Notes: Rei's life has been taken from both the manga and the anime. Although I still don't know some of the details in Rei's life, the facts that he is an orphan and grew up in a training camp, is his actual past. Ironically, Kai is usually given the life of training in the dreaded 'Abbey', where Rei often is given a happy family past. In fact, the truth is that these situations which are believed to be how Kai's life and Rei's life were are actually reversed. There is nothing in the anime or manga to suggest that Kai grew up in 'The Abbey' (since in the anime itself, he is shown to be living with his grandfather.), though, don't get me wrong, I'm still partial to reading some Kai angst, and, as fanfictions, we are quite within our right to write what we wish. However, in this one, I am trying to keep as true to the actual story as possible.
On an additional note, I've been asked to explain Byakko, Suzaku and all that stuff.
In Chinese mythology, there are four beats which represent north, south, east and west. They were Byakko the white tiger, Genbu the green turtle, Suzaku the red phoenix and Seiryu the blue dragon. Fushigi Yuugi's story revolves heavily about that myth, but you can also find it reflected in many animes. For example, did you notice that in Digimon series three, there were the sovereigns, who represented these beasts.
This brings me to Beyblade. In the original 'Explosive Spinning Shot Beyblade', the blades themselves were named as they are in the dub- Driger, Dranzer, Dragoon and Draciel. However, unlike in the dub, the spirits (bit beasts) within the blades were called Byakko, Suzaku, Seiryu and Genbu respectively. It is likely that when re-dubbed, Nelvana didn't think that American (and so, every other English speaking nation) would understand any of the Chinese myths, and so, they were named after their blade.
Hope that explains it X3!
(Part 5)
The food was simple, which, was expected seeing as it was only lunch. Dinner would be a more dramatic affair Rei suspected, but as soon as that was over they could go home. And then he could give Kai his presents.
Speaking of the Russian lad, Kai had eaten his meal in absolute silence, nodding occasionally and appearing wholly indifferent to the conversation around him, though, Rei could tell from the subtle flicker of his gaze that Kai was listening intently. Rei himself had spent much of the light meal simply watching the Hiwatari heir, choosing to settle back into old habits to help settle the nerves that he was ashamed to admit, were refusing to die down.
Eventually, a single maid entered the room and set about removing the plates. Almost immediately, Rei stood, helping her to collect the dinnerware, falling into his old role as a waiter without thinking.
"Aww, Rei! You don't have to do that! You're our guest." The light voice of Alexia cut through his thoughts (or lack of them), and awareness hit him like a ton of bricks as he looked down at the plate clasped in his hands. A crimson blush swept across his cheeks.
"Oh, okay," he replied intelligently, sitting back down. Kai bit back a laugh, sympathy washing over him. It wasn't exactly easy for him, but then, he had no one to impress. He could afford to ignore his parents, whereas Rei couldn't. He supposed that he really owed it to his team mate to try and help out a little.
"Rei's a very talented cook," he spoke up. His parents turned their attention towards the two boys.
"Really Rei?" the mother enquired. Kai nodded in thought.
"He has an uncle who works in a restaurant in France," he supplied, before turning his gaze to Rei.
Well, he had done his part.
"That's amazing! You have an uncle in Paris?" Mrs Hiwatari chirped.
"Well, he's not actually my uncle, he's someone who has taken care of me in my life, but yes, he works there preparing gourmet meals. He loves it, and he taught me a little about French cuisine, though I'm really not that gifted," Rei replied softly.
Kai rolled his eyes at the modesty of his boyfriend, "No, you're more then gifted, and don't argue with me." Kai replied. Rei merely smiled a little and shook his head once.
"I wouldn't dare it, cap'n," answered Rei. Kai smirked and raised his glass to his lips.
"Well, 'cap'n' is always right," Kai's mother watched the exchange with a smile, taking a sip of her own drink.
"Kai used to love cooking with me when he was little, didn't you Kai?" She said good- naturedly.
"Yeah, when you were actually there," Kai muttered into his glass. Rei's smile faded and he sent a glance at Kai. He noted before he averted his gaze, that the smile on Alexia's face flickered, a visible sign of an internal struggle.
"Do you always argue with your parents like Kai does, Rei?" Her smile was back in place and the tone of her voice once again light. However, Rei's sensitive hearing could pick out the slightly forced nature of it.
"Mother, don't try stirring things up," Kai answered before Rei had a chance to reply, a scowl on his face, but Rei knew full well the sweetness behind that expression. Kai, as always was a step ahead of him, his protective shield never once dropped, despite his apparent relaxation. It touched Rei that Kai was always looking out for him. However, he supposed that this was an important question to answer.
"Kai, it's okay," he said gently, hoping that Kai would pick up on his hidden message. Kai's scowl faded, his face settling back into a neutral expression. Rei turned his yellow gaze onto the elder couple. "Actually, I never knew either of my parents. The earliest memories that I have are just me sitting in my home village or playing with Lai, Gaou, Mao and Kiki," he explained, his tone of voice several shades lighter then his thoughts. Kai's mother gasped, her face looking both sorry and guilty.
"I'm so sorry dear! I didn't mean to pry like that," She said hurriedly. Rei waved a hand in a dismissive gesture.
"No, not at all. My childhood was no worse off for it. Lai's parents took me in, clothed and fed me, and by the age of seven I didn't need for them to look after me anymore." This time both parents took on a look of mild shock, Rei had to hold back a grimace at how bad his life story must sound to other people.
"Seven?" This time Susumu spoke up.
"Erm yes, I- well, because of my blading ability, I was sent off to a training camp. The best kids from around south- east China went there to train to be the best bladers in the World. They were my family then, and there were around one hundred and forty… something like that… of us, separated into little groups depending on ability. Lai was there too, which is mostly how he ended up like a brother to me. They were hard times, so I suppose our friendship was forged with more strength there. We learned and worked physically and mentally, with and without the blade. All of us aspiring to become the number one blader; the best of the elite. I suppose that's why we never questioned the legitimacy of the camp," he stopped, feeling embarrassed for talking so much about himself. Probably too much.
Kai's mother considered what he had said and voiced her thoughts, "Legitimacy?" Rei flushed, suddenly feeling very awkward.
"Yes, it was shut down the year after I left for gross mistreatment of human rights," he muttered. The parents blinked in shock.
"It sounds like Balcov Abbey," Mr Hiwatari announced after a time, disgust clear in his voice. No one answered and silence fell upon them. Rei felt uncomfortable, not very pleased with the impression that he had given Kai's parents of himself.
"I'm sorry for speaking of such things, I didn't mean to sadden everyone," He said, breaking the silence. Alexia sent him a warm smile.
"Not at all, you should feel entirely free to speak of what you wish to. If anything, it makes you all the more creditable- not that you weren't before of course." She added. Rei smiled, pleased with her response.
An instant later her expression changed, shifting to one of brief surprise. "Oh! Not to change the subject, but I've just remembered," She announced, rising quickly from her seat and dashing out of the room. Rei could only blink.
"She's a strange woman," Kai muttered, shaking his head as he finished off his juice, causing the boy seated next to him to smile. Within moments, said lady returned, setting what looked like an envelope before her son and sitting back down. The youngest Hiwatari merely looked at it.
"You got me a birthday card?" He said unenthusiastically, causing his mother and father to take up a look of faint disapproval.
"Yes, but we put something inside the card," she stated, slightly annoyed. Kai raised an eyebrow in return and carefully opened it up. True to form, a card greeted his gaze, colourful and jolly –and totally unlike him, he considered- but what stole his interest away was the small, rectangular piece of card that slid out of it. He caught it easily and, setting the greeting card down, read what was written upon it.
For the first time that day, Rei saw a reaction in Kai's eyes. "'Dear Friends'? You got me a ticket to go and see 'Dear Friends'?" Kai's voice was a mixture of shock and disbelief.
"Yes, we know how much you wanted to go and see it, since we asked that chairman of the BBA what you would really love," His mother replied, her smile back in full force at her son's reaction.
"We didn't just get you any old seats, we got you a box. The tickets sold out months ago and we had to go to quite a bit of trouble, but we decided that nothing was too much trouble –or too expensive- for our son," Susumu added.
"Besides, you're famous, so not just any old seat would do!" Alexia finished. Kai nodded, bewildered but extremely pleased and turned his gaze to Rei. Immediately his pleasure died down when he saw an utterly crestfallen look upon Rei's face. He was staring down at the table and –for a second- looked ready to burst into tears.
"Rei?" he questioned softly, his worry evident. Mr and Mrs Hiwatari turned their attentions to the boy, not catching his saddened look as he had planted a smile back onto his face.
"Oh don't worry Kai! You can take many friends with you. You have your own private box!" The silver haired woman explained hurriedly, mistaking Kai's expression. The boy nodded, still keeping a weary eye on his partner.
"Thank you," he said after a time, "This is actually a really great gift." Both the mother and father smiled, pleased with their son's words, sending a look at one another.
"Its fine, we're glad that you're pleased with it." Mr Hiwatari replied, before standing up, "I will be back shortly, excuse me." And without further ado, he left the room. Kai gazed upon Rei once again, noticing that the boy had grown very quiet. He shifted his list of priorities and stood up, much like his father had.
"Mama, I'm going to show Rei the gardens," Kai stated. He knew that Rei felt more comfortable when he was outside, and when he was away from his parents he could ask the other what was wrong.
His mother visibly hesitated. "Actually Kai, I was going to take you two into the kitchens for a little while. I'm sure that Rei would like to see all of our equipment, wouldn't you Rei?" Kai bit back a growl as he observed his lover hesitate, torn between doing what he wanted and doing what someone else wanted. As always, his sweet nature got the better of him.
"Yes, that would be lovely Mrs. Hiwatari." He answered. For a moment, Kai felt a great amount of anger towards his mother. He hated the way that she could manipulate people, especially as most of the time, she wasn't even aware of it. His annoyance subsided quickly and he sighed. It would have been rude if Rei had declined the offer, so he could hardly blame the kid. He'd just have to wait until later.
Alexia on the other hand grinned and stood up, pushing her chair neatly under the table. "Well come on then boys, I'd like to see what you two can do in the kitchen!" she said with excitement, hurrying towards the door. Rei stood up, and like the mother, placed the chair properly. Kai on the other hand, didn't bother, instead choosing to lean forwards so that only Rei could hear him when he spoke.
"There are some things that a mother should never see her son do, methinks," Kai whispered suggestively. Rei blushed crimson in return, suddenly understanding how Kai had taken the comment, before his mind helpfully supplied him with images of the kind of stuff he and Kai 'did' in the kitchen. His blush darkened.
"Come on pervert, your mother's waiting," he said, both embarrassed and playful. Kai rolled his eyes and nodded once, moving with his smaller lover to follow his mother to the kitchen. Kai's mother watched them quietly, not catching their little conversation, but having an idea of what it was about.
'Boys.'She thought with a smirk and a shake of her head.
Aft Notes: 'Dear Friends' is the 'Final Fantasy' orchestra, which travel around Japan, doing classical renditions of various 'Final Fantasy' songs, composed by Nobuo Uematsu. I used this as Kai's gift, because, I see Kai as an intelligent boy, and though, I wholeheartedly believe that Kai would be a rock fan (Taking into account the screeching guitars of his Japanese theme, the way he acts and the way that he dresses), or at least into alternative music, I do think that Kai could appreciate how astounding an orchestra can be, especially performing such amazing pieces of music.
Of course I'm a 'Final Fantasy' fan. But more so, I feel that if I'd've chosen a rock concert instead, it wouldn't have been as special, and it would not appeal to many readers.
Part six may be a teeny bit later as I am running way behind with writing part eight.
Apologies.