Disclaimer: Beyblade and all its likeness does not belong to me. No profits are being made off this story.

story written by: Glay

LOSING KAI AGAIN

[Chapter 7: Not Even You]

Everyone sat around the dinner table comfortably, even though the room was a little small. It was cozy, definitely not what many people would expect when they met Kenny - the big science and computer geek! Kenny's mother was currently smiling warmly as she passed out plates while chatting amiably with her husband as he brought steaming hot pots from the kitchen.

Tyson was nearly drooling.

Everything smelt especially good. Being at the best noodle-shop in town was the main reason but it was because that they were all together, having a "family" dinner here in this homely setting that really made the mood what it was.

Max and Ray were laughing at some joke, and Tyson was complaining about having to keep his napkin on his lap.

And Mr. Granger watched all of this out of the corner of his eye. What he really noticed - what caught his attention and instilled something darkly unknown within him - was that Kai was watching his son.

In a manner than could only be described as lovesick.

Mr. Granger closed his eyes, feeling the thoughts swirl around in his mind creating a jumble of confusion, anger, sadness... He didn't know which emotion to go on - didn't know how to accept something so plain as day to someone as experienced as himself.

Kai was in love with his son.

There was no denying it now, as he watched the Team Captain of his son's beyblade team look at Tyson with a tenderness in his eyes. There was a longing there that marked a feeling lying dormant for too long.

It hurt him to think that his son could be so oblivious to something that was staring him in the face. Tyson laughed loudly as Max and he battled with his chopsticks. Max had knocked one of his son's utensils away from him and it flew into the large pot of soup on the table, going unnoticed by Kenny's mother. Kenny, himself, was trying to hold back snickers, and Ray's shoulders were shaking.

Then - Tyson turned to Kai, who had chosen to sit right next to his son, and grinned. He placed his hand on Kai's shoulder, and it smoothed down his team jacket all the way down to the table to snatch one of Kai's chopsticks so he could replace his own and then went back to playing with Max.

Oh, but the expression on Kai's face was...

Didn't his son know what that must feel like? What his son was probably doing to Kai when he touched him? It probably ran tingles down Kai's flesh...

Anger flared and Mr. Granger's eyes narrowed. Who was Kai to be having such feelings towards his son? They were both boys, and young ones at that. They were much too young to know what love was or how to tell when they were in its grasp.

"Attention!" Mrs. Dion called out, clapping her hands together lightly.

No one paid her any mind, continuing on with their loud and raucous conversations.

"Excuse me!"

Kenny looked up that time. He turned nervous and wide-eyed as he saw his mom start to wring a dishtowel to shreds.

Mr. Granger was slightly embarrassed when a rather larger peal of laughter ripped from his son's mouth.

"YOU KIDS SHUT UP!!!!!!"

Everyone went deathly silent, severely freaked out by Kenny's mom and her amazingly loud voice.

"Thank you." She cleared her throat. "Dinner is served!"

"YES!!" Tyson cheered and dug in enthusiastically. Everyone else ate with more restrained manners.

Mr. Dion sweat dropped and sat next to Mr. Granger, waving a hand. "I don't know how I live with her sometimes." He said jokingly.

Tyson's father smiled. "I'm sure it's one of her charms." He became almost sad and wistful as he watched his son chow down. "I miss my own wife the most, in times like these."

Kenny's father nodded sympathetically, serving his guest some of the wonderful smelling soup. "It must be hard. Being the only one there."

"Well," Mr. Granger laughed. "Her father, Tyson's grandfather, takes care of him as well. I have no time because of my job. I wish I was there more." He sighed.

Kenny's mother sat down and smiled gently, patting his hand. "Your Tyson, he's grown up to be a fine young man. One of the best - and I'm proud that he's of Kenny's friends. Though I must say he is noisy."

Mr. Granger laughed loudly at that, the sound of it sounding disturbingly similar to his son's, and smiled. "Now I can drink to that."

Everyone held out their drinks and smiled, "Thank you very much!"

Mrs. Dion blushed.

But there was still that thought at the back of his mind, slowly gnawing away at him as his smiled and watched the Bladebreakers.

That if Kai, the coldest one of them all, had developed feelings for Tyson… Then what was stopping his son from returning them...?

'I'll have to put some sense into these kids,' Mr. Granger decided. 'I don't want them to make a mistake - I don't want that Kai to confuse Tyson.' He nodded to himself gravely, stirring the soup around thickly.

'I don't want him to love my son.'

In his seat next to Tyson, Kai smiled softly, because he decided. 'I'm going to tell him tonight...'

~*~*~*~

The dinner winded to a close, after many mishaps of flying chopsticks and spilt noodles, overall it had been a good night. The house was warm, and Kenny invited them all up to his room to check out some new software on his computer.

"Awww, Kenny, not more computer stuff!"

"Hey, this computer stuff has helped you a lot over the years!" Kenny retorted, booting up his desktop and setting his laptop on the side.

Ray sat on the bed looking around. "You've got a great home, Kenny!"

Max grinned and flopped into another computer chair, wheeling around. "Yeah, and your mom makes the beeeest noodles. Yuck, you should taste my mom's cooking." He sweat dropped and made a grossed out face.

"Yeah, but your mom's a big shot in America for beyblading technology." Kenny said, a little embarrassedly, comparing that to his family's little noodle shop. "She doesn't need to know how to cook."

"We had big family things like this all the time in the village back home." Ray spoke up suddenly, looking reminiscent. "But when we grew up, no one wanted to spend time together anymore."

Tyson who had been strangely silent walked to the door. "Guys, I think I need a little fresh air."

The other three looked at each other in confusion before the World Champion slipped through the door and it closed with a soft click.

Suddenly Kenny hit his head, "Ugh! We have to apologize when Tyson comes back guys. His mom...passed away a long time ago..."

Max's face fell. "Aw man, I forgot...I'm horrible!"

"That's rough, I never knew that... poor Tyson..." Ray commented sympathetically.

Mrs. Dion poked her head into the room. "What are you doing, Kenny!!"

"Ahhhhh! Mom!"

She smiled. "Have any of you seen Tyson's father?"

They all shook their heads. She blinked and adopted a thoughtful look. "That's strange... Oh, well, tell Tyson I've got more ice cream down in the fridge when he's ready." She grinned curiously. "And why didn't you invite that girl, Hilary, Kenny?"

The Chief blushed. "Ahhh Mom, stop that!"

She laughed and closed the door.

~*~*~*~

Outside, standing in the small garden that was behind the Dion's restaurant/home, Kai let out a breath. Just thinking about uttering those three mind-numbingly terrifying words made he heart beat as if he'd run a race.

He had figured it would be a good idea to get some fresh air to collect his thoughts - and courage - before his faced Tyson. He just needed to get him alone...

The sliding door behind him opened and he turned, surprised at who he saw.

~*~*~*~

Tyson passed the kitchen where he saw Kenny's father cleaning up a few things around the stove.

"Hey Mr. D," He said cheerfully, "Need any help?"

"Thanks Tyson." The man said gratefully, and together they straightened out the rest of the kitchen in a companionably silence.

Mr. Dion really liked Tyson. The boy had a good spirit and had brought their little Kenny out of his shell and let him see the world.

They sat down at the table that they had all occupied before, Mr. Dion absently rubbing a rag lazily over it. His wife walked in. "Oh! There you are Tyson!" She smiled. "I see you two did a good job of cleaning up here."

Tyson nodded and smiled. "Say..."

"Oh don't even ask me." She laughed and pulled out a dish she had been keeping in the freezer. Some chocolate ice cream already scooped into a dessert dish just waiting to be devoured.

"For you, Mr. World Champion!"

He grinned widely in thanks. "Aw man, just what I wanted!! Thank you very much Mrs. D, Mr. D." He said kindly.

The parents shared a look of amusement as Tyson chomped away on his sweet treat.

~*~*~*~

"Kai, right?" Mr. Granger questioned seriously as he walked out onto the patio. He was so tall and imposing, so unlike Tyson's medium height and cheerful demeanour.

The team captain turned fully, eyeing the man wearily. Something didn't sound right with his tone.

"Yes…?"

"I wanted to talk to you about my son."

Something cold settled itself deep within his stomach, and Kai's heart froze. He pieced together a reply, his mouth seemingly not cooperating. "About Tyson…?"

The man stopped, leaning slightly against a crate that was holding various pots and garden tools. The moon was out now, and it reminded him of the night he went out onto the balcony in Russia… He had seen his son, not bothering with any coat or warm clothing, standing and staring at the moon.

He had seemed so deep in thought then that Mr. Granger could only wonder aimlessly what his son was thinking about. Tyson was rarely serious about anything other than Beyblading – even then it was with an amusing attitude.

But in that moment he had looked so… so absorbed and maybe even a bit sad as those youthful blue eyes gazed up at that heavenly body, full and bright. He'd tried to cheer him up by play fighting, something that all fathers and sons did.

Though he had found out later that night, when he was leaving the room and Tyson had opted to stay on the balcony, not noticing his fingers and lips turning blue with the cold.

That his son had been reflecting on someone who he'd met a few short weeks before. Someone who got under his skin, and made him try so hard…

It was the night that they had lost Kai to the opposing team. And somehow, losing Kai had affected his son the most… He couldn't let them end up this way. He didn't want to see his son end up depending on someone that was a loose cannonball.

Kai was wild. Too wild. It made him think of his own wife, and how she was forever lost. He didn't want Tyson to get attached to someone who could cut ties so easily. He didn't want his son to fall in love with someone so… unsafe.

"Kai, I know."

Kai's heart stopped. The light from the moon cast eerie shadows throughout the garden and it seemed to make Mr. Granger seem even more daunting than he really was.

The words came to his lips before he could register them. "Know what?"

"You… and my son." The tall man's eyes narrowed slightly, bothered by Kai's behaviour. How could Tyson ever love him? He was helping them, because Kai was mislead…

Kai forced himself to stay standing upright, but inside he was a whirling mess. 'He knows. He knows... How could he know?'

He looked into those hard black eyes unable to turn away. "What…" He swallowed, scowling as he voiced the question. "What about us?"

Mr. Granger turned his gaze to the moon, watching as a few clouds passed by it. "Kai, I'd appreciate it if you didn't lie to me." His eyes flashed back to Kai's, and the team captain was struck with something akin to alarm. It wasn't supposed to go this way…

"I know that you… you harbour feelings for Tyson. Strong feelings. Perhaps even love…"

Kai sucked in a breath, his palms sweaty.

Mr. Granger's voice was cold. "I want you to forget all of it."

"What?" Kai breathed, struck to the core. "What? You want me to…" His fists clenched suddenly and viciously at his sides. "So you called me on it." His voice was bitter, there was no point in hiding. "I won't deny it then. But you can't ask me to just get up and forget what I feel."

"I think I can." Mr. Granger said steely. "You don't have the right to love my son."

Something began burning at the sides of Kai's deep auburn eyes. "No right…?" He echoed hollowly. "No right?"

Tyson's father's face contorted in anger and he pushed himself away from the crate, taking a step closer to Kai. "You're young Kai. Forget everything. You'll go back to wherever you flew in from and leave Tyson alone… He doesn't need someone who is as unstable as you."

"Unstable?!" Kai roared, losing control. "How dare you! Who are you to tell me who I can and cannot love?! I love him!"

The garden seemed to rock with heavy silence as the weight of Kai's harsh words hung in the air. He'd said it. He had said it. It had come so strongly, and the words had flown right past his lips without thought, but he had said it.

He loves him. Tyson.

It felt honest. But that feeling of honesty, it was all washed away when a searing pain overtook his right side, burning and ripping at him so much it made him see spots in his vision.

Kai yelled out loudly, a pain-filling cry that sent some birds from the trees flying into the midnight sky. He clutched at his side, nearly tearing through the fabric of his jacket in his agony.

Mr. Granger nearly jumped clear off the ground at the sudden action. His eyes widened as he tried to think of a reasonable explanation as to why Kai was yelling his lungs out.

It only proved him right. Kai had gone mentally unbalanced.

Suddenly a blur of red came streaking out of the patio doorway.

"Kai!!" Tyson's voice was stricken. "What's going on –" He stopped abruptly as his eyes landed on the other person in the courtyard. He stared in disbelief.

"Dad?"

A stampede of people came rushing through the doorway, confusion and fear written across their faces. Mrs. Dion looked frantic.

"What's wrong?" She ran to Kai's side and helped him to the floor. Her voice trembled. "Kai..! He needs an ambulance! Call an ambulance!!"

Her husband quickly ran inside to the phone.

Max, Ray, and Kenny all crowded around Kai, worried expressions painted over their features.

Tyson's expression became upset as he stared down his father. "What happened…?"

The man said nothing.

The Team Captain's face was contorted with pain and he was jerkily moving his head back and forth. His eyes clenched tightly shut. "D-Damn it…h-hurts…!"

Kenny's mother's hands were shaking as she and her son helped Kai out of his jacket, rolling it up to cushion to boy's body. "Is this the first time it's happened? Kai, speak to me. You have to tell me what's wrong. Where do you hurt?"

Too absorbed in the pain, Kai could not respond. His breath came in short quick rasps.

Ray's eyebrows knotted together. "He's never had any pain like that before!"

By his side, Max sounded frightened. "It sounds bad. How could he just…?"

"Why didn't you say anything!?!"

The frantic group of people gasped at the heated question. They looked to Tyson who seemed to be glowing with anger.

In a heartbeat, Tyson was there, taking Kenny's place. He placed one hand over Kai's right side, and another quickly went to Kai's forehead to keep him steady.

"T-Tyson…" Kai gritted out, squinting his eyes to see that face he loved so much.

"The ambulance is coming." His voice was quiet and his hair shielded his face.

"No…" Kai cringed and a strangled sound escaped as another wave of anguish passed over him. "Ty-s-son I…I've g-got to tell you…"

Mr. Granger took a step forward, his eyes widening.

"Shut up!!!" Tyson screamed making the others flinch at his voice. "You were hurt and didn't say anything and now you have something to tell me?! Forget it! Save your strength!"

Stung by those words, Kai recoiled, glancing warily at the World Champion's father. Unable to bear all the emotions and pain whirling around inside of him, he forced his eyes to meet Tyson's own deep and gorgeous ones.

He could sort of hear sirens and the world was starting to get a bit darker.

He wanted to be able to see Tyson before all the lights went out…

"T-Tyson…" He choked. "I… I l-lov…"

"Out of the way!!" A foreign authoritative voice yelled. Two men carrying a stretcher pushed Tyson and Kenny's mother out of the way so that they could have clear access to Kai.

"This boy needs immediate attention!" The second man said grimly, and together they lifted Kai onto the stretcher.

The adults had rushed out back with the medical responders and held the teens back so that they could do their job.

"Wait!!" Kai forced out. It sounded raw and dry. Another spasm of pain came from his side making black spots dance across of his vision. He felt dizzy and alone. They carried him through the door and straight through the dining area of the restaurant to the front where the ambulance was parked.

Everyone ran to the front, seeing the bright flashing lights of the van. The stretcher was lifted into the back of it.

"Kai!" Tyson yelled trying to jump forward to follow. His father's arm stopped him. "KAI!"

Mr. Dion jumped into the back with the men and Kai. The ambulance doors were locked up and the sirens immediately went on, sending loud waves of sound at the Bladebreakers.

Max's hand flew to cover his mouth and Ray's shoulders were shaking with ill-controlled emotion. The Chief's ever present laptop crashed to the floor and Mrs. Dion immediately wrapped her arms around her son, comforting him.

"We'll follow in the car. C'mon, let's go." Mr. Granger's tone was strong, but it was laced with apprehension. He moved away from his son and quickly entered the home so that he could get his keys. Kenny's mom nodded tentatively, her movements nervous. Going inside to collect her coat she stopped at the doorway, looking behind her.

"I'm… I'm sure he'll be fine, boys."

All except Tyson nodded in hesitant agreement.

The World Champion was still staring at the spot where the ambulance had driven off. He turned, and his eyes looked a little blurry.

"Why didn't he say anything?" His voice was so quiet, his friends had to strain to hear him.

The World Champion clenched his fists at his sides. He bared his teeth and then forcibly ripped his hat from his head, slamming it to the ground.

"It's all my fault, isn't it?!"

"No it isn't!" Max replied sternly, placing a hand on Tyson's shoulder.

"It is… he was in pain for a while… he told me it was nothing and I –"

The Chinese blader stepped forward and he placed a hand of Tyson's other shoulder. "Max is right, it's not your fault. You didn't know it was serious…"

"I should have!!!"

"Oh, Tyson…" Kenny said softly. "No one can predict these things. Not even computers. Not even you."

~*~*~*~

Poor Tyson, but will Kai die…?