Battle.

This was something that the girl by the name of Tiffany Chang had long since experienced.

She knew how to fight, and that being said, she'd fought against many opponents.

Not one, not two, no.... several.

Fighting was a part of her.

That much could be said.

But, there was a bit more than that.

To fully explain what Tiffany Chang's eyes saw that very night, what her heart was feeling, one would have to understand battle.

It is often said that whan two people fight, compete, contend, they often times leave that contention knowing each other better than they did before.

This is true.

Not just of fights, but also of contests such as studies, arm wrestling, and so on.

The simple matter being this.

When two beings put their all into battle with each other, or beings in battle for that matter, they become more themselves.

A simple answer to the question being this.

Who are you, and what do you want?

Really, who are you?

The answer being, you are the one who wants this.

The one who wants to iwn.

It could, in an interesting sense, be argued, that when one is more themselves, and in close contact with those who are also more themselves, a strange kind of bonding occurs.

This is why those who compete with each other tend to become friends.

Who they are, who they truly are, comes into being.

Into form.

And this form, then crosses swords with the other.

In a sense, your spiritual blade attacks that of your opponents.

And in a deeper sense, who you are becomes many times closer to that person, than to those with whom you do not strive.

Such is life.

But, these were not the thoughts Tiffany Chang was having about Max.

Simply put, it was, perhaps, because of these experiences fighting, that Tiffany Chang was able to somewhat come up with what she said next.

Like a fisherman sooner than the average Joe understands how hunting works, relational masteries teach us more than just that mastery. A good example here being, that the fisherman has a better idea of how to hunt than the average Joe, seeing as he has some modicum of understanding of animal behaviour, amongst other things.

So, Tiffany had a better idea of what to look for and what to pay attention to than anyone else in the room.

But it wasn't just that.

It was also this.

Max's words.

As far as Tiffany knew, not that she believed she knew him well enough to judge this accurately, Max was not a liar. At the very least, not a consistent one.

So.... why?

Why did Max say that?

To her, that was by far the most honest thing Max had ever said.

She couldn't think of a single time he'd said something more truthfully.

She felt it to her core.

That was Max.

He felt alone.

So... why then?

The simple question being... was he right?

Did they really not understand?

In her mind, she immediately begun to question this.

Rose was an alien.

Luke and Ken were "odd" humans.

But Max....

Did she really understand?

And so, with a sharp voice that caught all of their attention.

Tiffany: You're right. Maybe we don't understand.

In the midst of all the contention, her voice louded out and took all of their attention.

Needless to say, it paused all of them.

But... none of them were as shocked as Maximillian Hunter.

Rose: Tiff?

As team leader, she was the one responsible for keeping order in the team.

And so, she stood up and walked towards a completely stunned Max.

All their faces, Luke, Ken, Rose and most especially, Max were on her.

She stopped a few paces from Max, before putting her hand out.

Tiffany: But that doesn't mean we won't try to.

Max stared at her hand in even more shock.

There were many things he could have said about Tiffany Chang.

Even better, there were a lot of things he could have said about the rest of the team.

And even after that, there was a lot he could say, but never would, about this situation.

The simple fact of the matter being this.

Max did not expect a single on of them to understand.

That was absolutely understandable.

However, what he absolutely did not expect, was, of all people, for Tiffany Chang to understand him best.

No, not the fellow alien, Rose, not the one he was closest to, Ken, not even Luke who was trying to calm everything down.

It was her.

She knew just what to say.

And Max simply couldn't believe it.

Just what was Tiffany Chang?

His eyes remained on the teenage girl's hand for a few seconds.

Suddenly, Luke nudged him towards it, startling him.

Luke: Well... go on.

Max: R... right.

Rose held her hands together in anticipation of the handshake.

He put his own hand out and shook Tiffany's.

His shocked countenance bearing itself against Tiffany's own focused countenance.

Unlike what he would have normally expected of her, her face wasn't just straightforward and calm, now, he could even see a tinge of sympathy.

This shocked him even more.

But he wouldn't have much time to think about it, seeing as...

Rose: Yay!

All their faces immediately turned to Rose.

Rose: (girly squeal) I'm so glad you two are ok.

At that point both Max and Tiffany took their hands away from the other, all the while Rose and Luke chuckled, unnerving the pair.

And suddenly, Ken spoke.

Ken: Seems Rose was correct about you both.

They all turned to the previously silent teen.

Ken: You two really are good friends.

Both teens turned away from the other.

Max: No way!

Tiffany remained silent.

And then... one by one, Ken first, Luke second and Rose third, they all started yet another laugh.

And the room returned to its cheerful air.

Max and Ken returned to playing Warring Dimensia 2.

Max: I got your back.

Ken: Appreciated.

Luke had fallen asleep and was then lightly snoring.

Rose herself was just about to her bed.

Rose: (giggle) Luke is sooo funny when he sleeps. Right Tiff?

Tiffany: Yeah, sure.

Rose: Yeah...

Rose would never take Tiffany's lack of interest in such things in a negative light.

She understood her friend, after all.

And as the girl closed her eyes, her mind brought to remembrance what had transpired less than an hour ago.

Tiffany quelled the flames of what could have ended up being a terrible situation.

Rose: (thinking: You're so amazing Tiff. You're amazing.)

As for Tiffany Chang, she remained awake.

She herself would soon sleep, but no, not just then.

In her curiosity, she chose to remain awake.

The question being... who was Max exactly?

As for Max and Ken, they too would soon sleep.

Seeing as it would soon be morning.

Max: (yawn) One more game?

Ken: Sure.

Max: Awesome.

Ken simply smirked at his enthusiams before lightly turning to give Tiffany a glance.

Ken: (thinking: Tiffany and Max. Your collisions with each other will prove most entertaining.)

He smiled to himself.

Ken: (thinking: And I... can hardly wait.)