Disclaimer: I don't own these characters, and I'm not making any money off writing this… ahh I probably wouldn't make very much anyway.
Ranma's Author's Notes: This story is Post G Revolution. OK yeah I know I'm terrible at finishing things before I start new ones…. It's one of the cons to being and astrological sign Aries…. Okay that's a bad excuse, forgive me! Also, in Japan, Sunday can be a regular workday for some companies, so that's what it is here. Oh yeah and sorry about the long chapters, I just can't seem to help it anymore….
A Week with Tyson
Sometimes where we are right now isn't where we're meant to be.
Sometimes we aspire to things that aren't what we really want, and we overlook what we truly love, losing track of what our hearts actually need along the way.
And sometimes it takes a lifetime, a day, or even just a moment, to figure out how to get back on the right path.
– Sunday –
Kai stood by one of the floor-to-ceiling windows that covered the high rise office building. The view from it was really spectacular, giving a wide picture of the downtown area of Bay City. The city hadn't changed much, though the skyline seemed to be towering with new developments more and more these days. Ever since the demolition of the place from the famous BEGA versus Team BBA Revolutions, reconstruction had transformed it once again to its former, and even better, state. This particular building had been one of the ones to sustain only minor damages from the events 3 years ago.
'Three years…' The dual-haired young adult thought, watching the people walking around on the street far below. Somehow it didn't seem like it had been so long since… well since everything.
Kai turned his gaze in a specific direction, one he often turned to. If he squinted and looked a little farther from this very position, the glint of the Sea Side Dome where the Beyblading World Championships had taken place could be visible on a sunny day just like today.
Hearing the noise pollution of ringing phones, computers and fax machines buzzing, while co-workers talked behind him, Kai sighed almost inaudibly under his breath. He wondered why he was here instead of there.
It had been the most obvious path to take. Voltaire had been well known among the major business companies since he had been very successful in building his own corporate empire.
Kai snorted and his lips curved downward distastefully. 'A lot of good that did for him. Corrupted by his own ambition and it sealed his fate behind bars…' The former blader thought spitefully. 'Good riddance…'
The product of Voltaire's fall was many companies looking for a strong replacement in the Hiwatari name. It still held power, after all, and it was decided that he would work his way through the new and improved Hiwatari Corps, until his inheritance could be passed onto him when he was ready. The road had been set in stone before he'd been given a chance to think twice about it, and later when he had thought about it, he did not know what else he could do.
The truth was he didn't give a damn about this job – profession – whatever… Day in and day out it was the same thing. It reminded him intensely of his strict boarding school he'd been forced to attend, and even then, he had found a way to skip classes and escape. There had always been something bigger than all of this that he longed for. Could he really spend the rest of his life doing something he wasn't passionate about? It had been a long time since he had felt any real kind of passion in his life anyway… 3 years to be exact…
Clenching his hand into a fist, Kai took one last glance out the window before he pushed himself away and turned back to the bustling office, intending to resume the work he was paid to do.
"Ah Mr. Hiwatari, I would like to discuss the latest report you were issued." An older man said steely as he approached the desk where Kai sat.
The dual-haired man tensed. If there was one thing he disliked more than the work itself, it was his superior, Mr. Kensaka. The old goat was a parasite, never leaving Kai a moment's peace if there was something that could be redone, and something more could be added. He was a nightmare to listen to and Kai would often go to lengths to ignore the old fool.
"This is not acceptable work Mr. Hiwatari. At least 10 more hours of work on this should correct it." The old man lifted a file into view and dropped it onto the desk in front of Kai curtly.
Kai's eyebrows clashed dangerously.
"You should try harder to live up to your Grandfather's standard. He was a great man." The superior intoned matter-of-factly.
Pure fury burned through the younger businessman's veins and almost of his body's own accord, Kai was on his feet and his hand reached out fisting itself around the other man's neck. That was one comment he couldn't possibly let slide.
"My Grandfather, a great man?" Kai snarled out, shaking the other man violently by the collar, "He was scum and you don't know the half of it!"
Shocked and scared gasps were heard around the office work area, as people stopped to stare in horror at the scene. Mr. Kensaka himself had gone white in the face.
"Don't you ever claim that again." Kai spat, his mouth twisted in a grimace as he tore his hand away from Kensaka's neck roughly.
The old man's expression was severe as he frowned deeply, then motioned that he wanted to speak with Kai in his office, right this instant. "Mr. Hiwatari?"
Kai grit his teeth together to contain his anger. "Fine."
Mr. Kensaka sat down in his leather executive chair and steepled his fingers at Kai. "As I said before, your reports are unacceptable; you are careless with the material." He listed. "Your work ethic is lax, you have absolutely no respect for the authority of this company-" He gave Kai a significant stare at this point. "And the other employees are afraid of you."
Kai gave him an insolent look. "…And your point is?" The younger man questioned rudely.
The superior drummed his fingers against the desktop, and pulled a paper form from one of the folders on his desk.
"You're going to fire me." Kai stated with realization and certainty that would be the outcome. He was… relieved that he would not have to come back here, though a part of him was also strangely anxious – he had no ready alternative.
The older man sighed and ran a hand through his graying hair. "No, you won't be fired. You're too big an asset to this company for me to do that…"
Kai's eyes narrowed.
Mr. Kensaka rubbed at his bruising throat and glared at Kai. "But you are suspended. When you return, the company will expect many attitude adjustments Mr. Hiwatari. You are capable of much more than this – you are Voltaire's grandson, after all."
The younger man gave him an icy stare in silence.
"One week." The older man told him the time frame in a clipped tone, and pulled a pen from pocket to scribble down a note of it. "And then you will be returning."
Kai said nothing, instead preferring to shoot the older man an ugly look that said everything, before he turned on his heel and strode out of the office.
'One week…' Kai thought seriously. 'Just one week…' Not nearly enough time to figure out where he really wanted to be for the rest of his life. The dual-haired young man swiftly gathered his things and headed for the elevator of the high rise building, sparing on last glance out the window in that familiar direction before the metal doors closed.
When the young man stepped through the extravagant doorway to his grandfather's old mansion, the house was literally empty of anyone but him. It was usually that way. The hired cleaners worked through the day, and his sole butler retired to his quarters long before he arrived home at times. Was this even a home? Kai tried not to dwell on that question as he made the trip to his own quarters in the massive estate.
It was a lot – too much, this huge house. Now, more than ever, Kai dreaded spending another night under the shadow of his past. If it had been possible, Kai would have sold it off ages ago, but it was more complicated than that. All the money was still within the corporation and no where within his grasp.
Entering his room, Kai had just set down his briefcase when the phone rang. Ignoring the sound with practiced ease, the answering machine beeped and the pre-recorded message played.
"Please leave a message after the beep." A mechanical voice intoned, and the mentioned blip of sound followed.
"Hey Kai! It's Tyson. I thought I'd give you a call in case you forgot what I sounded like, heh heh… "
Kai's eyes snapped to the little machine and the one voice he would never have been able to forget.
"Yeah, ahem, just updating you on what's happening over here with me, I guess. Hiro went to Hawaii to teach the kids there about Beyblade. And Gramps went with him – can you believe it? – Though I think it was for the surf, sun and fun. Anyway, it's just me here at the dojo the whole week, so if you ever get any free time, stop by or something ok? And man, I'm starting to wonder if this is the right phone number because you always seem to miss these messages…"
He'd never missed one of Tyson's messages, whenever they had come. A lot of times it had been the sound of that cheerful voice that was the only thing that made his day. It was just calling Tyson up himself that was the problem… When it came down to it, he'd never been able to do it, and Tyson had never called while he was able to pick up anyway… Kai's hand hovered over the receiver of the phone.
"…So I guess I'll talk to you sometime…"
The dual-haired young man snatched up the phone and held the receiver to his ear awkwardly.
"…Tyson?" Kai breathed out swiftly.
"…Tyson?"
The former world champion of beyblading, just about to say goodbye and hang up, blinked, and promptly did a double take to make sure he had heard correctly.
"…Kai?" Tyson hesitated. He listened, hearing nothing but silence on the phone line for a long moment, before elation settled in his chest at the short reply.
"……Hey."
"KAI!" Tyson yelled into the phone's receiver, surely damaging Kai's hearing temporarily. "Hey oh my gosh KAI. How are you! Have you been getting my messages, I've been waiting for ages for you to call me back you jerk." Tyson rambled, jumping up from where he had been lying on his bed, and grinning at the older blader's sparse responses.
"Tyson I'm…fine…"
"I'm really happy to hear that, Kai." Tyson replied, using both his hands to hold the phone to his ear.
He had tried to keep in touch with them all. Max and Ray had gone back to live in America and China respectively, so phone conversations and e-mails were the way to go, though those couldn't beat an actual visit. Kenny and Hilary he would see all the time, so there was no problem there. But the only one, who it seemed he had trouble keeping in touch with, was Kai. Truthfully he was worried about his one-time team captain. It felt as if he was drifting off, leaving everyone behind, pushing himself into his work.
"How's work by the way? You seem really busy with that." The baseball-capped young man questioned.
Silence encompassed the phone line for a long while.
"….I was suspended from work." Kai finally answered.
"Suspended?" The former world champ blurted in shock, nearly dropping the phone.
"Yeah I…. it's for the whole week…" Kai trailed off and Tyson felt his heart do a funny dance in his chest. 'The whole week?' The pony-tailed blader thought.
"So does that mean you're taking me up on spending the week with me?" Tyson asked. When Kai didn't answer right away, he hurried on. "You can come over right now if you want to." He offered. "I don't mind and besides, when else are you gonna be able to see me, huh?" The long-haired blader joked.
"…why not?..." Kai muttered under his breath. "…Tyson I think… I will." The former team captain's voice gained conviction as he decided.
"…You will?" Tyson could hardly believe his ears for the second time that night.
"…Yeah… You had a point, after all." Kai's voice answered quietly.
Tyson smiled at that. "So, you're coming now?"
"…I'll be there." There was a soft click, as the phone was turned off.
Tyson was out the door and down the walk before Kai had barely gotten through the large ancestral gateway that surrounded the dojo. Tyson stopped short of knocking into Kai, though he looked like he wanted to hug him. Kai shifted the travel bag he held from one hand to the other, debating what to do as well.
They looked each other over. They hadn't changed much over the few years. Tyson was still wearing his grey jeans, and red jacket, topped off with his backwards baseball cap. He style hadn't changed at all, probably never would. Kai had opted for changing out of the stifling jacket and tie his work had required, wearing a comfortable black t-shirt and pants instead.
It had been a long time since they had seen each other like this, and they could only stare into one another's eyes.
"It's great to see you, Kai." Tyson grinned, the slight breeze gently shifting his long bangs around his face.
Kai gave the shorter young man a brief half smile. "Likewise, Tyson…"
The stars were sparkling overhead and Tyson was the first to break eye contact. "Man, you must be beat, let's go inside, okay?"
No arguments there, the two former Bladebreakers entered the dojo and Tyson spread his arms and gestured to the familiar place with a flourish. "Make yourself at home!"
Kai took in the home and felt himself relax, just a little bit. 'I wouldn't mind living in a house just like this.' He thought to himself.
"Come on, you can put your stuff down in the guestroom." Tyson gestured with a quick wave, showing Kai the way. The older blader followed his younger friend, sparing one more glance around the home.
"So, how did you get suspended from work, Kai? I thought you were important there or something." Tyson asked in a bewildered manor.
Kai sighed under his breath. "I strangled my superior."
Tyson laughed at the unexpected joke, until he realized Kai wasn't smirking in humor. "…You're serious?" He stared.
Kai didn't answer.
"Wow. Geeze, don't you think you were a little harsh?" Tyson asked, looking back at Kai with one eyebrow quirked.
Kai stopped short and just gave his companion a look that said he didn't think so, and if he had the choice to do it all over again he would have assaulted the old man a lot worse.
"Point taken." Tyson replied.
Sliding open a door revealed the guestroom to be a modest size, with all the necessities ready. There had always been a spare bedroom in the home, but whenever the team had stayed over, it was just more spacious to sleep in the dojo.
"Here it is!" Tyson rubbed his hands together and then jerked a thumb behind him. "The washroom is at the end of the hall if you forgot… and there're clean towels in there if you wanna take a shower."
Kai rested his travel bag on the floor by the door and walked over and sat down on the bed, testing the springiness of it with his hands.
Tyson smiled widely at the atypical behaviour. "Make yourself at home, Kai."
Kai didn't know how long he stared at the ceiling overhead as he lay on the comfortable bed. It felt like it was just now settling in that he had agreed to spend the week with Tyson. Had he been thinking straight? 'Probably not…' Kai thought to himself. This Sunday had been a complete day for rebellion hadn't it?
Pulling the covers back and slipping out of the room, Kai quietly made his way to the kitchen where he pulled a glass from the rack near the sink and filled it from the tap. It was surprising he could still remember and find most everything even in the moonlit room. He supposed it was because he had stayed at Tyson's home before, but that had been more out of necessity than any kind of vacation… was this a vacation? Kai shook his head slightly and gulped at the water.
"BOO!"
Arms encircled his waist from the darkness behind him and Kai's eyes widened as he choked on the water.
"Hey Kai, you're losing your edge!" Tyson laughed and rubbed the older blader's back as he coughed. "I thought for sure you'd hear me."
Kai shot Tyson a murderous look as he wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. The insanity had started already. "Tyson is there a reason you're walking around shrieking like a banshee…or do you usually do that at 1am?" The taller young man asked, annoyed.
"Sorry, can't sleep." The midnight-blue haired blader shrugged apologetically. "I guess I'm just…glad… that we're spending the week together. I've missed you, Kai." Tyson explained earnestly, looking into Kai's eyes.
Kai stared at Tyson for a moment as the long-haired blader's words sunk in. "I've…" Kai hastened to reciprocate the sentiment. "I've missed you…too…" He finished, his heart beating uncomfortably fast for the first time in years.
Tyson's smile widened and Kai averted his eyes.
"Go to bed, Tyson, because I don't plan on sleeping in." The former team captain ordered sternly, crossing his arms in his usual way.
"You've got it Kai!" Tyson couldn't help but laugh, and he winked. "It'll be the best Monday ever."
End Part 1 of 7
Liked it? Didn't like it? Review please!
