Three days passed, and Kai still remained locked up into his silence. His friends started to get seriously worried about him: he wouldn't eat, and according to Hilary's 'observations' (the girl slept in the same room with him, only to keep an eye on him) he never slept either. And as time passed, the two people who more than anything in the world wanted him to come back, began to wonder if Kai was out of their reach.
At the brake of day four, Hilary slowly opened her eyes and yawned deeply, greeting the new winter-morning. After lying down for a long, blissful moment, she finally got up and startled as she found that Kai wasn't in his bead.
" Oh no…", she muttered, getting up faster than her head allowed her to. As soon as she got up, tough, her worry turned into a warm, relieved smile.
Kai was sitting on the window-sidle, intently drawing something to the sketchpad in his arms.
" Morning", she greeted and approached her friend slowly, worried that anything too fast might make him shift away. " What are you drawing?".
Kai looked a bit surprised as he looked at her, as if he'd just noticed her. She waited for a second, and as the boy made no move to stop her she leaned forward to see what he'd drawn. What she saw made her gasp.
" Oh my gosh! Kai, it's… it's beautiful!".
Actually, 'beautiful' wasn't even close to what her bewildered eyes witnessed. The sketch was about her sleeping, bathing in the almost unearthly morning-light coming from the window. Hilary found herself blushing by the way Kai had drawn her, as if she was something… divine. Not even in her wildest dreams had she imagined that Kai saw her that way, felt that strongly towards her.
She looked at him, a soft smile playing on her lips.
" Thank you", she whispered, unable to say anything else.
For a smallest of moments she saw a flicker of emotion, almost a hint of the fire she so very well remembered, in Kai's eyes as he looked at her. But then, with a loud scream coming from downstairs, it was gone, and Kai withdrew tightly back into himself.
Sighing miserably, she left the room, knowing that she wouldn't have any more contact on Kai that morning, and decided to go and check what the bozos – mainly Tyson – had been yelling about. As she walked down the stairs, she heard yelling.
" Don't be an idiot, Tyson!" Ray snarled. " You can't just…".
" I can't take it anymore!" Tyson yelled back. " I… I'm so sick of looking at them, you know! I'm going crazy here! I can't even look at them anymore!".
" Tyson, I'm sorry and I know how hard it must be, but…".
" You don't know a shit, Ray! You have Mariah, and there's nothing that could ever take her away from you! So don't you dare come to me and say that you know what I'm going through, 'cause it's bullshit!".
A loud slap was herd.
" Get a hold of yourself, Tyson!" Ray hissed. " If you really care about Kai, stop forcing him to go through your pain along with his own. You might think that he doesn't have a clue of what you're feeling, but thrust me, he does. Even now, he heard every single word you said, and it's killing him. You're hurting him. So get over it! There are other people on this planet besides you, Tyson! Try to get it into that thick skull of yours, 'k?".
At this point, Hilary decided that it was time for her entry. Inhaling deeply, she stepped in the room. The first thing she noticed was a smashed vase on the floor, and she glared at Tyson accusingly.
" Would you like to explain how that happened?".
" To you, no", Tyson retorted and stormed pass her out of the room. Few seconds later a loud slam of door was heard.
Ray and Max looked at her apologetically.
" Don't, guys. I know Tyson. If he decides to go crazy about something, nothing can hold him
back", she said, trying desperately to smile.
" Guess you're right", Max sighed, scratching his head as he looked at the direction Tyson had just disappeared.
Doing her best to suppress the tears in her throat, Hilary gave a quick fake-smile, turned and started to leave the room.
" Hil, wait", Ray's voice suddenly stopped her. Turning her head, she saw a sad look upon the face of her friend. " I know you heard what I said to Tyson, and… I hope that you understand".
She frowned.
" Understand what?".
" That you're hurting Kai just as much as he is". Ray sighed heavily. " Look, I know how much you two care about him, but you should give Kai some time. He's been through a hell, and it's still not over. So slow down, before you end up braking him".
She felt rage bubbling in her veins.
Who the hell does he think he is, saying things like that!Miraculously she managed to keep her cool.
" I'll help Kai, whatever it takes", she stated, frowning slightly. " But why do you care so much about him?".
She probably just imagined it, but for a slightest moment she thought she saw a look of pain and confusion on Ray's face.
" He's my friend. Why should I not care?" the cat-boy replied in a strange tone.
She shrugged, still unsure.
" Whatever you say".
Meanwhile, Tyson sat on the icy balcony, letting burning-hot tears roll over his cheeks. The words Ray had said bounded his head, making it hurt. Making his heart hurt, worse than ever before.
You're hurting him.
" What does that jackass know?" he muttered.
Deep down, he couldn't wipe the words out of his head. If he really was hurting Kai, he would never be able to live with himself. Kai meant everything to him, despite all they'd been through. Hurting Kai was way worse than hurting himself.
" Am I hurting you, koi?" he asked the snowflakes, eyes filled with hot tears.
Suddenly he yelped of frighten as a soft, cool hand landed on his shoulder. Turning his head to see who dared to disturb him his already wide eyes became even larger.
" K – Kai?" he choked.
First time since Kai's arrival, he saw a hint of the oh-so-familiar flames in the eyes of his love. He swallowed hard as they kept looking at each other in silence. After a long moment, Tyson finally gave in to the temptation and placed his hand softly on Kai's, which was still on his shoulder. He felt Kai shutter slightly under his touch, but the Phoenix didn't pull away. Getting even more courage from Kai's acceptance, he took the older boy's hand gently in his and squeezed it lightly, letting Kai now that he wasn't alone. Somewhere deep inside his mind, Kai seemed to understand the meaning behind this simple act of affection, since his auburn eyes softened, and Tyson felt his heart flutter as Kai squeezed his hand in return, lightly but firmly. Tyson felt tears burning in his eyes again, but this time they weren't ones of sadness. Not once during these moments of affection did their eye-contact shutter.
Thank you, koi, he wanted to whisper, looking deep into Kai's captivating eyes, but the words wouldn't come out. I love you so much!
Just as Kai opened his mouth to say something, the door opened, and, sinking deep into himself, Kai turned his gaze away and let go of Tyson's hand, making the bluenette's heart ache unbearably. Soon enough Tyson's pain turned into pure rage as he looked at the direction of the door to see who was the soon-to-be-dead intruder He met Hilary's gaze, which was just as pain-stricken as his.
" Kai wasn't in our room, so I came to look for him", she explained.
" Do as you please", he retorted, taking a one last glance on now empty-eyed Kai before storming inside.
With Tyson gone, Hilary sighed and walked up to Kai, wrapping her arms protectively around him. She felt deeply delighted as Kai relaxed under her touch. Despite all that was going on between Kai and Tyson, she wanted to believe that she was the only one allowed to touch the Phoenix this way.
" Let's go inside, 'k?" she whispered to his ear, pressing her forehead against his shoulder. " It's freezing in here".
A small gasp escaped her throat as she saw Kai nod in reply, for the first time reacting to being addressed. Hearing the said gasp, the boy looked at her, looking slightly confused, obviously wondering if there was something wrong about what he'd just done.
" Kai, no, it's okay!" she assured him, frantically trying to undo her mistake, and took the boy's hand in hers without thinking. " It's… It's good to see you… react".
Kai nodded again, making her heart flutter, and as the two looked at each other they both knew that a huge step had been taken.
Suddenly loud, running steps interrupted them, and just as Kai withdrew back into himself Max burst into the balcony, panting heavily.
" Hi – Hilary… There's… Something's… happened…", he panted.
She felt a tight, icy fist squeeze around her heart.
" What is it?" she asked, voice weak and small.
Breathing normally, Max looked at her, eyes filled with sadness that almost made her heart stop.
" Mr. Dickinson called. There's been an accident", the blonde replied, voice far more serious than she would've liked. " Your parents have been taken into a hospital".
After a couple of agonising hours, Hilary finally got some more information on her parents. The doctor she got on the line told her they'd be fine. They'd been in a car-crash, but both had been lucky. Her mom had a broken arm, her dad a minor concussion. Despite the good news, she decided to fly home. She had to see them with her own two eyes to be sure that they were okay. The only thing she felt hesitant about was Kai. How could she leave the boy alone with Tyson?
The room was dark as she looked at Kai's sleeping form, the boy had his back on her. Sighing quietly, she caressed his silky hair.
" I love you so much, you know?" she whispered in a choked, teary voice. " I… I don't want to loose you. I can't".
Without giving it a second thought, she lightly kissed his cheek, and nearly fell of the bed by surprise as he slowly turned his head and gently touched her cheek, eyes soft. She felt a small smile pull the corners of her lips as Kai's fingers delicately brushed away the few tears escaped to her cheek. Loosing herself into his auburn depths, she could feel for a first time in ages that the connection they once had was still out there, somewhere, despite everything that had happened. And nothing would ever brake it. Suddenly her happiness was tainted with a flash of sadness.
If only he could remember…Kai frowned, obviously sensing her sudden gloom, and again she found herself smiling.
" I'm okay. Just thinking", she assured him, brushing his face with her fingers. " Go back to sleep, 'k? I'll be fine".
She could easily see how hard Kai struggled against the blissful sleep, but eventually it took the best of him and his eyelids slowly slipped shut. Being sure that he was asleep, she tenderly kissed his forehead.
" Good night, Phoenix", she whispered, snuggling closer to him, welcoming the warmth of his body, and wrapped her hands loosely around him.
Feeling herself extremely tired all of a sudden, she sighed contentedly, pressed her head against his chest and closed her eyes. Soon enough sleep claimed her.
Unbeknownst to Hilary, Kai was still awake. He slowly opened his sad eyes and kissed her hair.
" Good night", he whispered, then fell asleep for real.
Hilary's flight departed the following afternoon. The entire team, including Kai, was at the airport to wish her a safe journey.
" I'm sure your parents will be alright", Max assured her, smiling slightly.
" Yeah", Kenny joined. " Tell them we said hi, 'k?".
She nodded, smiling.
" I will", she promised, then looking at Ray, becoming solemn. " There's something I need to ask you. Alone".
Confused, the neko-jin nodded and, avoiding the curious looks, followed Hilary till they were far enough from their friends to avoid being heard.
" What's up?" he asked, having some dark ideas of what the girl might be up to.
His thoughts only became confirmed as he saw the look in her eyes when she looked at him.
" You know that I love Kai – a lot. And… I think that… that he's beginning to remember", she whispered.
His eyes became wide. Kai was remembering? Could it be?
" How can you know?".
" Last night, when I looked at him…". She shook her head, snorting. " You probably think that this some lame chick-stuff, but I know that I saw a hint of remembrance in his eyes. For few seconds, he looked at me just like he did before…". She shook her head again. " Forget it".
Seeing the pain in Hilary's eyes, Ray knew that he had to do or say something. Finally he chose to say the hardest of all.
" I'm sure he loves you", he whispered, feeling his heart shatter by each painful word. He had to wait for a long moment before he could speak more. " And to what you never asked me… Yes. I'll keep an eye on Tyson. I can't promise you anything, but I'll keep an eye on him".
Hilary looked deeply moved as she looked at him, smiling slightly. He nearly gasped from shock as she suddenly wrapped her hands tightly around him, giving him a fierce hug.
" Thanks Ray", she whispered. " You're a golden friend, you know that?".
Hearing the words, Ray shivered slightly in discomfort.
If only she knew what a 'great' friend I truly am…, he thought bitterly.
After a while they walked back to the others, who never asked a thing despite the obvious curiosity. Just when they stopped the announcement of Hilary's flight came. She looked at them all, even Tyson, smiling.
" I'll come back as soon as everything's settled, 'k?". She laughed. " I'll miss you all".
" And we'll miss you too, believe it or not", Tyson replied, with a half-smile on his face.
Sighing, Hilary took a one last glance at Kai, and surprised to find the boy looking back at her. The Phoenix had the same, furiously tender look upon his face she'd fallen in love with, and at that moment she could no longer hold herself back. Taking everyone – especially Kai – by surprise, she rushed over to him, and kissed him fervently on the lips. She wasn't sure if she felt a response or not, and at the moment it didn't even matter. As she reluctantly pulled away from him, she whispered something to his ear that had been captured inside her for far too long.
" I love you".
Having that said, she quickly turned around, unable to meet Kai's eyes, and rushed to the gate without taking a single glance at her friends.
Some time later, the gang, including Kai who finally seemed to be coming out of his shell, stood by the airport-window and watched as Hilary's plane rose to the clouds.
A huge mixture of emotions was running through their – especially determined Tyson's and confused Ray's – heads as they realised that Hilary had left. At that moment, only one thing was certain. The fight over the heart of the Russian had just begun. And there'd be no ties in this Tournament…
TBC.
A/N: So, how díd you like chapter two? Oh, and remember to vote!
