Chapter Five
Fire and Ice

The late afternoon light that streamed in held no evidence of the previous night's storm. Rain dripped from the windows, leaving behind the residue sound of soft crystal drops against glass. A few clouds submitted to imperfection of the radiant morning sky, but otherwise the day seemed flawless, however the perfection did not greet the weary crimson eyed boy as he leaned forward from his place on the bed and vomited.

Why was he acting like this? The slated haired boy questioned his usual immaculate lack of emotion. This had not been the first time he had been held at the experience of such event and yet last night, he paused his train of thought to once again choke back the nauseous feeling that was overcoming him. Breathing deeply he tried to calm the excruciating feeling his body had wielded onto, the accustomed yet now almost unfamiliar pain still lingered throughout him, pulsing as the fire had through his veins. His lost fire. Collapsing from the still present fatigue, he strained to maintain what little dignity he had been left with and continued to hide the emotion that seemed to flow from every nerve.

Kai hated himself, he hated who he was and hated who he could never seem to become. He was a failure, worthless and pathetic, he concluded. Everything he had known had been destroyed because of him. First Tala, then Rei and at last Dranzer, just to name a few of his imperfections. He had been weak. He was weak, and he always would be. Not even the red satin feather filled comforted and pillows could warm him from the cold he was sinking into. Why had he bent to the lawyer's will? Why was he not able to overcome the apprenticed tyrant? According to simple physics, Kai should have been able to resist the man, fight back and win, yet he felt as every time before, he had succumb to the sadism and craved it. Why? The mystery haunted him, he hated the pain yet he desired it. He rejected the control yet he only wished to be dominated over. He despised the torture and still every time it was brought upon him he could but beg for it.

The tote bag lay open, lying amongst his garments, the silver dagger illuminating in the jubilant sun. The oxymoron almost brought a smile to his lip, beautifully deadly. The dagger appeared gratifying, Kai thought to himself, laying there, as if to beckon the somber boy to his death.

"Death by thy own hand?" He questioned briefly imagining the crimson blood that would flow from his heart into freedom. "I'd be with you Tala." He smiled now longing for the stealthy weapon. Ambition flooded his reasoning as he rose from the sheets that seemed to cling to his gentle perfectly curved body, beaten slightly from the night before, however not yet defeated. No one would defeat him he decided, he would... the knife was just a brief touch away, brushing his fingers against the blade he cringed at his own denial.

"Self pity." He spat out leaning back to wrap his strong arms around his knees, smiling demonically. "I've sunk to self pity, I feel sorry for myself. Poor 'defenseless' Kai, unable to fight the world when all seems at a loss, so he will take his own life." He laughed bitterly, the cold shrewd sound echoing hollowly around the large room of the boy's new residence. "My death will come, however if I am to go to hell, they will all come with me." He laughed again feeling his patriarchal aspiration raise to his confidence. He laughed again, pleased with his recovery, not noticing that the more he dwelled, the more his thoughts became tainted and filled with blood lust. The abbey had begun to take the toll on him as it always had. Vengeance.

-----

The early evening light held fewer flaws upon the ebony silk that framed gracious golden eyes. Rei sighed, combing his long obsidian hair and wrapping it tight to keep it from his vision.

He couldn't leave Kai alone. He loved Kai, and no matter what, he would follow even if that had not been of his companion's wishes. The amber eyed blader knew the stubborn leader would need help and that was exactly what Rei hoped Kai planned to receive.

Tying the lengthy sash around his waist he admired the deepness of the color and the way the material flowed, sort of like his love's beautiful crimson gaze, he found himself thinking. The very same crimson orbs that had been filled with rage and sorrow just the night before, was it only the night before? Rei mused, feeling as though the Russian blader had been gone for ages, regardless, he continued to himself, I will make sure he does not get hurt.

"Mark my words," he spoke aloud, making himself a promise. "I will not allow him to feel anymore pain or may I die trying." He pulled on his long wintry jacket of mahogany suede and left the room of the lonely hotel. He didn't think to say Good-bye to the other companions for he hoped they would be together, resting peacfully in each other's embrace, and how would he justify disturbing their tranquil love. He would tell them all about his adventure when he returned.

-----

"Good morning my dear Grandson." After the purposeful decision the slated haired Russian had made, he had grown instantly weary again by his grim musings. Kai had fallen into a fitful sleep of nightmares, it was for that reason alone he was granted the gratitude of being held thankful for the kind words even if they were spoken from sin. Voltaire stroked the boy's face almost lovingly, soothing down the fears and stress he knew must have accumulated. "I hear you have had quite an exciting run of events leading up until now," he paused. "Well at least our departed Kalma was decent enough to provide a proper environment." Voltaire told the young blader referring to the exquisite room they occupied.

Kai could hardly determine if this was a question or merely a statement, he could only lie in bewilderment by his Grandfather's actions, despising every touch that befell him. Voltaire stroked the crimson eyed boy's cheek, caressing the youth's soft complexion until his hand found it's way to the back of Kai's neck, continuing to massage the nerve's that controlled the powerless boy's emotions. The act would appear simple however, it was far more complex then any observer would initially imply. It had been the way to all lessons, ever since Kai could remember all demands, desires and pain began with this simple technique referred to as manipulation; the ability to use a skilled hand to cause other's to bend to that precise will.

"We have missed you Kai." Voltaire spoke softly heavily accenting his words for intrigued effect, an expertise he also used to interest young prospects through flattery and false endorsement. "You are by far the most perfect and therefore the most valuable." He continued to whisper bowing himself closer to Kai's ear. "By far flawless and so beautiful." The tyrant smiled and allowed his eyes to run down the length of his Grandson's immaculate body. "A complete desideratum." Still the pompous elderly man stroked the back of the boy's neck, feeding him truthful lies to gain his confidence.

"If only you would return to us," the man paused rethinking his words. "If only you would return to me, become mine as you once were, I could once again envelop you in power and perfection the two things I know you most crave."

Kai had begun to loose control of his own sub-conscience, as the words he was told became more and more real. Maybe it was true perhaps he would be satisfied by only his perfection. Wasn't that all he needed before?

"Before Tala, that is when you were completely flawless." Voltaire spoke as if reading the confused youth's thoughts. "Before he ruined you and replaced your power with love. You can only have one which shall it be? With love you become weak, and with power obviously you gain strength and can achieve the top and beyond. I can give it to you." Voltaire smiled watching how the boy's eyes flickered behind their now closed lids as if he would find his answer in his own darkness. "Come now Kai, the decision should not be that difficult. Power or love? Dranzer or Black Dranzer?"

Deep inside Kai's own mind he was fighting a personal battle. The power, it was all he had left. Perhaps he wasn't alone after all; he still had his strength, and with the proposition of future power? Of course there was a price, however it was death or capability? He was either to die or become impossible to defeat. To seek revenge and meet a similar fate, or to control all that he could. The choice was simple.

At first Kai whispered his words, trying desperately to regain control of his own mind.

"Speak up child. I can't hear you when you whisper as such." The man told Kai, hesitating only slightly in his caressing.

"I said," Kai spoke through gritted teeth, and then smiled at the pause of manipulative strength before flashing open his gaze of fire and staring down the tyrant. "I'd rather die but feel the touch of someone who loved me than be considered your follower." With his words he struggled away from the grip Voltaire had previously held on him.

"Fine. You won't accept me by will then I will take you by force." Voltaire increased his intention, once again grasping hold of the boy, placing his left hand on his collarbone to restrain him and using his right hand to arouse the now former leader. Leaning his head further down to ear level, Voltaire whispered his intent causing a chill of addictive thrill to run down Kai's spine. He awaited the climax that would soon occur, however instead of continuing on the 'pleasure,' Voltaire smirk and pulled away from Kai so he was sitting on the bed with his back to the door.

"I must leave you now." Voltaire smiled making careful gesture not to touch the aroused blader who was eyeing the man in audacious passion.

"Please don't leave now." Kai found himself begging his voice hardly more than a harsh whisper. "Please Grandfather, I need you to-" Kai could hardly finish his words.

This deception had been played on both he and Tala many a time before. They would arouse the boys, preparing them for what was to be expected and then... They would leave, however the victims were unsettled not satisfied by the drug they had been raised on. The very same drug that Kai and Tala had been taught that they could not live without. The would beg Voltaire and Boris to take them to rid themselves of the horrible desire, that overtook them, and yet the tyrant and associate would only taunt and drag even the companions away from each other so as they would not seek the comfort in each other. Voltaire loved to see Kai beg for him.

"No." Crimson eyes lowered as Kai mutter under his breath. "I will no longer be taken this way."

"Fine by me Grandson." Voltaire laughed to himself and bowed to Kai before leaving the room.

Kai waited alone, quivering from the sexual tension he had encountered and craving what had been denied to him.

Frustrated he dragged himself from the bed and accumulated his clothing. Feeling the uneasiness subside, he retied the scarf around his neck and applied his confident blue facial markings.

Still shaking from the event he felt his mind beginning to crumble, where was he to be? He wondered to himself. Agitation still fresh in his veins from the recent denial, he left the cursed room, surprised to see the door was unlocked.

He felt like a toy, an inanimate object, somewhat of a possession, which was ironic for it was exactly what the boy was, and not only that, but he himself had been toyed with. That was the problem, it was simple to say that life without these experiences would have been easier if they had never begun, but now, Kai sighed disdainfully, now to have it end after all he had been through would possibly be the final catalyst to his life.

He had no idea where he was to go yet he would know his away around the mansion in the dark, his feet followed his own path, each step bringing upon a different memory.

"Tala please don't leave me." The younger version of Kai shouted as Tala smirked and walked away.

"Don't worry Kai, I'll come back."

Tala was going to confront Voltaire; both young bladers knew the attempt was futile however it was for lack of action, that it was at last what they were but to rely on. Sad attempts at heroism.

"No. Not alone." Kai shouted back reaching to catch up to the scarlet haired boy who in turn caught the smaller youth in his arms and held him.

"Please Tala not alone." He had begged, but Tala merely shook his head, placed a finger to the younger boy's lips and pressed a feathery kiss upon his forehead before turning away again.

That night Tala had returned to Kai's companionship more dead than alive.

Kai sighed at the despicable memory of the pathetic child reflection of himself. Glaring to himself, he picked up his pace, wishing he had Dranzer to comfort him. Angry that he had lost Dranzer even after the promise he had made himself.

His footsteps echoed hollowly through the icy corridor. His heart leading him in the right directions even if his mind didn't know. He knew this corridor well it was the very same which held his old room, he smiled at the reflective memory of Tala and him comforted by each other's pain.

-----

"Voltaire." Boris' voice spoke calmly into the intercom, as the stormy haired man sat again viewing the monitors, desperately trying to redeem himself.

Voltaire had been angered when he had heard of Boris's failure to keep track of Kai's arrival and in turn had been threatened with his career, however when it concerned Voltaire ones career was one's life. Boris had dissatisfied Voltaire, as he had been lately often liable to do, due to Tala's constant imprisonment.

"Yes Boris?" Voltaire accented voice replied.

"Kai is wandering the hallway in which Tala has his room."

"Yes?"

"Should I divert him?" Boris asked.

"No." Voltaire replied, "Let him find the boy, perhaps then we will be able to break our dear supposed indomitable Kai." The staticed voice paused. "However it also means to destroy Tala further, but I have an idea."

Boris cringed at the thought of having to break the iced-eyed boy, however it was either Tala's life or his own and right at this moment Tala did not hold high priority.

"We will allow Tala to watch as we sever Kai."

"How does that break Kai though it will only to do harm to Tala."

"It's but to kill two birds with one stone." Voltaire laughed harshly at Boris' confusion. "You will see my dear man, remember not to question my authority." The man paused. "Oh and Boris make sure you do not allow your inattentive vision to stray again or there will be consequences." This time Voltaire gave his last words as conclusive and signed off the intercom just as Boris picked up an external overview.

-----

Tala was dreaming, as he often did, however in his dream came the constant footsteps of someone he could trust. Someone he loved. Someone he cared about.

"Kai?" he asked the air thoughtfully.

-----

A boy with raven hair had jumped the North wall and was proceeding secretly towards the Hiwatari residence.

"I will not allow you to get far." Boris told the camera, believing that if he was able to catch the boy then at last he could gain Voltaire's complete trust again. "You won't make it far at all Rei Kon."