sorry about the long wait. there was just stuff happening, and I had no time to write. this one ends a bit abrubtly, but I figured you would want one more chapter after this one, so I couldn't end this one nicely or I wouldn't have had any need to write the last chapter. which will include: I have no idea. darn.
but well, let's enjoy you hope. wait, how was it again? ... anyhow. read.

CHapter 14

They walked him and Rei more or less side by side and Kai in between them but a bit behind. It was comfortable formation, and they didn't take up the whole sidewalk. He was dying to hear why Rei had called him but bit his tongue to stay silent about it. But then he realized he could ask other stuff to catch up on Rei.

"How come you called me? Don't you have someone else to help?" he asked and looked at the rave haired guy. Rei couched awkwardly and looked down.

"Not here really. All my old friends shunned me out because of what I did to you" at this point Rei looked up, torment etched into his face. Then Rei looked down again. "I'm still sorry about that. I wish there had been some other way."

"Yeah, like talking about it" Kai grunted behind them. Seeing Rei shudder he sent a glare to Kai.

"This is none of your business" he snapped. Kai shrugged and looked away

"Whatever." Kai didn't seem too happy. Well, it was understandable, they were talking about his ex. Maybe it wasn't pleasant topic to listen. He sighed in slight frustration.

"It's an old matter, and I already forgave him. There is no reason to dig it more" he said and turned his gaze to Rei. "And it goes for you to. Let it go. What's happened happened, and it can stay in the past. Okay?" he didn't himself care to recall it anymore. It had been painful thing to go through and now when he was completely over it, he didn't want to have it rubbed on his face anymore. Rei nodded.

"And you were the most...I think you are the best person to help."

his eyes narrowed

"Why?" he asked slowly. He feared what he would hear. Absentmindedly Rei brought his fingers to the mark on his face.

"Because it's about Brian"

he swallowed hard

"Did he do that?"

Rei avoided his eyes.

"Rei?" Rei dropped his hand from his face and bit his lip.

"Yes" came barely audibly from the raven haired guy. He had feared this but he had sincerely hoped that he was wrong. He sighed and wrapped a hand around Rei's shoulders, pulling him closer.

"Why?"

Rei shook his head and looked at him, eyes moist.

"Kai was right, please not here"

he couldn't say no to those begging kitten's eyes.

"Of course" he murmured softly, earning a small smile from Rei. He glanced behind them. Kai was staring at them, face blank. Noticing his stare Kai briefly closed his eyes, then gave him a shadow of a smirk. He wasn't sure what was bugging Kai the most, but he was glad that the red eyed guy was behaving himself again. He just hoped that this ordeal wouldn't mess up their relationship. He gave a sloppy smile back at Kai. Then Rei stopped dead in his track and Kai nearly bumped into them. He noticed how Kai looked past them and how the red eyes widened.

"Shit" Kai said surprised. He didn't have time to turn his head to find out what was causing these reactions from his friends when he heard the voice. Brian's voice.

"How nice. My too bitches cuddling here in the middle of the street."

his head snapped forward and indeed, Brian was standing ahead of them, having emerged from behind a corner.

"Brian" Rei choked out. He squeezed Rei's shoulders reassuringly and glared Brian with all his might.

"WE are not your bitches" he spatted back. Brian laughed.

"You can keep telling you that if it makes you feel better. I have missed the sounds you make" Brian said and licked his lips. He shivered and grimaced

"You are disgusting"

Brian took a step closer and Rei shrank back.

"That's not what Rei thinks. Isn't that right Rei?"

Rei looked at Brian, like a deer in a car's headlights. Seeing no way out. It made his temper flare

"You have no right to say what Rei thinks. He is fully capable to think for himself." he gave Rei a encouraging smile.

"And is he going to leave me for you? What a slut he is"

the little courage he had managed to coax into Rei evaporated in a flash. "Although I wouldn't mind seeing you too in action." Brian swayed a bit and grinned wide "Aah, that would be hot. Then I could join you too so you could really get what you want"

he spat on the ground

"Never shall I have you lay your filthy hands on me" he stated, head high, looking Brian right in the eyes. The lilac eyes weren't fully focused. "You drunk!"

Brian growled in anger and Rei urgently tugged his sleeve

"Tala, stop, don't get him mad!"

He looked at Rei, the wound on his face.

"He has no right to treat you like this. You deserve more than a lame drunkie"

Brian howled and flexed his arms

"WHO are you calling drunkie? You fucking whore! Nailing every guy that comes to your way. Just like that Chinese slut there"

he was about to yell back when Kai stepped from behind him and without taking his eyes away from Brian Kai said

"Enough. He is high, am I right?"

there was a little pause and then Rei confirmed

"Yes. It wasn't bad at first, but he had changed into something stronger lately. It makes him half mad."

"and violent" Kai concluded. Rei just nodded. Of course Kai didn't see it, but it had anyway been more like a statement than question. "Tala" Kai continued

"Yes?"

the red eyes glanced at him for a short moment.

"Sorry about your lighter" there was a smirk on Kai's lips now. He couldn't help but grin back.

"So this is your accidental breaking?"

Kai shrugged

"We'll see. But it would be good if you take some distance. You don't want cops, right?" the red eyes flashed to Rei, who shook his head.

"No. it's still him. I want to help him"

Kai snorted and looked at Brian, eyes narrowed.

"You hear that? Despite that you are a bastard, he cares about you"

"Who the hell are you to call others bastards?"

Kai smirked

"Better person than you"

while Kai had talked he had also slowly pulled his hand out of his jacket pocket, holding one lighter that he had given him earlier. It was surprising since Kai had said he didn't have one with him. He couldn't see the reason why Kai would want to keep it as a secret and hide it.

But now wasn't the time to ask about it. He backed away with Rei.

"Are you sure he manages?" Rei muttered, looking at him eyes wide with fear. He nodded

"He will be fine"

they stood silent and watched. He was actually rather curious to see Kai in action. Kai glanced them over his shoulder and seeing they were far enough he charged. Brian had been expecting it, so the first punch was blocked and immediately Brian connected his foot to Kai's abdomen. Through the distance he heard Kai grunt. Brian laughed victoriously and stepped back, gloating.

"You are no match for me" he said to Kai, looking down on his bent form. He heard Kai chuckle and airily Kai straightened his back.

"My words exactly." then Kai swung his leg in a wide arch and swept Brian's off of his feet. With a thump Brian was down on his butt. Without slowing down Kai brought his fist down to Brian's diaphragm. The air was knocked out of Brian. No wonder because the punch had carried not only Kai's strength but also the momentum from his whole body since he had went down to one knee to deliver it. Kai pulled his hand up, and it was bloody. He pressed hand to his mouth in nausea. But then he realized that Kai hadn't just gutted Brian, but broke the lighter. Swiftly Kai brought a matches out of his pocket and lighting one dropped it on Brian who immediately caught flame. He hardly believed his eyes. Brian jumped up, his chest in flames, bellowing wildly. Brian turned to them

"Help!"

Rei tried to escape from his hold and go to Brian but he held him still. He could hardly believe it himself. He had had no idea that Kai was that crazy. He was scared to his bones watching the flames lick Brian's chest and the terrible howl made his ears hurt. Then Brian's eyes rolled around and Brian fell right down to his stomach. Kai was standing there, hands together in one big fist. He had knocked Brian unconscious. He let go of Rei who run to Brian, tears streaming down his cheeks

"How could you!?" Rei asked in a broken voice. Kai shook his head

"He is fine. Now they have no choice but to believe you"

he too walked closer, much more hesitantly than Rei had. He didn't want Brian to jump at him and he was a bit confused about Kai. The guy seemed perfectly normal, though a bit pale.

"What do you mean? Who will believe?" he watched how Rei struggled to turn Brian around and noticed that the flames had died, suffocated between the ground and Brian's body. Kai had knew what he was doing. Kai looked at him totally calm.

"The desk person at the rehab center." Kai looked down at Rei. "He will be fine. Well, at least once the treatment is over." Rei just shook his head and cradled Brian's head. Kai sight and looked at him. "You understand? I couldn't think other way. They don't take involuntary people unless they are a danger to themselves and others." Kai looked down again and shook his hand. Drops of blood flew around. He relaxed. He should know by now that Kai was not a bad guy. But it had looked horrible

"That was scary" he stated. The red orbs bore down on him.

"You were afraid of me?"

he couldn't keep the eye contact and looked away. Kai huffed "Don't worry. I understand. It's not easy to see someone you have known a long time go up in flames" Kai looked up to the sky. He looked Kai again

"What do you mean? Or who?" Kai shook his head.

"Never mind. That's a past too. And I don't want to bring it up again. Okay?"

they stared each others a moment. Then he gave up. It was obvious that with Kai, there would always be secrets and hints of things he couldn't ask. Or even if he asked, he wouldn't get an answer.

"Fine" he grabbed Kai's hand and inspected it. "Does it hurt?" he inquired and looked into the red orbs. Kai shrugged.

"Not too bad."

he rolled his eyes

"Mister tough guy"

Kai smirked

"I thought I was just the guy"

he chuckled softly

"You are a jerk sometimes, did you know that?"

Kai arced an eyebrow

"How could I not know?"

he shook his head and ignoring Kai picked the small fragments of the lighter from Kai's hand

"You need bandage"

Kai nodded

"And they need treatment"

so. one last chapter to go. and I have nothing to add anymore. so let's just hope I find enough wrapping up that it will be an adequate chapter. until then, have a good times and review ;)