Thank you to everyone who read and left reviews. They were very motivating and made me find some drive to finish and get this out. You guys are the best! *Cries happy tears* This turned into something very sweet and I hope you all enjoy it. Let me know what you think! ^^
Chapter Twenty-One: The Girl
Her eyes fluttered open, the early morning sunshine peaking like luminescent fingers through the parted curtains. Letting her half-ton feeling, half-lidded eyes roam around the room, they soon landed on a man who looked to be digging in a bag of some sort. Was he another 'Master' for her to please?
Peering up through his long bangs, Kai saw her and smiled. He figured she wouldn't wake until he'd arrived back home, but this was much better.
With alight eyes he sweetly said, "Hey, are you thirsty?"
Hesitantly, she nodded, and not having the strength to move made it so she couldn't try and run for it. She watched warily as the tall guy got up from the long couch and stepped up to a small fridge.
Pulling out a small bottle of water, he turned to face her. With her eyes on him and everything in plain sight, he proceeded to twist it open and top it off with a fresh straw, a newly opened package of them next to him at the foot of the bed.
Kai held it close to her lips and waited for her to take a sip, but seeing her struggle to do so, made his heart sad.
"Would you like some help? I can hold your head up for you, if you like?"
He watched her try to shift around and suck the liquid down one more time before just laying her heavy head back down on the pillows in frustration.
Kai kept his hands in view, but slowly slid his right one underneath her head and cupped it. He lifted her up effortlessly, giving her a much better angle and in seconds she was guzzling it down.
"You're doing great," Kai said, happy to see her drinking something. He moved the bottle away once he'd heard it was empty, throwing it in the bin on the floor.
"Who, are you?" asked the girl after catching her breath, her mouth and throat chilly.
"A doctor," Kai said, keeping a good distance between them.
She gave him a look of disdain and said, "Doctor who?"
Kai snorted, seeing how this looked. It was like peering into a mirror, almost.
"Doctor Kai Hiwatari,"
While she sat there trying to process it, Kai took the opportunity to double-check his stuff.
"Doctor, Kai, Hee-wha-tee-bee?" she mumbled, looking to him for confirmation.
Kai sucked in and bit down on the inside of his cheek, stepping around to stand beside the bed again.
"That's a good one. I haven't heard that one before," he said, giving her a grin after.
"Just call me, Dr. Kai, or, Mr. Kai. Whichever you'd prefer," he added after a bit, trying to chip away at her icy fortress of solitude some more.
She slowly nodded, the name sounding unlike anything she'd ever heard before.
"Are you hungry?" Kai asked after closing up his luggage, turning to face her once more, "You don't have to answer me, just move your head no or yes."
Initiating the conversation wasn't his preferred method of doing things but he was used to it by now, and had learned eons ago that he had to do it in order for things to press along.
When Kai got a no, he sat back down on the couch, not wanting to force it. He understood more than anyone where she was coming from but it looked like she'd hardly ate a thing in days, if not longer. But at times the survival instinct reigns supreme and overrides any hunger one may feel. Mr. Dickenson couldn't get him to eat for nearly two days before he caved into the urge and, in spite of himself, ate what the man had cooked for him.
"When you are, let me know. I'll get you something," he said, just wanting to show her that he was there.
"Mhm," she hummed out through tight lips, giving a soft nod.
Kai reached into his messenger bag and gathered up the diary and letter, handing it over to her.
She sent him a murderous, blazing gaze and snatched the items, holding them close to her body.
"Those were given to me by the family who found you. The mother of one of them said that you had those with you," Kai stated, unfazed by her actions.
Sitting down on the sofa again, Kai added, "I don't know if you know this but your mother and I were good friends at one point in time,"
Continuing to shoot him bullets with her eyes, she harshly asked, "If you two were so close, then where were you when father was beating her into nothing?"
Kai gulped, feeling he'd deserved that.
After cupping his hands between his knees, lacing his fingers together, he said, "We lost touch and your father wouldn't allow me to see her anyway,"
"Sounds like him," she said, her eyes rolling off to one side.
"That, would explain some things?" she added, her mind connecting the dots.
"Things?" Kai inquired, his eyes tightening.
"We, moved houses a lot. I guess he knew you were onto him? He kept muttering things like, 'they won't find us here,'"
Kai shrugged his shoulders, "I'm not entirely sure but that can't be the only reason,"
Kai's mind was rushing with unpleasant images, ones of an unmoving, bloodied up Mariah and a skin-deep ditch.
"So, what about you?" she asked, catching him off guard.
"Hm? I'm sorry, come again?"
She laughed, "What have you been up to, besides trying to save us?"
"Oh, I'm a doctor and I've got a kid of my own. I just got swept up in life, it happens, unfortunately. You don't have to trust me or accept anything that I say, but I do hope where you are accounts for something good. I'm sorry it took so long,"
"I see, I appreciate it," she paused, bashful, "Uh, thank you."
She flashed him a sincere, yellow toothed smile, a hint of rose dusting across her hollow cheeks and the bridge of her long, dainty nose.
"If-"
Kai was interrupted by a few firm knocks at the door. As he walked over to the door he noticed that his company was shaking, shielding herself behind the covers.
Kai went over to her and draped his long coat around her. Moving off to one side he asked, "Can you dress yourself?"
She nodded and proceeded to button the coat up, it going down to her feet. It was a dress on her but thick enough that it concealed her body completely.
"Thank you," she shyly said, wanting to cry.
"You're welcome-"
"Lin. My name is, Lin Kon, Mr. Kai,"
Kai gave her a sweet smile and said, "It's nice to finally meet you Lin,"
"I'll be out in the hallway if you need anything," he said, stepping over to and opening the door. He stepped out into the hall, saying hello to someone unseen while shutting it behind him.
Lin held herself tightly, her nerves standing on end as she watched the door close, the color making it blend into the surrounding wall.
Her keen, elvish-esque, ears picked up on the voices and she soon learned that some men asked about her and wanted to buy some clothes for her. But just when she thought she was in for another night of Hell, she heard Kai say something.
"No dresses, low cut, or tight-fitting attire. She acts so much like we used to that it's jarring. I just want her to feel safe and not overwhelm her. That's why you're not in there."
Lin heard the two guys say that they understood and would just drop off the bags in an hour or so. Kai stated that it sounded like a plan and he'd see them soon. It was strange to hear but also very sweet. This odd man who she didn't know was putting her safety and her needs first.
Lin opened the journal, wondering if her mother truly knew this person. If she did, he'd surely be mentioned.
A few pages in she found his name, her mom saying that she was holding onto hope that he'd save her somehow.
In other entries, her mom seemed to be talking to Kai directly. She told him about how the baby he'd sworn to protect along with her had ended up being a stillborn girl. Ray named her Rin, ignoring Mariah's suggestions. She was hoping that she'd be let go because of it. But in her heart of hearts she knew that was just wishful thinking.
Some pages in, dated many years later, her mom mentioned that she was pregnant again and once more asked where Kai was and if he'd forgotten her. She added on that things with Ray were gradually getting better. She'd convinced him to go to rehab and get therapy, like she learned he had all that time ago. But a few pages after that, she wrote that Ray's mother had died, bringing him back to square one. And what was worse, Johnny dared to show his ugly mug. He said he wanted to show his old teammate some support, but she knew better. Really, Johnny only saw Ray as another ATM machine. Over time, Ray picked some habits up again, though this time he just drunk like a fish when distraught or stressed, which was bad enough. Add in that he quit going to therapy and things spiraled downhill.
Another entry written some months after Lin had been born stated that she'd heard rumors of a man with high-grade medical skills looking for her. Ray and her had moved house a few times but she'd thought nothing of it, until now, and that made her happy. He hadn't forgotten her after all. Like her, life had happened, and she could understand that. She looked forward to seeing how much he'd changed since that fateful day.
At the end of the journal, dated two years ago, her mom states that she will always love him and vaguely adds on that her time is coming to an end.
A mix of good and bad memories flooded Lin's mind. Memories of her mother and her, their last days together.
At the back of the last page, Lin spotted what looked to be an old photograph of the man she'd woke up to. He looked like an adult but she couldn't quite place his age. Okay, so they did know each other. Now what? It was ultimately up to her, but did she take that risk, or not?
Kai came back in and sat back on the couch, something was clearly on his mind, though she couldn't place what.
"Erm, Mr. Kai?" Lin asked, hesitant to speak. She looked at him, more anxious than before. Was she going to get screamed at here?
"Yes?" Kai answered after a moment, eyeing her too.
"I'm sorry, but I'm hungry now. Can I still, get something to eat?"
"Of course you can," Kai calmly said, though internally he was enthusiastic at the notion, "What would you like? I'll get you anything you want,"
"Um, is vegetable soup okay?"
"It's perfect. What size bowl?"
"A large?"
Kai could see how self-conscious she was and said, "It's okay, you can eat."
Kai pulled out his phone and made the call to the cafeteria downstairs, and the piping hot food arrived within thirty minutes.
"Here," Kai said, giving her the tea towel that housed a steaming bowl of unopened soup and the plastic spoon that came with it.
Lin looked at him thankfully before removing the foil lid. The back of her mind wondering if he'd been through the same stuff she had. She thought this because the kind man named Kai magically knew to keep his hands in view, his distance, and to let her handle her own food and person. But what if all this was an act? What if he just wanted something from her? Like her father, and all the others, eventually did.
She watched as Kai sat down with his own bowl, and after inspecting it with his spoon, cautiously dove in for a bite.
After slowly chewing it, he sent her a nod and knowingly said, "It's safe,"
Lin smiled at him and picked at her own food, enjoying the sensation of eating.
"You know Mandarine?" Lin asked, chewing on a chunk of potato and a few green beans.
"I do," Kai said, blowing on a spoon full of tomato and sliced carrots, "Your mom made me want to learn it, so I did,"
"That's so cool! Do you know any other languages?"
Kai smiled, swallowing his bite, "Along with that I know Russian, English, and Japanese,"
Lin's surprised face was priceless, making Kai laugh.
"Is it that surprising?"
"Yeah, and it's cool! I only know English and a bit of Mandarine,"
"I see, well I'll make sure to keep that in mind,"
"Keep that in mind?"
Lin noticed Kai tense up, and something came to her.
"Are you leaving?" she asked after a bit, her food forgotten for the moment.
"Well, I'm only visiting. I have to go home-"
"When?" Lin yelled, her heart picking up its pace.
"Tomorrow morning,"
Lin's stomach dropped. No! "Will you take me with you?"
Kai sat his half-gone bowl on the floor, and gave her a stern look, "I won't lie, I was hoping you'd ask that, because the farther we get you away from here the better, but, are you sure? You don't know me,"
He wanted her to come to that decision on her own, and if she did, be certain of it, trust herself to trust him.
"My mom knew you and she wrote that she trusted you. So I can too,"
Kai showed her a warm smile and said, "You're in good hands with me, I promise."
In time, Kai received a text that said to open the door. He did and saw Tala with Spencer, both holding bags of various items and feminine hygiene products. Kai took the biggest bags inside the room and placed them at Lin's feet.
"Gifts from the family, all for you," he said, eyes saying that she could go through them.
Lin speedily finished up her food, and proceeded to go through the colorful, papery material. Inside the bright red one were several pairs of brand new pants and the cute shirts that corresponded with them, along with two unopened packages of children's underwear and four pastel colored sets of an item she didn't recognize.
What are training bras? she thought, confused. What were these for?
Moving on to the bright blue bag, Lin found some more clothes and a couple pairs of new shoes in boxes. Some stretchy, black flats and a pair of pink boots. Along with the warm looking sets of fairy pajamas, Lin found a baby pink coat with white, fuzzy stuff on the ends of the sleeves and the edges of the hood. There was a set of matching hats and gloves with it too.
"What do you think? Do you like them?"
She looked up at Kai and started crying, the joy evident.
After Kai had comforted her, she looked at Spencer and Tala who introduced themselves, doing all that Kai had done before she relaxed.
After asking him to, Kai helped her to her feet and over to the gentlemen, who she hugged tightly.
Come to find out, Lin remembered Spencer and Tala, the blonde having caught her after she hit her head trying to get away from them and the other guy in the suit. She kind of remembered the older lady, Mrs. Yakuza, but once she was administered something by the suit guy to calm her down, it went blank. At the end of it all, Lin was grateful, and for the first time ever, hopeful.
It was storming heavily outside the window of the cab he was in, a warm bundle curled up next him at his left, their weary head on his strong shoulders.
Kai had boarded the plane from China to home sometime around 10:00 the next morning, 11:00AM his time, and landed hours ago. He guessed it was now somewhere between three or four in the afternoon. He guessed because his watch had gone missing some hours back. He mentally rolled his eyes at the memory.
At the airport, Yamin had enthusiastically asked about his gold watch, which was fine, but snatching from his person? He didn't expect that with Spencer there, though he should've. Look at who he was dealing with.
"Those are some fat raindrops, huh?"
Kai blinked, the male voice of the driver pulling him away from his thoughts. Maybe it was intentional, maybe not? Either way, he didn't mind. He hated the dark road of his some people referred to as 'Memory Lane.' As far as he was concerned, it was a highway to hell.
"It's really coming down hard, ain't it?" The driver jovially repeated.
"Yeah, it is. It's a mess out there," Kai said, sounding tired and kind of out of it.
At a long stoplight, the driver turned to him with a big, dopey grin. Kai assumed it was his way of saying hello. He looked welcoming and sincere. He appeared to be around 20, maybe 30 at most, and slightly chubby but nowhere near unhealthy. Kai could tell the brown eyed redhead spent most of his time in here, sitting down, but that was fine. As long as he stretched it wouldn't be too bad an issue.
"That your daughter there?"
Kai looked at the young girl next to him. What to say?
"She's my niece," Kai answered, looking at the man again. He cocked a brow, turning back to the road, seeing that the light was now green.
"I could see that you two were related somehow. She looks just like you,"
Kai didn't know what to say to that. He'd never met her before and forget any sense of even a remote resemblance. It took all he had not to call the guy out for talking out his ass. But he knew better. He knew not to open that can of worms needlessly, lest he welcomed the backlash.
"She's gorgeous, and you're not a bad looker yourself mister," the man said, turning onto his street. Just ten more minutes now.
"Don't get any funny ideas, mister," Kai spat mockingly.
Hearing the flirtatiousness in the undercurrent of his little compliment, Kai added, "Not interested,"
"Sir, it was just a compliment. Calm down. I mean no harm," the driver laughed after that, "Ah, the characters you meet on the job,"
Kai ran a hand through his hair. Crap, he'd had him pegged wrong. He gulped, feeling both bad and embarrassed. This was awkward, which was normal for him it seemed.
"Sir-"
"Sam Mason,"
"Uh, Sam, I apologize. I'm just-"
Kai looked sadly at the girl next to him, hard features turning soft, "Life's been hard."
"Hey, I get ya, man. Don't sweat it. You're protective, and not all people are honest and true. You've clearly been through some things," Sam glanced back, making sure he still had his attention. He did, his passengers' odd but beautiful eyes were on him again.
"I run a small therapist's office in the city. I'm in the downtown area. If you ever need an ear, I'm always open,"
That same, cheesy smile appeared again in the rearview mirror.
Kai smiled back, it was a nice offer. He hadn't had a therapist in many years. But that's just it. His heart sank, plummeting into his stomach like a stone, it sounded nice. Nothing more, nothing less, and he had enough on his plate at the moment. He himself was the last thing he felt he needed to think about. Life's expectations and the others came first.
Suddenly, he felt the car jerk forward and looked around. They were home.
"We're here," the driver sang, still bubbly despite never getting a proper answer.
"Thank you so much," Kai said, undoing his and the girl's seatbelts.
Kai put the single messenger bag he'd brought with him over himself and opened his car door, the rain becoming excessively loud. Great, now they'd have to yell over it. Oh well, he needed to get inside so it couldn't be helped. He took the teen carefully in his arms. Hoping he wouldn't wake her up just yet.
The driver stepped out and got Kai's briefcases from the trunk and walked over to him, ready to walk with them to the door.
"Sam, if you ever need an examination or medical advice, pop on by," Kai said, sliding his way out of the car. The hard, cold rain now soaking him. This rain hurt! He shifted Lin in his hold, trying to keep her exposed skin covered.
Sam made a face and asked, "Uh, ok, but what do you do?"
"I'm a doctor,"
"Ah. I see. Where's your clinic?" Kai nodded toward his home as they made their way to it, a prideful glint in his eyes. He'd never get tired of this.
"But I thought-"
Kai cut him off, knowing what he was going to say. He got it a lot, "Dr. Joe is my boss. He taught me everything I know. Your first visit's free,"
That seemed to relax him.
"Sure, I'll pop by soon. Thank you!"
Kai dashed up to his porch, the small covering on it protecting them. Sam copied him and put the luggage down on the porch's doormat.
Sam waved, bidding them farewell and sprinted for his car, driving off in a matter of seconds.
Kai opened his door and shut it after kicking his cases further inside. The quiet of the house soothing him. Oh, how he missed this.
Kai instantly located the couch and carefully laid Lin on it, her coat wrapped around her snuggly, both buttoned and tied to her long, thin frame. Her exceptionally long hair, which stopped at the backs of her knees, had been tied back into a low ponytail by Spencer, Tala helping him. Her once dirty skin had been cleaned via a shower taken this morning and she was wearing one of her new outfits. She already appeared like a completely different kid, and Kai hoped he could make her look healthier in due time.
At all the kindness shown to this little girl, Kai couldn't help but shed a few tears. She was finally safe and he planned on keeping this promise.
Kai leaned forward and carefully removed the throw blanket from the back of the couch and spread it out over her.
Lin stirred, turning on her side and mumbled something about being comfy, but she didn't wake.
Kai's breath caught in his throat as he watched her. He wouldn't admit it but his anxiety was really high. He took a breath to calm his heart rate and walked toward the stairs. Now he had to inform Max and the boys. Along with bring up some new house rules.
To Be Continued...