Disclaimer - If you recoginize it, then I don't own it.
Thank you to Silver Suzuka, FlamesOfFury, Tezi and IrishPotatoes for reviewing. Now, I am hesitate about posting this chapter b/e I am uncertain if you will like it. (crosses fingers) This is about the 5th draft of this chapter that I wrote & I liked this one the most since it has a scene in it that is very personal to me. There is more angst in this chapter than humor and I hope that it lives up to all of your expectations.
To Silver Suzuka - This chapter is dedicated to you. Kai & Tala are in this one & I used your prank idea but changed it around a bit.
To FlamesOfFury - I'm glad you liked the previous chapter. You ask if I had MSN in your review for TDM. I'm answering that question here b/e I update this story quicker than that one. I am a bit torn b/t 2 possible endings to that story & it might take a while for me to finish the last chapter. I do not have MSN, I wish I did b/e it would be cool to talk to you as well. However, you are free to e-mail me anytime you wish. I always answer my e-mails.
To Tezi - I don't mind suggestions at all b/e sometimes I run out of ideas & I gladly consider them. I hope you like this as well since I sort of used your idea. It is not the usual past I have for Kai but it fit the situation.
Chapter Four - The Playdate from Hell
When Hiro woke the next morning, he couldn't help but feel that something was wrong. His chest was heavy and he was having a little trouble taking a deep breath. He groaned as he opened his eyes to reveal the reason why. A mass of ginger-red hair came into view right below his chin that tickled his nose. Then he could see the sleeping face of his angel laying comfortably on top of his chest.
Brooklyn was still asleep of course with his face relaxed and seemed to be having peaceful dreams. Dreams that only a child his current age should have instead of the nightmares that had been plaguing him of late. His little fists were grasping his pajama top tightly as he lay on his stomach with the doll Hera tucked comfortably underneath an arm. It was quite nice to feel his heartbeat against his own as Hiro smiled from the scene. He knew that he would have company in his bed eventually but hadn't anticipated waking up with the small figure sprawled out on top of him.
He really did look like a little angel as his nose twitched slightly in his sleep. He was dressed in blue pajamas that were a bit too big since Tyson had been much bigger at that age. They were blue with stars and clouds with smiley faces on them. He craned his neck to look at the time as the clock read nine. "Kuso," he cursed as he sat up suddenly, forgetting about Brooklyn and startling the chibi out of his peaceful dreams as he landed on the bed.
Brooklyn's bottom lip quivered as his eyes teared from being woke up so suddenly. "I'm sorry, Brookie," he comforted, "but if we don't get moving, we'll miss your playdate." "Don't wanna go," Brooklyn protested, sleepily and rubbing his eyes with his little fists. "You may not want to go," Hiro stated, "but if I have too so do you. Besides, don't you want to play with the others?"
"Not weally," he replied with a yawn that turned into a cute pout. "That face is not going to work on me this morning," Hiro noted, "we are going whether you want too or not. I know that Tyson and Garland are looking forward to it." His attention turned to the door as he opened it. "DAICHI!" he bellowed, "Grandpa!"
The sound of footsteps came down the hallway to reveal Daichi, who was shoveling cereal into his mouth from the bowl he was holding. "What do you want?" he ask inbetween bites as Brooklyn peered out from around Hiro's legs. "It's nine o' clock," he snapped, "the playdate is at ten. Why didn't someone wake me earlier?" "Grandpa said you needed your sleep from yesterday's events," Daichi shrugged, "you don't have to worry about anyone except you and Brooklyn. Garland and Tyson have all ready had breakfast and are dressed. The bus will be here at nine thirty to pick us up."
Hiro cursed as he went back into his room and slammed the sliding door behind him. Brooklyn backed away in fear as Hiro's face softened. "Let's get you dressed," he suggested as he was about to pull out some clothing but remembered that he had thrown his outfit in the wash last night. Knowing that the chibi would not approve of being left alone, he hoisted Brooklyn onto his hip and walked to the laundry room. He found his clothing in the dryer and was glad that he had done the laundry before he had went to bed.
He made a vow to take Brooklyn shopping tomorrow to find some more clothes since Tyson's were too big for him. He dreaded that thought as he quickly dressed the chibi then focused on himself. He pulled out a pair of blue jeans, a black shirt and would add his trainers at the doorsince he had the feeling that he would need them before the day was over. That only took ten minutes as he picked up his charge and darted to the kitchen for a quick breakfast. At dinner the previous evening, he had discovered that the chibis obviously retained some of their memories because Brooklyn had been quite picky about what he would eat.
He had been a vegan before his transformation and it seemed that the small child remembered his love of animals at his current age. He had refused to eat anything that came from an animal. That had resulted in Hiro having to send Daichi to the store for some rice or soy milk. Daichi had grumbled but he couldn't leave with Brooklyn clinging to him the way that he had been. Daichi had returned with the items that he had requested and Hiro promised the young teen a reward when this whole matter was over with. All of them would probably need a vacation and he was going to make sure that he took one!
Garland and Tyson were watching Dora the Explorer in the lounge as they past after making another trip back to his room to find Hera that Brooklyn had dropped. He had become quite attached to the doll and Hiro hoped that it was only a phase that he was going through. Hiro was glad the coffee was still hot as he took a cup along with some toast. Grandpa had become accustommed to drinking coffee in the morning since Kai had brought that particular habit with him when he had stayed at the dojo before the second world tournament. He had liked the taste of it and had passed it on to Hiro and even Tyson. They drunk tea at the other meals but at breakfast, coffee was the main beverage.
Brooklyn had just finished his doughnut and rice milk when the bus pulled up at the curve. Hillary and Kenny had arrived by that time and helped him herd Garland and Tyson out the door. They boarded the bus as Tyson and Garland fought over where they were going to sit. They finally settled down in the backseat as he sat down near the front. Brooklyn hated that he had to sit on the seat instead of his lap as he clutched Hera tightly and looked out the window, waving shyly to random people who would smile back at him.
It was only a fifteen minute ride to the house the Majestics had rented and Hiro was glad when they arrived because he was getting a headache from Tyson and Garland's arguing over who had the best bit beast. He didn't know how much they remembered from before their chibification but obviously they still remembered their bit beasts and some aspects of their teen-age years since they were familiar with one another. "About time," Hiro muttered as the bus stopped. He picked up Brooklyn, settled him on a hip as he exited the bus with the others in tow. They stood in awe however from the house before them.
"This isn't a freaking house," Daichi exclaimed as they stepped off the bus, "It's a mansion." The house standing before the one adult, three teens and three chibis made everyone do a double take. The bus had pulled around the circular drive in front of the house excuse me, mansion that was three stories in height. "Why can't we stay here?" Daichi demanded with his hands on his hips, "If all the other bladers are here." "Do you wish to stay in a house with nine other chibis?" Hiro ask as Daichi shook his head no, "that include Kai and Tala?" The door opened as they walked up the steps to reveal Gustaf, Robert's butler.
"Welcome," he greeted as he bowed, "the others are out back on the patio. Will you be joining them?" "Of course," Hiro said with a forced smile as Brooklyn whimpered from Gustaf's appearance. The entrance hall was two stories high with a magnificent staircase and had marble tile. The floor was wet and before Hiro could ask what had happened, he heard a yell above them.
"GUSTAF!" was the yell as Hiro caught a glimpse of a dual-hair and red-hair child standing above them on the staircase, "this gots your name on it!" Hiro caught sight of the water balloon at about the same time as Gustaf. Both men jumped out of the way but the three teens and two chibis did not. The balloon hit Tyson squarely on his head and drenched his little brother. It wasn't the only balloon they had as they threw more over the railing.
Gustaf and Hiro managed to take cover in another room as the other five ran about in pure panic, trying to dodge the water balloons. "Got ya!" Hiro heard the duo yell and saw both Kai and Tala dart down the hallway laughing maniacly as he sighed with relief. He, Brooklyn and Gustaf were dry but he couldn't say the same about the others. Hillary looked on the verge of murder but Garland had escaped getting drenched along with Kenny, who had took cover beneath a table. "Where are they?" she growled with her fists clenched and water dripping from her hair.
"I see that you have become another victim of young Master Kai and Tala," Gustaf remarked with a small smile, "they have been quite busy since yesterday evening with their pranks. Almost everyone in the house has been the victim of one including the poor chairman. I have no idea where they found the balloons." "I have a bad feeling about today," Hiro groaned as he heard the distant sounds of running from somewhere above them. "I suggest that you remain vigilant," Gustaf suggested, "It has earned me the privilege of being the only one not pranked this morning since I avoided the food fight that the two started during breakfast. I will take you to the others."
Gustaf led them through another large room and through a set of French doors to a patio. The adults and two teens were sitting underneath a canopy while the chibis were playing on some playground equipment nearby. The other teens were swimming in a pool that was to the left of the patio. "Yay!" Tyson and Garland shouted together as they ran to the jungle gym to play with their friends. Hillary and Kenny went toward the pool to join the other teens. Brooklyn whimpered and whined when Hiro tried to put him down so he was stuck with the chibi for the moment.
"Excuse me," Hiro apologized, bumping into an elderly man's chair, who he didn't recoginize at first. Hiro had to do a double take as his mouth dropped open with surprise. "Mr. Dickerson," he stated as the man nodded, "what the hell happened to you!" The elderly chairman's moustache was missing and he looked funny without it. "Kai and Tala," the other adults informed, tiredly as Hiro looked around the table and tried desperately to hold back his laughter.
Romero was missing his eyebrows, Johnny was bald and Robert had what appeared to be a black drawn-on moustache under his nose. "By the gods," Hiro snorted as he burst into laughter from their appearances. None of the victims looked very happy with him as Judy took Brooklyn in case they decided revenge was in order. "If I get my hands on them," Johnny fumed as his eyes blazed with a fire that many had seen. "They found Mariah's Nair," Robert explained, "and during the night put it in several shampoo and soap bottles. They drew this on my face with a permenant marker. It will have to wear off."
Robert was the most calm as Hiro got himself under control and sat down in an empty chair. "And that is not the only thing they have done," Robert continued, "this morning we woke up to find all of our beyblades sitting in the bottom of the pool. How they managed to get ahold of all of them we shall never know." "We can't catch them," Romero explained with a sigh, "they are too fast and no matter what we threaten, they just laugh in our faces and run off." "I'm sorry," Hiro managed to choke out as he started to cough, "they had better not try anything against me."
"They seem to fear me as well," Judy added as their eyes turned to the children on the play equipment, "or so I hope. If not, they will regret crossing my path." Hiro decided that it might be wise to change the subject since everyone's blood pressure looked to be rising around the table from their talk of Kai and Tala. "I didn't expect you to stay in such a fine house," Hiro added as Gustaf brought them some cold beverages, "how did you find it? Who does it belong too?"
"It was built by a politician from Germany when he was the ambassdor to Japan," Robert explained, "when he finished his term, he went back to Berlin but kept the house here to rent out. My father has connections with him and under the circumstances, he let us stay for free. He had three small children so that is why the playground and pool were built." Hiro nodded and thought it must be nice to be wealthy and have connections within the government. His eyes turned to the jungle gym where the others were playing and saw that Kai and Tala had joined them.
Everyone else must have saw the duo as well as he heard a few murmurs of profanities and growls. He would hate to be in their shoes when the others caught the two of them. Judy was talking quietly to Brooklyn, who was showing her his doll. Judy must have thought it was cute since she was smiling and laughing from his introductions. He was treating the doll as though it was real.
She rose with Brooklyn on her hip and headed toward the other chibis. Brooklyn whimpered and fought her but she said something that obviously comforted him. Hiro hoped that Judy had more luck with the toddler than he did. The conversation then turned to beyblading and the other pranks the devilish duo had done that morning. It seemed that they had also managed to get on Rick's bad side by stealing his CDs. He had gotten more upset about his missing music than his beyblade. The duo had wisely returned the discs and had steered clear of him since.
"Brooklyn, why don't you play in the sandbox?" Judy suggested, setting the chibi down in the sand and handing him a pail and a shovel, "Hiro and I will be watching from the patio. If anyone bothers you, come to the two of us, okay?" "'Kay," he replied, reluctantly, trying to charm the older woman with his wide chibi eyes that were not working. "That is a good boy," she praised, patting him on the head before she walked away. Brooklyn started to scoop sand into the pail as his eyes turned to the others who were playing on the jungle gym.
Julia and Raul were taking turns pushing each other on one of the swings. Raul waved shyly at him as Brooklyn blushed scarlett and turned away. Oliver appeared to be playing house in the playhouse that was nearby. Rei, Kevin and Mystel were showing off their acrobatic skills as they climbed about the fort while Max and Tyson took turns sliding down a steep slide. Garland, Enrique and Miguel appeared to be playing some type of game in the ball pit. Kai and Tala were standing off to the side on the bridge and whispering franticly to one another. When Tyson and Max ran past, he saw Kai stick out his foot and trip Tyson on purpose.
Tyson fell down with a loud thud. He started to cry but wiped his eyes on the sleeve of his shirt as Max helped him up. He glared at Kai, who simply ignored him and turned his attention back to Tala. The matter was not pushed any further since Tyson seemed afraid of the two as did Max. Brooklyn shivered when Kai's crimson orbs narrowed on him. He was afraid of the bigger boy for some odd reason and he didn't know exactly why.
When Kai was whispering something to Tala and pointed to him, Brooklyn looked away. He hoped that the two would ignore him as he looked toward the horse on the swing set. He would love to ride it but didn't want to attract any attention. "Look at the baby," Kai whispered to Tala as they continued to stare at the ginger-haired chibi sitting in the sandbox, "he thinks he special but he just a snivelling wittle coward who hides behind Hero." "He just wooks sad ta me," Tala added as his look softened, "why don't we go and cheer the wittle guy up? We could be a trio instead of a duo then."
"I've gots a better idea," Kai remarked, "let's get him into trouble. I know how to do it too." Kai grinned evilly at his partner in crime, who reluctantly nodded in agreement. Tala felt guilty about teasing the smaller chibi but didn't want to get on Kai's bad side since he was liable to take out his anger on him. Kai whispered something in his ear as he frowned.
"Kai, that not funny," Tala hissed. "Do you want me to do it to you?" Kai ask, getting better at glaring as he stared the other chibi down with a raised eyebrow. Tala shivered from the look in his eyes and even though he was older than Kai, he reluctantly agreed to help. The prank made him uneasy for some reason and he didn't want to think of what could happen if someone, namely Brooklyn got hurt. His eyes turned back to the sandbox and he actually felt sorry for the ginger-haired chibi.
Rei grew tired of Mystel's bouncing and looked toward the sandbox. The strange smaller chibi was sitting in it trying to make a sand castle. He smiled and decided to join him but whispering sent his attention to Kai and Tala, who were also staring at the younger child. Rei's golden orbs narrowed at the two small Russians. It was known that they did not like one another. Kai and Tala had started a food fight this morning and had gotten jelly all in his hair. It had taken Mariah a whole hour to get it out and he had been afraid that she would have to cut it.
His hair wasn't long yet but he loved it and couldn't wait to grow his hair out even further. "Rei-Rei," Mystel shouted, jumping down in front of him, "what the matter?" "Dem," he pointed to Kai and Tala, "I think they are plotting sometwing against the wittle one." "Ya mean Brookie," Mystel added as Rei nodded, "that not right. He can't defend himself 'gainst those two bullies. They tried to put gum in my hair when Max and I gots here."
"I had to take another bath this morning cause of dem," Rei added with a growl, "we had better watch them closely." "Let's go play wit him den," Mystel suggested as Kevin went to play house with Oliver. Mystel bounced and landed in front of Brooklyn. He must have startled the smaller chibi since he had jumped and clutched his rag doll protectively to his chest. "Sorry," Mystel apologized as he held out a hand, "you wanna play wit us?"
Brooklyn's bottom lip quivered in fear as he looked at Mystel and his outstretched hand. "I'm Mystel 'member," he introduced as Brooklyn nodded, "and this is my bestest friend, Rei-Rei. I let ya in on a secret, one day he gonna be my boyfriend." Rei rolled his eyes at Mystel's comment as he stepped forward. The small Neko-jin scared Brooklyn more than the Egyptian but they seemed nice.
"I'm Brooklyn," he said with hesitation but did not take his hand, "you can join me if you want too." "In order to make a sand castle," Rei stated, "we need water. Mystie, go and get some for us." He handed the pail to the small blond, who nodded and ran toward the adults. He returned a few minutes later with Judy, who was carrying the pail of water while Mystel carried another empty pail and more shovels.
"Here you go, boys," she said with a smile and was glad to see that Brooklyn was playing with someone. Rei was a good choice since he was calm and nice unlike some of the others. The only bad quality that he possessed was that he was a tattletale but Judy doubted that Rei would be able to tattle on Brooklyn. Hiro had just told them of his behavior from the evening before and it made her mad to know the child had been abused. They had figured that Tala or Kai might exhibit some of that behavior since their childhood's had been similar. So far, they had shown no signs of neglect or abuse but were unusually happy when they made other people miserable.
She left the trio to their sand castle as Rei started to put it together with Mystel's help. The water made the sand stick together as they started on a tower and a wall. Brooklyn sat with his back to the wall of the sandbox and his legs drawn to his chest. Hera was clutched tightly in his arms as he watched Rei and Mystel work on their masterpiece. Rei must have noticed that he wasn't helping and turned toward him.
"You can help, ya know," he stated with a catlike grin, "we're suppose to be playing together." He handed Brooklyn a shovel as he smiled slightly and was pulled forward by the two. Brooklyn didn't know what to think about their kindness as he giggled and they started work. "We gots a problem, Kai," Tala noted, "Rei is playing wit' Brooklyn." Kai looked down at the sandbox from where they were standing. "So the kitten is trying to protect him, huh," Kai remarked, "I ain't afraid of the small cat."
"But he the one who got us in trouble wit' Rick," Tala reminded, "he the one who told on us." Tala shuddered violently from that memory as did Kai. They had learned not to get on the American's bad side especially when it concerned his music. They had almost been caught by him when they had ran away and he hadn't been any fun to prank like the other adults. "This might complicate your plan," Tala reminded.
"Not weally," Kai remarked with a shrug as he stood there with his arms crossed, "it actually might make it easier." "What you two plotting?" Miguel ask with a smile since he had managed to say such a big word. He had heard the adults use it and he was proud to use to it in a sentence. "I don't want another bafth," Enrique added with a glare, "so no more food fights." "Not planning food fight," Kai said with a shrug, "got sometwing else in mind to get back at the adults for making us eat that icky food."
Miguel figured that he didn't want to get on their bad side and went back to play with Garland and Enrique. The adults had peace for about an hour. Everyone was playing together and behaving themselves. They were trying to keep an eye on Kai and Tala since they had a feeling the Russian duo was plotting something. They lost track of them when they vanished and couldn't be found by anyone which worried them.
While Rei, Mystel and Brooklyn were creating their masterpiece of a sand castle, Kai and Tala were up to no good. For some unexplained reason, Kai didn't like Brooklyn. He was planning to get the young child into trouble. Tala was totally against the idea. He oddly felt the same way about Garland but did not hold any animosity toward Brooklyn. He thought it beneath his stature to pick on someone younger.
Kai crept close to the sandbox. He was after the doll that he had saw Brooklyn carrying around with him. He obviously cared a lot about it as he managed to grab the doll without them noticing. He darted back to the house using the bushes as camouflage and ran toward the pool. He met Tala behind the pool house.
"Did you get it?" Tala ask. "I gots the baby's dolly," Kai smirked, throwing the rag doll in front of Tala, "now we wait until lunch." "Are you sure this is an okay prank, Kai?" Tala ask with concern, "I don't want to get into trouble." "They won't know it was us," Kai reassured with a shrug, "It will be okay." "I hope so," Tala murmured, not believing his best friend for some odd reason.
"It's time for lunch," Judy called, several minutes later, "everyone needs to go inside and wash up." "Yay," most of them yelled. They peered out from their hiding place and watched as the other chibis went inside. Kai was disappointed to see Brooklyn was being flanked by Rei and Mystel but knew the small chibi was bound to notice that his doll was missing. "You get him to the pool," Kai instructed, "I'll plant the doll and distract Mr. D for a few minutes. Dat way they won't think we up to sometwing." "Kay," Tala agreed reluctantly as they departed ways.
Brooklyn was almost in the house when he remembered Hera. "I'll be wright back," he told Rei and Mystel, "I forgot my doll." They were going to protest but Mariah called Rei to her and since Mystel was so infatuated with him, he followed, leaving Brooklyn defenseless. Brooklyn ran back to the sandbox and looked around. He whimpered when he couldn't find Hera. He remembered sitting her down but she had mysteriously disappeared.
"Hey kid," Tala called as he stepped out of the bushes, "what ya looking for?" Brooklyn backed away from Tala since he was scared of the bigger chibi. "I not gonna hurt ya," Tala reassured, "I just want to help you." "My dolly," he whispered with tears glistening in his eyes, "I can't find my dolly." "I saw a doll near the pool," Tala stated, thoughtfully, "did you leave it there?"
"No," Brooklyn stated, shaking his head, "I didn't go there." "Well, maybe one of the others took it to hide," Tala shrugged, "let's go see." He held out his hand as Brooklyn looked at him wearily. Rei and Mystel had been nice so why couldn't he trust Tala? Unfortunately, Brooklyn took Tala's hand and followed him to the now unattended pool.
Kai made an appearance in the kitchen to distract the adults but that had been unnecessary. Max and Tyson were both throwing tantrums since they were not getting what they wanted to eat. Hiro was preoccupied with Tyson that he failed to notice that Brooklyn was missing. Kai saw the adults were busy and took the opportunity to leave. The teens had locked the pool gate behind them but unknown to all was the gap in the fence behind the pool house. Tala managed to squeeze through it with Brooklyn.
"See there it is," Tala exclaimed, pointing to the diving board where something was lying. Kai had managed to position it as he had promised as Brooklyn ran around the pool to the diving board. Tala followed slowly since he didn't like the look of the water but the younger chibi didn't know any better. Kai appeared at that moment as Brooklyn looked uncertain about climbing up the steps. He really wanted his doll as he cautiously climbed up.
The plan was to get Brooklyn up on the platform and then call the adults so he would get into trouble. They had been told to stay away from the pool but Tyson, Brooklyn and Garland were unaware of the rules since they hadn't been at the house during breakfast. "Let's go get them," Kai cackled with glee as he started to pull Tala along. "No, this wrong," Tala protested, having a bad feeling about this whole prank, "Brooklyn, get down! It dangewous!"
That was the wrong time to yell at the shy and timid chibi, who was now standing on the diving board. He looked up and smiled but when he saw Kai, he panicked. Kai and Tala watched as Brooklyn slipped, hit his head on the board and fell into the water with a splash. Both of their eyes widened when they realized that he wasn't coming back up. "NO!" Tala screamed but wouldn't approach the pool. He didn't stand there like a statue like Kai did as he ran back to the house to find help.
"Come up," Kai whispered, nervously as he saw Brooklyn floating motionless in the water. This is not how this prank had played out in his mind as he approached the side of the pool. He looked down into the blue water and gulped. A memory violently resurfaced from his past as he took a step back in fear. He remembered hearing the impact of the two cars colliding. He also remembered when his daddy's car had veered off the road and landed with a splash in a river.
He remembered being trapped in his carseat in the backseat as the water came rushing in. He remembered yelling to his mommy and daddy but there was no reply to his pleas. Then the door being pulled open and hands getting him out but it was not enough to save them. He had been terrified of the water since that day and when his grandpa had found out, he had simply thrown him into the pool to rid him of his phobia. He had been forced to get over his fear and learn to swim. Kai gulped nervously and made a decision that could cost two lives. He pulled off his shoes and jumped into the water to save the chibi that he thought he hated.
While Kai was debating what to do, Tala ran back into the house shrieking at the top of his lungs. There was chaos all ready going on inside from the tantrums but his shriek caught everyone's attention. "BROOKLYN FELL IN POOL!" he screamed, making everyone stop what they were doing and look at him. Hiro was the first to realize what he said as he looked around quickly and then cursed. "KUSO!" he screamed, dropping Tyson on his rear and hoping that he wasn't too late.
Everyone else followed the panicking bluenette out to the pool. Hiro was ripping off his clothes as he ran and jumped in, followed by Rick and Michael. A few seconds past before they finally resurfaced. Rick was holding up Kai, who was coughing violently. Hiro had Brooklyn secured in one of his arms against his chest. He swam up to the side of the pool as Judy took the motionless figure.
CPR was started immediately and fortunately for everyone, Brooklyn responded. He started to breathe and then cough up all the water in his lungs as Judy massaged his back. Hiro squatted down beside of him dripping even more water over the poor chibi as Kai was coughing where he was being attended too by Mr. Dickerson. "Are you all right, tenshi?" Hiro ask as Brooklyn nodded, sadly, then continued to cough before he burst into tears. He jumped into Hiro's arms as the young man held him tightly, afraid that if he let go, he might lose him forever.
"What happened?" Judy ask with a glare that could have killed as she confronted Tala and Kai, who remained oddly quiet, "and why did you jump in after him? Do you not remember the lecture about pool safety that we had just this morning?" "Try to save him," Kai murmured as the anger faded for a brief moment. "I think I know the reason why they were hanging around the pool," Rick remarked, fishing something out of the water as Judy tensed with anger. They recoginized it as the doll that Brooklyn had been carrying around with him.
"I DIDN'T WANT TO DO IT!" Tala confessed as he pointed at Kai, "KAI MADE ME!" He then burst into tears. Bryan felt so sorry for his little team captain that he picked him up to comfort him. Tala's face was almost as red as his hair by then from the tears that had spilled down his cheeks. Kai shivered from Judy's glare even though he was wrapped in a dry towel. It was completely silent as the only sounds that could be heard was Brooklyn and Tala's crying. Judy looked about ready to do some serious damage to one small Russian when Kai whispered, "don't wike water."
To everyone's surprise, he held his head down and started to cry as he wrapped his arms around Mr. Dickerson's neck. "I remember water rushing in car," he said, inbetween sobs, "mommy and daddy didn't answer." The blood drained from Stanley's face as he wrapped his arms around Kai and held him tight. "It's okay, Kai," Stanley reassured, "Brooklyn is fine. There is nothing to worry about. You did a noble deed by trying to save him."
Hiro, who had been on the verge of murder like Judy, changed his mind when he saw Kai break into tears. "What is he talking about?" he ask Judy as the other teens herded the other chibis back to the house. It seemed that everyone had come outside to see what was going on. Rei and Mystel especially looked upset since they had agreed to watch out for Brooklyn and had failed in their task. "I believe he's talking about the day his parents died," Judy whispered, "they died in a car wreck when he was three. The car ended up in a river after the collision and the rescuers could only save Kai. Susumu and Catherine Hiwatari both drowned when the vechicle was swept away by the current after they pulled Kai out."
Hiro had been furious that they had pulled such a cruel joke on Brooklyn that had nearly resulted in his death but knew that he too had been at fault for the accident. He had saw Brooklyn at the patio door with Rei and Mystel but his attention had been diverted by Tyson's screams. He had completely forgotten about Brooklyn and had assumed he was safe. He was unfit to watch him after this. He had almost allowed him to die.
"We are all at fault," Judy reassured, putting a comforting hand on his shoulder, "I was preoccupied with Max's tantrum that I forgot about him as well. You are not an unfit guardian for a brief moment of forgetfulness." Hiro wished that he could believe her but still the fear and doubt lingered. He held Brooklyn even tighter as he buried his face into his hair. "I broke my promise, tenshi," he whispered as his tears mixed in with the water from the pool, "please forgive me because I will never be able to forgive myself."
AS