Hey guys sorry that this took me a while but it turned out to be a very long chapter. I won't bore you all today I'm just going to say that I hope you like the chapter, enjoy.

Chapter 10: Memories of Home

Three weeks had passed since Mr. Neale had convinced Kai to participate in the Beyblade Tournament. Now with the upcoming tournament only a week away the Principal had been summoned to Fort Erie for a special meeting with the older man who he was working for. Mr. Neale was under the impression that the man in charge of everything behind the Biovolt Corporation wished to discuss matters regarding the tournament as well as Mr. Hiwatari most likely requesting a full report on his Grandson's progress.

Once he had arrived at the Fort the Principal looked up to observe the old ancient looking building that was the new location for Biovolt's Headquarters. Mr. Neale entered the Fort and found that its interior resembled that of any other Historic complex. The building contained displays that detailed the History of the place and other similar things for tourists. The Principal was surprised that the place where his boss lived would be so open as he made his way to where he guessed the man's office would be.

Mr. Neale briskly walked down the historian oriented halls to make his appointment and as he went Mr. Neale came across people working around the building who would chance quick glances at him now and then. The people were custodians and the like who paid the professional looking man little attention as they resumed their various tasks and the Principal passed on.

Eventually M. Neale reached the heart of the Fort where the man discovered a small office that was open and brightly lit. Peering in through the doorway Mr. Neale observed a redheaded man wearing a white lab coat. The man was mulling over a mess of papers that littered a desk which stood before him.

From his spot at the door Mr. Neale cleared his throat and made his pressence known, "Excuse me?"

The man at the desk glanced up from his paperwork and finally noticing that he had a visitor he sweetly greeted, "Good afternoon, I am Dr. Gavril Ivanov and I'm pleased to make your acquaintance. How may I assist you today?"

"My name is Don Neale and I am looking for the man who is in charge of this fine establishment," the Principal introduced himself in a formal manner.

"Ah, you must be the Principal from the blind school who our Lord has summoned here then? I apologize for the mess, I've just been busy trying to go over the research that was managed to be salvaged from my predecessor's work," the redheaded man, Dr. Ivanov, replied sounding weary.

"Not a problem, I know how stressful riffling through a bunch of paperwork can be. I assume that you are to lead me to where I can meet with Mr. Hiwatari?"

"Yes, as I believe that he should be expecting you," Dr. Ivanov stated as he rose from his desk and moved to close the door to his office. He then locked the door from inside and ordered, "Follow me and I'd advise you not to say anything until we've made it down into the lower levels. Some people who could be listening may not be loyal to us and one can never be too careful."

Mr. Neale was led over to another door in the room that was hidden at the back of the office. A door that the Principal hadn't noticed until he was being escorted through it by his guide. The door opened onto a long and narrow hallway that ended at what appeared to be quite a long flight of winding stairs. The stairs descended down into the darkness of the earth beneath the Fort and occasionally the two men passed by hallways that branched off from the staircase.

Dr. Ivanov continued on walking down and Mr. Neale diligently followed as the other floors of the complex were ignored. They descended until they reached the very bottom of the underground levels. Once they reached the final landing Dr. Ivanov proceeded to direct the Principal through a series of halls and tunnels that curved and twisted around like a large elaborate maze.

Mr. Neale looked around him at the stone halls and as he walked through the underground section of the Fort he exclaimed in awe, "This place is incredible!"

"Yes, we discovered this underground facility some time ago. I believe that this secret part of the complex was built to train the military for warfare when Fort Erie was first established. So of course this place appeared to be the perfect, ideal new base for Biovolt. The Company was moved here to regroup after the treachery and destruction caused by a few rebellious, emotional children," Dr. Ivanov explained and his voice changed to a tone of bitterness and loathing as he stated that last part about children.

Mr. Neale let the change in the man's tone slide as he wondered, "I see, so if this is the real base then what was all that I saw on the main floor when I entered the Fort?"

"The upstairs is merely a front that is kept, in the case that our enemy becomes too suspicious. Those who work in the historic, museum like part of the building are unaware of Biovolt's dealings and under my jurisdiction. Down here beneath the earth, I am the Head Scientist and the people here are all loyal followers. Everything that is done in this hidden facility is accoding to Lord Voltaire's orders and transpires under his survellance," Dr. Ivanov informed the Principal, detailing the base's hierarchy.

"That sounds to me like a lot of work for one man to handle."

"Well I am Lord Voltaire's second in command. Though my predecessor Boris Balkov was far better with the position than I am. As I have seen by his research he has accomplished much in the years that he was alive and has made many brilliant scientific breakthroughs. But enough of that, it is unnecessary for you to know of Biovolt's History. If Lord Voltaire deems you worthy of the knowledge then he can discuss it with you himself. As all you are really here to do is to make the acquaintance of the extraordinary man who is in charge here and to provide us with information."

"Yes of course," the Principal responded and then inquired, "I take it that this is the facility where Lord Hiwatari will commence the training of the soldiers that we gather, so he can put his plans into action?"

"That's correct and it is your job to recruit those soldiers," replied the Head Scientist.

"Well that is the plan with this Beyblade Tournament we have scheduled for the following week. Hopefully it will turn out some skilled Beybladers that we can convince to make an allegiance with us and have them become loyal followers to Biovolt's side in all of this."

"Yes and once this tournament is all said and done as well as having new recruits to join our ranks, Lord Voltaire can finally drag his troublesome Grandson back here. Lord Voltaire is very set upon getting that boy back in line and once he has reclaimed the little runaway that boy can be properly forced to learn his place," Dr. Ivanov stated dryly as the two men at last reached a set of double doors in the midst of the Fort's dark depths. "Well here we are, Lord Voltaire's office. I have to be returning to my work now but I hope that your meeting goes smoothly."

The redheaded scientist strolled away though the halls leaving Mr. Neale alone to stare at the important looking room that loomed ominously before him. The Principal stood there for a moment as he knocked on the door with a shaky hand, in fact his entire body was shaking violently as the huge double doors swung open.

Don Neale was actually quite nervous to be meeting the powerful man who was his new superior face to face. But he swallowed down this nervousness and stepped within the office anyway as he knew that the older man would be expecting him. Once within the well furnished and typically decorated office Mr. Neale inspected the room that surrounded him.

The large, spacious office received the Principal's approval as it resembled that of any other expensive looking, elegant offices he had observed the interior of. Then as his gaze swept around the room his eyes fell on him, the elderly man who was his boss, Lord Voltaire Hiwatari.

Lord Hiwatari lounged in an elegant high backed chair that appeared to be extremely comfortable, stationed behind a large well polished mahogany desk. There was a smaller chair positioned at the side of the desk facing the door and Mr. Neale's boss beckoned for him to take the seat. Mr. Neale sank into the plush chair and waited to be addressed by his superior.

Lord Hiwatari sipped a long draught of wine from a goblet before him and as he set the glass back down the regal highly important looking man spoke in his deep voice, "It is good to see you, Don. Now why don't we get started and get right down to business. How is our tournament proceeding at that school of yours?"

"The preparations for the tournament has gone rather well. Many students have registered and I'm sure that even more people around the city will come to witness its spectacle," Mr. Neale answeed.

"Excellent! Will you be ready to proceed on schedule then?"

"Yes, Mr. Hiwatari sir. The tournament can begin next Monday as agreed, I am just trying to sort out some of the fundamentals of some of the rules and regulations within this sport," the younger man admitted.

"Then it is beneficial that we are meeting as I can assist you with that. Now usually a Beyblade Tournament consists of teams but for our purposes in seeking out new recruits single one on one elimination style battles should suffice. The Tournament should also consist of preliminary rounds to weed out all the weaklings until the Beybladers are narrowed down enough to begin a Quarter Final. After that you would hold the Semi Finals and then the Final battle which I shall come to judge myself. You will also need a suitable location to hold the Tournament," Mr. Hiwatari explained as he listed off requirements for the sport.

"The school's gymnasium should be a sufficient setting, many of the school's spots and tournaments are held there. The gymnasium can also be divided in half so we could have two battles going on at the same time. With double the battles we can halve the time the tournament will transpire in," Mr. Neale interjected expressing his ideas on how the space could be used to their advantage.

"That would be perfect! At such a fast rate the Preliminary matches can be concluded in a single week and the week after next we can proceed to the Final rounds and wrap the Tournament up within a mere two weeks. And the world will be that much closer to bowing down under my control," Mr. Hiwatari gloated an evil grin crossing his face at the sound of this prospect.

"Then I shall announce these details as the rules for the Tournament and keep you posted on the standings of the rounds and the skills of the participants," the Principal stated awaiting his superior's approval.

"Yes that is very good. Proceed in doing so and notify me if there is anyone who appears to have managed to stand a good chance against my Grandson. Anyone who could stand there own against Kai would make an excellent addition to Biovolt's army. And speaking of the boy how is my little Grandson fairing with adapting himself to your school and the transition of losing his sight?"

"He appears to be fairing rather well and though he is rather rebellious to his schooling he is still making excellent progress," Mr. Neale replied.

"That is very good news. I am glad to hear that this little imperfection has not hindered his skills and abilities," Mr. Hiwatari stated with a pleased tone before inquiring with more seriousness, "Have you managed to get my Grandson on board for this Tournament?"

"Yes I have actually, he requested extra time to do some homework and I struck a deal with him to make him agree to competing. Though your Grandson appears to be quite suspicious as he believes there is something up behind this tournament," Mr. Neale stated with a quiver in his voice, fearing the reaction his superior would give to the information.

"And how the hell would he be suspicious of it?"

"Well... uh... he seemed to think that the deal I made with him was similar to something that Biovolt would do to force him to Beyblade and he believes that having blind kids blading is stupid and a waste of time. With how perceptive and intuitive your Grandson appears I would also guess that Kai probably assumes that there are other motives behind this Tournament," the Principal spoke explaining his theories while attempting to hide even more fear.

Voltaire Hiwatari appeared angry with the other man as he growled, "If it weren't for the fact that I need you to pull off this scheme I'd dispose of you right now! But there is no reason that I can see to not punish you for this!"

"But sir... you said that I had to make sure he joined the tournament and this seemed to be the only way-"

"Silence! I know what I said and when I gave you that order I meant for you to do it without the expense of Kai suspecting there is more to this tournament than meets the eye or that he runs away from the trap!" Mr. Hiwatari bellowed as the man behind the desk boiled with rage.

"Please don't hurt me, My Lord," groveled Mr. Neale under the old crimson eyed man's wrath.

"Give me one good reason why I should spare you? Kai is a crucial part of my plans and he must be at my side for this whole plot of mine to work. The boy blading will help to accomplish this and he must not realize what is truly going on until it is far too late. Kai is the most powerful Beyblader in the world and I need him. If you have jeopardized my chances at reclaiming and controlling him there will be dire consequences! Do you understand me?"

Mr. Neale noted a haunting and intimidating look to his Master's cold dark gaze and the younger man spluttered, "Yes sir. I'll make it up to you. I... I know where your Grandson is hiding when he goes away from the school for the weekends."

Mr. Neale's words had grasped his boss' interest as Mr. Hiwatari demanded, "And where might that be?"

"He is staying at an apartment building in the city of St. Catharines that is not too far from here, maybe an hour or two drive away. I can provide you with the address if you would like?"

Mr. Hiwatari looked thrilled and he appeared to return to his calculating business like manner as he calmly replied, "Yes that would be appreciated. I would want to have the place watched in case Kai tries to escape me again and returns there for refuge. Now that is all Don, you are dismissed! So get out of my sight!"

Mr. Neale quickly scribbled down the address of where Lord Hiwatari's Grandson was staying and then hurried from the large office. Now that the Principal had actually met with the powerful man Mr. Neale was petrified of the things that Voltaire Hiwatari would do to the poor person that incurred the full extent of the old man's wrath. Though he was glad to be on the same side as this great yet terrible ally Mr. Neale did not wish to be the one on the receiving end of his relentless anger. So Don Neale fled from the office and left the base through the way that the Head Scientist had led him as the Principal wisely did not want to provide his superior with another reason to wish to try and kill him.

In the past few weeks Kai had been kept extremely busy. His time was being almost taken up by writing his story, learning Braille, Music practice, and Beyblade training to prepare himself for the upcoming tournament. As the days the young man spent at the school picked up Kai found himself diligently working to persevere through the goals he strived to accomplish outside of school hours. Of course the classes remained as boring as hell but they didn't really faze him anymore as Kai's main focus was on the completion of his story.

This day- like most others- Kai was hiding away in the Library during his lunch hour break. It seemed to the crimson eyed young man to possess enough solitude for him and he usually resided there in the quiet. If it wasn't the story he worked on, Kai was there learning with Cassie as the two of them taught each other what they knew. Though this time Kai's fingers were flying over the keyboard of a computer as he typed away to tell the world of the events that had occurred in his past.

The grey haired young man was almost at the end of his story and he'd skipped most of his morning classes as well as working straight through lunch to satisfy his burning desire of finishing the thing. He was fueled by a raw determination to finally accomplish the goal as he pressed his whirring mind to continue. The story was beginning to wrap itself up and Kai was relieved that no one had disturbed him. Even Black Dranzer remained silent in Kai's head, the bitbeast thankfully picking up on the notion that Kai would not tolerate its distraction. But the quiet working environment was disrupted.

Kai nearly jumped from his seat as a voice startled him, "I thought that I would find you here and don't you look focused? How's the story coming?"

Kai didn't really care who the person was as he was annoyed by the distraction and growled, "Can't talk on a roll."

"Well you could at least say hello."

"Hello, can't talk on a roll."

"Okay then, so much for working at some Braille today. I guess that I'll just check my email instead," the person mumbled on and though he was only half listening with the mention of Braille he decided that the newcomer must be Cassie.

The time passed and Kai was pulled back into the creative flow of the writing. After a while the young man saved his hard work and slumped back into the chair he sat in.

He breathed out a content sigh and with a smirk of triumph Kai stated, "And I'm finally finished my story."

"Cool, maybe I can take a look at it for you sometime to see how good it is," the girl offered and Kai heard her perch herself on a chair next to him.

"Maybe, though it kind of turned more into a novel than a short story but oh well," the young man replied with a shrug.

The girl who was Ray's twin sister let out a fit of laughter, "Nice, I did something like that once when I was back in Grade Seven. I don't think that my teacher ever liked the fact that I never finished it."

"Whatever, we can look at some Braille now if you want."

"Alright, let's get to it then!"

Kai removed his disk and secured it safely in his pocket before shutting down the computer. Exiting the computer lab the young man walked with Ray's twin over to their usual study spot, at the table hidden near the back of the library. Once at the table Kai pulled out a random text book.

He flipped it open and moved his fingers along the Braille text as he hesitantly read, "Грамматика и структура предложения важны для письма, потому что они - критические компоненты, что ... вносят свой вклад в поток работы автора."

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"It means, Grammar and sentence structure are important to writing because they are crucial components that... contribute to the flow of an author's work," Kai replied as he translated the sentence.

"Oh okay, well it sounds like that's right. I think that you're improving at reading Braille."

"Yeah I guess so but your Russian could still use some work," stated the young man.

"Well teach away then."

So they switched the subject to Russian and swapped roles as Kai talked the girl through some important phrases that he knew. Over the past few weeks they had been working together Cassie seemed to have mastered the basics. So Kai was now pacing his pupil though some of the more advanced language. Like him she appeared to be a fast learner.

The girl was starting to get the hang of that day's lesson when they were interrupted by someone cackling in a mocking tone of voice. "Well, well, look what we have here? A couple of lovebirds secretly enjoying themselves and doing stuff at the back of the library!"

Kai growled at the insensitive smug male that could only be Courtney, "We aren't doing anything like that you perverted asshole! Now you better shut the hell up and get lost if you know what's good for you!"

"There's no use in hiding it, plenty of guys have come back here for a little bit of fun at some point. I've even come here myself a couple of times with a pretty girl or two," the asshole rambled on.

"I thought I told you to shut up! I unlike you have some pride and dignity and we're not doing what you're disgusting mind is thinking. So get your fucking head out of the damn gutter, we're just studying," the crimson eyed young man bore his intimidating dark gaze in Courtney's direction. The Beyblader was clearly annoyed as his rage boiled up inside of him.

"Kai let me at this stupid kid! He's so annoying and he's getting on my nerves with his insufferable stupidity. His fooling around and perverted sex driven womanizing is low and uncalled for even by my standards. I need to teach him a lesson," Black Dranzer whined in Kai's head, the bitbeast burning to unleash his power and teach the intollerable boy some manners.

The Beyblader knew that Courtney was an arrogant, pompous asshole but if his words even had the dark phoenix riled up and wanting to kill him then the younger boy's remarks must have become extremely offensive.

Kai was about to respond to the bitbeast when Courtney went on with his taunting insults and scoffed, "Yeah sure you are that's a real nice cover up, pretending to study to fool anyone who catches you playing around. I don't blame you for wanting to hide your relationship but you shouldn't feel ashamed for having the urge to mess around with her. Kon's a hot girl and I'd even do her myself if she wasn't so busy with you here."

Kai was enraged now that the little bastard could stoop to saying something so low. The young man was about to yell his head off at Courtney for such vile ideas but Ray's sister beat him to it.

"Listen here you little... maggot! There is no way I would let you anywhere near enough to try doing something like that to me, not even if you were the last guy on Earth! We really are only studying and Kai and I are just friends. Now leave us alone before I try to kill you myself! And trust me if I have my way you will die a very slow and painful death!"

"Fine I'll leave you two lovers alone to your fun, for now. I can tell that I was intercepting something and know when I'm not wanted," Courtney laughed out one final insult before Kai heard the asshole's footsteps finally walking away.

Kai was fuming now from the nauseating words. With Cassie's dark malicious tone of voice and her sinister mutterings about how she would plot the boy's demise, Kai knew that she was just as ticked off by the whole thing as he was, if not more.

Though Kai was preoccupied from the girl's murderous schemes as Black Dranzer was again whining in the young man's head, "Come on Kai just let me at him already!"

"Tell you what if we meet the insufferable asshole in the tournament you can have your fun and do whatever you want to him, I don't care."

"Really?"

"Yeah, I want to kill him too."

Black Dranzer seemed to light up with glee at Kai's permission and the bitbeast joined Cassie in plotting Courtney's death. The dark phoenix mulled over the best course of action to inflict the maximum amount of suffering on the ass of a boy.

"Hey I know what that guy said was completely uncalled for but you shouldn't let him get to you. Making you so mad is just what stupid snobbish bullies like him want. You're only giving him pleasure by this, you know," Kai interjected attempting to reassure the fuming girl once he had regained his emotionless calm demeanour.

"Yeah so what? I hate Courtney, he just makes me so mad! That damn boy is such a... a..." Cassie paused in her rant as she appeared to be searching for the right words to express her anguish.

"Such a pompous bastard," Kai finished for her, "I know I hate him too and I've only just met the guy about a month ago. Now don't let him get to you, that's only going to satisfy the bastard."

"I know and I guess you're right," Cassie subsided after a while.

"So you're going to calm down then?"

"Yeah I guess but I'm still going to plot his slow and painful death," the girl replied in that dark and sinister tone of hers.

"Whatever, you do that. Should we get back to studying?"

"No, stupid Courtney kind of ruined that and I think the bell is probably going to go off soon anyway," Cassie replied and right on cue the loud ringing was heard through the school.

"Nice timing, guess I'll see you later," Kai remarked as he rose to make his departure from the room.

"Yeah and you do know it's Tuesday right? Think that we will see you at Choir tonight?"

"If I decide to go," Kai replied stopping for a minute and turning around to answer his old teammates sister.

"But you should even if you've only been taking Music lessons for a few weeks. I don't think that Mr. Boyd will be very pleased if you decide not to show up again."

"Whatever, enough about Boyd. You know we have to find a new place to work now after that thing used this spot for his own personal pleasures right?"

"I know, just come to Choir for once, okay?"

"We'll see, see you later," the young man replied as he pivioted around on his heel and Kai began to walk away from the table.

"Bye!"

Kai heard Cassie's voice call off after him and he left the library with his trademark white scarf trailing behind him.

Despite the warning from Cassie, Kai neglected to heed her words and he skipped Choir practice. The young man found the practice a waste of time and he was absolutely opposed to singing with others. Kai would rather willingly return to the abbey and his grandfather than allow a bunch of stupid people he didn't trust to hear him sing. Besides he was far too busy training to waste any of his precious time anyway.

With the tournament only less than a week away his skills had to be up to par and Kai pushed his strength to be at its peak. Kai's Beyblading had to be perfect if he was serious about competing so he could kick a bunch of weakling asses.

The Beyblader thought about his solitary training and the surprise he felt at having been left alone to do so as he strolled down to the music wing the following day. He really didn't care about what Boyd's reaction would be as Beyblading was far more important to him. Despite the fact that he had been retired throughout the time he had been dead as well as being annoyed by Black Dranzer to no end the sport still remained a major part of his life and it was one of the few things that he knew.

Kai entered Boyd's room and leaned against the counter by the door as he waited to be bombarded by an anticipated lecture.

As he leaned there in his usual position Black Dranzer commented in the young man's head, "He looks cross, I think he's upset with you for skipping practice."

Kai merely shrugged off the remark and it wasn't long after the dark phoenix spoke that the music teacher addressed the Beyblader.

In an upset and almost disappointed sounding tone the teacher inquired, "Mr. Hiwatari why must you keep skipping Choir practice?"

As it seemed that the bitbeast had been correct about Boyd's mood Kai was surprised that the man refrained from yelling at him outright to express his feelings. Though he really shouldn't have been all that surprised as in the few weeks that Kai had gotten to know Mr. Boyd he appeared to be a fairly decent man. The music teacher was completely different from the crazed adults Kai had encountered and come to know throughout his painful childhood. To Kai it was almost as if Mr. Boyd actually cared about him and deep down the crimson eyed young man hoped that he did.

Kai was slowly beginning to trust his music teacher but that didn't change how Boyd's caring and understanding nature baffled the young man. He still needed to get used to Boyd's ways as anyone Kai knew more than a couple years older than himself would hurt and punish him for everything that he did wrong. That was how Kai's life was but Mr. Boyd was different. So though Kai trusted the man he was still unsure what to make of the kindness that Mr. Boyd showed him.

It took a minute for Kai to force down the surprise from his mind as he searched for an answer but after a moment the grey haired young man stated, "I was training for the tournament last night and working on this story for Loveless the past few weeks."

"Really, well maybe if I move the practice for your singing lessons back to just before Choir that will solve the problem. As that way I can keep an eye on you and make sure that you don't leave between practices," Mr. Boyd decided in a strained sounding voice.

Kai rolled his crimson eyes, "Whatever."

"I'm also curious to know what this story of yours is about and how it is so important that it is making you miss practices."

Kai hesitated for a moment as he did not wish to discuss his story, before bluntly responding, "None of your business! Now can we just get on with this lesson already?"

"Alright though why don't you sit down? There's something I want to discuss with you first."

Kai perched himself up onto the counter as he waited for Boyd to inform him about whatever it was that was on the teacher's mind.

Mr. Boyd seemed to catch the hint that Kai was listening as the older man began, "As I have said before you are a very talented young man and an excellent singer. I believe that you are even good enough to perform. We have this concert at lunch hour now and then to showcase the progress student's have been making. I think that you would be perfect for the noon hour concert that is coming up in a couple of weeks and with your voice I could see you doing extremely well with a duet."

Kai glared towards the man as he growled, "Are you kidding me? If I won't sing in a large group what the hell makes you think that I'll do it with another person and in front of a large audience to hear me no less?"

"Well I believed that you would rather have someone singing alongside you for support instead of having to perform in front of an audience alone. I felt that this could be a good experience for you and I have already scheduled for you to meet your partner during next week's lesson. She is working with one of the other Music teachers and is a very nice girl so I figured that the two of you could work well together and get along," Mr. Boyd informed the young man who was his pupil.

Kai's POV

Damn him, it seems like he's had this all planned out with no way for me to try to get out of it. Still there's no way I'm going to perform in front of people. I won't do it! Wait... did he just say that I have to sing with a girl? I thought as my teacher went on about the stupid task that he wanted me to do.

I continued to glare in his direction and as it finally dawned on me what Boyd was saying I could feel a flash of sorrow enter me as I thought of Bree. My mind reverted back to that day I had sung for her to express my feelings- something I obviously didn't do often- for the one I loved in hopes that she would forgive me for everything I had done.

I was broken from my memories as I heard Mr. Boyd wonder, "Are you alright, Kai? What's the matter?"

He must have noticed the way I was feeling through a look in my eyes or something as he sounded genuinely concerned.

I don't know why but I actually answered his question, "I was just thinking about something in my past. The last time I actually sang it was in front of this girl I know. We weren't on very good speaking terms then and I desperately wanted her to forgive me for something really terrible I had done when I was a child. So to emphasize how sorry I really was I sang a song for her to express the way that I felt."

I heard Mr. Boyd get up from the spot where he sat and close the door to the room before asking me, "What happened between the two of you?"

"I... I don't want to talk about it," I muttered out and glanced down towards the ground as I didn't want my teacher to notice the pain that I was feeling. I guess that I must have still felt ashamed for what happened on that fateful day in the abbey, even after all these years. Unfortunately my inner turmoil didn't go unnoticed as there was even more concern to lace Boyd's next words if that was even possible.

"You know it would help to talk about it and lift this weight off your shoulders."

"I know... I just can't. My life is that bad but maybe I can show you what happened," I replied and I held out the disk that contained the story on it. "This is the story that I wrote for my assignment. Read it and it should help to clarify some things about me."

How is it I just decided to trust him? I don't know... I guess it's because of how he sounds so concerned and that it seems like he really actually cares about me. Though he's going to learn of all the pain and torment my damn bastard of a grandfather has put us through, something that neither my friends nor I has ever told anybody. But Mr. Boyd is different somehow. It's like I can actually trust him and a part of me wants him to know about my past so he can be able to help me. Even though the other part is warning me to keep him out of this and not involve him in my problems so that he won't get hurt.

As this was all swimming around in my head Mr. Boyd had inserted the disk into his computer and had seemed to translate my Russian work as he read a line of my story, "I gave my Mother's limp form a hug as I realized that tears were pouring down my face. I knew what was happening but I didn't want to believe it." The teacher paused before wondering in horror and disbelief, "Kai was your Mother really poisoned when you were only five years old?"

The suffering and anguish I had felt at first losing my Mother and then my Father flooded into my mind and heart as I coldly stated with malice and bitterness, "It was all my damn grandfather's fault and just because he wants to use me for his fucking schemes. Just keep reading and my story will explain itself."

I then bolted from the room as I wasn't going to allow the man to see the tears that welled up in my crimson orbs or let him know about the emotions that threatened to overwhelm me. I wanted to get as far away from everyone around this stupid place as I possibly could so I just continued to run for a while.

Somehow I had miraculously managed to end up in the courtyard and I found myself under a tree. The memories wouldn't go away and I struck out against the tree in my pain. It had been so long since I really thought about my parents as I had always pushed the thoughts away from my mind, deciding that it would be best for me not to think about the traumatic events. But no matter how hard I tried I was unable to shake the torturous images from my head this time.

The suffering became too unbearable and my emotions eventually overpowered me. I broke down and slid down the length of the tree as I cried there alone, where no one would be able to see or interrogate me.

End of Kai's POV

Cassie made her way to lunch deciding she would cut through the courtyard for a bit of fresh air. The girl strolled through the bright green space that was surrounded by the school. Just as she was about to return inside the building for another one of the school's tasteless meals, her eyes glimpsed something huddled against a tree. She approached it for a closer inspection and she saw a grey head of hair plunged in a young man's muscular arms so his face was barely visible.

"Kai?" The girl wondered aloud worried about her new friend as she had never seen him so forlorn looking and melancholy before.

Without looking up the grey haired young man mumbled, "What do you want?"

"To see if you're alright. Are you crying?"

"No and I'm perfectly fine," Kai responded though Cassie could tell he was lying as she just barely glimpsed the motion of Kai's hand wiping away some tears from his eyes.

"Okay then, why don't you tell me what's wrong," Cassie suggested dismissing the movement she had witnessed.

"I told you it's nothing. Just some old annoying memories," Kai barked in response appearing agitated.

"But you know that I'm just trying to help you right?"

"Yeah so, maybe I don't want it. I can handle this on my own. It's not like I haven't dealt with it before so it's nothing I can't handle," the young man stated as the cold mask he wore to conceal his emotions returned to his features.

"Fine then, be that way. I'm going to lunch," the girl announced as she stormed off inside the school to find the dining hall.

Cassie felt hurt by what her friend had said to her. It had appeared to the girl that through the last few weeks Kai was starting to open up to her. Now he was reverting back to the cold way he had been when she first met the young man and Cassie didn't know why. She had believed that they were becoming good enough friends with all the time they had been working together. So it hurt Cassie how Kai wouldn't talk to her about what was bothering him and causing him so much pain.

Though the next day it was as if the incident in the courtyard had never happened. Kai appeared to be back to his normal self, complaining about how much he hated school. Though he seemed pretty fine Kai seemed to be brooding a little more than usual that day and Cassie was glad to catch the young man alone at the locker bay between a couple of their classes.

Cassie was nervous to talk to Kai for the fear of not receiving any answers but she was curious as to what exactly was going on with him. And the girl was determined to help her friend in any way that she possibly could.

Cassie breathed in a deep breath before finally greeting, "Hi Kai, what's up?"

"The roof, the sky, whatever answer you like," he replied in mock sarcasm.

"You know what I meant, I was wondering how you're doing? You've seemed pretty moody lately," Cassie confessed getting what was on her mind out in the open.

"At least you're not one of those people who keep avoiding the point. If you're talking about yesterday I didn't like something Boyd said. As for right now all the pink and mushiness and couples and stuff is really pissing me off," Kai replied as he stood up from where he leaned against his locker.

So he didn't forget about yesterday. I wish he would give me more details about what happened but I guess he doesn't trust me enough yet. Well maybe I can still try to cheer him up, Cassie thought to herself and she remarked, "You don't like Valentine's Day either, huh?"

"No it's just a stupid corporate holiday that I've never cared for," Kai hesitated for a moment as he appeared to be wondering about what to say and the girl waited patiently until he continued, "Besides the person I'd want to spend the day with is far away."

He appeared saddened as Cassie realized, "So it's less the fact that stupid Valentine's Day is tomorrow and more of you wanting to be able to spend the Holiday with the people you care about that's bugging you?"

"Yeah, I really miss them and I was hoping that I would be back at home by now," Kai replied a hint of depression and longing in his voice.

"I know that it probably seems like you've been here forever already but it's going to take a long time to finish school and get a good enough job for you to make the amount of money you need to get back home. It's not like anyone said that this was going to be easy but once you get through the rest of school you'll be done with the hard part," Cassie added in an attempt to reassure her friend.

"Yeah you're right, I guess I'm just worried about what they'll all think when they see me again. I mean I was... well you know..." Kai trailed off and the girl understood what he was hinting at.

Cassie placed a hand on the young man's shoulder as she brightly said, "Don't worry, you'll finish school and everything will turn out fine. I bet that your friends miss you just as much as you miss them. Now come on let's get to class."

With the girl's words Kai seemed more at ease and more like himself as he groaned, "Do we really have to?"

"Yes, if you want to finish school you've got to come to classes," Cassie grinned and she dragged the grumbling young man off to their next lesson.

It was now Valentine's Day and the city of Moscow looked as it normally did on any other day. It was cold and full of plenty of snow as usual as Tala and Bryan made their trek home from work after yet another day at the Russian BBA.

I wonder how Bree's been doing today? With all the different moods she's been going through lately and her depression about Kai it's impossible to tell how she'll react to this romantic Holiday, the redhead pondered to himself as he silently walked with his best friend.

It was almost as if Bryan read his brother-in-law's thoughts as he wondered a moment later, "Hey Tala, how do you think Bree is holding up today?"

"I'm not sure, really. You're her brother shouldn't you know how she'd react?" Tala wondered in response.

"Well yeah but you've been around her a lot more than I have lately and she is your wife after all," Bryan shrugged as the two men passed by a little grouping of different shops on their way home.

"Yeah that's true. Hey why don't you go on ahead without me, Bry? I"ll catch up with you at home," the redhead suggested as something in a store's window caught the man's eye.

"And just what do you think you're up to?"

"Don't give me such a suspicious look, man. I'm just thinking that I should do something romantic for your sister in case she really is feeling down today, to cheer her up," Tala grinned and he ran off towards the store he had seen, not caring that he had left Bryan alone standing in the snow.

When Tala had finally returned to the little house where they all lived he was carrying a large bouquet of roses. He hunted down Bree in a mission to present the token of love to his wife. As Tala entered the house he was tackled by his son.

"Yay, you're home Daddy!"

"Yeah, where's your Mother?"

"I think she's out back," the little redheaded boy replied.

"Thanks, I'm going to go greet her and then we can play or something, okay Kai?"

Tala's son agreed to the idea and the man walked out the back door to seek out his wife. Tala found Bree out on the patio leading out to the backyard, perched on a bench. Tala hid the roses behind his back and wrapped his other arm around Bree from behind.

The woman looked up into her husband's eyes as she greeted, "Hey Tala."

"Hey there, you still missing Kai?"

"A little, it is Valentine's Day after all but that doesn't mean I love you and the rest of the family any less."

Tala shot her a smile, "That's good to hear. Now I know you've been a little down lately so I brought you a present." Tala pulled the bouquet from out behind his back and placed it on his wife's lap.

Bree grinned as she remarked, "Well this is a nice case of deja vu."

"Yeah, just like the time when I first asked you out and we started dating. Though I had no idea that you would be out here when I came looking for you, before you start accusing me of anything."

"Sure Tala this eeems to be too nicely set up to just be coincidence. I bet that you just planned all of this," Bree playfully teased the man.

"Seriously I didn't but Happy Valentine's Day anyway, even if it is a stupid corporate Holiday that none of us really cares about," the redheaded man commented as he gave Bree a quick peck on the cheek.

That was when their son ran out onto the patio and hopefully asked, "Daddy, can we play now?"

Tala picked up his little boy into his arms and wholeheartedly replied, "Sure, why don't you show Mommy and me how good your blading skills are becoming?"

"Okay, I'm going to beat you Daddy!"

"We'll see about that son," Tala laughed with as much enthusiasm as his son appeared to possess.

He set little Kai down at a Beydish the family had in the backyard. Tala launched Wolborg and he and the wolf bitbeast took the battle a bit easy on little Kai and Dranzer. As the man Beybladed with his son Tala looked up and saw a smile on Bree's face as she watched the two of them from the bench where she was sitting.

Tala's own smile grew and his heart soared as the redheaded man thought to himself, I'm glad that Bree's finally looking happy again. It warms me up inside to be able to put a real smile back on her face. It seems like things are looking up for our little family and I believe that we'll continue being able to live a peaceful life here. With Bree, my wife, loving me at my side and a sweet little son to raise, there is nothing that can possibly go wrong or bring down my high spirits.

And there you have it, this chapter is finally done. Let me know what you think of it and thanks to everyone who's been reading and reviewing.