Disclaimer: Okay…* cough * I sort of forgot the disclaimer the last time, so…anyway, Beyblade and its characters don't belong to me. But I promise, I'll return them unharmed! Well, except for Rei…* cough, cough *
A shout-out to the reviewers! To: Damian Morte: Don't die just yet! ^_^ The reason will come out soon. It'll probably make you want to kick Kai's ass… Zed: Yup…Rei-torture ahoy! angel yame: Aack! Stop crying! * hands out a hanky * You'll find out soon, I promise! Mayuka625: Well…* blushes * Thanks! I'm glad you think so! I'm trying to make this one as sensible as possible. And yeah, I agree with you in that 'most BB romances suck' comment. But hope is not lost for this fandom! I've read some beautiful ones, too. dead kitty: Well, here's the next one. Hope you like it! SoulSister: You are absolutely right about that. Angst is just the way I like it, too. ^_^ Android 71: You won't find out until the later chapters, but this one would just pique your curiosity more, I hope. AkiraTenshi: Thank you! I hope to read some of yours, too! Tequila + Kai: Thanks for the idea! Hmm…maybe I could use that for some other fic…Oh, and about writers' block? I'm actually having one right now…
A/N: This entire chapter would be in Rei's point of view, meaning, we get to delve into pretty, little head of his.
A/N #2: Now, I need the readers' opinion. Should I add a supporting couple to back up the main one? You know to make things spicier? All signs point to a somewhat vague Takao/Max…but it's up to you! ^_^
"Fool for Love"
~ Rei's POV~
Life was never exactly simple for me. I always had to live through all the hardships, all the duties that were expected from me since birth. I had to be strong for my family back in the village. Then Beyblading waltzed into my life, and I had another thing I had to be strong for. Drigger meant the world to me, and it always pained me whenever I couldn't live up to what Drigger wanted out of me. He was my friend, companion and ally, and when you fail your friends, it invokes an undeniable guilt in you. However, a strange sense of satisfaction would soothe my senses, when I felt that Drigger was happy, after facing a formidable opponent, even if I lost. Because winning isn't always everything. But maybe…maybe…I could be proven wrong.
You wouldn't believe just how relieved I was when room service came in. I was starting to panic when Max was looking suspiciously at the hickey I had acquired the night before. Apparently, I had thought wrong when I confidently told myself that no one could possibly notice them, or if they did, they'd probably dismiss it as a rash or a mosquito bite. Speaking of hickeys…I slowly bring my hand to gently feel the creases of it, feeling a slight itch. He had done this to me, he won the battle for dominance. I felt helpless, so vulnerable…staring up at his eyes. I saw fire in them, burning bright as the moonlight shone on his pale skin.
It scared me.
The aroma of various pastries and soups enter my nostrils. I let my lips curve into a half smile. Even momentarily, it was always good to forget.
Takao proceeds to bounce around yet again, being the enthusiastic food addict that he was. Max gently tells him to sit down and enjoy the food. Kai snaps at Takao and threatens to kick him on his unmentionables if he doesn't sit down. When all is settled, Takao gleefully says "Itadakimasu!" ( 1 ) and promptly sets off on gobbling off the delicacies and stuffing his mouth with the bread. Kai grunts something unintelligible, which could have been "Little, fat moron" or something akin to that. I try to ignore them, then Max calls my name and hands me some soup. I mutter a soft 'thank you' and look down on the bowl, holding the spoon.
I stir the soup that had been handed to me by Max, careful not to look at any of them. Takao is currently having another argument with Kai, which was inevitable, considering Kai's earlier comment. This always happens during breakfast. Kai with his 'you obese pig' insults, and Takao's 'you icy bastard' retorts. It was always a wonder how Takao managed to pull himself away from his food long enough to reply to Kai's sardonic comments on his eating habits.
I try to push him out of my thoughts, but it all ends in vain. I can't do it.
Kai…
I was snapped out of my thoughts by a furiously yelling Kenny. He had just woken up a few minutes ago, no thanks to Takao and Kai's rambunctious bellowing, and had gone to freshen himself up. It turns out that Takao used up all the toothpaste and soap in the bathroom earlier that morning. Unlucky Kenny, since he and Takao shared said bathroom, and therefore was left with nothing but the shampoo. Now, Takao was trying to defend himself from the seemingly murderous form of the younger boy before him.
" I said I was sorry, chief!"
"I need my bath, Takao!"
Kai crossed his arms over his chest and smirked at Takao. "Serves you right"
Before Takao could answer back to that, Kenny tackled him onto the carpeted floor. They wrestled for a few moments, then a pale yet strong hand pulled them apart by the scruff of their necks. "That's enough"
Kenny struggled under Kai's grip, but Takao was now opening his mouth and twisting his head to angle it to Kai's wrist. Max giggled at his 'I'm going to bite you' stance. Unfortunately, Kai saw what was coming and hurriedly, though effortlessly threw Takao into my direction…
…hands gripped into my shirt, then those same callous, slender fingers threw me against the wall…
Pain suddenly exploded into my ribs, as Takao's back collided with my chest. I winced quietly, but the boy above me was all out screaming at his own pain. Kenny was shrieking constant bouts of "Takao, you idiot! You hurt Rei!". Kai was hissing at Kenny to shut up and Max was all over us with that familiar look of concern in his normally cheerful orbs. Was everyone always this loud? I closed my eyes as he got of me, easing the hurt a little. "Rei? Rei?…Oh man, are you okay? I'm so, so sorry…" Takao's shrill apology made me wince again. Was he always this loud? Dammit…stop talking, Takao…
… " Don't want to shut up, do you? Well, we'll see about that " a little slap here, a little scream there…
"I…I'm fine." I gently pushed Max away, as he was trying to help me get up. I sat up, ignoring the pain in my chest, like little needles were pricking me all over. "I'll just go to my room for a while, if you'll excuse me." I murmured, looking at Takao, who was sighing with relief. Max patted my shoulder, and I tried to smile for him, even just a little.
"You did not have to do that, Kai! Why couldn't you just have punched me in the face or something? At least Rei won't be hurt!"
"If you value your life, you would shut up now."
"I told you to go on a diet, but noooo…"
"Zip it, chief."
My breakfast already forgotten, I clutched my chest as I turned away and walked back to Kai's room and mine. Silence enveloped the suite, but a cold voice broke through it.
"Hurry up, or else we're leaving without you."
Oh…I remembered that we still had practice.
My gaze locked with his. I tried to scour his eyes for anything, any emotion.
Nothing.
Just the same indifferent boredom that I saw in him. Suddenly, the physical pain disappeared, to be replaced by something else. Something inside me stirred.
"Kai-kun…" came Max' soft, wary voice. "We are going to wait for Rei, right?"
"Hn"
I nodded once at him and wordlessly entered our room, with the faint sound of Takao's "Now what was that all about?" hovering in the background. The room wasn't too bright with the faint line of sunlight streaming through the blinds. It wasn't snowing very heavily, but the sun was there. It should melt the snow within a few days…
Wish it would melt the snow inside of me…
My knees gave way, and I couldn't take it anymore. I dropped to the floor, moisture starting to form at the corners of my eyelids. I hurriedly wiped them away with the back of my hand. Oh God, had I really grown weak? I'm supposed to be strong, supposed to have my dignity with me. I can't let myself be reduced to a whimpering, sniveling coward. Yet here I am on the floor of my..no, – our – room, trying to calm myself and trying not to let these tears escape me.
I don't remember trying not to cry this much since I was a child. Of course, when you're a kid, pain seems like something that easily go away if you cry, or let your parents kiss your tears away. But when you're older, it seems like a burden that won't go away. You have to hold it in, until you can't anymore. Don't you dare give in, don't you dare cry…I tell myself over and over again. Why won't it work?
Then, I feel it. It traveled in a slow, tortuous path to my cheek, until it reached my chin and slithered its way to my neck. I was awakened with the sudden realization that I didn't have control anymore. I had let him, him of all people take control of my emotions.
No no no no no no…I repeat that negation like a holy mantra. I am strong, I won't let him do this to me. What would my parents say? That they spawned some weakling child? That I am a disgrace for a son? And…and my friends, the White Tigers. What would Lee think? He'd be so disgusted. I could see Lee in my mind, his face scrunching up in abomination. He'd laugh at me, a bitter, mocking laugh. " You're pathetic, Kon" A voice which sounded suspiciously like Lee echoed through the room, and the liquid fire returned to my eyes. I choked it back, forcing it to go away.
I brought my knees to up to meet my head and I buried my face at the crook. Thankfully, I managed to control myself and choked back whatever tears I had left in me. I leaned against the wall and just sat there in silence, the dull ache in my chest slowly fading away.
If only the pain in my heart would fade away, too.
A soft knock on the door snapped me back to reality. "Rei-san, are you coming?" Max asked from behind, and I could faintly make out the sound of Takao's rambling.
Damn practice. Screw you, Hiwatari Kai.
"Tell Kai that I won't be coming for today."
Max was quiet for a moment. "Did Takao's fall on you really hurt?"
I sighed. How amazingly naïve Max was, still… "Yes." I managed to say in a strained, hoarse voice.
Max replied with a swift "Take care of yourself!" and went away to tell Kai. I strained my eardrums to try and hear what Kai was going to say to that.
"Whatever" he said, in his trademark 'I-don't-give-a-flying-fuck' voice.
I chuckled dryly to myself. I should have known that he wouldn't care.
And as I listened to his irritated voice, snapping out orders to the rest of the team, I couldn't help but think back to yesterday. Involuntarily, I shivered.
It's a memory I would rather forget.
To be continued…
( 1 ) Itadakimasu! = Let's eat!
Well, that's it for now! Don't forget to review!
Next chapter: You won't find out what Kai and Rei's problem is just yet…* dodges tomatoes * Be patient with this! ^_^ Instead, we'll go into a rarely delved into territory: Takao's mind! Yes, our resident Dragoon-wielder does think of something else besides food and Beyblading. During practice, he proves himself not as idiotic as everyone thinks, questions Rei's condition, and has conversations with both Max and Kai. But don't worry, the truth will soon be known. For now though, y'all would be welcome to guess…* grins *
See you next time ooooon…The wonderful world of Rei Torture!