Disclaimer: Don't own Beyblade......
It was still night when the BladeBreakers reached the White Tiger village. When the three crept past the sleeping teams inside the straw huts, aiding their wounded friend towards the village hospital. They were all stunned, especially Tyson and Max, but they helped to carry Ray to the hospital. They were going to save Ray. They were going to save their friend, no matter what.
The moon was still glowing red. Ray seemed to respond, moving unconsciously on Kai's back. Kai, noticing this, suddenly broke into a run. He knew the red moon had something to do with Ray's transformation. They had to get him out of the moon's reach, or else he would transform. They couldn't let that happen again. He was too wounded, and if he did change, he'd end up in an even worse state.
They finally reached the hospital, and quickly placed the wounded Ray onto an empty bed.
The three stared at the fainted neko jin, in silence. They were deep in thought, trying to make sense of everything that had happened. Ray had been acting strangely since the night they were all in the BBA building. Since the tiger had suddenly appeared and tried to destroy everybody.
And now, they knew why.
It was a few minutes later when Kai realized something was wrong.
He stared at Ray, who let out a small groan of pain. Then, his eyes shot over to the window, where the moon was glowing harshly, its scarlet rays spreading across the sky.
Ray was right in the shaft of the red moon's light, and was moving in pain, trying to unconsciously resist the transformation. Kai, realising this, leapt in front of the window, blocking the moon's scarlet light.
Ray stopped moving, letting out a relieved sigh. His breathing became steady, as his body managed to relax.
Tyson and Max stared at Kai, who looked back at them.
"What're you doing, Kai?" Max asked, raising an eyebrow.
Kai sighed. "It's the moon." He whispered, looking behind himself. "I think the moon's been the source of Ray's transformation."
He looked back at his two team mates. "We can't let him become the tiger again. He's completely wounded, right now."
He stared onto the poorly carpeted ground. "If he does, it'll spell doom for everyone, especially Ray."
Tyson blinked. "What do you mean, Kai?" He asked.
Kai stared at his wounded team mate. At his wounds. At his pale skin. At the scars all over his body.
"If Ray is wounded again in tiger form....." His voice had gotten strangely cracked and shaky, "he..........he will die."
Kai looked away from his friend and shut his eyes as he heard Tyson and Max gasp in horror. With that many wounds, having just one more addition was impossible to recover from. Just one more wound, and he would die. He needed to be protected.
But how? If everyone knew Ray was the white tiger, they would never forgive him. Especially after all the absent-minded things he'd done to them.
Suddenly, he felt something brush along his right side. His brimming eyes snapped open to see Max standing there, facing the wounded neko-jin.
It suddenly occurred to Kai that he, too was attempting to shield Ray from the glowing, red moon. He stared at his team mate, the usually bright eyes full of sadness.
"Even though......he did hurt my mom....." Max admitted in a small, trembling voice. "...he didn't mean it.......he said so, himself...."
The Draciel master's saddened face turned into a firm, determined expression.
"I'm still gonna help him....." He wiped his eyes and nose, in a makeshift attempt to be brave, although this action still made Kai admire the shaken boy's strength. "....He....he's my friend....."
Kai suddenly felt a brush along his left side and spun to see Tyson standing next to him, a solemn expression on his usually goofy, carefree face. He, too was attempting to block the moon's glow.
"He's done so much to help us....." He said softly. "...I don't want him to go.....regardless of what he did to the villagers...."
It was one of the first times Kai had heard Tyson act so smart. But he didn't comment on it. Instead, he too faced the sleeping Ray, a grim, emotionless expression on his pale face.
They would stand there.
They would protect him, no matter what......
Ray stirred in his sleep. Flashbacks of the night before kept racing through his troubled mind. He clenched his teeth, as unsettling thoughts swirled around in his head.
A flash of red light, the taste of blood, a scream......
He shot up, letting out a crazed yell. But his whole body was aching, and he only succeeded in sitting up for a few seconds before falling back, breathing hard.
His amber eyes were wide with fear. He tried hard to calm himself from the nightmare, but so far, he was having no luck. He remembered everything from last night, and they were once again replaying in his mind.
He shut his eyes, tears starting to slide down his cheeks. They knew. His team mates knew, now. What were they going to do with him?
His eyes reopened. His gaze was blurred, due to the tears spilling out.
"What.....what am I gonna do, you guys.....?" He whispered through his cracked and bleeding lips.
He suddenly heard soft snoring from his right, and turned on his side.
His eyes were wide and watery from the sight, and a small smile, for the very first time in ages, managed to find its way onto his lips.
His team mates were there, asleep. Kai was leaning against the window's frame, his arms crossed, and eyes closed, out of sight. He was also snoring, but very softly. Ray could just hear it. Max lay curled up on the ground, his mouth open slightly, and moving a little in his sleep, sometimes even mumbling. Tyson was sprawled out on the poorly carpeted ground, snoring with his mouth open, but not as loudly as he usually did.
They were here.
He closed his eyes, and his smile vanished, as more tears started spilling over. But....why? Why did they still care for him? After everything he did to the villagers?
'It is because of your bond with them, Master Ray.'
Ray's eyes snapped open. His team mates were still asleep, but the voice.....
It sounded....familiar. He'd heard it before. Last night.
'Driger....' He whispered.
'I am pleased you remember me, Master Ray. I am also relieved you can hear me.'
Ray blinked.
'Wh....what do you mean?'
'I have been trying to contact you ever since you gained that curse. What troubles me is that the person who cast that spell on you.......'
Ray's pupils slitted almost instantly, and he let out a silent hiss of anger.
'Who was it, Driger?! Who did this to me?!'
'Silence, young Master. Calm yourself.'
But Ray was still getting worked up. He slowly began to prop himself up on his scarred elbows, though he went through much pain while doing it. His eyes were still slitted.
How dare they. How dare they do something like this to him!
'Master Ray! You're bleeding! Do not make it worse!'
Ray's expression of fury turned to sadness, his slitted pupils rounding again. He started gasping, it wasn't easy to breathe halfway up. And Driger was right, his sheets were becoming stained red from the scar on his arm.
In some way, he managed to sit all the way up, and sit against the wooden wall. It wasn't very comfortable, but it was easier to breathe.
'Who did this to me, Driger?' He whispered. More tears were falling from his pained, amber eyes.
There was silence.
Ray sighed, depressed. He knew Driger was slightly angered at him, since he refused to calm. So any chance of knowing who the culprit was immediately pushed out of his mind.
'.....I will tell you one thing, Master Ray....It is a story. A story that will be unsettling, yet a true one, to be precise.'
Ray felt his stomach churn, but his eyes remained firm. He let out a shaky breath.
'Go on, Driger.'
'Something happened a millennium ago, young Master. A very similar incident to yours. And it happened in this very village.
A boy your age was cursed by one of his relatives. Cursed to transform into a white tiger and lose his will in the presence of the red moon. He never told anyone about it, until it was too late. He fell victim to his own village. After the killing blow, he changed back to his original form before their eyes, and managed to apologize, before he breathed his last.
Now....only his spirit remains....trying to guide a victim of the same curse....'
Ray's eyes widened, as everything managed to pour into place, within his troubled mind.
'Driger....'
He started shaking again, fear brewing inside his amber eyes. He knew the truth, but he didn't want to face it. Not at all.
'That boy.....he was you, wasn't he?'
There was a long silence. The bitbeast finally replied, but in a silent whisper.
'Yes, Master Ray...'
Ray shut his eyes, tears travelling down his pale cheeks.(A/N: Yes, Ray is a wuss in this chapter XD But wouldn't you be one in that situation?)
"No...."
'Master Ray....'
"No!" He cried out, but ended up coughing, hard. The realization sunk in harder, as he tried to catch his breath. Would he really die? At the hands of his out village? Of his home?
'What....what am I gonna do, Driger?'
'Master Ray, you must hold onto your friendships with the people you know. Then, you shall not harm them. You can win your free will back.
Ray blinked.
'I....I don't understand....'
'You will, young Master....when the time comes.....'(A/N: Go the lame quote! )
The voice of his bitbeast faded out of his mind. Ray blinked gain, and finally settled his gaze on his beyblade, which lay upon the bedside table.
"What do you mean, Driger?" He whispered.
But there was no reply from the white tiger bitbeast.
He sighed, then suddenly had an insecure feeling in the pit of his stomach. His eyes snapped over to where the three boys were sleeping.
Kai's crimson brown eyes were open, and staring at Ray, a hint of confusion in his gaze.
Ray swallowed.
"Who were you talking to, just then?"
The neko-jin bit his lip. "Uh...."
Kai let out a sigh. "Ray, you've been keeping a lot of things hidden from us, lately. We DO know you're...." He gestured. "...you know."
Ray nodded. "I should talk, then, huh?"
Kai gave a nod. "Number one, who was it you were talking to?"
"Driger...."
The captain raised an eyebrow, making Ray smirk.
"I know it sounds impossible, but – "
"Actually, I don't think it's really THAT impossible...."
"Tyson!" The neko-jin stared at his team mate, who was getting up from the floor, along with Max, rubbing his eyes sleepily and smiling softly.
"You okay, Ray?"
The boy nodded slightly. "Yeah....A little...."
His gaze dropped onto his sheets.
"I guess.....you all know now, huh?"
Kai gave a nod, Max put on a sad smile, and Tyson smirked.
Ray sighed, his eyes brimming with unsteady tears. They seemed so endless. He couldn't keep himself from crying, no matter how hard he tried.
"Ray, how did this happen to you?" Max asked.
"I...just don't know, you guys..." Ray whispered. "But it started happening the last time I was at the White Tiger Village.....just one night...."
"Does anyone else know about all this, Ray?" Tyson asked, scratching his head. (He'd dropped his cap while running away from the cursed Ray)
"Only Mariah." Ray said, softly. "A-And Mr Dickenson. They both caught me changing back, Mariah while I was at the village earlier, and Mr Dickenson the night I 'hid inside the closet'"
"Kai kinda knew, though, didn't he?" Max asked. "He seemed to be hesitant to attack you. I mean, he wouldn't strike you when he had the chance."
Ray nodded. "Yeah, I think I completely gave it away when I put up a struggle to get away from him."
"You kicked me in the stomach!"
Kai glared at him. Ray gave a sheepish look back. "Sorry...."
"Ray, I still don't think you've told us everything." The team captain sighed. "I'm sorry, but could you start from the beginning?"
A flash of panic appeared in Ray's eyes, and there was a long pause before he gave a sigh and replied softly.
"I'll.....I'll talk...."
He took a deep breath, and began to tell his story.
"I was at the White tiger village. I was just staring at the stars, like any other night. I was relaxed, and everything was normal, and then....."
He sighed.
"I just....started to feel dizzy. Weak, even. I couldn't really sit up straight, and almost ended up slipping off the hut I was sitting on. I didn't have any idea what was going on, especially....whenever the moon started to glow red."
He looked up at his team mates, who impatiently were waiting for him to continue.
"Then, suddenly, I felt this huge flash of pain in my head, and - " He shook his head. "It's just a blur from there...."
"What happened next?" Tyson asked.
"I remember I woke up in the middle of the forest, with a scar on my forehead." Ray shifted his yin yang bandanna upwards a little, revealing a faint, but visible scar. "But at that time, I had no idea I was cursed."
"So....when did you actually find out?" Max asked, his tone getting slightly annoyed at Ray's several pauses throughout his explanation.
But all annoyance evaporated when Ray's eyes filled with fear.
His gaze dropped from his onlooking team mates before stuttering. "I..."
He let out a shaky sigh. "Th-the next night, I....."
He stared up at his team mates. Tyson was getting extremely impatient, Max was seemingly bracing himself for Ray's answer while Kai kept a firm, steely stare at him, knowing that the next confession would be dark.
He shut his eyes and looked down, eyes shadowed before managing to finish his sentence.
"I.....I killed Kevin....." He whispered.
Tyson's jaw dropped, Kai's eyes widened in rare terror and Max gasped in disbelief.
It took up almost all of Ray's courage to keep talking.
"I....I remember waking up...." His voice had gotten shaky, cracked, even. "I smelt blood in the air. I-I didn't know what was going on....
I remember...my sheets were covered in it.....m-my hands...even my mouth....I-I was scared, you guys....especially when I realized....that the blood – it wasn't mine....."
He paused for a while and let his tears spill. He was shaking, disbelieving that he was confessing something deeper and darker than anything.
He took another shaky breath, and decided to continue.
"Then....Kevin....h-he was there, on the ground....I realized...he was covered in blood, too....but I saw claw marks....especially around his chest and upper sides......
He was....he was dying, you guys...I-I'd penetrated his lung....he...he only just managed t-to tell what happened.....a-after that....I....I tried to wake him.....but...."
He almost broke, then, He almost lost all of his courage to go on. But he found the smallest amount of strength in his heart to keep talking.
"He was dead...." Ray whispered, right on the verge of breaking down into sobs. He was shaking violently, completely lacking the usual confidence they knew. He'd usually let nothing try to get him down. He'd always managed to get through tough times, but right now.....this situation was something he wasn't sure he'd get through.
A hand was placed on his shaking shoulder.
"Ray....I know this all caused you pain, but confessing this is the bravest thing I've ever seen you do."
Ray's eyes snapped open, and he stared upwards to see Kai with a small smile on his face, and a softer look in his eyes.
"And if you kept it in for any longer, it would've wounded you even more deeply."
"Yeah, Ray!" Tyson said. "That's the problem with everybody, especially Kai! ("What?!") They never open up to people when they need help!"
Max nodded, smiling, and ignoring Kai and Tyson's bickering, "Besides....I can forgive you for what you did to my mom. She's recovering.....The back wound managed to heal, but she's paralysed right now......."
Ray's eyes brightened. "Really? That's....great, Max.....I'm happy for you."
Max smiled, then frowned when a flicker of depression appeared in Ray's eyes again, dulling the brightness. "You okay, Ray?"
"Yeah....it's just –"He sighed. "You're all real good friends, but – what if everyone else knew? I-I just don't think they'd be as forgiving...especially Lee."
"But he's your best friend, Ray!" Tyson said. (He and Kai had stopped arguing)
"I know, but he's not that understanding....you do remember what he did when I left the village." Ray gestured.
"I'm not sure what's gonna happen, you guys....This curse, it scares the hell out of me....It can kill you, kill me....anyone." He started shaking again.
"I – I just don't know what to do....."
NG: I'M REALLY SORRY FOR THE DELAY!!! I HAVE SCHOOL, AND THAT'S SLOWING ME DOWN!!!!
Ray:
NG: (Glares)
Ray: Uh, I mean OO
NG: That's better....You too, KAI!
Kai: --;;
2BC
It was still night when the BladeBreakers reached the White Tiger village. When the three crept past the sleeping teams inside the straw huts, aiding their wounded friend towards the village hospital. They were all stunned, especially Tyson and Max, but they helped to carry Ray to the hospital. They were going to save Ray. They were going to save their friend, no matter what.
The moon was still glowing red. Ray seemed to respond, moving unconsciously on Kai's back. Kai, noticing this, suddenly broke into a run. He knew the red moon had something to do with Ray's transformation. They had to get him out of the moon's reach, or else he would transform. They couldn't let that happen again. He was too wounded, and if he did change, he'd end up in an even worse state.
They finally reached the hospital, and quickly placed the wounded Ray onto an empty bed.
The three stared at the fainted neko jin, in silence. They were deep in thought, trying to make sense of everything that had happened. Ray had been acting strangely since the night they were all in the BBA building. Since the tiger had suddenly appeared and tried to destroy everybody.
And now, they knew why.
It was a few minutes later when Kai realized something was wrong.
He stared at Ray, who let out a small groan of pain. Then, his eyes shot over to the window, where the moon was glowing harshly, its scarlet rays spreading across the sky.
Ray was right in the shaft of the red moon's light, and was moving in pain, trying to unconsciously resist the transformation. Kai, realising this, leapt in front of the window, blocking the moon's scarlet light.
Ray stopped moving, letting out a relieved sigh. His breathing became steady, as his body managed to relax.
Tyson and Max stared at Kai, who looked back at them.
"What're you doing, Kai?" Max asked, raising an eyebrow.
Kai sighed. "It's the moon." He whispered, looking behind himself. "I think the moon's been the source of Ray's transformation."
He looked back at his two team mates. "We can't let him become the tiger again. He's completely wounded, right now."
He stared onto the poorly carpeted ground. "If he does, it'll spell doom for everyone, especially Ray."
Tyson blinked. "What do you mean, Kai?" He asked.
Kai stared at his wounded team mate. At his wounds. At his pale skin. At the scars all over his body.
"If Ray is wounded again in tiger form....." His voice had gotten strangely cracked and shaky, "he..........he will die."
Kai looked away from his friend and shut his eyes as he heard Tyson and Max gasp in horror. With that many wounds, having just one more addition was impossible to recover from. Just one more wound, and he would die. He needed to be protected.
But how? If everyone knew Ray was the white tiger, they would never forgive him. Especially after all the absent-minded things he'd done to them.
Suddenly, he felt something brush along his right side. His brimming eyes snapped open to see Max standing there, facing the wounded neko-jin.
It suddenly occurred to Kai that he, too was attempting to shield Ray from the glowing, red moon. He stared at his team mate, the usually bright eyes full of sadness.
"Even though......he did hurt my mom....." Max admitted in a small, trembling voice. "...he didn't mean it.......he said so, himself...."
The Draciel master's saddened face turned into a firm, determined expression.
"I'm still gonna help him....." He wiped his eyes and nose, in a makeshift attempt to be brave, although this action still made Kai admire the shaken boy's strength. "....He....he's my friend....."
Kai suddenly felt a brush along his left side and spun to see Tyson standing next to him, a solemn expression on his usually goofy, carefree face. He, too was attempting to block the moon's glow.
"He's done so much to help us....." He said softly. "...I don't want him to go.....regardless of what he did to the villagers...."
It was one of the first times Kai had heard Tyson act so smart. But he didn't comment on it. Instead, he too faced the sleeping Ray, a grim, emotionless expression on his pale face.
They would stand there.
They would protect him, no matter what......
Ray stirred in his sleep. Flashbacks of the night before kept racing through his troubled mind. He clenched his teeth, as unsettling thoughts swirled around in his head.
A flash of red light, the taste of blood, a scream......
He shot up, letting out a crazed yell. But his whole body was aching, and he only succeeded in sitting up for a few seconds before falling back, breathing hard.
His amber eyes were wide with fear. He tried hard to calm himself from the nightmare, but so far, he was having no luck. He remembered everything from last night, and they were once again replaying in his mind.
He shut his eyes, tears starting to slide down his cheeks. They knew. His team mates knew, now. What were they going to do with him?
His eyes reopened. His gaze was blurred, due to the tears spilling out.
"What.....what am I gonna do, you guys.....?" He whispered through his cracked and bleeding lips.
He suddenly heard soft snoring from his right, and turned on his side.
His eyes were wide and watery from the sight, and a small smile, for the very first time in ages, managed to find its way onto his lips.
His team mates were there, asleep. Kai was leaning against the window's frame, his arms crossed, and eyes closed, out of sight. He was also snoring, but very softly. Ray could just hear it. Max lay curled up on the ground, his mouth open slightly, and moving a little in his sleep, sometimes even mumbling. Tyson was sprawled out on the poorly carpeted ground, snoring with his mouth open, but not as loudly as he usually did.
They were here.
He closed his eyes, and his smile vanished, as more tears started spilling over. But....why? Why did they still care for him? After everything he did to the villagers?
'It is because of your bond with them, Master Ray.'
Ray's eyes snapped open. His team mates were still asleep, but the voice.....
It sounded....familiar. He'd heard it before. Last night.
'Driger....' He whispered.
'I am pleased you remember me, Master Ray. I am also relieved you can hear me.'
Ray blinked.
'Wh....what do you mean?'
'I have been trying to contact you ever since you gained that curse. What troubles me is that the person who cast that spell on you.......'
Ray's pupils slitted almost instantly, and he let out a silent hiss of anger.
'Who was it, Driger?! Who did this to me?!'
'Silence, young Master. Calm yourself.'
But Ray was still getting worked up. He slowly began to prop himself up on his scarred elbows, though he went through much pain while doing it. His eyes were still slitted.
How dare they. How dare they do something like this to him!
'Master Ray! You're bleeding! Do not make it worse!'
Ray's expression of fury turned to sadness, his slitted pupils rounding again. He started gasping, it wasn't easy to breathe halfway up. And Driger was right, his sheets were becoming stained red from the scar on his arm.
In some way, he managed to sit all the way up, and sit against the wooden wall. It wasn't very comfortable, but it was easier to breathe.
'Who did this to me, Driger?' He whispered. More tears were falling from his pained, amber eyes.
There was silence.
Ray sighed, depressed. He knew Driger was slightly angered at him, since he refused to calm. So any chance of knowing who the culprit was immediately pushed out of his mind.
'.....I will tell you one thing, Master Ray....It is a story. A story that will be unsettling, yet a true one, to be precise.'
Ray felt his stomach churn, but his eyes remained firm. He let out a shaky breath.
'Go on, Driger.'
'Something happened a millennium ago, young Master. A very similar incident to yours. And it happened in this very village.
A boy your age was cursed by one of his relatives. Cursed to transform into a white tiger and lose his will in the presence of the red moon. He never told anyone about it, until it was too late. He fell victim to his own village. After the killing blow, he changed back to his original form before their eyes, and managed to apologize, before he breathed his last.
Now....only his spirit remains....trying to guide a victim of the same curse....'
Ray's eyes widened, as everything managed to pour into place, within his troubled mind.
'Driger....'
He started shaking again, fear brewing inside his amber eyes. He knew the truth, but he didn't want to face it. Not at all.
'That boy.....he was you, wasn't he?'
There was a long silence. The bitbeast finally replied, but in a silent whisper.
'Yes, Master Ray...'
Ray shut his eyes, tears travelling down his pale cheeks.(A/N: Yes, Ray is a wuss in this chapter XD But wouldn't you be one in that situation?)
"No...."
'Master Ray....'
"No!" He cried out, but ended up coughing, hard. The realization sunk in harder, as he tried to catch his breath. Would he really die? At the hands of his out village? Of his home?
'What....what am I gonna do, Driger?'
'Master Ray, you must hold onto your friendships with the people you know. Then, you shall not harm them. You can win your free will back.
Ray blinked.
'I....I don't understand....'
'You will, young Master....when the time comes.....'(A/N: Go the lame quote! )
The voice of his bitbeast faded out of his mind. Ray blinked gain, and finally settled his gaze on his beyblade, which lay upon the bedside table.
"What do you mean, Driger?" He whispered.
But there was no reply from the white tiger bitbeast.
He sighed, then suddenly had an insecure feeling in the pit of his stomach. His eyes snapped over to where the three boys were sleeping.
Kai's crimson brown eyes were open, and staring at Ray, a hint of confusion in his gaze.
Ray swallowed.
"Who were you talking to, just then?"
The neko-jin bit his lip. "Uh...."
Kai let out a sigh. "Ray, you've been keeping a lot of things hidden from us, lately. We DO know you're...." He gestured. "...you know."
Ray nodded. "I should talk, then, huh?"
Kai gave a nod. "Number one, who was it you were talking to?"
"Driger...."
The captain raised an eyebrow, making Ray smirk.
"I know it sounds impossible, but – "
"Actually, I don't think it's really THAT impossible...."
"Tyson!" The neko-jin stared at his team mate, who was getting up from the floor, along with Max, rubbing his eyes sleepily and smiling softly.
"You okay, Ray?"
The boy nodded slightly. "Yeah....A little...."
His gaze dropped onto his sheets.
"I guess.....you all know now, huh?"
Kai gave a nod, Max put on a sad smile, and Tyson smirked.
Ray sighed, his eyes brimming with unsteady tears. They seemed so endless. He couldn't keep himself from crying, no matter how hard he tried.
"Ray, how did this happen to you?" Max asked.
"I...just don't know, you guys..." Ray whispered. "But it started happening the last time I was at the White Tiger Village.....just one night...."
"Does anyone else know about all this, Ray?" Tyson asked, scratching his head. (He'd dropped his cap while running away from the cursed Ray)
"Only Mariah." Ray said, softly. "A-And Mr Dickenson. They both caught me changing back, Mariah while I was at the village earlier, and Mr Dickenson the night I 'hid inside the closet'"
"Kai kinda knew, though, didn't he?" Max asked. "He seemed to be hesitant to attack you. I mean, he wouldn't strike you when he had the chance."
Ray nodded. "Yeah, I think I completely gave it away when I put up a struggle to get away from him."
"You kicked me in the stomach!"
Kai glared at him. Ray gave a sheepish look back. "Sorry...."
"Ray, I still don't think you've told us everything." The team captain sighed. "I'm sorry, but could you start from the beginning?"
A flash of panic appeared in Ray's eyes, and there was a long pause before he gave a sigh and replied softly.
"I'll.....I'll talk...."
He took a deep breath, and began to tell his story.
"I was at the White tiger village. I was just staring at the stars, like any other night. I was relaxed, and everything was normal, and then....."
He sighed.
"I just....started to feel dizzy. Weak, even. I couldn't really sit up straight, and almost ended up slipping off the hut I was sitting on. I didn't have any idea what was going on, especially....whenever the moon started to glow red."
He looked up at his team mates, who impatiently were waiting for him to continue.
"Then, suddenly, I felt this huge flash of pain in my head, and - " He shook his head. "It's just a blur from there...."
"What happened next?" Tyson asked.
"I remember I woke up in the middle of the forest, with a scar on my forehead." Ray shifted his yin yang bandanna upwards a little, revealing a faint, but visible scar. "But at that time, I had no idea I was cursed."
"So....when did you actually find out?" Max asked, his tone getting slightly annoyed at Ray's several pauses throughout his explanation.
But all annoyance evaporated when Ray's eyes filled with fear.
His gaze dropped from his onlooking team mates before stuttering. "I..."
He let out a shaky sigh. "Th-the next night, I....."
He stared up at his team mates. Tyson was getting extremely impatient, Max was seemingly bracing himself for Ray's answer while Kai kept a firm, steely stare at him, knowing that the next confession would be dark.
He shut his eyes and looked down, eyes shadowed before managing to finish his sentence.
"I.....I killed Kevin....." He whispered.
Tyson's jaw dropped, Kai's eyes widened in rare terror and Max gasped in disbelief.
It took up almost all of Ray's courage to keep talking.
"I....I remember waking up...." His voice had gotten shaky, cracked, even. "I smelt blood in the air. I-I didn't know what was going on....
I remember...my sheets were covered in it.....m-my hands...even my mouth....I-I was scared, you guys....especially when I realized....that the blood – it wasn't mine....."
He paused for a while and let his tears spill. He was shaking, disbelieving that he was confessing something deeper and darker than anything.
He took another shaky breath, and decided to continue.
"Then....Kevin....h-he was there, on the ground....I realized...he was covered in blood, too....but I saw claw marks....especially around his chest and upper sides......
He was....he was dying, you guys...I-I'd penetrated his lung....he...he only just managed t-to tell what happened.....a-after that....I....I tried to wake him.....but...."
He almost broke, then, He almost lost all of his courage to go on. But he found the smallest amount of strength in his heart to keep talking.
"He was dead...." Ray whispered, right on the verge of breaking down into sobs. He was shaking violently, completely lacking the usual confidence they knew. He'd usually let nothing try to get him down. He'd always managed to get through tough times, but right now.....this situation was something he wasn't sure he'd get through.
A hand was placed on his shaking shoulder.
"Ray....I know this all caused you pain, but confessing this is the bravest thing I've ever seen you do."
Ray's eyes snapped open, and he stared upwards to see Kai with a small smile on his face, and a softer look in his eyes.
"And if you kept it in for any longer, it would've wounded you even more deeply."
"Yeah, Ray!" Tyson said. "That's the problem with everybody, especially Kai! ("What?!") They never open up to people when they need help!"
Max nodded, smiling, and ignoring Kai and Tyson's bickering, "Besides....I can forgive you for what you did to my mom. She's recovering.....The back wound managed to heal, but she's paralysed right now......."
Ray's eyes brightened. "Really? That's....great, Max.....I'm happy for you."
Max smiled, then frowned when a flicker of depression appeared in Ray's eyes again, dulling the brightness. "You okay, Ray?"
"Yeah....it's just –"He sighed. "You're all real good friends, but – what if everyone else knew? I-I just don't think they'd be as forgiving...especially Lee."
"But he's your best friend, Ray!" Tyson said. (He and Kai had stopped arguing)
"I know, but he's not that understanding....you do remember what he did when I left the village." Ray gestured.
"I'm not sure what's gonna happen, you guys....This curse, it scares the hell out of me....It can kill you, kill me....anyone." He started shaking again.
"I – I just don't know what to do....."
NG: I'M REALLY SORRY FOR THE DELAY!!! I HAVE SCHOOL, AND THAT'S SLOWING ME DOWN!!!!
Ray:
NG: (Glares)
Ray: Uh, I mean OO
NG: That's better....You too, KAI!
Kai: --;;
2BC