Here is another friendship chapter. It's very different though, so I hope you don't get confused. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own CFV.

FLF

Chapter 9: Overcoming the past

Kai sighed, walking into his new classroom. After he wrote his name on the board, he glanced at everyone in the room. As expected, they were all staring. Except one. Kai blinked, letting a tiny surprise show on his face when he saw a kid with red hair stare out the window lazily.

He shrugged when he was told to take a seat and decided to sit next to red-head since he probably wouldn't speak to him too much. Kai didn't know how wrong he was at the moment. The red-head and him shared a glance before he sat down and took out his Vanguard cards.

Class was probably going to be boring anyway.

Kai hated attention. One, because he liked his personal space. Two, because people would immediately stop talking and stare at him until he was out of sight. As if he wasn't aware of the whispers going around. This was why he decided to have lunch on the roof where no one would bother him. Or so he thought.

Kai opened his eyes half way, looking annoyed, when a shadow loomed over him. It was that same red-head and someone else who looked a year or two older.

He couldn't tell what was more pointless: the kid apparently named Suzugamori Ren, or the older guy trying to reason with him. Either way they interrupted his nap for a card fight, that much he knew. He supposed he would fight if they could just get on with it. Seeing as they weren't, Kai took upon himself to act.

"Stand up"

"THE"

"Vanguard!"

The battle wasn't that difficult. His opponent seemed new as he made far too many mistakes. Suzugamori seemed more experienced as he teased his friend. Tetsu, was it? They spoke about him being perfect for something. Suzugamori then asked if he wanted to join their team, Foo Fighter. Kai was perplexed by this as "Tetsu" explained more about it. So they wanted him to join because they recognized his skills? Kai felt unsure as he just met them. Why would they want him to join their team when they hardly knew him?

Eventually, Kai liked the idea. Even though the two seemed strange, he found their company welcoming after being alone for so long. And so, the brunet introduced himself and shook hands with Tetsu. And Ren.

"Welcome to Foo Fighter!"

Kai hated anyone who hurt his loved ones.

It was ironic that it had to be his best friend. After losing his parents and moving away from his friends, the same thing had to happen. Ren changed. He was no longer the silly, innocent boy. He was obsessed with power. He hurt Tetsu.

Kai battled him and lost. It didn't matter if Ren stopped midway. It didn't matter if Kai didn't check for a Heal Trigger. He lost. There was nothing he could do but run away. Tetsu was against it and stood by Ren. Kai had lost everything again.

Things were so different. Granted, Kai and Miwa were friends, despite Kai not wanting it. He still lacked the power to protect anyone. Nothing else seemed to matter in the world. He needed to get stronger. Power is useless if you can't protect the ones you care about. That's what Kai always believed. His "power" was pathetic. He needed more power. It bugged him every minute. The guilt of not being strong enough. He could have ended it there. Years had passed by, and neither one had ever seen each other.

Until the nationals. Tetsu was an adult now and an expert player. Ren was leader of the world's strongest teams. It was hard to believe how they all changed. Kai wanted nothing more for things to go the way they use to. But he was still weak.

Kai felt his mind explode. How could it happen again? What were the chances of it happening to Aichi? Kai never expected it. He was the last person Kai would have guessed to have that power too. But so was Ren. They both held traits that are completely opposites of what the power did to them. Fate was cruel.

Or perhaps it wasn't. Kai wasn't going to run this time. He was going to fight Aichi. And he would win!

As the battle commenced, Kai couldn't believe what that power could do to people. Aichi was a completely different person, so relying on that power and not his own. So much so, that it matched Ren, reminding Kai of those memories he had locked away.

Kai could feel the sorrow in the Royal Paladins. The sorrow in Blaster Blade. It made him nostalgic to use the white knight again. But Kai had to focus. He wasn't about to lose. He felt the Royal Paladins respond to his will and prevailed.

Thank you.

The grateful voices of the cards rang in Kai's heart as he handed Aichi back his deck. Kai let a small smile grace his face, feeling the tension in his body leave. Although he never wanted that kind of pressure again, Kai would again do it. He would face Ren and not run away.

It hurts.

He failed. Everything seemed to stop. What had he been doing all this time? His power was pathetic. Nothing changed. The same thing repeated itself.

It hurts.

Was everything he did all for nothing? All those fights hadn't changed his power at all. He had no power. He still couldn't save his best friend.

Why?

Why did Ren have to get that power? Why couldn't things go back to normal?

Why does it hurt so much?

Now Kai knew. He had been cutting himself with a knife, blood dripping down his arm. Tears marred his face and for the first time since his parents died, Kai cried.

He couldn't tell what hurt more. The deep cut on his arm, his blood-red eyes, or his heart. Everything hurt. He was alone.

That one word made Kai continue on his arm. If pain would make him forget, then he would forget. That's all he could do.

Run away.

It hurts.

Like before.

Why?

He was weak.

It hurts.

Alone.

Kai hugged his knees and buried his head.

Everything hurt.

Kai blinked his stinging eyes, staring at Miwa in surprise. When had he got here? No, how long had he been here was the question. Kai saw him holding the blood-stained knife in his hand, a grim look on his face. Kai knew Miwa well. He knew the blond would never willingly cry in front of a friend, but his eyes always betrayed him. Miwa was crying. Just like Kai.

As the silence continued, Kai found it hard not to scream out in agony about it all. Why couldn't Miwa stop giving him that hurt look? It didn't change a thing!

Kai realized he wanted to cut himself again. That pain was better than the pain in his heart.

"Aichi told me."

Had it really been so long since he heard a voice other than his? Kai wanted to block it all out. He wanted to forget.

"Kai, listen to me."

Kai was forced to look up. Miwa sounded anguished. He bit his lip until it bled. He couldn't say anything. What was there to say? I'm sorry for never telling you I caused one of my best friends to change forever?

"So you and Ren were friends after all!"

Kai wanted to scream, but his throat was sore. What was there to laugh about? How could someone laugh when a waterfall of tears is rolling down their face? Frankly Kai couldn't.

"You know, I was really worried about you when I heard. I knew you'd blame yourself when it isn't your fault."

"OF COURSE IT IS!"

Kai knew he may have just lost his voice, but that thought drifted away as he shook Miwa angrily. "EVERYTHING IS MY FAULT!"

At this point, Kai didn't know why he continued to scream when his entire body was shaking, and tears were spilling out of his eyes. He did not understand why Miwa was smiling, or why he embraced him warmly and comfortingly rubbed his head, like they used to when they were kids. When everything was normal.

"You're not alone, you idiot. I am your best friend after all."

Even in these moments Miwa can somehow crack a joke. Kai wasn't sure to admire or hate that. Especially when he missed the blond. He missed everyone. His parents, Ren, Tetsu, and Miwa.

"Everything will be alright."

"H-how?"

Kai found himself hearing hope in his broken voice. He clutched Miwa like lifeline, his face buried in his chest. His heart was pounding, and he couldn't breathe.

"He wants to become as strong as you. He'll definitely beat Ren that way."

Aichi?

"Just relax. Aichi will win." Miwa hugged him tighter. "And please, don't ever become like this again."

Dots marked Kai's vision. He could hardly breathe, but he heard it all. He felt everything drift away as his eyes slowly rolled back. His grip on Miwa loosened as his body went limp.

"Kai!"

"Thank... you, Miwa."

He fainted with a small smile on his face.

Kai felt uneasy being out here. He couldn't help but glance at Miwa, who gave him a reassuring smile before turning away quickly. Kai was thankful Miwa didn't mention he was here to the others. The brunet felt better, but he would be lying if he said he wasn't nervous right now.

Tokura had won, but Katsuragi had lost. It was now Aichi vs Ren. Kai started to absently scratch his bandaged arm. He watched them start.

He couldn't stop himself from yelling, not knowing what miracle was allowing him to keep his voice. He did not want Aichi to fall for that power too. There was no way that could happen. Kai knew he would just break if that were to happen.

It didn't. Aichi had found a way to combine both light and dark. And he saved Ren.

Kai didn't know when he last smiled like this. He felt overwhelmed with joy. Ren was back to normal. Everything was back to normal.

Kai shared smiles with Ren and Tetsu, letting the unspoken happiness show.

For the first time in years, Kai's eyes lit up, genuinely matching his smile.

It had all been painful, and Kai was so happy it was all over. Everything truly was back to normal. Otherwise Ren, Tetsu, and him wouldn't be sitting together on a hill against a tree, watching the sunset.

"You know, I never did apologize," Ren remarked lightly, his ruby eyes reflecting the sun's golden rays.

Tetsu glanced at him but otherwise kept silent. Kai suffered the most. It was only right for him to decide.

Kai understood his meaning but wasn't sure what to do. He was just happy it was over. There had never been hatred in his heart.

"...It's in the past," Kai murmured quietly, picking the grass at the memory. He stiffened and looked up when Ren grabbed his arm and swiftly pulled up his sleeve. Kai saw a look of shock pass over Tetsu's face as Kai's scars were revealed.

"The past can never fade," Ren said flatly, his eyes filled with anger as he let go of Kai's arm.

Kai looked away and pulled down his sleeve, ashamed to have his friends see that. How had Ren known? His cuts had long since healed, leaving scars in its place. Miwa made sure he kept his promise about never doing it again. In return, Miwa would never mention this to anyone. Kai shook his head and turned his attention back to the question, seeing Ren wanted a true answer. Kai could only think of one and mentally noted that he really should thank Miwa for this advice.

"...But it can be overcome."

Ren blinked when he heard this. Realizing that was all Kai needed to say, he shared a smile with Tetsu.

"You need help expressing yourself, Kai!" Ren pouted, back to his usual self.

Kai's eyebrow twitched. "Shut up."

"Mean~!"

"I didn't say anything!"

"Did too!"

"Ren, I am not about to argue with you like a child."

"CHILD?!" Ren sputtered.

At Kai's frank look, and Tetsu's serious nod, he exclaimed, looking utterly shocked by the thought, "I am not a child!" His expression was so close to believable, that Tetsu and Kai couldn't contain their laughter. Ren eventually joined in.

As Kai laughed, he felt all the past darkness completely fade away. Ren laughed beside him, placing an arm around his shoulder. Tetsu couldn't contain a few chuckles as he placed one hand on each of his friend's shoulders.

The friends all laughed together, happy for it all to be over. Each of them wished they could go back and change the paths they chose. But they were content with the present.

They laughed as the sun went down, soon to be back and bring a new day. And a brighter future.

Well, I don't know why I made such a depressing story since I was in a perfectly good mood. Anyways, next is family. I need to think about that one. If you have any ideas, I'm willing to hear them.

Review if you want.