Chapter 9

Desi2: Being a diehard Star Wars fan, I live by the line "always in motion, the future is". You can never predict it accurately, not even with foresight, and as you said, it can be misinterpreted.

Senko-sama: What do you think Lee would do if Kevin was meeting someone? Now there's something to think about.

russle: Actually, Lee killing Tyson would be... amusing. *evil grin*

Castles in the Sky: The four elements my friend: Blue Dragon (Tyson), Red Phoenix (Kai), Black Tortoise (Max), and the White Tiger (Ray). That's one way of remembering the main team.

Avril Fan: Don't you hate fate. You make all these plans, and then it comes along and *poof*. Bye bye plans.

Saiyan-Chang: Kevin's forgotten the restraining order? Oh good. Now all I have to do is somehow get that bloody big rifle away from Bryan and I can spend some quality time with my two loves. ^_^ And no promises on the not hurting Lee. I mean, I've shot him in the past...

the tigris: You don't know what phone sex is? Well, pretty much you talk to your love and you describe what you're doing to each other or to yourself, and on your end you do things to yourself, and you get to hear each other... you get the idea methinks. #^_^#

Rayz Kitten: Tyson won too, doesn't mean he's good. Besides, Driger defeated Bryan, not Ray. ^_~

Chibi Wingzero: Everyone's good at hindsight. Can be a pain. And out of curiosity, what is 'saru'? What language? What does it mean?

LadyOrient: Thank you!

Ashla: Hm. I should be studying too. Kind of worrying that I know one of my teachers reads my fics and sees all my comments about lack of studying. Actually, I may be in trouble when I go back to that class... _;;

Lee plans to find Kevin, but will he? And speaking of Kevin, where is he?

"He said he preferred it when you were a dumb, irritating imp?"

Kevin nodded, sipping his drink.

Tyson pulled a face. "Aw man. If I were in your shoes, I would have punched in his oversized nose."

Kevin snorted, almost choking on the liquid. "Yeah, it is rather large, isn't it?"

"Oh yeah." Tyson chuckled. "I've got the opposite problem. Max's nose in tiny."

"Less to nibble on."

"Yeah. And harder to find when you go to tickle it in the dark."

"Ah. The 'annoy your boyfriend by tickling his nose and making him sneeze when he's just about asleep' routine. Classic."

Tyson nodded, biting into his burger and taking a large chunk out of it. He swallowed. "You know, we worked pretty good together today. We really put those kids in their place."

"What do you expect for a bunch of amateurs?" Kevin popped a couple of fries in his mouth. "That big guy wasn't too bad though. I've seen him around a few times. He's pretty much the best blader in the neighbourhood. In terms of street bladin' that is."

"Never know, one day he could be the champion." Tyson took a long sip from his drink. "So what are the kids like that are part of the program?"

"They're not bad. Most of them are naturally talented, though a couple are poor little rich kids that like getting their own way. Hate them little brats. They expect to win every battle and when they lose they throw a hissy fit and claim that the other cheated."

"Just threaten to throw them out."

"Tried that. They turned around and said they would sue." Kevin shrugged. "Lee and I are going to go talk to Mr D about it in the morning. We've had it up to here with their crap."

"Yeah. I'm sure Mr D will take care of it."

Kevin swirled his cup, hearing the ice scrap against the sides. "So are you going to meet Max at the airport when he comes home or what?"

Tyson shook his head. "I want to, but no. You see, Max won't know for sure what plane he'll be on and when he'll be leaving until he's on board. He's been helping his mum at Project Power Beyblade and he's not sure when it will all be wrapped up."

"Project Power Beyblade?" Kevin frowned. "PPB? Isn't that the All Starz?"

Tyson nodded. "Yeap. Their facility is in the middle of the desert. The Blade Breakers went there once before the American Tournament. We really got ourselves in hot water that time. And I tell you, if Kai hadn't shown up when he did, my Maxxy would have been a pancake."

"Hn. No surprise." Kevin finished off the lasts of his burger. "So Max is doing fine?"

"That's what he says. He reckons the All Starz are being real nice to him."

"Can you trust them?"

Tyson frowned. "What do you mean?"

Kevin leant forward. "Well, when we met them, both Eddy and Michael gave off some real gay vibes, man. And Michael seemed like kind of a, how can I put this… like a real slut, you know. I mean, he may not be, he just seemed like it."

Tyson's frown deepened. "Yeah. But I trust Max. If anything looked like it was going to happen, I'm sure he would have told his mum."

"You're right. And I'm not saying Max would do anything, just that I'm not too fond of the All Starz." Kevin snorted. "Majestics are worse."

"I'll agree with you on that one, buddy. Especially that Enrique guy. First time we met him, he had us believing that he was just some guy wanting to challenge the great Enrique. When his butler came he made a run for it, and the next time we saw him he was flirting with two ditzy girls."

"From what I saw, Oliver wouldn't mind getting down Enrique's pants."

"That's the impression I always got. Oliver flirts with Enrique big time." Tyson shoved the remainder of his burger in his mouth, then gulped down a large mouthful of his drink. "Robert and Johnny compete like anything, but there's nothing going on there. I think Robert's straighter than a ruler."

"I think the only person Robert will ever love is himself." Kevin rubbed his jaw. "As for Johnny… he has a dislike for Kai, doesn't he?"

"Ooo yeah. Those two started glaring daggers the moment they laid eyes on one another." Tyson grinned at the memory. "Kai really ruffled some feathers, I tell you. But Johnny got his own back."

"I thought Kai defeated Johnny."

"He did, in the European Tournament, but before we even got the challenge to battle the Majestics I battled Robert on a cruise ship and lost, I took on Oliver in a park in France and drew, then I took on Enrique in his private stadium and lost only to win the rematch, and Kai took on Johnny at Robert's castle and got his butt kicked."

"Ah. Kinda like how we battled in the back alley in Hong Kong right before the Asian Tournament."

"Exactly." Tyson finished off his French Fries and dropped the container onto the tray, sipping his drink. "Hm. Now that leaves the Demolition Boys."

"What about 'em?"

"Who's gay? Who's sleeping with who?" Tyson frowned. "I always sensed that something was going on between Tala and Bryan."

"They're datin', but only for bout six months, or so Ray says." Kevin frowned. "Ian's turned into a real ladies man, apparently. Flirts with anything with two legs and breasts. Spencer's enjoying his freedom before he ties himself down again."

Tyson blinked. "How do you know all this?"

"Ray told me when he called a while back when the court proceedings were still going on." Kevin shrugged. "Apparently Bryan's Kai's best friend from when they were kids or somethin'."

"Well that doesn't surprise me. They're both cold, insensitive jerks that'll do anything to win." Tyson nodded. "You and Lee are a couple, Mariah has a baby but is unattached, and Gary isn't yet interested in dating. As for the Blade Breakers, it's me and Max, Ray and Kai, and Kenny has no social life."

"Not to mention hates gay people."

"He doesn't hate us… he's just uncomfortable with the idea of same sex relationships, that's all." Tyson scratched the back of his neck, glancing at his watch. "You're sure you don't want to ring Lee and tell him where you are?"

"Positive." Kevin scowled. "To be honest, I don't really want to go back. With the way he's been treating me of late, I'm starting to wonder if he actually still loves me or just wants me for the sex." Kevin's grip tightened on his empty cup, crumpling in the sides. "He seems to think he can tell me what I can do, and that I'll be there when he wants me. I'm not allowed to go anywhere without telling him first… Teh, he babies me. He says he don't but be does."

"Must be annoying."

"You have no idea."

Tyson rested his elbows on the table. "Maybe he does it cause he's worried something might happen to you."

"Oh yeah? Like what?"

"I don't know, something." Tyson shrugged. "I remember Ray once saying something about how your kind are targets of racial abuse and scorn. Maybe he's scared a gang will come after you."

"I'm the junior champion at martial art weaponry in our village, and have been for seven consecutive years. I can defend myself, and he knows it."

"What about hand-to-hand combat?"

"I've been runner up for three years, second only to Lee. And that's only after Ray left."

"Figured as much. Ray took Kai down once, and that's no easy task, trust me." Tyson rubbed his backside in remembrance of how Kai had flipped him with ease onto his rump. "Look, I'm sure Lee didn't mean to insult you, and because he did is no reason to walk out on him. Sometimes you don't mean to say things, and coming up on the Championship, I'm sure he's already starting to feel the pressure."

Kevin sighed, looking down at a spot on the table. "Yeah, your probably right. It's just he's been doing it so often lately. That, and he doesn't give a shit that…"

Tyson looked up. "That what?"

"It's nothin'."

"No, go on, that what?"

Kevin's jaw tightened. "That I never got over the Mariah thing."

Tyson's eyebrows rose ever so slightly. "That was a year ago, right?"

"Yeah, but thing is I have a vivid memory."

Tyson nodded in understanding. "You remember it like it was yesterday."

Kevin nodded. "Yeah."

"Well, she did rape you." Tyson bit his lip. "What's Lee doing that make you say he doesn't give a shit?"

"He keeps telling me that it was a long time ago and that I should move on. And the way he's sayin' it, he's pretty much calling me stupid for going on about it." Kevin growled. "I don't want to go on about it, but for the last week I've been reliving the damn thing every night, and I ain't got any control over that."

"That's gotta be frustrating. Maybe you're just getting stressed out, and cause you know you're going to meet up with her again and everything, your minds just playing on it."

Kevin looked at him weirdly.

Tyson spotted the look. "What?"

"When did you get so mature?"

"Oh, eh…" Tyson scratched the back of his neck, cheeks warming as he shifted. "Grandpa's been asking me the same thing. Guess I'm just growing up."

Kevin smiled faintly. "Yeah. Gonna be interesting to see how many of the others have grown up too."

"Agreed." Tyson glanced up, then returned his gaze to Kevin. "So you don't think Lee cares about you?"

Kevin frowned. "Why?"

"Because he looks awfully relieved to having found you."

Kevin glanced back over his shoulder, spotting Lee standing in the doorway, arms crossed over his chest as one eyebrow rose questioningly, relief playing through his eyes and features. Kevin gestured for him to hold on, before looking back at Tyson. "I better go."

"I'll say." Tyson held out a hand, Kevin clasping it. "See you in a couple of days, buddy."

"You got it, dude."

Is it just me or does Tyson seem unconvinced by Kevin's explanations?