AN: sorry this took so long, I really had trouble with this chapter. I hope you enjoy it.

Arty.

Chapter 5

Your not alone,

together we stand

I'll be by your side

You know i'll take your hand

when it gets cold

-Avril Lavigne Keep Holding On-

Conversations.

It was snowing, glowing blue snowflakes.

He felt happy here, just floating in a snow storm.

No one could hurt him here…let someone else deal with the pain.

But he was calling, the small boy from before…

the one with red eyes…

he needed him…

But he couldn't leave yet, he didn't want to face it.

'Just leave me alone a bit longer, I am sleeping'

Tyson, Max, Oliver, Robert, Emily and The Chief sat awkwardly around the beds of Spencer and Ian. The room was silent, none of them felt much like talking instead they found themselves watching the injured Blader's, their eyes lingering on the bandages and bruises they could see. Max gripped his can of drink tightly staring at Ian, he was so small, younger than him…he just couldn't understand how could someone hurt a kid?

"What do you thinks going to happen to them?" Max asked quietly, causing the others to jerk out of their thoughts. Robert ran a hand though his hair with a sigh "I expect that Mr Dickinson will try and get Boris and the Abbey convicted and probably try to gain custody of the Demolition Boys."

"Gain custody?"

"Yes…probably so he can take them out of Russia"

Max frowned, confused.

"Why would he want to take them out of Russia?"

Robert looked out of the window at the snow storm outside. "…Biovolt, the company that Kai's grandfather owns, also owns the Abbey and practically owns this whole city…they also have great influence with the police." He answered softly, the can in Max's hand crumpled, luckily empty. He stood up looking furious, "So in other words, Boris will get off and take them back into the Abbey and we'll probably never see them again!" he snapped harshly. The group blinked in surprise at the normally calm boy's sudden anger.

"Yes, sadly that is exactly what it means" Robert let out a tired sighed "With almost everything in this city under the control of the Biovolt corporation, it is unlikely that Boris will be in jail for more than a week" Max looked stricken and slumped back in his chair.

"So we can't do anything…"

The group fell into a solemn silence apart from Emily and Kenny who sat together and opened their laptops and began typing, exchanging words so quietly no one else in the room could hear anything. Robert sat silently staring out the window, his eyes far away. Oliver sat next to Spencer, his eyes scanning the battered blader a thoughtful look on his face.

Max and Tyson fumed silently besides Ian, when a groan from besides them made them jump and turn to look at the origin, Ian.

The small boy's eyes flickered open and he stared at the ceiling with glazed eyes, he began to shift slightly letting out a small whimper as his ribs protested. "Tala?" He muttered drowsily, struggling to sit up. His eyes drifted around the room before spotting Max and Tyson sitting besides him.

The reaction was instantaneous, he let out a yelp of fear and threw himself away from them, unfortunately which meant falling off the other side of the bed. He was only saved by Tyson throwing himself across the bed to grab his hospital gown and pulling him back onto the bed.

"Whoa, its okay dude! We ain't gonna' hurt you!"

Ian pulled out of his grip and backed away once again this time into the head board of the bed, his eyes widened fearfully as he took in the surrounding teenagers.

"Where am I?" Ian howled, "Where's Tala, and Bryan? What did you do to them!"

Max held up his hands calmingly "Its okay you're in the hospital, Boris is in jail and Tala is well…um…" He trailed off as he saw Ian's reaction to what he was saying. His was breathing harshly, his eyes darting round the room.

"I'm dead" He moaned "He's gonna kill us!"

Robert moved silently to stand near the door, ready for when either the boy bolted for it or if he needed to dash for a nurse as the boy started to hyperventilate.

He was saved from doing either when a sleepy voice spoke from besides Oliver.

"Ian calm."

Relief filled Ian's eyes, before it was drowned by panic again. "Spencer! What are we going to do! They arrested Boris…he's going to kill us, isn't he." He whispered, Spencer closed his eyes with a sigh and with a grunt of pain began to sit up.

He was quiet as he studied the group sitting around him. His eyes settling on Oliver with a confused expression. Oliver smiled at him reassuringly, and reached over to adjust his pillows so he could sit up comfortably. Spencer gazed at him curiously, before thanking him softly.

He turned his attention back to Ian "I do not know Ian, but you panicking is not helping matters. Calm." he said slowly, Ian shot a glare at him before trying to take a few calming breaths.

It didn't seem to work very well.

Spencer turned his attention to Oliver, his face strained, "Where is Tala?" he asked quietly. Oliver flinched slightly as he remembered the red heads battered body. Spencer spotted it and Oliver saw something flash in his eyes, before his face became carefully blank.

"He is dead then."

Oliver gaped at the sudden words and hastily shook his head, he didn't miss the spark of hope in Spencer's eyes. "He was hurt badly…The doctors did all they could, but it is up to Tala whether he will wake." Oliver said quietly, he let a small smile flitter across his face. "Tala does not seem like the type to give up, I believe he will be fine." Ian let out a bark of humourless-slightly hysterical-laughter that made everyone jump.

"You got that right, he's like a rabid opossum, one second looks dead next second…ripping your throat out…" Ian said slightly hysterically, Oliver didn't quite know what to say about that comparison so he just smiled politely.

"Are you feeling okay? Are you in any pain?" Oliver asked studying Spencer's face, it was like looking at stone.

"I am fine. I would like to see Tala."

Oliver stared at the blond, not quiet knowing what to say. He was saved from answering when the door slid open. Turning, Oliver was surprised to see Lee standing in the doorway. He looked slightly out of breath and worried as his eyes darted around the room.

"Lee what-"

"Have you see Rei?" Lee asked cutting off Tyson.

"No, why? What happened?"

Lee let out an irritated growl, "Bryan woke up…" Spencer and Ian sat up straighter at the mention of their team-mate, "He freaked out, Kai managed to calm him down but Rei got freaked out about something Kai told Judy and bolted. I can't find him anywhere."

Tyson and max stood up looking worried. "We'll come help you look." Tyson said they moved towards the door, but Tyson paused in the door and looked back, "We'll be right back guys. Glad you're alright." He added to Spencer and Ian, leaving the two boys strangely stunned.

Mariah sat quietly next to Tala's bed, the only sound was the beeping of the machines around him telling her he was still alive, no matter how pale he was. Lee had burst in an hour ago, saying Bryan had woken up and Kai had left after making her promise to stay with Tala.

She had spent that time just studying the unconscious red head. He looked so different like this. When she had first seen him, Tala had seemed so angry…so cold. But asleep he could see the opposite. He seemed younger than she thought he was and he looked calmer.

Thinking back he was always standing straight, like a soldier.

She wondered what he acted like when Boris wasn't towering over him, when he was alone or with just the other Demolition Boys. She thought back to the locker room, how he reassured his team and protected them…

She found herself reaching out and stroking a strand of red hair out of his face. She let her hand rest on his cheek as she continued to study his face. And she found herself starting to talk, hesitating slightly at first before becoming more confident.

"s-Someone told me once that people in coma's hear you when you speak to them…I hope you can, because otherwise I can't do anything to help you. You must be a very special person Tala…I've never see Kai cry before. I thought you were this cold evil person…but you're not. And now you need to pull through Tala, because Kai needs you and so does Bryan, Ian and Spencer."

She paused, swallowing a sudden lump in her throat.

"I need you to wake up. I thought you were a monster…but everything I saw today…you're not a monster are you? I saw how protective you were of your friends and now…I want you to wake up so I can meet you Tala. I want to get to know you without Boris standing over you. I want to be your friend."

Mariah found herself suddenly shaking with sobs, unable to stop.

"You have to wake up!"

What is that sound? No…who is that?

…You must be a very special person Tala…I've never seen Kai cry before…

No!…he didn't want Kai to cry. But he couldn't wake up yet…he was scared…so scared of the man who glared at him through the snow…his dark eyes promised pain.

…I need you to wake up to…

Who was this girl, he wondered as golden eyes stared at him through the snow, why is she here.

…You're not a monster are you Tala?…

Yes. I am.

…I want to be your friend…

Why?

…You have to wake up!…

She's…crying? She's crying for me? She shouldn't waste her tears on him.

The snow isn't so nice now.

Its too cold.

My hand is warm though...

Mariah gripped Tala's hand tightly as she cried, she was shaking so hard she never noticed the hand tightening around hers.

"Rei?"

Tyson called out as he poked his head into the men's room. At first he thought it was as empty as the five others he had looked in, when he saw a figure sitting round the corner in the mirror. He walked in, max on his heels and found Rei sitting against the wall, staring blankly at the tiled floor.

"Rei?"

Rei looked up at him and Tyson saw his eyes were bloodshot and there were tear tracks on his face.

"What happened?" Tyson asked sitting next to him. Rei went back to staring floor as max sat on his otherside. "Rei what-" Tyson started when the other boy had been silent for several minutes, only to be cut off by Rei speaking.

"Bryan was terrified." He whispered, his voice hoarse. "I've never seen anyone so scared before. When he was fighting the nurses when they were trying to get him to calm down he was practically feral…" Rei paused his eyes looking faraway. "And then…Kai arrived he managed to get Bryan to calm down but he told Judy…" Rei trailed off looking green.

"what did Kai say Rei?" Max asked shakily.

"He told Judy to only let female nurses to deal with Bryan." Rei muttered..

"What does-" Tyson started before he caught on suddenly. He paled drastically.

"No." Max whispered horrified.

Rei closed his eyes. "He was so scared when the male nurses tried to touch him…" Rei trailed off.

There was another several minutes of silence before, Tyson ran a hand through his hair looking troubled "Guys…do you think Kai and the others…?" Rei looked horror struck, before burying his head in his hands and Max looked sick. "I just mean Kai…he doesn't like to be touched you know…"

Rei made a strangled sound.

They both froze as the door to the bathroom close. Someone had been listening. Tyson's and max's eyes widened and Rei gasped as a figure stepped into view.

Tyson swallowed as Kai stared down at them, his expression was blank, but something flickered in his red eyes.

"Kai…I…we…" Tyson stuttered not knowing what to say to his friend who had obviously heard at least part of their conversation. Kai stared at him for a moment before walking silently over to one of the sinks and turned on the tap on. The three boys got to their feet awkwardly as the silent blader bent over to splash water onto his face. When he straightened up he just stared silently at his reflection.

"Kai?" Max asked carefully.

He was surprised to notice the blue haired teen flinch slightly, he turned to them and headed for the door.

"Just leave it. It doesn't matter."

"Kai wait!" Tyson grabbed his arm. Kai tensed up staring at the hand and something flickered in his eyes again and Tyson finally realised what it was…Fear.

Tyson quickly released him and Kai stepped away quickly. "Sorry…I didn't think." Kai closed his eyes for a second, collecting himself. "look…I can't-I can't talk about this…I need to find Mr. Dickinson." He whispered, Tyson, Rei and Max were all shocked to see the almost pleading expression on his face.

"Okay Kai…lets go find Mr. D."

"Mariah?"

Mariah groaned as someone shook her shoulder.

"Go away Lee!" She growled sleepily, batting the hand away. "I'm not Lee Mariah, it's Judy. You need to wake up." Mariah opened her eyes and sat up slowly. She looked around as she noticed the nurses milling around the room.

"What's going on?" She asked slightly panicked, her gaze seeking Tala to check if he was alright. Judy quickly reassured her. "It's okay, we've just decided to move all of the boys to one room, so we can keep a better eye on them. They are just checking if its safe to move him." She explained. Mariah nodded, her eyes not leaving Tala, was it just her or did he look less pale.

"Come on Mariah, why don't we go find the others? They should be with the other boys."

Mariah stood winching slightly as her body protested. She followed Judy with another glance at Tala.

Kai sat on one of the spare beds next to Rei, Max and Tyson, the white tigers were sitting together on the other free bed, they had stayed for Rei and Mariah. The American team and The Majestic's had left to go back to their hotels with Mr. Dickingson, who had managed to convince the hospital to let the injured boy's share a private ward, so that it would be easier for the security he had hired to guard them.

Kai looked more relaxed now that he could observe all of the boy's in one room, the Demolition Boys were all asleep again. he was just waiting for Tala to arrive now.

He glanced out of the corner of his eye at his team. Max was staring at a crushed can in his hand, turning it over and over in his hands as he stared at it blankly. The Chief was typing away on Dizzy with a frown, he looked up occasionally to check on each of the people in the room before returning determinedly to his typing.

Rei was staring at the sleeping Bryan, his eyes red and puffy as he tugged at his ponytail. He was shaking slightly and his eyes darted to the other boys in the room and sometimes to Kai.

Tyson was watching him, every time Kai looked his way Tyson acted like he was looking at something else.

…Kai hated it.

He had always tried so hard to keep the secrets of his past just that, secret. Now they all knew how he was nothing like the strong blader he acted like he was…he was weak…he always had been.

It was so hard to keep up his mask now, especially since he overheard Tyson, Max and Rei talking.

He was pulled from his thoughts when the door opened and Mariah walked in with Mrs. Tate. The girl looked exhausted and pale, but she still managed a weak smile as she came and sat besides him.

She had just settled when the door opened and three nurses and Dr. Solovyov wheeled in Tala and all the equipment he was connected to. They pushed his bed into the empty spot besides the bed Kai sat on, Dr. Solovyov stayed after the nurses had left and gave Tala a quick check up. Kai tensed when he noticed a slight frown on the woman's face. She turned to Mrs Tate and to Kai's relief smiled.

"I am happy to say that Tala has improved greatly. The boy has a great will to live." She said with a smile. Tyson shot Kai a worried look when the boy let out a deep shuddering breath, but Kai didn't care, Tala would be okay.

Mariah hesitated before putting an arm around Kai's shoulders and was surprised when the boy turned to her and hugged her tightly. She could see The Blade Breakers and Kenny staring at her in shock, she just ignored them and gave Kai a squeeze before the boy pulled away.

"Thanks." Kai muttered with a small smile before hopping off the bed and sitting besides Tala.

Mariah hopped off to go sit with the rest of the tigers.

End Chapter.

End AN:

Hope you enjoy this chapter.

Please review.

Next chapter will be up sooner than this one.

Keep reading,

Arty.