"Tyson, don't lean in so close, you know what happened last time." Mr. Tate said, pulling the teenager back.
"But...B-but-"
"Tyson, just listen- would you?" Rei said, starting to get annoyed at his younger friends behaviour. The boy pouted and leaned back in his chair.
"Where the hell am I?" she slurred. A hand shot to her head, which was pounding.
"Your at my house!" Max stated cheerfully. "Kai found you all unconcious like, and brought you back- aint it sweet?!"
The girl groaned in pain, the boys chirpy voice was like a pressure drill boring a hole through her brain.
"Maybe you shouldn't talk so loudly, Max." his father said reasonably. Max nodded and smiled sheepishly.
"Who are you? I still dont understand where I am..."
"You passed out, those soldiers- or whatever they were- almost caught you in my warehouse." Kai said, eyes closed- leaning up against the wall. "It's a good thing I'm in a good mood today, or you would've been caught." He smirked and opened his eyes.
"You, Kai? In a good mood? I find that very hard to beleive," Tyson said, eyeing the other boy with disbeleif. Kai ignored him.
"Soldiers....?" the girl asked. "Oh...I guess I should say thanks then."
"Dont waste your breath." Tyson muttered. The girl opened her eyes and sat up slowly. She looked around the room, suprised to see five boys and a man in there. Her eyes fell on Tyson and she growled.
"You," she seethed. "You're that little twerp who tried to kiss me!" Tyson held up his hands defensively.
"Please, it was just a misunderstanding!" he cried. The girl scowled.
"Whatever." she huffed. Everyone in the room blinked.
"Does that seem somewhat familiar to anyone else?" Dizzi asked. The girl looked around again.
"Where did that voice come from?" she asked suspiciously. Kenny smiled and held up his laptop.
"That's my bitbeast, Dizzi." he said. The girl raised an eyebrow.
"I see."
"Do you mind telling us your name, Ms. Mysterious- or do you prefer to stay a mystery?" the laptop asked. The girl blinked and shook her head.
"A....Ali?" she said timidly. "Ali, that's my name" Can I trust these guys?
"Oh really, 'Ali'? So how come the back of your shirt has Leigh on it?" Kai asked, eyes narrowed. The girl cursed herself.
"Fine. So it's Leigh, big deal." she muttered. Mr. Tate raised an eyebrow questioningly.
"Boys, would you mind leaving for a while?" he asked. They all turned to walk out. "Not you, Kai." The oldest boy stopped and turned around again.
"Why do you need me, I've already told you everything I know." The man shrugged. Kai rolled his eyes and leaned back up against the wall.
"Whatever."
"Okay, Leigh. So can we ask why you were running from these people?"
"No." was the curt answer. The man blinked.
"Right...So what about where your from?"
"No."
"I see. Are you going to tell us anything?"
"She wont if it isn't neccessary," Kai said. "Unless she needs somebody's help." Leigh scowled at the boy.
"Oh, and I suppose you'd know would you, Tough Guy?" she said hotly. Kai smirked and nodded. "Pph. Thanks for your help, but I'm out of here." She threw back the sheet that had been covering her body and hung her feet over the edge of the bed.
"Are you sure you should be doing that? You passed out from yelling about half an hour ago. I don't think storming off would be a very wise thing to do." Kai said nonchalantly.
"At least have something to eat and drink." Mr.Tate added. The boy smirked.
"And a bath." Leigh turned red and stood up.
"I've been running for the past two weeks, alright?! It's not my fault theres only been two rivers in my path!" she yelled. Her body swayed again, and she fell back onto the bed again. Mr.Tate smiled sympathetically.
"Just stay there. Leigh. I'll go get you some soup." he said. He got up and left the room. Kai raised an eyebrow at the girl, who seemed t be muttering incessantly.
"What are you doing?" he asked mockingly. "Talking to yourself?" The girl stopped suddenly.
"Why do you care so much?" she snapped. Kai smirked. Not many people had the nerve to talk to him that way.
"It would be good to know if there was a psycho among us." he retorted. The girl growled.
"Do you always pick on people when they can't get up and slap you in the face?" Kai scowled at the realisation he didn't have a comeback.
"Hmph." he grunted. She smirked triumphantly. Max's father returned quickly to the room, soup bowl balancing on a tray he brought up. Leigh blushed lightly.
"Th-thankyou." she said, taking the tray hungrily.
"I'm going," Kai said huffily. He walked out the door quickly and down to the shop. "Hey monkey boy, your princess is eating if you want to go take pictures." he said as he passed the room behind the counter. Tyson's face seemingly light up with joy.
"Wow Kai! Thanks for the tip off!" he cried, jumping off the sofa. Max and Rei started to laugh, and the cheif shook his head.
"Kai, are you going already?" Max asked. Kai didn't answer and just continued to walk out the door.
"It's no use trying to be nice to him, Max." Rei said. "He just doesn't want to know us. He thinks we're below him." Kenny nodded in agreement.
"He needs to rethink his attitude if you ask me." he said.
Back up the stairs, Leigh was just finishing off that instant chicken soup the man had made for her.
"This is really weird," she said timidly. "I don't even know your names and your offering me soup and a bath and evreything." The man smiled at her.
"That's the way we work around here." he answered. "We can see you've had it pretty rough for the past few weeks." She smiled grimly and nodded. "So I've decided that you can stay here as long as you need to, Leigh." The girl blinked and sat up.
"I can't" she said quietly. "I need to get away from here- they know where I am. They know I'm in this city. They'll be looking for me."
"Who will be looking for you?"
"My father."