Chapter 3: Kenny, the Slave Driver

Hiromi rushes her way up the last few flights of stair, yelling at me to move me feet. There is no way I would run like her; it's only been twenty minutes since the meeting must have started. We're not that late; I'm comfortable walking at my preferred pace. Hiromi, however, hasn't stopped to breathe since we entered the BBA building and she's the one who's been running, while I've been following her lazily up the stairs.

Someone remind Miriam to get the elevator fixed; if I have to climb this stairway up to the thirty-third floor one more time, someone is going to end up in the abbey. Okay, it was inadequate of me to mull over that. This is what I was talking about the last night! I need to do something with the abbey before I have someone ended up there in one of my flying rages. Which reminds me of something else; maybe I should look up those anger-management classes that Hiromi got all those years ago…

"Kai," her voice sounds shrill as she turns her head back to look at me, not even pausing when she's speaking. "Kenny is going to kill us; would it kill you to pick up the pace?!"

Stopping in my steps, I cock my head to the side and chuckle at her words. There is no reaction; she doesn't even turn to look back at me, aside from continuing to move up the steps till she disappears up a flight. Still standing here with a small smile on my face, I heard her shout from somewhere above me, "Move your legs, Kai!" I can hear her panting and her feet pounding against the stairs. Ah, so she was finally tired of running like she was being hunted. "Pretend this is a race, are you gonna lose to me?"

Rolling my eyes, I start moving again to catch up with her, unable to help my mouth from twitching at the corners. My thoughts drift toward what assignment Kenny has for me, and who would be my partner. Last time, I ended up in South America with Jim; those were unentertaining three months. It better be someone tolerable or else Kenny will seriously suffer at my hand, or I'll hijack Dizzy, that'll get Chief to comply to my wishes.

Climbing the final fight of stairs, winded and panting, I enter the lobby in front of the conference room. Hiromi's standing in front of the door, hunching down with her hands on her knees to support her weight. I smirk smugly as I make my way over to her. So, in my not-so-sober yet not-drunk-state last night, I decided that for the moment I was going to nothing about the Hiromi-issue. I was only going to be here for two more days before heading off to wherever I'm shipped, so it wasn't as if I can do much in the little time we have here together…well I can, but our relationship is far too complicated and hassle is something I am not in the mood to afford. Especially considering how to neurotic Hiromi can be.

Stalling appears to be good for now; I have to leave and stalling is the easiest choice, but then again, I'll never have a long enough chance but I try to ignore the fact for the time being. The only person who'll decide my fate is me; I still live by this belief even though it is necessarily untrue.

It was only when ten minutes were left for the meeting to start, did either of us remember that we were due and were at least twenty minutes away from just the building. After a few seconds of Hiromi trying to recompose herself; with how freaked out she had been and how haphazardly she had been running, it was apparent she was looking and feeling like a mess, we finally enter the conference room.

All eyes turn to us as the double doors swung open in midst of what, apparently, had been a very stern and momentous meeting. The whole ambiance of the place seems profoundly different than last night; there is no hanging air of tedium or inattentiveness, everyone seems legitimately attentive to what was going on -that is, before we interrupted- and Kenny seems to be casting a far more intimidating aura, you can tell that by just the way he's standing behind his podium at the moment, glaring down at us.

Being late would have been a lot less awkward if it wasn't the two of us late; and to be precise, if it wasn't the two of us late together. Each eye in the room is staring at us unashamedly and their expression is plainly accusatory; it seems they believe that we were late on purpose. When you've known people long enough, and have lived and travelled together – as all us bladers have, unfortunately, known each other- not many a thoughts and instances remain private or unnoticed. All these vultures disguised as former-bladers and now-somewhat-spies are always looking for something to use as a distraction from the usually-foreboding-and-life-threatening routines. Hiromi and I are, unfortunately, one of those distractions. It's been barely a minute since we entered and the awkward air that got created as we came in together is already choking.

There is a palpably fake cough from Tala, who is smiling at us from across the room. Kenny's glare directed at us intensifies even more than before, and its times like these that have me believe that he has really matured from the twelve-year-old boy I first met.

Hiromi and I quickly make our way to the two empty seats at the entire conference table, located at the edge of the table, and settle in inconspicuously. A scrutinizing glance that reminded my vaguely of Mr. Dickenson is cast at us as we discreetly take our seats next to each other, with me at the corner and Hiromi in between me and Ming Ming.

Kenny resumes speaking in a rather biting tone and, soon enough, all the attention drifts away from the two of us and back on our dear leader. I had a hunch that this was going to be a longer meeting than the one before.

-xxx-

Each person who was at the conference yesterday is also present today. The only few people missing – today and yesterday – are those who are still involved in their past missions to the extent that they can't afford to visit in fear of risking detection, and others – two – who are missing in action.

I try not to think about that too much. I'm sure Wyatt and that girl, from Barthaz's old team are fine. Miguel hasn't forgiven himself for leaving without her, and I am yet to forgive myself for having involved Wyatt in my twisted world of blading in the first place. Just because I don't want them to die, doesn't mean they won't.

I glance at Hiromi – who has been rather quite throughout the entire meeting, owing to our conspicuous entrance – to see her looking down at the sheet of paper on the table in front of her, her head turned away from me and a curtain of chocolate brown hair hiding her face from my, along with everyone else's, view.

She was another person whose life wouldn't be on the line if I hadn't gotten her involved in blading, or if I hadn't revealed the wrongs of the world that was my past to her. Hiromi might be a nagging, short-fused, screaming banshee and her attitude might make me tremble in anger half the time we're in each other's company, but I wouldn't want her to get a scratch on herself, particularly because of me.

Kenny, who's giving the impression of being in a rather sour mood, is announcing the new delegations for those who have completed their previous assignments. I wonder if it was our tardiness or if he was in a resentful mood all on his own. I'd pledge for the former. Whenever it's a critical meeting, Kenny's usually monotonously ranting attitude turns into the motivating and obligating address of a leader worth following.

Right now the BBA technician – for show, that is, he doesn't have time to be a technician along with running this bureau – is announcing the partners for the new assignments and then calling the newly assigned cells to give them a briefing for the mission. Almost everyone has been delegated, I am one of the few people yet to be given their assignments.

"Hiromi Tachibana. Kai Hiwatari."

I choke at my spit and ignore a thud from beside me.

There are muffled chuckles from the crowd. If Kenny wasn't in such a serious mood, I'm certain there would have been cat-calls and wolf-whistles. These people really need lives.

If I wasn't usually so composed, I would have hit my face on the table. Hiromi actually just did; her face had been resting on her elbow, and it lost balance soon as she heard the chief's words, resulting in her face landing on the wooden surface. That was why I heard the thud.

I, on the other hand, – minus the choking on my saliva – am still staring impassively at everyone at the table, apparently unconcerned. In my mind, however, there's a banshee screaming in denial…or maybe it's Hiromi screaming next to me.

I crane my neck slightly to look at her. Nope, she's gawking with her mouth open at Kenny. It's definitely my inner voice protesting against this merciless responsibility that has been shoved onto me. Me and Hiromi, Hiromi and me; one of our worlds is officially ending.

"No way!" Hiromi shouts, speaking for the first time since we got here. Muttering a string of colorful curses, she begins stomping her way across the room.

I watch her stalk away, fuming, and the others are all still snickering.

"Kenny," she growls, climbing up the steps to the platform, her face is one of pure outrage, the kind that used to be reserved for just Daichi, when we were younger, and now -Daichi still, but more often- me. "What the hell is wrong with you?!"

If the boy wasn't as dedicated to his job as he is, and if he was still the shy and nervous little Kenny from back when he was in his early teens, Hiromi's raw wrath released solely upon him would have probably made him wet himself.

However it didn't keep his voice from wavering though, "Hiromi, please, try to understand."

"What is there to understand, Chief?!" Hiromi bites out each word scathingly.

Kenny makes his way off the podium, leaving her staring at his retreating back. His gesture indicates that we follow him, so he can give us the details of our assignment. Resisting the urge to roll my eyes, I follow my new partner – who was still standing indignantly at the top of the stage, near the podium – across the room, while Kenny is waiting for us at his desk.

Eyes follow me as I climb the first step of the staircase. "Hiromi," I hiss, glaring at her pointedly. "Get down from there."

She ignores my words, but gets down anyway and, together, we go over to where Kenny is seated, waiting for us at his desk.

"Come see me tomorrow at my office somewhere in the evening, and I'll give you the details."

"Why not now?" I ask, towering over him with my hands folded.

"Too many details I have to discuss, and in private." he answers.

"I am not working with her." I snarl simply, ignoring the fact that Hiromi is right next to me, and the rather civil time we spent this morning.

"He's right, Kenny," Hiromi's voice seems calmer. "I am not working with this shallow jerk."

I ignore her words.

Kenny grumbles unintelligibly under his breath; he whispers lowly, so the rest of the room doesn't hear, "Boris might be out of prison."

Hiromi isn't the only who's face lost its composure, I seriously think my jaw dropped too.

"Yes," he continued tentatively, rubbing his temples with two fingers, "there's a reason I put you two together. I'm gonna have to listen to you two bitch, too."

I'm the first one to snap out of my shell shock, "No way!"my voice is a snarl without my intending it to be. "We cannot work in sync on a project like this! We can't cooperate together!"

This is a whole new ball game. Having to spend a lot of time with Hiromi was unappealing- yet pleasing all the same, though in a way I wouldn't prefer- and her rash personality involved with Boris? I am not going to risk that!

Kenny shrugs. "Well, you have to."

Hiromi is quiet but her face seems decisive. Her anger seems to have vanished. I, on the other hand, am seething. There is no way we're working together to bring down Boris.

"Pair us up with someone else –" I offer.

Kenny narrows his eyes. "No." he answers flatly. "Be in my office tomorrow."

"Kenny, are you sure about Boris?" Hiromi's voice seems nervous and vulnerable.

There's a sigh from the chief, "I'm pretty certain."

Hiromi purses her lip and it seems apparent that all her anger is gone now; even her hatred for me seems to have disappeared. "It's fine with me. Working with Kai, that is. As long as we can stop Boris."

My eyes widen.

"Thanks, Hiromi," Kenny tells her gratefully while looking at me pointedly. Hiromi's words have left me tongue-tied and I don't know how to handle this situation anymore. She wants to stop Boris?! Oh God. I need to stop her! Her hatred for the situation being as potent as mine was the only thing I was counting on, and having known of stopping Boris, it's gone now.

"Whatever," she mutters in condescending tone. "I'm leaving." She stands there for a moment, looking contemplative, and then walks off without muttering like the insane human being she is.

I need to get us out of this mess – us, as in, me and Hiromi- since she's far too hot-headed and obsessed with stopping Boris to care for anything. There is no way I'm letting her involved in this mess.

She leaves the room slamming the door – over dramatic little minx – but Kenny is understanding and doesn't protest. The rest of the clowns in the room have lost interest in our situation and have gone back to their own doings; chatting and goofing off.

I turn back to Kenny to try and reason against him.

"Not a word, Kai," his tone has a finality I can't question. I have no choice, at least not for the moment.

I take a calming breath, but it sounds more like a growl, "Fine."

I head back to my seat as he calls, "Brooklyn Kingston, Ming Ming Love."

Oh yeah, with MingMing, he gives her a partner she'd love to have. Biased asshole. I stalk all the way across the room to my seat and slump in, fully ignoring Kenny and the rest of this meeting even more efficiently than before.

-xxx-

Empty and traffic-less roads have always drawn me to go on long drives. Driving at full speed on a vacant road always helps me clear my thoughts; and when the road belong to my birth place of Moscow, it makes it all the more better. The snow covered environ makes it far more, easier to clear my thoughts.

Hiwatari Enterprises will be running without its CEO for another indefinite period of time. Those who will be playing in charge have been informed of their duties. Everyone at Voltaire's mansion has been informed that I will not be returning for quite some time, again. Yes, Voltaire's mansion, not home. It's not my home even if I do own the place; I have never spent time there long enough or made fond memories at the place for it to be ever considered as such. The dojo, there once was a time I would have regarded as such, but not anymore.

For a long time, there hasn't been any place I could actually consider home. I've lived in a lot of places in the years gone by, but none of them have the sentimental manifestation of a home; they've just been a roof above my head during the few late hours of the night. I am not sixteen anymore and I no longer have the stamina to live on the streets.

Speaking of living accommodations, I pass by an apartment complex in downtown Moscow and I step harder on the gas pedal. This will be the place I'll be pretending to be my home from the next few days. Investigating about Boris's whereabouts and doings we need to be inconspicuous and though our faces aren't as recognizable as before, it's better to live unobtrusively in the busy downtown of Moscow. Hiromi and I, it'll be the two of us, in Russia. I growl at the very thought and step harder on the gas pedal.

This is going to be problematical. She should be in Japan, safe and sound, still badgering my ear off, but on occasional phone calls. I have tried all that I could in the three days I had left in Japan. Kenny, being the tyrannical little bastard he's turned into, believes he has confidential reasons for pairing us up and sending us to deal with issues in Russia.

Its one in the morning when I enter the BBA building, an hour before my flight to Russia; I need to take one last chance to convince Kenny to change his decision. What his motive is behind putting the two of us together, it's beyond me! Honestly, I do not care. I just do not want to spend an unknown future amount of time in Hiromi's presence and I certainly do not want her setting foot anywhere near Russia.

I curse every fiber of Miriam's being. The damned elevators still aren't fixed. Tch. Some one really needs to talk to that girl again about having that thing working. I think she does these things on purpose, to take revenge on all of us. She considers our presence – particularly when there are more than a few of us who are present – very unconscientiously.

It's rather immature of her; she's the in charge of a world wide beyblade organization, and she needs to learn to deal with the responsibilities. Then again, housing and being a cover of an illegal organization that aims to bring down other illegal organizations, was probably not on the job description.

I haven't had any interaction with Hiromi since our meeting with Kenny yesterday. She isn't pleased with the situation either, though her reasons are dominantly different than mine.

Luckily, Kenny's office is on the tenth floor and I make it up before even breaking too much of a sweat. I reach the room labeled as being the workplace of the head-technician of the BBA. I snort at the golden plate screwed on the door and without hesitating, enter the room.

The brown-haired boy fails to notice me entering and taking a seat on a leather chair in front of his desk, far too engrossed in his laptop.

"Chief, visitor." the annoyingly snarky laptop chirps. "Old sourpuss is visiting. Probably wants to thank you for setting him up with Hiromi alone."

I could hear the suggestive smirk in her tone, but I refrained from growling.

One day I will tear this worthless piece of electronic trash from limb to limb. Yes, I know that it won't affect the Dizzy, since she's a damned bit beast, Hiromi pointed out to me the flaw in my plot when I cited it to her, but I try to ignore it. The thought of violence directed at the mordant computer seems very fulfilling.

"Huh," Kenny looks up from his laptop stunned for a second. A second later, he looks up at me with an eyebrow raised behind his glasses. "Kai, what are you doing here?" he asks, glancing instinctively at the clock on the wall to his left.

"I want you to withdraw Hiromi." I state simply.

Kenny adjusts his glasses and looks at me wearily. "No, Kai, I'm sorry, I can't. Whatever spats you have with each other, you're going to have to deal with it."

"Hiromi is no particular asset for this mission; anyone else will be just as proficient in the situation."

He sighs in response. "Dealing with Boris, we need your help."

"Exactly." I say, glad that we're on the same page, "Me, not Hiromi!"

"Boris is involved in this, Kai!" his tone is whining and his face seems exasperated. Why doesn't he understand that's exactly why I don't want her coming?! I don't care about our bitchy relationship.

"I don't want her involved with him!" I admit finally, using it as a last straw.

Kenny smiles up at me. "And I do not want you caught up with BioVolt without having someone to keep you grounded and sane."

"Get someone else." I protest slamming a hand against the table. "Hiromi doesn't control me."

He ignores my words. "I've put a lot of thought behind this, Kai." He pauses for a minute. "I've wanted to have the Boris situation permanently dealt with for a while now. I just wanted to wait for the right time to get you and Hiromi involved." He waits for another few seconds, studying my face before continuing. "You're important for this mission. And I won't send Hiromi headfirst into something like this without you."

"You don't have to get her involved anyways!" I growl at him, his reasons seem senseless to me.

"I can't explain to you, if you do not want to understand. You won't understand."

I throw a blind card and try blackmail. "I won't agree to this."

The younger man looks at me incredulously. "You have to, even if I'd have to assign a third person to tow your ass everywhere."

I glare at him, but do not give him the satisfaction of a verbal response.

"Trust me, Kai, no one can deal with this situation better than you –" I open my mouth to protest, but he continues before I could speak. "Better and healthily than you and Hiromi together."

With that, he turns his head down to a file lying open on his table. I can tell he's not paying the slightest attention to the thing, his eyes aren't even moving. I can sense that this signals the end of my audience with the slave driver of a leader.

I exit the room without a word of goodbye, harshly shutting the door on my way out, pretending that I didn't even hear Kenny sighing a goodbye or Dizzy calling me a hormonal bitch.

Hiromi will be flying into Russia in a week and I could do nothing to prevent this calamity from happening. I swore that even though I couldn't keep her away from the precarious world of beyblading, I would certainly keep her far away from the dangers of my past life. This isn't over yet, Hiromi might be my partner in solving a crime that might involve Boris, but there is no way that damned woman is making it alive through it.

She's potent and very sharp; she could make through whatever is thrown on her even on her own. And she isn't on her own, I'll be with her, and there's no way I'm letting her leave me in any way other than choking on one of her own insults flung at me.

Her face flashes through my mind and I smirk. Instead of driving straight ahead, I make the first u-turn I can; I need to make our accommodation, which I've arranged for us, bearable for her royal pain-in-the-ass. After all, who knows how long we might have to spend in this little down-town apartment. With us living together and alone it will be quite troublesome. And I do not need Hiromi cursing up and down my line of ancestors more so than usual.

God knows Hiromi can't really handle Russia, and Russia can certainly not handle Hiromi. What the hell is that power-abusing Kenny thinking? And what the hell am I thinking trusting our life – mine and Hiromi's – on Kenny's judgment?

-xxx-

AN: I am aware this is long over due. This was supposed to be written on 12th June, however many things happened, emo-attack, SasuSaku obsession, college, writer's block, lack of inspiration, college homework, Ramadan, other stuff, and then finally on 2nd day of Eid I wrote this! xD

Hope it was well worth the wait. :) I wrote the next chapter two days ago, and will put it up soon as Dead-bY-now beta-s it. Thank you to her for beta-ing this. Hope their was enough love-hate-ness for you.

Thank you to SeleneAtar, Kitty Chandelle and Dead-bY-n0w for reviewing the last chapter.

Hope everyone liked it. :)

Please review. I really liked writing this chapter. ;)

01:00 a.m. 25th August, 2012.