Title: The Little Popsicle part 1b

Summary: An icy accident helps create a wave of problems and feelings that will test the relationships of five certain bladers. R&R first-ish fic, Yaoi.

Disclaimer: same as previous chapter.

Warnings: Same as before.

Notes:

'thinking' and "talking" "(motions/actions while talking)"

Tap/tap/tap/tap….tap/tap/tap/tap

"(yawn) can't I shutdown yet kiddo…I've been working on this data all day" whined the computer. (7)

"I'm almost done Dizzy…I just want to finish up the modifications on Draceil and then all of Max's testing today won't go to waste…could you see how…"

"Yeah yeah I'm on it Chief…(mumbles) talk about slave driven or what…"

"Hey Chief, it doesn't have to be finished today or anything. I'm not in any rush you know…"

"Hi Max. I've almost finished just the last few touches with Dizzy's approval."

Sitting down on the table across from Kenny, Max watched as the brown-haired teen fiddled around with Draceil and the trusty laptop that was never left anywhere. After several minutes Max realised something and decided to ask Kenny about it.

"Kennny…you know on Tuesday when we all decided to visit the Kremlin at Red Square together…"

Kenny glanced over his machine to show he was listening "Yeah?"

"Why didn't you come along? I remember you saying on the plane if there was one place you wanted to go it be that, because there wasn't enough time the last time we were here. So why then did you absolutely refuse to go with the rest of us?"

"…"

"I mean, I think Ray was also aware on how keen you were over that place, but when he and I tried to coax you along, you practically had a fit."

"I went yesterday, in my own time." Kenny replied looking back at his screen.

"Why though? On the same note you've spent most of the time away from the rest of us…avoiding us lot even…what are we diseased or something?" Max said grinning.

"…I've been avoiding Tyson only." Still concentrating on Dizzy's data.

"Eh?" that was not the answer Max had been expecting. Nor did it make any sense, merely increased his confusion.

"…(tap/tap/tap)…"

"Chief, say that again. I must not have heard you right."

About to answer the blonde, Kenny was interrupted by Dizzy telling him she was all done and without waiting for a response saved and shutdown. Looking at the results, Kenny held up a finger to signify to Max that he should wait a minute and completed the necessary adjustments on Draceil before completely shutting his laptop down.

"You heard me Max (looking up at said person). I have been avoiding Tyson not anybody else. I'm sorry if it seemed that way."

Stunned Max shook himself together though continued to be utterly confused with what his friend was saying. 'Why on earth would Kenny be avoiding Tyson, it makes no sense. He's known him for longer than any of us and is the most used to Tyson's attitude changes. So then why…?' the last word he spoke out loud as that was the only way he would get an answer to his question.

"Because I know from experience what he's like at this time of year. I'm actually surprised he agreed to come along after the original date was changed, though I think his grandfather had something to do with that. By the way here's the newly improved Draceil just as you requested."

"Thanks, I'll give it a whirl tomorrow 'cause I'm not going outside when it's like this. Urm…what do ya mean by from experience and stuff…?"

"Experience from a few years back taught me to be careful around him this time of year, although every year it's the same. For about a week up to the date, don't ask me why….but he is almost impossible to get along with. I decided after last year that next – this – year I would stay well out of the range of fire. I'd like to keep my head firmly attached to my shoulders, thank you and not bitten off!"

Waving his hands around in an impatient gesture…"Wait. Hold-up. What the heck are talking about Kenny?? You're not even talking computer gibberish to me and yet you're still not making any sense!" If Max had been confused before he was even more bewildered now.

"Come on Max…His Mom!"

"Huh? What about his Mom?"

"…?...W-wait. I thought you knew!? I would have thought he'd have told you…or at least mentioned it." Kenny had this distinct feeling he had mentioned something he shouldn't have, like when you hear something about a friend and think that another of your friends has as well, so you tell them your opinion on the matter only to discover that they don't know and probably weren't supposed to know. 'Uh-oh. From the looks of Max's expression, he didn't know, so Tyson hasn't told him yet. The others probably have no clue either, which means they were not aware of how he could get…I guess that explains the lack of tension – not that it's an easy thing to believe. But I figured they would just ask me if they wanted confirmation – no wonder they've been dragging him along; hanging out seemingly without care, before coming back seeming pissed off at him for one thing or other…"

Kenny's rambling thoughts were interrupted by the still confused blue-eyed blader who was beginning to get a little annoyed over the whole thing and wished Kenny would stop being so mysterious all of a sudden and tell him clearly what he meant.

"Chief! Would you listen and please tell me why you are avoiding Tyson and what this has to do with his Mother, who he has, for your information, never mentioned to me before!"

"…(sigh)…well I suppose…I'm not sure I should be telling you this but…you know that Tyson's Mother is dead right?..."

"Yeah…"

"Well today's the anniversary of that…" waving his hand outward in a manner that clearly says 'What more can I say?'

"W-Wha? You mean she died today…When? How? Why didn't he say anything?!"

"I thought he had to you at least, but then he's always been kind of private where his mother's involved. She died of a brain tumour (8) ten years ago in the night I believe. It's weird but…for the rest of the year he's absolutely fine if you mention her or if he sees a photo or something, you would almost think the incident had no effect on him whatsoever. But for about a week up to the date its like he deals with his loss by remembering his last week with her, he has some kind of 'system failure' and everything that might have built up because his Mom's gone comes back to bother him. He gets very little sleep due to bad dreams, though he doesn't get them at any other time of the year or so it seems, his defences are lower allowing things and people to get to him quicker and at the same time he gets agitated far faster. Although he does try to stay docile and his usual uplifting self, even though I know how he gets, it never works; he gets angry far too quickly and then literally has no control."

"Is that what you meant about experience…?"

"We're friends, I don't like to see him hurting or retreating into himself like he does, not when he's so different, so irrepressible for the remainder of the year. Yet in past years trying to comfort him, support or even just be there for him hasn't succeeded. At best I've been able to apologise, on his behalf, to the people he's lost it over; whenever he glared or grew tense around me I would back away and leave him for a bit, not really getting too close since every time around he told me that's what he wanted, but I would stick around – being cautious of course – in case he suddenly did need someone. The first year after we met he told me why he was in such an apathetic mood in the hopes I'd stay away except I didn't…couldn't…and until this year have never been able to."

"Why? What changed this year that you find you can stay away? I still don't understand…"

"Max…that first year I know I annoyed him, when this older kid who was pretty much twice his size bothered him over us using the swings I think it broke the camels back. He lost it. It didn't matter that he was 8 and this guy looked 14, that the guy could easily pick him up and likely squash him – none of that mattered. Tyson was in the process of his once a year mourning ritual where he expected to be left alone to despair, remember or maybe even forget so as to steel himself against the rest of the year, and thanks to me and that teen he had not been able to. He stood up in front of the guy, glared him right in the eye and gave him a verbal bashing like I'd never heard, but that wasn't it…it was the look on his face; in his eyes, the tightly coiled spring of his body that all screamed not to mess with him: Not here, not now! If you think you have everseen him truly angry Max, without consequence, I promise you, you can think again. Because you haven't!" (9)

"…And last year that anger and vexation was aimed directly at me…because I guess I…got too close. Even Ty agreed that it would probably be safer for me to keep my distance and frankly as long as I don't look, talk or be near him, I can ignore that he's hurting, ignore that he's there…simply refusing anyone to help him past another year."

"…T-That's…that's deep. Still it kinda makes how he's been acting make sense. I think I understand now why Tyson's been sooo…not himself…" thinking over what the brunette had told him he couldn't help but be curious "So Chief, what did happen with that 'older guy'?"

Smirking the 'Chief' folded his arms and began relaying to Max the full spectacular event "Well…you should have seen that guy's face – it was priceless! It is actually quite funny now that I think about it; this big teenager looked absolutely petrified – like this waist-high Tyson was the bringer of the apocalypse or some stupid thing like that…"

-------------------------------------------

Meanwhile back at a certain apartment block two teens were patiently waiting for their friend to return from behind the closed door.

"Well Tala must have grabbed his interest. They've been in there almost ten minutes now."

"Hn."

Patience paying off, the apartment door is suddenly pulled open by Bryan; who seemingly refused to look up as he told them to come in. The most surprising thing, Kai noticed, was that he seemed to have a developed a light blush like he was embarrassed or something. And for this teen to have a red-look, even slightly, meant he had to be severely humiliated enough to not be able to control it.

Coming into the lounge, Falborg's holder returned to his seat on the couch across from the Wolf while he and Ray stood just to the side waiting on the verdict.

"Sit down, Bryan's not going anywhere yet and since you two have thoroughly rooted yourself into this it appears I need to explain everything to you as well now."

Taking the armchair seat, he sat while the Chinese seemed content to stand next to the arm on his right. He was about to comment when Bryan spoke up.

"Where is Tyson by the way? I…(murmurs) kind of need to apologise…"

"He left several minutes ago. You know we don't need to hear…" but Ray never got to finish as Tala sounding slightly disgusted demanded...

"Was this before or after he screamed at the pair of you?"

"You heard that?" even Kai looked slightly surprised.

"Ray I think the entire building heard him. Do I even want to know what unnecessary, misdirected possibly even un-founding things you said to him were?"

"…It was after."

"After eh Kai. 'Cause if I were you I would be hoping it was nothing too upsetting or you'll be doing some serious grovelling later. That is if your even bothered about practically ruining a long standing friendship over this little misunderstanding, because I had often thought of you guys as…maybe a little chaotic…but good…generally speaking of course…in the 'getting along' department. Only it seems between the pair of you, you have managed to completely fail that theory in one day."

'Oh for…' "Would you get to the point Ivanov."

"My pointis simple Kai, as I told my idiot boyfriendhere: I didnot have an affair with Tyson last night, or at anytimetoday…but perhaps that wasn't clear enough for you so let me put it bluntlyI have not had sex with your team-mate, I do not intend nor have I ever considered the option of doing so and I do not believe becoming intoxicated, as you put it, would honestly change that fact."

"…" two sets of speechless remarks could almost be seen rising from the silence in the room, as both tried to absorb this information despite the previous set they had been given.

"B-but…"

"Just tell them what you told me Tala. You can berate at them all you like afterwards…despite it being mainly my fault." – both Ray and Kai noticed the lilac-haired blader's sudden subdued attitude, which made them wonder how wrong they were for things to have taken such a turn of events. Impatient to know how badly he had interpreted today and just how much of what he had said through the course of this day to his Japanese friend was falsely berating, Ray asked:

"So…if you weren't um…with Ty, then what actually happened last night to get you into…well, that position this morning?"

"Simple…"

/Flashback/ (10)

How is it that the sun could be out and shining yet the cold wind that blew through the streets was not elevated even in the slightest? The locals of this historical country were more than used to this, but then some of the land's visitor's, who had been around long enough to know what it was like, were also familiar with the routine.

In spite of this chilly weather various people ranging from children to adults wore a thin/casual composite of clothing that was warm but which could do with being just a bit warmer, especially if they were planning to stay out too much longer than this mid-afternoon.

Having said that though, there were a few who either didn't mind or didn't seem to notice. Two, in particular, were very much unaware of the chilly atmosphere as the older paler young man stood outside the entrance to an old crafty looking gift shop off the centre of town. He was wearing black casual trousers and a dull white long sleeved top that ended below the neck; he had sharp azure eyes and deep red hair in a wicked style. If anyone he specifically knew walked past right now they would undeniably find it weird to see him stood as though window shopping outside a place that was really not his thing, and honestly the window displays were pretty pathetic. Little bits of long-forgotten trinkets stood in unimpressive boxes and sections of hand-made goods that looked more like failed or damaged or second-hand pieces rather than the newly made quality the price tags seemed to incline littered all remaining space. Not even the shop name looked exciting or particularly inviting, it really was fairly low-calibre and the Russian couldn't help but be amazed that it was still in business. All the more to wonder why the red head stood so resolutely outside then.

Upon strolling past he had glanced in the interior when a certain movement of blue and red had caught his eyes. Stopping to take a closer look his initial instincts had confirmed what he thought he saw and hence now was waiting for the occupant to leave – there was no way he was entering that cramped space, it looked like it would crumble into dust any minute as it was, no need to hurry the process along with him inside...

Vaguely thinking similar to his unknown voyeur outside, the slightly tanned individual concluded his brief curiosity of the small place and headed for the exit on the opposite side of the room, not buying a thing since he had not found anything remotely interesting. He was shorter than the other, a fact that was barely noticed as the exiting lad came to a stop on the shop's entrance step just above the ground. The lad wore a red cap on his dark blue hair, which was tied back in a small ponytail, a dark blue t-shirt replaced his regular yellow one (probably ran out or something), his red jacket however still adorned his chest and shoulders and dark blue jeans and shoes covered his lower body.

The shorter stared straight at the taller as if trying to discern who it in fact was; the moment seemed to last longer than required as silence filled the air between them forming their own little world. Brown eyes unfocused on the image before them slowly cleared as recognition dawned upon the blunette, the other obviously in amusement rather than offence that his successor did not recognise him.

Smirking and waving a hand in front of the boy's face "Hello, you remember me don't you? Or are you some kind of evil clone sent to confuse me?"

"...Huh?"

Sweat dropping slightly the red head decided to put the poor boy out of his confused misery "I'm kidding. Last time I checked my appearance hadn't changed that much...it's me Tala. Don't tell me you've only just woken up or something?"

"No no. Sorry Tala I was a million miles away..."

"(murmurs) no shit..."

"...So how are you? What are you doing here?"

"I live here" raising an eyebrow and enunciating every word.

"...Hehe...oh yeah right" grinned Tyson rubbing the back of his neck.

"Your weird you know that. I know your here on vacation because Kai called but why are you looking around poky little places like this...(gesturing to the shop)...I would have thought you would be sightseeing or absorbing the local beyblading or something?"

"We've done a lot of sightseeing since we got here and I think everyone needed some space so...(shrugging) I thought I'd do a little basic looking around myself."

"What? And pray you don't get lost" smirked Tala.

Tyson vigorously nodded his head to the comment as he finally moved off the entryway and onto the sidewalk. The two continued a bit down the road in the direction Wolborg's owner had initially been heading, still chit-chatting away.

A little while later when the omnipresent orb of fire began to disappear behind dull grey clouds, depriving even more the environment beneath it of its light and minimal warmth while the already chilly breeze picked up slightly in gusto, the two companions came into a clearing of street often reserved for sport. The medium-sized area surround by smallish walls and flora consisted of a court for basketball, netball, football and the like as could be observed by the multiple painted lines and curves upon the tarmac ground at one end and two blue beyblade dishes, nowhere as big as the stadium versions or quite as tiny as the portable dishes but still fairly reasonable in size, at the other end. So as not to extend into each other's play area, a seven foot high brick wall with two gaps where three people could walk abreast through on either side, stood in the middle separating the particular sports.

As per usual their conversation eventually redirected to Beyblade and with very little persuasion, the two found themselves agreeing to a friendly match. Although not per usual, it had been the blunette who slightly resisted the suggestion made by the blood red red-head (who wanted to practice a new move on his tough rival) rather than the other way around. Soon the pair were standing opposite in perfect position; Tala with his back to the wall summing his opportunity to test for the first time in proper battle and against an worthy opponent his and his bitbeast's move, and with Tyson facing it, doing very little thinking and instead merely going through the paces required to launch, blade and call forth Dragoon when the correct chance arrived. Perhaps the lad opposite had noticed the subtly subdued attitude coming from the normally excited-about-any-match Japanese as they counted down but he didn't let it bother him.

With a whoosh of air and metal the two blades speedily flew out into an arc above the blue dish, before landing gracefully within. Immediately they clashed then sprang apart, then moved back in again as though one was a mirror image of the other and no matter how hard the original tried to beat the copy, it simply wasn't possible, just as it was impossible for the copy to overcome the original.

Continuing to dance about one another trying to find an opening, dodging, meeting head on, skilfully attacking and defending in accordance to the other, both blades increased in performance, speed and anticipation with every passing moment. After almost being pushed out, Tala called forth his ice wolf, Wolborg to counter Tyson's next full frontal assault, succeeding in stopping said blade in its tracks before relentlessly banging it backwards…one, two, three times… on the third strike Tyson's blade followed the backward push and arced around to the other side of the dish, where in which the Japanese succeeded in calling his storm dragon, Dragoon forth.

Tala knew the time to release his new attack was almost upon him or for this occasion he wouldn't get the chance to try it out for real. He could see his friend reaching the point of wanting to finish, which meant if he did not do something soon he would either be beaten or forced to complete this battle before he would have liked to end it. Finding the right opportunity then, he and Wolborg concentrated on their next new move that would – hopefully – create an ending where he did not lose…after all they were all competitive in this sport by nature, right?

And while Tyson was aware Tala wanted to experiment on him that did not mean he knew what was coming…

Unbeknownst to the pair were five children tossing, bouncing and generally mucking around with a basketball behind the brick wall. Considering the racket they were making, their presence should have been obvious. One; a green haired lad currently pretending to throw the reddish-brown ball but always pulling it backwards at the last moment, was shouting to his mates that they would not be able to "catch this" when he finally got around to throwing it. A set of small yet rowdy looking twins were yelling at him to "get on with it!" while one or two on the opposing side tried to tackle the ball away. The black haired lad that had initially tried to snatch what was his ball away skidded round for a second try and partially succeeded by knocking the first off-balance, which resulted in him wildly throwing their object of desire for any to catch.

Except instead of being caught and despite the furthest away member running and jumping backwards no less to get it, it still sailed right overhead, bouncing once…twice…three times past the boundary wall.

The owner insisted the lad retrieve his possession and so the boy; no older than eight with brown hair followed the spherical plaything past the wall keeping his eyes fixed on it and only it. The basketball therefore provided the perfect distraction as the boy relentlessly scrambled after it paying no attention to the obvious battle just up ahead.

Tala and Wolborg were fully focused themselves seeing their perfect opportunity to let loose with their new "Ice Stasis Attack!" (11), a rather neutral yet exceptionally powerful play that, although an attack could also be used as a defence strategy. Designed to freeze anything (living, non or otherwise) it came into contact with inside a steel-hard casing of solid ice of sub-zero temperatures for an unlimited amount of time. This followed by say a strong frontal or another show of the same move would theoretically wipe out their opponent.

Either way just as Tala finished shouting the words and as Wolborg moved to carry them out, the young lad dived for the ball after its third small bounce with the idea of getting to it before it could move out of his reach again. Unfortunately his dive – while succeeding in snagging his desired object – sent him straight into the left side and back of a certain concentrating red-head, which incidentally caused him to topple to the ground; jerkily surprising him off his concentration and co-ordination…

…which simultaneously threw Wolborg off as well…Wolborg who had just at that split-second been about to release his "Ice Stasis Attack" at Dragoon…

…who also dodged to the right…

…only to realise moments too late a block was needed not a dodge…

…as Wolborg's previously excellent aim went straight by the blue storm dragon; unnervingly now aimed at a certain Japanese!

The move worked to perfection; solidifying the blunette almost completely in diamond-white ice from foot to just above the lower lip of his mouth on immediate contact…

…Dragoon simultaneously stopped and disappeared…

…and Tala, his ice-wolf and the brunette crashed upon the concrete, momentarily giving wind dominance over all movement.

Annoyed Tala stared daggers at the one who caught him so off-guard "Damn kid, should watch where you're going! Is that too much to ask?!" with said kid profusely apologising thanks to the pissed glare he had the pleasure of receiving. Briefly thinking 'well there was nothing that could be done now – what happened happened, no point in murdering the child' – Tala glanced opposite only to discover that might not be such a bad idea...before scrambling over to his friend who, where his skin was exposed, was already really pale and red and his head of blue hair noticeably shaking.

Knowing he would be unable to defrost Tyson out in the cold, knowing from training experiences that trying to break the stasis with his blade would be extremely dangerous and deciding upon a plan of action, he turned to the kid for help in getting Tyson somewhere warm, and the nearest place was his own apartment.

No doubt feeling guilty, though more likely knowing if he didn't help, those eyes might turn into real daggers and strike him down – it sure felt like that! That guy was staring into his very soul, his – he could just hear his sister call – beautiful azure eyes killing him from the inside out! – tossed the ball back and called over his best mate to help with the lifting, as the unlikely trio hastily made their way to the Russian's abode.

/End of Flashback/

"Hang on there is more" Tala interrupted Ray and Kai before they could ask what happened next and why his 'explanation' failed to explain very little at all.

"The little brats scampered off as soon as we got Tyson inside, leaving me to sort the 'popsicle' out. Between chiselling, chipping – mostly with a fire-rod, hammer and my hands – hot water and towels, I eventually managed to break him out of Wolborg's cage. Though by this point he was violently shivering non-stop, skin was pale or blue, in and out of consciousness, as well as many other symptoms for someone in moderate to severe hypothermia. We've all…well (looking at Ray) I don't know about you…but us three have all had some training from that blasted Abbey and living here…well its good to know some survival skills…"

"I may not know much, but I'm sure I've read somewhere that you're not supposed to give hypothermic victims alcohol? Yet Tyson said that you…"

"Yeah yeah I gave him a small shot of whiskey, didn't remember that little detail until after I'd given it to him, did I?! Of course this was all before I called the doctor, honestly, since I don't know everything. I'd not called an ambulance for the simple reason I didn't know how long they would take and then there wouldn't be enough means in the transport to thaw him out anyway…they would have to take him to the main building first…(shrugging one shoulder) there did not seem much point. I already knew your not supposed to move a victim as it could be dangerous, particularly if the person is more than mildly affected, but there was no way I would defrost anything with that weather in place!"

"So you moved him, and called help, then what?"

"Patience would you. Upon describing his condition, my doctor believed that calling in emergency services would prove no more helpful; that I should follow his instructions, and only call in extra help if his condition worsened or did not alleviate at all in the next few hours. Fortunately it didn't come to that…"

"…So I turned the heating down – I'd turned it up to get the ice off – removed his soaked clothes and wrapped him securely with blankets, towels, whatever I could get my hands on …though careful not to do any smothering…course going to find if I had any foil, which I did not, I returned to find him paradoxically undressing(12)…well at least he was moving I suppose. From there I simply followed doctor's orders to ignore the periphery, to give warmed sugar water at least until he had reached a desirable temperature and to add heat compresses to the major arteries where possible. It is not an experience I wish to go through again, especially not with one as stubborn as he. For the first hour I had to watch him like a hawk; he was constantly trying to undress, mumbling like crazy and wouldn't intake the water unless I forced it down his throat…" that brought a few smirks, even to the dejected lilac Bryan.

"…There did not seem to be any progress at first…still shivering, he at least knew sleep was a bad idea and while I tried keeping him awake through conversation, half the time I couldn't understand what he was saying and the other half he'd fall into unconsciousness anyway…supposedly you can regain two degrees Celsius per hour (shrugging slightly), yet I didn't exactly have a thermometer to check…remind me Bryan (pointing) we are buying one just in case…but within the next hour or more I noticed he was not shivering quite so violently as before and not only were the blackouts now almost non-existent, his speech was also slowly improving. We basically continued that way for several more hours. Eventually the blue complexion was lost, motor function improved, shivering even less though still cold and still a little dazed." Tala retold.

Since he had gone through all this in great detail with his no-longer former boyfriend, the red-head was deliberately giving the quickest rundown possible "We ended up gradually turning the room temperature up over time, I suppose with all that ice and weather it was doing a good job of keeping things cold, but it was gone midnight before we dared move and began ingesting more solid foods on top of the water mixture. It was also becoming clear that his arms had superficial frostbite and nothing more – simple enough to treat, but later… I did not want to cause an afterdrop after all of those hours beforehand. We successfully moved from here to the guest bedroom, where I had intended to use the bed's covers to warm him some more before allowing him to sleep. It was obvious the lad was not going to last much longer, no matter how… interesting our chat topics were and at least this way I had hoped to create more warmth, now that there was less danger. I had been concerned earlier of the hefty quilts constricting or suffocating him some how." Tala's slight slip of the tongue caused more than one eyebrow to rise. That had been the first time, from the moment he had started his calm report, that he had showed his own feelings on Tyson's accident…Tala had actually admitted to being concerned…out loud no less! Funny though, neither occupants noticed he did not seem all that bothered about it.

/Flashback/

"How long is this gonna go on Tal? I do not like being cold and I still am here!" goose bumps underneath the thick covers; trembling even beneath his borrowed boxers and t-shirt.

The Blue-haired Japanese had just effectively been raised in rank by being allowed to move to a more comfortable place and position; that is lying snuggled beneath two duvets with the white towel that had covered his freezing body before still in place, but with all the other bits on the floor or on top of the already heavy quilts. Tyson had wondered at one point what he looked like with the entire assortment of blankets, towels and dressing gowns that his predecessor owned securely wrapped around him; the red-head in question not having any kind of sleeping bag, polypropylene layers, aluminium i.e. the kitchen foil Tala had seemingly took forever to 'find' while he, Tyson, discovered he was way too warm…Tyson still did not quite understand why his friend flew off the handle with him over that 'episode'…or sheets of plastic bigger than for covering something like one of his fingers!

While Tyson had asked why these things, or lack of, were a problem he was simply and eventually told "…because my doctor advised such materials as best for this particular situation." – 'eventually' told as the first set of answer/questions was due to Tala's complete lack of understanding. To him the sentence sounded right but apparently it came out more like:

"..Ryes sno aving…dose fing suportent?" (Why is not having those things important?)

And took almost four attempts to get his meaning across…something that had immediately put a dampener on conversation.

Now though, he had, according to Tala reached a suitable core temperature to not only move – except his continual slow trips to the bathroom – but also be placed somewhere that did not constrict and subsequently completely insulate him quite so much…I mean for Kami's sake he wasn't even allowed to reach his hand out to grasp the glass of sugary crap Tala kept shoving down him! And for some weird reason the memory felt like ages ago, even though it was only a few hours in fact…most of his memories for the beginning of the evening seemed to come through a haze and that one, where 'Mr. I know what's best so just do as your told' contradicted his words to help him by choking him, was not an exception.

Yet with all this in mind, Tyson still felt cold, still shivered and only by a serious amount of concentrating could he get himself to stop…though that did not appease his multitude of goosebumps and he still was unhappy about falling to sleep…a concept getting extremely hard to fight off.

Tala must have been aware of this as he had not yet left and for the past few minutes – while he had been 'thinking' away – had been trying to start up conversation, not realising that Tyson was not listening to a single word…

"Well, what do you think?"

"….huh? Oh! Sorry Tal what were you saying??"

Tyson saw him sigh and roll his eyes while responding that it didn't matter. Feeling a little guiltily "Go on, I promise I'm listening this time!"

"I was saying you probably should notify someone in the morning as to where you are, because if there is still something wrong then I'm thinking it might be best if we take you to the doctor. What do ya think?"

"Yeeeeahhh" the word coming out around a large yawn followed by another large shiver/shudder.

Slipping a hand beneath the layers causing a noticeable gasp from the one below him, Tala felt Tyson's throat, chest, left arm and forehead areas noticing for what felt like the hundredth time his rival was still cold and dimply to touch, when on any other occasion the amount of layers…plus heating, would entail large amounts of sweating. Taking a glance at his face Tala also saw the rapid blinking and unfocused pupils of one desperately refusing sleep and failing with every second.

"Tala…can I not have some caffeine so I can stay awake…I don't wanna be like in those movies where the person doesn't wake up again!"

"No. I didn't re-hydrate you for nothing." 'Though maybe I should have some if I want to stay conscious for much longer…another round of shivers??? There's nothing more I can do to add warmth…! Oh wait yes there is, the oldest trick in the book…figured I would have to stay in here anyways so why not exchange our body heats in the meantime…'

Deciding so Tala pulls his white sweatshirt off, removes his trousers – much to Tyson's surprise – and slides carefully into bed, slipping his right arm underneath the stunned lad's back with his left circling the other's waist to pull him close and tight against his own body.

Tyson who had tensed on such close contact hesitantly asked "Um…Tala…what??"

"Shh it's the only thing left to do. So you better get comfortable."

"Err…O-okay." Shifting down to rest his head upon the proffered shoulder while slightly turning sideways into that warm, mildly sweaty body behind him, Tyson did as he was told. Of course the red-head had been ungodly warm for the past few hours…at least the remaining chill upon the body before him helped as a kind of icebox.

/End Flashback/

"…Sometime after that he, and then I fell asleep, only to wake up rather late to this untrusting sod."

Tala's three house guests remained silent throughout his telling, continuing to keep in silence for long minutes after he had finished; the first having heard it all before, realising long before this he had more than one mistake to atone for, whereas the other two stayed deep in thought trying to absorb and comprehend everything told.

'Talk about being deluded…! Kuso!'

'Looks like we should have listened to his side of the story…he's right…Kai and myself have really made a mess of this!'

"Our talk in your outside landing wasn't completely centred on this though. Since we came almost a week ago, Tyson's been acting up and it was that that played as much part in our role today."

"Acting up??" questioned Tala.

"Yeah acting up…like mood swings, going off, pushing people into freezing waters…"

"I think you'll find he didn't…"

"That's what Max said, what do you two know that I don't?"

"Remember that look he gave us earlier in the lobby before Bryan arrived…"

"What? That dumbstruck sort of dazed look?"

"Hmm. He had the same expression after you'd fallen in. I think it was an accident."

"So how about your fingers? Was that an accident too?"

Looking up suddenly interested in the conversation, Bryan asked "What about Kai's fingers?" to be told by Ray that coming back the other day, Tyson had entered he main room first slamming the door backwards behind himself just as Kai began to cross the threshold; the heavy pine door had slammed onto his four fingers gripping onto the door jamb and in part, his face that had, of course, been in the way. Little other incidents were exchanged before the red-head spoke up again with his 'outside that little shop' and Tyson's lack of enthusiasm over a beyblade match yesterday references.

By this point Bryan had moved away from the sofa to the big spanning windows on the other side of the room looking out onto the massive expanse of the city below, which was currently obscured by a mass blizzard of grey clouds, sheets of rain and sleet and ice everywhere around.

"That's all very interesting (not sounding least bit interested) but how are you guys planning to get home in this?"

Also moving to the window Tala exclaimed..."Get home? They can stay here, it's not like I don't have the space. Besides you can't go out in that…you wouldn't be able to see anything for starters and I'm not being responsible for another set of hypothermic victims!"

Indeed they all stayed put not in the least wishing to go out in that cold hell and settling down with hot drinks – everyone but Ray had coffee, he had tea in case you're wondering – they continued to relax for the remains of the evening. They talked some more, Tala finally reached for an icepack to stop at least some of the swelling around Bryan's cheek although it was a bit late for such a move, they even tried watching some film on the television about some vampire rock god and a queen or something, it was not very good…scratch that it was crap and while they could have changed channel there was nothing else on and…well….lets be honest here…there was nothing else to do. While Tala made a good point, Kai then made an even better one…saying that he would rather do nothing than watch this pathetic idiocy. Still though they sat there and fell asleep there on those sofas five minutes before its end.

They slept quite comfortably while said television continued spurting out rubbish no one in their right mind would watch, flickering and blinking all alone in the dark.

------------------------------------------------

'Stupid…stupid…stupid! Why did I ever agree to this?! (sigh) should have known it'd turn out badly…' one lonely blunette proceeded to berate himself as he continually stormed further away from his own points of reference and completely failing to notice it. If he had his wits about him instead of being so introspective he would have realised over an hour ago he did not have clue where he was or to where he was heading. But then, everyone does say too much anger has a tendency to blur a person's senses with this young man currently placed as a prime example of such.

Tyson, though, was more than angry, he was downright furious! Not only at himself, his team-mates, his grandpa but also…and he really wished he would stop thinking this…it honestly was not her fault and if anyone's to blame its him for being this way… but also he was mad that his one and forever only mother that had kicked the bucket too many years too early. He thought that every year and every year he could not stop his fury over the entire situation, which of course led him to be mad at everyone else. He knew it was not fair on those other people, they were in no way to blame, but still he found himself doing just so with even the slightest incentive.

The blunette knew his annually ritual was weird. A ritual that he himself could not explain, which had become an almost subconscious habit; exactly a week before this very date he would relive the days leading up to the moment she passed away in his dreams, only each night he would see her there…in the bed lifeless…her white gravestone proudly stood erect and he would wake from the nightmare chilled…crying…always briefly thinking…hoping…praying…the truth about that nightmare was not true. Yet within seconds he would always remember that no amount of hoping would deny that truth.

From there he could not sleep, even when he tried to, the images behind his eyelids resurfaced without fail, preventing any such prospect. He remembered back then, during that final week how worried he and everyone was for her and that he could barely eat because of this. Due to that recollection it seemed that now, ten years later even, he could not eat very much around this time. Tyson knew that part of the problem was that he did not want to eat, to sleep, to blur the edges of her final days…those last memories, no matter how painful they were…yet the rest of him failed to provide an answer to his subconscious dilemma. Why did he throw up just to fill his stomach each year? Even when he was so hungry he felt faint…why could he barely keep anything down? Why, without fail, did he get the dreams? Why, just like back then…why he was he so irritable, uncooperative, unsociable, angry…foul-mouthed?! Why oh why did he barely feel a clench when he saw her picture ever pleasantly smiling during the remainder of each year…yet again…without fail… during this week he had to hold it away from himself for fear of getting it wet? The lad just could not comprehend it.

Yet Tyson was aware of a few things: he knew that the sympathy everyone washed over him a decade ago failed to make him feel any better, in fact it made him feel worse…'I know I was only six at the time but I knew she wasn't coming back…even though I desperately wished it so. Everyone thought they were comforting me, but they were actually smothering me just to make themselves feel better!' …which now resulted in him failing to claim any help from others in the years that followed…shunning his family and few friends where need be. He knew that by confronting and surviving this one week he would be perfectly fine until next year where the torture would start all over again. Knew that this week was some kind of habitual process he had to go through to help him cope with the dreadful knowledge that maybe, if she was still here things would be very different and he at least would not feel so abandoned all the time(13).

'Doesn't explain why I even came on this trip? What made me think that this one year things could or should be different from all the others…was it just because the others were going to be here with me or did I actually believe that gramps was right and that this distancing myself from her would do me a world of good? …Right! What good has it done me?!...Except to make a mess of someone's love life and ruin this trip for everyone!...Damn it! Is this good for me??...this…according to gramps I'm supposed to be relaxing…rrighhhtt…I'm anything but calm you old fool!!'

Passing some trees and another set of roads, Tyson is unaware he has been spotted by a clergy member of the church he happened to pass by. The member – a male with short neat black hair, vibrant middle aged eyes and a middle sized beard who had the kind handsome face some would not associate with being with the Church; a bit too 'baby-faced good-looking' some would say – had been forced to resign himself to a night inside the hallowed haven when the weather turned from bad drivable conditions to too risky conditions; driving should not be chanced. Incidentally this currently resulted in him spotting the under-clothed boy walking totally carefree and oblivious through an icy blizzard. Naturally Father Alexis, that was his name you know, was concerned for the obviously lost lad, at least his eyes gazing blankly ahead suggested his predicament and ran forward never minding of himself in perfect faith he could help the lad…if only to get him out of the cold.

What Father Alexis did not realise was how much the blue-haired lad inattentively walked ever towards him wanting to be left alone and ignored; he did not realise this young one should be treated as something akin to a volatile bomb or a deranged suicidal individual…tread with extreme caution….or better yet don't tread at all.

But, I suppose, being the person he was and in the career he was in, he could not simply deny this lad's existence. Hurrying further to him, Father Alexis first asked if the lad in question was alright…to receive no answer…he tried again gently grabbing – in what he thought a supporting manner – the lad's arm before he could pass noticing that his assumptions were correct…even through the lad's slim jacket he could feel the chill race down his bones. The lad stopped, glanced his way and Father realised for the first time that he looked foreign and could not probably speak a word of Russian. Remembering his skills when his own father, who was a Father before him mentioned that some linguistics never failed to help in this vocation, he rephrased his question first in English…no response…French…no response…Ukrainian…no response…he doubted the boy would know Latin yet tried it anyway…no response and no extra response at that. All this time Father recognised the boy had stared straight through him as though he were invisible but failed to notice the confusion and anger within those eyes as he continued to fumble for words…he tried once more with the very scarce amount of Chinese he knew from a tourist translator booklet that he had collected upon his travels, hoping to at least get a reaction. Failing that he decided perhaps the lad was too cold and in shock and therefore needed to be brought inside, despite the holy building being, like most others, not particularly warmer in comparison…well at least they could be dry and out of the wind.

Unfortunately, as Father Alexis forcefully tried to drag his 'foreign younger brother', the lad immediately snapped into full reality and jerked, quite rudely away…Tyson had been willing to just ignore the dark clad man in front of him, barely acknowledging this person as a priest and not bothering to say anything…not out of the old saying 'don't talk to strangers or go with them anywhere', but with the hope he would go away if ignored. Instead he had asked questions in a few languages Tyson recognised as being so and, one in particularly, that sounded like gobbledygook…if he had not been so upset at the time Tyson would probably have laughed long and loud at the mere sound of it.

Moving away the bluenette ignored all words of 'I will not harm you', 'It is too dangerous to be out on your own', 'this is not weather you should be taking a stroll in son', again in a multitude of languages. Being understanding of English, enough of Russian and Chinese to satisfy any tourist and completely uncaring of whatever else the man was speaking, he quickly became annoyed with the short shouting bloke who once again attempted to get his attention by grabbing and pulling his arm.

Both recognised the mistake of which five seconds too late…

…And before either could protest…the passing police car, which had undoubtedly seen all…had stopped…helped Father up and placed the now handcuffed Japanese into their vehicle. Strangely perhaps the lad in question, who had looked pure frightening a moment ago, had returned to a more docile and rather blank state…gazing out the window at the two officers now fluently talking to one slightly distressed clergyman.

Unsure of how much time passed before both officers returned looking less than pleased…maybe that priest had upset them too? The blunette really did not care and could not be bothered with any of this…crap. He thought he had made it obvious…he wanted to be left alone, he was not interested in anything that guy was selling…despite the fact he was not selling anything and…and just wanted to be left to himself… was that really so much to ask?!

Apparently so, even locked up inside this car he could not drift away what with the second officer asking his name, nationality and was he more powerful than the Lord to warrant the stunt he pulled back there? Not really listening to begin with, it's sufficed to say such a statement greatly puzzled him enough to turn him aside.

"Eh?" 'What's this guy on about?'

"Ohhhh….so you have got a tongue in there somewhere…My partner and I were just thinking you couldn't talk…"

"…at least not with ya mouth!" his partner interrupted in.

"So what's your name kid and where you from?"

"…Kin…Tyson Kinomiya…Japan."

"Japanese eh? Why couldn't you talk to Father Alexis if you can lower yourself to talk to us?"

"…"

"Why so quiet kid? Cat got your tongue?" both officers though apparently amused were not even remotely so.

"…Alright then, answer me. What do ya think ya were doing?"

"Walking." Tyson simultaneously thinking if they were trying to be funny it was not working.

"Where to kid? Were you looking for the fastest way to hell 'cause we think you found it."

"…Fuck you…That's my business"

All smiles disappearing, the driver put his foot down harder accelerating his squad car further towards their station, knowing the sooner they got this punk in one of the cells the calmer he would feel. He knew his partner felt the same. This was their regular area; they lived and worked nearby from day to day, knowing some people and parts of their surroundings better than others. Father Alexis was one of those people, he ran the church – they had been outside of before – which was the only one around in this area and being loyal religiously, both men were appalled at the sight they had witnessed from this insolent foreigner minutes ago. They had, no surprise, wanted to charge him vindictively for even thinking such an action, unaware that that is exactly what happened…the blunette did not think. Instead Father had explained the situation as he saw it and did not believe the child had truly meant to hurt him and so had not wanted to press charges…merely get him out of the cold. The pair of officers had been on the brink of saying that the cold was a suitable punishment for this sacrilege but remembering to whom they were speaking, swallowed the words before they could properly form.

The officers however made it clear that to get away unpunished would not be right…the blue-haired teen had just caused an offence and been caught red-handed…they would have to charge him with a warning…though what they really wanted to do was throw away the key. Father Alexis had ultimately agreed at the insinuation that it would get the lad off the icy streets for a little while at least resulting in the three of them now speeding towards a small station away from the nuclear of the city.

The rest of the trip into the station's reception was made in silence; only the roaring of an engine, the clicking and slamming of doors, chink chink of metal and the occasional reprimanding tsk could be heard. A sound, generated by two certain law enforcers taking personal notice of the lack of apology from the boy in the backseat…he did not even look upset and if possible that annoyed them more.

Yet other than an apology what was there to say?? Except maybe 'I don't care', but why waste his breath when it was the priest's fault he got smacked in the first pla…? Wait. He was just trying to help, he couldn't know that he should not have bothered…that his help was not needed nor wanted…could he? thought Tyson. 'Well whatever…I pulled away from the guy once…must not have gotten the hint. Anyway so what if it's my fault?!...Don't care…can't be bothered to care…"

"Hey! I'm talking to you punk."

Looking up at the now seated officer, Tyson saw the blonde man was writing something down 'Probably about what happened with that damn priest…'

"How do you spell your surname?"

Telling him a little more harshly then he had intended…perhaps trying to infer that despite still being handcuffed with the blonde's dark-haired partner right behind him was not in the least intimidating, though why they felt the need to intimidate was anybodies guess…failed to have any positive effect and resulted in the officers answering back even more curtly than before.

"You're being let off with a warning. Sign here…this will go on your records. Now go on get!"

"Can I not just remain here? You know if I go back out there, another misguided priest may try again, only instead of punching them, this time I'll break their arm…maybe a few teeth…or since it don't appear to be in use – what with God and all – I'll just break their balls." Tyson was not sure how much of that he meant or how much he was really only bluffing…probably the latter mostly. It did not matter though, because now he had finally found a place in which no one would bother him. He half wished he would be incensed to do one of those things above and then maybe they would take him away from this hellish…vacation

Eyebrows raised the blonde officer was curious as to whether this was a definite and actually some sort of attack on his religion…not like the brat hadn't already proved he was capable.

"Is that right? So you're saying you will attack on sight any holy men you come across??"

"Actually anyone that happens to annoy me. I have had one of the worst days, scratch that week's in history…there's really no telling who might witness the brunt of this if they just so happen to get in my way tonight…you know that guy wasn't the first I've hit today."

Although Tyson's attitude was indifferent, as it had been for awhile now, his voice indicated by being distinctly laced with a deep-rooted anger to the blonde that this punk was being absolutely serious and should be taken for his word. I suppose after being in this job for nigh on twenty years you pick up things like falsehoods and danger like a sixth sense, least that was what many of his colleagues tended to believe.

"Fine you want to spend time in the cells? Go ahead but you know you get one phone call; tell your family or something where you are."

"I don't want it" walking with him towards the second cell – the first was occupied – and incidentally the payphones along the back wall, slightly confusing his captor. "You can only keep me for a certain time right?" hands freed and steel door opened, the blunette apathetically strolled inwards shrugging… "So why bother? No ones going to notice...it's not like…I'm wanted around…"

And just like that, as the barred door locked shut, his attitude turned regretful with a touch of some deep despair. Sliding down one wall at the back of his plain cell where whatever little light did not quite reach, the grieving Japanese finally allowed a few tears to slip down his cold cheeks…

Continued…

If you like it, hate it either way give me your opinion. I put a lot of effort into this one and I want to know what people think. Flames, Comments, Criticisms; ALL are welcome. A hate review is far more valuable (useful) than no comment whatsoever.

(7) I have very little recollection of what Dizzy sounds like so forgive the probably extreme OOCness.

(8) If you haven't guessed I'm making this up, okay.

(9) I do not know when Kenny and Tyson originally met as I can't remember if that was ever covered so if this is wrong I'm sorry.

(10) Most of the Flashback scene is omnipresent (third person POV), but it does shift slightly around a bit.

(11) Tala: What kind of name is that?! Me: I know I know…but HEY at least I tried ++

(12) Person who takes off clothing despite being extremely cold and a sure sign of moderate or above hypothermia. Bear in mind that all my Hypothermia information, while researched, has come from websites that have clearly said they are not at fault for any wrongly obtained information. So…this part may not all be correct.

(13) In my personal opinion, living with a grandparent without his real parents or siblings present most of the time and no other family, as well as friends who, for the most part, are in other areas of the world, I don't really see how someone could not feel, if only a little, bit abandoned.

IF your down here I will assume you have read it sooo REVIEW please ThankYou!

And thanks to those of you who have (many smiles)!

CosE.