Title: Untold Truths
Authoress: Ladya C. Maxine
Rating: PG-13
Summary: see chapter one.
Warnings: see chapter one.
Disclaimer: I do not own Beyblade or any of its characters. All unrecognizable characters belong solely to me and are not to be touched. I am not making any money of off this and I write with the sole intention to entertain..
A/N: Since the number coding it will not be explained in the story (for it is not a major factor really) I will enlighten you guys. Simply number each letter of the alphabet and you got the codes! Exp. S19, A1, S19, K11, I9, A1. So Saskia is 191191191. Simple, huh?
"How long, Ray?" Kai repeated, putting down his guitar to cross his arms and focus a rather indignant glare; two signs that he was not all to please with the neko-jin's witnessing his momentary…peace.
Ray swallowed but stayed surprisingly calm, despite seeing his short but colourful life flash before him.
"Just a few minutes," he answered, hoping it sounded casual enough.
"Wasn't the door closed?"
Why hadn't he at least given Ray a good punch to the jaw yet? His privacy was pretty much, scratch that, very sacred to him. Only two other people were allowed to impose on it; Saskia, because he had nothing to hide from her, and Ata, because the redhead would never allow him to keep anything from him. These two aside, everyone else had either an invitation (highly unlikely) or a well-excused reason. Ray didn't, to his knowledge, have any reason to be here at all. So why wasn't he feeling the urge to hurt this golden-eyed beau-- intruder?
'Because he is injured and unable to defend himself.'
Extremely lame and untrue but he gladly accepted that over the other possibility.
Ray, for his part, was fidgeting, pretending to be focused on his errand and not the bluenette before him.
"I just wanted to make sure to give you this personally. Ivan said that it was very important to you." He held out the large envelope but Kai didn't accept it.
"Just put it on the table."
Turning his back to his team mate, he started to put away his instrument, carefully checking it before closing the case.
"I never knew you were a musician."
"Now you do."
"Why didn't you ever tell us?"
Kai sighed in annoyance, turned and almost took a step back upon finding the other right there behind him as Ray had been peering over his shoulder at the guitar. Never one to give ground to anyone, Kai remained where he stood, even though that meant that they were far too close for his liking though he met those amber eyes that were fixed on his…Black bangs falling before them...
"Must I tell you people everything?" he snarled, trying to keep up his displeasure.
"I guess not. But...I think it sounded great," Ray answered sincerely and knew he was blushing. He was so close that he could feel the phoenix's body heat that radiated off him. 'Oh my God, he's so cute when he's fuming!'
Kai shrugged, folding his arms.
"Nothing special," he said though he admitted, to himself, that Ray's approval didn't leave him unaffected. 'Did he really like it? Ray has never lied to me before. He has never given me reason to doubt him…'
They fell silent, both taking in the other's presence, their breathing getting heavier thought they weren't doing anything.
"Are you…um…Did you ever consider forming a band?" Ray asked, trying to make idle chat though it sounded more like rambling. 'How can I love someone when I can't even talk straight around him? Why do these things always happen to me?'
"I have better things to do," was the somewhat distant reply. 'He's just another blader…just a teammate…just...Ray.'
"Yeah, I guess so," he laughed nervously with a shake of his head. Of course, he hair decided it best to slip from behind his ears rather ungracefully at this very crucial moment. Sighing, he reached up to tuck it back when his fingers touched something warm. Jumping, he was surprised to find Kai's hand poised beside his face though the bluenette had froze.
'What the hell am I doing?' Kai wondered, eyeing the long wisp of hair just out of his reach. Still, despite the other's confused apprehension, he gently slipped it behind a pointy ear, causing the neko-jin to visibly shiver.
Skin touched skin and both boys felt the contact send a jolt down their spines, leaving a tingling sensation neither had ever felt before. And the feeling did not fade away. It only increased.
'He's so close…Why is this so different from other times? What changed between us that made me fall for him? Is it Saskia?…Tala?…Me?'
It was right about then that Ray's mind wandered off, too preoccupied with his surroundings, and a certain bluenette in said surroundings, to let little things like thinking get in the way. His breathing was so heavy it felt as if he had just ran a marathon. Ten times over. Perhaps that explained why he was suddenly feeling so weak. Along that line, that was also why he was leaning towards Kai.
'Step back. We shouldn't be doing this!' Kai's mind, unlike Ray's, was on full alert as he watched as the neko-jin timidly closed the space between them. 'The injuries have gone to his head. He isn't thinking straight. He's…my teammate! He's…he is…Ray…'
It was as simple as that. This was Ray. A strong opponent, loyal team mate and understanding guy; traits that any captain looked for in a blader. Ray was…perfect; something that he had been striving to be since the day he first picked up his blade. Here before him was the person he wanted to be. Was that what attracted him to the neko-jin? Or did it run deeper than that?
Thinking back, neither would honestly be able to tell who it was that prompted it, but soon their bodies were mere inches from each other...their faces were mere inches from each other...their mouths were mere inches from each other...and that gap was slowly closing.
'He's getting closer! Kai's right there! Oh my God…I am going to get myself killed,' Ray thought with mixed excitement and dread, until he felt Kai's hot breath on his lips. 'But what a way to go...'
All thoughts were finally silenced (read: annihilated) at the whispered contact as he felt the bluenette's lips tentatively brushed against his. They were so close that their clothes brushed against each other, soft fabrics rustling silently like a breeze. The shyness didn't last long and he gasped into the other's mouth when a strong arm wrapped itself around him, pulling him towards the taller boy while the other hand tilted his head to the side. Overwhelmed, all he could do was surrender to his captain, and try to remember to breathe every now and then.
Having the willing neko-jin in his arms, Kai could no longer restrain himself and deepened the kiss. Closing his eyes to heighten the sensation, he felt a hand grip his shoulder in the dark and mistaking it for resistance, he started to pull away only to have the same hand pull him back. The purr-like sound that Ray made encouraged him on and he tightened the embrace, tracing the contours of the other's spine, much to Ray's pleasure as the raven-haired blader leaned in more, aligning his body with the bluenette's.
They kissed for several minutes, parting only for small gasps of air every now and then. Soft groans and purrs were the only sound in the room for a long time until the need for sufficient oxygen forced them to part at last. Breathing heavily, faces but inches apart and eyes betraying their want for another round, reality, being the sneaky bastard that it was, seeped back in. Relations, ranking, matches, duty, pride, uncertainty, confusion; all quickly replaced the earlier passion with a vengeance.
Both quickly released one another and stepped back. Ray's cheeks flushed a scarlet almost as dark as Kai's eyes, which were widened with disbelief. Neither spoke for a long time, giving their racing hearts enough time to return to steady beats.
'God, what were we thinking! What was I thinking!' Ray's mind stumbled to explain but came up short. He had just kissed Kai! He had just kissed his team captain! Sure, at the time it had seem like a good idea, if not a greatly logical one, but now…What now?
"I'm so sorry, Kai! I don't know what came over me!" he gushed.
That wasn't what he had had in mind.
'Damn it! That was weakness!' Kai cursed himself, averting his gaze to the windows, unable to meet the other in the eyes. 'It was a stupid caught-up-in-the-moment thing. It won't happen again. I can't risk another slip up like that!'
"Kai…Are you mad at me? I didn't--"
"That was a mistake," he interrupted with cool tone. "Don't think about it. It meant nothing. We won't talk about it again, okay?"
"…Yeah…Okay," Ray nodded, unable to hide the disappointment in his voice.
Despite the assorted emotions surrounding the kiss, it had eased something in him. Kissing Kai had given him a taste of what his feelings for the older blader truly amounted to. And…and…it had been his first kiss. That special moment every teen so anxiously waited for to share with that special person. He had thought that this had been that moment. Had it really meant nothing to the bluenette? Was Kai ashamed of kissing him? Did Kai hate him now?
A small DING went off from somewhere in the penthouse. The breakfast chime.
Kai turned towards the door but hesitated at the downfallen expression on the other's face. The golden eyes looked up from where they had been dejectedly at the carpet.
'Ray…' He opened his mouth to speak out loud but could not think of anything to say. Had he hurt the other blader with his words? What did one do in a situation like this?
There was only one thing he could do and for the first time in his life, Kai Hiwatari just walked away. Passing the silent blader, he exited the study without another glance or word.
The remaining teen sighed, trying to convince himself that it wasn't worth getting upset over but he had never been a god liar and a tear escaped the corner of his eye though he quickly wiped it away. Running a hand through his hair, he collected himself as best his aching heart allowed him and left the room as well.
'Of all the people on earth, I had to fall in love with him…and that's the bad thing.'
Ata stopped typing when he heard Natasia grumble softly, again, as she scrubbed the walls, almost removing the white paint completely with her vigorous scrubbing.
"Need help, Natty?" he asked after a few more minutes watching and started to slide off his chair to assist her only to have her level a glare at him that would have impressed Kai.
"Touch. Nothing."
Holding up his hands in defeat, he re-seated himself next to Saskia who giggled above her sketchpad, watching the redheads' antics. It was hard to believe that they weren't mother-and-son. The kitchen was spick and span, however, Natasia was venting out her...displeasure...and the poor wall was now at her mercy. All the while she had not spoken a word to the teen who was trying make amends for the food war which had caused the mess in the first place.
"Hey, I can see my reflection in the wall!" Ata commented. Hey, if she wouldn't let him help her he would just have to amuse himself another way.
"Laugh all you want, but don't forget that I'm the one who prepares your food."
No denying that that was a threat.
"I love you too." He batted his long lashes and smiled, making Saskia giggle. Even Natasia, or Natty as Ata had donned her, couldn't stop the twitch at the corner of her lips.
"Alright, Ata, I suppose I could see the funny side to this. But try this again and I will leave you to clean it up by yourself. I can't believe you are 16."
"I may be 16 but I am a kindred soul at heart."
"Now that Natasia feel better, can you come with us to the zoo?" Saskia asked while playing with Mica who had been sitting on the bar between her and Ata.
"Ooh, I'm sorry, dear, but I can't. Remember that lady I met in the parks a few days ago? She invited me to her 30th wedding anniversary and asked me if I could help her out with the preparations. I am supposed to leave here within an hour."
"Does Kai know?"
"I forgot. However, I did ask Ivan to fill in for me but I don't think he will be able to go with you, though." She smiled apologetically to Saskia. "Had I known about this sooner I would have turned down the invitation but my friend is counting on me."
"It's okay. Maybe next time." Saskia smiled back but both Russians could see that she was disappointed. Stifling a small sniffle, she put down her pencil and picking up Mica, she climbed onto Ata's lap, laying with her back against his chest to watch as he worked on some mind-boggling calculations.
"You gonna be alright?" Ata signed.
She nodded.
"Can you teach me how to do that?" She pointed to the chart that was forming jagged ups and downs on the screen.
Ata pushed the hair out of her face and took her little hands into his, extending the two index fingers and using them to carefully tap on some keys. Suddenly the boring lines started to twirl and make loops as they ran wild. Saskia squealed with delight. He allowed her some time to tinker away at the keys, after making sure to save and close all other important programs.
As he sat there with the little girl on his lap he couldn't help pushing away her long hair. Sure enough, that accursed scar was there. The area of the ruined skin was very narrow and barely visible, however, it was there and that was more than enough to trigger memories of how she got it.
Without even knowing why, he reached a hand behind his neck and ran a finger over his own identical one. How he had received his own had been just as unpleasant as hers. It should have remained in the past, but as fate would have it, the future was not looking all too bright. Not for him, not for Saskia, not for…
"Good morning, Master Kai."
He turned to the doorway to see Kai walk in, nodding his greeting to Natasia before taking a seat opposite his little sister and him. The others were easily fooled by the phoenix's usual aloof expression but Ata immediately picked up the uneasiness in his friend's movements and the slight shiftiness in his eyes.
'What did you do now?' he silently mourned though said nothing.
"Good morning, Ray."
Looking away from the 'indifferent' phoenix, Ata also noticed the nervous edginess in the tiger's greeting smile. If that wasn't a clear enough indication that something had happened then Ray stopping in his tracks when he saw Kai at the bar certainly was.
'What did he do now?' he mused, altering his former question though he couldn't exactly point out which 'he' he was referring to. It could have been Kai, more likely so, since he knew his blue-haired friend had the bad habit of being…well, Kai. Or it could have been Kitty, probably having slipped and said something he shouldn't had.
"I think it would be best if you all ate around the dining table. The kitchen is a bit of a mess at the moment. I wouldn't trust the fumes of the chemicals," Natasia said as she shooed them into the dining room and brought out their breakfast, which she had covered with plastic wrap to prevent any chemicals touching them. Leaving them to serve themselves, she returned to pick up the equipments.
Grateful for the new seating arrangements, Ray quickly took the chair next to Tala while Saskia took the one opposite him, next to her brother. The obvious tension between the newcomers did not seem to dampen her spirits as she innocently took the initiative to start the morning conversation.
"Natasia said that she couldn't go to zoo," she said, picking up a cinnamon swirl pastry along with a couple of doughnuts. "Can I go still?"
"No," Kai answered as he sipped at his coffee while reading some papers that Ata had handed him. He was well aware of the insecure glances he was getting from his team mate but he did not react on them, playing dumb.
"But I be very, very, very careful." Saskia took a slice of cheesecake.
Seeing that Kai was occupied with his little sister, and tenaciously ignoring him, Ray half-heartedly chose something to eat. Blandly poking at his breakfast with his breakfast with his fork, Ray frowned slightly at the little girl's plate, which was growing into a mound of sweets.
"I said you could go only if Natasia went," Kai, not giving in so easily, said though stopped as he replayed his own words. "Why can't Natasia go?"
"She has to help a friend with some party decoration. Says she had promised her a few days ago," Ata replied with a shrug. His mind was more on the other two males though. Kai was purposefully avoiding looking at Ray and Ray had yet to say one word, despite his lively behaviour earlier that morning.
'Yup…it's Kai's fault,' Ata concluded with a soft sigh. He was about to comment on this when his mind quickly registered something amiss with the neko-jin. Getting better look at Ray, or rather, his cheek that was partially hidden by the blader's bangs, a red brow was raised. Was that...? Smiling behind his cup, he pretended not to have noticed anything. 'Let's see how long this charade is going to last.'
Unaware of the redhead's scrutiny, Ray was more concerned on their youngest eater's rather unhealthy breakfast choice. Saskia wasn't a big eater but right now her breakfast was doing a great scale impression of mount Fuji. There was no way her system could take that much sugar.
"Is it okay for her to have all those sweets?"
"She'll be fine," Kai answered curtly, trying to hide his uneasiness with his usual cold self. His traitorous eyes longed to take a peek at the neko-jin's face despite himself but he firmed his resolve and stubbornly kept on reading.
"Her metabolism can handle the sugar as long as she doesn't eat too much for a long period of time," Ata elaborated when Ray turned questioning eyes on him. "Sometimes her system needs more of the glucose in sugar. Just a side-effect from her bronchitis."
"Unstable sugar level because of lung problems? I never heard of that before."
"You are not a doctor so it doesn't really matter what you've heard."
Ray fell silent at the tone and Ata shot Kai a dirty look from across the table. Now he was positive that his best friend was covering up something; he hated when the bluenette thought he could lie to him. Kai may be able to pull off his 'I-don't-give-a-damn' tone with others but not with him. Something was unnerving the phoenix and that something, or someone, was sitting right beside him.
"Mica wanted to see his family," Saskia tried once more when the silence became intolerable. Kai didn't answer her so she fell silent and started to nibble on her donut.
"We can still go, right?" Ray asked the redhead who, for some reason, was smiling about something. "The two of us can still bring her."
To this, Kai did react.
"She is not going as long as Nata--"
"I agree with Ray." A warning look from Kai was shot in his direction but he ignored it. "It's just a zoo."
((It is not the zoo that worries me. It's who could be there that poses the threat.)) Kai slipped to Russian instinctively.
((You can't keep her cooped up in here forever,)) Ata replied coolly, ready to get to the bottom of the phoenix's curtness.
((She is my sister.))
((She is a person, not some rare collectible you can keep bottled up in a jar.))
Kai sighed.
'The one person in the world who is more stubborn than me and I had to befriend him.'
Ata knew that Kai spoke out of concern. His blue-haired friend would never forgive himself if anything ever happened to the only female in his life. Saskia was Kai's sun, moon and stars, ten folded. And given what they were going up against…Yes, Kai had reasons to be afraid.
He placed a hand on his friend's shoulder.
((I will protect her with my life. You know that.))
Kai stared into the blue eyes behind the glasses. Ata was one who would rather die than go back on his promises. If there was anyone he trusted Saskia with, it was this teen right opposite him. But that didn't mean he would risk the redhead either.
Ray watched the exchange and looked back down, his fingers gripping his glass hard.
'How could I have been so stupid? They've known each other for so long…Kai…and Tala…It makes perfect sense now.' Despite himself, he glanced back up to see Kai studying Tala's eyes for a few seconds longer before nodding.
"Do not let her out of your sight for a second. Be back by 5.00 p.m. sharp," he finally spoke, in English to make sure that Ray understood also though he did not look the Chinese boy in the eyes.
Ata smiled and tapping with his fork on Saskia's plate he signed her the good news, his hands moving so fast they were almost a blur but she smiled. Pink irises met her older sibling's darker red ones.
"Thank you," she said softly, leaning over to give him a hug, which he returned with one arm as he went on with his papers.
Reminded of their own intimately shared hug, Ray felt queasy but only swallowed deeply and returned to prodding the food on his plate.
Breakfast lasted about twenty minutes in, which Saskia ate almost just as many pastries. Ray had given up counting after fifteen. Despite his sudden discomfort around the older Russians, he forced himself to talk and smile with the redhead while Saskia added her opinions on the parts she was able to pick up. Kai, as always, remained silent, eyes on forms as he drank the dark coffee in his mug.
Ata was finding it harder and harder to contain himself. Ray closely followed every move Kai made out of the corners' of his golden eyes. Those same eyes would linger on Kai's face for while before turning away with a shy look. And, even more amusing, was that Kai did shoot two or three fleeting looks of his own.
Did these two know how adorable they were acting?
"I'm done!" Saskia finally exclaimed, wiping her mouth with her napkin. "I go get ready!"
She again gave Kai a hug around the waist and hopped off her chair but instead of going straight to her room she walked around the table and took Ray's hand while reaching her other small hand to Ata.
"Come, we must get ready."
"I will get ready soon. I just have to help Kai with a few things first."
"Don't take too long," she ordered as she managed to pull Ray away from his untouched omelette, which, ironically, had won him the cooking contest. When the Chinese boy relented and stood she lifted her arms for him to carry her.
"What time do we leave?" Ray asked softly while Saskia played with his long bangs.
"It's around 9.15 now, so let's make it 10.00."
"Okay--"
"Hey, what this?" Saskia was studying something that his bangs had hidden from view. "You have Kai's blue paint on your cheek."
Kai dropped the muffin he had been biting into. Ray almost dropped the little girl in his arms. And Ata dropped all protocol by choking on his tea as he held back his laugher.
The alien yet familiar blue smudge on the Chinese blader's face had roused his suspicions, and curiosity, but he hadn't been able to think of a good reason to broach the subject. Leave it to naïve Saskia to solve the problem. Though she was genuinely perplexed he needed no further evidence since it was painted on both Bladebreaker's faces in red (and blue). No duh it had come from Kai's trademark paint and there was only one way that could have happened.
Guaranteed an amusing scenario, he put his cup down and rested his chin on his palm, awaiting a reply from his peers who, finally, looked each other in the eye though neither could come up with a fast enough response.
"Why do you have Kai's paint on your face?" Saskia persisted, unaware at what it implied.
"Inquiring minds want to know." Ata had no such problem and sat back in his seat. This was priceless!
"Ray was just playing around with some of my face paint," Kai answered after collecting himself. He cursed himself for not having noticed it before. He had washed his face before coming downstairs but had not noticed that some had rubbed off on Ray when they had...done that.
'No way in hell that Ata would believe that excuse but it will be easier to explain to him than to Saskia. I hope...' Kai could see that the wolf was forming some very interesting questions in his mind.
"You were playing with Kai's face-paint?" Saskia turned back to the blue skin and rubbed it experimentally.
"He was playing with Kai," Ata said softly over the rim of his cup. If looks could kill he would have been dead and reincarnated several hundred times, courtesy of a particular glare he had never before received from the bluenette. Yup, this was a very touchy subject. No puns intended.
"Let's go get ready." Ray was blushing every shade of red.
Could this day get any worse? First shot down by, dare he say it, the love of his life and now this! What had he done to deserve such punishment? What, was this some curse brought upon him by his ancestors or something? Not giving the other two boys a glance he left the room, long hair swaying behind him till the very last tip disappeared around the corner.
The room was silent. Too silent.
"Not. A. Word."
"What?" Ata blinked innocently at the phoenix. "By the way, that blush makes your face absolutely radiant. Oops! Do you think your boyfriend would get mad at me for referring to you like that?"
"I called you here to help me out. Other then that, stay out of my damn business."
"I didn't know you two had a business," Ata chuckled.
"Screw you, Ata!" Kai snapped and stalked out the room.
Admittedly taken aback, Ata watched him go and sighed.
'If you weren't so blind than you would see what I do.'
Closing his laptop, he went to search out the reclusive phoenix.
The sun shone above the buildings, silhouetting a lone figure that sat on the railing of his patio overlooking the streets. He sat, not holding onto anything for support and though the metal railings were slicked with ice, his balance was perfect. One leg dangled down while the other was bent as he rested an elbow on it. Between the fingers of his hand a wrapped stick dangled, its smoke making small spirals in the cold, morning air.
Kai took another drag of the cigarette, revelling in the smoky taste before blowing it back out in a large puff that immediately turned to frost. He stared at everything and nothing at the same time, his mind swirling like the smoke of the cigarette.
Only a few minutes had past since his short tirade in the dining room and already he hated himself for saying that to Ata. Hell, he had cringed the moment those blue eyes had widened in shock at his words. Ata had all rights to not want to talk to him right about now. The last time he had spoken so harshly to the redhead had been a year ago concerning Ata and that American sicko who had almost stolen his redhead away from him. Yes, his redhead; after all that had happened to them he could finally claim the Wolborg blader as his. Sure, Ata wasn't really fond of his protectiveness at times, but he didn't make all too great an effort to change the bluenette's mind.
Yes, he was purposefully sidetracking what was really bothering him. What made it worse was that it was bothering him as much, if not more, than his abrupt outburst towards his childhood friend.
Ray.
Ata hadn't been hurt by his words because he knew him well enough. There was nothing that could break their bond; that was a proven fact. But his team mate…
He had hurt Ray with his words. After having kissed the neko-jin near senseless only to brush it off as rubbish; could he sink any lower? Ray had accepted his command, but the boy's feelings were as plain as day. The question was: Did he feel the same way?
'Of course not! I just respect for him. He is a great blader and fearless fighter. I feel pride since I am his captain. That's all. I'm not the type who falls in love…'
Love? Had that word just included itself in his vocabulary? He took a deep drag as he thought it over.
He loved Saskia with the heart of a brother unlike any other. He was all she had left and that made him all the more determined to make up for the absence of their parents. Ever since escaping the Abbey he had fought with everything he had to give her a normal life with the best of the best. She knew very little of the ongoing plight; only that grandpa was mean and wanted to tear them apart. He tried to keep her involvement with the family feud as minimal as possible. He was raising her to become the amazing person he knew she was and though money was of an important asset to ensure she had what she needed it was his love that she thrived on.
He loved Natasia, Ivan and Jeremei as he would his own parents; they were loyal to him and did their best to help him in turn. Of the entire staff that had been under his parents' management they were the only three who had remained after their deaths. They were more than servants; they were a little family that he and Saskia needed. The three elders created what they could affectionately call home.
His and Ata's relationship was…indescribable. He had never expected that the mute, distant redhead who Boris had introduced to the team so many years ago would one day grow up into a person whose hand he'd hold every minute of every day of every year if he could. Ata had changed so much since their first meeting but in Kai's eyes he was still the child who was in need of someone in the real world, having been locked away for so long at such a young age. If he had the powers Kai swore he'd bring the redhead's parents back to life so he could kill them again for what they did to his friend. Ata was just everything he wasn't, and then some. Smart but sarcastic, humorous but serious, laughing but sad, a fighter but a fan of cuddles; he could just adjust so easily to anyone, regardless how they acted. And Kai loved him for that.
Ray, now, was a different case…
He stood and begun to pace, still on the precarious surface of the slippery railing but his subconscious mind, balance and reflexes didn't let him down as he walked the railings like he would solid ground. He wasn't even aware that he was doing it.
'I've known him for just over a year…We bladed together and shared a few conversations during travels …But that's it. Isn't it?'
Then what about the time when he first saw the Chinese blader during the regional tournaments in Japan? He had known about Drigger and had concluded before the first match had even begun that Ray was more than worthy of such a bit beast. The blader's exotic features had intrigued him too. Since then he had yet to find one fault in Ray. They were generally paired together when it came down to sharing rooms, not only because he refused to be room mates with Dumb and Hyper, respectively known as Tyson and Max, but also because he just didn't mind being around Ray.
In that aspect then yes, he had felt attracted to Ray as a person. But as a partner?
'I couldn't have developed feelings so quickly. And I've never felt this way towards him before.'
He stopped walking as he could practically hear Ata's voice in his head: "Denial."
All those time watching the neko-jin during their travels. All the times paying closer attention to him then the rest. Every time he'd smile inwardly when Ray would collapse in exhaustion on his bed after arriving at the hotel. Every time the raven-haired teen threw him off guard with an encouraging smile or a thankful word. When Ray battled Lee during the finals of the Asian tournaments he had been awed at the boy's determination. When Ray lost so badly to Eddie during the American tournament he had wanted to comfort the blader though he didn't know how. And when Ray fought so valiantly against Bryan in the World championships it had taken him all his will power and faith in the teen to not run out there and drag him out of the falcon's raging path.
Being around Ray brought out so many emotions he usually kept smothered. Just like Ata. Did that mean that, since one of the reasons why he loved Ata was that particular gift, that he was drawn to Ray, who could do the same. So why couldn't he find it in him to accept that?
He re-seated himself once more and tapped the ash off the cigarette. His eyes followed the ashes as they fell a few inches before the soft morning breeze caught them and whisked them away, swallowing them quickly, causing them to disappear before his eyes.
'This is stupid. I'm over-analysing. I was just one little kiss...'
The memories of that one little kiss warmed him better than his coat. It had been so different then the ones he shared with Ata. Whereas Ata's kisses were merely meant to comfort, or tease, depending on what the redhead was brewing, Ray's held a…passion.
Burying his head in his hands, he released a loud growl.
'Just what I need! What the hell am I going to do?'
Right on cue, the doors to his patio opened and he heard the soft crunching of fresh snow beneath boots as some came up next to him, silently leaning with his elbows on the railing to calmly take in the view. Nothing passed between them until a pale hand reached out and he handed the cigarette to the redhead who took a draft, blowing out a perfect smoke-ring.
"At least I haven't lost that touch."
"What have you lost then?"
"Some of your trust, I assume."
Kai heard the regret in the other's voice and turned to find blue eyes watching him solemnly. He started to intervene but Ata shook his head.
"I shouldn't have made it any harder for you than it already was."
"It's going to take more than your taunts to lose my trust, Ata," he assured, turning back to the cityscape. "Thought it was a rather heartless act on your behalf."
"You want my apology or not?"
Kai couldn't help smiling.
"I suppose so."
"Sorry."
"…That's it?"
"You want me to scream it out from the balcony?"
Ata was capable of doing just that so Kai relented.
"I guess I can settle with 'I'm sorry'."
"If you want to make out later then it's fine with me, but first…" Clenching the cigarette between his teeth, he hopped onto the railing and sat down beside Kai and crossing his legs, balancing as easily as his friend. "There's something I think you want to talk about."
They sat in silence for some time.
"It isn't what you think it is," Kai finally said.
"Really? 'Cause I thought that you've, finally, found your first love and acted upon it but now you've come to the scary realization that you've always liked Ray more than just another blader and you've been sitting out here trying to understand when this all started while comparing how you feel for Ray with how you feel for the rest of us. But if that isn't what happened…"
"That is not what I am doing."
"…"
"Okay, so maybe it is. But it doesn't mean anything."
"Kai, I love you: Don't make me push you off this railing. Ray's the one. End of story."
"Hn," Kai crossed his arms stubbornly and closed his eyes.
"What are you going to do? Meditate me away?" asked the amused voice through the darkness.
"Hn," he repeated.
"Okay," Ata rolled his eyes in exasperation. "So you don't like Ray. All the better for me."
A red eye opened at that.
"What are you talking about."
"You're not the only single drop-dead-gorgeous guy in this house. You know from past experience that I can get any guy I want with wink and I have had these baby blues on him since the championships. No sense in letting someone like him get away without some…testing."
"I know what you are trying to do, Ata, and it's not working."
"You don't think I can pull it off? How about a bet then? If I can bed the kitten before he leaves back for China then I win." Ata smiled at the affronted look his friend was trying to hide. "I wonder if he mewls in his sleep when you scratch him behind his ears…"
"Drop it, Ata. He's my team mate and as captain I--"
"That's fascinating and all, but tell me; which role do you think he prefers in bed? He comes across as a submissive partner, but every kitten has its claws…On second thought, maybe I should let you at him first, just to make sure. Just go easy on him, okay?" The redhead smoothly breathed out a trail of smoke with a thoughtful look on his face.
"I don't want to sleep with him!" Kai clenched his fists, eyes wide with shock.
"Wonder what he tastes like…I hope it's not tuna; I hate seafood."
"That's enough, Ata. He is more then just a pretty face. He's a strong blader and a decent human being. He's also my team mate and someone who I see as a good friend!"
"Yeah right!" Ata snorted, rolling his eyes. "And that's why you love him."
"Yes!"
He wasn't really sure what he had just admitted to until he noticed Ata's victorious smile. Hell, the redhead was positively beaming! Which meant that he must have said something the redhead wanted him to say…concerning his team mate…
Sighing tiredly, he buried his head in his palms.
"I am really hating you right about now."
"All is well in hate and friendship, my dear friend." Ata slung an arm around his shoulder. "Doesn't it feel better now that that is out?"
"Quit patting yourself on the back." Kai took out another cigarette since Ata was still in possession of the first.
"So when will you tell him?"
"Never."
"That's too long in my book. How about before he goes back to China?"
"I can't."
"Pray tell, why?"
"You know why," he answered sullenly. "It's not that easy for me. I've never admitted anything like this to anyone, alright? I just don't do the whole I-love-you thing."
"You do to me."
"That's different."
"But you had to say it for the first time at one point. I know that it was hard for you back then. Your parents were both dead and Saskia was so weak. You, Kai Hiwatari, have overcome worse things than this. And this will have a much better outcome."
"…You think?"
"Ray's just another kiss away from wearing a 'I-love-Kai' sandwich board. I'm surprised you never noticed his thing for you before."
"And what if it doesn't work out? Then I'll be left looking like some love-struck teenager."
"Take a good look in the mirror, Kai. You are a love-struck teenager! If it doesn't work out then you can at least say to yourself that you did what Kai Hiwatari always does; you never turn down a challenge. Why do you think I've managed to sucker you into so many dares and bets?"
Studying the older teen, he smiled despite his lingering worries.
"Your glass is always half-full, huh?"
"No, but I always do my best to refill."
"Rather vague description, even for you."
"Face it, Kai. We'll never be like them," he waved his hand downwards to the unaware public far below them on the streets. "The closest they'll ever be to our lifestyle is what they see in the movies and read in books. They are ordinary people. Boris has tried to brainwash us into thinking that we are better. I never believed him. Not for one second. We are different, not better. And if I could chose between what I am now and what I could have been had I been born into a real family then I would always go for the first choice."
Flicking away the cigarette butt, he crossed his arms in almost weary acceptance.
"But it's too late for me to chose. So I just have to make the best with what is offered to me. And I will admit that I am greedy in that sense because I grab what I can. The first time I ever was given a choice wasn't until I was fourteen. Ever since I was granted semi-independence from the Abbey I have been trying to catch-up on what I've been missing for so many years. Boris and his lackeys already planned and wrecked our lives for us; don't make it even worse for yourself by always doubting and refusing what few liberties we can get."
Having delivered his speech, the redhead smirked.
"If I may now put that in lay-man's term; Ray's right here, in your house, and he is returning what you are feeling, in his own clumsy way. You know what it's like to be alone. Grab life by its twisted horns and go for it. And if you fall flat on your face be assured that I'll always be there to help you back up. Laughing uncontrollably, but there none the less."
"You are too wise for your own good," Kai said, leaning in, to which the redhead complied.
"I'm too good for my own good," he retaliated before tenderly kissing the bluenette. Tasting the nicotine, he pulled away and eyed the cigarette in Kai's hand. "And when did you take up smoking again?"
Kai studied the burning stick as he twirled it slowly between his fingers.
"It's better than drinking," he answered, remembering having said the same thing to Ray that morning around the pool table. He followed the other when Ata slid back onto solid floor with an exaggerated sigh.
"Sure, if you consider clogged and charred lungs better than a few hours hang over. Well, since I am now here..." Ata took the cigarette and flicked it over the railing. Digging into Kai's pocket he took out the rest of the pack and that too went down to the street below. "You'll no longer need any of this crap."
Leading the way back into the warmth of his personal rooms, Kai snorted at the redhead's confidence.
"With you around I am going to go through ten packs a day. And since when do you smoke?"
"This was my first time. Impressive, huh? Didn't cough or choke. However, if it bothers you so much we can just do something we both know I'm good at," he teased with a suggestive look and a wink before walking off.
"Make that twenty packs a day. Damn it, Ata, I'm going to develop pre-mature lung cancer with you around."
The wolf merely laughed, purposefully swaying his hips teasingly as they entered the rooms, closing the patio doors behind them just as another light snow fall started, slowly covering up their footprint on the tiled floors.
Eyes peered out on the street as the black limousine exited the hotel's complex garage to join the busy traffic in the streets. Leaning harmlessly against the glass of the phone booth, the unidentifiable figure whispered the happenings to his listener.
"Subjects have left the perimeters."
/How many/
"Our men inside counted three."
/Is 191191191 with them/
"Yes, sir. She is accompanied by two adolescent males. One is Ray Kon and the other is 201121."
/Are you certain about the last/
"Positive, sir. Red hair and blue eyes."
/And 1119/
"He left in a white Mercedes 12.4 minutes ago. Our sources tell us that he will be in the north of Moscow for the whole day. The other three are on their way to the Moscow Zoo."
/Then we have to work quickly. Set up your men and commence the operation./
"Yes, sir."
/Bring 191191191 back, safe and unspoiled. Kill the males./
"Good as done, sir."
He hung up and slipped out of the phone booth, leaving the horn dangling on its cord as he disappeared into the crowd.
Tbc…
Read & Review, please.