Chapter 3: Part 2

When they arrived at the mansion, everyone was surrounding Alexandra. Alexandra sitting on the sofa had her head on her hand. Valeriya looked up Kai as he approached with Faith beside him. The kids were quietly sitting on another sofa, viewing everyone up with question and concern. Viktor rolled near the children and proceed to occupy their attention, and reassuring them. Aton was seated on the coffee table watching Alexandra with concern.

'Mother, what happened?' Kai frowned observing his mother.

'Dear?' Susumu inquired softly, stroking her back in soothing manner. Alexandra nodded understandingly. Tala positioned himself between Ian and Kai. Tala whispered so the children wouldn't hear him.

'She said she was almost run over by a truck.' Faith gasped looking at Tala in surprise.

'Oh, it wasn't that bad.' Alexandra voiced, 'I'm glad that it could have been much worse, if it had not been for the young man. He came out nowhere and pushed me out of the way.'

'What man?' Aton asked, looking at Valeriya. Valeriya opened her mouth to reply when a young man with long straight brown hair cut through between Ian and Tala. He gracefully placed a glass of water into Alexandra's hand. Susumu smiled at the man while Viktor peered at him suspiciously. Aton looked at the man beside him as he passed the glass to Alexandra with a kind smile. His demeanour was mixture of gentleness and cool – it was an odd combination. Valeriya proceeded say what she had intended:

'This is-'

'Zeke.' Faith breathed out, looking at the man crouched in front of Alexandra.

'You know him?' Alexandra asked, astounded at her.

'Yes, he is a close friend...' Faith nodded. Zeke stood up and turned to Faith. Viewing her, he titled his head causing his hair to sway to one side. He hid his hands underneath his white poncho cloak. He smiled cheerfully.

'Faith.' She bowed her head and bit her lip.

'What are you doing here, Zeke?' Zeke approached Faith. Kai eyed the man as pulled out from a crystallised yellow lily and reached out.

'I was in country, just casually passing by the city?' Zeke delicately placed the lily behind of Faith's ear. 'And I'm here because a woman was in danger. It wouldn't be courteous and noble of me if didn't insure she got home safely after such a nasty shock.'

'That's not what I meant.' Faith glared at him. Zeke sighed.

'If you must know, I was following you-' Faith squealed in frustration loudly.

'Oh good, you're not overreacting.'

'You promised!'

'I have never made such a promise.' He replied calmly as she folded her arms and scoffed. Zeke looked at Kai and smiled. In return Kai frowned.

'Who the hell are you?'

'Kai!' Akexandra scolded

'You must be Kai Hiwatari, Tyson's former team mate.' Faith tensed. 'Nice to finally meet you, in person.' Zeke threw a glance at Faith. 'Well, since there is no need for me here anymore,' Looking at Alexandra and Valeriya. 'Excuse I'm needed elsewhere.' He looked at Faith.

Valeriya quickly responded, 'Mister Zeke, please stay for lunch. It's the least we could do for you.' Susumu nodded:

'That would a great idea. Please. You saved my wife's life. I'm in your debt.' Zeke nodded.

'That would be lovely, Mr Hiwatari. I'm famished from my travels. '

Aton stood up, and walked to his wife and hugged her. Tala and Ian went to the kitchen to help Spencer, Cara, Shou, and Bryan. Viktor was talking to Susumu about Alexandra sitting on the sofa. Children raced around each other to the dining table, almost running into Faith and Kai.

'Woah.' Faith reached her hand for Zeke's arm. He gazed at her when he felt her hand.

'Thank you for saving Mrs Hiwatari.' She looked up at him. Faith's face softened slightly to an expression of ease. Zeke flicked a strand to her hair behind and whispered.

'Come on.' He walked past her.

'Ex-boyfriend?' Kai stated.

'I wish it was that simple.' Faith muttered.

'Care to indulge me on why your ex-boyfriend is following you.' She watched Zeke start a conversation with Awren, he always preferred the company of the simple-minded and child-like.

'He thinks that I need protecting.' Faith glazed at Kai, 'Trust me I will tell you some day. But it is reallly complicating.' Wordlessly, Kai nodded.

Around the table, Susumu and Kai kept throwing concerned glances at Alexandra. Beside Kai, Faith sat fidgeting with Zeke's flower. Viktor sat at the head of the table, with Susumu to his right and Shou to his left. Shou had Gou beside him, seated beside his only son was Cara. Then Zeke, Awren, Bryan, Spencer and Ian. Opposite Ian Tyla was seated with Aton, Valeriya, Faith, Kai, Alexandra and Susumu.

'Zeke?' The man in questioned turned his brown eyes to the adorable face of Awren.

'Yes?' She giggled.

'Are you from Russia?' Zeke put his finger on his chin and thought. He smiled.

'No, we live in somehow. Far from Russia. Far from Japan.' Zeke closed his eyes and recalled. 'It's beautiful and enchanting. There is never a dull moment.'

'We?' Aton caught on Zeke's slip, raising an eyebrow smoothly.

'Oh, Faith and me.' Alexandra cleared her voice.

'That's right, you know Faith. How are you acquainted with each other?' She directed the question to Zeke and Faith.

'I knew since she was born. She was a big chubby baby with freakishly large brown eyes.' Zeke grinned. Faith covered her face in embarrassment.

'Zeke.' He chortled.

'Since then we have never been separated.'

'Could if I tried.' Faith muttered under he breathe.

'And it never... went further?' Valeriya asked astonished and suspicious.

'Sure it did! We were engaged.' Faith sank into chair avoid Kai's eyes. 'But life got in the way and she broke my heart.' Zeke smiled cheerful 'Is that right Faith?' she nodded.

'Yeah, that's right I was tired of being put second to your precious goal.' Faith almost spat the words at him. Zeke dispassionately addressed Faith. He spoke in another tongue:

'That's not true and you know that. Besides, the last I checked you liked that I was passionate about my goals.' Causally glancing at Kai, who glared at him.

'Zeke!' Faith snarled. 'Please let's not talk about or you will lose the battle.' Zeke shook his head and chuckled, and he said: 'Relax.' He looked at Awren, and winked. 'I love to tease her.' She giggled.

'What do you do Zeke, at this enchanted place?' Susumu asked, amused.

'I... manage people.' Zeke said, carefully selecting his words.

'So, you don't collect Bitbeasts?' Aton asked, directly.

'Bitbeasts?' Zeke thought to himself, 'Oh yes! I understand you. I manage the people who among many other things collect 'Bitbeasts'.'Zeke beamed brightly. 'Don't worry Mr Valkov, I'm not interested in collecting Bitbeasts for power or world domination. 'Zeke airily replied. 'The only power struggle we've experienced is when members don't do as they told, and run into dangerous territories.' Faith nodded slowly and sighed.

'That was not my motive-' Aton began.

'Sure it was. Please don't lie.' The distrust in voice was clear as the day. Zeke looked up at the ceiling, then at Faith. His piercing stare held on Faith, while she looked at questioningly. 'It understandable, I guess. Anyways...'Zeke sighed, 'I must be off. There are lots to do.' Zeke patted his mouth delicately with a serviette and stood up. 'Oh yes, I almost forgot.' He causally threw Faith a mobile phone, she caught it in the palms of her hands with a clueless look.

'What's it for?'

'It's a mobile phone, for calling.'

'You're a moron.' Faith deadpanned. Zeke smiled.

'Should you need to talk to your beloved family and friends, and let them know you're doing fine.' Faith nodded while scrolling through the contacts. She sighed, dejectedly.

'Thank you anyway.'

'Everybody is fine.' Faith looked up at Zeke as he stared with serene eyes at the lake. 'They want you to get well.'

'And if I don't? If I remain in this state? Won't you hate me? I'm everything you hate now.' Smiling bravely, she waited for him to respond. Finally he looked at her with a solemn look. There were a few times when Zeke did not seem light-hearted, whether it was genuine or not. It usually made people want to straighten their backside and pay attention to him even more. It was usually followed by a burst of anger, or grime truth.

'We made a vow, remember. In weakness, in power, in poor health and good.' Faith bowed her head and gave a small smile.

'I remember. But I was 3.'

'Still counts.' Zeke flipped his brown hair and readied himself to leave.

'Zeke, that is-' Alexandra wanted to point out that Zeke was exiting through the backdoor, and the closest road was around the front of the property. But then again, they (she, Zeke and Valeriya) had used a taxi to get to the mansion. They would also need to call for another taxi for Zeke. For that he would need to wait and use the front door.

'I know.' Zeke replied to her, cheerfully. 'Thank you for hospitality. And, please look after my friend. She can be a little of a hand full.' Zeke slid the door and swift to jump off the balcony. 'Oh my gosh!' Aton, Valeriya, Susumu Shou, Cara and Alexandra gasped and looked one another, shocked. Awrenhad tears gathering in her eyes as her glanced at the balcony and then her Bryan, who did not seem fazed slipping his juice. Faith closed the door.

'He does that all the time. He is fine, trust me.' Faith waved it off, nervously. 'Seriously.' Susumu nodded in slow motion and looked to his wife.

'You always knew where to find the characters.' She smiled at him.

'That's how I found you, my love.' She laughed. Faith sat down, glad for the distraction.

...

Faith sighed, placing her plate in the sink. She turned the tap and starting washing up.

'You know, you sigh a lot.' Tala spoke, leaning on the kitchen but facing the door. 'What could be possibly wrong with your life? Not enough shoes?' She knew he was baiting her.

'No, just missing people.' She picked up other dirty plates and starting washing them.

'So, what is stopping you from going to them? Don't think we are keeping you here.'

'I know.'

'That Zeke fellow was interesting. You always go for the mysterious type?'

'Maybe, what is it to you?' Tala noticed Faith's hand tighten around the plate.

'So he follows you?'

'Hey Tala?' Tala glanced at the blue-haired girl with his bright blue eyes. 'Mind your own damn business.' Faith dried her hands and left. Tala smirked,

'Hey genius, we have a dishwasher.' He called out as she almost out of the kitchen. Faith froze.

'I know and I don't care!' This could be fun.

...

Faith looked for Kai around the living and living room. She wasn't surprised considering Kai often disappeared for hours at a time; she just assumed he didn't do it when he was with his family. Faith saw Alexandra approach her and tensed up. She could run to her room.

'Sweetheart, can we talk?'

'Mrs Hiwatari, I don't want to talk about what happened this morning.' Faith massaged her neck.

'I think we have passed the formality, Faith. Please call me Alexandra.' Faith nodded. 'And promise this isn't about...that.' She smiled gently and led her to the balcony.

They sat down. The sun peeked through the fluffy white cloud, like floating snow. Feeling the cool breeze wash against her face Faith closed her eyes and smiled.

'Do you love my son?' Faith's eyes shot open. Alexandra's full attention was directed to Faith. She didn't hesitant, this was much too important for that. 'You see a future with him?' Faith bit her lower lip and nodded. Did she truly...love him? She hardly knew anything about him, let alone he had living parents. Would she be upset if he left her? Of course, she was mortified about the thought while she was recovering until yesterday when they had met. But that doesn't exclusively mean that she loved him. Did it? No, it was.

'I think I do?' Faith breathed out. Once the words had left her mouth, she covered her mouth. Almost wishing the words were swallowed back. Alexandra's expression didn't shift as she tilted her head in question. 'I mean, we have only been together for three months. Well, maybe a year, but I feel like we were on... hiatus...' A year? Really? 'Mrs Hi-I mean Alexandra, I have no intention to hurt your son or lead him on. I was and I'm fully committed to him. Kai...' Faith stood up and leaned her hands along the railing '... How can I love someone I don't know fully?'

'The hiatus, was it because of your... injuries?'

'Yeah.'

'You should have told him. For 10 months you left him to guess your whereabouts.'

'I was dealing with some other issue. I was a little petrified of talking to Kai.' Alexandra shook her head.

'A simple message would suffice.'

'...You're right, I'm sorry.' Alexandra stood up and positioned herself near Faith.

'Don't apologise to me. I didn't know you. I have dealt with my fair share of scars; most of them were my son's. I know not to ask too many questions. But whatever the issues associated with your scar, don't hurt my son. He seems to be quite taken to you. And I don't think you quite understand just how much he cares for you.' Alexandra placed a hand on Faith's.

'Could I get that in writing?' Faith joked, fully aware that Kai would rarely say those words. And while she never doubted he cared for her, she doubted he love her. It was fair, considering her position on the matter.

A knock disturbed her thought. Faith looked over shoulder. She saw Gou and Awren's face pressed on the glass. Alexandra laughed, and beckoned them outside. Awren's little hands pushed against glass door while Gou ran to Alexandra. She gathered him in her arms and went to sit down. Awren waved to someone towards her, but Faith couldn't see it who it was. Awren skipped onto the porch and sat on Faith's seat. Soon after, Tyla appeared looking slightly timidly. He stayed near the frame of the door.

'Tетенька? (Aunty, pronounced tsyo-tsin-ka)' he said with a slight accent.

'Yes?' She said, stroking his grey hair.

'Are... you ok?' Gou hid his mouth behind his balled hands. Alexandra continued stroking his hair, soothingly. She smiled at him, and then at Awren.

'Yes, my sweethearts.' Faith looked away and bit her lips.

'What happened to the treasure?' She looked at Gou, who was staring her in wonder.

'Oh!' Faith remembered and sheepishly smiled at the little she had forgotten about that. The kid had one hell of a memory. She thought. To be honest, she forgot how the rest of the tale went. Was a magical deer involved? Or, it was wild boar? She was at a loss for words. Alexandra saw Faith's face crunch up in thought and decided to step in. Awren and Gou giggled as the young Granger was caught up in her own thoughts. Tyla raised an eyebrow, but tried to resist smiling.

'Uh, Faith? Maybe I should tell them a story?' Alexandra gently added.

'Oh, yeah. Ok! I'm sorry.' She sighed. She didn't know many children, but the once she did know loved her. Thinking back, she was much happier, and fun to be with. They used play games and pranks, they loved her stories. 'Wait! I have a story!' She grinned.

She sat down on the wooden porch and crossed her legs. 'This is one of my favourite stories.' She clapped her in announced. 'My dad was the first person to tell this story.' She couldn't see Tyla, it was for the best since see his judgemental face may cause her to lose focus. Alexandra leaned back on the chair as Gou and Awren looked at her.

'This is a story about a boy name Justas (pronounced Jus-tas) Doji. When he was a child, he was like any other child, kinda like you guys. Happy, excited and he loved his mother. His father was a foreigner, had to leave soon after Justas was born...' Second turned into minutes, and before she knew was getting absorbing in entertaining them with her story.

'Awren.' Faith looked at the door to find Bryan. The little girl continued staring at Faith expectantly.

'Is there something you wanted, Bryan?' Alexandra asked, adjusting Gou in her arms.

'It's getting late we need to head home.' During the story, Tyla had found himself situated in-between the two porch chairs with his knees pushed up against his chest. When he heard this, he twisted around to see Bryan biting his lip, nervously. He walked back to the living room.

'One more minute!' Awren yelled, still watching Faith.

'Pinish. Pleatheee' Gou pouted, adorably.

'Guys, this story will take more than a minute.' she laughed awkwardly.

'Continue!' Awren chirped, she swung right to left in anticipation. It wasn't even that good of story yet, was it?

'Sweetheart, you can come back wherever you want.' Alexandra reassured them.

Bryan sighed: 'Awren, come on we have to go.' Awren lowered her head and started to sniff. She covered her eyes with hands and the sobbing only got louder. Bryan moaned and hit his head back on the glass, aggravated.

The blitzkrieg boy talked around the chair and crouched down at his sister's level. Faith watched in amusement as he blew hot air in annoyance. He hesitated at first before he reached for her tiny softs hands with his callous larger ones, and pulled them gently to look at her. As she suspected, Awren was a good of an actress as she was sweet. Nonetheless, Bryan's metallic-gray eyes softened when his saw Awren's delicate silver ones.

'We can come back tomorrow morning. I promise.' Bryan threw a quick glare at Faith, who immediately tried to cover her smile. 'Faith won't tell the story till then.'

'Correct! I promise!' Faith gave Awren her best smile. Awren held her arms out for Bryan with a pout adorning her pale face. Bryan gladly lifted her up and she wrapped her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist. She excitedly waved goodbye to them. Faith waved back.

'I wana to stay her, wit Kaka-shan!' Gou yelled while bouncing on Alexandra's lap. Alexandra pick up Gou up and placed him on her hips.

'Let's see what your mommy says to that.'

Faith watched them leave through the sliding door and closed her eyes. Breathe in. Breathe out. Unknown to her she was frowning and muttering under her breath.

'Are listening to me Master? Please, don't leave me... have I done something to anger you... I need you counsel...' She slowly opened her eyes and looked up at the sky again. Standing up, she glanced around the lake's shoreline.

Once Faith was inside, she noticed it was much quieter. Gou came running and latched onto Faith's leg.

'Woah there dude!'

'Mama thaid I can stay. Wet's pway a dame!' He announced.

'What kind of game?' Faith smiled in excitement. 'Card games, board games, running games!' Gou gave Faith a confused look, before he shook his head, his gray-toned hair swaying right to left.

'No, wet's pway hide and theek.'

'Oh! I love that one!' Faith pointed out. Gou laughed and clasped his chubby hands together getting energized. 'Ok, I'll hide, you count!' Gou's head bobbed enthusiastically.

Gou covered his eyes with his hands and started counting in Russian. Faith frantically looked around for places to hide. The question was where to hide: in the house or outside? It was safer to do it inside, so she ran past Gou.

'Odin. Dva. Tri.' She headed upstairs. When she reached on the landing, she had two hallways to choose from. They both look identical: they were dimly lit with dark blue paint and French-style windows at the far end. Faith ran towards the left-hand corridor, throwing glances at Gou, who was sneakily peeking through his fingers around the room. Every time he did, his voice got louder.

'Dvadtsat! Dvadtsat odin!'(Twenty! Twenty-one!)

Faith looked around the huge corridor. There were a few doors but she wouldn't want to hazard a guess to which one was the Hiwataris' bedroom. What if she walked in on a personal or tension moment, her awkward face would forever be imprint in that moment. Faith shook her head. She spotted small tables, clothed in a simple white table cloth and strategically placed at the centre and at the end of the hallway. Placed on the centre of all the circular tables were vases with wild flowers. As Faith pulled table cloth up, from the corner of her eyes she could see a shadow at the end on the corridor.

'This will have to do.' As she squatted under the table, Faith covered her mouth to stop herself from sniggering.

'What are you doing?' Faith jolted and hit her head on the table.

'Ow! Kai? What the hell!' She whispered angrily, rubbing her head. 'I'm hiding.'

'You're not doing a great job of that, genius.' Faith glared at Kai.

'Get lost. You'll get me caught!' She tried to push Kai away.

'Come on.' Kai took Faith's wrist and pulled out the table with ease and gentleness. He didn't want to hurt her again.

'Hey! Woah! What are you doing?' Faith hissed. Kai dragged her, again with ease into one of the rooms along the hallway. He shut the door behind him as silent as a whisper. Faith was in darkness.

'Is this a closet?' Kai switched a light on. Light flooded the room and the contours of Kai's handsome face. Before Faith could react, Kai took hold of her hand and crossed the room. Upon further inspection, Faith noticed it was a bedroom. The bedroom was the definition of simple. Book shelves lay beside a tidy desk. Black silk bed sheet covered a queen-sized. A glass coffee table was situated at the foot of the bed.

'Wow! Your room here is twice the size of your room at the dojo.' Kai opened his traditional mahogany wardrobe and smoothly put a curious Faith inside.

'Wow! Your wardrobe is bigger too. And you have more coloured clothes!' He shut the door. He turned to walk away when he stopped, and opened the door to his wardrobe again.

Faith was holding her hands together, patiently waiting when Kai opened the door. Kai cupped Faith's cheeks positioning her face upward and kissed her. Faith pulled at Kai into the wardrobe. He staggered in, closing the door behind him. Faith closed her eyes in delight and emitted a harsh moan.

His hand rested on her back while the other gently pressed her head closer to his. He deepened the kiss, nibbling on her bottom lip. Faith moaned, and without further notice readily welcomed his advance. Her arms circled around his neck, finding his short dark hair behind his head.

She shivered and parted from the kiss when Faith felt his rough hand trail down her neck, down her back and located itself on her lower back. Kai wasn't having any of it; he lowered his head and pressed his lips on hers completely. Faith frowned, when she felt his smirk against her lips. He was thinking something amusing. Was kissing her, funny?

Kai perceived she wasn't paying attention to the task at hand, tightened his hold around her waist. Faith gasped. Before Kai could proceed to re-explore her mouth, they heard a faint creek come from outside the wardrobe. Kai slowly removed his lips from hers, turned to the wardrobe door. Faith hid behind Kai's board shoulders and along his clothes. The doors were flung open and light entered the wardrobe. Gou's ecstatic face turned into question.

'Kaka-shan? Why awe you her?'

'Because,' Kai thought to answer, raking his hair. 'I was looking for one of my rewards. I guess I found it.' Gou nodded his head in puzzlement. 'OK.' Kai ruffled Gou's hair. Gou bowed his head, shaking it slightly unhappy he had reached another dead end. His eyes zoomed on shoes behind Kai.

'I fond her!' he exclaimed. His neck craned around his cousin and saw the Faith, with her hand over her face, in exasperation at herself. Gou ran back out of the room with huge foolish grin adorning his face. Faith rumbled. If only she had remain focused on hiding, instead of kissing Kai. And his stupid damn lips. And his firm body pressed perfectly that she felt low vibrations as he chuckled. Kai's amused eyes watched his baby cousin race out of room. Faith stepped around Kai and ran out of the door. Kai grabbed Faith's arm.

'What?'

'We haven't finished.'

'I think you need continue searching for your reward in there.' Faith pointed behind Kai causally, 'Besides, I got caught because of you.' Faith grinned, pushing away Kai. Kai smirked smugly,

'I didn't see you complaining.'

'Well, it's kinda hard to do that when you have someone's tongue down your throat.'

'Fine.' Letting go of her arm, he folded his arms. He closed his eyes and slight frown adorned his face.

'Aww! Poor Kai!' Faith smiled sweetly. She stood on her tiptoes. Her head reached Kai's and she brushed her lips lightly on his. So light was the touch for him, he barely felt it. Kai's eyes snapped open. He saw Faith round his doorway as she ran. He smiled, and touched his lips feeling the tingling sensation.

When Faith finally reached downstairs, Gou was waiting with a cheeky grin similar to Tyson when he wins.

'It's your turn to hide!'