Disclaimer: I am not an owner, only a torturer of these fine characters made by other, more intelligent people. I do not own anything, not even my own truck, so if you want to sue, you can have the dead mouse out back.

Honorable Measures

Chapter9: INVITE!

(Rei)

The first night in the new house was… odd. There were many sounds I now have to get use to and shadows that scared me I now find are just the trees outside in the yard. I'm the first one up this morning, passing Kai's room I make sure his door is closed tightly before heading to the kitchen to make coffee, the sweet smell of the nectar of life, coffee. I watch the dark fluid brew into the pot, yawning. Jet lag is a pain in the butt, my brain is telling me a totally different time than what it should and my body just doesn't want to except it. The coffee is done and I pour it into one of the coffee cups we unpacked last night and go and sit on the couch that Tala and the others arranged for us. My groggy head wakens up a bit at the jolt from the coffee but not enough to get up and grab breakfast. Slumped on the couch this is how Kai find me a half-hour later.

" Still tired Rei?" he yawns and I nod, rolling my head to look at the slate-haired boy. He wheels himself into the kitchen slowly the muscles in his arms stretching with each push. I watch as he gets his own cup, pouring it and then sipping at the strong black substance.

" Maybe I should try my coffee black." I yawn and head over to the kitchen where Kai is still sipping the coffee. He shakes his head

" It's not for everyone Rei." He warns and I shrug it off, pouring out the diluted coffee I pour nothing but a black cup, watching the dark liquid pool into the ceramic cup. Gathering my gumption I sit across from Kai and as he watches, take a sip. The bitter liquid, unsweetened by sugar and uncolored by milk is rapidly burning my mouth but I swallow the bitter concoction with a disgusted grunt, swearing off black coffee. Kai laughs, nearly spilling his own drink as I toss the rest of the coffee into the sink with a disgusted growl.

" Shut up. I'm going to take a shower and start unpacking." I inform the coffee-drinking teen and he nods,

" Good idea." He says and puts the cup into the sink and heads back to his own bathroom, a bit more awake and moving a bit quicker than before. I watch him go before looking up at the ceiling and sighing. Over the past few weeks I have noticed the many changes in Kai's moods and how quickly they will come and go. Mike said this might happen as he becomes more adjusted to living in the chair but sometimes his quite and angry moods are far scarier than his smiling and laughing. Heading to my own bathroom, since Tala was so kind to give us or own I begin to think, what would happen if people at the school began to pick on Kai? Would he just haul off and slug one of them? I should e-mail Mike about that, he's been kind enough to answer my other questions about what might happen and what other situations I should be prepared for. Heading for the shower I begin to think about how to word my letter, so he doesn't get worried.

Kai comes out into the living area, his shoulder length hair still wet but not dripping down onto his tank top.

" Here, put these things in the kitchen." I hand him the microwave and the teakettle, he puts the microwave on his lap and the kettle on the handles in the back of his chair. I smile at this ingenuity and shake my head, among other things Kai's becoming creative. I bring in the pots and pans, the box heavy and awkward. Kai comes closer

" Where do you want those?" he ask, and I point to the bottom cabinet, the doors open and ready to receive the things. I am about to unpack them when I see out of the corner of my eye Kai slipping out of the chair and crawling toward me on his belly. He then props himself against one cabinet and holds out his hands for the pot in mine.

" I'll do it." He says and I blink, handing him the pot. Sometimes Kai will really surprise me, he will just think of ways around his disability and use them instead of saying 'I can't' like a lot of other will do. He's not allowing this part to stop him, he's moving on with life. He begins to unload the pans and pots while I head back and start putting things on the shelves and the entertainment stand. My movies go on the bottom since that has a thing that I can lock. Then the stereo goes into the glass container. Hooking both TV and Stereo up I tune the radio to a nice rock station.

" Cody, the only DJ with his own line of depends" blares over the speakers along with some crude sounds. I wince, thinking this is sooo not good. Kai laughs from the kitchen and I pop my head around the corner, finding what he was laughing at.

" Seems Tala thought ahead and bought the cleaning supplies." I laugh and shake my head, such a considerate person. There is a knock at the door and I head over to answer it, to find Tala standing in the doorway, a huge grin on his face and hands behind his back.

" TALA!" I shout and hug the read-headed boy, who only laughs and claps me on the back. I invite him and, he still has his hands behind his back.

"Where's Kai?" he asks and I nod toward the kitchen. He smiles and produces some flowers and a vase.

" Thought this would be a good welcoming gift. Spencer is making Fudge and Bryan is going to make you two a stone welcome sign. Ian helped me pick out the flowers.. ya know.. colorblind." He taps his temple and I sigh, it seems like all the Demolition boys are Colorblind except Ian and Spencer. Even Kai has a hard time with colors, they said it was because of the abuse they took to their eyes and heads when younger. He heads into the kitchen, eyes searching for Kai. Next thing I hear someone fall to the ground and rush into the room, eyes coming to rest on the two laughing Russian teens, Kai laying on Tala's chest and the other boy laying on the floor, howling with laughter,

" H-he attacked me.. Under the table." Tala laughs and I shake my head heading back into the living room where I can give them some space.

(Kai)

After tackling the other Russian to the floor he helps me back into my chair, although on the outside it looks like Tala is unaffected by my chair I see it in his eyes he truly doesn't know what to think. I sit in my chair, looking my childhood friend over with much shock of how much he hasn't changed. Obviously he's older but he still has that childish spark to his blue eyes, much unlike how he was back during the Tournament.

" Kai, how have you been?" he asks, looking down at me, slowly he places a hand on my shoulder, like I'm going to break or something. Angered by this I stare hard at the redheaded Russian

" Tala I'm not glass, I won't break." I tell him and Tala seems a bit take back by my anger and opens his mouth to say something but stops, smiling cockily.

" Your right, forgive me." He says and I nod,

" Life's not bad, this house is awesome. Thank you Tala." I tell him, holding onto the hand still on my shoulder. Tala smiles and shakes his head

" I'm just happy to hear you're alive and to see you is making me so happy right now." He says and I look at his smiling face, his clean-shaven face seems much younger like the weight of the world ha been lifted and thrown aside.

" Thank you." I whisper, looking down. Tala starts at this, glancing down at me before kneeling in front of my chair and putting his hands on my face

" For what brother?" he asks and I feel tears beginning to sting my eyes as he gazes at me, so intent on uncovering my souls' hurts and problems so that he may resolve them, much like when we were younger. Instead of going to someone else we would turn to each other when we had a problem. I would be his confiding friend and he mine, we never were far apart but we were not insanely close like the older kids in the Abbey, never slept in the same bed, but we were bunk mates.

" For not giving up on me, for being there for my team when I couldn't…. for just being who you are." I tell him and Tala brings his head closer to mine so our foreheads are touching before saying

" You're my brother… I couldn't give up on you… never." He says and we stay like that for several more minutes, speaking softly in Russian and talking about the old days when we got into so much trouble. Finally pulling apart Tala grins that shit-eating smile he always had when he did something terrible. Groaning I back away slightly

" What did you do?" he only smiles wider, eyes sparkling.

" I'm throwing you a party!" he laughs and I tense up,

" Oh Jesus above…" I mutter and wonder if I would be able to reach his throat from my position. Thinking not I only settle of growling.

" To who?" I ask and he only walks out, humming a happy tune.

" Tala! Who did you send this invitation too!? COME BACK HERE!" I yell and he closes the door, and rushes away from the house. Looking at Rei I see almost the same kind of smile and throw my hands up in the air, everyone is conspiring against me! NO! Going back into the kitchen I fume, I will get Tala back… I will.

Tala's e-mail to everyone:

From:

TO:

Copy To:

RagingFOOTBALLbull

ScorpionSTING

ALLamericanEAGLE

Hey all this is Tala here and I'm inviting you to a house warming party for Rei and Kai. Yes I said Kai. Bring a dish, liquor is acceptable or a gift for the new house and we'll see you at my place. Info below

Date: 7/9/04

Time: 12:00pm

Place: My crib, 145 Hemlock Drive, Lunenburg Massachusetts.

BE THER! Welcome the one blader we have missed home! Done be surprised if some things are going to be thrown… like dishes… people or random sharp objects. This is all normal for our beloved blader so come one, come all!

See you then,

Tala & the other Demolition Boys

PS: REVP by tomorrow, or else.

Revolutionary Rebel: Yeah so how did everyone like this chapter? Like the e-mails? I thought about those on a whim. Next chapter will be the party, and Kai will get beep ing drunk! Him and Tala are going to get sooo drunk! So, tune in for the fun of Kai acting like an ass! YES! REVIEW and pray I get this job I'm going for an interview tomorrow!

REVIEW to see Kai DRUNK!

RRRREEEEVVVIIIEEWWWW