Chapter 9

Chaotic G.: Yes you may pelt me with rotten tomatoes for this being late. I'm trying my best though I swear! I'm just really busy with my original story and I'm having a hell of a time with the flu this year. Oh yeah and this note is going to be kind of long.

A brief chapter summary: No battles here just a lot of plotless talking… hmm, did you ever notice that a good 90 of the chapters are dedicated to that with no real plot? Anyways, Kai and Charly have a little 'run in' of the unpleasant sort and a moment. Vega gets an unexpected compliment and poses a riddle to Misha.

Question for the viewers: Do you prefer a lot of battle sequences or just them littered throughout a few chapters here and there? I have to know because Exodia writes my match sequences and I want to know how much work I'm going to have to put her to.

Question and Answer: Uh, yeah, I think a few of you had more questions so I'll answer them now.

Okay someone asked about a possible Kato/Vega- I know, I've been kind of hinting that strongly haven't I? Hmm… I think I'll let you guys mull over that. But please don't hate poor Kato because it appears as though he's taking Vega away. He's younger than she is and I'm pretty sure Vega doesn't go for younger guys wink.

Okay yeah, my above answer reminded me- Do you guys want full bios on the Vanguard? If so please, email me at . Thanks!

Enjoy!

"Where have you been?" Brian asked as Tala walked into the safe house they were taking a break in. The Bladebreakers, minus Kai, were stuffing their faces with lunch and the Amazons were no where in sight.

Tala didn't reply as he threw himself into a chair and crossed his arms.

Brian and Kai looked at one another and then back at the Russian, who appeared to be brooding over something.

"I found Vega," Tala growled under his breath, catching their attention. "Boris will pay."

His eyes darkened at this and the Demolition Boys and Kai glanced at one another wearily.

"Yeah… Tala, one thing at a time, buddy," Ian said tentatively, "we still have to stop him and his goons from winning the tournament."

Tala passed him a murderous glare and the smaller boy shrunk back a little bit.

"So you followed them," Kai said curiously.

"Yeah," Tala replied. "They left her alone long enough for me to approach her. She took off when I confronted her and then vanished when she rounded a corner. I think she jumped behind the hedge of the park."

"And you didn't corner her because…"

"Because if Boris found out she'd be dead."

Brian frowned. "How do you figure?"
Tala drew a finger across the front of his forehead and the other four glanced at one another, frowning. "That metal bad, it's like a shock collar. According to a few people who had been watching saw him threaten her with a remote control. What else could it be? And how else would he control her?"

"What about Kaosu? Why won't he just rise on his own?" Ian asked.

"Boris could've added a restraint mechanism," Spencer said lowly. "It makes sense. Boris would've known he'd go ballistic."

"It still doesn't explain Vega's behavior during that battle," Kai put in, shaking his head. "That was purely malicious."

"It was purely malicious when she went after Michael during the semi-finals," Tala replied. "Besides… it doesn't take long to get like that when you have to put up with Boris. Between Kaosu, who is acting entirely on malevolence since his 'upgrade', and the training… no wonder she's like this now. She must be half-crazy."

There was silence for a few moments until Brian broke it. "And part of her… finds comfort in it." The other looked to him with questioning stares, not one of them saying a word. "It was how she was before she met Charly, right? Some part of her finds comfort in the strength she feels when she's knocking everyone else down. We should all know how that feels."

The group glanced at one another solemnly and then away again, falling into a brooding, contemplative silence.

(SPACE-SPACE-SPACE)

"You've impressed me, Vega."

The girl didn't even glance up from the spot on the ground she was burning a hole into as she sat on the park bench, arms crossed. "You aren't allowed onto the field." The night's breeze brushed gently against her cheek.

Boris chuckled as he put his hands in his pockets, focusing his red gaze on her with a small grin. "Money goes a long way."

"Is that your answer to everything? Greasing palms?"

"Mostly, it's a great equalizer… but breaking arms seems to work much better with the more stubborn types who would cost me too much. How did you like the upgrades?"

"Beautiful," she said flatly. "Might I ask how you multiplied Kaosu's ability to fire the DDC?"

He shrugged. "Some genetic engineering you wouldn't understand. It was no big feat really. You should thank me; I've just taken you from mediocre to where you and Kaosu deserve to be."

Vega rolled her eyes and said nothing.

"I meant what I had said."

She spared him a narrowed look. "What?"

"About being impressed; you've exceeded all my expectations."

"That'd be almost flattering if I didn't hate you so much."

"Hate is such a harsh word, Vega."

"I've got several other harsh words for you that I won't say for the sake of not giving you the satisfaction."

Boris crossed his arms. "I don't like it that you hate me," he said in a pitiful, almost mockingly saddened way.

"I'm pretty sure it's not breaking your heart," she snarled.

His head rolled back a bit as he chuckled. "Not at all."

Vega shook her head. "If only everyone were as predictable as you."

"If you have anyone to be bitter at it should be Tala. After all he did get you into this."

"I don't believe that."

The man snorted. "That's your choice I suppose," he replied, shrugging, "to some people ignorance is bliss."

Vega growled and got up, facing him. "Want to chaperone me back just to make sure I won't run away?" she spat.

Boris grinned and removed the remote control from his pocket. "I trust you to behave."

"I'm glad you have such a deep-rooted 'trust' in me. Do I have the displeasure of seeing you later?"

"Not for a while. I wouldn't want to wear out my welcome."

Vega rolled her eyes and turned on her heel, walking away. She glanced back once and Boris was already gone, the way she preferred it to be.

"Jackass," she whispered under her breath, unable to contain it for another second.

"I was just about to go out and look for you," Misha said as the girl walked into the hotel lobby that would be open to tournament participants for the duration of the competition. He had been standing guard near the revolving doors and fell in behind her as they approached a circle of armchairs.

"Where are Kato and the twins?" Vega asked as untied the half-skirt was around her waist and slung it over the back of an armchair before throwing herself down into the cushioning.

"Finishing their lists."

She could only assume he meant the mental lists made by the four of them upon arrival detailing who they were going to battle or 'monitor'. Stronger teams would be left alone until all the weaker ones were eliminated; strength and weakness would be determined by a whole lot of watching. Vega didn't have the patience for that and she doubted that there were any opponents that she couldn't take down with a bit of finesse.

Except maybe them. They always found a way.

She shook the thought off. No… she wasn't safe thinking like that. She could never go back. Not after all of what happened. Not this time.

Jax and Zax came in not much later and found Misha sitting across from Vega, who was staring blankly straight ahead.

"Is she-"

"-Broke?" they asked, raising their eyebrows.

Misha glanced at them and then Vega before reaching over and taking a mint out of a dish on the side table. He threw it at her and her hands snapped up in an instant, catching it. She blinked, her eyes refocusing, and then unwrapped it, popping it into her mouth.

"What'd you two learn today?" Vega asked, turning her focus on the twins.

"That just about every team here has won two or three tournaments," Zax said, sitting down and pushing back his bangs.

"And not just city competition, state and country," Jax added. "At least they'll provide some challenge."

"But not much," Zax snorted and the two grinned.

Vega shrugged and settled back.

"Are you worried?" Jax asked, looking to her.

"Of course she isn't! Where was your brain earlier?" Zax said, cuffing his twin. "She slaughtered those newbs."

The two began to bicker and Misha and Vega simultaneously rolled their eyes. When they weren't finishing one another's thoughts the twins were bickering incessantly and it drove them all a bit crazy.

"Alright, both of you shut up," Vega snapped, glaring at them.

Both looked to her, a little alarmed, and then slumped down, lowering their heads.

"He started it," Zax muttered.

Jax cuffed his brother sharply on the back of the head. "Did not!" he shouted and the ceasefire ended in a brand new barrage of bickering.

"Sonuva," Misha whispered under his breath, running a hand down his face in irritation.

Vega sighed, resting her elbow on the arm of the chair and leaning her head against her palm.

"Hey, Kato!" the twins chirped suddenly and the girl looked over the back of her chair's shoulder as the tallest boy approached.

"Finally," Vega said exasperated. "Where have you been?"

"Staking out two easy wins," he replied with a smirk.

"I saw about three earlier," Misha replied competitively.

Kato rolled his eyes and threw himself down into the last armchair. "How about you Vega?"

"I got us four wins this morning didn't I?" she asked, leaning back. "It seems unfair for every loss to count against the individual. Why is this a team tournament if they're treated separately?"

"It'd be even more unfair if a team didn't reach the finals because one teammate was having a bad day," Kato replied with a shrug. "It makes it convenient for you though... if none of us do well enough to make it to the finals you at least will."

"Then we have to deal with-"

"-Boris on our own," the twins said, simultaneously cringing.

"Why? What happens if any of you lose?" Vega asked, frowning.

Misha shook his head firmly. "It doesn't matter because we're not going to lose," he said quickly.

The girl nodded but her mind reeled a bit as she began imagining just what the punishment for losing was.

I'll protect them, she decided solemnly, looking between the four and then nodding to herself decisively.

(SPACE-SPACE-SPACE)

"The girls told me you'd be here."

Charly looked up from her park bench and smiled faintly. "Hey, Kai."

The boy sat down beside her on the bench and placed an arm across the back of it just above her shoulders. "What are you doing here?"

"Thinking," she replied simply.

He knew that look on her face and frowned a bit. "What's wrong?"

The girl laughed aloud, looking to him with soft, bemused eyes. "How do you always manage to do that?"

"What?"

"See right through me. I can never get away from that."

Kai smirked. "I guess I just know you that well." He brushed some hair back from her face and behind her ear. "Tell me."

Charly sighed. "I don't feel like I'm strong enough to do this."

"You are too," he said, chuckling. "You always do this to yourself; you always think you can't. You're one of the strongest people I know, Charly, you have a lot of heart, and I know that if anyone can do this it's you." He smoothed her hair gently. "I respect you for your strength, there's a reason for that."

She paused a moment before smiling and then laughing. "You're something else."

"That's what they keep telling me."

Charly chuckled. "Thanks, Kai."

He grinned at her awkwardly. "No problem."

"We should probably get back," she said, standing up.

"Yeah," Kai agreed.

He could hear heavy footsteps approaching from down the path and Kai paused briefly as a memory took him. He was a little boy, in the Abbey, he had just failed at something, one of the exercises, and as he fell to his hands and knees on the cold floor he heard heavy, measured footsteps approaching. He looked up into unforgiving, red eyes and then the memory faded quickly and he returned to his wits, the footsteps very near now as they stopped.

"Well isn't this a pretty picture?"

The hairs on the back of Kai's neck all stood on end and he looked to his right, stepping in front of Charly protectively, shielding her with his frame.

Boris stood there, his hands clasped behind his back, grinning.

"Boris!" Kai snarled venomously.

"I'm so glad you remember me, Kai. I was wondering if you would, after all it's been how many years?"

"Not long enough," the boy snapped.

Boris's eyes looked passed him and a half-grin touched his thin lips. "Is that Charly? I admit, you have good taste, Kai, she is very lovely."

Charly bristled and glared but thought it better to be quiet than say anything.

"What do you want?" Kai growled.

Boris shrugged. "Not more than some men but nothing you could give me."

"You're not going to get away with what you've done," the boy replied, his voice igniting with anger. "This is where it ends, Boris!"

A smirk came over the man's lips. "Is that a challenge?" he asked, his voice soft and deadly. "Are you going to stop me, Kai?"

"Whatever it takes," Kai snapped.

Boris laughed aloud, amused and malicious. "Good, good! I'd hate to stand unopposed, that would be so boring," he said, sounding delighted. "As much as this is amusing I should be going, I've got things to do and a tournament to win. Would you say hello to the others for me? I wouldn't want them to think that I've forgotten them."

Kai lunged a little as if to go after the man as he turned to walk away but Charly grabbed him quickly by the arm. "No, Kai," she said quickly, shaking her head fiercely. "No. He's not worth it."

Kai looked to her, her eyes pleading fiercely with him, and then he looked to where Boris was disappearing down the walk and sighed, nodding. "Let's get back."

Charly nodded and the two walked off.

(SPACE-SPACE-SPACE)

"Charly."

The girl looked up at Kai as they walked. "What, Kai?"

He glanced down at her. "Can I tell you something?"

She laughed. "Of course, Kai, with everything you have to listen to me complain I think it's about time we changed positions."

Kai smiled briefly but it faded quickly. "I saw this all happening.'

Charly frowned. "What do you mean?"

Kai stopped, looking down at her. "I saw what was going to happen to Vega, I knew it was going to come to this."

"How?"

"I had these dreams… Black Dranzer was trying to warn me about this but I couldn't figure it out in time. If I'd of not ignored them I might've been able to stop everything. I shouldn't have let Vega go," he said, shaking his head. "Not when I felt so strongly against it. I was trying to think that it was just because she was going after Tala but it wasn't. I know that now."

She began shaking her head fiercely. "You can't blame yourself, Kai, it's not your fault. You couldn't have stopped it if you wanted to."

"I could've," he argued fiercely.

Charly gripped his face between her hands. "Look at me, Kai," she demanded in a quiet voice. "You couldn't have done anything. What is to be is to be, you couldn't have changed it. You have to quit blaming yourself! You're the strongest person I know and I know the man that I respect because of his strength would also pick himself up from whatever mistake and fix it."

Kai stared down at her and then wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close, and hugging her tightly.

A little shocked she hugged him back, not used to him being quite so touchy. They had hugged before but somehow this was different, for both of them.

He knew she was right and sighed as he pulled back. "It's late… we need sleep so we can be ready early tomorrow. The other teams won't be out so early so we'll have a chance to scout out the dishes."

(SPACE-SPACE-SPACE)

Vega didn't think she ever saw Misha sleep or even act sleepy. Unlike the other recruits who were yawning and slightly bleary-eyed when they came down to the mess hall for breakfast Misha was stone-faced and icy-toned like he never had to go through the whole process of waking up.

Teams bunked together in suites that were prepared just for them. The hotels that were participating had at least two rooms reserved for whatever teams claimed them first but this had to be done early. They were much more private than safe houses, which usually either had small, uncomfortable cots to lie on or just sleeping bags to pass out. The privacy allowed plotting to go definitely unheard.

Kato slept in the bed across from hers pressed against the other wall and the twins were snoring peacefully in the corner in their own beds.

Misha was on his back, his hands folded on his stomach, lying on top his sheets wearing everything but his boots. His gold eyes bore a hole into the ceiling and as Vega turned her head to look over at him she couldn't help but sigh a little bit. None of them deserved this existence as Boris' sick experiments…

"You should get some sleep," Vega whispered.

He turned his head to look at her. "I'm not tired."

"That's a lie and a sad one at that," she replied, rolling onto her side, pillowing her head on her arm. Her clothes were dead weight hanging over the footboard of her bed and she slept in a body suit with knee-length shorts and thin, tank top-like sleeves made of a fabric like spandex.

Misha turned his eyes back to the ceiling. "I don't sleep much."

Vega knew that the word was really "can't". It was almost impossible to sleep in the prison camp. The halls were hollow and echoed every sound that was breathed in their depths and the entire place seemed dead.

"Try," she suggested softly.

"Last I knew you didn't care about anything… least of all us."

Her relatively neutral expression didn't fade. "A team like ours has only one thing that binds it together."

"What?" he asked, sounding uninterested.

"I'll give you a hint," Vega replied, rolling over onto her other side, "it's not our strength."

Misha turned his head again to look at her but said nothing as he stared at her back and then rolled onto his side so he faced the opposite wall.

Chaotic G.: Okay so that's 9. REVIEW!!!!