Disclaimer: Wish I owned but it will remain a little fantasy of mine... And I thank Simon & Garfunkel for the awesome song that is The Sounds Of Silence. It rules and helped me create a scene in this chapter!
A/N: Well here's the third chapter, a little longer than the others. I hope you enjoy it and don't forget to review and tell me what you think! It'll help me in the long run and would be greatly appreciated.
I have also used a few Russian words so I figured I'd help point out their meanings since we don't all know Russian winks These are roughly translated through sound so the spelling in the English alphabet might be a little off...
Shkola: this should be fairly obvious... school
Ochin horosho: Very well
Pojalusta: welcome
Well, that's it. Enjoy this chapter. 'Till later!
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Craving Freedom
Chapter 3: Searching For Kai
Saturday, December 25, 2004Early on Saturday, the group found themselves yawning at the airport, being wished 'good luck' by Grandpa, and flying 1000, 2000, 4000 feet in altitude with the sun barely up over the horizon. So this was it, thought Tyson as he looked around the airplane at the others. He was sitting next to the window. Beside him rested Hilary and then Max. Across the aisle were Ray and Kenny, and next to them was a rather large man whom Kenny seemed slightly scared of being flattened by, should the man roll to the side in his sleep. As a result, Kenny, apart from Tyson, was the only one awake. Tyson pitied Kenny, of course, but not nearly enough to agree to switch places with him. As a precaution, however, Tyson rolled over to look out the window, turning his back to Kenny and pretending to be asleep.
The clouds whipped by the window, the white fluff looking so soft and innocent. This was the world of children's dreams: another world in which hopes and goals are accomplished and where everyone is welcomed. The sun, now above the clouds, reflected brightly on their surfaces. Everything was so wondrous up here. Tyson felt right at home. The warmth of the sunlight coaxed him into a light sleep.
Tyson flew along, whipping in and out of the evaporated water. His body snaked through the air. He lowered himself to below the clouds and continued on going, looking down while he soared. The earth was a beautiful green. Lakes spotted along the land were as navy holes in the terrain. The world below the clouds was dark, the same as the clouds, which were ready to release their tears onto the world. Only a few beams of light broke through to the land and gave it their glow.
Tyson dove toward the ground and balanced out his course as he brushed the tall grass of the fields. A gust of wind followed him brushing apart the grass as well. Tyson soared along the ground, passing a herd of elk-like creatures that pranced along, fleeing the coming storm. Smaller animals returned to their burrows or escaped to their nests found in the few trees.
Tyson smiled. He had never felt so free – so happy. This was his paradise, if only he were allowed to stay here.
No sooner had he thought it than he felt a sharp pain hit his hind leg. Tyson came crashing into the earth. The dirt parted as the force of his long body slid through it. He had gotten careless. He had come too close to the ground, to where they could reach him. He wasn't allowed to fly freely, he had forgotten that. And now he must fight for even the opportunity to dream that he may one day be completely free. Tyson got up, shook off the dirt, and turned to meet those who wished him harm. In front of him stood several humans, ready to fight. Tyson roared and then attacked –
"Tyson. Tyson." Tyson opened his eyes. Hilary was shaking him to wake him. "We've landed Tyson."
"Huh? OH!" It took Tyson a few moments to realize where they were. "Yeah, that's right, Kai!"
"Don't tell me you forgot. And after that speech last night, too," Hilary smirked.
"Of course not!" Tyson retaliated. "Let's just get out of here," he mumbled. Tyson grabbed his bag from the overhead compartment and followed the gang down the aisle, exiting the plane onto the cold pavement at the Moscow airport. Once inside the building, Ray called a couple taxis. Both taxis showed up and the children loaded their bags in the back. Their next trial was trying to get to where they wanted to go.
"Whitney Prep.," Ray tried. Both drivers looked at him quizzically.
Max stepped forward. "Um, Whitney school?" he said in English.
"Ah, shkola Whitney," one of the drivers said. "Ochin horosho." He then explained to the other driver, who didn't seem to understand as much as the first, and the kids climbed into each car.
"I just hope he knows where he's going," Max said, a little worried.
Tyson and Kenny had hopped into the back of the first cab and Ray, Max and Hilary were in the back of the second, who's driver still seemed unsure of where he was going and was trying to keep up with the other driver. After about half an hour and the diminishing buildings and city life, however, all five children began to worry about their cab driver's reliability. Finally, both cabs turned off the main road and down a side road. In the distance, a large building came into view. In fact, there were several buildings. But surely enough, it was a school. The taxis stopped and the children got out.
The school was on the border of the city. Although the drive up was long, it seemed that walking here probably would have taken less time. In fact, the drivers had probably taken the most indirect route here. "That's just great," Tyson said, realizing this.
"Well, we're here now. Let's just find Kai," Ray said.
The five teens entered the building they had pulled up in front of. The front doors opened to a reception area. An office was in the centre of the room. "Well, at least we don't need to ask where the front desk is," Max exclaimed happily.
"Excuse me, do you know where we might find Kai Hiwatari?" Hilary asked the woman behind the desk. The woman didn't seem remotely interested in what Hilary had to say, however, for she turned her back on Hilary and left to the back room. Hilary was insulted until she saw the woman return with another. She understood now.
"Yes? What would you like," the new woman asked in Japanese.
"We were wondering where we might find Kai Hiwatari," Hilary repeated.
"I'm sorry. He has returned home for the winter break. He won't be returning until lessons start again in the new year."
"You wouldn't happen to know where he lives, do you?"
"I'm sorry. I am unable to disclose that information. You'll have to contact him yourself," the woman said.
"But, we want to surprise him. We came all the way from Japan..." Hilary tried.
"I'm sorry, I'm not at liberty to give you his address," the woman frowned. "If that is all, I must get back to work." She turned and walked back to the other room.
"She didn't have to be so, so snippy!" Hilary said, irritated, as the group walked back down the hall.
"Great, another dead end," sighed Ray.
"Hold on.' Everyone stopped and looked at Tyson. "Have none of you ever been to the office at your school?"
"I'm afraid none of us like detentions as much as you, Tyson," Max joked.
"Anyway," Tyson continued, "they all have records of each student, their home phone number and address and their marks," Tyson added thoughtfully. The faces of the rest of the children brightened considerably. "So," continued Tyson, "all we have to do is sneak into the office and find Kai's folder."
"Um, Tyson," Kenny squeaked, "I think you're underestimating the 'all we have to do' part."
"Chief's right, Tyson. How're we going to get in there, find it, copy it, and get out without anyone noticing?" inquired Max.
Tyson grinned.
---
"Ha ha hah!" Max laughed.
"I'm not so sure about this, guys!" Kenny screamed as he clung to the object he was sitting on.
The former Bladebreakers had snuck away with a janitor's cart and were racing through the hallways with it. Students (those who were staying over the break) jumped out of the way as the cart hurdled through the corridors and eventually flew past the front desk, whipping papers into the air.
Max and Ray were the ones pushing the cart, which was continuing to pick up speed, and Kenny was on the front trying to keep from throwing up.
"What the – "the receptionist stood up and saw the cart turn right before it reached the front doors. "It's those kids." The woman called her fellow workers and they all left the office, chasing after the trouble-making children.
"Now," Tyson whispered. Hilary and Tyson snuck into the office area and headed straight for the back room. They went right for the filing cabinet. Drawer number one held some school fliers. Drawer number two – some teacher's profiles. Drawers three and four, though, were locked.
"They must be in here," Hilary stated. "But how do we get in?"
"You forget you're with the master – and I snatched these keys that the woman dropped in her haste to chase after the others." Tyson smiled. He was twirling a key ring around his index finger.
The two began to try each key in the hole. Finally, one key went in. "It fits," stated Hilary. And sure enough, the drawer opened. They were in luck, that drawer had the student files and, more importantly, Kai's. Tyson removed the folder and started reading the information out loud. Hilary copied it down. Tyson pause for a moment taking in Kai's extremely good average before he returned the folder to the cabinet and shut it.
No sooner had the lock clicked than there was a loud 'So' heard. Both teens turned toward the exit. There, looming over them dangerously, was the Japanese-speaking woman. "You think you can pull some half-witted stunt to distract us and break into our private files, do you?" she said with venom. Behind her were Max, Ray and Kenny, each with their own rather alarming-looking escorts. "You're just lucky you never opened that cabinet or we would be forced to call the authorities," she lectured. Evidently, she hadn't seen them close the drawer. "Now, do yourselves a favour and GO HOME!"
The kids were forced to leave the school premises. They were out on the street again.
"Did you get it?" Ray asked.
"After all that, you better have," Kenny said. He was looking a tad green.
"We sure did," Tyson said, eyeing the guard who appeared to be sleeping but was most likely watching them slyly from under his hat. "Anyway, let's go."
The children walked back toward the city.
---
"We should almost be there by now," said Kenny, checking the on-line map on his laptop. "Just another few blocks." The group eventually stopped in front of a three-story apartment building. "This is it," Kenny said.
"And about time too, I'm starving!" Tyson exclaimed.
"Not only that," added Ray, "but the sun's nearly set. I hope we can stay here tonight because I don't fancy looking for a hotel in the dark."
The gang entered the building. They walked up the stairs to the third floor and went to room 307. Tyson knocked on the door and they waited... and waited. He knocked again. No answer.
"Maybe he's not home," Hilary suggested.
"He's gotta be home. Where else could he be?" Tyson said exasperated. Finding Kai was turning out to be a wild goose chase.
Everyone was then distracted by the click of a door. A small, elderly Russian woman came out of the apartment 310.
"Hi," Max tried in English.
"You know," Tyson pointed out, "you just got lucky with the taxi driver. This is Russia, not everyone understands English."
"Oh, hello," the woman answered.
Max turned back to his friends and winked. The others stared at him, dumbfounded.
"So you do know English," Max said.
"Yes, my daughter lives in Canada and I visit many time," the woman answered. "You look for Kai? He is such a sweet boy," she said.
Max snickered imagining Kai being called 'sweet' to his face. Only this old woman would be able to get away with that.
"Just get on with it," Tyson muttered from behind him, obviously annoyed that he couldn't understand what the joke was.
"Yeah. Do you know where we could find Kai?" Max asked.
"He is out but should be back tomorrow."
"Thank you," Max said and the woman left.
"So, what did she say?" asked Kenny.
"She said that Kai should be back tomorrow. I guess we'll have to find some place to stay for the night."
"Well, we better get going before it gets too dark," Ray said. The five of them left the apartment for the cold streets of Moscow. A little while later, they found a nice hotel to crash for the night. They were positive that they would see Kai tomorrow. By the way the woman sounded, Kai had been there recently and that meant that Kai was okay. All they had to do now was wait.
---
Kai looked up at the mansion. It hadn't been too hard to find. There were a large number of vehicles in the driveway which made Kai more nervous than he already was. Sure, most of the time he was able to seem submissive, but that wasn't nearly close to how he really felt now. He was about to enter a strange place and he felt completely incapable of controlling his future. Beyond the front doors lay the unknown. Kai tried to comfort himself by taking in his surroundings. A lot can be told of a family from the way their home seemed. The lawn was orderly but the snow on the driveway allowed for some leeway from rigid organization. A cute sign on the door read 'pojalusta', inviting guests to feel at ease, although it hardly made Kai feel any better. The truth was, Kai wasn't good with people. He preferred to be alone, he always had. The thought of being tied to a room full of people for the next few hours scared him. It was one of the only things that could.
Gathering his strength, he rang the doorbell. A light chime could be heard through the door. The door opened and a woman greeted him. It must have been Zasha's mother. She had short blonde hair and a tender expression. She was fairly tall, and wearing a black formal suit and skirt. Pearls lined her neck but didn't define her look, giving the idea that she didn't have much care for the wealth she had. She seemed to be in her late thirties. Kai walked in and removed his shoes. There must have been around twenty other pairs along the wall.
"Kai!" exclaimed a voice. Zasha slid into view from the next room. "We've been waiting. Oh, this is my mother, Sonia Kozlov. Mother, this is Kai Hiwatari."
Kai bowed. "It is a pleasure Mrs. Kozlov."
She laughed. "Just call me Sonia, dear. Please, here you're treated as family. Come in," Sonia motioned toward the next room where soft chatter could be heard.
Kai didn't move. Suddenly, he felt a slap on his shoulder. Zasha had wrapped his arm around Kai's shoulders and he was smiling. "Ahh, come on Kai, no need to be nervous. They may seem daunting at first but once you get to know them you realize they're just a bunch of goofs," Zasha assured Kai. He then led Kai to the next room.
Kai hadn't been too far off. There were definitely at least twenty people. A quick count totalled the number to twenty-three. "I thought this was going to be a small family gathering," Kai mumbled to Zasha.
"Well, I'm sorry that that's the way it came across but I assure you, I never said any such thing," Zasha chimed. "Anyway, you're here now. How about I introduce you to everyone. Let's see, where should I start? Hmmm... Well, over there," he pointed, "are my sisters Kiska and Larissa, they're both younger than me. And there in the big chair is Grandpa Gavrie..." Zasha continued on around the room naming people and giving anecdotes about a few of them, like how his Uncle met his Aunt, or when Grandpa Gavrie came back from the war after saving a few of his men by carrying them on his own back.
Kai normally hated to hear tales such as these, he never really cared to reflect on other people's memories, but at this point, it allowed him some comfort in knowing that as long as Zasha talked to him, nobody else would and also that he wouldn't have to sit down at a table, trapped.
But, as these things always seem to happen, the time it took for Zasha to introduce Kai to everyone's life story didn't seem to take nearly as long as it should have. Sonia called them all to the table to eat.
For most of the supper, Kai wasn't bothered at all. As long as he stayed silent, the others seemed to respect his privacy. Finally, however, having not heard a sound from their guest since welcoming him, Sonia began to talk with Kai. "Kai," Kai looked up and, at her addressing him, the others looked 'round to him as well, "Zasha has told me that you're into beyblade, like him." It was obvious that she was trying to coax him into talking about something that he knew well.
"Yes."
"Well, Zasha's not very good at explaining these things to me, what's the game about?"
"Mo-om!" Zasha complained.
Kai felt like laughing to Sonia's obvious insult of her son, but he decided to keep his stoic nature. If he laughed, he would be opening up to this stranger in front of him. "Well, it's simple, really. The last blade spinning is the victor. Your only goal is to win." It was a crude explanation of the game, but it didn't require a long conversation on Kai's part.
Sonia wasn't going to give up that easily however. "It's a bit dangerous, though, isn't it? I mean, after what happened to Wyatt – "
Kai's eyes shot up, Sonia covered her mouth and Zasha stood up alarmingly. "Mom!" he growled. Zasha had warned his mother about mentioning Wyatt.
Kai watched the woman for a few moments. She seemed devastated. He decided to fix the situation. "It's alright," he said. The dinner continued but Sonia had stopped trying to talk with Kai, she was obviously still sorry about what she had done. Instead, Kai enjoyed the rest of the evening by watching the others talk amongst themselves. Zasha had such a loving family, something he had never been blessed enough to have. Everyone from Zasha's siblings to his second cousins were happy, caring people. The ideal family... if only Zasha knew how lucky he was.
After supper, Kai tried to help Sonia and Zasha clean up but Zasha insisted that Kai join the others back in the lounge. Kai wouldn't leave and so, finally, Zasha enlisted his help by having him take the Vodka out to the others.
Kai was standing by the window when Sonia came back out from the kitchen. She went over to Kai. "Zasha will be a few more minutes." Kai nodded. "Listen," she sighed, "I'm sorry about what I said – "
"No," Kai cut her off. "No, I meant what I said, it's okay. You know," he looked at her, "you have a very smart son, Sonia. And he's right, what happened to Wyatt will never change no matter how much I wish it. It's something I have to accept and move on, no matter how hard that seems. I've been a real jerk to him lately," Kai said, suddenly bitter. He wasn't referring to Wyatt anymore, but to Zasha. Sonia knew.
"That's not what I see." Kai studied her expression. She was smiling at him. "You've been a true friend to him. Believe it or not, you've helped him come to grips with what happened to Wyatt as well. Losing a best friend can be tough but, between you two, you seem to understand one another and help each other overcome difficulties. I thank you for that." This time, Sonia was the one studying Kai. Her expression saddened. "What ails you?" She asked sweetly.
Kai was surprised by her question. "I'm sorry, what are you talking about?" he asked.
"Never mind," she said. She turned to leave. Only after taking a few steps she stopped once more. "Kai," she said turning back around to face him, "if you remember one thing let it be that you never have to face things alone. Whenever you need it, somebody will always be there for you." She said no more but continued walking to the other side of the room. Soon, she was caught up in an animated conversation with her sister and husband.
The party slowed and some of the members of Zasha's family headed home. Kai decided to do the same. "Thank you for inviting me, Zasha. You have a great family," he said to Zasha as he exited the lounge. Kai stopped and looked back at the remaining guests. He thought, for a moment, that he had seen Sonia looking at him but he must have been mistaken for she was busy collecting glasses when he looked back.
"Well, you better get going, you don't want to be out on the roads too late," Zasha said, handing Kai his coat. "I'll see you again before school starts, right?"
Kai nodded. As Kai exited the house, however, and left its warmth and light, he felt a coldness arise from within his heart. He was alone, just as he always had been. Those people in there weren't friends, just other lives being lived that happened to meet and take pity upon a poor soul as his. NO – they did care about him! It wasn't all a show. He could still feel some of the warmth they gave him but the light faded as he rode off further and further into the night. By the time it began to snow once more, he was already stone cold.
---
Later that night, Kai Hiwatari awoke with a start and sat straight up in bed, panting. Although the night was dry and cool, he was sweating heavily. His hands gripped the bed sheets tightly, fingers digging into palm. His legs were tangled in the sheets that acted like a straightjacket.
He took a moment to recall where he was. He was in a double bed at the North end of his bedroom. In front of him on a wooden dresser sat a large mirror that reflected his distraught figure and to the left of the dresser was the exit. To Kai's left, a nightstand stood, three pictures decorating its top. The photos showed five boys over a period of three years. Also, the number of children in each photo grew. The first featured only the five children. The second added a girl. And the third added another boy to the group of six. The only constant in all three pictures was the presence of an overly large trophy held high in the air. To Kai's left also was the opening to the bathroom. On Kai's right, a laundry basket lay full of clothes tossed haphazardly at it. This was the only untidy thing in the apartment. However, Kai's attention stayed focused on the mirror and his reflection.
Kai studied himself for a few moments before breaking the silence of the room. "Dranzer, I don't understand." Kai closed his eyes and was lost in the darkness. "My old friend, please, I need to talk to you. I don't understand."
Kai remembered the dream he had just had.
He was walking alone down a narrow street of cobblestone. Lampposts lined the street. Kai was led thoughtlessly down the road. A cool breeze chilled Kai and he stopped beneath one of the street lamps to turn up his collar to keep himself warm. He usually could withstand the cold, but this cold was nothing like he was used to. It seemed to bite at him and enter him, even through his coat.
Suddenly, Kai's attention was pulled from the coldness to a light that flashed bizarrely up the street. Kai continued to walk as if pulled to the force. Finally, Kai came to an opening. It was a town square. Many people were gathered there. It was so crowded that Kai couldn't see what was creating the light in the centre. Everything seemed much more peculiar than it did at first glance. It took him a little while before he realized why. There must have been at least ten thousand people gathered together and yet Kai could hear absolutely nothing. There was no talking or whispering or shuffling or breathing. Everything was absolutely silent. And still, the light seemed to call to Kai.
Kai pushed his way through the hoards of people, who didn't even seem to react, until finally he came to a clearing in the centre. That's when he saw it.
A large fiery bird stood, looking down upon him. Its golden beak and warm glow was all too familiar to Kai. Kai tried to yell out to it but his voice was lost; it could not break the barrier of silence that encircled the town square. He tried to reach out to Dranzer but found he could not approach the beast any further. Swiftly, the people around Kai all fell to their knees and bowed to the phoenix. Kai was the only one whom remained standing. The phoenix in front of him was abruptly taken in flames. Its flames grew out and licked up the group of servants bowing to the phoenix. The assemblage turned to charred smoke and vanished. The flames surrounded Kai as well. From within the fire, Kai could understand what his friend wanted to tell him. In those few moments, no words were needed.
Kai, your future is your own. Now that I am gone, you can create your own destiny. You don't have to be a slave to fate any longer. Remember that, Kai. Live your own life freely, for me...
And with a sudden flash, Kai had awoken. But what did it all mean? What was it that Dranzer had meant? Kai felt even lonelier than he already did. Dranzer had always been there for him and he let the phoenix down. Did Dranzer want him to forget the past, just like Zasha? Slave. Free. Did Dranzer feel that he had enslaved Kai and now that he was gone, Kai could be free? If that was what he meant, than Dranzer didn't understand at all. Kai was happy to be Dranzer's protector; he was honoured. But he had failed. Of course, all of Kai's thoughts now were speculations. Only Dranzer, or his subconscious, or whatever it was, could tell Kai what the dream had meant, and he felt that he probably would not get his answer for a while yet. And still, the image of the phoenix lingered in Kai's mind.
---
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If anyone knows the song The Sounds Of Silence I'm sure you've already noticed what scene it helped me create. ;) Anyway, things are starting to get interesting. Now, I couldn't have the BBA get to Kai that easily, could I? Well, darker times are ahead so the fun and games are going to stop quite soon, especially for the BBA. No more getting chased through hallways by mad, Russian secretaries! winks
And thanks to those who reviewed!
CrystallineWolf: Here's the update. I'm glad you liked it and I hope this chapter was just as pleasing.
Rejiita: Thanks for the review. I hope you continue to read and enjoy.
MasterFranny: Glad you're enjoying. On YTV we're just a few eps up now. Today we got to see the end of the match between Kai/Tala and Daichi/Kenny. Although I hate the fact that he lost, at least we got to see Tala fight! And I understand why you don't like Tyson in this season. I do think he looks a lot cuter but he still acts the same immature way. I think the problem is that Tyson is so centred around friendship and having friends who would turn against him for something they believe in is just beyond Tyson's ability to comprehend. I don't know. I usually can understand what others may think in any situation, so Tyson doesn't bother me that much. Although I'm all for making Kai the protagonist. Oh, and I'm not completely sure yet if I'll have Tala in this fic. This fic doesn't really have to do with Biovolt, but it has to do with Kai and Voltaire. But Tala will make an appearance later on in my other fic Of Age and Era which takes place in a different century but uses the same characters and ideas from the show.
Golden Lunar Eclipse: sighs There's no stopping you... busy eclipse, eh? I speak with you almost every night and that still doesn't seem to be enough sighs again I'm really missing those stars right now... Anyway, Whisper still has much to go so don't expect it any time soon. And chap 3 and chap 7 are still under production... even though I could just scan chap 3 and send it to you... but that would be too easy winks
Next chapter the BBA finally get to see Kai!!! So stick around. It will be called Lost Again.
For Kai again:
Better by far you should forget and smile than that you should remember and be sad - Christina Georgina Rossetti
-Fey Phantom