Yes, people, I'm back after nearly 4 months! I hope you aren't too mad about the wait, but once you read this chapter, I'm sure it would've been worth it (or at least I hope so! :D) Enjoy!

When Raven stepped out of his tent, he was surprised to see that only a handful of people were also awake: Marcus, Oswin, Lowen, Mark, Rath, and Dorcas. Lowen was stirring up breakfast as Marcus inspected his posture (apparently he was satisfied), Dorcas was shining his ax, Rath was cleaning his bow, and Oswin and Mark were engaged in a quiet conversation.

"Sir Raven," greeted Marcus. "You're up early."

Raven shrugged. His eyes trailed to Mark. The green-clad man smiled slightly and nodded his head in greeting. Raven made no such gesture or greeting in return.

"Will breakfast be ready anytime soon?" Raven questioned Lowen. Lowen looked up. He was in the middle of slicing apples.

"No. It'll be a while."

So it really was early in the morning. Judging by the position of the sun, it was barely passed the crack of dawn. The sky was a hazy pink-orange, and the little tufts of clouds glowed pink.

Yet Raven didn't feel the least bit tired. Quite the contrary, he felt more alert and awake than he had in quite some time. He didn't know why he felt this way, but he didn't mind it all too much. He felt on top of his toes, ready to hop into battle. In fact, since it was so early in the morning…

He walked back to his tent and fished out his sparring sword. As he made his way back to the others, he contemplated whether or not he ought to spar with another; typically he sparred alone or with Bartre (though not willingly). It was a rather impulsive decision when he asked Mark if he would like to spar. The surprise wasn't suppressed by said tactician or the others around him. It was only Rath and Dorcas who looked unaffected, continuing to clean their weapons.

"Why not spar me instead?" offered Marcus. "Surely Sir Mark must be the last person here you ought to spar with."

"And why is that?" questioned Raven, cocking an eyebrow.

Marcus looked baffled. "Because he's a tactician, of course! He doesn't specialize in combat like we do! The best practice would be with a fellow fighter."

Raven looked back at Mark. "Perhaps he could use the practice. After all, an independent tactician must need to learn how to protect himself if the occasion arises, should he not?"

Mark looked amused. "You make a valid point. You need not worry about me, Sir Marcus," he added at the look Marcus gave him when he stood up, "although it's been a while, I do know how to handle a sword."

"Well, it is your decision, Sir Mark," Marcus sighed, clearly against the whole idea. "But don't make me explain to Lady Jasmine as to why you're missing an arm."

He was exaggerating, everyone knew, considering that the sparring swords were wooden and the only damage they could do would be to cause splinters. Nonetheless, Mark chuckled and told the paladin not to worry about it. Then he and Raven set off to the clearing to begin sparring.

"So," Raven said as he tossed Mark a sword, "you do know how to fight?"

"A little," Mark said. "And it's been a considerable amount of time, so bear with me."

The redhead couldn't help a smirk. "Then I'll try to go easy on you."

He stepped forth and struck his sword toward the tactician's stomach, but the attack was easily dodged. Mark slashed his own sword forth and Raven raised his to block the attack. Swiftly breaking the contact, he swung his sword toward Mark's leg and hit him in the shin. Looking annoyed and pained, the tactician jumped back and blocked the next attack. Amused, Raven decided to slow it down. It was going to be fun watching Mark struggle.

He was quite surprised when Mark suddenly charged forth and smacked his shoulder. He suddenly felt annoyed that he would even get hit once by such a foolish opponent, and smacked his sword into Mark's chest. It was harder than it should've been, especially considering Mark's inexperience, and the cloaked man was reeled back. He breathed heavily, eyes wide in surprise. Then his eyes turned into narrow slits. And that was when the real battle begun.

The air grew tense as the men circled each other. Raven dashed forth first, swinging his sword toward Mark's head, but Mark rolled—yes, actually rolled—down into the grass, popped right back up, and struck Raven in the back. Raven's eyebrows jutted up in surprise. That was it. He wasn't going to be so easy on the tactician any longer.

Twirling around, he smacked his sword against Mark's, and they began to duel. They jumped through the grass, swords hitting each other ferociously, eyes trained on each other's every moment as they battled back and forth. Occasionally they broke contact and attempted to strike the other, but they only ended up bringing the swords back together by blocking the attack.

It was with one particular smack that Raven was able to get the sword out of Mark's hand. He swiftly stepped forth and placed his own wooden sword to the cloaked man's throat. Mark raised his hands and chuckled.

"You win."

"Of course I did." He removed the sword from his neck. "I believe I'm the mercenary here." Mark chuckled and nodded. Raven's amber eyes bore into him. "Yet you were quite impressive with that sword…for a tactician."

Mark's face broke into a wide grin. "Are you complimenting me, Sir Raven?"

"It was an observation, not a compliment," he snapped. He narrowed his eyes at him. There was something off about him; about the way he'd carried himself during the battle, about his footwork, his handwork. It had been far too meticulous for a man who only knew how to fight "a little."

Mark noticed the way Raven was staring at him, and slowly began to pace through the grass. His cloak skimmed onto the grass, making it appear like his cloak extended into the grass and that he was dragging it all with him as he walked.

"Is something wrong?"

"I didn't think tacticians could fight."

Mark made a small noise through his nose that sounded like disbelief and perhaps annoyance. "You shouldn't throw all of us in one category like that. Stereotyping all of us tacticians. Of course there are ones that can fight and ones that cannot. We're not all the same."

He had a good point. Yet… "They didn't teach you that in tactician school, then?"

Mark laughed. "Not that I'm aware of." He paused in his stride, and turned to look at Raven. "If you really must know, I learned how to fight when I was young, and continued to learn through my teenage years. I hadn't been exactly bred to be a tactician, you see."

"…Bred?" He raised an eyebrow.

"Yes, bred. That's how I like to think of it."

Raven didn't respond.

"And what of you, Sir Raven?" Raven raised an eyebrow. "Were you bred to be a mercenary?"

"…Can't say I was."

"Well, nobody really is." He shrugged. "Us nobles, though—we usually come from a long line of experienced leaders of war. We're all bound to learn how to battle."

Raven stiffened slightly. Us nobles? What did…?

Mark smiled a little at Raven's expression. He stopped walking and twirled on his heels to face him. "Is there something you wish to say?"

There was a moment of silence. Then, "You intrigue me, tactician."

He laughed. "As do you."

He raised an eyebrow. "Do I?"

"Yes. Quite a lot, in fact." He put a finger to his chin and scrutinized Raven as if he was a lab rat. "It almost makes me sad to think that this will be the last time I'll be speaking to you; there was so much more I wanted to discuss with you. Ah, alas, we might see each other again. Who knows what the future holds for us."

Raven raised his eyebrows. "You're done with your little visit with us?"

"Yes, kiddo, I am." He paused and smiled slightly. "That should brighten your day, right?"

"It'll brighten my week. I don't think Jasmine will be particularly ecstatic, though."

"Probably not," chuckled Mark. "But she'll be fine. Better than fine, in fact. That girl, no, that woman…she's grown so much. I see now that she needs me no longer." He paused, and his brown eyes stared hard and straight into Raven's steely amber eyes. "She needs you more than she needs me." He smiled slightly. "Take good care of her." And although the smile was welcoming, his eyes were hard and determined; they read 'hurt her and I kill you.'

Raven furrowed his eyebrows. "What?" Why would he ask him, of all people, to take care of Jasmine?

A knowing, taunting little smirk crossed Mark's features. Much to Raven's annoyance, he didn't respond; instead, he swept up to Raven and stuck out his hand. Raven looked down at it, raised an eyebrow, then slowly extended his own hand and grasped onto Mark's. They shook hands.

"It was a pleasure getting to know you, Sir Raven. May our paths cross again."

"I hope not."

Mark smiled. "I wouldn't be so sure about that. Jasmine's wedding isn't too far off in the distant future, and I do intend on making it…"

Raven blinked at him. "What…?"

The tactician grinned widely, gave a little wave, and headed back toward camp to say his goodbyes to Jasmine. Raven stared after him, unsure of whether or not to yell at him and demand for explanations. He decided to opt out of that, and instead twirled his sword around in his hand and began to spar alone.

"Finally," huffed Serra as she plopped down on her cot. "I haven't had many chances to talk with you lately, Florina. You've been spending so much time with your sisters."

"I-I'm sorry, S-Serra," Florina said shyly, averting her eyes, but then remembering from past 'lessons' with the pink-haired girl that it was rude, she forced herself to make eye contact. Serra smiled. "I-I didn't realize…"

"That's quite alright," she said soothingly. "Besides, with all the attention I get, it must be difficult to talk to me all to myself." Florina smiled meekly. Serra patted her cot. "Come, sit."

"Thank you," she said softly as she sat down beside Serra.

"But your sisters aren't the only ones you've been spending so much time with." A tantalizing smirk crossed her features.

Florina looked genuinely confused. "W-what…?"

"Oh, don't try to act all innocent with me," Serra reprimanded. "You know exactly who and what I'm talking about."

"I-I'm sorry…I…what?"

"I'm talking about a man."

A blush crept along her cheeks. "W-what?"

"A certain pirate, in fact…"

She blushed harder.

"I want you to tell me all about it!" she squealed excitedly.

"T-tell you what?" Florina asked, toying with her fingers, face still red. "I-I don't understand."

She gave her a pointed look. "Oh, c'mon, Florina! I've seen the way you look at him!"

Her face turned even redder. "T-the way I-I look at him…? H-how do I-I l-look at him?" She was worried that she had some silly face on around him, and she certainly didn't want that.

Serra smirked at her question. "Like you absorb everything he says and that he's the only person that exists in the world."

She looked away, embarrassed. "D-do I?"

"Uh-huh. So tell me, Florina, what is going on between you two?" Her voice had become a hushed whisper, her eyes sparkling the way they did when she wanted to hear some juicy gossip.

Florina fidgeted some more with her fingers until she finally looked back at Serra. She looked embarrassed to say anything, but at the same time seemed to be dying to tell someone. "W-well…" She shifted uncomfortably. Her eyes flickered to the tent flap.

"Don't worry," Serra said reassuringly, "everybody's still out there doing…well, who knows." She waved her hand impatiently. "This conversation will stay between you and me. Just us. Nobody else."

"P-promise?"

She raised her right hand and nodded solemnly. "I promise."

Florina seemed a little less uncomfortable, but not by much. Her eyes flickered once more to the tent flap before returning her attention to Serra. "H-he's very nice to me. A-at first I-I thought he w-was intimidating a-and s-scary…b-but o-over time I realized t-that he's actually v-very sweet and f-funny. H-he…" She trailed off, smiling a bit to herself. "He makes me feel happy."

Serra raised her eyebrows; Florina's feelings toward Dart were greater then she'd thought. Then she felt a smile cross her lips. "Yeah, I see that," she said. Florina furrowed her eyebrows, confused. "I've seen you two talk often," she added, "he makes you smile and laugh a lot. I think you're more comfortable around him than most men...am I right?"

Florina smiled weakly. "I wouldn't quite say that, Serra. I...am still learning how to feel comfortable around men." She paused. "I know he means me no harm; in fact, I...I think he is always protecting me from my harm. He saved my life once, did you know? I d-don't even think he remembers…i-it was so long ago. I never even got to thank him…"

"Well this is your chance then, isn't it?" grinned Serra. Florina looked confused. "You can thank him by taking him out on a date!"

Florina's face, neck, and ears turned an outrageous shade of red. "W-What?" she squeaked, louder than usual.

"Well you do like him, don't you?"

"I-I…"

Serra raised an eyebrow and sighed, shaking her head. "Oh, come now, Florina. I knew from the moment that I saw you giggle and interact with him that there was something blooming between you two." She smirked a little. "I'm quite good at this kinda stuff, you know," she huffed. "My intuition is keen! I can name who fancies who off the top of my head!"

"Oh?" Florina asked, a little curious. "Like who?"

Serra smirked widely. "Oh, that's easy. For starters, Lyn and Lord Hector."

"No!" gasped Florina. "They argue all the time!"

"That's a sign of their passion! Trust me, they care about each other, whether either of them wants to admit it or not."

Florina looked as if she was having trouble believing and processing the news, so Serra continued to prove her point,

"I mean, Jasmine and Raven argue all the time too, but it's clear that they also fancy each other!"

Florina's eyes turned as wide as orbs. "That's impossible! They despise each other!" Their arguments were nearly as legendary as Lord Hector and Lyn's!

Serra took great pride in the fact that she could figure all of this out all on her own and impress somebody with her observations. She flipped back her pigtails.

"That's what it looks like at first glance, but when you see them keep at it, you can tell that they actually do care about each other. At first I'd thought there was something between Priscilla and Raven…but something about it was never quite right, you know? Besides, it seems as if Sain's stolen her heart…"

"Sain and Priscilla?" Florina wondered how she had never noticed any of these relationships.

Serra snickered, as if she'd just said something she shouldn't have. "Yeah, unbelievable, isn't it? But I've known for a while Priscilla fancies Sain, it was quite obvious, really. I refused to tell Sain, though, when he asked me if I knew who fancied him." She giggled again like a kid caught doing something bad. "You can't tell him, okay? This is a confidential conversation between just you and me!"

"Alright," Florina replied softly, smiling a little at how much Serra trusted her, and also smiling at the fact that she would even think that Florina would accidentally tell Sain such a thing. Although Sain could be very kind and she'd grown to trust him ever since they'd been in Caelin together, she still tried to avoid him often. He was, after all, a flirt. So she was quite sure that this conversation wouldn't slip out to him.

"As for you and Dart," Serra said with a clear of her throat, getting herself back on track, "you two are just so cute and perfect together!" Florina blushed and looked away. "I mean, he's just so gentle around you...! I was quite sure that he threatened to throw me overboard once, when we were sailing to Valor. I suppose my beauty was too much for him to handle…"

"Really?" Florina giggled a little. "It does sound like something he would do…just as a joke, though!" she added hastily. "He wouldn't have ever actually let you get harmed."

She grinned widely. "Look at you standing up for your man."

Florina blushed furiously. "H-he's not my…my…" She couldn't even say it. She was far too embarrassed to.

"With my help, he will be soon," she replied confidently. Florina looked at her questioningly. "You want to win his heart over, don't you?"

"S-Serra!" she squeaked.

"You like him, don't you? Don't you want him all to yourself? Don't you want to tell him how you feel?"

Florina flustered. "W-well…"

"Don't worry, though, because you've already done half of the work! All we have to do is set you two up on a few dates, maybe—"

"D-dates?" Florina's voice had gone an octave higher. "I can barely talk to him; how am I supposed to go on a date with him?"

"I'll help you out," reassured Serra, "but you will need to step out of your comfort zone a little." She paused. "You do like him, don't you?" Not once had the Falcon Knight admitted it. And although Serra knew that Florina was simply too embarrassed to, she had to make sure that she really did feel something toward Dart.

Florina was silent for a moment, twiddling with her thumbs. When she looked up at Serra, she had a silly little smile on her face, a day-dreamy, happy look. "Yes. Very, very much."

Serra felt a wide, genuine smile stretch across her lips. She then squealed in delight, making Florina jump, and clasped her hands together in excitement. "I knew it! Oh, I'm so happy for you!" She embraced Florina's small figure. Although taken by surprise, Florina smiled abashedly and hesitantly returned the embrace.

"Now, first things first. In order to get his attention, we're going to need to spice up your wardrobe a bit…"

"You seem happy," Raven commented. Priscilla had been smiling like a silly little girl for quite some time now, as she played with something on her wrist. His sister finally turned to him, that happy little smile still plastered softly on her face.

"That's because I am."

He didn't respond immediately. "Well, that's good."

She laughed softly. "Yes, it is. And you? Are you happy?"

"Do I look happy?"

She laughed a little louder. Across the fire, Sain's head turned toward her. "When it comes to you, I can never be quite sure."

He frowned. "What's that supposed to mean?"

She giggled. "Well, you must admit that you're not exactly the type of person to put your emotions on show. I know you well enough, though," she added at his deepening frown. "And you do seem quite happy lately."

"Do I?" he mused softly.

"Yes, especially since Mark left." Her eyes glinted mischievously. He raised an eyebrow. "I don't know why you disliked him so much. He was very nice."

Raven rolled his eyes and grumbled incoherently underneath his breath. Priscilla looked amused. "What's that on your wrist? Something bothering you?" he asked, trying to change the subject. It worked, and she looked down at her wrist. She smiled that silly little smile again.

"It's a bracelet." She raised her hand to show him. It was a charm bracelet, and on it was a charm of a feather, a star, a green emerald, and a red rose.

"It's new?" he assumed.

"Yes," she smiled. She hesitated before speaking again. "Sain gave it to me."

Raven stiffened and his eyes narrowed infinitely. Priscilla bristled at his reaction. "I see…"

"What is it?" she asked, her tone a bit sharp. "Something you want to say?"

Her defensiveness caught him off-guard, but it just made him angrier. "Yeah, there is," he snapped. "I think that buying you that bracelet is just his way of trying to charm his way into bed with you."

Priscilla's eyes widened and her mouth fell slightly at his bluntness. "How dare you?" Now that her surprise was gone, she was angry. "That's a terrible thing to say! Sain isn't like that!"

"Oh, he's not? So all this time he hasn't flirted with every single woman in this army?" He feigned innocent surprise. Priscilla's face was set and defensive.

"Just because he's a bit of a flirt doesn't mean that he's the kind of man to take advantage of women, let alone me!"

"Hah! You really still are a child, Priscilla!"

"I am not a child!" she said loudly, earning the pair a few looks. "I know what I'm doing! You just don't understand!"

"Understand? What is there to understand? The man flirts day and night like it's his occupation; you really think that receiving a bracelet makes you different from all the other woman he's wooed?"

Priscilla stood up and looked down at her brother. Her jaw was clenched and her lips drawn in a tight line. Her eyes gave her away, though. They were watery. "You can't understand because you don't know what it's like to be in love!—or love anybody, for that matter!" Raven knew instantly that she was referring to herself, for loving her as a sister. Before he had a chance to think of a response she had run off. He stared after her, dumbfound, as his comrades looked about uncomfortably. Sain, after a sharp glance in Raven's direction, called after Priscilla and chased after her.

It was silent for a long time. Finally, Raven stood up, and, trying to avoid the eyes of his comrades, stepped away from the campfire. He was immediately enveloped into the darkness, and as he strode off, the whispers suddenly sparked.

"What the hell was that all about?"

"Is she alright?"

"What happened?"

Lucius half-stood, looking back and forth to where Raven and Priscilla had departed. Serra was talking to him reassuringly, telling him that Raven simply needed some time to cool off ("He'll just snap at you if you follow him; just let him be.") and that Sain would take good care of Priscilla.

"Lucius," a voice said softly from beside him. He turned to see a confused and worried Jasmine. Her eyes were frantically searching his. He knew the question that lay behind her baby blues: should she go after him? Lucius knew that it was Raven she was concerned about.

"Go," he said, his voice barely a whisper, as he gave a small nod in the direction Raven had left. Smiling a little, she brushed passed him and disappeared into the darkness.

"This army just has too much damn drama," Hector groaned.

~x~x~x~

"Raven!" The redhead stopped abruptly. That wasn't Lucius's voice. He stood still as he heard the footsteps near him. The footsteps slowed and the heavy breathing grew louder. "Raven." Her voice was now a soft whisper, and he felt fingers gently touch his arm.

"What do you want?" he growled, probably much harsher than he should've asked, considering that she was worried enough to come chasing after him. He didn't try to get away from her touch, however.

"I want to know if you're alright." She didn't seem affected by his harsh tone.

He snorted. "What's it matter to you? I thought you thrived off my despair."

This comment made her even more concerned. She walked around so that they would be facing each other. "Don't say that." She paused, smiling a little. "I only enjoy it when I'm the cause of your torture."

His eyes met hers. His mouth curved upward for a second.

"...Do you wanna talk about it?" she asked softly, and his half-smile disappeared.

"No."

She chuckled lightly as she shook her head. "I thought you'd say that, but I had to make sure."

"...Why didn't you check on Priscilla first?" It puzzled and intrigued him; why would she come after him instead of her?

She hesitated a moment before speaking. "She's already got people watching after her." He wondered if she meant Sain by 'people', and had purposely avoided his name. "You, though..." She trailed off, seeming to have difficulty choosing how to phrase her words. "I think you need me."

His eyebrows shot up.

She needs you more than she needs me.

That old tactician seemed to have gotten that backwards.

She took his silence as a cue for her to continue, so she did. "I mean, I know you enjoy being alone, and probably think that I'm just being annoying and in the way right now, but...but sometimes you need a little push, and I'm giving you a push. I don't know what happened between you and Priscilla, and I'm not saying that I want to intrude, but—"

"I think you heard the last bit of our conversation," he grumbled. "I'm sure the entire army did."

She looked at him sadly, and he looked away. He didn't like being looked at like that. "Raven," she murmured. She seemed to have trouble saying what was coming next as she said, "I know I shouldn't be saying this, because Priscilla is such a sweetheart, but don't listen to what she said. I think...I know you're capable of love; I know you're not really black-hearted, no matter how heartless you sometimes act." He raised an eyebrow. She couldn't help a smirk. "Sorry, couldn't resist."

"So this is your way of trying to counsel an upset man, hmm?" he said softly after a moment. "It might've worked for men who had actually taken offense by Priscilla's words; I, however, do know that I'm not entirely heartless." He smirked slightly. "You might need to work on your counseling skills."

She gaped at him. "I-I can't believe you! I came all this way and you just—argh, I give up!"

She made a move to walk away but he grasped onto her wrist, twirling her back around. Her eyebrows rose in surprise.

"I'm just teasing you, woman! No need to get your skirt in a bunch." He laughed as she narrowed her eyes at him and folded her arms across her chest, apparently offended. "Fine, fine." His voice softened. "Thank you for being concerned enough to come after me."

"Of course," she said, softening as well. "I'm always here for you, Raven..." She gently placed a hand on his arm, "...whether you want me here or not." She finished with a smirk.

"Always?" His voice was slightly teasing and playful, yet held an undertone of serious concern.

"Always."

"Then stay with me just a moment longer..." He trailed a finger along her scar, stopping at her lips. Her breaths began to quicken as he cupped her face in his hands. He looked deep into her eyes, and though he saw a hint of nervousness and apprehension, he knew that she trusted him. He leaned in down toward her, eyes starting to close—

"Raven?"

They both froze and turned to see a figure walking toward them. As the lantern was raised to the figure's face, both Raven and Jasmine's mouths fell open in surprise. It was Sain heading toward them. Raven hastily tore himself away from Jasmine, and she looked at him with wide eyes.

"Jasmine?" Sain said in disbelief as he stopped in front of them, lantern extended out toward them. She turned to him, her expression one of surprise and perhaps hurt? Sain's eyes flashed toward Raven. "Is everything alright?" His voice was gravelly and dangerous.

"Yeah, I'm fine, Sain," Jasmine said reassuringly. She smiled meekly.

"Are you sure?" He looked at her now, his voice softening. She nodded.

"Yes, really. Thanks for your concern." She reached out and gave his arm a gentle, reassuring squeeze. "What are you doing out here?"

"I came here looking for him..." He trailed off, his voice suddenly taking a dangerous tone. He stiffened, his lips drawing into a tight line as he looked back at Raven.

"Ah," she said softly, "I see. Then I guess I best be off. Don't stay up too late, you hear me?" She teased, trying to diffuse the tension, but to no avail. "We have a long day ahead of us tomorrow."

"We won't be long, winter flower." Sain's voice was barely a whisper in the wind. She hesitated before smiling at him.

"Good night." She gave Raven a backwards glance before heading back toward camp. A moment of silence lapsed between the two men before Sain spoke, and his voice was barely contained outrage.

"What the hell did you say to make Priscilla cry?"

Raven felt his anger bubble instantly. Jasmine was no longer around to reel him in, so he let it go unleashed.

"None of your damn business," he snapped in reply.

"It very well is my business!"

He arched an eyebrow high. "And what makes you say that?"

"I care about Priscilla," he said softly, but it was a deadly soft, "I care about her a lot. And I really don't like the way you treated her."

"The way I treated her?" he repeated incredulously. He took a step forth so that their chests bumped lightly. "You better not be telling me that I mistreat Priscilla."

"You made her cry!" Sain roared, leaning down so that they were nose-to-nose. "Maybe you don't have feelings, but she certainly does, and you caused her a great deal of pain! So yeah, I damn well am accusing you of mistreating her!"

What happened next caught them both off-guard; Raven's fist collided hard against Sain's nose, causing Sain to go reeling back. Blood gushed out his nose and trickled down his lips and chin. His eyes flashed dangerously as he slowly wiped the blood off with the back of his hand.

"You can accuse me of anything for all I give a damn—go ahead, accuse me of being heartless, see if I care—but don't you ever, don't you ever accuse me of mistreating my sister."

"But you do mistreat her; you try to control her like your puppet, even tho—" He cut himself short suddenly, eyes wide. "Y-your sister…?"

Raven felt all his energy, all his anger, drain away. His face paled and hardened. The implications of his words, shouted out in his irrational mind, had cost him greatly. For a moment he simply swayed there, unable to move, the possibilities of consequences flying through his head.

Then, finally, he moved, sweeping past Sain, only pausing to hiss,

"Just stay away from her."

And then he was gone.

So, yeah, a lot kinda happened. Mark leaves, people are starting to notice Jasmine and Raven's relationship, Raven nearly kissed Jasmine (what the hell was that interruption for, Sain?) and oh yeah, Priscilla and Raven get in a huge fight that inevitably ends up blowing up their entire undercover-sibling-relationship. Whew. Now that's a mouthful. I suppose this is a bit more of a dramatic chapter (well, at the end, anyway) and also more on the romantic side. And this is just the beginning. Shit's about to go down soon.

Now, ahem, as for my updating schedule...I honestly have no idea when I will be able to publish next. I seriously, SERIOUSLY, need to get started on my college research and applications and yadda yadda yadda. School's starting in less than 2 weeks, and I'm really, really, screwed. Now I'm not trying to be a whiny little bitch and complain right now, it's just that I probably won't work on stories for a while after this is published. 'Cause I really, REALLY, have to start focusing on school. I'll just say that now. Maybe after apps I will be home-free...but that won't be until late December. I'm not sure how much free-time I'll have on my hands once school starts, but if it takes too long, I'll let yah know with an author's note when the next chapter will be ready. Alright?

Love you all. Thank you all for your great reviews. They always motivate me and make me wanna keep on writing. Heck, this chapter was basically published now because I didn't want to disappoint you guys; and after Guest asked me when I was going to update next, I decided I should just do it now. I didn't want to keep you all waiting in anticipation. I WILL complete this story; I simply refuse to let it hang limp and die off. So keep all those great reviews coming, guys! Thank you, thank you, thank you! You're all the best!