Journeys
Disclaimer: Don't own the Beyblade characters. Jaco belongs to me.
"Talking"
"Thinking"
Kai was in shock as he sat watching the sleeping boy infront of him. HE thought HE had secrets! His were bad, but Ray's. Kai shook his head.' How did we not see any of the signs. They were there the whole time, yet none of us saw them.' He looked up as Ray gave a soft moan of pain and turned over. He became still again. Kai couldn't help but go over what Jaco had told them. His earlier encounter with the raven haired blader allowed him to fully understand the boy and his history. Could Kai do the same? He wasn't so sure.
FLASHBACK
Jaco looked at each of them in turn. " It seems that none of you have any idea what you're friend is." They remained silent. It was all the answer he needed. "Then let me begin." He sat on the chair." As you know neko-jins have lived in China just as long as any other race. But the neko-jins you know. Lee, Mariah, Kevin and Gary. They aren't true neko-jins. They have their looks, but not their abilities." Kai frowned." Abilities?" Jaco gave him a reproving look for interrupting." I'm getting to that. In the old times there were many clans of true neko-jins. One being the White tigers. They were by far the fiercest and strongest of all, they were also protectors, none attacked their land for fear of meeting their own death there.The other clans had a great respect and fear for them as they were not only a warrior clan but also one with nature, it was said the first White tiger who walked was blessed by the Gods. Blessed with the ability to talk to it's animal counterpart, even become one. In return the first White tiger gave his word that the clan would defend it's weaker cousins. To the end. Less than one hundred years ago there was a great battle. The White tiger clan was chasing back the Mountian wolf clan. They were greatly outnumbered but they never backed down. Men and woman fought and died in that battle. Till all that was left of their mighty clan was a handful of children and one elder. In hopes of keeping the pure blood the other mixed neko-jins were forbidden to wed a White tiger. It seemed that the clan would return till it was realised that there were not enough for such a thing to happen. Still there was no mixing. So slowly the clan died out till there were a man and woman left. They had one child, a boy. He was given the mark of the tiger. As the last he was to bear it and complete the oath the first White tiger made. To protect till the last tiger was laid to rest."
All looked to Ray on the bed. Judy frowned." But if such a race existed why didn't the rest of the world know?" Jaco grinned." None of you knew about Lee's and the others village. The tigers were the most secretive and elusive. Unless they wished for you to find them, you wouldn't find them. As for Ray, he is the last. Just like the others he is treated with respect and also fear. None know what the full legend is. Only a White tiger knows. They are born with the knowledge." Max cocked his head to the side." How'd you know so much?"
Jaco smiled fondly at the sleeping boy." I got lost in the forest. I was led out by an elusive spirit. It turned out to be a young boy. I was welcomed into their home since I had no accomodations. In the three weeks I stayed there I was allowed to see them for who they were. Similar yet different to anyone I had ever met. Ray was barely five when we met but he already understood anything said to him, no matter how complicated and could fight as well as many a master I had seen. But he had a love for blading. I would often follow him as he went to Lee's village to blade with them. None of them were old enough to realise what he was, but he knew not to be seen by adults. I had asked about this and Miriam, His mother explained that though White tigers were respected, other tribes found them unusual and thus were untrustworthy and aggressive towards them. I was blessed to spend that time with them but I had to go to the village." He placed a hand softly on Ray's before continueing." I reached their cottage to find it wrecked. I searched all over but could find nothing but splatters of blood and a few strange men lying on the ground. I followed the blood trail and came across Gale, Ray's father. He had been killed. I feared for Miriam and Ray so I carried on. Not much further I found her in the similar state. She begged me to find Ray and take him somewhere safe. I promised her before she died. I heard yelling and struggling and was led to the top of White tiger falls. There were three men driving Ray closer to the edge. I couldn't move. I was so afraid they would hurt him. I didn't realise how powerful even a child could be. Before I knew it everything went white and then they were gone. Whatever had happened had caused a land slide. Ray didn't have much of a choice. It was jump or be crushed. He jumped. By the time I got to the bottom of the falls he had washed up on shore. I took him to the nearest village, which happened to be the one he played at and got him medical attention. After much argueing between the elders he was allowed to stay but was given no help. He lived on his own and took care of himself. I worried about him but he proved me wrong. I went to China four years ago to see him and found he had left. Mariah explained there had been an arguement between Ray and Lee. From what she said one of the other elders used Lee's friendship against them and caused a fight. Lee took a swing at Ray and Ray just walked out. The next day he was gone. I've been trying to track him down since then. It is almost time."
Kai stood." For what?"
" For this tiger to fulfill his duty. Whether he is freed by death or life. He is nineteen. Soon the ceremony will be performed and he will be ready. I must take him back to China. She cannot come here."
END OF FLASHBACK
Kai sighed as he pushed a stray lock from Ray's face. 'Why Ray? Didn't you trust me?' He suddenly froze as he heard those words echo in his head, but it wasn't his voice.
Rather it was a yong boy of thirteen. Earnest golden eyes bore into his own. Raven hair fluttered in the cold air.
"Why cant you trust us Kai? Why don't you trust me?"
To be continued
