Hey! I don't even know why I'm putting more work on myself but I'm doing it anyway!

I am going to try angst believe it or not. Though the first chapter isn't too angsty to me.

I am, in a way, training under Kai's kitty! Who is pretty much the master of beyblade shonen-ai angst stories in my opinion.

This took place after "Neko-Jin of Many Faces" but BEFORE the epilogue of that story! So obviously it's also before "Samurai of Many Faces."

While writing "Neko-Jin of Many Faces," I've officially fallen in love the with the Rei/Takao couple. I've seen plenty of Kai/Rei as well as Kai/Takao but not a lot, or maybe just never, any Rei/Takao (or Takao/Rei but I prefer Rei as the seme) or Rei/Mystel . That was the whole reason why I started "Neko-Jin of Many Faces." I had a slight liking for Rei/Takao and now I just love it! We need more stories on these 2 people!

Anyway, on with my newest story.

It was a dark night with the moon showing off only a crescent. Young Takao Kinomiya waits on his large balcony that leads right into his room, for a certain mysterious masked man of the night. A thief that's never been caught, identity never found, the one person policemen, or women, is after in Japan, the shadow of the night, the midnight cat: 20 FACES!

Takao was sleeping on the table he laid out for himself and 20 Faces but 20 Faces was awfully late today.

A shadow hovered over Takao as he quietly sleeps. A sound of jingly bells rung every time a step was took. Then a hand reached over to gently shake him awake.

"Takao…wake up, Taka-Chan…" a voice whispers in Takao's ears.

Takao lightly groaned and slowly opened his eyes. He lifted his head up and sat up, rubbing his eyes.

"Hey sleepy head."

Takao groaned again,

"It was your fault for being so late!" Takao pouted,

"I'm sorry. Daichi actually had a great trap set up to catch me but I got away of course. Now that Daichi is getting older, he's getting more cunning…" the masked man removed his mask and took off his tuxedo hat.

"That's a real surprise. Daichi actually getting smarter? But tell me, Rei-Rei, how would it feel if you actually got caught by him?" Takao asked with curiosity. The hat, mask, and cane were put on the floor as Rei Kon sat down across from Takao.

"First off, you should give more credit to Daichi than that, Taka-Chan. And second, there's just no possible way for me to get caught. Third of all, I wouldn't feel anything because I'd escape within a second if by some miracle he catches me," Rei gloated and Takao slightly giggled.

"And I you're the one that said I should give Daichi more credit than that!" Takao grinned.

"Oh, I guess you're right. Listen, Taka-Chan, I'm very sorry but I won't make it next Friday," said Rei and poured himself some…cold tea. Apparently, Takao must've waited for while if the tea got cold.

Takao's face fell when he heard that,

"Why not?" he asked sadly,

"The usual, I need to steal this artifact from another visiting museum," Rei explained and then drank his tea. Takao looked down, saddened,

"Do you need the rest of the week off too?" Takao asked,

"Well yes. If I was back in Junior High, I would gladly make time to come see you, but High School has a lot more piles of work to be done and being on the Class Board makes it more difficult," Rei explained and Takao sighed.

"Okay then…" said Takao in a whisper.

It seems that Rei has been spending more time stealing in a month than spending time with his own boyfriend.

"Okay! Let's get to work! The Sports Fest is coming up and we don't have time to lose!" Max shouted to get the only other people that's already working, working: Rei and Kai.

High School Division Class President/Chairman-Max Mizuhara

"Hey! You're not even doing anything!" Kai exclaimed, seeing that all Max was doing was sitting on his large desk while giving orders.

High School Division Class Secretary-Kai Hiwatari

"Forget it, Kai, you know Max is just brainstorming ideas. He loves the Sports Fest more than anything," Rei reminded carrying around stacks of paper here and there.

High School Division Class Treasurer-Rei Kon

"Even so, I'm tired of having Max putting off paper work!" Kai reminded and pointed at a few towers made a paper piled up on Max's desk.

"Yeah but Max always eventually gets them done…" said Rei, who's gotten quiet used to this over the years.

"Getting it done eventually isn't my point!"

BBA Junior High School-Moon Class-Lunchtime:

Takao was sitting by the window in silence and sighed every couple of minutes. He sighed once again and a hand hits his shoulder,

"Hey Takao!" a certain perky girl greeted him,

"Hm? Oh, hi Ming Ming," said Takao in a dull voice.

"Huh? What's wrong, Takao? No lunch?" Ming Ming asked,

"I'm not hungry…" Takao replied and continued to stare out the window.

"What?! You're not hungry?! You're almost always hungry Takao! Are you sick?" Ming Ming asked, over-dramatizing it a bit.

Takao grew an anime vein.

"I'm not sick! And I'm not always hungry!" he snapped. Ming Ming just blinked a couple of times,

"You're mind may say you're not hungry but your stomach is. Because you're only grumpy when you're hungry! Come join Mystel and me! Mystel has an exotic food today!"

"…Oh alright," said Takao and sighed again.

While eating, Takao was awfully silent.

"What's the matter Takao?" Mystel asked,

"Nothing…"

"Nothing? How could it be nothing?" Mystel asked,

"It just is!"

"Can you excuse us for a second, Ming?" Mystel asked and pulled Takao along to the corner of the classroom.

"Does it have to do with 20 Faces?" Mystel asked in whisper,

"None of your business!"

"Come on Takao! Who else can you talk about your problems with?" Mystel pointed out. Takao stayed silent for a bit. It's pretty true. Hitoshi will be too busy with his own work to handle Takao's social problems and he still owes his brother since Hitoshi was the one that got him and 20 Faces (Rei) together in the first place. Max has been as busy as Rei since he was in charge of the High School Class Board. Kai…lets say the idea of talking to Kai about his problem didn't even cross Takao's mind. Kyoujyu and Hiromi are even busier. Basically, anyone he's smarter than him are always busier. Because of their intelligence, they have many things to work for and with. Hiromi and Kyoujyu are on a class board as well. Speaking to his ex was out of the question no matter how nice the ex is…

Daichi wouldn't understand obviously, and Ming Ming…is a big mouth. Another one of Takao's friends doesn't even know his boyfriend is 20 Faces, she'll flip even more if she finds out that Rei Kon is 20 Faces. Takao sighed again; true, Mystel was the only one he can talk to. Mystel doesn't spread rumors or gossip, he keeps secrets, he's understanding, and he also knows about Rei being 20 Faces as well as the relationship between Rei and Takao. Plus, he's friends with them both.

"Well…yes, it's about 20 Faces," Takao started and Mystel nodded him to go on.

"After my birthday a year ago, our relationship was better than ever. Everything was going smooth with only a couple of minor fights so no big deal. But…"

"But?" Mystel asked,

"But…lately he's been busier…"

"Well he is in High School now," Mystel reminded,

"It's not just that. As Rei Kon, I never really had the chance to spend time with him before. But as 20 Faces, I get to see him every Friday. But…he's been coming a lot less now. He's been booked a lot. He prefers to steal something than come see me on a Friday. I don't know, I just feel a bit…neglected."

Takao sighed and his eyes showed sadness telling Mystel Takao wasn't kidding about this.

"Have you talked to Rei about this?" Mystel asked and Takao shook his head.

"Well why not?"

"Well…I think it's just me. Maybe it's just my selfish side acting up again. So I didn't think it was necessary to talk to him about it," said Takao. If Takao was sad about this, of course it's important. Selfish or not, it's important. That's what Mystel thought.

"Talk to him about it! Rei needs to know what's going on! If he doesn't know you're feeling this way, he'll keep doing it! Or make it worse without knowing it is!"

Takao thought about it, yet, he didn't want to trouble Rei more than he has to.

Before anything else could be said, the bell rang and it was time for class again.

Even so, it didn't stop Takao from passing notes to Mystel who sat behind him.

After class was over, and since there were no club meetings today because of the Sports Festival coming up, Mystel and Takao walked home together.

"I think you should to talk to Rei's other friends so they can talk to Rei for you," Mystel suggested,

"I don't know…"

"They're not going to bite you Takao, even though they're really cat-like," said Mystel and smiled,

"Oh okay…"

"Great! Come with me!" said Mystel and grabbed Takao's wrist and dragged him to Rei's home.

All Takao could do was stare when he reached Rei's place.

"Rei…lives here?" Takao asked as he stared at the large mansion with a gate locked to prevent intruders.

"Yeah, you know your rival, Kai? He pays Rei to be his bodyguard and he pays Rei well too. As you can see," Mystel pointed and Takao nodded. Mystel rang the doorbell three times, once every second.

"Why three?" Takao asked,

"So they know it's me," said Mystel and the gates opened for them and the two walked in.

Mystel lets himself in with Takao following.

"Hey! It's me, Mystel! Anyone home?!" he shouted. Takao looked around, there was so much space. Then again, Rei did say he lived with his friends from China, they would need room for lots of people.

"Hello, Mystel," Mao greeted as she walked out of the kitchen on the far right with a pink apron with a white cat on the front.

"Hello, Mao," Mystel greeted back and Mao noticed Takao,

"Oh, hello Takao-Kun, what brings you here?" Mao asked,

"Uh…" Takao looked at Mystel for help.

"I brought him here. Takao, you know Mao from the Sun class?" Mystel asked,

"Well, I saw her before when I went to see Rei in one of his martial arts clubs," Takao answered.

"Hey Mao, is Rei home?" Mystel asked and Mao shook her head,

"He's coming home late today. Rai-Nii is out with Gao and Kiki. It's their turn for the grocery shopping but Rai-Nii decided to go with the two in case Gao eats everything before they buy it," Mao answered,

"Well good. We need to talk," said Mystel and Mao was kind of surprised by the serious tone of Mystel's voice.

The three sat down in the living room and Mao served tea.

"What's the problem?" Mao asked,

"First off, what do you know about Takao?" Mystel asked,

"I know Takao-Kun is from the Moon Class and he does Kendo. Everyone knows his name since he's the best blader on the entire campus," was all Mao knew.

"So…Rei never told you who his boyfriend is?" Mystel asked with a sweat drop.

"B-Boyfriend?!" Mao stuttered,

"Way to go…" said Takao giving Mystel a glare. Mystel himself covered his mouth after realizing his mistake.

"You mean he's…? I knew it! He was in love this entire time! Kiki owes me 2,000 yen!"

Mystel and Takao blinked in confusion.

"You're not…angry?" Mystel asked,

"Angry? What would I be angry about?" Mao asked,

"I thought you…liked Rei," said Mystel, choosing his words carefully.

"I do. If you mean as a crush, I used to. But it soon passed after finding out he was homosexual," Mao explained,

"Oh…you already knew that?" Mystel asked and then sighed in relief.

"Yes, a long time ago. So…what does this have to do with Takao-Kun?" Mao asked,

"Well…Takao is Rei's boyfriend. He already knows that Rei's 20 Faces," Mystel explained which really shocked Mao. After a bit of clearing up and understanding the situation, they got back on topic.

"Takao's having a bit of a problem…go ahead Takao," said Mystel and left the couch.

"What?! Wait a minute! Mystel!"

"Its okay, Takao-Kun. I know you're a good person and if Rei chose you, you must be trustworthy. I'll do what I can to help," said Mao and Takao looked down. He repeated what he told Mystel earlier that day.

"I see…well that is partially our fault. Ever wonder why Rei always steals? Well that's because we ask him to. Mostly Kiki and Gao do but even Rai-Nii and I ask him for stuff as well. I'll talk to Rei for you though, you can count on it!" said Mao and Takao cracked a smile,

"Thanks Mao-Chan," said Takao and Mao smiled,

"No problem!"

Takao looked up at the clock,

"Oh no! It's late! And I didn't tell Nii-Chan where I was! I'm busted!" Takao shot up from the couch and grabbed his bag,

"I'm sorry, thank you for your hospitality! And Mystel! I know you're still in the house! I'll see you tomorrow!" Takao quickly ran out the door, praying his brother hasn't sent a search party yet.

As Takao ran out, Rai, Gao, and Kiki watched him go.

"Did that guy just came out of our place?" Kiki asked holding a brown paper bag with break sticking out of it.

"…Was that Takao-Kun from the Moon Class?" Rai asked who carried two plastic bags on both sides. Gao was eating some apples,

"You mean Takao Kinomiya? The best blader on the campus?" he asked.

"…" The three quickly went inside,

"Mao!" Rai shouted,

"Oh Rai-Nii, you're home," said Mao,

"Was Takao-Kun from the Moon class here?" Rai asked and Mao nodded,

"Yes, he lost track of time so he quickly left," Mao explained and helped them with the groceries.

"What was he here for?" Kiki asked and Mao lightly smirks,

"First off…remember that bet we made a few weeks ago?" Mao asked and Kiki nodded.

"You owe me a 2000 yen!"

"WHAT?!"

Rei came home late again and headed for his room right away. Everyone must be in bed by now he didn't bother to yell a hello. But when he heard shouting in his own room and immediately opened the door.

"What in the world are you guys doing in MY ROOM?!" Rei exclaimed. Mao and Kiki were pulling on a book. Rai was trying to stop the two. Gao was standing the side watching.

"He/She started it!" Mao and Kiki pointed at each other. Mao and Kiki disagree a lot and Rei knew they were just going to blab all at once. Rei rubbed his forehead, he's had a long day and he didn't need this at 10 O' Clock at night right after coming home.

"ENOUGH! Everyone out now! Tell me about tomorrow! Out!" Rei pointed outside his doorway angrily.

"But Rei-" Mao started,

"Tomorrow!" Rei snapped.

They all walked out, heads hanging low.

"And you two, never touch my journal again!" Rei added, referring to Mao and Kiki.

Rei collapsed on his bed. The festival was coming up, homework to do during the day, his martial arts clubs plans, his next theft, Takao…they were all running through his head at the moment and his friends just had to make it worse for him tonight.

The next morning, Rei once again, as the first one up, got up to make breakfast. But when he reached the kitchen, he found Mao already there making breakfast.

"Mao?"

"Oh Rei! I'm so sorry about last night! It was all Kiki's fault anyway! Rei, Takao-Kun came over yesterday. Mystel brought him over. I know about you relationship with him. Mystel explained it all to me. And I think you need to speak with Takao-Kun, Takao-Kun feels he's being neglected by you. And I'm sorry for throwing all this information at you first thing in the morning, but I promised Takao-Kun I'd speak to you for him," Mao explained and Rei took a few moments for it all to sink in.

"I see…thanks for telling me. I'll talk to Takao myself," said Rei.

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

"Okay, who's reading next? Mr. Kinomiya, if you please," said Takao's teacher.

Takao grunted and looked down at his book but before he started reading, a student came in with a note.

"Young Kinomiya-San, you're being called the High School Division Class Board!"

"Yes ma'am," said Takao and got up,

"Take your stuff with you,"

"Hai!"

Takao headed for the High School and then up the stairs until he found the office for the class board. Takao looked up and read that he was at the right place so he knocked. Takao's been here before but it's been a while since then.

"Come in!" came a voice and Takao lets himself in.

"TAKA!" right away, Takao was glomped by no other than Max.

"Taka! It's been so long! Why don't you come visit more often?!" Max exclaimed and was like a happy little child.

"That's because he's supposed to be in class!" came a strict voice. Takao and Max stood up and Takao started to glare.

"Hiwatari…"

"Kinomiya…"

"Now, now you two. Lets all get along!" said Max and stood between them.

"Kai, it's okay, I invited here," came Rei's voice as he walked up to them.

"Oh, you did? Well in that case, make yourself at home, Kinomiya," said Kai and turns around to get back to work. Takao stood there in confusion; the questions mark clear above his head.

"Don't worry, Takao! Kai's always like that!" said Max cheerfully,

"Max, don't you still need to sign all those papers?" Rei asked pointing back to Max's desk.

"But…but…Rei pleeeeaaaase? Let me off!"

"…" Rei said nothing and gave a Kai-like glare and Max pouted.

"Fine! No fair…But thanks for coming by Taka!" Max skipped to his desk and got to work. Rei grabbed a hold of Takao's arm,

"Kai! Max! I'm taking Takao out to the garden! I'll be back okay?" Rei shouted and got an 'OK' from the other two.

"Come on, Taka. You can leave your stuff here," said Rei and started leading him out.

The two took a stroll in the school's flower garden. Since everyone's in class right now, no one else should be around.

"Mao told me some stuff. You want to talk about something?" Rei asked, starting up the conversation.

"Well…yes. Rei, I know you're busy, and I know you love being 20 Faces. But I…I can't help but you feel you enjoy being 20 Faces more than you love me," said Takao, trying to swallow away fear of what the worst thing Rei might say.

"Takao…look, I'm sorry you feel that way. But it's not just the fact that I love being 20 Faces, because I hardly have time to do that now myself," said Rei,

"But then why do you choose to steal on a Friday when you can see me?" Takao stopped walking and faced Rei.

"I try to do both, Takao, try and understand," said Rei who also stopped.

"I am trying! I've been trying! I can't even see you at school! The only time we both have time to see each other is Friday night like it's always been! I know sometimes you can't make it but even so. I get to have a date with you at least three times a month! But now it's turned to once a month! Out of four Fridays, I only see you only once most of the time!" Takao surprised himself at what he had just blurted out.

Rei sighed and shook his head.

"It's not exactly easy, Takao. I have a lot, and I mean, a lot, of work to do for school. When I'm being 20 Faces, it eases my mind," Rei tried to explain,

"And I don't?!" Takao snapped,

"I'd say no to be honest with you, and you would too if you were in my place," said Rei, who is starting to get impatient. Takao was surprised by Rei's answer.

"Why?! I try to make you happy and you say I only put more stress on you?!"

"I didn't say that…"

"Even though it's true…"

"And so instead of telling me what I'm doing wrong you decide to ignore me instead?!" Takao nearly cried, hurt, "And you're the one that said we should tell each other what the other does wrong! So we won't keep making the same mistake!"

"If I did that, you'd be doing what you're doing now!" Rei finally snapped.

"And what am I doing now?! I'm just trying to find out what's going on! You told me yourself! On my birthday! You said you loved me! So why do I feel so unloved now?!"

Rei groaned, frustrated.

"Takao, quit using those three words against me! I can't always be there for you! I can try and I have! But I'm not a miracle-worker! I can't always put you ahead of everything! It's not always about you!"

Takao was taken back by that,

"But I never said it was! If you told me sooner, then I would understand!"

"And what difference would it make if I told you now and before? You would be telling me the same thing you're telling me now which isn't getting us anywhere!"

"Rei, I'm trying! I'm trying to understand! But if you're not willing to trust I can, then I'm not going to bother!"

"That's actually fine with me, why can't you just accept things as they come?! Do you know how much easier that would make life for me?"

"Because I can make my own decisions too Rei! Just because you're the stronger one of us two both physically and mentally doesn't mean you plan what I do with my life! What's making it so hard, Rei? Why are you even being 20 Faces if your life is so tough? Well?!"

"Because I am 20 Faces! And I love doing what I do!"

"So you admit you love being 20 Faces more than me!"

"Takao!" Rei groaned in frustration.

"Takao! Quit doing that! You know what? Forget it! If you're not willing to cooperate with me, I don't even know why I even bother with this relationship anymore!"

"That makes two of us…" Takeo mumbled, but nothing was unheard from Rei's sharp ears.

"Glad you agree…because we're though!"

Rei walked passed Takao and didn't bother to look back,

"And also, yes, sometimes I do love being 20 Faces more!"

Takao stood there for a while by himself, still shocked at what just happened.

"…"

"I hate you, 20 Faces…"

Notes:

-If I remember correctly, Rei and Kai are 2 years older than Takao. I don't know about Max but let's just say he's closer to Rei and Kai's ages. So that's why Rei, Kai, and Max are in High School while Takao is still in Junior High.

-Daichi is 2 years younger than Takao despite how much younger Daichi looks or how much older Takao looks. So yes, he's getting smarter since he's getting older.

-Kyoujyu and Hiromi have a high intelligence level so they're already ahead of everyone and are in university. Both are on the University Division Class Board with Garland. Explained why in "Neko-Jin of Many Faces."

-In Japan, you can eat lunch in your classroom.

-Rai-Nii: It basically means big brother Rai but worded a bit differently than usual.

-"Hai!" "Yes!"

Please R and R! Thank you!