Hi everyone and sorry for the VERY late update.
Excuse: Exams

I apologize if I made this too long, but I need to set up this story to start the actual plot of Kai becoming… evil.

Anyway, as always I'd like to thank all reviewers, especially Sora Kiyo (spelt that right?) for suggesting some ways to improve. So here you go:

Disclaimer: I do not own Cardfight! Vanguard
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The Fall

The sunlight beamed through a gap in the clouds. The swish of the green, summer leaves as they brushed against one another and the chirping sound of birds enveloped the lively streets. Children came running nearby, some accompanied by their mothers, others on their way to the park.

Aichi took a seat on a bench in the park; his bright smile never left his face this whole time as his body cooled down under the shades of the trees. He found it relaxing and peaceful to watch people who were happy and enjoying themselves as it reminded him of how much fun he always has when he plays Vanguard.

"Onii-san!"

Aichi blinked. He was sure he recognised this voice. He stood up and looked around, only to be tackled down by his spiky, black-haired friend.

"Kamui-kun!" He beamed and he felt the warm smile on his face grow.

"It's been a while" The younger greeted sheepishly with a slight grin as he helped his friend up.

"Yeah"

That's how they met through coincidence but ended up chatting away.

"So, how's your club doin'?"

"Great! But I hope we'll participate in some tournaments soon"

"You must get strong!" He cheered and let his biceps contract to represent his strength.

"Of course!" Aichi replied enthusiastically until a question suddenly came to his mind.

"By the way Kamui-kun… why aren't you at your local shop?"

"Oh, that. You see… my friends were attacked" He turned to face him with a weak smile that was threatening to disappear any moment.

Aichi stopped in his tracks, his eyes slightly widened in shock and disbelief. "Attacked?"
Kamui stiffened and his face turned serious; the carefree attitude had already vanished. "Vanguard," he continued, "An unknown fighter appeared at the shop and challenged Gouki an' the others"

"Eh? What happened?"

As if purposely trying to avoid the question, he turned to face him boldly. "Aichi Onii-san. I came lookin' for 'im. I'm gonna bust him up with my power"

"What happened to Gouki and everyone?" Aichi asked again, his voice left behind evident concern.

Aichi observed silently as Kamui sighed and watched the clouds float lazily in the sky. "I don't know, but, I heard that all the fighters went unconscious after losing the fight. They were taken to the nearest hospital and their condition is unstable right now, at least that's what I was told." He paused, thinking of how to continue, his eyes shifting from the sky to Aichi and then at the view spread out before him.
"I wonder what happened. Some say he's very scary in a way and incredibly strong. But, nonetheless, I'll definitely never forgive that fighter, whoever that is!" His eyes sharpened a little and his fists clenched in rage.

"Is that so…" His voice trailed off at the end of his sentence and instead sunk into deep thought.
"And you don't have any clue about who that is?"

With a carefree attitude, Kamui waved his question off. "Not a single clue" He admitted hopelessly.

"But, this time I'll protect everyone in Card Capital" He extended his clenched fist to collide with Aichi's.

"Me too!" He agreed and they shared a genuine smile.

"Then, race you to there!"

AtCardCapital

"Hey, Kai"

No matter how many times the words were spoken, they won't get through him.

"KAI!"

Kai slowly raised his head, shifting his eyes from his deck to look at the person sitting before him. His eyebrows were knitted close together in thought.

"What are you looking at, Miwa?" He muttered, his face expressionless, as if he failed to notice his friend calling him for the tenth time.

Miwa's mouth moved wordlessly, trying to figure out what to say and his eyes widened slightly.

"I was calling your-" Kai interrupted him as soon as he spoke by standing up and turning towards the counter.

"Hey, I'm buying those two booster packs." He raised his voice, letting her acknowledge his presence.

Misaki glanced up from her book to look at the costumer. "Sure…"

Her gaze fell on the wound on his cheek. She flinched slightly, noticing how sore it looked.

'Where did he get that wound from? It's not like I really care…'

"What?" Kai's voice broke through her thoughts.

Feeling a bit embarrassed that she was still staring at his face, she quickly averted her gaze. Even though she knew it wouldn't be right if she asked, she felt curious and wanted to know more about the reason leading to Kai's odd behaviour recently. It wasn't like him to space out so much, that, she realised.
"That wound…"

Kai covered his cheek with his hand as he looked away.
"That's none of your concern," Came the cold, almost emotionless reply.

She shrugged indifferently but nonetheless, she scolded him about how he should have at least cleaned it. She stood up from her chair and decided to bring him some antiseptic. "Wait, I'll bring something" Misaki hurriedly went up.

Miwa approached Kai from behind and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. He felt his friend stiffen in response and he immediately slapped his hand away.

"Don't touch me"

That's it. He had lost his cool.

"KAI, WHAT'S UP WITH YOU LATELY?!"

He didn't respond. His eyes momentarily lost the sparkle in those aqua green eyes, as if he was somewhere else, seeing something that Miwa could not. He didn't blink and his eyes appeared to dilate as he stared off into space.

"Kai..." Miwa said one last time, noticing that Kai had shut his eyes, not wanting to look at him. Miwa stared at him in disbelief as Kai placed a hand on his pained face, and walked out of Card Capital. The words formed in his mouth, but he couldn't bring himself to say them.

He stood there until the automatic doors were separated to reveal Aichi and Kamui. They greeted Miwa, but received no response from the older teen. He flashed them an apologetic smile instead and ran out of the shop before they could say anything else.

"Kai, wait a sec!" They heard him shout from outside the shop before disappearing in another direction, out of their sight.

"What's wrong, Miwa-kun?" Aichi called out and chased after Miwa to the door, but Miwa was long gone.

Footsteps were heard behind the counter. Kamui and Aichi turned to face Misaki, who was carrying a small bottle and some plasters in her hand.

"What's all the commotion about?" She asked and looked around the shop, noticing the curious glances people gave them. She looked back at Kamui and Aichi, who looked back at her with the same confused expression, as if her face was reflected in two mirrors.

The steady thump of his footsteps echoed in his ears and he felt a bead of sweat roll down his forehead. Suddenly, he slowed to a halt and bumped into a familiar figure.

"Kai!" Miwa exclaimed instantly after recognizing him and quickly stood up after painfully rubbing his head. After receiving no response from the other, Miwa sighed deeply, for he knew that Kai won't speak to him. Hesitantly, he spoke up, but soon anger took over all the doubt he had left.

"What's wrong? I am serious here!"

"Shut up" Kai demanded in an unfriendly attitude, but it left Miwa satisfied; knowing that Kai was at least listening to him and not totally ignoring his presence.

"Kai! Turn around and face me! I am your friend!"

"There's no one here, so stop annoying me"

"I'm right here, Kai, can't you see? I am standing right beside you!"

When Kai turned around, Miwa wished he hadn't done so.

He looked like all the life was forcefully drawn out of him and had left him, leaving him cold and silent. And those eyes were vacant and lost all colours they once had. However, his mouth was formed into a smirk which left Miwa quivering slightly in fear. His hair was ruffled by the wind, casting dancing shadows across his face. It looked like he wore a perfect mask, with all the features imprinted on, yet his gaze had turned most cruel and piercing, as if looking into his very soul.

"I said shut up, did I not?"

Miwa's eyes widened as he realised that Kai wasn't looking at him but at something else.

Then it hit him. Kai wasn't talking to him. Kai didn't notice Miwa standing right next to him. He was somewhere else, seeing something that Miwa could not and talking to someone he didn't recognise or even acknowledged their presence.

Kai wasn't that Kai anymore.

Miwa took one step back, careful not to lose his balance. His eyes were fixated on the person before him, but he didn't dare to step forward again, so he took another step back.

Kai had turned away, with the deck of cards still clutched in his now trembling hands from the fight he had with other fighters before Miwa had arrived. His vision of his surrounding started to blur and slowly fade away. Letting go of his cards, he reached for his own face, clutching his head tightly to control his shaking body. For some reason, his head felt very warm and his body felt hot…

Another fight… I've won.

His sight, along with his thoughts and feelings, were slowly drifting away from his grasp. He screamed. A familiar voice beside him was heard, though he could not figure out what they were saying.

Who… Miwa…?

Other voices joined in the background.

Drowning in the darkness he had once despised, now it felt comfortable and somehow relieving.

Now, Miwa is starting to doubt Kai. There will be a lot more things happening in the next chapter, unlike this one, and you'll start to slowly uncover the truth about this 'power'.
Thanks for the reviews on the previous chapter and I hope you'll be looking forward to the next one.