Chapter VIII: Confessions

Bryan's eyes moved impatiently to the clock on the wall. Kai and Tala had been gone for more than 2 hours. What if they had somehow managed to land themselves in trouble? Bryan's instinctive dislike of Kai made him automatically inclined to put the blame on the slate-haired teen's shoulders, even if it was Tala's fault, which he doubted. His team captain was always cautious, whereas the spoilt Hiwatari brat had done many stupid, senseless things in his short life-span: heading the Bladebreakers being one example, and using the Demolition Boys being another.

Spencer sat on a chair by the large double window of their room, which overlooked the street in front of the hotel. He was watching for any sign of their team captain and their wayward team-mate.

'Argh, c'mon!' Bryan began to pave around the room. Never patient by nature, the wait was starting to get to him. 'What's taking them so long?'

Though he was just as anxious, Spencer looked a lot calmer on the outside.

'Maybe they got lost on the way back.' He suggested.

'Lost?' Bryan sneered. 'It's Kai and Tala, not Tyson and Daichi!'

Spencer shrugged. 'Well it's either that or they're in trouble, Bryan.'

'It's all Kai's fault!' Bryan pounced, snarling. 'How could Tala take that traitor instead of us? He probably blew their cover deliberately!'

Spencer peered through the curtain net.

'You can't just blame it on Kai.'

'Wanna bet?'

'You're making it sound like Kai likes Boris, but you know he hates him as much as we do…maybe even more for what Boris done to Voltaire.'

'Yeah right! I wouldn't be surprised if Kai was somehow related to Boris!' Bryan retorted.

Spencer chuckled despite himself, sending an amused look at his friend.

'They look nothing alike Bryan. That's taking it a little too far.'

'That's not the point!' Bryan snapped, as Spencer turned back to the window. 'The point is, Boris is always scheming and Kai is just the same! I bet he has some twisted plan in his mind that he's just waiting to execute at the moment where it'd benefit him the most! I've always said it, we can't trust him! If Tala is in trouble because him, I'll throttle him with the long ends of that stupid scarf he wears!'

Spencer was thinking to himself how Bryan wasted no opportunity to insult Voltaire Hiwatari's grandson, when he suddenly spied two familiar figures approaching the hotel. He straightened up instantly.

'Hey, they're back!'

'What?' Bryan hurried over to look for himself. 'Both of them?'

He half hoped Kai had fallen into some black hole in the ground on the way.

'Both of them.' Spencer nodded and then stood up, turning his eyes to his team-mate. 'It's time we got some answers Bryan.'

The sight of the hotel was a relief to both Tala and Kai. Weary with having walked such a long way, both teenagers entered the building, neither saying a word.

They walked to the reception desk and Tala checked them both in. When that was done, they began to make their way to their team bedroom.

On the way to the elevator, Kai commented on the time.

'It's been over 2 hours. Rather long for a walk.'

His statement indirectly suggested that Tala had to change his excuse, and fast. The redhead frowned. Great, not only had they failed on their mission, they now had to face Bryan and Spencer and the questions the two were bound to have prepared for them.

Tala gritted his teeth. He really wasn't in the mood. At his silence, Kai decided to drop the subject. Tala could handle this. Bryan and Spencer weren't exactly people Kai loved interacting with. Half of the time the two regarded him with suspicious looks in their eyes and words spoken between them were minimal, and usually only when Tala was around.

As if things weren't bad enough for him, Tala's eyes suddenly widened as he felt someone slam into him. Kai's head snapped up, instantly alert, and then his eyes narrowed in displeasure as he realised who the clumsy fool was.

Daichi rubbed his head, floored from the impact, and then picked himself up and did his best to glare up at Tala.

'Hey Tala, watch where you're going!'

Tala merely gave him a frosty glare. Then another figure ran down the hallway, yelling loudly.

'No, I go first Daichi!'

Kai's eyes widened at the sight of Tyson. Ever since the world championships had ended, he had hardly spoken a word to his rival and former team-mate.

Tyson stopped suddenly.

'Daichi, what are you…huh?' Tyson's eyes rose and stopped on Tala. His expression darkened and Tala's cold glare turned into a contemptuous sneer of pure disgust.

It was plain for anyone to see that the two did not like each other.

Tala had always wondered how Kai could tolerate what Tala liked to call Kai's 'kiddie' friends, especially Tyson.

'Yo Tala!' The world champion exclaimed. 'Is there a problem?'

'Problem?' Tala repeated. 'You mean, other than the fact that you lack the ability to walk down hallways, and your little friend lacking the ability to see where he's going?'

One corner of Kai's lips twitched, not quite a smirk. Tala had a way with words that could blow Tyson through the roof, the opposite of Kai, who hardly used any and still got the same effect.

'Hey you bumped into me dude!' Daichi shot back.

'Whatever, kid.' Tala replied dismissively. 'Maybe if you grew a few inches, I wouldn't have mistaken you for a floor tile.'

Tyson's face contorted with anger and he held up a fist and shook it in Tala's direction. Tala was completely unaffected. He could floor Tyson before the fool could even blink.

'Hey!' The navy haired blader raised his voice. 'That's totally…' He stopped suddenly and his eyes moved over Tala's shoulder, to the person who stood behind, finally noticing that Kai was not only with Tala, but was watching him the way Kai always did, with intent, assessing eyes, judging his every word and action.

'Kai…' Tyson's voice trailed off and his anger turned into a confused look. Kai stared back blankly, not saying a word in response or greeting. For a moment, an uncomfortable silence ensued. Tyson had to admit he would rather Kai was beside him than beside Tala, and he would never dare to admit to anyone that part of him still felt a little hurt, betrayed and jealous that his former team captain was still on Tala's team, was still hanging around with the Blitzkrieg Boys even after the world championship finals had ended.

'Oh that's genius Tyson.' Tala said sarcastically. 'It's totally Kai alright. Now if you don't mind, I have better things to do than stand around wasting my breath on you. Come on Kai.' With those words, Tala slipped past and continued down the hallway.

'Hey, thanks for apologising!' Daichi yelled after him. But Tala did not look back, or stop. Tyson was still looking at Kai, half hoping Kai wouldn't follow after the redhead who had called to him. He felt uncertain at the expressionless look on the slate-haired teen's face.

'Kai…' Tyson was about to add 'how have you been?' but Kai did not give him the opportunity. The amethyst eyes narrowed and Kai stepped forward, his intimidating physical presence instantly forcing both Daichi and Tyson to step aside.

Without a word, Kai walked past Tyson.

Tyson swallowed, even more confused at Kai's silence. Daichi had already forgotten and ran forward towards the dining rooms, but Tyson looked back over his shoulder, just in time to see Kai step into the elevator after Tala, just in time to see the metal doors slide shut.

They stepped out of the elevator, Tala leading and Kai walking behind at a much more leisurely pace.

When they finally reached their room, Tala stopped at the door and glanced at Kai, who looked back blankly.

Taking a deep breath, Tala opened the door and stepped in. Kai followed and closed the door behind them.

Inside, as they both expected, were Bryan and Spencer, both seated on their own beds.

'Tala' Spencer exclaimed, standing up in greeting, and nodding at his team captain. His eyes then shifted to Kai, but Kai merely stepped around Tala, his eyes lowered, and walked to the bathroom, not saying a word to anyone. As he closed and locked the door, Tala silently cursed.

Typical. He leaves me to myself! The redhead's anger lessened when he reminded himself it had been his plan to begin with, and so it was his responsibility to explain.

He looked at Bryan and Spencer and read anticipation in their faces.

Of course they know…they're not stupid…Tala realised. I wouldn't have anyone stupid on my team…Kai excluded. They must have overheard…wait…that day Kai and I were arguing in the training centre…and we thought no-one else was there…

That had to be it. Bryan and Spencer had both been late to practice on that day and they were never late. Tala was furious at not having been more careful and he knew the two were probably angry at him, not so much because he had gone, but more because he had told and taken Kai along, and not them.

His thoughts were confirmed when Bryan's voice said, more frostily than usual:

'How was your walk? You must have toured the entire city in the time it took you to get back here.'

Tala caught the look Spencer quickly gave him and realised there was no point in hiding it any further. He never could hide anything for long from the two.

On the other side of the bathroom door, Kai had finished washing his face and hands, and now stood, listening to the exchange that was taking place. Though Tala would handle this mostly by himself, Kai would say something, if he had to.

But to him, it was obvious Bryan and Spencer were suspicious, if they didn't somehow know already.

Tala folded his arms and gave them both a cold glare.

'Alright? Just how much do you know?'

'Know?' Spencer said quickly, too quickly. 'About what?'

'Drop it Spencer.' Tala instructed. 'You're about as great a liar as Boris is.' He looked at Bryan expectantly, who wasted no time in getting to the point.

'Yeah we know, and you'd better start explaining yourself!'

Tala smiled slightly, but it was not an amused one. 'Let me guess. That day you were both 'late' to practice…was time spent listening in to a certain conversation.'

'No way!' Spencer began but Bryan sent him a glare, before looking back to Tala.

'Fine, we admit it! But it doesn't even measure up to your stunt! How could you tell…him…and not us?'

'If you must know, I was planning on going alone.' Tala frowned.

'But you didn't. You told him and not us!' Bryan snarled, standing up angrily.

'Bryan…' Tala began, but Spencer cut him off.

'We've stuck by you all this time Tala, we would have thought you could trust us after everything, and we won't lie to you that it doesn't hurt when you do something like this…'

'It really isn't a case of trust…' Tala tried again, but was again cut off, this time by Bryan.

'Then what is it? How could you take such a risk? Not only to go and seek Boris out, but also to take him along? He's walked away from us more times than I care to mention, he could have walked away from you when you were in there!'

Tala grew angry. The two didn't understand…if it hadn't been for Kai, Tala was sure he would have been caught. Though he didn't want to admit it, he was glad Kai had accompanied him, even if they hadn't gotten hold of any data.

'Is this what it's about, Kai?' Tala snapped. 'I didn't tell him, he already suspected I was planning something, there was no point in hiding it, just as there's no point in keeping it from you now that you know! And he's the one who wanted to come, I told him not to, but he did anyway, what do you want me to say?'

'Why didn't you tell us?' Spencer asked.

'Because…' Tala raised his hands. 'Because I…because it was dangerous.'

'And we can't take it, is that it?' Bryan demanded his eyes full of fury.

'No, it's not like that at all!' Tala frowned.

'Then what?' Bryan shot back.

'I didn't want to risk it…if I had told you, you would have wanted to come with me, and if all three of us went, we would have gotten caught…believe me, that's the only reason!'

'You're more likely to get caught going with that traitor than with us!' Bryan snarled.

On the other side of the door, Kai's eyes widened, and blazed with anger. He had had enough. He unlocked the door and threw it open, his eyes fixing on Bryan instantly.

'If I hadn't gone with him, you wouldn't have a team captain right now!'

'Oh, so the spoilt brat has decided to crawl out of his hiding place has he?' Bryan retorted.

'What do you mean we wouldn't have a team captain?' Spencer demanded.

'Why should I explain?' Kai's eyes were on fire. 'Anything I say will be held against me, won't be believed. All my actions are made with the intention to betray! Why the hell should I explain!'

Tala raised a hand to his forehead, closing his eyes briefly. He hated this arguing…he hated it so much.

And he couldn't recall the last time he had seen Kai so angry. The equation was not looking like a good one at all. Especially since it seemed that if this kept up, the final result would be Kai storming out…or worse…quitting the team altogether.

Tala's eyes opened. Kai would do it. It was very much like him, especially if people yelled at him and pushed him to his short limits of patience.

'Ever since you joined the team, you've had Tala creeping around and keeping secrets from us!' Bryan accused. Kai gave him an incredulous look.

'I haven't been making him do anything! It was his decision!'

'You probably talked him out of telling us!'

'Why the hell would I do that?'

'Because you…you're like that!'

'You don't know a thing about me Bryan…none of you do!'

'We know enough!'

'Stop!' Tala shouted over the arguing. 'Stop it!'

'Tala would never hide anything from us.' Spencer frowned, glancing at Tala.

'Well maybe you don't know him as well as you think.' Kai hissed.

'What is that supposed to mean?' Bryan roared. 'We know him better than a traitor like you!'

Rage passed across Kai's face, and then, all of a sudden, it disappeared and all emotion was gone. He had had enough. No-one talked to him like that. Bryan caught his breath, and the insult he had been preparing vanished at the deadly look in Kai's eyes. Tala looked at Spencer and Bryan, and shook his head.

'It was my decision…Kai had nothing to do with…'

Kai didn't look at him, but turned and began to walk to the door. Bryan snarled and rushed forward to stop him.

'Don't you dare walk away again!'

He grabbed hold of Kai's arm, and felt the muscles tense instantly at his touch. Kai gritted his teeth before tearing his arm out of Bryan's grasp.

Tala knew he had to step in before things turned nasty.

'Leave him alone Bryan!' He yelled.

Tala's tone of voice was one that could not be disobeyed and Bryan watched with fury as Kai left the room, slamming the door shut after him. Then he turned to Tala, outraged.

'How can you stick up for him…you've changed Tala!'

In response, Tala moved to his bed and sat down, bowing his head. The action was so unlike their team captain that both Spencer and Bryan forgot their words and exchanged uncertain looks.

'Tala?' Spencer asked.

'I'm sorry. But you have to understand. This had nothing to do with Kai. Don't blame him for everything just because of what's happened in the past. It was my decision and I didn't want to tell you because I didn't want to risk getting you into any trouble.'

'…' Bryan folded his arms, still angry.

'I didn't want to say it while he was here…but if he hadn't come…I would have been caught. We ran into trouble and…' His voice trailed off.

'What happened?' Spencer asked his voice a lot less angry.

'…' Tala glanced up at him and Bryan. 'We found Boris.'

Bryan's eyebrows shot up. 'What?'

'We managed to get a recording of some of his plans. He's just using BEGA as a front to brainwash more beybladers into doing his bidding. With the organisation he's set up, everyone believes him, and he wants to recruit the best bladers so that more people will join. That includes Tyson, Max and Ray, and he's also looking for Kai. He expects us to go and confront him at his headquarters.'

'Where is the recording?' Spencer asked. 'Can we listen?'

'…No.' Tala shook his head. 'We ran into trouble, as I said. This…person called Brooklyn caught us and told us to hand over the tape, or he'd blow our cover. We managed to avoid all other security by scaling up the back wall, but somehow, he tracked us without us even knowing until he was there, right behind us. I wanted to challenge him but Kai said we were more likely to attract attention if I did. So I didn't. Kai broke the tape and we made our escape. And…that's all there is to it.'

There was a short pause. Then Spencer said:

'So…you went all that way for nothing?'

'We know Boris really is up to something now, and we'll have more opportunities to prove it in the near future too. He's bound to arrange tournaments now that he has the authority to do so.' Tala replied.

'Did you see him?' Bryan asked.

'No…just heard him.' Tala said, and shook his head again. 'I should have told you. I'm sorry guys.'

'You should be. That was a dangerous thing you did.' Spencer said. 'We probably would have tried to talk you out of it.'

'Another reason why I didn't tell you.'

'So Kai encouraged you to go, is that it?' Bryan demanded.

'No.' Tala looked at his friend. 'He tried to talk me out of it. You heard our argument yourself.'

'Where do we go from here?' Spencer asked.

'We wait.' Tala shrugged. 'There's not much else we can do, and it's too risky to go back there again.'

'So BEGA's just a cover up. I knew it. How can all those people believe Boris has changed?' Bryan sneered. 'Someone like that never will!'

'No.' Tala replied, and looked at them both again. 'Now I think you both owe Kai an apology.'

'What?' Bryan snarled. 'No way!'

'Bryan.' Tala's eyes narrowed. 'You will do it, and so will Spencer. Unless you want him quitting the team again.'

'It would make me more than happy!' Bryan retorted.

'No. We still need Kai, and you know it. He will leave, but not yet. I think he wants Boris behind bars just as much as we do.'

Both Spencer and Bryan fell quiet at that.

'So.' Tala stood up, finalising the situation. 'You will swallow your pride and apologise.'

The dark night sky was crystal clear, without a cloud in sight. Stars glimmered and a full, glorious moon shone with magnificence.

He stood on the small balcony outside of their team room, his arms folded across his chest, looking down at the garden space of the hotel far below him, at the silhouettes of trees and plants. It was very late, the morning of the next day and all had fallen quiet. A gentle breeze blew strands of his hair into his eyes, but he did not bother to remove them.

He was not yet dressed for bed. He was dressed in a dark blue, sleeveless vest, and black jeans, the clothes he had changed into after he had showered a few hours earlier. Somehow, he was in no mood for sleep, nor did he feel tired despite the trying evening he had had.

He stared into the darkness, deep in thought. The others had long gone to bed, and he had tried to sleep, but in vain. He had something on his mind, something that had been bothering him ever since he had set eyes on a certain orange-haired stranger.

His eyes rose and looked at the moon. He stared at it for a moment, before a tingling feeling at the back of his neck informed him that he was no longer alone.

'Still awake?' The voice asked.

Kai blinked, and his eyes lowered from the moon, to look at the dark shapes below him.

Tala quietly closed the balcony doors and looked at the only member of his team that was not yet asleep. He wore a white T-Shirt and light, faded yet comfortable blue joggers.

'Kai?'

'Go back to sleep.'

Tala raised an eyebrow. He had tried to sleep and he had drifted in and out of it for a few hours, and had finally woken up to get a glass of water, and noticed that Kai had not been in his bed. The first place he had thought to look had been on the balcony, since he knew that Kai liked to spend time alone there. Sure enough, his slate-haired team-mate was on the balcony.

In response, he sat down on the small wooden bench.

Kai saw him do so out of the corner of his eye, and said no more.

Tala looked out at the darkness for a few moments, before glancing at his team-mate. Was Kai still angry? Bryan and Spencer had muttered reluctant apologies earlier, and Kai had given his customary 'hn' as a response, but perhaps they had really insulted him. If that was the case however, Tala doubted Kai would lose sleep over it.

It was something else. It was obvious something was troubling Kai, and Tala had a feeling it had something to do with their earlier adventure.

The silence stretched on and Tala debated whether to ask Kai what was wrong or not. The chances of Kai telling him were minimal. Kai never answered such questions, never told him anything unless it was beyblade related. Though they had occasionally discussed different subjects during their time spent as tag team partners, those occasions were rare, few and far between, and tending to be short and brief in duration. Their relationship, though improved in some aspects, was still very much business-like in nature.

Kai stood very still, like a statue. Tala made up his mind.

'You know, you still haven't told me.'

'…'

Tala looked to his left, up at Kai.

'About why you didn't let me fight that Brooklyn…more specifically…why you thought I couldn't beat him.'

Brooklyn…what was that guy…Kai thought, and blinked at Tala's words.

At length, he replied: 'We would have been caught.'

Tala looked away. 'That isn't why. I'm not stupid, Kai.'

'…' Kai didn't reply.

Typical Kai, not to answer me…Tala thought, his eyes lowering. Would things ever change between them? If Tyson, or Max, or Ray asked Kai what was wrong, would he tell them what was on his mind?

The chances of telling them are higher than telling me…Tala thought.

'It has something to do with that guy we met…that Brooklyn…doesn't it?'

Kai blinked and silently acknowledged that Tala was smarter than he gave him credit for.

At his silence, Tala frowned.

'Kai? I want to know. And considering that we'll probably run into him again, I think I have a right to know.'

'It's nothing Tala.' Kai said curtly. Tala knew that tone of voice…it meant drop it.

But Tala would not drop it. Not this time.

'No, it's something. I've never seen you come so close to actually looking spooked. I saw the way he looked at you. What was going on? What happened back there? Do you know him from somewhere before?' Tala persisted.

From…Black Dranzer…Kai thought, and lowered his gaze. Tala caught it, and pounced.

'I know you know something, now tell me what it is! Or were Bryan and Spencer's apologies for nothing?' He challenged.

Kai's head snapped up at that, and whipped around, the eyes glaring at Tala.

Tala's eyes narrowed.

'The world championships are over Kai. You can walk out on us at anytime, but you haven't, and you won't.'

'I wouldn't be so sure about that.' Kai retorted, looking away again.

'I can be very sure. You want Boris out of business just as much as we do. It's what you're staying for, isn't it? And yesterday, you found out something about Boris and his plans that you didn't expect. It's been troubling you ever since.'

'Nothing is troubling me…except for your incessant questioning.' Kai said through his teeth.

'I'm your team-mate. Doesn't that mean anything else to you other than blading together? What have I ever done that makes me untrustworthy?'

Kai did not like the direction the conversation was heading. 'Nothing is wrong Tala.'

'Even when there is, you keep it to yourself, and that's fine Kai. I couldn't care less. But when it relates to Boris, and concerns us, I have a right to know.'

'Hn.' Kai said.

'Why was Brooklyn looking at you like that?' Tala asked.

'…'

'Kai…tell me.'

'…'

Tala looked away, exasperated. Getting answers out of Kai was like trying to take candy from a baby.

Just when he thought Kai would not answer, the amethyst eyed youth spoke up quietly.

'I don't know him.'

'…' Tala looked at him again. 'So why…?'

'I don't know.'

It was plain Kai was being honest, but Tala knew there was more to it than what he was saying.

'Fine…forget his side…what about you?'

'…' Kai's eyes rose to look at the sky.

Tala waited.

Kai hesitated. Tala wouldn't understand…and it wasn't his way to confide in anyone. He didn't want to tell Tala…but he knew Tala did have a right to know, since it also concerned him in a way.

So, on an impulse, Kai finally answered.

'He radiated darkness.'

'…' Tala blinked. 'What?' He asked at length. 'What do you mean?'

Kai moved, sitting down on the other end of the bench. He didn't quite know how to explain it.

'…What I…felt when I wielded Black Dranzer two years ago…was the same feeling I got around Brooklyn.'

'Huh?' Tala frowned, hardly believing what he was hearing. 'You mean he has Black Dranzer?'

No. That was impossible because Kai had had the Black Dranzer bit-chip destroyed two years earlier. He shook his head.

'No. It was just…that similar darkness. That same power.'

Tala looked away. That made sense he guessed. He had never used a dark beyblade, so he would not have been able to pick up on such vibes.

'So…that's why you said I couldn't beat him…' Tala realised.

'…Yes.'

'…Do you think…Boris did that to him too?' Tala glanced back at Kai, who stared ahead.

'It wouldn't surprise me. Another of his experiments…' His eyes moved to look at his red-haired team-mate. 'Just like you were.'

Tala looked away. He didn't want to remember, but now that Kai had mentioned it, he found himself remembering the nightmare he had had the night before.

'That's what I saw.'

Kai looked at him, waiting for him to explain.

'That nightmare I had…I saw myself in those cylinders again…it's all an ironic coincidence.'

'Coincidence?' Kai repeated. 'I don't think so.'

Tala looked at him and their eyes met for a moment, before Kai broke contact, and stood up. He might as well at least try to get some sleep. He was sure they would learn more over the next few days. As he walked to the balcony door, Tala's voice stopped him.

'Kai…?'

Kai's hand rested on the handle.

'Brooklyn…do you think he knew who we were? And would he tell Boris?'

Kai considered, before answering: 'He knew…but he won't tell Boris.'

'How can you be so sure?' Tala asked.

'…Let's just say…' Kai replied '…that's something you can trust me on.'

Tala blinked, and a small smile formed on his lips at the words. He looked at Kai in amusement. The slate-haired youth glanced down at him, nodded, and then left the balcony.

Tala's eyes moved to the sky. Whatever uncertainty lay ahead, he was now sure of one thing.

Having Kai by his side would prove to be invaluable against whatever odds were pitted against his team.

And he was no longer afraid to admit that.

Author's Note:

OMG, it's finally finished! That was a really long ending for you all. Almost 5,000 words! Thanks so much for all your reviews, your support is appreciated very much! I hope you enjoyed this. Please leave your thoughts on it. But that's it from me. All my small fics are done and dusted! Now I can focus on my full fic. Thanks for reading and to everyone who has reviewed for me, thanks again.