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: So, the things I may say with the whole 'planning for the next chapter' are usually sidetracked, so if you were really looking foreword to seeing Garland I apologize. I'm able to update so quickly because my internet connection is being stupid and I'm afraid to re-install it because it took me three and a half hours to do it after the OS system was installed. So, without internet I can't check my web pages to see if they're within the right sizes so I write or play games instead. Damn that little green light! (Shakes fist in threatening manner) Um, this chapter touches on the belief of God, Heaven and all things religious, only for a paragraph.
WARNING: this chapter is not meant to offend anyone. I am not a religious person, I was raised a protestant but have not been to church in over 12 years. I am a firm believer of Mother Earth and the Elements and the Fates. That's just how I am, and I think religious diversity if a good thing in works of literature. Again, this is not meant to offend anyone and if it does than I don't know what to say. I'm not pushing my beliefs (or lack there of) on anyone, this is just how I see Kai in this story.
I can't state this enough THIS IS NOT MEANT TO OFFEND, PROCEED WITH CAUTION IF YOU ARE EASILY OFFENDED BY DIFFERENT RELIGIOUS BELIEFS!
Disclaimer: I do not own Beyblade, V-Force, or G-Revolution or any of its characters/settings or ideas. This is a strictly fan made thing and no money is being made from its writing. Pure enjoyment is all I ask and maybe a few reviews.
Pale Stained Darkness
Chapter 10: So I can shine A Flashback Chapter
How
do you know where you're going
When you don't know where you've
been
You hide the shame that you're not showing
And you won't
let anyone in
A crowded street can be a quiet place
When you're
walking alone
And now you think that you're the only
One who
doesn't
"I don't remember much from my childhood. I mean, I do remember the first foster family I went to live with. The fear and apprehension of meeting the adults, seeing their faces and hearing their soft spoken words seemed to make me almost sick to my stomach. The woman, I think her name was Asami or something like that… she was a kind woman. She reminded me of my own mother…" Kai had trailed off, his crimson eyes darkening with memory. A bitter smile twists the other teens mouth before Kai rolls his shoulders and nestles down further into the nook between his mattress and the wall. Silence fills the room we share, the only sound is the heavy downpour hitting the window and the ceramic roof tiles. A tranquil sound that has soothed me to sleep before, and would have probably already done so if not for the almost emotionless words spoken by my room-mate, who while in the throws of a migraine headache began to open up a bit to me, his words slow and sometimes slurred but retain the same cold edge as before.
"Hmm…. Asami was a kind woman; she had a voice like a lark and loved to sing. One of my fondest memories of living with her are the small ditties she would sing while working in the yard or baking. I think after my parents died and after being removed from the previous care center I was a bit timid around adults, scared to do anything wrong. Asami would only smile when I'd apologize and kneel down to my level, a soft smile gracing her lips as she told me not to apologize for something that I couldn't control." I listen intently and watch as the other teen shifts again, a grimace crossing his face as he brings a finger to his temple to massage the area.
"Asami died, two years after I was sent to live with her. Cancer, a rare and aggressive form claimed her. One day she was laughing and singing in the yard and the next she was crying silently in a hospital bed as I was taken away. I remember her face, stained with tears as I shouted 'I'm sorry! I'm sorry!' over and over. I somehow broke away from the hands holding me, trying to haul me away from Asami. I ran back into her room and she ran her hand through my hair and softly told me that there was no reason to apologize, this wasn't something that happened because of me. It was her god's way of telling her she was needed elsewhere." He pauses and licks his lips
"How old were you?" I ask softly, unsure if I should interrupt.
"I was seven and a half. That was the day I stopped believing in Heaven, Angels and a merciful God. I denounced the beliefs of a religion that would allow someone as good natured and loving as Asami to die and allow a child molester to live." Kai stops and gropes on his nightstand for the glass of water Judy left and I mull over his words, my own experience with religion is vague and if I had to classify myself I would say I am a non-practicing Buddhist.
"What do you believe in then?" I ask, shifting slightly as Kai's crimson eyes crack open a bit to peer at me. In the dull light I can see the bright, almost inhuman and somewhat demonic glow of the drying bloody red orbs.
"I believe in the ground under my feet and the fates who conduct their business on a different plane of existence. I believe in the winds peaceful but something angry and harsh embrace. I believe evil does walk among the good and the pure of heart is a lie fed to us on platters of childhood simplicity. To be naïve is live in a world that will steal your dreams away, to be real is to live a life the only way you can and dream only till tomorrow. I believe that when it's my time, I will fight the decision and leave behind nothing stating I was ever here to begin with. I believe in many things, I believe in nothing at all, I live my life the best way I know and make no gripes. Be content with the 'now' and don't overlook to the future." He states almost mechanically and I nod, knowing this isn't a subject to dwell on. Judy and Bruce are fairly open with their views and don't push them on any of us foster children, to which I am grateful.
"What else do you remember?" I ask, trying to divert Kai's attention from a painful piece of his previous life. Kai gives a bit of a chuckle and then launches into yet another tale.
" When I was eight I went to live with the Kayo family. They had three boys prior to my coming to live with them. All older than me and a bit more rowdy, I'll admit I was never confrontational when I was a kid. But after my first three weeks at the Kayo home I learned that in order to keep from being the brunt of the practical jokes and attacks by the older boys I had to be quicker, stronger and far craftier than they were."
"Oh yeah? And how did you manage to do that?" I ask, trying to hold back my excitement as Kai tells me about his learning the street sense he has now.
"Simple, I asked to be enrolled in Martial Arts. Mr. Kayo thought it was a good idea while Mrs. Kayo thought I should be enrolled in soccer. Needless to say I learned the best of both worlds, I learned how to be quick and flexible and I also gained endurance and how to become fearless about taking hits. I was a pretty good soccer player…." He muses trailing off once more, caught up in memories only he can see replaying over in his head.
"I played soccer for a while." I interject and Kai gives me a small smirk
"What position?"
"Defense, you?"
"Forward."
"Ah, yeah I can see you being a scorer."
Kai gives a soft laugh "yeah, I was better for maneuvering the ball to those who could score."
Ah, that explains is. Kai's a pretty simple guy, doesn't like being in the spot light so that would only make sense that he'd rather stay out of the limelight and aid from the sides.
"So, why'd you have to leave there?" I ask suddenly and I can feel the carefree demeanor in the room suddenly change to a tense and almost threatening feeling. Kai remains silent and still on his bed, eyes closed.
"I ran away… was picked up about six districts away almost a month later."
"Why'd you run away?"
"Jiro, the oldest boy… he liked to 'play' games with us younger kids. I decided I couldn't take it any longer and fled, leaving that place behind." He explains simply, no emotion, no sign of sorrow or dismay at how he had been treated only seven years ago.
"I was bounced from home to home after than, spent some time in Juvenile Hall for theft. Ran away a lot, learned a bunch of skills that most people would label me a criminal for knowing. Then Mr. Dickinson picked me up and made me his 'pet project', after that I was placed with my last home." Kai grows silent and I nod, thinking this is the end but then Kai quietly continues on
"I thought I was going to stay with them for a while, they were good people, kind and not overly harsh. They always told me I would be with them till I turned eighteen, they said they'd put me through collage and they said I could call them my parents. I trusted them, I believed their words and then they committed the ultimate betrayal, they produced one of their own and were going to have to send me back to the orphanage." Kai drops off into silence and rolls over on his bed with a soft sigh. I sit there for a few more minutes, watching his narrow frame as he settled down into the darkened silence of our shared room. The soft sound of rain hitting the roof and windows not able to soothe my mind as Kai's tale haunts me.
I laid away till three in the morning that night. And when I did fall asleep I resolved to have more understanding to Kai's view in the future.
In the morning, my view of my duo-haired friend was much clearer.
And I was grateful.
(end flashback At school the next day)
People are starring, their eyes boring into my body as I pass by, heading for the table my little group of friends managed to take over. Brooklyn is there, shuffling a deck of cards while Miguel spears at a part of his lunch, trying to capture the unknown object. I toss my bag on the floor and plop down onto the hard plastic chair. Trying my best to glare at those who are starring at the massive bruise on my face, a gift from yesterday's wonderful confrontation with Lee I look down at Miguel's meal.
"What exactly is that?" I ask, starring at the unique array of browns, greens and pale yellows. Miguel makes a face and gives a happy exhale as he manages to finally get the fork prongs through the hard, flaky brown stuff.
"If I had to guess, I would say that's an overcooked meatloaf." Brooklyn interjects, shuffling out his playing cards and dealing the empty seat across from him.
"Uh Brooklyn? You know Garland isn't here right?" I start and the green eyed-red head only smiles sweetly as the back of my chair is kicked. Spinning around I stare up into the mirth filled silvery-gray eyes of Garland. Garland's eyes widen and he gives a low whistle of amazement before stepping beyond Miguel's seat and taking his own.
"Yeah, I heard you took a punch. Good job Ray. Hey, where is this guy whose been looking out for Claude?" he asks, forgoing the fork and grabbing his piece of 'meatloaf' and taking a bite out of it. I bite back a nasty retort and focus on answering his question.
"He should be here in a few minutes, his science teacher held him after for something." I explain and just as the words leave my mouth a pack of paper is slapped down on the table and Kai seats himself, rubbing at his temples.
"She was amazed at how I was the only one with a passing score out of the whole idiotic class, she was so amazed that she had to hold me after class and proclaim loudly how impressed she was." He gripes and I can see the weariness etched onto his face. The migraine abated early this morning but has left Kai slightly sensitive to light and noise.
The Cafeteria must be killing him right now.
"Hey you, new kid." I watch as Kai's head jerks up, his crimson eyes narrowing as he looks down the table at Garland.
"Yeah, I thought that it was you. When Claude came home and started talking about this two-tined blue haired kid with a bad attitude and crimson eyes I knew it could only be one person." Garland stands his usually stern face lighting up into a bright smile. Kai stands as well, his crimson eyes wide.
"Garland…. You bastard." Kai growls and stalks around the table to where the taller teen is standing. I share a confused look with the rest of the table as the two stand and glare at each other before clasping each other's hands with a grim shake.
"It's good to see you again… after Jiro none of us knew what happened to you." Garland says softly but I catch the edge of sadness in his voice, sadness and relief
"It's a long story."
"What are you doing later?"
"Nothing."
"Good, later we'll sit down and talk. It's good to see you again. Now, tell me. How exactly did you manage to piss of Lee enough for him to try and hit you?" Garland asks excitedly as Pushes Kai down into the seat beside him. Kai gapes for a moment, glancing up at my confused expression and he only shrugs.
Interesting. Very Interesting.
Author Note: (Looks out from behind a shrub) Uhhh… hehe? So that was chapter 10, I hope you enjoyed it. I am planning for this fiction to be a pretty long story, with more developments coming later on that will turn Kai's world upside down. I do hope that my warning was enough to keep anyone from being pissed off at me and if you are or have questions I will answer PM's on the subject. Just please, don't try to push your beliefs on me, I'm set in my ways and I already have a co-working telling me I need to be saved. Please review and I will have the next chapter up Thursday since I'm going to a party tomorrow.