A/N: Oh yes, another chapter done, whether you want it or not. (grins evilly)

Okay, seriously, thank you so much for those amazing reviews! You probably have no idea of how much they warm my heart! (And especially thank you to kailover2006 for that brilliant idea of the labour! We'll see how my evil mind decides to handle the… event.)

Well, I suppose you would rather read the story than me babbling, so let's cut this a/n and move on. I hope you'll like this chapter.

(Btw, in this chapter you'll see the dates of Tala's birth and death. I had to play with years a bit; otherwise this story would happen in year 2009 or something.)

December

Kai had the sour, sickening taste of blood in his mouth as he ran on a small, snow-covered path across a park.

He had no idea of for how long he'd been running, much less of where he was, but none of that mattered to him. He just wanted to get away from all grief, pain, anger and worry – at least for a small, blissful moment.

This was his first Christmas without Tala around. True enough, he'd never been much of a people-person, but… He'd never felt as lonely as he did that day. And with grief, the baby he was carrying, approaching single-parenthood… He just had way too much of stuff in his mind.

Suddenly, he had to stop running as there was a sharp assault of pain in his abdomen. Giving a small, inaudible gasp and reflexively clutching to his stomach, he leaned to the nearest bench.

Apparently, the baby didn't like him pushing himself this way.

It wasn't until then he became aware of his physical condition. He was trembling almost violently, his legs felt so weak that they most likely wouldn't carry him for another step. His heart was bounding like never before, and his breathing came out in wheezing, irregular intervals.

Unable to support himself up any longer, he slumped to the bench to catch his breath. He winced when there was another stab of pain in his stomach.

Damnit, I have to stop torturing myself this way. I can't risk the baby's health.

He had no idea of for how long he'd been sitting there, when a unfamiliar male-voice snapped him back into reality. " Hey, are you okay?"

Slowly lifting his gaze, he saw a boy at the age of about fourteen. The boy had unruly, long-grown blackish-brown hair and jade-green eyes. Blinking his eyes, he gave a small nod. " Yes." The answer was probably a bit sharper than he'd intended, but he didn't really care. He hadn't wanted to talk to anyone anyway. Besides, as the sweat begun to dry, he was feeling cold.

The teen nodded, small frown upon his face, like he'd been thinking about something. Suddenly the boy's eyes widened, and he gave a huge gasp. " Holy damn… You're Kai! Kai Hiwatari, from the Bladebreakers!"

Kai inwardly winced. True enough, it'd been four years from when their team had retired, and he no longer had his trademark face-paint, but it still seemed people could recognize him. " I afraid you've been mistaken", he lied in a stiff voice.

The boy seemed disappointed, perhaps even slightly doubtful. " Oh… I just… I could've sworn…" Shaking his head, the boy begun to leave. " Sorry."

As Kai gave a deep sigh and rubbed his face with both hands, he had no idea that on a nearby bench, sat a man observing him. Looking at the dual-hared Russian, the man squinted his eyes, lighting yet another cigarette.

Gosh, how he would've wanted to just take Kai with him right at that instant, taken what belonged to him! But he couldn't rush, not with something this important. If he'd capture Kai now, the young man might end up losing the baby. He couldn't let that happen.

He'd been waiting for this baby, this perfect warrior, for years, most likely all his life. And he was patient. He could easily wait for six more months.

Suddenly feeling that he was being watched, Kai squinted his eyes and swiftly turned his head. But no one was there.

It was a common fact that whenever Tyson Granger threw a party – even now that he was a father of a small child – it was never a small deal. And as a huge lover of Christmas, he'd put particular effort into making everything perfect – nothing less would do.

And, as he looked around while Tyson went to see who'd rang the doorbell, Ray had to admit that the bluenette had succeeded. Everything was so beautiful that Santa Claus himself couldn't have done better.

That thought, however, was only vaguely in his mind, clouded by worry. The party had already lasted for three hours, but Kai still hadn't showed up. Usually, that wouldn't have worried him; after all, Kai wasn't exactly known as a party-lover. But considering all the horrifying changes the Russian had been forced to deal with during the past three months, he feared something might be seriously wrong.

That's why he wasn't as excited as he could've been when it was Max who walked through the door. " Hey! Hardly recognized you, you've been such a stranger lately!" Tyson laughed while hugging the blonde.

" Sorry, I suppose I've been… wrapped up with work."

As Tyson broke the hug, Ray walked up to the blonde, and hugged his old team-mate with a smile. " I thought you wouldn't be able to come."

Max laughed. " Well, it took quite a fight with my secretary, but eventually I was able to convince her that I'd be able to do some paperwork after Christmas."

" So, Maxie…", Tyson stated in a meaningful tone as the two broke their hug. " Little bird sang you haven't been suffering from loneliness lately."

Max's face rapidly got a color of overcooked tomato. For a couple of times, the young man's mouth opened helplessly without words, until a small wheeze was heard. " I… would rather not talk about it", Max stammered, staring at his toes, face still fiery red. " It's… all still lingering in the air. It's too soon to talk about it."

Tyson would've surely continued his third-degree, if it wasn't for the fortunate appearance of crying Theo. The child immediately found his way into his father's comforting arms. " Hey, little-guy, what's wrong?" Tyson asked gently, hugging his son closer.

" Uncle-Ian is picking on me!"

" Oh, I am so not!" came a offended, almost angry voice from behind them. Turning their heads, they saw the long-nosed, small Russian approaching them with agonized look upon his face, rubbing his temple. " I just told him it's bedtime."

" Which, young man, it definitely is", came Hilary's voice. The woman gently took the child from Tyson's arms to her own, cradling him close. " C'mon, sweetie. Let's go to bed. I'll read you a bedtime story."

While Hilary walked away with half-asleep Theo in her arms, Ray gazed out of the window, deep frown of worry upon his face.

Kai, where are you?

" Ray?" Mariah's confused voice claimed his attention. " What's wrong? You've been eyeing on that window almost since we got here. Are you bored?"

He quickly shook his head. " No, it's not that. Just…" The frown came back. " I'm just worried about Kai. He should be here by now."

Mariah gave a small smile. " I'm sure he's alright. This is his first Christmas without Tala; he probably just wants to be alone to think."

Those words made Ray's frown grow even deeper. " You're probably right. But… I've gotta be sure." Making up his mind, he took his navy-blue jacket, beginning to pull it on. " I just go to his place and ask if he wants to join us. I'll be back in a second."

It was Mariah's turn to frown. " Ray, why are you so worried about him? He's an adult."

" Well, he's also my friend, and I want to make sure he's alright!" Ray snapped, then realized his tone and sighed. " Sorry. I just… I'll be back soon." With that, he walked out of the door, closing it softly behind him.

The frown upon Mariah's face grew much deeper as he watched the closed door.

It had been for ages from when Ray had shown that degree of worry and care towards her. And the look in Ray's eyes when he spoke Kai's name…

What the hell is going on?
Kai didn't even notice the snow falling on him, nor felt the coldness that bit all the way to his bones, as he walked towards a tombstone, almost frozen, crystalline tears on his cheeks glimmering like diamonds.

Reaching his destination, he read the writing on the cold stone and sniffed.

Tala Anton Ivanov

23.11.1983 – 20.10.2006

Beloved, longed husband and friend.

May your fire now burn until eternity.

Kai sniffed again, shivering all over, but not from cold. " I still don't understand, Tala", he whispered in a lost voice. " Why… why does life have to be so unfair?" A tear of rage he didn't even notice slid to his pale cheek. His eyes were burning with hatred as he raised his gaze to the starry sky above. " Why are you doing this to me?" he almost screamed. " What's the crime I've committed to get a punishment like this? Why do you always rip everyone I dare to love away from me?" More tears spilled. " Am I not worthy of love, is that it?"

He jumped in frighten when a familiar voice replied him. " Of course you are worthy of love, Kai. Don't ever think otherwise."

Slowly peering over his shoulder, he found Ray standing almost right behind him. As much as he still hated showing weakness in front of anyone, he couldn't suppress the attack of almost hysterical sobs that shuttered his entire body. " Then… why?"

Ray's eyes became filled with sadness. " I don't know", the neko-jin admitted.

For a long moment they stood in silence, both absorbed by their own thoughts. Kai turned his gaze away from Ray, not wanting the neko-jin to see his still spilling tears.

Eventually, Ray decided to break the silence. " Kai, you can't keep doing this to yourself", he told gently, carefully taking a step closer to Kai and landing a comforting hand onto the Russian's shoulder. Kai tensed under the touch at first, but soon relaxed. The silent acceptance made a strangest sensation of satisfaction rush through Ray. " I can't even imagine what it's like to lose the one you love the most, but… Kai, you can't isolate yourself. You still have people around you who care about you very much, and want to help you get back to your feet." His eyes turned soft, although Kai couldn't see it. " Please, let us help you. Let me help you – and the baby."

For a long, silent moment Kai pondered over his words. Then, very slowly, the Russian turned around, looking at him with tired, pained eyes. " I don't think there's anything you can do… right now, at least. I just… I think I should go home."

Ray shook his head. " No chance. The last thing you need right now is a lonely Christmas. I'm taking you to Tyson and Hilary's", he announced determinedly, wrapping one arm around Kai's still slender form and beginning to pull the slightly reluctant Russian with him. " Once there, we'll get you warmed up. You're freezing."

Eventually, the reluctance drained out of Kai's body, and the Russian relaxed against Ray. He was much too tired to fight back. " Thanks", came a slightly worn out whisper.

Ray smiled. " Just doing what all friends would do", he stated, then smiled even more widely. " Oh, and Kai? Merry Christmas."

Snuggling closer to Ray's comforting warmth without even noticing it, Kai found himself smiling slightly. " Merry Christmas to you too."

After that, they walked in comfortable silence, snow falling softly on them.

Hilary had just gotten Theo to sleep, and was about to leave her son's room when her eyes happened to stray to the window. Immediately a small frown came to her features.

Outside, both covered by snow, Ray and Kai walked towards the house, the neko-jin tenderly holding the Russian.

Hilary had seen Ray with Mariah for dozens and dozens of times. However, she'd never seen him looking at the female neko-jin with the eyes that now gazed Kai. Never had he held Mariah with such gentleness and affection.

Her frown deepened as she kept looking at the couple, wondering…

TBC.
A/N: Heh, a Christmas-chapter without any actual Christmas-stuff. Weird, huh?

Things seem to be going for better, though – even with both Kai and Ray so damn oblivious to their feelings. If there wasn't that creep stalking Kai, and that stomach-ache, everything would be perfect, wouldn't you say? And hey, who the heck is Max dating?

Okay, okay, I suppose this was it – for now. Next chapter is January – and already month number four! Stick around for it, everyone, and please, please, PLEASE review!