This chapter's a bit weird in my opinion, but it's my favourite and very long. I hope you enjoy.
Just a Little Bit of Fun
Kenny knocked persistently on the other bedroom door, hoping to get some kind of answer. After almost five minutes, he still didn't receive one. Kenny debated whether to go in or not then just gathered his courage and opened the door.
It was still dark inside with the curtains drawn, hiding the sunbathed balcony and the bright view beyond the window. Kenny made his way cautiously over to the large bed and the two figures sleeping huddled together underneath its covers.
"Kai?" He whispered nervously as he approached. Kenny looked over at he bed and he froze, his breath caught in amazement at the sight.
Rei was sleeping huddled up close to Kai's bare chest, a smiled upon his features. Kai himself had his arms wrapped protectively around Rei, holding him close. It wasn't just the unusual positions of the two that made Kenny freeze, it was also the fact that he could see no items of clothing on either boy.
Just then Kai stirred, breaking the spell Kenny was under. He cleared his throat and tried again. "Kai?"
"Huh?" Kai mumbled unintelligently as he heard his name. "Kenny?" He stirred again and cracked open an eye. "What are you doing here?"
"Lee called. He said he wanted to talk to you about something before Rei left with them to go out today."
"Right." Kai closed his eye and snuggled back towards Rei.
"He said he'd be over in an hour."
Kai groaned. "Damn early risers," he muttered. "No consideration for the fact I didn't get any sleep last night."
Kenny blushed at the last statement. "Well, I'll, uh … I'll leave you two alone to wake up properly."
"Thanks." Kenny was amazed that even at such an early hour Kai could still manage to have that sarcastic edge to his voice.
Kai waited until he heard the door close before he opened his eyes completely. Then he remembered something Kenny had said that stuck in his mind. You 'two'? His eyes opened even wider and looked down at the curled up neko-jin sleeping in his arms.
He stared at Rei for a long while, trying to get his breath back and feeling a strange sense of déjà vu. He studied every inch of the sleeping tiger's face, every curve and crevice. He gently trailed his fingers along that soft skin and felt the boy stir beneath him. Kai shook himself.
What the hell am I doing? He pulled his fingers back and looked away.
"Where the hell are my clothes?" he muttered. He looked over and noticed the bathroom door slightly ajar. He'd left them in there after he'd cleaned up because they were wet and bloody from helping Rei. Kai suddenly felt guilty about drawing away from the sleeping boy. He needed every kind of support and care he could get.
"I'm such a cold bastard sometimes."
"No you're not." Kai looked down into those half open lids revealing molten golden depths. "You only pretend to be sometimes."
"Maybe I like that image."
"It doesn't suit who you are. You're really kind Kai, and sincere."
"I'm your captain, it's my job to be like that." Kai looked away and disentangled himself from the tiger, pushing away the feelings of regret that washed over him as he let go of that warm silky skin. He couldn't afford to risk showing feeling yet.
Rei hid his disappointment at Kai's distance and decided to talk about something else. "Do you know when the White Tigers will be here? I forgot to ask last night."
"An hour. Kenny came in just a little while ago and told me."
"Right." Rei sat up and stared at Kai, who sat with his back to Rei. A pained expression crossed his face and he was about to speak, but Kai cut him off.
"You should probably get ready."
"Sure." Rei got up and moved over to the wardrobe where he had placed his clothes. Then he started walking towards the bathroom.
Kai saw him hesitate from the corner of his eye. When Rei stopped and looked as though he was bout to faint, Kai got up and walked over to hold him up.
"Are you okay?"
Rei shook his head. "Kai … I …"
Kai understood. He cleared his throat uncomfortably. "Would … do you want me to …" he trailed off, slightly uncomfortable with his request.
Rei looked over at him. "Could you just stay there, please?" Kai nodded and walked into the bathroom behind Rei.
He heard Rei's sharp intake of breath as he locked the door behind him and turned to face the frightened boy. He approached slowly with his hands held up. "Rei, you have to be able to trust me." Rei nodded fearfully. "Good. In this situation it's best to have someone you trust near you to help you out. Do you trust me enough? Or do you want one of the others?"
"No." Rei shook his head violently. "Don't tell them yet, please Kai. I trust you, I know you'd never hurt me."
Kai's heart soared as he heard that admission. He gave Rei a gentle smile. "Thank you." He approached Rei slowly again. "Do you want me to help you?" He gestured his head to the shower and Rei blushed.
"C-can you just stay nearby?" Rei looked a bit nervous about Kai being here, perhaps ashamed that he has to ask for help.
"Rei, it's okay to need help with something like this."
Rei shook his head and blushed a darker red. "No, it's not that."
"Then what ... oh." Kai blushed himself realising exactly what was wrong. "Well you really shouldn't be that nervous considering what we sleep in." Kai looked down at the pair of boxer shorts, the only item of clothing that covered his body. "Besides, last night ..." he trailed off wincing as he thought about the state he found Rei in.
Rei nodded. "I guess. In that case, could you come in with me? I'm still a bit sore and I can't wash my hair." Rei blushed again and looked away.
"Sure." Kai wondered why his heart suddenly started beating faster as Rei removed his own boxers and unwound the bandages from his arms. He quickly turned away and removed his own and heard the shower turn on. He looked over and his breath caught as he saw Rei standing under the jet of water washing himself, his long mass of raven hair sticking to his back with the water, his lean figure looking very enticing. The image was slightly distorted by the steamed up glass door of the shower, but it was enough to cause Kai to get slightly flustered.
Why the hell am I feeling like this? Why does Rei inspire such emotions and trust in me? And why the fuck are my hands shaking? Kai clenched his hands to stop the slight trembling and stepped towards the shower. This is not the time for me to be acting weird, Rei needs my attention right now.
"Kai?" Rei called out nervously.
Kai stepped in behind Rei. "Yeah?"
Rei whirled around his eyes wide. Kai was surprised by the reaction and stepped away slightly. "Rei? Are you all right?" Rei shook his head and put a hand to his head.
"I'm sorry. Maybe I shouldn't have asked you to do this." Rei turned around again. Kai could see his shaking.
"Shh, it's okay. I'm sorry, I shouldn't have startled you like that." Kai placed a tentative hand on Rei's shoulder then removed it as he flinched violently.
"Kai, I ... I can't." Rei broke down and started sobbing. Kai took him in his arms as he had before and embraced him. Rei flinched away slightly, but Kai held on tighter. "I'm sorry. She ... she did that."
Kai closed his eyes. "Shit," he muttered. "I'm an idiot." He looked down at the sobbing boy. "Rei, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have touched you like that."
Rei shook his head. "No, it's not that. I ... I wanted to forget it, but I do want to have that sort of intimacy one day with someone. I just freaked."
Kai nodded and let Rei go. "Do you still want me here?"
Rei nodded. "I trust you Kai." He smiled. "It's nice to have someone care about me and look after me like you do. You're like another older brother."
Kai wondered why he hurt all of a sudden when Rei spoke those words. But Rei had already turned away to grab the shampoo. Kai saw him wince in pain and got it himself. He poured a large amount on his hand and rubbed it into Rei's scalp, making a lather that covered quite a large portion of the raven mass. He continued with the long task, feeling strangely soothed by his actions and he could tell Rei felt the same way.
The neko-jin had started to purr contentedly.
Kai smiled. Rei only seemed to do that when he was completely relaxed and feeling happy. And he only did it when as few people were around as possible. Kai grabbed the showerhead and moved it so that he could wash away the shampoo lather from Rei's hair.
He suddenly grinned in a very un-Kai-like manner and moved the spray so that it hit Rei right in the face. He heard the surprised neko-jin splutter and he laughed. Then Rei turned around and glared.
"That wasn't fair."
"I know." Kai grinned at him again. Then he paled as Rei suddenly smirked at him. "What are you doing?"
"You'll see." Rei reached for something but Kai was faster.
"No you don't." Kai grabbed Rei's arm gently and pulled it away, drawing Rei closer to him.
Rei grinned. "Perfect. Exactly what I hoped you'd do."
Kai looked confused, that is until Rei's long fingers suddenly were felt at his side making him squirm. "Rei, don't."
"Make me stop." Rei pulled his other hand out from Kai's grasp and tickled his other side.
Kai was squirming more now and trying to stay calm. "Rei, I am your captain. Stop now or I'll make you do extra training."
"It'll be worth it. I'll have this beautiful memory with me forever." Rei had backed Kai up against a slippery wall now, completely helpless. "Now cry mercy."
"Never."
"You asked for it then." Rei moved up his sides and Kai continued to squirm incessantly. Rei grinned at the expression on his face.
Kai couldn't take it any more. He burst out laughing. "Mercy," he called out holding his sides. Rei stopped and pouted.
"Ruin my fun why don't you."
Kai smirked. "Payback time."
Rei grinned. "Not likely. I'm not ticklish."
Kai's face fell. "Are you serious?" Rei nodded and held his arms away from his body.
"You can try if you like."
Kai glared at him. "That's no fun."
"I know." Rei continued grinning. "You don't know how good it feels, knowing that I have something over you now." Rei's eyes grew distant. "I could have you at my mercy whenever I want now."
Kai glared at him again. "Of course that will mean an instant trip to extra training."
"Doesn't matter."
"It takes a lot to get you down doesn't it?" Kai's eyes widened as he realised what he just said. Rei refused to meet his gaze. "This is what happens when I stop being moody and talk," he muttered somewhat apologetically.
"'S'ok." Rei would have said more, but his gaze was captured by something else. He reached out a hand to trace a long white scar on Kai's torso from his firmly muscled chest to his side and around to his lower back.
Kai involuntarily shivered at the ghostly touch. He took Rei's hand just before it reached the end of the scar just below his left kidney. Rei looked up at him quizzically. "A scar from my childhood," he explained quietly.
Rei nodded then shivered. "We should get out now."
"Yeah." Kai watched Rei get out and grab a towel to wrap around his waist. "I'll just finish up here."
"Sure."
Rei dried himself quickly as Kai washed his own hair and body and turned off the shower. Rei handed him a towel as he got out and Kai blushed. During that whole time Rei hadn't looked at him as directly as he was now. Rei looked him up and down his finely muscled body approvingly, smiling as he noticed Kai's blush. Kai walked past him, drying his hair and cursing himself silently for blushing and showing his unease. Kai finished drying himself properly and walked out of the bathroom, leaving the door open, in case Rei needed him for something. But Rei followed him out with his clothes.
Kai glanced at him to see that Rei was smiling secretively. He grabbed his clothes from the wardrobe and growled, "What?" as he pulled on new boxers.
"Nothing, just admiring the view."
"I'm sure it's very nice." Kai hid his blush by turning away to pull on his baggy black cargo pants.
"Maybe I should finally tell you something I should have a while ago."
"Go on." Kai pulled out tight black and red top.
"I'm gay."
Kai whirled around, his eyes wide. Rei was totally serious. There was a look in his eyes that made Kai exhale loudly.
"Do you have a problem with that?"
"No, I just never thought of you being that way." Kai turned away and pulled on the high necked shirt.
"'That way'?" Rei sounded angry. "You make me sound different from you. I'm not."
"You are. You're Rei and I'm Kai."
"You know what I mean."
"Well nothing could be further from the truth." Kai turned back around with an amused look in his eyes.
Rei took a step back. "You mean ...?"
"Come on, did you seriously think that how I grew up had no effect on me besides my temper and attitude?" Kai shook his head and sat down to pull on a pair of black combat boots. "I've never known the pleasures of sex with a woman and I'm not sure I want to. No female has ever caught my attention yet. Neither has a specific man, but that doesn't mean anything."
"Wow." Rei stared at Kai. There were so many things he'd learned about his captain in just a short amount of time. He smiled as Kai completed his outfit by pulling on a pair of long red finger-less gloves. "I never knew."
"Obviously. I'm not one for sharing." Kai looked up at Rei to see him completely dressed in one of his usual Chinese outfits. A short sleeved white top edged in black with black pants and those soft black shoes of his. Kai frowned at the exposed arms.
"Do you have a longer shirt to wear under that?" Rei looked down seeing the wounds on his arms and shoulder.
"Shit, I forgot about those." He undid his shirt. "Could you bandage them again for me?"
Kai nodded and grabbed fresh bandages as Rei took his top off again. He placed himself behind Rei as he sat down on the bed and gently bandaged his shoulder first. Then he got up and knelt before Rei so he could bandage his arms too.
Kai frowned, looking Rei over.
"What is it?"
"We'll have to change your outfit if you want to mask those bandages." Kai got up and searched through Rei's clothes before grabbing a Chinese styled black shirt with short white sleeves and a white collar and ties. He grabbed a white sash as well and threw them at Rei. "That should do it."
"Right." Rei put it on as Kai went through his own clothes, searching for something. "Do I look all right now?" Kai turned around and his breath caught at the sight. The shirt was tighter than he thought and hugged Rei's figure rather than hiding it as his other shirts did.
"You look great. There's just one problem. They don't look like wrist bands." Kai nodded his head to Rei's bandages. Then he threw him a pair of short black finger-less gloves. "That should help." Rei pulled them on and grinned.
"Thanks Kai." Rei's grin faded slightly as Kai moved towards him. "What is it Kai?"
"There's just one last thing to fix now." Kai smiled, a slightly evil look coming to his face as he reached a hand to touch those silky raven strands.
* * *
Kenny opened the door as he heard a loud knock. He was quite glad for the distraction. Tyson and Max were still sleeping heavily and there had been strange sounds emerging from Rei and Kai's rooms for a while now. The last had been a loud despairing wail that he thought had been uttered by Rei.
"Hey Kenny." It was Lee and the White Tigers.
"Come in." Kenny moved away and winced as he heard a crash coming from inside the room.
"What was that?" Kevin asked, glancing at the closed door.
"Probably Rei throwing something at Kai." The White Tigers looked at Kenny in amazement.
"You mean my calm happy Rei did something like that?" Mariah asked with wide eyes. "I can't believe it."
Suddenly the door opened quickly and slammed closed right afterwards. Kai leaned against the door. He looked up, noticed that they had company and got off the door and straightened himself up and looked over at the White Tigers. "I see you're here on time. Good."
"What the hell is going on in there?" Lee asked him.
Kai looked a bit uncomfortable. "Uh, let's just say Rei gets feisty when he's angry." Kai glared at Kenny who's made a choking sound. "Mind out of the gutter Kenny."
"How did you manage to piss off Rei?" Lee asked in wonder.
"Oh, I guess I just pushed him a bit too far," Kai replied vaguely, leaning hard against the door again. Just in time too as they heard something rather heavy slam against it.
"I'm so going to kill you Hiwatari!" Rei yelled from inside. Everyone looked at Kai strangely. He gave them a weak grin.
"Okay, so maybe I did something a little more serious. Who would have thought he'd freak out so much over his hair."
Lee stared at him goggle-eyed. "You touched his hair? And you're still alive?"
"I guess it probably wasn't the best thing to do then."
"You think?" Lee shook his head. "Just remember you brought this on yourself Kai."
"Gee, that's a lot of help." Kai rolled his eyes. "Rei?" he called through the door. "Lee and your old team are here."
"What! I'm not going and you can't make me!"
"Rei, come on, seriously it looks good."
"You would say that, you're just trying to save your own ass."
"You bet I am." Kai suddenly frowned at the door and straightened up authoritatively. "All right Rei, no more messing around. Get your ass out here now."
"Kai," Rei whined. Kai opened the door and grabbed Rei by the back of his shirt and dragged him out. Rei pouted and glared at Kai. "You know I hate you."
"You told me that yesterday."
"I know, I just thought I'd tell you again." Rei sighed and stood up properly once Kai's hand fell from his back. He looked up at the others in the front room, ready for the damning words. "I just want you all to know that Kai did this, not me."
"Wow." Rei looked up at Lee's exclamation. He was smiling. "It's good. It suits you Rei."
"Totally, you look cool men." Kevin grinned at his friend.
Gary just gave him an approving nod.
"In that case, I did it." Rei grinned flicking the long braid over his shoulder and straightening out a strand of hair in his eye.
"Liar." Kai smiled. "Didn't I tell you it looked good? But did you trust me?"
Rei turned to Kai with a smile. "I'm sorry I didn't trust you Kai. Do you guys want to get going now?"
"I've just got to talk to Kai for a minute." Lee motioned for Kai to go into the bedroom. Kai nodded and followed him in, noticing Rei's apprehensive stare. He could see the question on Rei's lips.
Kai shook his head and smiled at Rei, who sighed in relief and mouthed 'thank you' to him before turning to the other three, or two. He was trying his hardest to avoid talking to Mariah.
Kai closed the door behind him and turned to Lee. "You wanted to talk." There was no hint of the slightly more free and happy Kai from before, it was back to the cold glare reserved for everyone except Rei.
"I want to know what the hell is going on."
"What do you mean?"
"What's up with Rei and you."
Kai's eyes widened. "What?"
"Not like that." Lee glared. "I want to know why you're acting so protective of him suddenly, especially around Mariah. Something went on yesterday and I want to know what."
Contrary to belief, Kai didn't like lying, but to protect Rei and his secret he would do anything. "There's a time and a place for everything to be revealed. If there's something that's been going on you'll find out when you're supposed to, not before."
"So there is something up." Lee looked furious. "If this involves one of my team members, I need to know."
Kai's eyes glazed over. "This isn't for me to tell, Lee. You're right something is going on, something very serious, but I can't tell you anything."
"But you want to?" Lee looked confused.
"Yes I do. I think you have a right to know and a need, but this isn't my decision. Because of the seriousness of the situation, Rei has to tell you himself."
Lee shook his head. "Kai, please, he's like a brother to me. I need to know what's going on."
"Keep an eye on him today, a very close one. Maybe you'll pick up a few hints. Watch Mariah closely too. I'm sure that there'll be a few things she'll say that might give things away too."
Lee looked worried as Kai said all this. "How serious is it?"
"Extremely. I'm scared shitless for Rei. Promise me you'll keep an eye on him."
Lee nodded. He was about to ask something else when a knock came at the door and Rei poked his head through. "You ready to go?" he asked with a smile.
Lee returned the smile, hiding his worry. "Sure. I'll be out in a second." Rei nodded and went back out. "How can I know that you're trustworthy?"
"Right now, I'm the only one who knows any way to deal with this problem and I'm the only one who Rei trusts. You don't have a choice in trusting me." Kai walked out of the room and Lee followed shaking his head at Kai's stubbornness.
"Ready now?" Rei asked with a glance at the two of them.
Lee nodded. "Let's go."
Mariah smiled and attached herself to Rei's arm. "Great. I can't wait to spend the day with my Rei."
Kai saw the panicked look in Rei's eye and cleared his throat. "Rei? Aren't you forgetting something?"
Rei looked at him gratefully. "Yes, I am. My wallet. How stupid can you be. You guys go down, I'll be right there." Rei dashed back inside the bedroom and Kai gave Lee a pointed look.
Lee cleared his throat. "You guys go down, I'll wait for Rei."
Mariah looked unhappy but the other two nodded so she went with them. Rei peeked out of the room and sighed in relief noticing that she had left. He smiled at Kai. "Thanks."
"No problem. Just be careful."
"Yes oh my captain." Rei grinned and walked over to Lee with a smirk.
"Don't be a smart-ass Rei."
"But Kai, I thought that's how you liked my ass." Kenny couldn't help it he started laughing uncontrollably.
"Kenny! Mind out of the gutter now!" Kai barked and Rei laughed at him.
"Guess he must have heard us in the shower earlier." Both Kenny and Lee looked at the two of them strangely.
"Rei, go now before I do something I may regret."
Rei grinned at his captain and blew him a kiss. "See you later Kai." Then he flounced out the door With Lee shaking his head at his old friend's behaviour. Kai glared at both of them. "Not a word."
"Wouldn't dream of it my friend." Lee followed Rei out the door and away from Kai's wrath.
Kai just looked at Kenny.
"What?"
"Nothing, it's just, you two seemed to have an interesting morning." Kenny grinned and Kai growled, causing him to run away into his own bedroom. Left in the front room with nothing to do Kai simply glared.
AN: Yuka that chapter was for you seeing as you wanted a shower scene between the two bishies. Hope everyone enjoyed that one.
