Disclaimer: I don't own Beyblade...or any of it's characters...and I don't know Rei's parents names...do they even show up in the series? I just made up names so don't get mad at me!!! ^-^ any way...enjoy please!!!
p.s. this is my first story so please be nice?? O.O
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I'm running away again. I don't know why I even bother since they'll just find me again and take me back home. I don't even understand why I'm running away. After all they said all families act this way. All families argue constantly, all parents beat their children when they disobey them, all families hate each other, and all families act perfect when outsiders are around. All my life I've wondered, is that really true? If it is, then what about him?
I've asked him how families acted. What they did together, if they talked with each other instead of screamed at each other, if they hurt one another. He gave me a strange kind of look, like he wasn't sure what I was asking or something.
"Families do lots of things together! They eat, watch TV, play around, and everything. Sure they don't do everything together, but most of the time they'll do at least one thing together." he answered. "And of course families have disagreements. They may argue and a parent may end up backhanding their child out of complete anger or whatever, but they don't mean to hurt each other."
I just listened to what he said, nodding my head to his answer. Was that how his family was? Actually perfect and not just pretend? Then is what my parents told me a complete lie?
"Why do you ask?" he questioned, curiosity in his eyes.
'Curiosity killed the cat Rei.' I thought to myself.
I shrugged. "Just wondering."
"That's a weird thing to wonder Kai." he chuckled softly, before he frowned and looked at me worriedly. "Is that how your family is Kai?"
"What do you mean?" damn, I shouldn't have said anything.
"Do you and your parents argue? Do they hurt you?"
What do I do? Do I tell him the truth or lie? We're friends, I'm not supposed to lie to him. But then again, I'm not supposed to have friends either. My parents told me I'm not allowed. What do I do?!
"No, of course not. It was just on some movie I watched. Besides, I'm not that close to them so I didn't really know. So I decided to ask you since you know practically everything." I lied. It left a really disgusting taste in my mouth.
He rolled his eyes and playfully pushed me. I forced myself not to wince when he touched a sensitive bruise. Or maybe that was a cut? I can't remember. It doesn't matter anyway.
"I do not know everything, but thank's for the compliment." he smiled.
I just stared at him. I love his smile. It's so warm and it's real. It's not fake like all of mine. It took a lot of will power not to just lean forward and kiss his lips. I bet they would be soft. I was snapped out of my thoughts when he suddenly stood up.
"Sorry Kai, but I have to get home. I'll see you tomorrow." he smiled as he turned around to go back home.
I wanted so badly to tell him not to go. I wanted him to stay with me, at least for a few more minutes. I sighed and stood up, making my way down the road for the thirty minute long journey back to hell.
That's how I ended up running away. I didn't want to go back there. Now that I knew everything there was a lie. I want to go see Rei's home, his family. I wonder how exactly they act. Are they really how he says they are, or was he pretending too? I stopped and leaned against a random building as I tried to regain my lost breath. I sighed as I realized, I had no idea where he lived. Maybe if I ran around long enough, I would see him, or he would see me.
That was my plan and I ran around like a mad man, looking in windows, running straight up to anyone who even resembled him in some way, wether it be their clothes or hair, or anything. I was about to just give up when I heard some one laughing. I snuck up to the window and peaked inside. I felt relieved when I saw him, sitting at the table, eating with his family. They were laughing and joking around. Just like he said.
"So how's your friend Kai doing?" his father asked after swallowing a mouth full of Ramen.
"He seems to be doing alright. He's worrying me a little though." Rei replied, taking a sip of his drink.
"That boy worries all of us. It's not normal for a boy like him to have to go to the hospital three times in just one week." his mother shook her head, displeased.
I felt a little frightened. I had the biggest urge to go in there and apologize and tell her I'd do better, try harder to take every beating I received. But I kept quiet. I wasn't even supposed to be here. I was just eavesdropping on their conversation. Just sitting under a window of a place where I don't belong.
"So princess, are you two dating yet?" I heard his father laugh.
Maybe they weren't so perfect after all if his dad was insulting him. But if that was true, why was Rei laughing.
"No, dad, we're not dating, and I'm not a princess. I'm a boy in case you've forgotten." he said in a matter-of-fact voice, trying to contain his laughter.
"Well, with that hair and that face, I forget sometimes."
I was really confused. If his dad was insulting him, shouldn't Rei be apologizing for not being good enough?
"You two stop joking around and finish eating!" the woman said sternly, sending them both a glare that had no effect seeing as she was smiling and had nothing behind it in the first place.
Oh, that's right. Rei's parents know he's gay, but they don't mind. Rei did say something about his dad calling him princess, and his little girl and stuff like that, but that he didn't really mean it. He was just joking around. If my parents ever found out, I wouldn't be alive for much longer. I sighed rather loudly at the thought. I froze when everything in the house got quiet. Had they heard me?
"What was that?" his mother asked.
Damn! They did hear me. I have to get out of here! I crawled a few feet away from the window, keeping to the side of the building.
"I'll be right back." I heard the man say.
No! He's going to see me! I stood up, keeping my head down and my hands in my pockets and began walking, trying to blend in with everyone else.
"Kai! Is that you?" I tensed and turned around to look at him.
He didn't seem angry. In fact he was smiling. Did this mean I was ok?
"Don't just stand there, come on in!"
I scampered over to him, afraid of what would happen if I refused. I let him lead me to the kitchen where Rei and his mother were.
"Mio! Rei! Look who was walking past the house!" he smiled as he pushed me forward gently.
I glanced up at them and forced a smile. I have had so much practice, that now, every smile I fake looks real. Sometimes I wish someone could see past it.
"Well hello dear! Sit down! There's plenty to eat!" Mio invited.
"Thank you." I mumbled and sat down next to Rei.
"Let me take your coat for you." Mio said, holding out her hand for my worn at trench coat.
I slowly took it off, trying not to jar any wounds or broken or sprained bones. I handed her the coat my eyes never meeting hers.
"My god dear! You look like you haven't eaten in a month!" she frowned, handing the coat to her husband.
'Actually two months.' I thought to myself as she piled my plate with tons of food.
"Mom, I don't think he can eat all of that." Rei told her, staring at the plate of food that was almost towering above me.
"Well he better! He needs to gain some weight! He's almost a skeleton!" she replied, piling more food on my plate.
I didn't know she was just joking. I didn't realize that she didn't know what I liked exactly so was giving me a meal's worth of practically everything. I didn't get the fact that I didn't have to eat everything on the plate, that it didn't matter if I did or not. After she was finally done putting food on my plate, I swallowed the knot in my throat and began eating. I was full by the time I had finished 1/5 of the meal. I was sick by the time I finished half. I felt like I was going to throw up after about 2/3 and I'm surprised I was able to finish it all.
"I guess I was wrong." Rei said, a little surprised I had eaten everything on my plate.
"Who wants desert?!" Mio called from the kitchen.
'Not more food!' I thought frantically. I couldn't eat another bite for at least a month.
She came in carrying what looked like cake. She placed it in the middle of the table and cut it into four pieces, giving each of us our own piece. I felt like crying. I could just barely keep what was already in my stomach down. How was I supposed to handle this?
"Aido! Come on! The cake's done!" Mio called to her husband who was in the living room watching the news.
"I'm coming honey." he yelled back.
We all sat in silence eating until Aido starting talking.
"There's another case of child abuse." he sighed, taking a bite of cake. "That's six this week. How many sick people are there in the world?"
I tensed. Why did he have to start talking about that of all things? I decided to stay silent like I have been doing and force down the cake. It was good, don't get me wrong, but I had already eaten far to much.
"A lot. I just don't understand why the children don't fight back. I mean, I can understand a little child not doing anything to protect themselves because they can't. Not only are they so much smaller than the adult, but they don't know how to defend themselves. But these teens who are going threw it. You'd think they'd do something other than just sitting there and taking it."
I want to die. If I even thought about defending myself, I would be killed. Not only am I afraid of what my parents would do to me if I tried fighting back, but I also love my parents too much to do anything that would make them even more disappointed in me. I finished my cake and froze. I think I'm going to be sick.
"Kai dear, what's wrong?" Mio asked worriedly.
I shook my head slowly. "N-nothing." my breath was coming out in short, soft pants.
"Are you sure, you seem kind of pale." Aido pointed out.
"N-no, really. I'm f-fine." No I'm not. My stomach's killing me.
"Kai, maybe you shouldn't have eaten so much." Rei said, lightly touching my back.
"If I didn't eat everything, she would be mad." I whispered just loud enough for him to hear.
"What are you talking about Kai? Why would she be mad?" I could tell he was confused.
"She told me to eat everything on my plate. I don't want to make her mad." I covered my mouth with my hand to keep myself from throwing up. I didn't want to have to clean up a mess right now.
"Dear, I was just kidding." Mio frowned.
I covered my mouth with both hands, willing myself not to throw up. It didn't work. I fell off my chair and to the floor, puking up my guts when my knees hit the ground. I stared blankly at the mess, panting softly. My stomach felt way better, but it still hurt pretty badly. I wiped my mouth off, grimacing at the awful taste.
"Kai? Are you alright?" I heard Rei's voice, but it sounded so far away.
I tensed as I felt a hand lightly touch my shoulder. I looked up and saw Aido looking down at me worriedly, but all I saw was a glare. I whimpered and scooted away from him.
"I'm sorry." I whispered, but they couldn't hear me.
"Kai, calm down. You're not in trouble." Mio tried to tell me, but I only heard bits of what she said. Kai...you're...in trouble.
I pressed my body against the wall, silently begging it to open up and swallow me.
"I'm sorry!" I said a little louder. I was panicking.
"Kai, it's fine! Calm down!"
"I'm sorry!" I screamed as I covered my head with my arms. "Please! I'm sorry! I didn't mean to!"
"Kai! Dear! It's fine! It was an accident!" Mio tried to sooth, but it wasn't working. She dashed over to me, kneeling in front of me and grabbed my arms, pulling them away from my head gently.
"No! Please stop! I'm sorry! I won't do it again! I swear! Please, I promise I won't!" I was crying and begging, but to me, it wasn't working. To me, they were even more angry. "I didn't mean to! Please don't! I'll be good! I won't do it again!"
"Shh, Kai, it's alright. Shh, just calm down." I started crying harder, the tears pouring down my cheeks.
"Please stop! Don't hurt me!" I begged, looking straight into her eyes. I couldn't see the worry or fear for me in her eyes, all I saw was hate and loathing even though those emotions weren't there.
I started kicking and screaming, trying to get her away from me. Aido pulled her back so I wouldn't kick her. I continued to scream and cry. I was scared. I didn't want to be beat again. Who would want that? I screamed louder when I suddenly felt arms wrap around me.
"Rei, stop! You'll get hurt!" Mio exclaimed. She didn't want me to accidentally hurt her son.
Rei ignored her. "Shh...Kai, you're ok. It's me, Rei. I won't let anyone hurt you." he soothed, rocking me back and forth as he traced random patterns along my back.
I was still struggling, but it wasn't as bad anymore. Slowly I stopped kicking and screaming. I wasn't trying to get away anymore. I was still whispering quiet apologies and promises about being good. He just kept up his mantra of not letting any one hurt me and rocking back and forth. Finally I fell asleep.
When I awoke, I was lying on a bed with a cool cloth on my forehead. I groaned as I opened my eyes and saw the dark sky. If I was home, I'd be ok, maybe. If I was somewhere else, I'm dead. I sat up in the bed, instantly feeling light headed, but I forced myself to stand up. I made my way to the door, leaning against the wall as I lost my balance. I opened the door and peaked out of the small crack. No one was around, so I pushed the door all the way open and tiptoed out of the room. I made my way to the stairs and carefully walked down them. I paused when I heard someone talking.
"He's been gone all day and he didn't even tell us where he was going. We didn't even realize he was missing until we went to tell him dinner was ready." I heard my mother's voice. No! What are they doing here?!
"My husband found him walking down the side walk so we invited him in for dinner. The poor dear looked like he hadn't eaten in God know's how long." that sounded like Mio.
"Yes." my mother said before a pause and a sigh. "We don't know what's wrong with him. We've brought him to the hospital, but they found nothing wrong with him. He refuses to eat everything we try to give him."
"Well he ate everything I gave him and it was a lot. I told him to eat everything and he did. Of course I was just joking with him, but I guess he didn't realize that. He ended up throwing up everything he ate."
"Oh, what a shame. He never was a bright child." my mother sounded like she wanted to laugh. I wonder if Mio caught that.
"Well, I wouldn't say he isn't bright. That's not a very kind thing to say about children. Maybe he's like those children who don't understand jokes. That doesn't mean his not intelligent."
"Yes, you're right. I shouldn't say that about him."
"There's just one problem I'd like to ask you about." Mio sounded worried. Please don't let her say anything about earlier.
"Go ahead." my mother sounded suspicious. I know I am dead now.
"Well, after the poor child threw up, he got really hysterical. He was crying and begging for us not to hurt him. Why does he do that?" Milo asked.
My mother sighed. "Kai watches the news and movies a lot. Mostly all he sees are parents abusing their children and he's afraid that's going to happen to him."
"Oh. Does he act like that often?" No Mio! See through her lie!
"Yes, and I wish he'd stop. It makes me feel like a horrible mother. Do you think I should make him stop watching those kinds of movies? And maybe the news too. At least when it's about that subject."
"I think that would be a wise decision. I can't imagine having to go threw that everyday. I'm just glad Rei was able to calm him down."
"Rei? Who is that?" my mother sounded surprised, but I knew she was just masking her outrage.
"He's my son. Kai doesn't talk about him? They're best friends."
No. Now I'm truly dead. I'm not supposed to have friends, much less best friends. Mio, you just dug my grave without even realizing it.
"Oh ok. I'm glad he has a friend. Kai doesn't make friends to easily." my mother said. "Well, it's getting late. I'll go get Kai and we'll leave. I want to get him home so he can rest."
"Yes, of course. He's in Rei's room. Right this way."
I heard them walking this way. Damn, I had to get back up the stairs and into Rei's room.
"Kai? What are you doing up?"
I looked up at the voice. It was just Rei. What did I say? I already lied to him. I bowed my head and decided to just stay quiet. I whimpered quietly when I heard my mother and Mio's voices getting louder. My head shot up when Rei touched my shoulder.
"I already told you. I wont let anyone hurt you."
"How do you know?" I questioned.
"How can I not? You were freaking out and begging us not to hurt you. And you didn't notice you're wearing my clothes?"
I looked down at myself quickly. He was right. I'm wearing his clothes. I hope he know's he's not getting these back.
"So you saw then?" I whispered.
"Yeah. Sorry, but you're not going back there."
I felt like crying. I knew he couldn't do anything about it. I hugged him tightly and buried my face in his chest. I didn't want to go back there but I had no choice. It wasn't up to me or him. It was up to my parents.
"Kai Alexander Hiwatari! What the hell do you think you're doing?!" my mother screamed as soon as she saw me.
I let go of Rei immediately and took a few steps forward.
"S-sorry mom." I stuttered, staring at the floor.
"Come on! I've been so worried about you! Why didn't you tell me you were leaving?"
'Because I knew you wouldn't have let me go if you knew.' I thought to myself. I just shrugged as an answer.
My mother sighed angrily. "You're lucky your father didn't come. You would be dead by now if he had. Now come on!" she shouted as she grabbed my sprained arm.
I winced but said nothing. Just let her drag me towards the front door. Before we could get outside, she stopped.
"You can leave, but Kai's not going with you." Rei growled, fangs bared and ready to attack.
"Rei, let them leave dear. They've been worried and need to get Kai home." Mio tried to explain.
"Why? So they can beat him again? I don't think so." Rei snarled. "Now let him go."
"Child, do you even have any proof that Kai's been beaten?" my mother asked, anger clear in her voice.
Rei smirked. "Of course I do." He walked over to me and lightly grabbed my arm, rolling the long sleeves up, revealing dark bruises and deep cuts.
My mother faked a look of worry. "Kai! What happened to you?! Did you get into a fight?" She sighed. "Why don't you tell me about these types of things? I'm your mother. You're supposed to tell me when you get hurt."
All I could do was stare at her in shock. She's the one who did this to me. How can she act like that?
"I'm very sorry Mrs. Hiwatari. My son's just a little jumpy from earlier today. I hope Kai gets the help he needs." Mio whispered, trying to make sure I couldn't hear her. I did any way.
"We should get going now. Sorry about Kai." my mother apologized even though she didn't mean it.
"No trouble at all. We'll see you soon dear." she said as she smiled.
My mother and I walked out of the house and to her car. I climbed in the backseat since I'm not allowed to sit up front. Why would I want to any way? We drove in silence to the house. She glared back at me every once in a while, but I ignored it. The worst was yet to come. When we reached the house, that's when I started feeling afraid.
"Get your pathetic ass out of my car! God, now I have to clean the damn seats!" she screamed as she dragged me out of her precious car.
She dragged me inside where I saw my father sitting in the chair, waiting for our arrival. My mother threw me to the floor, not caring how I landed, as long as she didn't have to touch me anymore.
"Kai." I heard my father's booming voice say from above me.
I looked up at him, his eyes burning with so much anger and hate that it physically hurt knowing it was all aimed at me. I looked away, unable to keep eye contact. My mistake. The air was knocked out of me as he kicked my back hard. I rolled over a few times from the force.
"Here you go honey." I heard my mother purr.
I glanced up and saw the blade of a knife. I whimpered. I knew what was in store for me. I knew what they were going to do to me. I screamed as the blade pierced my arms and chest. I cried as it ripped through my flesh. I begged him to stop when I became dizzy and unable to see straight. He just laughed the whole time. Finally, he stopped. I had lost so much blood. My blood was everywhere, on the walls, the floor, me, and him.
"Come. Lets go out to eat." My father offered. "But first, lets get a shower."
He pulled her close to him, kissing her lips softly. They didn't care, I knew. I had known that my whole life, but it still hurt. I felt the tears sliding down my cheeks as they left me alone. I tried to stand, but I couldn't move. My vision became blurred and I lost consciousness.
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