Part 6

Seth tells you a secret about Ray.

(It was just around here, right?)

An unexpected sight awaits you--

"Hey, that tickles."

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Chapter 1

Seth: I'm going to tell you a secret I know, about Ray.

Kiera: What sort of secret?

Seth's lips curved upwards in amusement and delight.

Seth: Well, you see, he--

After dinner was over, I quietly snuck out of the headquarters.

As I walked slowly through the cool night air, I thought about what Seth had told me.

Seth: Well, you see, he sneaks out of headquarters sometimes at night.

Seth: He goes to visit some special sweethearts of his.

Seth: Oooh, I can tell you're interested just by the look on your face. Why not go see for yourself? I bet he goes there tonight!

(I mean, I don't really care if he goes out to meet other women, right?)

(But the way Seth phrased it all-- well, I'm curious. Ray doesn't seem the type to have even one sweetheart, let alone multiple sweethearts.)

I wandered along, enjoying the quiet and the dark of night, and before I knew it, I'd almost reached the place Seth had told me about.

(He said it was just around here, right?)

I turned the corner at the sign Seth had mentioned, slowing my step.

I thought I heard Ray's voice up ahead, and I turned to look.

Ray: Hey, that tickles.

(Ray? Is that really you?)

His voice was gentler and happier than I'd ever heard it, and for a second I wondered if he had a twin.

Ray: Okay, okay, just hold still, yeah?

But it was definitely Ray sitting there, holding a small cat in his arms.

(Wait-- it's not just one cat.)

(There's a dozen of them, all circling you.)

Ray: Hmm? Haven't seen you before. It's nice to meet you.

Ray: Are you even listening? C'mon.

(I've never seen you so relaxed and so obviously enjoying yourself.)

(And are you really talking to those cats like they're people?)

It was the sweetest thing I'd ever seen, and I couldn't tear my eyes away from his gentle expression.

(Seth, I can't believe you lad me on with that nonsense, when clearly the 'sweethearts' are all cats!)

Ray: Meow!

(Oh my god! Did you just--)

Ray: You're so soft and fluffy.

(I don't believe it-- the fearless leader of the Black Army, meowing at his clowder of cats!)

I almost couldn't stand it anymore, and before I knew it, I was giggling helplessly.

Ray: Hmm?

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Chapter 2

Ray finally noticed me at last, and it was clear by his expression that he wasn't happy to be caught in the act, so to speak.

Ray: What are you doing here?

But he wasn't very scary when he was surrounded by cats, and I smiled at him, wandering over to sit down next to him.

Kiera: Seth told me about this place.

Kiera: Well, he told me that I might find you here if I came here. He didn't mention that you'd be meowing.

Ray: Why that little-- I'm definitely going to pound his head in later.

Kiera: Why?

Ray: Huh?

Kiera: I'm so glad I finally got to find out more about what you like-- and what you're like.

Ray glanced over at me, his expression guarded even as he continued to pat the cat in his lap.

But I hadn't forgotten what his expression had been like in those brief, unguarded moments.

Kiera: And I've never seen you look so gentle before.

Kiera: I suddenly feel like today is a really good day. So good I want to thank Seth later.

Ray: You're a weirdo.

Kiera: Am I?

Ray: Yes.

I raised an eyebrow at him, but suddenly one of the cats leapt into my arms.

Kiera: Waah! Hang on, let me hold you properly so you don't fall, okay?

Ray: Hmm.

Ray: Seems like everyone loves you.

Kiera: What do you mean?

Ray: Nothing.

Ray gently lowered the cat he was holding, placing the kitty on the ground, and then stood to leave.

Kiera: Hey, wait! Are you leaving already?

Ray: Yeah, but I'll be back again.

Ray: If you want to come here again, you're welcome anytime.

Kiera: Really? You don't mind?

Ray: Well, you look like you'd come again even if I told you not to.

Kiera: I will! I'll come again tomorrow!

Ray: Now you're overreacting.

(Oh wow.)

Ray smiled suddenly, his expression lit up by the gentle glow of the street lamps.

(That's the first time you've ever smiled at me-- smiled properly, from the heart.)

He was so handsome in that moment that it took my breath away.

(Gah, why am I so ridiculously happy about this?!)

My heart was racing, and suddenly I felt hyper-aware of his presence. I looked down at the cats again, trying to calm myself.

Ray: You know, you said you wanted to get to know me-- is this what you want?

Kiera: What do you mean?

Ray: You said you wanted to understand us, and get to know us.

Ray: I thought about it, but I'm not really sure what it is you want to know.

Ray: So tell me, okay?

His expression turned serious again, and I caught my breath as the meaning of his words sank in.

Ray: What do you want to know?

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Chapter 3

(I thought you were going to keep pushing me away. I thought that's why you'd kept quiet.)

(But you were really thinking about what I said, weren't you?)

(Wait, did you just say you want to know what I want to know about you?)

It sounded silly in my head, and yet it meant we were both curious in same way, and suddenly I was grinning like crazy.

Ray: What are you smirking about?

Kiera: Nothing, I'm just glad you were thinking about it.

Kiera: Thank you, Ray. There's so many things I want to ask you!

Kiera: Do you mind if I just go ahead and ask you them, whenever I think of them?

Ray: You can ask me one question a day.

-

Can I have two, at least?

-

Kiera: Can I have two, at least?

Ray: Nope. No way.

Ray grinned at me, and then turned and began to walk away.

Kiera: Hey! Wait up!

Ray: Nope.

We'd had the exact same exchange before, yet his voice seemed different this time-- gentle somehow.

(I know it's a little thing, but I feel like I know you better now.)

(And that makes me feel all happy and warm inside.)

I chased after Ray as he walked away, locking away the memory of his first smile deep in my heart.

The next day, Seth and I were chatting cheerfully as we hung the laundry out to dry.

Kiera: And you know, Ray's smile was SO gentle when he was playing with the cats!

Kiera: He even smiled at me, for the first time ever!

Seth: Really?!

Kiera: Yes! I think it was probably just because the cats were there, but it still made me happy!

Seth: Well, of course it did.

Seth: So do you feel like you've gotten a little closer to Ray now?

Seth's smile was meaningful, as if he understood all the things I was feeling that I couldn't put into words.

Kiera: I do. Thank you, Seth, I don't know what I'd do without you!

Seth: Oh sweetie, you don't need to thank me. It's my job to make sure you're happy!

Kiera: You're so sweet! And silly. Oh, I'll go get the next load of washing, okay?

Seth: Well, if you don't mind, then I certainly won't say no!

---

Kiera went dashing off toward the laundry, clearly full of cheer.

Seth watched her quietly, and then gave a loud, dramatic sigh.

Seth: I feel so strange. I'm the one who decided to help, and now--

Seth: Now I don't know what to think! It's like I've lit the fuse of love!

Seth's shoulders drooped as he reached up to put another peg on the sheet he was hanging out.

On the far side of the sheets, Fenrir jumped in surprise at Seth's sudden outburst.

Fenrir: Geez, he's so noisy today!

Sirius: Just today?

Luka: He lit a fuse? For what?

Luka: A bomb?

Sirius: Don't worry about it, Luka.

Sirius: You'll understand far too well once you grow up.

Luka: I'm already grown up, Sirius.

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Chapter 4

22 days remained until the next full moon--

I woke up early, got dressed, and headed out of my room.

Up ahead I spotted Ray wandering slowly in my direction.

He looked like he was still half asleep, and I wasn't sure if he'd even noticed me.

Kiera: Good morning, Ray.

Ray: Yeah. Mornin'.

Kiera: Are you even awake yet?

Ray: Hnnn. I borrowed a book from Sirius, and I couldn't put it down. I stayed up half the night reading.

Ray: I wish I could've stopped partway through.

Ray rubbed at his eyes, then blinked at me again, looking bemused.

(Lately it feels like we're closer than ever. Like you're acting more like yourself around me.)

I smiled a little, and opened my mouth to say something, when--

Ray: Hmm?

Kiera: What's that?

I could hear the sound of someone running up the stairs toward us.

Fenrir: Hey! Ray!

Ray: What? It's too early to be yelling.

Fenrir: Stop pouting like someone stole your favorite toy!

Fenrir: There's a fight going on in the Central Quarter!

Ray: Huh? What sort of fight?

Ray: Is it the Red Army?

Fenrir: No, just some city folk. They look like real losers, too.

Ray relaxed immediately, and gave a big yawn, stretching his arms up over his head.

Ray: So leave it alone. It'll sort itself out.

Kiera: Are you sure?

Ray: Yeah. Fights like that happen all the time.

(Is that really true?)

I frowned a little, and then I realized Fenrir was frowning even more.

Fenrir: I'd normally feel the same way, but-- they're pretty close to you-know-where.

Ray: You-know-where?

Fenrir: The place where all your cats hang out.

Ray: This is an emergency.

Kiera: Come again?

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Chapter 5

The second Ray heard the word 'cats', all the sleepiness vanished from his expression.

Ray: We're racing against time.

Ray: Fenrir, you watch my back. I'm going to stop them.

Fenrir: Now you're talking, boss!

(Whoa, that got serious fast!)

Ray: What are you spacing out for?

Kiera: What? Me?

Ray: I need your help. Let's go!

Ray grabbed me by the arm, and before I knew it, we were running down the corridor.

Kiera: Hey, wait just a minute!

Fenrir: Oh yeah, baby! It's time to get a little crazy! Woohoo!

I glanced back to see Fenrir pulling out his guns, his eyes shining with excitement.

Kiera: Wait-- we're bringing guns?!

(You've got to be kidding me!)

Ten minutes later--

(I don't believe this!)

I crouched in my hiding place, watching nervously as things played out before my eyes.

Fenrir: This might be a leeeeetle too much, huh?

Ray: Don't go trying to make this someone else's problem.

Ray and Fenrir were standing back-to-back, surrounded by a group of tall, muscular, angry-looking men.

(This isn't just some street brawl,is it?)

Instead of fighting each other, the men appeared to all be in it together, and I chewed nervously on my lower lip.

Ray: At a glance, it's 20 on 2.

Ray: In other words, this was a trap lure us here. There's no fight.

Fenrir: Well, technically I'd say it was a trap to lure YOU here.

(Wait, this was all a trap?)

Man: I never expected the king to show his face so soon. You sure are doin' us a favor.

Ray: You're not in any army-- you're just bounty hunters.

Ray: And the Red Army will pay you if you bring them my head. Does that about sum it up?

Man: How did you know?

Ray: Look at your sword. It's a piece of junk.

Ray: You wouldn't be carrying a weapon like that if you were an actual soldier.

Fenrir: Geez, ya couldn't even cut a steak with a sword like that!

Ray: I don't think you could even chop vegetables with that.

Fenrir: Well, it don't matter to me either way. I'm just here to have some fun.

Ray: Wait a minute, Fenrir-- is that all you came for?

Fenrir: Maybe.

Man: Shuddup, you stupid brats!

Fenrir and Ray were both smirking confidently, and it was clearly making the men around them angry.

(I know you told me to stay quiet in here and take care of the cats, but--)

I reached down to grab one of the cats as it tried to escape and run toward the fight.

(Hang on!)