Kai winced as a sharp pain jerked him back into consciousness. His right hand burned with pain, no, not his hand, his wrist. Using his left arm, he tried to sit up. "Ou!" His head bumped against something, something hard.
"If you're going to try to sit up, at least open your eyes and look at where you're going!"
Kai opened her eyes and found Kirei sitting on a rock a few feet away. Without a word, he sat up slowly, avoiding the rock above his head. First thing's first, Kai checked his right hand. Blood seeped out of the purple glove. No! How am I supposed to battle with a useless right hand? Momentarily forgetting the pain, he searched for Dranzer.
Kirei saw Kai searching.
"Here," she said, and took out Dranzer from her pocket. "You're looking for this?" And with that, she threw it to him. Kai caught it with his left hand. Dranzer was still there, in the middle, on the little yellow circle.
"You...gave him back to me?" Kai asked.
"Of course. I want your bit-beast, not your beyblade. Besides, I want a battle, I don't just want to take it without you knowing. Anyways, are you going to get on your feet or am I going to leave you here and look for a way out by myself?"
Still a bit confused about why she gave him back Dranzer, Kai stood up. Quickly, he put Dranzer in his pocket.
Kirei smiled a little. He really treasures his bit-beast.
"Come on, I think I saw a tunnel not too far from here," she said, and led the way.
There was a tunnel, but it was narrow. Kirei took out Halcyon and launched it. Moments later, Halcyon came back.
"If we crawl through this tunnel, we'll be able to get to an underground spring. I think it might have errupted and that's what caused the earth to collapse. Anyways, at least we'll be able to get a drink, I'm dying of thirst," Kirei said. Kai wondered what kind of traing they do at the abbey now for her to be so resourceful in any situation.
"What's your name?" Kai asked.
"Why? You don't need to know that," Kirei answered as she got on all fours and started to crawl in. Kai hesitated to follow, the pain at his right hand still quite unbearable. However, he didn't want her to know, so he bagan crawling with only his left hand on the ground.
Kirei crawled ahead and soon, the tunnel widened a bit, just enough to her to sit down and rest without her head at the top of the ceiling. She waited for what seemed a long time, but finally, she saw Kai. She wondered why he was so slow. Then, she saw his face. Beads of sweat covered it, and he was grinding his teeth.
"Are you in pain?" She asked when he finally came through and sat down, exhausted.
"No." Kai replied. "Why did you wait?" He asked, when he caught his breath. Kai studied the girl. The fiery hair was now lined with dust. Her white gloves were torn at the edges. Her white boots and cloths were now brownist like the ground.
Kirei furrowed her brow and gave a sympathetic smile. "We're in this together Kai, just because I need your bit-beast, doesn't mean I have a heart of stone."
Kai looked up and their eyes met. Quickly, he tore his gaze away.
Suddenly, Kirei remembered how Kai caught Dranzer with his left hand.
"Give me your right hand, Kai."
Kai didn't answered and looked away.
"Don't be stubborn and swallow your pride. We've still got a long crawl ahead of us before we can rest again, and I can't have your crawling that slow. Now show me your right hand."
Reluctantly, Kai lifted his right hand. "There, happy? Now you've seen it, now stop bugging me."
With a sigh, Kirei tore the bottom of her dress.
"What are you doing? I don't need your help, just go on without me," Kai said.
"Yeah, all abbey raised boys are this rude, but I've grown used to it," Kirei said, as she took Kai's right hand and began bandaging it. Knowing it was worthless and to painful, Kai didn't resist.
Kai watched the girl bandage his hand with feather-light fingers. He could barely feel her touch. Wait...this feeling...it feels...familiar. And then, he saw Kirei's hairclips, blood red and knife sharp. He wondered...could it be the same girl?
"Awfully sharp hairclips you've got," said Kai.
Suddenly, Kirei stopped.
"What? What did you say?"
"You heard me. Did I say something strange?"
"Umm...no, it's just that, I've been asked the same question before. Not a lot of people notice my hairclips," Kirei said and went back to bandaging.
All of a sudden, Kai remembered.
"Kirei Hinomori?"
Kirei looked up suddenly. "Do you know me?"
Did you guys like that chapter? Not much going on, but a little bonding time. . It serves its purpose. Next chapter coming up!