You guys are the BEST!! Thank you so much for all the nice reviews. I read
them all a thousand times. And then I felt bad for taking so long to
update. ^^;;
Important Note: Okay everyone, listen up. THIS FIC IS NOT GOING TO BE KAI/TYSON! Was I not clear enough on my little note at the end of the last chapter? So many of you have been asking me to make it one! I'm so sorry, but the answer is no. Remember what I said earlier? If I can fit the romance in this, then it'll be Rei/Kai. But that's only if I can fit it in. So you guys know the pairing, and it ain't changing! So don't ask me to because I won't! I'm a little confused as to why I got so many requests to make it Tyson/Kai. I mean, go ahead and read the reviews. I got a ton with people asking me to make it Tyson/Kai! And I thought everyone knew that if there is a pairing, it's going to be Rei/Kai. @_@ I dunno what you guys are thinking anymore!
Disclaimer: (Lookie, I actually remembered!) I don't own Beyblade.
~~~
Chapter Four
~~~
The orange yellow firelight lit up the area around them, where the two tents were. Kai listened with his eyes closed as Rei hugged Max and gently assured him that everything would be all right.
"I never knew Max was so afraid of the wilderness before," Rei remarked as he made his way over to Kai.
"Hn."
Rei smiled. "Looks like I'll be crashing with you tonight."
"Looks like it."
Rei yawned and stretched his arms. Kai opened his eyes, gazing into the fire.
"You go on to sleep, Rei."
"Huh?"
"I'll take first watch," Kai said, still not looking up.
"Oh. Right. You know, you've had a long day. I could take first watch instead," Rei offered.
"No."
"I'm not even tired, Kai," Rei stated as he undid his hair. Kai finally looked up as Rei's long, black hair fell loose. Rei shook his hands through it, and Kai noticed that it shimmered in the firelight.
"Just go to sleep, Rei," Kai said, looking back down at the fire. "You need to rest."
"Me?" Rei sputtered. "You're the one who needs rest Mr. I-broke-my-wrist- and-almost-got-bitten-by-a-snake-in-the-same-day!"
Kai growled softly, but loud enough to let Rei know he was in no mood to talk. Rei sighed.
"Fine. I'm going." Rei walked past Kai, who shut his eyes briefly as Rei silky hair brushed across his face.
Rei settled down in the tent, leaving the flap open so he could see Kai. Kai was sitting cross-legged in front of the fire, the firelight dancing on his face and reflecting in his mahogany eyes. He looked deep in thought, and Rei wondered what he could be thinking about.
Kai sighed and closed his eyes, gently massaging his temples with one hand. He felt as if his head were about to explode. He was incredibly stressed at the moment as to how he was going to get his team back to civilization safely. He sighed again, and stared unseeingly into the fire's depths.
Rei sighed in frustration from inside the tent. He was usually a very patient person, but he was growing just a bit frustrated as well. Kai was being way stubborn. Well, two can play at that game, my dear captain.
Rei sat up and pushed his long hair away from his face. Glancing outside of the flap, he saw Kai in the same position as before. Rei crawled out of he tent and sat beside Kai, clearing his throat to make known his presence. Kai looked up.
"Rei, I thought you were already asleep."
"How can I be? I told you I'm not tired," Rei said, pulling his hair over his shoulder. "Can I sit out here with you?"
Kai rested his head against his hand once more, not saying anything. Rei settled down beside him, admiring the fire. He stole a few glances at Kai, and noticed that his normally emotionless face was lined with worry. Kai sighed unconsciously and ran his unbroken wrist across his eyes and absently gazed into the forest.
Rei broke the silence. "Kai?"
"Mm?" Kai said distractedly.
"Is there something bothering you? Well, I mean, besides, uh, everything...that..." Rei trailed off, realizing how stupid he sounded. Kai glanced at him for a second before grunting in the negative.
"So...have you thought up any ways we can get back?" Rei asked, his tone serious.
"That's just the problem. I have no idea where we are." Kai sighed and closed his eyes. "I don't know which way is out."
Rei instinctively glanced around, then quickly looked back at Kai when he heard him draw in a long shuddering breath.
"I don't know how to lead you guys back," Kai said softly, his shoulders shaking ever so slightly.
"Well, we'll figure something out...together," Rei said uncertainly. This was a side of Kai he had never seen before.
"That's not the point! I'm your captain. A captain has the responsibility to protect his team, no matter what. You guys are my responsibility and I'm supposed to watch out for you." Kai looked bitterly into the fire. "And look what a terrific job I've done."
Rei couldn't believe how badly Kai was beating himself up for something that wasn't even his fault. "Kai! What else were you supposed to do? You saved out butts by getting us away from that plane, and we've gotten this far without any casualties."
"So what happened to Tyson wasn't a casualty then?"
Rei growled. "Listen, whatever happened to Tyson was not your fault. It wasn't anyone's fault. And why do you guys keep talking as if he's dead? We don't know that for sure and you sure as hell don't have any proof to back yourself up!"
"Well where is he then? Tyson would not just have walked away. You're too idealistic Rei, too much of a dreamer. The world is not perfect. And no matter how much you want to believe certain things, eventually you'll have to come face to face with the truth. I'm not going to sugar coat the stuff out there. Life's a bitch."
Rei stayed silent.
"I'm not trying to mean, Rei. The truth hurts."
"I know. Thanks. But I still think you're a great captain. You've taught me so much, about beyblading and life," Rei said.
Kai suddenly shifted his position, closing up again. "You should get back to sleep now."
Rei grinned. "You really can't stand compliments, can you?"
"It's late. Go away."
"I'm still not-"
A scream from Max and Kenny's tent suddenly pierced the darkness. Kai jerked up quickly and Rei was already at their tent.
"Max! What's wrong?"
Kai heard Max scream again as he stepped into the tent. Rei was at Max's side.
"Kai, something's very wrong with Max," Rei said, his voice shaking. Kai looked down. Max was in his sleeping bag, shaking and groaning. His pillow was wet with sweat, and his face was scrunched up, eyes tightly closed. Kai knelt down beside him and pushed his blond hair off of his forehead.
"He's burning up." Kai withdrew his hand and Rei pinned down Max's hands, which were jerking violently. "He has a high fever. I think he's delirious."
"That would certainly explain a lot," Rei muttered. "Dammit...stay still!" Rei was struggling with the feverish boy. Max was thrashing about, unknowingly causing Rei much hassle. (AN: I didn't think this part was too clear, so for you people who have no idea what's going on here, Max has a very high fever and is a very sick boy at the moment. He's having nightmares and jerking around, and stuff like that.)
"He's going to hurt himself, Kai!" Rei said worriedly.
"He has to sweat it out. It's the only way." Kai stood up. "I'll be right back."
Rei looked back down at Max. His eyebrows were drawn together and his teeth were tightly clenched. His eyes were shut tight and his entire body was shivering. Rei could hear the young boy whimpering pathetically.
Kai came back with a cloth wet with cold water. Kneeling beside Max again, he gently placed the cloth on his forehead. Max jerked and cried out fearfully.
"It's okay, Max. Everything's okay," Rei said, speaking soothingly into his ear. He sighed. "His nightmares must be pretty bad."
"Nightmares are always bad. Or else they would be called dreams," Kai said, his eyes watching Max intently.
"Poor Max...hey, isn't Chief here?" Rei asked, looking around the small tent.
Kenny was sitting quietly, hugging his knees with his back against them. Kai frowned at the boy.
"He didn't even do anything when Max screamed," Rei murmured. "I'm worried about him."
Kai looked up at Rei. "I want you to go to bed now."
"What? No way! I'm staying up with Max."
Kai lowered his eyes and adjusted the cloth on Max's forehead, eliciting a moan from the sick boy. "Come on, Rei."
"Kai, you're doing way too much."
"It'd be a load off my mind if I knew you were getting enough rest," Kai said softly, his voice tired.
Rei stopped. Kai had just pulled his bluff by making him pity him. He looked at the ground, and then sighed resignedly. "Fine."
"Thanks."
Rei walked to the tent flap. "Wake me in a few hours, I want to do my share too."
"Just go to sleep already."
Rei took a last look at Max, and then left.
Kai got comfortable on the floor, sitting beside Max's body. Max was trembling slightly and whimpering in his sleep. Kai absently brushed Max's bangs off of his forehead, looking wearily at the blond blader. Kenny didn't speak a word.
Kai stayed up with Max all night.
~~~
Rei felt the warm rays of the sun shining through his tent, and he groggily turned around in his sleeping bag, mumbling incoherently. He sighed when he found that he could sleep no longer now that he had awoken. The sound of birds singing filled his ears, and he yawned deeply. Somewhere in mid-yawn, he realized that Kai was supposed to have woken him much earlier to watch Max.
Damn you, Hiwatari!
Fuming, Rei pushed the tent flap open and stormed out. The bright sunlight blinded him for a moment, but his eyes grew accustomed to it. In his rage, he didn't even notice. He was seeing red. He stalked toward the other tent; about to tell his captain just how much he was hurting himself, when suddenly another sound caught his ears.
Rei stopped and listened for a moment. He followed the sound curiously to the other side of Max's tent. He circled around and stopped abruptly when he saw whom the sound was coming from.
It was Kai. He was kneeling a few feet away from the tent, none-too- gracefully throwing up.
"Kai!" Rei ran and knelt beside his captain, who looked at him in surprise.
"Are you okay? What's wrong?" Rei shook his shoulder roughly. Kai shook his head and vomited again. Finally he rocked back on his heels and took a deep breath.
"Kai?" Rei asked, looking worriedly at him. Kai was silent for a moment.
"Nothing...it's nothing."
"Bullshit Kai!" Rei yelled, sick and tired of hearing that. Kai flinched slightly. Rei sighed.
"You're making yourself sick," Rei said, gentler.
"I'm fine. I just stayed up too late."
"You stayed up all night. And now you're nauseous from lack of sleep." Rei glared at him. "You were supposed to wake me."
Kai sighed and rubbed his eyes, pushing his hair out of his face. "Sorry," he muttered.
Whoa. Did Kai just apologize to me? Rei thought.
Rei helped Kai to his feet. "How's Max?"
"His fever broke. He'll be fine."
"That's good to hear." Rei and Kai walked back to the tent, entering quietly. Max was lying awake, staring at the tent roof.
"Hey Max, how're ya feeling?" Rei asked cheerfully.
"I feel like getting outside for some fresh air," Max said, sitting up and crawling out of his sleeping bag. "I had the weirdest dream last night..."
"Dream? You were delirious with a fever!" Rei exclaimed. "Kai stayed up all night with you."
Max blinked and looked at Kai. "Really? All night?"
Kai nodded reluctantly and closed his eyes. Max broke out in a grin.
"Gee, thanks. I don't even think my mom ever did that for me," Max said softly, real gratitude reflecting in his bright blue eyes. Rei couldn't help but smile. Everything just felt better this morning.
Kai groaned.
"Oops, sorry Kai," Rei said sheepishly. "We'll just leave and let you rest now." He motioned for Max to follow him.
"Wait, is Chief still...?" Max's voice trailed off as his eyes rested on Kenny's sleeping form. "Well, at least he's getting enough rest," Max said, trying to bring light to their situation. Rei glared at Kai.
"Unlike SOME people I know," he grumbled just loud enough for Kai to hear.
"Out. Both of you," Kai ordered. Rei smiled and left with Max.
Kai heaved a tremendous sigh and dropped himself into the empty sleeping bag. Thinking twice, he pulled his sling off and gently laid his wrist out beside him. He sighed again and closed his eyes, drifting off into peaceful oblivion.
~~~ (A/N: he's sleeping!)
The incessant sound of skilled fingers tapping softly on a keyboard shook Kai out of his rest. He groaned and turned over, only to be further awakened by a sharp pain in his wrist. Opening his crimson eyes, the all too familiar form of Kenny typing on Dizzi came into focus.
"You're awake," Kenny observed. His eyes didn't move from the screen. Kai blinked.
I thought he wasn't speaking to anyone, Kai thought. "Chief?"
"I've been doing some research, and you'll be surprised with the answers I've managed to find," Kenny went on, as if he hadn't completely ignored everyone for the last day. He sounded normal.
Kai sat up and ran a hand through his blue hair, not exactly knowing what to say, but interested in what Kenny had discovered. He picked up his sling and gestured to him to go on.
"Our present location is Russia, although a bit far from Moscow, where we should be. Apparently the plane crashed just a few hours after we entered." Kenny looked up at Kai.
"Continue."
Kenny eyes shifted. "I don't think that plane crash was an accident. The way it looked after it crashed...usually the parts are still mostly intact. But when I studied it, it looked like more of an explosion."
"Are you saying someone tried to kill us?" Kai asked, keeping his voice from shaking. Icy fear gripped his heart under that cold mask of his.
"That's precisely what I'm saying. Someone out there did not want us to get to the World Championships, and my best guess is an opposing team that I've done some research on. They go by the name of the Demolition Boys, but it's not only them. It's..." Kenny refused to meet his gaze and let his voice trail off.
"Chief?" Kai prodded him, just about ready to strangle him for stopping at such a crucial point.
Kenny bit his lip. "It's Voltaire. Kai, I think your grandfather is trying to kill you."
Kai swore under his breath and narrowed his eyes at the ground. "Dammit...he never gives up, does he?"
"You mean...he's done it before?"
"He wants me to join BioVolt. He tried in many ways to get me there, sometimes by force, sometimes by a complex plan that so far, has never worked. Now he's just decided to get me out of the picture permanently." Kai rubbed his forehead. "But with him trying to get me...you guys are all in danger. And I can't let you get hurt. That plane crash was supposed to kill me, but he didn't care if the rest of my team lived or died."
"Maybe so, but I think they knew you weren't dead."
Kai looked up. "Oh?"
"Because why else would they take Tyson?"
Kai opened his mouth, and then stopped. "They...oh no."
"Tyson might be alive."
"He's bait. He's bait for me!" Kai threw the covers of the sleeping bag off. "Knowing Grandfather, he won't hesitate to kill him."
"They're at the Abbey. The only way for us to get Tyson back is for you to go...but that's too risky."
"I have to go. Tyson isn't involved with all this; he shouldn't have to go through it. This is my problem." Kai opened the door of the tent. Sunlight shone brightly, blinding him for a moment. He stared up into the harsh sun and suddenly hated himself. Hated the fact that because of him, his friends would suffer.
~~~
TBC
~~~
Yay! I finished the chapter! ^________^ I hope this kinda long chapter makes up for that loooooong amount of time that I didn't update. But do not fear! Even if I do take forever to update, I will NOT discontinue any of my fics. I love them too much, especially this one. ^^ Thanks for your patience! As the story goes on, some bad stuff is gonna happen to my little Kai poo, so be warned. If you don't like Kai torturous stuff, then don't get TOO into the story. It'll be getting a little angsty. I still dunno about the yaoi. *sigh* We'll see. Review, please and thank you! Toodles.
Important Note: Okay everyone, listen up. THIS FIC IS NOT GOING TO BE KAI/TYSON! Was I not clear enough on my little note at the end of the last chapter? So many of you have been asking me to make it one! I'm so sorry, but the answer is no. Remember what I said earlier? If I can fit the romance in this, then it'll be Rei/Kai. But that's only if I can fit it in. So you guys know the pairing, and it ain't changing! So don't ask me to because I won't! I'm a little confused as to why I got so many requests to make it Tyson/Kai. I mean, go ahead and read the reviews. I got a ton with people asking me to make it Tyson/Kai! And I thought everyone knew that if there is a pairing, it's going to be Rei/Kai. @_@ I dunno what you guys are thinking anymore!
Disclaimer: (Lookie, I actually remembered!) I don't own Beyblade.
~~~
Chapter Four
~~~
The orange yellow firelight lit up the area around them, where the two tents were. Kai listened with his eyes closed as Rei hugged Max and gently assured him that everything would be all right.
"I never knew Max was so afraid of the wilderness before," Rei remarked as he made his way over to Kai.
"Hn."
Rei smiled. "Looks like I'll be crashing with you tonight."
"Looks like it."
Rei yawned and stretched his arms. Kai opened his eyes, gazing into the fire.
"You go on to sleep, Rei."
"Huh?"
"I'll take first watch," Kai said, still not looking up.
"Oh. Right. You know, you've had a long day. I could take first watch instead," Rei offered.
"No."
"I'm not even tired, Kai," Rei stated as he undid his hair. Kai finally looked up as Rei's long, black hair fell loose. Rei shook his hands through it, and Kai noticed that it shimmered in the firelight.
"Just go to sleep, Rei," Kai said, looking back down at the fire. "You need to rest."
"Me?" Rei sputtered. "You're the one who needs rest Mr. I-broke-my-wrist- and-almost-got-bitten-by-a-snake-in-the-same-day!"
Kai growled softly, but loud enough to let Rei know he was in no mood to talk. Rei sighed.
"Fine. I'm going." Rei walked past Kai, who shut his eyes briefly as Rei silky hair brushed across his face.
Rei settled down in the tent, leaving the flap open so he could see Kai. Kai was sitting cross-legged in front of the fire, the firelight dancing on his face and reflecting in his mahogany eyes. He looked deep in thought, and Rei wondered what he could be thinking about.
Kai sighed and closed his eyes, gently massaging his temples with one hand. He felt as if his head were about to explode. He was incredibly stressed at the moment as to how he was going to get his team back to civilization safely. He sighed again, and stared unseeingly into the fire's depths.
Rei sighed in frustration from inside the tent. He was usually a very patient person, but he was growing just a bit frustrated as well. Kai was being way stubborn. Well, two can play at that game, my dear captain.
Rei sat up and pushed his long hair away from his face. Glancing outside of the flap, he saw Kai in the same position as before. Rei crawled out of he tent and sat beside Kai, clearing his throat to make known his presence. Kai looked up.
"Rei, I thought you were already asleep."
"How can I be? I told you I'm not tired," Rei said, pulling his hair over his shoulder. "Can I sit out here with you?"
Kai rested his head against his hand once more, not saying anything. Rei settled down beside him, admiring the fire. He stole a few glances at Kai, and noticed that his normally emotionless face was lined with worry. Kai sighed unconsciously and ran his unbroken wrist across his eyes and absently gazed into the forest.
Rei broke the silence. "Kai?"
"Mm?" Kai said distractedly.
"Is there something bothering you? Well, I mean, besides, uh, everything...that..." Rei trailed off, realizing how stupid he sounded. Kai glanced at him for a second before grunting in the negative.
"So...have you thought up any ways we can get back?" Rei asked, his tone serious.
"That's just the problem. I have no idea where we are." Kai sighed and closed his eyes. "I don't know which way is out."
Rei instinctively glanced around, then quickly looked back at Kai when he heard him draw in a long shuddering breath.
"I don't know how to lead you guys back," Kai said softly, his shoulders shaking ever so slightly.
"Well, we'll figure something out...together," Rei said uncertainly. This was a side of Kai he had never seen before.
"That's not the point! I'm your captain. A captain has the responsibility to protect his team, no matter what. You guys are my responsibility and I'm supposed to watch out for you." Kai looked bitterly into the fire. "And look what a terrific job I've done."
Rei couldn't believe how badly Kai was beating himself up for something that wasn't even his fault. "Kai! What else were you supposed to do? You saved out butts by getting us away from that plane, and we've gotten this far without any casualties."
"So what happened to Tyson wasn't a casualty then?"
Rei growled. "Listen, whatever happened to Tyson was not your fault. It wasn't anyone's fault. And why do you guys keep talking as if he's dead? We don't know that for sure and you sure as hell don't have any proof to back yourself up!"
"Well where is he then? Tyson would not just have walked away. You're too idealistic Rei, too much of a dreamer. The world is not perfect. And no matter how much you want to believe certain things, eventually you'll have to come face to face with the truth. I'm not going to sugar coat the stuff out there. Life's a bitch."
Rei stayed silent.
"I'm not trying to mean, Rei. The truth hurts."
"I know. Thanks. But I still think you're a great captain. You've taught me so much, about beyblading and life," Rei said.
Kai suddenly shifted his position, closing up again. "You should get back to sleep now."
Rei grinned. "You really can't stand compliments, can you?"
"It's late. Go away."
"I'm still not-"
A scream from Max and Kenny's tent suddenly pierced the darkness. Kai jerked up quickly and Rei was already at their tent.
"Max! What's wrong?"
Kai heard Max scream again as he stepped into the tent. Rei was at Max's side.
"Kai, something's very wrong with Max," Rei said, his voice shaking. Kai looked down. Max was in his sleeping bag, shaking and groaning. His pillow was wet with sweat, and his face was scrunched up, eyes tightly closed. Kai knelt down beside him and pushed his blond hair off of his forehead.
"He's burning up." Kai withdrew his hand and Rei pinned down Max's hands, which were jerking violently. "He has a high fever. I think he's delirious."
"That would certainly explain a lot," Rei muttered. "Dammit...stay still!" Rei was struggling with the feverish boy. Max was thrashing about, unknowingly causing Rei much hassle. (AN: I didn't think this part was too clear, so for you people who have no idea what's going on here, Max has a very high fever and is a very sick boy at the moment. He's having nightmares and jerking around, and stuff like that.)
"He's going to hurt himself, Kai!" Rei said worriedly.
"He has to sweat it out. It's the only way." Kai stood up. "I'll be right back."
Rei looked back down at Max. His eyebrows were drawn together and his teeth were tightly clenched. His eyes were shut tight and his entire body was shivering. Rei could hear the young boy whimpering pathetically.
Kai came back with a cloth wet with cold water. Kneeling beside Max again, he gently placed the cloth on his forehead. Max jerked and cried out fearfully.
"It's okay, Max. Everything's okay," Rei said, speaking soothingly into his ear. He sighed. "His nightmares must be pretty bad."
"Nightmares are always bad. Or else they would be called dreams," Kai said, his eyes watching Max intently.
"Poor Max...hey, isn't Chief here?" Rei asked, looking around the small tent.
Kenny was sitting quietly, hugging his knees with his back against them. Kai frowned at the boy.
"He didn't even do anything when Max screamed," Rei murmured. "I'm worried about him."
Kai looked up at Rei. "I want you to go to bed now."
"What? No way! I'm staying up with Max."
Kai lowered his eyes and adjusted the cloth on Max's forehead, eliciting a moan from the sick boy. "Come on, Rei."
"Kai, you're doing way too much."
"It'd be a load off my mind if I knew you were getting enough rest," Kai said softly, his voice tired.
Rei stopped. Kai had just pulled his bluff by making him pity him. He looked at the ground, and then sighed resignedly. "Fine."
"Thanks."
Rei walked to the tent flap. "Wake me in a few hours, I want to do my share too."
"Just go to sleep already."
Rei took a last look at Max, and then left.
Kai got comfortable on the floor, sitting beside Max's body. Max was trembling slightly and whimpering in his sleep. Kai absently brushed Max's bangs off of his forehead, looking wearily at the blond blader. Kenny didn't speak a word.
Kai stayed up with Max all night.
~~~
Rei felt the warm rays of the sun shining through his tent, and he groggily turned around in his sleeping bag, mumbling incoherently. He sighed when he found that he could sleep no longer now that he had awoken. The sound of birds singing filled his ears, and he yawned deeply. Somewhere in mid-yawn, he realized that Kai was supposed to have woken him much earlier to watch Max.
Damn you, Hiwatari!
Fuming, Rei pushed the tent flap open and stormed out. The bright sunlight blinded him for a moment, but his eyes grew accustomed to it. In his rage, he didn't even notice. He was seeing red. He stalked toward the other tent; about to tell his captain just how much he was hurting himself, when suddenly another sound caught his ears.
Rei stopped and listened for a moment. He followed the sound curiously to the other side of Max's tent. He circled around and stopped abruptly when he saw whom the sound was coming from.
It was Kai. He was kneeling a few feet away from the tent, none-too- gracefully throwing up.
"Kai!" Rei ran and knelt beside his captain, who looked at him in surprise.
"Are you okay? What's wrong?" Rei shook his shoulder roughly. Kai shook his head and vomited again. Finally he rocked back on his heels and took a deep breath.
"Kai?" Rei asked, looking worriedly at him. Kai was silent for a moment.
"Nothing...it's nothing."
"Bullshit Kai!" Rei yelled, sick and tired of hearing that. Kai flinched slightly. Rei sighed.
"You're making yourself sick," Rei said, gentler.
"I'm fine. I just stayed up too late."
"You stayed up all night. And now you're nauseous from lack of sleep." Rei glared at him. "You were supposed to wake me."
Kai sighed and rubbed his eyes, pushing his hair out of his face. "Sorry," he muttered.
Whoa. Did Kai just apologize to me? Rei thought.
Rei helped Kai to his feet. "How's Max?"
"His fever broke. He'll be fine."
"That's good to hear." Rei and Kai walked back to the tent, entering quietly. Max was lying awake, staring at the tent roof.
"Hey Max, how're ya feeling?" Rei asked cheerfully.
"I feel like getting outside for some fresh air," Max said, sitting up and crawling out of his sleeping bag. "I had the weirdest dream last night..."
"Dream? You were delirious with a fever!" Rei exclaimed. "Kai stayed up all night with you."
Max blinked and looked at Kai. "Really? All night?"
Kai nodded reluctantly and closed his eyes. Max broke out in a grin.
"Gee, thanks. I don't even think my mom ever did that for me," Max said softly, real gratitude reflecting in his bright blue eyes. Rei couldn't help but smile. Everything just felt better this morning.
Kai groaned.
"Oops, sorry Kai," Rei said sheepishly. "We'll just leave and let you rest now." He motioned for Max to follow him.
"Wait, is Chief still...?" Max's voice trailed off as his eyes rested on Kenny's sleeping form. "Well, at least he's getting enough rest," Max said, trying to bring light to their situation. Rei glared at Kai.
"Unlike SOME people I know," he grumbled just loud enough for Kai to hear.
"Out. Both of you," Kai ordered. Rei smiled and left with Max.
Kai heaved a tremendous sigh and dropped himself into the empty sleeping bag. Thinking twice, he pulled his sling off and gently laid his wrist out beside him. He sighed again and closed his eyes, drifting off into peaceful oblivion.
~~~ (A/N: he's sleeping!)
The incessant sound of skilled fingers tapping softly on a keyboard shook Kai out of his rest. He groaned and turned over, only to be further awakened by a sharp pain in his wrist. Opening his crimson eyes, the all too familiar form of Kenny typing on Dizzi came into focus.
"You're awake," Kenny observed. His eyes didn't move from the screen. Kai blinked.
I thought he wasn't speaking to anyone, Kai thought. "Chief?"
"I've been doing some research, and you'll be surprised with the answers I've managed to find," Kenny went on, as if he hadn't completely ignored everyone for the last day. He sounded normal.
Kai sat up and ran a hand through his blue hair, not exactly knowing what to say, but interested in what Kenny had discovered. He picked up his sling and gestured to him to go on.
"Our present location is Russia, although a bit far from Moscow, where we should be. Apparently the plane crashed just a few hours after we entered." Kenny looked up at Kai.
"Continue."
Kenny eyes shifted. "I don't think that plane crash was an accident. The way it looked after it crashed...usually the parts are still mostly intact. But when I studied it, it looked like more of an explosion."
"Are you saying someone tried to kill us?" Kai asked, keeping his voice from shaking. Icy fear gripped his heart under that cold mask of his.
"That's precisely what I'm saying. Someone out there did not want us to get to the World Championships, and my best guess is an opposing team that I've done some research on. They go by the name of the Demolition Boys, but it's not only them. It's..." Kenny refused to meet his gaze and let his voice trail off.
"Chief?" Kai prodded him, just about ready to strangle him for stopping at such a crucial point.
Kenny bit his lip. "It's Voltaire. Kai, I think your grandfather is trying to kill you."
Kai swore under his breath and narrowed his eyes at the ground. "Dammit...he never gives up, does he?"
"You mean...he's done it before?"
"He wants me to join BioVolt. He tried in many ways to get me there, sometimes by force, sometimes by a complex plan that so far, has never worked. Now he's just decided to get me out of the picture permanently." Kai rubbed his forehead. "But with him trying to get me...you guys are all in danger. And I can't let you get hurt. That plane crash was supposed to kill me, but he didn't care if the rest of my team lived or died."
"Maybe so, but I think they knew you weren't dead."
Kai looked up. "Oh?"
"Because why else would they take Tyson?"
Kai opened his mouth, and then stopped. "They...oh no."
"Tyson might be alive."
"He's bait. He's bait for me!" Kai threw the covers of the sleeping bag off. "Knowing Grandfather, he won't hesitate to kill him."
"They're at the Abbey. The only way for us to get Tyson back is for you to go...but that's too risky."
"I have to go. Tyson isn't involved with all this; he shouldn't have to go through it. This is my problem." Kai opened the door of the tent. Sunlight shone brightly, blinding him for a moment. He stared up into the harsh sun and suddenly hated himself. Hated the fact that because of him, his friends would suffer.
~~~
TBC
~~~
Yay! I finished the chapter! ^________^ I hope this kinda long chapter makes up for that loooooong amount of time that I didn't update. But do not fear! Even if I do take forever to update, I will NOT discontinue any of my fics. I love them too much, especially this one. ^^ Thanks for your patience! As the story goes on, some bad stuff is gonna happen to my little Kai poo, so be warned. If you don't like Kai torturous stuff, then don't get TOO into the story. It'll be getting a little angsty. I still dunno about the yaoi. *sigh* We'll see. Review, please and thank you! Toodles.