23: Feelings of Confusion

TigerRain: Nope. It's a continue on of Honesty, which is mainly a Lee/Kevin, with bits of Kai/Ray and Max/Tyson. I'll have to write more fics with Kai/Lee/Ray though. :p

the tigris: Certainly doesn't.

Imari: Heh heh. ^_^

Gothic-Wolf: More Kai/Ray/Lee? Okay...

I know this fic seems to have sped up, but the captured group hasn't been doing much during the day, and the three rescuers do nothing but walk. Anything interesting is that occurs during the day appears in the chapters that I write via flashbacks and such, as they are so few and far between in the length of the day. Well anyway, on with the story.

Disclaimer: I could always start referring you back to the first chapter like some writers do…

Kai pulled his blanket tighter around him, trying to keep from shivering. Though he had been brought up in Russia and in particular, Moscow, he still felt the biting chill that seemed to follow them through this forbidden place. And it wasn't made any better by the fact that during the length of the day he had slipt on some loose rocks and into a small pool of water, either. He had changed his outfit, but the icy bite of the water remained.

He looked across the fire to where Ray was curled up in Lee's arms against the cave wall; both asleep nestled amongst their blankets. At least they were warm. He sighed, mind wandering back over the events of the day, over the whispering the two had shared. He knew it was always about him from Ray's almost hidden guilty expression when he had questioned them at one point, Lee brushing it off.

And then came the 'other' things. They had been talking quietly at one point over different things they would do to the other if the other ever got them mad. Most of the things had some sort of sexual orientation - whippings, biting, chaining one to the bed - and Kai had been just about to tell them to shut up when they had entered him into their conversation. What to do with him should he ever get them mad. Like the rest, most of the things were sexual orientated, but he found himself actually wondering what it would feel like, wondering if they ever would do that, silently hoping that they will.

He shook his head. He shouldn't be thinking these things, not about them. He had nothing against Lee and Ray, but these thoughts… And the fact Ray had wrapped his arms around him after they had fished him from the pool hadn't helped, and neither had the time when Lee's hand had brushed his leg while they were climbing a rather slippery slope.

He was straight! These thoughts were wrong! They came from being around the two neko-jin for too long. Once this was all over, Kai was going to sneak into a club and try to pick up a hot chick. Yes, that would make him feel better. To hold a woman in his arms-

"You look cold."

Kai looked up, noticing Lee watching him. "I'm fine."

Lee narrowed his eyes, not speaking for a moment before patting the spot beside him. "Come here."

Kai glared at him.

"I said come here, Phoenix. I'm not going to bite you. Just remember what we did when the heating went out back at the hotel. We shared a bed, remember? And it was warm."

"I also recall waking up to be in a rather… interesting… position."

"So? We all toss and turn of a night. Not my fault what happens." Lee smirked. "And you've got to admit, it was rather comfortable."

Kai continued to glare for a moment, before scooping up his things and moving around the edge of the fire, dropping down beside Lee. They shuffled, careful not to wake Ray as they resettled the blankets, Kai sliding in beside the neko-jin, careful to keep at least a small amount of distance between him and the older boy.

Gazing down at Ray, Kai smiled faintly. "He looks like a real kitten."

Lee snorted, brushing the hair away from Ray's eyes. "He does. But he can get vicious if he has a bad dream and sticks the claws in."

"I can imagine."

Lee frowned, noting the distance between Kai and himself, meeting the crimson eyes steadily. "You don't like getting too close, do you."

Kai shifted uncomfortably under those clear orange-yellow eyes. "I like my personal space."

"Don't we all." Lee's eyes narrowed. "The whole point of the body heat thing is being close. If you're going to stay there, then you might as well go back to the other side of the fire."

Kai growled. "First you want me here, then you want me to go away? Make up your mind, Yin."

"Actually Hiwatari, I think its you who needs to make up their mind." Lee raised an eyebrow. "I think you're scared."

Kai looked up sharply. "Me? Scared?"

"Scared of getting too close. What it might do to you." Lee smirked. "Am I right?"

"Hn. It won't do anything."

"Then why do you keep your distance?" Lee tilted his head to the side. "Don't you trust me, Phoenix? Oh that's right, you don't trust anyone, only yourself. But can you trust yourself, as you are starting to doubt who you are."

Kai's frown deepened. How could he know…?

"I've been there, Kai. I've walked the ground you now tread upon, and I made it through all right. In fact, I was better for it, because some things just can't be denied."

Kai felt, for the first time in a long time, a sense of nervousness sweep through him. "What… cannot be denied?"

Lee's devilish smile widened as he reached out, trailing his fingers down Kai's face. "This."

Before Kai knew what was happening, Lee looped hand behind his head, drawing his lips down onto the neko-jins. Ray muttered something in his sleep, curling up tighter against Lee's chest as Lee kissed Kai, gently yet firmly on the mouth, lingering as he pulled back, taking in what his gamble had done.

Kai was dumbstruck, that much was clear, the move having obviously taken him by surprise. Lee watched Kai's eyes, windows to the soul, noting the confusion, the conflict dancing within them as the Russian tried to comprehend all that was going on, both without and within.

What it was that caused the most conflict was the fact that being kissed by Lee had felt… well, good. He knew he should have been repulsed, 'how dare this guy, this neko-jin, kiss me', but he didn't. It felt like it had felt to have both Ray and Lee curled up against him when he had awoken a few days ago. It had felt… right.

He was pulled back to reality as Lee kissed him again, this time longer. Kai went slacked mouthed, and Lee pounced, running his tongue over Kai's bottom lip before delving deeper. He almost laughed in triumph as Kai kissed him back, but Lee knew he had merely won this single battle. The war was not over. The war was still yet to be fought, and only Kai could decide on the outcome.

He ran his fingers through Kai's hair, smiling as Kai gingerly touched his face, sliding closer. Lee never forgot Ray, who was still curled up against his chest, so was careful not to let the Tiger slip from his perch as the Lion devoured the Phoenix, the kisses becoming more intense as the time wore on.

The only thing that brought the kissing to an end was the need for air, both teens panting as they pulled away from one another. Lee could see the conflict playing through Kai's eyes and smiled reassuringly, slipping an arm around Kai's shoulders and drawing him downward. Kai didn't resist, resting his head on Lee's shoulder as he stared into the fire, trying to work out his jumbled mess of thoughts, feelings, instincts.

Lee rested his head against Kai's, sighing softly, a smile on his lips as he closed his eyes. His gamble had paid off. Yes, the war was not over, but he had certainly enjoyed that last round.

Hee hee! Lee kissed Kai and Kai's confused! And poor wittle Ray missed out on all the fun. ^_^