Rimnerel: Well, okay, we're coming down to the final three chapters, of Scars after this one. I would like to thank everyone for the reviews and this chapter will have some breakthrough. I hope everyone enjoys!

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Tala didn't know when he drifted off to sleep that night, but he sure as hell was going to kill the person that was knocking on the door of the room he shared with the other Demolition Boys. Trying to turn over and go back to sleep, he found it quite impossible with the rapping on the door. Cracking an eye open, he scowled as he checked the time on his small alarm clock.

Eight in the morning...who the hell was up this early that didn't have to train? The only reason that he was sleep asleep eight in the morning was the fact he mumbled about feeling like he was coming down with something before turning over and going back to sleep. The others knew not to bother him, and if he really was going to train whether or not he was sick, was if Boris came up and hauled him out of bed. The director of the abbey failed to show yet when his teammates had gone out to train six this morning.

Grumbling and muttering to himself, Tala got out of the bed, shuffling over to the door that was still being rapped on. "I swear...it better be either God or Boris, or I'm going to beat the hell out of someone." Throwing open the door, Tala scowled at the figure in front of him.

"Always wake up like that, Ivanov?" Kai inquired, arching a brow at the other teen.

"What do you want?" Tala mimicked the action. "Eight in the morning no less."

"I came playing errand boy. My little brother wants to see you," Kai said, which of course caused Tala to blink. Being that Kai was an only child and there was never talk he had a younger brother stashed away that knew Tala.

"Care to explain that a little more clearly Hiwatari?" Tala said, moving out the way to let the dual haired teen in the room. The last thing he wanted was someone to find him up out of bed when he distinctly was supposed to be sick. "Now that I think about it, how the hell did you get in without the guards noticing and alerting Boris?"

"The same way you get out when you don't feel like being bothered with Boris. Climb the way to the tree, which leads to the window ledge by the window in the hallway. Forgot I was the one that showed you when we were younger?" Kai gave the other a half grin.

"Okay, that answers that question, now the other question. When the hell did you get a brother that wants to see me?" Tala replied.

"Idiot, you know I'm an only child. The brother I'm talking about isn't related to me by blood. He's more like an adopted brother. A certain one of my teammates in fact."

"You mean..." Tala turned around to stare at Kai who only nodded in response to what Tala was about to say. "Are you positive that he wants to see me?"

"You're the only Tala that I know. I doubt that he meant any other Tala when he called me from the hospital last night. So get dressed, we're going to the hospital to fulfill his wish," Kai stated.

"Kai...you better not to jerking me off," Tala said one last time as he went to the bathroom that he and the other Demolition Boys shared. Closing the door, Kai heard the sound of running water for a long minute before Tala popped his head out from the door and looked at Kai. "Mind tossing me a clean pair of underwear, third drawer on the left hand side."

Kai walked over to the dresser that the four members of the Demolition Boys shared along with the same chiffonier, and opened the third drawer on the left, pulling out a pair of dark blue boxers. Walking over to the bathroom door, Kai gave the undergarment to the red head.

"Thanks." Popping back in the bathroom, Kai awaited Tala's reappearance in the room, thinking about a couple of things he wanted to discuss with the red headed captain of the Demolition Boys team.

It was almost a minute before the door to the bathroom swung open, and Tala walked out. Walking over to the bed, he reached for the shirt at the end of his bed. Pulling it on, the red head turned back to the dual haired teen staring at him.

"I see you're still a bit shocked about me coming, well for the last time it's true. What other explanation is there for me hanging from window ledges to come get you then?" Kai said, indicating to the Tala's body language while crossing his arms over his chest. "It's not like I'm that eager to kidnap you from this place. I can understand how hard it is for you to believe it, but it's true."

"So, he was finally able to stop listening to that voice in his head in order to finally tell someone what he wanted," Tala murmured more to himself than Kai. Maybe he was going to be fine after all. Tala just couldn't believe that Kenny had told Kai he wanted to see Tala again. He figured that he would have to go back and see the brunette on his own, but no...Kenny surprised him.

Tala was both nervous and excited to see what this new disposition would bring. Kenny proved that if he tried hard enough, he could overcome that despairing voice in this head. But for how long were things going to be like this before he crawled back into his isolated shell away from everyone? How long was he going to allow someone to be there for him before he decided that there was nothing he would be able to do with his life, and try to end things again?

"You're hopeful too I see," Kai said, breaking into Tala's thoughts. "I'm wondering myself how long will he try to seek our help before he draws back into his shell."

"It's hard to say. He's lived liked a caged bird for so long, I doubt that he knows how to flap his wings on his own. Nobody was there to tell him how," Tala said, buckling the belt on his pants before going to get his socks and shoes.

"You know...he wants someone to be there to prove him wrong. He doesn't want to hurt yet he doesn't know how to stop the pain. He wants someone to prove him wrong by opening his heart and caring for it. And...he chose you to do so," Kai said. "The way he said it last night, you could hear it when he spoke."

"Are you certain that he wants me to—"Tala started.

"You may not notice it, but he's falling in love with you subconsciously. You're the first person to see past the mask, to hold out your hand to guide him," Kai interrupted. "He needs you as much as you probably need him. I know that you may be over what your stepfather did to you, but there's a part of you that's lonely. I think he could fill that space in your heart, vice versa with him."

"Maybe that's true," Tala voiced. "It has been a long time since I've wanted to really open up to someone. So, he asked about it huh?"

"Well it was more he asked me about what my grandfather did. I told him about knowing how he felt and how you always stopped me from disappearing from this world prematurely. I didn't tell him everything. I think that's up to you whether or not he should know about your moment of weakness."

Tala was silent, thinking about when he was seven and he faked an injury to go to the medical ward of the abbey. Back then, he hide from his pain, much like Kenny did. When he got there from the supposed twisted ankle, he waited until the doctor left to go report to Boris the seriousness of the injury before he broke into the supply of medicine and overdosed. Luckily, the doctor returned just in time before his nervous system shut down completely.

Tala thinks the real reason he didn't die was because he saw his mother while he was tottering on the lines between life and death. He remembered her touching his head lightly, a warm smile on her face like when she was alive before telling him it wasn't his time to go. That there would be a time when his strength would be needed by those around him to grow stronger and live, he figured this was the time he was talking about.

"I will tell him myself and the reason that I moved on," Tala nodded. "And now that I think about it, I regret trying to make such a selfish decision. If I had died...I don't think anyone would have seen his pain until it was too late."

"I think you're so right about that. Your mother knew what she was doing when she sent you back. I think she had a talk with Kenny's mother and knew that one day, you two would meet up and fill that gap left behind with their passing. Maybe...my parents joined in that conversation," Kai mused.

"Maybe. One day we'll be able to find out," Tala said. "So, are we ready to get going?" Tala had by now, put on his shoes and socks, and was now brushing his hair into place. Most of the time when he slept, his hair fell out of place, causing him to brush it back up in the mornings. It was right after his stepfather dropped him off at the abbey that he began doing his hair this way.

The others teased him about looking like he had a pair of wings on the sides of his head...but in a way, it symbolized the bird he wanted to be. The need to fly away from his life and escape what he went through. Now...it was just his very own fashion statement.

"Yeah, we should. Just one more question before we go," Kai said.

"Okay, what is it?" Tala inquired with an arched brow. Kai stared the other right in the eyes, auburn confronting azure before Kai broke the gaze to look out the window.

"He wanted to know why you were in love with him. I couldn't give him an answer, so I want to ask you personally before we left."

"Are you afraid I might hurt him?" Tala inquired softly.

"No, I'm not afraid of that. I know you won't. But...I was just wondering myself. I don't want to sound as if I don't approve."

"It's just that he's like a younger brother for you, and you want to make sure that I will keep loving him even after his pain has healed," Tala suggested. "I understand. I love him not just because he's a beautiful person. To me, he's an angel who has suffered so much. I want to heal that yes, but I love him because I doubt any other person could make me feel as light headed as he can. It's hard to explain...but...I never want to leave his side for anything."

"Then I suppose there's no need to worry," Kai said, walking to the door. "He's going to be fine in your care. And I'm sure that soon, he will be able to turn to the others and allow them to know the whole story, to understand the pain he carries."

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Kenny sat in a chair in the patient cafeteria eating some oatmeal. Since he was able to stand up and walk around by himself without any help, he was allowed to do a little bit of walking around the hospital. But only under the supervision of one other person, that person for the moment was Judy Tate, Max's mom. She carefully watched him for any signs that he might relapse back into a coma or fatigue, but so far, he was doing fine.

"Still feeling okay?" Judy questioned the young man for the fourth time since they arrived in the cafeteria when Kenny stated he wanted something other than the bland soup he had eaten for breakfast the previous day. Her blue eyes watched as he put a little more honey and sugar in the hot cereal.

"I'm fine Judy," Kenny replied, looking up at the woman. "I'm not going to collapse on the floor at any moment, nor am I going to try to bludgeon myself with the spoon and bowl." He watched a rose tint color her cheeks as she looked down.

"I'm sorry...I'm probably worrying about you like I would Max," Judy apologized.

"Don't worry about it," Kenny said. "I understand that you're worried about me, but I'm not going to run away again."

"That's finally something that I've wanted to hear from you," a light and all too familiar voice cut into the conversation. Both Judy and Kenny looked up to find Tala and Kai walking towards the table the two sat at. "It's nice to see you up and walking around also."

"We would have been here sooner if a certain someone didn't nearly almost kill themselves jumping from a window ledge to a tree branch," Kai said, a light smile on his lips as he cut Tala a short look. Tala of course was paying him no attention, his eyes stuck on the brunette. If Kai wasn't mistaken, there was excitement dancing within Tala's azure eyes. "Judy, do you know where Mr. Dickenson is?"

"Um...I think he's with Bruce," Judy said.

"Mind taking me to them?" Kai asked, giving her a look to leave Kenny with Tala.

"Um...okay." The woman got up from the table, a little bit uneasy leaving Kenny without proper supervision, but followed Kai out of the cafeteria until they were out of earshot from the two. "Do you really think that it's a good idea to leave him alone with Tala, Kai?"

"I wouldn't have brought him to the hospital if it was a bad idea," Kai simply said. "Kenny called me last night and asked me to bring Tala to the hospital. There are a lot of things he wants to ask Tala, and this just may be the step ahead that we need for him to get over the pain in his heart."

"He trusts Tala?" Judy inquired as if it was the greatest discovery in the history of mankind's creation.

"Tala isn't as bad as you think he is. In fact, I'm sure he's going to be the one that will open up Kenny's heart and get it to remain open. I think we should leave them to talk. Tala will make sure that nothing happens to Kenny," Kai advised.

"If you trusts him that much, then I suppose it's okay."

Meanwhile back with Tala and Kenny, the two sat in silence for some minutes, Kenny quietly eating his oatmeal or rather nibbling the hot oatmeal, Tala watching the action. Finally, Tala grabbed the spoon from the brunette and blew on the hot cereal. Once he was certain the temperature had dropped, he moved the spoon towards Kenny's mouth.

"Open your mouth, it's cool now."

"I can feed myself," Kenny protested, as a light flush crossed Kenny's cheeks.

"I can feed myself too, but you're not really eating it. If you want to leave the hospital and get better, regaining your strength is the first step. And I'm going to help you with that process, now open your mouth, or I can get it in you another way," Tala grinned.

"Another way?" Kenny frowned, staring at the red head. "How?"

"This way," Tala said simply as he put the spoonful of food in his mouth and before Kenny could blink, Tala had leaned over and kissed him, transferring the food between them. When all the food was gone, Tala pulled with a grin before licking his lips. Kenny on the other hand was bright red. "Now, which way do you prefer? I can do it that way as long as it takes to get you to eat this whole bowl."

"You idiot!" Kenny shouted, but a part of him was just a little bit excited. "I should dump this entire bowl on your head."

"Then you'll have to lick it off me," Tala's voice lowered into a silky tone. "I really wouldn't mind that either."

The crimson streak running rampant across Kenny's face broadened. Shifting his eyes from the red head, he set his mouth into a frown he really didn't feel. "I don't know why I asked Kai to bring an idiot like you here. All you do is taunt me."

"But I know you really like it, because you would have dumped the bowl on my head by now and walked out," Tala grinned, seeing that Kenny's body language had not become tense on him.

"Maybe I should have," Kenny voiced.

"But you wouldn't," Tala countered.

"Why did you come anyway?" Kenny shifted his eyes back to the older teen.

"Because you wanted to see me, and I wanted to see you. I'm happy that you told him, Kenny. I really didn't know if you..."

"Tala..." Kenny interrupted. "I asked Kai last night why you loved me so much. I want to know how could you love me so much when you hardly know anything about me. How can you just give me your heart and expect that I don't damage it? I want to know...I want to know everything about you." Kenny turned his eyes back to Tala, his eyes shimmering with confused tears.

"Because I doubt that I was meant for anyone else but you, my fragile glass spun angel," Tala whispered softly as he used his thumb to brush away the tears. "I think it was fate that we met in that park, that we both understood the pain that those who were suppose to love us caused."

"Fate?" Kenny looked up at Tala, finding a light smile gracing his lips.

"Yes. I think it was fated long before we met each other. I was seven at the time. I'm sure Kai told you about how I was. Well...he didn't tell you, I tried disappearing much like you. I faked an injury to go to the medical ward of the abbey. When the doctor left to report in to Boris about my condition, I broke into the medical cabinets and overdosed on the pills inside."

"I...did...didn't know..."

"Kai felt it best that I tell you this story," Tala said, placing the spoon back in the oatmeal. "After I overdosed and I was about to die, my mother came to me and told me I had to live. That there would be someone who needed my strength in order for them to live on in this world, I think that person is you, Kenny."

"How can you believe that?" Kenny questioned. "It's just coincidence that we met and..."

"I don't think so," Tala cut the younger off. "If I had died back then...you wouldn't be alive now, thinking that there was a way you can break free from your father's hold on you. You would have died in that park that night I found you. And, the others would be suffering a great pain. I think that this was no coincidence."

Kenny was silent, thinking about what Tala said. Could they really be fated? Up until now, no one had ever made him rebel against the malevolent voice, which screeched out threats and taunts. Even now, he failed to hear the growling or curses. It was as if Tala's very presence dispelled it from his mind. For the first time since his mother was alive, Kenny felt safe, and it was all thanks to Tala.

"I don't hear the voice right now, I don't feel like hiding away, and the pain in my chest isn't there. It's like it was never there," Kenny spoke. "I think it's because you're here with me."

"I'm glad." Tala ran his hand lightly through Kenny's hair, watching Kenny close his eyes and revel in the touch. The brunette was like an affection-starved puppy whose previous master had abused it so bad, that no one could do a thing with it. That was until now when the right set of hands were able to calm the mistrust settled within the heart for so long. "Kenny, are you ready to tell me everything?"

"Not yet," Kenny whispered.

"Do you want to show me what he did?" Tala leaned in close as he continued to let his hand glide over Kenny's face until it rested under his chin.

"Not yet," Kenny shook his head. His heart pounding in his chest as he felt his chin lifted up. Opening his eyes just a little, he found Tala staring down at him reflectively.

"Then tell me."

"Stay...don't leave me ever...please," whispered Kenny, his voice like a small child waking up from a nightmare. And in a way, he was. A lost soul that was slowly coming around from a fear that gripped him in an invisible web of suffering. Leaning down to kiss Kenny on the forehead, Tala nodded.

"I promise."

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Rimnerel: Yeah! I finally got this chapter done and out of the way! All right people, three more chapters until this story ends. What do I have planned for Kenny now? And what about the other Bladebreakers? And can Kenny tell about his past? Be prepared, the last three chapters are going to tell all those things.