Lhune: Thank all you people for reviewing! And of course for correcting my errors. It seems like my computer has the awful habit of correcting my mistakes automatically. Luckily I found a way to put that thing of. But I corrected them as soon as I could.

Kai: I'm very grateful for that. Imagine, me being a bladder. //Shudders//

Lhune: Ah come on Kai, it wasn't that bad.

Kai: Are you kiddin' me?

Lhune: Well if I cannot make you a bladder.//giggles//. I'll make you a softy.

Kai: You wouldn't dare!!!!

Lhune: Well.

Kai: Oh no! Don't! //turns around angrily and starts to walk away.//

Lhune: Oh, can't take it? You're such a wimp!

Kai: //whirls around// WHAT?!! //death glare 3rd degree//

Lhune: I said you were a wimp. //smirks, not at all affected by his glare//

Kai: You are SO going to regret those words! I dare you to fight me!!

Lhune: Just what I hoped for, I gladly accept.

Kai: weapons?

Lhune: Katana, you?

Kai: Same. Where?

Lhune: Dojo, we might hurt the readers here.

Kai: Agree.//walks out with Lhune//

Kana: //Had been watching the whole *conversation* speechless// This could be dangerous.

Rei: //walks in// where's Kai?

Kana: Gone to fight Lhune.

Rei: Oh My God! Where's my camera? Quick! I have to see this!

Kana: Aren't you concerned for their health?

Rei: You mean Lhune's health 'cause Kai can take her on easily.

Kana: I won't be too sure about that! I was her training partner so I should know.

Rei: Sure. Kai's gonna win.

Kana: No way. but hurry or we'll miss the match.

Rei: Just read the blasted fic tell us what you think.

Kana: For the disclaimer look at the prologue. Don't own a thing..She is gonna win.

Rei: NO!

Freezing Fire

By Kana and Lhune.

Chapter Three

*I hurt myself because of you, over and over. But my love didn't go away, it kept coming back.*

KUSO! I hate myself. Baka no! How could I hit Rei? A bit harder and he could've been dead. I would never forgive myself. Hn, he seems to be okay now but I'm still keeping an eye on him.

Arch, I'm getting soft. Since when do I let those emotions take control of me? I couldn't bare something to happen to Rei. Although I don't know why. Sure, he's the only one I can respect. He keeps me sane in this team of morons. And he doesn't bother me with stupid questions.

That is until these last days.

He's worried about me. I don't see why. Doesn't he understand I was the one who hit him?!! While he was actually trying to help me. Oh, I'm such a cold bastard .But that's what I'm supposed to be, right?

It doesn't matter, if anyone dares to hurt Rei.

I won't let Tala.

Yeah Tala. Another mystery from my past. I can't remember a thing of my damn childhood but for those shards of visions and dreams. And believe me, I don't want to know the rest of it. It's horrible enough like this.

But now, that red-head. Somehow I know his name is Tala, I know he was my friend. Clearly he isn't anymore. I mean friends don't try to kill each other, right? Ano. How should I know. Rei is the closest I have to a friend and I already managed to hurt him.

Pff, apparently Voltaire was right. I AM destined to be alone. I could as well go back to THEM, I always cause others pain.

DAME!! I'm such an idiot. I won't go back, never. They only used me for their twisted experiments.

Masaka, those wounds started to bleed again. But I rather have this pain than the pain of losing myself in my thoughts.

~*~

"Oh finally a town!" Max chirped exhausted.

"Yeah, a town. with RESTAURANTS!!" The always-hungry-boy yelled exited.

"So where shall we eat? I'm hungry myself." Said the Chinese blader. He took of the bag he was wearing and stretched his sore shoulders.

"I have a wondrous idea guys," Takao started with a very big smile on his face. The others, minus Kai, eyed him suspiciously.

"Why don't we try them all!" he said cheerily.

"O Takao." Max sighed while pretending to faint.

Finally Chief spoke too. "Takao, that wouldn't be healthy. I shall ask Dizzy where the best food is for the lowest price. Mr. Dickinson didn't give us so much money."

"No need to ask Chief, I already heard it." Dizzy happily beeped.

Chief looked at her with a surprised expression.

"I'll never get used to it." He murmured softly.

"To what?" Dizzy asked hurt.

"Oh I'm sorry Dizzy!" Chief hurried to say, "But I tend to forget that you can start yourself." He smiled apologetically.

"It's okay. I guess it isn't quite normal. But about your question, we could best eat at Tsjernova. It has nice Russian and European food." Dizzy said.

"YAY! What are we waiting for?" Takao happily yelled while jumping up and down. Even Max was eyeing him concerned.

"Eh did someone do an overdose sugar in his coffee this morning?" He asked the others while pointing at the hyper boy.

Rei just shrugged. Then he saw the slate-haired boy starting to leave.

"Eh Kai? Where are you going?"

Kai turned to him with an unreadable expression on his face.

"I'm not hungry." He stated and walked away.

"Uh Okay. I guess." Rei whispered. Suddenly someone took his arm and dragged him forward.

"What the hell!" Rei was about to give his attacker a rather painful karate kick in the lower regions when he recognized the green cloth on the other's arm.

"Come on, before Takao ate all the food." Max said hurriedly.

Rei burst out laughing. Max looked at him as though he was going insane.

'I'm becoming like Kai, way too suspicious.' The Chinese blader allowed himself to be taken to a small restaurant where the two other boys were already enjoying their meal.

~*~

"Mmm, this food is delicious!" Kenny said after closing the door of the restaurant.

"Yeah, but... I still like your cooking better, Rei." Max chirped cheerily.

"Oh no!" Rei exclaimed, "I'm not your personal cook. It's only in case of emergency." He said in mock disdain.

"Uhm, I was wondering." Takao said rather timid.

Rei, Max and Kenny stared wide-eyed at the blue-haired teen. Takao being timid? Not possible! Their eyes widened even more when the shy expression changed into a big mischievous grin.

"Why don't we get an ice-cream as desert? Last one to arrive pays it all!" And with that he was of to the nearest ice-cream vendor.

All stood dumbstruck but once they realized what they would have to pay when they were the last to arrive, (considering Takao's appetite, a lot) they took of in a hurry.

~*~

Rei arrived first, due to his feline skills. But he was already too late to stop Takao from ordering for a large amount of money. He could've nourished at least 13 people with it.

Kenny was the last to arrive 'cause he hadn't received the physical trainings of Kai. In the end they decided to share in the costs. So it came they were now all four of them sitting in the park, enjoying their ice- cream despite the cold.

"Say, didn't anyone of you notice. Kai disappeared again." Rei broke the comfortable silence.

"Sure, but that's our asocial captain, right?" Max answered carefree, happy he got his sugary desert.

"But he has never disappeared that often before. I want to know what he's doing. And who were those freaks? Why were they attacking Kai? I wonder were he is, it's almost like he's running away from us." Rei sighed, gazing at nothing.

Finally Takao looked from his huge ice-cream which was already half devoured. "Those stupid black bladers are bothering me too but why would we want to know where the captain is? He's a cold bastard."

"TAKAO!" Max berated his friend.

"I'm sorry but that's what he is. I still can't forgive him knocking down Rei. Besides if we have to believe the readings Dizzy got, He can take perfectly well care of himself. Which I don't doubt." Takao said heated. "He's a freaking super-human_ excuse me_ super-bastard." He added under his breath.

Silence fell again. The rustling of the wind through the trees and birds chirping, the only sound to be heard. And of course Takao's munching and licking.

"Aah Takao! How can you eat all that?" Max asked disbelieving.

"Do you want a bit Maxie? I know I don't have much to offer but-" Takao teased his friend.

WHACK!

"Ai, Ma-ax!" he whined as Max hit him forcefully on the head. (A/N: on request of the reviewers. ^-^)

"You deserved it. teasing me." Max said strict, "But about your offer. I would gladly accept." Max was hyper at the prospect of more sugar.

Chief was talking to Dizzy how too much sugar was very bad for the health of certain people.

Rei didn't hear a single word of it, he was lost in his own mind. He couldn't help seeing those haunted crimson orbs before he was struck, over and over again. They held so much emotion but still so damn unreadable. 'Why is it that you claim my thoughts?' He took his head in his hands. 'He really is a blue enigma, cold and untouchable. Maybe that's why I'm so interested by him?' He took Drigger in his hands.

"Oh Drigger, do you know? If only you could help." He whispered softly. The bit lit up as if to comfort him and apologize for the lack of answers. 'Well in that case, I'll have to find the answers myself. Next time Kai leaves, I'll follow him.' With that his thoughts were finished as a hyper Takao and Max were inspecting Kenny for his eyes.

"Guys, calm down and release Kenny. We're going to the hotel." He said earning a very grateful look from Chief.

~*~

They had met Kai back in the hotel. To save their money, they had to share rooms. Kenny stayed with Max and Takao, he refused to sleep in the same room as Kai out of fear. The other two bladers, being Kai and Rei, stayed in a room on the other end of the hallway.

Each held luxurious beds, a bathroom and a balcony. From the balcony they had a magnificent view on the little park with a lake on the edge of it. The full moon stood out of an ink-blue sky adorned with a million stars.

Rei was lying on his bed, waiting for Kai to exit the bathroom. Getting impatient he decided to put his nightclothes on. Still no captain, he started to brush through his hair, wincing a little at the painful knots. To his frustration he managed to get his brush stuck in the long strands of raven hair.

"Great! How come I always get stuck with situations like these?" Rei sighed while he tried to loosen his brush. This, however, resulted only in creating an even bigger mess.

"Need some help?" an amused voice asked.

Rei didn't need to turn, he recognized Kai's voice instantly. He could even see the smirk on the slate-haired teen's face.

"It's not funny Kai, it hurts." He complained.

He felt the bed shift ever so slightly as Kai sat down. Soft, gentle hands unraveled the chaos of his hair and started brushing. The Chinese blader marveled at the tenderness of his captain's actions and almost started to purr. But he decided against it, he wasn't sure Kai would appreciate it. He couldn't help himself, though, from leaning in to the touch. He imagined those nimble but strong hands caressing his hair.

"Done." Kai stated, climbing in his own bed and closing his eyes.

'Did I just imagine Kai caressing my hair? The hit he gave me must have some effects on me.' He thought disbelievingly. He glanced at the stoic teen. 'He's Kai. I can't like/love him.' He sighed and closed his eyes.

"Night Kai."

"G'night." Came the soft reply.

~*~

A breeze of cold air woke Rei. 'Huh? Why didn't Kai close the window?' he thought sleepy and crept further under his blankets. He was trying to hear Kai's breathing when it him. 'Why would Kai want to open the window anyway and why can't I hear him?!'

He bolted up, shaking off the warm blankets. The empty bed next to him was clearly visible in the pale moonlight filtering through the open window. The Chinese teen got up and went to the balcony but there was no Kai to be seen. He was wondering where Kai could have gone to when a faint buzzing got his attention. 'A spinning blade, no doubt it belongs to Kai.'

On his way to the closet to get his coat, he threw a look at the clock.

"Half past two?! He definitely has weird training habits." He muttered softly and went back to the balcony to track the sound.

They slept at the first floor so it was no problem for Rei to jump down. He was a neko-jin, he always landed safely. Once he was on the ground, he thought about it. 'Kai jumped down? Nah he would have taken the stairs.' He looked around for tracks and found very light footprints under the balcony. Rei only found them because he had been looking for them. 'So he did jump!'

Determined, he went to the source of the soft sound. What he found made him hold his breath.

Kai had picked up his beyblade and was now preparing to launch it once more. The slate-haired teen didn't wear a coat or sweater, just his plain old outfit excluding the armguards. Rei remarked his leader had discarded them and they were now lying on a rock nearby.

Turning his gaze back to his captain he saw Dranzer flying with an impressive speed. Though his attention was claimed by Kai as the stoic teen winced and his hand flew to his side.

Questions seemed to tumble through his mind. 'When was Kai hurt. Who. Why didn't we know?!' Rei's eyes grew wider as Kai pulled of his top to reveal a muscled chest. The pale, creamy skin glowed in the moonlight. Several angry red lines marred the fair skin. Rei scowled at himself. He should be worried, he was worried. But he couldn't help thinking how beautiful Kai was. 'No wonder he's got such a fan club of girls.'

"You can come out now Rei." An indifferent tone said.

Rei snapped back from his daze to find Kai bandaging his injuries. Hesitating he stepped into the clearing and blushed a little. Kai knew he was there?

"How long have you been there?" Kai asked, slightly amused at the flushed teen. The Chinese blader went even a darker shade of red.

"Not so long, I just arrived." He said softly.

"Hn." Kai ripped a piece of his scarf and treated the last cut. He retrieved Dranzer who had stopped spinning in the grass and put him in his pocket. He pulled out a clean top from his duffel bag and put it on. He found Rei still staring at him. Kai smiled softly, such a curious cat. But he liked the cat, it was nice to have someone who cared. He picked up his bag and straightened his back.

Rei stood frozen in front of Kai, he knew he was staring but he couldn't help it right now. 'Was Kai, the Ice Captain actually smiling at me?' he thought surprised.

"Hey, aren't you coming?" Kai's voice rang softly in his head. He hadn't noticed the teen started walking and he hurried to come next to Kai.

"Why did you rip your scarf?" Rei ask clueless. Kai rolled his eyes. 'Weird! I've never seen Kai express so much emotion in such a short period.' Rei thought happily.

"Well, I had to bandage up these cuts, right?" Kai asked incredulous.

"But-" Rei started but held his mouth as he saw Kai jump flawless onto the balcony. 'For an injured person, he's quite fit.' He thought before following with a gracious move.

Kai gave him an approving look. Rei felt himself grew warm again and quickly closed the curtains so Kai wouldn't see. 'How does he do that? I feel so confused when I'm around him.' Rei thought desperately. He listened as Kai changed his clothes in the pitch dark and got onto his bed.

The Chinese blader sat down next to Kai. He felt the slate-haired teen tense and that worried him even more.

"You should go to the hospital Kai. Those injuries are really bad." Rei suggested.

"I'm fine." Kai replied gruffly.

"No Kai, Really! When did you get them?" Rei continued while edging closer.

"Not your business." Kai barked, he really didn't like people meddling with his affairs.

"You listen to me! You get those cuts checked or-" Rei stated as he grabbed Kai's wrist for more emphasis. Kai froze for a split second.

"I said I'm fine. This is none of your concern." Kai growled dangerously. He jerked his wrist back and glared at the stunned teen next to him. His eyes burned through the other's soul.

Rei jumped back at the angry blader. His eyes were filled with hurt and sadness.

"Alright Kai, if that's what you want." He whispered softly, crawling back into his own bed. He shot a last look at his captain before closing his eyes, the distant blader was lying with his back to him. 'When did it change? He opened up a bit and was actually smiling and now . he's even colder than before. I'll never get it.' Rei thought sadly before falling asleep.

Kai waited till heard the steady breathing of Rei, indicating the teen was fast asleep. He gazed at the prone teen, his eyes held o softness long thought gone. 'Why did you start pushing, Rei? Don't you see you'll have to keep distance or you'll get hurt? I can't allow that to happen again. You better despise me, that's the only way I can keep you safe. Especially with Tala messing around.' Kai didn't take his eyes of the blader till the first rays of sun peeked through the curtains.

~*~

Rei woke up with a start, he had heard something. Looking around him, he found the door to the balcony open. "Not again!" he moaned. He didn't have to see the empty bed next to him to know Kai was gone.

He got up and walked to the bathroom, the air was still damp. It was a sign Kai had been here not so long ago. He frowned as he looked in the mirror, he was a complete mess. His hair was tangled and his normally bright eyes were dull and red-rimmed. Getting under the freezing cold water, he took in a sharp breath. The Chinese teen washed his hair as fast as he could. As he tried to get some knots out of his hair, he started to muse.

'I wonder if Kai would brush my hair. probably not' He wrapped his hair in a towel and put on fresh clothes. His hair would come later. Determination marked his face. 'But I'm not going to give in to Kai. I will force him to let someone see to his injuries, even if I have to use violence. He can't go on like this.'

Stepping out the bathroom, he found the room ice-cold.

"Kuso! The window, I forgot to close it!" he cursed. 'But then again, what if Kai has to come back in?' An image of an agitated Kai, knocking on the window sent him into a fit of laughter.

"What's so funny?" Kai asked, honest curiosity lacing in his voice.

"K.Kai!" Rei whirled around to see the slate-haired teen sitting on the railing of the balcony, one leg dangling in the air.

"Nothing really, I didn't notice you were out here." Rei said hasty, changing the subject.

Kai's brow furrowed but he decided to leave the matter. If Rei didn't want him to know, fine. Kai returned staring at the snow-covered trees. He wondered what was worse, knowing only bits and pieces of his past which tore at his conscious or knowing the whole past. What if that would be too much for him to handle?

He could still smell the blood, the copper taste still lingered in his mouth. A reflection in the cold steel of a tainted sword. 'No, not now!'

"Kai, are you okay? You look very pale." Rei's soft voice cut through the vision like a knife. Kai's eyes focused on Rei.

"I'm fine, don't worry about me." He said gruffly, "Besides you should go inside before you catch cold."

Rei looked at him as though he had gone mad.

'First of all, I didn't open the window. Secondly I don't look pale as a ghost and last, won't you catch a cold?!' he thought as he noticed Kai was still in his night clothes. No coat, no sweater. not even shoes! Rei closed the window.

"And what about you? Aren't you co-?" he started but was broken of by Kai.

"No, as I said I'm fine." Kai said curt.

"But."

"No, how many times must I tell you? I. AM. FINE." Kai snapped as he grabbed Rei's wrist firm.

Out of reflex Rei whirled around trying to fee himself from Kai, resulting he pulled his captain with him on the ground. Rei rolled over so he was on top of Kai. "You can tell me as many times as you wish but I won't believe you till you've been to a doctor!" He became aware that Kai was only wearing sweatpants as he felt the Kai's bare skin against his own.

Kai, sensing the other's hesitation, rolled over. But Rei hit his knee against Kai's chest were the injury was, out of defense. Instantly he froze but Kai hadn't even winced. "I'm sorry. Gomen Kai. I didn't-"

Kai rolled him over with one forceful tug, now lying back on top of him. He held both Rei's wrists in a painful grip.

"Promise me you aren't gonna tell anybody about my injuries!" Kai commanded as though Rei hadn't apologized. His voice was low and sounded almost husky to Rei's ears.

"I can't do that Kai, You need a doctor." Rei insisted.

"Didn't you hear me? I said no! You are not gonna tell the others. Do. You. Understand. Me?" Kai seethed, emphasizing every single word.

Rei winced as the grip on his wrists increased. But Kai didn't loosen. Rei looked pleadingly in those crimson orbs filled with fiery.

"Kai, let go of me."

"Promise me!"

"I. I promise." Rei whispered defeated.

Kai let go of his wrist and looked to the ground, not wanting to see the hurt in Rei's eyes.

"Good." He whispered softly and disappeared in the bathroom.

When he came out, Rei was still on the same spot he left him.

"We'd better go downstairs, the others will be waiting for us." Kai's voice sounded flat and uncaring to hide the raging turmoil of emotions behind his cold mask.

~*~

Rei arrived downstairs just in time to see Takao holding the front door open for Max.

"You go first." Takao said gallantly. Max blushed and whispered a quick thanks.

"Hey, and what about me?" Rei said teasingly to Takao.

"Good morning, I hadn't seen ya." Max smiled and went outside.

"I thought you would be dead by now. I wouldn't survive one night in the same room as the sourpuss." Takao said, looking around to make sure Kai wasn't close enough to hear it.

"Where's Kenny?" Rei asked, noting the boy and his laptop were nowhere in sight.

"Oh he's already outside, chatting with Dizzy .or with Max." Takao said. Rei didn't understand what was going on between Takao and Max but he was amused none the less.

"Then we could start for the next town. We're almost in Moscow." Rei said happily.

"Wait for Kai, for once we're ready and now he is not yet here." Takao complained.

"I'm here so get out and start walking if you're so eager to." A cold voice rang through the air.

"What's wrong Kai, got out on the wrong side of the bed?" Takao replied as he turned to see Kai walking down. 'I'm still angry at him but. He does look very pale.' Takao thought concerned. 'What am I thinking? He would probably scowl at me if I offered help.' But it kept nagging at him. Rei had been right, Kai was acting strange these days.

"Get your ass moving Takao, we don't have all day!" Kai sneered, shouldering him out of the ways.

'Nah, he's still the same old jerk.' Takao shrugged and walked out.

~*~

They had been walking for five hours in the cold snow but according to Kai, they would see the next town in about five minutes.

Rei had noticed the captain was walking slower than normally and the teen's fists had been clenched almost constantly till they saw ebony white. Rei was torn between loyalty and concern. 'Should I tell the others about Kai's injuries? I mean, they are really bad. But I promised Kai not to. I won't break my word, I'm sure Kai can take care of himself. On the other hand. I can't let him go on like this. It's morally wrong.'

"Oh yea! I think I can see the first castle of that town. You know that one with the unspeakable name." Takao exclaimed joyful. He jumped up and down to get a better view. Max came standing next to him, gazing at Takao's castle.

"Ehm, Takao. I hate to say it but that's not a castle, it's a church." Max said after he had seen the cross on top of the building.

"Come on people, I want to get there today." Kai barked, his voice wavering slightly. Takao scowled.

"Ah come on, it's only-" He was silenced as he saw Kai paling even more, looking whiter than a ghost.

"Kai?" Takao asked hesitantly. His eyes widened as his captain slumped onto the ground. Immediately the four boys were alarmed.

"KAI!!"

But the stoic teen was not to hear their cries, darkness had claimed him and relieved him from agony.

A marred body.

Only to hide a scarred soul.

A cold spirit, unable to be broken but by a single tear.

A tear of blood from a fading sta,

If not, the eternal flame will be left

To the emptiness of the absorbing darkness.

***_~_***

Rei: Kai won definitely.

Kana: You're so wrong, it's obvious Lhune won.

Lhune: Stop it! You're bickering about a fight nobody won while I've worked many hours to type this!

Kai: Poor me. Besides, it was a tie.

Rei: but Lhune's sword broke one second before yours.

Kana: Aa but Kai's sword cracked minutes before.

Rei: You lie!

Lhune and Kai: //soaked with sweat, suffering from many cuts// Why are you fighting for us?

Kana: //to Lhune// Isn't that obvious? I'm your training partner, you lose= I lose. Our strength depends on each other.

Rei: Because I love you Kai, //blushes// and so I have to support you.

Lhune: But if we say it was a tie?

Rei: You wish, Kai-

Kana: Didn't win.

Rei: We'll see, wanna fight?

Kana: Yes! //walks out to dojo with Rei behind//

Kai and Lhune: //Blink.blink. sweat drop//

Lhune: They are gonna fight?

Kai: Seems so, shall we go look before they get hurt?

Lhune: Maybe a good idea, who do you think is gonna win?

Kai: Rei has awesome reflexes.

Lhune: Don't forget Kana trained with me.

Kai and Lhune at the same time: But Rei/Kana. //silence.//

Kai: We're not gonna act like them. //meaningful glance at dojo//

Lhune: Please not! Come on let's go safe some friends from a bloody death. The next Chapter you will learn more about Kai's past. including the kill again. If anybody has remarks, questions or feels in the mood to review. Go ahead.

Bye bye, hopefully till next week.