Okay, for everyone to know, the last chapter about the bear, I wrote it while watching some anime where they were in a mountain being chased by a family of bears. It was hilarious and it just kind of gave me the idea. I don't know if there really are grizzlies in Osaka or in Japan. I just watch too much anime LOL. Sorry for the wrong information but let's just leave it that cause it's just a mere part of my imagination okay? ^.^ This is a fanfic after all.

But I'd like to thank Chaseha-Wing again for correcting me ^^

Well anyways, thank you all for liking the previous chapter despite the flaw and leaving such wonderful reviews. An just so you know, i only continue writing this because of you so *gives all of you a super bear hug*

Here's the new update and I hope you'll enjoy it just as much. :D

Disclaimer: I never owned Beyblade but this fanfic is surely mine and some of the characters as well.

Chapter 12: Closer

I think my leg's gone numb after being used as a pillow for some time now. Kai's just passed out and his head has made a successful landing right on my lap. He's still breathing hard and he's sweating buckets. I'd give him medicine but I didn't think I'd need one so I didn't bring any. He's really burning. Oh god, I should try doing something about his ridiculously high temperature. Why did he even get so sick like this? I know we were under the rain for a while but I don't think that's enough to get someone really sick like this especially not someone like Kai. He's not the type of person with a weak immune system.

Carefully and gently, I push his head off my lap and lean him on the cave wall while I get some towel from my bag pack. It's amazing how we still managed to keep our bags after all that running and falling. Ignoring the excruciating pain trailing up my whole body, I walk over where our bags are sitting. I fish out a slightly damped hand towel and walk back to Kai's side. This would've been much easier if I didn't have this huge lump on my ankle. Stupid clumsy me. How the hell am I so good with martial arts yet I'm horribly clumsy? Well, forget it. I squeeze the towel enough to remove the excess water and crouch over to Kai to put it on his forehead. That's when he finally opened his eyes. Instead of shimmering ruby eyes, his eyes are foggy and a deep dark red.

"What… are you… doing?" he asks almost in a whisper. I barely heard it. He looks so weak right now. I would've laughed at his current look before but I just can't right now since he's suffering from a really high fever. His eyes are really droopy and are scarcely even open, his lips–his soft luscious pink lips are starting to dry and his already pale white skin is turning even paler.

"I'm trying to help you get well" I replied placing the towel on him

"You…shouldn't move…so much. Your ankle…"

"You're not supposed to be worrying about me right now" I cut pushing him gently back down the floor folding another towel for him to use as a pillow.

"This is nothing…I'll get better in no time…so you really shouldn't…" Seriously, why can't he just stop protesting and say 'thank you' instead?

"Just shush" I say and stands up or maybe that wasn't such a good idea after all. I cursed at the sudden sting again. I almost fell on my butt if not for the cave walls. Oddly enough, I'm starting to like this cave. Because walking is out of the wise things to do with a sprained ankle, I got on all fours and crawl over towards the bon fire. It's getting a bit cold. I hold up my palms to the fire and glance back at the scenery outside. Everything's turned grey under the gloomy skies and the heavy downpour. How could it have rained so suddenly when the skies before we started this stupid hunting game were clear blue? It's either this is all just because of the global warming or destiny's just continuing on playing ludicrous tricks on me.

I brush my lips remembering how sweet and heated our intimate activity earlier was. His lips were really soft against mine and it felt really good. It was a whole lot different from when Brooklyn kissed me. There was something in there but I couldn't really put my finger on it. The way he massaged the back of my neck and deepened our kiss so that he could enter my mouth thoroughly; it was so hot I thought I was melting. Heck, was really melting. And the way he ordered me to open my mouth for him was really sexy. I want to feel it again. I want to experience the same throbbing in my heart, the same heat on my lips and the same touch on my skin. It's addicting even if we only actually did it once. I think I may even sound as some perverted gay. Sigh. Since when did I actually get this kind of attraction to him? I thought I hated him. I should hate him but what's happening now is the complete opposite. I think I actually… like him? I mentally slap my head at that thought. Where the hell did that come from? I don't like him. I don't, I don't, I don't!

Anyway, thinking back to it, I haven't really got some clear explanation from his recent action. I'd ask him right here and now but I don't want to give him more headaches with my frustration. Somehow I feel like he'd give me some lame reason and surely, it'll anger me to the maximum level. I just know it. He's that type of guy. Sigh again. This is already frustrating enough. We're inside some cave deep in the forest and who knows if Hilary and the others have even realized we're stuck here. Our phones have been soaked with water and we can't obviously use it anymore to call for some help. I let out a really deep sigh.

"What's wrong?" Kai's voice snapped me out of my thoughts. He sounds a lot better than a few minutes ago. Boy, does he recover fast. I look over my shoulders to see him sitting up right. He sounds clearer but he still looks as flushed. I get up from my enjoyable and warm spot and help him although he doesn't really look like he's in need of any help.

"I was just thinking. How are you feeling?" I ask lending him a hand

"Still a bit dizzy but I'm fine" he answers looking down at my ankle, "And you?"

"Oh, I'm…okay" I force a smile at him trying to cover up my lie. Something I fail miserably as Kai frowned and reaches his hand to my ankle to look under the small fabric wrapping it. I twitched at the sudden touch and I bit back my lips from yelping as he placed his hand on the reddening lump.

"I told you not to move around" he glared at my ankle

"But I had to" I pout looking away. It's my own fault he's angry. Suddenly, he swiftly removes the ribbon tying my neatly braided hair. Well it was neat before all these happened. Before I can even protest he wraps it over my ankle and throws his dirtied handkerchief. I am so buying him a new one when we get back to civilization. That hanky wasn't cheap, I can tell with the gold stitching and soft fabric. And something like 'Burberry' was imprinted on it in cursive writing.

We then go back to a moment of silence with only the sound of the crackling of the fire wood and the heavy drops of rain can be heard. We're both leaning against the stone cave wall. I have my knees pulled up to my chest and I'm leaning my head over it staring at the small bon fire. Kai's closed his eyes and is starting to have his normal face color back. The fire actually kind of resemble Kai's eyes. Blazing and fearsome. It's like nothing can daunt him. He and his sister share those same eyes. Oh wait, his whole family has those eyes. It's a very rare and stunning pair of orbs situated on perfectly white and smooth skins. I could remember that big portrait by the stairs. His mother's like the most beautiful woman I've ever seen in my short sixteen years of life. Her beauty could overthrow Artemis's and burn Venus with shame. His father on the other hand wore the same emotionless and cold face like him. But hell, he makes Tom Hanks ugly with that killer gaze. But, there's one thing that has been really bugging me ever since I stayed with the Hiwataris. I've seen a lot of them in the never-ending alignment of portraits and paintings on the walls of the mansion but…

"I've never really seen them"

"Who?" Oh did I say that aloud? Oh well, maybe I can finally get an answer.

"Your parents. I've stayed with you and Keisha for a few months now but I've never really met your parents. Do they live in a separate mansion or something?" I keep my eyes on the fire afraid of what look he's wearing now. I've never really asked him anything regarding his personal life. He's not answering I think he even muttered something in Russian. That was a bad move. I feel like I just stepped on a mine bomb. I shouldn't have asked that. What if it's some kind of a family secret he and his sister only know about? I'm intruding now. Gee Rei, ya think? I shake my head and is about to take back what I just asked when he finally speaks.

"They're dead" I gasped and had my head quickly turning to look at him. How could he have said that with such an undaunted look and with an impassive voice? Is he that cold to not even feel anything about his own family being dead?

"Not technically. They got into a divorce when I was seven which makes you kind of on the right track"

"Meaning?"

"They live in two separate mansions in two different distant countries" Am I dreaming this and hearing Kai actually tell me more about his life? What's up with today? But whatever's happening, I don't mind, let it keep going. This could just be my lucky day as well to finally figure why Kai is Kai and by just hearing that his parents divorced is already giving me a good clue. I sit straight quietly and attentively listen to him. I give him my full attention. He glances at me for a second but then continues still with his narration. Thank god.

"Well, since you look like you won't let this go any easily, I might as well just spill it out. As I said, my parents went on a divorce, the reason: dad cheated on mom. He always has even before I was born. I don't know the exact reason but even I am not dumb enough to actually search for some other bitch that's better than my mother. I mean let's face it, my mom's just insanely gorgeous, as my sister puts it. My mom just kept a blind eye and when she caught him red handed, that's when she snapped and all hell was set loose. Dad was just lucky enough to leave the house with both his arms still attached to his body" Eek! Beautiful but deadly. I now see who Keisha takes after.

"The divorce papers were then filed and they went on separate ways selfishly leaving me and my sister under our grandfather's sturdy wings. With my dad gone hunting the entire female race of the world, there was nobody to inherit the company except me of course. But since I'm not legible enough to take over, he forced my sister into becoming the substitute president. Keisha despised our grandfather because of that and that when he died, I'm sure she would've literally danced on his grave if it weren't for the proper etiquettes she was taught with. Even if she hated it, my sister kept running the company until I'm old enough to take over"

"Your sister's pretty awesome despite hating what she's doing" I comment, "I mean she's the current president of Russia's number one company"

"Hn" is his usual short reply. Hey, but wait something's suddenly weird.

"Why did you say they're dead if they're still alive then?" I ask again hoping he'll answer that seriously and not with his stupid grin and say he was only kidding. I feel like there's more into it than just a simple unnecessary joke. He's keeps silent for a while then after taking a deep breath,

"I decided to just erase them from my life and believe they never existed from the very beginning. The only parent I'll recognize is my grandfather no matter how much of a bastard he's been. And the only family I have now is my sister" he replies with his eyes as fierce as the fire. He's glaring at nothing in particular. He's just mad about his whole situation I guess. "And maybe those two idiots as well" I think he's talking about Tala and Bryan. I let out a small chuckle at how he considers them his family and yet calls them insulting names. But what happened in his family is really…awful. I can only imagine how Kai must've felt when they got on their divorce and just left them like some piece of furniture to their grandfather. I mean what kind of parents are they? They neglected their own kids for the sake of their own gratification.

"There, I told you about my life but don't you dare utter even one word to anybody else" he's glaring at me. Like hell the thought even crossed my mind. This isn't some sappy gossip and I am not some cheeky gossiper. I frown at him as my answer and would you believe what he sends me back? He smiles! Oh it's so bright I think I'm blind. Is this heaven?

"I'm very well capable of smiling too you know. There's no need to always be shocked when I do"

"It's just because it's not something I often see" I said while i probably look like a fish to him right now.

"That's why asked you earlier, should I smile more often?" he smirks. No! Smile at me! Smile don't smirk! And speaking of earlier, I think it's about time I asked him.

"Which reminds me, why did you kiss me?" I glare at him although I already know that it's nothing compared to him and doesn't faze him at the slightest. Meh, doesn't matter. I just want an answer.

"Hmm, do you want the honest answer or the lame excuse?" he grins. Is he teasing me?

"Do I really have to answer that?" I glare at him harder and he just…laughs? And not just any laugh, he's really laughing aloud with his cheerful voice echoing throughout the whole cave. I stare wide-eyed and mouth open at him. I've never seen him this happy, nor did I hear him laugh like this. I can't believe he's actually acting as crazy as Tala now. I don't think I even said anything that worth of laughing at.

"Why are you laughing?" I ask again not realizing I'm already only an inch away from him. He tilts his head and his laughter slowly ceased. He gently smiles, his pearly white teeth actually showing, at me again before softly pressing his lips against mine…again! But unlike our earlier 'morning kiss' it's just a smack, a quick brush on the lips.

"Take a good guess, Kon" he's keeping that killer smile on. Oh I'd love to just stare at a smiling Kai. It's like the best thing you can ever see, a whole lot better than all those ancient artifacts or landmarks.

"About which, your laughter or the kiss?" I feel my cheeks getting hotter by the minute as he's just decided to wrap his strong arms around me and my head is comfortably laid against his muscular chest.

"Hmm, both" he chuckles. This is really some side of Kai. I've never seen it, hell I never even imagined it existed!

"Kai! Kitty! Are you here?" That's Tala's voice, I'll know it from anywhere! They're here finally!

"Tala, how could you ask such a dumb question?" And Hiro's with him.

"Shut it Granger"

"I found them!" Brooklyn! I don't know how happy I am to see you! I'd get up and run to you and lock you in a bear hug if I didn't have this damn sprain. He quickly runs to our side taking me from Kai's hold only, Kai kept a firm hold around my waist and is glaring daggers at my best friend. What's up with the tension suddenly? Even Brooklyn who I know doesn't like fighting is glaring back.

"Let go, I'll carry him" Brooklyn states. Hiro, Tala and Bryan arrive at the scene.

"No" is Kai's firm answer

"What's happening here?" Hiro then asks

"Kai, please just let Brooklyn carry me. I know you're still sick" I breathed feeling a bit too exhausted already. His glare softens as he looks down at me and sighs. He then releases me from his hold allowing Brooklyn to gently pull me up and carry me on his back. Tala and Bryan walks over to Kai to help him up. He kind of almost stumbled when he got up. Now I'm sure he's still a bit sick. I look worriedly back at him as Brooklyn walks passed the three Russians. He nods me a reassuring look.

"Tala call Dr. Sagawa immediately and ask him to come here as quick as possible. Rei sprained his ankle and needs attention pronto" I heard Kai instruct the redhead.

"Rei" Kai calls and Brooklyn stops to turn and look at him which makes me look at him as well, "Think hard and take a good guess" he smiles again. Brooklyn, Hiro, Tala and Bryan all gasped. See even your childhood friends looks shocked after seeing your smile. Okay, I'm guessing the reason he kissed me is of course, the obvious and first reason you'll think of if a person kisses you on the lips, he likes me but my brain's still debating over that. I'm sure he'll tell me exactly what his reason is but for now, a light of hope has suddenly decided to grow in my heart; a hope that Kai could like someone and that that someone could possibly and may as well be me. But apart from that, after knowing his past and hearing him laugh and worry about me (my ankle), I feel like we've just decreased the distance between us and we've become closer than we really know.

It's all just some hunch. For all we know, I could be wrong but let's hope I'm not.

Okay, I don't know about Kai's real past, the thing about his family is made-up by none other than moi. Thanks for reading and leave a review if you feel like it to keep me motivated :D

Next chapter: The sports festival is coming and Rei, having his sprained ankle is stuck/forced being in the festival committee with Brooklyn...and Kai's jealous?

See'ya on the next chapter ^.^