Weak and Powerless
Chapter Six
Rei raced across the damp park grass, ignoring his desperate lungs crying out for air, disregarding the danger, oblivious to the cold, concentrating only on Kai. [Kai].
His heart tore as he found the blue haired boy he had sought for, now once again so vacant of life. The sight made him stop sudden.
"How dare you." He growled from deep in his throat staring abrupt at the attackers. "Leave him alone." Rei commanded trying to place all his authority he could obtain into his words.
"He brought it on himself." One adversary shrugged stepping away from the lifeless body.
"Yea, he just showed up and demanded a rematch." They began to back away from Kai, feeling there was no reason in beating on a listless punching bag.
"He took down the leader." One stated with anger pointing at a groaning kid about a foot taller then Rei. "He beat him up good and no one does that to us and expects to get away with it."
[Kai, why would you do that?] Rei thought sadly, feeling a small knot of emotion grow in his throat, as he looked over at his own fallen leader. Away from the shadows of his attackers Kai looked even worse. His scarf laid tore and ripped, decorated with blood, crimson fell like tears around his beautiful face. He appeared small, unlike the Kai, Rei usually knew so well, like the Kai who needed help who needed someone to always be there for him. Kai needed someone who was going to take him into their arms and hold him against his fears. Rei felt Kai needed him, but was it too late now.
"But since all you kids seem to be in such a hurry to die..." The hollow threat brought Rei back to his senses as he noticed the reproaching group, bent on their own revenge.
"Nice slice there, catboy. Did you and your little boyfriend, have a fight?" A burly boy taunted referring to Rei's nearly healed scar.
Rei attempted to back up, unable to understand why anyone could be so cruel, so thrilled off dealing out cards of pain.
"Can't we end this?" The amber eyed victim asked with doubtful hope. "There are all of you against one of me. The odds are in your favor. Can you not just walk away with that in mind?" He asked vainly hoping to get himself and whatever was left of Kai out of this quick."
"You wanted to catch our attention didn't you?" Rei had hit a dead end, as he backed into the reinforcements. A kid far taller than even Rei, looked down over the defeated boy grinning. He placed one arm around his shoulder and another on the cheek with the scar causing Rei to flinch inwardly by the harsh touch. "Isn't that what you were looking for?" He asked drawing his mouth to Rei's ear.
Rei recognized the boy all at once it was the once who had offered for the other's to have 'fun' with poor Max. His intentions came clear to Rei. Quickly the obsidian haired fighter clutched the arm around his neck and tugged leaning into the opponent it took little effort to throw him to the ground, so he landed with a hollow thud. Rei offered no words of closure as he dodged around a couple of grabs. His luck only faired for so long and finally he was caught by his collar and slammed against the tree.
"Enough of this. If we wanted a fight we would look for one. It is very rarely that the mouse comes to the tiger's den. All of this is really quite annoying." His captor spoke almost spitting his words as he leveled his face inches from Rei's.
"Well then you're in luck because it just so happens that I'm the tiger and you're the mouse so all hassle has been dispersed. No need to kill." Rei managed, though the hand clutching him was beginning to press into his throat, his words shallow as he gasped for air.
"And how do you suppose you will escape this?"
A sudden slow, awkward movement caught Rei's eye, however he was quick to dismiss it, knowing in his heart that even he wasn't sure how he was supposed to escape this, and fulfill his threat. He had to buy time. He tried to loosen the grip on his neck by shifting his shoulders. The result was a devastating blow to his collar bone by his opponent's free fist.
"Don't try it." He gave in reply, ignoring the moan Rei could hardly help but allow to escape, then as to make Rei's situation worse he reached into his pocket pulling from it a sheathed knife. "How about a matching scar for death?"
Rei shuddered this was it, he was surrounded; closing his eyes he felt a sharp prick on his chest. The knife cut easily through the fabric of the typical Chinese styled outfit, leaving behind a thin trail of blood. It was obvious this one had a fetish for causing others harm.
Another line intersected the previous cut creating a cross.
"X marks the spot." He grunted trying to wipe the knife clean with one hand. In the process however he took only a moment of attention off of Rei which the obsidian haired boy used to his advantage, kicking the weapon from his hand.
"I hope you enjoyed you fun." A soft pained voice came. "Because it could possibly your last memory." Silence fell as all turned to the back where a broken boy, with blue hair, steely gaze and confident smile picked up the abandoned knife.
"Kai?" Rei whispered, amazed to see the boy who was almost virtually back from the dead.
"Who were you expecting?" Kai asked bitterness creeping into his voice as he fell back into a fighting stance.
Seizing the moment of doubt, Rei pushed off his own attacker causing him to stumble back, then crouching down he landed a punch that left the guy helpless to any other assault he may try.
"Lets not waste time?"
"Agreed."
Many had already grown bored moments before Kai had made his return. Others decided it wasn't worth their time, however until now six remained, all intimidating in their own way.
"How are we going to do this?" Rei asked briefly gazing admirably at his partner.
"The same way we do anything. Just go in and get the job done." Kai replied still not turning to look at Rei.
~~
Kai groaned, the dream had been so wonderful, why did he have to leave the warmth. He lay in the grass his head in Rei's lap as the raven haired boy looked out over the river a perfect smile graced on his lips. His golden eyes seemed to know all, as their amber depths shone bright leaving a sense of goodness. Why did he have to leave it? He had been happy, it had all been over and the result had been limitless. Was this death?
He awoke because he heard Rei cry out in pain.
Kai wasn't exactly quick to jump up however he knew his help was needed. The chill returned at once, the chill of pain and of dried blood. He could hardly move and it felt as if every bone ached, every muscle every thought.
He gazed over at the commotion. Then was it true? Had Rei truly come for him?
A boy had his arm around the struggling Chinese youth. This tore at Kai's heart with a new feeling. Jealousy? Someone else was giving Rei the touch that Kai had longed for. No one would touch his Rei.
Angrily he rose to his feet, his body screaming in protest. Shaking, he took a step forward, just in time to see Rei slammed against a tree. Hesitantly he approached the angry crowd, and longingly he watched as blood painted paired lined down Rei's chest.
"Stop." He whispered unable to find his voice at first. "Let him go." He tried again trying to get to his companion. A knife landed near him, which he picked up and held for a moment. This was it. It was now or never, briefly touching Dranzer for strength, he threw himself into the middle of everything.
"I hope you are enjoying your fun." He taunted, realizing that it was Rei who had sent the deadly gift his way. "Because is could possibly your last memory."
Rei was able to take advantage of the distraction and flee to Kai.
Now they stood side by side ready to finish what Kai had stupidly begun.
"I'm sorry you have to clean up my mistake." He told the silent reproachful boy next to him.
"It's a good change. Since you are always tidying ours."
"Never yours. You hardly make mistakes." Kai said looking down and away from Rei who took a moment to turn and smile.
"We all make mistakes."
Together they took the fight into their own hands using their far superior skills in which to take down the handful of oppressors.
Despite himself Kai could hardly refrain from allowing a slight grin to toy on his lips as he enjoyed the revenge, also pausing briefly to watch Rei take down those who had once thought him as the victim. His movements were silent filled with grace that only the sleek youth could maneuver. Kai was pleased to be able to have him there and for once he felt his prayers had been answered. All that stood now between him and Rei were a few obstacles, who would pay for their crime.
The cool, smooth handles of the twin daggers Kai now carried, felt both agile and dangerous, somewhat like his beautiful companion. Possessing them gave him the final motivation to complete his vengeance. Since one knife had been a deadly offering to Rei, and the other an equally fatal gift from him. With this in mind he tore merciless through anyone who attempted to take advantage of the ambitious upper hand.
"You will all pay for the harm you have done." Kai growled viciously, wounding his attackers by determined force.
Rei brought the final aggressor to his feet in front of Kai. Crouching over, the steely-eyed boy, brandished his knife carefully preparing to give the defenseless oppressor a parting gift. It wasn't until he felt a soft hand on his shoulder did Kai remembered his senses. Without realizing it he had become angered which had caused the uneasy blood lust to occur. It was Rei who suppressed the feeling, shaking his head so that the loose strands of obsidian played around his fatigued figure.
"Anymore, and we would be just as bad as them," and then they collapsed together in each other's arms. Kai realizing how much his golden eyed guardian would teach him.
~~
Kai awoke to warmth. Warmth from his heart, which spread out through his body, sighing he embraced and leaned into it. When atlas he opened his eyes it was to Rei, his arms around him. Rei was holding Kai, carefully as he too slept. The raven strands of silk lay around the two boys from Rei's unrestricted hair. His amber eyes opened slowly and again as they had in Kai's dream, Rei's lips graced him with one of those smiles that made everything all right.
"We made it." He whispered.
"I'm sorry." Kai returned hardly audibly. Rei shook his head in response touching his finger to the silver-eyed boy's lips.
"No need."
Sirens in the distance made them aware of the scenario. Someone must have witnessed what had happened and called emergency.
Kai raised his hand to Rei's pale face and let it slip down his cheek and over the scar.
"You didn't mean it." Rei said almost without thinking and then paused. "However it is in the past. Now is all that matters."
Kai continued to let his hand slip trying in vain to wipe away the dried blood on Rei's chest.
"Thank you Rei."
"Was any less expected of me?" He asked with mock arrogance.
"For everything." Rei nodded in response holding Kai closer to him and looking up into the dark, overcast sky. Rain had begun to fall in their sleep, a warm cleansing shower.
"Rei?" Kai asked, attempting to pull Rei away from his thoughts.
"Hmmm?" The golden eye protector asked absently.
"I care for you too." Rei looked down at Kai, weakened and hurt, pained, but no longer alone, his eyes wide with shock."
"But..." It was Kai's turn to silence the youth in question, as Kai placed his warm lips against Rei's and kissed him linking together their emotion atlas.
When the finally pulled apart a smile was shared as they held on to each other's feelings, wishing they would never leave.
"I love you Kai." Rei smiled at Kai, who returned it but instead shook his head regretfully.
"I can't say something I don't understand." The azure haired boy replied.
Rei sighed happily pulling Kai closer to his chest and smiling, feeling atlas the warmth he had searched for all this time right here in his arms. He knew Kai wouldn't understand love and in time he would teach him that, but for now this was all he needed.
Paramedics eventually arrived picking up stray victims that had received the merciless end of Rei and Kai's anger. When they came to the two boys however, they hardly questioned their fondness for one another.
"Ready to go?" One asked.
Rei and Kai knew they weren't, but in all the shock they had forgotten their pain which now returned. Reluctantly they let each other go and were each lead to an ambulance.
~~ Two months later.
"I bet I can make a bigger splash then that Max!" Tyson called out and then threw himself off of the dock and into the ocean.
"No way dude!" Max laughed rushing from the shallows to the jump point.
Hilary watched from the subtle lap of the waves, judging the contest that had begun. "By the way you eat I think you can both make a splash big enough to take out the town." She called out handing Tyson a towel as he came out of the water. Kenny lay on a beach towel at the shore.
It was summer now. The weather turned warm and the sky bright, the Bladebreakers had decided to make camp out at the beach.
Kai sat leaning against the tree surveying the moment, and waiting for Rei to return.
Rei. The name alone was warming to Kai. The last two months were spent the way Kai never thought was possible, with his companion. They had endured everything together after spending each a few weeks in the hospital recovering. Rei's scar was faded and it bore now the only memory of something that almost took everything however in return gave so much back to Kai. Someone who had never let him down. Over the past few months a lot had happened, and through it all they had been there for one another.
Kai could now hardly remember a life in which he had spent away from the loyal, just, beautiful obsidian haired boy he was learning to love.
"Here you are Kai." Rei smiled leaning down to kiss him and then hand him an ice cream cone.
"I told you I didn't want any-" but his thoughts were interrupted by the others showing up at the sight of ice cream, which Rei dealt out accordingly, after being chosen for the mission. He waited to reply to Kai until they had left.
"That's what you said but I knew you didn't mean it. Chocolate chip cookie dough in a waffle cone just the way you like it." Rei smiled sitting against the tree in order to gaze at Kai at eye level.
"How is it that you have come to know me so well?" Kai asked blinking, for he had craved ice cream just wouldn't have admitted to appreciating such a juvenile act at first.
"Call it intuition."
The both sat in silence Kai licking his ice cream, sharing some with Rei at times, and watching the others of the team play water tag.
"I love you."
"Pardon?" Rei looked quickly at Kai, taking a moment to notice that Kai had begun to work up his old strength.
"Do I have to spell it out?" He asked in moderation. Looking away he smiled at the clear sky and perfect day before returning his gaze to Rei. "I told you 'I love you.'"
Rei smiled. Kai never seemed to tire of that perfect smile. He had come to love Rei for it. For he had longed to see such a grace and to achieve that was to make the golden eyes of the boy in from of him dance. Giving Happiness to Rei was how Kai tried to mostly occupy his time when he wasn't training or taunting Tyson. So it seemed relevant that that exact smile made Kai reach out and pull Rei to him kissing him softly of the head.
"You taught me what love was. You taught me how to accept help and how to learn knew things. You showed me what was right and what was wrong, and helped me even when I hardly deserved it. You stood up for me in a fight and fought without doubt by my side, and now I realize I love you."
Rei was speechless; left helpless by Kai's words he embraced the boy with equal feeling. He was hardly able to do any more the whisper his answer.
"I love you too Kai."
The End.
Chapter Six
Rei raced across the damp park grass, ignoring his desperate lungs crying out for air, disregarding the danger, oblivious to the cold, concentrating only on Kai. [Kai].
His heart tore as he found the blue haired boy he had sought for, now once again so vacant of life. The sight made him stop sudden.
"How dare you." He growled from deep in his throat staring abrupt at the attackers. "Leave him alone." Rei commanded trying to place all his authority he could obtain into his words.
"He brought it on himself." One adversary shrugged stepping away from the lifeless body.
"Yea, he just showed up and demanded a rematch." They began to back away from Kai, feeling there was no reason in beating on a listless punching bag.
"He took down the leader." One stated with anger pointing at a groaning kid about a foot taller then Rei. "He beat him up good and no one does that to us and expects to get away with it."
[Kai, why would you do that?] Rei thought sadly, feeling a small knot of emotion grow in his throat, as he looked over at his own fallen leader. Away from the shadows of his attackers Kai looked even worse. His scarf laid tore and ripped, decorated with blood, crimson fell like tears around his beautiful face. He appeared small, unlike the Kai, Rei usually knew so well, like the Kai who needed help who needed someone to always be there for him. Kai needed someone who was going to take him into their arms and hold him against his fears. Rei felt Kai needed him, but was it too late now.
"But since all you kids seem to be in such a hurry to die..." The hollow threat brought Rei back to his senses as he noticed the reproaching group, bent on their own revenge.
"Nice slice there, catboy. Did you and your little boyfriend, have a fight?" A burly boy taunted referring to Rei's nearly healed scar.
Rei attempted to back up, unable to understand why anyone could be so cruel, so thrilled off dealing out cards of pain.
"Can't we end this?" The amber eyed victim asked with doubtful hope. "There are all of you against one of me. The odds are in your favor. Can you not just walk away with that in mind?" He asked vainly hoping to get himself and whatever was left of Kai out of this quick."
"You wanted to catch our attention didn't you?" Rei had hit a dead end, as he backed into the reinforcements. A kid far taller than even Rei, looked down over the defeated boy grinning. He placed one arm around his shoulder and another on the cheek with the scar causing Rei to flinch inwardly by the harsh touch. "Isn't that what you were looking for?" He asked drawing his mouth to Rei's ear.
Rei recognized the boy all at once it was the once who had offered for the other's to have 'fun' with poor Max. His intentions came clear to Rei. Quickly the obsidian haired fighter clutched the arm around his neck and tugged leaning into the opponent it took little effort to throw him to the ground, so he landed with a hollow thud. Rei offered no words of closure as he dodged around a couple of grabs. His luck only faired for so long and finally he was caught by his collar and slammed against the tree.
"Enough of this. If we wanted a fight we would look for one. It is very rarely that the mouse comes to the tiger's den. All of this is really quite annoying." His captor spoke almost spitting his words as he leveled his face inches from Rei's.
"Well then you're in luck because it just so happens that I'm the tiger and you're the mouse so all hassle has been dispersed. No need to kill." Rei managed, though the hand clutching him was beginning to press into his throat, his words shallow as he gasped for air.
"And how do you suppose you will escape this?"
A sudden slow, awkward movement caught Rei's eye, however he was quick to dismiss it, knowing in his heart that even he wasn't sure how he was supposed to escape this, and fulfill his threat. He had to buy time. He tried to loosen the grip on his neck by shifting his shoulders. The result was a devastating blow to his collar bone by his opponent's free fist.
"Don't try it." He gave in reply, ignoring the moan Rei could hardly help but allow to escape, then as to make Rei's situation worse he reached into his pocket pulling from it a sheathed knife. "How about a matching scar for death?"
Rei shuddered this was it, he was surrounded; closing his eyes he felt a sharp prick on his chest. The knife cut easily through the fabric of the typical Chinese styled outfit, leaving behind a thin trail of blood. It was obvious this one had a fetish for causing others harm.
Another line intersected the previous cut creating a cross.
"X marks the spot." He grunted trying to wipe the knife clean with one hand. In the process however he took only a moment of attention off of Rei which the obsidian haired boy used to his advantage, kicking the weapon from his hand.
"I hope you enjoyed you fun." A soft pained voice came. "Because it could possibly your last memory." Silence fell as all turned to the back where a broken boy, with blue hair, steely gaze and confident smile picked up the abandoned knife.
"Kai?" Rei whispered, amazed to see the boy who was almost virtually back from the dead.
"Who were you expecting?" Kai asked bitterness creeping into his voice as he fell back into a fighting stance.
Seizing the moment of doubt, Rei pushed off his own attacker causing him to stumble back, then crouching down he landed a punch that left the guy helpless to any other assault he may try.
"Lets not waste time?"
"Agreed."
Many had already grown bored moments before Kai had made his return. Others decided it wasn't worth their time, however until now six remained, all intimidating in their own way.
"How are we going to do this?" Rei asked briefly gazing admirably at his partner.
"The same way we do anything. Just go in and get the job done." Kai replied still not turning to look at Rei.
~~
Kai groaned, the dream had been so wonderful, why did he have to leave the warmth. He lay in the grass his head in Rei's lap as the raven haired boy looked out over the river a perfect smile graced on his lips. His golden eyes seemed to know all, as their amber depths shone bright leaving a sense of goodness. Why did he have to leave it? He had been happy, it had all been over and the result had been limitless. Was this death?
He awoke because he heard Rei cry out in pain.
Kai wasn't exactly quick to jump up however he knew his help was needed. The chill returned at once, the chill of pain and of dried blood. He could hardly move and it felt as if every bone ached, every muscle every thought.
He gazed over at the commotion. Then was it true? Had Rei truly come for him?
A boy had his arm around the struggling Chinese youth. This tore at Kai's heart with a new feeling. Jealousy? Someone else was giving Rei the touch that Kai had longed for. No one would touch his Rei.
Angrily he rose to his feet, his body screaming in protest. Shaking, he took a step forward, just in time to see Rei slammed against a tree. Hesitantly he approached the angry crowd, and longingly he watched as blood painted paired lined down Rei's chest.
"Stop." He whispered unable to find his voice at first. "Let him go." He tried again trying to get to his companion. A knife landed near him, which he picked up and held for a moment. This was it. It was now or never, briefly touching Dranzer for strength, he threw himself into the middle of everything.
"I hope you are enjoying your fun." He taunted, realizing that it was Rei who had sent the deadly gift his way. "Because is could possibly your last memory."
Rei was able to take advantage of the distraction and flee to Kai.
Now they stood side by side ready to finish what Kai had stupidly begun.
"I'm sorry you have to clean up my mistake." He told the silent reproachful boy next to him.
"It's a good change. Since you are always tidying ours."
"Never yours. You hardly make mistakes." Kai said looking down and away from Rei who took a moment to turn and smile.
"We all make mistakes."
Together they took the fight into their own hands using their far superior skills in which to take down the handful of oppressors.
Despite himself Kai could hardly refrain from allowing a slight grin to toy on his lips as he enjoyed the revenge, also pausing briefly to watch Rei take down those who had once thought him as the victim. His movements were silent filled with grace that only the sleek youth could maneuver. Kai was pleased to be able to have him there and for once he felt his prayers had been answered. All that stood now between him and Rei were a few obstacles, who would pay for their crime.
The cool, smooth handles of the twin daggers Kai now carried, felt both agile and dangerous, somewhat like his beautiful companion. Possessing them gave him the final motivation to complete his vengeance. Since one knife had been a deadly offering to Rei, and the other an equally fatal gift from him. With this in mind he tore merciless through anyone who attempted to take advantage of the ambitious upper hand.
"You will all pay for the harm you have done." Kai growled viciously, wounding his attackers by determined force.
Rei brought the final aggressor to his feet in front of Kai. Crouching over, the steely-eyed boy, brandished his knife carefully preparing to give the defenseless oppressor a parting gift. It wasn't until he felt a soft hand on his shoulder did Kai remembered his senses. Without realizing it he had become angered which had caused the uneasy blood lust to occur. It was Rei who suppressed the feeling, shaking his head so that the loose strands of obsidian played around his fatigued figure.
"Anymore, and we would be just as bad as them," and then they collapsed together in each other's arms. Kai realizing how much his golden eyed guardian would teach him.
~~
Kai awoke to warmth. Warmth from his heart, which spread out through his body, sighing he embraced and leaned into it. When atlas he opened his eyes it was to Rei, his arms around him. Rei was holding Kai, carefully as he too slept. The raven strands of silk lay around the two boys from Rei's unrestricted hair. His amber eyes opened slowly and again as they had in Kai's dream, Rei's lips graced him with one of those smiles that made everything all right.
"We made it." He whispered.
"I'm sorry." Kai returned hardly audibly. Rei shook his head in response touching his finger to the silver-eyed boy's lips.
"No need."
Sirens in the distance made them aware of the scenario. Someone must have witnessed what had happened and called emergency.
Kai raised his hand to Rei's pale face and let it slip down his cheek and over the scar.
"You didn't mean it." Rei said almost without thinking and then paused. "However it is in the past. Now is all that matters."
Kai continued to let his hand slip trying in vain to wipe away the dried blood on Rei's chest.
"Thank you Rei."
"Was any less expected of me?" He asked with mock arrogance.
"For everything." Rei nodded in response holding Kai closer to him and looking up into the dark, overcast sky. Rain had begun to fall in their sleep, a warm cleansing shower.
"Rei?" Kai asked, attempting to pull Rei away from his thoughts.
"Hmmm?" The golden eye protector asked absently.
"I care for you too." Rei looked down at Kai, weakened and hurt, pained, but no longer alone, his eyes wide with shock."
"But..." It was Kai's turn to silence the youth in question, as Kai placed his warm lips against Rei's and kissed him linking together their emotion atlas.
When the finally pulled apart a smile was shared as they held on to each other's feelings, wishing they would never leave.
"I love you Kai." Rei smiled at Kai, who returned it but instead shook his head regretfully.
"I can't say something I don't understand." The azure haired boy replied.
Rei sighed happily pulling Kai closer to his chest and smiling, feeling atlas the warmth he had searched for all this time right here in his arms. He knew Kai wouldn't understand love and in time he would teach him that, but for now this was all he needed.
Paramedics eventually arrived picking up stray victims that had received the merciless end of Rei and Kai's anger. When they came to the two boys however, they hardly questioned their fondness for one another.
"Ready to go?" One asked.
Rei and Kai knew they weren't, but in all the shock they had forgotten their pain which now returned. Reluctantly they let each other go and were each lead to an ambulance.
~~ Two months later.
"I bet I can make a bigger splash then that Max!" Tyson called out and then threw himself off of the dock and into the ocean.
"No way dude!" Max laughed rushing from the shallows to the jump point.
Hilary watched from the subtle lap of the waves, judging the contest that had begun. "By the way you eat I think you can both make a splash big enough to take out the town." She called out handing Tyson a towel as he came out of the water. Kenny lay on a beach towel at the shore.
It was summer now. The weather turned warm and the sky bright, the Bladebreakers had decided to make camp out at the beach.
Kai sat leaning against the tree surveying the moment, and waiting for Rei to return.
Rei. The name alone was warming to Kai. The last two months were spent the way Kai never thought was possible, with his companion. They had endured everything together after spending each a few weeks in the hospital recovering. Rei's scar was faded and it bore now the only memory of something that almost took everything however in return gave so much back to Kai. Someone who had never let him down. Over the past few months a lot had happened, and through it all they had been there for one another.
Kai could now hardly remember a life in which he had spent away from the loyal, just, beautiful obsidian haired boy he was learning to love.
"Here you are Kai." Rei smiled leaning down to kiss him and then hand him an ice cream cone.
"I told you I didn't want any-" but his thoughts were interrupted by the others showing up at the sight of ice cream, which Rei dealt out accordingly, after being chosen for the mission. He waited to reply to Kai until they had left.
"That's what you said but I knew you didn't mean it. Chocolate chip cookie dough in a waffle cone just the way you like it." Rei smiled sitting against the tree in order to gaze at Kai at eye level.
"How is it that you have come to know me so well?" Kai asked blinking, for he had craved ice cream just wouldn't have admitted to appreciating such a juvenile act at first.
"Call it intuition."
The both sat in silence Kai licking his ice cream, sharing some with Rei at times, and watching the others of the team play water tag.
"I love you."
"Pardon?" Rei looked quickly at Kai, taking a moment to notice that Kai had begun to work up his old strength.
"Do I have to spell it out?" He asked in moderation. Looking away he smiled at the clear sky and perfect day before returning his gaze to Rei. "I told you 'I love you.'"
Rei smiled. Kai never seemed to tire of that perfect smile. He had come to love Rei for it. For he had longed to see such a grace and to achieve that was to make the golden eyes of the boy in from of him dance. Giving Happiness to Rei was how Kai tried to mostly occupy his time when he wasn't training or taunting Tyson. So it seemed relevant that that exact smile made Kai reach out and pull Rei to him kissing him softly of the head.
"You taught me what love was. You taught me how to accept help and how to learn knew things. You showed me what was right and what was wrong, and helped me even when I hardly deserved it. You stood up for me in a fight and fought without doubt by my side, and now I realize I love you."
Rei was speechless; left helpless by Kai's words he embraced the boy with equal feeling. He was hardly able to do any more the whisper his answer.
"I love you too Kai."
The End.