Chapter Two- Misguided Hate

A/N: I don't own Beyblade. It took me awhile to update- I'm trying not to be too cliche when I write. Thanks to all the people who did review!

Flashback

A 13-year old Ryoko Kobayashi sat in the living room across from her father, a man in his late 40's, whose hair had already turned for the most part gray. Hironobu Kobayashi sipped from a cup of oolong tea while his daughter observed him in silence, curious, yet too timid to say anything. Ryoko didn't know why her father had called her- usually he ignored her, being so caught up in his work.

"Ryoko-chan, you know that our family is currently in great debt."

Ryoko looked up at her father with searching eyes, but her father's face showed no sign of apparent emotion.

"Your mother and I do not have the funds to afford a college education for you. We expect you to do whatever it takes- be it scholarships or a job- to help pay for your own education. We can barely afford to pay for that damn private school you'll be attending soon- but your mother believes that it will help you succeed."

He took another sip of tea and placed the empty cup on the coffee table with a 'clink'.

"As for what I think, if you fall short of doing well at Belmont then I'm pulling you out of school. For what we're paying, I expect nothing less than perfection."

End Flashback

Ryo thought it was pretty harsh- a father placing such a burden on his child. But in a way, she knew there was some truth to his words. She couldn't slack off and she did want to get a good education. But her father's definition of "doing well" meant that everything had to be perfect- a standard that Ryo had yet to achieve.

While these thoughts were whirling around in Ryo's mind, she walked up to her English teacher, Mrs. Andrews, at the end of class.

"Yes?" Mrs. Andrews asked inquisitively.

Ryo pulled out an essay she had written- an analysis on Romeo and Juliet. Ryo considered it one of her better-written assignments, since she felt rather strongly about her thesis. However, it had received a whopping C minus.

Ryo showed the paper to her teacher. "I was wondering if you could explain my grade on this essay," she said, hoping some mistake might be found that would ultimately raise her grade.

Mrs. Andrews gave a hesitant sigh. "Ryo, I do believe I've tried to explain this to you many times. I admire the fact that you're trying hard, but writing a good essay requires a kind of style- and it's not easy to explain it. I honestly don't know if going over it again will help."

Ryo looked dismayed. "But I wrote a lot on it- 10 pages," she said, flipping through the pages with her thumb.

Mrs. Andrews thought hard for a moment. "It's quality that matters more than quantity," she said slowly. "But I just thought of something- perhaps you would improve on your essays a little better if you had a student review them."

Ryo gave Mrs. Andrews a curious look. "A student? Like who?"

Mrs. Andrews paused, trying to form her words carefully. She was aware of the animosity Ryo held towards Kai. "Well, Kai is my best student…."

Ryo stifled a groan. She knew where this was going.

"Perhaps you could ask him to tutor you? I know he's currently looking for community service hours (after all, no student can graduate from Belmont without at least 100 hours by their Senior year). Plus, he helps other students as well, so he's got plenty of experience," Mrs. Andrews said finally, looking up at Ryo to see her reaction.

Ryo had a strained smile plastered on her face. "Oh, that sounds nice…but I think I'd rather have you help me like you always do inste-"

Mrs. Andrews paled a little. "Oh goodness no- I mean I think Kai would be a much, much better help than I am. Kai, would you come up here, please?"

Ryo gave a defeated sigh as Kai walked up to the both of them. He looked at the English teacher, then at Ryo, but said nothing.

Mrs. Andrews kept on talking. "Kai, would you mind tutoring Ryo? She needs help, particularly in her essays, and she could really benefit from some constructive criticism."

Ryo looked at her teacher in disbelief. In no way, shape, or form did she say she wanted Kai's help. Yet Mrs. Andrews prattled on, and Kai nodded understandingly. Ryo couldn't help but notice the serious expression on Kai's face- how polite, yet reserved it was. Then again, it was Kai's usual look- always calm and cool to the point of borderline arrogance. Ryo couldn't understand the appeal; she couldn't deny the fact that Kai was attractive, but at the same time attitudes like his were annoying.

"After school in the library it is then!" Mrs. Andrews said, a little too cheerily than Ryo would have liked.

"Sounds great," Ryo mumbled. She glanced at Kai, wondering how he was taking it. He seemed to be taking it rather coolly and smiled politely as Mrs. Andrews thanked him a little too strongly.

Ryo turned away in partial disgust. Everyone was smitten with Kai.

Ryo sat at one of the library tables, staring up at the circle of metal roman numerals and clock hands affixed to the wall of the building. It was 3:30, and Kai hadn't shown up yet.

Maybe Kai forgot, Ryo thought hopefully. Or maybe he had to go home early….like that one time. Her thoughts reverted to the day she had overheard Kai talking on his cell phone after school- what if something like that had happened again?

However, her hopes were dashed when a familiar figure entered through the automatic library doors. Ryo couldn't help but frown when Kai saw her and started walking towards her.

Kai caught Ryo's look. "Well you look absolutely happy to see me," he said sarcastically. Ryo didn't say anything and merely shrugged. "Here, we'll take one of the empty rooms." He motioned Ryo to follow him while Ryo quickly picked up her stuff and followed him into a room with a whiteboard, an oak table, and matching chairs. Kai pulled out a chair for Ryo, who took it silently, while Kai took the seat across from her.

"Let's start with your essay," Kai said, once Ryo got herself situated.

Ryo pulled out her essay, which was covered in red ink marks, and handed it to Kai. He glanced at the first page.

"A C minus?"

"Yeah, I know- just read the thing, okay Hiwatari?" Ryo said impatiently, pained at the fact that her rival could see all the mistakes she made. "I have a bunch of other things to do besides this and I'd rather not have to stay here any longer than I have to. So if you could just hurry up, that'd be-"

Kai handed Ryo back her essay promptly and folded his arms. She blinked.

"What? You didn't even read it," Ryo protested.

Kai leaned back in his chair. "First, you act like you don't want my help. Second of all, you're being absolutely rude. I'm not going to help you if you're going to be this disrespectful."

Ryo frowned. "Well, first of all, I didn't ask for your help, so of course I'm acting like I don't want it. And second of all…." She broke off.

Second of all, I hate you, were the words ringing in Ryo's head. Yet something inside kept her from saying it. She ended up staring at Kai blankly. An awkward silence passed between them both.

"You need the grade, don't you?" Kai said finally. He didn't know what Ryo's blank look was about, but he supposed she ran out of reasons for the way she was acting. Either way, he knew that Ryo didn't like him at all- that much was obvious. But what perplexed the Russian was why.

"Yes."

"And I need the community service hours," Kai finished. "So why don't we work together just as classmates and leave it at that?"

Ryo nodded. "Sounds good enough."

"All I ask is that you treat me with some degree of respect, and then when all this is done, you can go back to being rude, gloomy, and grumpy again."

Ryo frowned. "Who says I'm gloomy?"

"You're frowning right now," Kai pointed out. "And another thing- enough with the last name basis. It's annoying and disrespectful."

Ryo shrugged. "Okay, Kai." The name rolled off her tongue like a new word said for the first time.

Kai shook his head. "Actually, I was thinking more along the lines of Kai-sensei."

Ryo's mouth dropped. "You've got to be kidding me."

"Hey, you Japanese are all about respectful titles. Besides, this way, we'll be even," Kai said, grinning. Ryo thought he was having a little too much fun with this.

"But you're not Japanese- you don't even speak the language, haku-jin."

"'White boy'- am I supposed to be offended by that?" Kai said, raising an eyebrow. "And I think I know more about the Japanese language that you give me credit for. But we're getting off topic- do you agree to the terms?"

Ryo looked reluctant. "Everything except for the Kai-sensei part."

Kai shrugged. "Well, it's either that or you can bomb the next essay Mrs. Andrews assigns. I noticed she's not very eager to help you."

Ryo narrowed her eyes. "What? And you think you're the only option I have?"

"You have any better ideas?" Kai asked. Ryo couldn't help but catch the knowing glint in Kai's auburn eyes.

Ryo sighed. She handed her essay over to Kai. "No, I don't……..Kai-sensei."

She ignored the triumphant grin on Kai's face.

"You're late."

Ryoko slid her shoes off after closing the door behind her. Her father was sitting on the living room couch reading a magazine by the light of the silver floor lamp. He was still dressed in his work attire, although he had removed his blazer so that he just wore his shirt, tie, and slacks. He gave his daughter a disapproving look.

"Sorry dad, I had to go to afterschool tutoring today," Ryo said, bowing her head in apology.

"Tutoring? Why do you need tutoring?" her father asked suspiciously.

"My English teacher suggested it," Ryo replied smoothly. She knew her father was very mistrustful at times; he wasn't the type to think that young people were ever up to any good. As long as she could respond to his questions with confidence, Ryo found she could deflect her father's needless suspicions.

"So who exactly is tutoring you?" her father asked sharply.

Ryo sighed. "Kai Hiwatari," she said simply.

Her father's eyes widened slightly. "I don't believe it- that genius is wasting his time tutoring you?"

Ryo grimaced. Here it comes, she thought.

Her father continued. "Shouldn't he be out of high school by now? I hear he's going to inherit his grandfather's business- Hiwatari Pharm. Corp.- pretty soon," her father said, with admiration in his voice. "HPCO- that's the next big thing. How unfortunate to think that his father can't see his son's accomplishments. If he were my son- well, of course I would be proud." He paused briefly before casting a silent glance at his daughter.

Ryo looked down at her feet. It wasn't her fault she was born a girl. It wasn't her fault that her parents failed to conceive after every attempt after her. But her father made a heck of a good job making her feel like it was; it was Kai Hiwatari this and Kai Hiwatari that. Ever since he had met Kai and his grandfather at one of his company meetings at Siegel Enterprise, he had forever been impressed by the young man. He had also met Kai several times at company parties and functions- it was Kai's grandfather's way of grooming him into the family business.

"What are you still doing here?" her father snapped. "Don't you have work to do? Unlike Kai, you don't have the time or money to waste standing around. You should be grateful that he's helping you."

Ryo nodded before darting up the stairs and heading to her room. She closed the door behind her silently, held her breath for as long as she could, and exhaled. And she wondered why she didn't tell Kai to his face that she hated him.

"Does it really matter who I pick?" Ryo asked skeptically to Naomi, who was munching on some potato chips. It was Homecoming week and so the student body had to vote for the princes, princesses, King, and Queen. A ballot sheet was spread out before Ryo's binder with four names for the girls (Mariah Wong, Katrina Delorme, Vanessa Siegel, and one other obscure name) and four for the guys.

Naomi shrugged. "Probably not- although I'm hoping it's not Vanessa."

Ryo nodded. "Agreed," she said, checking the box next to 'Mariah Wong'. "What about the guys? Hey look, Kai's on here."

Naomi raised an eyebrow. "Since when did you start calling Kai by his first name?" she asked, propping her elbows on the table and resting her head on her hands.

Ryo sighed. "Force of habit," she said simply, not wanting to divulge any details. After several weeks under Kai's tutoring, Ryo had finally learned to say 'Kai-sensei' without cringing. But Ryo had to admit that it was worth it, as much as she hated to think that. Kai's comments were straightforward and helpful- he was really good at explaining. Ryo couldn't help but notice, though, that their conversations were strictly about English and nothing else.

Oh well, at least we're getting stuff done, right? Ryo thought to herself, before circling 'Kai Hiwatari' on the ballot for Homecoming prince.

"Whoa- what's a police officer doing here?" Naomi asked, eyes widening as a man in a dark blue cop outfit with a badge and walkie talkie strode past them.

Ryo looked at the cop quizzically. "Well, there was a big fight or something just a block from the school. It was in the local newspaper. I don't really know the details- maybe he just wants to know if anyone saw anything," she deduced, before returning to her ballot and folding it in two.

Naomi struck a thinking pose. "Hmmm….maybe we should ask him. It might make a good story for my journalism class- and there's no way I'm going to write a stupid article on Belmont's new school policies."

Ryo looked at her in disbelief. "Are you crazy? He's not going to tell us anything. Besides, it's probably no big deal."

Naomi stuck out her bottom lip. "But-"

Ryo raised a finger. "No- and look, he's already leaving. It was probably nothing at all," she said, pointing to the police officer who was just walking out the school gates.

"Leaving a little too quickly, don't you think?" Naomi quipped.

Ryo shook her head. "I think you're making too much out of it- Belmont is a school full of rich kids- if they ever really did get in trouble with the law, their parents would just tip the police off. You're better off thinking about something else- like that upcoming test you've got."

Naomi stuck out her tongue. "Or how about hot guys? Like Kai? I could think about him all day."

"I'm going to pretend I didn't hear that."

Naomi laughed. "That's okay- Tala's a lot cuter, anyhow."

Ryo shook her head. "Whatever."

"Speaking of Tala, are you going to his Halloween Party?" Naomi asked, changing the subject.

"Yeah, because Tala invites me to his parties all the time," Ryo said sarcastically.

"You don't have to be invited," Naomi pointed out. "Well, I was- but if you want to come with me, I'll vouch for you. It's going to be a costume party."

Ryo shook her head. "I haven't worn a Halloween costume since I was 12," she said, thinking of the generic witch costume that was sitting in the back of her closet…..somewhere.

"So? We'll buy a new one. We'll go shopping, how's that?"

Ryo thought for a moment. "Well, if you're there then I guess it won't be that bad. Hmm…sounds like fun."

Naomi's blue eyes brightened. "Great! We'll go shopping tomorrow after school, okay?"

"Ummm….hold on there. I've got tutoring tomorrow- how about on Saturday instead?" Ryo suggested.

"Sure, I can do that."

Just then, the bell rang. Ryo slung her backpack over her shoulder- another couple of grueling class periods to go.

Ryo tapped her fingers on the table impatiently. Why is he always late? she thought irritably. And he's more late than usual.

She had been sitting in one of the empty study rooms in the library for about an hour. Ryo, tired of waiting, stepped outside of the room into the library- the sky outside was getting dark and the library's indoor lights were on.

Ryo frowned. She was going to have to walk home in the dark.

Curse daylight savings, she thought, wandering around the eerily empty library. She passed by the library desk- no one was there. Ryo quietly approached the library doors- the sudden wooshing noise the automatic doors made when they opened made Ryo jump.

Is anyone here? she thought nervously, stepping outside into the crisp cool air. It was windy. She wrapped her arms around her body, trying to keep warm.

Just then, Ryo spotted a figure in the shadows, approaching her from her left. She brushed her bangs out of her face to better see the silhouette. It was definitely a guy. Ryo wondered if it was Kai.

"Kai?" she asked shakily. The figure continued to approach- maybe it was him? Ryo breathed a sigh of relief. "Why the heck are you so late!?," she shouted. The library's practically empty and I've been waiting here all……by……myself…."

The figure stepped into the light of the library's front lights. Ryo stepped back, startled- it wasn't Kai. No, it was someone much older with square, broad shoulders and a mouth curled into a twisted grin.

"Where is Kai Hiwatari, indeed," said a cool, sinister sounding voice.

A/N: So there it is- R & R please! Suggestions/comments are welcome.