This is dedicated to all of those who have lost someone or being affected by the tsunami wave. May the Lord and Lady seek to help those now who need it most.

At christmas time.


Chapter 42: The pain you now carry.

Kai watched sadly as his wonderful girlfriend gazed unseeingly out of her window. She hadn't moved since she had been sick, only to change into her everyday clothes and brush her hair into their usual Zulu knots. She just stood there, gazing out of the window as she watched the golden rays dye her pale skin to a golden flush.

She hadn't even acknowledged the fact that he was there, just staring listlessly into the dojo garden. No tears had fallen from her lilac eyes yet, and it had been almost four hours ago. Hilary and Osiris had come around, along with Zoriaida and the rest of the Espanola Angeles.

He frowned, she was still standing there, he still didn't even know what was wrong with her, not emotions to show him what was wrong, not the kind of grief stricken silence that some kept; but instead a freezing kind of quiet that gripped her, not shunning her feelings but instead destroying them.

He himself had been surprised at the sentiment he held for the old man. He knew he was more saddened than he would be if it had been his own grandfather who had died.

But then again Grandpa Kinomiya wasn't bent on taking over the world using Tyson or Isis.

Isis blinked, catching herself out of her daze. Her sight followed the glimmers of light that cast a tan colour on her skin. She sighed and closed her eyes.

She knew that he was there, standing in the door frame.

Why? Why does he care? She asked herself, Why should he care?

Isis you know why he cares. He loves you.

Everyone who's ever claimed to love me has always hurt me in some way, even Tyson, even Gramps and Hiro. Mother, Father, they never cared, why should he?

Her phoenix was silent for a while.

I care.

Isis didn't reply.

She couldn't.


Tyson squeezed his eyes, hoping to stop the tears coming back. Zoriaida was holding him, supporting him as he wept onto her shoulder. His face was now a mask of tears, not the most attractive sight in the world; but then, even Nina was having trouble not shedding a tear.

Hilary finally entered the living room from the kitchen. She looked like she had been crying, again.

"I've called everyone on the list Tyson." She whispered, her own voice beginning to crack as she told him, her eyes shone with tears as Osiris put his arms around her.

Tyson nodded and attempted to blink the tears from his eyes.

"Thanks Hilary."

"No problem, we're here to help Tyse." Osiris said; startling himself, a friendly word towards his rival was the last thing he'd expected himself to do.

"Thanks." He mumbled.

They were silent, even Daichi didn't have anything to say; which was a first considering he hadn't stopped since he first arrived in November.

"We'll get though it together okay?" Zoriaida told him.

"Yeah, we'll sort out everything that is needed Tyson, don't worry about it okay?" Max informed him with a sombre smile of support.

"Thanks."

Is that all I can say? Thank you?

What is there? Tyson, you will know what to do when you are ready. For now just accept their help and support, it's all you can do.

Dragoon…


Isis finally turned around, slightly surprised to find Kai still leaning by the door frame.

"Isis…" He began.

She stopped, looking harshly into his slate eyes. He hesitated slightly.

"I suppose you want to know what is wrong. Pretend that you care. Let's just quit the charade before we have to." She said quietly.

Kai was silent; his usually emotionless eyes were filled with confusion.

"I do-"

"DON'T LIE TO ME!" She shouted at him. "All my life I have had people pretending to care! Last night the only ever parent figure I've ever had left me, my MOTHER took me into some feminist bladers group then SOLD me to some abbey for experiments. My FATHER exploited me and my gifts, forcing me to blade so he could keep my touring money. MY COUSINS, well they both left me to pursue their own blading careers. I've had people leave me left right and centre." She finished her rant as she noticed her friends by the doorframe behind Kai.

She cast her eyes to the floor, yet in spite of everything; no tears came.

"No one cares. I learnt that a long time ago." She whispered; trying to push past him and the small crowd that had formed when she had began shouting.

He stopped her; a brief struggle prevailed between them until Isis finally managed to tear a free arm from his grip.

She slapped him.

Isis stumbled out of his grasp as he let go of her, her own eyes wide with surprise. Filling with tears she pushed past them all, no-one daring to stop her.

Kai just stood there, unable to move; shock written over his face.

I do care…


Large lilac eyes widened dramatically as an elegant hand covered a small 'o' shaped mouth.

"You mean we're to go to Japan? Oh papa, I don't know, that means we'll have to see her and I don't think she likes me papa." A soft, airy voice spoke from her.

A large, imposing figure sat behind a desk. His fingers poised together as he listened to his daughters voice.

"It is a duty for you to come Kali, you never know, you might find it interesting to go to Japan, it is so full of culture and rich in history." He reasoned with her. Kali made a face, obviously displeased in the idea.

"We're going to a funeral papa. It's not a nice thing." She informed him snootily, she began to play with her long lilac hair, hair identical to her mother's.

"It is even more of a reason for you to come. Do not worry; you will not have to sleep on the floor. I'll arrange for you a hotel."

"I don't want to go."

"YOU WILL GO!" He boomed, she gave him a frightened look and scurried out the room.

He sighed and looked up at the photo frame of a beautiful raven haired woman with a seductive smile, then glanced at a younger, more innocent looking teen with similar looks.

"You grow more and more like her every time I see you Isis."

"Sir?"

"Iain, book us a hotel, we're going to Japan."


LunaRavenCroft: Merry Yuletide! Happy New year and er... I updated!! Whoo!
Okay now I know alot of you are upset, I'm sorry, I know from reviews most of you were all crying and stuff... And yeah I know she slapped Kai in this one okay? I'm SORRY! (sobs)

Bloody-Shadows: Whoo! Ice Cream! Heh, okay so it may a lil bit cold up here but hey, no worries. Yeah, Grampa deserved a cool death, and Morana is such a cool name. It was going to be that or Senka. No peace, tell me about it, that wave! (gasp) terrible absolutly terrible.

EmI-cHaN aNd HeR 3 SpIrItS : Last chapter? Oh no, the last chapter is around eight away, or something like that. This is definatly my longest story I've ever wrote though!

Ms. SoUrPuSs: Aw... Your words make me feel all squishy inside. (hugz Alicia) You want to know what happens next, okay then, (whispers in Alicia's ear so no one else can hear) wait until next week and then I'll tell you. lol.

Wreckless Spirit: Merry Christmas! And have a good, fufilling new year! Yeah, I was REAL busy, my computer was upgraded so now I can write CDs and stuff (gasp) Luna now can back up her stories! No more loosing them when her computer gets another virus...

DarkZero313: Aw, thanks! Happy new year!

Heart of Friendship: Aw! Thank you! Oh don't worry about the nature phoenix copying my idea, it seems really cool! I can't wait to read it! You make me feel all squishy inside you know? I've always wanted to inspire people and I've inspired you! hugz Amber thank you!

Kristy Himura: Yeah I know Kai is slightly ooc in this fic, he is a bit older than he is in the anime though, and this is slightly AU also, if not only a lil bit. The next chapter you should find out if you still haven't figure by now.