By: Lady Sapphire
AN: Hey, I'm back! And exams are through!!! *dances happily* Now, let's hope I did well on them! ^__^ And guess what? I get two whole days off from school!!! That's because I had two exams on one day @_@... but hey at least I still get a short holiday! And I plan to do more writing during these two days! As promised, here's the next chapter!
Chapter 8: Change of Plans?
Meanwhile, the entire Hiwatari manor had been in a state of utter mayhem. Servants rushed back and forth in sheer terror and panic, carrying out the orders of the Master. The Master was in his office, growing more and more impatient. Other servants who have formed search parties constantly exited the building, but each time returning with no results.
Master Kai's promise of returning for supper had been false. He never did come home and now it was past two o'clock in the morning. Worries arose and Voltaire immediately called for a police. Barking out orders for them to search for his grandson outside the premises, he left the servants cowering in fear.
"WHERE IS KAI?! Where is my grandson?" shouted an aged man into the phone. He was gripping the phone so hard, that his knuckles were white. One must have had pity for the poor soul on the other end of the call, for someone a mile away from the phone could have heard the demand from the receiver.
The head of the police held the phone away at arm's length and winced. When it seemed that the screaming had paused, he took his chance to speak and earn a chance to save himself. "Mr. Hiwatari, I assure you, we are doing the best to retrieve the whereabouts of your grandson. We have the best of the best on the case and we will find him in all due time."
"Well, your best isn't good enough! Let me warn you again, if I have to get involved, then you will regret the day you were born…" warned Voltaire sinisterly.
The police chief shuddered. Voltaire was a man of great power, wealth and influence. Anything he wanted, he got. It was wise not to anger him. "I understand sir. We will find your grandson, don't you worry about it," he said sincerely, and hung up.
Kai's grandfather angrily threw the phone onto the base. This was getting nowhere. Where the hell was Kai? 'When I get my hands on that boy, he will be sorry he even dared disobey me!' he yelled mentally. "How long does it take to track down one miserable teenager?" he muttered disdainfully. Turning to face the window that overlooked the vast courtyard, he sighed and softened his harsh expression a little. Although he refused to show it, he did care for his grandson.
Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. It opened and a figure stepped in. "Master Voltaire?" came an elderly voice. It was the old butler who saw Kai leave this afternoon, the last person to see him.
"Oh it's you, Alfred," replied Voltaire bluntly, turning to face his old servant and friend. "Have the others found out where Kai is yet?" he asked hopefully.
The old butler shook his head and entered the room and set a mug on the desk in front of him, "Your coffee. No, I'm afraid not. Have the police had any luck?" he asked, knowing that the answer was no.
Voltaire shook his head and a moment of silence passed between them. Finally, he spoke again. "Where do you think he has gone?"
"I'm afraid I haven't got a clue. Master Kai is a free spirit and wanders off all the time as he pleases. We dare not get in his way, Sir," replied the butler truthfully.
The Master looked thoughtful, "Hmm…maybe I should restrict his privileges a bit more…" he mumbled, stoking his chin.
"Master Kai would not like that very much…"
All of a sudden, Voltaire slammed a fist on his desk, fury clearly visible in his eyes. "Kai is MY grandson and I shall decide his fate, whether he likes it or not! I do as I see fit, as I believe will be the best for him!" he snarled at his old friend.
Alfred stepped back and took a deep breath. There was something he had been meaning to talk to the Master about, concerning Master Kai. His own opinion on the whole subject, but dare he speak it? Taking a deep breath, he decided to take the chance. He and the Master had known each other for a long time now. He was sure he would see his way of thinking. "Master Voltaire, have you even supposed that perchance Kai had left the Hiwatari residence permanently? Perhaps, it was because of what you had asked of him this afternoon. Perhaps you were a bit harsh on the poor child…"
Dangerous eyes narrowed and glared at the speaker. "Harsh?" he spat, "the future of the Hiwatari bloodline is in the hands of a boy, my grandson, my only blood relative. Everything I own now will, in time, become Kai's. My fortune, my businesses, my home, everything…even the Hiwatari pride! And yet, the boy cares not. His passion lies only in Beyblades, he is much too reckless. He needs to settle down and start a family sometime and he might as well start now!" Clenching his fists, he asked through gritted teeth, "And you accuse of being too harsh on my only blood heir?!"
"I am only saying that, as a grandfather, you were a bit harsh." A moment's silence passed as this sunk in.
"What do you mean by this?" questioned Voltaire, eyeing the old man in front of him suspiciously.
"Ever since he was a young boy, you've always been his trainer, his teacher. You have taken the role of many people in Master Kai's life, but never have you been a true grandfather."
Voltaire scowled. "How dare you utter such impertinent comments? Who was the one who took him in when his parents passed way? For sixteen long years I've fed, clothed, sheltered him," he growled, ticking his fingers off as he spoke, "He is, after all, my grandson, and I've shared all that is mine with him. So, tell me, why am I not like a grandfather to Kai?"
Alfred shrank back a little in fear. If he made it through arguing with the Master on this one, he would truly have been a lucky man. Contradicting the Master was forbidden in the Hiwatari mansion, and dire consequences would be put into effect. But for the sake of the young Master, Alfred knew he had to try his best to make the Master understand the error of his way. Hopefully, the fates were shining upon him tonight.
Taking a breath, he reasoned, "Master Voltaire, you are the only family Master Kai has ever known, and still, you do not treat him with the love every child should rightfully posses. You have never shown Master Kai the love and kindness of a grandfather, of family. All he has learned about is power and perfection…things a normal child would never have to even think about. You never allowed Master Kai a normal childhood. And now this…this mission to obtain a wife. How is Kai supposed to know how to love is if he has never experienced it himself?" He did his best to maintain a calm, gentle tone of voice when he spoke.
Voltaire froze to contemplate what the old butler had just explained. As much as he hated to admit it, his old friend did have a point or two. He had taught Kai many things, except for weak emotions such as love. 'No grandson of mine shall have flaws,' he told himself.
In truth, Voltaire really did care for Kai; he just had a different way of showing it. He wanted Kai to be the best, no weaknesses…just perfect. Then he would have been worthy to take over the Hiwatari empire. However, he never thought of love. It was just another obstacle in Kai's true destiny, but now that Kai needed these emotions to complete his path, how will he call upon them? The more Voltaire thought about it, the more he regretted his actions. Now, Kai was gone, whereabouts unknown.
"You are dismissed, Alfred."
Alfred bowed. "As you wish, Master, but please reconsider the mission for Master Kai," he pleaded, before turning and leaving, gently closing the door behind him.
Grunting, he picked up the mug of coffee that Alfred had brought for him and took a long sip, contemplating the current state of affairs. He the turned to glance out the window. 'Kai, forgive me for not being there. If you would come back home, I would modify the mission. I will still have you marry, but I won't rush you. You may go at your own pace,' thought Voltaire, silently reaching out to his grandson.
Abruptly, the phone rang again, interrupting his thoughts. It was the police again with more queries about Kai.
Sigh. This was going to be a long night.
*~*~*
Author's note: Yes, I know you're probably thinking 'What a boring chapter!' And you know what? I agree! You probably didn't really want to read about Kai's cruel grandfather, but for the sake of plot, it had to be written! Now, I can get back to the fun parts with Kai and Mariah! Yay!!! In response to Anime Fan, about the mariage thing, this chapter was also the reason why I didn't want to end it with mariage. The mission was changed, so now he doesn't have to! See? I made the grandfather change! At least I don't kill people's grandfathers! :P lol j/k...hehehe! To those who haven't yet(although I doubt it), you simply must check out Anime Fan's "Fighting Spirits", it's hilairious! And when you're finished reading that, there's also "Fighting Spirits 2", which should be updated very soon...*hint* *hint* ^_~
This weekend is Chinese New Year! Happy Chinese New Year to all those who celebrate it! I'll bet you'd never have guessed that I'm Chinese ^_^...well, Chinese-Canadian anyway......I'm gonna have so much fun this weekend! Weeeeee!!!!
Disclaimer: Never owned 'em, never will...*cries*