Hello everyone! Thanks for all the reviews! The positive and helpful ones are what really help. Now to one reviewer, my self proclaimed number one fan. How can you be a number one fan if you're so fickle? It's good you apologized for being mean coz your review hurt. You want me to just stop the story coz its boring you? Cant do I'm afraid, I can't stop in the middle of a story line, and also the point that I will be making a sequel when this story is finished, which will be sooner then you think! I thought it was best to carry on for a while till I finished the storyline, then write the sequel. How can something be boring just coz it's long? Is that just coz you're too lazy to read it now? And I have already stated that Kai and Tadashi are going to be good friends, you don't need to state that they should be! Do you even read these bits at the start of every chapter, they do help explain things! If you think the story is too long and your friends have already stopped reading, then go follow them, coz I don't need this, I'm writing coz it's my passion, not to satisfy certain individuals, everyone else seems happy so far so why cant you? I'm sorry to all you other reviewers for that, it wasn't aimed at you, those who support me I thank to my deepest core, you keep it going strong, here's the next chapter, it's the start of mall time!

The shower was one of the best Kai had ever had. Usually it was a place to hide, to wash away the filth he felt, to cover up his tears. Now he enjoyed the warm water as it sluiced down his skin. The sand had long been washed away, and now he was just standing under the flow, his eyes closed and his head tilted upward to meet the water. He could feel his bitbeasts near him, so close. The feeling was its usual pulsing self, the familiar link, it was like his blood had been warmed after being frozen. He relished the feeling, lapped it up. The bitbeasts glowed in response, enjoying their human's joy at their return.

Kai sighed, he had been in long enough, and he knew when to quit. He turned off the flow of water and shook his head to get most of the heavy moisture off before stepping out of the shower. He grabbed a towel and wrapped it loosely around his waist before attempting to dry his thick locks. After rubbing it with a towel it stood up in spikier angles then usual, but another shake of his head settled the blue strands in their normal places. His hair would stay damp most the night, but it had always been that way. No one would know how thick his hair was till they looked closely, but then when had Kai let them?

He left that thought were it was and dried the rest of him before slipping into a pair of blue shorts and a white t-shirt Samantha had left out for him. He wished he could have something longer, he hated shorts. Didn't know why, he just did. He put the towels in the washing basket and picked up his bitbeasts before leaving the bathroom to go to his bed. After a quick analysis of the dojo, he was convinced all the others were asleep. An extra mattress had been set up for Tadashi, and she seemed to sleep peacefully enough on it. She murmured gently in her sleep in Russian, too quietly for Kai to hear, but she seemed happy enough. He slipped into his own blankets, and willed sleep to come. It remained hidden from him as all he could do was think about the bitbeasts still cradled in his hand.

Kai dreamt soundly that night, dreams of being enveloped in warm, soft embraces. Only a dark hint beyond the curtain of wings reminded him of the reality he still had to face. In the dark beyond, he heard crying, the dream not allowing him the knowledge of whom. He continued to dream, the crying never leaving his ears, never ceasing. He had to know.

Kai must have fallen asleep somewhere in the night. He awoke with a start, his body reacting to something moving around the room. It was just Tadashi. She smiled at him and put a finger to her lips to indicate silence. Kai nodded, a glance around the large wooden structure showed the others to still be sleeping. From the weak light streaming through the windows, it was only just after dawn. Kai placed the bitbeasts into his small pocket on the shorts.

Kai got up and followed Tadashi through to the kitchen was she moved around to make herself some tea. She lifted a mug to Kai, who shook his head in answer. She turned back to the kettle, a small smile on her face.

"You should really drink more" she stated, breaking the relative silence.

"You know I cant" was the simple reply.

"It wouldn't hurt to try it, your body would get used to it, you may be healthier for it."

Kai smiled at her back, "what? I'm not in peak shape now?"

Her back lifted and fell with a small chuckle. The conversation ended there, there was never a need to talk much when it was just the two of them. It took Kai back to his younger, abbey days. When there were four of them. Kai and Tori together, no matter what. Tadashi watching them, jealous and happy at the same time to see the younger tow together. And Leon, always in the corner, his dark eyes gleaming as he watched the three before him. Now there was only two left. Tori was gone from the scene forever, now hidden inside Tadashi. And Leon was gone, no one knew where, or even if he had survived the ship.

'No' Kai thought, 'the rats are always the first to leave a sinking ship, he's out there somewhere.'

Tadashi broke his train of thought as she sat opposite him. She looked at his frown questioningly.

There was no point in lying to her, she would see through it. "I was thinking about Leon, where he could be."

The pain in her eyes was brief, a flash soon gone. "Anywhere, he has skills I can only dream of, but he is out there."

"How do you feel about him Tad? He is your brother."

She shook her head, her braids slipping over her ears, "no he's not, not really, we look alike, and share genes, but there's nothing else, no parents to connect us. We are similar, nothing more."

Kai nodded lightly back, he could see her point. He wished he could say the same about Voltaire, but there was a connection there, and Kai couldn't avoid it. The thought of the trial made kais' stomach roll. It was something he didn't want to think about.

The silence between them continued, Tadashi leaning forward to hold her mug, sipping the contents occasionally, Kai leaning back, eyes closed and arms crossed. The silence was broken by the rush of bodies as the others woke and struggled to get breakfast. It wasn't long before everyone was dressed, fed and ready with the promise of fun for the day.

Kai and Tadashi stood slightly apart from the others as they waited for the minibus. It was amusing to see the others so happy over something they couldn't see the hype over. Ray walked over to the two of them.

"Smile guys, it wouldn't hurt!"

Kai blinked at him, "Ray?"

Ray smiled warmly at him, "just relax Kai, you'll enjoy yourself, even if it shopping!"

"What's it like Ray?" interrupted Tadashi.

"You've never been shopping before?"

Both teens shook their heads in reply, though Kai's was a much smaller motion.

"Neither of you? Then this will be fun! c'mon, the bus is here!"

He turned and ran to catch up with Mariah. The two remaining shrugged at each other and followed.

The trip was pretty standard for the group, Kenny feeling travel sick, Tyson complaining he was hungry, Hilary rolling her eyes at him, Ray and Mariah talking between them, and Max trying to avoid Kenny as the smaller boy heaved. It wasn't long before they pulled up outside the huge building. Stepping out of the bus, Kai admired the architecture that made up the glass and concrete building, turning something potentially ugly into something with sweeping arches, graceful statues, and polished columns. He was impressed and shocked that such a building was used for shopping and shopping only. It seemed a waste some how.

Samantha and Tyson's father herded the group to the entrance.

"Right, what's first on the agenda?" asked the red haired nurse.

"Food!", "clothes!", "computer store!", "comics!" were just some of the mixed replies.

Samantha held up her hands in defence against the verbal onslaught, "whoa there! How about we do some shopping first, the girls with me and the guys as another group, we can then meet for lunch in the food court, deal?"

Everyone agreed accept Tyson, who complained loudly that they should eat now and how lunch was too far away.

Kai looked at Tadashi, "you ok with this?"

She nodded and smiled at him, "it will be fine, it's a new adventure, and if I need you I'll find you."

Kai nodded back, there was no doubt in his mind she wouldn't be able to find him, they were trained for that sort of thing. Even in the strange surroundings, she would be able to.

They split up, Kai watching Tadashi go like a worried mother hen. As he realised it he looked sharply away, she could handle it he told himself firmly. He silently followed his own group through the large glass doors. He was only slightly fazed by the sheer size of the inside. The four levels lined the walls , joined to each other by stairs and escalators. Colours confronted his sight everywhere he looked, lining walls, floors and shop windows. Even though it was still fairly early, people already massed in groups, ranging from small children to adults. Kai already felt crowded in. someone bumped into his back and he tensed at the contact. He only relaxed a little when he remembered Boris wasn't here.

The others had already walked off in front of him. Ray turned and beckoned him over. Kai took a deep breath and stood straight. Walking the way he usually did intimidated people, and had the desired effect of making them avoid the tall, stern faced bluenette teen that strode by with all the confidence required. They were left gaping behind him as his scarf tailed in his self made breeze. He caught up with the group and they shook their heads affectionately at him, there was no changing Kai, whatever they did to try. They started walking toward some shops lining the ground floor. Kai followed at a small distance, unaware of the eyes that followed him. He was ready for this adventure.

My heart

Barren, wasted hills

A strong wind confronts your face

No one here can hear you

It's a dark and lonely place

The tears you shed unnoticed

Fall to the dry and stony floor

Your screams are lost to the distance

Time means nothing here any more

You could walk around forever

And still you know the truth

The horizon is all the same

Your grip on what's real becomes loose

No gods to hear your prayers

No angels to save your soul

This land of desolation

Feels so empty, so lost, so cold

Artists in sorrow carved my face

For the love that will never exist here

I will never find away to escape

There is nothing left to hold dear

A sad day had dawned when I awoke

The day I tore myself apart

It was the day I found this place

Where I should have found my heart

Hope shaded black instead of light

Where dreams die and lay in waste

I cannot seem to leave here

When I only have reality to face

To feel so empty is such a gift

Compared to the rushing torrent before

Of emotions deeper and darker

Then I thought could exist, I was so sure

Now I lie here in this sacred tomb

My heartbeat slows down its pace

My wings forever stilled here

In this land where I fell from grace