Sapphire Vixen
Chapter 43: A Break in Time
"Fei…take…take this thing off!"
"…Can't do that, love. How will I control you?"
"Exactly….Now take this off!" Sapphire pulled the collar away from her, over her head, even pushed it down, but with no success of removing it.
Fei smirked as he leaned back into his comfortable chair in their bedroom.
The room was simply elegant, with its fine Persian carpets, silk window drapes and bed coverings; it seemed the room was built for a great sultan.
However, the room was the master bedroom, and the only one who slept in there was Fei. He watched amused, as she tried to push it over her head.
Finally, she plopped down on the ground in defeat. Her pale neck was now red and bruised.
He stared down at her as she stared down at her collar, her arms hanging from her shoulders in a defeat. He finally sat up, and pulled her into his lap.
She made no struggle, and he stroked a strand of her scarlet hair in between his thumb and forefinger.
He heard a small whimper, and small hiccup. She looked up at him, and he felt a small pang of guilt when he saw her eyes full of tears. Her eyes were red and puffy, her lips cherry red, her nose a bright pink, and rosy cheeks. She looked adorable, but miserable at the same time.
"Why do you do this, Fei?"
He did not answer. She knew exactly what his motives were: power. Then why was she asking?
"Is there anything else that you want more than that?" she asked, her face hopeful.
He glared down at her. "There isn't anything. My mind's set on getting strong as possible and make others feel nothing but…but despair-" He pushed her away, and stormed out of the room.
---
"Mama…where are you?"
A small boy wandered over the snow, and he cried out, as his foot remained stuck into a hole.
"…Mama!"
He looked over the snow, and blocked the light flakes from entering his eyes. He bent down and tried to remove his foot.
The hole seemed to suck him, and his foot would not budge. His silver hair blew in the wind, and his eyes burned from the cold. He felt his nose grow stuffy, and his ears felt frozen.
'…Mama…? Why haven't…why haven't you come back yet?'
He felt tears sting at the corners of his eyes. His silver eyes swelled with tears, and a small river formed at the side of his face.
He was so afraid…he felt so cold and alone…and why didn't his hands warm up? No matter what he did to them, they would not absorb any heat.
He removed his mitten, then the thick glove underneath. He felt nothing but the cold. Nothing but the white snow that attacked his small hand.
"Hey…what are you doing here?"
He gasped, and looked up at the person who spoke. She was a girl, probably younger than him, maybe 4 or 5 years old.
"I-I… I was…was left here-"
She gasped before he could finish. "On purpose? Where do you live? Are you okay?"
"No… not on… not on purpose…umm… I live…I…I don't know…"
"But are you okay? How long have you been here?"
"Yeah, I'm okay- I've been here a while…my foot's stuck-"
She bent low, and looked at his foot. "It looks really bad…I think we'll have to cut it off-"
"What?"
"I'm just kidding… I'll help you out!" She grabbed his hand, and he gasped when he met the warmth of her small hand. She pulled with all her might, but his foot only felt pain, and now, frostbite.
He whimpered, and struggled to stand up. She pulled at his coat, and after a few minutes of struggle, his foot became unstuck. They both fell into the snow.
They panted slightly, and slowly, they smiled at each other.
"Thanks…"
She smiled. "You're welcome!" She giggled, and stood up. She offered her hand, and she helped him stand.
"You're hand…it's so cold… why don't you put your gloves on?" she asked, her breath visible in the cold air. Her cheeks were bright red with the freezing weather, and he slowly tucked his hand inside his glove, and covered it with his mitten.
"Right… well, want to come inside? Mommy's making chocolate milk!" Before he could respond, she grabbed his hand again, happily dragged him away, disappearing into the soft foggy blizzard.
---
Fei stared down at his hands as he leaned back into a wall. They were still cold…
---
"Hey…Rei? Where you going?"
"Oh…Mariah! What…What are you doing up?"
"Don't change the subject, Rei…"
"I apologize…but… I just needed to be alone for while-"
"A while? Rei… you've been by yourself all this week." Mariah stared at him with concern. Rei looked away. "Is there something bothering you?"
"Well…yes…" Rei changed his stare to towards the trees.
"What is it, Rei?" she asked, tilting her head to the side, trying to make him look at her.
"I just feel…that something bad is going on back with Takao and the rest…"
"That girl… umm… Sapphire…is this got to do with her?" Now she looked away.
"…yes…" Rei gripped Driger tightly. The points stabbed at his palm. She sighed, her eyes lowering towards the forest floor.
"Well… I…" she trailed away.
'What am I supposed to say?
I cannot tell him to ignore the feeling…
But I don't want him to leave-'
"I don't think I'm going back."
'Pfft. I wish he would actually say that-' Mariah looked up at Rei with wide eyes. "But Rei…maybe something is happening…and…they need your help-"
"If I go back… I will see her…them.I just… don't want to look at Sapphire any different than any another friend would or feel something when I'm around her."
Mariah felt her heart make cartwheels around in her chest. "…are…are you sure, Rei?"
Rei silently nodded, and loosened his grip on Driger. He smiled at Mariah, who looked uncertain about what he just said.
"Let's just…go back to the village, Mariah, alright?"
She slowly nodded, and they began their way back.
---
"Kai… you know what this is called?"
Kai ignored Takao, and continued to pick at the lock with a twig.
"Well, it's called breaking into a house- err- mansion."
"You're not exactly breaking into a house, though."
Takao screamed.
"Hey, Max." Hitomi gave Max a bright smile.
"Hey."
"Don't creep up behind me like that, Maxie!"
"I didn't- I walked."
"It doesn't matter!"
"Whatever… You're just embarrassed because you got scared easily." Max smiled in victory. Takao stuck out his tongue.
They all heard as the twig Kai was using snapped. They all stared as Kai became red in the face. Hitomi laughed nervously before placing her hands on his shoulders.
"We'll just…try another door Kai…" she pushed him away from the door before he could go back to tackle it.
"What?" Takao exclaimed. "We've already tried gajilli-ton-illion doors! I don't want to go looking for another one!" Takao yelled angrily.
Hitomi glared at Takao. He did a double take. "It has only been seven-"
"-And gajilli-ton-illion isn't a word, either-" Max added.
"-and if I hear another complaint from you I'll rip your head off and throw it into a dish washer making sure I put lots of detergent." Hitomi placed her hands on her hips. "Maybe it will wash out all the stupid out of your miniature brain!"
From there, all was riot between Hitomi and Takao, which included pinches, punches, kicks, screaming, yelling, and pulling of hair and name-calling. Kai and Max left them to find another door.
"Hey, Kai- have you tried the back door?"
Max flinched when he saw an evil glint in Kai's eye.
"I guess you already tried it huh?" Max giggled nervously, while scratching the back of his head, trying to think about another option they could take. "How about…"
"The windows," Kai suddenly said, looking at one of the windows.
"Yeah… that's called breaking in."
"We're not going to break anything." Kai continued to walk, away from the entrance.
"But how are we going to open them? All the windows are closed…"
"-from the first floor. Sapphire's room was never touched…not even her balcony doors."
"Great thinking, Kai!"
They continued to walk until they were only feet away from Sapphire's room.
Max smiled happily, but it disappeared soon after. "But…how are we going to get up there?"
Kai said nothing as he looked up at the long vanilla window drapes that blew at the wind.
No vines or anything that could help him climb up. His shoulders slumped, and he stuffed one of his hands into his pockets.
He looked down and stared at the object he pulled from his pocket.
Sapphire's blade sparkled bright in the afternoon sun. He could see his own hand through the transparent beyblade. It was small, and he could even see the small gears and all its components it had.
The last time he launched it, he felt incredible warmth grasp him. He actually felt the rush and the wind the blade picked up when it began spinning. It was almost…addicting.
"Kai… I don't think you should use it… last time it was only for releasing Dranzer-"
Kai ignored him, and reached for his launcher and ripcord inside his jacket.
"I'll even let you borrow Draciel! Kai? Kai!"
He snapped the blade into his launcher, grabbed the end of his ripcord, and aimed at the long drapes that continued to blow peacefully in the wind.
"I really don't think it's a good idea, Kai…"
Kai waited until the wind picked the drapes up, and pulled at the cord with all his strength.
From there, he left earth.
---
The warmth wrapped its small arms around him, holding him tightly. He felt the adrenaline in his body build up, and Kai loved the feeling. The power was incredible, and it made him feel numb all over.
The warmth laid itself on Kai, placing its arms around his neck. He found that his eyes were closed, and his mouth fell slightly open when he opened them.
Everything around him was aura, like oneiric mist or fog. He floated on his back in what seemed pure and transparent water. It was endless, and the warmth that he had felt before whispered his name.
Whatever had whispered his name he wished that it would again. He smiled and he felt shivers when his name slid through its lips.
It whispered his name again, now more urgent and anxious. He opened them, looking for the source of the voice.
"Kai…"
He suddenly felt heat on his left cheek, and he looked down.
Sapphire smiled at him.
His hand immediately jumped towards her, where they could hold her in a tight embrace. She was warm, and her skin felt soft, as if her body was covered in millions of invisible feathers.
Her body was cloaked in a thin sleeveless silver-lavender Chinese dress with white outlines of flowers. There were sliver borders around the sleeves and collar. The dress revealed her curves, and he could feel a blush cover his face.
Her hand rested against his cheek. Tears suddenly swelled at the corners of her eyes, and her arms tightened around his neck as she leaned against his chest.
Kai barely noticed that her hair was silver that shined gold and her fox ears weren't visible. He smiled down at her, and she looked up to smile at him.
Kai felt a pang of happiness ring out through him. He felt he had just left earth and entered in a wonderful state of utopia.
Her eyes were a soft sapphire-blue color, her skin as pale as ever, and her full lips a wonderful rubicund.
"Kai…" she reached up behind his head, and closed her eyes halfway, her eyes staring lustfully at his lips as she pulled him towards her.
Their lips were barely inches apart when she stopped, leaving time for them to gaze at each other. Kai stared down at her with urgent want as her warm breath tickled his lips.
In a barely heard whisper, she began to say, "Kai…Kai, I love-"
However, when the blade reached its destination, and the cloth ripped, the ticket for his ride back to earth appeared.
"Kai! What happened? You okay?"
Kai opened his eyes at Max's voice. His big dark blue eyes stared at him in worry.
"What happened…?"
"You fell backwards right after you launched the blade," Max said, helping Kai up.
The blade made a clattering sound when it landed on the balcony floor. It made a smooth rushing sound as it spun.
Kai stared at his ambiance. Everything was back as it was before; the trees, the clouds, the birds… they appeared as if they were always there.
But how…? The world he had visited was just fog, and he floated on his back in clear water that felt like he was resting in a bed of feathers.
But most important, he was alone with Sapphire, in that strange but intriguing place. He felt that he could master all form of prestidigitation that came his way. He felt that nothing mattered but Sapphire, he, and the deep feeling they both felt…Well, at least what Kai felt…
"Hey… Kai! I'm not losing you again, am I? Kai-!"
"I'm alright…" Kai stared up at the cloth that the breeze blew at. It was strong, and kind of thick- but it would not be able to hold his weight.
He turned to Max. He was thin, and he did not weigh as much as Kai did.
Kai jumped up, grabbing the cloth firmly, and pulling it down so it ripped enough for him to hold at shoulder level.
"What are you doing?" Max stared as Kai kept pulling at the cloth until it ripped, and a long piece of cloth was in Kai's hand. The transparent blade came down, and landed on the floor with a small clang, and suddenly, it jumped into Kai's hand. He wrapped the beginning of the cloth around the blade a couple of times, and looked up at the balcony fence.
He threw his arm back, and then threw the cloth-wrapped blade. The blade made the cloth heavy, and wrapped itself around the handlebar, making some loops around the metal and a nice knot.
Kai held out the other end of the long cloth to Max.
"What- what do you want me to do with it?"
"Climb up, get in, go downstairs, open the door," Kai said flatly.
"Easier said-"
"-when you are able to hurt someone badly if they don't do what you say."
"…but I've never even climbed a rope before!"
"Where's Draciel?"
"Ueh? Why do want him?" Max reached into his pocket and pulled out his blade anyway.
"He'll be your source of…inspiration." Kai threw the little green blade up into Sapphire's room. They all heard small clatters at it bounced off the floor.
"Why did you do that?" However, before Kai could answer, Max was already working his way up. Kai watched as Max struggled to climb higher, but stopped midway to take a breath. He panted loudly, but kept going.
Finally, after a while, Max touched the bar of the balcony. His hand struggled to grip it and a drop of sweat trickled down his pale face. He placed his feet on the narrow floor, swung a leg over the fence, and jumped.
He crouched when he landed, and sprinted towards his blade He grasped it tightly. "I'm so happy to see you again, Draciel!"
Kai heard a few happy sobs come from the room above him. "Open the door!"
Max was oblivious to this, and continued to sob from happiness. Kai growled in anger, and roared, "Tate!"
No answer. Kai took hold of the cloth, and quickly began to climb using only his hands. He could feel the cloth lowering, so he climbed faster. He grabbed the bar, and just when he was about to grab it with his other hand, the cloth decided it was time to rip and Kai was left, hanging there, while Max huggled his blade.
Kai struggled to grasp the bar with his other hand, his muscles tensed, and he panted slightly as he climbed up. He jumped over the railing and stomped towards Max. He snatched Max's blade, turned around and threw his ram back, and tossed it out the window.
"Why did…" Max whined as he sprinted out of the room. Kai heard more sobs from downstairs.
Kai sighed and followed Max out the door. He looked back at Sapphire's room. It was cold in there, and it made him feel miserable.
He could almost see Sapphire's figure sitting on her chair as she combed her hair. She buttoned up her blouse and pulled up black stockings over her slender legs. Then she bent down to slip in her feet into small black slippers.
She looked up at him and gave him a smile. She slid her arms around his neck, and before she could lean in to press her lips against his, she vanished.
The room was not warm anymore. It was cold, as it had given up hope of its owner returning. Her scent disappeared along with the warmth, and now it smelled liked the wind, the earth. He turned and continued to make his way to his room.
He passed through the halls, staring at the decorations that he had passed by before but never took a closer look.
He sighed, and walked faster towards his room. Everything was in the same state when he had left it. He spotted the letter, and quickly picked it up.
He scanned it, and he smiled. He was right…
He reread the letter once again…
'Promises that I have told will not be broken…
Until we find a way…'
"What promise?" he muttered.
In a soft murmur, someone answered his question.