Elan Vitale:

Chapter 7: The Unforgivable Crime

A/N: [Disclaimers] I don't own them, yet again. How many times have I said this??? Oh, except for my own characters, alright?

Yay! Thanks for the Anime bash, Silver Crystal! I've also read Ties that Bind. It's so nice! ;_; Though there's a lot of Rei torture but…still good! ^-^ Sorry if this took quite long. I only just figured out that writing a "to the rescue" scene was really hard. Besides, I got a bad, bad writer's block right now so bear with me. Read, review, and enjoy everyone!

P.S.

The pill was made up. I didn't want it too be too…painful for her. I have pity. Anyways, Rei is here! He's finally arrived! Ahem…with a major role too…oops! Read for yourselves!

***

Kai winced as he nursed his wounded limb. It was really bleeding quite freely. Damn. Just as he was nearing the mansion, rain began to pour like crazy and in his hurry, he slipped with his bike and fell straight into a hole by the road. Worse was, apparently that 'hole' was actually a dumping ground for used wood.

As soon as he had fallen, a particularly sharp piece of bamboo shot through his right leg, skewering it in place. He yanked the intrusion out, but still could not find a way to get back up. In addition, his fresh wound was really starting to sting as the rain continued to pour down mercilessly on him.

Knowing Kai, he wasn't the type to call out for help. And sure enough his friends wouldn't be smart enough to know he was in there without him yelling for them. With a sigh he drew breath and shouted as loud as his lungs could manage.

I guess I have no choice…how degrading…

"TYSON! MAX! HELP!" He bellowed, much out of character. He didn't expect help to come instantly. Surely he had to try a couple of more times before those bunch of dunderheads could figure out it was him yelling his lungs out like crazy down there.

"KAI???" A muffled voice was heard from above almost instantly, though he couldn't quite make out who it was because of the thunderous rain.

Startled and a bit pleased at the sound of the voice, Kai looked up to find somebody covered in a heavy cloak. Wisps of his ebony hair escaped the sides of his cloak as he reached out for Kai's hand.

"Kai!!! You're bleeding!" The person yelled amidst the rain. He grabbed Kai's arm with both of his hands and pulled as hard as he could. Kai used his good leg to push himself up and after a few awkward moments of pulling, pushing, and slipping, Kai finally clambered up the steep slope to safety.

"Thanks." He muttered, almost incoherently to the stranger while testing his injured leg. He gingerly put an amount of weight onto it and felt it buckle beneath him almost instantly. He fell right into the stranger's outstretched arms.

"Hey man, careful." The voice sounded clearly. Clear enough for him to recognize.

"Rei…?" Kai uttered, staring into the familiar face of his good friend. The boy grinned in return and helped him up.

~~~

A tall, silhouette figure shifted from his leaning position as soon as he saw Voltaire reappear behind the hidden door in the hall. He waited until the old man was out of sight before finally making his move. He slid slowly along the hallway; carefully making sure no one was in sight. He turned the knob on the door and soon after, it opened with a creak. He went in hastily and closed the door behind him.

Slowly, as if dreading something, he strode down the stairs until he reached the very bottom. Even from behind the closed doors, he could hear her screams.

He carefully bent down, got a thin paper clip from his side pocket and begun to pick the lock. Soon enough, he heard the click he had been waiting for. He closed his eyes, let out the breath he didn't realize he had been holding and pushed the wooden doors open.

The sight that greeted him was definitely not pleasant. His fist clenched as he grit his teeth. He bent down to her and wiped the beads of sweat from her face. He gently stroked her hair as she pulled away slightly shivering. He didn't know why.

"M-Master Kai…" She gave a murmur. She clawed the ground helplessly. It hurt him to see her like this. He grabbed her and held her to his chest, hoping to ease her pain even a little.

With much hesitation, he slid his hands behind her damp back and below her knees, lifting her up. He carried her carefully up the spiral steps and back into the light.

"It's going to be alright…" He muttered into her ear just before she passed out, not sure if she heard it and not caring either way.

~~~

"So…care to share why on earth you were down there?" Rei inquired curiously. Kai was lifted onto his back as his wound prevented him from walking, much less running. They were making their way back to the mansion with Rei slightly jogging.

"I think my grandfather is doing something to one of the maids again. Though I'm not sure why this time." Kai replied, looking over Rei's shoulder to see how far off they were.

"Huh? What do you mean by that?" Rei panted as they approached the enormous front gates.

"You'll see…" Kai replied as Rei came to a halt in front of the double front doors. He charily put Kai down and was about to open the door when the knob turned and the doors opened only to reveal the impending form of Voltaire.

"Kai! Where have you been?!" He growled, his voice low and raspy.

"Grandfather…" Kai glared as Rei kept his silence. Anxiety mingled with anger evident in their eyes.

"Well, I guess it doesn't matter now does it?" Voltaire heaved a sigh. "Come here, boy." Voltaire grabbed Kai's arm and was roughly trying to drag him along. Kai however refused to move despite the efforts of his grandfather.

"Tell me something first." Kai demanded crossly, glaring up at him in the process. Voltaire crossed his arms in an aristocratic manner and let out a nasty frown.

"What is it?"

"I hear you've done something again while I was away?" Kai inquired, keeping his tone neutral, void of any emotion.

"Yes? What about it?!" Voltaire shot back.

"What did you do to her this time? Where is she?" Kai insisted. Voltaire gave a slight smirk at the sight of his grandson who looked ready to throw a tantrum because of some wench.

"She stepped out of line and I merely made sure she stays in line." Voltaire replied airily, the smirk not leaving his features. " I've locked her up for the time being. She will be out of touch for a while but that shouldn't bother you. Don't tell me you've gone soft on that little bi--"

"Can't you just shut your mouth?!" Kai retorted just as Voltaire was about to utter another nasty insult. However, as soon as Kai realized what he had done, he silently prayed his grandfather was in a good mood today. With the look Voltaire was giving him, he guessed not. Rei, who kept silent all this time, let out a choke. Even he could sense Voltaire was not someone you dissed. Even if you were Kai.

"Well…" Rei started nervously, glancing at his two companions who were now glaring daggers at each other. "Mr. Voltaire, nice meeting you again. Kai, let's…uhh, let's get that wound cleaned up. Right, we'll get going now…"

Rei took Kai's other arm and pulled him out of Voltaire's firm grip with an apologetic smile. Kai winced as he nearly toppled over his grandfather's feet in the process. Fortunately, Rei caught him in time. They both hurried up the stairs to Kai's room, leaving behind a fuming Voltaire.

~~~

"Man, I can't believe our Kai would just leave us like that!" Tyson whined, glancing back to Max and the Majestics behind him.

"Well, whatever Kenny told him sure must mean a lot for him to speed off like that." Max replied thoughtfully.

"Feh. Whatever. I don't give a damn about that prissy little play boy." Johnny scoffed, still clutching his aching stomach. He had woken up earlier just as they were laying him in bed.

"Johnny!" Robert hissed. Johnny quickly put his nose up in the air in his best I-don't-care fashion and went ahead of them, uttering a curse under his breath as he was at it. Unfortunately, as he stalked off into the next hallway, he collided with someone.

"Hey! Watch where you're going!!!" Johnny grunted angrily. Glancing down at the person, or rather, people he had collided with. Suddenly, a low hiss greeted him accompanied by a hand that instantly grasped his collar. Johnny tried to pull away, only to find himself being pulled closer, face to face with the obviously irritated man on the floor.

"I believe you bumped into me." The statement was said clearly, but with a slight edge added to every word. As Johnny looked down to meet the person's eyes, he was taken aback as gleaming yellow eyes glared back at him. Instinctively, Johnny jumped back, also bumping into Tyson and Max.

"Hey!!!" Tyson and Max exclaimed, but stopped as they saw a familiar face lying on the ground at the turn of the corner. Robert and Oliver, sensing something coming, stopped their pace as well.

"Serena…?" Max faltered, not knowing what to think as he stared into her pale face. It was only then they had noticed her companion who was currently dusting himself off from his recent fall.

"Hmm? You know her? Are you Master Kai's friends?" The auburn haired man questioned, bending down to retrieve Serena.

"Actually--" Tyson started, but was cut off instantly by the boy's silent muttering.

"No, of course not. You can't possibly be one of his friends. How silly of me. You must be Lord Voltaire's guest. My apologies." The boy gave a slight bow at the lot of them.

"Hey! Hey! As a matter of fact we ARE his friends, buddy!" Tyson said grabbing the boy's hand just before he sped off into the halls.

"Yeah!" Max added as Robert and Oliver nodded, giving a slight smile. Johnny simply kept his silence, though glaring sharply at the carpeted floor. Tyson let go as soon as the boy stopped.

"Interesting. I never thought the young Master could have so many friends…my apologies again." The boy muttered, eyes flickering for a mere second after.

"Well, I know. It's kinda hard to believe, knowing that grump…" Tyson stated happily and continued with a question, turning serious for a moment. "Who are you anyway??? And what are you doing to Serena?"

"I am Kennison. I'm just taking her to rest. It's been a hard day. Pardon me." Kennison sighed as he made his way past them, carrying the unconscious girl in his arms once more.

"Man, what a stiff." Tyson said, staring at the pair of them as they disappeared in the corner.

"Tell me about it." Max added thoughtfully.

~~~

Kai made it to his room without any other complications. Rei sauntered behind him, clearly preoccupied with looking over the nicely decorated furniture on the way. Kai stopped as soon as he came across the double doors of his room. Rei wandered off a bit, too distracted by the highly decorated ceiling to notice Kai had long stopped.

"Rei…" Kai muttered, seeing the boy nearly turn a corner, not paying much attention either that he was about to hit a vase. "Rei was jolted back to reality at the sound of Kai's voice and quickly run back to where the slate haired youth stood.

"Sorry Kai. I was just drifting of." Rei replied sheepishly as he entered the dark room. Kai switched the lights on and sat down on his bed.

"Tell me something, Rei." Kai started, lifting up his leg and examining the fresh wound.

"What?" Rei replied, approaching him, intending to help.

"First aid-kit's in the bathroom." Kai uttered, seeing the boy's intention to help.

"Oh, right." Rei said, going into the bathroom to retrieve the said first-aid kit.

"Now, like I was saying, why are you here all of a sudden?" Kai continued, snatching the small white box from Rei. Inside he retrieved a small bottle with some instructions and a few bandages.

"Well, Lee and the White Tigers are here too. You see, it strange. You won't believe this--"

"Don't tell me. Voltaire invited you?" Kai muttered just as Rei was about to say it, wincing a bit as he applied a disinfectant on his leg.

"Yeah. How did you know?" Rei replied, looking over the first-aid instructions. "Hey Kai. It doesn't say anything about holes in you leg you know. Well, I guess "stabbings" just the same thing."

"Ugh. Hand me that." Kai grabbed the instructions and looked over everything once. He paled slightly as he handed it to Rei.

"What?" Rei inquired, seeing the look on Kai's face.

"It says I gotta go wash it." Kai sighed.

"Oh. Where? It doesn't say." Rei said, cocking his head to one side, staring at the sheet.

"Right near "stabbings"." Kai stood up with much effort and made his way towards the shower.

"Right. It says, 'Wash thoroughly and apply antibiotics, bandage if there is excessive bleeding. Contact physician if bleeding, pain, or swelling persist.'" Rei read aloud as he followed Kai into the bathroom.

"Wash thoroughly. Humph. Alright, help me will you?" Kai closed his eyes and grit his teeth as the warm water run all over his injured leg, fighting the urge to scream. The water was soon colored crimson as it slipped through the drain. A moment later, a pale looking Kai and a smirking Rei exited the bathroom and plopped right back down onto Kai's bed.

"Okay. So at least that's done. Next is 'apply antibiotics'." Rei stated, handing Kai a tube of ointment. With his hand quivering slightly, Kai took the tube of ointment and quickly applied an amount of the yellow-green substance onto his wound. Rei took the bandages and wrapped the first of it once around his leg.

"You were saying?" Rei voiced, going back to his previous question.

"Tyson and Max arrived a few days ago and told me. So did the Majestics." Kai replied, helping with the rest of the bandaging.

"Really? They're all here?" Rei bent down to finish up.

"Yeah. I'll bet the All-stars are coming too." Kai added tonelessly.

"Oh, I see." Rei said, standing up to glance at their handy work. Kai remained seated, his eyes glued on the floor.

"Well, I guess there's nothing I can do now. I couldn't save her after all." Kai mumbled softly. Rei sat beside him and for that moment said nothing.

***

A/N: Phew! I thought I'd never get past that writer's block! I'd like to thank Nico, my little bro for helping me, also my friend Ana who also helped me, and of course all you guys for the reviews. Thanks! Please review this chapter too! Helpful criticism is welcome as long as it's not too harsh.