Flower-on-thewind: yeah yeah... I thought I told myself that this fic is hopeless, lost, and considered dead... who knew? I'm pretty certain I didn't write this chapter, but I was cleaning my comp and what do you know! There's this chapter here... I didn't proof read it, so I'm sorry for any mistakes and such. Um... yeah, writing just...isn't my thing anymore... I must have grown up and left Nevereverland or something --; oh well, maybe one day some magical force will inspire me to write again...but until then, this is what I've got... :P enjoy this very un-proof-read chapter --;

Until you Catch Me

Chapter 19

Following Your Heart

Mrs. Kon looked up from her cooking as Rei came through the door. She could tell from his posture that something was the matter. Then again, Rei had every right to feel down... Mrs. Kon knew what it felt like; she knew very well of that helpless, suffocating feeling. But then she met his father, and everything made sense.

"What's wrong Rei?"

"..." Rei stared at his mother blankly.

"Honey, you know you can tell me anything, right?"

"... Mom, how did YOU get out of the arrange marriage?" Rei slumped and sat on a kitchen chair.

Mrs. Kon laughed, "Haha, I don't know if I should tell you, Rei. It might just give you ideas..." Rei just rolled his eyes.

"Oh, please... like I'd actually do , um, whatever you did."

Rei's mom shook her head. Her son could be so much like his father when he was young at times... "Well, to be totally honest with you, I... ran away. I remember that night, so very clearly... I was betrothed to my cousin. I hated it; it was like taking my importance as a human being and throwing it down the toilet, eugh! My cousin was a chauvinistic pig with no personality. He smelt like a pig too (plus or minus a few stink bombs)! I didn't want to be tied down to a man like that for the rest of my life. Life is... life's much more than that! It had to be! Remember this Rei, live life to the fullest so that you'll never regret anything. Live for the good of others and for yourself. And always, always listen to your heart... " Mrs. Kon trailed off with a far away look in her eyes.

[flash back]

"You think that leaving us will make things better?" Mrs. Kon looked at her husband incredulously. "You can't leave, not now! With the summer drought, we hardly have enough food in store for the winter! Fall is ending quickly, and you choose NOW to leave us!?!?!"

"If I don't go, do you think this village would survive at all? This village relies on men to seek out work in the cities! I don't want to see you, or Rei, suffer anymore. There's a whole bunch of us leaving... we can't stand seeing our families hungry. If we don't go, the White Tiger Clan is history!" Mr. Kon's voice trembled with passion. Leaving his family was definitely not one of the things he wanted to do right now...

"You idiot, since when did you care about the clan? Can't you see that we need you? Rei needs you- I need you." Tears spilt down Mrs. Kon's cheeks. Her long hair was loose and tossing wildly with the angry wind.

"Darling, I don't do this for the clan, I do it for you and Rei. The two of you mean the world to me, and if it means leaving you for a few years to keep you safe, then so be it. The money would be enough to import food from the cities and you wouldn't have to worry anymore. Listen, I know this sounds strange... but I feel that my heart is telling me to do this. I feel like I need to do this for you. I love you too much to see you suffer any more... I couldn't stand it if Rei had to grow up in poverty... If I had just one chance to do good for the ones I care about, then I'll do it."

Mrs. Kon was speechless. Her husband was just... just the most valiant man she knew. And she loved him every second for it.

"You're absolutely the most loving husband any woman can ask for." She somehow choked out. "You better come back, I didn't risk my life and marrying you for nothing." She playfully poked him in the stomach, "And don't forget to feed yourself properly. You'll need your strength trying to save the whole village and all..."

Mr. Kon chuckled jovially. "I miss your cooking already." They kissed.

"Ew, mama, don't do that!" 7 year old Rei exclaimed. Both parents laughed and their son.

"Okay sweetie, okay..." Mrs. Kon smiled fondly at her sons eyes- his father's eyes...

"Dad, why are dressed to go?" Rei raised a tiny eyebrow to show his confusion. It was something his dad taught him not two weeks ago...

"I'm going to leave the village on an adventure!" Rei's eyes went wide.

"Really? CAN I GO!?!?"

"Not now, honey... maybe when you're older..." His mom said before picking him up in her arms. Gee, he was getting heavy...

"Yeah, one day you can join me, and we'll go fighting off bad guys and saving the village!"

The whole family laughed... it was their last moments together for many years to come...

[end flash back]

"Your father was like that... I bet he's in some city now, working his ass off for us. That big hunk of fluff, he doesn't know when to write!" Rei's mom muttered mostly to herself.

Rei was... taken aback. "Mom, you just said ass... and on top of that, you called dad 'a big hunk of fluff' ... are you feeling alright?"

Mrs. Kon blushed. "I'm fine, Rei. I just miss your father a lot... You're so much like him sometimes... I remember the first time I met your father. I was a fugitive from another village! I was in a chicken farm, and your father was feeding the chickens... I must have scared them because the next thing I knew, feathers were all over me! Haha, the first thing you father said to me was, 'Holy smokes, you look like a chicken!' and I replied, 'YEAH? WELL, you look like a rooster!' hahaha. And we kept arguing on from there..."

Rei blinked... there was a lot he didn't know about his parents. A lot in which he really didn't need to know...

"Okay mom, I get you. So I'm going to find the person I'll marry in a chicken farm. Gee, that's funny." Insert rolling eyes.

Mrs. Kon gave Rei a dirty look. " So in conclusion, whatever is troubling you, just follow your heart."

Now it was Rei's turn to have that distant look... "... I miss dad."

Both Mother and son shared the same sad look in their eyes.

Awhile later...

/ Well then, what are you going to do now, hmm?/

Psh, leave of course! I've had enough of causing trouble for everyone. It's better this way...

/ ... Well, if that's your decision, then let's hurry up!/

Yeah, yeah, you're a pushy bit beast...

Rei grabbed the bags he needed and headed out the window. This was it... this was the point of no return. He looked back at his room one last time. Everything was as it should be, except for the letter he left for the White Tigers, his mom, and the Elder.

He then casts his eyes forward. There was only one thing on his mind, and that was to follow his heart. And his heart told him to stop causing trouble and leave everyone alone. In doing so, emptiness began to fill him. It felt refreshing to be rid of such heavy burdens, but little did he know that a small, tiny seed of guilt was imbedded very discreetly near his heart.

"Mrs. Kon, Mrs. Kon, is Rei home?" Kevin asked excitedly from the other side of the kitchen window. He was so happy in that his father was so drunk that he fell asleep! It meant he was FREE for the whole night!

"Yeah, he sure is, Kevin." Mrs. Kon smiled cheerfully.

"Can I see him?"

"Oh, but I've just finished making dinner..."

"Aw, but I wanted a rematch against him!"

Mrs. Kon chuckled softly. "How about you eat dinner here too?"

"Heh, and pass up your good cooking? Never!" Kevin gave his trademark smirk before entering the house (through the window). His 'fantastic' entrance caused Mrs. Kon to giggle like a schoolgirl.

"Oh dear... Kevin, you're going to be quite the ladies man, aren't you?"

"Um... I'm guessing that's a good thing Mrs. Kon...?" Kevin blushed slightly.

"Trust me, it is... now let's go get Rei!"

So up they went to Rei's room... only to find just his room... no long ponytailed hair... no bandana, no beyblade, no Rei was in sight.

"That's funny, he was in here not too long ago, and I didn't hear him come out." Mrs. Kon muttered underneath her breath. The only thing to answer her was the wind, blowing through the window... then it dawned on her. "Oh no."

"What's wrong Mrs. Kon? Did something happen to Rei?" Kevin was worried... the whole atmosphere didn't feel right. It felt cold- chilling almost. Then he spotted it.

A letter...

"Hey, what's this?" Kevin picked it up and read it...

Hey you guys,

Look, I know this was pretty irresponsible of me... but it had to be done. I can't... live a lie... I can't marry Mariah, and I can't live in a place that ties me down because of tradition. It's just... it goes against my morals... and my morals tell me to follow my heart. I'm would do more bad than good if I become the new leader of the clan... That title rightfully belongs to Lee. It's just... I know I'm hurting more people than helping them right now... and truthfully, I don't think I was meant to help others like this. I believe I belong in a world full of adventure and change... this place just isn't it! I'm going to start a journey with Driger; it will be a beyblading journey. I want to learn more about beyblades... it's where I feel most comfortable in the world. So, am I going to ditch everything I've ever known for this one sport? My answer is yes. I'm sorry you guys... there's just so much more to learn... and it works out because no one really wanted to get married in the first place! You guys will do fine with out me.

Mariah... Lee... Gary... ... Kevin. I'm sorry that I have to leave. Things will be better this way! Trust me, because I won't be there to cause any more strife. Good luck you guys... you'll always be apart of who I am in some way or another.

Mom... I know you told me not to get any ideas from your story, and trust me! I didn't! I've been planning this for a while... I've just never really gathered up enough courage to actually do it. Trust me when I say that it's not your fault... I hope you understand, er well... actually I know you'll understand... and I'd like you know that I'm also out to find Dad. He's gotta be out there somewhere, and I haven't seen him in years! I want to... I want to find him. Once I do, I'll be sure to send him home! ... I'm following my heart Ma... just like dad did...

Well, I guess I better be going... dinner smells great by the way mom. Too bad I can't eat tonight... thanks for everything everyone!

Rei, formerly of the White Tigers

"Oh dear..." Mrs. Kon shook her head in dismay. Tears brimmed in her eyes as it dawned on her that she was now alone... both her husband and son have left her in an all too big house...

Kevin... was in a state of shock... that much was all that could be said. It was probably disbelief... not Rei... Rei wouldn't do such a thing. He always made things better... He NEVER ran away from a challenge... never.

"He couldn't have left too long ago! I'll- I'll hunt him down." Kevin swore angrily. His voice was unusually low... not a good sign at all... Mrs. Kon was sure. Before Mrs. Kon could even utter a word, Kevin leapt out of Rei's room with the letter still in his hand. The letter that brought the sadness upon everyone in the village.

"Oh Rei..." Mrs. Kon whispered while sinking onto the bed," do be careful. I wouldn't know what I'd do if I lost you..."

Flower-on-thewind: yeah, again I'm sorry for the mistakes and such. R&R if you want...