Disclaimer: Don't own the rights to Beyblade.
A/N: Hey guys! I'm absolutely stoked to upload this chapter - we are finally leaving the hospital! Now's that exciting or what.
Thanks to everyone who's read their way through 10 chapters of hospital, especially to Lady Moonlight Christianna, BlackLotusRaine, CairoTh3Pho3nix, LittleAGranger, kaidatinuchan, werechasingmavericks, write for cookies and makoto (sorry, couldn't wait to update this - hope your exams are going well) for following, faving and/or reviewing! You always make me a very happy bird :3 Now, enjoy~
Chapter 11
Fresh Air
"Got everything?" Tyson asked as he watched Kai close his bag.
For two long weeks the Doc had kept Kai in the hospital to do further check-ups and keep an eye on him until he was 130 percent sure that Kai was well and strong enough to leave the safety of the hospital. Needless to say, Tyson was 130 percent annoyed by this. Patience just wasn't his strong suit and it was a real good guess it never would be. He just couldn't wait for the moment they'd leave this hospital behind for good. He had to admit though that the Doc had probably been right to keep Kai there for a little longer: for the first week, the hours of the day where Kai had been awake could be counted on one hand. He still slept abnormally much and spent most of his time lying down, but with every passing day it was a couple minutes longer or a few steps more.
And today was finally the day that Tyson had been longing for ever since he'd learned about Kai's condition: the day Kai was leaving this hospital, alive and well!
"Oh you mean all the stuff that I spread across this room these past months?" Kai asked.
"Sarcasm! Very nice," Tala commented. "Very like the old Kai."
The old Kai and the new Kai - these terms had been commonly used these past weeks to answer their friends' curious questions about amnesia-Kai's behavior. Tyson tried his best not to use them whenever Kai was around though, so he wouldn't hurt his feelings. Tala on the other hand didn't seem to think this was necessary…
Tyson stuck his tongue out at the redhead. It may have been the words the old Kai would have used, but the tone in which he'd said them had been softer, his eyes sparkling with amusement instead of being rolled. He snatched Kai's bag from the Russian's grip and strode towards the door.
"C'mon guys lets get outta here."
Without looking back Tyson stepped out into the hallway and made his way to the elevators. Kai and Tala followed him into the elevator and then the doors shut, blocking the view down the way too familiar hospital corridor.
Tyson let out a sigh.
"I feel ya," Tala said.
Tyson glanced sideways to see Kai's reaction. Kai's thoughts seemed to be a million miles away – he simply stood there and gazed into space. There was no telling what was going on inside his head. Then the elevator came to a halt and Kai's head shot up. When the doors opened, allowing clear view of the outside through the large glass doors of the hospital, a smile spread over his face. Kai began walking towards the door, faster and faster with every step he took.
And Tyson understood: he wasn't the only one who'd been longing to see this place disappear in the rear mirror. Kai's desire to get out of the hospital must be one thousand time bigger!
He exchanged glance with Tala, who smirked back at him. Yeah, Tala knew too. Of course he did. It still sometimes surprised Tyson how good the redhead was at reading people, especially Kai. But then again, they went way back - like brothers. Brothers who shared a childhood, who fought and went separate ways, brothers who made up.
Tala then grabbed Kai's arm and said, "Whoa, easy there!"
"He's right Kai," Tyson agreed. "You have my absolute sympathy for wanting to get out of here but I'm sure you can endure another thirty more seconds."
Kai mumbled something Tyson could despite the best of his efforts not understand. He wasn't even sure if Kai himself knew what he'd been saying. Kai's body was tense, the crimson eyes never once left the door.
They continued at a speed suitable to a newly-discharged ex-coma-patient. The seconds it took for them to cross the entrance hall seemed like an eternity.
And then, finally, they reached the door.
"One more step to freedom Kai," Tyson smiled. "Ready?"
Oh, he was ready! Kai had practically leaped through the door before Tyson even finished his sentence.
Tyson laughed and followed suit. Outside he took a deep breath, eagerly soaking in the cold, fresh air, free from the odor of disinfectants. Haaa, what bliss!
He glanced over at Kai who stood a couple steps away from him. Kai had his eyes closed and his face turned towards the sun. Just like Tyson he seemed to soak up the fresh air - the smell of his new‑found freedom!
"Hey yo my peeps! Hop in!"
Tyson spun around and felt his facial expressions derail. His grandfather was not standing next to a cab like Tyson had anticipated, no! He was standing in front of a 1960s hippie-minivan, most likely the ugliest vehicle Tyson had ever laid eyes on.
"Fuck's sake!" Tala murmured and hid his face in his hand for a second.
Kai didn't say anything. And he didn't have to because his face said it all. Unlike the old Kai, the new Kai didn't have a perfect poker face. According to Kai's expression - eyes as big as saucers, mouth wide open – it was also the ugliest car Kai had ever seen.
"What the heck, Gramps?" Tyson yelled as he dashed forward.
"Isn't she a beauty?" Gramps said and gently patted the hood.
"No, that thing absolutely hideous! But that's not what I meant - Gramps, please tell me you didn't drive here!"
"How else would I get here, homeboy?"
"Walk, ride a bike, take a cab, hitchhike – everything but drive! You are the worst driver in the history of men!"
"Second that. Just out of curiosity, do you even have a license?" Tala asked.
Tyson rolled his eyes.
"That's what he keeps telling us but who knows."
"Gangster," Tala said. "I mean, totally inappropriate given Kai's recent history, but in general pretty gangster, Gramps."
"Can you please not encourage him?" Tyson huffed.
"Oh stop ya' yapping, Tyson," Gramps said and smacked him on the shoulder. "Imma fine driver."
"The police seemed to think different when they pulled you over the other day."
"The officers were just havin' a bad day. Now, everybody aboard!"
"Absolutely not!"
Gramps shook his head and said to Tala, "He doesn't get it from my side of the family."
Tyson crossed his arms over his chest and just glared at his grandfather.
"Alright, alright homeboy, why don't you drive then?"
"Because I am a minor?" Tyson suggested, his voice trembling.
"Right," Gramps nodded, "How about you K-man?"
Kai eyes widened.
He pointed a finger at himself and asked, "Me?"
"Oh for the love of God! Kai was just discharged and we don't even know if he has a license."
Gramps shrugged.
"Then you drive, Tala."
Tala snorted.
"I'd rather stick a burning match into my right eye than get behind the wheel of that monstrosity."
Tyson pricked up his ears. He'd rather not … as in technically he could!
"So you do have a license, Tala?"
"Yeah."
"An official, completely legal driver's license?"
"Yes, Tyson," Tala snarled. "Getting a license is not that hard – getting a fake one would probably be more work!"
"Ohhh that is good news. That is very good news! That means you can drive us home, can't you? C'mon Tala, please? Please, please, pleeeeeaaaaase?"
"Fuck no - I will not be seen behind the wheel of that hideous love‑peace‑and‑happiness‑mobile!"
"I'll lend you my hat," Tyson promptly replied.
He took his base cap off and wiggled it around in front of Tala's nose. Tala crossed his arms over his chest and glared back at him. Seriously what was it with these Russians and their glares?
Tyson huffed.
"Oh come on, we all know you hide a soft core behind that hard shell."
Tala's brow started to twitch dangerously. Okay, glare plus brow twitch - Tyson was really pushing his luck. But hey, he was doing this for Kai. Kai who had just missed last three months of his life because of a drunk driver. Sure, Kai had lost all his memories, including any possible memory he might have of the accident. Tyson was not going to risk Gramps triggering it with his fast-and-the-furious driving style and adding to the trauma Kai most likely had. Admittedly, he had no idea of Tala was any better. But he knew that Tala wouldn't do anything that would hurt Kai, so he'd most likely be the lesser of these two evils.
Tyson decided to play his trump card. At least he was almost certain it would be his trump card. Good enough.
He met Tala's glare and said, "For Kai?"
Tala held his glare for a few long moments, then rolled his eyes and ripped the base cap from Tyson's grip.
"This stays between us, Granger" he snarled. "If anyone finds out I will make your life miserable."
And no doubt he would.
"Err sure, my lips are sealed."
He turned around to Kai, who'd been silently looking back and forth between the two of them.
"Sorry about all this Kai! Let's get you home."
To Tyson's relief Tala was a very safe driver. No speeding, no spontaneous change of direction across four lanes, no abrupt stopping that would have every passenger choking on their seat belt. He couldn't believe this rule-obliging-driving to be Tala's normal style of driving though. It just… it just didn't suit Tala. No, Tyson saw him more as the kind of guy who collected a good amount of speeding tickets throughout his life, parked wherever the hell he wanted and swore like a proud sailor at anything and anyone who got in his way. Which made him appreciate this ride even more.
Throughout the drive Tyson kept a close eye on Kai, looking for any signs of emotional distress. Nothing. There was no sign of it. Kai just sat there and calmly looked out of the window. Just this once, Tyson thought, amnesia was a blessing.
Tala pulled into the driveway of the Granger Dojo, parked the hippie-mobile and was out of the car before Tyson had even loosened his seatbelt.
"Thanks Tala!" Tyson said as he got out.
Tala snorted and placed the base cap on Tyson's head in a way that bordered on manhandling. Not that he'd expected anything else.
"Not another word about this."
"Aye sir," Tyson saluted and adjusted his cap.
Then he grabbed Kai's bag and said, "C'mon Kai, I'll show you your room."
On the way Tyson tried his best explaining to Kai where everything was. He had to admit that finding one's way around the Granger Dojo was a bit of a challenge due to its size, but no doubt Kai would figure it out in no time.
"And here's your room," Tyson said when they reached their destination. "Mine is just across the hall and Gramps room is down the hall."
Tala followed Tyson and Kai into the room and made himself comfortable on the bed.
"Isn't this Hiro's room?"
"Who's Hiro?" Kai asked.
"My brother," Tyson replied. "I took the liberty to pack up his stuff and move it to the guest room next to the Dojo. He's rarely home anyways and I'm not that keen on having him close by any time soon."
"He's kind of a dick with a tendency of stabbing one in the back ," Tala added by a way of explanation.
"Err okay," Kai said, even though he didn't look like he any clue what was going on. "Are you sure it is okay for me to stay here?"
"Absolutely! Now, why don't you unpack and lay down for a bit? The Doc said you mustn't exhaust yourself. And call when you need anything."
Kai nodded and mumbled a thanks.
Tala gave him a pat on the back and said, "Later man!"
Then he followed Tyson out and shut the door.
To everyone's surprise Kai did as he was told - he napped until it was time for dinner. He ate with everyone else, then went to lie down again. Tyson couldn't be happier.
When he went to find Kai later that night, however, Kai wasn't in his room. Tyson looked at the two cups of tea he was balancing. An advance apology. He wasn't sure if Kai was aware of the fact that Tyson had to go to school in the morning, and that Kai would hence be home alone with Gramps, who... well who was just Gramps. Tyson decided not to let the tea go to waste and went to look for Kai.
He found Kai sitting in the engawa, the outer corridor, a blanket wrapped around his slim shoulders. Slim shoulders... Tyson would have never thought he'd say that about Kai one day.
Kai had his head leaned against a pole and his eyes on the night sky. It was a cloudless, starry night and the air was cold and clear.
"Here," Tyson said and held the hot cup out to Kai.
Kai took the cup from him.
"Oh, thank you!"
"You're welcome."
Tyson sat down next to him and carefully drank a small sip. He sighed as the hot liquid warmed his stomach. For a few moments they sat together, neither of them saying a word. Then Tyson broke the silence.
"It's freakin' freezing - what made you come out here?"
"Just wanted to get some fresh air."
"Huh. Yeah I guess that makes sense after all that hospital air you breathed in."
Again, they spent some time just sitting there, drinking their tea.
Again, it was Tyson who spoke first.
"I have a confession to make."
Kai looked at him slightly puzzled.
"I have school tomorrow - I tried getting out of it but Gramps just won't let me. Which means you'll be home alone with him until I get back. So, err, I'm sorry for whatever stupid stuff he'll do, feel free to kick him out of your room if he gets on your nerves and, um, just dodge the Kendo sword okay? It's this weird reflex practice he does, I don't know why, but... I'm blabbering, aren't I. Sorry about that."
Kai cracked a little smile.
"That's alright. I figured you'd have school, tomorrow being a Friday and all!"
"Right," Tyson scratched his head and laughed sheepishly. "Still, if there's anything you need, text me."
"I think I'll be fine. Your grandfather seems very friendly."
"Most would say batshit-crazy, but okay," Tyson grinned. "Hey, how about I take you shopping tomorrow? You could really do with some new clothes."
"Err, I-..."
"No seriously, Kai, you look like Harry Potter. We need to get you something that doesn't look like it belonged to your super-sized evil cousin."
Kai looked down at the shirt that was hanging loosely off his shoulders.
"I guess I used to be a bit bigger."
"Just a tad," Tyson chuckled and got up. "Alright I'll see you tomorrow for a big shopping tour, so you better rest up, Kai."
"I will. Good night Tyson."
Tyson took one more look at Kai sitting there in the moonlight and he felt his heart leap in his chest. Like something out of a dream...
"Good night Kai," he softly said and quickly went inside.
A/N: High five to Tala for his young-mom driving? :D
Have a good week everyone and see you soon (because I am actually working on the next chapter already, crazy huh?). Bird~