Reluctant Failure
The slender Chinese youth shivered from deep within his blanketed barrier, watching the heavy sleet fall outside. The room around him seemed remarkably confined in the darkness. The dank surroundings caused the boy to pull the blankets further up around his shoulders as if to ward off the pain, the lonely night brought. He sat like this, cross-legged, gazing out the windows, ebony strands of hair laying loosely to give the appearance of a sagacious, graceful aura. The only movement was the rise and fall of his shaking shoulders and the silver tears that ran down his pale face.
It's not that he wanted to believe Kai was to be blamed, it was only that Rei was being logical, and all evidence directed towards the leaders guilt. If anything Rei wanted to rely on his emotions and entrust Kai with the benefit of the doubt, however it was difficult. Kai had told Rei he would never hurt anyone yet the gleam in his eyes had been so definite, deadly almost. The amber-eyed boy could hardly contend with his own suspicions that his faithful leader held acts of violence. The truth was that Kai had scared him.
Rei loved Kai and he told him that, however it seemed unlikely that his companion would ever return the feeling. Rei couldn't help the way he felt so he had to be satisfied with the affection he did receive. He never expected Kai to react the way he did and he was sorry for it. Sorry he had caused his loved one so much pain and sorry he couldn't come to terms with the past he had just begun to learn about.
He knew one thing though, he had to set things straight; instead of only shattered fragments of Kai's past he wanted to know the full truth no matter how painful it may be. He sighed inwardly allowing his weary expression to at last fall. He would first however make sense of the matter to avoid Kai's reproachfulness; he decided they both would need time. While he sat there alone the golden-teared boy came to terms that it might just be possible to have all the time in the world, or he liked to think he would.
-----
Monitors shone eerily in the corner as Boris momentarily rested his eyes from his place on the night shift. Voltaire was expecting Kai's arrival and knowing the obstinate, young leader, his entrance could come unprepared at any time, complete with unyielding circumstances of his absence.
The perspicacious man was left to his musing, as he glanced at the security screens surrounding him at seldom.
Voltaire had once again assigned him to a job that others were hired to do, however with more capabilities and understandings of just what happened in the abbey it was up to Boris to supervise.
A movement caught his eyes as he looked up in time to see the vermilion haired boy he cherished so much struggling uncharacteristically from his restraints. He allowed himself to give the youth his undivided attention in an effort to overcome what was wrong with him.
-----
Tala was struggling fiercely, trying to escape his painful bonds, eyes wild; his breathing had rapidly become harsh and short.
The nightmare that had awoken him had been so vivid and real it had deeply disturbed the azure-eyed boy. He had dreamed that Kai was alone and cold in the rain, searching for a place to belong. He had been forgotten by someone who had said they had loved him. Himself? Tala controversed. No. It was someone else who had hurt his Kai.
-----
Overhead the familiar silhouette of the hated abbey loomed maliciously, dwarfing anything moral that dared challenge it. Kai sighed deeply shivering only slightly from the clothes clinging tight to his body, as he brushed a lock of damp hair from his eyes. He carried with him a small worn travel bag slung over his shoulder and in his right hand he clutched his precious blade.
Lately with only the minimal training he had executed, he had inattentively failed to offer his beyblade as much acknowledgment as it deserved, feeling he had neglected his now most cherished friend. It was only because it seemed every time he clutched Dranzer in his hand, the fire that coursed through his veins brought memories of defeat and failure, regret upon his actions and the pain he had caused other. Worst of all was the retrospection of giving up Dranzer for the power he believed he had craved. The power that had ended up destroying his dreams.
Now, it was only Dranzer that was left for him and he took comfort in the warmth the blade radiated allowing it's strength to pulse through Kai. He would never again give up the blade, not for anything. It seemed that his Grandfather was only satisfied if Kai was lacking, however he knew this time was different this time he would fight back. Face Voltaire eye to eye and overcome the plaguing evil.
-----
Boris sighed inwardly as he sank back into his chair, soon disregarding Tala as instructed to when the boy at last calmed down. It bothered him deeply to see the once strong able boy now so weak from his wounds, restrained day and night to his confinement, however it was Voltaire's wishes and that he could not deny.
"He is recovering. Soon he will come around, and when at last completely loyal to us," Voltaire would tell his associate. "Then he may be free again, but only when we can earn his trust, and he ours."
The man sighed again with discomfort only wishing to be able to provide Tala with true support.
"If only he were all mine." He growled with sudden anger. "If only he would pledge to me as Kai did to Voltaire." Being caught up in his own inner battles, the watchman failed to notice two other active screens.
-----
Kai slid through the metal bars of the gate easily having done it before. The irony hit him hard as for once, he realized he was sneaking into imprisonment, not away from it like he knew he should have. Everything was the same, the yard immaculate in the late raining night, the stone walkway harsh and dank to walk upon and the iron doors before him, which would forever seal him away from sanctuary.
Kai wasn't planning an escape this time though, and the dagger he carried in his tote bag reminded him of his destiny. After taking his Grandfather's life he would take his own.
He raised his hand to the door and knocked slowly three times, Dranzer still clutched tight in his gloved palm. He waited, fearing the worse. Mahogany eyes turned one last time to gaze in the direction he had come form. It seemed so simple to just want to escape.
There was still Rei, maybe he could find away to regain the amber eyed boy's trust. Forgive him for his faults and in return hope he would Kai's. He almost longed to run away from it all, the rain and danger, the pain and the power. To hold the deliberate ebony haired blader to his chest, perhaps he could find peace. However fate had other plans as a hand roughly grabbed his shoulder.
"Hello Kai Hiwatari." The voice came slowly as if trying to hide back a victorious laugh.
Kai hadn't known what to expect but the sight that befell him was worse than he could have imagined.
The lawyer was hardly a few inches taller than Kai, however with the metaphorical cloak of confidence he wore, it seemed to enhance his exaggerated jurisdiction to contribute to his unappealing gaze of domination. The look in his eye combined with the grasp on his shoulder caused, the already disheartened boy, to flinch attempting to shy away, but the grip only tightened. Before he could react, the tainted haired boy was within penitentiary once again, door shut and back pressed against a wall.
"And here your Grandfather told me I would not receive my 'just desserts' until he was through." Mr. Kalma whispered into the dumbfounded boy's ear. The transformation that overtook the already ghastly man was astonishing. Only traces of the pathetic backbone-less lawyer remained as his eyes gleamed with sadism and desire. The look Kai knew well, however when he tried to throw the man from him; Mr. Kalma only grinned in reply allowing himself into Kai's precious territory.
"Now Kai, this will be different for unlike Voltaire, I hate a struggle." With the last of his words he pressed himself up against Kai's chest, causing the antagonized boy to let out a soft noise of discomfort.
Kai couldn't understand, he knew well what he had been walking into. He understood the pain he would have to endure from his Grandfather, however Mr. Kalma? Now that was a different story. The crimson-eyed boy was confused and the emotion shook through his body as the shiver from the cold, not even Dranzer could warm him from the nightmare he had encountered. Wait! Dranzer? Only now were his abused limbs enveloping from the numbness that had occurred due to the night's storm, and only then did he realize that Mr. Kalma had seductively caressed his palm down Kai's arms, easily loosening the blade from his hand.
"Dranzer!" He shouted, his first words creating an impulse of reaction from Mr. Kalma as he momentarily released his grasp. "Give her back!"
"And here I thought you would want to know about me?" The layer mused, regaining himself so that once again the pair were chest to chest. "Like how I managed to fool you out of your documents, your only evidence to prove Voltaire's guilt. How I managed to betray you and lead you to believe that I was loyal to your cause."
"Dranzer." Kai whispered, not wanting to come to terms with his shock; he was fighting a loosing battle. It was then that he realized that to submissively accept this initial fate, was easier then unleashing his more aggressive nature.
"That's right I betrayed you. I never worked for you. I work for Voltaire. The courtroom was staged, all men I chose for the jury, all men from Biovolt. You hardly stood a chance and those odds will remain against you." Mr. Kalma snarled the words malevolently into Kai's ear. Having pocketed Dranzer he now pressed one hand against Kai's left shoulder and was slowly running his right palm down the steely haired boy's torso, pausing briefly before carrying on. "Looks like we win again."
Kai could feel his own all too familiar desire to be dominated his shared masochistic capabilities. He would fight back only... he couldn't pull himself away, longed for the rough touch. It was the only way he knew. He would fight back if only he had Dranzer. The bit beast had always kept him safe before. He would fight back if only he knew he could turn to Tala to escape the tension. But he couldn't, he was all out of options and he would die without the drug. He gave himself away.
-----
The morning light swept across Voltaire Hiwatari's desk as he awaited the grand news the appointed lawyer was said to bring him. Leaning back against his chair he carefully sipped the black coffee and observed the items on his desk, a letter opener, documents for Kai's restoration to his care, and a gun. The same gun in which he had 'killed' Tala with, he smirked at the played upon memory. Feeling the approval of his Grandson's broken soul.
There was a lesson Voltaire had learned in his past as well: If you can break someone then they become yours to maintain. Defining that every time he was able to break the supposed indomitable boy, he overcame the barrier and took Kai for his own.
"Master Voltaire." Mr. Kalma presented allowing a low bow in Voltaire's direction. His commanding, pervious aura seemingly dispersed form his interaction with Kai, who was presently a sleep away from activity.
"No need for drama." Voltaire chuckled at Mr. Kalma's flattering antics. "What news have you brought?"
"Voltaire." Mr. Kalma spoke through a dauntless smile. "Kai returned late last night." He paused. " I greeted him personally."
"Oh?" Voltaire asked intrigued as to why Mr. Kalma had met his Grandson even before he had been informed.
"And I managed to obtain this." Strutting forward the lawyer held his hand palm up to reveal Dranzer radiating an angry red luminescence.
"How is that?" Voltaire asked his forehead quickly burrowing lines of stress. "Kai is not easy to part with that particular possession."
"Quite easily."
"Do explain." The prudent man encouraged the lawyer, awaiting the explanation knowing that there was only one way to entice Kai away from his precious blade.
"I opened the door and the poor boy was catching his death staring down the road after knocking. I took him in and warmed him a bit, allowing him to forget his troubles." Mr. Kalma paused fabricating the evening's events slightly.
"And?" Voltaire encouraged again, knowing well enough exactly what this traitor had been opposed to.
"I eased him into comfort and he happened to hold the blade in his hand." The lawyer grew nervous, it appeared that the master was not accepting the lies as well as he had hoped.
"And I..." He broke off noticing the menace of a gleam in Voltaire's deep empty eyes.
"And?" Voltaire asked.
"And I well...." Mr. Kalma finished lamely unable to continue his web of lies under the master's gaze.
"And you seduced him away from it didn't you." The provident elderly man interrogated.
"Yes sir."
"Even after what I told you." It was merely a statement not a question however that was not how Mr. Kalma took it.
"But sir?" He concluded trying desperately to seek his way from the crisis using the wit that had allowed him to graduate as top attorney.
"No." Voltaire paused taking his hands from his lap and placing them on his desk, which received a nervous look from the lawyer. "You are dismissed." He hesitated. "Permanently."
"Yes sir." Mr. Kalma's face shone crimson with regret and anger as he turned away. His thought were so focused on vengeance he didn't hear the sound until he was dead.
Voltaire replaced the gun on the desk and shook his head sadly before pressing a button on the arm of his chair.
"Boris?"
"Yes sir."
"I'm afraid to announce we lost another lawyer." He paused almost thoughtfully. "Too bad and he held so much promise."
"Yes sir, I'll be up in a moment sir." Came the passive voice from the security room.
After what he had observed of Tala, he had gone to check on his disciple and had failed to keep track of the recordings. This worried him for if something had happened in the night he had missed it.
When Boris arrived in Voltaire's study, the man was smiling appealingly.
"Good Morning, please have someone remove the filth."
"Yes sir."
"And did you know that Kai arrived this morning?"
"No I did not."
"Yes Mr. Kalma had a bit of a run in with him, looks like my Grandson got the better of our departed." Voltaire laughed politely at his own joke.
"I see." Boris responded realizing he had missed Kai's accession and would have to catch himself up on events.
"Curious." Voltaire paused again thoughtfully. "I thought we would have to collect him by force. I wonder what made him come round."
"There is that Chinese boy." Boris volunteered.
"Ahhh yes Rei Kon. The only one to ever defeat our dear Bryan." He paused and smirked. "Until me of course."
"Of course sir."
"Yes a strong willed boy I thought most definitely he would have kept hold of his 'beloved' seme." Voltaire mocked.
"Unless they had a fight?" Boris instigated.
"Perhaps." Voltaire smiled. "Once again ingenious. And perhaps we could use that to our advantage, to break Kai."
"Yes sir." Boris cringed.
-----
When Kai woke up from his restless slumber, the first thing he realized is he was alone and the second thing was the pain, desire and nightmares had returned.