AN: YEAH DONE! W00T hehe… this is the third to last chapter… XD windin down..
Sorry about the OOC on Kai.. he's hard to write when he's 'pining' so to speak. The next chapter wont be up for a couple of weeks at least… when I've moved to Alberta.. so yeah be patient.. ^^
This chappy goes out to Galux Kitty who stayed and talked to me while I wrote it.. I need people to talk to when I'm writing hehe
Liika rushed through the emergency room doors, her mind whirling. The whole five minute drive to the hospital was filled with questions dancing through her mind.
Why her? Why not Tala?
How did he get her number?
And why the hell was she so worried about him?
She was supposed to hate him, spit at his very name, but the moment something terrible happens to him she panicked. What the hell was that? Liika would have liked to think that it was just because she adored Kate, and didn't want to see anything bad happen to the wonderful woman, but she knew it was more than that: far more than that. More than Kate, it had to do with Kai, however, what exactly it was Liika couldn't pin point. Her mind was still ignoring the loud exclamations from her heart.
All thoughts ceased as she raced quickly past the wide doors that said "EMERGENCY AUTHORIZED PERSONEL ONLY" and skidded to a halt at entrance to the emergency waiting room, beside the reception desk. If she thought his voice broke her heart, then the sight of him crushed her.
He was no longer crying –that she could tell anyway-, but the evidence of tears still stained his tattooed cheeks and neck. His hair looked placid and lifeless, drooping over his hands that covered the majority of his face. Every once and a while he'd sniff, but other than that he was completely silent.
"I'm sorry miss, can I help you?"
Liika jerked out of her study instantly at the sound of the receptionist's voice. Turning her head she smiled weakly and shook her head. "N-no, I'm just here to support my…friend. His mother was just brought in here."
The receptionist got a sympathetic look on her face and she nodded. "Alright, I believe he's just in there." She replied waving to the waiting room.
Liika nodded and murmured a quick "Thank you" before turning her head and catching the dull auburn eyes of a frightened Kai Hiwatari.
She gasped. Nothing could have prepared her for the pure desolation she found on his face. He was terrified, and looked like a lost child as his gaze searched her. Walking slowly into the waiting room, Liika stopped just beside the chair he occupied, not really sure what to do or say.
It was needless, however, as he slowly stood, raking a pale hand through his unruly slate bangs. His dark eyes looked anywhere but at her. "You came." He stated quietly, his voice a bit stronger than the last time he had spoken to her.
"Yeah…" She responded just as quietly, looking at the floor. "I came." There was a sort of nervous energy floating around the pair of them.
Suddenly Liika found herself engulfed in a bone-crushing hug, her face pressed solidly against the soft fabric of Kai's button down shirt. She could feel his face buried in her blue locks that flowed freely down her back –she didn't have time to put it up. In fact she was about to just leave before Grandpa reminded her that she should at least put on a shirt so that's what she did. Put on a shirt. Therefore she now stood wrapped in Hiwatari's arms, wearing nothing but one of Enrique's baggy, over sized T-shirts and a pair of short pajama shorts, with her flip-flop sandals and her Bakuten B track jacket. He apparently didn't notice her state of undress, nor did she.
"Thank you." He whispered finally, after holding her for a few minutes. His grip slackened a bit, but he didn't let her go.
Liika sighed, smiling gently against his chest and wrapping her arms around his waist. She said nothing, and merely held him, hoping that the miniscule amount of comfort she could bring him would be enough.
After being locked in the impromptu embrace for several minutes Kai finally pulled away, sweeping his hangs out of his eyes and sighing heavily. However, one of his arms moved down her back and settled at her waist to keep her firmly by his side as he guided them to the small bench in the middle of the room. Liika ignored this and sat beside him, her eyes flickering worriedly over his exhausted looking face. Unconsciously one of her hands reached up and ran over the frown lines on his forehead and cheek.
"How is she?" She asked softly, stroking his cheek gently.
Kai sighed again, closing his eyes and leaning into her touch. Subconsciously he was jumping for joy. She was touching him…willingly and somewhat intimately! However, he knew that in reality she was just comforting him. Hell, she's probably only here for mom's sake. He thought bitterly. Why couldn't she ever see him for him and not the complete bastard she seemed to picture in her head?
Suddenly he jerked away and shifted a bit to put some space between them on the small bench. "She's breathing again." He answered finally, hanging his head in his hands. He couldn't let her get too close…she'd just hurt him. Her pity wasn't what he wanted. Damn it all to hell! Why did he have to fall for the one girl that wouldn't fall for him? He could have had any girl in the school, in multiple schools for that matter, but it was the one he couldn't have that he wanted.
Wasn't irony grand?
Kai cursed God for making him fall so hard. Shit, he thought that the separation from her would help get rid of the feelings he held towards his tiny rival, but in reality it just made them throb even more painfully. It affected every part of his life, from his beyblading to his schoolwork. She haunted his every step with her snapping turquoise eyes and impertinent little mouth.
A mouth he wanted nothing more to kiss at that moment.
Damn her! Now he felt guilty. His mother was quite possibly dying and all he could think about was kissing Liika Tomoda. It was all her fault anyway…being so damn adorable. Why did he call her? It would have been just as easy to call Tala. He would have been there in a flash as well.
Bah who was he kidding? It was Liika he wanted, Liika he needed, no matter how much she infuriated him with her density. He still couldn't believe she didn't get what he was trying to tell her earlier that night. He shook his head. At least his mother liked her.
Liika meanwhile was unaware of Kai's inner turmoil. She recoiled when he jerked away from her, hurt swelling in her heart where her mind told her it shouldn't be. What did she care if he didn't want her to touch him? She didn't want to touch him! She sighed, wringing her hands in her lap. Faintly she heard his reply of his mother breathing again.
"Well that's a good sign isn't it?" Liika commented quietly, staring hard at the floor.
Kai looked up, his reverie broken. His eyes shifted down her profile. She looked…hurt? What the hell? He scowled. Her feelings were hurt because he pulled away? Damn wench was confusing. First she didn't want anything to do with him, then she was 'all over' him and hurt when he pulled away. What did she want from him? Fuck, why couldn't she see that her indecisiveness was killing him slowly?
"Yeah."
Liika sighed again as an uncomfortable silence fell over the two of them. They were both lost in their thoughts. Kai had gone back to worrying about his mother, while Liika puzzled over the ache that continued to grow in her heart every second she was with Kai.
…And every second that she wasn't.
It was frustrating. It was a totally unfamiliar feeling that started in the pit of her stomach and crept up to her throat every time she saw him. Generally she just ignored it, pushing it to the back of her mind where it could be forgotten, but now…now it was too hard to ignore. She was sitting beside him, in the hospital emergency while life as he knew it dangled on the edge of a thread. It was scary. If his mother didn't come through what would he do? He would be alone… with the bastard that caused the situation in the first place. Her heart throbbed even more.
She knew what it was like to lose a parent…or two in her case, but at least she had been very young. Kai had to face it, fully aware and conscious of what was going on. Tears gathered in her eyes. Even if she didn't like him, she couldn't stand to see him face the loss of a parent alone. So taking a big breath in she closed her eyes and spoke. "Um…Hiwatari I-"
"Don't."
"Huh?" Liika blinked, snapping her eyes towards him curiously. Did he know what she was going to say? "What-"
Kai sighed heavily, still looking at the floor. "Don't call me that." He said huskily, his voice weary. "Just once I'd like to hear you say my given name…with out the malice or anger…or pity." He looked up then, his dark eyes ensnaring her. A strong expression glazed the dark garnet orbs, while at the same time a plea edged around his irises. There was another emotion present, one she couldn't identify, but it looked familiar. Very familiar.
She stared at him a moment processing his words. Then she looked away, averting her eyes toward the sidewall. "Ok then…Kai. I just wanted to say…to say that I know what you're going through. I may have been very young when I lost my parents but…but that doesn't mean it doesn't hurt. I want you to know that even if we're sworn enemies, I'll be here for you…when ever you need me…because I do know what you're going through."
He stilled at her words, his gaze running over her face. She was completely serious. The quiet statement was filled with understanding and slight sympathy, but not a trace of pity. He felt his blood heat up. She wanted to help him…to be there for him. Obviously she couldn't hate him as much as she said she did if she was willing to stop her life just for him.
Oh how badly he wanted to tell her he didn't want to be her sworn enemy or rival…hell he didn't even want to be her friend. He wanted much more than that. However, now was not the time and he didn't want to scare her off. Besides, just because she offered to support him during the crisis didn't mean she actually cared that way about him. It was like she said: she knew what he was going through. She had lost both her parents.
Bloody hell! Not only was she changing his heart…but she was turning him into a sappy fool, even if she didn't know it. He needed to stop pining after her and concentrate on his mother.
The game plan could wait till later.
For now he was going to bask in what he could get, and at that moment it was her shoulder to cry on…figuratively of course. He had no intention of crying again.
"Thank you." He whispered, reaching out and tucking some hair behind her ear.
When she looked back at him he smiled weakly, but sincerely. She answered his smile with a small one of her own. It, however, was interrupted by a yawn. Liika chuckled sheepishly, a small blush crossing her cheeks. "Sorry bout that." She said.
His smile grew and he indulged himself by brushing the back of his hand across his cheek. "Heh, always know how to break a serious atmosphere, eh witch?" He teased although with out any real fight in it.
She stuck her tongue out and turned away in a huff. "Hn! That's what I get for helping you!"
"Hm." He grunted, smirking. Then with out any ceremony he wrapped one of his arms around her shoulder and pulled her down so that she was laying down with her head in his lap. "I'd tell you to go home and sleep, but I have this strange feeling you wouldn't listen to me." He commented sardonically, eyeing her lazily. "So just try to rest or whatever." It felt so natural to slip the rough mannered mask back over his personality, well not mask really, just an augment. It was better to act normal. He would be strong for his mother and Liika.
"Che." Liika snorted, rolling her eyes. She could tell he was putting on the brave act, but decided not to comment on it. If it helped him deal with the situation then so be it. "You're right, I wouldn't listen." She sniped, swinging her legs up so they curled under her at the other end of the bench. She yawned again, closing her eyes and cuddling her cheek against Kai's jean covered leg. "You'll wake me if something happens right?" she murmured sleepily.
"Yeah, yeah." Kai replied flatly. He studied her as she fell asleep almost instantly. It was truly amazing how she could just fall asleep like that. She must have been tired. He felt a mite guilty for waking her, but shrugged it off. It had to be done, for his sake at least. Smirking a bit, he watched as she curled tighter into herself, trying to fend of some invisible chill. He sighed heavily, his smirk never dropping from his face as he shrugged off his leather jacket and laid it gentle over her. "Bossy witch…" he murmured softly, running a hand through her hair.
"Any news yet on your mother?"
Kai snapped his head towards the new voice and found his grandfather standing mere feet away, his hands clasped tightly behind his back, and the same dignified, haughty air surrounding him. His eyes narrowed. "No."
Voltair sniffed and inclined his head in recognition. "I see." He stated, seating himself in one of the chairs across the small aisle from the bench Kai and Liika inhabited. His dark, shrewd eyes ran over his grandson and then over the girl asleep in his lap. He took in silently the callused hand that hovered protectively over the sleeping girl's head. A gray eyebrow rose. "I wasn't aware that you were seeing anyone. Miss Tomoda is it?"
Kai's eyebrow twitched in irritation. This was exactly why he didn't particularly care if his grandfather showed up at all. "We aren't dating." He shot back, grinding his teeth; unaware of the hand that slipping into the silky blue locks in his lap.
"Is that so?" Voltair's other eyebrow shot up. "Then what is she doing here hm?"
His cheeks flushed and he was forced to look away. Kai wanted to ignore the old man, but knew if he did he would only anger him. When Voltair demanded answers, you gave them. "I called her from the ambulance. I don't really know why." Oh he knew perfectly well why, but like hell he was going to tell the stuffy old man that.
"You're lying. I think you know exactly why you called her. However, it matters not. But I think you should be aware that she is the reason your mother is in the condition she is in." Voltair replied tartly, once again sniffing haughtily.
This time a growl escaped Kai's lips. How dare the insufferable old man try and blame the bastard's work on Liika! She hadn't done anything wrong. "Excuse me? You know very well it was your son that put my mom in the hospital. Liika had nothing to do with it." He replied, his voice taking a low, protective tone that clearly said he did not like what the older man was insinuating.
"Indeed." Voltair said, studying his grandson closely. "It was my son's thoughtless actions that put my dear Kate where she is, however, it was only because of your little toy that made him lose his temper."
Kai snarled. "What. Do. You. Mean?"
The older man sighed dramatically and waved his hand. It was really tedious to explain everything to the obviously love sick boy, but apparently it needed to be done. "Grandson, you know your father does not approve of you socializing with the…lower classes. Tala is an exception because his father runs a well established business. However, the girl is a low class nobody with no past and obviously no future. Now personally, I don't care what you do, I've seen tapes of her blading and she has talent. Besides, it's of no consequence to me who you marry. You father, however, is a different story. He despises your infatuation with the wench, and your actions on the stage today infuriated him." Voltair paused, coughing politely. "Your was a different story. She was thrilled at your performance and absolutely beside herself that you –as she put it- "finally admitted it to yourself". The kiss was the last straw, as the entire world could see that it was not, in any means, a stage kiss."
Kai was silent, staring in shock. You mean that bastard hit her because she defended my feelings for Liika?
"Kate unfortunately has taken quite a liking to the tiny wench and told your father so. To be honest I was quite surprised with her. I don't think I've seen her fight back so adamantly in all the years I've seen them together."
"And?"
Voltair shrugged. "That is when I left. I had the limo drop me off at my Bridge game."
His fists clenched, dull fingernails digging into the flesh of his palms. The bastard had gone too far. Not only was he a complete prick, but he was a coward as well. Hiding behind the excuse of a girl was weak and pathetic. Exhaling loudly, Kai brought his angry auburn eyes up to meet the onyx ones of his grandfather. "Let's get one thing straight Grandfather. What your son did to mom has nothing do with Liika or my feelings toward her. It's not Liika's fault that your son is a cold hearted, emotionless, stuck up bastard who has nothing better to do than plan my life. And another thing, I don't fucking care what he thinks. I will date and marry who ever I want to, whether it be a rich super model or a poor orphan girl I found on the streets." Kai was practically seething by the time he finished.
Liika had apparently sensed his unease and woke up slowly. "Kai…what's the matter? Has something happened?" She asked slowly, raising her head to look sleepily up into his face.
Kai sighed and ran his fingers over her forehead and down her cheek. "No, it's nothing. Go back to sleep." He commanded softly, giving her a weak smile.
"Your sure?"
He scowled. "Yes."
Liika yawned and cuddled closer again. "Mm…ok. But you should try to rest too."
"Yeah, yeah."
Voltair watched the little exchange with amusement. By rights he should be extremely angry with the teenage boy for bad mouthing his father the way he did, but he wasn't. The young man was right; what his son had done to his wife was wrong. Nearly killing her over a little girl was stupid and beneath him, and when he found him he was going to inform the man of that. Standing again, Voltair smirked. "I will be back in the morning. Get some rest Kai. Call me if her status changes." He said walking towards the exit.
"Hn."
"Oh and Kai?"
Kai looked up and met his grandfather's eyes squarely. "What?"
"In the future, I will not tolerate such language about the man that sired you, is that clear?"
The young man snorted in disgust. "Whatever."
Voltair nodded and disappeared. Kai sighed, leaning back to stare up at the ceiling while his hand ran through the sleeping girl's hair absently. What a day. He closed his eyes, feeling the exhaustion creeping over him. He fell asleep within moments of closing his eyes.
"What do you mean she didn't come home last night?" Enrique demanded, frowning.
Tyson shrugged, leaning back against the locker behind him. "It's just like I said. She got a call from Hiwatari at like midnight then just took off saying she was taking the car. She never came home."
Enrique was worried. When Liika hadn't shown up to homeroom that morning things had not gone well. Liika was fine when they parted ways the night before so she couldn't be sick. It didn't help that Bryan had been extra moody because of it. "Did she say where she was going? And why would Hiwatari call her?" From his side Riley squeezed his hand, giving him a comforting glance.
Tyson scratched his head and yawned. He wasn't too worried about his cousin's no show at school, after all Grandpa obviously knew. But, he could understand why Enrique was so concerned. To the rest of her friends –all of which weren't around at the moment- it would be highly odd for Liika not to show up. "I think she was going to the hospital. Your guess is as good as mine! Maybe something happened to Hiwatari."
Suddenly Tyson found himself to be dangling by his uniform front and staring into the upset turquoise eyes of Tala Valkov. "Five seconds Tomoda, tell me what you know now!" He growled, eyes narrowing.
"Waa! What are you talking about??" Tyson groaned, trying fruitlessly to squirm away from the older boy's grip.
"Tala put him down." Enrique moaned, tugging at the red head's wrist.
Tala scowled and dropped his hold on Tyson. "I over heard you say something about something happening to Kai. He didn't show up before school this morning and I can't find him anywhere now. So tell me what you know."
Tyson shook his head. "I don't know much honestly! I only heard one side of the conversation Iki had with him last night! He called us at about midnight…apparently in a panic. Liika looked really scared! She then dashed out of the house, dressed in her pajamas and muttering something about having to get to the hospital. That's all I know really!" Tyson exclaimed with wide eyes. "Now if you excuse me…I gotta run!" With that Tyson dashed off down the hallway.
Tala frowned, looking at the floor. "Neither of them was in class this morning." He stated.
"I know…you don't think something happened do you?" Enrique replied, looking disturbed. As much as he didn't particularly care for Hiwatari, he didn't want to see him hurt.
"Hmm." Tala grunted, then suddenly spun on his heel and started towards the nearest exit. "I don't know, but I intend to find out. Inform Mr. Amery that I've gone to the hospital to inquire after Kai." He called over his shoulder disappearing into the crowd.
Enrique sighed. Why did all the crappy jobs get left to him?
The scene that met Tala upon entering the emergency was nothing short of comical…for him anyway. Kai and Liika were leaning against one of the walls, side by side sleeping soundly. One of Kai's arms was snagged around the blue haired girl's waist, while her head was leaned on his shoulder and his on top of hers. Someone had placed a white hospital blanket over top of both.
Inwardly he was relieved that nothing had happened to his best friend and wondered what had brought the other boy to the hospital. He didn't even bother to question why Iki was there. It was so obvious. Tala chuckled, a wicked grin crossing his face.
His laughter reached the ears of Liika, who, at that point, had been just dozing lightly. Opening her eyes, she turned her attention to the grinning red head and scowled. "Good morning to you too Valkov. What are you doing here?"
"Wondering what the hell you two are doing here." He replied snarkily, lowering himself beside her. "Mind if I sit here?"
She rolled her eyes. "I can't stop you. And keep your voice down… he's had a rough night."
Tala's brows lifted and a frown settled on his pink tinged lips. "What happened?"
Liika sighed, a sad expression crossing her face. "Kai's father beat his mom…almost to death. He found her unconscious, lying in a pool of her own blood when he got home last night. She's in surgery now."
"Oh god…" Tala whispered, throwing a look at his best friend. "How's he doing?"
"Better…" Liika smiled. "When he called me he was a wreck, but shhh. I don't think he wants anyone to know." She chuckled affectionately.
Tala's eyes crinkled at the edges, mirth dancing in his eyes. He was very sad for his friend, but the situation between his friend and his childhood friend was just too hilarious for words. It was so obvious, she loved him as much as Kai loved her, she just hadn't realized it yet. Hmm, maybe he could give her a push. After all, he wanted his friend to be happy, and Kai had been anything but that since the State tournament. The question was, how to go about it with out saying anything about Kai's feelings to her? He swore the blue haired captain that he would keep the secret silent, and silent it would stay.
"Hey Iki, can I ask you a question?"
Liika tilted her head. "Shoot."
"Have you ever actually thought about what Robert said to you when he broke it off?"
The instant the question was asked Liika stiffened beside him. Tala could tell the question struck a nerve, but luckily she was so concerned about Kai getting sleep that she couldn't yell at him, or hit him for that matter.
"Of course I have." She answered stiffly, not looking at him.
Tala grinned to himself. "Really? Hmm, well have you ever stopped and thought that maybe he was right? After all, he was your boyfriend and is your second. I'd say he knows you quite well."
"I do not like Kai like that."
He chuckled. "Hm. Then what about Enrique and Mariah? They're your best friends and they seem to agree with him."
"They don't know anything."
"Is that so? Then tell me this, why did you rush so fast here when he called you?" Tala was pushing it and he knew it. But somehow, for his friend's sake, he had to make her realize that she cared for Kai.
That struck a chord. It was the same question she had been putting off since she had arrived at the hospital almost ten hours before. Liika battled with herself internally. Why did she come running? Was it for Kate? Or was it because Kai had sounded so lost… so frightened…? Or was it because…? NO! "Because I was worried about Kate! That's all! Just drop it Valkov!" She snapped, shaking her head furiously.
Tala snorted. "Fine, last question." He was going out on a limb here, he just prayed she would be too distracted to notice his plot. "If you don't feel anything for Kai then why when he comes around does your heart speed up, your breath come quicker and your eyes light up?"
Her eyes widened. "Wha…how do you know…?" She stammered before catching herself and scowling. "Hey wait! I don't do that!"
Tala merely grinned and winked. Bingo! He won! "I win." He stated, gloating. "Seriously though, all I'm saying is that Robert might have had a point."
Liika stayed silent, mulling over his words carefully. "I have to go to the bathroom." She murmured pushing the blanket off her and standing, disappearing down a hallway across the room.
Tala smirked, leaning his head back against the wall. "That went exceedingly well."
"What the hell…? Tala? What are you doing here?" Kai croaked sleepily, groaning as he sat up straight.
"Got worried about you when you didn't show up at school. Just happened to pass the younger Tomoda in the hall when he was talking about Iki not being there too. I rushed here right away, you ok?"
"Yeah…" Kai rolled his shoulders, grunting as he shifted on the hard cement floor. His butt was asleep. "Where's Liika?" He asked suddenly, looking strangely panicked.
Tala laughed. "Relax, she went to the bathroom." He kept silent about their little 'discussion', it was on a need to know basis.
Kai relaxed at that. "Hn."
"You're hopeless man."
Liika stared at her reflection, the water dripping down her face uninhibited. She couldn't believe it. All this time…all this time he had been right all along. Why hadn't she seen it before? That feeling. That feeling that was so similar, yet completely different to the one she had felt for Robert.
It was love all along.
She was in love with Kai Hiwatari.
She laughed bitterly, sinking to the floor, her head hanging. The Fates thought it funny to play with her life. Tala was right. Her heart did speed up at the sight of him, her breath did come quicker and her eyes did light up. She couldn't believe she had denied it for so long.
How could she be so blind?
Sighing she fell backwards so that she lay flat on the cold tile of the bathroom floor. Poor Robert. He had known all along. She had treated him like crap because of her own denial. She felt horrible. He was just doing what was best for her and himself and she stomped on his heart. God she was a bitch. It was amazing that he still tried to talk to him. She owed him a massive apology.
Liika continued to stare up at the ceiling. What was she going to do now? How could she face him? Her face burned scarlet. They had been cuddling all night! "Oh boy."
Sitting up, she brought herself to her feet and headed for the door. Now or never.
She tread quietly back to the waiting room, trying desperately to quell the fiery blush that crossed her cheeks. Don't show him your embarrassed! Act normal! She admonished herself.
Upon entering she stopped dead in her tracks. The doctor was speaking to the two boys, a tired but satisfied look on his face. She must have made some sort of sound, because the instant she stopped Kai's gaze riveted to her. He was smiling, a relieved look on his face. In three steps he had crossed the room and swung her up into his arms, hugging her close.
"She's going to be ok! The surgery went well and she'll make a full recovery!" He whispered fiercely in her ear.
Liika breathed a sigh of relief, hugging him back. "I'm glad…" She whispered back.
The doctor coughed uncomfortably, a fond smile on his face. Tala gave him a wink.
"Would you believe they're still in the denial phase?"