Hey guys, don't worry I'm about half way done with the second chapter of Against All Odds. This is just going to be a short fic between Kai and Tala that came to me while listening to 'Let that be enough' by Switchfoot. It's an amazing song. Anyway, it will probably be only a few chapters at best. I intended it to be a one shot but it was getting a little longer then I had planned. Anyway, I'll try to get Against All Odds updated soon. Thanks for reading!
Disclaimer: I do not own any characters in this fiction that appear in any season of Beyblade. They belong solely to… someone else.
Summary: After a serious fight between the two of them Tala finds himself lost out in the rain wondering what went wrong. He becomes lost in his thoughts and tragedy ensues. Will Kai realize his mistake in time to save the one person he loves, or will his heart be torn apart for the last time?
Warning: This is a Yaoi fiction, meaning male/male relationships. There are also some language and adult situations. If this offends you then please do not continue reading. I have this rated M for a reason. If you choose to go ahead and read this fic and are offended, I'm sorry… I tried to warn you.
Let That Be Enough
The figure was merely another shadow traveling down the rugged streets of Moscow. There were few others out seeing as how the storm clouds that hung low and ominous over the city ensured that fierce weather lay ahead of Russia's capital city. The lean arms of the figure were wrapped securely around his own body as he tried to stave off not the cold from the streets but the ice seeping into his unprotected heart. The blue eyes of the man stared forward but did not see the broken store windows or the other shadows of people passing him on the streets. He had lived in Moscow his whole life and this was the first time in his life that he didn't know where he was headed, the first time in his life when he really didn't care. Nothing mattered to him anymore, he had nothing left.
The red bangs swayed when the lean figure suddenly jerked his head up as he tried to stave off a pair of crimson eyes that swam through his vision, crimson eyes that could light up with hope and joy, or darken in a moment of passion… or rage. His own blue eyes clenched shut and he had to fall against one of the brick slats that held up not only the building but the boy as well. He shook his head in hopes of ridding himself of having to see those eyes darkened in anger, anger that was aimed at the red head. Why?
A sob welled up in the man's throat but he forced it back down. He didn't, couldn't, cry, but it didn't change the fact that he wanted to. His lungs felt as if they would explode as he forced the sobs back and his eyes were blurry with tears he wouldn't let fall. His fists were clenched tightly on the sleeves to his shirt as his body shuddered with a force that was sure to break the lean body. With a command that could not be denied his knee buckled and forced the red head to the freezing concrete. He hardly noticed. The words that had been said, the actions that had been taken, they all seemed to replay over in his mind continuously. His right hand moved to his left cheek and traced over the deep cut and the bruise that surrounded it. He pulled his knees up to his chest as he stared forward into nothing.
Flashback
Steely blue eyes were focused on the pacing phoenix, who was literally radiating with rage. The red head wasn't quite sure how the two of them had gotten to the point that they were now at, but none of that mattered. The fact of the matter was things were getting bad and they were fixed in a nose dive to only get worse between them both. His blue haired lover was practically on fire with his anger and the wolf found that there was absolutely nothing he could do to stop it. He could only watch helplessly as the gap between them continued to grow in leaps and bounds. He made a move to stand up but one look from the red eyes told him not to, he didn't listen.
The red head walked over and stood in front of the blunette, fixing the man with a hard look. His face was basically impassive but his stance was tense. He grabbed the other one by the arm, stopping his pacing. "Kai, stop for a minute and tell me what's going on."
The look he received would have sent the devil himself running back to hell with his tail between his legs. The blue eyes remained firm and fixed on the other and he didn't budge. His grip tightened on the arm in his grasp as the other tried to pull himself free. The red head stared down his boyfriend. "This is insane Kai. I don't know why you're acting like this. Just tell me what's going on."
By this time the man in question had managed to wrench his arm out of the sapphire eyed male's grip but he did not resume pacing. Red and blue clashed in a battle of wills as they stared each other down, both too stubborn to give in. Kai jerked around and put his back towards the red head, walking towards the door. Blue eyes rolled in exasperation as the lean figure stepped, once again, in front of his lover. The blunette said one thing. "Move."
A shake of the red head and a brief response was all he got. "No."
"I'm warning you to get out of my way."
A red eyebrow rose at that. "You're warning me? What are you going to do Kai? Better yet, what did someone else already do to put you in this charming mood? You aren't leaving until you tell me what's going on."
The phoenix took a step back, away from the red head. He stared at him for a moment before a cruel smirk twisted his handsome features. The look made the blue eyes flash with an unnamed emotion but he didn't back off. Finally, Kai gave him his answer. "How long did you think it would take for me to figure it out Tala, or did you think I was just that stupid?"
A look of confusion crossed the wolf's face. "What are you talking about Kai? How long would it take to figure what out?"
Kai snorted in disgust. "You and him Tala. How long did you think you could keep hiding the relationship you were having on the side?"
The red head opened his mouth to retort but about that same times that words finally sank in. His mouth snapped shut and he stared at the angry crimson orbs, his own blue ones becoming icy. He went to speak but failed once again and shut his mouth. Tala shook his head to clear the scattered thoughts that were racing laps in his brain at the same time trying to reign in his temper. After several deep breaths the blue eyed male managed an intelligent, "Huh?"
His partner did not find his confusion believable or amusing. Tala had been trying for neither. Minutes floated by and the thickness of the atmosphere only grew worse. It was finally broken by the words spoken by the bewildered red haired Russian. "Kai, what do you think I am? A whore? There isn't a side relationship with anybody! I don't know how or where you picked up the idea that there was anyone else. I love you Kai, no one else. I love you."
For a single moment Kai's expression faltered, but it was only for a second. His burgundy eyes hardened once again as he glared at the person he had shared a bed with for almost three years. For a single moment Kai believed that Tala was telling him the truth, but the scene he had witnessed earlier continued to push itself into his vision, enraging him all over again. The blunette wasn't quite sure what happened after that but the next thing he was aware of was Tala lying on the floor holding a bleeding and swelling check. He brought red eyes down to his extended arm and blinked.
The blue eyes of his lover were wide with a combination of confusion, shock, and pain. They stared up at him completely lost and hurt… betrayed. It was several moments before Tala managed to grab back onto reality, and it was several more for him to actually accept it. When he spoke his voice was no more then a broken whisper. "Kai?"
Kai, despite the feeling of guilt that was rising and beginning to press hard at his chest said his next words in a tone that was devoid of all emotion. "I want you out Tala. I want you gone when I get back and I never want to see or hear anything about you." He kneeled down in front of the stunned red head. "You don't exist to me anymore."
Blue eyes were shining bright as the overhead light reflected on the crystal liquid that threatened to fall down porcelain cheeks. That's all he was now; a porcelain doll, a simple, shattered, porcelain doll. He was cold to the touch and as lifeless as a corpse. His once lively blue eyes had dulled to a light grey-blue. The sparkle of happiness and love that he had finally discovered disappeared into the darkness that threatened to overtake his heart. He watched quietly as the door slammed behind the back of the one person who used to make everything seem alright.
End Flashback
By this time tears were making their way freely down the lean Russian's pale cheeks, leaving trails of pain in their wake. Many hours had passed since Tala had fallen to the ground beside the antique building, along with those hours came the darkness of the night. Not even the moon could find the heart to shine down on the broken boy lying at its feet, lying at the feet of the world. He was like a dog that had finally refused to get up after being kicked so many times, but just because the dog refused to stand didn't mean that the kicks stopped coming.
A rough hand fell onto Tala's shoulder. The red head raised his lifeless blue eyes to stare up at the owner of the unwanted appendage. A large, ragged, man stood above him and he was not alone, three more people, looking no more clean then the first, stood behind the giant. The lean figure attempted to remove his shoulder from the grip of the stranger but he only succeeded in bruising his moonlight pale skin. Two of the men who had stood behind the first moved now to stand on the other side of Tala. The first man and one of the others grabbed his arms and dragged him to his feet. The red head thought about yelling but knew it would do no good; only provoke the men into finding more… effective ways to keep him quiet. Tala remained silent.
The lean frame tensed as all of his muscles contracted. Blue eyes were narrowed into icy slits as he managed to break the grip of the men holding onto him. He knew he'd never be able to run, mainly because he was surrounded by the four men, all of them grinning down at him. Tala managed to avoid a punch thrown at him by one of the guys but he stepped back into the arms of one of the others. The large arms of the man wrapped tightly around the lithe frame of the red head, crushing the air from his lungs. Tala made a move to get free but found the cool steel of a knife pressed tightly against his throat: a warning.
The four men crowded around the blue eyed Russian and pushed him towards one of the many abandoned buildings surrounding the part of town they were in. Apparently it hadn't been as abandoned as the red head had first believed. As he was pushed through the doorway Tala had a strange feeling of calm pass over him. He knew what was about to happen to him, and at that point he knew that Kai would become right. He was no better than a whore. At least he wouldn't be after the men around him were done; they'd make sure of it.
Tala was pushed roughly onto the unrelenting floor of the warehouse, his shoulder connecting sharply with the concrete, dislocating it. He bit down hard on his lower lip but could not keep a hiss from passing through his lips. He was kicked over onto his back by a rough boot in the side of chest. This place has extremely tall ceilings. Tala blinked for a moment before deciding that he really didn't want to know where that thought had come from. He supposed it was his mind trying to shut out the reality of what was happening. As he felt his loose pants slide over his hips he knew that there was nothing he could do.
A small, almost imperceptible, gasp of pain passed through his lips as the first man brutally entered him, claimed him. He shied away from the evil, yellow toothed, smirk that was bearing down on him. One of the man's rough hands was clamped down onto his hip, denting the bone; the other hand rose to brush almost lovingly across the tender bruise that marred his once perfect cheek. The man's smirk grew even wider, "It appears someone else has gotten you first bitch. Isn't that right?"
Another thrust managed to pull a cry out of the devastated red head, along with a few tears. This display caused the man to move even faster and harder inside the lithe body, breaking him far past repair. The man wrapped the hand that had been on Tala's face into his hair, pulling hard on the red strands. He moved his face close to the lean Russian's and crushed their lips together. When a particularly brutal thrust caused Tala to gasp in pain he found a tongue inside of his mouth. The tongue delved deep inside the cavern of his mouth, making sure not to miss any part. The man bit hard down on Tala's lower lip causing him to whimper in pain. A few seconds later blood dripped into his mouth. The man pulled away briefly to lick the blood off of the red head's lips. Soon enough he was invading the warm mouth once again. The man pulled away from him finally in the need of oxygen. He gave Tala a cruel smile, "I asked you a question pet."
He tried to turn his head away but the hand in his hair tightened painfully and kept him from doing so. He received a sharp slap across his already abused cheek and fingernails digging deeper into the flesh at his hip. Despite the hit the man didn't try to make him answer the question again, by then he was too absorbed in torturing the supple body below his. It felt like years to Tala, but to the man it was far too soon when he released inside the still red head. Said red head knew better then to get his hopes up about it being over, after all, there were still three more men waiting. The man pulled up after giving one last brutal kiss and whispering a promise of return to the read head. Please just let me die.
The night air ruffled his slate hair as Kai traveled through the frozen and deserted streets of Moscow, Russia. The dark of the night was strangely still and not in a good way. Kai felt as if some invisible substance in the air was slowly suffocating him, not that the guilt on his chest needed any help in accomplishing that task. All he could think about was the words and the actions he had said and committed. Tala hadn't deserved that but he couldn't take back the past. The reason Kai was now walking through the black streets of Russia was to find the red haired lover he'd so carelessly accused. What had he been thinking? I guess that is just it! I wasn't thinking and look where it's gotten me. Tala, please be alright. I'm so sorry, I love you.
Kai had believed that Tala had been seeing another person, a certain lavender haired blader in fact. After he had left his apartment, after he had hit Tala, he had stormed down the street to where Bryan was living. He had practically knocked the door down as he tried to get the falcon's attention. He got his attention alright, along with a fist in the face for being so loud. That meeting had showed him just how stupid he had been, how stupid he still was.
Flashback
His fist landed on the door again. "Bryan! Open the damned door!"
There was no answer from inside and Kai raised his fist again. He was just about to slam on the door again when it was flung opened by a tired and very irritated looking falcon. The lilac eyes were cold and he looked like he was ready to kill the phoenix. "What the hell Kai! What do you want?"
Kai was not put off in the least by the murderous look in the other's eyes, for he had a look very similar. He pushed Bryan back into his apartment and followed him before slamming the door. He spun around to face the furious falcon, meeting his eyes levelly. "Don't play dumb Bryan. I already know about you and Tala. How long have you and that red headed whore been dating?"
The look on Bryan's face was torn between amusement at the complete absurdity of him dating anyone, especially the feisty wolf, and anger at the fact that he'd just called his best friend a whore. Bryan compromised with both feelings, he gave a bitter laugh the same time that he punched Kai in the face. The slate haired male staggered backwards but managed to stay standing. The lavender eyed man took a menacing step forward, towering over Kai. "You, Hiwatari, are an idiot. Where in the hell did you get the insane idea that Tala and I were in a relationship?"
Kai wiped blood off of his cut lip from where Bryan had punched him before answering. "Where did I get the idea? I saw yours and Tala's little display of affection yesterday in the park. You two spent the whole day together having a great time I bet. Jewelry and flowers? You got an anniversary coming up?"
This time Bryan actually did laugh, not a chuckle, a full fledged laugh. He had a hand placed to his side as he actually had to wipe tears from his eyes. Needless to say the act was not taken well by Kai. The lilac eyed blader managed to get control of himself and then stared down the phoenix. "Yea genius, there is an anniversary coming up but it isn't mine, it's yours and Tala's. Wolf dragged me down into town with him so I could give him my opinion on what I thought you'd like best. Man you're dense."
Kai stared shell-shocked at the other man in the room. His world was slowly shrinking to the size of a dime as he realized just how stupid he had been. Why hadn't he been able to see what was so clear now? Bryan wasn't through with him yet though. "Tala loves you Kai! You are everything to him, you are his world. He would go back to the Abbey and probably whip his own back if he thought it would make you happy! All you have to do is take one look into his eyes and his complete devotion to you can't be missed. Now I have a question, just what exactly did you do to Tala?"
End Flashback
Kai had the bruises that his answer to Bryan's last question had gotten him. Not one of them was undeserved however. After the Falborg blader has beaten his sense back into him he had shoved him out the door at the same time grabbing his own jacket. Bryan has also contacted Ian and Spencer and now they were all out looking for the wielder of Wolborg. Bryan, though he hadn't needed to, reminded Kai just how dangerous the streets of Moscow were at night… especially for someone who looked like Tala.
The wolf could easily take care of himself most of the time but Kai wasn't foolish enough to believe that this was one of those times. He couldn't get the look, of pain and betrayal that those blue eyes had held as he walked out of the door, out of his head. His red head lover wouldn't be paying any attention to his surroundings. He knew how Tala just blocked everything out when he got upset, Kai dared to think that he had possibly broken the wolf's will to fight. He severely hoped he hadn't, he hoped Tala was safe, comfortable, and asleep somewhere. The suffocating air around him was telling him that his hope was not the case.
He wasn't exactly sure how long he had been searching but he knew it had to have been several hours for the sun was slowly beginning to rise over the city. Kai glanced down at the watch around his wrist and noticed that he was supposed to meet Bryan, Ian, and Spencer in the park in another hour. He was hoping that the others had faired better at finding Tala then he had so far. He knew this was a false hope because the person who found Tala was supposed to call everyone else the minute the red head was spotted. His cell phone remained silent as the grave.
The grey concrete began to blur together as Kai walked along the streets, eyes continuously scanning the area around him. The minutes ticked by slowly bringing him closer to the time he was supposed to meet the others. The blunette finally decided that he should head back towards the park. His shoulders were slumped slightly and his hands were stuffed deep into his pockets as he trudged back towards the park. He had just passed by an alleyway when something registered in his brain. A strangely shaped trash can had been lying across the ground. He wasn't quite sure why this had caught his attention but felt that it was in some way important.
Kai backtracked a few steps and stopped in front of the opening to the alley. He narrowed his eyes as he tried to make out what the shape that he had first cast aside as a trash can. The darkness that blanketed the alleyway made seeing anything past the first couple feet of the opening difficult. He cautiously took a few steps into the darkened street before pausing and listening. Everything seemed silent, but something about the alley felt… wrong. A few more hesitant steps into the alley showed exactly what was causing that feeling.
His crimson gaze was transfixed on the figure that was lying only a few precious feet away from him. The porcelain white skin of the man was stained with various colors. There was a deep black and purple bruise surrounding a cut on the person's cheek. The rest of his face was smeared with blood, mud, and another substance that Kai did not want to think about. The blunette took a few staggered steps towards the other before collapsing on his needs beside him. Kai reached a shaking hand towards the pale neck, afraid of what he might find upon touching it. A few painful seconds passed until he felt the dull thud of the other's pulse. He let out a slight breath of relief that he was still alive but couldn't help but wonder, for how much longer?
Kai fumbled for the cell phone that was clipped onto his belt and immediately dialed the emergency services. He barely managed to explain where they were as the pressure in his chest was becoming painful. He dropped his cell phone onto the ground and turned back to the scarlet haired male in front of him. He pulled Tala close to his chest, cradling him softly. Kai rocked him back in fourth as he quietly begged the other Russian to wake up. He almost missed the soft groan that passed the bruised lips of the male in his arms, due to the haze of guilt that had clouded his mind. He looked down at Tala and noticed that lifeless blue eyes were staring up at him.
Kai felt a cold hand grip onto his heart as he noticed the look in those eyes. He leaned closer and whispered experimentally. "Tala?"
Sapphire eyes blinked up at him and the slender figure titled his head to one side in question. "Who… Who are… you?"
At that question Kai felt the whole world shatter around him. He managed to choke back the sob that threatened to rise and instead forced a weak smile. "No one, just… the paramedics are coming."
Kai started to turn his head away when a slender, but weak, hand grabbed his chin and brought his gaze back to the injured one in his arms. Blue eyes stared at him with a slightly spark of curiosity. "What's you name?"
"Kai… Kai Hiwatari."
The sirens of the ambulance that was blazing down the street stopped any further conversation, which Kai was extremely grateful for. He wasn't sure if he could handle much more. Kai moved aside as the paramedics rushed in. Kai silently stepped away from the scene before turning blindly and running. He couldn't handle what had happened. Tala didn't remember him. That's the only thing he could think about, Tala didn't remember him.
Kai wasn't sure how long he had been running but suddenly he felt a grip on his upper arm, and was spun around to face confused lilac eyes. He blinked for a moment before recognizing the person in front of him. Bryan was saying something but Kai couldn't concentrate long enough to make out what it was. The lavender haired blader noticed and stopped talking. He shook Kai a few times and finally sound returned to the phoenix. He stared levelly at Bryan. "What?"
Bryan stared at him like he was stupid. "What? That is the best you can come up with? I just had to chase you down for ten blocks and all you can say is what? Kai, what's going on with you? Are you alright?"
Contrary to popular belief Kai and Bryan actually got along most of the time. They were as much brothers as any of the other Blitzkrieg Boys. Kai could detect the concern that was weaved through his voice. He shook his head. "I found Tala."
Bryan's eye widened slightly in shock at the news of the discovered read head. "Where is he? Is he alright? Why aren't you with him?"
If the situation hadn't been so tense, Kai would have found Bryan's reaction amusing. Bryan, the infamous falcon, hardly ever lost his cool, yet here he was frantically asking question after question sounding a lot like a concerned mother hen. Instead, Kai answered the lilac eyed man solemnly. "Tala is on his way to the hospital." He held up his hand to stop the question that he knew was on Bryan's lips. "I found him in an alley… I think… I think he was raped."
Bryan's eyes burned with emotions. The strongest was easily anger, but there was also the ever present concern, and some confusion at why Kai didn't go with the wolf. He stared at the phoenix blader with curiosity. "Why didn't you with Tala?"
The minute Kai looked away from him Bryan knew there was more to the story. The falcon swallowed slightly before asking weakly, "Is he… dead?"
Kai smirked inwardly at the irony of that question. In the physical sense of the word, no, Tala wasn't dead. However, mentally was a different story. I guess he was still Tala, just not… not the Tala everyone knew. He wouldn't have the memories that they all shared together, wouldn't posses the understanding he once did when no one else would listen. So in a way, yes, Tala was dead. Their Tala was dead anyway, his Tala was dead. Kai glanced towards Bryan. "Tala is alive… sort of."
This caused a lavender eyebrow to rise. "Sort of? What is that supposed to mean?"
"He doesn't remember. He just… doesn't remember." Kai's voice faded towards the end of his sentence.
"What, Kai? What doesn't Wolf remember?"
Kai forced back a sob. "Everything. He doesn't remember anything Bryan, not what happened to him, not… me."
Bryan's lips formed a silent 'oh' as Kai's words finally sank in. That explains why he was running away. He didn't want to deal with the reality of Tala's condition. Come to think of it, I might join him in that. The falcon stared at the younger Russian before doing something completely unexpected. Kai almost jerked away as he felt Bryan's arms wrap around him in a hug. After he got passed his shock, however, the phoenix willingly leaned forward into the embrace, burying his face in Bryan's firm chest. Bryan tightened his arms around the shorter boy and rubbed his back soothingly. "It'll be alright Kai, Tala is strong. Everything will be fine, everything will be just fine."
Okay, that's it for this chapter. Thank you to everyone who read it. You guys are awesome. I will hopefully have the second chapter of this ready to go by next week sometime. I apologize for any grammatical or spelling errors, I skimmed through it once, but I probably missed some stuff. Well, love you guys. Thanks for reading.
R&R