Hey thank you all for the wonderful reviews. Hmm, I'm sure you'll all love this chapter, not to mention later ones. The plot gets even more interesting and I have this awesome idea for Rei later on. Well, anyways, enjoy.
Chapter Three
He could not believe it. Here he was standing in front of the class, all worked up, his stomach tied up in knots for fear of seeing the look of hatred he was sure would be plastered all over Tyson's face and Tyson wasn't even here.
Kai glanced around the class once more. There was that obnoxious loud girl from before. She'd practically knocked he and Wyatt down in the hallway in her haste to get into the classroom before the bell. Kai bet that she was probably the goody-two-shoes teacher's pet class rep. And the only other person of interest was sitting in the back row behind his computer staring at Kai in shock. Kai thought that Kenny's eyes were wide, but he couldn't tell from behind the hair.
The timid teacher finished introducing Wyatt and looked over at Kai somewhat apprehensively. Kai didn't care, he'd received those looks from everyone, but it did get annoying after a while.
"Class," she began," this is—"
She was suddenly cut off by someone slamming the door open and yelling out, "Am I late?"
The obnoxious brunette got up and glared at the sudden intruder. "Of course you're late! When are you ever on time, Tyson?"
Tyson scratched at the back of his head then suddenly glared at her. "Just because I'm not a perfect suck-up like you Hilary is no reason ..." Tyson trailed off and his face drained of colour as he noticed the two new students up the front.
"Tyson," Kai breathed, staring into Tyson's dark blue eyes.
Tyson's face hardened slightly and he looked away, tears coming to his eyes. "Kai," he whispered before he ran out of the room.
"Tyson!" Kai called out and ran to the door after him, much to the surprise of the rest of that class.
"Well that was certainly unexpected," the teacher commented.
* * *
Of all people, it had to be him, Tyson thought as he ran through the hallways, trying to escape Kai. No, it couldn't be some harmless fan girl or some bully having gotten expelled a few times from pervious schools, it just had to be Kai. Tyson groaned, turning down another hallway. "Why me?"
The exclamation was for two reasons. One, he was wondering why fate liked to toy with him and two ... he'd run down a dead end. Hearing Kai approach, he searched around and spotted a door to a small unused classroom. He opened it quickly and dashed inside, hoping Kai would go straight past the hallway.
No such luck. Kai had seen him entered the room and quickly ran in after him.
They stared at each other for a long time, neither daring to make a move or say a word to the other. They just stared and took in every detail of the other before them.
"Tyson," Kai finally breathed, taking a step closer. He flinched as Tyson took a step back. "Why did you run?"
Tyson hesitated. "I ... I don't know," he answered honestly, a puzzled look on his face.
Kai looked away. "You still hate me."
"Like you care what I think," Tyson spat back, remembering suddenly the last time they stood face to face.
Kai growled. "Don't get started on that again."
"It's true though, you said it yourself, why should you care what anyone thinks of you. Least of all me, you've never cared before. The only things concerning me you cared about were my beyblading skills and them only in a usually negative manner."
Kai was hurt, but he refused to show it on his face. Tyson glared at him when he saw his words had no effect on the icy expression. "Why the hell are you back anyway?" he asked venomously.
"I thought you didn't want anything to do with me, you'd made that much pretty clear to me already with your performance."
"Just answer he question Kai."
"Well I certainly didn't come back for the company. I'm here on business."
"Business?' Tyson snorted. "For your grandfather?"
Kai froze and Tyson gulped, seeing the furious look on Kai's face. But he regretted his words more as he saw the deep hurt in those crimson eyes. "My life is none of your concern Tyson."
Tyson shivered at the cold voice and nodded then he glared again, trying not to let Kai intimidate him again. "You know, I've got a major sense of déjà vu here, so why don't we just stop here before this gets out of hand, I'm really not in the mood for a huge fight."
Kai shrugged. "Whatever, I'm tired of running after you anyway."
"What?" Tyson stared at Kai in shock. "What do you mean?"
Kai looked away. "Doesn't matter. Look, neither of us particularly like the situation we're in, but we can't do anything about it, so let's just deal until my mission is over, okay?"
Tyson glared and him and nodded once. "Fine, just don't expect me to welcome you back with open arms. You forfeited that right fifteen months ago when you left without a word. I won't forgive you for breaking up our team Kai and it will be a long time before I can ever consider you a friend again." Tyson turned sharply and walked out of the room.
Kai stared after him, looking shocked. He stared at the floor with wide eyes, thinking over Tyson's last heart-shattering words.
He hates me.
Kai looked away, scrunching his eyes up in pain, a single tear escaping to fall to the floor. "What have I done?" he whispered brokenly.
* * *
Kenny frowned as he observed his former teammates in class.
Something had gone down earlier in the day, something serious. Tyson hadn't said a word all day and he was actually paying attention in class. Tyson, the Tyson was actually taking down notes and answering questions. Kenny wasn't the only one who noticed. Hilary was sending Tyson very strange looks and slightly worried ones too.
Kenny understood things a bit better than she did though. Tyson only ever paid attention in school if he was trying to get his mind off something else and from the glares he kept sending to the seats in front of then, Kenny figured the reason was Kai.
Kenny winced, thinking on this. He knew Tyson would have a hard time adjusting to Kai being back and he wished he could help, but matters of the heart were not Kenny's specialty. When Kai left just over a year ago, Tyson had been heartbroken. The thing is, no one seemed to know why he left. Kenny had a feeling that Rei knew more than he was letting on and Tyson wasn't saying a word either. It was some time later that Tyson had confessed to Kenny that just before he left, he and Kai had an argument. It was no wonder everything was tearing him apart, he thought he was part of the reason Kai left and the team broke up.
Kenny glared once more at Kai before concentrating on school again. He didn't think that the older boy knew just how much he hurt Tyson. It was obvious to everyone except the distant slate-haired boy that Tyson was in love with him and had been for quite a while. Kenny suspected since the first time they even met that Tyson had a bit of a crush on him. But Kai was as oblivious to such 'weak' things as ever. If Tyson ever said a word, there was no guarantee that Kai wouldn't just laugh and shatter his heart into a million pieces.
But one thing still bothered him. Kenny had watched Kai's face as Tyson walked in and there was a flash of something in his eyes that Kenny could not explain. And the look upon his face as Tyson ran out ... was it hurt?
Kenny shook his head, trying once again to concentrate on his work, but his mind kept drifting back to the situation with his friends.
I need a new perspective on this. Maybe Max could help. Kenny smiled happily and allowed himself a small moment of daydreaming before he glanced nervously at the teacher and opened his email account on his laptop.
Dear Max,
How are you? Sorry I haven't written for a while, but you know how things are over here ... rather boring and uneventful.
Well, at least that was until this morning.
Kai's back. And Tyson's kind of upset about it. When he came to class he ran out and Kai followed him. I think they may have fought too and I'm really worried. Tyson's paying attention in class!
Anyway, I was wondering if maybe you could help out a bit, you know how inept I am at relationships ... well, other people's relationships. I'm just really worried, for the both of them. I get the feeling that more is going on than meets the eye.
Write back soon.
Kenny.
Kenny smiled as he sent it off, glancing once more at the oblivious teacher. He thought for a moment about the time difference and smiled. It should be early evening over in New York, so hopefully Max will find his email and reply quickly.
Hopefully.
* * *
Wyatt glanced nervously around as the bell for lunch rang. The class cheered loudly and everyone quickly rushed outside and to the cafeteria.
"Hey Kai, what are we going to do for lunch?"
Kai handed him a small bag. Wyatt looked surprised. "Next time, you'll have to remember on your own, or bring some money." Wyatt smiled at Kai in thanks before following him out of the classroom.
In the hallway however, they were suddenly mobbed by a group of students staring at Kai in amazement.
"Is it true you're really Kai Hiwatari?" One boy asked.
"The Bladebreaker's captain?" another squealed.
Kai glared at them. "It is, now leave me alone." He took a sudden step back however as the crowd grew more enthused and surged forward, begging for autographs, photographs and a few even asked for a date.
Kai looked around nervously while Wyatt stood nearby grinning. He had no idea how to get out of this, there were just too many at one time. Kai tended to avoid people and thus had avoided notice from fans, but now stuck in such a closed environment with so many people, most of whom were probably huge fans, Kai did not know how to deal.
"Hey, back off there." Kai sighed in relief hearing Tyson's voice cutting through the crowd. "Give him some space." He reached Kai's side and grabbed his hand, leading him out through one of the hallways, gesturing for Wyatt to follow.
"Thanks," Kai murmured quietly once they'd escaped the fans and were now walking around the school grounds.
"No problem, I forgot what they can be like sometimes." Tyson cleared his throat nervously and Kai looked away, knowing Tyson probably didn't want to be this close to him. He probably only helped him because it was the decent thing to do.
Wyatt noticed the tension between the two and decided to draw their attention elsewhere. He smiled at Tyson and held out his hand. "I'm Wyatt."
Tyson grinned cheerfully at him and shook his hand. "Tyson. This is Kenny, or the Chief as we call him." Tyson gestured to Kenny who was approaching them with a wave.
"Hi," Wyatt shook Kenny's hand with a smile. "It's so awesome meeting you all."
"I'll bet," Tyson replied with a grin. Kenny rolled his eyes and sat down with him on the grass. "So, where are you from?"
Wyatt hesitated slightly and glanced at Kai who nodded. Tyson and Kenny looked a little intrigued by this. What exactly was going on here? Wyatt took a deep breath and answered him. "I'm from Whitney Prep School. The school was told that I was a participant in a BBA sponsored transfer program, but it's not true. I'm actually here for my own protection. Biovolt is after my father and are thinking of going through me to get him to help finance a recovery."
"Woah!" Tyson looked at him. "Are you serious?" He looked over at Kai who had a very serious expression on his face. So this must have been the business he was talking about. Tyson flushed slightly thinking about what he said. It was no wonder Kai got so worked up about the Voltaire comment.
"The BBA has it's agents out searching for the renegades who escaped from Biolvolt," Kai continued on. "Unfortunately, they've not found them all and measures must be taken for the safety of others. I've been sent to protect Wyatt while the rest of my team search for the party behind his father's threatening."
Tyson was still staring at the two of them in shock, processing the overload of weird information. He looked right at Kai, who met his gaze then looked away. Tyson's eyes narrowed. "So this is why you left?" he asked coldly.
Kai froze. "Partially," he answered truthfully.
Tyson nodded and looked away again, not wanting to say any more. Wyatt and Kenny stared at the two of them, realising something very strange was going on. A beeping from his laptop turned their attention away. Kenny opened it up and grinned.
"All right, mail from Max."
"What does it say?" Tyson asked eagerly.
Kenny scanned through it and smiled. "He says hi and asks how everyone is doing. He's still working with his mother with her research, though it seems they have another project underway." Kenny frowned then looked up at Kai. "Are Tala and Bryan in your team?"
Kai nodded. "So they brought Max in on the scheme. Good, we could use someone like that helping out." He thought for a moment. "Actually, Mr. Dickinson wanted everyone in on this eventually, the time just wasn't right. I suppose you two could help me out a bit with this mission." Kai looked at Kenny. "Do you keep in contact with the Majestics?"
Kenny shook his head. "Not often, jut mail every now and then."
"I do," Tyson said. Kai looked at him. "I've kept in steady contact with Robert since the party."
Kai nodded. So he did know then, he thought with some apprehension. "Good. With the extra resources we should have this over with soon."
Tyson looked back at Kenny. "So did Max say anything else?"
Kenny looked nervous. He didn't want Tyson to know about what he asked Max, but he was a terrible liar. "Um ... nothing of importance."
Luckily for him, Tyson misunderstood his nervousness. His best friend grinned slyly. "Oh, a private message from Max huh? I think I know what it says." He fluttered his eyelashes and started in a high voice, "'Oh Kenny, I miss you oh so much, I wish you were here beside me not oh so far away in Japan. Oh I love you and I can't wait until we meet again, I think my heart may just burst if we are apart much longer."
"Tyson!" Kenny blushed. "Cut that out!"
Tyson grinned. "Tell Max I send my love ... or would that make you too jealous?" He laughed as Kenny aimed a friendly slap at the back of his head
Kai stared at the two of them in some shock. "Do I even want to know?"
Tyson stared at him. "Oh, I forgot, you weren't there when ..." he trailed of, looking a bit pained then he grinned. "You missed out on something spectacular Kai."
Kai raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Why don't you fill me in on everything that happened after I left?"
AN: Aren't I evil? A cliffy like that … not a very big one, but you have to wait until next chapter to read about what happened between everyone.
Next one should be out soon. Until then
Laters.