Chapter 10: Fatigue, horror, and tragic pasts
Disclaimer: (*sigh*) I don't own beyblade, ok???? Oh, I recommend you check out Anime_Fan. Thanks to Lady Blade WarAngel for the idea about a tragic past. Also, I got some ideas from "The King, the Ring, and the Thief" by White Angel. Anyways, on with the story! OOC warning!!!! This might seem unreal, but this is my first fic.
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Tyson groaned. "Man, I'm beat..."
Kai added, "Everyone is always after us... And nobody else... What is it that's so interesting about us?"
Ray sighed. "Maybe... our reputation...?"
Max lay on the bed, barely able to move. "Then I don't like being famous anymore..."
Kenny was sweating heavily. "Neither (*pant*) do I, Max. (*pant*) Neither do I..."
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Flashback
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"Bladebreakers..." The man hissed. At least he wasn't enshrouded in shadow. He had stolen Tyson's blade right out of his hand, just as Cenotaph had done...
They had barely been able to get it back, but finally they did. This led them to being chased by mystical-looking ninjas. For 2 whole kilometres they ran, then...
The ninjas that had been inching closer... disappeared. Nobody could figure out why. They could barely walk to their hotel room.
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5 hours later
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The Bladebreakers had long fallen asleep from exhaustion. Except for... Kai?
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Kai's POV
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The others were sound asleep, but I couldn't sleep. I stood on the balcony, feeling the light breeze blow through my hair. I couldn't rest, not after all this... Why was everyone after us? What did we do? Was it really our reputation? I had to get some answers. I had to know...
I stepped off the balcony back into the hotel room. Tyson's snoring was the only sound heard. I grabbed my suitcase and opened it. I took one look at the clothes I had packed and knew that they wouldn't do. I grabbed some gel and some hair dye. I dyed my hair brown and laid it flat. I took Mr. D's credit card and went to the closest clothing store around. I bought merchant-like clothes that most people around here wore, went back to our room and changed. I didn't need a coat. Heck, I grew up in this weather and it WAS summer, after all. I walked down the street until I found one of those hidden underage bars I'd heard about. I strolled inside, keeping my cool. I took a seat at the counter and the bartender asked, "What'll it be, kid?"
My sharp retort was, "Don't call me kid. I'm 17, ya know."
"Then what are you doing in here? You can pass alright in a street bar."
I scoffed. I said in a gruff adult voice, "Too public and crowded for my tastes."
"Righ', so what'll it be?"
I didn't want to look out of place, so I said, "Just some domestic beer'll do." He nodded and gave me a mug full. I took a sip. Russian beer wasn't that strong. (*A/N I dunno the truth behind this, I just made it up. And I think Kai would be about 17 now.)
The guy sitting beside me (looked about 18) was slightly drunk and muttering loudly something about beybladers in Russia. "Beybladers... Russia... No good... Heard about some renegade... They searching the country..."
I asked him, "What was that about beybladers?"
He replied, appearing a little drowsy, "None... of yer... damn... business... kid..."
I told him, "I just wanna know 'bout this renegade... Is that too much ta ask?" Using slang seemed to help me fit in better.
"Not unless yer paying me big..."
I smiled slightly as a plan came into my mind. "Come now, I'm sure we can bargain... How 'bout I buy ya another drink, eh?"
"Now... yer talkin'..."
I called the bartender over and told him, "A big mug of yer strongest drink."
He told me as he gave me my order, "I like ya, kid, on the house... this time."
I handed it to the drunk man and he chugged half of it down with one breath.
I pressed him. "'Bout that renegade..."
He was obviously drunk now. "Ah ya... da renegade... heard his name was... Kay, or Kai, or suttin' like that... 'Alf the country's after 'im... some big reward... 10 million ruble... alive only..." The man chugged down the rest of the beer and threw up over the counter. Luckily, I hadn't had my hands or arms on the counter. Some weren't so fortunate. The bartender was mad and kicked the guy out. I left myself. He fainted right on the street. I stepped over him and left him there. (*A/N Apparently, the Russians use rubles instead of dollars, but I dunno how much they're worth...)
I headed back to the hotel. It was about midnight now. I opened the door to the room and forced all my stuff into my suitcase. I carried it out the door, after scribbling a quick note to the others, "Gone to get answers, they'll leave you alone now. Kai"
I had to take one last look as I closed the door. I had to admit, they really were my team and I was gonna miss them... But at least they'd be safe... right? I made sure to take the hair dye and gel in case I was staying out that long... I took all the Russian money we had and some of the other money we had, I could get it changed. I did leave them the credit card though, even though I could have used it. As I walked out the hotel's front door, I stood in front of the large building for a few minutes in silence. I was on my own now, again...
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Flashback
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I had left the abbey in fear of what I had done. I was left alone in the cold, harsh, barren land of Russia, without food or water. I do admit there were times when I did what I had to in order to survive. I'm not proud of my past, but what's past is past. You can't change it, you can't dwell on it forever, and you can't go through your life thinking "What if?"
One day, I ran out of food and water, and there was a harsh blizzard. I doubted I would live, but I did. I met a girl who had run away from the abbey after learning the truth about it. We worked together to get supplies, we shared, and we got closer and closer to each other. Then came a day when we had no food or water again. Our only option was to steal some from unsuspecting villagers. We stalked a few, and stole some supplies, and some valuables to sell for money.
We decided to split up, to cover more ground. After I had collected a good amount of stuff, I went to meet up with the girl. I saw her in the street, about to steal something from a man, when the man suddenly noticed her.
He pulled out a knife. I rushed in to help, but he gave me a few quick slashes on my arms. I fell back in pain, struggling to my feet to help the girl. That's why I wear my armguards now, they cover the scars and protect them from anything else. (*A/N I know Kai doesn't really have scars from when he took his armguards off in an episode, but this is MY story. Hehehehe!)
The man chuckled as I ran at him again and made some comment about me being a glutton for punishment. He cried to his friends, who held me while he... While he... pushed the girl up against a building and stabbed the knife... into her heart. No matter how much I struggled, I couldn't get loose. The people watching thought it better not to mess with the man and kept walking. The girl now lay on the ground, drowning in her own blood. The men finally let me go, and I automatically rushed towards the girl. I cried and sobbed, but she didn't say a word. She was gone... forever.
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Ever since that day, I've always tried to stay away from people and not to get too close. I was afraid... that I would have to suffer again. After that day, I didn't eat, drink or sleep. I didn't care whether I lived or died. People on the street made me eat and drink, and kept me alive. I didn't grow, I didn't talk, I didn't feel. It took me forever to get over that loss, but as soon as I did, I vowed never to let myself get close to anyone again. And I broke that vow... after I realised that the Bladebreakers really did care about me. I had to leave again... leave those that I had gotten to know so well. I keep my emotions inside, because I've always been afraid that... if I let some out, I'll let all of them out.
Why does that scare me? Because I'm always afraid of looking like a terrified, weak, helpless boy. I'm afraid of reliving my past, of reliving the torture. I've never told anyone this, because I knew. I knew that they would see me differently, not so tough, not so strong, but weak and helpless against the world. I didn't think I could have handled that, so I didn't risk it. I didn't tell my friends, or anyone else. Even when I was surrounded by people, I was... alone. I have always been alone, alone in my life, alone in my heart, and alone in the world.
I had known, I had known all along it hadn't been the Bladebreakers everyone was after, I had known it was me... It had been but a feeling, but I knew, I knew the truth all along. Where was I gonna go now? I looked around. There was one place, but could I? After all these years, did I have enough courage in my heart? I rubbed my scarred arms, as I had taken the guards off. I would be too easily recognised with them. I had no choice.
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Morning, Ray's POV
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I woke up. I glanced at the clock. Exactly 6:00, like always. That was the time my brain always woke up. I looked around. Tyson: snoring. Kenny: asleep. Max: asleep. Kai: asle... Wait a second! Where was Kai? I walked around our room. Bathroom was empty, his shoes were... gone? I checked back at our beds, and considered waking them up, but I decided not to. I mean, he had probably gone for a walk or something. I opened my suitcase for some clean clothes, and changed. Then I noticed... only 3 other suitcases. Kai's was missing. I cursed and woke everyone up. Tyson wouldn't wake up until I whispered in his ear that Kai was gone. Then he was awake, all right.
Kenny asked sleepily, "But where would he go?"
I could only think of one thing. "Guys... You don't think he ran away, do you?"
Max said worriedly, "Run away? But why would Kai run away?"
All I could say was, "I dunno, guys, but I say we find him."
Tyson groaned sleepily. "Oh, all right. Fine, fine. Let's go before the streets get crowded."
We headed out. Soon, we passed an old man. I asked him, "Hello, sir. We're looking for a teenager named Kai. He's got blue spiky hair. Have you seen him?"
He chuckled and replied, "I wish! You know, you're not the only one after that big reward. Half the country must be looking for him."
Tyson asked, "What reward?"
"Don't act innocent with me, now. You must be daft if you don't know what I'm talking about. Just look for yourselves." He pointed to a poster and walked off.
I read the poster out loud:
WANTED! Teenage boy.
Name: Kai Hiwatari
Age: About 17.
Appearance: Spiky blue hair, usually wears a black sleeveless shirt with dark blue pants. Extra info: On a beyblading team called the Bladebreakers. Raised in Russia, speaks fluent Russian.
Reward: 10 million rubles.
If found or have information about, report to BIOVOLT Corporation as once.
I glanced around at the Bladebreakers. Their expressions were crystal-clear. We were all speechless. Tyson ran off angrily, searching everywhere for Kai. We all followed him, of course. A couple of hours later, even Max's energy and Tyson's determination were starting to wear off. It seemed as if we had scoured the entire city of Moscow. So, exhausted again, as well as sleepy, we headed back to the hotel room. We found another mystery when we got there. I picked up a hastily written note in Kai's handwriting that said, "Gone to get answers, they'll leave you alone now. Kai"
Max said, "Leave us alone? Who? Answers? This is confusing!"
I told him, "I really dunno, Max, but we need Kai for the tournament."
Tyson shook his head and spoke firmly. "No! Don't you see? Kai's more than a team member, he's our friend and he never let us down! He... he always stood by us, even sorta when Boris brainwashed him... Boris! Why does he want Kai?"
Silence. Nobody had forgotten the fact that Kai was our friend, but Tyson rarely spoke so... passionately. He was right, though. Kai had always saved us and believed in us. I was the first to break the silence. I spoke softly. "Well, we got to find him then."
Kenny warned us, "It won't be easy with half the country after him..."
Max said, determined, "But we have to do it! Without one person, the Bladebreakers aren't the Bladebreakers anymore."
Tyson said, "Max is right, Chief. Kai is one of us!"
I asked, "Where do we start looking? I mean, we did just spend hours all over Moscow."
Silence again. I suddenly realised something. "Guys, you don't think he's...?"
Tyson's eyes widened. "No, he would never..."
Kenny had to say, "Or would he...?"
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Voltaire looked at Boris firmly and asked, "Well?"
The reply was, "All goes according to plan."
"Good. I'm warning you, Boris, this is your last chance."
"There's nothing to worry about..."
"Was your eyegear malfunctioning when we suffered a crushing defeat?"
"Was it a defeat? Or was it part of the plan?"
"Plan?"
"We needed what appeared to be a defeat to gain a victory."
"Tell me more..."
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Tyson's POV
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What were we gonna do? Even I couldn't sleep that night. The others had tried to get some rest for tomorrow and were fast asleep. I stared out from the balcony and gazed up at the silver stars against the midnight blue sky. What were we gonna do? I stared moodily at the city below. Kai and I had never been the "best of chums," as he said at the end of the regionals, but we were rivals, working on the same team, the same side. We were... friends. He hated to admit it and never would have, and I never spoke of it either. They say you don't know how much someone means to you until they're gone... Don't I know it... I think of that day, as a tear rolls down my cheek... (*A/N I dunno if this is true, but remember, this is MY story)
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Flashback
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The ear-splitting noise of the car behind us crashing into the passenger side of the car... The way I watched in horror from the seat behind the driver... The comment the doctor made at the hospital...
"I'm afraid she took a serious injury... She might not make it..."
I let go an uncontrollable cry. "NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!! MOM!!!!!!!!!"
My dad put a hand on my shoulder. He whispered comfortingly in my ear, "Shh... It's okay, Ty. She'll be alright..."
I was only 7 years old, too young to know my dad was lying to me... I held my mom's hand in mine. My dad and the doctor were standing behind me. The doctor had just told us that my mom wasn't gonna make it... My dad was crying.
She said to me, "Stay out of trouble, Tyson, my son, and always remember: Friends and family are more important than anything in life... Good friends are hard to come by, don't let your friends down... If they're really friends, they'll stand by you till the end, no matter what... They'll think of your safety before theirs, and they'll be the ones you miss the most after they're gone... Promise me, son, you won't forget and you'll stick to your promise until the end of your days..."
I cried and sobbed, saying, "I promise, Mom, but please don't leave me..."
"I'm sorry, son, but it's my time... to go... I love you... Take care, my son, my husband, take care..." She closed her eyes and the machine beeped, a long, flat beep. I looked at my dad through my tears. He was glancing at her with a sad look...
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I've never broken my promise, and I wasn't about to start. I would have gone looking for Kai right then and there, but I didn't want to upset the others. I mean, Kai had left in the middle of the night. We could only think of one place he could be... Even though the others tried to think of other places, I knew. Kai was there, and I was going after him, no matter what.
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Kai's POV
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I stared at the huge building before my eyes. I rubbed my cheek, afraid I would be recognised by a guard, or... someone else. But no, I had spent a while washing the triangles painted on my face off. Could I really? After so long? I had... no choice. The Bladebreakers would never be left alone if I didn't. I had to.
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That's the end! Review please! No flames! This chapter took forever to write, and I do admit that a tear slid down my cheek as I wrote those tragic pasts... Suggestions would be nice... anime_fan38@yahoo.ca if you don't mind. At least vote on my next fic, or on your favourite beyblade couple! I know, you're saying, "How do I decide?" Oh, all right, MAXIMUM of 2 votes, only because I didn't give you choices. If you're in for a little humour after reading this chapter, why not check out my newest fic, "The Destiny of the Descendants," all about the Bladebreakers' descendants. Please R+R!
P.S. If you have a fave YGO couple, vote under my YGO fic, or send to my email!