Chapter 2

Broken Promises

… "What about everything back in Russia?" …

… "I don't know, to be honest. But it can wait. I'd much prefer to remain here. For you." …

Takao searched the bag for the car key. The key had three duplicates and one of them was always stashed away in the secret Velcro slits at the bottom of Kai's purple shoulder bag, which he carried to school and work. Kai had been gone for almost half an hour. Assuming that he was to be gone for long, Takao decided he'd wait for him in the car. At least the car had radio and CD player. Although he had been trying out counter-moves for the ones Kai had shown him earlier, he found that he just couldn't concentrate enough.

I don't want to believe that you are going away but I won't hold you back. I know why you are going away – not because you want to leave me, but because you want something else more than staying behind for me… You must really, really want it then, ne? And I am not selfish now… I won't be a baby and throw a tantrum so that you stay. I won't be the one who upset all your plans. I won't make you do anything you don't want to.

There had been three keys. He recognized one of them as Kai's apartment key – he himself had one of it. The second was too small to be the car key. He wondered what it was for. Once he had opened the lock, he was about to move round to the passenger-seat side of the car, when he stopped on an impulse and sat down on the driver's seat. He had a sudden urge to drive the car. But he'd rather not risk it without Kai. He'd ask Kai if he could drive to the dojo.

I won't ask you to stay. I won't be selfish. I won't!

The music wasn't as soothing as he had thought it would be. Takao leaned back in the seat and staring at the crystal Beyblade fixed to a support on the dashboard.

It hurts me so much to know that you will be going away. But I won't let you know it. I won't… I won't cry when you are going. I won't cling to you at the airport. I won't cry when you are gone. I won't call you eight times a day. I won't write to you every day. When we do talk on phone sometimes, I will sound happy. I won't let you know how much I miss you.

I don't know how these days are going to pass. I don't know how I am supposed to look at you now and pretend that I know nothing. I don't know how, but I will try my best… Kami-sama, was it only yesterday that we were sitting in the ice-cream parlour? And you told me I was a pig for ordering five sundaes… and I knew you didn't mean it when you paid for the last two because I'd spent the rest of what money I had already.

Takao ran his hand over the steering wheel. The novelty of driving hadn't worn off for him. It still made his heart beat a bit faster when he sat behind the wheel – to think that he had complete control over the machine. Kai's car was the only one he had ever driven, but even so he knew that it was a really good one with an engine which could easily be any driver's envy and all machinery at its best. It was one of the things Kai treasured, after all. Whenever he drove it, it felt as if his instincts took over and knew just the right time for the right action – he had hitherto never even pressed down on a brake too soon.

Hiromi had rolled her eyes at his fascination with it (after yelling herself hoarse about 'underage driving'). Takao had simply shrugged. He knew if he told her that driving sent the same excitement through him as Beyblading did, Hiromi might understand it more. But Takao felt somewhat embarrassed saying that – especially when Kai had scowled at the girl and said, "Why the hell are you making such a noise? It's just a bloody car!"

Takao supposed it was stupid to dream of being an F1 racer just after his third drive round the city. But it was such an exciting thought…

Just a drive around a few blocks… Takao fingered the key in the ignition. It would be just a few minutes… a few minutes won't matter… Nothing could possibly go wrong.

He had begun with hating Kai for being better than him. He had envied him with a ferocious intensity. Maybe it was true… what they said about there being only a very thin line between love and hate… Because now he loved him so much… almost to a fault.

Yuriy glanced at the clock for the umpteenth time since Daichi had called. Kai wasn't back yet. Kai had told him that he would take Takao Beyblading and then tell him about his plans of moving to Russia. Beyblade was the way to Takao's heart. All in all, it won't take so long… no, Kai ought to have returned by now.

He would try to catch him on his cell – although Kai did have the most annoying habit of keeping it off when it was required to talk to him the most. Perhaps just this one time…

Yuriy banged down the receiver. Of course he had turned it off. He was with Takao.

Kai probably thought that no one noticed. He went about thinking that he was doing a pretty good job of hiding it just because Takao was too thick-headed and… juvenile to notice. No emotion but love was so easily recognizable – even if it happened to be someone like Kai.

Sometimes, Yuriy wondered if it had been something like love at first sight for Kai. Granted that both, Kai and Takao, had just been kids when they had first met but Yuriy was bound to believe that they had formed some sort of bond the first time they had met. Kai had told him his history with the Bladebreakers. He had joined them despite the fact that he had wanted to be a lone champion. Kai still believed that at the time when he had agreed to be the captain of the Bladebreakers, it was just for his own advantage. After thinking over it, Yuriy knew better. Even all that time ago, he had done it for Takao. Once he had met Takao, Kai was not about to let him go – whether it had been a conscious or subconscious decision was an insignificant matter.

Yuriy hadn't been able to kill the green-eyed monster of jealousy that was eerily his constant companion. Only now it wasn't directed against Kai Hiwatari at all. Yuriy envied the close and easy friendship Takao shared with Kai. Though, over the time, he had come to accept the fact that Takao would always be the most important person in Kai's life, he knew that he could never fully accept that fact – never. Then again, his own relationship with Kai had grown stronger now and he didn't want to spoil it. He cared for Kai more than anything or anyone else in the world. And if Kai didn't care for him to the same extent… he could comfort himself with the fact that he cared for him more than it had seemed possible at one point.

Sighing, he brought a shaky hand to his forehead. What with travelling and reviewing the training centre plans, he had been unable to sleep properly in the past few days and his head was aching terribly. But he wasn't going to bed just yet. After all, there he'd just toss and turn uneasily, and in his half-asleep-half-awake state, he would merely let useless awful thoughts fill his mind.

He checked to see if the receiver was properly placed over the phone and went to stand near the window overlooking the road.

Is he really worth all this trouble, Kai?

Without even glancing at the folder Ogata-san had handed him and after bidding the grey-haired man a hasty 'good-night', Kai sprinted down the corridors to the training-room. The meeting had gone on way longer than he had expected. But it seemed that Takao had already gone out.

He was probably sleepy, thought Kai, glancing at his watch. It's pretty late.

However, when he got to the parking lot, he could neither locate his friend nor his car. Where the hell was Takao? He couldn't possibly have decided to drive to the dojo by himself… he won't be that stupid, would he?

No, he won't – it's not like Takao to pull a prank of that sort… It is too ridiculous and too idiotic – even for Takao. Why would he do something like that, anyway?

"Any problem, Hiwatari-kun?"

"Urumi-chan… did Takao leave behind any message for me?"

"He didn't say anything to me," replied Urumi. "Why? What's the matter? Is something wrong?"

Kai glanced at the vacant space in the parking-lot where his car had stood before.

"Er… he seems to be missing."

"Missing?"

"He seems to have taken off with my car." Stupid Takao!

"Taken off? Takao-san can drive? I had thought…"

"That's not the problem right now," said Kai edgily. "Oh, well, good-night, Urumi-chan. I'll call him on his cell."

Kai searched his pocket for change as he moved towards the call-box. This day wasn't going to get better, was it?

"Pick up the damned phone already!" Kai ran an impatient finger between the first and second row of numbers. "What are you doing?"

As the regular rings broke off, he swore and pressed redial.

He could see Urumi-chan still standing where he had left her, her eyes fixed in his direction. She was probably waiting for him. He just hoped that he wouldn't require her help.

Five unsuccessful attempts later, he gave up and banged down the receiver in exasperation. Fishing his coat pocket for his cigarette-pack and lighter, he was about to step out of the call-box when the phone rang. He hesitated for only a moment before answering.

"Takao? Where the fuck are you? Do you know…?"

"I am speaking from the police-station, sir," a slightly raised voice interrupted. "Are you a friend of Kinomiya-san's?"

Police?

"Hai… I am Kai Hiwatari."

"There's been an accident…"

Kai felt a cold wave of fear and panic engulf him as the policeman's voice droned the details in his ear.

"The car…"

"It's mine."

"We found no driving license for Kinomiya-san – nor any record of it. He is still not of a legal age to drive."

Kai could only nod, curbing his desire to throttle the policeman who was keeping him from being by Takao's side.

"Look here," he said, before the other could say another word. "I need to go. Takao needs me right now. This isn't the time for this… I will come by tomorrow or something. But right now, for God's sake, just let me go!"

"Hiwatari-san…"

"I beg you," said Kai helplessly, standing up, "Please, let me go – for a few hours… I'll come back in the morning. Can't you just spare me a few hours… Takao… I need to be there. I'll go mad if I sit here pretending nothing's happened! THAT HE MIGHT NOT BE DYING THERE!"

"Kinomiya-san's injuries were not critical. The doctor…"

"Just let me go…"

The desperation emanating off the Beyblader seeped through the policeman's firm demeanour. He looked uncertain but relented. "Okay, however…"

But Kai had already dashed off his mind focussed only on getting to Takao.

His fears concerning Takao had about numbed his rational thought. Ignoring the nurses' protests to not run in the hospital, he raced through the corridors and stairs prompted by his hasty restlessness which would have made it impossible for him to wait for the elevator.

Please be okay… I'll die if something happens to you… Takao… Takao…

240… 246… 248… Kinomiya Takao… Oh God! Oh God!

"I'd like a hamburger if you don't mind!"

I'm really hungry – why isn't anybody getting that? The nurse is cute but stupid. I don't understand why Max seems to have a thing for nurses… it is creepy!

"It would be better if you let your stomach rest for a day, Kinomiya-san… the anaesthesia and medication is…"

"Please, please, please? I am really hungry!"

"Kinomiya-san…"

However, their hopeless conversation was interrupted as the door burst open to admit dishevelled and frenzied-looking Kai. Takao was shocked – he had never seen Kai so flustered in his life.

"YOU FOOL!" Kai's breath came in short gasps. "WHAT… WERE… YOU… THINKING?"

The playful smile disappeared from Takao's Band-Aided face as Kai advanced towards him.

"It is past visitor's time…"

The nurse made a futile attempt to stop Kai but the latter ignored her completely – after glaring threateningly at her.

"Hey, Kai… I am… okay… bit of luck, huh?" Takao weakly attempted to laugh.

Kai stood at the foot of Takao's bed, gazing dazedly at him. He's okay…

"About the car… ano… ore… gomen nasai… I'll try to…"

The older boy blinked out of his semi-stupor and went round to where Takao sat leaning against a cushion of pillows. He stared at him for a few moments, before reaching out a trembling hand to lightly cup his face.

"You're okay."

Takao said nothing. He didn't even nod. All his senses were concentrated on the cold hand covering his cheek and jaw. He looked into Kai's crimson eyes. He had never seen such strong emotion in them… Kai wasn't angry… he was worried… terribly worried…

"Gomen nasai! Gomen nasai, Kai!" said Takao, averting his eyes as he felt tears well up in them. "I…"

But he couldn't finish his sentence as Kai had suddenly bent down and wrapped his arms around him.

"I was so worried."

Takao brought his free arm around Kai's waist, resting his head on his shoulder. He couldn't stop his tears from falling… in the space of the last couple of hours, he had lost the two dearest to him… There was no use putting off the truth any longer… He had thought that he could avoid it till he stayed in the hospital. But they had somehow contacted Kai… and with Kai, it was difficult to avoid the truth.

"I lost Dragoon."

He felt Kai stiffen and try to pull back but he held onto him as if for his life. He turned his face, pressing his eyes against Kai's neck, willing the tears to stop.

"I lost Dragoon," he repeated, the reality of the fact still deadening him with pain. "I lost Dragoon."

"Takao…"

"And now I'll lose you… I cannot bear so much loss… I am not that strong, Kai… I promised myself I won't say this… but I can't… I can't stop myself… I lost Dragoon… I… Kai… don't leave…"

"Takao."

Kai sat down on the bed, pulling the sobbing boy close to him.

"I won't leave," whispered Kai, the hoarseness of his voice muffled by the midnight blue hair, "I'll do anything for you – I'll always be there for you."

"Hospital? Are you all right Kai? What happened?"

"I'm fine. Takao's accident is a long story. Just inform Gramps, will you? I just don't feel like telling him… it's all my fault… I don't know how I can face him…"

"Brace up, Kai – nothing is your fault. It was Takao who went off like that, wasn't it? Is he okay now?"

"Yeah… they'll leave him in a fortnight though… broke a few bones or ligament or something… But he's yelling for food again, so…"

"Kai, you don't sound like yourself. What's really wrong?"

There was a pause.

"He said he lost Dragoon."

"Lost Dragoon? What do you mean?"

"I haven't asked him… he is pretending that he didn't tell me that last night… the police thinks something's fishy… the damage to the car was far more compared to Takao's injury… that man said that he's never seen the driver so relatively unharmed compared to the condition of the car… Takao says he doesn't know what they are talking about… I know he is pretending… But I don't know what to do… Yuriy…"

"Just stay there – I'll be there in an hour, okay? I'll get Gramps and Daichi – they must be out of their mind with worry. Anyway, stay with him, okay? You will be better if you stay with him."

"I know… but get here soon… there's so much work…"

"Forget the work, Kai. You sound terrible. Just take care of yourself. Leave everything to me."

"Hai… Arigatoo, Yuriy."

"Take care of yourself, Kai."

"TAKAO!"

Kai, who had dozed off in his chair, jolted awake as the loud voice assaulted his ears. Before he could properly register everything around him, a blur of red whizzed past him and jumped onto Takao's bed.

"Nee! What happened? Are you in a lot of pain? Your arm is a real mess! Did you break your leg, too?"

"I WILL IF YOU DON'T CLIMB OFF IT! GET OFF ME, MONKEY!"

"Hey! No need to get rude! I was just worried!"

"Yeah, right! NOW GET OFF MY LEG!"

"Gramps and I got you some breakfast! Can I share?"

Takao threw Daichi a dirty look – and then one at the nurse who was tending to the other patient in the room.

"Why aren't you eating? Can I have it all then?"

"Take the food and get lost, you little pest!" growled Kai, pulling Daichi off Takao and putting in just some extra energy while pushing him to the floor.

"Nobody asked you, meanie!" yelled Daichi, sticking out his tongue.

"Little dude!"

"Takao!"

Kai stepped back as Gramps and then Kyouju and Hiromi fussed over Takao.

He turned as he felt a warm hand on his shoulder. "You could use some rest."

"I'm fine," mumbled Kai. But a yawn at the wrong moment betrayed his real state.

Yuriy smiled. "Still – some rest is always good."

Kai glanced at Takao who was fighting over food (which he was not supposed to eat) with Daichi. Kyouju was fruitlessly trying to dissuade him from gulping it down ("Anaesthesia! Aren't you feeling the effects of anaesthesia? Don't eat that!").

"Kai."

"I think he knows… that I am leaving. I don't know how, but he does."

"Have you eaten anything?"

"I don't…"

"Hospital cafeterias aren't the ideal restaurants but it will do for now… Come on, Kai! You are a worse mess than Kinomiya right now!"

It was a few minutes past eight and the cafeteria was, thankfully, relatively empty.

"Eat a little, at least. You look like you could use some energy," said Yuriy, pushing the rice omelette towards Kai. "Just drinking the coffee will make you feel worse."

"Stop mothering me," muttered Kai, but picked up his fork.

"Takao isn't here… so someone else has to." He tried to avoid the bitterness but it was getting increasingly difficult to do so. Seeing Kai in this state and the lack of sleep was making things worse.

Kai glanced up at him but said nothing.

"So start at the beginning… I guess you weren't able to tell him why you are leaving."

"No. But he got to know somehow."

"What did you say then?"

"Huh?"

"When he told you that he knew about it – what did you say?"

Kai's mind was cast back to the previous night when he had held Takao in his arms until he fell asleep. It pained him that Takao had been crying when he had first held him… like that. But that meant Takao needed him, didn't he? It was a bittersweet realization… He wanted Takao to need him forever but in that case, he would have to push away everything else… which wasn't possible – or very practical, either. It was so frustrating! Why couldn't he fulfil his dreams and have Takao?

"I didn't have to say anything."

"Kai?"

"It's Dragoon, I am worried about," said Kai, determined to abandon the previous topic – it was nothing but pure pain. "Takao just said that he lost it. But he hadn't said a word about it since he woke up. They got someone else in the other bed early morning and I didn't have a chance to talk to him about anything."

Yuriy downed the last of his tea.

"Rest for a while. You can come back in the afternoon. I am not sure that Daichi and company will be leaving soon. Moreover, I won't advice you to talk to Takao with red eyes. Although if you are trying to scare him into talking or something…"

Kai stared blankly at Yuriy. "What do you mean 'red eyes'? My eyes have always been red."

"It's fine as long as you have red iris – you are positively creepy with red cornea."

Kai got up and stretched his tense arms. "Shut up!"

Even his apartment somehow felt different. It seemed ages since he had last been here. So much had happened in such a short space of time… He had known that today would be different as Takao would know that he was leaving as soon as he graduated – but that was all he had assumed. He wasn't sure what all had gone on since they left this place last night.

What worried him even more was Takao's unwillingness to tell him anything. It wasn't like Takao to keep anything bottled up inside him – not from him, Kai, at least. It was certainly suspicious. He had seen the damage done to his car – it was irreparable. But Takao only sported a broken arm, a twisted ligament and some bruises. How could that be? He was very glad that Takao was safe but at the same time the officer's words echoed in his head… "There's more to this accident than meets the eye…" The detective-inspector who had come along early in the morning seemed keenly interested in the case. Wasn't it an accident?

The bath was filled with hot water but as Kai turned off the faucet, his inclination to get into the bath lessened. He was feeling just too tired to get in there. He would probably fall asleep, breathe in water and die in there. Abandoning the bath, he dragged his feet to his bed and still in his dressing-gown flopped down on the bed. The bath could wait. He had never felt so drained in his life.

He tried to cut off the bright sun rays by burying his face in the pillows, but feeling suffocated, he decided to make an effort to bring up the covers over his face and turned over to his left.

Takao… what was going on with that guy? He was always so troublesome… Kai spent more than half his energy looking out for him everyday. It wasn't a bad thing, really. Kai won't do it if he really found it aggravating. But a break once a while would be good. A break from caring for Takao… he would have laughed if laughing didn't require so much energy, which he happened to be lacking now. It was like taking a break from breathing or something… Takao was just so important… too important… Stupid Takao… at least he had good luck… With Kai's luck, he'd probably have been crushed and burnt to death if he had been in the car…

Holy shit!

One would doubt Kai's previous case of extreme exhaustion if they saw the speed with which he suddenly sat up.

"Takao… Takao wasn't in the car when he got hurt… something else did that to the car… something else…"

Feeling his body protest the sudden movement, he sighed and lay down again.

Things can wait for a little bit… I am dying here…

It was late in the afternoon when Kai went back to the hospital. The sleep had restored his energy and his brain had been working overtime. He had had queer dreams of Dragoon crashing his car and Takao yelling and falling off some random cliff. It was probably the hospital food. He was damned if he was ever eating food from any hospital again.

The hospital, though, looked wholly different in daytime. He wondered if there were more patients or doctors during the day. It was busier than a new shopping complex.

He took his time walking to Takao's room this time. He knew he would have to force everything out of Takao. He had never done that before. But every new experience with Takao was bound to be amusing. Takao couldn't hide things from him for long, anyway. However, as he seemed so determined this time, Kai was up to the challenge. He had the added advantage of being freshly out of an hour-long bath and eating chocolate ice-cream at lunch.

Kai stood still with shock as he looked up from the stairs to the corridor where Takao's room was.

"Kami-sama!"

Author's Notes: Thank-you for the information about Kai and Takao's relative ages and to all who reviewed the story.