Demi: I apologise for the wait. I was stuck in hospital then FF (dot) net went spazzeh 0.0 but this 'oneshot' is flourishing into a full-flown fic (pardon the pun). You lucky, lucky people! And i hope you're happy, my Wolfie -huggles- enjoy this Caberwolf!

This chapter has gained the Phoenix Seal of Approval from the story's BETA tester Phoenixandashes.

Please can I remind all of you that since a year has passed since the end of the first worlds, this takes place right at the end of VForce/just before Grev.

(I also apologise for the fact that there will be no proper line breakers, since FF (dot) net is still screwed up like a falcon without senses.)

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"Bryan… you know I can keep a secret."

"But that's the funny thing – I don't." Bryan retorted. "But, since you say it will help, I'll spill. But…" Ray shivered at the Falcon's tone. "If anyone else hears of this… you'll regret it, Ray Kon."

Ray swallowed thickly and nodded slowly.

"The army is not what people think. It is not where criminals go to spend a year and then get off Scott-free. We do not have a group of whores who we fuck like rabbits whenever we need to get laid." He paused. "It is a place that has many a dark moment. Men have died in simple training exercises.

"So how would you feel if you were a simple corporal, learning that your deadly training sessions would soon be lead by me – the person who almost took an innocent boy's life in a beyblading battle –?

"My men fear me, Ray. And I control two regiments. Think how many men that is. But my men don't fear me with simple fright and panic…" He chuckled deeply and darkly. "They fear me with hatred. If nearly all my men feared me, and a few loathed even my name being spoken out loud to them, that would be pretty disastrous if a few… revolted… think how I would fare… why, they most likely wouldn't stop until I was dead."

Ray's eyes widened. "The rebels… are your men…?"

"Give the kitten some catnip, he got it in one!" Bryan replied with the venom of sarcasm.

Ray glared. "No need to be like that, Bryan. I knew you were a sadist, but now I'm starting to doubt your masochistic tendencies."

No speech was passed between the two for a minute or so. They just simply stared at each other…

"Bryan… you need to tell the General. When you're better and ready, you'll be sent back and who knows what they'll do then!"

"I'm not going back to the army… my year is up – I can leave anytime I want… I'm going back to my team… if they'll accept me back…"

"So you're running away."

Bryan fixed the Tiger with a fierce glare and snarled. "I am not! I…" He hesitated…

He was running away. Heck, when he agreed to stay within the Snow Hawks he was running away… scared of how society would react to him… scared of if would fit in with his team… they had gotten away with being put into the care of Kai's uncle – he had been stuffed into the army… they would had become tame – he was still wild…

And he was running away from the army because of the thought of death…

When would he stop…?

"Bryan…" A warm hand cupped his cheek, startling him. "If you run, your men – the ones who're scared of you – will continue to be like that if you return again… those who trust you and look up to you will lose the person they want to be like-"

"No one wants to be like me." Bryan cut in, stepping away and turning his back on Ray.

"Not true. Ian does."

Bryan froze. "How do you know?"

"Kai told me. Ian may be an annoying kid, but he's still a person…" Ray walked over to Bryan and stood in front of him, his back feeling the flecks of the cold spray of the waterfalls. "Stop running…"

Their close proximity made their breaths dance across each other's skin and made their body heat melt into one warmth. Bryan sighed and leant his forehead against Ray's, looking down slightly into amber eyes.

"Do you know how you get into my mind so easily?"

"No…"

"Well, figure it out soon and stop it, for the love of God."

-------------

Ray sighed, watching his breath float out and dissipate into the cold air of the night.

He couldn't sleep. The reason eluded him.

But it was plain and simple: he just couldn't sleep. The reason wasn't important…

Or was it?

He sighed once again and continued to walk along the beaten track. He passed various dark houses, lights unshining due to people sleeping…

'Lucky them…' Ray thought bitterly.

He squeezed the comforting shape of Driger's blade within his fist and sighed for the umpteenth time that night.

It had been a few days since the day at the waterfalls and Bryan was… actually, he wasn't like Ray expected him to be. Yeah, he was quiet and isolated, but Ray could always catch a calculating glint within moonlight orbs as the Falcon studied daily life… watching but not running… yet.

Well, speak of the devil… er, Falcon…

"Those things aren't exactly good for your health, you know."

Bryan looked up slowly from his place on the steps of his cabin, the cigarette balanced it between his two fingers.

"Heh… reminds me of what a certain wolf would say…" Bryan gestured lazily at the space next to him. "Sit, if you want."

Ray sat, mind ticking over what Bryan had said about a wolf… who would he refer to as a wolf…? "But I'm not like Tala…"

"And I have thanked God every waking moment for the past year or so that no one else is… when he finds out I smoke, I can bet the line will be, 'Sod smoking, Bryan Kuznetsov - I'll kill you'."

Ray chuckled and looked up at the clear starry night.

"Do you miss them, Bryan?"

Bryan sighed. "I don't know, actually. At the moment, yeah, but I'm going to show you that I'm not going to run away."

"Bryan, I was advising you. Not challenging you."

Silence descended on them. The only light present was coming from Bryan's cabin. Luckily for him, his cabin was on the outskirts of the village, meaning he could stay up and have his lights on without waking others up; he could slip out into the forest to vent steam and miss all the villagers too - also he could observe the daily routine of the isolated village.

Ray glanced down at the space in between him and Bryan to see a book that he hadn't noticed before. 'General Jack's Diary - War on the Western Front 1914-1918' the title read.

"It's a good book." Bryan's voice surprised him. "You should read it."

"I'm guessing it's an actual diary of a real soldier from the First World War, ya?"

"Catnip." Bryan replied. "Edited to be published of course… they had to shorten it or something… but the training they went through isn't as different as what I had to do… war hasn't changed either… all wars are started by petty things… I mean, the most revolutionary war in history was started by some berk shooting one guy and his wife - nothing special…"

Ray laughed. "Oh, how nice of you, Bryan Kuznetsov."

The Falcon merely shrugged. "It's the bloody truth." He answered as he stubbed out the cigarette. "The five most civilised powers at that time decided to screw the formalities and beat the shit out of each other - Germany, Britain, France, Austria-Hungary and Russia." He shot a mischievous glance at the neko-jin. "I didn't see you guys in there."

Ray returned the look. "Too busy."

"Doing what? Playing with your yarn and sharpening your claws?"

Ray chuckled and Bryan looked at the laughing Tiger with a smile of his own, before following Ray's gaze to look up at the night sky.

"I think we were doing more than that, Bry. But why should we get involved with your mess?"

"It weren't our fault."

"Oh really? Explain."

Their chatter carried on through the night, slowly moving from topic to topic - wars to beyblading, to other bladers, to bit beasts, to legends, back to countries…

-------------

Ray sat up suddenly, thin covers falling off his torso. He frowned as he looked around the wooden cabin…

Wait, he was inside a cabin… last thing he remembered was chatting with Bryan outside his hut…

The door opened and Bryan stepped in. His dark cargos were tucked into his black, snow boots, but all that clothed his torso was a thick bandage underneath a black trench coat.

"You're awake."

Ray nodded silently.

"Sleep well?"

"Yeah… thanks…"

A person with shaggy black hair emerged behind Bryan. "Good morning, brother."

Ray blinked in surprise. "Hey Lee…"

"Brought you some breakfast." The Lion walked out from behind the Falcon, carrying a plate of bacon, tomatoes and egg in one hand and a mug of tea in the other. "Managed to save it from Gary."

Ray chuckled. "Thanks, Lee."

"I need to put the medic-pack away otherwise Sensei will skin me alive." Lee apologised. "But I'll be back soon, kay?"

"Okay, sure." Ray replied with a nod. Lee flashed him a smile and left swiftly. The neko-jin placed the plate on the bedside table, but took a sip of the tea. He caught a question within Bryan's lilac orbs. "Not really hungry, to be honest."

Bryan shrugged. "But you were sleepy."

Ray cocked his head. "What's the time, then?"

"Eleven." He smirked at the shocked Tiger. "Kai said you were an early riser… I'm beginning to think he's a liar…"

The Chinese blader rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah Bryan. We were up till near-dawn, just talking… I'm guessing you brought me in." Bryan nodded. "Thanks."

"Don't mention it… though, I have to admit, it was rather tempting to leave you there." He smirked at the glare. "You look like a kitten when you sleep… Kitten."

Red streaked across Ray's cheeks and nose and he coughed, looking away.

"Uh… so, er, Lee bandage you?"

Bryan's smirk widened at the sudden change of topic. "Yeah. He was sent by your Sensei but… he's a cool guy."

"Yeah, he is. 'Didn't think you'd get along, to be honest…"

Bryan shrugged again. "Never judge a book by its cover…. What do you think Tala's like around us?"

"…" Ray thought hard about it. "Like Kai? Anti-social? Harsh?"

"Pah, no. He's a total sarcastic wise-ass who is warmer than a hot water bottle."

Ray blinked. "Really?"

Bryan nodded. "But, if you get on his bad side… boy…"

-------------

Blue eyes narrowed. "How did you find out where he was?"

"I know one of the Generals who's close to General Yelkov."

"Who?"

"Yelkov. Bryan's general."

He nodded. "Fine. Just bring him back unharmed."

"Unharmed?"

"…Well… maybe a little…"

-------------

"I can't believe you already know your way around the forest… it took me more than a year to do it!"

Bryan shrugged. "Practise."

"Practise?"

"The Abbey's corridors and hallways were like a labyrinth… only, instead of a Minotaur, there was a purple haired bastard and his legion of scientists…"

Ray studied the Falcon as they walked through the lush, green forest, the bright sunlight peeking through the leaves and branches and creating patterns upon the ground and their own bodies… but also shadows.

Suddenly, a being swung from a branch behind them and slammed right into Bryan's back, knocking him to the floor, the person, landing somewhere in front.

Ray was grabbed and pulled against a firm chest, arms clasped around his arms and waist. He struggled.

"Hey, stop, please! I don't want to hurt you!" A voice pleaded in his ear. It sounded so genuine that for a second or two, Ray stopped.

"You big softie, Alexei." The other being muttered - a female, judging by the voice. Her long purple hair cascaded down her back and she was clothed in all black. Two lightning streaks were tattooed beneath her left eye. She looked down at Bryan, who was slowly struggling to lean on his elbows. "Hello, dear brother."

"Brother?"

Bryan coughed. "You bitch, Alana…" he gasped, head down and panting.

The girl, Alana, cocked her head. "I thought the Army was supposed to make you stronger, Bryan."

He winced and a hand curled around his bandaged chest, settling on his back.

Alana looked over at Alexei, the man who was holding Ray. "I guess I have a bit more power than I thought, Alex."

She looked back at Bryan when they heard a groan. "That's a rib gone again…"

Alana froze. "Rib? Again?" She helped him up, noticing how he was leaning on her, his body hunched up. "Bryan, what's wrong?"

"Why do you think he's here with a bandaged body?" Ray snapped. "He was attacked a few days ago and almost killed!"

"Now that was a point Tala failed to give me…"

Bryan groaned again. "Tala…? Oh, fuck… now I have Wolfie against me…"

"Alex, help me with him."

Ray was let free, and Alexei - a man with a muscular body and dark, messy hair - walked over to Alana, taking her place and helping Bryan walk.

"We better get him back to the village. Lee will want to take a look at him."

-------------

"So, let's start again, shall we?" Alana asked. "Hello big brother."

Bryan rolled his eyes, resting his head on his crossed arms as he lay on his front, facing the foot of the bed. "Hello, baby sister."

"Now, how the fuck did you manage to get like this?"

"Rebels attacked me… I thought you would know…"

"And why would I?"

"I'm guessing you had a nosey through all my files… Yelkov might not have archived the attack yet…" He rested his forehead on his arms and groaned as a cool flannel was placed on his back, over the fractured rib. "Damnit, Lana, I was out of this place…! Then you have to-"

"Oh stop complaining, Bryan." Alana replied with a roll of her eyes. "You're strong. You'll be up and running in no time."

Bryan sighed and let his body relax as Ray took off the now-warm flannel and threw it in the bucket of cold water. Long, slender fingers traced a line down the center of the purple mark, caused by the fracture, but when his touch went near his spine, the Falcon tensed.

Ray frowned. "Does it hurt here?" He asked, kneading the area gently. Bryan nodded and Ray's frown increased. "Alana must have created a new injury."

Bryan raised his head to glare at his sister, who raised her palms in surrender. "Tala didn't tell me your body was still trying to cope with fatal injuries."

"Yelkov didn't want to disclose what happened. He said Tala would worry and…"

Alexei smirked. "Actually, I bet you told him not to." Bryan glared at him. "And Bingo was his name-o!"

"As well as being the closest thing I can get to a female chum and having the greatest male intuition ever - including built-in gaydar - he can read people prett-ty easily." Alana said smugly. "Comes in handy sometimes."

"Whatever." Bryan sighed, laying his head back down and closing his eyes. His mind unconsciously concentrated on the soft touches to his back and he began to-

Everyone in the room - albeit Bryan - winced as a rather loud 'crack!' sounded.

"Fuck…" Bryan breathed.

"Sorry, Bryan!" Ray apologised quickly. When the Falcon didn't reply, he said quietly, "Did I hurt you?"

"Fuck no…" Ray blinked when he saw a big grin on Bryan's face - yup, a grin… scary… "That's been needing to click ever since I took a kick meant for Tala…"

"And… when was that?" Alana asked.

"Must be… seven years ago… So, thanks, Ray."

"Uhm… no problem?" He blinked and looked to the other two when he heard a yawn.

Alexei blinked at him, dark blue bangs hanging rather cutely over glazed onyx eyes. He smiled sheepishly. "Lana wouldn't let me sleep on the journey."

"Don't feed him that shit, Lex."

"What did Mr Yamoto tell you about lying, Lana?"

Alana ground her teeth at the memory. Darling Alexei had made her visit an anger management-therapist… it… didn't go well…

"But anywho, I'm tired, nonetheless. Am I allowed a little sleepy, Lana?"

The younger Kuznetsov sibling rolled her eyes. "'Course… if Ray's village wouldn't mind us camping here?"

Ray smiled. "The cabin next door is free. It's got two beds you can sleep in."

"Thanks." Alana paused. "Hey Bryan, you're a bit quiet, aren't you?"

She leant forward and brushed the long, silver locks away from Bryan's faced to see his eyes closed and face still. She noted his steady, deep breathing and smiled.

"Aw, so cute." Alexei crooned. "Wittle Bwyan fell asleep."

Alana laughed. "Even after a decade or so, he still looks peaceful when he sleeps." She smiled at a memory or two but finally looked up at Ray after a few minutes. "See you in the morning, Ray. And thanks."

"No problem." Ray replied with a laugh. "Night."

"Night Ray!" Alexei said with a tight hug.

"You are too cuddly for your own health, Lex." Ray heard Alana say before the door was closed.

Ray smiled, turning to the sleeping Falcon. He seemed to calm down all together at the sight of the serene and vulnerable Russian and couldn't help but perch on the edge of the bed and touch the metallic strands of the Falcon. They were like silk – and Ray wasn't kidding.

Submerging his fingers in the silver strands, he ran his fingers over Bryan's scalp, following the indent of the cut when he reached it.

He began to think what Bryan would do if he woke up to Ray touching him. Would he let Ray carry on or throw him out…?

Sighing, he threw a thick blanket over his frame and placed a pillow within reach, before leaving the cabin.

-------------

"Mornin' Bry."

Lilac eyes regarded the smiling neko-jin sleepily. "What time is it?"

"Eleven."

Bryan groaned and his head hit the pillow.

"So now who's the sleepy one."

"Fuck off, Kitten."

Ray bit back his laughter.

"Where's Lana and Alexei?" Bryan asked, still lying on his front.

"Gone to the nearest city to get a message to Tala or something." Ray replied. He cocked his head. "Your back hurt?"

Bryan sat up, swinging his legs over the side of the bed and testing his back. "No, not really. A pang here and there, but no pain. I'll be fine. I must have just aggravated an old wound…"

Ray nodded. "Good." He hesitated. "Wanna go to the waterfalls?"

"I have a better place." Bryan replied with a smirk as he stood up. He moved over to the door, where Ray was standing. "Meet me behind my cabin in five."

-------------

And so, just over five minutes later, the two were walking through the forest, towards a secret destination. Ray kept glancing at Bryan questioningly but the Falcon either ignored it or waved it off.

They neared a… well, it was either a small mountain or a very big hill.

"In there."

"In?"

"Yes 'in'. God, you make it sound as if I'm asking the mountain to jump on you…" Bryan muttered.

"Oh, I'm sorry. That's not what you're asking?" Ray retorted, sarcastically.

"Kitten, I'm a wind falcon – not an earth mover." Bryan replied matter-of-factly. "But, to clarify – we're going inside. Trust me, it isn't a volcano – I've tested it." A gust of wind blew against their bodies. "Okay, fine – Falborg tested it."

Ray chuckled and followed Bryan as the Falcon moved towards the beginning of the slope, which was surrounded by thick shrubbery and foliage. Bryan pushed the bushes out the way, ducking away from creeping vines and hanging branches, Ray following in his wake.

Bryan, then suddenly, disappeared down a hole. The Tiger was suddenly reminded of Alice in Wonderland when the white rabbit went down the hole and Alice had to follow it down.

"Hey Alice? You coming or what?"

Apparently, so was Bryan.

Ray jumped down the small hole, landing in what looked like a small tunnel.

"Call me Alice one more time and I'll kill you."

"What? Strangle me with your headband? I don't think so."

Ray rolled his eyes and trailed after the Falcon, down the passageway, somewhat crouched.

When he was able to stand fully, he gasped.

In front of him, was an underground haven – thick, lush green plants and trees surrounded a large pool - where water bubbled in under the surface from an estuary -, which was beside a smaller one that was frothing; obviously a hot spring. Ray looked up to see where the light was coming from to see a large hole or two near the top. A bird flew overhead.

"Like it?"

"It's… beautiful…" Ray murmured. "How did you find it?"

"Stumbled upon it. Saw that hole outside and climbed up the mountain to look in it. And here I found it."

Ray wandered forwards, brushing past long grass and various bushes, looking around in awe at the beautiful sight of peacefulness.

"Is this where you go when you can't sleep or when I'm busy…?" Ray asked, looking at his reflection in the clear, calm pool.

Bryan stood beside him, also looking in. "Yeah… it's like my secret spot where I come to relax."

"Th-then why show me?"

"Because…" Bryan blinked. "Because… I don't know. I just… have. Because, I guess, then I have something to share with someone. And… that something happens to be this and that someone happens to be you."

Ray smiled gratefully. "Thanks."

"No problem. Now come on." He jerked his head at the water.

"I'm fine, thanks."

Bryan frowned. "Not coming in?"

"No thanks."

"Yes you are."

"N-No I'm not, Bryan."

Bryan smirked and Ray made a small sound before running away. Bryan chuckled and rushed after the Chinese blader. The Tiger crouched behind a thick bush, hiding, while the Falcon – like a natural predator – stalked after the feline.

"Ray, it's only water."

Ray stayed quiet, knowing his voice would draw the Russian towards him-

"Gotcha!"

Ray was grabbed around the waist from behind and thrown over a shoulder. The neko-jin made a surprised sound and looked behind him to see silver hair.

"Bryan! Put me down!"

"No chance, Kitten." Bryan replied. "Now…"

"Bryan… what are you- Bryan!"

The Falcon had rushed to the pool and had jumped straight in – him and the Tiger too, both fully clothed. A few moments later, Ray surfaced, spluttering and coughing to clear his lungs of water. Bryan broke the surface gracefully, with a smirk.

Ray glared at the Falcon. "Thank you, Bryan."

"Welcome."

The Tiger dunked the Russian under the water by pushing on his head, but Bryan retaliated by grabbing the lithe ankle and pulling Ray under too.

-------------

After what seemed like a lifetime for them, the Chinese and Russian teens staggered out of the cool water, laughing and absolutely soaked. They collapsed on a spot of grass where the sun's rays were present and sighed.

"That was fun." Ray admitted.

"Do it again sometime?"

"Voluntarily…" Ray couldn't help but chuckle. "Actually, involuntarily is just as fun."

Bryan smirked. "Didn't actually think you'd say that…"

"Well, I did…" Ray replied.

He looked over at the Falcon to see Bryan had his eyes closed, hands behind his head and just generally relaxed. His silver hair seemed to glow in the light, the metallic locks acting like a mirror to the light.

The Falcon cracked open a moonlight eye. "What?"

Ray looked away. "Nothing."

"No. Why were you staring at me?" Bryan asked. "I don't have shit on my face, do I?"

Ray laughed. "No, no. I didn't realise I was staring at you, sorry."

Bryan shrugged and closed his eyes again. "Don't worry 'bout it, Kitten."

"Could you stop it with the 'kitten' comments?"

"Ehm… no."

"Bryan, I'm a bloody tiger – not a kitten".

"You sleep like one."

"Like what?"

"A kitten."

"I do not."

"And how the hell do you know?"

Ray didn't reply, just sat up with a 'humph' and crossed both his arms and legs, glaring at the pool before him.

"Hey," Bryan said, rubbing the neko-jin's forearm, still lying down, "come on. You're a tiger by day, but a kitten by night. That's okay for you?"

"…Fine… but will you cut the 'kitten' nickname?"

"No chance, sunshine."

Ray rolled his eyes. "Worth a shot…"

"What's this?"

"Huh? What's what?"

"This scar… what happened? It… looks as if it was bad."

Ray looked away and Bryan understood.

"It was from our battle, wasn't it…?"

Ray looked back and nodded. Bryan sat up and studied the long, pale line that ran from under Ray's shirt down to his elbow.

"…I'm sorry."

"Bryan-"

"No, I really am… I'm a total fucking coward. I should have just let the bastard kill me instead of doing that to you, just to put on a show for Voltaire and Boris…"

"Bryan." Ray took the Falcon's head within his hands, staring right into silvery orbs, noses just touching. "You did the best thing. If you had refused, both you and I would be dead – I can tell. Boris would have chosen a blader who he thought was more ruthless than you and…" Ray sighed. "You need to stop wallowing in pity and depressive thoughts."

Bryan didn't reply, only let his head drop onto Ray's shoulder. The Tiger blinked but let it pass, wrapping his arms around the Falcon's back.

"Driger… Driger must have made a mark on you… somewhere…"

"He did."

"Where?" Bryan made no sound or move. "Bry-"

"Fine…" The Russian sighed heavily and sat up, turning his back to Ray, before pulling his shirt over his head.

Ray blinked at the ashen, well-built and toned back for a few heart beats, before noticing a long, jagged, pale line stretching down from just below Bryan's shoulder to mid-back…

And then another next to it.

And another three next to that; the last half the length of the others…

And, nearby those lines, as if mirrored, another set of five jagged lines ran down to mid-back… they looked like-

"Claw marks…" Ray murmured, tracing the longest of the ten with a slim finger.

A shiver cruised Bryan's spine. "I guess it happened when both you and I were knocked out. I've heard bit beasts go wild when they masters are not there to stop them."

"Where was Falborg?"

"…I don't know…" Bryan admitted. "She was tired… I… overworked her during the matches…"

Ray nodded and laid his head in the middle of the two sets of claw marks. The Falcon peered over his shoulder to look at the neko-jin, but, since he couldn't see him fully, he just let his head drop back, looking up at the high ceiling of the cavern.

The pressure where Ray's head was disappeared, but the warmth escaping from his body stayed within Bryan's senses as the Tiger crawled around to Bryan's front.

"I'm sorry…" He murmured, leaning forward, placing a hand on the Falcon's shoulder for stability.

"I should be sorry."

Ray shook his head. "Neither or us should be sorry. It was not our choices."

Bryan opened his arms and Ray took the hint, leaning against the warm, bare chest of his friend, sighing when the elder enveloped him in his arms, in a affectionate, brotherly hug.

For minutes, they sat in silence, the sun burning high in midday and peeking through the holes in the hollow mountain haven…

"Well, this is a nice bonding session." Ray commented.

"It is… should do it again sometime…"

Ray chuckled, but quietened down for a few heart beats. "Hey, Bryan…? Do you still beyblade?"

Bryan shook his head. "I haven't since the tournament. Tala has my blade parts but…" He removed the glove of his right hand to show a bandage wrapped around his palm. "I still have Falborg."

"I'm guessing her bit chip is hidden in there." Ray replied.

"She… assures me – when I need help, she's there." Bryan said, curling his fingers around the fabric – a glow emitted from within the bindings.

"You must have a strong connection."

"We might…" Bryan thought about it. "I don't know. I think she just finds it her duty to stay."

"Maybe…" A pause… "I'm gunna miss you when you leave, Bry."

"I know." Bryan gave the lithe frame a gentle squeeze. "And I'll miss you… but we'll see each other soon. When I get back to Tala, he'll get my ass in gear and I'll be beyblading in no time-"

"Meaning you'll enter the tournament?" Ray finished, looking up with bright eyes and a smile. Bryan nodded. "Finally… some proper competition."

"You couldn't beat all those berks at the last tournament."

"How'd you find that out?"

"It's a little someone called Lee."

"Stupid Lion…" Ray grumbled under his breath.

"Hey, but he said you were close. Close is enough." Bryan replied, nudging him in the side.

"But not enough."

"No… but if anyone should have sent their asses into next year, it should have been you."

Ray smiled and Bryan couldn't help but smile back…

Breaths mingled and body heat fused, indicating very close proximity of persons, but neither had control over what they were doing. Slowly, they leant closer, eyes flickering closed and breathing becoming deep…

As soon as they lips barely grazed each other, Ray let out a deep sigh, tilting his head-

They shot apart when an explosion rocked the ground.

-------------

Alana and Alexei © Phoenixandashes
Any other unrecognisable characters © meh
The Phoenix Seal of Approval © me-eh-ehhhhh!

...that's about it really... -looks around- yup...