Hi Guys!

I am SOOOOOOO sorry for the late update but my laptop has been broken since April, so I couldn't really help it, my emails were horrendous when I finally got it fixed :P.

Anyway don't let me keep you waiting, here we go!

Street Life

Chapter 15

Kai was in deep thought as he navigated his way through the winding tunnels. He had woken up not long ago and his instincts told him it was later in the day, after he had fallen asleep once more that morning, even though there was no sunlight in the tunnels to tell him so. Ali Cat would probably be annoyed with him for getting up, he was still injured but he had to see the sun and to breathe clean air, it was starting to frustrate him.

The tunnels were easy enough to get through. He was used to the maze like structures from back at the Abbey. He new the signs of common use and he noticed small specs of dirt here and there that must have come from outside. He barely had to register where he walked as he made his way out. His mind was deeply thinking of many different problems. One was of the Bladebreakers once again, were they alright? Did they know he was gone? Did they care? Another problem running through his head was of the group he had found himself in, had he really been accepted so quickly? Why did they? He was a complete stranger to them.

But the subject that plagued his mind the most was of a certain girl...and a certain kiss he had received just that morning.

For some reason, he couldn't stop thinking about it. He had even dreamed about it. What was so special about her and that stupid kiss, why did it bother him so much? It wasn't even a big deal, just a small peck on his cheek...but still it made him wonder.

'Snap out of it, you idiot!' he mentally shouted, 'This is ridiculous, just forget it!'

But he couldn't.

Kai vaguely notice that there was finally some light starting to leak through. The end of the tunnel was opening up to some kind of clearing. He quickened his pace slightly, he had always learned to appreciate light when he could have it, the Abbey taught him that.

He stepped out of the tunnel and he felt his eyes widen a little. This clearing, that was being lightened up by the small hole in the ceiling, obviously leading to the surface, was not empty. It was fit to burst with many different people. The only thing they had in common were their worn and torn clothes.

And the fact that all of them were quite homeless.

Kai could feel his emotions rising, but he stubbornly pushed them back down. This wasn't his fault. He didn't make them homeless and at this moment he was in the same position they were so there was no reason to feel sorry.

But it still nagged at him at the back of his mind.

He could feel many eyes on him as he made his way through the chamber, looking for anyone he had met. He was a stranger here and although they were ripped and dirty, his clothes still looked expensive. He realised he stood out like a sore thumb, but at least they were not bothering him.

The whole chamber was so full he was finding it hard to see through the crowds. Finding one of the others was proving more difficult then he had expected.

Until he heard his name behind him.

"Kai?"

Kai turned to see, what was her name?...Viper walking up to him.

The older girl walked over and crossed her arms loosely. The beautiful girl seemed to be wearing make-up. Where she got it was a mystery. "You shouldn't be up yet. You are still weak, and how did you find your way through the tunnels?" She said it all casually, like she didn't really care, but Kai answered anyway.

"I was sick of being inside; I just wanted some air and light. As for the tunnels, I'm used to mazes"

Viper raised an eyebrow, "Used to mazes? What are you, a lab rat?"

Kai felt a stab, she didn't realise how right she was, "Whatever."

Most people wouldn't have noticed, but Viper realised that what she had said had hit him, "Sorry, I was wrong to say that." Her voice was slightly softer, but not so that he thought she pitied him.

"It doesn't matter" Kai turned and began to leave, ignoring the fact that Viper was one of the only people he knew and he was bound to get caught in the crowd again if he left.

Her voice stopped him for a moment, "Hey, if your looking for Ali Cat, she'll be on guard at the East entrance, I'm sure you'll find your way there."

Kai paused and wondered whether to thank her, but just continued on his way, changing course slightly to weave towards the East side of the clearing. He didn't look back. A small voice was telling him he should be careful how he treated these people, but he ignored it for now.

Finding the right passage was simple enough, right at the East corner just as Viper said it would be. Walking through he came across yet another tunnel, that seemed to steep upwards towards the surface. At least it wasn't a maze this time.

He walked further and further up, until he hit the outside.

It looked something like a dump...literally. It looked like the border to the town and the place was filthy. Whatever rubbish came from the town seemed to be dumped here. There was a river not far off but it was a nasty green colour from pollution, nothing could possibly live in it without mutating.

'So much for fresh air' he thought sourly as the stench of the place reached him.

Kai walked closer to the river. Was it just him or did he see a skull of an animal in the water? And what was that purple stuff growing out of the middle of it?

"Disgusting..." he muttered to himself.

"You can say that again"

Kai whipped round. There was the girl he had searched for, perched on top of the tubed entrance to the underground clearing. She sat slumped, legs crossed, arms holding her up behind her, a smile widened on her face.

"What do you think you're doing up? I thought I said you could get up tomorrow. Who got you out of the tunnels?"

Kai sighed; this was almost identical to what Viper had already said to him.

"Needed air, found my own way out"

He watched her smile falter slightly and felt guilty, he hadn't really meant for it to come out so harsh but it always seemed to with him.

Her brow creased a little, "There's no need to be rude about it, I was just asking..."

Kai watched as she stood and gracefully jumped down, "You sure you're feeling okay to be up? Not tired at all?" Concern laced her voice.

Kai scowled, "I'm fine, you don't need to worry about me"

Ali Cat scowled back, "Fine I won't! Boy, what's your problem, wake up on the wrong side of the stone ledge or what?" She huffed.

What was his problem, why was he suddenly rattled?

"None of your business..." he mumbled, but she still heard him.

Ali Cat pouted. 'What's got his goat?' she thought angrily to herself. Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath and let out a great smile.

"Well, since you're up, I guess I'll show you the town!"

"Don't you have to guard the entrance?" Kai questioned.

"Ahh, it'll be fine, nothing really happens, it's just for extra safety, besides, it's almost Panther's turn anyway, and he'll be here soon."

She gently grabbed his arm, "Come on then, slick, let's get going, eh?"

Kai hesitated before pulling his arm back.

"Okay, buster, I don't know what I've supposed to have done, but be that way if you want..." she sighed, turning to lead the way.

Kai followed along behind, thinking to himself once more. What was his problem? Why was he treating her this way? She hadn't done anything to him...

He couldn't help thinking back to the kiss that morning and it started to dawn on him...that kiss...it had almost...scared him. Nothing had ever affected him like that. It was such an unknown feeling, was that his problem? He was pushing her away because...she made him feel things he never had before? Things he didn't know and couldn't explain? It scared him...

"Hey! Hey, you there?"

He looked up towards her; he had been so engrossed that he hadn't even heard her.

"What?"

"I said, pay attention," She sighed, "You have to remember this, you'll need to know where it is to get in or out, coz no one is going to stop to help you should we be running."

Kai watched intently as the pretty girl made her way up a steep bank, at the top was the wall that separated the town from the outside. He paid attention as, without any hesitation, pushed her foot against a large rock that made up part of the wall. The rock moved inwards and the gap left was easily big enough for even a large full grown man to fit through.

"Interesting," Kai muttered, "Wouldn't someone see it?"

Ali Cat smiled, "Only from this side, hardly anyone comes around here, though, who would want to?"

"And the other side?"

"I'll show you"

With that she ducked and disappeared through the hole. Kai swiftly made his way up the bank and followed her through.

On the other side Kai was met by what seemed to be...the back of a dumpster?

"That's convenient" Kai whispered with a hint of sarcasm.

"Hey it's not glamorous but it works," Ali Cat giggled, "Remember that passage, it's our best way out if we need it. Now hurry up slow poke!"

Kai got to his feet and sprinted off after the speedy girl, who was already disappearing around a corner, she was definitely very fast.

They ran through many streets and alleys, Kai thanked his training for a split second for he would not have kept up otherwise, but immediately regretted thinking such a thing. Kai came to a stop beside her, as she hid behind a wall.

"What?" he asked.

"Shhhh," She put a finger to her lips, "Over there" She pointed with the same finger, towards a shop, a sign hung above it saying: Don's Corner Shop.

She turned to him, "You're fast, faster then I expected, think you can give me a hand?"

Kai frowned, "With what?"

Ali Cat snorted, "Seriously, it's a shop were penniless and we need food, I thought you were smart."

Kai realised what she had meant. He hadn't even thought about food, obviously they couldn't buy it.

"Think you can keep up big boy? Or are you still too weak?" She giggled.

Kai scowled at the word weak, he resented it.

"I'll show you what I can do"

"Good, now listen..." she leaned in and whispered her plan.

"Hey, Viper"

Viper turned and smiled as she noticed her long time boyfriend coming over to her. She turned to face him.

"Isn't it your turn to guard?" she asked

"Yea," Panther replied, "I'm going back in a second. When I got there, Ali Cat already left the post. Know where she ran off to?"

"Not sure, but that Kai boy is up and walking, maybe she took him off to the town"

Panther looked thoughtful, "It's a bit early to be testing him..."

"You can't talk, you invited him quicker..." Viper smirked.

"Seriously, Jade, I don't know about my decision, I may have been wrong to invite him; he looks like the type to bring trouble..."

"Well, it's too late for that now, who ever left him here left him for dead"

"I know that, but they may check, I just feel like I'm putting us in danger..."

Viper sighed and leaned in, kissing Panther straight on the lips. Her smirk widened as she felt him relax under her touch. His arms came around her as her hands found his hair. She pulled away, still wrapped in his arms.

"Stop worrying, I don't know how but I know you did the best thing, that Kai needed a place, no family, no friends, homeless...you did what was right...and should it bring danger, well, we'll deal with that if and when it happens...and hey, if he doesn't pass the test he won't be staying anyway"

Panther grinned, "Bad luck getting Ali Cat to do it, she's not going to be easy on him..."

"We'll see...now back to your post, great leader" Viper flicked her hair as she turned and walked away, she heard Panther chuckle as she left him.

Back at the town, Kai was waiting behind the side of a nearby corner, just as Ali Cat had said. He watched her closely as she seemed to slither up to the side of the shop. She looked back at him and pointed thumbs up, then turned back. He watched as she darted inside.

For a few seconds there was no movement, all seemed quiet, until a loud roar came from inside the shop.

In a quick flash, Kai was over and hiding behind the side of the shop. He could hear crashes from inside and more roaring of words such as: "NOT THIS TIME, YOU STREET RAT!" followed by even more banging. Kai readied himself, as soon as Ali Cat led the man 'Don' outside it was his job to dart in and grab the food, just as Ali Cat said.

Smack! The door flew open and out jumped Ali Cat. Kai's heart beat faster as he saw the look on her face. She was distressed. Kai made to get up.

"No! Stay there! Don't come out! Forget the plan, just stay there!"

With a flash, she was rushing off up the street.

Kai watched her confused before Smack! The door opened again. A huge man came out, face red with anger; he was followed by two smaller men, but still big. All three were holding shotguns.

"YOU'RE NOT GETTING AWAY THIS TIME, RAT!"

The three men went charging off after her, guns at the ready.

Kai was torn, she had told him to stay here but she could get hurt. Kai quickly made up his mind and sprinted off after them. He had never done what he was told before anyway.

He was still lagged down by his injuries but he still managed to keep up. He saw them turn a corner and his heart skipped as he heard a gun go off. A short shout that must have been female rang out.

Kai pushed himself further, sliding round the corner he saw them disappear down.

He skidded to a halt and took in the sight before him.

The three men were slowly making their way up the alley, he could hear them chuckling.

"I got you this time, scum ball..." chuckled the biggest man. Presumably Don.

Kai looked past the men and spotted Ali Cat at the bottom of the alley. She was on the floor, grasping the wall, trying to pull herself back up in vain. Kai immediately noticed the blood pouring from her left ankle where one of the men had managed to shoot her. There was pain in her face, but also great determination. She wasn't going without a fight.

"You wish buddy..." She gasped, "You know me, I'll get out of this..."

Don let out a great laugh, "Sure thing kid, go ahead and try!" He laughed again.

He stepped further forward; Ali Cat pressed herself further to the wall.

Don pointed the gun towards her, "It's been 'no' fun, girl, say goodnight..."

Before his finger could pull the trigger, a great punch was landed to the back of his head.

Don cried out as he fell forward onto his hands and knees, it had almost knocked him out. Looking up he saw fiery crimson eyes before another fist connected with his face, sending him all the way to the floor.

The other men that had been caught completely off guard finally registered that the blue-haired boy was here and set their guns.

But Kai was far too quick. He rounded on them both, hitting one with another punch while his foot kicked at the other one. It was obvious that he knew how to fight well.

The two men went down and Kai grabbed both their guns and threw them where they couldn't reach. They roared at him and tried to hit him back, but Kai easily dodged, they were too big and bulky, while he was slim and nimble. His punches and kicks all hit home and it didn't take long for the men to realise they were outmatched by a teenager and run off.

Bang! Kai hissed as he felt his arm begin to sting he looked down to see that a bullet had hit him but luckily had only grazed his arm.

Kai growled as he turned on the remaining man, Don.

Don seemed angry but scared as he backed away, trying in vain to reload his gun with shaking hands.

Too slow. Kai's hand reached out and punched him once more, snatching the gun away while he had been stunned.

Don looked up to see the barrel of the gun staring him in the face; his eyes went wide with fear. With a pathetic whimper, the man got to his feet and edged around Kai his hands up, the gun never leaving him. Kai smirked, "BANG!" he yelled.

Don screamed and as fast as he could ran off back in the direction of his shop, never looking back.

Kai snorted, "Coward," he muttered.

"Kai?"

Kai turned back to see Ali Cat manage to pull herself up onto her good foot.

"Wow," she half whispered, "that was crazy...how did you do that?"

Kai smirked, "I've been trained..."

"I can tell" Ali Cat giggled, then winced at the pain in her ankle.

Kai became concerned, "We have to get you back to the others, you have medical supplies for this?"

"We have enough..." She said gently.

"Hn" Gingerly, Kai leant down and brought the girl up into his arms, bridal style.

"Wait, what about your arm? And your other injuries?" Ali Cat cut in.

"I've had much worse, trust me, your injury is more serious then mine"

Ali cat sighed, cautiously wrapping her arms around Kai's neck, helping to hold her up. Kai prayed a blush didn't appear on his face as he set off for the hole in the wall Ali Cat had shown him.

"Kai...I'm sorry...I'm sorry I put you in that danger...I'm sorry you got hurt..."

"Forget it" Kai said, he hadn't meant it to sound so gentle.

"...And thank you...for saving my life" She giggled, "My hero..."

Kai was sure there was a blush this time, "You saved mine too, we're even..."

She smiled, sleepily, "I guess so...Oh and by the way, you passed..."

"Passed what? Ali Cat?" Kai asked as he noticed her start to nod off, "Ali Cat...Alyssa?" but she had fallen asleep.

Kai shut his mouth and carried on in silence.

WOOOOOO!

I didn't think that was too bad :P Maybe a bit too rushed but at least I've finally updated, again, sorry for the long wait!

Leave a review please!

Drentai Wolf