Mizu_Tenshi: Okay, since we had Takao and Kai the last chapter I thought
we'd have the others in this one. Enjoy!
"..." Speech '...' Thought *...* Implied words
Disclaimer: I do not own this anime
******************
I wandered through each chartered street,
Near where the chartered Thames does flow,
A mark in every face I meet,
Marks of weakness, marks of woe - William Blake
Chapter 10 - Thoughts
(Max)
Things had settled down. I know that my mum was still upset but we had learnt to do the daily things now.
It was hard but I knew I had to move on.
Then I received the letter from Takao and all the past events came back fresh and raw.
Maybe if he had given me more time I would have said yes but I received the letter too soon and it was just...too painful.
I guess I can understand Takao wanting us to be a team again but he couldn't possibly understand what *I* was going through.
How could he expect me to be part of the team again? Especially when Kai would be there. I could not forgive Kai, and I could not forgive the others for not telling me.
I was with the All Stars now. It was not like the Bladebreakers but at least I could trust them.
I didn't think I would ever go back to the others. I didn't think I could stand seeing their faces again.
"What's up?" Michael asked, I didn't even realise he was watching me until he stuck his face right in front off mine.
I let out a yell and almost feel off the chair I was sitting on while Michael fell about in hysterics.
"Michael, you big bully, leave Max alone!" Emily scolded the older teen, her hands placed on her hips.
"S'okay," I muttered, picking myself gingerly off of the floor and back onto the couch.
"See," Michael clapped me on the back. "Someone, knows how to take a joke unlike you, little miss big-mouth," he teased, drawing his face close to Emily's so they could practically themselves in each other's eyes.
They stayed like that for a while, scowling at each other, until Emily, with a brief "huh" flicked Michael in the nose.
He grabbed it with a yelp and the rest of us fell into hysterics.
"You're just pissed 'cause you didn't win the school raffle."
"It was a stupid prize anyway," Michael muttered darkly as Emily turned up her nose haughtily.
"Huh, you're just calling it stupid 'cause you didn't win the air tickets."
"Where are you going?" I asked but no one answered my question.
"This is so inconvenient!" Emily threw her hands up in exasperation. "I should be staying here working on our stats. I don't even want to go."
She reminded me of Kenny when she talked like that. However, I quickly blocked out the thought because it caused a sharp pang in my chest.
"Then give it to me and I'll go," Michael and Emily were still arguing while the others watched. Michael was holding his hands out expectantly but Emily just slapped them.
"In your dreams!" She retorted.
"Where are you going?" I asked again.
"Japan," Michael answered promptly....just before he got need in the , ahem, by Emily.
Steve and Eddy fell about as Michael pulled a very interesting face and consequently began rolling across the floor like a dog.
I think I would have joined in with their laughter if it were not for the sudden rush of memories that flooded in.
"Oh," I said; it was all I could really think of saying.
Maybe I wasn't really mad at Kai and the others but at myself but that was ridiculous; I had every reason to hate Kai.
I knew that Takao needed me but I couldn't face *him* again. I could not bear to see Kai again.
I hated hating people but I could not just forgive him, could I?
"Ok-ay," Eddy broke the uncomfortable silence. "Who's up for some training?"
"Yeah, why not?" Steve shrugged and the other all filed out, ignoring Michael who was still on the floor.
"C'mon Michael," Emily said, kicking him in the side as she walked by.
I carefully stepped over him as I followed the other outside.
I thought about what it would be like to see the others again but I shook it off.
"Hey Emily, wait up!" I called.
(Rei)
The funeral was over...thank God.
I can't stand funerals, they make me feel nervous and edgy.
Now I was chief elder everyone looked up to me for guidance. It was kinda funny seeing people fifty years older than me bow down respectfully.
There was a shrine for the deceased elder. It was just a little table with a picture of him with two smouldering sticks of incense brunt all through the night.
I burnt some joss paper by the shrine, not that I really believe in the Ming Tong Bank anymore but it was a sign of respect.
"You're here again," Mariah whispered.
I was a little surprised to hear her voice, I was hoping to get some time alone but I was glad that I was being interrupted by someone who didn't feel as if they had to bow whenever I entered the room.
"Obviously," I muttered.
Mariah moved towards the shrine and towards me. "You're thinking about them, aren't you?"
"No," I denied. I was really, but I lied because I didn't want it to seem as if I was being weak when an elder should be strong.
"Elders shouldn't lie," she said briefly.
I think that comment pressed a button inside of me because I spun round and hissed, "yeah well I never asked to be an elder in the first place!"
Mariah backed off and then hissed back, her eyes dilated to show her anger. "Well you are so deal with it!"
"What if I don't want to?" I snapped.
"Stop sulking!" she yelled. "You're village needs you so stop acting like a baby!"
There was a moment when we just glared at each other. I felt like we were going back in time to when Mariah hated me for leaving them and I did not want to go there.
"I'm sorry," I whispered.
Mariah just shook her head. "No, I should be the one apologising, sorry,"
There was another bout of silence until Mariah then asked about Takao.
I sighed, I really didn't want to go back into that again but I explained the situation to her nevertheless. "He wanted us to get back together but that was impossible," I said.
I thought she would make a comment on it, say how stupid he was being but Mariah just said, "oh."
"He's in trouble," I continued. "The Demolition Boys are after him and I can't help."
Mariah looked thoughtful. I knew that she was going over all the information in her head.
I hoped she would say something useful, give me a bit of advice but she just left me confused.
"Do you remember when we were little kids, Rei?" she asked.
What did that have to do with anything? I wondered but I nodded anyway.
"We got into a lot of trouble," she continued. "We were always disobeying the elders and making their lives difficult. Do you remember what we said when they told us off?"
"Yeah," I answered slowly, not sure of what she meant.
"You guys in here?" I heard Kevin's voice a moment later the rest of the White Tigers had entered the hut.
"What's going on?" Lee asked suspiciously.
"Nothing," I answered but I was still thinking about Takao and all the years I spent in the village.
(Kenny)
What can I say? Life was good. I was actually enjoying myself.
It was hard work but it was worth it and I loved getting up each morning to the thought of the lab and the friendly scientists waiting with a cup of coffee.
Well, that is until...
"You're doing what?!" I almost screamed. A few of the scientists near by turned to stare at me.
David Sanders, the owner of the corporation stood with me in one of the white labs while everyone ran about doing statistics and experiments in white lab coats.
"We're moving the firm," he repeated.
I gaped, I must have looked so stupid with my mouth hung wide open. "What? Where to?" I asked.
"We're relocating near Mt Aso in the Kyushu region," he replied calmly, as if he couldn't see what all the fuss was about.
"Why?"
"New people upstairs," he said, meaning that they were under new management.
"By who?" I asked curiously.
"Some Russian company," David shrugged and was about to walk off but I grabbed him by the sleeve.
Call me paranoid, call me pessimistic but when he said 'some Russian company' I immediately thought of...
"Biovolt?"
"Yeah, that's it, how did you know?"
My mouth, which I had managed in closing, suddenly dropped down again.
"Are you crazy!" I screamed, earning me many more stares from the scientists around us but I didn't care. "You can't work for Biovolt; they're evil!"
David took a few steps back and I don't blame him, imagine how he felt being screamed at by a little kid like me.
"What are you on about?" he asked nervously.
"I know this sounds crazy but they're evil!" I tried desperately to explain. "They torture and brainwash little kids and they conduct secret experiments and - "
I didn't get much further because David began laughing. He clutched his sides and laughed at me in amazement.
"I think you've been watching to many James Bond films," he smiled a horrible, patronising smile.
"Please," I begged but there's no talking sense into some grown-ups.
David immediately straightened up and became serious again. "Look, we're moving in a fortnight to the Kyushu region."
"Biovolt is evil!" I insisted.
"You have a lot of potential, Kenny, though slightly eccentric you have all the markings of talent," David said sternly.
He stopped there but I knew he was not quite done yet.
"But..." I prompted.
"Now you can either come with us to Mt Aso and learn from the best," he continued, "or you can give it all up on some crazy idea that this new company is 'evil' and stay here forever unchallenged and unmotivated."
Ouch.
That guy really knows how to make you take things serious.
However, I could never work for Biovolt and I didn't want to move away from my family and the town I grew up in.
Biovolt was up to something and I had to know what it was but then again, Takao did say he needed my help.
I rubbed my forehead wearily. There was so much riding on one decision. I didn't want to end up and David had said, unchallenged and unmotivated.
I crossed my arms and looked right into his eyes. "I'm staying right here," I said stubbornly.
**********
Twenty minutes later I was rushing down the street with Dizzi in hand.
"Gotta...tell...Takao!" I panted though I have no idea who I was talking to at the time. Maybe it was Dizzi.
I approached the dojo and practically skidded through the archway where Takao standing alone outside his house.
"Takao!" I cried.
He turned I surprise, I guess he never expected me to show up.
"Chief?" he blinked in confusion.
I pride myself not just for my computer skills but that my observation skills almost equal to that Rei's and Kai's and I noticed that look in Takao's eyes.
"What's going on?" I asked.
**********************
Mizu_Tenshi: Well, err, at least Kenny's with Takao even if the others aren't. Whew, that took me a while but I got there in the end.
akuhoshi - Thanks, hope you liked this chapter as well.
inulover28 - Thank you, glad you like the fic. I'm definitely going to keep going.
don't-hate-don't-ask - I remember, took me a while but I remember.
Epona2 - Don't worry, Tyson will be fine if he practices twenty-four hours a day until the battle.
Anime_lover_evee - Thanks, I intend to keep going until I get to the end.
Mega-gurl X - I hope you received my reply and don't give up on Sephiroth.
Dark Willow (aka: Admiral2 - That's okay. I'm sure Kenny will make Takao work.
Feelin Glayish - Thanks, I'm glad you like it.
kai baby-girl - Sure, as usual the next update will be in about one week.
Mezurashii - I don't think things can get any worse so it looks like they'll have to get better. Hopefully, Kenny will help Takao out with the D Boys.
Silver Swiftness - Thanks, I'm glad so many people like Kai's letter.
Vialana - Yep, all alone against super-powered bitbeats..unless you count Kenny but he won't be of much help.
CrazyInsaneAnimeFanGirl - Well he has Kenny now, maybe Kenny will fight with him.
Syaoran-lover - Yes, I am cruel. Anyway, don't worry, I have something planned for everyone but if I said anything it would give it away.
Kaiiko-chan - I think Tyson will have to fight the D Boys but at least he has Kenny, too bad Kenny can't blade.
JadesRose - Yeah, I totally agree with you. Max is being unfair and the others should help Takao but it looks like they're not ready yet.
Sherbet Mayhem - Thanks, I'm glad someone doesn't think I should go crazy and have a half-naked, drunk Kai dancing around my pages....I know. Anyway, sorry I haven't reviewed earlier but I got round to it in the end.
Mistress-of-eternal-Darkness - Yeah, it does look like it will be longer. Glad you liked Kai's reply. I was going to make it longer but then I thought, 'three words is all Kai needs to get his point across'
Tenma Koneko - Yep, you're right! Don't ask me why I chose that name, it just seemed a good idea at the time. Anyway, I'll be looking forward to your next chapter too.
anomynous - I hope he doesn't loose either; I'll be cheering for him from above.
Immortal Sadness - Wow...they really have to get a hold of themselves and help Takao. They should learn from Kenny!
"..." Speech '...' Thought *...* Implied words
Disclaimer: I do not own this anime
******************
I wandered through each chartered street,
Near where the chartered Thames does flow,
A mark in every face I meet,
Marks of weakness, marks of woe - William Blake
Chapter 10 - Thoughts
(Max)
Things had settled down. I know that my mum was still upset but we had learnt to do the daily things now.
It was hard but I knew I had to move on.
Then I received the letter from Takao and all the past events came back fresh and raw.
Maybe if he had given me more time I would have said yes but I received the letter too soon and it was just...too painful.
I guess I can understand Takao wanting us to be a team again but he couldn't possibly understand what *I* was going through.
How could he expect me to be part of the team again? Especially when Kai would be there. I could not forgive Kai, and I could not forgive the others for not telling me.
I was with the All Stars now. It was not like the Bladebreakers but at least I could trust them.
I didn't think I would ever go back to the others. I didn't think I could stand seeing their faces again.
"What's up?" Michael asked, I didn't even realise he was watching me until he stuck his face right in front off mine.
I let out a yell and almost feel off the chair I was sitting on while Michael fell about in hysterics.
"Michael, you big bully, leave Max alone!" Emily scolded the older teen, her hands placed on her hips.
"S'okay," I muttered, picking myself gingerly off of the floor and back onto the couch.
"See," Michael clapped me on the back. "Someone, knows how to take a joke unlike you, little miss big-mouth," he teased, drawing his face close to Emily's so they could practically themselves in each other's eyes.
They stayed like that for a while, scowling at each other, until Emily, with a brief "huh" flicked Michael in the nose.
He grabbed it with a yelp and the rest of us fell into hysterics.
"You're just pissed 'cause you didn't win the school raffle."
"It was a stupid prize anyway," Michael muttered darkly as Emily turned up her nose haughtily.
"Huh, you're just calling it stupid 'cause you didn't win the air tickets."
"Where are you going?" I asked but no one answered my question.
"This is so inconvenient!" Emily threw her hands up in exasperation. "I should be staying here working on our stats. I don't even want to go."
She reminded me of Kenny when she talked like that. However, I quickly blocked out the thought because it caused a sharp pang in my chest.
"Then give it to me and I'll go," Michael and Emily were still arguing while the others watched. Michael was holding his hands out expectantly but Emily just slapped them.
"In your dreams!" She retorted.
"Where are you going?" I asked again.
"Japan," Michael answered promptly....just before he got need in the , ahem, by Emily.
Steve and Eddy fell about as Michael pulled a very interesting face and consequently began rolling across the floor like a dog.
I think I would have joined in with their laughter if it were not for the sudden rush of memories that flooded in.
"Oh," I said; it was all I could really think of saying.
Maybe I wasn't really mad at Kai and the others but at myself but that was ridiculous; I had every reason to hate Kai.
I knew that Takao needed me but I couldn't face *him* again. I could not bear to see Kai again.
I hated hating people but I could not just forgive him, could I?
"Ok-ay," Eddy broke the uncomfortable silence. "Who's up for some training?"
"Yeah, why not?" Steve shrugged and the other all filed out, ignoring Michael who was still on the floor.
"C'mon Michael," Emily said, kicking him in the side as she walked by.
I carefully stepped over him as I followed the other outside.
I thought about what it would be like to see the others again but I shook it off.
"Hey Emily, wait up!" I called.
(Rei)
The funeral was over...thank God.
I can't stand funerals, they make me feel nervous and edgy.
Now I was chief elder everyone looked up to me for guidance. It was kinda funny seeing people fifty years older than me bow down respectfully.
There was a shrine for the deceased elder. It was just a little table with a picture of him with two smouldering sticks of incense brunt all through the night.
I burnt some joss paper by the shrine, not that I really believe in the Ming Tong Bank anymore but it was a sign of respect.
"You're here again," Mariah whispered.
I was a little surprised to hear her voice, I was hoping to get some time alone but I was glad that I was being interrupted by someone who didn't feel as if they had to bow whenever I entered the room.
"Obviously," I muttered.
Mariah moved towards the shrine and towards me. "You're thinking about them, aren't you?"
"No," I denied. I was really, but I lied because I didn't want it to seem as if I was being weak when an elder should be strong.
"Elders shouldn't lie," she said briefly.
I think that comment pressed a button inside of me because I spun round and hissed, "yeah well I never asked to be an elder in the first place!"
Mariah backed off and then hissed back, her eyes dilated to show her anger. "Well you are so deal with it!"
"What if I don't want to?" I snapped.
"Stop sulking!" she yelled. "You're village needs you so stop acting like a baby!"
There was a moment when we just glared at each other. I felt like we were going back in time to when Mariah hated me for leaving them and I did not want to go there.
"I'm sorry," I whispered.
Mariah just shook her head. "No, I should be the one apologising, sorry,"
There was another bout of silence until Mariah then asked about Takao.
I sighed, I really didn't want to go back into that again but I explained the situation to her nevertheless. "He wanted us to get back together but that was impossible," I said.
I thought she would make a comment on it, say how stupid he was being but Mariah just said, "oh."
"He's in trouble," I continued. "The Demolition Boys are after him and I can't help."
Mariah looked thoughtful. I knew that she was going over all the information in her head.
I hoped she would say something useful, give me a bit of advice but she just left me confused.
"Do you remember when we were little kids, Rei?" she asked.
What did that have to do with anything? I wondered but I nodded anyway.
"We got into a lot of trouble," she continued. "We were always disobeying the elders and making their lives difficult. Do you remember what we said when they told us off?"
"Yeah," I answered slowly, not sure of what she meant.
"You guys in here?" I heard Kevin's voice a moment later the rest of the White Tigers had entered the hut.
"What's going on?" Lee asked suspiciously.
"Nothing," I answered but I was still thinking about Takao and all the years I spent in the village.
(Kenny)
What can I say? Life was good. I was actually enjoying myself.
It was hard work but it was worth it and I loved getting up each morning to the thought of the lab and the friendly scientists waiting with a cup of coffee.
Well, that is until...
"You're doing what?!" I almost screamed. A few of the scientists near by turned to stare at me.
David Sanders, the owner of the corporation stood with me in one of the white labs while everyone ran about doing statistics and experiments in white lab coats.
"We're moving the firm," he repeated.
I gaped, I must have looked so stupid with my mouth hung wide open. "What? Where to?" I asked.
"We're relocating near Mt Aso in the Kyushu region," he replied calmly, as if he couldn't see what all the fuss was about.
"Why?"
"New people upstairs," he said, meaning that they were under new management.
"By who?" I asked curiously.
"Some Russian company," David shrugged and was about to walk off but I grabbed him by the sleeve.
Call me paranoid, call me pessimistic but when he said 'some Russian company' I immediately thought of...
"Biovolt?"
"Yeah, that's it, how did you know?"
My mouth, which I had managed in closing, suddenly dropped down again.
"Are you crazy!" I screamed, earning me many more stares from the scientists around us but I didn't care. "You can't work for Biovolt; they're evil!"
David took a few steps back and I don't blame him, imagine how he felt being screamed at by a little kid like me.
"What are you on about?" he asked nervously.
"I know this sounds crazy but they're evil!" I tried desperately to explain. "They torture and brainwash little kids and they conduct secret experiments and - "
I didn't get much further because David began laughing. He clutched his sides and laughed at me in amazement.
"I think you've been watching to many James Bond films," he smiled a horrible, patronising smile.
"Please," I begged but there's no talking sense into some grown-ups.
David immediately straightened up and became serious again. "Look, we're moving in a fortnight to the Kyushu region."
"Biovolt is evil!" I insisted.
"You have a lot of potential, Kenny, though slightly eccentric you have all the markings of talent," David said sternly.
He stopped there but I knew he was not quite done yet.
"But..." I prompted.
"Now you can either come with us to Mt Aso and learn from the best," he continued, "or you can give it all up on some crazy idea that this new company is 'evil' and stay here forever unchallenged and unmotivated."
Ouch.
That guy really knows how to make you take things serious.
However, I could never work for Biovolt and I didn't want to move away from my family and the town I grew up in.
Biovolt was up to something and I had to know what it was but then again, Takao did say he needed my help.
I rubbed my forehead wearily. There was so much riding on one decision. I didn't want to end up and David had said, unchallenged and unmotivated.
I crossed my arms and looked right into his eyes. "I'm staying right here," I said stubbornly.
**********
Twenty minutes later I was rushing down the street with Dizzi in hand.
"Gotta...tell...Takao!" I panted though I have no idea who I was talking to at the time. Maybe it was Dizzi.
I approached the dojo and practically skidded through the archway where Takao standing alone outside his house.
"Takao!" I cried.
He turned I surprise, I guess he never expected me to show up.
"Chief?" he blinked in confusion.
I pride myself not just for my computer skills but that my observation skills almost equal to that Rei's and Kai's and I noticed that look in Takao's eyes.
"What's going on?" I asked.
**********************
Mizu_Tenshi: Well, err, at least Kenny's with Takao even if the others aren't. Whew, that took me a while but I got there in the end.
akuhoshi - Thanks, hope you liked this chapter as well.
inulover28 - Thank you, glad you like the fic. I'm definitely going to keep going.
don't-hate-don't-ask - I remember, took me a while but I remember.
Epona2 - Don't worry, Tyson will be fine if he practices twenty-four hours a day until the battle.
Anime_lover_evee - Thanks, I intend to keep going until I get to the end.
Mega-gurl X - I hope you received my reply and don't give up on Sephiroth.
Dark Willow (aka: Admiral2 - That's okay. I'm sure Kenny will make Takao work.
Feelin Glayish - Thanks, I'm glad you like it.
kai baby-girl - Sure, as usual the next update will be in about one week.
Mezurashii - I don't think things can get any worse so it looks like they'll have to get better. Hopefully, Kenny will help Takao out with the D Boys.
Silver Swiftness - Thanks, I'm glad so many people like Kai's letter.
Vialana - Yep, all alone against super-powered bitbeats..unless you count Kenny but he won't be of much help.
CrazyInsaneAnimeFanGirl - Well he has Kenny now, maybe Kenny will fight with him.
Syaoran-lover - Yes, I am cruel. Anyway, don't worry, I have something planned for everyone but if I said anything it would give it away.
Kaiiko-chan - I think Tyson will have to fight the D Boys but at least he has Kenny, too bad Kenny can't blade.
JadesRose - Yeah, I totally agree with you. Max is being unfair and the others should help Takao but it looks like they're not ready yet.
Sherbet Mayhem - Thanks, I'm glad someone doesn't think I should go crazy and have a half-naked, drunk Kai dancing around my pages....I know. Anyway, sorry I haven't reviewed earlier but I got round to it in the end.
Mistress-of-eternal-Darkness - Yeah, it does look like it will be longer. Glad you liked Kai's reply. I was going to make it longer but then I thought, 'three words is all Kai needs to get his point across'
Tenma Koneko - Yep, you're right! Don't ask me why I chose that name, it just seemed a good idea at the time. Anyway, I'll be looking forward to your next chapter too.
anomynous - I hope he doesn't loose either; I'll be cheering for him from above.
Immortal Sadness - Wow...they really have to get a hold of themselves and help Takao. They should learn from Kenny!