A sweet warm whisper in darkness ch13
All reunited once again...

Tyson, Hilary and Kevin were now sitting in the airplane that was heading toward the white tigers' village, were Ray would be receiving them. Because of the money Tyson took in his grand father's room, they could buy themselves without any problems their tickets plus some fresh clothes. The one they had were unfortunately covered with blood because of the fight of the night before. People in the plane couldn't stop watching weirdly the bruises and cuts all three of them had in the face. They actually looked like three teenagers who went to a party that turned mad or three victims of bullies. Tired of being watched like they were supernatural phenomenon, Hilary got up and started to curse and yell so loud after everybody that a flight attendant came and try to calm her. After Tyson ensured that Hilary didn't need tranquilizer pills, the lady agent went away advertising her that if she was starting that again she would take her to the captain immediately. Hilary frowned, crossed her arms and legs and slumped deeper in her seat.

They mostly stayed silent since they were in the plane. Kevin was tired and tried to get some of the sleep he couldn't have had last night, Hilary was too angry to start a conversation and Tyson was peering blankly at the window still emotionless. In fact, he was remembering those events of the night before when he saved Kevin's life. He couldn't stand the fact that he, Tyson, had actually killed not only one, but two people. Even if they were assholes, they were still human being. He never thought he could have the nerve to kill someone with his own hands. He had a flashback of when he grabbed the guy by the back of his head and smashed his face on his knee. He was still hearing his skull cracking and could still see the huge blood stain it had left of his pants. He was then remembering when he pushed the other one on the pointed rocks and the way his spine seem to have broken. He felt so bad about it because he didn't want to become a murderer, it just wasn't him.

It was Hilary who finally broke the silence and snapped loudly with a high voice that made both Kevin and Tyson to jump off their seats.

"Now tell me." She looked at Kevin. "How did you know Chris would be attacking yesterday night?"

Tyson suddenly lifted his head to look at him because it was a question that he surely wanted to be answered.

"Well...I've been...informed." He answered uncomfortably.

"What? There's somebody else who wants to escape from the gang? Who informed you?" Hilary continued.

"I don't know if I...should tell you...you'd be upset."

"What do you mean?"

"Listen...she won't...s-survive when...when Chris will learn." He stuttered slowly.

Hilary stared at her lap and whispered with a worried tone: "It can't be...her?"

"You know how she always...considered you as...her own sister she...really liked you."

"Who the hell are you talking about?" Asked Tyson puzzled.

Hilary started to cry and without answering Tyson's question she added: "What will he do if he...if he discover what she's done? Will he...will he..." She couldn't say it.

"I don't know...possibly." Answered Kevin sadly without looking at her.

Hilary slammed her head between her two palms and began to sob. Tyson didn't really know if he had to say something or try to comfort her as he didn't understand a word of their conversation. He looked at Kevin who said: "It was a really nice girl...who had...no chance...no chance at all."

"Chris' younger sister...Lana." He added at Tyson before he himself put his forehead against his palms, breathed loudly and gazed away looking devastated.

Tyson uncomfortably stared outside over the window and refused to add another word until they reached the airport only an hour later. Hilary seemed to have pulled herself together and was ready to see her and Tyson's old friend. They stepped outside the airplane and, for the first time since long ago, a great surprise was waiting for them. Ray was there, calmly waiting with Max, smiling as usual and Kai, his arms folded. Tyson couldn't believe his eyes, his best friends he hadn't seen for so long were there waiting for them. Tyson and Hilary both yelled something at the same time and started to run toward their old teammates smiling widely while Kevin, a little embarrassed walked behind. The former Blade breaker members turned their heads in their direction and also started to run to meet them. Tyson grabbed Ray's hand energetically and they both gave each other an embrace while Max was hugging Hilary.

"JEEZ! How come you two got your face screwed up?" Kai asked as he was staring at Hilary worriedly with his hands on her shoulders like a big brother.

"Long story, we'll explain later...HEY MAAAX!" Tyson pounced on Max and both of them started jumping in the air.

"Hey Hilary!" Exclaimed Ray and giving her two pecks on the cheek.

"Oh god I'm so happy to see you three...it makes a freaking LONG time!" She said happily backing off from Ray.

"You're right!" Approved Max while he menage to free himself from Tyson who was almost climbing on his shoulders.

"Hey Hiwatari!" Shouted Tyson shaking Kai's hand. "So how come you and Max are here too?"

"Well, when you called me yesterday you sounded worried so I thought I could ask them to come too." Answered Ray smiling. "Oh and who are you?" He asked kindly at Kevin, who just arrived beside them.

"Hey, he also has his face screwed up." Pointed Kai.

"This is Kevin." Hilary went on. "A friend."

"Nice to meet you and welcome," said Ray shaking his hand.

"Huh...thanks," Answered Kevin nervously.

"And where are your luggages?" Asked Max.

"Well...we don't have any...didn't have time to...Er...pack." Answered Tyson scratching the back of his neck uncomfortably as Ray gave him a deep look.

On these words, the six of them made their way out of the airport walking, talking and fooling around. For Tyson and Hilary it was just like old times, when they were passing all days with each others. If Kenny would have been with them, all old teammates would have been reunited, but Kenny was watched so it was impossible for him to come.

It was two years ago since the last time they were all together and they surely had all change. Ray was taller and still even bigger in muscles than he was before but on the other hand, he still had his long ponytail and those strange catlike features like his golden eyes. Max was almost the same with his friendly smile, except that now he grew less childish and more manly. Kai, even if he already was the tallest of the group, did grew a few inches but still looked like an anti-sociable with a 'don't-mess-with-me' kind of look. But beside these physical changes, nothing was really different between them and that's what Tyson and Hilary were enjoying the most.

After they had walk for half an hour in the forest, they arrived in front of a big lake. The White Tiger's village was so far and isolated from big cities that they had to take little boats to cross the lake to be able to enter their territory, which was situated in the middle of high mountains.

"Well, choose your rowing partner...not more than two per boats." Exclaimed Ray as he turned his head toward Tyson very quickly. "You come with me Tyson"

"Er...ok" Said Tyson who was about to ask Hilary.

"I guess every body knows how to row. If not, you can swim it's only twenty minutes from here and if you don't know how to row and to swim and you're drowning well...good bye we'll miss you" Said Ray happily.

"What are you talking about? We can row we're not girls!" Shouted Max.

"HEY! WHAT'S THAT SUPPOSE TO MEAN?" Yelled Hilary as she gave a sharp blow on top of Max's head.

"Nothing Hil, really it's just that...it's proved...men ARE stronger than women" Max put his hand in front of him defensively.

"SO WHAT? You are maybe PHYSICALLY stronger than us but mentally you are far below." She stood at her full hight with her hands on her hips with a satisfied smile on her face.

"But did you know--" Ray went on walking toward her, "--that there's more male genius than female? Look at Kenny. See? Men are also more intelligent"

"There's maybe more male genius but there's also more crazy and dumb males out there. Look at Tyson! See?..."

"HEY! YOU LITTLE! WATCH OUT WHEN..." Tyson didn't have the opportunity to finish as Hilary continued her speech to Ray.

"And trust me I won't forget to tell Mariah how sexist you acted right now" Ray dropped his smile as Hilary completely cracked into a laugh, proud of herself.

"Oh no...you won't!"

"Oh yeah? Wanna bet?"

"A bet?" Kai came between Ray and Hilary looking rather excited. "I love that, I bet fifty that..."

"Er...it was a joke I don't have money to bet" Hilary interrupted him looking weirdly at Kai.

"Okay, okay, can we climb into the boats and get going I'm STARVING" Screamed Tyson as he jumped inside the nearest boat.

"You didn't change!" Said Max shaking Tyson's head roughly.

After they had chose their partner, they all started to row on the calm lake surrounded by a huge forest. It was nothing like the city, the air smelled so fresh and the nature was so wild and beautiful. The only thing that could perturb the tranquility of this landscape was Hilary's unstoppable yells. She was paired with Max and as he wasn't very good at rowing, he was making the boat to shake dangerously which was why she was so nervous and couldn't stop screaming. Near them, Kai was actually having a conversation with Kevin who hasn't spoke much since they arrived from the plane. Far enough in front of these four, Tyson and Ray were having a serious talk about every thing that had happened. That was why Ray wanted to be paired with him.

"Now, I wanna know every thing. What has really happened to you and Hilary." He asked.

"Yeah I guess I have to tell you that now," Replied Tyson.

And he began his story by telling the weird behavior Hilary had a week ago, how distant she was with him and how she was avoiding every body's contact. He explained who was Chris and what she told about him the night they were in Hilary's room. How she met that guy at the camping and started dating him, how he became violent with her and that she wanted to leave him but mostly how he said that he would always keep an eye on her. Which he did. The next day he was actually at the same school trying to threaten her.

"But hey, I thought he was only a fucking jerk obsessed by her...that's where I was mistaken!" Explained Tyson.

He continued his story, talking about the fight he had with Chris in the school yard and the advertisement he made to him a day after with the knife when he found him with Hilary locked in a janitor room. Chris was hitting her and was trying to rape her or something like that, that's when they had their second fight. Meanwhile he had tell Hilary that she could stay at his place so she could be more in security. She would have been if Chris hadn't find where he was leaving and, at the same time, where Hilary was hiding.

"He actually put my room upside down while I wasn't at home and stuck a knife on my wall with a threatening letter...that's when everything turned mad" Continued Tyson.

Tyson explained when he woke up the next morning alone in his room with a letter written by Hilary beside his bed. A letter that was explaining that she was gone, without telling him where, to face Chris alone because she didn't want to put his life in danger again because of her. He told Ray that even if she didn't want him to search for her and to help her, he did it anyway. He turned his head quickly at Kevin and said: "that's when I met this guy". Tyson said he was walking in the city searching for Hilary as he saw that this guy was looking at him weirdly. He didn't take it seriously until he saw another boy with that same freaky look. He thought he was going paranoiac when he felt some body behind him but Kevin was really following him. So Tyson started to yell at him trying to know what he wanted from him and that was when the other weird boy came.

"Both of these guys were actually with Chris and were also searching for Hilary. So, as I wasn't giving them any answers they started to beat the shit out of me. Two against one, see what I mean and--" He was interrupted by Ray.

"Stop there! If this asshole have beat you up with one of his friend why is he there?" He asked frustrated and puzzled.

"Let me finish will you? So that's when I learned that Hilary had actually lied to me about Chris. He is in fact the leader of a well-organized street gang. A street gang that she was part of since the past two years. It is true though that she was dating him and that he started beating her but if he absolutely want her back, it's because she has to do something for them. Well I didn't talk to her yet about what it was but I have a very clear idea."

"Let me get this strait. When we were having this tournament two years ago, Hilary was part of their organization during that time? I can't believe that!"

"I know! But anyway! Kevin and the other guy wanted to kill me because they had reveal to me that piece of information but I escaped. Later Kevin was actually ringing at my front door with Hilary saying he had change! I learned that he had capture Hilary and bring her to Chris but as Chris was beating Hilary he defended her and helped her to escape."

"You're so fool it could be a trap!" Ray looked angrily at Kevin who was still having a chat with Kai.

"Well I thought at first it could be a trap but it's not. Just yesterday night we were attacked at my place and, as we were escaping, Kevin said to me to go and protect Hilary. He almost got killed by the members of his gang so I said to myself that if he really was on their side they would never have tried to stab him. Anyway, I saved him and we both escaped with Hilary. That's it, we're here now." Ray looked stunned.

"It's...unbelievable...I never thought Hilary was--" Ray was cut by Tyson.

"Don't you dare...don't you dare judge her! She WAS maybe part of them but it's because she has a heart and feelings that she left. And now she has problems because she want to live her life honestly."

"Don't worry I'll never blame her she's also my friend and I know what she represent for you"

Tyson suddenly blushed lightly.

"Well...yeah..." He whispered. "But I'm tired of all that shit, I'm having a fight almost every day now and I can't stand it anymore...anyway look at me, I maybe know martial art very well but that last two against one fight DID weakened me a lot, I got scars, cuts and bruises everywhere and I'm...scared...I hate to admit it but...they ARE a lot more than us...Chris' gang I mean...I don't want anything to happen to Hilary and we won't stand much longer against them unless you help me...now that you know everything I'm not sure you will but I'm asking it anyway."

Ray considered Tyson for a moment like he was thinking hard about all that story but finally opened his mouth.

"Anytime! Anyway you're already here right? Trust me that guy will regret what he had done," he smile and gave a gentle slap on Tyson's shoulder.

"But hey! I have to warn you...it's dangerous...I almost died, so as Hilary...these are crazy people and Chris is just cruel. I mean he's not human you know, I never saw some body act this way in all my life. In my head, I think no human being could possibly kill or hurt some body without feeling bad about it but this guy and all his gang are different...even me I...I..." Tyson's eyes were filled with tears. "I...killed two of them...yesterday...I didn't want to...but...I did...I don't want to be...like HIM...a murderer"

"Tyson listen to me! You are NOT a murderer ok? You acted very well with a lot of bravery. But now you're not alone anymore, I'm there, so as Max and Kai and even my gang will fight along with you alright?"

"Thanks...that's what I wanted to hear!" Tyson smiled.

"Old friends are back together...Hey! Wipe your eyes we're almost there" Ray stood up in the boat with an amazing agility and waved at a pink-haired girl that was standing on the land not far from them.

Ray jumped off the boat next to the girl and hugged her tightly before she turned her head and looked at Tyson who was just about to put a foot securely on the grass.

"Tyson!" She said warmly embracing him.

"Hi Mariah!" He answered before she backed off from him, griped his collar and scanned his face worriedly.

"Please don't ask!" He said to her. "Ray will explain everything to you."

"Yeah he better!" She answered giving Ray a severe look.

Kai and Kevin's boat was next to arrive. Ray introduced Kevin to her and after they shook hands, Max and Hilary's water-filled boat finally arrived to Hilary's greatest pleasure. She put a shaking foot out of it looking lightly sick while Max was proud of himself.

"At least we're there! You should thank me because you weren't a very good helper at rowing," Teased Max.

"Remind me to never climb in the same boat as you EVER!" She yelled at Max frustrated as her clothes were almost all wet.

They suddenly heard a high-pitched aggressive scream. All boys put their hands on their ears looking around them to see where came that perturbation from but their question was soon answered as the two girls literally pounced in each other's arms. Hilary and Mariah were the one who made those excited screams as they were so happy to see each other again.

"HOW ARE YA? POOR DARLING WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU?" Yelled Mariah as she put her hands on Hilary's cheek.

"FINE DON'T WORRY! I'M SO HAPPY TO SEE YOU AGAIN! HEY YOU LOOK GREAT!" Answered Hilary with the same high excited voice.

"REALLY? WOW THANKS...YOU TOO YOU LOOK ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS Y--"

"Can you girls speak even LOUDER?" Interrupted Tyson still with his hands covering his ears.

"Oh!" Said Hilary looking at him, "Sorry!" and she turned her head right away at Mariah and both of them started giggling. They then grabbed their arm and started to walk toward the village letting the boys behind with a confused look on their face.

"What the hell was that all about?" Asked Kai.

"Dunno...girls!" Answered Tyson as wordlessly as Kai.

"They never acted like that before didn't they?" Asked Ray scratching his head.

"Maybe it just make a long they didn't see each other so they're happy...well, I wouldn't call that happy though," Said Max.

"Yeah well...GIRLS! that explains everything!" Repeated Tyson.

After a quick look at each other, they laughed loud and started to walk behind the girls in the direction of the White Tiger's village. Five minutes later they were arrived. They looked around and a site of perfect beauty met their eyes. There was no cars, no pollution, no television and no annoying people. Every body was smiling at every one and they all lived in old typical houses. Ray guided them to his place where Kai and Max could drop their luggages and made them a quick visit of the village. Then they met Lee, Gary and the little brat of the White Tigers also named Kevin at the main 'street' where they had a snack. Later, the girls joined them as they were lazily sitting on the ground behind Ray's house.

"We have a plan," Started Mariah.

"Does this plan includes a huge lunch 'cause I'm STILL starving!" Asked Tyson rolling on his back on the ground with both hands on his stomach.

"Didn't you already eat something?" Asked Ray frowning.

"Hey! I'm still a growing boy I need some food!" Tyson replied smiling.

"Well I don't think you grew much since last time...except your belly that is in real expansion" Teased Max.

"HEY! ARE YOU SAYING I'M FAT?"

"Yes he is," Said Hilary exasperated "But never mind that now. Why don't we all go for a swim at the lake? Mariah and I thought about it"

"Yeah it could be great!" Answered Ray.

"I agree! Like that Tyson could even burn some calories" Said Max standing up and putting himself beside the girls.

"WATCH OUT WHEN EVERYBODY'S BACK IS TURNED, I'LL DROWN YOU" Yelled Tyson showing his fist.

"I agree with Max," Said Kai standing on his feet folding his arms across his chest.

Tyson instantly put a hand on his stomach and looked at the little group walking away toward the lake. Kevin and Ray also stood up ready to follow them as Tyson got hold of Ray's forearm.

"What?" Asked Ray.

"Well two things...first, I do NOT have a bathing suit."

"Who cares? Me neither and I swim anyway with my boxers."

"Right...and second...er...am I fat?"

Ray looked at Tyson with a grin on his face thinking he was maybe joking but as he was very serious Ray just laughed loud at him and walked away saying: "Come on idiot!"

Tyson finally followed the group and when he arrived at last, the girls were all ready in their bikinis (Hilary had burrowed one to Mariah). He was happy to discover that he wouldn't be alone with Ray without bathing suit, only Max seemed to have thought about it. He even wore it under his clothes just like he had plan this all day long. The girls did have a great idea because it was a real hot sunny day. They all sat on the grass that was facing the lake where they could also see a beautiful water fall on the opposite side of it. The atmosphere was so peaceful and quiet it was almost a dream. Tyson was happy to have sort of a vacation where he could just relax without bothering about Chris' activities while Hilary was feeling kind of released because she knew that it would probably take a long time before they could find them.

Kai was laying down on his back with his eyes closed, Ray was fooling with Mariah like two lover birds who did not seem to realize there was people around them, Max was the one who was making all the noise while he was in the water with Kevin, Hilary was sitting peacefully looking at the water falls and Tyson was just staring at her. She knew he was and was actually enjoying it. She sometimes turned her head toward him and smiled which was making him so uncomfortable. After a minute or so she asked Mariah if she wanted to go in the water with her. She agreed and kissed Ray before joining Hilary, Max and Kevin in the lake. Tyson stopped staring at Hilary and turned his head to talk to Ray who had take off his t-shirt. A weird bruise could be seen on his shoulder just beside his neck.

"Have you been bitten by an animal?" Asked Tyson.

"What?" He looked at it, "Oh that! Well, yeah a wild frustrated pink-haired animal"

"Er...You mean Mariah bitted you?" Asked Tyson lifting one eyebrow.

Ray looked at Tyson very seriously and said: "As a matter of fact she did...I teased her and she turned mad."

"Right!" Tyson looked away, "I never met people as crazy as you guys are...anyway!"

"I'm not crazy! She is...when she's angry...she's violent but it's so funny."

"OK!" Tyson tried to not imagine the scene of Mariah frustrated bitting Ray's shoulder as hard as an animal. He instead turned his head toward a normal person. Kai was apparently asleep but Tyson didn't mind to wake him up.

"Hey! You seem to be friend with Kevin pretty well," said Tyson who actually realized that weird fact. Normally Kai was an anti-sociable. He opened his eyes to look lazily at Tyson.

"Well, we just have lots in common. You see, he told me he didn't have an easy childhood, he has been betrayed by one of his family members...just like me...by my grand father you know."

"Oh! Yeah? What happened?"

"Well, I don't know the whole story but it sounded like this. When his mother died his father, who was a cop, took charge of him and his brother. The policeman was in fact having illegal activities and was using young people to do so. So since their younger age they have been trained very well for fighting, steeling, spying...anyway you get the point. When Kevin was five years old his father was nominated police chief inspector; a very well respected job and from this point, his father started to employed them to do his dirty business. So Kevin actually worked for this guy until his brother turned eighteen. Because when his brother came of age he became the leader of his own organization which was protected by the father and in which Kevin was part of. A pretty weird story from my point of view but well, my grand father did the same with me."

Kai closed his eyes again as he finished his long speech while Tyson looked like he had seen a ghost. He looked from Kai to Kevin, still in the lake with wide eyes.

"Didn't he say anything else? Names?" Asked Tyson.

"Nah he didn't," answered Kai as emotionless as ever.

Kai maybe thought Kevin's story was similar to his own but Tyson thought he understood more that he did. It was almost impossible and he wasn't so sure if he was right but wanted to be. He stood up angrily and walk rapidly toward the lake. He did not pay any attention at Ray who had pronounced his name puzzled nor at Kai who had ask something that sounded like: "What's wrong?". He continued his walk in the direction of Kevin that was floating peacefully on his back and reached the water. When he was deep enough in it he started swimming until we was beside him. He angrily gave a slap on Kevin's chest making his face drowning just a little. As Kevin's head was in the water he started to agitate his arms very energetically as Tyson scared him. He resurfaced taking a deep breath.

"SHIT! ARE YOU CRAZY?" Yelled Kevin at him still in shock but Tyson payed no attention to what he had done and pushed Kevin roughly.

"Hey! What's your problem?" Asked Kevin again but more softly this time. Tyson pushed him again.

"My problem? ARE YOU SURE IT'S ME WHO'S GOT A PROBLEM?" Said Tyson at once.

"What are you talking about?" Kevin tried to calm Tyson but this one didn't want to drop his anger.

"AND WHAT ABOUT YOU MR.CHRIS' FUCKING BROTHER!" He jerked at Kevin who stared at him blankly.