Phantoms

Tyson shuddered and drew in a quick breath before slowly exhaling as he made his way slowly back to the kitchen.

'Jesus Kai what in the sam hell happened to you? Your back.. Those.. Scars.. They look like.. What ripping a birds wings off would I guess... Hmm.. No.. Ack! That's a stupid thought even for me. I'm sure he can explain it later.. It's prolly something stupid like he had tattoos and had them removed.. Yeah that's prolly it.. Tattoos..'

Hearing music difting from his room from the stereo suddenly upping in volume he smiled and picked up his pace.
Tyson shook his head as he heard songs flipping and smirked at Kai's antics. Finally it stopped on a famillar song that Tyson had liked years before as well.

'Good song choice Kai buddy.'

Humming he set about reheating the water while quietly singing along with the music. When he heard the shower turn on he smiled glancing down the hall way before turning his atttenion back to the oven. Then it hit him. The feeling. He felt the hair on the back of his neck raise up and stand on end.

"Hey kiddo, Did ya miss me?"

His back stiffened and he surpressed a shudder as he heard the vaguely familar deep silky voice from directly behind him.. Slowly raising his head he knew for a fact that he was'nt alone anymore. But also that it was'nt Kai's presence.
The shower was still running and he could hear it quite well from where he was standing. And he could make out Kai's voice quietly singing along with the stereo over the sound of the running water. Taking a deep calming breath he grabbed a knife from the counter top with fluid smoothness. Spinning around quickly, he found himself staring at nothing but thin air.

"You sure are jumpy now days. What are you going to do with that knife silly ass? Put it down before you hurt yourself."

Tyson "Stop toying with me! Come out so that I can see you!"

"Don't you reckonise my voice Tyson? Now that hurts my feelings T-man. You should know damn well that I can't come out where you are. Unless you let me out that is."

Then he felt the long absent movement inside his mind and the obvious amusement pouring from it's presence.

Tyson "Dragoon!"

"The word or phrase "Durr?" seems applicable here.."

A sudden wave of air and dizziness hit Tyson then making him lose his balance, stumble, and fall backwards. Reaching out as he fell his outstretched hand missed the sink edge causeing him to land hard on his ass with a pained grunt. He laid back then completely sprawled in the floor. He sighed and simpley started staring up at the ceiling blankly. His ass was burning from his entire body weight, even though it was not much, hitting down on the hard tiles. Sucking in a long breath he started to laugh when he realised how stupid that must've looked.

Tyson " Oww.. Heh eh heh ehehehe! Ah man.."

"Uh you did'nt break anything there did ya good buddy? You know like your brain?"

'No Dragoon, I just wounded my pride a little bit is all.. So nothing important.'

"Something specific on your mind kiddo?"

'Yeah.. Mainly where the fuck you've been for so long?'

"Asleep I guess.. I think anyhow.."

'That does'nt make any sense to me Dragoon. You need a better excuse then that.'

"Does'nt make sense to me either really.. Anyhow listen.. Don't mention my being back to Kai yet okay?"

'Why not?'

"Just please promise me... I'll explain more later I promise. But I gotta go for now but I'll be back okay?"

'Uh okay... Wait! Where are you going?'

Tyson felt the long absent mental smirk and growled out loud in annoyance at it.

'You know that's one thing I have'nt missed about you Dragoon.'

Deep and smooth amused laughter filled his head for a few minutes making him sneer at the ceiling. Then he gave in and began chuckle himself at the irony of it and with happiness of his lost friends return. He sat quietly for a few minutes listening to the music from down the hall before breaking the silence.

'You did'nt answer my question from earlier you know..'

"I'm just going to wake up some old friends of ours, that's all."

'Oh.'

With a flicker of light Dragoons presence was gone again leaving Tyson sitting alone on the floor. With a sigh he leaned back and propped himself up against the sink doors. So absorbed in his own thoughts that he tuned everything and sound out entirely.

Kai "Why are you in the floor Tyson?"

Jumping at the sudden sound he snapped his head around to the direction of the doorway on the left. Surprised Tyson sat up and laughed uncomfertably before smiling up into the deep burning red of Kai's concerned eyes. He began to nervously run his fingers through his long navy blue hair.

'Dragoon you better have a damn good reason for making me promise that buddy..'

Tyson replied with a simple shrug "I'm not really sure. Anyhow.. How about something to eat eh?"

Kai quirked his eyebrow up at him and the leaned over grabbing his arm and helped pull him up on his feet grinning.

Kai "Sounds great! You know, you're so weird sometimes Tyson."

Tyson "Heh. Yeah, I know. But that's why you love me so much right?"

Tyson paled then blushed realising what he had said. Kai froze and fixed his burning gaze on him with a unreadable expression on his face that was between shock and amusement. Slowly nodding his head he started to laugh. Tyson stared at him completely mortified and wide eyed.

Kai "Hnn that's true, so you got me there. But hey it's all good."

Shocked and fearful azure eyes met and held with sincere and slightly embareassed sparkling crimson ones. Tyson felt his face flush even more and started to fidget from one foot to the other. Quickly breaking the eye contact he turned around stiff shouldered, taking two cups from the cabinet. Kai shuffled around behind him and slumped himself down into a chair at the table. Then began rubbing the fluffy towel he had around his shoulders over his damp hair. He sat down and propped his head up with his elbows on the table with his hands under his chin watching Tyson. Transfixed by the quiet and lithe way he moved about the kitchen. The towel back around his neck, his wet hair forgotten.

Tyson 'Damn, damn, damn! Why did I have to say that outloud to him? I'm such a idoit! Way to go super stupid!'

While Tyson was metally berating himself he never noticed Kai's matching blush. Or the huge lazy smile and content ruby gaze that was fixed on his back admiring and adoring his every movement.

Kai 'I can't believe I said that outloud! Ah well it was worth it to see his face! He's so cute when he blushes like that. Silly Tyson. It's just me. Don't work yourself up so much. I expected you to look discusted and mortified. Not to get that reaction though. Jeez it's like we traded places. The fucking irony of it... I really need to know what made you like this..'

Tyson 'Good God he's goinna stare a hole completely through me. And his personality is so different now'

Tyson shift from one foot to the other nervously as he kept his back turned. He occupied his hands pouring hot coffee into the two mugs then spoke up quietly.

Tyson "Uh Kai? You still take it the way you used to right?"

Kai "Uh huh."

Tyson "M'kay. Just checking."

Kai "You're kinda fussy now, you know that? It used to be you'd tell me to get it my damn self"

Tyson "People change Kai... You seem like you know that all to well from expreience too."

Kai "Hnn.. That's true. I can't really say I'm that same stupid ass kid that I was. Want me to help?"

Tyson glanced over his shoulder to give him a quick but surprised half smile shaking his head in decline. Then turned his attention back to the food on the stove top, before crossing over behind Kai to fetch plates.

Tyson "Nah I'll sit down with you in a second just let me get the plates."

Tyson quickly pulled down two plates and stacked a liberal amount of pancakes on each. He set them on the table before grabbing the butter and syrup from the fridge plunking them down in front of Kai. Then he retreived their coffee before he sat down beside Kai sliding a plate towards him with a semi shy smile.

Tyson "I'm not as good of a cook as Rei, but they're passable I like to think."

Kai quirked a eyebrow at him and smiled. "I'm sure they're fine. Food was'nt a issue of want or need where and how I was..."

Tyson stared at Kai in stunned confusion as he watched him drown his food in syrup then wolf it down in record time. Then could barely contain his amusement as Kai started eyeing his untouched one. Wordlessly Tyson quirked a eyebrow at him and slid his plate over to the duel hair man chuckling.

Kai 'Oh jeez I forgot food could be so damn good. Mmmmmm, mouth orgy heee!'

Kai poured syrup over the second stack of pancakes and started wolfing them down gleefully.

Tyson "You sure we did'nt trade personalities and habits somehow?"

Kai looked up from the plate his mouth full, with open confusion showing in his preoccupied crimson eyes. "Mmmph?"

Then what the navy haired man had said suddenly registered in his mind. He swallowed and smiled at Tyson guiltly, embareassment making him blush under the other mans cobolt gaze. Tyson merely shrugged his shoulder and stood up and walked back to the stove to pour more batter into the pan. Once he had a few more ready he flipped them out onto the plate in front of Kai. He dumped the pan in the sink, then grabbed and refilled Kai's empty cup. When he turned back around he noticed the red tinge on the duel haired mans cheeks was a alarmingly bright red.

Kai 'Shit I can't believe I'm so hungry.. Good lord he must think I'm a damn pig or something now.'

Tyson gave him a soft look and smile that eased the uncertianty from Kai's ruby eyes as he looked down at him.
When he spoke his words were soft heartfelt and sincere.

Tyson "Don't worry about it Kai. Whatever you want or need, if I can get it, or do it for you.. Then I will.
I'm here for you, I always will be. No matter what. You should know that by now."

Kai could feel his eyes burn as he swallowed hard before locking his gaze with Tyson's. He could'nt hold it in anymore as hard as he was trying to and broke into uncontrolable sobs. Tyson was shocked at the explosive outpouring of sudden emotion from the once ice cold hearted captain. He pulled Kai into a tight hug and began stroking his hands through his damp silky hair.

Tyson "I'm here Kai. I'm right here. And so are you. You're home now. So it's all okay now so shh."

Kai "I-I'm so stupid. And I'm sorry Tyson! I never meant to hurt you. I never meant to hurt any of you.
I just.. I was afraid if you all really knew me then you'd hate me. I was so damn stupid please forgive me!
I-I hated it there you know! I fucking hated it! It was like I was'nt even real anymore. I was like a ghost.."

Tyson "We missed you too Kai. I missed you more then I think you'll ever really know. That prolly sounds sappy and ignorant. But it's true. And w-what do you mean about being a ghost Kai? I don't understand.."

Kai "I was like a phantom... I could sometimes move or manipulate things. B-but I was'nt solid. I-I was like a-a b-bit b-beast. My god Tyson I know how they all feel in our world now! It's so fucking horrible! Empty and lonely. It's so fucking lonely!"

Kai wrapped his arms around the lithe azure eyed man he sobbed into his shirt and belly hugging him as tight as he could.
Tyson continued stroking his hair and back pondering what Kai had said until he had cried himself dry.

Kai "She c-could'nt s-see me e-either. Sometimes I think she knew I was there though.. Because she'd look right where I was and look confused or annoyed. And when I tried to talk to her she'd grab hold of her head like it hurt."

Tyson "Who's this she person Kai?"

Kai swallowed hard and laughed mirthlessly before raising his sleepy red rimmed ruby eyes to look into Tysons.

Kai "Black Dranzer.. That's not really her name though. I don't know her real name. I never paid any attention really."

Tyson "Kai?"

Kai rested his head back on Tyson's stomach with a tired sigh "Yeah?"

Tyson "Is she sealed inside of that necklace that you're wearing?"

Kai's head snapped up in shock before he hung his head to stare at the tiled floor between Tysons feet.

Kai "Yeah she is.. And she's not really sure what's going on other then it hurts.."

Raising his eyes back up to Tyson's he whispered "I'm hurting too though."

With a sigh he slid down Tyson limply into the floor.

Tyson "Kai?"

Tyson 'Shit he fainted..'

Tyson picked him up and carried him to his room and put him under the covers. He stood staring down at Kai musing over what he had said trying to make sense out of it all.

Tyson "Sleep well Kai."

Tyson 'I'll make sure that we have time for you to explain what you meant later.'

The phone's sudden ring caused him to jump as he clicked out the light. He hurried and made his way down the hall grabbing it up on the third ring before it woke Kai. Glancing at the caller I.D. he brought it up to his ear speaking.

Tyson "Hey Rei! Guess what!"

Rei "Kai's there... Isn't he?"

Tyson "What the- H-How'd you know?"

Rei "Driger told me. Has Dragoon made contact with you yet? Listen Tyson this is important. I won't get there for a few days yet but don't upset Kai."

Tyson "Yeah he was here for a bit earlier.. Anyhow upset him? Why because of the Black Dranzer thing right?"

Rei choked "H-he told you then?"

Tyson "Uh some I guess. Most of it did'nt make any sense cause he was crying so hard.."

Rei "Kai crying? That alone does'nt make any sense. But no what I mean is don't take that necklace off of him.
If you do he won't be able to maintain his form here... And he'll turn into-"

Tyson "I don't want to know! But okay it'll stay on. I'll ask him more later when he wakes up. He ate like a starving man. Looks kinda like one too poor guy. Then he just sorta cried himself out and fainted. But he should be okay..."

Rei "He can't be as thin as you. Did you even eat anything today? "

Tyson "Uh I kinda got caught up on the whole running into Kai litterally thing. I'll grab something later on."

Rei "Tyson."

Tyson "I promise, I promise! Geez.."

Rei "So does he look much different now?"

Tyson "Well he's bone skinny like I said. And heh, his hair is longer then yours now."

Rei "What? Gah! I'm so going to give him crap for that when I get there. You know he used to hide my stuff and blame it on you all the time"

Tyson could'nt help but laugh. "No I did'nt know that. It is pretty damn funny that he would even do that though. I had no clue that he had such a quirky a sense of humor back then."

Rei "Har de har. Anyhow how's he seem? Anything off about him? I mean besides the whole personality 180?"

Tyson "Well.. It's prolly nothing but he's got these things on his back.."

Rei "Things?"

Tyson "I dunno scars I guess. It's prolly nothing anyhow. You'll see when you get here."

Rei "Yeah I guess so. Just be careful Tyson. We can't take you getting hurt again.."

Tyson "I won't Rei I promise... Oh yeah, did you call the cheif and Max yet?"

Rei "I can't seem to get ahold of Kenny. I left Max a voice mail though. He should be there the day after tomarrow."

Tyson "i'll call him later today. But for now I think I'm actually goinna go to sleep.. I think I actually can now heh."

Rei "Heh yeah. Oh and Tyson before I hang up... Be careful.. I think someone or something is following us. Me for sure at least."

Tyson "Rei?"

Rei "I dunno Tyson. Maybe I'm just paranoid. But yeah stay on your toes. Seeya soon bro."

Tyson "Seeya soon Rei."

Tyson hung up the phone and wandered back down the hall peeking his head into Kai's room to see him sleeping peacefully. With a content sigh he turned and walked into his room. Pulling off his shirt and pants he slid in under his covers in his boxers and fell asleep immediately.

Just before dawn Kai awoke with a start more then just a little bit afraid, he was wide eyed, and utterly alone. Sitting up and staring around him, he suddenly realised exactly where he was.

Kai 'Tyson? Where did he go? It's way to quiet!'

Sitting up quickly, panic filled Kai's heart with complete and utter dread. He jumped up and ran across the hallway and pushed Tyson's door open to see him laying there sound asleep. He let out the breath he did'nt realise he'd even been holding with a sigh of relief.

Tyson's face was completely relaxed and blank. The circles under his eyes were still dark but not as pronounced.
Kai watched as he shivvered in his sleep pulling the covers closer around him. Then he made his way over to the bed and mentally debatd how much Tyson would freak out to wake up and find him there.

Kai 'Ah well it'd be worth it. I'll just have to deal with the ranting explosion when he wakes up.'

With a mischievious smirk he slowly slid in under the covers behind Tyson. Wrapping a arm over the navy haired man's thin hard muscled waist with a smile, Kai suddenly felt the impossible. He felt safe and warm for the first time in his entire life, and could'nt contain the content sigh that escaped his lips.

Kai 'It's nice to be here with you again Tyson. I know you can save me from myself. God knows you have before..'

He snuggled flush against the man in front of him with a content sigh. Then quickly drifted off into a peaceful slumber curled against Tyson's smooth warm back. Neither stirred or noticed the sound of a key twisting in the lock or the soft click of the front door opening and closing. Or witnessed the small blue white light that whirlled over them to settle and fade just above Tyson's heart hours later.