SS-Yea, next chapter! Hope you all enjoy this one. Finally got some Kai/Rei there for M-sen. But it might make Kai seem a tad OOC, so you've been warned.
Tym-An OOC Kai telling his feelings to Rei? Hm…
SS-No, that's next chapter. But we have some 'don't leave me' stuff, but I don't want to give it away yet.
Tym-Right, so before you let the kitty out of the bag, let's begin!
Kai-You stuck Rei, MY Rei in a bag?! *Glares daggers at SS and Tym*
SS+Tym-EEP!
Rei-*pops out of nowhere* I'm not in a bag Kai, what are you talking about?
Kai-Rei! *Picks up Rei and carries him to another room* We'll be back by the end of the chapter.
SS-Be careful! We have one more chapter to go and I can't afford to get a new Rei!
~*~*~*~
The Spirit Within Me
Chapter Seven – Kodak Moments
DISCLAIMER: Go back to one of the other chapters please…this is getting ridiculous.
~*~
"Well, that just proved that you should never send a man do a woman's work. As she snapped her fingers one of the red tubes in the corner suddenly went dark and the fluid began to drain out. Everyone looked over in time to see it open, revealing a well built young girl with flaming red hair and striking blue eyes. She didn't notice them though, and walked straight to Queenie, bowing upon reaching her.
"What do you wish?" Queenie smirked and pointed to the three bitbeasts before her.
"Eliminate them." The girl finally glanced at them, no emotion crossing her pale features.
"It would be my pleasure." Kai squinted to get a better look at her, it was so dark even with the light from their bitbeasts that he could only make out a few things about her, but it was enough. Those eyes…the hair…it was so familiar. And then she began to glow.
"What's going on Kai?" Before the captain could respond a wolf-like bitbeast appeared in front of their own, bearing its teeth and pawing the ground.
"Looks like we're about to find out Rei." Queenie noted the confusion and shock in their eyes and smirked.
"You've met your match…Tally, attack!"
(60 seconds and counting)
The wolf charged towards them, reaching Ray first. They collided with equal force, sending both flying backwards.
"We got to help her out!" Rei yelled. Kai just nodded, still trying to figure Tally out.
'She…she can't be a copy like Ray…could she? No. Last time I checked, Tala was with the other Demolition Boys across town. There's no way he could be here now giving her energy.' Drigger and Dranzer launched their attacks at the wolf only to have them deflected. 'Besides, he wouldn't go back to them, he's through with Biovolt.' Dranzer was flung aside like a rag doll in a few seconds, her blue blade struggling to stay up.
"Kai what's wrong?!" He turned his head to meet Rei's worried gaze. "It's like you weren't even phased by your bitbeast's fall." It was then that the captain noticed that his phoenix was currently out of the battle, using all her strength to return and help.
"…Dranzer…"
"Kai what's wrong?!" He shook his head.
"Nothing." He had to keep his mind on the battle before they lost to that fake. 'If she's not feeding off of Tala then how did she…how is she…'
"Confused Kai?" He snapped his head up to Queenie, who had been keeping an eye on him. "You just hate not knowing something don't you? Well let me clear things up for you. It's true that Tala isn't here now, but that doesn't mean Tally isn't a copy like Ray." Rei wasn't listening as intently as Kai was, he was concentrating on the fight, one that they were slowly gaining ground in.
"If Tala isn't here then how is she a copy like Ray?!"
"There's more than one way to skin a cat. Back when Boris was making a few…adjustments on Tala, he sent me a copy of his data. My team of scientists used the information on the disk to create what you see before you." She pointed to the motionless red head a few from her. "A near exact replica of the Demolition Boy's captain, down to the smallest detail…of course, this one is superior because it is female (1). Not to mention she has a greater learning capacity, and is able to mimic anything I show her in a matter of seconds. Tally is unstoppable. She is more advanced then Tala, and stronger then all of you."
(30 seconds)
Kai tried to shrug off her comments and focus on the battle. Dranzer had returned, but was weakened. Ray seemed to be their strongest link at the moment; she was biting at the wolf whenever she had the chance. Drigger was still hanging in there, but for some reason, he was slowing down. The phoenix noticed it too.
[Drigger, what's wrong with you?]
[…I don't know…I feel tired…]
[Tired?]
[Yea…I can barely keep up with those two.] He motioned to the two beasts that made the Energizer bunny envious.
[Can you still battle?]
[I…I don't know…]
[Wait…how long has it been?]
[How should I know?! I've been a little busy if you hadn't noticed.]
[Cut the excuses, I think time's almost up. That's why you're losing it.]
[But…but we still have to get through this. We need to get that preserver.]
[I know that, but you're fading quicker then the sun on a windy day. You can't possibly fight any longer.] The white tiger got up and ran towards the two brawling beasts, determined to do his part.
[Yes I can. If I give up now then Rei's as good as gone.] Dranzer chased after him.
[Let me handle this, you should rest.]
[Like you can do any better with that damaged wing. Don't think I can't see you wincing.] Just as Ray was thrown aside Drigger dug his claws into the wolf's side while Dranzer pierced the skin below her neck with her talons. With a loud howl Tally let loose a taste of her blizzard attack and sent the BladeBreaker's beasts flying.
"Drigger!"
"Dranzer!" After a few seconds, the phoenix began to move, she opened her eyes to see Ray struggling with the wolf again.
[Ugh…you ok Drigger?]
[…]
[Drigger?!] She looked over to her fallen friend to find that he wasn't moving, and showed no signs of getting up. [Drigger! Get up!]
(10 seconds)
[…Dranz…watch…watch…]
[Watch over Rei?] The tiger was disappearing.
[And…and yourself…] He vanished, and his blade finally stopped.
"No Drigger!" Suddenly Rei felt a sharp pain shoot through his side. He grabbed his left arm, which had gone numb, and blinked a few times as his vision went blurry.
(3…)
"Rei? Rei, are you ok?" Kai asked. The younger shook his head. He swayed from side to side, his breaths becoming rapid and short.
(2…)
The bluenette quickly turned to the battle as Tally sunk her teeth into Ray's leg, causing her to let out a piercing roar.
(1…)
Rei took in a sharp breath as he felt a searing pain course through his leg. He couldn't hear anything, he opened his mouth but couldn't speak, and he could feel his heart beating slower…slower…His breath was caught in his throat; he closed his eyes…and fell.
"Rei!!!"
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
SS-It would be too mean to end it there right?
Everyone-YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SS-*shrinks away and continues typing* That's what I thought.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Kai caught the Chinese blader before he connected with the hard stone floor and held him in his arms. "Rei! Rei!!" He gently shook him, fear spreading throughout his body. "Wake up!" Kai was trying to stay calm, reassuring himself. 'This is just like last time…he fell, but he woke up after a few minutes. He's going to be ok…he has to be ok…'
"Looks like he bit the dust." Kai glared at her. "It's about time too. I admit, he lasted longer then I would have expected, but no one is able to survive once one of my creations assimilates them." Kai held Rei closer to him and narrowed his gaze. Even though it was dark, he knew that she could see him. "Aw, he was really close to you wasn't he? Well you know what they say, it's better to have loved and lost then-"
"Shut up!" He glanced down at Rei. "You're going to be ok…you're…you're stronger then this." He turned his attention back to the battle, gently stroking the boy's tanned arm absentmindedly.
[Uh…] After Ray had gotten loose of Tally's bite, she felt as if something passed through her. [W-What was that?] Then she realized what it was. She turned her head and saw that Rei had collapsed. [No…]
Taking the opportunity, the wolf let loose her blizzard attack, hitting the jaguar with dead accuracy. Her blade was blown to the girl's feet; it was still spinning, but Ray was fading. She would have been unconscious if the pain didn't keep her up.
[Ray!] Dranzer called out. She didn't hear a response. [Oh no.]
[Looks like it's just you and me.] The phoenix turned to face the wolf, her eyes filled with pride.
[Just the way I prefer it. I will avenge my friends by myself.] The wolf snickered.
[Confident, aren't you? Well you certainly don't look it.] Dranzer blinked kept her poker face. [Hmph…just like Kai. But you can't hide from me…wolves can smell fear.]
[Cut the crap Tally. Even if you are a carbon copy Tala, you do not have his skill, or Wolborg's power.] She charged at her.
[You're right…I'm better.] She replied and sprinted to meet the phoenix. [How's this for power?!] Tally released another blizzard that stopped Dranzer, the cold winds pushing against her. [Can you stand the cold?]
[Do you know what happens when you fight fire with snow?] With a few flaps of her large wings, Dranzer rose above the onslaught and dove for her. [You get burned!]
"Dranzer, Flame Saber!" A wave of heat smothered the wolf as the phoenix continued to attack.
[How's the fire?!] She didn't hear an answer, only a chuckle. All of a sudden the fire dissipated, and below Dranzer stood a smirking wolf.
[It was warm…but nothing special.]
[What?]
[Surprised? Guess I didn't get burned.] Tally tilted her head towards her. [But that doesn't mean you won't…]
[Huh?] The wolf's eyes glowed an eerie purple as wind began to pick up around her.
[A storm is coming…the likes of which you've never experienced before!] Before Dranzer could react, a mountain of snow and hail surged from Tally and inundated her. All that could be heard was a small screech, and then a clank as the blue blade hit the wall on the opposite side of the room, no visible light coming from it.
"Dr-Dranzer…" Kai was shaking slightly; he didn't know what to do.
"Looks like it's all over…"
[Argh…never.] A flash of green erupted from the side of the room, right where Ray's body was. [It's not over…until that fake copy is put in her place!] The jaguar stood and slowly made its way back to the center of the lab.
[Stubborn…you won't win. Why waste your energy?]
[I'm not wasting my energy…as long as…as long as Rei's still here, I have a reason to keep going.]
[The way you persist is admirable; however, that human is gone, his being here does not change your power.]
[It affects me more than you know. Of course, I wouldn't expect you to know; after all, you aren't even a real copy. You're just a…a clone…thingy made from someone's data.]
[Idiot, that's what a copy is.]
[Well…then you're not the same kind of copy as me. You don't know what it feels like to share someone's feelings, thoughts…their actual life.] She lowered her head, preparing to attack. [Even if Rei's not really here, I can feel him, his strength, and that…Tally…is what's going to help me kick your carbon butt!] She pounced, claws outstretched, aimed at her throat.
[We'll see whose carbon butt is going down.] She stood ready, waiting for the right moment to unleash another torrential blizzard attack. Ray was within reach in a matter of seconds, and that's when she was hit.
[I hope you like snow, because here comes the storm!]
"Ray move!" A confused expression was seen on the jaguar's face before the whiteout swallowed her.
*Ray's dream*
"Owwie…that hurt." She was sprawled out on the ground, eyes closed. She could feel a slight mist on her cheeks, and sat up slowly, rubbing her head gently. "Where…" She opened her eyes and looked around, there was a small waterfall next to her, and an endless meadow before her. "Where am I?"
"You're in an astroplane." She turned her head to the side, spotting the source of the voice.
"A what?" The boy who had answered her looked just like Rei…like Rei and Drigger combined. His messy green hair was held back by a yellow bandana, and below his golden eyes were a few matching green stripes. He was wearing a simple white top with an emblem in the middle, and baggy blue pants. There was a fleck of gold behind him; she assumed it was his tail. Ray also noticed two cat-like ears hiding in his mess of hair.
He jumped off the fence he was sitting on and walked towards her. "An astroplane. It's a plane that coexists with yours and the human one."
"Mine?"
"Your bitbeast one. You are a bitbeast, aren't you?"
"Well…yea, I guess so." He crossed his arms and looked up into the sky.
"That's what I thought. By the way, my name's Neko."
"Neko…my name's Ray."
"I know." She stood up and looked at him.
"You do? How?"
"Oh, the others and I were watching you."
"Others? What others?" He glanced at her before pointing across the field. That's when she saw a few more people. The weird thing was…they all looked like him. Not copies, but they looked like humans with features of bitbeasts.
"We were all watching you and your battle. I was surprised you didn't notice that blizzard attack coming." She glared at him.
"Hey! It's harder then it looks!" He merely chuckled. "Stop it!"
"I'm sorry. Yes, I do know that fighting a bitbeast is hard, it's just that, when you watch someone else do it, you can see their mistakes a few seconds before they do it and you think, 'How could she have not seen that coming?' Do you understand?" Ray thought about what he said, and realized that he was right. When she watched the others battling, she was shocked that the opponents got easy shots because her friends weren't paying attention.
"Yea, I understand. I guess I just didn't want to admit it."
"That's ok, you are already a stubborn person, adding in Rei's willful attitude just makes things worse." She starred at him.
"Ok Neko, just how much do you know about me?"
"I guess I do have some explaining to do don't I?" She nodded and he motioned her to sit. "Well, you've already realized that I resemble your friend Rei, and his bitbeast Drigger…that's because I'm their…"
"Their what?"
"Well, I don't know the human word for it…but I'm sort of like their…guide. No that's not a very good word for it…"
"Like their conscience?"
"Sort of. Think of Jimminy Cricket and those animals in Snow White combined."
"That's…confusing."
"Yes it is. Let's just say I watch after both of them and steer them in the right direction. For instance, it was my idea to have Drigger transfer his energy to Rei so that he could battle."
"Oh, so that's what happened. Wait…but…Drigger got knocked out of the battle, and Rei's…what's going to happen to him?!?"
"Drigger's energy couldn't last long enough to sustain Rei, what was supposed to happen to him before is happening now." Ray was shaking she hugged her knees.
"N-No…Rei…" She felt him put his hand on her shoulder. "C-Can't you give them a-another idea? I-Isn't there anything else y-you can do?!"
"That's why you're here. I brought you here to help you." She grabbed his shirt.
"What? What can you do to help?!"
"Calm down. Calm down. The more you struggle and use your energy the lesser chance Rei will have of coming back." Her hopes lifted again.
"There's a chance he can come back?! What can I do?!" He grabbed her shoulders.
"First, let go of my shirt. It's new." She grinned sheepishly and let go of his shirt. "Good, next calm down." She nodded and took deep breaths, but the thought that Rei still had a chance kept her spirits high.
"Now what?" He dug his hand in one of his pockets and pulled out a couple necklaces, each had a different symbol or picture dangling from it. "What are those Neko?"
"These are traits that Rei or Drigger possess. I always carry them in case they lose one."
"Huh?"
"Oh never mind…it's a long story and we don't have the time-ah hah! Found it!" He pulled out one of the necklaces and stuffed the rest back in his pocket. Neko held it up so that she could see it. Ray looked at the symbol it was three jagged stripes.
"Which trait is that one?"
"This…" He undid the clasp, placed it around her neck, and closed it. "This is Drigger's Tiger Claw." She picked it up and looked at it closely, he was right, it was the Tiger Claw.
"What do I do now?"
"Now, you kick that duplicate's butt!"
"But how-oh…I get it." He sighed in relief.
"Good, I was afraid I was going to have to explain that too." He stood and, so did she. "Now you better go before it's too late." He ushered her back to the waterfall.
"How do I get back?" He smiled.
"Just close your eyes and think of the battle. Remember, you'll be in the battle when you return." She nodded and closed her eyes.
"How long until I return?" She didn't hear him answer, she only felt someone push her forward. "Ahh!" She fell into the water and disappeared, leaving a chuckling Neko behind.
"I love that part."
"Neko…" He turned slowly, grinning like mad.
"Yes Tori?" Before him stood a girl a little taller then him. She had flaming red hair tied in a ponytail, two blue marks across each cheek, and blue eyes. She had a tank top, a short skirt, and boots. Her tail swayed gently in the wind, as did her wings.
"Why didn't you just tell her to jump in? Must you act like Ryu and Kame?" (2) He continued to grin.
"It rubbed off on me." He heard a 'hn' from her as she turned and walked away, with Neko close behind.
*End dream*
Ray opened her eyes but only saw the blizzard around her. [I'm back in the battle.] She thought, and then remembered the necklace dangling on her and tried to hold her ground. [I have to use the Tiger Claw to beat this fake, but first I need to get a clear shot…and how am I going to get a clear shot at her with this storm?] Suddenly Ray felt warmth around her, and saw that some of the snow was disappearing. [What?]
[What's going on?] Before too long, all of the snow was gone, revealing a tired but still standing jaguar. [What? How? I should have won!]
[Like I said before…when you fight fire with snow…you get burned.] Ray smiled and looked up to see Dranzer flying high.
[Dranzer, you're ok!]
[A little whiteout could never take me down. I was trained better then that.] She glanced back to see a small smile on her master's lips. [You better do what you need to do while you have the chance Ray!] She blinked and realized that she had her chance. Tally was still stunned by Dranzer's return and was wide open.
[All right, time to find out what happens when you play with the big cats!] She sprinted off, making a beeline for the wolf. [This is it…if this doesn't hit, Rei's done for…] She thought as she jumped above Tally, her claws ready to kill.
[She shouldn't have returned…how?!] It was then that the wolf noticed that Ray wasn't where she was. [Where?]
[Look up you idiot!] Tally tilted her head to see a flash of green coming down at her. [Take this you carbon nothing!] She slashed at her, [Have a taste of the Tiger Claw!] the green light surrounding both of them.
[Ray!]
"Ray!"
"What's going on?! No, Tally!" Smoke rose as the jaguar's decimating attack came down. The deafening sound vanished as the dust and smolder disappeared. The gray blade flew up and headed straight for Queenie.
"Wha!?!" It broke upon hitting her head, causing her to drop the vial she held and break. She fell to the ground, unconscious. Not to long after, Tally's limp body collapsed as well.
"R-Ray?" From Dranzer's light he could see the green blade move towards Ray's body and vanish. The girl blinked a few times before lifting her head and looking around. "Ray, are you ok?" She couldn't bear to look at him she dropped her head. "Ray?" She began to sniffle.
"K-Kai…" Her voice was cracking. "I-I'm so sorry."
"What? Why-oh." He realized why she was upset, because she had knocked Tally's blade out it had hit Queenie, which was good, but that made her drop the preserver…that was very bad. He suddenly became very aware of the motionless boy in his arms.
"G-Good…I was afraid I-I was going to have to explain it t-to y-you." Ray smiled slightly…remembering her conversation with Neko and how he had said the same thing. 'Neko…do you have a solution for this?' She looked up, expecting to receive an answer. And actually, something did come to mind. As the ends of her bandana fell across her face, she realized that there was still a way for Rei to come back. She lifted her hand to her temple and felt the tag there. She turned to Kai.
"Kai…" He looked to her. "P-Please tell Rei that…that I never meant to hurt h-him, and that I'm r-really sorry that all of this happened…"
"What are you talking about-" It was then that Kai realized what she was doing. Ray was taking off her bandana, revealing the small tab on the side of her head. "Ray, don't."
"N-No…I have to…Rei's too important to you, to your friends to lose."
"But-"
"And…after all, I'm just a copy. Would you rather have the original or the copy?" She fingered the tab.
"Dranzer, stop her!" The phoenix that had been silent all that time raced towards the girl.
[Ray, stop!]
"T-Tell Rei I'm s-sorry…"
"No!"
[Stop!] It was too late…she closed her eyes and pulled the reel waiting for the pain to come. When she felt nothing, she opened her eyes, but gasped as she saw swirls of light surround her.
"Wha-Ah!" The light started to enter her, and she cringed at the pain. Dranzer stopped before her and returned to her blade. The light was too much for her.
"Ray!" When most of the light had pierced her skin it began to shoot out of her, along with whisps of green flecks. Ray snapped her head up, opening her mouth to scream, only to find that her voice was gone. The green flecks were coming out in steady streams now, the light guiding them up above her, forming strips. When the last bits of flecks floated away from Ray, the light vanished, and she collapsed on the floor. The necklace disappearing shortly after.
~*~*~*~*~*~
SS-What about here? Would it be mean to stop here?
Everyone-YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SS-Ok…ok…just wondering…*continues to type*
~*~*~*~*~*~
"Ray!" Kai called out, then turned his attention back to his Rei as the green waves circled above him and burst apart into dust, the bits and pieces slowly descending into his body until they were gone. "Rei…" The bluenette shook him gently; he wasn't about to give up on the neko-jin. "Come on Rei, wake up…" He turned him so that he could see his face, smiling slightly when the tiger's head rolled against his chest.
"Rei, please tell me you're ok…that it wasn't too late." Still no answer, or any sign of movement. "Come on, I know you're stronger than this. You're too stubborn to go this way. Who's going to stop me from killing Tyson if you're not there? If you're not there…with me." There was a loud knock coming from behind him, and then a cracking sound. Kai glanced over his shoulder in time to see a blue/white blade and a green one smash through the door. Followed by a hand reaching in to unlock the gate. Tyson, Max, and Kenny rushed through, each holding a tube in their hand.
"Kai! Uh…what happened here?" Tyson's eyes wandered from his captain kneeling a few feet from him, to the broken tubes on the side, finally landing on Rei's double lying still in the middle of the room. "Man…you guys tore this place apart." Kai kept his face neutral. It was then that Max noticed that Ray's body was starting to fade. He blinked twice and shook Kenny's shoulder.
"Chief, do you see what I see?" He looked to where the blond was pointing, gasped, and ran over.
"Oh my goodness! What happened to Rei Kai?! Is he ok?" Max ran over to him.
"What about Ray?!" He motioned to the other Chinese blader behind them.
"Oh my God! She's…disappearing." Kai couldn't take their naïveté.
"Hurry and give her the preserver you idiots." They didn't retaliate, but tended to the girl instead. While Max was holding her head up, Kenny carefully poured the liquid down her throat. After a few seconds she shot up and coughed.
"Ahk! That stuff's horrible!" She coughed again, holding her throat. "What was it, jalapenos with rotten egg yolk?!" The two managed a smile, and things looked ok, until Tyson spoke up.
"Kai, what's wrong with Rei? Is…is he…"
"No." He answered quickly, and then
realized that maybe… "No he's not. Well…"
"You don't know?"
"…" Kai lowered his head, trying to feel the boy's breath. Nothing. Ray crawled over, looking exhausted.
"H-He'll be all right." Kai gazed at her.
"How do you know?"
"I…I can tell…" She fell to the floor, asleep in seconds.
"Now what's wrong with her?" Max picked her up.
"Probably a side effect from the preserver." He turned to Rei. "But what about him?" Kai starred at him.
"He's…he's going to be fine." His eyes softened as he gazed at the boy he was holding. 'He has to be ok…I have to tell him…'
"Ugh…"
"Rei?!"
"Mmm…K-Kai?" He managed a smile.
"Yea. It's me. Are you ok?"
"Uh…uh huh." He tried to lift himself up, only to fall back into his captain's arms.
"I don't think you should be walking." He got up, holding the boy safely in his arms.
"Guess…I guess you'll have to carry me then."
"Hn."
"Do you mind?" He smirked.
"You'll just have to repay me later." Rei smiled and quickly fell asleep in the bluenette's arms.
"Ok…Rei's ok…and Ray's ok…but what about them?" Tyson asked as he pointed to Tally and Queenie, both still unconscious.
"We'll ask Mr. Dickinson to deal with them when we get outside. Come on, let's go-" He stopped when he noticed Tally shifting.
"Ugh…" Tally lifted herself to her knees and rubbed her temple. "I-I can't believe I lost…"
"D-Don't be too hard on yourself…" Tally looked up and gasped as she saw everyone. "I-I had The Tiger Claw…plus my own power…you c-couldn't have possibly beat me. B-But if N-Neko hadn't given it t-to me…you would have won." Everyone was confused by what she said.
"R-Ray?" Tally got up and looked from them to her broken blade. When she starred at it, it disappeared and she felt stronger.
"Yup…it's me. B-But I'm tired…night night." With that she fell asleep again. Everyone except Tally and Kai was confused.
"Kai, what's going on?" He ignored Kenny's question.
"Tally, are you ok?" She nodded.
"Yes. I will be fine."
"Good. After we get out of here, there's someone I want you to meet…that is…if you're done with this place." The red head glanced around her, her gaze landing on Queenie. She then looked to Ray on Max's back, and Rei in Kai's arms.
"Yes. I now see that all of this…it's not right. And following someone just because they claim to be my creator is foolish. I would like to meet your friend." Kai nodded.
"You'll like him…he's just like you." He looked around and noticed that the walls didn't seem too stable. "We had better get out of here, we'll talk outside." He motioned all of them, including Tally, to follow him. As they exited the abbey Kai and Tally told them what had happened, or at least, what they could explain. And as they got outside and entered the forest, Tally didn't even look back, none of them did.
~*~
(3:15 PM) –The time doesn't really matter anymore…it's just in case you were wondering
When they were half way through the forest, the group heard something coming their way. "What's that?" Max asked. Kenny adjusted his glasses, trying to get a good look.
"Hey, it's a van." Tyson looked over his shoulder.
"It's Mr. D!" Indeed, after the van stopped, Mr. Dickinson stepped out.
"Oh thank goodness you kids are all right. I was getting worried." He glanced at each of them, his smile dropping as he noticed all their cuts and scrapes. And his expression became one of confusion when he spotted Tally. "Is that…Tala?" Tally pointed to herself.
"Hm, no…my name's Tally."
"Tally?" Kai walked up to him.
"We'll explain later, but first can you call someone to check out the abbey? They'll be surprised at what they find."
"I already did. The proper authorities are already on their way."
"Then let's get these guys inside." Everyone climbed into the van, taking a seat and finally getting some rest. When everyone was set, they took off, leaving the horrible abbey behind.
~*~
After a while, one of the neko-jins began to wake up, rubbing her eyes until she realized where she was. "We…we made it?" Kenny was first to notice, since he was sitting next to her, and tapped her shoulder.
"You bet. We're on our way home. Well, to Tyson's home anyway."
"Oh. Thank goodness." She took a look around the van, it was like a duplicate of the one the came in. Mr. Dickinson and some other man were in the front talking about something or another, and she and Kenny were behind them. Tally was in the row after hers, leaning against the window in slumber. Across from her, Ray saw Max and Tyson leaning against each other, fast asleep.
'I'd be tired too if I hadn't fallen asleep before them.' Her eyes wandered again, landing on the two boys a few seats back. She grinned, her fangs showing. Kai was leaning against the seat, holding Rei protectively in his arms…a small smile graced his lips. The neko-jin was also beaming, his face buried just below Kai's shoulder.
'Now if that isn't a Kodak moment I don't know what is.' Of course she knew that if she had taken a picture of it Kai would hunt her down for the rest of her life, but it was a nice thought. She slumped back into her chair and closed her eyes, welcoming the sleep she needed.
*Kai's POV*
I opened my eyes briefly, taking in the surroundings. Practically everyone was asleep, except the driver and Kenny. I looked out the window; we were still in the forest…I guess we haven't been driving for too long, we still had a way to go. And then I remember the boy in my arms, and suddenly I'm grateful that we had another hour or so left.
Rei was sitting on my lap, resting contently against me, and I wouldn't have it any other way. I remove my hand from his waist to brush some of his silky locks out of his face, revealing a smile on his lips. He shifts his body a little, leaning into me more (If that was even possible). I put my hand back where it was and slide down my seat so that he would be more comfortable.
Hm? When did I care about his comfort so much? Well, it's obvious that I can't keep denying what my heart and now my mind have been yelling at me for so long. Yea, I've fallen, pretty hard too. But then again, who wouldn't? Rei was absolutely perfect, from his raven tresses, to his amazing golden eyes, his gentle voice, light touch, his optimistic yet realistic attitude…I think I could list things off forever. But I don't want to now; right now I just want to hold him in my arms.
I run my hand up and down his side slowly, affectionately, enjoying the contact…though I wish his clothes weren't so long and baggy, they hide his figure. And then I hear him purr lightly and feel him nuzzling his head into my chest. I sigh, and close my eyes; it can't get any better than this.
*Normal POV*
Kai slowly drifted to sleep, holding his kitten protectively in his arms. Though, technically he wasn't his kitten, Kai had yet to tell Rei how he felt about him. No doubt he was waiting until they reached Tyson's house. However, part of the bluenette was afraid to admit his feelings, after all, rejection wasn't something Kai or anyone else wanted to experience. He just had to wait and see what card fate was going to deal him, courage or cowardice, companionship or loneliness, love…or despair.
~*~*~*~
(1) I'm not saying that guys suck…(After all, Rei and Kai are guys!) it's just something that needed to be said.
(2) Ryu is Dragon…or Dragoon in this case, and Kame is turtle. Tori is bird…I think you know who that is.
SS-Getting a little dramatic with that last sentence, but I didn't feel like rephrasing it. Ok…one chapter left! Man…this one was pretty long even for me.
Tym-Yea, I can't believe you really squished all that into one chapter.
SS-I have more time now you know…ever since I broke my ankle/leg I've been sitting a lot.
Tym-You have crutches you know…
SS-But I don't like using them…my god…SIX WEEKS!!!! Argh…
Tym-Yea…now that's long. Anyway…please review! It always makes her feel better.
SS- =) Hey…have you seen Kai? He said that he would have Rei back by the end of the chapter… *hears something from the other room*
Tym-I…wouldn't go there…
SS- _;; I hope Rei's ok…we need him for the last chapter. *hears more sounds*
Tym-I'm sure he'll be ok…I think…