Chapter 21

Blazing Phoenix L: They did, only I doubt Kai and Ray agree with that. :p

Mizuyah: It will be interesting to see how long it takes them to wake up to themselves.

Bluumberry: I know what you mean. Sometimes your mind just goes blank, and always right when you hit the review button. Stupid mind.

lilmatchgirl007: Still working on that bonus chapter, so no update again. Almost on top of my homework, so... And cricket bats are good. So underestimated. So lethal... I really need to see a shrink. ((sweatdrop))

Tariki Rania: That they are. :p

Prozacfairy: All dumb? You may be right about that...

Kai Rei Yin Yang: You'd better not make it public knowledge then. If you do, they may lock you up. :p

Koneko no Rei: Question is, are they naked Kai pics? And if so, just where has he been hiding so he can see to draw them. :p Tyson has a tendency to speak his mind, and bluntly, which is why Kai is always ticked off at him methinks.

KuronekoHikage: I still haven't answered your email! Gah! What am I doing!? Myself, I'm Evanescence, Linkin Park, Savage Garden, Dido... long list really. It depends what mood I'm in.

Ashla: It's simply a matter of time until everything falls into place. Just wait.

Kit-Cat Caitlin: And what's wrong with this kind of stuff? Well, apart from the fact if my parents found out if I read it, let alone write it, and I get into shit I mean. ((sigh)) Nothing wrong with yaoi/shonen ai.

animeandraia: The questions would have been flying, accusations, a slamming door... it would be good. :D ;)

Chaco and Lily: The only reason ITL is getting a bonus is because so many people begged for the shower scene. Dressing up as Mariah? Cool. Though that much pink is rather sickening, especially the G-Rev outfit...

Chibi Kyo-chan: It is about time. I'm still doing my happy dance. I made this paper chain and every day I cut off a link, and the day I get to the end is the day G-Rev starts. Sad, but true, I've done that. However, the current length of the chain is making myself and my sisters somewhat depressed. 43 days to G-Rev!!!

Zap Cannon: I am in a passive mood, so I'm not going to get mad. Had you have said 'that chapter was short so make it longer' however, and I would be chasing you with a pitchfork. :p

keisan: There's always something that breaks the pattern. The question is - what?

TNTiggris: ((poke)) You should be. Into the Light is better than this one. I hate this one.

GemGemJoo: Exactly, or else it would be one of those stupid fics where they walk into the room, see each other, flirt relentlessly, decide they're gay and jump in the sack. No realistic. Way too many fics like that. I wish my fellow authors would open their eyes and realise that it doesn't work like that. Yet another reason why I like Ladya C. Maxine's Untold Truths. She does a good job with the developing relationship in that.

Ketsuron Status: First draft complete. Will give full stats in later update. Still need to put in lyrics for a song - the one Tala sings so it happens. :p

That damned phones ringing again.

The sound of the trill of the phone jolted Kai from his dreams, causing him to growl. He untangled himself from his sheets and snagged his robe, throwing it around himself and stepping toward the door and out into the hall. The others did not seem to have woken, though as he passed one door it opened.

"I've got it, Kenny."

"Oh. Okay, Kai."

He heard the door close and lock again as he reached the phone, scooping it up. "Hello?"

"Wakey, wakey, Phoenix."

Kai growled, moving toward his bedroom and closing the door behind him. "Do you have any idea what time it is?"

"Mm. It's late here too you know. Though technically I should say it's early."

Kai dropped onto the bed, rubbing his eyes. "What do you want, Bryan?"

"Just thought I should let you know they found Boris."

Kai was awake in an instant, eyes wide as he grinned. "They did?"

"Caught him trying to sneak across the border into Iran, little more than a couple of hours ago."

Kai let out a long sigh. "That's good news."

"It is and it isn't. They've got nothing to hold him for."

Kai blinked. "What about the fact he was trying to leave the country when there was an order for him not to leave Moscow?"

"That's what they've got him for at the moment but it won't last."

Kai frowned. "Bryan?"

"Mm?"

"I'm positive they could hold him if…"

"If what?"

"Bryan, why don't you testify?"

Kai heard him growl. "We've been through this. There is no way I'm testifying."

"Why are you so scared of him-"

"Scared? Scared!? Of that friggin arsehole?" Bryan grunted. "Look Hiwatari, while you were off playing street kid in Japan, I was stuck in that god damned hellhole trying to keep that jerkoff from belting the crap out of the other kids. I enjoyed nothing more than taking a swing at that bastard. Lost count how many times I broke that oversized nose of his. I ain't scared of him."

Kai raised an eyebrow. "Then why don't you testify? I'm sure you could get him put away."

"I'm sure I could, but I still won't." Bryan sighed. "Look Kai, things happened back there that I would rather leave forgotten, okay? That's all behind me now."

"Not until its over-"

"As far as I'm concerned, it is over. Now drop it."

Kai frowned and nodded. "Okay. It's forgotten. For now anyway."

"Why do I hate the way you said that?"

Kai smiled. "I really don't know."

A pause. "So how's the kitten?"

It was Kai's turn to growl, knowing full well what Bryan was doing but nonetheless playing along. He knew better than to get the Falcon raving mad. "You're just not going to let that go, are you?"

"No way in hell." He could almost hear the grin. "Still like him?"

Kai sighed, flopping back on the bed. "Okay, I'll be honest. I think you're right."

"Well I'm sure that hurt." Bryan chuckled. "So you do like him?"

"I think I do."

"You 'think'? Either you do or you don't, Phoenix. There ain't no in between."

"Fine." Kai rolled his eyes. "I do."

"And the boy sees the light." He knew Bryan was grinning now. "So what was it that made you change your mind?"

"Feelings, I guess." Kai sighed. "I can't get him out of my head. I'm drawn to him, like a magnet. And every time I'm around him, I have to fight to keep from looking at him. I spend half my time wondering what he's thinking about, trying to second-guess what he's going to do or say. And when we're close I can't breathe. I can't even move. And when I do move, I wanna go back…"

"Aw crap. Um, Kai… I was wrong."

Kai frowned. "What do you mean 'you were wrong'?"

"You ain't got a crush on him, Phoenix." Bryan let out a long breath. "You've fallen head over heels in love with him."

Kai blinked. "I take it that's bad."

"Very bad." Bryan let out another breath, and Kai knew he was thinking, running a hand through those now long lavender strands. "Crushes come and go and can easily be ignored. What you just described is exactly how I felt about Tala at a time when I was supposed to be immune to all emotion. I couldn't ignore my feelings, and they were strong enough, deep enough, to survive my programming. Those feelings ain't gonna go away anytime soon, Phoenix. I fact, you'll find they're gonna get worse."

Kai closed his eyes, sighing. "Great. Just what I need."

"Actually, a relationship is just what you need-"

"Oh shut up." Kai pushed himself up, looking toward the doorway. "So what do I do?"

"There's only one thing you can do: tell him."

"Are you crazy!?"

Bryan snorted. "Do you really want me to answer that?"

Kai rolled his eyes. "Not really, no. But I can't tell him, either."

"And why not?"

"He's a member of my team, and I'm the captain."

"Never stopped Tala."

"Tala's a freak."

"Point taken, but remember, so are you."

"Arsehole."

"Just calling it as it is." Bryan paused, sighing. "It's the only thing you can do, Kai. It's the only way you will ever find out if your feelings are returned."

"Bryan, Ray's straight."

"A couple of days ago you used to say the same thing about yourself, and now you admit you're attracted to a guy. You can't tell me now that you don't have any gay preferences." Bryan paused. "Tala was the same, you know: straight. As far as I know he don't look at women anymore. He never did much anyway. I think he only did it because he told himself he was straight and therefore had to look at them."

"Easy for you to say, Bryan. You've been gay your entire life."

"Pretty much, but look where we were raised. Many of the boys are gay. In fact, very few of them aren't. Ian is one of the exceptions, and in my eyes, I think he's a male slut."

Kai smiled. "He's only 14, Bryan."

Bryan snorted. "Reckon that's about how many girlfriends he goes through in a week."

Kai had to laugh.

Anyone else get the impression Bryan doesn't like Ian? :p