Chapter 6: Buckle Down

Rei awoke in the night. His head resting upon Kai's chest. His jaw fully healed from being broken by Nightcrawler earlier that night. His knees were pulled in close to his chest. His unbandaged right hand lay palm down against Kai's abdomen. His eyes watched as the claws grew, the tips gently touching Kai's skin. He took a deep breath to calm himself and watched the claws slowly retracted. He took another breath in and let it out. He continued this in the same rhythm as Kai's steadily beating heart.

Rei gazed at his hand, spellbound for what felt like forever. He didn't even realize that Kai had awaken.

Kai's fingers lazily caressed Rei's face causing the younger teen to jump. He let out a dry chuckle as he continued to caress his tiger gently. "Sorry didn't mean to startle you," he apologized. "How'd you sleep?"

"Nightmares," Rei whispered.

Kai frowned and circled his arms around Rei, holding him tight against his chest. He pressed his lips against the soft raven hair and sighed. "Rei it's all going to be okay."

The neko-Jin stilled and remained quiet for several minutes. "I could have killed him. There was so much blood. I tore out the man's throat," he choked back on a sudden sob.

The phoenix hugged him tighter and kissed his head again. "Logan is the Wolverine. He cannot die. That man is very hard to kill. He has the healing factor like you. He will survive Rei. He will heal. You did not kill him."

"But if he was just a normal human he would be dead. If it was Cyclops or Storm or the Professor. Or even Tyson or Max! They don't heal like Logan and I. They would be dead!"

"Rei please," Kai soothed as he gently rocked Rei in his arms. "It's going to be okay. We are going to get through this. Please have some confidence in yourself. You have to believe you can control it. Don't let it take away who you are." He paused sitting up and turning Rei to face him. "Don't let it take away my Rei."

He cupped Rei's face in both of his hands and leaned down, pressing his lips to the neko-jin's. They were warm and soft. He couldn't help but smile as he heard Rei's groan through the kiss. "That's it," he encouraged, opening his mouth to allow Rei's tongue to explore.

The neko-jin crawled forward and straddled the Russian's hips, his arms circling around the older teen's neck. Clawed fingers gently twisted themselves through the dark blue hair at the phoenix's nape. He pushed his tongue further into Kai's mouth and moaned in pressure as he flicked the tip of his tongue across the roof of Kai's mouth.

Kai moaned deeply, pushing himself forward, laying Rei back, pinning him down. He held Rei's hands above them, pinned as well against the mattress. He broke the heated kiss, panting before trailing kisses down the neko-jin's jaw and neck, teasingly kissing the sensitive collarbone.

Ri moaned deeply with animal need, trying to release his trapped hands so he could explore. He groaned in frustration, arching his hips up into Kai's.

Kai gave a husky laugh. "Someone is feeling better," he quipped. He flicked his tongue across Rei's taut nipple receiving another pleasurable moan in return. "You're body is so beautiful. So exotic. Your markings…breath taking." He sucked on the trapped mutant's neck, playfully nipping it with his teeth as he pulled away. "You have completely changed. From a blood thirsty mutant to a horny feline in heat. God you're so fucking hot!"

Rei paled suddenly and froze beneath Kai. He looked at him with a wounded look. "Well, way to ruin the mood sourpuss. Bloody mutant? Really" how is that suppose to make me feel sexy and turned on?"

Kai sat up abruptly and also paled. He groaned. "Shit! I'm so sorry Rei. I didn't mean it like that."

Rei sighed and pulled away. "It's okay. I know you didn't," he looked at his lover and smiled. "You're new to this whole relationship thing after all. Bloody to you is probably sexy."

Kai laughed slightly, no humor behind it. "Rei don't say that."

Rei leaned back onto his elbows and gazed up at the wounded bluenette. He smiled. "Sorry." He layer back and looked up towards the ceiling. He reached and laced his fingers through Kai's own and sighed. "You know this is when I feel the most sane. Normal. When I feel like my older self." He looked back at Kai. "When I am with you. Either making love, or cuddling or laughing. Or when I am with the others beyblading, training or goofing off." He sighed. "It feels wonderful."

Kai moved and laid beside Rei, his hand resting upon the neko-jin's bare stomach. Fingers lightly tracing the black stripes. "You are always normal to me," he mused.

The feline mutant laughed out loud. No humor was behind the laugh though. Only sarcasm. "I am far from normal now Kai. I will probably never come close to normal again. Physically and mentally." He sighed and placed his hand on top of Kai's, stilling his wandering fingertips. "But I will continue to try. For you and my friends."

Kai smiled and leaned in to give his boyfriend a kiss. "And that's all you can do. And I will be by your side every step of the way. Now we should probably try and get back to sleep. We have a big day tomorrow."

Rei laughed this time with humor and playfully pushed Kai's shoulder. "Aww no sex?"

Kai smirked. "Another time okay? A rain check."

Rei kissed Kai's cheek and curled his body into his lover's body. "Alright. You're too tired. I can tell," he purred.

Kai nuzzled his tiger's raven head. "Oh yah sure," he laughed sarcastically.

Logan sat up in the bed, groaning slightly. His chest and neck itched like the devil but he refused to scratch at it, knowing the healing wounds there. He grumbled to himself as he shifted his body into a more comfortable position.

"You move too much," a voice quietly protested.

Logan started and looked down to see Kurt curled at his side, half awake.

"Good morning." Kurt smiled as he began to stretch. His tail twitched to life at his side and moved upwards, the spade tip caressing Logan's stumbled chin affectionately.

Logan smiled catching that tail and placing a tender kiss upon the spade. "Good morning to you too beautiful," he said huskily, his throat feeling super tender. Still healing.

Kurt smiled up at his lover and adjusted himself so his head lay cushioned on Logan's lap. "You're a charmer," he purred. "How are you feeling though?" he asked seriously.

Logan's fingers began to tangle themselves through the dark navy blue curls of his lover's hair. "Just itchy. I'm healing nicely. The kid has a lot of power and I didn't expect it." He sighed and leaned back against the headboard of the bed. "He just needs to learn to control that power. In order to do so he needs to cage that beast first. Which he will be able to do over time. If I could cage mine, he can too."

Kurt nodded, his fingers grazing the side of his own hip, tracing the three jagged scar lines there. Logan watched that hand with a pained expression.

Kurt watched his lover back with glowing yellow eyes. He smiled showing his fangs, that stood out against his dark blue furred skin. "I like my scars. Do not feel bad. It is your way of marking me as yours."

Wolverine's icy blue eyes roamed over the dark mutant's body; that lay bare from the abdomen and up. So sexy, he smirked trailing his hand down the well muscled torso. Kurt's hand snaked its way up and met him half way, taking hold of the burly hand.

"You're not scared or worried to see Rei again are you?" Nightcrawler asked.

"No. The kid reminds me of myself. He just lost control. I heal and will take more hits in order to help him. He doesn't need people to be scared of him. That will only make him feel worse. We need to set him in the right direction."

Kurt nodded. He understood. "And how do you plan on doing that?"

Wolverine leaned back resting his head against the wall and thought that question through. "With time and patience," he finally said. "In the danger room he lost it when the guns began to fire at him. You should have seen his face before as he was jumping from platform to platform. He looked happy. The weapons took him by surprise, he wasn't expecting to be fired at. And like any wild animal that is starring down the barrel of a gun, he freaked and went into offense. The beast inside must be triggered by the adrenaline during a fight. That is the first step we need to face. To control that adrenaline. Meditation and constant exercise will do just that. He just has to believe he can do it."

The dark furred mutant nodded in agreement. "You're right. And with his supportive friends by his side he will be able to accomplish that. Just like you did."

Logan laughed quietly under his breath and bent his head down to graze his lover's lips with his own. "You were a great help yourself Elf."

Kurt smiled devilishly up at Logan. "I try," he scoffed. He began to stretch his lean body again, groaning as his muscles protested. "As much as I would love to stay in this bed with you and explore that sexy body of yours my love. I sadly must get up and report to the kitchen for some much needed breakfast. I missed out on dinner last night nursing you back to health." He suddenly disappeared in a cloud of indigo smoke and reappeared at the foot of the bed. His tail twitched playfully behind him.

"Don't remove me with your sweet taking Elf or I'll force you to spend the day and the night in this bed with me. And I'll make sure you are too sore to move the next day." Logan growled.

Laughter danced in Kurt's glowing yellow eyes. "Oh really?" he purred leaning forward placing his palms upon get the bed spread. His tail swaying suggestively behind him before it started to caress his inner thigh and slowly moved towards his own crotch.

Logan gulped and Kurt gave him a coy grin as he slowly inched his way back onto the bed. Making his way and crawling on top of Logan.

Tyson practically inhaled his entire breakfast. He licked his lips and fingertips, a smile cracking across his face. "Am I aloud to get second?" he asked.

Max, Kai, Kenny and Rei continued to eat, unfazed. However the X-men stared at Tyson, mouths hung open in astonishment.

The younger female mutant, known as Kitty Pryde sat beside Tyson. She was the first to come through. "Yes. Of course," she laughed.

Kurt, who sat farther down the table laughed out loud. "Wow you actually want seconds of Kitty's cooking?"

Kitty growled and stared daggers at Nightcrawler. "Hey!" she snapped.

Tyson beamed at Kitty with a genuine smile. "Yes! Her cooking is great!"

The brunette female gaped at the Japanese teen in surprise. She quickly recovered from the shock and blushed. "Wow! Thank you Tyson. You are the first to ever compliment my cooking. It means a lot. Of course you can have seconds. Help yourself."

The dragon jumped to his feet with a wide grin. "Thanks a lot Kitty!" And with that he took off towards the kitchen.

Professor Xavier gaped at Tyson before looking to Kai with a surprised expression. "Does the boy usually eat this much?"

Kai placed his form down and cleared his throat before speaking. "Yep!"

"Mu, my," the Professor mused, his gaze the. Landed on Rei who was quietly pushing the scrambled eggs on his plate around with his fork. He hadn't said a word since he sat down or acknowledged anyone. "Rei how are you feeling this morning?"

Rei didn't even look up from his plate and just shrugged.

Charles frowned, his attempt at small talk failed. He then looked at Logan. "How about you Logan?"

Logan looked up and nodded. "All healed and ready for training. Going to go to the danger room after breakfast and spar with Kurt. He didn't go earlier this morning cause he was complaining about being sore." He smirked at the blue mutant beside him who scowled and punched him in the shoulder playfully.

Tyson ran back into the room with his plate piled high with food. He fell into his chair and immediately began shoveling food into his mouth. The X-men starring at him with surprise and semi disgust.

He guzzled down his orange juice and sighed content lay. "So I have been thinking!" he said, smiling ear to ear. "The X-men all have super cool nicknames and I believe we BladeBreakers need super hero names as well."

Max grinned. "That's a good idea Tyson!"

Professor placed his glass down on the table. "Excellent idea in deed Tyson. Do you already have a name in mind?"

Tyson cradled his chin in the palm of his hand and sat back in his chair, thinking. Within minutes he snapped his fingers and sat bolt up right. "Yes I do!" he exclaimed. "Here is my idea. In the sport of beyblading our beyblades had sacred spirits within them known as bit beasts. My bit beast was the wind dragon, Dragoon. He was my buddy and a great inspiration to me. So to honor him I would like to have the super hero name Dragoon!"

Professor looked thoughtful as did the rest of the group.

"That is a good idea! Great actually Tyson. I am actually surprised you came up with it." Max laughed. "I will do the same and take the name Draciel after my chimera bit beast!"

The Professor nodded his agreement. "I agree! What a splendid idea." The older mutant looked towards Kai and Rei. "What were your guy's bit beast names?"

"Mine was the phoenix Dranzer." Kai then looked at Rei.. "Rei's was the white tiger known as Driger." Rei remained looking at his plate, not acknowledging the team or sharing his opinion. "For once I agree with Tyson. I like his idea. And it is a great way to honor our bit beast. I will be called Dranzer." He looked to Rei but frowned when the neko-jin remained silent and drawn. "And I am sure Rei agrees as well. He will be Driger." Kai took Rei's hand and the neko-jin gently squeezed his agreement but remained silent.

"Dragoon, Draciel, Dranzer and Driger," Professor X nodded and smiled. "Then it is settled," he declared.

Tyson whooped his excitement.

When the excitement passed everyone returned back to their meal. Chatting idealy with one another about today's schedule.