[Disclaimer]

Beyblade and all it's likeness does not belong to me. No profits are being made off this story.

[Chapter Six] The One Who Left Me Alone In Happiness

Have you ever looked back on a decision you made in the past and thought, 'God, I was so dumb to do that!'?

Welcome to the club.

As I walk down the streets of Russia, my mind wanders to past events that could have caused my life to take such a turn.

It's slightly cold today, even though it is August. Sighing, I pull my red jacket closer to my body, twisting my hands inside of the back pockets of my tight jeans. He had known exactly where to go this time.

I've been thinking more and more of not my reasons for trying to follow Kai, but of the reasons that could have made him leave Japan in the first place.

Was he disgusted?

Was I just wasting my time and prolonging a heartache that I didn't want to concede to?

My jaw clenches tightly as I shut my eyes, my long bangs flying back and exposing my face with the wind.

If I saw Kai right now – right now – and he saw me, would he run away?

Would there be anything left in me to run after him?

Love is a frightening thing.

It makes me feel things that I had never dreamt of feeling for another person. It made my heart beat faster and my palms sweat. It made me say things I didn't mean to say and to blush at the most insignificant things. It made me passionate. It made me dream. It made me want.

Kai.

Why'd you come back here? I feel myself getting sad and try to shake the feeling away.

I miss you.

****

Kai set his bag of belongings down in the small boardroom, sighing as he sat on the bed and the mattress squeaked. Every time he set foot in this country he felt a longing… For something that was obviously not there…

He closed his eyes and lay down, lifting his hand to feel the familiar metal weight on his chest – thinking of what he had given up because he had been too afraid of what had been inside of him. What seemed like had been there for as long as he could remember…

Because only cowards run away…

****

Two Months Ago

"Congratulations!!!"

Cheers and shouts of compliments showered Tyson as a medal was lowered over his head and hung off his neck. He was grinning wildly, and gave the surrounding crowd a peace sign.

"Thank you! Thank you!" Bowing, he made to leave the podium but Mr. Dickinson would have none of it as he dragged the teen back.

"How about you say a few words, hmmm?" He stroked his moustache happily.

Tyson rolled his eyes but couldn't stop from smiling. "Oh, all right…" More cheers erupted when his boyish voice rang through the microphone.

"This thing on? Hello? Heh? Testing 1, 2, 3-!"

"IT'S ON, TYSON!!!" Kenny's shrill voice shouted from the throng of people. Tyson sweatdropped and waved his hands in apology.

"Hey, so, I'm supposed to say a few words now." Sounds of agreement came from the crowd. "I'm not too good at this so I'll just… say what it's been like for me."

In the front row, the old members of the now disbanded Bladebreakers smiled at Tyson's shining face. Flashes from cameras kept going off and made his face light up even more.

"I started out like every other blader out there did. It was always about playing the game and having fun. The next thing I knew, Mr. Dickinson was offering me a place on team BBA and I was off on my first and best adventure." The world champion chuckled, not really paying attention to where his speech was going as the memories flowed.

"Max, Ray, Kenny," He paused at each name, sending significant glances at each of them. "You guys were there for me and taught me so much. I don't think I'd be here if it weren't for all of you." Tyson laughed again, making a few fans scream. "Even though when we first started out I was pretty bad, you guys didn't give up on me! Thanks. Although, by the end of that first World Tournament, I was still pretty bad, huh?"

The audience laughed and Ray yelled out, "You sure were!" causing more laughs to ensue.

"Aw, thanks man." Tyson smiled and then stopped, his face becoming oddly serious. He turned and found Kai sitting next to Kenny and Hilary, staring up at him with his arms and legs crossed.

"My old team captain, Kai Hiwatari," Tyson's voice became softer and more flashes of light went off. "Was kinda the one who kept me together the most. Anytime I was out of control – you were there to stop me." His smile came back full force. "I can't believe how far we've come, can you?"

Kai smiled slightly and inclined his head so that his bangs covered his eyes.

"You're the one who taught me how to play with not just my Beyblade, but my heart as well." Tyson continued, his blue eyes half-lidded.

"You're the one who I…"

His friends began to sweat and gave each other startled glances. Was Tyson going to confess? On national television?! Hilary gripped her chair tighter, biting her lip and willing Tyson to… to just keep going!! She watched Kai's eyes slowly open in what seemed like… hope?

"You're the one who I…" Suddenly aware of where he was, Tyson snapped himself back to reality and hastily averted his eyes from Kai's hypnotizing gaze.

"The one who I think deserves to be BBA's M.V.P of the year! The same with the rest of my team!" Tyson held up his medal, it's gold surface glinting. "This one's for you guys!!"

The audience exploded in applause and Tyson bowed before quickly making his way out of the spotlight.

Yeah, I almost completely spilled my biggest secret on TV. Give me a break!! I was on a total high from the ceremony and all!

Two months ago, the BBA held their celebration of the organizations tenth anniversary. They were also celebrating past BBA members and just Beyblading as a whole. Turns out, I was made the Most Valued Player of the BBA! Mr. D surprised the heck outta me when he just pulled me up on stage and shoved that medal around my neck.

Man, that was a great time.

It was also the last time I saw Kai in Japan.

Let's keep going.

"Nice speech."

His voice was smooth and low; the same tone that would send ripples of desire running up and down Tyson's body.

He fingered his medal nervously. "Thanks, Kai."

"So…" Kai replied, almost uneasily, as he took a seat next to Tyson. They were sitting off to the side as the reception went on in full swing. People were dancing, chatting, eating, and all around having a great time. Lots of old teams were there. Anyone who'd been in close contact with the BBA was welcome to come, so they'd run into many teams they'd faced over the years.

"Tyson…"

"Yeah, Kai?" It was killing the world champ to keep his composure. There was so much he wanted to say to Kai, but everyone had cautioned him to wait for 'the right moment.'

He turned and noticed Hilary, Mariah and Emily walking up.

"Hey Tyson!" The Chinese girl greeted as they came over. She was smiling widely. "Congrats on the medal!"

"Woah, hey! I haven't seen you girls in forever!" Hilary rolled her eyes at that comment.

Emily nodded. "I just had to come since this is only the biggest Beyblading event that doesn't end up in broken blades. Though, I wasn't surprised it was you who won M.V.P." She grinned as she looked over at Kai. "Don't worry Kai, we still love you."

Tyson laughed loudly at that with the girls as Kai blushed indignantly.

"Yeah, don't worry Kai!" The world champion said between laughs. "I still love you!" At those words, Tyson's throat clamped up and Hilary noticed so she immediately dragged the other two girls away to get some punch.

Forcing another weak laugh, Tyson grasped his medal tightly, unable to look at Kai. He was so embarrassed. "I think maybe I'll go find Dandy…" He swallowed. "He should be around somewhere."

"Wait." Kai said quickly, grabbing Tyson by the arm. The midnight haired teen's breath quickened as he steeled his courage and looked up into Kai's eyes.

"Tyson…" He said quietly. "I… I've been meaning to…" Kai pulled him closer, his grip on Tyson's arm slipping so that his larger hand rested over the smaller tan one.

The other teen let out a nervous sound. "Kai? What are you-?"

Kai's expression turned startled, and quickly he stepped back and away, looking to the floor. "I'm… Tyson, I'm…"

Confused, Tyson questioned. "What?"

"I'm in l…" Kai trailed off and his ruby eyes glanced up in brief moment. He looked a little sad. "I'm leaving, Tyson." He said with finality.

Tyson gaped. "…What?" His ex-team captain immediately turned to go, his shoulders hunched.

"Hey, wait!" The MVP shouted. "Where are you going?" At Kai's silence, Tyson jogged after him catching him before he left the celebration. They stepped just outside the doors to the reception hall and Tyson leaned back against the cool metal, his fingers clenching uneasily behind his back.

They were alone.

"When will you be getting back?"

"Tyson…" Kai said, unnervingly serious. "I don't think I'll be back."

"Not come back?" Something akin to fear was settling itself in Tyson's stomach as he looked into Kai's soulful burgundy eyes. He laughed nervously. "What do you mean?"

"I just… have to get away… From Japan."

No! No! No! It couldn't just happen like this. This night had been turning out to be one of the happiest nights of Tyson's life and he just couldn't believe what he was hearing.

"And never come back?" He asked flatly.

Kai ran a frustrated hand through his bangs. "There's… nothing here for me anymore." He sounded pained. "You're the only person I… told. I'm leaving as soon as possible."

Stung by Kai's indirect rejection, Tyson's mouth dropped open. "I didn't… do anything wrong, did I?"

"Tyson…"

"I didn't, did I?" His voice became a bit panicked. "Look, Kai, if I've bothered you over the past few months I'm sorry, I mean… If there's something that upset you, or if you're in trouble – you can tell me anything. You know that!"

Kai took Tyson by the shoulders, pushing the smaller teen back into the metal doors, his face only an inch away.

"It's not you, it's… it's… oh, god…" Kai hung his head and then noticed that Tyson was breathing rapidly, his chest moving up and down at a quickened pace, making his medal glint.

The slate haired teen bit his lip, his shoulders shaking, like it hurt to talk. "Congratulations. On the Medal."

He looked back up into Tyson's face and found that he'd pushed too hard, making the world champ's baseball cap tip haphazardly, trapped between the wall and his head. Long silky bangs were falling into Tyson's face and his eyes were wide, making him seem young and scared.


Kai backed off completely, but Tyson caught his hand and pulled off the medal, placing it in Kai's palm.

His eyes were hooded. "Take this." The ex-team captain was caught off guard.

"That's your medal, Tyson, I can't-"

"Please. If you're going to go… I can't stop you, but… take something to remember me by, okay?"

"Tyson…"

Kai gazed up and saw the look that all of Tyson's opponents saw before they lost. It was the look that shot you straight to the heart – it made him want to…

"I'll see you again." Tyson replied firmly, closing Kai's fingers over his medal and walking back into the reception hall.

"G-…Goodbye." Kai muttered weakly, but the hall was empty.