This is another collab work that I am doing with PreciousRoy. Here we are going through the seasons with the idea of a behind the scenes type deal of the show, it is Kai and Ray centered as we are both big Kai and Ray shippers and fans (if you haven't already caught on.) The fic is rated M for language, possible violence, and lemons down the road.
The idea started out as me wanting to do a prequel to The Parent Trap, where it kind of led up to how Kai and Ray got together and then turned into this.
For the entirety of the fic we have written the chapters together, in a Role Play sort of way. Roy writes for Kai as I write for Ray.
We hope you all enjoy this, as it's been fun working on another collab and I recommend checking out her profile for more Kai and Ray fics.
Until next time!
Season 1, Episode 8-11. A Band of Dumplings.
It had been a long day, way too long, and after the other boys, stuffed up on pizza, had gone to bed in their room Ray finally felt like he could breathe. He hadn't expected to see his old friends roaming the outside world, not just that but that they were also going to enter the tournament just to get back at him. They had called him a traitor, maybe they were right, but deep down he knew what he was. He wasn't a traitor, he left to broaden his horizons to become a better blader. It had just been luck that he had come across Mr. Dickenson and got the opportunity of a lifetime.
Ray hung his head even lower, sitting on the corner of his bed as his captain was using their shared shower. Ray's mind replayed the moments of them all in the back alley, when they had met Kevin and he was challenged. Of course, Tyson had to jump in and take the fight for himself. Not that he didn't mind, but part of him did, just a little, it should have been his battle to fight but now it was too late.
At least they all came out of the alley unscathed, especially him with how Tyson's blade had flown out of the dish at him. Kai had saved him, but what was even more shocking was that he hadn't even heard Kai behind him and that scared him. He'd never met a blader as intimidating as Kai was, let alone not knowing what kind of game he was trying to play. It was out of Ray's hands though, Kai had been made their captain, HIS captain. Already everything felt overwhelming, the Elders had warned him about the outside world, and he was starting to believe them; maybe he had made a big mistake.
The bathroom door opened and said captain stepped out. Clearly the hot water hadn't warmed or relaxed him at all... He threw a side glance at his 'roommate' and his face looked somewhat disapproving. Just what he needed...more drama. Ray barely looked at him as he came out, the room warming as the steam poured out of the open bathroom door. He was too lost in his thoughts to really care that he had come out, he was tired and ready for bed but he didn't have it in him to actually get up and get ready.
Kai tried to ignore him. He could care less about the dilemmas of some guy he didn't know and his ex-team or whatever he was sulking about. But if Ray was going to sit there and pout all night and keep him awake, that would affect his performance during training. And that he wasn't going to put up with.
"You just going to sit there pouting or what?"
Ray's head snapped up, eyes narrowing. What was his problem? He may have been made his captain, but that didn't give him the right to just talk to him like that.
"Excuse me?" He growled out in a challenging voice.
He turned to face him, catching Ray giving him a look, he threw it right back at him. He was in charge here, after all. It was about time they all realized it.
"You heard me. I don't like to repeat myself. So either go get ready for lights out or take it somewhere I don't have to see it."
Ray didn't back down giving him a look, he had it in him to fight back. He was tired of being treated like trash, from his ex-friends and this guy of all people. After all day of trying to find him, to get him to be a part of this team after dealing with all his bad mouthing, he needed to be taken down a notch. He honestly was glad it was him to be the one to do it.
"I'm sorry your highness, but when you get accused of being a traitor from your child hood friends, then maybe you'd understand. Until then, get off my back. You can go to the main room if I bother you that much."
He smirked, he enjoyed seeing people try and fight back. Made it more satisfying. "Well, are you?" He asked bluntly.
Ray ground his teeth together, baring his fangs at him. How dare he! "Of course I'm not! I never betrayed them, they're just mad that I..." He stopped himself, why would Kai even care about his problems? "Just forget it." He growled, jerking his head to look away from him.
He shrugged and threw his legs up on the bed, sitting up and resting his back against the headboard and grabbing a book. He was glad that was out the way. He cracked open the book and tried to read. Looking over the same sentence a few times as he could feel the tension coming from the over thinker on the other bed... How was he going to put up with this crap until Russia? This was only stage one and he'd had enough.
"So what if they're mad? Not your problem. You're on this team, so care about that."
It took him a minute to respond, Kai having taken him off guard by still talking to him. "It is my problem, you don't understand. They left the village, to come after me. This tournament, it's more personal than just a simple match." He said, shaking his head. "They're out for blood, my blood... I'm just sorry I drug you all into this..."
He snapped his book shut and stood himself up, walking to the edge of Ray's bed and near enough towering over him with an icy look in his eyes. "Well deal with it!" He snapped, "I'm not being sent packing at the first hurdle because you had a row with your little friends like a bunch of infants!"
Ray jumped to his feet, not caring for Kai's intimidation tactics. He stood toe-to-toe with him, his fangs bare and pupils slit. "Don't you think that's what I'm going to do? Of course I'm going to deal with it, what do you take me for?"
His eyes narrowed as Ray squared up to him. "You'd better. Because right now all I see is you having a pity party, and I won't stand for it. It's bad enough I got to deal with those three in there, I thought you at least seemed somewhat serious..."
"I am serious, it's the only reason I left my village. And will you just give them a break already? You breathing down their necks like you do isn't going to get them ready for this, you know that."
He snorted. "Like you'd know... Someone needs to tell them. Like I said, I'm not getting sent home because you guys can't tell your asses from your elbows."
Ray had never in his life wanted to hit someone as badly as he wanted to now, his fists clenched at his sides. This guy was infuriating to be around, normally he'd appreciate the bluntness, but something about Kai made his blood boil.
"I do know, before you showed up Tyson actually listened to me because I wasn't insulting him every two seconds and he won his match. You wouldn't have known that though because you can really care less about this team."
He cocked a brow, almost impressed someone was still challenging him. "You're right. I could care less about the little dramas you all have going on. I came here to make it to the World Tournament and win it. Spare me your opinions on coaching methods, if we did it your way, we'd be eliminated. That's why I'm the captain. Got a problem with it, go join your old friends."
Ray growled in his throat again, damn this guy knew how to wedge a knife into someone's nerves. "Sorry to disappoint Cap', but I'm staying."
His brow arched higher and smirked right in his face. "That's more like it. Now do yourself and everyone a favor, leave your personal baggage at the doors of the stadium."
Ray rolled his eyes at him, he still didn't believe he could do that? What a jerk. "I will." He said with an air of confidence in his tone, pushing past him to the bathroom.
Somehow, he felt better after that. He was still mad at Kai for all he had said, and his bad attitude, but at least he got some things off his chest and felt a little better about having to face his ex-friends. He stopped in the doorway, hand on the frame and turned back to look at him. Giving him an actual smile.
"Guess you're not so bad." He said, slipping into the bathroom and shutting the door behind him.
Kai frowned and grimaced. What the hell was that supposed to mean? These guys were weird... All of them.
"Pffft... You don't know the first thing about me." He mumbled under his breath after the door closed, going back to his bed and picking up his book as he laid back down onto it.
By the time Ray had finished with his own shower, he tied his hair back up into his white wrap and carried his clothes out with him, folded, and placed them on the night stand by his bed before he slipped under his covers. Kai's nose was stuck in his book, so much for lights out Ray thought, but at least the tension that had been in the room was gone now.
Ray laid on his back, wondering if he should tell Kai why the others were so angry with him. It would probably be best after all, since they were in the same tournament and he knew Kevin liked to play dirty. The others didn't have to know, but letting Kai know what they were up against wasn't a bad idea; he was their captain after all.
"Hey, Kai?" He called out, hands under his head.
He rolled his eyes as he was distracted half way through a sentence and fought a sigh. What now? "Hn?"
Ray shifted, what kind of response was that?! "... I wanted to give you a heads up on what we're dealing with, and why they called me a traitor..." He started, stopping to make sure Kai was actually listening to him.
He sighed through his nose. So much for getting to the end of this chapter tonight... Instead he was going to have a pow-wow with Pocahontas and his tribe of pissed off little friends... At least it had something to do with the tournament.
"Mhm?" He said as he waited.
"I guess I am..." He breathed, closing his eyes. "The village we come from has always been protected by our sacred bit-beasts. We've used them for years to win wars and keep our people safe, as the world began to change our beasts found refuge in our bits and I was given our greatest protector...
"The head Elder, which also happens to be Lee's grandfather, chose me to be Driger's wielder. When I received him I wanted to travel the world and hone my Beyblading skills. I wasn't supposed to take Driger out of the village though, that's why they're mad at me. I'm not sure if it's even possible, but they might try to take him from me... I don't know why I feel that way, but I can't shake the feeling that something bad is going to happen..."
Kai turned his head, actually interested by his story. This could prove problematic for the tournament if they were going to pull any stunts to get Driger from him.
"...Then you'd better squash them before they have a chance."
Ray nodded, wasn't like he already didn't know that... He huffed, turning on his side with his back to Kai. "Night..." He breathed, closing his eyes.
Kai watched him turn over. Finally some peace. He rolled over himself, getting comfortable and closed his eyes. Now all he could think about was the stupid White Tigers and how best to deal with them.
When morning came they gathered their belongings up, being chauffeured back to the airport to catch their plane to where the tournament was being held. For a reason unknown to him, Kai actually sat beside Ray for the flight, thankfully it was short. From the airport they were bused into a more remote part of the city, nothing but rolling hills and open fields for miles and it made Ray think of his village.
It was a rush, the crowds of other bladers and the fans. Almost overwhelming as everything started to get underway. Tyson was ecstatic, having their team going first in the Block A section, and they beat their opponents with little to no hiccups… Aside from almost dying from the immense heat wave during Max's battle against that one kid, whose name Ray didn't even care to remember.
Even though Max had won, Kai seemed unenthused and that in turn made Ray snap back at him, Max stepping in between them. Even after everything though, Ray still couldn't get it out of his mind even back at their new hotel. Kai's bad attitude about everything really got on his nerves, and he really didn't know why. The others were out, enjoying the sights as Ray fixed up their sleeping quarters, one long raised platform was where they'd sleep all beside each other. That was one way to get them closer as a team Ray thought, as he fixed out their futons and sheets.
Their room door opened, Kai stepping inside with him and dropped his bag down on the floor by the sliding wooden doors. He had gone out to scope the area, finding out that the White Tigers were roomed across the courtyard from theirs. Ray seemed to ignore him, continuing his work on getting everyone's beds ready as the sun was starting to set over the back of the hotel.
Kai barely looked at him either. He was tired from being around this brat pack. Now he felt for those parents on flights when the kids started crying from the air pressure in their ears. He made a mental note to arrange a vasectomy in the future. Ray was almost done, no point helping, so he sat himself at the furthest futon and kept to himself. Ray finished with the last futon, looking down at his handy work. He'd make a good housewife one day... That thought made him deflate a little. He wanted to get on Kai's case about earlier but didn't think starting up with it was the right way to go about it.
"Find anything on your walk?" He asked casually, sitting on the edge of the raised platform.
Kai tensed. Why did everyone want to know everything? Didn't these guys get the concept of privacy? "No." He said dully, not bothering to look at him.
Ray rolled his eyes, what was with this guy? "Would it really hurt you if you weren't such an ass all the time?" Ray asked dryly.
"Would it really hurt you guys to give me some room to breathe?!" He snapped back instantly.
"We did..." Ray answered flatly, giving him a look that harbored on sarcastic. "You've been gone longer than the kids have."
"Hn." He huffed out as he folded his arms. Not long enough in his humble opinion...
"What is that noise? Why do you do that?" Ray asked, wanting to pull all his hair out because of him.
Kai's head snapped to him at the sudden outburst and scowled. "What noise? What's your problem?"
"That 'hnnnnn' you do. It annoys the piss out of me when you do it. I didn't really have one till now. You bring the doom and gloom everywhere you go?" He asked sarcastically, raising a brow at him.
He blinked, actually being caught off guard for once. What noise? He didn't make a noise. He huffed again. "If you see it that way, that's your problem."
Ray slapped himself in the face, why was he even bothering still? Clearly Kai didn't, but he felt like he needed to get him on their side. They were supposed to be a team after all, weren't they?
"Hn, I guess." He said, turning his chin up as he used Kai's own noise against him; maybe he'd realize how stupid it sounded if he heard it from someone else.
Unfortunately for Ray, he didn't quite catch it and decided to ignore him. He was done talking. To anyone. Why couldn't people just get the hint and leave him be. So what if he wasn't prancing around like an idiot flapping his gums and saying things of no value to anyone ever? He was the captain, so they just had to get used to it.
The silence began to get to him, it was getting darker out and the others would be coming back soon. He really didn't want to start up another fight but his treatment of Max earlier was still bothering him. It was now or never.
"You really piss me off sometimes." Ray bit out, snapping his mouth shut quickly. That... Had come out wrong...
His head snapped to him once again, this time a glint of surprise in his eyes before the fire in them lit. What had he done now!?
"Oh?" He said dryly as he stood himself up and slowly folded his arms, jutting out a hip, "Got something to say there, Ray?"
Ray felt his mouth go dry, god why was he terrible at this? "Yeah I do, how you treated Max after his match today was wrong of you." He bit out. There, he had said it... But he didn't feel any better for some reason.
Kai's eyes narrowed, but he felt confused. Him? Wrong? That just didn't compute. "I don't see how. I'm the captain. I'm supposed to give you feedback."
"You didn't give him feedback, you were snobby as all hell at him. Give him some slack, he's new to this. Bringing them down based on their performance isn't going to help them, you're the oldest of us all aren't you? So instead of being an ass about it, be helpful. Just because you're our captain doesn't give you the right to be a jackass, so take that stick out of your ass already."
Kai blinked yet again. No one had ever dared talk to him like that again. His eyes fired up angrily as he coolly stalked towards him. "I wouldn't have to talk like that if you guys would shape up and take this seriously. I have every right to be a 'jackass'. Mommying you won't get us anywhere. You want to be wrapped up in cotton and told you're a good boy for a sub-par performance, go join another team."
Ray bit the inside of his cheek, way to go Ray you pissed him off again, then again... When was this guy ever not pissed off? "You're not even listening to me. You can give feedback, just not the kind you gave today. It's the wrong way to go about it, and you know it. What if someone just told you how badly you sucked, after you gave it your all? Would it really make you want to do better, or not bother at all?" He asked.
Kai smirked and folded his arms again. "Hn... No one would have anything bad to say about my performances."
Ray narrowed his eyes at him. "I'm sure..." He huffed out, at least he had tried.
He went to talk again when their door slid open, the others piling in talking up a storm with one another like they were old child hood friends. Ray was happy to see them so carefree, why couldn't Kai be like that every now and then?
"Hey guys, welcome back. Enjoy your walk?" Ray asked, deciding it best to leave the previous conversation at bay.
"You bet we did, it's really pretty here. You're a pretty lucky guy to have grew up around here." Tyson said, as he began to strip his pants and hat off before throwing himself down on second futon from the door. "Hey Ray, thanks for making these up, I'm beat." He said as he buried his face into his pillow.
"No problem Ty. We should probably get to sleep now, have to get up early in the morning anyways." Ray said with a smile.
"I have some things I need to do, I'll just take Dizzi with me to another spot so I don't bother you guys." Kenny said, going over and picking Dizzi up from the top of his bag from where he had left her.
"Just don't stay out too long." Ray called as the youngest member slipped back out the door.
Kai rolled his eyes and sauntered back to his bed. Things just kept getting worse...
"Mind if I take this one?" Max whispered into Ray's ear, side eyeing Kai's back. Ray looked between Max and Kai and sighed, why did he have to be the buffer between him and the others all the time? He nodded, moving from where he had been sitting and climbed into the one on his left. Max smiled his thanks, slipping in between Ray and Tyson's futons after undoing his overalls.
"Night everybody!" He cheered out, snuggling down under his sheet. Ray let out a soft chuckle as he crawled under his own sheets, coming back from having taken off his headband and white shirt, turning his back on Kai facing Max.
Kai resisted the urge to puke as he unwound his scarf from his neck. This wasn't the god damn Brady Bunch... He pulled his cover over him tighter. At least he could ignore them completely when he was asleep.
Everyone fell asleep quickly, the excitement from the day and traveling wearing them out. Tyson's snoring quickly filling the empty space between them as the night continued on when suddenly something caught Ray's hearing, his eyes fluttered open as he woke up. Their door was open, and he heard Kenny shout something from outside.
Quietly, to not disturb the others, he slipped off his futon and got dressed heading out to the courtyard as it poured cold rain down on top of him. Kevin froze on the other side of the makeshift beydish that sat in the center of the courtyard, Kenny running behind him about his stolen data. Ray was tired, he really didn't have time to deal with Kevin tonight.
"You watch him and I'm going to get Tyson!" Kenny yelled, taking off towards their room.
In the blink of an eye Kevin was challenging Ray to a battle for Kenny's data and he accepted. The others had come running up to them as Kevin had called out for his bit-beast, Ray doing the same to end the battle quickly. Next thing he knew, Driger was gone. He had lost the battle. Tyson jumped in the middle with Dragoon before Kevin knocked into Ray's blade, and next thing he knew Tyson and Kevin were in a full blown battle again. Ray was too numb to care, stuck in shock from having lost Driger and worrying that he'd never get him back.
"You had the chance to beat him, yet you let him win." Kai said, having stepped up to Ray causing him to come back from his daze. "What kind of beyblader are you?" He continued and Ray could only hang his head.
"I didn't expect that from you Ray." Kai finished, and Ray's head snapped back up to look at the back of Kai's head. He stuttered, trying to find the right words to say to him but found nothing.
After the arguing they had previously done, to the loss of his bit-beast what could he have said? He looked away again, the rain pouring down on them and he tensed for Kai's next words. Would he kick him off the team? Because he didn't have a bit-beast now?
"You let the power of your Driger slip right through your fingers, and now you're left with nothing Ray. You know, I always thought you were smarter than that, but I guess I was wrong." Kai said, water dripping from his bangs.
"I don't know how I could have been so careless…" Ray defended.
"Me to Ray… Me to." Kai said, a silence coming between them. Parts of their earlier argument coming back, no matter how badly Kai wanted to lay into him, part of him felt bad for the poor guy. He turned around to face him, seeing the look of defeat in Ray's eyes.
"Well, there's nothing we can do now. And no matter how much we want to, we can't change the past." Kai said as he started to walk away from him, leaving Ray to hang his head again in shame.