Disclaimer: Beyblade is not mine
[Warning: Kai's being a little OOC, and grammar mistakes. Now, read!]
{PART FIVE: From Behind The Scene}
*This chapter will be told on behalf Kai's POV.
8 years ago
(13th February)
To think that Professor is the one with the brains in the team, well, I might have to correct that again. His brain might have been too numb, thanks to whatever he was working on his laptop, to figure out even the simplest thing such as that stupid code.
The shadow that loomed behind the building helps me to hide, while I continue observing the surrounding. There were no movement for the past few minutes. Only the sound of the wave and the gush of wind that come and go. While trying to decide whether I should start searching for Hiromi, I suddenly realize something.
The wind sounds different.
I quickly jump to the side, completely revealing my presence to whoever had been waiting for me, and started to run. As I take cover behind the wooden boxes that was placed beside a warehouse, I discover what happened. The light that came from the evening sun reflected on the shiny surface of daggers, which happens to be stuck halfway at the floor.
"Ah...You're a little late than I've expected..."
I looked up, and was greeted by the sight of the voice's owner. A tall figure was standing on the top of the warehouse's roof across the street, the place where I was hiding. His black, spiky hair was flowing by the rhythm of the wind. His eyes was covered with a masks, which only reveals the lower part of his face. All his clothes were black, and a smile formed on his lips.
How did he came here without being noticed?
"Well, five minutes late, to be exact. But since YOU were the one who came first, it is not something uncommon." As he finish his words, the man jumped from the roof and landed safely on the ground. I stood up and move from behind the wooden crates to in front of the man. Judging from his appearance, his age might be as same as mine.
"Where's Hiromi?" I asked him.
The man pull out his hands, "Whoa, whoa! Relax, dude! Haven't give you a proper introduction about myself, right?"
"I don't care who you are or where did you came from, but if you think that abducting one of us and sending a challenge note to our team is just a part of a joke, then that's the last thing you'll ever done!"
He let out a sigh before smirking "Rude...but a little bit emotional than your usual cold-attitude, Kai. Oh, don't worry about the lady, she's fine. No harm done, 'kay?"
Although my mind tells me not to believe whatever he told me, hearing that Hiromi's safe pretty much lift a little bit of the tense inside. But, something tells me that this thing is far from the end. A bunch of daggers were sticking out from his pockets.
"The name's Hunter, well, that's what people call me. Besides, what's so special about the simple name we own right?." Hunter introduced himself, before smiling micheviously. "And for your acknowledge, I'm no beyblader."
That left me wondering. "You sent us a challenge to beybattle-"
"Ah, but I only stated that I request for a battle. I didn't say about a beyblade battle."
Seriously, this guy might be the first person to creep me out. "Look, I don't have time to play your childish game okay? The only battle I'm involved with is beyblading, and since you don't beyblade, just tell me where is Hiromi and we can settle this matter quickly..."
A dagger flew right pass me. I look behind and stare at the dagger that was buried inside the thick wall of the crate. Hunter lower his left hand, and watch me with the smile still glued on his lips.
"There's a reason why they called me Hunter, Hiwatari." He made a quick simple move with his left hand, and another dagger appear in his hand, in just a second. "You see, even though I don't beyblade like the rest of you...I hunt for the beybladers' bit-beasts."
Slowly, my hand crept up to the launcher that was attached to the side of my belt.
"And you know what I love about this?"
I quickly pull out the launcher and attach Dranzer to it.
"The look on their face when they realized that, without the beasts on a beyblader's side..."
Hunter threw the dagger to me as I launch Dranzer. "Let it rip!"
"...they're nothing."
A gush of strong wind suddenly appear and threw me backwards, bursting the warehouse's door open with a loud bang. I groaned, feeling the pain from the impact of the attack, while trying to stand up again.
"What...was that?" My eyes darted to a dagger lying in front. The metal was slightly glowing, releasing a dark, ominous aura from inside. The sound of footsteps echoed attract my attention, it was Hunter. Although his eyes were covered under the mask, I can almost see that he was clearly enjoying this.
"Wondering how's that even possible? Hmm...it's quiet easy to get the grasp of it." He reached for the dagger and examined it. "Although I do not have a beyblade, let alone knowing how to handle it, I do have a very special friend you would like to meet...Say hello to Ascend, my bit-beast."
A strong and dark aura came out from Hunter, forming a black flame-like creature that swirl around the guy before landing at his side. The flame then formed into a shape of an animal...a jaguar with a white, ghost-like eyes. As I finally manage to stand up, the creature start to move closer to me.
Then, another figure caught my eyes.
'Hiromi!"
She was lying at the wall across the room, with her hands, legs and mouth were tied up. Her eyes were plastered with a cellophane tape. Dried blood covers the side of her head, which I consider as a prove that she might be unconscious. So much for no harm done, huh?
Hunter continues with his explanation. "A classic way to...what you call as steal... a bit-beasts is to destroy it's current holder. And beside destroying the person, sometimes it is even easier to kill the holder. I never really thought that this battle will end so quickly, since you were what people regard as one of the most feared beyblader in the arena."
I smirked at his comment. Gaining back my strength, I replied "Then, I'll show why. Dranzer!"
The windows were smashed, and Dranzer flew towards Hunter and his beast. The phoenix came out from the bit-chip, and was shooting an angry glare at our opponent. Hunter avoided the attack by throwing the dagger he was holding, throwing my beyblade back in front of me. The black-haired man smirked, again, which make me really want to wipe that stupid smile out of his face.
"Fighting back? Well, it's been a long time since I've been to an interesting battle..."
I jabbed my finger at him, "Then consider this as the last battle you will have. Hiromi's injured, and you say that there's no harm done? I won't let you escape that easily!"
"Oh, this is interesting. You seem to be concern for her safety, Kai. Is that why you came here alone, without the rest of the G-Revolutions?" asks Hunter. He rubbed his chin, as if he was thinking of something while talking to me.
It was then I realized...Concern, was it really the reason why I came? The others had been kidnapped before, and I never really care about it, only helping them when things go a little hard. When they're in danger, I don't jump instantly to save them. I knew they can take care of themselves...
...but I spontaneously reacted when Hiromi's life is threatened without knowing it. Rei seems to notice that the way I treat Hiromi is different than the way I acted with them. When he pointed out this to me, I ignore it.
No, I told myself silently, it is not because I was concern about her.
"Ascend..." The flaming creature stop and stood still. Hunter suddenly looked deadly to me, and he pointed at a direction beside me.
It is because...
"...destroy her."
...I love her.
Ascend roar and the creature storms to Hiromi.
"Dranzer, attack!"
Dranzer slammed her body at the fiery creature, before flying up and dashes towards the creature's owner. I glare at him intensely, feeling a great energy flowing inside my body. Hunter move one step backward, holding his hand up. A circle shape force field appears from his hand, reflecting Dranzer's attack. Even though he manage to avoid it, he was thrown back a few feet away.
"You might possessed a great ability to control bit-beast without using a beyblade," I exclaim boldly. "But I won't let you hurt anyone, especially the one that I care the most!"
A radiant golden light shone out from Dranzer, and I was aware that the same thing happen to me. Hunter, who was standing a few feet away, observes me from far. He didn't seem to be disturb by my action, as if he was expecting it to hit him.
"BLAZING GIG!"
The beyblade, which is now covered with fire, darted towards him. Dranzer went at the top of the speed and was about to hit the man, when Ascend regain conscious and jump in front of its owner, sacrificing itself by becoming a shield for Hunter.
The fiery jaguar let out a deafening roar, before disappear into the thin air. Dranzer back away and stop in front of me.
"I guessed I've underestimated you..." said Hunter, before finally stood up. He then looked at me and give an apologetic smile.
"You have proven to me that you are the most suitable person to be the Fire Phoenix's owner..." he came closer, but stopped when Dranzer threaten to attack him again. His words sounds strange to me.
"What is the reason you challenged us at the first place?" I asks "And...who you really are, Hunter?"
Hunter hold his left arm to his side, and a black flame crawled at the end of his hand. "As what I've told you before, to prove if you are really the right person to hold the responsible for controlling their powers, especially when you bit-beast is one the four legendary beasts."
The fire the crawled around his body. "And where I came from, well, you can asks Ozuma for the further explanations..."
"A Saint Shield?"
"Something like that, but I prefer doing stuff on my own..." The fire started to swirl quickly around him, dissolving his body inside. "Please forgive me for the harsh treatment I gave to her, it was unintended actually. I'll return her to you and I should really thank you for that battle. It was one of the best I've had before."
The fire finally swallowed him, and before both of them vanishes, Hunter's voice echoed around the warehouse.
"Until we meet again, Hiwatari Kai."
I was about to go and check Hiromi when I heard voices somewhere around the place. Takao's was the loudest, and apparently they have finally figure out the codes. I touch Hiromi's face and whispered to her ear, even though I knew she couldn't hear me.
"It's over, Hiromi...You're safe now, they'll take care of the rest."
Takao and the others arrive as I got out from the warehouse. Trying to be as silent as possible, I ran away from there. Only, I could actually made it if it wasn't the pain from Hunter's attack that halted my steps. I landed beside the wall and groaned.
"I never thought that I will finally see you in this kind of situation, Kai."
I look up, and groaned again. "Oh, its you."
Htoshi chuckled and offer me his hand. "Come on, you wouldn't want Takao and the others to see you like this, don't you?"
"You're enjoying this, aren't you?"
The older man shrugged, "Well, maybe a little."
And I grab his hand without any complaint.
Somehow, I ended up being treated at the same hospital they sent Hiromi. I overheard the conversation between the doctor and Mrs. Tatibana that her daughter is fine, only that her blood is running low. Probably because of the hit at her head.
As they departed, I silently followed the doctor to Hiromi's ward. The others went to the cafeteria with Mrs. Tatibana to get something eat, which explain why her ward is empty. I step inside as the doctor started to scribble down something on the medical record he bought with him.
"Oh, Mr. Hiwatari." the doctor greet me, with a shocked look on his face. ", you seems to be recovering positively. Is there anything that I can assist you with?"
I asks the doctor about Hiromi's condition, and he told me that Hiromi might need someone to donate blood supply to her if they wish to continue the treatment as she was getting weaker.
"...well, hopefully we will find a suitable donater as soon as possible. I'm really worried about her condition."
"Doctor."
"Yes, Mr. Hiwatari?"
I remained silence for a while, before continuing
"I'm willing to give my blood to her."
(14th February)
The doctor said that the blood transfusion is a success, and her condition is now normal. I recovered much sooner than the doctor expected, and he released me today. Hitoshi had told his brother that I was injured while fighting Hunter, which probably explain how the hell did they found me here.
"Are you sure you're okay, Kai?" asks Professor "You look...well, a little paler than usual."
I just simply replied that I'm fine, and left them. I was planning to visit Hiromi before going back, to make sure that she was okay...
and halted right in front of the ward's door when I hear Takao's voice from inside.
"I have a reason why I did that." said Takao.
"Why"
"Because...I...I...love you?"
Slowly, I backed away from the ward and left.
After that incident, Takao and Hiromi became close. I guess it's because that Hiromi thought he'd sacrificed himself to safe her. I acted like I don't really care what was happening, although I'm dying to get out from this place as soon as possible. It was actually a relief when I got a call from Tala, saying that they need me to go back to Russia to help them prepare something.
I took my bag and got out from the room as quiet as I can. Neither Grandpa or Takao is awake, which was good since I don't want anyone to know I'm leaving today. I quickly went to the door and slid it open...and was greeted by a stunned Hiromi standing in front of me.
"Oh...good morning, Kai." Her eyes then darted to my bag "Where are you going?"
I remained silent, and walk passed her. Then, I feel something is holding my hand. I look back, and saw that Hiromi had grab my arm, preventing me to go further.
"Don't tell me you're leaving the team again..." she said.
I stared at her ruby eyes, detecting a glimpse of hope contained in it. I sighed and turn around, continuing my walk.
"Kai?"
It would have been cruel for me to destroy Hiromi's happiness by letting her knew the truth. She seems to be even more cheerful ever since Takao confessed to her, and that is just enough for me. I don't want her to suffer again, and the thought of losing her to your friend than death seems to be more appealing to me. After all, I've always wished to see her happy...even if I have to lose her again.
"I'll be back." I murmured, before releasing my hand from her grip and didn't turn back. "Soon."
Even though I've lost you right now, I will never leave you forever...
[Finally! Yes! I managed to finish this chapter and I'm very sorry for keeping all of you waiting for about 2 years for the next update! I've experienced a severe writer's block and had no idea how to start writing, that is until my cousin introduced me to Star Trek, which became the reason my Muse finally return to me (weird, don't you think?). I'll update the final chapter in two or three days time since I'm enjoying my holiday and have lots of time in my hand. Actually, I wanted to make this as the final chap but I'm trying to come up with the plot. Once again, thank you for your patience!]
~Duchess AnimeLove
P/s: Yup, Kai's a little bit talkative this time. Let me know what you think, 'kay?
