Broken Pieces

Prologue

He was tired. No, beyond tired. How did exhausted sound? Still not strong enough. If he didn't get sleep soon, he'd be passing out in the middle of the room and causing the team to panic. And a panicking Bladebreaker was never good because... well, does it really need explaining?

"Go sleep," Rei murmured, coming up behind his captain and speaking lowly so that only Kai could hear. "You got back from Russia two days ago and still haven't slept. I know you're scared – " Kai opened his mouth to protest but ended up grimacing as Rei squeezed his shoulder painfully in order to keep him quiet. "Don't deny it. But you're so tired, you probably won't even dream. You'll be fine."

Finally shrugging off Rei's hand, Kai grunted and stood. Too quickly apparently, he thought as he swayed dangerously and dots danced across his vision of the living room. He waited patiently for them to clear, scowling when it took longer than it should have, but he couldn't really do much about that.

Maybe he should go to bed, like Rei suggested. Though, it was only three in the afternoon... but with how tired he was, Kai had a feeling he'd sleep until next Tuesday – he was cool with eight days of sleep.

But just the thought of sleeping sent chills down his spine. He couldn't. Not so soon after the court case... not so soon after – he was going to be sick. Clamping a hand over his mouth, Kai allowed himself to fall back onto the couch, willing the nausea and the tears to pass. Rei didn't say anything, and he was thankful for the TV show captivating the attention of everyone else.

A hand that wasn't his own slipped into his pocket, pulling out his phone. Rei handed it to him wordlessly, and one glance at the screen told him Rei had already dialled the desired number. Kai held it to his ear and left the room. His mind was spinning as he waited for the other to answer.

"The thought hit you again, hey?" Tala asked rhetorically as he picked up. He sighed and leant back against the bench, waiting for the meal Spencer had offered to conjure up for him. "You thrown up yet? Cried? I know you well, you weak Hiwatari."

"Shut up," Kai whispered, finding he was too tired to do much else.

"Ah," said Tala, nodding his head and closing his eyes. "I see you haven't slept yet either."

Kai leant back against the wall. Why had he called? Why'd he bothered? He'd known what mood Tala would be in and it would only end up with both of them in an argument, then Bryan would get involved and – Kai shivered and slid down the wall. He did not want to think of Bryan right now. Just... just no. Ian and Spencer were much cheerier people to think of... in a sense.

"How's Bryan?" Kai forced himself to ask, though he really didn't want to think of Bryan at all. "Seen him yet?"

"Hasn't been home yet."

"Not since the case?"

"Not since he bolted from the room during the case."

"I was hoping to leave that detail out."

"Well aware of that, weakling."

Kai glared at the floorboards, wishing they were the face of Tala as he slammed his fist down on them. "Stop it, Tala. Stop fucking playing with me."

"Well grow a pair and I might!" Tala snapped, standing upright and curling his hands into fists.

There was silence for a few moments before Tala's broken voice met Kai's ears and he sighed. He'd been waiting for this change of mood – had seen it coming since the verdict had been announced.

"What do we do now?"

Kai closed his eyes and heard Rei walk past. Ah, could the tiger be any more supportive? He'd been a silent encouragement the whole way through, even bothering to check on Kai as he was on the phone. "...you come here," Kai whispered, opening his eyes slightly. "All of you come here. You need to get out of Russia, for numerous reasons. Mr Granger won't mind – the senior one before you ask – and you know what Tyson and the others are like."

"When?"

"I booked the flight for midnight tonight," Kai replied, finally pushing himself to his feet. Tala was his best friend; of course he'd known roughly when the change was coming. "See you tomorrow."

"Yeah, bye."

Kai didn't bother hanging up; just let the phone fall to the ground as he went looking for Rei. He valued Rei's friendship almost as much as he did Tala's and right now, he needed someone who understood, but understood enough to know that Kai didn't want them to say anything. He just wanted them there.

He found the neko-jin in the kitchen, sitting at the table and staring boredly out the window. There were two mugs of hot chocolate on the table, one sitting in front of an empty seat. Kai smirked. Rei knew him as well as Kai knew Tala, it would seem.

He took his place and joined Rei in staring out of the window. He was still so tired, but he'd sleep later. Or pass out. One of the two. Whichever came first.

...Or Rei could drag him in the direction of the bedroom. That works too, Kai thought as Rei led him down the hallway and silently pushed open the door. He shoved Kai in the direction of the bed and stood there with his arms crossed, waiting.

Rei knew he knew Kai as well as Kai knew Tala, so he had totally foreseen Kai's walls breaking and had even gone to the trouble of placing a plastic waste basket by the bed, knowing that the troubling thoughts would be enough to make Kai throw up the small amount he'd eaten for lunch.

And of course he knew the small emotional breakdown would take the rest of Kai's energy, so he was already there when Kai's mind and body finally shut down and the tired teen finally collapsed. As Rei caught him, he finally allowed himself to relax and he sighed as he gripped the Russian teen firmly.

"You dolt," he whispered as he placed Kai on the bed. Not under the covers, because Kai would only kick them off. "You of all people know that if you lose, you keep fighting."

Rei lowered his gaze and clenched his fists. Sighing again, he brushed off the thoughts and headed for the door, gazing back at Kai one last time before closing the door. He headed silently down the hallway and rejoined the others in the living room.

"He finally pass out?" asked Tyson, five minutes later. Rei's head snapped up, shocked. He often forgot how perceptive Tyson could be. Tyson took the silence as a yes. "Good. The others coming tomorrow?"

"Yeah, heard Kai telling Tala that he'd see them tomorrow," Rei answered, moving off the couch and joining Tyson on the carpeted floor. "Don't pester them."

Tyson gave a small smile and shrugged. "Can't help it if I do. You know it'll only end up helping them take their mind off it."

"True that," Rei said with a smile of his own. "You told your brother yet 'bout the outcome?"

"Yeah."

"His reaction?"

"The same as anyone's when you tell them that Boris and Voltaire got off scot free."


Ok so I'm back... don't know for how long, don't know where this new story is going, and don't even ask what's happening with my other stories... but for now, enjoy :)