Disclaimer: none of the characters in this fic are Nanashi's... except Aiano...
Warnings: shounen-ai, same as before...
Nanashi: yup
Yasuo: and thanks to everyone for being so patient...
Nanashi: [nods] and thank you for reviewing! Timberwolf-sama, here ya go [hands over an Aiano plushie] sorry, best I could do... v.v()
Yasuo: [anime sweatdrops]
Nanashi: oh yeah... and thank you, asa-chan, Angevar-sama, Blackrose, Flamable-Devil (Jen), buff200020002002, Glay-sama, Sweetangel, dragona15, Hob-sama, Nancys-little-Obsession-sama... [glomps] ai daisuke!
Yasuo: she lost patience again...
Nanashi: uh... I couldn't help it... [slinks away, shamefully]
Tyson sighed, getting to his feet as he headed for the door. He wasn't sure he should have been doing this, after everything he'd caused. But since Aiano asked him to...
"Rei..?" Tyson blinked in surprise, once the door was slid open.
Rei Kon was standing there, his hand up, looking ready to knock. Once his amber eyes met Tyson's red-brown eyes though, Rei swallowed, thrusting his hand behind his back.
"Tyson, hi... wasn't expect... uh, yeah... how're you?"
Tyson blinked again, then smiled, "I'm okay..."
Rei nodded abruptly, "good, great... good... great... yeah."
Tyson pursed his lips, "um, you okay, Rei?"
"Yeah... good, good... good... very, very good... good, very good... I'm good... how 'bout you?" Rei asked, tilting his head curiously.
Tyson anime sweatdropped, then smiled, "uh, I'm good, too..."
Rei nodded, "good."
"Um, Rei, are you seriously okay? You don't seem... uh, mentally stable, right now."
Rei sighed, rubbing his face, "I don't... uhn... yeah, I know..." He hastily grabbed Tyson's hands, holding them in a firm grip. "Tyson, I'm just gonna say this... alright? It's been driving me crazy since that little 'Kai-escapade'."
Tyson's eyes widened, "oh no," he thought in alarm. "Say what...? Rei, don't... oh man... I didn't think... oh Rei... no," the world champ's mind was going a mile a minute.
"I like you, Tyson... a lot, I just noticed here and now probably because of this temple. And it might seem like a lousy thing to do, but I think just because I developed feelings for you, I don't want to risk my friendship with you, because your friendship means everything to me... and even if I do think I love you, I also think you and Kai belong together."
Tyson stared at Rei in awe. Not because of the Rei's words, but because of how fast he said them. It was pretty amazing to speak that fast, and be understood.
Then Tyson's mind wrapped around the last part. "Wait... Rei, what'd you say?" he asked, softly.
Rei anime sweatdropped, "uh... the whole thing? That's a little too much to repeat word for word, Ty..."
Tyson laughed faintly, despite the situation. "No... the last part... it's the only part I really sorta caught," he explained.
Rei blinked, then smiled wryly, "I think... you and Kai belong together."
Tyson smiled, "yeah?"
"Yeah... how many other people can get all touchy-feely with Kai without worrying about getting a punch in the face...?" Rei grinned, "really, Ty... only you... only you can reach Kai the way you do, and he... Kai really, really... likes you... whether or not he loves you, I don't know, but I wouldn't bet against it."
Tyson's eyes began to shine with tears, "that means a lot, coming from you, Rei..." He hugged the nekojin tightly. "Thank you, Rei... my friend."
Rei returned the hug, sighing slightly, "you're welcome, Tyson... I know you and Kai are perfect for each other."
"And, uh... sorry, about... ya know... putting you through all that..." Tyson mumbled, his voice muffled by Rei's shoulder.
Rei anime sweatdropped, "putting me through...? Waitaminute..." He pursed his lips, pulling back a bit, shooting Tyson a look, "alright, pal... explain..."
"Can it wait 'til later, Rei? We were having a bonding moment...!" Tyson argued.
Rei grimaced, but nodded anyways, and allowed Tyson to continue the warm friendly embrace. "But you're gonna tell me everything..."
Tyson nodded, "yup, I will... if it all goes okay, I will."
oooXXXooo
"So what exactly is it that you expect me to do to prove myself...?" Kai asked in annoyance, as he slid the door closed behind him, while Aiano walked a few feet away, towards the koibito pond.
And Aiano didn't answer. It was a little unsettling for the team captain for the maudlin caretaker to be so quiet; the blonde teenager sighed, looking up at the starry sky. "Kai-san...?"
"What?"
"One obviously appealing trait about the Kinomiya's personalities, is their need to trust, and to be trusted," the caretaker said, then smiled serenely at Kai.
Kai frowned, "pardon?"
"A Kinomiya needs to feel trusted, and needs to feel he can trust others... Ty-chan is no exception... To have a Kinomiya's trust is a truly great honor... and for a Kinomiya to know he can trust you is as wonderful as falling in love for the first time..."
Kai folded his arms, "what's your point...?"
"Ty-chan is a Kinomiya, a true Kinomiya... he loves all people, can get along with anyone, and have everyone love him in return... but to have the heart of a Kinomiya, one needs to be trust-worthy and trusting... a Kinomiya gives his heart as well as his trust to only one special person..." Aiano smiled wistfully. "I would love to have Ty-chan's trust..."
"......"
Aiano glanced back at Kai, "is any of this making sense for you, Kai-san?"
"... Not really."
"It all depends on how trusting you are... to be trusting and trustworthy means you are capable of obtaining Ty-chan's trust."
Kai blinked, then shook his head, "were you dropped on your head as a child?"
"You don't believe me...?"
"Trust isn't something you can just hand out to anyone... you have to earn it, it's the same as respect... earning something is a lot harder than just claiming it.
"... It's that form of thinking, Kai-san, that prevents Ty-chan from loving you."
Kai's throat tightened slightly, "what?"
"You obviously trust no one... I already told you, to have a Kinomiya's love, you need his trust... or have you been blocking out my words since we got here," Aiano asked, dryly.
"... I've been blocking you out," Kai admitted, shrugging.
"Hn, well... then I guess you aren't one to have Ty-chan's trust."
Kai glared at Aiano, "and what do you mean by that?"
"I'm trusting..." Aiano smiled, closing his eyes. "You and I are far from getting along, Kai-san, but I do trust you, and it is my trust that Ty-chan will fall in love with, I'm certain."
"... I could just take Tyson out of here," Kai sneered. "Then you'd be out of my way."
"... Ty-chan considers me his friend, Kai-san... I do not think he would be very happy if you just dragged him from here," Aiano said, with a slight roll of his eyes. "But that's admirable of you, not wanting to make Ty-chan unhappy."
"... It's not exactly a pleasant sight when he's upset.." Kai muttered.
Aiano smiled, "I don't doubt that... I just need to hear the words from you, Kai-san... tell me what I have to hear."
"What you have to hear?"
"I don't want to hear what you obviously want to say... but I have to hear it."
Kai lowered his head, sighing slightly. Then he looked back up, frowning in determination. "I love him, Aiano... Tyson is everything to me, and I won't lose him to you simply because I was too stupid to try anything before coming here."
Aiano went expressionless for a moment, then he smiled warmly. "You say it so sincerely..." he commented, looking impressed. "But you say it so quietly... like you're still uncertain."
"I'm not uncertain..."
"You sound like you are... you're hesitating to reveal what your heart wants."
Kai's eyes narrowed, "I'm not hesitating..!"
"You are... you're doubting your own heart," said Aiano softly, as he turned away from Kai.
"Understand something, Kaze!" Kai snarled. "There's no reason to be hesitating! I love Tyson Kinomiya! There is no in between!"
Aiano went still for a moment. Then he glanced over his shoulder at the team captain. He looked pained for a split-second, then smiled wryly. "Did you hear that?" he called.
Kai blinked in confusion. "Wha...?"
"Yeah..."
Kai spun around, as Tyson stepped out onto the porch. Time seemed to freeze as the captain stared at his star player in astonishment. His breath caught in his throat as Tyson walked up to Kai, his head lowered.
"... I'm sorry, Kai," he said, softly.
Kai blinked again, confusion building, "for what?"
"For everything... I'm sorry."
"I... Tyson, don't apologize... you didn't do anything wrong..." Kai said, swallowing nervously.
Tyson laughed slightly, "you're wrong... but thanks, either way..." He looked up at Kai, smiling wryly, "so... even after all this... you still...?"
"... Uh, yeah... I... I don't think this kinda thing can change, Tyson." Kai grabbed Tyson's hands, his head lowered to hide his embarrassed expression, "I'm sorry I took so long... I just thought... that I could have you, whenever I wanted, whenever I was ready..."
Tyson blushed.
"... Interesting, Kai-san..."
Both beybladers jumped, heads whipping around to look at Aiano, forgetting that he was still there. The caretaker smiled as he approached the pair.
"Kai-san, it's become obvious that you are very capable of making Ty-chan happy... perhaps you can also consider yourself Ty-chan's fiancee...?"
Tyson's jaw dropped, while Kai's eyes widened.
"I-I don't... what...? No wait, Aiano... that's not necessary! Just knowing that Kai's not angry with me is enough...!" Tyson protested.
"... No..." Kai said, quietly.
"Huh?" Tyson blinked.
Kai lowered himself to one knee, still holding Tyson's hands, then glanced up at Tyson, smiling faintly.
"K-Kai... hey, this isn't funny...!"
"It's not supposed to be..." Kai chuckled slightly to himself. "Tyson Kinomiya... you're 16, yet have a fiancee... and I couldn't be more disappointed that your fiancee isn't me... I would be more than happy to have you consider me your fiancee."
Tyson blinked a few more times, "I, uh... I don't... I think I... um..." He glanced at Aiano, "he allowed to do this?"
Aiano laughed, "yes... it's up to you to accept, Ty-chan..."
Tyson anime sweatdropped, "uh, no pressure..." He looked back at Kai, in mild disbelief. "Ar-are you serious, Kai... you do know I still consider myself a kid... and this place is considered a sacred temple, not LasVegas... it has to stick, even when we leave..."
"I'm aware of that."
"... This is stupid..." Tyson said, slowly. Then he laughed, "Kai Hiwatari capable of stupidity...! Who'd've thought..?!"
Kai anime sweatdropped, realizing he was making Tyson uncomfortable. But he couldn't put this opportunity off. "Tyson...?"
"I, uh... yeah, sure... why not?" Tyson said, his cheeks turning red. "I can't believe this... yeah... Kai, I think you'd be a perfect fiancee for me... I can't believe I'm agreeing to this.... arranged marriage, that's fine... but willingly letting myself get engaged..."
"Well, if you're having second thoughts..." Kai said, looking somewhat pained. Tyson blinked, and shook his head quickly.
"No, Kai...! I just... oh man... I... Kai, in all honesty... I don't... I can't..." Tyson paused, biting his lip, uncertainly.
Kai's heart dropped, his stomach feeling like it was just punched very hard.
"... I can't see myself with anyone else... but you... it's how I've always been," the world champ finished sheepishly. Kai blinked, then smiled, his heart lifting again.
Aiano smiled, closing his eyes, "alright, it's my family privelege to agree upon this arrangement... I have no reason to question what has just transpired here, as I acknowledge Kai-san worthy of Ty-chan's love and trust."
"What are you, a priest?" Kai muttered, getting back to his feet.
"Nearly..." Aiano replied, with a grin. "It's my duty as Kaze... my family also acted as a guardian and councillor of sorts for the Kinomiya's... in many fields, from farm lands to romance..."
"Well, when Tyson and I decide to plant a crop, we'll ask for your advice..." Kai muttered, sarcastically.
Aiano anime sweatdropped, then glanced at Tyson, "are you sure about him, Ty-chan...? I don't want you drowning in his charming wit."
Tyson laughed.
oooXXXooo
It was the next day. After the eventful, not to mention nerveracking, couple of days, no one was more eager to leave than Rei Kon. He insisted on carrying the bags to the van, and Aiano offered to assist the Chinese teen. Rei nodded, and he dashed towards the temple's steps, leaving Aiano behind, in his haste to get away from the frightening temple.
Once Aiano caught up, he began handing the bags to Rei. "So there's no way to convince you all to stay a little longer?" Aiano asked, watching the nekojin as he set the bags into the van.
"Nope..." Rei replied, shaking his head. Then he grinned, "hey, don't get me wrong, this place is great... it's beautiful... but, uh... Kai kinda makes things a little difficult to enjoy it."
Aiano chuckled, "true... well, I'm sure he's settled down by now..."
"... Yeah, kinda... it's kinda weird, ya know...?" Rei said, his brow furrowed thoughtfully. "Knowing that my teammates are engaged now..."
Aiano watched Rei, sympathetically. "Rei-kun... you only need to tell me how you feel about Ty-chan... then perhaps you will be capable of caring for Ty-chan, the way a finacee would."
Rei anime sweatdropped, then shook his head briskly. "No... heh, no, no, no..." he said, quickly. Then he cleared his throat, staring at the ground. "Three fiancees for Tyson would be too much... and I like him, Aiano... really, I'm pretty sure that's all there is to it... I just like Tyson... a lot."
Aiano smiled.
Rei smiled back, "besides, Tyson was a true friend to me... so I'm going to be a true friend to him, and let him have his happiness with Kai."
Aiano watched Rei, affectionately. Then patted his shoulder, "thank you, Rei... I trust you'll keep an eye on Tyson for me, though... I only want him to be happy as well."
Rei nodded, "yeah... no problem... I just hope Kai doesn't catch me."
Suddenly Max arrived, smiling widely. And he was humming the wedding march. "Hey, guys... what's up?" he asked cheerfully. Then he laughed, "Kai just bit my head off, when I started singing the wedding song..."
Looking back at the steps, the three teenagers saw Kai and Tyson walking down, heads lowered, as Kenny was walking behind them, babbling about their engagement.
"You're too young!" Kenny was hollering.
"We know," Kai and Tyson said, sounding tired.
"You shouldn't be doing this!" Kenny went on.
"We know."
"Tyson's only a Junior in high school, Kai!"
"I know," Kai muttered.
"Kai's graduating from high school, Tyson!"
"I know," Tyson said, sighing.
"Tell me why you're doing this!" Kenny wailed, clutching his laptop to his chest.
Kai whirled around, roughly grabbing Kenny's shirt and yanking him close, looking very annoyed. "Understand, Kenny... I did this, because I love him! Does that meet with your satisfaction?!"
Kenny anime sweatdropped, "y-you love him?"
"... Yes."
Kenny stared blankly at Kai for a long moment. Then he beamed, "well, in that case! That changes everything! I hope you'll be very happy, and work hard Kai! I want only the best for Tyson! And Tyson, you better work just as hard, don't make Kai settle for anything less!"
Kai anime sweatdropped, while Tyson smiled weakly. "Of course, Kenny..." they both answered, slowly.
"Alright, then let's get this show on the road..." Kenny said, pulling free from Kai, and dashed up to the van. Where Aiano, Rei, and Max were watching, with dot-eyes and anime sweatdrops.
oooXXXooo
Once everything and everyone were settled in the van, they were ready to roll. Except their driver wasn't in his seat, since he was asked to have a word with Aiano.
"You love him," Aiano said, softly.
"More than anything," Kai answered.
"You will take care of him."
"Yes."
"Kai..." Aiano glanced at the team captain. "He loves you, you know that."
"... Yes."
"... If Ty-chan, Tyson, ever sheds tears because of you... I will come for him... if you hurt him, emotionally or physically, I will go to him."
Kai frowned for a moment, then sighed. "Then you have yourself a long wait..." he said, calmly.
Aiano smiled faintly, and held his hand out, "yes, I suppose I do."
Kai pursed his lips for a second. Then grabbed Aiano's hand, giving it a firm shake. Aiano's smile broadened a bit, as he closed his eyes cheerfully.
"Thanks for coming by... Ty-chan's friends really made this entire ordeal interesting."
Kai nodded, "right... bye, Aiano... and thanks, for... for being a pain in the ass."
Aiano anime sweatdropped, "you're welcome...?"
"Kai, c' mon... Max's already getting jumpy..." Tyson called, from the passenger seat. He glanced back, where Rei and Max sat, and snickered as Rei tried to distract Max with a book.
Aiano walked to the van, leaning in the open window, kissing Tyson's cheek. "Bye, Ty-chan... take care," he said, smiling warmly.
Tyson grinned, "you too, Aiano-kun."
Kai walked around the van, glaring at Aiano half-heartedly. "Kissing my fiancee... the nerve," he muttered, with a wry smirk. Aiano grinned, then stepped back as Kai started the van. And the BladeBreaker's were off, as Aiano waved after them.
oooXXXooo
"HE'S YOUR WHAT...?!" Grampa Kinomiya hollered.
"Fiancee, grampa..." Tyson answered, with a sheepish grin. "Anything wrong?"
"Kai, m' man! If you wanna marry my grandson, you have to do some righteous trainin, and learn to make decent chow since T couldn't cook if his life depended on it!" Grampa continued to holler, as he swung a shinai at Kai.
Kai anime sweatdropped, then ducked to dodge the swinging bamboo sword. "I... what?!" he barked, watching the old man incredulously.
"It's up to this ol' dawg to survey the scene!" Grampa went on, swinging the shinai again. "Kai, m' man, no takin the plunge until you gimme the skinny!"
"What 'skinny'?!" Kai asked, once again ducking to avoid the shinai.
"Heart, m' man...! Tell me what's in that stonecold heart of yers! You might even ditch my poor grandson! What makes you think I'll agree to the idea of you bein my grandson's ball & chain, eh?"
Kai anime sweatdropped again, as Gramps held the shinai at his chin, tilting the teenager's head up to meet the old man's glare. Then Kai's eyes glinted with determination.
"The 'skinny' is, Gramps, I love Tyson... and I'm willing to marry him when the time is right, and I will not 'ditch' the one I love," Kai said, calmly.
Tyson smiled, while Grampa was at a loss for words, staring at his grandson's team captain in awe. Then the kendo master's lower lip trembled, and he gathered Tyson's fiancee in a tight embrace.
"You make an ol' man proud, Kai m' man!" he wailed, large tears running his cheeks. Kai blinked, and struggled.
"Gramps... can't breathe!" Kai rasped.
"I'll be more than proud to consider you my grandson-in-law!"
"... Need... air!" Kai tried again, still struggling.
Tyson blinked, then ran up, trying to pry his grandfather's arms from around Kai's neck and back. "Grampa, there's a little something everyone needs, it's called oxygen!" he said quickly.
"Oh, happy day!" Grampa cried.
"Grampa! If you kill Kai, you won't have a 'grandson-in-law'!"
"Oh... whoops..." Grampa released Kai, who fell to floor on his knees, panting as he tried to breathe regularly again.
"Happy day!" Grampa repeated, almost dancing to the door of the kitchen. "Time to buzz a few homies and let 'em know the good news...!"
Tyson rolled his eyes, kneeling beside Kai, and patted his shoulders, "heh... you okay?"
Kai nodded, swallowing. "It's a little weird that Gramps is so strong at his age..." he muttered, with a shake of his head.
"Heh, that's grampa..." Tyson said, lightly. Then he looked at Kai, uncertainly. "You still sure about wanting to join my family...? Dad and Hitoshi might react a little differently than Grampa..."
"Tyson... all the protective fathers and brothers in the world couldn't stop me from wanting to be your fiancee," Kai assured him, with a small smile.
Tyson smiled, "that's good..." Throwing his arms around Kai's neck, Tyson hugged his new fiancee, sighing contently.
Kai blinked, then returned the hug, kissing Tyson's cheek. Then he couldn't help but smirk slightly. Being Tyson's fiancee would definitely have it's perks. He was happy. Tyson was happy. Gently tilting Tyson's head up, Kai kissed the younger boy's mouth. Pleased to have Tyson return the kiss.
... Finally.
The End.
Nanashi: [pokes a cookie with a stick] hn... [pokes fic with a leaf]
Yasuo: [anime sweatdrops] uh, what's wrong?
Nanashi: nothing... [grins] ah well, anti-climactic, but at least I got it done...
Yasuo: [blinks] you really should see a doctor about your lack of patience and that short attention span of yours...
Nanashi: O.o;;;
oXoXoXoXoXoXoXo
Tyson: that's more than you've said in a week... heh, you're not big on conversation, Kai.