NOTE: As a fair warning to the readers, if you are sensitive to violence or in specific, animal abuse - I'd hit the back button now. This chapter contains some graphic animal abuse. Anyways for those of you who wish to read on, here's Chapter Four...
Chapter Four: Looking Sick
The grey clouds hung over the city of San Antonio, Texas, they had been on the edge of Louisiana when they left and had arrived at the hotel. Crimson eyes watch the foggy skies, it had been raining ever since they got there and that was the first time that day it had let up. As soon as they had reached the hotel and got settled in, he left as he usually did, without much word to his team or the BBA Chairman. The headache is still there and hasn't eased, he was silently hoping the 'fresh' air would ease the headache, the tournament was only a couple days a way and it was bothering him.
'Only a matter of time...'
The thought runs through his head bitterly as he stuffs his hands into his pants pocket, he is contemplating on rather to go back or not and starts to turn when something catches his eye, he stops. A pair of gleaming eyes watch him from the alley way he was standing next to, whatever owned the eyes was hidden behind the dumpster. Kai blinked hazily, feeling as if he was hallucinating when the eyes disappeared into the shadows before a little head popped out from around the dumpster, golden brown eyes watching him. There was nothing quite so captivating as a puppy.
The small animal looked up at Kai, it's body was abnormally skinny from the lack of food. It's owners probably treated it worse than anything, that was, if it even had an owner. Kai had to smile slightly, the animal was keeping him sane a little bit, but not enough. Never enough. The puppy's tail timidly wags and it wobbles up to Kai. Kai pats the mud-caked fur on top of it's head, a mistake. Kai turned and walked on, his white scarf billowing behind him. The puppy whined and wobbled after him, tail wagging. Kai felt the headache coming back, his temper rising a little.
"Stay." He snapped, not meaning to sound so harsh, the puppy stared at him and cocked it's head to the side, it's once wagging tail drooped. Kai shook it off and headed on down the road, wanting to forget about the animal, he knew he had to. He couldn't take it back, there was no way to take care of it. Though part of him wanted to take the animal in, he knew it couldn't happen, He and his team was traveling and there was just no way to take care of another living being. A small pang of guilt is nagging at him, but he tries to ignore it. He can't let this get in the way now.
The wind seems to pick up a bit faster, the sound of yipping is heard and the puppy he was so desperately trying to ignore scampered up nudging into his heels, which was a fatal mistake. a very fatal mistake.
Kai, without much control whipped back and smashed his foot into the pup, his foot caught the lower jaw bone and crashed it, the puppy yelped as blood poured from it's nose and mouth, some of the teeth broken, some of the broken teeth embedded in it's tongue. Kai reels back, sweat beading on his forehead, he couldn't handle it. The headache exploded into worse pain than before, the puppy backed up frightened but also growling for it's own defense, Kai was shaking violently, he knew what was causing this but he couldn't control the movements of his body too well.
He reached out a hand towards the dog, the animal in a frightened attempt to protect itself sank it's teeth into Kai's hand. Kai screams before slamming his foot into the animal's ribcage throwing it back, the puppy yelps as it slams against the ground a few feet back, blood runs down from the deep bite mark in Kai's hand, his eyes gaining that same red glow as he felt his morality twisting, a twisted grin formed on his face, the witnessing of pain of another being seemed to be pleasing to him now. 'Do it Kai, make it pay for what it did!'
Black Dranzer's demonic voice echoes through his head, Kai's grin widens. "Here little puppy..."
--
"Do you think Kai is alright?" Hilary fumbles with a magazine watching the window, when Kai had left he had seemed pale, distant. He looked sick, Tyson shook his head, "I'm pretty sure he has other things in mind."
Rei sighed and leaned back into the sofa, the plush pillows were soft against his lower back as his gold eyes watched the clock for a few moments, Kai seemed to be disappearing a lot more since they began this trip, not that it wasn't unusual for him but it was growing weird as he was rarely around unless at night or they were going to leave. He had mentioned something about needing air and had left earlier, in just a couple of days they'd finally reach Mexico and the tournament, Rei smiled lightly at the thought, the long ride was taking it's toll on all of them.
"Well, maybe he just needs to be alone." Rei finally responded, Max was sitting beside Kenny who was busy typing away in his lap top, it seemed from the human eye that was all Kenny ever did, but he needed to gather as much data as possible. "Yeah, he's been with us since the end of the previous tournament." Max added, it seemed only logical that Kai would want to be alone after awhile.
"Whatever, who else is looking forward to exploring Mexico?" Tyson asks, not noticing the hot headed kid approaching from behind. Daichi smirks evilly, in his hand is a blue balloon filled with whipped cream and molasses, this was going to create one sticky mess. "The only reason you'd want to explore is to see the restaurants." Tyson turns around only to be greeted in the face by the balloon. Max, Hilary and Rei wince as the balloon pops and fluffy white paste and thick black liquid explode all over Tyson and the hotel floor. Daichi cackles, green eyes showing pure amusement.
"I told you this wasn't over!" Daichi grins, but it's wiped off as Tyson uses his hands to rub the gunk from his eyes, "Or is it?" Tyson grabs up a handful of both whipped cream and molasses in his hand, Daichi yelps and tears across the room towards the kitchen as the beyblade champion rushes after him with the handful. "Get back here!" Tyson shouts throwing the handful which hits Daichi, Daichi tumbles into the cabinets long enough to see Tyson, from an upside down angle slip on the floor and fall down flat on his face. "Hah,"
Hilary rolls her eyes and sighs, reaching for the magazine that laid on the table. There wasn't really anything to do here, there was no places that bladed at all, it was like the sport didn't even exist in this city. Rei watches Daichi and Tyson in another one of their wars, it wasn't unusual for them anyway, besides at least everyone was entertained by the pranks and the antics.
'Kai...I hope your alright...'
Hilary thinks numbly.
--
SMASH.
The puppy lets out another yelp as it's kicked into the alley way brutally, Kai stands in the shadows near the entrance of the alley, glowing crimson eyes narrowed, he was enjoying this obviously. The puppy growls and snarls, trying everything it could to possibly scare the Hiwatari away but to no such luck, another swift blow and the animal was thrown against the dumpster, a loud crack was heard as it's ribcage shattered, it whined and fell to the hard ground whimpering, Kai stood above it, the twisted look in his eyes. "Having fun now, mutt?"
Another swift blow and the puppy is thrown against the wall. It whimpers even more because of the pain, it can't protect itself - but it refuses to give up.
Joseph is walking down the road, he and his team decided to take separate directions and meet up in Mexico, that way they could keep an eye out for the Blade Breakers.
'And so far, nothing.'
Joseph sighs kicking a small pebble, though in the distance he hears the sound of thrashing and yelping, he can't help but wonder. His legs refuse to move at first but he runs forth anyway, quickening his pace with every yelp that he hears, the pained cries are growing louder than before as he runs forth, his heart thumping in his chest. The sound is unbearable, even heart breaking.
'Oh god... what's happening...'
The words repeat in his head as he runs forth, only to see the puppy - or what was left of the animal slam against the alley way wall before sliding down and landing on the concrete with a meaty thud. It no longer looked like an animal, but a small lump of bloodied fur and meat, but what stunned Joseph even more than seeing the grotesque sight was the one who killed the animal in the first place.
Kai Hiwatari.
Joseph is rooted to the spot, unable to will his legs to move, the dangerous look in Kai's eyes was now directed towards him, shaking he wanted to back away, fearing Kai may do to him what he just did to the defenseless creature. "U-U-Uh..."
Joseph sputters, he can't find the words, Kai stalks towards him, advancing. Joseph shudders and whimpers, terrified, and right now he wished everything in the world that Mariam, even Ozuma was here to help him.
"K-Kai..."
--
Black cloth covers his entire body as he stands upon the top of the building, violet eyes narrow - he had seen what had happened. Tala watches silent from where he stands, he knew what was happening but he wouldn't do anything about it. Bryan sits on the edge of the building scowling, he had come along since Spencer was pretty much preoccupied and Ian was too busy wanting to set a prank for someone. "Well?"
Bryan hisses, he was curious to know what was happening. "Looks like everything is falling into place."
Tala steps off the ledge and down beside his teammate, this was all apart of a plan - they were becoming like Boris, willing to destroy everything just to harm others. Those years in the abbey had infected them more than anyone could of ever known. Bryan nods, standing up and dusting the back of his pants' legs off, soon everything would be complete. But for now it would slowly sink in.
"How much longer do you think it'll take before they notice?" Bryan asks, voice stiff and emotionless as he followed his cloaked teammate across the roof of the building. "Not long." Tala smirks lightly.
"Not long at all."
--
"Oh God, oh god, oh god..."
Kai repeats over and over, clutching his bloodied face, tears were forming in his crimson eyes, Black Dranzer's influence had worn off for now. "I...I didn't know..." his body shook, Joseph felt his nerves tensing, still. He was nervous and who could blame him, it was like watching Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde.
Joseph shook slightly, "It's alright..." his voice was shaking, Crimson eyes met his own, pleading, as if saying - PLEASE...DON'T TELL ANYONE ANYONE ABOUT THIS...PLEASE! Joseph knew he couldn't, he felt sick to his stomach though seeing the blood everywhere. "It's alright..." Joseph repeated, trying everything to calm the Hiwatari but was failing obviously when Kai's eyes darkened.
"It's not alright! Don't you see?!" Kai practically screamed, "I killed something...Another living being!"
'If only Ozuma was here...'
Joseph thought shaking. "Listen...God forgives you. It...It had no soul...it wasn't..." Joseph paused, he didn't know what he was saying because none of them even believed in any other forces, but it was the only thing he could think of. "It wasn't a sin..."
Kai's eyes narrowed dangerously at this, the corners of his mouth twitching back into a twisted, insane smile. Joseph backed away.
"It's alright with you..." he whispers darkly, Black Dranzer in control again. "You weren't the one who did something like this. And you want to know why? YOU WANT TO KNOW WHY?"
Joseph wanted to leave, he was becoming nervous.
"IT'S ALL BECAUSE OF THIS HEADACHE!" Kai screams, his voice shattering the silence as Joseph backs away, his mind and his body are having a rather violent disagreement at that moment.
'Run. Run and get out of here... Just run!'
His mind and his conscience are screaming at him, Joseph turns and runs - fast as he can as his sandles thud across the road, the screams echoing in his head. Kai feels tears forming in his eyes as they broke loose and spilled down his face.
--
"There's nothing on TV," Tyson groans holding the remote, his hair was wrapped up in a towel and he was in a bath robe, the sight in general looked quite silly. "Of course not, they don't have digital cable." Rei mumbles, he wasn't complaining as he had grown up without the use of modern technology and the use of modern toys. Max shook his head, "Want to go explore now?"
Tyson dropped the remote onto the couch. "In this city? There's nothing to do and it's boring, No thank you." Max shook his head and picked up the TV guide from under one of the two remotes, "Just trying to help."
"I'm worried," Hilary spoke up, ruby eyes even showing it, the others looked in her general direction. "About what?" Max asked, Hilary glanced down, Kai had been gone a few hours and had not even given so much as a phone call or sign that he was alright. "Kai..."
Tyson shook his head, "I wouldn't worry too much about him, he's done stunts like this before." Tyson idly stares at the TV screen, on it reflected that of some random game show. "Well... he's done things like this before, but it can be safe to worry." Rei added.
Tyson's brown eyes shifted over to the neko jin, "Oh, so now your on her side now?" Rei shrugged, holding up his hands in defeat.
"I'm not on anyone's side, so let just leave it at that and not start a war." Daichi grins, "He'll start a war anyway."
"Thats enough out of you!" Tyson shouts, grabbing a pillow off the couch and flung it at Daichi, it hit him in the face.
"Mmph..Mmmph!" Daichi's voice is muffled as he quickly yanks the feather filled fabric off his face, Tyson grins. "Aww.. did the chicken get your tongue?" Rei sighed, it was better than those cat-puns that were often used.
However things were interrupted when the hotel door opened, walking in through the door way was Kai and much to his team's shock, he was covered in blood. "K-Kai!" Hilary gasped, about ready to leap up from the sofa but didn't when she saw the dangerous look in Kai's eyes.
Kai passed on by towards the rooms before only laying down on the bed, his crimson eyes sank shut before the tears came again and he choked back a small sob, the headache was fading but the guilt was not.
'It's not alright...It never will be...I...I killed another living being...'