In case any of are wondering, the final chapter will have something in it's Title to indicate that it's the last, I am far from finished with this work. The chapter before this one was about TALA, read the story again if you don't quite understand! God…I though I made it obvious…Oh well, thanks for reviewing and waiting from the whole thing, I appreciate.

Hugs and all, any suggestions will be welcome, ya know, if ya'll want something…happy ending, sad ending…

Well, love and all

EV

Chapter 19.

A picture worth a thousand Words.

There was silence as Kai moved through the darkness. He left behind him the safety and the light, walking into an abyss of unknown. Time seemed to lose its purpose and ability over this existence within which he was. He smiled at the comfort the surrounding gave him.

'Sir? What should we do now?'

He didn't reply, he was numb to all that was outside this serine environment, anything that troubled him was burnt to ash with his memories as he stepped further and further into the fascinating blackness.

'Mr. Hiwatari?'

And that's when the lights flashed on. Kai fell back and covered his eyes as he screamed in pain, his dream melting into the shadows. Then came a cold and monotone voice which he recognised with disgust, nausea awakening within him.

'I applaud you; you have found me and all my treasures grandson.'-there was laugher.-'But I am afraid that you are too late to save your princess.'

'No!'

He stumbled in his blind state, seeking the source of the voice with his hands stretched out, too afraid to open his eyes.

'No it's not too late! I refuse to believe that!'-but there was doubt in his tone.-'GIVE ME BACK REI!'

His grandfather laughed again, obviously enjoying the scene which unfolded before him.

'I have no further use for you, not now that I have all that I ever wanted.'-he paused, gaining momentum for the next part of his speech.'Do you know who's heart beats within my chest?'

Kai froze, a million images flashed through his head. All possible ideas slipped in without being invited and the boy bent over, retching up his breakfast, acid burning the walls of his throat. He couldn't think straight anymore, he forced opened the lids of his eyes and accepted the picture before him. But he wasn't quite ready for what he faced.

'Dear God..'-came a whisper from behind him, he realised that the soldiers were there, standing, listening, observing. But that didn't matter to him now.

Before him, impaled on a twenty meter cross was the body of a boy, only about fifteen in age. No, it wasn't Rei, the hair was short and blond. His body trembled as he struggled to overcome another fit of throwing up. It was Max. He hung in the air, completely naked, wires stretching from his veins and in mid air, separated from the rest of his body where his organs. Wires also streamed from them, twisting and knotting, going everywhere.

'Well., I never said what you were too late for! My men found this boy stuffing your ex-lover with some very interesting pills.'

Kai stared blackly.

'Of course I felt guilty for having mistreated you so badly and so I decided to give you an early birthday present. The boy, Tala wasn't it? Was relocated to a…how should I put this…to a better place.'-he smiled wickedly.-'Guess where?'

'What?'-was all that Kai could manage.

'Oh believe me, the Chinese boy has suffered a similar fate to this blond one, he too is somewhere within my maze of Labs. But you don't know where…do you? Tell you what, I am feeling rather generous today so I'll strike you a deal. You will try and find the Chinese brat within the next two days. On the second day at precisely'-he looked at hi watch.-'Thirteen hours, hi heart shall explode. If you find him, he's yours and I never again bother you but if you don't…Not only shall he be dead but you will become one of US.'

There was a shoot from behind and the figure of Mr. Hiwatari slumped on his throne as a bullet went through his head. But the voice came back.

'Go for it, you don't have much time!'

No one moved.

'GO!'