Well, this is it! The finale of Beast Within . . .
Disclaimer: you MUST know by now that I don't own.
CHAPTER 12: THE END OR WHAT YOU WILL
The harsh winds tugged at Haley's black duster as she stood waiting for her blue-haired friend, behind her parked the private plane that would take off as soon as she gave the word. Not for the first time in the past few hours she thought she would cry, and then scold herself for being so emotionally weak. It has been quite an adventure after all.
Her father and stepmother had not come to say farewell, both because her stepmother had insisted that she had a headache and could not leave the house and because such a thing would surely attract the attention of the people Boris had told to find her. But that doesn't really matter since she was never on really good terms with her parents anyway.
Right now what was important was the fact that Kai would come to say goodbye.
Haley started shifting her weight from one leg to the other, it was five in the morning and she was tired. Though it was good that she slept in her own bed the night before, or else she would have been extremely cranky and cursing loudly to the sky because of all this waiting.
In the distance she spotted a blue-headed boy, wearing a dark jacket running up. Her heart leapt, thanking the gods that he had not forgotten in the heat of the tournament.
"That took you long enough." Huffed Haley crossing her arms, amusement danced in her eyes as she watched the boy pant.
"You must be joking if you think anyone can get up this early in the morning." Said Kai in his usual tone, giving her a quick glare. This earned him the sweetest and most innocent smile Haley could muster.
Kai sighed heavily and looked around at their surroundings. The airport was filled with massive planes. Some driving around aimlessly in circles looking for a place to park like a vulture, others just touching down with their passengers, and then some that are just about to take off. None of that activity was anywhere near where they were at the moment. Some how, everything was organized in a way that it would give them some talking time.
Or rather, in this case some time for silence.
Haley stood fixated with the ash vault ground beneath her feet and Kai was staring at the plane behind her. Neither of the two seem to be able to utter a single word and neither knew whether it was because they were drawing a blank or they just didn't want to say goodbye, bringing back memories of the last parting they ever shared.
At last Haley decided to speak.
"I'm sure gonna miss you Kai." She said quietly. Kai was snapped out of his concentration. "At least this won't be like last time, eh?"
Kai gave no reply. But he slowly stepped forward and took both of her hand in his, making her look up at him. He was slightly startled to see tears glistening in the corners of her eyes.
"Why are you crying?" Kai asked gently.
"Hn, look at me. I'm getting weak." Haley made a face up at him, "Feel proud Kai because I haven't cried in nine years." She suddenly closed the little gap between them and pulled him into a tight embrace.
Kai was slightly taken aback at this and once again found himself giving in to this almost alien form of affection showing. He felt her start to shake under his hold and instantly pulled her away to see what was wrong.
Haley's face was now streamed with tears, she couldn't seem to be able to stop the flow from her eyes and was quivering even more by trying to do so. It seemed to Kai that her final emotional barrier had broken, left with all her emotions out in the open, and expressing her years of suppressed pain and anger by this outpour.
Kai waited silently for her to stop sobbing, not knowing exactly how to handle a situation like this. Eventually Haley did stop and once again giving Kai a fierce embrace before letting go.
"As much as I hate to do this, I'm afraid it's the only choice for me." Said Haley sadly, putting on her normal serious tone of voice. "You know as much as I that Boris . . . or your grandfather will try to get their hands on Draco when they have the chance. And believe me, I don't think I ever want to be dead again unless it's for eternity." She smiled at him sadly. "I hope that Kendra woman is okay. She was a big help to you wasn't she?"
Kai nodded and smirked, "I think she's more than capable of handling Boris herself." His tone was firm, like he knows this for a fact.
"Miss Haley, it's time to go." Called a voice from behind them. Haley turned and gave them a wave signaling them to start the engine.
"Well, I guess this is goodbye huh?" She asked turning back to Kai, "But hopefully this isn't that forever typed of thing. You're more than welcome to visit me anytime you like . . . I mean, when all this is over and you manage to get a ride to the mountains." She said brightly. Behind her the plane's engine roared to life, getting louder by the second.
Kai didn't know what to say at that moment and simply stood looking at her, knowing that she knew he was saying goodbye in his own way.
Then she leant towards him and did the most unexpected thing of all. She gently kissed him on the cheek.
"We'll meet again Kai Hiwatari." Haley whispered in his ear before running up the steps the plane, and taking the time to give a last wave before disappearing inside.
Kai nodded to himself numbly as he watched the hatch close, and the plane slowly moving away from where he stood to the take-off track.
As he watched the plane lifting off at a distance, he knew that what Haley said was true, and that one day . . . they were going to meet again. After all, they've been through life and death together.
~*~*~*~
Haley sat on her seat, staring out the window at the white of the clouds outside and thinking about absolutely nothing at all.
Suddenly someone gently tapped on her shoulder, bringing her out of her daze and to focus on one of the crew on the plane, in his hand he held a small square package wrapped in simple brown paper.
"Sorry to bother you miss, but before the lift-off, this package was delivered here. It's addressed to you."
"Okay, thank you." Blinked Haley. She watched man leave before carefully peeling away the paper to reveal a velvet jewelry box.
Haley's heart almost skipped a beat, feeling her pulse quicken as she slowly flipped open the lid to reveal the most beautiful locket she has ever laid eyes on. On the front of the locket, and intricately carved to blend in with the swirls of designs was the initials 'HM'. Now Haley was really curious as to who sent it, and opened the locket to reveal a small photograph of a woman holding a child.
Haley squinted her eyes to see clearly, recognizing that the baby wrapped in the blankets was herself. But the woman she did not recognize, though looked strangely familiar. That was when she noticed the redness of her hair that the faded picture concealed. Haley closed the locket and sat back, slowly closing her eyes.
It was the best present one can ever receive.
Something to the heart's content.
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OMG! *blink* I can't believe it! *blink* I'm . . . I'm finally FREEEEE!!!!!!!! Actually, I'm kinda sad too *sniff sniff* well, it has been fun while it lasted huh?
So here are some thanks to people who were kind enough to read and review my first story EVER posted on the wonderful fanfiction.net:
First and foremost, to KiNkEh KiTtEh, my first reviewer . . . thank you for that because it cheered me up a whole great deal to know that somewhere out there, there's someone who actually took the time to read my story.
SpiritGoddess, for being my second great reviewer and for continuously doing so. (as well as sticking by to read my other Beyblade fic)
Maia Webmistress and Azure Rosas for reading this story and reviewing for many chappies.
Chibi-Tenshi, nObOdY, queen of serpent, for just dropping by my lil' creation and reviewing ^_^
And last but not least to Lady Blade WarAngel and Mizu_Tenshi for reading and reviewing until the very last. Thankyou, thankyou, thankyou! ^___^
Geez, I feel like those people at the Oscars . . . which means I should stop ranting on. ^_^;
Thank you to ANYONE who actually took to time to read my story and never bothered reviewing, I was just happy to share my small idea with those who would listen.
So for the last time in this story, from me to you. BUH-BYE!