The Past Is Now

Disclaimer: I don't own Beyblade or its characters. I don't make profit from the writing of these stories and more often than not my stories will have a possibly upsetting and/or disturbing theme.

Special Notes: I actually don't even own this fic. With Iluvbeyblade 's permission I have decided to write a prequel to her story; The Past Is the Past. In this story I'll take you through what happened in the eight years that destroyed Kai. To read her story please copy and paste the following text into your URL bar, taking out all the spaces; http / www . fanfiction . net / s / 2819200 / 1 /

..::CHAPTER ONE::..

"Aw, look guys, isn't it cute?" Hilary squealed, petting the huge, lumbering St Bernard that had got loose from its lead. Max was the first to agree and move forwards, and - no Judy without Punch - Tyson was next. Nervously, with much coaxing from Tyson and Hilary, Kenny walked up to the dog and scratched it behind the ears. Within minutes, the massive fur-ball was licking them all happily, letting out short snuffles of contentment.

"Isn't it cool, you guys?" Max asked, looking over at Kai and Ray.

"Cool." Kai said flatly.

Ray stared unblinkingly at the huge canine just a few feet away from him. He felt physically sick, rooted to the ground in pure fear. His mouth was dry, rapid breaths whistling over his parched tongue. The world seemed to whirl dizzyingly around him, his heartbeat thumping loudly in his ears.

"K-K-" His voice caught in his throat. The sudden inability to speak only intensified the feeling of unreality, of being trapped in some kind of horrifying nightmare. Suddenly, Kai's strong arms were around him, blocking out the sight of that monster. He collapsed, trembling, against Kai and started to cry, tears of mixed shame and fear.

"Ray? Ray, what's the matter...okay, okay, hush, it's okay..." Kai's cool hand stroked his cheek soothingly. His head reeling, Ray pulled away and bent over, retching helplessly. Warm, sour bile spewed onto the ground. Kai caught him again and held him gently, rocking him like a frightened child.

"D-Dog..." Ray stammered, by way of an incoherent explanation. "Big...dog..." Kai hushed him again, and he curled into a ball, his heartbeat gradually returning to normal. "Sorry..." he muttered eventually, wiping at his damp cheeks and colouring in humiliation. "I'm so sorry..."

"It's fine, Ray." Kai's hand caressed his hot face gently. "Do you feel better? Do you want me to call Mariah?" Ray shook his head. Breathing heavily, he burrowed into Kai's top and squeezed his eyes shut.

Kai sighed and lifted his young lover in his arms. "Let's get you inside." He said soothingly, something practically unheard of in his short lifetime. Ray, despite the fear he had just suffered, took a moment to enjoy the loving care and attention Kai was showering on him. This was the side of Kai he'd fallen in love with, this was the side hardly anyone saw…unfortunately this was also the side he'd have to shatter into a million pieces.

He sighed as Kai settled him onto the couch in their living room. Watching Kai as he went into the kitchen to make a cup of soothing herbal tea he reflected on his position. No mistake, he loved Kai…only recently his thoughts had been on someone else. He had always loved this other person but it had always felt like brotherly affection. After his recent dreams however, he was confident it wasn't just the sibling love he had always thought it had been.

Kai poured the boiling water into an awaiting mug. Would today be the day Ray told him that it was over? He shook his head and stirred the tea absent-mindedly. So many nights he had woken up to hear Ray whimper. At first he thought it was a dream of them both together so had exploited the fact by attacking Ray's beautiful tanned neck. What his lover had called out then had stunned him. The name cried out was not his own…

Putting the spoon down and picking up the mug, Kai made his way back to Ray, stopping for a moment as he studied his lover who deep in thought. 'Today.' He told himself mentally before clearing his throat to announce his return. Ray was torn. He and Kai had only gone all the way once but contrary to all rational thought he found himself thinking of another. One with pink hair often chastised for her closed mind and brutal honesty. Everyone thought he was gay yet, to have feelings for another, especially if the other was all woman and adored pink, he must be bi.

"Something the matter cub?" Kai asked as he handed the steaming mug to him. "You've had that expression on your face all day." He took a sip of his tea and watched his boyfriend.

Ray stared down into the murky water in his own mug, contemplating how he'd break this to Kai. "Kai…there's something I've been…meaning…to tell you…and I don't know how to say it." He dipped his nail into his drink and stirred it, scrutinising the ripples with his eyes. Kai remained silent, he knew what Ray was going to say but he preferred to hear it from Ray himself. After a good few minutes of watching the liquid turn cold Kai decided he had better help Ray out before they were here all night.

"You like someone else don't you, Ray?" He stated bluntly. Ray's head snapped up as if he'd forgotten where they were and whom he was with. Realising what Kai had said, his eyes diverted straight back to his drink in shame. "It's fine." Kai said taking Ray's hand in his, his eyes betraying his innermost thoughts, making Ray flinch as if he'd been slapped.

"I feel so awful…you've been so amazing but…" Ray was silenced by a finger to his lip.

"I get it…don't drag it out." Kai's voice became cooler with each syllable. "It's fine…besides…I was going out…to Australia for a bit anyway. I know you don't really like it so…it's good. Came at the right time y'know?" Kai shrugged and got up. "See you around." With that he headed for his room and sat down on the bed. Mariah…he had lost his cub to the pink wildcat. He flopped down and reached out for his phone. He hunted through his bedside phone book and dialled the number for the airport booking him a flight out for that very day.

He pulled out his bag and started to pack. A piercing laugh from below his window had him pausing in his tracks. Mariah…and Ray from the sounds of the boy laughing outside. Guess he was pretty easy to forget. Shoving his essentials into the bag he dialled his favourite taxi firm to book a taxi to the airport. While he waited he watched Ray and Mariah outside…kissing… Groaning he pulled the blinds over his window. That was a picture he wouldn't be able to get out of his mind for a very long time.

Hearing the familiar hooting of an impatient taxi man Kai picked up his bag and headed outside. Before he went any further than the front door he paused and searched his pockets…good…he had a fair bit of cash and his grandfather's credit card…that'd see him through, for a short time anyway. Looking back just in the off chance that anyone had noticed his absence he was sadly disappointed to see everyone was too busy in the back.

He may not act like it around the others but he did appreciate a bit of notice once in a while, outside of training, which they weren't very good at anyway so he had to yell at them to motivate them to becoming better! As the horn become more insistent he could hear Ray's voice, meaning he was coming to investigate the source of the noise. Panicking he dashed outside and practically threw himself into the back of the taxi. As the driver pulled away Kai found himself twisting in his seat to watch the house disappear from his line of sight.

Slumping slightly in the seat he was surprised to feel a weight being lifted…who knows when he'd be back? Who knows if he was even coming back? They obviously didn't need a team captain so he didn't even need to return…not even Ray needed him.

He had Mariah now…

..::END CHAPTER::..

Iluvbeyblade 's comments: I'm pretty sure this'll read as a brilliant fic on its own, by which I mean that you don't need to read TPIP to understand it. Just to let you know in case the idea of reading two fics put you off. I'll just say that I love this so far and think zekes is far braver than I, taking on this for a challenge!

Oh, and in case anyone recognises it, yes, the very beginning part does come from mine. Am I complaining? Nope. So no moaning about plagiarism or anything or I'll hunt you down with my mutant goat-frogs. That goes for flames too. Oops, I'm talking too much - zekes, over to you? (I don't know whether I'll be here next chap, so bye if not! Enjoy the fic! xIlbx)

zekesbabe 's comments: You heard it from the girl herself! I have full permission to do this. You may want to read this to the end before reading The Past Is Past, or what we affectionately refer to as TPIP, but if you don't want to wait, the link is at the top. It's incredibly hard to write this because Iluvbeyblade has her own timeline that I need to keep to, there is so much that is important to remember while writing this… I hope you continue to read it…I will pre-warn you…this isn't a pleasant story…this is the tale of the horrors that led to Kai's destruction. If it's too much for you…go and read some mindless fluff…I have a mission…that mission is to show you true suffering.