Title: A Ride Through the Storm

Category: Beyblade; chapter fic (not long)

Summary: The G-Revolution team meet up with Hiro, Mr. Dickenson, and Bruce Granger at a ranch in America. Mr. Dickenson is hoping this outing can be considered "team bonding" time. If only he knew which team members were going to be the ones "bonding."

Pairing: Hiro/Kai; mentions of others

Warning: Shounen-ai; foul language

Disclaimer: Don't own!

My first Hiro/Kai fic. Be nice. ^^

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A Ride Through the Storm

Chapter One – A Little Outing Never Hurt Anyone

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Kai sighed, running a weary hand through his slate colored bangs. He was currently seated outside on the hotel balcony overlooking a vast open plain, the sun peeking out amongst the hills in the distance. It was going on five in the morning, dawn just making its appearance known. It didn't matter to him, though. He'd been up for three hours now. Having a nightmare and waking up in the middle of the night tended to make people not want to – or be able to – go back to sleep.

He hadn't had a good night's sleep for the past few weeks, not since Mr. Dickenson mentioned that he was taking the entire team on a little outing he liked to say was a "bonding trip." Ever since then, something in the back of Kai's mind hadn't let him have a moments of peace. He could feel like something was going to happen, but he just didn't know what.

Not much could happen, the teenage voice in his mind kept telling him. They were not only having Mr. Dickenson along for the trip, but Tyson's dad, Bruce, and Hiro were also going. Nothing bad ever really happened to them when they were around the two oldest males. So, there was really nothing horrible to fear.

Was there?

The more logical part of his brain, the part that was much older than it was supposed to be, kept denying that fact and pointing out all the possibilities of something drastic happening that could endanger not only himself but his team as well.

That was never a good thing. He was captain. Nothing was supposed to happen to his team on his watch.

'And nothing will,' he mused in his mind, watching the oranges and reds dance across the sky. 'Not while I'm here to stop it.'

Light footsteps brought him out of his thoughts. He made no movement of surprise as the figure came out onto the balcony to stand beside the phoenix. Kai flicked his crimson gaze up at the form, dully noting that Hiro was now out there with him, before looking back at the horizon.

"How long have you been up?" the older male asked quietly, sitting down on the cool concrete of the balcony floor beside the teen.

"Going on four hours now," Kai grunted softly. He didn't want to disturb the peaceful aura, and the last thing he wanted to do was start an argument with the taller man. He and Hiro got along quite well, but the elder Granger son tended to like to get under Kai's skin. In fact, they both made a habit of at least starting one argument a day just for kicks, though sometimes they weren't all for fun. Hiro – a lot of times – didn't like Kai's way of "taking care of himself" and continued to tell the teen what he thought. Kai, of course, being the blunt, stubborn ass he is, didn't take any note of it and then proceeded to tell Hiro the flaws in his own health.

"How come? Couldn't sleep?"

The phoenix faintly recognized honest concern in the tone before answering. "You could say that."

"Nightmares?"

"Hn."

Hiro sighed. He knew. He knew Kai had been having nightmares for the past two weeks. Every night was the same. The phoenix would go to bed, toss and turn, sleep, dream, wake up either screaming, gasping, panting, trembling, or a combination of the four. The phoenix didn't think that the elder teen noticed or even knew, but he did. It was hard to share a room with someone and not know what was causing them to not sleep at night.

"Is there a reason behind them?" he asked. "You've been like this since Mr. Dickenson told us that we were having that little 'team bonding time.' Are you worried about it?"

The phoenix sighed. "I don't know, to be honest, besides, what's it to you?" He glanced at the slate haired male. "You never said a word. You never acted like you cared. Why now all of a sudden?"

Hiro sighed. It would be best not to even answer the teen's question. That would just result in a deep argument that he was not ready for. "Listen, Kai," he started as he stood up, ready to go back in, "there's nothing to be worried about. A little outing never hurt anyone."

With that, he left, shutting the glass door behind him.

Kai stared at the space the man had been standing in before. He sighed and switched his gaze back to the sky. "How I hope you're right, Hiro."

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Yep, short and sweet to start off with. I think I'll give you all two chapters today! ^^

Don't forget to review!

Ja Ne