A big thank you to bijective and invertible. britsinger & TyKa Lover for the reviews.

The Secret Spring

Chapter 3

Tyson froze when he truly realized that this wasn't a set up. The man who haunted his dreams was kissing him...and both were buck naked in a hot spring. He turned partially and assessed how long it would take him to get to his clothes.

It was like Kai had read his mind. Strong hands grabbed his wrists and pulled him away from the wall and against the impossibly toned chest of the Russian. A warm mouth descended on his and drove all thoughts from his head. Those strong arms encircled him and pulled him hard up against the lithe body. He jerked his head back struggling to breathe. Finally Kai pulled away. Both of them were breathing hard.

The older man's mouth kissed and nibbled its way sensuously across his face and trailed down his throat until finally latching onto the join between Tyson's neck and collarbone. He twitched and arched into hands that stroked and caressed their way around his body. A soft moan escaped his mouth. What has happening felt sooo good. Letting his body take over he bucked against Kai and whimpered when that amazing mouth left.

Kai's voice rumbled in his ear. "You like that huh."

Tyson barely heard those Kai was saying. His eyes glazed over as Kai slid a hand around his semi-erect cock. 'This is not happening. The man of my dreams is not seducing me' he chanted to himself, disengaging himself from reality.

Like a ghost he seemed to be watching from above as Kai introduced him to new realms of pleasure. His former companion seemed quite pleased with himself after Tyson had orgasmed. Somehow Kai coaxed his traitorous body back to life and this time they came together with Kai buried deep inside him.

Tyson watched with bemusement as Kai stroked his face and kissed him gently. Kai took his hand and led him from the pool. His body mechanically clothed itself and followed the hand that tugged it along. It sat as directed with Tyson floating along behind.

Kai sat across from him and pushed a glass of sparkling champagne at him. Automatically he picked it up and put it to his lips, allowing the ice cold liquid to burn its way down his throat. Looking at him Tyson realised, for the first time since the old gang had arrived the Russian seemed truly relaxed and happy.

His body called him back to reality. He watched numbly as Kai raised a glass in a toast. He followed suit and turned to study his benefactor's untamed slice of heaven. Tyson hadn't seen anything so beautiful in such a long time. He sipped his champagne and ignored the feelings bubbling below the surface.

Distracted by his own morose thoughts he didn't hear Kai talking to him. He did notice when an arm snaked out and pulled him to his feet. Crimson eyes looked down into his momentarily before he was crushed against Kai's strong form. Once again soft lips enveloped him and a tongue slid into his parted mouth.

'Hopefully I don't wake up.' Tyson thought briefly and let his eyes close savouring the moment.

Tyson sat up suddenly. His ached slightly, and his eyes felt scratchy. 'Best dream I've had in a while. Pity it wasn't real.' He thought to himself. He gazed at the ceiling, savouring the dream memory of being in Kai's arms.

A knock on his door interrupted Tyson's reverie. "Come in." he said, hefting himself into a seated position.

Hilary entered and promptly scowled at seeing him still in bed. As she drew closer she noticed the pale, drawn face watching her. "Are you okay?"

"Fine." Tyson answered in a daze.

"Did you sleep at all last night?" Hilary asked putting a hand to his forehead. Warmth radiated off the blunette. She touched her hands against his cheeks and got a similar reaction.

"Yes. But not well." Tyson replied honestly. He sat hunched forward, eyes glazing over.

Hilary returned from the bathroom and stuck the thermometer into his mouth. She sat on the bed next to Tyson and waited for the ding. The brunette studied her friend carefully - she knew the lack of sleep was probably from the depression. However she couldn't shake the niggling feeling there was something more.

Finally the warning note sounded and she pulled it out of his mouth. Tyson sat passively while she assessed the reading. "Tyson." Hilary said carefully. "Your temperature is a little high. I wanted you to come out with us this morning but I think it would be a good idea if you stayed here. Catch up on some sleep and just rest. I will check your temperature again after lunch and we will deal with it from there."

She paid closed attention to the blunette. "Okay." He mumbled back, happy not to have to socialise for the moment. He laid back and looked at her with a sleepy expression.

Hilary frowned slightly. He was never this compliant unless he was ill. Normally he would be sooking loudly…this bout of Depression was worse than she thought. "I'll talk to you later Tyson." She promised him as she left.

Mulling over the interaction with Tyson it didn't take Hilary long to reach the dining area. She muttered replies to the friendly greetings before sitting down and playing with the eating utensils in front of her. Tala and Max were completely engrossed in a conversation and missed her distracted behaviour. It Kai grabbing the spoon she was playing with to bring her attention away from her thoughts.

"Are you okay?" Kai said in an echo of her words to Tyson.

"I'm fine." She replied. "Tyson isn't feeling well so I ordered him to rest."

Kai's slight flinch when she uttered Tyson wasn't feeling well caught not only her attention but Ray's. "What's wrong with him?" Kai's eyes stared intently at Hilary.

She returned the intense look, scrutinising the Russian carefully. "He's got a temperature. Despite going to bed early, he hasn't slept well. I think he has only gotten about 2 hours sleep to be brutally honest."

Kai's face became an unreadable mask. 'Jackpot.' Hilary thought. She knew something else had happened. Kai rarely suppressed his emotions around his friends these days so the tricks of old were a red flag to everyone.

"I'm going to check on him." Kai said, hands on the table to push him out of his seat.

"No." Hilary said sharply. The sharp tone caught the attention of Max and Tala. Ray sat back in his chair, watching the diminutive girl square off against the larger Russian

Kai rose from his seat and glared down at the brunette. Not one to be intimidated, the stubborn woman rose to her feat as well. "I'm going to check on him." Kai repeated firmly. Crimson eyes dared Hilary.

The brunette glared back at him. "No! He's absolutely exhausted and needs to rest. When I left him he was just about to go back to sleep."

"I am not going to wake him. I am just checking on him." He replied irritably.

"He's a light sleeper, so you're not!" She snapped backed.

"Since when is Tyson a light sleeper?" Kai said with a derisive snort.

Hilary set her jaw. "A serious medical problem knocked him around 6 months ago. He's had trouble sleeping ever since." She said quietly.

The statement sent a ripple of shock through Kai and the others. "What are you talking about?" Ray's voice cut through the uneasy silence.

"He wasn't well. He lost a lot of weight. He wasn't sleeping." Hilary said evasively.

Kai moved closer. "What is wrong with him Hilary?" he asked in a cold voice.

"Not for me to disclose Kai. If you want to know – ask him!" Hilary replied calmly. She eyed Kai trying to gauge his reaction. The Russian glared heatedly at her.

"I will." Kai snarled before moving towards the door. Hilary darted in front of him barring his path.

"I TOLD you not to disturb him!" She growled, ready to take the Russian on. Ray and Max moved to intervene. "You can visit him if he is feeling better this afternoon!"

"Relax Kai." Ray said. He clasped Kai's shoulder. "Look. We can go out and relax near the onsen like you suggested and if Ty is feeling better this afternoon we can all go for that walk you were talking about."

Kai glared at Ray before reluctantly agreeing. "Fine." He said curtly. "You guys go ahead. I have a conference call and then I will come out."

Tala sauntered over and gave Kai a smirk. "No you don't. I've got a hot date with Catalina."

Kai gave him a withering look. "No you don't."

"Kai. I can sit here and argue all day with you but you agreed last night let me deal with stuff while you do spent some time with your friends. So either you leave now or I spend the whole day following you around like a little annoying dog." Tala said with a hint of mischief.

"Annoying? You go that right." Kai taunted. Tala just gave him a lazy salute before heading off in the direction of the office.

"Shall we?" Ray said with an encouraging smile. Max and Ray led the ways as an irritated Kai allowed himself to be towed along by Hilary.

Tyson woke at the sound of a knock on the door. Sitting up he called for them to enter. Hilary poked her head in the door. "How are you feeling?" She asked with an inquisitive smile.

"Sleepy." He said, punctuated with a yawn. This drew a quiet laugh from the brunette as she entered the room.

"You look a lot better." Hilary commented as she grabbed the thermometer from the chest of drawers where she had left it.

"I feel better." He admitted. Tyson sat patiently waiting for the reading, listening to Hilary chatter about the morning.

After the bing he watched the change in the happy mood. "Look. I'm going to see if Niles can bring you some food. Your temperature is still a bit high." She said with a frown. "Are you happy for me to get Tala to look in on you while we are out? Kai wants to see you as well. Are you up for it?"

Tyson shook his head. "I don't mind Tala looking in on me but could we leave Kai until tomorrow please?"

"No worries. Did something happen between you and Kai?" Hilary asked with an assessing look.

"No. I just don't feel like trying to deal with Max and Kai at the moment." Tyson said with a shrug.

"What and Ray is okay?" She retorted.

"Max can smother you sometimes when he is worried. I don't really want Kai to see me lying around in bed. Ray is calm and relaxed. He won't think any less of me if I am having a moment of weakness." Tyson said with honesty.

"I see your point about Max but Tyson being sick isn't a sign of weakness. It's a natural thing." Hilary pointed out. "And I don't think you are really being fair to Kai. He won't think any less of you if you are ill. I personally believe it would make him feel concerned."

"Thanks for the advice Hil but I am just not up to seeing Kai." Tyson said with a bit of heat. He glared at her, all of a sudden irritated with the motherly concern.

She raised an eyebrow at his sudden change in behaviour. "Expect Niles to deliver you some food. Don't play with your food. Just eat it." was the cool reply. Hilary stood up and left Tyson in peace.

Tyson felt a little guilty at the brunette's sudden exit from the room. He settled back into bed and thought about the email he'd read after Hilary had left for breakfast. It didn't take long for his overloaded mind to shut down as he fell back into dreamland.

"What's going on Kai? You've been sulking the entire day or so someone has told me." Tala's drawl broke through the Russian's silent musings. He looked up at the redhead from his comfortable arm chair and drank the whisky he'd been swirling around mindlessly.

"I wasn't sulking." Kai snapped back irritably. He set the glass down before refilling it.

"Hmmm. And it never snows in Russia. Come off it Kai. I know you better than that. So does your old team. I know Tyson is somehow wrapped up in this so spit it out. At the rate you are going you ruin the time you are supposed to be spending with your friends." Tala said sharply.

"Leave it Tala." Kai said with a warning note in his voice.

Never one to back off from a challenge the red-headed Russian gave Kai a sly smirk. "Hmmm. You hooked up and now you're upset because it seems like Tyson is avoiding you." He said shrewdly. He sat down in the opposing armchair and studied Kai's reaction. He wasn't disappointed; Kai flinched and focused on his glass avidly.

"Hmm. Nail on the head. I give you that Tyson is acting funny but from the very brief conversation I had with him nothing to do with what he is worrying about. He really isn't feeling well but I managed to glean a little more information then he intended. There was an email open on his laptop that I managed to read a little bit of." Tala said lightly, leaning back into the chairs embrace.

Kai's gaze shifted from the glass to his face. Tala leaned forward on his knees in a scheming manner. The amused Russian continued. "He got it last night from some guy called Brandon? Do you know the name?"

Kai's brow furrowed slightly. "No. Tyson tends to be very private about his personal life. Even with us. I might have to ask Hilary."

"Brandon was Tyson's first serious boyfriend." Hilary's voice drifted over from the doorway. Both of them turned to look at her. Standing next to her was a serious Max and a worried Ray. The trio entered the room and arranged themselves neatly around Kai and Tala.

"He's a complete jack arse." Ray said leaning forward in his seat accepting the drink Kai offered him. Kai raised an eyebrow at him.

"I stayed with Tyson for a little while at the beginning of the year. This idiot was jealous and angry when he found out I was living at the dojo. Brandon accused Tyson of cheating on him with me. It didn't matter that we both explained I was already in a relationship with Max and had no interest in Tyson at all. He was a nasty piece of work – very manipulative." Ray explained.

"He still is from what I saw of the email." Tala snorted with disgust.

"I must say I was relieved when Ty dumped him. It turns out that Brandon was cheating on him with a mutual friend. Hence the big stink about Tyson cheating on him. It diverted attention away from his antics." Hilary stated quietly. Anger was evident in her tone.

"What did you see in the email Tala?" Kai asked. His hands were wrapped tightly around his whisky glass.

Ray tugged the glass from Kai's grip while the red-head answered. "He said some very horrible things that don't bear repeating. Let me say it was a vicious attack on his appearance and personality. And that was only the first paragraph."

Hilary, Ray and Max launched into a heated discussion angry at the treatment of their friend. Kai sat back in his chair, an icy cold expression on his face as he thought to himself. Tala watched his friend uneasily. He'd seen that look before and it meant trouble.

Kai finally noticed Tala's wary face and heard the indignant conversation of the other three. Talking a deep breath he schooled his features to show a blank mask. "It might be best if we all retire for the night. I understand we are all angry about this but we can't let this…person…ruin the good time we are having here. It is important that we make sure Tyson is aware that we care for him, ready to listen when he is ready to talk and we have his back."

Ray and Max relaxed at the statement. Hilary had a mulish expression on her face but acquiesced to his statement while Tala watched him with an unreadable expression. Getting to his feet he banked the fire and ushered the others out and in the direction of their rooms.

Kai entered his bedroom and stood in the doorway. Frustrated and knowing he wouldn't sleep anytime soon he made his way into the private study off the back of his room. Sitting in a comfortable armchair he took out his blade Dranzer and a polishing cloth. He hoped this would settle the roil of emotions hiding beneath the surface of his skin.

A quiet knock at the door woke Tyson from his sleep. Groggily he looked out the window and saw that it was still night. The door opened itself and a dark shadow entered the room.

"Hello?" he asked yawning. He switched on the bedside light to see the looming figure of Kai. Somehow Tyson managed to contain the undignified squeak that threatened to erupt from his mouth.

In an undignified manner Kai thumped onto the bed. Tyson wrinkled his nose at the stench of alcohol.

"Ummm. Are you okay Kai?" Tyson said waking up quickly with the steady brush of alcohol on his face.

Crimson eyes glared at him. "You spent the whole day moping after your ex?" was the accusing reply.

"W-what? No!" Tyson said shocked.

Kai's face came dangerously close to the blunette's. "Then why were you holed up here all day?"

"Hilary took my temperature and told that I needed to rest because it was higher than it should be." Tyson said beginning to get angry. "And how do you know about my ex?"

"Not telling you." Kai taunted.

"What is wrong with you?" Tyson asked, now in the full throes of losing his temper.

"What is wrong with you?!" Kai snarled in response. "You're still in contact with a guy that cheated on you and broke your heart?!"

"No I'm not. I severed contact with that idiot months ago. I can't control the fact that he is trying to get in touch. You honestly think that little of me? That I am some pretty little idiot who is so desperate to be with someone that I will degrade myself by getting back with the person that hurt me like that?" Tyson looked at Kai with disgust.

The Russian blader scooted forward a little getting right in the blunette's face. "Then why have you been moping about like you've lost your best friend?"

"I have Depression Kai." Tyson snapped. "I was diagnosed 6 months ago and unfortunately I am still trying to figure out how to deal with this properly."

Kai reeled back, almost falling off the bed due to alcohol messing up his balance. Tyson's' confession had seemed to drain away the anger and aggression. "What?" was Kai's eloquent response.

Tyson sighed patiently. "The doctor believes that the amount of stress I was under triggered the deterioration in my mental health. Hilary and Kenny are the only ones outside of the family that know. Hilary has been an amazing support and helped me stick to the doctor's plan of therapy, meditation and exercise. Everything has been a lot better recently but unfortunately 1 little thing can derail you."

"Why didn't you tell me? What about Ray and Max?" Kai replied, a touch of hurt visible in his eyes.

"Kai – you've been busy in Russia for the past 6 months dealing with company stuff. You already work too hard – I don't need to burden you with stuff. It has been the same for Ray and Max." Tyson said dismissively. The blunette studied the Russian's face.

"Tyson. You're one of the most important people in my life! How would you be burdening me?" Kai asked with blunt honesty. He moved closer to the blunette.

"Are you telling me that you would have dropped everything to come here and help me?" Tyson said incredulously.

"Yes." Kai said simply. Tyson looked at him bewildered.

"Did last night mean nothing to you?" Kai asked, hurt.

"Last night?" Tyson said. "What do you mean?"

"The Onsen? Fairy lights. Champagne. You hurt yourself?" Kai prompted beginning to get very visibly upset.

"That was real?" Tyson asked completely shocked. He looked into Kai's sad face and gently took his hand. "That seriously happened?"

"Yes." Kai muttered.

"I thought it was a dream." Tyson revealed beginning to blush.

"Great to know that I clearly made an impact on you." Kai said waspishly, staggering to his feet.

With a sharp sigh, Tyson grabbed Kai's arm and pulled him back onto the bed. The Russian fell back and lay there dazedly. "You're an idiot." He snapped.

"I'm sure I am." Kai retorted. "Why this time?"

"Kai – I have dreams about you. Intimate dreams." Tyson emphasised. The older man's face showed that he still couldn't comprehend what he was talking about.

"I've been in love with you for the past 12 months you dolt." Tyson snapped. "The only reason I went out with Brandon in the first place was because I thought you didn't swing that way. I needed to find someone that intrigued me and Brandon did. He was a poor choice and one that I regret."

Kai processed that thought and pounced on the blunette, pinning him to the bed. A smile began to encroach on the Russian's face. "You love me?" he asked.

Tyson used the moment to manoeuvre himself from underneath a drunken Kai. "Go have a drink of water and then we will go to sleep."

The Russian stumbled off to the bathroom. He moved across the large bed to give the older man some room. Tyson settled in and looked at the ceiling - a load seemed to lift off his shoulders. A couple of minutes later Kai staggered into the room and clumsily got into the bed. He managed to turn the light off after fumbling and promptly curled himself around Tyson. The blunette was rewarded with a sloppy kiss and a good night.

Happier than he had been in a long time, it didn't take the blunette long to fall asleep.

*ts*

END of CHAPTER

Hi Everyone.

Thank you very much for your patience! Unfortunately work and Uni have been extremely hectic so I haven't been able to dedicate the time the story deserved until just now. I hope you like the chapter.

Reviews are greatly appreciated. Constructive criticism and ideas are always welcomed.

Love

Storm