Authors note: Here we go, chapter 13! We get more information about Kai's parents, and for those of you wondering about Lee he will return in chapter 14. Enjoy!

REVIEWS ANYONE?...

KirayHimawari: Thank you so much for a great review! I really appriciate the feedback you leave, because it is immensely inspiring knowing that people are reading this! You will get to knoe more about Kai's parents from Voltaire in this chapter, and Lee does have a rather important role to play, although I am unsure if I should keep him alive or not. Any thoughts? I am also considering introducing a Kai/Hil pairing, but I am not quite sure yet if my Kai is the relationship type. Ideas? Anyway, thank you so much for a totally awsome review!:D

2Cold: Thank you so much for leaving a feedback! It is good to know that people are still reading, and no worries! I am just really happy that you bothered leaving a feedback and that you think this is still on the right track! I hope you will like this chapter as well, and do tell if you have advice or suggestions! Thanks again!:D

Untouchable

Chapter 13

A large, steaming plate of egg and bacon was placed before me, and I was once again reminded why I had never been one for the all American breakfast. Sure, compared to what I was used to from the Abby I'd take this any day, but still. Fat meat swimming in grease and scrambled eggs with too much salt on them….no thank you.

Apparently today had been Max's turn to make breakfast, and I found myself longing after Rey's crispy omelets with spinach and feta. Clearly cooking wasn't Max's forte, because the only one who was actually eating was Tyson, but even he seemed slower than usual. With a sigh I hid behind the newspaper, absentmindedly sipping pitch black coffee. Unsurprisingly the texture reminded me of motor oil.

I was currently skimming through the finance section, pleased to see that my company's shares had gone up with almost 10%. Not bad, not bad at all. Hopefully this would make up for my previously bold move. As of this morning both Tala and Bryan were facing criminal charges, and Boris had called to inform me that my grandfather expected me for dinner.

The timing was impeccable, as always. Then again I had been asked, or rather ordered, to meet up at one of the city's best restaurants, which suggested that he couldn't be that displeased. If he intended to punish me he would have invited me to the mansion, not to a public place. Well, as always I couldn't be sure. If anything I felt certain that he was watching me closely now that I had played my most controversial card. I briefly wondered what chess pieces Tala and Bryan equaled in our game, how important they actually were. On a larger scale it didn't really matter. The difference between him and me was that no matter how many soldiers he lost they were always replaceable. Needless to say mine weren't, and I was very much aware of the complications this could potentially cause.

Fuck him, fuck all of them!

"You know, there is a local tournament coming up", Kenny said, momentarily breaking my concentration.

A soft clunk was heard as Max accidentally poured coffee over Robert's plate rather than his cup, and I paused to send the both of them a withering look.

"Awesome!" Tyson declared, giving Max a high five behind Robert's back.

"It is just a friendly, non official thing, but we could use the training", Kenny continued, his tone serious.

To him beyblading was a way of life it seemed, and I would admit that his enthusiasm intrigued me. For me beyblading had always been a chore, not something I would do for fun.

"I thought they only accepted teams of four", Max said, brows furrowed.

Kenny merely shrugged in response.

"I could ask Lee", Rey said. "I don't think the white tigers are participating this year"

"What about Kai?" Max innocently inquired.

He barely noticed my irritation, busy apologizing to Robert for the coffee incident, a purplish blush slowly creeping up his cheeks. I couldn't help but soften my expression a tiny bit, and Robert smirked knowingly. He seemed to understand me, I wasn't quite sure how, but he did. Still, I resented him for it, and we both knew. Either way his presence represented a number of interesting possibilities, and I ducked behind the newspaper once more, contemplating this new development. Despite my usual sharpness I hadn't quite realized his potential before that same morning. It had occurred to me the moment I opened my eyes, my brain in overdrive. I suppose I could blame the alcohol, but still, this new, unexplored weakness irked me.

"So", Robert opened, proceeding to carry the mess of bacon, coffee and ruined eggs to the sink.

"What are you doing today Kai?"

I caught Hilary scowling at him, while the others merely regarded me with badly hidden curiosity. Of course, they were wondering about my work, and perhaps they had a small, hidden hope that I would join their stupid tournament. As if! They wanted all the unspeakable details, the things I would never tell them in a million years. For example the fact that I had fucked a police woman in my office during lunch time last week. The whole thing had been great, the sex mind blowing.

Still, if Hilary found out there would undoubtedly be a whole lot of drama, and if it was one thing I despised it was unnecessary display of emotion. Besides it wouldn't do her any good. My life was not something any of them would want nor need to know anything about, and most of all I was afraid the truth would change their perception of me. I wasn't sure if I could handle that, the pity. There were other thing as well, my relationship with my grandfather being one of them. The whole thing was….unhealthy.

I briefly glanced up as Tyson helped himself to more scrambled eggs, catching Robert's intense gaze.

"Hn", I mumbled offhandedly, proceeding to put down the paper and get up.

Better to make my escape before this whole tournament thing got too serious.

"You really should join!" Max said, giving me the puppy dog look.

"Hn"

He looked hopefully at me.

Of course this was by no means a satisfactory response, and I couldn't care less about such trivialities. I caught Rey shaking his head in amusement from the corner of my eyes, along with Robert's puzzled expression. The others didn't seem particularly bothered. I suppose they had gotten used to my quirks and strange moods. Oddly enough I found the idea comforting.

"I'll move back into my house again tonight", I addressed Rey, picking up my car keys and suit jacket on my way out.

"Thanks for having me".

Rey only shrugged in response, smiling.

"Anytime Kai", he said.

"Give me a call if you change your mind about the tournament".

I scurried out the door, barely registering Max, Kenny and Tyson offering their agreement. A small part of me felt inclined to accept Max's offer, but I pushed it away. Where was the point? I didn't really like beyblading anyway, and I certainly didn't like the idea of wasting my time on silly games.

They were always so emotional, Max, Tyson, Rey and even Kenny…uncomfortably so I reflected, promptly refraining from acknowledging Robert's presence, before stalking outside. A couple of vans marked MHG security were parked outside my house, several men in blue overalls busy searching for and removing bugs and cameras.

The manager had assured me they would be done by mid afternoon, and although my time spent at Rey's hadn't been unpleasant I looked forward to moving back in. I could only keep my calm for so long among so many people, and besides I needed time to think, to plan ahead, and to prepare. As always I was forced to put the game before everything, but for once I didn't feel too bad about it.

Whichever way one saw things it was essential that I got away from Robert, at least until I knew where he stood. Perhaps he could be useful in the future; I felt certain he could, but that depended solely upon him remaining undetected. If my grandfather became aware of his presence there would be no use. Plotting, that was exactly what I was doing, and I had a distinct feeling that my grandfather would approve, should he ever discover the extent of his influence. I was acting just like he would, only with less finesse, and hopefully without malice. Still, I wasn't so sure about that last one, and this worried me to some extent.

"Death becomes him, wouldn't you agree Boris?"

"It is bad blood"

"One way or another they all end up like lunatics".

"Bad blood"

"BAD BLOOD!"

My hands tightened on the steering wheel, the engine roaring agitatedly, gravel spraying in all directions as I blasted out in the street, leaving my supposedly safe haven behind. I was tired. The night had been distracting, dreams, memories, nightmares….whatever they were only adding to my exhaustion.

Questions I pondered, an endless stream of questions with impossible answers, if those even existed. Robert, Lee, my haunted nights, they all caused complications in their own unpredictable ways, and I wondered if the dark, gloomy grey they represented would ever disappear. How wonderful that would have been. Unfortunately such things didn't seem to go in my favor. Not that I was very deserving.

The restaurant in question was a grand place. I had spent most of the day at work beforehand, surveying the company's progress and finishing a business plan for the next few months. I still hadn't found a CEO with the appropriate qualifications, and although this bothered me somewhat it was a minor nuisance considering the larger picture.

At the present I was by far more worried about the impending dinner, and I stalled a couple of minutes by the car, before getting my act together and casually strolling inside. Nervousness was replaced by reserved acceptance as a bowing waiter escorted me to a separate room with large French windows, and I resisted a sudden urge to shudder in a combination of disgust and unease.

Unsurprisingly my grandfather was already seated, as always enjoying a glass of vintage red wine. I watched, fascinated as the crimson liquid swirled back and forth. The color reminded me of dried blood. The waiter left, and I remained standing, patiently waiting while he took in my appearance with obvious approval. The charcoal colored suit had been my own pick, although I would have much preferred my favorite scruffy looking jeans. Then again I was not about to repeat previous mistakes, not today at least.

"Please sit little phoenix", he said, a slight smirk playing on his lips as he caught the flash of annoyance this produced.

Why did he even bother, I wondered sourly, proceeding to sit down. The room struck me as elegant, lightly furnished and with plenty of light. Modern. I felt surprisingly comfortable there, and I could tell that this was just what he intended. Curse him and his stupid games! Inwardly I was seething, and as always he knew. We merely watched each other for what felt like an eternity, and I could literally feel his pleasure in observing my struggle to suppress the all consuming rage. He wasn't yanking the chain; he didn't need too, and bittersweet frustration flowed through me at this realization. The jaguar was trapped yet again, more than anything by its own predatory mind.

I forced myself to relax as more waiters entered. My grandfather had already ordered, and a complicated tuna dish was placed before me, accompanied by a glass of white wine. I sent him a questioning look, which he ignored, gesturing at the waiters too leave as a plate of neatly arranged filet mignon and vegetables quickly made its way to where he was seated.

"You will spend the night at the mansion, I have already arranged for your car to be brought there", he simply said.

"Very well", I replied, a certain hint of acid finding its way into my voice.

He smiled.

We ate in silence, and I absentmindedly watched as the light changed from the warm afternoon glow to a blackish blue. Spending the night at the mansion….fuck him! I contemplated how I only months earlier had described my feelings towards him as resentment. There was no doubt in my mind now. Resentment was to mild a word. I hated him with all my heart; anything else would be denial. Still, there was more to it than just pure hatred, or else I wouldn't be here. Whatever it was which forced me to remain by his side it had a strong hold, and its complexity never ceased to baffle me.

"I have a question", I said, for once taking the initiative.

He looked at me, eyebrows quirking upwards in curiosity. It was always he who initiated a conversation. That was my unspoken rule. Never talk to him unless you have to, never! The chance of saying something which could result in unpleasant consequences was too great. Still, I was about to push my luck with him yet again, and I wasn't even sure why.

"About my birth parents".

The silence which ensued was tense, uncomfortable. I met his gaze, not backing down, but forcing myself to relax, to control the rage. He did not move an inch, merely stared, observed…..waited. I lowered my chin slightly in submission, and he leaned back, contemplating me it seemed. I need answers! I deserve them! He tilted his head to the side, and I could tell that he found my behavior to be satisfactory.

"What do you wish to know?" he pleasantly inquired, hands interlocked and his features thoughtful.

"I…."

I paused, wondering exactly what I wanted to know, and furthermore, if the answer was worth it all. The dream came to mind again, and I hesitated, suddenly feeling unsure of myself. Would he tell me the truth? Was the truth what I wanted? But most importantly, had the dreams been memories? Or had they merely been fragments of fantasy conjured up by a confused and despairing mind?

"Did they protest….when you….took me?" I finally said, voice steady, emotionless, albeit my tone more cautious than I would have liked.

He absentmindedly sipped his wine, obviously savoring the richness. The bottle was placed on a separate table, a Barolo from 2001. Probably fantastic, I reflected, suddenly tempted to take him up on his earlier offer of a glass. Moments later the desserts arrived, cheese cake for him, chocolate mousse for me. Unsurprisingly I was forced to eat both. Not that I was particularly bothered, I just didn't like eating while he watched. It made me feel like a….I don't know…..a pet maybe. He was worried I didn't eat properly I realized, somewhat annoyed by this revelation.

"I didn't take you from them", he said after a while, intently scrutinizing my guarded expression.

The unmistakable hint of possessiveness was evident in his eyes, the need to own, to control. I belonged to him wheatear I liked it or not; my beauty, my mere existence being the centre of his universe. How very fortunate…..

"We made a deal"

Somehow I knew what was coming, but I still wanted, needed to hear him say it.

"In exchange for you I promised to leave them alone… it was your father's idea".

"My… father?" I repeated, the word sounding unfamiliar, odd, coming from me. The letters felt strange on my tongue, almost as if they didn't belong.

"I never thought he had it in him, the sentimental fool", he spat.

His tone was condescending, but I could feel the hidden disappointment. Whatever it was my father had done he would never be forgiven. As far as my grandfather was concerned he was dead, nonexistent…disowned.

"He wanted to be a baker….a baker! Can you imagine that? The heir to my empire a baker!"

I didn't answer, I just sat there, frozen, suddenly feeling vulnerable and small, crushed. He shook his head in exasperation, pausing only to admire my exceptionally cold beauty. Had I been someone else I would have laughed. The idea that the heir to the great Hiwatari Empire wanted to be a baker sounded ludicrous, and some small, twisted part of my mind found this fact insanely amusing.

"I am pleased with you", my grandfather continued, the both of us silently agreeing to not address the issue any further.

"The company have come along well, and you are starting to grasp the essence of what I have taught you".

I knew he was referring to the Tala and Bryan incident, and relief washed through me as I realized he wasn't angry. Along with a sense of self loathing, as always.

"Thank you", I slowly said, struggling not to think of the consequences of his previous words.

It really was the ultimate betrayal, I reflected bitterly, for the first time realizing the implications. Somewhere my mother and father were living their life, happy and carefree, while I was here, trapped, tortured and broken, being groomed to be something they would resent, just like I now resented them. The irony struck me as unfair, but then again what could I do about it? Instead I was left with an aching feeling in my chest, my jaw clenched and teeth gritted. A headache was become increasingly prominent, and I hastily emptied my fourth glass of white wine, allowing myself the rare luxury of ignoring his watchful eyes for a few, coveted moments.

"They are under your league", he said softly, almost apologetically.

"You shouldn't dwell on it".

Deep down I was hurt, and we both new. I had expected him to look at me with anger, or at least disdain, as a result of this weakness. Instead he stood up, affectionately ruffling my hair. Despite the repulsion this gesture caused it offered a certain comfort, and I slowly got to my feet, following him outside in a haze. His words lingered, burned, and I knew I wouldn't forget, not this time. This wound was too deep, it wouldn't heel, and I briefly wondered if I was completely lost to the darkness now, with no hope of recovery.

A black clad chauffeur respectfully held the door open as I sat down next to my grandfather in the limo, slowly leaning back into the comfy leather seats. He placed a hand on my shoulder, gently squeezing it in encouragement. It took most of my self control not to cringe at the touch, and I stared stiffly out of the window, gazing emptily at the passing cars. I felt detached suddenly, as if I was watching someone else's life pass by, and not my own. The sensation was unreal, and most definitely not welcome.

Back at the mansion I politely bid my grandfather goodnight, eyes blazing with their usual fiery rage, and he smiled, pleased. The jaguar still belonged to him, body, mind, and soul…