Thank you! Twin1 and Moonlight Serenity for reviewing the first chapter!.
Disclaimer; see chapter one.
Warning; self loving Tala.
Chapter 2; Fair dos at the fair.
"Bryan, you should be looking after Nix." scolded Tala as said teen finished his breakfast the next morning.
"She's still asleep, I'm gonna check on her when I'm done. She's only got a black eye."
A hawk's cry upstairs was followed by a startled scream.
Tala was then greeted by an empty chair.
"Nix! Nikita!" Bryan ran to the room. Spencer holding Ian up by the collar of his shirt. "What happened?"
"Idiot face decided to poke his overly large nose into her room, I'm guessing while she was changing." Spencer explained, glaring at the small blader.
"Ever heard of knocking?" Nix's voice called through the door.
"Just take it easy Nix, you're not as tough as you make out." said Bryan
"Ark at the pot calling the kettle black." Nix snorted, popping her head out. "Or need I refresh your memory of that day we were at the toy store."
"This I wanna hear." said Spencer.
"He only caused an avalanche of teddies to get to this single Falborg teddy from the top for me. He was just the cutest thing." she told them. Causing them to laugh.
"You promised you wouldn't tell anyone Nix!" Bryan's face was red.
"What were you doing in a toy store?"
"I ordered some animal plushies I had to pick up. I wish I had brought one with me now." she pouted as the door bell went. "Now excuse me boys, I wish to finish dressing." and she closed the door.
"What is it with girls?" asked Ian.
"She wants to dress without perverts like you around." smirked Spencer.
"I am not perverted!"
"Sure, that's why she screamed at you." Bryan rolled his eyes as Nix stepped out in black jeans and a red halter neck vest. Turning so Bryan could tie up the back, he spotted a cast of sorts around her middle.
"Nix, what's this?" he tapped it.
"Three cracked ribs, I got it sorted." she told him.
"Nix, your eye, it's gone down quite a bit already." said Spencer. "May I?" he reached out a hand to look over her face, dropping Ian from the other.
"He's the team's first-aider." Bryan explained as Spencer ran a thumb gently over the bruise. He blushed and was surprised her skin was so soft and smooth.
"Hm, that tickles."
Bryan looked like his eyes were going to pop out of his head.
"Come on Bry, we better go and save Kai." Ian dragged him down the stairs.
0o0o0o0
"We are NOT taking the day off to go to some Carnival, Tyson and that's final."
"Aww Kai come on, the next tournament isn't 'til next year." Tyson pouted, wringing his hat in his hands.
"You nearly lost the last one, and you're world champion."
"It was a charity match Kai. Give us a break." said Ray, flicking his ponytail over his shoulder.
"Come on Kai, it's only for a few hours, and remember last time you went on a power trip, Max had to go to the hospital for an R.S.I." said Hilary.
"It won't kill you to relax for a little while, please?" begged Max, turning the kicked puppy look up full blast.
Kai looked away, knowing he'd never live it down from Tala if he conceded.
"Please Kai?" Hilary's whispered plea echoed beside him. He looked to her to see she was using the eyes as well, but not as intensely as the blonde.
"If I agree to this…" he felt his resolve crumble.
"We'll train 'til we drop tomorrow. Promise Kai." Tyson pleaded, getting on his knees in front of Kai.
"Just let them go Kai, before Tyson starts kissing your shoes." said Ian as he walked up, dragging Bryan who was still looking up at the stairs.
"You know what, why don't we all go. Because if Kai gives in to this lot, Ian will harp on at me, Spencer and Bryan will join in until I crumble anyway." said Tala.
"Plus Bryan has to keep Nix entertained." added Spencer, walking down with said teen girl, using her cane and the banister to guide herself down.
"I don't need to be babysat." Nix glared at the back of the blonde's head.
"Who's she?"
Everyone groaned, Tyson could be so dense.
"'She' is the cat's mother, I, on the other hand, am Nix Kuznetsov, Bryan's cousin."
"Nix, we've got Tyson, Max, Hilary, Kenny a.k.a. the chief and Ray. But they're not much to talk about." said Tala, linking arms with her.
"Oh and you suppose you are Tala? Hi guys." she smiled, "Bryan, where are you?" Bryan moved to stand with his cousin as she slinked out of Tala's grip.
"Ooh, shot out of the sky, eh Tala?" teased Ian.
"Hn… OW!" he cried as Nix's hawk cuffed him round the head in passing and landed on her shoulder. "Stupid bird."
"What's that?" asked Tyson.
"He's my Harris hawk, Calcifer." Nix smirked.
"Should be called Satan." grumbled Tala.
"So, who's up for the carnival?" asked Hilary.
"We all are I guess." said Spencer, scratching at his hairline.
"Spen… where's that headgear you usually wear?" asked Kai, referring to Spencer's green ear warmer things.
"I didn't put it on. Is that a problem?" he raised an eyebrow, Kai shook his head.
"So when are we heading to this carnival?" asked Ian.
"It doesn't open for another four hours." said Tyson sheepishly.
Kai looked like he was going to kill someone.
"We didn't think you'd agree so quickly." Ray tried to reason. "It was Tyson's idea."
"It was Hilary's look that did it, people would think you were sweet on her Kai." smirked Ian.
Both mentioned teens blushed.
"Yablokov, prepare to run."
"Why don't us guys go and blade out in the garden or something." said Max.
"Preferably before you get someone's blood over the floor Kai." said Tala.
"Hn, looks like you guys are getting some training in after all." Kai smirked as they all headed out. Kenny arguing with Dizzi behind them.
"I take it you don't blade then." Nix said to Hilary, sensing she was still in the room.
"I've tried and it's safer I don't." Hilary bowed her head.
"I know the feeling." Nix laughed.
"You can blade?"
"I haven't always been blind."
"Oh, I'm sorry. Let's go and join the boys."
"You can drool over Kai if you wish, but I'd rather train with this one." she said, pointing to Calcifer. Hilary blushed again and Nix noticed this silence.
"Wow, you must really like him. Come on, tell Nixy about it."
"…He's a really sweet guy though he puts up an icy front. And he's hot to boot."
"Yes I do get that impression of young Hiwatari."
"But there are girls out there that are bladers and they're pretty."
"If you're talking about that Ming-Ming then you obviously need to look more closely. What you see is a thick layer of make up." she smirked at Hilary's stunned silence. "I'm friends with the make up artist's daughter."
"Whoa."
"You know what, I'm in the mood for baking, but since I can't see, wanna help?"
"As long as I don't have to peel apples."
"You won't have to for chocolate chip muffins." Nix laughed.
0o0o0o0o0o0
"Is it me or can you guys smell something?" asked Max.
"I smell it too. Smells like cake… NIX!" Bryan yelled.
"You bellowed?"
"What are you two doing in my kitchen?" asked Kai.
"Cooking muffins, not a problem is it?" asked Hilary.
That made Kai's gruff insult die on his tongue, especially when he saw she was wearing a t-shirt too big for her, showing off her shoulder.
"I-I got some of the ingredients on my blouse."
"We got carried away sifting the flour so I lent her one of my t-shirts. Don't you think she looks cute Kai?"
Kai could only stammer a reply.
"Nix!" Hilary gasped, elbowing her new friend in the arm.
"I think the muffins are done." Nix grinned innocently, feeling her way into the kitchen again with her cane. Kai turned to glare at Bryan.
"We're joint by blood, not mind." Bryan protested.
Spencer shook his head and went inside to fetch a glass of water, seeing Nix buttering half a muffin.
"I thought you usually ate muffins plain."
"Nah, I halve and butter them while they're still warm, here try." she said, handing him the second half.
Raising an eyebrow at the girl, Spencer bit into the warm treat, feeling it melt in his mouth.
"Fuck, that's really good." he mused.
"Glad you like." she smiled, pulling the remaining muffins from the baking tray onto a large plate, somewhat haphazardly.
"How did you find the butter and the knife?"
"I asked Hilary." she smiled amusedly. "Can you bring out the jug and cups please? I think Hilary made lemonade."
"Spose I could."
"What are you two doing in there?" called Bryan
"Making out for all we know."
"Jealous are we Tala?" teased Tyson as Nix and Spencer appeared at the door, Spencer promptly stuffed a muffin in Tala's gaping mouth and set the plate down on the table.
Everyone else looked on and burst out laughing at Tala's face.
"I know this is going to sound really annoying, but are we there yet?" Nix asked as they walked to the carnival.
"Almost there." said Bryan. "Why what's wrong?"
"Just a little tired. But I'm ok."
"So how did you get in contact with Bryan, Nix?" Ray asked from beside her.
"I approached him a week after BEGA fell, but we did spend some time together as kids, Bryan may not remember but I do." she said.
"How did you tame Mr. Sadistic?" asked Tyson.
"He was never sadistic Tyson, despite what Boris and the papers say."
"I never got any kicks out of putting Ray in hospital. Boris might've but I didn't." Bryan admitted. "I felt really guilty." he added.
"Ah, we're here now. Finally."
"Ah yes! I want to go on the bumper cars!" cried Max, running for the entrance.
"Sounds like fun, Nixy are you going to be ok?" asked Bryan as everyone ran after Max, Hilary dragging Kai, not that it took much dragging.
"Yes I'll be fine."
"And I'll keep the little lady company." said Tala.
"She's taller than you." said Spencer. "I'm gonna pass as well, I've got a stone in my boot." he reached down and pulled his boot off.
"Suit yourselves, meet you in there." he said, handing the bird over.
"Right Nix, tunnel of love?" said Tala.
"Oh get over yourself will you." she growled, stomping towards the entrance, cane out in front of her. Calcifer flew off, probably hunting.
"Idiot." Spencer tutted, pulling on his boot again and catching up with her when she paused and held her ribs. "You ok?" he asked her.
"I'm fine. Can you believe the ego on that guy? Makes you wish there was a mute button on him." she growled.
"Yes I often feel that about Tala as well, let's get you some ice for those ribs."
"I'd rather have a strawberry ice cream in a chocolate cone." she said with a wry smile.
"Dang girl you're Bryan all over. Save the uh… the uh… um…" Spencer went red as he tried to point out the fact she was a girl without seeming like a pervert.
Heck Bryan would skin him alive.
"Obvious differences?" she giggled. "Come on, there's an ice cream stand with our names on it. You coming Tala? I'll buy ya an ice cream to show there are no hard feelings."
"You can't bribe me with frozen treats!" Tala folded his arms.
"Suit yourself." She and Spencer then walked into the carnival.
Tala's face faulted. "Wait for me!" and ran after them.
0o0o0o0o0
"Thanks." said Nix, handing Tala his lemon sorbet after paying the vendor.
"Thanks Nix." he and Spencer said as she licked her own cone.
"No sweat, let's go meet the guys off the bumper cars."
They stood at the side, Tala and Spencer watching as Kai and Bryan tried to inflict as much damage as possible to each other and everyone else, mainly Tyson, with reckless driving.
"Oh come on guys, let me get my money's worth!" yelled Tyson as he slammed into Hilary's pink car.
This, if anything, made Kai slam into him even harder.
"Kai, relax buddy, see if you can catch me!" called Max, whizzing past in his blue car, only to crash into Kenny's white one.
The bell rang and ended the ride. Everyone hopped out.
"That was fun." grinned Kai.
"Must've been." smirked Tala.
"Kai, it's good to see you smile." beamed Hilary. Kai looked anywhere but at the brunette.
"Right, what's the next ride?" asked Bryan. "Nix?"
"Waltzer, oh please Bry."
"Not the one with cars which are free to spin individually while rotating around a central point." asked Kenny.
"Oh yes that's exactly the one."
"I'll pass." Kenny sweatdropped.
"Don't you get dizzy?" asked Ian, spotting the ride.
"Nope, I get a hoarse throat from yelling. Come on guys." she was guided over and in by Bryan.
Since each cart held three or four, it was Bryan, Nix and Spencer in one, Kai, Hilary and Max in another, Tyson, Ian, Ray and Tala in a third.
"Are you sure this is a good idea, you just ate ice creams."
"Bryan, you worry too much." laughed Spencer as the bar went down over their laps.
"Hey Kuzzy, you aren't scared are you?" a voice called from the car in front.
"Fuck off Ivanov."
"Here we go." said Tyson as the ride began to move, picking up speed as people working the ride span the more stubborn cars.
Soon everything was a blur of colour as everyone lurched to one side.
"This! Ride! Rocks!" Nix managed to scream out.
"I'm gonna fly off help!" Ian screamed out.
"Whoo!!" Squealed Max and Hilary.
"HI CHIEF!" yelled Tyson.
Not even Kai could maintain his pose on this ride as he felt the g-force press him into the seat.
Kenny just waved from his spot by the ride steps, a major sweat-drop rolling down the back of his head.
All Spencer could feel, besides like being thrown over, was Nix's body thrown against his side; she radiated comforting warmth for someone so slim.
Though as the ride came to a stop, everyone was lurched in the opposite direction, the blonde had to grip the bar so he didn't crush the girl.
"Whoo! That was fun." laughed Bryan, blowing his hair out of his face.
"You ok back there Tala?" laughed Nix.
"Oh man, I'm so dragging Lee on one of these when he visits next." he laughed. "Now I know how our blades felt during our battle Bryan."
"That… was fun, whoa." said Hilary, staggering into Kai, who managed to hold her steady.
"Oi oi, I'd say you were in there Kai." laughed Bryan as he and Ray prised Tala from the ride.
"I'm guessing poor Tala didn't seem to like that one, he can choose the next one."
"I'm dragging you on the ghost train."
The Kuznetsov cousins cracked up laughing.
"Oh please, those things don't scare us." Bryan snorted.
"Give it up Tala I'm not interested. And I can't see the spooks anyway."
"I'm beginning to think you're a witch." Ian said to her.
"Oh isn't he just precious." Nix laughed so hard she ended up coughing, wincing when her ribs twinged.
"Shall we go to the game stalls for a while? There was a turtle plushy I have my eye on." said Max.
"Yay! I have a plush buddy." Nix squealed.
"Remind me how you're related to this girl?" said Kai to Bryan.
"How'd you think I became more humane? I was living with her for two months. Girls are more sensitive, ask Hilary when you're not busy blushing."
"You saw that huh?"
"My bit beast is a bird of prey Kai, need I say more?"
"Hn."
"Cheer up Kai. Tala says you have shit aim at the bottle toss." said Nix.
"Oh he's done it now." Kai joined the redhead at the stall and slammed his money down.
"Are you trying to be a matchmaker?" Bryan asked her.
"Maybe." she said innocently.
"You worry me sometimes. Ian thinks you're something you see on Halloween."
"He should learn to keep his nose out."
"I'll agree with you there." said Bryan, pausing as the sound of toppling bottles echoed behind them.
"You two ok?" asked Tyson.
"Yeah, who toppled the bottles?"
"Kai." Tyson rolled his eyes and pointed to a very smug Kai and a sulking Tala. The former with a white 'Ian-sized' bear in a head lock under his arm.
"Kai's not one for bears as far as I know."
"Wait for it." Nix whispered as Kai shyly approached Hilary.
"I um, won this for you." he said brashly, holding up the bear with a pink tinge to his cheeks.
"Aww, thank you Kai." Hilary stood on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek in thanks and hugged him around the middle, Kai went redder.
"You're welcome." he stuttered out as they stepped out of the way for another customer. He was even so brave as to bury his face in her hair.
"And I think we got ourselves a couple." Nix grinned, giving Hilary the thumbs up.
"Come on Max, give it up." said Spencer.
"No, I got this." Max launched a ball at the bottles. And missed.
Nix sighed and wrinkled her nose in annoyance as he launched the next ball.
SMASH!
"Well done Max." said Ray as the blonde received his turtle plushy.
"Took me enough throws." Max laughed.
"Can we dunk a clown?" asked Tala. "Or one of those arm wrestling things?"
"I wanna eat." said Tyson.
"You'd eat the carnival out of business. And you'll be hungry when we get home." tutted Hilary.
"Tyson, you're not human the amount you eat. I dunno how you've managed not to eat yourself to death." said Kenny.
"Just remember we're not lending you any money." snapped Bryan.
"Ok ok, you'd think you'd lighten up that your cousin's here." grumbled Tyson, going to the nearest vendor and ordering a portion of noodles.
"I've lightened up greatly since she arrived." he said gruffly.
"You sound it." Nix teased. "Where's the nearest bench, I need to sit down."
They soon found one and Nix was grateful to sit and rest. Then she heard Tyson throw away his empty noodle container. "Not hungry anymore?"
"No I'm not as it goes." Everyone anime fell, save Nix who just smirked.
Ray and Hilary - still linked with Kai- ran up to check his temperature.
"No I'm fine, stop it will you." Tyson laughed sheepishly.
"Hey look, there's a magician!" Kenny ran over to watch along with Tyson and Max. Calcifer returned from his flight, a tail of something hanging from his beak.
"Oh please, slight of hand and secret compartments in the hat." snorted Ray.
"Ray, how do you know?" asked Kai.
"TV's an insightful thing, when it's not showing a load of crap."
"Tell me about it!" cried Bryan, making everyone laugh.
"Cheap tricks." Mused Nix under her breath.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
"Spencer you had to set me down on the dunk tank seat didn't you?" Ian glared, wrapped in a towel and Bryan's jacket as they walked home.
"… Whoops?" Spencer held his hands up in a shrug.
"That was a nice shot Hilary." Kai's voice said behind the two and Nix who remained quiet.
"Between Kai and I, we must hold the carnival record, we won prizes from every stall." said Hilary, from behind her bear that Kai won.
"Oh man today was fun." Nix laughed as she sat on the sofa. "I'm guessing Ian's face when he hit the water was priceless."
"Oh yes."
"Didn't see you get wet."
"Like me she stood well back." smirked Bryan.
"Unlike me, who knew such a pipsqueak could cause such a splash?" said Spencer.
"Who wants a coffee?" offered Tala.
"Hot chocolate!" yelled Ian.
"Fine, Nix?"
"I'll have a hot chocolate please."
"Hot chocolate always seems to knock me out."
"That much I know. Half hanging upside down over the arm of the sofa." Nix called from her seat.
"Nixy!"
"Kuzzy."
"Gah, damned woman." he tutted under his breath.
"You love me really cuz."
"Dammit!"
"She's got you right where she wants you Bry." said Ian. "Under her thumb."
"And you'll be under my boot if you don't quit it."
"When was the last time you guys grabbed your bedding and kipped in the living room?"
A collective 'Erm…' sounded out.
"Not to worry. Now what are the four of you standing around for, go on, get!" she waved them off with her cane.
"Is she always like this?" Spencer asked Bryan as they climbed the stairs.
"She's playful." The platinum haired male shrugged.
Just then Nix came walking up weaving gracefully around Ian into her room. She emerged in a t-shirt and trousers with birds on. "Now don't be long you guys." and she skipped down the stairs.
"You Kuznetsovs are all the same." Tala said as he stepped out in orange pyjamas.
"Yeah, plain weird." added Ian, running to his room.
0o0o0o0
Nix stood at the window overlooking the garden but not seeing the view, thinking about earlier.
"Can you believe the ego on that guy? Makes you wish there was a mute button on him… He should learn to keep his nose out…"
'I've gotta stop thinking that, Bryan and his friends went through a lot in that place, if only I had fought harder and got him back sooner… Hmm, He's such a kid when he wants to be, like the old days, he should be like that more often…'
"Trouble?"
"Huh? No, just thinking." Nix turned to smile at her cousin, sporting similar pyjamas but with a tight sports vest.
"About?" he asked, hugging her from behind.
"You, and how I should've fought harder to get you back."
"That's not your fault so don't even go there. You could've forgot and ignored that I existed but you didn't. And for that I'm grateful."
"Aww Kuzzy." she turned and hugged him back with tears in her eyes.
"Sadist to softy. Imagine the possibilities."
"You're not a sadist so stop it!" she said heatedly. "Whatever that git did to you or made you do, let it go, getting you back was what kept me sane, and it broke my heart when you were acting like a robot. Don't you ever forget that!"
"I'm sorry you had to see me like that. I really am." he voice wavering. The cousins hugged each other tighter, Bryan mindful of her ribs. "C'mon, let's sit down." he said wrapping an arm around her and guiding her into the living room.
"I brought your bedding down for you." Spencer told Nix as Tala handed out the mugs.
"Thanks Spencer." she smiled, taking a sip of her drink.
"So Nix, tell us about yourself." said Kai.
"I'm really not that interesting."
"Neither are we really." said Bryan.
"Ok… before I went blind, in my spare time, which was a lot, I went climbing, I trained with my blade or Calcifer, went for jogs, just a lot of outdoor activities, when I'm not collecting herbs for my specialist teas or dancing to the radio."
"How can you train with a bird?" asked Ian.
"Falconry. Remember I told you about it once." said Bryan.
"Oh yeah."
"You say you blade, you any good?" asked Kai, tucked up in his armchair.
"I like to think I was."
"She used to beat me, before I got shipped to the abbey."
"Got a bit beast?"
"I call it 'Fry-Borg' because the bloody thing singes everything it touches."
"Her name's Zapdoborg and no she don't, that stray bolt went for the metal in your boots."
"Lightning based?" Tala yawned having drained half his mug.
"Yeah. You can tell when she's itching to battle when she's in my pocket." she sighed. Bryan snorted.
"Do tell." asked Ian, near enough asleep already.
"My hair stands on end from the static, and if anyone touches me they're in for quite a shock."
"You couldn't shock Tyson could you?" asked Kai hopefully.
"If he's stupid enough to touch me when my hair does it's act then yeah. I could."
"Am I right in guessing that Zapdoborg is a bird of prey?"
"Yes Kai, you are. Another falcon." Nix replied, feeling for her pillow and finding a furry material. A teddy bear in a sleeveless bomber jacket and glass eyes.
"You were saying this morning you didn't have a bear with you." said Spencer, as he got more comfortable.
"Oh, thank you Spence." she smiled.
"No problem, and mind your ribs."
"Will do."
Then everyone drained their mugs, yawned and got more comfortable, Nix curled up to Bryan's side, whimpering slightly as her ribs were hurting.
"You can rest against me if it helps." said Spencer, his eyes closed.
"Are you sure Spencer, I wouldn't want to-"
"I don't mind, your cousin does it all the time."
"Hn." was the sleepy snort from Bryan.
"Thank you." Nix switched sides so she was resting, albeit attentively, against the blonde.
"He won't bite Nix." mumbled Tala.
Soon light snores filled the room as the six fell into a deep slumber.
Review! please? Onegai? s'il vous plait? Por favor?