Hey there! I really should be writing something else but the idea was stuck in my head and basically begging to be written. I torture Kai too much, don't I? It's the slightest bit Miwa/Kai but there's no kissing or anything like that so it really isn't. Warnings will be written below.

Disclaimer: Don't own them, no matter how much I wish I did.

Warnings: abuse and blood later on

On with the story!

Read and Review!~

Chapter 1

The sunlight streamed through Kai's bedroom window as he moved his arm up to cover his face. Grumbling, he dragged himself out of bed. After brushing his teeth, he changed into his school uniform and made himself a cup of coffee and popped some bread into his toaster. Putting on some shoes, he walked downstairs to his mailbox. He lived in an apartment, so it wasn't much of a walk. After collecting all of his mail, he made his way back upstairs. He unlocked his door and grabbed the toast from the toaster. He leafed through the letters, when one in particular caught his eye. It was from his uncle. Kai frowned. Was it that time of year again already? It seemed like it hadn't been very long since the last time. Kai sighed. There was no way around it, though. He couldn't disobey his uncle, no matter how much he hated him. Finishing off the last of his toast, Kai grabbed his school bag and the letter and locked the door. He would just have to tell the school about his absence and maybe ask Miwa to grab the notes for him.

Kai arrived at school earlier than usual. Opening the door to the office, he asked the secretary for a leave of absence form and began filling it out. Under "reason for absence", Kai paused. What was he supposed to say? After putting in some thought, he settled for "family matters" and handed it back to the secretary. He would start his leave next week and it would continue until the Tuesday after. Walking to class, he sat down at his seat and fell asleep.

Miwa walked into the classroom, grumbling to himself. His mom had tricked him into thinking that he was late and now here he was 30 minutes before school started. He doubted there was anyone here. He opened the door and was surprised to find Kai, fast asleep on his desk. Dropping off his own bag, he silently came up to Kai's side. He noticed the rhythmic rise and fall of Kai's chest and how Kai didn't have his trademark scowl on his face. It made the brunet look much happier, like when they were younger. Miwa softly stroked the slumbering boy's hair and stifled a laugh when Kai seemed to purr in content.

Suddenly, Miwa noticed something out of the corner of his eye. A white envelope was sticking out of Kai's school bag. Noiselessly pulling it out from the bag, Miwa inspected the letter. Kai Ryo, he read in his mind. Who was that? A relative of Kai's? Carefully pulling the letter out from the envelope, he was about to read it when he was stopped cold by a panicked looking Kai.

"You're awake," Miwa stated, too surprised to say anything else. Kai had a wild look in his eyes, like cornered prey and a death grip on his wrist. Kai took a deep breath and tried to calm himself. He looked Miwa dead in the eyes with his infamous glare.

"Did you read any part of that letter?" he demanded, trying to keep a level tone.

Miwa was rooted in place. He had never seen Kai glare at him before. Not even when he got caught playing one of his pranks. The blond now knew why Morikawa and Izaki had initially been afraid of Kai. If the way he glared at them was anything like the glare Miwa was receiving now, he would have feared the teal eyed boy too. Carefully, he handed the letter back to Kai.

"I didn't read any of it. I only saw who sent it to you. That's it," he reassured. Kai let out a breath he didn't know he had been holding. Slowly, he released Miwa and apologised for startling him like that. Miwa managed a weak nod before settling himself a little further away from Kai. Innocently, he asked the brunet,

"What's in the letter?" He was surprised when he saw Kai visibly flinch and subtly slip the letter further into his bag. His ever present scowl seemed to deepen even further as he replied,

"Nothing special." Miwa frowned. He was about to inquire further when he was interrupted by Kai. "Could you get the materials for next week for me? I'm not going to be here." The blond sighed. There he went again, that best friend of his; leaving school for an extended period of time. Miwa sighed but gave Kai his word nonetheless. Kai thanked the blond and went back to sleep, only to have the bell ring a few minutes afterwards. People piled into their seats and Kai was left groaning about lost sleep. Miwa laughed and took his seat in front of Kai. And thus, the school day started.

"Man I'm beat!" Miwa exclaimed as he stretched his arms above his head. He watched as Kai silently ignored him and continued on his way to Card Capital, cheerily catching up to him and walking beside him. He heard Kai grunt a bit but continued walking together nonetheless. The automatic doors opened and they were greeted by Misaki. Kai, as always, stayed silent while Miwa grinned and returned the welcoming. The rest of the day was spent cardfighting.

Finally, after Kai's last cardfight, the two Hitsue students started their walk back home. Miwa glanced at Kai. He didn't want to push it, but he knew that there was something wrong. Kai's playing was unusually forced today. He still kicked everyone's butts, but there was something off about him. What was wrong? Miwa voiced his thoughts and, for the second time that day, saw Kai flinch. His gray eyes narrowed. There was most definitely something Kai wasn't telling him. The brunet waved it off again as nothing which only concerned the blond further. Why won't you let me in, Kai?

Sighing, Miwa reluctantly parted ways with Kai, seeing as how his house was to the left and Kai's apartment was to the right. Exchanging goodbyes, the two friends continued on their way to their respective homes.

Kai closed the door behind him quietly. He had been too careless, bringing the letter with him to school like that. But he couldn't just leave it at home. What if the school asked for proof? Or, even worse, what if, somehow, the letter got into someone else's hands while he was at school, like it had today? Thankfully, Kai had woken up due to the sound of rustling paper and had stopped Miwa before he had gone any further. Slipping off his shoes, Kai packed a couple of changes of clothes, his toothbrush and his notebook into a duffel bag. He would leave for his uncle's town early in the morning tomorrow; there would be no time for forgetting things. Taking off his school blazer and tie, he wrapped an apron around his torso and started making his dinner.

After washing the dishes, Kai changed into his nightwear. He wanted to get some sleep tonight; it would be hard for him to get any in the next week. Turning off his side table lamp, the brunet fell asleep.

The annoying ringing of an alarm clock shook Kai out of his blissful state of slumber. Groaning, he reached over and turned it off. He started the morning off the same way he had the day before: brushing his teeth, changing his clothes and putting bread into his toaster. After he finished his toast, Kai grabbed his duffel bag and locked the door. He would miss the comfort of his own home for the next week. He walked quickly to the train station and bought a ticket for the next train going to his uncle's hometown.

Kai gulped. He was standing in front of his uncle's house. He didn't want to go in; he never did. But he didn't have much of a choice when a shadow loomed over him.

"Hello, Toshiki," was the last thing he remembered before entering his own personal hell.

How was it? Not too bad I hope. All my stories are unbeta'd so if there are any mistakes please let me know!