As the title probably hints you, there'll be nine chapters, plus an epilogue if you want one. (Of course, that assuming you want me to continue this story at all.)
Before beginning, some important background information: As I haven't seen season three from the series (hasn't been aired around here – snif), I can't exactly bring the characters on it along. So the people will be those from the first two seasons (naturally…). This starts about five-eight years from where season two ended. And note this, Voltaire and Boris are dead (or so it seems…).
Okay, so here it begins. Hope you like.
October
Kai gave soft, contented sigh as he felt the protective pair of arms wrapping around him. " We really should wake up, you know?" a soft voice murmured into his ear.
Kai replied with a small groan.
" The orphanage will get a new resident today", the same voice kept telling him. Without noticing it, he started to purr when a hand gently stroke his silken locks. " Besides, Dr. Ivanov, you'll be late from work."
Many things had changed since the day Voltaire and Boris had died. Finally free from the two monsters' hands, Tala, Bryan, Spencer and Ian had opened an orphanage for all kids who'd been through what they had. Thanks to the Hiwatari-fortune Kai now had full access to, the four never had to worry about financial issues. Kai himself had became a doctor – after all, he couldn't be just a professional beyblader forever. And after he and Tala's wedding, he'd taken the redhead's surname. As long as he'd have a choice over the matter, he'd never use name Hiwatari again.
The other former Bladebreakers had also found new directions to their lives. Just like Kai, Ray had also became a doctor. Actually, they even worked in the same hospital. And – just like pretty much everyone had expected – the Chinese had ended up dating Mariah, who was now a world-noted, famous writer. Now, everyone was holding their breaths, waiting when Ray would finally pop the question. And it also wasn't a surprise to anyone that Tyson had wound up marrying Hilary. They even had a child, soon three-years-old son Theo. The bearer of Dragoon now traveled around the world as a beyblade-instructor, Hilary owned a restaurant. To everybody's surprise – perhaps even shock – Max had actually became a rather wealthy businessman, one of world's richest people. He hardly had time to meet his former team-mates, but they'd heard rumors someone had captured his heart… And after long hesitation, Kenny had also found his happiness – with Emily. The two held a rather exciting wedding with Emily going into labor in the middle of the ceremony; baby Hannah was now eight months old. Kenny now taught computer-technology in university, Emily was a scientist in the field of molecular-biology.
Kai drifted off the memory-lane as he noticed that Tala was getting off the bed, pulling on his clothes. He pouted slightly. " I wish we could just stay in bed forever", he sighed.
Tala gave a laughter. " So do I, baby. But I've gotta go or Bryan, Spencer and Ian will kill me."
Kai took a look at the alarm-clock. " So should I", he admitted rather reluctantly.
After thinking about it for a while, Tala suddenly walked up to the bed and gave him a long, passionate kiss, leaving his forehead resting against his. " I was thinking… We've both been kinda busy lately… Perhaps some relaxation would do us good."
Kai arched an eyebrow. " What are you suggesting?"
Tala gave a sly smirk. " Some candles, chocolate, a bottle of wine… Tonight, just you and me."
Kai smirked as well. " Sounds like heaven to me", he murmured, then kissed Tala's lips hungrily, demandingly. " 'Love you." He was actually surprised by those words; never before had he dared to say them to anyone else. Yet another barrier Tala had shuttered.
Seeming to read his mind, Tala smiled softly, gently stroking his cheek with one hand. " 'Love you too, baby." After one more kiss, Tala started to walk out the door. " See you tonight."
Kai found himself smiling. " See you."
Little did he know that as Tala disappeared from the doorway, it was the last time he saw his husband alive.
Stepping into the doctors' break-room, Kai took a look at his watch and gratefully noticed that his shift would end in half an hour. Only that much, and he'd get home to Tala…
" Someone seems happy", a familiar, slightly amused voice of his colleague's – Eric Hardy's noted.
Still smirking like a madman, he looked at the blonde-haired man. " Guilty as charged, I suppose."
Sly look appeared into Eric's gray eyes. " Planning on something particular?"
Not even intending to reply, still smiling Kai looked away, rosy hue appearing to his usually pale cheeks.
Eric just opened his mouth to pry some more, when the door of the room was suddenly thrown open. Turning their heads in slight frighten, they both frowned when seeing visibly shivering Ray stood by the doorway. The neko-jin's amber eyes were widened, filled with shock and grief as they looked at Kai.
Suddenly feeling his mouth go very dry and his blood run cold, Kai gave a loud gulp. " Ray… What's wrong?" he almost whispered.
Ray's eyes turned even more sad, the young man seemed to be on the verge of tears. " There's… there's been a car-accident", the neko-jin told him, so quietly that he could barely hear. There was a short pause. " Tala was brought here ten minutes ago."
Kai could hardly breathe, he felt violent trembling take over his body. " Oh my God…", was all he could muster at first. Blinking furiously to clear his screaming thoughts, he stared at the heels of his shoes, then back at Ray again. " Is… is he going to be okay?"
Ray sniffed, a single tear rolling to his cheek. Then shook his head.
Rain was falling heavily the day Kai watched Tala's white coffin slowly disappearing into a six-foot-hole. He was trembling so hard that he could barely stand, didn't even notice the rivers of tears running down his cheeks. His hand squeezed the flawless white rose he was carrying so hard that the thorns pierced skin, making deep bleeding wounds, but the pain wouldn't register to him.
All that made sense to him were Tala's distant, vague words echoing in his ears.
" You are the most precious person to me in this world."
Tears kept rolling down his drastically paling cheeks, mixing with rain-water.
" I love you, Kai."
Everyone dropped their roses to the coffin. Kai followed them numbly, not really knowing what he was doing.
" I'll always be there for you, watching over you."
First shovel-full of dirt rustled as it hit the wooden surface of the coffin.
" And no matter what happens, wherever destiny leads us…"The priest begun to speak his hollow words.
" … I'll never leave you."
The ceremony ended and people begun to leave, but Kai – who was staring at the fresh grave with pain- and grief-filled eyes – didn't even notice this. Completely without warning, his knees suddenly buckled and he begun to fall towards the ground. World started to go completely black around him.
Seeing his friend fall, Ray – who'd been standing right behind Kai – swiftly moved forward, and skillfully caught Kai before the Russian managed to hit the muddy ground. His heart made a strange leap when Kai's warm, light body landed against his, but he chose to ignore it, too concerned over his friend's wellbeing. He kneeled to the ground with Kai in his tight, tender hold. " Kai?" he called out in worry-lazed tone, holding the shivering Russian tightly to his chest. The other didn't respond. " Kai, can you hear me?"
Through the loud sounds of rain, he could hear a sob. " He left…", came a whisper so quiet that it almost disappeared to the wind. Kai's shivering seemed to become even more violent. " He said he wouldn't…"
Blinking away almost spilling tears, Ray turned Kai so that they were eye to eye. Stab of pain pierced his heart as he met a pair of dull, pained burgundy eyes, that had used to held an undying flame. " Can you walk?" he managed to ask, although talking was almost impossible.
Kai's head fell, bangs shadowed his eyes. Another sob came. " Tala…"
Ray was almost startled by the huge flash of something dark and sinister the name brought into him.
What the hell is going on with me! He quickly shook the thought away. I can think about that later. Now, I have other things to worry about…
It was obvious that Kai wouldn't be able to get up, let alone walk. Therefore Ray carefully placed his other arm behind Kai's back, the other under the Russian's legs, then got up with the young man cradled protectively into his arms. He inwardly flinched when realizing just how light Kai was; had the Russian eaten a thing since Tala's death?
Swallowing away threatening tears, he begun to walk towards his waiting car, subconsciously holding Kai even closer. " I'll take care of you", he murmured, looking at Kai's strained face. The Russian had his eyes closed, and Ray wondered if the other had fallen asleep. " I know it hurts, but I'll make sure you'll get through this."
Kai vaguely heard Ray's words, and felt yet another bang of pain in his chest.
You won't be able to help me, he thought. The only one who could make me whole has been stolen away from me. No one can fix me.
Neither of the two noticed a dark figure that observed them from the shelter of trees, before turning around and walking away.
TBC.
A/N: Oh, poor Kai! Will he get himself back together? And – most importantly – will he and Ray admit how they feel for each other?
Please, review and tell me whether you want this to continue or not!