Disclaimer: ah the joys of repeating myself... Beyblade and its characters
are NOT property of Nanashi, so anyone with the intention of suing can just
go to he...
Nanashi: language!
Yasuo: ..... heck... I was gonna say "heck", that's all ^_^;;
Nanashi: liar...
Warnings: heh... er, ahem... shounen-ai, just like the earlier chapters... lack of girls, ya know, can have that effect ^_^
Nanashi: O.o;;;;; erm, okay then... heh, thank you for reviewing, I'm very much obliged! Arashi Doragon, Yuki-sama, buff200020002002, Sweetangle, Nancys-little-Obsession, Hob-sama, Angevar, asa-chan, Kiina, Glay-sama! *pounces and glomps* ai daisuke! *blinks* hey, Rumi-chan!!! gah! you reviewed! thank you! *glomps*
Yasuo: ....... fear of water is called hydrophobia...
Nanashi: ... huh?
Yasuo: ........ you don't listen to me, so I'll say anything now
Nanashi: oh... okay then ^_^ uh, sorry for the long wait... really, I am! *ducks under a chair*
Yasuo: .......... *anime sweatdrops*
~~~***~~~
Rei stood outside the diningroom, hesitantly. It couldn't be that hard. All he had to do was walk in. Probably have Tyson ask him to make breakfast. The nekojin could comply, get a simple compliment on his cooking...
... And probably end up getting killed in the process. Rei could just see the headlines now: "Rei Kon, Member Of The BladeBreakers, Murdered By His Own Team Captain."
And the sub-heading saying: "Tyson Kinomiya's Naive Nature Is Suspected To Be Hiwatari's Motive."
Just then, the door to the diningroom slid open.
"... I'll go find him..." Tyson was saying, his head turned as he spoke to Kenny.
And he walked into Rei; the Chinese boy anime sweatdropped, arms automatically moving up to hold his teammate. Tyson blinked, looking up at Rei, then he smiled brightly.
"Oh hey... I was just going to look for you..." he said, cheerfully. "Kenny offered to make us breakfast, but he's no where near a good a cook as you."
Rei couldn't help but smile faintly at the compliment. "I suppose... don't want Kenny's high-fiber oatmeal and tofu omelets, again?" he joked.
Tyson laughed, "exactly..."
Rei smiled fondly at the ponytailed boy in his arms.
"... Rei, you are so lucky I'm not Kai right now..." Max's voice said, interrupting the pair.
Rei anime sweatdropped as he glanced at the blonde boy. Max stood a few feet away, his hands on his hips, as he gave Rei a scolding look. The nekojin smiled weakly, and hastily released Tyson, taking a step back. And as usual, Tyson looked as clueless as ever.
"... He's also lucky Kai-san is outside..." Aiano said, standing beside Max, glaring at Rei.
Rei rubbed the back of his head, "heh, g' morning, Aiano."
Aiano made no response, he merely strided up to Tyson, and smiled at him as he took his hands up again. "Ty-chan, while Rei-kun's making your breakfast, as I'm sure you've asked him to, why don't you and I take a quick walk around the temple...?"
Tyson blinked, "um, well..." He meekly glanced at Rei, almost seeking approval. Rei blinked, then cleared his throat, looking away, blushing slightly.
Max sighed, slapping his forehead.
"... I have the best timing, don't I?" Kai's voice growled out, angrily.
The four teenagers glanced towards the angry growl, spotting Kai Hiwatari. The typical anime vein pulsing on the side of his head, and his hands were clenched into fists, as he glared at the blonde caretaker.
"Kai-san... welcome back," Aiano said cheerfully, still holding Tyson's hands. "I did not expect your training to be over so soon..."
"Drop the formalities, Aiano... you know the drill..." Kai hissed.
Aiano blinked, then shrugged, "then get it over with."
Kai nodded, as he strolled over, and he calmly stood beside Aiano as he raised his fist. Then dropped it hard against the caretaker's head.
BONK!
"Ack...!" Aiano yelped, as he fell to the floor.
"... That's getting a little too common, Kai..." Tyson said, slowly.
"See!? I told you!" Kenny suddenly cried, rushing over to the group, hastily. Max sighed.
"Told us what?" he mumbled, though he already knew the answer.
"Violence is losing its odd appeal...! Kai NEEDS to find a different way to...!" Kenny started to say, then he paused, realizing he had a bit of an audience. Kai anime sweatdropped, glaring at the strategist.
"Find a different way to what?!" he demanded.
Kenny blinked, then gulped nervously, "uh, nothing."
"Kenny, tell me now!" Kai growled. He lunged forward, stepping over Aiano who was still sprawled out on the floor, as he grabbed the much shorter boy's shirt. "Spit it out!"
"Kai! Don't! You'll hurt him!" Max protested.
"Kai-san...! That is unnecessary...!" Aiano chimed in, still a little dazed as he tried to get to his feet. And he grabbed Kenny's arms.
"Butt out, Aiano!" Kai snapped.
"Let go!" Aiano ordered.
"Make me!"
"Your maturity is clearly boundless!"
"Your stupidity is just as 'boundless'!"
"Pardon?!"
"You heard me!"
Kenny anime sweatdropped as he was suddenly being used to play a game of tug-o-war. Kai holding firmly onto his shirt, while Aiano was trying to yank Kenny free by his arms. Leaving Kenny very uncomfortable, dizzy, and maybe getting a little motion-sickness. His feet weren't even on the floor anymore, since Kai and Aiano were pretty strong and Kenny was so... small.
... Back and forth. Back and forth... ugh, nausea definitely kicking in.
"You guys! C' mon! Knock it off!" Max was hollering, waving his arms frantically.
Tyson and Rei were watching the entire scenario, their eyes wide, and anime sweatdrops were forming on the sides of their heads.
Sighing, the taller boy looked at Tyson, "you hungry?"
Tyson blinked, then smiled up at Rei, "isn't it obvious?"
Rei smiled, "alright... let's go... I'll make you something."
"Sounds great."
With a nod, Rei turned and headed for the diningroom, which had the kitchen on the other side. Tyson sidestepped around Kai, Aiano, Kenny, and Max, and trailed after Rei, smiling happily at the thought of eating Rei's delicious cooking.
"... Hey! You can't leave me to play mediator!" Max wailed.
~~~***~~~
"... There you go, eat up..." said Rei, sitting a plate of food in front of Tyson.
"Alright!" Tyson cheered, as he eagerly picked up his fork, and proceeded to eat very heartily. Rei smiled taking a seat and began merely watching Tyson eat. Then the nekojin furrowed his brow thoughtfully.
"... Tyson?"
Tyson paused, bowl resting against his lips, tilted upwards. "Unm?" he asked, his mouth full. Rei anime sweatdropped, and smiled weakly.
"Just a question..."
Swallowing his bite, Tyson wiped his mouth and sat his almost-empty bowl back on the table. "Sure, what is it?"
"What happened last night?"
Tyson blinked, "what do you mean?"
Rei cleared his throat, "with us... out at the koibito pond... last night."
Tyson blinked again, as he rested his finger against his chin and tilted his head thoughtfully. "Oh that... well..." he pursed his lips. Then turned to Rei, leaning a little closer. "Don't you know?"
Rei leaned back a bit, away from the younger boy. "Uh... sorta... but it's a little confusing for me," he explained.
Tyson smiled, eyes closing cheerfully, "what's to be confused about, Rei? You pretty much confessed your feelings for me, and in all honesty I'm kinda glad you did..."
Rei anime sweatdropped, "y-you are?"
Tyson nodded, as he leaned back again, folding his arms. "You're the only guy I know who's willing to show initiative in a relationship, and I find that kinda nice, so... yeah, it's hard to explain," he said, slowly.
"No... Tyson, wait... I'm sorry, but... okay, uh..." Rei shook his head. "This is really hard, and-and you being who you are, that'll make it even harder..."
"What's up, Rei?"
"... I'm not... Tyson, I can't... I shouldn't... I... I... I'm really sorry, but I'm not... I can't see... I shouldn't see you... that way... I mean, I can't see you that way... I just..." Rei started to say.
The ponytailed boy blinked, in confusion. Until the words sank in, then his brown-red eyes began to shine brightly with tears. "Rei, are you saying...th-that...?"
"I'm really sorry, Tyson," Rei blurted, quickly. "I never meant for it to come out like that! Honest! I just... I feel horrible, right now... really, I just... Tyson..."
Tyson looked away, "no, it's... it's alright, Rei..."
"... Tyson..." Rei cringed slightly, as Tyson's shoulders began to shake. He was crying! "Tyson, please... don't cry... I'm sorry, I just... aw, Tyson..."
"It-it's nothing, Rei... d-don't worry... a-about it..." Tyson sniffled.
Shaking his head, Rei reached over, pulling Tyson close into his lap, as he hugged the smaller boy from behind. "I'm sorry, Tyson..." he said, softly.
"Rei, what'd you do!?" Kai suddenly shouted.
Both Rei and Tyson looked up, their eyes wide in surprise. Standing at the door was Kai, and he was looking far more peeved than before. Behind Kai stood Aiano, and behind him was Max trying to snap Kenny out of his dazed stupor.
"Clearly we have interrupted something..." Aiano said, green eyes flashing.
"I noticed," Kai hissed.
Rei blinked, "no... hey, it's not what it looks like!" he started to protest.
Tyson blinked, a single tear rolled down his cheek.
Kai glanced at Tyson, his heart lurching. Tears, in his Tyson's eyes. "What'd you do!?" Kai demanded again, as he glared viciously at the nekojin.
"Huh?!"
Kai stormed up to him, glaring down at Rei as he gestured at Tyson. "You made him cry, didn't you?!"
"What?! No, I... uh, okay... I did, but I didn't mean to... it was an accident, and...!" Rei started to say, hastily. He gulped as Kai leaned in, eyes narrowing.
"Rei... you should know... I can't stand to see Tyson cry... you hurt him, didn't you?"
"Uh... not intentionally..."
"The scenario isn't in your favor, Rei-kun," Aiano snapped. He walked up and jabbed his finger against Rei's nose, "if I didn't know any better I would say we walked in on you trying to force yourself on Ty-chan!"
"WHAAT?!" Rei choked out, face blushing to a deep crimson. Tyson was on his lap, Rei had both arms around Tyson. And Tyson was crying. It really didn't seem too appropriate to look at from another's perspective now that Rei thought about it.
Tyson blinked, as he started to wipe his eyes.
"... Actually that does look like a kinky position for..." Max started to comment.
Kenny blushed brightly as he pulled Max down to his height, and slapped his hand over the blonde's mouth. "Quiet!" he sputtered, quickly.
"First you manage to take his heart... then you say you don't want it... and now you apparently want Tyson's body... Rei Kon, I'm gonna kill you!" Kai shouted, as he lunged at Rei.
Rei yelped, scooting quickly away from Tyson, as well as Kai, and got to his feet. And proceeded to dash away from his team captain, as fast as his feet could carry him. Which was pretty fast considering the nekojin had very impressive agility.
Kai hollered, "GET BACK HERE! RIGHT NOW! I PROMISE TO MAKE IT VERY PAINFUL!!!"
"You mean you promise it 'WON'T be painful'!" Rei corrected.
"NO! I HAPPEN TO BE A VERY HONEST GUY! I WILL MAKE IT AS PAINFUL AS I CAN!"
As the two of them continued to run around, Aiano calmly strided up to a wall, pulling a katana down from it's setting, then held it out as Rei ran by. Kai quickly snatched up the blade as he continued his pursuit of Rei.
"Thanks," Kai muttered, unsheathing the weapon.
"You owe me," Aiano replied, catching the sheath as Kai tossed it at him.
"Hah! In your dreams!" Kai retorted. And started swinging the katana at Rei, "GET BACK HERE! RIGHT NOW!"
"AUUUUUUGHHHHHHHHHH! NOW IT'S ALL GOING TOO FAR!" Rei wailed. He raced out onto the deck, Kai on his trail as he still swung the katana madly at him.
Tyson shook his head, as he walked after the two of them.
"Ty-chan, where are you..?" Aiano started to ask.
"I have to put a stop to this..." Tyson muttered. Once outside he found a strange scene. Rei was standing on a large stone set around the koibito pond, and Kai was standing in front of him, laughing maniacally as he waved his newly acquired blade at Rei.
"Walk the plank, kitty!" he taunted, grinning menacingly.
"Okay, Kai... now you're scaring me..!" Rei blurted. He glanced back at the cool clear water of the pond, and visibly shuddered. Water was not his friend unless it was plumbing.
"Jump in, and maybe I'll consider not hurting you..." Kai bargained, still with his frightening grin. "Maybe," he heavily emphasized the word again.
"You can't be serious! I don't like water! Water's the devil!" Rei hollered. "Only water I can tolerate is showers, baths, and drinking water! Not this outdoor stuff!"
"Kai..."
Kai and Rei blinked; Kai looked over his shoulder, Rei looked over Kai's head. There stood Tyson, and he was staring at the two of them, a hard expression on his face.
"Tyson..." both older teens said, quietly.
"Kai, stop this... I know now..." Tyson said softly, as he walked towards them.
"Y-you know?" Kai asked, slowly.
"Yeah... I know."
"Tyson, I-I thought you'd..." Rei began, slowly.
"Quiet, Rei..." Tyson said, seriously. Then he walked closer to Kai, hugging him around the waist.
The team captain's eyes widened, and his evil grin melted into a warm content smile. The blade fell from his hand, as he returned the hug, full- force.
"Tyson," he whispered, softly.
"Kai," Tyson whispered back, his eyes closed. Then he looked up at Kai, and suddenly beamed. "Sometimes having an over-protective friend can be really great, but I think you need to tone it down a little."
Friend. The word hung heavily in the air like a thick blanket.
Rei blinked several times, as did Kai. Rei's footing then slipped as he tried to keep from falling over in disbelief. "Ack!" he yelped, as he waved his arms frantically. "WATER! HELP!"
"His name is Tyson...!" Kai said dryly, still managing to hold Tyson, despite his shock at being called a 'friend'. A friend, nothing more..?
Tyson pulled free, running up to Rei, grabbing his wrist, "Rei...!"
"Oh hell..." Rei cursed, falling in and yanking Tyson in with him.
PLOOSH!
Kai anime sweatdropped. Rei was shaking as he sat up, and his teeth was gritted, as his hair hung limply in his eyes. The nekojin proceeded to growl in anger. "I HATE WATER!" he yowled out.
Tyson sighed, on his hands and knees over Rei. "Sorry, I tried..." he said, slowly.
Rei sighed, dropping his head forward miserably, as water ran down his hair, making him feel even more soaked. Then he blinked, looking down at himself. "Okay, there's something wiggling in my pants..."
Tyson blinked, "huh?"
Kai's eyes nearly bulged out of his head. "HENTAI!" he shouted, jumping into the pond, since it only reached his thighs, and yanked Tyson away from the nekojin.
"You dare think impure thoughts of my fiancee!?" Aiano gasped, appearing out of nowhere. "Sir, you dishonor him! Kai, hit him!"
Kai anime sweatdropped, glaring at Aiano as he held Tyson. "What makes you think you can tell me what to do?!"
"No, not like that!" Rei argued, blushing slightly. He quickly got to his feet, lifting his shirt a bit, revealing a flailing fish tail. Shaking his head, the Chinese teen yanked out the koibito fish and held it up for Kai to see. "This is what I meant!"
Tyson burst out laughing, while Kai and Aiano anime sweatdropped. Max just caught Rei taking a fish out of his pants and also went into hysterics, while Kenny shook his head, sighing.
~~~
Once everything had settled down, Rei was lead away by Kenny; promises of towels and safety easing the Chinese boy's jittery nerves. And Max hastily grabbed Tyson and ran off to Tyson's room, yelling that they had to talk in private. To Aiano's mild annoyance. But not so much for Kai.
"Here you go, Ty..." Max was saying, as he handed Tyson a cup of tea. "Made it myself... hope ya like it," he said, cheerfully.
Tyson blinked, staring into the cup a little uncertainly. It smelled a little odd, and the color was a little too dark (and green) for his liking. Not to mention the layer of tea leaves on the top. He glanced up at Max, forcing a smile.
"Looks great, Maxie..."
Max grinned, "yup... now drink up..!" he commanded, as he sat down.
Gulping softly, Tyson nodded as he brought the cup to his lips. Hesitantly he tilted his head back, lifting the cup, taking a drink. His eyes flew open, it was awful! He hastily dropped the cup, hacking and clutching at his throat.
"Water! Water!" he rasped.
Max blinked, "not good?"
"Water!"
Max blinked again, "oh! uh, hang on...!" He snatched up a pitcher, and filled a glass with water, then handed it to Tyson. Whom eagerly drank it all within seconds. Sitting the cup back down, Tyson coughed a few more times, then sighed.
"Sorry, Ty... I guess the extra wasabi didn't help."
Tyson anime sweatdropped, "wasabi?!"
Max smiled, his eyes closing cheerfully. "Yup, nothing cures ailments like good ol' wasabi!"
"Um, Maxie... no offense, but never make me tea again... okay?"
"Hey, I don't want you getting a cold..."
"I won't..."
"Especially since you have people wanting to kiss you, so I figure why not try and stay healthy, and not spread a cold around, right?"
Tyson blinked, "what?"
Max blinked, "what?"
"What're you talking about?"
"What do you mean?"
"Maxie, you just said people wanna kiss me... what're you talking about?"
Max anime sweatdropped, "did I say that?"
"Yeah."
"Why, what could have possessed me to say such a thing? I must be losing it, huh?" Max smiled innocently, as he tapped his chin thoughtfully.
"I guess..." Tyson said, shrugging. Then he poured himself another glass of water, and proceeded to drink it, a little slower this time.
"... Hey, Ty... say you WERE sick, and maybe... let's say, Kai... wanted to kiss you, and he did... you wouldn't wanna make him sick, right?" said Max, still with his innocent smile.
Tyson blinked, lowering his glass, "what?"
"... Hypothetically speaking, of course."
Tyson raised an eyebrow, confused by Max's behavior. "What are you talking about?"
"... What if Kai wanted to kiss you, and you didn't wanna make him sick...?"
"... Why would...?"
"Ah, wait! Answer the question!"
Tyson anime sweatdropped, "uh... I just... wait, I don't get it."
"What's not to get!? If Kai wanted to kiss you, would you wanna make him sick?"
"... Uh, but I'm not sick."
"True, but you can't risk that, because Kai might wanna kiss you, right?"
Tyson furrowed his brow, looking more confused. "... Why would Kai wanna...?"
"Wanna what?" Max asked, leaning forward eagerly. Please, get it. Please. get it. Please, get it, he was praying.
"... Why would Kai kiss me?"
Max anime sweatdropped, "what?"
"Why would Kai kiss me?"
"...... Ty, do you pay attention when Kai's around you?" Max asked, shooting Tyson a dubious look.
"Uh, yeah... sorta... I guess."
Max sighed, rubbing his face in exasperation. Kai had the patience of saint of he could tolerate Tyson's cluelessness so well.
"Ty, why do people kiss?"
"... Uh, they like to?"
"... And?"
"... Uh, feels nice?"
"... And?"
"... It's human nature...?"
Max looked away, taking a deep breath. Oh man, he had no idea his best friend was this dense! He turned back to the ponytailed boy, "and?" he pressed.
"... It's a way to show their feelings...?"
"YES!" Max cheered, punching the air. He lunged closer to Tyson, grabbing his shoulders, "okay, Ty... Kai kissed you, didn't he?"
Tyson blinked, "he did?"
Max anime sweatdropped, "don't you remember?"
"Remember what?"
"If Kai kissed you!"
"... Oh... yeah, he did."
"Okay, now what does that tell you?"
"... It's supposed to tell me something..?" Tyson asked, blinking.
Max dropped his head forward, groaning in exasperation. Looking back up, he shook Tyson slightly. "Ty, buddy! Please, try to keep up! Focus, okay?"
"Uh, okay, Maxie."
"Alright, so Kai kissed you?"
Tyson nodded.
"Alright, and what did you say when I asked why do people kiss?"
"They like to?"
"After that."
"It feels nice?"
"... After that."
"It's human nature...?"
Max looked away, taking another calming breath. He was going to go insane by the time this whole thing was over, he could feel it. He turned back to Tyson, still holding his shoulders firmly.
"No, Ty..." he said, patiently. "After that...?"
"It's a way to show their feelings..?"
"Yes! Now, Kai kissed you, right?" Max asked, eagerly. He was getting so close!
"... Yeah."
"And kissing is considered a way to show their feelings, right?"
"Yeah..."
"Alright, so if Kai kissed you, then it must mean that..." Max paused, extending his hand, encouraging Tyson to finish his sentence.
"... That..." Tyson pursed his lips. "That, uh... that Kai... likes... kissing people?"
Max stared at Tyson, dumbfounded. "AUUGGGGGGHHHHHHHH!!!" he screamed. He got to his feet, running away, his arms waving madly.
Tyson anime sweatdropped. Then he smiled faintly. "Heh, I can do this all week," he said, looking amused.
~~~***~~~
Yasuo: *anime sweatdrops* okay, I'm not one for hentai, but even I thought Rei's little statement earlier seemed kinda wrong...
Nanashi: ^_^ yeah... came to me when I was just sitting around trying to figure out how to keep going... whoops, went over my limit... okay, quitting... *dashes away, seeking thy elusive inspiration*
Yasuo: uh, I'm right here...? *shrugs*
Nanashi: language!
Yasuo: ..... heck... I was gonna say "heck", that's all ^_^;;
Nanashi: liar...
Warnings: heh... er, ahem... shounen-ai, just like the earlier chapters... lack of girls, ya know, can have that effect ^_^
Nanashi: O.o;;;;; erm, okay then... heh, thank you for reviewing, I'm very much obliged! Arashi Doragon, Yuki-sama, buff200020002002, Sweetangle, Nancys-little-Obsession, Hob-sama, Angevar, asa-chan, Kiina, Glay-sama! *pounces and glomps* ai daisuke! *blinks* hey, Rumi-chan!!! gah! you reviewed! thank you! *glomps*
Yasuo: ....... fear of water is called hydrophobia...
Nanashi: ... huh?
Yasuo: ........ you don't listen to me, so I'll say anything now
Nanashi: oh... okay then ^_^ uh, sorry for the long wait... really, I am! *ducks under a chair*
Yasuo: .......... *anime sweatdrops*
~~~***~~~
Rei stood outside the diningroom, hesitantly. It couldn't be that hard. All he had to do was walk in. Probably have Tyson ask him to make breakfast. The nekojin could comply, get a simple compliment on his cooking...
... And probably end up getting killed in the process. Rei could just see the headlines now: "Rei Kon, Member Of The BladeBreakers, Murdered By His Own Team Captain."
And the sub-heading saying: "Tyson Kinomiya's Naive Nature Is Suspected To Be Hiwatari's Motive."
Just then, the door to the diningroom slid open.
"... I'll go find him..." Tyson was saying, his head turned as he spoke to Kenny.
And he walked into Rei; the Chinese boy anime sweatdropped, arms automatically moving up to hold his teammate. Tyson blinked, looking up at Rei, then he smiled brightly.
"Oh hey... I was just going to look for you..." he said, cheerfully. "Kenny offered to make us breakfast, but he's no where near a good a cook as you."
Rei couldn't help but smile faintly at the compliment. "I suppose... don't want Kenny's high-fiber oatmeal and tofu omelets, again?" he joked.
Tyson laughed, "exactly..."
Rei smiled fondly at the ponytailed boy in his arms.
"... Rei, you are so lucky I'm not Kai right now..." Max's voice said, interrupting the pair.
Rei anime sweatdropped as he glanced at the blonde boy. Max stood a few feet away, his hands on his hips, as he gave Rei a scolding look. The nekojin smiled weakly, and hastily released Tyson, taking a step back. And as usual, Tyson looked as clueless as ever.
"... He's also lucky Kai-san is outside..." Aiano said, standing beside Max, glaring at Rei.
Rei rubbed the back of his head, "heh, g' morning, Aiano."
Aiano made no response, he merely strided up to Tyson, and smiled at him as he took his hands up again. "Ty-chan, while Rei-kun's making your breakfast, as I'm sure you've asked him to, why don't you and I take a quick walk around the temple...?"
Tyson blinked, "um, well..." He meekly glanced at Rei, almost seeking approval. Rei blinked, then cleared his throat, looking away, blushing slightly.
Max sighed, slapping his forehead.
"... I have the best timing, don't I?" Kai's voice growled out, angrily.
The four teenagers glanced towards the angry growl, spotting Kai Hiwatari. The typical anime vein pulsing on the side of his head, and his hands were clenched into fists, as he glared at the blonde caretaker.
"Kai-san... welcome back," Aiano said cheerfully, still holding Tyson's hands. "I did not expect your training to be over so soon..."
"Drop the formalities, Aiano... you know the drill..." Kai hissed.
Aiano blinked, then shrugged, "then get it over with."
Kai nodded, as he strolled over, and he calmly stood beside Aiano as he raised his fist. Then dropped it hard against the caretaker's head.
BONK!
"Ack...!" Aiano yelped, as he fell to the floor.
"... That's getting a little too common, Kai..." Tyson said, slowly.
"See!? I told you!" Kenny suddenly cried, rushing over to the group, hastily. Max sighed.
"Told us what?" he mumbled, though he already knew the answer.
"Violence is losing its odd appeal...! Kai NEEDS to find a different way to...!" Kenny started to say, then he paused, realizing he had a bit of an audience. Kai anime sweatdropped, glaring at the strategist.
"Find a different way to what?!" he demanded.
Kenny blinked, then gulped nervously, "uh, nothing."
"Kenny, tell me now!" Kai growled. He lunged forward, stepping over Aiano who was still sprawled out on the floor, as he grabbed the much shorter boy's shirt. "Spit it out!"
"Kai! Don't! You'll hurt him!" Max protested.
"Kai-san...! That is unnecessary...!" Aiano chimed in, still a little dazed as he tried to get to his feet. And he grabbed Kenny's arms.
"Butt out, Aiano!" Kai snapped.
"Let go!" Aiano ordered.
"Make me!"
"Your maturity is clearly boundless!"
"Your stupidity is just as 'boundless'!"
"Pardon?!"
"You heard me!"
Kenny anime sweatdropped as he was suddenly being used to play a game of tug-o-war. Kai holding firmly onto his shirt, while Aiano was trying to yank Kenny free by his arms. Leaving Kenny very uncomfortable, dizzy, and maybe getting a little motion-sickness. His feet weren't even on the floor anymore, since Kai and Aiano were pretty strong and Kenny was so... small.
... Back and forth. Back and forth... ugh, nausea definitely kicking in.
"You guys! C' mon! Knock it off!" Max was hollering, waving his arms frantically.
Tyson and Rei were watching the entire scenario, their eyes wide, and anime sweatdrops were forming on the sides of their heads.
Sighing, the taller boy looked at Tyson, "you hungry?"
Tyson blinked, then smiled up at Rei, "isn't it obvious?"
Rei smiled, "alright... let's go... I'll make you something."
"Sounds great."
With a nod, Rei turned and headed for the diningroom, which had the kitchen on the other side. Tyson sidestepped around Kai, Aiano, Kenny, and Max, and trailed after Rei, smiling happily at the thought of eating Rei's delicious cooking.
"... Hey! You can't leave me to play mediator!" Max wailed.
~~~***~~~
"... There you go, eat up..." said Rei, sitting a plate of food in front of Tyson.
"Alright!" Tyson cheered, as he eagerly picked up his fork, and proceeded to eat very heartily. Rei smiled taking a seat and began merely watching Tyson eat. Then the nekojin furrowed his brow thoughtfully.
"... Tyson?"
Tyson paused, bowl resting against his lips, tilted upwards. "Unm?" he asked, his mouth full. Rei anime sweatdropped, and smiled weakly.
"Just a question..."
Swallowing his bite, Tyson wiped his mouth and sat his almost-empty bowl back on the table. "Sure, what is it?"
"What happened last night?"
Tyson blinked, "what do you mean?"
Rei cleared his throat, "with us... out at the koibito pond... last night."
Tyson blinked again, as he rested his finger against his chin and tilted his head thoughtfully. "Oh that... well..." he pursed his lips. Then turned to Rei, leaning a little closer. "Don't you know?"
Rei leaned back a bit, away from the younger boy. "Uh... sorta... but it's a little confusing for me," he explained.
Tyson smiled, eyes closing cheerfully, "what's to be confused about, Rei? You pretty much confessed your feelings for me, and in all honesty I'm kinda glad you did..."
Rei anime sweatdropped, "y-you are?"
Tyson nodded, as he leaned back again, folding his arms. "You're the only guy I know who's willing to show initiative in a relationship, and I find that kinda nice, so... yeah, it's hard to explain," he said, slowly.
"No... Tyson, wait... I'm sorry, but... okay, uh..." Rei shook his head. "This is really hard, and-and you being who you are, that'll make it even harder..."
"What's up, Rei?"
"... I'm not... Tyson, I can't... I shouldn't... I... I... I'm really sorry, but I'm not... I can't see... I shouldn't see you... that way... I mean, I can't see you that way... I just..." Rei started to say.
The ponytailed boy blinked, in confusion. Until the words sank in, then his brown-red eyes began to shine brightly with tears. "Rei, are you saying...th-that...?"
"I'm really sorry, Tyson," Rei blurted, quickly. "I never meant for it to come out like that! Honest! I just... I feel horrible, right now... really, I just... Tyson..."
Tyson looked away, "no, it's... it's alright, Rei..."
"... Tyson..." Rei cringed slightly, as Tyson's shoulders began to shake. He was crying! "Tyson, please... don't cry... I'm sorry, I just... aw, Tyson..."
"It-it's nothing, Rei... d-don't worry... a-about it..." Tyson sniffled.
Shaking his head, Rei reached over, pulling Tyson close into his lap, as he hugged the smaller boy from behind. "I'm sorry, Tyson..." he said, softly.
"Rei, what'd you do!?" Kai suddenly shouted.
Both Rei and Tyson looked up, their eyes wide in surprise. Standing at the door was Kai, and he was looking far more peeved than before. Behind Kai stood Aiano, and behind him was Max trying to snap Kenny out of his dazed stupor.
"Clearly we have interrupted something..." Aiano said, green eyes flashing.
"I noticed," Kai hissed.
Rei blinked, "no... hey, it's not what it looks like!" he started to protest.
Tyson blinked, a single tear rolled down his cheek.
Kai glanced at Tyson, his heart lurching. Tears, in his Tyson's eyes. "What'd you do!?" Kai demanded again, as he glared viciously at the nekojin.
"Huh?!"
Kai stormed up to him, glaring down at Rei as he gestured at Tyson. "You made him cry, didn't you?!"
"What?! No, I... uh, okay... I did, but I didn't mean to... it was an accident, and...!" Rei started to say, hastily. He gulped as Kai leaned in, eyes narrowing.
"Rei... you should know... I can't stand to see Tyson cry... you hurt him, didn't you?"
"Uh... not intentionally..."
"The scenario isn't in your favor, Rei-kun," Aiano snapped. He walked up and jabbed his finger against Rei's nose, "if I didn't know any better I would say we walked in on you trying to force yourself on Ty-chan!"
"WHAAT?!" Rei choked out, face blushing to a deep crimson. Tyson was on his lap, Rei had both arms around Tyson. And Tyson was crying. It really didn't seem too appropriate to look at from another's perspective now that Rei thought about it.
Tyson blinked, as he started to wipe his eyes.
"... Actually that does look like a kinky position for..." Max started to comment.
Kenny blushed brightly as he pulled Max down to his height, and slapped his hand over the blonde's mouth. "Quiet!" he sputtered, quickly.
"First you manage to take his heart... then you say you don't want it... and now you apparently want Tyson's body... Rei Kon, I'm gonna kill you!" Kai shouted, as he lunged at Rei.
Rei yelped, scooting quickly away from Tyson, as well as Kai, and got to his feet. And proceeded to dash away from his team captain, as fast as his feet could carry him. Which was pretty fast considering the nekojin had very impressive agility.
Kai hollered, "GET BACK HERE! RIGHT NOW! I PROMISE TO MAKE IT VERY PAINFUL!!!"
"You mean you promise it 'WON'T be painful'!" Rei corrected.
"NO! I HAPPEN TO BE A VERY HONEST GUY! I WILL MAKE IT AS PAINFUL AS I CAN!"
As the two of them continued to run around, Aiano calmly strided up to a wall, pulling a katana down from it's setting, then held it out as Rei ran by. Kai quickly snatched up the blade as he continued his pursuit of Rei.
"Thanks," Kai muttered, unsheathing the weapon.
"You owe me," Aiano replied, catching the sheath as Kai tossed it at him.
"Hah! In your dreams!" Kai retorted. And started swinging the katana at Rei, "GET BACK HERE! RIGHT NOW!"
"AUUUUUUGHHHHHHHHHH! NOW IT'S ALL GOING TOO FAR!" Rei wailed. He raced out onto the deck, Kai on his trail as he still swung the katana madly at him.
Tyson shook his head, as he walked after the two of them.
"Ty-chan, where are you..?" Aiano started to ask.
"I have to put a stop to this..." Tyson muttered. Once outside he found a strange scene. Rei was standing on a large stone set around the koibito pond, and Kai was standing in front of him, laughing maniacally as he waved his newly acquired blade at Rei.
"Walk the plank, kitty!" he taunted, grinning menacingly.
"Okay, Kai... now you're scaring me..!" Rei blurted. He glanced back at the cool clear water of the pond, and visibly shuddered. Water was not his friend unless it was plumbing.
"Jump in, and maybe I'll consider not hurting you..." Kai bargained, still with his frightening grin. "Maybe," he heavily emphasized the word again.
"You can't be serious! I don't like water! Water's the devil!" Rei hollered. "Only water I can tolerate is showers, baths, and drinking water! Not this outdoor stuff!"
"Kai..."
Kai and Rei blinked; Kai looked over his shoulder, Rei looked over Kai's head. There stood Tyson, and he was staring at the two of them, a hard expression on his face.
"Tyson..." both older teens said, quietly.
"Kai, stop this... I know now..." Tyson said softly, as he walked towards them.
"Y-you know?" Kai asked, slowly.
"Yeah... I know."
"Tyson, I-I thought you'd..." Rei began, slowly.
"Quiet, Rei..." Tyson said, seriously. Then he walked closer to Kai, hugging him around the waist.
The team captain's eyes widened, and his evil grin melted into a warm content smile. The blade fell from his hand, as he returned the hug, full- force.
"Tyson," he whispered, softly.
"Kai," Tyson whispered back, his eyes closed. Then he looked up at Kai, and suddenly beamed. "Sometimes having an over-protective friend can be really great, but I think you need to tone it down a little."
Friend. The word hung heavily in the air like a thick blanket.
Rei blinked several times, as did Kai. Rei's footing then slipped as he tried to keep from falling over in disbelief. "Ack!" he yelped, as he waved his arms frantically. "WATER! HELP!"
"His name is Tyson...!" Kai said dryly, still managing to hold Tyson, despite his shock at being called a 'friend'. A friend, nothing more..?
Tyson pulled free, running up to Rei, grabbing his wrist, "Rei...!"
"Oh hell..." Rei cursed, falling in and yanking Tyson in with him.
PLOOSH!
Kai anime sweatdropped. Rei was shaking as he sat up, and his teeth was gritted, as his hair hung limply in his eyes. The nekojin proceeded to growl in anger. "I HATE WATER!" he yowled out.
Tyson sighed, on his hands and knees over Rei. "Sorry, I tried..." he said, slowly.
Rei sighed, dropping his head forward miserably, as water ran down his hair, making him feel even more soaked. Then he blinked, looking down at himself. "Okay, there's something wiggling in my pants..."
Tyson blinked, "huh?"
Kai's eyes nearly bulged out of his head. "HENTAI!" he shouted, jumping into the pond, since it only reached his thighs, and yanked Tyson away from the nekojin.
"You dare think impure thoughts of my fiancee!?" Aiano gasped, appearing out of nowhere. "Sir, you dishonor him! Kai, hit him!"
Kai anime sweatdropped, glaring at Aiano as he held Tyson. "What makes you think you can tell me what to do?!"
"No, not like that!" Rei argued, blushing slightly. He quickly got to his feet, lifting his shirt a bit, revealing a flailing fish tail. Shaking his head, the Chinese teen yanked out the koibito fish and held it up for Kai to see. "This is what I meant!"
Tyson burst out laughing, while Kai and Aiano anime sweatdropped. Max just caught Rei taking a fish out of his pants and also went into hysterics, while Kenny shook his head, sighing.
~~~
Once everything had settled down, Rei was lead away by Kenny; promises of towels and safety easing the Chinese boy's jittery nerves. And Max hastily grabbed Tyson and ran off to Tyson's room, yelling that they had to talk in private. To Aiano's mild annoyance. But not so much for Kai.
"Here you go, Ty..." Max was saying, as he handed Tyson a cup of tea. "Made it myself... hope ya like it," he said, cheerfully.
Tyson blinked, staring into the cup a little uncertainly. It smelled a little odd, and the color was a little too dark (and green) for his liking. Not to mention the layer of tea leaves on the top. He glanced up at Max, forcing a smile.
"Looks great, Maxie..."
Max grinned, "yup... now drink up..!" he commanded, as he sat down.
Gulping softly, Tyson nodded as he brought the cup to his lips. Hesitantly he tilted his head back, lifting the cup, taking a drink. His eyes flew open, it was awful! He hastily dropped the cup, hacking and clutching at his throat.
"Water! Water!" he rasped.
Max blinked, "not good?"
"Water!"
Max blinked again, "oh! uh, hang on...!" He snatched up a pitcher, and filled a glass with water, then handed it to Tyson. Whom eagerly drank it all within seconds. Sitting the cup back down, Tyson coughed a few more times, then sighed.
"Sorry, Ty... I guess the extra wasabi didn't help."
Tyson anime sweatdropped, "wasabi?!"
Max smiled, his eyes closing cheerfully. "Yup, nothing cures ailments like good ol' wasabi!"
"Um, Maxie... no offense, but never make me tea again... okay?"
"Hey, I don't want you getting a cold..."
"I won't..."
"Especially since you have people wanting to kiss you, so I figure why not try and stay healthy, and not spread a cold around, right?"
Tyson blinked, "what?"
Max blinked, "what?"
"What're you talking about?"
"What do you mean?"
"Maxie, you just said people wanna kiss me... what're you talking about?"
Max anime sweatdropped, "did I say that?"
"Yeah."
"Why, what could have possessed me to say such a thing? I must be losing it, huh?" Max smiled innocently, as he tapped his chin thoughtfully.
"I guess..." Tyson said, shrugging. Then he poured himself another glass of water, and proceeded to drink it, a little slower this time.
"... Hey, Ty... say you WERE sick, and maybe... let's say, Kai... wanted to kiss you, and he did... you wouldn't wanna make him sick, right?" said Max, still with his innocent smile.
Tyson blinked, lowering his glass, "what?"
"... Hypothetically speaking, of course."
Tyson raised an eyebrow, confused by Max's behavior. "What are you talking about?"
"... What if Kai wanted to kiss you, and you didn't wanna make him sick...?"
"... Why would...?"
"Ah, wait! Answer the question!"
Tyson anime sweatdropped, "uh... I just... wait, I don't get it."
"What's not to get!? If Kai wanted to kiss you, would you wanna make him sick?"
"... Uh, but I'm not sick."
"True, but you can't risk that, because Kai might wanna kiss you, right?"
Tyson furrowed his brow, looking more confused. "... Why would Kai wanna...?"
"Wanna what?" Max asked, leaning forward eagerly. Please, get it. Please. get it. Please, get it, he was praying.
"... Why would Kai kiss me?"
Max anime sweatdropped, "what?"
"Why would Kai kiss me?"
"...... Ty, do you pay attention when Kai's around you?" Max asked, shooting Tyson a dubious look.
"Uh, yeah... sorta... I guess."
Max sighed, rubbing his face in exasperation. Kai had the patience of saint of he could tolerate Tyson's cluelessness so well.
"Ty, why do people kiss?"
"... Uh, they like to?"
"... And?"
"... Uh, feels nice?"
"... And?"
"... It's human nature...?"
Max looked away, taking a deep breath. Oh man, he had no idea his best friend was this dense! He turned back to the ponytailed boy, "and?" he pressed.
"... It's a way to show their feelings...?"
"YES!" Max cheered, punching the air. He lunged closer to Tyson, grabbing his shoulders, "okay, Ty... Kai kissed you, didn't he?"
Tyson blinked, "he did?"
Max anime sweatdropped, "don't you remember?"
"Remember what?"
"If Kai kissed you!"
"... Oh... yeah, he did."
"Okay, now what does that tell you?"
"... It's supposed to tell me something..?" Tyson asked, blinking.
Max dropped his head forward, groaning in exasperation. Looking back up, he shook Tyson slightly. "Ty, buddy! Please, try to keep up! Focus, okay?"
"Uh, okay, Maxie."
"Alright, so Kai kissed you?"
Tyson nodded.
"Alright, and what did you say when I asked why do people kiss?"
"They like to?"
"After that."
"It feels nice?"
"... After that."
"It's human nature...?"
Max looked away, taking another calming breath. He was going to go insane by the time this whole thing was over, he could feel it. He turned back to Tyson, still holding his shoulders firmly.
"No, Ty..." he said, patiently. "After that...?"
"It's a way to show their feelings..?"
"Yes! Now, Kai kissed you, right?" Max asked, eagerly. He was getting so close!
"... Yeah."
"And kissing is considered a way to show their feelings, right?"
"Yeah..."
"Alright, so if Kai kissed you, then it must mean that..." Max paused, extending his hand, encouraging Tyson to finish his sentence.
"... That..." Tyson pursed his lips. "That, uh... that Kai... likes... kissing people?"
Max stared at Tyson, dumbfounded. "AUUGGGGGGHHHHHHHH!!!" he screamed. He got to his feet, running away, his arms waving madly.
Tyson anime sweatdropped. Then he smiled faintly. "Heh, I can do this all week," he said, looking amused.
~~~***~~~
Yasuo: *anime sweatdrops* okay, I'm not one for hentai, but even I thought Rei's little statement earlier seemed kinda wrong...
Nanashi: ^_^ yeah... came to me when I was just sitting around trying to figure out how to keep going... whoops, went over my limit... okay, quitting... *dashes away, seeking thy elusive inspiration*
Yasuo: uh, I'm right here...? *shrugs*