Disclaimer: see all previous chapters

A/N: I know right! Fastest update since ... I don't know, maybe ever. Happy Easter everyone!

And thanks to PreciousRoy, kaidatinuchan, Guest, Ita1412 and Random Fan - you are wonderful and I am happy to give you the next chapter in full length. It's half a novel on its own, but should be a treat for everyone who's depserately waiting for a TyKa-moment. ;)

Chapter 19

Pictures From the Past

Kai kept rubbing his temples. It seemed like forever until he finally spoke.

"I remember this song."

Tyson, who'd subconsciously been rubbing Kai's back, froze.

"You what?"

"I remember this."

"As in remember stuff about that Tea Party-thing remember, or 'remember' remember?"

Kai looked up. There was a glow in his crimson eyes that Tyson couldn't identify. Was it excitement? Joy? Freight? He couldn't say.

"It's not much," Kai said. "It's just an image of a Christmas tree. I was decorating it. The song was playing in the background. I think my mother..." his voice trailed off. "I'm not sure. The song's connected to her. Maybe she put it on. Ugh, I don't know. I didn't even get to see her face!"

Kai buried his face in his hands again.

So it had finally happened. The first fragment of memory. Tyson continued to pat Kai's back. He didn't know what else to do. Tyson felt beyond stupid: so much time to prepare for this moment, and he had nothing. But then again, there'd been no way of knowing when and how it would happen. Either way, he'd just have to go with it now. Simply be there for Kai. In the end, that was all he could do.

"Don't force it, Kai. Your memory will come back eventually and you'll get to see her face then. This is just a first step. Hey, look at it as an early Christmas present."

Kai lifted his face. He smiled weakly.

"Yeah... I guess this is a good thing."

Tyson nodded.

"It is! It's fantastic!"

Kai sighed.

"You're right. You are absolutely right."

He pulled himself upright again and looked at the shattered Christmas ball.

"Sorry about the ornament..."

Tyson stood up straight as well.

"Nah, don't sweat it. I can't even count the amount of ornaments that have been broken in this house over the years."

Kai smiled. Not a weak smile like before, but a real, amused smile.

"Who holds the record, you or Gramps?"

Tyson laughed.

"Oh, Gramps is lightyears ahead since he once knocked a decorated tree over - broke pretty much every single thing on there. Unbeatable, that."

"Oh well, maybe we should move this tree in a corner then."

"Good thinking, let's do that!"

Late that evening Tyson found Kai on the couch, looking thoughtfully at the tree. In his modest opinion, they had done a brilliant job decorating it, but Tyson had the feeling Kai was not admiring their work. He sat down next to him.

"You okay?"

Kai nodded, not taking his eyes off the tree.

It was a while until he spoke.

"It's a bit... frustrating."

Tyson wondered what he should say. He couldn't even imagine how frustrating it must be to only get a fragment of a memory back. And the useless part of it too – what good was a tree when Kai's mom was connected to the memory as well? Impatient as he was, Tyson would likely be pouting for days!

Before he could figure out what to say, Kai spoke again.

"I know it's stupid but-..." He hesitated, then continued, "I guess part of me was hoping for something to trigger my memory to come back at once."

"Like it does in movies. Like - wham! - I know who I am!"

"Yeah."

Kai sighed and let his head fall back against the backrest.

"It's stupid, isn't it."

Tyson did as Kai did and let his head fall back. These late-night talks on the couch really were their thing. There was something very intimate about it. Tyson smiled for a moment. He loved that thought.

Then he said, "No. No, it's not. It's... it's actually completely understandable that you wish for this. I mean... I can't even imagine how confusing it must be to have lost your memory. And if you get memories back one by one... that's not much help, is it. I guess what I mean is I'd wanna know who I was at once. I'd be tired of being left in the dark, of wondering."

For a moment neither of them said anything.

"That's... I think you summed it up pretty well."

Tyson knew Kai couldn't see his face, but he still had to grin. He wasn't normally the well-spoken type, so he couldn't help it.

"Well, you know what the Germans say: even the blind chicken occasionally finds some grain."

"That raises so many questions, I don't even know where to begin," Kai said.

Tyson laughed.

"We know this German guy from the European Beyblade team... Robert is his name."

"And he taught you that?"

"No, no, his teammate Johnny – he's not German though. I think he's Scottish... somewhere from that islands at least! Well, anyways, he told me that Robert always says that to him."

"Oh?"

"Friendly banter."

"Right. Like Tala, Bryan and Spencer?"

"Oh no, they're in a league of their own, man."

Kai chuckled.

"The way he shoved him through the wrapping machine... The funniest thing I remember seeing."

Tyson slightly turned his head.

"You have an odd sense of humor, Kai. In many ways."

But he, too, had to grin.

Kai gave him a quick glance, the grin widening.

"I wonder if they really took Bryan to lunch this way."

He looked back up at ceiling, apparently giving it some thought.

"I bet they did," Kai then said.

"Yeah, they probably did," Tyson agreed.

They fell silent. Tyson's thoughts traveled from the tree farm to the stop they'd had before, and more specifically to the moment he'd been knocked right into Kai's arms. Kai's grip had been surprisingly strong. Strong and firm around him. Kai's body had felt ... slim. The coma had eaten away much of his muscle. Yet he hadn't felt fragile. More like... lean. Incredible as it was, Kai's body must have managed to maintain some muscles. Tyson discretely felt his own biceps. Maybe for once in his life he was bigger than Kai. Okay, there was a chance he simply had more fat, but - just this once - Tyson allowed himself the benefit of the doubt. Whichever it was, Kai's body sure had felt nice against his. As the familiar warmth crept up his cheeks, Tyson remembered Kai's pink cheeks. Why had he blushed? Was it because he was a bit bashful, was it the surprise, had he been warm or...

Ugh Tyson, pull yourself together, he thought.

Kai really had other things on his mind. And Tyson still didn't know if Kai even was gay. Even if he'd dared to ask, he wasn't sure Kai himself currently knew. Damn amnesia! About time his memory began to return.

There was a sudden weight against his shoulder and he looked down. While Tyson had been lost in thought, Kai had fallen asleep. His head had rolled to the side and now rested against Tyson's shoulder. What a déjà vu!

Tyson swallowed hard. What now? As he saw it, he had exactly two options; option one: shove Kai aside, and two: sit tight and not move a muscle. Moving Kai would likely wake him - and he couldn't just wake Kai. He deserved to sleep peacefully after the day he'd had. And if Tyson was completely honest with himself, he didn't want to move Kai! He'd been longing to get close to him for weeks and weeks and now that he had the chance he'd be an idiot to let it go to waste. Basically, that only left him with one option.

Tyson took a closer look at Kai. Through his bangs, a little of Kai's face was visible.

So familiar, after the many hours Tyson had stared at Kai lying still in hospital bed. His cheeks had more color now and he simply looked healthier, but other than that nothing had changed. Kai was still incredibly handsome. Tyson slowly reached out. His hand hovered mid-air, undecidedly, before he brushed a strand of hair out of Kai's face.

Kai stirred. For a moment Tyson thought he'd woken him and his inner voice was already warming up for a good telling-off, but Kai just inched closer and slept on.

Tyson swallowed again. A Kai sitting next to him was already a bit of a challenge, but a Kai cuddled against his side was really testing him. He felt nervous, almost panicked, but there was also a part of him that felt ... happy. Simply happy. And the longer Tyson watched Kai's sleeping face, the happier he felt. Weeks ago, this was more than he could have ever wished for.

Closer still would be too much for Tyson to handle though, and so he pulled a throw from the armrest and carefully put it around Kai. Kai sighed contently in his sleep.

Cute, Tyson thought. This version of Kai could be so incredibly cute. How things would have turned out if this Kai had been the only Kai he'd ever known? Well, he would certainly not have become the Beyblader he was today without the old Kai giving him a kick in the butt every now and then. Yeah, Kai could be a pain. Tyson wouldn't trade his grumpy team captain for anything in the world though. His felt a little sting in his heart. He'd miss this sweet, gentle version of Kai, but ...he wanted the old Kai back. A wave of emotion rolled over Tyson and he realized just how much he missed him. The old Kai - his Kai.

Tears welled up and Tyson hastily averted his eyes. He blinked a couple times, then took a deep breath. It wouldn't be too long now. Kai would probably be back to his old, sour-puss self before Tyson graduated in the spring. ...Would he come to Tyson's graduation? New Kai sure would, but old Kai? Maybe he should make him pinkie-promise to come, before any more of his memory returned. Yeah. He'd do that. Tyson nodded to himself. He then looked around. Now what. His phone lay out of reach on the table, as did the remote control. Well, damn. There went his entertainment. He'd just have to sit and wait then. Just wait... and watch Kai, be happy... feel the warmth of Kai's body... maybe knick part of his blanket...

So warm, so comfortable...

A flash of light jolted Tyson awake. That, and a snigger. He groaned. His neck felt as stiff as if he'd slept on the couch... which he apparently had, Tyson realized as he opened his eyes and glanced around. His stomach dropped. Not only had he slept on the couch - so had Kai. And not only had they slept on the couch together! No, they had been caught, too: In front of him stood Gramps, a grin on his face wide enough to fit a banana sideways and a camera in his hand. And as if that wasn't bad enough already, Gramps wasn't alone. Next to him, carrying an equally large grin, stood -

"Ray!"

Tyson shot up and threw his arms around his friend. The joy of seeing Ray after so long was momentarily out-weighing his embarrassment, but Tyson didn't doubt for a second that would change later. For the time being, though, he was simply happy to see Ray.

Tyson took a step back.

"When did you get here? Weren't you supposed to get here by tonight? Did I mess up the time? I was so sure 'pm' meant evening."

Ray laughed.

"No, no, you were right. It was a change of plan. There is a storm due tonight, so I talked the lady at the airport into letting me on an earlier flight ... and thank heaven she did," he added, that grin still lingering on his face.

The embarrassment was beginning to get the upper hand now. Gramps gave Ray an affectionate pat on the back.

Then he said, "All happens for a reason, homeboy. Imma go make a copy of this, just in case someone decides to steal my camera. And then I'll prepare some breakfast for y'all."

"Oh, I'd be happy to help with that," Ray said.

"Nonsense. Gramps replied. He nodded towards Tyson. "Tyson will help."

"But I-..."

But Gramps had already left the room.

"...stink at making breakfast," Tyson finished.

"Oh that's not true, you make excellent coffee."

Tyson spun around.

Kai looking up at him from the couch, very much awake. Of course, how could he have slept on with all that noise. He really could be dense...

"Err thanks... Um, Kai, this is Ray."

"I know," Kai said with a smile and stood up to shake Ray's hand.

"You do?" Tyson said incredulously. "Do you remember something?"

"Well, I knew he was coming, and you just called him Ray, so..."

Tyson slapped his hand gains this forehead.

"Right. Of course, never mind me, carry on."

Ray did the little head-shaking motion that Tyson had come to call the 'Oh Tyson!'-head-shake and took Kai's hand.

"Hi Kai! You have no idea how happy it makes me to see you up and about."

"I've been very much looking forward to meeting you ever since Tyson first mentioned you," Kai replied.

"Oh?"

"Hey, I only said good things about you," Tyson said.

"Straight out defensive," Ray observed. "Interesting."

"Oh c'mon, you know me!"

Ray chuckled.

"I know. I just like messing with you - because I know you'll go for it. Every time," he chimed.

Tyson snorted.

"I'll go freshen up and help Gramps prepare breakfast. Will you be okay Kai?"

Kai nodded.

Tyson did a thumbs up and began making his way to his room.

"Don't forget to clean behind the ears," Ray called after him.

Tyson debated giving him the finger. If it were Tala, he wouldn't have hesitated. Damn, that redhead was really rubbing off on him.

So instead, Tyson muttered under his breath, "Freakin' cat-boy!"

"I heard that!"

"See?" Tyson called out without turning around. "I told you his hearing was wicked!"

And he left.

"LALALALALA!"

"Oh c'mon," Ray called over Tyson's loud singing. "You've been telling stories about me, it's only fair that it's my turn now."

"He knows plenty already!"

"I think I'd like to hear more," Kai said with an innocent smile that was fooling no one.

After breakfast, Ray had unpacked his things in the guest rooms, while Tyson and Kai had set up the kotatsu in a corner of the living room, around which they were now gathered.

"And you shall," Ray replied, conveniently ignoring Tyson's continued protest. "As I was saying, this was during our first tournament. We were traveling by ship to the next round of the competition - nice ship, very large. Large enough for a pool."

Ray paused meaningfully and grinned. Tyson groaned. Of all stories to tell Kai... Ray was savage!

Ray continued, "Our Tyson here of course decided to go for a swim. Oh, and I am so glad he did. See Kai, Tyson didn't just go in over the ladder, no, he had to cannonball into the pool. Water exploded everywhere. And guess what else exploded? His swimming trunks. Split right over his butt. Oh, it was hilarious."

Kai seemed to have a vivid imagination, because he soon joined into Ray's laughter. Tyson, despite his flaming hot cheeks, disappeared further underneath the cozy kotatsu. A fine friend Ray was... Tyson made a mental note never to get on Ray's bad side.

"I hope I remember this next," Kai chuckled.

"Next?" Ray pricked up his ears. "So you've already remembered something?"

Kai nodded.

"Last night. It was only a fragment of a memory of a Christmas many years ago, though."

"Oh, but Kai, that's great! That means you've entered the final part of your recovery."

"Yeah... That's true."

Tyson resurfaced from beneath the kotatsu. He smiled encouragingly at Kai.

"I'm sure the next memories will return soon, and the ones after that even sooner."

Kai returned the smile and nodded.

"I hope so."

Tyson suddenly became very aware of a pair of cat-eyes watching him closely. Was it his paranoia or did realization flicker across Ray's face? No, this had to be his imagination running wild. How could Ray have figured it out already – he'd only been around for a few hours. No one was that observant! Still, he'd better occupy Ray's mind otherwise.

"Hey, why don't I grab us a deck of cards?"

They spent the rest of the day grouped around the kotatsu, playing games, watching silly videos on Tyson's laptop and simply chatting. Tired from his journey, Ray was the first to wish the others a good night and retire to his room. Kai and Tyson, being that they hadn't the most restful night either, followed shortly thereafter.

It felt as if he'd barely shut his eyes when Tyson jolted awake. This was unusual. He normally had a very healthy sleep - much to his teammates' dismay, who always struggled to wake him in the morning. What had woken him became obvious when a scream reached Tyson's ears.

Kai!

In a split-second he had thrown his blanket aside and jumped out of bed. He stormed out of his room, threw Kai's door open and rushed to Kai's bedside. Kai was tossing and turning in his bed. He let out a whimper that broke Tyson's heart. Tyson knelt beside Kai's bed. He switched on the lamp on the bedside table, then reached out and shook Kai's shoulders, gently at first, then more firmly. Kai stopped tossing. His eyelids fluttered and finally flew open. Crimson eyes darted about the room.

"Kai, hey Kai, shshsh, hey, it's all good. You're awake now," Tyson said soothingly.

Kai scrambled to a seated position and ran his hands through his hair. Despite everything, Tyson couldn't help but think he'd looked darn sexy doing it.

He sat down on the mattress next to Kai.

"Bad dream?"

Sweat glistened on his forehead and he was awfully pale. Must have been one hell of a bad dream.

Tyson gave Kai's shoulder comforting squeeze.

"It's okay, it was just a dream."

Kai took a ragged breath and said in a hoarse voice, "I'm not sure it was. Just a dream, that is."

Tyson's breath caught.

"Another memory?" he asked, his voice barely more than a whisper.

Kai hesitantly nodded and buried his face in his hands.

Oh god. Tyson's stomach dropped. What kind of memory could be so bad that it put Kai in such a state? Something of Kai's dark past must have resurfaced in his sleep. Tyson knew Kai had some painful memories; he knew it had only been a matter of time until one of them returned. He only now began to grasp just how bad they must be, though.

At a loss for words, Tyson did the only thing he could think of to comfort Kai and pulled the other into his arms. He rocked him from side to side and gently stroked Kai's back with his thumbs like Gramps had done when Tyson was little.

And Kai clung to him, like Tyson had to Gramps years ago.

"It's all good," Tyson muttered into Kai's hair. "You're here now. You're safe."

He kept whispering reassuringly to Kai, whatever came to his mind. Should he? Should he ask Kai what he'd seen in his dream? Was it prying? It wasn't, right? After all, how could he help Kai if he had no idea what he was helping with? But even if he knew: could Tyson be of any help? Or was this something way too big for him to handle?

Tyson knew he should have talked to Tala. He should have asked. Maybe he should call Tala? He'd have to leave Kai to do so, though, and he simply could not bear the thought.

Tyson finally asked, "Do you wanna talk about it?"

Kai shook his head against Tyson's shoulder.

"That's fine, you don't have to."

Kai's fingers dug into his shirt.

"I-…" Kai's voice broke.

Tyson remained silent, continued to hold Kai close and stroke his back over and over and over.

After a while, Kai spoke up again, "I was in a … a small room."

His voice was low and shaky. Tyson's felt a shiver run through Kai's body. His stomach plummeted once again. What? What did this boy go through that the mere memory put him in this state?

"It-… It was dark, and cold and the walls were made of stone. Like a basement. There was a man. His face was half covered by something. He slapped me across the face -hard. I had done something wrong. I-… Pain. The taste of blood and a lot of pain. From kicks, and punches… I don't know where from… I was scared, and angry... Then I woke up."

Tyson was glad Kai could not see his face right now. He had felt the color drain from it as Kai had talked and was sure the pure horror was clearly visible in his eyes. This wasn't a nightmare. He knew the man Kai was talking about; that man with the mask… Boris. He knew he'd been rough with his team. But lock them up in a basement and beat them to a pulp? That went far beyond what he'd imagined. How often had that happen? How much time had Kai spent locked up in this dark place? Had Tala gone through the same thing?

"Kai, I-… I think you're right. I don't know for sure, of course… This is something you didn't share with us. Tala will know, though. Do you want me to call him?"

Kai hesitated, then shook his head. He still had his face buried in Tyson's shirt.

"Okay." Tyson paused, then said, "Kai, I want you to know that you are safe and that there is nothing that man can do to you now. I-… we won't let any harm come to you. Not now, not ever!"

And Tyson continued to hold him, a little firmer now. There was nothing else he could do, nothing else he could say. Not until Tala shone some light onto things.

When Kai's breathing had become steady, he finally let go.

"Let's try to go back to sleep, hm?"

Kai nodded.

Tyson gave him one last pat on the back and got up.

"If anything's wrong, I'm just across the hall."

He'd almost reached the door when Kai asked in a small voice, "Can you stay with me?"

His love-sick little heart had thankfully behaved so far, but it went completely out of control now. The inevitable blush followed and Tyson had never appreciated a dimly lit room more. He turned.

"St-stay?"

Kai nodded.

"It-… the bed fits two I think," he mumbled and looked down on his hands that were nestling the blanket.

He was right there. Hiro's bed was bigger than Tyson's. Tyson had considered switching them, but always been to lazy to do so.

He found himself in a very odd situation now.

Do it, do it, the little devil voice inside him yelled.

Stay away from this vulnerable boy, you animal, the little angel voice squealed.

And Tyson said, "Err…"

"Never mind, I can leave the light on," Kai said, still nestling the blanket.

He looked so lost it gave Tyson's heart a sting. So Tyson silently told devil and angel to mind their own business.

Out loud he said, "I'll be right back."

He quickly went across the hall, grabbed his blanket, shut the door and returned to Kai's room before he could change his mind. His heart pounding hard in his chest as he climbed into the bed next to Kai and pulled his blanket over him.

And there they lay, stiff and a bit awkward.

"Should I, err, leave on the light?" Tyson asked.

"Um no, you can turn it off."

Tyson did.

Eyes open wide, he stared into the darkness. His heart beat fast in his chest, his nerves on high alert. Kai's bed. He was in Kai's bed. And Kai was here, too. He had not seen this coming. He was not prepared for this. He'd probably go crazy with hormones. No chance in hell he'd find any sleep tonight!

He'd barely finished the thought when a wave of exhaustion rolled over him. And just before Tyson dozed off, he felt Kai curl against his side.

A/N: We are making progress, people! In every way! I must say, I'm excited about it. :))

Next chapter will be the Christmas party - I'm thinking tipsy Tyson? And I'm guessing we'll be heading towards new year's after that. But I don't know for certain, it's not written yet and this story seems to have a mind on its own.

I hope you enjoyed reading this chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it. Have a good week everyone! ~Bird