MasterFranny: there you go, the second chapter of 'The way you feel' is finally up! I hope you people are up to read it:) I decided I will add up to Tala and Rei the challenge of some other contenders, but I am not sure about it.
Enjoy this and have a look at my other fics!
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Rating: PG-13 may get higher
Summary: Kai... well, read the story. Kai?
Disclaimer: hmpf… not. Not yet.
"talking"
'thinking'
"(talking into other languages)"
–dreams sequences, flashbacks, memories–
The Way You Feel
Chapter 02: Problems
Bryan heard frantic footsteps outside the door, hurrying up the stairs, and blinked without any surprise, knowing it was Tala coming back home; being around the red head for most of his life helped the Falcon learn all his habits –one of them being that he liked to resemble a stampeding herd of cows when in his worst days. Maybe in front of others he could look all cool and unreadable, but when he was alone with his closer friends, the Demolition Boys, he used to forget what silence was. He liked to talk, to laugh –well, not laugh, chuckle, but still– and to show his carefree side, the one he had to hide all the time because of others' reactions.
Carefree, as much as that could be applied to Tala, anyway.
As Ian accepted another round against Spencer, the Falcon walked towards the door –to make sure Tala wouldn't just slam it down entering– and turned the door knob, expecting to see a fuming Tala without Kai or a cheery Tala with Kai. It was usual, it already happened.
Well, every time Kai came in fact.
As the door slammed open his mouth prepared to throw a sneer their direction, but as soon as he saw what came in, he stopped short. The sarcastic comments stuck in his throat as his eyes widened at the sight; his control on his emotions slipped away for a moment due to the shock of the scene that met his eyes, and he was frozen solid.
Tala was cradling the unconscious teen in his arms, being Kai's lifeless body, with a wound on his head that was bleeding profusely, staining Tala's white shirt and coat. Bryan saw that the blue mark on his face contrasted sharply with the paleness of his face as Tala rushed past in a hurry, his eyes full of worry.
"(Bryan!)" Tala howled. "(Need help!)"
Bryan snapped out of his shock and hurried forward, grasping the fainted blader from Tala's arms, bringing him to the couch as the two remaining teens turned to them.
Moments later, the last two members of the Demolition Boys stood closely behind, holding their breath as they took in Kai's appearance. The tension filled the room as the four teens leaned closer to their hurt friend, trying to access the extent of his injuries, fearing the worse.
Tala couldn't help but cringe at the amount of blood that covered his clothes. The crimson shade of blood contrasted evidently on the snowy white material that he wore. He had always liked white because it reminded him of snow, but now the snowy colour made him sick to the core.
That was Kai's blood, and the slate haired blader was lying unconscious on the couch, and Tala didn't know what happened. He didn't even realize he was trembling slightly until Ian brushed his hand over the Wolf's own, causing him to visibly jerk. Something was battling inside of him as his body moved by its own accord to Bryans instructions. Internally, he could do nothing but accuse himself of Kai's injury. If only he had been there… if only he had decided to go in search of him earlier, then maybe…
"(Tala, he's fine,)" Bryan sighed as he cleaned the skin around the still bleeding wound with a wet cloth. His hand lingered above Kai's eyebrow for a second, admiring the sleeping teen he used to call friend; the usually attentive eyes were closed and his face seemed much paler. Even the paint on his cheeks had been partially rubbed off, staining his face. Bryan cleaned off the marks as well. He absent–mindedly thought that Kai looked peaceful in his sleep and that he looked much younger. He abruptly stood up, turning his attention to Tala, leaving Ian to nurse the Phoenix.
"(What happened?)" he asked with a fierce voice, "(Who did this!)"
He too was stupefied by his rage, but he assumed it was because Kai was one of his dearest friends.
Tala shook away his initial shock and swallowed the lump rising in his throat, trying to find his voice; he needed to remain focused –for Kai.
"(I don't know)" he admitted, the feeling of uncertainty building up inside him, "(I found him out in the snow, and he was freezing… maybe someone attacked him)".
Bryan nodded and turned back to Kai, who was still asleep. Ian and Spencer had bandaged his head after cleaning all the blood from the wound. He looked a lot better.
"(It's better not to wake him up for now, the blood loss would make him weary and weak, so he needs rest)".
This wasn't new to them, but this was the first time that one of them was hurt after the end of the championships. They thought they were safe when Boris was arrested, as well as Voltaire. Now they were reminded that danger not only lurked inside the Abbey, but out in the streets too. It had been a mistake to think they were safe. They still needed to focus because after all, they were still teens.
Though the wound was nothing compared to some they had received daily as punishment, it was one that came as a surprise, leaving them unprepared and for that moment, they all finally realized that they were lost –like ordinary kids.
'Something we were never able to be,' mused Bryan, glancing at all his friends with worry. 'We went through something that ruined us and made us grow up before out time… I wonder if we are ready to confront life outside the abbey'.
Once again forcing himself away from his thoughts, the lilac haired teen shooed Tala away to his room while he headed for his own to retrieve a blanket for Kai. He looked at himself in the mirror on the right side of his cupboard as he walked in, the reflection looking back at him with a grim expression; sharp eyes glaring menacingly back at him; seeing his body resembling one more of a fighter, and less of a teenager.
He was eighteen now, the oldest of the group. Tala and Spencer were seventeen, Kai sixteen and Ian just fourteen. They lived a life that cursed them to become soldiers –weapons for an insane desire of one person, who lived to ruin innocent children for his own greed.
Shaking his head, he picked up the thick blanket. He closed the cupboard and returned to the couch, finding the others gathered there. They may not show their feelings to the world, but they still proved that they cared a lot for their long time lost friend.
"(Go to bed,)" he growled while glaring at them, Kai was not the only one who could glare. "(I'll stay with him so shoo)".
Ian eeped and ran towards his room, closing the door behind him. Spencer merely glanced at his with his calm eyes and with a last look to the teen on the couch he retired to his own room. That was easy, Tala however was a different matter.
"(Tala,)" Bryan repeated.
"(I won't move)" the wolf master replied sternly. "(Kai needs me!)"
"(You need sleep,)" Bryan reasoned, "(what can you do for him now? He's asleep and I'm not going to keep you awake all night just because you want to nurse your beloved,)" Tala glared at him, then realizing what the Falcon meant, he blushed, turning the same colour of his hair. He cleared his throat and decided that the ground was a much better source of interest than the older teen in front of him.
"(You don't know what you're saying,)" he grumbled, pouting slightly without realizing it. Bryan felt a slight smirk curling at his lips and shook his head.
"(Then prove me wrong and go to sleep,)" he added. "(I promise I will stay here with him in case he wakes up, if that's fine with you?)"
Tala was not fully convinced but Bryan was not someone you could easily ignore; so he stood up. He brushed his fingers one last time over Kai's clean cheek before retiring to bed.
Bryan sighed and moved to an armchair near the couch where Kai was sleeping, making himself comfortable so that he could be there if the Phoenix decided to wake during the night. The mere thought of calling the BladeBreakers never even cross their minds.
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The slightest noise from the couch alerted Bryan. The violet haired blader opened his eyes and saw Kai twisting around uneasily. Bryan felt something rise in his chest at the sight of Kai like this, but the feeling went unnoticed as the red eyes cracked open at the sudden burst of light. Kai let out a groan of pain and Bryan was quick to close the curtains, dimming the brightness of the room.
Bryan didn't even notice he had nodded off until he was awakened. But seeing as he was a really light sleeper, the thought didn't do much difference, the most important thing was that he woke up at the right moment.
He kneeled down, lowering his head to Kai's level, and glanced worriedly at the clouded pupils that were now looking up at him, confused, "(Kai, answer me. How are you?)" This was a dumb question, considering that he had just gotten badly injured by someone –or something– the night before, but Bryan asked nonetheless. It could have been worse than they initially thought it to be.
Kai blinked again and cleared his dried throat. The falcon handed him a glass of cool water, lifting Kai's head gently to let him sip it slowly. Kai glanced at him with a grateful look before closing again his eyes; the cool water made well for his sore throat.
The violet haired blader was worried that he would fall asleep again, but just moments after, Kai's eyes shot open again and he looked around nervously.
"(Where am… I?)" he whispered timidly.
"(Don't worry Kai, you're home,)" Bryan said the first thing that came to mind.
It was the truth… partially. In any case, he was glad that Kai was awake and conscious. He was worried he might have a concussion, since he didn't know how hard he had hit his head. But that wasn't important, the most important thing was that Kai was now awake and could tell him what happened. He contemplated about awaking the others, but first he needed to know if the Phoenix was okay.
"(So, you okay?)"
"(My head… hurts,)" Kai quietly replied. He blinked at the boy in front of him and smiled sheepishly. "(I would really like another glass of water if you please, but… first, can you tell me who you are?)"
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He didn't care if he considered them friends. He didn't care if he considered the Demolition Boys friends, even after all they'd done. That wasn't important. But the mere thought that he was spending time with them, especially with Tala, and not with him, that was something he cared about.
Rei growled and tightened his grip on the spoon, causing it to bend in his fist. His amber eyes flashing with barely suppressed anger. Kai didn't even call. He stayed the night to their house and he didn't even have the decency to call and tell them –tell him– that he was going to stay over.
Max blinked as he glanced at the spoon gripped tightly in Rei's fist. He cleared his throat timidly and smiled weakly at the Neko-jinn.
"Would you please calm down?" he said to the distressed tiger, "It's not gonna hurt you so let it go".
Rei blinked confusedly and stared at the poor spoon in his fist, before flashing a sheepish grin to Max and dropping the spoon onto the table's surface with a clunk.
"So what's wrong?" Max asked, obviously referring to Rei's strange behaviour, "Is that Kai isn't it?"
Rei felt his cheeks go red as he shook his head vehemently, "No, Kai isn't the problem," he denied, staring down at the poor spoon with a glare. "It's..."
"… the Demolition Boys?" Max glanced at the door, making sure no one would enter the room as they talked, then swallowed the spoonful of cereal in his hand.
Rei stared at him stupefied, waiting for the turtle to chew, then regaining his composure, he cleared his throat.
"How… how did you…"
"… how did I know? My, Rei, it is so obvious!" Max giggled happily and poured some more milk into his bowl before adding sugar to it. "You're jealous!"
"I am not!" Rei yelled stumbling on the chair as he stood up in a flash. "I mean, what would I need to be jealous about?"
"Come on Rei, I am not that stupid you know," Max glared half-heartedly at him. "I saw how you look at him and how you're angry that he prefers the Demolition Boys company!"
"Well, you guys are too," Rei sniffed looking away with a pout. Max had to admit to himself that he really looked like an offended cat when he acted this way. Not that he complained…
"I mean, I care if Kai remains with us instead with them –he's our team–mate and all that stuff– but you're taking it personally," Max pointed Rei with his spoon, placing his head on his other hand with a knowingly look.
"You're overreacting!"
"And if it is so? Tyson's too!" Rei didn't dare to look at Max, knowing his eyes would betray his words.
"Ty hates them," Max licked his lips, standing with his cup and stepping near the washer to put it down, "That's because they tried to dominate the world, and he believes they will try to lure Kai with them again… on the opposite you don't hate them all, you just hate one of them!"
Rei blushed hard but still tried to negate the evidence. "It's just that…"
"Rei," Max was now looking seriously at him, his baby blue eyes full of concern, "How could you gain Kai's appreciation if you keep acting like a child? He wants to spend time with them, then you have to try and act mature".
That was a really strange speech by the second most immature of the group, but it made sense to Rei, who now looked at the Turtle Master with some kind of respect in his eyes. He looked and acted most the time like a child, but he sure knew how to be serious in need. Then Max started to jump around, the sugar taking its stroll in his system, and he left Rei to think about his words.
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Bryan remained still as the words rang around in his brain, then his lips curled in a slightly perplexed and worried grin, "(You sure are joking,)" he managed to say. "(It's me, Bryan! Come on Kai, stop, this it's not funny)".
Kai blinked twice then looked up at the purple haired blader with a serious but confused expression, as he tried desperately to remember whom the teen was. The sole attempt made his head dumb with pain.
"(It hurts…)" he groaned, his hand on his brow. "(It's like I have a mist surrounding my mind… I can't remember you even if I feel like I know you, and I don't know who I am!)" his tone raised as he started to loose control. Fear itched in his voice as his eyes shone with tears. "(Why can't I remember!)" Bryan stared shocked at his outburst paling, then he felt hurried steps coming from Tala's room and the others. The three remaining Demolition Boys appeared on the doorsteps, each one of them looking perplexed or worried at them.
"(What's the noise? It's only six o clock!)" grumbled Ian. He looked up, seeing that Kai was awake, eeped in content. "(Kai, you're awake!)"
Kai turned in a flash towards the others and his eyes widened in fear, as he tried desperately to place a name near each one of them. He felt that he knew them but failed to remember whom they were. He didn't like the sensation of feeling like a rat in a cage. Why couldn't he remember them? Why they kept calling him Kai? Was that really his name? But no answer came, just a dull pain in the back of his head that made him groan in pain.
"(Kai, what's the matter?)" Tala was afraid of the look he saw in Kai's red orbs. He took a step forward, raising his hand.
"(Stay away from me!)" Kai howled, grabbing his ears with his hands as he closed his eyes: the pain in his head was so strong he started to feel dizzy. Bryan backed away as Tala was frozen where he stood.
"(I don't know what happened!)" Bryan was again losing his temper. He never experienced such thing before. "(He said he didn't know who I was!)"
Kai lifted his face slightly, panting and looked at the four of them with haunted eyes, his hands never leaving his ears as if to protect himself. There were tears lingering at the corner of his eyes, but they didn't fall "(Please…)" his tone was confused and scared, and he was trembling slightly. "(Who are you? Is it really Kai my name?)"
Again, there was a moment of silence. Spencer was the first to recover as he stepped forwards slowly. "(I think you've got amnesia,)" he stated loud enough for all of them to hear him, Kai too. "(Your name is Kai, and we're your friends,)" he looked at the scared and injured teen on the couch, talking to him in his most soothing voice.
"(You have nothing to worry about, we're hear to help you,)" Kai stared wide–eyed at him, still panting, the fear visible in his eyes as confusion devoured him from the inside. He sobbed and covered his eyes with his hands, muffling the sobs that were the result of shock more than anything else. Tala was the first one to react. He rushed towards him hugging him tightly but not enough to hurt him. The others soon followed this with Bryan settling with just resting his hand on the younger boy's shoulder for comfort, feeling uneasy with hugging. Kai leaned into the embrace, feeling safe even if he couldn't remember who the four were.
"(I don't know what happened,)" Tala looked at him, icy eyes meeting flaming ones "(But I will help you find your memories back, I promise you Kai)".
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MasterFranny: I hope you liked the twist. I also hope you will read and leave a review…
I hope you will keep up reading this! More twists will appear later!