A/N: this chapter is supposed to shock you, and has some pretty serious violence in Tala's flashback, so I will tell you when it starts and when to come back if you don't want to read. ;) But the yaoi starts!

Ray sprinted down the street, ignoring the stitch in his side, trying to guess where Tala would've gone. Not to the shops- he wasn't a shopping kind of guy, not to the park- he didn't really go in for natural beauty either… Of course- the Beyblading training centre. Ray sprinted in the door and called out to the woman on the desk

"Hey! Have you seen a guy, red hair, blue eyes, wears orange and white?"

"Er yeah he's in the training room." the brunette replied slightly unnerved

"Thank you!" Ray called back, taking the flight of stairs 2 at a time, to the viewing galleries. He reached the platform and looked out over the beystadium's. There were a huge crowd of kids having a massive battle. Ray felt a smile crease his lips- amateurs were really cute. But Tala wasn't amongst them. The second dish- F Dynasty practicing by the looks of it, and by the CD player beside them, looks like they were competing. Ray was intrigued, it wasn't spying exactly, at least Mariah and himself could get ahead of the competition. Ah… Mariah. Ray wasn't sure how he felt about the turn of events. He would have no problem competing with Mariah, they knew each others moves back to front, and dancing with her would be easy. No it was her feelings that made the situation bad. Ray had been aware of Mariah's crush since he was 13. At the time he couldn't say anything to her, he didn't feel it was right to crush her hopes and dreams so brutally. But he couldn't love her like that, he loved her like a sister, and that would never change. But how could he explain to her that he wasn't into girls? He could just imagine the conversation. It involved tears, pride being crushed, and a slap round the face. He sighed, knowing her feelings were probably what Tala was counting on, to make them swap. He was sly, that was for sure, and he knew how to play peoples emotions. Ray's included. Ray steered his thoughts away from the redhead and concentrated on F Dynasty. Everyone knew they were the ones to beat at tag team combat so it was vital he saw a few moves. Besides Tala wasn't anywhere to be seen. Yet. So he watched.

"Raul come on, we have to lock our blades together or this attack is never gonna work!"

"Julia how? My blade will be shredded if I go anywhere near your beyblade!"

"Raul just trust me." Julia encouraged, slowing her blade down. Raul took a deep breath and drove Torch Pegasus forward. Thunder Pegasus locked into Raul's beyblade and together they span, ricocheting across the stadium. Ray gasped. Raul's head snapped up and met Ray's gold eyes. He smirked

"Hey Julia we got an audience!" Julia narrowed her eyes

"He's spying! Well Raul why don't we give him a show? Twin Arrow attack!" The two beyblade's shot straight at the glass of the viewing galleries, aimed at Ray's head. He stepped back in horror but before the twin beyblade's hit, a 3rd blade shot straight up in front of the glass, and hit the twins blades head on. They were flung backwards at the force and Ray looked down to find out who his mystery rescuer was. Aqua eyes gazed back, Tala's arm still straight up from where he'd launched. He looked at Ray, searching his eyes for traces of emotion, he found none. Ray's mind had gone blank, he'd been looking for Tala for so long, now he'd found him he had no clue what to say. Tala broke the staring competition, and promptly walked out the room, Ray's brain kicked back into gear. He had to find Tala before he left the building! Ray looked down at the flights of stairs, feeling despair wash over him. There was no way he'd get there in time… Unless… Ray gave a mischievous grin, momentarily forgetting about his dire circumstances, launched himself onto the banister rail. The wind picked up as he gained speed, arms kept out straight to balance himself, finally shooting off the end to land gracefully on 4 legs like a cat. He straightened up and ignoring the astonished looks of the staff, ran through the doors to the lobby. Sure enough Tala was just making his way through the rotating doors, when he felt a hand grip his shoulder. He stiffened and turned back to see furious golden orbs fixed on his marine coloured eyes.

"Ray." Tala hissed.

"Tala." Ray panted, "We need to talk." Tala brushed off Ray's hand, and gave him a stare

"Not here." was his response seeing the many eyes staring at them. Tala led Ray through the bustling city, keeping their heads down, ignoring any fans pleading for signatures. He pulled the necko into a dingy side street and gave him a glare

"So what was so important that you stopped me and Lee practicing Ray?" he asked, voice dangerously low. Ray blushed and stutter out his reply, aware there was very little space between them in the small alleyway.

"I-I-I don't understand why you want to swap, did I do something wrong?" he asked timidly, Tala sighed but blushed, the colour on his cheeks hidden in the darkness.

"We're not working as well together as I hoped, you're just too inexperienced to ice skate." Ray frowned and looked at him reproachfully

"Don't lie to me Tala, that's not the reason. I was skating perfectly well before we had that argument. I don't understand why it caused such a problem."

"It's not you…" Tala conceded and Ray looked at him curiously

"Then what?"

"I… I don't like physical contact." Tala muttered.

"What- you mean… The fall…"

"Uh huh."

"Oh look, I'm sorry about that, it was an accident though Tala, I swear."

"It doesn't matter, I'm working with Lee now." the Russian stated, he started to walk away but Ray touched his arm gently

"Tala… Don't run away. I don't wanna be your enemy. I want to be…" he left the sentence unfinished, not knowing what he wanted.

"R-Ray?" did Tala just stutter? Golden eyes met icy blue, and was that his imagination or was Tala unnerved? Ray gulped feeling his heart thudding, and Tala's body heat so close to him. He took Tala's hand and pressed it to his chest. Tala took in a sharp breath feeling Ray's heart racing.

"Is this why you ran away?" Ray asked quietly. Tala didn't respond, but the look on his face was both terrified and intrigued. Ray threw caution to the wind. He gripped the redheads hands to stop him moving and edged closer. Tala was frozen, and Ray could feel his uneven breaths tickle his hair, as his lips sealed over Tala's. Shock went through his body, as a warm feeling spread through his stomach to his chest, making him feel light-headed. The Russians lips were soft, and although he didn't pull away he didn't respond either. Ray pulled away and regarded Tala. The Russian was still, unmoving and his eyes were glazed over. Ray touched his hand and Tala jumped, taking a step back.

"What was that?" he asked, licking his lips, blue eyes wide with confusion and Ray would've gone as far as to say fear. But he didn't sound angry. Ray blinked

"A-a kiss." he replied uncertainly, as the blank look on Tala's face remained.

"What?"

"You don't know what a kiss is?" Ray asked incredulously, but Tala shook his head

"Surely your parents must've given you kisses when you were little?" A scowl came over the Russians face, as he once more shook his head. The penny dropped. "Oh… Tala I'm sorry."

"Don't be, you can't miss what you've never had." Tala replied. Then he cast a sideways glance at the Chinese boy who was standing awkwardly and obviously embarrassed. Tala gave him a curious look

"What was that for?" Ray swallowed

"It's used to show… Affection- to people you care about." At once he knew he'd said the wrong thing, Tala's eyes went cold and he took another step back.

"Emotions." he spat "Stupid worthless emotions. I don't need to be cared about!"

"W-what? T-Tala?!" Ray cried trying to keep his grip on the older boy but Tala yanked his arm away, his words daggers, slicing Ray's heart.

"Leave me alone Ray, and don't come anywhere near me!" the redhead yelled, turning his back on the Chinese boy and sprinting away. His feet thudded on the pavement and his blood raced through his veins. He left Ray's shouts far behind, he didn't know where he was running and he didn't care, but at that moment in time he was properly frightened. What was going on? What was all that about? Ray kissed him… Tala still didn't understand properly what it meant, and his robotic brain couldn't comprehend it. Tala didn't have a heart. He had wires, and circuits but not feelings, those had been erased at the abbey. He couldn't forget that.

Flashback- ATTENTION if you don't like violence please don't read or flame

Tala hung from the wall, his wrists in chains, naked to his waist. His blue eyes were closed and his face was scrunched up in pain. The whip cracked over his chest, lacerating the pale skin already covered in scars. Tala didn't need to look to know when it was going to happen, there was the stillness, then the rush and then the blinding pain. Boris stood back regarding the boy. He was no more than 10 years old.

"So you refuse to cry?" Boris stated menacingly. He gripped Tala's chin and turned his head to face him. "Open your eyes." The bloodshot blue eyes opened only to find a hand slapped round his face. Tala muffled his scream, keeping his lips pressed tightly together. Boris gave a signal to the guard who let him down. Tala fell to the floor in a heap and lay motionless. Boris gave a nudge to his side and Tala groaned. The evil mastermind bent down and whispered in his ear. "This is what you get for having emotions Tala. Hurt, pain and misery. You must learn to block them out or you will not survive here much longer. Repeat after me: I have no heart."

"I-have no heart." was the whisper

"I am emotionless."

"I am emotionless"

"I am loyal only to BIOVOLT."

"I am loyal only to BIOVOLT."

"I don't know the meaning of love, kindness or affection."

"I don't know the meaning of love, kindness or, affection." Boris smiled, a cold, sadistic smile and gave one final sentence

"I am a soldier of Voltaire." Tears prickled before the Russians eyes

"I- am a soldier of Voltaire."

End Flashback.- You can come back now ;)

Tala remembered the cruelty well, and when he was offered the chance to become entirely emotionless and stronger than ever before, he jumped at the chance. It was a way out. (1) Now he realised that he had done more harm than good. He ran to his apartment, slamming his bedroom door and running a hand through his flaming locks, eyes shut. He was a cyborg. He had all his emotions wiped from his brain except the ones Voltaire deemed useful. He couldn't love, couldn't feel, couldn't care. Tala rolled onto his side, bringing his knees into his chest, wrapping his arms round his knees, scrunched into a little ball. Why did Ray care for him like this? What was this emotion- affection? It couldn't be good. For Tala emotions meant weakness, and weakness meant pain. Tala felt like beating his head against the wall in frustration, none of it made any sense. What had Tala ever done for Ray to care for him? Nothing. The Russian felt something wet slide down the side of his cheek, he brought up a hand and wiped it away. Tears. Tala's eyes widened in shock, he never cried. Tears were weakness. He slipped into a fitful sleep that were a mixture of terrifying memories of the Abbey and the memory Ray's lips against his, the soft touch of his hands, and his own racing heart. He sat bolt upright, beads of sweat clinging to his forehead, his shirt sticking to him. Tala swung his legs out of bed and yanked open the window, letting the cool night air calm his nerves. He looked out across the city, wondering where the necko jin in question had gone, Tala's heart sank as he realised he had not regretted the kiss. He had enjoyed it, and he wanted more, and that fact terrified him. How could he compete against the necko now? The competition began on Monday!

A/N: (1) Oh come on you don't seriously think Tala was forced into that tank thing against his will do you? I think he would've put up a little bit of a fight. I see it more as brainwashing. Aw we had a little bit of Uke Tala. It's so sweet to write him like that. Right problems now- this will probably be the last chapter for a little while, I have exams all next week which I… Forgot… To revise for. But isn't it nice to mess with Tala's head? R & R please :)