Hey folks! Well, I know that it's been a long time since the last time I updated, due to computer difficulties. I just had to! For today is the birthday of my good friend, Moonlight Kitten. She shares the same birthday as the Queen of Thailand, Her Majesty Queen Sirikit Kitiyakara. She has captured the hearts of the Thai people through her devotion to improving the welfare and well-being of her subjects. So, there's a little bit of trivia for you today.
Happy Birthday Moonlight Kitten! Keep on shining girl, you know I love you!
Disclaimer: No, I don't own Beyblade, I just own my OC's and anything else you don't recognize from the show, I own.
Summary: Carita Collins was just your average girl. She had a life, friends and the best dad in the world. But, in just one split second, her world came crashing down. She is sent to live with a long ago forgotten family friend, which she has never met. Knowing that her father would want her to be happy, she struggles to recover. Will it all work out in the end? Or will the colour remain black and white in her life? Kai/OC
The Gemini's Other Half
Chapter One: The Start Of My Story
I said nothing as I stared out the window of the limousine. Yes, I, Carita Claire Collins was in a limousine. Suppose I would be awestruck and abnormally hyper if the reason I was traveling in the limo wasn't so...bleak. I sighed as I watched the streets pass me by. I blinked. Everything seemed to be faded, all the colours blended. It didn't used to be that way. I felt so numb, but I felt so much pain. My eyes stung, as if I had just stopped crying, even though I had stopped a day or so before. Ah, suppose I should start from the beginning, so you know what the hell I'm talking about.
When I was 5 years old, life seemed great. It was just Mum, Dad and me, and we were all happy, well, at least, I thought we were. It turned out that my mother was quite the...um...bitch, really. There's just no other way to put it. My father was a great guy, I don't think anyone could ask for a better husband and father. Well, anyone except my mother, that is.
#Flashback/Memory#
A tall man with kind blue eyes and short, light brown hair stood in the living room, his face crinkled with worry.
"Why are you doing this Zita?" he asked, voice filled with confusion, hurt and anger.
The woman to whom he was speaking to just ignored him, and continued to gather her possessions. Unknown to the adults, a small 5 year old girl was peeking at them from a doorway.
"Answer me Zita!" he shouted, anger clearly shown on his face.
The thin, deep sapphire-haired woman turned to face the man. She pulled her wedding band off her finger and threw it at him.
"Here, keep it!" she hissed, her deep rose orbs filled with spite. At first glance, anyone would know that the woman was purely a self-centered vixen.
The man caught the golden ring. He opened his palm and looked down at it, confused. He looked back up at Zita.
"I don't understand." he said quietly.
The woman rolled her eyes and threw her hands in the air with fustration.
"Ugh! Don't you get it! I'm through with you! I've had it!"
The man stared at her, shocked. Zita rolled her eyes and picked up her suitcase and handbag. She walked over to the closet and opened it, searching for her coat.
"But-but what about Carita?" he asked, still trying to recover from his shock.
Zita rolled her eyes. "She's your daughter, do what you want with her, put her in a garbage bag and drown her for all I care!"
The little girl cringed, tears welling up in her creamy jade eyes.
"So that's it then, you're just going to walk out on her like this?"
"I'm through with playing Miss Mummy, I never wanted kids, they're all little, vile creatures." Zita said in a bored, uncaring tone, pulling on her coat.
"My daughter is not vile!" the man exclaimed.
"I don't care David, I'm done here." with that, Zita walked out, slamming the door behind her.
"Yeah, good riddance." David muttered as the sound of the car screeching up the street faded.
"Daddy?" a small voice quivered.
David turned around quickly. He looked down and smiled when he saw his daughter. She was peeking out at him from the doorway into the kitchen, her eyes glassed over with tears. David tsked and kneeled down, holding his arms open.
The little girl pried herself away from the doorway and ran into her father's open arms. She hugged him tightly, as if afraid he would disappear once she let go.
"Don't worry sweetie, everything's going to be ok." David said soothingly, stroking his daughter's blonde hair, hugging her back with the other arm.
#End Flashback/Memory#
And he was right, everything did turn out ok. Sure, I might have been a little down that year on Mother's Day, but hey, with the father I had, who needed a mother like mine? My father became my best friend, we told each other everything! Sure, it put me behind in the fashion and beauty department, but I never felt like I was out on anything!
#Flashback/Memory#
"Ok honey, just keep your eye on the ball!" David called out encouragingly as he pitched the baseball to his 8 year old daughter.
Carita swung the bat, making contact with the baseball in a satisfying smack. David turned around as he watched the ball fly through the air, mouth hanging open. Carita grinned cheekily as she started to run to first base. David saw her out of the corner of his eye, however, and started to run after her. Carita shrieked gleefully as her father grabbed her waist and started to tickle her stomach. She laughed and squirmed, trying to get away.
Her father soon stopped, sitting her on his knee. Carita smiled as she pulled of his cap and placed it on her head. David grinned.
"Nice look for you."
#End Flashback/Memory#
So, there you have it. I had the most perfect dad in the world, and the best life anyone could hope for. What else could a girl have, need or want? My father was my entire world, and I was his. Nothing could tear us apart. Well, almost nothing.
#Flashback/Memory#
Carita sighed as she leaned back into the car seat. She smiled happily.
"Thanks for taking me ice-skating Dad."
David looked at his daughter's reflection in the review mirror. He smiled.
"Well, think of it as an early birthday present. And besides, you've been talking about that indoor ice-skating place ever since it opened 2 months ago."
Carita laughed. "I guess you must've gotten sick of me, huh?"
David looked at his daughter in the backseat as they stopped at a red light.
"Nah, I could never get sick of you...but ice-skating isn't something I'm fond of."
Carita giggled, green eyes sparkling. "Is it because you fell back on the ice?"
David turned back around to face the road. "I hate you."
Carita laughed. "That's only because I got in on camera!"
David grinned, despite the fact that it was his reputation that got degraded from the moment. "I'm just joking, you know I love you."
Carita sighed happily as she stared out the window at the night sky. "I love you too Dad."
David smiled as the light turned green and he started to drive again. Carita's head snapped away from the window when she heard the sound of screeching tyres. Her eyes widened.
"Dad, look out!" she exclaimed.
David tried to slam the brakes, but it was too late. The car that drove through the red light slammed into them, sending them into a spin. Carita screamed as the car spun around in circles on the road. David gritted his teeth as he tried to get the car under control. The last thing he heard was his daughter's scream as the car smashed into the streetlight pole.
#End Flashback/Memory#
Within the blink of an eye, my world came crashing down. I lost my best friend that night, and from then on, nothing was or ever would be, the same.
#Flashback/Memory#
After the funeral service, all the people dressed in black started to walk away from the closed, shiny, black casket. Everyone except for one 15 year old girl. Her blonde hair and the black ribbon tied into it fluttered softly in the breeze. She says nothing, does nothing, except stand where she is, staring at the casket. Her face is pale, her green eyes dull and red-rimmed from crying, she is far too thin from lack of food. Her face expression is as dull as her eyes, anyone would know that the young girl was shattered, she had heartbroken written all over her.
A few moments later, a gentle hand was placed on her shoulder. Carita looked up and turned around slowly. Standing in front of her was her great-aunt, Elsie.
"Cara dear, we have to go now." she said in a soft voice, looking almost as downcast as her great-niece.
Carita nodded. "Just one moment please, Aunt Elsie."
The elderly woman nodded understandingly. Carita turned back to the casket and kneeled down on the grass beside it. Carefully, she pulled the black ribbon out of her hair. It looked like a thin, silky noose. Carita shuddered inwardly at the thought as she untied the knot. Then she plucked out a white rose from the many flowers on top of the coffin. She had brought it from home herself, it was the first plant she and her father had ever planted together, so to her, it meant a great deal. Working with extreme caution, she tied a bow around the long green stem. Then she placed it back down gently. She leaned forward, out-stretching her arms over the casket, hugging it, as the side of her face rested upon its smooth surface.
"I love you Daddy." she whispered, as a crystal tear ran down her cheek.
Upon hearing and seeing this, the elderly woman's eyes shone with tears. Just like her nephew's, they were blue, kind and joy-filled, but wiser. But today, the joy was replaced with bitter sorrow. Soon, Carita stood up, brushing the moisture off her cheek. Then she turned to her great-aunt, stepped beside her and linked their arms. Slowly, they walked down the bricked path in silence. It was only after they got off the bus, walked down the streets and into Aunt Elsie's house, did they finally release their grief and cry their broken hearts out. Carita clung to her aunt, and Elsie clung to her niece. They were all each other had left, and they knew it.
#End Flashback/Memory#
It was the saddest day of my life. Then there was the reading of my father's will the next day. Some man that lived in Russia got custody of me. At first, I thought I would've gone with Aunt Elsie, and was furious that I was placed into the hands of a complete stranger, but it seemed to make sense after a moment. Aunt Elsie was old, her time would come soon, no doubt. And as for going to another country, well, it would give me the opportunity to start over and move on. It's what my dad wanted, that I knew. And so did Aunt Elsie. She voiced my very thoughts after the reading! So it was set, I packed my things and was ready to leave for Russia 4 days later. I didn't want to say goodbye to my friends, it would've been far too painful, after having to say my final goodbye to my dad, so I never said anything about leaving. But, alas, rain, hail or shine, nothing would ever stop Aunt Elsie, so she was there to see me off.
#Flashback/Memory#
"So, do you have everything child?"
"Yes, I'm sure I've got the lot, Aunt Elsie." Carita replied as she fiddled with the strap of her backpack.
"Well, nearly." the elderly woman said with a sly smile as she reached into her pocket.
Carita blinked as she watched her great-aunt. Her aunt's pale, wrinkly hand opened and Carita stared down with wonder at what she saw. Lying in the palm of her great-aunt's hand was a crystal teardrop the size of her thumbprint, connected to a silver chain. It glinted in the light, reflecting rays of multicoloured light over the elderly hand.
"It's beautiful." Carita whispered in awe.
"Ah, my dear, it is, but it's also much more than that!"
Carita's green orbs widened as the crystal started to faintly glow and pulsate in the woman's hand. And in the blink of an eye, it stopped, just as it started.
"I-I don't understand." she stuttered.
"You will soon enough. That was my exact reaction when my mother past this to me." Elsie said, nimbly undoing the catch as she placed it around her great-niece's neck.
"Aunt Elsie-"
"No sweetheart, you will have to unlock the secrets of this crystal yourself. And when the time comes, you'll pass it down to your own daughter."
Carita shivered slightly at her aunt's words. She sounded so certain, so sure.
"You seem so confident about that." Carita commented, her voice quivering slightly.
The ash-haired woman smiled satisfyingly. "I guess that's because it's true." she replied, blue eyes sparkling.
Carita opened her mouth to reply, but the call for her flight interupted. She sobered. This was it, time for another sad goodbye. They hugged tightly.
"Don't forget to write to me, and call when you can."
"I will Aunt Elsie, I will!"
"Good! I'll need to know how you're doing everyday. And tell Voltaire that if he lays one finger on my great-niece intending harm, I'll have his blue veins for my bootlaces!"
Carita laughed as she pulled out of the hug, studying her aunt's face, memorizing every detail.
"Oh, and before I forget..."
Elsie reached into her bag and pulled out a rectangular object wrapped in brown paper.
"What is it?" Carita asked as she accepted it.
Elsie winked. "Don't open it until you board the plane, then you'll find out."
"Final call for flight KS221 to Russia. Final call for flight KS221 to Russia. Please come to gate G18 to board the flight." the cool, calm voice called out on the speakers.
"You have to go." Elsie said softly.
Carita looked away from the gate and back at her aunt.
"Oh!" she cried out, throwing her arms around the elderly woman, green eyes filling fast with tears.
"Come on now, chin up! It won't be so bad, you'll be able to return to me someday." Elsie said in a firm, comforting voice.
Carita squeezed her eyes shut and nodded. "I know, I know."
She pulled away, forcing a smile as she walked up to the counter. As she walked down the hallway, Carita slowed and turned to face Elsie, her face showing hesitance. Elsie smiled.
"What are you still doing here? Go on!" she cried, throwing her hands up.
Carita smiled and waved before continuing down the corridor. Elsie waved goodbye until her niece disappeared from sight. Elsie lowered her hand, staring at the empty gateway. She brushed a tear from her eye, turned then walked back the way she came, exiting the airport.
Meanwhile, Carita had found her seat on the airplane, placed her purple backpack next to her and was now carefully opening Aunt Elsie's gift. When the paper unfolded, her eyes widened and her mouth dropped open. In her lap was what had to be the most beautiful book she had ever seen. It was 26cm long and 5cm thick. It was leather-bound and had silver boarders clamped on the front, spine and back. In those boarders were beautiful gems that were every colour under the sun, in various shapes and sizes.
'It's so beautiful, it has to be an antique!' Carita thought as her fingers wandered over the silver metal and multicoloured jewels. She turned the book to see if there was anything written on the spine. Her eyebrows narrowed slightly as she read the old, silver calligraphy writing.
"Oracle." Carita read quietly aloud to herself.
Then she turned the book over again. There was a silver clasp with tiny gems dotted across it, and in the centre was what seemed to be a keyhole, shaped into a teardrop. Carita looked down at the crystal around her neck.
'It's almost as if this thing's a diary.' Carita mused to herself as she turned the crystal in the lock.
It clicked open and Carita put the crystal around her neck before opening the book. The first thing she saw was an envelope with her name on it, in Aunt Elsie's free-flowing, elegant writing. The envelope wasn't glued, so Carita opened it with a quick flip of her thumb. She unfolded the letter and smoothed it out, then she began to read.
Dearest Cara,
If you are reading this, then that means I have already past down the crystal and Oracle to you, and it also means that you have uncovered one of the crystal's uses. It also means that your incredible journey is about to begin. This journey is called life. The Oracle has been in the family for many generations, much like the crystal. You will find that the Oracle holds the writing of your female ancestors, you have the stories of many lives lying in your very hands! Yes, the Oracle is a diary in one way, but it will also be the answer to many questions, if you care to read.
Carita looked down at the very first page in the Oracle. Upon it was names, women's names, all different, written in different hand-writing. A small smile graced Carita's lips as she saw her aunt's name and hand-writing at the very bottom of the list. Then she continued to read the letter.
Confusing to you as it may be, you will soon see the sense. The Oracle is a family tradition, one that has been left up to you to continue with and pass on. When it comes to the crystal, you may be...scared of who you are at times. Read very carefully. You, as many others of the past, have been chosen to wield the crystal. You are a special creature, a star that shines brightly in the night, the light that will guide others out of the darkness. 'Are we witches, Aunt Elsie?' you might ask. I will answer, no my dear, we are much more magical beings than that! The thought, 'I don't understand' runs through your mind. Neither did I, at first, but I soon did.
Carita stopped reading and looked at the teardrop around her neck for a moment, before continuing to read the letter.
Start writing in the Oracle today. After all, what is the point of embarking a great journey, if you don't get to tell the tale?
Carita smiled. She could so clearly picture those words coming out of her great-aunt's mouth, smiling knowingly, her blue eyes twinkling.
My dear, life won't always be simple, but I am always here for you, whenever you need me. Take care Carita, loving you always, Aunt Elsie.
Carita looked up from the letter and stared straight ahead, deep in thought. Then she folded the letter, put it in the envelope and into her bag. Then hesitantly, she reached into her bag again and pulled out her trademark pen, a green BIC Cristal M biro. She noticed a white ribbon sticking out like a bookmark, so that's where she opened the book. On the left page was Aunt Elsie's last entry, and on the right page was...nothing. It was completely blank.
'Guess that's where I start.' Carita thought to herself.
She uncapped her pen and held it just above the paper, wondering what to write. After a while, a faint smile appeared as she bent her head and started to write. When she was done, Carita recapped her pen, put the ribbon back in place and shut the book.
'Oh, wait, I should add my name to the list.' Carita thought, uncapping her pen again and opening the Oracle to the first page.
She scrolled down the long list with her eyes and pen. Just as she was about to write her name, she gasped. It was already there.
'What! How can this be! I didn't write my name there! I don't even have a black pen, mine's green. But it's there, and in my hand writing too.'
Carita brushed her fingertips over her name. She was definitely not seeing things, her name was there, she could feel the smooth ink on the faintly textured paper. Carita shrugged and recapped her pen again, put it in her bag and shut the book. She heard a small, metallic click. Carita looked at the clasp. Then she tried to open the book. It wouldn't budge.
"Weird." she murmured to herself.
'First my name appears on the first page without me writing it, now the book locks itself, it's just like...could it be?'
"Nah." Carita whispered to herself.
It was impossible. There was no such thing as magic. Was there? Carita shook her head to clear it and placed the mysterious book in her bag.
#End Flashback/Memory#
Yes, the crystal and the Oracle. And Aunt Elsie was right. I was scared, terrified, petrified at times of my events with the crystal, but over time, I understood. Sure, you want to know more, right? But I can't tell you yet, after all, you have to tell the story from the beginning, correct? Yes, that's what I thought. Now, back to where I was...oh yes, the airport.
Well, after I put the Oracle in my bag, I just stared out the window. All I saw was the blue sky and the white, fluffy clouds. Is this what heaven looked like? Was Dad in heaven now? An image appeared in my head of my Dad wearing a white robe, decked out in angel wings, glowing halo over his head, flying up to my window, waving at me, asking me who won the last football game. It made me smile a little. Dad always used to tease me, saying that the only thing active about me was my imagination. I sighed as I focused out the window again. I felt so awful and torn, Remembering Dad made me happy, but then I remembered that he was gone, that I would never have him wake me by picking up the end of the bed and shaking it, never see his twinkling blue eyes and boyish smile again, never hear him say what he always used to. I wanted to be happy and smile about his memories, but I just couldn't. I knew that I had said goodbye, but it was just so hard. I sighed. I was still recovering. I'd be ok soon, I knew I would be. Anyway, let's fast forward to when I landed in Russia, yeah?
Carita took off her bag as it went through the scanning machine. She blinked as she looked at the monitor screen. She could see her bag, and what was in it. The Oracle was...gone. It had vanished!
"Miss? Could you please step through the arch?"
Carita came back to reality and nodded at the officer and did so. When she got her backpack from the machine, she quickly walked around the corner and checked inside. She blinked. The Oracle was there. Just as she had left it. But if it was there, why didn't it show up on the screen?
'It's hiding itself.' she thought.
'It truly is magic! Wow, this is so surreal!'
Carita's mind buzzed as she gathered the rest of her luggage and made her way to the arrivals gate. She searched the crowd for a while, then saw a very immaculately dressed man holding a sign with her name on it. She walked up to him. The man that looked very much like a butler looked down at her.
"Miss Collins, I presume?" he said.
Carita nodded. "Yes sir."
A small smile appeared on the butler's face. "Welcome to Russia, Miss Collins."
"Thank you, sir." Carita said respectfully with a tiny nod.
"Allow me." the butler said, taking the two suitcases out of her hands.
"Oh, thanks." Carita said, a tad surprised.
She followed the butler to the carpark.
"A...a limo?" Carita said in awe.
"Isn't that a bit much?"
The butler chuckled lightly as he placed the suitcases in the back. "I take it that you don't know Master Hiwatari that well?"
Carita shook her head. "No sir, I don't, I didn't know he existed until the reading of my father's will."
"Your father's will?"
"My father past away a few days ago sir, and Voltaire was given full custody of me."
"Oh, I see." the butler said quietly, his voice having an apologetic tone to it.
After a moment of awkward silence, the butler opened the door and Carita slid into the car.
"Wow! This is one decked out car!"
The butler chuckled as he shut the door and got into his drivers seat. The girl's cheerful spirit was hard to resist.
'Life with her around will be very interesting at the mansion. She contrasts with the masters unbelievably well.'
"So, who is this Voltaire guy anyway? I mean, with all this, he must do something big for a living!" Carita said, breaking the butler's thoughts.
The butler stiffened slightly. 'Yeah, he does something big alright.' he thought grimly.
"Master Voltaire is a millionaire, he works with an...organization." the butler said carefully, being sure to say the right words.
'She'll be better off not knowing Master Voltaire's dark ways.' he thought.
"So, Miss Collins, how old are you?" the butler asked, trying to start a conversation.
"I'm 15, and you can call me Carita, sir."
The butler smiled. "As you wish, Carita and you may call me Frank."
"Ok...Frankie?" Carita asked, with a small smile and laugh.
Frank laughed too, then his face turned to stone and he looked very serious.
"No. Frank."
"Ok, got your point." Carita said, looking down at her clasped hands in her lap then out the window.
Frank glanced at her in the review mirror. "So, you're 15, the same age as Master Kai."
"Master Kai?" Carita repeated, looking at Frank in the review mirror.
"Master Kai is Master Voltaire's grandson."
"Ah, right. Is it...part of your job to be so formal?"
"If it is requested, yes. If the masters asked me to be informal and dress like a hippie, I would have to do so if I wished to keep my job."
Carita giggled at the thought. "Your humor is very likeable Frank."
"Thank you Carita. Though I don't usually talk this much on the job."
"Why is that?"
"The masters are not your average social type. For instance, talking to Master Kai is like talking to a brick."
"Ah, right."
"It's not healthy for the boy to be like that, in my opinion. But, I'm just a butler to them."
"For what it's worth, I think you're much more."
"Thank you Carita."
"You're welcome."
"So, Carita, how did you end up with Voltaire?"
"Well, apparently, the Hiwataris and the Collins have been family friends for quite sometime, but I'm not too sure about the friends part."
"And why is that?"
"Well, my great-aunt Elsie said to tell Voltaire that she would use his blue veins as bootlaces if he harmed me."
Frank chuckled. "Ah, yes, that does indeed sound like Elsie."
"You know her?"
"Yes, I do. You must be David's daughter then?"
"Yes, you are correct."
"I'm sorry my dear, as old as I am, I'm twice as curious, how did your father die?"
"We were coming home from ice-skating one night. A car drove through a red light and hit us. The car was sent into a spin and crashed into a phone line pole."
Frank sighed. "I'm so sorry dear, awful thing to happen."
"Yeah." Carita sighed, staring out the window.
So, there you have it. That's how I got here. I sighed as I stared out the window. I blinked. It was quite late now. It had just started to get dark and we seemed to be in a forest-like grove.
"Where are we?" I murmured.
"Nearly there, Miss Carita." Frank said, never taking his eyes off the road.
I sighed quietly as I looked out the window and up at the night sky. I could see the moon peeking through the treetops and one or two stars. I shivered slightly as I pulled down the red long sleeves of my top. Russia was chilly. And much like Kai's attitude, as I was about to find out.
Wow! Ok, finally done! That took me ages! Ok, now I know it's no longer August 12th, but I had this all typed up months ago, then my comp just had to crash and take all my saved stuff with it. Now I just got it back and had to type this chapter up all over again! I could've gotten it out on time, but, 1. I was lazy and 2. I got distracted far too easily. Well, I guess that covers all the finer points. Hope you had a Happy Birthday Moonlight Kitten, and I hope you enjoy your story.