Me: OO We have officially hit 100!!! Thank you guys! (wipes tears from her eyes) I'm so happy!
CS: Oh, put a sock in it. To the reviewers...
Dragi: Yes, that was a sad chapter, wasn't it? This one is too!
Weeping Angel: Yes, Wicca is a sort of enigma isn't he? He lives through stealing and cheating, but he has an odd sense of honour in him. Who knows? There may be hope for him just yet. I love the song 'Simple and Clean' too. I thought it fit, so here it is!
Ayamari: I can never get over how popular this fic has become. I'll try and write more TyTa in the future.
JadesRose: Gomen. I really need a beta....
inu400: This update took a long time, but that's because this is the finale! Hope you enjoyed it.
Little Leila: Me: (hefts her katana) Ohhh...Kai! Kai: Dear Lord, why me! Leila: Catch him! Kai: Meep! (runs like the seven hounds of hell are after him) Tala: He should try out for cross country...
Imigo: (blushes) Arigatou! (smiles) There should be more TyTa on Will work on that.
Ms Hobgoblin: You updated! Mou, I'm so proud of you! Now, do it more often! Or else... (thinks hard) I'll stop all my fics!
animegirl171: Cookies!!! Yup, it was Kai. You can have a...(thinks hard) Pixi Stix!! (smiles and hides her precious stash of cookies)
RuLezOfKilliNg: Ummm...these trophies are heavy...(collapses under the sheer weight of a 100 trophies) Ouch...
Kiina: ...Can Bit-beasts die? Oh, and County! (I really like that word. Did you make it up?)
Jade Mask: Cliffies are our friends! (cowers under her glare) ...Or not...
Xiao-Mao: Trick question! XP I'm not answering that. You'll just have to read!
Shinobi Shadow: It's okay! (pats Shinobi's back) You like heart-breaking moments? Then this one will take the cake!
TyKa-Forever: ...I write brilliantly? ....(blushes madly)
GaluxGirl: ...Umm...sorry? (cowers)
Me: (peeks) You sure there's no Kai?
CS: Positive. I put up Kai detectors.
Me: ...Kai detectors?
CS: Watch.
(Bell rings)
Tyson: Kai's at the door.
Me: ...How did you know?
CS: He's our Kai detector.
Me: ....I'm not going to say anything. It's too...tempting...
DISCLAIMER:
Me: Ho hum. Who is it?
CS: (looks at list) We got Harry Potter.
Harry: Okay. So, what am I supposed to do?
CS: You have to say Timmy does not own Beyblade.
Harry: (blinks) What's a Beyblade?
Me: A Spinning Top.
Harry: Ah. Fine, Timmy does not own Beyblade. Can I go now? I have an appointment with the Dark Lord.
CS: Sure.
(Harry leaves)
Me:...Wait...didn't he say 'Dark Lord'?
CS: Yeah.
Me: Wait for me Harry! I'll kill him for you!!! (Runs off to catch up with Harry)
CS: ...
Deserved
Chapter Eight
An End for all things
(You're giving me)
He didn't resist much. The world seemed to blur at the edges as he walked past.
Not that he could escape. Kai had kept a firm grip on his arm and running away would probably result in it being ripped off.
(Too many things lately)
"We're here," Kai whispered in his ear. Seeing Takao's broken eyes, he added, "He hurt you, didn't he." It was a statement, but to Takao's ears, it sounded like a question.
(You're all I need)
Takao said nothing, a bitter feeling clogging up his throat. All he seemed to see was Tala's eyes, his clear, clear eyes like water...
Kai's eyes darkened. They were like ignited cores of the Earth.
A long time ago, Takao had loved those eyes, loved the way they looked at him, the way they seemed to caress him with a glance.
(You smiled at me)
But now...they seemed dead. Those emotions they used to rouse had faded to black [1].
"Takao, why won't you look at me?" The fierce Kai, the Kai who burned down Tala's cabin pleaded, "Please look at me."
Takao raised his eyes to meet Kai and took a deep breath.
(And said...)
"I don't love you Kai."
Tala looked up at the towering building. Despite the ravages of time, it retained some ancient form of majesty no amount of destruction could remove.
He held his Bit-beast in his hand, Wolfborg giving out a faint glow that was almost reassuring. It was as if Wolfborg was telling his master everything would turn out all right.
Tala smiled. Wolfborg was right, of course.
Everything would turn out all right....
...As soon as he got Takao back.
'It's the same old story. Well, I'm tired of this story.'
Was it the same? Is it Takao?
Or are your feelings for Kai different from the ones you feel for me?
(Don't get me wrong)
"Tala!"
Tala turned to see Alia and Bryan and a youth that looked suspiciously familiar for some odd reason.
"Alia? Why are you here?" He said, his brow crinkled in confusion.
"It's Kai...we now know where he is," Alia said, trying to catch her breath.
"Who's he?" He pointed to the blue-haired man next to them.
"That?" Alia said in derision, "This is our cousin, Wicca."
Tala blinked and put his hand, "Um, nice to meet you?"
Alia and Wicca stared at the hand like it was a booby trap of sorts, but Wicca's mouth twitched and he shook it, "Same, I guess."
"He..." Alia opened her mouth to degrade Wicca, but Bryan tactfully interrupted.
"He knows where Kai is."
"Where?"
"At St. Petersburg. The old palace."
Tala's eyes broke into sparkling pieces, "Whaa..."
Alia stared at him, "You alright?"
"I...Takao..."
"Where is Takao?"
Tala stared at his Bit-beast, still glowing faintly.
"Where is Takao?"
(I love you)
Kai reeled back, "You're lying." He said weakly.
"Kai...."
"Tell me you're lying."
"Kai, please...."
"NO!" Kai yelled, his voice echoing throughout the empty walls, "Tell me why."
Takao took in a shaky breath, "Because I don't. I realize now...it wasn't love." He stared into Kai's burning eyes, "And you knew, didn't you? You knew I didn't love you. That's why you turned abusive."
(But does that mean I have to meet your father?)
Kai straightened up, his garnet eyes glittering, "That doesn't matter."
"It didn't matter?" Takao's voices rose precariously high, "Then, tell me truthfully Kai. Did I matter?"
Kai cupped Takao's face in his hands, "Of course you did." He murmured.
"But then why? Why can't you let me go?" Tears started in Takao's eyes, "I've spent so many days regretting the past. So many days. And I can't let it go because you won't let me!"
(When we are older, you'll understand)
Kai let his hands drop down, "I can't let go. I...don't want to. You're...something I could rely on. I ...need you!" He pleaded.
Takao looked at him, something akin to sadness in his eyes, "Kai, you have to let it go. You can't do this to me...or yourself."
(What I meant when I said "No")
"Kai...o-negai."
Kai's eyes turned hard, "What, so you can run to that cyborg?"
Takao sank to his knees, "Why won't you do it?"
Kai smirked and gripped Takao's hair tightly, ignoring Takao's wince of pain, "Because I love you," He said flatly, "And I will never. Let. Go. Never."
Takao whimpered.
(I don't think life is quite that simple)
(When you walk away)
'Maybe I would understand thing a little better...if I were in his shoes.'
That was one thought that kept pervading Wicca's mind. He had seen the distress in Tala's voice when he talked about Takao and...
It had touched him.
He would have thought...
He knew that Tala had nothing to live for anymore. He had heard about the way he would walk the streets, half-dead.
He didn't care at the time. One must ignore these things when you live in Russia.
But this Takao...
He seemed to make Tala live.
And that, Wicca decided finally, is the power of feeling. To live for it and nothing else.
"I know what you're thinking," Bryan said quietly, "Tala is more human than most of us."
Wicca knew he was talking about Kai.
(You don't hear me say)
"Sometimes, I wish I was him," Bryan said, a sardonic smile on his face, "I wish I could have the power to embrace the past. The things I've left behind," His eyes were dull, "The people I've left..." He said softly.
(Please...Oh baby! Don't go!)
Wicca gave the Demolition Boy an odd look and turned his eyes to Alia. She seemed...apprehensive of sorts. He knew she hadn't told Tala about the Bit-Beasts.
He knew that, even in the hardest of times, she would shield away from the truth.
That was her weakness...
(Simple and Clean is the way you're making me feel tonight)
It has been ages since they entered this god-forsaken castle. Wicca scowled and pushed his green-blue bangs off his face, his silver-blue eyes glowing.
The sooner they found Takao...the sooner they left this creepy place...
Tala didn't notice anything, his eyes darting helter-skelter.
That's when they entered the ballroom. It was tiled and there were dancing ladies decorated on the ceiling. There, on the floor...
"Takao!" Tala ran up to him and began shaking the boy frantically.
There was no response.
"Takao!"
(It's hard to let go)
It hurt. There was a pain in his head that ached.
"Takao!"
Tala?
Takao groaned as he opened his eyes.
Tala's clear eyes appeared.
"...Tala?" Takao murmured, a sharp pain entering his head. He winced.
Tala gently placed Takao's head on the cold stone-tiled floor.
(The daily things that keep us all busy)
Takao arched his back, the cold sensation of the floor filling his head. He had a sudden vision of foreboding.
"...Tala..." Takao said helplessly.
That Cyborg will never take you away. Never.
Tala!
"Tala!" Alia screamed.
Tala looked up and nearly dodged a burst of flame aimed at him.
"Kai!" Bryan snarled. Wicca tensed as well.
...Kai...
"He's up there!" Bryan pointed. Tala stood up and watched the shadows move quietly.
"Tell me why..." Kai asked, his voice soft and meticulous.
'Why do you love him?'
'Because I do!'
"Why what?" Tala asked.
"Why he turns to you again, when he had me," Kai said, the shadows around him writhing.
"Because he needs more than that, Hiwatari," Tala said, his breath turning into mist. The temperature was beginning to drop.
"What does he need?!" Kai yelled, finally showing his face.
"He needs me," Tala said simply, "Let him be."
...Why is it so cold...?
(Are confusing me)
Kai dropped onto the floor, his eyes blazing, "I won't let you take him away from me!"
"Kai," And this was Bryan who said, "He left you a long time ago. You could never accept."
"Don't be a hypocrite Bryan," Kai snapped.
A hypocrite...Bryan?
Why?
Bryan's eyes darkened in anger.
"Kai!" Alia snarled, "Let Takao go. He so obviously wants to leave. Are you that cruel to keep him against his will?"
"He came here in tears," Kai said angrily, turning to Tala in rage, "He came here crying from the pain you caused him!"
(That's when you came to me)
"No. I came...to run away...again. I can't run now..."
I won't do this to myself...or Kai...Or Tala anymore...
Tala looked beyond Kai to see Takao get up, clutching his head tightly, grimacing.
Kai twisted his head, "Takao?" Even now, his voice held a gentleness that startled Tala.
(And said...)
"I knew..." Takao said and he was smiling, "I love you Tala."
I love you...
Tala...
Tala let his hands fall to his sides, the revelation scaring him and thrilling him. Something awakened that he thought long dead.
He loves me...
He...
Loves me...
Not Kai...
Me...
(Wish I could prove I love you)
When Tala looked up, his eyes were brimming from Life.
"Takao..."
Takao smiled. The pain in his head seemed to grow, but none of that seemed to matter.
None of it seemed to matter anymore.
Kai looked stunned. Alia let out a whoop of joy and Bryan just smirked. Wicca just grinned.
This was finally being cleared up.
Takao got up, slightly unsteady and began walking towards Tala. Tala smiled and walked forward.
(But does that mean I have to walk...on water?)
Fire.
Takao turned to see Kai form a fireball.
Things seemed to break around him.
The fireball left his hand.
Takao spun around.
It hit.
Fire...
It burns...
(When we are older you will understand)
"TALA!!"
Does anyone recognize the power of silence? It can be comforting to those who need to be comforted. It can be cruel to the dead. It can be joyous to the hopeful. It can be merciful to those stained in war.
It tears you away until your voice crying for release from it. Tear away....
For Takao, Silence is painful.
So very painful...
Alia sank to the ground, "No..."
No...
It was the futility that that gotten her.
If she had told him...
If she had warned him...
She failed...
She lost him again.
A wail began to build up in her throat as the sorrow began to filter through her eyes.
Seline had warned her...
It hurt.
Everything seemed to goddamn hurt.
Bryan closed his eyes and opened them.
Nothing had changed.
He clutched the cross around his neck, the horror filling himself.
When you are lost...look for guidance...
For you can never bring the lost back...
Never...
Is that true? Bryan thought bitterly, Is he lost?
Just like I was...
(Hold me)
Splash.
The heat rose from his tears to condense into mist. His face was burnt, badly burnt.
But that didn't matter to Takao. To Takao, he would always remain the frost beauty.
Takao dropped to his knees and grabbed Tala's hand and splayed it on his face.
"Tala...it's me. I'm yours now," Takao said reassuringly.
"I'm yours."
Takao made the arm stroke his cheek, soft twilight tears trickling down to sink into stone.
"Please," Takao begged. He never used to beg. Even with Kai.
"You can't..."
Splash.
"I'm yours, Tala," Takao said again, "Isn't that what you wanted? To be with me? To kiss the pain away? To hold me? You always held me. Don't let go of me now."
(Whatever lies beyond this morning)
Why was Silence so sad? Why was it so heart-wrenching? Why did it gnaw at Takao, mocking him?
Takao wanted to cry. To burst into hysterics and sob his heart out....
Anything to destroy the silence.
But only silent pleas from his eyes seemed to drop.
"I'm yours, Tala!" Takao said desperately, clinging onto Tala's arm, "I'm yours!" He rubbed his face against Tala's hand, "Please...I'm..." He pressed the palm of Tala's hand against his cheek. It was cold.
How could it turn so cold so quickly?
Takao...stop doing this to yourself.
You'll return? To see me?
I love you, you silly twit!
There's still something I need.
The tears came faster.
Takao...o-negai...
O-negai...
I can't let him go...
It hurt. Why did everything about him hurt? Even his voice, his life...
His eyes....
(Is a little later on)
Alia said nothing, but pulled out her Bit-Beast. She looked into the polished emblem.
She should have told him...
"I hate you!" She flung it across the floor. And she clutched at herself.
Damn this. Damn it all!
Bryan looked up to see the forgotten Beyblade and his eyes widened.
"It's glowing again!"
Wicca's head snapped, "What?"
"It's glowing," Bryan said in disbelief.
Alia wiped her eyes, "Who cares?" She snapped.
Takao didn't look up, too lost in the silence.
(Regardless of warnings)
Then, Tala's pocket began to glow. And Wicca's pocket began to shine as well.
And the Bit-Beasts came out. First was Seline, regal and majestic in its graceful white feathers.
Then, was Unni, the polar bear bit-beast with soft padded fur and sharp blue eyes that pierced the land.
And lastly, was Wolfborg, its crimson eyes soft with sympathy and love. He began to howl and something happened.
Tala started to breath.
(The future doesn't scare me at all)
The sound of crashing.
Takao looked out to the sea, inhaling the sea spray. He had missed the ocean when he was away. He was home now. Or was he?
Some part of him was lost in the Artic mass that was called Russia.
Gone.
"Enjoying the change of scenery?" A voice called out seductively.
Takao said nothing, wrapping his arms around Tala's waist, inhaling the soft frost scent of Tala. He clutched his T-shirt fearfully, remembering the hateful silence that threatened to engulf him in never-ending pain.
He's had his share of pain.
Tala smiled at the younger blader and leaned into him, burying his head in his shoulder.
"You're still scared," Tala noticed, watching the teen shiver.
No one had found a trace of Kai. He had just vanished. But the fear, the deep rooted fear was gone.
Kai had let him go.
Sea-gulls in the sky.
Tala lifted his head and looked wistfully at the sea-gulls, "They're so free."
Takao smiled, "And so are we."
Tala grinned at him and looked at the wide blue expanse, "Arigatou Takao."
"Hm? Why?"
"Just," Tala teased.
Takao pouted, "You're teasing me!"
"Whatever gave you that idea?"
"Now I know you were teasing me!"
Tala laughed as his eyes turned skywards.
So...this is what it means...to live...
To live and let live...
I live...for this...
Takao smiled and kissed his cheek.
Only this...
But...
And the Sea crashed against the rocks.
It wasn't his advice that told him to come here. He had been avoiding this place for a long time now.
It was Tala who told him to do it.
To come back here...
To this place...
Bryan wiped the nervous sweat from his face. Yes, he was nervous.
So very nervous...
But he remembered what Tala went through to get Takao and that strengthened him.
He could do this.
He could.
Alia and Wicca had gone. Alia offered to come with him, but Bryan politely refused.
It was nice of her to offer though.
Bryan mustered his courage.
What courage? An inner voice chuckled, Don't fool yourself.
Bryan shook his head and knocked on the door. The sounds seemed to vibrate all around him. He swallowed thickly.
"Who's there?" A soft punctuated voice asked.
Ye Gods, he had missed that voice.
"This is Bryan," Bryan said, his throat throbbing, "Let me in.... Rei."
There was no noise at the other end and Bryan, in a cataclysmic moment, realized that Rei might not open the door at all.
But, the door creaked open.
"Come in."
And Bryan walked in darkness.
(Nothing's like before)
Owari
Me: And it's over people!
CS: Why was the part with Bryan there?
Me: Well, if anyone noticed, I left these very, very subtle clues about Bryan, which might be revealed.
Bryan: What do you mean, 'might be revealed?'
Me: Depends on whether I'll work on it or not. Who knows what the future might hold?
Bryan: ...
Kai: I'm surprised you didn't kill me.
Me: Now, why would I do a thing like that?
Me: To the reviewers—
CS: Simple and Clean song on CDS!!!
Me: OO CS! We can't give that!
CS: Why not?
Me: We'll be copythieves!!
CS: ...Copythieves?
Me: (huffs) You know what I mean!
CS: ...Right. Enjoy!!