Disclaimer: As you may have already guessed, I do not own beyblade...yet evil grin

- Ch.1 Forgotten -

Kai walked down the empty street. It was drizzling but just one look at the grey sky suggested that Mother Nature had something else in store. Not that he cared, not like they'd care; he was just 'Mr. Grumpy' the 'Sour Puss' the quiet one, the mature one-the loner. He hated it, he hated that they would never look through his shell, the walls that he had built for himself, his defense. Then again, did he really want them to see through those walls? He didn't know any more.

I am a question to the world,

Not an answer to be heard,

Or a moment,

That's held in your arms,

All he had ever wanted was approval. That was all. He remembered vaguely when his brother, Alexei, had died. He had wanted nothing more than for his brother to look at him, and say "Good job Kai," to have him smile. To make him proud…He knew this was impossible now, Alexei was gone, he wasn't coming back. His mother's heart was broken. She had always favored Alexei, maybe because he looked less like his father, the father that had left them.

Maybe, if he could just start out by telling them that, just a little bit at a time. How would they react?

And what do you think you'd ever say?

Oh, Kai! I'm so sorry! You poor thing…. The list of probable reactions whizzed through his head.

I won't listen any way?

No, he wouldn't tell them, it was better if things just stayed the way they were. If any of his experiences had taught him anything it would be that - Change is bad, it only brought pain and death.

You don't know me,

And I'll never me what you want me to be,

His mother had grown distant, she wouldn't eat, wouldn't sleep. Worst of all, she wouldn't look at him. He nearly smiled despite the sad memories, at the pain he had felt all those years ago. One day he had dressed in his brothers cloths, and walked in to his mother's room, "Momma?" She had looked at him first with joy, then with disappointment, and finally hate. "You will never be Alexei." She had said, her voice choked with an angry sob.

And what do you think you'd understand?

I'm a boy, no, I'm a man,

You can't take me,

And throw me away,

But that's what she had done; she had left him at his Grandfather's abbey, that hell hole.

And how can you learn what's never shown?

Yeah, you stand there on your own,

They don't know me,

Cause I'm not here,

Kai's head snapped up at the loud growl the sky produced. Just as well he thought it doesn't matter. As he continued to walk, the storm made itself known. Sheets of rain assaulted Kai's lone figure. Each one seemed to penetrate the skin, leaving him cold inside.

And I want a moment to be real,

Want to touch things I don't feel,

Want to hold on and feel I belong,

Suddenly, Kai heard something other than the rain. A soft sound, a sound lost amid the world's harsh reality. But he heard it.

And how can the world want me to change?

They're the ones that stay the same,

You don't see me,

But I'm still here,

He stared in to the mouth of the alley, the sound once again bounced off the cold walls. Listening as closely as the rain would allow, he followed the small sound to a soaked cardboard box.

Carefully he reached in to the box. He felt something soft touch his finger tips. He heard the sound again, a mew?

And you see the things they never see,

All you wanted I could be,

Now you know me,

And I'm not afraid,

Hesitantly he drew out the warm ball of fluff, a small grey kitten. The big eyes stared up at him and despite himself Kai felt his heart throb. He had been like that once, alone, scared, cold. No one had come to help him, to comfort him. Maybe he could make things different for this kitten.

The little beast mewed again, this time louder. Kai smile at it and hugged it to his chest protectively. "It's okay little Ushka." He cooed "It's okay."

And I want to tell you who I am,

Can you help me be a man?

They can't break me,

As long as I know who I am,

He pondered over his last statement Ushka? In Russian it meant someone who was greatly loved and respected. Ushka…

They can't tell me who to be,

Cause I'm not what they see,

Yeah, the world is still sleepin' and I keep on dreamin' for me,

And their words are just whispers and lies that I'll never believe,

The small kitten mewed, rubbing the silky head against him lovingly. As he held the kitten in his arms suddenly felt a great responsibility weighed upon him. He was responsible for this kitten's life, and he wasn't going to let it down. He had hurt so many others in the past; this kitten wasn't going to be one of them.

And I want a moment to be real,

Want to touch things I don't feel,

Want to hold on and feel I belong,

And how can the world want me to change?

They're the ones that stay the same,

You don't see me,

But I'm still here,

I'm still here,

"C'mon Ushka, let's go home." The kitten looked up at him, the giant eyes shined hopefully. Home…

I'm still here,

Ushka mewed at him, as if in disbelief. Kai cradled him gently and only one word was spoken, soft and warm as it erupted from his lips. "Home."

I'm still here….

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