"No. No more."

"C'mon Kam, just one more drink. You've just gotta." Tala practically shoved the drink down her throat as she pushed him away. Settling back he watched amusedly as his friend shifted uncomfortably in Bryan's lap.

"Fine but this is the last one." agreeing she inwardly punched herself for giving in...again.

The last hour had been hell. An embarrassing, mortifying, humiliating hell. Over the time span of 120 minutes Kami had been forced to flash Spencer: who was still looking at her with raised eyebrows and a dirty smirk plastered on his face every now and then mumbling, "nice." Dirty dance with Tala: who now had a smug look plastered on his pale face and an oh-man-I-can't-wait-to-tell-everyone-at-the-tournament-about-this smirk playing across his lips. And last but definitely not least she had practically made out with Bryan and was now seated quietly on his lap trying to fight away all the Russian vodka being shoved at her. 'Damn tradition.'

When the game piece was in Kai's favor he simply smirked before standing up. "We'd better get going if we want to get through our schedule." swallowing his fifth shot of vodka he grabbed Kami's arm and pulled her from Bryan's lap.

Standing quickly she started to straighten her clothes while using her fingers to comb through her tangled hair. "Schedule? Since when do we have a schedule?" she asked dumbfounded looking from one boy to another. This whole thing was embarrassing, she had quite enjoyed watching and planning the moments for the other four but this just sucked. They seemed hell bent on causing her to keel over from all the activities that were to say the least, regrettable.

"Not we panther, us. Besides you know how Kai likes to keep things, "orderly"." Tala responded using air quotes one the last piece of his very confusing puzzle that he swore was a sentence.

"Do I ever." she grumbled knowingly pushing the door open the cold air slapping them in the face like Boris had used to. Letting a shiver rack her lithe form she rubbed her hands up and down her arms swiftly trying to warm herself. Stepping out she followed Bryan and Spencer who had taken the lead of the small group directing them to GOD knows where. The soft humming of the wind soothed her like a beautiful winter's night after the harshest of beatings. "Where are we going?" she dared to ask at last looking around thoughtfully.

"To get your present." Bryan answered over his shoulder not bothering for any further explanation.

"That wasn't what I asked you." she almost growled back her patience nearing an end.

"Well we're here." Spencer spoke a small smile on his burly face, "C'mon kid lets go. You have an appointment in five minutes." He ended ushering Kami through the door the smell or incense and weed burning her nostrils. Wrinkling her nose in disgust she was tempted to shield her face with her hands hoping to block out the nauseating scent. The sign read, 'Wildfire Inks' in bright neon lights all the letters connected together like a simple cursive. 'A tattoo parlor? Why in the name of GOD are we here, I already have 5 that differ in size so why here?' she asked herself dumbfounded watching blankly as Spencer spoke to the inked up receptionist. Spencer nodded before trudging back to the group who had already seated themselves in various spots around the room readying for the wait.

"Mind explaining?" Kami spoke at last not even bothering to open her eyes. She wasn't exactly thrilled about being kept in the dark, she was usually first to know everything and now she was the last. To be frank the whole idea of the ritual being flipped around on her pissed her off, plain and simple. She wanted out and if it wasn't a damn tradition she would've skipped and slept in. But to be fair she would stay, letting a small smile grace her lips she tried not to laugh thinking of all the stuff they had done on all the other birthdays. But they were still classic, Kai on the other hand was amusing to say the least. They had pierced his ear themselves for one of his gifts. Tala at the time had been drunk and put in a pink rhinestone stud, which Kai had forgotten to take out the next day. They locked Tala outside naked in the snow, called a male stripper on Spencer and tricked Bryan into a gay brothel. He had flipped. But none of his ranting could've been heard over their own laughter.

"Well when we first thought it up we were going to get you a new tat on your ass but Kai wouldn't let us. So we settled on a new one on your left inner thigh, don't mind do you?" Bryan tossed the cards down on the table bluntly still flipping through an old display book.

"Well actuall-"

"Good we knew you wouldn't. So we have the perfect one in mind, you are going to freak. Hopefully in a good way." he continued standing and looking over all the samples on the wall thoughtfully. He was about to go on about how he was thinking of getting another himself when the artist himself walked out every inch of flesh visible covered in ink besides for the skin of his pale face. He scanned the room before his eyes picked out his newest client her name giving away who it would be instantly.

"So you're the one here for an ink huh? You sure you can handle it?" he asked skeptically his eyes showing h+-is obvious disbelief. "I mean I've had a lot of girls come in here and leave with a half finished picture. If you want out now would be the time to speak up." he stated looking her over. The man himself was about 5'5" giving Spencer and Bryan at least a few inches on him, his head was shaved and shined a tattoo of a skull on the back of his neck. He had vibrant mahogany eyes and brown eyebrows. His jaw line was long and sharp giving him a unique handsome look that was very rare, a true jewel. His arms had various markings the languages differing from Chinese to Italian and everything in-between.

"I think I can handle it." she answered clearing her face of emotion weakness invisible. Closing her eyes she let out a silent sigh knowing the man was still looking over her frail form probably wondering where she was planning on getting the new marking. Little did he know she knew the pain or the needle having received it countless times, some of it was for her current body work and some was just for the hell of it when Boris was angered. It had taken nearly three hours to finish the construction on her back and about half on an hour for each of the others. She didn't know have the slightest clue on what her newest addition would be so it was hard to say how long until the pain would cease. Shrugging it off she opened her eyes surprised to find the man only a few centimeters from her face almost touching, "Can I help you?" she asked irritably her eyes dangerous.

"Have you ever done anything like this before?" he asked suddenly catching her off guard.

"Yes." she answered plainly without missing a beat.

"Thought so. So do you have any other? Tattoo's I mean." he clarified watching his mahogany orbs holding amusement deep in the dark depths of the pupil.

"Yes."

"More than one?"

"Five."

"Where at then?" his voice over flowing with disbelief.

"Back, stomach, wrist, ankle, hip." she stated bluntly narrowing her eyes at him.

"Can I see?"

"Why?"

"Just curious I guess. It's not everyday that a girl like you comes in here and tells me she has five tats already." he snorted shaking his head.

"Well I'm not an everyday type of girl."

"I know but usually a girl that inked up is either a biker or a nut job. So which is it?" he shot back lazily obviously trying to rile her.

"Neither. Although I have found a get violent when somebody interrogates me." she spat out annoyed trying to shake him off her case. This guy was some piece of work, first he calls her weak and then calls her a nutcase.

"Heh." he paused for a moment sporting a big grin, "I like you. So can I see them or not?"

"Fine. Which ones?" she glared at him reaching her wits end.

"Wrist, back, and stomach. I'll probably end up seeing the others when I do your new one." he stated matter-of-factly.

Letting out a soft growl she turned around lifting the back of her shirt for him. He gave a low whistle tracing a cold finger over the lines of the artwork before asking about the others. Pulling her fishnets back she showed him the yingyang and then proceeded to show him the fox that was happily trotting along her pants line. "Those are some piece of work. Must've taken awhile to do the big one." he replied thoughtfully remembering the astonishment. "So what's the new one going to be?"

"Oh we'll tell you about that. It's going to be a surprise." Bryan intervened stepping up and ushering the man away. As the small group moved to the back Kami was busily getting ready removing her pants thankful she wore boy shorts instead or the string most girls preferred.

"Well let's get started."

/1 hour later/

Slapping her forehead Kami let out a soft groan feeling the urge to bust her teammates in the head for this one. She had been left to rest for a moment while the others went to pay and talk about Bryan who possibly wanted to get one for himself to add to his wide spread collection. Feeling a sting when she pulled back the large adhesive band-aid she winced softly her eyes scanning the embarrassment covering her thigh. It was a blade four battle spikes coming out of each side, looking like a small shark fin. Each was a different color and held a different name. One fin read, 'SPENCER' and had waves shooting up around it, another 'BRYAN' with a violent gray wind slicing through the words. 'TALA' had icicles hanging off the letters each looking like a frozen dagger, and 'KAI' was rising out of the flames just as a phoenix would. In the middle of the colored blade it read 'KAMIA' with a cloud of dark mist swallowing the name. Just above the blade it read 'BLITZKRIEG' and under the art it was finished with 'BOYS'. In some ways it looked like a giant love fest, like she had written the names of past and present loves on herself. It was after all placed in such a sensual area. "GOD I hate them." she muttered still admiring the otherwise beautiful work.

In some truth she kinda liked it, this way she would always have them. Even if they left a part of them would still remain, and it was this thought that gave her some comfort. "And yet I still stupidly love them." he mumbled tracing over the different names and elements.

/Half an Hour Later/

"You've got to be kidding me." the panther stated in pure dread backing away from the others while shaking her head,. "No. I'm not going in there, just no." sending glares at her smirking supposed friends she held her hands defensively. Casting another glance towards the building she groaned when she felt Tala tugging at her arm forcing her towards the entrance. The name of her new hell was, 'Hidden Desire' and just that right there was enough to make her stomach churn. Once entering she let out a small whimper knowing her earlier events would pale in comparison. Women in their mid twenties were strutting around the dimly lit establishment wearing skimpy lingerie. Fabulously colored undergarments were everywhere the fabrics all varying along with size. These girls were sales associates and their work attire was the just the same as their merchandise. The walls were lined with different displays each one giving off a different effect, some said 'take me' while others said 'watch me'. At the moment all Kami said was, "Help me." But in all fairness it was more a plea than a request.

"This way babe." Tala directed pushing her easily in front of him as she tried to dig her heals into the floor hoping to slow them down: no such luck. "Okay now you wait here." he instructed pushing her into a fitting room and slamming the door before she could exit. "We'll be right back." he yelled through the thin wood securing a chair under the knob, and unless she wanted to crawl under in an even more humiliating attempt to escape she would stay put.

"Damn you straight to hell Tala Valkov." she spoke back to him, knowing he caught it by the way he was laughing when he walked away. After his noise had faded out she glared at the closed door, pushing on it experimentally. Giving up she sat back down on the small bench catching a glimpse of herself in the large mirror hanging on the door. Her violet eyes were worn and held a sense of weariness. She knew that she should be happy with this part of the day, it wasn't until this evening that the real nightmare began. Her brother had come by the room before they left telling her that he would take them all to the party at 7:30. 'Great.' she thought bitterly watching as her face started to turn from a clear view to more of a snarl, her sharp teeth gleaming off of the light hanging above the small privacy room.

/outside the fitting room/

Tala was having one hell of a time looking through all the many choices with the help of his team of course. Needless to say he was confused about the sizes which were all written in letters and numbers. At last a savior came in the form of a blonde who looked at him curiously, "Can I help you with something sweet thing?" she asked softly her eyes scanning over the confused red head.

"Actually I am a little lost. See I'm shopping for a friend, she's locked in the dressing room." he pointed towards the chair fixed under the handle of the nearest door. "And I'm not really experienced." pausing he gave a sly smile, "I mean don't get me wrong I'm experienced from a certain perspective, I just don't know what most of this means." he admitted feeling a little stupid.

"Okay first start with cup size." she started letting out an amused sigh.

"Huh?" he replied cocking his head to the side confused.

The woman gave a small laugh and then pointed to her own rack that was dressed with a red lacey bra.

Not really meaning to Tala pulled back and scoffed, "Oh she's way bigger than that." he blurted out moving up to meet her gaze and then letting out a low curse. Another girl walked by and he looked at her barely hearing the annoyed laughter the other girl gave off, "About that." he pointed out as the other stopped feeling his gaze.

"C. Okay and what about body size?" she continued seeming to forget all about his earlier mistake.

"I'd say two sizes smaller that that." he finished earning a glare from the earlier subject who stormed away with her nose in the air.

"32 C. Alright well then come over here." she motioned waiting for him to follow moving through the shelves with expert fingers.

/fitting room/

Hearing the sound of the knob turning her eyes shot to the door hopefully, although what she was hoping for she couldn't be sure. Maybe just a chance to make a last desperate dash for it, the thought disappeared as the shadow of Tala was cast over her tense form. "Okay kitten here is what we picked to start with. Put um on and come out when you're ready." he ended a smug smile covering his pale face.

"What!" she almost yelled her jaw dropping. Despite her efforts to be prepared for the worst she was completely and utterly in shock.

"You heard me, see you in a minute. And if you push me to it I'll change you so the others can see the choices. Don't think I won't." he smiled licking his lips slightly causing her to shudder.

"Oh I believe you." she growled snatching the outfits from him and slamming the door in his face. Holding them up she just about fainted, she might as well parade around naked. "Bastard. Lecherous perverts." she muttered pulling her shirt from her head and then the under shirt. It felt awkward to say the least removing your bra when in a public place, ignoring the chilly air as it hit her breast she continued. Grabbing the first 'outfit' she secured the top and winced. They had gotten the size right and that was a little creepy, but that wasn't what bugged her. It wasn't just a bra but continued on down her form: skin tight. It stopped just before her pierced belly button. Red ragged lace was entwined with a hot pink silk and then was completed by lace wires keeping it all in place were the clips that hooked along the back. Her boobs were pushed up and showed off a sickening amount of cleavage. Pulling her loose pants free she bit her lips before pulling her boy shorts down careful about the sore spot that was her other present. The bottoms were the same color and design but were no more than a flashy pair of panties not giving much cover of her private area. Her well toned legs made her look like a curb side hooker and her pale skin was the perfect contrast to the completed outfit.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"C'mon cub. You can't stay in there all day." Bryan yelled over seated in one of the comfy chairs facing the dressing room, probably positioned for this very reason.

"Watch me." the harsh reply came as Kami fought to keep the door shut Tala busily trying to pull it open. "Somehow I think I got the shaft on his damn tradition." she spat out angrily bracing herself as Tala yanked again from the other side.

"Yeah if you don't get your ass out here I'm going to give you the shaft all right." Tala mumbled annoyed finally giving up the fight. Although small Kami could be quite the challenge when she choose to be.

"It can't be that bad panther." Spencer added in chuckling to himself the humor of the situation bringing a smile to his stone face.

"I look like a Bavarian fruitcake." she complained still holding the handle for insurance. "How about we forget all about this silly thing and go for ice cream huh?" trying in vain she slumped down on the bench muscles tense leaving her ready to spring for the door if necessary.

"Ice cream? Sure. Right after you get your ass out here." Tala replied leaning against the door rolling his eyes at her actions, 'I swear sometimes I just want to...' his thoughts trailed off. "Just get out here already, it's not that bad."

"Fine then you put it on and we'll see how proud you stand." she hissed her canine teeth sinking into her bottom lip as she glared at the closed door.

"Kami." Kai finally intervened casting a glance at the wall clock, "Just come out and give us a quick peek." he smirked to himself the thought causing his body to ignite with a lustful fire.

"You all suck." she sneered pushing the door open sending Tala rolling for cover. Poking her head out she blushed at the pairs of eyes watching her expectantly. 'Oh GOD why me.' she thought sadly taking a breath before closing her eyes and stepping out giving a slow twirl. "I hope you're all happy."

"Very happy." Spencer let it slip not bothering to try and retract his earlier comment as his eyes scanned his usually covered friend. The others just nodded at the thought smug smirks settling on their faces, as they insisted on giving off low whistles and crude comments.

"I hate you. All of you." she glared her cheeks burning up as she turned her face away trying to cover her growing blush. Without warning she jumped back in burying her face in her hands in a desperate attempt to block out their comments.

"Next." she heard Bryan speak his voice squeaking slightly.

Groaning she moved about the next one forgetting all about her upcoming evening, the only thing that was important was the mortifying moment at hand.

'Damn it all.'

A/N

Well there it is. Yeah it took forever but really you should thank wolflover7 and my dad for this new chapter. Wolflover7 is a great help, when I talk to her I feel so inspired...and somewhat guilty that she works on her stories and I bomb mine...speaking of which you should read her crossover story, 'The Transporter.' it is one of my all time favorites. And thanx to her I don't repeat the same words over and over in the same sentence. Also my dad got me a new frame for my trampoline and now it's twice as great! . I am back in business. I hope you like this and I'll try to work on the other one and get it up faster...but I'm really lazy so you never know. Anyway Catcha' later.

This is Tawnie going to jump on her trampoline...at 12:17 -hears the door open and slam shut-