I'm so glad so many of you enjoyed the last chapter. I had so much fun writing it. Now in this chapter I have some evil plot twists. Gotta love those. Enjoy.
Distractions and Complications
As soon as they got outside, Mariah pushed Lee aside rather rudely and latched onto Rei's arm.
"So are you finally ready to go now?" she asked, batting her eyelids.
Rei pulled his arm away. "Yeah. Hey, why don't I show you this really cool place Kai took us when we got here?" Rei smiled cheerfully, trying to hide the unease he felt when he was around Mariah. He took the lead and gestured for everyone to follow.
Lee watched him curiously, and cautiously, as he'd promised Kai and saw that slight flicker of unease when Mariah continually kept touching him. Now what on earth is going on there? Last time I saw him Rei didn't have a problem with her? Did he? Lee scanned back through his memories as he walked, trying to find an incident that would have made Rei uncomfortable about being around Mariah. I can't think of anything. Maybe it's something that happened yesterday, but what could it be?
Lee decided to follow Kai's advice and keep an eye on Rei, hoping to find out something about his strange actions. He didn't stop watching him all day.
* * *
Kai typed furiously on Kenny's laptop, trying to find out if the person he wanted to talk to was online.
"You know Kai, I could help if you wanted." Dizzy was a bit curious about what Kai could be so interested in.
"I need you to keep working on Draciel's analysis. Kenny said he was almost finished, he just needed you to make a few more calculations. I figured you'd be up to it alone, so that's why I let him go." Kai didn't pause in his search while he talked to Dizzy, his eyes glued to the screen.
"I thought you needed him to keep an eye on Max and Tyson."
"That too." Kai smiled having found what he was looking for. "Great," he murmured. "He's on."
"Who's on?"
"Finish your calculations Dizzy." Kai signed into the private chat room and instigated a conversation with another person.
"Humph. Fine, ignore the intelligent bit-beast slaving away to help you. She doesn't mind."
Kai didn't take any notice of her, being too occupied by the conversation with the person he was searching for.
I hope he can help me. Kai typed something to his companion and smiled at her response. Great, he's here in town … oh, damn. Guess I'll have to see him later tonight then. Hmm, what's this? Mail from Mr. Dickinson.
"Dizzy, there's an e-mail from Mr. Dickinson. He's organising a dinner for the teams. Could you contact him and tell him we'll make it and can you save the mail in case I forget."
"Like that's likely," Dizzy muttered, but she did it anyway. "What's so important that you couldn't do that yourself Kai? I never picked you as the lazy type."
"I've got to talk quickly right now, I don't have time for anything else."
"Sure, you're just like all the others making the bit0beats do all your dirty work."
Kai ignored her and returned to the conversation. Damn, he's got to go. I'll have to talk to him later. Kai sighed as the other person signed off. "Shit, I really needed him right now." He got up and walked away. "I've got to do a few things before tonight, Dizzy. Let Kenny and the others know when they get back."
"Fine, leave me here alone. It's not like it matters how I feel." Kai raised an eyebrow at Dizzy's theatrics then made sure everything was locked before leaving himself.
Maybe I'll be able to catch him after his battle.
* * *
Rei led his former team to a small café later in the afternoon.
"These guys have the nicest milkshakes around," he assured his friends. "And their pastries are to dies for." Rei smiled and led everyone inside. Kevin raced for a table while Gary lumbered straight for the counter and the food.
"Hey Mariah," Kevin asked as the other three sat down. "What would you like to eat?"
"Just a milkshake Kevin. Strawberry." Kevin looked a bit hurt by her abrasive reply but walked over to Gary to get her order. Rei glanced at her, only to see her staring avidly at him.
He cleared his throat uncomfortably. "Um, Lee would you like anything?"
Lee shook his head. "Maybe later." He grinned at Rei. "I meant to ask before, what was up with you and Kai this morning?"
Rei blushed, then started laughing nervously. "Oh, that. It was nothing, just a bit of fooling around."
Lee raised an eyebrow. "Kai? Fooling around?"
"Yeah." Rei looked a bit irritated. "Why does everyone have this weird perception of him as just a distant cold person? He's not."
"I guess you're closer to him than most. He is your captain."
"I know, but even the other Bladebreakers see him like that at times." Rei sighed. "No one seems to understand him."
"That's because he's a jerk," Mariah cut in viciously.
"Mariah!" Rei looked a bit upset.
"Why do you spend so much time with him Rei? He's not a very nice person, he'll be a bad influence on you." Mariah sidled up closer to him. "You should come back to our team, we wouldn't be mean or make you do extra training like he does."
"Mariah," Lee said warningly. Kevin and Gary sat down then, cutting off the conversation. Kevin smiled brightly and placed a cup in front of Mariah, oblivious to her glare.
"Strawberry milkshake as you requested."
"Did you get extra strawberry flavouring?" She inquired loftily.
Kevin looked a bit nervous. "You never asked for that."
"But you should know that I like that."
"I'm sorry, I forgot."
Mariah sniffed and turned away from him. "Well you'll have to make it up to me later." Kevin sat down, looking a bit upset by Mariah's actions. Lee glared at her, but decided not to make a scene in public.
I'll definitely have to talk to her about that later. "I think I'll get something now. Rei, would you like something?"
"How about I come with you? Rei smiled at him and got up.
"Sure."
Out of earshot, Rei turned and said quietly to Lee, "What's up with Mariah today?"
"I have no idea. I'm going to have to have a word with her later about her attitude." Lee ordered his milkshake, then turned back to Rei. "She's been acting like this for a while. Sometimes I think she has no regard for others." Lee shook his head sadly, glancing behind them at Mariah, who was sneering at something Kevin had said. He looked a bit down at her snide comment. Even Gary had noticed her actions. He'd looked up from his food and given her a sharp look.
Lee sighed. "I guess I should get back there before I have to break up another fight."
"Does it get that bad?"
"Sometimes. I think Mariah believes she's better than we are. The way she talks to us gives me the shits, seriously." Lee paid for his drink and left Rei to order while he went back to the table in an attempt to avert a possible disaster.
The air was tense as Rei returned. Lee was sitting beside Mariah now in Rei's old seat. The pink-haired girl was looking quite annoyed with the arrangement too. Rei inwardly breathed a sigh of relief as he saw this and sat down beside Lee, taking a cautious sip of his drink.
"Hey, do you guys want to go to a park after this?" Rei smiled innocently at them. "There's a couple of bey dishes where amateurs practice. Not to mention it's beautiful there and there's a great view of the lake at sunset.
"That'd be great Rei." Mariah smiled and looked at him flirtatiously. "Do you think you could take me for a walk around there?"
"Maybe," Rei replied evasively. "I was thinking of checking out the local bladers for a bit of practice." He shrugged in apology. "We could all take the long way if we wanted, that way we get to see a bit more of the park then."
"Oh." Mariah looked disappointed and Lee saw a flash of anger in her eyes at the suggestion.
"Sound like a great idea Rei." Lee grinned at him. "Maybe you'd battle me if we get time."
"Definitely." Rei grinned. "Should we get going?" He looked around and saw that everyone was finished. The White Tigers nodded. "Okay then. Follow me." Rei got up and gestured for Lee to walk with him. Then he started a conversation on a few of the techniques he'd picked up with Kai and some of Lee's techniques, effectively cutting Mariah out as she tried to but in and change the subject and steal Rei from Lee.
She pouted and ignored all of Kevin and Gary's attempts to talk with her. They shrugged and talked between themselves, sometimes joining in with Rei and Lee. Mariah glared at the four boys and followed at a distance behind them, plotting in her mind ways to get Rei alone again.
* * *
Kai watched the furious battle raging in the beystadium with a smile. It was the last battle and the decider.
As soon as the winner was announced when one blade went flying from the dish, Kai turned away and walked in the direction of the locker rooms. Then he waited in the corridor after being allowed in by security. All bladers participating in the exhibition tournament were allowed access to the corridors at all times.
Kai closed his eyes and waited patiently, finally hearing the sound of voices coming down the corridor towards him. He smiled faintly recognising the voices. He cracked open one eye and smiled as the eight bladers stopped as they rounded the corner and came face to face with him.
"Kai." Robert smiled politely and approached him, holding out his hand. "It's good to see you."
"You too." Kai shook his hand and glanced over at the rest of the Majestics. Enrique grinned and winked. Oliver rolled his eyes at Enrique's greeting and smiled and waved himself. Johnny sneered and looked away. Kai smirked at the greetings then turned to the other four.
The Demolition Boys only glanced in his direction, nodding their heads in greeting. Well Ian and Spencer did. Bryan didn't even look over at him. Tala on the other hand walked towards him.
"Kai." He stopped an inch in front of the Bladebreaker's captain.
"Tala." Kai regarded him coolly.
Tala smirked. "You wanted to talk with me?"
"If you would be so kind." Kai walked away and Tala followed after gesturing for his team to go to the change room. They walked into a small room nearby and closed the door.
"Well." Oliver looked at the closed door in surprise. "I wonder what that was about."
Enrique snickered. "Think about it. Those two together in a locked room." He leered. "Oh the possibilities."
Oliver smacked him in the head. "Maybe if it was you it'd be possible. But them?"
"It's the most likely theory." Everyone turned to stare at the formerly silent Bryan. He glanced at Enrique. "Tala got involved with Kai when he was back on the team before."
Everyone gaped at him. Even Ian and Spencer.
"How the hell did you know that?" Ian demanded of his teammate.
"How I knew doesn't matter. But I don't think that Tala liked that Kai went back to the Bladebreakers. But then, those two have quite a long and strange history." Bryan walked into the change room ignoring the questions thrown at him to explain the situation.
"Well," Johnny finally spoke for everyone. "I certainly wasn't expecting that." He looked at the door and shuddered. "I really did not need to know that about those two." He shook his head and walked into the other change room.
Ian and Spencer looked at each other then at the closed door and shrugged. They followed Bryan into their change room. The three remaining Majestics decided not to make any more comments and left the corridor completely empty.
* * *
Contrary to the belief of the two teams, Tala and Kai were not doing … whatever they thought they were doing.
"So what's this about?" Tala was leaning against the door watching Kai pace nervously.
Kai glanced up. "I need your advice and help with a problem with a member of my team."
Tala smirked. "There's something the great Kai needs help with? Has the world ended or something?"
Kai growled and pinned Tala harshly against the door. "This is fucking serious Tala."
"How serious?" Tala's eyes were ice. He didn't appreciate people constricting his movement in any way. Kai gently pulled down the neck on Tala's sweater. "What the fuck are you doing?" Tala tried to push him away, but Kai was too strong. Tala shivered as Kai gently traced the scar around his neck. Kai looked directly into Tala's eyes and the wolf shivered at the intensity and pain he saw there.
"That serious."
Tala shut his eyes. "Shit."
"Yeah."
"Who?"
Kai looked away. "I can't tell you."
"Don't give me that Kai. I need to know. I can't help you much otherwise." Kai knew Tala was right, but he was still hesitant. "Do you really think I'd say anything?"
Kai shook his head. "It's just hard. I never thought I'd have to deal with this again."
"Neither did I, but I'm still having to deal with everything that happened."
"Tala, you know I tried to help."
"I know, I was stupid. But I'm fine now, or at least I will be. I have someone else to deal with now."
"Bryan?"
"Yeah. I couldn't do anything before because of Boris, but now I can. But it's been hard."
"You know I'm here if you need me."
"I know, but I'm not sure that he trusts you completely."
"Well you didn't either at one point."
Tala smirked. "You can be very persuasive when you need to be."
"So can you." Kai returned the smirk and suddenly realised how close he was to Tala. The smirk faded.
Tala raised an eyebrow. "You don't want to play?"
Kai shook his head. "Sorry, but I …" He looked away and finally released Tala.
Tala nodded in understanding. "Someone else?" Kai nodded. "That's why you're here." Kai nodded again. "Rei." Kai's eyes widened and Tala grinned wryly. "You think I didn't notice the way you look at him? Jeez Kai, I know you better than you think." Tala's own smile faded. "This is serious then. I was hoping you were talking about one of the others."
"Why?"
"Because I know they could deal with it. The very fact that you were asked to keep it a secret sort of gave away that it was Rei. The little kitten's too self-effacing and selfless, he'd do anything to avoid trouble and confrontations. I'd bet he would have hidden this from you too."
"Yeah, you're right. I don't think he would have told me willingly." Kai ran his hand through his hair. "Tala, what do I do? He's putting on a brave face, but I know this has affected him so much deeper than he's admitting even to me."
"Who was it?"
"Mariah."
Tala's eyes widened. "This is not good. She's close to him, isn't she?" Kai nodded. "Shit. The betrayal adds another twist to everything. What's he done?"
"He already tried to slit his wrists."
Tala closed his eyes in pain. "This is not good. He needs to confront her and he has to talk to someone else. He's not letting you tell anyone?"
"Not even Lee. Gods he could do something to help, but Rei's refusing." Kai hugged himself in a vulnerable gesture. "I'm so worried about it. He's with her and the White Tigers now. Hopefully with Lee there she won't do anything, but she managed to get him alone last night with both teams in a hotel room."
"You let him go?"
"He's the most stubbourn, irritating and naïve child sometimes. I did warn Lee to keep an eye on him and Mariah though."
"Well that's something." Tala sighed. "What have you done beside that?"
Kai looked away, slightly nervous about telling Tala. "I … I told him about …" he looked away. "I'm sorry, I needed some way for him to trust me and let him know that I understand and could do something to help."
Tala nodded. "You must have been really freaked."
"Of course I was freaked. Rei, the most normal and stable member of my team tried to kill himself. Considering my past involving attempted suicides I think I had reason to be distressed. My team mean a lot to me and I'll do anything to protect them."
Tala laughed softly. "Who would have thought it. Kai the knight in shining armour. Strangely enough, it suits you."
"Are you going to help or not? I don't appreciate jibes when I'm serious."
"I'll help, but I'll have to talk to him at least."
"I was going to insist on it any way." Kai thought for a second. "There's a dinner tonight with the teams. I'll get you to talk to him after that?"
"Sure. Are we done now? I think Bryan will get suspicious if I stay in here too long with you."
"Why?"
"Because of this." Tala moved over and pinned Kai against a wall then proceeded to kiss him hungrily. Kai started to respond to the familiar feel of those lips against him then stopped and pulled away.
"Tala …"
"I know. This is my goodbye. I think I deserve one since I didn't get it last time." He placed a chaste kiss on Kai's lips. "And that was a thank you for everything you've ever done for me."
"You're welcome." Kai smiled then placed his soft lips on Tala's one last time. "Good bye Tala." He moved out of Tala's grip and walked over to the door and left without looking back.
Tala sighed, forcing back the tears he suddenly felt and walked to the change room. He ignored his teammates curious stares and simply grabbed his training bag. "Let's go," he ordered coldly, his voice and expression not conveying any of his tumultuous emotions. "We've got to get ready for a dinner being held by Mr. Dickinson." Ian and Spencer nodded and grabbed their things and exited the change room.
Tala stared at Bryan who hadn't moved. "What are you staring at?" he demanded.
"So that was it?"
Tala looked surprised but covered it up quickly with an icy glare. "I told you to get out of here. We don't want to be late, so move your ass." Tala watched as Bryan slowly grabbed his own bag, his eyes not leaving his captain's.
"Perhaps it was for the best for everyone involved," he commented softly as he left the room, finally breaking eye contact with Tala.
Tala smashed a fist against the wall. He felt a strange wetness on his cheek and realised that he had shed a tear. "Damn you Hiwatari," he muttered. "And damn me for loving you too much." He grabbed his bag, dashed an angry hand against his cheek to wipe away the wetness and exited the change room. With his back straight and head held high, his aloof and cold demeanour back in place, no one would suspect that inside his heart was crying out in pain. Unless they were watching him as closely as a concerned falcon.
AN: Wait until you see the next chapter ;D
