Disclaimer: Rio is mine... Kao-ri is yohko-lily's... Nikita is Wolfy's… and GOD I wish I had Kai, Tala, and Rei. -. - The song "So Cold" belongs to Breaking Benjamins...


Shadow
So Cold


(Crowded streets are cleared away

One by One

Hollow heroes separate

As they run)

As usual the Benu was crowded to its maximum capacity with a long line outside and curving along two sides of the old warehouse building. Rio was sitting in her dressing room while Kao-ri was helping the bluenette with the application of her eye make up, and fixing her stubborn locks. Tonight was the Karaoke Night at the club, all proceedings going to the local orphanage, of course. Rio was kicking off the night, but instead of concerning herself with her lyrics, her mind was wandering, romanticizing over the last month's worth of secrecy.

It wasn't every other night that Rio would ditch her bodyguards and her brother's watchful eye, and "accidentally" run into a certain golden-eyed neko-jin. Rei had explained to her they had to be discrete about it and not have a set pattern of acquaintances. Rick was use to the fact that Rio would sneak off and ditch him, so it didn't seem too shady. Things eased up when Rio's bodyguard had fallen ill, and Kai had ordered Rei to fill the position for the week that Rick could not fulfill his duties.

"What are you smirking about there, Ri-chan?" asked Kao fixing the eyeliner's mark on the said person's face. Rio's cheeks rose greatly in a red color, unable to contain herself. Kao stopped her work and raised a brow. "OK, what did you do now?"

"It is not the issue of 'what' as to-"

"Holy shit Rio! You-"

"SHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! You don't want Rick running in here!" exclaimed Rio clasping her hands over Kao's mouth to silence her. Slowly she removed her hands. "Now keep it down... but I've been kind of seeing Rei for about a month now..."

"How can you 'kind of'? You do or you don't Rio."

"Fine! I have. I have been seeing Rei."

"Why didn't you tell me? I'm supposed to be your best friends! You know you are always able to confide anything with me!" stated Kao with her hands on her hips.

"I would have Kao, but I was afraid Kai or Rick would walk in and over hear," Rio confessed, glancing to the door, but seeing no change it.

"So all those extra study session..." Rio just nodded solemnly. "EEE! I'm so happy for you Ri!" Kao wrapped her arms tightly around her best friend in a giant bear hug. "So err... do you ... like...how..."

"Great," laughed Rio. "I'll have to have to tell Tala to show you one day." Kao's face paled and then rose up in a bright red color. She seemed frozen at Rio's comment while the Hiwatari girl couldn't contain her cheeky grin.

"RIO! You are-"

"Ingenious?"

"No, if you dare say anything to Tala I'll-"

"Worship the ground I walk on?"

"NO! That is-"

"A perfect idea. Speaking of said person, how was he last time you visited him?" Rio questioned while she turned to fix her hair one last time.

"He was doing great. He seems a lot calmer in the hospital now. Though I think that was his sedatives that created that."

"Poor Tala. He gets out soon doesn't he?" Kao shrugged.

"He is still the bandage boy. So it is not like I can tell. I'm no doctor."

"Well last time I talked to him he seemed to like it when you came over to visit him. Well, that is what I got in between the hour long speech on why he wants me to stay away from Rei."

"He never like Kon, did he?"

"No, he was too busy liking you," giggled Rio poking her friend.

"Shut up Rio! Oh shit its 10... you got to get out there! Your 'loyal fans' are waiting."

"Don't you mean horny drunk men?"

"What's the difference in your case?"


(You're so cold

Keep your hand in mine

Wise men wonder while

Strong men die)

Rei had faked an illness that night when he got a "special" letter requiring his attention. "Meet me at the Lair...10 sharp." Well that was simple enough. Lee would want another report, but Rei was still holding a grudge against his neko-jin brethren for the gunshot wound that had fully healed.

Making his way through the back alleyways of Bay City, Rei came to the building, which led to the Lair. Located through an underground tunnel, the Lair was the current location of the Bái Hu Zu headquarters, until they were able to gain their own territory on the surface.

"On time as usual Rei."

"I am here, what do you want?"

"Must you even ask my that question when you already know the answer? But I shall humor the both of us. Any information on the location of our entity?" asked Lee spinning his chair around to face Rei.

"I have been interrogating Rio for the last month, and she spoke truthfully to me, Lee. And I have come to witness and believe her words. Lee, there is not 'ancient power'. Rahil did not obtain such a prize and you and our leader have claimed! Kai's success has come from his hard work. Listen to me when I say you, He, I, we all have been chasing a dream."

"Rei, listen to yourself. The Hiwatari's are liars."

"She confides all with in me Lee. She had told me her past, which in most part matches with what we have been told. She told me that her family is all the importance of Kai. He holds no power source that renders him magical in any sort. It is time to stop this foolish hunt, Lee. You and I are brethren; you know I only speak the truth to you. I would never dream of withholding information from you. I have seen the consequences. I had delivered one on my own."

Lee sighed and pushed back his chair, standing up. Walking over to his friend. Lee continued to shake his head in a speechless manner, allowing no information to escape in his body language. Coming to a stance in front of Rei, the Lion placed his hands upon the white tiger's shoulders.

"Your tone is stressed my friend. You have done what was asked of you. I have heard your report and with that information you are relieved of your current position. Go home and rest, tomorrow, Mariah shall visit you and the final wedding plans shall be made. I don't want you to interact with the Hiwatari's for now on. Leave them a message… that a family emergency has come up and you can't work anymore. If Kai is so into the idea of 'family' as you say, he won't argue any of the sort."

Rei nodded, and left Lee standing in the middle of his office with Kevin and another neko-jin named Zi emerging from their concealment in the shadows.

"That was a change of heart for the kitty-prince," stated Zi crossing her arms lazily.

"Poor, poor Rei," sighed Lee heavy heartedly. "I never should have sent him on this mission. The poor brother has been brainwashed by those wretches."

"Hiwataris are phoenixes, you can never be sure about a phoenix. They are too mysterious to understand. Who knew that Kai and his brat sister would over power him," declared Kevin.

"Want me to take care of this?" asked Zi rubbing her fingers together with a devious smirk on her lips.

"Yes Salem. We shall replay those who are responsible for the poisoning of my baby sister's fiancé…"



(Show me how it ends it's alright

Show me how defenseless you really are

satisfied and empty inside

That's alright, let's give this another try)

Kao wandered down the familiar hallway of the hospital wing in which Tala had been living in since he had been admitted into the hospital two months ago. His recovery had been slow and steady, and Kao had tried to be there with him as much as possible. Tala still had been prescribed sedatives to keep him calm and quiet during his stay.

A few nurses waved towards the red head when they recognized her from the frequent visits. Kao just waved back at them with a friendly, warm smile. The nurses also had a gleam in their eyes as they exchanged friendly small talk.

Knocking on Tala's door, Kao pressed her ear up to the door to hear if Tala was awake or not. Not getting a response, Kao stood up straight and opened the door. The room was dark when she entered. Switching on the lights, Kao's face paled at the sight… or lack of.

Tala was gone. His sheets were gone. It was as if he had never been present in the small room. Kao could feel herself panic inside as Tala's fearful words continued to ring in her ears. What…What if they had done to him the same as his mother? Kao's stomach flipped dangerously as the thought came over her.

No. Tala can't be dead. No, he was a fighter; he would have fought them off. Wait… he had been sedated during his stay…what if they did that and overdosed him? Those nurses did seem a little too happy when I saw them. NO! I…I have to call Kai!

Just then she heard the door shut behind her, causing Kao to jump and squeak. She froze in her steps, unable to move in her terror.

Oh Kami-sama! They are going to kill me too! I figured out their crime! Tala's dead…no, no, no! I'm going to join him soon! Oh Kami-sama save me. I'm too young to die…Tala…was too young. Why!

"Why are you so jumpy?" Kao's jaw dropped and she turned around slowly to see Tala standing where the open door had hidden him. Kao gasped as she looking into his soft cerulean eyes.

"T…T…" she stuttered, unable to think or say much in her current state of shock.

"You look as if you have seen a ghost my dead," he smirked, walking over to her.

"I… I thought you were… never mind… Your eyes!"

"Yeah, pretty much back to normal. They removed the bandages two days ago, and I was surprised you weren't there."

"Tala, I'm sorry. I would have been there but-"

"No need to explain. Come on. I have been released already. I was just waiting for you."

"You were waiting for me? But why?"

"To celebrate I guess. Unless you're too busy to dine with me…"

"No, no, no! I'm free…err… available…err…I mean-"

"So I take it as a yes?" Kao just nodded as her blush continued to grow on her face. "Ok, good. Lets head off, I made reservations at a little dinner." Tala reached out and took her hand in his, pulling her up close to him. Leaning down, he placed a light kiss on her lips. Kao was floating up on Cloud 9 and was never going to come back down.



(If you find your family, don't you cry

In this land of make-believe, dead and dry)

"Oh my god! You…and Tala?" squeaked Rio from wiping the stage make up from her face in her dressing room. Kao just blushed yet again, and nodded her head. "Oh my god! Oh my god! Since when?"

"Since he got out of the hospital…" grinned Kao slyly.

"Three weeks and you haven't told me! I thought I was your best friend!" pouted Rio putting her hands on her hips.

"I would have told you… but you also didn't tell me about Rei… speaking of him… have you gone public with him yet?"

"No… after Kai fired him it's been kind of easy to get around to be with him. But I'm actually going to ask Kai for his permission to date Rei. I finally have built up the courage to do it!" smirked Rio wiping off the last of her make up.

"Go for it Rio! I'm going to come with you of course!"

The two girls headed up to the upper level of the Benu where Rio's brother's office was located. Knocking on the door, Rio sucked her breath in as Bryan opened the door.

"What can I do for you Rio-san?" he asked closing the door behind him as he stood between the two girls and Kai's office.

"I want to speak with my brother please, Bryan," said Rio trying to get around the Falcon Russian.

"He's not here. Down back with Tala and Spencer. I wouldn't disturb him though, Miss."

Rio laughed, "Ok, thanks Bryan."

Bryan nodded, "Want to wait in here for him?"

"Nah, thank you though." Bryan shrugged and went back into the office without another thought. Rio turned around and headed down the stairs.

"So now what? Do we wait for him until he comes back?" asked Kao following her right on her heels.

"Ha! Of course not. I'm going to interrupt, or wait out there for him. You'd better stay here Kao."

"Ri, you need me."

"Kai'll be temperamental. I don't want to cause anything between you, Tala, and Kai."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah. Thanks thought. I shouldn't be long. When I come back, we'll celebrate!"

"OK! Ice cream all around!" Rio smiled and walked out the backdoor, entering the alleyway. Following the familiar voices, Rio found the three men standing near the entrance to the main road in a huddle.

"They have been too quiet," stated Kai off in a daze as he held his chin up with his right hand, looking over the walls of the alleyway. Tala and Spencer stood in front of him.

"I know, not much has happened since the ship. That is not like them…" declared Tala remembering that eventful night all too well.

"You expect something to happen soon?" asked Spencer calmly looking between his boss and Tala.

"Yes. I want all our warehouses to have double the security. Make sure the docks are heavily guarded. I want Granger on this one as well. These are cats not afraid of water," declared Kai firmly. Spencer nodded and bowed to him slightly.

"If you say so, sir. I shall send for the order right now." Kai and Tala watched as Spencer walked away from the two towards Rio's direction. Not wasting anytime with the current lull in her brother's conversation, Rio walked down towards them.

"Hey Kai, Tala!" she said running up in between the two taller Russians. Both Kai and Tala seemed caught off guard in the surprise visit of their young companion. But Rio didn't worry about it as she smiled widely at them. Kai raised his brow in question.

"Rio? What are you doing back here?"

"I was here to ask you a question!" she said lightly punching his arm. But Kai did not flinch or move; more or less he did not seem interested in his sister's antics.

"What is it then?" he questioned crossing his arms and looking her straight in the eye.

"Now before you jump to answer, I want you to seriously think about it and hear all I have to say. Ok?" she asked strongly, giving him the same intensive glare as he was giving back to her.

"Alright," he said quickly, wanting to get this petty question over with so he could go back to more important matters on his hands.

"You see, Kai. There is this guy I like… I mean really, really like. He's sweet, caring, and he treats me with a great amount of respect. When I am around him, I feel like nothing can hurt me, like I am protected…basically I was wondering if I could start dating Rei-"

"No."

"But Kai! You said you would think about it! You promised me!" demanded Rio in her own defense at her brother's rather quick response.

"Rio, there is nothing to think about! The answer is no. It always has been, it is now, and it will forever be," Kai stated firmly, standing taller than he did before. Tala looked away not wanting to get caught in yet another feud between the siblings. He had been there before; he did not want to get mixed up again.

"That is so unfair Kai!" cried Rio in her frustration, tears starting to form in her eyes.

"No one said this life is fair. I don't want you to get hurt-"

"And someone said that it is better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all!" Rio practically screamed in Kai's face, a few millimeters soon separating their noses.

"That is a load of shit Rio. Love hurts. If you go out with that guy, he is going to play with your emotions, he'll toy with you, use you, and dispose of you when something better comes along."

"Rei will not do that Kai! He loves me!"

"He is an ex-employee of mine. I won't allow such a pairing," glared Kai.

"What about you! You have all your fucking concubines and I don't preach to you about how that is against our family's morals and religion! I sat back and watched you and Nikita spend three happy years together! I want someone to make me that happy!"

"Don't bring up that worthless past."

"I don't get you, Kai. You tell me never to love, but you were with Nikita before you broke it off! Why the hell did you hurt her? She did nothing as to betray you, yet you dumped her flat on her ass!"

"We are not going to continue this conversation Rio!"

"Kai…please. I have done every thing you asked of me. I haven't been on a date, and yet you promised me you would let me!"

"I said none of the sort. You will not see Rei or anyone in that sort of matter you are imagining. That is final!"

Rio backed away in her frustration and looked down and away from him. Her hands clutched into fists, and tears were streaming down her face. Shaking in trying to control her anger, Rio bit her lip and wouldn't look at either her brother or Tala.

(You're so cold, but you feel alive

Lay your hand on me one last time)

"I hate you."

Kai rolled his eyes, until the words registered in his mind. He didn't believe what she had just said to him. His ears must have been playing tricks on him.

"What? What did you say?" he asked dropping his arms to his sides.

"You heard me!" growled Rio finally looking up at him in her bloodshot eyes, her voice's tone rising in each new word. "I hate you! I hate you Kai, with everything in me! I can't stand being related to you for another second longer! I wish you weren't my brother. I wish I never knew you. I'd be much happier!"

"Rio…"

"Shut up Kai! From now on I disown you. I have no brother. I am not a Hiwatari anymore, but I am a happier person at that!"

With that Rio turned on her heels after spitting down at Kai's feet in her disgust, walking away. Kai was frozen in his track. No. No that had not just happened. Rio did not just… No.

Tala ran after the outraged girl, leaving Kai by himself. He was in disbelief. He had really pushed his sister to drive her into that angered state? Angry enough to disown him? No, he was being a good brother. He was keeping his promise to Rahil, keeping Rio safe. He was doing his duty…

(Show me how it ends it's alright

Show me how defenseless you really are

satisfied and empty inside

That's alright, let's give this another try)

Just then a pair of headlights show over Kai. "Hey big boy. You want to play with me?" Turning around, he saw a car parked facing him from the main street and a woman with flashing golden eyes sitting out of the passenger window. Cocking his head to at her, a parade of gunshots ran off, echoing through the alleyway.

Pressing his hand up to the left side of his chest, Kai could feel a warm liquid streaming out of a whole he hand not had there before. His fingers were covered in a sticky warm crimson liquid. There was another whole in his shoulder and a third in his gut. "You'd better lie down and take a nice, long cat nap…" Kai could watch as his vision blurred and his knees gave away. Collapsing to the ground, he fell on his side, rolling onto his back and gasping in the new overwhelming pain.

"KAI!" screamed Rio running around the corner, after hearing the gunshots, in a panic. Tala was right on her heels with his automatic in his hand. "Oh my god! Kai!" Rio lost all thought of reason in her head as she saw her brother lying on the ground rolling side to side with a car still facing him.

"Shit," breathed Tala seeing the sight and recognized Zi Sun sitting in the car. Snapping back to himself, Tala fired at Zi and the car, careful enough to avoid hitting Rio. The bullets bounced off of the car, and the neko-jin girl slipped back into the car as it backed up and drove away.

(It's alright…)

Bryan and Spencer rounded the corner and looked on in their disbelief. "Stop staring and call an ambulance you fools!" Bryan whipped out his cell phone and dialed as quickly as he could.

(It's alright…)

"KAI!" Rio cried as she fell onto her knees next to her brother's side. Her eyes moved across his bloody front side and watched as a pool of blood was forming underneath him. "Kai… I didn't mean it! I love you… please be joking! I'll… I'll laugh. Please!"

(It's alright…)

"R…R…" Kai couldn't get the words out as he started to choke and cough up blood, dripping out of the corners of his mouth. Rio flung herself over top of him and tried to hold onto him. Looking down at her hands, she paled and nearly lost her stomach as Kai's blood covered her palms and fingers.

(It's alright…)

"Rio, get back!" demanded Tala as he and Spencer made it over to the Hiwataris. But Rio couldn't, wouldn't budge from her brother while she continued to chant her sorries to him. Tala had to practically yank and lift Rio from Kao so Spencer could try and help him.

(It's alright…)

"No! No! I need to be by him! KAI!"

(It's alright…)

"Hush Rio. Spencer, we need to apply pressure to the wound and fast," said Tala, managing to hold Rio, and take off his jacket. Spencer took Tala's coat and quickly slipped it under Kai's back. Ripping off his own jacket, Spencer crumbled it up into a ball.

(It's alright…)

"This is going to hurt sir…" Spencer placed the jacket over the wound in Kai's chest, and pressed down with his heavy weight. Finding his voice, Kai's voice rang as the pain was overwhelming him again. Bryan ran over and took off his jacket and vest as well, mimicking what Spencer did, placing the jacket over the shoulder wound. Spencer applied pressure over that wound again, with another cry of Kai. Bryan put the vest over his gut and again Kai screamed.

(It's alright…)

Rio couldn't watch as Kai's groans rang through her ears, and she buried her face into Tala's chest. Holding her and shielding her from the sight, Tala kept trying to stay calm and watch over Bryan and Spencer. Rio continued to sob as a pair of flashing lights could be seen flying up the main street.

(It's alright…)