ME: Yes, they finally realized it's a Ma/Re
CS: That was a no-brainer though.
=========@@@@@@@@@@@
SilveryKitsune: Thanks for the ideas, but Ray is going to have his punishment in this chappie? Ray: What punishment? ME: If I told you, it wouldn't be a punishment.
Skittles the Sugar Fairy: ME: Hmmmm…maybe I should work on a TyTa…
CS: NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!! You've gone over to the dark side!!!!!
ME: *sweatdrops* But making my muse co-operate with me is the first thing on my 'To do' list… CS: DON'T DO IT!!!!!!!!!! ME: It might take some time though…
I luv Yugi and Daisuke so :p: ME: Heh heh heh *sweatdrops* This is embarrassing…
You see, since I'm in boarding school, I have a school net address. But I'll try and get a Hotmail one. Thanx for the torture spray. Oh CS…. CS: Uh oh….
Rumi-Chan: ME: Don't worry, I won't kill you. CS: Yet. ME: CS, That's mean…
Kai: I know. Way to go CS!!!!!!! CS: Thank you, thank you *bows*
ME: I think I'll use that torture spray….
Here's the next chappie!!! Enjoy!!!!
ME: Alright let's re-cap!!
Everyone puts on hats.
ME: (sweatdrops) Not in that sense, but at least you'll are paying attention.
CS: Ray breaks Max's heart (not that he knew, but still) and confesses his love for…Tyson? I have to admit I wasn't expecting that.
Kai: KON, YOU'VE JUST SIGNED YOU'RE DEATH CERTIFICATE!!!!!!!!!
Ray: o.0; Not again…
CT: Is this going to happen in every author note?
ME: Depends on how angry Kai is. And I would say…
Kai: I'LL RIP YOU FROM LIMB TO LIMB!!!!!!!
Ray: Muuuuummmmy!!!!!!!!!
ME: He's very angry. ^_^
DISCLAIMER: ME: I took my advice seriously and bought a parrot!!!!
Parrot: Timmy does not own Beyblade. Timmy does not own Beyblade, Timmy does not own Beyblade, Timmy does not-- *WHAM!!!* ME: Ok, that was just plain irritating….
Chapter Three
What went on in my mind
Max clutched the table desperately. His mind was nothing, but an enormous hollow in his heart. He clenched his eyes shut.
Don't break down, please don't break down, Max chanted like a mantra.
In front of Ray.
Not where weakness is not an option.
He'll go home and cry.
But not here.
Not here.
Max took in a deep shuddering breath. Ray looked at him, thoroughly concerned. Max pasted a soft uneasy grin on his face. He placed his hands on is lap, trying not to look shattered from this new revelation.
"So," Max said, his voice holding the barest tremble, "What are you going to do?"
Ray looked down on the floor, "I really have no idea. I mean, I have…no experience and any clue about…," he hesitated, "Love."
No, no, no, no, no, NO!!
Max couldn't control it. He wanted to beat Ray, shake him senseless and yell at him, "What about me?"
But Ray was looking at him in such a way that Max felt so helpless. Ray needed him.
So he'll have to do it.
"First, I suggest we wait till Tyson recovers. He still needs to get over Kai and that could take some time. Tyson is very sensitive when it comes to love and we have to give him room to heal." Max sucked in a deep breath again. He was still quivering, but Ray hasn't noticed it.
Ray nodded and Max left. As soon as the door was shut, Max leaned onto the door, sobbing softly, his face a mask of pain.
The turtle would give up anything to be back in his shell.
How sweet innocence seems when you lose it.
- - - - - -- -
Ray heard the door click quietly. Max had apparently left. He winced.
Max seemed very distressed about the topic of love. Max said he had been in love.
But, he never said who…
A haze of jealously surrounded him. Did Max love someone without telling them?
But he would have said.
Wouldn't he?
Ray shook his head. Ever since Kai and Tyson had gotten together, he and Max had slowly become closer and closer. Max felt kinda lonely because Tyson had spent most of his free time with Kai.
*Flashback*
Max sat on the wall, swinging his legs. His wide azure eyes were unfocused, staring at the horizon. That's how Ray found him.
"What's wrong Max? No sugar available in town?" Ray joked lightly, but his amber eyes gave it away as they shone with undue concern.
Max smiled at him, "You look kinda down as well. What, no catnip?"
Ray blushed embarrassedly. When Kenny had gone to the pet shop to get catnip for his mom's Siamese cat, he dropped on the sofa causing Ray to stare at it transfixed. The Bladebreakers just laughed as Ray tried to prevent Kenny from clearing the catnip off the sofa.
Max was about to say something, but thought better of it and turned back to the horizon.
"Max?"
"Ray…Do you think," Max hesitated as he tried to grasp the right words, "That Tyson doesn't need me anymore?"
Ray stared at him. Max looked down. Gently, Ray cupped Max's chin into his hands so he could look into Max's enticing cerulean eyes, "Max, Tyson needs you. We all need you. Even Kai," He heard Max chuckle, "And more important of all, I need you."
Max's face softened as they both watched the horizon.
At least their day wasn't completely wasted. They need each other.
And that's how it'll always be.
*End Flashback*
Ray went back into Tyson's room. The blunette was muttering some gibberish under his breath. His forehead was sweaty and crinkled in worry. Ray frowned.
Tyson cared for Kai deeply. Will he be able to move on?
He remembered how Tyson went through every kind of obstacle to bring Ray back.
And Drigger as well. Ray remembered how Tyson repeated determinedly again and again that he wasn't going to give up on him. That's when he realized he had feelings for the storm dragon. But, he was too afraid of rejection and pain, that he said nothing.
And he lost his chance to Kai.
He hated it when they were together. But Tyson was happy, so he let it be, hoping the crush would go away. And it did for a while.
Only, to come back at full blast when Kai left Tyson.
Was it love or a very strong crush? He didn't know.
How come everyone is so sure of their emotions but him?
He wished Max was here and he didn't have to leave. But, he sensed an undercurrent of pain in the blonde and a desire to leave. So, he said nothing.
He gently brushed Tyson's hair. The blunette's murmurings slowly subsided.
Ray sighed.
He needed someone to hold him up.
He needed Max.
- - - - - - - - - - -
Max slammed the door when he reached home. He stood there in the centre of the room, his eyes glazing.
Why was he destined to love? All he wanted to do was to back into his shell…
A sob erupted from his throat. He hugged himself desperately.
He sat down onto the couch. He just wanted the pain to fade away.
He looked at Ray's photo on the dressing table.
"Leave me alone Ray!!!" With that he flung a pillow at the picture frame. It toppled over and the glass shattered into tiny splinters. Just like his heart.
Max looked at the fallen picture frame. In the picture, Ray was smiling and had slung an arm around Max's shoulder. Max was grinning like there was no tomorrow and had a peace sign held up. Max got up and gently picked up the frame. And sighed.
Even though Ray loves Tyson or think he does at any rate, Max couldn't do anything at all, except help Ray.
Because he loved him.
He, Max Tate loved Ray Kon.
And even if Ray never loves him back, he will always be by Ray's side.
Always.
Max clutched the frame, not caring if the broken glass cut his skin. He cried.
Always.
- - - - - - - -- - - -
Ray slept fretfully that night.
His dreams were filled with teeth and growls. He was running through a dense forest with an unknown black haze surrounding the trees.
Something was chasing him…
Ray sucked in breath as he ran. He stumbled through the clearing.
They were coming….
Ray let out a cry as he slipped and fell to the ground headlong.
The growls became louder.
Ray's amber eyes widened as he drew back in fear. His face drenched in sweat as he slowly tried to back away from the source of the noise.
"No…please…I don't…leave me!!!"
Two large ivory colored tigers appeared from the woods. They growled menacingly at Ray, their feline eyes glowing like anticipation. Ray drew further back whimpering.
One of the tigers slowly made its way to Ray. Ray started shaking.
Suddenly, a flash of purple blinded him. In front of him was…Max?
What was Max doing here?
Max looked back at him and smiled. The tigers lunged.
Max spread his arms wide, shielding Ray. His enticing cerulean eyes shut. He looked peaceful…
So peaceful…
Ray's golden eyes widen in horror.
"NO!!!! MAX DON'T!!!!!!"
Blood spilt on the ground.
"Don't…"
A soft thud was heard.
"It's not fair…"
All he could see was the limp body of…
"MAX!!!!!!"
Ray jolted from his sleep, his lips open in a silent scream. Gasping, he tried to grasp the reality around him.
Max…
Max died for him. Protecting him from…tigers?
Ray frowned. Drigger was a tiger. Why would Drigger hurt him? That didn't seem possible. He sighed and went to the bathroom to wash the sweat off his face.
He doused his face with refreshingly cold water. As he walked back to his bed, he felt a strange…stiffness applied to his muscles.
Ray shook his head. He just needed rest, that's all.
Soon, he sank into a dreamless sleep.
Yet, as he slept, his blade glowed a mysterious green.
There's more to it than what meets the eye.
ME: And Max-kun suffered some more…
Ray: COME HERE TIMMY!!!!!!!!!
Kai: OI KON!!!! I'M NOT DONE WITH YOU YET!!!!!!!!!!
CT: (watches as Ray chases Timmy and Kai chasing Ray) This could take a while…
CS: (sweatdrops) No kidding. She should try out for track. This is good practice.
ME: (drives away on her bike) Review!!!
ME: Reviewers receive…
CS: Max plushies!!!!
ME: (hugs plushies) Review!!!