69Yami AJ: It's been a long time (wind howls)
Ash: They said we'd vanished from these here parts (tumbleweed blows)
Yami AJ: (flashes spurs) Well partners (raises cowboy hat) they were wrong
Mariah: (wearing Sheriff badge) Yep, another chapter is here
Ash: (fires gun and accidentally shoots town sheriff) I shot the sheriff but I did not shoot the deputy. Whoops, I'll have my insurance cover that
Yami AJ: I must apologise thoroughly for my appallingly tardy update. School has once again resumed its place above eating, fanfiction and television on the priority list. (sighs)
Rei and Kai: (in cowboy garb) Yep she's back (lightning crashes) O.O;;;
Brooklyn and Tala: So are we! (flash spurs and climb on black stallions) Here we go (wink and girls faint)
Tyson and Max: Let's get to it.
Hiro: (stares at dead Mariah) What are you going to do about that?
Yami AJ: Duh! Put my set hands to work! (snaps fingers and Brooklyn, Rei, Tala, Kai, Tyson and Max appear in short maid outfits)
Kai: Why are we your set hands?
Ash: Because she wanted an excuse to have Rei and Brooklyn in maid outfits and it would be unfair if Tala, Kai, Max and Tyson fans didn't get their bishounen in maid clothing also. DUH HIWATARI, DUH! (rolls eyes)
Brooklyn: Okey-Dokes! (destroys Mariah with Zeus) All done! n.n
Yami AJ: That's the spirit! n.n
Disclaimer: I've said it before and I'll say it again. I own Beyblades and it's a fact! See!
Rei, Brooklyn, Kai, Tala, Tyson and Max: (standing in underwear from last chapter)
Max: Where's the real disclaimer? It's getting kind of cold you know….. T.T
Ash: Suck it up blondie
Yami AJ: Thank you more than ever for your comments reviewers! (Gives balloons) Four is my favourite number so I hope you enjoy this chapter, please be patient ….something good is just around the corner. LIGHTS!
LET IT RIP!
…..…
The Secret Life of Kai Hiwatari…
….…
Chapter Four: Vanilla…..
…
…
Brooklyn was singing again, flowing from 'Hemisphere' to 'My Humps'; Tala on the other hand was silent, piercing eyes fixed on the pavement ahead. I, Kai Hiwatari, was making good time on my usual morning jogging, it was only 5:19 and I was already nearing my turn-around point.
"What kind of doughnut do you usually buy?" Brooklyn asked.
"Whatever looks good," I lied automatically, not willing to admit that I purchased a yellow sprinkled, white icing, chocolate dotted doughnut everyday waking walking day.
Brooklyn was smiling but he stared a hole in the side of my head as we rounded a corner. "I bet you buy one of those cutesy looking doughnuts, the ones with white icing and carefully placed pastel sprinkles and dots of dark chocolate," Tala mused aloud. HA IN HIS FACE; the chocolate wasn't dark, it was milk chocolate." No, it'll be milk chocolate, dark is too strong for little Kai." Damn that flaming haired parasite, I'll get him one day, him and his little wolf too.
I pushed open the door of the coffee shop, a small bell signalling my arrival. "Good morning," I called automatically, looking for the round face that usually resided behind the counter.
"Good morning my boy," Mrs. Shiumi called back.
Tala looked at the short, aged woman doubtfully, her long black hair pulled into a loose bun. Her eyes were hidden by the glare of her oval glasses, and most of her body was hidden behind the counter.
"Would you hold on a minute? It's nearly ready, deary," she said, pushing a cup of tea towards me.
"Thank you," I replied. Yummy, the tea had vanilla in it…. I listened to her as I did many mornings as she rambled about her family, noticing Tala's super stiff face. I sighed; the stiffness was a result of jealousy that I knew all to well. The door behind the counter swung open, a hooded figure handing Mrs. Shiumi a paper bag before vanishing through the door. I put my cup down in front of Mrs. Shiumi and handed her my money in exchange for the bag. I opened it and started at the doughnut, all my usual requirements there with the addition of a detailed Dranzer in icing. Sweet. LOL!
Get it; because the Dranzer picture is cool and made of icing which is sweet and the picture is sweet…yeah…right….that's not a use of metal laughter.
"This one's on the house. Excuse the icing, the help likes to experiment."
"It's pretty," Brooklyn said.
"Are you sure?" I asked as my money was placed back into my hand.
"Of course. It's for good luck today on those history and art tests you were talking about." Wow, she does actually hear when I speak.
The jingle of the bell signalled my departure, Brooklyn breaking into Christmas tunes. "What's wrong with you?" I asked as Brooklyn added dance steps.
"I have a good feeling about today, the wind told me," Brooklyn announced zealously. Freak.
I continued jogging at my usual perfect pace, chewing my doughnut thoughtfully before I noticed something following me. It was a black cat, green eyes large and bright as it limped beside me. "Shoo," I grumbled, waving my arm at it. It meowed in response as I stopped and stared at it.
"Mange transmitting pest," Tala growled as the cat rubbed against my leg.
"Don't talk about yourself," I said to Tala, the cherry headed louse glaring at me…IN VAIN.
"It's a kitten Kai!" Brooklyn sang, lacing his fingers together as his eyes sparkled.
"I know that," I spat. Was Brooklyn trying to say I didn't know what a baby cat was called? Huh? Huh? Was that jagged haired punk challenging me? I remembered that Brooklyn was less than ten inches tall so I halted my mental rant.
"Can we keep it?"
"Are you stupid?" Well that was silly question; everyone is stupid when compared to me, Kai Hiwatari. The kitten continued to rub against my leg, purring loudly as I picked it up. "You're not that ugly," I said as if the cat could understand what I was saying. I put it back down, and then looked at my doughnut. "So, you just want my food?" I ate the doughnut and showed the cat the empty bag. Brooklyn gasped.
"HA HA!" Tala laughed mockingly, pointing at the cat then Brooklyn.
"All it wanted was the doughnut, it'll go away now," I said resuming my jog.
"If it wanted the doughnut, why is it still following?" Brooklyn asked. I looked back, the cat struggling to keep up with me as I sped up. "Kai! Stop being so mean!" I stopped and picked up the cat, running across the street and putting it down, crossing back and continuing to run. "KAI!" Brooklyn hissed. I paid him no heed. Brooklyn hung his head, eyes shadowed before he looked up at me with a cold expression. "Kai," he breathed. My breath was expelled as a white puff as the air grew cold, and Brooklyn's head cocked to the side. "That's wasn't nice Kai."
The cat meowed, still attempting to catch up from the other side. "You taking up residency on my shoulder isn't nice either," I responded with added venom. Tala was silent, arms crossed in indifference. A car was coming, its engine loud and hood shiny.
"It would be wise of you to get the cat," Brooklyn said almost threateningly. I turned to looked for the cause of further annoyance, the emerald eyed cat shaking its paws after stepping in a puddle in the middle of the street. Tala's eyes actually widened, Brooklyn's face oddly cold and serous. I, Kai Hiwatari watched as the car came closer, the black cat frozen in the glow of the headlights. Brooklyn and Tala closed their imaginary eyes; the car did not stop moving. Brooklyn's arms fell limp as the car rolled carelessly by, a street light flickering on as I stood on the other side of the street.
The cat meowed softly, as I grunted. "Stupid cat," I said. "You made me get my pants wet." No I didn't wet myself, I ran through a puddle. Tala and Brooklyn looked at the small black animal in my hands and sighed. Tala shrugged, trying to pretend he didn't care. Stupid Ice Princess thinks he can hide his emotions; fool! Brooklyn beamed and hugged my face.
I, Kai Hiwatari, was confused, wondering how I could feel the warmth from Brooklyn's reduced frame as he embraced my face. "Thank you, Kai," he sniffed. I inwardly smiled as I began to walk and the cat purred in my arms. It may not have been the cat I wanted but I guessed it would have to do for now.
…
Tyson threw Daichi out of the bathroom, the monkey child hitting the wall and letting out a high pitched yell. Max shook his head as he put on his tie and walked past me down the stairs. I let out a sigh of relief, thankful that he had not noticed the bowl of milk behind my back. I shuffled to my room, Daichi too busy screaming at the bathroom door to notice anything. Blockhead.
"She'll be hungry!" Brooklyn said. "You didn't bring her any food." I put the bowl down just inside my door and rushed back downstairs, Max too preoccupied with making omelettes to see me digging around in the fridge. "Take some ham and get some tuna." Bossing me around? Who does Brooklyn think he is, really? I noticed Brooklyn suddenly wearing a T-shirt that read: YES, I'M BROOKLYN! I hate him.
"She'll crap all over your room, she's sick you'll have to take her to the vet, how do you know she'll eat that?" Tala ranted as I entered my room.
"And still, none of that's your problem," I informed Tala. He looked offended; good. The kitten lay curled up at the corner of my bed shivering slightly. "It's not cold…." I sat down and put the kitten in my lap, watching as it stretched. It was kind of cute…..IN AN ANNOYING, PATHETIC, VAGRANT ANIMAL WAY. I put it down next to the bowl of milk and saucer of tuna and ham. It meowed and stared at me.
"Now what?" I asked Brooklyn who was wearing cat ears.
"Duh," he said bluntly. I wanted to hit him with a flyswatter before I remembered that annoying lesions like him had to be burnt off. Hhehehehehe. That wasn't a use of mental laughter either. "Use your brain, Kai," he giggled. Insert death glare.
"Hey, let's not expect a miracle," Tala said sarcastically.
"I wish I could describe my vast loathing for you," I said.
"You're breaking my heart," Tala replied in an arid tone, sipping from a juice box.
"Look," I said to the cat, dipping my finger in the milk then touching its mouth. "Drink this." I stared at Brooklyn as it started to suck my finger.
"Have any baby bottles?" Brooklyn asked…STUPIDLY. Why would I, Kai Hiwatari, have any baby bottles? Did I look like I ran a babysitting service or played with dolls?
"You do look like you play with dolls," Tala whispered. I imagined myself strangling Tala. It was a picture perfect vision.
"If she doesn't start drinking, you're going to have to get her one, or do something." I looked at my watch; just gone quarter past seven.
"Maybe you should find a vet for her dopey leg," Tala continued. "I knew you shouldn't have taken it."
"You don't know much Tala." HA HAH! Go Brooklyn…..what am I doing?
"I'll look for a veterinarian," I said, putting on my school jacket. Tala was stuttering for an insult as I put on my bag and picked up my cat….my cat. Brooklyn smiled. "Max, I'm leaving."
"Huh, Kai?" he said, coming from the kitchen holding a dripping whisk. I stood with my back to him, not turning as I pushed on my shoes.
"Your eggs are burning." Max ran back to the kitchen. "Don't wait for me."
"Bu-" I closed the door before he could finish. Brooklyn did not talk for a while, Tala deciding to voice his unwanted opinion.
"Do you even have any idea where a vet is? This is foolish," he began. "You're going to end up late for school." The winter-land whiner was unfortunately, probably correct.
"Let's look in the yellow pages," Brooklyn suggested, pointing to the phonebook that hung in the telephone both. "This one is near here," he said, standing on the yellow page. "We should go here…it doesn't say when it opens though…."
"Maybe it's always open like one of those 24hour supermarkets….if they're always open why do they have locks on the doors…" Tala mused aloud, Brooklyn shaking his head as Tala openly pondered other mysteries of the universe.
…
I wasn't sure how long I had been walking for when I came to where the vet's office should have been. I stared at the path between buildings fourteen and sixteen, following it doubtfully. "It's like the path to your house," Tala said. "Except not as stained with your stench." The ball of fur in my arms looked at my shoulder and hissed.
"She can see you?" I whispered. Brooklyn and Tala exchanged glances. If the cat could also see them it meant only one thing….Max was spreading his drugs nationwide, contaminating the wildlife with his hallucinogens.
"Lookie! It's open!" Brooklyn said. There was a red single cab pickup parked outside, a large empty cage in it. I entered to dark office, various charts and pictures on the walls of the waiting room.
"Can I help you?" a woman asked. I turned as she brushed her dark hair out of her lens aided eyes. I held out the cat. "First pet?" I nodded. She directed me to the counter, where I placed the cat as she put on a light.
"Something's wrong with her leg and she's not eating or drinking anything," I said quickly, the cat meowing in confirmation.
"She has a small cut on her leg. She's very small-"
"I only found her this morning," I interjected swiftly. The woman stared at me.
"I not blaming anyone, Mr. Hiwatari," said softly, stroking the cat's leg. She better not be blaming me c- did she say my name. "I'm a Beyblading fan." Good woman.
"Can you fix her leg?"
"Certainly. You should come and pick her up after school." I opened my mouth to pose a question. "Here's the office number if you have any questions," she continued, handing me a card. "You should get going." She pushed me towards the door and waved. I stared for a while before turning and walking back towards the road to catch a bus.
"Yay!" Brooklyn said. "We did it."
"We shouldn't come back," Tala said. "Just leave it there."
"I'm coming back for my cat; I'd love to leave you there though," I hissed at Tala. Tala hissed back. Then I hissed. Then Tala hissed. Then I hissed back. Then Tala hissed in return. Then Brooklyn mooed. I hissed again. Then my phone rang. Brooklyn squealed in delight and sang along in a deep, velvety voice. Weird….
'Aishite mo ii kai? Yureru yoru ni! Arugamama de ii yo, Motto -" Stupid Tyson, changing my ring tones.
"Hello?" I said.
"I know it's your phone Rei, I-KAI!" Tyson screamed over the moaning of Max, reprimands of Rei and demands of Daichi. "W-" The call broke up then cut off, Tala staring at my phone. I walked to the bus stop and waited.
'Jesus take the wheel! Take it from my hand! Cause I can't d-' I'm going to murder Tyson. "Hello?"
"Yah, can I speak to Miki?" a woman asked.
"Wrong number," I grumbled, closing my phone.
'I'm in love with a stripper, w-" I opened the phone quickly.
"Huh?" I said absentmindedly into the phone.
"Hiwatari, did we have English homework?" someone asked.
"Mystel? You have a cell phone?"
"Yes…."
"We didn't have any English homework….."
"In case you were wondering, Tyson gave your number." He hung up.
'BURNING ON, JUST LIKE THE MATCH YOU STRIKE TO INCINERATE THE LIVES OF EVERYONE YOU KNEW! AND WHAT'S THE WORST YOU T-'
"Yes?"
"KAI! IT'S ME, DAICHI!" I hung up. Damn it, I liked Helena.
'I feel pretty, oh so pretty. I feel pretty, and witty and gay! And -'
"Eh?"
"Kai Hiwatari, how are you today?"
"I'm fine Mr. Dickenson."
"I just called to see how Daichi was getting along with everyone; everything's all right?"
"Sure…"
"Well, I'll let you get to school, good day." I closed the phone and sighed.
'Ooops, I did it again! I played with your heart, go-'
"Yes?"
"Hey Kai," Enrique said. "Just wondering about tonight."
"What?"
"I can't get hold of Tyson."
"Well try again." I hung up.
'SOS won't someone help me, it's not healt-'
"Morning?"
"Mornin' Kai!"
"Oh…Emily…."
"Remember our fitness test is today! Obstacle course the whole nine yards! Just called you give you some luck. LUCK! Hahahh! Later!" She put her phone down.
Everyone else at the bus stop was staring at me. I decided to walk to school.
'Hora! Catch you Catch You, Catch me Catch me, Zettai! Unmei date o niai date. Sou Nice to meet you, Good to see you kitto! Dare ni mo makenai anata ni sekai de ichiban ichiban ichiban ichiban, Ko-I- Shi-Te-'Ru-'
"hmmm?"
"Hi, Kai," Max said.
"Hello Max," I replied with limited enthusiasm, annoyed by the previous calls.
"I was wondering if you were alright since you left so quickly this morning."
"I'm fine."
"Do y-"
"Let me talk to Kai," Tyson said in the back ground.
"WHY DO YOU GET TO TALK TO HIM?" Daichi asked.
"Stop it," Rei barked. Hahahah. Rei barked…don't you get it? It's funny cause Rei is a neko-jin but he barked….and cats meow….see…..yeah I don't see it either. "Let me talk to Kai." Yes….let Rei talk….NO I DIDN'T WANT TO TALK TO HIM MORE THAN I WANTED TO TALK TO ANYONE go of my phone Daichi," Max said. "LET GO! I SAID l-" It cut off. I liked my ring tone for Max, he should call more often.
"You should just nail the thing to the side of your head," Tala said.
"I don't usually get so many calls," I informed Tala.
"Oh yeah, you call your private dancers, they don't call you," Tala said casually.
I punched my shoulder where Tala stood the Russian flipping gracefully beside Brooklyn as people on the street stared, walking faster away from me. "What's wrong with you," I growled at Tala.
"I don't know, bored I presume," he said, examining his fingernails.
"Let's just get along," Brooklyn said, hands together as he gave a pleading smile.
'EVERYTHING THAT YOU SAY TO ME! I'M ONE STEP CLOSER TO THE EDGE, I'M ABOUT TO BREAK! I NEED A LITTLE ROOM TO BRE-'
"WHAT?!" I shouted into the phone.
"hi," Mariah squeaked. Oh, at least I didn't take out my anger on anyone important.
"Morning."
"Is Rei around you? He isn't picking up his phone…" Yeah, probably because he saw it was you calling and wanted to save himself some pain and suffering.
"No."
"Oh…sorry…" I closed my phone and sighed.
"Would you hate her so much if she didn't want him as much as you do?" Tala asked.
"JUST S-" I stopped to think about it, looking down at my feet as I, Kai Hiwatari, felt slightly embarrassed. Would I hate that pink parading infection with as much power if she didn't look at Rei the same way I did? Did she spend countless hours a day thinking about his hair or his eyes or his perfect smile? Did she say his name in private just to her it pass her lips? Did she wonder how he tasted or felt, or what he thought about her? Were her dreams painted with his flawless form….did she want to crumble every time he touched someone else or brushed against her….
WHAT THE HELL WAS IN THAT TEA?! I, Kai Hiwatari, was mentally rambling about stupid thoughts.
"What makes them stupid thoughts, Kai?" Brooklyn asked.
"I don't have time for them or you…I don't have those feelings….I'm just…." I wanted finish my sentence with something strong, to cement the fact that I had no feelings for Rei or anyone one else, but it suddenly felt so hard to bend the truth. I looked up; the sky had darkened and the street was all but empty except for a few stray leaves.
"There's no shame in having feelings, Kai…don't assume that you're confused," Tala said.
"I don't have to listen to you."
"We should find a way to make you listen…" I shook my head and looked to my shoulder where they should have stood, stopping when I saw that they weren't there.
"Where are you asylum rejects," I asked aloud, finding myself looking around. Maybe my drugs had worn off….Max obviously wasn't a dealer you could only visit once. I looked for them on the other shoulder, suddenly very cold as I stood alone. "Brooklyn," I whispered. "Tala?" My phone was ringing again but I ignored it as I searched for my imaginary visitors. "WEREN'T YOU TWO SUPPOSED TO HELP ME?! I THOUGHT YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO HELP ME IN MY LIFE! I DON'T FEEL ANY HELP!" I was panting as I screamed to the air, thunder sounding in the distance.
'-with a taste of your lips I'm on a r-' I was confused as I stared at my phone. '- I'm addicted to you, don't you know that you're toxic?!' I stared at the display screen of my Razor in doubt, the name displayed one that I could not believe 'TALA'. The phone suddenly stopped ringing.
'Fukaku fukaku ochiteiku wasurekakata yume no naka de watashi wa, ima, les miserables….aishisugita anata ga, kabekiwa no mukou de sotto wa-' The phone stopped again, the phone bringing up an unwanted message. "MISSED CALL: BROOKLYN"
"Want to listen to us now?" Brooklyn and Tala questioned innocently. I looked to the end of the street, growling as a blur of orange and red disappeared around the corner. I began running, not sure why I was following the ticks I had tried so hard to rid myself of.
"TALAAAAAAAAA!" I yelled. "I'LL KILL YOU!" I could hear Tala's mocking laugh. HOW DARE HE, TALA IVANOV, LAUGH AT ME, KAI HIWATARI! OUTRAGEOUS! NO, ABOMINABLE! ATROCIOUS, BABARIC, DISGUSTING OR NEFARIOUS EVEN! SIMPLY PREPOSTEROUS, VILE AND UNTHINKABLE! I stuffed my dictionary and thesaurus back into my bag's side pocket, speeding up as I saw a trail of black feathers and ice chips on the ground. I stared intently at them, looking up before my head throbbed and my vision went black.
…
Mariah stared at me with a satisfied look on her face, a fluorescent bulb placing her in a circle of light. Darkness took up residence in every other space minus the rings of light that the Mistress of Evil and myself occupied.
"How long did you think you could hide your feelings about him," she hissed. I didn't answer, sweat beading on my forehead. "I really don't know what you were thinking. Why would he want you?" she continued in an amused tone. "Kai Hiwatari; loner, selfish, cares about no one and nothing but himself….what do want from Rei? What is he to you? Just something else to accomplish? Another prize to claim?! YOU DON'T LOVE HIM YOU LIAR! YOU JUST LIE TO YOURSELF! YOU LIE TO YOURSELF ABOUT LIKING HIM, THEN YOU CONTINUE THE LIE BY SURPRESSING YOUR FICTIONAL FEELINGS!" She began to laugh. "What? Don't you think that the way you feel is obvious to everyone?" My mouth was dry, my arms stiff and my legs frozen.
"Disgusting…" someone whispered, voice lowered in repulsion. My crimson orbs met his dull golden pools in a moment of despair.
"What?' I breathed.
"Please," he said instantly. "Don't talk to me. As if you weren't pathetic enough already…now this?" He stepped behind Mariah, arms around her shoulders. "At least I have Mariah." My knee collapsed beneath me as if it has made its acquaintance with a bullet. "All those things you were thinking about me? Why would I want you?" His words burnt like the worst venom, my heart frozen by his icy utterance. "Sickening."
"You don't understand, Rei," I breathed desperately, crawling forwards on my hands and knees. Mariah raised an eyebrow whispering in Rei's ear, the raven haired neko-jin turning away from me with a sickened expression. "Rei, please."
"I asked you nicely not to talk to me," he growled. My vision was clouded by something I hadn't seen in a long time; my own tears. I blinked them away so they wouldn't fall as the air took on a frigid feel, Drigger spinning between us. Wind cut my face, blood rolling down to my chin as I stared at Rei in horror. I touched my face and gazed at my reddened fingertips in disbelief.
"Bu-"
"He asked you to be silent!" Mariah shouted.
My eyes shot open as I felt hands on my shoulders, flaming heads on my left.
I looked to my left, Brooklyn and Tala clad in their usual attire crouched beside me. I wanted to scream at them and tell them to get away; I wanted to tell them that I hated them…but I couldn't as I fell into their open arms and cried. I stained their clothes with my blood, ashamed as I wept in silence on their shoulders…the shoulders that I had declared my hate for but suddenly felt so alone without.
My chest burned as I heard Mariah and Rei laugh, his usual beautiful giggle replaced by something malicious and twisted. My tears fell without a noise as Tala and Brooklyn hugged me. "We'll be there if you need us," Brooklyn said softly.
"Even if you don't think you do," Tala said. I was confused as I searched for the anger or sarcasm in Tala's voice only to find none. Hey, Tala and Brooklyn smelt like vanilla…
"But…" I said softly. "I love him." Brooklyn and Tala stood up and grinned.
"YEAH SUSHI TIME!" Brooklyn shouted. Tala blew a whistle and threw confetti. The darkness was replaced by a field of flowers and a literally smiling sun…that looked like Max….scary….drugs….
Dranzer appeared and dragged a screaming Mariah away, Rei taking out sanitizing wipes and rubbing his arms vigorously. Max and Tyson appeared with a marching band, and shook champagne bottles madly. Daichi and Mystel did cartwheels in their cheerleading outfits, Hiro doing the spilts as Kenny, Hilary, Brian, Ian and Spencer waved their pom-poms. Kevin and Gary played the trumpet, Raul, Eddie and Julia played the drums, Emily and Miguel had symbols, Emily and Mathilda had tambourines with a whole gaggle of other instrument wielding bladers behind them. Claude wore a shiny strapless dress and held a bunch of roses, waving princess style from the top of a float.
I, Kai Hiwatari, twitched.
"Weeeee!" Tyson and Max said happily, countless champagne bottles being popped open.
Rei offered a hand which I took cautiously, blushing as he licked my face. "Yummy," he said. "Strawberry syrup!"
Strawberry syrup? I licked my fingers to find he was right.
"I gave you drugs so you'd think you were being cut!" Max said enthusiastically, riding around on his goat.
"And I stole food from the hurricane Katrina relief drive!" Tyson laughed. Everyone stared for a moment.
"Oh Tyson, you do the craziest things!" everyone chimed, before laughing along. Bunnies hopped around and llamas frolicked through the flowers.
"Rei….this is dumb," I said bluntly, oddly amused by the scene; from Brooklyn, Hiro and Tala break-dancing, to Claude wearing a dress, Spencer and Brian in skirts, Mariah…somewhere, Max riding a goat…wait that was creepy….
"It's not dumb," Rei said as champagne continued to fall from the sky. "This is."
"Wha-" Rei covered my mouth with his own, soft lips pressing against mine to create what dreams were made of. There was the smell of vanilla again as we fell into the flowers, Rei under me. I looked into his exotic eyes, the colour alive unlike before when he was next to that Mariah thing.
"Kai," Rei whispered. "What do you want from me?"
I looked at him intently. "I don't want anything from you…I just want to…" I began. DAMN IT THE WORD IS STUCK IN MY THROAT AGAIN! SOMEONE GIVE ME THE HEIMLICH!
I fell flat on Rei as I was hit in the head by a doughnut, then by the cat I had found earlier that morning. The hooded person who had made my doughnut began giving me the Heimlich, Rei sweatdropping as I swatted them away.
My cat meowed. "Rei…." I said slowly. "I just want…I just want…."
"A doughnut?" the hooded person said.
"Ummm...no."
"An X-Box360?" Tala asked, holding up the system.
"I have one…."
"Noodles?" Tyson asked.
"A sparkly dress?" Claude questioned zealously.
"Livestock?" Max continued.
"Brighter hair?" Brooklyn added, holding up hair dye.
"Spandex trousers?" Hiro suggested. "How about leather?"
"NO! NO! NO!" I screamed, Max's goat bleating in protest, "REI! I JUST WANT YOU!" Rei smiled. "I LO-"
I sat up quickly, looking around the sick bay in doubt wondering how I got to school. I touched my tender, cold forehead, swinging my legs over the side of the bed. My hand came up automatically as an ice pack came flying towards me.
"You," I spat for lack of better words, as I pointed to the one I had seen in the coffee shop.
"You walked into a lamppost, kid," they said coolly, standing up and opening the door, their hand in pocket. "Later."
"Kid?" I said under my breath.
"That's what I said. Watch where you're going tomorrow…." They left, the door clicking shut behind them.
I walked over to a mirror and looked at my forehead; it had a small lump and was red but didn't look like it would bruise badly. "How are you feeling Mr. Hiwatari?" the nurse asked, walking in with a smile. I nodded. "That young man found you on the street; very lucky. Who knows what might have happened." She put down a glass of water and some painkillers on the table next to bed I had lay on. "Morning classes finish in a few minutes; you may as well stay here." I nodded as she departed, lying down again on the bed and putting the ice pack on my head.
"Miserable lump," a voice growled. "Too blind to avoid large, stationary objects."
"Are you ok Kai?" another voice questioned. I hid my joy.
"Fine," I grunted at Brooklyn as if I was endlessly displeased with his presence. I opened an eye, Brooklyn wearing a male, surgeons' outfit with a nurses' hat with a red cross on it. Tala was also dressed like a surgeon, examining his mini scalpel in a disturbing manner.
"Good."
"You know," I said in a dry, expressionless, careless, thoughtless, keyless, sunless, paperless, foodless, rainless, Reiless….what am I dong, this is useless…. "You and Tala…"
"Don't have to leave because you've grown to love our presence and want us to remain to help you sort out your feelings about Rei?" Brooklyn chimed, suggesting an end to my sentence. Ummmm not quite, but I shrugged none the less. "We accept."
"You should curb your habit for speaking for both of us," Tala mumbled.
"Oh you know you want me to!" Tala rolled his eyes.
"Hiwatari."
"What?" I responded to Tala. The mini Tala stared at me. I wouldn't have been so rude to the real full sized, substantial Tala, but this after all was a hallucinogen induced leech.
"You didn't even say thank you to the weirdo that brought you here….that makes you look like an ungrateful brat." Shit, the shithead was right.
"Kai!" Max called, running in as he opened the door. I sat up and gave a semi-smile although I was actually glad to see him. "Are you alright?" I nodded as Rei closed the door behind Tyson and Daichi.
"I didn't hear the bell ring," I said as they sat on the edge of the bed.
"No classes today," Daichi said with a grin.
"Isn't that lucky? Two exams that I didn't study for are cancelled," Tyson said with a sigh of relief.
"Physicals are all day today and tomorrow. If we finish our physicals today then we don't have to come to school tomorrow," Rei explained.
"Wow," Tala mumbled. "That freakish cupcake really was lucky." I smiled; maybe it was.
"Hey, that thing on your head looks like a really weird hicky! " Tyson pointed out. Ahhhh, reason two hundred and seventy four to kill Tyson.
"What happened to you?" Max questioned, handing me my glass of water.
"I ran into a lamppost," I said, attempting to sound unembarrassed and composed. The other four stared.
"You're joking right?" I glared daggers at Max. They burst out laughing, Tyson and Daichi falling on the floor.
"AND I THOUGHT YOU WERE BAD!" Tyson and Daichi said pointing at each other. Max covered his mouth and looked away.
Rei was laughing, putting his hand on my shoulder. "It happens to everyone…" he said slowly, suppressing his laughter.
"NO JUST KAI!" Tyson shouted. They continued to laugh. They were so totally mean; I so like, totally hate themmmmmmmmm.
"You guys suck," I said, putting my shoes and jacket on.
"BUT WE CAN SEE!" Daichi yelled. They eventually stopped, shaking their heads at me.
"Were you chasing a unicorn or something?" Max asked. "That's the only way I can see you running into a lamppost." We all stared.
"No….but it's just as unbelievable," I sighed. They stared. Well, maybe not unbelievable for Max, he must have known some of the side effects of his 'merchandise'. Tyson opened the door, Rei stopping me before I could go out.
"Just a minute," he said, reaching out to my face. I backed up as he came closer until I was against a wall, my breath stopping as he was within reach. "What?" he asked as he finger combed my bangs. "Now you can't see that lamppost hicky anymore." I rolled my eyes as if he annoyed me.
We all got lunch, going to sit down outside to eat. I nodded to Mystel as he walked down the stairs beside me. "Yes. I know about your head," he said before I spoke. "Fine I'll eat with all of you today." Mystel was a freak. Mystel glared at me. Weird…..maybe he and Brooklyn and Tala take some mental steroid…. Or maybe it was the hair colour.
"Can't wait for tonight!" Emily said as she ran by, flashing a thumbs up. Tyson gave her a thumbs up in return.
"Seven is ok?" Enrique asked. Tyson nodded and he walked away, a bunch of girls in his wake.
"What are they talking about?" I asked Tyson.
"Eh?" he replied. "Party! Duh!" The gears in my mind turned slowly.
"What?"
"Don't you remember?"
I dug deep.
::FLASHBACK::
I sat at the kitchen table, Max's Gameboy Advance SP in my hand. I turned up the volume and plugged my head phones in as Tyson entered, stage left.
"MAXIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!" he cawed. "REIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII! KAIIIIIIIIIIIIIII! That test thing is in two weeks, I THINK WE SHOULD HAVE A PA-" I turned the music all the way up to block him out. Come on Yoshi, just jump….JUMP YOU PARAPLEGIC REPTILE! YAY I WIN! I WIN! The light flickered and the screen went black as the batteries died. NO GOD! WHY! I'LL NEVER LOVE A GAME THE WAY I LOVED YOU YOSHI'S ISLAND! I had a moment of exaggerated angst, OH THE PAIN, THE TURMOIL! Tyson's calls snapped me back to reality. "Ok, Kai?"
Hmmmmm…..I could say 'what were you talking about', and have him re-rant what he just ranted, say 'No' and have him bitch and complain about why I should've agreed to his rant, or say 'Yes' and have him leave me alone. "Yes, Tyson," I said, getting up to look for batteries.::FLASKBACK END::
Everyone at the table was looking at me.
Damn it…...
…
One school field had been turned into a trio of obstacle courses, many students already quivering although they could not see the plans for our year. Hiro was no where in sight, speculations flying on the whereabouts of our PE teachers.
Daichi dropped out of no where between Max and Tyson, rubbing his nose as if it granted wishes. "Ok, I have some information," he said, looking around quickly. "First of all, there are two parts; group and individual trial. Individual trials and group trials will be held on separate days. Individual trail is out of 40 and group trail is out of 60. However, you can choose between pair or individual trails."
"Yes, yes, yes," Tyson said quickly, attempting to take mental notes.
"I have no idea what the course is….that huge barrier around it is stupid!"
"That's the point of the barrier," Mystel said blankly. Daichi let out a high pitched girly scream.
'When did you get there?"
"It is no one's concern." Mystel walked away.
I absentmindedly stroked Dranzer, as Tyson pleaded with Dragoon. "I need a good physical grade to make up for those few bad ones I got," he whispered. "Like in English, Biology, Lit., History and Math…." He began sweating. Emily skipped past us, her arms covered in scratches and welts.
"THAT WAS GREAT!" she shouted enthusiastically. "GOOOOOOO TRYGATOR!" Someone was carried off the field in a stretcher, arm hanging limply over the side. Oh well, these things happen.
"TAKAO KINOMIYA!" someone called.
"Who the hell is that?" Tyson asked.
"Oh whoops …..Tyson Granger!"
Tyson ran off, Daichi giving a sigh because the school was not letting him perform the physical. "Not fair," he huffed, stalking away.
Rei sat cross legged on the ground. "Did you study for the tests?" I questioned. That was a stupid question, Rei always studied.
"Kind of," Rei replied. 'I was ready for art but there are a few things I still can't remember in history…..it's lucky physicals are today." He started laughing nervously, extra pointy canines clearly visible.
"Yes…" I said. Rei didn't know everything? What was the world coming to? What was the true power of the doughnut? Max waved as he was called away, Draciel in his hand.
"You know these moments when it's peaceful and no one else is around…." Brooklyn said suggestively. He may have been speaking suggestively but it took me a while to get what he was indirectly telling me to do.
"No," I breathed to Brooklyn, looking at him out of the corner of my eye.
"BUT KAI!" he whined, eyes watering as his nose began to run and he got on his knees. Chibi Brooklyn was not nearly as collected as the full sized model. "WHY!"
"Why Hiwatari? Whyyyyyyy?" Tala asked in a mega bored, super dry, ultra uninterested voice.
"Where am I?" I asked rhetorically. "At school."
"Yeah, you come here on occasion," Rei said sarcastically, obviously hearing me. Damn it! Tala and Brooklyn made me look crazy. I sucked my teeth at Rei and crossed my arms in fake indifference.
"Er," Tala said as my name was called. I gave him a questioning look. "We make you look craziER." Insert hard glare.
"Good luck, Kai," Rei said, leaning back as I walked away. I looked at him over my shoulder as he gave a smile that he probably didn't think would mean anything. I had to fight not to smile back, giving a low 'thanks' as I walked towards the course.
"Mr. Hiwatari," a man with a clipboard asked. I nodded. Duh. Didn't that fool know who I, Kai Hiwatari, was? Where had be been living; under a rock? "Blade ready?" I showed him Dranzer. "Good luck, proceed." Pshhhhh, as if I needed luck from him.
I entered the course and sighed.
"I think they forgot to clean it…." Tala said. The course was a huge warehouse, broken windows, chained door, muddy surroundings, and generally foreboding image included. It was dark, clouds rolling overhead and the grey shadow cast by the barriers.
"Mr. Hiwatari," a voice began. "Enter the warehouse, eliminate your enemies, stop the clock by whatever means necessary and exit."
"I think it's going to-" Tala began. "Rain." Lightning forked across the sky as torrential rain came from nowhere.
"Wonderful," I mumbled.
"BEGIN!" the voice boomed.
"I'm singing in the rain….what a glorious feeling!" Brooklyn sang as I darted towards the recently erected building.
"Duck," Tala yawned, as a log swung for my head. I bent over, feeling as it rushed past. "Lower." It swung back closer to the ground, Tala doing the splits and pointing for me to do the same. I did the splits in the dirt, pushing myself back up and jumping over another set of moving targets. "You're lucky you're not fat."
"Are you saying fat people aren't able to perform?" Brooklyn queried defensively. "Don't be prejudice, Tala! Chubby people are people too, and it's narrow minded people like you that are driving the world to ruin! People that can't look beneath the surface. Those who are superficial and think that perfection has to look or sound a certain way! If we could only accept people for who they are, fat or thin, gay, straight or bi, pink or yellow, blue or green, red or orange, vanilla over chocolate, chocolate over vanilla, Burger King or MacDonald's, Gackt, Miyavi or DBSK, Mew Mew Power or Sailor Moon, Venus or Serena, Sony or Nintendo! " Mini Brooklyn was panting after his rant, waving a fist. Oh God.
I was leaping over splintered wood, and slid to a stop in front of the door. I aimed at it, Brooklyn screaming hysterically. "MOVE MOVE!" he yelled. I looked up I piece of galvanise falling from the roof. I rolled to the side, a log hitting me in the back of the leg.
"CONCENTRATE!" Tala shouted, as I launched Dranzer into the moving obstacle and the wood flew in random directions. The rain grew more intense, obstacles lost between sheets of water. "KAI, GET A GRIP!" I ducked as a blade was launched out of nowhere, barely missing my shoulder. "YOU SEE YOU FOOL!" Tala barked MILDLY helpful instructions that KIND OF helped me.
"SHUT UP!" I screamed, firing Dranzer reflexively. She tore through the side of the building, mangling the metal targets in her way.
Brooklyn clapped. "You angry savage," Tala hissed. There was no roof on the building, the large structure all but hollow. The floors were barely there, only around the walls to leave a large central shaft, with no stairs to get from one level to the other. There was a blading dish in the floor that had already filled with water. Chains dangled from the overlapping maze of rafters over the water, swinging eerily as lightning flashed.
"I'm terrified of these four walls, these iron bars can't hold my soul in…all I need is you, come please I'm calling, something…something…something…Show me what it's like to be the last one standing, and teach me wrong from right!" Brooklyn sang, Goosebumps rising on my skin as I swam through the undulating water.
"AM I MORE THAN YOU BARGINED FOR YET!I'VE BEEN DYING TO TELL YOU ANYTHING YOU WANT TO HEAR, CAU-" Brooklyn began anew as I pulled myself up a chain, before Tala cut him off.
"It's EVERYTHING you want to hear," Tala snapped. Tala was wrong, oh well. Brooklyn shook his head. "OF COURSE IT IS!"
Brooklyn gave a blank stare. "I'm just a notch in your bedpost, but you're just a line in a song," Brooklyn said with a smirk.
"As if I'd ever let you in my bed."
"That's not how it seemed last night," Brooklyn said, a strange look in his eye. Tala's face turned red, Brooklyn making him uncomfortable. Disturbing. Brooklyn sang some more, my hair plastered to by face by the torrent. "I wonder how Rei's doing." I tried not to think of him even though the mention of his name caused my heart to skip a beat. Shit now he was just stuck in my brain. Tala's eye twitched as Brooklyn sang on."….Sugar we're going down swinging, I'll be you're number one with the bullet; loaded gOD complex cock it and pull it! Is this more than you bargained for yeT, OH DON'T MIND ME I'M watching you two from the closet, wishing to BE THE FRICTION IN YOUR JEANS!"
"Isn't it messed up, how I'm just dying to be him…." I mumbled the words of the song. Brooklyn gasped.
"I'm flattered Kai," he said with a giggle. I rolled my eyes, somewhat amused by Brooklyn. "But Kai…SITUATIONS ARE IRRELEVENT NOW!" I saw someone out of the corner of my eye, arm extended. Before I could stop it, something hit the chain, the link cracking on the side before the link broke and I plummeted into the water. I surfaced, five figures in black around the dish with rip cords and launchers in hand. "Your school goes all out with their training don't they….this ain't a scene it's a god damn arms race where there's no sympathy for the dead…"
There was no time to answer or pass comment on Brooklyn's Fall Out Boy and Escape the Fate fan-service, no time to swim out. Five of them…but only one of me…not like it mattered; I was Kai Hiwatari after all. I held it straight up, the rain falling into my eyes, as they loaded their launchers.
The rafters stood dark against the briefly illuminated sky, my arm coming back as Dranzer was launched straight up, rafters breaking apart and raining down from above. The instructors scattered as wood debris rained down.
"Nice job Hiwatari, you have mild talent," Tala said bluntly. "Too bad Rei still won't have you." A chill ran up my spine, hand curling into a fist. Instructors began to scream. I looked up slowly, the rafters ablaze despite the rain. The fire grew in size, the walls of the building quickly lost under the dancing flames. I could really care less.
…
Mumbles and glances followed me as I walked alongside Max to the infirmary. Max's left side was covered in mud, and there was a noticeable cut above his right eye, but he was alright otherwise. My legs were coated in mud and I was dripping wet, my clothes clinging to my body. My arms were covered in a series of small scratches that the splintering wood had inflicted, and my knee was throbbing.
"So you burnt down the whole first course? How did you manage that?" Max asked doubtfully. I didn't answer him, but he knew me well enough to deduce a hypothetical reply. "You're not alone in course destruction." I looked at him doubtfully. "Tyson got a bit over zealous with Dragoon….the building in his course only has two walls now."
"WAIT!" Tyson screamed from behind us, limping forward. His sleeves were gone and his pant leg was ripped.
"What happened to your leg?" Max questioned. "Get hit my one of those living logs?"
"No, I fell down the stairs on the way over here," Tyson informed us.
"Idiot," I breathed.
"Idiot," Tyson mocked me in a more stupid voice. "Have you seen Rei?"
Max answered but I couldn't hear their exchange of words. I looked at the floor upon the mention of Rei's name, Tala's words ringing in my ears. Tala had not spoken a word since I had left the blazing course, Brooklyn silent in contemplation. Tala's words had sparked something strange within me; something that burned and festered to think about. I told myself that the flames were not a result of any emotion, and that their appearance upon Tala's statement was just a coincidence.
"I didn't mean anything by it Hiwatari," Tala said carelessly. I obviously wasn't going to answer him. One because Max and Tyson were right there, and Two, cause he sucked and stuff.
"The fact that those words could cause such a response speaks volumes," Brooklyn said, bandaging the Kai plushie he had finished sewing. I entered the crowded infirmary, Mystel brushing past me with a bandage over his eye. A few people were lying on beds, arms or legs in casts. Bandages were everywhere, peroxide and cotton wool abundant.
"If you aren't in need of immediate attention, please have a seat," a nurse said, pointing to the side. There weren't any seats left; she didn't expect me to sit on the muddy floor did she? Tyson sat on the floor, leaning on Max in exhaustion.
I took a seat in the corner, near where Mystel had taken a seat. "How was it?" he asked.
"Fine," I replied in a monotone. I liked talking to Mystel; he wasn't one for empty dialogue. He had acquired some odd sort of maturity that added to his air of….mystery.
"It was ok, I think I could have shaved off ten seconds if I had hit the box straight away, instead of hitting it with a rebound," someone said. I turned, Brooklyn resuming his position as provider of background music and playing a harp; how cheesy. Rei looked over at me and waved, signalling for me to come over. I gave him a hard look as if to say 'why should I, Kai Hiwatari, get up….YOU COMMONER'.
"Just go," Mystel said, pushing my leg with his foot. I got up without growling at Mystel for putting his dirty foot on me.
"Kai, Rei destroyed a whole course just like you," Max said, Tyson being called away for treatment.
Tala snorted. "Oh," he said. "You two can be savages together." My lip curled. "Or you can savage each other if you get what I mean." Brooklyn giggled. My face burned, and I struggled to hide my face as it went to pink side.
"Did you get hit in the face, Kai?" Rei asked. I nodded. Rei laughed as Tyson re-hashed the lamp post incident.
The four of us sat on the floor, Tyson going into flashback mode. "Hiwatari," Tala said softly, eyes as cold as ever. "I'm sorry for what I said." I smiled and nodded. It was good to see the ice princess bending to my will and apologising. "I'm not bending to your will Katrina." KATRINA?! "Yes that's you."
I, Kai Hiwatari, ground my teeth together as not to shout at my shoulder perched lesion.
Brooklyn clasped his hands together. "Kai! Tala!" he exclaimed joyfully. "Now that our bonds of friendship have been re-forged in the fires of reconciliation, we can work together for a common goal and co-exist in glorious harmony." He began clapping. Tala pulled out a paper bag, heaving into it as Brooklyn tossed flowers.
Freaks.
…
"This isn't the way home," Max said as I turned.
"I have to do something," I mumbled.
"TURN THE RADIO BACK ON!" Tyson howled. Max turned on the radio to shut Tyson up, Daichi's snoring partially drowned out.
'Now, a special request,' the DJ rambled. 'To The End!' Tyson clapped.
"I LOVE THAT SONG!" everyone said in unison, Tala and myself included. Tyson cleared his throat over the singing of the first verse.
"IF YOU MARRY ME, WILL YOU BURY ME? WOULD YOU CARRY MEEEEEEEEEE TILLLL THE EEEEE-EEEEEEENNNNNNND!?" he screamed.
"SO SAY GOODBYE," Rei sang.
"TO THE VOWS YOU TAKE," I continued.
"AND SAY GOODBYE."
"TO THE LIFE YOU MAKE."
"AND SAY GOODBYE!"
"TO THE HEART YOU BRAKE!"
"AND ALL THE CYANIDE YOU DRANK!" we sang in unison. Max sang the second verse perfectly, Tyson head banging enough to induce cerebral haemorrhaging. Gaze upon my use of big words. Cough.
"What are you going to do?" Tyson asked.
"None of your business," I replied automatically. I swallowed hard; they were obviously going to find out when I pulled up outside of the vet's office and came out with a cat. I looked around the car after coming to a red light, three pairs of eyes staring intently at me.
I turned onto the path that went to the vet's, Tyson poking me in the shoulder. "KAI!" he screeched.
"I'm going to pick up my cat."
"heh?"
"When did you get a cat?" Max asked.
"Really, a cat!?" Rei asked, oddly excited.
"I got it this morning," I said as we pulled up.
"A cat?" Daichi said as he awoke. "But I'm allergic." HHAHAHHAHAHAH! The first good use of mental laughter all day.
"Oh well," Rei, Max and Tyson said in unison, jumping out of the car.
O.O It was my cat….MINE! "Yay, we have a pet!" Tyson said. NO 'WE'! IT WAS MINE!
"They're very happy…." Tala mentioned, pointing out the obvious.
"Yay, more animal lovers!" Brooklyn said, a lei around his neck and a flowered crown around his head, orange hair straightened and hanging loosely. Ewwww….hippie Brooklyn.
"May I help you?" a young woman asked as I entered, Tyson and Max pointing to a huge parrot that was perched on a shelf as Rei watched the fish in the fish tank with morbid fascination.
"I brought my cat by this morning," I began digging around for the card I had been given.
"Here you go Mr. Hiwatari," the woman from the morning said, the cat in her arms, explaining the uses of the items she pushed into Tyson's arms. My housemates looked at the kitten, eyes shining childishly. I took the cat as a dog ran into the front office from the back, Rei jumping onto a bookshelf. The dog wagged its tail, Rei climbing a shelf higher before the secretary took it away.
"Kon is a freak," Tala mumbled.
- "Peace my brethren!" Brooklyn chanted. Tala sweatdropped.
"I guess he could be worse." .
…
"Nasty," Tyson said as he opened the front door and Daichi sneezed again.
"I dold do dat dime-dime-dime allerdic," Daichi said, rubbing his nose for a reason. I stared at him as if I was supposed to care.
Rei was holding the kitten protectively as if Daichi would attack at any moment. "You can take something for that can't you?" Tyson asked as Max put down the bowls we had bought and I put cat food in the cupboards.
"Do dant just dix dallergies," Daichi began.
"What? I can't understand your accent!" Daichi stomped away, sneezing as he climbed the stairs. Tyson began digging around in one of the cupboards and pulled out several packs of coke. "We have to start getting stuff ready."
Shit I had forgotten that stupid party. "I'm tired," I grunted, taking the cat from Rei, careful not to squash her bandaged foot.
"We're tired too." I glared at Tyson and he stepped back. Was I supposed to be concerned that he was tired? Who did that punk think he was talking to? Huh? HUH? "You agreed to this party, Kai." I turned and walked away, Tyson screaming like a monkey behind me.
"Hey," Rei called from the bottom of the stairs. I turned slowly to face him, his face suddenly illuminated with an angelic glow.
Tala did a flying kick into Brooklyn, the orange haired blader dropping his lighting equipment and glitter shaker. Rei's face returned to its normal, unaided state of perfection….OR SOMETHING….
"Hn," I replied with my famously lengthy response. Hahhaaha, there goes that mental wit again.
"What's her name?" I looked down at the green eyed ball in my arms and shrugged.
"I don't know. I'll get something." I stared at him, his eyes holding me frozen. He turned away and went back to the kitchen and I scratched my head, before sticking a lollypop in my mouth.
"It's rude to stare," Tala said as I closed my door. "You abuse Kon with your sensory organs." Tala pointed to my eye, his tiny finger ready to blind me. I shrugged; I wouldn't mind abusing Rei with a few of my other sensory organs, he ne- WHAT WAS IN THE WATER AND THE FOOD IN THIS DAMN PLACE!? I pulled the lollypop out of my mouth and watched the kitten chew on it before letting out a meow.
"Stupid tainted water supply and drug dispersing Max…" I mumbled, falling onto my bed after changing my clothes.
A yawn escaped me, my eyelids growing heavy.
"What are you going to call your animal?" Tala snapped.
"Why not name it after your favourite ice-cream flavour," Brooklyn suggested.
"I don't really have a favourite flavour," I informed him. What if my favourite flavour was Cookies and Cream or Rum and Raisin? Brooklyn was singing again, not in his over dramatic rocker voice but his disturbingly lovely lullaby pitch.
I wished he would stop it.
Shut up Brooklyn.
…..Shut…up….
..Shut…..
"Kai….." someone called out to me from the infinite darkness. "Kai….." I wanted to move but my legs were unresponsive. That sucked.
I, Kai Hiwatari, looked down, my cat staring up at me with luminous green eyes.
"Kai,' she began. "Your battle begins now."
"What battle?" I asked.
"Duh," full sized Brooklyn shouted, towel across his shoulders.
"Battle of the Musicians," Tala continued, sweatband already on. Huh? I couldn't play any instruments. Not that I needed to with my monumental talent in practically everything else. "You will go against the champion and battle for the grand prize."
Max appeared in a long sequined gown with a split up to the hip, and pulled open a curtain to reveal a large gift box. Tyson, in similar apparel, pulled off the lid to reveal a black haired Asian.
"I'll win this," I breathed.
"You wish," my opponent spat. Her putrid, pink stained hands curled into fists.
"AN OFFICIAL SEVEN ON SEVEN BATTLE! NO TIME LIMIT! BEGIN!" Tala shouted. Strange high pitched music began to play as Mariah jumped back.
"BoA I CHOOSE YOU!" she screamed.
"rarrr," BoA growled, appearing from a sphere that bore no resemblance what-so-ever to the trademarked Pokeball.
"KODA KUMI! I CHOOSE YOU!" I screamed. Mariah cackled for no real reason. "KODA KUMI, CUTIE HONEY!" I watched as Koda Kumi beat up BOA, not bothering to question what her attack had to do with the name of her song.
"BOA IS UNABLE TO BATTLE!" Tala bellowed.
"THIS IS TAKING TOO LONG! BRITNEY SPEARS, HILARY DUFF, MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE, AMANO TSUKIKO, BONNIE PINK AND HINOI TEAM, I CHOOSE YOU!" Mariah yelled, pulling out all the stops.
"NOOOOOOO NOT AMANO TSUKIKO AND BONNIE PINK!" Brooklyn cried in pain. "NOT HINOI TEAM!" How sad. He and Tala broke into a disturbing song and dance replication of 'Night of fire'.
"Not My Chemical Romance," I sighed.
Tala and Brooklyn froze. "They asked for this suffering, look at his hair," they said dully, pointing to the lead singer, Gerrad, and his short bleached hair.
"Let's get to it. LINKIN PARK, GACKT, MIYAVI, PANIC AT THE DISCO, NICKLEBACK and UTADA HIKARU, I CHOOSE YOU!"
"Your people outnumber hers…." Duh, I did have more bands per ball…..that sounds weird. O.o
"Don't," Mariah sniffed. "You can't." Insert cackling.
"Of course I can, an-"
I woke up on the floor. DAMN FLOOR!
"So close," I grumbled, pulling myself up. My room was dark; night had fallen during my slumber and the air was still. I looked at my watch; quarter to ten. My cat was curled up in my open school bag, Tala commenting on how she would pee on all my books and make me an even bigger failure. "I wish you would contract a viral infection that led to the deterioration of your vocal cords," I said quickly, opening the door.
"DANCE DANCE WE'RE FALLING APART TO HALF TIME!"
Music was blasting at full volume outside my door, various members of my school littering the upstairs hallway. "YACK," Tala spat, as I pushed past those in my way to get downstairs. "It's like a plague; you can't escape no matter how hard you try."
"Great party, Kai," Enrique said, a throng of girls on each arm. Yack.
"NO I DIED!" Emily cried, throwing my controller to the floor in anguish.
"Hey!" I shouted, pushing my way past bandaged teenagers to reclaim my gaming system and peripherals.
"Hey, Kai," Emily replied, coke in hand. Stupid Emily. I wasn't 'hey-ing' her to say 'hey' like in 'hi, what's up', I was 'hey-ing' her to say 'you there! Stop what you're doing!'. I pulled my controller away, Rei bounding forward to pull his memory card away.
"NOT MY PERFECT RESIDENT EVIL FILE!" he screamed dramatically, oddly un-composed. He crumpled on the floor.
"KAI!WHAT UP DAWG!?" Max called from the table, downing something in a single gulp. His hair was wet and spiked up. "DON'T I LOOK FLY!?" Someone banged into him before stumbling away. "BITCH, DON'T GET UP IN MY GRILLLZ!" O.O What? "MY TUNE!" Triangle by DBSK began, Max dancing to it; badly.
"Something's off," Brooklyn whispered hesitantly.
"I didn't notice," I moaned.
"ALL THE GIRLS SAY I'M PRETTY FLY, FOR A WHITE GUY!" Max sang. He changed the song. " -HE SAID, SON, WHEN YOU GROW UP WILL YOU BE THE SAVIOUR OF THE BROKEN, THE BEATEN AND THE DAMNED…" He changed it again. "-'WHAT A BEAUTIFUL WEDDING,WHAT A BEAUTIFUL WEDDING!' SAYS THE BRIDE'S MAID TO A WAITER! 'YES BUT WHAT A SHAME, WHAT A SHAME, THE POOR GROOM'S BRIDE IS A WHORE!' I'D CHIME IN WITH A 'HAVEN'T YOU PEOPLE EVER HEARD OF CLOSING THE GOD DAMN DOOR!?'" He changed it again. " I KNOW, YOU LOVE TO INSIST AND ALL IT TAKES IS A KISS AND YOU JUST LOVE TO HATE ME!"
"Oh God."
I made my way to the kitchen. "HAVE SOME JUICE!" Emily ordered, shoving a cup into my hands. I shook my head. "DRINK ITTTTTTTTT!" I drank it and pushed her away. Thankfully the kitchen was empty but cans were all over the floor and the fridge had been left open.
"Can't even close the fridge." The door swung open as I attempted to close it, a figure hunched in the way. "Tyson?"
"K-Kai?" he stuttered, sniffing quietly. "It hurts so bad."
"What's wrong?" He sniffed again, his back towards me as his hand slipped from one of the shelves of the fridge.
"They killed her…."
"Killed who?"
"Ichigo…."
"Who's Ichigo?" Tala questioned.
::FLASHBACK::
"Look at this strawberry cheesecake I got," Tyson beamed. "I'll call her Ichigo!"
"But you're gonna eat her," Rei said bluntly.
"Until then, our romance will be one forged of love!"
"She won't last more than two days," Daichi mumbled.
"HEY YOU JUST GOT HERE, NO SAS!"
::END FLASHBACK::
Tala slapped his forehead.
"Her blood is on their hands," Tyson hissed. "THEIR HANDS!" He turned quickly and grabbed my shoulders, crumbs around his mouth and whipped cream on his fingers.
"GET A GRIP MAN!" Max shouted, spinning Tyson and slapping him across the face. Tyson fell to the ground and curled into a ball. I slid into the living room, something catching my eye. Mariah was holding Rei's hand as she prompted him to dance. He shrugged and attempted to politely refuse, the tick not getting the message. I moved closer, standing beside the refreshment table to get a better look.
"Drink?" Mystel asked, holding a cup straight out. I gave him a blank look. "You won't look so much like a suspicious stalker." I took it and drank it quickly, nearly crushing the cup when I saw Mariah put Rei's arms around her neck...and no, not in the way to strangle her. I took another cup of whatever it was to replace my mangled one.
YOU CAN'T SLOW DANCE TO IT'S BETTER IF YOU DO! "Drink," someone with a husky voice offered. I turned and jumped back. It was Mystel, a black bandana on his head, and dark glasses over his eyes.
"I just took a drink from you," I reminded him.
"No you didn't," he said. "Got something you wanna say? Can't take a drink from a respectable guy?" I took the drink, Mystel staring at me until I finished it.
"Wanna dance?" Hilary asked, swaying back and forth.
"No. Go away," I instructed bluntly, sipping punch.
"Right!" She skipped away, tripping over a chair. Ha. Can't waste such a valuable resource on her; mental laughter is in short supply.
"Hey cutie," a stranger called from behind me, voice high and flirtatious. "Want a drink?"
I turned, and screamed, Mystel leaning forward on the table with a cup in his hand and his hair in two high ponytails. He pushed the drink into my hands and giggled.
"hehehheheeeeeeeeee," Tala mocked him.
"Drink it then!" Mystel cheeped. I drank it quickly and slid away, Mystel waving enthusiastically. I banged into the sofa. Stupid piece of furniture….it was attacking me…..
"Kai?" Brooklyn called. "Are you ok?"
"I don't feel so well….Stupid Brooklyn!" I shouted, holding onto the stairs for support as my leg trembled.
"Where's Brooklyn?" Rei asked, from the top of the stairs.
Stupid head Rei. Couldn't he see little Brooklyn on my shoulder?! "On my shoulder. Stupid."
Rei started laughing, beautiful lips slightly parted. "You're the stupid one, stupid." Rei turned and went upstairs, my legs forcing me to follow him. "I'm gonna….."
"Gonna what?"
Rei smirked and ran into my room, slamming the door behind him. "NOOOOO! MEANIE! MY ROOM!" I pounded on the door but it wouldn't open. It was being all…UNopening and stuff.
Tala coughed. He was a sick sick boy. "The door isn't locked fool," he snorted. Tala was a piggy on the weekend, that's why he was always snorting. I opened the door after much careful deliberation, Rei on my windowsill with my bag on his back.
"There's nothing you can do now," he said dangerously, eyebrow raised. Rei had pretty eyes….so shiny and golden….I smiled at him cause that was a nice thing to do. He smiled back and fell out the window. Whoopsy!
Tala and Brooklyn hit themselves in the heads. They were missing the mosquitoes they were trying to hit. Hahhahaha. I knew I had to save Rei; I took my bed sheets and tied them together, jumping from the window. I hit the bushes hard; I hadn't tied the sheets to anything and they were too lazy to tie themselves. Tala and Brooklyn looked at me blankly, Brooklyn beginning to pray.
"Kai?!" Daichi called from the bushes.
"Heh?" I answered, squinting at him.
"Everyone is acting weird…."
"Nuh uh." Kenny jumped through the window, Emily following with Mystel on her back.
"Yes they are….look at Rei." He pointed up. Rei was swinging from the branches of the tree outside my window, hissing as Mathilda walked by.
"Rei! Rei!" Mariah called. STUPID MARIAH!
"STUPID MARIAH!" Rei shouted, throwing a bucket at her. It hit her on the forehead. HAHHAHAHHAHAHAHHA! Brooklyn and Tala's eyes grew to monumental proportions.
Mariah collapsed as Rei jumped from the tree onto a blade mechanic, Daichi screaming in horror. "THIS IS HORRIBLE!" he screamed.
"Quite," I agreed passively. "How horrid." Rei began jogging, laughing hysterically as he broke into a sprint. I stood there. What was I doing again? Oh yeah.
"MY BAG!" I called. "GIVE ME!" I looked at the car. Ah ha! I'd surely catch him in that!
"NO!" Brooklyn screamed. "DON'T TOUCH THAT CAR!"
"GET BACK BITCH!" Tala growled at me, nearly foaming at the mouth. Tala's a foamy pig.
Daichi pushed himself against the car door. "No Kai, don't even think about getting in the car," he shouted. Not fair, I wanna drive.
"I have the keys!" Mystel called. "DRIVE ALL NIGHT, NEVER GONNA GET ME!" Daichi jumped onto Mystel and grabbed the keys.
"Over my dead body!" Mystel glared, his face darkening and Daichi whimpered. The red head threw the keys into the bushes. Brooklyn and Tala let out grateful sighs. Mystel threw his drink on Daichi.
"We are so, OVER!" Mystel marched away as I presumed my pursuit of Rei.
"SLOW POKE, YOU'RE A JOKE! HAVE ANY COKE?!" Rei rhymed.
"COME HERE REI, YOU'RE GONNA PAY!" I answered back. We laughed stupidly. :3
Tala looked mortified.
My vision was skewed as I continued to run after Rei, momentarily blinded each time a car drove by with its high beams on.
Rei was laughing up ahead, confused people separating us on the sidewalk. "KAI!" Rei called frantically, running in place in front of an open shop. "Ice-cream!"
I looked at the different flavours, my stomach insisting I needed some even though I hadn't been hungry before. "You want some?" I asked. Rei nodded.
The lady behind the counter gave us a strange look. "Have you boys been drinking?" she questioned. What a dummyhead question; you need to drink to live lady. Rei shrugged and pointed out three flavours he wanted on his sugar cone.
"What are your favourite flavours?" Rei asked loudly, people staring as they walked by. He was something to stare at….
"I don't know," I responded, choosing three flavours the lady said I would like. I shoved some money into the lady's hand.
"Here you go," she said, holding out more money.
"No it's yours," I reminded her. "Cause you gave me the ice-cream I have to give you money." Poor lady, she was probably losing out on so much money. Why was she just giving money away? Rei and I shook our heads.
"This is your change," she said firmly, closing my hand around the money. Whatever, her loss.
Rei and I walked side by side down the sidewalk licking our ice-cream. "Look," I said, giving Rei the money. "I don't want to hold it." Rei gave me a blank look, ice-cream on the tip of his nose. "Put it in the bag, stupid head." Rei puffed out his cheeks. "Fine then." I opened the back pocket, my cat jumping out onto the sidewalk.
"YAY KITTY!" Rei squealed, attempting to pick up the cat with one hand. "Come back kitty! YOUR FOOT BANDAGE WILL COME OFF! KITTY!"
Rei and I stumbled over each other, the cat tearing off down the sidewalk even though we told her to PLEASE come back. Our shouts were interrupted by the gonging of the clock that signalled the arrival of eleven o'clock. The three of us stopped running, my kitten's already tired.
"You're silly," I said, picking her up and stroking her. She let out a soft meow. Rei bent forward and she licked his nose, the golden eyed one giggling. He smiled, his sharp canines very similar to those of the one who had already fallen asleep. "What should I call her?" I asked Rei as he licked his ice-cream thoughtfully, spinning in wide circles.
"Name her after your favourite ice-cream, or colour…or song…." Rei trailed off, staring at the dark sky. The night felt very black as we stood in the middle of the park, the lighted fountain in the centre of a circle of benches the only source of light in our vicinity. I put her back in my bag that Rei had put on a bench and licked my ice-cream.
"Rei, I-" I looked around for Rei and swallowed hard. "Rei?"
"I'm in…..a treeeeee," he whispered mysteriously from the tree I stood under.
"How did you climb with your ice-cream?" Rei shrugged. I could do it, if he could do it…..right?
Tala hit himself again. I made it into the first layer of branches with much difficulty, my frozen treat leaning to one side.
"What flavours did you get?" Rei asked.
"Chocolate, Cookies and cream and something…..you?"
"I don't remember," Rei shrugged, licking away. "Wanna taste?"
"OK." He climbed down gracefully to my level.
"Taste it then."
I looked at him, his perfect eyes catching the fleeting light. They were golden and inviting, perhaps even lovelier than my own. He cocked his head to the side, scratching his head through his ruffled fringe. The wind blew, the leaves whispering excitedly despite the chill.
I leaned forward and licked the ice-cream off of Rei's nose, slowly coming back and looking at my ice-cream cone. "I should have gotten that flavour. What is it?"
"ummm….I think it's French Vanilla." He shrugged. That was a really nice one…maybe I should call my cat French Vanilla….aren't French people short and weird smelling with a bread and cheese obsession….? The branch beneath me made a sound of protest.
"I think I sho-" The branch broke and I fell to the ground, ice-cream realigned, with something long and white in my hand.
"You took Kon's ribbon," Brooklyn beeped. I had nearly forgotten them there, they were so quiet. I had accidentally grabbed onto Rei's hair in an attempt to stop myself from falling out of the tree….at least I didn't rip out his hair…
"We're not quiet, we're in shock," Tala growled.
"Are you ok, amigo?" Rei asked, jumping perfectly from the tree, shiny black hair falling down his back. I nodded in a dopey fashion. "Your lip's bleeding blood." I wiped my bleeding lip on my sleeve that had ice-cream on it. He extended a hand which I took and pointed to the fountain.
I stared at the fountain. "Rinse your sleeve in it genius," Tala sighed, almost painfully. I would have figured that out eventually….I walked to the fountain slowly, my head throbbing and the taste of blood in my mouth.
"BANZAI!" Rei yelled, sliding in out of nowhere and tripping me into the fountain. "Whoops. SORRY!I thought you would have dodged…"
T.T I surfaced slowly, my clothes plastered to my body, my ice-cream banished from this world in a moment of aqueous suffering. My lip throbbed; I had probably bashed it on the way in as well. Rei was sitting on the side of the fountain, a frown on his face.
"You shouldn't frown, Rei," I sighed, crossing my legs as the fountain spurted water over me. "It messes up your sexy." Huh, where'd that come from? Maybe it was the water?
Mini Tala and Brooklyn adjusted each other's nooses and climbed atop chairs.
Rei looked at me and grinned. 'You'd know all about being sexy wouldn't you?" he queried, licking his ice-cream cone. I shrugged and sucked on my lip, sitting on the side of the fountain with my feet in the water. "Want some of mine?" he asked, pointing to his ice cream cone. "I just had the second flavour, only one more left." I nodded, taking the cone with both hands.
"What was the sec-"
He cut me off; not with a hand or with his ice-cream cone. His parted lips pressed against mine, my body numb as he leaned in. There were no italics, no quotation marked wishes or daydreamt fantasies that could compare to what was truly happening. He sucked on my bleeding bottom lip, eyes closed and breath warm as he took my mouth in his own once again. My eyes closed of their own selfish accord preventing me from viewing the best show on Earth. I pushed back, hand at his collar as I pulled him closer, his warm breath on my skin as he took fantastically short breaths, his tongue going places that it had only ever gone in my dreams. My eyebrows arched as I tasted him, and his hand rested on my dripping neck. I waited to fall on the floor and awake as he licked the side of my neck and pulled away after a short eternity.
The last flavour had turned the cone into a mushy mess in my hand. I looked at Rei, his cheeks barely pink. My face was burning as Rei took the miserable remains of his ice-cream and walked over to my bag, my cat eating it gratefully. I touched my lips as I looked over my shoulder at Rei who was crouched beside the bench. Brooklyn was dabbing his eye and sniffing into Tala's shoulder, the red head's mouth opening and closing like a fish….Tala was a foamy fish pig. Hehheheheh.
I, Kai Hiwatari, looked at my watch; 11:44PM. It was late…but at 11:44 I had found three different things all falling under the name of one word;
The name of my new cat,
Rei's second flavour,
And my new favourite ice-cream….
Vanilla.
It's been forever I know but summer is coming again so if you want them, updates should be faster. is moping around on Gaia Yeah, Yami AJ promised to stay away from Gaia a long time ago but that didn't work out.
I love you guys ;3. Thanks for reading as always!
Peace Out!