A/N: Well, well, it seems that you really want Kai to live! (Who wouldn't!)
The song in this chapter is Nickelback's "Far away", btw, and I DO NOT think I owe any of it (so you'll still get to keep those sues of yours, hah!).
Okay, without any further babbling, on with the story. Second last chapter, btw.
This time, This place
Misused, Mistakes
Too long, Too lateWho was I to make you wait
" He died ten minutes ago".
Tyson couldn't believe the words. It was impossible, ridiculous! Kai… Kai couldn't be dead!
" Phoenix doesn't die", he whispered out loud. His gaze then shot to Dranzer, who was standing right behind him, crying quietly and looking like she'd fall any moment. " He's your Master, right? Shouldn't you feel it if he was gone?".
The girl looked at him with glassed eyes.
" I… I don't… know…".
" We've gotta fight, damnit!". He knew that he was being irrational, but couldn't hold himself back. This was Kai's life they were talking about! " He always fought for us, he never gave up on us! We can't give up on him now!".
" Please, Dr. Nichols". This time it was Hilary who spoke. She'd moved away from Mr. Dickinson, and now stood close to the doctor. " Give us five minutes. If… If nothing happens in that time, then…". She trailed off.
Looking at the desperate, devastated teens, Dr. Nichols decided that there was no telling them it wasn't okay to try and help their friend. He nodded, afraid that he was making a mistake.
" Okay then. But only five minutes". He sighed. " I can't let all of you in. Only two of you can go".
The teens looked at each other.
" I'm the one who broke him", Tyson finally spoke quietly. " I should be the one to fix him as well".
The others gave an accepting nod, knowing that there was no way the Dragon could be kept away.
" I'm going too", Hilary announced. " Maybe… Maybe he hears me".
" Perhaps I can help you", Dranzer spoke. " We have a connection. I can help you reach out for him".
" Only two can go in", Dr. Nichols reminded, trying his hardest to sound authoritative.
" This girl is no human", Tyson announced as he took Dranzer's hand and pulled her in, followed by Hilary.
As the three went in and gathered around Kai, Ray stepped up to the window of the room, placing his hand on it. Tears welled in his eyes as his lips formed voiceless prayers. The desperate, tear-filled gaze of his amber eyes was locked to Kai. Gods, the Phoenix was so pale, so lifeless, lips already blue… It was almost impossible to believe that anything could bring the boy back.
He almost yelped of frighten as a hand was suddenly placed on his shoulder. Looking up, he saw Tala's stern face.
" Look, Kai is a fighter. If anyone can pull through this, it's him. I should know", the Russian whispered, so quietly that the others couldn't hear.
Ray found himself giving a faint smile.
" Thanks".
With that, he turned to look at Kai again, praying harder than ever in his life.
Please Kai… You've gotta fight… Show us how tough you are, this one time.
In the room, Tyson and Hilary weren't exactly sure of what to do.
" Take Kai's hand and mine, then focus", Dranzer guided, as if reading their minds. " I can't hold the connection for long, so whatever you want to say, do it fast".
The two nodded. Taking Kai's hand, they both shivered by how cold and lifeless it felt. After a while they both closed their eyes, concentrating harder than ever in their lives.
Just one chance
Just one breath
Just in case there's just one left
'Cause you know,
you know, you know…
Kai had no idea of for how long he'd been sinking into the dark, ice-cold water. He felt tired, more exhausted than ever before, and it felt like all his strength had left him the moment he'd hit the water. A while ago slashes of pain had been attacking him, but now they were gone. All he could feel was coldness, tough his body was already becoming numb to it. He was vaguely aware of the fact that he wasn't breathing anymore, and a teeny part of him told him it wasn't normal. But he didn't really care. All he wanted was to close his eyes and drift into a sleep.
Suddenly a chorus of three voices filled his mind, all calling his name, all anxious.
Hilary, Ray and… Tyson? He blinked in disbelief. But how…?
' Because I'm helping them', a familiar, gentle voice of his bit-beast told him. 'You must breath, Master. Your time hasn't come yet'.
He blinked again, but this time it was for the stinging behind his eyes.
I… I afraid I can't… believe you…' Please, Master, you have to!'. She sounded desperate. ' This is not the end, Master! They're all reaching out for you! Let them! This… This isn't supposed to end this way!'.
Too tired to fight it, Kai let his friends in. He was immediately bombarded by memories.
That I love you
I have loved you all along
And I miss you
Been far away for far too long
I keep dreaming you'll be with me
and you'll never go
Stop breathing if
I don't see you anymore
/ The room was so dark that it was hard to see, but it didn't bother the Phoenix standing before the window. Stars and moon in the sky gave him all the light he needed. The window was open, and cool autumn-breeze gently caressed his face. Kai suddenly felt a small smile pulling the corners of his lips. For some odd reason, the breeze, no matter how cold it was, gave him a feeling that he was safe, protected.
" Kai, what are you doing? It's freezing in here!".
The Phoenix mentally cursed himself as he was startled by the voice. He was never careless, he never let anyone surprise him like this! Peering over his shoulder, he saw Tyson standing on the doorway. For some reason the presence of the Dragon made him feel uncomfortable, it was hard for him to keep his shield up when the boy was near. Furious, more at himself than Tyson, he turned his head again and looked at the stars shining high up in the sky.
" Go away, Granger", he growled, but it came out much more feebly than he would've liked.
The approaching steps told that they hadn't convinced Tyson, either.
" Stop pushing me away, Kai". A hand landed on his shoulder, making him jolt. " I'm not an enemy. I'm not going to hurt you".
He took a quick glance at the Dragon again, and noticed that he was much too close for his liking.
" I don't need…".
" … protection? Kai, yes you do. You're not invincible, nor immortal. Look, everybody needs someone to lean on to".
" What makes you think that you're the one I want to lean on to?" he bit out.
Other hand still on his shoulder, Tyson took his chin with his free hand and turned his head gently, forcing him to look directly at the Dragon. Slowly Tyson's hand left his chin and slid down to his chest, stopping to his heart which was beating furiously.
" Because I'm not afraid of being burned by your fire", the Dragon whispered. Midnight-blue orbs were filled with pleading. " Please, let me in, because I'm not going anywhere".
Tyson took a step closer, wrapping both of his hands around Kai's waist. At first the mighty Phoenix tried to break free, but noticing that Tyson wasn't going to let go of him he slowly gave in, relaxing to the touch. Encouraged by his acceptance, Tyson leaned in and Kai felt his entire body jolt as the Dragon's lips found his. As the first shock passed, he allowed his eyes slip shut and chose to return the kiss. And as Tyson's hands around him tightened, it became clear that there was no way out – and actually, he didn't even want to get out.
Their destructive, dangerous connection was formed. /
On my knees, I'll ask
Last chance for one last dance
'Cause with you, I'd withstand
All of hell to hold your hand
I'd give it all
I'd give for us
Give anything but I won't give up
'Cause you know,
you know, you know…
/ Kai's eyes reflected the enchanting display of colourful lights as he watched the rockets paint the sky. Stood by a small bridge, leaning on the railing, he allowed himself to sink into the beautiful patterns. Suddenly the magic disappeared as he felt he was no longer alone. Turning his head slightly, he saw Hilary approaching him, gazing at the multicoloured sky. Neither one of them said a word or expected the other one to as she stood beside him, also leaning on the railing. For a longest time they silently watched the rockets, both lost in their own thoughts. Suddenly he shuddered slightly in surprise as Hilary's small hand slowly took his and squeezed it gently. After hesitating for a short moment, he returned the gesture. And so they stood there for a longest time, even after there were no longer rockets in the sky, hands intertwined, not saying a word.
Whether they were ready to admit it to themselves or not, one thing was for certain. A connection was formed between them, different from Kai and Tyson's, but still no less than as strong. /
So far away
Been far away for far too long
So far away
Been far away for far too long
But you know, you know, you know…
/ " Kai! KAI!".
Kai finally snapped out of his nightmare, gasping desperately and clenching his hand against his heart. It took him for a long time to realise that the nightmare wasn't true, that he was no longer in his grandfather's hands.
" Are you alright?".
It wasn't until that moment he became aware of the arms around him. The arms that had shook him awake.
" R – Ray?". He blinked his eyes, wishing that he could've told the neko-jin to get of off him, but he didn't want to. For some reason, the arms made him feel calm, relaxed.
" You okay?" Ray softly repeated the question, stroking his hair. " Sh… It was just a dream".
He leaned backwards, against Ray's chest. Surprised by the normally cold boy's sudden need of support, Ray tightened his hold of him, pulling him closer. Just then Kai noticed that he was quivering.
" I'm okay", he murmured quietly, letting his eyes slip shut. " Just…". He couldn't find the word.
" Shaken?" Ray suggested gently. " It's okay. Everybody has nightmares sometimes". Surprising them both, Ray pressed a tender kiss to his silvery bangs. " Now go back to sleep. I'm not going anywhere".
For some reason, it was easy for Kai to believe the Tiger. Taking a small breath, he let the sleep overcome him, and drifted into a blissful dream in Ray's protective arms. What he did not know, was that the neko-jin stayed up all night, guarding his sleep, not for a second letting go of him.
And yes, that night a third connection was formed. Again different from the last ones, but nevertheless as strong. /
I wanted
I wanted you to stay
'Cause I needed
I need to hear you say
That I love you
I have loved you all along
And I forgive you
For being away for far too long
Little by little, Kai felt that the water around him wasn't as cold and as dark anymore. The stinging behind his eyes got unbearable.Dranzer…
' Follow their call, Master. We're all waiting for you'.
He closed his eyes and smiled, feeling a bright, pure-white light surround him like a soft blanket.
So keep breathing
'Cause I'm not leaving you anymore
Believe it
Hold on to me and, never let me go
Keep breathing'Cause I'm not leaving you anymore
Believe it
Still sitting beside Kai, Tyson and Hilary (and Ray as well behind the window) snapped their eyes open as they felt the connection break. Looking around, they noticed that Dranzer was gone. Anxiousness, worry and desperate hope filled them as they looked down at Kai. Both gasped as they saw a single tear roll across his snow-white cheek. Looking at Kai's chest, they both became stunned. It was racing and lowering furiously, each breath being a struggle. Kai was breathing!
" K – Kai?" Tyson whispered, touching his love's face with the hand that had held Dranzer's.
" Come on, open up your eyes". Hilary smiled, not paying any attention to her tears of joy. " It's going to be okay".
Gradually, like in a slowed motion, Kai's eyes fluttered open. For a longest time the Phoenix looked at them, seeming puzzled and disbelieving. Suddenly, the boy frowned and placed his hand to his chest.
" Damnit… It… h-hurts…", he whispered, so quietly that it was hard to hear.
Despite the words, Tyson and Hilary were overwhelmed by joy.
" It's okay, Kai", Tyson assured him, laughing through his tears. " You really gave us a scare, you bastard! You almost died on us!".
Kai, seeming to recover from the worst attack of pain, blinked as he looked at Tyson.
" I… I thought you… left…".
" Sh…". This time it was Hilary who spoke. " You'll have plenty of time to talk later. Right now, you need rest. You've had a hard time".
Giving a small, weak nod, Kai slowly allowed his eyes to slip shut. Soon after the Phoenix peacefully fell asleep. Both Hilary and Tyson were smiling as they looked at each other. They'd done the impossible. They'd brought the Phoenix back from the ashes.
Hold on to me and, never let me go
Keep breathing
Hold on to me and, never let me go
Keep breathingHold on to me and, never let me go
Three weeks later.
The airport was busy as Tala stood there, taking a look at his watch.
He's late, he declared to himself.
Looking up again, he gave a smirk as he saw the familiar person approaching him.
" I thought you wouldn't come after all", he noted.
Kai's smirk widened.
" You really should know me better than that".
After his waking up (or resurrection, as the small group knew to call it), Kai remembered everything. It wasn't entirely good thing: living the hell of his past all over again was almost unbearable for the Russian, but with time and the support of his friends Kai seemed to be getting there. He was no longer locked up into himself, and words weren't enough to describe how glad the others were to have him back. There was a long road ahead of Kai, however: many more painful doors would have to be opened and thousands of feelings and memories sorted out, but with the excellent therapist Mr. Dickinson had found, they knew that Kai would eventually recover. Tala could even find the old fire in his friend's eyes.
" I'll be back again as soon as I can", Tala promised as they walked towards the gate from where his flight would leave. " After the damage Boris managed to do it might take a while, tough".
" It's okay. After all, we can always call or mail".
The final announce for Tala's flight came, and the friends looked at each other, smiling slightly.
" Thank you", Kai whispered, feeling that it had to be said. " For all you did".
" Stop being meek, Hiwatari. It doesn't suit you", Tale grinned.
They shared a quick hug, during which Tala had suddenly became solemn.
" Okay, that face never means anything good", Kai predicted.
" I want to give you an advice", Tala announced. " Look, we both know that in that stubborn head of yours, you know who your heart belongs to. You need to clear it out to them, before it's too late".
Kai smirked.
" I will, I will, if that makes you quit going on and on about it".
Returning the smirk, Tala gave Kai a one last glance before turning around and starting to walk away. Right before the red-head was out of Kai's sight, he turned around and waved quickly.
" Bye, Kai! Good luck!" Tala told him in Russian.
Kai smiled as Tala turned around again and disappeared.
" To you too, friend. Hope I'll see you soon".
With that, he too turned around and disappeared into the crowd.
A/N: The next chapter will be the last one, so…
Last chance to vote, people!
And boy its tight! The current leader has two votes more than the following two who are even, so anything can still happen!
I know that some of you have given several votes, but unfortunately I can only accept one per person. After all, that's how all elections work, ne? (Feel free to protest; this is my fist fic, so I have basically no idea of how these things usually work.) Every review, however, will be registered. (Not that I'm hinting or anything…)
But as for the rest of you…
Go and vote – now or never!
Or you can only blame yourselves if the Phoenix falls into wrong arms…
