Avoids rotten tomatoes Oh man wow this took a long time when Ipromised it would be fast, but yo did I so not know how harsh university gets at times. Anyways I finished my last final a few days ago so my writing time is open again. It didn't help that my poetry professor was forcing me to write a certain way that completly crushed my inspiration and my writing style so now that I'm free of his evil grasp on my writingness I'll being writing lots from now on. Anyway I really hope you all a likea and I am so sorry that this took so long I feel awful and really hope it turns out okay for all of you.

Desclaimer: I don't not own Beyblade (insert something witty here)

Chapter Ten
Useless Defenses

Kai sighed, and having given up that there would be a chance at an easy let off, he silently leaned against the cool wall of the night holding cell. It was pretty evident what he had done, he was defeated and finally his ambition had claimed the best of him. Crimson eyes closed wearily allowing him to fall into a slumberless sleep.

'Just a glimpse.' Through his almost sleep the echo of three words cut into him leaving deep searing wounds. What had the sadistic bastard meant by those words, Kai pondered, not really caring if the fuckcase had opinions about anything except where to place a particular part of his body. A glimpse? A glimpse of what… Sitting up suddenly Kai realized what he had begun to forget. This wasn't his life.

Memories of the night when Jin had first confronted him flooded his mind.

"I could defame you right now Kai. I could rape you, shoot you, or steal anything you carry on you right now. I have the choice to give you everything or to take it away. This gun is loaded and I will fire."

"What's stopping you?" Kai interrupted.

"Are you happy Kai Hiwatari?" A smirk played on the youth's lips.

"What does that matter?"

"A rich, famous, powerful man, and he can't even answer a simple question. Are you happy? You have a gun pointed at your head you better listen to the psychotic killer, right?"

"I don't fucking care." Kai answered truly out of desperation through annoyance.

"And if I killed you right now?"

"Whatever."

"Right." The touch lessened and gun was swiftly put away.

Kai realized only now what Jin had been trying to show him. That after everything he had worked towards, his accomplishments and business still wasn't good enough. In his old life he had everything, anyone could ever want but he was still not content. Jin could have probably killed him and no one would have mourned him, in fact perhaps it was the ending he had always waited for. He wasn't afraid to loose what he had because there was noting valuable in the life he had created himself. His life held no value and neither did he, until now.

Now he had Rei. Rei gave his life the worth he had never thought existed he wondered what his answer to Jin's questions would be now. He would worry not for his own well being but for Rei's and Sakura's what would they do without him. They were a family and he could not take that away from them. He was happy now, and no value of his previous life would be able to buy that out.

"So you figured it out ne?" A curt voice pierced his thoughts. "How hard was it. I always thought it was so obvious, but the evidently wasn't the case for you now was it Kai."

"Jin." Kai growled not even having to face the man to know it was him.

"How is your captivity?" Jin asked with mock concern enjoying the shivers that ran down Kai's back. "Afraid?"

"Yes." The bluenette replied without hesitation lowering his dull crimson eyes that lacked fire.

"Why?" The man asked simply.

"Because I know why you are here." Kai replied with equal simplicity remembering why he was living this life in the first place.

"I have done you a favor, be grateful, not everyday does someone come along and offer to right all your wrongs."

"That's what you call it." Kai sighed and leaned against the car so he was facing away. "So can I have my life back?" Laughter responded in his ears.

"Remember though Kai, this is a glimpse, just an idea of what would have been." The jaded eyed man laughed and considered something briefly before shaking his head. "Good bye Kai, enjoy this life for it may be the last I'm willing to offer." Jin waved and rolled up the window leaving Kai alone on the curb to choose his fate. ...

Kai had chosen but it was far too late for that now.

"Lets see if I remember correctly," Jin toyed with the past that reflected in Kai's comber expression. "You practically begged for your former life back when we last met. Well guess what Hiwatari? I'm feeling generous today and you may as well get your wish!" Jade eyes gleamed with mischievous deception.

"No," Kai groaned. "Please don't! I have a purpose. I have Rei. I have a life and a daughter and my friends and…"

"None of it will stop you from disappearing from their lives when you return to your life."

"But…" Kai pleaded staring Jin desperately in the eyes seeing no mercy hiding amongst his glassy green orbs.

"I told you Kai. A glimpse. This doesn't even exist." Jin smirked. "You don't even love Rei. In fact in your old life you were convincing yourself constantly that you never loved him and that you just felt sorry for him."

"I was denying it but now I see…" but again Kai was cut off as Jin's became more passionate about his sadism.

"Kai, honestly do you think that a killer on death roe will walk free if he merely claims the 'error of his ways'? No. He will die and burn in hell. You were too good for Rei I thought. He was pathetic and beneath you. Money was important and love was not, and look where it all got you!" Jin laughed almost hysterically as Kai raised to his feet in defense.

"I fucked up-" The bluenette persisted.

"And do you think that heaven will grace you just because you realized what everyone else has always known? That you are a fuck up? No Kai. Dead end." The jaded eyed man continued lost in his tearing words. "Do you even know who I am? My job is to help people bear their pain do you know how much it hurts the Rei in your life every day to know that you don't even contact him anymore? How often he has shed tears because you won't return any of his attempts at interaction. Kai you did more than just fucked up, you deliberately took someone's pleasure and extinguished it. The pain you feel now is not half as bad as the pain that Rei has been feeling for almost ten years."

All Kai could do was stare, he was at a loss for words and emotions and the vice that held his heart so firm was breaking living splinters of rusty metal embedded deep within scorning wounds. The back of his throat went dry and it became hard to swallow, his eyes burned and sweat dripped from his brow and back. Clenching his fists he fell to his knees lost in the collision of memories both real and not, long ago and so familiar. What was this, how could he control it. Kai had always been able to control everything yet now… He broke as if years of pent up fear divulged in his conscience and he collapsed.

"Rei, no." He sobbed, holding his chest as if trying to keep his heart from falling out. "Rei, you deserved so much better and I… Rei. I…" But there was nothing left to say, this wasn't a dream he could wake up from and the consequences were definite. He had lost Rei.

"Kai," This time Jin's voice was softer and almost comforting. "You will wake up and be returned to your life, it will be hard but you have to make the best of it. Everything will be the same and it will be as if you never left and Rei will be lost."

"What do you mean lost!" Kai snapped finding it hard to raise his voice, but Jin just shook his head and stared at the down at the broken phoenix with pity.

"You are not the first to find this treatment devastating," was all the man said as he pulled a key from his pocket and picking the lock so as to free Kai from his imprisonment.

Kai just stared through the open cell with disbelief as if learned helplessness kept him rooted to the spot. Still visibly shaken Jin smiled at him trying to reassure the bluenette. Kai's eyes remained fireless though until he was able to pick himself up and raise to the occasion this might be the last chance he ever had and he wasn't going to waste it.

"You don't have long." Jin told the phoenix unnecessarily, encouraging Kai to spread his wings. Kai only nodded and pushed the man to the side not too softly before sprinting from the room and through the building ignoring the cries as the employees realized the escapee. Kai turned around one last time to glare at Jin before he left and noticed that though there was no other way for him to exit the jade eyed man was no where in sight.

-----

His thoughts were raw as he raced through the cold night desperate for Rei.

Everything came to him so clear now. The greatest difference between this life and his former life were his choice in mistake. In this life his mistake was loosing his cool and blowing it for his business career, to never become the head associate his Grandfather had pleaded for him to be, however this could not compare to the devastation his error had caused in his actual life. The mistake of leaving Rei out of his life. How could he? How could something so beautiful simple fall through his fingers. Further he had no better chance at fixing his business mistake with stolen documents than he did at reclaiming his Rei in reality. He was at a loss either way but right now none of that mattered. Only pressing Rei's warmth against him seemed to be important. Right now the only thing he needed was Rei.

He managed to flag down a taxi which took him the rest of the way home, and had practically thrown the wallet at the man when he was asked to pay. Nothing mattered to him right now more than his one love.

Everything for him was rushed but he knew that time was flying by faster than him and unless he was able to out beat this fate that was doomed to consume him he would never even have the chance to hold Rei again. Throwing the door open he fled to his and Rei's room where only then was the panic he had engulfed himself in able to fade away.

Opening the door quietly he heard Rei's soft sobs and instantly ached to cure his love of pain.

"Rei?" He called out softly before letting himself into the room.

"Kai!" Rei exclaimed startled but cheered. "Oh Kai koi!" Golden eyes pleaded their joy as he tugged Kai down next to him nuzzling his neck the entire time. "Kai I was so worried, I- I wasn't sure what to do and… what happened?" Rei asked anxiously but the bluenette only shook his head resting a finger against Rei's soft lips to silence him.

"Not now," he told him firmly not wanting to waste his last moments dwelling on mistakes.

"Alright." Rei agreed through tears happy as Kai pulled his lithe body into his lap. Wrapping his arms around the man he stroked his obsidian hair lovingly, forcing himself to remain strong for Rei.

"Rei?" The phoenix asked nervously knowing that his heart was noticeably beating faster.

"Yes…" The neko jin responded having calmed slightly now that he was in he arms of the one he loved.

"Do me a favor?"

"Anything Kai koi."

"Promise me that you will try and remember this very moment for as long as you are able." Kai told him cradling him gently.

"But-"

"No, just listen to me, just remember what you feel right now and try never to let this moment fade away." The bluenette sighed peacefully.

"I will Kai. I'll never forget the way I feel right now."

"Thank you Rei." Kai told his lover not yet ready to let go. How would he ever be able to live again without the comforting warmth that Rei provided. How was it possible to even consider a lifetime without Rei, he thought miserably.

"Is something wrong?" Rei asked having picked up on Kai's uncertainties.

"No nothing, just making sure that I impression this moment in my mind forever." Kai smiled, meeting Rei's golden pools with his own scarlet orbs.

"I love you Kai."

"I love you too Rei, more than anything."

"Kai…" Rei sighed happily into his neck.

Kai continued to smile. He continued to watch Rei until Rei could no longer the gesture and sleep over took his exhausted body. Kai stayed awake as long as he could, eventually lying Rei down on the pillow when he could no longer support his body and then joining him with his arms still wrapped firmly around his body.

He knew once sleep came it would steal this all away from him and he was determined not to loose the battle, yet it was becoming harder and harder to force fatigue away from him.

Just as the first rays of dawn broke through the dusty windows did Kai's fear deprive him from his assurance.

-----

"Mr. Hiwatari?" A voice offended him of sleep. "Mr. Hiwatari." The subtle sing song voice spoke again. "Kai, please wake up from this awful place. The media is already all over this and I don't want you damaged more than you need to be."

Kai shook himself of sleep and rightfully blinked sleep away from his eyes. The first thing he noticed was the stiffness in his back, and than that he rested upon cool cement, followed by the noticeable difference in his clothing from what he had fallen asleep in, and then t last the voice's owner was none other than his tanned secretary; Vanita.

"Vanita?" He asked still clinging to the reality that existed before he fell asleep.

"Yes Mr. Hiwatari, come on lets get out of here, I paid for your bail but I don't think any amount of money will keep the press from this."

The bluenette blinked again still confused until the world finally came into focus and he realized exactly where he was.

"What happened?" He asked a little shocked, panicking his rise to his feet.

"That's kind of what I hoped you would explain." She told him taking his arms and leading him out of the room he had apparently spent the night in and down the echoing hallways. "I was called this morning. Told that you had managed to find yourself arrested after you were found on the streets with a spray can and the strong stench of alcohol on your breath." She told the bluenette who had now left the jail and was taking to fending off the media as they attacked him with question and camera flashes.

Kai kept his eyes lowered to avoid contact but a flash of jade caught his eye and amongst the chaos he met eye to eye with him. Jin watched him easily and calm as if he and Kai were the only two there. A quick smile flashed over his features before he signaled good bye with a small wave and then he was gone. So the bastard wasn't a delusion.

Vanita hurriedly guided the dazed man to a waiting limousine and quickly encouraged him into the sanctuary provided. Kai remained silent and lost through out it all and avoided Vanita's questioning stares.

"Kai?" She tried again for an answer. "What happened? And who is Rei?"

"Rei!" Kai shouted having his emotions triggered by the name in a way that shocked the poor secretary.

"Yes," she continued voice a little shaky from being startled. "Last night they found you with a spray can and a cheap bottle of vodka. You were vandalizing your own enterprises with graffiti reclaiming that you loved someone named Rei."

Kai looked down leaning against the interior of the car confused and ashamed. Had it all been an alcoholic hallucination then? Was none of it real, he sighed embarrassed that such mannerism would cause him to vandalize his own building in such a childish way and yet… "Rei," he whispered silently, had he only imagined a life that had included the beautiful man or had he actually been robbed of reality.

"Where are we going now?" Kai asked a little disgruntled.

"Hiwatari Enterprises to sort out this mess." His secretary told him already pulling out a notebook and pen in order to explain a plausible story that might free her employer of slander.

"Alright." Kai responded uncaringly, not like it was important anyway. Nothing seemed important now but he was eager to see his handy work of art that apparently decorated his once immaculate establishment.

-----

Whispers of Kai's situation echoed throughout the office as he passed by; everything from his obvious alcoholism to his insanity. Rumors and gossip were spreading like wildfire. The women thought he had some romantic love interest with a woman named Rei and were spending their time devising stories about their connection and what was keeping them a part. Whereas most of the men were just relieved to see that the great Kai Hiwatari really was a lowly human like the rest of them, vulnerable and lost.

Kai ignored it all and made his way through mahogany doors to the safety of his private office but not even the feeling of being on top again and in control cheered him up. His thought were elsewhere, telling him that an ambition greater exists than merely power of money.

Leaning back on his suede office chair he turned it so he faced the view. He couldn't help but feel that before long this life would be left in ruins as well if he didn't clear things up and yet. It didn't really matter. The city spread beneath his window like an ocean deprived of life. In this distance he could spot the suburbs that he had imagined housed Rei and himself, Sakura, Tyson, Max, Kenny and Bryan and yet it was all of another world. He knew that without even going there that even if he tried to search out that world it wouldn't exist, at least not the way he remembered it.

Rei didn't even live in Russia, he lived… Kai wasn't even sure anymore, somewhere Rei's e-mails had told him but being the self absorbed pricks that his revelation had taught him he was, he knew those e-mails had long since been deleted except…

The reunion. Rei would be there he just had to be and then.

Without hesitation Kai pressed the intercom button on his phone to contact him to Vanita.

"Vanita book me a ticket to New York." He almost shouted. "And contact the head of the Beyblade Battle Association, tell him its urgent and do it immediately."

"Kai, I don't mean to interfere but its going to look bad if you flee the country." She replied hesitantly.

"Vanita I don't pay you to make decisions for me, please just do it." He replied not trying to be harsh.

Having come up with a plan he returned his gaze out the window and admired his last gaze from up on top.

Well? Please read and review despite the fact that it so wasn't worth the wait! XD I promise I'll update soon... next xhapter will be the finale though!