Beginning
Sorry this took so long - but hey, this is a big one! I'll reveal Panther's identity - admit, you want to know why all the secrecy around mystery biker don't'ya?
Some swearing in this chappie.
Special thanks to: Isa Koliki, for putting the fight up, and Haruka Hana for her inspiration.
Chapter Five
A pair of bright crimson eyes went dark when the young man woke up and looked around. It was night outside and the blackened, clouded sky gave his beautiful eyes a devilish red color that quickly faded away as he closed them, feeling awkwardly dizzy.
"Where am I?" Kai wondered with his eyes closed. Hard as he would try, he couldn't open his eyes, his eyelids were as heavy as rocks and he felt like there were needles stuck in his eyeballs.
What the hell is wrong with me?! I'm not at Mrs Tompson's so where am I?
Kai tried to put his mind in order. A swirl of images came in and out his mind, he seemed to want to grab them, but they refused to stop.
The cliff...
Things were getting clearer.
I went there to be alone and try and practice some blading.
The bullies.
Especially the leader.
He wouldn't admit it to himself, but this guy frigtened him. He was not like the others that tried to capture him before. No, this guy had horrible dark brown eyes, almost as dark as night itself. Kai felt like he was falling down a dark pit as he stared at him. Even with is trade mark death glare that had frigtened so many before, there was no fear in him as Kai's eyes pierced to his direction, even though a sweat drop fell down the man's face. He just wished he would never see that man again!
The run away.
I descended the cliff, the bullies were aiming their guns. They shot me, I hit the deck. But then...
The black biker!
Who are you? I thought I saw him go away as things started to get to hot for him! Why did he return them? To help? If he did, then why did he went away, why didn't he interfere before I was hit? It's not like I asked for his help or something! So, why?
Why help me?
I don't trust him.
I must be at his house!
I have to leave!
With this last thought, Kai made an effort and pulled himself up. Kai's face almost met the ground. The dart's effect still hadn't cleared out, the bruises and wounds were still quite fresh and laying in a bed for so long wasn't helping either.
With his knees shaking for a bit, he stood up and looked around. It was a motel room, like the ones Kai had been into so many times - cheap and dirty - but at least there was no maid walking in and bugging you to make the bed every day.
He was lying on a double bed with an horrible pink and lavender feather cover with stamps of flowers and...rabbits??? Whatever...
Kai gave some steps but stopped when he looked down and realized he had several more bruises and some sharp cuts he wasn't supoused to have. Something else was wrong... Kai realized he was only wearing a grey pajama pant... and they weren't his...
Pervert...
He scanned the room. There was no sign of were his clothes might be. The night was a beautiful dark and the only light came from the clouded moon, framing the lonely room and giving it quite a phantasmagoria look.
There was a door to a blue tiled bathroom with a shower and next to it a wooden chair with a huge ratan basket and bunch of towels heaped on the ground. It was so dark it seemed the towels were ghosts, lying on the ground waiting for a later hour to gain life and haunt the living.
As if animated by invisible streems Kai's eyebrow raized when approached the basket - blood tinged the perfectly white towels. He instinctly looked at his shoulder blades. Small bandages covered the fresh wounds. The same went for the leg wounds and he realized there were some at his back, as if he had been hit from behind. Kai's face went slightly soft at the thought of the strange biker treating him. But his indifferent mask quickly returned.
I didn't ask for his help, I don't know him, I don't trust him!
Why?
Why do I find it so hard in my heart to trust? Stupid question... Grandfather... You made me so miserable, so suspicious... never again!
Helpless, that was the word that had been haunting Kai for so long.
No, Kai wasn't helpless, not anymore! At least not when he was with them, his friends, the only person's that tried really hard to become his friends. And he never actually said thank you for that. Selfish Kai, couldn't he just open his mouth and say 'thank you'? Then again, he wasn't that selfish, actually, he was quite selfless, but not even they could realise that. They just thougth Kai was being a party pooper or the usual ignoring jerk, they didn't realise he was standing alone in the corner of room to get a total grip of his surrouding, always paying attention to the others, making sure nothing happened to them - after all they had been through, they should understand that the world was a cruel, dangerous place. Fools... Deep inside, he wanted to be like them - say stupid things and laugh like a brat, go out, have a girlfriend and play games without concerning about any world domination plans - just like normal kids do.
Normal kids - they were none others than Max, Ray, Kenny, Hillary, Dandy and Tyson.
Sweet, lovable Max, mysterious Ray, smart Kenny, annoying big mouthed Hillary, no thoughts for Dandy and...
Tyson...
The annoying, big mouthed Tyson, always saying he was the best. He was the best, not at Beyblade as he thought, but at being a friend. Strange as it might sound, he was one of the best friends Kai ever had, even though he would never actually admit it. He was the only one that never gave up on him, the one that was most hurt when he betrayed them.
Twice.
Today, he still could tell the real reason he defected to BEGA's team, after all he had been through, he should have know better not to trust Boris... or to hurt his best friends, the only friends he had, besides Dranzer. But like in a fairy tale, all ended well. But he no longer believed in fairy tales - could that same luck happen three times?
What am I doing?" He though angrily " I am what I am, no point on thinking what if. I can't change the past, and it's too late for my future... I'll have to learn how to deal with it, that's all!
Kai snapped out of his trance and returned to his "quest" for some sort of explanation on what happened. He turned around; there was no point in exploring the small bathroom and he could see the tiny window from the outside - there was no way he could go through that!
Suddenly, a dark cloud blackened the moon and Kai could see nothing but the silhouette of the room's furniture. A dresser and a table with a helmet and a laptop on it's top stood by the wall. Kai crossed the room to the near dresser and tore the door's open. A pair of tigh coveralls, a skirt, some pull overs and a biker's jacket were it's only occupiers. Kai grabed the first one.
Hum, pretty... slim.
The moon light was very dim, but they were black, with orange stripes on the side and white knee-caps.
...And Mariah says I dress weird...
He placed it back on the dresser and headed towards the computer. It's was on. Kai moved his face closer to see the news paper article.
"MORE BLADERS MISSING" was spelled out in capital letters and an image of Yuri and Robert was displayed below.
Kai read out the high ligthed piece of the news:
Yet another world top beyblader missing while BBA feels helpless againt these attacks. The beyblade association lose their faith as the police fails yet another attempt to retreive the missing beybladers. Ever since Kane's disapearing, it counts up to a total of 6 missing world top bladers. BBA already made availiable resources to protect beybladers and agents are looking for missing Kai H. who disapeared long ago
What the heck? 6 missing bladers? Kidnaped? Those are Yuri and Robert! Yuri would never get himself caught that easily, and Robert ain't exactly a souerpuss either. I don't like this...
Suddenly, his eyes went wide, as if the article reminded him of something.
Dranzer!
Kai made a move to pic his Blade, but the bit-beast wasn't there.
How could I forget him! How dare I call myself a beyblader, if I forget my best friend and ally!
Kai looked around, fear on his eyes, concerned what migth have happened to Dranzer. Then it hit him. The biker. It was the only explanaition, he must have taken the blade when he took Kai's clothes. Now Kai DEFINITELY did not like him!
Kai almost broke the laptop when he shut it, ignoring the other news displaced below and went for the door, his only wish was to find his missing companion. Damn! The door was closed, and he couldn't just blow it up! He looked to the window and parted the courtins; there were iron bars outside, but he could pass in the middle.
His attention was caught by the sound of a engine - the biker!
Perfect opportunity. Kai closed the curtains and spied as the biker stood away from the same black motorcycle from before and headed onto the cashiers back entrace of the motel. As he passed the door frame, Kai picked up the towels in the ground and placed them inside the bed; a little makeover and "Kai" was silently asleep in the bed. He placed himself behind the door - that jerk wouldn't even knew what hit him.
Fast paces approached the door as Kai lifted his arms - fists up, left leg in front, now all he can do his wait for his new best friend.
More steps.
...
A jingling key.
...
The key entering the keyhole.
The biker entered.
As if guessing what was going to happen, the cold moon allowed herself to be clouded by the sad raining clouds... all that was left was a dim light that hit the biker's helmet, a little star, telling Kai of the newcomers movements.
While approaching the bed, Panther places the laundry bag on the chair and heads for the bed to check on "Kai". Raising both hand to take of the helmet, Panther didn't even notice Kai's sneaky approach. A cascade of cinnamon brown hair descends the back of the biker's head, but it's so dark Kai can't even see it.
With a loud "THUD", Kai drags the biker to the cold ground, pressing his hand against his fist - but forgetting to block Panther's legs...
It was a low strike, but Panther hit Kai's parts and he rolled over, allowing Panther the time to get on top of him. Closing the pain inside his mind (and such a pain it was...), Kai prepared for the incoming fight.
Damn you! I knew I should have left earlier! But I couldn't leave that guy just like that! *hump* And it was all in vain anyway... Damn you Tan, how did you find me so fast?! Hum? Ei, why is he alone? Surely he doesn't think he can take me on alone, does he? Damn, he knows I'm injured! Must be joking with me... don't care, I won't go down without a fight!
Now that the helmet was gone, Kai's guiding star vanished and he couldn't see a thing.
On the other hand, Panther's eyes were more then used to the dark and the biker took advantage of this. For Kai's sake...
Madly searching for his opponent, Kai took no notice of the approaching fist that struck the left side of his face. Hitting the ground, his past trainning sessions with some of his tutors started coming back and Kai had the cold blood to swing to the side and avoid the drop kick coming his way. Eyes getting used to the dark, Kai decided to take action and launched himself at the biker, making them both fall on top of each other. Kai was on top and Panther was straddled below his body. Without wasting time, a kick from the free leg hit Kai - right where he was most injured and the cut opened again. Losing his strength for a bit, Kai released his grip on the bikers shoulder and Panther rolled over him. With his fists and leg straddled, Kai couldn't counter attack. Or that's what Panther thought...
Kai pushed his head back and headbutted Panther, making the biker fall to the ground. Kai got up quickly and the light bed slided back. More room was available, time to start doing things right.
Panther got up and lifted his fist, getting ready to throw a roundhouse punch his way. Kai saw the strangers position and realized it wasn't going to be easy - the biker knew how to fight. Then again, he wasn't so bad either...
Jumping forward, Kai blew a stroke, then another, then another, all aiming for the stomach. Panther blocked every attack. Not wasting any time, the biker did a side kick and hit Kai's arm hard. The blow's impulse made him bend over, but once again his cold blood acting, Kai took advantage of his incoming fall to hit the biker with his elbow. Realizing the defensive position, Kai stood up, pretending to aim a punch for his head... and hitting the left leg. Panther lost balance and fell against the bed. Kai literally jumped on top and pinned Panther to the bed. The biker tried to roll over Kai, but those thin arms really couldn't do much
Top of things. That's much better... Time to finish this, I can't go on like this, I'm injured. He doesn't seem very well either... well, you sure won't be now!
The final stroke was coming, Kai was about to punch Panther on the temple... when the moon decided to show her pretty grey face.
Kai finds himself staring at the person below. Though it was still dark, he could see those bright spots that were shining like two suns, a pair of golden eyes glowing with great intensity. One word: pissed! It's the only one that could describe Panther's expression. A scowl marked her pretty face and she looked very pissed!!!
"You fucking idiot!!!" she screamed at his face.
Kai was so surprised he lost his grip again and Panther ended up hitting his face.
Kai fell off and looked up. The girl was getting up - she looked like she was capable of murder.
Several thoughts were running through Kai's mind, but only one make it to a statemment -
"You're a woman!?"
Eyes wide open, first she seems she's going to scream, but she just stares at him with a strange look.
"You're a woman"? I risked my life, my time and endangered myself and my bike to save your sour ass! I snuck you into my motel room and took care of your wounds. Then I come in, you attack me, and the first thing you say is "you're a woman"? You could at least apologise, say thank you!"
Her voice was calm, but her glare should she was about to explode, those golden eyes were starting to shine with the same intensity as before.
Not knowing her for long (about 5 minutes actually), Kai realized that glow meanted she was mad. He was pretty good at analysing people, all he had to do was take some minutes looking at that person. Through their actions, their manners and their attitude you can basicaly find out every thing you want about someone - even their fears and weaknesses - and that was a great weapon in battle. And Kai knew how to handle it.
"Well I must admit I'm surprised. Never occured to me you could be a girl. Nevertheless, it doesn't change a thing! Where's Dranzer?" he shouted.
"One, you don't talk to me like that. Two, being a woman doesn't change a thing, I'm injured and so are you, if we weren't, I'd show you. Three, what the hell are you talking about?"
"Oh really? Dranzer, my bit-beast, were is she?"
"Bit-beast? Oh... the toy!"
Kai lifted his eyebrow when Dranzer and his blade were refered to as "toy", but he said nothing, he just settled to shooting daggers at the woman. His temperment was one of a quiet, calm guy, it was hard to piss him off, he wouldn't let this girl make him boil!
"Where are my clothes?"
"Inside the laundry bag- where else? You didn't expect me to let you wear those blood soaked clothes now did'ya? And the beyblade is in the desk."
Kai immediatly headed for the desk, inside a strange box was the beyblade. He felt the beast calling when he opened it. The box must have prevented their contact.
Kai leaned over the desk while the woman closed the window. Turning the light on, she looks at Kai.
She was cute. Brown cinnamon hair, golden eyes, but a bit thin. Though she was speaking English, she didn't seem English at all.
Shaking her head has if she couldn't believe it yet, she walked right through Kai and roughly pushed him away from the dresser.
Taking her biker's jacket off and hanging it on the dresser, she saw Kai staring at her - though her breasts weren't big their were firm and lifted - and mumbled something like "ecchi"
"So you're Japannese..." he told her in that same language.
"No, actually I'm Russian!"
"Funny, so am I." He added dryly. In Russian.
"Whatever... are you planning on getting dressed? Or I'll have to strip you again?" she asked him with a saucy smile.
Out of all thing, Kai definitely wasn't expecting that. Blushing like a tomato, he went for the bag and started changing. Miss Tompson used to make his laundry.
I think she would go nuts if I showed up with a blood covered shirt on! She must be worried sick! I'll have to go there and pick up my stuff. It's time to get going again. Pity, I was starting to like her.
After getting changed, he looked at her. She had been staring at him the whole time.
"Now who's the pervert?" he shot at her.
Panther approached him. Kai thought she was going to do someting again, but she just smiled. An enigmatic smile. Kai wasn't sure about this woman. There were still too many unanswered questions and he had a feeling answers to those would be hard to get.
"Ei, you ne..."
Beeeep
The computer was beeping and the woman rushed forward.
Panther sit on the chair and lifted the screen.
"Why did you open the computer? Don't you have manners, no one taught you you shouldn't touch or use something that doesn't belong to you without permission?"
No point on pretending he didn't do it. But why should he? One, it's Kai were talking about; two, she had no buisness leaving it there just like that!
"I don't have to give you satisfactions. Anyway, I woke up in a total strangers room, what was I supposed to do? Sit around like a good boy?" he answered, looking completely bored.
"Hump"
"I'm getting sick of this!"
"Take it easy big boy!"
Kai was really starting to boil. Who did she think she was to treat him like a kid?
"Who are you?"
"Getting curious are we?"
That smooth voice again, Kai is starting to loose it - he's not a child!
"Do you think you have some sort of advantage over me because you're a bit older? I won't ask again! Who are you, what's your interest in this?"
Another smile.
Kai is about to grab her when the screen turn dark and a flower shows up - a heather.
"Good night, Ericae."
"It's 4 pm here..." a gentle voice sounded in the speakers. Kai found himself listening to the conversation.
"You really should loose that travelling fear girl! You have no idea what you just missed. Apart form my little incident of course." Kai realized she was talking about him. Shooting daggers, Kai gritted his teeth not to speak.
"I had to save this Kai from a bunch of mercenaries. The jerk attacked me, he snuck up on me."
"I feel sorry for him. Tell me you didn't use Kuroi to save him! *giggles* You know how he gets when you..."
"Ahem, he's listening too... Did you fix the boat's prob?"
"Of course I did! I'm good ain't I? Don't answer... You'll go under the name Takeda Megumi, but I'd have to waste plenty time to erase my name from it, so just say your sister will go by air. The ships name is "Vinder's Queen", it's a cargo ship, just like you asked. They'll call at London's harbour in two days. My research says they often transport illegal immigrants as long as they pay and they don't ask questions. Be carefull not to get stolen, ok? The transport will drop you in China, you can get another boat to Japan there, contact me when you get there and I'll give more then. Oh, how long did you take?"
"Which job?"
"I thought he was listening too... The race, what else?"
"He has no idea... I won. Didn't time it, sorry. Those jerks were giving me the nerves, I completely forgot it."
"Grr... I have to go now, behave! Some times I don't understand you... Oh, well, bye Sas! And bye.. humm..."
"Kai."
"Yeah! Bye! I actually feel sorry for you, she hates being surprised!"
The image popped out the screen and she turned it off.
Kai was staring at her.
"You seem surprised for me attacking you! I wonder what Miss PerfectionTM would have done in my situation! I have no clue who the heck you are!"
"Panther! My_name_is_Panther!!!"
"And Sas stands for...?"
"Grr... You'll have to earn that... Don't you have some were else to be? Somewere away from me?"
"Fine, I'll leave!"
Kai grabbed his scrarf and walked to the door. He stood right in front of it.
"Yes?" she asked dryly.
Kai turned around. Crimson met golden.
"Thank you" spelled out from his lips.
Another smile hit those pinky lips and all of the sudden she didn't seem such an idiot to him.
Just an annoying bitch....
End of Chapter
Author's note: As I write these chapters and some that will come later, I realize this is a Kai centered fan fict. Him and Panther are the main caracters. To those that don't appreciate it, my apologies, but my story will follow the way I originally planned it.
"ecchi": pervert
"Ericae": means heather in latin
Wow! That must have been my longest chap ever!
Finally I reveal her identity! *giggles* How many of you get 'he' was a 'she'? ^_~.
Please, leave a review on your way out!
Kai and mariah gurlie fan
Eia Joy! Is this a Joyfull chapter? Lol, I just love teasing you with your name ^_~!
Blue Eyed Angel 2
Never noticed you could kick rocks when you were tiping at the PC ^_^! Yeah, little time is a prob I have too, the only thing I wanna do is write, not study! Oh well, life sucks! Not really, but you get what I mean ne? Ja ne!
Sabriel
Another of Isa friend's? I'm flatered! Thank you for the review, hope you get to read the rest soon!
She's in the kitchen, frying an egg, when the husband comes him and starts screaming:
CAREFUL, CAREFUL!!!
MORE OIL, IT'S STICKING TO THE FRYER!!!
MORE OIL; HURRY OR IT WILL BE TOO LATE!!!
She's getting annoyed with the screaming: Don't you think I can fry an egg?!?!
It's so you can get an idea what's like driving when you're next to me...
