Chapter Two
The Game of Hate

The small waves that erupt from the forgotten pebble elapsed away from the disturbance, forming the same mixture of repercussion that the melancholic crimson eyed boy felt now. The microscopic waves were miniature gales, of anger from their outbreak, and of freedom, searching for a place where at last they could come at rest, at least until another pebble was thrown.

Kai picked up a exceptionally smooth one in his hand allowing it to roll between his forefingers and thumb as he marveled at it's coolness, though such a fiery color of red. It reminded him of the past. The exterior being harsh, red hot upon the eyes, but cool and soft to the touch. He sighed happily holding onto the thought of the embrace of his far less reluctant memories.

A firm hand held his wrist tight, more so dragging him than leading his small shapeless figure down the cool damp halls that had now become his new home.

"You'll never last long here, with that attitude." Came an angry snap as he tripped over a uneven portion of the hard cement.

"Why would I want to stay here?" Demanded the young boy in defiance, not yet understanding why no one else would dare to confront this man in such tone. Without a thought the older man backhanded the young boy so he fell hard against the ground.

It had been his first lesson in life.

"Because no one else wants you and you are alone in this world."

'Alone in this world.' Though the words had been spoken to him almost ten years before they still echoed his sub-conscience like they were remarked yesterday.

"I guess I really am alone in the world." Throwing the pebble it leaped further, creating a larger impression towards the already rippling surface of the river, and than as if it had never been their the cruel waters forgot the sacrifice and let the small influential rock fall to it's cold depths to never be seen again.

It was simple. All they had to do was go in and destroy their controller. Simple except it was expected. That night the two boys sat up from their slumber-less sleep and held each other for longing comfort before setting out for the inevitable.

The goal seemed so simple and with it's achievement would come victory in the form of freedom not tyranny as it was wished for by the 'god's.'

Plans didn't go accordingly, did they ever? He once reflected. Instead the downfall had been turned on them.

His companion's eyes had been the same pools as the river; enveloping his life they way the waters had the stone.

That was the last time he had ever held him, the last time he had ever shared his emblazed warmth with the one he loved, the last time he would forgive Voltaire for his 'lessons.'

-----

"Hey Kai aren't you gonna eat that dude?" Tyson's cheerful remark came as he plowed down a pile stacked high with food.

"Tyson I think he's going to loose his appetite as it is." Max joked lovingly, placing his arm around Tyson to half hug him, kissing him on the cheek before he too went to go rediscover the wonders of an 'all you can eat buffet.'

"Kai are you all right?" Rei asked his friend already knowing the answer.

"I'm fine." This earned the stubborn leader a frown from the ebony haired boy's lips.

"You're dwelling off of that thing with your Grandfather tomorrow aren't ya?" Tyson asked his mouth full of food forgetting to regard Kai's feelings."

"How did you guess?" He replied moodily, still pushing his potatoes around on the place. Rei shot Tyson as malicious glare in respect towards the pathos that the navy blue haired blader had conducted, then turned to his loved one and shone a smile that was hardly returned.

"Don't worry about it." Rei said softly placing his right hand on Kai's shoulder. "I'll be there at the trial as well, you won't be alone."

"I don't need you there Rei." He shot back not wanting Rei to feel as if Kai needed him. I really don't need any of this." He pushed his plate away from him. "So stop playing savior because you aren't helping."

"Kai I know you are just frustrated, but you don't have to let it out on us." The amber-eyed boy's expressionate gaze showed hurt though he wouldn't let his tone of voice prove what Kai had suspected. He refused to respond and instead relinquished his uneaten dinner and teammates, leaving for the sanctuary of his room. Kai knew Rei would eventually follow however maybe he would know enough to give him some time.

-----

Kai was wrong. Rei didn't come. At first he enjoyed the silence, holding comfort in how the emptiness almost allowed his mind to remain empty, but as the hours creeped by he realized how lonely he felt.

Where was Rei?

At last by ten o'clock and no more energy for a further thought Kai lay placidly under the covers of his bed watching the early spring sleet fall outside through the window.

He reread the note that had been written in Rei's flawless handwriting. It had told him to meet him here, by the river's edge.

He watched for any signal of the boy's approaching until at last his glance fell on nefarious building looming in the distance. He instantly recognized it as the prison his childhood had been condemned to. Shuddering he backed away from the illusion.

Someone wrapped their arms around his waist nuzzling his neck with their soft face. He relaxed on impulse into the touch. At first it seemed it was- No. Impossible. And than...

"Rei?" The grip tightened on him with anger.

"Rei!" The voice was not overly loud just outspoken with anger.

"Voltaire?" Kai gasped as he turned around, and landed on the floor of the cold hotel room.

Sweat beaded his forehead, weighing down his bangs with the reoccurring fear. Brushing the hair from his eyes he attempted to calm his breathing down.

He sighed any minute now Rei would come purring to his side questioning the dream. The golden -eyed boy was always involving himself into Kai's conflicts. He hesitated, so where was he now?

Leaning against the frame of his bed he closed his eyes. A shudder fell down his spine from the all too recent touch from Voltaire.

"Why do I long for you grandson?" The thickly accented voice filled the room as well as Kai's mind as he felt his body pressed against the floor with no hope for escape. "Why do I claim you every night for my own?" He asked bring himself closer to the young boy who refused to make a sound.

Kai understood that without noise, even if it made the pain worse, allowed him to keep his dignity if everything else was stripped from him. Pain was worth the chance of respect.

"I own you Kai." The voice was now low, mostly breathable as it whispered its hate filled message of domination to the victim. "Without I you would be nothing. Weak and powerless as you once were when you first entered this abbey. Your perfection has only been earned because of me. You have my approval for now you are truly perfect." With his last spoken word he ran his hand down the shaking body of the frightened youth. Every caress was rough, and lingered with the awkwardness of pain.

His second lesson.

Head rested on his knees he had to work hard to keep the emotion from his already fragile mind. Fragile from the memories, thoughts and the recent feeling of Voltaire's nearness.

Would he ever escape?

Rei didn't return that night.

-----

Despite the previous evening's dispute Rei was still more than willing to still accompany Kai to the trial he was to face today; however Kai chose to ignore his presence. They caught a taxi to the courthouse, due to the horrible weather, which Rei had indiscreetly complained about. Kai didn't mind the quicker they got there that faster they could get this over and done with.

During the silent ride Kai was tempted to question Rei of his previous night's absence, however figured the ebony haired blader had his reasons, and realizing he wouldn't want Rei to dwell, he chose to leave the subject alone.

When they at last arrived at the courthouse they were greeted by crowds of media wanting to have Kai's opinion on the downfall of one of Russia's most feared leaders. When he refused to comment they wanted to investigate Rei's information. Angered by their persistence, Kai hesitantly placed a protective arm around his companions shoulder's trying his best to ignore the blush and smile of gratitude from the boy's expression.

Leading him in this way, the pair fabricated themselves a path through the controversial gazes. They had almost entered the sanctuary away from the rain and chaos when a bold voice stopped the stubborn slate haired boy in his tracks. With the sound it seemed everything else died away as he pushed the amber-eyed youth away from him and turned on his heel.

"Kai, how good to see you, and with such an 'affectionate' friend." Voltaire made for a mocking bow than, motioned towards Rei, who was shaking from the cold and from Kai's frightened aura.

At first it seemed Kai would protest, than in opposition, he wrapped his arm around Rei's waist and pulled him into his chest and nodded before entering the courtroom.

"Obviously I failed to break him." Voltaire commented bitterly to his own companions. A taller violently colored hair man and a smaller man in glasses, Mr. Kalma. "I failed once however after this, I won't make it twice.

"Come Boris. Kalma. Let us not impatient our victim," he gave a harsh laugh. "I mean client waiting any longer than he should."

The two men smiled for their master's approval then too followed him in to the room.

"My defendant, Kai Hiwatari claims that he was victim to several forms of abuse from his Grandfather Voltaire Hiwatari." Mr. Kalma stood in front of the booth in which Kai was reluctantly positioned. He had never wanted to be here in the first place. He would have been just happy never to see the face of his grandfather again. Why did everyone want to hear his opinion otherwise, was it not obvious that Voltaire would just deny it? Kai was, for what it seemed for the first time in his life mistaken.

"That is true." Voltaire replied calmly holding hidden disdain in his voice though a smile to appease the people who would later decide his fate.

"The accounts are as followed." The lawyer paused and turned to Kai who shook his head and looked away. "Physical harm, unnecessary labor, political and military weaponry administrated and," he paused "Sexual abuse." To all of this Voltaire nodded in unhesitant agreement. "Am I correct Kai Hiwatari." Kai gave him a cold glare as he noticed Mr. Kalma's magnified orbs dancing from the excitement of the courtroom.

"Yes that is correct." He responded in a low voice, still refusing to raise his eyes to the level of his accusers.

"Than you may be seated." The judge spoke.

Kai followed the order and returned to his place next to Rei who reached out a lingering right hand to place lovingly on Kai's thigh, flashing him a smile to show his care.

"I call Voltaire Hiwatari to the stand, whom has chosen to by pass a lawyer and defend himself." The judge smiled respectively towards the older man who returned the pseudonymously warm smile.

"Thank you." The man responded having taken the seat Kai held just moments before, however despite all warm actions the look in his gaze as he watched Kai was anything but. It held full intentions of deceive and past pain he knew he would allow Kai to see again. He began.

"Yes it is true my Grandson has accused me of all of these crimes, claming his innocence and it is true with the International crisis two months previous held towards the Beyblade Battle Association. The World Champion Tournament stunt I claim was entirely mine to be blamed for, however it is not as it appears. I was merely building my defenses, not planning anything of the sort of world domination. It is such that comes from petty children's imaginations. I was only supporting my training center for over achieving beybladers." He paused allowing his words to silence the whispers of any audience he held. "However false interrogation has befallen me but for one reason, and he sits there right in front of me."

Kai was immediately taken back by the words. Him? What did he have to do with anything? He asked himself. At last Voltaire did have a trick up his sleeve. However it would be unjustified there was evidence that his very own lawyer held that could take away such a flaw filled advantage.

"It is my own Grandson that is the sinful one in this house of constitution." Again he hesitated, waiting for his words to take affect. "You see, he has always been like this. Very unreliable and with such a skeptical attitude. He is always telling lies to save him, and to earn both my respectful appraisal and power. In fact he had been undergoing treatment for his slight medical condition when he escaped my care. I was fiercely worried about him for he sometimes elapses into episodes of denial and hate, taking it out on anyone who may be close to him at the time. It can't be helped but I love him otherwise, and I know this is just a misunderstanding. However for proof I have the medical papers here."

Kai was near his wits end, Voltaire was being elaborate with his lies, however he still had-

"Objection!" His own voice was clear, echoing the walls of the courtroom as he rose to his feet. "Mr. Kalma has documents to show his guilt." He hesitated ignoring Rei's comforting hand on his should. "Mr. Kalma?"

"I'm sorry Kai however you must be mistake for there is no such recording."

That was when Kai realized what had happened, Voltaire had obtained total control.

"In fact." Voltaire carried on. "It because of one of these episodes, that he caused himself to flee my home." He hesitated bearing his gaze into Kai's to show superiority. "It was hardly his fault but his friend was the one who paid the price. He was angered and prepared to attempt my murder, however his companion was loyal to me." He told the courtroom who was in awe of the change of events.

Kai was shaking not only with rage but with fear, where could this man possibly be going with such an absurd story.

"As Kai rose the gun to my chest his partner betrayed him and dove in front of the attack. He was dead immediately."

"LIAR!" Kai shouted unable to contain the anger nor the tears that fell from his eyes. "YOU KILLED TALA! YOU SAID IT WAS PUNISHMENT! YOU KILLED HIM JUST LIKE EVERYONE ELSE."

"See. His outburst is somewhat to be questioned." Voltaire spoke with an animated sigh. "I'm afraid his ways will never change unless he is returned to my care." Approval was granted.

Kai had broken to Voltaire's will. Followed the sick line of events that had been planned from the beginning. He had lost, all because he had failed to follow lesson three: Love equals weakness.