17: Over the Hills and Far Away…

TigerTerror: Chapters with Kai and Ray? You mean like this one? :p

bmw: I think Max was created as a pseudo-gay character, which pop up everywhere in anime. That's why he's often made one in fan fics. Besides, I have plans...

Dawn35: Oh yes. Lotsa action. *^_^*

Imari: The ages of the characters are in the opening notes of this fic, though the next fic will see a couple of birthdays and therefore age changes. In terms of the White Tigers: Gary - 18; Lee - 17; Mariah - 16; and Kevin - 14

I'll admit that I like Kevin as a character. You can do so much with him without pushing it too far from his characterisation in the series. That, and there are no other characters like him. Plus, the White Tigers are just plain cool. ^_^

Disclaimer: But fictional or not, they're still not mine.

The car slowed, bringing Ray's head up to look around at their surroundings. Much of it was obscured by the fast approaching darkness, but he could still make out the outline of the hills. Kai turned the car off the highway, bringing them onto a dirt track that threaded it's way into the rises, a small craggy group of canyons and mountains ahead of them, still glowing a faint reddy-pink in the dusk.

Lee stretched, joints cracking faintly with the movement. "Finally."

"Don't get too eager," Kai said, glancing quickly to the side. "We've still got a while yet."

Ray sighed, trying to stretch out his legs in the confined space, wishing he could walk around. "You're not planning on using the front door, are you?"

Kai grunted. "There is a back entrance. It existed before the complex was built. We'll go that way."

"Are you planning on driving in?"

Kai frowned, staring ahead. "You say you're village is amongst the mountains."

Lee glanced at him. "Yeah, so?"

"So you're used to the rocky terrain."

"Neko-jins are born for the rocky terrain."

"Hn."

Ray watched the back of Kai's head, narrowing his eyes. "You're going over the mountain."

"Actually, we're going through the mountain."

Lee blinked. "Say what?"

"Like I said, the back entrance has been around since before the complex was built. The complex itself it situated within the largest mountain ahead of us, and part of it is set within a large cavern which was probably an underwater lake at some point or another."

"Oh I get it," Lee said, nodding. "Where there is a lake, there is often a river."

Kai smirked. "Exactly. The network of caves that were once the river have been subject to rockslides and earthquakes over the years, making them dangerous to move through. Zika would assume that no one would be stupid enough to try and enter the complex that way."

"Nobody but us, you mean," Ray said with a smile. The smile faded. "What if there are guards in the caves? What then?"

"We deal with them. Quietly if we can, but if not…" Kai reached into his pocket, pulling free the small black object and holding it up for inspection. "You didn't think I'd come unarmed, did you Ray?"

Ray shook his head, settling back in his seat. "That's fine for you, but what about me and Lee? We can only defend ourselves so far, and we have no weapons."

"Actually Ray…" Lee reached into the secret pouch behind his back, pulling the gun free. "I haven't been weaponless for years. Just can't take it into the bey stadium, that's all."

Ray's eyes flared, glaring at his lover. "Where did you get that?"

"Dad gave it to me. When I was 11." Lee sighed, letting his fingers trail over the polished black metal. "After what happened to my brother, he thought it was important that I should learn to defend myself in more ways then just the martial arts. The reason I never told you about it is because I swore that I would never mention it to anyone, as it would eventually work it's way back to Mum, and she hates the things. Calls them the black demons."

"Black demons." Kai smiled faintly. "Has a ring to it."

Ray undid his seatbelt, sliding forward to lean over Lee's shoulder, looking down at the weapon. "How come I've never noticed it before? I've had plenty of opportunities too."

"I usually hid it when those situations arose, then retrieved it later, though it was always close on hand." He smirked. "I put it in your bag on one occasion, and you never even noticed it."

Ray glared at him, then weakened when Lee shot him the hurt kitten look. Smiling, Ray reached forward to caress Lee's cheek. "Even after all these years, you still surprise me, Lion." He looked toward Kai. "So how long until we get there?"

"Actually, we're here."

The car slowed, Kai turning the wheel and bringing them carefully up into a small cave entrance, parking the vehicle just inside. Even as Kai turned off the motor, Lee and Ray were out of the car, stretching and moving about, trying to work the cramps out of their limbs. Kai slowly moved to join them, the back of Ray's mind flashing with remembrance.

"Shit Kai, I forgot you were hurt." Ray hurried to his side, taking Kai's arm and looking down at it. "Man, this has swollen up a treat. You shouldn't have driven for so long-"

"No pain, no gain." Kai pulled his arm from Ray's grasp, glancing around them. "I don't know about you two, but let's stay here tonight. I'm not really up for much but a good rest after all that driving."

"Yeah, you look beat." Lee glanced at the car. "Back seat, Ray?"

Ray smirked. "There is so much you can work into that."

"I think that was the point." Kai stretched, rotating his neck. "Good thing the cars an auto. Means I don't have to worry so much about the gear shift." He shot a look at them. "And we leave as soon as the suns up, understand? So get some sleep."

Lee rolled his eyes as he stepped passed the Russian. "Yes Mother."

They get to sleep in the car, while the others sleep on a pile of hay. Bet they're all looking forward to when this is over so they can once again sleep in their nice comfy beds. Feel free to review and comment.