Mercy

Kai walked down the halls of the BBA, his thoughts occupied by a certain brunette. She had refused to speak to him since the incident with Tyson and the boys a few days ago. She had even stopped complaining about Yukimura tailing her. Kai hadn't been able to bring himself to the club since he'd suggested the boys meet him there. Whether it was guilt that kept him away or the fact he was still angry with Hilary, he wasn't sure.

He was so distracted he didn't notice the man walking towards him down the hall until he spoke to him.

"Rough night Hiwatari? Or should I say nights? You look like you haven't slept in weeks." Kai's eyes narrowed.

"Shut the hell up Siebald." Garland smirked.

"Trouble in paradise?"

"Shut up before I make you shut up," Kai growled.

"It's not Hilary, is it? Don't be too pissed at her Kai. She was practically destitute after your team abandoned her. It's no wonder she needed a little help. And I was all too happy to oblige."

Kai saw red. There was a shuffle of movement and before he knew it he had Garland pressed against the wall, Kai's hand wrapped around his throat. A woman screamed.

"You took advantage of her you fucking sleaze. You used what happened with our team as your in and manipulated her into doing it. I know how you BEGA pricks work," Kai snarled. Garland smirked.

"Whatever you have to tell yourself to sleep at night."

It was then Kai noticed a crowd had started to form around them. He could only imagine how this looked. Him, up for CEO with his hands wrapped about the neck of his only competition. He released Garland, stepping back.

"Just stay the hell away from me. And Hilary."

XXX

Hilary gathered her things and slung her back over her shoulder.

"Night Yuka," She called to her friend. Said girl didn't look up from her vanity where she was counting her tips for the night. "Yuka?" Hilary came closer and perched on her bench next to her. "You okay?" Yuka looked at her.

"Oh Hiromi, hey," She said, as if she had just noticed her.

"You okay?" Hilary questioned. "You've been out of it all night."

"I'm fine," Yuka said as she began packing up her things, her hands trembling. Hilary watched her warily.

"Are you sure? You seem-" Yuka accidentally knocked over a can of hairspray on her desk. When she leaned forward to pick it up her purse emptied upside down, its contents spilling onto the floor.

"Here, let me help," Hilary bent to assist her.

"No no, I got it."

It was then Hilary saw the needle. Her and Yuka's eyes met as the girl shoved it into her bag.

"Oh Yuka," Was all Hilary could say.

"Don't oh Yuka me," She snapped. "I don't need your pity."

"You're right," Hilary acquiesced. "…How long have you been using?" Yuka sighed.

"Not long."

"I know I'm probably the last person you want to hear this from, but please be careful. And if you ever need someone to talk to, I'm here okay?" Hilary helped her gather her things and dumped them into her bag. Yuka nodded, not meeting her eyes.

Hilary headed into the alley, her mind reeling. She couldn't believe Yuka had gotten into drugs. She hoped Takashi had nothing to do with this…She'd have to have a conversation with him.

"Hilary," She froze. She knew that voice. It had terrorized her dreams for months now.

"Garland," She said when he stepped out from behind the dumpster. "What're you doing here?" Her grip tightened on her bag and she took a step back.

"Just came to say hey. Can I give you a ride?"

"No thanks. I have one."

"Come on," He cajoled, taking a step toward her. "Let's grab something to eat and talk."

"Stop. Don't come any closer." She said, reaching into her bag and feeling around for her pepper spray. "I'll scream." Garland sighed.

"So much hostility Hilary. We used to be such good friends."

"We were never friends," Hilary spat. "It was all a ploy until you could get me into bed." Garland smirked.

"About that…I saw Kai at the BBA today. Told him he shouldn't be so mad at you. You were practically living on the streets after all. No one could blame you for taking the money." Hilary swallowed.

"You know damn well what happened that night, Garland." She said, trying to keep her voice even. Garland stepped forward so quickly Hilary dropped her bag. Garland grabbed her wrists, pushing her into the shadow behind the dumpster, effectively blocking them from street view.

"What I remember is how you played games with me and led me on. What I remember is you willingly coming out with me that night." His grip on her wrists tightened, his eyes glittering maliciously. "What I remember is those sweet little sighs you made when I was inside of you." Hilary gasped.

"Ms. Tachibana?" The pair looked up. Yukimura stood at the entrance to the alley, peering into the darkness.

"Yes," Hilary replied loudly, staring directly into Garland's eyes as she did. "I'm here." Yukimura entered the alley slowly, walking towards the pair with his hand on the gun he kept holstered under his suit jacket. Garland narrowed his eyes and released her, taking a step back.

Yukimura walked around the dumpster. When he saw Garland, his eyes narrowed.

"Can I help you with something sir?"

"Just asking if the lady wanted to get a drink with me," Garland lied easily.

"The lady's spoken for." Yukimura turned to her. "Are you alright miss?" Hilary nodded, picking up her bag and coming to stand beside him.

"Let's go home." Yukimura shot Garland another cold look before turning and steering them out of the alley. He opened the back door for her and she got into the SUV without a word. It wasn't until they were on the road that Hilary found her voice again.

"Thank you Yukimura."

"You knew that man, didn't you Ms. Tachibana." Hilary hesitated.

"Yes."

"Was he giving you a hard time?"

"Yes." Yukimura pondered something for a moment.

"I'd appreciate if you used the front door from now on, Ms. Tachibana." Hilary nodded, for once not putting up a fight. She wasn't always going to be as lucky as she was tonight.

XXX

"What did the man look like?" Kai interrogated through the phone. Like he did every night, Yukimura was debriefing Kai on everything that had happened on his watch.

Tonight was different though. Tonight someone had been trying to give Hilary a hard time. And Kai had a feeling he knew who it was.

"He had long silver hair and tan skin. Very broad shouldered, about 6 feet tall." Kai pinched his brow between his thumb and forefinger.

Garland.

"Did you hear anything he said to her?"

"No sir." Kai sighed.

"Alright, thanks." He hung up the phone before glancing at the clock. It was almost two a.m. He sighed. He had better head to bed. He was already fried. He'd have to think of a way to deal with Garland tomorrow.

He scratched his head as he walked toward his bedroom. Garland's words from earlier were still seared into his mind, playing on repeat.

She was practically destitute after your team abandoned her.

Kai rubbed his forehead in irritation.

Did he really have any right to be mad at Hilary? There was no doubt she did what she had because she thought she had no other options…

His family had always had money. Even before he was a professional beyblader. What right did he have to judge her?

Guilt pooled in his stomach. Once again, he knew deep down that if he had never broken up with her, never left her alone here that she wouldn't have had to do this.

The sound of voices met his ears and he hesitated before following them. At the entrance to Hilary's room he stopped. The lights were off, the moonlight the only thing illuminating the room. Kai could just make out her silhouette curled up on the bed.

She was talking in her sleep. He watched her for a moment, longing pooling in him as he did. They hadn't spoken in a week. He had been blind to how much he missed her and it was clear from the pain he felt in his chest. It couldn't hurt to watch her sleep for a moment, could it?

"Mmm," She mumbled. "No." Kai straightened. Was she having another nightmare? He was by her side in an instant, his anger at her momentarily forgotten. Her brow furrowed. "No. Please," She begged in her sleep, kicking her legs. Kai sat beside her, reaching out towards her shoulders. As he touched her, she spoke again.

"Garland, no please," She cried. Kai snatched his arm back, as if it had been electrified. "Garland no. Please not that." She thrashed wildly, wrapped up in her nightmare.

"Hilary," Kai called, wanting to touch her, but not wanting to elicit the same response. She continued to sob, her fingers clutching at the sheets desperately. "Hilary!" It was no use. He had to wake her. He gently took hold of her shoulders, before giving her a hard shake. "Hilary!" Her eyes snapped open, wide and filled with terror.

"No!" She screamed when she saw him, clawing and pushing and fighting him with all her might. Kai cursed. Why hadn't he turned the damn lights on?

"Hil, it's me! It's Kai!" She relaxed at the sound of his voice.

"Kai?" He nodded, finally having the opportunity to put on her beside lamp. Dim light illuminated the pair of them. He brushed her cheek soothingly, trying to calm her, brushing away her tears as he did. "Oh Kai," She burst into tears and buried her face in his chest. He held her, rubbing her back soothingly and shushing her.

"It's okay, you're safe now."

It was a long while before she calmed. Kai continued to stoke her hair softly, her head on his torso.

"I'm sorry about what I did the other night at the club," She mumbled into his chest. He looked down at her. "You know, when I…" She trailed off. Kai knew she meant when she had gone topless.

"I'm sorry I brought the guys to the club. That was shitty of me."

"It worked out in the long run. They're back in my life even though they know."

"…Hilary, what were you dreaming about?" He pressed. Hilary looked away, but Kai reached out and forced her to look at him. "Please tell me." Tears pooled in her eyes and she shook her head.

"Why?"

"I don't want you to know," She whispered.

"Hilary, please," Kai begged. She looked into his eyes. She saw a desperate need in them and sighed.

"Okay."

Hi everyone. I know it's been forever since I last updated this story, and I'm really sorry about that. I'm going to try and use the time during this quarantine to finally finish this story.