Title: Innocence
Author: PandaPjays
Chapter Title: Invitation
Rating: T
Warnings: See Chapter One
Disclaimer: See Chapter One
Author Note: Ok, My longest chapter ever. Took me ages of non-stop writing... and that was only in Math class. Anyway, Thanks to my dahling friend Jacinta who helped to figure out the exchange rate of yen to dollars- by hand.
"Tyson! Come on!" Max yelled at his boyfriend before running out the airport door to join Tala in his efforts to hail a taxi.
Tyson sighed and hefted his bag before staggering a few more steps forward. It was good to be home in Japan. Kai had forced them all on to the first plane available to arrive in time for the tournament.
Even so, they had only arrived two days before the tournament was to begin.
Tyson lugged his bag a few more steps. Why had he bought all of those souvenirs, anyway? He looked up and calculated the distance between him and the door.
If I put in a super-human effort I should be able to get there in one go. He braced himself. Three… Two… On- HEY! Kai appeared beside Tyson and picked up his bag in one hand before turning around and walking out the airport doors.
"Kai!" Tyson yelled after him before following the Russian outside.
"About time." Tala told him, still looking around for a likely taxi. "How long does it take to walk from the baggage terminal to here?"
Tyson scowled at the redhead "Obviously shorter than the amount of time it take for you to hail a taxi."
Tala smirked. "Tell me genius- because you obviously think you are one, if you think you can beat me- can you count?"
The younger boy looked puzzled at that question. "Yeah, why?"
"Do you like the prospect of almost certain death by becoming an instant speed bump?"
"Uh…no"
"Then there's your answer" Tala told him simply before turning back to scan the streets for a taxi.
Tyson blinked. "I don't get your logic."
Tala turned around, exasperated. "Ok, we have five people, right?" Tyson nodded. "The average taxi has enough room for four passengers and one driver, right?" He nodded again, understanding starting to show in his eyes. "Well, unless you want to be strapped to the roof of a taxi-" Tyson shook his head vigorously. "We have to find a maxi taxi or similar"
"You could have just said that, y'know." Tyson told him, peeved.
"And miss that spectacular display of stupidity?"
Tyson growled under his breath and made to tackle Tala but was stopped by Max's hand on his own. He turned toward the blonde, about to protest, but was met with an uncharacteristically serious look on his boyfriend's face.
Max shook his head slowly. "Not worth it" he whispered.
Tyson frowned before sighing and nodding. "Ok."
Tala growled under his breath. "It's useless! This country has obviously never heard of mass transport. Kenny?" He turned to the brunette. "How do you feel about seeing the streets of Japan from a very…unique perspective?"
Kenny took a step away from the Russian. "Uh… no thanks."
"Hey! Where's Kai?" Max asked suddenly, looking around for the errant Russian.
"Uh…"
(-)
"Thank you Mr. Dickinson."
Kai replaced the receiver on to the pay phone and sighed. Why can't the rest of life be that easy?
"Hey, Kid, you done?"
Kai nodded to the couple standing outside the phone booth and stepped out of it, letting then get past him.
"Thanks." The female of the pair flashed him a grin.
Kai turned away from them and began to make his way back to the front of the airport.
Now it's only a matter of waiting.
(-)
"KA-oh. Where'd you go?" Tyson asked.
"To get us transport." Kai replied, simply, before picked up his bag and walking to the nearest courtesy bench and sitting down.
The bluenette fold his arms and mentally counted. Three, Two, One.
"KAI!"
He smirked. Right on time. He would never tell the boy to his face but Tyson was becoming predictable.
"What do you mean by that? You didn't call the taxi company did you? You know they won't come for ages. We'd have better chance walking than doing that!"
When he received no response to his outburst, Tyson scowled. "Great, just great! Why did we have to get stuck with the crazy Russian who trusts taxi services?"
"Hey!" Tala objected, "I trust taxies."
Tyson stopped and corrected himself. "Sorry, why did we have to get stuck with the crazy Russian and the criminally insane Russian who both trust taxi services?"
Tala smirked. "Because some people have all the luck?"
"Obviously not me, then"
"What? You think I want to be in the presence of Mr. 'Gee-you-look-like-you-have-money-feed-me-now'?"
"Hey! I'm not like that!"
Max ignored Tyson and Tala's battle of words. As long as it remained words he didn't care. Kai had been favouring his right side since they had returned from China. Max could only assume that he had gotten on Tala's bad side. He refused to let that happen to Tyson.
The blonde walked over to the bench that Kai was occupying. He looked over at the bluenette, trying to catch his attention. When Kai gave no sign of acknowledgment, Max opened his mouth before shutting it. He couldn't say that to him. But he had to know. Max turned toward Kai then lost his nerve and turned away again.
"What is it, Max?" You obviously want to ask me something. What is it?"
Max flushed in embarrassment. "Oh… I- uh… Was I that obvious?"
Kai snorted in derision. "Do I even need to answer that?"
"I guess not… Anyway, I was just wondering if…"
"Yes?" Kai pressed.
"Well… IwasjustwonderingifholdingthistournamentwouldbringbackRei?" Max blurted out.
Kai blinked. "What?"
Max breathed. "I said, do you think that holding this tournament will bring back Rei?"
Kai paused. He didn't want to get the blonde's hopes up. At the same time he didn't want to get his own hopes up. What if Rei didn't show up? What if even after all of this Rei still didn't come? What if he never saw the neko-jin again?
Kai didn't even want to think about that possibility. It was hard enough living without Rei while still having hope that he would find him. Living without Rei without hope wouldn't even be living. It would be existing, nothing more.
"Kai?" Max asked tentatively.
The Russian blinked. It wouldn't do to share those thoughts with Max. Hell, he could barely share those thoughts with himself. Was it normal to miss a friend the way that he missed Rei? Would he be affected in the same way if it were Tyson? Or Max? Or Kenny?
No.
He knew that fact like he knew that the sun would rise tomorrow. He had no proof that it would and yet he knew.
"Kai?"
"Huh? Oh… I don't know." Kai answered truthfully. "I hope so."
Max nodded. "Me too."
A long, black, limousine with the BBA logo emblazoned on the door pulled up in front of them.
"Here's our ride." Kai stated before picking up his bag and getting into the vehicle.
Tala blinked before shrugging off his surprise and following Kai into the car. The others soon followed him.
When they were all seated comfortably the limo began to move.
"Where are we going?" Tyson asked, peering out of the tinted windows.
"To your place, where else?"
"Oh." Tyson frowned as something occurred to him. "But Gramps won't be there! We came back a week early! He'll still be on that retreat-thing he went on. I don't know much about it, I wasn't really paying attention when he told me about it."
Kai raised an eyebrow. "Do you have a spare key?"
Tyson looked confused. "Uh… Yeah… What does that have to do with the price of eggs in China?"
"Absolutely nothing. But if you have a spare key we can get in so problem solved." Kai paused for a second. "Oh, by the way, I invited pretty much everyone to stay with us. Mr. Dickinson was having a bit of trouble finding places for everyone to stay so I offered that we could take them in."
"And by 'pretty much everyone' you mean what?" Tala asked softly. "You do remember that I'm not exactly in most people's good-books don't you?"
Kai gave Tala a sad half-smile. "I know. But they just have to get used to the idea that you're a member of the Bladebreakers for now."
"WHAT?" Tyson yelled. "WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY THAT? TALA IS SO NOT A MEMBER OF THE BLADEBREAKERS! I DON'T MAKE IT A HABIT TO BE ON THE SAME TEAM AS PEOPLE WHO ARE TERMINALLY INSANE!"
"Tyson" Kai said with steel in his voice, making him close his mouth almost immediately. It was not a good idea to argue with Kai when he used that voice.
"What?" He asked sulkily.
"Look, we're down a member at the moment and we need all the help we can get. You may not like Tala but he is one of the best bladers I've ever seen and his team is missing in action."
"And I'm not that bad am I?" Tala interjected. "I promise that I'll be out of your hair soon, ok? It's just that at the moment I don't have many options open to me."
Tyson scowled. "Fine. I just wish you'd have asked before just announcing."
Tala smirked. "I'll take that under advisement, next time."
"NEXT TIME? THERE WON'T BE A NEXT TIME!"
Kai sighed. This was going to be a very long ride.
(-)
"So Kai, you never actually told us who you invited over. Or how we're going to feed everybody. Speaking of food, I'm hungry!"
"When are you not hungry, Tyson?" Kai asked as he dropped his bags on the floor of the dojo. "Is it possible for you not to be?"
"That isn't the question you should be asking."
"What should I be asking, Tala?"
"If there is enough food in Japan to feed the walking stomach."
"HEY! I'm being nice enough to let you stay here!"
"You don't really have a choice." Tala reminded him before dropping his bags next to Kai's. "And anyway, you really shouldn't be worried about the food. Since when have you been able to cook something edible?"
"Of course I should be worried about the food! I'm a growing boy! I need food."
"Yes, but you don't need that much."
"Stay out if it, Kai!"
Kai held up his hands in mock surrender and went to check the kitchen.
Kenny sat down on the floor and turned Dizzi on. "How are we going to feed everyone anyway? We don't have enough money to buy all the food that we need do we?"
Tala smirked. "I think I may have a solution to that problem."
"And that is?" Kenny asked with a slight waver in his voice. He could just tell he wasn't going to like Tala's solution.
"How hard do you think it would be to hack into a bank and defraud them of all their money?"
"Tala! That's insane even for you!" Kenny exclaimed, shocked.
Tala's smirk turned to a grin. "I know. I just wanted to see your reaction. Don't worry about it, ok? Kai wouldn't have invited them if there were a big problem like that." Tala winked and left to join Kai in the kitchen.
Kenny sighed and called over to Tyson. "Give me Dragoon. I need to make sure he's in top condition for the tournament."
"Sure, Chief." Tyson walked over to the smaller boy and handed him Dragoon. "Thanks."
"Do you want Draciel as well?" Max asked, holding out his blade.
Kenny nodded. "Sure. I'll have a look at him as soon as I'm done with Dragoon."
"Awesome. Hey Maxie? After you give Chief Draciel I want to show you something."
The blonde nodded. "Sure!" He gave his blade to Kenny and allowed his hand to be taken by Tyson.
"We'll be back soon!" The midnight-blue haired boy called over his shoulder before dragging Max out the door.
"You know, they're probably going to-"
"Yes, Dizzi. You don't need to spell it out."
"I could, you know."
"But you won't"
"You're right, I won't. Now, let's have a look at Dragoon."
Kenny sighed contentedly and picked up Tyson's blade. Here was something that he could do. Here was something that he knew.
(-)
"So. What did you want to show me?" Max asked as he trotted beside his lover.
"I'll show you when we get there." Tyson told him over his shoulder, leading him deeper into the trees that clustered around the back of the dojo.
Max swallowed his curiosity. Tyson would tell him in time. He just hoped that it was sooner rather than later.
The pair continued to delve deeper into the trees until Tyson stopped and turned to Max. "We're almost there." He whispered reverently before walking slowly into a clearing.
Max looked around to see a large, ancient tree towering above him. He frowned in confusion. Why had Tyson wanted him to see this?
"It's great isn't it?" Tyson asked him, trying to see into the top branches.
"Uh… Yeah…" Max said, still trying to figure out why Tyson had brought him there.
Tyson grinned. "You have no idea what I'm talking about do you?"
"Uh… No… Sorry" Max told him, looking around the clearing, still trying to find why it was so special to the other boy.
"Come here, I'll show you." Tyson said holding out his hand.
Max took the hand offered to him and followed Tyson has he walked to the other side if the tree where there was a small crevice in between two large roots.
"I still don't understand." Max told Tyson as he was dragged into the crevice.
"Then wait till I explain." Tyson told him matter-of-factly.
"Ok."
"Now, do you see where we are standing?"
Max looked around and nodded, unsure of where this was going.
"In this exact spot… In fact I think we're standing exactly where they were standing. Anyway, this is where my dad proposed to Mum."
Max looked around himself with a slight frown on his face. Why was Tyson showing him? Yes, it was cool that this was the place that his parents were years ago but still…
"My mum showed me here right before she died. She didn't know that, of course. We came here for a picnic when I was five. And she told me about how Dad had dragged her here when they were teenagers and showed her because this was his favourite spot in the whole world. Then he proposed to her, just like that. She completely wasn't expecting it." He smiled at the memory of his mother telling him that story. "She was in the car crash that afternoon."
Sympathy filled Max's eyes as he looked at the sadness on his boyfriends face. Tyson hardly ever spoke about his mother. Max had never thought to ask about her.
"I've never shown anyone this place before. I'm pretty sure Gramps knows about it. It's where I go when I just have to think. It's a good place for that."
Max smiled and nodded. "That it is."
"Hey." Tyson said suddenly.
"Hm?"
"Thanks for listening to me ramble."
"Huh? What? No. It's my- mmph!" Max's reply was interrupted by the sudden presence of Tyson's lips on his own.
He closed his eyes and focused on enjoying the feeling of Tyson's lips. He wrapped his arms around Tyson's neck and pulled the boy closer. Tyson took a step forward, forcing Max to take a backward step, pressing the blonde's back against the trunk of the tree.
Max leaned against the tree and slowly lowered himself down, pulling Tyson with him. The other boy grinned and continued to assault Max's lips. He nibbled on the bottom lip of the blonde, asking for entrance. Max granted it willingly and shivered in pleasure as Tyson's tongue began to explore the caverns of his mouth.
Is it possible to be happier? He thought absently before abandoning all thought to concentrate solely on the other boy.
(-)
Kai stared dismally at the empty cupboards. "We have to go shopping."
"Do we have enough money?" Tala asked, as he stared at the empty fridge. "God, there is nothing to eat!"
Kai smirked. "You're starting to sound like Tyson and of course we have enough money."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Well, I managed to con Mr. Dickinson into paying for our food in return for hosting everyone."
Tala raised an eyebrow. "He does know that Tyson is among us- doesn't he?"
"And that Gary will be joining him, yes."
"The White Tigers are coming?"
"Them and the Majestics, the All Starz have their own place to stay."
Tala did a quick count. "Thirteen people! We have no food! What the hell possessed you to invite them all here?"
Kai smirked as he heard a car pull up outside. "Simple, really. It's always a lot easier to do things when you have underlings to do it for you."
"Gary! You just ate! We aren't going back into town to get you food!" Came Lee's voice from the front.
Tala stared at the other Russian. "What do you mean by that?"
"Watch."
The two listened as someone walked up to the front door and knocked. Before going to answer the door Kai turned to Tala. "Start writing a shopping list of everything you think we'll need."
Tala nodded, still confused. "Ok."
Kai nodded and left the kitchen to answer the door.
"Hello? Is anyone th- oh, hey Kai."
Kai stood in the doorway and glowered at Lee.
"Glad to see that we caught you on a good day. We were told to come stay with you guys. Have you heard anything about Rei?"
"No. Come in." Kai said, flatly. He had forgotten that inviting all of these people would mean more talk of his neko-jin… Wait… did he just think his neko-jin? Where the hell did that thought come from?
"Er. Kai?" Lee asked.
"Hm?"
"If we're going to come in do you think you could move out of the way?"
"Oh. Yeah." Kai stepped aside and let Lee pass with his bags. He couldn't believe how easily his fierce mask had dissolved. He couldn't intimidate them into doing what he wanted at this rate. Either he had to ignore the feeling in his stomach whenever Rei's name was mentioned or he'd have to try the age old method of getting people to do what you want… niceness.
Lee nodded in thanks before dropping his bags unceremoniously on the floor. "Thanks for letting us stay."
"No problem." He couldn't ignore the feelings that he got when he heard Rei's name. He would just have to try his hand at asking instead of telling.
Lee turned to the door and gestured for his team to come through. They complied, struggling in loaded with bags. "Where is everyone?" Lee asked, looking around.
"Max and Tyson went out, Kenny's in the dojo and-"
Tala walked into the room. "Done the list. We really need to go shopping." He handed the list to Kai.
An icy silence fell over the room. "What's he doing here?" Lee hissed, his pupils slitting.
Tala's eyes narrowed. "Well I was putting together a shopping list. Unless, of course, you'd rather starve."
Lee growled and took a step toward Tala. Kai intercepted him with a warning glare. "Can we be civil? If not, take the list and go shopping. It needs to be done and it would stop you two from tearing down Tyson's place."
"Hmpf," Lee snatched the list from Kai and scanned it. "Where are we going to get all the money for this?"
Kai reached into his pocket and pulled out his wallet. He rifled through it for a few seconds before producing a wad of notes. "That's about ¥ 90 000. That should be enough."
Mariah stared at the money in the Russian's hand. "Do you know how many shoes I can buy with that?"
"I think that the more pertinent question is- do I care?" Kai asked.
Lee had gone into a sort of coma staring at the money.
"Lee? Lee! LEE!" Kai yelled in the neko-jin's face.
"Huh?" Kai growled in frustration and picked up Lee's hand, closing it forcibly.
"Grocery shopping now. I want the change."
He glared at the neko-jin daring him to delay any further.
"Uh… right. Ok. Mariah? Gary? Kevin? Come?"
They nodded and, having rid themselves of their luggage, filed back out the door, Gary leading the way.
Lee looked once again at the money in his hand before dashing out the door.
Kai smirked. He hadn't had to resort to being nice after all.
Tala sighed and ran his hand through his hair. "I thought Mr. Dickinson was paying?"
"He is. Just because I can afford to feed everyone doesn't mean I will."
Tala snorted. "Miser thy name is Kai Hiwatari."
"What was with you and Lee back there?" Kai asked, hearing the car carrying the White Tigers leave the driveway.
"Well, so you remember how they lost pathetically at the Worlds?"
"Yes…?"
"Well, after they lost I kinda followed them back to their dressing room and uh… pissed myself laughing at them. They obviously didn't take it too well."
"Obviously not."
(-)
Lee stalked down the aisle of the supermarket. "Stupid Russians," he muttered darkly to himself as he picked up a tin of baked beans and threw it into the trolley.
"Calm down already." Mariah ordered, walking up to the trolley and dropping a loaf of bread into it. "It's been, what? An hour since you set eyes on them? Get over it!"
"No. Not until he apologises for being such an arsehole!"
"Like that's going to happen anytime soon. Face it; you have to stop being so petty about it. It looked like he was staying there so you have to put up with him until after the tournament is over. Then you can go back to hating him, ok?" She stood in front of him, daring him to do anything but agree.
Lee got the message. "Ok," he said sulkily.
Mariah grinned. "Good boy!"
"Hey! I'm not a dog!"
She snickered. "Could have fooled me."
"HEY!"
(-)
Tyson smiled lazily at Max. He really did look like an angel when he was asleep. Like a small blonde cherub just asking to be loved and protected. He never would have guessed that he would be the one charged with this task.
The object of his musings stirred and opened his eyes slowly. He noticed he was in Tyson's arms and quickly looked down to make sure he was fully clothed. Seeing that he was, Max relaxed in relief against his boyfriend.
Tyson chuckled quietly. "You fell asleep. Jet Lag? It's funny, Australia's in pretty much the same time zone as us, and you shouldn't be feeling it."
The blonde smiled sheepishly. "I'm not. I'm just tired."
"Really? Couldn't tell. You're cute when you sleep, you know."
Max flushed. He couldn't believe that he'd just fallen asleep.
"Though you sleeping come nowhere near you blushing in cuteness levels."
That only made Max turn an even deeper shade of scarlet. He groaned and tried to hide his face in the folds of Tyson's clothes.
"We probably should get back." Tyson told Max as he ran his hands through the other's hair. "They'll be wondering where we are."
"Hm… Yeah I suppose."
Tyson planted a kiss on the American's forehead. "That means that you have to get up."
"Oh… yeah." Max stood up and held his hand out to Tyson, offering to help him up. Tyson smiled and reached up to grasp his hand.
Max pulled slightly harder than necessary, making Tyson spring up and stumble forward – straight into Max.
"Hey." Max said, before giving Tyson a chaste kiss on his lips.
"You did that on purpose."
Max grinned. "Of course I did."
Tyson smiled and took hold of Max's hand before leading him back toward the dojo.
(-)
"Johnny! Stop being so uncouth!"
"Guess who's here?" Kai asked Tala in amusement.
"I don't know. Who do you think it is?" Tala asked, playing along.
"I'm not sure. Perhaps we should go look?"
"Ok." The two Russians stood up from the couch they had been sitting on and headed toward the door.
"Enri! Put away that picture of… who is it now? Susan? Katie? Penel-"
"Yvonne!"
"Right! Of course! Yvonne! Put it away."
"Why?"
"Because I said so."
"Ok."
Kai opened the door to see Enrique hastily putting a photo into his pocket. Robert looked up, having heard the door. "Hello Kai." He noticed the redhead behind Kai. "Tala."
"Hi. Come in." Kai eyed the bags that the Majestics had brought. "You might want to take them straight to the dojo. It's the only place big enough to fit all of us."
"Us? Who else is here? Apart from the Bladebreakers and Tala, that is… Why are you here Tala?" Oliver asked him.
"The White Tigers are shopping and as to why I'm here? It's a long story. Too boring to retell, really."
"Oh… ok." The green haired boy frowned. "Where's the rest of the Demolition Boys?"
Tala blinked before coming up with a suitable lie. "They couldn't make it so I came anyway. I'm part of the Bladebreakers until Rei comes back."
"Speaking of Rei have you heard any news?" Robert asked, looking around as if trying to make the neko-jin appear from thin air.
That feeling in my stomach again Kai thought as he felt a twinge at the mention of Rei's name. "No. He's still missing. We hope that this tournament will bring him out of the woodwork."
"I hope that works out for you." Robert said as he directed his team to the dojo. "As soon as we drop off our gear we're going to disappear for a bit of training- ok?"
"Fine. Just be back before nightfall- that's when dinner is." Kai told him. "If dinner ever arrives that is."
Robert nodded. "We shall be there."
Kai inclined his head and turned to walk back inside. Tala soon followed.
"Well that was brief." Tala commented.
"Hn." Kai sighed. When would Lee and co be back? At least if he was attempting to cook an edible meal he couldn't keep on thinking about how important it was for this tournament to succeed.
As if his prayer were being answered, the sound of a car being driven into the driveway met Kai's ears. "Thank God!" he exclaimed before he could control himself.
Tala looked at him. "Ok. Is it just me or did you just sound like Tyson?"
"Oh ha ha. Very funny." Kai snapped, before walking to the door quickly, eager for something to take his mind off… everything.
Lee opened the door. "We're ba-"
Kai barged past him toward the boot of the car, keen to help with carrying the groceries to the kitchen.
Lee watched him go. "He's keen." He commented.
"You're not wrong." Tala said faintly as he watched Kai pick up four bags in each hand before heading to the kitchen.
Tala noticed a small envelope on the porch and picked it up. Opening it, he scanned the contents.
To the Bladebreakers, the White Tigers and the Majestics
You are cordially invited to attend an opening dinner tomorrow night. It will be held at the BBA Headquarters
We hope to see you there.
Tala stared at the invitation, puzzled. He'd never heard of an opening dinner for a tournament before. He mentally shrugged. Not that he was complaining.
"What have you got there?" Lee asked.
Tala handed the piece of paper to the neko-jin who scanned it. "Weird."
"Yes indeed."
Thinking back on Mariah's words, Lee turned to Tala. "Hey, sorry about earlier."
Tala just continued to stare outside, not giving any indication of having heard the neko-jin.
(-)
Kai sighed as he began to peel yet another potato. He had discovered that, instead of taking his mind off Rei, cooking actually made him think more about the neko-jin.
He kept on remembering how easily Rei had moved around the kitchen, knowing exactly which appliance did what. He never had appreciated the gourmet meals that he had cooked the team. Kai missed those meals, not only because they tasted a lot better than the one that he was making would taste but also because he missed the sense that Rei had cooked the meal. He missed knowing that it was Rei who had put in the effort to make the food he was eating.
"If you go any slower we're going to be having dinner next Christmas."
Kai scowled. He also missed not having to deal with Tala who was annoyingly good in the kitchen. Tala had prevented him from destroying the meal on a number of occasions. Kai had discovered that he was hopeless in the kitchen so Tala had set him the task of potato peeling.
He finished his last potato and smirked in satisfaction. No potato's going to get the best of me!
He blinked and realised he was mentally talking to a potato. How much lower can I go? He wondered as he set his pile of freshly peeled potatoes on the kitchen bench.
"Done. What now?" he asked Tala without turning around.
When he received no reaction he repeated himself louder. "What do you want me to do now?"
Still not receiving an answer, he turned around to see Tala stirring a pot of… something. He tapped him on the shoulder, making the redhead jump in surprise.
"Done." He said again, frowning in confusion.
Tala made a confused face. He knew that Kai had said something. He could see his lips move. Why couldn't he hear him? He shook his head, trying to unblock his ears. What was happening?
Kai saw the confusion on the other Russians face. "I know it's unbelievable but I am done."
Tala heard the last word and the world of sound returned to him. What had that been about? "Uh… right… Start peeling the carrots."
Kai raised an eyebrow. "What was that about?"
"What was what about?" Tala asked, feigning ignorance.
"You- Don't worry about it." Kai said as he turned back to the sink, preparing himself for another long session of carrot peeling.
Tala turned back to the pot and cursed softly when he saw that it was over boiling. He quickly turned down the heat.
That was the second time today that he had not been able to hear when someone was speaking to him. It had taken a lot of time and effort- not to mention a sincere apology- to stop Lee from killing Tala with his bare hands when he didn't acknowledge the neko-jin's apology. Now he hadn't heard Kai. What was wrong with him?
"Carrots are done." Kai said from behind him.
"Uh… thanks. That's should be all you need to do. I'll call you when dinner's ready."
"Ok." Kai left Tala to muse over the day's events while he continued making dinner.
(-)
Later that night Tala was still trying to work out what was wrong with him. It had been tedious throughout dinner trying to follow the flow of conversation when his hearing kept on dropping in and out. Add to that when he had misjudged where the meat was on his plate and instead cut his finger and it hadn't been a pleasant dinner at all.
He stared at the cut still glaring red on his finger. It should have healed by now. It should have healed hours ago. What was happening?
"Night, Tala." Tyson said sleepily as he headed off to bed, breaking into Tala's thoughts.
"Oh. Night." He said absently. He checked the clock and blinked. When had it become that late? Had he been sitting in this chair for that long?
Now that he thought about it, the house had become eerily quiet. He tapped the side of his chair softly to make sure that he wasn't having another deafness spell and, satisfied that he wasn't, stood up from the chair he had been sitting on for the past hours and stretched.
He walked softly throughout the house, looking to see if he was the only one awake. It looked like it until he turned toward the front balcony.
Of course, he thought as he began to walk toward the only other person awake. He stopped to pick up something before continuing on his path
Kai sat on the rail of the veranda, balancing perfectly on the thin rail. His eyes were not looking at anything in particular.
"What are you thinking about?" Tala asked gently, trying not to startle Kai. That could lead to him falling off the rail and then a very unhappy Russian.
"Rei." Kai replied simply without really registering the question. After a second he realised what he had said and blushed. "Uh… I mean…"
"You don't have to tell me." Tala told him, feeling a deep sadness in the pit of his stomach. He had started to remember fully what had happened in the lounge of the penthouse all those weeks ago. Tala couldn't believe that it had only been a few weeks ago. His feelings for the boy still sitting on the balcony hadn't changed but he had come to accept that Kai would never think of him that way. Kai was in love with Rei- even if he couldn't see that for himself.
Kai nodded in thanks and sighed. "I miss him."
"I know. I found something that might help though." Tala said, holding up an open bottle of vodka.
Kai smirked. "Where'd you get that from?"
"Let's just say that Tyson's Grandpa's secret stash isn't that well hidden."
"Right." Kai took the bottle from Tala and took a long drink from it. "Hm… tastes a bit funny."
Tala shrugged. "Could just be the brand."
Kai blinked and shook his head before taking another swig from the bottle. He shut his eyes and swayed dangerously on the railing. "Wha-?"
"…Or it could be those sleeping pills I put in there." Tala said musingly.
Kai glared as best he was able, trying to steady himself on his perch.
"You have to get to sleep. You aren't going to do that if you spend all night musing over Rei. You might want to get off that. I'll get you to bed."
Kai half-fell off the railing and Tala wrapped one of the bluenette's arms around his neck- taking most of his weight. They began to stumble toward the dojo where Kai's mattress was already laid out. By the time they reached it Kai was snoring softly.
Wow- they were strong. Tala thought as he pulled the blankets over Kai. He mentally shrugged. I probably should get to bed too I'll figure out what's wrong with me tomorrow. He was about to do just that when he caught sight of Dizzi, giving him an idea.
(-)
"What the? Kenny? Why are you awa- Tala?"
He shushed the laptop urgently. "You'll wake everyone up!" he whispered.
"Maybe I should. Why did you wake me up at this hour? For another thing, why the hell do you have me and where's Kenny?"
"He's asleep too. And I need you're help."
"Couldn't you have waited till morning?"
"No. I had to wait for everyone to go to sleep."
"Why?" She asked suspiciously.
"Because-" Tala quickly explained the situation to her. "I've done countless diagnostics on myself and I've come up with nothing. I was hoping that if I hooked myself up to you I might be able to see what's wrong."
"Ok… sounds legitimate enough…. Promise that you won't try to hack into government agencies etcetera?"
Tala gave her a confused look. "What?"
She sighed. "Don't worry about it. I'm guessing that you're going to need a cable?"
Tala nodded.
"Chief's got heaps of them- they should be next to where I was. Go pick the right one."
Tala nodded and left, coming back with a cable. He connected one end to Dizzi and began to feel along his left arm to find the pressure pads that he knew were there. He found all three and pressed them gently.
He watched in fascination as the skin from the underside of his wrist was raised. He picked it up like he would pick up the lid of a box and placed it on the table, shivering at the combined feeling of skin and metal. The now exposed computer port gleamed coldly in the low light. It was this that he plugged the cable into.
His hair stood on end at the strange feeling of his data being loaded on to Dizzi. He had only done this a few times and all of the other times had been at Biovolt. Even if he had done this hundreds of times he didn't think that he could ever get used to the feeling of sharing the contents of his mind.
"Dizzi?" he managed to say, trying to fight off the feeling of dizziness that was also another symptom of this procedure.
"Yes?" She asked sounding preoccupied. She was fascinated by this glimpse into the inner psyche of the redhead.
"Don't tell anyone about this ok? Please?"
"Of course not. Not even Kenny."
"Thank you."
"Oh! I think I found something!"
"What?" Tala opened his eyes. He had closed them in an attempt to stop the world from spinning. He focused on the data that was being on the screen.
Soon his discomfort was forgotten only to be replaced with a feeling of dread in his stomach as he read further and further into the words on Dizzi's screen.
"A-are you sure?" He asked, hoping that there had been a mistake.
"Yes. I'm Sorry."
Tala sighed and put his head in his hands. A thought occurred to him. He sat up. "Can I stop-"
"No."
"But I can-"
"Yes, at a cost."
At a cost. But then again everything has a cost. I guess nothing in this life is free. He thought as he continued to read the information on Dizzi's screen.
Please tell me what you think.