Silver: Wow…a great thank you to all those who have reviewed! I'm so happy to hear that you guys liked the last chapter! I am so bored at home during the March Break that the reviews are the only things that cheer me up. ^-^ Well…besides talking to my best friend T.K. Just a general warning, March Break is almost over. The point I'm trying to make is that I wouldn't be able to update as often, once or twice a week at most. I would appreciate it if you guys stuck by me until this story is finished.
Hehehehehehe…I got QUITE a few reviews about the mysterious figure. All I'm saying is that, you can believe who you want him to be. He will be revealed at the end of the story. ^-^ He might not be who you think he is. In fact…I'm throwing in a few twists and turns later on. ^__~ *Evil chuckle*
General Thanks to: White Spirit Angel, Shaka Dragomir Nocturnus, and Sarcasmcat, Mirai Shinranui (awesome advices Thanks!), Reiluver, Keisan, Silent Bob 546, BitterCherries, Devlinn Reiko-sama, Silens Fletus, Hikari no Donya (Amazing advices! Thanks! Don't hurt yourself with the head and wall thing. ^-^), Kitsune, Platinum Rei, Cutie Kat, chibi drigger, quicksilver melt (Tala is Kai's brother.) , for your reviews! Happy authoress.
Thanks for everyone who gave me an answer to the last question. For my next story, Eternal Flames, the pairings are now finalized. Please check out the first chapter when I update it.
Disclaimer: For all details please see first chapter. I'm too lazy to type it here. All the poems here belong to me and only to me. Please do not copy my work or modify it into your own version. I would appreciate it.
PLEASE R&R AT THE END. ^-^ Thanks! Enjoy the chapter!
A/N-I received a few reviews saying that the flashback in chapter four was unnecessary. Therefore, I deleted the flashback from the chapter. Right now, it's a new chapter without a flashback. ^-^
Flames are NOT welcome. Please do not flame this or any other stories. We have worked very hard to publish these stories. However, constructive criticisms are MOST WELCOME. Thank you for reviewing! And enjoy!
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Hold On
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
What happened to me?
To the person I knew?
5 thousand tears I've cried,
I've cried for you.
I've got to stop,
Stop this pain of suffering.
Deep in my heart,
I know I'm dieing.
One final wave,
A wave of goodbye.
My last wish,
Is to hear your voice.
Your beautiful voice,
Telling me, promising me,
That you will be by me,
And love me…till deaths do us apart.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Max! Max! C'mon buddy, we're going to go looking for Rei! MAX!" Tyson screamed into the ears of a sleeping Max.
Throwing the cover over his head, Max mumbled a sleepy 'go away' before continuing his sleep.
"MAX! GET UP MAX!!!! MAX!!!! REI MIGHT BE HURT! IT IS RAINING OUTSIDE AND HE IS SOMEWHERE IN THAT RAIN! MAX!!! WAKE UP MAX! MAX!" Tyson tried again.
When he still received no responds, Tyson threw off Max's sheets and screamed, "MAX!"
Seeing that he wasn't going to get any sleep with Tyson screaming in his ear, Max let out a sigh of regret. He hasn't gotten a proper sleep since they arrived at England. Raising himself to his elbow, Max turned around to retrieve the clothes that he had left on the other side of the bed. He was surprised to find Tyson's face only inches away from his own.
Any thoughts of Rei briefly left Tyson's mind as he found Max's face so close to his own. Both caught by surprise, the boys felt patches of red appeared on their cheeks as they swiftly turned away from each other.
Clearing his throat, Tyson's brain suddenly switched back into panic mode. This was the second time in one hour that he put his own thoughts before the well being of Rei. Mentally kicking himself for being such an ass, he marched over to Max. Seeing that Max wasn't finished dressing, he jump around, all the while urging Max to dress quicker.
When Max was finally presentable, Tyson ran off towards the elevator, tagging Max behind him. Hitting the down button to get the elevator to come to their floor, he turned to a fully awake Max and began to explain what he said to Kai earlier on. The only difference with this conversation is that, as soon as Tyson started to tell his theory, Max gave Tyson his immediate attention. Agreeing with Tyson's theory that something might have happened to Rei, Max silently cursed himself for being such a sleepy head.
For what seemed like eternity, the elegant elevator door slid open to reveal a well decorated inside. Max noted the soft fluffy red carpet that covered the entire area of the floor. The walls were painted a royal red, making you feel like royalty as soon as you stepped inside.
While Max observed his surrounding, Tyson was not so observant. He simply rushed to the elevator and began to hit the down button. Gently shaking his head, Max quickly followed his lead. Before Max had time to put down his second foot inside the elevator, Tyson was already banging the close button. Max had to quickly move his foot to avoid having it squashed by the elevator door.
When he was safe inside the elevator, Max turned with a death glare to face Tyson. Tyson however, was paying no attention to Max. He was nervously fidgeting with his fingers as his mind went over the possibilities of what might have happened to Rei, each more badly than the last.
Seeing Tyson so nervous, all thoughts of yelling at him disappeared from Max's mind. Feeling his heart go out for the poor teenager, Max walked over to Tyson and enrapt him in a warm, comforting hug. Surprised but never less, Tyson slowly wrapped his arms around his friend and fellow bladder. Slowly, a smile formed on both of their faces as the elevator continued to slowly make its way down from the 34th floor.
Gently breaking their hug, Max gave Tyson a gentle smile before giving his hand a reassuring squeeze. Feeling safe and comforted by Max's simple gesture, Tyson felt his heart slow from its rapid pumping motion. There was complete silence until they saw they had finally arrived on the main floor. As soon as the elevator doors slid open, Tyson quickly ran out into a deserted lobby, closely followed by Max.
Looking around, they both saw no trace of Rei. Quickly heading towards the exit, Tyson was concentrating so hard to see through the pouring rain that he failed to notice a limp figure in the darkest corner outside the hotel. Walking straight pass the still figure, Tyson continued on his search for Rei.
Silently muttering about how stupid he was not bringing an umbrella with him, Max reluctantly followed Tyson's lead into the rain. However, when he passed the corner where his friend laid, lifeless, he heard a small, but definite howl. Feeling his nerves race, Max turned to call Tyson, only to find that he had gone from his line of vision.
Max stayed still for a few minute, his clothes rapidly being soaked by the rain. The howl wasn't heard once as he remained completely still. When he convinced himself that it was just his imagination playing tricks on him, Max slowly began to walk towards the direction that Tyson ran.
As soon as Max made one slight movement, his ears picked up a soft wolf howl. Freezing in his tracks, Max slowly turned to face the direction of the sound. Aware that all the nerves in his body were well alert, Max cautiously walked towards the sound of the howling.
He arrived in a dark corner right outside the hotel doors. The howling immediately stopped as he stepped into the corner. Waiting for his eyes to adjust to the dark, Max felt every muscle on his body alert, incase he needed to run away from the corner.
It didn't take long for Max's eyes to adjust to the darkness. Before long, Max could faintly make out an outline of someone sitting limply again the cold, wet walls. He hesitantly stepped towards the figure, trying to figure out why anyone would be sitting outside on such a rainy day. The closer he came, the more he felt that he knew this person from somewhere.
As he walked closer, he noticed the long, flowing hair that the person wore in a long braid.
'Long braid…no…it can't be…please, god…it can't be…' Max prayed as he quickened his pace to the body.
No matter how much he prayed, there were no mistakes whom the person was. Rei Kon laid there, in the corner unconscious. Rushing to Rei's side, Max quickly checked to see Rei's breathing. Letting out a sigh of relief when he found that he was still alive, Max quickly scooped up the limp boy. Surprised to find how light he seemed, Max quickly rushed into the safety of the hotel, all thoughts of the wolf left behind.
A pair of shiny black eyes followed Max as he ran towards the hotel. Letting out a huff of air, the wolf turned and began to run back to his master. His mission was now accomplished.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"REI! REI! REI BUDDY! WHERE ARE YOU REI?" Tyson yelled into the rain as he desperately tried to find his friend.
Turning to talk to Max, Tyson was surprised to find that his friend was no longer behind him. Now desperate, Tyson cannot decide whether he should continue to search for Rei or if he should go back to find Max.
'Why me?' Tyson thought before he turned back the direction that he had came, to search for Max. He tried to convince himself that Rei was probably safe somewhere.
Tyson arrived outside the hotel in time to see a flash of white disappear from a corner outside the hotel. Through the thick rain, he failed to make out exactly what it was, but he was almost positive that it was a bit-beast. Shaking his head, he glanced briefly inside the hotel. What he saw made him sprint as fast as his legs would carry him.
'This is one of those times that I really wish I don't eat so much food. But I swore I saw Max carrying a limp figure in his arms…the long braids…could it be Rei?' Tyson thought as he huffed and puffed up the hotel stairs.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Hitting the up button like Tyson did only moments ago, Max prayed for the elevator doors to open. His prayers were answered as he heard a 'ding' before the doors slid open. Jumping into the elevator, Max quickly hit the button for the 34th floor. Before the elevator door fully closed, he was sure that he heard someone call his name. Before he had enough time to check, the elevator door slid shut. Letting out a sigh of relief when he felt the elevator move, Max glanced down at the cold teenager he held in his arms.
Unzipping Rei's jacket, Max was puzzled to find that it was waterproof.
'How could Rei have known that it was going to rain? The sky was so clear in the afternoon. Must be a coincidence.' Max decided.
Taking off his own wet jacket, Max took off his inner shirt and wrapped it around Rei's cold body. Glancing up at the floor level, he sighed in dismay when he found out they were only on the 23rd floor. Silently urging the elevator to go faster, Max tried his best to keep Rei's body warm.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"MAX!" Called Tyson as he slammed open the hotel doors. Swearing at no one in particular when he heard the elevator door slid shut; Tyson marched over to another elevator and began to hit the up button. This time, however, Tyson wasn't so lucky. It was five minutes before Tyson heard the 'ding' signaling that the elevator had finally arrived.
On his way into the elevator, Tyson kicked the metal door hard with his foot, as if letting out his frustration out on the door. Receiving nothing more than a throbbing foot in return, he let out a string of curses. Hitting the 34th button, he slumped into the nearest wall and closed his eyes to rest.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Max silently thanked the gods when he heard another 'ding', signaling their arrival on the 34th floor. Without waiting for the elevator doors to fully open, Max leaped out of the elevator and began to run towards the room that Rei shared with Kai.
Upon arriving outside their room, Max desperately turned the doorknob, only to find out it was locked shut. The haunting melody from a guitar drifted out from the inside. Hearing this, Max was sure that Kai was inside the room. Banging on the door to get his attention, Max was rewarded with only the sounds of the guitar.
Glancing down at the boy he held in his arms, he saw that his cheeks were flushed to an unbelievable shade of red. Gently placing Rei onto the fluffy hotel carpet, Max placed one hand onto Rei's sweaty head. Gasping in surprise at the heat radiating from his head, Max was starting to doubt the time Rei had to live.
His desperation adding to his anger, Max started to shout at Kai through the closed door.
"Kai! You fuckin' Bastard! Open this door! Rei is running a high fever. If we don't do something fast, he is going to die! Kai! Open this door! Please!" Max pleaded.
He waited impatiently for some kind of reply from the stone Captain on the other side of the door. The only reply he received was the sounds from Kai's guitar. Groaning in frustration, Max tried again.
"Kai! PLEASE! I know you are morning over the loss of Tala, but please! Do you want someone else that you care about to die? Tala's death was NOT your fault! However, if Rei died right now, it would be from your ignorance. Kai! PLEASE OPEN THE GOD DAMNED DOOR! Rei is DYING! Kai! If you don't care about Rei, please, at least think about the team! Rei is one of the best bladders on the team! Without him, we are nothing! Kai! Think about everything he had done to the team! Kai! PLEASE OPEN THIS DOOR! WE NEED TO GET HELP FOR REI!" Max shouted.
As Max got ready for another round of pleading, he was surprised when he heard the door click open. He was even more shocked when he was greeted with Kai's chalk-white complexion. He quickly got over his shock and bent to pick up a moaning Rei from the carpet floor.
Kai felt his heart go out for his sick team member. He could see that Max wasn't kidding when he said that Rei was on the verge of dying. Slowly moving out Max's way, his eyes followed Max as he carried Rei to his bed, then immediately proceeded to taking off Rei's wet clothing.
Turning to shut the door, he was surprised to find a pair of hands pushing against the door. Letting go of the door, he was greeted by Tyson; who stumbled into the room from the sudden lost of weight on the other side.
Sparing one glance at both soaking teens, Kai slowly dragged his feet towards his closet. Taking out three pairs of outfit, he threw them silently to his teammates. It wouldn't do any of them any good if they both caught a cold. The third pair landed neatly at the foot Rei's bed
Both looking at the clothes Kai had thrown to them, touched by his silent consideration. While Tyson quickly ran back to his room to change, Max looked torn between going to change out of his wet clothes or continue to look after Rei.
"Go, go change, I'll take over. Go phone the doctors. Tell them to come as soon as possible. Rei need medical attention fast." Kai said to Max, again surprising the teenager.
Knowing better than to disobey Kai, Max gave a quick nod before leaving the room, gently shutting the door behind him. When Kai heard the door click shut, he slowly made his way to the sick teenager. He observed as Rei twisted and turned inside the cover, his featured twisted into one of pain. Arriving beside the bed that he shared with Rei, Kai slowly sat down on the corner.
Continuing Max's unfinished work, Kai slowly changed Rei out of his soaked Chinese pants. He felt a smile appear on the corner of his mouth when he saw Rei's kitty boxers. Rei cringed at the sudden exposure of cold air on his skin. However, he slowly relaxed when he felt the delicate materials of Kai's pants against his legs.
After he was finished, Kai gently raising his cold fingers, and slowly traced the outline of Rei's delicate face. As soon as his fingers connected with Rei's hot flesh, he immediately felt the boy relax on the bed. As his hands reached Rei's forehead, he was shocked to feel how hot it was. Quickly getting up, Kai turned to find a cold towel from Rei. As soon as Rei lost Kai's touch, his body immediately tensed. His calmed face again turned to one of pain and fear. Moaning, Rei grabbed the sheet in a death grip, as if he was trying to lessen the pain.
This did not go unnoticed to Kai's sharp eyes. Walking to their medication box, Kai took out a bottle of medical alcohol, a bag of cotton balls and a thermometer. Walking to their spacious bathroom, he took out two fluffy towels. Kai then proceeded to soaking them in cold water. He then took out a pan, and slowly filled it with cold water.
Before long, Kai made his way back to Rei. Place one of the cold towels onto Rei's cold forehead, he immediately felt the teenager relax as the coolness of the towel slowly released some heat from his head. Then, he took out the thermometer and placed it into the teenager's mouth. After a minute, he heard a series of beeps, notifying him that it was finished. Taking out the thermometer, Kai wasn't surprised to find that Rei had a high fever of 40.5°c.
Hoping that the alcohol will cool down Rei's temperature, he opened the bottled alcohol and the bag of cotton balls. Soaking the cotton balls with alcohol, he began to rub Rei's arms and legs. After some time, his wish was granted as he felt some of the heat from Rei's body being released. Kai continued this process until a knock interrupted him.
Slowly getting up, Kai made his way to the door. Unlatching the latch, Kai opened the door to find a worried Max. Opening the door wider, he admitted Max into the room, who immediately ran to Rei's side. Taking out his own thermometer, Max repeated Kai's previous action. After he heard the beeps, Max slowly took out his thermometer. Unlike Kai, Max did a double take when he saw Rei's temperature.
"41°c…Rei…" Max murmured with his head bowed.
"41°c?!?!?!?! How is that possible? I just measured his temperature; it was 40.5°c! Max, did you phone the hospital?" Kai asked slowly feeling he was losing his cool.
Max slowly turned to Kai with his head bowed and his shoulders shagging. Kai was no expert, but judging from Max's posture, the news wasn't good. Slowly, Max raised a pair of bloodshot eyes. Slowly, Max shook his head. Taking a shuddery breath, Max began to explain.
"I tried, but the power lines were destroyed in the storm. I had no ways of reaching any hospitals at all. I'm sorry Kai. Tyson is still trying down in the main lobby but I doubt he will get anywhere with his storm. If Rei's temperature continues to raise, Kai, he will die." Max finished.
His explanation was met with complete silence. Kai felt the reality of the situation hit him. He wanted to kill himself for not listening to Tyson or Max. If he had, Rei wouldn't be like this.
'Damn you, Kai!' He thought to himself.
Making up his mind, he swiftly walked to his closet. Banging it open, he took out a waterproof outfit. Lacing up his boots, he was almost done when Max interrupted him.
"Where are you going, Kai? Rei needs you here!" Max exclaimed. "You refused to help him once, please, not a second time."
With a sigh, Kai slowly straightened to face Max. Towering over Max, he said, "I'm going to the hospital. I'm going to get help for Rei. Stay here and take care of him. Do not dare to leave his side. If you do, I will personally skin you with my bare hands. Is that understood?"
Max opened his mouth to argue, to tell Kai that he couldn't possibly make it in the rain. However, one look into Kai's determined eyes made him change his mind. Giving Kai a small nod, Max return to Rei's side and switched the hot towel on his head. Seeing that Max will take good care of Rei when he was gone, Kai swiftly turned to walk out of the room. Before he closed the door behind him, Kai turned back to the moaning figure twisting on the bed.
Muttering a pray to keep Rei alive while he was gone, Kai gently shut the door behind him.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
A teenage boy stood in the shadows outside the hotel, silently waiting for something. An occasional snort could be heard from the wolf next to him. When he saw Kai step out of the elevator, a smirk appeared on the corner of his mouth. His sapphire eyes followed Kai as he said something to Tyson in the front lobby, and then quickly ran out into the rain, heading for the hospital.
Bending down to his loyal bit-beast, he muttered some Russian words in its ears. Giving his master a snort to show that he understood what he must do, the wolf leaped after Kai, quickly disappearing from its master's sight.
'Although you don't want to admit it Kai, you care for Rei. I bid you good luck.' The boy thought before disappearing once again, into the shadows.
TBC…*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
A/N- Hope you guys liked this chapter! Sorry it took me so long to finish it. But as you probably noticed, this chapter is longer than most. In fact, it has 1700 words more than the previous ones. ^-^
Ok…you know the routines…PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE REVIEW! Just click the little blue button and take a few minutes to submit a review for my humble story.
Please R&R~!
-Silens Letum