11: Awake

Guess who.

Disclaimer: Don't own them yet either. Maybe one day…

Ray looked around his friends and sighed. Max, Kevin, and Tyson had discovered that they had a similar taste in both music and movies and were comparing notes on the latest ones they had seen. Gary was asleep, Lee making some small adjustments to his blade. Kenny was going over flaws in Mariah's defence with her, leaving Ray alone to his own thoughts.

Yet another half hour had past since that phone call, leaving just over two hours til the deadline cut short. Winton had found a small television set and was watching the broadcasts on the hostage takeover of the stadium with amusement. Up in the commentator's box the three were apparently playing cards, Brad Best beating the other two easily until D.J. Jazzman and A.J. Topper formed an alliance and began plotting against him.

Ray wondered how it would all end, and found his mind wandering to the earlier conversation. Who was the second best blader? Kenny and Kevin were ruled out quickly, and Max and Gary went straight after them. Ray bit his lip. Kai was out of it, leaving him, Lee, Mariah, and Tyson.

In the Asian tournament, he had beaten Mariah but only just, and Tyson and Lee had ended in a draw. He had gone on to defeat Lee, but did that make him the second best? Or was it just a fluke? Perhaps-

"Ray."

Ray jumped, spinning around as he realised who had spoken. "Kai?"

Kai's brown-red eyes were open; pain, anger, and confusion burning in them. His gaze locked on the other who sat by his side. "Ray, what's going on?"

Ray turned so that he was kneeling beside Kai, reaching out to lay a hand on the others forehead. "You've been shot, Kai. Three times. We've bandaged you up, but you're losing blood. We would get you to medical attention, but he won't let us-"

"I know I've been shot, Ray. And I can count." Kai closed his eyes for a moment and drew a long breath, then reopened them. "Who is doing this?"

"A guy called Mr Winton. He used to work for the BBA…" Ray went on to fill Kai in on everything that happened so far, Kai's forehead furrowing as he listened, the anger in his eye sparking brighter as he noted Ray's wound for the first time, but Ray brushed it off. "I'm fine, Kai. It's you we're worried about."

"Took three tries to take me down," Kai told him. "It'll take a lot more to take me out."

Ray smiled faintly, glancing back and noticing that the others were crowding around, listening in, concern written all over their faces. Turning back to Kai, Ray ran a hand through his hair. "We've got just under two hours for the BBA to give Winton his money before he kills you…"

Kai narrowed his eyes. "And?"

Ray sighed. "And the second best blader. Problem is, we don't know who-"

"Tyson."

Tyson looked up sharply. "What?"

Kai flicked his gaze quickly toward the younger boy, before returning it to Ray. "The second best blader is Tyson. Then you, Ray. Lee and Mariah are after that."

Ray frowned, noting that Kai was weakening quickly. "How can you be sure-"

"Don't question me, Ray. I know." He closed his eyes and sighed. "As much as I hate that twerp, keep him under cover, got that? You can't afford to lose another one."

Max's eyes widened. "But we haven't lost you yet!" Kai didn't answer. "Kai? Kai!"

"His gone Max," Ray said softly, checking Kai's pulse. "Not dead, just unconscious."

As the group began to break up, Ray let his forehead drop to touch Kai's, fighting the tears swelling in his eyes. "We'll get you out of here, Kai. I promise."

Question is, can he keep that promise? Feel free to review and tell us what you think is going to happen. Will Kai come out of it alive? Will any of them come out of it alive? Stay tuned for the next update of 'Eclipse'!

Sorry, DragonBall Z mode there. *blushes*