Long Day Coming

Chapter 2: Bringing Something Along With You

Last chapter: The Blade Breakers met up again. Thing seem different for Rei and Kai, but to the others, everything's just the same.

This chapter: Rei and Kai are confused. They can't be sure of anything anymore, especially when Kai seems to…Well, just read it already!

They hadn't done much since their lunch. Mostly just lounged around at a hotel they were all going to stay at for a few weeks. Kenny had announced that the next tournament would be in a little while and they should get back in training to prepare for it. But so far, of course, no one had wanted to do anything.

At present, Max and Tyson were sitting next to each other on the couch with their feet up, Rei had his back against the side of the couch and Kenny had long since disappeared, saying he was going to check details with Mr Dickinson. Kai, typically, was leaning on the wall, with his eyes closed and deep in thought as the others watched some kids show about a rabbit and a duck. It was quite boring, really.

He felt that strange feeling again. He opened his eyes hesitantly. Rei was looking directly at him. Those golden spheres unnerved him. After what seemed like forever, Rei was distracted from his steady gaze (Tyson started yelling at the tv) and faced the screen again. Kai could not turn from him. He saw a tiny smile grace Rei's lips.

He wasn't sure what he thought anymore. And what was that look about? Realising he had been staring at the White Tiger for a long time, Kai tore his eyes away and quietly left the room. Rei noticed, his eyes followed Kai up the stairs to the bedrooms.

Things were very weird now. Rei didn't know what to think either. He couldn't help feeling he had done something wrong, though. It was getting late now, and he had to unpack.

'Max you can go in the same room as Tyson, because you're the only one that can stand his snoring. I'll be in the single room and that leaves you and Kai together, Rei.' Kenny's eyes almost had a look of apology. Rei wasn't sure. Kai promptly humphed and left the room.

Well, Kenny had told them the sleeping arrangements. Rei wasn't sure if he minded. Again – he didn't seem to be sure of anything anymore. He lugged his heavy pack up the stairs and to the hallway that had the bedrooms. It was a pretty big section of the hotel that the Blade Breakers took up. A whole recreation room and three separate bedrooms. He hoped Mr D. still had enough money to pay for all the food Tyson was going to end up eating.

Just…two more steps…The weight of his pack made him lose his grip. His bag plonked miserably on the carpet at the top of the stairs. At least he had gotten it up there. Rei heaved it back on his shoulder and headed for his room.

"Are you OK Rei? That sounded bad."

"Oh no. Just my heavy bag." Rei smiled at Tyson. "Thanks anyway."

"Hey. Don't worry about it. I feel more sorry for you being stuck with Mr Sourpants. Good luck."

'I don't know if it'll be as bad as everyone makes Kai out to be' Rei thought absently. But he grinned at Tyson anyway.

"Yeah."

**

Rei slowly entered their room. Kai had already picked his bed, the one nearest to a huge dark wooden closet and farthest from the window. He was sitting on it and fiddling with Dranzer. His crimson eyes shifted as they acknowledged Rei coming in the room.

"I guess this is my bed, huh." Rei said as he dumped his stuff down.

No reply.

"What did you do for the last couple of months?" Rei tried, starting again.

"Not much." Kai knew Rei would see right through that, but he didn't really care. It was his business what he did away from the others. The room fell silent. Kai glanced up. Rei was watching him. (again)

Because they hadn't really seen each other for so long(only a few months really), it felt a little awkward to Kai. But everything soon seemed normal. Tyson took this moment to barge in with his toothbrush half hanging out of his mouth to ask if they had seen Max.

"No." Kai said firmly.

"You sure? Rei? Have you seen Max? I can't find him anywhere, only 'cos he has my toothpaste and I…" Rei was distracted by Kai. He seemed almost angry. Either because Tyson had interrupted, or because he had already answered for both of them. Or maybe something else.

"I told you. We don't know." Kai said annoyed. "Not like I could care anyway (he had added for good measure, to keep sure they/he didn't think he was going soft)."

"Oh. Ok. Look, I don't know what you did during our break, but I really wish you had gotten a little nicer. There's nothing wrong with being nice to people, you know." Tyson gave the older teen an immature look.

"Look-" Kai began threateningly. 'What?' Rei thought. 'Kai used to never let Tyson get to him. What was wrong?' He felt Kai's eyes flash up to him and then concentrate their intensity on Tyson again.

"Hey, guys! We came back here 'cos we're a team, right? People in teams don't fight. So just cut it out."

Tyson couldn't help thinking that maybe Kai shouldn't be a part of the team, but the look on Rei's face stopped him from saying it out aloud. He could fight with Kai another time.

Kai himself had a slight red tinge on his cheeks (from rage or embaressment, Rei couldn't tell) and left the room quickly, taking Dranzer with him.

Tyson and Rei relaxed. That had been pretty…tense.

"Sometimes I just don't get that guy." Tyson sighed. "If you see Max, tell me. Wait. Do you have any toothpaste?"

"Uhh…"

It was early morning now. The second day they'd seen each other in such a.. long time. Kai had to keep telling himself that it hadn't been that long, and why should it be so important to him that he see his team mates again? He groaned and rolled over in bed. He didn't feel like getting up today.

"Oh. You're awake." Came Rei's voice.

"Mmm…urgh." He must have pulled a muscle or twisted something when he slept. That leg hurt bad.

The room fell silent again.

"Have I done something wrong?" Rei came out with suddenly. Kai didn't know how to answer, except-

"No."

"It's just… Never mind."

Kai was glad the conversation stopped. He didn't really want to talk about it either.

What? Talk about what? There was nothing to talk about, was there? Kai stole a quick look at Rei. He was lying on his back with his arms near his head, curled up like a cat that he so resembled. There goes that feeling again. Like… like he wanted to go over there and snuggle up right next to him…

That scared him.

He wouldn't..no, he couldn't really be-

"Anyway, I had to let Tyson borrow your toothpaste."

'WHAT?'

A/N *grins evilly* Don't worry, there'll be some proper Rei/Kai stuff next chapter. (And more of a plot) Hope you like it. I am liking this fic of mine. Heh. I really want you to review. It does more for me if you can give me some hints about my writing. I want to get better, so if you think they're not entirely in character or something, you have to tell me. Please. Thank you. *hugs reader*

Munku-JGSPTV ^_^