Here's the second part of my big long chapter. I didn't expect this flashback to be nearly this long so I made it into its own chapter. Though this chapter is really just one big flashback I still really like it and I hope that you all enjoy it too.

Chapter 13: Snow

As Kai fell farther into the darkness of unconsciousness he drifted in and out of the haze of memory.

Flashback

"Yay, the first snowfall. Why can't it just stay off the ground? I hate the winter," I grumbled to myself as I traveled the long walk to school.

And I thought my day had already started out bad enough with the beatings I had been given from Voltaire. Oh why did there have to be snow on the ground too? I inwardly groaned as I just had this feeling that today was going to be a bad day.

I had made sure to bundle up for the wet weather and once I had arrived at the middle school I was thankful that I had. The damned stuff was everywhere. As kids played and threw snowballs at each other I did my best to avoid them. So I holed myself up in a corner by the nice, safe building.

"You're going to get it, sis!" I heard someone call out before I saw Naoko run over to my sanctuary.

The girl was cheery with a big smile as she greeted, "Hey Kai! Why don't you come play with us?"

"No thanks," I replied solemnly as a boy ran up to us.

He looked a lot like Naoko and he grinned mischievously as he chucked a snowball at her. Stepping away from their antics I made to leave when the boy spotted me.

"Hey, you must be Kai. Naoko's told me a lot about you. I'm her brother Ray," the boy introduced as he held out his hand.

"Hn," I stated as my arms remained crossed, "If you're going to continue playing in the snow would you take it somewhere else?"

"Well alright, have it your way then. Coming sis?"

"You go ahead Ray. I'll catch up."

Naoko's brother ran off into the blanket of snow that the field away from the tarmac had become overnight.

Turning to me the girl wondered, "What's wrong, Kai? Don't you want to have fun?"

I raised an eyebrow, "Since when in the two months that you've know me have I ever wanted to have fun? I just want to go inside where it's safe and have stupid school start already!"

"You, Kai Hiwatari, actually want to go to class?" Naoko wondered looking at me in bewilderment.

"Better than being out here in the stupid snow!"

"But snow is so much fun. Winter is the best time of year."

I rolled my eyes at her but before I could comment on the evil of winter, Christ and his gang purposefully strode over to us.

"Look what we have here, the outcasts are having a party," Chris smirked as if he was on top of the world. "Do you hate this amazing time of year too like your loner friend?"

"If you mean me, no I love winter. It's my favourite time of year," Naoko replied.

It seemed that she was in too much of a good mood to be afraid of him like she normally was.

"Then maybe you shouldn't be hanging out with the Ice Prince here. Though for an Ice Prince he sure is strange. I mean it's hard to believe that someone so cold can hate the snow," he mocked as he and his buddies approached nearer.

"You know I hate the damn stuff so go away and find someone else to pick on," I retorted with a glare.

"But that's no fun. Especially how we came specifically to give you a lesson in how to enjoy this wonderful season," he grinned wickedly, "We'll get you into the snow, yet. Isn't that right boys?"

Next thing I knew Chris' buddies had me backed into the wall while their ringleader's hands went for my neck. With my arms and body pinned against the bricks I could only watch as the asshole pried away my precious scarf. Stealing away the white object that was so dear to me he ran into one of the snow banks.

I could feel the pure rage and hatred boiling up inside me. I knew that these feelings were reflected in my dark eyes as driven by outrage I flung the gang off of me.

I roared in my blind rage, "Chris! You've got one chance to give me back my scarf! Or else you're dead!"

"If you want it so badly you'll have to come over here and get it," he taunted holding my scarf over his head.

Without a second thought I allowed my anger to take hold as a whip of fire manifested itself into life. The dancing embers were released from my hand and extended over the cement beneath my feet until it coiled around the despicable blonde's arms. Screaming out in pain Chris dropped my scarf at the foot of the bank.

All the boys looked on at me in horror and in sheer terror they bolted away. Having what I wanted I released the boy from my burning grip. As the bell rang I reclaimed the sacred article of clothing and tied it securely around my neck where it belonged.

"What was that about?" Naoko voiced and I finally realized that she was still there after everyone else had fled.

"Nothing, they shouldn't have taken my scarf," I coldly stated as I was finally able to enter the building to be free for a time from the dreaded winter.

In class that day Don Bernard was going on and on about some pointless thing to do with math. Bored out of my skull I fell into the embrace of sleep. As I drifted off with his dull voice I hoped to get some extra rest before the recurring nightmares again plagued my dreams.

I didn't know how much time had passed when I was later awakened by someone shaking me. Blinking a couple times I looked around and saw that it had been Naoko's hand that had woken me.

Though that was the least of my worries as I saw Don looming over me. I waited for the blow or yelling to come but then remembered that I was at school and my bastard grandfather was nowhere in sight.

Don scolded, "Hey babe. There will no sleeping in my classroom as you are here to learn."

"Whatever," I replied not caring.

But before Don could give a response there was a knock at the door. At the door was a short older looking woman who possessed short dark hair, though she wasn't the only occupant at the door. Beside the woman stood a hurt and frightened Chris, who was clutching an ice pack to the burns I had left.

Addressing our teacher the woman asked in an annoying, professional tone, "Excuse me for interrupting but I would like to borrow a Mr. Hiwatari."

Oh crap, I thought as Don looked at me with a, what have you done now, look.

As I stood to face my punishment, Naoko spoke up in a small sounding voice, "But Chris was bullying us first. Kai didn't start it."

"Well the three of you can discuss what happened with the Principal. Now come along, hey," the woman huffed as she led us off.

We sat in a plain looking waiting room to await the stupid Principal. As we waited for him to see us I turned to Naoko.

"You didn't have to do that, you know?"

"I know but I wanted to," the neko-jin next to me replied.

"But now you're in trouble too. And I don't know why you'd want to stick up for me. I mean didn't what happened freak you out?"

"Well yeah, I was scared but stupid Chris started it. At least you were nice enough to give him a warning."

Before I could argue or ponder the matter any longer the door to the office opened. The man who stood before us was one who I had seen one too many times. I dislike him and his way of only taking one person's side without listening to the whole story.

"So which one of you is going to explain to me what happened?" The white haired man inquired.

As I stood there in silence Chris went into a long, annoying rant. Going on about how I had so brutally attacked him and had scarred him for life.

"Is what this boy saying true, Mr. Hiwatari?"

I shrugged, "Hey, it's a fact of life that pain hurts and he had it coming. He should have thought about that before stealing my scarf."

"I don't know how a thing like this could have happen in my schoolyard but that is no excuse for getting into fights or burning someone," the principal lectured.

As he rambled on I sat there with an impassive look and rolled my eyes. I didn't really care what he chose to do to me this time as I could handle whatever ineffective punishments he had in store.

That was when Naoko piped up. Even though she appeared scared out of her wits to speak against the annoying figure of authority she still defended me.

"But sir, Chris was the one provoked Kai and started it. He tried to get him into the snow when Kai didn't want to go near it," the girl squeaked out.

"I don't care! Mr. Hiwatari knew the consequences when he decided to attack a fellow student! And as I'm sick and tired of dealing with your troublesome ways I have taken the liberty of notifying your grandfather, young man. He will be here to pick you up momentarily."

For a fraction of a second my impassive gaze widened in fear and shock as I exclaimed, "What? No, you can't do this!"

"I can and I have. You are dismissed."

We went back out into the waiting room and Chris dashed away from the office.

Great, just when my day can't get any worse this happens. The damn snake, he's probably happy with the damage he's caused, I brooded as I took a seat to wait for the bastard. I was surprised when Naoko sat down next to me and I asked, "What are you doing?"

"Waiting with you," was her cool response.

"I don't need you to do that, I can handle myself," I replied stubbornly with my pride.

"I'm sure you can but I'd still like to make sure that my one friend around here is alright," Naoko smiled at me.

"Friend, I don't have any friends?"

"Well you do now. At least I'd like to be your friend."

"Yeah, I'd like that too."

"Then we're friends," she replied and we waited in silence for a while.

We didn't have long to wait as soon afterwards the bastard stormed in. His anger was written all over his old face as he yelled at me.

"Boy! How dare you make me come all the way here when I'm preparing for a very important meeting! You're in so much trouble that when I get you home you'll be begging for forgiveness by the time I'm through with you!"

"Me, beg? You got to be kidding me," I snorted and I could tell that he desperately wanted to punish me here and now.

Luckily for me, he had enough restraint not to beat me in a public setting. Though that would be all the luck I'd get, I didn't even want to think about what was going to happen to me at home. He wouldn't hurt me here at least but the bastard did grab me.

As I was being dragged off I stole a glance back at Naoko. She was scared but she still looked like she wanted to do something to stop my bastard grandfather. Her amber eyes met my own and I gave her a pleading stare to not do anything and to just stay out of it.

The bastard dragged me home all the way to our mansion and I remembered the gruesome beating. I could almost feel the pain from his blows but the reality of it faded as that was the last thing I saw of the memory.

End Flashback

The images of Kai's past faded away to be replaced by a calming, relaxing sensation. Instead of the freezing cold he had succumbed to the phoenix felt new life and warmth pulse through his body. After a while of relishing in the wondrous heat he had so desired Kai's crimson eyes finally fluttered open.

How long have I been out of it? Kai wondered as he looked up at the shapes who were watching him.

"Naoko, Ray, I…" Kai wearily began but he was stopped by the other boy.

"It's okay man, just get some rest," Ray cut him off as his sister looked away from the phoenix.

"But-"

"No buts. Here, drink this, your Dad said it'll help," Ray said holding up a glass.

"My Dad?"

"Yeah, he and my sister here managed to escape."

"That's right I'd forgotten you two are siblings. Though we didn't really know each other back then," Kai stated, remembering the visions of his dreams.

"Yeah, but we'll talk about things more once you're better. Your father says you have to rest so drink up," Ray replied and Kai grudgingly drank the suspicious liquid.

As Kai's eyes began to droop again he fell back into the bed. Damn, he drugged it, the phoenix thought but he didn't care anymore as he fell into a peaceful, nightmare free, slumber.

Another chapter done. I thought I'd go a bit into Kai's perspective of the past and I hope you like it as much I do. The next chapter will be up some time this week though I'll warn you now it's a little dull but I think you guys can suffer for a while. Let me know how I'm doing and I'll continue this when I can.