[ a.n ; this one wasn't requested, but i just felt like writing it anyway. lately i haven't been in the best place mentally, so i guess this is a way to cope. i hope it can make you all smile too <3 i really enjoy writing shu, i might even write another chapter for him soon, he needs lots of love! ]
[ word count ; 1915 ]

[ WARNING; this chapter contains swearing/curse words. If you're not comfortable with this, then please do not read. ]

Furious. You were absolutely furious.

This wasn't supposed to happen. You didn't expect any of this to happen, Shu didn't deserve to have this happen to him.

You were a close friend to the special white haired male, back in Japan. When he was much younger, and his parents were at work, you were hired to take care of him for the night until they came home. At first it was just a simple babysitting job, but you really built a connection with the boy. You were about three to four years older than he was. It was a little strange to be young and take care of someone younger, but it worked out just fine. You helped him with homework, played games, made dinner, and got the little one to sleep. He was such a good kid, you absolutely adored him.

It was a little heartbreaking to see him grow up, and not need you all the time, but you were happy to see him happy. You were happy to see him grow up strong, and responsible. It was silly, but sometimes you saw him as your own little brother, your precious, precious little brother. Shu had never forgotten you, he'd always say hi in class, and brighten up whenever he saw you - it was adorable. He was like your little angel, you always wanted to protect him.

When Shu had a fall out with Lui, traumatized to the core, you were constantly there for him. The few times he cried, you wrapped your arms around him, held him close, and told him everything was going to be okay - you wouldn't leave him for anything in the world.

Shu held up a pretty good appearance of the cool, mature guy, but you saw his soft areas, and you saw him at his worst. If it weren't for you, Shu didn't know how he would manage.

You weren't controlling, you were only cautious, you didn't want Shu to get hurt. You'd risk your life for him and weren't afraid to do so.

At one point, Shu spoke to you about traveling abroad, to play beyblade. You were nervous to let him go all by himself, but you did anyway. Shu went off to New York, in the hands of the Raging Bulls. At first, you were so glad you let him go, he was doing so well. People loved him, and people saw potential in him - the same potential you saw in him when he was just a little thing. You watched him on television, wrote letters to him, sent him gifts, and chat with him over the phone almost every single day. You wanted the best for him, it was all you'd ever want, you wanted Shu to be happy.

When you heard he disappeared, your heart broke into thousands of pieces.

. . . Who was responsible?

You didn't hesitate for a single second. You were going to New York, you were going to find out what happened, and you were going to being Shu back home safely. Nothing on planet Earth would stop you from protecting that boy, absolutely nothing.

Your first suspect; Theodore Glass.

"I'm here to ask you a couple questions." Taking complete charge of the situation, you slammed a hand down on the man's desk. "Where is Shu Kurenai."

He was a piece of shit in your eyes, you would tear him apart in a second, if he had anything to do with Shu's disappearance. Your eyes glared like daggers, cutting through him like soft butter.

"Ah, I've heard a lot about you." Theodore was playing innocent, friendly, disgusting. The man gave you a small smile, and laced his fingers together. "A close friend of Shu's, right? I'm sure you're very troubled by losing him. I can understand-"

"I'm not here for small talk, asshole." You really weren't. Your aggressive approached only earned a chuckle from him. It was really pissing you off. "Where is the boy, I'm asking you right now, and I want an answer right now." The pressure was on.

"Feisty, aren't you?" Theodore jested, leaning back into his chair. "This is my office, therefore you will follow my rules. Although, I will oblige and tell you what I know, as long as you will negotiate with me." He gestured you to the closest seat. If he was going to play his part, then you had no choice but to do the same. You were by no means a detective, and definitely not an actual killer - you were just a caretaker, an angry one at that.

"Okay." You muttered, and sat down quietly, placing your hands in your lap. Your plan was to give and take. You would offer what he wanted, then get answers to some questions, and repeat. It was your turn now, but you were waiting for your cue.

"Very good. What is your name, my dear?"

"[L/n] [Y/n]."

"I see. Now, go ahead and ask as you will."

"When is the last time you saw him?"

"A couple days ago. He was training with one of our new additions to the team. You must have heard of him. Free de La Hoya."

"How did the battle go?"

"Shu had lost."

"What did you tell him afterwards?"

"I asked him if he wanted to get stronger. Naturally, his reply was yes."

The answers were too fast, something was very wrong here. Theodore was clearly the criminal in this disaster. You were going to have to pressure him more.

"Stronger like how? What did you suggest?" Your eyes narrowed.

Theodore smiled. There it is. He cracked.

"[Y/n]. Are you sure you want to know?" He leaned over his desk, propping his elbows on the wood, and lacing his fingers together. "If I tell you, then I can't let you go."

"So it's a secret, right? Will you make me disappear too?"

"Quite. Yes. If I tell you where Shu Kurenai is, then you will have to go to the exact same place. Forever." His eyes narrowed, it seemed like he gained control again. "You'd be a wonderful addition, too. I see fire in you, my dear."

You wanted to snap, you wanted to scream, and you wanted to cry. But you had to play along. You had to see Shu. Your fingers gripped at the fabric over your knees.

"That's fine, sir. If I can see Shu, then I don't care what you do to me."

"Perfect. Perfect." Theodore was a sick, twisted man. He took advantage of people, using their weakest points, and bending them to his will. You absolutely loathed him.

But he was your only hope.

The Snake Pit. Infamous for a nasty reputation that you didn't know much about. Children were supposedly tortured, trained to be the perfect, brainless machines in the name of beyblade. You were given a beyblade, and had no choice but to trash your old one. This new one was named after your initials, handcrafted just for you.

You were given new clothing too, black on black, on more black. You could hardly recognize yourself in the cracked mirrors. You were no weakling when it came to beyblade, but you weren't the best either. The fire that burned inside the core of your heart was there just for the sake of Shu, and that was your will to win, your will to destroy anyone in your way, in order to protect that boy.

You did well. The tests were agonizing, and the punishments were painful, but you were doing well. As long as you won battles against no named opponents, then you were permitted to finally seeing Shu.

Theodore warned you that he was different, apparently he threw away his name and old beyblade as well, but you understood. Shu was still Shu, Red Eye was just a facade. You were escorted to the dorm he stayed in.

Theodore (Ashtem) left you there, at least he respected your privacy.

You lifted a shaky hand and rapped at the door, before quietly creaking it open. The room was almost pitch black, your could hardly make out the young boy sitting at the edge of the bed, bandaging up his own arm. Immediately, your maternal instincts kicked in, hard. You stepped inside and shut the door behind you, then flicked on the light switch. It was just a stray light bulb hanging from the ceiling, dimly lighting the room in a faint orange. You sat beside him, and took hold of the bandages, doing it for him instead.

". . . Why are you here. . . ?" He mumbled lowly. His voice was hoarse, and tired.

"For you." Your response was simple, and it was the truth. After wrapping the white bandage around his arm, you closed it off and rubbed his shoulder. "Who did this to you?"

"Myself." His reply was late.

"Red Eye. That's your name now, right?"

Shu nodded.

"You're here to get stronger. . . ?"

He nodded again.

"I understand you want to wipe your past clean. If it helps, you can call me [Code Name], instead. We're just partners in training. How's that?" You tilted your head to peer closer at him.

". . . Okay." Good, he accepted.

"It's late, you should get some rest. Lie down."

". . . Are you angry at me?"

Why, why. . . Why would he think of such a thing.

"No. I could never be angry at you." Your was was a mere whisper. Like when he was younger, he rested his head on your shoulder, and you tilted your head against his. Wrapping an arm around him, you rubbed at his arm. . . "Go to sleep kiddo."

After a moment or two, he obliged and laid down, resting his head against the rather flat pillow. Maybe you weren't allowed to stay with him for the night, but you didn't care. You stayed right beside him on the other side of the bed, gently stroking at his hair.

"Close your eyes." You brushed some of his white hair from his forehead.

". . . I'm afraid I'll wake up. And you'll be gone."

"I'm not leaving you. I'll never leave you." Your thumb gently rubbed at his cold cheek. Shu stared at you for a good while, before lifting himself up just a bit and leaned closer to you. His cold, chapped lips pressed against yours. They lingered there, seconds too long, but you could tell he didn't want to pull away. Three times, he kissed you about three times before finally feeling safe to move back.

Finally he closed his eyes, and you continued to run your fingers through his hair until he fell asleep.

Watching his peaceful expression, you felt whole again. He looked like an angel, he was an angel, and you were his devil. You were going to absolutely demolish, anyone would lay their fingers on this angel.