Beyblade Fan Fiction ❯ The Truth Behind Demons ❯ Bubbles........ ( Chapter 4 )

Chapter 4.

As Rei walked down the sunny street to his home, he couldn't help but feel a tinge of pain in his heart. Thinking about telling the woman about his first week of school would be a real problem for him because, not only was it a bad memory for him, the things that happened at the end of that week he didn't think he'd ever want to share with anyone- EVER! It's personal and should only be for his memory to know. No, he would much rather tell the woman that he's gay or about his horrible days at high school until he was finally accepted by them.

Scrunching his face, he decided that maybe he would just skip therapy altogether tomorrow. He had spent enough days living in the past, so many in fact, he's beginning to lose the present as he spoke. Nothing is like it was before. He's loved by all, not frowned upon or feared like the first week at school. His eyes scrunched as he once again brought it up. Shaking away the thought that was taking over his mind, he slowed his pace and leaned against a building to relax himself.

Calm down Rei.... just a couple blocks and your home. You can do this. He coached his self. But upon looking up, he saw it. The scene of him walking into his brothers room that morning before school. Rei knew that shortly after that the rest of that day would follow, and he would be seeing the next day and the next one and the next.......

...............

Rei brushed his hair in long even strokes. He hates doing this. It takes up so much time from his mornings. Once done, he grabbed it into a pony tail braiding it off from the start of his neck down to the bend of his knees. Rei has A LOT of hair. One last thing... Reaching to his left he grabs a red headband with a Yin-Yang sign sewn onto it. Exiting his bedroom, he walks around the hallway peering into each one of the many rooms on that floor. He's searching for help... searching for.

"Lee?" He walks into the gym where his brother is; splayed out on the bench with a large dumb bell plastered on his chest, Lee glances down at the person who called him. A smile comes to his face. "Let me guess," he grunts as he raises the bar into the air letting it drop back onto it's base. Sitting up, he motions the boy to further come into the room with him. "You're hoping I can help you out with a campaign for when you run for student body president this year. I always was number one in that field."

"I know Lee, you were number one in every field." Sitting down beside his brother, he holds out his headband. "I need you to tie this on my arm."

Blinking, Lee's face relaxed from its stunned state turning into a smile. "I think you should just sew the damned thing on the sleeve, then we wouldn't have to go through this every morning." Though he complies, tying it tight enough to stay on but leaving it loose enough not to cut off circulation.

"I won't do that.... this is the one thing that means something to me from Mom and Dad..." He looks at his lap, eyes filled with sudden sadness. "Last thing I wanna do is have it stuck to this tacky school uniform."

"Yeah, the navy ones are kind of tacky..." Lee mentions. "But hey, after this year you'll be going into high school then you get to wear the black ones." Laughing, he slaps his younger brother on the back. "Maybe I'll be the bigger man and let you wear my old uniform!" Reaching for the boys crotch, he laughs again. "If you think you can fill it out."

Swatting at the intrusive hand, Rei stands. "Would you cut it out?! I have to go to school now."

"Alright...." He watches the younger boy making his way to the exit. "Hey Rei?"

Pausing, he turns his head looking over his shoulder. "Yeah?"

"I miss mom and dad too... And I know how you feel, maybe even more so because I chose to move here and was away from them for so long, but..." Standing he walks over to Rei, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Living with Uncle Stan is pretty cool, and the food is good."

Rei scoffed a smile onto his face.

"Besides, this life... is good for you. You've been too sheltered back home. It's good that you're getting the proper education and meeting better friends." Grinning, he tugs at the boys hair. "I've been with Uncle Stan practically all my life, and I love it... The teachers love me and they'll love you too.... You're special, Rei. So why worry?"

"Because He's not mom and dad.... it's not my life." Freeing his self from the older boys grip, he walks out of the room. "And I've gotta face a group of strangers alone."

"Oh come on."

Moving out of the room, he waves over his shoulder. "See ya, Lee."

"Yeah, later."

Rei was special alright. He turned his shy village life into a mass production of coolness and everyone loved him. Not only was he the nicest guy in school, what with all the teachers and students respect and love but just last year he was declared the best looking guy in school, as well. Girls would fan themselves when he walked by, boys look up to him. It was a good life to have. But the end of the year was almost just a blur for Rei because he missed his parents so much.

Before he left the village Rei was bombarded with hugs, kisses and sympathetic wishes for happiness. But how could he be? His parents, the only stability in his life were now gone. He thought he'd be miserable forever, that is, until he met Tyson Granger. Tyson proved to be the one good thing in his life and he thought for sure the boy would stay that way, the two of them- well, three if you counted Ozuma were practically joined at the hip all summer, but he didn't know what awaited him at school. nothing could prepare him for it.

Rei walked into the building, head held high, walk stern and steady. He was ready to face these people, he was ready to be his own man and make a name for himself. He was....

Everyone could practically smell the new meat that walked into the double doors of the school. A swarm of male gender looking like they would swoop in like killer bees protecting the queen of the hive if they didn't particularly like the vibe Rei was giving off. It was alarming at first, Rei had to admit that, but he wasn't there for them, so he wasn't too worried about it. Unlike in Elementary school, where you wait in an auditorium or in the lunch room for your teacher to call you to the class, middle school was a little more independent by giving you your schedule ahead of time, basically handing off a note that reads 'Good luck to you.'

Looking over his schedule, he frowns. I'm dead. Looking up, he spots the attendance office just ahead of him. He thought of going that way, but he didn't want to look like a baby in front of every eye that happens to be staring at him right now. So with the same posture as before, Rei strode down the hall to the eigth grade wing. Everything was set up rather simple in this school. The Sixth hall is colored in blue. Seventh in red. Eigth in green. Simple.

Bad idea coming now. The hall was filled to the brim with geeks and kids that didn't look to be geeky but since they are standing outside of the class room waiting for the teacher like the little pets that they are, Rei knew for sure that coming down now was a bad idea. But then, where were all the other kids? Whispers started up the moment he was spotted. He gave everyone he passed a side glance and nothing more. Once the cat like teen made it to the class room, which is homeroom, he leans against a locker and closes his eyes.

He heard the whispers before he received the loud voice at his ear. It sounded a little lower than most conversation he heard, well except for Ozuma, so whoever the kid is he's obviously short.

"Um... Hi!" The boy says. "I'm... Um... I'm..." He was beginning to chicken out seeing that Rei was going to ignore him. Looking over his shoulder, a mob of hands waving for him to go on, the short boy adjusts his glasses then spoke in a more clear and un-nerved tone. "Hi. I'm Kenny Watanabe, I just thought I should greet you since your new here. You probably could use a friend, right?"

Rei opened his eyes, looking as though he were about to chew the poor boy out, but when he saw the cower in his eyes he rolled his own. "What makes you think I want friends?"

"Well," he looked back for support. His friends saw Rei look as well, and they all made like they had never heard of a Kenny in their lives. "It's just that, new or not, most kids go to the cafeteria right now, but you came here. So I just assumed-..."

"You assumed wrong." Rei cut him off. Last thing he needed was assumptions made on him. He needed to do this right if he were gonna make a name for himself, which meant he was gonna remember to go to the cafeteria tomorrow. "I don't want or need any friends, and the reason I came here first was to give this to Mr. Shou." Which in a sense is true. He did have to give something to his homeroom teacher, it was some stupid paper that the man had to give to the nurse and attendance office. Why he had to see it was beyond Rei's comprehension.

"Aaah..... But... are you sure you wouldn't at least like to get to know us?" The brunette pursued. "First days can be murder, especially entering the grade level you are. I could see if this were sixth but.." he chuckled as he trailed off. "We can't all be lucky."

"What does that mean?" Asks the Chinese boy, curiosity running short circles in his head.

"Well," adjusting his glasses again, he smiles like there's a secret in what he's about to say. "I have in with the popular crowd."

"As what, the errand boy." Standing up right, Rei looked down the hall spotting a rest room entrance he hadn't noticed when he walked in. Wetting his lips, he looked down at the offended shrimp beside him. "Sorry Kenny, but I have to go. We'll talk more at break, or something." He heads down the hall.

"Wah! W-wait! I didn't catch your name!?"

"It's Rei."

"Rei?"

"Rei Kon."

Everyone's eyes went wide at that and then the whispers really started. Let them talk, he knew it was all lies, anyway, whatever they were saying. Rei hid his self in the last stall in the bathroom and locked the door after himself. Dropping to his knees, he held them as his breathing suddenly became labored as though he had been running all day and just now got a break. This happened to him a lot. In fact almost everyday, right before his watch would beep. He should know better than to wait for the damned thing, or at least, he should set it back a couple of minutes to avoid its happening.

Digging through his pockets he pulls out a bottle of pills. Popping one into his mouth, he swallows it quickly then hurries from the stall to get a drink. The pills have a nasty taste to them and need a lot of water to get them down, but he takes them anyway because he needs them. Taking huge gulps at a time, the bell rings while his head is beneath the sink faucet and he can hear the sound of stampeding kids running through the hall. Through all the voices he heard a familiar one, as its been etched in his heart after their first kiss.

Wiping the water from his mouth, he straightens out his nerves with an even sigh, feeling a little more loose as he walked out the door. Today is going to be a great day.   * * *

Today had been hell and so were the people who were involved in making it so. Tyson wasn't in a single one of his classes, not even gym! Ozuma was in one of the classes but he seemed to be in his own little world, even when he had said "Hi" to him practically in his face, he received a dry nod before his 'friend' went back to gnawing a poor pen cap to death.

Maybe he's just drained because of the class. This guy is really boring. Figuring that must be it, he nods. It's understandable, right?

But when lunch rolled around, it was like something out of a horror picture. He saw Tyson and Ozuma laughing and joking around with one another, it made him happy to know that he was finally gonna take a break from the silent treatment he'd been giving everyone and talk to his real friends, but when he sat down the two of them gave him a stare that would make a lesser mans blood run cold. But he shrugged it off as nothing.

"You won't believe the day I've been having." He said about to take his lunch from his bag.

"What gives?" Says Tyson. "Why is he still sitting here?" He was talking to Ozuma.

The shorter boy shrugged with a dry look. Rei could see he switched from killing a pen cover to eating away at a straw. Doesn't he know what food is?

"Quit joking around. It's me, Rei. Remember?"

Tyson shrugged. "I know a lot of people, that doesn't mean much."

"Nothing at all." Chimes Ozuma. "......Move."

Rei looks them over with a laugh. They can't be serious. They know him! "What?"

"Come on, Oz'. This guy can't take a hint."

"Yeah."

The two of them begin to stand but Rei does first.

"You know what, fuck you." Taking his things he moves to a different table at the end of the cafeteria.... alone... by his self.

He could hear Ozuma laughing in the background and it made him wanna put a hole in the wall. Or maybe through someone’s head. Shooting them an angry glance, he couldn't hold it for very long. His shoulders slumped in confusion and wear. What the hell was going on with them? Was he in the twilight zone or one of those goofy shows where some idiot that you know pops out from somewhere and tells you, you're on hidden camera. No. That can't be it because all the idiots he knows are already around- and ignoring him!

Rei thought for sure it was some dumb thing, it had to be.... but the next day it was the same way. He didn't even see the two after school. And when he tried to call it said the numbers could not be found. Or that he was blocked. On the third day he thought about saying something to those two bastards but he wasn't one to be kicked around so he just let it go and ate alone like the other two days.

.........................

As Rei's breathing steadied, he swallowed his nerves. A passer by on the street stopped, holding out a hand about to ask him if he were all right, he waved her off and started off for his uncles house again. It went on like that for a week. And when Friday came, I had just about lost my mind... in fact, if it hadn't been for the fact that I had accidentally tripped Kane to take some of the attention from me, I don't think anyone would have ever acknowledged me. He turns at the light. Ha. But they didn't really notice much, sure they laughed, but laughter isn't much, all the world loves a clown.

But Rei knew the real reason he didn't want to tell Miss. Ito what happened. It was what happened afterward at home, that made him nervous to talk about it. Not even his own brother really knew the truth about that. It's still so vivid in his mind and it reminds him... its always there to remind him why he takes the pills.

........................

He slams the front door and starts for the stairs when his brother blocks his path. He tried stepping to the side, but failed as Lee got in his way again. His brother has his arms over his chest and that smirk on his face that said Rei was in for a bit of teasing.

"Please move, I'm tired." Pleads the younger of the two Kon children.

"Hmm," Lee presses a finger to his chin tapping it. "I don't think I will."

"Please Lee, get the hell out of the way!" He didn't mean to snap at him, but it came out that way.

"Not until you tell me where your entourage is."

"My what?"

"The horde of people that have followed you home because you were just so damned cool this week."

Rei made a face that asked, 'are you kidding me'. With a wave of his hand and a quick step to the right he started upstairs saying over his shoulder. "I left them behind two blocks back. How 'bout you go look for them. I'm gonna go take a bath."

Lee watched the boy go, head cocked and brows furrowed. His little brother looked totally warn out. Maybe he really was running around the neighborhood trying to lose the crowd of people. He himself welcomed it, he was practically carried home! "Poor little guy. I'll make you some tea."

Rei raised his hand in what was supposed to be a wave. Stripping on his way down the hall, he first dropped his school bag, then came his uniform jacket, next was his sleeveless undershirt, and lastly his pants with the boxers still inside. The door to the bathroom closed and Rei, sitting on the rim of the tub, watched as the water filled up. Each ripple in the water seemed to project a day in the week he's had. Monday.... Tuesday... Wednesday.... when he got to Saturday he found that some of the ripples were going the other way due to the obstructing tears that were falling from his chin.

Why would he do that? He questioned. Why would he... ignore me? Is it because I slept with him and he felt over powered because I was on top? Opening his eyes, which he didn't even realize he'd closed, Rei saw a flood of bubbles passing his eyes. One... two... three.... four.... Should it feel like this? He wondered as he continued to count. Should it feel like I'm light headed... like I'm not really in the water? He counted four more bubbles. I've never drowned before.... so I wonder how many bubbles it would take before it happens? Will I have counted the last one, or will it just happen without my knowing it.

His vision blurred, he could feel his eyes rolling up into his head, he could feel the swarm of ink colored black hair tickling his body as it drifts about beneath him, but that couldn't be ri-.... Before Rei knew what was happening he was cold and airborne. Something was trying to speak to him from far away. He could hear it- sort of. He was laying down again, on something soft before his face was attacked with something soft.

"Rei! Rei can you hear me?!" The voice shouted.

Rei's eyes were closed, at least, he thinks they are. Turning his head to where the thumping sound is mostly coming from, he's beginning to see a bit. Slowly, a smile comes to his lips. "Hhhaaa Leeeee....." His voice was barely audible.

"Thank god!" He wrapped his arms around his younger brother before pulling himself away. "What the fuck were you doing!? You could have drowned!"

"Mmm..." he curled into a ball, closing his eyes again.

"No. Wake up!" He shook him until the boys golden eyes were on his own. "You can't go to sleep just yet," he softly smacks the boys cheeks. "Hey... Hey, Rei... Are you listening?" Rei nods. "Are you okay? Did you inhale any water?"

"I don't know..... I don't remember what happened..." Looking, dizzily, at his brother he asks. "What happened?"

"You nearly drowned in the tub!" He couldn't believe Rei didn't know what happened! "If you were tired why did you take a bath, you could have died."

"Stop it, stop it!" The younger boy snaps. "I don't wanna hear it right now! I'm just... I wanna take a nap."

Shaking his head, Lee stands up. "I'll talk to you later then," he pulls his blanket up over his brothers naked body, the towel around his body long since fell away in the hall and the one for his face was wrapped around his soaking wet mop of hair.

Bing Bong!

Turning his head, Lee frowns. "Who the hell is that?"

The door bell rings again. Giving his brother one last look, his figured he really was tired and had accidentally fallen asleep in the bathtub but that didn't explain why his eyes were opened and.... Forget it for now. He had to answer the door since Junpei was with his uncle doing errands. Tromping downstairs, he yanks open the large door. Staring straight ahead he saw nothing, but looking down there stood-...

"Tyson."

"Hey Lee!" He greets just as cheerfully as he had been every time he came over during the summer. "Is Rei home? I've gotta tell him something important."

"Yeah, but he's not really-..."

"Hey Tyson," Rei says in a groggy voice. He's dressed in a pair of jeans and white hooded sweater. Lee could tell it was just a slap on.

"Rei! You did it dude, you totally did it."

"Did what?" His eyes were still red around the rim from the bubble soap put in the bathwater, he almost looked like an addict.

"Your popularity stats are off the scale!" He hurries in past Lee, and up the stairs to his summer boyfriend.

"They still doing that over there?" Shaking his head. "That is elementary." Lee grabbed his coat from the hanger, then looked up the stairs. "Hey bro, I'll be back in a bit. Tyson, don't stay too long, Rei needs to get some rest."

"Sure thing Lee." His smile brightened at the boys acknowledgment.

When the front door closed, Tyson and Rei walked upstairs into his room. Just when the Japanese boy was about to say something, Rei clamped his mouth around his and backed him up to his bed. He didn't have time for talk and he sure as hell didn't wanna hear about anything involving school and popularity. Right now, he just wanted to clear his mind and pressing bodies together was the best way he knew how............

.....................

But that was a long time ago and things are better now. Thinks the Chinese boy as he sees his uncles mansion in the distance. My only problems now are keeping my uncle from finding out the truth about me. And that shouldn't be hard. After all, not that many people know about it. Smiling, he opens the front door. I think I'll skip therapy tomorrow. I need some me time.