Chapter 9
'But… how can that be?' muttered Max, confusion tainting his features. The team had been silent, trying to comprehend what was being shown to them. Tyson was the first to move, turning to face Kai, disbelief showing in his eyes.
'It's a mistake surely. I mean, this isn't right, is it Kai? Kai..?'
But he had turned away, unable to look his team in the eyes.
'This can't be real' continued Tyson 'This has gotta be a dream or something.' His eyes widened with shock as realisation hit him. 'This is why you've been away so much? Because you were meeting him.' A pause, followed by 'Is that why he's here?'
'But even if that's true, it's not like Kai chose this. I mean, he didn't ask him to come, did he…' Said Max, tailing off as he looked up at his captain.
But Kai could do nothing but look away from his team, his friends. He had tried to hide it, to stop them from finding the truth. But he had failed. He knew what would come now. It had happened before, and it would happen again. Being turned against, and once again, being alone. They would never forgive this, and Kai knew that nothing he could do or say would change that.
- - -
Ray stared at the floor, feeling the anger well up inside of him. He couldn't understand how this was happening. Kai had been their captain, and more than that, he had become their friend. But to find this… How could they ever trust him. How could they know if anything he said was true. Ray looked up, staring at their captain's back, as he realised. They never could. And why should he trust Kai. Why should he trust what, in the end, always went back to him.
Flashback.
Ray stood silently, the drops of rain mixing with the tears on his cheeks. He was soaked through, his clothes heavy from the rain. But he did not take shelter. The only sign of movement was the ragged heaving of his chest, as he struggled to keep the tears at bay. He had not moved from where he stood in several hours, unable to convince himself to leave. Before him lay a grave, fresh among the long green grass, a final testament to his mother. The tears stung his cheeks, a sob catching in his throat, as he remembered her smiling down at him. No matter what, she always seemed able to smile, no matter how bad things got. And it had always given Ray strength. Even on days when he had thought things couldn't get any worse, she would come and see him, a smile gracing her features, and everything would just seem better.
But this time, there was nothing. No smile to take away his worries, to make everything better. There was only darkness, and Ray could see no end to it. Just three days ago, they had all been together, a family, and just her presence seemed to make everything right. But now she was gone, and the family she had behind, nothing more than a broken shell.
Ray had stood and watched them, his father trying desperately to comfort Iain, to hold them together. But Ray could see that it was useless. A shadow had fallen over them, and there was nothing they could do to stop it. Eventually he stopped trying, falling onto his knees beside his son, and letting the grief consume him. And still Ray stood and watched. They had lost a part of themselves, and nothing could be said or done to change that.
His gaze rising to the heavens, Ray's expression changed to a frown. The rain now fell as a soft drizzle, washing away the last of his tears. Two days before, he had walked through the centre of the village, some of the damage still visible. Walking past the village's hall, Ray could hear the village leaders discussing the attack. He had not stayed long, but since then, only one thing had stuck in his mind. The one responsible for the attack, the one who had taken his mother from him. The name of that man, was Kain Voltaire.
- - -
Kai turned to face his team, preparing for what was to come. The others were just staring at him, their disbelief showing. But Ray's eyes showed an anger that Kai would never have expected from the younger boy. But the normally peaceful boy was now filled with such rage, that Kai could not help but be unnerved.
'How could you do this?' said Ray, his voice saying with anger. 'How could you keep this from us.'
'I'm sorry,' sighed Kai, unable to look his teammate in the eye. 'I didn't want you to find out, I didn't want this to happen.'
'You lied to us' Yelled Ray, his eyes showing the betrayal he felt. 'We trusted you.'
'I know' said Kai, gaining the courage to face the younger blader. 'I tried to keep you away from this, to keep you safe.'
'Why the fuck should we listen to you. Why should we believe that you've ever told us the truth, that it wasn't just lies that you were feeding to us from that bastard.'
'Because I wouldn't do that! I'm not like that!'
'You twat! Even now you won't stop lying. We know you're one of them. We know he's your father. So don't try lying to us, saying its nothing to do with you, that it's not your fault. Because it is, its all your fault.'
'I…I'm sorry. I don't know what else I can say. I really am sorry.'
'So am I Kai. I'm sorry that we ever trusted you, that we ever gave you a chance. I don't even know why we did, you only ever threw it back in our faces. So just don't bother okay. Just get out of here, get away from us, before you hurt us more than you already have.'
'Ray, I…' Kai looked around at the faces of his team, disappointment showing in the eyes that wouldn't quite meet his. Looking back at Ray, he knew that he had lost. Ray's eyes were full of such hatred. He had never seen him like this before. Ray's glare turned into a smirk, as he said the words to Kai that would end it all. End the team, and end their friendship. Ray had tried harder than any of the others to reach out to Kai, but now that was all over.
'Get out Kai, and go to hell for all I fucking care. Because that's what you deserve, you and the rest of them. You deserve to burn. So get out, and don't you fucking dare come back.'
Kai took one final look at his 'friends', before turning away, and walking out of the door. Ray watched him go, a look of triumph on his face. But the person that he saw walking away wasn't Kai. All that Ray could see, was Kain.
End Chapter 9.
Read and review please.
I just want to say thanks to anyone who's actually taking the time to read this, as I wasn't sure that anyone would. So yeah, thanks, and I hope it's been good so far.
I know that was slightly uncharacteristic of Ray, but I think anyone would get a bit pissed off if they found that out…. I still feel mean for doing this to Kai though, he doesn't deserve it. I guess I have to apologise… *Goes and hugs Kai* Oww, he hit me…
Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this instalment, and you'll care enough to keep reading. Thanks. Oh yeah, I have to thank the psychopomps….
