CHAPTER 4: Rain and White Roses
Hey again. Sorry it's been a while- didn't have writer's block, it's just finding the time to write at the moment! And I'm neglecting my schoolwork as well. *sighs* ah well. Plus, I now have my DeviantART account, so I've been drawing a lot more. There's a link for my gallery at the bottom of this chapter. Couldn't update during half term because guess where I was? Skiing in ITALY! It was great, and I had the best time. I stacked it enough times for sure- one time I ended up skiing down the mountain on my arse. WAHEY! But I can now kinda ski- so wicked! Plus I met a guy, well, okay so I didn't actually meet him, but I saw him.... And he looks so like Enrique it's unnerving. Lady Obsessed shall confirm this *won't you?* Hehe, he was gorgeous as well (at least in my opinion) and as I don't know his real name he shall be Enrique for EVER MORE! I have a photo of him too. Uh... without his consent. Though I'm sure he probably wouldn't mind! If any one knows who he actually is- he comes from a mixed school in Kent, is fairly tall and has blonde hair and blue eyes- LET ME KNOW! But until that time, on with this chapter...
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Disclaimer:
OAO (me): "Kai?" *sighs*
Kai: What?
OAO: You're doing the disclaimer today?
Kai: Oh, yeah. *turns around* Hey! Plushie!
Kai plushie: Hn
Kai: *whispers in ear. *
Kai plushie: Hn. One and Only, or Tess the only, or Louise, doesn't own any of the Beyblade characters, but she does own the plot, Kitty and Jet. And anything else you don't recognise from Beyblade. *Like sign- up sheets! *
OAO: *sighing- again* That's not fair. You're manipulating the plushie, it doesn't know any better, and that's just mean. And besides, it's saying too much, and that's very scary.
Kai: *whispers in plushie's ear again*
Kai plushie: Hn. Moron. Moron. You are a moron. And an idiot.*
OAO: Aaaargh!!!! Is about to rip plushie in two...
Kai: Hey! I thought it was all my fault?
OAO: Oh yes. Forgot that for a moment- blind rage y'know? *turns on Kai instead*
Kai: AAARRGHHHH! *turns and runs*
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Rain and White Roses
There are times when all you can hear is noise exploding inside your head. Then there are others when the silence of your own thoughts is almost unnerving. Kitty could hear absolutely nothing at all but the rain through the trees, washing away the dead heat. The silence was almost comforting, and she was aware of Kai standing behind her on the bridge as she leaned over, gazing into the water.
"You have to tell him." The boy was in his usual pose, arms folded, head bowed.
"I don't have to tell him anything." Kit snapped angrily, standing up quickly and facing away from Kai.
"Do you want him to find out some other way? Do you want Tala to tell him? Because it would torture Rei. Knowing you lied." Every point Kai made was hammered home by Deshka's voice in Kit's own head. The silence had been short- lived, but Kitty's own stubbornness defeated Deshka.
"No.." she began slowly. She didn't want to hurt Rei, but she didn't want anyone to hurt Tala either. Which was confusing after how badly Tala had hurt her in the first place. At this time, Kit had no idea what Kai had gone through for her.
"You still love him don't you? Or do you just want him?" Kai's voice had an unusual amount of emotion in it- a bitterness. Each word was carefully chosen, and each one hurt. Kit closed her eyes, still facing away from him. He was right, probably. Even she didn't know what she wanted anymore.
"No..." she said again, trying desperately to think of a good response that would shut Kai up. She didn't want to hear this. Seconds passed before she felt Kai's hand in the small of her back, and then his fingers tracing her spine. She shuddered and relaxed under his touch. She'd missed this. An instance later he'd wrapped his arm around her throat. Kit whipped round, knocking his hand away.
"What the hell are you doing?" she demanded angrily, knowing her defences were completely useless against Kai.
"Just reminding you." He gazed at her with mild satisfaction. He'd reminded her, and he knew it.
"Well it worked." Hell, Kai didn't even need to see her eyes to read her like a book. Kit looked up at the now blue sky, washed clean. It even felt fresher, now the rain had cleared away some of the heat. Everything was damp, and even her head felt clearer. Kai's touch had made her realise, she did still want Tala, even though he hated him so much. And that wasn't good. She smiled softly. At least one thing was sorted. Now there was just the problem of what to do about it. And how to tell her brother where she'd been for the past few years. And the prom. The smile turned grim. Proms meant dresses. Great. Kit turned and followed Kai off the bridge.
"Thanks." Her voice sounded small and strange, perhaps frightened of the realisation. Well it was pretty scary. Realising you still wanted someone that had raped you. Kai turned, surprised to find her shaking, and hesitated before taking her hand.
"S'Ok." He mumbled and continued walking, hand in hand with the girl next to him. Kai was angry with her. After everything he'd done for her to walk out of the abbey and escape from Tala, and she still wanted him. He would make sure Tala never got her back.
Kit smiled slightly, knowing it was nowhere near over. "You have to battle." Kai told her.
"I know." She replied, also knowing he hadn't finished.
"And beat him."
"Yup." Feeling better already, with enough presence of mind to at least try to beat Tala when, and if she got through to a round where she could battle him, Kit allowed herself to grin properly. It wasn't fake, it wasn't concealing anything, it was a real smile.
"What you smiling at?" Kai asked her, smiling himself.
She looked at him and burst out laughing, starting to run back in the direction of the lodge.
"ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!!!!!!" yelling was so much fun sometimes.
Kai began to chase after her. "Hey! Wait up!"
~~ Back at the stadium ~~
"Well done Rei. I don't know what we'd have done without the sign up sheets!" Mr Dickinson looked flustered, but pleased as they crowd began to disperse to wherever they were going. "I shall see you tonight at dinner boys!" with that he disappeared in the direction of the town.
A red- headed figure was silently watching from the stadium door. He stepped out as the team passed.
"Woah! Tala, you scared me there." Tyson grinned at the older boy in front of him, flanked by his team mates, the Demolition Boys. "Ready for me to beat you again?"
Hilary groaned. "Tyson shut up!"
"This time I won't be beaten Tyson." Tala's eyes flickered down the sheets that Rei was still holding (wasn't he meant to give them back to Mr D?) and his expression changed, if briefly.
"Kitty's here?" he looked confused at the crossed- out name on the list.
"You know my sister?" Rei's mouth had fallen open.
"She's your sister?" the aqua eyes locked on Rei's. "No." his eyes and expression were blank- they didn't say a thing. But the name on the list was Tess Kon. Not Kitty. Tala turned and disappeared in the same direction as Mr D, leaving the Blade Breakers standing in confused silence. Tyson shrugged.
"Weirdo."
"Yeah I'll second that." Max stuck his hands in his pockets and scuffed the ground with his shoe.
Tyson rubbed his stomach, "Come on, I'm starving!" Max rolled his eyes and yawned widely. Rei wasn't doing much but standing there.
"He knows her."
"Oh come on, he was just messing with you. He's probably never met her before." Max reasoned.
"But he called her Kitty!" Rei protested, angry that Tala seemed to know more about his sister's whereabouts for the past few years than he did.
"I'm with Rei. Tala knows Kitty somehow." Kenny was concerned for his friend. Rei was too worried about his sister. He glanced at Max.
"Maybe she battled him sometime. And maybe she beat him!!! And he's still worked up about it. Being beaten by a girl!" Tyson burst out laughing as Rei relaxed and grinned at him.
"I would love for you to be beaten by a girl." Rei followed Tyson and the others as they walked out through the stadium doors.
"Never gonna happen mate!" Tyson put his hands behind his head. "I'm waay too good."
Hilary sighed and kicked him. "Hey, what was that for?" Tyson rubbed his leg.
"Someone HAS to beat you. Your ego's got way too big Tyson."
He mouthed something only to get another kick. "I heard that." Hilary frowned at him.
"I didn't say anything so therefore you couldn't have heard anything."
Max rolled his eyes. "Aaargh guys, please shut up. We have a prom to think about!"
"Ooh yeah!" Hilary jumped up and down. "Dresses!"
Rei was still in another world. "Do you know where Kai went?"
"He followed Kitty when she ran off. They're probably back at the lodge." Kenny closed his laptop and pushed his glasses further up his nose. "Rei, do you get the impression Kit knows Kai as well?" Rei nodded slowly. "Yes Chief. There's something she's not telling me, and I have to find it out."
~~ Back at the lodge ~~
"You're not going to say anything are you?" Kitty was curled up on the floor in Kai's room.
"It's not my problem to say anything about." Kai on the other hand was leaned up against the wardrobe, head bowed. At that moment Tyson burst through the door.
"Aaargh come one, Mr D says we can't eat until we're all there, and you're here, not there."
Kit glared at him, "Cleverly observed Tyson. And do you ever think of knocking?"
Tyson grinned and jumped onto the bed. Hilary rolled her eyes and followed Kit's lead, sitting on the floor.
"Oh, I'm sorry. Did I disturb you? Were you doing something that you didn't want disturbed?" he was now rolling around on the bed like a dog. Like a mad dog. Like a mad rabid dog with a flea problem. And bad breath. He caught Rei's eye, and stopped immediately. Rei had a face like thunder, which was a look the calm, practical boy never usually wore.
"Ummm... I'll see you guys at dinner..." he scarpered, followed by Max, Kenny and Hilary. Kai began to follow them but Kit gave him a pleading look.
'Your problem,' he mouthed, before disappearing.
Oh great. This was going to be wonderful fun. And seeing as she really didn't want to talk about it, or even think about it, it could also be interesting. Brother and sister stood there looking at eachother. Once again the scene was reminiscent of a shootout, only this time they looked more like they were going to shoot each other than hug.
"Why did you run off?" ask practical questions that she can't avoid.
"To get out of the rain." Kit had no problem thinking up answers, no matter how much they avoided the question, or at least the main point of the conversation, which she knew of course.
"How come Tala Ivanov knows you?" new question line, the first one hadn't worked.
How the hell had he worked that one out? Kit paused, BIG mistake. "Maybe I battled him once. I did go to Russia sometime."
Rei had spotted that weakness, and knew he could easily bend his sister now. "So you went to Russia? That's how you know Kai as well? Because it's kind of obvious that you know eachother Kit, you never were good at hiding anything."
Whoops, touched a nerve. "Oh, never good at hiding anything? How is it then that you're so far off the mark? You haven't got a clue where I've been, what's happened to me, how I know Tala and Kai, because you weren't there. You left me, Rei! And now you're just jealous because they know more about me than you do. You hardly know me at all anymore, and that's your own entire bloody fault." Tears were pricking the backs of her eyelids, but she couldn't cry.
Rei stood there speechless for a moment. His sister was still sitting on the floor beneath him, but she seemed to have way more power in this confrontation.
"Okay, fine then. Tell me. How do you know them so well? What did happen to you? This is your big chance Kit, don't leave anything out." He was mocking her, whether he knew it or not. All rational questioning had been totally forgotten, because every word Kitty had said had been entirely true. He left her and because of that he hardly knew her anymore. He was jealous that his best friend seemed to know her more than he did.
"You really think I want your sympathy? I'm not telling you anything, ever. And you're never going to find out, because right now I don't get the impression you'd care anyway." Kit stood up, and even though she was shorter than her brother, she was still overwhelmingly powerful in front of him. "You messed up Rei."
She disappeared through the door, slamming it on her way, and walked as quickly as possible to the lodge's restaurant.
"Dammit." Not the best argument she'd ever had, and believe me (A/N- and yes you will believe me because I am all powerful!), she'd had one too many in the past.
Tyson was stuffing his face with food. Kit made a disgusted face as she sat down opposite him- the only other seat was next to Kai, and she didn't particularly feel like listening to him lecturing her on why she should tell Rei the truth. She'd told Rei enough true stuff anyway. Just not the right true stuff. Ah well. Right now food was good. It wasn't confusing.
"Are you okay?" Max questioned, watching her rip a chicken leg in two with an unusual amount of strength.
"Yup, fine. Never been better."
He smiled that easy smile that can make anyone relax instantly. Y'know, the one that seems like it doesn't have anything in the world to say, but actually asks a hell of a lot of questions?
"Where's Rei?" Mr- I love- my- food-and-love-causing-trouble now had a trail of mashed potato down his chin. He'd have a trail of flipping blood if he wasn't careful.
"How should I know, and why should I care?" Kit snapped at him, knowing it wasn't exactly fair.
"Well if this ain't a public display of feeling?" Oh God no. Not him. Not here. Not now.
"It's you again." Tyson didn't sound so cocky this time. Was it him, or did this guy have a knack of seeking them out now they were both in the same place at the same time?
"Thanks for the welcome." The red- head acknowledged the other bladers before his eyes rested on Kitty, whose head was still lowered.
"Well, are you gonna look at me or what?"
Kit looked up and scowled at him. Now he'd made her feel like she was avoiding him. Which, she was actually. Not the point. Everyone sitting at the table now thought she was avoiding him though. Damn damn damn damn damn.
"What?" she asked coolly, determined not to show any emotion whatsoever. Tala just shrugged. "Thought you'd be pleased to see me, that's all."
A loud snort broke the temporary silence. One way of concealing nerves is to laugh, which was what Kit was on the verge of doing just now. A look at Tala's face told her she shouldn't, and she sobered instantly.
He glowered darkly, "What?"
Ooh, déjà vu anyone?
"Oh you know exactly what." Her reply was short and sharp, yet for some really odd reason she still felt like bursting out laughing. Whereas his expression had shut her up before, now it was just plain funny. Maybe she'd actually got over Tala? If she could laugh at him, that much was likely...
"Now which bit would that be? The part before I- " Kai cut him off sharply
"Shut the hell up." Wahey- a budding hero.
"Don't they know?" Tala mocked him. Whoops, bad idea. There were a lot of confused faces round the table, and Rei still hadn't appeared. Great. She was going to have to break up a fight- Kai was standing and squaring up to his old best friend already.
"Kai..." said almost exasperatedly. "I can fight my own battles."
Tala raised an eyebrow, but Rei was standing in the doorway, and it seemed a sensible idea, to the red- head at least, to make himself scarce. There ain't nothing like brotherly protection, right? Well, apart from the fact that the brother in question wasn't exactly on best terms with the sister right at that moment.
"This isn't over Hiwatari." He glared at Kai and glanced at Kit. Nothing needed to be said to her for her to understand exactly what he was saying. She shivered as he turned and left, by the door opposite to the one Rei was still standing in. Geez, sometimes Tala was damn well scary.
Silence settled heavily and uncomfortable over the table. Tyson broke the silence by munching a stick of celery, and then talking through his mouthful.
"Sho- what wosh all that abou' then?" he swallowed and looked questioningly at the girl opposite them.
She shrugged easily. "How should I know?"
Wow- some people really do talk before they think.
"It's not like she has to tell you." Kai shot Tyson a look, but he didn't quite interpret it the right way, shall we say.
"Who's knight in shining armour tonight then? I think something's going on between Kitty Kat and Kai- Kai!!" he cooed and made kissing noises as Kai opened his mouth to speak.
"What I meant was I do know, but it's none of your business. But when I feel like telling you, I shall." Kitty jumped in, smiling brightly at Tyson, but desperate to get away from the table and the questioning looks she was receiving from everybody there. Kenny, Max and Hilary had the presence of mind to keep their mouths shut. Tyson did not. Speaking of which, does he actually have a mind?
"Is Kitty Kat changing the subject?"
"I'm not changing it, or avoiding it. Don't call me that. Learn when to keep your mouth shut. I'll tell you when I feel like it. Probably never." She added quietly at the end, as an afterthought.
"Oh but you told Kai, right?" things were not going to go well for Tyson. She glowered at him.
"I knew anyway." Enough about fighting own battles. However, that may not have been the best thing to say either.
Rei moved and walked up to the table, his eyes dark with anger.
"Are you okay Rei?" Hilary had never seen Rei as angry as this before...
"And how exactly do you know? How come you know more about my sister than I do?" the question was loaded.
Silent tension was broken by Mr Dickinson's arrival. He stopped abruptly- the tension in the room was almost at breaking point, a knife wouldn't have been needed to cut it- a simple flick of a finger would have done that quite sufficiently. He cleared his throat, and Max, in an attempt to relax the atmosphere, smiled warmly.
"Hey, Mr Dickinson!"
The smile was returned as Mr D began to speak. "Yet more bladers have arrived for the tournament! And we have been obliged to change rooms, so there is somewhere for them to stay. I shall leave it up to you to decide who sleeps where- you have three rooms amongst you now. Sleep well!" and with that he left.
"I'll share with Kenny." Max jumped in first, unwilling to share with the snoring hoover.
Kitty was still glowering silently at her plate. And no way was she going to share with hoover or interfering brother. Sharing with Hilary would have been ok, but that wasn't going to annoy Rei.
"I'm with Kai."
Tyson's eyebrows shot up so high and fast that in all honesty, they may not have been there anymore. He sat with his mouth wide open, as if that proved everything. If Rei had been expecting Kai to tell his sister he wouldn't share with her, he was sorely mistaken.
"Looks like I'm with Tyson and Hilary, then." His tone spoke reams about what he felt- defeat. And for a moment, Kit felt a twinge of guilt. But hey, it was his fault for leaving her.
Hilary rolled her eyes. "Great, I get stuck with the insensitive prat."
"Hey! Do you mind? I'm not a prat, and I'm not insensitive either! And besides, it's not my fault the lovebirds want to be together." Tyson answer was quick, and er, stupid. Again. One look from Rei and Tyson stood up.
"I'm, uh, going to get an early night. Sleep, tired, you know?"
He would have been out the door faster than you could say, well, faster than you could even think about what you were going to say, but for the fact that Mr D was standing in it, and coming towards them.
"Sorry, I forgot to tell you. The room with three of you in it...?"
Hilary gestured to herself, Rei and Tyson.
"Right- that room has a double and a set of bunk beds."
Hilary sighed. "Tyson, you get the double. I'm sure if you slept in bunks they would turn into singles, or at least a pile of rubble."
"Is it pick on Tyson day or what?" he replied indignantly, folding his arms in front of his chest.
"Max- you can stay in the same room, with two singles, yes? Who are you with?"
Max nodded in reply. "I'm with the chief."
And finally Kai, I take it you're with Kitty? You are being moved to room 305, that room has a double. Well, goodnight, I won't come back this time!" he chuckled, seemingly unaware of the bombshell that he'd just dropped, and disappeared again.
Tyson had the biggest smirk in the known universe on his face, and he opened his mouth to say something. What he said you'll never know, because at that moment Hilary grabbed his arm and pulled him towards the stairs.
"Come on! Bedtime Tyson, you must be very tired!" drowning out whatever it was he was going to say, you know, the comment that would have had him killed.
Max and Kenny left quickly, Kai following. Great, they'd left her alone with her brother again.
"Night Kit."
And there she was, sat at a table in the lodge's restaurant, not having a clue what to do. Maybe coming back hadn't been such a good idea. In fact, she'd managed to make the whole situation extremely awkward. Kit put her head in her hands. Perhaps it would be better to go now, before she messed up the whole thing for them.
Would that be another chapter over with? Hehe, I rushed the ending and haven't proof read, because I just really wanted to get this chapter up. So, what did you think then eh?
Max: Tut, tut.
OAO (that's one-and-only, and that's me!) : What now?
Max: Oh, nothing.
OAO: Waddya mean 'oh nothing'? You tutted! And if you're not going to tell my why, then get me reviews instead!
Max: No. I really don't feel like it right now. *sticks nose in air*
OAO: WHAT?! But you said-? Aaargh, stuff it. I have nicer characters that can persuade people to review.
Jet: Uh, no you don't.
OAO: *hissing whisper* Jet, you're not meant to be here! You're not in this fic! Go away!
Jet: Well sor-ry. Everyone else has run off, so I came to offer support.
OAO: Well thanks, but I can get reviews myself.
Jet: Yeah, yeah. Whatever.
OAO: Using YOU! Heh heh, if you want to see more of Jet, REVIEW! It's as simple as that- really it is. *holds up axe* Yes. It's simple isn't it. ISN'T IT?
Jet: Hmm. An axe. Interesting. But *I* have a gun.
OAO: *Yelp!*
Hey again. Sorry it's been a while- didn't have writer's block, it's just finding the time to write at the moment! And I'm neglecting my schoolwork as well. *sighs* ah well. Plus, I now have my DeviantART account, so I've been drawing a lot more. There's a link for my gallery at the bottom of this chapter. Couldn't update during half term because guess where I was? Skiing in ITALY! It was great, and I had the best time. I stacked it enough times for sure- one time I ended up skiing down the mountain on my arse. WAHEY! But I can now kinda ski- so wicked! Plus I met a guy, well, okay so I didn't actually meet him, but I saw him.... And he looks so like Enrique it's unnerving. Lady Obsessed shall confirm this *won't you?* Hehe, he was gorgeous as well (at least in my opinion) and as I don't know his real name he shall be Enrique for EVER MORE! I have a photo of him too. Uh... without his consent. Though I'm sure he probably wouldn't mind! If any one knows who he actually is- he comes from a mixed school in Kent, is fairly tall and has blonde hair and blue eyes- LET ME KNOW! But until that time, on with this chapter...
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Disclaimer:
OAO (me): "Kai?" *sighs*
Kai: What?
OAO: You're doing the disclaimer today?
Kai: Oh, yeah. *turns around* Hey! Plushie!
Kai plushie: Hn
Kai: *whispers in ear. *
Kai plushie: Hn. One and Only, or Tess the only, or Louise, doesn't own any of the Beyblade characters, but she does own the plot, Kitty and Jet. And anything else you don't recognise from Beyblade. *Like sign- up sheets! *
OAO: *sighing- again* That's not fair. You're manipulating the plushie, it doesn't know any better, and that's just mean. And besides, it's saying too much, and that's very scary.
Kai: *whispers in plushie's ear again*
Kai plushie: Hn. Moron. Moron. You are a moron. And an idiot.*
OAO: Aaaargh!!!! Is about to rip plushie in two...
Kai: Hey! I thought it was all my fault?
OAO: Oh yes. Forgot that for a moment- blind rage y'know? *turns on Kai instead*
Kai: AAARRGHHHH! *turns and runs*
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Rain and White Roses
There are times when all you can hear is noise exploding inside your head. Then there are others when the silence of your own thoughts is almost unnerving. Kitty could hear absolutely nothing at all but the rain through the trees, washing away the dead heat. The silence was almost comforting, and she was aware of Kai standing behind her on the bridge as she leaned over, gazing into the water.
"You have to tell him." The boy was in his usual pose, arms folded, head bowed.
"I don't have to tell him anything." Kit snapped angrily, standing up quickly and facing away from Kai.
"Do you want him to find out some other way? Do you want Tala to tell him? Because it would torture Rei. Knowing you lied." Every point Kai made was hammered home by Deshka's voice in Kit's own head. The silence had been short- lived, but Kitty's own stubbornness defeated Deshka.
"No.." she began slowly. She didn't want to hurt Rei, but she didn't want anyone to hurt Tala either. Which was confusing after how badly Tala had hurt her in the first place. At this time, Kit had no idea what Kai had gone through for her.
"You still love him don't you? Or do you just want him?" Kai's voice had an unusual amount of emotion in it- a bitterness. Each word was carefully chosen, and each one hurt. Kit closed her eyes, still facing away from him. He was right, probably. Even she didn't know what she wanted anymore.
"No..." she said again, trying desperately to think of a good response that would shut Kai up. She didn't want to hear this. Seconds passed before she felt Kai's hand in the small of her back, and then his fingers tracing her spine. She shuddered and relaxed under his touch. She'd missed this. An instance later he'd wrapped his arm around her throat. Kit whipped round, knocking his hand away.
"What the hell are you doing?" she demanded angrily, knowing her defences were completely useless against Kai.
"Just reminding you." He gazed at her with mild satisfaction. He'd reminded her, and he knew it.
"Well it worked." Hell, Kai didn't even need to see her eyes to read her like a book. Kit looked up at the now blue sky, washed clean. It even felt fresher, now the rain had cleared away some of the heat. Everything was damp, and even her head felt clearer. Kai's touch had made her realise, she did still want Tala, even though he hated him so much. And that wasn't good. She smiled softly. At least one thing was sorted. Now there was just the problem of what to do about it. And how to tell her brother where she'd been for the past few years. And the prom. The smile turned grim. Proms meant dresses. Great. Kit turned and followed Kai off the bridge.
"Thanks." Her voice sounded small and strange, perhaps frightened of the realisation. Well it was pretty scary. Realising you still wanted someone that had raped you. Kai turned, surprised to find her shaking, and hesitated before taking her hand.
"S'Ok." He mumbled and continued walking, hand in hand with the girl next to him. Kai was angry with her. After everything he'd done for her to walk out of the abbey and escape from Tala, and she still wanted him. He would make sure Tala never got her back.
Kit smiled slightly, knowing it was nowhere near over. "You have to battle." Kai told her.
"I know." She replied, also knowing he hadn't finished.
"And beat him."
"Yup." Feeling better already, with enough presence of mind to at least try to beat Tala when, and if she got through to a round where she could battle him, Kit allowed herself to grin properly. It wasn't fake, it wasn't concealing anything, it was a real smile.
"What you smiling at?" Kai asked her, smiling himself.
She looked at him and burst out laughing, starting to run back in the direction of the lodge.
"ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!!!!!!" yelling was so much fun sometimes.
Kai began to chase after her. "Hey! Wait up!"
~~ Back at the stadium ~~
"Well done Rei. I don't know what we'd have done without the sign up sheets!" Mr Dickinson looked flustered, but pleased as they crowd began to disperse to wherever they were going. "I shall see you tonight at dinner boys!" with that he disappeared in the direction of the town.
A red- headed figure was silently watching from the stadium door. He stepped out as the team passed.
"Woah! Tala, you scared me there." Tyson grinned at the older boy in front of him, flanked by his team mates, the Demolition Boys. "Ready for me to beat you again?"
Hilary groaned. "Tyson shut up!"
"This time I won't be beaten Tyson." Tala's eyes flickered down the sheets that Rei was still holding (wasn't he meant to give them back to Mr D?) and his expression changed, if briefly.
"Kitty's here?" he looked confused at the crossed- out name on the list.
"You know my sister?" Rei's mouth had fallen open.
"She's your sister?" the aqua eyes locked on Rei's. "No." his eyes and expression were blank- they didn't say a thing. But the name on the list was Tess Kon. Not Kitty. Tala turned and disappeared in the same direction as Mr D, leaving the Blade Breakers standing in confused silence. Tyson shrugged.
"Weirdo."
"Yeah I'll second that." Max stuck his hands in his pockets and scuffed the ground with his shoe.
Tyson rubbed his stomach, "Come on, I'm starving!" Max rolled his eyes and yawned widely. Rei wasn't doing much but standing there.
"He knows her."
"Oh come on, he was just messing with you. He's probably never met her before." Max reasoned.
"But he called her Kitty!" Rei protested, angry that Tala seemed to know more about his sister's whereabouts for the past few years than he did.
"I'm with Rei. Tala knows Kitty somehow." Kenny was concerned for his friend. Rei was too worried about his sister. He glanced at Max.
"Maybe she battled him sometime. And maybe she beat him!!! And he's still worked up about it. Being beaten by a girl!" Tyson burst out laughing as Rei relaxed and grinned at him.
"I would love for you to be beaten by a girl." Rei followed Tyson and the others as they walked out through the stadium doors.
"Never gonna happen mate!" Tyson put his hands behind his head. "I'm waay too good."
Hilary sighed and kicked him. "Hey, what was that for?" Tyson rubbed his leg.
"Someone HAS to beat you. Your ego's got way too big Tyson."
He mouthed something only to get another kick. "I heard that." Hilary frowned at him.
"I didn't say anything so therefore you couldn't have heard anything."
Max rolled his eyes. "Aaargh guys, please shut up. We have a prom to think about!"
"Ooh yeah!" Hilary jumped up and down. "Dresses!"
Rei was still in another world. "Do you know where Kai went?"
"He followed Kitty when she ran off. They're probably back at the lodge." Kenny closed his laptop and pushed his glasses further up his nose. "Rei, do you get the impression Kit knows Kai as well?" Rei nodded slowly. "Yes Chief. There's something she's not telling me, and I have to find it out."
~~ Back at the lodge ~~
"You're not going to say anything are you?" Kitty was curled up on the floor in Kai's room.
"It's not my problem to say anything about." Kai on the other hand was leaned up against the wardrobe, head bowed. At that moment Tyson burst through the door.
"Aaargh come one, Mr D says we can't eat until we're all there, and you're here, not there."
Kit glared at him, "Cleverly observed Tyson. And do you ever think of knocking?"
Tyson grinned and jumped onto the bed. Hilary rolled her eyes and followed Kit's lead, sitting on the floor.
"Oh, I'm sorry. Did I disturb you? Were you doing something that you didn't want disturbed?" he was now rolling around on the bed like a dog. Like a mad dog. Like a mad rabid dog with a flea problem. And bad breath. He caught Rei's eye, and stopped immediately. Rei had a face like thunder, which was a look the calm, practical boy never usually wore.
"Ummm... I'll see you guys at dinner..." he scarpered, followed by Max, Kenny and Hilary. Kai began to follow them but Kit gave him a pleading look.
'Your problem,' he mouthed, before disappearing.
Oh great. This was going to be wonderful fun. And seeing as she really didn't want to talk about it, or even think about it, it could also be interesting. Brother and sister stood there looking at eachother. Once again the scene was reminiscent of a shootout, only this time they looked more like they were going to shoot each other than hug.
"Why did you run off?" ask practical questions that she can't avoid.
"To get out of the rain." Kit had no problem thinking up answers, no matter how much they avoided the question, or at least the main point of the conversation, which she knew of course.
"How come Tala Ivanov knows you?" new question line, the first one hadn't worked.
How the hell had he worked that one out? Kit paused, BIG mistake. "Maybe I battled him once. I did go to Russia sometime."
Rei had spotted that weakness, and knew he could easily bend his sister now. "So you went to Russia? That's how you know Kai as well? Because it's kind of obvious that you know eachother Kit, you never were good at hiding anything."
Whoops, touched a nerve. "Oh, never good at hiding anything? How is it then that you're so far off the mark? You haven't got a clue where I've been, what's happened to me, how I know Tala and Kai, because you weren't there. You left me, Rei! And now you're just jealous because they know more about me than you do. You hardly know me at all anymore, and that's your own entire bloody fault." Tears were pricking the backs of her eyelids, but she couldn't cry.
Rei stood there speechless for a moment. His sister was still sitting on the floor beneath him, but she seemed to have way more power in this confrontation.
"Okay, fine then. Tell me. How do you know them so well? What did happen to you? This is your big chance Kit, don't leave anything out." He was mocking her, whether he knew it or not. All rational questioning had been totally forgotten, because every word Kitty had said had been entirely true. He left her and because of that he hardly knew her anymore. He was jealous that his best friend seemed to know her more than he did.
"You really think I want your sympathy? I'm not telling you anything, ever. And you're never going to find out, because right now I don't get the impression you'd care anyway." Kit stood up, and even though she was shorter than her brother, she was still overwhelmingly powerful in front of him. "You messed up Rei."
She disappeared through the door, slamming it on her way, and walked as quickly as possible to the lodge's restaurant.
"Dammit." Not the best argument she'd ever had, and believe me (A/N- and yes you will believe me because I am all powerful!), she'd had one too many in the past.
Tyson was stuffing his face with food. Kit made a disgusted face as she sat down opposite him- the only other seat was next to Kai, and she didn't particularly feel like listening to him lecturing her on why she should tell Rei the truth. She'd told Rei enough true stuff anyway. Just not the right true stuff. Ah well. Right now food was good. It wasn't confusing.
"Are you okay?" Max questioned, watching her rip a chicken leg in two with an unusual amount of strength.
"Yup, fine. Never been better."
He smiled that easy smile that can make anyone relax instantly. Y'know, the one that seems like it doesn't have anything in the world to say, but actually asks a hell of a lot of questions?
"Where's Rei?" Mr- I love- my- food-and-love-causing-trouble now had a trail of mashed potato down his chin. He'd have a trail of flipping blood if he wasn't careful.
"How should I know, and why should I care?" Kit snapped at him, knowing it wasn't exactly fair.
"Well if this ain't a public display of feeling?" Oh God no. Not him. Not here. Not now.
"It's you again." Tyson didn't sound so cocky this time. Was it him, or did this guy have a knack of seeking them out now they were both in the same place at the same time?
"Thanks for the welcome." The red- head acknowledged the other bladers before his eyes rested on Kitty, whose head was still lowered.
"Well, are you gonna look at me or what?"
Kit looked up and scowled at him. Now he'd made her feel like she was avoiding him. Which, she was actually. Not the point. Everyone sitting at the table now thought she was avoiding him though. Damn damn damn damn damn.
"What?" she asked coolly, determined not to show any emotion whatsoever. Tala just shrugged. "Thought you'd be pleased to see me, that's all."
A loud snort broke the temporary silence. One way of concealing nerves is to laugh, which was what Kit was on the verge of doing just now. A look at Tala's face told her she shouldn't, and she sobered instantly.
He glowered darkly, "What?"
Ooh, déjà vu anyone?
"Oh you know exactly what." Her reply was short and sharp, yet for some really odd reason she still felt like bursting out laughing. Whereas his expression had shut her up before, now it was just plain funny. Maybe she'd actually got over Tala? If she could laugh at him, that much was likely...
"Now which bit would that be? The part before I- " Kai cut him off sharply
"Shut the hell up." Wahey- a budding hero.
"Don't they know?" Tala mocked him. Whoops, bad idea. There were a lot of confused faces round the table, and Rei still hadn't appeared. Great. She was going to have to break up a fight- Kai was standing and squaring up to his old best friend already.
"Kai..." said almost exasperatedly. "I can fight my own battles."
Tala raised an eyebrow, but Rei was standing in the doorway, and it seemed a sensible idea, to the red- head at least, to make himself scarce. There ain't nothing like brotherly protection, right? Well, apart from the fact that the brother in question wasn't exactly on best terms with the sister right at that moment.
"This isn't over Hiwatari." He glared at Kai and glanced at Kit. Nothing needed to be said to her for her to understand exactly what he was saying. She shivered as he turned and left, by the door opposite to the one Rei was still standing in. Geez, sometimes Tala was damn well scary.
Silence settled heavily and uncomfortable over the table. Tyson broke the silence by munching a stick of celery, and then talking through his mouthful.
"Sho- what wosh all that abou' then?" he swallowed and looked questioningly at the girl opposite them.
She shrugged easily. "How should I know?"
Wow- some people really do talk before they think.
"It's not like she has to tell you." Kai shot Tyson a look, but he didn't quite interpret it the right way, shall we say.
"Who's knight in shining armour tonight then? I think something's going on between Kitty Kat and Kai- Kai!!" he cooed and made kissing noises as Kai opened his mouth to speak.
"What I meant was I do know, but it's none of your business. But when I feel like telling you, I shall." Kitty jumped in, smiling brightly at Tyson, but desperate to get away from the table and the questioning looks she was receiving from everybody there. Kenny, Max and Hilary had the presence of mind to keep their mouths shut. Tyson did not. Speaking of which, does he actually have a mind?
"Is Kitty Kat changing the subject?"
"I'm not changing it, or avoiding it. Don't call me that. Learn when to keep your mouth shut. I'll tell you when I feel like it. Probably never." She added quietly at the end, as an afterthought.
"Oh but you told Kai, right?" things were not going to go well for Tyson. She glowered at him.
"I knew anyway." Enough about fighting own battles. However, that may not have been the best thing to say either.
Rei moved and walked up to the table, his eyes dark with anger.
"Are you okay Rei?" Hilary had never seen Rei as angry as this before...
"And how exactly do you know? How come you know more about my sister than I do?" the question was loaded.
Silent tension was broken by Mr Dickinson's arrival. He stopped abruptly- the tension in the room was almost at breaking point, a knife wouldn't have been needed to cut it- a simple flick of a finger would have done that quite sufficiently. He cleared his throat, and Max, in an attempt to relax the atmosphere, smiled warmly.
"Hey, Mr Dickinson!"
The smile was returned as Mr D began to speak. "Yet more bladers have arrived for the tournament! And we have been obliged to change rooms, so there is somewhere for them to stay. I shall leave it up to you to decide who sleeps where- you have three rooms amongst you now. Sleep well!" and with that he left.
"I'll share with Kenny." Max jumped in first, unwilling to share with the snoring hoover.
Kitty was still glowering silently at her plate. And no way was she going to share with hoover or interfering brother. Sharing with Hilary would have been ok, but that wasn't going to annoy Rei.
"I'm with Kai."
Tyson's eyebrows shot up so high and fast that in all honesty, they may not have been there anymore. He sat with his mouth wide open, as if that proved everything. If Rei had been expecting Kai to tell his sister he wouldn't share with her, he was sorely mistaken.
"Looks like I'm with Tyson and Hilary, then." His tone spoke reams about what he felt- defeat. And for a moment, Kit felt a twinge of guilt. But hey, it was his fault for leaving her.
Hilary rolled her eyes. "Great, I get stuck with the insensitive prat."
"Hey! Do you mind? I'm not a prat, and I'm not insensitive either! And besides, it's not my fault the lovebirds want to be together." Tyson answer was quick, and er, stupid. Again. One look from Rei and Tyson stood up.
"I'm, uh, going to get an early night. Sleep, tired, you know?"
He would have been out the door faster than you could say, well, faster than you could even think about what you were going to say, but for the fact that Mr D was standing in it, and coming towards them.
"Sorry, I forgot to tell you. The room with three of you in it...?"
Hilary gestured to herself, Rei and Tyson.
"Right- that room has a double and a set of bunk beds."
Hilary sighed. "Tyson, you get the double. I'm sure if you slept in bunks they would turn into singles, or at least a pile of rubble."
"Is it pick on Tyson day or what?" he replied indignantly, folding his arms in front of his chest.
"Max- you can stay in the same room, with two singles, yes? Who are you with?"
Max nodded in reply. "I'm with the chief."
And finally Kai, I take it you're with Kitty? You are being moved to room 305, that room has a double. Well, goodnight, I won't come back this time!" he chuckled, seemingly unaware of the bombshell that he'd just dropped, and disappeared again.
Tyson had the biggest smirk in the known universe on his face, and he opened his mouth to say something. What he said you'll never know, because at that moment Hilary grabbed his arm and pulled him towards the stairs.
"Come on! Bedtime Tyson, you must be very tired!" drowning out whatever it was he was going to say, you know, the comment that would have had him killed.
Max and Kenny left quickly, Kai following. Great, they'd left her alone with her brother again.
"Night Kit."
And there she was, sat at a table in the lodge's restaurant, not having a clue what to do. Maybe coming back hadn't been such a good idea. In fact, she'd managed to make the whole situation extremely awkward. Kit put her head in her hands. Perhaps it would be better to go now, before she messed up the whole thing for them.
Would that be another chapter over with? Hehe, I rushed the ending and haven't proof read, because I just really wanted to get this chapter up. So, what did you think then eh?
Max: Tut, tut.
OAO (that's one-and-only, and that's me!) : What now?
Max: Oh, nothing.
OAO: Waddya mean 'oh nothing'? You tutted! And if you're not going to tell my why, then get me reviews instead!
Max: No. I really don't feel like it right now. *sticks nose in air*
OAO: WHAT?! But you said-? Aaargh, stuff it. I have nicer characters that can persuade people to review.
Jet: Uh, no you don't.
OAO: *hissing whisper* Jet, you're not meant to be here! You're not in this fic! Go away!
Jet: Well sor-ry. Everyone else has run off, so I came to offer support.
OAO: Well thanks, but I can get reviews myself.
Jet: Yeah, yeah. Whatever.
OAO: Using YOU! Heh heh, if you want to see more of Jet, REVIEW! It's as simple as that- really it is. *holds up axe* Yes. It's simple isn't it. ISN'T IT?
Jet: Hmm. An axe. Interesting. But *I* have a gun.
OAO: *Yelp!*