Mizu_Tenshi: I'm so sorry for the late update, I haven't been able to write
much because I'm back to school and my SATS are coming up. For you who have
been asking when the TyKa will appear it's due next chapter.
"..." Speech '...' Thought *...* Implied words
Disclaimer: I do not own this anime
******************
Chapter Five - Footsteps
Kai's watch beeped as the neon digits turned to seven o'clock. A hand ran through tousled slate blue hair before planting itself on the wooden floor and heaving a sleepy, cumbersome body into a sitting position.
The nightmares had come but not as vivid as they usually were. Still, the images were enough to form tired lines around Kai's crimson eyes.
Besides him, Tyson yawned. The other mattresses next to them were all empty, indicating that the others had already risen.
"Morning, had a nice sleep?" Tyson greeted Kai with a friendly smile.
Kai made no gesture towards Tyson to indicate anything he had heard but he rose, stretching and yawning as Kenny strode in.
"Get ready Tyson, the psychiatrist is coming," Kenny said sternly, not even glancing at Kai who was standing near Tyson.
Kai rolled his eyes at the news of his appointment and Tyson, sensing Kai's dread placed a comforting hand on the older boy's shoulder.
"I know, I know, but hey, you can show her the progress you've made," he said optimistically.
Kai rolled his eyes again, it seemed to be becoming his favourite gesture, then to add some emphasis onto his attitude towards his shrink, huffed.
Tyson could not help let a small smile slip as Kai pouted. He looked, though rather unwittingly, adorable. "After the shrink's gone do you want to play more picture games?"
Kai rolled his eyes yet again but this time with a look of boredom on his face.
"You keep rolling those eyes and they're gonna roll right off your face," Tyson warned. "Well then what do you want to do?"
Kai did not roll his eyes this time. He searched his pockets for something unknown, finally producing the blue blade that Tyson had not seen ever since the accident.
"Kai! No!"
"What's up?" Kenny asked, not understanding Kai's intention.
"Kai's wants to train," Tyson said sourly.
"Kai, you shouldn't train in your condition," Kenny said seriously much to Tyson's triumph. "On the other hand, we could use the practice, if Kai takes it easy," the chief added.
"Chief, no! Don't push Kai too hard!" Tyson cried, desperately holding onto Kai as if he were his life line.
"Yeah right, Tyson, you just don't want to train," Kenny snorted.
"Whatever gave you that idea?" Tyson feigned a look of shock.
"Ray and Max have gone to get the groceries but they'll be back soon," Kenny informed them, adjusting his glasses. "Maybe you two should...err...let go of each other?"
Tyson suddenly realised he was still holding onto Kai's torso, which came as a bit of a shock but what was even more surprising was that Kai had not pushed him away.
Tyson let go as if Kai's skin was on fire, burning him if he touched the crimson-eyed boy. In fact, Tyson's cheeks were already burning from the touch while Kai's cheeks were a more discreet tinge of pink.
Kenny coughed uncomfortably, made a quick mumbled excuse and walked away. Tyson did not even hear what Kenny's excuse was, he was too busy trying to settle some rather disturbing thought swirling through his head.
~
(Kai's POV)
Sometimes I just want to strangle that damn psychiatrist. I won't respond to a single thing she says and it annoys her to no end but I just can't stand shrinks and the way they get into your head and crawl around looking at things that are none of their business.
However, after that episode when Tyson was holding me my brain was a little zoned out and she managed to worm some reaction out of me. Damn shrink.
"Well, Kai, you're doing well, keep it up and we may be able to restore your voice," she said in a cheerful tone.
That was a lie and we both knew it. I'm not going to get my voice back and I'm not making progress. If I was then why do those flashing images have to pop up every so often?
It felt like an eternity before she packed away her things and drove away. I was celebrating her departure when the party was cut short by another image, it was just a short flash but it brought back all the pain attached to the picture reopening scars of the past I thought I had buried years ago.
I grabbed my head. The pain was terrible. I remember the whips lashing at my body, the tongues of fire threatening to devour me, the darkened corridors of the abbey as I walked down them during midnight.
I look around frantically. Nobody saw that? Good. If anyone saw me I think I would have died right there.
Shaking myself, I regained my composure as best as possible. I just hoped that those images would not come back while I was training, not in front of my team, now that would be embarrassing.
What would they think if they saw me break down? Would they treat me like some kind of freak? Tyson would never do that, would he?
I mentally slapped myself for thinking about it and proceeded to where the rest of my team would be undoubtedly waiting.
"He's here, finally," I heard Tyson huff.
Damn, I must be getting rusty. I was sure that I was moving as silently as possible so that I could sneak up on them the way I usually do.
I joined the team just outside the dojo. Ray and Max were back and ready to blade, Kenny was sitting on the dojo steps with Dizzi, as usual, and Tyson was looking a little reluctant.
"So, Kai, you really want to train?" Max asked cheerfully.
I nodded.
"Great," Ray smiled, flashing his feline fangs at me. "So how about it? You and me first?"
I nodded again.
I would be lying if I said that I wasn't a little bit worried about the whole beyblading thing but it was important to get return to my normal routine as soon as possible. Besides, just because I couldn't speak was no reason to give up on it.
Of course, I knew that more had happened to me than just loosing my voice and, from the look on Tyson's face, I think that he knew too.
Max was the referee. He stood with his hands raised shouting, "are you ready? Three...two...one! Let it rip!"
I pulled furiously at the rip cord and Dranzer flew to the ground. I still hadn't lost my technique; that was good.
Our blades clashed together in a fury of sparks. It felt good to be back to blading.
They chased each other and collided with each other, neither one of us gaining the upper-hand as they danced across the ground.
Ray tore his eyes of our blades to smile at me again, I recognised that wry smile he always shot at his opponents whenever he could sense victory.
"Great game but I think it's time to end it," he said confidently. "Drigger! Tiger claw attack!"
I gritted my teeth in frustration. I knew I couldn't call for Dranzer's aid the way I used to but I balled my fists and concentrated, mentally calling for Dranzer to rise up and defend itself.
That was a mistake really.
Dranzer emerged from my blade but it looked different, it had a faint tinge of grey.
To my horror, I saw it transform in front of my eyes to black Dranzer.
I glanced at the others but they all were watching the battle intently. I wanted to shout at them and ask them if they were blind. Why couldn't they see what was happening to Dranzer?
As much as I hated it, I couldn't help but rub my forehead in agitation. I inwardly groaned, why now? Why did those images have to haunt me at the most inconvenient times?
Those flashing images swirled faster and faster. I could feel curious eyes on me and I hated it. I wanted it to stop yet the unrelenting pictures and thoughts just whirled around faster inside my head.
My past flashed through my head and I didn't see one single happy moment. It looked as if I was born in a sea of tears, brought up surrounded by blood and screams, living in darkness my whole life. I felt the hate all around me, and I recoiled from it.
Everything was a blur. I don't even know what happened next but I felt myself falling, literally falling.
Ray moved forward to catch me...but Tyson got there first and we both slowly sank to the ground together.
That's about it.
~
(Tyson's POV)
I knew something was wrong the moment Kai's blade touched the ground.
I tried to push away the worry, after all the battle was really good and even I couldn't deny that. Kai had not lost any of his skill after the accident though. It felt oddly proud at the way he battled.
"Great game but I think it's time to end it," Ray said, giving Kai his victory smile. "Drigger! Tiger claw attack!"
I watched with anticipation as Drigger emerged from Ray's blade. The tiger lifted a powerful claw and brought it smashing down on Kai's blade.
The blue blade wobbled but, miraculously, it did not stop.
I cast a glance at Kai. He looked a little sick, he was definitely a lot paler than usual.
Max had noticed it too, he was gently repeating Kai's name but I don't think that Kai could hear him while Ray was casting him odd looks.
Crimson eyes were screwed up tight in pain and then...he fell.
A look of alarm crossed Ray's face as he moved to catch him but I got there first. I pressed his body close to mine and slowly sank to the ground.
My suspicions were confirmed. Biovolt had done more than just take Kai's voice, they had also unleashed something terrible inside Kai's head, one of the few places where I could not help him.
"Kai!" Max cried in alarm. Everyone huddled round him until Kenny told them to back off and let Kai breath.
"Kai, buddy, you okay?" Ray asked though it was quite obvious that he was not.
The unconscious from of Kai lay still, his head in my lap. Bold blue triangles stood out against his creamy skin. His eyes were closed as if he was merely having a peaceful sleep.
"I don't get it, it's just his voice so why is he freaking out on us?" Max said, of course he didn't know what I did.
"It doesn't make any sense," Ray murmured in agreement.
I chose not to say anything. Maybe I would reveal to them what Biovolt had done when the time was right.
I used to think Kai was like stone; so strong and powerful but emotionless and uncaring, but now he was like crystal; kinder and more open despite being mute but also a lot more fragile than before.
"I don't understand, for once in my life I don't understand why this is happening," Kenny shook his head sadly.
"Come on, let's get him inside," Ray suggested, helping me lift Kai and take him indoors.
I let Kai lie in my bed rather than on the dojo floor where we all usually slept. UI had offered to watch over him but I had, albeit grudgingly, let Max take up that position.
"What if he never blades again?" Ray asked despondently.
"Don't say that, of course he'll blade again," I hissed fiercely but my heart wasn't into my words. "I just wish I knew how to make things better."
The chief adjusted his glasses and cleared his throat. I turned towards him curiously as a small smile passed his lips. "I think I know," he said smugly
"You do?" I looked at the bespectacled boy ludicrously.
"Yeah, I remember once ages ago, Robert told me about this place in Germany, it's a leading psychiatric hospital - "
"You want to send him to a cuckoo house?!" Ray interrupted, this time he was the one looking shocked.
"No!" Kenny waved his hands innocently. "I mean, they might be able to help Kai, pin point the problem if you know what I mean. They're helped people cope with being mute before. Some people even regain their speech."
"How do they regain their speech?"
"Well when someone is traumatised and becomes mute their brain kind of blocks the pathways to speech. It's a simple matter of unclogging those paths," Kenny explained
"That's it?"
"I don't really believe in shrinks but it could work," Ray admitted. "Maybe we should ask Kai."
I shook my head. I wasn't the only one who could see the problem there. Kai would never accept help of any kind.
"Why don't you talk to him?" Kenny suggested.
I took a step back. "Why me?"
Kenny rolled his eyes, with a look I had seen on Kai's face so many times. "Please, don't think we're blind Tyson, you know what Kai's going to say or how he feels just by looking at him, you can tell when he's coming just by sensing him, you spend ages alone with him trying to help him with those picture games. You're closer to him than anyone else!"
I felt a blush prickle my cheeks. The chief just had to put it like that, didn't he? "Okay I get your point," I mumbled.
As if on cue, Max opened the door to my room and pocked his head round. "Hey, he's awake," he quietly informed us.
"Great, then you can tell him," Ray smiled, pushing me towards the room.
"Tell him what?" Max asked.
"Just something to help his voice," I briefly explained.
"Oh," Max said faintly. He looked at me in a strange way but I shrugged it off.
The closed the door behind me, leaving me alone in a room with just Kai and a bunch of anime posters.
(Kai's POV)
My eyes fluttered open, it took a while for my vision to clear but when it did I found myself staring up into the friendly face of Max.
I was in Tyson's room, I realised, but Tyson was no where to be seen. Did he really catch me? I swear I felt those comforting arms around me but maybe it was just a dream.
Then another thought passed through my mind. I fainted in front of the whole team? How embarrassing!
"Kai? How are you feeling?"
I looked around the room. Max understood what I was trying to say and passed me some paper and a pen from Tyson's desk.
"How are you feeling?" he asked again.
I wrote on the paper the word, 'peachy,' letting all my sarcasm flow in the paper.
Max smiled.
I crossed out the word and wrote, 'where's Tyson?' I don't even know why I asked that question but it seemed important for some reason.
"Outside talking to Ray and Kenny," Max replied. "Is there something important you need to tell Tyson? I could pass on a massage," he offered.
I shook my head and Max smiled again. His smile was beginning to annoy me, like he knew something and wasn't telling me.
"Did you know that Tyson always watches you?" Max said out of the blue. "Maybe you don't notice it but you two seem to always know what the other's intention is."
I cocked my head to the side. Where was this coming from?
"Before you an Tyson used to fight like cats and dogs. I know what you used to think of him but what abut now?"
'Tyson is certainly friendly,' I admitted. I didn't know what else to say, or rather to write. He was strong as well. Much stronger than I ever was or could ever be.
"Tyson told me once waaaay before this whole thing that you were an arrogant, anti-social jerk, but he was lying, he think that you...never mind," Max shook his head.
'Where is this conversation going?' I wrote.
Max giggled. "I'll tell the other's that you've woke up."
(Tyson's POV)
Kai was sitting up in my bed. His hair fell over his creamy shoulders, framing a perfect face.
I gulped, "Kai."
He looked at me then scribbled something on a piece of paper.
'Go away' it said.
I was slightly hurt but I knew Kai well enough to read the intention behind his words. He was only pushing me away because he was afraid of looking weak.
I would never think of him as weak and I wished that I could tell Kai that. He had been through so much in his life and still came out moderately sane. He was much stronger than I was.
"What's that? I can't read," I smiled, scratching my head stupidly. "I think it says, 'please come in'"
'Don't be stupid,' Kai wrote.
"Don't go? Okay then, I won't" I smiled at the look of annoyance on Kai's face.
Kai screwed up the paper and chucked it away. He must have realised that a conversation with me was inevitable.
Putting on a serious face, I sat on the bed next to him.
There was a place in Germany that could help him. It was one of the best in the world yet I wasn't sure how Kai would take it if I told him about it.
I felt reluctant to tell him about it. I didn't want him to go somewhere where I couldn't watch over him, couldn't make sure he was okay and I surprised myself at the thought. I've always been very protective of my friends but this was something else, something deeper.
I was being selfish but I didn't want him to go.
I touched his hand, hoping to give him what little comfort I could. Kai flinched but did not push away.
I think loosing his voice had created a bond between us. It was nothing you could outwardly see but it was there.
"Kai, Biovolt did more than just make you loose your voice, didn't it?"
Kai nodded slowly.
"What do you see? What is it that goes through your head?" I asked.
Kai looked away but I gently reached out, tilting his chin towards me with two fingers.
Our eyes locked and I instantly knew what it was he saw. I saw it in his eyes, behind the screen of impassiveness he usually puts on for show I saw the years of torment and punishments he had gone through and I shuddered at the thought of re-living every punishment, hearing every biting word all over again.
I should have been so angry at what Biovolt had done. They treated Kai like a toy. He was not something they could experiment with; he was not something that they could throw away whenever they felt like it but the look in Kai's face took away all my fury leaving me strangely empty yet calm.
I had never been this close to him, it made my heart beat at an alarming rate as I battled back some rather disturbing thoughts.
"Um, excuse me," I said quickly and practically ran out of the room, slamming the door behind me.
I was so relieved that the others had drifted off somewhere but I also felt guilty for running out like that. What was wrong with me?
I shook my head, there was something I had to do, something I was set on.
Call me crazy but my mind was set, for Kai, I was going to have my revenge on Biovolt.
*************
Mizu_Tenshi: I know it's short and a little pointless. I blame everything on my SATS. Death to government tests! I swear the next chapter will be full of TyaKa. Definite, 100% guarantee of TyKa next chapter.
Thanks to: Amara, Lychee fairy, ShadowDragon22, Nancy's-little-obsession, anomynous, Jenny N, Firekali, Syaoran-lover, DragonBlade, Kai-Hiwatari- Eriol, bimbo-blonde, Nanashi2, Frostt, kawaii-kirei, Skittles the Sugar Fairy, Malik the Shadow Chao, Timberwolf220, Kiina, TechnoRanma, Yuko Samari, Miriana1, Matty_TysonKai rulz, SilveryKitsune, TYDE girl, Feeling Glayish, Vialana, Immortal Sadness.
"..." Speech '...' Thought *...* Implied words
Disclaimer: I do not own this anime
******************
Chapter Five - Footsteps
Kai's watch beeped as the neon digits turned to seven o'clock. A hand ran through tousled slate blue hair before planting itself on the wooden floor and heaving a sleepy, cumbersome body into a sitting position.
The nightmares had come but not as vivid as they usually were. Still, the images were enough to form tired lines around Kai's crimson eyes.
Besides him, Tyson yawned. The other mattresses next to them were all empty, indicating that the others had already risen.
"Morning, had a nice sleep?" Tyson greeted Kai with a friendly smile.
Kai made no gesture towards Tyson to indicate anything he had heard but he rose, stretching and yawning as Kenny strode in.
"Get ready Tyson, the psychiatrist is coming," Kenny said sternly, not even glancing at Kai who was standing near Tyson.
Kai rolled his eyes at the news of his appointment and Tyson, sensing Kai's dread placed a comforting hand on the older boy's shoulder.
"I know, I know, but hey, you can show her the progress you've made," he said optimistically.
Kai rolled his eyes again, it seemed to be becoming his favourite gesture, then to add some emphasis onto his attitude towards his shrink, huffed.
Tyson could not help let a small smile slip as Kai pouted. He looked, though rather unwittingly, adorable. "After the shrink's gone do you want to play more picture games?"
Kai rolled his eyes yet again but this time with a look of boredom on his face.
"You keep rolling those eyes and they're gonna roll right off your face," Tyson warned. "Well then what do you want to do?"
Kai did not roll his eyes this time. He searched his pockets for something unknown, finally producing the blue blade that Tyson had not seen ever since the accident.
"Kai! No!"
"What's up?" Kenny asked, not understanding Kai's intention.
"Kai's wants to train," Tyson said sourly.
"Kai, you shouldn't train in your condition," Kenny said seriously much to Tyson's triumph. "On the other hand, we could use the practice, if Kai takes it easy," the chief added.
"Chief, no! Don't push Kai too hard!" Tyson cried, desperately holding onto Kai as if he were his life line.
"Yeah right, Tyson, you just don't want to train," Kenny snorted.
"Whatever gave you that idea?" Tyson feigned a look of shock.
"Ray and Max have gone to get the groceries but they'll be back soon," Kenny informed them, adjusting his glasses. "Maybe you two should...err...let go of each other?"
Tyson suddenly realised he was still holding onto Kai's torso, which came as a bit of a shock but what was even more surprising was that Kai had not pushed him away.
Tyson let go as if Kai's skin was on fire, burning him if he touched the crimson-eyed boy. In fact, Tyson's cheeks were already burning from the touch while Kai's cheeks were a more discreet tinge of pink.
Kenny coughed uncomfortably, made a quick mumbled excuse and walked away. Tyson did not even hear what Kenny's excuse was, he was too busy trying to settle some rather disturbing thought swirling through his head.
~
(Kai's POV)
Sometimes I just want to strangle that damn psychiatrist. I won't respond to a single thing she says and it annoys her to no end but I just can't stand shrinks and the way they get into your head and crawl around looking at things that are none of their business.
However, after that episode when Tyson was holding me my brain was a little zoned out and she managed to worm some reaction out of me. Damn shrink.
"Well, Kai, you're doing well, keep it up and we may be able to restore your voice," she said in a cheerful tone.
That was a lie and we both knew it. I'm not going to get my voice back and I'm not making progress. If I was then why do those flashing images have to pop up every so often?
It felt like an eternity before she packed away her things and drove away. I was celebrating her departure when the party was cut short by another image, it was just a short flash but it brought back all the pain attached to the picture reopening scars of the past I thought I had buried years ago.
I grabbed my head. The pain was terrible. I remember the whips lashing at my body, the tongues of fire threatening to devour me, the darkened corridors of the abbey as I walked down them during midnight.
I look around frantically. Nobody saw that? Good. If anyone saw me I think I would have died right there.
Shaking myself, I regained my composure as best as possible. I just hoped that those images would not come back while I was training, not in front of my team, now that would be embarrassing.
What would they think if they saw me break down? Would they treat me like some kind of freak? Tyson would never do that, would he?
I mentally slapped myself for thinking about it and proceeded to where the rest of my team would be undoubtedly waiting.
"He's here, finally," I heard Tyson huff.
Damn, I must be getting rusty. I was sure that I was moving as silently as possible so that I could sneak up on them the way I usually do.
I joined the team just outside the dojo. Ray and Max were back and ready to blade, Kenny was sitting on the dojo steps with Dizzi, as usual, and Tyson was looking a little reluctant.
"So, Kai, you really want to train?" Max asked cheerfully.
I nodded.
"Great," Ray smiled, flashing his feline fangs at me. "So how about it? You and me first?"
I nodded again.
I would be lying if I said that I wasn't a little bit worried about the whole beyblading thing but it was important to get return to my normal routine as soon as possible. Besides, just because I couldn't speak was no reason to give up on it.
Of course, I knew that more had happened to me than just loosing my voice and, from the look on Tyson's face, I think that he knew too.
Max was the referee. He stood with his hands raised shouting, "are you ready? Three...two...one! Let it rip!"
I pulled furiously at the rip cord and Dranzer flew to the ground. I still hadn't lost my technique; that was good.
Our blades clashed together in a fury of sparks. It felt good to be back to blading.
They chased each other and collided with each other, neither one of us gaining the upper-hand as they danced across the ground.
Ray tore his eyes of our blades to smile at me again, I recognised that wry smile he always shot at his opponents whenever he could sense victory.
"Great game but I think it's time to end it," he said confidently. "Drigger! Tiger claw attack!"
I gritted my teeth in frustration. I knew I couldn't call for Dranzer's aid the way I used to but I balled my fists and concentrated, mentally calling for Dranzer to rise up and defend itself.
That was a mistake really.
Dranzer emerged from my blade but it looked different, it had a faint tinge of grey.
To my horror, I saw it transform in front of my eyes to black Dranzer.
I glanced at the others but they all were watching the battle intently. I wanted to shout at them and ask them if they were blind. Why couldn't they see what was happening to Dranzer?
As much as I hated it, I couldn't help but rub my forehead in agitation. I inwardly groaned, why now? Why did those images have to haunt me at the most inconvenient times?
Those flashing images swirled faster and faster. I could feel curious eyes on me and I hated it. I wanted it to stop yet the unrelenting pictures and thoughts just whirled around faster inside my head.
My past flashed through my head and I didn't see one single happy moment. It looked as if I was born in a sea of tears, brought up surrounded by blood and screams, living in darkness my whole life. I felt the hate all around me, and I recoiled from it.
Everything was a blur. I don't even know what happened next but I felt myself falling, literally falling.
Ray moved forward to catch me...but Tyson got there first and we both slowly sank to the ground together.
That's about it.
~
(Tyson's POV)
I knew something was wrong the moment Kai's blade touched the ground.
I tried to push away the worry, after all the battle was really good and even I couldn't deny that. Kai had not lost any of his skill after the accident though. It felt oddly proud at the way he battled.
"Great game but I think it's time to end it," Ray said, giving Kai his victory smile. "Drigger! Tiger claw attack!"
I watched with anticipation as Drigger emerged from Ray's blade. The tiger lifted a powerful claw and brought it smashing down on Kai's blade.
The blue blade wobbled but, miraculously, it did not stop.
I cast a glance at Kai. He looked a little sick, he was definitely a lot paler than usual.
Max had noticed it too, he was gently repeating Kai's name but I don't think that Kai could hear him while Ray was casting him odd looks.
Crimson eyes were screwed up tight in pain and then...he fell.
A look of alarm crossed Ray's face as he moved to catch him but I got there first. I pressed his body close to mine and slowly sank to the ground.
My suspicions were confirmed. Biovolt had done more than just take Kai's voice, they had also unleashed something terrible inside Kai's head, one of the few places where I could not help him.
"Kai!" Max cried in alarm. Everyone huddled round him until Kenny told them to back off and let Kai breath.
"Kai, buddy, you okay?" Ray asked though it was quite obvious that he was not.
The unconscious from of Kai lay still, his head in my lap. Bold blue triangles stood out against his creamy skin. His eyes were closed as if he was merely having a peaceful sleep.
"I don't get it, it's just his voice so why is he freaking out on us?" Max said, of course he didn't know what I did.
"It doesn't make any sense," Ray murmured in agreement.
I chose not to say anything. Maybe I would reveal to them what Biovolt had done when the time was right.
I used to think Kai was like stone; so strong and powerful but emotionless and uncaring, but now he was like crystal; kinder and more open despite being mute but also a lot more fragile than before.
"I don't understand, for once in my life I don't understand why this is happening," Kenny shook his head sadly.
"Come on, let's get him inside," Ray suggested, helping me lift Kai and take him indoors.
I let Kai lie in my bed rather than on the dojo floor where we all usually slept. UI had offered to watch over him but I had, albeit grudgingly, let Max take up that position.
"What if he never blades again?" Ray asked despondently.
"Don't say that, of course he'll blade again," I hissed fiercely but my heart wasn't into my words. "I just wish I knew how to make things better."
The chief adjusted his glasses and cleared his throat. I turned towards him curiously as a small smile passed his lips. "I think I know," he said smugly
"You do?" I looked at the bespectacled boy ludicrously.
"Yeah, I remember once ages ago, Robert told me about this place in Germany, it's a leading psychiatric hospital - "
"You want to send him to a cuckoo house?!" Ray interrupted, this time he was the one looking shocked.
"No!" Kenny waved his hands innocently. "I mean, they might be able to help Kai, pin point the problem if you know what I mean. They're helped people cope with being mute before. Some people even regain their speech."
"How do they regain their speech?"
"Well when someone is traumatised and becomes mute their brain kind of blocks the pathways to speech. It's a simple matter of unclogging those paths," Kenny explained
"That's it?"
"I don't really believe in shrinks but it could work," Ray admitted. "Maybe we should ask Kai."
I shook my head. I wasn't the only one who could see the problem there. Kai would never accept help of any kind.
"Why don't you talk to him?" Kenny suggested.
I took a step back. "Why me?"
Kenny rolled his eyes, with a look I had seen on Kai's face so many times. "Please, don't think we're blind Tyson, you know what Kai's going to say or how he feels just by looking at him, you can tell when he's coming just by sensing him, you spend ages alone with him trying to help him with those picture games. You're closer to him than anyone else!"
I felt a blush prickle my cheeks. The chief just had to put it like that, didn't he? "Okay I get your point," I mumbled.
As if on cue, Max opened the door to my room and pocked his head round. "Hey, he's awake," he quietly informed us.
"Great, then you can tell him," Ray smiled, pushing me towards the room.
"Tell him what?" Max asked.
"Just something to help his voice," I briefly explained.
"Oh," Max said faintly. He looked at me in a strange way but I shrugged it off.
The closed the door behind me, leaving me alone in a room with just Kai and a bunch of anime posters.
(Kai's POV)
My eyes fluttered open, it took a while for my vision to clear but when it did I found myself staring up into the friendly face of Max.
I was in Tyson's room, I realised, but Tyson was no where to be seen. Did he really catch me? I swear I felt those comforting arms around me but maybe it was just a dream.
Then another thought passed through my mind. I fainted in front of the whole team? How embarrassing!
"Kai? How are you feeling?"
I looked around the room. Max understood what I was trying to say and passed me some paper and a pen from Tyson's desk.
"How are you feeling?" he asked again.
I wrote on the paper the word, 'peachy,' letting all my sarcasm flow in the paper.
Max smiled.
I crossed out the word and wrote, 'where's Tyson?' I don't even know why I asked that question but it seemed important for some reason.
"Outside talking to Ray and Kenny," Max replied. "Is there something important you need to tell Tyson? I could pass on a massage," he offered.
I shook my head and Max smiled again. His smile was beginning to annoy me, like he knew something and wasn't telling me.
"Did you know that Tyson always watches you?" Max said out of the blue. "Maybe you don't notice it but you two seem to always know what the other's intention is."
I cocked my head to the side. Where was this coming from?
"Before you an Tyson used to fight like cats and dogs. I know what you used to think of him but what abut now?"
'Tyson is certainly friendly,' I admitted. I didn't know what else to say, or rather to write. He was strong as well. Much stronger than I ever was or could ever be.
"Tyson told me once waaaay before this whole thing that you were an arrogant, anti-social jerk, but he was lying, he think that you...never mind," Max shook his head.
'Where is this conversation going?' I wrote.
Max giggled. "I'll tell the other's that you've woke up."
(Tyson's POV)
Kai was sitting up in my bed. His hair fell over his creamy shoulders, framing a perfect face.
I gulped, "Kai."
He looked at me then scribbled something on a piece of paper.
'Go away' it said.
I was slightly hurt but I knew Kai well enough to read the intention behind his words. He was only pushing me away because he was afraid of looking weak.
I would never think of him as weak and I wished that I could tell Kai that. He had been through so much in his life and still came out moderately sane. He was much stronger than I was.
"What's that? I can't read," I smiled, scratching my head stupidly. "I think it says, 'please come in'"
'Don't be stupid,' Kai wrote.
"Don't go? Okay then, I won't" I smiled at the look of annoyance on Kai's face.
Kai screwed up the paper and chucked it away. He must have realised that a conversation with me was inevitable.
Putting on a serious face, I sat on the bed next to him.
There was a place in Germany that could help him. It was one of the best in the world yet I wasn't sure how Kai would take it if I told him about it.
I felt reluctant to tell him about it. I didn't want him to go somewhere where I couldn't watch over him, couldn't make sure he was okay and I surprised myself at the thought. I've always been very protective of my friends but this was something else, something deeper.
I was being selfish but I didn't want him to go.
I touched his hand, hoping to give him what little comfort I could. Kai flinched but did not push away.
I think loosing his voice had created a bond between us. It was nothing you could outwardly see but it was there.
"Kai, Biovolt did more than just make you loose your voice, didn't it?"
Kai nodded slowly.
"What do you see? What is it that goes through your head?" I asked.
Kai looked away but I gently reached out, tilting his chin towards me with two fingers.
Our eyes locked and I instantly knew what it was he saw. I saw it in his eyes, behind the screen of impassiveness he usually puts on for show I saw the years of torment and punishments he had gone through and I shuddered at the thought of re-living every punishment, hearing every biting word all over again.
I should have been so angry at what Biovolt had done. They treated Kai like a toy. He was not something they could experiment with; he was not something that they could throw away whenever they felt like it but the look in Kai's face took away all my fury leaving me strangely empty yet calm.
I had never been this close to him, it made my heart beat at an alarming rate as I battled back some rather disturbing thoughts.
"Um, excuse me," I said quickly and practically ran out of the room, slamming the door behind me.
I was so relieved that the others had drifted off somewhere but I also felt guilty for running out like that. What was wrong with me?
I shook my head, there was something I had to do, something I was set on.
Call me crazy but my mind was set, for Kai, I was going to have my revenge on Biovolt.
*************
Mizu_Tenshi: I know it's short and a little pointless. I blame everything on my SATS. Death to government tests! I swear the next chapter will be full of TyaKa. Definite, 100% guarantee of TyKa next chapter.
Thanks to: Amara, Lychee fairy, ShadowDragon22, Nancy's-little-obsession, anomynous, Jenny N, Firekali, Syaoran-lover, DragonBlade, Kai-Hiwatari- Eriol, bimbo-blonde, Nanashi2, Frostt, kawaii-kirei, Skittles the Sugar Fairy, Malik the Shadow Chao, Timberwolf220, Kiina, TechnoRanma, Yuko Samari, Miriana1, Matty_TysonKai rulz, SilveryKitsune, TYDE girl, Feeling Glayish, Vialana, Immortal Sadness.
