Disclaimer: I don't own it.

Feral Voice

It came early this time. It's never done that before. We had it planned out. Mao and Lee had panned to be here to restrain me. But they weren't and I wanted to fuck anything that moved. The first thing I saw move happened to be the most unfuckable thing. That's right. Kai Hiwatari.

I sat up in my bed, a soft purr escaping my throat. The first rays of daylight were beginning to shine through the window of our dorm room. I was attracted to Kai on a regular day. But on this day…on this day it was overwhelming. My purr turned into a lustful growl.

Kai looked up from his book, "Why are your eyes red?"

It took me a moment to comprehend he had spoken. My mind was other places. I sat up slowly and crouched on my bed, ready to spring.

"Heat."

I launched myself off my bed and across the space between our beds. After that things were pretty much a blur of skin, heat and pleasure. The next thing I remember is waking up with an arm around my waist and thinking, why am I in Kai's bed?

It was Monday morning and I found myself unable to account for the last twenty four hours or so. My heart leapt to my throat and turned to ice. Carefully I rolled over and was confronted with a naked, but thankfully asleep Kai Hiwatari.

I sat up quickly, too quickly. My entire body was sore. I hissed in pain, but forced myself into action. I threw on some clothes and grabbed my backpack. I quickly looked around for a pen and some paper. Finding none I fled, a sob of humiliation and anger escaping my throat.

I hailed a taxi and checked my backpack once I was seated. I had my wallet and passport.

"Where to kid?"

"The airport."

I was running. My fear of Kai, what we had done, and myself was so overwhelming. So I ran home, like a young kitten with my tail between my legs. I hadn't been able to handle the real world.

Once in Beijing I hitched or walked until I reach the village. I walked straight into Lee's house, grateful to find him and Mao there alone. The tears I had held back for the past three days poured down my cheeks. They both stared at me in surprise before pulling me into a hug.

"What happened little brother?" Lee questioned me softly.

"My heat came early," I sobbed, "I haven't remembered it yet, but I think I slept with Kai."

"Kai," Lee repeatedly dumbly.

"If you can't recall yet, how do you know?" Mao asked reasonably.

"I woke up in bed with him."

"That might not mean anything…" Lee said.

"We were both naked," my voice cracked slightly.

"Oh."

They both held me as the rest of my story poured out. Shocked to hear I hadn't bathed, slept or eaten in ages they both began to fuss like mother hens. Lee pushed me in the direction of the shower, gently smacking me upside the head when he found out I had brought my school books, but only one change of clothes and very few other practical things. Lee lent me some of his things and I showered while Mao fixed me something to eat. After I was clean, clothed and feed, they sent me off to sleep. I don't know how long I slept, but I didn't wake until Mao gently shook me. She offered me the telephone.

"It's Mr. Dickinson, he called to inform Lee and me that Kai has called him and reported you missing. They're going to go fill out a police report."

"Shit," I sat up, taking the phone, "thanks Mao."

She smiled at me and left, closing the door behind her.

"Mr. Dickinson?"

"Rei?" I could hear the relief in his voice and I felt so completely awful.

"Yeah. I'm sorry I just took off without telling anyone. I needed to sort out some personal stuff," I said lamely.

"Next time, please tell someone…anyone…."

"Yes sir. There won't be a next time."

"Good to hear. I'm going to call your team and let them know you're safe. When you're ready to return let me know and I'll handle everything, okay?"

"Yes sir, thank you."

"Goodbye Rei."

I sighed, hanging up the phone. There was no way I was going back. A nagging voice in the back of my head reminded me school vacation wouldn't last forever. Fuck you I replied, and promptly fell back asleep. I still didn't remember exactly what had happened between Kai and me, but in my dreams I caught glimpses.

My vacation dwindled down so that there were only two days left until classes at the University began again. I did not contact Mr. Dickinson or make any move to return home. The first day of classes came, went and I spent it watching Mao and Lee teaching the younger children to blade. During one of the breaks Lee came and sat down beside me.

"You could have this too you know, if you wanted it."

I smiled at him, "I know."

"Think it over."

I nodded. My place wasn't here; though I was sorely tempted to hide forever… sooner or later I would have to return to Japan. I preferred the latter even though I knew putting it off wasn't doing anyone any good.

That night I got on Mao's computer and e-mailed my professors that I was in China due to a family emergency. I also contacted Mr. Dickinson. He arranged for me to leave in three days. On the day of my planned return it rained. Mao, Lee and I sat in front of the fireplace as the house shook. The winds were screaming. We had no power or telephone use. I missed my flight. Hopefully Mr. Dickinson had caught a weather report before going to the airport to get me.

We occupied ourselves with talk and my school work. It was like old times between the three of us and I was again sorely tempted to stay, but I had other responsibilities and I wanted a college degree very badly. I wanted to challenge myself. I wasn't done exploring. I hadn't tired of the adventure. And I owed Kai an explanation.

The storm and the winds finally died down, but we were still cut off from civilization. I wasn't able, nor was I dumb enough, to even try and leave the village. The roads, not to mention the village, were still flooded. Lee, Mao and I spent the next four days pumping water out of people's homes and trying to repair some of the damage the storm had caused. Once the water was cleared enough to walk safely on the paths, Lee, Mao and I walked the fives miles to the nearest village. There we met several soldiers who briskly told us to return to our homes, it would not be safe to travel for at least another week. We didn't bother arguing. We just shrugged and began to walk home.

When we got back to Lee's house the power was on. Mao took a shower, Lee blasted the heat, and I got on the computer. I had just finished e-mailing my professors and Mr. Dickinson about the flood when the power went out again. Lee wandered into the office, sighing.

"It was nice while it lasted I guess."

The sound of Mao cursing floated down the hallway, and we both smiled. I sighed, hoping the e-mail went through before the power had cut out.

I twiddled my thumbs for another day. It was still pretty wet outside, but Mao and Lee resumed their beyblading classes. I watched, roamed around and helped clean up some remaining debris. After helping some of the elders clear branches off some of less used paths I met up with Mao and Lee and we headed home. The village was beginning to look more or less normal again.

Mao and Lee both looked dead tired, so I cooked. I had just put the food on the table when we heard someone pound on the front door. Lee stood tiredly, but I waved him off.

"I'll get it big brother."

I went to the front door, pulled it open and my entire body went numb.

"Flood hnn? I never figured you for a liar, Rei Kon."