Chapter Four: The Drug

Kai sat next to the couch still allowing Angel to hold onto his hand.

"What do I do now?" he muttered to himself.

Suddenly he heard footsteps coming down the hallway. He quickly turned to face the door as the footsteps drew nearer and decided to wait in front of it. The handle turned slowly, something definitely didn't feel right. On a sudden impulse he threw himself against the door as it started opening. Catching the opener in surprise, Kai quickly locked the door then waited.

"Don't think I wont get you Angel. You'll never escape me!" Came a voice roughly through the door. Kai instantly recognized it as the voice of the Psycho who'd drugged Angel and was about to storm out into the hall to teach him a lesson when he heard Angel start mumbling in her induced sleep. Assured that that Psycho wasn't coming in anytime soon Kai walked back over to Angel and knelt by her side.

"Makes me…relive…isolated…memries." Her weak voice echoed in his mind still. What sort of memories was she being forced to relive? He wondered gazing at the terrified girl on the bench. Could someone else actually have as haunting a past as he had?

Angels' breathing quickened her heart was racing. Her whole face though seemingly emotionless gave off the feeling of fear and pain instead of peace. What can I do? Kai thought seeing the intensity of what was happening.

"Don't leave me." Angel whimpered in her nightmaric memories.

Kai barely heard it, but those simple, innocent, childlike words struck him to the core as is they were directed at him instead of merely shadows in a memory. Moved in a way he could never admit or explain Kai reached down and held her hand gently as she continued to relive painful memory after memory. For a long time Kai knelt there, holding her hand and listening to her occasional whimpered outcries. He couldn't get over her now vulnerable looking form. It made his blood boil to think what all they could've done to her when she was like this. That Psycho wanted her back for something, to him it sounded almost like another Biovolt but whatever it was, he didn't like it.

After they had watched a few of the matched Hilary suggested they all go and see a movie since there was a theater just a little ways down the huge halls packed with stores and shops. Jess couldn't really concentrate on the movie though she tried to, they ended up seeing King Arthur but as much as Jess tried she couldn't stop worrying about Angel. After the movie they all went and ate dinner together at one of the many restaunt Jess glanced at her watch, it had been seven hours since she had seen or heard from her friend and she was now really getting worried. Something was wrong. She knew it was as soon as she'd seen the pain and fear in Angel's eyes but what could she do? Angel had clearly given her the "Don't even think about following me" look and she knew when Angel pulled that one she generally knew what she was doing. But what had happened to her! Ray and Max were the first ones to notice Jess not eating.

"What's wrong?" asked Ray

"Yeah you haven't even touched your food." Max added, not to mention she hasn't even acted like herself since Angel left.

"Sorry I'm just wondering where Angels gotten to." Jess said trying to hide the fear and worry in her voice.

"DO you think somethings wrong" Ray asked starting to get a bit worried himself about her.

"I dunno." Jess nearly whimpered.

"Look I need to go find Angel. Thanx for everything though guys, See ya at the shuttle." Jess finally decided leaving the table.

She reached into her back pocket to pay for her dinner when Ray merely shook his head and stopped her wrist telling her they'd pay for it. Normally she would've argued a bit but she was now in a hurried panic almost and wanted only to get out of there. She thanked him and hastened to find Angel as inconspicuously as she could. Jess found her way to the hallway that led to the locker rooms. She suddenly noticed two figures standing on either side of the hallway entrance with their arms crossed. She recognized them instantly by their dress: black suits with a crest on the left breast pocket, and black shades. All she knew was they were definitely looking for Angel. She had to warn her! Jess brushed passed them before they even recognized who she was. She was relieved to see no one posted outside their locker room and quietly walked up to the door.

She tried to turn the handle but the door was locked! Was Angel in there? She thought, was she all right? Jess knocked quietly on the door hoping she'd hear her.

"Angel are you in there? Open up." She spoke forcefully through the door trying not to get the attention of the guards at the other end of the hallway. To her relief she could hear the door being unlocked then opened to reveal to her great shock Kai standing in the doorway.

"Get in." he whispered shutting the door as he quietly could.

Jess looked at the troubled sleeping figure on the bench and ran and knelt beside her. The floor felt strangely warm there but she had more important things on her mind to notice too much.

"What happened Kai?" she asked worriedly.

" I found her in the hallway soon after she left the table. She said she was drugged with something and before I could get a whole lot out of her she was out. Then that Psycho tried to get in here to kidnap her I think, that's why the door was locked." Kai replied surprisingly longwindedly.

"Thank you Kai." Jess began taking her eyes off of Angel for a moment. "You have no idea what you've done for her."

Kai merely grunted in response. What's she talking about?

"About how long has she been out?" Jess suddenly asked.

Kai looked at the clock above the wall, " about seven hours."

"She's been out this whole time! But, Man! The shuttle leaves in forty minutes!" Jess started getting a little worried. Suddenly it hit her, why had Kai followed Angel? Jess could tell by the way he said he had "found" her, come on honestly, what were the chances of him "finding" her minutes after she left the table and by their locker room? Yet why? How much did he know if anything? Had he figured it out?

Kai seemed to read her thoughts and answered her questions, "I know."

At first Jess thought he was talking bout the time, but in an instant she realized what he was saying.

"How did you find out?"

Kai shrugged, "I figured it out."

Jess was startled by Angels breathing suddenly slowing down. She shifted a bit in her sleep painfully.

"It's wearing off!" Jess nearly shouted.

Kai merely stood there watching. After all, Angel's fine with Jess by her side. I should probably go find the others. He was about to start for the door when Jess called him back seemingly sensing he was going to leave.

"Kai." She began, " I think Angel needs both of our help."

"Why" he stated.

"There's two guards at the end of the hallway. They're going to make her go back with them."

Kai didn't need Jess to ask for his help though it would've been entertaining to watch her beg.

Angel moaned quietly and slowly opened her eyes. Everything hurt.

"Angel!" Jess said looking at her friend happily.

"huh?" Angel muttered, "Jess?"

"No the Easter Bunny." Jess laughed enjoying teasing her friend again, " how you feeling?"

"Never better." Angel replied sarcastically.

Angel sat up and had to lean on the wall for support as her head throbbed.

"Angel , slow down." Jess warned.

"I'm okay." Angel lied as she groaned inwardly. After a few moments Angel's head stopped throbbing so intensely. She glanced at her watch. Their shuttle left in thirty minutes! She tried to stand up as her head started throbbing twice as badly as before. She tried to ignore it and started heading for the door. Jess watched in worry as her friend started walking towards the door. she couldn't have gotten over the drug that quickly. Angel only made it five steps before her body gave out in pain. She started falling, unable to catch herself when two hands caught her then slowly helped her sit on the floor, allowing her to lean against himself. Through pained eyes Angel turned to look at who had caught her,

"Kai?" she asked taken back that he was still there.

Soon Jess was by her side as well, and noticed the pain in her eyes.

"Angel what hurts?" she asked worriedly.

"Maybe it would be quicker to name what doesn't hurt." Angel moaned sarcastically.

Angel smiled to herself hoping neither Jess or Kai would notice her amusement but both did. Once again, Angel collected her strength and determinedly stood up. For awhile the pain started coming back but she shoved it aside for the moment. Soon she could walk around almost without a problem but they could both tell she was worn out.

"Lets go. We have fifteen minutes before our shuttle leaves." Angel sighed.

"Uh.. I forgot to mention Angel, we've got a problem. There are two guards outside waiting for you. I'm positive they're going to try and take you back." Jess explained worriedly.

A visible shudder ran through Angel as she remembered where they were trying to take her back to. Angel stopped her memories and instead pulled out her beyblade and launcher.

"Lets go." She said commandingly. Which seemed to impress Kai a great deal and made a slight grin form at the edge of his mouth.

"Angel, you cant, you don't have the strength for it right now." Jess started but Angel wasn't going to let that stop her. She clearly gave her the "Watch Me" look and headed for the door.

"Angel." Jess started making her stop in her tracks, "I know why you're doing this, and I know you don't want to go back there. But you have to let us help you. You were there for me when I needed protecting, don't let your pride keep me from returning the favor and having to watch my best friend go back there."

Angel remained silent for awhile then shook her head smiling weakly, "Since when have you started advising me." She nearly laughed and turned to Jess who returned her smile. Angel turned then to face Kai,

"You never asked to be apart of this, and I don't want to see you get hurt because I dragged you into it." Angel began.

" Don't worry about it, let's just get you out of here." Kai cut her off and stated emotionlessly.

Angel smiled inwardly as they started their way out the door Kai leading the way. About halfway down it, Kai launched Dranzer and with extreme speed and precision knocked the guards unconscious.

"Smooth, very smooth." Angel said only a little bit teasingly.

Kai grinned inwardly as they all made a break for the shuttle. So as not to arouse suspicion, they took different routes to the shuttle though all arrived just in time to regain their composure as the bladebreakers rounded the corner and joined them.

"Hey Angel!" Max greeted seeing her, " where you been all day?"

Angel shrugged, "Around"

"You had us worried there for awhile. You alright?" Ray asked

Angel nodded her head. " Thanx for asking." She replied to the surprise of most of those around her.

"No problem." Ray replied just a little taken back. Why though? Was it really that contrary to her supposed nature to be polite? Or was it the hint of kindness in her voice? He didn't know but it was as if for a brief moment she real Angel had shown through only to go back in hiding.

Kai suddenly saw a few more of those guards behind them looking through the crowd for Angel. Out of instinct he stepped behind Angel inconspicuously, blocking her from their view. Angel turned her head slightly feeling his presence and was about to wonder what he was doing when she saw them just over his shoulder looking for her. She caught Jess' stare and motioned with her eyes at the guys searching the crowd for her.

"Hey lets get out of here." Jess started as the shuttle pulled to a stop in front of them. She was relieved upon hearing their approval. They all boarded the shuttle one more and sat where they had sat on the way down with most of them sitting around Jess towards the middle of the shuttle while Kai and Angel shared the last, back seat. They drove most of the way in silence mostly because everyone was so tired they had fallen asleep. The only thing breaking the silence were Tyson's occasional outbursts in his dreams about how hungry he was.

"Kai." Angel whispered when she was positive no one would hear her.

He grunted letting her know he was listening.

"I just wanted to say thanx. You have no idea what you saved me from."

Kai looked at her a bit confusedly and was stunned by the sincerity in her eyes. He nodded his head in the darkness. She turned to look out at the night sky yet he couldn't seem to rip his eyes off of her. Soon everyone had seemingly drifted off to sleep, except Angel. She alone was awake now, looking sleepily at the stars as she listened to the quiet steady breathing of those around her, especially Kai's since he was so close. They were back. She had known it ever since the attempted attack upon the bladebreakers. She knew that night that she shoundt have revealed herself to them but she couldn't let them get hurt either. Why did they attack the bladebreakers in the first place? They had nothing to do with this. Or did they? Then again it hadn't been the first time another team was jumped by them before. It was just that they seemed so determined to…kill. Angel turned her troubled head and stared at Jess who was now asleep next to Ray with Maxs' head leaning on the top of the seat on her other side. Angel smiled. Jess was very important to her. They were basically sisters after all they'd been through together. Jess had befriended her when no one else would. She had gotten to know her and learned what every face, gesture, and sigh meant. She knew and understood her like no one else did. What if they came after her? What if Jess was hurt or killed because of her?

"I can't let that happen!" Angel muttered to herself.

She rested her head in her hands. What could she do? A steadying hand lay gently on her shoulders. Angel turned quickly to see Kai looking at her a bit worriedly and a look of surprise at himself.

"What's wrong?" he whispered.

"Nothing." Angel lied.

Kai looked at her knowingly, he didn't need to repeat his question.

"I'm worried that they'll bring Jess into this. Again." Angel muttered finally, the last word barely even audible.

Kai understood what she meant by they. He took his hand from her shoulder.

"Don't worry Angel." Kai whispered surprising himself further. Don't worry! His mind screamed, have you lost it Hiwatari! What the heck are you doing!

Angel nodded though he could tell she still was.

"Go to sleep." He murmured in finality as he turned his screaming head away and closed his eyes.

Angel turned her head away from him and leaned against the window. Yet she was too afraid to sleep. I can't sleep. As soon as I do the worst will come she thought. The drug she recalled worked in two parts. The first was an extremely powerful sedative that drained the victim's strength and also brought back the first few isolated memories, yet it got worse after the sedative wore off. For then the sedative was no longer blocking the second part to take affect. The drug would secondly bring back extremely life like images of the worst nightmaric memories. Ones in which everything seemed and felt real. She couldn't bear to relive those memories. She didn't have the strength to fight them. Angel did her best to calm her panicking mind as the bus stopped where it had picked them up earlier that morning. The driver honked his horn making all of them jump out of their seats.

"We'll see you guys tomorrow I guess." Tyson yawned.

"Yeah later guys." Jess replied tiredly.

Angel simply turned and started walking home Jess catching up and walking beside her.

"You alright?" she asked.

"I dunno." Angel mumbled.

"I thought the drug wore off?"

"It wont fully wear off till tomorrow, but the damage might have lasting effects." Angel heard herself say though it felt more like she was talking to herself than Jess.

"Angel," Jess started stopping her in her tracks, " it'll be okay wont it?"

Angel looked at her best friend, what could she say? The truth? She didn't even feel like she knew what was going on nonetheless what would happen, but Jess needed an answer and Angel couldn't lie to her.

"Yes." Angel replied with a strangely determined tone.

Jess smiled trustingly as they walked the rest of the way home in silence.

As soon as they had walked a ways Ray had drifted back a bit till he walked next to Kai, Who was currently pulling up the rear of the small group.

"So where were you today?"

"Away from you guys." He muttered.

Ray could take a hint and knew Kai, as usual, wasn't going to say where he had gone.

"DO you understand Angel?" Ray asked seemingly randomly.

Kai looked at him like he had sprouted three heads or something.

"I'm just wondering." Ray said defensively, "Jessica told us some stuff about Angel that makes all of us wonder, after you two left."

Kai gave Ray a stare that clearly said something along the lines of , "and this applies to me how?"

"I just thought since you too have a sort of mysterious past, you could figure her out." Ray explained logically.

Kai looked boredly ahead of him as Ray somehow got a gut instinct that Kai was atleast a little bit interested. SO Ray, going with his gut, told Kai all that Jess had told them earlier that day wondering if Kai could make sense of it all.

"So what do you think?" Ray asked when he had finished.

"That first of all, they'll tell us if we need to know anything and secondly that you should be thinking more about your match tomorrow than some mysterious chic who doesn't blurt out her every problem and weakness like you expected." Kai answered coolly.

Ray let the subject drop but something inside tugged at him, as if trying to tell him that Kai knew something. Ray threw the thought aside as soon as it had formed. Kai was right, he needed to be concentrating on tomorrow's match instead of mysteries he didn't know about or understand.

Minutes after Ray and Kai's discussion had ended, they reached their hotel. Kai gave Hilary her key before unlocking the boys' room. All were dead tired as they trudged into the room then stumbled into their beds or onto the couch and floor. Soon all were asleep as the exhaustion of the day brought sleep on swift wings to all.

As soon as they had arrived at their apartment, Jess had headed straight for bed. She was exhausted, Angel knew, after the battle and worrying about her she had a reason to be. Yet as Jess soon drifted into sleep, Angel fought to stay awake. As soon a she closed her eyes, Angel knew the second part of the drug would take effect. Yet id she stayed up all night she'd become too tired to compete. Angel tiredly walked silently out onto the balcony and looked up at the stars. She loved looking at them. The way their light glowed in the dead darkness engulfing them. She knew the stories behind each constellation and could navigate by them when need be. Yet even they could not guide her through the lost maze of her tormenting memories. They could not shine through the pain in the darkest depths of her mind. A cold breeze blew over Angel making her shiver. Angel gnashed her teeth together and her hands formed determined fists as she went back inside and lay down on her bed. She felt so afraid, so scared of what she knew was about to come, yet she couldn't run from it. Angel wasn't exactly the kind of person to run from her problems, it killed her to do so. She'd much rather die fighting it than live fleeing it and so, with terrified but determined mind she dared to close her eyes and let the drug do its worst. And so, it did.