"Hey," Max said as he took a seat beside Hilary. The team was currently at the dojo, practicing for the tournament that was set to start tomorrow. "How're they doing?" He questioned, nodding to Tyson and Rei who were engaged in a battle before them.

"Alright. Tyson's balance is a little off, but he's being pretty cocky."

"What else is new?" Dizzy said from Kenny's lap. Max and Hilary laughed.

"Have you seen Kai?" Max questioned. "It's weird that he's late for practice."

Hilary shook her head. "Not since he took off this morning," She admitted. She noticed Hiro come up beside the bench the trio was sitting on.

"Hey Hiro," Max greeted. He nodded to them, glancing at the battle that was currently underway.

"Tyson's balance is off," He said to no one in particular. "It's been like that for a few days now."

"We were just talking about that," Kenny responded. "He's probably still getting used to the new attack ring I added." The bluenette nodded before turning away from his brother's match.

"Hilary, can I talk to you for a minute?" He questioned. Hilary raised an eyebrow.

"Uh, sure Hiro," She said as she stood. Max sent her a quizzical glance to which she shrugged. She followed him to the front of the dojo and took a seat beside him on the front steps. "What's up?"

"I'll get right to the point. Hil, are you and my brother dating?" He questioned. Hilary was taken aback.

"Excuse me?" Hiro sighed and procured a rolled up magazine from his jacket. He handed her the publication that, to her shock, had a picture of her and Tyson plastered on the front with the headline, "Bladebreaker Love," underneath, then a smaller one that said, "Are Tyson Granger and Hilary Tachibana of the world famous Bladebreakers finally a couple? How will this affect Tyson's performance in the upcoming tournament?"

"Yeesh. You'd think they'd be able to come up with a better title than Bladebreaker Love," Hilary joked. Hiro kept his face stoic. "Hiro, relax. Tyson and I aren't seeing each other."

"Are you sure?" He questioned.

"Of course I am," She responded, getting somewhat offended he thought she would lie to him. "Tyson and I are just friends."

"Okay," He said after a minute. "I believe you."

"Thank you," Hilary said as she stood.

"If you don't mind, I'd prefer it stay that way."

"…Huh?" She question as she turned.

"I would prefer, if you and Tyson stayed just friends."

"Why do you even care?" She questioned, somewhat irritated.

"This is an important period in his life. The tournament's just about to start up again and he doesn't need any distractions," He said as he stood, as well.

"You see me as a distraction?" She questioned.

"Clearly I've offended you…That's not what I'm trying to do, Hil."

"You didn't answer my question, Hiro." He ran a hand through his hair, clearly uncomfortable.

"Yes, Hilary. I do see you as a distraction. You and every other girl the guys get involved with."

"I'm not involved with anyone!" Hilary shouted, her temper flaring.

Hiro opened his mouth to respond, but was cut off.

"What's going on here?" Another voice questioned. Both Hilary and Hiro turned to see Kai standing at the bottom of the steps.

"This is a conversation between me and Hilary, Kai. I'd prefer if you didn't get involved." Kai glanced at Hilary who was still staring heatedly at Hiro. Hiro turned back to her.

"So, are we clear?" He questioned. She said nothing, instead choosing to glare icily at him.

Hiro, seeing he wasn't getting anywhere, sighed and turned to walk down the steps. When he reached the bottom, he turned to look up at her.

"If you really care about the boys, you'll think about what I said," He said before departing. Hilary said nothing and neither did Kai until the sound of Hiro's sports car starting met their ears. He walked up the steps to stand beside her.

"Are you okay?" He asked. She nodded, an annoyed look still present on her face.

"I'm fine," She said before turning to walk to the bad of the dojo to rejoin practice. Kai followed.

"Hey, where's Hiro?" Tyson questioned from the bench, his match with Rei apparently finished.

"He went back to his apartment," Hilary said simply, not letting on about their conversation.

"That was quick. What'd he want?"

"Just to make sure you guys were getting ready for tomorrow," She lied. She glanced at Kai who was staring at her, his eyebrow raised. She averted her eyes.

XXX

"Here's to tomorrow," Max said as he raised his glass. The rest of the team that was seated around the kitchen table clinked glasses with him before taking a sip of their drinks.

"Is it a good idea to be drinking the night before the tournament starts?" Kenny questioned, hiccupping lightly.

"Relax Chief. We'll be fine," Tyson said, his own cheeks slightly flushed.

"How many beers have they had already?" Rei questioned. Hilary shrugged behind her own drink. "Maybe Kenny's right guys. We should hit the hay. We have to be up early tomorrow," He pointed out.

Tyson opened his mouth to protest, but instead ended up belching. He let his head fall on the kitchen table. "Maybe you're right," He mumbled. Rei stood and put his arm around the bluenette, helping him to his feet.

"See you guys tomorrow," He said as he turned to the hallway.

Kenny yawned before standing and following the pair. Hilary began to pick up the cups and glasses that were littering the kitchen.

"Hey Hil, you want some help?" Max questioned as he stood and stretched.

"That's okay, Maxie. I got it. Go catch up on some sleep," She said with a smile. He nodded, yawning as he made his way towards the door. Suddenly, the phone rang, startling the pair. Max reached out and picked it up.

"Hello?" He questioned tiredly. Hilary dumped the plastic cups in the trash and placed the glasses in the sink, before turning the faucet on and beginning to wash them. "Hello?" He asked again.

"Another prank call?" She questioned. He nodded and hung up. "That's the third one tonight."

"Probably just some kids fooling around. Night."

"Night." Hilary began to lightly hum to herself as she finished up the dishes.

"…Hey," A voice said from behind her after a few minutes. She didn't need to turn around to know who it was.

"Hey," She responded. "Where were you?"

"Nowhere," He answered bluntly. Hilary laughed to herself.

"Typical Kai."

"Excuse me?" He questioned.

"Your whole mysterious blader thing…I should have known you wouldn't tell me." She wasn't sure if it was the booze or what that was allowing her to talk to her captain like this, but Hilary felt more relaxed than usual.

"…I was training," He said finally. Hilary nodded, somewhat surprised he had actually answered her question with a straight answer. "…What else is typical of me?" He questioned, coming closer.

"Oh you know…going missing all the time, quiet entrances, silence, the whole 'I don't care about anything but beyblade' mentality." Hilary knew she would probably regret saying that to him in the morning, but didn't really care at this point.

"You think you know me pretty well, huh?" Kai asked. He didn't sound angry, rather amused. Hilary was surprised by how close he was behind her. She dropped the glass she was washing into the soapy water and turned to face the stoic blader. She immediately backed into the sink. He towered over her, a light smirk playing at the corner of his lips. Reality was rushing towards Hilary. She and Kai were alone. It was the middle of the night. He had her backed into a corner.

His crimson eyes were staring down at her intently. Hilary's lips suddenly felt very dry. She moistened them with her tongue.

"If you know me so well, why don't you tell me what I'm thinking?" He questioned.

"I don't know," Hilary said as he came closer, pressing their bodies together. She resisted the urge to gasp at their proximity. Her still soapy fingers gripped the counter behind her tightly. Heat was coursing through her body. She was incredibly turned on. Kai's smirk widened. He bent his head down so their lips were only centimeters apart. Hilary didn't move. She was frozen, her heart beating frantically in her chest, so loud she was convinced Kai could hear it.

Suddenly, he closed the gap between them, his arms coming from nowhere to pull her petite form up against his. Five years' worth of sexual tension between the pair was shattered as Hilary immediately returned his ardor, wrapping both arms around her captain's neck. Their lips moved against one another in sync, before his tongue flicked into her mouth. Hilary went on her tiptoes to give him easier access. For minutes they just stood there, hands roaming before Kai lifted her up onto the counter. He spread her legs, coming between them to tend to her neck. Hilary's eyes fluttered shut, while one hand came up to tangle in his hair. She was biting her lip lightly, trying not to moan at Kai's ministrations. He pulled her towards him so his groin was pushed against her pelvis.

Hilary finally let out a moan, before slapping her hand over her mouth. Kai chuckled whilst rubbing her thighs, reaching up for another heated kiss. Suddenly, the phone rang beside the pair.

"Don't pick it up," He whispered against her lips.

"I have to," She whispered back. "Who would call in the middle of the night? It might be an emergency." Kai merely bent to kiss the brunette's neck again. Hilary reached out blindly and put the receiver to her ear. "Hello?"

For a minute, no one responded. She giggled when Kai licked the hollow of her throat. "Hello?"

"Slut." A voice said from the other end of the line before it went dead. Hilary froze as the dial tone rang in her ear. Kai, apparently having heard what the mystery caller said, stopped what he was doing. He looked into the brunette's eyes who looked utterly perplexed.

"Who was that?" He questioned.

"I-I don't know," Hilary confessed, somewhat unnerved.

What's going on?