This is a one shot. I'm thinking about making it a two shot, but I really don't know. I have to see how many reviews I get from this. Suicide mentions, swearing and self mutilation in this chapter. If you don't like it, don't read it. I would tell you the pairing, but the details will give it away do I'm going to leave it like that. Read and hopefully review.
'No one has noticed me. Not even my so-called friends. I feel like I'm walking around half dead.' Rei thought as he gripped the razor tightly in his hand. Part of Rei told him to resist, to fight the urge to cut and bleed; the only signs he now tested to see if he was really alive.
But the cool metal in his fist gleamed maliciously, tempting him. He soon gave in, savoring the fiery burning sensation as the blade sliced effortlessly through his pale skin and the icy feel of his own crimson fluid trickling down his arms.
He did this to rid himself of confusion and emotions. Voices spun inside his head, laughing at him. Making fun of him. Taunting him. He cut more, harder and faster, his pulse racing as every beat of his scarred heart sent blood coursing through his body and out of the open wounds.
'What in the hell am I doing to myself?' he thought. Rei stood up, pocketing his old friend. He dusted off his tattered black pants. He looked at them and then wiped the blood off his arms.
'The blood isn't visible. Good. But it's not like they would notice anyway. They have their own lives.' he thought, cruel sarcasm biting his words.
He pulled down his black sweater sleeves and then stared for a moment. "Since when did I start taking an interest in black?" he asked himself.
Rei walked slowly, unnoticeably, out of the dark alley he had been sitting in. He heard a low rumbling growl. He glanced briefly at the sky. It seemed to magically darken and within moments Rei was soaked to the bone.
Now he glared at the clouds, hoping in vain that they would obey his silent command to stop dumping water on him. They didn't. Rei sighed, letting the rain batter him. A thousand tiny needles stabbed at his skin but he ignored it, having gone through much worse pain as a child.
No one except himself knew about his abusive past. Beatings, curses, stinging slaps. Those had been a huge part of Rei's every day life. As long as he could remember he was always abused. Disliked because he was different. A neko jin. A boy neko jin. He stopped, his mind replaying a scene from his memories.
flashback sequence
"Hey! What are you doing, hm?" a child's voice rang.
A six-year-old Rei looked up from his spot on the bridge. He had been dangling a small stick inside the sluggishly flowing water, trying to poke the giant fish that inhabited the small stream.
"Catching fish. Want to help?" Rei grinned, showing two small pointed fangs.
"Ahhhhh! Mommy. It's a vampire. Look." screamed the little boy, running to his mother a few feet away. She scooped up the child and looked at Rei in disgust before walking away.
Tears formed in Rei's big golden eyes and he wiped them away with small hands. Sobbing lightly, he resumed his position, swinging his legs back and forth over the pale blue water. He couldn't understand why everyone pointed out his teeth and strange eye coloring. He didn't think that his tiny little fangs made him any different that an ordinary child.
end flashback sequence
Rei walked along the street, towards a place he thought of often. He made several turns before coming to a stop at the beach. He walked along the sand, the salty scent of the sea flooded Rei's nose and he relaxed. Looking around, he saw that he was alone. Then he spotted a sign that read "3rd shark attack. Swim at your own risk.."
'So that's why the beach is deserted. I wonder. I wonder if I could die here.' he thought, shaking his head up and down. He liked that idea. It wasn't like he had anything to lose. His parents were dead. He had no other family relatives. 'Except.' he sighed. 'Except Tyson. I wonder if he'll ever know how much I love him.'
Images of the blue haired teenager filled his head. In each one of them he was smiling. Until the very end. Max and Kai had begun to notice subtle changes in the boy. How he no longer bladed and how he always seemed so sad and distant. Tyson never hung around anymore. He preferred to walk alone. Kai finally said something after he missed a practice meet.
Conversation-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Tyson! Why did you skip practice? You know we might have another tournament coming up and it's really important that we train."
Tyson looked at the ground, trying to decide what to say.
"Answer me Tyson."
He still said nothing.
"Double practice tomorrow. And I will be supervising." Kai ordered, looking at Tyson.
Kai glared at the boy in front of him, but he was really trying to find out what was wrong.
"You don't understand Kai! You wouldn't understand anything! Just leave me the hell alone because the last time I checked, you weren't my mother!" Tyson yelled, looking Kai in the face. Kai gasped at the empty vacant look in Tyson's eyes, but it went unnoticed.
Rei and Max stared at him, shocked by his sudden outburst.
"Tyson." Max said softly and started to place a hand on his best friend's shoulder. Tyson yanked away, and then started running. He disappeared down the street, the setting sun at his back.
End conversation---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
That was when Rei first realized his feelings for Tyson. It took pain from the one he loved to make him see that. He turned his back on the once inviting jump from the beach cave and started towards the parking lot. ' I need to help Tyson.' he thought as he left the beach behind and entered the city.
'I guess it's time to pay a visit to someone.' decided Rei. Shoving his hands into his pockets, carefully avoiding the razor although he didn't know why, he walked down the street. Wind blew the rain down even harder. Now instead of small, needle like pains he felt giant, knife stabs.
He spotted a cheesy looking flower shop and decided to enter it. Walking in, the warm air blowing from shop's heater blasted him in the face. Rei was tempted to push up his sleeves, but then remembered the dozen or so cuts that crossed both arms.
"Can I help you with anything?" came a voice. Rei turned to see a woman wearing a dark plaid shirt and black baggy pants. Dark make up outlined most of her facial features and Rei decided she was gothic.
He shook his head from side to side and continued searching. A small red flowerpot with a tiny Bonsai tree caught his eye. Picking it up, he saw the price and nearly dropped the pot.
'They want 18 bucks for this thing? Damn... Wait. When did I start swearing?' he thought, momentarily off track.
"It's half off." issued the woman who had now come to stand beside him. Rei thought he saw a glint of metal and confirmed it as she spoke again. "Everything here is half off."
"Nice tongue ring." commented Rei.
"Thanks. Its shaped like a heart, see?" she stuck out her tongue and a solid silver heart appeared. She flicked it back into her mouth.
"Will you take that?" she pointed to the plant.
Rei thought quickly.
"Yeah. Sure." Rei felt in his pocket, fingering the change he had inside.
'I hope I have enough.' he thought as he handed the woman some folded dollar bills. She counted quickly and then said.
"You need 50 more cents."
Rei shoved his hand deeper inside his pocket but the only thing he felt was a hole and some lint. He pulled his hand out, still empty.
"I don't have any more money." he said, eyes downcast.
"It's alright. Just take it and go." she thrust the pot at him and only with his trained neko jin instincts was he able to catch it.
"Thank you." he whispered and then forced himself outside, noticing the torrential downpour had now lessened to a fine mist. Rei wondered along, turning here and there. Finally, he arrived at his destination. He stared upward and read the wrought iron arches over the entranceway.
Dying Roses Cemetery
"Odd name for a cemetery." he mumbled to himself.
The place was deserted as far as he could tell. He saw no people as he made his way carefully around the many rows of tombstones. Reading quickly as he walked, he came to a halt as he found the one he was looking for.
Weeds had grown over the smooth black marbled tombstone, hiding the name and inscriptions. Rei bent down and tore the vines away and silently read the words carved into the stone.
Reyna Lindsey Kon
An angel, a daughter, a beloved sister.
May she rest forever in eternal peace and happiness.
May '89 - May ' 97
Fighting back tears, he traced the words.
"Reyna. We were the best of friends. And the best of siblings too. You and I spent our whole lives together. You were the only one who stuck up for me. You didn't judge me because of how I looked." he spoke to himself and the person buried beneath the grave. Carefully he placed the miniature tree beside the smooth cold marble.
Just then, he heard a twig snap and he turned around. His eyes darted quickly, searching his surroundings. Some distance away, he saw a figure bending over a stone on a hill. Using his sharp eyes, he tried to make out every detail on the person. 'Navy hair, red and blue cap. Could that be? Is that Tyson?' he thought.
A wind drifted, bringing the scent of saline across the grounds into Rei's nose. 'Is he crying?' Rei stood up and began walking towards him.
'It is Tyson. Perhaps he has a loved one buried here too.'
"Tyson." he spoke out softly. Tyson whirled around, taking several involuntary steps away from a headstone.
"Oh. Rei. Its only you." he said, wiping back tears that stained his cheeks. "You scared me for a second there. What are you doing here?"
"Visiting a long lost friend." Rei whispered slowly.
Looking at Tyson in the face he gasped silently. The eyes that had once been so shiny and filled with life were a dull muddy brown. And that was when Rei noticed Tyson's appearance. Tyson was wearing dark blue jeans, held up by two studded black belts. A baggy grey sweatshirt hung on his frame. He looked... thinner. A lot thinner. The only way he knew for sure he was Tyson was the trademark baseball cap. He never took it off.
"Well, I guess I should be going now." said Tyson and started to walk away.
"Don't go Tyson. Tell me what's wrong and maybe I can help." Rei spoke, grabbing Tyson's arm.
He winced visibly as he did so and Rei looked at him strangely.
"Tyson. Are you cutting?" he asked, pulling Tyson towards him. A dark red stain grew on the sleeve where Rei had grabbed him. Tyson just stared at it, watching with cloudy eyes.
"Tyson. Look at me! Are you cutting?" Rei couldn't understand why Tyson would do something like that. Especially Tyson. Rei had noticed the gradual decline in the boy's mannerisms. He no longer hung out with Max, Kai, or Rei and often wondered alone by himself. Rei couldn't even remember the last time Tyson had launched Dragoon. All interest in beyblading seemed to have disappeared from him.
Rei crossed his arms, waiting for an answer. Slowly, Tyson shook his head up and down.
"Why, Tyson? Why would you do something like that?" he demanded softly.
"You do it too Rei. Don't think I haven't noticed. I'm much smarter than people seem to think I am." said Tyson angrily.
Rei stared, shocked by the anger in Tyson's voice. 'Not Tyson. This can't be Tyson. My Tyson?' he thought. 'If only you knew how much I loved you. I don't want to see you like this.'
"Talk." ordered Rei, sitting down on a bench underneath a tree. Tyson followed suit. The wind blew, causing the teens' hair to fly gently.
"There isn't anything to talk about." sighed Tyson depressingly. "I'm tired of living in hell and I want to be free. I want to die, Rei, but something keeps stopping me."
Rei sat, looking as confused as Tyson felt.
"What stops you, Tyson? What stops you from falling over the edge?" he asked, yellow eyes shone helplessly. "I can't help if..."
"You, Rei. You stop me from killing myself." Tyson interrupted.
'So he does return the feelings.'
"Tyson." whispered Rei. Before he knew what he was doing, he pulled the younger boy into a hug. He felt wetness and knew that Tyson was crying. Emptying himself of the pain, self hatred, and anger he had locked away for so long.
For the first time in a long time, Tyson felt free. But he knew it wouldn't last. The depression would come back, consuming him fully until he was nothing but a pile of bones.
"I love you, Rei." Tyson whispered into his ear.
"I love you too." Rei replied warmly. He released Tyson from his hold.
"Let me see your scars, Tyson." asked Rei.
Tyson lifted up both sleeves and showed Rei the many scars that crisscrossed and zigzagged along them.
"I can use both hands." he stated.
"So can I." Rei pushed up black sleeves to show the dark lines that marred his skin.
Tyson laughed slightly.
"We're both a bunch of loonies." laughed Tyson softly.
"But maybe I like being a loonie." teased Rei.
"I've never seen the humorous side of you."
"That's because I don't have one." he replied, suddenly solemn as if it was something he regretted.
"Tell me who you came to visit." Rei asked, changing the subject.
"I'd rather not. Nobody else knows except me. Not even grandpa knows." his grave reply held little life in it. As if he was nothing but a hollow shell, a former version of himself.
"Tyson.." Rei stopped, unsure of what to say next. Suddenly Tyson stood up, tugging Rei with him.
He led him over to the tan headstone he had previously been looking at. Rei read the short inscription.
Takao l. kinomiya
To the brother I've known so long.
You are never lost.
August ' 90 - April '98
"My brother." whispered Tyson. "My twin brother."
A light comfortable silence passed as Rei tried to think of something to say. Before he could ask Tyson answered.
"Why keep this from everyone? Because they didn't need to know. It is part of my past I both accept and deny. He had a fatal heart defect. The doctors didn't think he would make it past 5 years old. But Takao fought to live with a ferocity that stunned even us. He died."
"Ty. I know there is something else you aren't telling me. Something else that is upsetting you."
Tyson smiled briefly at the nickname before sadness replaced it. His brother used to call him that.
"Takao died on April 17."
Rei blinked, missing the point. Tyson glanced at Rei and knew he didn't understand.
"Rei." he stopped to heave back a sob. "I was born on April 17."
Suddenly Rei understood. Tyson's eyes became watery and then hugged Rei with all his might.
"It, it wasn't fair. He.. He passed away... on his own birthday. On our birthday." he choked out.
Rei returned the hug, trying desperately to heal his broken lover. 'I don't think there is anything worse than having a sibling die on your birthday. Poor Ty. I have to be strong for him. And I need to stop cutting if I want to do that.'
"Rei. I'm going to go away after I leave here. I just can't take life any more. I want to end my pain and suicide is the only way to do it."
"Ty. NO! You can't do that. What about us? What about our relationship?" Rei exclaimed.
Tyson smiled, a small smile. A ghost of a smile. There really wasn't anything of him left at all. He was broken, his soul shattered into millions of tiny pieces. You could see it in his eyes. Empty on the inside as well as out. Fragments remained, proving to Tyson that he was alive instead of just a walking corpse.
"That's why. That's why I wanted to know if you would come with me. We could leave together and not have to worry about all of our problems anymore. Come with me Rei." said Tyson. Another smile graced his lips before disappearing behind a massive amount of burdens and pain.
"Ty. You need help. We need help. But I don't think there is one person who could help us more than each other. I'm not giving up on life just yet." Rei stated.
"It's just so hard." explained Tyson. "Every time I see something shiny I want to cut myself. Every time someone comments about my weight I want to go stuff myself and puke. Every time I feel confused, I want to scream and cry. I need help, Rei. But I don't know how and right now everything just seems so hopeless. I just want to break down and cry and release it all and I can't. I still keep holding it in."
Rei was silent for a moment and then spoke.
"Tyson. I know things are hard for you right now. Things are hard for me too. I used to think about killing myself as a child all the time. I never told about my childhood, did I?"
"No. Do you want to tell me?"
"Sit down. I'll talk." ordered Rei and they both sat down. And then, Rei's past was finally revealed.
He talked about the day of his birth. How at two years old, his father abandoned him and his mother was left to look after him. How Rei also had a sister. A girl named Reyna whom his mother favored instead of Rei. He explained that male neko jins were rare and frowned upon. It gave men a sort of feministic quality. That was he had such delicate features such as a slight yet sturdy frame and light skin. And how he was constantly whipped, beaten and punished for things he hadn't done. Abused and a victim of racism, he was often left alone. Locked outside of the very place he was born and raised, the only one who did not turn away from him was his sister Reyna. She helped him in more ways than possible. If it hadn't been for her, he never would've made it as far as he had now.
A light mist began to fall and Rei felt it dampen his shirt. Standing up again, he stretched and held out his hand to Tyson who took it with questions in his eyes.
"Let me show you why I'm here." he answered simply. Rei led his boyfriend down the hill and over to the place where he first came.
He pointed down the wet marble slab and Tyson's eyes moved slowly as he read the name.
"She was your sister." he said, more of a statement than a question.
Rei nodded silently. He waited for the tears but the never came. He stood, empty of emotions, in front of the very person that had kept him alive for so long. He couldn't understand. It was like all the light had just vanished from his world.
He felt the need to cut again, but his feelings for Tyson now that they were together tore him in two. He fingered the metal blade inside his pocket and wished profoundly that it wasn't there. 'Reyna would be so disappointed in me, but I suppose it isn't any good to dwell on the past.' Rei thought as the desire to cut grew stronger. If he didn't do something he was going to crack and loose control. He glanced around quickly, hoping to find some sort of building or something.
"Tyson, I have to use the bathroom." he announced quickly as he spotted two portipotties side by side.
"Okay. I'll be hear waiting." Tyson indicated to the ground and then plopped himself upon it, not caring if the wet grass stained his pants.
Rei walked slowly, trying not to arouse suspicion from his lover. He sighed when he made it safely inside the plastic blue building. The stink tortured his nose, but soon he was filled with ecstacy as coppery scented blood rushed down his arms in torrents. He embraced the pain, willing it to clear his mind. It was almost as if he bathed in it to remove the sins he committed. Strangely, he felt a tingling sensation and icy air blasted him in the face. A brilliant light flashed and before him he saw none other than his sister, Reyna.
"Why are you doing this Rei? I saved you as a child. It isn't time for you to go yet." a beautiful voice came from the even more beautiful spirit.
"Reyna?" Rei gasped, forgetting about the razor. "Are you...alive?"
"No, Rei. You only see me in your mind's eye. You must not do this. You have loved ones. I left because I had to shed my tired body. You, you have a young body, a healthy body. " the soft voice echoed.
"But Rey..."
"Stop this." she gestured to the blood that now stained his fair skin. "You have a loved one to take care of. Good-bye." the sweet gentle hands of his sister touched his cheek, gliding through his solid flesh as if it were only an image. Then, her hands felt his arm and squeezed lightly. Another brilliant flash of light and Rei stared. The spirit of his sister had healed his fresh cuts, and the scars that once painted his arms had disappeared.
She hovered in the air, watching Rei as his examined his arms.
"Thank you, Reyna. For giving me another chance." he managed to whisper. Silent tears of happiness mixed with those of grief. She smiled. A genuine smile that only she possessed.
"Good-bye Rei. I'll always be with you." and Reyna slowly faded away.
"NO!" he cried, grasping the place where she had been. He looked and seeing only air, he started to cry harder. He stopped, suddenly, as if someone had turned off a faucet inside him. Rei realized he could sense his sister's presence all around him, even though he couldn't see her. He could have sworn he heard her laughter inside his mind. Then he realized that no matter where he was, a part of his sister would always remain with him.
Rei threw the blade into the toilet at watched it sink. Pulling down his sleeves, he walked out of the tiny portable stall and towards Tyson.
Tyson was contemplating suicide. He knew exactly where to cut but there was only one problem. Rei. He loved Rei more than anything in the world and didn't want to leave his only hope at salvation. Grasping his right sweater sleeve he yanked it up. Tyson traced the light blue veins in his arm.
'You don't deserve Rei.' came a malicious voice from his head.
'Yes I do. He loves me.' Tyson shot back.
'You couldn't save your parents. What makes you think you can save him?'
'No!' Tyson cried, trying to block the screams that echoed throughout his mind. He couldn't he felt his body freeze as scenes from his past flashed through his mind.
Flashback-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Tyson! Tyson wake up, the house is on fire! We have to get out now!" yelled Hiro, flinging the door to Tyson's room open.
"Mommy!" a four year old Tyson cried. Scrambling out of bed wide awake, he noticed for the first time the yellowish red tinge his room had. He breathed in smoke and coughed.
"Mommy. I can't see you!" he stumbled around blindly, unable to see in the smoke filled room. Suddenly, an arm grasped his and pulled Tyson down into the hallway. He felt a wet cloth being pressed against his face.
"Leave this against your mouth. It will make it easier to breathe." he shouted over the roar of the fire.
Tyson realized how big it was, now that he felt the heat pushing against him. He found the wall and used it to guide himself down the hall.
"We've got to get Takao!" Tyson told his older brother, only recognizing him by voice.
"Dad's already gotten him outside. I came back to get you." he said.
Tyson breathed in a lung full of hot air and gasped. The heat seemed unbearable and it became worse as they traveled downstairs.
"We're almost to the door, Tyson. Hang on. Tyson? Tyson!" yelled Hiro. He felt his little brother's arm go limp and the fall.
He turned around, trying to make out where he was. Bending down, he touched the ground and then a body.
"Tyson." he shouted, but the child didn't respond. He grabbed Tyson by the waist and carried him down the rest of the flight.
He saw the door open and with a last burst of strength, emerged from the blazing inferno that had once been there home.
Hiro dropped to the ground on his knees, exhausted from the energy spent on saving his younger sibling. Looking up wearily, he saw Takao standing by a tree.
"Tyson!" he shouted happily and ran to where his brothers were laying. When he saw Tyson on the ground he yelled.
"Hiro! What did you do to my brother?" Takao demanded, hands on hips, he waited for an explanation.
"He collapsed because it was too hot downstairs. He'll be fine."
Just then Tyson groaned and opened his eyes.
"Tyson." Takao jumped on his twin and crushed him in a fierce hug.
"Air would be nice." Tyson choked out and his brother released him. They both laughed.
"I'm glad you're okay, Tyson. You had me worried for a little bit."
Just then Hiro noticed something was wrong.
"Takao, where's Dad and Mom?" he asked as he felt the weight of a heavy stone settle inside his stomach.
"Daddy brought me out here but then he went back inside to save Mommy." said the younger child fearfully.
The three siblings watched on as the fire engulfed what had once been there home. Suddenly an ear-piercing scream sounded from the house.
"MOMMY!" Tyson screamed and ran towards the house.
"Tyson. Get back here! It's dangerous to go back inside!" Hiro yelled. He chased after him but, still tired from the earlier events, he was unable to catch up with him.
Tyson entered the house and immediately felt the heat pressing against him. Terrified he looked around him, trying to recognize the surroundings. A piece of wood fell and sent a shower of sparks into the air. The house creaked and another piece of wood began to fall. This time, towards Tyson. He screamed and began to run towards the exit but tripped over something and fell. The flaming wood rushed down to meet him and landed on his left leg. Tyson let out another scream as the wood seared his leg. Flames licked the skin, burning it until it blistered.
"TYSON!" he heard someone yell and then darkness came crashing down on his mind.
He woke up in the hospital three days after the incident. His leg was heavily bandaged and hurt so much he wondered if the fire was still burning underneath it. Unsure of where he was, he closed his eyes and pretended to sleep. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Hiro sitting on a chair.
Tyson could tell that his older brother was upset and decided it was time to come back to the world of the living.
"Hiro." he whispered. In an instant, Hiro was by his bed.
"Tyson. You scared the life out of me. You know better than to go into a building when it's on fire. You could have died." he scolded lightly, still thankful that his brother was alive.
"But I didn't." Tyson said simply. "Where's Takao and Mommy and Daddy?"
Hiro froze. He wasn't sure how to answer that question.
"Takao is outside with another doctor. He's just being checked to make sure he didn't get hurt in any way."
"Where's Mommy and Daddy?" Tyson insisted. Hiro sighed and then wiped a tear from his eyes.
"They never made it out Tyson. They're gone." he said slowly, as if he couldn't believe it himself.
"Mommy? And Daddy? Gone?" his small voice repeated. Tyson burst into tears and cried. He sobbed until he could hardly breathe and then buried himself into Hiro's baggy shirt. Grasping at it with his fists he asked, "Where are we gonna go?"
"We are all going to go live with Grandpa. You and you're brother and I are all going to live with him. Don't be scared. I promise I won't let anything happen to you." Hiro reassured his younger brother.
"Tyson." he heard his twin brother's voice. Takao ran to Tyson's bed and then the two boys hugged each other tightly.
End flashback---------------
"Tyson! Tyson!" someone was gripping his shoulders tightly, shaking him hard. He heard a voice calling his name but his body didn't seem to obey. Tyson was falling, falling into oblivion.
"Tyson!" the voice called one more time and then everything swirled together.
Bleep. Bleep. Bleep. Rei sat with his head down in the intensive care unit. Long black hair messed about his face, covering blank, unseeing golden eyes. Deep blue bags underneath them gave him an aged appearance despite his youthful body.
His mind went back to Tyson's still, pale, frame inside the ambulance. The fear that had coursed through his body remained throughout the long journey to the hospital. Doctors and nurses had rushed him into the elevator and up several stories. Unable to stabilize the teen, they had taken him to the ICU. Several hours later, Rei had finally been allowed in to see him. He hadn't left the room since then.
Tyson's grandfather, Kai, and Max had all been notified and were on their way to the hospital. Rei felt like crying but couldn't. He moved his chair as close to Tyson's bed as possible and stared at his unmoving frame. Dark eyelashes rested on tan cheeks, the brown eyes behind them imprisoned in darkness.
He reached out a shaking, tentative hand and touched the soft blue hair surrounding Tyson's face. He could hear the steady hiss of air escape from his lover's mouth. The heartbeat monitor's continuos bleep was lost in the back round as Rei's vision blurred. Resting his head next to Tyson, Rei fell into a deep sleep.
Dream
"Tyson. Why did you have to go and leave me like that in the cemetery? I was so scared." asked Rei. He and Tyson were laying in a open field as an ending storm blew warm raindrops into their faces. The air was cool, comfortable, and smelled of damp earth and rain.
"I didn't want to, Rei. Please believe me. I don't even know what's going on right now. Some..." Tyson hesitated. "...Memories came back to me and I lost control over them." he finished.
"You lost control over memories?" Rei tilted his head curiously and waited for him to explain.
"Since the day I was born, I had the power to control my memories. I remembered everything I wanted to, and locked the unpleasant ones away. I never felt sad or anything unless I wanted to. But then some memories escaped, and I started having flashbacks of things I didn't like. Things I locked away. I didn't have power anymore and slowly my control grew less and less. It was chaos in my head. Pure chaos." Tyson said.
"What did you remember?"
"I remembered my parents' death. Dad woke up when he smelled smoke and ran to get Takao. He was able to get him safely outside while Hiro, who was also awake, grabbed me. By the time we got outside, the house was mostly engulfed in flames. I saw my brother, but I didn't see my dad. Takao said that he had gone back inside to save my mom. I ran inside. A flaming beam fell on my leg." Tyson rolled up his left pant leg and showed him the large scar that covered almost his entire calf and went down to his ankle.
'So that's why he never wears shorts.' thought Rei.
"They never made it out. They didn't even stand a chance. That's why I live with Grandpa. Of course, now I don't know if I'll even live." he said with a small smile.
"Tyson. You have to live. I won't leave unless you do." Rei threatened.
"I think I'd like that." he said slyly. Just then, the sky began to blur and lightning struck the ground. Rain poured down as Rei and Tyson hugged each other for what they both thought could be the last time.
"I'll fight. I promise. I'll fight to the bitter end." Tyson whispered as the area surrounding them disappeared.
Pant! Pant! Man that was a long chapter. Yes. I decided that there was going to be another chapter. I can't leave it hanging and I need time to think of a good way to end this. Should Tyson live, or not live? That is the question. Voting poles are open and I'm counting. And of course you all know that the next chapter won't be quite as long as this one is. I wasn't sure I was ever going to finish it. 10 whole pages! Okay. I'm outta here. Everyone else, that's your cue.