Ok so this is it, my final chapter. Before I start I'd just like to thank everybody who ever reviewed me. Now I'm going to go cry in the corner after installing the last chapter of my first fanfic, What are you afraid of?

Momentous moment for me, my emotions are all over the place.

AAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

Responses.

Miako6 – Ok I hope I updated quickly enough and yes it's true, this is my final chapter of what are you afraid of? Awwwwwww I feel like crying…

The light shadow – The wait is over and you'll finally see if everyone's alright!! Hope you like it as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Rapunzelle – Ok I tried to make this shorter but containing everything it needs for an effective ending. I hope you find it fitting for this story.

Suzanne – I'm not going to tell you whether I killed anyone you'll have to find out by reading. I'm glad you enjoyed the suspense of the last chapter. This one is more angst and sappy. ^___^ Awwww

Frikin Carefree Trunks – Ok first just let me say that I love that name, very original – any inspiration or was it just spontaneous, do tell. Anyway I'll hide my head in shame now since I spelt epilogue wrong three times!!!! As for the story I hope you enjoyed the last chapter and this one now aswell. I tried my best to round it off without dragging it so yeah. 'Shrugs' – BUT NOW IT'S FINISHED!!!! LMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

888 Epilogue 888

Ray couldn't face the party that Mr. Dickenson had organized for them, not while Kai was still in the hospital room. He knew he couldn't blame the man, everyone expected Kai to wake up after the final battle.

But he hadn't.

It had been six weeks. Six whole weeks, the scars on his body had healed completely, but still there was nothing.

The fact that Kai might never wake up -- as Judy delicately said -- changed the atmosphere drastically. Depression shrouded the group one by one, until they just existed with nothing to live for.

Tyson had done a complete u-turn, from loving food to detesting it -- losing over a stone in weight. Max hardly smiled anymore and was often found wandering aimlessly around the BBA complex. Kenny isolated himself, but was also neglecting Dizzi. As for himself, Ray found solace by Kai's bedside and outright refused to move. Tala would bring him food as and when was needed. He would drag him to the adjoining shower and bring him clean clothes; but other than that.

No, Ray Kon's new home was the plastic chair beside the hospital bed.

"Do you think he'll wake up for the party, Mr. D?" Tyson's voice echoed in his head.

"I'm sure he will Tyson." Mr. Dickenson responded with a cheery smile.

But on the day that he said it, Ray knew he doubted it. From the non-existent smile to the diminishing twinkle in his small eyes, Ray could tell immediately the man was just braving the team and their situation. Ray didn't have the heart to correct their manager, he couldn't face shattering the fragile sense of hope that lingered, even if it was only temporary.

That sense of hope was fading fast. The party had started twenty minutes ago, but Ray wouldn't go without Kai.

The constant aching weighed him down, forcing Ray to rest his head on the bed. Kai looked as peaceful as ever, pale but still...

...I can't... Ray thought, distressed with conflicting emotions ...Everyone thinks he's dying...

'...Kai's body just needs time to recover...' Drigger tried to sooth.

Ray clenched his fists against the white sheets, wanting to run from the truth but knowing he could not leave. Heavy tears weighed down his lashes. It was irritating, but he wouldn't wipe them away, instead letting his hand brush against Kai's. The reddish light of the setting sun cast the last of its warmth on the pair, comforting in its own way.

Ray hardly noticed, he couldn't focus on anything other than the pale teen before him as he cried silently. Warm, salty droplets rolled down his cheeks -- it was the last thing that registered in his head before exhaustion claimed him.

888

"KAI!"

Ray knew it was him, running down an endless shadow with his white scarf flying behind him. For some reason he couldn't move to chase him, horror rising in his chest as all he could do was watch Kai abandon him for the darkness.

"KAI!" Bolting upright, it was to find himself back in room thirteen.

Sweating and reeling from one of many nightmares, he turned to the hospital bed where Kai should have been. But the bed was abandoned.

Ray froze, blinking in disbelief at the carelessly thrown sheets adorning the empty bed trying to discern in his mind countless possibilities.

"...I didn't want to wake you..."

The ill-used voice was raspy and barely above a whisper; but the sudden noise made Ray jump to his feet and twirl round to face the window. Nighttime shadows clung to the figure as another stood, slightly hunched, by the hospital window in simple white trousers and a loose t-shirt. The figure was staring out of said window, but turned his head at Ray's exclamation.

"You're awake!" Ray gushed, disbelief marring his features as his eyes went as wide as saucers, "No! Wait!"

This had happened before, when Ray would wake and his mind would play malicious tricks on him; taunting him in his darkest hour. But then reality would trample him with a flick of the light switch. The darkness taking away the illusions he desperately wanted to be true.

Running to the switch, Ray flicked it on, never taking his eyes off the other teen as the room flooded them both with artificial light. Kai never faded, but he did raise a hand to protect his eyes against the blinding light. If possible Ray's eyes widened further.

"...Too much Ray..." Kai mumbled.

Ray found himself apologizing automatically, flicking the light switch off again and casting them back into shadow. Although now, he knew this time was different. Kai was actually awake.

Moonlight scattered across his silhouette as he crossed the room to the window, bare inches from his koi. But now he was here, awake, Ray didn't know what to do next. Didn't know what to say. He desperately wanted to kiss the bluenette, but wasn't sure if he was ready for that yet. Ray shuffled awkwardly, not quite meeting the fiery irises he longed to see again. He just didn't know. But Kai beat him to the punch.

"...I'm sorry..." Kai murmured, and as Ray snapped his head up to meet his captain, Kai lowered his, "Boris, Voltaire and then Black Dranzer...You shouldn't have gone through that. None of you should've gone through any of that, but you did because of me..."

"No! Stop! I won't have that!" Ray found himself shaking his head sternly, "You have nothing to feel guilty about, do you understand me!"

Kai's head snapped up at that, a dark blush staining his cheeks, "You're defending me?"

Kai bit his lip in a uncharacteristic display of innocence, which Ray would've chuckled at under normal circumstances. Today however, Ray reached out and let a hand come to rest on one tattooed cheek.

"Always. You should know that by now." Ray practically purred, "Always."

Kai leant into the touch, closing his eyes, "...He didn't replace me...You don't hate me..."

Ray smiled at the peacefulness displayed on Kai's face, finding it such a stunning contrast to the usual emotionless stare. With it came a certainty and longing; Ray just couldn't resist. His thumb brushed teasingly against Kai's soft lower lip, grinning madly as he felt Kai's breath hitch slightly against his skin.

Eyes slid open, barely flooded slits of molten lava sparkled brightly in the moonlight. Kai caught Ray's hand in his own, lips quirking lovingly in return.

"As much as I need this, I have to see the others." Kai mumbled, brows furrowing slightly in confusion, "Just so I know they're alright."

"...Aww..." Ray jested, "You're just a softie underneath it all, Kai. Come on, I'll take you."

Ray pulled Kai out of room thirteen, never letting go of his koi's hand. They walked slowly down the large corridor, Kai using Ray as support as his legs had not fully adjusted yet. Ray asked if he was ok to walk and then suggested that he get the others instead, but Kai only smirked and stated that it would spoil the shock.

"Don't you mean, surprise?" Ray asked through a toothy grin.

"No." Kai replied, a familiar sadistic smirk sliding into place, "Maybe -- if I'm really lucky -- my sudden appearance will startle Tyson to death."

Ray laughed uproariously, noting inwardly that he had missed the bantering between Ice-Berg Kai and Glutinous Tyson. He couldn't wait for it to start up again. In the elevator they joked, their laughter echoing off the metal walls. After that they walked down another corridor until they reached the double doors at the end.

"This is the place." Ray announced, then scratched his head, "I think."

"You think?" Raising a blue brow, Kai grumbled.

"Well let's make it a big entrance!" Ray grinned again, as if he couldn't help it, "At least if we get it wrong they'll be no one in there to laugh at us cause the party will be else where!"

If Kai didn't love Ray as much as he did then he would've slapped the neko-gin silly for that. As it is, he just shrugged his shoulders and went to push the door open. However they never got the chance as it seemed to swing inwards of its own accord.

"...I could've sworn I heard Ray..." The voice on the other side of the door sounded all too familiar, "...Maybe he changed his mind..."

Fiery red hair poked through the door, attached to a curious pale face that upon seeing Kai paled even further. His jaw cracked open to speak but he seemed to forget how to, floundering silently like a fish under water. Ray laughed again, waving a silent greeting as Kai crossed his arms.

"Tala, keeping out of trouble I hope."

...Tala's jaw seemed to click into place...

"KAI!"

Before this moment, anyone standing by the door to that room would have said there was nobody in it, judging by noise alone -- however at Tala's announcement chairs scraped against the floor.

"...What did he say..?"

"Tyson, he said Kai!"

"What?"

"...There's no way..."

Voices merged together into unintelligent drivel as footsteps thundered to the entrance.

"OH MY GOD!" Tyson practically screamed, flying head first passed Tala to manhandle Kai, "YOU'RE AWAKE! OH MY GOD!"

Surprisingly, Kai didn't flinch at Tyson's contact, but embraced him. Laughter rang throughout as Tyson continued to mumble stuff that no one else could understand. Max and Kenny were next to join the hug with a joyous shriek and Kai smiled at the teens clinging to him as if they were younger, annoying but irreplaceable siblings. Ray found the sight endearing so did not jump into the group, instead taking a back seat. After all, Ray had a lifetime to share with Kai. Tala was still hovering at the door, ice-blue eyes twinkling with mirth at the sight. Ian and Spencer were now hovering aswell, smiling at the happy ending.

"They've been through alot. Hey Tala, do you think we'd survive something like that?" Ian asked with genuine interest.

"I'd rather not think about it Ian, Boris is gone and he's not coming back." Tala stated, "I'd like to think about winning the next tournament instead."

"Amen to that." Spencer cheered, "C'mon there's party food that's going to waste in there!"

Tyson pulled back at that, licking his lips like a starved predator. "OUT OF MY WAY! I HAVEN'T EATEN IN WEEKS!"

Tyson plowed through the teens in his haste to the buffet table, with Max and Kenny hot on his tail. Ray linked arms with Kai, following Tala, Ian and Spencer at a more dignified pace only to find the Majestics lounging on the most comfortable seats in the large room.

"Welcome back, Kai." Robert raised his glass to the bluenette.

"We were beginning to worry!" Oliver said, raising his glass aswell.

"I wasn't worried for a second!" Johnny sneered in his own way, "I knew all along you'd wake."

"No you didn't!" Enrique snapped while jabbing Johnny in the shoulder, "You were as miserable as the rest of us!"

Johnny growled under his breath, to which everyone laughed again. Before he knew what had happened though Kai was relaxing his aching body in a lounger with Ray's head on his shoulder snoozing softly. The buzz of the evening had died down a little and Kai relaxed further into the lounger so that he could observe everyone in the room.

Since winning the world championships their lives had been one catastrophe after another -- only now, several months later grinding to a halt. In those horrific weeks, Kai could honestly say that he had faced his fears. They all had. Tyson, Max, Kenny and Ray finally caught a glance of his world and he wished that would never happen again. Tala faced Boris's wrath to protect his friend while Ian and Spencer returned to their nightmare to help. The Majestics helped to imprison a mad-man, Johnny in particular going so far as to betray his own family for justice.

As for himself...?

Well Kai faced his tormentor and defied his own family to stop himself becoming a catalyst for world domination.

So now what was Kai afraid of? Well loosing Ray, for one thing, and loosing the rest of his friends, for another. Snuggling down with Ray, Kai couldn't help but yawn helplessly. He would never let anything happen to any of them ever again.

So that's the end of this story, and now this author has only one thing left to say.

What Are You Afraid Of?

888 The End 888

Oh wow, what can I say -- This story is over!

I've finally finished it.

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OMG!

I hope you liked the ending, and that's it, I'm signing off for this one!

THIS FIC IS COMPLETED!

LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK!

Blazin Shadow.