Disclaimer: I don't own Beyblade or any of its characters.

Beyblade

Broken Down Ghost House

By: Plushie-Sensei

Chapter 5: Spiritual Identity

Rei watched the crack in the floor grow at a rapid pace and turned to get away, but something grabbed his leg, keeping him still. He looked back frowning when he saw George holding onto his ankle. He once again tried to get away, but with one quick tug, Rei fell to the ground, slamming hard.

"Let me... show you..." George began again, making Rei glare at him. "To your... death..." he finished, and at this, Rei paled.

Max and Hilary both cast their worried gazes on the house, hearing a very loud creak and crashing noise. Dust came from almost every opening it offered.

"What was that?" Hilary asked. A dreadful silence overcame the entire island as the crash subsided. Even Kenny and Robert in the woods stopped for a moment, trying to figure out what that was. They continued their way through more determined than ever to save their friends.

Kai held his arms in front of his face, shielding it from the cloud of dust that came from the ceiling. He slowly lowered his arms, as Tyson did the same behind him, and surveyed his surroundings. The dust was settling more and more, until he could see a figure standing on the pile of debris. It was Mrs. Romanoff; or what was left of her. Her skin looked burned and she was almost bald. She looked to her side, and Kai's eyes followed.

A large mummy pulled itself from the wreckage, pulling something along with him. Kai squinted to see who it was, then gaped. The mummy shook access wood off of him and threw Rei's still body to his side, very near to Mrs. Romanoff.

"Finally you caught him. Miss Mary's getting very impatient. And it looks like we have more guests," she said, motioning toward Kai and Tyson with a very large butcher knife in her grasp. Tyson put up his fists ready to fight, then after a while looked up at Kai in question, wondering why he wasn't doing to same. He gave a concerned face seeing Kai stare at the three on the pile of ruins, looking fearful.

"Kai, what's wrong with-"

"Rei..." Tyson raised an eyebrow at Kai's voice, then turned to the others. Rei laid near Mrs. Romanoff, his eyes closed, his face pale, his skin bloody from the cut he'd gotten from falling. He was so lifeless it was almost scary. Tyson turned back to Kai, still with his questioning look. Suddenly Kai jerked, making Tyson look straight ahead. The mummy picked Rei up, holding the still boy in a bridal fashion, then turned around to walk away, Mrs. Romanoff in tow.

"Rei!" Tyson yelled, running up to them, then slowed seeing Kai race past him, sliding under George. Kai knocked George over and down he went, Rei falling on top on him. George quickly brought himself up again, pushing Rei off of him, and roared at Kai. Tyson gaped for a minute, before shaking his head and running up to Mrs. Romanoff. She turned, hearing his 'battle cry' and held up her knife. Tyson quickly stopped, and smiled innocently at her before running the opposite way, screaming like a little girl as she chased him.

"Kai!" he screamed, rushing around the room. Kai held up his hands in battle stance in front of George as he advanced.

"You will die..." he slurred and ran up to Kai. Kai braced himself, then when he was close enough, he punched George's stomach. Kai gasped as his fist went right through the meat and bones.

"Oh, come on!" he said, putting his foot on the mummy to try to pull his arm out. George grabbed Kai's shoulders with a wicked smile, making Kai look up at him.

"You will-"

"Oh, shut up!" Kai yelled, yanking his arm out. He then spun around, his leg ramming hard against George's side. George plummeted to the ground, pieces of wood getting stuck in his exposed flesh. He waited to see if George would move again, but it looked as though George was down for now. His heart sank suddenly, bringing his attention to the still neko-jin to his side. He quickly stumbled down the debris and made it to Rei's side, kneeling beside him.

"Take that!" came Tyson's voice and a thud was heard. "Yeah! For someone who makes such good food, you are a really bad lady..." he said, tossing a blunt piece of wood on Mrs. Romanoff's unconscious body. He turned to the side and became quiet as he watched Kai carefully lift Rei's head off the ground. Kai pushed aside a few stray locks out of Rei's face, his fingers coming in contact with trace amounts of blood.

"Rei...?" he questioned, hoping he would answer. He waited patiently, his heart sinking further and further with each second. He swallowed harshly, his throat becoming suddenly dry. Rei still hadn't moved and his skin grew colder and colder. "Don't die..." Kai whispered, leaning down, placing his forehead against Rei's. "Please don't die..."

Tyson's heart sank watching Kai crumble, but what caught him the most was the affection he was showing Rei. When had this happened? Suddenly a stir made Tyson look up.

Kai lifted his head looking at Rei's face with a frown in place. He slowly looked up seeing Miss Mary standing a distance away from him. Her face was twisted with rage, her green eyes blazing. Kai pulled Rei to his chest, glaring hard at her and frowned harder when she glared right back at him.

"Don't bother trying to bring him back..." she said, making Tyson gasp. He turned to Kai seeing the boy tremble with hatred.

"You bitch!" he yelled with malice. Miss Mary didn't smile or smirk. Instead she raised her hand and held it out, palm up. A small blue orb appeared, hovering above it and it grew as a small creature formed inside. Tyson was the closest, so he was able to make out what it was that was inside of it. A small black and white cat was curled up in a ball, tightly packed within the orb. Its eyes peeked open slightly revealing two bright golden eyes. Tyson backed up a bit, turning to Kai.

"Is that-"

"Yes... It's Rei's spirit, and it belongs to me now..." Kai looked back at Rei's body. He was still not moving and very cold now. Kai gently placed Rei down on the floor and pulled himself to his feet. He turned to Miss Mary.

"No, it doesn't..." he growled. Miss Mary finally smiled.

"And what are you going to do about it?" she asked, placing a hand on her hip.

"Not me..." Kai said. "Him." Miss Mary gave him a questioning look before she was tackled to the ground by Tyson, Rei's spirit flying into the air. Kai watched as the orb shattered when it hit the ground and a cat lay where it met with the ground. Tyson and Mary wrestled around, each having their turn to hit or punch, until Tyson pushed her on the bottom. She struggled for a minute, making Tyson laugh. It was when she turned into a bloody mess out of nowhere that Tyson started screaming for help.

"Oh my gawd, she's a freaking Bloody Mary!" he screeched leaping away toward Kai. Mary rose to her feet and faced the two.

"That's it..." she growled. Kai gently picked up the black and white feline and held it close to him, making his way back to Rei's cold body.

"Tyson, hold the cat!" he ordered, pushing the cat into Tyson's arms. Tyson watched Kai pick up Rei's body and start running toward the exit. Tyson turned briefly, yelping when Mary started dashing toward him. He and Kai raced toward the exit, Kai kicking open the door, and jumped out. They landed on the porch and looked back seeing Mary still rushing toward them. Suddenly she stopped, and started hollering in pain, then vanished as the doors slammed shut.

Kai and Tyson remained quiet for a moment, before sighing in relief and falling backward, resting for a while.

"She can't get out of the house..." Kai murmured. Tyson smiled at this.

"Oh yay..." he cheered, though rather dully, since he was tired.

"Tyson! Kai!" Tyson smiled and sat up, Hilary suddenly throwing herself at him and hugging him tightly. "You're alright!" she said into his chest. Kai looked back at the still neko-jin beside him with sadness, but a simple voice caught everyone's attention.

"What... is this...?" Everyone turned around to see the black and white cat staring at his paws in pure confusion.

"Rei, is that... you?" Tyson asked. The cat looked up seeing everyone staring at him. Then he saw Kai.

"Kai!" he said and flung his little cat body toward Kai, pressing his tiny paws on his chest. "What's going on!" he cried, his ears falling back on his furry head. Kai had no answers for him, and could only stand, holding the cat so he didn't fall.

"Come on, let's get out of here," he said, walking away.

"But what about Rei's body?" Tyson asked. Kai turned to the said body with mirth.

"Bring him. We'll figure out what to do later..." Tyson nodded and went to do his task of getting Rei. He was surprised at the fact that Rei's body was bendable, since a dead body usually stiffens. Nonetheless, everyone made their way back to Max, and was greeted with Kenny and another person; Robert. They safely made it to the boat and rested for a tough time ahead.

Kai let out a calm breath as he lay back on a hammock, resting his eyes. It had been only a few hours since they pushed the boat out to sea. They still stayed near the island, of course, just not too near so as something could jump on...

Kai was finally able to rest a bit easier, but he was constantly awakened with nightmares. Though, who could blame him, since he just escaped a haunted mansion? He opened one eye for a moment, looking utterly tired, then looked down, feeling a weight on his chest. He opened the other eye as well when he saw the small black and white cat; Rei's spirit. Kai remained silent watching the cat paw at his chest, then eye him with those huge golden orbs. He watched as Rei sat down beside him, putting his head on Kai's chest, as if trying to sleep. Kai raised his hand and gently pet his head, scratching behind his ear occasionally.

"I can't sleep..." Rei whispered, purring contently, though he looked like he'd just been hit by a car. Ironic, yeah?

"I know..." Kai whispered back, then dropped his hand to the side when Rei climbed onto Kai's chest, his four little paws prodding gently. He looked at Kai, his eyes showing sadness and Kai lifted his hand once again petting him softly.

"I don't want to be like this..." Rei said, holding back tears. "I don't want to be a little cat..." Kai nodded at this.

"Don't worry, Rei. I'll get you back into your real body," he vowed, holding Rei's head in his hands. Rei climbed closer to Kai's face and pressed his wet nose against Kai's own nose.

"There's something I want to say to you, Kai." Kai sat up, the cat falling onto his lap. Rei placed his forepaws on Kai's chest, looking into his eyes.

"What?" Kai asked. Rei gazed at him for a minute.

"I...," Rei sighed. He drew back to himself and shook his head, bowing. "Thank you... is all..." came the soft purr. Kai remained still for a moment, before pulling the cat close to him. Rei purred, nuzzling his furry head against Kai's neck.

"I'll save you..." Kai whispered, keeping the cat securely in his arms. The two stayed silent, basking in the others company. It was the only thing they could do.

Hilary sat beside Max's bed, gently dabbing a damp cloth on his forehead. He was bandaged in various places and was sleeping now, but at least they knew he was going to be okay. His back wasn't broken, but it was damaged so Max couldn't move and had to stay put on the bed. Just outside, within hearing range of the two, were Tyson, Kenny, and Robert.

"So it really wasn't from Mr. Dickinson," Tyson said, bowing his head and fiddling with his hat. Kenny nodded in response.

"So, Mr. Newman, could you show us your findings?" he asked. Robert nodded and pulled an old looking leather portfolio out from under the chair he was sitting in.

"Here's everything on the house." Kenny fingered through the binder, pulling out old newspaper clipping and random papers.

"Obituaries...?" Tyson asked, taking a piece of paper. He read through them, then looked up at Robert. "These people are all missing?" Robert nodded. "Then why are they in the obituaries?"

"This town is so small, that if they don't find someone after a certain point in time, they're pronounced dead to the community. Basically, they were heading to this Inn for a vacation and never returned."

"So what's the deal on all the dead people?" Tyson asked.

"'Miss Mary Twinsburg dies of pneumonia and leaves her house empty handed. With no living relatives the house now belongs to the town.' Miss Mary died some three hundred years ago, and apparently she still runs the house." Kenny said, tossing the book on the table.

"Here's a clip on Mrs. Romanoff, just like Maxy told us," Tyson said, handing Kenny the newspaper clip.

"So..." Tyson, Kenny, and Robert turned around to see Hilary standing in the doorway. "How do we help Rei?" she asked. They remained silent.

"For now I suggest that we go back to the town, rest up there, gather our data, then come back and see what we can do from there," suggested Robert.

"So we're just going to leave like that?" Robert nodded.

"Unless you want to stay-"
"What are you waiting for! Get up there and start taking us to town!" Tyson, Hilary, and Kenny chorused. Robert nodded and headed toward the steering room. He decided not to worry the others of the paranormal activity also in the town itself. Maybe later...

TBC...