Anxious anticipation reigned in the small office of the talented bluenette, his new patient, the redheaded Russian, would be arriving shortly and Kai could not help but feel that he was sorely unprepared for the encounter. The boy was an enigma from a completely unknown way of life and everyone was depending on the young psychotherapist to help the redhead, something that was perhaps beyond his capabilities.

Kai sighed and turned his attention to the layout of his office, noting the numerous certificates adorning the walls, proof of his capabilities despite his current doubts in them. Books on psychology, sociology and other behaviour-linked books lined the few bookshelves on the far wall, in front of that was the 'couch' for his patients, plain black leather for as little hassle as possible. The left wall held a table with a plant and a few magazines, filing cabinets and a water dispenser; the right wall bore a large bay window with a view of the nearby woodland so was relatively untouched. Then the wall he was nearest to, the door and his certificates were the prominent features, along with his desk which was relatively impersonal, a computer, a telephone, stationary, paper, a tape recorder and a timer being the only things on show, no pictures or interests could be seen anywhere, just the way he liked it.

Glancing at the computer for the time, Kai realised his peace would be over any minute and quickly sat up properly, making sure everything was tidy. Even if his attire wasn't exactly smart, Kai was a stickler for neatness, something his mother had ingrained in him, despite his attempts to ignore the issue. His mother had complained about his choice of clothing, not that he could see anything wrong with cargo trousers or vests, but he had managed to satiate her, explaining that his casual attire helped his patients feel more relaxed in an otherwise 'sterile' environment.

A few moments later a knock at the door preceded the entrance of his secretary, followed by the stoic Russian he had been expecting. Kai thanked the young woman who kept everything together for him and motioned for his patient to take a 'seat'.

"Hello again. Before we start, what would you prefer me to call you?" Kai started, watching the response carefully.

"Tala is fine, and what am I to refer to you as?" The reply was, unhelpfully, without any emotion or body language.

"I'm Kai, there's no need for any formalities; I'm here for you to talk to and to help you wherever and however I can."

Tala snorted disdainfully, but cut Kai short before he could question the act. "This place is unreal, all of you are just too…"

"Nice? This is only a small place so it's a very close-knit community. I'll grant that compared to most of the world that it's, unusual, but that isn't a bad thing."

Tala looked contemplative, then sighed and closed his eyes. "I really don't understand any of this. The interference, taking me in, this, what do any of you get from it?"

"Good karma for the most part, but I do actually get paid for this, so I don't think I count. I don't mean to pry Tala, but did you not want this to happen? They beat you, right? So why do you sound like you miss it?"

Tala opened his eyes, looking at Kai in mild surprise before gaining control of himself. "Home is home, the only reason I got hurt is because I was stupid. Why is life at the Abbey so bad to all of you?"

It was Kai's turn to be surprised, unsure of how to answer, he decided to study the Russian, hoping it would help him understand a little better. Tala seemed to be an extrovert from his clothing, bright and tight, though neither was a bad thing. Tala was taller than him and well proportioned, nothing looked out of place, even his wild red hair suiting him perfectly. His body looked to be well trained but without having excessive muscles, which Kai didn't think would look right on the boy. Excluding the injuries he had received, which Tala claimed responsibility for; he seemed to be in very good shape, mind and body. The only thing that made him need to be here was him being unsure of recent events and his confusion over what was right and wrong, otherwise he seemed very calm and strong-willed.

"The way you were raised goes against human rights, it isn't how children should be brought up. They were training you to be soldiers for an unworthy cause." Kai replied eventually.

Tala looked at him confusedly. "Unworthy cause?"

"Do you think world domination is a good cause?"

Tala shrugged. "That depends on the motivation behind it, doesn't it?"

"Yes and his is wrong, it isn't for anyone's benefit but his own."

"But you don't know Boris, so you can't say that for certain. The fact of the matter is that you don't know, you're going on the assumptions of others."

Kai paused, unable to find a flaw in Tala's logic and was once again surprised how easily he had been 'put in his place'. Tala certainly was a challenge, just not in the way he had expected. Kai snapped out of his reverie to find that Tala had once again closed his eyes. Kai cursed silently, knowing he had lost Tala's interest and quickly thought of a response.

"Yes, you're right, I am, so why don't you tell me about him and the Abbey so I understand better?"

"No."

Tala's simple but firm answer left no room for debate and effectively put Kai back to square one. Sighing, Kai went and sat down, trying to think of a new approach. He had been given a chance and he had blown it, if the Russian had no interest or respect for him, then he had already failed, there would be no more talking.

"Giving up?" Tala asked quietly, a hint of disappointment in his tone.

"No, just re-evaluating the situation."

"Why don't I help you? You're being too direct; the Abbey is nothing to do with you or any other outsider. You're trying too hard to satiate your own curiosity without giving me anything. I'm not interested in that, I'm interested in what happens now."

Kai nodded, realising how spot-on Tala's words were. He had been surprised by the redhead's openness and had tried to take advantage of that, he had wanted to understand too much and had failed to account for Tala's needs because of that.

"You're right, I got carried away, sorry. Maybe you should be the psychiatrist instead, you seem to be better at it."

Tala smiled slightly, once again surprising the bluenette. "No, you're much more qualified then I am and you're doing fine. We're done for today, but you do have my attention Kai, so I look forward to next time. I do hope you don't prove to be a disappointment."

A knock at the door sounded and Tala stood up, heading towards it. Before opening the door to leave Tala paused, turning to study Kai before smirking and exiting the room, giving Kai no time to question him. Kai shook his head smiling, things had gone better than he had expected; Tala was by no means a 'normal' patient and he decided that Tala really didn't need a psychiatrist, just someone to take the time to help him readjust. Certainly, despite what he had read on the Abbey, Tala didn't seem to be too worse for wear, in fact he was probably in a better mental state than the average person was. Though that didn't mean that Kai understood him, least of all his final act before leaving. Tala seemed to know how to get the reactions he wanted and Kai couldn't help but wonder if the enigmatic Russian was playing him.

Kai shook his head, dismissing the thought, while it was true Tala was the one calling the shots, that wasn't exactly unusual, people only said what they wanted to, you couldn't make a person trust you. There was no reason for Tala to be playing the situation; he was just protecting himself, and that was all there was to it. Satiated with that theory, Kai started to pack up, work was over, it was time to have some fun.


The nightclub was surprisingly busy for the day and time it was, but the bluenette was undeterred, he had come out for a good time and was intent on having it, the more the merrier as the saying goes. Kai smiled upon seeing the antics of some of his drunken friends but ignored them and headed to the bar. Kai ordered a drink and then looked around the small, heaving nightclub for other familiar faces and was highly surprised to see the Russian redhead there, watching him no less. Kai frowned slightly, he had certainly not expected to see Tala in such a public place, but more than that, he was unnerved with the way Tala was looking at him. Something flashed dangerously in his eyes and all the other emotions present were completely unknown to him, not something Kai enjoyed at all, which is why he had chosen his profession, so that he could understand everyone, Tala clearly wasn't going to allow that however. Sighing, Kai resigned himself to his fate and took up Tala's invitation to speak to him further, despite the redhead's confusing behaviour.

"Good evening Tala, I'll admit, I'm surprised to see you here." Kai said coolly.

Tala grinned in an almost feral manner, making Kai even more uneasy. "Nice to see you too Kai. I'm free to go where I choose am I not? What can I say, I was curious, besides, it was an invite, though I'd rather avoid the drunken rabble."

Kai raised an eyebrow, surprised that Tala had 'made friends' so quickly, though after further thought decided it wasn't really surprising, he wouldn't deny that Tala was exceptionally good-looking, and many people were simply that shallow.

"Was there something you wanted, or were you just watching me for the hell of it?"

Tala laughed slightly at Kai's blunt question. Shrugging slightly, he paused before replying. "I guess I find you the only person here worth paying attention to."

"I suppose I should be flattered."

"Should be…but not at all. Do I frighten you, Mr Hiwatari?"

"No, I wouldn't go that far, but certainly some of your behaviour is a little…"

Tala smirked as Kai trailed off, unsure of how to finish the sentence. It was quite clear to both of them that Tala was getting under Kai's skin. Despite his training, Tala was simply unique, classifying or understanding him was less that simple, especially when Tala seemed to have knowledge of psychoanalysis and therapy methods.

"Maybe I should explain a little further to you, hm?"

Kai tilted his head inquisitively, while Tala kept the smirk on his face, he leaned forward slightly over the table and Kai followed suit, assuming that what Tala had to say was meant to be private.


Well, there we go, next chapter finally done. Sorry for the wait, but this fic doesn't want to play nice…

Anyway, I'm considering a little shounen-ai in the next chapter, so let me know whether you want it or not. It won't be much though, not yet anyway, they don't know each other enough yet, right?

Thanks for the reviews so far and please review this chapter, it's always nice to know what people think, especially since this one is being so difficult. Uh, I'll shut up and go away now…Thanks! Ja!