Chapter 63------The Whole World's Angry
Mai awoke to the sound of birds chirping outside the window. She moved when—"Itai." Her neck strained with pain. Very slowly, she sat upright, taking care not to send a wave of pain jolting throughout her whole body. She looked around and understood why. Robert had left her in the same room as last night; she must've fallen asleep in an uncomfortable position. 'This is how he treats his guests?' Mai scowled as she massaged her neck.
The girl pulled the blanket off, got up and stretched. She had fallen asleep in her clothes, and not a very nice thing to do, especially when you need to head back to the hotel in them. What would people think if she came strolling in with dishevelled hair and crinkled clothes? "Stupid Robert!" She cursed under her breath as she tried to fix her hair in the mirror. As she ran her fingers through her hair, she became all too aware of the length; the strands fell from her fingers within a few milliseconds. It was short, maybe a little too short. Or perhaps she just wasn't used to it seeing that she had kept a long mane ever since childhood.
Mai opened the doors and walked out into the corridor. She figured it was still early in the morning because someone would've called her by now if she had overslept. Silently, she explored the hallways, wondering where the rest were and if they were already awake.
-Meow-
She halted a few feet away from the grey cat which stared at her intently. And as always, it scurried off without a care. But this time Mai was quick enough and picked up the squirming animal by the waist, "Gotcha!" She carried it and sat in a nearby chair, gently forcing the cat to rest on her lap. "You got me into a lot of trouble yesterday, you did." The cat looked up at her absent-mindedly and elicited another meow.
"Hey."
Mai looked up—"Itai!" The cat had scratched her before leaping off her lap and dashing down the hallway. The red line wasn't that deep but it stung when she moved her hand.
"You shouldn't have picked him up. Faust doesn't like it when other people touch him."
Enrique sat down next to her. "Let me see your hand." To her surprise, he didn't wait for her to react but just took it anyway. Her heartbeat raced as he held her hand. Mai hardly experienced this, a boy holding her hand. Even with Riya it was rare. To be honest, she couldn't even remember the last time they held hands. "It's not too bad. A little antiseptic should do it, no need for band-aids." He let go of her hand. Mai nodded and kept her eyes glued to the floor. Last night Enrique was the biggest Casanova and today he was Mr Sensitive? It wasn't possible!
'No, you're jumping to too many conclusions. Maybe he's just concerned? Yeah that's it! Concern! Nothing else to it!' She reassured herself.
"Are you hungry? Let's get some breakfast! How about pancakes?" He pulled her up but Mai quickly removed her hand from his grip.
"I can walk by myself…"
The boy smiled, "Of course you can." He held out his hand, "After you," and the both of them walked to the dining hall…
-Later-
Mai sat on the floor cradling her knees. The portrait looked even more beautiful in the morning light. Serendipitously, she had stumbled upon the armour room while trying to find the guys and spent the whole morning there, at least until someone came looking for her. Mai scrutinised the picture, studying every detail: the background, the patterned fabric of her dress, the rosy colour of her cheeks. Who was this Princess Renaissance and where had she run off to? Had she taken the jewel with her? Or did Robert have it? She had so many questions which were doomed to be un-entertained by the master of the house. She had two jewels and Riya had one, it was a desperate race to find the last one and Mai didn't have the slightest idea where to look.
"I thought I'd find you here."
The voice didn't startle her this time; Mai knew who it belonged to. She heard his heels click on the floor and soon felt his presence next to her.
"I don't see what's so fascinating about a painting of a deceased woman." Robert looked up at the portrait in mock appreciation. Mai rolled her eyes. Robert had already given her a strained neck, she didn't need his sarcasm to make her day any worse. The girl got up from the floor and dusted the back of her pants. "She may not be important to you but she is to me."
"Why? Has it got something to do with your tribe? Zeelas, right?"
Mai didn't see the need to answer his question and threw one of her own back at him. "Do you happen to have a family heirloom by any chance? Like a piece of jewellery passed down for many generations?"
He raised a brow. Mai waited for an answer… either this guy was plain deaf or seriously thick in the head. "An opal-like jewel?" she put it simply.
Robert folded his arms, "Even if I had one I wouldn't tell you. After that little charade you pulled last night who knows what you're going to do."
"It'd make things easier for me if you did." Mai stood casually, abandoning her posture for a while. "And I'm asking you nicely, would you please be so kind as to tell me if you have anything similar to whatever I've described?" The girl flashed her most innocent smile.
The German suppressed smirked, slightly amused by how much effort she was putting into this. She must really want to know. "As I've said before, I wouldn't tell you."
Mai was losing her patience with him. If she could just sense the jewel then it'd save her the trouble of wasting her life with this arrogant prick, but the mansion was huge and she didn't have the time and patience to go looking high and low for a tiny rock. "Please, this is really important to me," Mai's eyes pleaded.
"And what if I don't tell you?"
Mai couldn't believe it! She had asked nicely and to some extent even sincerely!
"Fine! Don't tell me! I'll just find out for myself!" She stormed off but turned around to give one last verbal attack, "And for one who's twenty-one you behave worse than a six year old kid! Now I see how hard your family actually worked, your character's worse than crap!" She gave him a seething look before disappearing behind the door.
Robert clucked his tongue and shook his head, "My my…how uncouth."
But what Mai had said left him irritated. 'Now I see how hard your family actually worked, your character's worse than crap!' His face twitched with disgust as he remembered her words. "How dare she insult my family!"
"Master Robert?" Robert's head shot up, the anger slowly draining from his face as he saw Alfred at the door. "It's time for the guests to leave. Would you like me to show them out?"
"No, no, I'll do it myself."
-Somewhere else…-
Tala sat thinking. The problem wasn't getting the girl, it was facing Kai. "Kai," he growled, as he recalled that faithful night twelve years ago. Tala couldn't stand the sight of Kai's face, how he had grown up over the years in FREEDOM while he could only watch the world from a window above his room and behind closed metal gates.
-Flashback-
"Sir."
"Ah! Tala my boy! Come, sit down!"
The redhead narrowed his eyes as he stepped into the room. Voltaire only acted this way when he wanted something. And that something was usually worth tons more than a showy display of friendliness. He kept a straight face as Voltaire smiled back at him. 'Hmph, cut it out old man. I don't need your false pretences.'
"How has my favourite blader been?"
"The usual," Tala replied sarcastically, "ten lashes a day, running five kilometres in the blistering cold; you know I have a busy schedule." 'You designed it you idiot, so what's the point in asking?'
Voltaire's jaw stiffened, "Mind your tone when you talk to me boy! You should be grateful for what I've done for you!" He puffed on his cigar and blew the smoke in Tala's face. "And don't think I'm not aware of the marvellous vocabulary you have to substitute the word 'sir' when I'm not around."
"What do you want?"
The man took one last drag before extinguishing his cigar in the ash tray. "I have a big mission for you so I shall overlook your impudence for today."
"Just get on with it." Tala was growing impatient with him. The longer time he spent here, the longer his buddies would have to endure Boris' torturous training.
"How would you like to visit an old friend?" The man's eyes twinkled in a sinister way. The boy raised a brow. The only friends he ever had were either dead or here in Biovolt. "Study these," Voltaire slid a brown envelope across the table towards Tala. "It contains everything you need to know. Take Spencer and Bryan along with you."
The redhead peered inside and pulled out a picture. His eyes widened, "It's Kai." He rummaged through the envelope and took out more pictures, spreading them on the table.
"So you remember my good-for-nothing grandson who escaped and left you behind?"
"Of course," Tala studied the pictures, "how could I forget?"
-Flashback-
"Kai, I can't! My leg!" I was limping as he pulled me along.
"No! We'll make it! C'mon!"
We heard gunshots. Voltaire was shouting to get us. We were reaching the exit.
Soon, soon we'd be free!
You burst threw the door and we entered the frosty night.
We did it! We're free!
Running; running through the snow which went up to our knees. And then I fell…
You turned around and saw me lying in the snow.
"Tala!"
You ran back to help me but then saw them coming, shouting for us, carrying guns…
"Get the one on the ground! Secure him!"
"Kai!"
You just stood there, your body turning to run. The look you gave me.
"Kai, help me!" The men bound my hands even though I tried to struggle. "Kai!"
You turned to run.
"KAAAAAAAIII!"
You left me behind.
-End of flashback-
'You left me behind…' Tala gritted his teeth as he stared at the picture, wishing he could burn a hole in Kai's face. And to think, the promise they had made twelve years ago…pfft.
"Don't you hate him for leaving you? Don't you want REVENGE? Well this is your chance, Tala! Make him PAY for what he did to you!" Voltaire exclaimed.
-End of flashback-
"Damn right I'll make him pay." Tala opened his laptop once again and studied the files Voltaire had given him. He was going to make this one flawless: minimum effort on his part but with maximum impact on Kai.
"Hey Tala, check this out." Spencer handed him a newspaper cutting. The Russian read the headline and a smirk played on his lips. "It's payback time."
-Back to Mai…-
"I'm telling you, he likes you!"
Dragoon swerved and tackled Levian hard on the side.
"And I'm telling you he doesn't!"
Levian returned the attack, sending Dragoon crashing into the bushes.
"C'mon! He dotes on you like a princess!"
"Does not!"
Levian slammed into Dragoon.
"Does to!"
The white blade retaliated and drilled at Levian's attack ring.
"DOES NOT!"
Both beyblades pushed and pulled against each other.
"DOES TO!"
"KNOCK IT OFF!" Kai launched Dranzer and sent both beyblades hurtling towards the bushes. Dragoon and Levian rolled onto the grass and pathetically came to rest at their masters' feet.
"I ASKED THE BOTH OF YOU TO BEYBLADE NOT EXCHANGE NOISE WITH EACH OTHER!" Mai and Tyson gave each other a look that screamed this-is-all-your-fault and turned away, especially avoiding eye contact with an irate Kai.
"Pick up your beyblades and get back to training!"
The both of them followed obediently. Now that Hilary wasn't around to settle their training regime, it was up to Kai to torture them in any way he liked, at least until Kenny arrived which was a painful sixteen hours away… Mai resented this but in no way could she defy Kai. The rest wouldn't go against him and she'd be riding solo if she did. It was Kai's way or the highway and frankly Mai would rather choose the highway if it weren't for her being the only one on that road. That's right, she was the ONLY ONE on that road. No tribe, no Copellia and the rest, and with her Grandfather lurking somewhere in the picture she'd rather not take the risk. Not until she knew she was strong enough.
Which reminded her, Levian had yet to perfect that new move. Maybe...
"Hey Kai!" He turned to see Mai tossing her beyblade up in the air and then catching it, "How about a battle?"
Now his whole body faced her. Was she challenging him?
"You're asking for a thrashing, Mai!" Max called out but the both of them ignored his words as they stood at both ends of the dirt patch. This was Mai's chance to see if her training had paid off and hopefully Dranzer could give Levian that little extra boost he needed to execute the move. But that was only IF she and Levian could pull it off, if not then…well Max had already made it clear to them.
"Rule number one, no Eden."
She snorted; all hell would break lose if she transformed into Eden. "Rule number two, no holding back. Agreed?" Kai just shrugged, she was really asking for it. Mai was too cocky for her own good. He'd teach her humility the hard way.
"Ready? LET IT RIP!"
-Two minutes later…-
"Damn it…" Mai panted heavily as her eyes focused on Kai. The boy didn't look half as exhausted as she was but you could tell he was slightly drained as well. Mai had been on the offensive trying to get Dranzer to attack but Kai was playing his defence well. It was as if Dranzer had absorbed the impact of every tackle and shove Levian threw at him. Mai decided to change her tactic, she was wasting too much energy using this approach.
"Levian! Water mage!" In a flash, several clones of Levian popped up and encircled the red phoenix. The move would help buy some time for Mai to rethink her battle strategy. She didn't need to win this, she just needed to bring out Dranzer's full power.
"DRANZER! FLAMING GIGS TURBO!"
The blue beyblade tripled its speed and a towering whirlwind of fire blasted from the middle of the bit-chip. The flames engulfed every single clone, vaporising them in a matter of minutes, leaving just one. 'NO!' Mai's eyes darted around, she had to do something!
"DODGE, LEVIAN!"
The white wolf leapt off the slopes as Dranzer's flames advanced nearer. If there was one thing Levian had that Dranzer didn't, it was speed. Mai's beyblade spun around Dranzer, leaving it trapped in a ring as it tried to attack. You could actually see the column of fire moving in circles trying to get a Levian's tail.
"NOW!"
Blue flames burst forth from Mai's beyblade and spiralled skyward like a sea serpent. It coiled around the orange flames, tighter and tighter it constricted and diminished the raging fire. Kai gritted his teeth as the heat sent him backing away. There was no way he'd admit defeat, especially not to her. It'd be like getting slapped in face with a fish!
"YOU'RE NOT EVEN TRYING KAI!" Mai shouted over the flames.
Max, Tyson and Rei watched with mouths hanging open. Was Mai crazy? Her beyblade would be burnt to smithereens if she got on Kai's bad side. "STOP IT!"
"YEAH! THE BOTH OF YOU ARE GETTING OUT OF HAND!"
But their words fell on deaf ears. Mai and Kai were stubborn fools and all they cared about now was getting what they wanted. As the two teenagers faced off, their bit beasts stood with them at each end. Red against blue, who would be victorious?
"You really wanna see?" Kai's eyes were a scary shade of red, "Fine, I'll show you."
For the first time Mai was afraid of Kai. Her heart beat with slight trepidation as she watched the red aura grow around him. 'Levian.' The wolf turned to face her and nodded reassuringly. He turned to look up at his opponent; Dranzer's flames were burning much brighter now. 'This is it. Now's Levian's chance!' "LET'S DO IT LEV!"
Levian lunged forward, his jaws gaping. Dranzer charged in to intercept the attack and the both of them collided in a fury of snapping and flapping wings. The two separated and clashed again. Claws swiped and talons scratched as both bitbeasts held their ground. Mai could feel her legs shaking from the strain on her body but she had to do this for Lev. She didn't know if it would work but they had to try. A heavy paw slammed into Dranzer's side and sent the bird flying with a shrill cry.
"DRANZER!"
The phoenix flapped its wings to steady itself and flew over Levian. With a quick move, Dranzer swept a gale of fire towards the wolf. Mai heard a wincing howl as the flames zinged Levian's coat. Nevertheless, the girl maintained her faith in him. She knew Lev could do this. 'Just hold up a bit longer!'
Levian rolled on the ground like a pig wallowing in the mud trying to put out the flames. Kai gave another order for Dranzer to attack but the wolf growled and quickly sprang to his feet. He had enough of the pesky bird; he was going to finish this once and for all.
All of a sudden Mai's beyblade went into turbo spin as it stood where it was, the friction from its drill bit penetrating a hole in the ground. Flecks of white started appearing around the spinning body and the blue flames at Levian's feet had frozen into spikes of ice. Kai was unfazed by all of this. He had something up his sleeve too. "DRANZER!" The phoenix soared high into the sky and disappeared behind the cumulus blanket.
"No…He's not—!" Rei prayed it wasn't what he thought it was. "STOP IT!"
"FLAME GENE—"
"YOU'LL KILL HER!"
'!'
In an instant, Kai's aura died down and Dranzer got sucked back into its bit-chip.
Mai stood there stupefied like she was frozen in time, 'WHAT HAPPENED?' Kai was bent over, palms resting on his knees and eyes as wide as dinner plates. What was he doing? What was he THINKING? If Rei hadn't stopped him he could've…he could've…
-Flashback-
Blazing red feathers plunged to the ground, stabbing the earth. No one was spared from the cloud of raging fire that fell from the sky, not even the Bladebreakers themselves. The orange monster engulfed the whole area, spreading to the edge of the forest where its fiery tongue lapped at the barren trees. The fire ignited everything that stood in its path and not even the rain could subdue its persistent embers.
-End of flashback-
He looked up at Mai. She was okay but she was looking at him with a confused look on her face.
"Kai! Are you all right?" Max helped him stand upright. He slung his captain's arm over his shoulder so that he could support him. That's when Mai forgot how tired she was and ran to Kai's side. "Are you okay? You're not hurt right?" her eyes frantically searched for any bruises or wounds. She knew Kai would push himself but she never expected things to turn out this way. Gosh she had been so selfish!
But the way Kai looked at her made her take a step back. His eyes burned with a sort of hatred in them. Mai gulped, she was merely concerned. She didn't know he'd react this way.
Inside Kai was cursing and swearing: 'How dare she provoke me? I could've KILLED her!' "You think this is all just fun and games?" His voice was rising.
"Kai, I—"
"Get lost! Get out of my sight!" he spat as he held his intense glare.
Mai backed away, almost tripping over a stone. She wanted to explain but it looked like nothing she could say would help make things better. Why was he mad at her? It was just a battle. What had she done?
Mai hated the look in his eyes. She could take the snide remarks and bossy attitude but that look just killed her. She watched helplessly as Max supported Kai up the little slope, leaving her behind with Tyson and Rei.
"Don't mind what he said, he's just tired." Rei tried to comfort her.
Mai gave him a wan smile then looked glumly at the floor. She really hated that look. She didn't want Kai to hate her. Dislike was one thing but hate was the extreme! Like she was a pest, or someone who had murdered his family…
"Hey, zou le ba. (mandarin: let's go)" Rei gave her a gentle push and the trio started walking with Mai dragging her heavy feet behind her…
-Fast forward-
She sat crossed-legged on the bed as Kenny talked about battle strategies. The others had questions but she had none. She wasn't listening to any of it, she had virtually switched off. How could she even concentrate knowing that Kai was in the room? She felt like she was walking on a tightrope, one false move—and he would detonate like a bomb. The past few days leading up to the tournament weren't so pleasant either…
"Max, Rei, Tyson! Fifteen laps around the arena! The rest of you, twenty!"
Oh right, Mai became known as 'the rest' because Kai wouldn't even let her name touch his tongue…
She couldn't stand it the way he looked at her, with that you-ruined-my-life glare. At times she wanted to apologise but when she opened her mouth, nothing came out and Kai would just say something nasty and walk away, leaving her feeling irritated and angry that she'd wonder why she even wanted to say sorry in the first place. Maybe he didn't deserve her apology, considering the way he was treating her it looked like he didn't need it. But Mai couldn't go on like this. She was going to live with the Bladebreakers for as long as she could and if she had to see Kai's tormenting expression everyday she'd go crazy.
"Any questions?"
"No," Mai seemed stunned by her own abrupt reply. The words just popped right out of her mouth. "I mean—no questions…"
-Kai's POV-
Pfft. She's not even listening…
I turned away looking for something more pleasant to lay eyes on and settled on the waterway below. It was dark outside and I refocused my vision to see the reflections of those in the room. I caught her looking at me, the same way she did these past few days: guilty, helpless…like a spineless dog.
Maybe I should thank her. She gave me a reason to hate her, just what I needed to help erase my feelings for her—or now lack thereof.
Dranzer: You're fooling yourself.
I'm fooling myself? It was her fault, Dranzer! She provoked me into almost killing her! She has no idea what I'm capable of, to her it's just a battle, a battle where I put her life at stake! I could've killed her with my own bear hands and she doesn't even know it!
Dranzer: I know you're upset with her. But you're more mortified by the fact that YOU could've killed her. That the one you tried so desperately to protect all this while could die at your hands.
Though I hated the truth being shoved into my face, Dranzer was right. I didn't want to lose someone because of me. I vowed never again to let anyone suffer the same fate as Nala did. Travelling on one guilty path was enough; I didn't need a fork in the road.
Mai's foolish, she deserves it…
-End of POV-
Kai watched as Mai played with the zipper of her hoody. He knew all too well that she was feeling uncomfortable around him but so what? He wasn't the only one who was at fault here. She needed to do a little soul-searching herself. 'Maybe this'll teach her to grow up.'