Okay, this is a brainchild that was developed, and then forgotten, only to be rediscovered a while ago. BTW, the title just sounded good, and only has to do with a very small part of the story. I really have no idea why I came up with it. It will be at least three parts, maybe four, but I'm not sure yet. Very dark and angsty, the whole uncertainty and self-doubt bit. The POVs switch, but it's mostly either Tala, Kai, or third person. Rei's is in there once or twice. Tala/Kai, Kai/Rei. Fun stuff. -

And now introducing . . . Tala-isms. (n. tal-ah-iz-ums) Something I came up with, with a lot of encouragement from AG. These are random, cliché phrases that Tala will say, and then either spoof off of, or completely disprove while mocking to oblivion. I have a lot of fun writing them, and depending on how the public (i.e., you) views them, I may write an entire fic of Tala-isms. 'Cause he's just so cool.

Righty ho, you know the drill, never have and never will own a thing, including Beyblade and any other brand or product mentioned in this fic. The voices in my head tell me what to write, so make them happy and leave a review. They work better that way, and the better they work, the better I work, and everybody's happy, 'cause a pissed Lessa is a scary Lessa, and nobody wants that . . .

Eclipsed Passion

Part One

There's a place inside every person that belongs to them alone, and no one can understand the difference between these separate sanctuaries. That is why man is a destructive force; one person can barely come close to completely understanding another, so how can one nation accept another, when a nationality, by definition, is many people simply united by a government?

So when you find the person that understands who you are, and sees, if not belongs to that special place, you fight like hell to keep them safe. He knows how much he means to me. I've told him so many times that if he doesn't know by now, I need to whack him a good one upside the head. I helped him escape Grandpa Nutcase and Uncle Psycho, and supported him when he joined his new team. I almost murdered him when he came back for Black Dranzer, I was afraid that Voltaire would destroy everything that makes him so wonderful for good.

And he knows that too. He knows that if he came back for any reason, even to save my sorry ass, I'd kill him, and never speak to him again. If that makes any sense at all.

So as I lay here on the cold floor, the familiar sensation of something warm and sticky surround me, and the realization that it's blood only from the tangy smell, because I can't see, I'm glad he won't come. I'm happy he has barely a clue as to how bad it's gotten.

Ironic, isn't it. The one person that can help me, and I don't want him anywhere near here. Life's a bitch, and then you die.

And then you die.

- . . . - . . . -

Bryan sat quietly on the bed, watching his smallest team member pace. Back and forth Ivan went, all the while muttering things that he could hardly hear. "Dammit . . . why the hell did they . . . aw fuck it . . . kill them both . . . Boris . . . bastard . . ."

Finally he couldn't stand it any longer. "Cut it out Ivan." The small boy turned to face him. "Pacing won't bring him back any sooner, and you're making me dizzy. So stop it, before I tie you to a chair."

Over in a corner, Spencer shook his head as his two friends bickered. He wouldn't say anything; this was their way of dealing with things. Leaning his forehead against the wall, he closed his eyes with a sigh. Common Tala. Where are you?

- . . . - . . . -

"Three . . . two . . . one Let it rip!"

"Dranzer!"

"Go Dragoon! Get ready to lose Kai!"

I watched as my blade exploded from its launcher and raced towards the opponent. Dranzer blazed in fiery glory, even in a practice match. My phoenix put on an extra burst of speed, cutting around behind Dragoon, tilting under the other blade's rim, tossing into the air and out of the dish. I lifted my eyes from the completed battle to see Tyson's crestfallen face. It was his own fault for being so cocky.

Dranzer returned to my fist and I fitted my blade back into place in the launcher. "Again."

Tyson groaned, reaching down to pick up Dragoon. But instead of setting the ripcord, the lazy dolt flopped onto the ground next to the dish. "Aw, common Kai. 'M tired, and you didn't let me have dinner."

A giggle sounded from behind us and I heard Max say, "Tyson, you did so eat dinner." The blonde laughed again. I swear the boy is on a constant sugar-high. "You ate three helpings of mashed potatoes, six pieces of chicken, the left-over pizza in the fridge and half a raspberry pie."

The dragon master sighed, his navy eyes looking at me imploringly, failing to move me with . . . uh . . . cuteness. "But I'm hungry Kai. If I don't eat, I'll waste away to nothing."

An incredulous snort was audible as the dark-haired Chinese Blader lifted his head from his interrupted attempt at meditation. Golden eyes glittered with mirth at the blue-haired boy. "Oh, I think you'll manage, Ty." Then those slitted eyes turned to look at me, in a much more effective look of pleading than Tyson had tried. "It is getting kinda late, Kai. Let's call it a night and we can start again in the morning."

I glanced around at my team mates. Max was nodding. Tyson was giving me a crazy grin, hoping I would cave. Even Kenny wasn't helping; the Chief had his arms wrapped around Dizzy and was snoring gently.

I closed my eyes in resignation. Crossing my arms over my chest I growled, "Fine." Tyson and Max gave a whoop, running past to get to the house that we were renting, missing the second part of what I was saying, " . . . But be up at six tomorrow." As they flew past, the two morons pushed Kenny from his perch on the rock, effectively waking him up. Chief looked around for a moment, I imagined that he blinked owlishly, but you couldn't see his eyes behind the glasses, then, after fussily checking that his precious Dizzy was alright, followed the others into the house.

The only one I would openly admit to call "friend" on this team smiled at me, respecting my space as he passed. I would willingly say that he was my friend, but I wasn't ready to tell the world that I had found more than a friend in Rei Kon. And he respected that too. "Don't stay up too late Kai. You're mortal too, you know."

- . . . - . . . -

I lay on the bed in the room that Kai and I shared, listening to the rain that thudded on the roof above me in great heavy sheets. I love the rain, just as long as I'm not stuck in it. A bolt of lightning flashed just as the thunder roared and I jumped. It was like a scene out of one of those cheesy old movies. Thunder and lightning, then the door opens and in steps a sopping wet figure, eyes hidden by shadow.

Kai shook his head like a dog, spraying water all over. Peeling off his soaking shirt the phoenix paced across the floor and into the bathroom. I heard the water turn on, and the curtain over the shower open and close.

With a sigh, I turned my head to look out the window again, watching as the rain poured down the glass. I lost track of time, simply following each rivulet as it made its way from the top of the window to the bottom. Reality only called to me when I noticed that the water was no longer running. Happy day! (This meant Kai in a towel . . .)

The bathroom door opened, and steam rolled out in lazy little puffs. Kai came out with a towel (ha!) around his waist, looking like he was floating on the steam. An angel descending from the clouds.

But no angel would ever have fierce markings painted on his face, nor hold such dark secrets.

Kai rarely bothered to unpack anything, preferring to live out of his bag. So he went over to the corner where he kept it, kneeling down on the ground. He fished around; pulling on some pants, then paused for a moment, his hand lingering over some little trinket. I sat up, trying to see what it was, but I couldn't. Smiling to myself, I slid off the bed and came up behind him, wrapping my arms around his waist, pressing a soft kiss to the back of his neck.

He dropped the thing back into the confines of his bag, but I caught a glimpse of something silver, a piece of jewelry. It didn't really matter. "Excited about the tour?" I asked him casually.

He shrugged, putting his hands on mine, sliding his fingers up and down my forearms. "Hn."

I giggled at his typical reply, nuzzling his neck. He leaned his head back with a soft sigh, eyes closed. He didn't say anything else, just let me lead him to the bed and wrapped his arms around me. It was a long time before he fell asleep.

- . . . - . . . -

I lay there with Rei in my arms, wondering how he would react if he had seen my necklace. It was silver, a round disc with a phoenix carved into it. Inscribed on the back were the words that haunted and comforted me at the same time. 'With all the love in my heart. Tala.'

But it didn't matter anymore, that was the past. And I would never see him again. He had forbidden me.