Disclaimer: I like cheese.
A/N –One important thing; I realize to some, this is getting boring, I understand, really. But just bare with me for two more chapters. This one will be the last filler, in the next one, things will be set into motion, and in chapter nineteen, the tournament starts. Okie =D
As the Ice Breaks.
Part 17: The Discoveries.
–Day Five–
" – I mean, the nerve of that guy just barging in like he owns the place." Tyson huffed as he and Max walked down the hallways in direction of the kitchen for breakfast.
"This is Russia, Tyson, for all we know, Boris does own the place." Max hurried along to catch up with him.
"But still, it doesn't give him the right to infringe on Kai's personal space."
"Actually, Tyson. The only one infringing on Kai's personal space was you." He grinned when Tyson shot him a dark look.
"And what about this Tala thing? The way Kai spoke about him, it's like they were friends or something."
"Tyson, think about it. What do we really know about Kai?" Max looked at him seriously.
"Umm … nothing." Tyson answered after a moment.
"Exactly. So Kai could have been friends with Tala. He did live in the Abbey once upon a time ago."
"I guess you're right …" Tyson grabbed his hat in frustration, "but still. That Kai makes me so mad. We only want to help him, but noo he goes back to 'Leave me alone' mode."
"Give him a break, Tyson. He's been through a lot lately."
Tyson sighed. "I guess you're right," he raised an eyebrow at Max, "since when have you become this smart?"
Max just grinned at his friend. "Hey, I am my mom's son, so the smart genes were bound to be activated sometime. What about you? Shouldn't your dad's genes be working around now?"
"What do you mean?"
"Well … the difference between you and your dad (he held his hands about a meter apart, sideways) and your dad is like (he closed the distance of his hands to about one feet). That's a big dif –" he laughed and started running.
"Shut up, Max!!" Tyson chased Max down the hallway and they both disappeared behind a door.
A few minutes later, two figures came walking down, one blond and the other a spiky redhead.
"I'm telling you, Enrique, if we manage to get them together, I'm positive that one or both of them, will spill the beans."
"I don't know … Robert did say not to meddle in other people's affairs."
"Aha! We're not meddling," he smirked, "we're just letting nature take it's course, but forwarding it ahead a bit. He didn't really say specifically that we couldn't give them a nudge in the right direction."
Enrique squinted his eyes in deep thought. "Actually, the exact words he used were 'you two better not meddle in Kenny and Emily's business. That means nudges are out of the question. You are not allowed to lock them in a room together and make them let out what happened, nor will you blame it on rushing the course of nature. Do you understand me?" Enrique did such a good Robert impersonation that Johnny had to look over his shoulder for the captain in question, just to be on the safe side.
"Sure, sure," Johnny waved it off, "just a minor set back. We can work around it." He exchanged grins with Enrique.
"Whatever you say, my man. I mean … who are we to not help Mother Nature on a thing that is bound to get out sometime."
Johnny nodded and they both walked off, smirking, while planning their next course of action. As they were just about to disappear around the bend, Johnny bumped into someone and fell backwards onto his butt.
"Who are you?" Johnny picked himself off the ground and dusted himself off. He glared at the green-haired person that had bumped into him.
"Who am I? The better question is who are you?" Kevin returned the glare.
The disrespect he showed, angered Johnny.
"Chill guys," Enrique got between them, "this isn't the time to start fights with each other. This is the time where we should combine our skills in reaching one common goal. (He turned to Kevin) You must be Kevin of the White Tigers (when Kevin nodded, he continued) I overheard Tyson and Max talk about you sometime ago. The way you tricked Rei and made his bit-beast dump him like yesterdays girlfriend."
"What's it to you?" Kevin eyed him suspiciously.
"Nothing. I was just thinking, that your conniving-ness and skill, are just what we need to put Operation: Bean Spilling into action."
"WHAT?! There is no way that I am going to –"
"Shut up, Johnny."
Johnny huffed and pouted.
Enrique put his arm around Kevin's shoulder and whispered something into his ear. After a few minutes, Kevin's mouth split into a sly smirk and he nodded. The three of them, albeit Johnny who looked a little hesitant, walked off whilst planning their next step.
As they too, disappeared around the corner, in sight came Mariah who was chatting animatedly with both Lee and Gary – scratch that, Mariah was ranting, and the other two looked as if they would have preferred to be elsewhere.
"– And so I told him, Rei, the most important thing is for you to get better, but does he listen to me? Of course not, off he goes, galloping into the hallways looking for Kai. Sometimes he makes me so mad." Mariah clenched her fists.
Gary looked at Mariah and at Lee. He stood speechless for a moment and suddenly blurted out, "I'm hungry." He said hurriedly, and went off in search of the kitchen.
Mariah looked at Gary's retreating form with half-moon eyes. "Honestly," she shook her head, "I think that a slab of burger meat has taken residence inside his head in replacement of his brain."
Lee snickered. "Calm down, Mariah, and let Gary and Rei be."
"But Lee –" she whined.
"No buts'. Now come on, Judy said that she had someone she wanted us to meet."
So off they went.
It turned out that the person Judy had been talking about, and had mentioned to Kenny and Emily the day before, was none other than Mr. Tate, Max's dad. He had come to assist them in the reconstruction of Dragoon, Draciel and Driger, so that they would be up to par with the blades of the Demolition Boys. Seeing as the tournament was only two days away, they would need all the help they can get.
A few hours later, Steve and Eddie finally returned from their day out to the Russian carnival. The both of them had spend most of the time riding the merry-go-round.
==
"Thank you, Dr. Olga." Mr. Dickinson shook her hand, beaming.
"That's quite alright, Mr. Dickinson. Rei has been showing dramatic improvement in his health, it's almost like God has sent a helping hand your way."
Mr. Dickinson snickered. "I believe he has. I also believe that the helping hand came in the form of a pink-haired lady named Mariah."
"Ah, yes. The charming young woman that has been visiting Rei since the beginning." She smiled.
"Young love," he exclaimed, "It's a beautiful thing."
"Yes," she smiled sadly, "beautiful."
"Well … I'd better go and inform Rei of the good news," he failed to notice her tone, "thank you again."
"No problem, Mr. Dickinson." She turned to walk away and whispered under her breath, "Luka … how I miss you."
==
"Tala …" Kai sighed as he lay on the bed in deep thought, "It's was good to talk to you again," he shut his eyes. Boris had better not done anything to him.
He cracked open an eye when a sudden motion near the door caught his attention.
"Come in, Tyson."
Tyson was contemplating whether or not it was a good time to be visiting Kai. He was startled out of his thought when Kai's voice reached his ears. He hesitatingly walked in, and was startled to find Kai actually smiling … well … it was more a smirk/smile, but it was more that what emotion he had been showing the day before.
Max, Kenny and Rei followed close behind.
"Hey, Kai." Rei greeted.
"How are you feeling, Kai?" Max bounced in and stopped short a few inches from Kai.
"Fine." Kai raised his eyebrow. "Had a little too much sugar for breakfast, Max?"
"Why do you say that?"
"Nothing." Kai sighed.
"You seem in a good mood today," Rei piped up, "had a good dream last night."
"You could say that."
"Really? What was it about?" This fact had caught Tyson's attention.
"None of you business."
"C'mon, Kai. Was it about a girl?" Tyson grinned and moved closer to Kai. "Did you find a girl as grouchy as you?"
"Bug off, Tyson."
"C'mon, Kai … did Dranzer turn into a girl and you both –" Tyson whined.
"No!! Go away!!" Kai inched further away when Tyson came closer, his lips pouted and flashing big-sad-puppy dog eyes.
The other had to hold their laughter at the look of repulsion on Kai's face.
"Kaiii"
==
"Well … did you succeed?"
"Forgive me, sir," the scientist cowered under the intense glare of the Director, "we tried our best, but there was not enough time. They both –"
"Not enough time?" Boris roared. "They were connected for hours, and you still failed to activate Kai's chip? FOOL!!" he motioned for the guards that were standing behind him. "Execute him."
"No, sir. Please. Give me another chance, please." The scientist fell to his knees as the two Abbey guards grabbed him by the arms and proceeded to drag him away.
"There are no second chances in life." He glared at the poor man one last time, before turning his back, signaling the guards to take him away.
"NO!!! BORIS!! PLEASE, I BEG OF YOU. I HAVE A WIFE AND KIDS!! PLEASE." The man pleaded with him, tears poured down his face in a small stream as he franticly tried to free himself from the clutches of his captors.
Boris just huffed. As the door shut behind him, the loud shout of the man continued on. One last cry later, a loud bang was heard, and then there was silence.
Boris smirked. He glared at the surrounding scientists that were gazing at him with fear shinning in their eyes. They immediately returned to their work. Satisfied, Boris turned his attention to the still figure that lay in the room in front of him.
Tala didn't seem to be conscious. He was connected to various machines. A few pads and wires connected to his chest, monitoring his heartbeat, lung functions, and muscles. There was also a helmet-like contraption covering his eyes and ears. It looked like something out of a science-fiction movie.
"Status report." Boris barked.
"S-Sir …" a woman came up nervously to him, "everything is going according to schedule. Phase two is a success," she swallowed, "Tala's strengths, speed and muscle control have been increased by fifty percent and –"
"Just fifty?" Boris stated in a low, rumbling tone, nearly unnerving the woman. "I want nothing less then one hundred percent upgrade in all fields, do you understand me?"
"S-Sir … if I may –"
"You may not! Get back to work. I expect young Tala to be fit and one hundred percent improved by the start of the tournament. Or else …"
The woman just nodded and rushed off.
"This isn't the end, Kai. I will have you, you mark my words … I will have you. Be it in one piece … or otherwise."
==
"But mooom"
"No buts, young man. You are grounded. That means no TV for a month, no playing outside with your silly little tops-"
"They are not tops, mom, they're Beyblades!!" Sacha whined as his mother glared down at him.
"I don't care what they're called. Beyblade or not, you are not going to that tournament." She had her hands on her hips.
"But why" he pouted.
"Why?" she stated disbelievingly. "Have you looked at yourself in the mirror lately? Your hair is red! You dyed your hair without my permission."
"It's the fashion, mom. Have you ever even heard of Tala?"
"He's the boy they're always showing on the TV and magazines."
"The boy??" Sacha spluttered. "Not 'the boy' mom … the Tala. The greatest blader in the entire universe!! Do you know, Tala's name is synonym with greatness, skill, brilliance, good-looking-ness, talent, " he ticked off his fingers, "and Red! He is the single most gifted Beyblader to ever grace the lands of Russia, and the world!! "
His mom looked wearily at him. "Finished?"
He pouted and looked annoyed at her, but nodded nonetheless.
"Good. This Tala (she glared at him as he was about to make a comment) might be all of the above. But he is also so much older than you –"
"- And wiser." He added as-a-matter-of-factly.
"Sacha!!" she shouted exasperatedly.
"Sorry … go on." He waved for her to continue.
"As I was saying," she gritted her teeth and rubbed her temple as she could feel a headache coming on, "you are not to leave the house until all of the dye has grown out. That means, no TV, no Beyblade, no (she grabbed a photo frame off of his desk) Tala, no dessert and no tournament. Do I make myself clear?"
"Crystal," he looked thoughtful, "but mom … if you don't like the colour, why don't you just let me dye it back to brown?"
"Because that would still be dying your hair, and you know what your father thinks about hair-dye?"
"I don't, actually … what does he think about hair-dye?"
Her eye twitched at his smart-alec comment. She just took a deep breath and walked out, leaving the question hanging in the air.
"Mom …" he called out to her retreating form, "c'mon … what does he think about hair-" he flinched at the door slammed, "-dye? … Humph!" he crossed his arms and sat back on his bed. I'm going to that tournament, whether she likes it or not.
==
"Kai?" Mr. Dickinson walked in to find Kai in bed, his arms folded behind his head and staring blankly at the ceiling.
"Oh … Mr. Dickinson." He noticed the other presence and straightened himself.
"Did I disturb you?"
"No … I was just thinking." He pushed himself up with his elbows and leaned back against the wall.
"About what?" he smiled and took seat in the chair next to the bed.
"Nothing … Tala …" he added the last part under his breath.
"Tala …?"
"I had a dream about him last night … I …" he trailed off.
"You don't have to tell me if you don't want to."
"I do." He looked away timidly. "I dreamt … well … it was real. Like he was actually there."
Mr. Dickinson looked a bit perplexed at what to say, seeing as he wasn't used to Kai opening up to him in such a way. "What did you talk about?"
"Huh? … Just … things. About him …" he looked seriously at Mr. Dickinson, "Boris is doing something to him."
"What do you mean?"
"I …" he looked away, "nothing." Kai sighed and decided that he wasn't ready to divulge the happenings at the Abbey to Mr. Dickinson yet. He himself not ready to accept them. His stay at the Abbey had trigged long forgotten memories, some that were lost after the Black Dranzer incident, and the others he had blocked out as a child.
Mr. Dickinson sighed. He was so close to getting Kai to open up to him, but in the end … He decided not to push it, and changed the subject instead. "Rei is getting released today. I talked it over with Dr. Olga, and she agreed to let him leave as long as she has my assurance that he won't over exert himself in the tournament."
"That's good."
Kai seemed to have a lot of things on his mind, so Mr. Dickinson continued. "She also said that you could attend the tournament, as long as you don't participate."
This sudden information caught Kai's attention. "Really?"
"Yes … of course, it involved a little sweet talk and a lot of begging. I managed to have Dr. Olga give you permission for four days leave for the tournament. Be aware though, she is walking a fine line with her superiors in permitting this, so I expect you to be on your best behaviour. No stunts, jumping of buildings or Beyblading. That was the promise. Nothing will happen to you while you are away from her care. Okay?"
Kai nodded. In his heart, he was jumping for joy at the prospect of being away from his second most hated place … the first being the Abbey.
"Very good." Mr. Dickinson beamed and clasped Kai on the shoulder. Something caught his eye, and he gently nudged Kai's shoulder forward to that he had a better look at his neck. He used the other hand to brush the long dark-toned hair away and looked at the long vertical scar on his neck that ran from the base of his hairline to the base of his neck.
Kai seemed confused as to his actions, but when Mr. Dickinson asked him about what happened to his neck, his eyes widened and he shrugged off his hand. "It's nothing." He said firmly as he proceeded to brush his hair back with his hand and pulled up the collar of his shirt.
Mr. Dickinson looked skeptically at him. But after taking care of Kai for a few years, he had realized that the more you push him, the deeper he retreats into his shell, so he decided to let it slide. Kai would tell him when he feels the time is right.
"So … Tyson came to visit today?" he started a new conversation.
…
From outside the door, the skinny front-desk nurse with the over-tight bun, stood, eavesdropping in on their conversation. "So … the brat will be at the tournament, will he? The director will be pleased to learn of this," She smirked and walked off, "maybe this time, he will give me a little more worthwhile job to do, other then looking after these impudent runts that keep running around. Master Boris …" she said dreamily, "When will you finally realize my worth as something more than a just worker?"
End Chapter 17.
Boris has an admirer XD How gross! And on another note … I kinda like Sacha … he didn't turn out quite Tyson-like as I expected. Next chapter then it's on to the Championships. So … Review!! XD
Two more reviews till 400!!!!!!! Oh.My.Devil!! I never in a million years dreamed of reaching this far. I'm so happy =D
Thanks to:
MasterFranny: Thanks for the review. Don't feel bad for not reviewing all, I do that when I like a fic, and also when I'm in the mood for it XD You already know this, but to others, I do like Yaoi. And Kai and Tala … I won't say, cause that would spoil the end, I'll just say … we'll see. ;D
Syaoran-Lover: You make very good points. About Kai and his scar … I added it into the fic, dedicated to you =D the other haven't noticed it yet, and the doctors … well … let's just say that they're oblivious. The other will find out about it in due time. You are right about the controlling Kai though his chip part, but thank god they didn't succeed … right? Yeah, I fixed the typo. Thanks for informing me.
Jirachi: I see how that recommending thing works … using 'Naf' XD My computer was in the shop last week, so the update is a little late. I sent you the pics of Black Dranzer, did you get them? But … Black Dranzer is at the bottom of Lake Baikal XD And it's funny you mention Bryan, noses and cats XD Who's he gonna fight in the championships? XD
Blader Fairy: No prob, you have great stories. 'out of all the Kai/Tala Kai/randompeople mindlinks this one's the best' Aww, shucks. Thank you for all those kind words [[Blushes]]
S.Sting: Gomen, action will come in chapter nineteen, kay?
Mrs. Sumpter: Glad you think Kai is in character. I wanted to make him more open, but not too much that he's OOC. I already like Tala, and he'll have a bigger part soon.
Ducky76: I … I'm honored that you think so … [[blushes]] I … just … [[glomps Ducky]] Thanks.
x-Shadow-x: Phew! Thanks for the help. I'm afraid another one will start soon at the thought of G-Rev Kai and Tala. [[sigh and turns green with envy]] I want to see G-Rev too!!! [[whines]] But, oh well … at least I have the screen shots to keep me company. [[Looks at injured Tala pic]] Poor Baby. Have you seen the screen shots? I know where you can get some good ones; the girl who put them up has seen the whole season in Japanese!! Uncut!! [[Jealousy rears its ugly head]]
Tomgirl27: Yes, Tyson has influenced Robert, poor slob. Tala does need a Beyblade for the tournament, and Boris has something in mind.
Ellen: XD That line just came to me. I don't care for Kenny and Emily either, but lets just say, Johnny, Enrique and Kevin have something in mind XD
Kai-Lovr: Yes I will. I love character torture, but not too much. I'm quite proud of that scene too.
Lunatic on the Loose: Okay then. Johnny, Enrique, Kevin, do your stuff XD This is just the beginning of their suffering. Some of the previous reviewers ideas have greatly influenced me, so expect the unexpected.
You all [[Sniffles]] You make this all worth while. [[Sobs]] The next chapter will be up soon.
Love always,
Reiven Random XD