Disclaimer: Seriously lawyers, if you sue me...you'll end up in debt.

So a huge thank-you to those still reading, and a special thank-you to Tyka's Flower, Little A Granger, Angel Devastation, chibiduo, "Me", CorynOfHoole and Demons of the arch angel, all of your kind words make me smile! Demons of the arch angel, thank-you especially for reading and reviewing this from the beginning. Her story "MIAB" is definitely worth checking out!

Also in about 4 chapters, this story will be going on a brief hiatus, as this will be about halfway through "Borderline" and Kai and Tyson will be starting a new chapter in their lives together, before it goes back to weekly updates. Should only be about 3-6 weeks absolute max. I will be using the extra time to write ahead (as there is still about 20 chapters I still have to write before this story is finished) and post some of my one-shots and short stories, also work on my other story "A Dangerous Affair". I will have a Christmas story finished hopefully by the end of next week. But know, when "Borderline" returns, it will come back with a vengeance! I'm in the middle of writing the tournament now, and jeez it's going to be brutal for you guys to read. Even my own mother said "Wow...you show no mercy." SO be ready for an emotional roller coaster.

Now with all of that said, enjoy this light, safe chapter of Borderline!

Thanks to school being finished and Tyson having no other responsibilities, and due to their brush with death, Kai and Tyson became inseparable. With the Russian moving into the Dojo, all 10 of his cats came with him. Kouken and Meko spent the majority of their time with Grandpa, while the kittens had free reign of the house and Tyson and Takao were thrilled to see each other everyday.

Hiro was not happy about any of this, however any protest he made was silenced quickly by a glare from Gramps, much to Kai's amusement. He had no idea why the old man liked him so much, but since it drove the uptight-jackass crazy, he was not complaining.

Grandpa Kinomiya received his thank-you when he discovered that all the bills were paid for in full for the next 10 years. He hugged Kai tightly with tears of gratitude pouring down his face and the Ice Prince actually hugged him back. Neither of them said a word to either Kinomiya brother – this was their own little secret. No one needed to know that the old man had been on the verge of selling the house.

Soon plans were made that Tyson would work at Hiwatari Enterprises as Kai's personal assistant, he would be granted time off for tournaments and other personal issues. He officially wouldn't start until September, but he could come to the company at anytime. Although Kai warned the teenager that the job wouldn't be easy, Tyson just assured him that if he could take orders from the "Coldest Bastard in Russia" for this long, the job was a cake-walk.

Both men had figured out their love confessions went unheard, due to the explosion making them both go temporarily deaf, and both of them breathed a sigh of relief. Though for Tyson, he replayed the kiss over and over in his mind and it was getting harder and harder not to kiss those soft lips again. But he wanted to do it right this time around and not on some crazy hope that it would bring Kai back from the dead (which it totally it!). Well...if he would ever muster up the courage to confess again.

There wasn't a night where they could sleep without the other now. Grandpa often caught them in a mass of limps and blankets most mornings in the Dojo before Kai would wake up and join him for coffee. For the days Tyson was exceptionally hard to get out of bed, the old man would assist Kai with getting up the sleepy-head with screaming "Practice TIME!"

Apparently, unless it was said by Gramps, it wouldn't work because Hilary has used it too many times.

Just when things couldn't get better, Kenny received an e-mail from Max that he and Ray would be coming in on July 20th and would be staying for an entire month.

Tyson was over the moon about hearing that the Bladebreakers would be back together again, but as he looked at the calendar he realized there was another day coming up...Kai's birthday was August 2nd (and he had only discovered that titbit of information when Kenny had been sorting through files when they had been helping the BBA rebuild.) This would be the first time that they all could celebrate his birthday together, the trick was to prevent Kai from mysteriously disappearing for the day. Or maybe they should just let him, and throw a surprise party for when he got back. Yeah- that would work! Kai wouldn't suspect a thing! Now who should all be there? Kai really wasn't a "people person" with no real friends expect the Bladebreakers and- the Blitzkrieg Boyz! Maybe Tala could take the day off and fly in? Maybe he could even help keep Kai busy even! He waited for Kai to leave the room before pulling out his cellphone. /Hey Tala, I'm planning a surprise party for Kai, you in?/

Tala was lounging on his couch, with Bryan making dinner when he received the text. His violet eyes widening before getting a mischievous glint in them. "Looks like the Brat Pack figured out Kai's birthday!"

Bryan poked his head out from the kitchen. "You gotta be kidding. We've been trying to figure that one out for ages!"

"Yeah, well that nerdy-kid must've found it. Tyson wants to throw a surprise party."

Bryan smirked wickedly. "Kai will never see it coming."

Tala typed back that they were in and asked for the date.

/August 2nd. Who would've ever guessed that guy was a Leo?/

/Well he's got the egoistical part down. What's your plan?/

/Keep Kai busy for the day and throw him a surprise party later that night. Oh gtg! He's coming back!/

/Delete your texts!/

/K/

The one thing that Tala did know was that Kai could be a real snoop when he wanted to be, especially when it came to Tyson. He remembered in the last World Tournament how Kai would sneak away to view all of Tyson's matches. That guy was hopeless. He shared an amused look with his boyfriend. "So any ideas what we should get for the Birthday Boy?"

"Many." The day they had been waiting for had finally come.

Tyson had shoved his phone in his jeans pocket just in time and went back to his comic book. He would make sure he would delete the messages in the bathroom later. He couldn't risk Kai finding out and jumping ship.

The Russian sat down on the couch and turned on the news. The top headline was how a pair of criminals escaped prison by using power tools then going through the pipes. It was like something right out of "Shawshank Redemption" (1).

"Wow, any person who could break out using power tools deserves their freedom!" said Tyson.

"Oh really. What if they went and committed more crimes? They're both convicted murderers."

"Well, maybe they won't. We don't know who they killed or why they killed them. For all we know the people they killed were worse than Boris. I'm sure they had their reasons. If they kill more people, by all means, send them back. But at this point, I say let them go."

When Tyson said things like that, it really made Kai want to kiss him. He smiled. Maybe he would be forgiven if he killed Boris after all.

"What's your opinion on this Kai?"

"Hn. I don't care one way or the other, as long as they don't get in my way."

"So you agree with me?"

"If that's how you want to look at it." Finally it switched to the news segment he wanted to see.

"...and in other news, the Prime Minister of Japan just signed a contract with the CEO of Hiwatari Enterprises, Kai Hiwatari, that all military small arms and ordnance weapons will all be Hiwatari products. Some are calling the contract a risky move. Although the products have a reputation of being of high-quality, made with advanced technology years ahead of its time under former CEO Voltaire Hiwatari, some say that 18-year old Kai Hiwatari is just too inexperienced. Earlier this year the company was nearly taken over by a company called Tovi Lob. With 10 of the 12 board members voting in favour of removing young Hiwatari from power. However, without the vote of Vice-President of the company, Tala Ivanov, the motion wasn't carried. Hiwatari reacted by terminating more than 90% of his employees, including all members of the board whom voted against him. When the Prime Minister was questioned about Hiwatari, he had this to say:"

The TV turned to a clip of the Prime Minister. "Mr. Hiwatari was taught well by his Grandfather, and there is no denying that Hiwatari products are the best in the world. I'm hoping that young Hiwatari will bring fresh, new ideas to the company."

Kai shut the TV off.

Enraged, Tyson got on his feet. "What the hell?! Why didn't they say that Voltaire is in prison? Or that the employees that you employed were in cahoots with Tovi Lob? Way to make you the bad guy!"

"The press is biased. Which bias depends on who's bringing home the bacon. As long as its not slander, they can get away with it."

"It's still not fair." huffed the teenager as he plopped back down on the couch with his arms crossed.

"Life's not fair. Akira's actions were scrutinized as well."

"Oh. Is that good or bad?"

"Doesn't matter."

"So why check the news at all?" asked Tyson cheekily.

Kai raised an eyebrow. "Shouldn't you be training or something?"

"I am. I'm your assistant aren't I? So shouldn't I be learning all of this?"

Kai looked at Tyson, impressed. Apparently the normally care-free boy was going to take his role seriously. The 13 year old who thought he could get by on talent and luck alone had been replaced by a serious, hard-working and eager young man. The CEO had originally only given the job to Tyson to fulfill his own selfish needs of wanting the boy near him and to help Gramps out, intending only to give Tyson small, simple tasks that he didn't have time for or just didn't want to do. But if the 17 year old was actually serious, he could throw him a bone. After all, Tyson was only careless, rash and obnoxious. He wasn't stupid. And lord knew he could handle the press.

"Keep your friends close and enemies closer. That's how you win cooperate wars."

"Um...so you want to remain one step ahead of the enemy and so you need to know their every move?"

"Exactly."

"That's pretty twisted. Since when does Kai Hiwatari ass-kiss?"

The Russian crossed his arms. "I don't. I pretend to be their friend to get what I want. Let them think they're using me, while I'm using them."

A blank look adorned the baseball-capped teen's face. "Uhhh...I don't get it."

A smug look graced Kai's features. "Don't worry. Not everyone can be me."

"You think you're so great, but wouldn't it be easier to be actually friends so you can ask for things at any time?

"Unfortunately your ideals of rainbows and unicorns don't work here." he stated, only ticking Tyson off further.

"Why not?!" demanded the assistant.

"Do you make friends in a battle-royal match?"

"Hell no. Never know when your buddy is gonna stab you in the back."

"Cooperate wars are the same way. If you share ideas, the ideas get stolen."

"...So everything is just one big beybattle minus the fun?"

"Speak for yourself Kinomiya."

"Fine then, what's so great and fun about this, oh Mr. Hiwatari?"

Kai grabbed his laptop off the coffee table and pressed a few keys before turning the screen towards Tyson, who read the words "Daikin Industries' CEO's reaction to Hiwatari's Contract *Hidden Camera*" above the loading video. He looked at his friend with confusion. "Daikin Industries along with Komatsu were the leading companies alongside Hiwatari Enterprises for small arms and ordnance weaponry."

"Oh...before your new contract."

The Russian smirked. "Watch." He clicked play.

In the surveillance video, there was a balding, chubby, middle-aged man behind his desk he appeared to be writing something when another man came into the room. "I'm sorry sir. Hiwatari got the contract."

The CEO's reaction was instantaneous. He barked at the man to get out of the room, and when he was alone, he flipped over his desk and papers flew everywhere. The Japanese man then began a long string of swears that would make a sailor blush as he kicked the desk and paced around the room angrily; calling the Prime Minister a fool and Kai an insolent, fuck-face twat-muffin amateur. At this, Tyson started howling in laughter.

"Hahahahaha! Oh my God! He's having a temper tantrum!"

The video went on with the businessman tearing apart his office, continuing with the obscenities. "I'd love to launch a blade at his pretty face and gouge out his fucking eyes! That worm! That fucking little worm! How'd he come up with plasma shields?! He obviously stole the idea!" He picked up his phone. "Give me 4 dozen donuts – STAT!"

Tyson was on the floor, rolling around in tears laughing, as Kai turned off the video. "G-G-Get me a d-d-doughnut – STAT!" he gasped between giggles. When he finally composed himself, he wiped away tears and said "Ok, ok. That was pretty funny." he admitted.

Kai just inspected his nails. "Nothing like watching cooperate scumbags get beaten at their own game by a "fuck-face amateur".

"I don't know about that, watching Hilary's attempt at blading was pretty priceless." Tyson chuckled.

"Please tell me she didn't?" asked Kai biting back a grin.

"Oh yeah. We were all on the bus and she spun Kenny's blade and it bounced EVERYWHERE! It was pretty bad."

Kai's heart tugged slightly. How much had he missed? "Ha, serves Kenny right for not keeping tabs on his blade."

"Yeah, ya think with how much heck he gave me, he'd take his own advice." Laughed Tyson. "I wonder if he's going to join in the tournament like he did last time?"

"It depends if he can make it through the qualifiers. Only the top 50 bladers advance to the tournament."

"Top 50?! Isn't that a bit much?"

"Scared Kinomiya?"

"Maybe, if I wasn't so damn good." Said Tyson, flashing a cocky smile, before frowning. "Still, Boris will be there."

Seeing the far-away look in the brown eyes, the Russian clenched his fists. Damn that man to hell! "All he is, is a lousy recruiter for another lousy team. Just concentrate on playing the game, no matter who your opponent is."

Tyson smiled. "You're right Kai."

"GUYS!"

Both teens jumped in surprise as Kenny burst through the door, out of breath.

"Woah! Where's the fire chief?!" exclaimed Tyson.

"It's finally done." chuckling, the brunette held up a gleaming new Dranzer.

1) I was sitting with my mom in a restaurant when we saw this news story. No joke, somewhere in the states, 2 convicted murderers escaped prison using power tools...sometimes reality is stranger than fiction.

So...lots of boring blah, blah, blah...on the bright side, Kai and Tyson actually had a full conversation! Never fear! The chaos resumes in the next chapter along with some fluffiness. Hope you enjoyed the breather! Please review and maybe if I get enough reviews I'll update before Christmas!