i do not own beyblade

Risen

"Kai look at me!" I demand.

Still he remains silent and immobile, dead to the surrounding world, a glazed look in his orbs.

I don't know what to do! I stand there with tears streaming down my face, my tears substituting for those he could not shed. I draw him into an embrace. Even when I feel him stiffen at the gesture I continue to show him my support. I know everything that occurred wasn't his fault, however; he believes different. He blames himself for not being strong enough. Believes he is unworthy of life and happiness. Cannot comprehend why I try to comfort him and ease some of his pain and sorrow. Why it is that I try and soothe his shattered soul instead of stomping on it and making it irreparable.

I lift his chin gently but firmly until I have maintained eye contact, allowing him to see the sincerity behind my words.

"I won't disappear. I don't care what happened in the past, it's the present and future that I hold in higher regard, just like I hold you in a special place in my heart. You're my best friend Kai and I promise on my life that I will NEVER leave you!"

I risk a glance to those dull orbs which once held a fierce fire burning brightly within. He doesn't appear to have listened to my words.

I suppress a groan and settle for a sigh instead. Deciding that it would be better if I let him be for the moment I left the room. 'He just needs some time to himself that's all.' I try to reason with myself.

Once I've decided he's had enough time to brood over his depressing thoughts I return to mine and his shared room to discover that he is no longer present. Panic seeps into my very soul. I frantically search the entire dojo disturbing no one as everyone appears to be out. When I finally locate him in the bathroom I breath a sigh of relief which immediately turns into full scale panic.

Kai calmly stands facing me, even though positioned above his wrist floats a dagger. He just stands there waiting for my reaction.

"K-K-Kai! W-Why?" I stammer.

"Why not Ray? What have I left to live for huh? Do you want to hear about my past Ray? How I was beaten and abused by the one person who was supposed to love me since I was a child?! Do you want to know how many people I've lost thanks to that man?! Or do you want me to tell you how many times I've tried to kill myself before?!! WELL?? Doesn't that say what I have left to live for, NOTHING Ray! I have NOTHING!!"

I just stand there unsure of what to do or say. I never imagined that Kai's past was this horrifying. And the truly terrifying aspect of all this was that I had only scraped the surface of Kai's history. I shuddered to think of everything Kai had to endure.

"But you do have something to live for Kai! Us! The Blade Breakers! We're a team Kai. Don't you understand that we would and will help you through this. You're our team captain and what's more, you're our friend. There is no way in hell we're letting you go that easily."

I see Kai slowly starting to believe me as he ponders over my speech. The fire once thought to be extinguished was slowly reviving itself and gaining control over the dullness, banishing away the shadows that remained.

There is a 'clang' sound as Kai drops the dagger and gazes towards me with uncertainty. I offer him a grin and to my delight I receive a small but shy smile in return.

I can proudly say that Kai was starting to return to us; after all, the firebird always rises again.