When two hearts are ready, they will speak

Title: When two hearts are ready, they will speak

Subtitle: Baring my soul

Author: Lady Snowblossom

Rating: PG- just to be on the safe side

Notes: Robert decides to seek out the Bladebreakers in the morning and set the record straight. Kai sneaks into the hospital and unburdens his soul, and nearly gets caught. Does it surprise you that there is angst? Ah, but, I have a treat! Sap! Or, at least my version thereof.

Additional note: incomplete

Disclaimer: On first base.


Robert leaned back against the leather of the couch, the beginnings of a headache building behind his closed eyes. He reached up to wearily rub his temples. He felt like he was slowly sliding down a treacherous slope, and there was nothing to stop the coming crash.

Oliver bent down to retrieve the chipped teacup at his feet. He was going to have to tell Robert about . . . His eyes widened, “Oh, no!”

“Oliver, what’s wrong?” Robert asked. His eyebrows rose, as Oliver set down the bit of china in his hand and walked back to his chair – sat, and buried his face in his hands.

“Oliver?” Johnny questioned.

“We . . .ah . . . Enrique . . . and.”

“Oliver!” Robert’s voice cracked like a whip, “Pull your self together! What’s wrong?”

Blue eyes appeared from behind a screen of fingers. “We told the Bladebreakers about Kai and Rei being lovers. Well, how were we to know that they didn’t all ready know!” He added defensively, as he lowered his hands, and caught Johnny glaring at him.

“And you yelled at ME for telling Kia.” The Scot huffed indignantly.

Enrique worried at his lower lip, as he turned the implications of their actions over in his mind, and quietly said, “I think we need to figure out what we’re going to do to repair the damage, we may have caused.”

“Damage?” three voices coursed.

“Yes, damage.” The blonde rose from his seat, and began to pace. “Kai and Rei aren’t lovers, yet we assumed that they were from Kai’s actions. Now, we find that they aren’t. Then to compound everything, we go and tell the other three members of their team; what we assumed to be the truth.”

“All right, I’m with you so far.” Johnny interrupted, “But I still don’t see the damage, you’re talking about. All we have to do is go to Tyson and the others in the morning, and tell them we made a mistake.”

Enrique glared at him. “It might not be that simple. What do we do if we find out that because of our actions tonight, the others decide to break up the team.”

“They can’t do that!” Oliver protested, “it would jeopardize the championship!”

“Not if they waited until afthe the championship to announce that they were breaking off from the team.” Robert said slowly, as he began to see where Enrique was going. “They wouldn’t have to reveal the reason for the breakup, only that they had broke up.”

“Mary, Jesus and Saint Paul.” Johnny swore, “We’ve really put our foot t, ht, haven’t we?”

“All of you, be quiet!” Robert commanded, “I need to think.”


*~*

The wind whistled around the corner and swirled snow around the black figure that stood across the street from the BBA Infirmary. The figure had been watching the front door of the facility for several minutes, observing the security guard. The man was seated facing the door, and he hadn’t moved in the last ten minutes and it didn’t look like he was going anywhere anytime soon.

“Damn!” the figure hissed, “I’m going to have to find another way in.” Hunching his shoulders and weaving slightly-Kai crossed the street and staggered toward the alley, he had seen as he waited for the guard to go on his rounds. He hoped his act was good enough that anyone noticing him would just think he was a drunk looking for someplace warm to sleep it off.

Reaching the mouth of the alley, he straightened up, and darted down it. Out of the wind, it was almost eerily silent. He could hear his breath as it came in pants, the pounding of his feet and the thud, thud of his racing heart, as he rushed toward the other end of the alley.

Emerging from the darkness, he had his first piece of good luck; right in front of him was a door marked ‘laundry’. Since, he couldn’t go through the front door, he’d just see if he could get in this way.

Slipping along the wall, Kai reached the foot of the two steps that led up to the laundry and climbed them. Looking quickly around, he grabbed the doorknob and turned it, to his surprise it opened. Peeking into the dimly lit room, he sighed in relief - it was empty. He slipped inside and looked around.

The room was large and dominated by four huge washers and as many dryers. There were four long white tables, that he assumed were used to fold the linens, after each day’s wash. At the far end of the room was a dark door that he knew had to open into the hospital corridors. As he moved further into the room, he saw something that interested him.

Four large wheeled hampers full of linens and hopefully - uniforms.

He hurried over and began to paw through the piles of cloth. He was beginning to get frustrated, when in the fourth hamper; he found what he was looking for. It took six tries, but he finally found a pair of pants, coat and hat that fit. Fortunately, he hadn’t put on his usual attire. Instead he had just slid on a pair of jeans and a sweater, so the white uniform slipped easily over his street clothes, now he only had to find a hiding place for his coat.

Carrying his coat, he opened the door and peer up and down the corridor, there were two men standing at the end of the hall, looking at some papers, so he ducked back inside and waited. When he checked again, they were gone.

Leaving his dubious haven behind, Kai headed right up the hall. As he strode confidently along, trying to give the appearance of someone who knew where he was going. He mentally reviewed the map in his head.

On the first floor theree twe two sets of elevators: one was within sight of the guard’s station, but the other one was just off the junction of two corridors, and right next to it was his goal – a stairwell that opened just four doors up from his tiger’s room. The only problem was the nurse’s station was only fifteen feet beyond the Chinese Blader’s room. However, since he now looked like a staff member, they shouldn’t pay any attention to him.

“Hn, glad something good came of that stupid tour.” He snorted.

Rei’s doctor – the pompous ass – had insisted that Mr. Dickenson and everyone else, who had come to check on Rei, take a tour of his facility. By the time the tour was over, he was ready to kill the fool. The idiot had spent the entire tour talking in the first person, as though he was solely responsible for the smooth operation of the facility. The only time he dropped the affection was when he had to acknowledge that someone else was in charge of a particular area.

“At least he answered Mr. Dickenson’s questions about Rei’s condition, since that ass refused to let us see him.” Kai muttered, as he paused to peer around another corner. He leaned back as the security guard; radio to his ear walked past the head of the connecting hallway.

“Hn, figures.”

Stepping out into the hall, he headed down it and past a niche in the wall. He paused, and went back. Inside the niche was a large marble planter with plastic flowers. He inspected the niche and found a space behind the planter big enough to hide his coat. After he wadded up the fabric and shoving it into place, he straightened and brushed his hands against his thighs.

Five minutes of walking found him at the door of the stairwell. He pushed the gray door open, and climbed up the two flights of stairs. By the time ree reached the second floor, his heart was pounding and his hands were shaking-not even sneaking into the Abbey had made him as nervous as the thought of confessing to his tiger. He took a deep breath and opened the door.

Head Nurse Kendra Pratchett looked up as a technician came out of the stairwell and headed in her direction. There was something familiar about the face, but she couldn’t quite put her finger on it. She frowned, when the man didn’t come to the desk, but instead disappeared into room 204. Rising to her feet, she started around the desk to see what was going on, when a sudden racket at the other end of the hall distracted her.

She had sent one of her nurses down to answer a bell in room 222. She couldn’t make out the words, but it sounded like a fight or an argument. She reached over the low counter top and grabbed her radio and raced down to see what the problem was.

Boldly, Kai headed for room 204. He could tell that the blhairhaired nurse was watching him, but he never broke stride; he was committed now and if she said anything, he’d just have to brazen it out. Reaching the door, he pushed it open and disappeared inside.

The sight that greeted him stole his breath. A large pool of shadow and moonlight haloed the living china doll that lay fragile and priceless on the white cotton sheets. His eyes feasted on the sight before him. The dark thick lashes falling like a curtain on a pale cheek. The delicate mouth framed by rose colored lips that cried to be kissed. The smooth column of Rei’s throat, Kai shuddered as he imagined running his tongue along the curves of that lovely expanse. And Rei’s greatest glory framed his body: his living cloak of hair. How could he haorgoorgotten how stunning Rei was in moonlight? Not even lying on a hospital bed-not the most romantic of spots-could diminish the power of his love’s appeal.

“Rei.” the soft word escaped his lips, as he reached a hesitant hand toward the pale cheek he longed to caress. Delicately he touched the milky flesh, and traced a path down to the firm jaw, before pausing to brush lightly against slightly parted lips. He shivered at the feel of the warm air that blew against his finger.

“Unngh.”

Kai jerked his hand back, at the moan. Was Rei waking up? When nothing further came from the sleeping youth, Kai went to move one of the room’s chairs beside the bed and sat. Daringly, he took Rei’s left hand ints.
s.

“Rei,” he whispered, “I need to tell you something.”

~*~

Oliver, Johnny and Enrique waited for Robert to make a decision about how they were going to make reparation for their mistake.

“Robert, what are we going to do?” Johnny was tired of waiting.

Lavender eyes opened, as the stern leader of the Majestic’s sighed, “The only honorable thing we can do. We will go to the Bladebreakers’ room in . . .” he glanced at his watch, “five hours and hope we catch them before they have left for the stadium; and tell theeryterything we know.”

“Do you think it will be enough?” Oliver asked.

“It will have to be.”

“Kai is never going to let us live this down.” Johnny groaned.

“If he doesn’t kill us first.” Enrique added.

Robert rose and glanced around at his companions. “We will convince him it would be in his best interest not to. Now, we need to get some sleep. I have a feeling that Tyson is going to need us.” The tall German walked away, and disappeared into his and Johnny’s bedroom.

The other three looked at one another.

“Well,” Oliver said, as he slowly rose, “I’m glad he’s confident.”

“Are you sure of that?” Johnny asked, as he crossed the room and paused outside the bathroom door. Without waiting for an answer, he entered and closed the door behind him.

Enrique looked at his French friend, “And just what is that supposed to mean?”

“Go to bed, my friend.” Oliver responded and yawned, “We will think about it in a few hours.” He took Enrique by the hand and led him to the room they shared, closing the .
.


~*~

Rei stared out the window, the hum of the IV monitor the only sound in the room. He watched as the moon crept across the room, washing it with ghostly light. He sighed and closed his eyes. Maybe he’d get to sleep before his next visitor showed up. If they weren’t waking him to make sure he didn’t have a concussion. They were either checking to see if he was asleep, wanting to catch a glimpse of an honest to god celebrity (Thank the Ancestors, the head nurse runs those off with a word or two ringing in their ears), or playing vampire.

Gods, he hated needles!

Click!”

He tensed, then forced his body to relax as the door opened, and footsteps crossed the floor. He opened his eyes the merest of slits, and watched the figure that stood silently staring at him. He was getting ready to yell for help, when he was stunned into silence by a single word.

“Rei.”

Kai! What was he doing here? Why wasn’t he at the hotel? Oh, gods, he was going to be in so much trouble, if anyone caught him! Rei’s frantic thoughts were derailed, when he felt the soft touch of a single finger. It took every ounce of will he could summon to stay silent: when that finger traced a trail of fire down his cheek, drew a comet’s tail along his jaw. Then, miracle of miracles, that teasing finger ghosted over his lips! Try as he might, he couldn’t suppress the moan that rose up from his chest.

“Unngh.”

He could have wept, when the warmth of that sweet touch was jerked away. Keeping his eyes closed was a trial of the soul, but he could sense that if he made a sound, Kai would flee-so he waited. Waited to find out what had brought Kai here. What was worth the risk?

The faint screeching sound of a chair being pushed into place told him that Kai was sitting beside him. When he felt his hand being clasped, he was glad they hadn’t put him on a heart monitor: otherwise it would have been racing off the chart. It almost stopped at Kai’s whispered words.

“Rei, I need to tell you something.”

~*~

Kai stared down at the pale jewel he held in his hand. Now, that he had finally made it here, he found that he couldn’t find the words to express himself, nothing in his short miserable life had prepared him for something like this. How could he use mere words to woo this fallen angel? Somehow, it didn’t seem right, but words were all he had. So, he took a deep breath and began.

“All my life all I wanted was to be the best. And I thought that was enough. After I ran away from the Abbey and began living as I wanted to live – relying only on myself. I thought that was enough. Then, I started running with the Street Sharks. Again, I felt I had it all. Then, Mr. Dickenson convinced me to join the Bladebreakers. And I hated it!

Tyson’s jokes drive me insane! Max’s incessant perkiness has me wanting to tie him to something! And, spare me, Kenny’s rants! Then, there was you.” Kai leaned forward and gently brushed the ebony bangs from his love’s eyes. “Then . . . there . . . was you.”

The slate-haired youth smiled, as he withdrew his hand and leaned back. “You drove me crazy! With your constant attempts to get me to be ‘part’ of the team and absolute refusal to back down whenever I’ied ied to shove you away.” He paused, his attention attracted by a noise outside in the hall.

“I don’t care! Just get that man off my floor! He . . .” the angry female voice faded.

Kai breathed a prayer of thanks that no one was coming into the room. His eyes widened, as the moonlight lit up the clock on the wall. Aww, hell! Where had the time gone?

“Rei, I don’t know if you can hear me. But, I’m sorry I never said anything before this, but the simple truth is I was afraid. Yes, me, Kai Hiwatari, the Ice Prince, was a coward. I could never admit to you, or to myself that I needed you.” Kai laid Rei’s hand gently down on the bed; palm up. Then he rose - a single tear making its way down his cheek and falling onto Rei’s open palm. “No,” He whispered, “Need isn’t a strong enough word. Love is what I feel for you. I love you, Rei Kon, and I always will.”

Bending down, Kai surrendered to the yearning in his soul, he gently brushed his lips over the soft rose pink mouth of his tiger.

Both boys gasped at the electric touch. Embolden by Rei’s response, Kai’s mouth became more demanding. His tongue flicked out to brush against his tiger’s teeth, begging for entrance. He reached to wind his arms around the lithe body; he hungered for . . .

Click!

Kai’s head shot up, and he whirled as a nurse walked in. She gaped at him, and before she could cry out, he shot past her and ran as though the hounds of hell were on his heels. Behind him, he heard the wail of a single word.

“NO!”

~*~

Rei didn’t resist as Kai picked up his hand, and he had to fight to keep from curling his fingers around the hand that held his. Fighting the uro opo open his eyes, he listened as the phoenix began to talk. He grieved for the boy: that thought living for himself was the only way to live. Bit back a laugh at Kai’s complaints about him and their teammates. Rejoiced at the feel of his fingers running across his wayward bangs.

When Kai’s tear fell onto his palm, Rei felt his soul twist; his phoenix was crying! That wasn’t right! Kai shouldn’t weep! Calling upon the courage that saw him through his match with Bryan, Rei began to open his eyes, when . . .

Kai kissed him.

He gasped at the surge of electricity that shot along his nerve endings. None of the imaginings he had used to get through the days of yearning for the Russian; had prepared him for the actuality of really kissing those soft lips. He felt his soul contract, then shatter with joy.

He vaguely heard the door open, then Kai was gone! His eyes sprang open and he saw Kai’s back, as he shot pa sta std nud nurse. Desperately he reached for the disappearing teen.

“NO!”


LS: One more chapter to go.

Inuyasha: Do you plan to leave it there?

LS: Yes. I need to get to work on a story I owe my Weyr.

Inuyasha: Weyr?

LS: I’m a dragonrider.

Kagome: I dunno about this. You’ve already been threatened with being tickled to death.

LS: Among other threats, but Inny will protect me, won’t you?

Inuyasha: No, I already have to watch over one girl. I don’t have time for you! And my name is Inuyasha, not Inny!

LS: Why you! I’m going to go get your brother!

Inuyasha: He won’t help you.

LS: Good point. However, I do know someone, who will.

Inuyasha: And what wimp is that?

LS: Oooh, you are so dead! Wimp, you called him a wimp? He’ll kill you for that one.

Inuyasha: Bring him on, I’m not scared of anyone, you can dig up.

LS: Just remember, you asked for it. HIEI!

Kagome: I think you better apologize.

Inuyasha: What for?

“Whumpf!”

Kagome: Never mind.

LS: Come on, Kagome. I’ll buy you the milkshake of your choice. And Hiei, don’t take too long. We promised Kurama that we’d help him redecorate his room.

Hiei: Hn, this won’t take long.

Inuyasha: Hey! Get back here! Do you hear me!