Welcome to the last chappie of the prologue of Feline Instincts (the upcoming fic that's supposed to be the main story), people! (Take note of the name - Don't forget it!)

Anyway, this chapter's dedicated to Galux Kitty and Galux Cat. =P

There's another little ficcie in my bio, if you people haven't noticed. Go read it, and leave a review for it with this chapter's, K?

[[A note to Your Worst Nightmare (or whatever your name is): Goodness knows who you are, and who cares anyway. (In case you haven't noticed, going around calling people 'Huns' is so old that it makes you sound like you're 70.) I'm surprised you even have eyes big enough to read my bio, since they're clearly small and twitchy enough to miss the "RayMariah" in the summary of my fic. If you don't like it, why bother coming in the first place? Anyway, you're not even worthy enough of being my "nightmare" I've got better things to dream about. And if you don't have anything nice to say to the people I associate with, shut up. I didn't ask you to insult anybody. If the summary doesn't seem inviting, don't come in. You're not invited, anyway. This makes you the pollutant, not me. And if you'll excuse me, I've got better things to do.

P.S. You've won the prize of being the first flamer. Go along and collect your goodie, now. It's a one-way trip to hell.

P.S. In case you haven't noticed, Galux Kitty and Galux Cat have left messages for you in the reviews.]]

To the rest of you people, don't mind her. Just R&R! (And I don't know why this part here is underlined. ")

And I don't own Beyblade!

Peace by the River

By Aquarius Galuxy

Chapter 4: A Love Strongly Bonded

Her eyelashes fluttered, slowly opening to reveal golden orbs. What happened the night before… It had seemed like just a dream (a rather steamy one, in fact) – except it wasn't. Here she was, lying naked in Ray's arms… Her heart skipped a beat. He was still asleep.

Stifling a very feline yawn, she tilted her head to look at him. His handsome face made her heart flutter as the memories of last night rushed back, although it was a pity that his eyes were still closed. Running a hand over his chest, she inhaled a quivering breath. He still hadn't lost the magical effect he had on her… He was just so lovable.

Mariah wasn't surprised that the sun was already up, shining through the bedroom window. She sighed softly, closing her eyes again. She was only sixteen… she didn't want to get pregnant now… What if she did? The thought horrified her. She wasn't ready for it yet. What would her parents say? What would the elders say?

Not wanting to think anymore about it, she snuggled against Ray, shivering at the contact of their skins. The enchantment of the previous hours had rather worn off when the sun rose. He'd seen her. Would he change his mind about her? Would he still love her? She sure hoped so. Gazing softly at him, she traced a line down his jawbone, stopping when he moved his head.

The raven-haired teenager awoke, cracking his eyes open, only to lose himself in the liquid-gold depths of her orbs. The night's events hit him like a brick, and his eyes twinkled. Ray pulled her closer, ignoring her surprised gasp as he kissed her softly on the lips. She soon molded against his body as the kiss deepened, very much to their liking. It was made further pleasurable when their hands started to roam each other's bodies, sending thrills of delight down their spines.

He found her with a deep blush on her cheeks when they pulled apart, realising that he had pinned her under him, and thus providing their bodies with the much-desired skin contact. A loving smile from him dissipated her earlier doubts, and she grinned shyly back.

The teenager rolled off the girl, holding her by her waist to pull her onto her side. Mariah's gaze never left his face, and she felt his hand steal over her skin, gently brushing against the full curve of her left breast. She shivered, feeling her body taking the action a great deal more than lightly. Her hands pawed his abdomen, touching the smooth muscles present there.

The couple found themselves in another passionate embrace, born from sudden arousal. Mariah wrapped her arms around the neck of the body above her, giving in to his request to enter her mouth. His tongue advanced, now a familiar figure to hers. There was no way she could prevent herself from resisting him…

The omnipresent need for air eventually broke them apart. She smiled mischievously.

"You seem to like being on top of me."

Ray smiled back. "And you seem to like it, too."

Mariah flushed, saying nothing, from the sheer pleasure of just being in contact with him, although her lips wanted to defend herself in some way, just to show that she wouldn't be dumbstruck by him. Then she realised that her mind was peacefully blank. So she did the only thing that came to her mind. The feline girl bent her head up to plant a kiss on his lips.

He smiled. The pink ribbon tying her hair together had come undone sometime last night, leaving her pink tresses somewhat tangled. Ray threaded his fingers through her hair, subconsciously combing the curls.

The distant clamour of the marketplace grew, boasting a medley of shouts, rackets and animal noises.

"We have to get up now, Mariah…" The yearning in his tone was not missed.

She sighed. "I know. But we always have the future…" There was a playful grin on her face, as the prospect of the coming night lingered in the air.

Ray grinned back at her. "Let's get dressed."

Unwillingly, they tore themselves apart, getting off the bed to find their scattered belongings. Mariah blushed again, partly from her nakedness, and partly from sneaking a glance at him in the middle of dressing.

Then, tying her hair back into a ponytail, she walked over to the window, though keeping some distance from it. It would not be good if someone saw her in Ray's house so early in the morning, especially when she was in his room.

A pair of strong arms secured themselves around her waist. Mariah leaned against the figure behind her.

"I have to go now, Ray."

"Not before you've had something to eat." He narrowed his eyes at her. "I don't want you fainting in the middle of the street."

She raised her pink, slender eyebrows, amused, letting him drag her down to the kitchen, their feet clattering on the stairs. "I'm not weak, in case you didn't notice."

He laughed. "I don't want to be branded a bad host."

"Well, after last night, I'd say you're an excellent host." Mariah smirked as they reached the counter.

"What would you like, my honoured guest?" He sat her on a chair and bowed.

"I think you've worked too long as a waiter, Ray." The girl folded her arms.

"You're suggesting that I become a full-time host?" He tilted his head up, eyes twinkling.

She grinned. "And I'll be your one and only 'guest'?"

"Definitely. I won't have it any other way." He leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to her lips.

She blushed, catching hold of his hands. "Weren't we talking about breakfast?"

Ray looked sheepishly at her. "Being around you makes it rather difficult."

The girl pretended to pout. "Oh, so I prevent you from thinking about the important necessities of life?"

He grinned and pulled her up by her waist. "No – not that bad. You just distract me slightly."

They were inches apart, eyes fixed upon each other. Without much thought, she raised her arms and hooked them around his neck, anticipating what could be coming…

"How?" she asked teasingly.

"Like this." The raven-haired teenager drew her close, meeting her lips with his in another heated kiss that proved his love for her, and she responded right back, eagerly accepting it.

Mariah did not get pregnant – she was not fated to – at least for now. She and Ray carried on living their normal lives, although it was different in some ways. For one, she spent more time with the raven-haired teenager, focusing on the things that she used to enjoy doing, other than blading alone (which was little, since she only really liked to beyblade, and nothing much else). For another, she practised more often with him after the beyblading lessons with the village children. However, those practice sessions she had with him usually ended up with them gazing at each other without realising that their blades were still pointlessly spinning in the dish.

In the days that followed, they grew mentally, as well as physically closer, not to mention the times when they got 'exceedingly intimate' with each other. Try as they did to keep their relationship a secret, there were a few people who were already suspecting them of being 'not just friends'. At least luck was on their side – no proof could be found.

She sighed, once again peering into the crystal. At least the future seemed more predictable. Unwittingly, she stroked the tamed wildcat lying beside her, thinking. They should have enough time (and probably some excess) before the dimensional gates opened, and nothing must go wrong before that happened, or they would have to wait again until another two satisfactory people appear. But for now, the prophecy had to be fulfilled first…

Okay! Okay! I know that was short. But here's a deal: I get 34 reviews by the end of 2 weeks, and I'll upload the sequel (Feline Instincts, take note of it) then, instead of the usual 6 weeks you have to wait. How's that sound?

And if you can't think of anything to say, tell me what you think of the little fic (in my bio)! Personally, I like the previous one better, and if there's no opposition, I think I'll change it back after a month or so. If you happen to want to see either one, leave your email add, and I'd be happy to send it to you! (Although I doubt anyone would want a copy. Oh well. Blame my cynicism.)

So… start reviewing! =)