Title: Imperfect Countenance

Author: YaoiGoddessNekoJin

Rating: T

Warnings: Yaoi, Language, Violence, Implied Rape

A/N: Okies, here we are at chapter 2. I want to thank everyone who reviewed the first chapter. I really appreciate it. ^-^ So, I'm trying to update this story as fast as I can, but I'm sort of alternating between updating this one and the other Beyblade fic I have up. With that in mind, as long as I stay inspired, this fic should be updated about every other day...maybe...hopefully... Well, on with the fic! ^-^

Chapter II

Rei tried to look anywhere in the elevator other then at the three men he had met earlier that day. The silence in the small box was deafening, as the entire ride to the office building had been, and Rei was becoming more nervous and anxious as the seconds ticked by quietly. He started to fidget with the hem of his shirt as he stared at his reflection in the chrome wall beside him. He couldn't believe that people were actually willing to pay him for his photos. Rei thought himself rather plain and unspectacular. In his village in China, there hadn't been much emphasis put on appearances so nobody ever told him that he was attractive. Well, his parents did enjoy calling him their cute little boy, but that was the only thing he ever heard regarding his looks. The most important thing was how beautiful a person was on the inside. If their personality was lacking, then it was a sure bet that no one associated with them. That was the very reason that, after arriving in Japan, he suffered from quite the culture shock when he found out that the rest of the world was the exact opposite. When he was first approached by Judy, he thought she was just playing a prank on him when she told him that he could be a model. After he relented, however, he found that he actually enjoyed getting dressed up and posing for the camera. He liked the feeling of confidence that he got when people doted over the way he looked. He knew it was wrong and increadibly vain, but it made him feel special...important even. It was like he actually belonged in this modern, fast-paced world. Rei was torn from his thoughts when the elevator lurched to a stop and the small 'ding' signaled that they had arrived at their destination. As soon as the metal doors slid open with a 'swoosh,' Tala walked swiftly from it, leading the way across the large waiting room and up to a vast, semi-circular desk against the back wall.

"Is Mrs. Lebedev in her office, Stacy?" he asked the friendly-looking brunette sitting at the desk. She smiled brightly at the redhead as she shook her head.

"Not right now. She's down the hall in a meeting, but you guys can go on in. She should be back any minute now."

"Alright, thanks." Tala didn't wait for the others, simply turning and making his way to the glass door to the right of the reception desk. Judy and Max, not having spoken since the airport, followed behind the redhead. Rei hesitated for a moment, earning himself a sharp nudge in the ribs. He whipped around to come face to face with a smirking Bryan. Glaring in indignation, Rei marched toward the door. Once they were standing in the office, amber eyes widened in awe at the sheer magnitude of what he had initially thought was a small room. There was a huge black desk against a wall, which was made of nothing but glass. The view took Rei's breath away. In the far corner, a floor to ceiling book case was filled to the brim with books of all shapes and sizes. A tall plant, bearing bright purple flowers, was situated opposite the bookcase. Plush, comfy-looking chairs were strewn in different areas of the room and certificates and awards decorated the walls. Rei walked in a daze and seated himself in a chair directly in front of the desk. Judy and Max took the two chairs to his left and the others sat further back against one of the walls. Suddenly, Rei's neck began to tingle and he got the distinct feeling that he was being watched. He tried to ignore the sensation, but, after a few minutes, he was unable to take anymore. The black-haired boy turned his head slightly to glance at the three sitting against the wall and was surprised to find that Bryan and Kai were murmuring to each other. Crimson and lilac eyes turned to him and similar smirks were directed his way. Were they talking about him? Rei couldn't believe their nerve. Didn't they know how rude they were being? Deciding to say something to them, Rei opened his mouth, but failed to get further than that as the door to the office swung open. A sort of friendly-looking woman swept briskly into the room. She had dark brown hair that was pulled up into a messy bun and the drastic angles in the glasses, perched on her angular nose, complimented the sharpness in her gray eyes. She walked over to her desk and it wasn't until she took her seat that an amicable smile graced her lips.

"Hello, and it's nice to meet you all. I'm Claudette Lebedev." she glanced at Rei, "I'm assuming you are Mr. Kon."

"Yes ma'am. Please, call me Rei though." he smiled, taking the hand she offered him in a handshake.

"It's nice to meet you Rei. Judy and...Max?" she asked, turning to the other two to take their hands as well. After they were all finished exchanging pleasantries, Mrs. Lebedev got down to business. Rei zoned out for the millionth time that day as Judy and Claudette, who seemed like they were becoming fast friends, talked about the business side of things amongst themselves. He leaned back, so that he could see behind Judy, to check on how Max was doing. The blonde had been so unnaturally quiet since they had gotten to New York that he was beginning to worry. Max looked just as bored as Rei was feeling and, when blue eyes turned to him, Rei couldn't help but laugh quietly as Max crossed said eyes and stuck his tongue out.

~x~x~x~

Kai traded exasperated looks with his two friends as they observed Max and Rei goof off behind Judy's back. Those two really were a couple of idiots. How on earth did he get stuck here? Kai blamed his grandfather for all of this. The great Voltaire Hiwatari was actually forcing Kai to work a meaningless job for a living. He was threatening to cut him off from the family fortune, instead leaving it to his assistant, Boris Balcov. Everyone kept telling Kai that Voltaire was doing it for his own good; that he needed to learn how to support himself and not rely solely on his family's legacy. The bluenette knew the truth, though. He knew that the only reason the old coot was pulling this stunt was because he knew that it would be the best punishment he could dole out. Voltaire was a sadistic bastard and wanted nothing more than to one up Kai for humiliating him at a business meeting a few months back. So now, here he was, playing babysitter to a spoiled model and his dumb friend. The only bright side to this entire situation was that he was able to drag Tala and Bryan along for the ride. Kai's eyes traveled back to the raven-haired boy, catching Rei studying him. When he realized he was caught, golden eyes widened and a crimson blush bloomed across his gently tanned skin. Then again, maybe this gig wouldn't be so bad. Kai was sure Bryan, Tala, and himself would have a great time tormenting this kid.

~x~x~x~

Once the meeting was over, Mrs. Lebedev invited Judy out for dinner so that they could chat and get to know each other better. The brunette asked Tala and the others to escort Rei and Max to the hotel that they would be staying at and keep them company for the evening. Rei chewed his bottom lip nervously at this new revelation. He could already tell that this night was not going to end well, if the smirks on the Russian's faces were anything to go by. He really didn't fancy the idea of spending the entire evening cooped up in a hotel room with the three scariest men he had ever met. Rei looked at Max, who was completely oblivious to his anxiety. 'This does not bode well for either of us.'

~x~x~x~

When they finally arrived at the hotel, having been stuck in traffic for the longest time, Rei let out a tiny sigh of relief. He seemed to have developed claustrophobia on the ride over. The air in the limo had been charged with discomfort and awkward silences. As Rei stretched after stepping out of the car, he let his eyes travel up the height of the skyscraper in front of him. It was gigantic! While the small band of boys made their way into the building, Rei tapped Max on the shoulder to get his attention.

"Yeah?"

"How do you feel about those three?" he asked in a trepidatious whisper.

"I dunno, why?" Max replied.

"I don't trust them. They're...weird..." Max's only response was to giggle. "What?" Rei asked, looking at Max as if he had just sprouted a second head.

"Rei, you don't even know them. I mean, yeah, they kinda are weird, but some people probably said the same about you." Rei spluttered for a second in indignation before he was able to put anything into words.

"Well...that's because I was sheltered! What's their excuse? I just wish they would stop eyeballing me like they have been the entire day." Max laughed again, the only other sound being the 'ding' as the elevator doors opened.

The eclectic group had been so wrapped up in their own thoughts and conversations that none of them noticed the eyes that watched them from afar. A camera flashed as multiple pictures were taken before the man, donning a black trench coat, got back into his car and sped away from the hotel.

~x~x~x~

Max was the first to gather his wits and regain his ability to speak after they stepped into the large suite. They had ascended to a floor near the top of the building before finally getting off the elevator. If Rei had thought that Mrs. Lebedev's office was amazing, then this suite was insane. From the immense sitting room, Rei could see a kitchenette and three doors that, he imagined, led to bedrooms. The furnishings in the room were increadibly sophisticated and elegant.

"Oh. My. Goodness." were the only words that tumbled from the blonde's mouth. Rei walked in the door behind the others, planning to set his bags down by the front closet, unfortunately, a strategically placed foot managed to effectively trip him and send him crashing to the ground. Rei grunted at the impact and turned slightly pink in embarrassment. He sent a withering glare back towards the door, said glare loosing some of its venom when he saw that it was a smug-looking Kai that had tripped him. Max rushed over and helped him to his feet as the three men laughed at Rei's expense. As soon as he was up, Rei stalked over to Kai and got into his face.

"What the hell did you do that for?" he shouted. The bluenette didn't answer, instead opting to grunt and shove past Rei, leaving the raven-haired boy to steam in his humiliation. Rei stayed, rooted to the spot, as his supposed body guards and guide each took a seat on the couch in the sitting room, beginning to chat idly in a language he didn't understand. He felt tears of frustration prickle at the backs of his eyes. Rei grabbed his bags and rushed off, claiming one of the rooms at random. Max worriedly followed his friend, casting dirty looks at the men lounging carelessly in front of the television.

~x~x~x~

TBC...

A/N: Alright, how was that? It's kinda short, but it can't be helped. I was up until 5:30 a.m yesterday working on ch. 5 of TsoLaR and it is now...nearly 3:30 in the morning. I originally wanted more to happen in this chapter, but I also wanted to get the next chapter up tonight. As I get more and more tired, I make progressively worse mistakes. ^-^;;; So, in the interest of quality, I deem this the perfect place to stop. hehe