THE CURSE OF LOVE AND THE BLESSING OF SORROW
By Timberwolf220
DISCLAIMER: *peeks through the window and spots the lawyers* ¬_¬** They never give me a moment's rest. I don't own Beyblade. *watches the lawyers leave* Good, they're gone.
SUMMARY: Takao is a piano player lost in his own world. Kai is a murderer with a conscience. Max is an artist unable to love and Rei is a detective caught in the blaze of revenge. Strange circumstances push them together…and drive them apart…
PAIRINGS: Max + Takao x Kai, Rei + Kai x Takao
Chapter Two
The Calling for blood
(Hillary's POV)
It isn't fair, is it?
No, it never is.
Sometimes, I wonder what pushed them towards it. What pulled them together?
And what drove them apart?
I stood there all this time for him. I was always there for him.
Yet, he always runs to the other. The one who was never there for him.
Why?
Why does he seek the same pain, opening the same wound and rubbing salt on it?
Does the pain remind him that he is alive?
Does the pain remind for what he was?
An angel cursed with earth.
But maybe I can set him free…
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
He plays a new tune tonight. The other has left.
I don't know much about the other except the effect he has on Takao.
Takao's eyes would glow with an inhuman light when the other was near. As if he cannot decide.
Whether he lives for life or lives for love
I wish he could open his eyes for me. He never does.
I would be surprised if he even knew my name.
But even then, he would never open his eyes for me.
The tune he plays today is very dark. It dims the hall and the audience is shaking.
They have never seen him this way before.
The other has awakened him, made him alive.
Takao is awake, they say.
And they moan. They moan at the loss of Takao's humanity.
They tore him apart and set him apart.
An angel on Earth must be treasured, they said.
Then Kai came.
Don't get me wrong. I know him better than others. But I always call him the other.
He doesn't deserve his name, ocean.
Kai the ocean.
Heartless and empty.
Yet, he makes Takao feel.
How does he do that?
Why can't I open Takao's eyes?
Why can't I make Takao feel?
I will.
He hates this place, this cage.
I will set him free.
And he would look at me with eyes of love.
Not the other.
Love me Takao.
And I'll let you go…
To heaven.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
(Normal POV)
Maxwell walked down the corridor, wanting to offer his congratulations to Takao for the splendid piece he had played. His blue eyes were bright and sharp, making his way through the world as an artist.
Yet never a true artist like Takao, Maxwell mused, I wonder what piece he played…
He had to admit, concerts weren't something he visited often. He generally avoided them as a rule, but the 'charmed player' had drawn his attention.
Rei had come as well, which was a surprise to Max. Rei barely had enough time on his hands to come to a concert with him. He spends most of his time tracking down Hiwatari the criminal. Max shuddered involuntarily.
It is said that the gaze of Hiwatari was enough to wish for death.
Maxwell stopped outside Takao's room. Hesitantly, he straightened his clothes and rapped his knuckles on the door.
"Come in," said a soft voice.
Maxwell swallowed and opened the door.
Takao was there, his hair pooling below his shoulders. For minute, Maxwell thought he had mistaken him for someone else. But the unmistakable light of the stars were in his eyes.
Takao smiled at him, "May I help you Mr. ….?"
Maxwell gulped. Those eyes were so penetrating!
"My name is Maxwell Mizuhara."
Takao's eyes lit up, "Ah, you're Japanese!"
Maxwell shook his head, "Half. My father was European."
Takao turned away, "England is…a beautiful country. So full of old songs…"
Maxwell smiled softly, "Yes, England is a beautiful country. But you rival my homeland with your looks Kinomiya-san."
Takao blinked and grinned, "You flatter me."
"I tell the plain truth," Maxwell insisted.
Takao smiled, his lips touched with remembrance, "You must miss it."
Maxwell shook his head, "No…there is nothing for me there…"
"I am sorry."
"Don't be."
There was a respectful silence.
"W-What was the tune of the song y-you played tonight?" Maxwell stuttered.
Takao laughed at his nervousness, "It is called Hope [1]. It was a piece I haven't played in a long time. I'm glad it caught your attention."
"It had more than that," Maxwell muttered, looking at Takao, "Takao?"
"Hai?"
"….Take care, okay? Sayonara."
The door clicked softly behind Takao.
Takao leaned back. And contemplated
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Mizuhara-kun?"
"…Hai?"
"Daijobu ka?" Are you alright?
"Hai. Just a little tired that's all."
"…Shiji na…"I don't believe you
"Chigamasu. Daijobu so…" You're wrong. I'm fine.
"Doushita no?" What's wrong?
"Onegaishimasu…. Goshinpainaku." I beg of you…don't worry.
"Boku o yuruse Mizuhara-kun…" Forgive me Mizuhara-kun.
"Goshinpainaku… oyasumi nasai." Don't worry. Good Night.
The tall amber-eyed youth gave Maxwell a lasting glance and left him.
Maxwell shivered, but the warmth wasn't enough.
He wanted the stars in Takao's eyes.
He knew he was hurting Rei. But he couldn't help it.
He was smitten with the piano player.
He let out a raucous laugh. What his mother would say to that!
Then he sobbed bitterly.
"Mune de sou kanjite iru," He whispered to the stars, his silent hearers to his confessions. I feel that way in my heart.
"Gomen nasai Rei-kun," Maxwell said. The trees rustled behind him.
"Gomen nasai."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Hillary approached the piano player cautiously. Takao was immersed in his playing. Hillary loved the way his hair would flutter down to his face, the sweat that trickled down as a casual observer.
She loved him. God knows, how she would go past her pain to look out for him.
I will save you Takao-kun.
Takao noticed the noise behind him. He opened his eyes and saw Hillary.
"…What can I do for you?"
Hillary smiled at him, "No. I'm doing this for you."
Takao glanced at her and his brow cleared. Hillary began to sweat.
He saw it. He saw the deliverer.
The one that will set him free.
Will he embrace it or reject it?
His eyes darkened.
"You know I won't stop you. But think of the consequences."
"The consequences are nothing if you aren't happy."
Takao's eyelids drooped in despondency, "Then you may begin."
"Finish your song. I-I want you to finish. I want you to be happy."
"Yes."
And he played. His muscles taunted and relaxed as he had never played before. The world roared in his ears and the seconds ticked away into existence.
And he pressed the last key.
"Be happy Takao."
And there was a sound of thunder.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Maxwell had gripped the paper in a white knuckled hand. The tears came, but he ignored them, useless things they were.
He regretted a lot of things in his life.
Not being the son his mother had wanted him to be.
Not being the perfect lover to Rei.
Not admitting the truth to Takao.
He regretted them all.
But what are regrets, but passing grievances of the soul?
"Max…" Rei looked at his face, but decided not to ask him about it.
Rei led him into the bedroom and gently kissed the tears away.
"Aishiteru Max-kun…" Rei said as he fell into a deep sleep.
Maxwell looked at Rei's face and cried.
