The Trials Of Love And Life

I do not own Beyblade or any of it’s characters. Any side character will belong solely to me and will not be touched or used by another.

Summary: Review to chapter 1.

Writing Style: Review to chapter 1.

A/N: Still sick, but I’m writing anyways.... AHAHAHAHA... NO BOYFRIEND OF MINE CAN KEEP ME IN BED... NO BOYFRIEND... AHAHAHA... *coughs and collapses on floor* Okay, no more yelling like a maniac or laughing insanely. Right, well, since my boyfriend is at work, I got up out of bed and decided to write while he’s not here. Enjoy the update.


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Chapter 5.

His body was shaking as he poured himself a drink, sloshing the red wine all over the marble counter top. Cussing under his breath, Kai wiped it up hastily and dropped four ice cubes into his glass and walked into his spacious living room. His heart was still racing and his fingers trembled on the glass he held.

‘Why had that happened...’

His memory had some how been stirred when that Kon kid had said those very words. It was something his older sister had said to him also, and the memories just raced across his eyes, and he knew that Ray had seem them too. When things happened to him like that, anyone could see them. That was the only reason he was always so protective of his privacy. He ran a hand over his face and across the stubble of his chin.

“Damn, I need to shave,” he muttered darkly.

He downed his drink in one gulp and plopped it back down on the table, the ice tinkling in the glass. HE stood up, his legs still shaky from earlier, and walked over to the bathroom. He shaved quickly, cutting himself many times, got another drink and turned on the television. His mind was far from the news he was watching as he remembered the past, a sad smile on his face.

(Flashback)

“SISTER...”

A young girl, only about fifteen, turned around and smiled, holding out her arms as a small boy, about eight, ran up to her with open arms. She pulled him into a loving embrace and kissed his forehead, lifting him from the ground and resting him on her hip. They had not seen each other all year, their schools hours apart.

“I’ve missed you,” she whispered.

“I’ve missed you, too,” he said with a bright smile.

“Grandfather’s waiting inside for us,” she said brightly, resting their heads together. “He want’s to ask you how your flight was.”

“Aw, do I have to see him,” the boy said, frowning. “I want to be with you right now.”

“We can go for a walk later, but right now, grandfather wants to see you,” she said, putting him down.

“Okay,” he mumbled.

They walked together into the large manor before them, the girl giving the driver whom had dropped off her younger sibling a curt nod that he returned as a bow and walked toward the house. They held hands, the young boy laughing and bouncing beside his sister, who smiled down upon him, her icy grey eyes soft and loving.

The house was dark, the curtains drawn on every window. The lights were dim, shadowing dark corners and making the maroon carpet look like blood. With a dark frown, the girl pulled her brother along the hallway, turning to a closed oak door and knocking once.

“Enter.”

A man, his long greying hair neatly parted and splayed down his back, sat at a large oak desk, a pen in hand as he had stopped writing. Seeing the pair, he gave the girl a nod and she closed the door immediately. He turned to the boy who was huddling close to his sister and hiding behind her arm. He gave him a sideways smirk.

“My dear, Kai,” the elder man said. “Do not be frightened.”

“I’m not grandfather,” he said in a whisper.

“Come closer, Kai.”

The boy complied with a nod from his sister, and stepped forward. The man behind his desk stood, walked around it, and knelt before the boy. He gripped his chin and tipped it this way and that, checking every square inch of his youthful face. He made a noise in his throat; whether of approval or disapproval, that was unsure.

“You have grown so much, Kai, since being away,” his grandfather said suddenly.

“Thank you grandfather, I have indeed,” the young Kai said.

The elderly man looked up at his granddaughter, her frown deepening and her grey eyes becoming cold and soulless. Her silver bangs shadowed across her face and the dark candle on the desk table flickered. The elderly man smirked and stood up.

“Mavra, my dear, you and Kai look so dreadfully tired,” he said with a dark glint. “Why not go to bed now and I will see you in the morning.”

“Yes grandfather,” she said. “Kai, come.”

He turned form his grandfather and ran back to her with leaping steps. She did not look down upon him and smile like she usually did, rather, turned and pulled him from the office. Kai looked up at her with worry, but she did not look down. They walked up the stairs together in silence, and just as Kai reached his room, she pulled him into his.

“Shh.”

“Mav, what’s wrong?” Kai whispered. “Why aren’t we going for a walk.”

She smiled at him softly and kissed his forehead again.

“We’ll go tomorrow... I promise.”

He smiled and her and wrapped his arms gently around her body as far as they could go. She leaned back against the posts of her bed and petted his hair, listening as his breath slowed and he fell asleep. Gently, with careful ease, she hoisted him up and carried him to his room. Her eyes slowly moved down the hall to the dark shadows beyond, and say the glittering eyes in the darkness. With a dark shadow in her mind, she opened Kai’s bedroom door and entered.

“Sleep well, my little brother.”

She kissed his forehead again.

“So sweet you are, my dear,” her grandfathers voice hissed behind her in a whisper.

“You really think I’d let you hurt him,” Mavra seethed back.

“No, I guess not,” he said with mock kindness. “Of course... if he knew...”

“It was because of you they died,” Mavra snarled quietly. “It is your fault we live under this roof.”

“That may be so, Mavra,” her grandfather said darkly, then his face turned into an insane grin. “But it was you who pulled the trigger...”

She stormed from the room and slammed her bedroom door. She walked to her bed and fell upon it, her face dark and sneering. She hated that man, but she had to protect Kai. She loved her little brother with all the fibres of her being and knew that the moment she left him, it would be the darkest days of his life. It was for that reason... Mavra allowed such ruthlessness to befall her.

She heard the rustle of clothing behind her and knew what was to come... and what she was protecting her little brother from. She shuddered as a tongue slid along the oval of her ear. Hands wrapped around her neck and a small pocketknife was at her throat. She head the hissing, sneering voice of her grandfather in her ear and bit back the hatred and darkness that was consuming her.

“Make one noise... and I’ll kill you...”

She nodded, looking to her door... and let out a silent gasp. Startled, sad, confused crimson eyes watched from the crack that had been left. She watched as a tear streaked down on cheek and immediately closed her eyes.

He had seen... and he knew...

(End Flashback)

‘She did it for me...’ Kai thought bitterly.

His sister had done everything for him... and he wasn’t even able to save her life that day. It was because of her that he was so strong. It was because of her that he didn’t have to ensue what she did every day of her life. It was because of her that he was still alive to this day...

SMASH...

The glass he had been holding broke in his hand, the shards breaking his skin as he fisted his hands together and punched the wall hard. He hated it, hated it all. She had put herself through so much yet in the end he was unable to give her freedom. She had been sealed in a cell behind their grandfathers bars. When she had turned eighteen, she could have had her freedom, but she didn’t leave. She stayed at the manor and continued her torture until Kai was able to leave with her.

The sky become a deep blue streaked with pink and purple. Kai looked at the reflection of himself in the window looking out into the beautiful green forest beyond. He could see the grey tints in his eyes and looked away. One of the two things that scarred him from that day. He looked down at his bleeding hand and felt disgust run through him.

Giving a hefty sigh, he sat up from the couch he had been adorning at the time and walked back into the bathroom. Using the tweezers from within the first aid kit, he pulled the smaller shards of glass that were embedded in his hand, splattered his cuts with ointment and slapped a bandage around his wrist and arm before picking up his briefcase and putting on his shoes for work.

‘Maybe I should talk to the kid...’ Kai thought to himself.

He shrugged it off easily. If the kid had a problem with what he might have seen, he could come to Kai, not him to the kid. He locked his door and walked down to his car, his mind still elsewhere. Maybe he’d talk to Tala...

Again, he shook the thought from his mind. No, Tala would probably freak out and tell him he needed to see a psychiatrist. He frowned at the thought, remembering what happened last time when his own grandfather had made him try and see a psychiatrist... it hadn’t been pretty.

‘Mavra...’

*~*~*

BEEP ... BEEP ... BEEP ...

Ray looked over at his alarm clock with sobre eyes, tearing his golden cat-like orbs from the window he had been sitting at and turning it off with a sigh. He had barely slept all night, waking up gasping as the memories of what he had seen began to haunt him. Professor Hiwatari covering his face as he screamed with pain. His eyes bloodied and bruised... that woman – his sister – lying in a pool of death at his feet.

He shuddered.

Why had he seen such images? Why had, when he looked into Kai’s burning gaze, did he see those things?

He walked out of his room, the pink sky brimming with the early morning hours, and made for the kitchen. He turned on the stove and turned to the cupboards, pulling out pots and pans and setting the kettle down. It was another hour before Max emerged, rubbing his eyes tiredly, his face regaining some of it’s colour, and looked up at him in greeting.

“You look better,” mumbled Ray as he turned over a pancake.

“Thanks,” Max yawned. “Still don’t feel good, though.”

“Don’t worry, it’ll pass,” Ray assured.

Max smiled as he was set a bowl of warm soup, a slice of toast and a glass of orange juice. He ate slowly, sipping the steaming broth and avoiding any of the vegetables and meat that floated around. Ray tossed the last of the pancakes onto the plate he was using and set them on the table.

“Is Miguel still here?” he asked, taking three of the fluffy cakes.

“Yea, still asleep,” Max said, stifling a yawn. “Why are you up so early?”

“Couldn’t sleep,” Ray sighed.

“Bad lesson?”

“No – well – sort of.”

“Tell me about it,” Max said as he sipped his soup again and nibbled his toast.

“Well... something weird happened yesterday,” Ray muttered, staring at the syrup bottle.

“Like what?” said Max.

“I saw something... strange,” Ray whispered, almost dreamily. “I don’t know if it was real or not, but it was really odd. Like I was reliving the past...”

Max looked quizzical for a moment, then sincere.

“Something in your past?” he asked kindly.

“No.. Something in Professor Hiwatari’s past,” Ray whispered. “Do you know if he has or had any living relatives?”

“You saw... what... oh, no, I don’t,” Max shrugged. “He’s right secretive, that’s for sure. Maybe you should ask him.”

“I don’t want to pry into his personal life,” Ray grouched.

“It would just be a question. Say it’s for one of your other classes,” Max suggested.

“Wouldn’t he know?” Ray wondered.

“Not if it’s not for one of HIS classes,” Max noted, giving Ray a wink. “I better get back to Miguel. Thanks for the soup, it was delicious.”

“No problem.”

Max deposited his dishes in the sink, gave Ray a quick wave and walked back to his room. Finally, sitting alone, Ray rested his head into his hands and rubbed at his itching eyes. He was so tired, but every time he went to sleep, he saw the carnage and blood over and over again, always more vivid than the last; and that was the last thing he wanted.

Deciding it best to get an early start, Ray packed up his things, but on his loose fitting clothes for Defense Class and walked out the door. It was a dewy morning with the hint of winter moving in fast. He shuddered and pulled his coat tighter to his body as he made way across the grass to the campus buildings. Students from the evening and night classes were filing from the school, each looking tired and warn. There weren’t many, and most didn’t live near or at the school at all.

Finally, after much shivering and chattering teeth, Ray opened the doors to the Defense building and made his way down the stairs to his classroom. He was about to pull open the door when he heard something inside or rather, someone.

“FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK...”

Ray looked shocked. He replaced his hand on the handle and opened the door slowly. He peered in, and was met with his Professors back to him, repeated punching the bag handing from the ceiling, eyes boring angrily on it as he repeated his cussing over and over again. Ray was about to close the door when he let out a gasp; his professor had just kicked the bag clean of it’s hinge.

He stood panting in the middle of the room, sweat glistening of his back muscles as he straightened up, glaring at the opposite wall. His one hand had resumed it’s bleeding again, having split open the clotted wounds. He grumbled angrily under his breath and walked over to his bag, pulling out the first aid kit from inside. Something behind him made his neck hairs bristle and he turned quickly.

“Kon...”

“Professor,” Ray said suddenly.

“Your early... by two hours,” Kai said, consulting the wall clock.

“Well – er – I thought I’d, you know, get an early start,” Ray said sheepishly.

“Trying to impress the Professor are you?” Kai said with a quirked eyebrow.

“What – no – um –”

“Don’t bother, Kon,” Kai said, waving his hand dismissevly.

Ray pursed his lips and looked around, the odd stretch of silence unnerving him. He chewed his tongue, thinking on whether or not to ask the Professor if what he saw actually happened. He looked up at his Professor and saw him pulling out a bottle of ointment, fresh bandages, and pair of tweezers.

“What happened,” Ray gasped, walking forward and kneeling in front of Kai.

Kai looked down at him with slight turn of his head, a tiny smirk plastered across his face. He began untying and unwrapping his old bandage – now severly bloody – and tossed it into the garbage. A gasp from Ray made him turn back to his palm and wrist.

A fresh pool of blood was forming on his hand, the deep hole of a gash in the middle of his hand slightly pussy. He frowned disgustedly at it and reached for the ointment with his left hand, trying to tip the bottle over onto the rag he had pulled from the first aid kit.

“Here, let me help,” Ray said, reaching over and taking the bottle from Kai’s hand without asking.

Kai wasn’t about to argue when he actually needed the help. Tring to wrap a bandage with one hand was hard, and he hadn’t done a good job when he had put his first one on in the morning. He sat back and nodded at Ray as he poured some of the clear liquid onto the rag.

“Ouch–”

“Oh, sorry,” Ray mumbled, blushing heavily.

“No worries, just a reflex,” Kai said dryly.

“Here, hand me that bandage,” Ray said, pointing to it, still holding the rag to Kai’s palm.

He pulled the bloody rag away and leaned over Kai’s right hand, placing the white bandage at the wrist and wrapping upwards. His fingers were trembling as he brushed Kai’s finger tips and they twitched against his own. He bit his lip to stop from making a sound as he worked and pinned the end of the wrapping and flattened it out.

“There, how’s that?”

Kai examined his work. “Well done. You should have been a doctor.”

Ray blushed. “Too much blood and gore. And I wouldn’t be able to deal with it if I wasn’t able to save someone.”

Ray watched as Kai’s face contorted a little into a grimace and he stood. He kept his gaze upon his Professors back as Kai stopped in the middle of the training room and turned to him with an emotionless look.

“What you saw actually happened,” Kai muttered.

“What?”

“Yesterday, during your lesson,” Kai said darkly. “What you saw really did happen. She died and I wasn’t able to save her.”

“I’m... I’m so sorry,” Ray whispered. “Professor how – how did I see that?”

“When you said those words... ‘Your not very good, are you?’... Something inside me just snapped,” Kai whispered, leaning against the far wall. “My sister used to say that to me so I would train harder...”

His voice dropped away and Ray felt the unease settle into him. He still didn’t understand how he had seen what he’d seen, but he didn’t want to dwell to deep into it. He rocked back and forth on his feet slowly, staring around the room; anywhere but his Professor, and hummed softly. He chanced a look to his Professor, who was staring down at the broken punching bag.

“How’d you do that?” Ray asked before he could stop himself.

“Hmm, do what?” Kai said, looking over at him.

“Break the bag clear of it’s hinge,” Ray said, walking over to it.

Kai smirked and slid down the wall, one leg outstretched, the other propped up. He leaned an arm on it and stared at Ray thoughtfully, then at the broken punching bag before answering.

“A trick I learned a while back,” he said, leaning his head against the wall. “I was a champion Boxer and Kick Boxer in my younger years.”

“You don’t look that old,” Ray said, lifting an eyebrow at his smirking professor. “How old are you... twenty-five, or something like that?”

Kai laughed, closing his eyes and shaking his head. He looked up at Ray and smiled at him thoughtfully. Ray blushed and looked away, staring down at the bag with unconcerned eyes. He looked back at his Professor and saw he was still smirking at him, his eyes glittering mischievously.

“Not quite,” Kai said, chuckling lightly. “A little older than that.”

Ray snorted, “yea, right.”

“I’m thirty-two,” Kai said, leaning his head back against the wall again.

“Well you don’t look it,” Ray said thoughtfully, smiling at Kai with a gentle blush.

“Thank you, you're quite flattering,” Kai said with a smirk.

Ray blushed again and turned away. He heard Kai saying something and turned back to him. He frowned and walked over to Kai, sitting in front of him with his legs outstretched and giving him a meaningful look.

“What do you mean: ‘Just because you flatter me doesn’t mean I’m going to give you better grades’?” Ray asked crudely.

“Oh, so you weren’t trying to make me give you better grades, were you?” Kai said indignantly.

“I certainly hope not,” Ray growled.

“Clam down kitty,” Kai chucked.

“Don’t call me kitty,” Ray muttered.

“Tell me about yourself, Kon,” Kai said, looking down at the punching bag again.

“Well – um – I’m nineteen, almost twenty,” he said, his eyes wandering over Kai’s toned face and fine lines. “I come from a village deep in the Chinese mountains–”

“I thought as much,” Kai said, turning back to Ray. “You’re a Neko-Jin, aren’t you.”

“Uh, yea, how’d you guess?” Ray asked, startled.

“Your eyes,” Kai said. “Very cat-like, and yesterday you were wearing the symbol of the tiger tribe on your shirt.”

“Oh, you noticed,” Ray said blushing.

“It’s my job to noticing the little things,” Kai inquired. “It’s what makes a good enforcer.”

The door to the training room opened and a group of students walked in, chatting amonbst themselves. A group of three girls blushed when they saw Kai and looked away, giggling gently. He sighed and stood up, indicating to the class to sit down. Ray stood as well and bit his bottom lip gently, waiting for Kai to give him the ‘okay’ to join the class.

“Well,” Kai muttered, looking at Ray a moment. “You did quite well yesterday during your lessons. You really want back in?”

“Yes, sir,” Ray gasped.

“Alright, Kon,” Kai said smirking. “But, if you miss another lesson, your out for good.”

“Yes, sir, I understand,” he said happily.

“Sit with the others,” Kai said tonelessly. “And thanks.”

Ray turned around form walking over to the class to look at Kai’s retreating back. He smiled softly and blushed again, hiding his face as he sat down with the group nearer the back and Kai came over, talking to the group in a very strong and dignified group that indicated power like before. The class listened avidly, and Ray watched Kai move amongst them, smiling to himself.

‘Maybe he’s not so bad...’

*~*~*

“You’re kidding,” Tyson gasped.

“Nope.”

“You mean you actually had a full-out conversation with him,” Max gaped.

“Yep.”

“I don’t believe it,” Tyson sighed.

“Me neither,” Max said, nodding.

“Really guys, I’m sure he’s had normal, friends conversations with other student,” Ray said, staring around at the others.

They were sitting out on the lawn, a warm, fall day breaking down on them. The class had been a good one. Ray had been paired with four other student and once with the Professor Hiwatari for a demonstration. He had been blushing so bad he was sure some of the other students had seen. Now, he sat with the others out in the lawn, Max somehow getting Miguel to allow him outside into the sun. the five sat together under a large tree near the edge of the school, talking about their classes.

“The only person I’ve seen him have a real conversation with is Professor Ivanov,” Miguel said, leaning back against the large oak.

“Yea. Hey, that reminds me,” Claud said, turning to Miguel. “I just found out some rough news about Professor Ivanov.”

“Like what?” Miguel asked, mildly interested.

“He’s being sued,” whispered Claud, as group of first years passed by, giggling at the group.

Miguel sat up quickly. “No fucking way.”

“Yes fucking way,” Claud said nodding.

“Who’d do that?” Miguel asked. “Who’d be dumb enough to sue Professor Ivanov?”

“Whoever it was isn’t going to get away with it, that’s for sure,” Tyson said, leaning against Claud’s shoulder. “Professor Hiwatari’s helping him.”

“They are good friends,” Miguel said, nodding.

“Yea,” Max said, sprawling in the cool grass.

“Wish we could help,” Miguel muttered.

“We can,” Claud smirked. “Professor Hiwatari said that if we wanted to, we should show up at the hearings and show our support.”

“Excellent idea my friend,” Miguel said jokingly.

“Quite so, quite so,” Claud said, using a dignified, high-pitched, voice.

The group laughed at them and went back to their conversations. Max pulled out a book of Child psychology and the brain and began to read. Miguel read some paragraphs with slight boredom and talked to Claud about helping out their Professor. Tyson and Ray listened at odd times, but decided to go back to the conversation of Professor Hiwatari.

The rest of the day moved quickly, midday slowly drifting into the evening and then evening into the late night. Ray was slowly packing up his bag from a late night class and hauled it over his shoulder. He was tired, his brain hurt form taking notes, and his eyes itched from little sleep. He was glad the lesson was over; since hearing his teachers droning voice almost made his pass out, and left the main building with a slow stream of students.

They all split off into their groups, heading for their dorms or leaving for their cars. Ray was left alone to walk across the dark field, weaving across the path to the flicker of lights that was his flat in the distance. He sighed and pulled his bag up farther onto his back, his body stiff from walking.

SNAP...

Ray stopped, frozen to the spot, his hair prickling as the sensation of people surrounding him etched across his mind. He turned, the darkness enveloping his vision. He couldn’t see shit through the shadows, but he had definitely heard something. Gently, he put down his bag and stood up, stretching out his arms defensively and kneeling down to wait.

“Well, well, well, what do we have hear?” came a haughty voice from the shadows. “A little kitty cat thinking he can beat us.”

“Awe, he’s cute,” cam another voice, deeper than the last. “Maybe we should break him in.”

“Yea, let’s break the kitty in,” came a nasally reply.

Ray watched as a large group of men came into view, not many years older than him. The eldest looked to be about twenty-four and had a long baton swinging in his hands. His face was scarred on the right cheek and he looked like his nose had been broken many times before. He was the bulkiest of them, and seemed to be the leader.

The others were shorter, but very muscular. The smallest, Ray assumed, was the nasally one, his high-pitched, wheezing laugh. He was the nearest and giving Ray a hungry look, licking his lips, which were split in many places, with the rough side of his tongue.

“He’s cute,” one of them said.

“Looks like a girl with his long hair,” came another voice.

“Maybe we should... cut it off,” said their leader.

Ray blanched. ‘Tough my hair, I don’t think so.’

The group moved in and Ray looked around, wondering who to go for first. He badly wanted to punch the leader, but he knew it would only lead the others into restraining him and their leader to beat him into a pulp. The group was moving closer, and Ray felt sweat spring up onto his forehead. Their were to many of them for him to attack. At least a dozen all wearing tight black pants and leather jackets were moving in on him.

“Get away from me,” he hissed, stepping over his bag.

One of them lunged. Ray jumped out of the way and punched the back of his head. The others raced forward, their leader standing and watching as Ray landed a few good punches and kicks at the group. One grabbed his right arm and twisted it behind his back. He was forced to the ground, the air rushing from his lungs as a pain grunt escaped his chest.

“You’re a fighter,” the leader said smirking.

“Fuck you,” Ray hissed.

He cried out as a sharp kick landed on the side of his jaw. He felt his skin break and warm blood trickle from the wound. His heart was pounding in his chest as he watched the big leader pul off his jacket and unzip the front of his pants. His eyes widened in horror as he was forced onto a kneeling position and he was met with a limp penis in his face.

“Suck.”

Ray turned his head away, gagging at the sight. He frowned, closing his eyes. The leader frowned and grabbed the top of Ray’s head, pulling him back to face the elongated shaft. He looked up with fear-drenched eyes into dark shadows, seeing the leaders dangerous glint.

“Suck,” he spat, shoving Ray’s mouth onto his shaft.

Ray winced as his hair was roughly tugged, his gagging increasing as the leaders erection was forced into his mouth. He shuddered, the person holding him gliding their hands down his body to the front of his jeans. He heard the zipper being lowered and a hand grip him tightly. He gasped, biting down on the leaders growing erection.

“FUCK...”

Ray coughed as his mouth was freed of it’s burden, his throat burning with the effort not to vomit as another blow was thrown to his face forcefully. He spluttered and felt tasted salty blood in his mouth. He looked up at the bulky leader again, shuddering from the pain as he was kicked again and again in the ribs and face. He cried out as he heard the crack of a rib and hunched over.

He watched with terror as the leader raised his fist again, a steel gripper along his knuckles. He raised his fist above his head. Ray closed his eyes and waited for the initial blow. His entire body was shaking with fear as he clenched his eyes even tighter closed. Why didn’t h just get it over with?

“What the...” Ray heard the leader say. “Who the fuck are you?”

Ray was forced to the ground and the weight on his back was removed. He opened his eyes slowly, his face pressed into the grass. He heard feet around him, the scrap of shoes sliding across the gravel path not far from where he was and yells of pain. He looked up and saw someone moving swiftly through the group, he was standing in front of Ray, blocking him from the gang as they attacked mercilessly.

Ray’s eyes fluttered and blurred as splotches of blood dripped into his eyes. The person in front of him pulled something from his back buckle and the click of a barrel sounded. The scuffling stopped and the grounds went silent. Only rough, ragged breathing could be heard and the muffled words of the gang in the darkness.

“Let’s get out of here,” the leader yelled.

The group scuffled away, their feet crunching over the grass. Ray shuddered on the ground, tears in his eyes. He felt someone’s hand son his shoulders and gasped, trying to push away, but they held him firm. He looked up slowly through the blood that was dripping into his eyes, the blurred outline of someone over his coming into focus.

“Come on,’ said a familiar voice.

He was lifted into someone arms and huddled close to their chest, his body shaking with the effort to keep from breaking down as he was carried across the lawn toward a lit path leading toward the parking lot. He looked up at the person holding him, their eyes not meeting his as they made their was across the parking lot.

“P-Professor,” Ray whispered.

“Don’t talk right now, you might have a sprained jaw,” Kai said, looking down at Ray for the first time.

Ray nodded, whimpering as he felt his ribs clench with pain. He gripped his side and hissed through his teeth.

“Why are you here?” Ray asked, barely moving his mouth.

“I was marking student work and just got out when I heard something. Thought I’d check it out,” Kai said quickly.

“Thank you,” Ray whispered.

Kai leaned down and placed Ray on a bench in the parking lot, kneeling down and brushing tangled strands of hair from Ray’s face and looking over the many bruises and cuts forming over his pale cheeks. His eyes were concentrated and angry as he looked into Ray’s eyes, checking their pupils.

Ray shuddered when he felt Kai’s fingers brush across his swollen lips and whimpered. He grabbed Kai hand with one of his shaky ones and looked deep into his Professors eyes. The tears sprang into his eyes quicker than he could wipe them away and he leaned forward, gripping the front of Kai’s jacket tight as he let the sobs break through his defenses.

Kai placed his hands on Ray’s back gently, allowing him to cry. He knew how much fear must have been going through him at the time and didn’t want to say he looked weak. If anything, Ray had been stronger than he had seen. He didn’t break down and cry at all while he was being forced, and he had even tried to fight.

“I w-was so scared,” Ray whispered, burying himself deeper into Kai’s chest. “Why did it happen... why me?”

Kai merely listened, holding Ray’s quivering shoulders gently. His eyes slowly masted and he lifted Ray’s chin with his thumb and forefinger. Their eyes locked, and for a moment, they both stopped breathing. Ray’s eyes fluttered and he leaned forward, his breath shaky as he let it out, their lips coming so close.

Their lips brushed timidly, their expressions lost. Why was this happening? Why were they feeling these emotions. Kai felt his lips quiver as they were gently brushed by those of his student, their eyes locked and unblinking. He scraped his mind and was finally able to pull himself together. He swallowed hard, and ever so slowly, began to pull away...

It was ghostly, but Ray felt his Professor pull away before it actually went to far. He shook the feelings in his head and looked at Kai, who had backed off. Ray blushed furiously through his tears. He cleared his throat and looked down at his shaking hands, cuts, bruises and scraps all along it fingers and knuckles.

“Come on,” Kai whispered. “I’ll take you to your dorm.”

“No,” Ray whispered. “I can’t go back there like this. My friends will ask to many questions. I wont be able to handle that.”

“Then...” he knew it was a bad idea, but he couldn’t just leave the kid. “... I’ll take you to me place and get you cleaned up...”

Ray looked up at Kai, his body still shaking all over. Kai lifted him into his arms again and Ray placed his hands firmly across Kai’s chest. He blushed heavily, but allowed it. He knew he wouldn’t be able to walk, even If he tried. He curled closer to the embrace and held the stitch in his ribs as he blushed furiously and felt the warmth surround him.

“Don’t worry,” Kai whispered, and Ray heard a hint of protection in his voice. “I wont let that happen again.”


**~**~**~**~**~**


A/N: AHAHAHAHA, I’m leaving it there. Confrontation of Kai/Ray in the next chapter at his house, and it’s only at his house. Hope you liked. My wrists hurting again and my boyfriend just got home, so I have to be quick and get off. Next update should be soon. I promise.