Disclaimer: As Usual™
Sorry for the long, long absence of updates. My excuse is: 1- Gundam SEED. 2- Gundam SEED Destiny. 3- Yzak Jule and Dearka Elthman. 4- Laziness and my Beyblade interest are slowly dissipating. But don't worry; I will finish both stories before it does.
Some scrubbing, shampooing and towelling involved in this chapter; Fangirls, rejoice! Rejoice, I say. Oh yes. Someone will end up feeling an inch shorter here.
Howling to the Moon.
Part Six: My Moon.
Takao could literally feel himself becoming smaller and smaller every time he looked into the bathroom and spotted Yuriy. His back started to ache from staying in that position for too long so he turned back, leaning against the wall outside the bathroom and just contemplating the situation.
'Yuriy … here and he's injured, because he lost? Must have been Boris," he smacked his palm against his face, 'I'm such an idiot,' Takao leaned heavily against the wall, 'Note to self; remind Rei to kick my ass after this.'
o-o
Kai couldn't shake the feeling that somebody was watching him as he searched through cabinet of the bathroom looking for anti-bacterial soap; he was sure he packed an extra bottle before they left Japan. Kai couldn't help it if he didn't like germs, 'Of all the times to misplace something, I bet Takao the fool has something to do with it,' his accusation was unfound, though, because he discovered the dark beige coloured bottle hidden behind his spare tub of face paint, 'Apparently he didn't …' shrugging off the issue of Takao, Kai grabbed the bottle and walked back to where Yuriy sat in the bathtub.
Taking a seat on the edge of the tub, Kai squeezed a palm full of the pink coloured soap and began lathering it gently onto Yuriy's back. The redhead cringed slightly when the soapy substance made contact with a few still open wounds, but he bit his lip, hoping that Kai wouldn't notice. But he did.
"Is it okay, Yuriy?" Kai leaned forward so that he was looking his friend straight in the eye.
Yuriy swallowed, the dryness of his throat made speaking a bit of a task, "S'okay, Kai … just stings a bit."
Kai nodded his head, "I know. I'll just last a few seconds."
"Yeah," Yuriy looked away, pulling his legs up against his chest and resting his chin on his knees as Kai continued soaping his back. It was as a precaution so that the wounds wouldn't get infected.
"I have some rubbing alcohol in my bag," Kai's hand moved up and down the length of his back, careful to keep away from the raw abrasion, "Does your back hurt? Not from the wounds I mean," he said suddenly when he noticed Yuriy's shoulders tensed up grazed a spot near his spine.
"Not really … why?"
"Just making sure that you don't have any back injuries," Kai squeezed a bottle of white fluid into his hand and moved to Yuriy's thick red hair, which, when wet and hanging reached down to just above his shoulders, "if you do than we really should go and see a doctor."
"I'm fine … Kai," Yuriy snapped, but his harsh tone came out sounding more like a whimper.
"You say that now, but if things get any worse I'll be forced to throw you over my shoulder and take you to the hospital whether you want to or not."
Yuriy have an involuntary cough of indignation, "Sure you've envisioned that … many times … Kai."
Kai couldn't hold back the blush that had spread across his face, "I-I … quiet, Yuriy," he commanded, his face starting to heat up like an over-cooked pot.
Yuriy snickered at his reaction, Same old Kai, a tiny smiled escaped him, good old Kai … relaxing his tensed muscles, Yuriy just allowed Kai to continue on with what he was doing, the feeling of comfort and a little bit of pleasure filled him, Kai …
o-o
Takao sat cross-legged on the floor next to the bathroom door. His head bowed, causing the navy blue locks to hang down over his face, shielding it from view. He had just overhead the conversation between Kai and the Russian captain, and naturally he felt himself becoming even smaller.
Everything he had uttered about the redhead, every bad thing he had ever said about the Russian team; the insinuation he made the previous night about Yuriy and Balkov. All of them had suddenly come back to haunt him … to mock him. Rei's words enclosed him like a think black blanket. The spot on his cheek where Kai had slapped him now pulsated and ached unlike any other more serious injures he'd ever sustained. The look Max had given him that night seemed to become knives stabbing him over and over again. But it was the look on Yuriy's face, just minutes after the end of the match that pushed him over the edge of the guilt-ridden hill he was standing atop.
Takao cupped his face with both palms; I'm such an idiot. How am I ever going to look him or Kai in the face again?
o-o
"How do you think Takao's fairing up there? Think Kai's killed him yet?" Max looked at both the Chief and Rei with mischief shinning in his eyes.
"That's not a nice thing to say, Max," Kyoujo looked at him from above his bowl of borscht.
Rei seemed to have zoned out on the both of them, but was brought back to reality when Max nudged him in the ribs, "Uh? What?" he stared around at his companions, eyes unusually glazed over and bright.
"You don't look so hot, Rei. Maybe you should get back to the room," Max tilted his head to the side as if seeing Rei from a different angle would make him seem less sick.
"Max's right, Rei," Kyoujo walked over and placed the back of his hand against Rei's forehead, "you seem to be running a fever."
"No kidding, Chief," Rei coughed, "I was wondering why I feel like crap."
"Ooh! Sick Rei's channelling Kai's spirit!" Max exclaimed suddenly, "Maybe all this time we thought Kai was Mr. Grouchy pants but in fact, he was running a fever all along."
Kyoujo shook his head; "It's physically impossible to develop a fever for a long period of time without the probability of being admitted to the hospital."
Max stared at the youngest member of their team for a long moment, letting what he just said sink it, "O-kay …" he sweat-dropped, "anyway," he turned to the sniffling Neko-Jin, "you get back to your room this instance, young man, and stay there for the rest of the day. We don't want you missing anymore school days," he said in his most motherly voice and wiggled his finger in Rei's face.
The raven-haired teen snickered at his antics, "Yes, mother."
"Good boy, Rei. Now put on your socks before tucking in, remember to wear a jumper, the cold nights a killer this time of year. Oh, and take your cough medicine and don't forget to keep your head dry. A wet head isn't good for a fever, dear."
The hotel occupants who chose that exact moment to head into the dining area looked at the three boys with mixed reactions. Some seemed baffled, others amused and the rest just seemed downright disgusted.
"Sweet dreams, then. I'll bring you up some hot, hotel made chicken soup, just like grandma used to make," Max said sweetly and kissed Rei lightly on the forehead, causing the boy to laugh as the sound of a plate shattering reached his ears.
Some disgruntled guests decided to walk out, offended by their act. This brought some chuckling amongst the members of the Bladebreakers.
"Some people are too uptight."
"I know. But seriously, let's get back to the room. I'll ask the kitchen to pack up something for Kai."
"Okay, mother Max."
o-o
Kai turned on the shower; after making sure that the water wasn't too hot or too cold; he sprayed the warm water to wash off the excess soap and shampoo off of Yuriy's pale body. Through out the whole time, one thought kept playing over in his mind; He's so beautiful.
Oblivious to the thoughts running though his companions mind, Yuriy, weak and unable even to move his limbs without causing himself pain, just closed his eyes, letting himself being pampered fully by Kai. The boy in question was only too happy to oblige.
After all the blood had been washed off his body and out of his hair, having dyed the water red, Kai reached for the white hotel towel that hung just above his head. With one tug of the bathtub plug, the water receded into the drain, leaving only some white traced of foam and some red smudges on the white marble.
"C'mon," Kai reached an arm around Yuriy's waist, heaving him up steadily and gently out of the tub.
When both his legs were out, Kai placed him on the side where he had sat just minutes earlier and wrapped the towel around his naked body.
"Thanks …"Yuriy grabbed one end of the towel with his left hand and pulled it tighter around himself.
"No problem," Kai took a smaller hand towel to wipe his hair, "how are you feeling?"
"Better," he coughed and groaned slightly when Kai accidentally brushed up against his ribs.
"Sorry," Kai said softly, "let's get you back in the room and I'll see if I have something that you could wear," he grabbed Yuriy's left arm and circled it around his shoulders, placing his own hand around the slimmer boy's waist, hoisting him up.
o-o
What will I do? Takao was too preoccupied to notice the two occupants of the bathroom making their way towards the room, where he was currently nursing his overwhelming guilt, What will I say to Kai and to him? He grabbed a hand full of hair in frustration.
All while, the two figures came closer and closer to the opened door.
o-o
"Are you going to bed, Rei?" Max turned to Rei who was headed towards the opposite side of the hall, to the room he shared with Kai.
"I don't see any traces of blood so I assume that Kai hasn't murdered Takao yet, if he even actually reached here. Besides, Kai's anger should, somehow, have lessened by now. Even if it hasn't, I'll threaten to infect him with this bug if he doesn't let me into the room."
"Good luck then, soldier," Max saluted him, not realising that he was holding a plastic Tupperware in his hand until he had slammed it into his forehead, "Oww …" he rubbed his head, "Oh, yeah, give this to him while you're there."
Rei reached a hand out to grab the soup that they had packed for Kai, with a muttered okay; he walked over to the door. With one last cough and a sneeze, he turned the knob and pushed open the mahogany door.
End Part Six.
Don't hate me, peeps, for not updating for a long, long time and to leave this cliffhanger when I finally did. The next update, I'll try not to take too long with. Promise. Peace, yo :D
I'll have these Reviewer Replies once every few chapters from now on.
Aries1391: Yeah, I like making Tyson guilt-ridden and lousy ;D But he's actually one of my favourite characters to write.
CyborgRockStar: Sorry for the long wait. I'm glad you like the story. I do like to slip in some humour here and there. Things that are too serious takes the fun out of reading, ne? I hope you have a nice day to.
Ellen:D I like to read Uke! Kai, but I like to write Seme! Kai. Might be my utter love of Angst! Yuriy though. Yes, Kai does have some echi thoughts running though that blue head of his.
Mistress-of-eternal-Darkness: Thank you for the praises. I'm glad you liked the story. It's good reviews like this that give birth to stories, ne? xD Now that you mention it –imagines Yuriy and Kai playing volleyball with Ball Tyson–
Krixel: I completely love that you completely love this story. It was originally meant to be a one shot, but so many promising reviews made it evolve. It's all thanks to you, the reviewers. Tala acting low key as to signal that he's playing Uke this time around :D I'm sure that's good for Kai's ego. I'm also attempting to make their relationship progress in a believable way, not like they woke up one morning and poof; Romeo and Juliet! Tyson should have leaned to take care of what he says; he was just dying to be put in that situation by his words. Of course, I'm the Authoress of d00m, and I can make him suffer if I want to –cackle– But not too much. He still needs to swallow his words and apologize, ne?
Hazel-Beka: Poor, poor Takao, but he digs himself into these situations. People know you don't pick on Yuriy, especially when all the Yuriy Fangirls are keeping a hawks eye on you.
Mystic Black Phoenix: He should not pick on Yuriy like that. Thanks for reading and reviewing :D
Tala's Grl Brooklyn's princess: Yes, pervert Kai is good to have once and a while. People always like to have Yuriy as the smarmy pervert. It's time for a change in roles.
FireanIce: Glad you like the story. Hope you like this chapter as well.
Althea Astera Renata: I like your user name :D I also like making Rei as the voice of reason on the team. I'm actually not a very big fan of anime Rei, but I do like writing him. He normally turns out the best.
Kai-Lovr: Yes, Kai is wise to unleash his perversion on Yuriy. I wouldn't have it any other way ;D I guess you're right on that part as well, as long as it's YuKa or TaKa or KaYu or KaLa or whatever the shortened name is, all that matters is that it involves Tala and Kai. Your reviews make me giddy as well. Super duper lovin'. W00t.
Thin-K: Here's the update. Hope you like.
Wolftag: Thanks you. I love getting reviews that consists of the words Love, This and Fic :D I'm just a sucker for complements, shucks. Glad you how Takao got into his guilt-trippin' groove xD Who better to make him feel that way that dear old mother hen, Rei?
Syaoran-Lover: Just like with Kai-Lovr; you're totally right. Now Takao feels the guilt, but he has yet to confront them yet. Imagine what that would make him feel like nn Haha, I already did! –huggles image of Kai bathing Tala– Mine, all mine. Hiss. I liked writing Rei in the last chapter as well. It was quite fun. Umm … -feels Takao's guilt– Sorry for the long wait! Gomen, gomen; I'll try to update sooner for the next chapter, but please, spare my hide. I need it to sit on the computer chair and type up the story! –hides–
MadCrazyBitch: xD Love your username! It's also something that I feel like being from time to time. And yes, Uke! Yuriy Angst! Yuriy Good! Yuriy :D
Dark Kaizer Ken-Wolf: I'm glad you liked the story so much :D It makes writing the story seem worthwhile, all the reactions from the reviewers. A Fan on TalaKai is indeed a friend of mine, everyone here is. The story's still young, and even I can't predict the outcome of all of it. The only thing I know for certain is that Tala will definitely be with Kai. Thanks for the complements and hope you enjoy this chapter as well.
And thanks to everyone who read and came out on my Hit's Profile.
Next chapter will have Kai dressing Yuriy :D
Review!