Title: Exchanging Hearts

Author: knightkitten

Rating: T?

Chapter: 2 of ?

Warnings: AU, slash, cross dressing? (not the type you're probably thinking) Don't know if this particular case is warning worthy.

Summary: In an alternate universe the Bladebreakers never won the World Championships in Moscow. Russia is a very different place and it's a race against time for the remaining BBA bladers to stop the Biovolt Corporation, The Demolition Boys and Kai.

Chapter 1

Rei was sure to keep his head down, using his fringe to cover his face as he stood behind Lee feebly as he conversed with a wary guard in fluent Russian. He still wasn't completely fluent in the language, so he stumbled over some of what they were saying. Otherwise, he had the gist of what was being said. Biovolt agents would always loath to let men into the markets. Reason being, the markets were very close to Biovolt headquarters and towards the beginning this had been used to the rebellious' advantage. Rei inwardly snorted. It was going to be Voltaire's downfall, his apparent lack of respect for females.

Finally they were allowed to pass into Moscow and Rei relaxed slightly, still keeping his head down. The hardest part was always getting out with all the supplies though. Lee pulled the cart to an awkward halt outside the busy streets of the market. They both hopped down gracefully, tethering the horses and heading in the direction of the produce. Lee barked out orders harshly, his eyes twinkling sadly beneath his hood. Rei pretended to nod meekly, flashing Lee a wink quickly before hurrying off in the opposite direction. He smiled into the depths of his hood. Lee was sure to scold him for the little display later, but Rei couldn't bring himself to care.

As he wandered through the busy streets, heading towards the first checkpoint, Rei thought back to what acting normally had brought upon them. He and Enrique had been posing as a husband and wife and Enrique had acted kindly the whole visit. This had been a couple of months into Russia's latest revolution, and so they had become rather confidant in there escapades, forgoing the usual stony silence they had employed on earlier trips. Heading out of the city, Enrique had cracked a quiet joke and Rei had burst into delighted, hushed laughter. It had been enough to bring one of the guards down on them however.

Rei had been absolutely appalled when the man had continued to grab his wrist harshly and lecture Enrique in harsh Russian. At the time, Rei hadn't been very fluent in Russian at all so could not understand what was being said, but when Enrique had finally managed to pry the man from him and leave the city with all hasting, he had been fuming and refused to tell Rei what had been said. Robert had told him later that the guard had been reprimanding Enrique for not keeping his 'whore' on tight enough a leash. To say the least, Robert hadn't let them on ration duty for weeks afterwards, Mariah and Emily had been fuming for months and Tyson hadn't been able to contain himself when he saw the bruises the guard had left on his wrist. Rei smiled fondly to himself. 6 months of being on the brink of all out war, certainly brought people together. The BBA bladers were certainly a very tight-knit group.

Glancing around, Rei was surprised to find himself at the first contact. Crammed between what used to be a computer software building and a police headquarters, was one of Mr. Dickenson's many contacts. Rei smiled at the man behind his goods and he passed a large parcel over the stall, gesturing to a boy a little older than himself to carry the other two large packages. Rei fished a pouch from his pocket, handing the clinking purse to the stall owner. Really they were only bottle caps (that Tyson had only been too happy to provide). Mr. Dickenson had already paid the man. The pouch was only for the benefit of nosy onlookers.

Never making eye contact with the stall hand, nor any passers-by, Rei wove his way back to the cart, piling the goods into the back and nodding politely to the boy as he left once again. Perching himself on the back of the cart, Rei picked at the stockings, waiting patiently for Lee and trying to scowl the itchy garments away. He really couldn't see why woman wore the horrid things. Sure they'd freeze if they didn't, but really: wasn't there something a little less cumbersome available. He contemplated that perhaps it was another of Voltaire's schemes to rid the world of females. Honestly, how could that man be as homophobic as he was and still not like woman as much as he did.

'It's definitely him,' a light voice commented idly.

'Hn,'

'Don't sound so excited,'

'I wasn't,'

'If you can't see me, I'm rolling my eyes at you,'

'Pft' Silence reigned for a moment, the only movement: the flickering of a screen as the image followed a girl.

'Move in,' the second voice spoke harshly into a speaker. The car jolted a start.

'Why don't we just grab them now,' the lighter voice whined slightly, 'this is all to much effort when they're within our reach,'

'I'm not taking any chances,'

'What chances. The whole of freaking Russia is under Biovolt's control,'

'No it isn't. They have too many allies for comfort,' his companion gave a frustrated huff 'Don't sulk Tala,' the gruff voice reprimanded coldly.

'Easy for you to say, you were always the patient one,' Tala sighed.

Rei almost had a heart attack as a sleek black BMW smoothly pulled to a stop next to the cart. Shoppers were hastily falling into bows before the occupants of the car could exit. Rei couldn't keep the look of disgust from his face, but it didn't matter as he too had already fallen into deep curtsy. He was relieved that Lee was on the other side of the city and would most likely not be arriving back for another fifteen minutes.

A white clad leg appeared as the car door opened smoothly, followed by another. They stood fluidly and Rei didn't dare glance up and confirm his suspicions as to who it was. He watched as they stepped to the side, allowing a heavy pair of black boots and straight blue-grey pants space. The fact that both of them were wearing color just added to his suspicions. Civilians wore grey and officers wore red and black, the higher ranks wore green. Free dress put you above reprimand. With horror, Rei realized that he could count the amount of people with that privilege on two hands: seven.

The two beginning talking in hushed English, that Rei was only able to pick up due to proximity and his extended Neko-jin hearing.

'The Scandinavian minister is meeting with Lord Voltaire tonight,' the smooth voice was hampered only by a lilting Russian accent and Rei's suspicions were further confirmed. The second person snorted.

'Requested or ordered?' the sneer was so familiar that Rei almost had to restrain himself from hugging his former team captain. This feeling was quickly squashed however, as a firm hatred rose in the pit of his stomach and it was all he could do not to pull out Drigger and launch straight at Kai's head, in-between those smug wine colored eyes. His companion didn't answer.

'Where?' Hiwatari asked, beginning to stalk in the direction of the Biovolt buildings.

'Emerald. Upside: Kink is playing - ,' the voice trailed off as the two walked away.

Rei rose quickly, mind whirling. Watching the retreating figures, Rei recognized the blood red hair instantly as that of Tala Ivanov's. He waited impatiently for Lee to return so they could return to headquarters and he could talk to Robert.

'Did 11235 respond?'

'Yes sir,'

'Carry on with surveillance within the perimeter,'

'Sir?'

'Wouldn't want to make it too easy now would we?'

A/N: Just a quick interlude. Next chapter: a flashback as too what happened during the world championships and Kai and Rei.