Thanks for all your great reviews! Sorry this took so long to get out. I posted in my blog about how November and December are the most hectic months of the year for me, so updates are going to awfully slow. So when it's been a freakishly long time since I last posted, it's not because I've discontinued this or anything. (That would just be too cruel.) I'm just insanely busy! ^^ Enjoy.
Disclaimer: I do not own Beyblade.
Chapter Nine
* * * * *
Dawn's first rays filtered scantily through the blinds, and Kai moaned slightly as he opened his eyes, heavy from deep slumber. He yawned and turned around in the bed. Tyson was sleeping soundly, and Kai felt a smile tugging at his lips as he listened to his light snoring. Somewhat reluctantly, he pushed back the covers and got out of bed. He rubbed his eyes, and then staggered to the bathroom, snagging his clothes on the way.
A few minutes later, Kai emerged, fully dressed. He left the clothes Tyson had lent him on the foot of his bed. The longhaired blader was still asleep, and Kai wasn't about to wake him up. He passed by the bed, throwing Tyson an affectionate look before silently slipping out of the room and down the hall.
Wyatt was sprawled across the bed when he opened the door, an open book beside his pillow. Wyatt himself had his head down and eyes closed. He roused some when he heard Kai come in.
"Where have you been?" he asked sleepily, trying to get his eyes open and focus back onto the textbook beside him. "You left to talk to Tyson and you never came back."
Kai smiled at Wyatt's mock-accusatory tone. He crossed the room and sat down at the table, ruffling through the mail sitting idle.
"Hello… I'm talking to you!" Wyatt pushed himself into a sitting position. "Are you okay?"
"Never been better."
"Oh." Wyatt cocked his head. "I assume things went well?"
Kai sighed and put the mail down. "Yeah."
Wyatt paused before chucking a pillow at his roommate. "Would you stop being so sketchy?"
Kai caught the pillow and, for the first time in a long time, Wyatt saw a genuine smile on his face. "I guess you could say that Tyson and I are officially a couple."
"Really!" Wyatt grinned. Kai's smile lingered on his lips and he tossed the pillow back.
"Really. We talked—yelled—and it just happened. And then he offered me a place to stay for the night."
"Why didn't you just come back here?" Wyatt inquired.
Kai frowned at the memory. "I was going to, but on my way, I heard something… and I felt like someone was following me. Then Tyson showed up again and I told him, so he said he would stay with me."
Wyatt also frowned. "Following you?"
"Yeah. It was dark, a little after midnight. I heard this whirring sound. Kind of like a buzz, or something." Kai shook his head and rubbed his eyes. "Wyatt, I think I'm paranoid."
Much to Kai's chagrin, Wyatt found it amusing. "Paranoid?" He laughed. "Wow, Kai, you're funny."
"I'm serious."
"I am too!"
Kai glared. "Really. I've been fearful of the smallest things."
Wyatt fell back on the bed, chuckling. "You're funny," he repeated.
Kai scraped his key against the table. "Here I am, confessing to you my deepest fears, and you find it hilarious."
"C'mon, Kai. If I thought you seriously had a problem, you know I'd be concerned." Wyatt sat up and smiled. "Every young adult has fears and issues. You're not paranoid, and you're definitely not alone."
Kai sighed. "I guess you're right," he said absently. Wyatt stretched and stood.
"I've got to get ready for class," he announced. Kai waved him off and headed to his dresser, picking up the letter from Voltaire. Wyatt disappeared in the bathroom. Kai sighed again and slumped down in his chair in front of his desk. He idly read the letter over again, and then tossed the sheet of paper to the side.
Picking up a pen, he indolently scratched at his neglected desk calendar. He sketched a heart around yesterday's date absently, and then blushed when he looked down and realized what he had done. He pushed his chair away from the desk and strolled to his dresser again. He opened the top drawer just as Wyatt emerged from the bathroom.
"That's a really nice picture, you know," Wyatt commented when he saw Kai remove the picture he had dropped in there the day Rei had broken up with him.
"Mm. I guess." Kai's eyes traveled across the picture and came to rest on Tyson. He was grinning madly and holding up the trophy in triumph. Kai's face softened, and he returned the picture to its rightful place on his desk. After a few moments of shifting and moving, he finally pushed a paperweight in front of Rei's face.
Wyatt's hands were at his throat, trying unsuccessfully to tie his tie. Kai watched him. It never ceased to amuse him how Wyatt never seemed to be able to do his tie properly. After a few more moments of watching him suffer, Kai stood with a resigned sigh and pulled the tangled mess out of Wyatt's hands, proceeding to tie it, as it should be.
Wyatt grinned sheepishly. "You know, Kai, if you would just show me how to do it the right way, you wouldn't have to do it for me all the time."
"I have shown you." Kai arched an eyebrow at him. "Numerous times."
Wyatt shrugged, and then grew solemn. He could always tell when Kai's mind was elsewhere, and right now, it definitely was in a different place.
"You want to talk about something?" Wyatt asked. Kai tugged at his tie, securing it around his neck. Then he sighed heavily and slumped down in his chair again.
"I have to go see my grandfather today," Kai said. Wyatt pulled up a chair and sat across his troubled friend.
"And I really don't want to because I just know something bad is going to happen," Kai continued. "There's always something terrible involved with him. I just… now that I'm finally starting to enjoy life again, I'm afraid he's going to mess it all up for a second time."
"You're really happy with Tyson, aren't you?" Wyatt asked softly. Kai nodded.
"You two are so in love, and nothing your grandfather can do will change that," Wyatt said. "He may think that he can control you, but he can't. You're twenty years old; you're not a little child he can order around anymore. He can't make you do a damn thing."
"I guess he can't…"
"I know he can't. Think about it, Kai. He's in jail for a very good reason. He's powerless. On top of all that, you've got the law on your side." Wyatt gave him a smile.
Kai pondered this for a moment. "I suppose I'm being paranoid again."
Wyatt laughed. "You could say so." He stood up and went to his desk, picking up a slim notebook. "I've gotta run now. Class."
"Sure."
Wyatt paused at the door. "Don't worry, Kai. Things will turn out fine, you'll see."
"Thanks."
Wyatt shut the door behind him, and Kai sighed again. He glanced at his watch and decided to get to class as well. Tyson probably wasn't even up yet, anyway.
* * * * *
Kai's assumption proved to be correct. When he dropped by Tyson's room after class, he found his bed still warm from body heat. He heard the shower running and absently cursed Tyson for being stupid enough to leave his door unlocked.
Kai wandered over to his desk and admired the statues adorning it. Only when he looked up again did he realize that the entire room was decorated with angels, whether it was pictures, posters, calendars, or figurines. A slight smile appeared on his lips as he took in the innocence of it all. Tyson was such a sweet kid at heart. He spread the wrinkled covers on Tyson's bed, smoothing it out neatly. Then, he sat waiting for his lover to finish showering.
After a short while, Tyson opened the bathroom door, clad only in a towel around his waist, humming to himself. He stopped when he saw Kai sitting on his bed.
"Whoa! Kai, when did you get here? Can't you warn people about these things?" Tyson said, flustered. He tightened his grip around the towel.
"Sorry. Hope I didn't startle you too much."
Tyson sighed and smiled. "It's okay." He crossed the room and went through his closet. Kai stood and went to the window.
"Are you doing anything today?" he asked, his back to Tyson.
"Uh, not really. Why, you have something planned?"
"Actually, yes. I need to go see my grandfather today."
"Oh, yeah. That."
Kai turned around and looked at Tyson. "Are you planning on getting dressed, Tyson?"
The longhaired blader looked down, noticing that he was still in his towel. He paused. "Uh… can you turn around again?"
Kai snorted and faced the window once more. He watched the students milling about on the ground with mild interest, then turned his gaze to the large, blue expanse that was the sky. Fluffy clouds rolled about lazily.
Tyson dropped his towel and proceeded to get dressed. Once finished, he went to the bathroom to comb out his hair. Kai followed, and stopped in the doorway. Tyson ran a comb through his wet tresses.
"Do you still want to come with me?" Kai asked, crossing his arms across his chest and leaning against the doorframe.
"Well, yeah. I said I would, didn't I?" Tyson threw a towel over his hair and rubbed vigorously. Kai sighed. After a moment, Tyson pulled the towel off and dropped it on the floor, once again picking up the comb. Kai bent over and picked it up, draping it over the shower door.
"Something bothering you?" Tyson asked. Kai was slightly annoyed that everyone could read him so easily, but there was no point in denying it.
"Everything, in general."
Tyson raised an eyebrow. "Even me?"
"You know what I mean."
Tyson smiled. "Sorry."
Kai shook his head and walked away from the bathroom. Tyson paused for a moment before setting his comb down and following.
Kai was sitting on the edge of his bed, eyes downcast and face troubled. Tyson slowly came and sat next to him, deciding that he wouldn't say anything until Kai said something first. The room was silent for a moment.
"I don't want to see him," Kai finally said, his voice trembling. Something tugged at Tyson's heart as he heard the desperation in Kai's tone.
"Who, your grandfather?"
Kai nodded, and then looked up and sighed heavily. "I just know… I just know he's going to mess everything up again. Why else would he want to see me?"
"Kai, I don't know why he wants to see you, or what's going to go down." Tyson searched for the right words. "But… just always remember that no matter what happens, I'm always going to be here for you."
Kai was about to point out obnoxiously that Rei had said close to the same thing, but then realized that he didn't really care what Rei had said anymore. He was talking with Tyson, not Rei. "Thanks, Tyson. I will."
"You'd better," he said affectionately. Kai blew out his breath again.
"Hell," he said, closing his eyes. "I'm so damn nervous."
"Well, I don't really know how to help you there," Tyson admitted. "I don't think I've ever been all that great at making people feel secure. That's more your area of expertise."
Kai opened his eyes. "What?"
Tyson shrugged. "Like, back when we were beyblading, you always made me feel safe. And at the World Championships, I was totally freaking out until you and Rei got there. I don't think I would've done well if you hadn't been there."
"Tyson, that is ridiculous. You did well because you're a good blader, not because I was there."
"No, I'm serious. You always made me feel safe. Whenever we got in a jam, my first thought was always, 'Kai'll get us out of here,' or 'Kai'll know what to do.' I was always so confident that you had all the answers." Tyson blushed. "I don't think anyone noticed, but I depended on you a lot."
Kai was slightly stunned. He never knew that anyone had ever depended on him. He wasn't exactly the most devoted guy around, or the most steadfast. Hell, he could barely rely on himself!
"You depended on me? You thought I had all the answers?"
"Well, yeah." Tyson gave him a crooked grin. Kai's eyes softened and he almost laughed at the thought.
"Wow," Kai said softly, a tiny smile gracing his lips. "You're stupider than I thought."
Tyson was about to laugh, then stopped himself. "Hey!"
Kai expressed amusement in his eyes. "I'm sorry," he said. Tyson pouted. Kai smiled and slipped his arms around Tyson's neck, leaning over and hugging him gently. He breathed in deeply and smelled the sweet fragrance of Tyson's shampoo in his long blue locks. He felt Tyson slip his arms around his waist.
As Kai felt Tyson holding him, hatred so unfathomable and rage so strong boiled deep inside of him. His angry feelings were directed toward his grandfather. He had no right to barge in on his life just when he had tapped into happiness. Kai bit his lip and shut his eyes tightly.
"That fucking bastard…"
Tyson was confused. "Huh?"
"My grandfather," Kai spat out with venom in his voice. "I should just let him rot in jail until he dies, and then he can burn in Hell."
Tyson was taken back by Kai's harsh words. He didn't loosen his hold around Kai's body, and in turn, he felt Kai tighten his grip around his neck.
"Oh, Kai," Tyson said tenderly, rubbing his back. "I can't relate to what you're feeling right now, love. All I can offer is the fact that I'm here for you."
In Kai's mind, his hatred for his grandfather and his love for Tyson clashed together. It was slightly eerie to him that two emotions that were so different could dwell in him at the exact same moment. He pulled away from Tyson, and held his tanned hands in his own pale ones for a moment.
"Just knowing that you give a rat's ass… that's good enough for me," Kai said, leaning over and kissing Tyson on the cheek. "You're the only one in the world who cares."
Tyson absently brushed back a strand of Kai's hair. "That's not true. Wyatt cares a whole heckuva lot."
Kai smiled fondly. "Yeah, I'm glad Wyatt didn't give up on me, either. It's amazing… I was such a jerk to him. He never gave up, though." He looked at Tyson. "I was a jerk to you, too, wasn't I?"
"You had a good excuse; I was pretty annoying back then. Let's just leave it at that, shall we?" Tyson's eyes glinted with mirth.
"Deal."
Tyson grinned. "Now, let me go finish brushing my hair."
"Oh, sorry." Kai let him go, and Tyson quickly ran a brush through his now-dry mane. After fitting his baseball cap on his head and turning the bill towards the back, he went to his desk and found his keys.
"I'll drive?" Tyson offered in a questioning tone. Kai agreed. They both left Tyson's room and headed for the elevator.
"Hey, Kai… you know the way to the jail, right?"
Kai rolled his eyes heavenward. "You offered to drive when you didn't even know the way?"
Tyson shrugged.
"Stupid," Kai muttered. Any normal person would have been offended, but Tyson had long since learned how to interpret Kai's insults. He smiled contentedly.
* * * * *
The trip to Tokyo Prison was unsettling. The closer they got, the sicker Kai felt. Tyson gave a good amount of comfort during the drive, but his stomach was still in knots. Kai leaned his head back against the seat and closed his eyes, trying to picture something, anything that would get his mind away from where it was now.
"What a great time to draw a blank," Kai muttered darkly. Tyson glanced over at him.
"God. Cheer up."
"Fuck you." Kai opened his eyes. "Sorry, Tyson."
"It's okay," Tyson said with a smile. "I know what you mean, anyway."
Kai sighed and stared out the window. His cell phone buzzed, and he glanced at the number before flipping it open.
"Hello?" he said, sighing again.
"Hey, Kai. It's Wyatt."
"Uh huh. Hi," Kai said monotonously.
"Did you see your grandfather yet?"
"No, I'm on my way right now."
"Oh. Well, remember what I said."
"Sure, Wyatt. Thanks."
"Call me afterwards, okay?"
"I will." Kai's heart was lifted slightly by Wyatt's concerned tone. He heard a click as the line disconnected, and snapped his phone shut.
"We're almost there," Tyson reported. Kai looked up and saw the prison sign.
"Damn."
Tyson rolled his eyes. "Don't sound so excited."
Kai glared.
"Listen, let's go out tonight for dinner or something. Maybe catch a movie," Tyson said, and then grinned. "It'll be our first official date."
"Okay," Kai said, tracing circles with a fingertip on the door. "Yeah, that sounds nice."
Tyson smiled, pleased. They sat in a comfortable silence as Tyson pulled up to the gate. A uniformed guard stood next to it.
"What are you here for?" he asked after Tyson had rolled down his window and had checked both ID's.
"Visitation," Kai called. The guard nodded and waved them through. Kai directed Tyson to stop in front of the building.
"I'll go in alone," he said.
"You sure?"
"Yeah. You wait here, it'll be more trouble for them to have you standing around waiting on me inside."
Tyson looked dubious. "Okay. I'll be waiting up there," he said, pointing to a spot a few feet in front of them. Then he leaned over and kissed Kai on the cheek, returning the one Kai had given him earlier.
"Everything's going to be okay," he said, his eyes looking directly into his lover's gray depths. Kai blinked and nodded.
"Thanks," he said softly. Kai pushed open the door and stepped out before he got caught in the moment. If he did, he was afraid it would be hours until he finally left Tyson's car, if he did at all. Tyson grinned and winked at him before driving off up ahead.
Kai walked inside the building. A bell jangled over his head, and he went to a lady sitting at the front desk.
"May I help you?" she asked, looking up at him. Her glasses were perched primly on her nose, her sandy hair swept up on top of her head, and her eyebrows were curved to perfection, giving her an alert look.
"Yeah, I'm here to visit Voltaire Hiwatari."
She turned to her computer. "And what relation are you to him?" she asked, typing.
Kai groaned inwardly. "He's my grandfather."
She glanced up slightly, and was silent for a moment as her fingers flew over the keyboard. Kai idly read her nametag. Ms. Rurika.
She handed him a sheet of paper and a man appeared out of nowhere by his side.
"Come with me," he said. Kai thanked Ms. Rurika and complied with the man's request. He led him to a room with a large desk that was divided down the middle with a metal interlocked screen.
"Safety precaution," the man said, noticing Kai's arched brow. He motioned Kai to sit, and told him his grandfather would be with him shortly.
Kai took a deep breath and rested his arms on the table. After a moment, he lowered his head into his hands and rubbed his eyes. Stupid grandfather, he thought to himself. He tried to concentrate on his date with Tyson tonight, wondering what exactly he had planned. He was looking forward to it. It would be a nice escape after this.
The door opened, and Kai raised his head in time to see the same man escorting his grandfather to the other side of the room. He sat across from Kai, the only thing separating them being the metal screen. The man looked them over once, and then shut the door as he left.
Voltaire looked almost the same, except for the fact that he had aged. It had been years since Kai had seen him. He snorted to himself. An eternity still wouldn't be long enough. The tension in the room was suffocating.
"Kai," Voltaire said, finally breaking the silence. Kai stared straight into his grandfather's eyes.
"Grandfather."
"It's been quite some time."
Kai stayed silent for a moment. "It has."
"So-"
"Just get to the point," Kai said suddenly. Rage bubbled up again inside of him when he saw the amusement in his grandfather's eyes.
"You haven't changed at all. Still no respect for your elders."
Kai glared at him. "I only respect those who have earned it."
Voltaire raised an eyebrow. "After raising you-"
Kai slammed his fist against the table. "You used me!" His angry words resonated through the small room. Voltaire calmly crossed his legs, causing Kai to want to throttle him. He's not even taking me seriously, Kai thought, disheartened.
"Why did you call me here?" Kai asked, his voice an octave lower.
"Hm. To tell you that you are the most skilled blader in the world."
Kai was puzzled, and kept silent. Voltaire went on.
"And that you are being a damned fool for not even doing anything with your talent, Kai."
"And just what would you want me to do?" Kai asked, his words dripping with sarcasm. Voltaire's piercing gaze caught onto Kai's and held him immobilized.
"I'll tell you what you will do," he said, and paused for emphasis. "You're going to become the president of Biovolt and continue with my plans."
Kai was stunned. Then, much to his own surprise, he started laughing. Voltaire's gaze didn't falter.
"You are insane!" Kai found his command so absurd, it was hilarious. "What makes you think you have any control over me? You can't make me do a single thing. I'm an adult now, and even though you may be my grandfather, you're in jail for a very good reason. Biovolt is long gone, by the way."
Voltaire was quiet, and waited for Kai to stop laughing. When he did, he spoke again.
"Kai, you will become the most powerful man alive. You can rule over everything you see. You have the potential and the skill, not to mention the resources at your disposal."
"But you're forgetting one very important factor. You need me. And you don't have me." Kai sat back.
Voltaire was getting angry. "You will join Biovolt. And you will continue with my plans."
"Read my lips," Kai said. "No."
"You insolent little fool-"
"Save it." Kai stood up. "I think this meeting is over."
As he went to the door, he heard Voltaire call him again.
"Kai."
He turned, his hand on the knob. "What?"
"You have disrespected me for the last time. You're nothing but a spoiled, impertinent child who was born rich, therefore thinking that you can have everything and expecting others to wait at your beck and call."
Kai was practically shaking with suppressed rage. He stormed back and leaned over the table, his hands supporting him, and stuck his face close to the metal screen.
"How dare you… how dare you say that about me! I have had to work for everything I ever had! You bastard, you never gave me anything, not a damned thing! Where do you get off making false accusations at me saying that I don't know the meaning of hard work? I had to claw my way to the top, and it was by my own sweat and labor that I'm where I am today! I didn't become the best because I was born talented; I had to start from scratch just like every other person in the world. It was a grueling journey, but I did it, and I intend to make something of my life instead of following a pathetic whim to take over and destroy mankind, like you!"
Voltaire's stony gaze held firm. Kai shook his head in utter disbelief that his words had no affect whatsoever on his grandfather.
"Ugh! I can't stand the sight of you!" He turned away again.
"Well, then, you'll be happy to hear that you won't have to see me anymore," Voltaire said. Puzzled again, Kai stopped. Voltaire continued.
"I'm disowning you."
* * *
TBC
* * *
I am terribly sorry. I know I said that this chapter was supposed to be interesting and the action was supposed to pick up, but I didn't know that the beginning was going to be so long! I was planning to write more to this, but this was just getting too long (4,204 words already!) and I needed a stopping point. Meh! I'm so bad when it comes to planning things out! HOPEFULLY I'll actually get to where the action picks up in the next chapter. ^^;; Please review, lovelies!