Phantoms

Kai "It'll take me awhile to decrypt this. I'm no Kenny you know. Go have a shower and get dressed.
Call Max. Hiro seemed worried about him... I should have something for you by then okay?"

Tyson "Oh.. Umm Okay. I won't be long.."

Tyson turned and walked off down the hall rubbing the back of his neck. He could'nt surpress the shudders.

Tyson 'God how did I not know that was there?'

Still rubbing at the back of his neck he walked into his room to grab a change of clothes. Then made his way back down the hall and into the bathroom. He hurried and stripped off his clothes tossing them into the hamper then stepped into the shower. After he adjusted the water tempature he stepped in under the spray wetting his hair. The water made the back of his neck burn a little but the sting faded away almost instantly. After standing and enjoying the hard pulsing water for a few moments he began to viciously scrub at his scalp with shampoo. The incredibally hot water pounded down hard on his head and back soothing his tense mucles. Tilting his head back with a content sigh and relaxing, his mind began to wonder.

Tyson 'Hiro.. Why did you have to go off on him like that? I have'nt had time to tell him anything yet. There's such a big gap of time for him to learn about and understand. He's missed so damn much. And jesus I can't believe he was in bed with me this morning! What the hell was he thinking? Does he feel the same way I do? No.. He could'nt like me like that right?'

Tyson leaned back against the cool tiled wall and slid his soapy hands up and over his chest.
Then as his thoughts drifted to Kai in his bed his hands automatically slid down lower.

'It felt really nice to have him in my bed. It felt right. I should have kissed him awake. He was in my bed after all.
I don't think he could've said much to blame me for being a pervert. He was holding onto me pretty possesively and intimately when I woke up too. Mmm his hands and skin are so soft. I wonder if I could get him to touch me like I think we both want him to.'

Tyson let one of his soapy hands slide slowly over his stomach to his hard length at that thought. The water cascaded down pushing his long hair over his eyes and making the ends dance along his chest rubbing across nipples. Making them perk at the gentle brushing touches. He could'nt surpress the slight moan from that escaped from between his parted lips as he imagined it was Kai touching him.

In his mind he seen Kai like he had for years. Except now he was his older version. His hair long and silky. His body hard muscled and lithe. Imagined to feeling of touching and being touched. Seeing the burning emotions he felt returned in those firey eyes that haunted and pulled him into. It did'nt take him long and he could'nt contain the disappointed moan as he released himself into his own hand. And he could'nt stop himself from wishing it was Kai's hand. After he had calmed his heart down and his knees decided to work he quickly washed the soap from his hair and soaped up his body with a sigh. After he finished rinsing off he turned off the water and stepped out grabbing a towel. He was feeling more then just a little bit guilty at his own thoughts and from what he had just done to himself.

Tyson 'God I'm sick in the head. He'd prolly run screaming out the door if he knew what I just did thinking about him. Then again considering how he acts now... Maybe not. Fuck.. I'm so confused..'

After he had finished drying off and dressing he went to the kitchen and grabbed a cup of coffee. Then remembering Hiro and Kai's advice he picked up the phone and headed back to his own room. Dailing Max's cell he began to make his bed listening to it ring. Max picked up by the fourth ring.

Max "TYSON! I'm NOT crazy Draciel is back and here. My mom really is a fucking cunt! Just like dad always said."

Tyson "I know Max. Dragoon's back too. I believe you. And uh no comment on the mom dad thing. Hey are you sitting down? I need to to you something.. Promise not to freak out okay?"

Max "Sure thing!"

Tyson "Okay. Well you see it's Kai. He's back Maxie."

The sudden clatter of the phone being dropped from the other end of the line hurt Tysons ear and he pulled a face. When he did'nt hear anything he began to worry and almost instantly started thinking the worst had happened to his blonde friend.

Tyson "Max? Hey Max! Are you alright there buddy? MAX!"

After what seemed like 3 minutes Max started talking so fast Tyson could barely piece what he was saying together.

Max "You'rerightDracielheisback!Tysonsaidheistoo!ThisisgreatIwishIcouldgetaholdofReisoIcantellhim!HaveyoutalkedtohimyetTyson?"

Tyson "Whoa Max. Slow down and don't forget to breathe! Now please try that again."

Max "I said. You're right Draciel he is back! Tyson said he is too! This is great I wish I could get ahold of Rei so I can tell him! Have you talked to him yet Tyson?"

Tyson smiled and shook his head and went back to making the bed.

Tyson 'Same old Max.'

Tyson "For a little while last night I did. He's on his way here."

Max "I'll be there soon too, probabally before he is. God I'm so happy I'm not crazy, Well not REALLY "crazy" crazy. Hehe! Well you know what I mean Ty!"

Tysons thoughts strayed off though when his hand brushed across something that cut him making him gasp. Cussing he popped his left bleeding index finger into his mouth with a whine.

Max "What happened Ty? Are you okay?"

Tyson "Yeah I just cut myself cause I'm a clumsy retard. You know me. Super clutz. The walking self health hazard heh."

Max "You really worry me sometimes Ty. You know that? Anyhow I'm about to catch my last plane. I have so much I wanna ask you about Kai but I don't have time. Anyhow I'll be there in just a few hours buddy. I can ask him myself then I suppose. Take care! Love ya Bro!"

Tyson "You take care as well. And I Love ya too Maxie. Be good we'll see ya soon!"

With a sigh he clicked off his phone and placed it on the charger on his dresser. Still sucking at his bleeding finger he turned his attention back to the bed with a scowl.

Tyson 'Now. Let's see what the fuck cut me?'

When he pulled the comforter back down to see what it was that had cut him he froze. There laying where Kai had been shining in the morning light was the biggest and oddest looking feather. One that did'nt look anything like anything he had ever seen in his entire life. Staring at it in facinated confusion Tyson shook his head. Carefully he picked it up and held it up in the light. It was mostly reds and golds reminding him of Dranzer. But up the center of it was a dark purple black line the tip dipped in metallic green and bluetintedsilver. It was about a foot and a half long. Tyson turned it around in the light musing. He sat down with a sigh. His task of making the bed completely forgotten for now.

Tyson 'Dranzer?'

No and yes.

Tyson jumped at Dragoons voice and then shook his head.

Tyson 'How is it that I can hold one of Dranzers feathers Dragoon? That'd be like having Driger shed on you or something. It's impossible.'

Not with Kai. Take it to him. Ask him to tell you the truth.

Tyson 'What do you mean by "the truth" you're giving me a headache Dragoon.'

I give myself headaches, but really just ask him. You know the right questions now. So he will tell you now if you ask.

Tyson 'It's just a stupid feather. I don't see what is has to do with anything.'

It has everything to do with everything.

Tyson 'If you say so!'

I do.

Tyson 'Smug.'

Always. I'm going back to sleep now.

Tyson groaned at the sudden tiredness that swept his mind and cringed at the load yawn.

Tyson 'You've been alseep ten and a half years lazy ass. I don't know what you did but must've been a hell of a party.'

Dragoon merely laughed and went silent.

With a groan Tyson laid the feather aside and quickly made the bed up the rest of the way. Then he went into the bathroom to clean out his cut and put a band aid on it.

Rounding the corner he turned into the room speaking to annouce his presence.

Tyson "Kai did you find anything out from that thing that was.. Kai!"

The navy haired man was across the floor and by Kai's side instantly. Tyson slid his arms around Kai's shoulders and pulled him into a hug. Kai instantly buried his face in Tyson's clean black shirt breathing in the scent of soap and shampoo. In silence Tyson slowly combed his fingers through Kai's long duel colored hair before speaking. The evening sunlight filtered over them in dappled patterns from outside through the window. Kai laid his head on Tyson's shoulder with a sigh began to watch the brillant blue sky and puffy silver clouds drift by the window.

Tyson "You know you can tell me Kai. Whatever it is, it'll all be okay."

Kai 'How do I tell you that I'm the cause of your suffering? And how could everything still be okay after all of this time? It'll never be okay Tyson. Not really..'

Tyson "Kai? It's bad is'nt it? Listen it's okay you can tell me. We'll deal with it together I promise."

Kai raised his head and looked deep into the fathomless blue of Tyson's eyes.

Kai 'I hope you won't hate me when you read what they done to you and why..'

Kai "It's on the screen... I'm so sorry Tyson.."

Tyson released him when Kai pushed him away then stood up. He sat down at the computer and moved the mouse to clear the screen saver.

Kai watched his face shift from horrified shock to anger then linger on discust as he read across the files. Then finally his eyes seemed to soften before he turned to look back at Kai.

Kai 'What is that look? Acceptance? How that hell can he be so fucking calm!'

Tyson "Well now.. I suppose that explains alot of things that I could'nt understand."

Shrugging Tyson stood back up and walked over in front of him before offering a smile and his hand. Hesitently taking it Kai allowed himself to be pulled to his feet and followed the other man as he walked down the hall towards to the front door.

Tyson "Wanna go for a walk?"

Kai "Uh sure.. Tyson?"

Tyson "Yeah?"

Kai "How can you be so calm and forgiving?"

Tyson merely laughed and answered "Shit happens?"

He grabbed his coat off the rack beside the front door and tossed it to Kai.

Tyson "Put it on. I'll get my other jacket from my room. I'll be back in a second."

He walked back down the hall and into his room. Grabbing his favourite jacket up from a chair back his gaze landed on the forgotten feather. On his way out of the room he snagged it up making sure to be careful. Then made his way back towards where he had left Kai waiting by the door.

Tyson 'Dragoon says ask. So ask I shall I suppose.'

Tyson smiled at seeing Kai swimming in his oversized coat and clothes. He pulled his coat on with a amused smile. They both slid on the boots that Tyson pulled out of the hall closet and walked outside. Tyson smacked his pockets making sure he had his cell phone, wallet, and keys. He locked the front door and they set off towards town.

Tyson "Let's go buy you some clothes that fit you. There's a awesome little diner up a ways too. We'll go there when we're done, I think you'll like it.. By the way, Kai?"

Kai "Yes?"

Tyson "Can I ask you about this?"

Kai froze seeing what was being held up in the other mans hand reflecting in the morning sunlight.

Kai "W-where?"

Tyson "I dunno. I cut myself on it when I was making the bed up."

Kai "I'm sorry."

Tyson quirked his eyebrow and shook his head carefully shoving the feather into his inside coat pocket.

Tyson "You apologise way to much. Calm down, everythings fine. Anyhow don't sweat it you can tell me about it later. The guys should all be here by the end of the week you know."

Kai visibally relaxed and they continued to walked in companionable silence. Looking down at Kai's feet Tyson could'nt surpress a smirk.

Tyson "Hehe lets start with shoes. I don't want the guys seeing you walking around like you're wearing clown shoes when they show up. Rei's already going to pick at you about the hair."

Kai could'nt surpress the laughter that bubbled up inside of him as he seen his reflection in the store window they was passing. Tyson froze looking surprised at the sudden smooth and rich laughter that spilled into the cool morning air from the man at his side. Then he also began to laugh seeing their reflections looking back at them. He happily slung a arm around Kai's shoulders and began pulling him towards the nearest shoe store.Both with a blinding smile upon their face.

Tyson "Come on mad man, let's get you back to being you before the others get here."