"That... that was wierd." Murmurred Iwa Hoshi into the contents of her steaming cup of java, the heat empowered steam dancing in the midnight sky. Her brown eyes softened as her flittered in the wind above the azure headband she wore. "But anything is worth trying once."

"Yum!" Agreed Kumori, downing an extra mocha-super-hyper-java EX plus cup of her own.

Crimson attempted to drink his own cup, patting easily the largest, fattest wallet known to man(and women) kind. "I have never made so much money in one day... ever.." he grinned. "Sure beats flipping burgers."

Victoria winked, sipping her own drink she had brought with her. "Ya betcha, wild man."

"Indeed." Chuckled Volpe, tossing an evenly stuffed wallet on the table in front of him.
*CA-PUNK!*
"Whoops."
*CRASH!*

"Hmmm.. bad idea, methinks." Volpe grinned as he retrieved his wallet from the now collapsed wreckage of the table. He absently flicked the spilt coffee from his hand, with a grin.

"Where's Dan, Karin, Shockwave and the others?" pondered Lilly, declining the caffiene enriched product from a young waitress.

Crimson glanced at her departing form, then grinned. "I give her a 9."
"7.5 and 3/4, rounded to the most confusing number." answered Volpe.

"You have got to be kidding. What could possibly be wrong with her?"

Volpe sighed, and grinned. "Not enough muscle tone, alas. And I have yet to hear the young woman laugh."

"Laughter is that important to you?" Inquired Yang, leaning easily against a lamppost, casting a hand out randomly. "And the others are preparing for the second wave of the tournament."

Kumori jumped up, pointing her finger dramatically towards the glowing moon. "Laughter is none other than the music of the soul!" She grinned. "Isn't that what you said, Volpe-sama?"

"Affirmative, lass."
Lilly Yin gave our hero the fisheye as Yang walked up next to her. "Is that so?"
Aaron just grinned.
 

"The following match will be Our new entry Shockwave and Dan Hibiki vs. Dhalsim and T. Hawk!" Announced the perfectly anonymous referee.

"Wait a minute!" snapped Shockwave, jagged hair wavering out of sheer distaste. "T. Hawk lost to Cody last week!.. How can he be fighing again?"

Dan Hibiki nodded thoughfully from the sidelines, his single hair flapping in the breeze.

"Due to a massive change in the tournament structure all previously eliminated fighters are once more active. Any such contestant need to check the roster at the main complex for their future matches!" Having said that, the anonymous referee guy waved a really big flag in front of the two that were in the ring, Shockwave and Dhalsim.

"Do your best Shockwave, ally of Saikyo-Ryuu!" Cheered Dan from alongside his chosen partner. "Stomp them into a less than mighty gelatinous paste!"

Shockwave grinned evily. "Now that I can do.."

Dhalsim gave a nod to his wife in the background.

"Good luck." T. Hawk stood at his full seven foot something height, grinning.
"HAJAME!!" Screamed the ref.

Shockwave didn't hesitate for a half a second. Well okay, maybe a half of a second, but little more than that. He looked at Dan.

Dan laughed. "You just keep the corner warm. I'll finish this before you know it." Clambering on the stage, Dan suddenly realized that a huge, solid object was blocking the sunlight, casting a shadow on him. He looked up, only to see his opponent, twice as buff and an arm's length taller than him.

"Oh man..."

Dan stood and blinked, unsure of whether to attack, prepare to defend himself or taunt. THawk faced no such problem. Lumbering forward, the native American had Dan by the throat in half a second.

"Gaakk!" Dan gurgled as THawk lifted him up. A chop to the neck did nothing. Kicks to the abdomen were equally ineffective. With a slight grunt THawk drove his fist right into Dan's face, knocking the smaller fighter clear across the fighting ring.

ShockWave rolled his eyes.

Dan picked himself up, his fist held in trademark flexing position despite the massive bruise on his left cheek. "Not a bad attack for a loser, you moron. Now TRY MINE FOR SIZE! GYAAHH!!" With a roar Dan catapulted off into the air, straight at his opponent with a flurry of kicks. "DAN DAN KICK! URUSEI!!"

THawk received the three flying kicks to the face stoically, blocking them as best as they could. The third and final kick booted him atop the head, forcing THawk off-balance. Grinning, Dan landed in a crouch, his forearm quivering at a dazed THawk.

"Saikyo!!!"

THawk stood up, brushing the dust off his vest as the corners of his mouth tugged slightly upwards into a smile. "Good... very good." He was much more aware now. Advancing on the spunky Saikyo-ryu master again, THawk raised his arms, preparing to grab his opponent...

"Gadou Ken!" THawk distinctly felt an uncomfortable burst of heat smacked his chest, stunning him for a split-second before he recovered, and proceeded with his grab. Pulling Dan's shoulder towards him, THawk locked his opponent down before slamming an elbow painfully into Dan's jaw, then again, and again, and again...

"Rrrrkkk!"

"Aaaagh!!!" THawk roared in pain as Dan fastened his jaw tightly around his forearm and chewed viciously. Releasing his grip on Dan's neck and shoulders, THawk swung his arm wildly about, trying to shake off the persistent pink fighter that stubbornly refused to let go....

ShockWave looked at the teeth marks on his titanium quarterstaff, then back at the two onstage fighters while chuckling softly. THawk finally grabbed Dan's head and slammed it on the mat, forcing Dan to loosen his deathgrip. But Dan had other plans. Rebounding off the mat, Dan crouched, then launched himself into the air, fist tucked against THawk's gut while the latter was busy nursing his arm.

"Kou Ryuu Ken!!!!" Dan screamed as he ascended, impaling THawk atop his fist. Both fighters landed simultaneously, Dan first, THawk a split-second later. Drawing back, Dan grinned, ignoring the blood streaming down from his broken head as his palms glowed with an ominous reddish/orangey light. "Variable Combo... SHINKUU GADOU KEN!!"

THawk grimaced as Dan's projectile hit him right in the face, punting him over like an oversized skittle and causing him quite an amount of pain. He struggled to stand, but one knee buckled out from under him.

"G'day, folks."

THawk opened one eye to see Dan's partner towering over him, his left hand slung lazily in a pocket as the other clutched a very unpleasant-looking beating stick...

*WHAP*

Dan lost his balance in mid-air and landed with a loud 'thump' on the grass, sending a spray of blood flying everywhere from his broken head. Grinning weakly, the last thing he remembered was someone yelling for a medic as he blacked out...

THawk responded, albeit reluctantly, to ShockWave's under-the-jaw swing by performing an ungraceful backflip on his back upon contact with the shiny beating stick. ShockWave looked at the battered warrior and clicked his tongue.

"Go on... tag out. You're in no condition to..."

Dhalsim promptly appeared in front of him. ShockWave blinked. "Well, that was quick."

"Yoga."

"No thanks, I prefer yoghurt... Aaaahh!!" ShockWave was cut off in mid-sentence as a ball of fire was launched at him. Sidestepping, ShockWave swung his staff a few times menacingly at Dhalsim, who raised a fist.

ShockWave frowned.

Instantly the length of Dhalsim's arm increased five times as the fist sped towards ShockWave. ShockWave reacted instinctively, aligning himself vertically with Dhalsim as the fist passed him harmlessly. The other fist followed, aimed for ShockWave's face this time, but bounced harmlessly off ShockWave's weapon. In the blink of an eye the Kai warrior retaliated, sending a blow down on Dhalsim's arm. The arm faltered, but didn't respond with the snap of breaking bones as ShockWave had expected... feeling more like, like... the soft sensation of hitting a foam mattress?!?

ShockWave pulled back, alarmed as the fist wound back, smacking him upside the head. Dhalsim increased the tenacity of his blows, the speed and strengh increasing with every passing second until ShockWave was struggling to defend himself against an endless vortex of fists and feet. It was then did he realize than wielding a long staff against such a unique opponent left him at a considerable disadvantage, making it much harder for him to maneuver between Dhalsim's limbs. Cursing, he flipped an arm over Dhalsim's wrist, grabbing it, but instantly another one and a feet locked him down...

>C.R.A.P!!<

"Yoga Fire!"

Spitting out some unmentionable words in Chinese dialect, ShockWave rocked back and forth, slamming multiple blows against Dhalsim's limbs that would have shattered the bones of normal fighters. Nothing. Dhalsim simply absorbed the force of the blows like as if he was made from water...

The fireball hit straight on target just as Dhalsim released his opponent. ShockWave was forced back a few metres as the projectile burst into a shower of flames, stunned, as Dhalsim sent another kick to his head, hitting him on the left cheek and sending him into the ropes. The stinging sensation brought ShockWave to his senses instantly as he countered two more blows aimed at his mid-section.

"QUARTET WAVE!"

Dhalsim teleported away from the path of the incoming projectile, reappearing a few feet to the right. Grinning, ShockWave dashed in immediately, batting Dhalsim with a single strike across the torso, followed by a whole barrage of lightning-quick poking attacks all over the Yoga master, the final hit sending him off his feet.

"Quartet Step.." ShockWave promptly disappeared in a dark blurr, preparing for Dhalsim's descent. Watching as his opponent lightly flipped in mid-air, ShockWave chuckled softly to himself, winding his staff backward for a blow that would send Dhalsim flying clear out of the ring...

Then Dhalsim disappeared.

The realization that his opponent had teleported again occurred to ShockWave with a considerable amount of surprise. Spinning around, he promptly found himself face-to-face with Dhalsim, who was in the process of gathering a glowing sphere of red fire.

"Yoga..."

>Damn damn damn damn damn damn damn damn DAMN!!!!!<

".. INFERNO!!"

Unspeakable pain shot through ShockWave as Dhalsim's Yoga Inferno attack scored a direct hit. >Hot!< was the word that echoed through ShockWave's mind, his clothing starting to blister and burn. Instantly his Kai Discipline of Huntmastery regulated his body temperature, affording him limited protection from the steady stream of fire directed at him, but all the same, it was pure torture...

Dhalsim watched as his opponent fell down, unconscious, on the mat.

*Whhooosh!*

*Capunk!*

*Rattle rattle rattle WHOP!*

"ANOTHER! NOW!" The vender wasn't sure, but he could swear the odd guy in red pajamas was foaming at the mouth. He hurridly attempted to procure yet another set of baseballs...
 

"Isn't Natalie due some time?" Iwa querried, reclining easily in her chair.

Volpe nodded. "So the lass hath spoken, or rather, her mighty note of justice decreed to meet us all here at such time." He proffered the neatly scripted note towards the group with a grin. "Yet I wonder... Greetings Ayame-chan and Kaze-san!"

"Wuz up?" smiled Crimson.

"Hello Volpe-sama!" Ayame literaly bounced towards the group, giving them a random selection of hugs and pecks on the cheek, and not neccesarily in that order. "Hello everyone! I had such a fun time tonight! Wai! Wai!" The young woman danced in the air without a partner for a few seconds, then grinned with a flushed face. "Sempai!"

"Hai?" Kaze grinned sheepishly. He hiccuped. "Good wine, guys."

"Dance with me!" Ayame laughed and took Kaze's hands in her own, and began to twirl about.

"Um.. I.. don't know.." Kaze stopped as soon as he saw Crimson, Lilly, Victoria and Kumori pointing at Volpe, who waved frantically out of Ayame's field of vision.

Kay blinked.

Then Volpe whipped out a broom from the nearby closet, setting it in front of him.

Kay blinked again.

Volpe then slowely put one beefy arm around the middle of the broom, holding it just a little below waist level. The other hand was in the air like it was touching something.

Ayame's eyebrow twitched. "Sempai.."

Victoria chucked a spoon at the back of Kaze's head, gaining his attention again while smiling sweetly. She then jabbed a butternife at Volpe's direction again.

What could--

Volpe began to sway gently with the mop, easily lifting his feet and rotating around the same general area. Pointing to Ayame, he then nodded to Kay.

Kay grinned, placing his hands as Volpe directed, finding Ayame smiling and doing much the same. Then the two began to dance.

Once again the beautiful note of an ornate flute pierced the night sky, causing both to smile into eachothers slightly intoxicated faces. Lilly smiled.

Volpe ceased his dancing, saluting Kay with a smile. Setting the mop gently down he closed his eyes, murmuring something nobody else could understand. Crimson and Kumori blinked, as well as everybody else. They had never seen him do this before.

Kay and Ayame danced.

Aaron's silver green eyes snapped open with a grin, stretching his hand out towards the night sky. Instantly a gentle, warm breeze enveloped everybody nearby, causing their hair and clothes to dance as well.

Kay and Ayame twirled on the simple dirt floor.

Kumori, not to be outdone, traced a circle in the sky and brought her hands sweeping across the ground. Then the moon became a little brighter, enveloping all in the pale, yet beautiful light.

Kay and Ayame smiled, looking into each others eyes.

Volpe grinned, taking Iwa's hand into his own, startling the young woman. He shushed her responce with a single finger to the lips. With her finger he traced a pattern in the lake, then rose his hand up with hers into the night sky. Small spheres of light rose from the water, spinning around the couple in perfect syncronization with the music.

Crimson poked Lilly with the tail end of his broom, pointing then at Yang. He grinned. Lilly gestured with her free hand at her flute.

Kumori smiled, bowing to an unseen person, her hands glowing softly in the night. Then to Lilly's amazement the flute floated on it's own, readily continuing the song.

Yang grinned, bowing low indeed. The lady Yin took his hand in her own and then, they too began to dance merrily.

Victoria Enid pursed her tantalising lips in thought, then smiled at the dancing couples. Then to their amazement the dancing duo's began to float softly in the night sky, lights twirling around in glee.

It was easily the most beautiful sight Crimson, as well as the others, had ever seen in their entire lives.

Victoria scrawled a small note on her napkin, setting it on the table.

"I have to go for my match." It read.

Iwa scrawed a note of her own. It read simply, "Good luck."

Volpe and Crimson drew smiley faces, Kumori a heart. Accepting the napkin back Victoria waved, then set off to depart after viewing the dancing couples with a contented sigh.

The referee slowly stepped into the fighting ring, observing the unmoving ShockWave.

"Looks like we have a winner, folks. The match goes to.."

"OSSHHHHH.... aaaugh.." Dan taunted, albeit weakly as he entered the ring, shaking a fist at the announcer. "Saikyo! Dan is not defeated yet! Make way, for the match goes on!"

The announcer looked at Dan, bandages and all, and shrugged. "Suit yourself," he mumbled as he turned to step down. "Remember, though, we don't provide health insurance schemes here."

Dan ignored the announcer, continueing to taunt Dhalsim instead. "Oshaa!! Reshuu! Za ken na!! Ikuze! Yattai gomene Saikyo-su..."

Dhalsim returned with a blank stare, watching as Dan leapt, walked and rolled, slowly covering the distance between them. Crouching, Dan taunted again, then leapt up into the air...

"Dan Dan KICK!!"

A very surprised Dhalsim was nailed with three flying kicks to the head, getting thrown off his feet as the final hit hit him straight in the chest.

"You should have hit me back there, sucker!"

Keeping that information at the back of his mind, Dhalsim rose quickly, throwing a few quick punches to keep Dan away. Dan merely smiled as he vaulted over Dhalsim's fists, then slammed an axe kick down at Dhalsim's outstretched limb.... resulting him discovering the fact that freaked out ShockWave less than five minutes ago. Dhalsim's arm bent readily under Dan's heel, who sweatdropped.

"Uh oh."

"Yoga Flame!"

Dan groaned, rubbing a hand over his already injured head just as a shadow loomed over him. Dan looked up, only to see a mid-air Dhalsim descending on him in a drill. Dan scuttled back on all fours, narrowly dodging the attack as Dhalsim landed. Squealing, Dan rolled back on his feet just as Dhalsim spat another fireball, leaping up over the Yoga Fire and landed smack dab in front of Dhalsim.

"Todome... DAIYA!! [This is the finishing blow!!]" Dan yelled. Before Dhalsim could recover, something grabbed him in a dead shoulder lock from behind... "OTOKO MICHI!"
 
 

The crowd roared as the four warriors stepped on to the ring, each team from opposite sides.

The referee motioned for the first two opponents to step up. Victoria and Karin looked at each other. Balrog announced he would be first.

With a cocky smile, Karin addressed Victoria "Let me go first, ok?" Victoria nodded.

Karin told the referee she'd go first. The referee nodded. Both combatants entered their stances.

Balrog looked at Karin and smirked "This'll be a piece o' cake, I'll rip this little girl apart" He thought and chuckled.

Vega saw this and shook his head "You are so stupid Balrog. You are underestimating a foe, though that is predictable of someone as feo (ugly) as you. I hope you can back up your stupidity with your strength".

The referee raised his hands and whistled. Balrog smiled and dashed forward swinging his fist in a wide arc, Karin ducked under the punch and palm struck the boxer with her left hand, then she punched his abdomen with her right fist and finished the short combo with a kick to his face.

Balrog backed away; he smiled and dashed forward again. Karin blocked low, But Balrog didn't attack her abdomen instead he hit her chin with a jarring uppercut.

Karin was dazed and he added a straight punch to her face, as he dashed to continue she sidestepped and kicked at his feet, Balrog was tripped and Karin took her distance.

Balrog got to his feet and lunged again, Karin raised her arm and blocked his attack, then in great speed she nailed him with an elbow that sank deep into his abdomen, she then punched him 4 times with an alternation of her fists and finished the combo with a straight kick to his nose.

Balrog reeled backwards but he recovered quickly and slammed his fist into Karin's chest forcefully, Karin felt the air being knocked out of her lungs. Balrog grinned through bloody features and swung his fist again. Karin managed to dodge and then she tried to back away but Balrog didn't relent.

He continued swinging wildly, Karin was fumbling but managed to block his offense, She felt her forearms start to hurt. She needed some time to think. An idea formed in her mind.

Balrog hook punched at her face. Karin ducked and then grabbed Balrog's shirt. She then kneed his abdomen twice and flipped him over her shoulder. She then jumped backwards. Balrog landed on his back.

He got up and snarled, "This is getting annoying. Time to show this little girl who's the best"

Balrog thought and rose to his feet. He approached Karin and punched her head. Karin blocked and swung her foot towards Balrog's face. Balrog dodged and aimed a punch towards her stomach; Karin swatted the punch and aimed an elbow towards Balrog's solar plexus. It hit home and Balrog groaned.

Karin then palm struck his nose, punched his abdomen and kicked at his chest. Balrog blocked the kick and dashed forward. He rammed his forehead into Karin's. She reeled and held her head. Balrog lunged nailing her with a punch. He then pulled his fist back..

Karin shook her head. She spat a surge of blood and lunged forward nailing Balrog with a kick to the chest. She then continued by adding a kick to his face. She ignored her dizziness and attacked.

She punched his upper body 4 times with an alteration of her fists. Two to the chest one to the abdomen and then finished it with a powerful palm strike to his face.

Balrog reeled backwards wiping his now bleeding nose, He looked at her his eyes full of murderous intent, He roared and punched at her, Karin blocked the dash but was pushed backwards.

Karin was panting, "I hate to admit it, but this guy's strong. I gotta nail him good and fast,
I can't keep this up for long" Karin thought. Balrog channeled his Chi and roared dashing forward. Karin sensed his Chi and gulped, she jumped over Balrog, Balrog growled in Frustration as his Gigaton Blow missed. He was now exhausted from the loss of Chi and wounds He turned to try and protect himself. Karin breathed heavily

This is my chance, She thought and gathered her Chi and dashed forward and Started punching Balrog her body glowing in blue momentarily before the beginning.
 

Balrog didn't manage to block, Karin started punching him with Chi empowered fists, She hit his chest three times, then she punched his face four times, two straight, a hook punch and an uppercut.
 
 

Balrog was sent backwards then Karin propelled herself forward, She hit his chest with her extended foot, Then she nailed his head with a jarring Kick, Balrog felt pain explode in his face as the kick connected.
 

He fell backwards and fainted. Karin breathed heavily and The crowds cheered.
The referee had some people drag Balrog away. Vega looked at the Boxer and shook his head in disgust. "Pathetic performance Balrog, Master Bison won't be pleased", He thought and flexed his shoulders.

Victoria eyed Karin's condition. The girl could obviously fight no longer. She motioned for the blonde to step out of the ring but Karin would not comply.

"Let me fight Karin! You're hurt!"

An arrogant smile returned to Karin's face. She nodded to the referee and remained in the ring.

Rage yawned.

"Hush", Vicky conversed with her "evil" self.

Sorrow sighed somewhere inside Victoria's mind.
 
 

Rage said, annoyed by Joy's hyperactivity.

"…." Victoria said.

Victoria imagined Joy making balloon animals, much to Rage's dismay. Scary.

Sorrow mourned for some unknown reason.

Rage popped some very disgustingly cute balloon animals with her very handy daggers.

Victoria was snapped back into the real world by the sound of a whistle.

Vega entered the ring in a somersault. His metallic mask hid his beautiful face. His cold blue eyes were focused on Karin and under his mask he grinned wickedly.

Victoria looked worriedly at her companion.

"She can't face Vega like that he'll make mincemeat out of her", she thought.

Rage yawned again.

Karin looked at Vega. Her body quaked in pain with every breath. "I can't possibly win, but I'll give him the best I can"
Karin gathered her strength and lunged forward. Vega eyes narrowed in concentration and he leapt over her. The minute he landed he jumped again and slammed a kick to her back. Karin fell to the ground from the force of the blow.

She rose to her feet and wiped the sweat off her forehead, Vega lunged forward swinging his clam arm, Karin ducked and punched at him. He swatted her punch and slammed his elbow into her forehead. He then flipped backwards while nailing Karin's chin with his feet.

Karin absorbed the blow and flew backwards. She rose to her feet and dashed forward with the remainder of her strength. Vega absorbed a kick to the chest. He then blocked a wild swing and grabbed Karin and picked them both into the air.

Vega flipped them both and suplexed Karin onto the ground. Karin groaned and tried to get up, but her body didn't comply. She exhaled and looked at Vega raising his hand. She then fell unconscious.

Victoria ran over to her knocked out partner and watched in concern as the medics carried her away for some medical assistance.

"Espero que estes lista para morir (I hope you are ready to die)"

"No tan lista como tu debes estarlo (Not as ready as you should be)"

"A little overconfident, aren't we belleza? We'll see if your blood decorates my claw with the same beauty you now hold."

A whistle echoed though the air.

Victoria blew some hair out of her face and attacked first with her Soul Daggers technique. Vega easily leapt over the attack.

The daggers levitated back to Victoria and she sheathed them.

Victoria anticipated a jump kick, but instead, Vega landed and hit her with a strong kick to the abdomen. Then he thrust his claw forward. Victoria sidestepped and shouted "Tornado kick". Vega was unable to block as Victoria started spinning. She stabbed his body with four kicks. Then she leapt upwards while

Shouting "Soul uppercut" and hit him with the rising fist.

Vega was forced off the ground, but he landed on his hands and flipped himself forward hitting the surprised Victoria with a powerful jump kick.

Victoria reeled backwards and Vega attacked. He punched her face forcefully and then elbowed her chest. Victoria bent forward and he kicked her face whipping her head back and then he slashed at her abdomen, his claws tearing the fabric of her clothes and flesh alike. Victoria winced in pain and momentarily held her stomach

Vega rolled forward, hitting Victoria in the process.

"Dios mio (my God), he's so fast and that claw... I've got to try even though it's a long shot..." Victoria thought as he stopped. With great effort, she managed to deflect the thrust of his claw.

Victoria procured her daggers and looked at him tiredly.

"Payback time", she said and dashed forward.

Vega went wide-eyed. Victoria shouted "Dagger frenzy" and started swiping her daggers with great speed. Vega tried to deflect as many blows as he could.

He blocked one swipe only to be hit by another; Vega managed to block 4 swipes. Then Victoria slammed a powerful roundhouse into his face, making the Spanish ninja loose his precious mask. He reeled and backed away. He was bleeding from a deep gash on his chest, one on his left shoulder and two on each ribcage.

Victoria was weak; the loss of blood was making her dizzy. She gazed at Vega and he at her, their gaze locked. Both knew the next move would determine the match. Victoria had an idea

"I can do this...I have to" She thought.

Vega looked at her and licked his lips hungrily. His beautiful body was slashed and carved, "I don't care about Bison, I'll kill her for this insult" He thought and flipped backwards.

He planted his feet on the wall. Victoria channeled her soul energy. Vega propelled himself forward; his claw extended, aiming at Victoria's neck. Victoria cupped her hands and prayed to God her idea would work..

She waited until he was close enough before unleashing her Power while shouting "Soul blast". The blast clashed with the airborne Vega. He cried in pain as the blast slammed into his body.

He then landed on his back unconscious. Victoria held her crucifix in one hand and bowed in front of the fallen warrior, before collapsing to her knees. She lifted a silent prayer to the heavens and then spoke "If you cannot find your inner peace, you'll never be a true warrior".

Oddly enough, Rage agreed with her.

Lilly Yin blinked at her flute, examining it with a wry grin.

"It's safe, Yin-sempai!" Kumori giggled. "Honest!"

Ayame grinned, gazing at the full moon. "That was the most fun I have ever had!" She took Kay's hand to her own, yanking the young trackstar/martial artist within arms length.

"Erk!"

"Kay-sempai.." Ayame gazed at him with her luminous eyes. "Thank you. That was the best song I have ever heard!" She danced idly to the notes still in her head, Lilly, and Yang watching on with easy smiles.

"Perchance, lady, if ye like that blessed music so much.." began Volpe.

"..Then I see no reason not to make it your own song." Lilly grinned. "For the two of you of course," she chuckled.

"Really?!" Ayame's eyes were as big as saucers.

"Really."

"Wai!! Wai! Waai! Wa-aguhh!" the young woman faltered, loosing her footing in the loose gravel. Within the blink of an eye Kay caught the young anime style vixen without even thinking twice...

...Then it registered who, and more importantly, what he was holding.

"I.. um...er..." Ayame just looked at him, smiling. Kay sighed. "Hello, Ayame-chan."

She smiled back. "Hello Kay-sempai! Guess what I forgot to do today?!"

Kay gently began to set her back down. "Dunno. What?"

"THIS!!" And with that Ayame pounced atop the suprised Kay Lee, kissing the young man pationately on the lips.

(((((((((((((((((((
 

"Volpe.. I've seen you do some stunts, man, but how did you manage that?" Crimson shook his head. "I've never seen anything like that.."

Aaron grinned. "There are more things possible in this glorious land then launching aptly named chi blasts at one anothers heads. Nay, there is life, there is a certain magic, everywhere and with everything. Ye need only tap it.."

Kumori looked at the burly Investigator with a sidelong glance. "Sorta ditto there... just a bit different in my case."

Crimson blinked. "I don't get you man." He smiled. "But maybe once in a while that's a good thing." He pointed at the intertwined couple just a short distance away. "There's diffinately some kind of magic in the air, though. Heh. Victoria did teach her a thing or two though.." He laughed.

"Indeed." Volpe examined his heavy combat boot for a fraction of a second. "Friend. I have a task for you."

"Huh?" Crimson dusted off his pants idly, grinning. "Waz up?"

"Ye won't like it."

"So what, that never stopped me before."

"Nay, ye really, really, really won't like it."

"Volpe-sama, tell him before I ignite your last set of clothes on fire.." began Kumori sweetly.

He chuckled. "I see. Well, what I need is-" he paused. Volpe's grin falterd for a half a second.

"Stop stalling Volpe-kun" began Lilly testily. "You know-"

"GET DOWN!!" screamed Aaron, pushing Kumori and Crimson away from him, where they collided into Lilly and Yang in an entangled heap.

*KACROOOOOOOMM!*

*BUDABUDABUDA!!*

Then the bulding behind Volpe exploded, raining shrapnel everywhere the eye could see, followed by the sounds of a high powered machine gun being fired, the heavy bullets tearing into the fighters form as he collapsed, his blood quickly drenching the mist covered pavement in its own unique design.

Off into to the distance, Kay screamed.

"AYYYYAAAAAMMMMMEEEEEEEE!"