A/N: Hey everyone! How was your week? Good I hope! Well I would like to thank all of you who reviewed, I really appreciate it. So this is chapter fourteen of Ghosts of the Past and I hope it was worth the wait...cause it was kind of a long one. Thanks for reading!

PS...It's a little short *laughs nervously*

Also! I've got a new one shot called Owning Kai Hiwatari. Check it out please!

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This week's playlist addition is: Dance with the Devil by Breaking Benjamin

Close your eyes, so many days go by
Easy to find what's wrong
Harder to find what's right

I believe in you
I can show you that I can see right through
All your empty lies, I won't stay long
In this world so wrong

Say goodbye,
As we dance with the devil tonight
Don't you dare look at him in the eye
As we dance with the devil tonight

Hold on
Hold on

Give it a listen.

Bryan seethed with anger at his own stupidity as he stared down at the man's chest, or more specifically at the badge that was pinned to it,

"Shit."

Bryan pulled the badge from the man's chest before shoving it into his pocket. Deciding he couldn't just leave the guy laying there the Russian threw the body deeper into the bushes before taking off at a jog towards the house.

He had to tell Tala.

Tala yawned as the movie was nearing its end. The sun was slowly setting and he was beginning to wonder where the hell Bryan was.

Normally he would have been back over an hour ago, which either meant that Dema had had a lot of new things in stock or nothing new at all and Bryan was taking his sweet time catching up with his old friend.

Lazy bastard.

Kai was still sitting on the floor next to Max as they continued to stare at the screen as the movie played on. He had long lost the plot of the film. Kai smiled as a building was blown to pieces and people ran away screaming as they tried to escape the debris.

He could see why Bryan would enjoy the film.

The sun sunk below the horizon sending the room into shadows, the screen casting a flickering glow over the walls and people alike. He vaguely wondered what they'd be having for dinner...Spaghetti would be nice...or maybe steak. Yes, steak would be good. With potatoes! That would make his day, after all—

"TALA!"

The red in turned around to find Bryan standing, panting in the doorway. "And so the prodigal son returns," the Russian yawned as he turned around to once again face the screen.

Kai glanced back and gave Bryan a wave before returning to the movie. The fare haired Russian threw himself down onto the couch beside the red head, "We've got trouble."

Tala smirked, "When haven't we?"

Bryan growled taking the badge from his jeans pocket, "I'm serious Tala."

The older Russian took the badge from the pale hand, the letters BKCNP embossed onto the thick fabric, "Oh fuck."

"My sentiments exactly."

Ray looked over to stare at the badge in Tala's grasp, "What's that?"

"Our death sentence."

By now Max was looking over as was Tyson. The Neko's eyes widened, "What are you talking about?!"

Bryan growled, "BKCNP: Временное и Кинестетическое Средство Исследования России."

Tyson stared with fear filled eyes, "Translation please?!"

"Temporal and Kinesthetic Research Facility of Russia."

Kai glanced over his shoulder, "I've heard of them, that's the military branch Boris is always going on about."

Max paled, "M-Military? The military is coming for us?!"

Bryan shook his head, "No, they're coming for Kai. We're just in the way."

Everyone's gazes slide to the boy who had turned away from the movie with a frown, "Me? Why the hell would they want me?"

Tala stretched as he stood, "Think of their name Kai; Temporal, as in time. Where are you from? The past."

Tyson nodded, "Yeah, but why would they be working with the Abbey? Does this mean they're with Boris?"

Tala shook his head, "I know for a fact they severed ties a few years ago. But, the military and the Abbey worked hand in hand for years. Boris was developing super soldiers, something the military would love to get its hands on. So, Boris provided them with information and in return they made the missing persons reports disappear. They got rid of the parents who wouldn't shut up about how their kids had vanished. Then of course they don't let any human right's lawyers get wind of what's going on and the morgues ignore the fact that dozens of children's bodies show signs of torture and experimentation."

Ray growled, "Well the government must know something at least!"

Bryan shook his head as he ran a hand through his pale locks, "The Abbey is deeply rooted in the government. They have connections with people in high places which is part of the reason why the Abbey is still running today. Plus, in some cases no matter how people try to deny it the military goes over the government. Ifsomeof the officials got wind that human experimentation was going on and in part being funded by both the military and the government? Well, things would go to hell in short."

Max bit at his lip, "But then what are we supposed to do?"

Tala smirked, "We're not supposed to do anything. We're supposed to give up and let them kill us. But we've never been good at following societies' standards now have we?"

Kai stood with Kostya cradled to his chest, "So what do we do now?"

Bryan shared a glance with Tala before nodding, "We lock everything down."

The fare haired Russian left the room leaving silence in his wake. Tala swiftly followed and they both headed to the front hall. Bryan pulled a painting off of the wall to reveal a key pad as the red head threw open the closet doors and began running his hands over the walls, "So you think we'll make it out?"

He heard a snort, "I doubt it." Tala couldn't help but give a bitter laugh, "Yeah."

He smiled when he found the groove in the back wall of the closet and quickly slid his slim fingers into it before forcing the two concealed doors open. He could hear Bryan muttering to himself as he keyed in the proper lock down codes while he threw aside the coats that were blocking his view.

Guns lined the compartment walls along with vests and radios, "Bryan what do you want?"

"I don't know give me a minute."

Tala turned to watch as his friend growled and continued to pound the keys, "I take it you can't remember the code."

The Russian turned to glare at him, "Why don't you just shut up?"

The red head sighed as he strode over and pushed him aside, "Let me do it." He keyed in the proper numbers and a rumble ran through the house.

Shouts of surprise could be heard along with the sounds of deadbolts hitting home and the grate of metal as coverings slid over the windows. Tala peeked out of the glass of the door to see the front gates slowing shutting and he knew an electric current with enough power to fry an elephant was now running through it.

He backed away as a metal covering slide up from a groove in the floor to cover the door. The Russian gave a whistle as he watched the security system continue to lock everything down, "Man. Kai's more paranoid than I thought."

Bryan laughed, "Yeah well I'm not complaining."

There was a loud 'beep' before an automated voice ran through the house, "System secure. Key in code to deactivate." After the message replayed for a second time the house was left in complete silence.

There was no longer any natural light from the moon, casting the rooms into complete darkness. An eerie silence filled the halls; the only sounds were that of the house's occupants breathing.

Tala nodded, "Alright. Now to business."

They both stared at the selection of guns that adorned the compartment's insides. "You know," the red head grabbed a large gun off the wall "I think I'll stick with the Desert Eagle."

Bryan huffed, "Seriously? I'll take my M249," he said grabbing a machine gun and ammunition from the side.

Tala sighed, "Whatever I'll take a Glock then." He grabbed the pistol and a few extra clips before stuffing them into his pockets. The other Russian quirked an eyebrow, "A Glock. Seriously?"

"What the hell is wrong with a Glock," he asked indignantly.

"Do you seriously think you're going to have time to switch the clips?"

Tala growled, "I managed that time down in Mexico didn't I?"

"Pfft. Yeah but remember when you nearly got Spencer shot in the ass in Romania because you couldn't switch in time?"

Tala rolled his icy blue eyes, "It's not like it was aimed at his heart. Who the hell cares if he got shot in the ass or not?!"

"I'm sure Spencer would have."

"And since when are you Mr. Sensitive? If I recall you laughed so hard you chocked on your gum that time Ian got shot in the foot!"

"Whatever."

Tala huffed, "See you always do this! Whenever you don't have a come back its just: 'whatever."

Bryan stared, "Whatever is a come back idiot."

"No it's not."

"Who the fuck says it isn't?"

"I do!"

"Well I don't give a rat's ass if you do! I—

"Guys, is this really the time?"

Both Russians turned to see Ray standing with Kai in his arms and Max and Tyson behind him. Bryan quickly flipped Tala off before going back to rummaging through the closet.

Max meekly walked over and gazed into the depths of the revealed compartment, "Where did you guys get all this stuff?!"

Tala frowned as he examined the chrome racks and shelves all covered with different weapons, "Well, our friend is good for guns and grenades, and anything else really. And ammunition is pretty easy to come across if you know where to look."

The blonde gave him a frightened look, "Why do you have it open?"

Bryan bristled, "Why do you think? The fucking Russian military is coming to take Kai. If you think that they're going to let us walk away from this you're more ignorant then I thought."

Max looked downcast as he returned to Ray's side with a mumbled apology. Kai began to squirm in the neko's arms and was soon set down, "You don't need to do this."

Tala gave him a questioning look. "You've all done so much for me as it is. I wouldn't be able to ever forgive myself if you got hurt because of me." Bryan growled, "We're not just going to hide and let them take you away Kai."

The small Russian exhaled frustratedly, "You don't get it! Either way I'm gone in a few days. Anything that happens to me will probably be reversed. If you get hurt or killed its permanent."

Tala sighed as he placed a hand in the boy's slate locks, "Kai we're doing this because you're like our brother and you don't abandon family like that."

The lights flickered on and everyone turned to see Tyson beside the switch, "Do you guys think that maybe this isn't the best time to be arguing?"

Bryan nodded reluctantly before turning to Ray, "Okay when they come take everyone down to the basement."

The neko looked confused, "What's down in the basement?"

"A bomb shelter."

A pair of topaz eyes widened, "Kai has a bomb shelter?"

"What can I say? Kai's one paranoid bastard."

Ray shrugged, "True enough. So where is it?"

"Across from the stairs."

The neko nodded, "Alright then. I'll take them down then come back as soon as I can."

Tala laughed, "Oh no, you're staying down there too."

Ray looked indignant, "There's no way I'm going to hide down there while you guys are fighting!"

"Ray, do you even know how to fight," the redheaded Russian asked.

"Well, no but I have Drigger—

"A Beyblade isn't going to cut it Ray! These guys have guns and knives and God knows what else." The room was quiet for a moment. "So," Bryan said grabbing a few of what looked to be grenades. "Considering I might have killed one of their guys I'm thinking that they'll be here soon."

Max blanched, "You killed one of them?!"

"I said might have! God, get some listening skills Blondie." There was a sudden boom from outside and no one found any solace in the smirk that now adorned Bryan's face.

"Bryan?"

"Yes Tala."

"Was that a landmine?"

"Maybe."

There were several more explosions as Kai looked thoughtfully over to Bryan, "So that's what you were burying outside my windows?"

The Russian nodded as he fiddled with his gun. "Security should buy us some time but it won't hold forever. Ray," The fare haired blader turned to look at the Neko with a serious look in his eyes "You guard him with your life and no matter what happens don't open the shelter doors until one of us comes to get you or its been quiet for several hours."

Ray growled, "You guys are insane! Just come in there with us. It makes no sense to fight them!"

Tala smirked as he shut the compartment doors and closed the closet, "Our pride won't let us Ray. Sure it's idiotic, and yeah it'll probably get us killed," A sad smile spread across his face and Ray could see acceptance in those cold blue eyes. He was prepared to be killed, he knew full well what he was getting himself into. "But, we're not the type of people to lie down and die. We're going out with a fight."

The neko nodded realizing there would be no arguing with the two. Max gave a whimper from behind him and Ray turned to see the blonde and Tyson huddled together both looking terrified, "You guys head down, I'll be there in a minute."

The two Bladebreakers nodded and they both quickly made their way towards the basement. Kai clutched Kostya to his chest as he looked pleadingly up at his friends, "Please, don't be idiots just come with us!"

Ray noticed how young the boy sounded now. He no longer resembled the older, stoic Kai in his actions. Now, he was just a five year old who was scared and worried for two of the most important people in his life.

Tala kneeled down in front of the tiny Russian and wrapped a pair of slim arms around him, "Sorry Kai," He murmured "But we've got to do this. Just go with Ray and I promise everything will be alright."

But, they both knew that was a lie. A horrible yet comforting lie.

For a moment they could both stand there and pretend everything would turn out fine. That in a few hours they'd seen each other again, but that was just a fantasy. The tiny boy's eyes narrowed as he pushed away from the redhead, "Don't make promises you know you can't keep," he snarled as he made his way back over to the waiting Ray.

"Go. Now."

Ray nodded picking up Kai despite the boy's growled protests and gave both of the Russians a final glance before disappearing down the hall.

Bryan took a deep breathe to steady himself, "You ready?"

It was a rhetorical question. Despite their assurances to the others both of them were scared, they were anything but ready. The redhead ran a clammy hand over his face as he noticed a loud ringing in his ears.

The sounds of several more landmines could be heard and then something striking against metal. Bryan growled as he began readying his gun, "They're cutting their way through the door."

Tala nodded as he loaded his gun. All they could do was wait for whatever was coming for them. He'd once read somewhere that everyone's goal was to die young as late as possible.

He'd told people that he wanted to die young but God not this young.

Not before he'd lived a little. He'd wanted to see Kai get married, hell he wanted to see all of his teammates get married; find happiness. He'd wanted to meet Ian's little girlfriend over in Russia, he'd wanted to find a woman who loved him and accepted his many faults.

How he'd longed to one day have a son who would look just like him who he could teach to blade and eventually even pass on Wolborg to. He'd wanted to experience being a father, one that stuck around and didn't abandon his child.

He'd wanted a chance to be happy like everyone else.

There was a tingling in his legs and his hand shook subtly as he listened to the sounds of the metal door slowly being cut, "You know Bryan I—

"I know Tala," his friend said kindly with a soft gaze.

It was then that Tala realized it wasn't just him. He wouldn't be alone in this. It was comforting but at the same time heart breaking.

Bryan would die too.

Bryan who everyone thought was as cold as stone. Bryan who was actually a softie, even though he tried his damnedest to hide it. No one outside of their small group would ever get to see that side of him. Tala couldn't help but notice the stinging in his eyes but he tried to ignore it as he moved to his position in the living room doorway. Bryan mirrored his movements with a casual grace that not many people ever took the time to notice.

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Bryan sighed as he got into his position noticing how Tala's hands shook. The redhead knew it just as he did: they were going to die.

There was no getting out of this.

There were so many things he'd wanted to do but it looked like his time would be cut short. He would die with many regrets, one being that he'd never properly apologized to Ray. Another being that many people would never realize that he wasn't the monster they made him out to be.

He laughed bitterly as he realized that they'd probably be relieved that he was dead. The only good monster was a dead one after all.

There was a loud bang and he knew the back door had been broken down. The echoing sounds of dozens of footfalls could be heard as men raced down the halls. Bryan glanced out from his hiding place and counted maybe fifty men.

God where they screwed.

One, apparently the leader, made some hand signals and several groups of three broke off from the pack and headed in different directions to search the house. The Russian took a deep breath.

This was it.

He glanced over at Tala and nodded before they both swung around the edge of the doorways and began shooting into the mob of soldiers. Several fell but not nearly enough.

The sounds of gun shots filled the house and Bryan winced when a bullet grazed his cheek. Blood began pouring down his face as he continued to shoot, hitting a man square in the chest. The body fell to the floor with a thud that no one heard.

He noticed Tala shrink back for a moment as he clutched his arm before dropping his Glock and continuing to shoot with his other hand.

Plaster exploded around them and dust filled the air, slowly chocking them.

Bryan swore as he pulled a grenade from his pocket and threw it into the hall. Both he and Tala plugged their ears as the explosion rang through the halls sending people flying through the air.

Blood splattered the walls and limbs went flying. Bryan peeked out and noticed through the dust and debris that more men had begun flooding in. The stairs were blown out and several walls had been destroyed. If the grenade had been any stronger they probably all would have been dead.

But, thankfully Dema had supplied him with small ones and Kai had had the entire house's structure reinforced.

Men began climbing over the bodies of their comrades. Bryan silently thanked the Lord that the house was as large as it was otherwise they would have been easily overtaken long ago.

He continued shooting but the soldiers continued to gain ground. A blur of red caught his eye and he noticed Tala slowly sliding down in the doorway as he clutched his chest. Blood blossomed across the white fabric of his shirt, "TALA!"

The redhead smiled as blood began to pour from his pale lips.

"Sorry," he mouthed as he eyes rolled back, the beautiful blue replaced by white.

The blood continued to seep through his clothes and began pooling on the floor. Bryan swore as he blinked away tears and continued to shoot hopelessly. He longed to rush to his friend's side, be there for him as died. Hold his hand and help get him through the pain as he whispered comforting words that did no good.

There was a sudden flash of pain and he realized he'd been hit. The Russian placed a hesitant hand to his abdomen feeling the blood coat his fingers. He'd been shot before, but there had never been this much blood.

The sounds of shots ceased and he realized it was over.

The world began to spin as he slowly sunk to the floor. His back hit the cold tiling and he was staring at the ceiling.

He was dying.

Bryan coughed harshly pain coursing through his body as felt the blood in the back of his throat. He couldn't let go just yet! The soldiers had moved on, clearly thinking he was hardly worth their time anymore.

He gagged as he began dragging towards his fallen friend across the hall. Never before had it seemed so wide.

He continued to make his way towards Tala who was slumped over, leaving smears of crimson in his wake. Darkness was beginning to creep into his vision as he lay against the tiled floor.

"Hey! This one's still moving!"

There was a loud crack and he moaned as he was shot in the back.

He slowly let a red painted hand snake its way into Tala's still warm one and he realized blood had begun pouring from his mouth and clogging his airway. He coughed as pain racked his body.

He could only hope that they wouldn't be able to get into the bomb shelter and that Ray and everyone would be safe.

He'd done all he could do to protect them, now it was someone else's turn.

His breathing hitched.

The world went black.

--

Dear Readers,

Well um...holy shit I actually hadn't planned on doing that.... O_O Please don't kill me? *heh heh*

You have to love March Break right? Oh how I love my week off! Staying up until five then sleeping in- okay scratch that my mom keeps waking me up early. Seriously not cool. ANYWAY! Huh...as I'm typing this I just remembered I have a bunch of homework...aw shit. Stupid English newspaper articles. Well, anyway so I don't know about any of you but I've got that Literacy test coming up on the 20th of April. I swear we're actually behind in my religion class because they keep sending us prep work in first period. It's so easy too!

As long as you can actually freaking read and write (and don't have really bad test anxiety) it's a synch. I'm always the first one done because I ignore what my teacher is saying and just start working. I swear she blathers on forever when we could have in done in like 5 minutes. There was this huge booklet we got the other day and she went through each page and slowly did it with the class. Yeah, I went ahead and had half of it done by the time she finished talking about what pens and pencils to use. Not pink, or purple and definitely not orange! Number two pencils please everyone, yes mechanical works too. God shoot me now.

Thanks for reading.

Yours truly,

ForeverFalling

PS. Don't forget to review.