Asylum

By: Darker Evolutions

Rating: R

Warnings: The rating should be warning enough.

Disclaimer: I do not own Beyblade or any of its characters.

A/N: Thought I'd update one more chapter, just to see what kind of response I get, if any at all. If there is no response then I will discontinue this story and possibly my others as well. Lets see how things go, hm? Also for those who have reviewed recently I thank you muchly, it has given me enough 'umph' to keep going on this story. Also.. I don't know how I do it, but I keep on spelling Ray's name differently! -.- Please, I beg your forgiveness. Oh..fluff warning!

Summary: Kai, Tala, Ray, and Bryan are members of the Saint Carolin's High School soccer team with a new student placed as their manager. They're also mutants in which the underground organization Biovolt are after. Will they get at each other's throats before they get a chance to find asylum?

Chapter Twelve - Moving And Revelations

Having dropped Ray off at his own home Kai and Tala proceeded to their own, just now pulling into the driveway and smiling at the fact their mother's car was in the driveway as well. Her work schedule tended to be erratic, so they both were lucky to catch her when she was at home with time off. Cutting life from the engine the teens hauled themselves from the SUV, Tala still partially asleep and Kai in need of another good cup of coffee to wake him up; caffeine did him a deal of good in the mornings.

Stepping up the porch stairs Kai moved into the house first, his crimson eyes glancing about as he removed his shoes at the door; just behind him was Tala who soon followed the same motions and process, as they both knew that their mother preferred them to not track dirt through her clean house. After a brief search they found the gentle woman sitting curled up in an armchair contently reading a worn book of Russian literature. Tala promptly dropped down into another open chair, shifting until he was comfortable.

"Tala, Kai!" exclaimed their mother softly as she turned down the corner of her book and set it aside to rise and embrace the still standing Kai. "I'm so glad to see that both of you are alright; I was worried when Mrs. Tate called me to inform me of what happened to your friends and yourselves." A soothed smile was upon her face, calm eyes looking behind Kai at the red-head. "Still not a morning person, are you honey?"

"I would've been fine if someone hadn't woken me up by inviting themselves into the house we were staying at last night," grumbled the Russian as he shot Kai a look; they both knew who he was talking about and he glared as Kai gave him a dull look of amusement. "Whatever, I'm going to get something to eat from the fridge," he announced as he rose from his seat and moved back into the kitchen where they had entered.

"What's got him in a sour mood this day?" questioned Ms. Hiwatari as she cast a side-long glance towards Kai--they could both hear Tala moving about in the kitchen, sorting through things in the fridge, then going though the cupboards. "He seems more agitated than he usually is, has something happened that Mrs. Tate hasn't told me about, Kai?"

"Salima dropped by Declan's home in the morning, and they don't exactly…get along, as you know," answered Kai as he sunk down into the vacated seat where Tala had once been. "I know that Biovolt wants Declan more than anything, and they've already gone through great lengths to attain him once; Tala, I, and Ray are moving in with him to better help with the situation. I think he's a little upset at that situation; there's something he still doesn't care to tell any of us about dealing with this, but maybe he'll say something in due time."

Ms. Hiwatari gave her head a gentle tilt in curiosity, and after a slow smile the middle-aged woman took back up her own seat. "He can sort out his problems just as well as you can, but just be there for him when he needs you; you two are brother after all. And what's this, you two are finally getting up and moving out so I can get an apartment for myself? My, miracles do happen," chuckled the woman in good humor. "I'll miss you two, but you both have my blessing to move out, just so long as you stay in school."

"And miss soccer if we stopped? Not going to happen," responded Tala from the doorway, having just caught the tail-end of their conversation. He had gotten a glass of orange juice from the refrigerator, sipping it as he watched Kai give him a look and his mother laugh gently at his comment; he didn't think it was all that funny. "Just figured we'd stop leaving a mess for you to clean up all the time, particularly from me."

"It's not that I minded cleaning up after you every once and awhile, but with my busy schedule it's hard to keep the house clean and everything done on time along with it. Just remember that you two can come to me if you ever need anything; I'm still your mother, after all," smiled the two teens' mother warmly as she watched the gesture be returned by both of her sons, but they both were reserved about the action. "So when are you two going to start moving your things out?" she questioned lightly, her dark blue eyes watching Kai stand and move into the kitchen as the smell of coffee started to fill the house.

Tala merely smirked in satisfaction as he observed his brother out of the corner of his eye moving past him and into the kitchen where he had started a quick brew of coffee for Kai. "Supposedly that's what we're going to be doing all day, something about getting settle in before Monday when school starts back up for us again," answered Tala before taking a drink of his orange juice-- now that he was awake he seemed preoccupied with something, his fingertips tapping against the glass as his icy blue eyes stared down into the remaining bit of juice.

"So soon?" asked Ms. Hiwatari in astonishment, her slender brows rising as Kai returned to the room with a steaming mug of coffee. All she got in response was a 'it isn't for us' from Kai as he passed by to move upstairs to start packing; he was in hopes that his mother could get Tala to speak about what was bothering him. He didn't want to ask himself because Tala often took being questioned the wrong way and became upset. Once seeing Kai disappear upstairs Ms. Hiwatari gestured Tala to sit, in which he did so reluctantly.

"I don't wan to pressure you into talking to me, Tala, but it's as clear as day that something is bothering you, and as your mother I'm concerned about you. If I can help," she continued softly, careful about what she brought up and how she said it so Tala wouldn't become upset. "Then I'll help, but if you merely want someone to listen to you then I'll be glad to lend and ear, two of them really," the woman commented in light humor only to frown at Tala's lack of response to the joke; if anything he would usually at least smile at her antics.

There was a long, stretched out pause between the two of them as the muffled noise from upstairs where Kai was putting together boxes and starting to pack his things.. Running the tip of his finger around the rim of the glass that held only a small bit of juice remaining in the bottom Tala gave a sigh before speaking in a slow, confused voice, "I know why I hated Declan in the beginning, thinking he was just like every other punk and goth, but then when we went to save his life he ended up saving ours--he called me, us, his friend, but after all I put him through I don't understand why he keeps putting up with me the way he does. Ray was right; I instigate all the arguments and fights, yet I can't stop myself. I get a thrill out of baiting him like that."

"it's because it has become a constant in your life, all the arguing and fighting you and Declan go through.. In the end it all comes down to you not wanting to lose anyone else in your life and him willing to put up with hell just to have friends. Mrs. Tate didn't give me a whole lot of information on Declan, but Id still like to meet him," stated Ms. Hiwatari with a soft understanding smile. "That is if you'll allow me to see him," she said sweetly.

"Fine," responded Tala moodily as he rose from the chair he had been directed to sit in by his mother, only to pause and turn his eyes back to the woman he considered to be his only parent now. "I didn't know before, but Coach Tate gave Kai the information on Declan and he passed it on to us.. But be careful about asking questions about his family; like many of us 'mutants' he doesn't have a very pleasant past. His own father wants him dead and is working with Biovolt to get his own son's power," he informed her before sitting his glass aside and moving upstairs to start packing his own things.

It was hours later, SUV packed to its limit, when Kai received a call from Ray stating that Lee was going to take him over to Declan's, and that Declan had called to say he was awake and already cleaning up things in all the other actual bedrooms available; the attic was included along with this as it was easily able to be two bedrooms if a few things were installed and brought up. It was when the two teens were getting ready to leave that their mom caught up with there.

"I don't want you to think that you don't have to get a job and what not, but I don't want you to leave without this," offered Ms. Hiwatari as she held out a folded slip of paper to Kai. "This is a bank account number that you inherited from your bather, Kai. It has all you'll ever need in it, plus some. Your father felt very strongly about supporting his family, and I'm sad to no longer have him around, but I want you two to make him proud by making good decisions about your lives." With a soft, sad smile she handed over the piece of paper only to embrace the two taller scenes. "Just remember I love the both of you."

When Tala shifted impatiently Kai elbowed him in the side, crimson eyes full of annoyment directed towards his brother. After exchanging pleasantries they were pulling out of the driveway as they watched their mother wave them goodbye; the whole moving out idea went rather well, they thought. The drive was rather silent, both drowning in their thoughts even as they pulled into Declan's drive just in time to wave goodbye to Lee, whom was currently pulling out of the driveway sporting a bruised cheek.

"Where did 'that' come from?" questioned Kai as his crimson eyes followed the leaving vehicle before turning to look at Ray who merely shrugged and pointed to Declan who was currently leaning against the front door's frame holding a soccer ball under one arm in his pajamas. He was going to ask why when Tala demanded the answer himself in a not so kind way; he received a soccer ball suddenly smacking against his forehead as Declan turned away muttering something akin to 'it doesn't concern you' under his breath.. Tala was instantly on guard as he grabbed the soccer ball, his chilling blue eyes shooting towards Ray insisting an answer from him if Declan wasn't going to give it.

"Lee said something to him," commented Ray only to end up having Kai give him a pointed look as well; he didn't want to elaborate, but did so anyways in the name of wanting to keep the peace. "My brother found out the whole story about the incident at the warehouse, though I'm not really sure as to how it happened. He told Declan, "If you hurt any of them I'll kill you". I don't know why he even said it, they were on good terms before, and now he doesn't even want me around Declan. He only agreed to let me come when I said Tala was going to be here saying that "He can keep the freak in-line"."

"Have you talked to Declan, yet?" questioned Kai as he grabbed a box from his SUV and entered the house with Ray in front of him and Tala behind him with another box. When Ray responded with a shake of his head Kai gave a sigh and set down the box he had next to Ray's things on the living room floor. He was turning towards the hall when Tala grabbed his shoulder, after setting down his own box, before moving past Kai; he missed the look that his brother gave him as he went to find Declan. "Maybe Mom talked to him after all," muttered Kai.

"I just hope that he doesn't end up making things worse," commented Ray as he moved to help Kai carry the rest of the boxes and objects from the SUV inside where the rest were in the living room; a considerable amount of cleaning was still needed before anything could actually be unpacked., and lunchtime was quickly approaching. "Do you think we should go check on those two?" offered Ray as he took up a duster and starting cleaning up any cobwebs and dust he could find upon uncovered furniture and corners. Kai merely shrugged and starting picking up the white sheets that had been covering the furniture and folding them.

----

As he moved down the stretch of hall Tala took time to glance about in every room, pausing to see if he could hear Declan within it, if he was hiding, before moving on and checking Declan's actual bedroom. Upon finding that the bedroom was empty as well as cleaned from this morning Tala became frustrated; the only places left to search was the attic and outside, though he somehow figured Declan wasn't going to be outdoors when his backyard was a mess. Glancing up the stairs that lead to the attack Tala listened for some sign of life, his patience being rewarded as the sound of sloshing water was heard.

Making his way up the attic's stairs Tala thought about his plan of action concerning what he was going to say and do; he wanted Declan to know that he wasn't out to do him any real harm while at the same time keeping some dignity for himself. Reaching the top of the stairs, hand resting upon the clean railing of the stairs, Tala paused to watch the teen in whom he was looking for scrubbing furiously at the wooden floor of the attic with a bristled brush and a bucket of soapy, dirty water from other things having already been watched.

Tala was surprised at how much the attic had been improved. Everything was removed from the rather large and expansive room, the windows freshly cleaned and the cobwebs removed form the ceiling, corners, and anywhere else they clung. The window had been opened to let fresh air in and the scent of cleaners out, the cooler air circling the room and drying the clean bits of floor as Declan continued to scrub with fervor. It was as if he was channeling all his anger into merely washing the floor of the grime and grit.

"Declan--" started Tala, not sure on what grounds he stood on with Declan right now, though he only got the teen's name out before the other was speaking to him in a strained tone, "Don't, just don't, Tala." It was as if Declan was trying to not cry, turning his forlorn anguish at being turned on by Lee into outright anger that was quickly festering within him. Tala frowned, moving forward across the floor in slow, careful steps; he felt as if he was walking on thin ice and that Declan could at any moment throw the bucket of water at him like he had the soccer ball.

Pale hands tightening upon the bristled brush should've been enough of a warning as the scrubbing motions stopped, and yet Tala stepped forward again, his weight off balance as the foot hadn't even gotten fully to the floor before a sudden lash of darkness was throwing him onto his back, the landing upon the floor causing him to wince while he held his head up to keep from cracking it upon the floor with the rest of his body.

"I'm sorry Tala.." murmured Declan as he closed his cerulean eyes tight, trying to calm himself so the anger he had wouldn't connect to the darkness he could control and inadvertently have it react and hurt someone, like Tala, even more than it already had. "Just go back down stairs.." Though he had put out all his every a week earlier it was clear that the growing anger was quickly restoring it and allowing the ability to control the darkness to get out of hand; he had no control right now.

A glance was given towards the stairs be Tala, as if contemplating leaving, though he was also making sure that Ray and Kai weren't on their way towards them; his landing had been rather loud. He was floored that Declan had just openly apologized for the attack, though he was quickly beginning to realize that he hadn't meant to attack at all; he was loosing his grasp of control with the anger raging through him like fire in his veins.

"Focus on something," ordered Tala, wincing as he realized he didn't want his tone to be so snippy and demanding. Taking a low breath he rose to his feet, trying to put a sense of calmness in his voice while trying to give Declan no reason to be more angry at him. "Focus on something," he said again in a more suggesting and soft tone as he took a tentative step forward; he knew this wasn't a time for brashness, nor was it a time where he could be mister tough guy. No, he realized he had to be reasonable, like Kai was with him when he was trying to get him to calm down after a particularly nasty day.

"I can't," whispered Declan, holding onto the bristled brush as if it was sort of lifeline; his body was stiff and unresponsive to his wishes to move, to do something, anything. "All there is to focus on is the darkness and anger. It won't go away…it won't go away." He was in tears by now, fear causing him to start to shake; he didn't want to hurt anyone, particularly his friends, but he had never been able to stop this from happening before, so why now?

"Then focus on me," offered Tala as he knelt down, prying the scrubbing device from Declan's fingers and dropping it into the dirty bucket of water to the side. He wasn't ready when the teen suddenly threw himself forward into Tala's chest, clinging to the redhead as if his very life depended on it. There had never been a time when he had been consumed by the fear, Tala thought, as he always had Kai with him when he needed the other Russian's aid, but he could only dream about what other felt.

Settling himself to sit upon the floor of the attic Tala pulled Declan away from him, his heart constricting and cheeks burning as the other let out a mewling cry of protest; was loosing control over something so powerful that severe? Crossing his legs while attempting to hold Declan far enough away from him to keep the other from clinging again Tala finally settled himself and pulled Declan to sit in his lap, though he made the other sit so he couldn't directly cling to his chest.

"I'm here, focus on me. Turn away from your anger, let it slip away.. We're all upset at Lee, even I am. How he could turn on you when you saved his brother's life, all of our lives when he were in turn trying to find you and save you is uncertain, but he certainly isn't worth your effort if he's going to treat you like that," soothed Tala; he knew he had a lot to explain about his own behavior, as he was often cruel and bitter with his won words and actions, but he could only hope that Declan would understand.

"You know breathing exercises; use them. In through the nose, out through the mouth," directed Tala as he carefully wound his arms around Declan's form in his lap. He could feel the suffocation from the darkness that was starting to well around them as it reacted to Declan's emotions, but he continued on; Kai would be proud of him, even his parents would be if they were alive, they always told him that he could make a difference.

Taking the advice Declan started to take in shaky breaths though his nose, holding them before allowing them to leave through his mouth slowly. As it continued on he focused more on Tala, forcing the anger away despite himself; were they really upset for the way that Lee treated him, even Ray? Lee; he didn't want to think about him right now, not while he was so upset and emotional. The others could help him, he knew, and so he allowed himself to be guided by the chilling spirit of Tala.

"While we're here, since it might help you calm, I want you to know that.. Well, I'm sorry for treating you like I have been--my parents were killed in a car crash while the punks who caused the crashed lived through it. I've been holding a grudge against every punk and goth since then despite knowing that every person isn't going to be like them. We've all have it hard; you, Kai, and I.. But with Ray's help we're going to keep each other sane," murmured Tala lowly, his icy blue eyes loosing their frigid look; he truly was sorry.

"Just hold me," whispered Declan softly, trying to still calm himself as his body still quivered with anger. "Wait with me until I pass out, so I don't hurt anyone… So I don't hurt you." Tala's response was a mute nod, so they spent the next hour and a half sitting there together as the emotional wear of the anger and loss of control over his gift sent Declan into a dark slumber; Kai and Ray were left unaware as they continued to clean downstairs, settled that they didn't need to interfere just yet.