A/N: I just might type 'Unlimited' instead of 'Unexpected' one day. Please warn me...enjoy!xD

Unexpected

Chapter Ten

"It would be a hassle to go to Russia right away," Kai informed the bladers as they were waited by the taxi stand of a Philippine airport. "For now, we need all of you safely hidden till we've straightened out a minor problem with the estate and transportation."

The party filled six taxis and the drive to Manila took an hour because of heavy traffic. They were finally dropped off in the heart of Luneta, where they stood out as a lovely bunch of tourists, indeed.

Julia frowned and looked around. "Where exactly are we staying?"

None of the buildings in the vicinity looked inhabitable.

"Kai owns a series of houses in one of this country's provinces," Tala filled in. "We get there by bus and stay for as long as our problem's resolved. Hopefully we've done enough damage to those murderers to stall for time."

Lunch had been devoted to looking for a suitable, accommodating bus terminal under the scorching heat of the noon sun. By the end of the afternoon, the party had traveled north, to the town of Pulilan in the province of Bulacan.

The end of the thin stretch of road disappeared into the darkening horizon. Quaint and neatly kept provincial houses lined the paved cement while others were sporadically littered on the rice fields. By the edge of an uncleared forest, which canopy receded to the starry sky, stood a row of five matchbox houses. A winding dirt path connected the lot to the main road. The entire group quickly trekked this before light was lost and they wouldn't be able to see a thing.

"Perhaps we could split up by team..." Garland suggested, as their feet left dry soil and onto loose gravel.

"We could take in Enrique and Oliver," Miguel and Raul said in unison.

"Tyson, Kenny and Daichi can stay with us!" Ming-ming added.

When everyone was settled, they parted with weary goodbyes. With pleasant surprise, they noted that the houses were ready with complete necessities for a one-week stay.

Enrique made a beeline for the bathroom and drenched himself in the sun-baked waters pumped straight from a nearby fresh-water stream.

Oliver quietly slipped in with him and hugged him from the back, sniffling. The blonde was momentarily surprised before he squirmed in the younger boy's arms and gently lifted his chin.

"What's wrong?" he cooed.

The French boy turned away and buried his head into the other's tan chest. "Everything..."

The pair stayed that way in silence for a long time.

- - - -

A day after the next brought a great bolt from the blue.

Bangings were heard on the door of the first house in which the Blitzkrieg was staying. It had been a calm, peaceful morning. None of the Russians had expected some form of interruption.

Unwittingly, Spencer answered the door and cried out in shock.

Aaron and Emily were standing outside.

The American looked like she had been crying for the longest time. Her tears fell in unending torrents. The dark European had the expression of unexplainable fear.

Curious teams poked their heads out their own houses and unceremoniously ejaculated shrieks of utter jubilation at the sight of their friends.

The first to the tackle the pair to the ground with hugs were the All Starz and the Barthez Battalion.

"Guys!" Lee yelled. "Calm down! Let them breathe!" And they were promptly given space.

"Aaron, you're shaking..." Mathilda gently touched her dear friend's shoulder but pulled back her hand when he flinched. "What's wrong?"

She got nothing in reply; the teen merely looked away and bit his lip.

"What happened to you two?" Michael asked.

Emily sniffed heavily and unsuccessfully tried to stem the flow of her tears.

"W-we were c-captured a-and t-taken...pr-risoner," she began, shoulders heaving with the force of her sobs.

"By the murderers?" asked Max.

The carrot-topped teen nodded. "W-we escaped w-when...they c-came back t-to the lab i-injur-red...b-but that was-wasn't until re-recently. B-by th-then...we h-had o-overh-heard a lot...and s-seen m-many things...h-hor-rible th-things..."

Kai frowned. "Come inside," he said. "Tell us what you saw."

The group tropped in the first house and settled in the cramped living room.

"What happened?" Claude asked.

Aaron was still trembling with fear in Emily's comforting hug and left Emily to explain the entire story.

"W-we were...c-caged." She hiccupped and swallowed. "W-we had the full v-view of the laborat-tory. It...it didn't differ fr-from what B-boris had...if anyth-thing, it w-was worse."

The girl let out a shuddering breath before continuing. "Th-there were p-people..."

"People?" Rei asked incredulously.

"People," Emily confirmed, wiping the tears from her eyes before letting flow another wave. "Wires, cables and other st-tuff went under th-their skin while they w-went through...s-someth-thing like j-genetic modification...only m-more twisted and m-morbid."

Many of her listeners swore quietly.

"Those murderers, N-nathan and R-alf," she resumed. "Th-they aren't n-normal...th-they're h...HEARTLESS! ...th-they manipulate h-human life. A...after a f-few days, th-they also placed us i-in a t-tube..."

Everyone was stunned speechless. The Russians visibly paled.

"You're kidding," Tala said hoarsely.

Emily violently shook her head and was momentarily overwhelmed with tears. She sobbed in Michael's shirt.

Her team captain stroked her hair gently. "Ssh Millie...stop crying. It's all over, you're safe--"

"That's exactly IT!" the girl exclaimed. "I can't STOP crying! I've b-been m-mo-dif-fied to never stop crying! I'm doomed to cry forever!"

"Like that girl who screamed herself to death..." said Oliver.

Aaron squirmed and let out a whimper.

"Aaron's been reduced to a th-thing that fear anything and e-everything..." the girl added half-heartedly.

Miguel and Kai were frankly horrified and the burnt boy stared at them.

"You escaped?" Tala asked and the duo nodded. "But you guys wouldn't be stable, then. Thank God you're alive!"

"If we WERE st-table, we w-wouldn't be talk-ing to y-you..." the American said darkly. "We'd h-have no memories, we'd d-drive ourselves ins-ane...fearing...crying..."

"Emy..." Aaron choked out. "Those murderers..." He groaned in anguish. "...the worst part...Tell them!"

For some reason, Emily couldn't do it. She was attacked by a fresh wave of tears and let out a mournful howl. "NO!"

Her companion looked like he was having a seizure. From his lips came the word 'traitor' like an endless chanted mantra.

"Aaron!" Mathilda grabbed his violently convulsing body, desperate to keep him sane.

"Emily?" Michael appealed kindly to his team mate who had zoned out, tears falling perpetually from dull eyes. "What's the worst part?"

The girl did not respond.

He prodded her gently and without warning, she lashed out, screaming.

"NO!"

The group rose to contain her and she was abruptly subdued.

"It's unbelievable," came her blank remark before she groaned and reclined in her seat. Suddenly, she clutched her hair. "GET OUTTA MY HEAD!!!" she screeched.

Tyson gulped. "You can...hear them?"

"All of you are in grave danger," Emily said in a voice not quite her own. "You have to leave this place. You have to leave us behind..."

"No." Kai said firmly. "We can deal with those murderers. We're armed. We're going to take care of you..."

"Aaron?" came Mathilda's soft, anxious voice. "What does she mean?"

Aaron had not ceased his chant and Emily shot him a glare.

"You two need to rest," Rick said with finality. "We can hear 'the worst part' tomorrow. By then, let's hope you two feel better."

Bryan stood up. "Alright. Everyone sleeps here tonight. We aren't taking chances for Aaron and Emily."

- - - -

"Kai, about what Emily said," Enrique appealed as he, Oliver and the said bluenette were in an empty bedroom.

The Russian waved it off. "Don't fuss over it. The girl isn't in her right state...and she'll never be."

"Enri and I won't take chances either," said Oliver. "Is there a lodging near here where we can safely move into till it's time to leave for Russia?"

Kai shrugged. "I guess that's a good idea. I've got a townhouse just a couple of blocks away. You two could stay there."

The two Majestics nodded and turned to leave.

"Oi Tornatore," the Hiwatari heir called. "Don't get yourself killed, ne?"

The blonde smiled bitterly. "I'm safe with Oliver."

Kai huffed as they parted ways. "Safest at that...always safest."

TBC

A/N: IS ENRIQUE REALLY SAFE?! We'll find out soon...enjoy!xD and ciAo...