Hello my dears!! I am officially back from the dead!! I know it's been absolute ages since I've updated anything or even attempted a new fic, but life dealt me some very severe blows that had me reeling for a good couple of months, and it all left me without the right mind-frame to continue writing. But now that everything's nearly settled down, I'm finally ready to continue writing!

I really am sorry for making you guys wait this long, so updates may be frequent from me in hopes of gaining your forgiveness.

So ... on to the next chapter of 'Moving On and Healing'. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: Do. Not. Own


Chapter Three – Arguments Of Sorrow

Kai sighed deeply, closing his eyes for a moment and just allowing himself to be absorbed in the peace and serenity of his surroundings. Deep crimson eyes opened to the world after a second, and the owner of those eyes took a seat on a solitary oak bench, close by to where Rei Kon had just been buried. The soil was still fresh and damp atop the coffin, and the headstone shone in the bright sunshine that illuminated the cemetery. Kai stared at the headstone unblinkingly, taking in nothing about its appearance apart from the solitary lily that stood perched at its bottom. The lily that now symbolised Rei's departure from the human world.

The funeral had ended a while ago, the three hundred or more mourners and scattered members of press having disappeared long since, uncomfortable in such a dismally, sorrowful place. The only thing that remained, proof of their presence, were the scattered bits of scrunched up tissues swaying and dancing amongst the grass and around the chairs, in the breeze.

Kai turned his head away from the single lily and towards the gates of the funeral in the far distance. He longed to just leave this place. Turn his back and just drive off with Bryan and Spencer, who were anxiously awaiting his presence after he had asked for a few minutes of solitude. But most of all, he wanted to run back to the safety of his fiancé; to be wrapped up in those warm, muscular arms that seemed to protect him from all harm. But he knew he couldn't. He hadn't been able to say goodbye to Rei personally, and that was what held him in this place.

With a resigned sigh, Kai tore his gaze away from the cemetery gates and back towards Rei's grave. Wincing as he stood when a flash of pain stabbed its way through his chest, Kai clutched at his shirt, and willed it to fade, grateful when it did seconds later. Groaning slightly, Kai rubbed the pained area and limped towards the grave, sitting down in front of it with a little less grace than he was accustomed to. Pale, scarred hands reached out slowly, the tips of his fingers gently grazing the engravings that had been etched into the solid marble headstone.

Rei Kon

World-class Beyblader

Brave master of Drigger with an undeniable heart of gold

Selfless with high morals

Loving, supportive and caring friend

May your pure soul rest in peace

24 July 1988 – 14 April 2007

He blinked and let his hand fall to rest limply at his side, tears touching the back of his eyes. He let his head fall to rest on his chest as he crossed his legs, his hands coming down to play with the blades of grass by his body. A soft breeze wafting through the air; Mother Nature wanting to calm her young charge.

"I'm so sorry, Rei," Kai whispered softly, swallowing back the lump that had formed in his throat, "You weren't meant …" He paused, emotion swelling up in his chest, "… you weren't meant to …" for some reason, he just couldn't bring himself to say that single word. Running a hand through his hair distractedly, Kai shook his head, settling on a: "Rest in peace my friend."

He turned his head away from the headstone solemnly, fixing his gaze on the white chairs surrounding him, the beautiful, smooth marble taunting him, laying claim to the person whose death it marked. "Rest in peace."

"Bit difficult to do with you still in the land of the living, Hiwatari." The venom in the voice that sounded behind him almost startled Kai, however, years of training allowed Kai's expression to remain neutral and unfazed.

Frowning, the petit Russian teen turned his head slowly, crimson eyes clashing violently with darkened bronze. He stood up swiftly and turned to face the other. "Lee."

Lee sneered, staring down at Kai, his lip curling in disgust, "Hiwatari."

Sighing tiredly, Kai wiped a hand over his face, feeling far too tired to deal with the Chinese teen. "I was just leaving …"

Lee merely glared at him, bronze eyes swirling with barely concealed emotion that was just bursting to be released. His top lip curled into a dark sneer, fists clenching by his sides.

Watching Lee intently, Kai shook his head and turned to walk away, more than ready to leave this place now that what he wanted to say had been said, and the peace he had felt was now ruined by Lee's sudden presence. He frowned inwardly, wondering how long Lee had been watching him.

He had barely taken three steps when a hand shot out and grasped his upper arm tightly, on the verge of causing any lesser person harm. Kai however, immediately bristled, reflexes almost kicking in before he managed to control himself. Instead he relaxed the muscles in his arm, although the rest of his body remained rigid; poised for defensive action. His chin lowered slightly, causing long, jagged strands of silver hair to hang in front of his eyes, hiding his expression from the other teen. "Let go of me."

"You're not going anywhere!" Lee snarled, tightening his grip on the slender limb in his grasp.

"And why's that?" Kai inquired, his patience running thin. He knew he was weak at the moment, and any physical confrontation with the other, much larger teen, would only lead to aggravated wounds and a long-overdue lecture from his doctor and the hoard of nurses who had taken an instant liking to him, regardless of his cold demeanour around them. And there was the fact that in his current state of health, Lee would probably be able to catch him off guard and deliver a severe blow.

"Because I have something I want, no, need to say to you. "

"But I don't want to hear it." Kai's eyes flashed dangerously, unbeknownst to the Chinese teen. "I believe you said enough during your little speech."

A smirk graced Lee's curled lip, his hand falling away from the Russian teen's arm to join the other as he crossed his chest. "I assumed you'd get the message loud and clear."

"What do you want, Lee?" Kai turned on his heel, glaring up defiantly at the taller teen. "What more do you have to say?"

Darkened, bronze eyes narrowing into mere slits, Lee lowered his arms and clenched his fists. "Oh. I have a lot to say, Kai. A lot." He sneered slightly, pushing his face closer to Kai's. "You are the cause of Rei's death."

Kai scoffed half-heartedly, the words cutting into him more than he was willing to let on. "Oh really? What makes you say that?"

"He died when he was with you, didn't he?" Lee pointed out sharply.

"Do you really believe that I led Rei to his death?"

"Yes."

Fine eyebrows drawing together in a frown, Kai shook his head unbelievingly, "Do you honestly believe that I dragged him there unwillingly? That I would risk the life of another? That I would've let him …" Kai choked slightly on the words that just weren't willing to come out "… that I would've let him die? Lee, he was my friend, my team-mate … there was nothing I could do to prevent it." A pained expression touched Kai's face before it disappeared quickly.

A hand shot out and struck his cheek unexpectedly, causing the petit teen to stumble somewhat before regaining his balance. His hand rose up to cradle the tender, abused flesh, crimson eyes flashing maliciously. It took Kai a split second to shift his weight onto his right leg and deal a roundhouse kick with his left to Lee's side. The Chinese teen, half expecting a retaliation, grabbed the leg moments after it had struck him, and pulled back, sending Kai crashing to the floor on his back, his head hitting the floor with a dull THUD. Momentarily winded, Kai struggled for breath, the pain in his chest flaring up again. A cough wracked through him, his body shuddering in pain.

A muttered "Shit" left Kai's mouth in a soft gasp, before he weakly attempted to stand up.

"You could've done something!! Anything to save him!" Lee could only see red, raw anger overshadowing the sight before him. "But you did nothing! You stood there and let him take the bullet. And he's dead now! Eighteen years old, Kai! Eighteen years old and six fucking feet underground!"

"Lee…" Kai wheezed, standing up, "If I could've done anything … Damnit, if I could turn back the clocks, then I never wouldn't have let Rei come with us. If I knew what would happen, I never would've let him take the bullet for me."

"But that's just it, Kai. You can't turn back the clocks. You can't change the fact that he gave up his life for you. He's dead Kai. There's nothing you can do to bring him back …" Lee took in a deep steadying breath, affected by the direction of this conversation.

"Then what do you want me to do, Lee?"

Lee blinked, on the verge of saying something else, before he stopped, looking somewhat shocked. "I …"

"He was my friend too, Lee. I cared for him … but what do you want me to do?" Kai fought back a coughing fit, his chest feeling unbearable tight and itchy.

"I just wan-"

"Kai!" the sudden unexpected voice drowned out what Lee was about to say and drew both their attention towards the two approaching figures.

"Bry?" Kai frowned slightly, watching the stocky platinum-haired Russian running towards them, followed closely by Spencer, who looked extremely concerned.

Lee's head snapped back towards Kai, a dark fire burning within his eyes that hadn't been there a moment ago. "What I want, Kai… what I want is Rei back. But if that can't happen, then I 'd rather you drop dead. I. Hate. You. You took away my best friend, my …" Pursing his lips together in frustration, Lee growled, "Drop dead Hiwatari." Throwing a momentary glance back towards the approaching teens, he turned on his heel and stalked off, leaving Kai reeling in his wake, shock clearly apparent on his pale features.

"Kai? KAI!" Bryan reached the stationary teen first, grasping him by the shoulders urgently. "Kai, are you okay?"

Blinking back to reality, Kai almost sighed in relief, a small smile touching his lips, " … Yeah."

Bryan searched Kai's face earnestly, worry written all over his face. "What did Lee want? What did he say?"

Kai inwardly shuddered as Lee's words came back to him, "Nothing."

Spencer's hand reached out from over Bryan's shoulder to place itself against Kai's forehead, before slowly moving down and cupping his chin. "We got worried … you didn't come back to the car."

Smiling softly at the concern radiating off the two older teens, Kai took a small step forward and wrapped his arms around Bryan's mid-section, hand's grasping the front of Spencer's shirt. The two teen's returned the hug carefully, albeit a bit awkwardly because of their position, not wanting to agitate Kai's injuries.

"I'm fine you guys." Kai's voice was slightly muffled from Bryan's shirt.

Bryan pulled back after a moment, scanning Kai's face once more, but this time noticing something that had failed to grab his attention a few seconds ago. Frowning darkly, Bryan let go of Kai's waist with his right hand and brought it up to the shorter teen's face, tracing the tender flesh where a dark bruise was slowly forming.

"The bastard hit you?!" Bryan's voice had dropped a few tenors, an edge of icy venom lacing his words.

Kai pulled away abruptly, "No. I'm fine, Bryan. It's nothing … it's jus-" He broke off abruptly, covering his mouth as a small coughing fit took over. Spencer and Bryan looked on in concern, but stayed their distance. Calming his breathing, Kai continued, "… it's nothing, ok? Lee just wanted to talk … about, Rei, and things kind of got out of hand."

"Yeah, the fucking bastard hit you!" Bryan roared.

"Bry … enough. It was just a misunderstanding."

"Why are you defending him?"

Kai turned to the blond haired teen, a slight exasperated expression on his face, "I'm not defending him." Sighing and shaking his head, Kai unconsciously rubbed at the forming bruise on his upper arm, hidden by his clothes. "All we did was talk."

Both Russian teens shot Kai a dubious look, not for a second believing a single word that the shorter teen had told them.

"Oh really??" Spencer's eyebrow was twitching steadily, a sure sign that he was becoming increasingly concerned. "Then why did he hit you?"

"Spencer, please. Just drop it. I told you, it was a misunderstanding." Kai's tone left no room for argument, but that seemed to fall on deaf ears when both taller teens stepped forward, crossing their arms over their chests and pinning Kai with an accusatory glare.

"Kai, just listen ok? We made a promise to Tala before we left. We promised him that we would look after you. That we wouldn't let anything happen to you while you were with us."

"I don't need looking after." Kai scowled petulantly, "And why would you make a promise you know you can't keep?"

"Well we were keeping it just fine until that bastard showed up!" Spencer hissed.

Kai looked away.

"Kai, all we want to know is what happened. Why he hit you and what he said. It was hard enough getting Tala to let you out of his sight for a few minutes, but to let you attend the funeral without him was really hard. Don't make him regret allowing this to happen." Bryan sighed, hoping that he was getting through to the obstinate teen, "Just, tell us what happened, and we'll try to keep it from Tala. Please, Kai …"

Kai remained adamantly quiet, glaring at the grass, until he let out a resigned sigh and started to speak. "He blames me for Rei's death. He believes that it was my fault that Rei sacrificed himself … my fault that he died …"

"Kai …"

"No. " Kai held up a hand to keep Spencer away, wanting to continue. "Let me finish.." Spencer hesitated for a second before complying with Kai's request. "Thank you … I told him there was nothing I could've done, and I guess he didn't want to hear that … so yeah he hit me. He probably thought I was being patronising. But I wasn't. Rei was my friend …"

Spencer's eyes softened immediately, as he finally stepped forward, engulfing the teen in a protective hug. "He's just upset, Kai. Don't take anything he said to heart. He's just lost a childhood friend. I know I'd feel the same if anything happened to you, Bryan or Tala."

"What about Ian?" Kai queried, face buried in Spencer's coat.

"And that little squirt if he ever gets in contact with us." Spencer chuckled half-heartedly.

"But you know, I can't help thinking that somehow it was my fault … that-" Bryan quickly cut Kai off, appearing over Spencer's broad shoulder.

"Don't you dare! Don't you dare question Rei's sacrifice. He did it for you and nothing you could've said or done would've changed that. What he did was the highest form of friendship that anyone could've ever expressed. He cared about you so much, Kai … he never would've let you get shot! And I don't think he'd appreciate you blaming yourself!" Kai was shocked to see tears brimming within Bryan's platinum eyes. "Don't you ever believe what anyone else says!"

"Bry …" Kai felt his heart go out to the platinum haired teen, whose affections for the deceased neko were more apparent now than they had been at any moment in time before. "You're right. You're absolutely ri-" he broke off suddenly, caught up in a violent coughing fit. One hand flew to his mouth, whilst the other clutched at the material over his chest, Spencer knocked back from their embrace in surprise.

It took him a split second to react though.

"Kai!" Spencer surged forwards, pulling Kai's hand away from his mouth forcefully as well as the one at his chest and held both in his larger hands gently, coaxing the teen to breathe through the coughs wracking his slight frame. "Breathe, Kai. Breathe. Just breathe. Take a deep breath in … that's it … and let it out slowly … there you go …"

After a few shuddering breaths and escaped tears, Kai managed to control his breathing, slumping heavily against Spencer's chest. Kai wheezed deeply against Spencer's solid chest, fatigue washing 

over him. Bryan stood off to the side, on the verge of chewing on his nails from the worry that coursed through him.

Sighing with relief against the top of Kai's head as he hugged the smaller teen to him, Spencer closed his eyes and willed his pounding heart to calm; reassuring himself that Kai was fine. He brought a hand up to run through silky strands, only to stop at the stickiness of the skin on his hand. Frowning, he glanced at his hand and almost stopped breathing at what he saw.

"Bry … come here," Spencer's trembling voice was hushed and deadly serious.

Shooting the blond a curious look, Bryan stepped around the embracing teens and arched a questioning eyebrow. Hesitantly, Spencer lifted his hand, palm facing the platinum haired teen. Eyes widening, Bryan's sharp intake of breath prompted Kai to raise his head weakly, wondering what was going on, but exhaustion as well as the dull throb of his numb chest caused him to slump further into Spencer's embrace, his whole weight virtually supported by the brawny blond, his eyes falling closed, his mind on the verge of being unconscious.

"We have to get him back to the hospital." Bryan urged, a vague note of hysteria touching his voice.

Nodding gravely, Spencer could only agree, worry coursing through him. Peering down at the tuft of silky silver and royal blue hair, he spoke softly. "Kai? Kai, c'mon. We've got to take you back to the hospital … Kai?"

The Russian teen groaned softly, nodding his head slightly and pulling back from Spencer's protective hold. Blearily opening his eyes, Kai stepped back and out of Spencer's embrace, only to sway precariously and stumble back, falling into Bryan's prepared arms.

"Kai!" two voices cried out at the same time, concern evident in their voices.

Bryan's arms immediately wrapped around Kai's slight frame, holding him closely in a protective embrace. "We have to get him back now!"

Kai groaned slightly in protest, struggling against Bryan's hold. "I'm fine. Let me go. I can walk."

"No, Kai. You can't." Bryan's heartbeat quickened when Kai slumped back against him, his breathing wheezy and wet sounding. "Shit. Kai!"

"This isn't good." Spencer muttered anxiously, his eyes scanning Kai's slim frame. "He's bleeding internally …"

"God damnit, Spence! I know that. We need to get him back to the hospital and fast!!" Whilst stating the obvious and taking control of the situation, Bryan gently manoeuvred Kai in his arms, one arm below his knees and the other cradled against his back, until the smaller teen was nestled against his chest.

"I'm fine …" Kai's soft voice wafted through the air. "Just a little tired. Nothing to worry about."

Bryan scowled, Kai's disregard for his own health grating on his nerves as the teen didn't even know the extent of his injuries. "That's absolute bullshit, Kai." He sighed deeply, concern evident on his face. "Just … please stop pretending. You need to stop acting … we know you better than anyone, and it really hurts us when you claim that you're ok when you're obviously not. Kai, we care about you. You're our brother. You don't need to pretend around us …"

Kai's eyes fluttered open, pained ruby depths gazing up at Bryan. "I'm sorry … but the Abbey … Boris … it's just …"

"Hard to let old habits die?" Bryan finished, his heart swelling in understanding.

Kai nodded his head meekly.

Spencer lowered his eyes to the ground, unable to look at the teen cradled in Bryan's arms. They all knew that certain things had happened to Kai that no one else in the Abbey had had to experience. They didn't know what those things were or why they had happened, and Kai hadn't told them. It was taboo. They didn't want to bring up those memories for him. It was just too painful.

"We understand." Kai averted his eyes towards Spencer and gave him a small, grateful smile.

"No more pretending …" a violent cough wracked Kai's weak body and a groan escaped his throat, his eyes clenching shut. "… I want Tal … I want him here …"

Frowning, Bryan nodded, his teeth worrying his bottom lip. "We'll get you to him, Kai. Just hold on." Looking up at Spencer, Bryan gulped noiselessly. "We have to go. Now."

Nodding, Spencer set off quickly towards the direction of the car, aware of Bryan's echoing footsteps behind him. He shot a quick glance back, his heart swelling up in his chest. 'Please Kai, you have to make it …'


Well there you have it my dears. Hope it was worth the VERY LONG wait. xD

Review? Please and thank you.