Hi folks. This is my newest project, entitled 'College Life'. I'm not sure how long it's going to be at the current moment, but I do know that it will be longer than anything I've ever done. Each chapter will follow an important moment in a college student's life. Seeing as I'm still in high school, I'm not quite sure on all of these events. If any of you have any suggestions about what types of situations you'd like to see, please let me know. I'm always open to suggestions.

This story will center mainly around Kai and Rei. I might try to write a little of the others in, but only if I feel it necessary. And yes, this story will be yaoi. So, if that bothers you, just quit now while you're still ahead.

Disclaimer: I don't own beyblade. I wish I did... well maybe just Kai and Rei.

College Life

Chp. 1 Orientation

Freshman orientation is the most frustrating thing in the world. This is what Kai Hiwatari had decided as he watched some lame sophomore, who by now was considering himself king of the college, talk about all the "great opportunities" available. The 18 year-old fought to keep a snicker inside as he watched the poor dope fumble through a handful of index cards. The group continued on, heading in the direction of another building. Some of his group members had already begun to look back at the stoic boy and whisper. Kai just sighed, ignoring them like he did all the others. You'd think after 3 years off the beyblade circuit people would start to forget about him. But it seemed even in a tiny college in the middle of North Carolina, the former leader of the blade breakers was still recognizable. He hadn't really been planning to go to college. But unlike the others, Kai wasn't satisfied with teaching kids to beyblade, or organizing tournaments. He wanted a life without beyblading. A life without his past. So, he did some research, and came across a school in the southern U.S. It was private, and contained in a small community. The perfect place to start over... or so he thought. He ran a hand casually across his cheek, cursing the easily identifiable markings.

"What was I thinking?" He thought ruefully. "I should have known better than to think I could live a normal life."

Rei Kon listened intently to the recommendations from his tour guide. He probably looked like he was falling in love with the petite junior who, at the moment, was leading them through the library. He might as well have been; the small girl was showing him everything he had been so anxious to see. The neko-jin looked around the room, bouncing on the balls of his feet, eager to see more. Rei had made the decision to go to college about a year ago. While he loved teaching kids about beyblading, he wanted more. Of course, just getting to this point had been difficult for Rei. He had never really gotten a formal education in his village, it just wasn't how things were done. But after sending out what seemed like hundreds of applications, he found a college willing to accept AND give him a full scholarship. A ticket to freedom in Rei's eyes, and he thanked whatever forces above that helped him get this far.

"If there are no more questions, we can head back to registration." The girl broke him out of his thoughts.

With a smile the neko-jin followed, his braid bouncing off his shoulders. The tour guide led them back to the room where they had all started and pointed to a list of names.

"Be sure and check who you'll be rooming with. Enjoy your freshman year!"

"She was nice," Rei mused to himself as he stepped lightly over to the lists. Spotting his name, he traced his finger across the paper to read the name posted next to it. His finger stopped on the name, his jaw dropping to the floor. For once, he had no idea what to say.

"And if there are no more questions, this will conclude our tour of the college grounds. Be sure to check the room listings, and do your best to find your dorm mate. It helps to get acquainted early."

Kai rolled his eyes at the useless tour guide. The kid knew less about the campus then he did. Pathetic. He strode towards the back wall, which was currently plastered with student lists.

"Just my luck," he murmured to himself, as he glared at the back of whomever it was that was blocking his view of the list.

"Let's not take all day," he raised his voice so the offender could hear. His eyebrows knitted together as he noticed the person's shoulders tense suddenly. The person turned slowly, flashing him a toothy, but familiar grin.

"Hey, Kai. It looks like we're roommates!"

Kai just stood there, at a complete loss for words. After a few moments, he seemed to compose himself enough to ask,

"What are you doing here, Rei?"

"Checking the dorm list," the golden-eyed boy replied with a smirk. The phoenix merely rolled his eyes. He pushed past Rei, checking the list for himself.

"Dammit," he cursed under his breath.

"Try not to be too excited," the neko-jin remarked coldly. Kai ignored the comment, pushing past his former teammate and the swirling crowd of rising college students. Rei blinked. "Hey! Wait up!" He called before following the slate-haired youth into the crowd.

Rei followed his former captain out of the building, out into the open courtyard. Kai continued to walk, quite aware of the golden eyes on his backside. He did his best to ignore them for the time being. Why was Rei here? Why? How was he supposed to start a new life with his former teammate with him for every step? Letting out a sigh, Kai admonished himself. It was selfish of him to think that way. The neko-jin had just as much right to an education as he did. But how did they end up at the SAME school? It was some really stupid twist of fate, and he didn't like it one bit. Stopping at bench, the former blader took a seat, the tiger sitting beside him.

"Kai," the soft voice ventured, "does it really bother you that I'm here?" The phoenix mentally cringed at the look of guilt on Rei's face.

"No," he reassured the neko-jin. "I was just surprised to see you."

"So. . . It doesn't bother you that we're going to be roommates?" Rei was very aware of how private his former captain was. And despite the fact that he had been the one to share hotel rooms with him while traveling, the neko-jin still felt like he was intruding on the stoic blader. For a long while, Kai didn't answer him. Inwardly, Rei began to panic.

"I was afraid I was going to be rooming with someone like Takao, but this... this is familiar." Rei returned the uncharacteristic smile that was grazing the phoenix's face.

"Does that mean you're ready to go back in?" Rei bounced off the seat, his golden eyes meeting crimson red.

"For what?"

"We still need to get our schedules, and our book lists. Not to mention checking out the club tables." Rei rattled on excitedly. Kai raised an eyebrow at the over-exuberant tiger.

"You're really into this, aren't you?" He asked, standing. The pair began to walk back towards the building. The neko-jin nodded.

"I've never really gone to school before," he commented, his hands pulling at the end of his t-shirt, a faint blush coloring his tanned cheeks. "So, this is all new to me." Kai nodded. He could understand that.

"What made you decide to come here? You could have gone anywhere." The blush had left Rei's face, his eyes now watching the slate-haired boy with interest. The phoenix shrugged, choosing not to answer out loud.

"Typical Kai answer," Rei thought with grin.

They returned to the main building, which by now was almost deserted, save a few stragglers. Everyone had more than likely gone off to bond with their dorm mates. Kai was actually thankful that he was saved such a meaningless task. The former teammates retrieved their schedules and book lists in silence. Rei didn't even bother to ask his companion what classes he was taking.

"I'll just take a peek at his books when he's asleep," the neko-jin thought with a smirk.

"Do you want to go look at the different clubs?" He asked the phoenix. Another shrug was his answer.

"You're impossible!" Rei grabbed the quiet youth's hand, dragging him towards a long line of tables.

Kai watched with mild amusement the enjoyment that passed through the neko-jin with each new table. It was almost cute.

"Wait...cute? Where did that come from?" Kai thought, ignoring the sinking feeling at the pit of his stomach.

"Hey, Kai, look! A martial arts team!" The neko-jin didn't waste time in signing his name on the list. "Are you going to join a club?"

"No," came the clipped answer. Rei pouted.

"What are you going to do in your spare time?"

"Study," was Kai's answer.

"You're no fun," Rei retorted, heading towards the exit.

"As you've told me countless times in the past," he threw back, following the neko-jin back into the courtyard. The sun hung low in the sky, signaling the end of the day was drawing near. Rei turned to the other boy, trying to hide his look of regret. It had been nice to see Kai, to see a familiar face.

"So... are you heading back to China until school starts next month?" The neko-jin turned to face his the taller boy. What was that hitch in his voice? Could he possibly be feeling the same thing as him?

"Y-yeah. What about you? Are you going back to Russia?" Kai turned away at the question, not quite sure how to answer.

"Yeah," he finally pushed out through gritted teeth, "Russia. . ."

"Then...I guess I'll see you in a month, eh?" A single fang bit down on his bottom lip.

"Yeah. I'll see you then." Kai began to walk down the path, when the sound of Rei's voice stopped him.

"It was good to see you again." The slate-haired youth couldn't fight the grin that stretched across his face.

"It was good to see you too, Rei. See ya in a month."

TBC

So what do you think? Is it worth it to continue? Let me know through some sweet sweet reviews!

And special thanks to my friend Rizu for betaing. Where would my grammar be without her? XD