the necko jin. Ray chuckled nervously

"Why would you say that?"

"Duh- his name is at the bottom." Tala replied, pointing to a perfect signature- K Hiwatari "Erm… Yeah…" Tala gave Ray a look

"How're we supposed to organise a routine if we don't know each others music choices?"

"Because you'd laugh." Ray replied sullenly. Tala frowned.

"No I wouldn't. Not unless they were really awful…"

"S Club 7?" Ray asked without much hope. Tala's face stayed serious for about 10 seconds before he erupted into peals of laughter that echoed eerily in the stadium. Ray felt a mixture of emotions: Anger at Tala for laughing at him so rudely, but another part of him felt happy that he had made the redhead laugh. Tala was usually so serious, it was refreshing to see him laughing so innocently.

"If only I had a camera" Ray said wistfully to no one in particular. Tala wiped the tears away from his eyes, and his chuckles ceased.

"What was that?"

"Nothing." Ray replied quickly.

"What's wrong with me laughing?" Tala asked confused. Ray sighed

"No it's just… Unusual." Tala's eyes narrowed as Ray realised his mistake "In a good way Tala. It's good to see you happy." he amended.

"What makes you think I'm unhappy?" Ray swallowed and blushed slightly, unused to talking so intimately with Tala about such a subject.

"You just… don't seem to have that much fun, it'd be nice to see you smile more often."

"I smile. When I have to."

"You make it sound like a chore to you."

"I…" Tala was unsure of how to respond, sure he didn't smile much but he wasn't a smiley person, unlike Ray. The necko always had a reason to smile, and Tala rarely saw him without some sort of grin on his face. He didn't understand- how can you derive so much pleasure from such a cruel world? To Tala it was simple- The strong survive, the weak do not, he had no reasons to smile. It was just a simple progression- eat, drink sleep, fight, survive. Was he missing something? He shook his head, trying to rid himself of the unnerving thoughts when he saw the necko's eyes on him, just staring. Tala's eyes met his, and for a second time stilled. And to his horror, Tala felt his cheeks beginning to heat up, and his heart hammer faster. He broke the necko's intense gaze, and hurriedly busied himself back to the CD's

"Tala…"

"Be quiet and get back to work." Tala snapped back handing Ray a CD. "Any tracks you find- highlight and keep for later."

"Right…" Ray replied quietly, he knew it was useless to argue. For some reason he seemed to have put Tala in a bad mood. Maybe he'd pried too much…. Yes that was it, he had made the older boy uncomfortable by asking too many personal questions. Well Ray would have to be more tactful to get Tala to speak in future, so he obediently started to sort through songs, playing the CD's on the portable stereo. They needed 10 to compete, which meant 10 routines for each. Jeez, no wonder Tala was panicking.

(2 hours later)

"Finished?"

"Done." Ray handed Tala the tracks he thought most appropriate. Tala looked out across the arena and stood up.

"Come on."

"What now?"

"We're running out of time we need every opportunity to practice."

"I guess…"

"So come on!" Tala urged, lacing up the ice skates. Ray did the same, and tentatively stepped onto the ice. It was better this week, he was slightly rusty to start with but had not seriously crashed, just the occasional wobble and one fall. Tala was waiting in the middle whilst Ray warmed up, and as he watched the necko trying to balance and glide he remembered his own times at the abbey, first learning to skate. In fact the more time he spent with Ray, the more he was reminded of a more innocent version of himself. Soon enough Ray skated to the middle, opposite Tala, who pressed a button and the music began to play- Evanescence- Bring Me To Life. One of Tala's- preferred tracks. Ray didn't linger on the thoughts of why Tala liked this music, because he himself found it very moving if slightly depressing at times.

"O.K Ray, so first if we just try to get the timing right, just try skating together, in time with the music, then just see what we come up with."

"O.K." Ray replied slightly unsurely, moving to stand beside Tala. The first steps were small and unsure but as soon as the song started to get going, they started to relax. Ray grinned, and pulled Tala by the arm, urging him to go faster. The Russian shook him off, but nevertheless complied, speeding up until the wind rushed past their faces.Ray gasped as a icy cold hand connected with his own. Tala pulled him out in front, spinning him to the side but Ray still held on, turning it into a twirl. Tala blinked and then gave a half smile. Tala slowed them both down, and then did a 360 degree jump, landing expertly. Ray gawped, and Tala smirked

"Wanna try?"

"Not really, I want to keep my bones intact." Ray replied shakily. Tala rolled his eyes, and tucked a stray strand of red hair behind his ears, before coming up behind Ray.

"Just try turning on the spot, that's the first step." Ray closed his eyes and praying nothing bad would happen- he spun. He managed it. He felt dizzy with relief and as he opened his eyes he saw the wolf wearing a proud smile that was quickly disguised as soon as golden eyes saw it.

How can you see into my eyes like open doors?
leading you down into my core
where I've become so numb

without a soul,

my spirit sleeping somewhere cold
until you find it there and lead it back home.

"Not bad. Now try a normal jump, don't turn, just jump straight ahead."

"But… I'll fall Tala."

"If you do- I'll catch you." Tala replied smirking, Ray's eyes widened and he blushed. Tala had to admit it was quite cute. "Like this." the wolf said, giving Ray a quick demonstration of a tiny jump, landing back on his feet. Ray nodded. How hard could it be? But he couldn't do it, he stood staring at the ice, convinced that he would land off balance. The Russian gritted his teeth and took the other boys hand.

"Now jump." Tala commanded. Ray didn't move. Tala looked at him, and unknowingly gave his hand a squeeze. "What's wrong now?"

"If I fall I'll take you down with me." the necko muttered. Tala snorted

"My reflexes are pretty good Ray, I'll let you go before that happens." Ah, the old Tala was back. Ray rolled his eyes and braced himself.

He jumped.

He fell.

Tala didn't let go.

A/N: MUAHAHAHAHAH. R&R please.