Disclaimer: Blah, blah, I don't own it.

Warning(s): Swearing, Shonen ai/Yaoi, possible OOC with some of the characters (I will try to stay clear from doing this though. However, if I end up doing it anyway, it is for a good cause and "I'm sorry!" . :P).

(Might wanna know/fyi: " " " Music/singing ", Italics thoughts/in thoughts,

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Let Me Soar

Written by: Silver Wood GG

Chapter 8: Past Revealed

Kai didn't know what to say to Rei. And so being the insensitive jerk that he is, he just left. He was sure to kick himself later, with imaged of a distraught Rei in mind. But for now, he was numb.

What could he possibly say? This Mariah obviously meant a hell of a lot to him, and she had died. And Kai didn't even bother asking how, but it seemed that whatever the cause Rei thought it was his fault. But even if Kai had asked him what happened, it wasn't likely that he would just spill out his past secrets right then and there. Kai understood this completely. If he had been in the same situation, he definitely would have kept his mouth shut. But he knew that Rei needed to tell someone. If he didn't, not only would it drive him insane, but he would also never sing for the band. And Kai wouldn't allow that.

Rei had mentioned about him having two friends. Pathetic, but it was helpful for a situation like this. All Kai had to do was track down these two friends and briefly explain what was going on.

He had a feeling it wasn't going to be that easy.

- - - - - - - - - - -

"Hey Max, you okay buddy?" Tyson questioned as he jumped down the hall. School was finally out!

…Until tomorrow.

"Of course." Max smiled. "Why do you ask?" It had been three days since his fight with Rei, and he hadn't been in a single class since. And despite being mad at him, Max still couldn't help worrying about him.

"It's just…I'm used to you smiling all the time. But for the past few days, all of your smiles seem forced, like you're trying to hide somethin' from me." Max stared at Tyson in disbelieve as they walked out the front door and into the fresh air. He stopped just outside the door, causing Tyson to turn back.

"Tyson…" Max started, unable to find the words.

"Look, I don't need you to go all weird on me and think I would just yell at you and leave. You should know me better than that. So whatever it is Max, I'm sure I can take it."

"It's just…" Max couldn't take holding it in anymore. "It's Rei. We kind of got into a fight. And I know it's probably my fault, but I couldn't take it anymore! I was sick of him lying to us and ditching us. I mean, I thought that we meant more to him than that. And personally, I value the friendship that we share more than anything."

"Then what does it matter?"

"Excuse me?" Max stared at Tyson in confusion.

"I said: what does it matter? You know we're the only friends Rei's got, and he doesn't mean to hurt us. He's probably got his reasons for not wanting to talk about it. And being his friends, we have to accept him knowing that."

Max couldn't believe that the one he thought to be the lovable idiot of the group, was actually the one that was making the most sense. Tyson knew exactly what was going on, and probably did since the start off all this nonsense. With this realization Max was finally able to think clearly, and gave Tyson a true smile.

"You had that whole speech planned didn't you?" Max laughed when Tyson threw one of his strong arms around him.

"Maybe. Or maybe I'm just smart." He winked, grinning casually.

"And now I know you're dreaming." They both continued laughing, until Tyson finally managed to figure out that it was an insult. Max dashed all across the yard and out into the parking lot with a frustrated Tyson in toe. He was so busy laughing and trying to escape Tyson's deadly grasp that he didn't even realize someone standing in his way or Tyson yelling at him to watch out. And before he knew it, he found himself on the ground.

The offender was a boy who looked no more than a few years older than himself. His crimson eyes glared down at Max without mercy. Aside from the paper nudged in the palm of his fist, the man dressed all in black was rather intimidating.

"Max Tate?" The stranger asked in a deep voice as he looked at whatever was writing on the paper.

"Who wants to know?" Tyson asked defensively.

"I do." Kai growled as he returned his glare back to Max. "Now, are you the guy I'm looking for or not?"

Max just stared.

"I don't have all day!"

"YES!" Max blurted.

"Max! What are you doing!" Tyson yelled, running over to his friend to help him up.

"Good." Kai grinned. "That would make you Tyson Granger?"

"Look pal, I don't know who the hell you think you are, but you better start explaining yourself right now before I decide to kick your ass!"

- - - - - - - - - - - -

Rei sat beside his bed, going over the events in his head. He remembered everything, every detail of the worst moment of his life. And it was slowly killing him. He couldn't take holding it in anymore. But there was no one for him to talk to. Max was angry with him, Tyson probably wouldn't understand, and Kai wasn't exactly a friend. Rei was lost in his own dark world.

Why do the fates like to torture me? Rei asked himself as he heard the door ring downstairs. Every time I answer that damn door I end up with some new problem. He went to pull himself up with the help of his bedpost, only to stop himself. No. I'm sick of these problems. Whoever it is, I'm sure they'll go away.

"Rei?" Came a small voice from downstairs. It sounded familiar.

"Hey REI!" A much louder one shouted. "The door was open, now where the hell are ya!"

Hn. Kai must have left the door unlocked when left me here. Rei thought inwardly. Just go away. He then heard two sets of footsteps making their way upstairs.

Finally Tyson and Max made it to Rei's open room. They stared at the mess before them that was Rei.

"…Rei?" Max said softly.

"I've never told you about Mariah have I?" Rei asked them. He was completely engulfed in his own world.

"The name doesn't ring any bells." Tyson voiced truthfully.

"Well after what I am about to tell you, not only will you know about Mariah, but you will know about the true murderer that sits before you." Max and Tyson just stared at him, waiting for him to continue.

"Alright guys! Awesome practice!"

"With me here, of course it was. Did you expect anything less Lee?" Rei joked, receiving a friendly chuckled from his band leader.

"Not a chance Rei. Alright, next practice is at 7:00 tomorrow night. Be there and don't forget! We only have a few more days until our first gig."

"What did you manage to get us?" An older boy at the keyboard questioned.

"Gary! Hurry up and pack your gear away! And I got us in at the White Seed." All the other members of the band stopped in their tracks. "What?"

"We got in to White Seed?" Rei shouted, jumping around excitedly. "No way! How did you manage that?"

"I have my ways." Lee winked. "Just don't forget about our practices. Now that you know where were playing at, you know how crucial they are."

"AWESOME!" The others shouted together as they left the room.

- - - - - - - - - - -

"Hey Mariah! You'll never guess what I just found out!" There was no response. "Mariah?" He went to search for her and found her in bed. "There you are!" Rei smiled, jumping onto the end of her bed. She slowly turned to face him, a faint smile forming on her lips. There was no doubt that she looked frail right then.

"Hi Rei." She whispered faintly. "How was practice?" Rei tried to hide his sad eyes when he saw Mariah. He knew what was wrong. She didn't have a strong heart, and often found herself open to fainting spells, and just being weak overall. It was the reason why she was never allowed out of the house unless she was with Rei.

"Rei?"

"Huh?" Mariah laughed gently.

"I asked how practice was."

"Oh." Rei put on one of his smiles. "It was alright." Mariah looked strangely at him.

"It must have been more than alright, you were bursting with uncontrollable energy just a few minutes ago."

"It's nothing really."

"Oh come on Rei, tell me!" She smiled, slowly lifting herself from the bed.

"Well, it's just that Lee managed to get our group a gig at the White Seed."

"Are you serious!" Mariah burst out, pulling Rei into a giant pink hug. "That is awesome Rei! Any band would kill to play there! How did Lee manage to get you in there?"

"To be honest, I don't really care!" Rei shouted happily, his energy returning to him. "All I know is that the gig is next Friday! I wanted to ask you if you could come. I'd buy your ticket and everything! And I would make sure you were up front. You would never leave my site!" Mariah's smile dropped, but only for a second.

"I have a doctor's appointment that day." Rei turned the other way.

"It's okay Mariah I understand. Maybe next time you could –"

"But it is scheduled for the morning. So how about I buy my OWN ticket. I want to be a supporter of your first show." Rei jumped back into her arms, his eyes glistening.

"You are absolutely the greatest Mariah!" She laughed in response.

- - - - - - - - - - -

"Well it's obvious that Mariah is an awesome friend, I mean she had an appointment with the doc and was still willing to go? I would've been way too exhausted. But I still don't understand how all this stuff ties in to making you a murderer."

"Tyson!" Max hissed.

"What!"

"Shut up!"

Rei continued as if he hadn't even heard either of them.

- - - - - - - - - - -

It was the day of the gig. So many people were there – hundreds in this tiny but popular hang out: the White Seed. Rei was exhausted, thrilled, excited, and completely nervous. What if he couldn't take the pressure and totally froze up on stage? No. He wouldn't allow it. He looked out the certain to see Mariah, looking a little tired but still as happy as ever, standing in the front row. He waved at her enthusiastically only to be pulled back in.

"Keep your head in line Kon, this isn't fun and games anymore." Lee stated calmly, pulling Rei to the rest of the group.

It was finally their turn. They all took their positions, with Rei and Lee in the lead. Rei was finally going to make his dream come true, with his best friend with him every step of the way. Mariah was always there for him and she was finally going to hear him sing for real.

The curtains flew apart to reveal Rei and his crew. He saw Mariah in front of him as the instruments behind him started playing.

The audience began to go wild, jumping around and trying to grab those who on stage. Mariah was trapped between them, trying to push them all away.

"Mariah!" Rei shouted soundlessly as Lee started up beside him. "Mariah!" He tried again. Everything began to play in slow motion before his eyes.

She was struggling to get away from the crowd, but it was mercilessly pushing against her. Her mind was starting to falter, she couldn't comprehend where she was anymore, and everything was going black.

No one was paying attention, the only one who could see it was Rei. Her heart was acting up, and she didn't know what was going on anymore. He could tell from her blank face.

It was Rei's cue to sing, but he didn't care. He had to help Mariah now! He dove into the crowd, trying to reach her. But the audience thought it was part of the show, and started passing him from one person to the next. From his eyes alone you could tell that Lee was furious and there was no way Rei was getting out of this un-scolded. But Rei didn't care.

Mariah was falling to the floor, her eyes closing. If she fainted here, no one would notice. She would be trampled!

How could I have been so stupid! Mariah must have been hiding her exhaustion for me. But I should have known she was too weak to come here anyway, how could I be so blind!

She fell with a soft, unnoticed, and unheard thud.

- - - - - - - - - - -

It took an hour for Rei to finally find the owner of the place and tell him what happened. But by that time it was too late, but Rei refused to believe it.

The White Seed closed early that night, everyone was disappointed, and it took at least another thirty minutes for the people to vacate.

Rei found Mariah lying motionless on the floor, her hair scattered all around her, dusty footprints covered almost every inch of her clothing, and a few recent bruises adorned her beautiful features.

He knelt beside her, unable to find words. He had killed her. All he wanted to do was sing, and it had killed her. His dream had killed her. His stupid dream.

- - - - - - - - - - -

"After the incident, Lee yelled at me for foolishly jumping off stage, and told me I was lucky that the audience thought it was just part of the show. But he couldn't risk me messing up again, so he would have to keep a close watch on me, and as punishment I wouldn't be able to sing at the next gig. I told him that I quit and I didn't want anything to do with the band. When my mother asked me what happened, I couldn't tell her. I was too ashamed, and nothing could ever free me from that. After Mariah's funeral, we decided to move to a quieter town and ended up here. And that's when I met you two. And now stupid Kai wants me to sing in his band, but I can't! I JUST CAN'T!"

Nothing was said for over a good hour. This was the first time that Rei had ever talked about his life before he had moved to this town. And the other two were currently trying to absorb it all. Max was the first one to make a move. He grabbed Rei in the tightest hug he could muster without choking him.

"You've been holding this pain in so long." Max started, unshed tears began to form in Rei's eyes. "But it wasn't your fault Rei. She wanted to be there for you, she wanted to see your first time on stage rather than just hearing about the experience. You taught her how to live life rather than hiding away. You didn't know what would happen to her, but it isn't your fault. And I'm sure if she knew what would happen, she would have still chosen the same path not because she wanted to die, but because she would be close with you until the end." The tears began to flow and Rei let out a strangled cry as he began to softly sob in Max's arms, with Tyson closing in around the two of them.

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To Be Continued…

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We finally know about Rei's past with Mariah, and I wanted to make it as real as possible. In the next chapter, we find out a little more about the man dressed in black. Till next time!