Z Star: Omg… It's been far too long since I last updated! Ok, I'll keep this short, I'm sorry but I've been away with school and such, it's the final year and I haven't had too much free time on my hands and I've been lurking around Deviant Art A LOT! Plus I've developed a fear of my Inbox. GAH! Thousands of emails flooding in! Enough to make you collapse from exhaustion!

Oh and I would like to thank Spiritual Energy for pointing out a mistake I made! Judy is Max's mum, not Julie. (Smacks forehead) Yet another mistake from yours truly.

Well, don't let me keep you waiting, on with the story!

I don't own anything but my OC's, which is painfully obvious….

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Chapter Twenty: Battle Cry

Wars were never meant for children to partake in. They weren't going to be hanging from the walls of their childhood for much longer, but they still hadn't reached adulthood. Friends were supposed to have little spouts and quarrels from time to time, it was what came from having relationships. But wars? No, wars between friends weren't supposed to happen.

But that was what was about to commence.

A chill came in the air. Everyone had his or her own battles to face.

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Tayla had hers in the hospital bedroom, trying to keep a smiling face as she kept in deep conversation with Judy. Her nerves shot up and down her spine, hoping to God that this woman wouldn't notice. This was a battle of endurance; Judy knew how to push the redhead's buttons. She was a scientist after all, taking in facts and observing things was her speciality.

And an oblivious Max had no idea it was all going under his nose.

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One other girl was going through the same thing. Her opponent wasn't human though.

Raven laid in bed, secreting a river of sweat from her forehead and sprouting sneezes of snot. Sitting out in the unforgiving cold of Moscow waiting for her brother had done a number on her, but fortunately she had a friend by her side to ease her pain.

"That is the last time I let you go outside without a coat." The brunette scowled, shoving another spoon of medicine into Raven's mouth. The young spirited girl did not put up a fight when the disgusting liquid was put into her mouth. "No wonder you're poorly!"

Usually Raven would come up with a smart remark to fire at the authority figure, but any attempt would result in another coughing fit. The poor helpless cub lay there with no strength, to be left vulnerable if caught without protection. Open to any prey…

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DON'T COME BACK WITHOUT THE GIRL THIS TIME! Or you and your team-mates will suffer for you incompetence! The slash of whips cut through his mind, as fresh as his wounds. As Bryan caressed one of the wounds left on his neck, his eagle eyes watched his prey… She had escaped from him once; he would not allow that to happen again. Her sweet nature deceived him the first time. But he would keep his heart hardened.

Now Raven was helpless. Too weak to run or think her way out of a kidnapping. All he needed now was for the other female to leave…

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"Hey Mum!" Max butted in on the long interrogation. "Your plane will be leaving soon!"

Oh thank you Max! Tayla could have kissed the boy if only his mother wasn't there!

"Well." Judy smiled ear to ear, rising from her seat. "It was very nice to meet you Tayla! I hope we will meet again." The corners of Tayla's lips were creaking from the strain smiling! She could only grin her head off for so long!

"Me too!" She squeaked, in what she hoped was a convincing tone. "See you soon!"

The protective mother nodded, exiting the room. Her kin stayed behind beaming with delight. He practically skipped towards the girl's bed and wrapped her up in the biggest hug!

"She likes you!" Max grinned. "She really likes you!"

"HUH?" Tayla couldn't believe this. The horrible interrogation! The awkward questions? They were signs of affection from the woman? "S-she likes me?"

"Of course!" He cried. "I could tell! She adores you! You have no idea how happy this makes me, after all the stuff with Kai!" Max planted a small peck on the cheek of the bewildered girl. Her fingers gently grazed her cheek, watching her soldier boy walk away not knowing of the valiant path he would walk. "I'll come back this afternoon, ok?"

"Ok…" She waved him off. "Goodbye…" And he was off.

… Maybe dealing with his pushy mother was worth his warmth…

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A clash of blades came down on him, wiping out his source of power. His Black Dranzer was finally slain and the world was at peace again. He picked up his blade, wondering, what went wrong?

You were supposed to be strong!

He and the Black Bird failed to follow the path of victory and fell in a spiral of shame. Arrogance, pride and greed had torn them apart. The separated themselves from the others… The ones who were truly worthy of his dedication. And maybe even his love… A picture of snow-white loveliness crossed his vision, clouding his heart with misery.

And now the ice was ready to remove the burden of emotions from him. He wouldn't have to do the labour by himself anymore.

"Kai! Kai!" His name had been called out. "Take my hand!"

They wanted to save him. After all the things he had done. As soon as his loved ones voices touched his ears, he had learned an important lesson. One that would stick in his memory, possibly for the rest of his life…

He was loved…

These people cared about him. Not like his Grandfather. He only cared about his talents and nothing else. The only thing Voltaire would have missed was Kai's raw power.

He wouldn't miss Kai, Kai himself.

But the Bladebreakers did. The people he absolutely couldn't stand. The team had sullied his heart with a fungus of affection and devotion he thought he could never return. But now his beating aorta was covered with the green moss, warming his once cold insides.

And he never even returned these feelings of friendship and trust.

For this great offence, there was nothing else he could do…

"I'm sorry…" But for the first time, he uttered these words.

And suddenly the arms of cold pathos released and flung him back to his rightful place among his team…

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That was pitifully short. But hopefully it will make up for my long absence. Again I am sorry for the long wait. Exams and such have been keeping me crazy busy! But I will get to work on this! I swear I will not leave this story unfinished. Even if the people who were reading this have lost interest.

Au revoir my readers, until next time!