An: Here it is! You know, I'm really starting to like this fic!
This chappy is a bit angsty.. but ehn.. lol I like it XD A little Kai/Liika moment too but whether or not that will be one of the pairings.. remains a mystery lol
Oh and A-leng.. its mostly about Liika right now because she is the main character.. or one of them anyway. However, as the story progresses other characters will play larger roles.. I just have to get everything set up first.
4 months later
Liika stared at the small device she gripped tightly in her trembling hands. It couldn't be right…it couldn't be. She found her breath coming in short gasps, her head spinning. This couldn't happen to her…not now…not ever. She suddenly had the urge to throw up, and throw up she did, scrambling to the toilet just in time to empty the miniscule contents of her stomach, tossing the object of her woes to the side.
After she finished, she stood shakily on her feet and picked up the discarded plastic stick, staring at it in terror. Why her? Why?? Not believing it, Liika let out a loud, piercing wail-like scream and sunk to her knees on the cold bathroom floor, tears running down her face in rivulets.
"Have you contacted Director Judy yet?"
Kai shook his head, staring out the window of the small four room shack their small group currently inhabited. It wasn't the nicest places in the world –it only had a tiny kitchen, bathroom, living room and bedroom- but they could do a lot worse. After all, they were on the run.
After running to Borky, they stayed there for about a week before moving on to various places, and finally settling on a small town near the coast in Spain. They were supplied with small amounts of cash by the mysterious inside supporter Sergei, as well as whatever money the Majestics had managed to retrieve from their homes, and bank accounts. They had very loyal staff, who, upon hearing of the Bladebreakers' defeat, had taken all valuables and money and fled to the countryside, and soon enough met up with their various masters before disappearing once again. They were starting to create a small network of resistance that, while small, had gained some support.
The group of eight had separated on the road to Spain, Oliver and Kevin choosing to stay in Switzerland with the other group, where after Mariah, Liika, Kai, Robert, Enrique and Rei departed for Spain, flew to China with Max, Emily and Lee. The large group of wanted criminals were now spread into three groups around the world. The group left in Switzerland –lead by Judy and included Johnny, Tyson, Kenny, Michael and Steve- soon left for the United States to regain their BBA technology and head the resistance in North America.
The short time in Switzerland when they were all together proved extremely useful for planning. It was decided that a team would stay in each of the three main continents to head up the resistances. Director Judy led the North American branch, Kai and Robert the European branch and Lee Asian one. None of the groups were final, but they were a start. Word had it that most of them –the captains, Enrique, Oliver and Liika- now had rewards for their capture. Kai and Liika were wanted alive…the rest dead or alive; it didn't matter to Biovolt. However, as the fugitives soon found out, not everyone was for the new regime and they found help in many of the places they went to, which is how they ended up with the small four room house in Spain. A friendly villager whose parents had lived in the house three years before gave it to them.
"No, but the package from America should be arriving today. The laptop will have all the information we need, as well as a satellite uplink so we can contact them with out the fear of our tracks being followed." Kai replied after a moment of silence. "Rei and Enrique went to check the post office."
Robert nodded his head, taking off the dark, rain covered jacket and hanging it on a peg beside the door. Summer in Spain had been abnormally dry that year, however, today had been one of the few rainfalls, dampening the warm environment. "I'll need you, Enrique and Rei with me tomorrow. With this below normal rainfall the demand for irrigation ditches is high and we need all the money we can get."
Kai nodded, turning his eyes from the soggy Spanish fields to his tall companion. His face was expressionless, his auburn eyes flat. The once boyish face had matured in the four months since the take over. They all had been forced to abandon their childhoods, and were thrust into adulthood rapidly over night.
"The girls should go into town, Senora Baptista said she could use some help in the bakery." Robert spoke, sitting down wearily on the tattered sofa, situated in the middle of the sparsely furnished room.
"She's sick again."
Robert looked sharply at the other teen, his crimson eyes dilating slightly. "Again?" he sighed, shaking his head.
Kai grunted, finally turning completely from the window. His gaze was drawn to the closed bathroom door. "Yes."
The Norseman cursed under his breath. "And Mariah?"
Just as the question was posed the mention girl bustled into the room, her pink hair pulled back into a neat bun on the back of her head. "Oh, Robert you're back. Are you hungry? I just started dinner…have Rei and Enrique come home yet?" She asked, looking back and forth between the two young men that occupied the room.
Robert inclined his head towards Mariah. "Yes, I am, and no they are not. They should be home soon I suppose." He replied, sending a look at Kai for confirmation and received a slight nod.
Mariah sighed. Living with the two captains was difficult at the best of times. While Robert had lost the majority of his 'high and mighty' attitude, he still spoke with the regallness of one of 'superior' breed. It was obnoxious sometimes. And as for Kai… well he was nicer. Did that count? He was still quiet, even more so now, except for when it came time for him to protect his new 'family', then he was all orders. He and Robert made a good team, and led the group of six efficiently and safely.
A slight sound coming from the closed door to her right caused Mariah's attention and she sighed again, frowning in concern. "She's still in there?"
Kai nodded once, moving to sit in the lone armchair that sat perpendicular to the sofa.
"She's been in there for an hour…" Mariah trailed off, furrowing her eyebrows.
Suddenly a scream sounded from behind the closed door and the two males shot to their feet in a second. Mariah's eyes widened and she rushed to the closed door, trying to open it but finding it locked. Kai and Robert were right behind her.
"Liika?? Liika are you alright? What happened?" Mariah cried, banging on the door.
She was met with the sound of sobbing and incoherent mutters.
"Ika! Open the door!" Mariah frantically beat on the door, worry eating at her stomach.
Kai rattled the door handle, scowling fiercely at the dark stained wood. "Liika. Open the door. Now." He demanded firmly.
"G-g-go a-a-away K-K-Kai." Was the muffled response as new sobbing broke out.
Mariah sighed, placing a hand on both boys' arms. "Step away for a moment. I'll try ok? Kai can you go check dinner? Robert go and see if Rei and Enrique are coming." She spoke quietly so that the girl behind the door couldn't hear her. The two young men looked mutinous. Mariah could tell neither of them wanted to leave. They wanted to know just as much as she did what was going on. "Go!" She hissed, pointing in the direction of the kitchen.
Robert was the first to leave, bowing his head slightly, turning on his heel and stalking about the room. Kai took a bit longer. He glared at the door for a few moments longer, worry and a slight fear reflecting in his eyes. But, finally he moved away, walking into another room with out a backwards glance, his fists clenched at his sides.
Mariah turned back to the door, resting her head against its cool surface gently. "Ika," she began softly. "The boy's are gone, please open the door. We're all very worried about you."
Silence followed and once again Mariah sighed. "Please Liika? I only want to help…come on… open the door…"
For moments after Mariah's soft plea all was quiet, but eventually after what seemed like an eternity she heard a quiet click. Mariah rolled her eyes skyward, thanking whatever god would listen before grasping the door handle and opening the door.
When she entered, she found Liika on the floor, her back leaned against the faded wooden cabinets, her head cradled in her hands on her knees. Some kind of white plastic stick was clutched in her left hand and it immediately drew her attention. A white box lay on the floor under the toilet only feet from where Liika was huddled. Mariah's eyes expanded. Oh god…
She rushed to the blue haired girl's side, instantly dropping to the ground. Her trembling hand reached out and she gently pried the white stick from Liika's white fingers. Liika let go surprisingly easily, breaking into heavier sobs. Mariah turned the stick over, and as she did so gasped, dropping it in horror. The small object went skidding across the linoleum floor.
A hand shot up to her mouth and Mariah immediately threw her arms around Liika's shoulder, rocking her back and forth, whispering in her ear. "It will be ok Liika… we're here for you. Me, Kai, Robert… Rei and even Enrique! We'll help you I swear…" Tears were now running down her cheeks as well.
Neither girl noticed the door creak open a bit as a figure entered, too caught up in the shock of the discovery. The figure watched the scene for a few seconds before stooping down and picking up the small object that lay at his feet. Silence rained, interrupted only by the quiet sobs and hiccups from the crying girls.
"So its true then."
Both girls' heads shot up, looking at the boy who stood in the doorway. Kai's bangs hung over his eyes, shadowing them from view. His hand clenched the small device so tightly it suddenly snapped in two, crumbling pieces all over the floor.
"You're pregnant."
Liika stared at Kai, panic flashing over her face. She cowered away from him. What would he think of her? Never in her life had she been more terrified. Not even when Bryan had…created this mess. She was too young… too inexperienced. Her world was not the place for a baby.
"Don't look at me like that." His voice was soft, but hard and cold. He slowly raised his head so that his hard auburn eyes met her glassy turquoise ones. "Mariah. Leave us."
Mariah frowned, her eyes moving from one teen to the other. "But Kai-"
"Leave us."
Hesitantly, with one more squeeze, Mariah brought herself to her feet and tread lightly out of the room. "I'll be in the kitchen if you need me ok Ika?" She called back, looking at the other girl with sympathy.
Liika sniffled and nodded, trying her best not to look at Kai. For some reason it was his reaction that frightened her the most. What would he do now that he knew that she carried a monster's child?
"I told you not to look at me like that."
His voice made her realize that she had indeed been staring at him again, only this time with out realizing it. Instantly her gaze snapped away to look at the floor. She closed her eyes, struggling to keep the tears from escaping her eyes. She couldn't cry anymore…she was so tired…tired of crying…tired of running…tired of living. He did this to her…bastard. How could anyone be so cruel?
With out her realizing it, Kai had sat himself down beside her, pulling her limp body into his lap so that her head was cradled against his chest, his arms wrapped around her waist and back. "I knew you know."
Liika gasped, finally realizing her had moved her. How could she have not noticed?? She tensed instantly. What did he mean he knew? He knew she was pregnant? "…How…?" she whispered faintly, her sobs finally abating into small hiccups.
"Morning sickness, exhaustion etc. You're also gaining weight, it's becoming more noticeable everyday." Kai replied quietly, running his hand in slow circles over her back.
Liika scowled through her soggy eyes. One of her small hands reached up and ran itself over her cloth-covered abdomen. Sure enough a slight swell had begun. Kai's hand soon traveled from her hip and covered her hand that had settled on the slight swell in her abdomen. "Why me Kai? Why was I chosen to bear the devil's heir?"
Kai rolled his eyes and snorted. "You're being over dramatic. You are pregnant because you were ovulating when he raped you; it's a simple scientific fact. It only takes once."
"You're empathy astounds me, truly." Liika bit back, glaring at the underside of his chin. After a few moments of glaring she gave up and sighed, relaxing in his hold. "What's going to happen Kai? It's too late to abort."
"You wouldn't abort even if it wasn't."
"…You're right. I don't think I could do that. How do you know me so well? We've only known each other for like a year." Liika said softly, ignoring the fresh tears that trickled down her cheeks.
The blue haired young man grunted, shifting her a bit in his lap, but not removing his hand from on top of hers. "I pay more attention to my teammates then I let on." He replied gruffly. "And as for what's going to happen, it's obvious you will have to have the child."
"What if it's a boy?"
"Then it's a boy, I don't see how its sex makes a difference."
"It could look like him."
"It could look like him if it's a girl as well."
Liika was silent at that. Kai was right…no matter what sex it was it could look like the abomination of a man that caused the problem. Again she questioned a higher power. Why her? Why not…someone else? God must hate her indeed.
"He'll take it from me." She didn't know why, but now that she knew for sure of the life that grew inside of her, she was becoming attached. By all rights she should hate it, hate it because it was a part of him. But it was also a part of her, and could an unborn infant really be held responsible for its sire's actions? Her heart said no as it made a little room for what would eventually be her son or daughter.
Kai's grip on her hand tightened, pressing the joined appendages firmly against her stomach. "We wont let him. I wont let him." Although his voice was cold and angry, it held a silent promise.
Enrique and Rei entered the tiny house, shaking water out of their hair and off their jackets. Upon entering the living room, Rei set down the medium sized box he was carrying under his arm onto the small table they used to eat. Enrique followed him in, stretching loudly.
"Yo, what's up?" He said, rubbing at one of his eyes.
Instantly the two teens noticed something was wrong. Robert was sitting on the couch, a teary Mariah folded firmly under his arm. His face was set in a pensive scowl, his eyes stony. Rei caught sight of the water leaking out of the corner's of Mariah's eyes and was at her other side in a second, forgetting about the package they had walked all the way to the village to get.
"My god Mari, what's wrong?" He demanded, his hand brushing over her pink hair.
Enrique looked at Robert for answers, a confused frown on his face. "What's going on? It's like someone died in here!" He paused for a moment as something dawned on him. "Oh my lord, someone died didn't they??"
Robert shot his teammate a flat look as he sighed heavily. However, as he opened his mouth to reply the bathroom door creaked open fully and a shuffling Liika exited with Kai behind her, one hand on her shoulder.
"No Eny…nobody died." Liika interrupted softly, her eyes on the floor under her bare feet.
"Quite the opposite actually." Kai murmured, a small smirk tilting the edge of his lips.
If at all possible Enrique looked even more confused, his storm blue eyes reflecting bewilderment. "What?"
Mariah was on her feet in moments, moving over to Liika, and hugging her. "Are you ok now?" She asked quietly, pulling back to look in the shorter girl's eyes.
Liika nodded, allowing a small smile so slip past her dreary mask. "It will be ok won't it Mari?"
The pink haired girl winked in reply, grinning a bit. "You can bet it will!"
"I'm scared."
Kai's hand squeezed her shoulder and Mariah hugged her again. "We all are, Ika, we all are." She replied.
"Would someone please tell me what the hell is going on?!" Enrique burst out, his confusion turning into frustration. He stamped his foot for emphasis.
Rei was with him, his face a mask of concern. His mind was turning over and over the possibilities if what was happening. It appeared to have something to do with Liika, from the way Kai and Mariah were fussing over her. His golden eyes narrowed. Something was different…but what? "Well…?"
Liika looked decidedly nervous. Her eyes roamed over the room until they tell landed on the box on the small table. They lit up slightly and she moved away from Kai's grip and headed towards the box.
"No one moves until I know what's going on!" Enrique exclaimed, stepping in Liika's path.
Her face wavered for a moment, and she looked as if she were going to burst into tears. However, with in seconds it was gone and she raised her chin. "Might as well tell everyone at once…" She muttered, trying to move around him.
"We're a team… a family. Don't you think we deserve to know whatever happens to our family members first?" Rei spoke gently, stepping forward slightly. He sounded almost hurt.
Liika sighed, hanging her head once more. "You're right. We are a family and you deserve to know…" She took a big breath, steadying herself. Even thinking the thought was shocking to her nerves. "...I'm pregnant."
Enrique reeled back, stumbling slightly over the table. His eyes were wide and horrified. Rei had a similar reaction only he was far less expressive in showing it. His eyes merely widened, filling instantly with sympathy. Mariah latched onto his side, leaning her head against his neck as his arm came up and wrapped around her shoulders. He pressed a small kiss to her forehead.
A blond blur streaked across the small living room –a whole three steps- and latched itself onto Liika in a solid glomp. He wasn't saying anything, nor was he crying or showing any emotion but pure surprise. Enrique was unused to dealing with large catastrophes, and didn't entirely know how to act. However, he figured since Liika was a woman, a pregnant one at that, that she would want to be hugged. All women liked to be hugged right?
After a few minutes of dead silence Enrique couldn't take it any longer. Pulling back he grinned down at Liika, throwing in a wink for effect. "Guess the trip to Egypt is off eh? I heard pregnant women don't like the heat!"
The comment seemingly broke the tense atmosphere in the small house. Liika tried to fight the small grin that tugged her lips, but found it impossible. Chuckling slightly she looked at Enrique with sincere eyes. "Thank you… I think that's what we all needed."
He just grinned charmingly back at her. "So, I'm hungry! And I believe we need to get this silly contraption working hm?"