XP: Sorry for the long wait! But holidays are here so I can start writing again :D

Thanks to Guest, Morte Giver, OneRiddle, OrangeSpartans, fia3striker, Pheonix09, toolaytosignin, Rangerapprentice, IceKrystal, MisstiqueRose for reviewing! I have felt much love and support from your reviews. You guys are what encourage and motivate me!

Also maybe because this is the only place where I truly feel like I am appreciated for what I do.

Background: Ian is sent to China to live with Rei. Will the White Tigers accept Ian, or will Ian ever accept them, for that matter? The village appears to face some problems... And Kai is here to visit!

Enjoy~

***Start of Ian's Chapter II***

Ian couldn't fall asleep the entire night. He stayed up pulling the chord of his beyblade over and over again. He launched it relentlessly without stopping, without skipping a beat, with perfect precision. He wanted the familiar whirring of the metal to cover that damned cicada mating sounds. He wanted to forget the smell of the way too fresh air. He wanted to lose himself in the process and stop thinking. To pretend he was back in the abbey with the Blitzkrieg Boys and not in this... this... forestry, rural, back-water place. He bladed until the sun rose, and was surprised to see Rei peeking at him from behind a tree.

"Oh, um, hey," Rei said shyly, embarrassed at getting caught. His cheeks were tinged pink as he scratched the back of his head. "I'm sorry. I forgot that you wouldn't be able to sleep on the first day. I have earplugs if you want them at night. I should have stayed up with you. I have some japanese manga to read."

Ian stared at Rei with an undecipherable look.

Rei gave him a confused, yet sincere look, eager to help, and apologetic about forgetting about Ian. "Ian?"

Ian saw no lies in those golden eyes.

"Thanks Rei. I'm fine," Ian replied gently.

"You must be tired though?" Rei frowned. "I'll make you some herbal tea tonight. The kind that knocks me out when I'm tired. Is that all right?"

"Yeah," Ian replied, nodding, watching his beyblade spin and dodge his mini obstacle course he built with fallen twigs and logs. Rei beamed and sat near him, watching in companionable silence. After a while, Rei started to fidget with a contemplative look.

"Well, Ian, I was just thinking... I've always been stuck in this village, they aren't too hot about the outside world. The only time I left was to beyblade. Since young, I've always wanted to get out of here, I wanted to go see the outside world, learn their different languages and cultures, look at their scenery... you know? What about you?" Rei looked up at Ian.

Ian thought about it for a little. He did wonder about the world outside the abbey. But Ian had been one of the youngest boys admitted into the abbey. He had no prior memories of his family, or of the outside world. To him, the abbey was his entire world, until Boris spoke of international championships. And when he went overseas for beyblading... well, he loved the plane, which allowed him to fly in the sky. Ian always loved technological products. He wanted to build a helicopter of his own in the future.

"Well, I like to fly," Ian replied, smiling a little.

"Really?" Rei grinned, as though he knew what Ian was talking about. "Well then, there might be something you like here."

Rei stood up and dusted himself off, beckoning Ian to follow him. Ian ordered his beyblade to return to his hand and tagged behind Rei. Rei brought him to a very high mountain cliff. The view there was breathtaking, and Ian found himself gaping in awe. The river below sparkled from the early sunlight, the different hues of greenery in the distance melded together to form a blend of wonderful colours. The sky above them was vast and blue, stretching across the horizon, with bits of fluffy white cloud decorating the blue canvas. Rei gave him a sideways smile, before turning to face Ian properly and walking backwards.

"Rei, you're going to fall!" Ian warned.

"But that's the whole point," Rei laughed, falling down backwards with his arms spread out.

"Rei!" Ian rushed to the side of the cliff and looked down to see Rei splashing into the river. A few seconds later, Rei surfaced and waved at him, shouting something at him, probably telling him to do it too. Rei smiled encouragingly and swam a few steps away, making space for Ian to land. Ian hesitated at the edge. He had never pulled a crazy stunt like this before. But if Rei did it... His analytic eyes scanned the bottom for sharp rocks and the side for protruding rocks. He found none, so it should be safe.

"Just close your eyes and fall backwards!" Rei advised, looking up in concern at the pale boy.

Ian took a deep breath and turned around, moving backwards until he was at the very very edge. He closed his eyes, and breathed some more. Indeed, he was scared. His legs felt weak and they wobbled slightly. How unsightly! What would the Blitzkrieg Boys say if they saw him like this? Spencer would be nice and supportive about it, sure. Tala might tease him or be understanding. Bryan... well, that bastard would-

"You're so weak, stupid twerp. It's just a fucking cliff."

"Oh my god, I'm going crazy, I just heard Bryan reply in my head," Ian moaned, rubbing his head.

"Jump, idiot. Don't be a wuss."

"Shut up Bryan," Ian spread out his arms, feeling the wind against his face, blowing his hair back. "I'm not a wuss."

It was a fall of faith, really. Ian jumped backwards, kicking off to propel himself into the air, and felt himself immediately descending at a very high speed. Ian held back the urge to scream in fear, as terror gripped his heart in a tight, unrelenting clutch, and as the high air pressure whipped at him, while gravity pulled him down hard. When he cracked open an eye, he saw a bird fly off into the air, and found his own situation strangely amusing. He finally dare to open his eyes and stared at the flashing scenery before he fell hard into the water, causing a loud splash and congratulatory cheers from Rei.

Ian emerged coughing and spluttering, but feeling proud all the same.

See, Bryan? I am definitely not a wuss.

"You're still a twerp though."

"Ugh!" Ian groaned aloud, sweeping his wet bangs back. Damn Bryan. Always gotta hit it where it hurts. It's not like Ian wanted to be short. He suspected his height to be hereditary or to be impeded due to experiments in biovolt, messing up his growth cells... or something. Ian had theories but no definite answers.

Ian shivered as as something slick moved past his leg. He looked down to see fishes. Rei smiled and watched as Ian looked around, taking in the clear, almost transparent water creating little waves, the colorful fishes, the vibrant water plants, and the peace and quiet of the place. Ian looked around in awe, feeling his heart become calm. This was a wonderful place.

"Wow, this is just... wow..." Ian mumbled.

"Haha! How eloquent of you," Rei teased, leaning back to float gently on his back, relaxing with a soft smile.

"Shut up," Ian flushed a bright pink, splashing Rei in revenge.

Rei scrunched up his nose and squeezed his eyes shut as the water hit his face. "Ohhhh! You are so on!"

A water fight erupted, and the air sounded with the cheery laughter of two teenage boys having fun. They mindlessly splashed each other for a few minutes, before Rei called for a ceasefire, sneezing three times in a row.

"Ahhhhchoooo! Wanna go jump down again?" Rei beamed while sniffling, dripping wet from head to toe.

"Sure," Ian replied cheerily. They walked back out of the river and started to walk along its course.

"That's my favorite thinking spot," Rei pointed to a huge rock nearby. "The sound of flowing water helps me clear my mind and think better." Rei pointed to a large cliff with lots of orange fruits on the trees above. "That's where I get little things to snack on. It's a chore to climb, so I usually get things with my beyblade. So that makes target training as well as convenience. So you can do that when you're bored."

Ian listened to Rei chatter on about his favorite place, and he saw a baby squirrel run past him. He couldn't help but smile as he watched it run up a tree. He was thankful that Rei trusted him enough to bring him here. He had a feeling it would become his favorite place as well.

When they re-entered the denser part of the forest, they could hear chinese a few feet away.

Rei paused abruptly and ducked down, and Ian did the same, just as one of the men looked over. Ian recognized them as the village elders. Ian couldn't understand a single word, so he just watched the expressions of the worried elders, and the slowly twisting expression of Rei into one of fury.

"Those bastards!" Rei snarled, feline eyes turning into slits as he bared his teeth.

"What's wrong Rei?" Ian asked curiously. To his knowledge, Rei wasn't one to get angry easily, unless someone insulted his clan or friends.

"Those damned government officials are here again. They want to clear our lands for more space to build factories!" Rei huffed, as the village elders continued to walk along until they were out of sight. Rei buried his head in his arms. "They've already forcibly cleared some other villages. They're trying hard to make the village elder sign the contract papers. They aren't beyond dirty means like kidnapping a villager, so we are all going around in groups for safety. One of our people hit them in anger and they're talking about sueing us."

Sueing? Ian could think of one person who loved to sue the shit outta people.

Rei sighed and got up, brushing off the twigs and leaves that got stuck on him. He offered Ian a hand and gave a little exasperated half smile. "But we neko-jins aren't going to go down that easily. They think us freaks don't deserve a place to stay and should die, but I think they're the ones that should go to hell." Rei's lips curled to show his feline sharp teeth. Ian took Rei's hand and stood up, brushing himself off as well.

Ian could see the way Rei's eyes shone with pride and determination. He could see a proud neko-jin willing to fight to the death for his village. It was noble. To an abbey boy like Ian, he fought for himself, fought to survive. He could trust his team mates to fight and survive as well. Ian saw no point in dying in such a futile way to protect this place. But Rei's spirit was commendable. In fact, Ian admired it, the strong fiery spirit in Rei to never back down, to fight for what's important to him.

"Let's go back for today, hmm?" Rei reverted back to his friendly self, smiling warmly. He continued on his tour guide business. "Usually, we will help in the fields, or catch fish and gather berries, herbs and firewood... you know? The kids like to help out at the chicken farm, collecting the eggs and feeding the chicken. Maybe I'll bring you over to help out later! It's almost time for lunch."

When they went back to the house, they saw a very unexpected visitor.

Kai Hiwatari was calmly brewing tea, and was staring at the fire burn, while he sat on the floor in crossed legs, wearing a simple tight fitting black t-shirt and classy jeans. Moody and obviously jetlagged red eyes raised to look at them, illuminated by the fire, though seemingly to burn with a fire of their own.

"Kai!" Rei exclaimed in shock, overjoyed to see his captain. "What are you doing here?" He sat down in front of Kai in awe.

Kai tossed a bag at Ian nonchalantly. Ian caught it and unpacked it to see many batteries and portable chargers for his psp. "SWEET!" Ian beamed. His psp just ran out of battery last night! Ian could also see a lot of cold packs and insect repellant. Ian's eyes shone with gratitude as he regarded Kai, who gave a cocky little smirk in return.

The kettle shrilled highly when it boiled, and Kai started to pour tea into cups for all of them, doing it elegantly as though part of a japanese tea ceremony, doubtlessly manners drilled into him by his grandfather throughout his life. Long eyelashes fluttered to brush his cheeks as he skillfully and gracefully poured the teapot's contents into the little teacups.

"Bryan sent me here," Kai clarified once he was done. "Said he was worried about some twerp," Kai smirked, looking at Ian for a reaction. He was not disappointed. Ian puffed out his cheek angrily.

"That bastard! Always calling me a twerp," Ian crossed his arms. He picked up his tea cup and began to drink angrily, before slowing down. The herbs in the tea calmed his fury. Kai held the cup like a traditional japanese man and sipped from the teacup, the very picture of elegance.

"Oh, I insist you at least stay for lunch!" Rei chirped happily. He never thought he could see one of his team mates here. Kai glanced at his watch and nodded.

"Then I shall take you up on your offer," Kai replied formally, obviously still stuck in his work habits.

When they went out, many young village maidens giggled and glanced at Kai, obviously a rare sight in the village. After all, Kai was not ranked the most handsome beyblader for nothing. Kai gave them a charming smirk, and they all blushed and twittered amongst themselves, giving shy looks.

"Kai, tone it down a little," Rei laughed.

"I apologise," Kai blinked, going back to his serious self. "I've been going to too many socialising parties," Kai said with contempt. "But they have been useful in gathering business associates."

"Even the way you speak has changed! Plus, you didn't use to talk so much," Rei noted in amusement as Kai blinked blearily and followed him tiredly.

When the White Tigers saw him, they were alarmed.

"Kai Hiwatari! What are you doing here?" Lee asked in disbelief. "Aren't you supposed to be in Japan with Mr D?"

"To charm all the girls in the village, and it's so easy because you're all so ugly," Ian snickered. Angry eyes turned to him, and Ian only smirked in return, feeling much more confident with Kai around.

"Lunch," Kai said apathetically.

"And who invited you?" Kevin said in displeasure. One Blitzkrieg boy was more than enough for him!

"Guys, relax," Rei butted in, trying to be the peacemaker. "Come on, if you can accept Ian, why not Kai? Plus, he's only staying to eat and visit Ian, that's all."

"Yes, brother, Kevin, relax," Mariah joined in, holding the arms of the two boys and giving them a pleading look to not start trouble. The two grudgingly backed down. Afterall, they could not say no to Mariah's pleading eyes. The White Tigers went ahead of them, obviously trying to steer clear from them.

When they appeared in the dining hall, however, it was clear that the government officials were here again. Agitated chinese were exchanged, and everyone was standing around the elders' tables, all obviously displeased. One of the officials suddenly whipped out a gun, and suddenly both Kai and Ian were in motion. In a second, the man was disarmed, with Ian breaking apart the gun and dropping the bullets on the floor, while Kai restrained the man on the ground, with one knee on the man's back while holding the arms of the man behind his back in a painfully tight grip, twisting it to the point it almost broke.

The other officials took a step back in alarm of the red eyed demon.

"Mo gui!" They shrieked. (Demon!)

Kai grinned ferally. "Hao jiu mei chi ren rou le..." (It's been so long since I ate human flesh...) (XP: Kai is trying to scare the superstitious chinese intruders)

Kai stood up and released the man, and took obvious enjoyment from watching the man scramble back, alert red eyes never leaving his target. They screamed some curses in Chinese and promised to be back, and picked up their papers and left hurriedly, trying to keep their dignity intact.

"You've changed," Ian commented quietly.

"So have you," Kai replied in return.

In the past, Kai Hiwatari was renowned for not showing mercy. He killed and bathed in the blood of his victims and delighted in horrified and shrill screams while he broke apart their limbs. He was known in the underworld as the loyal dog Cerberus from hell, due to him always tearing threats to Biovolt apart without fail.

But Ian had seen how Kai sobbed and wailed to the skies like a lost child after he lost it and killed hundreds of people, both targets and innocents, all those years ago. Covered in blood from head to toe, alternating from helpless hiccups to deranged and pained screaming as guilt consumed him.

In the past, Ian delighted in filling his victims with holes. It was a kind of release, seeing blood splatter as his hands felt the steady recoil of the gun as he shot, shot and shot, those little explosions of sound music to his ears, music of the most wonderful kind to him.

But Kai had seen how Ian kept clawing at his own arms after his first shoot-out, leaving long red marks as his wide eyes stared blankly into nothing, trembling within its sockets, until Ian lifted the gun at his own head, and Tala had to lunge at him to stop him. He had seen Ian cry and mutter repeatedly that he didn't deserve to live, being the monster he is.

"I've stopped, I'm not in the abbey," Kai dusted himself off nonchalantly, though his haunted eyes spoke volumes. "It's not very good for business, you see."

And they looked at each other, their eyes speaking things words would never be able to say.

"Xiexie!" Many neko-jins started to thank them in gratefulness, breaking the moment. The elders moved up to them, and the other neko-jins parted. The elders bowed to them. "Thank you for helping our village, you are now our village's friend."

A lady with long flowing hair smiled cattily at him, moving in front to drap a metal necklace around his neck, with a pendant carved intricately from wood, resembling a sort of cat god with wings.

"That will tell all neko-jins that you are a friend," The elder explained and Kai smiled sincerely, clutched his gift in one hand, and inclined his back and head in thanks. "To Kai Hiwatari and Ian Papov!"

The neko-jins cheered. And even the White Tigers did so. Their gratitude for someone to someone who saved their village was clear, despite Kai being one of their old enemies. They were not an ungrateful bunch. At least for today, they would let bygones be bygones and feast together.

Kai was ushered to the table where Rei and Ian were seating. Kai gave an exasperated smile as he was fussed over, many villagers thanking him individually, and pouring wine for him, taking food for him, etc. He spoke pack to them patiently and graciously in chinese, and watched their eyes glower in joy and admiration at his conduct and grace.

"You have the ladies smitten," Rei whispered lowly to Kai in english, giving a little grin.

Kai only snorted in amusement and said nothing, obviously used to having attention showered upon him. Ian however, squirmed in his seat and smiled awkwardly at the attention, overloaded and unsure of what to do. He only disarmed the men, he didn't see what the fuss was about, after all, he was hardly praised and appreciated in his life.

"Eat, Ian," Kai said softly in Russian. Gratefulness and relief flitted over Ian's expression as he picked up chopsticks and started to eat. Kai was done quickly, coughing politely to excuse himself. Standing up to leave as he mumbled his gratitude for the delicious meal.

A small hand grabbed onto his shirt.

"You're leaving already?"

A lost voice that called out sadly.

Eyes turned to watch them. Ian adamantly kept his tight clutch on Kai, desperate eyes not leaving Kai's softening ones.

"I'm sorry."

An apologetic tone as Kai released Ian's hand from his shirt, but still holding that small hand in his. "I'll come back. I have to check on the rest. And my business awaits."

"You promise?"

"I do."

Ian's hand slipped away, and he stared at his food, quickly losing appetite. Kai gave a helpless smile and ruffled Ian's hair. "I'll be back," Kai repeated to reassure the lonely, understanding boy.

"Good bye."

"Goodbye Ian."

"Bang wo zao gu ta," Kai whispered to Rei, who nodded seriously, after the scene of affection between the two ex-abbey boys. Kai cast a last look at the frowning boy who was poking at his food and left quietly. Silence ensued in the room, everyone speechless to the touching farewell the two shared.

The other White Tigers shared a look amongst themselves, doubt clear in their eyes. Rumors said the Blitzkrieg boys were a violent gangsters who had no emotions. Rumors said they were a barbaric, traitorous bunch who did things for their own benefit and cared for nothing but themselves. And they believed those rumors. Believed them until today. They watched as that suddenly small looking boy bite his lip and leave the table, holding back tears. And they knew they had been wrong.

**End of Ian's chapter two**

XP: What Kai last said to Rei was, "Help me take good care of him".

So sweet... ;_;

Kai has a sweet side to the smallest member of the Blitzkrieg Boys... D'awwww.

Hope you all liked it, and sorry for the long wait! As usual, tell me what you liked, and if there are errors etc!