Chapter 3

Senko-sama: Yep. But that's life.

Saiyan-Chang: Don't worry. I can't draw at all. Which is tending to prove to be a problem in terms of a class at Uni. -_-;;

Shaman Wolf: It may not be your thing, but they make great writing music. Trust me on that one. And it fits the characters perfectly in this fic.

Avril fan: Can't get enough of music. I just discovered Behind Blue Eyes by Limpbizket. I now worship the song. ^_^

Kappy Locks: Fair way to go til that happens. Sorry.

Rayz Kitten: LOL. Yeah, I recommend the music too.

LadyOrient: Let alone talk to her, eh? I have no idea where that last chapter came from. It just... happened. O_o

Ashla: She most certainly has. Like they say: takes but a moment to change/ruin the rest of your life or the lives of those around you.

the tigris: Thanks. I'm looking for a new host at the moment. I hate all those ads...

Castles in the Sky: I have a list of CDs I want, but unfortunately the list of bills I must pay comes first. *Sigh*

A lovers tiff, a trip down memory lane, and getting back together… got to love a relationship. Now, where were we?

Lee's eyes blinked open, wondering what it was that had woken him. He felt Kevin shift, the younger reaching up to rub his eyes as he stifled a yawn. They looked up as the knock came again, Kevin glancing up at Lee and shrugging before he slid from the elder's lap, stepping almost silently toward the door.

Outside, the man smiled. "Have a package for Leeroy Yin and Kevin Ki?"

"I'm Kevin Ki."

The man nodded, holding out a clipboard. "Just sign here."

Kevin signed on the line, taking the large square parcel from the man who said his farewells and disappeared down the corridor. Kevin closed the door, stepping toward the kitchen and setting the parcel down, Lee moving to join him.

"What you got there?"

"Not sure." Kevin plucked the envelope from the top, looking down at it. "But it's your grandfathers handwriting."

"Yeah?" Lee took the letter, raising an eyebrow. "It is too. What could he be sending us?" Prying open the envelope, he pulled out the sheet of paper. "Looks like he put a lot of thought into this. The handwritings precise."

"Means he's serious, don't it?"

"Mm." Lee dropped into a seat, eyes scanning the letter. "'To my little Lion and Monkey. I trust you are taking care. Your Mr Dickenson has informed me you are both settling in, and it pleases my fellow Elders that members of our village are doing so well outside our home, especially at such a young age.'"

Kevin raised an eyebrow. "Considering they got so pissed off when Ray left and spent three weeks umming and aahing over whether or not we could attend the Russian Finals."

Lee smiled, nodding his agreement before continuing. "'You will be pleased to hear that young Honesty is in perfect health, and that Mariah is in good spirit. Gary has been offering his support but spends a good amount of his time training the younger beybladers of our village just as Ray once did.'" Lee looked up. "Gary? Train?"

"I can see that." Kevin reached back and tugged his hair free, shaking it loose down his back. "He always did like the kids, and spent a lot of time watching Ray teach us. He helped me teach Cale how to blade."

"Yeah. Helped me with Shina too." Lee blinked, shrugging it off and looking back down at the sheet. "'Upon my return to the village after my visit to Japan, I was confronted by my fellow Elders regarding my actions and arguments during our talks over Mariah's fate. I could not lie, and told them of your relationship, as well as that of young Raymond.'"

Kevin paled slightly. "Shit."

"Yeah." Lee drew a breath, knowing full well that the Elders stood on ground to have them exiled due to their homosexual nature. Setting himself, he read the next. "'Of course, many of the Elders were against such a relationship, and had it not been for the intervention of Elder Gan, we would have found ourselves in a good deal of trouble, as my not telling them what I knew would have seen myself removed from the Elder circle.'" Lee pulled a face. "Never knew that."

Kevin leant forward. "Keep going."

Lee nodded. "'As it was, myself and Elder Gan brought forth a good many substantial arguments in your favour, and we won the battle. You are as welcome in the village as you have always been, but I could do nothing to stop the word of the deliberation from reaching your parents ears.'"

Kevin made actions as if he were being strangled, Lee chuckling.

"'I must say they were upset, all except Mr Ki, who accepted it and sends his love and encouragement to you both.'" Lee reached out and caught Kevin as the younger almost collapsed. "You okay?"

"Dad… accepts it?" Kevin allowed Lee to pull him into his lap. "Well that's a shock to the system that. Figured he'd be first in line to chop off my head."

"Oh come on, Kev. Your dad's always been pretty cool." Lee shifted his grip around Kevin's waist and retrieved the letter. "'We had some problems with your mother, Leeroy. When news first reached her ears she fainted, and she has spent a good much of her time sobbing, though we have calmed her.'" Lee set his jaw. "Hence why I never told her."

"Look on the bright side." Kevin smirked. "You don't have to tell her now."

"Oh shut up." Lee looked back down at the letter. "'And yes, I know it is you who is reading this, Lee, as my foresight has allowed me to see that it will be so.'"

Kevin raised an eyebrow. "Hint hint."

Lee grunted his agreement. "'And with that I come to the true reason for writing to you. I believe it is time for you to begin looking toward your future, my grandson. I understand you will soon be preparing for the upcoming Beyblading Championship, and that you are in the employment of the BBA, but you must not forget your responsibilities here at home, and the same came be said for young Kevin.'"

Kevin blinked. "Uh… what responsibilities?"

"This is news to me too." Lee frowned down at the letter. "'You are both descendants from great warriors, and you, Leeroy, have inherited the Yin gift of foresight, something only few of us possess. It has also come to our attention that Kevin has inherited the Ki gift that enables him to sense danger before it strikes. All neko-jin have this ability to some degree, but in young Kevin it is stronger.

"'We have contacted the Ki Elder, and after many talks it was decided that it is time for you both to learn about and harness these talents the gods have chosen to gift you with. We also believe it possible, being as close to one another as you are, to combine these gifts. We searched our libraries and scrolls and found many basic methods and readings, of which we have carefully copied and sent to you.

"'And now I must allow you to return to your work. Remember, take care and always follow your hearts. I am proud of you, my two White Tigers.'"

Lee set the letter down on the table, letting out a long breath. "Well."

"Gah." Kevin scowled, glaring down at the paper. "We get away from the village to get away from it all, and what happens? They send us homework!"

Lee chuckled, then nodded toward the parcel. "Let's take a look."

Kevin pulled it toward them, prying it open and tugging out the three leather-bound books, the faint smell of incense still clinging to the sheets. "Oh wow, they have our names on them. Don't you feel special?"

Lee smiled at Kevin's sarcasm, nipping him playfully on the neck and receiving an elbow to the ribs in reply. "Looks like we've got some reading to do."

Kevin frowned, laying them out. "One for me, one for you, one for the both of us." He flipped open one of the books. "And goody goody, it's in the ancient text."

"Stop whining. You know how to read it." He frowned. "Has the advantage that not many people can read it and therefore if anyone pinches them they have no idea what it's about. But it makes me wonder…"

Kevin looked back at him. "Yeah?"

"Well, why would they send them to us in the ancient text. I mean, knowing that its us, you'd think they'd use a more recent form, unless of course they were planning…" his voice trailed off as realisation played through his catlike eyes.

Kevin sighed. "We have the gifts, and few possess them… except the Elders and their successors."

"Yeah." Lee's jaw tightened. "I told him years ago I didn't want to do it, that I was sticking to my blading."

"Well now he's pretty much said you have to do it, whether you want to or not." Kevin raised an eyebrow. "And he's dragged me into it too." He looked back, noting the dark look on Lee's face. "We don't have to worry about becoming Elders until we're old and white, Leeroy. By that point we won't be able to blade anymore anyhow. And having these extra senses might come in handy."

Lee's shoulders slumped in defeat. "You're right." His eyes sparkled playfully. "For once."

"Oh shut up." Kevin slid from his lap, moving toward the sink, refilling the kettle and setting it on the stove. "Sorry for crying all over you before. I was just tired."

"No surprise, considering how you haven't been sleeping." Lee rested his elbow on the table, cupping his chin in his hand as he flipped through his book, scanning its contents. "And don't worry bout it. What I'm here for, after all."

Kevin glanced back over his shoulder, violet eyes twinkling. "And here I thought you were around just for the sex."

Lee smirked, looking up at him. "Maybe."

Kevin flicked water at him, Lee closing his book and pushing it aside. He slid from his seat, moving up behind Kevin as the younger set the cups on the bench, spinning as he heard Lee approach. Lee placed his hands on the bench either side of Kevin's hips, catching the youngers lips with his in a searing kiss.

Kevin slid his arms up around Lee's neck, leaning back against the bench as he returned the kiss just as fiercely. On the stove the kettle boiled, calling for attention but going unnoticed and ignored.

They broke the kiss panting, Lee glancing to the side and noticing the kettle for the first time, stepping away from Kevin and switching it off. As he turned he felt a strong grip around his waist, and next thing he found himself sprawled on the table, Kevin straddling him as lips locked once more.

Lee growled, breaking the kiss. "You do realise that we have to eat off this table."

"What do you think I'm doing?" Kevin winked at him, bending to run his tongue over the smooth flesh of Lee's chest.

Lee closed his eyes, hands running through Kevin's long hair as the other moved down the length of his body, licking and sucking, fingers playing with Lee's sash. However, before he could free him there came a shrill trill, causing them both to jump.

"God dammit." Kevin sighed, shooting Lee an apologetic look as he moved toward the phone. "To be continued."

"It had better be." Lee slid off the table, eyes trailing over Kevin's body, taking in the way he walked, the way his hair swayed with every gliding step.

Kevin glanced back with narrowed eyes. "And stop ogling."

"Hey, you're my boyfriend. I'm entitled to it."

Kevin gave him the finger before he picked up the receiver. "Either be someone I like or I hang up."

Heh heh. The boys have homework. And I wonder who it is that is interrupting their fun and games? Any guesses?