Yizzer! Glad to know you've chosen to read my little story. Makes me so happy! Story's ending soon, next chapter's the end, so thanks for coming this far. This chappter's a bit short, but I put alot into it! All you guys are great, especially my FABULOUS reviewers. You know who you are! Now, on to the show!

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There was no sound for Kai. No sound, no vision, no scent, no sensations, no anything. He had never felt so alone, so insignificant. If he wasn't so sure he was already dead, he probably would have died from the intensity of these feelings. Especially remorse; he had lied to himself for far too long, telling himself Rei was probably better off without him anyway. He hadn't truly lived for so long because his neko-jin wasn't there. He was the Russian's one regret, and yet, his greatest achievement, when it all came down to it. It didn't matter now, though. Reality for him as it should be had ceased to exist when he collapsed on the sidewalk of Dimitriv Street. He had been heading back to his apartment from….work. But then, that was another story entirely.

Roughly three years ago, he had gotten in deep with the legal onslaught of his grandfather. In order for things to play out in his favor (and send the old bastard to rot in a cell somewhere) he had had to borrow one of the Russian mafia's best lawyers. The woman could use the smallest technicality (and avid exploitation of government corruption) in Russian law to let organized crime off the hook. Kai's case was a walk in the park for her. In order to get her, though, Kai had had to promise at least five years of his services to their organization.

The former captain wouldn't have given the deal a second thought before refusing it.That is, he wouldn't have if Boris had not guaranteed Rei's head on a silver platter, after the legal turmoil had subsided. After that, his mind was made up.

In an instant his bank account had become their piggy bank, and his skills as a businessman exploited fully. He couldn't bring himself to so much as call Rei. It was partly because of shame, but mostly paranoia. If they found out about his golden eyed lover, they'd use him to make Kai concede to their every demand. The slate haired man would've just left the city, but considering the people he was trying to run from, he was practically a prisoner in Moscow.

That was okay though, because there were only two years left to go, and then he could go back home to- No. His koi would've moved on by now, found someone better. Kai never understood what had made his ex-teammate put up with him anyway. Besides, he had cut himself off from any sort of contact with his lover for going on three years, after promising to call practically every three minutes. He had promised. That's why he always carried Rei's number with him, so as soon as he got out of this mess, he would have the number right there, and even if Rei had moved on, Kai could still fulfill his promise…

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But no, he reminded himself, that wasn't going to happen. It wasn't going to happen because he was stuck here, in nothing, occasionally awakening to horrible sensations of burning and illness. In a way he was glad it would end like this, because at least Rei was safe, wherever he was.

His irritating thoughts of things past and things never to be were just beginning to leave him alone when suddenly he picked up the faintest hint of a sound. He tried to focus on it, this echo in oblivion. It slowly began to increase in volume, until he could hear it ringing in his ears. It was a rumbling sound, like far off thunder. Purring. What was purring in his ear?

Blue lashes lifted to reveal a weary slit of crimson. Kai literally came to his senses, first processing the sounds of his surroundings (whirring machines and beeping monitors, a T.V., and of course, the purring), then a clean, sterile smell, along with the smell of beef jerky. He didn't know what to think of that. He felt something fuzzy and warm against his face. Crimson eyes widened when it made out the smudge of color by his head to be a sleeping tabby cat. The cat was purring!

...No duh. Okay, now what was up with that? Deciding to ignore the cat for a moment, he quickly scanned the room.

It was a standard private hospital room, painted all white with a cold tile floor. A dingy little television was turned on to the news, but someone had used the remote to make the subtitles read out in Chinese characters. He quickly turned his head, instantly regretting it. He felt achy all over, his head was pounding, and his insides felt like Chernobyl had taken place inside of it. Slowly, he turned his eyes upon yet another sleeping feline. Somehow, someway, in defiance of any and all explanation, Rei was here. Rei Kon, who hated when the bathwater was too hot and loved listening to classical music in the dark and loved Kai- His chest rose and fell gently under his coat. The raven haired young man was slumbering peacefully in the small, uncomfortable looking recliner, clutching a worn shoulder bag to his stomach.

The Russian took in a sharp breath, mind drawing a blank. Rei was here. Right there, safe and sleeping and so familiar, even after three years. While he lay there, struck dumb with disbelief, Liang woke up due to the noise he had made. Stretching briefly, the tabby turned her green eyes onto Kai. She purred gently, and nuzzled into his hair, before leaping gracefully from the bed to the recliner, avoiding the cold floor. She crawled up to Rei's face and began licking his cheek, meowing impatiently.

On the hospital bed now lay a young man only half ashamed he was glaring with venom at an innocent cat.

"Mmmpphhhh...Liaaaaaang...Stooooopppp! Go kill a mouse or something if you're hungry..."
Rei muttered various protests before grudgingly opening his golden eyes to scowl at his tabby.

"Jeez, Kon, it's called an alarm clock."
The neko-jin's head snapped around to be met with half open, yet still fiery orbs. The slate haired youth's voice was scratchy and hoarse, but it was his same old baritone, used yet again to make a sarcastic remark. Slowly, as if in a dream, Rei got out of the uncomfortable recliner. He stumbled over to Kai, Liang in his arms, and stood there, staring. Then, all in one swift, sweeping motion, he had deposited Liang on the bed and wrapped his arms around Kai the best he could without disrupting any wires or tubes. He cradled the crimson eyed enigma as if he might break, drawing in quick, shaky breaths. Tan hands ran through Kai's limp hair and over his skin, assuring Rei that this was real.

Overwhelmed, Kai could do nothing but take it all in. For a moment he forgot about how horrible he felt, as the most incredible feeling of warmth blossomed in his chest. "No way," he whispered, burying his face in Kai's neck, "No way, no way, no way! I-I... I... Kai. You," he pulled back and held the pale face in his hands. He tenderly pressed his lips to Kai's, before breaking out into a ridiculous grin. He was crying. "You are in so much trouble when we get home."

Kai laughed for the first time in nearly three years, lifting up his sore arms to return the embrace. They'd get everything sorted out. He didn't know exactly why he was here, or what was going on, but, Rei was here, so everything was all right with him.
"Mrow!" So Rei had taken up with this Liang character. Fair enough. Inhaling deeply, he smelled the sweet apple scent of Rei's shampoo. Here was his reason to live. Here was what was worth five years of misery, worth everything. Here was Rei Kon, more beautiful in his eyes now than he had ever imagined possible.

And you thought I'd write a sad ending. XD

Review please! Oh, and don't be afraid to send in those quotes. 'Till next time!