Flower_on_thewind: Whoa. ANOTHER chapter out! What's with me lately???
Usually this fic would sit around, collecting dust!
Kevin: You can't resist my charm, can you? ^_^
Duo: HEY!! Get back in the fic! what are you, trying to replace me or something????
Kevin: Who, me?
Flower_on_thewind: DUO! Sit boy! No need to get jealous over nothing!
Kevin: Psh, like I would want your lame ass job anyways.
Duo: *mutter* I really don't see why some ppl think you're cute, cuz you're OBVIOUSLY not!
Kevin: HEY! *takes out galmon* you wanna make something outta this?
Flower_on_thewind: TIME OUT BOTH OF YOU! *shoves two in separate playpens* Let's get on with the fic, shall we?
Duo & Kevin: *grumble in protest*
Flower_on_thewind: First I'd like to thank the following reviewers who reviewed my last chapter! You guys are REALLY nice, I swear! *Puts all of you guys on royal thrones* I dub thee ROYAL READERS FROM AFAR! ^_^;
VoliesDragonGurl : Kevin's dad is such an evil dude, ne? *sighs* I am so evil... but don't worry! I assure you that I am a BIG fan of happy endings (though sad endings usually make the best stories). So there is a 75% chance that after this HUGE fic is over, it will be a happy ending! (duo: *evil smirk* but you know, I can MAKE that 25% grow!)
Desi2: EKK, you're right. Angst is so sad to read about, yet so yummy at the same time. IT'S LIKE A DRUG!!! *breaks down crying* I'm addicted... (Duo: *looks scared* GAAH, not the newspapers!!! *has developed some kind of newspaper phobia* YOU'RE EEEEVVVIILL!! *flower_on_thewind smacks him with her sledge hammer* HOW DARE YOU INSULT OUR READERS!!!!) -__-; I'm terribly sorry about him... he's a mistake. Duo: NO I'M NOT!!T_T
Thanks for reviewing you guys!
Kevin: Can I do the disclaimer???
Duo: NO IT'S MY JOB!!!
Flower_on_thewind: Is it? WELL YOU HAVEN'T BEEN DOING YOUR JOB FOR A LOOOONG TIME!
Kevin: ^____^ Flower_on_thewind doesn't own beyblades, but she'd do ANYTHING to own me!
Duo: I feel so rejected...
~* chapter 13*~
For the Love of a Ghost
Rei was at home cooking himself dinner. His mother was away at his aunt's farm tending to his sick cousin. He had just started cooking the rice until he felt a faint click in the back of his mind. His eyes narrowed upon instinct when he felt it. It was odd...He never felt anything like it before. It felt like something hard was thrown into his gut, but the pain was dimmed... Like it wasn't his pain.
/Driger, did you feel that?/
//zzzZZZZzzzZZZzzzzz...//
oh dear lord...
Rei couldn't believe it. He just COULD NOT BELIEVE IT. His own bit beast was ASLEEP!!! If someone had mentioned the mystical bit beast before he ever came in contact, Rei would have thought about a great, magical spirit that was both commanding and wise. Now, his thoughts were almost a complete 180 from that idea.
"Gah, Driger, you lazy excuse for a bit beast." Rei muttered under his breath.
Something wasn't right. Rei just knew it. A foreboding feeling clenched Rei's stomach tightly. He did his best to ignore the feeling, but it wouldn't go away. Finally ditching the prospect of dinner, Rei went out for a walk.
He had absolutely no idea where he was going, but he knew that if he didn't get there fast, something awful would happen. Rei felt like he was searching for something, though he hadn't the clue what. He past the school, the grocery store, the alley, and even the bakery and he found nothing. Then he came across the old well. It was here that his heart started to pick up the pace. With each step towards the ancient waterhole, his heart hammered faster and stronger. Then he noticed something.
A small bit of green hair glisten out in the moonlight behind the well. There weren't many people in the village with green hair, so Rei immediately knew whom that person was.
'Kevin!'
Rei rushed to Kevin's side to see what was the matter. The boy was curled up in a ball, crying silent tears and shaking slightly. The sight was pitiful and horrible at the same time. Rei's heart suddenly felt like it was made out of lead. He wanted nothing at the moment but to hold Kevin in a tight embrace and somehow make all the bad things go away.
"Kevin, what happened to you?" Rei asked in a worried voice as he gently placed a hand on Kevin's shoulder so the boy wouldn't be startled. Kevin's head snapped up to face Rei. The look of despair faded away with relief once Kevin realized who was with him now.
"Rei!!!" Kevin cried out before he tackled him in an embrace and refused to let go. Rei fervently returned the hug with almost equal emotion.
"Oh, Rei!! I-It was horrible! He-he wouldn't stop." Kevin stuttered. "M-My mom told me t-to leave while she-she... Oh god!! I left her there!!" Kevin couldn't talk any more for the lump in his throat was too thick.
This new information chilled Rei to the core. He promised Kevin that he wouldn't let that bastard hit him anymore. It was a promise he didn't keep. That made Rei feel guilty beyond belief.
"God, I'm sorry, Kevin. I-I didn't know. If I did, I wouldn't have let you go home at all!" Rei tightened his grip on Kevin.
Kevin continued to cry. The words his father said to him rang in his head, and the rage began to come back again. But this time, the anger was tamed. And the comfort of Rei's arms helped suppress the feeling as low as possible. Heck the comfort of Rei's arms did many things to Kevin, though he will never admit it. It made him feel safe, and warm, and really nice. Kevin wasn't use to being so close with another human. He hardly got hugs from his mother, because she was so busy and almost never had a hug with his father. The last time his father had even touched him in a caring way was lost somewhere in a faded memory...
Rei's hug made Kevin feel different. Like he was special and worth touching. There were many things about Rei's hug that made Kevin long for more. Perhaps it was the closeness that allowed Kevin to inhale that faint musky smell that belonged to Rei only. Or maybe it was because Rei always seemed to emit this sense of everything-will-be-alright whenever Rei talked to him. Or maybe it was the way that he touched him that made Kevin feel all warm and safe. It was also the very touch that was so indescribable, which seemed meant for Kevin and Kevin only.
Kevin decided not to ruin the moment by trying to figure out what exactly made Rei's hugs so special. Rei's hugs are so wonderful because they just are! Simple as that. Ever so slowly, his tears were no more and his heavy breathing was now slow and even. The end of this embrace drew closer, which was something he did not want. He unconsciously snuggled closer to Rei as to savor the moment and the process, made a faint purring sound in the back of his throat.
"Did he hurt you?" Rei's tone of voice was serious and full of worry.
Kevin flinched while remembering the stinging sensation that had rang throughout his body. "I-It was my fault. I was disrespectful to him. So he got really angry. Then I-I couldn't take my punishment. I was too weak... too fucking weak! Maybe...Maybe if I were like that boy, my dad would like me better! Maybe if-"
"No, Kevin. Your dad should like you the way you are." Rei sternly reassured the smaller boy.
"But compared to that other boy, I'm a disgrace! Maybe if I tried hard to be good, then maybe-maybe everything will be better!"
" I'm not going to repeat myself. You're the son of your father, not the other boy."
"That's not what he thinks..."
Rei regarded all that was being said and started to wonder silently.
"Kevin, who is this other boy?" Kevin, stiffen and his eyes became wide with fear.
"...A ghost."
"What?" Rei didn't know if Kevin was playing around or if he was serious.
"I-it's kind of hard to explain..." Kevin started. "I only know the parts my dad tells me when he's drunk. He's always sad when he talks about 'him'..."
"...It's okay if you don't want to tell me."
"But I want to tell you!! Nobody knows about it except for me and my mom. I told you before, on that night, that I trusted you. I still trust you. You already know that my dad hits my mom and yells at me. You might as well know the whole story!" Kevin took a few moments trying to figure out how he was going to tell the tale.
"You know when my dad left this village to find better work? I was about 7... It was horrible. The day before he left, my mom and him had a BIG fight. I think my mom said something really mean, and that really hurt my dad. The next thing I knew, he left. My mom was so unhappy that she cried every night when he was gone. She never got to say sorry..."
"My dad traveled to many places to work. During these travels, lots people were unkind to strangers. Many others were horrible people with bad intentions. My dad's travels brought him to Hong Kong. It was here that he met this lady. From what I hear, she was very beautiful with red eyes. She took my dad to her home when he was really sick and helped him get better. My dad was really happy to find someone that was caring to outsiders."
"This lady also had a son. He was a boy genius! He was perfect! He was everything I'm not. He's smart, well behave, and basically much better than me in ALL ways possible! Naturally my dad was impressed with his skills and...I suppose he started seeing the boy like a...a son. ...How could he not!?!?! This guy was perfection in human form! He was what every father wanted his son to be. And the lady...she was like the perfect wife. At least, that was what my dad says... So naturally my dad fell in love with her. He even gave her his wedding ring! The one that is identical to my mother's. In doing so, my dad forgot all about his real family. He didn't care if he had his own wife and his own son back home. We meant nothing to him. NOTHING! I-I still hate him for doing that. My mother always loved my dad no matter what. She may not be perfect, but still! ...She loved him" A shadow of hatred flashed across Kevin's face.
"I-I never knew..." Rei was speechless. Kevin must really trust him a lot to tell him the story of his father's travels. He felt suddenly very special.
"There's more..." Kevin informed darkly. "One day, there was a fire in the apartment building they were living in. The boy and the lady pushed my dad out the window to save him from the oncoming flames. My Father hit his head on the fire escape while falling. The next thing he knew, he was in the hospital and the apartment building was nothing but burnt wood.
The doctors thought my dad went a little crazy after his blow to the head. He kept saying that the boy was with him, talking to him like nothing had happen. I suppose he did go a little bit nuts after the fall, but I think the ghost of the boy still haunt him today. He's always telling me to be more like him and that I'm too weak to be his true son. I'm always the one with fault! He never sees me as who I am, only HIM!!" Kevin's violet eyes flickered between a mixture of hatred and immeasurable sadness.
"So that's the reason he came back? I'd never have guessed... You always seem so happy everyday." Rei released Kevin from the embrace that they both shared as the tale unfolded. "If it weren't for that night on the roof of the bakery shop, I'd know none of this..." He trailed off uncertain on what to say. Inside, he was overwhelmed with emotion. He felt bad for Kevin's father, yet he felt angry with him for oppressing Kevin and his mother. Then Rei heart went out to Kevin for constantly being compared to none other than a ghost.
"I guess I'll forever be in debt to that rooftop. That's how I came into your secret story, Kevin. All because of the bakery shop... I'm really sorry about your dad..." Rei felt so guilty! Ugh, it was affecting everything! Even his speech is starting to sound corny!
"The bakery shop..." Kevin repeated. His eyes suddenly grew big as a GREAT plan popped into his mind. It was filled with mischief and adventure! Perfect to get out of his depressing mood. It's just what he needed, and he had a partner now, so DOUBLE the fun!
"Rei, come with me!! I have a great idea!"
"Huh?" Rei was totally confused with the sudden mood change.
"Come on!!!" Kevin jumped to his feet all the while ignoring the cries of his sore, batter muscles. He was giggling and smiling like a demented fool. It was infectious!
"Where are we-"
"I'll tell you later, let's just go!"
With that, Kevin grabbed Rei's hand and ran down the old pathway, laughing, towards the more densely populated part of the village. Their laughter echoed through the streets and could have been heard up into the night's sky.
~**~
Flower_on_thewind: *Sighs* too much angst, so next chapter will be FUN! Eh... well, sort of fun... *ponders on what next chapter will be about*
Duo: IT'S GOTTA HAVE ACTION!!
Kevin: and I need a hug! *suddenly develops chibi eyes*
Rei: I'll give you one! *huggles Kevin*
Kevin: =^_^=
Flower_on_thewind: EEEP!! WAFF!! Oi, maybe I WILL replace you, Duo. Kevin's PERFECT!
Duo: NOOOOOOO *takes out his gundam and tries to step on Kevin*
Everyone but Duo: NOOOO STOP!!!!!
Kevin: REVIEWERS, SAVE MEEEEE!!!!!!
Kevin: You can't resist my charm, can you? ^_^
Duo: HEY!! Get back in the fic! what are you, trying to replace me or something????
Kevin: Who, me?
Flower_on_thewind: DUO! Sit boy! No need to get jealous over nothing!
Kevin: Psh, like I would want your lame ass job anyways.
Duo: *mutter* I really don't see why some ppl think you're cute, cuz you're OBVIOUSLY not!
Kevin: HEY! *takes out galmon* you wanna make something outta this?
Flower_on_thewind: TIME OUT BOTH OF YOU! *shoves two in separate playpens* Let's get on with the fic, shall we?
Duo & Kevin: *grumble in protest*
Flower_on_thewind: First I'd like to thank the following reviewers who reviewed my last chapter! You guys are REALLY nice, I swear! *Puts all of you guys on royal thrones* I dub thee ROYAL READERS FROM AFAR! ^_^;
VoliesDragonGurl : Kevin's dad is such an evil dude, ne? *sighs* I am so evil... but don't worry! I assure you that I am a BIG fan of happy endings (though sad endings usually make the best stories). So there is a 75% chance that after this HUGE fic is over, it will be a happy ending! (duo: *evil smirk* but you know, I can MAKE that 25% grow!)
Desi2: EKK, you're right. Angst is so sad to read about, yet so yummy at the same time. IT'S LIKE A DRUG!!! *breaks down crying* I'm addicted... (Duo: *looks scared* GAAH, not the newspapers!!! *has developed some kind of newspaper phobia* YOU'RE EEEEVVVIILL!! *flower_on_thewind smacks him with her sledge hammer* HOW DARE YOU INSULT OUR READERS!!!!) -__-; I'm terribly sorry about him... he's a mistake. Duo: NO I'M NOT!!T_T
Thanks for reviewing you guys!
Kevin: Can I do the disclaimer???
Duo: NO IT'S MY JOB!!!
Flower_on_thewind: Is it? WELL YOU HAVEN'T BEEN DOING YOUR JOB FOR A LOOOONG TIME!
Kevin: ^____^ Flower_on_thewind doesn't own beyblades, but she'd do ANYTHING to own me!
Duo: I feel so rejected...
~* chapter 13*~
For the Love of a Ghost
Rei was at home cooking himself dinner. His mother was away at his aunt's farm tending to his sick cousin. He had just started cooking the rice until he felt a faint click in the back of his mind. His eyes narrowed upon instinct when he felt it. It was odd...He never felt anything like it before. It felt like something hard was thrown into his gut, but the pain was dimmed... Like it wasn't his pain.
/Driger, did you feel that?/
//zzzZZZZzzzZZZzzzzz...//
oh dear lord...
Rei couldn't believe it. He just COULD NOT BELIEVE IT. His own bit beast was ASLEEP!!! If someone had mentioned the mystical bit beast before he ever came in contact, Rei would have thought about a great, magical spirit that was both commanding and wise. Now, his thoughts were almost a complete 180 from that idea.
"Gah, Driger, you lazy excuse for a bit beast." Rei muttered under his breath.
Something wasn't right. Rei just knew it. A foreboding feeling clenched Rei's stomach tightly. He did his best to ignore the feeling, but it wouldn't go away. Finally ditching the prospect of dinner, Rei went out for a walk.
He had absolutely no idea where he was going, but he knew that if he didn't get there fast, something awful would happen. Rei felt like he was searching for something, though he hadn't the clue what. He past the school, the grocery store, the alley, and even the bakery and he found nothing. Then he came across the old well. It was here that his heart started to pick up the pace. With each step towards the ancient waterhole, his heart hammered faster and stronger. Then he noticed something.
A small bit of green hair glisten out in the moonlight behind the well. There weren't many people in the village with green hair, so Rei immediately knew whom that person was.
'Kevin!'
Rei rushed to Kevin's side to see what was the matter. The boy was curled up in a ball, crying silent tears and shaking slightly. The sight was pitiful and horrible at the same time. Rei's heart suddenly felt like it was made out of lead. He wanted nothing at the moment but to hold Kevin in a tight embrace and somehow make all the bad things go away.
"Kevin, what happened to you?" Rei asked in a worried voice as he gently placed a hand on Kevin's shoulder so the boy wouldn't be startled. Kevin's head snapped up to face Rei. The look of despair faded away with relief once Kevin realized who was with him now.
"Rei!!!" Kevin cried out before he tackled him in an embrace and refused to let go. Rei fervently returned the hug with almost equal emotion.
"Oh, Rei!! I-It was horrible! He-he wouldn't stop." Kevin stuttered. "M-My mom told me t-to leave while she-she... Oh god!! I left her there!!" Kevin couldn't talk any more for the lump in his throat was too thick.
This new information chilled Rei to the core. He promised Kevin that he wouldn't let that bastard hit him anymore. It was a promise he didn't keep. That made Rei feel guilty beyond belief.
"God, I'm sorry, Kevin. I-I didn't know. If I did, I wouldn't have let you go home at all!" Rei tightened his grip on Kevin.
Kevin continued to cry. The words his father said to him rang in his head, and the rage began to come back again. But this time, the anger was tamed. And the comfort of Rei's arms helped suppress the feeling as low as possible. Heck the comfort of Rei's arms did many things to Kevin, though he will never admit it. It made him feel safe, and warm, and really nice. Kevin wasn't use to being so close with another human. He hardly got hugs from his mother, because she was so busy and almost never had a hug with his father. The last time his father had even touched him in a caring way was lost somewhere in a faded memory...
Rei's hug made Kevin feel different. Like he was special and worth touching. There were many things about Rei's hug that made Kevin long for more. Perhaps it was the closeness that allowed Kevin to inhale that faint musky smell that belonged to Rei only. Or maybe it was because Rei always seemed to emit this sense of everything-will-be-alright whenever Rei talked to him. Or maybe it was the way that he touched him that made Kevin feel all warm and safe. It was also the very touch that was so indescribable, which seemed meant for Kevin and Kevin only.
Kevin decided not to ruin the moment by trying to figure out what exactly made Rei's hugs so special. Rei's hugs are so wonderful because they just are! Simple as that. Ever so slowly, his tears were no more and his heavy breathing was now slow and even. The end of this embrace drew closer, which was something he did not want. He unconsciously snuggled closer to Rei as to savor the moment and the process, made a faint purring sound in the back of his throat.
"Did he hurt you?" Rei's tone of voice was serious and full of worry.
Kevin flinched while remembering the stinging sensation that had rang throughout his body. "I-It was my fault. I was disrespectful to him. So he got really angry. Then I-I couldn't take my punishment. I was too weak... too fucking weak! Maybe...Maybe if I were like that boy, my dad would like me better! Maybe if-"
"No, Kevin. Your dad should like you the way you are." Rei sternly reassured the smaller boy.
"But compared to that other boy, I'm a disgrace! Maybe if I tried hard to be good, then maybe-maybe everything will be better!"
" I'm not going to repeat myself. You're the son of your father, not the other boy."
"That's not what he thinks..."
Rei regarded all that was being said and started to wonder silently.
"Kevin, who is this other boy?" Kevin, stiffen and his eyes became wide with fear.
"...A ghost."
"What?" Rei didn't know if Kevin was playing around or if he was serious.
"I-it's kind of hard to explain..." Kevin started. "I only know the parts my dad tells me when he's drunk. He's always sad when he talks about 'him'..."
"...It's okay if you don't want to tell me."
"But I want to tell you!! Nobody knows about it except for me and my mom. I told you before, on that night, that I trusted you. I still trust you. You already know that my dad hits my mom and yells at me. You might as well know the whole story!" Kevin took a few moments trying to figure out how he was going to tell the tale.
"You know when my dad left this village to find better work? I was about 7... It was horrible. The day before he left, my mom and him had a BIG fight. I think my mom said something really mean, and that really hurt my dad. The next thing I knew, he left. My mom was so unhappy that she cried every night when he was gone. She never got to say sorry..."
"My dad traveled to many places to work. During these travels, lots people were unkind to strangers. Many others were horrible people with bad intentions. My dad's travels brought him to Hong Kong. It was here that he met this lady. From what I hear, she was very beautiful with red eyes. She took my dad to her home when he was really sick and helped him get better. My dad was really happy to find someone that was caring to outsiders."
"This lady also had a son. He was a boy genius! He was perfect! He was everything I'm not. He's smart, well behave, and basically much better than me in ALL ways possible! Naturally my dad was impressed with his skills and...I suppose he started seeing the boy like a...a son. ...How could he not!?!?! This guy was perfection in human form! He was what every father wanted his son to be. And the lady...she was like the perfect wife. At least, that was what my dad says... So naturally my dad fell in love with her. He even gave her his wedding ring! The one that is identical to my mother's. In doing so, my dad forgot all about his real family. He didn't care if he had his own wife and his own son back home. We meant nothing to him. NOTHING! I-I still hate him for doing that. My mother always loved my dad no matter what. She may not be perfect, but still! ...She loved him" A shadow of hatred flashed across Kevin's face.
"I-I never knew..." Rei was speechless. Kevin must really trust him a lot to tell him the story of his father's travels. He felt suddenly very special.
"There's more..." Kevin informed darkly. "One day, there was a fire in the apartment building they were living in. The boy and the lady pushed my dad out the window to save him from the oncoming flames. My Father hit his head on the fire escape while falling. The next thing he knew, he was in the hospital and the apartment building was nothing but burnt wood.
The doctors thought my dad went a little crazy after his blow to the head. He kept saying that the boy was with him, talking to him like nothing had happen. I suppose he did go a little bit nuts after the fall, but I think the ghost of the boy still haunt him today. He's always telling me to be more like him and that I'm too weak to be his true son. I'm always the one with fault! He never sees me as who I am, only HIM!!" Kevin's violet eyes flickered between a mixture of hatred and immeasurable sadness.
"So that's the reason he came back? I'd never have guessed... You always seem so happy everyday." Rei released Kevin from the embrace that they both shared as the tale unfolded. "If it weren't for that night on the roof of the bakery shop, I'd know none of this..." He trailed off uncertain on what to say. Inside, he was overwhelmed with emotion. He felt bad for Kevin's father, yet he felt angry with him for oppressing Kevin and his mother. Then Rei heart went out to Kevin for constantly being compared to none other than a ghost.
"I guess I'll forever be in debt to that rooftop. That's how I came into your secret story, Kevin. All because of the bakery shop... I'm really sorry about your dad..." Rei felt so guilty! Ugh, it was affecting everything! Even his speech is starting to sound corny!
"The bakery shop..." Kevin repeated. His eyes suddenly grew big as a GREAT plan popped into his mind. It was filled with mischief and adventure! Perfect to get out of his depressing mood. It's just what he needed, and he had a partner now, so DOUBLE the fun!
"Rei, come with me!! I have a great idea!"
"Huh?" Rei was totally confused with the sudden mood change.
"Come on!!!" Kevin jumped to his feet all the while ignoring the cries of his sore, batter muscles. He was giggling and smiling like a demented fool. It was infectious!
"Where are we-"
"I'll tell you later, let's just go!"
With that, Kevin grabbed Rei's hand and ran down the old pathway, laughing, towards the more densely populated part of the village. Their laughter echoed through the streets and could have been heard up into the night's sky.
~**~
Flower_on_thewind: *Sighs* too much angst, so next chapter will be FUN! Eh... well, sort of fun... *ponders on what next chapter will be about*
Duo: IT'S GOTTA HAVE ACTION!!
Kevin: and I need a hug! *suddenly develops chibi eyes*
Rei: I'll give you one! *huggles Kevin*
Kevin: =^_^=
Flower_on_thewind: EEEP!! WAFF!! Oi, maybe I WILL replace you, Duo. Kevin's PERFECT!
Duo: NOOOOOOO *takes out his gundam and tries to step on Kevin*
Everyone but Duo: NOOOO STOP!!!!!
Kevin: REVIEWERS, SAVE MEEEEE!!!!!!