First of all, thank you so much for the wonderful reviews! I know, I know, it's been so long compared to how long I usually take to update, but new chapter, lots of action, many things going on right here. Hope you all enjoy.
Chapter Five
Wyatt studied Kai nervously. He'd been in a mood all day, really annoyed about something, and everyone was noticing it.
Tyson and Kenny seemed to take it in their stride, being used to Kai's moods already, but Wyatt and the rest of the class were just waiting for him to erupt. Even Hilary was watching her tongue around him. Finally the bell for the end of school rang and everyone heaved a sigh of relief. Talking started up as people packed their bags, speculations as to what to do over the weekend and other such trivialities.
Tyson yawned widely as he packed up. He hadn't been as bouncy today. Wyatt watched him curiously. "Tyson, are you okay?"
Tyson looked over at him and grinned. "Fine, just a little tired."
"Cramming for today's test?" Kai asked lightly. He snorted. "You never change."
Tyson stuck out his tongue at him. "Well, I was studying, if you must know. Not all of us are super geniuses like you Kai."
"Well everyone else seems fine, perhaps they aren't all as lazy as you, leaving their study to the last minute." Kai smirked, as though having won something over the boy.
Tyson glared at him. "And you talk about me not changing, your superior attitude hasn't changed since I met you."
"Why should it? I'm still superior."
"Want to put your money where your mouth is Kai?"
There was a glint in Kai's eye as he studied Tyson. "Is that a challenge, Tyson?" he sounded almost excited at the prospect.
"Only if you want it to be Kai." Tyson grinned his cocky grin and Kai smirked back at him.
"I'll meet you at the park in an hour then."
"See you then." Tyson hefted his bag onto his shoulders and walked out of the classroom, Kenny following close behind after saying his goodbyes to Kai and Wyatt. Everyone left in the classroom started talking excitedly, but Kai ignored them, walking out with Wyatt soon after Tyson.
"You know there's going to be a huge crowd there," Wyatt said.
"Good, Tyson needs a lesson in humility. It'll do him some good."
"Who says he'll be the one learning the lesson?" Wyatt murmured with a hint of a smile. Kai glared at him and Wyatt grinned. "But of course you're going to win Kai."
"There is no way I'm losing to Tyson again," Kai said determinedly. Wyatt sighed. He'd been with Kai long enough to realise there were some things you couldn't reason with him.
* * *
Hilary looked around curiously. There were quite a few people gathered. News seemed to travel fast, especially when it concerned Tyson. It seemed to travel even faster when it concerned both Tyson and Kai.
She really didn't get this whole stupid obsession with spinning tops. Seriously, if some alien from another planet came and asked what the world's most popular sport was, Earth would be laughed right out of the galaxy. But no one seemed to share her opinions, not even her friends.
She had to admit the banter between the competitors was fun though. Tyson especially. She'd seen a lot of Tyson's battles around town and one thing she could also say was that whatever she had against the sport, it was all forgotten when she saw how encouraging and supportive Tyson could be of younger inexperienced bladers. Stupid sport or no, the way Tyson played, it was considered wonderful. He was different to the other boys around town, he understood the need for encouragement and positive feedback. He usually applied this to everything he did as well, his attitude never wavered, it was quite remarkable.
Hilary blushed slightly and cursed herself when she realised what exactly she was thinking. She quickly looked around to see if anyone noticed her daydreaming and started as she saw Kenny smiling at her.
"I'm still surprised you came Hilary, I know you don't like Beyblading."
Hilary tried to quickly think of an excuse as she did every other time Kenny caught her watching Tyson. "Well, I just wanted to se how good Kai was. You know, just mildly curious, that's all."
"Of course, it's about Kai."
Hilary glared at his sarcasm, but dared not say anything. Last time she nearly revealed her real reason for being at the match when she argued with Kenny. The boy was too smart.
Kenny was about to say something when he realised Hilary's attention was elsewhere. He looked around and smirked, seeing the real reason why Hilary came to the match.
Tyson had finally arrived at the dish, panting slightly from the run. He looked around grinned. "Guess the sourpuss isn't here yet."
"Guess again," Kai said, stepping out from the crowd. He grinned seeing Tyson's expression. "Seems you're late as always Tyson."
Tyson stuck out his tongue. "You going to talk or blade Kai?"
Kai set Dranzer in the launcher and smirked. "What do you think?"
Tyson returned the look, setting up Dragoon. "Let's do it then."
Kenny stepped forward, much to the delight of everyone gathered. He held up his hand. "This is a one-match battle, bladers ready?" Kai and Tyson continued to stare at each other, smirks of determination on their faces, Kenny grinned at this and held up his hand. "Three. Two. One. Let it rip!"
They launched and the crowd cheered.
"All right Dragoon let's show our captain who's the real champion." Tyson grinned as Dragoon circled the dish.
Kai smirked. "Pitiful Tyson, you obviously haven't been training at all. Dranzer!" The blue blade glowed and went in for the kill. Dragoon managed to dodge, but Dranzer was already ready for another attack. Tyson glared at the dish. "What's the matter?" Kai asked patronizingly. "Surely the world champ has more going for him than this."
"Shut up Kai, I'll have you know we did quite well without you."
"I'm sure you did," Kai replied venomously.
Kenny watched the two of them nervously, wondering why things were getting so serious between them. Tyson's face was serious and Kai, as usual, didn't show any emotion, however there was a tightness to his features. There was something going on here that he didn't understand.
Their blades seemed to show the struggle as well. Dragoon and Dranzer were locked in a battle so fierce it was a wonder they didn't see bits of blade flying in every direction. Neither seemed to be gaining an upper hand over the other.
"What else were we supposed to do, but move on?" Tyson asked coldly.
Kai stared at him. Tyson was glaring at him. "Look, I had things to do."
"Really? You couldn't have waited two days? Maybe there was something else going on. You were just running away Kai and you know it. It's what you're good at, hiding and running from things."
"Will you just get off my back about that," Kai snapped at him, "it's been a year, let it go Tyson, it wasn't your business anyway."
"Really? Then why did you make such an effort to hide everything?"
Kai looked away. "Stop talking about things you don't understand."
"You say it's not my business, but we had a right to know."
"Why are you bringing this up now?"
"Why not?"
Kai growled. "You're just as infuriating as ever Tyson."
"But that's what you love about me Kai, isn't it?" Kai paled and stared at him after he said this. Tyson looked bitter and refused to make eye contact. "You never took me seriously Kai, did you, maybe that's what this is about."
Kai concentrated on the battle and Tyson shook his head disgustedly at the reaction he got. "Dragoon, go in for the kill!"
The white blade zoomed in towards Dranzer, the other blade sitting not moving at all.
"You're wrong," Kai whispered almost imperceptibly.
"What?" Tyson frowned.
"I always took you seriously. Dranzer!"
His blade sprung to life and met Tyson's head on in a huge collision that made the ground roll and smoke rise from the broken bey dish. Only the two bladders seemed unaffected by the event, still staring at each other as they both caught their flying blades.
"It's a draw," Hilary said unnecessarily, but the crowd cheered excitedly at this.
Tyson's eyes never left Kai's until he turned away to stand with Kenny and Hilary.
"You were great Tyson," she said excitedly, then coughed and composed herself. "Not that I really care or anything, I was just passing by."
"Yeah right," Kenny muttered. Hilary glared.
Tyson grinned at the two of them, but it seemed forced. "Well, going up against Kai, I'm lucky to have Dragoon in one piece. He's a good blader, if nothing else." Kenny frowned at this and Hilary looked confused, glancing over at Kai. He was looking over at them, almost totally ignoring the excited Wyatt talking animatedly to him. Hilary watched him some more before realizing he wasn't looking at them, he was looking specifically at Tyson. Her breath caught and her face fell slightly as she realised what this meant.
Guess my chances are over, Kai's not one to give up on a prior claim. Not on Tyson.
Kenny seemed to notice her sudden drop in interest and watched her carefully. "Hilary?" She looked up. "Are you all right?"
She smiled brightly. "Just fine."
Tyson looked over at her. "You sure? You haven't yelled at me or anything, I'm starting to get a bit worried." He grinned and she blushed slightly.
"Maybe I don't feel like fighting with you right now Tyson," she mumbled.
Tyson watched her curiously before turning away, a slight guilty feeling in his chest. Kenny had pointed out to him the way Hilary acted around him, and judging from his own observations on the matter, Tyson had come to the conclusion that Hilary liked him. And considering that she really hated Beyblading, she actually liked him not just "the world champion". Maybe if he wasn't still hung on Kai, despite how much he wanted to leave him behind, he would have liked to go out with her.
It was then that Wyatt dragged Kai over to chat with the others. He shared a tense look with Tyson before looking away and not really talking. There was tension everywhere and it seemed that only Kenny and Wyatt were really talking. That is until another voice joined the fray.
"Boy, you guys sure are a fun bunch."
Kai looked around in surprise. "Rei?" The rest of them turned at his startled exclamation. Rei grinned, a bag slung over one shoulder.
"Hey guys, nice to see you again."
"Yeah right," Tyson muttered, turning back away. Kai stared at him curiously and his eyes narrowed as a flash of pain crossed Rei's features at the action.
"So, what are you doing here Rei?" Kenny asked, sensing even more tension than before.
Rei approached him and shook his hand in greeting. "Helping I guess."
"Getting in the way you mean," Kai glared. "I didn't ask for your help."
"Well you're getting it anyway, that's what friends are for." He looked over at Wyatt and smiled. "You must be Kai's charge. I'm Rei." He held out his hand and Wyatt grinned and took it.
"Wyatt Smithwright. Kai mentioned me?"
"Of course." Rei looked over at Hilary and frowned. "I don't believe I've had the pleasure of knowing you though."
Hilary blushed slightly and Tyson scowled at this. "I'm Hilary. It's nice to meet you Rei."
"Likewise."
Kai interrupted at that point. "You shouldn't have come Rei."
"You can't put me up until all of this is over?"
"Of course we can," Wyatt said. "We've got lots of rooms."
"Then I really don't see a problem Kai." Rei smirked and Kai glared at him. "You're not happy to see me?"
Kai opened his mouth then shut it, sighing. "Yes, I suppose I am."
"Good, I know you probably would have been lost without me, so I decided it would be best if I came along." Kai looked about to protest, but Rei cut him off. "Admit it Kai, you know things will be better with me here."
Kai glared again and refused to answer. Rei took this as confirmation and grinned. "No one knows you as well as I do Kai."
"Then you know too much. I should kill you for that."
Rei laughed, but his amusement faded as he saw the look of pure venom on Tyson's face. He looked away guiltily, causing a few curious looks. Kai's eyes narrowed as he glanced at Tyson. There was something very strange going on, but before he could find out what Tyson turned away.
"Enjoy your stay here Rei, I'm sure Kai will make you very welcome." Kai flushed slightly while Rei looked toward the ground. Tyson snorted at the reactions then looked over at Hilary. "Hil, do you think I could ask you something?"
Hilary looked surprised but nodded, catching up to Tyson as he walked away. "What's up?"
"What are you doing on Saturday? I read about this awesome new movie that I thought you might like." Tyson grinned at her as she stumbled slightly, staring at him in amazement as they walked. She looked back over her shoulder, knowing the others had heard the conversation then tuned back around as she saw the look on Kai's face.
He glanced at the ground as she looked back, but Hilary caught a flash of his face before he did so and saw the anger and hopelessness on his features. Rei too looked stunned and was staring at Kai in sadness. Tyson however was smiling and waiting for a reply.
Hilary swallowed nervously and smiled back. "Um, I'll have to see about that but I'm sure it will be fine."
"Great." Tyson seemed genuinely happy. "Do you think I could walk you home?" Hilary nodded and glanced back over her shoulder once more, feeling rather less happy about her situation than she normally would have.
I should be ecstatic, I'm going on a date with the guy I like, but I'm not totally sure that he likes me. What is this to you Tyson? A cruel joke on both me and Kai, or do you really not feel anything for him?
AN: Please don't kill me, I needed more complications, it's what I'm good at. Seriously, would you really enjoy reading this as much if they didn't have to work to get each other? I thought not, drama is the very essence of story building. I can promise you that this will not be a Hilary/Tyson nor will it be a Kai/Rei, this is a Kai/Tyson, I just like complications and subplots, it's way more fun.
Okay, enough ranting, hope you all enjoyed that.
Until next time.