FORGIVENESS, PLEASE. I had no idea it's been this long! I don't blame you if you've given up, but... I hope you're still out there. Aghfigfd.. SHAME ON ME. Uurh. At least I've found a way to motivate myself now! This story doesn't have much left anyway so hopefully I will finish it soon unless I lose my mojo again. Knock on wood.
Chapter Nine
Paw Prints
I was lucky to have the friends I did. I don't know how I would have gotten my nice apartment if Max hadn't ''known some people'', especially I don't know how I'd ever made it through the cold competitiveness of Beyblade if I hadn't known my friends would always be there at the end of the day. Right that moment, though, as I was running as fast as my aching body could handle, I was happy to have Kai.
Not only had he been a kind of best friend to me for years - one much unlike Rai, whom I was close to of course; he was like a brother to me - but he had been the light at the end of the dark tunnel so many times I would never be able to repay him. He could make me feel safe without growling like a lion; just standing brooding in a corner I knew I was fine and that it always worked out alright because, even if Kai never said much, when times were rough, he always seemed to have all the answers.
Which was what hurt, I guess. Running blind through the streets, looking for some kind of sign of life that wasn't out to kill me, I had no idea what I was doing. All I knew was that I had to find Kai, but other than that, my mind was blank. This situation was nothing I'd ever handled before, and even if Kai was the one thing that kept me together at times, I was afraid that this time he wouldn't know what to do. And if Kai didn't know, then no one did.
But I guess, deep down, I knew that this was as much my thing to handle. I wasn't one to push my problems on other people and have them deal with it, I liked taking care of things myself. But at times I needed insight, a fresh opinion, a little help, just to make sure I was on the right track. At other times those things wouldn't really have mattered much. There would have been room for mistakes and nothing too devastating would come of it. Except, this time was different. This time, not only did my very own life hang in the balance, but Boris' did too.
I'd never felt so relieved as when I saw the bright coloured vehicle come my way. Flailing my arms like whips in the wind, I jumped and screamed like nothing else existed. That cab was everything I could see, it was all I knew and for that brief moment, I knew I had to get it to stop. If it passed me, god only knew when another would show up. I didn't even know where I was, for all I knew this cab could be stolen. But it didn't matter. The driver could rob and shoot me later, all I wanted was for them to see me.
''Gee, what happened to you?'' soon came the surly voice, a voice I barely registered as I threw myself into the cab as if a tidal wave was close behind me.
My heart was pounding so hard I swore I could hear my ribs crack. There was nothing in that moment, nothing but pure fear washing over me, to finally retreat again, leaving me empty, shaking but relieved.
''You goin' to da hospital or summin'?'' the driver squinted at me, probably I must have looked like an escaped mental patient. That or the bruises caught him off guard. ''You don't look too good, kid.''
I shook my head, then nodded, shook it again not sure of what answer I was trying to convey. I just leaned my head back, eyes closed, and laughed. Hand on my face I let all my fears and worry run out of me, the laugh loud and hysterical. The looks he was giving me got weirder, and it took all my efforts to quiet down. I looked at him through my fingers, feeling like river dancing on the roof of the car and collapsing in a heap at the same time. I was torn in so many emotional directions I had no idea what to make of myself. So I just sat still and reveled in that one peaceful moment of comfort. It was a false safety, but a welcomed one.
''No, no hospitals.''
He squinted at me.
''Ya sure?''
''Positive'' I nodded, still smiling like an idiot. ''Just... just take me to Sycamore Street 97.''
''Psh. Sycamore Street, huh? Whatchu' gon' do? Rob some houses?''
Looking at my reflection in the rear-view mirror; my disheveled hair, dirty clothes and overall unrefined, torn appearance, I guess I did look more like a home invader than anything else. Going to such a rich neighbourhood seemed like something criminal was going to happen. I just shook my head, the remnants of my laugh slipping out.
''No, just... just visiting a very good old friend.''
X
I must have fallen asleep sometime during the ride. I had no idea how far we were supposed to go, neither did I bother to ask. One moment I was grinning stupidly at nothing at all and the next I wake up when my head bangs into the window. Confused and disoriented I jolted upright, the sound of my skull against the glass reminding me too much of the gunshots, but I calmed down once I recognized the leather interior. Then I freaked out again because I thought that maybe somehow Garland had lured me into his car and was going to dump me in the harbor, but then the shabby driver turned to look at me over his backrest. He still didn't look all too convinced about my mental stability.
''So, heah we ah'. That'll be 200, if y'please.''
I frowned. How long had we been driving for, anyway? In any case, it didn't matter, since I had no money. Instead I put up an apologetic hand and headed out the door.
''Just a sec', I have to talk to someone.''
He kept giving me suspicious glares, and I didn't blame him. I probably wasn't looking like the kind of guy carrying around 200 on him, and I certainly looked like the kind of guy who'd just sprint and leave the fee unpaid. But I made sure to walk slowly and within his sight range. Kai's gates were just a few feet away and soon I was pressing the button on his intercom.
''Hiwatari residence, yes, how may I help you?''
It was obvious the maid was slightly abhorred by my appearance, so I tried to give her the least psychotic looking smile I could manage during the circumstances.
''Good day! My names is Rei Kon, may I speak to Kai, please?''
She gave me a wary glance.
''Please?'' I batted my long, dark lashes, trying to look vulnerable, like a homeless kitten instead of a homeless murderer. ''I just want to ask him something...''
The woman was not swayed easily, but after a few more seconds of sad eye staring and some impatient honking from the cab driver, she sighed. I guess she understood that I couldn't really hurt Kai through the intercom, unless she thought Asian people were psychic or something.
''I will get him for you. Hang on.''
As she disappeared and the screen went dark, I realized I'd been tapping my foot this entire time. The incessant honking didn't help calm me down and I was getting worried the driver was about to come and beat me soon. But my worry soon subsided as the screen came back to life and I felt the dread drain out of me once more.
''Oh, Kai,! Thank god!''
''Who is th - Rei?''
I managed a sheepish smile.
''Yeah, I know, not exactly formal wear here but..'' another honk disrupted me. Annoyed I glanced over my shoulder, before sending Kai a pleading look. ''Hey, can we talk about this later? Right now I really need to borrow 200.''
Kai's look was dark and dead, something ominous stirring in his face. I started fidgeting again, before my old Russian friend just sighed.
''Fine. I'll be down in a second.''
X
I had expected some sort of scolding, once I was let into the Hiwatari manor. What I hadn't expected though, was a slap in the face.
''Agh! Kai! What the fucking - '' I stroked the by now sore cheek, red and hot from all the abuse it had endured lately. ''What the fuck?''
But Kai just gave me a blank stare.
''What the fuck is going on?''
''I don't know! You slapped me! Why'd you do that? Seriously, do you know how much I've been slapped today?'' he kept his dead stare, which was really starting to disturb me. ''Too many times! It's starting to ring in my ears.''
Kai crossed his arms. Judging by the look in his eyes I'd say he was angry with me, but what I'd done wrong I couldn't quite figure out.
''Sit'' he nodded towards a large armchair.
''But - ''
''Sit''
I wisely shut my mouth and obeyed, not wanting to get on Kai's bad side at this time. Not that I ever really did, but I couldn't afford it at that moment. Grimly I frowned, inquiringly following him with my gaze. He kept glaring so I remained quiet, feeling my previous anxiety returning. As the drowning sensation of air escaping my lungs nibbled at me, the mood in the room turned very sullen very quickly.
''Mind explaining to me what's going on?'' his tone was flat, but sharp, and I worried I was going to get a scolding rather than help. ''You've been missing for days. Apparently there was a shooting at Max and Tyson's bar and some disturbing activity downtown.''
I frowned.
''How'd you - ''
''I have a TV that shows the news channels, you know.''
I promptly shut my mouth.
''Oh''
Kai nodded and sat down, massaging his forehead he looked tired. It was the first time in a long while I'd seen him let go of his professional, stoic appearance enough to let that slip through. A cold sensation clogged up my throat and suddenly my mouth was very dry. The previous tranquility I'd felt looked stupid, now when I remembered what was actually going on.
''Rei, what is going on?'' he locked his eyes to mine, and unable to move away - though I desperately wanted to - I felt my body sag with a sigh.
''It's... I... I messed up, Kai. Really bad, too. I just... I don't know where else to go. He needs your help.''
Kai arched a brow. Swallowing, I wondered how to explain myself, where to go from this point and onward. Having no real energy left, I decided that whatever Kai's reaction, I'd just have to handle it. So I told him, from the beginning, leaving out a few details - he didn't have to know I'd gotten frisky with his childhood friend - and perhaps sugar coating a few. The hardest parts were the ones about Boris shooting people, but I knew if Kai were to help he had to be in the clear. I couldn't lie to him, he'd find out somehow and then it'd all been in vain.
As I finished, Kai sat in silence for a long moment. Warily I fidgeted, my eyes darting around the room as I couldn't make myself focus on one thing for too long, in fear of all the stress finally catching up with me. I was sore, every muscle in my body ached, I hadn't slept in so long my brain felt liquid. I just wanted to go home. Home to my wonderful, albeit small, creaky bed, my humming, lukewarm fridge and the obnoxious neighbours dancing Mambo at three in the morning. I wanted it all to be over, most of all I just wanted to be able to walk down the street without having to constantly look over my shoulder. But a small, dark part of me doubted that could ever happen.
As Kai let out a sigh I rested my face in my hands, feeling like the only thing really keeping me together was my skin. I wanted to cry, just let it all go and have the salty droplets take all my dread and fear and self-blaming hatred with it, I was far past pride at that moment. But no tears came, no words, no thoughts and no emotions. Only the hollowed out, ringing sensation of emptiness. Like a burnt down, abandoned house where my chest used to be.
''Damn it, that idiot...'' Kai muttered, shaking his head. Pursing his lips he rose out of the armchair and strode over to a desk. ''I knew he'd get himself into trouble someday...''
I glanced at Kai through my hands.
''What, you knew he was in trouble?''
Kai dialed a phone, shaking his head. ''No, not... this bad. To be honest, I haven't spoken to him in a long time. All I know is he got fired and that's it.''
''Not even Yuriy?''
Kai snorted.
''Especially not Yuriy, and I can see why.'' The dial tone echoed through the phone, putting it to his ear Kai turned his back to me.
''Why not?''
''Hn'' Kai shrugged. ''Too embarrassed, I guess. Yuriy was closer to him than I ever was.''
I had a hard time imagining Boris being embarrassed about such things. Saving me, yes, being caught in a tutu on a Sunday morning, sure, but this? It seemed just like the macho kind of stupid stunt the asshole would be proud of. A bit sullen, I realized I was actually feeling jealous.
While Kai spoke on the phone I tried to bat the nagging feeling away. I mean, what was there to be jealous of? It was ridiculous. in any case, it didn't matter, for if I didn't focus Boris would be too dead to ever have any funky business going on with his redheaded friend. My ability to sound like a hormonal teenager in such times still amazed me. Not the greatest of skills, but a skill nonetheless.
Hanging up he turned to me, arms crossed he looked like he was going to yell at me. Or send me to my room. A bit disturbed I glanced at him and awaited my punishment. But it never came. Instead Kai, of all things he could possibly have done that moment, picked up a box of cigars. By the time he had cut it and lit it, the thick, gun powder grey smoke climbing upwards, I had dropped, readjusted and dropped my jaw at least four times.
''You smoke?''
Kai snorted.
''Today I do. Honestly, Rei, I leave you out of my sight for a day...''
Shaking his head with a sigh, he somehow managed to conjure up a bottle of some expensive looking brandy. Waving it at me, his eyes looked almost morbidly amused. ''Brandy?''
X
I had stayed at Kai's mansion for days, and it had been a welcomed change of scenery. The first thing I had done was shower until Kai banged on the door, icily telling me to stop wasting his money. When I had finally gotten out of the shower, clean shaved and looking fresh, I had immediately fallen asleep in the guest room, and woke up only 16 hours later to find an old man poking at me. It had been a disurbing, and rather startling, experience and both of us screamed quite loudly. I because I was frightened by this strange pervert, he because I uppercutted him in the chin.
I felt very stupid to learn that it was not a pervert at all but simply Kai's personal doctor.
Apparently my wounds were looking strained, but healing, albeit slowly. He prescribed me with some painkillers and disappeared, looking very vengeful. Kai had rolled his eyes at me and lead me into the kitchen where his personal chef - Really, what didn't the guy have? - had cooked us up a feast of a breakfast. I hadn't known just how hungry I was until I proceeded to inhale inhuman amounts of food.
It all seemed so welcoming and homely I forgot for a moment just why I was even there in the first place. I wanted to pretend like I was simply visiting a dear old friend and being treated like a prince as if it was a mundane, common occurrence but that stupid thing called conscience kept nagging at me to stop dicking around and face reality. I tried to tell my conscience that reality was ugly and I wanted nothing to do with it, but it would have none of that.
I didn't have to jump into it myself, though. Kai and I had been talking about what his lawyers had said - they could perhaps make a good deal, just a few years, probation, something lawyery - and because he loved to flaunt his money, or something, he would pay for it. Kai was saying big, important sounding words as I was nibbling away at some fish while waiting for my tea to cool, glancing idly at the TV while zapping around randomly. When I came about the news channel I almost choked.
Kai gave me a strange look as I was busy coughing fish out of my lungs, hitting my chest I turned up the volume to hear the anchor better. What had caught my attention in the first place now caught Kai's, who was looking unpleasantly surprised.
There was a live feed to the right of the anchor showing pictures of a car chase, as they zoomed in I noticed a very familiar head doing unsettlingly violent things to another car in the lane. There were many of them, mostly police cars but some were private vehicles. I shuddered as I knew it could only be two kinds of people - Garland's pissed of men or Boris' pissed of comrades - and none of them were to my liking. The anchor straightened his tie and cleared his throat, giving the camera a serious face.
''This is footage from our helicopter crew, just an hour ago, when police cars chased three vehicles down West 87. It is unclear who the people are, but one of them is believed to be a local gang leader who's been suspected for several drug related crimes, along with murder, for months. We are awaiting updates on the situation. Now, as for sports - ''
Sometime during the broadcast I had stopped breathing. Stopped blinking and moving altogether as all I could really do was manage a wide, frightful stare at the plasma screen. I swear I could hear Kai's jaw clenching and with a quick glance at me, he abruptly stood up and left. I didn't know just what to do, if I even could do anything, all I knew was that I was not leaving the TV out of my sight.
Not really hungry anymore, I pushed the plate away from me and fixed my eyes on the screen.
X
Kai returned moments later, his face stiff and his eyes dark and ominous. There was something foreboding about him and I felt uncomfortable looking at him for too long. Kai sat down by the kitchen table, eyes fixated on the screen just as intently as mine.
''Any updates?''
Stiffly I shook my head, not having moved for a while my body was starting to ache.
''No.''
''Hn.''
We sat silently, broodingly, watching and anticipating. I think we both had the same thing on our mind, which was the reason no one felt like voicing it. I was worried, hard enough as that was to swallow, but deep down somewhere I think Kai was a bit worried as well, and it made it much easier to deal with. Sometime during the waiting I had begun biting at my nails nervously, my stomach doing flips and spins like a doped up ballerina. I wanted to get there, wherever the hell ''there'' was. Not sure what I could really do about the situation it would just have felt so much better to have at least a false sense of control. Knowing deep down that it was out of my hands, at least being at the scene would have been more soothing and it sure beat sitting on pins and needles like some old wife waiting for her husband to return from the war.
Yes, that sounded gay to me too.
On the screen a commercial for running shoes was abruptly cut short and once again the new's anchor flickered onto the screen. In his stylish suit and with his billion dollar smile he looked much too at ease with the situation. The footage of the car chase reappeared and a bar sped past the screen, reading ''Car chase on West 87 - local gang member and suspected murderer chased'' rolled past the screen, but what really made my heart jump right up my brain just to crash land in my stomach was the added line ''3 dead - 5 injured''.
Suddenly I didn't feel like watching TV anymore.
''Hello and welcome back'' the man said, smiling politely as if the bastard couldn't have cared less. I wanted to do to his perfect teeth what brick walls did to small, porcelain cups. ''The car chase seems to have come to a stop - '' I drew a sigh of relief. '' - and the conflict seems to have relocated to the docks, where a shoot-out is currently taking place.'' That sigh returned only for me to choke on it.
Kai gave me wary glances as I spat and coughed, losing my breath for the second time that morning.
''Police are on the scene and we have reports that three people are dead and five are injured. We cannot yet confirm who has been injured or died, but we pray that it is not one of our brave officers. We will return with the 12 o'clock news to give you another update.''
I stared at the screen, blankly, distantly, my mind incessantly working to make sense of it all. But there was no making sense of anything anymore and I think I threw that ability away long ago. There was no way a sensible approach would turn out the way I wanted, and I knew the only way I would ever feel at some sort of ease was to throw that sensibility out the window and go with my gut on this one. I gave Kai a stark, hard look, and somehow I think he knew what I was going to say as he soon nodded.
''I'll get the car.''
