Possibly OOC. But he is just a young kid, he has the right to moments of weakness.

Inspired by the Goo Goo Dolls "Acoustic #3" which I must have listened to at least thirty times while writing this, and which I highly recommend. As for the story, in my understanding when Kai showed up in the US on that boat he didn't remember his past. I'll work from that. I'm on a Beyblade Christmas kick at the moment…

Kai and Dranzer © Nelvana and Takao Aoki.

………………………………………ICE………………………………………

……………………………small and fading, hiding here alone……………………………

The young boy gazed out the window dimly, not really seeing anything that passed beyond the grimy glass barrier that divided him from the world. A nearby street lamp lent a small amount of illumination to the street outside, the only light he could see other than the glow of a few windows. One just across the way looked particularly inviting. Shadows of people moved in front it every now and again, shadows of two adults and several children of different ages.

There was no light within the abandoned building giving him a bit of protection from the bitterly cold night. No light, no warmth, no company, no cheer. Nothing to indicate, as did the home across the street, that it was Christmas Eve.

Kai rubbed his nose with one wrist, shivering at the chill settling into his body, eyelids heavy. He hadn't slept in a while, since there was a good chance that if he did he would not wake up the next day. Heat in this part of the city was as scarce as safety when one was alone and unprotected. And he lacked all three: company, protection, and warmth.

Maybe there was no point in continuing, he thought apathetically. Maybe he should just surrender to the gentle press of exhaustion and let go of his spirit. At least it would be a painless way to die, asleep and unaware when it was happening.

He shifted his weight slightly, and slipped a hand into a hidden pocket as something hard dug into his skin through the fabric of his clothes, wet with melted snow. Fingers closed around a small, round disk, and he pulled it out to watch the blue metal flash in the dim light.

He sniffed as his nose threatened to start running again and clutched the beyblade tighter. This was his only companion; the only thing he could remember from before he got off that boat was how to use it. Whatever had happened, this was his only tie to the rest of the world, as a lone, lost child in a strange place where no one looked at him twice or cared whether he lived or died. He shied away from people anyway, not sure how to respond to the few who took notice of him. They spoke a strange, fast language which he was not used to, though he could understand their words. He must have been taught the language back during the time he didn't remember. Even without that understanding he could tell that he was not wanted.

Both hands closed over Dranzer as his shivers intensified. The muscle spasms were becoming so violent that it was hard to sit straight, so he curled on his side on the floor to minimize the amount of his body open to the air. The floor was hard, covered in some sort of plastic that looked a little like stone but was not quite as cold. His eyes fell closed weakly.

It wouldn't matter… it would be ok… sleep would be such a comfort. Yes, just go to sleep. Forget the fear and the cold, the hunger and the loneliness. Forget the world. After all, it has already forgotten you.

A slight burning sensation grew in his eyes as his brows drew together. No, I am not worthless. I don't want to die. There must be some reason he was here, and to find out why he had to live. Kai didn't even notice a few tears begin to make slow lines down his pale, smudged cheeks as he struggled to rise.

It was no use; he was too weak. His body had given up whether his mind wanted to or not. A sob wracked through his throat as he tried again to push himself off the floor and failed.

He collapsed flat to the floor, the hand still holding Dranzer now cushioning his cheek from the hard surface as he cried raggedly. But the tears only lasted a few moments before his utterly exhausted body gave out completely. Even his shivers slowed, his breathing became shallow, and he lost all consciousness of the cold night around him.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………...

--ransom note (hehe)-- If you want to see this story continue, leave me a note. Otherwise little Kai will be left to freeze to death. I hear people only survive extreme exposure to cold for a few minutes.

Ok, I'm being evil. Pirate! (Everybody stay calm, we're taking over the ship!! POTC anyone?) Yes, possibly being alone in my freezing cold, dead quiet dorm room all day has addled my brain. So shoot me. But please review so I know there is some interest in me continuing. Thank you!!