Don't Judge A Book By It's Cover


Disclaimer: Beyblade is not owned by me, as in, NOT MY PROPERTY, and I'm writing this story without proper written consent of the rightful owners.


YAOI WARNING!! Kai/Tyson!! And I think I might add Max/Ray too! I've never seen it done, but...


Oh, yes. Thank you to swim fan for reviewing all my stories, and for ideas in this chapter! And I switch POV a lot this chapter, but please... it helps the story!! Oh, and Chapter 4 will be the last chapter! I've already written it!


"..." people speaking


/.../ people's thoughts


~~Chapter 3: Long Explanations~~


Max sat stunned for the first real time in his life. After what seemed like an eternity, he managed a stuttered, "H-He's w-what?!?"


Ray sighed and shook his head. "Don't you understand, Max?" Max shook his head no. Ray continued, "Tyson feels bad about the way he talked about Kai, but doesn't want to admit it. And he's afraid that if he helps find Kai, his heart won't be able to take it. Tyson is trying to force himself to not like Kai, but his heart knows the truth. But Tyson considers Kai an... opposite, in personality and everything." Ray stopped there, and couldn't bear to continue.


Kenny picked up for him. "Meanwhile, Kai was hurt not just by the words, but because he knows in his heart that he loves Tyson, and hearing those things come from his mouth hurt him even more than the words. And Kai's struggling too. He was taught to form any relationships with anyone and to block out his emotions. But since he joined the Bladebreakers, we've been helping him overcome that. Some things, though, aren't as easy as that. When you're young, Max, you get taught or don't get taught certain things, and when you grow up, these are some of the easiest things to remember. So Kai's having a hard time dealing with his emotions that he's hidden for so long, and the fact that he's in love with Tyson isn't helping."


Ray took over again. "It's pushing him stressfully to make a decision and he's having difficulty controlling that stress. Kai's doing a good job, but sometimes, like when he heard Tyson talking about him, the stress soars. That's what made him blow up and act so unlike himself."


Through this lecture and explanation, Max had been listening like a student, with the other boys as his teacher; in some ways, more like a young child listening to his wise elders. Max paused and thought over what he had just heard.


He asked, "So what can we do for them?"


Ray sighed again. "I'm not sure, Max. They have to find it within themselves to deal with their feelings, not hide them. The most we can do is try and find Kai."


"But is that safe, with their feelings and everything?" Max questioned.


Kenny replied, "Nothing's safe at this point, Max. Anything could set Tyson off, and finding Kai could just make things worse."


Max probed, "What do you mean, set Tyson off?"


Kenny explained further, "Well, we could be watching TV, and there might be a news flash about a fire, and Tyson could think of Dranzer, which would make him think of Kai."


Ray gave another example. "Or... it could start to snow outside, and Tyson might think of our time in Russia, which would make him think of the tournament, Boris, Voltaire, and finally, Kai."


"So, what do we do?"


"I don't know if there is anything we can do but find Kai," Ray admitted.


"Alright then," Max replied hesitantly.


Kenny told Max, "We don't like it either, Max, but we have no choice. Finding Kai comes first."


"Hey, guys?" Max asked, a note of worry in his voice. "What if... Kai doesn't want to come back? Or if we never find him? Or if we find him re-really hurt, or, or-"


"He'll be all right, Max. We just have to avoid thinking like that, ok?"


Max gazed into Ray's reassuring eyes. He smiled, "Ok, Ray!"


"Go to bed now. We'll need our rest to find Kai."


Both boys nodded and Max turned off the light. Kenny considered another late night with Dizzi, then changed his mind. After all, Max had been nice enough to give him the bed, while he slept in a sleeping bag beside Ray. An hour later, soft snores were heard from Kenny. Max and Ray stared at the ceiling, eyes wide open.


/I can't believe he's sleeping right beside me!!/ Max blushed furiously. /He's so smart... and I love the way he ties his hair... He's so serious when he needs to be... but he can be really funny too... I wish he felt the same way about me... he probably just thinks I'm this kid who doesn't know anything! I'll prove myself to you, Ray! I will!/ "I will," he muttered promisingly.


Ray, however, was too caught up in his own thoughts to hear this. /He's so cute... especially when he's so innocent about everything... The way he never breaks a promise, and can cheer just about anyone up with his attitude!! And he's sleeping... right... beside... me... I just wish he loved me back... Maybe he thinks I'm too serious for him... Or he remembers how I lost Driger like that so easily... How I was so easily fooled... Well... I'll prove myself!!/ "I will..." His words were soft, and Max didn't hear them.


~~~Kenny's POV~~~


I yawned as I woke early that morning. Normally, Ray would have been up by now, but hey, we had spent a lot of time last night talking, and he's not used to late nights like I am. I looked over at Max and Ray, and my eyes widened. Max was in Ray's arms, his head leaning on Ray's chest. Ray was snuggled close to Max, and they both seemed happy and having peaceful dreams.


I thought of waking them up, but stopped. The way Max had gazed into Ray's eyes the night before... The way he had listened so carefully and patiently to Ray's words... The way he had given up his bed to sleep beside Ray... I shook my head, and shivered. It was really cold in here. I brushed my teeth. I stepped into Max's kitchen, and poured myself a hot cup of tea. I started up Dizzi in Max's living room, so my typing wouldn't disturb their sleep...


~~~Max's POV~~~


My eyes slowly fluttered open. The first thing I saw was Ray's cute face 2 inches from mine. It seemed like I'd slept leaning on his chest. I had to smile, being so close to him. I could smell his fresh scent, feel the softness of his clothes. But... as much as I liked it... it wasn't right... I doubted he wanted this to happen, so...


I frowned. It had no meaning if Ray hadn't wanted it. I leaned my head back against his chest, snuggling closer to him for what was probably going to be the last time in my life. I sighed, content, not wanting it to end. Just 5 more minutes...


~~~End POV~~~


And Max fell asleep, basking in Ray's warmth. He slept happily, free of all worries and concerns. Meanwhile, Ray began to stir...


~~~Ray's POV~~~


My eyes opened. They grew wide as I saw that Max's face was less than two inches from mine, and that he was in my arms, resting on my chest. I didn't want to move, but I had a feeling neither of us had planned this. It wasn't right if we didn't want this to happen. I frowned slightly. Why did I have to move...? Max seemed quite happy in my arms, with a broad grin on his face, and a contented look.


And the windows had been left open overnight. It was quite cold in the room. Max and I must have snuggled closer, unaware, but happy of the warmth we each gave off. As wrong as this was, I didn't want to disturb Max's sleep... mmm... so warm... I slowly felt myself drifting back to sleep...


~~~End POV~~~


By some miracle, 2 hours later, both boys managed to wake at the same time. They quickly blushed and pushed away from each other, muttering apologies. 15 minutes later, they were both starting breakfast in Max's kitchen, in silence, other than Kenny's typing.


"Well," Max said as they finished washing their dishes, "let's get going."


"Right," Ray agreed.


"If only we had some clue of which way he headed, at least," Kenny said, shaking his head. "But the longer we take searching, the farther away he gets... If we had a hundred people looking for him, maybe we would be able to find him by the end of next week."


With that at the back of their minds, they started off. They started down a quiet street, ready to split up and search, when a voice behind them called, "Wait!"


~~TO BE CONTINUED...~~


The next chapter will be the last chapter. I've already finished it, actually.