Hi everyone. Yes, I'm starting a new story. This one actually has a storyline, so hopefully it will be updated fairly regularly. I've already written chapter one for it (which is pretty long), but still, let me know if you like this prologue and if you think I should continue. I have turned over a new leaf in terms of my fanfiction writing, and I hope you enjoy my story.
By the way, my old stories aren't abandoned – they're just on a very long hiatus.
Disclaimer: Bakuten Shoot Beyblade belongs to Aoki Takao and is in no way affiliated with the author of this fanfiction.
The light fades rapidly, and it is already clear that the moon will remain hidden tonight. He startles as leave crackle softly behind him.
"Kai."
"Takao," he acknowledges wearily.
"I have to show you something," the other boy murmurs, the quietness of his voice not quite masking a quiver of excitement.
"Not now."
"Yes, now," Takao says, a little more forcefully and he reaches down to grasp the other's arm. Normally, Kai would throw the arm off, or knock it aside, but tonight he does not feel like himself. A small sigh escapes his lips and he glances up at Takao's face.
Reluctantly, he clambers to his feet. Takao does not let go of his hand, and somewhere deep within, Kai does not want him to.
They reach the dojo and Takao opens the door, motioning for Kai to enter. Kai, in his tired state, enters without argument and earns himself a raised eyebrow from the Japanese boy. Takao follows him, and there are a full three seconds' silence after the door clicks shut.
And then: "Happy birthday!" and he is shocked, pulling away from the other's grasp and positioning himself in front of the boy, falling quickly and easily into a practised street fighter's stance.
Another long, awkward silence, lasting seconds and yet feeling like years, and he slowly lowers his fists. He can feel his face burning, but he forces himself to look each of his team members in the face, daring them to laugh or challenge or say anything at all.
Something begins to well up inside him, something inexplicable that causes him to fear it, to fear himself…
So he flees.
He doesn't run. He takes proud, measured steps towards the back doors. He doesn't run, but he is running away.
The cold night air hits his face like a wet rag and he inhales deeply, willing himself to calm the emotions that are surging through him, because they are frightening him.
For that split second, he felt excitement, pride and perhaps even a tiny bit of happiness. But he quashes it down as always, forcing and pushing and shoving until it is once again hidden beneath his mask of indifference.
"I have no right to be happy," he whispers into the darkness.
"Why not?"
He whips around and Takao pads towards him softly, his face concerned.
"Why can't you be happy?"
Kai doesn't reply. He stares up at the sliver of the moon peeking out from behind the clouds. How can he explain it, the emotions that he hates yet cherishes, the emotions that make him feel human?
He hates feeling human.
It makes him feel like everyone else: weak, sick, tired and vulnerable. He loathes it.
"I'm sorry," Takao says timidly, "I didn't know you'd get angry.
He slides down next to Kai, so close that Kai can feel the heat radiating out from his skin.
"I'm not angry," Kai sighs, "It just… surprised me, that all."
Tyson laughs a little at that, the small chuckle rolling over his lips and escaping through the air.
"It was supposed to surprise you, man. It was a surprise party, after all."
Kai's reply is a little rumble in the back of his throat, perhaps an acknowledgement, perhaps an indication of forgiveness, or perhaps a signal that he is as close to contentment as he is ever likely to get.
"Takao," he begins, but he is cut off as Takao stands and once again stretches out a hand towards him.
"Come on, Kai," he says, "we can't have you missing your own party, can we?"
Kai grasps Takao's hand and as he is being pulled to his feet, he allows himself a little smile. It will be hidden by the darkness anyway, and no one can prove a thing.
"Let's party!" Takao calls out, shattering the still night air. He punches the sky with one fist. "Oh yeah!"
Kai glances down at their entwined fingers and cannot help but wonder.
Maybe, just maybe, this is happiness.