Lhune and Kana: Calling Tokyo. Konichiwa!

Takao: O great! Now they've started with Charmed.

Rei and Kai: .?

Kana: Takao, I didn't knew you know Charmed.

Takao: I love Phoebe.

Max: TAKAO?!!

Everybody excluding Max: Max?!

Max: //Stares at his shoe// I think Piper is better.

Takao: Max?!

Lhune: Okay guys, stop it! This is way too confusing.

Kana: Yeah.

Lhune: In this Chappy there will be some action.

Kai: Hn.

Rei: Finally!

Kana: And as usual, Kai's having a secret.

Rei: you have?

Kai: None of your business.

Lhune and Kana: Ok, let's get on with the fic before they start fighting. Enjoy!

Freezing Fire

By Lhune and Kana

Chapter 1

*Hiding in the shadows that follows your back afar. Anger, unspeakable sadness, keeping them to oneself.*

When Rei woke up early that morning, he saw the other bladders still sound asleep. Only one bed was empty, Kai was missing.

The Chinese blader sighed when he entered the bathroom. "Does that guy ever sleep?" he mused to himself.

Few minutes later he went downstairs to have breakfast. He stopped in his tracks when he saw the slate-haired blader sitting at a lone table in the corner of the room. Making up his mind he approached his captain.

"Is it okay for you if I join you?" he asked timidly.

Kai didn't look up when he replied. "Hn."

Rei rolled his eyes. 'I take that as a no.' he thought and was about to turn around when Kai spoke.

"Take it as a yes." The cold voice betraying no emotions.

Rei was speechless. 'Did Kai just read my mind or what?' He wondered.

The slate-haired boy smiled inwardly. He could feel the confusion radiating from Rei.

They ate their breakfast in silence, a comfortable silence. Soon their rest was broken by noise on the staircase. Takao's voice booming out of it. "BREAKFAST!!! Man I'm hungry!!"

Kai shot an annoyed glare at the close door and stood up as the rest of the team entered.

"You leaving?" Rei asked surprised. For a second he thought he wouldn't receive an answer but then Kai spoke.

"Aa."

It wasn't much but it was better than nothing or hn.

"Yammy, I can't wait, oh I want an English breakfast and..." Takao couldn't wait for the waitress to come.

Max' gaze rested on the silent blader in front of him. "Did we miss something? Where did Kai go?"

"I don't know." Rei said, still lost in thoughts.

Takao finally snapped out of his obsession with food, temporarily. "Ha, I'm sure our Ice captain is afraid of us!"

Kenny looked up from his laptop. "I don't think so Takao, in fact I can't imagine Kai being afraid of anyone." He said sincerely.

Takao grunted some response, complaining about everyone sticking up for the sourpuss, before attacking his huge breakfast.

After breakfast the four boys went to their room to take the few things they had brought with them. Kai's stuff was already gone but there was but one person to notice this.

"Something wrong Rei?" Max in a cheery voice but still soft enough so only Rei would hear it.

"No, every thing is just fine." the neko-jin whispered. "Come on guys, let's go!" he continued in a louder voice.

"Where is Kai?" Kenny had actually noticed their captain was missing too and was now looking around for someone to answer his question.

The bladders turned to Kenny but Takao was the one to speak first. "What do I care? At least he isn't here to kill us with one of his lethal glares."

Rei shook his head, "Takao." he said with a warning tone as his brow furrowed in irritation.

"What's up Rei, you don't need to defend the sourpuss. Or is there something more?" Takao asked smugly.

"TAKAO!!" Max berated his friend causing all heads to turn to the blond kid.

Rei sighed relieved because otherwise his friend would certainly have seen the pink blush that was now thankfully fading again. 'But why do I blush?' Rei wondered, 'There is nothing going on between me and Kai.'

Once they were out the hotel, the saw the lone figure of their captain waiting for them against a tree.

"It sure took you a rather long time to get here." He said menacingly before he turned around and started to walk.

"It sure took you a rather long time to get here pff" Takao repeated in a childish tone.

Kai didn't react tough everybody knew he had heard it.

The blonde teen shook his head softly, Takao should better hold his mouth because sooner or later Kai would make him pay. And that was something Max didn't want to happen, knowing Kai's punishments. He smiled, maybe he should try to warn his friend although he doubted Takao would listen.

They arrived in a part of the city that seemed almost deserted for a single stray cat. Old grey buildings with shattered windows, filthy streets and a steel grey sky giving the surroundings a sombre view. The oldest bladders (Kai and Rei) looked around suspiciously, their keen senses alert.

"Ouch my feet are sore!" Chief exclaimed loudly.

Max gave him a curious look, "Now already? We've only been walking for four hours or so."

Takao grinned "Sure Maxie, you're never tired. In fact you're always sugar high."

"Am not!" Max answered offended and to change the subject he quickly added "Come on guys, let's walk further. Kai is already ahead of us." As he saw Kai walking some distance in front of them.

Rei's feline skills picked up some shadows moving around. "Guys-"he tried but was cut of as several persons jumped of the roof, attacking the four Bladebreakers with their blades.

They were clad in Black ninja-style clothes, the hood covering their heads and hiding their eyes in the shadows. Only one blader stood out from the 8 attackers, his hood failed to hide his eyes. They held the coldness of eyes, sending shivers down the breakers' spine. Soon their blades had closed the Bladebreakers in.

Not even thinking, Rei launched his blade. The same instant, his teammates copied the movement, defending themselves as the enemies' blades came dangerously close to their skin. Their bitbeasts emerged, ready to protect their masters.

Kai ran back to his teammates, speeding with fear for his team though his face remained stoic.

'Unbelievable, I can't leave them for a second alone or they are already in trouble!' he thought annoyed.

Attacking the first blade in his view, Dranzer knocked out his opponent in mere seconds.

'Good there are only 7 of them left which means the odds are slightly against us but we can manage it. But who-' he held his breath when he recognized a certain enemy in front of him.

'Tala!?' his thoughts shouted a name long lost for his memory. His face remained impassive tough his inner turmoil was driving him nuts.

The dark blader took advantage of Kai's hesitation and attacked him together with two of his assailants. Dranzer successfully stopped two attacks but Tala's blade managed to get through the phoenix' defence. Only because of Kai's quick reflexes, the blade didn't hit his throat. Instead he received a deep gash right under his ribs.

None of the Bladebreakers noticed this, they all had their own problems to worry about. The black attackers were very skilful and tough to beat.

Still Rei's Driger had overpowered one of the foul bitbeasts and Max and Takao were working together to protect Kenny and their own skins.

None of the black bladers dared to interrupt the internal battle between the crimson-eyed captain and the blue-eyed Tala. They all knew how harsh Tala could be and the hatred in his eyes showed nothing good for his prey. On the other hand, his prey didn't like to be chased and gave the cold Tala some attacks to worry about.

The Bladebreakers still had some difficulties with the remaining enemies but took finally notice of the fact that there was something weird going on between Kai and his opponent. The two opposites were glaring dangerously at each other.

Tala's eyes were now mere slits of ice, cutting through theirs souls. Kai, matching his glare with an intensive stare with dark red orbs, the colour of blood.

Tala smirked, after all those years, Kai still was the only worthy opponent. He suppressed a shiver. And he was still the only one able to send shivers down his spine.

After what seemed like ages the red-haired blader tore his gaze away from the captivating red eyes, only to let his eyes travel down the phoenix' body.

'Hmm, he sure looks good. Maybe if I can get him back to the abbey.' he turned back to Kai, a smirk still evident on his features.

"This was it for now, it has been fun. See you next time." His voice as cold as ice, matching his eyes.

'That voice. somehow it reminds me of Kai. Dame! This freak is nothing like Kai!' Rei admonished himself.

As fast as they appeared, the black bladders vanished in the shadows.

"Is everyone alright?" Max questioned concerned.

"Damn, what were they? Ninjas?" Takao gasped while shaking his fist at the empty shadows.

No one noticed the nearly invisible blood on Kai's sleeveless top. His face didn't show any emotion and revealed nothing of his thoughts.

'Tala? Nande kuso? Where do I know him from and why was he attacking me and my frie-. Team?' he berated himself for being so weak. He looked up only to meet the concerned gaze of the neko-jin.

"Kai, you OK?" the raven-haired blader asked.

"I'm fine." he replied abrupt.

Rei smiled softly. He had expected this kind of answer. Not that he was certain he could trust it but the stoic didn't accept help lightly anyway.

"Does someone have any idea who those freaks were?" Takao asked for the second time.

'Yeah I do Takao, But I am not going to tell you. You have no business with my past. None of you has. Certainly when I haven't figured out yet what my past exactly is.' Kai thought bitter.

"No I don't, but I would like to know so I can." Max didn't finish his threat.

Everybody had an own end for this sentence tough Kai doubted some of them could bring it to reality.

"Indeed Maxie-boy. If I meet them once more, I'm gonna show them a lesson in martial arts that I learned from gramps, which they won't forget easily." Takao promised his teammates.

The slate-haired captain shook is head.

"What's the matter Kai? Afraid I won't be able to handle them?" the dragon asked challenging when he noticed his captain's movement.

'If I'm right Tala has been trained in all manners of fighting methods and no doubt the other will be too. I'm afraid you don't even have the slightest chance to win. You will loose and they will kill you as if you were an animal.' Kai answered inwardly. He didn't voice it out loud because then they would know he knew those freaks and start asking a million questions. So instead he opted for something else.

"Sure you can make it Takao."

Takao failed to notice the obvious sarcasm in the comment and was overjoyed with the compliment of his cold captain.

Rei gave the stoic teen a sidelong glare. 'He's not telling the truth. What is he hiding? Why doesn't he trust us?'

He saw Kai looking at him, cold as usual. Rei turned his gaze to the ground, he couldn't stand the iciness anymore. One more glare of Kai and he would scream. He had enough of those cold, emotionless looks.

The rustling of clothes made the Chinese blader look up again. The scarlet- eyed captain had started walking again. Kenny was the second to notice.

"Eh Kai, where are you going?" he asked clueless.

By now Max and Takao's attention was drawn too.

"To the next city, what else?" Kai spoke while continuing on his way. "I would rather sleep in a hotel but with this delay I doubt we will make it."

Takao was dumbstruck.

"You call this a delay?" he asked indignantly. "We could have been dead, or didn't you notice they were aiming at our BODIES not blades." He yelled disturbed.

The slate-haired teen didn't reply. The Bladebreakers had no other choice than to follow their captain.

They were all very happy when Kai decided to stop and make a camp for the night. They had left the dull buildings of the city and were now in snow- covered surroundings. Even Kai had put on a coat even tough it was more to get rid of his team's concerned looks.

It was true, they hadn't been able to reach the next town. Rei doubted they would have even without the delay, as Kai would put it.

Shelter was found, Max had spotted a nice cave, and the sleeping bags were spread out.

"Oh I'm so happy we can eat and go to bed early. I'm so tired!" Takao sighed loudly and and sat down on his improvised bed. "Rei are you cooking? Your nasi is so YUMMY and-"

He was cut of as Kai's cold voice slit through the air.

"You don't think you can sit there all evening do you?"

Takao's eyes widened a bit. "But-"

"You had too much difficulties with those dark bladders, you too Max. Even though you worked together, you couln't get one of those bladders down."

At this point all the Bladebreakers were staring at their captain, he got to be kidding right?

"You and Max," He pointed at Takao" Get some wood so Rei can cook for us some dinner, after that you do Fifty sit-ups each and jog for fifteen minutes."

"That's ridiculous!" Takao exclaimed "And why doesn't Rei have to work out?"

Kai gave him an annoyed glare.

"Because Rei has defeated one of those creeps. and you need to eat." Kai said in a voice that didn't allowed contradiction.

Takao's mouth fell open. The captain continued in an indifferent tone.

"Chief, I want you to find a way to power up Draciel. Look for a proper attack."

Takao found his wit finnaly back.

"And what are you going to do huh?!" He sulked dramatically.

The slate-haired teen didn't even bother to reply and just walked away. When he was out of sight Takao mimicked him in a rather comical way.

"Too much difficulties with-" again he was cut of by Kai's voice coming from the forest.

"Get wood and start training."

Takao shrugged and walked to the forest, leaving behind a surprised Max and Rei. (Kenny was already occupied with Dizzy.)

"Eh Takao?" the Blonde blader asked hesitantly.

Takao turned around.

"What? I should have known he heard it. He's a super-human. no wait! I mean robot!" he huffed.

The two friends smiled, this was more like the Takao they knew.

"Hey Takao, Wait for me!" Max yelled as he ran after the dragon.

The Chinese teen sat down on a stone, waiting for his wood.

"Where would Kai have gone to?" he muttered softly to no one "Why do you always run away from us?"

His eyes stared in the distance. Suddenly he realised what he had said, he turned around to see the Chief still concentrating on Dizzy.

'Good' he thought 'No need for difficult questions. Not that there is something. But still I wonder."

A lone silhouette in the setting sun, sitting on a stone by the water. The crimson-eyed boy had pulled of his top, revealing a pale chest. A deep gash ran from his torso to his ribs. It had the deep red colour of blood, crimson as his eyes.

He took some cloth out of his duffel bag and started bandaging the cut. He was lucky none of his teammates had seen the blood, there had been a reason why he had chosen a black top to wear. The beatings he had received in the abbey had been harsh and painful, the remainders still evident after so many years. Ghosts of memories were now coming together, but still not making sense. For some reason he didn't want them to make sense.

Why did Tala have to come back now? He saw the cruel smirk of the red- haired blader in front of him.

He looked down and saw the wound had started bleeding again. The once white cloth was now red, soaked with his blood. Drops of blood ran down his body, leaving a crimson trail in their wake. They stained the pure water crimson, scarlet as they fell in the pond.

The slate-haired blader didn't feel the pain, had no emotions, did nothing to stop the bleeding. He just watched as the last rays of sun disappeared leaving him behind in a cold world, as cold as his heart.

***_~_***

Rei: KAI!! We didn't know you were hurt!

Kai: That's because you're not supposed to know it.

Lhune and Kana: Yeah, so remember Rei, You know nothing!

Rei: I don't know.

Lhune and Kana: Or we'll send Mariah after you.

Rei: Yaiks!! Runs away

Kai: Rei's afraid of her?

Mariah: yeah, and so should you!

Kana: Mariah, what are you doing here? Get out NOW!

Lhune: oh, maybe a bit late. warning for Mariah fans. Not that she's that awful but uh..

Kana: She's too pink!

Lhune: Have to agree with that.

Kai: Ooh help me to get rid of those two. wait help them!

Kana and Lhune: Kai, shut up!

Kai: Hn

Kana and Lhune: Hn

Rei: Hn

Kana, Lhune and Kai: ?

Rei: Sayonara and reviews are always welcome.

Kai: slimebal.