~clears throat~ Just a few, er, quick notes: 1st and foremost… I did not realize till writing this chapter that I over-shot everyone's ages. Meaning, just pretend everyone's 17 and everything will be fine! ^.^;;;;;;;;; Don't shoot me! Please! And the 2nd note is thank you RealSurreal for pointing the mentioned, u-hem, error ^.^;; to me as well as proof reading this chappie. So, thank you….
Kazimir: Okay, let's get on with this already! She doesn't own Beyblade or anything of that sort. Unfortunately, she owns me as well as Kayla and other OC in this chapter. So, R&R.
Aww, you're so nice! ^.^
Kazimir: Does that mean I get to be in another fic?
No.
Kazimir: Why not?
Because I said so, now, on with the fic! ^.^
Chapter 6: Accident or Fate?
The morning arrived too quickly for the teens, so they all stayed in bed an hour or two later than was normal for them. When they finally did get up, they just stumbled into the kitchen to grab a bowl of cereal.
Tyson was the fifth person to find his way to the eating area, where everyone was too tired to carry on breakfast conversation. As the bluenette sat down and began eating, his eyes wandered over the others present and he noticed something. "Where's Rei?"
"He was still in bed when I got up over an hour ago." Kai responded in a monotone voice.
"Sorry I'm late in getting up everybody." A tired voice mumbled from the doorway of the kitchen.
"Rei, you look awful!" Max exclaimed.
"Thanks…" he growled back.
"But, Rei, seriously," Kayla said, voice filed with concern; "Did you get any sleep last night?"
"Hn."
"Rei? What's wrong?" She asked as he walked past her, getting a bowl and filling it with whatever was the first box of cereal that he randomly grabbed. Whispering to herself, Kayla breathed, "Oh, Rei…" But she let the question drop.
After breakfast, everyone drifted outside with the intention of practicing. However, none of them did. They just ended up dozing on the grass or cloud watching.
Shortly after noon, as everyone was beginning to realize that they were hungry for lunch, a person could be seen approaching them at a run. As the person got closer, Kayla's eyes widened.
"Do you know him?" Max asked. Stiffly, she nodded 'yes' once.
Before he had reached them, he called out, shouting, "Kayla! Kayla!" But she still didn't coherently respond, she just continued to stare at him in shock.
'Why? Wh… What is he doing here? He couldn't be… but what about Averil… and…???' She just couldn't make any sense of it. Lost in her confused thoughts, her eyes had stopped registering the person approaching her. With a sudden jolt, she was brought back to reality when a pair of warm, gentle hands shook her shoulders and a sweet, familiar voice called her name. After several attempts to speak and ask all the questions that needed answers, only one word made it past her lips. "Takashi?"
"Shhh… Don't cry, don't cry…" Takashi whispered. Kayla closed her eyes and just felt as his fingers brushed away the tears she had failed to notice until he had spoken.
"Takashi, I…"
Placing a soft, but firm finger to her lips, he spoke and as he did, he voice gained growing haste and urgency. "Not now." When Kayla tried to say something he shook his head and continued speaking, sorrow filling his voice, "There was an accident… Averil's been seriously hurt and no one in the village can help her…"
"What about…."
"Your mom's away. There was an epidemic break out in Gaetana and every healer within thirty miles has gone to help. She won't be back till it may be too late. Please, Kayla, she needs you."
'Stop it, Kayla, you can't loose it now, push aside your petty emotions'. Kayla admonished herself. 'The life of your friend is on the line!' Resolved, she nodded, "Alright, let's go, you can tell me about what happened on the way." At this, Takashi's eyes gleamed like a pair of jet stones. Turning, the duo began to head off, but stopped when several voices called after them. Kayla turned back around and took several steps towards them, standing between Takashi and the Bladebreaks. Between her present and her past. Kayla felt torn. Where did her future lie? She had started to feel a part of the Bladebreakers' group… but, those whom she had left, those whom had betrayed her… they who had once been her confidences, they need her. 'Takashi…' She thought, glancing over her shoulder for a second at him. 'Rei…' Looking over her shoulder again, 'I'm sorry, Rei…' "I have to go now, but I'll be back… but Averil needs my help. I can't just ignore that…" Kayla wasn't sure what else she need say.
"You don't have to say anything else," Rei said, understanding that she was torn inside, "We understand, and don't worry about us, we'll be fine."
Nodding several times, the raven-haired girl agreed.
"Come on, we should hurry." Takashi urged softly but firmly, taking Kayla's wrist and tugging gently to un-glue her from the spot on which she had planted herself. Turning, Kayla and Takashi headed off, neither looking back.
The Bladebreakers stood quietly for a while, no one able to think of something to say to break the silence, but soon, a loud growl broke the silence. "Man, I'm hungry." Tyson said, laughing.
Max rolled his eyes, "Come one, let's get you something to eat." Everyone went inside and made themselves sandwiches to eat and snacking on various kinds of chips.
* * * * * * * * *
After some time, the silence began to eat away at them, desperate for sound to be heard, Kayla spoke-up, "What happened?"
"What do you mean?" Takashi asked, hiding his nervousness.
"To Averil"
"Oh." Was all he said, but in that one word he breathed out his relief. But for some time after, he remained silent. Just when Kayla was about to say something again, Takashi began to speak, "Leona's kitten, Llew, ran away, so she went looking for him. When Averil spotted Llew, he took off and she followed after him. Not paying attention to where she was going, she ran across the old rock slide from 10 years ago, the rocks gave way beneath her weight. The rocks practically covered her. Luckily," At this word Takashi snorted at the irony of it, "she had somehow managed to get behind a lager rock so she wasn't crushed. She was probably trapped for 2 hours. When we found her, she was barely conscious and in great pain. She was doubled over, clutching her stomach. She coughed up a lot of blood." He shook his head in frustration. "What's wrong with her?"
It took Kayla a while to realize that he was specifically asking her that question. "I don't know, I'll have to see her to be able to tell." Despite her building dread with every foot step, her worry and concern for Averil took first place. "Come on, let's hurry." She mumbled. Nodding his agreement, the two took off at a jog. Three hours later, they had arrived. Standing outside the hut where Averil was, Kayla paused and swallowed. Over her shoulder she said, "Wait out her." Tentatively, she entered and went over and kneeled next to the injured girl. "Takashi told me what happened, is there anything else you can tell me?"
"Doctor?" Averil teased.
Kayla smiled weakly, "Yeah."
Averil looked away from Kayla, a look of apologetic shame on her face.
"Averil? What is it?"
"I'm afraid I've lost him." Her voice was heavy with sorrow.
"Who?" Kayla asked, surprise and a hint of (as much as it made her feel ashamed and disgusted with herself) hope coloring her word.
Averil slowly moved her hand and touched her belly, moving her hand in small circles over it. Turning her head, Averil's gray eyes met and held Kayla's amber ones in an intense stare that was filled with sorrow. "My baby…"
* * * * * * * * *
After lunch, they all went outside and practiced beyblading. Around seven the sun was too low on the horizon to give enough light for them to see clearly anymore. They retreated inside and ate dinner. When everyone was finished eating, Tyson and Max went into the adjacent room to play cards. Kenny followed them, but didn't play cards. Instead, he consulted with Dizzy on what he had recorded during practice that afternoon. Kai had offered to help Rei clean-up the dishes and pans. When they had finished, both went into the next room and Rei joined the card game, as did Kenny. Kai, on the other hand, just sat on the sofa with arms crossed and watched. At eleven, the five bid each other 'good-night' and headed off to sleep.
The next morning, Kai got everyone up not long after dawn to practice. About nine o'clock, Kayla came out of the forest and was headed towards them.
"You're back!" Max greeted.
"Hey, Kayla!" Tyson grinned, waving at the dark haired girl.
Kayla smile back, "Well, not for long…"
"Huh?" Rei asked, "What do you mean?"
"I'm going back." She bit her lower lip. "I just needed to come pick-up my things. Averil's in bad condition and will be needing me for some time to come… So, I'm just going to go get my things and than I'll come back out and say good-bye."
Everyone nodded, "Alright." Tyson agreed.
"Rei…?"
"Yeah, Kayla?"
"Would you come with me?" When she noticed the looks she was getting, she quickly clarified what she had meant, "While I pack, I just want to tell you something before I leave…"
"Uh… sure." The amber eyed youth agreed.
The two black haired teens walked off towards the cabin, leaving everyone else rather confused.
"What do you suppose that's all about?" Max asked no one in particular.
"Beats me, Maxie." Tyson answered.
"Hn." Kai sneered, "Let's practice; it may be a while before they return."
* * * * * * * * *
Once they had reached the room Kayla had been staying in for the past two plus weeks, she immediately began packing. After a few minutes of silence, Kayla spoke, "I need to be with Averil because the next nine months are going to be ruff." Kayla stopped and stared at her things, but Rei remained silent, waiting for her to speak when she was ready. "She's pregnant with Takashi's baby, and she was in an accident… If I'm not there to help her, she may loose the baby…" Kayla went back to mechanically packing, letting Rei absorb the full extent of her words.
"Hn," Rei nodded, than looking at Kayla, "This isn't going to be easy for you."
"No one ever said life was easy… besides, some how; I just know that this is what I need to do. I belong back home, and no matter where I run to, fate seems determined to bring me back there. Besides," Kayla paused in her actions and looked up at Rei, plastering a smile on her face, "the only way I'm ever going to truly be able to get over Takashi and forgive them is to be with them, especially now. For this."
"I understand, don't feel bad about going." Rei said reassuringly.
Kayla shook her head, "But I will worry about you, Rei." Looking him in the eye, amber met amber as the two raven-haired youths stared at each other. "I don't want this to happen to you. I don't want you to end up like me, sad and full of regret. Tell him, Rei. Tell him before it is too late."
They continued to stare at each other until Rei broke the gaze. He sat down heavily upon the bed and stared at the ground. "I can't. I… what if he…"
Kayla cut him off in mid sentence. "You won't know until you say something. And besides," Kayla kneeled down in front of Rei, gazing steadily into his eyes, "I just have this hunch that he does feel the same." A solitary tear ran down Kayla's face. Rei went to brush it away, but she stopped him and stood up to finish packing. Ten minutes later, "Alright, I'm packed." But Kayla just stood there, staring at her two bags.
She turned, startled as a hand squeezed her shoulder, "You can do this." forcing herself to smile. Nodding, she picked up her bags and she and Rei walked out of the room, back to where the others were waiting.
* * * * * * * * *
Approximately forty-five minutes later, the two emerged from the cabin and walked slowly back towards the group.
Taking a deep breath and swallowing, Kayla choked out, "Bye, guys."
"See ya,' Kayla" Tyson said, giving her a friendly 'good-bye' hug. "I'll miss your cooking."
"Just my cooking?" She replied in mock hurt.
"Course I'll miss you, too." Tyson winked.
And so the good-bye's went for Max and Kenny. When she got to Kai, she just held out her hand and said, "It was nice meeting you, Kai." When Kai didn't take her hand she added, "I hope you, Rei and the others the best of luck in whatever you do." At this, Kai looked up at her, than down at her hand and slowly took her hand and shook it. Turning to Rei, she wrapped her arms around his neck and whispered, though the others could hear it, "Best of luck, Rei, may everything work out for you. Just remember," Pulling back and looking him in the eye as she spoke, "you never know until you try."
"Hn.. I'll miss you, Kayla."
"I'll miss you, too." Turning from Rei, she readjusted her grip on her two bags and turned around and left.
After several minutes, Kayla was out of sight and the five that had stayed turned and looked at each other.
"Now what?" Max asked the group.
"Now, you have to face little ol' me!" Tyson challenged, readying his blade.
Max smirked, "Well little ol' you is gonna lose!"
After an intense match it ended in a draw, so they called for a rematch. This time, however, Tyson was the victor.
"Man…" Max sighed.
"So, who'll take me on next?" Tyson asked cockily. Till twilight the Bladebreakers battled each other in intense matches.
When they stopped and went in, Rei opted to cook dinner. After dinner, Tyson and Max got forced into cleaning-up. Kai went into his and Rei's room and Kenny and Rei were discussing the afternoon's matches in the room between the bedrooms and the kitchen.
Around nine, Tyson, Max and Rei decided that they wanted to battle some more outside and to see who could battle better in the dark. Tyson and Max already had their beyblades with them, so they went out with Kenny and told Rei to catch up to them. Quickly, Rei went towards his and Kai's room to fetch his blade. He opened the door and ran smack into the Russian youth. They landed on the ground with Rei directly on top of Kai and their lips were mere centimeters apart. In that instant, Rei's mind recounted a conversation he had had with Kayla…
~Begin Flashback~
"Wha… What are you talking about? I don…"
"Yes you do, Rei. Averil sees it and now that she pointed it out to me, I see it, too! I don't know why I didn't see it earlier, but…. Rei, you have to tell Kai how you feel! Don't wait or it will be too late to do anything!" Kayla put both hands on his shoulders, making him look her in the eyes. "It hurts so much knowing that I lost Takashi because I was too afraid to say anything… I don't want to see someone I know go through the same thing…" Tears flowed freely down Kayla's cheeks….
~End Flashback~
But all this passed through his brain in a mere second of time, and, acting on these thoughts, he brought leaned down and kissed Kai lightly on the lips. Pulling back, all he could see was a shocked expression on Kai's face. Swallowing, Rei got up with unmatched speed, mumbling an apology and than took off out of the room, out of the cabin and into the outdoors towards the edge of the forest where he crumbled into a ball on the ground.
What seemed like an eternity later to Rei, someone sat down next to him. Slowly, with fear and dread, Rei lifted his head from his arms and immediately his amber eyes were captured by a pair of crimson ones. Swallowing, he whispered in a voice hoarse from crying, "Kai?"
Kai shook his head, "I'm sorry." When Rei tried to speak again, Kai placed a finger on Rei's lips to keep him from talking. "You have nothing to be sorry about."
"But…"
Struggling with words, Kai continued, "I was, wrong, to have been so mean and harsh towards you past couple weeks."
"Kai?"
Looking up at the sky, Kai fidgeted while he spoke, "I hated Kayla and was mad at you, but I never truly realized until a short time ago why I felt that way..." Taking a deep breath, Kai turned back to face Rei, "I was jealous."
"Jealous?... Wha… Kai, I don't understand…" he stumbled.
"Maybe if I say it this way…" And Kai leaned forward and captured Rei's lips in a sweet kiss. Pulling back, Kai looked Rei in the eyes and asked, "Now do you understand?"
Blushing and grinning ferociously, he nodded, "Yeah."
They sat in silence for a while, looking at the sky. Just than, a star shot across the sky, "Wow! Beautiful, don't you think, Kai?" The raven-haired youth asked as he jumped up from where had been sitting to get a better look at the sky.
"Yes, very." Kai replied with a smile.
When Rei turned too look at him, he realized he had moved right in front of Kai, with his hands on the ground on one side of Kai's out-stretched legs and his knees and legs on the other, and Kai was staring directly at him. All that Rei could do was blush, which, Rei was grateful for, was not very noticeable considering the time of night.
Tentatively, Kai reached up and pulled Rei down to sit next to him with his arm around the Chinese youth's waist. Rei let himself be pulled down next to Kai and leaned his head on the Russian's shoulder.
"… fate seems determined to bring me back there." Kayla's voice echoed in Rei's head.
"I wonder if it was all an accident… or was it fate at work..." Rei thought out-loud.
"Hn?" Kai asked, confused.
Shaking his head and laughing, Rei replied, "Nothing. It's nothing." With that, he snuggled deeper into Kai's embrace, sighing contentedly as Kai gave him one last look of confusion.
And so the duo stayed for a moment of eternal bliss, just staring at the stars and enjoying the other's company and closeness.
***
Well, that's all folks! Hope you enjoyed it. Again, thank you: L@DyFiCtIoN; IceAngelSaraneth; Porticulis; Just-some-girl1; Bimbo-blonde; SakuraCC87; Terena; Koiame; and Asheron , Angel Of Death for R&R previous chapters! ^.^
(FYI there will not be an epiloge and at the current there is no planned sequel)