Hey everybody! Sorry to stretch your patience that long, but it's been updated! I hope you guys can enjoy reading this chapter, and stay in touch to see it till the end. Thank you to those who review the chapters, and continue your opinions, criticism and praise, as you have the RIGHT to freedom of speech, ideas, and honesty!
Enjoy it!
Summary: Until the rainstorm comes to an end, Hilary will have to stay in the home of Kai Hiwatari. How bad can it be?
Warnings: KaixHilary hints! KaixHilary moments! Humor may be tough to amuse you when you are dealing with me… Ha, ha, ha…
Rating: T for Teen
Genre: Friendship/Romance, with hints of humor.
Pairing(s): KaixHilary
Disclaimer: StarlightAngel101 DOES NOT own Beyblade in any shape or form. The only things that I own is the plot -cause it's my idea-, and the name of the bulter, in which he'll be called Edward.
Chapter Three: Embracing by the Fire
Hilary couldn't believe this at all. Now she has to stay at Kai's place till morning, and what's worse is that there would be thunderstorms during the night…something she did not enjoy…
"Kai…I guess I'll be staying here for the night then," Hilary said.
"What other options are there?"
It was a few minutes after hearing the weather conditions for tonight that Edward – Kai's butler – entered into the living room.
"Is there something wrong, Master Kai?" Edward asked when Kai turned off the television with the remote control.
"There is," Kai responded. He places the remote control on the glass table. "A potential rain storm is happening now. There's the possibility with thunder and lightning happening tonight… Hilary will have to stay here for the night."
He turns to face his butler.
"Have one of the guestrooms prepared for her, and the fireplace lit up here."
"As you wish."
The butler left the living room, to do the tasks given from Kai. That leaves Kai and Hilary to be alone in the room.
With silence between each other, Kai made a quick decision in his thoughts. Getting up, he heads to the entrance of the living room, and he stops. He turns his head to face Hilary, who was at him.
"Come with me."
Hilary was confused as to what Kai wanted her to with him for.
"Where are we going?" she asked.
"Going to show you around," Kai answered. "Are you coming, or not?"
"I'm coming," Hilary said.
Both Hilary and Kai left the living room, to take a tour around his mansion. Hilary will be staying here for the night, till the rainstorm ends. And from the looks of it, it's going to be a long night.
Twenty Minutes Later…
Kai and Hilary went back to the living room, after Kai gave Hilary a look around his home.
Hilary was astounded by the décor of each room she's been in or taken a glimpse before going along with Kai.
On the main floor, other than the living room, the small room that contained the phone, and the entrance, she saw the dining room, kitchen, and surprisingly, a ballroom. There were a couple of bathrooms as well, but Kai just pointed them out to where they were at.
The second floor had a music room, a library, study room, and a green room that connects to the balcony at the back of the mansion. It was the balcony that took her breath away, as she glance through the glass doors of the garden. It was big, and green. But it was a shame to see it at a terrible state, when she couldn't go outside to see it, and the garden fully drenched in the heavy rain.
Then the third floor is where only the bedrooms are, in addition to the bathrooms with tubs and showers. Kai showed her the bedroom she will be staying tonight, and when she glanced at it, it felt cozy with the brown tones for the walls, the carpet, and the bed itself. There were other furniture as well, plus a body-size mirror leaning on a stand, but she didn't have any use to them, for she wasn't going to stay here more than one night.
Kai pointed to her where his room is, and one room he requested her not to go in. Neither room did she see, but she didn't want to get curious to peek in either room. Particularly Kai's room, leaving him the privacy he needs for his business.
Lastly, Kai takes Hilary downstairs to the basement. Where, along with a storage room, and small wine cellar, is a training room. To Hilary's amazement, she wondered why Kai even bother to go to the dojo and train with Tyson, Max, Ray, and Daichi?
The training room was big, containing equipments to help with building muscles, and treadmills to improve the human cardio system. In addition to all of this, there is a bey-dish for beyblade battles.
Taking a step into the living room, something warm sweep through Hilary and she felt happy about it. She takes a look to see that the fireplace had been lit up and a safeguard put in front as a necessity. Overall, the room with the fire going on made it very cozy and comfortable.
"Glad you came back here, Master Kai… and Hilary," Edward said.
Kai and Hilary turn around to see the butler just at the entrance to the living room. However, Edward holds in his hands a tray. The tray has two mugs on top of two saucers; both the mugs had steam escaping out.
Walking into the living room, he goes near the coffee-table. He places the tray with the mugs on top of the glass surface of the coffee-table. Pulling away from the table he looks back at the two teens.
"Everything has been done as you asked, Master Kai. I brought hot chocolate; refreshments suitable for the surroundings in and out today. I hope you two can enjoy it."
"Thank you," Kai and Hilary said in unison.
Hilary noticing the unison to their response, made her blush a faint pink and she covers her mouth from the soft giggles. Kai turns to face her when she giggles, understanding what she was embarrassed. Couldn't blame her for being nice, when at the same time, he was the one who owns the house.
"It's alright, Hilary. It's being courteous," Kai explained.
"Your welcome," Edward said. "Oh, by the way dinner will be ready soon. Will I call you when it's ready?"
"Yeah," Kai answered.
"Very well, then. I will leave you two alone."
Edwards walks out of the living room, leaving the two together for company.
Kai heads towards the couch, with Hilary following behind him. Both of them sat at opposite ends of the couch, though the couch was a two-seat one.
Both of them at different timing retrieve a saucer with the mug on top. Hilary holds her mug with both of her hands, noting it's the heat is not hurting her around the mug. She looks at the brown liquid in the mug, before taking a small sip of the hot chocolate into her mouth.
The brown liquid wasn't that much hot, but very warm. Letting it splash around her mouth gave her a sweet coating. But somewhere there is a spice to it as well, cinnamon. As it went into her mouth, she swallows it, letting the warm liquid go down her through with comfort and a delicious after taste.
Pulling the cup away from her lips, she smiles at her mug, loving the taste of the hot chocolate.
"This is very delicious Kai!" Hilary said, as she takes a look at the captain of G-Revolution.
She sees Kai sipping his cup, his eyes closed. He had only one hand holding the cup with its handle.
Pulling away the mug from him, Kai responded, "It is. The chef makes it when its days like this and in winter."
"Wow. It sounds pretty nice. I can imagine having this with my family, and in a room like this… it would be the best moment!"
"Not really when it mostly one person…" His voice brought a sad tone when he muttered.
"Huh? What do you mean by that Kai?" Hilary asked. "Your parents are not around?"
"My father is always busy, rarely comes home…"
Kai's father is out there somewhere in the world, working on his passionate hobby. The game that Kai, Tyson, and the others play with kids and teens across the globe. The game is Beyblade. Edward told Kai the last time his father called, was in Brazil teaching the underprivileged kids there about the concepts of blading. This message was three months ago…
"And your mom?"
Kai breathes fresh air, feeling the sadness and pain in him when asked about his mother.
"She…passed away when I was young."
Hilary showed sympathy to her facial expression hearing his loss. To lose a parent so young… Her first instinct was to comfort Kai.
Placing a hand on his shoulder, she told him, "I am sorry for your loss."
"It's alright. However, if it weren't for Edward, I would definitely feel alone. Even though he serves me as a butler and a chaperone, he is the closest person to being a family to me."
"But Kai, he's not the only one who is family to you," Hilary said, placing her mug on the coffee table.
Kai looks at Hilary, seeing her ruby-colored eyes become serious.
"Don't forget the team, Kai. Ray, Tyson, Kenny, Max, and Daichi. Tyson's grandpa and Mr. Dickenson. We may be friends to you, but we will be there for you! For friends, we feel you are a family member; not by blood, but bonding. We will help you, and be by your side to the end. We believe in you, even when you turn your back against us…"
A deep chill tingle down and up her back, and then feeling tingle her arms of the cold. Hilary pulls her hand away from Kai, as she wraps her body with her arms from the draft.
"Are you okay?" Kai asked in concern of the sudden action Hilary did.
"I'm fine, Kai. Just feeling a swift cold, that's all."
Kai glances at the clothes he'd given to Hilary for her wet clothes.
'Guess it's not helping her keep warm,' Kai thought.
Placing his mug on the tray with Hilary's, he stretches out his hand to hold Hilary's arm. Hilary felt something touch her arm, and before she can look her arm is pull toward something solid. Her mind clicks remembering it was only her and Kai; alone in the room, and on the couch.
Her face begins to blush a deeper shade of pink from what it has ended up between her and Kai. Kai is holding her! His arms wrap around her waist; one hand was on her shoulder before it glides down her back, giving chills down her spine. The movement of his hand continue to rub her back; giving her a spark of warmth. Her head rests on Kai's shoulder, her cheek brushing his neck.
This was the closest contact; she had between her and the cold captain himself… She could remember her first close contact with him…
FLASHBACK
Hilary didn't know what was happening at the moment. Her eyes were shut tight, her body leaning against the rocky slopes.
She could remember what happened before she made her vision go black.
Hilary, Kenny and Kai were walking down a path. She was ahead of the two, and Kai was a tad behind them. The path they were talking, she was hoping it would lead them to the lighthouse; where they can get a radio signal to their whereabouts on an island they were in.
Apparently, Team Psychic brought them here from the bus they were on, before being knocked out by sleeping gas. And now Kai, Tyson, Max and Ray have to battle a blader from Team Psychic in order for them to get out of this place.
It wasn't easy, as they went though a lot. From going down a mineshaft in time to escape the explosions, to Max's battle against a Team Psychic member. And now, Tyson had an injury, and the group split up; Tyson, Max and Ray went to beybattle their opponents, where she, Kenny and Kai went to the lighthouse to get help.
It wasn't long before a dangerous trap fell upon them.
She remembered Kai yelled at them to watch out, and she didn't know what he meant by that. But the rumbling after his warning brought her and Kenny to look up and there she could see, a rock slide was heading down toward them. The shock and panic consumed her that she and Kenny too, could only scream in fear of a possible death.
The pain and death didn't come…
The rockslide was over…
"I think it's over," Hilary could say when she opened her eyes. In her heart, she knew she was alive, and from looking at it out of harms way.
"You aren't hurt?" a voice calls up to her. (A/N: The dialogue was a mixed of the English and the Japanese version of this episode in V-Force. I watched a youtube clip of the scene in Japanese with English subtitles, and it seems better than the English dubbing.)
Hilary quickly looks up to where the voice came from and a faint blush cross her cheeks seeing it was Kai. He protected her and Kenny from the rockslide. But their bodies seem to be very close in contact as she could feel his breath.
His facial expression is stern.
"Yes," Hilary finally said. "Thank you."
END OF FLASHBACK
"You aren't cold?" Kai asked.
It has been some time, Kai held to Hilary, and rubbed her back for warmth.
He had been close to her before, but this was seems to be the closest to contact her have ever been with her.
He never had known that after he protected her from that rockslide a couple of years ago would bring him to protect her more in some of the scenarios the team were in. He shielded her with his arm to protect from the electricity spilling out from the team's first witness to a digital bit-beast. And caught her from falling into the deep waters splashing on jagged rocks from a clip, when Ray was battling a blader who possessed a bit-beast that came from a rock stolen from Max's mother in America.
He never had known that after the rockslide, she would be the only girl he opened in his team, and trust…
…he never had known that after a couple of years this friend would be the first one he cared for…like more than a friend.
"Yes," Hilary said.
Knowing she is alright, he pulls away from Hilary; his arms letting go from her.
He sees her face still in blush of the embrace. Her eyes avoiding his for a while, before she looks back at his amethyst-colored eyes.
"Thank you."
Kai takes a small breath of relief.
"Hilary," Kai said. "What you have said to me, I thank you for telling me. And what you have said, it also applies to you. Though you are part of the team, you are our friend, you belong to a family. A family made by bond."
Then he clasps both hands on her shoulders, and it made her look at his face and eyes; stern.
"Will you promise that for everyone? And if not everyone, can you promise me?"
How could Hilary refuse? Kai had been protecting her, ever since the event, a couple of years ago. He allowed her to stay here safe and warm from the rain; not to mention arranging her to stay for the night. And even more to not refuse, is because she had a crush on him. But her crushing seems to bloom in feelings for Kai.
But she will never know if Kai had feelings for her now. But this will be the closest thing she may ever give to him that says she cares for him.
"I promise, Kai," Hilary answered. She smiles to him show she means it.
Kai responded to give her a smirk as he nods. Soon, Kai felt the urge to do it. Hoping what he is doing, will not bring awkwardness between them, and possible she understands.
He leans in towards her face, and Hilary begins to blush, her thoughts flooding with the same phrase over and over again.
'He's going to kiss me! He's going to kiss me!'
This brought her a spark of joy, knowing that possibly Kai, after all really likes her.
Her body relaxes to his actions, and she closes her eyes. Her mouth slightly parted, ready to feel his lips touch hers.
Kai's heart leaps when she closed her eyes and opens her mouth slightly to accept him.
She is going to accept him, is what Kai thought.
Heartbeats went faster to the two teen's hearts. Kai's lips moving closer to Hilary's. Their breaths mingle to the closeness.
Close….so close…to ki-
"Master Kai."
The voice caught Kai by surprise. Kai pulls away from Hilary, letting go of her shoulders, and he turns to see Edward at the entrance to the living.
The feeling of his breath away from Hilary's face, and his hands releasing her, made her open her eyes, and see Kai looking at the different direction. What is he looking at?
"I apologize for the interruption," the butler explained, "but dinner is now ready to serve."
Edward's voice brought Hilary to blush furiously; luckily Kai did not see her face being red. They were about to kiss and the butler almost saw them. More shockingly, the thoughts flooded back to her: She and Kai were going to kiss! Had they know of their feelings to one another?
"We will be there now," Kai said.
The butler bows down, and then leaves the room.
Seeing the butler gone, Kai was the first to get off the couch and quickly. He looks at Hilary, seeing her face looks up at him when he was now standing.
"We should be going," Kai said.
Getting off the couch, Hilary followed Kai to the kitchen. But along the way there, neither of them spoken a word…and there has been now a distance between Kai and Hilary.
Finally! Another chapter down for the count and it's the halfway mark before this story comes to a close. Thank you guys very much for the long patience, and I hope its worth it. Please, don't forget to REVIEW!
Peace Out!
Under His Shelter