Minutes passed in silence as they all waited for the other to make the first move, the slightest cough or sniffle from the blond caused large reactions. Mainly from the well circling the bluenette. Though they kept their distance, creating an invisible barrier between Kai and the outside world, but still giving the boy his much needed space. After what they'd learned they knew why it was so vital to him.

"I'll answer a question" Kai finally broke the silence, sick of it. Though he hated the thought of answering questions he couldn't stand the silence. It allowed time for them to speculate.

"Y-you will?" Tyson asked stunned.

"Of course, I can't avoid it. Avoidance is weak."

"Why do you consider everything is weak?"

"I don't, just a large majority of things are."

"L-like what?"

"Emotions, avoidance, fear, friends, reliance, love." He answered, though they were only a few.

"Love? Honestly mate none of them do. Friends give you strength, fear means you're aware. But love? How's that weak?"

"In the same way that friends are. You rely on people you love. And they never stick around. They're just there to betray you and be used against you. Besides, it's not like you gain anything from it, just reliance."

"I can't believe how warped your thinking is" Kenny mumbled to himself, shrinking back as he received a frosty glare from the angered bluenette. "Sorry Kai, but it's true. Have you never loved anyone? Your family?"

"I used to love my grandfather, but that was never real love. I loved him because he was my only family, but I hate that man. Believe it or not I consider Dranzer more family than him. I guess you could say I love her." A comforting heat pulsed through him as she heard her blader's words.

"You're that close to her?" Dizzi asked, speaking for the first time in a long while, her usual sarcasm was gone, replaced with what sounded like a maternal tone. She wasn't a mother herself yet she considered Kenny as a son in many respects. He was her Kenny, and she could understand how Dranzer saw Kai.

"Of course, she's saved my life on numerous occasions. Yet all I've ever done is hurt her and betray her. I guess it's like a mother in that respect too, she'll always forgive me and I'll never see myself as worthy of her."

"Wow Kai," Tyson breathed, not believing just how much Kai's head was messed up. "How can you not think you're worthy? Yeah you've made mistakes. But guess what? You're human, you can't be perfect, Christ, I'm surprised you're not a murderer with everything you've been through. Dranzer knows you. She knows how you think, feel, act. She knows when you regret and that alone made her forgive you. And you know something, you showing her a sliver of humanity after what you've endured makes you worthy of her."

No one spoke for a long time, all far too shocked that Tyson could think like that. But when the silence was broken it was something Tyson never thought he'd hear.

"Thank you"

His eyes snapped over to Kai who had his eyes trained on the phoenix bit beast, a small smile had slipped onto his face without his knowledge and for once he didn't care to keep his guard up. He'd never thought about it like that, but with the soft heat Dranzer was giving out it was clear she agreed with the navy haired boy

"W-what was that?" Tyson stuttered, not caring to believe he'd heard right.

"Thank you Tyson, I never saw it that way. But, I suppose you're right." As the teen was about to say something that would probably take away Kai's raised opinion the door swung open, his doctor stood there with a small smile on his face.

"I see you're doing better Kai, in fact, if things stay this way you may be able to be discharged today. Though of course, you'll need someone to take care of you. Is there anyone we can call?" The man asked, stepping inside the room packed with children.

More than a little relieved that he could escape this bed Kai answered before any of the others could offer.

"I have a few people I can call, I'm sure they wouldn't mind coming over to my house. Once I'm discharged I plan on going back home" the doctor nodded, leaving without another word to leave the team to talk.

"Who're you calling?"

"Yeah Kai, you could have just stayed at my dojo, grandpa wouldn't have minded."

"I've already been too much of a burden, besides, they'd kill me if I didn't let them in. I've known them for far longer than I've known you. They know how to handle this better than you all will"

"We still want to be there Kai"

"Of course" he knew he couldn't stop them from being there, after everything that happened they wouldn't leave him be till he got help.

The group couldn't deny that they were shocked, Kai finally seemed to have stopped dragging his heels. Hopefully it'd stay this way.

"Well, boys, let's leave Kai till later. I'll arrange the trip back home. I think plane would be best. It's not too far but I want to get you all home as soon as possible. Do we know where we're staying?" Mr Dickinson asked as he pushed himself to his feet. As Tyson was about to offer his home to the rest of the Bladebreakers Kai spoke up once more.

"You can all stay at my house, it's more than big enough and with Voltaire no longer there there's nothing for you to worry about. The servants never did like him so they'll have no problem caring for you all."

None had the chance to question any of what Kai'd just offered as they were being sent through the door by Mr Dickinson. The boys knew little about Kai's family but they did know that they wouldn't get many answers now. Mr Dickinson closed the door knowing the boy would want some privacy so he could call his friends.

Once the door closed he grabbed the phone on his bedside table. It was supposed to be used for calls within Tokyo but Kai could easily pay any added fee. Dialling the number quickly, having called numerous times in the past, he barely had to wait two rings before a tired voice picked up on the other end.

"Привет?"

"Tala"

Привет means hello in Russian. Please read review