REVELATIONS

Summary: Kai/Ray!! Taking place after Ray's fight in the World Championships. Chp.7: Time for each boy to face up to his feelings. Revelations and a bittersweet kiss.

WARNING: this is male/male slash, so if it's not your cup of tea, I have issued the warning.

Rating: PG-13

Disclaimer: I can't truthfully say that I own Beyblades, but it doesn't stop my imagination!

Author's Note: A million thanks to all those who've kept reading Revelations, and especially to those who left me such encouraging reviews. Actually, thanks to everyone who left me some titbit to read- I love getting the feedback. And yes, thanks to the flamers, too few that you were. I might be twisted, but flames make me smile. Maybe it's just being a wee bit pyro that does it to you. Anyhoo, this is the last chapter of Revelations. It's a bit bittersweet, and I dunno- I didn't know how to end it so please, just- Enjoy!

~*~~*~REVELATIONS: Chapter 7: Revelations~*~~*~

Silence purged the room.

Kai could have kicked himself. Was kicking himself, in fact. Mentally, although he had no doubt when he was alone he'd end up with some bruises- how *blunt* did he have to be? Idiocy, that's what it was.

And to have put the Chinese boy on the spot like that- no, that was unfair. Just because he didn't have the guts to say what his heart was telling him.

~*~~*~

Ray's mind raced around in little frantic circles, like a puppy chasing it's tail. He knew he liked Kai, damn, it would've been impossible to ignore the twinges in his chest every time those deep brown eyes focused on him, and him alone. He just wasn't prepared for this: this outright question from the one he wanted most to tell the truth. But if that meant breaking a friendship beyond repair- well, it was a bit of a gamble, wasn't it?

And he had the others to think of, too. If he told Kai how he felt, and said it in such a way that it was final, would they still be able to function, together, as a team, the way they used to?

//But still,// he thought, // always a chance.always a chance.//

Ray's eyes raised from their self appointed staring spot on the blanket, to meet the depthless pools of Kai's eyes.

*A time to tell; revelations and all.*

//If ever there was, then it's now.// he sighed.

~*~~*~

Kai jumped slightly at the sound of Ray's sigh. This is it, he thought. Classic foot-in-mouth time. Not that I haven't already done that, though, he mused wryly.

"I do like.someone." Ray said, quietly. "But you already know that, don't you?"

He looked Kai dead in the eyes. "And I want to ask the same question to you. Who do you like, Kai?"

Kai couldn't have looked more like a fish if he'd rehearsed. Ray had just turned the tables on him! Talk about tactics!

For a brief moment, he felt irritated. He hadn't planned on this. But then, just as quickly as it came, that feeling fled when reason and logic took over. Honestly, he'd have done the same thing. It was a matter of pride after all.

Well, if it was pride, then he was going to bite the bullet. And if he couldn't *say* it then..

He leant over towards Ray, and placed one hand over Ray's. With the other, he turned Ray's head gently to him- he lost his hand to the silky black hair.

And nearly lost it all when he saw the look in the other boy's eyes.

~*~~*~

Ray's breath caught in his throat when Kai's hand covered his own. When Kai's hand brushed his face, he could've died. It felt so- natural.

Something must have happened between his mouth and his brain, because their was *no* communication between the two. Something must've showed in his expression, because Ray saw a brief flash of hesitation skim over Kai's face.

And then Kai kissed him.

~*~~*~

Kai lent in, quickly, and pressed his lips softly against Ray's. It was like an electric spark passed between the two of them- like fire, and so tempting. It we on like that for god knows how long- it was too easy to be lost in the moment.

When Ray pulled back, Kai's heart sank. Until.

"I take it you like me? You could've just said so."

Shock made Kai look like a stunned sheep. Granted, it was an expression that the normally closed-off Bladebreakers captain wore.

Ray arched an eyebrow, and smiled. Kai registered what Ray meant. And the world made sense again.

Kai pulled himself up, and all of the old arrogance made itself known. "I don't know- I like to leave an impression."

Ray suddenly looked more cat-like than usual. "Well, you were always one for, let's say, action." He all but purred.

He reached up and drew Kai down, and kissed him.

"And I like you."

~*~~*~FIN.~*~~*~