The Tale of Trust

by Bonnie-San

In this new world, the bond between an Attacker and his Weapon means everything. But when the past finally shows it's true self, the things you are looking for might be closer than you think.

6. Chapter 5

Title: The Tale of Trust

Author: Bonnie-San

Word count: 7494 words

Disclaimer: Still not back from the hospital Bryan sent me to. So any other futile attempt at *cough* borrowing anything will have to wait. The hospital personnel weren't easily fooled either… Darn…

A/N: Fi-na-lly! I'm so tired of this chapter that I don't know what to do! This was the first piece I ever wrote to this fanfiction, which means that the facts I wrote down at the time isn't correct anymore and I had to rewrite it completely and come up with new facts to tell and at the same time try to keep the plot rather the same. About 3000 words became close to 6000 instead! But it's better now, has more flow to it, so I shouldn't complain too much. I really hope you like it.

A warning, this hasn't been beta-read. So mistakes might occur.

And also a big thank you to AxelsDancingFlames, Katmonty, Mazeem, PandaPjays, Crimson Breeze, Desastrus, Panicchannel, Iluvbeyblade, Yume no Anime and Thegoldenlock for giving me your support during these few chapters! It means the world to me. And also a special Thanks you to Yume no Anime for sending me that picture. I love it to bits! I have it as me cellphone background ^.^ And you are correct. It does remind me of the last fight :)

Anyway, on with the new and late chapter.

Enjoy!

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-*-.-*-Chapter 5-*-.-*-

Back home at their sanctuary, Max was sitting on the windowsill in the living room and was locked up in his own world. The blue eyes were watching the hard rain shower the window clean with water and creating irregular patterns across the glass. His sincere mood reflected in his posture and his thoughts were going back and forth between the matters that were distressingly stuck in his mind. Back in the house he could hear the sounds of Tyson moving about but Max didn't put any attention to it. It wasn't until he felt Tyson attack him from behind with a hug that he let the whirlwind of thoughts leave his mind.

"What's up Maxie? You don't look so great."

Max hugged Tyson back and then released the hold to let his arms lie on his legs. "Hi, Do you think the others will be alright?"

"Nah, they'll be alright. Why don't you loosen up a bit?"

"Something just feels wrong Tyson. I can't put my finger on it."

Letting go of Max Tyson leaned on the sill to watch out of the window as well. "Don't worry so much. You'll see. Any minute now they'll be walking through the front door and start complaining about their miserably failed attempt to get their friends back like all the other days they have been unsuccessful."

Max turned his head and looked disbelievingly at the other. "What a friend you are Tyson. It seemed like they were going to meet them today so shouldn't you have a little more faith in them than that?"

And Tyson grinned widely back. "Exactly! You got the right way of thinking."

Blinking a few times Max saw his mistake and then shone up and started to giggle. "Ah, walked straight into that one."

They both smiled to each other and Tyson saw Max slowly relax. "Why don't you tell me about them?"

Eyebrows hit the roof as Max blinked. "About who?"

"Your family… Who were they?"

Max then shrugged. "What is there to say about them? We are… well, were a normal family. Mom and Dad tried to bring us up in the best way they could and my little brother's favourite thing in the world was to annoy the hell out of me."

"Any other siblings?" Max simply shook his head in answer and Tyson's mind started to wander off. "Oh I wish I had a little brother instead of that know-it-all big brother I have. What is it like, having a little brother?"

A small but sad laugh escaped Max' lips while he discreetly hugged himself. "He's a little devil. Always out to get me and playing the nice guy in front of our parents." He smiled softly. "You know that kind of brother. And my dad was always on his side too."

"Then you had your mother on your side at least, right?"

"I don't know. She was travelling a lot and wouldn't stay home for very long. When she got home she was really nice and gave us souvenirs and everything. But you know, my dad and I had the most wonderful moments that I can remember! We used to build boats together and go out fishing on them and play games and..." Max' speech came to a halt as the realization hit him hard. Those moments would not come again. They were forever gone… He shook his head to get rid of those negative thoughts. They would not do any good for him. Or for Tyson for that matter. He wouldn't bring Tyson into this. "…and they were really really good people, Tyson. I wish you could have met them."

"I wish I could meet them too-"

Suddenly they heard the front door burst open and they both visibly jumped by the unexpected noise. They both ventured to the door way to see Kai striding the hallway with an unconscious, deathly pale, Rei on his back. They were both soaked from head to toe 'cause of the heavy rain that still fell outside the still open front door and the wind blew hard and loudly making the door slam shut again. Max was frozen in shock and Tyson took the liberty to freak out. "Kai! What happened?"

"You have to make your own evening snack today. Rei's out for the moment."

Tyson stared disbelievingly at Kai. "Like I care about something so trivial when I see him like that. Tell me what happ-"

"We'll be in our room. Disturb and you will regret it." And with that said Kai left Tyson and a gaping Max behind and walked up the stairs. Max finally found his voice.

"Tyson, what's going on?" He couldn't believe his eyes. Was that just… wait… Wait! There was blood! And Kai was injured! How come they hadn't notice that? "Tyson! Wasn't he limping?"

"Probably…"

"What's with the lack of reaction? They're hurt! Are they going to be-?"

"Max!" The blonde jolted to a halt and his widened eyes locked on his partner with a deer-caught-in-headlight stare. "There's nothing we can do." Tyson to continued and gritted his teeth as he looked away with guilt. "At least they got home."

Max shook his head and gripped hold of Tyson's shoulders. "But there was blood Tyson, Blood! Shouldn't Kai have taken Rei to a hospital where there are doctors that can help them both rather than to walk back home?"

"Do you really think that Kai would trust a stranger?" Shaking his head Tyson broke free from Max' hold and walked into the kitchen to start roaming the fridge, Max anxiously tailing him.

"But Rei is unconscious… and Kai… He's hurt too. This doesn't make any sense. There must be something we can do. Anything."

"Look, Kai takes care of himself. If he needs something then he'll know where to find us." Tyson closed the fridge and smiled reassuringly at Max and winked. "So what do you say about fixing something for him to replenish his reserves, hm? Then Kai will have to eat and talk or I'll make him."

At the thought of actually having something to do to help Max beamed up. "Yes, you are right. Of course you are. Kai can take care of himself. So, what are we going to make?"

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Kai closed the door to their shared room with his foot and strode over to put Rei in his bed. Sitting down next to him on the side of the bed the blood red eyes locked on the unconscious face. Guilt continued to wash over him like the rain that poured outside. This fight didn't turn out well at all but he admitted that it could have ended in a much worse way than it did. If it wasn't for Rei and his ability than they most certain wouldn't be here right now… If it wasn't for Rei than he would probably still have been inside the Abbey and still been oblivious to what was going on there. What if he hadn't been convinced to join Voltaire on his trip to China those years ago? Then Rei would never have run into him, running away from those monsters. Kai dreaded the thought that that tiny, easily changeable, little decision made the rest of his life possible. It almost, note the almost, made him believe in fate. Fate and destiny decided to neglect him most of the time so it just couldn't be and he didn't like to think that everything that happened up till know was predestined. He wanted to control his own future.

Shaking his musings out of his head he started to take Rei's shirt off. The body was full of small cuts here and there that were both big and small, but they weren't too bad. Finally he put some attention to the big hole in his shoulder. That nasty wound was going to be a bother to take care of. It was huge. Obviously it would need stitches. Kai sighed, at least it wasn't still bleeding. He ventured out to fetch some medical supplies from the toilet and began cleaning the wounds. Normally when Rei was hurt they could see green glimmering magic slowly working through the wound. But now something was blocking the healing process. Or more correctly, it was as if he wasn't healing at all. But he guessed that's why he was there. Attackers should take care of their Weapon, theoretically speaking.

When he was finished dressing the wounds and was putting on the royal red t-shirt Rei usually slept in he heard the door creak open. Of course he didn't have the patience to wait. And who else could it be? The new kid didn't have the guts to disturb. "What are you doing here Tyson?"

"How is he?"

"Unconscious of course. Not hurt too badly if treated directly." …and with that knowledge he's going to tend to me, Kai thought to himself not looking away from his working hands.

"So he will make it. That's a relief…" Tyson spoke to himself before turning to Kai. "We made you some food. You look like you could need something to eat."

"…" Then there will be nagging…

A vein became visible at the side of Tyson's forehead. "You really need to take better care of yourself! What will Rei say if he wakes up and you'll be half dead?"

"…" … Some whining…

"Don't ignore me, Kai! This is serious business. What if you died?"

Kai rolled his eyes. "I'm fine." ...More nagging…

"You're bleeding man! I don't understand you… sometimes you act like you wouldn't even care if the world ended!"

"It's not my blood. I told you. I'm fine." ... and then he gets tired of me, wants to change the subject and mixes that with the want to know what happened…

"Sure sourpuss, if you say so. Don't bite my head off. But seriously, what really happened out there?"

…Heh, predictable… Kai swept a hand in Tyson's direction, still not looking at him. "Leave, I don't have time for you."

Puffing his cheeks Tyson stood his ground. "Tell me what happened and I'll leave."

"…"

He threw his hands in the air in frustration. "Fine! Have it your way, but I want answers later!" Tyson disappeared out of the door and came back with a tray of what smelled like soup. He put it down next to Kai, tenderness entered his voice as he spoke. "You really should eat it. You made us worried, especially Max. And he put his heart into making this food. I know that even you aren't that coldhearted." With that said, Tyson left Kai alone.

.

While waiting for Tyson to descend those stairs and tell him the news Max was sitting in the living room zapping between TV channels in lack of anything else to do. He had a hard time comprehending that Kai and Rei could even get beat up. Sure he didn't know them all that well but they seemed very strong and they seemed to know what they were doing. And Rei was like a mentor for him. When he first saw Rei he had said that they were the same and Max kept those words close to heart. He needed them right know, needed some proximity to someone other than through magic. Behind him Max heard the steps he was waiting for and soon Tyson entered the room and sat down next to Max But he didn't say anything, not one sound, and Max couldn't have it that way. He had to know.

"How are they?"

Tyson shifted in his seat and sighed audibly. "Could have been better, but they'll come around. Rei hasn't woken up yet but at least he isn't in any mortal danger and that's good to know. Kai… well, Kai is Kai. He probably got a scratch somewhere we can't see and it's probably deep too but he would rather dress as a girl before admitting that. And we both know that will never happen."

"Kai was bloody Tyson, something must be wrong."

"The blood wasn't his. At least he told me it wasn't and I believe him." Tyson turned his head to Max and gave him a strained smile. Max could see that Tyson was trying to cheer him up and for that gesture Max was grateful. But before he could show his appreciation Tyson snorted through his nose as a strained laugh and spoke out again. "You know, this is a first for me. Last time this happened I wasn't even around. I've heard stories from Tala about the danger of going too far but never realized that I would see the day come when it happened."

"Is it really that bad?" Max said sceptically as he rose an eyebrow.

And Tyson shrugged in response. "I don't know. Kai shooed me out before I could get any clear answers. But he'll tell the details, I'll make sure of it." It grew quiet again as they both disappeared into their own thoughts. Max thought hard on the feelings he experienced when he had found out that the others had got hurt. It felt as if he had known them all for months but he had yet to have known them for 2 full days. It wasn't normal and he basically knew nothing about this family. Tyson he had got some grasp around but he still didn't know of the details that made Tyson become Tyson.

Suddenly something ignited inside Tyson's head and he shifted to bodily face the blonde. "Ey, Max?"

The blonde was pulled out of his inner pondering, not even realizing that he had fallen that deep into his own thoughts. "…Yes, I'm listening."

"Are you any good at mischief?" Big dark sapphire eyes locked on Max almost condemningly as if this answer would conclude Max' worth. Of what Max couldn't say.

But he let out a giggle at the behaviour. "Can't say I'm a grand master, but surely little ol' Max here do have some tricks up his sleeves."

Apparently deciding that it was the correct answer, Tyson shone up. "Oh, Grand Master. What do you say about making a prank on a special someone, our beloved Russian called Kai? It's always fun to find different ways to make him turn different colours." A grin grew wide on his face with excitement. "Believe me, dude. It's hard. His face's hard as stone. But it's not impossible. Once I managed to make him reeeally angry at me by dropping an open barbeque sauce bottle on his favourite shirt."

Max gasped dramatically, making sure it sounded exaggerated. "Oh no…"

"Oh yes. And dude, it was all an accident too."

Not being able to keep his face up Max started to laugh out. "Oh I wish I could have seen the look on his face. It must have been hilarious."

"It wasn't pretty, that's for sure. Especially when you're on the receiving end of that outburst. Luckily for me, Rei was there to stop him from snatching my neck."

Max calmed down his laughing and wiped his eyes. "Seems like Rei is a handy man."

"Yeah. He's the only one I know that can calm Kai down if enraged… if holding him down and coax him to change his mind counts as calming him down…" Tyson's eyes glazed over as if reliving that said memory and he shivered. Let's just say that he didn't want to experience that moment again. He shook his head. "Back to the original point of this conversation, I really need help with new ideas. Mr. Sourpuss needs to step down from that high horse of his and lighten up a little. Have anything that could help an old pal?"

"Old pal..? Tyson, we've known each other for 2 days."

"That may be, but the intention is the same…" Shifting in his seat so that he sits on his knees Tyson began jumping up and down in anticipation. "Come on!... I'm all out of any juicy stuff. His High-and-Mighty need a good prank to get that stone face of his to move."

"Tyson, I heard that." The pair on the sofa turned around to see Kai leaning on the door frame and holding a white towel in his hand.

"And that would change things how? You already know that I'm always out to get you caught in surprise."

Kai snorted in a contained laugh. "Yeah, right. The day that will happen is the day when I become Santa Claus."

And Tyson rolled his eyes. "Oh look at that, Kai actually has a sense of humour."

"Guys…" Holding up his hands Max tried to quiet them down as their voices grew louder. But they didn't listen.

"Look, I don't have time for you and your silly games. Just go back to the sandbox you just came from Tyson and stay there till you grow up."

"I might not be all grown up, but I do have feelings unlike you."

"Guys!" Max shouted out at the top of his lungs and they both stopped in their tracks to glare at the sudden interruption. Max swallowed loudly, though he was determined. "Could you please just stop fighting before it escalates further? There are other things that matter more right know. Kai, Could you please just tell us what happened?"

Kai's eyes was burning cold as they shot Tyson the coldest stare they could manage, but something seemed to dim the strength of that glare. Then he quickly turned away from Tyson to address the Blondie. "No."

But the sword wielder just had to butt in anyway. He just wouldn't lose this. "Chill out, man. That's not very nice to say to a new made friend Kai." Some part of Tyson knew that he was pushing too far now but that voice got overruled by his pride to win this.

Kai raised an eyebrow. "Since when did he and I become friends?"

"Don't be such an asshole. Talk now that you are down here. I'm not going to let this slide."

Losing his patience he went over to the sofa and Kai grabbed a hold of Tyson's collar with his free hand to pull him close enough so that they were face to face. "I don't have time for this. If you must know then I'm down here fetching a bowl of cold water and a towel." He then violently let Tyson go not caring if he hurt Tyson in the process. Contrary to what he said before, Kai knew that Tyson was a big boy. He could handle it. "Rei is running a high fever. If he dies on me then I cannot utilize his strength to reach my goals. And I do need him to reach them." He turned on his heels and strode out the way he came and it wasn't until Max heard the tap running in the kitchen that he dared to break the silence. And he broke it hesitantly.

"Is… is he always like that?" Max flinched a bit at the stumble in his voice, but he couldn't help it. That Kai didn't see them as friends hurt more than he'd liked to admit.

"Y-yeah, you bet. If he got a better side then very very few have seen it. But he isn't this easy to rile up."

"Have you seen it? His better side I mean…"

Tyson grinned. "I have… in a way." They both heard Kai shutting off the tap and walk out to the hallway. They turned around to see him standing just by the staircase, looking at them. Kai's eyes locked hard on Tyson for a moment before he turned around and left to take care of his partner. Tyson sat down properly, leaning back and putting his feet on the table in front of them. "Aah, that's good to know."

Confusion wrote itself all over Max' face and his mouth was slightly ajar. "Did I just miss something here?"

Tyson put his hands behind his head. "He told us to have patience. He will tell us what happened."

"He didn't say anything."

"Hm, figures. But he will tell. Or he will have to answer to me and that I think he'd rather not. Now when we don't have an annoying eavesdropper around, what was it you said about having a few tricks up your sleeves?"

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Up on the second floor it seemed almost quiet compared to downstairs. The door to their shared bedroom opened and Kai went in with the towel and the bowl filled with ice cold water. As he entered he noticed that Rei sat up in the bed, bandages visible by the collar and sleeves of his oversized t-shirt. His golden eyes fogged over and was staring straight forward. Not moving an inch until the sound of Kai closing the door could be heard. Then he in one movement wiped some sweat from his brow and started to clumsily try to move out of the bed, which looked more complicated than it should have been. And the wounds didn't even seem to hinder him. That's odd. Kai thought to himself. He can't be up and about yet. He shouldn't even be able to move. He sighed and put the bowl with the towel upon the bedside table. "Go back to Bed."

Not stopping his movements even if his legs were tangled in the bed sheets Rei turned to Kai.

"I... I have to..." Rei slurred and seeing Kai getting closer he stopped moving again.

The latter crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow at Rei's behaviour. "And what are we up to?"

Rei threw his head in the other direction, staring around the room in despair. "But I have to stay aw… they're getting away… you're hurt…" Kai's look changed into disbelief. He's delirious. Is he even conscious? Without a word Kai sat down on the bed next to the trashing Weapon and pushed him on the unwounded shoulder down to make him lie still. But Rei started struggling as much as he could in his state. "…I can't… Dinner… Tyson will-"

"-Tyson will wait. Don't worry. Just rest and get better." Not having the energy to continue Rei stopped his struggle instantly, but his breath was ragged and his eyes wouldn't close. So Kai put his hand above his eyes and shut them for him. Fortunately Rei stayed put, though his face expression and body composure was anything but relaxed. Moving his hand away from the eyes and up to Rei's forehead Kai felt the general condition of his fever and quickly his hand recoiled. It was no wonder that Rei was delirious. He was burning up. Frowning Kai took the thermometer he had put on the bedside table and put it in Rei's mouth. A few minutes later he looked at the digits. 42.3°C (≈108.14°F). The frown deepened. This was not good, not good at all. With that little battle before, the fever shouldn't be this high. But then again, him and Rei had always made sure to try and stay out of any rainy storms. Hurrying to soak the towel in the cold water Kai put it on Rei's forehead, not bothering to writhe it out more than necessary. That one would have to be changed often.

A content smile couldn't help but to grow on the corners of Kai's lips as he put a hand over his own face and continued to watch Rei through the spaces between his fingers. Dismissing the fever, he was glad that this had turned out as well as it had. Last time Rei had released his power and he sent Rei straight to the hospital only to find out that Rei was in a coma. And he stayed that way for a week. That was one of the most unnerving times in his life. Changing the side of the towel once again, Kai rose from the bed and went out of the door to finally confront the anxious duo downstairs. It wasn't at all that he had intentionally avoided them. They just weren't his top priority. As he got closer to the living room again he heard their voices speaking loudly without a care about the sleeping person upstairs. And it was about those pranks still? God! Couldn't Tyson just let those futile attempts die out already? It didn't work anyway. He made sure that it didn't. This time he didn't announce his arrival as he silently slipped into the room. Hanging on the back support of the sofa they both sat in Kai began to pretend to listen to their conversation. The question of how long it would take before they noticed his presence clustered in the back of his mind.

"…So if you just put some white pepper there then the reaction would be devastating? Dude. No way that can be right, the white pepper can't be the trigger?" Tyson waved exaggeratedly with his arms, unknowingly almost hitting Kai in the process who with his fast reflexes managed to avoid the hit by taking a step back and then he folded his arms.

Max snickered playfully and nodded eagerly. "Yes way! It works. I've tried it myself. But you have to be sure that the target doesn't notice you. That could destroy the whole trick and make it totally backfire."

"Thanks for the warning. You have like some awesome ideas there! How come I didn't meet you any earlier?"

The blonde put the blunette in a half loose head lock. "Oh, I don't know Tyson. Maybe destiny didn't want it that way?" Behind them another blunette was stamping his foot in annoyance. How long could it take, really?

Crawling out of the holding Tyson wrinkled his nose and roughly fixed his cap and hair. "Screw destiny! It's only in your way. Or maybe it helps you… whatever!" Tyson punched Max's shoulder and hoped inwardly that it wasn't hard enough to give any bruises. "You know Maxie? I bet we will make the best of partners. And I bet even more that our combined strength will be perfect enough to take on anyone or anything that may come in our way."

Max laughed at his enthusiasm. He actually wished he had that quality. That was something he had noticed about Tyson. He was strong, reliable and of course always found a way to make him smile. It didn't matter if it was the bad jokes or his never ending bluntness. It seemed to always make him laugh. "Somehow I find that hard to believe. What about those two, what were their names again, Bryan and Ta… Ta…?"

Tyson ignored the laughing, just happy to see a brighter side of Max then he saw before. "Tala? Nah, they'll be no problem after we got a little training."

"And what about Kai and Rei?" The blonde said with a smile, finally stifling his laughter.

Tyson folded his arms and his legs simultaneously. "They only got more experience. So as soon as we get out more on the field then we will be able to take them on for sur-"

Kai cleared his throat loudly.

"Kai! The two sofa sitters exclaimed as one and both jumped up in the air and spun around at the unexpected voice. Their eyes met Kai who still was stomping with his foot on the floor. A smirk was tugging at the corners of his lips but he held his face straight.

"Don't scare us like that…" Max continued on with his shocked state of mind. And finally Kai let that smirk grow. He was definitely amused to say the least.

"Getting a little ahead of ourselves Tyson?"

Darker blue eyes glared at him. "When the hell did you get here anyway?"

"That's irrelevant. Want to hear what happened or not?" Not waiting for an answer Kai walked around the sofa. In a single movement he sat down in the armchair from the lounge suite and swung up one leg over the other while leaning back to the back support and folding his arms. Both Tyson and Max remained silent, curiously fixating two pairs of eyes on him, begging him to start.

"You have heard of Tala and Bryan, have you not?" Kai directed towards the newest member of their group and the blonde nodded in answer. "A week ago I heard that they were going to be here in Moscow at a certain place at a certain time. But when we got there we found Spencer and Ian instead-"

"Who are Spencer and Ian?" Max asked hesitatingly, not really wanting to interrupt but still wanted a connection to the names.

"It's another pair of Weapon and Attacker that Kai knows of" Tyson answered and motioned for Kai to continue.

"They told us that Tala and Bryan would be at another place at another time and with that being our only other lead, we followed it. That led us to a far away, rundown school yard where they waited for us and I wouldn't be surprised if they had our rendezvous planned out. Why else would they cowardly wait until the storm to confront us."

Again Max interrupted Kai, though this time not as hesitantly. "Why would they wait until the storm to meet you?"

Kai was about to answer but changed his mind. Why would he tell a stranger how to fight them? "Because then they would have the big advantage." But of course Tyson had to but in. The cap-boy then pointed towards Kai. "Their weakness is rain."

Well, as long as it was out then he wouldn't need to hide it. It wasn't like they were weak just because they had a weakness. "You saw Rei this morning. He can hear a storm coming miles away and he says that it is like a constant noise hanging in the air. That noise snatches his attention unlike anything I've ever seen. When I first met him it was like he was dead to the world. He didn't hear anything, hardly ate and-" Kai stopped in the middle of the sentence. Looking away with irritation he swore quietly to himself. The other two waited eagerly for the continuation but it never came. Even Tyson hadn't heard this part before and he didn't want Kai stop speaking.

"And…?"

A moment or two passed before Kai spoke up again. "…And contrary to us the rain actually works in favour to Tala and Bryan. The bastards made sure to have the advantage of having the right atmosphere."

Slumping back in his seat Tyson put his hands behind his head. "So that is what made you lose then."

"We didn't lose." Kai snarled back harshly. "It was a tie. They took their fair share of beatings as well. Bryan got knocked unconscious and Tala could hardly stand up."

By shaking his head Max cleared his thoughts. This was quite some information to take in in just two short days. His head felt stuffed. But one thought did pop into his head. "Why didn't you call for help before you left if you knew that the odds were against you?"

Kai snorted and scratched his nose. "We don't need any help. I work best alone. Rei is just foolish enough to come along anyway."

Suddenly they heard something trashing in some other part of the house and Kai sighed loudly. Both Tyson and Max turned around in the sofa to look for what caused the noise and grew stiff. Max swallowed before he opened his mouth. "Eh… Kai?"

Dark sapphire eyes shifted over to the other blunette. "Is he really supposed to be up already?" But as he was about to move over to tend to the mentioned Weapon he got stopped by a hand in front of his face. Kai used that hand to press Tyson down on the sofa and took the few steps forward to meet the stumbling Weapon by the doorway. Rei stumbled forward and literally hung on the doorframe. It was as if he couldn't completely hold up his own bodyweight. Standing there in only his black boxers and red t-shirt he wheezed and stared out into nothing. Kai couldn't help but to wonder how on earth he had managed to get down the stairs still in one piece.

"I told you to rest." Kai tried out to see Rei's reaction. To his surprise Rei defiantly squeezed his eyes shut and quickly shook his head. But that only made him sway so he held the door frame tighter making his knuckles white in the process. Then he opened those golden eyes again that still had that same empty unfocused gaze wandering about, not even registering another person before him.

"… Hot… It's so hot…"

Kai frowned. "So you're thirsty." Receiving a hesitant nod from his partner Kai pointed towards the staircase. "Go back to bed and I'll get you a drink."

Rei's gaze stopped somewhere behind Kai's shoulder, totally looking passed the being in front of him. Ignoring, or not hearing, the blunette's words he lifted one of the hands that had held a tight grip on the doorframe. Then very softly, as if afraid of the touch, that hand closed Kai's eyelids, the mimicking motion Kai knew too well. He got the message even before Rei uttered another word. "You're tired. Go rest." The hand dropped rapidly as Rei lost the rest of the non-existing energy he had had left and collapsed. By pure reflex Kai skillfully managed to catch Rei in the air before he fell to the ground. He let Rei lean on one arm as he baffled over the fact that Rei had come all the way down there to make sure that he rested. And he was unconscious and delirious too above that. Kai stifled a yawn and turned around to address the other two occupants in the room only to startle over that they were standing directly behind him. They probably had been there the whole time too.

"You sure we shouldn't take him to the hospital?" Tyson asked in a calm and low voice, but even that low volume seemed too loud in the stifled atmosphere. The blonde nodded in agreement to the suggestion.

"Yes. He has a little more than 42°C fever. Otherwise he's fine." Kai picked the sick Weapon up and carried him away. Though he stopped as he was about to ascend the stairs and spoke to the other two without facing them. "Would you bring up a jug of cold water to our room? I'll go to sleep after this." Without waiting for the answer he knew he would get Kai walked up the stairs and away from the duo.

Tyson snorted in displeasure at being told what to do and went back into the living room instead to sit down again in front of the TV that had stood on this entire time. Max took notice of his partner's defiance and shook his head at the antics. Doing as he was told Max went in to the kitchen and started to roam the cupboards for a jug. After filling the one he found he saw the whole room light up and a lightning struck outside and the blonde looked out of the window. Still the rain poured down like a tap on full creating big puddles of water that ran along the soaked streets. Another lightning lit up the room and Max' thoughts started to spread. Suddenly he felt completely numb. Well, this bizarre family was the only thing he got right now.

And in these circumstances, he didn't want it any other way.

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A blonde, green and orange blur hurried up the stairs, skipping every other step on the way up. When he reached the top he grabbed hold of the handrail to swing him to another direction and took off towards his partner's room. The hinderance of the door got tackled opened and that colourful person took a leap and landed on top of a bed hosting a dark blue haired person snoring loudly. The springs made the blonde jump up a little when he landed and he fixed himself to straddle the owner of the room. When he noticed that he didn't get the desired result he continued his jumping, this time with more force.

"Mom, I'm free today. Just ten more minutes…" Tyson murmured and unconsciously used the momentum of the jump to throw off the one disturbing his beauty sleep. Max screamed as he fell of the bed and looked up in time to see the sleepyhead burying further below the cover, getting awfully cozy beneath it. Massaging his rear to relieve some pain Max stood up again and put his hands on his hips. He blew air through his bangs.

"No ten minutes here Tyson. I need you to get up." Seeing the other snoozing about Max grinned with a glint sparkling in his eyes. "I said up!" Max said and jumped up on the bed again. This time he jumped next to Tyson instead and he put everything in this one skip. He jumped up in the air and pressed his legs down hard in the mattress. The result, a distressed and sprawling Tyson jumped up in the air and landed on the floor. Hearing a loud groan Max pulled down his arm in victory. The he leaned forward, leaning on his knees. "Decided to wake yet?"

Tyson groaned again and shook his head. "What the hell Max. What was that good for?"

Max moved to sit on the bed instead, dangling his legs over the edge. "You needed to climb out of the bed sleepyhead. Simple as that." He said and smiled innocently at his partner. Tyson looked at his alarm clock that surprisingly was still lying on the bedside table. Seeing the digits he groaned and rubbed his palms to his eyes.

"It's still way too early man."

"It's Monday morning. And we have work to do." Max stated. He then climbed off the bed and walked out of the room.

Tyson stretched his body to wake up and then hurriedly changed clothes. He slid on the hand railing down the staircase and met the blonde down in the hallway. The blunette looked questioningly at him. "We got work?" The blonde just shrugged.

"Not so much work as workout I guess. Kai called and told me that we are to meet him at one of the training halls at the BBA headquarters." The blonde said and together they walked into the kitchen.

"When are we supposed to be there?"

"At ten, 'and don't be late' he said." Max tried to imitate Kai but failed miserably.

Tyson choked on something. "At ten? Why didn't you wake me up earlier! We need to hurry!" Tyson took a large bite of the sandwich he had just made and he ungracefully stormed out of the room. Max blinked.

"Tyson?"

There was a little pause before he heard the mentioned person speak through the distance. "Pack your training gear Maxie! We're running late!"

Max looked at his watch. "But we have loads of time. It's still three quarters until we have to be there."

"The bus ride takes 30 minutes! We need to go now!"

"But I don't have any training clothes!"

"You can borrow from me. Come on! Hurry up!"

By the time Max finished his sandwich Tyson slid down the railing again. The Attacker grabbed the Weapons arm and ran out the door, almost forgetting to lock the door after them. They then raced towards the nearest bus station.

As they arrived to the BBA Centre they rushed through the building, only stopping once to ask the receptionist for the directions. In the confusing maze they tried to navigate through the hallways as quickly as possible and somehow they managed to reach the assigned training hall in record time. They hurriedly changed clothes and slammed open the door and sprinted inside. "We're here!" Tyson exclaimed in between his heavy breaths. He took a deep one and managed to steady his breathing, hearing Max follow his example next to him. Dark sapphire eyes roamed the area. Kai was nowhere in sight and that made Tyson beam up. "Yes! I made it! I can't be late if the preacher is not here in time!"

Max shook his head and hit his friend's shoulder playfully. "Still doesn't change the fact pal. We're late." Max stopped in his track and tilted his head while looking around. The Weapon then poked the Attacker. "Tyson? Do you hear that?" Tyson heeded the words and began listening for something unknown. Slowly the steady beat was head through the hall. The rhythm seemed to changed every now and then but it didn't falter in its continuity. Following the beating sound they soon reached a lit up corner. Inside the duo found Kai hitting a dark red punching bag at a fast tempo, the bag lifting high from its hanging position. The blonde cleared his throat. "We're sorry we're late. We arrived as fast as we could."

Kai tensed up and punched a few slower, much stronger, punches. He then finished with a powerful sidekick that stopped the bag from swinging all together. Placing a gloved hand on the punching bag to stop it from wobbling the blunette used his mouth to rip of the Velcro restriction on the other black boxing glove off. He placed the glove under his arm and took off the other with that hand as well to have one hand free to draw his fingers through his damp hair. He did this while walking up to Tyson and Max. The light gray tank top he wore was moist with sweat, as was his skin and along the black training trousers' legs ran three white stripes. Wheezing he stood in front of the pair and put his free hand on his hip. "So you finally decided to show up."

Tyson scoffed. "We were not late. We came exactly on time."

Kai let out a snort. "Yeah right." Blood red eyes shifted over to the Weapon. "Max, have you practiced any martial arts?"

The blonde looked elsewhere, finding that spot on the floor suddenly very interesting. He shifted he weight. "Nope, not really…"

Kai raised an eyebrow. "Do you have any training at all?"

"Well I have been having my matches with my brother, if that counts." Max searched for help from Tyson.

Kai put a palm to his face and slowly drew his fingers through his hair again. Why did he have to put up with amateurs? "Okay, today I got the assignment to train you two." He let his hand fall to the side again. "As it seems, I will have to start from the beginning and see what you two can accomplish together. Tyson, do you have your sword with you?"

The said person grinned widely. "Of course. I always bring it with me to any training. I do need the awesome Dragoon by my side."

"Good. Next time, don't bring it along." Kai took the gloves he had in one hand and threw them to the sidewall. Then he cracked his knuckles and flexed his fingers. "This is what we'll do. I will attack you and you will defend yourselves. Your goal is to shift the fight and land a single hit on me. The only rule is that you will have to work together. It will help you see if you really are connected in the end."

The glint of challenge lit up in Tyson's eyes and he grinned at Max. "Come on Maxie, let's do our Best! Kai? When will we stop?"

"Whenever I decide you are ready."

"Yeah that's chill, and he's already tired himself out. This will be an eas-" Before Tyson could finish his sentence Kai had hit him straight on with an open hand to his chest. And before Max could react Kai had his other hand to circle Max' neck and sent the blonde flying forward behind himself so that he had managed to send the two in different directions. Kai straightened and lifted his palm upwards and let his other hand rest on his hip, aiming his glare for Tyson.

"Tyson! Rule number 5." The blunette hissed out in warning.

"Hey! You said only one rule!"

Max raised himself from the floor and looked questioningly at Kai. "Rule number 5?"

Kai didn't take his eyes away from the other Attacker and Tyson met his glare with a challenging grin. "Less talk, more action, right?" Tyson sank into a familiar fighting stance, one hand holding an imaginary sheath and the other holding out an imaginary sword, and took a deep breath. Max also took an offensive stance and got ready for the onslaught that were ahead.

Then Kai attacked them once more.

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A/N: Okay, this chapter was not meant to be this long. But I hope you're not complaining about it ;). Btw, do you want to know how much research and effort I put into this/my story (and also one of the reasons it takes such a long time to update sometimes)? Example, the thermometer Kai is using is showing Celsius not because that it what we use here where I live, but because that is what they use over in Russia. I had to look that up on the internet.

Hm, I do realize one thing. Kai talks a lot in this chapter. Oh hell, it's not like he doesn't speak. I do have to ask you guys something. I'm unsure if I made Max become OOC in this chapter. But at the same time I feel that it is needed. I'm very uncertain. What do you think?

Anyway, Thanks for reading! Have a great day!

Sincerely

/Bonnie