She was roused awake when hearing him suddenly call out into a large building.
"I'm home!"
"Kai?" a worried voice echoed, a young woman with long wavy hair, pink streaks dyed in, running into view. "It is you, I was so worried!"
She immediately grabbed him, hugging him close, pulling away when hearing the startled yowl.
"A kitten?"
"I decided to keep her. Her name's Koyuki."
"That's so sweet of you," she smiled, planting a kiss on his forehead, the other ignoring how childish it would look.
His friends weren't here, plus he adores this woman regardless of how new she is working here. He felt a connection with her, amused by her antics between trying to make sure he ate and constantly reading books more than doing house work.
"Kino-san, do we have any soap or something that'd be safe to use on animals?" he asked after a brief pause between the two, letting her hug him longer.
She missed him, he knew it, and he felt guilty making her worry over him so much, fussing over him as if he were her own.
"With your habit bringing small animals here, I made it a habit to keep a small stock for such occasions," she teased warmly.
It was then the teen blushed, realizing how predictable he was to her, knowing that if his friends were here, they'd be teasing him big time.
Given the supplies, he went to one of the bathrooms, taking his gloves, scarf, top and jacket off, tossing them aside.
Running the water, he checked it as it filled to make sure it wasn't too hot or cold before petting the kitten.
"You may not like it, but if you've got fleas, this bath will get rid of them and you'll be much happier."
Unsure exactly what he meant, he picked her up, putting her into the tub, the small animal panicking at first before seeing he never let go.
Not only that, but the water felt nice and was deep enough to submerge most of her, but nowhere near her head.
"You're really special, aren't you? I've never met a cat who would tolerate a bath like this. I usually end up getting beaten up trying to clean them," he mused, gently scrubbing her wet fur.
Licking his hand, she made a face as it was the hand that had the soap, making her start scooting backwards to escape the awful taste.
The teen was unable to suppress a laugh at her antics.
"Doesn't taste so good, huh?" he teased, the kitten eventually getting the taste out, playfully swatting him.
Hearing a knock on the door, he gave the okay, the woman from before walking in with a few towels.
"Arigatō," he thanked, the woman giving a gentle smile as she petted his hair.
"I'll get dinner started," she spoke, giving him another peck on the head, the teen glancing back at her.
She was always so affectionate, something he hadn't been used to, at least not like this, not so kind and tender. He was glad to have hired her, willing to forget all her flaws just to keep having her showering him with affection, letting him feel human.
Turning back to the kitten, he gave a small smile as he finished rinsing her off, pulling her out of the tub and drying her while the tub drained.
Feeling she was dry enough, any wet spots she could handle on her own, he decided a long soak for himself would be nice.
Knowing the maid, she'll likely be awhile; distracted by some book while cooking the dinner if one of the other servants didn't take over to get it going.
Stripped completely and in the tub, he did the initial bathing to simply get it out of the way, then relaxed.
"Nya?"
Cracking an eye open, he reached a hand out, petting her, feeling her little tongue lapping at the droplets on his fingertips.
"You really like that name, Koyuki, don't you?"
Hearing the purring, he took it as a yes, feeling content as he let his eyes close and fall into a blissful nap.
When he woke up, the new maid had knocked, letting him know that dinner would be ready in a couple of minutes.
Drying off and changing into some robes left for him, he walked down, letting the kitten follow him, distracted by how large the place was.
"Nya…"
"Kai-kun, Koyuki-chan, dinner's ready," the woman smiled as she and a few others who worked for him sat at the table.
The kitten, without any permission hopped onto the table, nearly drooling at the sight of the delicious food and smells coming from them.
Kai almost contemplated putting her back on the floor, but decided against it, gently petting her to keep her still.
When a bowl was put in front of her, while it was different from the food the humans ate, she wasn't about to complain or be picky.
Food was food and she was grateful she was getting any at all!
Chowing down, Kai ate his as did the others, occasionally picking some pieces out, passing them to the kitten.
"Kai-sama, you shouldn't feed it table scraps," one of the older servants scolded.
Rolling his eyes, he ignored the man, petting the kitten, smiling softly as she ate happily, purring so loudly that her body shivered with pleasure.
"Koyuki is fine, she's a smart girl."
"You say that for just about every stray you feed and bathe."
"They're smart too, but she's on a whole other level. She listens to me when I talk to her, not simply out of curiosity, but actually understands me."
"Hiwatari-sama…" another servant whispered, feeling the poor boy might be losing himself. "But you have people who understand you too."
"Hai…but that's not what I meant by understanding me."
"What do you mean?"
"I told her to stay and she listened."
"Maybe she has a home then?"
"If she did, not anymore, I know strays when I see them, and she was one."
"If someone had her previously and got rid of her, then they're missing out on a real treasure. I haven't seen you look so peaceful before," the maid, Kino, smiled, warmly trying to brighten the conversation.
"Arigatō."
After they were done eating and he freshened up, he let her sleep in his room, watching as she explored, bouncing on his bed.
Climbing under the covers, he curled up, letting his walls fall completely as he stared at the wall.
"I have to beat Brooklyn if I want to beat Tyson," he mumbled sleepily, eyes growing heavy.
The kitten listened, walking up to him, licking his cheek gently, feeling his hand wrap around her, pulling her into a gentle hug.
"Arigatō, Koyuki…" he yawned softly, sleep taking hold finally.
When morning rose, she watched him change back into the tattered clothes he wore previously, repaint the triangles on his face and load up his Beyblade.
She followed, wanting to see where he was going, not wanting to lose her only human friend.
As he was about to head out the door, he turned, seeing she was determined to follow, more so by how she leapt onto his shoulder.
"It could get dangerous, it would be safer if you stayed here," he crooned softly, knowing he might be breaking her tiny heart.
"Nya!"
"I'm serious, I can't have you follow me, so please stay here," he begged, picking the animal off his shoulder and held her close. "Even if the battle isn't dangerous, there's a very dangerous man there. If you crossed paths with him, whether he knew I took you in or not, he could seriously hurt you."
Hearing how sad he sound, she eventually submitted, letting out a few pitiful meows as he left, the door shutting between them.
"Kai-kun left already? And without even taking a piece of toast or coffee?" Kino sighed, obviously used to the boy doing this.
Seeing the saddened kitten, she gently picked the furry creature up, cradling her in her arms, a motherly smile on her face.
"I know you must be sad seeing him leave, but I'm sure he did it with good reason. He's going to battle a group led by a dangerous man. I can only hope he'll be okay, that nothing bad will happen to him."
Deciding to explore her new home, she was amazed by the amount of rooms, wondering how a single human could own all this.
Finding Kai's room, she went in, curling up on his bed, taking in his scent, this feeling of dread filling her.
Whoever this Brooklyn was, it made her worry, knowing he had to be the cause for all those cuts, for making him look so empty and lost.
Somehow falling asleep, she was jolted awake when hearing someone crying out, having her run under the bed.
Hearing soft sobbing, recognizing it as the woman, Kino, she grew worried, following the voice down to where she was.
Finding her, she found her crumbled by a desk, blue eyes wide with horror, phone lying on the floor.
"Nya?"
She was cautious, this awful feeling starting to fill her again by how she looked, hoping she doesn't lash out against her.
"Koyuki-chan?" she whimpered, glancing at the furry creature. "Kai-kun's in the hospital, he was found unconscious after his match."
Feeling her blood freeze up, she ran for the door, scratching at it, wanting to find her human, letting out desperate pleas.
Somehow understanding her, seeing how she reacted, she picked the kitten up, placing her into a basket.
"You want to see him, don't you? You're scared for Kai-kun? Then let's go see him together," she sniffled with a bitter smile.
The kitten watched her before the basket was covered, shrouding her mostly in darkness, listening and feeling her walk swiftly outside.
Hearing doors opening and closing, the basket set onto a seat, not knowing she had been strapped in for extra protection, before the rumble of an engine was heard.
She panicked, letting out small mewls, obviously terrified, barely calming down when Kino began talking to her.
"This will be faster than walking. I know it must be scary, but just bear with me, soon we'll be with Kai-kun."
A few more whimpers and the kitten settled, curling up, trying to think of the very human she wanted right now.
Before long, the car stopped, Kino stepping out with the basket in hand, hurrying inside the hospital.
Talking with some nurses, she found the teenager's room, nearly dropping the basket when seeing him lying in bed, covered in bandages.
"Kai-kun…" Kino whimpered softly, tears forming in her eyes as she placed the basket onto the foot of the bed.
Pushing her way out, the kitten glanced over, feeling her heart drop at how battered her human looked.
"Nya!"
Hopping out, she ran up to his face, careful not to hurt him worse than he is, letting out pitiful mewls as she gently pawed him.
As the kitten attempted to awaken him, Kino glanced over, seeing the remains of Kai's Beyblade.
Walking over, she was amazed someone collected all the pieces and left them here, though wasn't sure if the gesture was good or not.
At some point, he woke up, glancing up at the ceiling, his vision soon obstructed by a familiar furry face.
"Koyuki?" he groaned, attempting to sit up, ignoring all the aches and pains from sore muscles to hundreds of stinging cuts. "How'd I get here?"
"You were brought in, someone found you in a hall after your battle," Kino spoke as she sat next to him. "What you did was completely foolish. You nearly died!"
"I know, but what choice did I have? I had to beat Brooklyn."
"I…I know, but I don't want to lose you either, neither of us do."
"Gomen'nasai… But Tyson and the others needed me regardless. If I hadn't shown up, they would've been one blader short. Tyson would've had to face Brooklyn and Garland alone. I know he's strong, but facing both and with Boris pulling the strings, it'd be damn near impossible to win."
"I know…that man, Boris, he still gives you nightmares, doesn't he?"
The teen was silent, knowing it was true, most of the nightmares had dissipated, but there were some that would forever haunt him.
Shaking his head slightly to try and not fall into those memories, he gave her a comforting look.
"Even if they do, it isn't like he can hurt me again. Tyson will not only stop him, but he'll be put into prison. There's no way that bastard would keep out of trouble, I know it…"
"Kai…" the woman whispered, dropping the honorific as she pulled the teen gently into her arms. "Tyson-kun will stop him; you really care for him and trust him, so he can't lose. He won't let you, Tala-kun, or anyone down. I'm sure of it."
"Arigatō," he responded sleepily, wishing to stay awake longer. He felt safe in the woman's arms; it was like being his parents' arms before his grandfather took them away. "Kino-san?"
"I'll stay, don't worry," she smiled, not having to wait for him to ask.
Despite how cold and aloof he may act around most, she got to see him in his most vulnerable state many times before.
He screamed and cried in frustration, nearly killing himself over Wyatt's own death, barely pulling out of it.
While she may have stopped him from ending his life, she still couldn't help him through the guilt, finally breaking through after the Psykick incident.
After that, the two grew close, the teen usually relying on her for when he's feeling emotionally unstable, not wanting to breakdown in front of others.
She knew it was bad for him to hold it like this, but who could blame him? She's read up on him, heard the rumors from other servants. The poor boy went through far too much and now having to face those demons again, it's too much for such a young soul.
All she could do was be there, act as a maternal figure he could lean to for support, the kind he never received before.
After a bit, she found a hand shaking her awake, a stern nurse glaring at her, casting a glance at the sleeping kitten.
"Gomen'nasai, but he's been through a lot. I thought his kitten would help him calm down," she apologized, keeping her voice as soft as possible.
She attempted to get up, but hadn't realized the sly boy had snaked his arms around hers, trapping her.
His bandaged face was pressed tightly against her arm, the sweetest look on his face to make any stop dead in their tracks. Didn't help he was handsome to begin with, so adding in he could muster such an adorable look made him all the more attractive.
If they got to see it that is…
"I'm afraid you'll have to leave, miss."
"Would if I could, but I don't want to wake him."
Seeing it wouldn't be wise to wake an injured patient, more so when seeing how peaceful he looked, the nurse decided to let it slide.
Leaving, willing to pretend not seeing them, particularly the cat, the woman let out a silent sigh of relief before resting her head back down.
Gingerly, she stroked his hair, a small smile forming at how sweet he looked, a look she wished he'd carry more often.
If only he would let his guard down more, let people in…
News of what was happening at the BEGA stadium reached their ears, the woman giving a worried look when the teen attempted to get out of bed.
"You can't leave, Kai-kun!" she scolded, trying to keep him from moving.
"Tyson needs me though."
"I know, but you're in no shape to move."
"Kino-san please…"
Seeing how desperate he was to reach his friend, to aid him anyway possible, she gave a silent sigh of defeat.
"Alright, but your clothes are far to tattered to be worn. Give me a moment to get you something, okay?"
Seeing he had nothing else to wear really than a flimsy medical gown, he really had no choice, so sat waiting, his kitten staring up at him.
"I feel so helpless. Whatever Brooklyn's doing, it can't be good…and there's Boris to think about too. He can do a lot of damage without Beyblades. I don't want to think what'd happen if he ever got control over Beyblading."
"Nya…"
Feeling the furry head rub against his arm, he gave her a forced smile, appreciating her gesture.
Within minutes Kino returned, fresh clothes picked out, the teen given assistance getting them on, his body still sore in some areas.
"Please watch over Koyuki, I don't want to risk her following me," the teen begged, glancing at the woman as she gave a tearful nod.
"Just promise to be careful," she spoke, giving him a hug before placing something in his hand.
"Dr-Dranzer?" he gasped, wondering how it had been repaired.
"You said Tyson-kun needed you, right?" she spoke softly, making him wonder what secrets she holds before shaking it off.
It wasn't important right now, getting to his friends was…
As he ran towards the stadium, he could already see the destruction being laid waste, knowing it was only going to get worse the closer he gets.
What he didn't know was that by the time he got to the stadium, aiming to help out anyway possible, the girls had followed him.
"Oh Kami…" Kino gasped, staring at the vortex.
She could only stare, the small cat doing the same, unable to tear their eyes away before a flash exploded.
Soon after, the vortex disappeared, things that were distorted or missing returning, namely the audience.
From there, she and others hurried over, watching as two young men continued their match, no malice from either, simply pure love for a game they cherished.
The rest was a bit of a blur for the kitten, having seen her owner, excited to see him when he came down from wherever he was.
She ran over to him, leaping into his arms, meowing happily, nuzzling into his chest as the two bladers finally concluded their match in a draw.
"That was awesome!" Tyson laughed, holding his hand out towards the other, "We so have to have a rematch some time."
"That would be nice, of course, I would have to do some training first," the other chuckled, taking the hand, the two shaking firmly.
"Looking forward to it!"
From there, plans were made, Kai using his substantial inheritance to help fund for the restoration of the BBA.
Until then, they had to settle on a shack set up to let kids play and have fun with their Beyblades.
In the course, Kai surprisingly began opening more, mostly with the kitten at his side and Tala's recovery.
While the teen was still rather rough around the edges, others who knew him best could see him changing. He was opening up more and laughing more at simple things, his face filled with absolute serenity.
If there was a chance she had some mystical powers, using them on him, they were forever grateful.
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