Slight change from the last chapter – this will all be written in a third person POV, personally think it sounds better :)...it's been a while!
Also quick warning – some form of an awfully written attempt at a slight lemon lol – It's awful, but I promised a friend I'd attempt it. HAHA.
Enjoy
XXX
It was only half five in the morning yet a young bluenette was already outside training in the crisp morning air. He muttered angrily to himself about his good-for-nothing team sleeping still while he glanced around the deserted hotel. Mud and dirt flicked up the young teens jeans as his blue blade spun around the garden, tearing and ripping up the pristine grass.
Kai gave a toothy grin as Dranzer continued to destroy the lawn.
"Kai?" the bluenette turned sharply at the sudden, unexpected voice. Tala, Bryan and Spencer stood a few feet away – and had somehow managed to sneak up on the bluenette despite his acute hearing. The teen held his hand out and his blade obediently returned.
"Isn't this a bit extreme?" Spencer asked, turning his blue eyes to the deep grey-blue sky of the early morning. The bluenette shrugged in reply and walked towards his former team wordlessly
"Are you alright Kai?" Bryan asked, his lilac hair blowing in the slight breeze. Kai's lips unconsciously pressed closer together as he nodded. Tala watched him closely, studying the bluenette's face.
"How's everything with the police and the paperwork?" the redhead asked in an attempt to coaxthe buenette into speaking. Kai nodded wordlessly before speaking quietly
"Fine. I've got some files for you"
XXX
Kai remained silent as we attempted to question him over the police and files. Tala felt ad for leaving all the problems down to the bluenette, but Spencer and Bryan didn't want to deal with it. Kai had always been a lone wolf, and Tala hated to leave Kai but Bryan and Spencer needed his help more.
After a quick conversation, Bryan, Spencer and Tala decided that the redhead would pick the files up from Kai's hotel room later that evening – while the Bladebreakers were out for a meal with some of the other teams. The three had decided that the redhead would try to find out what was bothering the youngest teen so much – he tended to close up when approached by a group but he had always been open with Tala, and they planned to use that to their advantage.
XXX
Kai sat down heavily and poured himself a glass of whisky, gulping it down quickly he poured himself another glass and took a sip just as a quiet knock resonated through the otherwise empty room. He sighed and took another quick sip before getting up to answer. He pulled the door open slowly, Tala was leaning against the door frame, arms folded over his chest and a toothy grin plastered on his face, which slipped seeing Kai's expression. He seemed a lot more down than earlier in the day.
Tala closed the hotel door and followed the petite bluenette into the hotel room. Kai sat on the white leather sofa and gave Tala a rare yet slightly solemn smile as he picked up a glass of amber liquid. Tala then noticed the whisky bottle on the other side of the table, a few files lay next to that, each with a Russian name printed in small calligraphic handwriting. Tala spotted his instantly 'Tala Ivanov' the redhead only spared a short glance at his file before returning his focus to his young friend who was watching him closely with crimson-violet eyes
"Want one?" Kai asked softly. Tala shook his head, he didn't want to drink he wanted some answers!
Tala sat next to Kai, leaving the files on the table – he needed to talk to Kai first "What's going on Kai?" The red-head asked, worry laced his voice as his thoughts ran wild, trying to figure out what the younger teen was thinking. He watched Kai as the small teenager tried to think of what to say and finished his glass of whisky, fiddling with the hem of his shirt, it was a rare event that Kai, THE Kai Hiwatari was at a loss for words. He poured himself another drink, his hands shaking slightly, the liquid sloshed about in the bottle as he screwed the lid back on.
"There's nothing going on. What do you mean?" He asked, tilting his head to the side questioningly as he took another sip...judging by how much he'd already had to drink he wasn't taking it easy tonight.
Tala raised a perfectly sculpted eyebrow but remained silent – waiting for Kai to tell him what was wrong.
He opened his mouth and closed it and sighed "The Bladebreakers haven't been training" in that sentence it all became clear to Tala. Kai was trying to get his team to a tournament worthy state as well as trying to send Boris and Voltaire down...no doubt that entailed hundreds of forms to sign and papers to read. Tala glared at the floor, his team were hurting Kai and they didn't even realise they were doing it...or at least they didn't realise how much it was hurting him. Kai smiled softly and stood, before leaving for the kitchen and returning with a box of painkillers and a glass of water. He quickly took the last two in the packet and sighed in relief, knowing his headache would soon disperse.
Tala realised now that Kai was taking on too much responsibility, his team turned to their Captain for everything, and as much as that was what a captain was for – they took no responsibility for themselves and their own training. He watched sadly as the bluenette finished his glass and poured himself another – Tala didn't need Kai turning to alcohol to solve his problems.
Even Kai needed to talk things out once in a while – he needed a break every now and again and he needed sleep, and decent meals. Tala knew Kai had been eating little and training all hours into the night and the thought crossed his mind that Kai WASN'T eating at all and he WASN'T sleeping.
A choked sob dragged Tala back into the lavish hotel room and focused his attention on Kai who had curled in on himself holding his refilled glass loosely, the whisky slopping down his leg as he cried. Childlike sobs and coughs escaped the bluenette's lips as he trembled trying to breathe through his tears that rolled down his pale, tattooed cheeks and in that instant Tala knew he was wrong. Kai needed him more than Spencer and Bryan ever did – he was running because he couldn't handle what Kai was going through, Spencer and Bryan needing his help was just an excuse he had fabricated to hide the truth from Kai.
Tala watched Kai with pity before scooting closer and wrapping his arms tightly around the teen. He held on to Kai while the boy cried like he hadn't in years, heart-wrenching sobs and cries filled the room, the redhead tried to comfort the teen but there wasn't anything he could do. He couldn't force the Bladebreakers to take responsibility, he couldn't make Kai sleep and eat (though he would definitely try) and he couldn't take Kai's problems away.
Tala pulled Kai on to his lap gently, stroking his slate hair delicately "Shhhh" he soothed as Kai choked out another sob, tearing Tala's heart in two. He hated to see the boy he loved in so much pain and suffering. He had endured seeing Kai suffer at the hands of his own Grandfather and his right-hand-man for his entire childhood – it hurt then but this was beyond unbearable.
He held on to the small teen tighter as he hiccoughed and trembled. Tala sighed and tightened his grip once more as Kai shifted in his arms, his tears finally drying...he looked fragile and tired.
Tala sighed into the deep silence that hung in the room as he held the petite teen. He looked down at the slate bangs that covered crimson-violet eyes, just as they turned their gaze to him. Tala smiled softly and Kai smiled back, shifting carefully in his lap. Tala raised his eyebrow fractionally as Kai edged closer, his face mere inches from the red-heads own. Tala watched Kai closely as the younger teens eyes slipped closed, slowly moving closer. Tala allowed his eyes to slide shut as Kai's soft lips pressed against his own, his hands gripping the front of Tala's shirt loosely as the redheads arms held him close. Tala could smell the whisky, it hung in the air, clung to Kai's lips. Gods, how long he had waited for Kai to do this, but Tala had never imagined he actually would. Kai lacked people skills after all those years of abuse in the Abbey, he had known only hurt from others and Tala had feared he would never let anyone in on such a personal level...Tala was dragged from his thoughts not by Kai pulling away, no the young teen was now holding on to Tala's shirt with an iron grip, his knuckles turning white as he desperately pulled himself closer to Tala, his lips moving more urgently against the redheads own. Tala could feel the desperation through the hasty movement of the bluenettes lips. He knew what Kai was doing, yet he wasn't sure he could stop it now. Tala knew the bluenette was only seeking comfort.
Tala's mind raced frantically, dazzling ice-blue eyes wide, lips now unmoving against the Bluenette's, Kai turned desperate crimson-violet eyes to Tala and in that one glance at the petite teens broken face, Tala made his decision.
He pulled Kai closer and kissed him back, feeling the teen relax under his touch Tala sighed softly against his lips as Kai continued to kiss him hastily, the smell of whisky still hung between the pair.
Guilt played at his mind as Kai unbuttoned his shirt with trembling hands, pulling it off pale shoulders to reveal deep scars on his shoulder blades and back. Tala took every detail of Kai's marred skin, looking carefully at the dusting of scars that covered his chest, some long and thick, others thin, some only tiny. To most people – seeing this would disturb someone, but to Tala, it fascinated him. The redhead bared near enough no scars himself, his skin was near perfect and he knew it. He gently ran his fingers over a deep scar on Kai's shoulder blade, softly kissing another equally deep scar on his collar bone. Kai moved in to kiss the redhead again as Tala unbuttoned his own shirt to reveal his porcelain perfect skin. He gently kissed and nipped at Kai's neck while his hands ran over Kai's back with a feather-light touch. Kai was trembling – no doubt he was scared, this was his first time.
Soon their clothes were scattered across the hotel floor – Kai was lying on his back on the sofa, vulnerable and scared. Tala hovered just above him between his thin, toned legs, holding back...uncertainty, nervousness, anxiety and guilt played at Tala's mind as Kai's eyes filled with despair, he pulled his gaze from the redhead and looked away to the window.
Tala couldn't stop it, he couldn't do it to Kai. Horrified with himself for continuing, he captured the bluenette's lips in a passionate kiss to distract the petite teen from the pain as he gently eased himself into the younger teen closing his eyes in shame as the small phoenix whimpered in pain...
XXX
Tala looked down at Kai, the phoenix had all but passed out, leaving Tala to his thoughts. The redhead slowly stood from the sofa, collecting his clothes and quickly pulling them on, he was worried the bladebreakers would return soon and catch him in such a compromising position, it was not something he wanted to experience. Tala carefully picked up the bluenette, trying not to wake him, he looked so peaceful... Tala gently lay him on his bed and cleaned the younger teen up from the mess they had together made. Tala pulled a fresh pair of pajamas over the lithe body of Kai and pulled the covers over him.
XXX
Kai woke slowly, his crimson-violet eyes unwilling to open...he looked around his room, Ray was asleep still raven locks spread on the pillow, his face calm and peaceful as he slept dreamlessly. It was early, only 6, Kai noticed as he looked at the small clock by his bed.
He looked out the window, through a small gap in the curtains, thinking over his night with Tala. The red-head must have carried him into his room – Kai remembered falling asleep or passing out in the older teens arms – he wasn't sure which. Tala had kept his gaze away from Kai's as much as possible for the entire duration, and Kai knew why. Tala had no choice. Kai covered his face with his hands in frustration. That was – he decided – the last time he let things get on top of him so badly. He needed to handle his responsibilities.
He had wanted comfort, that's all...so why had the rational side of his brain taken a back seat and allowed himself to give in to his desires?
Kai pushed himself up slowly, flinching as pain flared in his lower regions
Kai had accepted he loved Tala – that was something he had come to terms with a while ago, but he shouldn't have allowed himself to lose control like that.
Kai eyed the file that Tala had placed by his bed warily...'Fucking Abbey' he thought miserably, apparently, not only had the Abbey turned him into a twisted machine – but living in a cold stone building full of boys older than himself, had turned Kai gay. He smirked and chuckled miserably as the thought entered his head, passing through quickly and being replaced by the matter at hand. Tala.
He decided after nearly 4 mugs of coffee that he needed to talk to the red-head, and explain himself.
XXX
Kai knocked quietly on the door. It opened a crack after a few minutes, a dazzling ice-blue eye peering through the gap. Kai shifted nervously. Tala pulled the door open revealing himself in his pajamas with messy hair. The redhead stepped aside allowing Kai inside. Kai stepped in wordlessly, glancing briefly at Tala before heading further into the room. The petite teen sat heavily on the sofa and he hung his head, shadowing his eyes with his slate bangs.
Tears prickled at Kai's eyes "Tala, I'm" he paused "I'm so sorry" he couldn't think of anything else to say
Tala smiled miserably and sat next to the teen. he could almost feel the guilt radiating of Kai and Tala knew that the bluenette struggled when it came to his feelings.
Kai sat awkwardly on the hotel sofa, willing Tala to speak – but only silence greeted him, the redhead's gaze dropped to the carpeted floor.
"Tala, I don't know what to say that's will make this better" Kai whispered, Tala glanced up from the floor and sighed before looking back to the carpet
"Listen, don't feel guilty Kai. I could've pushed you away" Kai sighed, his shoulders sagging as Tala sat next to him and wrapped one arm around him. Kai knew Tala could have, but he also knew that Tala wouldn't because he cared too much...
"I didn't handle things properly" Kai whispered "Too much to handle, and I wanted someone to help me, but it shouldn't have been like that Tala" Kai beat himself up as Tala tried to find the words to say – Kai had been asking for help in his own, odd way, and Tala was glad to have given it, although he was still unsure of the method in which it was achieved.
"Listen, Kai" the bluenette turned to look at his friend "what's done is done, nothing can change what happened last night"
Kai shook his head "Yeah, you're right" Tala smiled as Kai sighed again
"Just try not to dwell on it Kai" Tala added – wondering if Kai felt the same way about him as he did for the bluenette
Kai nodded, the awkwardness still hung in the room as he allowed himself to get lost in his thoughts...
Tala smiled softly at the teen and spoke softly "You should get back or your team will wonder where you are" he decided. Kai nodded an left, Tala sighed, he had hoped Kai would stay, and talk to him, perhaps – the redhead hoped – he would even get a chance to tell Kai how he felt. But Kai said nothing more, he left silently
XXX
Kai left the room silently and headed straight to his hotel room, to wake his team and get them up for training, to his surprise they were already awake in the living room, waiting to go.
"Morning Kai" Ray smiled – Kai realised that Ray must've got the other members of the team up seeing that Kai was already awake himself.
Kai nodded "We've got training to do, the first preliminary is tomorrow and you need to be prepared enough to take a day off training to watch and learn your opponents strategies. So I suggest you work hard today" he explained coldly.
Tyson nodded "O-kay! Let's go!" he jumped up and the team left without another word, not a single protest.
Kai blinked and followed them wordlessly.
XXX
Training dragged on, the other teams were all prepared and were relaxing ready for the preliminaries, most of them were discussing tactics quietly amongst their teams, but not the bladebreakers, no, Kai had told the team he would be doing their preliminaries and he would open the matches with each team, as he was the best prepared. So he was working them like dogs in preparation for their matches against the other qualifying teams. Team Bega who had calmed down since the last tournament had arrived only earlier that day...quietly confident they weren't training or letting any tactics slip. Brooklyn was watching closely, with a smirk plastered on his handsome features.
"Run faster Tyson!" Kai shouted from up ahead as they ran around the large garden
"I'm trying Kai but it's 3pm I'm hungry!" the dragon wielding teen whined
Kai sighed "Fine, you can have a half hour break" he called back to the team without stopping running
"Cheers Kai!" Max grinned hyperactively as the three boys stopped training to have a sit down.
Tala watched Kai with worry as the teen trained himself more vigorously while his team had stopped.
XXX
As the evening began to get dark the bladebreakers stopped, save for Kai, "Come on buddy, you gotta get some sleep for tomorrow" Tyson called as he flopped down on a chair with the other teams.
"No" Kai replied bluntly as he launched Dranzer again, going over simple things like high-speed manoeuvres. Tala knew what Kai was playing at. He didn't want to stop, because he didn't want to speak to the redhead. It hurt Tala more than he thought it could to see the younger teen avoiding him.
"Fine, see you in the morning" Tyson replied as most of the teams headed inside to get a good night's sleep.
Leaving only Kai outside with the demolition boys.
"Enough Kai" Bryan walked over to the pale teen – Kai didn't even look up, he didn't want to see the look on Tala's face...or in fact he didn't want to know if Tala had told Bryan and Spencer...
"Kai!" Spencer growled, the bluenette reluctantly turned crimson eyes towards the other three teenagers. Tala had told them, he knew in a instant. His expression turned cold and masked, guarded to anyone or anything that could hurt him.
"Listen, from what we hear you need to take some time out and get a good night's sleep." Bryan explained "You can't just turn to Tala whenever things get too much"
Kai stared at them in disbelief, his mask slipping momentarily and suddenly his eyes narrowed, the mask returning again full-force, as if they thought he would turn to Tala for sex every time things got too much "I'm not going to turn to Tala all the time" Kai turned his back on his former team mates and friends, crossing his arms and remaining cold.
"Enough Kai get some sleep" Tala replied and stepped forward, pulling the bluenette into a hug, Kai remained tense "Please get to bed" Bryan and Spencer backed off – leaving Kai and Tala alone, the redhead released the bluenette and stepped back – looking Kai up and down. His eyes were cold and his face expressionless, his shoulders were tense, his arms crossed tightly over his chest.
Tala looked at Kai closely for a few minutes. The bluenette stared back at Tala expressionlessly, his face betraying nothing.
"Kai" Tala paused "I-" he stopped again and in one swift movement pulled Kai into his arms and pressed his lips to the bluenette's. Kai hesitated for a few lingering seconds but wrapped him arms tightly around Tala acting on instinct as the redhead expressed himself. All the awkwardness between the two disappeared – Bryan and Spencer watched from afar with smirks, it had taken their captain long enough to kiss the boy and he still managed to do things the wrong way around.
XXX
Kai smiled as he stepped on to his balcony, closing the door behind him so as not to wake Ray as he slept dreamlessly unaware. He smiled and pulled his royal blue blade out of his pocket. Kai admired his beautiful bitbeasts bitchip, studying the picture of the phoenix and deciding it didn't do the beautiful creature justice.
"Dranzer" he whispered, the majestic bird rose from her blade in a scarlet flash of light. She stood on the railing, ruffling her feathers
"Evening little one" her voice sang quietly
"Evening Dranz" Kai smiled and shuffled closer as Dranzer fluttered to his shoulder, warming him
"You seem troubled?" she asked. Kai shrugged and glanced over the city
"Just the tournament" he replied
"You have been over-working both yourself and me" she chirped, Kai sighed
"Sorry Dranz" she nuzzled closer to him, her warmth keeping the cool night air away
"Get some sleep young one, you could use it" she advised before returning to her blade
Kai smiled softly at his phoenix and headed back inside – crawling into bed and switching off his dimmed light...
XXX
The morning dawned crisp and cold – the preliminaries were to begin at 9am, it was only 6.30 but Kai was far too awake to sleep more now. He stood slowly, and got into the shower, preparing himself for the days battles, which he was to fight. The teen glanced at himself in the mirror and decided he did look unwell, slightly. But nothing to be concerned about.
Ray was up when he returned from the shower dressed and ready to go.
"Morning" Ray smiled as he gathered his things up to take a shower himself. Kai nodded and left to wake Tyson, Max and Kenny.
XXX
The team stood inside, waiting for Kai to be called to his preliminary...
"You ready Kai?" Tyson asked with a grin
Kai nodded wordlessly, turning his gaze to his team but continuing to remain silent.
'switch tactics for each battle' he thought to himself sternly
'speed, defence, attack – variation'
'don't let yourself get caught off guard'
he nodded as he heard his group called over the speakers
"Good luck" the team cheered as he left for the beydish. 'Focus' was his last thought as he stepped into the blinding lights
XXX
As could be expected, the world class teams surpassed all the mediocre amateurs through to the initial stages of the tournament. A handful of newbie teams made it through as well but nothing Kai was particularly worried about...he was more concerned with the world class teams, the Demolition Boys, White Tigers, Majestics, All Stars...Bega
He wasn't entirely convinced his team was ready to face those opponents yet but he had planned some training that evening and he hoped they would get a mediocre newbie team to warm up on tomorrow – to get back into the swing of things.
The evening was difficult – full on training after hours of preliminaries was tough on Kai – the teen stubbornly continued – he couldn't expect his team to train if he wasn't prepared to do the same.
As it became too late to continue Kai was relieved, he was exhausted and tomorrow held the first matches of the tournament.
He was asleep before his head hit the pillow.
XXX
The morning arrived all too quickly. Kai's stomach was unsettled as he woke – nerves. He didn't usually get nervous, he wondered – but usually his team was more than prepared...this year they were far from that.
He stood slowly and began the task of waking his team mates – they all woke fairly easily – even Tyson. Kai kept quiet and his gaze remained on the coach floor as they travelled to the stadium for the start...he wasn't sure which he would prefer, the opening match of the entire tournament, or the last of the day, the wait would drive him crazy. There were only a maximum of 6 teams playing each day. So there were 3 matches of 3 rounds in the day.
Kai was hoping the Bladebreakers would be the middle match, but unfortunately they were first.
Kai stepped up against his opponent. A member of a team that looked so disorganized and thrown together at the last minute that it was almost insulting.
Even more so when the boy launched his blade, Dranzer landed facing her opponent, Kai flicked his wrist and the battle began...and ended. In only seconds the other blade was thrown from the dish – a stream of abuse left the boys mouth as Kai called Dranzer back and swept from the dish and back to the bench with his team. That kids team either got REALLY lucky in the preliminaries, or REALLY unlucky today.
"Sweet!" Tyson grinned as Kai sat on the bench "Who's up next?" the teen grinned
"Ray" Kai decided – he thought Ray was the most likely to take this seriously and not underestimate his opponent.
He was right. Ray approached the battle with the exact frame of mind that Kai had. Evaluate the power behind his opponent, use as little force as necessary – don't show any tactics saved for later battles and eliminate the opponent quickly and efficiently.
Ray smiled as he sat back down. "Tyson you're next" Kai instructed "We need a quick efficient win, no messing around, no underestimating your opponent, no techniques or tactics that the other teams can record and analyse. Understood?" Kai asked. Tyson nodded
"Got it, quick battle" Kai nodded as Tyson stepped up to the dish and delivered the battle he had described. It was quick, and basic. Kai sighed in relief. A good start to the tournament. The unsettled feeling in his stomach began to calm as he relaxed in the stands, watching the Demolition Boys destroying another team.
XXX
Kai spent his evening training hard outside in the cold night air. Preparing for a battle against one of his fellow teams...he was sure that he couldn't rely wholly on Tyson or the team, he had to prepare as if to face every opponent by himself.
That's when he was disturbed by Tala...he wasn't sure what to call Tala – were they boyfriends? A mistake, or friends with benefits? Kai watched him wordlessly
The redhead stood next to him and pulled him into a hug "Are you alright?" the older teen whispered into the bluenette's ear. Kai nodded against Tala's chest and smiled as the redhead held him closer – Kai's blade spinning a few feet away.
Tala gently pressed his lips to Kai – but the younger teen hesitated averting his gaze from the older teen. Tala moved back to look at Kai's face – holding Kai away from him but still holding on to him. Kai's crimson eyes were shining in the moonlight and Tala suppressed a soft sigh.
The older teen knew what was wrong – the thought he knew was going through Kai's head had been plaguing him for most of the day
"Tal – are we?" the bluenette stopped speaking in embarrassment. Tala smiled and pulled him close again
"Yes" he whispered his answer. He and Kai were together in his eyes. He felt Kai nod and relax into his arms, the smaller teen fitted so perfectly with Tala.
"Come inside? I think they're still serving drinks" Tala asked, Kai nodded and smiled as the pair walked inside. Tala gently unwrapped his arm from around Kai as they walked inside, to save speculation from the other teams – in case they should happen to be awake and around the hotel food area.
XXX
Kai looked up as Tala placed a glass of coke in front of him "You look like you could use some sugar" Tala smiled as he sat down. Kai chuckled softly – an act that only ever happened round the Demolition Boys – and perhaps the Bladebreakers if they were lucky. Kai was beginning to find himself relaxing around the Bladebreakers – his friends.
Tala noticed his 'lost-in-thought' expression and smiled "Everything ok?" the redhead asked as he sipped his drink.
Kai nodded "What are you drinking?" Tala grinned
"Jack Daniels and coke" he answered and took another sip. Kai chuckled
"What am I drinking?" the bluenette chuckled as he asked, sipping his drink moments after
"Vodka and coke" Tala replied
"Are you ok Kai?" Tala asked worriedly as the crimson-eyed teen rubbed his temples – an awful headache that had been coming for hours was finally getting to it's peak.
"Yeah, just a headache" he replied with a weak smile as he sipped his drink – probably not the best idea to drink alcohol when he already had a headache but he needed something to help him relax.
"I'd probably have a headache too, if I had to work with Tyson all the time" Tala laughed and finished his drink as Kai took another long sip.
"Let's get some sleep, you could use it. Don't make me worry about you more than I already do" Tala warned with a smile as the pair left to get some sleep.
Kai nodded and left wordlessly with Tala.
XXX
XXX
XXX
Kai smiled as he thought back on the tournament – it was the finals in only a few short days...surprising Kai the Bladebreakers had flown through their battles with ease. Knocking out opponent after opponent.
The team had really impressed Kai, they had surpassed themselves even in Kai's wildest imagination – they had all grown incredible strength, tact and speed – not that the bluenette would ever admit this to them.
Max of all had impressed Kai the most. The blonde teen had really improved, the vigorous training had helped him incredibly, his defense was always his strongest point, but Kai felt confident in his attack and evasion now. Kai had decided that Max deserved to fight in the final against Ming Ming. He only hoped that the blonde teen wouldn't let him down now.
Tyson would also be fighting in the final – he would face Mystel. Tyson always surpassed Kai's wildest imagination...Kai knew he could count on the blue haired teen to pull through even when things looked set for him to fail. and for that reason there was no excuse for the slate-haired teen to doubt Tyson, he trusted that the dragon wielder would pull through.
And Kai would be facing Brooklyn. He wanted another go against the redhead...he was sure he could win again – if he really put his mind to it. Kai couldn't just pull a win out of nowhere like Tyson, but the slate-haired teen felt prepared enough to face Brooklyn again – he was determined to win.
Ray had agreed to step down for the final – allowing the rest of the team to battle. The Neko-jin understood why Kai had chosen who he had, Tyson had always pulled through for the team, it was a no-brainer...Kai himself was always strong, he knew they could rely on their captain as they always did and he would pull through. As for Max, well he had improved so drastically it would be an insult to push him aside for the final...he had stepped down for the Russian finals before and Ray thought it only fair to give him a shot this time round.
The stoic blader sighed as he looked across the city from his balcony. He had been finding sleep more and more elusive the closer the final came. Nerves had never bothered him this much but he just put it down to all the work he had put in to prepare his team – he didn't want them only to throw all that time away and lose. The crimson-violet-eyed teen stepped into the room and silently closed the door, trying not to wake the sleeping neko-jin. He crept to his bed and crawled under the covers forcing his eyes closed and pulling the covers up to his chin, willing himself to fall asleep...
XXX
The morning arrived and Kai felt queasy – sick to his stomach. It wasn't even the day of the final yet and he felt awful.
He slowly pulled himself out of bed, the final was tomorrow and he had to train with his team in preparation for fighting Bega. They were not opponents to be taken lightly and Kai knew this all too well, he hoped his team remembered as vividly as he did.
The bluenette sighed – he had to go to the airport with his team at 2pm – to meet Max's and Tyson's families who had flown over for support. He felt a pang of jealousy at the thought that he had no family, the only ones that cared were the bladebreakers and the Demolition Boys, most specifically Tala.
Kai hoped they could all pull through – he didn't want them to get too distracted.
XXX
The training for the day came to a close unusually early for the team, as the Bladebreakers – minus Kai – wanted to go out for meals with their families. Kai had managed to drag his team to train for just an extra couple of hours after the team had brought their families back to the hotel.
Kai was exhausted, he flopped on to the sofa on his empty hotel room and closed his eyes slowly with a sigh just as a knock on the door resonated through the room. With an angry growl he opened his eyes and stood again and pulled the door open with perhaps a bit too much force, revealing the stunning ice-blue eyes of one, tall, pale, Russian blader. Tala smirked and leant against the door frame as Kai calmed and stepped aside for the redhead to walk inside.
Tala sat on the sofa next to Kai and smiled
"So, it's the final tomorrow, you ready?" Tala smirked
"Of course" Kai grinned and leant heavily against his boyfriend.
"So who gets the pleasure of facing the great Kai Hiwatari" Tala grinned knowingly as he wrapped his arm around the bluenette's shoulder, gently running his thumb over a scar that was just visible at the edge of Kai's sleeveless top. The redhead was sure Kai wouldn't pass up the chance to beat Brooklyn again.
"Brooklyn" Kai replied as Tala continued to gently rub the scar.
"I guessed so" Tala chuckled as Kai laughed softly. "You sure you'll be up for it?" Tala asked, a note of seriousness to his voice
Kai twisted in his arms to look at the redhead "Yeah, why?" Tala's arm dropped to his side as Kai's movement meant it was pointlessly around the teen
Tala looked down at him "You've been a little off recently, I thought I heard you throwing up the other morning" he explained.
Kai looked up at him "It's probably just a bug" he answered and relaxed against Tala's side again, the redheads arms took up it's original position and he gently ran his fingers over the scar. Tala looked at the teen worriedly but said nothing. He knew Kai had been working himself into the ground and he was glad the tournament was nearly over, once it was there would be celebrations and a vacation for the teams, a chance for Kai to finally catch up with himself.
A comfortable silence filled the room for a long while, Tala lost himself in his thoughts and Kai fell asleep against the redhead.
Tala noticed when he felt Kai's breathing slow that the bluenette had fallen asleep, he smiled and picked Kai up bridal style, carrying him to his room and gently putting him into his bed. He pulled the covers over Kai and left the room silently, closing the hotel door behind him and heading to his room, just down the hall.
XXX
Kai woke once again in his bed after not falling asleep there.
The thought that the final was today hit him like a bus and with a sudden lurch he jumped from his bed and straight to the bathroom.
He woke Ray, throwing up violently into the toilet, the raven haired teen pulled his bangs from his face as he continued to heave and cough
"That's it buddy, get it all up" Ray soothed as Kai continued to throw up the contents of his stomach.
As the bluenette leant back against the cool wall Ray sighed "I've never seen you so nervous" Ray commented, Kai just snorted under his breath. He didn't really have much to be nervous about, he only had to worry about his match, nothing else. The other matches weren't his problem any more, he had tried his best to prepare his team, if they weren't good enough to win then so be it.
Kai stood on shaky legs, using the wall for support, he had to get to the stadium.
XXX
The captain stayed in the locker room for the start of the tournament final, listening to the cheers and cries to determine how his team were doing. He had been feeling a little off colour all morning and he was beginning to get nervous. Kai leant heavily against the cool metal of the lockers, soothing his headache and helping to settle his stomach.
The muffled reactions of the crowd told him that Max had just missed out on winning, and Tyson was at the tiebreaker of his match against Mystel...he hoped against everything that Tyson could pull out a win.
The crowd fell quiet and Kai realised it must be getting towards the tense end. He stood slowly and shook the feeling of vertigo off before heading to the stadium himself, he wobbled and stumbled a bit on his way.
XXX
Just as the bluenette entered the stadium cheers erupted and Tyson flew into Ray, Max and Kenny cheering and laughing. He had won.
Kai took and deep breath and steadied himself, stepped out of the shadows of the walkway and into the bright stadium lights. The crowd cheered as he made his way to his team, stopping briefly to say a few words
"Well done" he turned to continued to walk up to the dish – a stomach ache forming as he took his place and began to prepare his launcher and his faithful blade. Brooklyn stepped up opposite him. The redhead had a strong respect for Kai after their last match, Kai had taught Brooklyn the most important lesson about Beyblading and for that he was grateful. Regardless of the outcome today Brooklyn knew Kai was the better blader, the better man.
Kai grinned as he and the redhead readied themselves to launch
"3, 2, 1 LET IT RIP!"
XXX
Kai smirked, a tiebreaker.
He ignored the stomach ache that was turning from an ache to more of a stabbing pain. He readied his blade for the final battle...
'this is it' he thought to himself as he and Brooklyn launched their blades
XXX
Kai grabbed his middle as a strong cramp washed over him, momentarily pulling his concentration from the battle at hand. Brooklyn was going all out, slipping back in to the psychotic teen he had been in the previous tournament – where he had nearly destroyed Kai's blade (A/n: I am aware in the anime he does destroy Kai's blade but in my story he didn't)
Kai's eyes widened as the same violet smoke began to gather round Brooklyn's blade.
"Brooklyn!" Kai gasped as the smoke flew towards him, colliding with such force that Kai staggered back, pulling his arms up to protect his face and torso
Blood dripped down Kai's pale arms as Brooklyn repeatedly battered Kai with an unstoppable force. Kai stumbled back a few more steps as Brooklyn continued to hammer him.
Another cramp washed over him and the bluenette nearly doubled over in pain – he caught sight of Tala in the crowd, he looked beyond worried – petrified.
Kai groaned in pain as he felt his temple split with the force of Brooklyn's attack which had caught his head – warm blood ran down his face and neck and Kai whimpered. Brooklyn's attack finally stopped and Kai moaned in agony as his stomach ache worsened, the noise caught Brooklyn's attention. He looked at Kai with wide eyes – the bluenette was barely stood on his own two feet, blood dripping down his arms which hung limply at his sides and from his fingertips on to the stadium floor, running freely down his face and neck from a gash on his temple
Brooklyn's confidence wavered, he doubted whether or not he wanted to beat Kai when he was obviously in agony from Zeus' assault, and in that instant it was all over. Zeus, in a flash of deep purple left. The same thing had happened to Ray, when he had fought against Kevin, he doubted his ability and his desire to beat the green haired White Tiger...and consequently, Drigger had felt his uncertainty and left Ray, only returning when Ray proved he wouldn't let the Tiger down.
Brooklyn stuttered incoherently, he had lost his bit beast, and inevitably the battle.
Kai however was struggling not with words, but with consciousness...darkness crept across his swimming vision, he swayed on the spot "Dranzer, finish this" he whispered weakly as his vision faded completely to black and only a few seconds later he crashed to the floor.
Tyson jumped up as Kai crumpled to the floor in a heap, Dranzer rose in a majestic flash of light and seconds later Brooklyn's blade fell motionless. But to the bladebreakers, it wasn't really a win – Brooklyn had lost his bit beast and they couldn't count it as a fair win...but Kai was more important to them right now.
Medics rushed on to the scene, picking Kai up and on to a stretcher and moving him to a small medical room in the corridors behind the scenes. Tala was the first blader to catch up to the Bladebreakers and Bega as they followed Kai.
XXX
Kai slowly stirred, blinking open bleary crimson eyes.
"Where am I?" he murmured confusedly, gazing around the room, seeing if there was anyone close enough to hear.
"At the hotel Kai" Tala reassured him softly as he leant into the bluenette's view. "The others are outside in the living room" he smiled and pressed his lips to the younger teens forehead. Kai clutched his stomach as pain laced his abdomen, he whimpered pitifully as Tala tried to help
"Kai, Judy's on her way, just hold tight. The medics said you were in a stable condition and had no serious head wounds but they said we should get you a doctor to check you over." Kai nodded in understanding as he pushed himself into a sitting position.
The bluenette sighed heavily "Did we win?" he asked, he had passed out before he had realised what happened
"Yeah, you won. Brooklyn lost Zeus though, he's upset" Tala explained
"It wasn't a fair win" Kai compromised, a headache forming – more pain to add to the bluenette's list.
Judy arrived only half an hour later and Tala left the room so Kai could talk to her in private.
XXX
"Is he alright?" Tyson asked Judy nearly an hour later as Max's mum exited Kai's room.
"He seems to be in top condition. I can't think what could be causing his stomach pains, but i've taken some blood samples and we'll get them off for testing" The blonde woman smiled and left the room promising to call and let Kai know of the results.
Tala was the first by Kai's side, helping him to get ready for an evening meal come party that Mr. Dickenson had planned for all the teams.
Kai studied himself in the mirror – the cut on his temple had been cleaned up, and it didn't seem to deep, the many cuts and grazes on his arms were cleaned up...he was surprised, the pain he had experienced in that match was something chronic yet he had hardly any marks to show for it...
"You alright?" Tala asked as he walked up behind Kai. The bluenette nodded in answer and leant against the older teen as Tala pulled him into his arms "You ready to face the evening?" the redhead grinned as Kai nodded in reply and chuckled
"I'm sure I'll live" he spoke into the silence. Tala smiled
"Come on, get changed into something decent, I'll be just outside" he smiled and left the room, Kai rummaged through his bag, he only had the minimal amount of clothes, casual wear, training gear and a few formal shirts and some smart jeans.
The bluenette picked out a black buttoned shirt and a pair of dark blue jeans. He quickly changed and washed his tattooed face and ran his hands through his hair a few times.
XXX
The meal was unpleasant for Kai. Tala was noticeably glancing over at him every few minutes, The rest of the bladers and adults, including Judy, were keeping a close eye on him too, none more obviously than the redhead though. Kai sighed, he wanted to put their minds at ease but honestly he wasn't hungry...
Eventually the waiters cleared their plates and most of the bladers ordered desserts, Kai on the other hand asked for a coffee – he was tired and there was a whole lot of the evening left.
XXX
The evening moved on from the celebration meal to a more of a party, a stereo system was set up and soon loud music filled the large room which had been cleared to make space. The music thumped loudly through Kai's head – despite his coffee the bluenette really wanted to sleep.
Tala smiled as Kai discreetly yawned, he chuckled and walked over, stopping at an acceptably close yet not too close distance from the dual-haired blader.
Kai smiled
"Tired?" Tala asked with a grin "If you want to get some sleep, I'll make an excuse for you" he added, Kai declined
"I should be here for my team" he replied honestly "I can catch up on sleep tomorrow" Tala shrugged
"Sure thing" he smiled and left the blader – not wanting to draw unnecessary attention to himself or Kai, who had closed his eyes and leant against the wall.
XXX
As the evening came to a close, Kai was dead on his feet. He and the Demolition Boys were the last to leave...Kai stumbled as they walked up the stairs – stupid broken elevators. Tala wrapped an arm round the bluenette to steady him as they continued to walk. It was very unlike Kai to get so tired he was in this state but Tala pushed it to the back of his mind, Kai had had a very trying day.
XXX
Gasping, Kai bolted upright, tears streaming down his pale face as he struggled to catch his breath. Another Abbey nightmare. He trembled and pulled his covers closely around himself, trying to still his shaking.
Fire burned him, licking at his pale skin, the smell of burning flesh filled his nose, explosions surrounded him reverberating in the room ...walls crashed to the floor, clouds of brick dust collecting in their wake, bricks raining down on him like snow, snapping the bones in his arm.
Screams echoed in the room – coughs followed from the dust and smoke. Kai choked – tears streaming down his cheeks
"Tala?" he shouted into the chaos- unable to see through the brick dust and black smoke, he spun around on the spot, blindly looking for his best friend.
A red flash alerting all the Abbey to the commotion, a loud siren wailed – the evacuation procedure.
"TALA?" he shouted louder. Another wall crumbled as the black phoenix screeched – raw power emanating off the proud Phoenix. Bricks fell, catching the young boy's head, blood pouring down his neck
"TALA!"
a choked sob, and suddenly blackness and pain...a hazy red light...
Boris. Red goggles, sneering
Kai shook his head in terror as Boris grabbed his arm and broke his wrist with his bare hands, a shriek of agony – blinding pain
Kai shook his head as his hands trembled, tears rolled down his cheeks. The day he had destroyed the training room of the Abbey. He had thought Tala was there, to this day, Kai couldn't fathom why he would have though Tala was there, Kai remembered sneaking out in the dead of night...
He wrapped his arms around himself, trying to still the shaking that had moved from his entire body to his hands, but was now moving back to the rest of him.
'Tala' he whispered the name – knowing that was where he wanted to be, with Tala. Kai swung his legs over the side of the bed and stood silently. Creeping silently to the door – a trait he had mastered during his childhood in the Abbey.
He pulled the door open with a shaking hand, cursing as his trembling made it close with a click, hoping he hadn't woken Ray he continued down the hall to Tala's, Bryan's and Spencer's room, wishing he had checked the time before he left. He was shaking violently, from the cool night air and fear, he spun round looking down the dark corridor – his mind twisting the darkness into shapes of people, Boris...
He grabbed the door handle and twisted it slowly, it stopped – they had locked the door. He swore quietly and knocked with a shaky hand. The Demolition boys weren't heavy sleepers, it would wake them soon enough, he glanced over his shoulder, Boris was there, walking slowly, beckoning him closer. A draft swept over his feet and he glanced at the door. He knocked again, equally as quietly as before. His hands shaking more violently as the darkness began to close in on him as he waited "Tala" he whimpered pitifully, looking to his right again, the figure was closer now only a few feet away "Tala" he cried more urgently as the shape came ever closer, just a mere two steps away. Kai began to panic everything was falling in and out of focus, his breaths coming in sharp gasps he grabbed his chest, over his heart as he tried to suck in air, "Tala" he flinched as the shape came closer, turning to face the door he used both hands a thumped wildly "Tala, open the door!" he cried, sobs tearing from his throat...he couldn't breath, Boris was right there. Panic and fear engulfed him as his hands shook, he looked again, feeling sick and faint. Only seconds could have passed but to Kai it felt like hours. The shape reached out to take his arm, Kai choked on a sob as he tried to breathe
A quiet click made Kai jump, his eyes flew wide open. The door opened a fraction, an ice blue eye peered through the gap. Tala pulled the door open wider, seeing Kai shaking and staring with wide crimson-violet eyes, who all but fell into his arms shaking and gasping for breath
"Shhhh" Tala soothed "It's ok, I'm here, breathe Kai" he pulled Kai into the hotel room closing the door silently, Bryan and Spencer had both walked over "It's alright" Tala soothed "Shhh" Kai continued to gasp for air "B-Boris" Kai stuttered in between rasps. Bryan looked out in the corridor, as he had suspected no one was there, he shook his head to Tala "Shhh Kai, Boris isn't here, he's in Japan" Kai's raspy breaths began to slow and he started to relax. Tala pulled him on to his lap and the pair sat on the floor "Take it easy" he soothed, Bryan and Spencer sat nearby. After a long agonizing few minutes, Kai had calmed down
The Demolition Boys could all remember the first time Kai had a panic attack, it was during a night in the Abbey, after a nightmare. They realised suddenly that it was the exact same situation as Kai had experienced tonight.
Tala continued to hold Kai as the youngest teen in the room fell asleep, holding Tala's top loosely, exhausted from the panic attack.
"We need to talk to him tomorrow" Bryan said calmly as Tala picked the lithe teen up and carried him to his bed, Kai would share with him tonight.
XXX
Kai woke slowly, moaning as he rolled over, thought, something stopped him. He groaned and opened his eyes slowly, blinking away the haziness that hung in his vision, everything ached painfully.
"Kai?" someone asked. Kai's eyes widened, his vision clearing as he looked to his side. Tala was watching him warily...A feeling of nausea settled in his stomach
"Tala?" He rasped, the redhead sighed and smiled softly
"You're alright" the older teen assured his love, Kai nodded, remembering the horror he had experienced the previous night. Tala pulled him close and sat there for a long few minutes – it was only early and Kai knew he had to get back
"I haven't had one of those since the Abbey" Kai commented into the silence. Tala nodded
"We thought so" Bryan and Spencer moved to sit on the end of the bed "Will you be alright?" Tala asked
"Yeah" Kai paused "Just feel like I've been hit by a truck" Tala chuckled as Kai began to stand slowly and wordlessly. Tala watched him warily, panic attacks used to really drain the teen when he was younger.
"I'll be fine" he assured the redhead as he stood straight. The blood rushed from his head and his vision faltered, the teen stumbled a bit as the feeling of floating overtook the bluenette. Tala jumped up to grab him. Kai gasped as strong arms held him "I've got you" Tala breathed into his ear. Kai shook his head as his vision returned, straightening himself up. Tala loosened his grip and allowed Kai to stand for a few moments
"I'll catch you later" Tala said softly as Kai turned to leave with a nod.
XXX
How the bluenette hadn't stumbled across this little gem hidden within the hotel was a mystery to him. Training rooms lined the basement of the hotel each filled with different machinery.
Kai grinned, all he needed was his key-card to his room to get in and effectively the room was his until he left.
He found what he was looking for quickly and swiped his card, pushed the door open and stepped in wordlessly. The bluenette flicked the light switch and smiled as the room was filled with an artificial white light.
This particular room was exactly what Kai needed, a treadmill was pushed up against one wall, a rowing machine next to it, and beyond that was a bike. Hanging over the other side of the room, taking up most of the space was a red punching-bag. Exactly what Kai needed.
He smirked as he noticed a small cabinet labelled "Customer Use". Upon further inspection, it held bandages to wrap round his knuckles. He made short work of preparing his hands and began to beat the shit out of his unseen enemies.
The punching bag was the perfect enemy in Kai's opinion. It didn't fight back.
XXX
Bryan, Spencer and Tala found Kai still training hours later. They had originally been taking a look at the 'Training Facilities' the hotel leaflet boasted about, but upon hearing a rhythmic thud and rattling of a chain, they had let their curiosity get the better of them.
As they approached the door it came as no surprise to see Kai inside. Tala watched him for a few moments, Kai's movements were ones they recognised from the Abbey with no difficulty. He was repeating the 'advanced fighting sequence' they were taught at the Abbey, and it was almost to perfection...Tala smiled sadly. Kai probably didn't even remember being taught the sequence, yet it had been drilled into him so perfectly that he could still do it without problems.
"I'll go and talk to him" Tala decided, he pushed the door open and let it fall shut behind him with a quiet thump. Inside the room, the rattling chain echoed loudly. "Kai" he said into the silence. Kai spun round instantly on hearing the redheads voice.
"Tala?" he asked confusedly "What're you doing down here?" he asked
"I could ask you the same thing" Tala countered seeing Kai's torn knuckles and the blood on the punching back which had dripped to the floor and flicked on the wall.
Kai sighed and walked over to the small bench against the wall...he hadn't realised just how exhausted he was, nor had he realised the state of his hands. Tala tsk'ed and grabbed the bluenette's right hand before gently unwrapping the remains of the bandages he had pointlessly wrapped round his knuckles for protection.
"Why do you do things like this?" Tala murmured as he unravelled the other bandage from his left hand. He saw Kai shrug out the corner of his eye but the bluenette remained silent
"It helps" he replied
"Come on let's get you to my room and cleaned up" Tala decided and sighed "This is definitely not the type of cleaning up I like to do" he flashed a toothy grin and gave Kai's behind a hard swat before he pulled the boy from the room. Kai laughed with Tala as Bryan and Spencer joined the pair as they walked up to sort Kai's hands out.
XXX
A few weeks passed and as the group were relaxing (Tala forced Kai to come with them), Kenny had an e-mail from Mr. Dickenson.
"Guys!" he called out for attention when he opened the e-mail
"What is it Chief?" Tyson asked
"An e-mail from Mr. Dickenson" he replied with a smile "He says we're all going back to Japan now, We're staying collectively at the Dojo and a Hotel round the corner" he explained "The flight's at 6pm on Thursday, that gives us tomorrow to pack and then one last day to do some shopping or whatever – we need to be at the airport at 3.30pm"
Tyson grinned "Dude this is gonna be sweet! I Can't wait to go home!"
Tala smiled and glanced at Kai – the teen was leaning against the wall with his arms crossed and eyes closed, he looked a bit paler than usual but Tala pushed it to the back of his mind, if something was wrong Kai would tell him or deal with it.
"Let's GO!" Tyson laughed grabbing hold of Max and Kenny's hands, the blonde grabbed hold of Ray and the team was pulled out, many followed, a day with the Bladebreakers was definitely not going to be dull.
The only people left were Tala, Bryan, Spencer and Kai.
"So, what do you wanna do then?" Spencer asked the group, receiving shrugs in reply. Kai remained silent. It was going to be a long day...
XXX
As the group sat at the large table for their meal, Michael and Johnny came up with – in Kai's opinion – the worst idea to spend their first evening back in Japan. A night out clubbing...
The rules on drinking were fairly relaxed in Japan, the legal drinking age was 20, but if you were with someone over that age, then a 17 year old could easily drink as well.
Which worked to the groups advantage. The Majestics, All Stars and Bega were all 20 or over, which meant that the rest of the under 20's could easily go out with them. Tala glanced at Kai, the youngest of the group (Though unbeknownst to the other teenagers) (a/n: I like Kai as the youngest teen so sue me! He'll also be the shortest but that's not important) – being only 17 could pose a FEW problems, however Tala wasn't going to dwell on the problem, they'd work their way round showing Kai's ID without the others seeing.
Kai sighed in frustration as the teens planned the night out with great excitement...the bluenette couldn't stand the though of hauling a drunk Tyson to his room, although watching him suffer the next day would amuse him greatly and may even compensate for any damages while dragging the great lug home.
XXX
Kai leant against Tala, his head in nestled against the redheads neck, he smiled softly as the older teen wrapped his arm around the bluenette protectively. Kai had been feeling under the weather for a good few weeks now, it didn't particularly bother either of the teens, it only became a problem when it was life threatening or causing him serious discomfort...of which this problem was doing neither. Throwing up every now and again, bit of dizziness that came and went as it pleased, nothing the bluenette couldn't handle, especially after a childhood in the clutches of Biovolt and the Abbey.
Tala gently pressed a kiss against Kai's forehead as the younger teen lost himself in his thoughts.
"Are you looking forward to going back to Japan?" He asked the bluenette. Kai turned his gaze to the redhead and shrugged somewhat half-heartedly
"I suppose, it's better than being back in Russia – too close to the Abbey" he replied "Though i'm not sure about clubbing" he snorted softly to himself
Tala chuckled "I'm sure you'll enjoy yourself"
Kai looked at him exasperatedly "Of course, because I love loud, thumping, techno music, i'm definitely a people person, and Tyson is without a doubt my best friend" Kai replied sarcastically
"But you love dancing with me" Tala countered with a wink and a smile. Kai blushed and turned his face away muttering something about being drunk and not knowing what he was doing. Tala laughed ans squeezed his boyfriend lovingly placing a kiss on his lips. "And you love vodka" he added with a wolfish grin, knowing full well that Kai could handle his vodka after years of practice during his childhood – Tala also remembered the time that Kai had a bit too much and was violently ill for two days.
The bluenette laughed and smiled back "Yeah, vodka's my best friend" he replied sarcastically.
XXX
The plans were all set by the time the teens set foot in the airport. They would all be back in Japan at around 2pm. They would all head back to the Dojo and from there head out for the night at about 8pm and stay in a nearby hotel for the night, taxi back in the morning. The best clubs were all a good hours drive from Bey City so the teens would travel back in the morning.
The plane trip back was only 5 hours (a/n: I have NO idea how long it takes to fly from America to Japan so i'm guessing) and most of the teens had fallen asleep – including Kai who was slumped against Tala's shoulder in a deep and for once dreamless sleep
XXX
The group made their way back to the dojo and everything got into full swing for the night out. Kai however had been feeling under the weather since landing and had been throwing up, almost since touchdown. Tala had somehow convinced the bluenette to come out still...it was a wonder that Kai and Tala's relationship was still only known between themselves and the Demolition Boys, surely they would have to come out soon?
Kai leant against the wall of the toilet, thankfully the stomach cramps that had been plaguing him for a good month had stopped, he was only suffering from nausea and illness occasionally. He chuckled hollowly, no doubt if his team found out they'd march him to the doctors, even though he'd had a call from Judy to explain the blood test brought nothing back and that it was probably just a bug.
"Come on Kai we're going soon" Tala poked his head round the door "I've put your clothes out on your bed" he left and Kai dragged himself to change. Naturally Tala had picked HIS favourite outfit which consisted of some of the tightest skinny jeans, and a white shirt. Kai pulled them on quickly, he ran a hand through his unruly slate hair and smiled as he pulled on some boots – idly wondering how gay he looked.
XXX
The teens arrived in the club after a long drive, at about 8pm. They were all let into the club without questioning. Kai fitted in perfectly to the crowd in the club, but to anyone that knew him he looked uncomfortably out of place.
The bluenette had stepped down from drinking for the night, and the others took it easy as they listened to the thumping music. Kai watched with amusement as Ray and Mariah danced – trying to keep their hands off each other, there had been a strong attraction between the pair for a long time, years in fact, and now the White Tigers had left their village it was easier for the pair to make a go of things.
Even Tyson had started dancing with Hilary – he had called her the second they got home and asked her to come out for the night, it was only a matter of time before those two ended up together he thought with an amused smile.
Tala appeared next to the bluenette and grabbed his hand and pulled him onto the dance floor, some distance from the other teenagers (Kenny was trying to dance with Emily but unfortunately for him the short girl was watching Michael closely)
Kai couldn't help but grin as Tala pulled him closer as they danced, hips grinding together. Kai had to suppress a groan as Tala's hands ran up his back. Kai leant up and gently pressed his lips against Tala's, he felt the redhead moan against his lips and he had to smirk as his other half tried desperately to pull him closer.
The night continued in the same fashion, Kai and Tala eventually left to sit at a small table and watch the teens drunkenly dance...
As the night came to and end and the crowds in the club began to thin the group left for the hotel
XXX
The morning dawned crisp and cold. Kai woke in the arms of Tala in their own shared hotel room – and for good reason – the pairs clothes were strewn across the floor. Kai grinned as the redhead beside him stirred and looked over sleepily.
"Morning" Kai said softly
"Morning gorgeous" Tala murmured huskily pulling Kai closer placing kisses along his jaw and neck before moving to his lips. Kai smirked as the older redhead rolled the pair over so he was hovering above the younger teen.
XXX
Ray woke groggily with Mariah next to him in the bed, nothing he shouldn't have been doing, the girl had just decided to sleep in his bed, no more. The rest of the room was stirring and soon they were all getting up and ready for a trip home
Kai and Tala were waiting in the lobby when everyone else came down to get the taxi Ray had called. "Morning guys" Tyson grinned, surprisingly there were few chronic hangovers that morning, only the All Stars had slightly overdone in on the drinking the night before.
The taxi arrived just as the teens left the Hotel lobby after paying and handing in their keys.
Each team would go in their own taxi, The Bladebreakers would go in the taxi at the front as Tyson knew the way and the other teams would instruct their taxi drivers to follow.
Tyson leapt into the taxi enthusiastically and explained his address to the driver as the rest of the team climbed in to the back. Kai sat in the front andclosed his eyes and crossed his arms willing the feeling of nausea away – he had a long taxi journey ahead.
XXX
The trip was long – they had only been driving fifteen minutes when Tyson began to groan about being hungry. Kai sighed anticipating a long journey. They were going through some twisty roads, out of the main cities and heading to Beycity, Kai absent-mindedly watched the scenery flashing past as he thought about a certain red-head that had been occupying his mind for the most part of about 9 weeks
Crimson eyes widened and screams filled the taxi as an oncoming lorry lost control on a sharp bend and skidded almost head-on towards the taxi – Kai sucked in a breath as he realised with a sickening finality – he wasn't going to come out of this alive. The sound of crunching metal filled the air as the lorry crushed the bonnet in on itself, pushing the dash board and shards of metal into Kai and the driver, pain spread across Kai's arm as something sharp sliced through his skin, more pain exploded in his chest as a piece of sharp metal sliced across his skin, tearing his clothes and ripping his scarred, porcelain skin. The lorry skidded into the side of the car, crushing the metal and denting the door in on itself, the driver grunted in pain as the metal gave way and broke in on itself, cutting into the drivers arm. Crimson-violet eyes widened in horror as the taxi was thrown against the rocky wall on their side of the road, Kai could only watch and hope as terror spread through him like ice, gripping his heart and lungs as he struggled to breath and his heart hammered in his chest. Smoke filled the car, choking the teenagers, Kai struggled to draw in breath as smoke filled his lungs and stung his eyes. The front windscreen shattered, showering Kai with glass, slicing into his face and arms which had come up to cover his head
Kai turned his gaze to the driver – blank blue eyes stared unseeingly ahead from the pale face of the dead driver, Kai briefly wondered when that had happened before the severity of the situation had crashed back down on him – the driver was dead and he was next. Vomit rose in Kai's throat, he threw up violently to the side of the car, down into the drivers footwell, Kai was brought back to reality as the bladebreakers screams intensified tenfold – they weren't screaming in pain, as the shriek of agony torn from Kai's throat was, they were screaming in fear for him.
The taxi was pushed further into the wall, the door denting inwards, crushing Kai's hand between the side of the seat which he had been gripping and the inside of the door. The metal caved in and sharp edges of the yellow painted metal sliced into his hand. The small bones in his hands crushed and broke under the pressure, Kai cried in pain as he pulled his mangled hand free, retching as he looked at his fingers bent in unnatural directions, bones broken through skin and blood dripping to his trousers. Pain, screams, smoke, fire, burning dragged the bluenette back to his horrific reality. Kai squeezed his eyes shut as the door was ripped from the car and Kai's leg was crushed and scraped against the rocky wall, bones splintered and the bluenette couldn't hold back a shriek of agony. Blood poured from his leg and it was all he could do to cry out in fear.
Dranzer
Kai's head collided with the wall with a sickening crunch that tore his skin open leaving the youngest teen dazed and confused the sight in his left eye turning almost instantly black. Tyson screamed from the back of the taxi as it began to slow – the rest of the team were mostly unharmed as the taxi came to a halt. Ray pushed the door open and the team clambered out, minus Kai – who they believed dead.
The bluenette struggled to breathe, the bonnet had been crushed, Kai was trapped, struggling to draw in air, blood was pouring down his face and neck, caking his hair and plastering it to his face, crimson eyes darted around, nothing was clear, he blinked and tried to focus the sight in his remaining eye, to anyone looking at him they would see the concussion he was suffering with, his pupils had dilated and constricted – one each way. His breathing picked up to an almost painful pace, he gasped for breath – pain in his chest intensified, pain he wasn't even aware had existed before.
Kai had to get out, he had to escape. Fumes from the petrol were filling the car, he coughed as smoke continued to pour in, there was fire, he could smell it. It was only a matter of time before the entire car exploded, Kai didn't want to be in it when that happened.
The bluenette pulled the seatbelt from the clasp and began to pull himself across the car with his one good hand, dragging his broken leg behind him. He looked down, it was then that he realised a piece of metal had pierced his abdomen, buried deep within his stomach, blood dripped from his shirt and the bluenette was forced to close his eyes to keep from vomiting...again.
He opened his eyes again as he crawled over the bloody and mangled body of the driver, refusing to see the extent of the damage the poor unsuspecting man had suffered and thanking whatever God there was that he had been spared from death without a chance to say goodbye. There was no doubt in his mind that his training from the Abbey would save him, surely any normal teenage boy would have passed out from the concussion, blood loss, shock, something, but not Kai Hiwatari. He was trained to survive in the most dire of situations.
He pushed the car door open with huge difficulty and fell out onto the petrol soaked road, coughing and gasping for air. The other taxi's had stopped and Kai felt someone pulling him away from the wreckage. He whimpered and shrieked in pain as his torn and wrecked leg was dragged across the concrete.
Tala pulled Kai as far from the wreckage as he could before Kai's whimpers and cries of pain turned to shrieks of agony, tears rolling down his bruised and bloodstained cheeks. They needed to get as far away from the petrol as possible, it could catch alight at any moment and Tala noticed with despair that Kai was soaked with the flammable liquid.
Tala paled at the mangled appendage that was once Kai's leg. The other teens were calling ambulances and the fire brigade, but Kai was losing the battle for life, and fast. There was a ragged piece of metal in Kai stomach, just below his rib cage. "We've gotta get that out" Bryan commented from behind the redhead. The Abbey had given them the ability to keep cool in such a dire situation and they had also been given basic medical training, the perfect soldiers would be rendered useless if they were injured and Biovolt had planned for any eventuality. Tala closed his eyes in fear as he gripped the metal and gave it a hard tug. Kai cried out pitifully in pain as Tala threw the piece of metal aside.
Kai gurgled as blood filled his windpipe, poured out of the gaping wound in his stomach. His eyes rolled into the back of his head as he went into a seizure, twicthing and jerking as more blood pooled underneath him.
Tears flowed freely down Tala's cheeks "Please don't leave me" he begged "please Kai, please" he pulled the twitching bluenette on to his lap. There was nothing he could do but try to stem the bleeding. He pulled off his jacket and held it to Kai's stomach as the teen choked on blood, his face growing paler and paler as the seconds ticked by. Crimson eyes were wide with fear, pain and panic – Tala then realised with sudden sickening feeling that Kai knew he would die and he had accepted this fact. "Don't you dare Kai Hiwatari!" he commanded hopelessly "Don't you dare die on me!"
Suddenly the youngest teen fell still, he blinked his eyes open slowly, gasping and trying to speak. His dull eyes searching but not seeing, they glazed over as he found his voice.
"T-Tal-Ta" he gurgled, the redhead leant down and kissed his forehead
"Shhh, Kai it's going to be fine, I'm right here" Tala lied and stroked the bluenette's slate bangs in a soothing manner. The other teens had all crouched around the pair. "Everything will be fine" he held Kai a little tighter
"I-I-I..." Kai gurgled "Lo-l-love y-you" he choked out, blood trickled from the corner of his mouth and down his chin as he convulsed in shock on the redheads lap, taking in shuddering breaths and trembling in agony. The teens behind were confused at Kai's sudden emotional words but the gravity of the crash was more important.
"I know, I love you too" he pulled Kai further into a sitting position as Kai trembled and coughed more blood on to Tala's top. Tala pressed another kiss to his forehead carefully avoiding the tear in Kai's skin."Everything will be fine Kai just hold on" he tried desperately.
"I-I-It h-hurt-s" Kai cried weakly and pitifully as he choked as more blood flowed into his windpipe and dripped down his chin. Hilary sobbed loudly in the background, burying her face in Tyson's shoulder. Mariah was crying silently against Ray's chest...even Lee and Robert had their eyes turned to the floor in respect and sadness. Max's eyes filled with tears which spilled over as Tala's heart wrenching sob filled the silence. Kai continued to fight, trying to suppress his groans of agony, he clenched his teeth together and squeezed his eyes shut, the movement opening the gash in his head further which produced a wave of blood which flowed down Kai's face and neck. His eyes shot open at the feeling and a loud whimper escaped his bloodied lips as he gurgled on more blood in his throat.
The redhead could only watch brokenly as Kai's struggles for life ceased, the gurgling quietened and he fell still. Crimson eyes fluttered closed and his head fell limply to the side, slate bangs covering his closed eyes, his breathing slowing, pulse dropping.
"Dranzer" was the last desperately whispered word of the great Kai Hiwatari.
XXX
Another Chapter, sad ending I know, very depressing... I hope you appreciate this chapter, it's taken me a good 2 months to write and perfect, a whole 2 months of re-writing and changing bits, adding things and making sure everything fits! And it's 26 pages long on Word I've never spent so long perfecting a chapter...i'm already writing up the next chapter and with a bit of luck it won't take as long. Hopefully you don't mind my sudden style of writing change from personal POV's to a general one, I find it easier and I think it personally reads better and sounds a whole lot better written that way! Anyway enough rambling!
Wait for the next chapter, the story does continue.
Please review. :)
xflightofthephoenix
p.s sorry Kai and Tala are a bit OOC