AN: *starry eyed* Thanks so much; this chapter's for lone wolf, Paiku, MaboroshiTsuki, Ana, Anne, Shadow Fire, girl-over-bored and Bookie! Thanks SO much for reviewing, it's what keeps me writing! *hugs* Ingrid's problem isn't resolved yet, just so you know, it's much deeper... It kills from beneath her! *BWHAHA!* Okay, so maybe it doesn't, but you know what I mean.

Kai: Can I stop being so frigid now?

Lovely Shredder: You shush *glomps him* Just stand there and be hot XD And please review!

In Places No One Will Find | Chapter 4

Midnight cloaked the city as wind stung at Ingrid's cheeks. Her arms were fastened around Kai's waist as his motorcycle roared through the streets, the visor on her helmet blurring everything around them slightly.

Her thoughts lingered on when Kai had pulled her away from the guy she was dancing with. The tall blonde had turned sharply to Kai, ready to punch the daylights out of him when Kai stood his ground, giving him a sharp look. It was as if Kai was daring him to move. The blonde had backed off, making himself happy by dancing with a red head.

"You could have waited till the song was over," Ingrid grumbled as they walked out of the club and onto the quiet street.
"Or I couldn't have," Kai replied, "Come one, we'll take my bike."

"And leave my car?" Ingrid asked incredulously, "In this neighbourhood? My tires will probably be slashed."

"No they won't, it'll be fine till morning," Kai said coolly, "And if they are, your insurance will cover for it."

"There's always a loophole," Ingrid muttered, cheated out of many things in her life to know that.

"I just thought you'd want to ride this thing," Kai said with a smirk as they walked past a black motorcycle, chrome details shining. The seat was immaculate; it was obvious that either it was a new bike or Kai took great care of it. He could see Ingrid's eyes widen in hunger, her lips parting gently as she gently brushed the handles of the bike with her finger tips.

"Blackmailer," she finally relented, and smiling wryly he tossed her a helmet.

"Hang on tight."

Street lamps whirred by, buildings growing scarcer by the mile. Leaning her cheek against the flat surface of Kai's back, Ingrid shut her eyes, his body heat comforting her. Surprisingly she felt… Actually she had no idea what this feeling was. It was just on the tip of her tongue; yet she couldn't name it. It was something safe, something delicious, something where she knew everything would be alright. Without realizing it, she tightened her hold on Kai's waist, wishing she could stay like this forever.

Except without Kai there, she added after a moment of deep contemplation. A part of her argued that, that she indeed wanted Kai there, however her logical side stomped that accusation down and continued believing that yes; this was heaven, if only Kai weren't there.

The secure feeling began to drip away as she cringed at the thought of Kai interrogating her. As if on cue, the bike stopped.

"We're here," Kai stated, and taking off his helmet dry grass crunched underneath his shoes as he took in the view. They had stopped at a sort of cliff, a drop, and you could see tiny stars, mirrored by the city lights on the ground. It was beautiful, and Ingrid wondered what it looked like in the day. Looking up, she saw Kai had sat himself on the metal rail surrounding the cliff, his hands clasped together. A small, devilish voice told her to push him off, egging her on to just try it. Sighing, as her more 'mature' side spoke up, saying he could die should she decide to push him, she sat beside him, nibbling on her lip as he said nothing.

"So what were you doing with those guys?" Kai asked after a silence, keeping his gaze on the scenery. His face wasn't angry or incredulous like it had been at the club, it was more calm… Ingrid could have sworn she saw a flicker of concern.

"Nothing--" Ingrid began, but Kai threw her a warning glance and she relented. The calm nonchalant expression she was holding before slipped off, her act of being on top of the ball without a care in the world dropping like a sack of potatoes. Bags appeared under her eyes as the muscles in her face visibly tensed, her eyes clouded with obvious worry. Covering her nose and mouth with her hands, she exhaled sharply and winced at the memory of the poison leaving the needle and entering her blood stream.

"Kai, if I tell you," Ingrid finally said, "Will you swear to tell no one? Not even Ray?" Kai studied her, as she looked anxiously back at him.

"I promise."

Nodding gratefully, Ingrid got off the rail and sat down on the ground, laying her legs flat as she was wearing a mini skirt. Kai hopped off as well, but merely leaned against his bike, waiting patiently.

"You can't tell a soul," Ingrid said urgently, reinforcing the fact that this wasn't something light.

"I won't tell, now spill," Kai replied impatiently, and Ingrid ran a hand through her raven black hair. Looking up at the sky, as if wishing for an angel to help her, Ingrid took a deep breath.

"They sold me heroin, and I did it. Once. But I did it."

Kai's expression didn't change as silence echoed around them. He had a faint idea when those guys had been talking to her; they were drug dealers after all. But a tiny part of him, buried deep down inside wished that he had been wrong.

"Why are you doing that shit?" Kai demanded after watching her avoid his gaze, her eyes growing puffier and puffier as he saw her cheek muscles flex, signs she was on the brink of tears.

"All of you, that's why," Ingrid confessed, inhaling as her voice caught an edgy tone, "I'm living with all these famous rich beybladers, my room is practically the size of my old apartment, I'm not what my parents wanted, I'm not the sister Ray wanted, I have no friends anymore, everyone is getting married, I don't even have a boyfriend, I lost my job," Ingrid rambled on, hiccupping slightly as a stray tear trailed down her cheek. Wiping it away quickly with the back of her hand she turned her head away from Kai. "Mock me. Go on. I know you want to."

"From what Ray's said I think he loves you very much, and his stories prove that your parents love you too. Sure, all parents are sort of weird when babies are born. A boy is born they expect a fresh athlete with good grades and polite manners. A girl is born they expect gentleness, pink, flowers, dolls. So you didn't turn into a stereotype, your parents love you for who you are. You just had to give them a chance to get over the fact that you weren't a cookie cutter. And friends are over rated, so are spouses. You can find another job, I'm sure Kenny could help you," Kai replied, his voice growing more and more hostile as the words flew by. His hands were tightened into fists. Her reasons were not good enough; she had absolutely no excuse to be doing heroin--

"I realize that," Ingrid snapped, her voice watery, "And I'm ashamed and I regret it."

"Do you want more heroin?" Kai asked suddenly, his maroon eyes flickering.

"No!" Ingrid cried incredulously, "I realized how dangerous it was!"

"Good," Kai nodded shortly. More silence passed, and Ingrid slowly got up and leaned over the rail, the cool air drying her tears.

"Just it got sort of too much to bear," she said quietly, "And with no one to talk to… Ray wouldn't understand. Who else would I turn to? My parents? Moving in with all of you helped my financial situation a lot, but then I felt so pressured by all the success you guys had. One thing was lifted off me while another crashed down."

"When did you inject?" Kai asked, and Ingrid smiled dryly.

"Just before I moved in," she replied, "And I almost did it again after but Ray talked to me while I was settling in."

"I thought he wouldn't understand?"

"No, he wouldn't," Ingrid exhaled, "But he's my brother; strangely he can always make me feel better about myself. If he ever finds out though, I don't know if I could live with myself." Kai didn't say anymore, just drummed his fingers inaudibly on the leather seat of his bike. It wasn't an awkward silence, it was more of a comforting one, and both people were thinking, their eyes off cast.

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Holding the thin plastic pick between her index and her thumb finger, Ingrid gently strummed away, the volume on her amp set to low as she sang lowly to herself.

"Sometimes I feel like I don't have a partner. Sometimes I feel like my only friend is, the city I live in," she stopped, nibbling on her lip then frowned and started again, making a change in her notebook. "Sometimes I feel like I don't have a partner. Sometimes I feel like my only friend is, the city I live in, the city of angels… Lonely as I am, together we cry."

Satisfied with that part of the song, Ingrid noticed that's all she had written, and shutting her eyes she improvised.

"I don't ever want to feel, like I did that day, take me to the place…" she stopped, and scribbling that down in her notebook, she bit the eraser on her pencil, her mind blanking. Damn. Once her mind blanked she'd have to wait for the next time she was inspired. Hopping off her bed and actually zipping up her guitar properly in its case, she looked out the window, rays of sunlight caressing her face through the glass. Maybe she'd watch the boys beyblade today.

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"3…2…1… Let it rip!" Max yelled as Tyson and Ray launched their beyblades. Sparks flew as the two boys grinned, Kai sitting on a bench with his arms folded. Ingrid had decided to watch today, and thankfully she hadn't come over and sat next to him, thinking they had a 'bond' now.

A tiny part of Kai reasoned that they did have one now, but Kai stifled that thought and kept his expression nonchalant. It was best if he stayed away from that girl.

The two beyblades grinded against the bowl, and the two owners watched each other's moves carefully, biding their time till they called their bit beasts. Kenny talked to Dizzi about how much stronger of a duo each opponent was, and Ingrid tried her best not to yawn out loud and die from boredom.

Kai kept his cold gaze straight ahead, making sure no one saw the small glances he snuck at Ray's sister. Kai remained facing perpendicular to the scene, absentmindedly running his fingers over his beyblade that he kept in his pocket.

Ingrid blinked, trying to stay awake as her brother bladed away, his brown eyes flickering orange; a quality a lot of girls found "sexy". She had a similar quality; and had thought it looked freakish and in no way sexy. Smiling, Ingrid wondered if Mariah thought it was sexy. But then Mariah had the same quality too. Letting out an exasperated sigh she wondered who to ask. Her eyes fell on to the rock hard figure of Kai, and she shook her head almost violently. Leaning back slightly, she was about to check the time when she could hear Ray whooping in joy.

"Take that, Tyson!" he grinned, and Tyson shot him a mock glare as Ray received congratulations from Max and Kenny.

"What'd you think of the match?" Ray smirked at Ingrid, and his sister rolled her eyes at him.

"Boys and their toys," she teased, and as Ray smacked her on the head playfully as Kenny's watch went off.

"Guys! We're going to be late for the convention!"

Tyson, Ray and Max all got a glint of excitement in their eyes, and high fived.

"Let's go then," they chorused, "Kai you coming?" Tyson asked, and Kai shook his head.

"No."

"Ingrid?" Ray asked, already half knowing the answer.

"Ray, what IS it with you all and conventions? And you've known me for fifteen years! Have I ever shown an interest in beyblading?"

"Today," Ray replied moronically, and as Ingrid shot him a death glare he put his hands in the air. "Just kidding. The girls are out shopping, so I guess you party poopers watch each other," he laughed, holding up two fingers in a peace sign before being towed off by the gang. Ingrid flickered her gaze to Kai who did the same, and sharply looking away, Kai stood up. As he left the arena with a slam, Ingrid slowly stood up, and brushing off her shorts she slowly headed back to her room. He was certainly a happy little man.

%%%%%%%%%%

Bored out of her mind, and Kai sending her clear messages that if she talked to him he'd shoot her, Ingrid decided to drive around the city a bit. With one arm on the steering wheel at the 2 o clock position, her other hand rested against the open window. Humming "Should I Stay or Should I Go" by the Clash, she cocked her head slightly to the beat, drumming her fingers on the steering wheel as the traffic light turned green. Turning left, Ingrid spotted a $5 Hand Car Wash sandwich board in front of what looked like some sort of sports center. Turning where the big red arrow pointed on the board, she saw three guys with buckets, squeegees, sponges and bottles chatting. As her tires sloshed through a puddle, slightly soapy from a previous car wash, they looked up and smiled.

"Nice car," one of the guys smiled, "67 Chevelle Super Sport?"

"Very good," Ingrid laughed, "It's my baby."

"Name?"

"Fallon," Ingrid replied, and another guy grinned.

"We'll clean him up nice. Just park it right here, and you can chill." Turning the engine off, Ingrid plopped her keys into her purse and stepped out of the car.

"Name's Tala," the first boy smiled, "That's Li, and that's Jess." The other two boys nodded as they were hosing down Ingrid's car.

"So I haven't seen you around, you new?" Jess asked as he sat down while Tala and Li scrubbed her chrome details with toothbrushes.

"It's a pretty big city, not some small town," Ingrid teased, "and no I'm not new".

"Can't blame a guy trying to make conversation," he shrugged with a boyish smile, "What district?"

"I live in that old building up on Rodemont Hill," Ingrid shrugged, and Jess dropped the squeegee he was twirling in his hands.

"You live with beybladers?" he asked incredulously, and Ingrid nodded after hesitating.

"My brother's one," she replied nonchalantly, and Jess leaned back.

"Tala and Li beyblade, they're pretty good too," he smiled, "But I found it boring."

"Me too!" Ingrid exclaimed, her eyes widening, "What's so interesting? Hockey's so much better." Jess's face fell.

"I love hockey too, can't play ice hockey though," he sheepishly admitted, and Ingrid looked at him oddly.

"Neither can I."

"Freaky. Well it looks like we're meant to be," he joked, and Ingrid smiled.

"I guess so." They both dropped their gazes at the same time, and Ingrid laughed as Tala threw a sopping sponge at Jess's unruly dark brown hair, flattening the bed head spikes of his brown locks.

"Get to work," Tala laughed as he sat down on the lawn chair that Jess had previously occupied. "So I'm Tala," he greeted with a half smile.

"Ingrid," she nodded, and Tala draped one arm over the back of his chair as he turned slightly towards her.

"So, do you have a boyfriend?" Tala asked, dragging his eyes up her body, winking to show he was just playing. As Ingrid whacked Tala, at the same moment a sponge was thrust into his face.

"Hurry up, there's some cars lining up behind her," Li smirked, and pushing Tala along as he got up reluctantly, mumbling how he had just sat down, Li took his place. Sitting down with a relieved exhale, Li turned to Ingrid, leaning his chin on his hand.

"So, what area are you from--" Li began, when Ingrid interrupted him.

"Why do you guys all want to know where I live?" she asked, a smirk playing on her lips.

"To stalk you," Li joked, not aware that Jess had too asked where she lived, and Ingrid laughed lightly, "No, we just ask everyone. It's cool, getting an idea where people are coming from. Most don't come from this district… You know you look familiar," Li suddenly added, cocking his head at Ingrid. "Your eyes remind of someone." It wasn't a sort of fascinated look that Li gave her, it was more like he was remembering someone he didn't want to.

"Who?"

"Probably not him," Li muttered, "I knew this guy a while back, Ray Kon."

"I'm his sister."

It was at the moment that everything fell silent, well, silent except for the fact that Jess was oblivious to the importance of the fact. He just keep wiping the windows, rocking his head to some song stuck in his head.

"Do you know Kai Hiwatari?" Tala asked, his hand letting go of the rag he was holding, and Ingrid hesitated. What if something really horrible happened to them because of her giving away their location? She felt stupid, and wished she could take it all back and run away. Averting her gaze, she wrung her hands as the silence continued.

"Hey guys, leave the girl alone," Jess called, his friendly confident eyes now warning. "She came for a car wash not an interrogation."

"Sorry," the boys muttered, or rather they just mumbled some random word, and Li got up to join Tala, the two speaking in low, hushed tones. Jess shook his head at them, and crossed the now wet ground to sit on the lawn chair.

"Sorry," he apologized, "Just Li and Tala aren't fond of the people in Rodemont. Well, just the people in that estate."

"I moved in a few days ago," Ingrid admitted, "Money was tight, and my brother offered."

"Which one's he?" Jess asked, and Ingrid replied Ray. "Oh," he nodded, "Well I think Tala's more angry at Kai, while Li has his issues with Ray. It's a really long history." Ingrid felt uncomfortable, Li and Tala glancing at her before continuing their talk.

"Don't worry, they won't think less of you or something just because you live and are related to one of them," Jess assured, "But if they try to do anything tell me." The sound of water spraying was audible, and Tala was rinsing her car clean, when suddenly a smirk curled on his lips and he aimed the hose at Jess, getting a bit of Ingrid at the same time.

"Bastard!" Jess laughed, and grabbing a soapy sponge from the ground he whipped it at Tala's head. The red head's hand stuck out in a random direction as Jess fought him against the car, pressing the sponge into the boy's face. Ingrid yelped as the water stream was now hitting her, and hair soaking, clothes sopping, she hopped out of water's way just as a bucket of dirty water was toppled over Li.

"Car's clean," the boys chorused with nervous smiles as Ingrid blinked at them, and after a silence, the boys tensed up, ready for a temper tantrum.

Ingrid burst out laughing, shaking her head ruefully much to their surprise and relief.

"You guys are hilarious," she grinned, "But you do this when I'm wearing my favorite jeans and I'll slice your heads off," she nodded, handing them a five dollar bill, suppressing a giggle.

"Thanks," Tala replied as he dropped it into a metal box, and he and Li moved to the next car, the water on their clothes refreshing under the glaring sun. They could change into dry clothes later; the boys had gotten into enough water fights to know now to bring extra clothing. Lots of it.

"Uh, do you want to change before stepping into your car?" Jess asked uncertainly, lingering behind, "I have a crap load of clean clothes in my locker you could borrow."

"You sure?" Ingrid asked, fingering her wet shirt and pants.

"Yeah," he smiled, and he jokingly offered her his arm. A faint blush crossed his features as she winked at looped her arm through his. A few minutes later Li was about to sit on the lawn chair and force Jess to work when he noticed the boy was gone.

"Jess, we're going to kill you when you come back," Li muttered as he trudged back over to the car and continued washing.

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Walking, her flip flops squeaking from the water, they arrived to a hall with tiled flooring and light green lockers. Spinning in his combination, Jess opened his locker and after a bit of tugging managed to lug his duffel bag out. Unzipping it, he rifled through the t-shirts and shorts and chose a loose green t-shirt and black shorts.

"Any preference?" he asked, and Ingrid shook her head. Handing her a red t-shirt and silver shorts, he pointed down the hall of lockers.

"Women's room is down the hall to your left," he instructed, "Come back here and I'll show you where you can dry your clothes." Nodding, Ingrid tucked the dry clothes under her arm and made her way to the bathroom.

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"Hey," Ingrid began as she rounded the corner to the lockers, getting a glimpse of lightly tanned skin just as Jess had slipped on his shirt.

"Oh hey," Jess replied, "Okay, follow me." Shutting his locker, he led her to what looked like a small room, with a desk, a shelf, and damp clothes hanging by the window on some sort of metal rack.

"This is our office," Jess nodded, and Ingrid looked up at him.

"You work here?" she asked, thinking he was here for fun or charity. Something like that. Jess nodded, his lip tightening, and Ingrid nibbled on her lip.

"It looks like fun," she murmured, and Jess studied her. Was she mocking him?

"It's hard to find a job now a days," he replied carefully, "I started off at minimum wage, but with so many members always pouring into the gym it pays well. I don't wash cars though, it's just a thing we do," he added, "I teach little kids to play hockey, but Tala and Li teach football. What do you do?"

"I uh…" Ingrid trailed off, looking down, "I lost my job." Silence echoed through out the room, and Ingrid felt her cheeks flare in heat as she could feel Jess' dark gaze on her.

Jess studied the girl in front of him. So she wasn't mocking him; or at least it didn't appear she was. The easy going feeling she had radiated before was now cooling into an embarrassed one, and Jess placed a hand on her shoulder.

"If you ever have trouble finding a job, you can apply to be co captain? Mine just quit," he suggested, "I mean, you don't have to… Just keeping your options open," he added hurriedly, but Ingrid was beaming like an idiot, despite her slightly stinging eyes.

"I can?"

"Yeah, why don't you fill out an application now and tomorrow when you pick up your dry clothes pop in your resume? I'll put in a good word for you," he winked, "But shh…. Don't tell or else my ass will probably be fired."

"Secret's safe with me," Ingrid replied, "Thanks Jess."

"No problem."

%%%%%%%%%%

Everyone was back at the estate by the time Ingrid returned, and she waltzed into the room, humming merrily still in Jess' t-shirt and shorts.

"RAY!" she screamed as she noticed her brother watching television, "I might have a job!"

"What do you mean, might?" Ray asked, suddenly looking up, and Ingrid's cheery mood deflated slightly.

"I… I don't have a job right now, but I might now," Ingrid mumbled, and Ray straightened up incredulously.

"You're… You're unemployed?!"

"Didn't I tell you?" Ingrid asked, her voice catching into a wail as she racked her mind. She was sure she had told Ray.


Oh. She had told Kai.

"No!" Ray replied, "Since when were you unemployed?"

"Since I quit!"

"What?! Ingrid! Why didn't you quit till you had a job you could go to!"

"Circumstances," Ingrid retorted, however her eyes held warning that if Ray stepped any further there would be damage.

"Well…. Congratulations," Ray finally said after backing down, "What's the job?"

"Hockey coach for kids," she muttered, not wanting to meet Ray's eyes, sure that disdain would flicker across them.

"You'd be a good coach," Ray smiled, tilting up Ingrid's chin boyishly to her surprise, "You're good with kids, and you're amazing at hockey."

"Luckily it's floor hockey, not ice," Ingrid half smiled, still slightly hurt at Ray's previous reaction, "Or else I don't think I'd have a chance."

"Nice," Ray nodded earnestly, "I think this will be good for you."

"Thanks," Ingrid replied quietly as she noticed Kai looking at her darkly, then walk up the stairs coldly, "I hope so too."