Disclaimer: Rio is mine... Kao-ri is yohko-lily's... Nikita is Wolfy's… and GOD I wish I had Kai, Tala, and Rei. -. -


Shadow
Chapter 9 Shattered Part 3


School couldn't have gone by any quicker if it had the Jaws of Life gripping at it and dragging it forward. Not only was school Rio's greatest enemy ever to walk the face of the earth, but it was also her escape from her grandfather and his never ending "discussions" with her brother. The "talks" about his girlfriend seemed to always be a popular topic.

Rio had one other thing to look forward about a day in school. At least she got to spend some 'family free' time with her best friend, Kao-ri Nakedashi! The final bell rang for the day and Rio let out a sigh. Waiting outside her classroom was a familiar red-haired girl.

"Hey Kao, you busy tonight?" asked Rio as they started down the hallway on their way to the school buses.

"I don't think I am why?" she questioned back rather curiously.

Rio just shrugged, "My grandpa's having a dinner planned. Just wondering if you wanted to come. You haven't met my family, have you?" Maybe there was a reason her family didn't know Kao was her best friend, and her best friend didn't know her family…

Kao-ri shook her head 'no' as she proceeded to pull out her Discman. "I'd love to go though," she smiled. Rio's face lit up. Maybe dinner wouldn't be such a total drag this time!

"My brother's most likely is going to have his girlfriend over. And it'll be fine! They'll love you!"

"Are you sure...I mean...not a lot of people at school like me..." Kao tripped a step and stood herself upright, and adjusted her hat back to its normal position. "What makes you think your brother and his girlfriend will?" Rio had told Kao a bit about her…err…dysfunctional—was that the word for it? —family.

But Rio just waved hand at her. "My brother will be fine! He might seem like a hard head at times... but yeah. He's just a marshmallow!"


Meanwhile, Tala and Kai were lounging on the hoods of their cars while watching a drag racing competition in the outskirts of the cities. These events happened weekly, that was until a cop would come over and 'ruin the fun' for everyone.

"You busy?" asked Tala looking over at his friend who didn't seem to be paying much attention to the current race. Kai was more so spacing out than watching.

"Voltaire wants a 'family' dinner," Kai told his best friend with a nod and a sigh. Tala knew Voltaire… and he knew how much Kai resented his grandfather.

"Nik going?" Tala asked.

"Just about to..." started Kai as he pulled out his cell phone and dialed up the familiar number engraved into his memory. The phone rang a few times before anyone answered.

"Hello?" Kai smiled… he hated it when it was her message machine that answered.

"Hey Nik... question... do you want to suffer another dinner with me?" he asked right out. Tala let out a snort at the comment until Kai punched him in the head, knocking him off the car.

Nikita was glad it was Kai calling this time, and no sound of Voltaire anywhere in the background. She didn't know if she could stand him another second. Sitting down on the couch in the apartment, she laughed lightly. "Suffer? While I'm with you? Impossible."

"How thoughtful. But seriously. Voltaire is going through a 'family time' phase again... I don't think I can handle it."

"Haha, alright I'll go."

"Good. We're eating at Kasui at 7. It's fancy, so dress it."

"Okay then…"


Kasui was a rather fancy restaurant in Bay City, and it was obvious to anyone who knew it that you needed a LOT of money just to be able to afford a reservation. Kasui was Voltaire's favorite restaurant to go to and show off. Besides, too many shady things happened when he was not allowed to dine there when he wanted…

Rio sat at their regular dinning table with Voltaire, tapping fingers against the wooden tabletop. She was dressed in a nice kimono that Voltaire had picked out for her. The younger Hiwatari actually did not have a personal problem with her grandfather like her brother did. True he wasn't always polite to the people she brought home, but he was the only fatherly figure she ever knew.

Kai was waiting outside for Nik, occasionally checking his watch every other minute. He wanted this dinner to be over with, but he had never taken Nikita out to dinner here, seeing as everyone there knew him through Voltaire. No, Kai did not consider him as a 'grandfather' as Rio did. He wasn't 'Grandfather' or 'Oji-san'. No, he was just 'Voltaire'. And that suit him just fine.

Dawning a black dress that reached down to her knees, Kao-ri walked down the street to the infamous restaurant that Rio had told her about for their 'dining pleasure'.

Rio said this was the place...I can't believe I agreed to go here...it's too fancy...

Noticing a certain someone walking into the restaurant like a blind squirrel, Rio jumped up from her seat and waved her arms frantically, acquiring a peculiar look from her grandfather.

"OI! Kao!" Voltaire's eyes scanned around the direction Rio was waving at and spotted a girl who gave a small wave towards their table. Kao's jaw almost dropped when she noticed that Rio and her grandfather were not alone. There were three men dressed in black suits. They looked like those freaky bodyguards with their black sunglasses on and little cord things that were placed in their ears.

Rio pointed to the chair next to her as her best friend made it over to the table trying to keep her composure. "Oji-san, this is Kao-ri Nakedashi, my best friend. Kao, this is my Oji-san, Voltaire Hiwatari. Voltaire just nodded his head towards the red head girl

"How do you do, Kao-ri?"

"It's very nice to meet you Hiwatari-san I'm very well thank you..." smiled Kao-ri revealing her fangs slightly.

Meanwhile a taxi pulled up to the curb just outside of Kasui. Nikita stepped out, wearing a sleek navy blue dress with a slit on the side. Kai was too busy looking down at his watch for the umpteenth time that night to see her.

"Thank you!" she said, paying the driver. Turning around, Nikita noticed Kai standing outside in his nice polo shirt and kakis pants. "Hey, Kai!" She walked over to him with a smile as fast as she could in the heels and dress.

Kai looked up and spotted her. With a grin, he walked to intercept her and pecked her cheek. "Ready to walk into hell with me?" Nikita returned the peck onto his cheek and smiled, laughing lightly.

"Ready!" Kai took her hand and led her back into Kasui, back towards the table that was surrounded by bodyguards. Nikita followed him, looking around Kasui. He never did bring her here before…

This is such a fancy restaurant...

"Hey Kai!" Rio exclaimed waving to her brother. "I want you to meet my best friend!" Kai walked up and over to the table. His eyes landed on Kao and stared at her.

Neko... Bái Hu Zu... Kai could feel his inside mind growling. It took all his strength not to lash out at Rio's best friend.

"Now that we have wasted time waiting," stated Voltaire glancing down towards his menu. Rio and Kai sighed internally. At least the meal was starting off better than usual… Kao just smiled weakly.

"N-Nice to meet you Kai-san..."

Nikita tried her best to smile sweetly towards the remaining Hiwataris. "Hello Hiwatari-san, Rio-chan."

"Nikki-chan! What brings you here?" asked Rio with a grin, already knowing the answer. Kai sat down, still glaring between both Voltaire and Kao. Nikita took a seat beside Kai.

"Kai invited me...and who's your friend here, Rio?" she asked, smiling at Kao-ri.

"Nikita...Kao-ri... Kao-ri... Nikita." Don't you screw this up Kai…

I shouldn't have come...I can practically feel him burning holes in my head with that glare of his...

Kao smiled at Nikita, "Niha-I mean...it's nice to meet you Nikita-san..."

"How long does it take to get some damned service?" asked Voltaire a little annoyed. Rio bit her lip and buried her head slightly into the menu in front of her. Kao was sweating nervously. Kai picked up his menu as well, and looked at the selection. A waiter was quick to come over.

"How may I help you tonight?"

"Besides the fact your service needs to be picked up in pace... I'll have…" Voltaire rattled off his order rather annoyed. Everyone else followed in followed in suit with their orders. The waiter nodded and left in a hurry.

"So Nikita, amounted to anything yet?" asked Voltaire folding his hands down in front of him, feeling a little over heated in the cool room.

"Ignore him... he's just like that... must really like her..." Rio whispered to Kao. Not... Kao-ri just nodded. Nikita forced herself to smile. She wouldn't let him get to her.

"I'm sorry Hiwatari-san, but I haven't yet," Nikita calmly replied, trying her hardest not to sound rude towards the elder. Voltaire just looked down at his cell phone.

"What a shame..." Nikita mentally sighed. It turned out better than expected.

Need to make a better talk…

"So... how's work been Oji-san?" Rio asked curiously as their salads were served.

Bastard... I can't believe I actually dragged her into this... thought Kai poking at his salad.

"Why the sudden interest Rio? What have you been telling people..." asked Voltaire calmly, but that certainly wasn't how he felt. He made a quick glance to Kao-ri. Kao was spacing out, staring at the wall. Feeling the gaze on her, she snapped out of it.

"Kao-ri is it? What is your status?"

"Oji-san!" Kai glanced towards Nikita.

At least he didn't insult her again…

Nikita resisted the urge to roll her eyes at the eldest Hiwatari. Again with the status, and now he's picking on Rio's friend? What is it with this man? Nikita mentally growled again.

"My father runs a fairly large company that has branches all around the globe...we move around a lot… my parents divorced...so my mother and brother stay in China…and I travel with my father..."

"And what kind of company does your family run? For many people claim a large company, which in fact most of them are weak and intolerable."

For their sake, the rest of the food had been served. Kao was sweating like crazy about the question and rambled off her father's international electronics' company.

"Whatcha up to lately Nik? Haven't seen you for a bit…" asked Rio, sorting through her food.

Don't you dare say a thing Voltaire... thought Kai.

"School, work, the usual. What about you Rio-chan?"

"School..."

"How do you know Rio?" Kai asked, looking over to Kao.

"We go to the same school Kai-san..." Rio nodded to confirm it.

"And where did you say you're from again?" asked Kai before shoving some of his food into his mouth. Voltaire was listening carefully…

"China... Why do you ask?"

"No reason..."

I knew he wouldn't like me...I'm sorry to say but I told you so Rio...

"And indulge me as to the trash bin you came out of again, Nikita," asked Voltaire with a chuckle.

"Moscow, Russia…" Bastard.

"Hmm… too bad. I thought Russia bred for the strong... Like Kai here..."

I'm.going.to.kill.him

Find a happy place...

"And I thought they were taught better manners than this... such a pity. Seems as though Russia's been losing its touch..."

Kao frowned. "I don't mean to sound rude Hiwatari-san...but I believe Russia lost its touch a long time ago..." Kao produced a small glare. How dare he treat such a nice person that way...

"It seems so..." replied Nikita. Might as well stop it there, can't let the bastard get to me.

"Well, the girl does have a brain. Some things cease to amaze me." Nikita sighed mentally sending a thankful glance at Kao.

It was nice of Kao-ri to try and stop the argument.

"Do you have something to say?" asked Voltaire a bit irate, loosening his collar. Kai was steaming.

Maybe this was a mistake... thought Rio.

"No…I'm finished," said Kao-ri, closing her eyes for a moment. Voltaire nodded, feeling a slight pain in his left arm.

The meal was served as only more one-sided comments came from Voltaire's direction. Rio really regretted ever asking Kao to come to this dinner, finding that her best friend was extremely uncomfortable around her grandfather. Nikita did her best to keep attention away from herself. Kai too was regretting bringing Nikita again…

Several times during the evening, Voltaire would shout at the service to lower the temperature in the restaurant, complaining that it was way too hot in the room. They could see it in his flushed face, that the old man was over heated. But as the temperature kept being turned down, the kids and other customers started to get chills down their backs. Goosebumps grew on their arms.

"Are you OK, Oji-san?" asked Rio, concerned as yet again, Voltaire bellowed for them to reduce the temperature of the room. Voltaire nodded, loosening his tie for the tenth time and blinking.

"I am fine, Rio dear. It is just that it seems the restaurant—" Voltaire suddenly dropped to the floor, clutching his left arm tightly. His sweating face cringed in pain, as all the security around him, and the four at the table jumped out of their skins at the fall.

"Someone call for help!" cried Kai towards the crowd who had heard the thud of the elder man. Several cell phones flipped out and were being dialed.

"Oji-san! Oji-san!" cried Rio jumping to his side, and gentling holding onto his shoulders. Voltaire couldn't answer in the sudden pain that surrounded him.

Oh shit… thought Nikita as she watched Rio's eyes swell up in tears and Voltaire's face expressing the pain he was in. True he was a bastard… but still…

This can't be happening… thought Kao, feeling like a bad-luck charm all of a sudden.

"Keep him quiet and calm," stated a random woman running up to them, and pulling Rio back gently. She continued to chant instructions to those surrounding, and Kai took a hold of his bawling sister; Nikita and Kao surrounding them and placing their hands on their shoulders.

The EMTs arrived quickly and they had strapped Voltaire to a stretcher and wheeled him out to the ambulance. It didn't take long for Kai, Rio, Nikita, and Kao to all jump into the limo after the body guards…


At the funerl, Kai stoo daside the grave stone with his oji-san's name engraved on it. In front of him knelt the twelve year old Rio, placing the flowers over his grave that she had for him. Nikita and tala stood behind them solomnly, quiet as they watched the Hiwatari's lose the last family member they head besides themselves. Rahil had been killed before them, Adrik had been hit by an intoxicated driver and killed, their grandmother had passed away, and now Voltaire.

Kai's face harded as he turned his back on the grave, taking his arm around Nikita's shoulders leading her away. Tala lifted Rio to her feet and let her after Kai and Nikita. Multiple people stooped to express a few words about their feelings towards Kai and Rio. There were also ao few murmers as word was spreading about the will. Voltaire had left everything to Kai...everything...


A few years later, Kai was talking on his phone to Tala on the other line. Arguing about the last shipment of "coffee" that had come through late. Nikita walked into the room and sat quiet in a chair near the desk, fiddling with her purse. Kai help up one finger to her as he was wrapping up with his best friend and employee.

"You said you wanted to see me?" asked Nikita. Kai nodded and placed his cell phone back into his pocket.

"Yeah, come on. I want you to come with me..." Kai led her out the door grabbing his long trench coat on his way.

It was a cold winter day and Kai's limo was waiting just outside for them. They had been silent the whole way to whereever Kai was taking his girlfriend. Ever since Kai inheritted the "family business", it was if he had changed. Each month he wasn't as carefree and sporadic as he use to be. They were still dating, but the couple was always accompanied by a bodyguard who was always nearby. Kai usually invited Nikita over for dinner and they would stay at his penthouse. The sixteen year old Rio would join them as well. Even Tala did too on occassion.

Nikita couldn't help but feel like Kai was almost trying to distance himself from her. Biting her lip, she looked out the tinted window holding in her sigh. Nik didn't know that Kai had now headed a mafia-type of group, as head of the Hiwatari clan in the Five Familes.

The Five Families acutally were believed to be just a myth and a big joke around the town. Every location had their own version of the mafia, but no one truly believed that they existed. Jokes and stereotypes were thrown about the Five Families. But no one really dared go to the warehouse that was rumored to be their meeting site. Some said an overweight, Italian Kingpin oversaw these five branches. Others said the Five Families were aliens and the rest, except for the police, said the people who spoke about the Families were crazy.

What Nikita was unaware of that her coffee-selling boyfriend was the new "overweight, Italian" Kingpin...

The limo pulled to a stop as Ian, the driver, stepped out and opened Kai's door. Waving her over, Kai excited with Nikita in tote not too far behind. Standing outside, Nikita looked over to Kai. Had he remembered today was her birthday? Kai smiled and pointed to the warehouse-like building in front of them. Nikita looked at it cocking her head to the side. There was nothing special about the rundown building. Inside Nikita groaned...it was probably where he stored his new shipment of coffee...he had forgotten.

"Don't you remember?" he asked. Nikita rose a brow to him and pressed her lips together tightly. Kai rolled his eyes and walked her into the building. It looked like an old rundown club on the inside. Kai sat her on a dusty stool and proceeded to walk away and throw his trench coat over another set of ancient chairs.

"What are you doing?" she asked him a little pissy. Kai turned and pretened to walk like people were standing between them and he would have to weave his way through. He rested his eblows on the counter. Nikita just gave him a neutral glare. She didn't want him going psycho on her birthday...

"One of the round houses... hello there," said Kai smirking. Then it came back to her...their first meeting. Her face lit up in a large smile. "So how many candles?" Nikita jumped over to him and latched onto him in a bear hug. He had remembered. "So you think this is the place to open up a new club?" Nikita looked around. The place was surely trashed and would need a lot work. But it appeared to be do-able.

"You bought this place?" Kai grinned, wrapping his arm aroudn her and pulling her in closely.

"Did I?" Nikita laughed lightly and punched him in the arm. "Lets see, the Benu will need a manager... You think you are up for the position?" Nikita pretended to think for a second, pressing her index finger to her lips.

"I don't know... I do have other job offers..."

"Rio would love for you to run her club..."

"You're giving it to her?"

"Half... she'll need a start and she already demanded that a certain someone be her manager..."

"How could I say 'no' to her?" Kai grinned and pulled her even closer to himself. Nikita couldn't help but smile. Kai then proceeded to drag her over to the dance floor and tried to get her to dance with haim again, but Nikita's stomach had other plans.

"Hungry? I guess it is time for dinner," stated Kai looking down at his Rolex. "I have reservations and looked like we're going to just make it." Kai took her hand and they walked out of the Benu hand in hand after he put his coat back on. Smiling up towards her boyfriend, Nikita couldn't help but feel like she was the most lucky girl in the world.

Ian was waiting patiently in the driver's seat of the limo when he spotted the cheery couple. He hadn't seen the boss this happy in days. Not with all the trouble the Bài Hu Zu was causing him. Unlocking his door to step out, Ian heard a beeping sound.

The next thing they knew, Kai and Nikita were thrown into the wall of the warehouse from the explosion. Hitting the ground, Kai had enough sense in him to shield Nikita from the fire blast coming towards them from the limo...


Rio was waiting patiently with Tala on the couch in her brother's office. It was his turn to take Rio to look at some private boarding school she did not want to go to at all. But Kai was not pleased with her being in the open at the public high school.

"You ready?" he asked signing the last paper. Rio groaned and sighed. "Don't give me that look. I'm doing what is best."

"But I am happy at my school already! I haven't had any problems Kai-"

"This is not up for discussion, Rio. As your brother, I will keep you safe and I will do it the way I see fit."

"Well, then be a big brother, not a father. I already have one-"

"Had. And he wasn't worthy of that title."

"How could you say something like that! He was our family! Our father!"

"I am not debating this. I don't want to risk another accident." Like on Niki's birthday...

"You are impossi-"

Kai picked up his cell phone. "Yeah...What? I'll be right over. Rio, Bryan and Spencer are going to watch you while I'm gone...Tala..." Kai grabbed his coat and ran out the door. Tala followed after him, leaving Rio confused.

The two jumped into the limo. "Speed it up Miguel. Go to Nikita's..." The new driver nodded and pressed on the gas. Kai was fidgety the entire way and wouldn't explain anything to the questioning Tala.

Pulling over to Nikita's apartment building, their jaws dropped when they saw the building up in flames, the fire pouring out of Nikita's window. Jumping out of the limo, Kai rushed over to the coughing girl standing just outside. Grasping her in his arms, the fire trucks appeared and were shouting as they started to try to put out the fire.

"I'm OK, I was on my way out when I heard something in my apartment. I turned the other way and ..." Nikita's gaze looked up. An hour later the fire was under control and one fire fighter walked over holding something in his hands.

"I am sorry, but this was the only thing we could find left in your aparment Miss Vorobev," the fire fighter said as he held out what appeared to be a charred white-tiger plushie. Nikita eyed it as did Kai.

"That is not mine..." Kai looked at the tiger and growled. They had gone too far this time...


Kai was sitting at one of the tables at the little diner in town. Nikita walked in not too long after, smiling when she spotted him. But Kai did not return the same look back at her. Instead his face was cold and set in its ways. Nikita could feel her stomach flip. He had been like that since last week's fiasco with her apartment and the plushie.

"Sit." It was short and seemed forced. But Nikita didn't say anything and did as she was told. "You move into the new aparment OK?"

"Yes," she replied nodding her head. "You didn't have to get me the place. My mother offered me to stay with her for a few months until I could find another apartment on my own..."

"I did. And there is one other thing I must do." For your safety...


Tala was resting in the new room in the hospital, still receiving plenty of sedatives to the point where he could barely keep himself awake anymore. They still restrained him to his bed, as he still tried to keep escaping even when he was drowsy. Kao-ri had rarely left the room the four days it took for the doctor to arrive and make all the necessary preparations.

Rio stopped in often, as did Kai. Tala would still beg to be removed from the facility. He would also tense up when Kai or Kao would tell him Rio was with Rei. The neko-jin had been released two days after the attack on the boat. He had immediately asked to go back to work, but Kai denied that, causing a sigh of relief from Rio.

The Hiwatari girl was constantly yelling at him to rest and recruited Kao-ri to help her when she wasn't with Tala. The two girls were finding the neko being rather difficult, insisting that he was fine.

The operation had gone well. It had taken the doctor several hours to complete the surgery and return Tala back to his room in one piece. The doctors were optimistic about Tala's recovery. He now had a fifty-fifty chance of getting his sight back to normal. The other fifty was that he would only be able to see shadows the rest of his life. It was better than seeing nothing.

But now, Kao was resting in the chair next to Tala's bed, reading him the latest newspaper. She had tried to find way to keep him calm and occupied. If he weren't, he would remember where he was. She also had fun feeding him a few times, much to the Russian's argument. Her hair was let down instead of in its usual messy bun and a nice pair of bags appeared under her eyes. Tala groaned as he finally woke up from yet another nap… thanks to the heavy medication he was on.

"T-Tala...are you alright? How are you feeling?" asked Kao-ri putting down her book and leaning over towards him. She undid one of his restraints releasing his arms. She quickly looked over towards his wrapped face, noting that the bleeding from the surgery had finally stopped.

"How do you think I am?" mumbled Tala extremely grumpy.

"Not ok?"

"I still don't want to be here…and my eyes kill…" complained Tala, sighing heavily, still feeling the sedatives running through his veins. He found his arms free and ran his hand through his hair in frustration.

"Well the worst part is over now...all you have to do is wait until you're better and you can see again…" smiled Kao, reaching up and taking his hand into hers.

"What are you still doing here? Don't you have… things to do?" asked Tala.

"Not really...Rio's safe with Kai and Rei…so I don't really have a social life now-a-days..." Tala's throat immediately settled into a growl.

"I still don't trust that bastard... a little fishy back at the boat..."

"Tala you don't trust anyone...aside from Kai and Rio..." Tala just frowned at the comment and turned his head away. Kao's eyes softened at his action.

"What's wrong now?"

"You're right about not trust anyone…"

"But...I guess you really can't trust anyone in this crazy life we're in…" Kao's voice trailed off as she looked up at the ceiling, replaying the ship incident in her mind again. Why did Tala do that for her… he risked his life… his sight for her…

"No... no you can't... why are you here?"

"...Err...Cause...Kai and the others are too busy to stay with you?" said Kao on the move as she tried to think of a reasonable explanation to give him. It wasn't like she was ready to say that she was madly in love with him just yet… Nice save Kao-ri...

What could he be planning… "Was he there during the operation?" asked Tala thoughtfully. He had been knocked out before leaving the room, and he didn't know if his best friend had been there all the way with him, left him alone with the doctors and nurses.

"Of course he was..." nodded Kao with a smile. "You're like his brother..."

"Good..."

His really hot looking brother...

"What are you laughing at?" asked Tala, snapping his head in her direction, hearing her stiffen a giggle. He might not have been able to see right then and there, but all his other senses were making up for it.

"Nothing!" she squeaked.

"Uh huh…"

"...Kai won't work you too hard when you go back to the Benu...will he?"

"It doesn't matter what he wants... I'm going to do what I have too..." Why am I telling her?

"But you need to take it easy! You just got out of a strenuous surgery and will need to take time to fully regain your strength and senses back!"

"Says who?"

"SAYS ME DAMMIT!"

"And what are you going to do about it?" growled Tala.

"I JUST MIGHT TIE YOU UP TALA! OR I'LL LOCK YOU IN RIO'S APPARTMENT OR SOMETHING!" exclaimed Kao-ri in a huff. Tala just laughed.

"Like you could do any of that to me…"

"I CAN AND WILL JUST YOU WAIT TALA IVANOV!" growled Kao threateningly.

"I'd like to see you try…" Kao's temper lowered as the words ran off of Tala's tongue, almost as a prayer.

"...You will...just wait..." She squeezed his hand reassuringly. Tala immediately squeezed back with more intensity than Kao had given or predicted.

"Thanks..." Kao could feel her face blush and redden immediately. Thank god Tala couldn't see right then, cause she would have had to lock herself in a bathroom!

"N-N-No problem!"

Not a second later, they both heard the door open to the little room that the two were sitting in. Stepping into the room while holding his head, Kai made his way over towards the bed, barely noticing Kao-ri's presence.

"Hey Tal... Kao? What are you doing here?" Kao blushed a bright red color and waved her arm up in her defense.

"N-N-No reason!" Kai quickly nodded, still holding his head as the hang over from last night's drinking festivities finally caught up with him.

"The doctors said all went well…"

"When do I get out of here?"

"Soon... maybe a couple of weeks…" replied Kai rubbing his eyes with his thumbs.

"A COUPLE OF WEEKS!" cried Tala jumping up as much as he could in his protest.

"The recovery process..." said Kai now massaging his temples as his head felt like it was pounding him a new beat.

"I want out now..." growled Tala, his fists clenched tightly.

"If it makes you feel any better...I'll keep visiting you everyday..." blushed Kao, still holding his one hand. "T-That is if you want me to…" Kai's eyes opened and looked at her confusingly. Did he miss something?

"I just want out of this place... I don't care how!" declared Tala firmly, practically ignoring the neko holding onto his hand.

"Too bad...you just need to suck it up and be patient Ivanov!" stated Kao. Tala just continued to growl, his temper rising.

"I don't have the patients to listen to your squabbling Tala..." groaned Kai.

What did he just say...

"I already told you that I'd visit you everyday and Kai and Rio will visit when they can...so quit arguing cause we can't get you out of here any sooner!" yelled Kao.

"You... you are all against me..."

"I don't have time for this… nor the patients or the mind set…" Kai groan as his migraine was getting worse than before. He turned and stumbled back out the door the same way he had come in.

"Ivanov if I was against you why the hell am I still here visiting you?" questioned Kao with a raised brow.

"You sure as hell aren't trying to help get me out of here!"

"But I'm not forcing you to stay here for the rest of your life either!" she countered.

"You might as well be!" Kao rolled her eyes and squeezed his hand roughly.

"You're pissin' me off now Tala...you're being irrational."

"You'd be this way too if your mother was killed in one of these places!" Tala's voice dropped down to a whisper with each new word. Kao's grip loosened on his hand, as her jaw dropped…

"...I-I'm sorry...I-I didn't know..."

"You wouldn't... only Kai knows," Tala sighed rolling away from her. The memories were killing him. And it didn't help with the darkness he was currently in.

"Oh…"

"I was young at the time..." he recalled. "That's why I want out..."

"I'm sorry...I promise you Tala...we won't have you stay here any longer than you have to..." Tala just grunted a response, knowing Kao had no effect on when he could leave or not.

"Hey there…" said a familiar voice walking into the room. Kao looked up to see Rio dressed in her nightclub outfit, entering the room. Immediately, the neko let go of Tala's hand

"Rio?" asked Tala as he turned back to her. Rei better not be with her...

"I heard everything went well!" exclaimed the Russian with enthusiasm as she pulled up a chair next to Kao.

"Yeah..."

"That's good... all the better...you'll be home quicker than if something went wrong!" smiled Rio. Tala just groaned.

"Don't talk about going home Rio Tala will get cranky," Kao snorted.

"Um... kao... he's already cranky..." giggled Rio pointing out Tala's wrinkled frown. The red head just turned away from them entirely.

"Oops my mistake crankier!" Rio laughed and ruffled Tala's hair, messing it up even more than the bed head had gotten to it.

"He's always been cranky though!"

"Rio…" Tala warned. Kao grinned and pinched his cheek.

"Aww he has? I couldn't tell!" Tala swiftly grabbed onto Kao's wrist, catching her off guard and scaring her to death.

"Do that again and you'll get it..."

"I guess someone's senses have peaked…" sheepishly grinned Rio, sweatdropping.

"DAMMIT DON'T DO THAT TALA YOU'LL GIVE ME A HEART ATTACK!" squeaked Kao, catching her air and voice.

"Don't...do...that...again..." Kao poked his cheek.

"Fine fine." Tala just growled.

"So... you up for something tonight?" asked Rio, searching through her bag.

"Who...me?" asked Kao. Rio nodded and rolled her eyes.

"Mr. Seeing-Eye-Dog can't leave…" she giggled.

"Kao…Rio…" growled Tala.

"No...I'm...going to stay here..." Kao poked Tala. "I keep my promises..." Tala grabbed her wrist yet again.

"Don't poke me." Rio and Kao just giggled at Tala, knowing that right now he couldn't do much!

"Fine…then I guess I'll sneak Rei out of Kai's radar for a night on the town!" thought Rio out loud, she was liking the idea with each word that left her mouth. She could just imagine the night on the town with the neko-jin. She was bubbling inside, hardly containing her excitement. But Tala just continued his on going growl.

"Why don't you take Nik instead...its easier to sneak her away..." suggested Kao poking Tala once again.

"I hung out with Nik last night..." whined Rio, not wanting to sound like a baby, but she really would have rather gone out with Rei than Nikita that night.

"Kao..." snapped Tala, groping for his nurse aid button. Kao blinked and stopped poking the red head.

"Ah...well if you can't get Rei out I say go with Nik..." Rio just winked and smirked back towards her.

"I'll get him out."

"Don't... don't go with him Rio," stated Tala with an annoyance tone in the air.

"And why not? You know you are so sounding like a broken record Tala-wala…" Rio couldn't help but laugh at the last comment, which caused only confusion on Tala's part, and another blush on Kao's face.

"Uh… right…He's not trustworthy…" Kao immediately slapped a hand over Tala's mouth before he could continue trying to explain to Rio how dangerous he thought her new crush was. Kao winked towards her best friend who returned it with a smile.

"Eh...get out of here Rio...I'll take care of cranky-pants ne?" Rio leaned over and gave Kao a quick hug. Letting go, she leaned down and quickly pecked Tala on the forehead, which caused a little rush of jealousy on Kao's part.

"Thanks... see you tomorrow Ice man!" Tala was mumbling under Kao's hand trying to get her to stop.

"Hey just do me a favor...bring Nik with you ok? I know what it's like having nothing to do all night...and its very boring my friend..." High school was too cruel to some people… but Rio… she had been very popular back in school. Though it did help to have a really hot older brother with an equally hot best friend!

"Nik probably won't want to be coming with us…" whispered Rio so Tala couldn't hear. Kao's eyes popped wide open.

"...then just…be careful for me...ok? I won't forgive myself...if anything were to happen to you Ri-chan..." Rio just waved her off as if nothing bad could possibly could happen to her while she was with Rei.

"Nothing is going to happen to me! Lighten up! Bye!"

"Yeah...bye..." Kao watched as Rio shut the door behind her and removed her hand from Tala's mouth. Once again Kao's eyes opened wide as she felt something on the palm of her hand and she held it up to her face. "DID YOU LICK MY HAND?"

"I was suffocating!"