I don't own Beyblade or any of the characters, but I'm sure you know that.

Hi again! Here the next chapter, sorry for my sporadic updates. The website wasn't letting me upload my story! I must say, you reviewers are so awesome! I never expected to get such positive feedback for such an unorthodox story!

Last Chapter:

"Is your cold medicine getting to you?", asked Bryan. "Nope. You're just easy to scare", said Rei, still laughing mercilessly, sometimes coughing in between. Bryan glared at him, then glanced at his watch. "I should be going", he said, sighing. "You need sleep, and I have training tomorrow, early".

"How early is early?", asked Rei. "Five thirty in the morning", replied Bryan, wincing. "...You're insane", stated Rei, sniffling. "Absolutely, positively insane".

 

"And yet somehow you like me anyways", remarked Bryan. "...Yeah, I do", said Rei, smiling at him. Bryan couldn't resist and kissed him deeply before grabbing his coat.

"You'll probably catch my cold now", said Rei, smiling at him. Bryan smirked. "...It was worth it. Later, Rei", he said, walking out and running down the stairs.

Rei smiled before sneezing again. "Damn cold", he muttered, reaching for a new box of tissues.

Unexpected

 SEQ CHAPTER \h \r 1Rei got over his cold in the next week and was up and training soon after. He and Bryan decided to go out again that Friday, but skipped the club and went out for a quick lunch and headed to the park again. It was still day out as they laid on their backs and looked at the clouds.

"...It's a kangaroo", said Rei finally. Bryan tilted his head. "How the hell did you get a kangaroo out of that?". He had never tried to picture clouds as shapes, and didn't see how it was useful or relevant or logical in any way, but Rei had dragged him down and so...here they were.

Rei pointed up. "There's the head, and the tail...the body is there". Bryan tilted his head. "Fool. It's obviously a rhinoceros", he lied, seeing a vague kangaroo-like resemblance but wanting to get under Rei's skin anyways.

Rei looked at him incredulously. "A rhino!", he demanded, staring at Bryan. "A *rhino*?!". Bryan nodded, keeping his face straight. "It's a rhino", he replied simply. Rei shook his head, turning back to his spot. "A rhino", he muttered. "I really doubt your sanity, Falcon".

Bryan smirked. "That's an elephant", he continued, pointing at a tiny wisp of cloud. "And there's a chicken, and a mouse, and...". Rei slapped a hand over his mouth. "Now I know you're lying", said the raven-haired boy dryly.

Bryan managed to bite his hand and Rei yelped, pulling his hand back. "Ouch", he said petulantly, glaring at Bryan. "You brought it upon yourself", replied Bryan nonchalantly. Rei rolled his eyes. "Oh please, please forgive me for daring to shut you up", he said sarcastically, sticking his tongue out. Bryan smirked before rolling on top of him and murmuring, "I can think of much better things to do with that".

He dipped his head down and captured Rei's lips, Rei responding in kind. They broke apart a few minutes later. "We shouldn't do this here", murmured Rei, panting slightly. "True", agreed Bryan, rolling back off of him. "So what do you want to do?".

To his surprise, Rei scooted over to him and placed his head on his chest. "You're comfortable, and I'm sleepy", he said simply, shutting his eyes. Bryan blinked, surprised, but brushed a few raven hairs away from his face and let out a tiny smile. He wasn't used to platonic physical affection...he and Tala had always been more formal. But...he didn't hate it. 

And so a few more minutes passed, until Bryan finally gave up and went to sleep, letting down his guard for the first time in ages. Had anyone passed by and seen them, they would've been shocked to see the two formal rivals curled up next to each other and sleeping peacefully.

Rei was the first to wake and propped Bryan's head up in his lap, thoughtful. Had anyone told me that I would be doing this with Bryan a few weeks ago–*a* week ago–I would've called them absolutely insane. But this...this is nice. I mean, I never would've expected Bryan to be able to *cuddle*, of all things. He snickered slightly. Bryan, the ruthless and merciless Demolition Boy, was capable of *cuddling*.

He leaned back and shut his eyes, reveling in the warmth of the sun. This is going to be one confusing relationship, he decided. Bryan ran hot and cold. Sometimes he was open, funny, and sarcastic. Other times he could be cynical, arrogant, and intimidating, a shadow of his old self. And surprisingly enough...once the arrogance and coolness wasn't being directed at him, Rei didn't really mind it. Bryan was like how Kai had been.

Then his eyes shot open and he ran over that last sentence. Bryan was like how Kai had been. It was true, the ruthless, cold natures, the reluctance to open up...shit.

Was he replacing Kai with Bryan? He had told Spencer that he wasn't using Bryan to get back at Kai, and that was true, but...was he using Bryan to replace Kai?

The thought burned into his brain and wouldn't leave. He wasn't that type of person...but he knew that sometimes people did things like that unconsciously, without meaning to. He hated the idea that his attraction to Bryan could be based on the fact that on some levels, Bryan was like Kai.

Bryan woke up and saw the pensive look on Rei's face. "You okay?", he asked. "I'm just thinking", replied Rei, giving him a strained smile. Bryan knew he was lying, but he also knew that whatever Rei was thinking about, he'd have to deal with it by himself.

They walked back to the complex in silence. Rei spoke up suddenly. "Sorry to end this on such a dismal note...I've just got a lot on my mind". Bryan shrugged. "It's alright. I'm used to fits of brooding". Tala had often gone silent and morose for hours on end. At least Rei acknowledged him through his thoughts.

"Give me a call whenever you sort out your thoughts, okay?", he asked. Rei looked upset, and he knew he was making it worse by sounding bitter, though he didn't mean to.

"Alright", replied Rei, squeezing Bryan's hand loosely before dropping it. "Night". "Night", replied Bryan, waiting until Rei's back disappeared to continue to his gate. I hope you find out what's bothering you soon, because I think I'm beginning to get used to your company.

Rei plopped down on his bed, angry at himself. I don't even know if I really like Bryan!, he thought, knowing that he had already hurt Bryan's feelings tonight. Why won't Kai just stay out of my head!?.

Why won't Rei just stay out of my head!?, thought Kai, frustrated. This whole 'situation' was grinding his nerves into nothing. He *hated* being so confused. Tala was being hurt because of his aloofness, and he was being unnecessarily rude to both Bryan and Rei because of it.

The next week was tense. Rei avoided Bryan and Kai at all costs, and Bryan was getting understandably upset. Kai didn't even notice, too busy trying to avoid Tala and Rei. Tala was upset, but knew that he wasn't the one who would be able to sort things out. Something was up with both Rei and Kai and Bryan and him.

Then he paused. Well, at least I can take care of that last problem. He headed up to Bryan's room for a well-overdue talk. Maybe he could at least start to settle this whole ordeal.

O.o. What's this? Where did the angst come from? I have no idea…oh well. Please review and give me your opinion on this latest installment. Sorry about the wait!