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 off of this and write with the sole intention to entertain.

"Attack strength; 250."

Ray grinned at his status and struck out again, following up with a spinning heal kick. His grin turned frown when it was blocked and he just barely sidestepped a punch.

"Speed decreasing. Pick it up, Kitten!"

"Oh, thanks a bunch, Ata!" Ray rolled his eyes before dropping into a crouch and swiping out with a leg, growling when Kai jumped back out of the way.

"You're not focusing," Kai chided, watching with keen eyes to guess beforehand which move the tiger would try next.

'Gee, I wonder why…' Ray thought sarcastically, taking in the sight of Kai before him, wearing only baggy sweatpants, bare chest glistening with sweat that rolled down firmly toned abs.

Despite his own words, Kai himself was struggling to fully concentrate. Ray wore no more clothing than he did with the exception of his red bandana that held the ebony bangs out of his face. Now, however, the heat of their combat caused the dark hair to be plastered onto the skin, framing the tiger's face while his long ponytail swirled with each move he made.

"Sometime today, you two!"

"Hey, we are doing you a favor!" Ray called back though they did start to circle each other, trying to find an opening in the other's defense.

It had been three weeks since they had been given permission to leave the hospital. Regular check-ups by the doctors were still necessary, but all of them had healed nicely. The kitchen's countertop was loaded with medications that they needed to take for a few more weeks. It was pretty annoying since some had to be taken every four hours while others after every meal. Of course, Natasia made sure they took them, watching over them like a hawk until the last pill had been taken. She had even made a schedule that she had made copies of and pasted them all over the penthouse. Ata had found a new pastime in drawing on most of them when she wasn't looking.

Despite the practical pill overdosing, Ray couldn't remember having ever had such a good time as he had had these past three weeks.

The weather had been officially declared clear a few days after their release from the hospital and the airlines now flew but he had extended his ticket; he wasn't ready to go home yet. With the danger over he had been everywhere in Moscow, even taking the train with Tala's and Saskia to Orjol for a few days. No, he still had no idea where that was, but he had developed a taste for Russian dishes and Ata knew a great restaurant there so they had made a day trip out of it. They had also gone back to revisit the zoo, which had been Tala's idea, to everyone's' surprise. He had received a warm welcome from the wolves that had all lined up alongside the glass to greet him.

Kai, being the heir to Voltaire, was very busy with settling business all over Moscow, but he would join them as much as his time allowed.

Saskia had never looked happier to Ray's eyes. Everyday she would spend at least two hours listening to anything from music to the news, soaking up sound that she had been deprived from for so long. Her dancing held more emotions now as she could not only follow, but also feel and embrace the music. It had been a day of celebration when she had been accepted into a very selective dance school. The little girl's charm and talent had captivated the judges.

On a more personal level, Ray had never felt more complete. As much as he totally enjoyed going out with Ata and Saskia, nothing made his day more than coming back home to find Kai sitting at the bar talking with Natasia or playing his guitar in his room. The phoenix was incredibly caring and, much to Ray's surprised amusement, jealously protective. Ata had warned him about this since the redhead also received similar treatment from their friend but it never ceased to flatter, and amuse, Ray whenever they went out somewhere. Whether just the two of them or with the entire group, Kai would hold his hand or wrap an arm around him and never strayed too far. Ray didn't feel at all suffocated or anything, in fact he found himself needing Kai's presence nearby a lot.

And Ata was happy because this meant that Kai didn't hawk over him so much. Well, he did, but it was easy to throw him off by mentioning Ray.

'One big happy ending,' Ray thought, thinking back on it all.

"I've seen statues with more life!" Ata called out when no fist or kicks had been exchanged yet.

They had been in the gym since nine that morning. Ata had allowed himself, as always, into Kai's room while both him and Ray were still asleep. Waking them up, he had then proceeded to drag them into the gym, rambling about something. It turned out that he was upgrading his new laptop and needed to test the energy scanner he normally used to monitor beybattles. Before to the bewildered teens could even understand what it was all about, they had been pitted against each other as test subjects.

'The things I do for you, Ata,' Kai mourned, wishing he were back in his warm bed with the warm body against his. Still, the view wasn't all too bad here and watching Ray's determined pout was almost worth the early wake-up call.

"Why are we fighting when it is your energy scanners?" Ray shared his thoughts, blocking a punch with his forearm. It was sometime around midday and the high noon sun shone hotly through the windows, which had been left open but the adrenaline overpowered the cool.

"Oh, like you aren't enjoying yourself, Kitty," Ata threw back.

"Are you two done?" Kai cut in. He spotted a chance and faking a punch, he then crouched down and with a spinning swipe he managed to bring the tiger down.

The sudden hit to his leg caught Ray off guard and he landed on his back. Blinking up at the ceiling, he tried to catch his breath. Crimson eyes came into view as Kai walked over to stand above him, arms crossed and a smug expression on his face, though he too was still breathing pretty heavy.

"Kai's score: 950, Ray's: 878," Ata announced, fingers dancing over the keyboard as he inputted the data. "Not bad for amateurs. You guys can take five while I go find an extra battery, this one's running low."

He stood from where he had been comfortably sitting on a pile of mats and headed for the door. Before exiting though he stopped and said,

"And behave yourselves."

Kai snorted and waved his friend off who disappeared down the hall snickering. Crouching down next to Ray, he studied the tiger who laid with his eyes closed, trying to regain some strength. A pink flush graced the sweating face and Kai suppressed the want to ravage the younger blader.

"You're lucky I didn't use the technique that won me my trophies, Ray, or we would have to bring you back to the hospital for another few weeks."

Opening a golden eye, Ray gave him a derisive spare-me look.

"Haha, rub it in."

He wiped the beads of sweat from his face and made to rise. Kai held out his hand to help and he accepted it. However, a sudden idea came to mind and with a wicked smile, he threw himself back down, bringing Kai with him before rolling over and effectively pinning the phoenix to the mats. Leaning over the stunned teen, he grinned.

"I think you should have those trophies remade in my name, darling," he purposefully teased Kai, knowing how much he hated pet names. "It would appear that surprise moves aren't your strongest points."

"Really?"

Kai recovered and raised his head, catching Ray's lips with his own. He smirked in the kiss when Ray gasped at the unexpected, though much welcomed, gesture. Removing the red bandana to release the bangs, he ran a hand through them as the kiss deepened.

His arms trembled and he could no longer hold himself up. He lowered himself to lay on the slick chest, one hand running over a bare, smooth side while the other caressed Kai's neck. The strong masculine scent of his lover was intoxicating and he felt that he could get drunk by breathing it.

They pulled apart only for brief moments for air and neither really paid much attention to the time, or surrounding, until…

"Wooo!"

They parted and turned to find Saskia in the doorway, giggling shyly as she held Mica close to her. Her presence discovered, she ran over and with a leap she landed on both boys, never minding the fact that both were pretty sweaty.

"And just who were you spying on?" Ray asked, moving to sit on the ground next to Kai though the phoenix remained where he was since Saskia now sat on his abs. She giggled and hid behind Mica.

"You like Kai," she announced.

"Yes, I do," Ray admitted.

He had been worried in the beginning on how they would explain to Saskia their relationship but she took it extremely well, not even questioning anything. In fact, she was really happy because that meant that they would all be together.

"I like Kai too." She kissed her brother's cheek for emphasis. "And Mica likes Kai too."

"He's just a loveable sweetie," Ray concluded, chuckling when the bluenette gave a small tug on his hair for that.

"Come see," Saskia said, getting to her feet and tugging on Kai's hand. "Come on!"

"See what?" Kai asked though he got to his feet as Ray got to his, a puzzled look on the tiger's face.

"I finish! I finish!" was all she would tell and she ran towards the door, bouncing on her heals impatiently as they followed. Once they were close enough for her satisfaction, she took off down the hall, very excited about something.

"What does she want to show us?" Ray asked the bluenette but Kai shrugged, clueless himself at his baby sister's excitement.

"She's been in her room all day," he reminded. "Coming to think of it, she's been in her room a lot ever since we got out of the hospital."

Emerging from the hall, they met Ata who had been returning to the gym. The blue eyes blinked as the small girl grabbed his hand and tried to pull him along. Getting no answer from his peers who were following her, he gave in and allowed himself to be led up the stairs towards her bedroom.

Reaching the landing, she released Ata's hand and ran straight for her room, swinging the door open and disappearing inside. The three boys shared a curious look and followed her in. There was nothing new to see in her bedroom. Neither did she apparently want to show them a new dance move since she ran through the ballet studio. Which meant only one thing.

Her art room.

Sure enough, they found her inside, face excited yet nervous.

"What did you want to show us, Sassy?" Kai asked. He knew each and every drawing, painting and sketch she had ever made and looking around the room he saw nothing he hadn't already seen.

Biting her low lip shyly, she trotted over to the large metal closet. No. Not the closet. The door. The partially hidden door that she always kept locked.

Removing the small bronze key from her ever-present pouch, she placed it in the lock and turned it. A soft click rang and the door slowly creaked open. Stepping inside she turned, awaiting them.

Ray turned to Kai and Ata but both simply entered. They must obviously already know what was in the room. It felt strange stepping over the threshold. He remembered the day some weeks ago when he had been tempted to enter but had kept to his promise. To finally be able to discover the mystery of the room was pretty exciting and he entered.

The room was bigger than he had expected, however, it was empty. The floor was tiled with ornate stones and there wasn't one piece of furniture in the room. But that didn't matter as his attention was on the walls. Or, more precisely, the pictures on the wall.

This had to be the greatest picture collage he had ever seen. Every inch of the walls was covered in photo's that must have been collected over many years. They had been layered upon one another, forming a lasting wall of memories. The only spaces on the wall that had no pictures held art portraits. Almost a dozen life size oil paintings hung around the room.

'So I did see correctly,' Ray thought as his eyes fell on the incredibly realistic painting of Ata. Those bright blue eyes were the ones he had seen through the narrow opening when Saskia had first shown him her art studio.

Next to Tala's picture hung, to his surprise, a similar artwork of Bryan. Ian and Spencer came next. All four Demolition Boys, including their bit beasts as backgrounds, stood proud and ready for action.

Following them were three paintings of a more docile nature; Natasia, Ivan and Jeremei. All looked younger which meant that these had been painted a few years ago.

'This must be where she keeps pictures of her friends and family.

His assumption was proven true as he turned to the three paintings behind him.

Another life-sized portrait of Kai. Except in this one he stood holding Saskia who rested with her head on his shoulder. It was an incredibly heartwarming work of art. The pink and the red eyes, the different coloring of the hair. Kai looked to be twelve and his face was clean of markings. Saskia's hair had been even longer than it was now.

On either side of the brother-sister painting hung two portraits; one of a man and one of a woman. The man's hair was of a slate-blue color and his eyes were dark red. His face was serious but kind. The woman wore her hair long, past her waist and its violet tresses were streaked with light blue. Eyes an interesting mix of violet with pink glittered above a bright smile.

"Our parents," Kai informed softly, coming to stand next to him.

"I wish I could have met them," he said, looking over to see Kai regarding the images with saddened eyes.

"You would have liked them."

Ray took Kai's hand in his, squeezing it softly but saying nothing.

"Ray?"

Both turned to Saskia who stood before something, a portrait by the shape of it, which was covered by a large sheet. It hung between Natasia's and Ata's. She apprehensively played with Mica's dorsal fin as they walked over, coming to stand next to Ata who stood waiting with a curious look.

"I work on this ever since you come here. That's why I didn't want you to come in here yet," she told Ray.

Unable to say anything else, she simply motioned them to stand back a bit and taking hold of the sheet, she tugged. It had been wrapped loosely and easily fell away.

Kai made a soft sound of amusement, pride and wonder. Turning, he shrugged to Ata who smiled and shook his head, in turn looking over to see Ray's reaction.

Blinking several times, Ray stepped forward in disbelief. A surprise expression melted into a smile as he studied the artwork.

The golden eyes that glistened on the canvas were surrounded by dark bangs held out of the face by a red ying-yang bandana. An incredible long ponytail whirled around the body as the person in the painting launched a beyblade, fanged smirk confident and determined. Behind the blader, a might white tiger roared, claws exposed and gleaming.

"I sorry it took so long.," Saskia said, patiently but nervously awaiting his approval. "But I wanted to show you before you leave. You like it?"

Kneeling and gathering the small angel in his arms, he hugged her close.

"I love it. But...why? I don't think I belong here.

"Ray is very special to me. Ray is very special to all of us," she insisted. "You are a part of our family too."

He smiled in her hair.

"Thank you, Saskia."

"Shut up. I just have something in my eye, okay?"

Ray turned to Ata's voice. The redhead had removed his glasses and was rubbing an eye, much to Kai's amusement.

"Uh-huh," Kai snorted at the excuse. Walking over, he picked Saskia up, planting a kiss on her forehead.

"That was very nice of you, Sassy. Ray is very happy."

"Here you all are. I was-- Oh! That's lovely!"

Natasia walked in, her eyes on the newest artwork. Coming to stand next to Ata, she placed an arm around his shoulders as she admired the painting. No one believed that she would ever get over Ata being back. With their similar ivory skin and flaming red hair, they looked very much like mother and son.

"It's like one big happy family," Natasia sighed before her face turned a bit sterner. "One that haven't taken their medications. My lord! You're all sweaty and standing bare chest in the cold! Come on, and no more kick boxing. I swear, you are all going to be the death of me!"

She started to pull Ata along. Saskia wriggled out of Kai's arms and ran to take hold as Natasia's other hand as the woman led them out, mourning on how they were going to be the death of her.

"She's really good," Ray admired, still unable to stop looking at the artwork.

"I guess," Kai nodded. "But it can never outdo the real Ray."

"When did you become a romantic?" he teased, lightly nuzzling the taller teen's neck.

"I have my moments," the bluenette shrugged, wrapping an arm around the tiger's bare shoulders. "Care for a demonstration?"

"Totally," Ray smiled coyly, wrapping his arms around the slender neck and meeting the phoenix's lips midway. Purring contently, he shivered as gentle fingers trailed up and down his spine. The soft lips against his moved in a slow, enchanting way that quickly had both under its spell.

"I wasn't crying, Natty! I just had something in my eye!"

Halting their kiss to share a bemused look, they turned towards the door before looking back at each other and laughing, their foreheads resting against each other as the stared deep into the other's eyes. Burning crimson meeting glittering gold.

"So, what are we going to tell the guys when we get back to Japan?" Ray asked, placing small kiss on the other's lips.

"Let them find out on their own; they're smart enough. Even Tyson will be able to figure it out."

A skeptical look was shared before they both shook their heads.

"Yeah right," they said in unison and laughed.

Tbc…

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