This chapter goes against the series a bit. First of all the ages of the Bladebreakers will be different, so basically I'm not counting the episode that was supposedly Tyson's birthday (mostly because none of the people in the scene were relations of Tyson and in the manga they are the people in his hometown celebrating because he'd made the town famous). Secondly, I'm making Kai second oldest (again this is my opinion on it even though the dub says that Kai is oldest).

Wolf Brother

"Not good." Kai and Tala had just run out into the light where two guards faced them.

The two shared a glance before dodging and running around the two guards.

"Hey, stop!" One of the guards shouted after them.

Tala smirked, "They say it as if we're for once going to listen to them."

Kai smiled at the boy just ahead of him as the two continued to run out of the courtyard of the weird complex that was definitely not the abbey, which they knew quite well.

"Why does nothing ever go to plan?" Kai caught up to Tala to ask what he was talking about; that was until he saw it for himself.

They were standing at the edge of a very large hill covered in snow. The same thought went thought both of their heads, but Kai was the first one to say them out loud; "Too bad we don't have a toboggan."

The two started to run down the hill but found themselves sinking into the snow as they ran.

"Tala this is impossible." Kai had just fallen the fifth time in a few metres and he could see Tala was doing just as badly.

Tala looked back at Kai, "What do you suppose we do then?"

Kai registered that he was carrying his bag and although Boris was the one to pack it, it might have something that they could use. His hopes were rewarded when he found a leather coat. "Will this do?"

Tala's face brightened as they quickly sorted out how to use it to slide down the hill.

Snow flew up as the makeshift toboggan slid down the hill. Both beybladers had determined looks on their faces as they heard the guards trying to catch up. The sound of motors alerted them that Boris's team were right on their trail.

As they reached the bottom they hit a rock and Kai, being on the back, was thrown over Tala, landing on his side before rolling into a tree. A large crack was heard and Tala, picking up the jacket after stopping, ran over to see if Kai was alright.

Tala touched Kai's right arm to be answered with a yell. He started to help Kai up, doing his best not to touch the younger boy's arm. "What hurts?"

"It's my wrist, but don't worry I can still run and we need to get out of here." Kai reminded Tala of the threat behind him.

Taking Kai's backpack Tala started to run and Kai soon caught up to him. The snow slowed them down, but fortunately they were able to get into a nearby forest before the snowmobiles caught up.

The two sheltered behind some bushes that shielded them from their pursuers' sights. Both caught their breath as the men got off their vehicles and checked the area, missing the two boys completely.

Tala could hear Kai's heavy breaths as well as his own as the two watched the men leave. Both were tired from the running since the snow was so deep and neither were fully prepared for surviving in the snow, no matter how much they had lived in Russia. The Abbey had been bad, but they had been guarantied a hot meal everyday at least; it seemed that this time the meals had been cut now Boris was trying to cut costs and keep a low profile.

"We'd better get going." Kai's statement brought Tala from his thoughts for a few seconds.

Looking at Kai just then he realised how much he had missed that had changed about the young warrior. His blue-grey hair had gone darker and had been cut so that only a few strands of hair fell over his forehead. His white scarf had disappeared and without the markings on his face he actually looked a lot younger than Tala had first thought. His baggy trousers were dark blue, but had faded a bit through use. Lastly was his button-up short sleeve shirt, the top two buttons undone, which was a burgundy colour that contrasted greatly with his now grey eyes.

Tala noted that he was still wearing the same clothes he had been wearing when he had faced Tyson. Ironic that he had been wearing them when Boris had recaptured him.

"Are we going or are you starting to regret escaping?"

Once again Kai had snapped Tala out of his thoughts. Tala gave a quick smile to the boy before following him.

"How's your wrist?"

It had been a few hours since they had begun walking and Kai was starting to fall behind. Tala did not have to be a mind reader to know Kai was being distracted by the pain in his wrist. He sighed, "Someone should give that kid a break."

"Hey Kai, why don't we rest up ahead by those trees?" Tala pointed as he looked back at Kai.

Kai raised his head to see where Tala was pointing before looking down again and concentrating on his footsteps.

The two sat under some of the trees that were the only dots of colour for the miles ahead of them. They roasted some nuts and berries, as they had not been able to find any meat. They were about to eat their meal when they heard the howling of wolves.

Both Kai and Tala turned towards the direction the howling had come from. It was close to where they were, but their fire would keep them away unless they were starving.

"I'll take watch. I don't like the idea of those wolves murdering us in our sleep if they turn out to be hungry."

Kai nodded in agreement still looking in the direction of the wolves. He seemed to be off in his own world as he looked into the distance. It was as if he could see through the trees that surrounded them.

"Do you think anyone's looking for us?"

"Who would care about the two of us, Kai, other than our teams?" Tala leaned back on the tree. "Since both our teams have disbanded I doubt anyone will even realise we're gone."

Tala watched as Kai's head drooped, as he nibbled the last few berries in his hand. "Yeah, I guess you're right."

It was then that Tala remembered how much older he was compared to Kai. They looked similar in age mostly because they had a similar level of maturity as well as height, but Kai was at least a year younger to Tala to the best of his knowledge.

"How old are you?"

Kai took his head off of his arms, which were folded over his knees, and looked over at Tala. "I turned thirteen a couple of months ago."

Tala's eyes widened; he had not expected Kai to be that young. The kid was easily two years younger than he was.

"Why do you wanna know?" Kai's glare had come back and he was only leaning an arm on one of his knees, the other stretched out in front of him.

"I always thought you and Ray were way older than the other three." Tala, who had been looking at the sky as he said that, looked into Kai's eyes. "You guys are all about the same age aren't you?"

"Ray is about half a year older and Tyson is a couple of months younger than me. Max and Kenny are about the same age and are a few months younger than Tyson."

"You miss them don't you?" It was more of a statement than a question.

"Part of me really does, but…" He never finished his answer.

Tala went over to Kai and pulled him into a small embrace. "Lay down."

Kai laid his head on Tala's lap and turned away from his face.Tala looked down at Kai, "What about your wrist?"

"If you're so worried about it I'll take care of it tomorrow when I'm more awake. It doesn't hurt at the moment anyway."

Tala smiled letting out a contented sigh. "Tala?"

Tala looked down at the kid; a small smile on his lips, "Yeah?"

"Thanks." And with that Kai drifted into a peaceful sleep.

"You're welcome Kai."

The wolves howled in the distance as the fire danced, illuminating the two boys in the clearing.

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