Disclaimer: No changes.

A/N: Hi guys! Christmas present for you!

I'm just going to say thanks at this point and do my further rambling below so I won't spoiler anything. So here it is, a very very big thank you to Tyka lover 4 ever, Tyka's Flower, Guesst 11, Little A Granger, Random Fan, Glueckskeks86 and MissMisteryy and everyone else who is still reading! You're the best and I cannot thank you enough. :)

Chapter 29

From the Ashes

And he spun around and darted down the street, away from the Dojo, and away from Tyson.

Tyson slumped to the floor. He didn't care about the curious looks passerby's were giving him. He ignored a child pointing the little white cat still nipping from the milk out to his mother. He refused the help offered to pick up his groceries with a hand gesture, unable to speak. He just sat there and started at the spot where Kai had disappeared. A single thought echoed through his head over and over: He remembered!

It was hard to believe, somewhat surreal. It had finally happened. Kai had regained his memory. Kai was back. Or was he? Should he rather ask 'who' he was? Old Kai or new Kai? Neither of them? What did this mean for Tyson, for them? And what the hell was with this cat?

Tyson finally averted his eyes and examined the cat. It was an ordinary cat. Small and white, nothing special. No collar. So it wasn't Kai's cat. Or was it? Kai had never mentioned a cat. But old Kai might simply not have shared this information with them, and new Kai couldn't remember. If it was his, he'd have put a collar on it though, Tyson was sure.

"No offense," he said to the cat that sat back and began to clean its paws. "I wouldn't have thought you'd have this effect on people."

The cat paused its cleaning procedure to look at Tyson.

"Pfft, seeing how judgy you look at me you could be that guy's cat after all."

The cat glared at him for a little longer, then continued to lick its paws clean. Tyson sighed.

"I wonder what'll happen now…" he murmured. "You got any idea?"

The cat ignored him.

"Guess that's a no…"

Tyson sighed again. Then he got up and began to collect their shoppings. The cat gave him a last disapproving look and disappeared back into the bushes. Tyson snorted. How rude! That was so Kai's cat!

Kai…

Where did he go? Was he okay? What was going through his mind how? Was he… was he thinking about him, about them? Picking a bunch of carrots from the white puddle he wondered if he still had a boyfriend, and if he had, if he was headed for a break-up.

Tyson swallowed hard. He'd known this day would come. At first he'd waited for it most impatiently and with great excitement, then more and more anxious. He also knew he'd gotten himself into a most complicated mess, against his better judgement and Ray's warning. And he also knew that he loved Kai, and that Kai loved him.

But… did feelings get lost when lost memories returned? He knew new Kai loved him. He didn't know if old Kai did as well. What if old Kai disliked him so much, that it canceled out all the affection new Kai felt for him? Was that possible? Or did feelings simply change? What were feelings really?

Tyson bit on his lower lip to hold back tears. It was too soon to cry. He'd have to wait for Kai to come back and-… come back! Oh god, where had he run off to? What if something happened to him, if he didn't come back? Tala would kill him if-…

"Shit! Tala!"

He hadn't told Tala yet. Or anyone else for that matter. What was wrong with him. Months, and he was like a deer caught in the headlights. Tyson yanked out his phone and dialed. Tala picked up at the second ring.

"What, I'm eating!" he snarled.

"Kai remembers," Tyson blurted out.

He heard a metallic clank in the background. It seemed Tala really had been eating, and he'd just dropped his cutlery.

"Where are you?"

"River Street, two blocks from the supermarket."

"Stay put!"

And Tala disconnected. Tyson had barely finished gathering the rest of his shoppings when Tala jumped out of a cab.

"What's this?" Tala asked.

"Kai dropped his shopping bag and the milk busted opened."

"I see that. What I mean is where the fuck is Kai?"

Oh. Yeah.

"Ran away," Tyson mumbled.

He was somehow scared to admit that to Tala. Tala's emotions were about to reach boiling point. Maybe he was in for a beating after all.

"Ran away? You let him get away?"

Tyson's first instinct was to point out that Kai was very fast, but he decided against it. He didn't want to admit he might not have caught up with a guy that had recently spent three months in a coma.

Instead he shot back, "What was I supposed to do? He obviously wanted to be alone - it's Kai after all!"

Tala let out a deep breath.

"Yeah... That is Kai... So he's really back..."

Tala reached down and grabbed one of the shopping bags.

"Let's go wait for a him by the dojo."

"You don't want to look for him?"

"It's Kai. He'll be fine. Plus we wouldn't be able to find him anyway."

Tyson nodded. That was probably true. He grabbed the other bag and together they began to walk back.

"You okay?" Tala asked after a while. "This must be... a tense moment for you."

Tyson shrugged.

"Don't wanna talk about it?" Tala asked.

Tyson shrugged again.

"Dunno... It's all a bit of a mess, I guess," he murmured.

"If it comes up remind me not to date a Jane Doe."

"Who's Jane Doe?"

"You honestly need to read more."

Tyson snorted.

"Gee, thanks for your words of comfort."

"No problem, that's my area of expertise," Tala said with a straight face, but a mischievous spark in his eyes.

Tyson shook his head. That guy! He felt a little smile tug at the corner of his mouth though. Maybe Tala was good at comforting after all.

They continued in silence. When they reached the house, all Gramps needed to figure everything out was one glimpse at their faces.

"No need to go mopin' around, homeboy," he said and slapped Tyson on the shoulder. "K-man will be back once he sorted out his mind, you'll see."

Despite his worry-free words he brought them a tray with tea and comfort‑cookies to the steps of the front door where they'd sat up camp to wait for Kai.

And there they sat, and waited, had tea and waited.

The sun had already set when Tyson broke the silence.

"It seems were in this together 'till the very end."

"It seems so," Tala said, without taking his eyes off the front gate.

"I'd say it was nice, but it really wasn't."

"It was fucking hell!"

"Yeah. But it would have been worse without you."

"Hm."

Tyson smiled and nudged Tala and said, "Thank you."

Tala finally turned his head.

"You're mad if you're expecting a mushy speech from me Granger. But... it wasn't too bad having you around."

Then he looked back at the front gates. Probably embarrassed. That had been a pretty mushy speech for Tala. Tyson grinned and took a cookie.

They continued to wait. Gramps brought them another pot of tea and they continued to sit and wait, sip tea and wait some more.

"What if he doesn't come back?" Tyson then asked. "What if... what if he's disgusted by me?"

"Where the hell is this coming from?" Tala asked.

"Ray was right, I should have stayed away. I shouldn't have gotten so close to him with his memory gone and all. He probably resents me for it."

Tala shrugged.

"I was actually impressed you took the initiative and went after him. How did you do it, by the way? You never told me. Did you do something kinky? Is it safe to hear for my innocent ears?"

"Dude!"

"That dirty eh?" Tala said and wiggled his eyebrows.

"No! C'mon man! It was actually kind of an accident. Well, half accident, half Kai."

"Kai? Our sweet amnesia boy? Seriously?!"

"Yeah."

"Good man! See, told you he and old Kai are one person. Honestly Tyson, if Kai took the first step, then what the fuck are you worrying about?"

"Ugh, I don't know," Tyson said and threw his hands in the air. "I guess… that he remembers he hates me, or that -poof!- memories back, feelings gone, or that-...ouch!"

Tala had snapped his fingers against Tyson forehead. Hard!

"Has your brain -poof!- disappeared? Feelings don't just vanish. He might be a bit awkward around for a bit, but let's be honest, Kai's always a bit awkward around people. That's why he's so good with cats!"

"Oh my god, the cat!"

"You really have lost your marbles," Tala said and shook his head in amazement.

"Oh shut up," Tyson growled. "There was this tiny white cat that came to lick up the milk. It looked at Kai, Kai looked at the cat and -poof!- memory back."

"You need to stop with the poof!-thing!"

"You said it, too."

"To mock you, big difference!"

"That's rude, but whatever. So, does Kai have a cat?"

"No, I don't. She's a stray I used to feed from time to time."

Tyson's head shot around. Unnoticed by them the front gate had opened, and in the doorway stood-

"Kai!"

Tyson jumped up and darted forwards. Then he stopped dead in his tracks. He couldn't just throw himself at Kai. He still didn't know where they were standing...

"Aaand that's my clue," Tala said.

Moments later Tyson heard the front door open and shut. Tala had abandoned him.

It was just Kai and him now.

Neither of them said a word. Neither of them moved. Tyson didn't know how much time had passed when Kai took a careful step forwards and closed the gate behind him. When he turned back around their eyes met once more. The lights from the house were not nearly enough to illuminate Kai's face properly. He was impossible to read for Tyson. So the same thoughts kept going around in his head again and again: what was Kai thinking? What was he feeling? What about them?

Tyson began to gnaw on his lower lip. Kai had his memories back. Most likely, this was the old Kai standing only a couple steps from him. How had he behaved around the old Kai? What would he have done in a situation like this prior to the accident? It had been so long since he'd spoken to the old Kai. Kai didn't like to talk about his feelings, or to talk in general. Maybe he should just make a joke and suggest dinner. Respect his privacy. Be cool about this.

Tyson cleared his voice.

"Didn't have you down as the old-cat-lady-type," he said and attempted a grin.

The attempt likely failed. He didn't have a mirror, but he was still quite certain of it. In the dim light it was still hard to make out Kai's reaction, but Tyson guessed he probably didn't appreciate the joke. Old Kai never had. Old sourpuss.

A swarm of butterflies suddenly began to swarm in his stomach and he felt warm all over when the thought hit him: Kai was back! Kai was really back! It was over! The whole ordeal had finally come to an end, and Kai was still alive, and he was well. A happiness washed over Tyson like a giant wave. He was back. He'd missed him so much. Although he'd come to love the new side of Kai, this was still the boy he'd fallen in love with. Tears welled up in his eyes – happy tears.

"You're back," he said.

His voice cracked and he bit his lower lip again to hold back the tears.

It happened very quickly. Kai took a few big steps towards Tyson, grabbed him by the arm and pulled him into his arms and Tyson suddenly found himself in a tight embrace with his face pressed against Kai's chest. He froze. Kai was hugging him. He had his memories back and he was still hugging him. Did he still like him? Had his feelings not disappeared?

"I'm sorry, Tyson," Kai murmured.

Maybe this was a break-up-hug? Tyson continued to gnaw on his lip and waited anxiously. The butterflies were no longer swarming, and he was beginning to feel rather chilly.

Tyson mustered all his courage.

"Sorry for dumping me?" he mumbled against Kai's chest.

"Wha-… no!" Kai said.

Tyson lifted his head off Kai's chest and leaned back far enough that he could see his face.

"No as in no, you are not dumping me?"

"I'm sorry for all the shit you had to go through these past months. Of course I'm not dumping you. I-…"

The butterflies were back and swarming at full force. Tyson felt a big smile creep up on him.

"You?" he asked slyly.

"I still like you, you annoying idiot."

Tyson beamed.

"You 'like' like me?"

Kai rolled his eyes.

"Is that a yes?" Tyson asked. "That's a yes, isn't it? So you feelings didn't just -poof!- disappear?"

"Tyson," Kai said.

"Yeah?"

"Do shut up!"

And then Kai kissed him. It was butterflies, fireworks, chills and heatwaves at once, and it was awesome. Tyson slung his arms around Kai's neck and pulled him closer. In a way it was their first kiss. It was just as perfect as the ones they'd shared before. Maybe Kai was a bit more forward than he'd been so far, but Tyson didn't mind that all. They'd have to fight it out. That was just who Kai was – it was who they were.

When the cold had already fully captured their feet and was beginning to move on the rest of their bodies, Tyson pulled away.

He happily smiled at Kai and whispered, "I love you."

"Hn."

Tyson grinned. Guess he couldn't expect a second love confession tonight. Kai was so back.

"Welcome back!"

"Good to be back," Kai said and did something very new Kai and smiled.

Tyson own smile grew even wider. He was happy. So happy, he felt the need to check if he was floating. He didn't though, because Kai would have made fun of him for it, he was sure of it. But he held on to Kai a bit tighter, just in case.

"How does dinner sound?"

"I think it sounds very good."

"Okay," Tyson said and pulled Kai towards the house. "Let's raid the kitchen. I hope that bloody Tala left us something."

He opened the front door and found Tala waiting in the hallway.

"Oh, hey Tala. Just how much did you hear just now?" Tyson said and laughed sheepishly.

"I see you two are still a thing," Tala said, ignoring his question. Towards Kai he said, "You took your fucking time."

Kai shrugged.

"Next time you do something like this I'll beat you to pulp, brain injury or not."

"Fair enough," Kai said.

Then they grinned at each other.

"What a touching reunion," Tyson commented. Before Tala could threaten to hit him, or actually hit him, Tyson stepped halfway behind Kai.

He put on an innocent smile and said to Tala, "How about we celebrate Kai remembering something about me by you ordering pizza for us?"

Tala rolled his eyes.

"Look at you all cocky from back there. Forget the pizza, we got something better."

"What?" Tyson asked.

Kai snorted. Apparently he'd already figured out where this was going.

"Gramps made dumplings!" Tala said. "Oh and Kai, there's dessert if you want."

"Pass," Kai said. "But Tyson has taken a liking to... dessert."

"Hey! That was once!" Tyson protested.

Still bickering they made their way to the kitchen where they celebrated Kai's phoenix-like rise from the ashes with some original grandpa Granger dumplings. …And dessert.

A/N: Guys. This kind of was the last chapter. I still have an epilogue for you though, so don't be too sad. I'll try to upload that before the year is over ;)

Also: I was thinking about uploading a bit of 'bonus material' if you so will. I have a couple scenes that I wrote but didn't end up using because my story took a different turn. If you like I'll upload them. Let me know. :) And if you have some burning questions you'd like to ask, let me know those as well and I'll get to them in the next chapter/ bonus chapter.

Now all I have left to say is: Happy holidays!

~Bird