Hey'ya folks I'm back with a new chapter! Did I manage to write it shorter? I guess not. ^ ^" Hehe. Anyway, it's finally done and It's turned out just the way I wanted it; funny scenes, some actions, and sweet Tyka moments. So I'm quite pleased with myself. * smiles proudly *
I know, some of you are might confused when sometimes I write Tyson, then again I use Takao. To dispel your fuzziness let's clear out this before you start reading it because in this chapter I will use both names lot of times.
Takao = Tyson - - Tyson Granger is his real name, but after the accident since he doesn't remember anything he chose a name to himself, which he saw in a book, there came the name Takao.
Everyone calls him Tyson, expect Kai (for some reason, but that will be cleared out later).
So, whether I write Tyson or Takao it means the same person in this chapter.
Disclaimer: still the same; I don't and will never own Beyblade.
Warning: Shounen-ai, mild swear
Please read my NOTE I left below because it contains important informations about my next update.
Have fun with reading!
3. Chapter
Burgeoning roses
"My brother...my dear, little brother... Oh thank goodness..."
Okay, this was going too far.
Takao was in panic.
He didn't know who was this tall guy, who had the same features as he, and he was whining on his shoulder like a mother while he was squeezing the life out from the poor teen. As he got to know his name was Hiro and he was his big brother. However, hadn't this guy ever heard about letting someone breath? Seriously, Takao's face was slowly taking the same colour as his hair.
Besides, he still had problems with dealing others emtion outbursts whenever they saw him, expect Kai. But he sweared, if he didn't get release and fresh air very soon he would use drastic measures to escape from here, and never look back again.
Kai, who saw Takao's suffer and had enough, rolled his eyes and took action. He grabbed the older Granger from behind his collar and snatched him literally away from the bluenette to free him. "Okay Hiro, that's enough now." he pulled the taller man two steps back from Takao in a safe distance. The jay guy's eyes goggled, he choked, and gaggled under the harsh grip. "He's just come home and you're already on the way to drown him for good."
Hiro hoiked himself from Kai's grip and spinning round he raised a fist at the dual haired, and glared furiously. "What the hell Hiwatari! Mind your own business!"
Kai, who was shorter by a head than Hiro, didn't shrank back, not in the least. He put his hands on his hips in a decided manner. "Saving my friend from your hysteria that's my business."
"Don't tell me what to do!" rampaged Hiro. "He is my little brother, of course I missed him! Unlike you, I didn't have the opportunity to be there."
"What's up? The grapes are sour?" Kai's smirk was lofty.
Hiro snarled.
Rei and Max were standing back at the doorway of the living room and watched the scene tired. Here it goes again, they thought, and shook their heads. On the other side Takao was watching total clueless as these two were having a glare-battle now, shooting lightnings with their eyes, like two squabbling dogs.
Dark brown eyes bored into crimson orbs; they both growled.
"Tyson." a raspy, old voice came from the other end of the room. Even the two glaring men had forgotten their fight for a minute and they looked to the direction where the oldest tag of the Granger Family stood. Grandpa's eyes were shining with fond emotion while his mouth trembled under his grey moustache.
Takao and Grandpa stared at each other.
In the room nobody spoke just waited the outcome. Kai prepared himself for another rescue action if Takao would fall into another emotion attack. Even Hiro wasn't a piece of cake then a well-trained kendo master could only be harder to handle. True, the dojo's master was already in his seventies years, but he still was enough strong that if Kai didn't pay attention he could easily get kicked in his ass. Besides, he held Tyson's grandfather in respect after he was always nice to him and welcomed him any time in his house, and Kai wouldn't like to soil this respect.
The older man walked to his youngest grandson and enfolded him in a gentle embrace. This hug was so much different than what Takao had experienced before; it was not a bursting hug when they jumped in your neck, but warm and full with affection. A hug that told him...
"Welcome home, my son." Takao heard the soft whisper in his ear, and behind the old man's quavering voice he felt the meaning of these simple little words. His own azure blue eyes overcame by emotion, filled up with unshed tears, and clasped his arms around the large body.
Everyone watched them touched. The bunch of tears in Rei's golden-yellow eyes were threatening to leak, and he almost gave a jump when a loud nose blow came suddenly right next to him. Looking beside him he saw Max who was having a big, white napkin in his hand while his usually ocean blue eyes were now like big puppy eyes, filled with bunch of tears.
Kai, natheless, was feeling uncomfortable whenever he fell into a cosy family life. He watched with a slight pang of jealousy the warm embrace between grandpa and grandson, an embrace what he'd never received in his life from his grandfather.
Grandpa let go of Takao and took a last better look at him by placing a large hand on Takao's cheek. As the upper line of his moustache curved up the rolling tears disappeared in his crinkles, and he spoke. "Hiro escort you to your room. You sure wanna rest a little before dinner." then he turned towards the other tags of Bladebreakers. "You kiddies are sure tired, too, by the long travel. Let's file in to the kitchen, I'll make you a hot chocolate."
They really were dead tired but the word of hot chocolate made them instantly enliven. Max and Rei followed Gramps into the other room while Hiro swung onto his shoulder the not so big bag of Takao's and was starting towards the staircase. Kai was about to make his way to the kitchen when a soft touch of a hand slipped in his hand and stopped him. Takao looked with pleading eyes at him, begging him silently to not leave him alone. This strange house was so much bigger then the little timber house he was living in with Jilian. All of the people were new and stranger for him, and Kai was the only person who, for some strange reason, Takao trusted and felt safe beside.
The dual haired male wasn't really overjoyed to spoil Takao by being beside him all the time like a watchdog, even so, he couldn't say no to him. He sighed and nodded, then followed the two Grangers up the stairs.
When Hiro noticed Kai he stopped half on the way and turned irritated at the half russian. "Is he coming too?" he asked from Takao, but his eyes fixed hard on Kai.
"Um, if you don't mind." murmured the bluenette meekly, but it was more like a request. Takao missed the glare Kai was sending to Hiro.
Kai's blue painted face showed open smugness, proclaiming his victory by Takao. Heh, you lost this match sucker, he said mentally.
Hiro's teeth flashed for a brief moment, grinding. For choice, he would knock Kai off with that bag right then and there, but he couldn't do it, not in front of his little brother. It seemed that even Tyson had lost his memory he still stuck to that dual haired brat for some reason, and Hiro didn't want that Tyson would hate him. "I don't care." he growled dryly and resumed upwards.
On the frist floor Hiro turned left and went to a white door where he stopped. When Takao and Kai had reached him up, too, Takao stopped dead in his tracks and didn't go further. A cold fear started overcoming on him which benumbed him. His mind went black and as his eyes stared hard at the closed door a vision was developing before his eyes... behind the door he could sense an impending energy... from the slit of door frame black smoke was filtering through... and it became bigger... it was nearing him...
Hiro placed his hand clamly on the door knob to open it, but Takao drew instantly backwards, till he bumped against Kai. "What's wrong?" the dual haired asked him quietly.
"I don't want to go in. Something bad is in there." whimpered the blue haired teen and he backed even more.
Kai raised an eyebrow confused and even Hiro exchanged with him a funny look.
"Em, hehe, what are you talking about Tyson? It's your room, nothing has changed. Let's go inside and you'll see that it's still the same." Hirol told him grinning, though it was weak and it even showed nervousness.
His hand was still on the door knob and was about to open it, but stopped when Takao shook his head wildly, refusing to go in. Takao's gaze met the floor. He himself didn't know what made him so scared from that room, either, he just knew one thing; he didn't want to go in there.
"Maybe he could sleep in the guest room." proposed Kai. He saw that Hiro's eyes went wide by disbelief but he called him for silence with one wave before the other male could say anything. Then he led his blue haired friend off towards the other room, which was the opposite direction.
Kai gave a blasé wave for Hiro behind his shoulder to follow them. He was just as clueless and total confused by Takao's sudden weird reaction, but he thought they still would have time to figure out this mystery later. Besides, as Jilian had stetted to them Takao shouldn't be upset emotionally way too much that could cause pain to him.
Hiro was still gaping after them like a fish, felt indignant that he was serving in his own house like a valet. Sulkily, he made a handful grip on the bag and ambled after them.
- O -
After dinner Max and Rei said goodnight and left. Kai was the last one who was making his way to the door to leave, at least that's what he was preparing for. When he thought he would finally get back his freedom at last and could take a little rest after the exhaustive events, his arm was kidnapped again by Takao.
The blue haired boy urged him outside the small terrace where no one could hear them and prayed Kai silently to stay. This was a problem that Kai suspected would come, no wonder he tried to bust out so fast. No luck.
He sighed deep and ran a hand through his hair. Firmly, but tried to be not so cold, he explained Takao why was he refusing it. He came up with that argument that the dojo was Takao's home and they were his family who loved and protected him just as well, and he should trust them. Though that was not the main reason what was in Kai's mind. Actually, he had several reasons why wasn't he willing to stay in this house, in spite of that it felt more like a real home for him than his old, cold mansion where his only company was a valet and a cat.
First of all, one Granger was far enough for him to handle in his life, but living with three of them in a house which included a thing, named Hiro, it was downright forbidding. Morever, Kai decided that he wouldn't spoil Takao just because he'd lost his memory, he wanted things to go on the way they were. He wanted everything to be the same again. And maybe, by this, Takao's memory would come back sooner if they did everything they used to, leastways that's what Kai thought.
However, the shield broke when Takao looked at Kai with the most dramatic eyes he'd ever seen. Kai sweared Takao even improved upon Max's tearful puppy eyes. It was a lot worse than Takao would break into cry.
Kai, realizing that the bluenette was still having that special affect on him and he would have lot of troubles in the future matching against Takao's demonstrations of emotion, he caved in. It wasn't hard at all for Takao to convince Grandpa of Kai's staying; the old mand was more than rejoiced that his grandson and the half russian got on so good with each other by now, as in the past.
Grandpa knew right away since he'd met Kai that he was a good person, behind all of his rigidity and indifference which was all because of the control his grandfather, Voltaire, had had on him. Luckily, Kai had his own life now. However, the old Granger told Kai that he was always welcomed to his house whenever he felt so.
This, nevertheless, couldn't be told about Hiro, who feeling affronted his pride, he retired into his room, and shut the door loudly behind himself.
Excusing himself politely as always, and reassuring Takao about coming back, Kai went back to his mansion to pack in some stuff he needed. He asked Albert to take care of things, mostly of Kyo, his cat, until he was away. Kai gave a few conciliating strokes to his cat who was sitting by the suitcase all along while he was packing, looked resentfully at her young keeper that he was leaving.
When Kai was ready he stepped out the main-door, and walked down on the marble staircase. Turning towards the garden he stopped for a minute. Amidst the wilted flowers he spotted two burgeoning roses.
Marvellous; it seemed once his mother's beloved garden started coming back to life again.
- O -
It'd passed already ten but Takao was still up. He was in his newly occupied guest room that was at the end of the corridor, beside Hiro's room. His bed was made, already waiting for him, but the blue haired teen was sitting on the windowsill wherefrom he had a direct sight onto the front garden, and had been waiting with ceaseless watchfulness for that mysterious dual haired male who, some way, had a particular affect on him.
When finally a dark figure in a long coat had showed up at the gate, then walked through the small path to the entrance, Takao's face suddenly lit up. He quickly jumped from his place and quietly, but swiftly, hurried down the staircase. Coming down he stopped on the last stair and had just caught the sight as Kai bowed saying goddnight to Grandpa, who only gave the youngman a pat on his back, then left. Takai didn't move from his place, but his heart throbbed excitedly in his chest as he watched Kai.
The russian's crimson eyes turned to him and stared wordless at the beuatiful creature before him. The way Takao was standing there, so chastely, in a pair of pale blue pyjamas, his long midnight blue hair unfolded over his shoulders, and he wore a warm smile on his face. He was indeed gorgeous. For a moment an insensible, ghost smile glided through Kai's lips before he closed his eyes, cutting himself from showing his emotions and walked back to the living room where a pull-out couch was waiting for him.
Later in the night Takao was tossing and tumbling in his bed, restlessly. He was captured in a deep dream which was turning from bad to wrose...
In his dream he was in darkness... somewhere from the distance a light was flashing towards him with an unrecognizable shout following it...
He couldn't move, and the light was shooting further to him, its light increasing even more... The shout became louder and rang painfully in his ears...
Then the light passed through his body, fast and rapidly, blinding him for a second... and he was falling... something was drawing him in...
Takao woke up in his bed with a start. He panted hard and his eyes were wide open with fear. It took him a long minute when he managed to calm down, and realized that he was back in reality again. It was only a dream, thank goodness, he thought and slowly laid his head back down on his pillow. He pulled the cover tighter over himself as he snuggled deeper under it to find comfort again. His body was still shivering. He looked up at the big, white Moon through the window, and it reflected back in his blue eyes, until they became heavy and he let them closed, falling asleep.
- O -
A couple of days passing the life had returned back in the Granger Family's home, though nothing was the same anymore.
Takao started feeling more and more comfortable and safe in his new-old home, and slowly he got used to that he had a second came; Tyson. There was only one person around who was calling him Takao, which made him feel fuzzy, and that was Kai.
The dual haired learnt how to deal with the fact that he had to live with Hiro in a house; the two young adults tried avoid each other as much as it was possible, expect mealtimes, where they had no choice than to sit together at one table. They did the only thing they could do, they put on poker-face.
The worst was maybe for Hiro, who not only had to bear a new housemate, but he had a very new little brother, who was not the person whom Hiro had known. Tyson was a blustering fellow and a bit rude that's true, but he was also an exuberant person with open heart, and as it often happened between siblings they liked badgering each other... what Hiro couldn't do with Takao.
Takao was more angelic, polite and more sensitive than any of them would have thought. The bluenette got peeved very soon at every tease that Hiro made to him, which ended always that Hiro got punished, or more punctually, got hit with the kendo stick by Gramps. Kai liked very much these scenes; he smirked mighty, but of course only in the background.
However, not everyone found disadvantageous the new situation. Grandpa adored very much Takao. He was not just happy that he got back his little grandson, but it was like he got back a real angel version of Tyson. The boy way maybe a bit shy, more as back then, but he was very helpful and hard-working at home jobs what the old man missed about Tyson, who was lazy and liked sleeping for long in the morning in former times.
This made Hiro a bit jealous.
Nonetheless, the training of the Bladebreakers continued.
The four friends were gathered together in the back garden. Max and Rei stood face to face at a beydish while their blades crashed against each other from time to time as they were circling around. Kai observed the match with analyzing eyes while Takao sat with crossed legs on the sunlit, smooth grass and watched the game excitedly.
When Rei's blade popped up all of a sudden right next to Draciel's blade, Driger knocked it out, and the green blade flew out, landing direct in Max's palm who caught it. Then Rei called back his own too.
"Good." said Kai in his usual dispassionate tone. "Max, your guard is good, but pay more attention at the attacks. You're still predictable and your attacks are very common."
"Okay, Kai." the blonde nodded.
"Alright then. Takao, you come with Rei."
"But Kai I can't blade." Takao looked at him slightly shrunk.
The dual haired smirked. "Of course you can. You don't need to remember because every knowledge is in your instinct. I want you to show your mettles that we can see where do you need improvement. Max gives you a practising blade he created for you, until you get Dragon back."
"Kai I made all the training stuff with you guys in the morning that you said. I ran round the beach, made fourty pushups, and made hand amplifier pratices. I don't feel like." the bluenette pouted cutely at him, hoping he could melt the captain's heart again.
Not this time. Kai's expression grew hard by that.
"I didn't ask if you have the mood or not, I said come to the beydish. Now get moving."
"And I said I don't wanna." talked back Takao stubbornly, glaring for the very first time.
This amazed the others, but it made Kai grating his teeth, who of course was still guarding his captain post protectively.
"Takao! Pull up your lazy ass from the ground and get here, right now!"
"No."
"Takao!" came the dangerous warning.
"No!"
"Kai, can I talk to you for a minute?" the nekojin cut in. Kai gave him a disagreeable look but followed him after all behind the house. Rei then turned to him with a sincere look. "Look, I know what's in your mind but what you're trying to reach is unavailing."
The dual haired put his arms before his chest and looked arrogantly at his teammate. "Oh yeah? Since when did you become a mind-reader?"
The raven haired knew that Kai was only japing with him as whenever he was in a grouchy mood, but Rei wasn't buying it now. He looked with sympathetic patience at his elder friend. "Kai, believe me, I also would like if Tyso- Takao would come back to his real self that our team can be complete again as before, just like you. But if you're bullying with him it won't help, you make things only worse."
"Rei, look at our team. It will fall apart if we don't do something! Our competitors will laugh at us if Takao show up at the beydish. He is... he is so... argh, a wash-out!" Kai shut his eyes and grained his teeth that he was angry at himself for saying such about his secret crush. But he couldn't help it, it was true.
Takao wasn't a fighter type of person like he was before as Tyson. He was different and Kai found himself in a big trouble that how could he accept and handle Takao's new personality.
"I know what you mean." said Rei. He took a side look to the direction where behind the wall the said teen was supposed to be with Max. "However, deep inside he is still Tyson, and we have to accept him the way he is now. We need to work on him to help him to become a real world champion again, but for that we need you too, Kai. If you continue being so harsh with him he might not want to blade ever again."
"Your suggestion?" Kai asked careworn.
"Let him be. Let him play when he is the one who want it and not you... And be a little nicer to him. I know this is something what presents you some difficulty, now and then, but you could try it." the nekojin grinned nervously while Kai's eyebrows puckered fretfully.
"I won't mollycoddle him, and you know that."
"I didn't say that. Just remember how did you convince him to come home, I'm sure you can do it again."
Kai let go a sigh and ran a hand through his hair. Yeah, maybe Rei really had a point there, if that could bring back their Tyson. After a few minutes pondering Kai looked back at Rei and nodded acquiescence. "Okay, I'm in it. I'm going to find another way that could bring back Takao to the beydish. But, this doesn't mean I'm going to go easy on you two, after all. Got it?"
"Of course not. I wasn't even surmising it." a small sweatdroop fell from Rei's chuckling face. "Nathless, there is something that reminded me of the good old Tyson again."
"What?"
"He argued back with you."
"Shut your face, Rei!"
The raven haired laughed openly.
They walked back where they'd left their two teammates and they were both surprised what they saw. Max's blade was rolling around in the dish while he was showing all sorts of performances for Takao whose face beamed, and was applauding his friend exultingly.
That smile. God, it made him more gorgeous. For a brief moment Kai saw the old Tyson in Takao who he'd fallen for a long time now, and felt tiny butterflies flipping around in his stomach. He looked at Rei who gave him a meaning nod, then he cleared his throat and spoke in his usual commanding voice.
"Okay guys, that's enough for today. Practice is over. We can take a break at the ice-cream stand if you want."
Max instantly called back Draciel and Takao sprang to his feet.
"Really? That's cool, thank you Kai!" the bluenette leapt to his dual haired captain and threw his arms around his neck while he pressed a big peck on his blue painted cheek. It made Kai thunderstruck. "I tell Gramps we're leaving!" he whooped and with that he rushed in to the house.
Kai was still standing there under the spell for a whole minute, working up what the heck just happened. Then, his eyes narrowed to a slit and shot a death glare from the corner of his eye to the raven haired male whose mouth was trembling by the effort to hold back a snicker. Don't you dare! Came the silent threat from Kai's crimson orbs.
Rei held up his hands defensively, though the grin didn't fold down on his cat-face, so he rather sneaked away quickly.
Max tilted his head cutely, wondering what was up with these two.
- O -
Next day Kai featured his new plan for Rei, about introducing Takao into the beyblade sport again. The raven haired, however, held his sides with the hard laughter. Kai's eyebrow twitched by anger; typical nekojin.
"Hahaha... this has to be a joke!"
"Rei."
"Seriously Kai. This is your most ridiculous idea ever!"
"Rei!" Kai rose his tone who was out for blood. "Would you cut it out already? If you think yourself so smart that you can come up with something better then hand it over!"
"But this... this is..." Rei choked another laugh. He pointed at the small thing Kai was holding in his hand. It was a common, plain beyblade that could match to a four years old child. Moreover, if it was not enough, the little toy was parti-coloured. "Last time my youngest cousin played with a similar one when he got his first beyblade."
"The baby first crawls then walks. Takao has to be bring in to pleasures of the beyblade so the best is if we start with him from the beginning." explained adeptly Kai. Then he pinned his eyes sharply on Rei as he gave him a clear warning. "And if you start laughing only once that can discourage Takao from beyblade I'm going to stuff you with your Fushigi balls, then I wreathe your hair around your mouth, understand?"
"Hehe, hey, no worries. You know I would never do such." grinned nervously Rei, little sweat drops formed on his head, and held up his hands defensively. Then he asked in earnest. "But, who is going to teach him?"
"I know a good man for this job." declared Kai and folded his arms pridefully before his chest.
"Hey guys! What's up?" speak of the devil, Max had just entered the living room where he found his two friends. When he saw the funny toy in Kai's hand he broke into a grin. "Nice beyblade Kai. And what are you planning to do with it?"
"He wants to entice Takao to start blading again, and he figured out that the best would be if he started from the beginning." informed him Rei.
"And you're the one who's going to teach him in." completed the sentence Kai, looked with big responsible at Max. "He needs someone who is experienced but has enough patience to make a real champion from him again. I think you'll be a good teacher for him."
"You got it!" whooped Max. "I'll give my best and I promise for you guys that I won't let you down!" he punched on his chest pridefully.
Kai nodded approvingly; he trusted in Max's ability that his and Takao's special connection of friendship was what they needed now.
Rei blinked wonderingly. First he didn't understand Kai's choice but then he realized that Kai had to be right. Yeah. Tyson's and Max's relationship was always based on their love towards playing beyblade while me and Kai meant most of the times rivals for Tyson. Brilliant idea. Way the go Kai!
Max turned his head around in search. "Speaking of him, where is Tyson anyway?"
On the first floor Takao was standing before the closed white door, and stared hard at it. His whole body was in fear and cold shiver ran through him just like the first time, but he didn't move. He wouldn't run away. Not this time.
I have to find out what's in there.
He put a hand slowly on the door knob then holding back his breath he opened it. Inside he found a friendly, light blue painted room. It was cozy with simple furniture; a single bed, a desk where above line of shelves stood, filled with books, and there was a big closet, too.
But what interested Takao was the source of this overwhelming energy, and after he still could sense it, even stronger as before, he let himself led around the room to find out where did it come from. Passing by the bed he walked to the bedside table which was beside the window. When his azure blue eyes glanced at a photo the throb in his chest stopped suddenly.
A photo? Takao took it in his hand and stared at it. Suddenly, as if something hit him hard inside he froze. His eyes grew wide and the pressure in his head gashed again, more intense and painful this time. In a flash lots of loud noises, shouts and visions rushed through with a rapid pace in his head, as he was drifted away from reality.
The voices and visions became louder and more painful that it was unbearable. Takao dropped the photo when he grabbed at his head...
Down, in the living room Kai, Max and Rei snapped their heads up for a sudden loud scream and they ran, with Kai on the lead, to the staircase. Reaching up Kai wanted to make a dash towards the guest room, but when he caught the sight of an open door from the corner of his eye he changed direction. He ran into the bedroom and searched everywhere Takao with fear throbbing in his heart.
When he spotted the teen beside the bed, sitting on his legs as he was holding his face tight with his hands, Kai couldn't help but gasp. "Takao." Nearing the blue haired male, he went down on his knees and placed gently a gloved hand on his back.
Takao startled by the sudden touch and he flinched as he span around. Kai also jerked back his hand a little but held it still in reach.
In the bluenette's eyes there was big fear and something else that could be described as sorrow and pain. From his cheeks tears were pouring down and Kai looked shocked. He is crying!
"Takao..." Kai tried again, calling him as softly as he could.
Takao snapped out of it when he recognized the owner of the voice and the pair of crimson eyes that shone with anxiety. The next moment Takao threw himself in Kai's arms burying his cry into the male's strong shoulder.
Kai still didn't know what to think; he was taken aback by Takao's reaction and the sudden very intimate closeness that unsettled him inside. But he couldn't make himself to push away the teen, to despise him just like he did most of the times because that would break the cold wall which Kai protected himself against the outside world, not like this. Not anymore.
Kai clasped his arms around Takao to gave him consolation and safe what the bluenette searched. Kai hushed quietly into Takao's ear for lack of words. But Takao didn't need to hear words. Just the presence of Kai being here with him and holding him tight like this meant more than any comforting words all over the world.
Kai's eyes wandered to the photo then which laid on the floor, the glass broken. On the picture the four main members of the Bladebreakers were, Max, Rei, Tyson and Kai. (After Kenny and Hilary had left to another country studying.) All of them smiled according to their own personality while their arms rested loosely on one others shoulder.
Kai frowned. He looked up at Max and Rei who were standing beside them but on their expression he found the same shock, confusion and sorrow that Kai felt, too.
- O -
After Kai managed to calm down the poor teen, Takao was back to his normal jolly mood again. Rei couldn't stop himself to remark that Kai was the best comforting teddy bear for Takao. Kai didn't let the nekojin get away with that comment and when Takao wasn't paying attention Rei got a whack on his head.
It was time now to set up Kai's plan. They were all outside in the garden; Rei and Kai discussing a bit aside while they watched Max as he showed Takao the right holding of the launcher.
"What do you think, did he remember for something when he saw that photo?"
"I don't know Rei. I say we better not pester him with questions. He'll tell us when he feels so. This break-down was definitely very painful for him."
"Yeah, you're right." Rei agreed.
Takao launched his new blade and prepared for projection. Kai and Rei stepped closer to them, they were waiting also with curiosity Takao's first shoot.
"I'm counting for three." said Max. "Ready? One... two... three!"
"Let it rip!" Takao cried and launched his blade to the dish.
Kai's eyes glinted just by the mere sight of seeing the bluenette shoot a beyblade.
The little beyblade toy landed on the dish, made a big circle before it flew out and with a great pace it lashed among the nearest tree's shroud. A few leaves fell, then the toy came down to the ground, too, followed with another big plump.
A bird laid there with its wings spread.
Takao made a squeak sound and looked horrified. Max, Rei and Kai freaked out for a moment as well. Their eyes went plate wide. Mentally they were relieved that it was just a simple toy, and not Dragon's metal blade, because the bird would be a chipped salami by now.
However, Takao's face went pale in pure panic that he killed a little bird. Kai, fearing from the worst, tried to reassure Takao while he shot sharp glares from time to time towards Rei, who seemed to have troubles with his expression. It seemed clearly that the raven haired had conflicting emotions on his face; one side his mouth trembled by the effort as he was holding back a laugh, then again he felt sorry for Takao.
Max went to the tree and picked up the languid bird by one of its wings. He saw that both on the animal's eyes were a big cross. The toy blade had definitely knocked out the poor thing for good, but the bird was still alive.
"It didn't peg out, guys!" declared Max. "It has only fainted."
The bird opened its beady eyes and blinked. Then it shook itself when it came to life. It pinched fretfully on Max's nose before it flew away.
"Ow! Hey, it wasn't me who hurt you!" cried after it the blond.
The others sighed relieved, but mostly Kai, who was afraid in secret that Takao might didn't want to hold beyblade on his hand ever again because of a stupid little accident. But luckily this adventure had ended good, and Takao seemed to handle it well.
So much adventure was enough for a day, thought Kai.
- O -
For the night rugged wind came. Amidst of the dark grey clouds lightnings forked, followed them thunders.
Takao was squirming in his bed, having another unsettling dream, when he suddenly woke up for the loud thunder. He sat up while he took a few relaxing breath to calm his agitated nerves, then looked out the window. He watched the fascinating lightning-dance in the sky. It was still late at the night and he was tired, but somehow he couldn't go back to sleep. There was something that bothered him.
Something came to his mind then. He pulled the cover aside, slid out his legs, and walked bare feet to the door. In the whole dojo was peace and deep quiet, only the storm was playing hide-and-seek with lightnings and shadows through the window. It was rather scary.
Walking past the door of Hiro's room Takao stopped at the staircase. He hesitated. Is it okay? Isn't this way too much in a friendship? Takao pondered deep and long.
Should he listen to his feelings?
He came to a decision when his feet started downwards...
In the morning there was no sign of last night storm; the sun shone brightly into the window.
Kai groaned and turned away on to his other side when the sunbeam became bothersome for his still sleepy eyes. True, he had no problem getting up early in the morning, he had done it regularly when he made those hard trainings during the beyblade championships, after all. But for once in his life he also could allow himself a little slumber, could he?
Anyway, right now he felt so comfortable and warm that he involuntarily snuggled backwards a bit to the bulge that radiated warmth on his back.
Wait, a bulge?
Kai's eyes snapped open. He jumped in his bed and looked to his side. His eyes nearly goggled when he saw Takao laying right next to him. What the hell? What is he doing here? He thought while he stared at the still sleeping peacefully teen.
Panic swept through Kai and he gave a mental glad for God that the rest of the house wasn't up, yet, cause Kai'd no idea how would he explain himself out of this situation. But he sure would lose his trustiness by Gramps... better not talk about Hiro.
Slowly and silently like a cat, Kai crawled out from the large couch. In the process Takao stirred and Kai froze, holding back his breath. The bluenette was snuggling up a bit to find comfort again. He also made these murmur sounds which Kai found incredible cute before the bluenette went silent again.
Kai let go his breath then grabbed his clothes and scarf that was folded in a chair, and left the living room, disappearing in to the bathroom to get changed.
After breakfast Takao and Kai were waiting outside for Max and Rei to arrive for practice. Kai didn't say a word, but he was acting as if something stuck in his throat the way he cleared his throat in Takao's presence. Soon the two other males had arrived too.
"God morning guys!" greeted them Rei gleefully.
Well, it may was a good morning, but not for everyone. At least not for Kai.
Just as they arrived Kai grabbed Rei by his collar promptly and started yanking him towards the house. "We have to talk." he told strictly, then gave a glance to Max and Takao. "Don't wait for us, get start practicing." with that he pulled the nekojin after him, who choking had no other choice than to follow the dual haired.
Max and Takao blinked confused after them.
Once inside the hall Kai cornered Rei to a wall, who for some reason, seemed nervous behind the smile he was trying to keep on his lips. This gave a good reason for Kai to think that his friend was guilty.
"What's wrong Kai?" tried friendly Rei.
"I want an explanation." Kai folded his arms and looked with hard gaze that said ' if you play dumb I'll kick your ass!'
"What for?"
"When I woke up in the morning I found Takao in my bed. What's your excuse?"
"Uh, oh... you mean... you did it?"
"Did what exactly?" Kai's eyebrow raised dangerously.
"Well, you know... if you slept together then you did... that."
Kai's eyes suddenly had gone wild, and he grabbed Rei on his shoulders and banged him to the wall. "Are you nuts? Who do you think I am to take advantage of Takao ever?"
"Hey, you were the one who said that you slept together! What do I got to do with that?" cried candyassed Rei, helplessly under Kai's harsh grip.
"Because I know there has to be a reason that Takao came to me on the middle of the night, and I also noticed when you two were talking yesterday." a big sweatdroop fell from Rei's face at that comment. "Oh yes! And now I want to know what the hell did you just tell him that made him end up with me in a bed!"
Kai was shaking the poor nekojin like a ragdoll. "I tell, just let mee-ee goo... Kai-aiai..." squawked Rei feeling very dizzy. In his eyes spirals circled.
Kai realized him abruptly but kept glaring at him. "Speak!"
"He was asking some personal questions about you, and I... told him."
"With more details?"
"Well, I told him that you... that you always sleep alone because you're scared in the darkness and from the storms, but you don't want anyone to know it."
"SAY WHAT?" crimson orbs burst into flames.
Rei shrank back more to the wall, gulping. "I... I only wanted to help to make you two get together as a couple."
"By making a fool of me in front of him?"
"I think it still worked though. He didn't mind being your teddy bear, did he? Whoa!" Rei ducked his head just in time when a very angry fist of Kai came flying towards him. "When do you want to tell him already? When both of you grow old?"
"It's only my business when do I want to tell him. You just stay out of my life." Kai warned him in a cold tone.
"Okay-okay. Seesh. I get the point."
"I think I need a coffee now." Kai sighed tired and ran a hand through his slate bangs. God, he got always exhausted whenever his temper sprang up then quickly down again like that.
He ambled to the kitchen. Rei watched him go and shook his head. Man, after Tyson Kai is not a pushover, either.
After Kai got his coffee he went back to his normal mood again; means composed and indifferent. Between Rei and him was no hard feelings again. They went back together to their teammates to join them at the beydish. From the distance Kai and Rei had just been able to see when Takao's blade – this time a normal appearing blade what Max brought for Takao – knocked out Draciel.
"Yeah, I won!" exulted loudly Takao and he jumped up and down joyfully.
Max smiled with him; he didn't mind that he lost at all. Seeing his best friend smiling with so big joy that he won a beyblade match, even if it was only practice, it was like in the good old days. If everything would come back again.
The sight burnt fire in Kai's eyes. He suddenly saw the world champion in Takao. The one who he always wanted to beat. The only person who was the cause that Kai loved beyblading, and when they did, he did it passionately. His greatest challenger, his greatest rival, the one who taught him how to play with heart and not with dark power. Since then Kai started love playing beyblade just as he fell for Tyson. His passion towards beyblade crossed over to Tyson, or it was the love towards Tyson that changed Kai blading, he didn't know.
Feeling a sudden urge Kai made a rush towards the dish, in the process he took out Dranzer and his launcher. Rei, noticing instantly the danger, made a move to stop him, but it was too late now.
Kai launched his blade and cried. "Let it rip!"
The dark blue blade with the phoenix's bit in it glided on the dish and the next moment it shot out the other blade without any great exertion. Max and Takao watched dumbfounded the scene as the phoenix circled, flushed with victory, now alone around the dish. Kai smirked.
Rei, however, slapped to his face. Oh no. Kai, you're such an idiot.
Kai looked smugly at the blue haired teen, flaunting his superiority and waited the challenge to come from Takao. But the waited effect failed.
Takao's expression turned angry. He took his poor crashed blade to him and gave a glare to Kai as he said. "I won't blade with you ever again!" he shouted then ran inside the house, leaving his teammates, but mostly a shocked Kai, on their own.
For a long while Kai stood there in total incomprehension, his mouth half opened. But... but that was not how it should have happened. Not what he waited. Why didn't Takao challenge him? A soft tap on his shoulder woke up Kai from his wandering. Rei gave him a nod as he invited him inside the dojo.
Hiro was sitting at the kitchen table, peeling potato, when Takao stormed in. He watched as his younger brother flopped down one of the chairs with a peevish face and folded his arms on the table.
"Why the long face Tyson?" Hiro asked him calm.
"Kai." he growled.
"Oh, that explains it." smiled ingenuously the older male.
"He is such a jerk."
"That's true."
"Guess what, he knocked out my blade just as I won against Max! It was unfair, I didn't even have time to prepare." complained Takao.
"No surprise. Kai is like that."
The front door opened and soon Max, Rei and Kai walked in the kitchen. Hiro rose his glance for a moment, he smirked, but said nothing.
Max took a seat opposite to Hiro, Rei went to the counter to make a tea for himself while Kai sat down right next to Takao. The bluenette immediately drew apart from him and turned his head away from Kai.
"Takao." began Kai in an apologetic tone which was very rare to be heard from him. "I didn't mean it that way."
"I don't care. I'm not playing with you." threw it to him churlishly Takao.
"It came by instinct."
"I don't believe it."
"You should though." chimed in Hiro and every face in the room turned to him. They all looked bewilderedly that for the first time Hiro spoke on Kai's behalf. But their astonishment didn't last long. "You can't blame Kai for what he is. He was fighting always very hard to beat you since the first time you battled. He managed to beat you first but then you returned him the charge and he didn't manage to take away the title of world champion from you unto this day, which itched him like crazy. Even on the last championship you kicked his ass for good. That's how you became the world champion and not him."
"HIRO!" rose Kai's thundering voice.
The taller male quickly threw away the potato and knife he was holding and ran out from the room with a resounding laugh, a very pissed off Kai following him. From the window Max, Rei and Takao could see how the two was playing cat-and-mouse game in the garden.
"Did I really do all that?" asked Takao surprised, but didn't seem so enthusiastic.
"Well sorta. Not exactly how Hiro told, but yes. You and Kai have been big rivals since you first met." Rei corrected. When he saw that Hiro and Kai started running around a tree he sighed tired, then went on. "But he can't be censured; he had a very bad childhood because his grandfather was treating him more like a machine for demolition than his grandson. Behind his cold wall Kai has a very good heart, it'd been proved many times, but the biggest change in his life was YOU. Kai always had very special feelings towards you, more than any of us. Your presence means lot for him, I also could say... necessity. However, the desire in him to beat you and Dragon once at the beydish will be always his inner wish, I think."
Takao's face fell and he said unsure. "I don't know if I would like to be his rival." Max and Rei looked at him and they blinked with wide eyes at him when they saw that a deep streak of flush came across his cheeks. "I... I would more like to be his friend. I could never hurt him because... I like him, a lot." Takao finished quietly and his face turned into a very intense shade of red.
Rei sweatdrooped. Oh my gosh, this guy has really fallen for him.
- O -
For the night the storm had returned again, making louder and more scary thunders, throwing lightnings, and rain hit the windows, rooftops hard. Just as the storm, the nightmares came back haunting Takao, too. He was dreaming that someone was chasing him in the darkness. He was running from the blood-curdling laughter that came behind his back, but he couldn't shake it off...
Just then he saw Kai in the distance who turned to Takao with a small smile... Takao got so glad and started running towards him but before he he could reach him the vision of Kai started fading away, being captured by the darkness... The dark laugh roared up into the air again, and the next moment Kai vanished... Takao reached out his hand desperately and cried, but no voice left his mouth...
Waking for a suddenly clashing thunder Takao shook up in his bed with a loud gasp. His eyes were open wide and he was panting for breath. For a brief while he was staring before himself, looking at his hands that clenched the cover into fists, while he heard his heart beating loud. He swallowed and tried to take a few relaxing breath but he didn't manage to calm down completely. That dream.
"Takao." came a soft whisper from the bedroom's door.
Takao nearly jumped from his bed as he got so frightened. But when he recognized the dual shaded hair of the figure standing in the ajar door he instantly relieved.
"Kai. You scared me." the bluenette spoke softly. The light and the warmth in his azure blue eyes were telling that how glad he was to see Kai. That his dream was really not true. His heart started beating faster, but this time it was different. He felt excited and when his eyes looked into the crimson orbs he was founding himself bewitched. What is this feeling in me? Why do I feel like this when he is around me?
Kai came in and stopped at Takao's bed as he said. "Sorry. I didn't mean to. Are you okay?" he tried to stay indifferent but his eyes belied his act, showing he was worried.
"Uh, yeah. It's just that I was having this nightmare again." Takao took his hand to his face as if he had a headache, and showed a few locks away that bothered his eyes. This small gesture gave quite a thrill to Kai. "What are you doing up so late?"
"I was going for a glass of water when I heard some noises, so I came up to check on you if everything is okay." said Kai, then made a half turning. "Go back to sleep."
"Wait." Takao called back Kai suddenly when that was on to leave. The dual haired turned back and Takao continued quietly, looking sadly at him. "Stay here. Just for a bit."
Kai stood at the door, firmly, his expression unfathomable, while he was thinking about it. He should so not do this, it was not right, kept telling him one side of him. The other one, however, told him you made a promise to him, that you would stay by him and never leave him again. Yes, he'd made a promise to Takao and he would never back on his word.
With soft steps he started from the door and sat down the bed beside Takao. The bluenette's hand began straight away his way and he borrowed one of Kai's large hands, holding it tight but softly. They both seemed to be out of words, neither of them knowing what to say, so instead their gazes locked on their joined hands that were moving, squeezing, caressing fondly each other. They were playing a very nice love game what only their hands could tell, show, how they really felt towards each other, but openly none of them knew how to tell the other one.
Kai felt like he was not in reality anymore. He felt dazed, lightheaded and mesmerized. It was like the moment before you fall into deep dream, letting yourself swept away with your feelings, but before that there is always that brief moment when you know that you're still in reality while half way you're drifting away...
"Would you like to tell me about it? I mean your dream?" Kai asked huskily, trying to find coherent words through his foggy mind, and he cleared his throat.
"It doesn't matter. It was only a bad dream." Takao shrugged his shoulders slightly and their eyes found each other again, and held still. "Besides, I don't remember much of it when I wake up."
"I see."
Silence fell again between them.
"Takao."
"Hm?"
"About today, I'm sorry what happened. I really didn't mean to."
"It's okay, you're forgiven." Takai smiled nicely at Kai. Then he let go a brief laugh. "You gave a good chase to Hiro alright."
Kai's eyes softened as he heard Takao laugh, and he couldn't help but look languorously at him. Can't you see it? Can't you see how much I need you, I rely on you just as when you asked me to stay with you?
That I miss you?
That I miss everything what made so much YOU?
They only beyblader Tyson I've ever known. Still, even if you've changed my feelings towards you haven't changed at all... just... why don't you laugh as before?... I would so much like to see that smile again.
I want you.
Kai's hand wandered around Takao's neck, sliding softly behind his long, silky hair and disappearing before he moved forward slowly...
"Kai?" Takao looked stunned at him. He felt something fiery radiating from Kai. His own blue eyes shimmered, too, and the pulse in his throat was throbbing hard.
Kai stopped a few inches from Takao's face, their bangs barely touching. They both held back their breath as they waited wistfully for that wonderful moment what none of them had experienced, yet. Still, with fear and doubtfulness.
Kai closed his eyes half and all of his hidden emotions revealed themselves.
"Tyson." he whispered, breathing warm blow on Takao's lips who didn't even have time to shiver when Kai's lips suddenly locked on his.
The kiss was so tender, soft, both of them ingenuously experiencing the new feeling. It was nothing what Kai could ever imagine; it was so more magical. Feeling the person's soft lips on your own who you loved with all your heart, and feeling how he was returning your feelings by a kiss, was incredible.
They said you would never forget the first kiss. This, Kai sure would never forget in his whole life.
And he didn't want this moment to end.
Desires flaring up, he started moving his lips, losing himself in the sensation of Takao's slippery lips on his, as he deepened the kiss. Their kiss grew passionately and Kai only stopped, opening his eyes again, when a faint moan left Takao. He looked at the younger male's hazy eyes, drawing his lips slowly away. Kai'd just realized that his heart was still beating wild in his chest.
"Kai...?"
The russian was only gazing at him, wondering about what they had just done. God, what he had done. Shit. He needed some times to fix this, to get wise to his feelings. He awkwardly set right the cover in the process as he stood up, in a gentle gesture. He cleared his throat before he spoke, but he averted his eyes from Takao. "Go back to sleep now, it's late."
With that Kai left hastily the bedroom while he missed the confused, flushed look of Takao's following gaze.
- O -
In the office Mr. Dicenson wabbled joyfully with his legs under his desk. His face was cheerful, even his white, rich mustache curved up in a smile while he was crooning in himself.
"You seem to be in a very good mood, sir." noted his secretary who had long brown hair.
"Oh I am Miyuko, indeed." Mr. Dicenson looked at her smiling, his round eye-glasses glistened. "How could I not be happy knowing that my favourite team are complete again?" The old man's eyes wandered to a photo which he kept before himself on the desk and looked with warm heart at it. It was a same photo that was in Tyson's room too.
"It seems that everything's turned out to be fine." said Miyuko when she delivered some documents to Mr. Dicenson.
"Not everything, Miyuko. Not everything." he gave a dismal glance through his glasses.
"Oh yes. Tyson is the only survivor of the disaster. How terrible, those poor people." she said sadly and lowered her gaze commiseratingly. True, only some people knew that Tyson was alive because till now they didn't want to bring this news to the media for the good of Tyson, though they couldn't keep this secret for long now. The brown haired woman then rose her face and smiled hopefully. "But even in this awful situation at least we got back Tyson. It's also a big miracle."
"Yes, it's true." nodded genially the director.
A knock came on the door.
"Yes, come in." said Mr Dicenson.
A tall man stepped in. He was wearing a dark suit from top to toe. He bowed politely before he spoke. "Excuse me, is this the office of Mr. Dicenson?"
"That's me my boy. What can I do for you?"
"I'm taking a delivery in the name of investigators about the plane crash. They sent me here to pass the legacies of the deceased Tyson Granger to Mr. Dicenson." he showed up a dusky bag he was holding by his side.
"Oh, so they finally found Tyson's beyblade, that's wonderful!" Mr. Dicenson broke into a big smile and turned to his secretary. "Miyuko, please bring us a cup of coffee. The young man sure had a long way."
"Yes sir." the woman bowed and tipped out in her high heel shoes.
A few minutes later Miyuko was walking back to the office with a salver in her hands, on it two cups of coffee. When she opened the door her expression went shock.
"Mr. Dicenson!" she cried in panic when she saw the old man on the floor clenching a hand to his chest forcefully as he was panting for breath. His few minutes ago cheerful, beaming face was now dead pale and from his full of sadness face tears were pouring down.
The other man was beside him trying to help him up on his feet but he didn't manage. The old man cried out achingly and Miyuko was instantly by his side.
"Sir! Mr. Dicenson, what happened?... Oh my God! Mr. Dicenson!"
"Rei..." whimpered the old man. In his crinkled eyes another bunch of tears appeared. "Call, Rei Kon... please... bring Rei here to me..."
End of chapter...
Three chapters to go still. I hope you all had fun.
Sorry that I'm leaving you in such a big shock – you sure wanna know what happened – but you have to wait for the next one to figure it out. And no, this time I'm not leaving any previous info about the next chappy because that would ruin the fun of the whole story... because now come the real actions! * gleaming eyes *
But, I'm willing to tell you the title of the next chapter. So next time!: "The Broken Promise"
A last NOTE which is very important: sorry to say this but I won't update for a while because right now I'm in a very Christmas mood and want to put aside this story for holiday and might write a Christmas fic. So my next update will come some time after New Year. Just so you know.
Besides, I'm going for a camp next weekend, I'm going to be away from 20th of November till 25th, so I won't be available for six days.
Take care everyone! I wish you all a very happy holiday, please send me some reviews as a Christmas present, it would make me so happy! I love you all. * throws pecks * See you next time! :)
