Rim: Hey, the next chapter of Scars, can you believe that we've made it up to chapter fourteen already. Hurrah I say. (looks over at Kai) Well…I guess I don't have much to say, so I guess we should get this chapter started. Thanks to all my reviewers!

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Kai looked up from the paper he was reading in the kitchen to find Tala standing in the doorway wearing only a pair of pants. His hair fell around his shoulders as he stared at Kai, stifling a yawn. Kai didn't say a word momentarily, looking back to his paper. When he was finally finished reading the article, he closed the paper, setting it on the table. Then his eyes went back to Tala, who was seating himself in a chair.

"Is there something you want to tell me, or just that you—?" Kai started.

"Hey, don't take my appearance at face value," Tala interrupted. "No, I did not have sex with him, if that's what you were about to say."

"Okay, so what's with the look then?" Kai got up from his chair, walking over to the stove to pour coffee into a cup that was on the counter. Walking back to the table, the dual haired teen placed the cup down in front of his friend, then sat back down. Tala nodded thanks to the other, and raised the cup to his lips.

"I think that we made some progress last night," Tala said, once sitting his cup on the table. "Damn Kai, do you always drink straight black coffee, I'm going to be wired for hours now. I'm surprised that you aren't bouncing off the walls."

"Sugar and cream on the table," Kai pointed to the bowl on the table and the can of coffee creamer. Getting up, Kai went to the utility drawer, bringing back a spoon. Tala took it then poured sugar into his cup. "And you're a better example because?"

"Okay, back to the point that was making," Tala grinned, waving off the question. Raising the cup back to his lips once he stirred in his sugar, he sat back, staring at Kai. Kai sat looking at the red head with a brow raised. Finally seating his cup down, Tala grinned wider.

"Okay, so what is the point you're making besides making me suspicious that you really did—?"

"Didn't I just tell you that I didn't," Tala interrupted the dual haired teen again.

"Then why are you so happy?" Kai remarked.

"The single greatest reason in the entire world," Tala said.

"I'm sorry if I'm not following you, but what would that be?" Kai said.

"I finally saw his wings," Tala grinned. "He finally trusted me enough to show me the pain he's kept on the inside so long. He told me Kai."

"He told you about his past?" Kai was to say the least shocked. He hadn't expected Kenny to open up to Tala or him anytime in the present. But the red head had yet again gotten through Kenny's defense. That was another step forward that his little brother was taking, and Kai could feel anxiety lift from his shoulders. "And how bad is it?"

"If his father wasn't in prison already, I probably would kill the bastard, Kai," Tala frowned, his eyes darkening with anger, and pain for what that little angel went through. "He told me that after his mother's funeral, his father beat him. That it was the first time he was ever hit. He's had it just as bad as both of us, which I can understand how's afraid to trust, or even love again."

"It's never easy, especially when the one that hurt you, that crushed your optimism of the world, is someone that you loved more than your life. After you lose that part of you that can trust, it's nearly impossible to regain it without questioning if it will reoccur," Kai shook his head.

"Each story he told me about an instance that he just wanted to die growing up was another second I knew I could never leave him. I love him just that much."

"From what you're telling me, he seems to love you just as much," Kai smiled. "I doubt that the rest of us would be able to get him to open up as he has with you."

"I wouldn't say that. He seems like he trusts you also," Tala countered.

"That may be so, but he's comfortable with you more."

"In truth, I'm more comfortable with you both," a light voice said behind them. The two young men turned around to find the brunette, dressed in Tala's shirt, which looked a size too big for him, standing in the doorway staring at them. For once, his hair was out of his face, revealing his blue eyes.

"You're up, good morning, Kenny," Tala grinned.

"Good morning Tala…Kai…" Kenny blushed, looking down momentarily before walking into the kitchen. Tala watched the brunette pour himself a small cup of coffee, before walking over to the table, where Tala promptly pulled the smaller into his lap. Kenny broke out in a full blush, turning his eyes to Tala.

"How do you feel today, Kenny?" Kai inquired.

"I'm fine, thank you for asking Kai," Kenny said softly. "I suppose that you and Tala were talking about me and what I said last night to him."

"Not on a large scale," Kai remarked. "He was just telling me snippets of what you told him. It's still up to you whether or not you want to tell me."

"I know," Kenny nodded. "And last night while Tala…" Kenny stared down at his hands which turned the cup, while another shade of red colored his cheeks. His eyes went back to Tala, then back down to the cup.

"You lying bastard, you did do something with my younger brother," Kai scolded in a light tone.

"We didn't do that," Kenny said quickly, looking up at Kai. "He…kissed me a lot. And touched me…"

"Hey now, he doesn't need to know all the places I touched you," Tala said, turning Kenny's head towards his, and then leaning in to kiss Kenny, who immediately opened his mouth to allow Tala's access. A smile crossed Tala's lips exploring the brunette's mouth as he had the night before.

"Excuse me, but I'm still here you know," Kai spoke up. Tala pulled back, the smile rising five more centimeters. "You don't want me to kill you today Tala Ivanov."

"You can't kill me, Kenny hasn't unveiled the news that me and him talked about last night," Tala smiled.

"What news?"

"Today, I plan on telling all of you about my past," Kenny spoke up. "I want each one of you to know now."

"I see. Well, I'm sure that the others will be happy to know that," Kai nodded.

"But before he tells them, I'm going to need to go back to the abbey for a change of clothes," Tala stated. Kenny tilted his head to the side to stare at his new love.

"Do you really have to go back?" Kenny questioned. "Can't you just borrow some clothes from Kai and stay here?"

"If I don't Boris will have the police scouring this entire city for me, don't worry, I won't be too long, remember what we talked about. I'm never going to leave your side like that. I can always lie to him and say that I was out training in a secluded area," Tala grinned.

"You really promise to come back?"

"Of course, I'm not going to break that promise to you."

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"Tala Ivanov, you will immediately tell me where you have been?" Boris ordered, or rather shouted while Tala was slipping into a clean pair of pants and a shirt. "Are you listening to me?"

"Yes sir, I am," Tala said, pulling on a clean pair of socks.

"Then answer me," Boris said.

"I just did sir," Tala remarked. Before he knew it, he was being jacked up against the wall by the taller male with piercing grey eyes. Tala did not flinch when he saw the sneer of indignation on the Demolition Boys' owner's face.

"You think you're so smart, don't you Tala?" Boris scoffed. "Have you forgotten how I was the one that took you in after your stepfather shoved you into my custody? It was me you clenched to crying for an hour, shamed that you were nothing but a whore."

"I haven't forgotten, but what you say is not true. I was never ashamed for myself, but for that man that raped me," Tala retorted back.

"Oh, you were?" Boris smirked. "So I suppose trying to commit suicide was for him too? You can't deny what you know I'm saying, can you?"

"The past doesn't control my life. I make my own decisions on what I do and don't," Tala stated. He watched Boris's face turned one shade darker with anger as he raised his hand. If this was what it would take for Boris to leave him alone, then so be it. No matter what, he was going to return to Kenny like he promised; this man wasn't going to stop him.

"Master Boris," one of the guards came into the room, but stopped seeing the scene. Boris turned steely eyes on the guard who paled under the furious stare.

"What do you want?" Boris barked.

"You-you have a call on your private line. Do you want to us to tell them to call you back later?" the guard inquired.

"No, I'll take it." Flinging Tala on the bed face first, he let his anger cool. Tala made no move to get up from the position he was laying in. "Tala, you better thank God for saving your ass, but don't think that you're off the hook just yet. I want to talk to you later this afternoon, do I make myself clear."

"Yes sir," Tala mumbled face down on the bed.

"I want you to look at me and say that," Boris ordered.

Silently, Tala lifted himself up from where he had been flung, his eyes meeting Boris's. "Yes sir." Boris said nothing as he headed out the door. A minute later the other Demolition Boys came in the room with surprised looks on their faces. It really had been a long time since Tala or anyone else back talked Boris, and out of nowhere too. Tala paid the boys no mind as he continued to get dress.

"You really have some balls to do what you did," Ian was the first of the three boys to speak. "What's gotten into you these past few days?"

"Nothing, I've just had things to do," Tala shrugged.

"Things to do huh," Bryan said. "I doubt that completely."

"Going to tell Boris now, Bryan? What I do is my own business. I don't have to explain it to you or him. I have somewhere to be," Tala snapped, his blue eyes turning dark.

"You trust us that little not to tell us what you're doing?" Surprisingly it was Spencer who spoke up, a rare occasion for the much taller blond because he never got involved in someone else's personal business. Tala shot the teen a lot, but Spencer's eyes were neutral, studying Tala calmly. "I suppose you think that we could care less about you, but that's quite the opposite Tala, we've just respected your privacy and waited."

Tala gave the blond a leveled look, knowing that Spencer wasn't going to lie to him, it just wasn't his style. With a defeated sigh, he sat back down on the bed, looking over each one of his teammates who awaited a reason for his recent disappearances during the day. "Okay, fine, I'll tell you. The reason I haven't been around is because I'm helping a friend get through a difficult time in their life."

Both Bryan and Ian frowned, continuing to stare at Tala. Finally Ian spoke up. "You're helping someone out? That's not like you at all. They must be hot looking or great in bed."

"Ian, enough," Spencer said, continuing to keep his eyes on Tala. "We're not going to question Tala's motives for doing what he's doing. I'm sure he has a good enough reason to disobey Boris than that." Ian was about to say something then shut his mouth all together. "Go ahead and go Tala, we'll cover for you."

"Thanks." A smile rose to Tala's lips. Maybe he could actually count on the others for help after all. "I really appreciate what you're doing, and maybe I will tell you about it later." Getting up from the bed he was seated on, Tala headed for the open window. With a final look towards his team, he slipped out the window and onto the ledge. Maybe he really had misjudged the group, and should place a little more faith in them. He'll think about it later when he came back.

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Kenny sat in a chair by Kai who had Tyson in his lap, staring down at his hands. Rei and Max sat on the sofa looking at him. They all waited for Kenny to say a word. But he knew he would never have the strength to do anything without Tala there. Earlier while they were all eating breakfast, Kenny told them he wanted to tell me his story. No one said a word for a long moment until Tyson, for the first time in days opened his mouth saying he wanted to hear it.

Rei and Max's agreement came later, and he didn't need to know that Kai wanted to hear it, because that was what he waited for since Kenny woke up. While Tala went back to the abbey to get a fresh change of clothes, it was Kai that encouraged him, telling him that everything was going to be fine. Kenny believed Kai, and he believed Tala. He wasn't going to run away anymore. He had people who would stand by him no matter what.

"Start any time you feel comfortable," Kai stated, breaking Kenny from his thoughts. His blue eyes looked into the auburn ones, seeing reassurance. "Or do you want to wait until Tala gets back?"

"I…" Kenny bit his bottom lip, looking from Tyson to Max and Rei. They needed to know, he knew that now. Yet he was still afraid if they knew, he would be alone; that they would never accept him for what happened.

"Take your time, we'll wait until Tala gets back," Kai voiced. Kenny only nodding, relieved he would have his love with him. The minutes ticked away as the Bladebreakers sat in silence in the living room of their suite. Eventually, there was a knock on the hotel room door. Kai moved Tyson from his lap while getting up to answer the door. Moments later, Kai came back with Tala.

"Sorry it took me so long, ran into a little snag with Boris, but we have that all cleared up," Tala grinned, taking his seat beside Kenny. Kai reseated himself with Tyson, shaking his head.

"And I'm surprised you don't have any bruises when Boris clears up things," Kai remarked.

"I was saved by a phone call. So, was I interrupting?"

"No, we were waiting for you before Kenny began, he feels comfortable with you here. Are you ready to tell them now Kenny?" Kai questioned.

Kenny nodded, looking over at Tala, then the other boys in the room. For a long minute, there was silence as Kenny recollected all the memories he could of his childhood. He felt a pair of arms wrap around his waist, pulling him closer to the body beside him for support and comfort. "I guess I should start from the beginning, the day I found my mother dead on the bathroom floor when I was four. I remember calling her name over and over again trying to get her to wake up, but she wouldn't. She just laid there…my father came home to find me huddled by her, having cried myself to sleep."

"She was your entire world, wasn't she?" Kai inquired.

"Yes," Kenny said.

"I suppose it goes the same for any one here."

"I suppose so," Kenny smiled. "The first time my father hit me was after her funeral. I wouldn't eat and he was upset with me. He chased me to my room and took off his belt. I had no idea…no idea that would be the start of what my life barreled to. How he would end up locking in closets for days on end with no food or water, how he would beat me for anything with anything he got his hands on. I suppose he didn't start verbally abusing me until I was well into elementary school."

"He locked you in…" It was Max's respond that broke Kenny out of his semi broken memories. Looking at the blonde, he found tears streaming down Max's face. "How could anyone be so cruel to lock their own flesh and blood in a closet like that? I would never be able to do something that horrible."

"I don't know Max. Maybe it's because I lived and my mother died," Kenny shrugged. "I never found out his reasons for hurting me. I just wanted to try to live."

"Did he always hit you or lock you in closets?" Rei inquired.

"I suppose when he was home, or not drunk, or not in a temperamental mood…which I guess tended to be ten percent. I tried to stay out of his way when I could," Kenny said.

"What…what about your scar?" Tyson whispered. "He did that too?"

"Yes."

"How?"

"That day…" Kenny trailed off for a moment, until he felt the arms around him tightly slightly. "That day I was in the living room reading. My father…he screamed at me that it was my fault for him losing his job and beat me. He didn't stop until I couldn't stand. He ordered for me to go to my room, but I couldn't. I made it to the steps and collapsed on them crying." Closing his eyes, Kenny could still see his father over him. "I saw the knife in his hand…his eyes was crazed, I pleaded for him to stop but…"

"W-would you show us?" Rei asked quietly.

"You really want to see it?" Kenny watched as everyone around him nodded silently. Pulling up his shirt, he heard the gasps of all his friends. "My father left me to die out in the hall once he finished punishing me as he called it. With the little strength I could manage, I called my aunt to tell her I was going to die then I fell into darkness, hoping that I could once again see my mother. But they saved me and I lived wondering what there was left to live for, so I tried to kill myself. My aunt saved me."

"I'm glad you're still alive, you would have never had anyone know the real story," Max smiled, tears running down his face.

"And each one of you saved me again, I owe you my life for staying by me," Kenny replied, lowering his shirt.

"You're our friend," Kai responded. "The team would not have felt whole without you. You're important to each one of us."

"Thank you Kai for saying that. A little while ago I wouldn't have believed that I could tell anyone about my past. About all the pain my father inflicted on me, or how much I just wanted him to love me…sometimes I still do, but he probably hasn't come to terms with things yet. Maybe in the future I can forgive him and myself for things. But I know that as long as I have everyone by my side…I can walk towards the future I deserved," Kenny said.

"And we will continue to walk by your side no matter what," Tyson finally spoke up, an all too familiar smile returning to his lips. "Welcome back to the team, Chief."

A smile that Kenny thought had long ago vanished when he first stepped into that dark closet away from the warmth of others, reached his face. He was no longer afraid of his past, and as long as they were all there for him, he could continue to take one step at a time. Glancing back, he really thanked his guardian angel who showed him that nothing was impossible, not even smiling again.

"I'm happy to be back." Maybe…this really was his mother's will working here. Maybe some higher force who wanted to show him there was no reason to lose hope. Or…it was fated for the two of them to meet here in Russia. Whatever it was, he now was thankful to it for opening his battered heart to the kind hands which held him now. 'Thank you so much for everything, Tala.'

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Rim: And there we go! Do you think I need another chapter or should I end it right here? Give me your feedback and I'll see if we need a little epilogue for this one or not. Good bye now!