REVIEWS CHAPTER 11 PART 2 thank you so much !
Party freak well, I'm afraid it is not soon… far from in fact, Gomen. And about Tala and Bryan, you will have to be patient but it will happen one day. Yaoipheonix everybody asks me when I'm going to update and every time it is far too late and every time I try to be sooner next tome but it just doesn't work… Tohda My plot is well thought of? Well thank you but I scarcely think of it before I start writing… Well I DO think of it but I change it all the time. Ketsueki no izou Rei is back! And thank you to have answered my question. ChibiPheonix I decided to try and use the other languages so that it might be a bit more interesting MasterFrannyWoa nice long review! Thank you a lot, it was really nice too read it. You study oriental languages? Wow seems really great to me! I know I should have updated a lot earlier, I have inspiration enough. But I started already on the next chapter so maybe I'll be able to post something for Tala's birthday (in my story 14 January)… I'll try anyway. Syoaran-Lover Bryan realizing his mistakes? And being protective of Kai? Well one day he will see that he was wrong… One day. One-T Glad you like it… I'm really sorry you had to wait that long, I really am ShizukaYuki yep, all for the better… not that Kai would accept that if I told him such Oo windstar thanx mrsalexwatkins yep poor Kai… and it isn't improving in the near present Hikata Well the soon didn't work out as I wanted it too but I'll really try to update sooner next time… make it January? Vampyre-Neko thanx for the review Trinity of the phoenixes Yes it was an update back then as it is now and again far too much time between them Gomen XxSuIcIdAl LullabyxX Yes a miracle happened once more but I didn't manage to comply with your wish… I'll keep it for the next chapter?
Lhune: Well it took me a long time once again…. I know really frustrating not?
Kai: It sure is! When will you finally start updating on regular base/looks threateningly/
Lhune: Eh next time?
Kai: Sure. And I have to believe that.
Lhune: Well, You don't have to, I can't force you. /looks sheepishly/
Kai: hn /closes his eyes and crosses his arms (usual pose)/
Rei: KAI! I had to miss you for so long/ jumps on Kai who doesn't react/
Tala/ looks irritated at Rei/ It isn't nearly long enough in my opinion.
Rei: Why you-/ disengages himself from Kai's body and wants to attack Tala/
Bryan: Back off KittyCat! No one touches my Tala / pops up in front of Tala/
Tala: Your Tala/glares at Bryan/
Lhune: People please! Do not start to fight now /looks very alarmed/
Rei, Tala and Bryan: Why shouldn't we/looking threateningly at Lhune and at each other/
Lhune: Because… /hesitates after seeing the bladers in front of her/ … Kana, please come help?
Kana: What's wrong?
Lhune: They want to fight each other. /looks relieved now that Kana is there/
Kana: Fight? Oh awesome/enthusiastic/
Lhune: Ka-na! You have to be kidding/slightly angry/
Kana: Oh eh sure Lhune /apologetic/ Come on guys, don't you want to know what happens next?
The bladers keep silent and nod (except for Kai of course)
Lhune: Okay, here is the next part.
Freezing Fire
By Kana and Lhune
Chapter 12
Arigatou-Thank you
Hai/Aa/Da-Yes
Niet/Iie-No
Demo-But
Oyasumi nasai-Good night. (Nasai is politer)
Nothing fixes a thing so intensely in the memory as the wish to forget it.
Michel de Montaigne
"Kuso, I can't believe he did that… I can't believe he could do that!" The master of the wind-bitbeast complained loudly as he trudged through the snow to the hotel.
"Yeah, it's a mystery for me too." Max sighed sadly "But have you remarked how badly injured his body was? Just what in the world are they doing to him there?" The bitter cold felt even worse with their defeat and more importantly the loss of hope to ever defeat their former captain.
Even Kenny was downcast and spoke it thoughts aloud. "That bitbeast... I've never seen anything like it before. I looked it up on my computer but there isn't a single bit of information about it available. Dizzy and I searched everywhere." The spectacled boy rubbed his gloved hands to warm them. From his backpack a feminine voice spoke.
"And I've searched really everywhere, I even hacked some files… Biovolt's computer remained impenetrable of course." Dizzy concluded downhearted.
None of the boys looked surprised, by now they where used to Dizzy peeping up while she actually shouldn't be able to… She was one of them. The boys trudged on in sad silence until Dizzy spoke once more. "Ne. isn't it about time you alerted Mr Dickenson, with Kai being so strange and the past events?"
The boys stopped abruptly, that they hadn't thought of that before! They had completely forgotten about their good-humoured manager, the man had no idea what had happened up to now.
"You're absolutely right Dizzy! Mr. D will know what to do!" Max chirped hopefully. The prospect of finding a solution for their problems lightened up his mood. And not only the blonde blader's spirits were lightened, the others as well.
"Mr. D always knows what to do, maybe he can even explain to us just why the Sourpuss is acting even more enigmatic than before. I fully agree that we should contact him as soon as possible." Takao exclaimed hopefully and cast a happy glance at the blonde master of Draciel. The Chief kept nodding, agreeing with Dizzy the whole time.
Until all of the boys realized something at exactly the same moment.
"Eh Rei," Max fidgeted nervously with his hands "Are you okay with informing Mr. Dickenson? If you aren't…" The blonde almost whispered. All three heads turned to study the silent neko-jin. Ever since they saw Kai leaving with his helicopter, the raven-haired teen hadn't uttered a sound, let alone spoke a word.
The teen remained absent for a couple more minutes but then he shook off his daze.
"Eh nani…? Oh iie, I agree we should inform Mr. Dickenson as fast as possible." Rei said quietly, his eyes never leaving his blade clutched in his left hand.
His teammates remained silent and didn't move they almost seemed frozen, afraid to disturb the ebony-haired blader. Max was the first to approach his Chinese friend cautiously and gently put a comforting hand on his shoulder.
"Are you okay Rei?" he inquired concerned, "I'm sure there must be a valid reason why Kai acting the way he does." The blonde tried to reassure his friend hesitantly.
Rei merely nodded but when the concerned gazes didn't stop he answered aloud. "I'm fine,"
"Really, I'm fine." He stated firmly when he still didn't get the desired reaction.
"That's something Kai would've said too and well… we all know he wasn't always that fine." The master of the water-bitbeast said sadly and not yet convinced.
Rei sighed deeply and looked his friends one after one determinately in the eyes while stating strongly "Believe me, I'm fine. Okay, so it's hard to get over Kai's behaviour… It's just going to take some time but well… time will bring peace and perhaps even answers. So please grant me some moments to myself." The ebony-haired blader watched his friends invoking.
They looked at the snow under their feet.
Well, two of them did. Max nodded understanding. "Okay Rei, we'll respect your wish." He replied honestly and turned towards Kenny. "Hey Chief, do you have Mr. D's number or is it better to e-mail him?"
At this the bespectacled boy looked up, eager to be of assistance. "I have both but I reckon it's better if we call him, that way we're sure he receives us as soon as possible. It'll be the first thing we'll do to when we reach our hotel." Kenny replied quickly and started walking again in order to keep up with his friends.
"Yo Chief, you don't have to do this alone. We'll be with you in case we can help." Takao offered generously.
The bespectacled teen smiled amused by Takao's self-induced importance. "Arigatou demo it's only a call. Besides I believe Mr. Dickenson is here in Moscow so we might be able to meet up with him." Kenny said encouragingly, a red blush from the cold from the cold was visible on his cheeks. However, he didn't seem to be bothered by the cold as much as he had been during the confrontation with Kai.
"That would be great!" Max chirped happily also sporting a pinkish blush.
The three BladeBreakers chatted on with a comment now and then from the ever attentive Dizzy.
Only one remained silent, his ebony hair clashing violently with the pure white snow.
o-O-o
'Why are you doing this Kai? I know it's the reason you gave us earlier on, you wanted to warn us… I understand that much, but why do you insist to stay there in that hellhole? We all saw the bruises, the wounds… why do you let them do that to you?' Rei sighed inwardly, there were so many questions he longed to know the answer of. One question, however, stood out above all others.
'Can I still trust you?... Or is that hope in vain…' he thought almost desperately while he absentminded picked up some pristine snow. The colour reminded him of Kai's pale skin. It wasn't that white but it wasn't far of anymore… especially after he fell into the freezing water…
…freezing…
The cold snow reminded him of the stoic teen's attitude as well, all the emotion he kept hidden behind that cold mask of him. The Chinese blader hoped he would be able to melt it as he could melt the snow in his hands.
But before he could take care of that, more urgently was the appearance of Kai's new bitbeast Black Dranzer. "That thing is really horrific and so ruthless… But it IS strong." He murmured quietly, unheard by his friends.
'How are we ever going to defeat it? … ARE we ever going to be able to defeat it?' The mere memory of Black Dranzer defeating Drigger… and almost dragging the injured tiger with her into the chip.
'And Kai was standing there with his eyes closed'
The only master of the dark bitbeast and he paid his price for that. I was only after Kai had left that he realized just what exactly he had seen. At the time he had been too devastated by the obvious pain of Drigger but he had seen the painful grimace of the slate-haired blader when Black Dranzer had taken a blow from Drigger.
He knew one could only feel the pain of his companion that much if one connected himself thoroughly…
If one connected his entire being.
And when Kai had left he had noticed the ever so slightly hampered walk of the stoic teen. But he could've expected that much after seeing the state of his slender body.
'Why do you use such a horrendous bitbeast Kai? What happened to Dranzer?' The raven-haired blader mused sadly. Thoughts and more questions, were of the answer was elusive, kept spinning through his head until he made up his mind.
'Whether I can trust you or not, Kai, I will figure out what is going on.'
o-O-o
Trembling…
Aa, pale delicate trembling hands.
The past hours with Boris had been less painful.
The photo's of him as a younger boy, still innocent… And the photographs of his abuse in the past… The first time.
'Boris might miss the sounds but I can still hear every noise loud and clear.' The crimson-eyed teen thought distressed, 'I just won't leave my mind alone'
And then the video fragment of the not so long ago events… He didn't need to watch the whole thing, he knew exactly what he would see. He knew the past couple of hours had been taped as well.
If anyone ever saw the content of that video, if anyone ever found out what happened to him…
He knew he was tainted but he didn't want the others to find out, it was bad enough people of the Abbey knew about it. He didn't want others to shun him, to remind him… neither did he want people to pity him. Maybe that was even the worst of all.
When all was over, when his duty was accomplished he would make sure to leave everything behind. Niet, not suicide… He had to bear his fate.
But Rei deserved someone better, someone as innocent as the neko-jin himself. And the others…
Well, they all would be better off without him.
The slate-haired teen kept walking through the deserted dark corridor lost in thoughts… Until he narrowly avoided colliding with someone when he turned he turned around the corner.
The Russian teen regarded him with a hint of surprise. Kai almost wanted to ignore the pale redhead but he was halted by a delicate but strong hand touching his shoulder.
"Wait Kai, didn't we have to go to sublevel 20?" The ice-blue eyes blader asked with confusion as well as concern evident in his voice. Kai was puzzled for a mere second but quickly his eyes shone in understanding.
'How could THAT have slipped my mind? Voltaire and Boris want to see me in the laboratory.' He studied the red-haired Russian in front of him. 'Me and Tala' He mused.
o-O-o
The chair… or better the fauteuil was luxurious with the lush purple velvet covering it. It should've been comfortable but Rei couldn't get to be at ease.
His three teammates were now gone to call Mr. Dickenson but he had told them he was going to rest in his room… He should've gone with them, at least he would've had some distraction from the vicious circle that presently occupied his mind.
"I guess I'll have to accept my own words. It is going take some time." The ebony-haired neko-jin sighed aloud since he was alone anyway…
BLAM
… He had been alone that is.
"We got Mr. D on the phone and he was much occupied right now b-" Max was informing the neko-jin as soon as he entered the room when Takao interrupted.
"He didn't say what that occupation was though. I-" At this point it was the blonde blader who took the word again.
"As I wanted to say, he couldn't meet us this very moment but he'll come by our hotel this evening at 8pm."
A smile almost unnoticeably appeared on the neko-jin's lips but instead he looked a bit troubled.
"I hope he does know which hotel we're staying in?" Rei asked hopefully but there was a touch of doubt in his tone.
Takao and Max' eyes were wide and their mouths were slightly open without uttering a single sound but happing for breath. Kenny who had arrived as the last one, during Rei's question wanted to say something but never got the chance as the master of Dragoon burst out distressed.
"It's a disaster, I didn't tell him which hotel!" He jumped out of the chair which he had seated only seconds before.
"I-" the Chief tried but there was no stopping to Takao's speech.
"Quick Kenny, give me the number. I have to call him back before it's too late to reach him!" he was halfway to the door.
"But-" Even this time Kenny couldn't complete his sentence as Max interrupted.
"No Chief, no 'but's. Takao's right, we have to call him at once!" The blonde supported his navy-haired friend who he had followed to the door.
This time Rei tried to manage the situation, he had seen Kenny's expression and decided to help him. 'Normally this never would've happened with Kai… He always knew how to handle whatever situation.' He thought idly.
"Guys, I want to hear what Kenny has to say so please… Calm down will you?" His tone wasn't loud or commanding but it did held a certain authoritative edge. The bespectacled teen shot him a grateful look.
"I had Mr. Dickenson a couple minutes on the phone after you two had left and I told him where we are staying." He informed his teammates who calmed down quite ashamed for their behaviour. "And," Kenny continued, "He had a message for you Max" The blonde blader eyed him curiously. "You had left before he could tell you but he'll bring something with him for you." The Chief said while he let a little smile appear on his lips.
"Nani?" Max said not fully comprehending but curious none the less. The two other boys were curious as well and were looking at the spectacled teen expectantly.
"It's something from your mother, Max. He's bringing your new blade with him." Kenny complied with the expectations more than enough.
The blonde blader sprang happily in the air, his face alight with joy. "Yes! I'll defeat everyone with my science-perfected Draciel!" He exclaimed enthusiastically.
But then he realized something and his face sobered a bit. "Hm... I'm sorry Chief, gomen. Your blades are very good as well but… Well, this one has been updated to the last new technical results."
Kenny, however, had never lost his smile though Rei was sure he had seen a flash of hurt crossing his face… Well as far as he could be sure of course with the massive glasses.
"It's okay, I understand entirely… besides it's a gift from your mother." The bespectacled teen reassured and looked at his watch. "Mr. Dickenson said he would be here at 8pm so we still have 3 hours left, what are we going to do?"
"Well, that's obvious isn't it." The navy-haired blader said rolling his eyes ludicrously.
His teammates looked at him in wonder.
"We're in desperate need of some..." Takao halted for some emphasis.
"FOOD!"
o-O-o
Tala studied the crimson-eyed teen who was walking beside him. They hadn't exchanged 2 words since they had left together for sublevel 20.'He's been acting strange since I first met him again but it's gradually growing worse.'
True, the slate-haired teen had more than enough reasons to act strange but this was truly worrisome. He couldn't help but fear for the stoic blader…
He almost wanted to be a true friend anew but could he forget the events in the past…
…Was it even possible to be a friend to the phoenix?
And what to think of Kai's words I left because you were dead! What did he have to make of that?
The slate-haired blader was more of a mystery than he ever had thought possible.
o-O-o
'We're there…' The crimson-eyed teen stared at the closed door in front of him full of resent. That door couldn't lead to anything else than more torment… After all it were Voltaire and Boris who awaited them there.
That's what he supposed anyway.
For the first time he looked at Tala… 'Why do we both have to be here?' he mused quizzically.
He had been aware of course of the ice-blue gaze that had never seemed to leave him during the entire trip to this place. Now, however, the red-haired Russian was studying the heavy door. Kai didn't know what he had to think of the redhead anymore.
First his resurrected memories, the animosity and hatred towards him but then…
That kiss… The understanding during the whipping…
It puzzled the crimson-eyed blader deeply. He didn't know what to think anymore, he really didn't.
"Tala?" He had to make up his mind or they would be standing here in front of this door forever. "We should go in.." Kai spoke but didn't move other than using his lips.
The fiery-haired Russian nodded in agreement but didn't move either. They remained frozen for a couple more minutes until Tala came into action.
o-O-o
'Look at us… What is so frightening about that room that we don't go in?' The ice-blue-eyed teen mused already knowing the answer. 'Because invitations of Boris and Voltaire never hold something pleasant... far from it.'
He opened the door slowly and cautiously. He was greeted by an illuminated large room, very different from the rest of the Abbey known to him. He stared at the transparent tubes filled with green liquid… And in some rare occasions a being floated in it, attached to numerous wires and a breathing mask.
Agitated the ice-blue-eyed blader turned to Kai, he had expected all sorts of reactions: Disbelief, anger, revulsion but not this… The slate-haired teen seemed devoid of any feeling what so ever.
Tala was used to stoic blader's indifference but he could always decipher a flicker of emotion, a vague hint, in those blood-red orbs… Always but not at this moment. He had no time, however, to worry further as a far too well known plump figure advanced on him.
"Well, well, that sure took you two long enough." Boris said coldly while he studied the two bladers intently. Tala felt a shiver pass his spine in disgust and revulsion… and mistrust.
"Sir, we-" The red-haired Russian began to explain but a simple movement with his hand of the despicable older man made him fall silent abruptly.
"I'll forget about this for once," The purple-haired mentor said leniently, "But only for this once, understood? Next time the punishment will be sever." He threatened the redhead, the elder seemed to have forgotten all about Kai.
Curiously Tala glanced at the slate-haired enigma. Kai was staring at something in the back of the room, Tala tried to discover just what it was but couldn't pin point it. He started when he felt a sturdy hand closing around his arm and dragging him to a tube on the left of them, there he was let go.
"Does this look familiar Tala?" Boris asked while dusting off his hand that had gripped the red-haired teen only seconds ago.
Tala studied the tube intently, feeling he should know the thing but no memory came on his mind. He turned back to look at the loathsome man with an excusing look on his face.
"Niet sir, I'm sorry." He almost whispered.
"Good." Boris said satisfied and smirked malevolently. "This means that the process worked perfect." The gruesome man continued to look at the red-haired teen appraisingly.
Tala didn't know what he had to make of this. He kept considering the possible explanations for it but couldn't come up with one that was acceptable.
After minutes of silence and Boris watching him without a break, he finally dared to ask, "Sir, How should I be able to recognise it?" He studied the pleased reaction reflection on the older man's face. Boris seemed to consider answering for a couple a couple more minutes in silence…
OR maybe the man just wanted to torment him emotionally Tala thought.
"Da, I'll tell you… You should know who you are and who you thank it to you are here at this very moment." The purple-haired elder notified to the curious fire-haired blader in front of him. "Do you remember the last time you saw Kai when you were younger?"
"Da sir." Tala answered after a moment of remembrance 'How should I be able to forget that? After that Kai abandoned me… after he saw me get beaten severely because of him.' He thought sadly, his mind twisting the memory because of the numerous times he had replayed the memory. "Kai told me he had thought I was dead back then…" he said hesitating.
Boris smirked surprised. "Did young Kai?" he asked delighted, "Well he told you the truth… Your heart had stopped beating at that moment."
Tala felt as if he were slapped in the face force fully.
("I SAW YOU DIE BECAUSE OF ME OKAY! I HEARD BORIS SAY YOU WERE DEAD BECAUSE OF MY STUBBORNESS!)
'Kai told the truth? But how is it possible? I'm still alive, am I not? … And people can't rise from the dead … Can they?'
o-O-o
The team had washed up before going down to eat, which pleased Takao very much… The hotel staff however, was less happy with the ever-hungry teen since he nearly ate all of the food displayed at the buffet.
His three teammates were used to navy-haired teen's eating customs but all three of them reacted differently.
Chief was embarrassed to be associated to such a person eating almost no scruples. He tried to act as if he weren't there and instead, started a very interesting conversation with Dizzy.
Max was amazed by Takao's habits performed even in a hotel such as the one they were presently staying in. He couldn't help but laughing with his friend's strange antics and made no move whatsoever to stop him.
Rei, on the other hand, kept berating his navy-haired teammate and tried to persuade him to stop consuming the delicious food left. "Stop it Takao! It's not because the food is displayed on this table that you have to eat all of it!" the Chinese blader admonished, eyeing him darkly.
The navy-haired BladeBreaker turned his head to the neko-jin incredulous. "But Re-ei, I'm hungry! I'm going to starve if I don't eat enough now. I need the energy you know?" Takao whined almost begging.
"Well, then we go buy something after we met Mr. Dickenson. There are other guests who still need to eat." The raven-haired blader said strongly with a tone that didn't accept any contradiction.
Disappointed, Takao ate the last of the meal still on his plate and stood up to leave the room disgruntled. The blonde stood up as well to accompany his teammate and to cheer him up a bit. Rei could just catch a couple of words Max said to his friend. "We'll buy some pizzas later on-"
The neko-jin sighed tired. At times like these he really missed Kai's authoritative voice… How had he ever managed to control them? Rei thought back to their captain. He missed him…
And not only for his authority. The stoic slate-haired blader occupied his mind for days now, he felt he couldn't think of anything else decently anymore. He looked at Kenny who had finished his meal and was chatting amiably with Dizzy.
'He really has a loyal friend in her. I guess he never has time to fall in love with anybody. He's always occupied with Dizzy.' The neko-jin mused with a small smile on his lips. The truth was he couldn't even imagine Kenny being a couple with someone else than Dizzy.
'Well, who knows? He might surprise me one day… I'm curious who it'll be' the ebony-haired blader pondered and took a look at his watch.
7:55 They'd better go to the bar where they would see Mr. Dickenson.
o-O-o
"I'm very sorry to have to tell you this." Boris said yet the smirk on his loathsome face told otherwise.
But the ice-blue-eyed Russian didn't see it as he was still staring at the tube in disbelief. The despicable elder seemed a bit irritated by this since his previous sentence had apparently lost her impact. So he stepped in front of Tala, obscuring the redhead's view. Tala, quite surprised, took a couple steps backwards.
Pleased with this reaction, the purple-haired elder went on "It was the ideal moment to upgrade your body and make you a perfect soldier. This way you would profit once you regained life… as a better human being, let that be clear." Boris paused to study the ice-blue-eyed teen in front of him. "But Kai had some profit as well."
At this Tala was shocked and eyes wide, he took another step backwards. The despicable elder smirked cruelly.
"You see, he had nothing left that could distract him from his ultimate purpose. He no longer would be tempted to feel whatever kind of emotion except for the craving for victory." The purple-haired elder exclaimed maliciously while Tala made neither a sound nor any movement; "That wasn't the original content of this conversation was it... It was about you. You were put in this tube," he indicated the tube he had stood in front of mere seconds ago. "For 6 months we held you conserved in this one while we used the time to modificate your metabolism as well."
-I-
"Sir, where do we put the body?" One of the guards asked Boris after the slate-haired boy had left the room.
The purple-haired man looked irritated. "Where do you think? Where we put all the bodies whenever something like this occurs."
The guard picked up the cooling body and started walking to the door when the cold voice of Boris made him stop. "Or wait… Bring him to sublevel 20, he might be useful for once." The man spoke ponderingly.
"Da sir." The guard said before leaving the room with the lifeless body in his arms. He walked through the dim lit corridors, arrived at sublevel 20 he trusted the body into the hands of a white-clad scientist without any words and left again.
The scientist studied the body and took note of which modifications they would have to take care of. They had one successful experiment up to know and another one they were still working on. There had been a few other but they hadn't been worth the time nor the money… they hadn't been strong enough and had perished.
The red-haired boy was wired and a breathing mask was put on his face. Green liquid filled the tube and he put the body in after having activated his heart. The boy was alive but still unconscious and he would remain so for a while. Lastly he attached the document with information for his colleagues who would be the needed modifications. His job was done for now, he had another body to take care of.
6 MONTHS LATER
The boy had done well. He had progressed more than the other body he was in charge of for years now. He watched as the boy was taken from the tube, dried off and put into his original clothes. They would bring him back to his room where he would wake up in the morning, without any recollection of the past months.
But on the other hand he would benefit his major improved skills. Better reflexes, keener sight by day and by night, more power and so on. Yes the scientist was pleased with the final result. He told Boris of his satisfaction and has asked him to rapport this to his Lord.
The purple-haired man responded that everything was well, he mumbled something odd however.
"It hasn't worked with the one but who knows? Maybe this one will do."
-I-
"You understand? The one had not been affected the way we wanted him to but you did well Tala. You improved a great deal and almost got rid of your emotions… almost." Boris said matter-of-factly.
The red-haired Russian regarded the tube strangely. "Who were the others?" Tala asked hesitating.
The loathsome man smirked cruelly. "My dear Tala, always thinking of the others first." He sneered.
It wasn't so. Tala's mind spun with numerous questions and disbelief but had to process the recent information. Which he knew would take time.
"But to answer your question… The other two successes are over there. You only know one of them I think." The despicable elder said indicating to where the slate-haired teen stood.
'What?' Tala's mind exclaimed.
'Kai!'
o-O-o
They were seated all five in the comfortable chairs of the bar where Mr. D had met them at exact 8 o'clock. Max and Takao had been there right on time, the navy-haired blader munching on his last piece of pizza.
"So what is wrong… And where is Kai at the moment? Mr. Dickenson asked after having looked around for the crimson-eyed blader. "He usually is here right on time."
The 4 teens looked uncomfortably and it was the raven-haired neko-jin who finally spoke. "The truth is Mr. Dickenson, we don't know where he is. Well we suppose he is in the Abbey but that is the only thing we can tell."
Mr. D furrowed his eyebrows in confusion and seemed to consider asking more explanations but the spectacled boy was ahead of him. "Kai has resigned from the team a couple weeks ago. It might be less, it might be more. I'm not sure, so many things have happened."
Rei was thankful Kenny had taken the word but felt he had to apologise none the less. "Gomen Nasai, we had to alert you earlier but well… It just didn't come that far."
Here Max fell in. "First we had those dark bladers attacking us." The blonde said franticly.
"Twice." Takao commented quickly.
"Hai, twice, and then Kai fainted and we wanted to carry him to the nearest hospital-"
"But he regained consciousness halfway and refused to go, he even forbade us to bring him there."
Takao and Max continued to take turns in telling the story and completed each other perfectly.
"We brought him to the hotel where he fainted once more." Max continued soon the be interrupted by the navy-haired blader."Dude, it was horrific! Those wounds and all the blood! Seriously, I never saw so much blood before."
Kenny was paling considerable and the blonde who noticed it, alerted Takao. "Shush Takao, you don't want the Chief to faint again do you?"
"Gomen, of course not." He apologised quietly.
Rei decided to take the matter back into his own hands to avoid such situations. "I send the three of them out of the room after Kenny had fainted to take care of him-" by now the bespectacled boy had some more colour on his face, even had a rosy blush on his cheeks.
This time the blonde couldn't resist commenting on the neko-jin's past actions. "You should have seen it Mr. Dickenson! It seemed like he had been in learn with Kai!" As the BladeBreaker uttered his last word, the present downed on him and his face fell. He looked concerned at Rei, standing there with a grim look upon his face.
"Kai-" the neko-jin repeated softly staring to a undefined spot in the bar but not seeing anybody or anything.
"Gomen Rei…"Max mumbled embarrassed and didn't dare to look at the ebony-haired teen. Takao laid a comforting hand on his friends shoulder. Mr. D didn't know what to do to put these 'children' at ease and at the same time finding out just what was wrong with Kai. He didn't have to consider long as the Chinese teen shook off his reverie and looked up at the blonde.
"It's okay Max… Really, it's fine." He added once he saw the blonde still looked uncertain. "Gomen Nasai Mr. Dickenson. I'll tell you the rest of the things that have happened." Rei took a deep breath before informing a curiously gazing Mr. D…
This time the rest of the team would stay utterly silent. "So Max and Takao took the unconscious Kenny to their room to look after him while I cared for Kai. His injuries were fairly grave and it surprised me that we hadn't noticed them before as it was certain one of them was made in the start of our journey. He…" Rei started to tell but Mr. Dickenson made a little movement with his hand to halt him.
"I'm sorry Rei, but could you start all over again?" He asked apologetically "I didn't really understand the explanation of the others earlier on." He explained.
'Of course… it's only natural. To me it seems clear but that's only because I was with it the whole time.' The raven-haired teen thought and nodded in understanding. This time he started from the beginning with the occasional help from Dizzy.
They showed Mr. D the first mail they had received of Kai, an extensive report of their visit at the Balkov Abbey and of course the second mail as well. Mr. D's eyes grew wide when he heard the recounts of Lake Baikal.
"A new bitbeast? One that can absorb other bitbeasts?" he stammered.
"Hai sir, that thing is really ruthless." Takao exclaimed franticly.
"It is even worse than I had anticipated." Mr. D muttered downhearted.
Rei sat straighter hearing this, "You knew about this!" he inquired uncomprehending.
The older man looked up and nodded. "Hai, I know about Biovolt for a long time. In fact I had a meeting with the European institutes about it just after your call. But the truth is that we can't do a thing about the Abbey or about what happens there." He said evenly but sad "I hoped to give Kai a safer place to be in this team, and well… You all know he is a splendid blader." The four BladeBreakers nodded in agreement, even Takao.
"I assume you are aware that Voltaire is Kai's grandfather." The Chinese blader said already knowing the answer.
"Hai, Rei. Voltaire's son married a Japanese girl… Kai came of it only a year after the marriage." The BladeBreakers were listening very attentively.
"So Kai is half Russian, half Japanese? Maybe that's why he's so pale." The navy-haired teen said thinking aloud.
"Hai, they lived in Tokyo till Kai was 2. They left for Moscow after that, taking an orphan with them." Mr. D said receiving questioning looks after his last words. "You see, Rei… the child had lived with Kai's mother ever since his parents had died in a car accident. The boy was about… I think 13 years old. Kai's father hadn't been happy with that at first but he gave in to his wife's charms. There is not much known about what happened once they had arrived in Russia, all we know is that Kai's parents died at the same day but we don't know in which circumstances. We heard nothing about Ran… as if he has vanished." The grey-haired man explained.
"Kai never spoke about his family nor about Ran… I didn't even realise he had grown up here…" Max murmured "It makes me see how little we knew about him." The others silently agreed, all were lost in thoughts.
'We didn't know anything about him… He didn't tell us anything at all. What more is there that we still don't know? Are we ever going to find out… Are you ever going to confide in me?" The Chinese teen scolded himself for asking too many questions that couldn't be answered unless he saw the crimson-eyed blader… and even then he wasn't sure he would receive some answers.
"Max, I still have something for you that might come in handy these days." Mr. Dickenson said trying to bring the teens back to the present from their thoughts.
"My new beyblade! I can't believe I forgot about that!" the blonde chirped exited once he saw the brand-new shining blade in Mr. D's hand.
"Wow Maxie, looks cool!" Takao commented when he saw Mr. D present the blade to Max. The Chief agreed, it looked magnificent. Maybe he could learn something about it, he really hoped so.
"You know, maybe this will be strong enough to help us battle the Demolition Boys…" Max said full of hope. "I can't wait to test it he added enthusiastically.
""Why wait? We can do it right away Maxie, there's a beydish in our room." The navy-haired blader offered enthusiastically as well. "I want to face the new power of Draciel… the hero in our dark quest to defeat those foul Russian Demonstration Boys… Along with the help of my loyal Dragoon of course." Takao exclaimed not noticing the rosy blush that appeared on the blonde's cheeks.
Rei, however, had seen it and couldn't stop a small smile from appearing on his face.
"Nani Rei, what's so funny?" the master of Dragoon asked genuinely curious "Aw, please tell us?"
By now Kenny had remarked the colour as well but wisely decided not to say a thing.
"It was nothing, Takao." The Chinese teen said.
"But-"
"Really to be honest. Shouldn't you two go try out the new blade before it is too late? Tomorrow will be a busy day." Rei broke off Takao's speech before he could as further… Yet now he got a new question.
"Huh, a busy day? Why?" this time Max inquired before Takao could, the rosy colour had vanished almost completely. The raven-haired neko-jin resisted the urge to roll his eyes.
"The day after tomorrow we have our first match, remember?" Rei reminded his team. "So tomorrow will be getting up early, training and choosing the new tactics we are going to use. And you, Max, will have to develop new attacks with your new blade to use the improved Draciel to his best."
Max nodded in understanding and stood up to thank Mr. Dickenson, "Arigatou for coming and bringing my blade with you sir. I'm going to train with it right away, Oyasumi nasai." The blonde bade the elder farewell and was about to leave when Takao rose as well.
"Wait Maxie, I'm coming with you." He called and turned to Mr. D. "I'm going as well, goodbye sir."
"Me too, I want to study the new techniques for our tactics. Farewell Mr. Dickenson." Kenny said with a small bow.
The grey-haired manager smiled broadly. "Enjoy yourselves boys, I'll see you at the match." He said as the teens waved a final time and left the bar. "And you Rei? Aren't you going with them?" the man asked puzzled.
"Eh, iie. I still want to think things over." The neko-jin answered truthfully.
"Of course I understand." Mr. Dickenson said "I'm afraid I need to go. Good luck tomorrow, I'm sure you'll do a fine job now that Kai isn't here."
A pang of pain shot through Rei's heart hearing that name. It must've shown on his face because Mr. D tried to comfort him.
"Don't worry young man, we'll find a solution for Kai's problem." With that said he left the neko-jin alone.
And again Rei's thoughts were claimed by a certain enigmatic missing blader 'Where are you? Don't you realise how much I miss you?' the neko-jin thought sadly "Don't you?" He whispered,
"Kai."
o-O-o
Back in the abbey a slate-haired teen was staring at the tube in front of him.
'Iie, it cannot be… Not again!'
He took a step forward, reaching out to the motionless person in it but only touching the glass tube.
'You were dead!' the crimson-eyed teen thought bewildered, his hands trembling.
'Weren't you?'
…
'Ran?'
I-0-I-o-I-0-I
Rei: I'm back! Yay! … But why didn't I see Kai?
Tala: That's obvious isn't it/smirks/ because you don't need to see him, I'm with him.
Rei/ growls/ keep you hands of my Kai!
Lhune: Rei/tries to keep the to of them apart/ Kai, why don't you help me?
Kai: hn. Why should I/shrugs/
Lhune: Oh, I should have known… I guess I forget about soften your treatment in this fic. /shrugs as well/
Kai: I hate you. / death glare 3rd degree/
Lhune: As I expected, I feel flattered. /smiles/
Rei and Tala no longer flew at each other and stared bewildered at Kai and Lhune.
Lhune: I promise a new chapter for the end of January, I'll start at it right away.
…
Lhune: I'll really do it… the last is begin February.
May suzaku punish me if I fail.
-Ja Mata! -
