"When was the last time you ate something?" Ray asked, rather suddenly. Tyson struggled to find the words. "I uh-um...."

"OMG, Tyson forgets to have food!!" Max lightheartedly teases. Tyson just shrugged. Max decided then and there that he would hit his head to a wall, if he continued talking without thinking through his words. 

He continued, in a much gentler tone, "How about we go to the Cafeteria now and wait for Hillary? Besides we have something more to discuss." Max shares a look with Kenny. Tyson looked confused at this exchange, but accepted the invitation.

******

Tyson brings himself a tray with sandwiches and a pizza though he didn't have much of an appetite. He had just started eating when he asked, "So what did you want to talk about?"

Kenny started for them, "Have you seen the news lately, Tyson?" "Nope?" Tyson said, between a mouthful. Kenny shrugged, not pointing out table manners for Tyson. They had all learnt it was a lost cause. "Well.. the media has declared Kai dead, and Max as injured."

Tyson spluttered at this, he had to drink some water before expressing himself. "What! that's ridicu...," but caught himself as he changed his thought perspective, relaxing back into the chair. "Never mind, they at least got one correct." he said, continuing with his breakfast. Max exclaimed, "That's exactly what I said!" before exchanging a high-five as Ray and Kenny sigh in exasperation.

Kenny explained, in a serious tone, "But we have to stop the rumors, Tyson. They all are searching for the hospital we are in. So we better try to remain inconspicuous. Besides-" Tyson moaned in annoyance, "I don't want another Hillary using such big words..."

Kenny makes an impatient noise. "We better keep a low profile... Draw less attention to ourselves until we speak to Mr D and arrange a press conference. I've suggest we to do it today itself, after we know Kai's condition."

"Okay." they all said, approvingly of the plan.

"Hey Hillary." Ray greets. Everyone turned their attention towards her now. She didn't look much better, in her pale yellow sleeveless crop-top and maroon plazo pants. Unlike Tyson, Hillary had at least taken up the effort to clean herself. He hair was in a low pony, in contrast with her usual free bouncy hair. Her face was pale, without any skin cream she might daily apply, and her dark circles were more pronounced than that of Tyson's. She definitely looked tired. Now that he mentioned it, Ray remembered that Hillary didn't look any better on the day he last met her. He thought of asking her about it sometime privately.

"Hi...." she acknowledged his greetings, and then turned to Tyson, "Did you pay for the Operation at the Reception? I have been searching for you guys for ten minutes now. "

"Yeah I did. What about you?" Tyson asks.

"I did it just now. Sorry, didn't inform you earlier. Got a bit late." She said as she took a seat between Max and Tyson. She turned towards Max and touched his forehead, examining the bandages. "Hope you are okay now Maxy. Did you get it checked?" Max nodded. "Forgive me. I couldn't take a look at your wound yesterday."

Max once again dismissed the apology, "Hey, I'm fine...... You were tending to Kai's injury. Anyways Ray's quite good at it." "hmm...." she said, smiling a smile that no longer reached her tired eyes.

Suddenly, Tyson places a plate of sandwiches in front of her. He sternly said, "Have it. You haven't had anything for god knows how long..." There is silence at our table as everyone stares at Tyson.

Kenny once again rescues them all from the awkward silence, "It's 10 o'clock guys. I, Max and Ray will be at the OT. Finish your breakfast and join us." he said closing his laptop and standing up.

"Yeah..... They may need us for signing or something..." Ray continued. Max looked amused at Tyson's antics as he got up, which was noticed by Tyson alone.

"Okay. Guys..." Tyson said unsure of the sudden departure. On seeing Max's amused expression, he tries not to blush in embarrassment.

******

Hillary stares at Tyson as though he had just stated 'All crows are black.' A really, overlooked, stupid fact. But a fact, nonetheless. The others leave for the OT to complete any left over formalities before the operation.

She silently accepts the plate of sandwiches and starts eating. Now that she thought about it, she couldn't even remember the last time she had had something. She had left the hospital in a hurry in the morning. Yesterday night, she had fallen asleep more or less as soon as Kai was declared temporarily stable. The previous afternoon, she hadn't had the appetite. The previous morning, she had force fed herself a few spoonfuls of oats, and had eaten half an apple.

It must have been a miracle that she hadn't collapsed unconscious somewhere along the way. She had barely been sustaining herself with food the previous week, and then suddenly went on a fast for a whole day. This also explained the continuous headache she had been having from the morning.

"How did you know?" she asked. Tyson was last person she would have taken for 'observant'. "I asked the cashier whether a beautiful Ruby-eyed, brown-haired girl was here today or not?" He said as nonchalantly as though discussing the weather. She raised an eyebrow at him. It was quite amusing to listen to Tyson smugly talking. He lacked a brain-to-month filter. He slightly blushed recognising his mistake, but quickly covered it up. "What took you so long?" he asked, changing the subject.

"I had to go to the bank-" he cut her off. "Bank?" Hillary bit her tongue in annoyance, and unlike Tyson, she was much better at covering her slip in words. "My card had expired... Had to update it." she explained. "Oh..." Tyson said, and seemed to have bought her story.

They continued eating. Tyson prompts the conversation again. "Did you hear the news?"
Hillary nodded. "Yeah... They think that Kai is..."  both of them could not make themselves say the word 'dead'.

Suddenly, whatever appetite Hillary had gained in the last few minutes seemed to have vanished. The spicy Veg Sandwich now tasted bland. The small quantity of tomato sauce on her hands reminded her of her blood stained hands of the previous night's, as she was tending to Kai's chest wound.

 She suddenly felt suffocated in her own clothes, remember how they were dripping with blood as she cleaned herself up yesterday in the washroom. This must be the reason doctors don't tend to people who they know personally, she thought. I should have gone home and took a bath. I was late anyway. She scolded herself as she pushed the plate away from her.

Tyson stops her. "Don't do that to yourself, Hil. You'll have to eat something." he pleaded. Hillary looks away from those warm chocolate eyes. No one could refuse Tyson's puppy dog eyes. She took a few sips of water before continuing with her abandoned breakfast.

Tyson resumed their previous conversation. "Yeah, so we plan to arrange a Press Conference today or tomorrow." "Hn.." she nodded.

"We will be questioned about the incident.." Tyson continued. Hillary snapping at this, "So? Do you really think I don't know what happens in a PC!" irritated.

Tyson raises his hands in his defense, "Hear me out of God's sake Hillary! The outside world doesn't know you are a part of Blade Breakers. And with our talk yesterday.... I don't think we should mention your name in it either."

Hillary tried looking upset, but for once, Tyson did have a point.

The Blade Breakers had just been attacked by someone who actually had an intention to kill them, and not just scare. Without me being officially a part of the team, she had been facing a good number of problems. If they get to know that she was officially a part of the team, or worse, that she had a prominent role in sabotaging their previous plan, she couldn't possibly imagine any limits to the dangers...

Tyson was just trying to protect her. She reminded herself, but she didn't want to let him know that. Instead she said, "Since you have already decided, why ask me? "

Tyson spluttered, "I-I was- "

Hillary held her hand up."Let's stop this discussion Tyson. Fine, don't use my name and don't you dare say anything about our yesterday's talk to any one else. Only you will know it. I will stop coming to the dojo regularly and after a few days and completely stop." He just nods grimly.

Hillary stands up to bring herself a bowl of pasta. As she took it and moved towards the cashier's desk, she remember the main reason for stoping to eat out.

"Ma'am, the pasta costs four-ninety yen." said the cashier. "Give me a sec." said as she frantically rummaged her purse for the cash that was never there. She was only left with two-hundred yen.

Just as she decided to give up her pasta, Tyson appears. "Here you go, ma'am." He said giving her a 500 yen note.

"Could I get a candy for the ten yen? Chocolate would be nice..." the cashier chuckles in a flirtatious way which makes somehow makes Hillary angrier. She stormed back to the table. She broodily started with her pasta, neither glancing up as Tyson lowered himself in front of her nor thanking him for the treat. Tyson didn't notice the sudden change of mood.

 He was way too busy enjoying his damn chocolate. "Yum... I love this candy. It always reminds me of mo.." the enthusiasm suddenly leaves his voice. His eyes lose their warmth and his dark circles appeared darker. Even Hillary stops eating at this point, just to observe what he will do next.

Tyson rarely mentioned his parents anymore. He lost his mother at the age of six. Hillary had been to the funeral. He lost his father when he was eleven. His brother sent him to a boarding school for a year, but finally Grandpa Granger forced his will through and brought home a thirteen-year old Tyson who was very much happy to be back to Tokyo. Sometimes, she thought that it was a reason to have started beyblading, to keep his mind away from the loss, but she had never been bold enough to ask him.

She could no longer feel angry towards him, not after almost reaching the same position. Not after experiencing the same feeling of emptiness for the last few days. Tyson continued eating his pizza as Hillary continued eating her pasta.

******

They leave for the OT after ten minutes. "You didn't have to pay for me... Th-thanks." she managed to say, embarrassed by her impulsive ingratitude.

Tyson was relieved by the change of topic but also offended. "See Hil, you may decide to leave the Blade Breakers, but I share a history with you from before that. You have been an important part of my life Hil, mostly as my best friend, but sometimes as my enemy, coach, and team partner, just to annoy me. Just because you don't want to be with us or me specifically doesn't mean the other person approves it. But I understand and RESPECT your decision. Coming from your point of view, our FRIENDSHIP expires the day KAI'S out of the hospital. So you are still very much my friend! And FRIENDS HELP"

Hillary had no words to express the gratitude she was feeling. That was the sweetest thing she had heard someone tell her in days. She hugged him. "Then remember, you are always a part of my-our family. We will always be there for you." Tyson was caught off-guard as Hillary hugged him tightly. A tear escaped his eyes involuntarily, which he quickly wipes. But he felt happier than before.

******

It had been two hours since they all had been waiting for the operation to end, sitting tensed in the lobby. Tyson and Hillary joined a few minutes later, but they didn't speak much either.

Dr Jones walked out of the door, a smile on her face. "Congrats folks, your friend is out of danger." she declared. The tense atmosphere suddenly evaporated. "Can we visit him?" Max asked, exited. "He's still asleep, but you all can see him. Don't make too much noise and just don't make him talk too much when he wakes..." she instructed.

"He wouldn't talk even if he wasn't hurt doctor. So, you don't have to worry about that!" Tyson jokes.

Dr Jones continued seriously, "Remember. He's still on ventilator and may need help so make sure there is someone with him all the time."

"Okay. " they answered in unison.

******

They all enter Kai's room silently. As said, Kai still was on ventilator support, taking weak, barely noticeable breaths from the mask. A number of wires were attached to his chest and wrists, monitoring his essentials. A bottle of blood was hanging upside down, slowly dripping blood into his body. He only wore loose grey pants allotted to patients, which was quite similar to his original ones. His upper body was left uncovered, but it was largely covered in a patchwork of bandages. Kai, even with his usual skin tone, albino white, looked deathly pale.

Kai was never the one with a broad built, Ray was more into that category. Kai was renowned all over the world for his sleek, strong built. Though they never knew what Kai did to maintain it, he always balanced his built to look sleek, and not weak. Seeing Kai, looking so helpless, being completely controlled by his circumstances, was enough to send Hillary to another bout of tears, but just as she registered his physical condition, she could also see him in a whole new light.

Kai looked calmer, more relaxed than ever seen when conscious. He had always appeared to be unattainable, invincible to Hillary, who knew him the least. With each and every move of his calculated, she had never thought she would see him like this, vulnerable, and way more human.

Their moods quickly sobered, whatever small amounts of cheerfulness they had gained on knowing that Kai's operation was a success. None of them talk, each immersed in their own thoughts. Kenny breaks the silence yet again.

"Hey, Mr D answered my mail. He said we will have The PC as soon as he arrives from Washington DC. At 7o'clock in the evening today in his office. Mr D will also be there with us with the police and a larger security personnel, a precautionary step after the incident.... "

"Oh... Then we should get prepared. Let's go. " Tyson says, standing up immediately.

Max throws a helpless look at Ray, signalling 'get going' or 'told you so' or 'you owe me ten yen'. Ray sighs, but starts in a stern voice. "Tyson, I and Max had a discussion about this.....and we feel you both shouldn't come, you and Hillary. You guys are very much tired. I bet you both have barely slept, and this incident has had the highest toll on you two... with Hil tending to him in his crucial moments and you being... Tyson." Ray said, shrugging. He couldn't have found a more fitting word, even if he was given a whole day's time.

"Hey-" Tyson started, but Ray cut him off with his second point. "If the attack had something to do with you and Max winning this year, then I surely don't want you to come face-to-face with a large crowd for sometime from now...."

Tyson was short of reasons. He knew what Ray was telling was the most logical course of action, but that didn't mean he had to be happy with it. He didn't want to give up without a fight. "But... "

"No its and buts Ty, you both will go home now and rest. We'll manage for the day." Max added on to Ray.

Max was always the one to back Tyson up, even if he knew that Tyson was to be blamed for whatever he did. It was usually a stance for reasons like Ray and Kai were the older ones, and proving them that they would do things the way they wanted. There was no one to back him up now. He begrudgingly accepted as he knew 'If something could get Max serious, then it had to be really really really serious.'

"There's a cab waiting for you guys outside." Kenny adds. "You guys were here with full preparation I see... " Tyson murmured, annoyed, beckoning Hillary to come with him. She shortly followed Tyson, greeting the boys a goodbye.

******

When Hilary didn't follow Tyson into the cab, he questioned her with a frown on his forehead. "Aren't you coming to the dojo, Hil?"

"Nope. I'll go home..." she said, fidgeting. Tyson knew that 'The Tachibana residence' was a short distance from the hospital, just a fifteen minute walk. "Okay then. Meet you tomorrow." Hillary smiled, saying "Bye..."  just as the cab pulled out. Hillary stood in the very spot, making sure Tyson is out of sight, before going back to the hospital.

She submits the money needed for her mother's operation. While she was at it, she also payed off the balance of Kai's operation, and cashed off some money from her bank account. Her mother was shortly taken to the OT. Hillary once again sits in the lobby of OT-2 waiting for the Operation's result, jumping every now and then, whenevee she thought Ray or Max had found her.

"Your mother is completely out of danger, dear. She'll wake up in a few days from now. I did tell you to take rest at home, didn't I? But you don't seem to leave this hospital for anything more than two hours!" said Dr Anderson in a chiding tone. 

Hillary smiled sadly,"My luck doesn't seem to get any better either doc. Now a friend of mine is in the hospital too." He nods, and looking quite serious, tells her. 

"People whom you call friends are, to put it bluntly, with questionable and influential backgrounds. I've heard that they have taken refuge here just to avoid association with it, but... Just take care dear." and without waiting for an answer, leaves.

******

Hillary sits next to her mother, gently holding her hand in hers. Most of her injuries had healed by then, hence, her head and the fractured left hand carried the only bandages on her body. Since the Operation was a success, she was finally stable. A number of monitoring attachments were now removed. She was now attached to a glucose drip alone. She didn't look as pale as she had been at first, her cheeks slowly gaining their usual glow. One could almost assume that she was just asleep, if not for the bandages. Dr Anderson had assured her that her mother would be awake within a week.

Hillary was finally relieved that all her problems were coming to an end. Her exhaustion finally caught up with her as she drifted off to sleep sitting next to her mother, her head on her bed, sitting on a chair, her hand in hers.

******

Hillary was shook awake by a nurse who had come to check on her mother. Hillary glanced at the clock. It was six-fifteen in the evening.

"Mrs Tachibana is no longer a patient with serious injuries. The visiting hours for such patients have come to an end. We'll take care of her from now. You should go home dear."

She nods at her, feeling too exhausted to speak, takes her purse and leaves. She must have been a bit foggy in the head because she wasn't much cautious. She directly walked into Ray.

"What are you doing here, Hillary?! I thought you had gone home!" said Ray, helping her up. She tries thinking of a plan, her hand involuntarily reaching a necklace that was no longer there. She was on her own from now on.

Max, who was just behind Ray, also made his way towards us. "I um-as much as a good plan you both had made, it wasn't flawless, it needs an update." Hillary says, putting up a confident smile. All she received were confused glances.

"Repeat yourself clearly, and maybe not in riddles?" Max asked, frowning. "When is the press conference?" she questioned, as though talking to a slow five-year old. "Ah.. Forty-five minutes from now." Max answered her.

"Who will be there?" she continued. "Me, Max and Kenny, but why are you asking us all this now?" Ray answered, having no idea where the conversation was leading to, and as she suspected, slightly put off by her tone.

"The doctor said one person should be present with Kai all the time, who will that be?" she finally asked. "Its-um" both of them struggled for an answer, clearly caught off guard at the question.

"Me!" she says in a slightly high pitched voice. "It's just from seven to nine, guys. You can continue your watch after that. However, I have had a nap, so it's fine." she tries convincing them, hoping her face looked fresher than before.

Both were hesitant at first, especially Ray, but on finding no other alternatives to solve the problem, they agreed. The three of them left at six forty, while Hillary bought herself an ice-cream bowl, eating it lazily, while constantly  keeping an eye on Kai.

******

The more she thought about it, more clearly she thought she could interpret Kai. She now perceived him for an angel, a fallen angel of the heavens. A shell of his true self. The shell now slightly cracked, introducing the real one once again to the world. A calm, relaxed and..... and happy angel, locked up in a cell of oppression.

She knew the number of girls who had fallen for the guy in front of her. A guy who wouldn't even grace them with a glance. His style, grace, his stoic expression, his witty comebacks, his smirk... everything was one of a kind. But she didn't believe the other girls. According to Hillary, Kai looked the most handsome this way. Relaxed, an expression Kai would grace to no one willingly.

His crimson red eyes, as Hillary perceived them, was his most attractive attribute. They could get you lost in them anytime. That's exactly what happened with her the first time she met him, she remembered. But he never held anyone's gaze longer than it was needed. His perfectness at everything could make anyone believe him to be a God, an unrealistic, imaginative perfection. But the person in front of him looked way more human.

The thought she had been avoiding for sometime now finally resurfaced. The guilt had been growing bigger and bigger from the moment she saw him on the floor in the studio.

If it wasn't for you... He wouldn't be there. Wouldn't be hurt. I glance at the wide bandage across his chest which still had small patches of red on it. Wouldn't had almost died. He has helped you, has saved your life many times. Is this the way to repay him? Give him a near death experience, near-death pain?

******

Words: 3937

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