Betrayal

Disclaimer: Are Tala, Bryan, Brooklyn, Mystel, Kevin, Ozuma, Joseph, Kane, Jim (Soon I'll put up a story for him...I have it written in a book somewhere), Max, Johnny, Enrique, Oliver, Michael, Claude, Miguel and Zeo the main characters of Beyblade? Are the guys actually gay? Has Hilary and Tyson died yet? No? Then I don't own beyblade.

Warnings: Yaoi! BryXTala

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Chapter 11 - Emotion

(Bryan's POV)

I can barely even stand being near Tala any more. It hurts too much. I'm glad for the black bandaging covering my face. I put it on as soon as Tala calmed down, deciding to hide my eyes and the emotion showing through. After all those years of training my eyes decide to betray me! I can't seem to control my body as well as I was once able to. I wonder if that's another side effect. I sure hope not! I just hope this is a freak accident.

"You ready?" Ian taunts slightly, ready to launch. Grumbling silently under my breath, I set my hand on the launcher as Spencer counts down. As soon as he says go, I pull the launcher as hard as I can while still keeping it straight. According to my touch-memory, I am only a notch or two from how hard I was able to launch; my aim is dead on.

"I'd say I was, Ian…" I tease, grinning. I control my blade as best as I can, but I am way off from how I was able to. Hell, I could even control the wind around me before! Now…I am having trouble spinning a shitty top! All I can say is even holding back a good 1/4 of his strength, Ian still sends Falborg for a ride. Toying with me, he lengthens my torture and, long after when he should've, he knocks me out of the dish easily.

"Sorry, Bry…still need some practice…" he notes, a lovingly-snide tone in his voice.

"Why you little, arrogant brat…" I ground out, sick of him taunting and teasing me just because I'm not playing well. "That. Is. It." I quickly run over to him, grabbing him by the back of his shirt. I grin evilly at him. "Time to show you just why you're to respect your elders, not to mention those that are A) Taller than you and B) Stronger than you." I smirk as he struggles. "Time for revenge. Payback's a bitch, Ian…" I drawl out, barely catching the sound of Ray, Tala and Spence's laughter over Ian's cries for help.

"What are you going to do?" he shrieks, clawing as best as he can to get away but to no avail. I keep the evil grin on my face as I stay still and silent. Soon, I walk toward the door. Ian, catching my intent, starts to cry for help. "Help me! Tala! Spencer! RAY!" he screams, trying to worm his way into Ray's kind nature. Ray, knowing what I am up to, stays as silent as the other to, save for the sniggers. "HELP! SOS! SOS! HELP ME!" he shouts.

"Shut up, Ian. Or I'll worsen your punishment…" I inform him, drawling the words out slowly. Needless to say, the small blader DOES shut up…for once. I ease the door open, balancing him carefully, tightly, with one arm. Grinning, I toss the boy into the freezing snow. The fact that it is nearing midnight probably doesn't help. After standing in the door for a few minutes, Spencer pushes by me and picks the shivering boy up. "Awe, come on!" I whine, secretly relieved that I didn't have to show that I was starting to worry that he may get sick.

"We don't want Ian to get hypothermia. It's too cold to be out here without a warm jacket and Ian is only wearing his sweater," Spencer says, carrying the shaking boy to the house like the nice-guy he is.

"Who says?" I retort jokingly, following the big lug's footsteps. I can hear the snow crunching behind me; Ray and Tala decided to join us in the 'cold' (to them, at least) walk back to the house. Spencer gently pushes me, setting his hand on my shoulder to keep me from falling face-first into the snow. This balance thing through snow hasn't seemed to have returned yet. A pity. I miss chasing the indigo-haired teenager through the snow; toying with him. I could catch him so easily, but not with my eyes closed it seems.

"Hey!" I turn toward the voice, knowing the cheerfulness anywhere. I have heard it so much lately, I'm getting used to it. Ray settles his hand on my shoulder to pause my trek. "I want to talk to you, ok? It's something personal…" he whispers.

"So you don't want the others' to hear or be around, correct?" I drawl lazily. I can hear Ray mutter a soft 'yes'. I relax slightly, letting his hand rest on my shoulder. It's comfortable. Plus, if Ray wants to talk to me alone than I don't have to run into Tala anytime soon. "Alright…" I tell him, turning to Tala who is waiting for us most likely. I could hear the door shut and no footsteps return so I know Spence and Banana Nose (AN: It's actually Ian's nickname according to a few sights! Lol!) are inside. "Tal, I need to talk to Ray. You can go inside. We're fine…" I say, knowing Tala will get the hint.

"Alright. I'll let you have a one on one talk!" he chirps, strolling through the snow quickly.

When I hear the door shut again, I turn to Ray carefully. "So, what is it you want to talk about, Kitten?" I stand in the snow, not even shivering from the cold. I can feel the chilled wind blow through like every other Russian night. "Well?" I question, careful to keep my impatience hidden and my voice soft. Ray's nervous.

"I…" Ray is silent. I can hear a slight movement and then pressure on my lips. My eyes widening underneath the bandages, I gasp softly. So much for being prepared for anything. Am I losing all of my training? The warmth of Ray's lips left mine soon after, I could hear Ray quietly curse himself for being stupid. "I'm sorry, Bryan. I…"

"What the hell was that about?" I mumble, glaring down at my feet. Why don't I feel disgust? Ray, a guy, just KISSED me! I can only stand where I am, snow lapping at my ankles, filling over the sides of my boots. I blatantly ignore Ray's apology.

"I…I suppose I have a crush on you, Bryan…" Ray whispers softly. I can hear the uncertainty and fear in his voice. I can hear him shuffle slightly with the boots Tala had lent him. He is really nervous.

"Oh." Oh? OH? Is that really all I can say? God! What is up with me? GUY kissed ME! Should be disgusted! WHY AM I NOT DISGUSTED?

"I'm sorry if you don't feel the same…" Ray whispers.

Redirecting my attention to his voice, I mentally sigh. "That's ok, Ray. I…just don't feel anything," I say, ignoring the fact that I SHOULD be disgusted.

I can hear Ray mutter a soft 'huh?' I feel his hand rest on my shoulder again. "Nothing? You're not disgusted that I kissed you?" I shake my head, still confused about why I am NOT disgusted. "Hmm…maybe you're gay or bi. Anybody straight would be…" he says softly. Me? Gay or bi? NO WAY IN HELL!

"I'm not."

I can hear Ray laugh softly. "How do you know? I bet this is the first time you were kissed by ANYBODY!" he reasons, sniggering as I scowl. He's right. "It could be! I am kind of bummed out that you didn't feel the same, but I have a feeling I know who you like. Even if you don't!" he chirps. I can hear the sadness in his voice, but I can also hear understanding. "I bet you like Tala!"

Blinking, I let my mouth drop open. "Ya right!" I retort, spluttering at the certainty in his voice. I can hear Ray chuckle again. "I am not gay! Or bi!" I insisted, glaring daggers at him. "And stop laughing."

"Sorry, Bryan!" Ray says, calming down. He leans in close to whisper in my ear. "You know, guys aren't as close as you and Tala, even if they are best friends. Even Max and Tyson aren't and they are both happy-go-lucky children…" he reminds me. When I'm about to retort back, he reads my words before I can say them. "Neither are brothers, Bryan." Huffing, I turn away from him. "I think you have a secret crush on him…"

"I. DO. NOT." I ground out, not even turning toward him.

"Do too!"

"Ray…" I say warningly.

I can feel Ray lean close, moving to whisper in my ear again. "You like Tala. Face it. And I think he likes you too, Bryan." I splutter. Ray laughs at my reddening face. "That's not that bad. I'm gay, too, remember. I found out when I felt nothing toward Mariah and felt strange around Kai. Don't you feel strange around Tala?"

"I feel guilty…" I admit softly, not turning toward him still. My face softens as I calm down. Silently, I think. Maybe he is right. Maybe I do like Tala. But…why? I'm not supposed to be gay. It's wrong. "But that's because I kept me cutting from him."

"Did you feel the same way around Ian?" Ray questions. I shake my head. I can feel Ray lean slightly on me. "See? And you feel better around him when your not guilty, right?" I nod, catching what he is meaning.

"Yeah…I suppose you caught it. I didn't, but I realize that you're right. I'm sorry that I don't feel the same way as you do me, but I don't feel anything toward you other than friendship," I whisper, still not sure about this. I turn to face him.

"That's ok. Like I said, I also have a crush on Kai, albeit less than the one on you but I can manage!" he assures me. I can feel him hug me slightly. The feeling is weird. Only Ian hugs me. Well, Tala does but only when he is breaking down. "And I don't mind losing you to Tala. He's a worthy foe!" he laughs. I can here the acceptance in his cheery voice. "But we better get inside. IT'S COLD!"

I smile slightly. He's so carefree. He still has his childhood. I lost it so long ago. When Boris decided to take me to Balkov Abbey. It's…nice to be around. I guess I am a bit closer to him than I was before. "Yeah…I am sorry that I don't feel the same. I hope Kai does, even though I hate him. Maybe you can pound some loyalty in him!" I laugh. Ray joins me. I kiss him on the cheek, murmuring a soft 'thanks'.

Ray gasps softly. I can tell that he's smiling again, though. "For what?" he questions softly.

Smiling back at him, I look down to the ground. "For helping me sort my own feelings out. I would have never have been able to do that on my own. Training to have no emotions crewed that up for me," I admit softly. "Come on…" Together, we go back inside.

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FLUFFY FLUFF! OMFG! IT'S TOO CUTE! SQUEE! I could just see this happening!

Review! I like reading them!

Bryan: Stop being so greedy.

NO!

Tala: Why not? You can't have everything you want.

Or can I?

Bryan: You don't have your favorite characters, we're on loan. We're being taken back to Takao-sensei as soon as your story is done.

DAMNIT! I WANT TO KEEP YOU! It's no fair! (Starts bawling over not owning Bryan, Tala, or any of my other favorite characters.)

Bryan: Baby!

Tala: Cry baby, more like.

Bryan: True.

Bryan and Tala: (Watch me have my temper tantrum with great amusement.)

Tala: Ok…this is getting sad.

Bryan: Yup

WAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

Tala: Reviews might calm her down…

Bryan: Please save what's left of my sanity and REVIEW!