Pale Stained Darkness
Rating: T
Summary: The rewrite of Smile Empty Soul! Kai is sent to live with a foster family. He's a silent, moody and sometimes hostile teen but once among the Granger and Tate home will he change for the better or will what he experienced in the past rule his future?
Author Note: Thanks to those who have reviewed! I appreciate the feedback you all have supplied. I just bought a Gameboy Advance SP. Yes, I am 21 and this is my first video game…. Thing…. Lol. I bought the G-Revolution game and am up to level 3. Slightly bummed that you can only play as Tyson and I have only won 2 battles and that because my opponent was knocked out of the dish. I found Beyblade music too and a friend of mine is supposed to give me Windows Movie Maker, so hopefully I'll be able to make AMV's.
Anyway, onto the fic!
Pale Stained Darkness
Chapter 2: A New Place
(Mr. Dickinson)
Three days after placing the call to the Granger/Tate household I stand on the steps out in front of the Facility, watching as the children race around the yard, their laughter helping to settle the nervous tightness in my stomach. I allow myself to be drawn into the happy laughter and musical voices echoing around the yard, watching as the children play games of tag, wall ball and other outdoor activities. Standing here I can't help but feel a little accomplished at what I see, this place has changed so much since I came to be head of the Ward 8 Juvenile Housing some twenty-five years ago, taking over for the now deceased Boris Balkov, a then ancient and bitter Russian transplant. Boris brought with him far too many ideals from his own country, the harsh treatment of the children sent to live within the walls of the Facility were treated little better than adult prisoners. The children were restricted access to the outside yards, their living quarters only designed for two patrons often held more than three. Violence and sexual assault were very common among the reports left of the desk of the hard man, his wards often released into society at the age of 18 anger, bitter and without any schooling. The living conditions caused the high strung and troubled children to only grow worse, often being convicted and imprisoned only months after their release from state care.
I vowed to change that.
And change it I did.
Coming into the Facility I made a dramatic turn around, using the state funding allotted for the revamp of the facility and it's programs I tore down the bars that kept the children imprisoned and instead made a massive bunk room, proving numerous bunk beds with a footlocker for each resident. The walls were painted and the halls brightened, most of the staff was replaced with new people, people who would be willing to help the children instead of just watch over them. The high fenced wall was replaced with an ornate gate and bar system, used mostly to mark the edge of the property than to intimidate. The grounds were dramatically changed as well, the acres the facility rests upon was dug up and reseeded, proving a bright green sea of grass for the children to play on. A pool was installed as well as a baseball diamond, basketball courts and several playground sets. A garden was also started by several residents and is kept up by the older wards that pass their knowledge down to the younger kids. Indeed the Facility has changed dramatically but sadly the influx of children hasn't. Every one of them that come through my doors has held a special place for me and often I still receive calls or visits from children, now adults I helped placed years before. I've been invited to weddings, christenings and even funerals. It's nice to know that I've been able to touch the lives of so many children and the families they were adopted into, but with every good story, there is always a bad story. I get just as many phone calls from former wards needing help in a bad situation, or calls informing that one has died or has been convicted. I know that not everyone can be 'saved' or helped.
I know this.
But knowing it doesn't make it any easier when you are woken at four in the morning by a call saying that one of your past wards died of a gunshot wound due to his involvement in gang warfare, or that one of the girls you nurtured back from her sexual assault has overdosed on her medications. It's difficult when a boy like Kai crosses my path, you try your hardest to detach yourself from those kinds, the ones that the rest of society labels lost causes because of their attitude or actions; but, no matter how hard I try to keep myself from taking interest in them one always comes along. One who you can see greatness in, one who you know only needs someone to believe in them and they'd be able to turn themselves around.
Kai is one of those children. When I first met the boy I had just gotten a call, that one of the boys I had such high hopes for, had hung himself from the rafters in his foster family's attic. So, when Kai came walking through my doors I honestly didn't want to take on his case, I didn't want yet another one to die. But then I saw his eyes. Kai has a captivatingly strong presence, although his face is set in stone it's his eyes that dance with life and intelligence.
Such a will to live, to survive and to achieve at life.
I placed Kai with numerous homes, at first he was returned within a two week time span, the foster almost ripping their hair out but as time went by Kai and I gradually came to understand each other, this of course happened over hour long staring contests in my office. Slowly we started to trust each other, and I started to learn more about the boy. Within a matter of weeks Kai was found a new foster home, a seemingly decent place only to be removed by authorities four months later and returned to me. Kai was then again placed sporadically with different homes and became more and more hostile and vicious, often being labeled as a 'hard case' or 'hopeless cause'. Then the arrests started happening, Kai would run away from his foster placement and be arrested, thus landing back here. I smile slightly and snort, my musings cut short at the dramatic decrease in the happy noise out on the grounds. I look up and find a dark blue Suburban coming up the drive slowly. The children in the yard all stop their activities and stare at the vehicle as it slowly pulls up into one of the parking slots at the curb. A shake my head, often amazed at the perceptiveness of the children, they all know that a new car often means one of them might have a chance of being placed with a family.
Sometimes that hope is almost painful to see.
The driver side door opens and out steps a large man, his dark hair wild and bright eyes dancing as he waves at several of the children. The passenger doors open and a blond woman, her shoulder length hair swept back from her face by a headband says something softly to the older gentleman, his graying hair tucked under a fedora.
"Mr. Dickinson?" I smile down at the man that must be Bruce Granger, his hand outstretched as he takes the step up to my level.
"Yes, Bruce Granger I presume?" I ask heartily shaking the man's hand before turning to the others.
"Ms. Tate, Mr. Granger." I greet and the older man smiles
"Aww, you make me sound old my man, the names Charlie." He greets and I shake his hand
"Than please, call me Stanley." I ask, also taking in the request for Ms. Tate to be called Judy.
"Come, we have much to discuss." I usher them into the facility and to my office, closing the door behind me. I look at the three perspective foster family for Kai. Bruce Granger is a large man, bulky but not fat. His wild eyes dance with light and happiness as he adopts a casual pose. The six foot tall man was a guard at the Juvenile Penitentiary for some years, his experience is legendary as is his ability to bond with even the most hardened offenders. Judy Tate is a petite woman, her blond hair and bright eyes making her look much younger than her thirty-seven years. Judy works as a part time court therapist and guidance counselor at the local high school while the older Granger, Charlie, stays at the family dojo and teaches kendo classes regularly. All around they have the credentials to take on Kai, but are they willing?
(Go On)
"Let's get right to the point Stanley, you said this boy was special case, how special is he?" Bruce asks, his arms crossed over his chest. Judy takes one of the chairs in front of my desk, Charlie as well, settling in to hear the tale of the boy I desperately want them to take.
"The boy I told you about is named Kai, Kai Hiwatari. He is the grandson of the Russian Company Tycoon Voltaire Novakovsky." I start but Bruce cuts me off.
"You have the grandson of a wealthy business tycoon and the relatives aren't fighting over him?" I shake my head and bid them to listen.
"Yes Mr. Granger, he is the only grandson born of Vasya Novakovsky and Eiji Hiwatari. But, Volatire doesn't even know that he has a grandson, his daughter after choosing to love a merchant's son instead of marrying a prestige Russian suitor of his choosing; he disowned her. She moved here to Japan and about three years after their wedding Kai was born. Kai doesn't even know he has a Grandfather and I don't want him to know." I growl slightly and the other people look at me for a moment, Judy watching me with a perceptive gaze.
"You seem to know a lot about this boy for just being a Juvinile Center head. How do you know this boy?" Judy asks, slight suspicion lining her words.
"Vasya worked for me for a little while after her wedding and I was there when young Kai was named. I was also there to identify the bodies of his parents after the horrific car wreck." My throat tightens but I choke back the emotion and regard the three uncomfortable looking adults.
"Kai, went to a foster home for younger children when he was six. He was neglected and abused, the home being too overcrowded to take on another hysterical case of a child who didn't understand death. His treatment was unchanged but documented for about four months." I raise my hand at the alarmed look on Bruce's face " I can't tell you why no one did something, he wasn't within my jurisdiction at the time." The knowing look of all three adults tell me I can continue my tale of Kai's turbulent early years.
"After he was removed from that home he was placed into another foster home, these people kept Kai for about two years and when he started second grade they moved into this area. Things were going well until Kai started getting into fights at the school, the children having found out Kai's 'parents' weren't his real mother and father. Obviously, this tore at Kai's heart and made him angry. I don't think he's truly let go of that anger." I muse slightly and shake my head from the thoughts bidding for my remembrance.
"He spent several years of his early life bouncing from home to home, various abuses and arrests later I finally placed him with his previous foster parents and things had been going well, he was attending school and scoring high on his grades and had even made a few friends when the news that the adults were having a baby caused Kai to run for it, and was picked up by the police. You're my last chance to help change this boy, I know, if given the right support and the right kind of people he can change. I know it. He's a good boy, much like his father at times, head strong and stubborn but life has taught him these qualities are what will keep you alive and well. He's a moody, sometimes hostile, and down right rude boy, but he has heart and a kindness to him." I conclude and Judy looks over at Bruce and then at the older Granger before looking at me, her eyes dark with worry.
"What type of issues does Kai have…. Nightmares? Medical issues?" she asks and I give a soft sigh of relief, they're considering.
"Kai, although doesn't remember much was in the car his night his parents were killed, he often remembers sounds, smells and sometimes even images of what happened that night. These attacks are far and few in between and often are the prelude to one of his migraines. Kai has been on medication to control his migraines since the age of seven and if they are bad enough requires a shot to calm them. The boy knows how to administer them and knows what he needs to avoid to keep them from happening." I tell them and Judy nods. Bruce steps closer and gestures to the manila folder on my desk
"That his police record?" he asks and I nod, handing the man the folder. Bruce settles back against the wall and flips through the pages, a frown coming to his face.
"Free Style Running?" I smile and nod, a chuckle rising up at the man's slightly confused look.
"Yes, Kai has an uncanny ability to outrun the police by using these unique moves. He can perform any kind of gymnastic or martial art move and has the unnatural grace to balance on the most precarious places. It was something he picked up when his fourth foster family enrolled him in martial arts and it escaladed from there. Kai now has been labeled the 'Urban Ninja' among the police. Because of this Kai has been charged only with minor offences that once he turns 16 will be sealed away." I clear up and Bruce nods, a laugh coming from the older man
"Arrested at Hikuri shopping center for 'abnormal peace disturbances' the following offender Hiwatari, Kai Alexander, was arrested after flipping from the second floor banister to the second landing on the stairs below, then proceeded to flip off the banister to the ground floor where he walked on his hands for the length of the potted plant section before finally racing away and being caught." Charlie looks at me and I can see the joy shining in his eyes, amazement and the look of immense fascination.
"I have that arrest on video." I laugh and look at the adults. A soft knock resounds within my office and I head to the door, pulling it open. Kai stands on the other side, Jason behind him.
"Sorry to bother you Stanley, but Kai here decided to 'entertain' some of the youngsters after being told repeatedly not to." Jason says and I can see the malicious glint in Kai's mahogany eye and open the door to bid him entrance.
"Come in Kai, I'd like you to meet some people. Jason, that'll be all." The other man nods and gives Kai a stiff look before leaving. Kai tenses as he enters the room and I know he's sizing the three adults up, his keen eye watching every move they make.
"Kai, this is Bruce Granger, his father Charlie Granger and Judy Tate. They came here to…."
"Be possible foster parents for me huh?" he curtly cut me off, folding his hands over his chest, keeping the injured fingers pressed close to his chest. I know Kai is wearily watching Bruce, the larger and most threatening of the adults as the man moves closer, hand outstretched. I watch as Kai stares down at the offered hand and watch the easy expression on Bruce's face never waiver. Bruce waits patiently, knowing that for Kai to shake his hand it has to be his idea, not something that's forced of him or else he'll never trust the older man. Kai slowly unfolds his good hand and quickly grasps the other's hand before pulling it back to the safety of his personal space. I smile, knowing Kai has taken the first step to worming his way into their hearts. Charlie stands beside his son and eyes the younger, shorter teen, his mustache moving ever so slightly as the kendo master purses his lips.
"So, homes, seems that this cat here says you can do some neat tricks… but seeing your hand there I won't ask….." he begins and Kai gives him a smirk. I tense, knowing Kai will often show off his unique ability regardless of any injury or location, but for once the boy stays silent, eyeing the man wearily. Judy Tate is next, her warm smile giving Kai a small reason for concern as she steps foreword, her eyes glittering.
"Hello Kai, I'm Judy." She introduces in a manner only a therapist can, calm but in control of the situation. Kai seems hesitant, his eyes darting to me and then back before he swallows and takes a step back, uneasy. I don't blame the boy, knowing his past run in with 'head doctors' or as Kai commonly calls them 'well paid Head Hunters' I quickly intervene, hoping to stop the situation from escalating.
"Now that you have met him, what do you think?" I ask and stand beside Kai. Judy looks at Bruce and Charlie and then Bruce looks at me, a wide smiling spreading on his face.
"Kai would you like to come live with us?" he asks and for a moment Kai's eyes widen, the narrow. He gazes sternly at them and shifts his weight from foot to foot, clearly unhappy that he's the ones that has to make the decision. He looks at Judy and fixes the woman with his most famous glare
"You won't be getting pregnant any time soon will you?" I choke back a bark of laughter at the stoney voice of Kai asking such an absurd question. Bruce and Charlie flat out chuckle at it while Judy struggles for words, her face showing shock at the boys bluntness. I shake my head slightly and chuckle.
Maybe this won't turn out so bad.
Maybe.
Author Note: So, I personally think that Mr. Dickinson isn't given enough credit in fan fictions, so that's why I spent 2 chapters in his POV. For being such an annoyingly jolly character I really liked him. He added something (don't ask me what) to the show that just made it seem wholly entertaining. Guess what all! I'm Cosplaying at Anime Boston as Kai! I just spiked the wig with spiking gel and tomorrow I'm going to finish spraying the grey on the bangs. This is going to be great, I'm so pumped. Umm.. I have a lot of stuff to do this week before break so don't expect an update until closer to the end of the month. Hope you enjoyed this chapter. Please review.
