What you can't see

Can't hurt you

Chapter 10. Rush of blood

Zeo woke up slowly, a thumping headache quickly coming to his temples. He moaned as he attempted to sit up. Looking around his room, he saw two of everything, and he swore that at one point his room turned upside down. He stood, clutching the skirting board of the bed, as a desperate attempt not to fall over. he slowly stumbled towards the closet, opening it to get some clothes out, then made his way to the bathroom with one thing on his mind. He had to puke. He gasped slightly as the unfamiliar burning vile made its way up his throat. Throwing the lid of the toilet open, he shut his eyes as a loose strand of hair fell over his shoulder. He groaned as he lifted it out the bowl, crinkling his nose at the smell and look. He flushed the toilet and wrenched off his horrible, sweaty clothes. He turned on the cold shower head and let the cold water fall down his body. He sighed, not really remembering what had happened the night before, but he knew he must've done something bad. He hit a hand to his head as he remembered the drink Brooklyn gave to him. Deciding that blaming Brooklyn was the best thing to do at that moment, he washed the foamy shampoo out his hair and re-clothed himself in some clean clothing. He walked out the bathroom to find Hiro at the door, about to knock.

"You came back pretty late last night," Hiro commented, but Zeo didn't get any of it. The words just sent a thundering bang through his skull. He grabbed the door frame and winced, waving a hand at Hiro to shut him up. Hiro took Zeo's hand, then arm, leading him towards the bedroom. "What happened?" He asked, but only got Zeo throwing both hands over his ears. Not knowing what to do, He went to get a glass of water and some aspirin. Seeing Brooklyn on the way to the kitchen, he grabbed the confused boy's arm and dragged him along.

"Huh?" Was the only thing that came out of Brooklyn's mouth.

"What is going on with Zeo? He's not having a normal hangover." Brooklyn looked dumbfound.

"Huh?" He asked again after a pause. Hiro rolled his eyes and got the things out the cupboard.

"Come with me." He said, dragging the flame headed boy to Zeo's room. When getting in, the youngest was curled up in a ball, ears clamped shut, making whimpering noises and movements. Brooklyn gasped and ran over to him.

"Zeo?" The innocent boy whimpered and screamed lightly. Brooklyn looked at Hiro, puzzled. "What's wrong with him?" Brooklyn whispered. Zeo opened one eye at this.

"Head…hurts." He replied before letting out a muffled yell at the loudness of his own voice. It was like everything had been made five times as loud.

"Why though? Take this." Hiro said, as quietly as he could. Zeo took the glass and pill. He shrugged lightly, not knowing how to respond. At least the voices had gone quieter, though that was probably because the two where whispering. He knew it was wrong, but as always, the only thing he could think of in a bad situation was Tala.

"Maybe he did this to you, it seemed strange when he suddenly wants to be your friend, don't you agree?" He looked around, not knowing where the voice came from. "You won't find me there…you can't see me." It said in a singsong voice. Zeo looked back at the other occupants in the room. Hiro had a confused look on his face, and Brooklyn looked slightly guilty. Hiro stood and said something to Brooklyn, whom nodded in turn. Brooklyn looked at Zeo and whispered something. A loud ring went through his head and Brooklyn panicked, shouting something, but Zeo couldn't hear him. The many Brooklyn's stood and ran out the room. Zeo fell back and screamed. "What's wrong? Don't like it? I can make it stop you know. Only if you do something for me."

Zeo looked round the familiar dark space he first met Katy in. He looked around and finally saw her, but something was wrapped round her neck and limbs, holding her in the air. She looked at him, terrified, shaking all over in stupidly large amounts. Fresh crystals ran down he already bright red cheeks.

"Katy?" He asked, gingerly stepping forward.

"You see, Katy really wasn't as bad as Kaede made her out to be. In fact, Katy belongs to me." Zeo saw the darkness radiating of the weird creature. The thing laughed cruelly.

"Zeo…please…help me…" She whispered. Zeo ran forward but the creature wrapped one of its many tentacles around him.

"I don't like your knew relationship with Tala…he's just like everyone else…trying to use you. You know this; he started being your friend when he found out that you dreamed of his friends. They're all the same. I'm your friend…I'll stop the pain." Katy disappeared and he found himself wrapped in the black arms. He slowly shut his eyes.

"Stop the pain?"

"Yes…all the fear…I know more about you than anyone…you fear almost everything, but hate nothing…you know how many people want to hate nothing? It's a horrid feeling…I want to make sure, that the fear goes away, and the hate never comes…you want that too, don't you?" Zeo nodded.

"Yes…stop the pain…kill me." He shot awake at the feel of a person shaking him. He came face to face with the familiar blue eyes. He then noticed he wasn't breathing properly. He clutched the pale arms as he felt his body twitch ferociously.

"Zeo? Zeo what's wrong? Zeo!" He couldn't find the energy or breath to answer. "Zeo! Don't give up Zeo! Hold on!" Tala turned and was about to leave but Zeo whined. Thinking quickly, the Russian called for Hiro, and he came rushing into the room. Feeling the foul vile from the morning work it's way up his throat. He rolled over, winding himself, and let the offensive selling filth cover the floor. He heard a few curses and felt someone sit him up. He shook distastefully and whined. Thankful his breathing was slowly going back to normal, he sank into the white jumper of the other. "Shush…it's ok…we're here now…it'll all be ok…I promise." Zeo's whining soon turned to a pathetic whimper.

"He's just like everyone else you know!" Hissed the strange voice in his head. He was sure he was going crazy, but he'd worry about that later. Worming his way out of Tala's grip, he scrambled away from the other, rendering him confused.

"I…I'm fine now…thank you anyway." Zeo lied. Tala didn't look convinced, but nodded anyway.

"If you're sure." He replied. Zeo nodded abruptly and stood, wobbling slightly. He then noticed Hiro opposite him, just behind Tala.

"Maybe you need some food…come on." Zeo nodded and followed Hiro through to the kitchen, glancing at Tala who's eyes where glazed. Looking down guiltily, Zeo mumbled a sorry no one could hear.

"You can't even look at him? I bet he thinks you're useless!" Zeo winced at the harshness in the tone. He didn't know why he listened to it, but he did. He didn't believe what it said…but at the same time, he did. He thought he might ask Kaede about it, she seemed to know the most about Katy.

Zzz

The white haired girl sat on the bench at the bus stop. She was using the bus instead of her car today. She looked up from her book as she felt someone sit beside her. He flinched in shock.

"Zeo!" She exclaimed. He smiled weekly.

"I know this may seem weird…but…could you tell me about Katy?" Kaede shut her eyes in pain.

"Katy," She said. "Was…weird…she seemed really good and innocent…but…I guess she wasn't. She was with this weird demon…I called him the shadow demon…I got him out my head and he took Katy with him I guess. Why'd you want to know, she ain't bugging you again is she?" Zeo shook his head. "Good, 'cause I don't want to face her, or any connection to her again…it took me a while to move on…though, I think you should leave that all alone…I chose to come this way 'cause I'm an idiot, you mightn't have a choice if Katy and the shadow demon stay with you." Zeo looked at her, eyes wide.

"But…How…" She smiled and hailed the bus down.

"But how are you going to get to work?" Zeo panicked.

"Dam! I'm going to be late again!" He said, standing up. "See you!" He called and ran down the street. He had to get a taxi!

Zzz

Hiro and Brooklyn looked at Zeo as he trugged into the house. Hiro was in his samurai gear and Brooklyn had an art apron on. Zeo flopped onto the couch, face forward. Hiro looked at Brooklyn, Brooklyn looked at Hiro.

"I take it asking 'how was work' isn't an option?" Hiro asked. Zeo grunted into the pillow, then rolled into a more comfortable position. "How about, 'why are you home so early'?" Another grunt. "Isn't your boss awful?"

"YES! He's dreadful! No, worse than that! One billion times worse!" Hiro and Brooklyn stepped back at this outburst. "You know how awful? He had to 'let me go', as he put it! He bloody well fired me!" Hiro winced and Brooklyn went up to him.

"Why?" Brooklyn asked. Hiro winced as a loud bang came from the dojo. A nod of Brooklyn's flame colored head was all he needed to run to see what it was.

"I'm late too much. The buildings like, on the other side of the bloody town!" Brooklyn nodded.

"What else can you do?" He looked at Brooklyn.

"Not work?" Brooklyn shook his head. "I don't know…something…I know!" He sat up, making Brooklyn fall back. "I'll race!" Brooklyn crawled back a bit. "No…I can't do that…" Brooklyn sighed, this would take a while. "I could be a cashier!" Brooklyn looked up, panicky. "No…not that…" The older had a large sweat-drop forming on the side of his head. "Maybe I could…

Zzz

No…not that either…" Brooklyn had his legs crossed, elbows on his knees, head in his hands. "What do you think?" Zeo asked, turning to Brooklyn.

"I don't know…ask Hiro when he comes back." Zeo nodded. Brooklyn stood.

"Where you going?" Brooklyn smiled.

"To paint, I've almost finished the-"

"Can I help?" Zeo asked, jumping up.

"I won't pay you." Zeo shook his head.

"I don't expect you to, I'm just so bored!" Brooklyn laughed.

"I guess so. What are Tala and the others doing?" Zeo shrugged.

"If I had to guess? Kaede's at university, Tala and Kai are racing, and Miriam is…I don't know what Miriam does actually." Brooklyn nodded and led Zeo through to the garden where he was painting. Zeo gasped at the similarity of the garden and the painting. The only real difference would be the person sitting in the middle, stroking the dog.

"Do me a favour," Zeo looked at him. "Sit where the person is, I need a feel of what it would look like," Zeo nodded and walked to where he was told to. Brooklyn started painting again. "So, Kaede's in University, huh?" Zeo nodded.

"Yea, she's on her last year I think."

"You know what she's studying?" Zeo thought for a moment.

"Can't remember." Brooklyn smiled lightly.

"I know what you should do. In fact, you'd be perfect."

"Really? What?"

"My friend is holding a orchestra concert, and they're one or two violinists short, if you get my drift." Zeo's eyes sparkled.

"Really? You mean it?" Brooklyn nodded.

"Yea, I can phone them when we've finished and tell them that you'd be able to fill in." Zeo almost jumped up, then remembered that he had to stay still.

"Thank you thank you thank you! You're the best Brooklyn!" Brooklyn smiled sourly behind the painting.

"I'd like to hear you say that again. Ironic, isn't it?" He murmured.

"What did you say?" Zeo called. Brooklyn smiled properly and shook his head.

"I'm finished." Zeo sprang up.

"Let's go then! Alright! I'm going to play my violin!" Brooklyn laughed as he got tugged along the hall. "Hurry Brook, Hurry!"

Zzz

"Yes? Is that ok?" Zeo looked at Brooklyn intently. Brooklyn suddenly looked sad and disappointed. "Really? Oh no? I'm so sorry," Zeo glared at the boy. "Ok…thank you." Brooklyn put the phone down and sighed.

"What?"

"My friend's grandma died…so you'll be doing a duet, because I said you would," Zeo stared at him. Brooklyn smiled. "You're welcome!" He said brightly, then walked to the front door. Zeo almost screamed at the thought.

"Thank you Brook!"He yelled, then went to phone Rei. He might want to know. He waited for the ringing to stop.

:Hello? Brooklyn, is that you: Zeo froze.

"Say hello to Rei for me." Said the voice in his head. "Tell him it's his bad-old friend." Zeo glared into mid air.

"Your 'bad-old friend says 'hi'." Zeo said sourly. "And how do you know Brooklyn?" Rei cursed.

"I know Brooklyn."

:Zeo? How are you? Brooklyn was telling me earlier about what happened, I rang you see, when I heard what the boss did. Are you ok about it?" Zeo sighed slightly.

"I'm ok, I get to play a violin duet."

:Wow! You'll have to get me some tickets:

"I will! I can't wait to tell Tala and the others!" He heard Rei laugh

"I bet they'll be pleased! I'm glad you're ok, I wish I could talk to you for longer, but boss wants me to do something. I'll see you later, ok?"

"Sure! See you!" He heard a click of the phone, then had the same name from the morning running through his mind.

Tala.

Kitty: almost six pages. Maybe if I talk long enough it'll be six.

I did post chapter 9 earlier, it just didn't show I don't think. Heh heh, I'm staying at a friends house while my mum is on holoidey, she wont even leaav me in the house on my own fior a weekend, the baka-ohna.

I didn't mean that literally, just for the record.

Anyway, the A1 thing is definite. I WILL be singing in front of the top drivers from each country! HOW COOL! XD

Excuse me

Well, almost six pages, so I'll say my good byes –beams- he he.

Who does everyone want me pairing Hiro off with? I might pull a name out of a hat…yea, I have no life.

And can't be bothered to do my homework, NOT THE POINT

You know the drill

Caoi .

Kitty-cat