Get ready for the longest chapter ever!!!

"Whooooo! That was wicked!" Makoto shouted into the night sky,

"You had way too much sugar back there didn't you?" Gou asked walking up to his best friend and opening his door,

"I sure did!" said Makoto who has huge amounts of energy.

"That's the last time I'm going to a concert with you and letting you have that much sugar and caffeine…"

"Aw come on Gou! I just got a little carried away!"

"A little?"

"You know what I mean!"

The two walked into Gou's home, and Gou dropped his belongings onto the living room floor.

"Well its midnight, want to crash here for the night?" Gou asked and Makoto nodded falling onto his long hair on the sofa. Gou then headed for the kitchen to make some tea for himself and Makoto. Makoto, because of his sugar-high, got impatient and leapt into the kitchen to follow his best friend,

"So Gou! You know that girl you like at school? Well I heard that she has a thing for you too!" said Makoto jumping onto Gou's back, almost yanking Gou's own long hair, as he made some quick tea,

"Get off…wait, what did you say?" Gou stood up straight and Makoto fell off his back.

"That Chinese girl you have a crush on at school. I heard from some reliable source that she likes you back! Isn't that great?!" Makoto asked as he sat on the ground with a big grin on his face,

"…here, drink this," said Gou handed him a cup of tea, "It'll calm you down…Mother's recipe…"

Makoto was about to gulp it all down but Gou stopped him and reminded him to blow on it first. Makoto followed his advice and blew it on the tea and sipped it slowly. Like a miracle, Makoto's sugar level dropped like a rock.

"Phew, I feel like I can finally relax!" said Makoto and puts the cup in the sink and started washing it himself.

"So…where or who is the reliable source?" Gou asked as he slowly drank his own tea.

"Who else? Rin. She knows everything about anyone and everyone," said Makoto,

"Are you sure you're talking about the right girl here?" Gou asked, giving Makoto a look.

"Yes. Gou, you stare at that transfer student everyday at lunch! You think Rin wouldn't notice?" Makoto pointed out.

"Good, I was just making sure you weren't thinking about Rin herself! I thought I was going to die the day she arrived in Junior high School! She's got a really bad temper! I can't believe her parents moved to Japan!"

"Oh yeah…she's Chinese too!"

Gou smacked Makoto over the head.

"OW! What? It's late! I'm not thinking straight!"

"Obviously…" Gou muttered and puts his cup in the sink.

"Well I'm glad you like that transfer student instead. Because I got my own eyes on Rin!" said Makoto and followed Gou, "And I think Junna has a crush on Mark!"

"Good for you…" said Gou and sat down on the couch with Makoto joining him, "And good for her…"

Gou grabbed the phone and tossed it to Makoto,

"Better call your folks," Gou reminded,

"Oh yeah…" Makoto started dialing.

"Hey Mom! I'm at Gou's place, can I crash the night? …Uh, no I don't see his dad…where's your dad Gou?" Makoto asked,

"Must be staying late at work again," Gou replied,

"He's staying late again," Makoto replied to his mom, "Uh huh…no! There are no girls here! Yes! I mean no! No! I did not hook up with some girl at the concert!"

Gou started to take some amusement to Makoto's conversation with his mother.

"Yes please…hey Dad! Hmm, yeah, that concert was great! It was awesome! Oh yeah, right…yes, I'm positive! I was not lying to Mom! I swear, Gou and I are the only ones here right now! Fine, you can speak to Gou. Yeah, don't trust your own son!" Makoto handed the phone to Gou with a pouting expression.

"Good evening Mr. Kinomiya-San, how have you been today?" Gou asked putting the phone against his ear and held it against his face with his shoulder.

"Show-off…" Makoto muttered, "Why do you have to be so polite?"

"You can trust me Mr. Kinomiya-San, I'll take full responsibility over Makoto. Yes, goodnight, sir," with that Gou hung up. "Your parents said 'goodnight,' 'hugs,' and 'kisses' and I say that's cute," said Gou teasing.

"Shut up…"

The next morning, Gou made breakfast for everyone including his father. When Kai came down stairs, he stopped the moment he saw Makoto stuffing his face with eggs.

"Good morning, Hiwatari-San!" Makoto greeted,

"Morning, Otosan," Gou greeted eating his breakfast more slowly.

"…Gou, tell me why Makoto's here eating breakfast?" Kai asked pointing at the young Kinomiya,

"We came home late and Makoto crashed for the night," Gou explained as Kai went over to his seat and started eating as well,

"I see…"

"How did the meeting go?" Gou asked and Kai just shrugged,

"It was okay…"

"Gou, want to come over to my place to study for the exams or do you want me to come over here?" Makoto asked,

"Can I?" Gou looked at Kai for an answer,

"Go ahead. I have another meeting next weekend too. So long as his parents are okay with it," said Kai drinking the coffee Gou already prepared for him.

"You've been having a lot of meetings lately," said Gou who finds it pretty unusual,

"I'm sure it'll slow down in a bit," said Kai as he continues to eat.

"Hn, alright then…"

Next weekend, Gou went over to Makoto's dojo to study as planned…that is, until they got a phone call.

"Gou! Want to go to the movies with Mark, Junna, and Tai?" Makoto asked still holding the phone,

"We're supposed to be studying," Gou replied giving Makoto a look,

"Please Gou?"

"Do what you want, but I want good grades," said Gou tapping his pencil as he read a textbook.

"The others are saying please too! Come on Gou! It's not the same without you!" Makoto begged and Gou could hear more 'please' and more begging from the phone. Gou sighed and closed his textbooks around him,

"Fine, let's go," he replied standing up and stuffing his hands in his pockets.

"Yes! He said yes! We're coming!" Makoto told the others on the phone and he hung up.

Movies:

"What do you guys feel like seeing?" Makoto asked as the group, but Gou, stared at the options. Gou sweatdropped,

"I thought you guys already had something in mind!"

After they finally chose their movie, the group got some popcorn and drinks and headed for their movie.

It's been 9 years since Gou first came to Japan to live with Kai. Also means that his friendship with his friends lasted 9 years.

Gou extended the back part of his hair into a long ponytail with Makoto doing the exact same thing.

Gou, from his looks, is quite popular along the girls in school but he's only had one interest which was a recent transfer student. On the other hand, Gou's old acquaintance Rin, jealously chases after Gou while Makoto chases after Rin.

Gou and Makoto are best friends, and rivals in the beydish, and while not admitting out loud, the two both know they're like brothers to each other. Though out of the two, Makoto didn't do much better than his father while in school. Kai allowed Gou to go to public school so that he may be with his friends. Gou gets the better grades and Makoto often asks to copy his homework.

Mark is a fairly good student himself, with As and Bs mostly. Mark and Gou are closer friends; out of their group, the two have the most common sense and intelligence to last a conversation without going into something random...

Junna, while still the only girl within this particular group of the friends, she is still the shyest but by far the most intelligent overall. A straight-A student but is too shy to make new friends. Her specialty is with computers; soon, her nickname was "The computer" but then it was shortened to "Com" but to make is sound more feminine, it was changed again to "Cam." Her friends would sometimes switch between her real name and nickname but she doesn't care what her friends call her so long as their still friends.

Tai is the youngest of the group but he holds the same passion and skill for beyblading as the other boys. The boy also takes off his father a lot with the exception that he and Makoto get along much better than their fathers did. But they still have their occasional quarrels…

"What do you think of the movie?" Makoto asked everyone as they walked out of the room.

"It was okay, it could've been better," said Mark.

"I probably could've done better special effects," Junna added.

"I actually thought it was pretty cool," said Tai and Makoto nodded in agreement.

"I have no opinion," said Gou in his usual no-caring voice. They continued talking about the movie until Mark suddenly stopped.

"What's wrong, Mark?" Junna asked worriedly.

"…Hey Gou."

"Yeah?"

Mark pointed,

"Isn't that your dad over there?"

Everyone tried to find the two-toned hair colored man and their jaws dropped when they saw Kai. Gou's eyes couldn't believe what they were seeing.

"I thought he was at work! A meeting I think," said Makoto recalling last weekend's conversation,

"So did I…" Gou admitted. The group hid as they push themselves against a wall and spied on Kai.

"I can't imagine him as the movie person…no offense Gou," said Tai,

"Don't worry, I didn't think so myself…" said Gou watching Kai pace, "We barely go out to movies together at all."

"What's he doing anyway? Waiting for someone?" Junna guessed based on what Kai was doing.

"That looks like it," said Mark as Kai stopped pacing and leaned against the wall.

"He's not even wearing that suit of his!" Makoto pointed out that Kai's wearing casual clothes for once.

Gou still couldn't figure it out…until a wavy shoulder length blonde-haired woman walked up to him and the two chatted for a brief moment before she took his arm and the two walked in to the movie they were going to see.

Everyone's jaws dropped except Gou who had a more…hurtful…expression.

Gou quickly left the theatre before his friends could even snap out of it. He continued walking quickly even when his friends called out to him when they got out.

"Gou!" Makoto ran up to him and puts a hand on his friend's shoulder, "Hey buddy, what's wrong?"

Gou stopped and looked at Makoto,

"What did that look like to you?" Gou asked in a serious tone.

"…a date?" Makoto guess, assuming he was asking about what they saw.

"Exactly!!" Gou snapped and continued walking quickly.

"What? Gou wait!"

Gou went all the way home by himself. He took one step into his home and he felt sick. From his garage he picked up his skateboard and rolled off on his own. It took another ten minutes of skating to nowhere until Gou heard his name.

"GOU!" Makoto shouted. Gou only ignored his friend and started going faster. Suddenly Makoto dashed by him and braked in front of him forcing Gou to stop. Gou saw Makoto with his red and blue Rollerblades on; it was no wonder Makoto caught up to him.

"Take it easy! Are you alright, Gou?" Makoto asked with concern rolling up to his friend.

"…" Gou only looked away, "It's just…how could he do this to me?"

Gou puts a hand to his face to block tears from falling.

Makoto puts his hand on Gou's,

"Who knows? Let's go find out!"

"What?" Gou lifted his head at Makoto's suggestion and confidence.

"Come on!" Makoto started rolling off and waving for Gou to follow who hesitantly did.

---------

Gou found himself in front of his father's company's building.

"We watched that movie around noon and your father had a 'meeting' right? If they're really dating, there should be proof at either of that woman's or your father's desk!" Makoto explained proudly. Gou only nodded and after Makoto took his blades off and then replacing them with his shoes from his rollerblading bag, the two headed in.

"Did you recognize that woman, Gou?" Makoto asked and Gou shook his head.

"I never come here, so I barely know any of his co-workers-"

"GOU!"

Gou stopped and his face went from serious to the 'WTF?!' expression.

"OhmyGOSH! GOU-BABY!" Gou was suddenly glomped and he and a girl hit the floor with Makoto wincing at Gou's pain. The girl had red hair tied in two pig-tails blue her hair was so spiky that it was sticking out like icicles. She wore a sleeveless white jacket with some blue lines going down one side of it; some long white thin fingerless gloves; and long white bangs with both red and blue lines going down them.

"…Ouch…" the reaction was late but Gou was in pain. Slowly pushing her off, he sat up.

"Gou! I can't believe I'd run into you here!"

"Who the hell are you?!" Gou shouted, but he was worried that he might actually know, and Makoto started laughing.

"You don't even know who decided to jump you!?"

"Oh don't tell me my father never told your father…or is it that your father never told you?" she asked flashing her icy blue eyes. Gou's brow twitched as he stared at her.

"…are you related to that man?"

"Which man?" Makoto asked since Gou didn't even point at anybody.

"This crazy co-worker of my father's that's from Russia. He comes by to Japan for business trips and I see him a lot," Gou explains standing up along with the girl who grabbed his hand.

"Stop that! I still don't even know who you are!" Gou exclaimed shaking her off.

"No one told you? Gou darling, I'm your fiancée," she said seductively…

"WHAT?!"

Makoto only cracked up laughing as Gou glared at Makoto for humor at this.

"My dad said so!"

"I knew it! You're related to Yuri!" Gou pointed, "He's the only one crazy enough to actually go through with something like this!"

"Of course I'm related to him, he's my dad," she said crossing her arms and added in a smirk.

"Wha…if you're here…then HE'S here too!"

"Tara! I see you finally met Gou!"

"YOU!" Gou pointed to Yuri all the way down the hallway, "As Kai Hiwatari's son I ORDER you to come here this instant!"

At his point, most of the office already saw most of the insanity that's been going on but no one would dare approach Kai's son.

"Sheesh, what's wrong with you? This is a nice way to meet an old friend," said Yuri calmly while carrying a folder under his arm.

"I'm going to kill you!" Gou exclaimed, "This…girl...jumped me and then said we're engaged!? I'm going to kill you!"

"Good luck with that," Yuri smirked, "Why are you even here little Gou? And…whatever your name is."

"It's Makoto! Makoto Kinomiya!" Makoto exclaimed when Yuri barely acknowledged him.

"Kinomiya…" the girl suddenly got a look of interest as she stared at Makoto with a smirk on her lips.

"Arg! Forget it! Listen Yuri! Is there a blonde-haired woman that works with my father?" Gou asked.

"Huh? Blonde-haired…oh! Yeah! Anna!" Yuri replied.

"Anna?" Gou and Makoto repeated.

"Yup, they started a project together. Not sure if they're done yet though," Yuri lightly explains.

"Where's her desk?" Makoto asked,

"Why would I-"

"Where's her desk?" Gou asked instead and Yuri pointed behind him,

"Go up to the 29th floor, follow this same path that you would take to the elevator. So straight out, turn right, and head into the 3rd door from the end of the hallway," Yuri directed.

"Huh?" Makoto didn't even get half of it.

"Lets' go!" Gou took off with Makoto following.

"…"

"Tara?"

"…Kinomiya huh?"

"Oh don't tell me you've taken an interest in Gou's best friend!" Yuri groaned.

Luckily, Gou's good with directions and remembering them. They found the woman's desk.

"Anna Hidara," Makoto read the name sign. Gou went behind the desk and found that she's a really neat kind of woman with everything organized and sorted away or filed. He spotted a picture on her desk. One of her and another man.

"They look related," said Makoto who went behind the desk as well.

"They're probably siblings," Gou concluded and moved on. If she's really dating his father then would she really be open about it? Gou started opening drawers for any sort of hints that she's been seeing Kai. Gou on one side and Makoto on the other the two started searching.

"Hey Gou…" Makoto held a smaller picture frame than the one on the desk in his hands and stared at it, "…I'm sorry Gou."

Gou crawled over and saw Anna with Kai in that picture. It was a dinner picture and it judging by the clothes they wore it was an expensive restaurant and fancy.

"How long has this been going on?!" Gou thought in worry.

"Thanks Kai…"

The two froze on the spot. The woman and Kai's voice were heard just faintly. They were right at the door. The two looked at each other in panic. Gou wanted to hide under the desk at that moment but Makoto saw a better idea. Putting the picture back quickly, he crawled to the closet in the back and motioned Gou to follow which he didn't hesitate to do and slid the door shut behind them. The two held their hands on the other's mouths to keep each other quiet.

Footsteps were heard and the two remained as still as possible. After hearing the two talk for a bit, it sounded like Kai was going to leave and the two started to calm down a bit. But suddenly the door slid open and the two fell to the ground from leaning against it.

"What in devil's name are you doing?!" Kai exclaimed. The two saw other people in the room were also standing around them.

"Duh! They saw us come in!" Gou mentally slapped himself.

"How did you know?" Makoto asked with a sheepish smile.

"I saw the door open and close with no one standing next to it. I was suspicious of it from the beginning," said Kai giving a glare to Makoto who looked away immediately. The two stood back up and patted their clothes.

"I'm not surprised by Kinomiya's actions but Gou, what in the world were you doing in there?! Why are you even HERE of all places?!" Kai exclaimed. Gou's eyes wandered from the faces of the people in the office, Miss Hidara who looked concerned, and then back at the eyes of his father. Gou's eyes went into a glare as if challenging his father. But there was nothing to be said except one thing…

"How could you…?" It barely came out above a whisper. Hurt clearly seen in Gou's eyes along with betrayal and a bucket of water ready to be let out. Without anything else said Gou picked up his board and ran out with Makoto taking a quick glance at Kai before running after Gou.

"Gou!" Kai shouted after them but Gou didn't cease to stop.

Anna turned to Kai with a worried expression.

"I'm so sorry, Kai…"

"…It's not your fault," said Kai as he stared at the ground.

"Wanna sleep over, Gou?" Makoto suggested as the two slowly rolled along the street.

"No thanks…" Gou muttered.

"Okay…you know, you can always call me. Even if it's 3 in the morning, don't hesitate to call!"

"…Yeah, thank you Makoto."

"Of course!" Makoto gave Gou a bright smile as he skates backwards to face Gou. Gou gave a weak smile back.

"You truly are…"

"What?" Makoto asked when Gou stopped in mid-sentence.

"You truly are…my most best friend."

Makoto was a bit taken back by that and started moving slower.

"Really?"

"Yeah…" Gou replied with a light, but honest smile, "I'll be fine. If I need to, I promise I'll call you."

"You better!" said Makoto with puts an arm around Gou, "But can you treat me to me ice cream before we head back to my place?"

"Ugh…broke again?"

"Maybe…"

That evening, Gou sat in his bedroom against the window as he stares outside into the starry sky. He sighed, again, no matter what he did or tried to think, he couldn't get the thought of his father finding another woman in his life.

"Okasan…" Gou lightly whispered into the night. He got up and picked up his regular guitar in the corner of the room and sat down with his back against the window this time to have room to play. He started making some random tunes to calm himself.

"Alright Gou! I'm going to work hard for us both! So you don't have to worry! I'll take good care of you, okay?" The young woman smiled for her son.

"Mommy…"

Gou watches his mother leave.

"Don't try so hard, Mommy…"

Gou hit a sour note and knocked him out of his memories. He stopped playing. It pained him, knowing that he could've stopped her, he could've prevented her from being in an accident. He could've just let her know that she didn't have to work so hard to support them both. Then she wouldn't of have collapsed from exhaustion…It pained him, that that was the last thing she said to him; the last smile she ever gave to him; the last time he saw her…saw her and never come back again…

Some tears fell onto his guitar and Gou wipes them away.

He wanted to be strong, he wanted to be strong for her; just like how she remained strong for him.

"She never cried about Otosan…I never saw her cry, I never heard her cry, I never saw signs that she cried. Then why? Why can't I be strong like her?!"

Gou let down his guitar and he slides to the floor, as tears splashed against his own skin as they fall on his arms.

"I love you Gou…"

"I love you too, Mommy!"

"Be strong for me, okay?"

"I will!"

"Remember, I'll always be with you. Whenever you need me and if I'm not physically there, just look up at the sky. Look at the clouds when it's daytime and look at the stars when it's nighttime. Look for me, look for any sign. I'll be there for you. Look up at the stars and make a wish…I'll be there to grant it!"

Gou stayed in that spot and put his guitar back in position. He wiped his tears away and began playing. He tried to keep a straight face on, he opened his mouth to sing. His voice was cracked from the crying but he pulled most of himself together after a bit of a warm-up:

"Tsukamaeta yume wa itsumo katachi wo kaete shimau kara
Kizukanai uchi ni subete nakushiteru koto mo aru desho
Dakedo kitto

Sugita kinou wo furikaeru tabi kokoro ga itamu kara
Wasure kaketeta omoi no kakera
Mienai asu ni sagasou yo

I believe my dream
Hakanai kedo kono sekai no katasumi de
Sabishisa wo koraenagara kagayaku hi wo matte iru
Itsu mademo kienai
A sign of wish

Nemuranai yoru ni hitori ibasho wo sagashitsuzuketeru
Kiesou na hoshi ni hitotsu negai wo todokerareru made
Kimi wa motto

Tsuyoku naru koto kodoku datte koto mou wakatteru kara
Tooi maboroshi oikakeru yo ni
Mezameru sora ni tobitatou

Nanairo no niji ni tokeru jinia no saku ano oka de
Taiyou ga waraikakeru mabushii yume shinjiteru
Itsu mademo mitsumete
A sign of wish

I believe my dream
Hakanai kedo kono sekai no katasumi de
Sabishisa wo koraenagara kagayaku hi wo matte iru
Itsu mademo kienai
A sign of wish

A sign of wish…"

Kai stood there, leaning against the wall outside Gou's room, as he hears Gou finish his song.

"Our love song…" Kai thought as his previous lovers' face flashed in his mind for that moment. Kai took in a deep breath and faced the door and knocked,

"Gou. Let me in. I can't talk to you if you're locked in and I'm locked out," said Kai but Gou didn't reply.

"I'm not going to scold you for sneaking into the building and office. I want to talk about what's been going on."

"Go away…" Gou nearly sneered at his own father.

"Gou, listen to me. I just want to talk. We can't solve anything between us if we don't sit down together and talk. Gou please, I'm worried about you…"

Gou wouldn't budge. He sat there, letting his tears fall.

"How can you? How can you say that? You never wanted to talk to Okasan! You never wanted to sit down and talk to solve problems with Okasan!"

"Gou, I'm not leaving this spot until you open this door."

"…"

"…"

-----------------

"Gou's a good kid. She raised him well!" said Max and takes a sip out of his drink. The old teammates decided to take a day off of everything one day in summer and they all went out in casual clothing for the day together.

"But I'm worried…" said Hiromi with a sad face,

"About what?" Kyoujyu asked,

"Well Makoto told me he's worried. He said at times, Gou still think about his mother and it saddens him a lot. Kai, I don't think Gou's ready to know you've started dating," said Hiromi with concern,

"It's already scary enough that he's dating at all!" said Daichi with a teasing smile on Hiromi self-consciously hits him over the head.

"I think differently," Kai admitted, "I don't think Gou can grow up without a mother. Maybe it can work out for us both."

"I'm with Hiromi on this one. I know it's hard for you to understand it Kai because you didn't exactly have a tight relationship with either of your parents-no offense. But Gou grew up with a strong bond with his mother. And she just 'dies' so suddenly and when he was only 6 years old. Gou's not going to give in to having a new mother in his life," said Takao with a serious expression on his face, "And I know from personal experience Kai…"

-------------------

Kai pulled out a key and opened the door. As soon as he walked in a pillow was thrown at him and hits him square in the face.

"You said you wouldn't open my door anymore!!" Gou shouted and threw another pillow that he already stacked up on earlier. Kai caught this one,

"But I also said I wouldn't do it unless it was an emergency and it's an emergency," Kai reminded and threw both pillows to the side and closed the door behind him. Gou threw a tiny pillow and Kai just hit it to the side.

"Leave me alone!" Gou shouted and threw a random object near him and Kai had to duck before getting a concussion.

"Gou! You're acting like a 5 year-old!" Kai scolded standing above him.

"Oh, that's weird then…You never knew me when I was 5! How would you know!?" Gou shouted and stood up and wanted to leave for the door but Kai grabbed his arm to prevent his son from going anywhere.

"Gou! Don't make me ground you for the first time!" Kai threatened and Gou stopped struggling.

"…That's not fair…"

"I'm the father, I don't have to be fair," Kai pointed out and crossed his arms and Gou looked at him,

"…That's what Mr. Kinomiya-San always says!" Gou pointed out that his own father is taking a line from Takao.

"That's not the point, we need to talk," said Kai, dodging the subject, and pointed to Gou's bed, "Go."

Gou rolled his eyes and jumped on his bed and sat there waiting for his father who calmly sat down next to him.

"I didn't tell you that I started dating because I knew you weren't ready for another woman in mine, or your life," Kai confessed,

"You got that right…" Gou muttered as he pulled up his knees, puts his arms on them and lays his chin on top of them,

"Don't talk to me that way!"

"Sorry…"

"Listen Gou. If it really makes you that upset, I'll stop dating…at least for now. Do you seriously want us to continue the rest of our lives with just you and me?" Kai asked and Gou didn't hesitate to nod.

"We're doing just fine on our own! We don't need some lady to takes Okasan's place!"

"No one will take her place. But there's nothing wrong with adding another member into the family," said Kai but Gou didn't buy it.

"Hn…you only say that because we have 2 cats and a dog that you picked up off the street," Gou pointed out, "But an evil step-mom doesn't count as a pitiful creature you pick off the street or alley!"

"Gou, you don't know if it's going to be an 'evil step-mom' and you don't know if I'm going to be marrying again anytime soon," said Kai,

"If you're not going to get married, what's the point of dating?" Gou pointed it giving his father a look.

"That's not my point, Gou…"

"Well here's my point: I don't want a new mother and I won't accept a new mother! For all you know this lady is probably only with you for your money!"

"Gou! I've been around long enough to know whether someone's using me or not!"

"Why? 'Cause you've used people before?!"

"I was your age that time!"

The two both led out a frustrated sigh at the same time and looked away from each other.

"I hate how much I'm really like you!" Gou shouted,

"I hate how much you're really like your mother!" Kai shouted at the same time. And the two looked at each from the corner of their eyes.

"…You hated Mom?" Gou asked, sounding hurt.

"…No. I didn't and I couldn't. She understood me, she knew when I needed to be alone and when I needed to be with someone. She was in equal talent in beyblading as me and the rest of our team. We had a lot in common. Neither of us really knew our parents and didn't grow up with friends until we met the team. So I guess that's how we got together in the first place…"

Gou puts his legs down and sighed,

"Then why did you two break up?"

"Divorced…" Kai muttered the correction, "We…had a lot in common for us to get together but I guess we also had enough differences to not be as compatible as we thought…She never told you why we separated did she?" Kai asked and Gou shook his head.

"Whenever I asked she always said…"

"I'll tell you all about it when you're older Gou. You're super-smart but you're only a kid."

"That's not fair! I want to meet Daddy! Why aren't we living with Daddy?"

"…Because he wants to be a stubborn mule and doesn't accept people for who they are…"

Kai lightly swallowed,

"She said that?"

"Yeah…well she always changes the different insults but the beginning was always the same," said Gou. The two both sighed in unison.

"Mother never hated you though…she doesn't have a look of hate when she talks about you," Gou added,

"Really?" Kai asked raising a brow,

"Yeah, she only looks pissed. But never hate."

"Oh…" Not the answer Kai was looking for but it wasn't hate at least.

It was an awkward feeling between them. That was the closest thing to father-son bonding time they've had since back when Gou first moved in.

"Will you tell me what happened between you two?" Gou asked and Kai thought about it,

"…When you're older," Kai replied,

"I'm 15!"

"And still immature and single," Kai reminded,

"That's only because all the girls at school are only fan girls!"

"And you didn't want to go to an all-boys school…" Kai reminded,

"That's because my best friend doesn't have the money to go to a private school nor does he want to," Gou pointed out.

"Well you're definitely more loyal than I was back then…"

"…Dad. If you want to date then fine…but just don't expect me to get used to her," said Gou,

"…Or, I'll stop dating so you'll feel more comfortable. I don't want to do things that will make you unhappy. I already let you down once, I don't plan on doing that again," said Kai and Gou looked up at him, "I'll be willing to give up any relationship I have if that's what you want me to do."

"…I don't want to make you unhappy though," Gou confessed.

"I'll live," Kai replied. He smirked and stood up, "Besides…you reminded me of something. I'll end it with her tomorrow. But she might be coming over every now and then."

"Why?" Gou asked.

"Because she's my friend," Kai replied and looked at Gou, "I found her-okay, she found me. She was an old friend of your mother's. We both only wanted you to grow up with a mother; I just feel like it's something one would need, especially at a young age," Kai explained. Gou lowered his head and pulled one leg up to lean on.

"I'm not that young…" he pouted. A look of annoyance fell on Gou's face as Kai places his hand on his son's head.

"You just keep telling yourself that…" Kai walked out after that and Gou failed to understand if there was meaning behind what Kai just said. After a few seconds of thought Gou leapt out of his bed and followed Kai downstairs.

"Wait!"

Kai halted and waited for Gou to meet him man to man.

"You promised!" Gou exclaimed.

"…"

"You promised!" Gou repeated,

"I promised a lot of things, Gou."

"Then tell me what they are! I hate it when people lie to me! You forgot didn't you?!" Gou shouted, angry and upset.

"…Hell no," Kai replied.

---------------

"Damn you, Rei, I'd expected you to plan at least!" Kai scolded.

"I didn't felt like it. Takao said to be more spontaneous sometimes besides, you owe me for taking care of your son," Rei pointed out. Kai sighed at that fact,

"Alright, alright. I can spare a couple of billion yen for a home for you…" Kai muttered and started to walk away.

"Kai…"

"Hm?" Kai stopped hearing the change of tone in Rei's voice.

"She's sorry for what she said before she left."

Kai turned to face Rei,

"Why are you bringing her up?"

"I don't want things to be too late. She wishes the last thing she said to you was…"

------------------------

Kai almost slammed his hand down on Gou's shoulder,

"Hell no would I forget!"

Gou flinched a bit at the sudden reaction.

"While it's true I'm dating someone at the moment, it doesn't mean I've forgotten. But sometimes…I do need some reassurance. Anna is a good person and like me, she also need reassurance."

"Reassurance…? For what?" Gou was almost nervous to ask.

"…Hope," Kai replied.

"Hope…" Gou only repeated.

"It's been nearly ten years since we met, Gou. I know you've put every last once of faith in your hope for her to return to you. But I don't have the ability…I can't hope like you can. I was the one that sent her away, what hope could I possibly have for her to return to me? The only reason why I do have some of that hope is because I know she'll return to you if she had to choose one person. You have a right to be angry with me but yes, I doubt her return…I know I promised you she'll return. Back then, I believed my very words…but now I don't…"

"…I see…" Gou lowered his head in disappointment.

"But don't be like me, Gou!" Kai scolded, "If you give up, everyone else will!"

"That's right…" Gou thought as faces of his close friends, his father, and his father's friends and then Rei would appear before him, "I'm not the only one waiting for her…"

"Dad…?"

Kai blinked, it's been a while since he's been addressed by 'Dad' instead of 'Father.'

"Then…can you at least tell me what you would do when she does come back?" Gou eyes almost looked sadder than before, "You're not…going to send her away again would you?"

Kai sighed and turned his body, then walked towards the window to stare outside.

"Of course I won't, Gou. I'd look at her…"

Long flowing black hair

"…In the eyes…"

Emerald Green eyes

"And then tell her with sincerity…"

Light tan skin

"That I love her too."

Heart of an Angel

"Then I'll tell her how much I love our son…"

A flawed but pure soul

"After all...I promised her that I would. And I won't go back on my word…ever again!"

Gou watched and for the first time, he truly did admire his father.

"Dad…" a tear was about to fall from Gou's face but it stopped when he realized that his father has beat him to it. Delicate tears on pale skin; Gou never thought until now, about the harsh reality Kai must be living in. For Gou, it's been nearly 10-11 years without his mother. But for Kai, it's been 15-16 years. Gou wasn't sure how it felt to be in Kai's place. Kai was strong, he showed no emotion on how he truly felt about things. Yet he wanted to know, so he can understand…how lonely Kai truly felt.

"I love you, Kai…"

Life is unfair and cruel. That's why only the strongest survive. Many people mistake that meaning. Some believe you have to be physically strong, others is that you have to be mentally strong. While it does benefit those with strong minds and bodies, what truly needs to be strong is one's heart. Why is it that a child can survive even after being told she or she cannot live? They believe it's a miracle. Why do people with handicaps continue on their lives? And how come those with impossible dreams still continue to pursue them? Those people have hope to guide them and strong hearts to go on.

Gou walked up next to his father to stare outside as well. Now he knows why his father has always done this in his spare time. He was waiting for her. As much as he can, he stares outside, wanting to be the first lay eyes on her.

Hearts are flawed as well as souls. That is why humans are always flawed and always will be. There's no such thing as perfection. But there is such thing as near-perfection. That is why best friends exist, why love exist, and why there is still hope among the people that this world will be one day become a better place.

Gou could see it, how hurt Kai really was in his heart. He felt bad, for thinking of his father all wrong. Kai wanted to be with her again as much as he did. Then Gou realized something else…

Gou stepped closer to Kai and hugged him the same way he did since he was in the hospital all those years ago. It's must've been…a very long time since Kai felt those warm feelings for affection. The two aren't physically close in any way. They never did high-fives or shook hands, let alone hug every now and then. Gou remembered how his mother always talks about how she liked to give him a kiss after coming home or giving him a big hug if he came home early…and among other things that Gou can't give.

"Thank you…Gou…"

Men are deceivers, and they always will be. That's what I believed before…but that can't necessarily be true for all men. Things can change and people can change.

My philosophy is like the silver lining of reality. I believe in the rare moments and small details that are important in life. I only wished I realized it sooner. Some people don't believe it, but love does exist. In one form or another, it does exist…one has to work for it and believe in it as well as be patient with it. I did not work very much for it, I started doubting it, and I was by not patient with it. In the end, I was hurt and pretty sad for a while before I realized how my heart still beats for him. So until the day we can be together again, I'll leave behind signs that can wished upon. If he wishes hard enough…maybe I'll go see him at least…

Kai suddenly places his hand on the window and scanned the sky frantically.

"Dad…what's wrong?" Gou asked in worry.

"…N-Nothing…" Kai replied and his face fell, almost like he was disappointed, "I thought…I thought I saw something…"

Across the sky and under the stars of this starry night, a black bird blew above the town and then disappeared, its shadow slithering away into a black beyblade held by a figure standing on a hilltop and watching people turning their lights off for the night.

"…Kai."

The lonely cloaked figure who stood up on the hilltop to get a good view below, whispered that name into the wind.

"Hey!"

"Yes?" the one the hilltop replied.

"You should know better than to have Black Dranzer flying around! Someone's bound to see! We can't get discovered now!"

"Forgive me…"

"Ugh, look, I know it's been hard for you. But we outcasts are hiding out for a reason! Not because we are outcasts to begin with but because we are the only ones that know about the reviving Biovolt and we're the only ones who can stop it!"

"I know…" the figure pulled the hood down and long flowy black hair blew in the wind. She turned, her emerald-green eyes shiny, and did a small, but fake, smile, "But I can't help it. My heart…feels so empty."

"I have lost hope…but I won't let them lose hope. I'll continue to give them signs to wish upon. Then maybe…maybe their hope can revive my hope…"

"…Come on, let's get you somewhere safe. You're the only one that can control that black phoenix, we need you."

"Yes…" she followed the second figure but she stopped and turned to stare back at her old home.

"I love you, Gou. Take care…" her eyes got a sudden flash of emotion, "I love you, Kai Hiwatari."

----------------------

My name is Gou Hiwatari. I had a complicated life. But…it was a happy one. I had the best mother in the world. And my father, well, let's just say we still have our occasional father-son-fighting time. It doesn't matter to me, because now I know him. I truly know him. I don't care what others say or what they think. I don't even care what my father believes! But to me, Kai Hiwatari is the best father in the world. Even though he's my dear 'daddy' since I was six and ¾, let's face it: If Kai Hiwatari is your father, there's gonna be trouble!

And this is the story of young Gou Hiwatari. How his life went and ended, well, we can't tell you that. But we can tell you that he grew up and died happily…

~The End

Notes:

-I wanted Kai out of his business suit so that's why I had him wear something more casual. It's nice to imagine him without a business suit for once!

-Anna is based a good friend of mine that's in love with Max! But because Max had an unnamed wife, I decided to make her the woman Kai's dating! She loves Kai too like me but her #1 is Maxie while mine's Rei(and then it's Kai and Takao).

-For those that didn't catch it: Yes, Rei moved back to Japan

-Previous 'hints' and 'moments' were implying, but not necessarily true, that Mystel and Rei are having a (secret) gay relationship. For humor sake (on a previous chapter) when Kai called and Mystel picked up, I kinda threw that in there and some people were wondering why Mystel was so defensive on Kai asking what he was doing over at Rei's place. And if people remember, Mystel always seems to be found at Rei's place.

-Whether Gou's mother ever returned to her family, it's really up to you!

-I actually tried different endings but this ended up being the best I could create. One ending was kind of out of plot and didn't make much sense. Basically, Gou's mother had amnesia and only recently got her memories back. There were other factors why that idea was cut. Another idea was similar to the current one except the two people talked too much and it was implying more that she will return. I wanted it to end so that whether she returns or not can really go either way but Gou and Kai can still live happy. And of course, an ending when she really will never return but I found that kinda tragic on Kai's part.

Another short idea that I didn't even bother trying is when Gou grows up and shows his life as an adult or young adult.

Please R and R!!!!

Thank you for all those that supported me through this story! I had so much fun writing this!

Happy late Thanksgiving!