Addictive Manipulation Chapter 1: Regretful Love, a beyblade fanfic

Summary: After returning to Russia to confront his Grandfather's trial, Kai is pulled into a turn of events which leaves him worse off than he was to begin with. Seeking revenge he longs to find the person he loves most however will this cause betrayal to those who love him most? KaixRei KaixTala

Addictive Manipulation

Chapter One
Regretful Love

The frightened yelp was shamefully his own, as once again he was forced to watch as passionate blood flowered from the chest of the only person he had ever loved. Dead because of his own sick ambition.

A cool hand pressed comforting against the back of his bare neck causing the slate haired boy to sit up fast, flinching at even the slightest touch to such a sensitive part of his body. His torso quivering from the nightmare glistened with a cold sweat that had taken to layering upon him from the brief fear. Without thinking, the fire in his eyes flickered, locking his gaze on pair golden orbs, and snatching malevolently at the prosecuting hand.

"Kai!" The startled amber eyes recoiled in the coming light, giving way to the impression of loose ebony strands of silky hair gently playing around the graceful form of Kai's companion.

Kai instantly dropped his grip and turned from Rei immediately hating himself for once again disturbing the trust Rei must for doubtlessly be loosing in his violent ways. Instead the persistent feline-like blader moved to sit on the bed caressing his hand up and down Kai's left arm to prove his loyalties and ever willingness to help.

"Sorry." Came a husky reply to the touch. "It's just-"

"I'm not supposed to catch you off your guard?" Rei inquired finishing the shaken boy's sentence for him. "Kai Hiwatari. You are getting far too predictable."

Allowing his gaze to slip back over to his honest friend he could hardly refrain a smirk as he let the familiar nightmare fade, as he slipped the boy into his arms hoping to comfort not only his kind-hearted protector but himself as well. Having him so close to him made him feel more secure however for every virtue there was a sin and vulnerable guilt also plagued that wonderful moment.

-----

"I bet I can spin faster then you!" Tyson taunted Rei using all his force to whip the beyblade from it's launcher, only to have it land behind him from the excessive and unnecessary strength. The shout disturbed the restful Kai from his position by the tree, where he was left to languish in his thoughts. Lingering between a sense of reality and the dreams that often agonized him he reflected off of the requirements of the last few days.

It had almost been six months since the World Championships in Moscow, which was now the Bladebreakers present location. Voltaire was to be at last held under trial, in less than a week. He was charged with everything from attempted invasion to evidence of assault and murder. Such criminalization was enough to condemn the man to the rest of his life serving hard time, if not the death penalty. It was but his power and money which had kept him a free man this long, enabling him to organize his affairs which up until now Kai had far too much time to brood off of. It is amazing what one man with endless economical strength and loyal followers can accomplish in two months, and here the victimized crimson-eyed boy was evidence of that. Pausing briefly from his thoughts, Kai sighed inwardly, filled with unexplainable pain. Shifting himself he placed a gloved hand in his pocket, withdrawing Dranzer which gleamed a soft red glow. Holding the bitbeast closely to his chest he found his slight compassion and strength to continue his muses.

As grandson and heir to the Hiwatari estate Kai was expected to be present at the trial, even though he would rather be anywhere else after completely refusing to go near the stakes of his gruesome past. Sometimes the troubles were too much to bare and it was only out of disciplined respect did he choose to face his fears and return. The Bladebreakers knew the harsh reality of such concept and instantly volunteered themselves to accompany their somewhat lethargic leader back to his nightmare knowing how much it would mean to him dispute the protests they received. And even though he hardly wanted to admit it the fiery-eyed blader did take comfort from the companionship of his team. Sometimes he believed with them behind him he could do anything. Well almost anything. It was the times they weren't with him that destruction occurred in the form of something so strong it could be considered to be sin's hate.

Eyeing his teammates he allowed himself to gaze upon Rei's graceful form. Moving with ease he focused his energy into the beloved Driger in which he wield with professional skill. However he was never sure of the exact relationship he had with Rei, other than allowing himself to take in his delicate features. Watching Tyson, he felt little for the annoying co- leader, which often taunted his training methods, and his own companion Max, who was presently more occupied by a cold weathered moth, then modifying his blade, seemed also to have certain adolescent qualities about him. However the wistful Chinese blader seemed to hold somewhat of adoration over the skilled leader as he watched with pleasure as Rei's adrenaline rose.

Rei was there for him frequently, maybe even too much. Always trying to figure out Kai, as if he was a difficult encyclopedia that had but to be translated. This sometimes bothered him for there were segments of his life that he wish he could simply forget however found it difficult with Rei always attempting to inquire about his past. He enjoyed holding Rei, and the obsidian haired youth claimed to love Kai, but he could hardly return the feelings and remained satisfied by his common touch when they were alone. However no time in at least the near future did Kai see himself 'loving' Rei, not after the past he had endured. It seemed impossible that love even existed. It was just a fairy tale told to children who wanted to live a fantasy of dreams and hopes. Not Kai. He preferred the cold, hard truth, and the truth was love didn't exist. It might have once but that had died with his ambition.

-----

Trying his best to ignore the impossible pain, he adjusted his place against the cold wall trying his best to find a less numbing position. The chains that confined his wrists above his head made it difficult for him to move at all and the only exercise he could achieve was recklessly dwelling off memories.

The past months had been similar to this moment here restrained to the wall, long hours of little to do. His only comfort was later when he knew someone would at least attempt to conceal to him any food they could claim, and if that did not come, then their would always be his endless punishment to look forward to which came to him late of the hours. However with days like these he had come to relish in the punishment knowing that only then could he be classified as truly not alone.

Looking around the darkening room, he could only now after weeks of practice push away the thoughts he had of the former occupant. It didn't matter now the past-stander had left for now, and was probably never coming back. Good, the present shadow of a boy thought to himself, he wouldn't want to see anyone else hurt because of him, but he still wondered.... "Now is time." A familiar voice dragged out from the doorway. He was early and already the thought of his nearness not only made him flinch but desire, hate filled for his masochistic ways. Would life never end?

-----

"Please Mr. Hiwatari, be seated if you will." Kai did as he was told, and carefully situated himself on a chair in the room where he would be able to locate all exits if need be.

It was the following day and Kai disdainfully had a pre-trial to attend to in which he was to be interviewed and his case examined.

"I understand that you are one of our prime witnesses 'volunteering' for the case of Voltaire Hiwatari." The lawyer that sat across from Kai inquired, shifting his glasses up his nose and peering carefully into the boy's pained eyes.

"If you want to call it that." The stubborn youth shrugged not really paying attention to what anyone cared of his opinion, he was only here to make sure his Grandfather never saw the light of day as a free man again. "What exactly do you want to know anyway? You know most of it."

"We are looking for details." The lawyer was neither particularly unsympathetic nor impudent, he was only looking to make a good solid case, creating no loopholes and benefiting those who required justice. Kai however knew that no amount of penalization towards his punisher would compensate for the damage he had caused. "Details-" The statement returned Kai from his thoughts. "-About exactly what you had to endure." The lawyer's voice was calm and sensible but had the air to it as if this man before Kai thought he was speaking to a four-year-old. One who had to be comforted and slowly brought into this world of hate, in which the crimson- eyed boy already knew far to well.

"What I had to endure?" Kai's anger had already begun to spill from him as if liquid fire seeking fuel. The tone was what had reached a raw point, as if this lawyer Mr. Kalma or whatever he was named, was only seeking a story, one with a good plot and twists to write about in his retired days. Already he hung on to every one of Kai's words, hoping desperately to pick up useful information.

"You know what life was like in the abbey under Voltaire's strict control." He stated casually, trying to nudge the words slowly from Kai's stubborn lips.

"It was awful!" Kai snarled. "Is that what you want to hear?" The fierce gazed boy jumped to his feet, staring threateningly down at the man before him.

"Calm down Kai." He said soothingly, attempting to place his hand on the shoulder of what he thought was an over-reacting youth. "I can understand the toll that imprisonment has taken on you-"

"Understand?" Kai half shouted, trying with failing attempts to keep his voice low. "How can you possibly understand? Have you ever gone to bed without eating, trying to remember the last time you were able to bring food to your lips, praying that the following day would satisfy the fatigue? Do you know what it feels like to play with a ball? I don't!" Kai hardly allowed himself to be distracted as a shadow entered his offset field of view. "Do you understand the constant sound as the rain drips in, knowing it's only a matter of time before its bitterness consumes, and you will hardly find warmth for months on from that? To fall asleep not knowing if that day's training would at last end your breaths in you sleep. Feeling unattached to the world as you once again wake up to your body condemned by chains, which dig into your flesh leaving blood and scaring forever?" With the last words Kai removed his armband and held up his right arm revealing retired cuts of ivory. Why would this man understand? Or care for that matter. Why would anyone? There had only been one person who had ever given a damned about him and that person was dead.

A sound awoke Kai from his anger as he breathed in heavily trying to settle the flames that had erupt form his veins, an encouraging sound, a sound that wished to here more. He flickered his hellish gaze to the side and saw of all people, his enemy, his most hated foe, his love's killer and his Grandfather, and he was clapping.

"Still living in the past, my favored toy?" Voltaire asked his possesionized grandson. "Though I quite enjoyed the speech even if it wouldn't make for good promotion, you seemed to leave out the more finer qualities of Biovolt." Voltaire smirked, looking Kai up and down with a gaze of desire, which the slate haired boy instantly recoiled from.

"Come on Voltaire, such tactics are unnecessary and unwise if we are to make this a clean case." To Kai it seemed as if the lawyer returned the smirk however he could have only imagined it.

"Don't mind are disputes I'm merely greeting my grandson again. It has been long since I've seen him hasn't it young Kai. We were worried you were taken from us." With each word he brought himself closer to his prized tool, and calmly wrapping his hand around the boy's waist he drew him towards his own body. "We have missed you. You should not run away when you had so many that cared for you." He laughed at the own past tense of his words. "However you can never be to sure."

The lawyer as well had taken to standing, as Kai struggled for Voltaire's reluctant grip.

"What are you doing here?" Kai demanded at last free from the clutches of sin's own creator.

"We were all to meet today, besides I looked forward to our reunion when I discovered you would once again be in Russia." He smiled soothingly, almost as though willing Kai to return to his arms, his wishes were declined as Kai made for the opposite side of the room.

"Well I'm afraid this is going to have to cut short." Kai threw a glare at both Voltaire and the lawyer. "Thank you for your time Mr. Kalma." He retorted contemptuously, and slammed the door behind him. Hoping to once again shut out his past. However closed doors would never heal the pain.

-----

"Kai?" Rei whispered. The golden eyed boy lay peacefully, placed on Kai's chest to avoid the phantom pain the lethargic leader possessed from time to time.

It was dark when Kai returned that night. Tyson and Max had retreated to their hotel room after dinner and Rei and Kai to their own. Sensing the need for comfort the ebony haired blader had eased himself tactfully towards Kai's bed which had earned him the place of respect he held now. Curled up by Kai's side, resting as well on his chest for warmth, Rei repeated himself.

"Kai?"

"Hmmm?"

"I had a question." Kai sighed not because of Rei, but because it seemed everyone had a question for him.

"Yes Rei." He replied with little interest in his exhausted voice.

"Have you ever loved someone before?" Kai was instantly taken back by the question.

"Punishment is always given to those who deserve it." The voice echoed in the cold empty room. "I'll make you regret every decision you have ever made. You're childish needs for love is unwanted and worthless, love will only make you weak. Here is evidence of my signification." It was then the gun was lowered to the frightened boy's chest. Kai had never seen him frightened before and could hardly take the emotion now, as he could only watch and do nothing. Blood, black, death, escape.

After what seemed like hours to Rei, Kai allowed his gaze to fall on the innocent boy before him. Thinking carefully, trying to decide if he trusted Rei enough, to tell the truth, he smiled disdainfully and nodded.

"Yes, once."

Rei seemed taken back from the answer. Did he really seem that cold hearted? Kai asked himself smoothing down the fine strands of hair that encircled the pale, angelic figure in his arms.

"What happened?" Rei further inquired, hoping he was for once getting somewhere with Kai.

"Unfortunately I allowed them to meet their end."

The calm pair sat in silence together. Rei embracing Kai even deeper, as he attempted to retreat from the touch, feeling the waves of regret and guilt beginning to confide him again.

"I'd rather not talk about it though." Rei seemed to understand that this time enough was enough, and cautiously slipped into the world of dreams. Kai having only nightmares to look forward to, remained awake longer, allowing the past to work itself out in his mind. He had known love. Did Rei wonder if Kai would ever love him? He sighed deeply letting himself to slip away for a different longing. Sometimes it wasn't even the dreams he desired and longed for but the nightmares that kept him condemned yet powerful.

The choice stood as it always had: love or power.