Me: To the reviewers…
CS: Lots of love from Timmy!
Skittles the Sugar Fairy: Take the sword. Sorry, I should have specified. This story has been very popular. I might write more TyTa from now on. Kai, is another matter though…
I luv Yugi and Daisuke so :p: Wicca: hey, a guy has to earn a living. Me: not a word from you! Awwwww…a Yugi muse!!! (cuddles him, then glances around) Now, to hide him from Yami…
Ms Hobgoblin: Not a word for you until you update! (looks very mean) I'm very angry at you (turns her back)
Ace and Kage: Thanks! I'm really struggling here. It's almost over though…(sniffles) How sad.
Chibi-Mariah: Arigatou gozaimasu! I loved your one-shot! I read it almost everyday…Write more!
Crystal phoenix: Gomen. I was running out of time. 'Amantes sunt amentes' means 'lovers are lunatics'. I thought it applied to Takao and Tala, considering the amount of grief they've been giving each other.
Animegirl171: More cookies!!! Then I'll update! Unfotunately, this story is coming to an end. At least two more chapters are left and a look into the sequel…
Weeping Angel: Here's your update! (gives her evil eye) Now update Unconditional!! Or else I'll send Boogie Kai to attack you!!! MUAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!
JadesRose: I took your suggestion to heart. Here's a little looking into Kai's mind. Mind you, it's very short, but I think it will explain things better how he became what he is now.
Jade Mask: Hope you like this one as well.
Angevar: I knew you would. It's the kind of thing you would do. No offense.
Ayamari: It's here! Hope you like! (looks around shamefacedly) I've been neglecting you. I'll review soon when I have the time. Promise!
Nanashi2: Villainous attitude, huh? Kai, you have a fan! Kai: Hn. I couldn't care less.
Little Leila: Done (pours reviving potion on Kai. He wakes up) Kai: Huh…(sees the mallet and faints) Me: (sweatdrops) I didn't know Kai was faint of heart…
Me: Damn QuickEdit. It's spoiling all my fun.
CS: (peeks through the window) I think there's someone at the door.
Me: Okay, I'll go and see who it is…(opens the door)
BOOOM!!!!!
Me: (looks all frazzled and burnt) What hit me?
CS: (Peeks again) I think you got attacked by a guy with a white scarf.
Me: Oh…
(Five minutes later)
Me: Kai!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
DISCLAIMER:
Me: Let's see…I think we have Alucard coming in today…
Alucard: What is it? I'm a very busy vampire.
CS: Busy with what?
Alucard: (shows fangs) Stuff.
CS: …(hides in a corner)
Me: Hey Al! Do the disclaimer, will you?
Alucard: You humans are so impolite. What happened to 'please'?
Me: Please or I torch the teddy.
Alucard: NOOO!!!! Not the Teddy!
Me: Now, say it!
Alucard: Isn't the disclaimer your job?
Me: Teddy is waiting to be roasted…
Alucard: OO Timmy does not own Beyblade or its characters. Now, give back my Teddy!
Me: (toasts it)
Alucard: NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!! (Huddles up in a corner with CS) YOU ARE TRULY EVIL!!!!!!!!
CS: Hide me Alucard! I'm scared of her!
Me: (Snorts) Weaklings. Back to the story!
Alucard: What did Teddy ever do to you?!
Deserved
Chapter Seven
Ash and Smoke
It was like drowning in ash. Everything seemed to choke and hurt the eyes. My voice was clogged by bitter words and sound had no avenue in my head.
Am I so dependant? I thought I could take care of myself…
Was I always this lost?
His smile was so warm, so blessed by wind and water. It was like he was made of clouds, his eyes so full of swirling grey.
Then green ink filled the pages of my life. I was so fearful…
Heh. Fearful…how ironic…
Fear is not always fear of self, you know. He washed away the ash, blowing it up to the heavens from whence he came.
I hate the ash.
So I showed my power, hoping that this will prevent him from ever ever thinking of a new path. Away from me.
To that cyborg. To someone who is so obviously not human, so dark in his dealings that his footsteps vanish from the snow.
I would not lose him. Ever ever.
But he left. He left. He left, he left, HE LEFT.
And the ash clogged me up again.
No matter. He will come back, sweet and compliant. He'll leave the cyborg, the cyborg whose skin is ice, all ice. And he'll stay with me. Forever ever.
!)!)!)!))!)!)!)!)!)!)!)!))!)!)!)!)!!)!)!)!)!)!)!)!)!)!)
"Where are you taking me?"
"………."
"You're not….going to bury me, are you? I honestly thought that guy was a friend of Tala's!! I'm too young and gorgeous and…"
"….Too self-centered to die yet?" Bryan quoted sarcastically.
Alia smirked, 'Oh, don't forget humble…"
Wicca frowned, "You guys are so mean."
"Join the club," Bryan said dryly.
Wicca flicked his greenish blue bangs off his face, "But why are you bringing me?"
"Wicca," This was the first time Alia spoke his name without an insult, "Do you still have Unni?"
Wicca blinked and scowled, "Of course I do."
"Thank God," Alia said sarcastically, "For a minute there, I thought you sold him off."
Wicca snarled and he grabbed Alia's arm forcefully. Bryan tensed, ready to hurl himself at Wicca.
"This is Russia!" Wicca said harshly, "We live of the dirt, you know that. Our economy crumbled with the wars and there's nothing left but snow. The same goddamned snow that killed my parents and yours. The same snow that left Tala with no father. The same ice cold spirits we're supposed to protect!"
Wicca's breath was cutting and soft, "We do what we do. Don't tell me you never felt the sting of guilt when you gave Tala to Voltaire. Don't tell me you've spent your nights in the forest, cursing God because of the experiments they did to him. Don't tell me that you haven't made sacrifices in everybody else's name, but your own. Because you're lying."
The snow fell and formed white wreaths on their heads. Alia's eyes were dark, almost opaque, Bryan's were filled with a light from forgotten days and Wicca's were glowing from exhaustion.
Alia moved her hand from Wicca's grasp, "I don't have time for this," Her voice crisp, "I didn't get you to indulge in nostalgia."
Wicca growled a feral noise in his throat, but his body straightened.
"Lead the way," He said, brushing the snow of his coat.
Bryan sighed. He knew this argument was only postponed for now.
He watched them walk ahead, the twin wreaths on their heads bleeding white as they passed by.
!)!)!)!)!)!)!)!)!)!)!)!)!)!)!)!)!)!)!)!)!)!)!)!)!)!)!)!)!)!)!)!)!)!)!)!!)!)!)!)!)
Takao shifted uneasily. He and Tala had gone back to Alia's cabin. Tala hadn't said a word throughout the journey and Takao was driving his mind to the limit trying to figure out the cyborg's thoughts.
Do you really think he will let you go?
Does that mean…
Takao shook his head as he pulled the covers over himself. His eyes felt like they were cracking under the pressure, the swirling orbs seeming so lost.
Do you really think I will let you go?
Takao's eyes snapped open.
!)!)!)!)!)!)!)!)!)!)!)!)!)!)!)!)!)!)!)!)!)!)!)!)!)!)!)!)!)!)!)!)!!))!)!))!)!)!)!)
"I want you to answer me truthfully when I ask you this," Takao said softly, his voice accenting in the darkness, "You gave me an answer before, but…I need to hear it again."
Tala had been woken awake by a strangely quiet Takao. Tala's eyes were still clouded from sleep and he seemed to put every ounce of energy in staying awake.
"Shoot," Tala said, stifling a yawn.
"Do you love me?"
Tala was wide awake now.
Takao closed his eyes, his brow wrinkled in confusion, "I want the truth; Do you love me?"
"Takao…"
"Do you?" The voice wasn't hysterical, but there was a note of unadulterated hope.
"Takao…"
"Say it! I want you to say it!!!"
"I don't love you." Tala said, his voice dead and broken, "I don't."
Takao reeled away. Then he smiled a bittersweet smile, "You're such a bad liar Tala."
"Takao…"
"Such a liar," Takao whispered, "Do you really think I'm blind?"
"…No…" Tala shook his head, "I just…"
"I know. You wanted to protect me, right?" Takao laughed harshly, "It's the same story. Well, I'm tired of this story."
With that, Takao ran out of the house. Tala said nothing, the mist in his eyes.
!)!)!)!)!)!)!)!)!)!)!)!)!)!)!)!)!)!)!)!)!)!)!)!)!)!)!)!)!)!)!)!)!)
St Petersburg used to be a beautiful town with their iron towers and russet walls that filled the city. Towering spires rose up, crowing the grey sky. Flakes of white flecked the window and paint chipped out like a banana.
This was a beautiful town. Then the government ravaged the walls for gold and treasure until there is nothing left, but the sad echo of time. The pogroms left the bloodstains on the walls, scribblings depicting what was left of the Great Russian world.
Nothing but dust and ashes.
Alia stopped and lifted her hand.
"Do you sense it?"
Bryan gave her a puzzled look, "Sense what?"
Wicca was the one who answered, "They're…crying…"
"The Sky is crying."
Bryan rubbed his chin, "Someone explain before I lose my head over this gibberish."
Alia put her hand in her pocket and took out her Bit-beast. Wicca did the same. Bryan drew in a shuddering breath.
The Bit-beasts were glowing.
Bryan drew in a shaky breath, "Please say they're just imitating lightbulbs."
Alia closed her eyes, her face unbearably distressed, "They're crying for someone."
"Someone will die tonight."
!)!)!)!)!)!)!)!)!)!)!)!)!)!)!)!)!)!)!)!)!)!)!)!))!)!)!)!)!)!)!)!)!)!)!)!)!)!)!)!)!)!)
(When you walk away)
Takao trudged in the snow. The cold, the fear of Kai…
It had melted away to reveal something deeper, something eerily emotionless.
He couldn't care.
He couldn't care if Kai found him again.
He couldn't care if he died tonight.
Every petty feeling…every part that made him Takao Kinomiya….
Dissolved in a flurry of ice.
(You don't hear me say)
He knew Tala was lying. That fact that he lied is what hit Takao.
He didn't care enough for him to tell the truth.
Heck, he didn't trust Takao enough for the truth.
(Please…Oh baby! Don't go!)
But…
(Simple and Clean is the way that you're making me feel tonight)
Takao stopped as the rain of white weaved into his hair. The snow….
His mother loved the snow.
He…
"Takao…"
Takao turned to face grim crimson eyes.
(And it's hard to let it go)
And the snow fell.
Me: Ummm…yeah, that wraps up this session.
CS: I've installed the phone on the door.
Tyson: Phone?
Me: Your boyfriend has taken to blowing me up.
Tyson: Oh. So, this way, you'll know?
Me: Yup.
(Bell Rings)
CS: (picks up phone) Who is it?
Unknown Voice: Pizza!
Me: PIZZA!!! (runs to the door)
BOOOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Me: (Looks frazzled and dazed) What hit me?
CS: (peeks through the window) Looks like a guy with two toned blue hair.
Me: Oh.
(Five minutes later)
Me: KAI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Me: Reviewers receive—
CS: Glowing edition Beyblades!
Me: Come in Unni and Seline bit-beasts only!
CS: (starts blading) Review!