Lhune: First of all, a huge thanks to all the people who have reviewed! Well, here I am again with the next chapter of Freezing Fire… Again, later than I had originally wished to update it. (looks quite saddened by this) but at least you didn't have to wait for 6 months this time as I once managed in the past.

First as you probably know already I was a week in Egypt –lovely weather: sun, blue sky and a temperature of 35 to 38° C- but with far less time to write than I had hoped to have. Secondly by the end of the first week I was home I was ill… which I still am for a matter of fact while typing this. This and the fact that I have no internet since we arrived here.

As I read this explanation I consider it quite pitiful made-up excuses and the worst thing about it is that this is the truth. I guess I could make up something quite more acceptable if I were to invent it.

I am lucky to have a fantastic accomplice in crime –as I consider it a crime what we make our beloved Kai go through- who will beta this story, add the bio-fiches of three Russians and put this thing on the net.

Give a great applause for Kana!

Kana: (just walks in) Nani?

Lhune: (whispers in her ear) accept the applause.

Kana: Heh? (bows none the less) Arigatou minna-san!

Lhune: Last chapter ended at a rather critical point, I know. (sighs defeated)

Kana: You bet, how dare you stop there!

Lhune: I never intended to stop there, hell, I didn't even mean to write Kai's last sentence… I guess it was just a spur of the moment. But they insert name told me Kai would forgive me.

Kai: (who had been standing behind Lhune when she said this) you wish

Lhune: Kai! (whirls around frightened to come across a third degree death glare)

Kana: hello Kai!

Kai: Hn (still glaring at Lhune who is slowly but steadily moving to take cover behind Kana's back.)

Lhune: maybe it would be better to just start the next chapter?

Kana: If you think so…

Freezing Fire

By Kana and Lhune

INTERLUDE Info fiche Freezing Fire.

Name: Kai Hiwatari.

Date of birth: 19/12.

Parents: Russian father (Who's Voltaire's son), Japanese mother.

Languages: Russian, English, Japanese, French, German, Spanish, Chinese.

Bitbeast: Dranzer (Phoenix).

Element: Fire.

Blood group: A

Weapons: Wakizachi.

-- - - -

Name: Yuri (Tala) Ivanov.

Date of birth: 14/01.

Parents: Russian parents.

Languages: Russian, English, couple of words Japanese.

Bitbeast: Wolborg (Wolf).

Element: Ice.

Blood group: O

- - - - - -

Name: Boris (Bryan) Kuznetsov.

Date of birth: 26/11.

Parents: Russian parents.

Languages: Russian, English.

Bitbeast: Falborg (Falcon).

Element: Wind.

Weapons: Knifes.

Chapter 14

A deserted dank corridor with dark grey dank walls….

Not such an unusual sight in Balcov Abbey, here almost every corridor had dank walls where occasional drops of humidity rolled off. They created the only sound to be heard, the drops that fell on the stone floor.

This one wasn't different from all the others but if one could listen very carefully… And if one knew what he had to listen to… One could almost imagine hearing the sound of footfalls.

A red-haired teen with ice-blue orbs was walking in this particular corridor beside his would-be mirror image. Slate-blue hair and fiery red eyes that characterize the elusive present of Kai Hiwatari.

Kai and Tala were walking back to the centre of Balcov Abbey after their visit to the 'tubes'.

Tap…

Their footfalls were the only sound that broke the complete silence that filled the dim lit corridor, the only sound that indicated the presence of someone walking… As their footfalls were completely simultaneous, there was no way to tell them apart.

Or was it just the fall of the drops of humidity that were heard?

The red-haired Russian's mind was mulling over the facts in the past he had come to know… He had seen only minutes ago.

It was still hard to believe…

He had spent six months in that… that thing?

And more, Kai had been there all the time, not knowing about it?

The two teens walked further, both apparently lost in their own thoughts. Tala stole a glance at the crimson-eyed teen walking beside him. When he had come back to the living, the living in his gruesome world, Kai had been gone.

The red-head had been devastated by this fact when he learned about it. Only these latest days he had come to hear about the apparently true facts, and not the twisted version Boris had told him.

He knew there was still a lot where the stoic slate-haired teen hadn't confided in him and he feared for what he might find out if he ever were to come to know the elusive memories of his former best friend.

He thought back to the first time he had met Bryan.

It had been only two months after he had re-woken and during the time that had followed he himself had twisted his memories about Kai. He had come to hate the crimson orbs, the silky slate bangs and the boy that went with them. He had hated Kai for abandoning him.

Before he had prided himself that he was older and that the slate-haired boy needed him. The leave of his younger friend had come to him as a hard blow as he had found out he needed Kai as much as he had thought the younger blader needed him.

From the first moment he saw the lilac-haired teen, he had liked him. At first he had been a surrogate friend, replacing the missing crimson-eyed boy but that hadn't been possible holding onto since Bryan was about his own age.

He had, however, projected all his grudges against Kai. He had told Bryan of the crimson-eyed boy, exaggerating some of the less pleasant facts without thinking about.

Back then, he himself had believed them to be that way.

Again he looked at the slate-haired blader several years older… This time he didn't avert his ice-blue orbs after a few seconds. He studied the blader who was staring ahead of him with blank pools of blood-red fire… With a mysterious dark tint.

'Strange,' the red-head thought 'I've seen his eyes change colour before… but they were never like this as far as I can remember.' He took a better look at the slate-haired teen's face that wore a vacant expression, Kai didn't seem to notice his interest.

Hell, it seemed like the stoic blader had forgotten he wasn't alone!

Little did the ice-blue eyed Russian know Kai was well aware of the puzzled gaze that was directed at him, the slate-haired teen simply chose not to react… he had more important things on his mind.

…Ran…

"Kai," Tala asked, he had just realized something.

"Hn."

"Who is that man in the tube you were standing in font off? You know him?" The red-haired Russian inquired after remembering he HAD seen that look in Kai's eyes before.

When he had first arrived here in Balcov Abbey Kai had held the same expressionless orbs. He assumed something very disturbing must have happened.

For the first time since they had left the sinister hall the slate-haired teen turned around to look at Tala… but the blood-red orbs remained blank.

"He was… nobody."

o-0-o

KADAM­ – CLANG!

The room was a rampage. Gashes in the walls, the little furniture that had been there destroyed and burn marks everywhere.

Several bladers as well as sturdy guards had come to see what all the racket was but quickly hurried on their way after receiving a lethal glare from the yielder of Black Dranzer. The dangerous intensity of that powerful fiery glare scared them.

They left the surroundings as fast as they could.

Boris had heard the noise as well when he passed the room where the slate-haired blader was training and looked inside curiously.

"Very good, my little phoenix."

Kai paid no attention to the loathsome man's words.

"I'm sure nobody can ever defeat you if, of course, you continue like this." The despicable elder smirked but that expression vanished quickly when the slate-haired blader turned to look at him…

… to direct a lethal glare at him with his smouldering blood-red orbs.

The vile man wanted to comment on how wonderful he found Kai's glare but refrained from this when he took a better look.

The crimson pools of regained fury… even increased in ominous intensity.

Boris felt a shiver run along his spine and didn't utter a word but just walked away, leaving the teen alone. He adored this cruel side of his little phoenix… yet at the same time he resented it as he couldn't stand to look in the fiery orbs for long…

He hated to admit it but for once he was afraid.

o-0-o

"It's time for the decisive battle which will determine which team will be the victor… The White Tigers or the All Stars. Everything is possible as both teams have one battle won….. Yeah, this will be one hell of a battle and I'm sure everybody will be transfixed for the outcome….Two major strong bladers fighting for the upper hand…. Man, I don't know who to choose…. Everybody give them both a fantastic applause, Lee of The White Tigers and Michael for The All Stars!"

The crowd cheered loudly as the two captains came forward with a grim look on their face, both intent on winning this last battle.

"I bet Lee's gonna win, Galeon is super-strong… besides, I'd love to battle him again."

"Nah Takao, it is obvious Michael who's gonna win. I know his strength when I was still in America and he can have done nothing but improve!" the blonde claimed full of certainty.

"According to Dizzy's information it ought to be a tie." The spectacled teen informed his teammates as he pushed his glasses better on to study his laptop.

"This presumption is of course considering on our last information from when we saw them battle… which is I'm afraid not up to date." Dizzy enlightened Kenny's words cautiously.

"And this means?" Takao asked uncomprehending.

"And this means I can give you no valuable prediction… everything is possible." Dizzy explained patiently as if talking to a child…

This is of course what you can consider the navy-haired BladeBreaker as.

"What do you think Rei?" The American asked the neko-jin curiously.

"I'm not really sure, ano… if I have to say something I guess I have to agree with Takao for once." The Chinese blader confessed guiltily.

"Ah, I could have known. What silly of me to ask you this unnecessary question, after all you once were one of the White Tigers." Max concluded laughing and winked at the surprised neko-jin.

The ebony-haired blader immediately defended his words. "But- Iie Max! It has nothing to do with that, I just think Lee's chances on winning are higher."

The BladeBreakers fell silent as the battle began and their attention was focussed upon that… silent of course is relative as Max and Takao continued to comment on both bladers' moves.

The Chinese neko-jin was hardly paying attention to them, he tried to concentrate on Lee. It was a normal thing to do but he had a foreboding feeling that information might not be necessary. Without noticing his mind drifted back to the two previous battles.

First there had been the surprising victory of Kevin. It had been quite a hilarious sight as Kevin, little of height, took on the lank Eddy, extremely tall and with surprisingly much strength. However, the small blader managed to slip passed every one of his attacks and managed to come out as the winner with one match lost.

The confrontation after this was quite an exciting one as Mariah faced of against Emily. Rei's opinion was that woman were never easy to battle against and he knew the female White Tiger had never been a simply woman but let her face another woman and she became ruthless. The little lenient attitude that she had for her opponent was lost. Same could be said for Emily, she put all her strength and her knowledge in the battle, thus managed to win twice and so securing her personal victory.

The animosity that already had been between them was now doubled if not more. They continually sent hateful glares at each other. Mariah had been so sure of her victory, there must've been foul play in the game she thought. The female White Tiger couldn't quite believe she'd lost… she didn't want to believe she had lost.

Rei was quite relieved Mariah's attention was focussed on the female All Star and that therefore she wasn't searching for him.

He knew he would have to meet her one of these days, he couldn't postpone it forever but he dreaded it. In the past he had tried to explain her that he couldn't answer her feelings for him but it never worked… she held fast he would come to change his mind, that he already needed her but he just had not yet realized.

He sighed and drew his attention back to the battle now raging.

It would prove he had been right and Lee would win.

o-0-o

A lone figure walked through a deserted corridor, voices can faintly be heard in the distance.

"My Lord, your first-rate plan works-"

"Of course it works."

"Da my Lord, your grandson seems ruthless. The other bladers are afraid of him… even the guards try to avoid him."

"My Lord…"

"What." Sigh, obviously irritated.

"Do you really want to bring back his… friend Ran? The doctors said-"

"That he'll never be the same again, that he might come to live as a mere plant? Did you really think I didn't know?"

The person almost reached the slightly ajar door that let the voice through.

"My Lord-"

His walk doesn't slow down as he passes the door.

"Stop sliming you fool, you'll get my room into a mess. I never intended to free Ran of his tube but can't you see? My dearest grandson still believes his precious childhood friend can come back and therefore he wants to please me and he'll do everything I want him to do as long it might help that Japanese Ran… I hold my fiery grandson in my power."

The silent figure has reached the end of the corridor without his face ever showing a sign of being perceptive to whatever goes on in this world. It seems as if he were at an elusive place unknown to outsiders. His dark tinted blood-red orbs still wore a vacant expression as he turned round the corner.

o-0-o

"Has any of you seen Rei?"

An agitated Mariah clamped on a terrified blonde BladeBreaker, "I'm sure he must be here, so tell me! Where is he?"

"I can't tell you Mariah-" a valiant Max tried to say but was soon to be interrupted.

"Don't try to find some silly excuses Max!" the female White Tiger said to him with eyes of a dangerous cat.

"He went away without telling us where to and I haven't seen him since nor do I have a clue where he might be… but wait, I seem to remember he said something about finding peace with a tiger… or was it his tiger?" The blonde said doubtful looking at the ceiling as if he might find the answer there.

"He'll be at the zoo with the tigers there!" She exclaimed knowingly "Or else he's in his room with Drigger so I'll pass there first and if he isn't there I'll find him with the local tigers! Bye Max!" and off she was, nearly running.

"Wait Mariah! You don't know where we are staying!" the blonde American called after her.

"At the Dmitry Residence, I know." She shouted distance before the pink blur disappeared out of sight.

"Now how does she know that!" Max muttered dumbfound gazing to where he last saw her.

"I bet it was the first thing she looked up when she arrived here in Russia."

"Rei! Mariah is looking for you. She went to our hotel so if you hurry you might catch up with her… but- if you heard me say that you must've heard her too?" the blonde said puzzled as he looked at his Chinese teammate that had appeared round the corner.

"Aa, I was there the entire conversation." Rei admitted guiltily.

"But why didn't you-?"

"Speak to her? I don't really know." The neko-jin completed Max' sentence, "I just didn't feel like talking to her right now, I have other things on my mind I guess."

"Ah, I see…" Max said knowingly looking at his teammate with compassion, "Is it…?"

"Kai? Aa, I just can't put him out of my mind." The raven-haired blader said softly "By the way Max, thank you for making Mariah believe I was with some tiger… In fact, how did you come up with that?" he asked curiously.

"I just said the first thing that came on my mind. I had to say something – she can be really frightening you know?" Max explained shaken.

Rei couldn't prevent a smile from appearing on his lips. "Aa, I know. She sometimes has that effect on people."

"Sometimes?" Max said incredulously.

"Well, almost always." Rei confirmed the blonde's suspicion still smiling.

"I wonder if Lee will let her battle tomorrow After all she did lose this time." Max said ponderingly.

"I'm not sure. Lee likes her very much but these are world championships." The Chinese teen agreed.

"And they'll face off against the most difficult team in this whole tournament." The American BladeBreaker said, "The infamous, or famous as for the Russians here, Demolition Boys... And we mustn't forget that All Stars will try first to defeat them, but I don't think they will win."

'I wonder if Kai will be there with them… I don't know whether I should be happy or rather fear seeing him.' Rei thought uncertainly.

"But we don't have to think about that until tomorrow!" Max exclaimed cheerfully, "We now first have to secure our place in the finals by defeating the Majestics in an hour or two."

"That's right, I had almost forgotten about that." The Chinese confessed apologising.

"How dare you!" the blonde exclaimed playfully, "Come, we have to fetch Takao from the bar where he said he would be waiting for us… and you know what happens most of the time when you let him alone in the proximity of food."

The two BladeBreakers hurried off to the bar, hoping against their better judgement that Takao wouldn't have consumed the larger part of their money. On their way Max told the ebony-haired blader some interesting facts he had come to know about.

"They say Johnny doesn't want to battle anyone else of us unless Kai… I certainly wouldn't mind that… I rather battle Olivier… you can battle, what's his name again? You know, the Italian one-…"

o-0-o

"Heh, seems like they don't agree who should be battling us." Ian said happily as they saw Emily blow up and Steve trying to calm her while Michael was polishing his nails.

"Hn, it doesn't matter." The slate-haired teen said softly as he leaned against the wall, eyes closed.

"You're right Kai, we'll defeat them anyway. That's what you meant right?" Ian said eagerly, looking at the stoic teen expectantly but receiving no answer.

"Let him be Ian, that stuck up bastard-" the lilac-haired Demolition Boy began but was interrupted by his red-haired captain.

"Ah, it seems like they have decided, Emily is not deemed strong enough to play." Tala told them, "so that leaves the three others."

"Spencer should battle that basket-ball-guy." The slate-haired blader said, still not opening his crimson eyes.

"Ah, da." The ice-blue-eyed Russian said hesitating, "I'll battle Steve and.. you battle Michael then."

"What!" the pale-eyed teen shouted furiously. Tala wasn't quite sure what angers him the most: the fact that he wasn't listed to battle or that Kai was to take on the leader.

He opted for the last. "It are the orders of Boris that Kai should take care of the last session, I don't want to disobey him now." The red-haired Demolition Boy explained and it wasn't even a lie, the vile mentor had threatened him.

Before Bryan could say something he went on, "And Spencer's bitbeast will easily win from Eddy while the others won't know yet about your tactics Bryan."

"So he's like our secret weapon?" Ian asked eagerly.

'Thank you Ian, thank you' the red-haired captain thought gratefully, it was a nice way to explain to the lilac-haired teen why he wasn't allowed to battle… even if it hadn't been the original real reason.

"Da Ian, you can say that."

Bryan seemed weary of this explanation but accepted it as sufficient… for the moment. Tala knew he would have to let the pale-eyed Russian battle when they faced off against the next team.

"The first battle will start now, Eddy of the All Stars against the famous Spencer of the national team, the Demolition Boys!" the crowd cheered for both parties but it was obvious the noise was a lot louder for the Russian team.

Tala glanced at his teammates that remained on the side.

Ian was transfixed on the battle that was about to start and it seemed like nothing would be able to disturb his concentration. While Bryan…

Sighing the redhead noticed that the pale-eyed blader was glaring furiously at Kai. That on its own was of course nothing surprising was it not that the intensity had seemingly magnified. Bryan's hatred had only augmented by Kai's input that had ruled him out this match.

As for the stoic blader…

o-0-o

As to their expectations Spencer had easily won against Steve without any flaws or waste of time for the matter. The biggest of the Demolition Boys silently returned to them without his face displaying emotion of any kind.

"Next up, the confrontation between Kevin and surprisingly, the captain of the Demolition Boys, Tala!"

"Are you sure you want me to go Kai?" Tala asked.

"Da, you're up." The crimson-eyed blader said icily.

"But wouldn't it be better if Bryan went? He- " the red-haired Russian stopped as the blood-red pools of dark fire snapped open and glared at him coldly.

"Don't bore me with questions, just obey me." Kai ordered indifferently.

The ice-blue eyed captain was surprised by this comportment but decided not to react for the moment, he had a battle to take care off. He just was relieved Bryan hadn't been able to hear this conversation.

Putting this out of his mind for the moment he concentrated on his battle against the All Star, the rest could wait.

o-0-o

"After this second devastation victory of the Demolition Boys, the last battle will be one to save their honour if they can… I really can't see how Michael could possible turn the tide. He'll face off against the former BladeBreaker, I wonder what happened… Kai of the Demolition Boys now apparently!"

The crowd didn't really know what they had to think of it… Supporters of the All Stars were so confused they even forgot to encourage their favourite captain.

The slate-haired blader walked graciously to the dish were a dumbfound Michael was waiting for his opponent. Not caring for the teen's lack of reaction, Kai drew out his launcher and blade.

Seeing this, Michael recovered his wit and copied the movement… be it less fluently.

"Changed team Kai? Something that suits you." The All Star remarked tauntingly "I must say I cannot really blame you for choosing a better skilled team but-"

"Shut up and battle." The crimson-eyed blader said without looking up from his concentration on the dish. Michael was a bit taken aback by this peculiar conduct but did no longer try to talk to the stoic teen.

"You ready? Well it doesn't matter, the battle starts now anyway. THREE… TWO… ONE… LET IT RIP!"

The both bladers wasted no time and launched their blades. Michael immediately went to attack Kai's blade furiously.

"Heh, he has a new blade?" the All Star muttered surprised seeing the new shiny black blade. The red streaks on the edge gave the blade a sinister aura, it was as if it emitted ominous waves. "Ah well, it doesn't matter." He concluded in the end and continued to send tremendously strong attacks to assault the dark blade.

How wrong he was.

Kai hadn't spared the teen a single look nor had he ordered his blade to attack once. He had done nothing so far yet his blade hadn't taken one blow of the adversary, it hadn't even suffered a scratch.

"What's wrong Kai, lost your touch as well as your loyal blade?" Michael couldn't leave to taunt his silent opponent. Only when the slate-haired teen didn't seem to hear his words he realized none of his attacks reached their target. Fed up with Kai's indifference and ease to dodge his blade, he focussed his attention on his blade and ordered his bit beast to come out.

This was the moment Kai had been waiting for.

"Black Dranzer, do your job." He muttered softly and a ferocious dark phoenix appeared in the sky.

Most of the public gasped in dismay or remained speechless in horror… Michael too was horrified for a moment but quickly regained his senses as he saw the gruesome bitbeast attack his own without mercy.

"Kai! " he cried when he thought to imagine how horrid the idea may have been, he must've been mistaken but he could've sworn the dark phoenix was dragging his loyal bitbeast with him mercilessly.

The crowd noted this as well and started shouting of not tolerated tricks and unfair moves. They demanded immediate interference to put these foul actions to an end.

"The commission has decided to let the battle continue, it is an allowed test of strength." One could clearly hear he didn't agree himself as he announced the jury's decision.

The crowd roared in disagreement while all had to look without being able to change the fact that Michael's bitbeast was dragged away.

"It almost looks like that foul phoenix- but that can't be!"

"That thing is taking him with her, impossible!"

Similar cries were to be heard throughout the stadium.

The indifferent blader took a moment time to look up and face the helpless All Star Captain. As Michael looked in the dark pools of blood-red fire he took a step backwards, shocked to his very core as he saw the icy pit of fire that froze his insides.

"What happened to you Kai? This isn't you…" he whispered not quite able to believe what he just had witnessed.

"Believe what you want. You are unworthy of owning a bitbeast such as this one. It is strong but you can't this to outing." The crimson-eyed teen stated coldly, "As are your pitiful team-mates worthy of theirs." Kai added as the other All Stars rushed to assist their captain in need.

They combined their strength to attack the dark phoenix. However, this strategy was in vain as Dark Dranzer easily defeated them all and dragged them to her bit as well. During the whole commotion, Kai hadn't said a word to the dark bitbeast… it seemed as if the firebird could read his mind.

When all the holy spirits had been sucked up, Kai called back his black blade to catch it easily in his gloved hand. A speechless All Stars team watched as the slate-haired retreated to his Russian team.

"YOU RUSSIAN BASTARD! You can't seriously thing you will get away with this!" Emily yelled as she was the first to come to her senses.

"Emily's right, retribution will follow Kai!" Steve threatened the indifferent blader who was walking away from the beydish.

"It's too late," a stricken looking Michael said softly to his American team "We can do nothing but hope someone will defeat him…"

"What are you talking about Michael! We All Stars won't let him get away with this! What on earth has gotten to you?" Emily hissed furiously as she clutched her beyblade without her loyal bitbeast.

The captain turned to look to her, "I saw his eyes Emily… I've never seen such coldness before." He said still not quite believing his own words.

"So what, we must be able to handle him!" Eddy said, "If we all combine our strength-"

"NO!" Michael interrupted, "Didn't you listen, there is nothing we can do about this!"

The All Stars looked at their captain in silence, resigning to their fate.

o-0-o

The Russian team had left in silence as the members exchanged no words with each other.

After that, the audience left the stadium quietly, trying to progress what had happened and discussing it between them.

The BladeBreakers that had witnessed the All Stars' defeat were discussing Kai's behaviour as they left the stadium as well, leaving the American team alone because they knew no compassion would be appreciated.

o-0-o

A heavy oak door, adorned with metal was opened out onto a luxurious furnished room with burgundy velvet draperies. A shiny oak desk stood in the middle of it, surrounded by several brilliantly polished oak chairs of value and an even more expensive armchair covered with red velvet to match the draperies.

"Ah my beloved grandson! Come in Kai." The grey-haired elder said seeing a scarlet-eyed boy enter. His words held no sincerity when spoken nor did his face show any emotion that would suit them.

"…" Kai remained indifferent and his face displaying no emotion what so ever.

"I saw your match today, you did a good job." Voltaire praised generously, "You can give your blade to the scientists so they can take away the captured bitbeasts to examine them."

"With all due respect, sir," the slate-haired teen spoke, however, still not showing any emotion, "When held in the blade the captured bitbeasts augment the power and I foresee it might be useful."

"What. You should be able to take on any opponent with a bitbeast as powerful as Black Dranzer." The loathsome elder said disapproving.

"Da sir, You're right. But I see as all the still remaining bitbeasts were to be combined, it might be too much even for a powerful bitbeast as Black Dranzer." Kai explained patiently with respect.

The elder touched his grey beard ponderingly for a few moments, studying his grandson intently.

"I see." He said "I will trust you in this, since you have showed your loyalty to me during this battle. But remember…" He stood up from his luscious armchair where he had been sitting on to walk to one of the shiny dark cabinets in the room.

"If you disgrace my trust in you, your friend Ran might never regain consciousness." He continued as he took something out of a drawer and turned back to Kai with a disgusting smirk gracing his parched lips. In his hands he held a well-known sword in its shiny black sheath.

Still the crimson-eyed teen did not react to the weapon he had last seen in his nightmares.

"To celebrate your recurrence I want to give you back this wakizachi," Voltaire said as he held out the blade to the slate-haired teen, "I expect you to continue your training with it tomorrow."

"I will sir," Kai said as he accepted the sword, "I am most grateful for your generosity."

"You can call me grandfather, when we're alone." The old man said indulgent as he looked as his motionless grandson. "And I'm counting on it you will listen to Boris and do as he says.

"Da…grandfather." The slate-haired teen said after a while as Voltaire kept looking at him expectantly.

A malicious smile appeared on the parched lips as he heard Kai say those words. "Now off you go, I've got some other business to take care of." He said irritated all of a sudden.

Kai made a small bow and left silently.

Voltaire took place in his lush armchair as soon as the soundproof door had closed. A satisfied expression on his face while he looked at the door, pondering.

"Da, it should work with my dearest grandson." He muttered softly "good-for-nothing son of mine had to marry that stupid Japanese girl. First he was a weakling in training, physically as well as mentally, and then that… I got rid of those two as well as that insolent Japanese boy they had brought with them and I had begun to think my hopes on Kai had been in vain."

He opened one of the drawers of his desk and drew out a cigar. "I was wrong." He whispered as he lit the thing and took a deep inhalation, savouring the strong tobacco.

"With my precious grandson I will rule the world."

Xox-I0I-xox

Kai: I hate you!

Kana: I can understand that, believe me. (looking compassionate)

Rei: And why did I make such a small entry? (Disbelieving) Even that punk Bryan appeared more than I did…

Tala: I wouldn't say such things if I were you (looking around and spotting the lilac-haired Russian) at least not before making certain he is not around. (runs to Bryan) Hé Bryan!

Rei: What does he mean? So what if he hears me?

Kana: Bryan is known not to react friendly to such remarks… some people ended up in the hospital (whispering to the neko-jin so that Bryan wouldn't hear.)

Rei: Oh, that way. (looking very innocent and taken aback)

Lhune: Hey guys, glad this one is finished.

Kana: almost… (looks telling at the second half of the elves of the moon)

Lhune: What do you mean, this chapter is- (sees an angry Kai advancing) oh, that way…

Kana: Yeah, that way.

Lhune: Kai! You are so silent, of course he is known to do that but still, something wrong?

Kai: Aa… (shooting her a 3rd degree deathglare)

Lhune: Can I help you with it? (is slowly edging to Kana for safety) Only of course if it isn't to gross, I can't help you with your eh… manly urges.

Kana: Lhune! (disapproving but sniggering none the less)

Kai: This isn't me! (looking really frightening) I object this thing is published!

Lhune: wow Kai, you never said so much before when you're angry, at least I think so… I should look it up… (avoiding to subject and ending up muttering)

Kai: don't try this with me, as if last chapter wasn't horrid enough, now this!

Kana: I agree, it is awful… but it is only for this chapter… at least I think so. (doubtful)

Lhune: only time will tell.

Rei: what do you mean by that? (Stopped looking suspiciously at Bryan in the distance and has come to stand next to Kai.)

Kai: (no words are needed when he glares as lethally as he is doing now o.O')

Lhune: I cannot tell you now… (holds up hands apologetically)

Kana: But… (looks at Lhune expectantly)

Lhune: But we can tell you this: the mean sentence for next chapter will be…

Old sins have long shadows.

Rei: which sins do you mean? (looks puzzled) Kai, do you have any idea what she means by that?

Kai: Hn (closed eyes, indifferent… in other words back to his old elusive self.)

Rei: Ka-ai (whining)

Kana: well, we shall leave it here (tugs Lhune away from the two BladeBreakers.)

Lhune: Ah, Hai. If you have any ideas…

Kana: Or comments….

Kana and Lhune together: They are always welcome!

Lhune: Yay! I just have my internet back! (Jumps happily in the air)

Kana: But I will still try correcting this thing.

Hope you enjoyed this chapter,

Ja mata,

The Elves of the Moon.