Disclaimer: see all the previous chapters (I wonder if this is actually necessary for every chapter? Well, better safe than sorry?)

A/N: You guys - it didn't even take me a full month to update! Round of applause? :D

Huge thanks to CairoTh3Pho3nix, Macibacsi, Blue lightning of the night, BlackLotusRaine, kaidatinuchan and werechasingmavericks: I absolutely love reading you comments and whenever I get stuck with this piece I go back to reading your words to get the words flowing again. So really, thank you very much!

Alright people lets get started shall we? ;)

Chapter 10

All His Memories

"I want him to come with me."

"Huh?"

Tyson looked up in surprise. Kai, now dressed in a simple T-Shirt and sweatpants, was sitting at the corner of his bed. He'd crossed his arms in a very Kai-like way and was looking at the Doc.

"Me?"

Technically the question was useless. There was no one else he could have been talking about, because Tala had left a couple minutes ago to take a call and had not yet returned. Still, Tyson felt he needed to hear this again. Kai wanted him to accompany him for tests?

"Well, technically only family-..."

"I would really like for him to be there," Kai interrupted politely, but firmly.

The Doc's eyes darted back and forth between Kai and Tyson. Finally he nodded.

"Alright, he can come along if it makes you more comfortable."

"It does."

Tyson's heart leaped in his chest. Wow that had come out of the blue. This amnesia-version of Kai sure was a lot more open hearted. He'd never thought he'd hear Kai admit he'd be more comfortable with someone else around. And that it was him Kai felt comfortable with... Well that was just amazing. Tyson quickly looked down to hide the silly grin on his face.

"Very well. Let's go and run some tests. Mr. Hiwatari, please take a seat in the wheelchair."

Tyson jumped to his feed and hurried to Kai's side. He extended his hand to Kai, a wordless offer to help him up. Tyson still want quite sure how much of the old Kai was in front of him. In case the new Kai was anything like the old Kai in terms of admitting weakness, he'd rather not make too big a fuss about helping him to his feet.

"Thank you," Kai said.

Without gnashing his teeth or glaring at him, Kai took his hand and allowed Tyson to hoist him up. The Doc stepped onto Kai's other side and together they walked him over to the wheelchair, in which the Russian Blader sat down without complaint.

The little group then made their way to the examination rooms. Tyson quietly listened while the Doc explained the tests to Kai. Tyson had heard this before, but he still didn't understand a word of what the doctor was saying. Kai on the other hand seemed to get what was going on. Well, a least one of them...

The first series of tests involved a lot of pushing Kai into scary-looking tubes and other machines. Tyson didn't know what these did exactly, and he didn't dare ask because he didn't want to risk the Doc kicking him out. He figured they were to examine Kai's physical health and decided that was a good enough explanation for him. Judging by the Doc's expression Kai's results were pretty good. Tyson smiled as he recalled what Tala had said: Kai's bitbeast was a phoenix after all. Who knew, maybe Dranzer did have her fingers (wings) in Kai's extraordinary recovery? Tyson made a mental note to thank her at the next chance he got, just in case.

The tests that followed focused on Kai's mental state. This time, Tyson could keep up with what was going on.

"Mr. Hiwatari, could you please count to ten for me?"

Kai looked a bit surprised. His eyes flickered over to Tyson, who was sitting a little to the side. Tyson nodded encouragingly. Kai then cleared his throat and counted from one to ten. Though still hoarse and slow, speaking seemed to get easier for him. Tyson's heart fluttered. He couldn't describe how happy he was to see Kai like this - sitting upright and talking. Almost as if nothing had happened. Well, almost. Now that Kai was no longer wearing the big hospital gown the physical changes were clearly visible. The T-Shirt, although his own, hung loose from his shoulders, roughly two sizes too big. The coma had taken its toll, eating away the large amount of muscle Kai had had. Tyson couldn't help but think that without the muscles, his war paint and that typical frown on his face Kai looked a lot younger than he used to. Younger and slimmer, but no less handsome.

That instance Kai looked over at him and Tyson blushed feverishly. Oh no! What was he blushing for? Kai didn't know what was going on his head! And now what must he be thinking? Tyson managed a cricket smile and sighed with relief when Kai focused his attention back on the Doc.

Okay Tyson, pull yourself together, he told himself. You have to pay attention! This is important, the Doc's going to figure out what's going on with Kai's head. Focus!

After the counting, the Doc asked Kai to name some colors and shapes shown to him, none of which Kai had any problems with. He then went on to more difficult questions - some of which Tyson would have struggled with, without any brain injury whatsoever! Kai was asked to name the capital of Japan (that Tyson knew), the last prime minister of England (didn't they have a Queen?), the date of the French Revolution (long ago) and the title of a classical piece of music the Doc played for him (that apparently Tyson should be able to name, too). Kai managed to answer all of them, leaving the Doc pleased and Tyson deeply impressed.

The Doc took some notes. Then he leaned back in his chair and looked at Kai.

"Now, tell me about you mother Mr. Hiwatari."

Tyson held his breath. Kai's family had always been the topic to stay clear off. They knew Kai's grandfather and... Well he needn't say more, right? No one dared asking further questions about Kai's family after learning about Voltaire. And now the Doc had poked the sleeping bear right in the eye... Kai quickly glanced over at Tyson, who hurried to put on a smile and nod a "go on" towards Kai.

"My mother...," Kai's voice trailed off.

"Yes, what is her name?"

Kai furrowed his brows.

"I ... don't know..."

"Can you describe to me what she looks like?"

Now that Tyson would have loved to know. But he'd have to be patient, because at this time Kai himself didn't even know.

"Okay, don't worry about it, Mr. Hiwatari. Let's see if you can tell me something about this"

He placed a photo in front of Kai. Kai took it and examined it quietly.

"Can you tell me who is in the photo?"

Kai furrowed his brows again.

"This is Tala and that's me, and..."

"Do you recognize the other boys?"

Kai shook his head.

"Do you remember when this was taken and what the occasion was?"

Again, Kai shook his head.

"That's alright. Mr. Hiwatari, can you tell me about the first time you rode a bike?"

Kai clenched his fingers.

"I don't remember."

Tyson resisted the urge to walk over to Kai and pull him in a big comforting hug. He couldn't even imagine how hard it must be to realize one had forgotten one's entire life: every person in it, every special moment.

The Doc nodded and said, "That's fine, don't worry."

He scribbled something onto his notepad.

"Now, can you make sense of this?"

The Doc placed a cellphone, a charger, a pair of headphones and a plug in front of Kai.

When Kai slightly raised one brow, Tyson had to stifle a laughter. How very Kai this reaction was! He watched Kai quickly put together the pieces.

The Doc then went on to describe different scenarios to Kai, involving different traffic situations, table manners and exchanging a lightbulb.

"Alright Mr. Hiwatari," the Doc then said. "I am happy to say that you will make a full physical recovery. There won't be any permanent damages."

Tyson clapped his hands and cheered.

"That's great news, Doc!"

He grinned at Kai, who smiled back at him. The Doc just shook his head at this loud interruption, but he also smiled.

"As for your mental health: you are fully capable of accessing your abstract knowledge as well as the knowledge of how to deal with scenarios of everyday life. What you cannot recall is personal memories, such as important events in your life or people you know. This is a very common form of post-coma amnesia and most patients are able to fully regain their memories. There is nothing much we can do to speed up this process. Your memory will sooner or later return on its own. So, I will keep you here for a little longer, just to make sure everything is okay and until you are stronger and then we will discharge you. Now, as far as I know your legal guardian is your grandfather, so I assume you will be staying with-..."

"With me!"

Before Tyson knew what he was doing he was on his feet and marching over to stand beside Kai.

"Kai will be staying with me and my grandfather."

Both Kai and the Doc looked at him slightly puzzled.

"Doc, I don't think Kai and his grandfather are very ...close. He's stayed at my place before when we were teammates. It's a familiar environment and he will be around people he knows and who know him. Plus my Gramps is there during the day, in case he needs help. Really, I think it would be for the best if he stayed with me."

The Doc mustered him for a while. Finally he nodded.

"I think it is a good idea. I will talk to Mr. Hiwatari's grandfather about this. As legal guardian he will have to agree. Of course only if you would like to stay with Tyson, Mr. Hiwatari."

Kai just nodded.

"Very well. Let's get you back to bed so you can rest."

"I'll do it," Tyson said.

He pulled up the wheelchair and helped Kai sit down. Then, with a "Bye Doc!" he pushed Kai out the door. He continued down the hall and turned a corner. There Tyson stopped. He walked around the wheelchair and crouched down to be able to see Kai's face.

"Hey, um... Sorry if I ambushed you back there. It's just... your family situation is a bit difficult and as far as I know you and your grandfather aren't on great terms. Tala may know more. I just want you to feel comfortable and... Of course you don't have to stay with me if you don't want to! Just know that you have the option and..." he trailed off.

Kai smiled at him. It was a gentle smile, like Tyson had never seen on Kai's face before. His heartbeat inevitably accelerated and for a split second he thought he must have been mad asking Kai to stay with him as it was a disaster waiting to happen, but then he thought that he'd just have to pull himself together. For Kai!

"Thank you for all your support Tyson," Kai said. "I may not be able to remember, but I can tell by the fact that he has not tried to contact me that my grandfather and I are not close. And I do not recall our relationship either, but there is something about you that is very familiar to me and I just know that I can trust you. So I'd very much like to stay with you, if that is not too much to ask for."

Tyson grinned.

"Oh nonsense! Gramps will be delighted to have you around! As will the others - I'm sure you'll meet them soon. They are itching to see you."

Kai slightly frowned.

"You… don't remember anything, right?" Tyson asked.

Kai shook his head.

"Nothing that happened before I woke in that hospital bed."

Tyson gave Kai's shoulder a comforting squeeze.

He felt terrible for him, but a tiny piece of him couldn't help but feel relieved. "Nothing" meant nothing from his time in the coma, too. Which meant Tyson's little secret was safe for a little while longer… He pushed the thought aside. That wasn't important now. He had sworn to be by Kai's side until he fully recovered – as his friend! He needed to keep his emotions in check – no more getting lost in thought and, for heaven's sake, no more blushing. Otherwise even an amnesia-patient would figure out what Tyson's little secret was!

"Don't worry," he said and smiled encouragingly at Kai. "You heard the Doc: your memories will return sooner or later. And until they do, we'll just have to make some new ones!"

A/N: Whoopwhoop Kai moving in with the Granger, now who would have seen that coming? ;)

Have a good night and I hope to be back soon.
~Bird