Shugorei
Chapter Five
by Shadou-sama

Kai fiddled with a fan, sitting on a riverbank. The fan had always calmed him and allowed him to think clearly. He didn't know where it had come from or why he had it, it'd had just always been there.
His head was full of the dream he had had. The abbey, Boris, and Ka-Shoku. Why did he have that dream? Why did everything seem so familiar?
Balkov Abbey. It held the answers, and there he must go.

Boris took a second glance at the data on his monitor. This couldn't be! But pictures don't lie.
He walked over to a painting, pulled it away from the wall revealing a screen. Pressing a button, it flickered on.
Voltaire's face glared back at him. "What is it, Boris."
"Sir, I have just received some reports. It seems the Bladebreakers have gotten a new member."
"So? Once we get Kai, no mere child can defeat us."
"It's Ka-Shoku."
"What?" Voltaire exclaimed. He leaned back in his chair. Of all the beybladers, it had to be her. She could stop their plans, unless… Unless Kai himself wanted Biovolt to succeed. Then she would be powerless to stop them.
He thought back to when Kai had just lost his parents. Voltaire had thought it prudent to allow Kai to visit the family manor regularly and this just happened to be one of those times. Kai had been very upset, crying alone in his room. His parents had worked at the Abbey, so Kai had known them well. Voltaire was not one to let his grandson, his heir, cry but he made an exception this time.
Voltaire had walked by Kai's semi open door when he heard a female voice among the sobbing. He looked into the door, concealed by wall and the door. Kai was laying on his bed, sobs wracking his body. Beside him was a little girl, around the same age as Kai, with dark red hair. The girl he would later nickname Ka-Shoku.
"They're in the spirit world now. They're having a good time, eating delicious food, bathing at the bathhouse, playing games," Ka-Shoku soothed. "And they're waiting for you to grow old and join them and you can be together forever."
"But K-ka-chan, I want t-them here, with m-me," Kai sobbed.
"They wish that too. But fate has taken them early on, and you'll just have to wait until fate decides for you to join them. Then you'll be a happy family again."
"You p-promise?" Kai looked up. His face was shiny with tears.
"I promise. But you have to promise me something too."
"W-what?"
"That you have fun and play and be happy. Can you promise me that?"
Kai nodded.
Ka-Shoku smiled and hugged him. "Kai," she had whispered. She released him, and put her finger index on his cheek. She drew four blue triangles. "These four markings come from your sadness, but it also means that people love you. They are to remind you that your parents and your ancestors are watching over you and are always sending you their love. And they're to remind you that I'll always protect you. Don't forget Kai."
She hugged him again, and he hugged her back. Voltaire stood outside the door, peering in, disbelieving. Who was that girl?
"I have to go," she had whispered, letting him go. "But I'll be back. I promise you that. And you know where to find me." Kai nodded sullenly.
She jumped out the window! They were four stories up! Voltaire rushed down the stairs, urging his old body to go. He reached the outdoors, caught a glimpse of her and followed.
Into the family shrine she walked. When Voltaire arrived, no one was around. He walked beyond the bells and ropes to the small building were the Shrine's deities sat.
The truth hit him quick and sudden. A new statue of a dragon spirit had been added at the time of Kai's birth. The girl was that spirit, one that had chosen Kai to protect. Kariu-mashokui.
Kai sat in his room oblivious to his grandfather's discovery. Ka-Shoku had forgotten her fan. It was a beautiful creation. The background was the night sky with a red dragon happily flying through it. He wanted to keep it safe for her.
Later on, after Kai had caused the destruction of half the Abbey and had to be removed, he brought out the great spirit in order to capture her. He brought her to the Abbey. It needed a new weapon since Kai was unable to be it. A year later Ka-Shoku escaped and was never seen again.
"Sir? What do we do?" Boris's voice cut through into Voltaire's thoughts.
"Continue as planned. We must have Kai," Voltaire ordered.
"But what about Ka-Shoku?"
"Leave her be. But less than total loyalty in Kai is unacceptable."
"Yes, sir."

To be continued...