Ok before I go I just thought that I'd clear one thing up. This is not a yaoi. I hate yaoi and would never write a yaoi and Kai and Ray are just friends! Ah that's better. No cookies yet sorry guys and Aasta your guesses don't count. Though I will be nice and give cookies toall who reviewed. Well on to the story, enjoy.

Chapter 3: Impossible

The week passed slowly as Kai was becoming grumpier by the day. Though he didn't quite understand Ray knew better than to bug his friend. He also knew that he had to make sure the others understood that Kai needed some time alone as well. Though that week their training regiment had become extremely rigorous and the team didn't seem like they would be able to take much more of it.

"That does it, I can't take it anymore. I'm giving Kai a piece of my mind," Tyson snapped.

"I don't think that's a good idea right now man. He's not in a good mood," Ray countered.

"I don't care Ray. That sourpuss has been training us non stop and making our lives miserable," Tyson stomped off. "KAI! We're sick of training. Like what in the world's wrong with you, dude!"

"None of your business, Tyson! Now get ready for the American Tournament," he grumbled, turning away from his teammate.

"I'm not leaving. If you're going to push us so hard we at least deserve an explanation," Tyson demanded.

"If you know what's good for you you'll stay out of it. So leave me alone before you end up getting hurt."

Kai went to leave but before he could Tyson grabbed his arm. "No I won't stay out of it. So just tell us what your big problem is already!"

It was a bad move on Tyson's part as Kai glared at the younger boy. Two balls of flame burst into life in the palms of the cold phoenix's hands. He almost let the burning sensation run wild and was about to let the hungry fire fly into Tyson's face when he regained control of the untamed power. But he was through dealing with his annoying team and stormed from the room.

Max was the first to speak, "Wow, what's his problem?"

"It doesn't matter. Come on let's let him cool off," Ray suggested as the voice of reason.

"Wait Ray. You warned Tyson not to bug Kai. Do you know about something to do with this?"

"No Kenny, this is just something Kai needs to deal with on his own. We've got preliminaries to get to and I'm sure that Kai's already there waiting for us," Ray replied leaving the rest of his team confused with the present situation.

The Bladebreakers won their matches, of course, and Tyson and Max were jumping for joy. They were excited for the chance to prove their skills in the American Beystadium. Ray and Kai glanced at each other in understanding as they silently walked down the streets of Vegas behind their hyper teammates.

They were almost half way back to the hotel when Kai halted abruptly in his tracks. There was someone standing before the boys' path. His features were concealed by a black overcoat and his long black hair was tied back in a ponytail. His crimson eyes fixated on the boys as they landed on them, focusing on Kai especially. The young phoenix's eyes mirrored the stranger's as staring into the other crimson pools they opened wide with disbelief.

"Uh, Kai are you alright?" Ray wondered eyeing the falter in the boy's cold gaze.

Before Kai could answer the strange guy dashed away into the busy streets and Kai bolted off behind him. After running down a few blocks Kai ceased his sprint, staring off into the distance.

He struck a nearby building with his fist, "Damn it, he got away from me. But it just couldn't be… it's impossible."

"Hey Kai what was that about?" Tyson huffed as the rest of the team caught up to him.

"It was nothing. I was just seeing things, that's all," Kai replied still staring off into the darkening streets.

Later that night in the quiet of their room Ray confronted his defensive friend. "Okay, time to spill. What was that all about?"

"Seriously Ray, I was seeing things. That guy he couldn't have been here."

"And why not," the tiger replied," Or was he like a ghost or something?"

"Might as well be, he's dead and his being here it's just impossible."

Ray raised a quizzical eyebrow, "Why's that Kai? Who was he?"

I know, I know, this was short and a cliffie and I'm so mean but all of you guys will just have to deal with it. Thanks for all the reviews. I love the feedback and the more reviews the more cookies hehe. Thanks for all the great reviews they give me the motivation I need to keep me writing and speaking of motivation I've been struggling through the next couple chapters and will need all the motivation and inspiration I can get. I hope that you all liked the chapter and please don't kill me the next one will be coming soon well soonish.