Disclaimer: I am not an owner, only a torturer of these fine characters made by other, more intelligent people. I do not own anything, not even my own truck, so if you want to sue, you can have the dead mouse out back.

A/N: OMFG I AM STILL BREATHING! I have decided to update this fiction, because well I feel really bad about leaving it the way I did. So, here you are. 1 more chapter to go, also it's been brought to my attention that someone has stole my story line, I don't know if this is true or not but a good friend of mine Just a Reviewer or (JaR) has brought this to my attention. I think it's cowardly to steal another person's ideas and that's all I'm going to say on the whole thing.

Honorable Measures

Chapter 18: Jabbing Blackness

I'm floating in ther blackness, something I've come accustomed too and almost enjoy. I am still aware of the things going on around me but for some reason they are distant, almost like my body is a million miles away and I'm only aware of some things. I can vaugly hear the doctors talking about me, giving orders and feel the nurses carrying out those orders but here I recline, alone in my blackness. From nowhere goes a sharp jab and I growl, moving my body away from the thing that was sticking me. It happens again and I snarl into the darkness

"Excuse me, I'm trying to float here. Gods can't anyone be unconscious without being annoyed?" for some reason I'm not surprised the only response to this is a sharp jab in the buttocks. Along with that vicious maneuver comes a voice, filtering through the darkness and I listen to the voice mixed with anger, sadness and concern.

"Kai, you have to wake up. I'm so sorry." It's Ray, and he's sounds terrible. He calls agin, this time I can hear the tears streaking down his face as he sobs my name and worry floods my system, making me struggle against the quagmire the blackness had become. I struggle against the silent and unseen hands that are holding me back and I sto0p, considering the difference between this trip to the blackness and the last one I had. I was bale to move my legs the last time, this time though I can't seen to get them to move no matter how hard I try. I nearly sob in defeat; this is why I was transported back here, to the place of blackness and solitude. I stop my struggling for a few more minutes mulling over my situation,

"Well I always knew I wouldn't be getting my legs back, which although it's not fair for them to be taken I'm not really concerned by it. Even if I could walk again my life would be filled with pain, and I'm not sure I could live with that. Determination streaks across my brian as another sobbing plea from Ray echoes throughout the darkness and I grit my teeth.

"Well too god damn bad, I can't go spending my time feeling sorry for myself while Ray and the others suffer up there." I growl and begin to make my way, suddenly around me the blackness shifts, the area under me becomes a solid mass and I sit in a long hallway, the walls coated with scenes of my life, my triumphs as a Beyblader and leader, my defeats as well, the caring of my friends as they cheered me on from the sidelines. The last few months, living with Ray and the emotional roller coaster we were on. I bite my lip, gazing at the walls as a bright light at the end of the walkway catches my attention. I know where this path would lead me and for some reason the tempt is very real. I almost punch myself, am I really considering giving up now? Pfft, I think not.

"I'm not going to join you yet, so fuck your damn nice light with no lamp shade routine, fuck this I have better things promised to me back where I was. I think I'll take my chances out there thank you very much." I snarl and ready myself for the task of crawling in the other direction. Suddenly the bright light flares and I'm taken aback slightly, turning to see the shifting light coming closer, slightly alarmed I back track a bit

"I'm sorry if I managed to piss you off, but I'm not going with you." I protest as the light envelops me and only realize the lights intent as it hurtles me, unkindly to the other end of the tunnel, where the sounds, smells and sensations all become far too loud and I can't help but groan. Opening my eyes I stare at the stark white ceiling of the local hospital and sigh. Well I made it back.

"Kai! You're awake!" I turn to find the golden eyes of Ray staring at me from the doorway, his leg propped up behind him and he's leaning on crutches. Bright golden eyes that have suddenly become filled with tears as he haphazardly hops toward me, throwing his crutches down and flinging himself at my bed. He hug me, sobbing into my gown as I awkwardly pat him on the back, trying to soothe the Niko.

"It's alright Ray, I'm perfectly fine." I tell him and he lifts his head, looking straight into my eyes and I can see the news swarming around in his mind and I hold up a hand

"It's alright, I don't blame you Ray. It was an accident, neither of us died so what are you crying about?" I ask and the Neko-Jin only sniffles in response

"I-I caused you to never walk again." Although disappointment still rushes through my body I'm not going to break down sobbing.

"No, you didn't Ray. The things in my pass caused it, you had nothing to do with this and I refuse to blame you. Absolutely refuse. We knew this might be a possibility and so it is, there is not assuming or hope left Ray, we can move on." I tell him and Ray wipes at his tears, a frown coming to his face.

"You mean you don't hate me?" I am shocked by this, why in the seven hells does Ray think I'd hate him for something he didn't cause?

"No Ray, I could never hate you." He smiles, revealing some fangs before giggling

"You never can Kai. You're a softy." He says and I reach up to ruffle his hair

"Well those months on the streets taught me that friendship is a very precious thing and shouldn't be thrown away without thinking. Thank you Ray for sticking by me and I hope you will continue to do so, I would really appreciate it because I don't think I'm going to be able to manage on my own." Ray smiles sadly and I quickly remedy his sadness

"I mean someone is also going to have to take care of you too, I mean jeez, without me you would over run Tala's nice house with Cats." Ray gives a little squeak of anger and pouts before responding

"Well, maybe your right." He laughs and I feel we're safe now.

"We can continue on with our lives as before, nothing has changed." I tell him and Ray makes a small noise and I cock and eyebrow

"Ah, w don't have a vehicle anymore." He says and I groan

"Totaled?" I ask and he nods, I groan louder and lean further back into my pillows.

"Figures right?" Ray asks and I nod

"Yup, figures." We both laugh and continue to sit together until the next nurse walks in, quickly paging the doctor who comes in, we're discharged almost an hour after, me with a new wheel chair and Ray hopping along beside Mike and his boy friend. Everything will be okay, I know it will.

Please review. I am going to be writing another Beyblade fic and hope to maybe finish Smile Empty Soul.