A/N: Wow. I'm sorry for not updating this one…it's been a while ne? :laughs nervously: Anyway, I hope you enjoy!

Disclaimer: See chapter one.

…

Tala turned on his side, growling in frustration when he couldn't find peace of mind enough to rest. He was miserable.

"Fuck this," he snarled to himself, throwing off his blankets.

As he stood, he swayed dangerously for a moment. As he fought to regain his balance, he couldn't believe that he'd been off his feet so long that it actually took him time to steady himself. It only served to further his resolve to free himself of his bedroom. When he could walk in a straight line again, the redhead made his way across the room. Reaching his door, he opened it an inch or two in order to survey the hall.

"You've got to be kidding me…" he whispered to himself. Bryan's door was open half-way, and his light was on. "What am I, under house arrest?"

It didn't matter. He was sick of it.

Defiantly, he walked down the hall, right by Bryan's room. He knew that his only chance would be the least expected approach when dealing with his stocky comrade. It was Ian who noticed the simple things. With Spencer, you could never really tell.

When he passed without incident, while in theory this should have been the outcome, he was slightly confused as to how he'd managed to pull it off. After all, theory wasn't a fact. Moving backwards quietly, he poked his head around the corner of the doorframe. Just a quick glance told him that the Falborg blader was not in the room at all. Checking the clock, he noted that it was only four a.m.

Confused but undeterred, Tala took this as a well deserved break, and continued into the kitchen. He dropped to his knee instantly upon entering, as Bryan was on the deck, smoking in front of the window over the sink.

Cursing, he sat on the floor completely.

"And he's worried about my health." The redhead muttered to himself.

All he wanted was a glass of water. And all he wanted to do was get it himself. But with Bryan standing at the window, even if his back was facing it, meant certain failure. He looked up at the refrigerator.

If he had one more glass of orange juice he would be forced to end its existence in this world.

No, orange juice was not an option.

He jumped when Bryan shifted on the snow, blowing out a thick cloud of white smoke from his nostrils. Deciding that he had nothing to lose, the slender Russian stood up, and removed a glass from the cupboard adjacent to the sink. He did so carefully, without sound. Turning back around, he was surprised to find that Bryan was no longer at the window. He panicked when the sliding glass door to the deck was opened and closed right across the room.

Tala looked up, frozen to the spot by the steely gaze of his friend.

"What the hell are you doing?" he hissed, throwing off his coat. The Wolborg blader glared right back, turning on the water.

"What the hell does it look like I'm doing?" He filled his glass, and reached out to shut the tap off, when a larger hand slammed down on it, shutting the water off for him. He didn't flinch.

"You're supposed to be in bed."

"I've been in bed for days," he replied angrily. "I feel fine."

Lifting his chin gently, Bryan captured Tala's ice blue eyes within his own. "You aren't the doctor. Bed rest was prescribed with your medication, and your medication isn't finished." Pulling away, Tala glowered at his teammate.

"You can't expect me to sleep for the next week Bryan!" he hissed.

"I expect you to get well."

"Staying in that room is what's making me sick!" he answered, his voice rising. "I get exhausted from all of this rest…it gives me headaches…the worst is over so give me a little space would you? I think I know what's best for me!"

"Everyone thinks they know what's best for them," he countered, swiftly picking Tala up, tightening his hold when his captain struggled against him.

"Bryan, put me down!" he cried desperately.

"Stop acting like a child. It's too early for you to be awake anyway."

"ENOUGH!" Tala yelled, smashing his glass of water on the floor with vicious force. "Are you listening to me?"

"No."

The blunt response caught him off guard, and he didn't have time to retort before Spencer and Ian both came barreling into the kitchen, both narrowly missing the shattered glass on the floor.

"What happened?" Ian yelled, turning on the lights. But it didn't take long for him and Spencer to figure out the scenario that had unfolded before they'd woken up.

"Tala, what were you doing out of bed?"

"Would everyone fucking STOP TRYING TO PUT ME TO BED!"

"No." Bryan stated again before stepping over the broken glass and heading towards Tala's bedroom.

The redhead felt tears of frustration prickling behind his eyes. Blinking them back unsuccessfully, he did the only thing he could think of to release the stress. He drew back and punched Bryan as hard as he could across the face.

The lilac haired teen cried out in surprise, dropping his captain on his feet before covering his cheek with his hands. Tala turned away quickly before stomping back to his room and slamming the door. He ignored the others shouting behind him as he did so.

If any of them wanted to be living by morning, then they'd do well to leave him alone.

…

Kai stared at the ceiling as he laid in bed next his koi. He was having trouble sleeping, Boris…Voltaire…Tala, and the others…their faces all plagued his mind with troubling thoughts. Tala was supposed to be immune to infection. His body had been enhanced by the work of one of the greatest scientists in the world (although he was at loath to admit it). Tala was the perfect human being.

So how had he contracted a flu virus?

Kai couldn't answer that question. He was afraid to.

Turning onto his stomach, he watched the moonlight play with Rei's hair until he could relax again. Brushing it off of his tanned cheek, he moved closer to him, drawing comfort from the neko.

After a few long moments, Kai was able to fall asleep.

…

The next morning Bryan tentatively opened the door to Tala's room, finding the wolf master leaning against the wall next to his window, gazing outside longingly. The pale-eyed teen hadn't forgotten the bruise on his left cheek, but his eyes softened when he took in the scene before him.

"Hey," he called into the room as he entered.

Tala didn't move. "Hey."

"Look, I came in here to tell you two things. First of all, you're an asshole, and second of all…you're an asshole." The redhead grinned despite himself.

"Having trouble with insults this morning Bryan? I didn't hit you too hard did I?"

"You're asking for it pretty boy…" the stocky Russian replied, trying to hide a smile. Stepping closer to his captain, he put his hands on his shoulders.

"We're just worried about you," he confessed after a moment.

"I know."

"Perfect," Bryan laughed in his own psychotic way, patting Tala repeatedly. "I'm glad we put that behind us."

The slender Russian rolled his eyes in exasperation. "Anyway…" he prompted not so subtly. "What did you really come here for Bryan?"

"Mr. Dickenson will be here in an hour." Tala blinked.

"Oh."

Patting him one more time with enough force to overturn a small car, the Falborg blader made his way back to the door.

"Just thought you might want to know…" he trailed off sadistically. "And your medicine is on the bedside table."

A tissue box hit the door as he closed it.

…

Tala watched the old man carefully, nodding at the appropriate times, trying to pay attention as best he could. It hadn't even been twenty minutes and already he was distracted.

"I want you boys to understand fully the severity of the situation that you are in…"

"Believe me sir," he broke in suddenly. "No one understands better than us."

"Yes well. I've left some legal documents for you to look over once you're back on your feet. The matters are of the utmost importance."

"What matters?" he asked as politely as he could while picking up the file.

"Matters concerning your legal guardians now that Boris and Voltaire have disappeared." Tala managed to keep his composure outwardly, but inside he began to panic. He hadn't even thought about the legal repercussions of Boris and Voltaire's abandonment.

"There are also matters involving the authorities in regards to the work that took place in the Abbey…and the treatment of those within its walls during your stay," the administrator added delicately.

The Wolborg blader felt slightly dizzy.

"Will this affect Kai also?" he replied quietly.

"I'm afraid so."

Tala found himself drowning in paperwork; all of the documents suffocating him with their brutal finality.

…adoptions…orphanages...it meant they'd be separated for sure. And all of his trainers illegal actions threatened to take them down as well. Him and his team…they were accomplices.

Swallowing with difficulty, the redhead shook his head and handed the file back. "I'm sorry, this is too much sir."

"I'm afraid that I'm going to have to ask you to keep those," Mr. Dickenson answered regretfully. "Wait until you are ready Tala. We will discuss these matters again when you are well."

You'll be lucky if I ever touch this folder again, he thought to himself as he set it down on the bed next to him.

"I know this is difficult, but I promise you that it only seems like things could get worse."

Tala couldn't help but wonder if men like him were paid to say things like that.

He nodded anyway, if only to pacify the old man. "Thank you for coming," he added, not really sure what else to say.

"Of course. Ah!" he replied, as if only just remembering something important. "Kenny asked me to give these to you," he smiled warmly, producing a thin Tupperware of brownies and an envelope from the depths of his briefcase. "From Rei and Kai."

Taking the objects gratefully, the redhead thanked him once more before the man showed himself out. Vaguely he registered Mr. Dickenson promising to keep in touch, but he pushed it out of his mind when he opened the blank envelope. Carefully unfolding the letter, he figured he had at least twenty minutes before Bryan came in to check on him between Mr. Dickenson speaking with the rest of the team and lunch.

You already know why I had to write this letter Tala, by now Mr. Dickenson has explained the situation Boris and Voltaire have put us in. He will be gone for a week on business in America. We need to talk. I'll pick you up tomorrow afternoon.

Furrowing his brows in confusion, he checked the envelope once more, discovering plane tickets.

"Kai…"

A knock at his door startled him. Hastily he scrambled to shove the brownies and the envelope along with its contents under his bed.

"Come in," he answered after a moment just as Bryan walked in the door.

"Mr. Dickenson gave us the long and short of the situation, so I don't want you to worry about that. Take your medicine and sleep while you can Tala…we're going to be up long nights trying to figure this one out."

For a few seconds he pretended to be angry, and looked down at his hands before sighing with feigned irritation. "Alright Bryan…just…" again he sighed. "Let's not cross any bridges until we get to them."

Nodding in agreement, Bryan left, shutting the door behind him. Tala waited until his footsteps disappeared inside their house before getting out of bed.

He had some packing to do.

…

A/N: So, Tala is off to Japan is he…hmm. Bryan isn't going to be happy about that. As always, your reviews are greatly appreciated. Thanks so much for your support!