I'm SO sorry for the delay on this chapter. I've been very busy with work, the run up to Christmas is a nightmare, I've been pulling twelve hour shifts for the last couple of weeks and my feet hurt!
I'll wish everyone a belated Merry Christmas! And I hope you had a great start to the new year.
THANK YOU! For all the great reviews! Seriously, it means so much to me. I think I can finally say with confidence that updates will be coming a lot quicker from now on; I got a laptop for Christmas! So I don't have to rely on that old heap of rubbish that crashed on me every two seconds!
Darling, what is going on?
Honestly, that never happened, lying is your favourite passion.
Leave me - go where you belong,
Higher heels and lipstick napkins, dying is your latest fashion.
Situations by Escape The Fate
Chapter 29 - Pain And Pity
Leana ran her fingers through the warm water which filled the large bathtub. The heat would sooth Kai's aches, but she didn't make it too hot in case it would burn his wounds which were still open. The water rippled from her touch and Leana watched it, mesmerized, her eyes filled with grief. Although she had already seen the Kai in his battered state; Leana was dreading the moment Anthony brought him up. There was always a silence, one which couldn't be described as awkward or painful. More like agonizing and heartrending.
Whatever word you choose, they were all the same to Leana. Just useless synonyms one would use to try to illustrate her current position to an audience. The emotions swirling around inside of her could not be plucked out and traced onto paper. They were too deep. Too raw. But somewhere in the midst of this inner, emotional tornado; Leana could feel guilt clawing at her heart which she so desperately tried to encase.
Who was she to feel apathetic when Kai was the true victim? Did she have the right to cry? Or break down from because her mental state was over powering her?
It's only part of the reason why silence would fill the air for the next few hours. If she spoke; Leana was certain she would cry. And with all of his life's weight bearing down on his shoulders; Kai did not need anymore problems.
So when she heard the door open to Kai's bedroom - her fingers withdrawing from the water - Leana stood bravely, wiping her face clean of any expression and prepared herself once again for a sight she could not bare.
--
Anthony shuffled awkwardly into the room, his biceps taut as he heaved Kai's weakened body forward. He could tell that Kai would probably want nothing more but to curl up in his bed at this point, judging by the way the teens eyes were drooping, his head lolling onto his chest and how he groaned when Anthony dragged him towards the en-suite. But Voltaire's order where to have his Grandson washed and bandaged before he returned. A demand which Anthony - and most likely Kai and Leana - could ponder over and never have an answer to.
Despite Voltaire's ruthless and cold attitude towards Kai; Anthony sometimes wondered if Voltaire felt guilty for his actions. He avoided facing Kai after one of these punishments until he was cleaned up. He would never see Kai's exhausted, battered form. Maybe it was because Voltaire wanted to distance himself so he wouldn't lose control again. But a tiny part of Anthony's mind suspected it was guilt.
Guilt for what he had done to his own Grandson.
However, it was a suspicion Anthony would ever place money on. After all, why would Voltaire continue the abusive behaviour if he had to face the guilt that would follow? He was a proud man who avoided emotional conflictions. He had a cold heart.
Back in the present, Leana appeared in the doorway of the en-suite, wringing her aging hands together in front of her body, trying desperately to control the quiver of her bottom lip. Her dark brown hair flecked with grey was pulled up into a high bun but loose stands had fallen from the elastic fabric and now frizzled around her head as though she had received a small electric shock. Anthony noticed how her eyes closed half-way and became watery as she laid her sight upon Kai. But both knew this was not the time to get emotional.
Leana ran the fingers of one hand through her hair - a nervous act which only caused more strands to fall loose - before walking cautiously over to Kai, her eyes flickering once over Anthony who stared determinedly at the floor.
As though sensing her nearing presence, Kai lifted his head, exhaling shakily as he fought of his drowsiness and - with an exhausting amount of effort - he forced his body to resist help from Anthony and hold his own weight. Although Anthony frowned slightly as Kai pulled away from him, he did not make any attempt to stop him. Kai needed to stand on his own for himself, for his pride. Whatever was left of it.
Leana couldn't help but smile as she watched the teen, the same old Kai she knew and loved. Pushing himself beyond what he should. But that was the way Kai's mind worked. He did not know his limits, he would keep fighting until he hit them.
Taking another tentative step forward, Leana raised her shaking hand and brushed her finger gently across Kai's jaw line. His skin was still quite cold, and Leana sensed the shiver that rushed through the teens body at the contact. Although his eyelids were drooping and keeping them open was somewhat of an effort, Kai strained his eyes, focusing on the blurry shapes produced by exhaustion.
He didn't need perfect vision to know it was Leana. He recognised her gentle touch, the sound of her wavering breath - knowing she was putting on a brave face just for him. Just for now anyway. She would cry later. Weep her heart out. And she'd try to stay quiet, wipe the tears away as soon as they spilled. She'd try not to let him know that she was crying, but soon enough the sobs in her throat would break free. And she'd bawl all over him. Feeling sorry for him. It was just a matter of waiting; wondering how long she could hold up a mask for.
As her features became more focused through his overworked eyes, Kai could make out Leana grave face, her fingers still lingering centimetres from his jaw. He could feel darkness pushing against the boundaries of his mind, lulling him in unconsciousness; but despite his bodies need for sleep, Kai worked himself onwards. Shrugging off Anthony's hand - the last source of extra support - which still gripped his upper arm, Kai leaned forward very slight so his cheek made contact with Leana's fingers hovering in midair. The tiny but alleviate smile formed around her lips was enough for them both.
Anthony brought his eyes up even though his face was directed at the floor. He watched silently as Leana lowered her hand, stroking down Kai's arm before gently grasping his hand; turning to lead him towards the en-suite. In such a bitter situation, one would wonder how anything could possibly make the moment more uncomfortable. Anthony, however, had discovered it. Watching the other two - the battered teen, the kind maid - he queried over where he belonged.
Anthony cared for Kai. Hell, he cared much more than he was ever going to allow himself to show. But Kai never treated him with the same sort of respect he treated Leana with. Maybe because Kai had known Leana basically all his life, where as he'd only known Anthony for three years. It wasn't like this fact bothered him most of the time; but Anthony wanted to help Kai. Possibly comfort him. But he wasn't quite sure how to express this. Leana was just so much more capable, more emotional.
A shaky sigh, one which had his chest greatly expanding, fell from his lips as Anthony tilted his head back and gazed at the ceiling. The door to the en-suite closed with a small click! as Leana and Kai disappeared behind it. Anthony found it difficult to believe how many times he'd been in this situation.
The reasons were always different, but the process always the same. It usually started with Voltaire witnessing/discovering Kai had done something against his wishes. The first time Anthony had witnessed this had been just nearly three years ago when Kai and Voltaire had attended a New Years Eve party at some top-league business mans' mansion. Around that time, Kai was still readjusting to the world, having only been released from the hospital six months previously.
Anthony wasn't present at this party, but he had been the one supervising the Hiwatari mansion when at stupid-o'clock in the morning he had been woken by an enraged Voltaire dragging Kai into the cellar for his first visit to the tank. Anthony was somewhat surprised Kai didn't need to go back to the hospital after that encounter.
All year long Voltaire and Kai broke into arguments which usually resulted in the younger receiving a crack! across the face from his Grandfather, but things escalated again in October, almost exactly two years ago.
Kai got expelled from school.
And Voltaire was not pleased.
Another year on when the worst trouble started. Keiko Wantanabe strolled into Kai's life with her ridiculous bleached hair (which eventually was dyed every colour under the sun, how her hair had not fallen out yet Anthony could not understand), fake eyelashes, clothes that left hardly anything to the imagination and tremendously bitchy attitude. Anthony had known many girls like her when he lived in still England, but he thought Kai, of all people, would have never associated with that awful girl.
Unfortunately, he was proven wrong and Kai faced the tank once again.
There were moments between the two relatives where life seemed almost peaceful, but the moment never seemed to last too long. Sooner or later, Voltaire would find something extremely insignificant and cause an uproar over it, whether it be Kai arriving home too late or because he was breathing too imagined a future where Kai would no longer be a child but a grown man still being abused by his Grandfather just because he was too stubborn and proud to ask anyone for help.
--
In the en-suite, Leana had sat Kai down on the edge of the bath and was carefully viewing the injuries on his face. A large amount of dried blood coated most his skin, most of which seemed to have leaked out from the gash somewhere just above his hairline and from his nose. Parting his hair, Leana managed to locate the afore-mentioned gash. She crinkled her nose slightly at the sight of it. About three centimetres long and raised on a lump. Fortunately, after the two days the cut was beginning to scab over and it looked as though stitches would not be required. Leana could only pray it hadn't been infected though.
Taking a cloth from the unit next to the bath and dampening it with the water in the bathtub, Leana dabbed the cut as carefully and cautiously as she could, but the pressure on the tender area still caused Kai to flinch.
"Sorry..." She breathed, pausing in her actions. Kai simply shook his head a little and allowed her to continue.
After cleaning the area around the cut, Leana dropped the cloth back onto the unit before eyeing Kai up and down. It was only then she noticed he was missing one of his boots. His right foot was socked and Leana guessed - from the way Kai was limping and hesitant to put any weight on it - that there must have been some damage. She kneeled down in front of him and grasped his leg, peeling away the sock.
Leana was met with some very ugly bruising running from the beginnings of Kai's toes, across the top of his foot, right up to and around his ankle. The whole area was slightly swollen as well.
"I think your ankle may be sprained," Leana noted quietly, talking more to herself than to Kai, who barely registered what she said anyway. Leana glanced upwards and noticed that faraway look in his eyes. Kai looked completely exhausted and she knew very well what he needed was rest.
Standing up, Leana gripped the bottom of Kai bloodied, dark purple shirt and peeled it upwards. Although Kai was seemingly lost to the world and all conscious thoughts, he managed to raise his arms and allow Leana to remove his upper clothing. Two ribs - which were most likely cracked - stuck out through Kai's muscled torso. Most of his stomach and chest was a yellowish colour dotted with darker blue, black and purple patches. Leana inhaled sharply, clenching her eyes shut for a single moment.
Her finger-tips trailed lightly over the marred flesh causing Kai to shiver at the touch. His eyes slipped shut as the comfort from another mixed with his current state began to take over. Even with the artificial lights that he could almost see even through his eyelids, Kai could feel himself beginning to drift into oblivion.
Leana glanced up when Kai's head fall forward slightly. Sensing he was extremely close to falling asleep, she decided to get him into the bath sooner rather than later. She brought both her hands to his waist and took the silver belt buckle in her fingers, pulling the black, leather strap free from it's metal lock.
Kai groaned, shaking himself out of his disorientated state and pushed Leana's hands away from him.
"Okay..." Leana whispered, backing away, knowing full well that Kai wouldn't - couldn't allow her to undress him fully. She turned around and took a towel and bathrobe in her hands which previously lay on the opposite unit, her fingers clutching them rather tightly.
"I'll leave these on the side here," she said in a calm yet strained voice, which probably would have gone unheard if not for the echo in the large bathroom. Leana glanced over her shoulder to see that Kai had undone his belt and was now waiting for her to leave. As close as they were, Kai still had his principles and there were some things he would not allow even Leana to see. One of these was his body.
Leana quietly left the room, the door shutting behind her with a soft click!
Once she was gone, Kai raised his head and allowed his eyes to roam the room. Kai knew Leana was never going to judge him or turn her back on him; he just hated it when she saw his body. Many parts of his flesh were scarred, and although over time he had come to accept himself the way he was; Kai felt his scars were for his eyes only. Nobody had the right to know what lay beneath his clothing.
With a small sigh which caused a tremor to ripple throughout his body, Kai heaved himself onto his feet, swaying but managing to keep his balance. He grasped his belt with his fingers and yanked the leather fastening out of it's straps. Without the tightened support, his trousers dropped and hung low on his hips. He dropped the belt to the floor before placing his thumps on the waistband of his trousers and pushed them down over his hips. They dropped to the floor in a crumpled heap as he stepped out of them leaving him stood naked except his boxer shorts.
Kai took this moment to glance at himself in the mirror that was set upon the wall in front of him. Despite the hot and steamy air around him, Kai could not help but shiver as his eyes roamed his marked body. Starting from his swollen ankle and ending at the bloodied gash above his hairline. Kai's porcelain skin was like a canvas painted with bruises, cuts and thin, white scars, ageing from newly healed to old and faded.
His eyes lowered slowly, a feeling of disgust overcoming him. He couldn't tell what he was disgusted by. The injuries. His Grandfather for causing them. Or possibly himself. Kai could admit to himself that he spent the majority of time wondering why he stayed with his Grandfather. Why did he put himself through the rubbish Voltaire dished out to him? What was he hoping for? Was there really anything worth putting up with this life for?
Checking to make sure Leana had most definitely left the room, Kai stripped himself of his last article of clothing and clambered into the bath filled with warm water. He slowly lowered himself into the tub, the clear water lapping against his skin, peeling away the dried blood encrusted around numerous cuts. Fortunately, the ripped and torn areas of flesh had already begun to scab over so there was no sting when covered by the water.
Finally settled, Kai gripped the edges of the tub and pushed himself down, taking a deep breath and closing his eyes as his head slipped beneath the surface of the water, devouring his facial features. Underwater, his sense of hearing seemed to intensify. All sound above the surface was lost, but the rushing of the water and beating of his heart were so loud his whole form seemed to vibrate. Kai slowly opened his eyes, squinting as the pressure from the water bore down upon his eyeballs. Above him he could barely make out what he knew was a ceiling mirror. He didn't mind looking at himself from beneath the water because he couldn't see clearly at all. He couldn't see a single bruise, scar and cut. His blurry reflection looked completely untouched by anyone, as though no one had ever laid a violent finger on him.
Sometimes, Kai had thought about running away. Planned every detail. The things he would take, his escape route, the best time, where he would go and how he would continue life undetected. It was almost like he had blueprints laid out within his mind, and Kai knew very well he was could run away and survive on is own. He could do it anytime. Now if he wanted to.
But all he had to do was think about his Grandfather, imagine his voice or see his image in his head and the whole idea of leaving would fall to pieces on the spot. When he imagined his Grandfather discovering his own Grandson - his flesh and blood - his heir had run away - left him; Kai felt very cold. There was something about that image that made Kai feel very sick with himself. No matter how rocky and unstable their relationship may be, life was so much simpler with Voltaire. He knew what to expect and what was expected of him; he was used to it. Running away would do nothing but destroy what little positive feelings they had for each other. While they lived together, Kai could try to maintain peace. And if he was successful, who knows, maybe he could hope for something more?
Kai shot himself upwards, breaking through the surface of the water, his eyes scrunched up as he coughed water out of his lungs. His hair was soaked and no longer sticking out n every direction but limp and flat against his skull; the tip of his usual messy and spiked fringe hanging lifelessly by his chin. Kai sniffed and opened his eyes, water leaking from them as he blinked a few times to fully regain his sight. The vision in his right eyes was still quite dark to one side, but that would most likely repair itself within a few days.
Kai slid himself up the tub so he could lay back against the smooth surface that was set at a 135 degree angle. He noted that the water had turned slightly pink after mixing with the blood from the gash on his head. He relaxed and closed his eyes again, feeling another wave of fatigue hitting him. Even though Kai felt hungry and a good meal would not go amiss; his bed was his most wanted possession at the moment.
--
Leana paced Kai's room, glancing every few seconds at the door to the en-suite. She had left Kai in there around half an hour ago, and although she thought she had heard him climb into bathtub soon after she'd left; there had bee nothing but silence since, and Leana began to worry slightly. During the time, she had pulled out soon of Kai's sleeping clothes, plumped up all his pillows, retrieved an extra blanket - just in case - sorted through all the medical supplies in the first aid box and selected those that she needed. Now Leana found herself growing anxious and a little impatient as Kai never took a long time in the bath or shower. He never saw the need to use the several different but equally expensive body lotions which Voltaire ordered his bathroom to be filled with. Even injured Kai would not take this long.
Leana stopped pacing and faced the door. She knew very well that Kai was fiercely defensive about people - including herself - seeing his scars. It's the reason why he choose to wear a scarf and arm-guards, and also why he would never wear shorts or take his shirt off even during the humid summer. Although his scars were not very nice to look at, Leana refused to show her discomfort; Kai was already a very withdrawn person and the last thing he needed was strange looks from people who were disgusted by scars that were caused out of malice from another. So without further hesitation, Leana strode forward and opened the en-suite door.
The first thing she noticed was that Kai had managed to get himself into the bath, but was now presumably fast asleep, propped up with his head safely above the water. Leana gave a sigh of relief, exceptionally glad that he hadn't slipped beneath the water, but also rather disappointed with herself. She should have known better than to leave him in the state he was currently in. Kai appeared to be quite clean however, the blood which previously coated his face had been washed away and the water was not tinted pink.
As though sensing her presence, Kai surprisingly awoke from his slumber, his eyes wearily opening. He blinked drowsily and shivered, the water a lot cooler than when he first got in. Kai gazed around the white, pristine room before his eyes fell and rested on Leana's figure by the doorway.
Kai initially reacted by bringing his legs up so they were bent by the knee in a weak attempt to cover himself. Leana didn't know if the red flush across his cheeks was caused by the heat rising in the room or embarrassment, though she guessed it the latter. Desperate not to make Kai feel even more uncomfortable, Leana averted her gaze to the other side of the bathroom, pointedly not looking at him as she went to collect the towels she had laid out earlier.
"Are you done?" Leana asked quietly, unfolding the towels. Behind her she heard the water splash and ripple. Turning her head to one side and quickly glancing over her shoulder to see Kai had pulled himself up into a sitting position, his elbows resting on his knees. He gave a small but clear nod of the head, and Leana opened the towel out in her arms and turned around.
She walked forward and stopped in front of the bath.
"Here," she said simply, making it clear that she was not looking at him. Kai looked up but for a moment he did not make any other movement. Eventually after reassuring himself that she was definitely watching him, Kai rocked forward so his feet were supporting him from underneath before pushing himself up into a standing position. He took the edges of the towel with Leana held out and wrapped them around his waist. Leana stepped backwards and turned away as Kai adjusted the towel and cautiously stepped out of the tub.
"Dry yourself off and then come next door," she said, picking up a bathrobe and handing it to the teen. "I'll just go get you some shorts," she added, leaving the room and reappearing moments later with a pair of simple, black boxer-shorts. Kai had leant back against the bath unit again as he found himself tiring. Drops of water fell from the tips of his hair, splashing on his shoulders and chest, making small rivers as they trailed downwards over his lean, muscled torso, some dipping within his belly-button before soaking in the white, fluffy towel he held securely around his waist. (1)
Kai watched Leana as she folded his shorts and left them hanging over the white, marble sink. She offered him a small smile before leaving the room and closing the door behind her. Kai let his head drop forward again and gave another sigh. He still felt tired but his very small nap seemed to have done him some good; he felt a lot more awake than before. Gripping the towel tightly with one hand and using the other to push himself onto his feet, Kai walked forward, careful not to slip on the smooth, tiled floor that was slowly become wet beneath him. He stopped in front of the sink and began to dry himself off. He then put on the boxer-shorts that Leana left for him and towel dried his hair, being very gentle around the lump and gash which didn't need to be pressed hard to cause a sharp wave of pain. Once mostly dry, Kai took the bathrobe - also white - slid his arms into the sleeves and wrapped it around himself. He took one last look in the mirror, noting how his face seemed much less ruined now that the blood had been washed away - although the bruising around his right eye was still not very attractive.
A gentle tap on the door took Kai out off his daze, his eyes snapping away from his reflection. He limped over to the door and opened it revealing Leana looking slightly worried.
"Are you okay?" She asked, tilting her head to one side, trying to catch his wavering gaze. Kai stared over her shoulder as though his mind was somewhere else, however he managed to answer with a little nod, his lips parting like he was trying to say something but with no power to give sound. Leana wasn't sure if she was completely convinced. "You just look a little lost that's all…?"
Kai blinked and licked his lips. "…fine," was all he said.
Leana nodded, deciding to take his word for it and took him by the hand, leading him to his bed and sitting him down. Kai followed without objecting, he was after all quite used to Leana mothering him on occasion. He sat down on the edge of the bed and felt himself sink down into the mattress; the urge to throw himself backwards and let sleep devour him became almost unbearable. Leana obviously noticed this, because she seized the bandages and antiseptic cream she's previously laid out before taking Kai's face in her hands. She tilted his head forward and parted his damp hair where the gash was. Although it was already healing quite nicely, Leana squirted a small lump of the antiseptic cream onto the tip of her index finger - rubbing it with her thumb and middle finger - before dabbing it over the scabbed cut. Kai inhaled sharply but otherwise made no complaint.
Leana began measuring the correct sized bandage she's need when the sound of a car engine caused her to freeze in her actions. Kai also heard the motor, and he raised his head, his eyes travelling to the window where a beacon of light - presumably from the headlights of the car - shone over the darkened gardens of the mansion. Leana inhaled sharply as her gazed followed suit and she stared out of the window.
"He's home earlier than I would have thought," Leana breathed, her voice quivering slightly as she tried to hide the sudden fear that hit her. It wasn't even ten yet; Leana thought he wouldn't be home until after midnight. After one of their fights, Voltaire always came home after he was sure Kai would be in bed. Did he could back early for a reason? Leana shuddered and glanced at Kai who was staring out of the window. The sound of the revving engine suddenly stopped and was overtaken by an almost deafening silence. Car doors slammed and the sound of the main doors opening could be heard, light from the entrance hall spilling out over the grounds.
Kai continued staring out of the window, not sure of what he felt knowing his Grandfather was home early. A part of him felt elevated - somewhat excited maybe - that Voltaire was home early. He could have come back to see how he was…?
Yet another part of him feared something could have gone wrong with the business and Voltaire had decided to come home because he was stressed. It wouldn't be the first time Voltaire had taken his fury over the Hiwatari business out on his Grandson.
Realising Leana had spoke and was awaiting for some sort of reply, Kai cleared his throat and rediscovered his sinking voice. "Yeah…"
--
"Welcome home, Lord Voltaire!" Anthony said with a fair amount of surprise, not expecting to see the Lord of the house home so soon. Voltaire barely glanced in Anthony's direction even when he handed over his coat. The chauffeur got back in the car .and took it around to the garages around the other side o the mansion. Anthony closed the doors and hung Voltaire's long coat up. The elder Hiwatari had moved into the living-area and Anthony scurried to keep up with him.
"Would you like anything to eat? Drink?" Anthony offered, only Voltaire seemed not to hear him. Either that or he was pointedly ignoring him. He picked up a silver letter-opener and took out an envelope from the inside of his blazer and sliced it open. Anthony stood awkwardly at the doorway watching as Voltaire took out the letter and read through it slowly.
"Anthony!" Voltaire barked finally, folding the letter up and placing in his breast pocket. Anthony jumped at his voice, hardly expecting the other to talk after such a silence. "Make a copy of my Grandson's grades from his latest SAT's." (2)
Anthony blinked, rather taken back by the sudden order.
"I'm going to retire now," Voltaire finished, striding past Anthony who still stood looking bemused in the doorway.
"Ah! Yes, Sir. Goodnight."
Anthony furrowed his brow, completely confused by Voltaire's request to have Kai's SAT results copied. Although Kai had not been to school in nearly two years, he was registered as a home-schooled student and was required to take the same exams and test as public and private school pupils. The only why Voltaire would want Kai's grades copied would be to use them so Kai could go back to school…
--
Leana stood by Kai's bedroom door listening intently while Kai lay back on his bed, new bandages wrapped around midsection, ankle and a smaller, square piece securely wrapped around his forehead. The bathrobe had been discarded and he now wore a pair of sleeping trousers while a baggy t-shirt lay folded next to him. Leana gripped the doorframe as she heard footsteps coming down the hall, which she guessed by the heavy steps were more likely to be Voltaire's than Anthony's. She held her breath as the footsteps neared Kai's bedroom, praying Voltaire had nothing to say to either of them that night.
The footsteps grew closer and louder until they stopped completely; right outside the bedroom. Leana pushed away from the door, as though expecting it to burst open at any second. Still holding her breath, she could not help but cross her fingers, hoping Voltaire was in a good mood. For a few seconds longer, silence continued. But then the footsteps began again, heading past and away from the door. Leana exhaled, relief swimming through her system. With a shaky smile, she turned back to Kai.
"Stay here, I'll be back in a moment," she said quietly, praying that Voltaire would not hear. "I'm going to go ask Anthony why your Grandfather is back so early."
Kai barely nodded, his eyes half-lidded as he watched the maid open the door and slip out, closing it behind her with barely a sound. Again, Kai didn't quite know what he felt. Partly disappointed. Something inside of him had hoped against hope that his Grandfather would come to check if he was okay, or possibly wish him goodnight.
Somewhere out in the hallway, Kai heard a door open followed by complete silence. Curiosity getting the better of him, Kai pulled himself up and - grabbing and placing on the sleep-shirt Leana had got for him - headed for the door. Kai grasped the door handle softly before pulling it down and stepping out of his room. He first looked right, down towards where the staircase was and where he thought he heard the noise from. Seeing nothing, he turned his head the other way. He didn't expect to see his Grandfather stood leaning against the doorframe to the library/study on the other side of the hall, arms crossed and staring directly at him.
Kai felt his throat go dry at the sight of him. He wanted to say something, but he wasn't sure what would be appropriate; opening his mouth before he knew what Voltaire was thinking would be a stupid mistake. For the time being, his Grandfather seemed to be taking in the injuries still visible. Notably Kai's bandaged right ankle, and Voltaire took quite some times tracing his eyes over the bruising over Kai's face.
Kai - half wanting to look away - bravely held his gaze but couldn't quite trust himself to speak yet. Even if he spoke out of complete innocence; if Voltaire was in a bad mood, he could twist anything around to make it look bad on him.
"Kai."
Calm, cool and with no trace of ill-feeling. Just a simple greeting.
"Grandfather," Kai responded, bowing his head with respect.
In that single moment, it was as if all was forgiven. To anyone watching, it would seem as though they may have had a silly argument in which caused a little tension. No one would have ever guessed that Kai had just spent two days locked in the cellar by Voltaire's command.
"Lord Voltaire?"
Kai and Voltaire broke eye contact as one turned around and the other looked up to see Leana edging nervously forward; her fingertips outstretched and brushing against the wall as she walked. When she reached Kai's side, she couldn't help but grasp him arm, reassuring himself that Voltaire had caused him no more harm.
"Take him to bed," Voltaire instructed in the same collected voice as before. Leana nodded and Kai shuffled inside his room, sparing only one single glance over his shoulder to his Grandfather, who caught this look but made no reaction.
"And Leana?" Voltaire continued, catching the maids attention before she followed Kai into his room. "I want him downstairs by seven tomorrow. Cover up that mess on his face."
Voltaire didn't give her time to answer as he turned around and went back into the library, closing the door behind him. Leana felt a hot wave of fury pulse around her veins as she inhaled sharply through her nose, her lips pressed together in a thin line. Inside she was enraged how Voltaire could speak so carelessly.
That mess on his face!
It were as though he had forgotten he was the one who had caused that mess!
So many words - obscene, abusive and vulgar words - arose in throat as she fought to force them down. Once again she thought about bursting into that room and giving that man a piece of her mind. Anger overrode her other senses. She turned sharply into Kai's room, and slammed the door, uncaring that Voltaire would most definitely have heard it. Kai stood in front of her watching vaguely as Leana wiped away frustrated tears that leaked from her eyes. She marched past the teen who clearly heard what Voltaire said but seemed completely unaffected by the words, even though they were directed at him.
Throwing back the thick duvet, and thumping the pillows with the palm of her hands, Leana couldn't help but curse under her breath.
" - Awful, disgraceful man! Disgusting, nasty piece of -"
"Leane… it's okay -"
"It's not okay!" Leana shrieked, whirling around, sill grasping a pillows tightly in her hands Kai looked rather indifferent, but one glance at his eyes would tell a different story. Leana could have screamed seeing the pity in his eyes.
He felt sorry for her.
If was almost like Kai pitied Leana for being so emotional.
Kai lowered his eyes and sighed quietly.
"I don't mind…" He said.
"Well you should! Leana snapped slamming the pillow down over the bed sheets. Kai continued to stare at the ground, hurt because not only was he unsuccessful at making her feel better but also because she was taking her uncontrolled emotions out on him. Leana pushed her fingers through her messy hair, her anger with Voltaire fading only to be replaced by guilt with herself for snapping at Kai who did not deserve it in the slightest. Pressing her fingers against her forehead, Leana choked on a sob, tears spilling down her cheeks again.
"I'm sorry," she cried, her hands moving to cover her eyes while her small frame began to tremble. Bowing her head, Leana relieved herself of the stress of holding her emotions together, her sobs escaping louder and more frequently. "I'm so sorry!"
Kai raised his head and gazed at the sobbing maid through half-lidded eyes. He'd seen this before; Leana somehow always ended up crying, every time he was taken from the cellar. He'd seen her in this state several times, and yet he still was not sure on how to react.
Like when he watched Ray cry for the loss of his Granddad; an inner voice from somewhere in the back of Kai's mind screamed for him to forward and offer the poor woman some peace. But it was useless. His body reacted of it's own accord and Kai found himself simply brushing past Leana and climbing onto his bed. He sat in an upright position and listened to her trying to gain control over her sobs.
"Just forget about it," he mumbled finally.
And CUT!
I really hated writing some of this chapter, it just wasn't working for me at all.
(1) This was pure fan service. Had to be done.
(2) SATs are the first exams that came to mind when writing this bit. I don't know if SATs even exist in Japanese education, but I haven't had the internet to research for the past few days.
Next chapter will include the Bladebreakers for all those eager to know what is on those files which Ray salvaged. Until them, please drop a review.
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Dementors:
Turning people 'Emo' since 300 BC
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Quote from the bible of
KirstieKatastrophe™ aka Phoenix-falling
