Thanks a lot for the reviews!

Another chapter! Not much in this... But the story is going to pick up pace from the next chapter!

I hope you like this one! :)

In a flight to New York…

A pair of emerald eyes looked around filled with apprehension. She had taken big risk, but it was a necessary step; a risk that would change her life. Boarding that plane wasn't easy. She was on the run and there was always a risk of being discovered. Yet, she made it on the plane. The final test was tomorrow. She had to qualify for the championships at any cost! "I hope you know what you're doing, Judy. I really hope you do!" she sighed and closed her eyes.

Dojo

The afternoon practice session was somewhat better than the morning. It was all about Max and Ray. Akira was asked to note Max's defence tactics, as her defence was a little weak.

"That hood of your viper, it radiates energy around it. Right, Akira?" Kenny asked her.

"It does. It forms a shield to certain attacks like… Kai's Flame Saber and Rei's Tiger Claw. But it is not that strong," she answered.

"Concentration is the key," Kai spoke.

"I'm working on it," Akira said looking at him.

An hour later, the team settled down on the wooden floor and began to discuss what they would do next.

"I say we go out and have some fun," Tyson said and grinned.

"No! The last time we tried to have some fun, we got into some serious trouble. Remember Tyson?" Kenny said crossing his hands

"Haha… It wasn't we Kenny, it was you, remember? It was your fault. You never told me, you couldn't handle the alcohol," Tyson burst out laughing, remembering how Kenny ended up at his house at 1:00AM, his pants fastened around his head. Kenny had to answer a lot of questions after that.

Kenny turned a bright shade of red, "Shut up, Tyson!"

Max and Rei joined Tyson. Kenny buried his face in his palms and moaned, "That was my first time. So, cut the crap!"

"Why do you even have to drink in the first place? You're not that...," Hillary snapped, annoyed. She knew it wasn't a big deal. But, she had a particularly bitter memory of the night and hence she loathes even the mention of it. Well, she could never decide if it was a bitter or sweet. So, she settled for it to be a bitter sweet memory.

Tyson began to laugh even harder, "Right... We're not kids... Which century do you live in Grandma? That was just for fun, a little nothing… So stop sermonizing!"

"Yeah right! Get drunk and fool around with girls, those dumb…" Hillary stopped midway as she felt an iron grip on her hand pull her down into a certain someone's lap.

"How about I fool around with you this time?" Tyson asked a blushing Hillary, tilting his head to a side and giving her a half smile. Max and Rei looked at each other with raised eyebrows and suppressed a chuckle. Kai face palmed.

"Ouch! Why did you do that for?" Tyson said rubbing his nose, as Hillary got to her feet after smacking Tyson in his face with the newspaper in her hand.

"Manners jerk, manners," Hillary warned him.

"I was doing you a favour… I don't want you to spend your youth idle, with absolutely no experience…" Tyson's mockery was interrupted by the ringing of Hillary's phone.

"You don't have to worry about my idle youth Tyson. There are other people to worry about it," she said waving her phone in front of him and then answered it, "Oh.. hi Ryan! Ummm… That would be wonderful! Hmm… Of course I'm free… Yup! Six o' clock!"

"Yeah right… Ryan? Seriously? That moron?" Tyson now had an irritated expression on his face.

"Moron? Yeah… maybe. But, he's the most popular guy in college, and I want to know, why?" Hillary said as she picked up her bag to leave.

"Suit yourself. Anyways, it would be wonderful to see your face tomorrow, when you realize what a big mistake it was. Have fun… lots of fun…" Tyson fell back to floor, hands under his head and closed his eyes.

Hillary frowned and muttered something. Rei, who was sitting near her, couldn't manage to comprehend those words.

"Kai, what about you? You're coming?" Max asked Kai.

"Count me out. I'd rather go home," was Kai's expected reply.

"Look who you're asking Max. It's Kai. Kai is allergic to fun. Don't you know that?" Tyson's sarcasm was not new to Kai and he chose to ignore it.

"Perfect," Akira finally spoke.

"What?" Kai snapped at her.

"Nothing. If you're free for the evening, why don't you walk me to the BBA office? Mr. Dickenson asked me to meet him regarding some passport issue," Akira said, with an innocent face.

Kai was caught off guard. His plan was to join her later, but he never expected her to ask him like this. That too in front of the team! None of the others could believe their ears.

"Hello? I'm asking you Kai. What's wrong?" Akira knew Kai couldn't say no. What did he say? "I'm informing you. Not asking your permission..." Then why couldn't she irritate him a bit?

"Sure." Kai had to give in. Strangely, he was rather eager about it.

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