ACROSS THE PAGES
Chapter 17
Rei stared at the ceiling.
Bladebrakers,
There was a wonderful plain pattern going on there that he'd never noticed before.
I am afraid there has been a recent change in the programme.
It looked quite nice really. He wondered what designer the Kinomiyas had employed to fix their dojo?
Teams are still required.
He wondered whether you could get the same kind of design in China.
However, there will only be teams of two.
He thought of the airplane ticket that was in his drawer. He would have to check the time again later. He didn't want to phone in a taxi and then run for the plane that night.
You may choose whether your partner will be from your original team or from others.
He sighed and turned over.
Yours truly, Mr. Dickinson.
YoumaychooseYoumaychooseYoumaychooseYoumaychoose
Therewillonlybeteamsoftwoteamsoftwoteamsoftwo….
For the second time he wondered if he was making the right choice. Choosing Lee over the rest of the team. Over the rest of his team. Was he doing himself justice?
Was he doing them justice?
He heaved a breath. What's done was done. Now he had only one more person to tell before he left on the plane that night.
He groaned as he remembered just who that person was.
He had thought telling Tyson was bad. Telling Kai would be worse. He sighed, mentally preparing himself for the metaphorical stones that would be thrown at his head.
And even if he had come to tell Kai in the first place, tell him that he was leaving, he couldn't help feeling slightly hurt that Kai was going too. Which was being just utterly ridiculous.
Right?
Rei wasn't so sure anymore. He wasn't really sure about anything these days.
He knocked on the door in front of them.
There was a pause before anyone answered.
"Come in."
Wringing his hands a little nervously, Rei walked in. Kai was sitting on the window seat, looking out through the open window.
"What's the matter?" he said, not turning towards him.
"I—"
A pale face, complete with markings and one raised eyebrow, turned to face him. He placed his hands on the doorway.
"I'm leaving tonight." He looked down towards the floor.
"Oh?" He looked up at the response. Was he imagining things or was Kai's back a little more tense? He shook his head –of course not. He was imagining things.
"Where?"
Rei licked his lips briefly; they were kind of dry. "China. I phoned Lee –he's going to be my partner."
He looked up then, but Kai was already looking back out the window.
"Okay then."
A thought occurred to him, and, despairingly, he tried to get their conversation back into what it was, back into what they were used to now.
"Do you know who you're—"
"No."
His voice was starting to sound just a little desperate, he noted, and he pushed the tone under.
"Are you going to see me to the airport then?" he asked, hands making fists at the door unconsciously. He tried to make it sound like a joke. Slate hair shifted a little in the breeze.
Then:
"No."
There is silence, although Rei doesn't really think it is. Silent, that is. He can hear his breathing, suddenly harsher, and he can hear the wind coming through the window and, loudest of all, he can hear Kai's breathing, quiet and calm, not a bit affected.
After a little pause, he manages to extract himself from the doorway.
"Okay."
And then he walked out.
-
Nine o' clock.
He let out a breath of air, leaning back into his chair. His luggage was beside him. He'd been checked in, out and had even drank a cup of coffee. All he needed to do was get on the plane.
His eyes wandering around the airport he looked down a little in disappointment, chastising himself yet again.
Why would he come anyway?
"Passengers for Cathay Pacific Flight CA 3490 first class passengers can now start boarding."
He looked up. Then, turning around, subconsciously dragging his feet, he walked towards the gate.
"Rei!"
And snapped his head around.
Slate hair topped pale skin, and Rei could only stare as a very familiar outline of a very familiar captain appeared in his eyes.
"How did you get in here?" Rei said, gawking as Kai reached him. He ignored the funny fluttery things that were residing in his toes and were now making their way up to his chest.
Kai pointed casually to a person behind him. Rei looked –and saw one of the top officials of the airport.
He rolled his eyes. "Why am I not surprised?" he muttered. He turned back to his team mate in front of him. He was panting –which was already unusual in itself –Kai rarely ran so fast that he had to pant.
"What are you doing here?" he asked, though a smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. In response, a folded piece of paper was roughly pushed into his hands. He looked at it curiously, about to open his mouth.
"I didn't leave any—"
"Don't read it until you get on the plane," came the ruthless command, and Rei, more in surprise than submission to the order, nodded.
He turned away, albeit hesitantly, towards the gate. He'd barely walked a couple of steps before his sleeve was caught and he was turned roughly around again.
Crimson eyes stared fiercely into his, and he realised suddenly that Kai's move had been so forceful that he had grasped onto his shirt in the process.
He didn't let go.
Kai didn't object.
The crowds of people passed by on either side of them, but he waited patiently for whatever words would come out of Kai's mouth.
"Write back."
Rei's eyes softened, although inside he held back a few tears of his own. "I will."
"Passengers for Cathay Pacific Flight CA 3490 please board at Gate 32 now."
Reluctantly, Rei pulled his hands off of Kai's shirt. "I have to go," he said, a little sadly. He picked up his bags, pasting a wreck of a smile on his face. "Bye."
He was about to head off again, heart heavy, when arms flipped him around into a tight embrace. Gasping for air, Rei could only feel, stunned, as Kai gave him two air kisses on his cheeks; then, pushing his raven hair aside, one more on his forehead.
"Take care."
Then, with a toss of his scarf he was gone, leaving Rei standing, gaping in the midst of the crowds.
"Passengers for Cathay Pacific Flight CA 3490 please board at Gate 32 now."
Slowly, Rei turned around, heading towards the gate, where he numbly handed over his ticket. He was barely over the threshold of the doorway of the plane before he unfolded the piece of paper that had been clutched desperately in his hand.
Rei
Take care.
I'll miss you.
Kai.
It was only after he'd gotten the newspapers that he wanted to read on the trip, and had been personally guided to his seat that (first class) and had put all his luggage away that his eyes brightened and he looked out the window seeing something that nobody else on the plane could see.
"I will."
Replies to Reviewers: darksaphire: Nice metaphor. Hoped you liked this chapter then!
Rena's Star: Thank you very much, I appreciate the compliment!
Satan's Kitten: Name suits you. Curiosity was almost a sin you know. But hey, here it is! Two letters, though technically Rei didn't write the first one.
ProzacFairy: Of course he's predictable. He's Tyson. Except sometimes he's so predictable that he becomes UNpredictable.
chi no hana: Thanks! They are cute, aren't they?
JJ CJ: Jeez, you have to be one of the most encouraging fans I've ever met! Glad I finished the 7 sins one, are you? Because new HP story's going to update itself two days later!
Echo in the Dark: Well you could have the one where they do the air-kissing in the airport, after Kai gets lost, when both leave the waterfall, when Rei si in Kai's arms at the waterfall...you would NOT suck. And I love you uber much too!
Dreams-of-Mine: Very glad to oblige, I'm sure! Rei is a very apt matchmaker.
Animelover6000: Thank you for reviewing!
hoshicat: Actually, that's already in a fic, though I can't remember the name. I think it's on hiatus though because I haven't heard of an update in quite a while.
Ultimate Kai Luva: Already responded to this sweetie. You know it's a garnish! And what do you mean 'thing'? And 'dehypified'?
The Laughing Mann: It's just I want to make it good for you guys...and I agree! THE JERKS!
Sa-kun: I'm glad you say that. It's kind fo funny, because I'm actually going to start on the REAL letters now, the ones on distance that everyone thought they were going to write at first but I actually started with notes...
kaisbeygurl: Thanks!
Mimicking Karma: Glad you liked it! I was actually afraid that it might have been too simple.
queenOFanime535: Well, I love having the other teams over, but they're going to play a big part later, don't worry. Besides that, I hardly think they can see each other all the time if they're in different countries and I wanted to focus it on Kai and Rei first. Oh, and congratulations on the win! You must be a great team member to have if yo're not used to pitching but you still won the game!
Black-Dranzer-1119: Well it's anywhere but soon, but here it is!
tntiggris: Cliffhanger, actually. Lol.
I am the Hodgeheg: YES! It's finally here! It's actually a real name, by the way, it means 'little bear'.
anon: Thank you very much!
CrzyFreek09: Thank you for loving it. I'm sure it loves you too! And here's the next chapter though it's anything but soon!
NKingy: This letter!
Marz: I figured it was your favorite part! But this is one of my favorite chapters as well!
Angel Pen: Thanks!
SxcAmethyst: Wow! In one go? I wouldn't have had the time!
Rizukani: I never abandon my fics!
Neena14: Fight? Why a fight? Anyway, thanks for reviewing! and yes, it went well, didn't it?
Lapse-Raevn: Well, I hope you have a great holiday! One go, huh?
Roz-chan: Those pairings are my favorite too!
dark-night-sky: Well, there goes the cliffhanger!
Black Ice Phoenix Wolf: Here it is! here it is!