Disclaimer: none of the characters in this fic are Nanashi's... except
Aiano...
Nanashi: *hugs her mangled Aiano plushie* I don't care! I still like it!
Yasuo: *anime sweatdrops* er, ahem.... oh-kaaay then...
Nanashi: *blinks* what?
Warnings: uh, nothing... ahem, shounen-ai... and more complications... *glares at Nanashi* oh yeah, uh... small lack of humor this time around... it gets a little dramatic this chapter... *plays cheesy dramatic soap opera music*
Nanashi: heh... and YAY! Thanks for the reviews Little Leila, buff200020002002, PikaPower, timberwolf-sama, Nancys-little-Obsession, Arashi Doragon, Sweetangel, The Owner of TO, Kali-sama, Glay-sama, Kiina, Tysonkaiexperiment, asa-chan, tenshi208, CrazyJen-sama!!! *glomps, and sniffling* I'm so happy! thank you so much!!! thank you, thank you, thank you! I promised myself I wouldn't cry...
Yasuo: *sighs* .............. and we all know Nanashi can't keep a promise...
Nanashi: too true... *nods wisely... then bursts into tears* T_T
Yasuo: *slaps his forehead* ... give me strength...
~~~***~~~
"Max, I'm warning you... Let. Go." Kai said, slowly and deliberately.
"Awww, Kai! Don't pretend there's nothing between us!" Max said, loudly. He was smiling brightly, but he was also managing to give Kai a warning look.
Kai ignored it, and struggled, "Max, let go!"
"... So, uh... guys, what's going on?" Tyson asked, confused.
"It's been a secret for a while, Ty... but me and Kai, we're engaged..."
"What?!" Kai choked out, his eyes widening.
Tyson blinked, "oh... r-really?" he asked, softly.
"Yup... I know it's a little hard to believe, but I didn't believe it either when mom told me... way back when I was a mere baby," Max explained, with a nod.
"Max!" Kai snapped.
A flicker of pain and confusion crossed Tyson's features for a brief moment. Then Tyson closed his eyes, and smiled brightly.
"Hey, congratulations, then..." he said, cheerfully.
"Whaat?!" Kai and Max both blurted, shocked.
"I hope you two can make each other happy," Tyson went on, still smiling brightly. "Well, g' night, guys... try not to stay up all night, whispering sweet nothings, and all that," he added, as he turned and headed back inside.
Once the door slid closed, Kai's mouth was opening and closing, unintentionally imitating a fish. His breath would catch several times, and his heart was dropping. Slowly, he glared down at Max.
"And what. The hell. Was that?!" he demanded.
Max released his team captain, and tilted his head. "Hm, wow... that wasn't the reaction I was expecting...." he mumbled.
"What?!" Kai snarled.
Max shrugged, glancing back at Kai. "I was kind of expecting him to get jealous, and tell me to back off... you know, kinda like what you would do," he explained.
"......... You're insane."
"Huh?"
"You're insane....!"
"... Uh... Kai?"
"MAX MIZUHARA, YOU HAVE TO BE THE MOST INSANE PERSON I HAVE EVER MET! AND I GREW UP IN BALKOV ABBEY FOR PETE'S SAKE! AND LOOK WHO MY ONLY LIVING RELATIVE IS!!!" Kai shouted, referring to his grandfather.
Max cringed, leaning away from Kai. "Hey, relax... so I assumed wrong, I'm sorry," he said, waving his hands frantically.
Kai dropped his head back, his eyes closed, as he took a long deep breath which helped in calming himself down. "Why won't someone just shoot me now...?" he muttered, in irritation.
"I'm sorry, Kai..." Max said, sincerely.
"I was holding him, Max..."
Max blinked, "oh?"
"I was holding him, kissing him... I told him I loved him, that my heart was his... and..." Kai grimaced, as he opened his eyes, staring up at the darkening sky. Kai raised his head back up, and glared at Max. "And you screwed it up!" he lunged at the younger boy, and grabbed his shirt.
"Do you hate me?! I just have to know, Max! Do you hate me?!"
"No, I don't hate you...!"
"Then why are you trying to make me miserable?!"
Max grimaced, "I said I'm sorry...!" he pointed out. "And I seriously am, I feel really bad about it... you know how Tyson is, he's really open with his emotions, and I figured he'd get all openly jealous, and then I could ask if he liked you, and he'd answer yes, and everything would be peachy! Honest, Kai... I wasn't expecting him to encourage us."
Kai groaned in frustration, and dropped his head against Max's shoulder. "I can't believe this...!" he muttered.
Max sighed, and patted Kai's shoulder. "I'm sorry..." he apologized again, "I'll try to fix things, I promise.... I'll do my best."
"I know, Max..." Kai sighed. "I appreciate it, really... but, ugh... it's getting too hard," he groaned again, miserably.
"... Isn't that the sort of thing that should hold off until the bedroom?" a voice asked.
Kai blinked, and straightened up, looking towards the person speaking. Max looked over as well. Finding themselves looking directly at Rei Kon.
The nekojin's eyebrow was raised, as he stared at the team captain and the blonde boy.
"Excuse me?" Kai growled.
"Hey, uh, sorry... didn't mean to interrupt... but it's just a guess, but I don't think that's the kind of thing you guys should do out there, ya know...?" Rei said, slowly.
"What're you talkin about, Rei?" asked Max, confused.
Rei couldn't help grin slightly. "Kai said 'it' was getting a little too hard, so I assumed..." he trailed off, shrugging slightly.
Kai blinked, then his cheeks blushed a deep red. "Rei! Shut up!" he growled.
Max anime sweatdropped, then pointed at Rei, "ecchi!" he gasped.
Rei burst out laughing. After having a very frightening day, it felt nice to be able to laugh again. Kai glared viciously at the nekojin, and cracked his knuckles.
"Rei..." he hissed.
Rei blinked, then gulped nervously, "eeps..." He yelped, then dashed back inside, hastily. Kai snarled, and raced after him.
"Get back here, right now!"
"No!"
~~~***~~~
Aiano furrowed his brow, watching Tyson in concern. He was kneeling beside Tyson's futon, where the ponytailed boy was laying. He was quiet, just holding a pillow, staring at nothing in particular. The caretaker lightly smoothed Tyson's ponytail back, over his shoulder.
"Ty-chan?" Aiano asked, softly. "Is everything alright?"
Tyson sighed, hugging his pillow, as he continued to stare across the room. "Well, kinda... well, uh sorta... sorta in a way like kinda..." he grimaced, and shook his head. "Heh, never mind, Aiano-kun," he mumbled.
"Ty-chan, please... if something is bothering you, please tell me, so I can help make it better again... please," Aiano coaxed.
Tyson suddenly rolled over, then sat up, and smiled, "Aiano-kun, you worry too much... everything's fine, really..."
Aiano watched Tyson, doubtfully. Then he sighed, and cupped his fiancee's cheek in his hand. "Ty-chan, please... don't lie, it does not suit you," he said, gently.
"What? Me, lie? Heh, you're funny, Aiano-kun," Tyson said, breezily.
"Ty-chan..." Aiano said, quietly.
"Everything's just fine, Aiano-kun... everything's alright, it's all good... it's all absolutely perfect..."
Aiano's green eyes turned serious, "Tyson..."
Tyson blinked, confused.
"Please, no more charades... just tell me, what is bothering you... I truly want to know, so I can help you..." Aiano lightly stroked Tyson's cheek with his thumb. "I'm here for you, you know that, don't you?"
"... I... it's..." Tyson's eyes welled with tears, as he threw himself into Aiano's arms, sniffling. "I'm an idiot... I shouldn't have... b-but I did, and now... n-now, I just... Aiano-kun, I didn't... I - I just messed up, an- and..."
Aiano sighed, hugging Tyson firmly. "Shhhhhhh, relax, Tyson... take a breath... I'm here, tell me everything, and I will try to help in any way possible..."
Tyson sniffled, wiping his eyes, resting his head against Aiano's shoulder. "It-it's Kai..." he began.
~~~***~~~
"Sick, sick, sick, sick!" Kai was shouting, still chasing after Rei. The nekojin was a little nervous obviously, but he also couldn't help but snicker as he ran.
"It was a joke, Kai!" Rei called, in mid-snicker.
"A wrong joke! Now get over here!"
"No!" Rei shot back, almost stumbling over a chair, as he continued evading his angry captain.
Max was sitting on the floor, leaning against the wall as he watched the two older members of the team playing Cat & Mouse. Only Rei was the mouse, rather than the cat. Max laughed; that thought was pretty amusing, as he was starting to picture Rei as a NezumiJin, instead of a NekoJin.
"You have to admit, Kai... it was a little funny," Max called, between his laughter.
"What?!" Kai snapped.
"Oh, c' mon..." Rei chimed in. "I thought it was a good one... you and Max in an embrace, and you saying something's hard... anyone could have thought you were implying that your..."
"Only you, you hentai!" Kai hollered, successfully preventing Rei from finishing his sentence. The team captain then snatched a pillow off the floor, and hurled it with a huge deal of ferocity at his target, with enough force to knock the nekojin off his feet.
Grinning with menacing triumph, Kai ran to Rei, and proceeded to smother him with the pillow. Rei was struggling madly, while Max stared nervously. Kai was really scary while at this temple.
Kenny walked into the livingroom, straight up to Kai, and plucked the pillow out of his hands, and off of Rei's face. "Kai, you need to stop," the strategist said sternly.
Rei gasped loudly, his chest heaving as he struggled to breathe regularly again.
Kai shrugged, then frowned at Kenny, "what?"
"You need to stop..." Kenny repeated, frowning right back.
Rei and Max stared at Kenny in awe, shock and surprise written on both of their faces.
"Stop what?" Kai demanded.
"Stop being this way... I mean sure, some might find it flattering, but it gets a little old... Tyson told you that himself, right?" Kenny pointed out.
"Anyone who makes fun of me should pay the price," retorted Kai.
"... Uh, making fun of you?" Kenny asked, slowly.
"Yes, making fun of me," Kai repeated, glaring up at the short boy.
"Oh... heh... hehe, and here I thought you were just taking your frustration out on Rei... but, uh... you're not, so, heh... that's okay... heh, yup... carry on." Kenny quickly turned around, and walked stiffly back towards the door, in hopes of making a hasty retreat.
Until the back of his shirt was grabbed. "Excuse me?" Kai's chilly voice asked.
"Uh, nothing..." Kenny said, smiling with nervous innocence. He squeaked as Kai was suddenly lifting him in the air, twisting his shirt in his hand, making Kenny face him.
"Kenny, you're pretty much the only one on this team that I expect to make sense... don't start failing on my expectations, now..." Kai said, his violet-grey eyes darkening. "Why would I be taking my frustrations out on Rei... answer!" he barked.
Kenny yelped, and covered his head with his hands. "Nothing! I wasn't talking about anything! And what do you mean I make sense?! I'm not sensible at all!"
"Kenny!"
"I'm just saying...!"
"Kenny, answer the question!" Kai snapped.
".... Aiano's holding Tyson, in his room... on his bed," Kenny mumbled.
Max's jaw dropped, "whaa...?!"
Rei sat up, surprise etched on his features, and even mild jealousy flickering in his eyes.
Kai felt an icy feeling wrap around his chest. His heart suddenly felt hollow, empty. Void of any warmth. His arms fell limply to his sides, Kenny landed on the floor with a thump; the little genius hastily crawled over to Max for protection.
"T-Tyson... I..." Kai shook his head, violently. "No! Damnit...!" He turned, and ran out the door, making his way towards Tyson's room.
The livingroom was quiet. Rei, Max, and Kenny continued looking at each other, anxiously. Rei then released a low whistle. "Man, this isn't good..." he muttered.
"I... oh geez, hopefully it wasn't because of me..." Max said, then bit his lip, looking guilty.
Kenny sighed, "well, I'm a traitor again..."
Rei and Max glanced at each other, then at Kenny, "huh?"
Kenny smiled, weakly. "I think I just 'betrayed' Aiano, this time..." he told them.
~~~***~~~
"I'm... I'm really sorry, Aiano-kun," Tyson said, quietly.
Aiano said nothing. He sighed slightly, but still held Tyson in a firm yet oddly gentle hug. "Don't worry about it, Ty-chan," he said, gently. "I just need to know if you feel better now that you told someone what was bothering you."
Tyson pulled back a bit, wiping his eyes, smiling a little. "Uh, yeah... yeah, I do feel better," he answered.
"Honestly? You are not just saying that to get me to leave you alone?" Aiano asked, eyeing Tyson carefully.
Tyson laughed, "I'm okay, honestly..."
Aiano smiled, "alright, then..."
Tyson smiled affectionately at the older boy. "You're a good friend, Aiano..." he commented.
"Thank you... but I prefer the term fiancee."
Tyson blushed slightly, "uhhh, listen... about that... the thing I told you about Kai... I thought..."
"Oh, I know..." Aiano grinned a little mischieviously. "But I sort of enjoy annoying him... and I don't recall saying I would make things easy for him."
"Heh, well... uh, if you say so..." Tyson said, scratching the back of his head, sheepishly.
"And besides, his hitting doesn't hurt... at the temple, to acquire inner peace and avoid violence, one must have a high threshold for pain..."
Tyson blinked, "so why do you keep falling?"
"His hitting usually catches me off guard... plus, if he thinks he manages to hurt me and it makes him feel better, then I'm fulfilling my tasks as a Kaze," Aiano answered.
"Wow, that was deep..."
Grinning impishly, Aiano shrugged, "I try."
Tyson laughed, and wiped his eyes a little more. He blinked, as he was pulled close again, in another warm hug. Swallowing, Tyson looked up at Aiano, confused.
"I thought..." he began to say.
"Just this moment, Ty-chan... this one moment, I can hold you, and I feel whole... my destiny in my arms... please, let me have this moment..." the caretaker said softly, resting his head against Tyson's silky blue hair.
"... But, Kai..."
"I know... I just want this, Ty-chan... please, don't worry right now... just let me hold you."
Tyson sighed, and returned the embrace. "You really are a good friend," he murmured.
"Fiancee," Aiano corrected. Tyson grinned, burying his face into Aiano's chest, as he shook his head in mild disbelief.
The bedroom door slid open, and standing in the doorway, eyes narrowed dangerously and his hands balled into tight fists, was Kai Hiwatari. Aiano blinked, then whispered something in Tyson's ear. The younger boy nodded slightly, as the caretaker released him and got to his feet. Tyson stayed kneeling on the futon.
"Kai-san, to what do I owe the honor?" the caretaker asked, smiling wryly at his rival.
Kai's jaw clenched, "you touched him, again."
"Yes, I did."
"Any particular reason why..?"
"I thought it would be appropriate for my fiancee to grow used to having my arms around him," Aiano answered, green eyes twinkling mischieviously.
"Stop calling him that," Kai growled out, through gritted teeth.
"Calling him what?" Aiano asked, innocently. Tyson blinked again, watching the two of them.
"Your fiancee...!"
"But that is what he is, Kai-san... Ty-chan is my fiancee... he and I are to be married, and then we will live here at Kaze temple together, away from the hectic city life... just the two of us, here, at the secluded temple..." Aiano couldn't hold back the small grin, watching Kai's face fall into a confused expression.
"Please admit it, Kai-san... you can't possibly care for Ty-chan as much as I can... Ty-chan would obviously be better off here, with me."
Kai's eyes sparked with determination. "He's not staying!" he snapped.
"And why not?" Aiano asked, smiling at Tyson. "He seems a little less burdened, doesn't he?"
Tyson bit his lip, and looked away, saying nothing.
"Tyson has no burdens!"
"He seemed to be weighed down with a burden but moments ago, Kai-san... something about you having a fiancee..?"
"What?!" Kai shook his head, his temper rising. "That was just a foolish prank, that Max thought would be funny," he retorted. "It wasn't... it only interfered with what I've wanted for so long."
"What do you want?" Aiano pressed, his expression dead serious.
"... Your fiancee," Kai said, softly. He glanced at Tyson, who continued to look away. The captain's heart lifted when he saw the ponytailed boy grow rigid, and began to blush.
Aiano glanced at Tyson, then turned back to Kai. "Is that a fact?" he asked, calmly. Then he smiled faintly, "alright then, you may try to prove it to me..."
"What?"
"Come..." Aiano said, walking past Kai, and out the door. Kai blinked, his confusion growing. He glanced back at Tyson, then out the door where Aiano left. Tyson. Aiano. Then Tyson again.
"Tyson, I..." Kai began. Then the front of his shirt was grabbed by a familiar hand.
"Come along, Kai-san..."
"Ack!" Kai was then yanked out the room.
Tyson blinked, then smiled. "Thanks, Aiano..." he said, softly.
~~~***~~~
Nanashi: eep, short chapter! short chapter! *falls over, and bangs her head against the floor*
Yasuo: *anime sweatdrops* uhhhhhh, as fascinating as all that is, you have to say something, or do something, or...
Nanashi: *continues hitting her head* [WHAM WHAM WHAM WHAM WHAM WHAM...]
Yasuo: *rolls his eyes, then takes out a top hat and cane... and sings* hello my baby, hello my honey, hello my ragtime gal... send me a gift by wire, baby my heart's on fire... if you confuse me, then honey you lose me, then you'll be left alone.. so telephone and tell me I'm your own...! *bows*
Nanashi: *anime sweatdrops* @.@;;; strange one...
Yasuo: ...... I'm not the one hitting my head on the floor...
Nanashi: ............ @.@ *falls over*
Nanashi: *hugs her mangled Aiano plushie* I don't care! I still like it!
Yasuo: *anime sweatdrops* er, ahem.... oh-kaaay then...
Nanashi: *blinks* what?
Warnings: uh, nothing... ahem, shounen-ai... and more complications... *glares at Nanashi* oh yeah, uh... small lack of humor this time around... it gets a little dramatic this chapter... *plays cheesy dramatic soap opera music*
Nanashi: heh... and YAY! Thanks for the reviews Little Leila, buff200020002002, PikaPower, timberwolf-sama, Nancys-little-Obsession, Arashi Doragon, Sweetangel, The Owner of TO, Kali-sama, Glay-sama, Kiina, Tysonkaiexperiment, asa-chan, tenshi208, CrazyJen-sama!!! *glomps, and sniffling* I'm so happy! thank you so much!!! thank you, thank you, thank you! I promised myself I wouldn't cry...
Yasuo: *sighs* .............. and we all know Nanashi can't keep a promise...
Nanashi: too true... *nods wisely... then bursts into tears* T_T
Yasuo: *slaps his forehead* ... give me strength...
~~~***~~~
"Max, I'm warning you... Let. Go." Kai said, slowly and deliberately.
"Awww, Kai! Don't pretend there's nothing between us!" Max said, loudly. He was smiling brightly, but he was also managing to give Kai a warning look.
Kai ignored it, and struggled, "Max, let go!"
"... So, uh... guys, what's going on?" Tyson asked, confused.
"It's been a secret for a while, Ty... but me and Kai, we're engaged..."
"What?!" Kai choked out, his eyes widening.
Tyson blinked, "oh... r-really?" he asked, softly.
"Yup... I know it's a little hard to believe, but I didn't believe it either when mom told me... way back when I was a mere baby," Max explained, with a nod.
"Max!" Kai snapped.
A flicker of pain and confusion crossed Tyson's features for a brief moment. Then Tyson closed his eyes, and smiled brightly.
"Hey, congratulations, then..." he said, cheerfully.
"Whaat?!" Kai and Max both blurted, shocked.
"I hope you two can make each other happy," Tyson went on, still smiling brightly. "Well, g' night, guys... try not to stay up all night, whispering sweet nothings, and all that," he added, as he turned and headed back inside.
Once the door slid closed, Kai's mouth was opening and closing, unintentionally imitating a fish. His breath would catch several times, and his heart was dropping. Slowly, he glared down at Max.
"And what. The hell. Was that?!" he demanded.
Max released his team captain, and tilted his head. "Hm, wow... that wasn't the reaction I was expecting...." he mumbled.
"What?!" Kai snarled.
Max shrugged, glancing back at Kai. "I was kind of expecting him to get jealous, and tell me to back off... you know, kinda like what you would do," he explained.
"......... You're insane."
"Huh?"
"You're insane....!"
"... Uh... Kai?"
"MAX MIZUHARA, YOU HAVE TO BE THE MOST INSANE PERSON I HAVE EVER MET! AND I GREW UP IN BALKOV ABBEY FOR PETE'S SAKE! AND LOOK WHO MY ONLY LIVING RELATIVE IS!!!" Kai shouted, referring to his grandfather.
Max cringed, leaning away from Kai. "Hey, relax... so I assumed wrong, I'm sorry," he said, waving his hands frantically.
Kai dropped his head back, his eyes closed, as he took a long deep breath which helped in calming himself down. "Why won't someone just shoot me now...?" he muttered, in irritation.
"I'm sorry, Kai..." Max said, sincerely.
"I was holding him, Max..."
Max blinked, "oh?"
"I was holding him, kissing him... I told him I loved him, that my heart was his... and..." Kai grimaced, as he opened his eyes, staring up at the darkening sky. Kai raised his head back up, and glared at Max. "And you screwed it up!" he lunged at the younger boy, and grabbed his shirt.
"Do you hate me?! I just have to know, Max! Do you hate me?!"
"No, I don't hate you...!"
"Then why are you trying to make me miserable?!"
Max grimaced, "I said I'm sorry...!" he pointed out. "And I seriously am, I feel really bad about it... you know how Tyson is, he's really open with his emotions, and I figured he'd get all openly jealous, and then I could ask if he liked you, and he'd answer yes, and everything would be peachy! Honest, Kai... I wasn't expecting him to encourage us."
Kai groaned in frustration, and dropped his head against Max's shoulder. "I can't believe this...!" he muttered.
Max sighed, and patted Kai's shoulder. "I'm sorry..." he apologized again, "I'll try to fix things, I promise.... I'll do my best."
"I know, Max..." Kai sighed. "I appreciate it, really... but, ugh... it's getting too hard," he groaned again, miserably.
"... Isn't that the sort of thing that should hold off until the bedroom?" a voice asked.
Kai blinked, and straightened up, looking towards the person speaking. Max looked over as well. Finding themselves looking directly at Rei Kon.
The nekojin's eyebrow was raised, as he stared at the team captain and the blonde boy.
"Excuse me?" Kai growled.
"Hey, uh, sorry... didn't mean to interrupt... but it's just a guess, but I don't think that's the kind of thing you guys should do out there, ya know...?" Rei said, slowly.
"What're you talkin about, Rei?" asked Max, confused.
Rei couldn't help grin slightly. "Kai said 'it' was getting a little too hard, so I assumed..." he trailed off, shrugging slightly.
Kai blinked, then his cheeks blushed a deep red. "Rei! Shut up!" he growled.
Max anime sweatdropped, then pointed at Rei, "ecchi!" he gasped.
Rei burst out laughing. After having a very frightening day, it felt nice to be able to laugh again. Kai glared viciously at the nekojin, and cracked his knuckles.
"Rei..." he hissed.
Rei blinked, then gulped nervously, "eeps..." He yelped, then dashed back inside, hastily. Kai snarled, and raced after him.
"Get back here, right now!"
"No!"
~~~***~~~
Aiano furrowed his brow, watching Tyson in concern. He was kneeling beside Tyson's futon, where the ponytailed boy was laying. He was quiet, just holding a pillow, staring at nothing in particular. The caretaker lightly smoothed Tyson's ponytail back, over his shoulder.
"Ty-chan?" Aiano asked, softly. "Is everything alright?"
Tyson sighed, hugging his pillow, as he continued to stare across the room. "Well, kinda... well, uh sorta... sorta in a way like kinda..." he grimaced, and shook his head. "Heh, never mind, Aiano-kun," he mumbled.
"Ty-chan, please... if something is bothering you, please tell me, so I can help make it better again... please," Aiano coaxed.
Tyson suddenly rolled over, then sat up, and smiled, "Aiano-kun, you worry too much... everything's fine, really..."
Aiano watched Tyson, doubtfully. Then he sighed, and cupped his fiancee's cheek in his hand. "Ty-chan, please... don't lie, it does not suit you," he said, gently.
"What? Me, lie? Heh, you're funny, Aiano-kun," Tyson said, breezily.
"Ty-chan..." Aiano said, quietly.
"Everything's just fine, Aiano-kun... everything's alright, it's all good... it's all absolutely perfect..."
Aiano's green eyes turned serious, "Tyson..."
Tyson blinked, confused.
"Please, no more charades... just tell me, what is bothering you... I truly want to know, so I can help you..." Aiano lightly stroked Tyson's cheek with his thumb. "I'm here for you, you know that, don't you?"
"... I... it's..." Tyson's eyes welled with tears, as he threw himself into Aiano's arms, sniffling. "I'm an idiot... I shouldn't have... b-but I did, and now... n-now, I just... Aiano-kun, I didn't... I - I just messed up, an- and..."
Aiano sighed, hugging Tyson firmly. "Shhhhhhh, relax, Tyson... take a breath... I'm here, tell me everything, and I will try to help in any way possible..."
Tyson sniffled, wiping his eyes, resting his head against Aiano's shoulder. "It-it's Kai..." he began.
~~~***~~~
"Sick, sick, sick, sick!" Kai was shouting, still chasing after Rei. The nekojin was a little nervous obviously, but he also couldn't help but snicker as he ran.
"It was a joke, Kai!" Rei called, in mid-snicker.
"A wrong joke! Now get over here!"
"No!" Rei shot back, almost stumbling over a chair, as he continued evading his angry captain.
Max was sitting on the floor, leaning against the wall as he watched the two older members of the team playing Cat & Mouse. Only Rei was the mouse, rather than the cat. Max laughed; that thought was pretty amusing, as he was starting to picture Rei as a NezumiJin, instead of a NekoJin.
"You have to admit, Kai... it was a little funny," Max called, between his laughter.
"What?!" Kai snapped.
"Oh, c' mon..." Rei chimed in. "I thought it was a good one... you and Max in an embrace, and you saying something's hard... anyone could have thought you were implying that your..."
"Only you, you hentai!" Kai hollered, successfully preventing Rei from finishing his sentence. The team captain then snatched a pillow off the floor, and hurled it with a huge deal of ferocity at his target, with enough force to knock the nekojin off his feet.
Grinning with menacing triumph, Kai ran to Rei, and proceeded to smother him with the pillow. Rei was struggling madly, while Max stared nervously. Kai was really scary while at this temple.
Kenny walked into the livingroom, straight up to Kai, and plucked the pillow out of his hands, and off of Rei's face. "Kai, you need to stop," the strategist said sternly.
Rei gasped loudly, his chest heaving as he struggled to breathe regularly again.
Kai shrugged, then frowned at Kenny, "what?"
"You need to stop..." Kenny repeated, frowning right back.
Rei and Max stared at Kenny in awe, shock and surprise written on both of their faces.
"Stop what?" Kai demanded.
"Stop being this way... I mean sure, some might find it flattering, but it gets a little old... Tyson told you that himself, right?" Kenny pointed out.
"Anyone who makes fun of me should pay the price," retorted Kai.
"... Uh, making fun of you?" Kenny asked, slowly.
"Yes, making fun of me," Kai repeated, glaring up at the short boy.
"Oh... heh... hehe, and here I thought you were just taking your frustration out on Rei... but, uh... you're not, so, heh... that's okay... heh, yup... carry on." Kenny quickly turned around, and walked stiffly back towards the door, in hopes of making a hasty retreat.
Until the back of his shirt was grabbed. "Excuse me?" Kai's chilly voice asked.
"Uh, nothing..." Kenny said, smiling with nervous innocence. He squeaked as Kai was suddenly lifting him in the air, twisting his shirt in his hand, making Kenny face him.
"Kenny, you're pretty much the only one on this team that I expect to make sense... don't start failing on my expectations, now..." Kai said, his violet-grey eyes darkening. "Why would I be taking my frustrations out on Rei... answer!" he barked.
Kenny yelped, and covered his head with his hands. "Nothing! I wasn't talking about anything! And what do you mean I make sense?! I'm not sensible at all!"
"Kenny!"
"I'm just saying...!"
"Kenny, answer the question!" Kai snapped.
".... Aiano's holding Tyson, in his room... on his bed," Kenny mumbled.
Max's jaw dropped, "whaa...?!"
Rei sat up, surprise etched on his features, and even mild jealousy flickering in his eyes.
Kai felt an icy feeling wrap around his chest. His heart suddenly felt hollow, empty. Void of any warmth. His arms fell limply to his sides, Kenny landed on the floor with a thump; the little genius hastily crawled over to Max for protection.
"T-Tyson... I..." Kai shook his head, violently. "No! Damnit...!" He turned, and ran out the door, making his way towards Tyson's room.
The livingroom was quiet. Rei, Max, and Kenny continued looking at each other, anxiously. Rei then released a low whistle. "Man, this isn't good..." he muttered.
"I... oh geez, hopefully it wasn't because of me..." Max said, then bit his lip, looking guilty.
Kenny sighed, "well, I'm a traitor again..."
Rei and Max glanced at each other, then at Kenny, "huh?"
Kenny smiled, weakly. "I think I just 'betrayed' Aiano, this time..." he told them.
~~~***~~~
"I'm... I'm really sorry, Aiano-kun," Tyson said, quietly.
Aiano said nothing. He sighed slightly, but still held Tyson in a firm yet oddly gentle hug. "Don't worry about it, Ty-chan," he said, gently. "I just need to know if you feel better now that you told someone what was bothering you."
Tyson pulled back a bit, wiping his eyes, smiling a little. "Uh, yeah... yeah, I do feel better," he answered.
"Honestly? You are not just saying that to get me to leave you alone?" Aiano asked, eyeing Tyson carefully.
Tyson laughed, "I'm okay, honestly..."
Aiano smiled, "alright, then..."
Tyson smiled affectionately at the older boy. "You're a good friend, Aiano..." he commented.
"Thank you... but I prefer the term fiancee."
Tyson blushed slightly, "uhhh, listen... about that... the thing I told you about Kai... I thought..."
"Oh, I know..." Aiano grinned a little mischieviously. "But I sort of enjoy annoying him... and I don't recall saying I would make things easy for him."
"Heh, well... uh, if you say so..." Tyson said, scratching the back of his head, sheepishly.
"And besides, his hitting doesn't hurt... at the temple, to acquire inner peace and avoid violence, one must have a high threshold for pain..."
Tyson blinked, "so why do you keep falling?"
"His hitting usually catches me off guard... plus, if he thinks he manages to hurt me and it makes him feel better, then I'm fulfilling my tasks as a Kaze," Aiano answered.
"Wow, that was deep..."
Grinning impishly, Aiano shrugged, "I try."
Tyson laughed, and wiped his eyes a little more. He blinked, as he was pulled close again, in another warm hug. Swallowing, Tyson looked up at Aiano, confused.
"I thought..." he began to say.
"Just this moment, Ty-chan... this one moment, I can hold you, and I feel whole... my destiny in my arms... please, let me have this moment..." the caretaker said softly, resting his head against Tyson's silky blue hair.
"... But, Kai..."
"I know... I just want this, Ty-chan... please, don't worry right now... just let me hold you."
Tyson sighed, and returned the embrace. "You really are a good friend," he murmured.
"Fiancee," Aiano corrected. Tyson grinned, burying his face into Aiano's chest, as he shook his head in mild disbelief.
The bedroom door slid open, and standing in the doorway, eyes narrowed dangerously and his hands balled into tight fists, was Kai Hiwatari. Aiano blinked, then whispered something in Tyson's ear. The younger boy nodded slightly, as the caretaker released him and got to his feet. Tyson stayed kneeling on the futon.
"Kai-san, to what do I owe the honor?" the caretaker asked, smiling wryly at his rival.
Kai's jaw clenched, "you touched him, again."
"Yes, I did."
"Any particular reason why..?"
"I thought it would be appropriate for my fiancee to grow used to having my arms around him," Aiano answered, green eyes twinkling mischieviously.
"Stop calling him that," Kai growled out, through gritted teeth.
"Calling him what?" Aiano asked, innocently. Tyson blinked again, watching the two of them.
"Your fiancee...!"
"But that is what he is, Kai-san... Ty-chan is my fiancee... he and I are to be married, and then we will live here at Kaze temple together, away from the hectic city life... just the two of us, here, at the secluded temple..." Aiano couldn't hold back the small grin, watching Kai's face fall into a confused expression.
"Please admit it, Kai-san... you can't possibly care for Ty-chan as much as I can... Ty-chan would obviously be better off here, with me."
Kai's eyes sparked with determination. "He's not staying!" he snapped.
"And why not?" Aiano asked, smiling at Tyson. "He seems a little less burdened, doesn't he?"
Tyson bit his lip, and looked away, saying nothing.
"Tyson has no burdens!"
"He seemed to be weighed down with a burden but moments ago, Kai-san... something about you having a fiancee..?"
"What?!" Kai shook his head, his temper rising. "That was just a foolish prank, that Max thought would be funny," he retorted. "It wasn't... it only interfered with what I've wanted for so long."
"What do you want?" Aiano pressed, his expression dead serious.
"... Your fiancee," Kai said, softly. He glanced at Tyson, who continued to look away. The captain's heart lifted when he saw the ponytailed boy grow rigid, and began to blush.
Aiano glanced at Tyson, then turned back to Kai. "Is that a fact?" he asked, calmly. Then he smiled faintly, "alright then, you may try to prove it to me..."
"What?"
"Come..." Aiano said, walking past Kai, and out the door. Kai blinked, his confusion growing. He glanced back at Tyson, then out the door where Aiano left. Tyson. Aiano. Then Tyson again.
"Tyson, I..." Kai began. Then the front of his shirt was grabbed by a familiar hand.
"Come along, Kai-san..."
"Ack!" Kai was then yanked out the room.
Tyson blinked, then smiled. "Thanks, Aiano..." he said, softly.
~~~***~~~
Nanashi: eep, short chapter! short chapter! *falls over, and bangs her head against the floor*
Yasuo: *anime sweatdrops* uhhhhhh, as fascinating as all that is, you have to say something, or do something, or...
Nanashi: *continues hitting her head* [WHAM WHAM WHAM WHAM WHAM WHAM...]
Yasuo: *rolls his eyes, then takes out a top hat and cane... and sings* hello my baby, hello my honey, hello my ragtime gal... send me a gift by wire, baby my heart's on fire... if you confuse me, then honey you lose me, then you'll be left alone.. so telephone and tell me I'm your own...! *bows*
Nanashi: *anime sweatdrops* @.@;;; strange one...
Yasuo: ...... I'm not the one hitting my head on the floor...
Nanashi: ............ @.@ *falls over*