Disclaimer: I don't own Beyblade and don't make money with this.


Chapter 7


Kai felt Tala's lips on his and his body froze in place.

His mind however was racing, analyzing the situation. Tala thought he was hot and Tala was kissing him. This proved the theory of Tala liking him. So far, so good. What about his own feelings, though? Kai still hadn't figured that one out. He knew he liked having Tala around and that he thought Tala was pretty good looking. Did it feel bad kissing Tala? Surprisingly no, not at all. So, did this mean …?

At this point, Kai's mind just blanked, leaving his body on its own. Maybe some things were beyond rational thinking after all.

Kai felt his lips move against Tala's. They were soft and warm against his. Kai's hands came up and curled into the soft hair at the back of Tala's head. It was as if everything else was fading; it was only their lips moving together and the weight of Tala's body pressed against his own.
When Kai felt Tala's tongue nudging his lip for entrance, something snapped him back to reality.
His eyes flew open and he forcefully pushed Tala away.

"Woah!"

Kai scrambled to get into a sitting position. He stared at Tala, trying to process what just had happened.

"Wha-…what the hell?" was all Kai managed to say.

Tala sat up looking surprised and, maybe, for a split second, a little hurt.

"I figured my chances weren't that bad, so I decided to take a shot," he said.

He focused his piercing blue eyes onto Kai. Kai's cheeks were burning and he was staring into space while biting his lower lip. Tala smiled. How confused Kai looked. It was utterly adorable. Tala decided to push his luck a little further.

"I know you didn't mind Kai. Otherwise you would have never kissed me back the way you did."

Kai looked up, his cheeks turning an even darker red.

"I, um," he mumbled and got to his feet. "I need some air."

Tala watched Kai hurry out of the door. He smirked.

"Go ahead and run, Kai. You'll figure out it is too late soon enough."


Kai shut the backdoor. His heart was racing and his hands trembling. They were shaking so much from the adrenaline rush he almost dropped his cigarettes. It took Kai a couple attempts until he finally managed to light one. Kai took a couple quick puffs and sat down on the bench. No, sitting was not good. He was too stirred up for this. Kai rose to his feet and started to pace around.

After he'd chain-smoked two cigarettes and walked a ditch into the backyard Kai felt calm enough to sit down again. Losing his cool like that was so unlike him. He needed to focus.

Kai turned his gaze to the sky. He thought about the kiss and how Tala's lips had felt on his. His heart started beating faster instantly. Did this mean he had crossed the line? Possibly, Kai thought. He'd liked kissing Tala. It had felt good! Would he do it again? He bit his lip. Yeah, he would!

Kai let out a sigh.
And what was he supposed to do with this new knowledge? Kai had absolutely no clue.
He reached for his cigarettes.

"Seriously, another?"

Kai's head shot up. Unnoticed by him the door had opened. Tala was leaning in the doorway, watching him. How long had he been standing there?

Kai rested his head against the wall and closed his eyes. He couldn't look at Tala. Looking at Tala made him lose his cool. And that's what he couldn't afford right now, because he still hadn't figured out what to do. Kai didn't like not having a plan. It made him feel vulnerable. But maybe this was what made love so tricky – it was just so unpredictable and everybody was vulnerable.

Kai made a mental note to knock Ray over the head for glorifying love – very exciting and wonderful indeed.

He let out a deep breath. Enough with the inner debate! He was Kai Hiwatari for Heaven's sake. He needed to man up and face this new challenge.

Kai got up and walked over to Tala.

"Are you gay?" he asked bluntly.

"Obviously," Tala said.

"Is everyone here gay?"

"What do you mean by everyone? Oh, Bryan and Spencer?"

Kai nodded.

"Oh, they're not gay! They're just putting on an act 'cause they're bored!"

Kai looked at Tala with disbelief.

"I'm serious. They've known each other since infancy, so yes, they're close, but not like that! I'm the only homosexual around. Tyson's dreaming of a blond and blue-eyed beach girl, Ray wants a wife and a bunch of kids, and Max, well, honestly, I think he has yet to discover his sexuality."

Kai felt a little smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.

"So Kai, are you gay?"

"Possibly," Kai said. "Are you in love?"

"What's wrong with you?! I feel like I'm being interrogated."

Kai just kept his eyes fixated on Tala.

"Okay. Yes, I think I am," Tala said.

"How do you know?"

"I just do. Are you satisfied now, Inspector?"

Kai nodded slowly.

"Almost," he said.

He then took a quick step towards Tala, shoved him against the wall and kissed him.

Unlike their first kiss, this one only lasted seconds.
Kai pulled back a little, though he was still close enough to feel Tala's breath on his skin. His eyes met Tala's and he searched them for approval. It was there alright!

The kiss that followed was everything but short and innocent. Every last bit of doubt Kai had had was blown away. This kiss had him completely convinced he was doing the right thing. How could something wrong be this good?

They kissed for what seemed like hours.

Kai still had one hand gripping the collar Tala's shirt. He placed the other against Tala's chest, his fingers tracing the outlines of the muscles hidden underneath the thin fabric. Kai felt Tala grab him by the shoulders and spinning them around. He decided not to be bothered by this now and just add it to the payback-list.
Kai wrapped an arm around Tala and curled his fingers into the red hair. Meanwhile Tala's hands weren't lingering either. Quick fingers made their way under Kai's shirt, pushing it up a bit, exposing his abs. Kai figured he had equal rights and slipped his hand under the back of Tala's shirt and up his lower back. He felt Tala shiver. Kai couldn't deny that this was starting to affect him as well. At what point had Tala managed to put his knee between Kai's legs? This was quite a dangerous position.

In between kisses Tala murmured, "Kai, we need to do something about your smoking habit. Kissing you is like second-hand-smoking."

"I think we make quite the pair: I smoke, you have a drinking habit," he replied, his voice low and throaty.

Tala shrugged.

"Touché!"

Kai met his lips for another passionate kiss. Their tongues were fighting for the upper hand, neither one wanting to give in. Kai drew Tala nearer, who followed willingly until every inch of their bodies was touching. With both their shirts ridden halfway up it was hot skin on hot skin and-…

"Helloooo? Kai, Tala?"

Kai and Tala jerked apart. They looked at each other, lips swollen and faces flushed.

Ray had the most miserable timing ever. Maybe if they ignored him…?

They heard Ray call out again, "I know you're still here somewhere; your stuff is everywhere. So you better stop whatever it is you're doing, 'cause here I come."

They barely had time to take a step apart and slightly straighten their deranged clothing before Ray appeared in the backdoor. He took one good look at them and grinned widely.

"Looks like I picked a bad time, huh?"

Ray was clearly enjoying this.

"Oh shut up," Kai murmured.

He smoothed out his shirt with all the dignity he could master and walked past Ray inside the Dojo.

Blasted Ray! Of course he had to walk in on them.

While Kai started to gather his belongings he heard Tala and Ray follow him inside.

Tala walked over to him. Out of the corner of his eye Kai could see Ray at least had the decency to wait by the door. He turned to Tala. Kai let his gaze wander, taking in Tala's messy hair, the slightly swollen lips, the rumpled shirt…

Their eyes met. Kai felt his body shiver under the intense look from these ice‑blue eyes.

So what if Ray barged in. There would be plenty of other opportunities. They had time, and they had each other.

"I love you, Kai."

"You're not so bad yourself."

"We'll work on that."

Kai gave him a little smile. Tala smiled back at him warmly.

Then they walked over to Ray. Together.


The End


A/N: This is it! Special Thanks to those who followed, fav'ed and/or reviewed this story:

Elves of the Moon, CRSWoodferns, NorthernShinigami, Rapunzelle, Ha Neul Kang, ashlee, UnicornTalesLol, alyonaHiwatari/Yuliya89, Skizuko 189 and andzia 16118.

Thank you so much, you have been my motivation to keep this story going! :))
And of course thanks to everyone else who is reading this, because it means you've read this story to the very end.

Maybe let me know what you think about the ending? ;)

Byeee~ NoEarlyBird