Title: Innocence

Author: PandaPjays

Chapter Title: Beginnings

Rating: T

Warnings: See First Chapter

Disclaimer: See First Chapter

Author Note: I was told that I had to update so here it is :) Well, actually, I was going to update anyway. Sorry for the delay- I had exams. I hate exams- they are the spawn of all evil.

Ok, maybe this wasn't the greatest idea I've ever had. Yep, it's not even in the top 100. But it's too late now; I just hope I've made the right decision.

I snapped out of my crazy self-talk. It wasn't going to help me out of the situation I had gotten myself into. Why did I come here anyway? It's not like my plan will work anyway. Oh well, too late now. I don't have enough money left for an international call let alone an international flight. Its either go through the glass doors in front of me or sleep on the streets in a doorway or gutter.

My mind already lives in the gutter; my body does not need to join it.

Hesitations over, I pushed my way through the doors…

…And was shocked at how much it looked like a normal office. There was a desk with a flight-attendant-look-alike and everything. If I didn't already think of the logo emblazoned over her head and on her uniform with fear and loathing I would have been shocked by the sheer normality of it.

I guess Biovolt's idea of secrecy is hiding in plain sight.

I walked up to the secretary who was busy answering phones in that chirpy, isn't-life-fantabulous voice all secretaries seem to have. I've always found that voice irritating.

Bugger! What am I going to say? Somehow I think 'Hi, I'm Rei, can I join your supremely evil organisation?' won't cut it. I'm going to have to find a way to work around to the subject.

But how?

Oh well, the secretary has actually noticed me so I guess I'm just going to have to make it up as I go along.

"Hello and welcome to Biovolt Enterprises. How can I help you?"

Biovolt Enterprises? They didn't put much thought into that alias did they? Oh well, at least that makes me sure that I'm in the right place.

"Uh, hi…' I started then trailed off. Where is your muse when you need her?

The secretary cocked her head as if she was listening to the speaker on her headset. She scowled and spoke into the microphone in rapid Russian.

Why did she greet me in English anyway? I don't look like I can't speak a word of Russian do I? Ok, maybe I do but it's still weird. Maybe I give off an I'm-absolutely-clueless-as-to-why-I'm-here vibe. It's not that obvious is it?

…Or it could be the 'I love Australia' badge that Tyson made me pin on to my clothes. Why did he buy it anyway? He bought one for everyone when we arrived in Australia. I guess he wanted to have the tourist experience.

The secretary stopped speaking and glared at me. "Rei Kon? He'll see you now."

Well that's kind of creepy… and ominous. I wonder if they know everyone's name. Maybe they have mind reading devices or something. NAH. This is an evil organisation, not a psychic expo.

And who is the mysterious he? Voltaire is still happily behind bars, last I heard. Well, maybe he's not too happy about it.

Oh well, I guess I'm going to find out soon, I thought as I made my way down the hall the secretary had pointed to.

Why don't I run away like any sane person would do? I know Biovolt is evil. Why don't I leave now? Next time I come up with a plan while I'm in shock and in an elevator remind me not to follow it.

Ok, which door? I feel like there should be a random guy with a microphone nearby. 'And behind door number one'

Is a conference room. That was a bit anti climatic. I was at least hoping for something remotely evil.

How about door number two? I wish the secretary had told me which door. I got the feeling that she didn't like me very much. Her glare was one to rival Kai's.

Hm… Kai. I wonder what he's doing right now? No, I can't think of that. Those thoughts only lead to pain. He's probably with Tala right now… I wonder if he's even noticed I'm missing. He's probably too wrapped up in Tala to notice.

And that is a mental image that will scar me for life. I thought I wasn't going to think about that. Must find something else to think about… Can't think. Mental images everywhere. Ok happy thoughts happy thoughts.

There are no happy thoughts. Kai is in love with Tala and I'm in love with Kai. I'm in an evil organisation for God only knows what reason and no one knows that I'm here. What was my reason anyway? I know I had to have some sort of reason.

Oh! That's right. Become like Tala so Kai will love me. Now that I think about it that is an insane reason. I'll never be like Tala. If Kai's in love with Tala he'll stay in love with Tala no matter what.

Unless he isn't in love with Tala and is only with him because he wants someone to understand him. What better way to understand him then to experience what it was like for him. Tala already has and maybe that's why Kai is with him.

I pushed open the fifth door along the corridor and stopped in the doorway. Facing away from me was a tall man with very familiar purple hair.

The mysterious 'He' was Boris? No wonder the secretary was glaring at me. I suppose that since Voltaire was incapacitated Boris is in charge. I'm guessing not many people get to go straight to the head of Biovolt.

Somehow I don't feel that honoured.

"I must admit when I saw your face on the security monitors I was a bit taken aback"

Ah. So that's how she knew my name.

"You are one of the last people I would have expected to walk through the door. Care to tell me why you're here?"

"I want to join Biovolt," I mumbled to the floor. Why couldn't I even look at Boris? I guess I didn't want to see his expression.

"Well that's an interesting proposition." He said after a moment then lapsed into silence.

I remained silent, still staring at the carpet. I wish I could leave now. I've changed my mind. Tala can have Kai if I could just get out of this room. I'm being crushed by the tension in it.

No, I have to see this through. I love Kai and if this is the only way I can be with him then so be it.

I just wish Boris would say something.

I hazarded a glance at his face. It was emotionless. It was only his eyes that betrayed the thought going on behind his mask. Boris nodded as if reaching a decision and looked at me again.

"Why do you want to join Biovolt? Last time I saw you, you were cultivating a nice bit of hate for us."

"I still am cultivating that hate"

Boris smirked and folded his arms. "You didn't answer my question"

"My reasons are my own."

He chuckled. Have I ever mentioned how much Boris irritates me? He has a scary personality combined with scary looks. That and he has his sinister I'm-evil-look-at-me chuckle down pat.

"Well then, I guess I should say welcome to the team." His eyes glinted coldly. He even has the scary look down. I swear he must practice in front of a mirror, or something.

He spoke into the earpiece he was wearing and shortly a boy arrived at the door of the room we were in. Boris gestured for me to follow the boy and turned his back on us, seemingly losing interest. Rude much?

The boy began to walk, obviously expecting me to follow. The gesture reminded me of Kai. But I'm not thinking about him, remember? Even if this is the place where they make miniature Kais.

Well miniature Kais in attitude, anyway. I don't think it's possible to make a carbon copy of the one and only Kai.

The boy led me to a door and indicated for me to go through it. He then left, never having uttered a word. I didn't even know his name. Oh well, it looks like I'll be here for a while so I'll learn it later.

I walked through the door he had led me to. It opened into a large dojo area. Instinctively, I bowed before walking into the room fully.

In the middle of the room was a huge man with dark green hair. The colour kind of reminded me of Kevin but a few shades darker.

He turned and bowed to me. He straightened and smirked at me. "I was told that I was going to meet a master of my style. You don't fit the picture."

I rolled my eyes. I had mastered the art of karate years ago; by the official rankings I am a black belt to some degree. Did he really think he could beat me?

But then again, the guy was about twice my size. I swear, he must have been related to Spencer in some way.

"But no matter, I'll beat you anyway. I was just hoping for a challenge."

GAH! He was annoying! I thought that Tyson had the most over-inflated ego in the world but he's got nothing on this guy. I mean, at least Tyson was friendly along with his ego so he just makes it seem like a part of him. Part of the Tyson package and so it wasn't as irritating as- GAH!

Note to self- when in a dojo with a guy bragging about how he's going to beat you to a bloody pulp- pay attention! Otherwise it could be detrimental to your health.

I shook my head, clearing it of thoughts. If I didn't want to be hit again I had to stop babbling to myself in my head. It distracted me from the task at hand.

What was my task anyway? Apart from stopping that guy from hitting me, that is. I mean, if you think about it- WOAH!

Ok stopping thinking now. I don't enjoy flying.

The guy smirked at me in my position on the ground. "Is that really it? I knew you couldn't beat me if both my hands were tied behind my back and I was on sleeping pills but, really, that's just pitiful."

I got to my feet and crouched into a defensive pose. "Bring it on"

He smirked again. Really, he was as bad as Tala with the smirking. "Now that's more like it"

We began to fight in earnest… for hours. If stamina has a name it would be that of this guy. What is his name anyway? In fact what is it with people here not giving out their names?

I was snapped out of my musings by a fist hitting me squarely in the jaw. I'm going to feel that in the morning. Well, actually, I can feel it now. I can tell that's going to be an ugly bruise.

I winced as I got up. At least I'm not the only one with injuries. The other guy is sporting a lovely black eye courtesy of me.

I swayed in my stance and he took advantage of my exhaustion. He hooked a leg behind mine and jerked it forward, making me fall backwards to land on my back.

Ouch. That was low. Can't he give me a break? He's barely sweating and I'm a little jelly-pile on the ground. You'd think he'd have a bit of mercy.

"Are you going to get up or give up?"

Or kindness- I'll go for either one.

I tried to roll over so I could get to my feet again but my entire body felt like it was made of lead.

"Care to help me up?" I managed, even though each word cost me a bit more strength.

He gave a snort of derision. And began to walk away from me. "You need more stamina, kid, or you'll never survive." With that he left the room.

I think I hate that guy. Any decent person would have at least helped me up, but noooo he has to go for the classic evil-guy parting comment and exit. Really, I wish they'd get a new routine.

Ok, thinking is becoming a bit hard. I definitely need sleep; I don't think I've ever done that much physical work before. Well… there was that one time…

No, thinking bad, hurts my head.

Or that could be the big, fresh bruise on my head. Either way headache is go.

Weird, the pain has kind of taken a back seat; I can barely feel it anymore. I'm not complaining though.

The world began to look a bit fuzzy. I blinked my eyes, trying to clear my vision.

Ok, blinking eyes not a good idea, takes up far to much energy.

I was vaguely aware of footsteps running into the room. I got an impression of dark red hair before my eyes slid shut.

I was on the edges of unconsciousness when someone shook me awake. I cracked open my eyes and tried to make out the shadowy figure above me.

"You can't fall asleep, you probably have concussion… No make that you definitely have concussion. I'm Tahlia, by the way."

What? Someone who actually tells people her name? It's a miracle.

A miracle I'm going to ponder once I've had some sleep. My eyes slid shut again and my mind began to cloud with unconsciousness.

"Not again! You can't fall asleep! Concussion? Sleep bad? Is any of this getting through, Rei?"

I struggled back into awareness again. If I fell asleep now there's no telling what Biovolt would do to me.

"How… How do you know my name?" I managed to say.

She grinned. "Well obviously I did get through. Well, you and me have absolutely no reason to know each other do we? Well, except for the fact that you beat my brother's team that one time…"

What? Brother's team? Wait up… Red hair… Blue eyes…

Tala has siblings?

Far too much stress. I've obviously heard her wrong. Nothing a little sleep won't fix, I thought as I finally allowed myself to fall into unconsciousness.

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