Disclaimers: I don't own Kai, his grandfather, Tyson, or his grandfather, Max, or his parents…do you really want me to enumerate them all??? Let's just conclude that…I don't own them and save a lot of time shall we???
Author's Notes: Took a while with this…doesn't normally take me this long to finish. It's quarter exam week…again…*sighs* Oh joy.
Hmm, all the names you guys suggested were pretty good. Stick around to find out what her name is!!! Yay! Let's get it on then! Read, review, and enjoy!
Warnings: This chapter is in her point of view. Hope I didn't disappoint you!
Chapter 1:
_________
Strife
I watched behind my back at the boy behind me. I would say I'm kinda proud to see him all grown up. In fact, I almost cried when I saw him again after so long. I threw another glance at him. He was glaring at the floor as usual. It didn't use to be like this.
I remember…
A long time ago…
~~~~
"Kai! You monster! Get back here!" A little girl yelled as she chased another child across a huge study room filled with heavy encyclopedias of all sorts stacked up onto the shelves all around the room.
The little boy looked back at the girl chasing after him, not knowing he was about to hit his grandfather's mahogany desk in his hurry. Just as he was about to smirk, he felt himself collide with the desk, sending him to the floor on all fours. He rubbed his head with a little hand, still clutching a bright red bow.
"Hey! Are you okay???" The little girl said, peering curiously at him with much concern. He flashed her a toothy grin in response.
"Yup!" He replied sticking out his tongue and handing her the red ribbon he'd playfully snatched a minute ago.
"Humph! Serves yoouuuu right!" She pouted prettily, snatching the ribbon from him.
Unceremoniously, he jumped her afterwards and recovered the offending piece of cloth from her again, running across the room before she could retaliate.
~~~~
I smiled as the memory passed. He's changed so much from the playful kid then. Now he's…
I couldn't think of the word for we had already reached the master kitchen. I pulled the door open and waited for Kai. He stopped as soon as he was beside me and shot me another one of his glares. He was probably hoping I'd be intimidated like all the others he's tried that stunt on.
As if.
I'd show him I've changed too. I wasn't that same little girl who couldn't catch up to him before. I was going to show him I was just like him. That I've changed.
"Well?" He raised a brow at me.
I stepped into the kitchen and walked the few paces to the counter to prepare his breakfast. I had been working like this for his grandfather ever since my parents died…my brother could not support me and begged Lord Hiwatari to take me. He told my brother he'd do it as a 'favor'. I never would have imagined then that my best friend's own kin would take advantage of me…then.
Okay, so I guess that was perfectly fine with me. After all, I still had Kai around and I knew he wouldn't leave me. Wrong. The week after, he himself, told me he was leaving for Russia. Of course he said this in tears, with me also crying. He promised me he'd come back and that no matter what he wouldn't forget me. Lies.
Here he comes, ten years later. I accompanied Voltaire to watch these 'Beyblade Tournaments'. I still did not give up the thought of finally seeing him again after all these years. Imagine my shock when I saw HIM playing on the wide screen.
I approached him right after that match. It was in the lockers. I told him I'd missed him so much. I even told him I'd waited for this day the whole time. And after pouring my heart out, he asked me who the hell I was!
I didn't want to believe my best friend had forgotten me. I would never allow myself that truth. It was too painful. I watched him bey battle his way to victory each time he came up. I watched him smile, smirk, laugh, frown, scowl…everything. Until I couldn't stand it anymore. I came up to him again when the last tournament was held. Yes, in Russia. I met him right after he played and lost.
I was going to offer my sympathy but instead he gave me this question. "Who are you?"
It hurt me. Just knowing he forgot me. He forgot his promise and everything it meant to me. I was nearly numb with pain. From that day on, I sweared to myself not to ever shed a tear for him. Not to vie for his attention.
Still, a small part of me hopes that someday he'll remember and come back to me. It is a fool's dream. I concluded. He doesn't even know me now. We don't know each other anymore.
Unknowingly, I set Kai's plate down the table with a loud thud and food scattered all around. His poker face dissolved behind a frown as he surveyed me with distaste, I could tell.
"What are you doing?" He asked, approaching me.
"I just served you breakfast." I replied sweetly, smiling despite my chagrin.
"Humph." He retorted and sat down to eat anyway. I held the serving tray to my chest to receive any harsh insults from him about my cooking but after several minutes passed without so much as a grunt, I passed it off as approved. I turned to leave when he suddenly caught my arm. I faced him.
"You still haven't answered my question." He demanded, putting his fork down as he stared up at me.
"What?" I said, pretending I had no idea of what he was asking. For some reason, I found his arrogance very annoying lately.
"Who are you?" He repeated tersely.
"Me?" I echoed, putting a finger to my chin.
"Quit the innocent act. You know what I mean." He tightened his grip on my arm as he continued. "Who-are-you?"
I glared at him in open hostility. I wouldn't show him I was weak to further flatter his already huge ego. He glared back and tightened his grip some more hoping for me to squeal or plead with him for release. I did neither.
"I'd love to spar with you like this, but I have chores." I said in a clipped tone, jerking my arm sharply from his grasp. He leaned back on his chair, staring at me in disbelief. Before he could even honor me with another glare, I left.
I forced myself to smile even when I felt unshed tears welling up in my eyes. I would not give him the pleasure of seeing me cry. Not now, not ever. He was going to find out first hand on how painful it really is to be forgotten.
I swear it.
TBC…****
Author's Ending Notes:
Again, it's kind of short. Things have to kick up if I'm going to ever exceed five pages. Neways, still haven't decided on a name. I need more names!!! Well, I admit I liked Kanshisha, Ciara, and Cyrena. Wow, all starting with the "C" sound…Well, I guess Aiko is also good…Aaaah! I can't decide!!! If you guys've come up with better names, I'm open to them! ^-^ Thanks to all those that reviewed! Glad you liked the fic too! Please review! Be back with chapter three soon!