A/N: Let me just say: Thank you to all of my lovely reviewers! I got lot of questions/complaints about whether Kai is really the youngest of the group or not. Okay guys, I'm not positive on this one. I'm pretty sure I'm right according to my sources; but, if you're really having such a hard time believing me... Let's just say that I'm wrong. So what? He can be youngest if I want him to be, it's my story. 'Kay? If you don't like it, don't read it.
Names: Bryan…Boris, Tala…..Yuri
Disclaimer: I don't own Beybalde or any characters, logos or slogans associated with it.
On with the story!
Chapter 2: The Fall
I force myself to sit up, trying to ignore the excruciating pain shooting through my body. I stumble out of bed and open the curtains to let some light into the gray room. My eyes wander to the clock on the lamp stand. "3:00PM" I look around the room and notice I'm the only one here.
A sigh escapes my lips as I slip on some fresh clothes and rummage through my bag. I grab my eyeglasses and slip them on. I drag myself to the bathroom, then stare at the image in the mirror. My hand moves over my face and pushes some loose strands of hair out of my eyes. I need some caffeine…
"Damn you…" I whisper under my breath. I hit the vending machine with my free hand and try to shove my 100 yen(1) bill into the slot with the other. The machine spits it out. Again. I clench my teeth in frustration.
"Need some help?" I spin around and see Yuri standing in front of me. He takes the dollar from my hands and runs his fingers over it to smoothe it out. He slips it into the machine and it produces my diet soda. The boy flashes me a sly smile and hands me my soda.
It's really weird to see Yuri after all of these years. I really have no idea what to say. "Have you eaten lunch yet, Kai? Do you care to join me?" Yuri asks, sensing my distress. I nod slowly. "Okay."
Yuri took me to a small café nearby our hotel. I'm being characteristically quiet and distant as I pick at my eggs and rice. I am really not that hungry, not to mention I still have a bit of a headache. I set down my chopsticks and take a sip of my coffee. With all of this caffeine I should be back to normal soon.
"So," Yuri begins brightly, "Are you ready for the tournament next week?" It takes a minute before I realize he's talking to me. "Oh, uh, sure," I answer absently. He looks at me questioningly. "By the way, I like your new look," He adds, gesturing to my eyeglasses. I manage a smile and a nod.
A few awkward sentences later I found myself thanking Yuri for buying me lunch. "It was no trouble, really. I was happy to see you again, Kai," he replies. "Boris and I are in room 634 if you want to stop by later or something." I nod and thank him again.
My feet keep moving forward as my mind wanders. The sounds of the city pound in my head and I feel myself stumble as I push my way through the crowded street. What am I doing here? Why did I come?
I don't know what I was thinking when I agreed to attend this tournament. I was perfectly content with my life before. Now, I don't know what I want. Being with all of my friends again, makes me want to be near them. I wonder if things could ever go back to the way they were.
"Kai?" I lift my head at the sound of my name being called. "Rei? What are you doing here?" my voice is hollow and depressed. He walks up to my side and gives me a hug. "Uh…" That was awkward.
"Sorry," Rei apologizes. "You just looked so sad. Ya don't have to act so cold all the time, Kai. You can be yourself around me," he says tenderly, embracing me again. I rest my head on his shoulder and lose myself in the warmth of his presence. I wrap my arms around his waist and…. Then I remember we're in the middle of a crowded street in Tokyo.
I push the boy away. Lowering my head to hide my flushed face, I turn around and start walking toward the hotel. Rei rushes to my side again and grabs my hand. "You're not getting away from that easily, Kai Hiwatari," he whispers in my ear.
I try to brush him off and run away, but he won't let go of my hand. After several minutes of struggling I finally give in and hold his hand. "You're so damn stubborn," I sigh, blushing. What the hell? Since when do I blush so much?!?!
When we get back to the room, the door is locked. as "Rei, please tell me you have a key," I ask, prying his hand off mine. The boys face looks distressed for a moment. "Nope," He answers simply. I sigh and cross my arms. "Just kidding!" Rei shouts, holding up a key. "Fooled you."
My eyes narrow and I glare daggers into him. He raises his hands in protest and smiles nervously. I pull the key from his hands and open the door hastily.
We walk into the room to find Max and Takao making out on the couch. "…?!" I heard myself curse in Russian and Rei covered his mouth in an attempt to control his giggling. I had to throw a pillow at Takao's head to get his tongue out of Max's mouth.
"What are you guys doing back so early?" Max stutterd. Takao got off the smaller boy and started putting his shirt back on.
Rei burst out laughing suddenly. Apparently he found the situation hilarious, for some reason. Seeing the smile on his face did something to me, it made me want to start laughing with him. So I did. Before I knew it we were both rolling on the floor laughing our asses off.
"Can you turn up the T.V. Takao? I can't hear it," Rei asks politely as he grabs a few beers from the refrigerator. "You want another one, Kai?" he asks, sitting down next to me. I nod and yawn. "Thanks," I sigh.
I finish my beer within five minutes and stand to my feet. "I think I'm gonna go get some fresh air. I'll catch you guys later," I say, grabbing my jack and heading out the door. Max nods. "Be careful, Kai. There are a lot of weirdos running around this time of night," Takao says matter-of-factly.
"Wait," I hear Rei call. "Can I come too?" I sigh and shrug. "Whatever," I answer. The raven-haired boy pulls on a coat and follows me out the door.
When we get outside the hotel we start walking down the dark night street. Both of us are silent for the first few minutes. "What now, Kai? It's just you and me, all alone," Rei says out of the blue. For some reason that statement makes me a little nervous.
To be continued…
(1) 100 yen is approximately equal to 1 U.S. dollar.
