Uh, I HATE viruses. No, I do. I don't hate many things but viruses are in the top five of what I do hate. I had to spend a full day away from my computer because I couldn't get anything working. I don't handle it very well when I can't use something I use every day, it annoys me. I was SO bored and I had to wait for the computer guy to come and fix it. Still, he fixed it!
Genius that man!

Thank you for the reviews and support I've had so far, may you continue to do so.

Disclaimer: I do not own Beyblade or its characters. Nor do I own the place called Kholm which is a name of a Russian town which I have borrowed for the purposes of this story. Any unknown characters most likely belong to me.

WARNINGS: Foul language. Mentions of violence and sexual content.

So, on to chapter four. This chapter is slightly longer, which is good; basically I wanted to get the characters off to Russia where I've set at least three quaters of this story. This is what I came up with whilst being parted from my beloved computer...sniffle. I know it's wrong to be so attached to one's computer but no matter how many time I repeat the mantra 'I am not attached to this computer' I cannot deny the hours of fun I have because of this wonderful machine. The guy who invented the computer was a GOD!

Enjoy!

Hateful Pleasures

Chapter Four: Of Hating You

Another gunshot rang out, exploding in to the ground spraying grit just inches away from his foot; he gasped in fear and ran on a little faster, he couldn't see the others and it scared him. Where were they? Were they hurt? His heart was pounding as he ran faster still; there was a noise behind him. It was like he could hear every noise, every whisper twice as loud as before. It was scary. He was scared.

His chest hurt, his legs ached and still he pressed on; he could hear heavy footsteps behind him, heavy boots thundering on after him as he fled, he could hear curses and pants. Several times it seemed he was caught and more than once a jolt jerked painfully through his shoulder and he thought it was over. But no, each time he wrenched himself on realising as he did so that his capture was only imaginary. How long would this go on? How much longer could he run? He was failing even as he thought this. His body ached; it seemed to freeze painfully in place but something, maybe adrenaline, pushed him on as more sounds alerted him to his danger. He had to keep going. He had to keep moving.

And then there was someone standing in front of him; shadowy as they stood in the bright early sunlight, it hurt to look at them and he had to turn his eyes away. But it was too late now: he was trapped. With someone attacking him from behind and this newcomer appearing in front he was trapped. Done for.

"MOVE, KON!"

The words sang clear in Ray's gasping aching mind as the neko-jin stumbled over his own feet; he almost crashed to the ground but managed to rebalance himself. That voice. He knew that voice. Despite it all he smiled "Bryan!"

"I told you to move!" snapped Bryan; the falcon waited until the neko had half scrambled passed him exhaustedly before lifting the gun he had in his right hand. Ray's chaser had stopped blocking out the blinding sun with one hand as he tried to focus his gun at Bryan. But Bryan had been taught by Boris. Always stand with your back sun. Blind your enemy and you have victory.

"NYET! Nyet, don't shoot!" the accent was thick, floating halfway between Russian and English as the gunman tried to decide who Bryan was "NO! Don't shoot! Nyet! Please! Nyet!"

"Bryan!" Hiro appeared at Ray's side and was helping the tiger who had collapsed to his knees "we have to go! Now!"

With a growl Bryan replaced his gun back in the inside pocket of his coat "govno!" he spat angrily as he turned from the shivering gunman who had his eyes tight shut awaiting the end pitifully.

Kai walked calmly along the street along with Zip who held his gun hidden under his coat as, around them, people surged forwards along the path, they knew nothing about the danger Kai had inflicted upon him and nor did they know about the gun in Zip's hand. Carrying weapons in Japan was illegal and had anyone even noticed the close proximity between Kai and Zip there would have been panic.

Zip blinked the tiredness from his eyes; it had been a somewhat rushed journey from Moscow to Tokyo and he wasn't even sure of the time, he needed sleep but that wasn't going to happen for a few hours yet.

"Where are we going?" Kai asked quietly, making sure not to be overheard.

"I have a car waiting. It'll take us to an abandoned airstrip" replied Zip also in a low voice.

"Where is Tala?"

"Tala is waiting for you"

Kai glared at the path ahead of him "you will pay for this" he said in a dark voice.

"Keep thinking that, Mr Hiwatari. I imagine it'll be the only thing that keeps you going" Zip smirked in amusement "you have spirit, I'll give you that"

"I don't need compliments from you"

"Where you're going I think you'll need all the uplifting compliments you can get"

"And where am I going?"

"Your grandfather is expecting you by the evening. We fly to Russia as soon as we reach the plane"

"How did you find me?"

"I have my links"

Kai stopped and he looked back at the man behind him "you used Ray, didn't you?"

Zip said nothing, but Kai wasn't dissuaded that easily.

"When Ray betrayed me the first time you thought he'd do it again, so you got one of your men to beat him, and then when that didn't work the man simply followed him to the Manor"

"I'd like you to keep walking, Mr Hiwatari" Zip's voice had lost its easiness.

"Was it your idea that Ray would come and warn me? Or Boris?"

"I said keep walking!" Zip's voice lowered to a hiss and he shoved Kai on.

"It was Boris" Kai decided "you don't have the brain to think up such schemes" Kai growled to himself as he tried to reason out the tumbled and missing pieces of the puzzle "but that does not explain what Ray is hiding" he muttered to himself, again he looked at Zip "what did Boris threaten Ray with? Three months ago Boris caught Ray and Ray told him where I was. Why? The threat to the Bladebreakers is understandable, but Ray is keeping something else back"

"Just keep walking!" snapped Zip "there's the car! Get in and shut up!"

Kai stopped forcefully and looked at Zip straight in the eye "I do believe you're angry, Zip" he said, his huge crimson eyes blinked softly "what have I said to make you so uncomfortable?"

"Shut up Hiwatari! And move before I pull this gun on you!" Zip began to shove Kai towards a parked vehicle that sat down a narrow alley. He pushed Kai to the back seat and pulled open the door "now get in! I want no more lip from you! You're just some rich stuck prick! You know nothing!"

The phoenix stared at him "you know, I don't think I've ever seen you so angry" Kai clambered in to the back of the car and a dry smirk touched his lips "it's fascinating"

Boris put down his phone on the small table in front of him "that was Zip" he told Tala in gloating tones "he's got Kai"

Tala was sat on a wooden chair; he was strapped tightly down, a gag wrapped his mouth and he was stripped to his boxers and vest. He snarled through the material clogging his mouth when Boris spoke and silently cursed Kai for complying so easily, when that phoenix got here there was going to be some serious words.

Other than this Tala wasn't able to react much; it wasn't just the bonds that kept him down, he was tired, exhausted. His body was heavy and immovable, every part of him ached and what didn't ache throbbed painfully instead. His head kept spinning and every breath was an effort but he'd managed to hide his pain quite successfully and managed to stay inactive, even as Boris has slipped a hand in to his boxers during the flight. It seemed Boris was very keen to please Tala; maybe he needed the confirmation that he still had control of Tala.

But it was to no effect, each time Boris had slid hands down Tala's body and in to his boxers Tala had remained completely uninterested and unpleased. The great gash across Tala's face revealed Boris's anger.

"I didn't realise it would be so easy to get Kai" Boris continued, "it seems Voltaire knows his grandson only too well. Using you seemingly worked like a charm"

Tala's azure eyes narrowed but he made no sound that would give away his anger and hatred for Boris.

"Beating Kon also seemed to work out too. I was disappointed when he would not give Kai's location, but his beater used imagination and followed Ray, I must reward that man " Boris smirked at Tala's darkened expression "do not worry. Not all of it worked in my favour. It seems Ray has escaped my grasp which is annoying as I need him, now I will have to spend valuable men and time retrieving him"

Tala still made no sound though he did not know why Boris would need Ray Kon of all people; the news of Ray Kon's involvement was annoying to the wolf also, it meant Kai had someone else to protect. Like there wasn't enough to deal with; though there was no point in telling Kai to just let Ray Kon die, Kai would sooner burn to death than let anything happen to his precious Bladebreakers.

"And now Kon is out there with Bryan and Hiro Granger of all people" Boris stood and walked to the open door of the plane "that is also irritating. Had Ray been on his own then it would have been simple to grab him but Bryan is sly, and if he has been told by Kai to protect Ray then, no matter how much he hates the neko-jin, he will do as Kai says"

Boris was no longer talking to Tala but piecing the parts of the puzzle together in his mind.

"He will hide Ray and for the life of me I don't know where he'll take the tiger"

"Bryan, where are we going?" Hiro asked the Russian in a sharp voice as Bryan walked through the back streets of Tokyo with Hiro and Ray following him.

"Kholm" was Bryan's answer as he walked on quickly; he was listening out for any sounds that weren't the footsteps of the pair behind him. How Boris's men had found them so quickly he didn't know, but it was bothersome; once they reached the small plane Bryan had waiting for the them then the neko was safe, but, until they reached it, Boris's men could appear at any moment. Something which didn't seem to have occurred to either Hiro or Ray. The neko-jin was walking slowly, his injuries slowing him down, and he was leaning on Hiro's arm for support, how he'd managed to run from the gunmen so quickly when now he was practically using Hiro as his strength Bryan didn't know. But then the falcon figured he, of all people, should know Ray was stronger than he looked.

"Where?" asked Hiro.

"Kholm" repeated Bryan as he pulled out his gun to point it down a sharp turn in the alley; carefully he peered round but found it empty and silent. He continued down without comment which aggravated Hiro somewhat.

"Bryan! Where is Kholm?" the elder Granger demanded as he felt Ray sag against him. He stopped just in time to stop the neko-jin from falling to his knees "can't you see we need to stop!" he growled at furiously.

Bryan stopped and sighed irritably; he turned and snapped "Kholm is a small town in the west of Russia! And no, we can't stop even if I wanted to! Boris's men are out there and they want Kon. So, unless you want Kon's blood on you, I suggest you keep moving!" having said this he turned back round and continued up the alleyway.

"If Boris and his men are returning to Russia then why are we going to Russia also?" asked Hiro as he set Ray on his feet "that's just asking for trouble"

"Because staying in Japan in also asking for trouble!" Bryan growled "not all Boris's men will return to Russia, some will stay here so that means we can't!"

"So why don't we go somewhere else?"

"No one will find us in Kholm!" Bryan said impatiently "no one knows I even come from Kholm! Boris found me on the streets of Moscow so he won't know I'm taking Kon to Kholm!"

"So you're taking us to your birthplace?" asked Ray speaking for the first time "we'll see where you were born?" he steadied himself away from Hiro and managed to stand on his own.

"Yes! Though why you find that so interesting I don't know" snorted Bryan.

"It'll be interesting" Ray replied softly.

Ray wasn't sure why he was trying to be nice to Bryan but, he figured, if he and Bryan didn't at least come to some kind of mutual understanding then Bryan was going to end up killing him. Sadly, for Ray, Bryan wasn't interested in making friends; the falcon resented the fact that he'd be left to baby-sit while Tala and Kai were somewhere else, he wanted to be with his team to fight the enemy, but instead he was left taking care of the neko.

"If we don't hurry up then Boris's men are going to find us and we'll be going to hell instead!"

"Well then, stop glaring at us and lead the way" Ray answered patiently before Hiro could get in a sarcastic comment "you're not being any help just snarling at us"

Bryan's mouth opened and closed as he tried to think of a snide comment; his imagination failed him however and with a loud growl he turned and marched off.

"Are you sure you're alright?" Hiro asked the neko-jin.

Ray smiled "of course, being punched to unconsciousness wasn't exactly nice but I'll live. It's not like it hasn't happened before"

Bryan turned back "stop yapping and get moving!"

"I'm curious, are all the Blitzkrieg Boys members like slave drivers?" Hiro mused as he and the neko-jin followed on behind.

Ray's smile became cynical "you think that's bad, you've never been subject to one of Kai's training schedules"

"Ah, our friends are here, Tala" Boris stood from his comfy seat "won't it be nice to see Kai again?"

Tala hissed and threw Boris a dirty look.

Boris laughed manically as he walked to the open door of the plane and shouted down "bring him up, Zip! Tala is most anxious to be reunited with his teammate"

Kai closed the car door behind him and looked up with a dark expression at Boris; thrashing out at Zip, who had tried to manhandle him, Kai walked towards the plane and up the flight of steps towards the door, his eyes never leaving Boris. He hated that man. More than he hated his grandfather and Zip together. One day he vowed, one day he would see that man fall. But for now Boris was the one with control. Boris had Tala and, until Kai had the opportunity to change that, he was forced to obey Boris.

"Welcome, Kai" Boris stepped back to allow the phoenix on to the plane "we have been waiting for you impatiently, haven't we, Tala?"

Kai glanced at the redhead; Tala was a mess, bruises marred his face and the left side of his face was swollen. His arms looked mottled with darkened marks, some looked like burns while others were blackened injuries. His legs too were marked but Kai guessed the injuries he could see were nothing compared to the lacerations on the wolf's back. It looked typical of Zip's work and Kai glared at the man standing behind him waiting for Kai to move from the doorway.

"Move on to the plane, Hiwatari" Zip ordered in a cold voice "we haven't got all day"

Kai moved in to the room in front of him and Zip locked the door, the outside world was now out of their reach. The plane seemed to be made up of two rooms; this one was empty save for Tala strapped to his chair and the comfy seat Boris had been using. Everything that could have been used as a weapon had been torn out and thrown away. The second room was at the front of the plane; through the door could be seen the engine room as well as other seats and Kai caught a glimpse of the pilot.

A humming reverberated around them as the plane's engine started up; Boris beckoned to Zip "come, we shall take the journey in this room and leave the two friends to reunite"

Zip nodded and went through to the other room silently.

Boris turned back to Kai who still stood "I suppose I could make security a little tighter" he mocked "but if you try to escape you'll only be falling thousands of feet down to the ground" he laughed, loud and callous "be sure to sit during take off!" he slammed the door diving the two rooms and locked it leaving Kai alone with the wolf.

"Asshole"

Kai tried the door leading outside but already the plane was moving up the airstrip and in less than a minute they would be in the air and rising. Sighing Kai walked over to the wolf and stood behind the chair as he began to fiddle with the knot that tied the gag; the bruises spread around Tala's skin like paintwork and the wolf winced when Kai tugged a little too tight.

As the gag loosened Tala began to breathe easier; but it was too hard to really talk, too hard to convey the feelings he had bottled up inside. Nonetheless, he had a go "…you fucking idiot…"

Kai ignored this and dropped the gag on the floor and turned his attention to the binds that kept the redhead down.

Tala turned his head to look over his shoulder as far as he could "…what the fuck do you think you're doing here…" he ranted breathlessly "…do you…never listen…to ANYTHING I say?"

Again Kai said nothing, a frown covered his face as he battled relentlessly with the tight knots that cut in to Tala's skin.

"Tell me…what part of…do not give yourself in did you not…understand?"

"If I wasn't here you'd be dead by now" Kai spoke for the first time as he successfully freed Tala's arms.

"That is…irrelevant" the wolf answered back his chest heaving with the exertion of talking so much "…I told you…that no matter what the circumstances…you were not to hand yourself in!"

"Tala, I have never listened to you, I do not intend to start now"

"…Fool…" Tala's arms had fallen limply to his sides, even as Kai freed his legs he sat there uselessly.

"Has Boris any spare clothes for you?" Kai asked shortly.

"Probably…he always…does like to hide what he's done" the redhead replied slowly; with a groaning pain he lifted his right arm falteringly and managed to keep it aloft "that box…over there"

Kai walked over to the box and opened it; he threw the clothes at Tala uncaring if Tala didn't have the strength or energy to put them on himself, then he sat down in the comfy seat Boris had abandoned. He could feel Tala's anger towards him but he hadn't expected any gratitude from the wolf; what he needed now was to think.

As long as Boris and Voltaire had a hold of Tala then Kai was weak.

He needed a way out.

But the solution was not answering his call.

By now the plane had taken had stopped rising in to the sky; below the plane all that could be seen was a thick layer of fluffy cloud while swamping the plane from left to right was a sunny blue sky. It almost hurt to look at. But Kai did look, it made his head ache but he stared in to that blue knowing that if Tala had not got himself caught neither of them would have been here.

Tala had remained limp in the chair, the clothes dumped on his lap; he'd managed to lift his head, however, and his breathing seemed to have settled. Maybe it hurt less to breathe, "you should not have come"

"I should have left you in the hands of Boris?" Kai asked leaning his elbow on the arm of the seat.

"Yes" Tala nodded carefully, but stopped when his neck cracked and hissed in pain "I would have escaped on my own"

"I shall remember that the next time I have your death hanging over my head" Kai replied in his monotone voice "it will be an interesting event to attend your funeral"

"I wouldn't have died" Tala said, his voice croaked and he had to cough to clear it "I'm more useful to Boris alive"

"In that case I'll have Boris drop me off here, shall I?" Kai answered sardonically.

"Sure thing. If you want to drop ten thousand feet then don't let me stop you" Tala found himself smirking weakly at the snarl this crass comment produced.

Ray looked doubtfully at the tiny plane in front of him; it didn't look like much, but then looks could be deceptive…at least he hoped they could be deceptive. They were stood in a field on the outskirts of Tokyo; sat proudly in the middle of this field was the plane: it was a dirty white in colour with a mandatory red stripe down the side. Except that in some areas the red paint had peeled away leaving the plane a scanty look about it. But it wasn't the scanty look that bothered Ray, to him it looked liked one of the wings was about to fall off.

"You want me to fly to Russia in that?" the neko-jin asked "that thing won't get me as far as the end of the field"

"Fine. Walk to Russia then" was Bryan's response "see you when you get there" the falcon sauntered over to the tiny plane.

"You're not flying it?" Ray gasped horrified that he was putting his life in to the hands of a man who loathed him.

"Don't be stupid!" Bryan sneered over his shoulder "Vlad will"

"Vlad?" Hiro and Ray exchanged looks.

The door to the plane opened and a crazy looking old man peered out; a bushy beard grew from his chin and this met his drastic sideburns with fierce curls, his clothes were tatty and ripped while on his feet were a pair of grubby socks, the right one had a hole in. He leered over at Hiro and Ray with broken teeth before greeting Bryan in an erratic gabble of speech.

This was Vlad.

Hiro and Ray exchanged another look before looking back at the plane and its pilot.

Vlad was expostulating to Bryan and gesturing to a large yellow rubber duck held in his grubby hand. He then gestured to the skies and continued to jabber in what Hiro and Ray assumed to be Russian.

"I think I'd rather it was Bryan flying" Hiro commented rather faintly.

"I think I'd rather walk" muttered Ray under his breath.

Russian Words: 'Nyet' – 'No'. 'Govno' – 'Shit'.

And that's chapter four finished. Now off to Russia. I think Tala and Kai already have feelings for each other so it'll be a simple case of making them go through hell in order for them to realise and admit their feelings. As for Ray...I think I've decided what I'm going to do but you'll have to wait and see.

Tell me your thoughts. Please review.

Thanks for reading!

Kiki