Summary: AU Forced into a singing contest when he was young becomes Kai Hiwatari's big break. Now he is famous all over the world... and he hates it. He doesn't have any privacy anymore; everyone knows everything about him, including the fact that he's gay.
Pairings: Kai/? (yet to be decided, but will be either Tala, Rei or Tyson)
Rating: R for mature themes and sexual content later on.
Disclaimer: Obviously none of the Beyblade characters belong to me. If they did, I wouldn't be stuck writing a fanfic, would I?
Chapter One
A Star is Born
"Hurry up Ma! We have to leave!"
A young boy jumped up and down, watching impatiently as his mother put on some ear rings, and fixed her makeup. The ten year old kid was small for his age, with soft spiky dual coloured hair and piercing crimson eyes. He was dressed up, wearing a white shirt, a tie, and black pants.
He tugged on his mothers dress.
"Yes, Kai! Don't rush me! We will make it on time!" she glanced down at her small son, smiling gently. "For someone who didn't even want to do this in the first place, you sure are excited about it!"
Kai pouted. "I'm not excited. I still don't want to. But the sooner we get there, the sooner its over."
"Yes, that and you'll get to see Tala."
Immediately the young boys face brightened, and he grinned. "Yup! He is my best friend in the whole wide world!"
His mother smiled too, and reached for a brush. "Come here dear, I need to fix your hair." She started to run the comb through his blue locks. "I wish you wouldn't insist on having it spiked, darling. It is so hard to take care of!"
"Ack! Mom! Get off! You'll ruin it!" he ducked away from her and ran to the door. "It looks fine! Now hurry up!"
The woman stood looking at her son for a second. He looked cute enough, but something was missing... thinking of something, she reached over and grabbed a small tube, putting it in her purse. "Coming."
She walked out the door, and followed Kai to the car. Opening the back door for him, he climbed in, and then watched as his mother walked round to the front. He chewed on his lip nervously, and fiddled with the end of his tie.
'I wish ma had never signed me up for this. I can't sing! I'll be the laughing stock off my whole school when I make a fool out of myself.' He crossed his arm and slouched down in the seat. 'At least Tala will be there with me.'
His mom looked back at him. "Kai, don't slouch. It's bad for your posture. And don't glare at me like that! When you become a big hit, you'll thank me."
Kai sighed. "Just drive, Ma. If I am going to make a fool out of myself, we can at least be there on time."
"Maybe I should have signed you up for drama instead of choir. You certainly over act enough. Don't worry, honey! You won't mess up! You'll have fun once you get there."
"Doubt it."
"Think of it as your path to greatness! One day the whole world will know your name!"
"Ma! I'm not going to become famous! It's just a stupid competition!"
"But there will be professional judges marking you! And the winner will go on to-"
"-New York for a chance of fame and fortune. I know, Mom."
"How did you know what I was going to say?"
Kai sighed. "You know how many times you have said it? Is that the only reason you want me to win? So you can be famous and have lots of money through me?"
His mother grinned. "You surprise me sometimes, Kai. I often think you are older than ten, by the way you talk. And as much as I would like a rich son to support me in my old age, I also think this is a good opportunity to show off your skills."
"What skills? Sorry to disappoint you, but I'm not going to win."
His mother grinned. "We'll see."
====-======
"Tala!"
"Over here Kai-chan!"
Kai ran through the crowd to meet his friend, flying into him and hugging him round the waist when he got near enough. Tala laughed, and hugged the small boy back. Stepping back, Kai grinned up at him. "So you actually showed, Tala-chan? Didn't back out at the last minute?"
The redhead smirked. "Why would I? I'm only playing the guitar. You have to sing."
Kai looked enviously at the electric guitar next to Tala. "I wish I was old enough to take lessons like you." he pouted. "But no... I have to sing a stupid song, because I'm 'a sweet darling little boy and I have a lovely singing voice.' You're so lucky Ta-chan."
"Aww, don't worry, Kai! In a few years, you will be old enough. And you do have a lovely voice." The taller boy grinned at the look of disgust on his friends face. "Besides, soon you'll be famous, and you can do what ever you want!" he turned and started to walk towards the building.
Kai scowled. "You sound like my mom. Why does everyone think I'm gonna be some sort of rock star or something?" he ran to catch up with Tala. "I don't want to be famous!"
"Suuuuuuuuure you don't"
"Tala!"
The other boy smirked, and wrapped an arm around Kai's shoulders. "Don't worry about it to much, Kai-chan. You're going to be horrible."
Kai glared at him. "That's what I'm afraid of."
Tala just rolled his eyes.
They walked through the doors and spotted Tala and Kai's mothers talking to each other at the front desk. At the two boys approached, they turned. "Kai honey!" his mom called. "We have already checked you two in, so you can go on by. We will meet you backstage!" Kai nodded, and he and Tala went through the door behind the desk.
As they waited, Tala reached down into his bag. "I got a present for you, Kai. Here." He pulled out a white silk scarf. "It will bring you luck tonight."
Kai stared at it, wide eyed. "But Tala, it's your favourite one! You can't give it to me!"
The redhead shrugged. "Yes I can. Now take off the tie, it looks stupid."
When Kai pulled off the tie, Tala wrapped the scarf round his neck to replace it. Kai looked at his friend nervously. "I-I don't know if I can accept this."
The taller boy rolled his eyes again. "Don't be silly. It looks great on you." then suddenly he smirked. "But remember, when you start making the big bucks, you have to buy me a new one!"
"Tala!"
Tala laughed. "Just kidding."
Kai grinned, and hugged him. "Thanks, Ta-chan." The small boy leaned up slightly, and kissed his friend gently on the cheek.
Tala blushed and backed away, clearing his throat. "Umm... we should get ready."
Suddenly Kai's mom burst into the room. She looked around quickly, and, seeing Kai, hurried over to him. "Dear! I almost forgot! Here hold still and let me put this on you."
Kai watched confused as she uncapped some blue face paint. "Ma? What are you doing?"
"No time to talk! Come here!" with a bit of hesitation, Kai moved over to his mother. She grabbed his chin to steady his face. "Now, don't move."
When she was finished, Kai stepped back. "Ok I want a mirror— stop laughing, Tala! You're not giving me very much confidence here!" his mom pulled a small mirror out of her purse and handed it to him.
Tala bit his lip. "Sorry, Kai-chan, it's just—"
"Why did you paint triangles on my face?!"
His mother beamed at him. "They make you look so cute!"
"What, are you kidding? They make me look about three years younger! I'm not wearing them!"
"Please, honey! They look so good on you!" she turned to Tala for support. "Don't they Tala?"
"What? Oh, ya they do! They go well with your new scarf! You should wear them, Kai-chan!" the redhead winked.
Kai sighed. "Ok... I guess I'll wear them. But just for tonight!"
"That's great! You won't regret it darling!"
Kai just sighed again. "Ya, whatever. When am do I go on?"
His mom looked at her watch and yelped. "In five minutes! We have to hurry!"
"Good thing we got here so early." Kai said sarcastically.
"Dear! Come on!"
As he was being dragged away, Kai turned back to wave at his friend. "Bye Tala! I'll see you later!"
Tala nodded. "Have fun!"
"Oh, I will." he grumbled. "Ouch! Ma! Do you really have to pull so hard?" They were at the curtain. Beyond he could hear the audience applauding whoever had just finished.
His mother knelt down beside him. "Ok, honey, just relax, and you'll do fine. Remember, no matter what happens, I'll be very proud of you."
Kai nodded his mouth suddenly dry. He could now hear the announcer saying his name.
"Next up, is Hiwatari Kai, who will be singing 'Runaway'."
His mom kissed the top of his head. "Good luck." She whispered, before pushing him out onto the stage.
Kai stumbled, and for a moment he was blinded by the bright lights. He blinked, trying to make out the audience he knew was there. 'Well, maybe it is better this way.' he thought. His legs were shaking as he walked over to the microphone. 'What on earth possessed me to go along with this?' he wondered, licking his dry lips. 'I could have just as easily said no...what do I do now? Do I say anything to the people? Should I bow?' suddenly the music started to play, soft at first, then louder. 'Oh well. To late to turn back now. If I mess up, so be it.'
He started to sing.
"Graffiti decorations
Under a sky of dust
A constant wave of tension
On top of broken trust
The lessons that you taught me
I learn were never true
Now I find myself in question
They point the finger at me again
Guilty by association...
I wanna run away
Never say goodbye
I wanna know the truth
Instead of wondering why
I wanna know the answers
No more lies
I wanna shut the door
And open up my mind..."
Tala stood at the back of the room, watching his friend up on the stage. No matter what Kai said, he did have a good, strong voice. Tala believed he could go far. The redhead quickly glanced over at the judges. They were staring at Kai with interest, listening attentively as he sung. Tala grinned. 'I think Kai might just have a chance.'
"Paper bags and angry voices
Under a sky of dust
Another wave of tension
Has more than filled me up
All my talk of taking action
These words were never true
Now I find myself in question
They point the finger at me again
Guilty by association..."
"I wanna run away
Never say goodbye
I wanna know the truth
Instead of wondering why
I wanna know the answers
No more lies
I wanna shut the door
And open up my mind..."
"I'm gonna run away and never say goodbye
I'm gonna run away and never wonder why
I'm gonna run away and open my mind..."
"I wanna run away
Never say goodbye
I wanna know the truth
Instead of wondering why
I wanna know the answers
No more lies
I wanna shut the door
And open up my mind..."
As the last notes of the music died down, so did the last of Kai's panic. He had done it. It was over, and the small boy had never felt more relieved. 'Well, I didn't mess up. Hopefully no one will tease me to much.' Kai closed his eyes. He was vaguely aware of the applause he was getting. Vaguely aware everyone was on their feet. Vaguely aware of the judges smiling at him, or Tala and his mom cheering from the crowd.
'There. I sang the song. Now do whatever you want with it.'
A/N: Oo poor Kai! Imagine being forced to sing something! And nope, lyrics don't belong to me! Linkin Park: Runaway. Well, since this is my first story, I really want to know what you guys think of it.
Review?
