REVIEWS CHAPTER 7 111 reviews Whiiii (for the story not just this chapter. that would be too much.though I would've liked it ^-^)

Regina: Thank you for the e-mail!!! I sent you one back but apparently my e- mail account is doing some strange things because I got the mail back *undelivered* I would love to see the picture!!! I love to draw myself so. Sorry for the long waiting.

Inulover28: I wouldn't dare not to finish this fic!! How dare you even thinking that?! ^-^ It is just that I first write everything on papers and then type it on the computer. And I'm terribly slow at typing. (Kana and bad. really so many mistakes!///// Lhune: ah shut up) Anyway thank you for reviewing. next time I'll TRY updating sooner.

Cika : Thank you!!!! // blushes// I'm glad you like this story. I'll certainly keep writing when people review!

Yaoi Angel: Whiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii You liked it!!! I know, terrible things are sometimes the best there are. Don't worry there will be a lot more Kai torture in the next chapters (Kana: she loves it a bit too much/// Lhune: what? You like it too. Lucky my parents don't read this) Rei saving Kai. I don't know. You'll have to keep reading to find out. ^-^ Thanx for your review!!!!

Shaka Dragomir Nocturnus: Wow long nick.. but I like it! Thanks a lot!!

Bffimagine: Heh, you too have Kai talking to you!! Great! You were right about te blood thingy. I really love the color. it's so .uhm red. Thanxs ( you too Kai!)

Shinigami : Nooo I love Kai. I know I out it in a rather cruel way but I generally torture people that I like. (Kana: but she might torture Boris/ Voltaire/ Mariah because we hate them and well. sometimes it helps) But Kai- torture is only a token of our love. I know it seems weird. But anyway. Thanx! You keep me going.

Hiei's phoenix girl: Yes I LOVE to torture! It is my only reason of life. no not really but I like torturing Kai. I don't know why, it just suits him (Kana: weird but that exactly the same reason why I love it!) As always THanX!

TYDYE girl: YAY Are you serious? I can do whatever I want to him? That is really not safe. (Kai: NO how could you do that to me?!) Don't worry I won't let him die. yet. There are a lot more chapters to come. Thanks!!!!!

Devilburns: Aye commander! (though it is not soon sorry!)

Kai's-gurl-Riece: Don't kill me, Don't bite me. I'll do whatever you want! (Kai: hurt her, bite, kill. please get rid of her!) See I've updated (Kai: Damn, lost my chance) THANX

Pyro Dranzer A*K*A PD: whiiii I loved your review. Can I borrow shaq? I need to kill Mariah. Wait I don't want to poison your dog. Damn now I need another way to kill her. Ah well I'll think of something. Thanx, your review inspired me. Nope no black dog in this chapter.^-^

Vampyre Neko: Yeah I need twisted people to survive. Happy people scare me.Really, they are dangerous. With their pink fluffy bunnies, don't they know they can kill me?! (Kana: //sweatdrops// Eh. too much Fanta I guess. Don't listen to her. THNAK YOU) she means thank you. learn how to type Kana.

Artemis347: Nope I won't kill him. yet. I still need to torture him a bit more. Though he really wants to die I can guess. I would be far to easy for him just to get away from everything. I'm not *that* soft (Kai: she calls that soft!? Oh god help me!) THANKS A LOT!

Memex101: I know, Kai getting raped is really fun! (Kai: death glare) I hated what I wrote but at the same time I loved it. I know that didn't make sense. I notice Kai can be very difficult with you too. I love his voice in my head though.. not a very talkative though. And Rei, you weren't raped because that doesn't work with you. Kai can handle it, you though. (Rei: You mean I'm weak?!! //// Kai: Smirks) Anyway I always love your reviews!! They make my day so THANx a thousand times.

Tiger Lily 6030: Thank you, I do my best.

B Girl: 1) I know it was more than a month and I know this is too more than a month. I am really sorry and I really am trying very hard to work faster. who knows maybe next time. 2) Kai will survive for the moment. I still have a lot of torture for him in store. 3) I want to kill Boris too But I'm still wondering whether I will do that in this fic AND 4) Tala thinks that Kai was just being beaten and those little thingies. He doesn't know about Boris' little obsession with Kai. NE-way THANK YOU!!!

Sarcasmcat: Oh // blushes// This is the best commentary I got! Thank you. I try hard to get some well acceptable descriptions .. I'm not from England or so.. it's a bit difficult. I am really honoured by your review! Sorry you had to way soo long. I know BAD bad me.. (Kai: don't worry, I'll punish her/// Kana: eh no Kai, that won't be necessary. sweatdrops)

Dragonblade: Yay, I'm glad you though it good!!! It really makes my happy!^-^ If you thought that painful to read. Imagine how it was to write. (Kai: then why did you do it? /// Lhune: because I wanted to.) Yeah internet is back, temporarily, It really goes on and off. It drives me crazy. Wait that cannot. I am already crazy. Tsk doesn'matter (Kai: does too) Does not (Does too/// Kana: Does not so shut up knocks Kai unconscious) Sorry for the long wait. Really. THANX Keep reviewing It helps me a lot!

WHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII I'm on the *favourite* list of 11 people and *author alert* of 12 people.. THANK YOU... Oh and those who read. thank for taking the time to read this thingy.

_o-0'O`°`O'0-o_

Lhune: Ah I hat FF. net! I've just found out that they don't support my underlined text, etc.

Kai: Poor you. // very mockingly//

Lhune: Don't laugh with me, it is not funny! // sends Kai a death- glare//

Kai: I think otherwise //smirks evilly//

Lhune: Damn you, go back to your silent self! // gets her blade ready//

Kai: Hn.

Lhune Thank you.

Kana: Hello!!! ^_^

Kai: Oh great another one! // very sarcastic//

Kana: huh?

Lhune: Nothing // puts away her blade without Kana noticing it//

Kai: Hn

Kana: What's up with him?

Lhune: Nothing. He is just back normal.

Kana: God thank // raises her hands in the air//

Kai: WHAT?

Lhune: Oh shut up // smirks//

Kai: Whatever // death glare 3rd degree.//

Lhune: This chapter took me many hours to write and even more days to type. So I hope you'll like it.

Kai: Yeah right.

Kana: //knocks Kai on the head// Don't listen to him, he's just grumpy because we tortured him again.

Lhune: OK here we go. And for those that didn't read previous chapter because of the warnings, here is the short (very short) summary.

Kai gets flashback of Boris raping him because he used Black Dranzer when he was nine years old.
When he wakes up he is lying next to a naked Boris and guess what happened? Yes, the same thing.
Oh yeah Boris tried to hurt Kai by using Dranzer but that didn't work (whiiiiiiii)

Oh and Tala doesn't know what exactly happened. He thinks that Kai was just beaten. He doesn't know about either of the rapes.^-^Lol

=^-^=***ENJOY***=^-^=

Translations: Iie (Jap.) = Niet (Rus.): no Aa (Jap.) =Hai (Jap) = Da (Rus.) :Yes Not very difficult eh?

Freezing Fire

By Lhune and Kana

Disclaimer: nope, still own nothing. DAMN, but my birthday is in less than one month so who knows. Wink wink.

Chapter eight

*These wounds don't seem to heal. This pain is just too real. There's just too much that time cannot erase.*

"What do you mean *not broken*?! I want him begging at my feet. How hard can it be to break a kid."

"Believe me my Lord, I did everything I could but he IS your grandson."

"Oh right, don't be such a slime ball Boris. It does not work with me. See you finish the job or I will be forced to take some measurements."

"Don't worry my Lord, I know just what to do."

'Hm, I think Kai had a hard time.' The red-head smirked 'I'm sure he'll need some comfort after Boris. It is about time I pay him a visit.'

Behind the closed door he heard Voltaire raging against his *loyal* servant Boris. Not interested in the men's discussion, he left for the dungeons.

'I knew Kai wouldn't break, nobody can break him. They don't know how, let alone they would recognise it when Kai is broken. Tsk, why doesn't he just fake it? It is a lot less painful.'

He grimaced, too long he had refused to give in and his body still bared the scars. Absentmindly he turned around a corner and slammed full force into another body. He was about to yell at the other but a smile spread on his face as he recognised the lilac-haired blader.

"Bryan."

The blader picked himself of the floor and dusted his clothes off.

"You were in a hurry." His soft voice stated matter-of-factly, a glint of curiosity shimmered in his bright eyes. "Where were you headed?" Bryan asked warmly.

Tala's smile faltered a bit.

"To the dungeons, I need to see an old EX-friend." He accentuated the *ex*.

"To Kai?" Bryan spat "Why? He betrayed you and our team. He's not worth your time. You'll get hurt again." His pale eyes were hard and cold but tender concern shimmered in a corner when he addressed the red-haired teen.

"This is not your business! But don't worry, he can't hurt me. I feel nothing for him, that was the past." The red-head replied self-assured.

"Shall I come with you?" the lilac-haired teen asked concerned, his bright eyes almost pleading.

"Niet, this is something I want to do alone. Besides, why should we fear him? Voltaire let Boris have his will with him. He won't be in a healthy condition." Tala shrugged nonchalantly. Bryan frowned, he was not so reassured.

"I know but-" He started but was cut off by the irritated red-head.

"Niet Bryan. not even Kai can withstand that. He is severely beaten, I can handle him! Now I must be going." He smirked "I have an appointment, See ya!" He said brightly and left swiftly. He didn't look back to see the longing look in his teammmate's eyes.

When he was out of Bryan's view, he sighed deeply.

'Bryan'

He had forgotten how strong the lilac-haired blader felt for him. So concerned for him, who would have guessed that from the cold-hearted blader? He was really nice.

'. And handsome.' He added as an afterthought.

Bur he couldn't get a certain slate-haired boy with deep pools of dark, burning blood out of his head. All those years he had hated and loved the stoic blader. He had wondered if the blue enigma would ever think of him. More than once he had cursed the phoenix for leaving and hurting him.

He hadn't believed his eyes when he saw his lost captain. Never had he dreamt of Kai being so gorgeous.

And now he was going to visit the object of his desire..

His ice-blue eyes lightened in delight.

"This is going to be fun." His voice was devoid of emotion yet his frozen orbs told another tale.

Walking through the dim-lit corridor, he ignored the soft desperate cries from the inhabitants of the cells. He pitied them, once he had been like that too. It didn't matter, they would learn it soon enough.

He halted at the far end, he could barely see the rusty door in the dark. Silently he opened the door. The smell of blood welcomed him sinister. Disgusted, Tala stared at the dark pool of crimson liquid in the centre of the cell. It was splattered over the floor.

'What happened?' His ice-blue eyes searched for the slate-haired blader. Blood was common in the Abbey. Yet there was something about the mood in the cold room that made him shiver unconsciously. His cold orbs brightened when he saw the lean form, barely visible in the dark.

Dead silent he approached the motionless teen, huddled in a dark corner. apparently asleep.

'This is my chance.' Tala smirked pleased. He reached out a pale hand to touch the sleeping blader. 'I've waited so long.'

"Ah!" Tala yelped surprised as a bloody hand caught his in a firm grip.

"Don't touch me!" The slate-haired teen growled ferociously and pushed Tala's hand away in revulsion. The red-head stumbled back.

"What? Almighty Kai too good for me?!" Tala taunted annoyed but on the inside he was hurt that Kai had rejected him so easily. 'Do I really mean that little to him?"

Kai noticed the red-head's distress but said nothing of it. He still hadn't got a clue how well he was supposed to know Tala nor whether they were were they friends or enemies. So how could he do something? Besides he really couldn't stand anyone close to him right now, the scars that Boris made were still too fresh.

Even the presence of someone as *harmless* as Tala was capable of sending him on the edge, his muscles tensing and ready for an attack. Adrenaline coursed through his veins and his vision was faltering him. The lean body of the ice-blue eyed teen seemed to switch constantly with the despicable flesh of Boris.

Kai clenched his eyes shut, This wasn't Boris! It was Tala.. Just Tala!

But his attempt was in vain, even the soft taunting voice changed into a husky deep voice, filled with lust. His pale bruised hand sought Dranzer for comfort but the fiery bit couldn't reassure the distressed blader.

~*~

Tala watched uncomprehending as the master of the phoenix blade paled, the bruised yet delicate face held the colour of the white Russian snow.

'What is wrong with him? He doesn't even react to my words. Okay he's know to do that. But his composure, it doesn't seem right. He could be mistaken to be dead.' The red-head thought confused.

He wasn't that far from the truth though he may not have known. Death was at the phoenix's doorstep. The abuse he had received, both mental and physical was taking its toll. It was only the strong will behind the fiery crimson orbs that kept the door locked.

Tala felt Wolborg glow momentarily in the pouch of his trousers. 'Wolborg is trying to tell me something but.' For the time being he decided to ignore his loyal bit and concentrate on the bruised and bloodied person in the corner of the dank cell.

"I didn't believe you could be so pathetic! The great Kai, huddled in a corner, hiding." Tala sneered while he studied the silent blader.

*You are pathetic. My little phoenix, huddled in a corner , hiding. only for me.*

Though Kai knew it was Tala speaking to him, his mind could only register a twisted version of the taunts. spoken by Boris' loathsome voice.

Tala growled, he hated it when someone didn't reply.

"Your stay with those pathetic excuses for beybladers have made you weak Kai. I can beat them all alone in a match." Ha taunted, hoping for a reaction.

*Your unfortunate stay with those idiots has weakened you my little phoenix, I wonder what makes them so special. Maybe I should try and find out myself. That Chinese teen, Rei isn't it? He doesn't look too bad."

The mental image of Boris groping the beautiful raven-haired teen was too horrifying and Kai snapped his crimson orbs open only to be greeted by the sturdy form of his former instructor. Half naked, undoing his pants. Lust- filled eyes travelled down his body, a pink raspy tongue licking the gruesome lips in a twisted seductive manner.

Kai backed away even more in the corner, his nails cutting deep into the soft flesh of the palm of his trembling hand.

"Iie." He said fear stricken, cursing his voice for wavering.

~*~

Ice-blue eyes pierced through the darkness, confused at the shivering slender body of his former captain. Never had he seen Kai so distressed, so pained.so vulnerable. It hurt to see the stoic, strong phoenix in this state.

And yet.

This other aspect of the crimson-eyed boy was entrancing. Those fiery orbs close to tears.

'Why is he acting this way? I haven't said something *that* cruel?!' His head spinned with questions but no answers were given. Only now he noticed the gash he had created less than a week ago.

'How strange, it was only days yet it seems so much longer to me. However, it doesn't matter how long. that should've healed by now.' His cold eyes travelled further on the creamy pale skin, taking in all the black bruises and the welts. partly hidden by crimson blood.

The slate-haired teen tried to cover his stomach but his black tank top was too ripped to shreds.

Pity welled up in the red-head. A feeling he didn't even knew what it felt like and much less would have associated with the fearless strong blader. Hesitating, he reached out to the distressed boy. the pale form looked so fragile. The ice blue-eyed blader noticed disturbed how Kai almost backed away. Furrowing his eyebrows, he tried to sooth his former friend.

"Let me tend that wound." His gentle voice warmed the chilly room while he advanced even more. "What happened? That should have been healed a long time."

Only millimetres from skin touching skin.

The air was tense.

Almost touching.

~*~

"Come let me tend that nasty wound."

The smirk on Boris' face told him what the elder meant. And he kept coming closer.

'No, go away! Please. I can't take this another time. Reality was gone, to Kai Boris was standing in front of him. His mind played a sick game with him.

"What could've happened?"

A cold sarcastic voice, all too familiar.

"That should have healed a long time."

'Let it stop!'

"You've weaken. You know what that means. punishment."

A sturdy hand reached out to touch him, to hurt him.

"NIET!" In a fluid move the slate-haired teen was on his feet and lashed out swiftly. The moment his hand made contact with the other skin, the mirage of Boris disappeared.

Crimson eyes widened as he saw Tala flying through the air by the force of his blow.

Only to be replaced by a smaller, much younger red-head.

Immobilized, he saw how the little boy collided with the stone wall, slide down and remained limp on the bloodstained floor. A familiar cruel laugh made him look up to a tall man, clad in a dark coat of the Abbey.

Boris.

He wiped the red blood of his ungloved hand and stared at the young Tala in disgust.

"Weak, too weak. You there!" he nodded to one of the silent guards in the room. The guy acknowledged him with a slight nod. "Get him up, he has to train this afternoon." When the guard didn't move immediately, his face twisted in rage. "What are you waiting for? GET HIM UP I SAID!" The frightened man bowed hastily and hurried to the unconscious boy near the wall.

For the first time Boris turned to the small slate-haired boy behind him. His dark eyes lightened up as he let them travel over the lean body, he licked his lips with a sneer.

"This is all your fault you know? If you hadn't disobeyed me, I hadn't been forced to punish your little friend here." He indicated the body lying in a puddle of dark blood. "You are strong my little phoenix, unlike that little brat."

Kai felt a shudder pass through his lithe body. He eyed his only friend with cold crimson pools but the emotion hidden behind those fiery irises was as strong as his iron will. The silent boy averted his eyes from the unmoving form and glared at the elder man who was mocking him.

"Don't you understand my little phoenix, he is not worth your attention. He is but a pawn in our game. There are hundreds of his sort. Wile you. You are the phoenix. Your destiny lies in your solitude. No one can get to you, they get close and you'll hurt them. Look at Tala."

Boris grabbed the slate-haired boy's face in a vicious grip and forced him to watch the pale bloodstained body of the young Russian boy.

"This is what happens! You have no friends, never. You stand alone and will die alone. That boy means nothing to you. He is but a tool at most. You despise him, hate him!" Boris' cold harsh voice cut through the silence, only the soft murmur of the agitated guards was heard as they tried to wake up the little red-head.

The small slate-haired boy stood in the midst of it, crimson orbs transfixed on his friend.

'Hatred? I cannot hate him. He is my friend.My friend. He IS my friend right?' He questioned his own mind.

// Your friend? How dare you call him that? Look what you've done to him! And you call him your friend? Friends don't hurt each other!// A cruel voice in his head scolded him fiery.

'But. But I didn't want to. They should have hurt me, not Tala. Why? He didn't do a thing. I want to call him my friend. But I don't want him to be hurt.' He pleaded.

//Then stop hoping him to be your friend! Your friends end up dead. Or do I have to remind you of R-//

'NO, Don't mention him. I cannot let Tala die! He is not my friend, I have no friends. I will always be alone, I'm destined to be alone.' The crimson- eyed boy repeated those words over and over again like a mantra that could make him forget everything. His small hands clenched in white fists, Boris loathsome voice sounded dull on the background.

He didn't make out the words. His attention was solely fixed on the guards trying to wake the red-haired boy.

'He looks so pale and cold.

Someone get a quilt.

He looks like he is frozen.

Cold as ice.

Nothing can touch him.

Please someone warm him.'

His thoughts were broken as a terrified guard looked up and addressed Boris fearfully.

"My Lord, he lives no longer."

'No, no! It's not true.' Kai didn't want to comprehend the meaning behind those words.

"WHAT!" Boris' outrage bellowed through the cell. The guard cowered even more if possible.

"Tala is dead my lord, there is nothing we can do." His voice quivered like a dry leaf as Boris stormed forward to check the body himself.

Nobody paid attention to the wide-eyed boy in the centre of the room. Deep blood-red pools shimmered with unshed tears. 'He is dead. Because of me. This is all my fault. If I hadn't been here, he would still be alive. Tala is gone forever.'

//I warned you phoenix, but you let him close. You burn everyone to ashes. But they are no phoenix like you. They won't be reborn. And now you have nobody left.// And the voice faded away, leaving the distressed boy utterly alone.

'Nothing left to live for. Alone.' He mused sadly. He looked down when he felt Dranzer glow in his pocket. A sad smile spread on his lips. 'I'll never be alone. I'll always have you Dranzer. I will never leave you, they cannot hurt me as long as I have you. I won't let them hurt you. I promise.'

He looked back to his dead friend. 'That is more than I could do for you. I will never forget you Tala. I'll always remember you. No one will ever walk the same path as you. No one will become hurt because of me anymore.'

~*~

"Kai, wake up! What's wrong with you?"

Strong hands shook his shoulders thoroughly. The slate-haired teen groaned, his head hurt like hell. Crimson eyes fluttered open and were greeted by a pair of concerned ice-blue eyes.

"Finally, you got me worried." Tala said cold but relieve was evident behind the cold layers.

The red-head was startled as Kai pushed him away by a strength coming from desperation.

"You're dead!" Kai exclaimed unbelievingly.

Tala could only watch dazed as the crimson-eyes blader backed away from him with wide eyes and suddenly dashed out of the cell. 'What happened to him? Why does he think I'm dead?... DEAD?! What the hell?'

He picked himself off the dirty floor and dusted of his clothes. 'Tsk, he still has a lot of strength for someone injured.' He gazed longingly at the puddle of blood where his former friend had been minutes ago.

"DAMN Boris is going to kill me if he finds out Kai is lose in the Abbey."

~*~

'He's dead, he's dead, he's dead. They told me he was dead. How can he be here?!' His mind was spinning in circles, he couldn't find the answer to a question he didn't even knew. His legs carried him somewhere.

He didn't care as long as he kept running, running away from his past. Desperate pleadings were silenced as he ran past the cellblocks in the dungeons.

"That's Kai!"

"He's come back."

"Can he safe us?"

Unknown voices whispered softly. But the slate-haired blader didn't care nor hear them. He kept running. Where to, he didn't know.

He skidded to a sudden halt in a deserted corridor. His lungs were burning, his wounds ached. There was something that drew him to the last cell in that block. Warily he approached the stale door with bars. Images assaulted his mind as he touched the cold material.

~*~

"Don't give in Kai!"

SLAP

The little red-head was silenced in his bounds as a guard backhanded him ruthlessly. Ice-blue eyes could do nothing more than to watch how his friend was beaten by five sturdy men.

They kicked him in the stomach, punched him on the chest. Ribs could be heard broken, blood poured freely from a wound near the temple of his head.

Yet no sound emerged from the little slate-haired boy. The child could be no older then 7 years but he bit his lips till they bled. Fiery scarlet orbs held more misery than an adult should hold. They burned with such intensity, the inferno scorched the guards' tainted souls.

"Close your eyes BITCH, they're unnerving me." One man could take the strong will no longer. "I said CLOSE THEM!" He snarled and kicked the silent child in the chest with his steel-toed boot. Another rib was broken.

The red-haired boy struggled horrified in his bounds. Deep red blood dribbled from a corner of his friend's lips, they curled up in a cold smile.

"We'll teach you how to smile." the guard tore a strip from the blood- soaked top and tied it around the little boy's head, obscuring his view.

All went black.

~*~

Kai sat gasping for breath on the floor, not thinking he pushed himself up and started running again. Ignoring his hurting body he pushed on, trying to escape this torture.

He reached another level. Exhausted he leaned against a damp wall for support.

White hot pain invaded his senses.

~*~

"Dodge boy, why don't you just dodge them?"

The cruel mockery in their voices made him cringe. Razor sharp blades were launched at him with lethal precise. The little boy tried to evade them and was successful. His agile lithe body remained unharmed until.

"No fun!" A dark-haired guard said bored and lashed out with his whip, bringing the child down.

Defenceless the slate-haired boy endured the combined assault of whiplashes and blades. Tears stung in his strong-willed orbs but he forced them back.

'I won't be weak. I'll show them one day!'

~*~

Horrified Kai backed away from the wall that triggered his memories. His breathing was hitched and uneven.

He couldn't stay here, he had to escape this nightmare!

His legs started moving again. He ran past dumbstruck guards. He ignored the pain-filled cries behind those closed doors. He kept running, closing out everything that happened in those dank cells.

Glancing through the windows he was met by a long glass tube filled with green liquid and in some of them floated a lifeless person, wired to an unknown machine. Kai averted his eyes in disgust but couldn't help leaning closer to the window.

Cold steel-clad tables with shackles for arms and legs, needles and scalpels laid neatly ordered on a metal tray. A woman in a white coat checked the numbers on one of the charts, oblivious to the lone presence just outside in the corridor. The spotless neatness of the room was in contrast with the gruesome experiments that were held in the laboratory.

Suddenly the tranquillity behind the window was disturbed as two guards dragged a struggling little boy in, his wide-open green eyes were tear brimmed and filled with fear. He was positioned on the table and the clasps were fastened. There was no way out anymore.

The woman approached the frightened child, a needle in her fragile hand.

~*~

The little slate-haired boy was roughly thrown on the steel table. Black bruises covered the fragile face, a blood-stained piece of cloth covered his eyes.

The raging guard spat at the unseeing child. A man in a white coat eyed him curiously.

"He almost bit my finger off! He needs a lesson." The guard ordered harshly, holding his bleeding finger.

"You know I can't do a thing, he is the Lord's grandson." The scientist defended himself.

"I don't care! He does nothing but torture this kid, he wouldn't even notice if Kai was hurt a bit more." The guard slammed his massive hand on the table. "I know you guys have something that intensifies the pain." His voice was hard and full of hatred.

"Da, but." He looked at the stoic boy.

"I beat him, kicked him, punched him and still he doesn't cry. I want him to howl in agony. I want him to wish he was never born!" He grabbed the man by the collar of his white coat. "Do as I wish! Or else you'll bear the consequences!" He released the white-coated man.

Immediately after being put down, he took a syringe and uncovered the well- toned arm from the slate-haired child. He ignored the numerous cuts and bruises and plunged the needle in the tender pale flesh.

A shudder passed through the lean body but otherwise the child remained stoic.

The guard smirked evilly.

"Now shall we continue our little disagreement?"

~*~

Dazed by the memories that assaulted his confused mind, the slate-haired teen took a step back.

His dark pupils were dilated in pain and distress, his balance was faltering.

He turned around abruptly when he came to touch another window. Not even given the chance to look inside, he was overcome by another vision from his past.

~*~

Tall guards dragged a crimson-eyes boy inside the sterile white room His clothes were singed, his pale face was blood-streaked yet his fiery orbs burned with a fire too strong to tame. His battered body was held in a proud composure as soon as the guards released him and he stood up.

"What were you thinking my little phoenix?" The slimy voice of the dark man would've had the guards trembling in fear but not the stoic child for the slate-haired boy didn't even flinch at the nickname.

"Tsk, tsk you know you cannot escape me. You belong forever at my side." His voice was hard as steel. His dark eyes glimmered in malicious pleasure as he backhanded the defenceless boy. "Still silent? You are a stubborn boy but I will make you remember me. You will never belong to someone else!"

At this the slate-haired blader raised his head to level Boris with a consuming death-glare.

"I belong to no one, never." His soft voice held so much conviction that even the guards studied him in wonder. Boris, however, let out a mocking laugh.

"My poor, poor boy. Do you really believe that? Then I guess I'll have to prove you wrong. You are MINE. Don't you ever try to run from me again. It won't help you. I find you, no matter where you try to hide." He grabbed on of the persons clad in white by the arm and dragged him roughly in front of the child. "I want you to mark him as mine, so he'll never forget who his master is." The sickening voice was laced with glee.

The man cowered but tried to argue feebly.

"My lord, he is too young. I cannot."

"Nonsense, the boy is almost 10 years old. He will learn to obey." The loathsome man cut off the scientist's reply.

"But my lord, we don't have the anaesthetics." the frightened man stuttered. He shut up quickly as Boris released his terror.

"What do I care! It is his own fault so let him bear the consequences. He will have to endure the pain.He can handle it."

"But I-"

BLAM

The man's mouth was open in horror as a bullet entered his head. He was dead before he hit the ground. A pool of fresh blood covered the white floor.

Boris held his smoking gun threateningly.

"Will you do it or is there someone else who questions my orders?" His voice held cruel pleasure as if wishing someone else to disobey.

The remaining men rushed into action without looking a second time to the dead men at the child's feet. Boris smirked at the emotionless boy.

"It will learn you. trying to escape." Boris lectured evilly. Kai remained unfazed.

"You won't hold me, I will escape! There is nothing that keeps me here. Tala is gone, you killed him." His voice was dangerously low and calm. The guards were stunned, how could a little kid like that dare to rebel against Boris.

"Ah Tala, how unfortunate his dead was. He would have made a good soldier. But why are you blaming me? For it was because of you he died. Now let's stop the small talk and get down to business." Nothing happened, no one dared to move. "What are you waiting for? DO IT!" The coat-clad men rushed forward and secured the passive boy on the cold table.

"This is going to hurt, but I can't give you something to ease the pain. I'm sorry." One of the scientists whispered remorseful. He stared into the unreadable crimson orbs from the blue enigma.

"I don't need your pity, just get over with it."

He was shocked by the hard words coming from the little boy but got ready to begin his gruesome task.

"Make haste will you!" Boris snapped impatiently.

The man began to put the sapphire shark fins on the delicate pale skin. Not a single cry escaped the pink lips yet he knew the boy must be in excruciating pain.

'Tala is dead, so what use is there for me to live? I only cause harm so it will be better if I die. Why is it that death is always denied to me? So many times yet I failed every time. Is this my punishment? To stay alive? Well. then it is well chosen.'

~*~

Exhausted, Kai slid down the wall, his hands holding his head.

'This can't be. No.' His head felt like exploding. He could go on no longer, images and sounds from long ago attacked his mind merciless.

'please stop, just stop!'

He resisted the urge to scratch off the blue skin of his cheeks.

"Boris." He growled infuriated. He shook his head, trying to get rid of the disturbing images but with no avail. Finally surrendering to his mind, he fainted and fell on the ground.

~*~

TAP TAP TAP

Only the soft footfalls of Tala were heard as he ran through the empty corridors. His facial expression was calm yet in his ice-blue eyes was a gleam of distress behind the thick layer of ice.

'Damnit Kai, where are you?' He had run after the slate-haired teen as soon as he had come to his senses but it was as if Kai had vanished in thin air.

The occasionally drops of blood helped him, but not much since blood was often seen in the dark place. He stopped and listened to the sound of silence.

'Strange, I thought I heard something.' He listened more carefully. The soft noise of footsteps was now to be heard in the distance. 'Kai! Finally I've found you.'

He sped up to the source of the sound, he whirled around the corner and.

Came face to face with a very surprised Bryan.

"Tala what's wrong?" His cold tone couldn't hide the worry in his pale eyes.

"Nothing. Have you seen Kai? He's-" He took a deep breath to calm his laboured breathing. "What?" he asked the silent lavender-haired teen who stared at him strangely.

"Did he do that?" Bryan asked slightly angered, indicating the black bruise on the other blader's pale cheek.

Tala touched his hurting cheek gingerly. He hadn't realised until now how hard Kai had punched him. "Da, apparently. But he-"

Bryan cut him off. "That fucking bastard dared to touch you! Don't you see it? He will always hurt you. You can't stay defending him!" He failed to hide his anger this time.

The red-head stared stunned at his teammate. He had never seen Bryan so angry because of so little. Snapping out of it he glared at the angry teen.

"Who the hell do you think you are? Questioning my actions! It is my business and my own, what I do with Kai." He raged and grabbed Bryan by his furry collar.

"I only want to help you." Bryan whispered sadly, taken aback by the red- haired boy's outburst. Tala's expression softened noticeable and he let go of Bryan.

"I you want to help me, then help me find Kai. He is somewhere in the Abbey and very.eh. confused. I wouldn't dare to think what Boris would do if he would find him in that state. and mean not only to Kai."

Tala's quiet voice held no proof of fear yet Bryan knew what the red-head felt. It was so obvious.

~*~

"WOW, this can't be it. It is enormous!" Takao exclaimed when the Abbey came into view.

"This is the place according to Dizzy." The Chief whispered, trying to calm down Takao.

"No way!"

"Hey do you question me?" Dizzy cut him off angrily.

"No but.." Takao hesitated.

"I know it is huge but we are at the right place. Look! Balcov Abbey." Max pointed out a sign at the iron gates.

"What do you suppose we do now?" Takao asked to no one specifically.

"I don't know, what do you think Rei?...Rei?!" The blonde blader turned to the silent Chinese blader who was gazing at the Abbey sadly.

Rei studied the sinister grey buildings with his golden orbs, he had a sense of foreboding. 'Are you in there Kai? Have we finally found you?... I fear what your condition will be. I can't help hoping you'll be alright although my heart tells me otherwise. Oh Kai. Why are you doing this to me?'

"Hello RE-EI! Anybody home?"

The raven-haired blader snapped out of his musings as Takao's penetrating whine got his attention.

"What?!" He snapped. Seeing the hurt expression on the teen's face he reprimanded himself. "Gomen, I'm just worried about Kai. I shouldn't have yelled." He said reproachfully.

Max patted him on the shoulder. "Don't worry, it's okay we understand it."

"We do?" Takao's ludicrous question earned him frustrated sighs from his fellow bladers.

"Hai we do." Max stated firmly and sent Takao a look that made him shut up. for a while.

"And what do we do now? We can't just walk in and ring the bell, asking where Kai is." Kenny asked wondering.

"Why not?" Takao asked forgetting about the blonde's glare.

"Duh, because it might be a trap." Max said stern, rolling his eyes at the blue-haired teen's question.

"No wait, Takao has a point."

All heads turned to the Chinese blader, uncomprehending. That is all except Takao who was gleaming with pride.

"Why should we try to sneak in when they have invited us anyway? That way they would only grow suspicious. Let's play the game for a while and see what the outcome is. What do you think guys?" Rei explained calmly.

They considered the idea for e few seconds and agreed with Rei that it would be the best solution. More confident than they felt, they entered the deserted yard of the Abbey.

"It is kinda spooky around here." Takao said shivering whether from the cold or from the dark waves the place seemed to emit. No one replied and they walked in silence till they arrived at the heavy black doors. They stared at it for a couple of minutes until Max broke the silence.

"Eh does anyone know how we are supposed to get in? I don't see the bell." The blonde's question made them realise that none of them knew how to enter.

"There must be a way, maybe we should just knock." Rei whispered softly though he didn't knew why he lowered his voice.

"You're right. HELLO ANYBODY HOME?!" Takao yelled and wanted to start banging on the doors when they opened and a man clad in dark robes and a creepy kind of red glasses stepped out.

"Oh eh.. Hello we're-" Kenny started but the man filled in.

"The Bladebreakers. Master Kai told us about you. Please come in, my name is Boris." His dark voice made the four teens shiver unconsciously.

"Oh Thank you. Where is Kai?" Rei said hesitating while he entered the dark building.

"*Master* Kai had some business to take care of." He accentuated the master." But he'll come any minute now. Please follow me."

Rei didn't trust the man for a bit but he had no choice but to follow him. They were lead into a large hall where hundreds of kids were training with their blades.

"WOW wow WOW." Takao beamed excited. "Look at all those kids, I guess they take beyblading very serious around here."

"If you ask me it is rather weird." Max whispered in Takao's ear.

"Here in Russia, beyblading is more than just a sport. It is their life."

Boris' voice startled them. Rei got sight of two Russian bladers entering, looking slightly agitated. One of them, the one with the red hair, was rather familiar though it was not his hair that stood out but his piercing blue eyes.

~*~

"Damn where could he possibly be? Boris will kill me." Tala muttered. They had searched everywhere but no sigh of the stoic slate-haired blader except for some nearly dried blood stains.

"Relax, he will show up. I won't let Boris hurt you." Bryan tried to comfort his captain though he didn't dare to say the last too loud.

"But what if-" Tala stopped and took a sharp intake of breath. "The Bladebreakers." He whispered hoarsely.

Bryan whirled around to see a neko-jin staring at them with a pair of deep golden eyes. "Calm down, What can they do?" Bryan said calmly.

The neko-jin was now looking at his teammates but Tala was still staring at the Chinese teen.

"That jacket." He whispered.

"What about the jacket?" to Bryan it looked just like a normal grey worn jacket.

"Nothing, it is nothing." Tala said firmly and Bryan could say no more as Boris stalked towards them, Bladebreakers in tow.

~*~

'Now I know those ice-blue eyes! That's the guy who attacked Kai!' Rei growled low.

Max eyed him suspiciously but decided not to say anything. They stopped in front of the two Russian bladers.

"You two, bring me master Kai." Boris ordered harshly

"We can't my lord." Bryan's cold voice said before Tala could answer.

"WHAT?!" Boris snapped angrily.

From a corner of his eyes, Rei saw an all too familiar figure walk in. His composure still as arrogant as ever. His heart made a jump as he recognised his captain though his joy faltered a bit when he noticed the cold mask that was back on. even worse. People quickly got out of his way, staring at him in awe and whispering softly to each other. With every step that Kai came closer he noted with displeasure the black bruises, the blood that slowly started to penetrate the cloth. It was well hidden but Rei's feline senses couldn't be fooled.

'I know he is beaten up, he's back to his cold old self and even worse. Why is he so damn hot?' He loved how Kai looked. Proud, like a hero after a fight to safe his beloved. He grimaced at his own thoughts.

Kai ignored the neko-jin completely and walked up to the unsuspecting persons which were still arguing.

"Why can't you get master Kai? Explain!" Boris nearly shouted.

"Because-" Tala began but was interrupted by a cold indifferent voice.

"Because I'm here. What do you want?"

"KAI!"

******~******

Kana: That was one long chapter!

Lhune: //sweatdrops// yep.. very long.

Kai Kuso!

Lhune: Nani? // almost anime falls//

Kai: You live to make me suffer // glares at Lhune and Kana//

Lhune: //smiles happily// Aa

Kana: . o_O

Kai: I hate you! //death-glare *freeze them to ice*//

Lhune: //not bothered at all// YAY ^-^

Kana: //shakes her head// Oh quit it you two!

Lhune: I'm innocent // puts on very *cough* innocent face//

Kai and Kana: Yeah. you always are.

Lhune: Uh huh

Kai: Whatever

Lhune: Ah this chapter was kinda mushy. I didn't really liked it but it was necessary to have a bit more insight in Kai's past. Let me know what you think of it. Your reviews keep me going.

Kana: And if you know tricks to keep the italics and underlines, etc. help is always welcome.

Lhune: I'll try update before my birthday in February (YAY Friday the 13th let's hope there is a full moon like when I was born) but I can't promise anything.

Kai: Good!

Lhune: Tsk. Anyway REVIEW and hopefully till the next chapter.

***May The Stars Always Lighten Your Path!***