Disclaimer: Beyblade and its characters are not mine, as I mentioned
before, heh ^^()
Warnings: jellybeans may cause bad breath...
Nanashi: *anime sweatdrops* what?
Yasuo: *laughs hysterically* okay, okay... sorry... I meant -- Warnings: shounen-ai... better?
Nanashi: yeah... but you worry me, sometimes...
Yasuo: yeah... but hey, even I have to act insane every now and then, though
Nanashi: ... point taken, I guess O.o;;;; oh yeah, my thanks to: dragona15, Little Leila, Lady Amara, FireKali-sama, Hob-sama, asa-chan, Glay-sama...! *pounces and glomps* thank you! ^__^ honestly, really, truly, I really appreciate it, so very much!!!
Yasuo: ............ I won't even say anything, because you don't listen to me...
Nanashi: what? oh yeah... heh... *lets go, bowing* gomen, I forgot...
~~~***~~~
Kai frowned, as he paced back and forth in front of the temple. The others were with Aiano, still getting the tour. Of course it took a little bit of threatening to make Rei and Kenny 'insist' on joining Aiano and Tyson for their tour/walk.
For Rei, Kai threatened to cut off his hair while he slept. And for Kenny, Kai merely threatened to throw his laptop in the koibito pond.
Both instantly ran after Aiano and Tyson, both yelling that they wanted a tour, too.
Aiano had glared at Kai a bit. But the caretaker was polite and courteous, smiling at Rei and Kenny, saying "of course, please follow me."
Kai sighed, as he leaned against the wall, closing his eyes thoughtfully. Things weren't as relaxing as gramps said it would be.
But then again, it was thanks to gramps that they were here in the first place. Sure the others seemed fine and dandy, but Kai was getting seriously jeal... uh, annoyed by this Aiano.
"Hey there, Kai..." Max's voice said, cheerfully.
Kai opened his eyes, instantly getting a sweet-smelling flower held in his face. Kai scowled, "and what is that?"
"It's called a flower..." Max said, dryly.
Kai glared at the blonde boy. Which Max ignored, by smiling widely.
"I figure why not give it to Ty, huh? He might like it."
"Hn, go ahead..." Kai grunted.
Max fell over, anime-style, his leg twitching. Then he was back on his feet. "NOT FROM ME, KAI!!!" he snapped, "from you!" he shoved the flower into Kai's hand. "Give it to Ty, and see his reaction, alright?"
Kai scowled, looking at the flower in mild distaste. "Why would I...?"
"Because, it's the only way to try and win Ty from Aiano... face it, Kai, you're lousy with wooing."
Kai raised an eyebrow, "'wooing'?" he echoed, slowly.
"Yes, wooing... I figure since you're so lousy at it, I'll help you."
Kai bristled. Never in his entire life had he been called 'lousy'. Especially by someone like Max, who was smiling the whole time. It was a punch in the gut, being called 'lousy' by someone so cheerful.
Part of Kai was saying "be offended."
But another part was saying "Max's telling the truth... you ARE lousy."
Kai looked back at the flower, which was already beginning to wilt, due to the captain's deathgrip.
Max anime sweatdropped, as the flower continually drooped lower. And lower. Until it hung limply in Kai's hand. Max gasped, and tugged at Kai's hand frantically.
"LET GO! LET IT GO! YOU'RE KILLING IT!!!"
Kai blinked and released his hold on the flower, causing Max to fall back on the ground, wilted flower in hand. Max sat up, cradling the flower, his blue eyes watering in horror.
"It's dead... you killed it!"
Kai anime sweatdropped, "uh, sorry, Max... didn't think it was so fragile..." he muttered, with a shrug. Personally, he was wondering what the big deal was. It was just a flower.
Max was in Kai's face, eyes flashing dangerously. "See, that's your problem! You can't be gentle!"
Kai anime sweatdropped. Was this really happening? Was he actually being yelled at? By Max Mizuhara? About a flower?
"Kai, if you want Tyson, you have to be more gentle!! Why do you think Aiano's doing so well, huh!? I'll tell you why! Because he's not some violent gorilla who hits anyone whenever he pleases!"
Kai's anime sweatdrop grew. Now he was being called a gorilla? Why was he allowing all this? He was Kai Hiwatari after all.
... Maybe because Kai, like all the others, had a soft spot for Max. The blonde kid was everyone's 'little brotherly-figure', more or less. Even Tyson, who was a few months younger, was protective of Max, in a brotherly- way.
Kai grunted, as he looked away.
"Look at me, when I'm talkin to you!" Max barked.
Kai shifted his eyes back to Max, shifting uncomfortably. Right. Now Max was making him feel like an idiot. Very few people managed that.
And Kai couldn't do anything about it. Even less than few managed that.
"Alright, I guess you need some training, huh? Well, then! I'm taking it upon myself to teach you the wonders of being gentle!"
Kai anime sweatdropped, again.
Max turned, and stomped away, then he glared at Kai over his shoulder. "Stay put, don't move!" he ordered. Kai scoffed in irritation, and looked away.
And stayed put.
~~~
Tyson glanced at Rei and Kenny, quizzically. "Why're you guys here?" he asked, curiously. "I figured you guys wouldn't be interested in this place."
Rei and Kenny glanced at each other, nervously. Rei grabbed his long rope of hair, holding it protectively, while Kenny hugged his laptop close.
Tyson raised an eyebrow, "guys?"
"Huh?"
"Why're you here, if you don't seem interested in this place?"
"What? Tyson, how can you say that?!" Kenny gasped.
Rei blinked, "true, Tyson... how can you say that? We're your friends... and in all honesty, I think your family's history is pretty interesting so far..."
Tyson brightened, "yeah?"
Rei smiled, "yeah..."
"... And here's the hotsprings..." Aiano was saying.
Tyson blinked, turning back to Aiano, eyes shining eagerly. "Really? Hotsprings?!" he dashed forward; then paused while getting a thought. He returned, grabbing Rei's wrist, "c' mon, Rei! This we gotta see!"
"Tyson, you know I don't like springs, hot or cold!!" Rei protested, but was yanked along, anyways.
Kenny smiled and started to follow. Until Aiano grabbed his shoulder, "Kenny-san?"
Kenny blinked (we think), as he looked up at the caretaker, "uh, yes?"
"You are Ty-chan's closest friend, aren't you?"
Kenny fidgeted, "well... I wouldn't really know... Tyson gets along with everyone."
Aiano smiled, "true... but I'm wondering if you know Ty-chan's likes and dislikes... things that will help me in winning his heart."
Kenny anime sweatdropped. "Uhhh... well, I dunno... I kinda... um..."
"Please, Kenny-san..." Aiano said, softly. He let his bright green eyes fall on Tyson, who was staring in wonder at the hotsprings. Holding Rei firmly by his side.
... And Rei was fidgeting nervously, due to the water. Baths and showers? Peachy. Nature's pools? Not for this particular nekojin, thanks.
Kenny sighed, as his shoulders slumped in defeat. He was just too nice. He reluctantly nodded.
Aiano smiled, "thank you, Kenny-san... I really appreciate this."
"Sure, no problem..." Kenny said, shaking his head slowly. Then he gasped getting a thought. He tugged at Aiano's sleeve, "do not tell anyone about this! It's almost an unholy alliance! So please, spare my life, and tell no one that I'm helping you!"
Aiano anime sweatdropped, confused. Then he smiled kindly. "Don't worry, Kenny-san... I won't tell a soul... and again, my thanks."
Kenny nodded, and followed Aiano towards Tyson and Rei.
~~~
"No, no, no!!! Kai, quit treating it like it's a shooter!" Max said, impatiently. Then he snatched the half-wilting flower from Kai's hand.
Kai sighed, his broad shoulders slumping; there was only so much more of this he could take...
"Here... now be gentle, it's just a flower... it's not trying to get away or anything, alright?"
Kai pursed his lips, as he gingerly took hold of another flower. About the eighth one, so far. Making sure to keep his grasp very loose.
He couldn't help his grip, it was just the way it was. Anything he got a hold of he instantly held on to with everything he had. Unintentionally.
... Like Tyson. Kai wanted Tyson. And Kai always made sure to get what he wanted. But there was an obstacle. An annoying, green-eyed, sickeningly charming obstacle...
Max anime sweatdropped, the flower was getting crumpled in Kai's hand. He sighed, and dropped his head forward, in exasperation, with a long weary sigh.
"Oh, Kai..." he said, shaking his head.
Kai blinked, snapping out of his thoughts, as he looked back at Max. Then down at the flower he held. Well, that flower was as good as dead. Probably far beyond dead. Its stem was snapped in half, and Kai folded it, grasping it in his fist, grinding it into a dry gritty paste in his palm.
Kai anime sweatdropped, dropping the former flower aside, "sorry, Max."
Max scowled, "why is it so hard for you to be gentle, Kai?"
"... I dunno."
"Kai!"
"I really don't know, Max... I wish I was... maybe if I were more... gentle, and caring... Tyson would... he would... well, maybe he'd..." Kai looked away, his brow furrowing.
Max blinked, noticing Kai instantly got less 'Kai-like' when Tyson's name came up. The blonde blader brightened, as he held up another flower. Luckily he brought plenty, seeing as he knew this was going to take practice.
"Okay... last try... nineth time's the charm..."
"You said that about third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth..." Kai said, dryly.
"Yeah, well..." Max said, with a shrug. Heaving a sigh, Kai reached for the flower.
"Okay, wait... hang on, first..." Max said, firmly. Kai raised an eyebrow. "Why do you hold Tyson the way you do?"
Kai's cheeks turned a very faint shade of pink, "wh-what?"
Max grinned, "c' mon, Kai... I saw how you held Tyson, this morning... now why do you hold him that way?"
"Be-because, I..." Kai scowled, "does it matter!?"
"Yup... now tell me... and be honest, Kai... it's just us here, so don't worry about it, alright?"
Kai frowned, "I just do."
"That's not a good reason."
".... Because, I... I don't wanna hurt him."
"And...?"
"And? There is no 'and'! I just do, because I don't wanna hurt him!"
"But Kai, you say you don't know anything about being gentle, right? You seem to know plenty when you hold him... didn't look like you were hurting him to me."
Kai blinked.
"But you held him in a way that he couldn't move away... but you weren't squeezing the life out of him, right? And you knew you weren't..."
"... Why was this brought up?"
Max smiled. "Pretend this is Tyson," he said simply, holding the flower out to Kai.
Kai anime sweatdropped, "Max, are you insane?" he asked, slowly.
"Not at the moment..." Max said, rolling his eyes. "C' mon, try it," he insisted.
"I can't..."
"How come?"
"Someone'll see!"
"...... Kai! Do it, now! Or else! I'll never speak to you again!"
"... Is that a threat, or a promise?"
"KAI! I'll cry!" Max threatened. Once the words left his mouth, Max blinked, and his large ocean-blue eyes welled with tears.
Kai cringed, "okay, okay..." He reached for the flower, glaring at Max, "damn puppydog eyes..."
Max grinned, and held up his two fingers in a victory sign. "A true blessing, if you ask me..." he said, lightly. "Tyson, remember..." Max reminded his captain.
Kai frowned, which soon melted away as he thought about Tyson. His smile, his eyes, his laugh, his small hands. Tyson appeared pretty tough, but held this fragile quality that Kai couldn't ignore. Just this quality that had Kai wanting to protect the boy from anything and everything he could.
Taking the flower, gently, Kai examined it carefully. Light pink, soft smooth petals, sweet scent. Then he softly brushed his fingertips against the petals.
"... Tyson," he murmured, softly.
Max blinked, staring at his captain, an anime sweatdrop forming on the back of his head.
........... Man, did Kai have it bad.
"... TAG, YOU'RE IT!" Tyson's voice rang out.
Max and Kai both jumped to their feet, Kai thrusting the flower behind his back, while Max gathered the flowers and threw them aside.
"Tyson, I'm not playing...!" Rei was protesting, walking calmly behind Tyson.
"Man, Rei... you're no fun," Tyson said, pouting as he stopped running. Rei then grinned, and broke into a sprint, tagging Tyson.
"Gotcha..." the nekojin crowed, as he raced past Tyson.
"REI! THAT'S CHEATING!" Tyson argued. But he grinned and took chase after Rei, anyways.
Kai would have felt jealous, but seeing Tyson laughing and just having fun was a great sight. Especially since they were all getting older. Getting more responsibilities and such. Even Tyson was maturing, though one couldn't really tell at this moment.
But truth be told, he was getting more and more determined to rightfully inherit the Kinomiya Dojo. And Kai couldn't help but feel a surge of pride when Tyson declared the Dojo would be his. That he wanted the Dojo, to make his family proud.
"... Tag!" Tyson cheered, finally catching Rei, which broke through Kai's thoughts.
"Hey! Tagging the hair can't count!" Rei complained.
Tyson laughed, dashing away from Rei, "yeah, well it does now!"
Rei sighed, but ran after Tyson anyways. Straight towards Kai and Max.
Max grinned, as he hastily stepped back, as Tyson and Rei were suddenly running around Kai. Max started laughing, while Kai was anime sweatdropping, as he was then used as Tyson's shield, to keep Rei at bay.
Rei was trying to dart one way, and Kai would be spun around and made to face the nekojin, Tyson still behind his team captain, successfully managing to keep Kai between the two of them.
"Tyson, c' mon!" Rei challenged.
As a response, Tyson grinned, resting his chin against Kai's shoulder, and stuck his tongue out at Rei. Kai shivered slightly at the unknowingly intimate contact Tyson initiated.
Rei lunged forward, trying to reach the laughing pony-tailed teenager, "c' mere..."
"Nah...!" Tyson laughed, and the trio continued their little game. Well, the duo with their somewhat reluctant obstacle.
Kai finally grabbed Tyson as he was running around him again, Rei at his heels. "Okay guys, that's enough..." he said, firmly.
Tyson squirmed, as Rei paused, his hand out-stretched to tag Tyson. "Okay, okay... time-out..." The younger boy declared.
Rei frowned, "oh fine..." he griped as he headed for the front door.
Max snickered, as he nudged Kai while Tyson wasn't looking. Kai blinked, then gulped seeing the arm that he was using to hold Tyson, was also the arm that was holding the flower.
... And Kai's arm was around Tyson?
Max winked and dashed after Rei. Kai anime sweatdropped, then looked at Tyson. Who was still laughing, resting easily against Kai.
Then the world champion noticed the flower in Kai's hand. "Hey, what's that for?" he asked.
Kai furrowed his brow, "uhh... it's uh... kinda, well... uh... I... uh, it's..."
Tyson smiled as he pulled Kai's hand closer, inspecting the pink flower, then sniffed it. "Mmm, smells nice..."
"Uh, yeah..."
"... It's pretty."
"Uh, yeah..."
~~~
Meanwhile at the door, peering through the small opening Max left purposefully to watch the events, were Rei and Max. Max slapped his forehead, while Rei was anime sweatdropping.
"He couldn't have Tyson in a better position, and all he can say is 'uh, yeah'...?" Rei hissed, in disbelief.
Max didn't answer, as he simply continued to mutter to himself, his head resting in his hand.
~~~
"You want it?" Kai asked, looking to the side, shifting uncomfortably. Tyson still resting against him.
Tyson blinked, then smiled, "yeah, sure..." he said, taking the flower, and sniffed it again. "It's really nice, Kai... thank you."
"Uh, yeah..."
~~~
Max slapped his forehead again, while Rei anime sweatdropped, again.
"Seriously, that guy needs to work on his 'being-around-Tyson' vocabulary..." Rei said, slowly.
"You're telling me..." Max muttered. "He had no problems talking to Ty, until we came here, though..."
"Maybe it's Aiano that's throwing things off..."
"Yeah."
"... Kai never had competition before, so now..."
"So now we have a nervous wreck, instead of the cool collected Kai."
Rei flinched, slightly. "Yikes," he muttered. Max nodded. Yikes indeed.
~~~
"It's really nice here, isn't it, Kai?" Tyson asked, oblivious to the strange behavior of the older teenager. Kai felt really nice to lean against...
"Uh, yeah..." Kai muttered.
"OH, FOR PETE'S SAKE!!!" Max's voice suddenly hollered.
"Hey, calm down!" Rei's voice called.
Kai and Tyson anime sweatdropped. Tyson slipped Kai's arm off his shoulder, as he headed for the door, sliding it open.
WHUMP!
"ACK!" Rei and Max yelped, both on a heap on the ground. Tyson raised an eyebrow.
"What's up, guys?" he asked, slowly.
"Uhhh... nothing..." they both blurted, as they got to their feet. Tyson blinked, then shrugged and headed inside.
"Thanks again, Kai..." he said, cheerfully.
"Uh, yeah..." Kai muttered.
"I can't take it anymore!" Max growled, once Tyson was out of earshot. He stomped up to Kai, and raised his fist...
BONK!
"Ow!" Kai snapped, glaring at Max in severe irritation.
"'Uh yeah'?!" Max snapped. "'Uh yeah'?!" he tugged at his hair. "'UH YEAH' CAN ONLY DO SO MUCH, KAI! SPEAK UP!!!"
Rei anime sweatdropped, and ran forward tugging at Max's arm, "okay, Maxie... you're definitely toying with fate, here..." he hissed.
Max blinked, then realized who exactly he just bopped over the head. Kai's head was lowered, his eyes hidden by his thick grey bangs, a glowing red aura forming around him. Then the blonde boy realized that even he had his limits on Kai's patience. Nodding, he allowed Rei to push him quickly back into the house.
~~~
Kai stood silently, as Max and Rei raced away. True, he was mildly annoyed at Max at the moment. But there was this strong feeling in his chest. A strong, indescribable feeling, due to the moment he had of holding Tyson. The feeling that was suddenly flooding Kai with more confidence.
Yes, Tyson would be his! Regardless of his adoring fiancee.
Tyson Kinomiya was Kai Hiwatari's! And come hell or high water, Kai would have rightful claim of his heart!
~~~***~~~
Yasuo: ... you really don't know when to quit, do you?
Nanashi: uhhhh... not exactly... I was gonna make it nice and mushy and sappy, but uhh... couldn't...
Yasuo: reason being?
Nanashi: ... got sleepy ^_^()
Yasuo: *anime sweatdrops* ... ohh-kaaaaay then... *mutters* strange one...
Nanashi: I heard that... *grins*
~Tyson: *watching Kai walk away* he's not so tough...
~Kai: I heard that...
Warnings: jellybeans may cause bad breath...
Nanashi: *anime sweatdrops* what?
Yasuo: *laughs hysterically* okay, okay... sorry... I meant -- Warnings: shounen-ai... better?
Nanashi: yeah... but you worry me, sometimes...
Yasuo: yeah... but hey, even I have to act insane every now and then, though
Nanashi: ... point taken, I guess O.o;;;; oh yeah, my thanks to: dragona15, Little Leila, Lady Amara, FireKali-sama, Hob-sama, asa-chan, Glay-sama...! *pounces and glomps* thank you! ^__^ honestly, really, truly, I really appreciate it, so very much!!!
Yasuo: ............ I won't even say anything, because you don't listen to me...
Nanashi: what? oh yeah... heh... *lets go, bowing* gomen, I forgot...
~~~***~~~
Kai frowned, as he paced back and forth in front of the temple. The others were with Aiano, still getting the tour. Of course it took a little bit of threatening to make Rei and Kenny 'insist' on joining Aiano and Tyson for their tour/walk.
For Rei, Kai threatened to cut off his hair while he slept. And for Kenny, Kai merely threatened to throw his laptop in the koibito pond.
Both instantly ran after Aiano and Tyson, both yelling that they wanted a tour, too.
Aiano had glared at Kai a bit. But the caretaker was polite and courteous, smiling at Rei and Kenny, saying "of course, please follow me."
Kai sighed, as he leaned against the wall, closing his eyes thoughtfully. Things weren't as relaxing as gramps said it would be.
But then again, it was thanks to gramps that they were here in the first place. Sure the others seemed fine and dandy, but Kai was getting seriously jeal... uh, annoyed by this Aiano.
"Hey there, Kai..." Max's voice said, cheerfully.
Kai opened his eyes, instantly getting a sweet-smelling flower held in his face. Kai scowled, "and what is that?"
"It's called a flower..." Max said, dryly.
Kai glared at the blonde boy. Which Max ignored, by smiling widely.
"I figure why not give it to Ty, huh? He might like it."
"Hn, go ahead..." Kai grunted.
Max fell over, anime-style, his leg twitching. Then he was back on his feet. "NOT FROM ME, KAI!!!" he snapped, "from you!" he shoved the flower into Kai's hand. "Give it to Ty, and see his reaction, alright?"
Kai scowled, looking at the flower in mild distaste. "Why would I...?"
"Because, it's the only way to try and win Ty from Aiano... face it, Kai, you're lousy with wooing."
Kai raised an eyebrow, "'wooing'?" he echoed, slowly.
"Yes, wooing... I figure since you're so lousy at it, I'll help you."
Kai bristled. Never in his entire life had he been called 'lousy'. Especially by someone like Max, who was smiling the whole time. It was a punch in the gut, being called 'lousy' by someone so cheerful.
Part of Kai was saying "be offended."
But another part was saying "Max's telling the truth... you ARE lousy."
Kai looked back at the flower, which was already beginning to wilt, due to the captain's deathgrip.
Max anime sweatdropped, as the flower continually drooped lower. And lower. Until it hung limply in Kai's hand. Max gasped, and tugged at Kai's hand frantically.
"LET GO! LET IT GO! YOU'RE KILLING IT!!!"
Kai blinked and released his hold on the flower, causing Max to fall back on the ground, wilted flower in hand. Max sat up, cradling the flower, his blue eyes watering in horror.
"It's dead... you killed it!"
Kai anime sweatdropped, "uh, sorry, Max... didn't think it was so fragile..." he muttered, with a shrug. Personally, he was wondering what the big deal was. It was just a flower.
Max was in Kai's face, eyes flashing dangerously. "See, that's your problem! You can't be gentle!"
Kai anime sweatdropped. Was this really happening? Was he actually being yelled at? By Max Mizuhara? About a flower?
"Kai, if you want Tyson, you have to be more gentle!! Why do you think Aiano's doing so well, huh!? I'll tell you why! Because he's not some violent gorilla who hits anyone whenever he pleases!"
Kai's anime sweatdrop grew. Now he was being called a gorilla? Why was he allowing all this? He was Kai Hiwatari after all.
... Maybe because Kai, like all the others, had a soft spot for Max. The blonde kid was everyone's 'little brotherly-figure', more or less. Even Tyson, who was a few months younger, was protective of Max, in a brotherly- way.
Kai grunted, as he looked away.
"Look at me, when I'm talkin to you!" Max barked.
Kai shifted his eyes back to Max, shifting uncomfortably. Right. Now Max was making him feel like an idiot. Very few people managed that.
And Kai couldn't do anything about it. Even less than few managed that.
"Alright, I guess you need some training, huh? Well, then! I'm taking it upon myself to teach you the wonders of being gentle!"
Kai anime sweatdropped, again.
Max turned, and stomped away, then he glared at Kai over his shoulder. "Stay put, don't move!" he ordered. Kai scoffed in irritation, and looked away.
And stayed put.
~~~
Tyson glanced at Rei and Kenny, quizzically. "Why're you guys here?" he asked, curiously. "I figured you guys wouldn't be interested in this place."
Rei and Kenny glanced at each other, nervously. Rei grabbed his long rope of hair, holding it protectively, while Kenny hugged his laptop close.
Tyson raised an eyebrow, "guys?"
"Huh?"
"Why're you here, if you don't seem interested in this place?"
"What? Tyson, how can you say that?!" Kenny gasped.
Rei blinked, "true, Tyson... how can you say that? We're your friends... and in all honesty, I think your family's history is pretty interesting so far..."
Tyson brightened, "yeah?"
Rei smiled, "yeah..."
"... And here's the hotsprings..." Aiano was saying.
Tyson blinked, turning back to Aiano, eyes shining eagerly. "Really? Hotsprings?!" he dashed forward; then paused while getting a thought. He returned, grabbing Rei's wrist, "c' mon, Rei! This we gotta see!"
"Tyson, you know I don't like springs, hot or cold!!" Rei protested, but was yanked along, anyways.
Kenny smiled and started to follow. Until Aiano grabbed his shoulder, "Kenny-san?"
Kenny blinked (we think), as he looked up at the caretaker, "uh, yes?"
"You are Ty-chan's closest friend, aren't you?"
Kenny fidgeted, "well... I wouldn't really know... Tyson gets along with everyone."
Aiano smiled, "true... but I'm wondering if you know Ty-chan's likes and dislikes... things that will help me in winning his heart."
Kenny anime sweatdropped. "Uhhh... well, I dunno... I kinda... um..."
"Please, Kenny-san..." Aiano said, softly. He let his bright green eyes fall on Tyson, who was staring in wonder at the hotsprings. Holding Rei firmly by his side.
... And Rei was fidgeting nervously, due to the water. Baths and showers? Peachy. Nature's pools? Not for this particular nekojin, thanks.
Kenny sighed, as his shoulders slumped in defeat. He was just too nice. He reluctantly nodded.
Aiano smiled, "thank you, Kenny-san... I really appreciate this."
"Sure, no problem..." Kenny said, shaking his head slowly. Then he gasped getting a thought. He tugged at Aiano's sleeve, "do not tell anyone about this! It's almost an unholy alliance! So please, spare my life, and tell no one that I'm helping you!"
Aiano anime sweatdropped, confused. Then he smiled kindly. "Don't worry, Kenny-san... I won't tell a soul... and again, my thanks."
Kenny nodded, and followed Aiano towards Tyson and Rei.
~~~
"No, no, no!!! Kai, quit treating it like it's a shooter!" Max said, impatiently. Then he snatched the half-wilting flower from Kai's hand.
Kai sighed, his broad shoulders slumping; there was only so much more of this he could take...
"Here... now be gentle, it's just a flower... it's not trying to get away or anything, alright?"
Kai pursed his lips, as he gingerly took hold of another flower. About the eighth one, so far. Making sure to keep his grasp very loose.
He couldn't help his grip, it was just the way it was. Anything he got a hold of he instantly held on to with everything he had. Unintentionally.
... Like Tyson. Kai wanted Tyson. And Kai always made sure to get what he wanted. But there was an obstacle. An annoying, green-eyed, sickeningly charming obstacle...
Max anime sweatdropped, the flower was getting crumpled in Kai's hand. He sighed, and dropped his head forward, in exasperation, with a long weary sigh.
"Oh, Kai..." he said, shaking his head.
Kai blinked, snapping out of his thoughts, as he looked back at Max. Then down at the flower he held. Well, that flower was as good as dead. Probably far beyond dead. Its stem was snapped in half, and Kai folded it, grasping it in his fist, grinding it into a dry gritty paste in his palm.
Kai anime sweatdropped, dropping the former flower aside, "sorry, Max."
Max scowled, "why is it so hard for you to be gentle, Kai?"
"... I dunno."
"Kai!"
"I really don't know, Max... I wish I was... maybe if I were more... gentle, and caring... Tyson would... he would... well, maybe he'd..." Kai looked away, his brow furrowing.
Max blinked, noticing Kai instantly got less 'Kai-like' when Tyson's name came up. The blonde blader brightened, as he held up another flower. Luckily he brought plenty, seeing as he knew this was going to take practice.
"Okay... last try... nineth time's the charm..."
"You said that about third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth..." Kai said, dryly.
"Yeah, well..." Max said, with a shrug. Heaving a sigh, Kai reached for the flower.
"Okay, wait... hang on, first..." Max said, firmly. Kai raised an eyebrow. "Why do you hold Tyson the way you do?"
Kai's cheeks turned a very faint shade of pink, "wh-what?"
Max grinned, "c' mon, Kai... I saw how you held Tyson, this morning... now why do you hold him that way?"
"Be-because, I..." Kai scowled, "does it matter!?"
"Yup... now tell me... and be honest, Kai... it's just us here, so don't worry about it, alright?"
Kai frowned, "I just do."
"That's not a good reason."
".... Because, I... I don't wanna hurt him."
"And...?"
"And? There is no 'and'! I just do, because I don't wanna hurt him!"
"But Kai, you say you don't know anything about being gentle, right? You seem to know plenty when you hold him... didn't look like you were hurting him to me."
Kai blinked.
"But you held him in a way that he couldn't move away... but you weren't squeezing the life out of him, right? And you knew you weren't..."
"... Why was this brought up?"
Max smiled. "Pretend this is Tyson," he said simply, holding the flower out to Kai.
Kai anime sweatdropped, "Max, are you insane?" he asked, slowly.
"Not at the moment..." Max said, rolling his eyes. "C' mon, try it," he insisted.
"I can't..."
"How come?"
"Someone'll see!"
"...... Kai! Do it, now! Or else! I'll never speak to you again!"
"... Is that a threat, or a promise?"
"KAI! I'll cry!" Max threatened. Once the words left his mouth, Max blinked, and his large ocean-blue eyes welled with tears.
Kai cringed, "okay, okay..." He reached for the flower, glaring at Max, "damn puppydog eyes..."
Max grinned, and held up his two fingers in a victory sign. "A true blessing, if you ask me..." he said, lightly. "Tyson, remember..." Max reminded his captain.
Kai frowned, which soon melted away as he thought about Tyson. His smile, his eyes, his laugh, his small hands. Tyson appeared pretty tough, but held this fragile quality that Kai couldn't ignore. Just this quality that had Kai wanting to protect the boy from anything and everything he could.
Taking the flower, gently, Kai examined it carefully. Light pink, soft smooth petals, sweet scent. Then he softly brushed his fingertips against the petals.
"... Tyson," he murmured, softly.
Max blinked, staring at his captain, an anime sweatdrop forming on the back of his head.
........... Man, did Kai have it bad.
"... TAG, YOU'RE IT!" Tyson's voice rang out.
Max and Kai both jumped to their feet, Kai thrusting the flower behind his back, while Max gathered the flowers and threw them aside.
"Tyson, I'm not playing...!" Rei was protesting, walking calmly behind Tyson.
"Man, Rei... you're no fun," Tyson said, pouting as he stopped running. Rei then grinned, and broke into a sprint, tagging Tyson.
"Gotcha..." the nekojin crowed, as he raced past Tyson.
"REI! THAT'S CHEATING!" Tyson argued. But he grinned and took chase after Rei, anyways.
Kai would have felt jealous, but seeing Tyson laughing and just having fun was a great sight. Especially since they were all getting older. Getting more responsibilities and such. Even Tyson was maturing, though one couldn't really tell at this moment.
But truth be told, he was getting more and more determined to rightfully inherit the Kinomiya Dojo. And Kai couldn't help but feel a surge of pride when Tyson declared the Dojo would be his. That he wanted the Dojo, to make his family proud.
"... Tag!" Tyson cheered, finally catching Rei, which broke through Kai's thoughts.
"Hey! Tagging the hair can't count!" Rei complained.
Tyson laughed, dashing away from Rei, "yeah, well it does now!"
Rei sighed, but ran after Tyson anyways. Straight towards Kai and Max.
Max grinned, as he hastily stepped back, as Tyson and Rei were suddenly running around Kai. Max started laughing, while Kai was anime sweatdropping, as he was then used as Tyson's shield, to keep Rei at bay.
Rei was trying to dart one way, and Kai would be spun around and made to face the nekojin, Tyson still behind his team captain, successfully managing to keep Kai between the two of them.
"Tyson, c' mon!" Rei challenged.
As a response, Tyson grinned, resting his chin against Kai's shoulder, and stuck his tongue out at Rei. Kai shivered slightly at the unknowingly intimate contact Tyson initiated.
Rei lunged forward, trying to reach the laughing pony-tailed teenager, "c' mere..."
"Nah...!" Tyson laughed, and the trio continued their little game. Well, the duo with their somewhat reluctant obstacle.
Kai finally grabbed Tyson as he was running around him again, Rei at his heels. "Okay guys, that's enough..." he said, firmly.
Tyson squirmed, as Rei paused, his hand out-stretched to tag Tyson. "Okay, okay... time-out..." The younger boy declared.
Rei frowned, "oh fine..." he griped as he headed for the front door.
Max snickered, as he nudged Kai while Tyson wasn't looking. Kai blinked, then gulped seeing the arm that he was using to hold Tyson, was also the arm that was holding the flower.
... And Kai's arm was around Tyson?
Max winked and dashed after Rei. Kai anime sweatdropped, then looked at Tyson. Who was still laughing, resting easily against Kai.
Then the world champion noticed the flower in Kai's hand. "Hey, what's that for?" he asked.
Kai furrowed his brow, "uhh... it's uh... kinda, well... uh... I... uh, it's..."
Tyson smiled as he pulled Kai's hand closer, inspecting the pink flower, then sniffed it. "Mmm, smells nice..."
"Uh, yeah..."
"... It's pretty."
"Uh, yeah..."
~~~
Meanwhile at the door, peering through the small opening Max left purposefully to watch the events, were Rei and Max. Max slapped his forehead, while Rei was anime sweatdropping.
"He couldn't have Tyson in a better position, and all he can say is 'uh, yeah'...?" Rei hissed, in disbelief.
Max didn't answer, as he simply continued to mutter to himself, his head resting in his hand.
~~~
"You want it?" Kai asked, looking to the side, shifting uncomfortably. Tyson still resting against him.
Tyson blinked, then smiled, "yeah, sure..." he said, taking the flower, and sniffed it again. "It's really nice, Kai... thank you."
"Uh, yeah..."
~~~
Max slapped his forehead again, while Rei anime sweatdropped, again.
"Seriously, that guy needs to work on his 'being-around-Tyson' vocabulary..." Rei said, slowly.
"You're telling me..." Max muttered. "He had no problems talking to Ty, until we came here, though..."
"Maybe it's Aiano that's throwing things off..."
"Yeah."
"... Kai never had competition before, so now..."
"So now we have a nervous wreck, instead of the cool collected Kai."
Rei flinched, slightly. "Yikes," he muttered. Max nodded. Yikes indeed.
~~~
"It's really nice here, isn't it, Kai?" Tyson asked, oblivious to the strange behavior of the older teenager. Kai felt really nice to lean against...
"Uh, yeah..." Kai muttered.
"OH, FOR PETE'S SAKE!!!" Max's voice suddenly hollered.
"Hey, calm down!" Rei's voice called.
Kai and Tyson anime sweatdropped. Tyson slipped Kai's arm off his shoulder, as he headed for the door, sliding it open.
WHUMP!
"ACK!" Rei and Max yelped, both on a heap on the ground. Tyson raised an eyebrow.
"What's up, guys?" he asked, slowly.
"Uhhh... nothing..." they both blurted, as they got to their feet. Tyson blinked, then shrugged and headed inside.
"Thanks again, Kai..." he said, cheerfully.
"Uh, yeah..." Kai muttered.
"I can't take it anymore!" Max growled, once Tyson was out of earshot. He stomped up to Kai, and raised his fist...
BONK!
"Ow!" Kai snapped, glaring at Max in severe irritation.
"'Uh yeah'?!" Max snapped. "'Uh yeah'?!" he tugged at his hair. "'UH YEAH' CAN ONLY DO SO MUCH, KAI! SPEAK UP!!!"
Rei anime sweatdropped, and ran forward tugging at Max's arm, "okay, Maxie... you're definitely toying with fate, here..." he hissed.
Max blinked, then realized who exactly he just bopped over the head. Kai's head was lowered, his eyes hidden by his thick grey bangs, a glowing red aura forming around him. Then the blonde boy realized that even he had his limits on Kai's patience. Nodding, he allowed Rei to push him quickly back into the house.
~~~
Kai stood silently, as Max and Rei raced away. True, he was mildly annoyed at Max at the moment. But there was this strong feeling in his chest. A strong, indescribable feeling, due to the moment he had of holding Tyson. The feeling that was suddenly flooding Kai with more confidence.
Yes, Tyson would be his! Regardless of his adoring fiancee.
Tyson Kinomiya was Kai Hiwatari's! And come hell or high water, Kai would have rightful claim of his heart!
~~~***~~~
Yasuo: ... you really don't know when to quit, do you?
Nanashi: uhhhh... not exactly... I was gonna make it nice and mushy and sappy, but uhh... couldn't...
Yasuo: reason being?
Nanashi: ... got sleepy ^_^()
Yasuo: *anime sweatdrops* ... ohh-kaaaaay then... *mutters* strange one...
Nanashi: I heard that... *grins*
~Tyson: *watching Kai walk away* he's not so tough...
~Kai: I heard that...