Disclaimer: Wish I owned it... but like everyone else here, I'm just a poor sucker who writes stories about imaginary characters who have more interesting lives than my own.
A/N: Okay, I know I said I'd update in two weeks from last Monday but to tell you the truth, two weeks is just so darn long! So here 'tis: chapter two of Craving Freedom. Well, this chapter is a little lacking in angst, but will be continuing the set up of my story.
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Craving Freedom
Chapter 2: The Plan
Wednesday, December 22, 2004"Tyson! You're late!" Hilary shouted as she entered his bedroom where he still lay asleep in bed. With the curtains shut, the room had the appearance that it was still night time. Tyson awoke with a start at Hilary's shrill voice.
"Wha?" he said groggily.
"It's nearly a quarter to eight," Hilary replied crossing over the floor to the window where she yanked the curtains apart to reveal an overcast winter day. The light from outside was enough, however, to expose a broken alarm clock lying on the floor.
"So that's why..." Tyson spoke more to himself than to anyone else. He recalled that he had had a restless dream in which he was beyblading again. What was more, he was battling against Kai, but Kai seemed different. He had a fire in his eyes like never before and vowed to devour Tyson in the match. Although it was just a dream, Tyson's stomach felt uneasy. Either way, the dream must have been what knocked his alarm clock over. But, what was still more confusing, Tyson had left the clock across the room to ensure that he would get up in the morning to turn it off. He must have been sleep walking in order to crash the clock; there was no other explanation.
"Tyson!" Hilary snapped him from his thoughts. "Well," she waited.
"Well, what?" he asked, utterly confused.
"Well, get ready!" she said, amazed at his stupidity.
---
Tyson was dressed his quickest and grabbed a ready-to-go breakfast bar to eat on the way. The two children ran, first to Kenny's house to meet up with him, then to Max's. Finally, all together, they hurried to school, not having the nice morning chat they had all planned for the trip to school due to Tyson's lateness. The four children sprinted through the schoolyard and the hallways and jumped into their class as the bell was ringing.
"Made it!" Max sighed. The rest of the group answered with panting.
"Now children, take your seats," Mr. Saito lectured looking disapprovingly at the children on the floor.
Max, Kenny, Hilary and Tyson all took their seats and prepared their notebooks for the third last day of school before the break. Mr. Saito began writing the day's lesson on the board. Tyson took this opportunity to get Kenny's attention.
"What?" Kenny answered over his shoulder to the boy poking him in the back with a pencil.
"You haven't heard from Kai yet, have you? He hasn't returned your e-mail?" asked Tyson hopefully.
"No, of course not. I told you you'd be the first to know," Kenny sighed. It obviously wasn't the first time Tyson had questioned him over the past few days. Then, a little more compassionately, Kenny said, "I'm sure he'll get back to us. He's probably just busy or something."
"Yeah? Well I'm not so sure," Tyson spoke in an angry voice much more audible to the rest of the class than the conversation had previously been. Max and Hilary's attentions were taken from the swiftly moving chalk at the front of the classroom to the conversation taking place at the back.
"What are you guys talking about?" Max whispered.
"It's Kai," Tyson said. Hilary and Max looked at him inquisitively. "I don't know. I have this feeling that something's not quite right – that he needs our help."
"Don't be silly, Tyson. If he was in trouble, he'd tell us," said Kenny, less sure of himself this time.
"I'm not so sure," repeated Tyson, and he said nothing more. The other three could only wonder what was going through Tyson's mind and whether their friend really did need their help.
---
After school, the four of them returned to Tyson's house where they met up with Ray.
"So how's the job, Ray?" Max inquired.
"Fun, actually," replied Ray with a laugh. "How was school?"
"What, you can't guess?" Max winked.
"Heya, dudes! Care to help with supper?" Tyson's grandfather came out of the dojo glistening in sweat. He had obviously just been training. At his invitation, however, everyone backed away. "That's what I thought," Grandpa paused. "Tyson, why don't you shut the dojo gate and lets all head to the kitchen!" Grandpa's tone made the job seem like it was a treat. Everyone groaned.
"You guys go ahead," Tyson said, "I'll be right there. Ray, could I have a word?" Tyson asked so that only Ray heard him. Tyson didn't want the others to know about their conversation. Not yet, anyway. Ray let the group go ahead.
"What is it, Tyson?" Ray asked perplexed.
"I was wondering if you could do me a favour." Ray continued to stare, confused. "Could you, by any chance, could you go and ask Mr. Dickenson something?"
"What is it Tyson? Just spit it out already," Ray said.
"Could you ask Mr. Dickenson where Kai is?" Tyson laid it out on the line. Ray was taken aback. "He has Kai's address in his database. He's the only one I know who can help. I figured, since you'll see him tomorrow, you could ask, for me, please?" Tyson begged.
"Tyson, you know that's personal information and that Mr. Dickenson can't tell me." Ray tried to reason.
"Listen Ray, I'm worried – "
"Yeah, well you're not the only one," Ray cut him off. "But he still can't give me that information!"
"I was hoping he may do it as a favour." Tyson pleaded. "It's just that – that I keep on having this dream. Kai's in trouble, I know it. In the dream, Kai's possessed by Black Dranzer. I know you may think it's just a dream, but I have a bad feeling about it."
Ray had listened quietly to the boy's explanation for his need to see Kai again. Even the thought of Black Dranzer back with Kai was horrible. "But," Ray sighed, "even if I got Kai's address, what would you do with it?"
"Forget the party, I want to go there." Ray was surprised at the determination in Tyson's voice. "If Kai won't come here, if Kai won't even talk to us, I'm going to go there, wherever he is."
"I just want to let you know, if you go, I'm going with you. That's IF Mr. Dickenson gives me the information. And I'm only doing this, Tyson, because he's my friend, too." Ray smiled at Tyson, who smiled back. Their agreement was cut short, however, by Grandpa's voice yelling at Tyson to get his butt in there. Both Tyson and Ray were halfway to the house before they turned back and headed for the gates, aware that they had forgotten to shut them altogether.
---
Thursday, December 23, 2004The following morning, Ray awoke with a smile. He was in a good mood as he prepared himself for the day. It wasn't until he was at work that a pit of nervousness settled in his stomach and that he felt slightly nauseous, especially when standing. As the day dwindled on, Ray grew more and more conscious of the passing hours and eventually found himself forcing his body into Mr. Dickenson's office to talk with him about business and personal affairs.
Ray stalled the conversation he was dreading with information about the Chinese beyblading community and about the preparations for the upcoming Asian tournament being held in Hong Kong. Even that, too, seemed to pass by fast and it wasn't until Mr. Dickenson asked if that was all that Ray felt he was cornered and had to ask for the favour.
"Sir," Ray started.
"Yes Ray? Something more?" Mr. Dickenson inquired.
"Yes. Just one more thing. This is more of a – a personal favour I'd like to ask."
"I'm listening."
"I was hoping that you'd look up some information for me. I was hoping you'd give me Kai's address," Ray said.
"Ray, you know I can do no such thing. I can't give you Kai's address. If Kai wishes you to have it, he'll give it to you."
"Sir, I know that. It's just, I haven't been able to get a hold of him for a long time. None of the old gang has been able to," said Ray, referring to the previous BBA team.
"The answer's no, Ray," Mr. Dickenson replied sternly. "Best be getting back to work now."
Mr. Dickenson turned to sit at his desk in the back of the room. Ray had turned only halfway before stopping again. "Mr. Dickenson, sir, when you first asked me to participate in a tournament here, I believed that it would all just be a waste of my time. You told me that you wanted me to represent the best of the BBA on a team made up of the other three finalists in that tournament. My first impression of Tyson left me believing that I would end up babysitting him the entire time. But in the end, it was that team which has given me invaluable friends and teammates. They showed me how to enjoy beyblading at the same time as trying your hardest to win. They showed me that no matter what happened, my friends would always be there. I've grown as close to them in the past three years as I've grown to the White Tigers through most of my life. The Bladebreakers are like family to me. And right now, I'm worried that one of my brothers may be hurt, but I can't get to him.
"Mr. Dickenson, you know how close we all are. You've seen us bond. You were the reason we met in the first place. I'm begging you, please, just give us Kai's location so we can see him. I promise that if he wishes to be left alone, we'll leave. As long as we know he's all right and happy. That's all I ask." Ray looked hopefully at Mr. Dickenson.
Mr. Dickenson was deep in thought, contemplating Ray's proposal. "Very well," he said at last, "I'll tell you, but only because I do know about your bond and only as a one-time favour. But this favour doesn't leave this office, hear me?" Mr. Dickenson spoke, acting strict but with an obvious hint of sympathy behind it.
Ray smiled, eyes bright. "Currently," Mr. Dickenson spoke again, checking a page on his screen, "Kai is attending Whitney Prep School in Moscow, Russia. But Ray, don't pester him," Mr. Dickenson pleaded one last time.
Ray began to walk toward the door. "Thank you and don't worry, we won't. Oh," he stopped, "and if Kai asks, we found this information through other means."
"Thank you, Ray."
"No problem." And with that, Ray left the office happy in knowing that, soon enough, he should be able to see his fifth friend, Kai, again.
---
After work, Ray had gone out to the secluded area of the park that over-looked the ocean. The Bladebreakers had spent many days in the past there practicing. It was an area where someone could relax and focus because of the simplicity of the world around it. That park completely hid the bustle and the noisy streets of the city. The forest surrounding it offered a calming music of rustling leaves. The ocean wind brought a wave of fresh air to the nostrils. The place resonated with the tales of the ancient lands. It was like stepping through a portal to the world of the past. That is what made it always seem so wonderful to be there for Ray. It reminded him of home, his village, where customs went unchanged for centuries and the pace of life was slower.
And at the present, it brought back wonderful memories of his friends and himself enjoying life; memories he would never forget.
He watched the sun set before he headed back to Tyson's house to give him Mr. Dickenson's answer. When he arrived at the teen's house, it was dark out and only the light from inside the house illuminated Ray's path. As he entered the training room, Ray quickly identified four people on the floor. Kenny, Hilary and Tyson had books open in front of them and Max was lying back against the far wall, candy bar in hand, looking at the rest of them with a smug smile. Kenny sat apart from Hilary and Tyson and was muttering to himself nonsense that only he understood. Meanwhile, Hilary was quizzing Tyson out of a thick math textbook that was in her lap and Tyson was trying to write out the answers on a notepad.
"Oh, I forgot," Ray smiled. The four studious kids looked up. They had been completely unaware of the guest's entrance. Only now did Ray remember Tyson telling him that tomorrow, Friday, would be the big midterm test at school. Max, being a new student of only a week, was exempted from the tests and, therefore, had the night off of studying and school work.
"Hey Ray! So how was your day? Came here to talk with Tyson? Sorry, he's a tad busy at the moment. Heh heh," Max taunted.
"Yeah, you think you're real funny," Tyson said, irritated. "See if I invite you over after this." Max and Ray laughed. "So, what is it, Ray? Did Mr. Dickenson say anything?"
"Mr. Dickenson?" Kenny asked. "What do you mean Tyson?"
"Yeah," Ray answered
"Really? That's great!" Tyson yelled. Ray nodded.
"Wait!" Kenny screamed trying to get Tyson's and Ray's attentions. "What's going on? What did you ask Mr. Dickenson about?"
Tyson snickered at Kenny's anticipation. "Well, I guess I should let the cat out of the bag. Last night, I asked Ray to ask Mr. Dickenson if he could give us Kai's address."
"You didn't! You know he can't!" Hilary joined in.
"Well, he gave it to me," said Ray, "and Tyson, I figure we should leave Saturday. So, if anyone else wants to come, that's when we're going."
"You're going to see Kai," Max muttered. "Then you can count me in," he winked.
"Me too," chimed Hilary.
"And me," Kenny added.
Tyson beamed. He had known that they would have stopped him had they heard of his plan before, but now that Ray had already gotten Kai's location, they were all looking forward to seeing Kai and not thinking about all the down sides to the plan, like the fact that Mr. Dickenson had to betray Kai's privacy. But in the end, as Tyson saw it, it didn't matter because everything would be fine. And maybe Kai would even come back with them to Japan. Hey, he could hope, couldn't he?
---
Friday, December 24, 2004The next day passed relatively fast and none of them could say that they were upset that the tests were over. It was one more night and they would be off on an early morning flight to Moscow. The night before, all the gathered Bladebreakers camped at Tyson's house and it all seemed just like old times, like the night before leaving for another tournament.
At one point, during the evening, Hilary had called Tyson aside to talk with him. She led the curious boy out to the frozen pond in Tyson's backyard.
"What is it Hilary?" Tyson asked, wondering why she wanted to speak with him privately. "Is it about the test? 'Cause I think I did okay, at least well enough to pass. Or is it about that partner project because I've been meaning to talk to you about that. You don't have a partner yet, do you? 'Cause that would completely blow all my plans-"
"Tyson!" Hilary snapped, stopping Tyson before he was too far on another one of his tangents. "No, it's not about the partner project or the test. It's about Kai."
"Kai?" This confused Tyson even more. "Well, don't worry Hil, I'm sure we'll get to him on time. Everything will be alright in the end, you'll see."
"Tyson!" Hilary barked again, "Let me finish speaking won't you?" Tyson backed away, quietly listening and twiddling his fingers. "Good. It's just," she said, suddenly sounding very weary, "I've been thinking and I'm not sure if going to Russia is the right thing to do." She held up a finger to Tyson's mouth to keep him quiet from retaliating.
Tyson calmed down. Whatever she had been thinking was wrong – obviously – because, Tyson thought, he knew that there was no better decision than going to Russia to find Kai.
"What if Kai's perfectly fine? What if all we're doing is intruding on his life? What if all he wants to do is return to the life he had before he met any of you? The truth is, Tyson, whether you want to believe it or not, when all is said and done, all the Bladebreakers, yourself included, all had lives before they joined the team. For three years, you guys were a team, but for thirteen years before that, you all experienced different lives, you all have different memories, and you all have different relationships that maybe no one else on this team even knows of."
"What are you saying, Hilary?" Tyson asked a little spitefully.
"Maybe all Kai wants to do is go back to the life he left when he joined the
Bladebreakers." Hilary said unwaveringly.
"Bullshit."
Hilary flinched at Tyson's language. "Why won't you accept the idea, Tyson?"
Tyson looked directly in her eyes. "Because, because I was there in Russia. Three years ago, I saw what was in Kai's past. I saw what he went through and what he suppressed in his mind for eight years and I think I know Kai well enough to say that he would never willingly go back to that hellhole. I don't know what's going on, but if it has anything to do with Voltaire then it's even more important that we go there. And also, I don't think I know one instance where Kai wouldn't be glad to see me. He's my best friend and I feel like there's something wrong. Hilary, I need to go, even if he is just living his life, I need to see him."
Tyson walked back to the party and was soon immersed in laughter once more. Hilary stared at the moon deep in thought. She wasn't there at the tournament in Russia when Kai had abandoned his teammates, but she had heard quite a lot about it – especially when Kenny had been trying to convince her Kai was a friend and no spy. She had been convinced that Kai was with the 'bad guys' because of his coldness. Looking back upon the way Kai was, Hilary found that it was completely understandable that someone raised in such a manner would turn out the way Kai did. He was treated as a tool in his childhood and the obvious reaction to that would be to distance himself from people. But it all seemed so odd. Why would Kai go back to Russia, unless he wanted to resume his life?
Hilary thought back to the day Kai left. It was only a few days after BEGA had fallen. All the Bladebreakers were at Tyson's. Daichi returned to his home village. Then Max went back to America. Soon after, Ray returned to China. Tyson and Kai were the only ones left at his house and, eventually, Kai said that it was time he returned home as well. Kai left an e-mail address with Tyson and Tyson, Kenny, Max and Ray had all kept in touch with Kai. Even Hilary had written him a few times asking how he was. But, over time, they stopped getting replies. Kai seemed to vanish and ever since, none of them had spoken to him.
The chill of a sudden breeze reminded Hilary of where she was and she went back to the house.
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Hope you enjoyed that chapter! Yes, for all those Kai fans out there, I know that Kai wasn't in it... which is probably why it was a little lacking in angst. But, anyway, there will be plenty of Kai next chapter. Well, now I'd like to pay my respects to those who reviewed this story:
unknown: I've always tried to stick to the facts and I'm glad you like it. Thanks for the review and I hope you stick around.
MasterFranny: I hope the second chapter pleased you as well. Truth be told, I haven't seen much of G Revolution yet either, but I like to find out spoilers in advance. heh I live in Canada where YTV has just shown episode 10 today.
Golden Lunar Eclipse: Gee, who guessed you'd be here? winks Anyway, I don't think I changed anything in chapter 1 but chapter 2 has a few changes which you may or may not have noticed... Anyway, chap 7 may be a while since I intend to get the other one up by Friday smile
Nimth: Your wish is my command! heh heh Well, I hope you liked this chappie as well and thanks for the review. I know I used to have trouble with extremely short chapters. Last chapter alone almost equaled a six chapter fic I wrote three/four years ago, so that's saying something...
And to all those people who are reading but haven't reviewed: I hope you're enjoying it as well. The next chapter will be: Searching For Kai. Now as I said at the beginning of this chapter, two weeks is just too long so I'll update this once a week which means chapter three will be posted Monday, September 27, 2004 (gee... sounds familiar). Hope to see ya around and please review.
For the BBA trying to find Kai:
Love is all we have, the only way that each can help the other. - Euripides, Orestes(408 BC)
Fey Phantom