Ah finally I managed to update! My internet keeps dieing on me dammit! anyway on with the show!
First off I would like to thank everybody for the reviews I've had for this fiction! 55! That's 55! I know to some people out there that might not seem much but it means a lot to me and it's all down to you guys so thanks guys!
Disclaimer: I do not own Beyblade nor do I own the computer I am typing the disclaimer on, it belongs to school if you're interested. Yes I know I'm supposed to be doing school work but life would be boring if I just did school work…ok so I admit it, I do a lot less school work than I should ;) if I did more work then I wouldn't get so stressed when I find out my coursework is in for the next day but hey look on the bright side…struggling to find the bright side of having to hand in coursework I haven't quite done yet but I'm sure I'll think of something. It might not be the right answer but hey it'll be answer…yeah I don't know what I'm talking about either and I do realise that I have totally gone off the point of the disclaimer…rambling; it is a curse. :D
Oh enjoy this chapter! Tell me what you think and all that. And tell me if you've ever had battered mars bars…no I'm not joking. A friend of mine says they're really good but I'm not so sure. Apparently the batter is sweeter than normal batter but it's still not working for me.
Anywho please read the chapter before I digress any further!
Chapter Six: Saddened Ashes
"Welcome home boys" Voltaire stopped in the foyer as the front door opened and Bryan and Kai walked in; he noticed the blue black bruise blossoming on Bryan's jaw and the nail marks dug deep on the lower part of Kai's arm "I trust you slept well"
Both Bryan and Kai had trouble biting back the sarcasm that threatened to bubble out at this remark but after a moment Kai managed
"Yes grandfather"
"Very good, I imagine you both want to go to your rooms and freshen up"
"Yes grandfather"
"However first I have some news for you" continued Voltaire
Kai's heart sank through his boots and below the floor; the last his grandfather had said that Kai had been dumped with Bryan, what would those words bring this time? Tyson and Daichi trying their hand at a clown act?
"I have organised a little get together tonight and Kai I wish you to attend"
Kai's heart sank below the floor, below the house and was well on its way to the centre of the earth "yes grandfather, may I enquire who is to be there?"
"Your parents naturally" answered Voltaire while Kai's stomach decided to join his heart "also a few of my acquaintances"
"Very well grandfather"
Voltaire turned to Bryan "although it would be proper for you to introduce yourself I feel it would be best if you stayed upstairs as you do not know how to conduct yourself in these situations"
"Very well sir" said Bryan doubting very much that Kai was much better 'in these situations' and judging by the expression on rich boy's face he's rather have his foot hacked off than attending the 'little get together'.
"Good, now go and get yourselves freshened up. I have another task for you both today seeing how you're getting on so well"
Bryan and Kai looked at the old man and both thought simultaneously that the man was finally going senile if he thought they were getting along. Voltaire walked away leaving Bryan and Kai to walk up the stairs and freshen up whilst 'getting along'.
Kai took his time walking up the stairs mainly allowing Bryan to get ahead of him and therefore avoid anymore fights; he was sick of fighting, not just with Bryan but with everything. Sick of trying to not let his grandfather totally rule over him, sick of fighting with his pride which forbade him to beg for help from one of the servants, sick of trying to understand what was going on around him and sick of feeling like he wasn't in control of his own life. Kai looked up at Bryan who indeed had overtaken him by a couple of steps; there he was striding out on the stairs, in control of everything around him and himself. A pang of jealousy ripped through Kai, Bryan thought it was Kai who had life easy when in reality it was Bryan who could stride through life in his own way. It was Bryan who got what he wanted; it was Bryan who fought against people who he considered his enemies. It was Bryan who won again and again.
"Master Kai? Are you alright?"
Kai looked up at a young manservant who could only be a few years older than Kai himself, the manservant was looking at him concerned and Kai realised he'd stopped halfway up the stairs and was leaning heavily against the banister.
"I'm fine" he managed as wave of burning hot dizziness swam across his head, his vision swayed and he found he was sweating "really I'm fine" he added as the manservant looked at him doubtfully, he was vaguely aware of Bryan stopping a couple of steps up and turning round; great, that was all he needed, for Bryan to see him when he was feeling so weak.
"If your sure master Kai" said the manservant
"I'm sure" said Kai and indicated that the manservant should continue his way down the stairs which the manservant did begin to do. Kai's head swam once more and the last thing he saw before his legs gave way were a pair of pale eyes…
"Master Kai!" the manservant called out in alarm as Kai began to fall back down the stairs but Bryan was there catching Kai before he'd even hit the ground. Bryan looked at Kai critically before looking at the manservant who had frozen in mid shout.
"Well help me get him to his room!" said Bryan impatiently and feeling strange while half holding Kai in his arms however the manservant was either petrified of going within a metre of the very much feared Bryan or he'd totally forgotten how to use his brain because he just stood there staring at the fainted Kai.
"Useless!" Bryan told him as he hosted Kai properly in to his arms and made his way up the stairs, Bryan was vaguely surprised how light he found Kai and the heat that radiated off the phoenix melted through the falcon's ice walls and struck him deep inside.
"I think you should take him to his room" said the manservant who had followed Bryan
"Oh really" said Bryan sarcastically "and what did you think I was going to with him? Put him on the roof?"
"Well…you know…just trying to be helpful," mumbled the manservant as Bryan shot him an irritated glare but then he brightened "should I make him a bath?"
"What are you going to do?" asked Bryan "throw it over him or drown him in it?"
The manservant thought about this "well what should I do?"
"I don't know. Go to your judo lesson? Start learning how to tap dance? It's entirely up to you" Bryan was beginning to feel slightly murderous and for once it wasn't Kai he wanted to kill
"Yes but what should I do about master Kai? It's obvious he's sick" said the manservant
"Really? What on earth gave you that idea?" asked Bryan in mock confusion
"Well he's all pale and sweaty and he's fainted"
"And here was me thinking I was carrying him to his room just for the pure pleasure" said Bryan wondering whether the gun, hanging on the wall he'd just past, actually worked.
"So what should I do?" asked the manservant again
"Call a doctor maybe?" suggested Bryan "unless of course you want him to die a very painful and slow death"
The manservant gasped in horror "you don't think it's that bad do you?"
"I can always hope" muttered Bryan
"I know! I know! I have a plan!" said the manservant wafting a hand at Bryan
"Oh hooray" said Bryan just so pleased
"You take him to his room and I'll call the doctor!" said the manservant as he hurried off just as Bryan reached Kai's room, the manservant turned back "I don't suppose you know the doctor's number do you?" he asked
"I know his address" answered Bryan opening Kai's door with his foot
"What's that?"
"I think it's Look His Number Up In The Phonebook You Stupid Prick!"
"That's a funny address"
"Isn't it just" said Bryan as he entered Kai's room and shut the door.
Pushing back the covers Bryan lay Kai on the bed and found himself looking at Kai; seeing Kai laying on the bed pale, a slight frown on his features brought memories back for Bryan, memories he'd forced away came leaking in to his mind…
Little Bryan ran up to the bed and jumped up on it in one swift movement as he looked down at the figure lying there. Black hair contrasted electrifying against the pale almost white skin. Sitting next to the bedridden figure Bryan prodded him awake and looked curiously down at the face which smiled weakly up at him.
"You're awake!" said Bryan as a hand rose up slowly and gently ruffled Bryan's hair simply because Bryan hated it, Bryan scowled causing the person to smile once again.
"Hey little dude" said the person "what have you been up to?"
"I got Falborg back, he's better than ever now" Bryan held up his beyblade for the guy to see and realised that he wasn't looking, Bryan smacked his arm "hey Tony! You're not looking!"
Tony's eyes opened again and he gave Bryan a satisfied nod as he checked out the new improved Falborg. Bryan turned as he heard a shuffle on another bed in the hospital ward and he saw a little boy who he recognised as Voltaire Hiwatari's grandson; a small cruel smile touched Bryan's lips. That boy never got punished the way he got punished so whenever he could he beat the little rich boy up. Tony caught the expression on Bryan's face and tapped the boy on the shoulder and shook his head.
"Leave him alone little Bry, he's not very well"
Bryan looked back and saw that rich boy was sitting tightly in one corner with his arms round his knees, his eyes were wide and filled with fear and he was whimpering softly.
"What's wrong with him?" asked Bryan turning back to Tony
"He was attacked by that big black bird" explained Tony
"You mean the one that attacked you?" asked Bryan catching a glimpse of the deep large claw gouges that had ripped out half of Tony's side. Tony nodded
"I had to save him from the big black bird, that's why I got hurt"
"Oh, you should have just left him there" commented Bryan
Tony sighed, "they really have destroyed your emotions haven't they?" he looked sadly at little Bryan "promise me something"
Bryan looked at him
"When I get out of here you'll start being nice to Voltaire's grandson"
Bryan shrugged "okay"
"Promise" said Tony firmly
Bryan rolled his eyes and said in a bored tone "I promise that on the day you get better and out of the hospital I shall be nice to rich boy forevermore"
Tony gave a weak smile "that's it little dude"…
Bryan came out of his reverie and glared dementedly "he died three days later you bastard" he murmured to unhearing and shivering Kai "he died because you couldn't keep your grubby little hands off Black Dranzer, he was the only one who ever took an interest in me and you killed him. That's why I hate you rich boy and I'll never forgive you for what you did!"
Bryan walked over to the window and picked up a piece of shredded paper that was on the floor, walking over to the bin he noticed more pieces of ripped paper and yet more in the bin, curiously Bryan took them all out and set them on a surface.
Moments he had the letter pretty much put together, there was a part missing but it didn't impede Bryan reading the neat educated hand that was unmistakably Kai's.
Dear Mr Dickinson
For the past three months I have been living at my grandfather's Manor in Russia and since I started living here I have found that my grandfather's attitude has not changed and I am sure that he is planning something which I feel I should inform you of. What his plan is or how he shall proceed I do not know but I feel sure that I should warn you of this plan because something tells me that my grandfather intends to use me in his plans and though I am capable of handling my grandfather I wish that my friends Tyson, Ray and Max especially should be on alert because I think my grandfather intends to use their power in his plan.
Do not worry about me; I know how to handle my grandfather.
Yours sincerely
Kai Hiwatari
Bryan reread the letter with a frown, so Kai knew his grandfather was up to something but he didn't know much judging by this letter. As far as Bryan was aware Voltaire didn't intend to use Tyson, Ray or Max not until he'd used Kai anyway. Bryan wondered why Kai hadn't sent the letter, he turned back to look at Kai. Could he do it? Could he complete his mission? Could he do what Voltaire wanted? Bryan shook these doubts from his head; he hated Kai Hiwatari and would take every pleasure in completing his mission.
Bryan pushed the remains of the letter back in to the bin as the door opened and a doctor hurried in followed by Bryan's favourite manservant.
"There he is!" said the manservant dramatically pointing at Kai "there's master Kai!"
"Is that rich boy?" Bryan raised his eyebrows "never would have guessed"
"What happened?" asked the doctor
"He suddenly grew three legs and turned blue with purple spots" answered Bryan
The doctor gave him a look "seriously now, this is not a time to joke, what happened?"
"He fainted, what does it look like?" said Bryan
The doctor checked Kai's pulse both in his wrist and neck "his heart rate is too fast, has he been eating properly?"
"He uses a knife and fork if that's what you mean" said Bryan smirking as the doctor glared at him "he hasn't been eating at all" added Bryan "I would have thought that by looking at him that was fairly obvious"
The doctor ignored Bryan and began muttering to himself. Bryan watched the doctor as he fussed and petted over Kai and an anger filled him; why couldn't the doctors have saved Tony? Why did they let him die? Tony had been the only person Bryan had ever looked up to, had been the only person who looked past the anger and hatred and seen the boy inside. Black Dranzer had taken Tony from Bryan…Kai had taken Tony from him. When Tony died it had been the last time Bryan had felt any thing that wasn't anger or hate; he'd felt pain and that pain had twisted up inside him as Boris had beaten him until Bryan felt nothing but hatred and anger. Now as Bryan watched the doctor dampen a cloth and place it on Kai's forehead, as he watched Kai stir in his sleep with an expression of pain all that anger and all that hate swelled up and became a twisted contorted swirl of pure evil intent. As Bryan watched the doctor check Kai's temperature he felt the anger inside intensify in to a jealousy on Tony's behalf and all the feeling that churned inside Bryan he directed at Kai.
There would be nothing that Kai could do or say to make it right because Bryan liked hating Kai. And he would always hate Kai. A small whimper of pain escaped Kai's lips making the doctor suddenly frantic and the look on Kai's face jogged a memory in Bryan's mind. He remembered being ten years old and standing in front of Boris's desk as Boris told him that Bryan was going to be punished and then Voltaire had walked in. Boris told Voltaire what Bryan had done and Voltaire had struck Bryan ordering that Bryan should be locked away.
Bryan hated being closed in especially in the dark but instead of showing fear he masked this fear in to anger causing him to attack Voltaire. It had taken three men to pull Bryan off Voltaire and when he looked round he saw Kai Hiwatari standing there extremely pale and shocked, staring at his grandfather as Voltaire bellowed at Bryan then as Voltaire made to strike Bryan Kai had called out shouting at his grandfather to stop.
Voltaire had turned on his nine year old grandson and hit him around the face hard. Kai had fallen back, hit the wall and slid to the floor. Bryan had watched as Kai had looked up with tears coursing down his face as Voltaire had stood over Kai and Bryan had watched without feeling as Voltaire had walloped Kai over and over again ignoring his pleas to stop…
As the doctor shouted at the manservant to stop being a blithering idiot it suddenly occurred to Bryan that it might have been the first time Kai had ever seen his grandfather truly violent and a new feeling emerged in Bryan. It started deep within him; a faint almost untouchable feeling but it was there nonetheless. And what was this feeling?
Pity.
I think we have a tiny break through! YAY! What do you think? Do tell! Do tell! Until next time folks! That's unless I drown once again under the sea of paper that threatens to swamp my house.
Kiki