Heart of Fire

The Phoenix Monologues: Book One

By Jaici and CCPhoenix

Authors Notes:

Jaici's note: Sorry It's taken so long to update^^ we tried to earlier but we didn't like how the chapter came out. We couldn't work up enough angst^^ all that's been solved now, and the finished work is up^^

CC's note: Due to my pain, I have managed to work up angst enough for a next chapter…angst in abundance^^ Um…about a few things. Firstly, I apologise for the lack of explanation but it *will* get straightened out, and also you need to know that this is the first part of a two part chappie and *will* be short.

Warning: Shounen-ai In later chapters. . angst. Love. Romance. Lime. Swearing. All that stuff. And some minor gore in later chapters.

Disclaimer: We do not own Beyblade^^ Nor will we ever get the chance^^ We are making no money, so lave us alone!

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3 Years later…

He hesitated. It wasn't the right time. But then, nowadays it was never the right time. Sighing, he gripped the written note tighter in his hand. They' needed to know.

You know Maxie…ever since the World Tournament your team has changed…

Oh he knew alright. He lived with them. If he didn't know who did sighing he grasped the doorknob in his hands and twisted. He should have known they wouldn't greet him. But it still hurt that they didn't.

As usual, two of their members were missing, probably off doing…whatever it was they did together. Rei was sitting on the sofa, idly flicking through channels on the television. Kyojou was on the floor, laptop as usual, propped up on his lap. Nothing had changed. And yet, everything had. Then there was Hiromi…their only girl member, probably holed up somewhere with another guy…

It shouldn't affect him that bad but it did. He didn't know why.

He approached the two teens, his eyes landing on the closed door to the joined bedrooms. Rei's eyes rose from the screen for an instant and landed on his face.

"What's up Max?"

Just plain straight Max. None of the affectionate term's they used to have. He didn't let it bother him. He never could. Instead he held up the letter, so both could see it. The chief barely registered he was in the room, let alone take notice of the letter

Rei shrugged and turned back tot he television. Why did nobody listen anymore? He felt as though he was the only person that gave a damn how this team ended up. He was sick of it. Sick of always being the one to patch things up. It was going to end. Right now.

"Oh, its just letter. Telling us that we *have* to attend the next tournament. Or we're disbanded."

Rei's eyes narrowed and he turned back to Max. Kyojou finally raised his head to meet Max's eyes.

"What?"

It came out as an almost hiss, but he ignored it, focusing instead on the letter.

Bladebreakers…

We ate sending you this to notify you in a change of policy. The next tournament is being held in Australia. If you do not attend all rights to your title will be taken away and the Bladebreakers will be disbanded, to be replaced by a team of less skill, but with more adherence to regulations.

Yours, BBA

Rei snatched the letter from his hands and his eyes ran quickly over the paper. Kyoujo stood to read over his shoulder, and both stared at Max simultaneously.

"Does Kai know…"

He wanted to scream in frustration. Instead, he evened out his voice.

"No. I only just got back. How the hell am I supposed to tell him when he's not even in the same room? Where the hell is he anyway?"

As if he didn't know. Rei jerked his finger at the closed Bedroom door, before running his eyes back over the letter. Kyojou sat back down, his face a shade lighter than it had been before. He looked like hew as about to throw up. He couldn't understand why. What was The Chief afraid of being disbanded? Or the tournament?

The door tot he bedroom open and their leader strode out, eyes blazing with fire. His eyes landed on the letter.

"What's that?"

He fought back the urge to roll his eyes, but his gaze moved to the second figure striding out of the bedroom. The only person it could have been. He would never understand the Masochistic relationship the two enjoyed. He could understand it if the two truly loved each other. But they got together purely out of lust, and turned round and hurt the other almost immediately.

"A letter. From the BBA."

Kai's eyes flared and he stared at his companion, who had jumped on the sofa, Rei's vacated spot. Crossing hi legs on the table, he flicked the remote with his fingers.

"why would that bother me Kai? What's the letter say Rei?"

The neko-jinn answered almost immediately, and seemed to take perverse delight In watching both Kai and the other as he read out the words. When had Rei become so vindictive? Kai snatched the letter from Rei and growled as he turned to face Max

"what the hell is this Max? Who gave it to you?"

He felt anger well u inside of him and ripped the letter from Kai's grasp, aware of how tense the atmosphere in the room was..

"Hmm, I dunno, I found it in the street! Where the *hell* do you think I got it from? Mr Dickinson gave it to me! We *have* to attend this or we're disbanded. As much as you may want it I *don't*. Besides, if Mr-I'm-rebellious-now hadn't screwed up in the first place, we wouldn't be *in* this mess…"

He trailed off and silence descended upon the group. The television flicked off, an he stood. Angry blue, met defiant amber as the two held each others gazes.

"Is that what you think of me Max?"

He took a deep breath. He'd wanted to say this for so long. His best friend had changed. No more hyper kid with a huge appetite. No more open and friendly. Now he had a sadistic and easy-to-anger best friend. All mouth and spite. He hated it. he wanted the old friend back.

He found his mouth speaking words he'd keep silent for so long. He couldn't help it. He could vaguely see the others all listening intently but his main focus wa son the boy in front of him, blazing eyes and all.

When he finished, he stared at his friend in silence, waiting for a response.

"If that's the way you feel. We'll enter this right?"

He paused, looking for conformation from Kai. Silently, the elder blader nodded. He wouldn't tell anyone, but he would never stand up to him in this mood.

"Good. And I'll show you Max Mizaharu, what the *new* Tyson is capable of. People will tremble when they hear my name"

Max stared into the eyes of his friend and spoke a phrase that hurt.

"Yeah? Well, all I see is a guy who used to be my best friend. A guy who just makes me sick…"

He turned and walked out of the room.

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