Author's Note: Hey guys. I want to extremely apologize for not continuing with this story. I feel awful for just letting it sit there and not finishing. I'm gonna work hard to ensure I finish this story as well, alright. Wish me luck. And wish Zhin and Blay luck as well.

Chapter 31

Zhin picked up a top and looked over it, but she wasn't much interested in it. She was simply picking things up, scanning them and then putting them back. Putting the top back on the rack, she moved on, taking a few steps, before stopping and sighing. She had hoped that coming to the mall would keep her mind off Blay, but it wasn't working. Her thoughts were being bombarded by questions. How was he doing? Was he kicking lots of ass? Was he getting his own ass kicked? She guessed that not fighting along side him brought so many questions about his safety to mind.

"Nothing catching your eye?"

Zhin looked up, eyes starring at lovely hazel colored eyes that belonged to a tall, dark figure. Smiling nervously, she shrugged. "I'm just...looking around."

"Perhaps I can help you? I'm Jaiy."

"I'm...Zh- Saya."

"Saya. What a lovely name." Jaiy gave her a warm smile. "So Saya, was there something in particular you were looking for? Some type of style you like?"

She shrugged as she ran her fingers along a blouse. "Well...I like...fun styles...I mean...if you call that a style...punkish/rock I guess." She shrugged again. "I just wear whatever I think is cute."

"Well you are wearing something cute right now." He smiled.

She couldn't help, but blush and smile back. For a human, he was rather sweet.

"Well, seeing as you're wearing something cute and comfortable, we have these nice blouses and skirts right over here." With a smile, Jaiy motioned with his hand where the items were and proceeded to show her.

On the other side of the store, Mary was peeking over a clothes rack, watching as Zhin was interacting with the human sales associate. Slowly, she raised her phone, trying to get a good angle and view in order to take a picture. Before she could hit the button to capture the picture, her phone was snatched from her hands. "What? Rhage, give me back my phone." She whispered harshly to him as she tried to get her phone back, but the cheeky bastard was holding it up high over her head so she couldn't get it.

"Nuh, uh. No way. You're gonna send that pic to Lhust and the girls and their gonna comment on it while Blay is around in order to ruffle his feathers. I'm up for him learning a lesson, but this is just plain evil."

"I wasn't going to do that. I just...wanted to take a pic...to...remember..how..fun she looks...interacting with someone else."

Rhage raised a brow. "Uh...huh? Welp, seeing as you have a really good memory, don't think you need your phone then."

Mary bristled at that. "Excuse me?" She asked, glaring.

"I mean, why take a picture so you can remember, if all you gotta do is look and just Kodak moment that into your brain."

Narrowing her eyes, she turned away from him. "Fine then. If I don't need my phone to take a pic, then you sure as hell don't need me to pleasure."

"What!?"

"I mean, since you're sooo good at pleasing me, perhaps you'll do a great job pleasing yourself, so there's no need to have me around." Mary was about to walk away, but Rhage grabbed her by the elbow. "Leelan, you can't be serious."

"Oh I'm serious. If you won't give me back my phone, then I won't have sex with you." She said it in a very low tone.

Staring at his shellan for a moment, Rhage then looked up, seeing Zhin laughing at something the human said, then looked down at the phone, then back to Mary. Gritting his teeth a bit, he cursed and handed the phone back to Mary.

Snatching it, she went back to her camera app, pointed her phone at Zhin's location and snapped a pick at the moment Jaiy and Zhin were smiling at each other. She opened up her messenger, loaded the pick and added all the girls names and sent it to them.

"And here I thought V and Butch were cruel."

"It's not being cruel. It'll just give Blay a boost in order to win Zhin's heart. Besides, he needs all the help."

"Who needs help?" Asked Zhin as she approached with a paper shopping bag in her hand.

"Oh...uhh Rhage needs help...finding...new shirts."

"No I- oof" He grunted as Mary elbowed him in the stomach.

"Yes you do. I'm tired of seeing almost the same band tees. You need a little bit more color."

His eyes widened in horror. "You know I'm allergic to color."

"But Rhage-" She was cut off.

"Nope. Me wearing colors is not up for discussion." He turned and walked away, but stopped just outside the store's doors.

"He really hates color, huh?" Zhin laughed.

"He won't wear the Hawaiin shirt I got him. He keeps it hidden all the way in the back of the closet."

Zhin sort of sympathize. Her dad didn't like wearing much color either. "Well...look at it this way. You're that bit of color he's been needing in his life."

That made Mary smile. "Yeah. I guess you're right." She chuckled. "Come on. I think being around this store is giving him hives or something."

Both females laughed as they walked out and joined Rhage. Together they strolled, their eyes scanning different windows and checking what was inside.

On occasion, Zhin would slow and pull back, unable to help and watch while Mary and Rhage held hands and walked real close to each other. Mary would pet Rhage's arm and Rhage would occasionally give Mary a kiss on the top of her head. She was torturing herself watching them. She shouldn't be doing it, but she couldn't help herself. She wanted that. Wanted to stroll the mall or the park, fingers laced with someone special as they walked close and occasionally give each other little pecks on the lips. "Oh God, am I a masochist or something? Do I like to purposely torture myself or something?"

"If you did, then you would have ended up as V's mate." Phury chimed from her side.

She jumped in surprised. "Fuck!...Fuck dammit Phury." Zhin playfully slapped at his arms. "Don't, fucking scare me like that, dammit. And don't listen in on my voiced thoughts."

"Then stop voicing them."

"I can't help it." With a heavy sigh, she continued to walk, feeling him follow. "Sooo...done suit shopping?"

"Hmm? Yes. I'll have my suits ready in a few weeks."

"How many did you order?"

"Five. Which is less than usual."

"Really? Less? Five seems like a lot." She paused. "Then again, I've only ever seen my dad own like..one suit."

"You're dad sounds more like a casual kind of male."

"He's more of...a strict, over bearing, military man, buuuut...I know how to soften him up and get him to spoil me." She grinned.

"Haha, well that's fortunate." Stopping, Phury looked around, but didn't see Rhage or Mary.

Stopping herself, Zhin also realized that the happy couple were MIA. "Maybe..they...went inside a store."

"Mmhmm, knowing Rhage, he's probably convinced her have a bit of...fun."

Laughing, Zhin shook her head, then looked around, seeing what kind of stores looked interesting. One caught her attention. It seemed they sold fun little things and clothes. "Let's check that place out." Leading Phury to the store, she looked up at the name. "Spencer's Plus. Hmm, seems like a fun store. Wanna look around?"

"Sure. Maybe something will catch my attention."

Both stepped in, letting the Electric Music flow around and into their ears. Zhin pulled away from Phury, letting her eyes scan every little bit of merchandise they sold. They had from keychains to phone charms, to Pimp Cups and Goblets and even funny books. They also had a small kinky section, which made Zhin blush. She turned away and just as she did, her eyes caught on something. "No way. They actually have it." Walking up to the shelf, Zhin reached over and grabbed the small package that contained a little cape meant for one's thumb. "Oh my God, this is too cool." She searched and found a Batman and a Superman. "They are so going to freak when they see these." Taking hold of both little packages, Zhin went off in search of Phury.

She found him looking at a few rings. He was holding one of a skull with shimmery red diamonds where it's eyes sockets were. Just as she approached, a female worker cut her off and placed herself between she and Phury.

"Why hello there. I'm Vie. Can I help you with anything?" She sounded too perky, which irritated Zhin. First the human cut her off from Phury and now she was trying to make the moves on him. Lucky enough, Phury didn't even seem interested.

Looking up from the ring Phury shook his head though did it with a smile. "Oh, no. Just browsing, but thank you."

"Oh, well, I see you're checking that ring out. Did you see all the others we have within the counter?" Vie tried to direct him to where some more rings were displayed. She was doing a very good job in pushing her chest out, hoping Phury would notice. In fact, the human was trying waaay to hard and it almost made Zhin gag.

Smiling still though, Phury just shook his head. "Yes, they are lovely, but I'm still debating."

"Oh well, I think I can help you make up your mind. I know the perfect ring for you, especially with such big, strong hands that you have." She gave him a sultry smile and turned away, thinking he was going to follow, but she didn't expect Zhin to appear and get between she and Phury.

Raising the packages for him to see, Zhin gave a strained smile. "Look what I found. Aren't they cool?" She asked, though thanks to Vie being behind her, she couldn't see Zhin making a face which was directed towards the human.

"Oh, you actually found them. Well, I guess we're done here."

Vie took that moment to cut in. "Oh, didn't you want to see the ring I found for you?"

"Oh no, I'm not interested at the moment."

"But it's perfect, especially with those...long fingers of yours." She giggled at that.

Unable to take it, Zhin turned and stared the woman down. "He's not interested. And I'm ready to check out."

Vie went from having a sweet smile to a hate filled glare. "Are you..his...sister?" She asked, not caring that she was being rude.

"No...I'm not. Can I pay for these now?" She asked in a severe tone.

Vie frowned and grabbed the little thumb capes. She turned away quickly and went behind the counter where she proceeded to ring up Zhin's purchases. Vie had had a very sour face and also a very strained tone to her voice. "Anything else I can help you with?"

"From you, no. From someone else, perhaps." She payed for her things, grabbed her purchases and turned away.

Phury had placed the ring back and had waited, a bit worried that Zhin would start something. Seeing that everything was sort of okay, he smiled in relief when she was done. Before he could speak though, Zhin grabbed him by his jacket lapel and practically hauled him out as she mutter, "-leaving now before I rip her face off." she breathed.

"Alright, alright." He followed and managed to get her to let go of him.

Once they were a few ways from the store, Zhin couldn't help, but voice her thoughts. "How rude. How rude and unprofessional of her. Trying to hit on you."

"She could have tried all night. The human wouldn't have gotten far."

"Did her breasts turn you off?" She asked with a smirk.

"It was her perfume actually. Too strong."

They both laughed.

"Found you guys!"

Both of them stopped and turned around, seeing Rhage and Mary coming their way.

"What happened? Did you guys get lost or something?"

"Actually, we lost you Mary, but Phury and I figured that since you were with Rhage, we figured he was helping you...inspect the inside of a fitting room or something." Zhin smirked when she saw Mary turn red a bit.

"We didn-"

"Mary, Mary, quite contrary." Zhin leaned in a bit to Mary. "You have no idea how heavily scented you are with Rhage's bondage smell.

Mary blushed even more. "What?" She turned to Rhage. "What!"

"It's not a bad thing. Don't be embarrassed. Come on. Let's get something at the food court. I bet you're hungry."

"Zhin!"

"What? It's natural to be hungry, especially after trying on sooo many clothes." Zhin giggled and dragged Mary to the food court, reassuring her that there was no need to be embarrassed.

The males followed behind, Rhage feeling like a total badass after having fucked his Mary for the first time in a fitting room. "Man, those rooms are small, but once you get in a certain position, mmph, smooth sailing."

"I honestly don't want to know. So do me the favor Rhage and shut up."

"Aw, come on man. One day, you'll be having a female in one of those dressing rooms, helping her try on a new dress...and helping her get it off, plus everything else."

Phury could only shake his head at that, believing that no such thing will ever happen. Then suddenly, Slayher appeared in his mind. He was picturing her pressed against the wall of the fitting room while he was holding her up, her legs wrapped about his waist as he pumped into her. He pressed his lips tightly together to get the image out of his mind and to keep himself from getting hard. "The day that happens, you'll be the first to know."

"Promise?" Asked Rhage.

"Maybe."

"That's no fun."

Phury could only shake his head at his Brother.

Blay was breathing hard, his eyes closed as he pressed his back against the cool, brick wall. This night felt like it was going to be a long one. Where did all these lessers come from? It was as if they knew that he was having a shitty night and they have taken it upon themselves to make it even more shitty. He felt as if tonight would be the perfect night to get the other trainees to have some real combat experience, but that wasn't going to happen, not for a long while.

Wiping his forehead, Blay looked over, watching as John and Quinn went through a lessers pockets in search of an ID or anything that would be of value. He wanted to go home and be there when Zhin came home. Was she alright? Was she having a good time with Mary? It was eating at him that he wasn't there to keep her company. Was she being hit on by some male? That made him growl a bit. If he found out someone was being too nice with her, he would find the male and break his damn-

"Hello! Earth to Blay! Are you there!" Quinn began to tap Blay in the temple. "You brain dead or something?" He continued to tap until his hand was slapped away.

"I'm not brain dead, though thanks to you, I might have lost a few brain cells now."

"You've lost more than that buddy. You've lost your sense of being vigilant."

Blay opened his mouth, ready to deny, but stopped when John whistled at him and shook his head.

We were calling you for a good ten minutes and you never once acknowledged us.

"You were thinking of Zhin, weren't you?"

Blay opened his mouth, then closed and simply looked away.

"Penny for your thoughts?"

Scrubbing a hand down his face, Blay heaved a heavy sigh and pushed himself from the wall. "I was just...what if some male is hitting up on her at this very moment? "

"Zhin wouldn't-"

"You don't know that. I...dammit...I just wanna go and find her and keep her at my side and growl at any male that tries to approach her."

John and Blay looked at each other, then at Blay sympathetically. The poor male was losing his mind over Zhin.

Pulling out his phone, John sent a text to V and Z, asking how their hunting progress was going and to also let them know that Blay was a bit..unfocused at the moment. Sending the message, he sent another to Butch, letting him know where to come by for the lessers bodies. Once he sent that, he got two messages from V and Z, both almost the same. Have Blay go home and for John and Quinn to continue with hunting.

Whistling to catch Blay's attention, he raised his hands and signed. V and Z say you're done for the night and should head back to the mansion.

"But I can-"

"No buts buddy. You're too focused on Zhin and not on the hunt. Just go back to the mansion and clear your head if you can, okay."

They heard a little chime and John pulled his phone again. Oh and they say that we should escort you back just in case you decide to go to the mall.

Frowning, Blay rolled his eyes. "I wasn't going to."

"Really? You weren't? You honestly weren't Blay? You were going to dutifully go back to the mansion and just wait in your room like a good little boy and not go and see what Zhin is doing at the mall. Are you sure positively sure?"

"Will you just shut up and can we just go?" With a sigh, Blay concentrated and dematerialized, appearing at the mansion's courtyard. John and Quinn were there soon enough. "See? I'm here, now you can go."

"Oh no. We need to make sure you are fully escorted inside. Come on, lets go. Hop to it. One, two. One, two."

Rolling his eyes and grumbling a bit, Blay marched up the steps, his friends right behind him to ensure that he was fully in. Once the security check was cleared, Blay stepped into the threshold, then raised his hands at them. "There, see. I'm in. Now go."

"Alright. Now you behave. Don't go doing anything stupid, okay." With a nod farewell, John and Quinn left Blay to stew.

Needing some way to distract himself, Blay headed for the hidden doorway underneath the stair way and decided a good one two punch on the punching bag will do him good.

Within the T.V/Family room, the girls were quiet as they watched Blay duck into the hidden door way. Once he was gone, all in unison sighed in relief. "That was close." Breathed Lacey.

"Too close." added Jane.

"Are you sure it'll be okay to just...uhh...mention the pic while Blay is around.?You know he might go crazy." Bella warned as she bounced Nalla on her lap.

"He might...but he might try even harder to make Zhin forgive him and make her feel good."

"But what if something happens Lhust?"

"Nothing bad will happen Beth. Promise. And if shiiii-sugar goes down, me and the boys we'll be there to help fix things." Lhust was grateful in catching herself in almost cussing. She didn't want Nalla hearing such words.

"We'll be here to help as well, don't forget that."Marissa smiled.

"You gals are the best. Now, shall we continue with Say Yes to the Dress?"

"Yes, please. I wanna see what grandma Betty's reaction will be." Lassiter chimed from the love seat he always tended to occupy.