A/N hello, once again. I have the need to tell you something, so if you can be bothered, keep reading. I received a certain review, which apparently means I'm gay ('if the story's gay, the writer must be gay') and I had to laugh at the stupidity. (In case you're thinking of flaming me too, remember I have a mini fire extinguisher and you'll probably just make me more enthused about finishing this) In the summary, doesn't it SAY it's a Rei/Kai fic? *Looks around at everyone* Repeat after me- 'Yeeessss'. If you really hated the idea of making that characters gay, would you bother reading ALL THE CHAPTERS? 'Noooooo'. So I couldn't help but laugh, sorry especially since the anonymous reviewer didn't even leave a name! Usually when someone just puts 'none of your bizness' or '…' you have to laugh. If they're gonna flame you properly, they should at least be brave enough to leave a name (possibly an email) and deal with the consequences. *Shakes head* Well, I hope that's all I've got to say this time. Oh, and if you do flame me, just tell me what I'm doing wrong and how to improve it ('never make Kai gay again' doesn't really help much, unless I didn't know what the entire point of this story is)

So please be critical and tell me how to improve the writing!

Last chapter: A strange predicament leaves Kai sick with only Rei to look after him…

This chapter: Ha! They both have to deal with what happened 'last night' and where it leads them. Some Tyson/Max in here, folks.

Long Day Coming

Chapter 4: Losing It All

As Kai stepped out of the bathroom, he felt very...warm in Rei's shirt. Looking around, he frowned at the fact the raven-haired teen had disappeared. Deciding no amount of protests would allow him to stay out of bed, Kai snuggled under the covers. The problem was, he had nothing to do and he was completely awake. He'd usually be out training by now.

Kai allowed himself to sigh before sitting up and pulling his bag on to the bed. It was in here somewhere… There. He held up a small bottle with a clear, orange liquid in it. He was running out of the stuff.

Getting out of the bed again, Kai padded his way back to the bathroom.

"Kai? Where'd you go?" Rei held a tray of assorted foods for breakfast.

"Here," he heard a voice mumble, so Rei followed it. Kai was standing outside the bathroom, twisting the cap on a tiny bottle that had a label saying 'remover'. The triangles on his face were gone.

"What? I thought they just washed off in water?" Rei set the tray down on Kai's bed.

"No. Then they'd just come off in the rain, like… last night." Kai faltered, all mentionings of 'last night' were sure to lead to their kiss.

"Uh… So that stuff does it, huh." Rei tried to unawkwardise the situation, as much as he desperately wanted to know why Kai had left him afterwards. He was still sure he himself had done something wrong.

"Well, I brought you breakfast." Rei just began to notice how incredibly comfortable Kai looked in his white shirt. This trail of thought was distracted, however, by Kai breaking into a new round of hacking coughs.

"Kai? Are you alright?" Rei asked worriedly. "You'd better get into bed now."

"There's no point in arguing, is there?" Kai said hopefully after the coughs subsided. He made a face after Rei shook his head firmly.

"I'll see if I can't get some medicine for you later. You'd better have something to eat."

Propping the tray on his bed, Kai ate in silence for a few minutes. Rei just watched, stealing a glance at Kai at the same time as grabbing a bit of toast. He looked almost vulnerable without the usual triangles on his firm skin. Shooting a look further upwards, Rei could see Kai's ruby eyes were stern and cold. He wondered how they could ever had looked like they had last night, the way they softened just before Kai kissed him… Picking at another finger of Kai's warm toast, Rei continued his quiet observing. Kai's eyebrows were set in a frown on his forehead and his slate coloured hair was in its typical estranged form. Rei wanted to just reach out and bury his fingers in the soft strands, feel the way –

"Rei." Kai said abruptly, jerking Rei out of his little daydream.

"I don't want anymore. Here." Rei's gaze unnerved had him. Kai unkindly shoved the tray into the white tiger's arms.

"…Uh… Ok." He still seemed a little too absorbed in whatever he had been thinking of. Shaking and clearing his head, Rei broke out of it. "Well you'd better rest now. The more rest you get, the quicker you'll get over what ever it is that you're sick with..." Rei tipped his head and smiled. Kai felt a strange warmth surround him. Redness crept over his cheeks.

Feeling somewhat cowardly but telling himself he had no other options, Kai pulled the covers up over his shoulders, turning away from Rei.

He couldn't be weak. And he especially couldn't allow himself to be weak in front of Rei. He hoped Rei had forgotten all about last night… The kiss. That just wasn't supposed to have happened. (AN: yeah, you wish, Kai *winks* We know what you're really thinking =P)

Trying to shut everything out, including and especially Rei, Kai forced his eyes closed and pretended to sleep. Rei sighed and left the room after a bit, taking the food tray with him.

"Sweet dreams, Kai-kun," he said before gently closing the door and leaving Kai to himself, and his (somewhat treacherous) thoughts and feelings.

*

"Kenny, we've got heaps of time. Don't worry so much."

"I know we'll make it, Tyson. But what about Rei and Kai? They'll miss the tournament! Now I know it was a mistake to leave them there. We should have got them on the plane with us, and get Kai treated when we get to New Zealand."

"They wouldn't have let him on. Everybody on the plane would've gotten sick too. We did the right thing. Besides, They need some time to themselves," Max assured Kenny. Tyson and Max exchanged knowing and meaningful glances, while Kenny still flailed his arms around madly, muttering to himself.

Max had mentioned to Tyson the other night of his suspicions about Rei's true feelings for Kai.

'I don't want Rei to get hurt. You know Kai. He'll be 'Mister Loner Sourpants' for half his life, turn into kind of a 'good guy' for five seconds and we'll never see the 'Good Kai' ever again. He's like that.' Tyson proclaimed to Max. Kenny was busy checking out the last details of their flight to New Zealand for the Oceania Tournament.

'But if Kai really cared about Rei too, don't you think he wouldn't do that? Why would he want to be like that? Why would Kai want to hurt him?'

Tyson shrugged. He didn't have an answer for that one.

'How can you be sure they even like each other like that, anyway?'

Max looked down, away from Tyson.. 'Hmm? Max?'

'Just… because' Tyson heard him mumble under his breath.

'How do you know Max?' He put a hand on his friend's arm.

Max turned and faced him, a blush on his cheeks.

'Just tell me.'

'Well… Its how I-I'd imagine how I look…' Tyson processed this.

'You mean you're in love with Kai? What the hell!!! But you can't, 'cos-'

'No! I don't like Kai. Not in that way. I… I like someone else.' Tyson's face was still crestfallen.

'It's Emily, isn't it?' He blurted, feeling almost hurt.

Max choked. 'Emily? No! Y-you, Tyson. It's you.' Tyson was shocked.

'Wha-what? Really? ...Me?'

'Yeah.' Max turned away again. 'Look, um, if you don't like me in that way, then you don't ha-'

'No. I do. Like you, I mean. More than best friends.'

'Yeah?'

'Yeah.'

In the next moment Tyson felt Max's body right up next to his, his hot breath on his skin. His heart beat wildly and soon Max's lips were on his.

'Mm-mm.' Max moaned as they broke the kiss for air. 'Wow. Thank you,' Max breathed, snuggling up against his new boyfriend. An arm circled itself around his middle protectively. They sat in comfortable silence.

'So Rei likes Kai like that, huh?' Tyson asked.

'Yeah. Well, at least I think so. By what's on his face, anyway.' Max said slowly.

''K. I believe you now. So you definitely don't like Kai or Emily?'

'No. Why?' A mischievous grin crept up his face. 'Jealous?' Tyson swatted playfully at Max.

'So you'll leave it alone now? Kai's not gonna hurt Rei. At least, not if he likes Rei the same way.'

'Yeah. I just hope Kai can get over himself enough to allow himself to like Rei,' Tyson sighed.

'He will. If Kai really loves him-'

'Stop the 'ifs'. I'm sure he does. What do you think about that kissing thing again?'

'You were the one who thought Kai was a heartless loner.'

'I still do. Just look up a little more. Mmm.' Their lips brushed against each other again.

'You were just taking advantage of that.' Max said indignantly.

'Yep,' Tyson replied, and dipped his head again.

"Kenny, Rei and Kai'll be fine," Max promised. "And when they meet us at the tournament, Kai will be all better. Don't worry."

*

Kai sneezed. It had been a couple of days since he and Rei kissed in the rain, and he wasn't getting that much better.

Rei, ever watchful and caring, raised a hand to Kai's forehead.

"Aa. You've got a temperature. I'll get a cold washer, get rid of one of these blankets."

"Mph. I don't need a washer. I need to get out of here. I told you, I'm fine!"

"Whatever, Kai." He smiled to himself.

Kai watched Rei's back as he left to get a damp washer.

Even when he was at his most 'I hate you, leave me alone' front (or the best under the circumstances of his mysterious unwell-ness), Rei still treated him with the upmost kindness, care and warmth… Why wouldn't he leave him alone? He needed to be by himself away from Rei, or soon the white tiger's presence would become too intoxicating. He wouldn't be able to stand the closeness, or the voices in his head that repeated all the reasons that should keep them apart.

^_^ Hi. Like it? I'm not sure if you will. Remember, be VERY CRITICAL! Help me improve my writing. *begs on hands and knees* (and tell me what you think of the Max and Tyson bit. That I'm not too confident on)

*hugs*

Munku-JGSPTV ^_^