Author's Note: For some reason I can't wait to get to the last few chapters then again that usually happens when I'm writing mysteries and stuff.

I'm in a fantastic mood, all my essays are done. So now all I need to do is study, and I'm confident about three of my subjects so that is only five more I need to revise for. So woo!

Anyway I would like to thank :

Nameless Little Girl - I would have updated quicker but, school being school I had too much homework and essays. So thanks for waiting and you're review!

d1bontemp - Sorry if I took so long - heh heh I did take quiet a while to get this chapter types up. I just so confused on how I could do something without giving the game away (Not to mention the sheer amount of homework school was handing out.) Thanks for reviewing!

Izolda - Twisted is the way I work. I'm glad you're enjoying this, thanks for reviewing!

DancerInTheDark101 - Good luck at the nations (How did you do...?) Well, I hope you like this chapter as much! Thanks for the long review.

Well, yup I'm back and here's another chapter. Sorry it took so long. Time just seemed to fly by over the past week or two. Though I'm happy because I got many reviews... Yah! -High fives random readers-

Chapter 18

Something is wrong about this…Something, just isn't right… Kai was sure that it was now night, as there was a cold draft that had been annoying his back for sometime. He was too tired to move away or change his position, at that moment he just wanted everything to stay still. Have the very essence of time - stop - just for him. For him to analyze what he knew, to get some rest. To stay alive for just a little longer.

The draft went away, suddenly, Kai was filled with warmth as his loyal phoenix entered his mind.

./. How so? ./. The ancient bird was tired itself, but taking care of Kai was it's main priority and it would not leave the teen in such a distressed mood. The Hiwatari sibling was shocked and confused to hear the familiar voice in his head. He felt guilty.

Dranzer… I forgot…. How could he have forgotten about Dranzer, after all the years his faithful bitbeast had stayed by his side. He didn't mean to forget he just… Didn't remember.

./. That I was here? ./. The crimson bird didn't seem to mind and chuckled as it felt Kai's discomfort, really Dranzer was saddened that it's master was stressed to the point to forget it's very existence. The bird however, did not blame him, it would and could happen to anyone in his position.

No… Kai trailed off in his mind trying not to offend Dranzer he had no intention on making one of his closest and oldest friend angry - not in a time like this.

Dranzer chuckled at the lying teen, usually Kai was a convincing liar - whether that was a good or bad thing it was still to be decided - but since his mental state was somewhat different than it's usual self…. The lie was just not working for him.

./. You don't need to lie to me. I am fine about it Master. How are you feeling? ./. Dranzer didn't want it's master to feel guilty, it would put more strain on those chips… That would be a bad thing. Kai sighed thinking about the past few days, he was getting cramp in most of his muscles because even if everyone was to walk around they had hardly any space to move.

A bit better I suppose. The boy's eyes slid closed as if he were relaxed and in a comfortable position, he was just trying to remember when was the last time he had felt…Normal. There was no pounding headache to keep him up and there was no stupid thoughts or emotions roaming around and confusing him.

./. That is a pleasure to hear. ./. The bitbeast was happy to notice that most of the people were asleep, and wouldn't notice Kai relax slightly. Even if it was just slightly, Kai like his privacy… If anyone annoyed him they would no doubt be glared to death.

Indeed. Kai was curious to the fact that Dranzer out of all the times it could have interrupted his thoughts it chose now of all times. Did Dranzer want to say something? There was no conversation held by beast and owner for a while until Dranzer thought it wise enough to ask what it wanted.

./. Kai…May I ask a question? ./. It would be rude to just pry open at Kai's life, even if the giant fire bird knew almost everything about Kai and his life - even things that Kai didn't. It gave Dranzer no right to jump into accusations and other random questions. Kai couldn't help but chuckle himself, he liked to tease everyone or at least annoy anyone he could it was amusing to see their different reactions.

You just did…. Kai waited for a minute when he heard no reply from Dranzer, he paused - it was something serious then. Kai sighed thinking he would be asked to explain something, his head already hurt from all the worrying and thinking he had done.

Go on then… Kai sighed and opened his eyes, it was dark. He looked around seeing the outlines of family and friends why did his friends have to be involved? Why did Tyson and the others always have to interfere? Kai knew that they were just, as they put it, looking out for him. But when did Kai say he needed looking out for?

The phoenix muttered something, then grew a more confident voice, it's words echoed in it's masters head.

./. Master falsehood is easy, truth so difficult.…Would you be able to handle deceit even though you would be torn by it? ./.

Kai just sat there dumbfounded by the statement, he didn't understand why did Dranzer have to speak in riddles when it was important information Kai needed! Kai glared at a random tile, though he was actually scolding his bitbeast for not telling him something.

Dranzer do you know something? Kai wasn't sure whether to be happy, sad or even angry he was too exhausted. Things, now just didn't appear to stick in his mind the way the should have nor used to.

Dranzer was silent for a moment, unsure of what to say - if it said the wrong thing then Kai would maybe take it the wrong way or maybe would come up with the wrong conclusion. Dranzer wasn't sure which one was worse.

./. I'm afraid I believe I do…./. Kai heard his old friend sigh, Kai wondered why everything was so…. Secretive. Even his own bitbeast wouldn't say what was going on! Kai narrowed his eye sand growled angrily he didn't like to be kept in the dark about events that were concerning him. Neither did he like to hear plots about some of the very few people he decided to open up too. Things like that irritated and got under Kai's skin - being uncertain or unsure of something was a very large weakness of Kai's.

What! What do you know Dranzer! He growled when he did not receive an immediate reply. The old bird shifted uncomfortably, leaving would be rude and fairly dishonourable and telling Kai the real truth would bring death to more than one…

./.I am forbidden to tell ./. The bird snapped, Kai grimaced at that answer - so everyone that knew was threatened and promised not to tell! His own bitbeast didn't trust him to keep the information secret?

What by who! You're my bitbeast, you should only have to listen to me! You can't die! Kai was confused again, and once more he was furious because of all the secrets that were being kept from him. Why did everything have to be like this? Dranzer could have told him it's not like the person behind it could read minds - why couldn't his loyal phoenix see that?

./. Again, Master Kai…. I am sworn to secrecy though I can tell you this…/. Dranzer trailed off, as it selected the right words though Kai couldn't wait.

You… Tell me who done this! You cannot die, you are eternal! Why do you fear something you know! Kai didn't want to admit that he was terrified of what could happen to him, because he had no idea whom he couldn't trust, or could for that matter. What did Dranzer have to fear? Nothing in the world, the bitbeast would be still living millennia after this event.

./. Listen to your mother… Even if I am eternal Kai - you are not…/. Dranzer warned, the words repeated in Kai's head over and over again - he couldn't get his head around it. He knew he could die… Yet he hadn't been aware that he would if he did do something wrong. Things were just so… Different.

If you tell me…. No one will know! Please tell me! Kai never begged so it almost broke Dranzer in two when it heard it's master plea, the bird could not comply with it's masters request it would endanger him… The bitbeast could not bear with the guilt if it happened to cause any danger for the young master.

./. I will... ./. The phoenix agreed shortly after a short silence had occurred. Kai thought for a moment, and had heard the same line from his own mother - though would he get the same answer? Kai was hoping that his loyal friend would at least say a time when it was ocnvient for him, and not for itself - how ever selfish that sounded.

When…? Kai was wary of the answer he did not put too great hope on being any time soon. If it was going to be soon Dranzer would have steered clear of this topic of conversation.

./. When your family and your friends are out of here… ./. Dranzer promised, it was unaware that it would be sooner that the beast would have ever thought.

It might be too late then! Kai growled he could end up dead tomorrow by some goon ordered by some mastermind and still have no idea who, and why his life would end so…

./.If it does end up too late - you will already know who it is…./. The statement puzzled Kai for a moment, thinking it over he started to think in reason. If someone did want them all dead - usually the great baddy would come out and gloat? Kai shook his head that was only in movies.

Kai closed his eyes and attempted to get to sleep - Dranzer stayed with him, warming him, protecting him from the harsh cold that blew into the room.

Max was the first to wake, probably because he was the first to manage to get to sleep in such a strange place. He glanced around rubbing his eyes trying to refocus. It was then he noticed everyone else was asleep. Max had never been the first up, it was always someone else, so seeing everyone still in their peaceful states was alarming.

The usual worried face of the girls were gone, as was Kai's worried and continuously confused face. Whatever Enya had told him, it had messed with his mind at an incredible level. Max had never seen Kai look so…Lost in his whole life, usually he was the one to know what to do or what to say when something got bad.

Max yawned and looked around while stretching his neck muscles hearing and feeling an occasional pop from the very base of his neck. He sighed, he had always tired to stay as positive as possible but the fear of death hung around his head causing him to become more reserved. Of course over the past few years he wasn't as hyper - maybe the others wouldn't sense his fear and continue with their own mindsets?

Kai stirred and opened his eyes, instantly receiving a look from the young blonde boy. Kai blinked when did Max get up? Even though he was first up, and had had a sleep - possibly longer than anyone still sleeping, he still looked tired…

"You should go back to sleep." Kai suggested, his real aim was to have the room - quiet and no one aware of what he was talking about. He hated the fact that the BladeBreakers where here. If only he hadn't been such a prick in back at his home, if he had just said he was fine politely and showed them to the door slowly they would have not been involved.

Max stared at the older teen ; he looked stressed, beyond that he had the look of despair as if he knew what was going to happen to each and everyone. Max shuddered at the thought.

"They won't kill us…" Kai wasn't sure they wouldn't put he had to comfort some, he had to help the others get out of this mess, at least emotionally anyway. Max just sat there and looked at Kai, his eyes showed the same despair as the older teen. Kai looked at the floor, was he responsible for the happy-bubbly teen to be so… Down and depressed.

Kai didn't know what to say, he ha never really been in a situation like this before, not with everything else as a factor. Kai rubbed his temples trying to think of something that would help Max from his sullen phase, without having him go off the walls. Kai mentally slapped himself, if Max was happy and bouncing off the walls it was much better than him looking like… That.

Max shifted his sitting position and looked away from his team captain; well not anymore now that the will had been clarified. He sat wondering if he would… Die today… Or in the next few minutes…

"…I'm sorry…"

Max's eyes widened, he looked up and saw Kai looking at him with barely opened eyes. His head was leaning back against the cold wall. Max blinked, he did not just hear that.

"…You shouldn't be involved….I won't let anyone of you die Max… That I promise you." Kai closed his eyes and suddenly felt the happy-blader go back to his usual self.

Max was perplexed, confused, wondering if this was some strange dream. He pinched himself, no it was real. Kai had apologised and made a promise…

Where those chips such a bad thing? Max smiled sympathetically, Max hadn't thought about the situation from Kai's point of view. All his family, friends were in a room - his sister missing and his father still had not came back.

"It's not you're fault. Don't worry, we'll all get out soon." Max smiled, he did feel happy at that moment. Not because he had found someone in a worse position than himself but because Kai. The usual cynical one of the group have promised. It was a large character change and Max was happy he had witnessed it.

Kai looked around and noticed Rei, with an odd smile on his face, he raised an eyebrow. The neko-gin was curled up and leaning against the wall, his eyes were closed though that did not mean he was sleeping…

Kai rolled his eyes. Though soon his relaxed self came agitated and worried when he heard footsteps come down the hall… Kai tensed as he saw the same despair that he had just managed to rid out of Max returned slowly.

"Get up all of you!" A guard hit the bars repeatedly, the din caused everyone to groan and wake up with almost instant headaches. The guard looked around and nodded as if he were agreeing with himself. He had to make sure everyone was up for this. If someone where to still be sleeping it may not work… Everyone meanwhile glared daggers at the fat, ugly man.

"Here is a present for all of you." He chuckled as he placed a mask over his head… It was clear, his face could still be seen, the same smug look upon his face. He held out a ball, and threw in into the cell. It was just the size of a tangerine, though was silver because of the metallic sheen. When Kai looked at it closer, he noticed it wasn't paint. It was metal…

The guard watched as the ball hit the cell ground and everyone just froze staring at it, within a few seconds…

Beep, Beep, Beep

Everyone's eyes widened - was it a bomb? Where could they throw it?

Beep, Beep, Beep

The guard wasn't that stupid to stay in the same room as a bomb surely. Rei looked at the man's face again. A gas mask? Rei looked back at the small ball of metal…

Realisation hit him as the small ball started spraying out a disgusting green mist. Everyone held their breath trying not to breathe the horrid gas in just in case it was poisonous. People clung onto their clothing using it to covering their nose and mouth yet the mist also reached out and stung at peoples eyes, they had no choice but to close them. The gas itself was repugnant, it clung to everyone's throat - it was almost impossible to swallow, their lungs… It was as if they were breathing in fire.

It would probably have been less painful….

Soon everyone in the cell was on the floor, the gas had stopped and vents had been opened to let any gas wander outside that had not been used up by the prisoners. The guard took his mask off. Happy with his work once the signal that the cell was clear of any…. Abnormal status…

"Their ready to go!" The guard called as multiple soldiers marched down as he opened the cell…

Author's Note: Okay, I took a quote which I love, and placed it in so the lines 'Falsehood is easy, truth so difficult,' was by George Eliot. Just so no one can sue me for plagiarism! I really don't like people that copy other people's work. (Long story behind the hate!)
Hope no one hurts me for yet another cliff hanger sorry but I couldn't help but just end it there… I'm mean but I believe I'm entitled to -grins-

I'll try to up day sooner… Though don't quote me on it just in case I don't…. Anyway, thanks for reading, and I hope you review!