What you can't see
Can't hurt you
Chapter 19. See you
Tala guided Zeo to the room they now shared, seating him down on the large, made bed that hadn't been touched for a while. Miriam had decided they could both sleep on futons, seeing as they were arguing over who got the bed. It was a strange argument; Tala wanted Zeo to have the bed, where Zeo wanted Tala to have it. Kaede commented some marriage remake which got a big feather pillow in her face, complementary of Zeo. The small boy was shivering slightly, shutting his eyes tightly. Tala sat next to him, arm round his shoulder and whispered comforting words. It puzzled him why Zeo had these dreams, but he doubted it was a death this time; they had a different affect on the innocent male.
"Tell me…what happened?" Tala asked softly, his deep voice almost purring. Zeo sniffed slightly, tears coming down his face.
"It's Kai…and Hiro…they were," He paused, voice cracking a bit. "They were being." Tala didn't need to hear the next word; he simply wrapped his arms right round his admirer and kissed the top of his head. For a young man, he was extraordinarily sensitive. Tears of sorrow poured down the tanned face and into the soft fabric of Tala's T-shirt. He felt helpless, this was his entire fault, if he hadn't left them, and they might be safe.
"They won't kill them," Zeo's head shot up. Tala winced at the thought of telling him something that he hadn't thought of. "They'll be ok." Zeo stood his shaking becoming that of anger.
"They'll be ok!" He shouted, Tala shut his eyes. "How can you say that? It's-it's…UNTHINKABLE! They're being tortured and you're saying it's OK?" He screeched, his voice going a few octaves higher with his anger and sorrow. Tala pushed himself up so that he was taller, giving him an advantage. His blue eyes turned icy and his expression seemed to disappear. Zeo's anger seemed to fade and became replaced with fear and surprise. He hadn't seen that look in a long time.
"Don't talk like that," Came the icy tone, breaking through the silence and making Zeo flinch. "I'll tell you when it's ok and not, you have no right." He said, walking right up to the shaking form and glared. He sharply turned and strode to the door, swinging it open and passing the two girls who were waiting just outside with the usual items. Miriam quickly trotted in, Kaede right behind her.
"Zeo! Are you ok?" She asked, wrapping the towel round his shoulders and steering him to the bed. "I know he can be mean sometimes, but he's just worried, that's all." She said, taking the glass of water and flannel from her lover.
"Let him cool off and it'll be better in no time at all." Kaede backup smiling slightly. Zeo nodded, however he didn't return the smile. Kaede and Miriam exchanged glances, nodding. Miriam stood and glided towards the door.
"She's gone to see the others; Ozuma and Mystel are worried about you too. And I'm sure she'll be able to talk to Tala a bit. That'll help, no?" Another nod. Kaede rubbed the green eyed boy's arms grinning. "Now don't you worry! We'll be in and out to collect Hiro Sensei and Kai ASAP!" Zeo smiled back, widening the pale girl's grin.
"Yea, they'll be ok." She nodded and stood from her crouch and rested her arms on her hips.
"So, as it's about two in the morning, do you want to sleep more, or come play a game?" Zeo blinked at how she could have so much energy in the morning.
"A game sounds good." He said, starting to fear sleep. Miriam then came in, Mystel bouncing behind her and Ozuma shutting the door.
"Hey! Are you planning something without me?" Mystel asked, throwing an arm around Zeo playfully. Kaede laughed and hugged Miriam, Ozuma sat on the other side of Zeo.
"Yea, not nice to leave us out you know!" Mystel tugged Zeo up and pulled him to the door.
"Come see what I found in the garden! It's so cool!" He said, starting into a run. Zeo begged him to slow down, but the Egyptian just laughed and ran slightly fast, making the other stumble. He stopped at the bottom of a tree and jumped up, hand grabbing the branch and swinging himself into a crouch. He looked down at Zeo and blinked innocently. "What is it? Can't you jump?" he asked.
"Not that high!" Mystel grinned again and used his feet as hooks, dropping forward so he was upside down. Zeo walked over to him and poked his forehead. "What is it anyway?" He asked.
"Hold my hand." He stated, ignoring the question. Zeo obliged and let out a small yelp as he was pulled up into the tree. Mystel heaved himself up so his free hand could reach the branch, then put Zeo's hand onto the branch and helped the weaker of them pull himself up. Zeo straddled the branch and looked at his companion, who simply grinned and pointed behind them at a different part of the tree, Zeo stood and held onto the trunk, peering over at a bird's nest, where three small birds chirped around a few shell pieces.
"They've just hatched! " Zeo exclaimed, and turned slightly to the Egyptian. "How did you find them?"
"Well, I was bored so I was jumping through the trees and I found them…I kinda scared their mother off, so I don't think that she's coming back," Zeo looked back at the small birds. "Pick the nest up, we should take it into the house. They're orphans now." Mystel stood and held onto his waist. A light blush adorning the tan face, Zeo reached out and clasped the nest into his hands, then brought it to his chest.
"They're so cute! But I don't think we can look after them." Zeo pointed out, Mystel chuckled.
"We won't, we can take them to the animal rescue house," Mystel said and jumped off the branch, landing perfectly. He looked back up and held out his arms. "I'll catch you!" He called up, Zeo hesitantly jumped, nest against his chest, and landed against the other.
"Thanks." He mumbled with a heavy blush on his cheeks. Mystel just gave his usual smile and nodded, enjoying himself.
"You're welcome! Now, let's go back and show the others." He suggested. Zeo nodded and followed him inside. Miriam and Ozuma where sitting down in the dojo, but he couldn't see Kaede. Miriam smiled and Ozuma simply smirked.
"Birds!" The girl said standing and going to see the nest. "What happened to the mother?" Mystel grinned and laughed nervously.
"I kinda…scared them away the other day…" He explained, getting a backhand over the head from Miriam.
"Idiot!"
"Hey guys, where's Kaede?" Zeo asked saving Mystel.
"She went to bed, she could sleep for days if we let her," Miriam nodded and what Ozuma said. "But our little devil girl here would never let that happen." Miriam puffed her cheeks out and crossed her arms.
"She's got to learn." Was the reply. Zeo looked down at the small fluffy birds in his arms. It was weird, how something could be so sweet and innocent, making people happy, at a time like this. Ozuma then stood and walked to the door.
"She may think she's safe, but I'm going to go and make her suffer." He said, grinning evilly. Miriam stood and followed him out the room, an annoyed look on her face. Zeo looked at Mystel, who shrugged and went to sit down.
"Don't worry about those two, they're fine," He said resting back. Zeo nodded and sat opposite him, a gloomy look on his face. "What's wrong?"
"Well…it's just…I was wondering when we should go get Kai and Brooklyn." He mumbled. Mystel sighed and stood.
"I'll go ask the others." He said, and walked out the room, not before adding. "Stay here, I won't be long." Zeo looked at the nest and placed it on the table. He wondered where Tala had gone, because no one seemed to mention anything, not even Miriam and she was the one who went to find him. It was strange how Kaede had gone without saying anything, as she didn't often even if she was a sleepy ass, and by the way Miriam had walked out she and Ozuma should be making quite a bit of noise. And shouldn't Mystel know when they were going? He did help plan it and Zeo didn't hear him calling the others. Frowning, he stood and walk to the door, opening it the same time as someone else. He stood there, slightly startled at the redhead.
"Tala!" He exclaimed. The taller of the two didn't answer, he simply nodded, same cold look in place.
"We plan on going without you. We think it's too dangerous. The others didn't want to tell you." Zeo angered slightly. They might've needed him! What then?
"What if you need me? I can't stay here all on my own anyway, you know what could happen!" Tala nodded and held his shoulder, making Zeo feel like a little boy.
"That's why I've come to get you. They don't expect us to take you with us, so there'll already be someone on their way here, however if we do take you, I'm afraid that something similar will happen." The grip on the other's shoulder tightened. Zeo smiled widely and looked up, directly into blue eyes.
"Then they'll have to take me with a fight!" He said. Tala smirked and nodded, letting go of Zeo and walking down the hall, Zeo followed jogging slightly to keep up. He had a slight grin to his face glad that he was going. They arrived at Tala's bike, the black one he'd seen every now an then, and he saw the others on two other motorbikes. Kaede had mounted a green and deep purple one, and Ozuma had a dirty black and orange Honda. Miriam took off her helmet from behind Kaede and was glaring daggers at Tala.
"What's he doing here? He's supposed to be inside!" She almost shouted. Tala shrugged and gave Zeo a blue helmet, then put his own black one on.
"Think Miriam, what are the chances he's be safe here anyway?" The girl looked down and put her helmet back on, giving up easily. Ozuma's engine roared slightly, telling them that they didn't have much time. Tala mounted the bike, Zeo just after, holding the older man's waist with a loose grip. Tala went first, he obviously knew the way better than the others. Zeo's grip tightened as the got faster, his long plait blowing out behind his, tangling and coming undone with the force of the wind. Tala's right hand left the handle and squeezed the small hands round his waist for a second, before returning to where they were meant to be. Zeo's grip tightened even move slightly, before loosening to what it was. They where going to save Kai and Hiro, and nothing could get in their way.
Zzz
"Here we are. Stick close now; I don't want anyone getting unnecessary problems." Miriam said, taking her role as the most responsible one of the group. Kaede, Ozuma and Tala all had blank and hard expressions on their faces, where Miriam wore a frown. Zeo looked at each in turn. Kaede's hair was now tied up in a bun with a special black bun tie. Each one of them had a gun, including himself. Why they needed them, he didn't know, and he wasn't sure he wanted to know. His knowledge on the weapon wasn't great; all he knew was to shoot something he had to press the trigger underneath his middle finger. The think air was suffocating him and his hands felt stained against the black metal. He didn't like this. He didn't like it at all. And worse of all, the others seemed perfectly fine with it. He turned to his right where Mystel was positioned. The blonde turned to him and smiled encouragingly.
"Don't worry, you'll be fine." He said, making Zeo smile. He turned to his left, looking at Tala who was watching them.
"Stay with me titch, Miriam will kill me if I loose you." Zeo grinned at the old nickname and nodded.
"Yes sir!" He looked passed Tala as Miriam moved forward from the bush and ran to the ruined wall in front of them. Ozuma followed not long after. Zeo looked at Tala, who was too in concentrating, then at Mystel, who shook his head and looked at Miriam and Ozuma. The two slowly moved further on, bit by bit. They were hiding in the bushes and trees at the back of the building, which had many ruins of old buildings. He couldn't really tell what had happened, but from the look at some of the bricks he guessed that the building was burned.
He looked up as he heard a bird whistle, coming from the building. He then looked to his left as Kaede stood and ran to the first of the ruins soundlessly. His head quickly turned to Mystel as the Egyptian followed Kaede. He guessed that they were paired up, though he didn't know in what order. Kaede whistled, matching the bird he'd heard earlier. How she managed to do that, he didn't know, but right now he didn't really care. A third whistle came from Miriam's place and Kaede moved forward, Mystel always on her tail. He looked at Tala as he felt the Russian touch his back.
"Zeo. I want you to stay as close as you can. We both know that you'll probably be…taken, but that doesn't matter, ok? If you think someone's going to get you, cling to me, I don't care. But promise me," He looked honestly in the other's eyes. "You won't let them take you without a fight." Zeo smiled softly and kissed Tala's cheek.
"I promise, and you have to promise to not get yourself too hurt, if things get out of hand there's nothing you can do, understand." Tala nodded, opening his mouth before they heard a bird whistle. Tala stood and ran forward, motioning for Zeo to follow him. The Japanese boy decided he liked the idea where they left him at home. Tala leant down slightly so he could talk to his new partner.
"One whistle is to go forward, two whistles are to go back, three whistles are to stop and take position, and four whistles are to retreat. Only listen to the highest one, the lower whistles are replies." Zeo nodded at the instructions, glad to know something about what they were about to do. Zeo looked over the side of the brick wall to see Kaede and Mystel just in front of them, and Miriam and Ozuma in front of that. He then lent back against the wall again, breathing heavily. He looked up as he heard one whistle, a lower one, and then two rushed higher ones. He looked at Tala who looked like he was ready to run. Another low whistle was heard and then three higher ones. This was all too much for him, but he snapped out of his daze as Tala fiddled with something on his gun, then went back to his own and got ready to shoot something. Zeo copied his stance and gun position, trying to copy the calm attitude, but failed miserably. Tala quickly hopped up so that the gun was over the top of the small burnt wall and a loud shot came from his gun, before he couched back down again. Zeo stared at him, but the older man was oblivious.
They then heard a single high bird whistle and Zeo followed Tala to where Kaede and Mystel once were. He caught Mystel's eye, who grinned at him, however when they heard the shouting up front the grin faded and the tanned arms failed and tried to usher Zeo out of harms way. Zeo ran slightly faster and Tala grabbed his arm, pulling him as well. Mystel had dived on top of Kaede so that they were behind the wall, but the six brick ruin that Tala and Zeo were heading to wasn't tall enough for that. Zeo winced when they reached their new post. Luckily there was a hole right next to the ruin, so they could crouch down. Tala leant over Zeo, the sound of bullets being swapped in the background. He lifted up the demin trouser leg of Zeo's and inspected the imprint in Zeo's shin. He un-strapped the shin guard and smirked.
"Good thing I gave you those, no? It's not as bad as it should be. You're lucky." Zeo glared at Tala. That in was the second time he'd overstated something.
"If I was lucky I wouldn't have been shot." He snapped, the redhead shook his head.
"If you weren't lucky, that would have hit you were it was meant to, in your thigh. That would have hurt." Zeo frowned and looked to the ground beside him, Tala strapping his guard back on and pulling his trouser leg down. He turned back to look over the front, seeing Miriam and Ozuma standing at the door. Zeo yelped as Tala tugged him towards the front, across the wide field and next to Miriam, Mystel and Kaede just behind him.
"You ok?" Mystel asked, face without its usual bright grin. Zeo nodded and smiled.
"I'm fine thanks, just a small thing." He explained, turning back to Miriam. The girl nodded at something Tala had said.
"We expect that they'll be notifying their boss at the moment, so the best thing to do is advance into their place, hopefully we can track down this guy." She said, the others nodded, but turned to the door when they heard it slam, and a man with purple hair walk through. Zeo looked at Tala as he growled dangerously, and his wide eyes had tiny pupils, face scrunched up.
"No need to come find me, I'm right here," He cackled when he looked at Tala. "Why Tala, my boy! What brings someone like you here? Come to see what remains of your old building? Or come to see your sweet Kai?" Tala hissed, surprising Zeo as he was pulled back. "Seems like neither of you can control what we gave you yet, that was the plan though." Kaede stepping in front of Tala and glared viciously at the man.
"Back off old man. Tell us where Sensei and Kai are." She said, the old man roared with laughter again, a sadistic look on his face. Zeo remembered this man from his dream. The man paced a bit, inspecting each one of them. He walked up to Miriam, turning her chin up to face him. She frowned and shook her head away so that it was tilted.
"Such a pretty little girl, aren't you? Just as is that one with the white hair, but I don't think you're the one I'm looking for," He knew which one he wanted, but he liked to play games. He walked round to Mystel and Ozuma, the duo haired boy stepped closer to his friend, glaring deathly. "And you, you're a picture," He said to him, and then turned his head to Mystel. "My, what a bright looking boy, from more to the west of the world I presume." The Egyptian move so that he right next to Zeo, Tala following his actions. They both stared hard at the man to try make him move back. The man bent down to be face to face with Zeo.
"The famous Zeo. The dream boy. The very one I've been looking for," He stood, giving room for Mystel and Tala to move in front of Zeo. "I'll make you a deal; you can save Kai and Hiro by agreeing to come with me." Tala turned to Zeo.
"Remember what you promised, don't you even think about it." Zeo touched Tala's arm and looked at him painfully.
"It's only logical, I go now and we get Kai and Hiro, I'm sure you guys can work something out." Tala shook his head.
"But what if you're too late and you've…" His eyes watered at the thought. Zeo smiled and wrapped his arms around the tall Russian's neck, nuzzling into his collarbone. Tala hugged him back and rested his chin on the soft silky hair.
"I told you before that I'd wait for you, and I still will, but now you have to do your share," He leaned back and gave his crush a watery smile, caressing the pale, wet cheeks. He turned away from him and looked at the man, who was barking orders at his men. Miriam threw herself at the Japanese boy and cried her eyes out.
"Zeo! You be careful, k? I'll die if you do something stupid!" She almost screamed. She stepped back and ruffled his hair then walked to Kaede, who was coming to him.
"See you soon, k?" She asked, giving him a small hug and then going to her crying girlfriend. Mystel and Ozuma attacked him, sending him to the ground. The two of them were grinning and messing with his hair.
"I'll take those birds to the home for you." Mystel said, helping him up and hugging him tightly. Ozuma gave him a friendly pat on the back and punched his shoulder playfully.
"Wait for them to bring the other two out." He said. Miriam help him hand and squeezed it, smiling best she could. Zeo ran forward as his brother figure emerged from the door.
"Hiro! Hiro!" He called, jumping onto the tall man. Hew got swung round and set on the ground, then turned to Kai, who smiled and nodded at him. "I'm going to stay here. You two go home instead." Kai turned and walked to the others. Zeo turned to his old friend and grinned.
"See you later then…I'll get Kaede to explain it all to me, don't worry, and just look after yourself." Zeo nodded and watched the man walk towards the others. Zeo waved as he was escorted into the building, breaking down into tears as he heard his name being screeched by Tala.
I'm sorry…
Zzz
Kitty: AT LAST! Ugh! I thought I wasn't ever going to finish it! X.X
I have though
I'll try update quicker, though I have SOME idea what I'm going to write…your ideas are welcome
Review
Ciao .
Kitty-cat