A/N: Hey everyone! How were your weeks? Good I hope! I also hope you all had a great Holiday! Well this is chapter 10 of Ghosts of the Past and I realize I didn't get this chapter out by New Year's like I'd wanted. Turns out moving sucks! My parents have decided to do some last minute renovations on my house before we sell it so I've barely had any free time between that and school. I swear I'm never letting my family move again. Someone will wind up dead. Namely, me. But there was also the problem that this chapter just kept growing! Thanks for reading.
PS. LONGEST CHAPTER EVER! Sure was a bitch to space...
Review Replies
KonohaSinX Flame- Yeah, I hope they play Gundam 00 too and I know what you mean about the switch of days. I hate it! Plus they don't really play anything good anymore so I don't even bother watching although I check out the line up every once in a while to see if there's anything new. I've also heard those rumours about the new season of Beyblade too! But do you think they'll dub it? 'Cause they really butchered it and they cut out like half of the episodes last time. I've heard there will be new characters but that Kai will be in this season. I'm really curious to see who comes back or what. NOW. New season of Fullmetal Alchemist!? I'm a huge fan! I've got the box sets, the limited 2 disc edition movie, never missed an episode; the whole nine yards. As soon as you mentioned a new season I was on google! So they're redoing it to follow the manga plot line. That's going to be amazing! I love the ending to the anime and all but the manga's plot line is so much more...complex. Too bad the next volume isn't out until May, its killing me. Okay, the New Years Animania on YTV I watched it every year! I wish they still did it! I would be up until like four in the morning watching DragonBall Z and refused to go anywhere the next day because I was watching all the shows! Man, how long ago did they stop that? The year that comes to mind is...hm I might have been 9 turning 10 ...or 8 turning 9 (I'm born late in the year) so maybe new years of 2002/2003? Can't really remember but man do I miss it. Last year they had a Death Note marathon which was great but this year they didn't do anything! Good times that's for sure. It was great receiving your message, you're fun to write to! Thanks a lot. I checked Clannad and it was simply adorable, some of the post beautiful animation I've seen in a while and now I'm hooked. Plus it turns out the site I regularly watch all my shows on added it like a month back and its amazing quality. I checked it out on crunchy roll but the audio kind of bugged me (my ears are really sensitive to high pitch noises and some episodes had this ringing to them) so I was searching through and there it was and the audio was great! Thanks for the suggestion!
* Looks up: 'Damn that was a long reply!'*
FlamingIce94-Thanks! It is funny that Kai was barely in that chapter! Plus, Tyson could get a saint angry! :P Hope you had a good holiday! Thanks for the review.
NewPaladin- Thanks for the review; I'm glad you enjoyed it! About 16 year old Kai...you'll just have to wait and see! But don't worry; I have plans...I'm not done with him yet.
Haro Kzoids- Thanks for the review! Turns out having to take French since grade one came in handy seeing as Spanish and French are so similar!
Beybladeinginjaprincess- I'm so glad you're enjoying it, I hope I don't disappoint!
SPB Wolf- Thanks I'm so happy you like it!
Kinomiya- That had to me the longest review I've ever gotten! You get a cookie and a cake! Seriously it was also one of the best reviews I've ever gotten and I was actually have a pretty shitty day when I got this (turns out my dad plus me plus putting up wallpaper equals a whole lot of screaming) and this really brightened my day! I'm so glad you're enjoying it! And yes woot for Canada! Still glad I'm not in the coldest city :):P although we did get -40 the other day.
----
This week's play list addition is: Live For Today by 3 Doors Down
And god only knows all the places I've been
But I love this life that I'm living in
I wont look back to regret yesterday
Were not handed tomorrow so I'll live for today
Another day and yet another is done spending a life living with in the past
I'll take the chance before the chance has gone
You never know when it'll be your last
Give it a listen.
People could be cruel and never take the chance to really understand someone. They'd abandon you the moment they thought you were different. The hatred wasn't easy to deal with, but the loneliness hardest part. But, he would have to live with that.
"Don't worry Kai," he whispered as he settled down in the bed
"You won't be alone. We can be monsters together."
It was getting late, Tala noticed as he sat alone in the kitchen with a drink in hand.
The older Kai would kill him if he found out that he had been drinking again. Hell, the guy probably thought all of the alcohol had been thrown from the house. But, he and the cook had come to have an understanding of sorts.
If the man hid the liquor along with a shaker away in one of the smaller cupboards that Spencer and Kai steered clear of, he wouldn't find himself...incapacitated. As he stared down into the drink as white as snow; a 'Russian Bear' they called it, he couldn't help but sigh.
It had been a long day, far too long.
The smell of Kai's burning skin wouldn't leave his nose. The scares along his arms and chest seemed to sting as he remembered the pain of the cigarettes against his skin. The sounds of the guards' laughter echoed through his head and he could feel the bile rising in his throat at the mere memory.
He tipped his head back and let the drink slide down his throat before pouring another one. He'd been having nightmares again ever since Kai had come to their time. Memories better left forgotten had once again surfaced.
When he closed his eyes at night he could see Boris leaning over him as he had when he lay on the floor of his cell in agony.
As he lay in his bed each night every shadow began to take the shape of the purple haired Russian, every creak in the floor as the house settled became the sounds of his foot steps. It didn't matter how far away the man was or how long it had been since he'd seen him, the image of Boris would always haunt him.
His past would always haunt him.
Tala sighed as he set the drink aside and noticed how the sky was starting to brighten. Ray had gone up to bed, as had Max while Tyson had slunk off after Bryan had disappeared hours ago. The redhead had to wonder where his friend had gotten to, but he had an idea.
He set the glass with a mix of vodka, cream, and liqueur aside and headed towards Kai's room, knowing that was probably where his friend was hiding. When he opened the door he saw Kai still fast asleep with Bryan sprawled out beside him.
Tyson's words had hurt Bryan deeply, even if he didn't show it. After all, a sharp tongue could cut just as deep as any blade.
And they could be just as deadly...
Kai woke up to the sounds of birds outside his window. 'Goddamn birds,' he thought to himself as he tried to sit up.
It was then that a terrible throbbing in his arms was brought to his attention. Two crimson eyes snapped open to stare at his bandaged limbs. 'How the hell...' the previous night's events came rushing back to him.
He felt waves of guilt along with pride over what he had done. He hadn't intended to hurt the moron, but he'd been so cocky and it felt good to have knocked him down a notch.
Kai tried, this time trying to avoid using his arms; to sit up only to fall back against the pillows.
"Well this is just great," he mumbled to himself.
"Stupid. If you keep doing that you're going to hurt yourself."
Kai practically jumped out of his skin as he realized that someone was lying beside him. The small Russian flung his head around only to have his eyes land on Bryan.
"What the hell were you doing?! Trying to give me a heart attack?"
"Are you always this loud this early in the morning?"
"Shut up," Kai snapped back. "What the hell are you doing in my bed?"
"Can't a guy be concerned for his friend's well being?"
Kai glared at him, "If it means you take up most of my bed and all of my blankets? No."
"Someone's in a bad mood," Bryan smirked.
Kai gave a huff as he glared at his friend and Bryan could only laugh before carefully picking the boy up. He noticed the boy wince occasionally as they made their way down the stairs and into the kitchen.
'I'll have to grab him some pain—
His thought was cut off as he noticed Tala sitting at the table dressed in his night clothes, head in his heads and a large cup of coffee in front of him.
"What are you doing up this early?"
The red head visibly flinched at the sound of his voice, "Speak quieter. Headache."
Bryan set Kai down on the floor before making his way over to sit across from Tala. He hadn't seen his team mate like this in months and truthfully he had hoped he never would again.
"You know, if Spencer or Kai find out you're drinking again they're going to have your head?"
"I'm not drinking again."
"Really? Could have fooled me. What the hell is all this about," he hissed.
They'd discovered a while back that the red head had a drinking problem. Apparently he'd thought the alcohol would make the memories fade, make the nightmares stop. The meetings and counseling had worked.
Kai had supposedly gotten rid of all the alcohol in the house. Well, apparently he'd missed a few bottles.
"Tala you're being an idiot and I'm not dealing with it. I don't know why you're doing this to yourself again, especially after we all worked so hard to help your sorry ass!"
The red head groaned and held his head as Bryan yelled.
"Get your fucking act together and take a shower damn it, you smell like fucking vodka for God's sake," he spat as he grabbed him by the scruff of the neck and hoisted Tala from his seat.
After a quick shove the redhead went stumbling off towards the bathroom. Kai glanced up at him, "Is he alright?"
Bryan walked over to the boy and ruffled his hair, "Don't worry kid. Nothing can keep that bastard down for long."
Kai nodded absentmindedly, "I want grilled cheese."
---
It was almost lunch by the time everyone, except Tyson was up and about.
Tala had yet to reappear and Bryan had a theory that he'd gone back to bed after his shower. The redhead never handled a hangover well but it took a lot to give him one. That only meant that something was really bothering his teammate if he had been drinking that much.
Ray was standing at the stove making Kai his grilled cheese that Bryan had refused to make.
"I thought Tala said no grilled cheese," the neko muttered.
To that Kai simply answered, "That was just a one day thing. Besides even if he still says that, he's not here is he?"
Max laughed from where he sat beside the boy.
"Find something funny Blondie?"
Said blonde quickly averted his gave, "No."
"I didn't think so."
Ray laughed at the nervous face Max had as he set a plate of grilled cheese in front of Kai along with a glass of orange juice with a straw. It then seemed to hit them all that the boy couldn't move his arms properly, never mind hold something.
Kai stared forlornly at his food as he carefully drank his juice for the straw.
Ray wasn't sure what to do, "Um...I guess I could feed it to you...?"
Just by the glare Kai sent his way he knew that was out of the question.
"No. I'm not hungry," the boy said as he finished his juice and hopped down from his seat.
"But Kai you have to eat something," he called to the small disappearing back.
"I'm going to find Bryan," and with that he was gone.
The neko stared down at the plate, "So...Max. Want some grilled cheese?"
---
Kai sighed as he looked around for Bryan already knowing Tala was up in bed sleeping. His stomach growled and he couldn't help but frown. There was no way he was going to let someone feed him, but damn he was just so hungry.
He'd gotten used to eating over the past week and some odd days, or at least that's what his protesting stomach was telling him.
The grilled cheese had smelled so good... Kai shook his head trying to rid himself of all thoughts of food. He'd gone for weeks without eating he could last a few days without food. At least here he could drink something, even if it was just juice, instead of having nothing at all.
He found Bryan sitting alone in one of the living rooms with the curtains drawn casting the room in an eerie glow.
"Bryan?"
The Russian looked up and waved him over, "What's the matter kid?"
"Nothing," he said as he tried to figure out how to get up onto the couch across from Bryan without using his arms.
After a moment he resigned himself to sitting on the floor and carefully lowered himself down to the hardwood. If he was at all truthful he would have to admit the floor was in no way comfortable, and it was actually quiet cold seeing as the heat had never been turned up after the arrival of winter last week.
While the Bladebreakers had complained all of the Russians were quite used to the cold and didn't deem it necessary to turn up the heat.
Bryan stared over at the small boy as he carefully flopped onto the floor and couldn't help but shake his head. The kid was just too stubborn to ask for help. But, then again who was he to talk?
He noticed Kai shiver slightly after a moment of sitting on what was surely to be cold, floor. After a few minutes of the kid just sitting there he had finally had enough,
"Come on."
Kai looked up questioningly.
"Let's go get you into a long sleeved shirt instead of that thin thing."
The fair haired Russian walked to the doorway only to stop and look back to the boy who was still stationary on the ground.
"Are you coming?"
Kai nodded but continued to sit there. Bryan sighed as he walked purposefully over to where the kid sat, "You know, you could ask for help."
He gently grabbed him around the middle and hoisted the slim frame into his arms.
"It wouldn't kill you."
Kai shot him a look, "Aren't you being hypocritical?"
"Hn. Big word for someone so small."
"Whatever."
Bryan glanced down at the boy to find him with an odd look on his face, "Hey, something wrong?"
Kai looked up at him, "Is Tala mad at me?"
Bryan frowned, "No, he's not mad at you. I don't really know what his problem is. But Tala has always had some issues, hell we all have issues. He's just got a different way of working them out, so don't bother worrying about the bastard."
"Hm. You know, earlier you seemed worried, so who the hell are you to tell me not to?"
"Shut up."
"But...he'll get better right?"
Bryan glanced down at him with a sad look in his eye, "I don't know Kai. I'm not sure if he'll ever really be alright. But, he's living. He's moving on and that's all that really matters. Its just right now he's hit a bump in the road, but he's fought so hard he won't let something like this stop him."
Kai nodded and they continued their way to his bedroom. Bryan made sure to open the door without jostling Kai around and then carefully set him down on the bed.
"Now to find you a Goddamn shirt," He grumbled as he began digging through the pile of clothes.
Eventually he pulled out a soft black long sleeved sweater. The material had enough give to it that he would easily be able to slip it onto the kid's arms without having to really touch them.
A pair of jeans had fallen onto the floor and he quickly grabbed those and brought them along with the shirt over to where Kai was sitting. He carefully pulled off the thin t-shirt and slipped on the black long sleeved one noticing as he did, the small winces as his hands brushed Kai's arms.
"There, that should be fine for now." Kai nodded as he slid to the end of the bed and hopped down. As he did Bryan couldn't help but notice the way the clothes hung off of the boy's slim frame. Just as he stood there the pants were slowly starting to fall down.
"...I think you need some new clothes kid."
Kai looked down, "Or a belt. I have one but...I guess it might be gone seeing as it's been so long."
Bryan mumbled to himself as he once again dug through the pile of clothes to pull out a black and green belt a moment later. As he tried to do up the belt he realized it must have been two sizes too big, "Kai this fit you before the Abbey didn't it?"
"Yeah."
The holes in the material didn't even go back far enough to be able to secure the belt and that was after a year. It was quite worrying to know just how much weight Kai had lost.
"Did you eat something yet," he asked as he gave up on the belt and pulled another shirt from the pile.
"Kind of."
He quickly tore a strip of fabric off, "What do you mean kind of?"
"I had juice," the boy mumbled as Bryan slipped the fabric through the belt loops and tied it tightly until it fit.
"Juice. That's all?"
Kai nodded as he stared down at his make shift belt.
"I thought you'd conned Ray into making you some grilled cheese?"
"I did. But...I couldn't pick it up."
"Oh."
That was a problem he hadn't thought of, "We'll figure something out once Tala's up."
"Yeah and when will that be?"
"Huh. Actually we should do that now I guess. It's about time the lazy bastard got up," he mumbled as he picked up the kid and headed out of the room.
When he stopped in front of the red head's door Kai looked up at him, "So this is it?"
Bryan nodded.
"So you're just going to go in there and tell him to get up."
"Yeah I guess so."
"Seems kind of boring."
"'Suppose it does."
"....What if I had a better idea?"
---
Ray sighed as he stared over at the now cold plate of grilled cheese. Even though he wasn't really at fault the neko still felt guilty for what had happened to Kai. It had been his responsibility to watch him.
Heck he'd practically begged Tala and Bryan to leave so he could look after the boy, and just look what happened. The small Russian had seemed rather down, even if he'd tried to hide it.
'Maybe he's feeling guilty for what he did to Tyson,' he thought to himself. It made some sense. 'I know underneath all of his sarcasm, rudeness and glares he's probably just a sweet, kind, little—
"KAI! BRYAN! WHAT THE FUCK?!!"
"Never mind."
---
Max came scrambling into the kitchen, "Ray did you hear that!?"
"Maxie, I think everyone in a five mile radius heard that."
"What do you think they did to get him so mad?"
"I don't know and I'm not sure I want to—
It was then that Tala came stalking into the room looking a little worse for wear. The red heard threw something onto the table and flopped down into one of the table chairs.
Max got closer to the table to examine what the Russian had tossed down and quickly jumped back when he noticed what it was. On the table sat a small lizard.
"Tala...is that a—
"Gecko? Yes, it's a fucking gecko."
"EW," Max squealed as he backed further away. "That thing is gross!"
Ray stared down at the tiny creature, "I don't know, I think it's kind of cute."
Tala glared up at him, "Cute? Yeah it was so cute when I woke up to it crawling around in my pants."
The neko sighed, "Well I guess that would ruin it."
The Russian closed his eyes as he held his head in his hands and it was then that Ray noticed just how disheveled he looked. Tala's normally fare skin was ghostly pale and dark circles resided like bruises under his eyes.
The normally gelled hair hung loose, falling almost to his shoulders as he hadn't taken the time to style it.
"Tala, are you alright?"
The read head looked up through a set of vibrant bangs that almost hid his icy eyes from sight, "I'm fine Kon. Now stop your staring."
Ray nodded as Bryan along with Kai appeared and Tala shot them a dark glare. Kai seemed to be holding in a smiled and he quickly turned away to hide it.
"Don't think I don't see that grin Kai. You'd both better watch your backs," The Russian threatened.
Bryan grinned slyly as he set the small boy down on the floor and walked over to the table, "What don't you like geckos?"
"Shut the fuck up."
Bryan continued to grin somewhat evilly as he picked up the small creature and let it crawl up his arm.
Max shivered at the sight, "Where did you even get that thing from?"
"None of your damn business."
Tala looked up, "Where the hell did you get him from?"
"Found him a few weeks ago and I've been keeping him in my closet. Thought I'd use him to scare the shit out of Ian."
"Him? I'm surprised you haven't named it," Tala shot back sarcastically
"I've just been calling him Gecko. Guess that's his name if you want to be technical about it."
"Whoa. Really inventive. It's so original."
"Look can you just shut up about the gecko thing?"
"Me shut up?! Looks whose talking bastard! Putting that damn thing down my pants!"
"Um...guys," Kai spoke up.
"Oh why don't you pull that stick out of your ass?"
"Guys, really—
"I should kill you—
"Guys."
"—Stick it right down your throat—
"Bryan."
"—I'll twist it right off—
"Tala."
"I'll shove it up—
"Can you both just shut up," Kai growled, but the two continued.
"—Stupid flame thrower—
Kai turned to look at Ray for help but the neko just shrugged.
"—Cabbage, yes CABBAGE!—
"Why don't you go fuck yourself in—?
"BOTH OF YOU SHUT THE HELL UP!"
Everyone turned to look surprised at Kai although half of the room's occupants had no idea what he'd said.
"Um...Kai are you alright," Max asked hesitantly.
"You're all making my head hurt so just shut up."
Ray cracked a grin at the boy's answer. Kai really hadn't changed all that much between the ages of five and sixteen. 'Still the same temperament,' he thought.
Both of the older Russian glared heatedly at each other before sitting down across from one another.
Tala ran a hand over his face; he was too tired for this. All he wanted to do was go back to his room and sleep for the rest of the day. It seemed Bryan and Kai were starting to team up again...or for the first time for this Kai...but again for Bryan...Tala bit back a moan. Time travel was too confusing when you had a headache.
He looked up at his friend and met a pair of cold, yet playful eyes. To Bryan, fighting was just another way of socializing. Really, it was nothing to take personally if you were his friend.
"Kai needs new clothes."
"Huh?" 'Oh yes, Tala thought sarcastically to himself 'Ingenious response.'
"All his clothes are too big, he can't wear them anymore."
The red head looked over to the boy who seemed to be trying to figure out how to get up onto one of the chairs without using his arms. Ray finally seemed to take pity on him and rushed forward to help.
As Tala continued to stare he realized his friend was right, the clothes were practically hanging off of Kai's small frame and it was quite worrying.
"Hn. We'll go later and pick some stuff up from the mall or something. You're right he can't keep wearing those, they're about to fall off."
Upon further inspection during which Kai was glaring at Max for a reason unknown to the red head, he noticed that what looked to be a torn piece of fabric was tied around his waist to keep the boy's pants from falling down.
Bryan saw what he was staring at, "His belt was too big so I just ripped a strip off of one of the shirts and used that."
"Yeah well, we sure as hell can't be doing that forever. Might as well leave now," he answered as he absentmindedly scratched at his arm.
Bryan nodded as he turned to the others, "We're leaving for a while."
Ray looked at him, "Where are you going?"
Tala, if he had been in a better mood might have smirked at the look of anxiety on the neko's face. It seemed he'd learned that dealing with Kai wasn't as easy as he had suspected.
But he couldn't find it in himself to actually feel anything at the moment. A little voice in the back of his mind was telling him that, that wasn't healthy and he had to wonder what the older Kai would do if he found out about this.
Would he send him back to that therapist? Have him put back on the medications he'd had to take for almost a year after the Russian Championships? The red head would never actually admit it but, the medications had probably saved his life by helping him get control of his suicidal tendencies.
The only thing was they left him living in a slight haze, something he found to be quite annoying. There was also the fact that he resented that he had to rely on something as pitiful; or so he saw it; as medication.
He hated the fact that, that small bottle had the power to label him to the world. That it told everyone he was unstable, as they had so kindly put it.
"—listening?"
Tala looked up to find Bryan looking over at him with a frown on his face.
"What?"
"We're all going to leave in a minute; go get ready."
"Oh, yeah," He replied as he tiredly got up from his seat.
---
"I'll be down soon," the redhead called as he disappeared towards his room.
Max stared after him worriedly, "Is he alright? He's been acting kind of strange since yesterday."
Kai looked up at him, "He'll be fine. Now get me some orange juice."
---
Everyone was ready to go; they were just waiting for Tala to reappear. Bryan knew it would take a while. Between picking out his clothes and doing his hair the red head was never one to be ready quickly.
So, he was rather surprised when Tala came down the stairs not more then five minutes later, but it was easy for him to see why. The Russian was wearing a plane white, short sleeved shirt, a regular pair of jeans, and his hair was still look and falling near his shoulders.
Sure, in all the years he'd know Tala he'd seen him lay around the house in similar attire but never in front of others.
Ray seemed to pick up on this and Max just made a comment about how the Russian should leave his hair down more often. Other than those few comments and a small cough from Kai the hallway was silent.
In fact... the entire house was oddly quiet. It was then that Bryan realized they were missing someone, "Where the hell is the moron?"
Ray frowned at that, "Um, I think he's still in bed. I haven't seen him at all today."
"And you're complaining about that," Kai asked sullenly.
Bryan knew that the kid was probably worried about how the moron would react to him after their beybattle. But, if Tyson mentioned anything it would be the last thing he said.
"Well," Ray sighed "I'll go get him...and Bryan?"
He looked up.
"Try to be nice." The Russian growled at that while the neko just rolled his eyes.
---
They all waited rather impatiently until Ray finally appeared with Tyson in tow. Kai stared up almost nervously. Really, he didn't care all that much about what the idiot had to say about him.
The world champ seemed to break out of his morning daze as he laid eyes on him and a sneer replaced his relaxed look. 'Great,' Kai thought to himself.
"So what's all this about? Decided to send the little freak back?"
Ray elbowed Tyson in the ribs as Tala replied in a monotone voice, "I told you already we can't send him back. The machine has a timer. He'll go back when it runs down to zero."
Kai couldn't help a shiver that traveled down his spine at the thought. He dreaded having to return to the Abbey, the mere thought made him feel sick to his stomach.
Bryan seemed to notice his discomfort, "If you don't shut the fuck up I swear I'll kill you myself."
Tyson paled and quickly looked away and that was when Kai noticed a large bruise spreading across the side of his face. 'What did he do,' he wondered to himself.
Something was up with the moron, Tala was acting weird and Bryan was upset and pissed about God knew what.
It was going to be one hell of a day.
Ray had called a van earlier so they all piled in when it arrived. No one seemed to feel like talking so the ride was spent mostly in silence. Ray stared over at Kai who was sitting between the two older Russians looking thoughtful.
The boy had been left out of the loop about the previous night's events and the neko couldn't help but think it was for the best. He had seen the way he had flinched slightly at Tyson's words and seemed nervous around him.
Truthfully, Ray thought Tyson deserved what he had gotten last night. He'd asked for it, well demanded for it really.
Max was sitting beside Tyson and leaning away slightly as if afraid he'd get burned. He could practically feel the anger rolling off of their navy haired blader's skin. The tension could be cut like a knife and even the driver looked uneasy.
When they were dropped off outside of the mall Ray turned to see the man let out a sigh of relief as they paid him and walked away.
The mall itself was rather big and packed with people seeing as the Christmas season was kicking into gear.
The neko turned to Bryan, "Why don't you go with Tala and I'll take Kai. Maybe you can find out what's bugging him."
They both turned to find the red head standing a few feet away staring off into space.
The Russian nodded grudgingly, "If anything happens it's on your head. Make sure that moron doesn't say anything."
Ray nodded as he felt a shiver travel down his spine.
Bryan grabbed the still out of it Tala by the arm and dragged him off into the crowd.
Sudden cries of, "OH MY GOD! IT'S TALA IVANOV AND BRYAN KUZNETSOV," could be heard through the crowd and Ray quickly picked up Kai and rushed in the opposite direction.
No need to scar the boy for life more then he already was.
Max turned to him, "So where are we going?"
"Um...well I guess we can just walk around until something catches our eyes."
"Ray?"
"Yeah Max?"
"Do we even have any money?"
"No Max. But, that's what credit cards are for."
Tyson was grumbling along behind them, probably glaring at Kai or so Ray figured seeing as the boy he was holding was staring over his should with a pair of cold crimson eyes.
It wasn't the famous Kai Death Glare, but give it a few years and it would be.
They eventually passed a small store that sold children's clothing. The walls were lined with everything from jeans to parkas, to Santa suits. A young woman probably in her late teens came bustling up
"Oh my God! He's adorable," she squealed and Ray smiled politely,
"Yes...um thank you."
She smiled back until she caught sight of the bandages wrapped around him arms,
"Oh, what happened? Did you hurt yourself little man," she asked as he ruffled Kai's hair.
The boy gave a growl and probably would have smacked her if he could.
"He had a little accident with some boiling water," Max supplied happily.
The woman gave Kai a sympathetic face, "Getting burned isn't fun now is it?"
The boy looked like he was about to snap at her so Ray bounced him slightly as if getting a better hold on him, but Kai new it was a warning and kept his mouth.
"Well what are you looking for," the girl asked with another smile.
"Well," Ray began "Basically everything I guess. He doesn't even have a coat and nothing he has fits him, it's all too big."
The girl looked at Kai, "Too big? He's got to be one of the smallest three year olds I've ever seen. Has he been sick?"
"Well—
"I'm five damn it," Kai growled.
"Five?!" the girl squeaked. "But, he's so tiny! Oh he must have been ill and lost a lot of weight right? You poor baby," she cooed.
Kai rolled his eyes as she began scrambling around and grabbing different articles of clothing.
When she picked up a glaringly bright purple shirt Kai practically choked on air. Before anyone could really stop her or say anything a large pile of clothes was on the counter along with a very thick black and green coat.
"I'll even give you a thirty percent discount," she smiled.
"Um," Max hesitated "Are you allowed to do that?"
"Not normally but, I'm the manager and I say it's okay!"
Ray smiled even though he was somewhat creeped out while Kai looked about ready to kill someone.
"Well thank you so much. We'll just pay and get out of your hair," the neko smiled as he set Kai down and pulled out his wallet.
Tyson purposely moved away from where the boy was standing and shot him a nasty look while Max just sighed. As the girl rang them up she continued to stare at each one of them in turn,
"Hey...aren't you Ray Kon?"
She quickly glanced at the name on the card "Oh God, you are Ray. So-so you're Max and Tyson," she squealed.
"Can I get an autograph? I'll make it forty percent off!!!"
"Well, I don—
"No I insist. Here," she said as she pulled out a blank paper and grabbed a pen from the counter, "Sign this."
Tyson, never one to turn down an autograph session quickly grabbed the pen and signed, followed by a shy Max. Ray hesitantly took the pen from the blonde and also signed.
The manager looked around, "But, where's Kai is he not here? I was hoping for the complete set."
Tyson frowned, "That sour puss is out in Russia."
"Oh. You know..."
Ray bit back a moan. All he wanted to do was get out before something went wrong.
"That little boy looks an awful lot like Kai."
Max started stuttering, "W-well, you—you see...um."
The girl's eyes widened, "Is he..."
Ray groaned, and Max sighed while Tyson seemed to snicker.
"Kai's son?!"
Ray almost bit his tongue, Tyson burst out into laughter and Max lost his footing even though he'd been standing still.
"Oh my God. He is isn't he? Who's the mother!?"
"Look um. He's not Kai's son...just a cousin," Max tried, but the girl didn't buy it.
"We have to go," Ray said as Max grabbed the bags and he turned to pick up Kai only to find him not there.
'But- but I put him right there,' the neko inwardly panicked.
"Go Ray," Max hissed as he gave him a small shove in the back.
They all got away from the store as quickly as possible before Tyson noticed, "Where'd the twerp go?"
"That's it I don't know," Ray said hysterically. "Its one thing if we're in the house but this is a MALL! Someone could take him and- and rape him or hurt him and oh God Bryan and Tala are going to kill me. I just put him down for one second and he disappears," he almost cried.
Tyson hopped up on a bench that was near them and quickly looked around,
"I see him," he shouted as he hopped down and chanced after the boy.
As they ran they pushed past and bumped into many people some called after them as they went. They finally wound up in a play area where there was a climber filled with happily playing children.
Mothers and grandmothers were sitting around on the surrounding benches watching their kids playing or sipping their coffee.
"Tyson, do you see him," Max called.
The world champ nodded before shoving past a man and running. Soon Ray could see the small form of Kai walking calmly towards a store front and Tyson quickly ran over and grabbed his upper arm and pulled him towards him,
"Damn it Kai what the hell was that? Come on, we're leaving."
The small Russian glared at him with pained eyes, "Let go."
Tyson huffed and tightened his grip, "Not until you're back with Bryan or Tala. Apparently they're the only ones you bother to listen to."
Ray saw Kai flinch as Tyson gripped his arm tighter, "Tyson, careful with his ar—
"Ray, if we don't teach him a lesson he'll never learn!"
The neko went to argue but Kai cut him off,
"I said let go."
Tyson laughed, "Yeah, sure. Come on we're leaving."
He went to pulled Kai along but stopped as the boy emitted an ominous growl, "Let go now moron!"
"Tyson, maybe you should let him go," Max suggested.
The blader turned to him, "What are you on the kid's side too?!"
Kai seemed fit to explode and Ray and Max took a few steps back.
"LET GO"
"Like I'm going to listen to you. I'm not going to let you push me around like the others do."
"Tyson," Max tried "I know you're just trying to prove—
"Max with you just shut up," the world champion snapped.
"So," Kai said quietly. "You're not going to let go?"
"Not. On. Your. Life," Tyson sneered.
"Fine then. Have it your way."
They boy took a huge breath and Ray wondered if he was going to start screaming profanities at Tyson. But he only shouted one word....
"STRANGER!!"
Before Tyson even knew what was happening he was being swarmed by women, old and young alike as they began to beat him with shopping bags, purses, and fists.
"GET AWAY FROM HIM YOU PERVERT."
"LET GO OF HIM," another shouted.
"TRYING TO TOUCH POOR LITTLE BOYS!"
"SHAME! SHAME ON YOU."
Kai calmly slipped from in between the crowd of women and started walking away. Soon even more people had joined the group and they too began shouting at Tyson and trying to smack him with their bags.
As Tyson continued to be beaten by the mob Max and Ray began heading in the direction Kai had went.
"We don't know him," Ray said simply.
Max just nodded.
---
They found Kai in front of a pet shop staring in the window at a bunch of ducklings.
"Where's the moron," he asked.
Max chuckled nervously, "He's still stuck back there with all those ladies. So, is this what you were trying to see?"
Kai nodded. Ray looked from the small Russian to the equally small ducklings and the look of longing on the boy's face.
"You know Kai," he began. "Those ducklings don't cost too much so, if you wanted you could get one."
Kai turned around to stare at him wide eyed, "Really?"
Ray nodded and Kai smiled back. A truly genuine smile, not a smirk or a sneer.
A smile.
A truly happy and innocent expression which made him look even younger and even more breakable and delicate. It made him want to protect the boy, take hold of his hand and never left go.
"I want that one," Kai said and pointed to the smallest duckling in the group. Ray nodded before taking hold of the boy's small hand and leading him into the store.
The clerk quickly grabbed the duckling when they asked for it and they charged it to Ray's card. The man went to hand the tiny thing to Kai but stopped short when he noticed the boy's heavily bandaged arms.
"Here," Ray said as he carefully took the duckling and set it on Kai's shoulder where it settled down.
Funny how it didn't look quite so tiny anymore when it was sitting on Kai.
"What are you going to name him Kai," Max asked as they headed back to where they were going to meet Tala and Bryan.
"Kostya," he said simply.
Max looked at him, "Kostya?"
"It means constant."
Ray smiled, "That's a great name Kai."
The rest of the walk was silent except from the occasional 'cheep' from the duckling now named Kostya.
Ray could see Bryan standing with a slightly more alert looking Tala by the doors. The red head stared as they walked up,
"Where's the idiot?"
Ray told them what had happened with the mob of women and both Russians burst into laughter until Tala noticed something, "Kai I don't know if you know this but there's a bird on your shoulder."
Ray smiled sheepishly, "Well you see, Kai saw it in the window and I didn't think it would hurt."
Kai then spoke up, "I like him. And he's the last pet I'll ever get. They don't let animals in the Abbey," he said rather sadly.
Tala crouched down until he was eye level with Kai and gave him a small smile, "Don't worry Kai. Once you're out of there you'll get some dogs, cats, even a wolf. You'll be able to get any pet you want."
The boy smiled at that and then went over to Bryan who wanted to see the small bird.
Ray turned to the Russian, "You shouldn't lie to him like that."
Tala looked at him, "Who said I was lying?"
"But Kai doesn't have any pets."
"Says you," Tala smirked, "Why do you think Kai spends as much time as he does in Russia? Sure blading is a part of it, but he's got a couple houses up there. In the main house he's got a couple dogs; Sanya and Borya. Then there's his cat, Yasha and the wolf's name is Hedeon. Don't even bother asking me what all the other's names are."
They both turned to look at the smiling Kai as Bryan ran a finger over the duckling's soft feathers. Kostya nipped at the small boy's hair and both Russians started laughing. Bryan carefully picked it up and then tried lightly setting him on Kai's arm. When the small boy didn't flinch or feel any pain because of the small bird they both began heading towards the door leaving the others to follow.
The neko laughed, "There's a lot about Kai we don't know huh?"
"You have no idea."
Dear Readers,
Well I hope you all enjoyed this chapter of Ghosts of the Past. I'm sorry about the chapter delay but it also took me a while to figure out my time line for everything. It turns out I wasn't satisfied the way I had the plot line planned out so I've gone and changed everything! Basically, I changed who I wanted to be following Kai, what happens to them all and how it more or less ends. But, I'm so pleased with it compared to my original idea. So yeah!
I swear this chapter just got out of control. I knew what I wanted to happen but between the transfer from my mind to the computer it somehow doubled in length. Ugh. I've become addicted to Fall Out Boy's new CD. I think they kind of...sold out, not gunna lie. From Under the Cork Tree is still on my Ipod and damn I still love it! Their second release, Infinity On High; was a little different but hell I could appreciate it. It would be seriously boring if they didn't grow as a band. But...it's like half R&B at points now. There's only one song with any screaming and it's only in the intro. Yet...I won't deny its one hell of a CD. Some of the beats are so great and I can't stop listening. Someone from rolling stone said at points it was like they were all suffering from ADD because of the way the songs differ in genre and how they sometimes change mid song. They might have sold out but GOD they're still so good. My friends thought I'd be pissed about how their new stuff sounded but I surprised them. I can't wait until the band starts touring. My dream is to go to one of their concerts...and a Linkin Park one, a Three Days Grace one, and a Breaking Benjamin one. Oh, and a 3 Doors Down one. I bet my dad would like that...but I almost had tickets to their last tour but at the last minute my mum said she couldn't drive me and my friend because she was at a cottage or something. I was so pissed. So close, yet no cigar. Well this time I'm grabbing that goddamn cigar and not letting go. Screw getting a drive if it comes to it I'll grab the GO train. I'm determined, plus I need another t-shirt. My cat made holes in my favourite one and my other is too big *Sigh* I swear I screamed when I saw my t-shirt ruined. *laughs* Scared the shit out of my brother.
So it's that time of year again. Exams. I can tell you that after my math exam which is on Wednesday I'll be able to start writing and then I only have school on the Friday after exams so the next chapter should be out relatively quickly. It also helps that I've drafted everything out. So...yeah.
Good luck to all of you who also have exams! Study hard!
Yours truly,
ForeverFalling.
PS. Don't forget to review, thanks!