The Fire Within

Chapter 8

Kai sat in a bar, tapping on the counter impatiently. Day one had come and gone so peacefully. He had hoped to find the girl quickly, so he could go back as soon as possible. He regretted leaving Jay in charge of Nya. He could trust him not to try anything, but after how rebellious Nya had been acting...he wasn't sure he could trust her not to try anything. "Hey there, cutie," a feminine voice said lowly, interrupting Kai's thoughts. He looked up to see a woman with silky blonde hair and baby blue eyes in a short lilac dress that showed way to much cleavage. She sat down beside him, her red lips tilted into a sneaky smile and her obviously fake eyelashes batting what she thought to be sexily at him. "I am not cute," Kai said harshly. The woman's face fell and she huffed, leaning back onto the counter. "You seem to be a hard man to please," she murmured, before smiling at him again, "Come home with me and I'll be able to do it." She winked and Kai gave her a disgusted look. "I'm 17," he stated, "And even if I was older, I wouldn't sleep with you. You reek of desperation." The woman's eyes widened. "What the hell are you doing in this bar, then?" she scolded, "Security!" Two big men walked over and grabbed Kai's shoulders, lifting him from his chair. "Hey! Let go!" he shouted, punching the one to his left in the face. The one on his right grabbed his hair as the other guy fell over. "You're dead, mate!" The one holding him growled as his partner stood up. He went to punch Kai, but Kai used his spinjitzu, pulling away from both of them and whipping his sword out as he landed a few metres away. "Stay back!" he shouted. Everybody froze and watched wide eyed as Kai back out of the bar slowly. "No one follow me or else," he growled, before swinging around and exiting. He stalked down a street until he was certain everyone had heeded his warning, then leaned against the nearest wall, wiping his brow. His heart was pounding in his ears and he could still feel the adrenaline coursing through his veins. And he liked it. He hadn't had a fight that intense since, well, ever. It wasn't with a villain, but Kai had always wanted to get into a bar room brawl. "Check that off my bucket lost," he murmured to himself, closing his eyes. "Hello." His eyes flew open to see a girl who looked to be 13 standing in front of him. Her long, brown hair hung to her hips and her brown eyes blinked innocently. She wore a cute, blue dress that reached just below her knees and had black Velcro school shoes. "Hello?" he replied uncertainly. The girl stared at him silently, making him very uncomfortable. "Are you lost?" she finally asked. "Uh, no," he replied. She frowned and leaned closer. Kai blushed slightly as a smell of roses and vanilla hit his nose. "Its late. Where are you sleeping?" Kai didn't know how to answer. He didn't really have an answer. He had been set in finishing business in one day. "Well, somewhere, preferably," he said, looking around for a suitable nook or cranny he could settle down in for the night, "Hm, I guess that shopping trolley will do the job...Well, see ya..." He started towards the trolley, before being stopped. He looked back to see the girl's tiny hand wrapped around his own, bigger hand. He frowned at her, but didn't say anything. She stared into his eyes solemnly, before tugging him in the other direction. He didn't argue and followed her to a small, lighted cottage folded into the dark, city scape. The girl let go of his hand and he stumbled to a stop at the bottom of the stairs to the porch. He watched as she knocked on the door and saw it swing open to reveal an elderly lady. "Naomi," the old woman smiled. "Babara," Naomi greeted, "Mother is not home yet?" The smartly lady shook her head, then saw Kai standing at the bottom of the stairs awkwardly and her face lit up with surprise, "Oh, you brought a friend. Come here, boy. Let me get a look at you." Kai walked up cautiously and the woman smiled. "Looks like you've found a handsome boy, have you not, Naomi," she chuckled, "What's your name, Sonny?" "Kai." The woman smile widened. "Well, its nice to meet you, Kai," she leaned.close to Naomi and whispered just loud enough for Kai to hear, "Well built and modern. You have a good taste, dear." Kai felt his face heat up, but Naomi's didn't. "He didn't have a place to sleep," she said simply, before walking past the woman into the house. Kai followed slowly, before stopping in surprise as the old lady stepped out the door. "Where are you going?" he asked. "Home," she replied, sighing, "These kids are quite grown up for their age. Don't need ol' Barbara around all the time. Don't worry. I'll be back in the morning. It was nice meeting you, Kai." "You too," Kai replied. Barbara smiled and nodded, before waving goodbye and closing the door. Kai stood in the hall for a moment, thinking of how familiar the place felt, even.though he had never set foot in the place before, then saw a pair of eyes staring at him from a nearby room. Before he could make out their colour, the door slammed shut, causing him to jump. He frowned, walking closer and reaching for the doorknob slowly. "Kai." He jumped away from the door and turned to see Naomi. She stood silently in another doorway, where a lot of noise was coming from. "Come," she said softly, beckoning him. He looked back at the door curiously, but decided to go to Naomi. He could find out who...or what...was in that room later.