When we got to the hospital, I never expected the police or the media to be
gathered outside. The other guys were just as confused.
"Excuse me, what's going on?" Tyson asked a nearby nurse.
"A boy has been kidnapped, right here in the hospital garden!"
"What?" Any witnesses?" I asked.
"I don't know."
"We better go inside and find Max. Maybe he's seen something." Rei suggested.
"Yeah. It's too crowded out here, anyway." Kenny added.
We managed to squeeze through the crowd, many of the reporters recognising me and wanting to shake my hand and talk for a while, but the others managed to help me out. When we got past the police, I couldn't help but let out a breath I had been subconsciously holding. Being around the police was a bit harrowing. I keep thinking they've found out about me and were going to arrest me. I even had to hide my face discreetly; I had spotted a police officer that I saw when I tried to run from the Montalet house.
"I thought I was never going to get outta that!!! Let's get going you guys." one of the Bladebreakers called.
I looked down at the small bouquet in my hands. We had stopped at a florist on out way down. The flowers were a little squashed from swimming through the crowd, but they were salvageable. The other guys seemed to believe I only got the flowers as a get well present. I made sure I hid the card in the centre, which read,
To Kai I know this isn't the time, And I may have crossed the line, But I have this to say to you, I just want to say I love you. Love Oliver....
I shook my head. That had been an impulsive poem. Enrique was right behind me when I wrote that, so it didn't help much.
"That's it. That way, when he wakes up but you're not there, he'll still know how you feel and can think about it."
I couldn't believe I was actually taking Enrique's advice. I just hoped I wasn't making a complete fool of myself. The group of us walked to Intensive Care. As we got nearer to Director Judy's room, I noticed a nurse escorting a policeman out, to put it nicely.
"Vous devez partir, l'officier. Vous dérangez la femme pauvre! Elle a besoin du repos; elle n'a pas besoin de vous la déranger comme ceci!" The nurse jabbered hurriedly.
"Je'm désolé. Mais je'le besoin de ll de revenir le plus tard "
The officer turned and walked away. The guys looked at me for a translation.
"Something isn't right..." I said and walked forward. "Excusez-moi, officer, but what's wrong?"
"Are you related to Mrs Tate?"
"Non, but we're friends of her son."
The officer looked a little uncomfortable at this. Tyson and Rei walked up behind me.
"Something's happened to Max?" Rei said.
"Er, oui... the boy that was kidnapped this morning. He had been identified as Max Tate."
The remaining Bladebreakers were silent.
"Do you have any witnesses? Any idea of who might have done this?"
"We have people who saw the kidnapping, but no-one saw the kidnappers. I must go now, monsieurs. Au revoir."
The policeman walks off, leaving us there in stunned silence. Mutually agreeing we needed to somehow offer comfort to Mrs Tate, the others visited her whilst I went to Kai's room. I took a deep breath and shut the door behind me, looking at Kai, mournfully.
"Oh Kai..." I whispered, sadness threatening to claim me and cause me to cry. Why'd my friends have to be dragged into all of this!? It wasn't right...
******
Oliver set the flower pot down and sank into the nearby chair. Carefully, he picked up Kai's hand.
"Oh Kai... I bet you have no idea of what's happening outside this room, huh? Max has been kidnapped... and it's my entire fault..."
Oliver held Kai's hand tighter, looking at the phoenix's face. "I really don't deserve to even be here... I really don't deserve to tell you how I feel..."
Oliver didn't notice, but Kai's eyes fluttered. Oliver kept talking. "I know you'll most likely throw this back into my face when you wake up... but Kai. I... I love you...."
"Oliver...?"
The French boy's head snapped up at the hoarse sounding voice. Kai's eyes were opening fully now and Oliver fought back a sob of relief and shock.
"Kai! You're awake!"
"Oliver..." Kai muttered again. Kai winced, trying to push himself up.
"Don't move! Hang on, I'll get a nurse."
Oliver ran out of the room and caught a nearby doctor. "Doctor! Doctor, it's Kai! He's awake, he's awake!"
The doctor immediately went into Kai's room with a nurse to check up on him. Tyson, Ray and Kenny came out of Judy Tate's room, looking worried. They saw Oliver's smile and smiled as well. "Oliver; did you just say Kai had woken up!?" Tyson said.
"Oui, oui! The doctor is just giving him a check up now!" Oliver said happily.
After a few seconds, the nurse came out of Kai's room and smiled at the boys.
"Monsieur Hiwatari is just undergoing some check ups now. It'll be a while, so maybe you'd like to wait in the relatives' room?"
The Bladebreakers shook their heads, saying they'll stay by Max's mum's side and offer some comfort. Oliver stood at the door, looking at the tear stained face of the American woman. Oliver recalled when it wasn't tears he saw on her face, but blood. In comparison, Oliver thought the tears were crueller.
"I'm... going to get some air. The excitement's been a little much for me..."
The others nodded. "Thank you boys for coming... oh God... why'd they take my Max..." Judy Tate sobbed, quietly. She didn't realise how hard that played on Oliver's conscience. The French boy turned and left the room, letting his feet take him where they wanted. Without realising, Oliver found himself outside. Not just outside, but in front of the hospital garden. Forensic scientists were working through as much of the garden as possible where Max was last seen.
Oliver sank into the only bench where there wasn't police tape to keep people out. Oliver didn't care now if the police recognised him. Oliver felt powerless to do anything. Staring at his feet, Oliver wondered how in the world he could ever rectify his mistakes. Oliver removed his beret from his head and just toyed with it. A breeze made the hat flutter slightly, cooling the back of Oliver's neck. He looked up at the sky. Dark clouds hung over head, threatening a thunderstorm.
Another strong gust blew, this time taking Oliver's hat with it. Oliver chased it to the edge of the police tape by some bushes, where it had just stopped. Oliver bent over to retrieve his hat, but paused. A blade. Not just a blade; a familiar green blade.
"Max's blade..." Oliver said in surprise.
Making sure he was spotted, Oliver snatched up the blade under his hat and walked away as calmly as possible.
******
"Ungh... wha... where am I?"
"Well, nice to see you back in the land of the living..."
Max's eyes blinked open and he looked around, groggily. He was seated in a chair. He was in a dark room, but light was coming from somewhere. He noticed a figure sitting in front of him, legs crossed. He couldn't make out a face, but the voice sounded distinctly French and female.
"Who are you? Where am I!?"
"Tut tut tut... didn't your mother ever teach you any manners?"
Max frowned worriedly. He tried to move, but he found his wrists and ankles were tied to the chair. Okay... this is starting to get weird, he thought. The blonde boy looked back up to the woman.
"Er... why am I tied down? And where's Tala?"
"All in due time."
"Who are you?"
"Wouldn't you like to know? Don't worry; I'm sure we'll be properly introduced once my... messengers come with a very important package."
The woman stood up and left, leaving a scared and confused Max in the dark room. Max hung his head, willing himself not to cry.
"Tala... what's going on..."
Tala was watching from the other side of the glass. He felt uncomfortable seeing Max in such a pathetic situation. The woman walked out of the room and stood in front of Tala. She ran a painted nail down his cheek and held his chin, speaking in a harsh, commanding voice.
"Cypher. You will stay and watch over this boy. When the men return with the chip, wait for my instructions to eliminate the boy."
The woman turned and walked away. She paused momentarily and spoke before continuing on her way.
"Oh, and by the way; they're also going to bring in Shadow. He has a lot of explaining to do. I'm sure you won't disappoint me the way he has."
Tala shut his eyes and pointed his face at his feet. "Sure thing... mother..."
=====================================================
Sorry, sorry, sorry for the long wait! Well, I hope this chapter merits forgiveness! Anyway, I think I'll just reply to some of you reviews!!! Arigatou you lovely lovely people!
Crazy Rei luva - Great to hear you liked it! There's more to happen yet!
Reiven - Er... what can someone say to that kind of comment, except thanks!
ShadowYami - Well, I finally got a chappie up for this! Tala in black leather, Alloran? Well... *dreamy look*
Lotus demon - Have you read anymore of this fic yet? And I'm sure all your regards are well accepted!
Noumno Yeshiaru - I know you reviewed twice for this, and thanks! Sorry the updating was sooo long! As for plushies... hmmm... scroll to the end!
ssykes4000 - Another one with two reviews! Well, thanks a lot! Good luck in Uni, too! Keep reading my fics though, if you can! Can you get a diploma in fanfic writing, I wonder...
shadowmouse1 - Woah! I converted someone? Yippee! *victory dance*
Lost in the Shadows - *blink blink* Calm down! Hopefully... you won't be too mad with what I have in store... ARGH!!! Not the Evil Muses! Not them!!!
Greenarrow - Your stories are great! Don't you dare say that again!
Demolition Angel - Well... I guess the plot and character selection is a little farfetched, but I think that kinda thing, all the surprise and all, is kinda fun to write. Each to their own, I say!
Heheheheheh! All these reviews for l'il ol' me!? I'm happy! Now, as a treat and apology, there're two plushies for each reviewer!!! A Kai and Oliver plushie! *huggles her plushies* Kawaii! I think they make a cute couple!
"Excuse me, what's going on?" Tyson asked a nearby nurse.
"A boy has been kidnapped, right here in the hospital garden!"
"What?" Any witnesses?" I asked.
"I don't know."
"We better go inside and find Max. Maybe he's seen something." Rei suggested.
"Yeah. It's too crowded out here, anyway." Kenny added.
We managed to squeeze through the crowd, many of the reporters recognising me and wanting to shake my hand and talk for a while, but the others managed to help me out. When we got past the police, I couldn't help but let out a breath I had been subconsciously holding. Being around the police was a bit harrowing. I keep thinking they've found out about me and were going to arrest me. I even had to hide my face discreetly; I had spotted a police officer that I saw when I tried to run from the Montalet house.
"I thought I was never going to get outta that!!! Let's get going you guys." one of the Bladebreakers called.
I looked down at the small bouquet in my hands. We had stopped at a florist on out way down. The flowers were a little squashed from swimming through the crowd, but they were salvageable. The other guys seemed to believe I only got the flowers as a get well present. I made sure I hid the card in the centre, which read,
To Kai I know this isn't the time, And I may have crossed the line, But I have this to say to you, I just want to say I love you. Love Oliver....
I shook my head. That had been an impulsive poem. Enrique was right behind me when I wrote that, so it didn't help much.
"That's it. That way, when he wakes up but you're not there, he'll still know how you feel and can think about it."
I couldn't believe I was actually taking Enrique's advice. I just hoped I wasn't making a complete fool of myself. The group of us walked to Intensive Care. As we got nearer to Director Judy's room, I noticed a nurse escorting a policeman out, to put it nicely.
"Vous devez partir, l'officier. Vous dérangez la femme pauvre! Elle a besoin du repos; elle n'a pas besoin de vous la déranger comme ceci!" The nurse jabbered hurriedly.
"Je'm désolé. Mais je'le besoin de ll de revenir le plus tard "
The officer turned and walked away. The guys looked at me for a translation.
"Something isn't right..." I said and walked forward. "Excusez-moi, officer, but what's wrong?"
"Are you related to Mrs Tate?"
"Non, but we're friends of her son."
The officer looked a little uncomfortable at this. Tyson and Rei walked up behind me.
"Something's happened to Max?" Rei said.
"Er, oui... the boy that was kidnapped this morning. He had been identified as Max Tate."
The remaining Bladebreakers were silent.
"Do you have any witnesses? Any idea of who might have done this?"
"We have people who saw the kidnapping, but no-one saw the kidnappers. I must go now, monsieurs. Au revoir."
The policeman walks off, leaving us there in stunned silence. Mutually agreeing we needed to somehow offer comfort to Mrs Tate, the others visited her whilst I went to Kai's room. I took a deep breath and shut the door behind me, looking at Kai, mournfully.
"Oh Kai..." I whispered, sadness threatening to claim me and cause me to cry. Why'd my friends have to be dragged into all of this!? It wasn't right...
******
Oliver set the flower pot down and sank into the nearby chair. Carefully, he picked up Kai's hand.
"Oh Kai... I bet you have no idea of what's happening outside this room, huh? Max has been kidnapped... and it's my entire fault..."
Oliver held Kai's hand tighter, looking at the phoenix's face. "I really don't deserve to even be here... I really don't deserve to tell you how I feel..."
Oliver didn't notice, but Kai's eyes fluttered. Oliver kept talking. "I know you'll most likely throw this back into my face when you wake up... but Kai. I... I love you...."
"Oliver...?"
The French boy's head snapped up at the hoarse sounding voice. Kai's eyes were opening fully now and Oliver fought back a sob of relief and shock.
"Kai! You're awake!"
"Oliver..." Kai muttered again. Kai winced, trying to push himself up.
"Don't move! Hang on, I'll get a nurse."
Oliver ran out of the room and caught a nearby doctor. "Doctor! Doctor, it's Kai! He's awake, he's awake!"
The doctor immediately went into Kai's room with a nurse to check up on him. Tyson, Ray and Kenny came out of Judy Tate's room, looking worried. They saw Oliver's smile and smiled as well. "Oliver; did you just say Kai had woken up!?" Tyson said.
"Oui, oui! The doctor is just giving him a check up now!" Oliver said happily.
After a few seconds, the nurse came out of Kai's room and smiled at the boys.
"Monsieur Hiwatari is just undergoing some check ups now. It'll be a while, so maybe you'd like to wait in the relatives' room?"
The Bladebreakers shook their heads, saying they'll stay by Max's mum's side and offer some comfort. Oliver stood at the door, looking at the tear stained face of the American woman. Oliver recalled when it wasn't tears he saw on her face, but blood. In comparison, Oliver thought the tears were crueller.
"I'm... going to get some air. The excitement's been a little much for me..."
The others nodded. "Thank you boys for coming... oh God... why'd they take my Max..." Judy Tate sobbed, quietly. She didn't realise how hard that played on Oliver's conscience. The French boy turned and left the room, letting his feet take him where they wanted. Without realising, Oliver found himself outside. Not just outside, but in front of the hospital garden. Forensic scientists were working through as much of the garden as possible where Max was last seen.
Oliver sank into the only bench where there wasn't police tape to keep people out. Oliver didn't care now if the police recognised him. Oliver felt powerless to do anything. Staring at his feet, Oliver wondered how in the world he could ever rectify his mistakes. Oliver removed his beret from his head and just toyed with it. A breeze made the hat flutter slightly, cooling the back of Oliver's neck. He looked up at the sky. Dark clouds hung over head, threatening a thunderstorm.
Another strong gust blew, this time taking Oliver's hat with it. Oliver chased it to the edge of the police tape by some bushes, where it had just stopped. Oliver bent over to retrieve his hat, but paused. A blade. Not just a blade; a familiar green blade.
"Max's blade..." Oliver said in surprise.
Making sure he was spotted, Oliver snatched up the blade under his hat and walked away as calmly as possible.
******
"Ungh... wha... where am I?"
"Well, nice to see you back in the land of the living..."
Max's eyes blinked open and he looked around, groggily. He was seated in a chair. He was in a dark room, but light was coming from somewhere. He noticed a figure sitting in front of him, legs crossed. He couldn't make out a face, but the voice sounded distinctly French and female.
"Who are you? Where am I!?"
"Tut tut tut... didn't your mother ever teach you any manners?"
Max frowned worriedly. He tried to move, but he found his wrists and ankles were tied to the chair. Okay... this is starting to get weird, he thought. The blonde boy looked back up to the woman.
"Er... why am I tied down? And where's Tala?"
"All in due time."
"Who are you?"
"Wouldn't you like to know? Don't worry; I'm sure we'll be properly introduced once my... messengers come with a very important package."
The woman stood up and left, leaving a scared and confused Max in the dark room. Max hung his head, willing himself not to cry.
"Tala... what's going on..."
Tala was watching from the other side of the glass. He felt uncomfortable seeing Max in such a pathetic situation. The woman walked out of the room and stood in front of Tala. She ran a painted nail down his cheek and held his chin, speaking in a harsh, commanding voice.
"Cypher. You will stay and watch over this boy. When the men return with the chip, wait for my instructions to eliminate the boy."
The woman turned and walked away. She paused momentarily and spoke before continuing on her way.
"Oh, and by the way; they're also going to bring in Shadow. He has a lot of explaining to do. I'm sure you won't disappoint me the way he has."
Tala shut his eyes and pointed his face at his feet. "Sure thing... mother..."
=====================================================
Sorry, sorry, sorry for the long wait! Well, I hope this chapter merits forgiveness! Anyway, I think I'll just reply to some of you reviews!!! Arigatou you lovely lovely people!
Crazy Rei luva - Great to hear you liked it! There's more to happen yet!
Reiven - Er... what can someone say to that kind of comment, except thanks!
ShadowYami - Well, I finally got a chappie up for this! Tala in black leather, Alloran? Well... *dreamy look*
Lotus demon - Have you read anymore of this fic yet? And I'm sure all your regards are well accepted!
Noumno Yeshiaru - I know you reviewed twice for this, and thanks! Sorry the updating was sooo long! As for plushies... hmmm... scroll to the end!
ssykes4000 - Another one with two reviews! Well, thanks a lot! Good luck in Uni, too! Keep reading my fics though, if you can! Can you get a diploma in fanfic writing, I wonder...
shadowmouse1 - Woah! I converted someone? Yippee! *victory dance*
Lost in the Shadows - *blink blink* Calm down! Hopefully... you won't be too mad with what I have in store... ARGH!!! Not the Evil Muses! Not them!!!
Greenarrow - Your stories are great! Don't you dare say that again!
Demolition Angel - Well... I guess the plot and character selection is a little farfetched, but I think that kinda thing, all the surprise and all, is kinda fun to write. Each to their own, I say!
Heheheheheh! All these reviews for l'il ol' me!? I'm happy! Now, as a treat and apology, there're two plushies for each reviewer!!! A Kai and Oliver plushie! *huggles her plushies* Kawaii! I think they make a cute couple!