Disclaimers: I don't (and have no intentions) of owning Beyblade as I'm only a poor fan girl. I own Kuro, the storyline and… that's it.
Chapter eleven - Solicitous
(Max's point of view)
I'm scared; I'm very scared. In fact, I'm terrified. Mom said she had something important up and I have to return to America for a while. She said it would be a really quick visit; just something about my dad. Very briefly, she had told me that dad had been a bit crapulous.
But at the moment, that isn't what I'm worried about; it's Tyson that I'm concerned for. I see my best friend everyday, slipping away very slowly and there's nothing I could do for him right now, can't even stick by him through his roughest times.
I looked at him slowly and said, "Mom said I have to leave Monday next week. She sent me an aeroplane ticket last week and said that it should arrive in the mail box this week."
"I... I see. We'll see each other soon Maxie, I promise we'll have a chance." He said as cheerfully as he could, seeing that I look a bit bitter and had a hint of melancholy in my voice.
"I hope so." I said, trying to hide the worry in my voice while looking at the floor.
"We will." He reassured me and I smiled. I really do hope so, Tyson, just promise me not to let me down when I come back. I want to see you healthy and normal, not obsessing over your weight. I hope Kai would help you as he is the one you love.
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I woke up early the day I had to leave Japan. We (the Bladebreakers and Mr. Dickinson) went to the airport for my flight at nine. Carrying a luggage in one hand, I wrapped the other arm around Tyson and gently whispered, "Tyson, promise me that I'll be able to see you again?"
He frowned for a while, then answered, "Of course, silly." and I let go of him. "If you can't come back, we'll fly there to get you."
"Remember your promise." I said, half mysteriously and half jokingly.
I walked to Ray and Kai. "Take care of Tyson, please." I said it sotto voce so Tyson couldn't hear it.
Kai nodded and Ray said "We will."
"What did you guys say?" said Tyson, standing with arms akimbo.
"Just telling them to take care." I winked playfully at him.
The announcer declared my flight, indicating that I had to leave. "I have to go in now. Bye bye."
I took the plane ticket out and I looked at Tyson one last time, hoping he'll keep his promise, then waved the group 'goodbye' as I ambulated into the passenger terminal.
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(Tyson's point of view)
Maxie had left for approximately a week now, and I'm already missing him. Without him, it's been a tinge quiet. Apart from Ray, he's also one of my best friends, along with Kenny, Kuro and Kai. Well, Kai's not really my best friend, he's my... Er, never mind.
I remembered that Maxie was still acting strangely when he hugged my goodbye. I can't tell what was wrong with him, just hope he's alright.
Anyway, I left the apartment this morning without Kai asking me where I was heading. I guess he got used to it by now; me getting up everyday, meeting Kuro and all. He gives me those talks every now and then, and had convinced me a bit that the anorexia illness is kind of like mine, but I insisted I'd stop when I dropped three pounds. Well, I did drop those extra pounds, but I'm finding it difficult to stop, so I continued. I told Kai I haven't dropped the three yet, but I felt really guilty that I've lied to him afterwards. Just another two and it'll be all over.
I jogged across the brink of the grassy area and onto the hard bitumen road, crossing it with care. That's how Kuro and I met; I wasn't paying attention when I was crossing the road and bang, he thought he'd hit me and sent me to the hospital. I guess that's what we call fate; meeting a person so suddenly without expecting anything to happen but end up friends as a result. Kuro and I became friends almost instantly after I've recovered. Well, we met under some unwanted circumstances though.
I stood in the centre of the park, looking around, wondering why Kuro hadn't arrived yet. He was always punctual, or even early, but why wasn't he here? I looked at my watch and placed my hand on my hips. I continued to stroll around while waiting for him.
I waited for about half an hour. Kuro, where in the world are you? Today is a Monday, you should be here. Perhaps he had forgotten, or maybe he had lost track of time? Nodding my head in satisfaction, I searched for Kuro's apartment key. I took out the set; attached to the keychain were my keys and one other; Kuro's key.
I brisk walked to his apartment and stopped outside his door. I raised my hand to knock on it, not wanting to use the keys he'd given me just yet. He'll think I'm an intruder.
"Kuro... Are you there? Kuro...?" I called. "Kuro, are you there? Kuro...?" I rang the doorbell again.
"Where could he have been?" I wondered out loud.
I took the red key out and poked it through the hole. I gave it a twist and pushed the door open.
"Kuro?" I said as I walked around the small spaces. Isn't he at home? Aww man... I continued to walk until I've reached his room, opened the door to see no one there. I sighed, where could he have gone?
I started to stagger out of his room but something had caught my eye; a bottle of pills. I turned around and picked the small bottle up and read the label. They were laxative pills. I never knew Kuro took laxatives. And he's already skinny enough, why did he still diet?
I shook my head and came out of his neatly cleaned room. He had the habit of keeping his place in shape. He's quite a perfectionist.
I closed the door and toddled to the bathroom right across his room. I attached my ear to the door, trying to hear if he was doing anything in the bathroom (in case I came in and saw him doing his business; that would be really embarrassing). When I heard no sign of movement inside, I tapped gently on the door, then, after a short while, opened the door.
"Kuro?"
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It would all end soon, everything would turn around. Please be patient with me and tune in when the next chapter comes out (I've written it already, so it wouldn't be late…) In the meantime, please review!
Good luck to everybody in the following year (2004) and in the future. Happy new year to you all. Till then, be cheery, smiley and have fun! Ja
-DNA [29/12/2003