Authors note: Here we go, and I think you will find the twist at the end slightly surprising;)

AS always I greatly appreciate reviews!

Sungirly: Thank you so much for the review! I assure you that you will soon see more of the car;)

Girru: AS always, thank you so much! I greatly appriciate the time an effort you put into your reviews! Firstly I wish to say that I think you misunderstood me. While english is not my first language I sometimes express myself a little clumsily when I am writing fast. Kai's thoughts and perseption of other's is not an illusion, and he still has that uncanny ability to pick up on other peoples worries and understand them. THe thing I wanted to portray is that he does not always know how to respond to them, because of his own problems. I think you will see this in chapter 37, at least some places. If you go back to chapter 20 "Bleeding me", you will also see another example in which he comforts someone, or at least tries, although he doesn't really now how. Rest assured that my Kai will become a "happy kai" as you so nicely put it eventually, but that he has to face some obstacles before that. He probably seems screwed up to you, but I still think there is a vast difference in his mentality, if you compared the latest chapters to the first few. At least this was my intention. Anyway, I would like to give a more throug response, but it is difficult to do so here. Do you have mail adress or a profile here on FF? IF you do I would love to write a longer anf better response. Best regards B98:)

Behind the wall of sleep

Chapter 37: Bad seed

Things went surprisingly fast after my meeting with Boris. Frankie left on a plane back to the states in the morning, and I fell into a state of deep depression for the next few days, wandering mindlessly around like a zombie. At least that is what Tyson called it. I wasn't quite sure exactly what acting like zombie implied, but I still decided not to like the comparison.

At the moment we were on a plane, on our way to Germany. I wasn't quite sure what to make of this either, considering the fact that we were supposed to visit Robert in one of his many castles. Sure, I could survive a couple of days in his presence; I just had a very bad feeling about the whole thing. Well, I suppose it could be because we, or rather, they, had decided to show up unannounced. Being a Hiwatari I knew everything about proper etiquette and behavior, and I felt pretty certain that regarding someone like Robert this was not the way to go. Granted that I myself seldom maintained proper decorum, but sometimes a certain finesse was in order. I was under the distinct impression that Tyson had planned on challenging him, and if he wanted that battle he should know better than to offend the bastard.

Robert had literally crushed him when we were on the boat, and he was not by any means obligated to accept a rematch. I suppose I should have voiced these concerns before boarding a plane to Germany, but a small part of me reveled in the fact that Robert would have to meet Tyson face on. Robert was a jerk, and I hoped Tyson would beat him. It might be an unlikely scenario, but still, nothing was impossible. The fucker had improved considerably over the last few weeks, and despite the grudge I still held against him I had started to respect his skills. He had actually passed Max as far as skill level was concerned, and I had a feeling he would soon surpass Rey as well. Impressive, I'd give him that. He was still an annoying loudmouth, but for the first time since getting to know him I actually respected him as a blader. I sure as hell hadn't seen that one coming when I joined the team.

To my great despair however, I had been seated in between Tyson and Max, and my patience with the both of them was about to run out. Tyson had spent the last hour eating half rotten apples and bananas from the VIP area, and unsurprisingly he had started complaining about how his stomach hurt about half an hour ago. He still hadn't stopped eating though. Max had fallen asleep, on my shoulder, and not liking being in close proximity to other people I felt somewhat uncomfortable. Rey was watching the scene from a seat opposite mine, although he didn't look as amused as one could expect. He was in a bad mood, I could sense it, and I found this somewhat out of character. That being said I knew why, or at least I suspected. He had called Lee that very same morning, and although I had not heard what was said I was positive Rey had confessed his sexual preferences. I felt sorry for him, I really did. Coming from a small Chinese village such things were probably considered taboo.

I wondered how he coped, where he got the strength from. Of course I couldn't be certain, but judging by his depressed expression and the angry voices from the phone I suspected that he had been excommunicated, or at least disowned for the time being. Our eyes locked, and he quickly looked away, his bottom lip quivering. He really was out of it, and I looked around, feeling relieved when I discovered that Tyson had fallen asleep, leaning against the window. For once he wasn't snoring either. I shifted slightly, trying, but failing miserably at repositioning Max's head. That earned at least the hint of a smile from Rey, and I reverted my attention over to him again, deciding that some damage control was in order. A part of me didn't like the idea of comforting him, claimed that such things were beneath me. Then again I chose to ignore it. It didn't matter, that was my grandfather speaking, not me.

"You should not listen to them", I said to him, my voice harsher than intended. I had never liked Lee. He was too…traditional. That being said I was very aware of the fact that he was most likely a far more approachable individual than I myself was, which made me feel….I don't know….uncertain? It was a fine line, the one between reality and denial. Lee was in denial, at least regarding Rey. As for me I wasn't sure. I easily recognized other people's feelings and worries, understood and occasionally sympathized with them. I just didn't know how to respond. But, most importantly, I didn't understand my own feelings, didn't know if what I felt was….right. I was different from the other's in the way that I didn't really know who I was. Sure, I had a natural confidence about me, but that confidence came from what I did, not who I was. Correction, who I felt I was.

Rey, Max, Tyson and Kenny, four individuals with their own set of problems and worries. Still, they handled them with grace so to speak, at least for the most part. And, that was just the thing. Whenever something went against me all hell broke lose, and it was my own fault. My inability to brush things off, to just let them go, that was what ruined everything for me. George Lovington was just one of hundreds of scenarios which could have turned out in an entirely different way, had I not jumped into defense mode the moment he showed up on my doorstep. Instead I now belonged to my grandfather yet again, and this time it would take a lot more to get away from him. This time I had really done it, I had realized that when I talked to Boris two day's ago. Once again I had ruined everything for myself, my future, my dreams and wishes. They were still salvageable, but now I wasn't sure wheatear I would win or lose.

With a frustrated sight I leaned back, gazing intently at Rey, who was watching me, looking puzzled. I merely shrugged in response, finding his problems easier to dwell on than my own. "Lee and Maria, they are very angry with me", he slowly said, once again looking completely heartbroken. "They will come around", I said, and he shook his head bitterly, biting his lip. "And if they don't?" My eyes narrowed and I felt a familiar flare of irritation awaken. "Then they will be sorry", I merely said, surprised when he chuckled in response. "Yeah, they probably will", Kenny agreed, and I sent him a surprised glance. Despite myself I hadn't noticed that he had been listening in. For once I didn't bother addressing the issue, but let it slide, deciding that it didn't matter. Should he tell anyone about my newfound softness I felt certain that no one would believe him anyway, so all was good.

Our plane touched down at precisely 8 O'clock in evening, and Max stirred next to me, flushing when he realized where he had fallen asleep. "I…I…I am sorry", he stammered, looking utterly terrified. I wondered why it bothered me, and before I had the time think things over I gave him a dismissing snort, making it clear that I wasn't particularly bothered. As a result he clung onto me like a second shadow for the remainder of the evening, and to my surprise I sort of liked it. We dropped our bags at the hotel, and went out scouting for a restaurant, which turned out to be a very challenging ordeal, at least as far as I was concerned. Max and Kenny wanted Pizza, Tyson wanted beef, Rey wanted Chinese but claimed he was willing to compromise, and I was indifferent.

As it turned out we couldn't find a place which had both Pizza, beef and noodles, so in the end we chose a Greek restaurant. Some compromise I reflected, deciding that I after all felt rather pleased. Conversation flowed easily, and Rey seemed to have forgotten his sorrows for the time being, busy discussing beyblading techniques with Kenny and Tyson. Max still hadn't decided on what to order, and I was merely observing them. On one hand I was having a good time, secretly enjoying listening to their conversation and taking in their obviously good mood. And then on the other I felt somewhat out of place, like I didn't quite belong. Observing was exactly what I was doing; I was not truly a part of their conversation. It felt…..unsettling in a way. I was still the one standing outside, pressing my face against the window and looking in. "Kai? What are you having?" Max asked me, and suddenly I felt included again, just like that.

At 11 O'clock, when the other's were busy tasting each other's desserts I excused myself, heading for the bathroom. Not that I was actually going there, no, instead I silently slipped through the kitchen and out the back door, onto the street. It was silent, apart from the cars driving past, and the occasional group of people crossing the street. I found a comfortable spot against the far wall, leaning back and closing my eyes. The cool night air helped getting things in perspective, and I felt at ease, calm…content. He arrived at 15 past, just as he had promised, and I briefly opened my eyes too look at him, acknowledging his presence with a slight nod. He returned the gesture, and I pushed away from the wall, strolling down the street. He easily caught up with me, absentmindedly brushing a hand through his hair. It was still purple, which annoyed me, but I didn't allow this detail to distract me. It wasn't important.

"It is nice to see you", he said, smiling politely at me. I shrugged, resisting the urge to throw the usual "Whatever" at him. He didn't deserve that, not now anyway. Much could be said about Robert, but he was trustworthy, of that I was certain. " I appreciate your call", he continued, nodding to himself. "At least now I can prepare for your arrival." Right, as if anyone could properly prepare for the bladebreakers "Tyson is very much looking forward to beating you", I said, vaguely aware that this seemed to amuse him. "We will see about that", he responded, and I detected a hint of triumph in his voice, as if he had already won. I still wasn't completely certain what outcome I wished for. If Tyson won I knew I wouldn't really like it, not truly, but I didn't like the idea of Robert winning either, so there you go. That being said Tyson had improved considerably, and in that regard he deserved success, although I will be honest and say that it was not without frustration I admitted this to myself.

Sometimes I wished the two of us could have switched places. Granted that his family was a complicated one, his father and brother never home and all that. However he had his grandfather, and I would gladly give away an arm to have him instead of mine. Despite his sometimes embarrassing behavior, and all his martial arts talk he was a good man, and he cared about Tyson, deeply. I respected him for that, although I knew that he was not sure what to make of me, which I understood. I hadn't exactly treated his grandson with uttermost respect. Not that Tyson deserved such a thing either. His older brother, Hiro I believe his name was, I had never met, only heard about. Apparently he was also a beyblader, although he preferred to train others, not compete himself.

"So", Robert said, eying me with interest. "I don't suppose you asked me to come here for small talk?" I scowled at him, and he smiled ever so slightly. No, I had most definitely not asked him to meet me for small talk. It was something that for me was even more difficult. "I have a favor to ask", I slowly said….