Author note
As usual I'd like to thank everyone who reviewed. So, thank you Drago-Kai, although I'm afraid there are gonna be more people wanting Kai, if you get my drift. I guess Kohari I portray Mr Dickenson in this story the way I do because of an episode of Beyblade I watched. I remember seeing him touch either Ray's hand or shoulder, and I found the way he did it really creepy ( shivers) and was inspired by that. Thanks Artemis347 and I agree it really is great to have a friend you can take the piss out of without worrying about whether or not they'll be offended. That's o.k Bffimagine, I really don't mind. I'm just glad you took the time to review my fic. And as for the weird pairings... I've always been considered as eccentric so I hope that answers your question. Thanks Devilburns but, I'm not telling!! I would also like to thank Adi for that really nice review. I absolutely love long reviews!! Finally, thank you Heather and I'll make sure to update ASAP! Now, on with da story!!!!
Chapter 4
He could feel the barrage of fire closing in as he choked from the suffocating smoke it emitted. He knew he had to escape. Frantically he searched praying he would find a route that would grant him even the smallest chance of survival. There was none. He was trapped and there was nothing he could do about it. He fell to his knees in despair knowing his fate.
"Kai."
His eyes scanned his blazing surroundings for the source of the voice he thought he had just heard. There was nobody. It had sounded so familiar, yet so strange...Suddenly he noticed something was glowing from the inside of his pocket. His hands reached into them and pulled out his Beyblade.
"Dranzer?" He whispered.
As if answering the light intensified, almost blinding him. It gradually died down, a majestic crimson phoenix taking its place.
"Kai, you and your friends are going to be in great danger." It was the same voice he'd heared earlier, but it was coming from Dranzer.
"Y-you can talk?" Kai stammered. "What do you mean my team and I are 'in danger'?" He stared into the fiery eyes, which grew in intensity every passing second.
"You will know in time. Trust your instincts," The phoenix answered in a low and echoing voice. "Be careful Kai. There's nothing you can't do if you put your mind to it. If you believe in yourself nothing can stop you."
With that, Dranzer vanished as suddenly as he had appeared. Kai was alone again. All of a sudden, he found himself falling rapidly into the darkness. He closed his eyes as he fell deeper and deeper and deeper...
THUD!
He opened his eyes and winced at the light that flooded his room. He had been dreaming. 'Or was it a dream,' He wondered. It had felt so real...
"Wake up, sleepy head," a voice cooed from somewhere above and he felt someone's gaze upon him. He looked up and jumped as his gaze met with a pair of warm brown eyes. It was Chantel.
"What are you doing here?"
"Were you dreaming?" She asked brightly, ignoring his question.
Just then he realised he was on the floor, entangled in his bed covers. Concluding that he fell during his sleep, he got up hastily. He noticed Ray was missing.
"Mind your own business," he snapped, with his back turned on her.
Before she could stop herself, Chantel found her eyes travelling down Kai's back. They stopped and rested when they reached his black silk boxers, which showed off his firm and extremely sexy behind.
"Do you mind?" Kai asked in irritation, turning to face her again. He couldn't stand it when people stared at him like a piece of meat.
"Oh, uh sorry," she uttered, as the sound of his voice brought her back from the semi trance she was in. As she turned to leave, she gave him a small wink before skipping out of the door with a swish of her hair.
"Kai, over here!" He heard her call. He walked casually over and sat between Ray and Max, making sure to keep his eyes on the pot of tea in front of him to evade Chantel's constant attempts to make eye contact.
"So, where are you taking us today?" Ray asked Katelynne, rather shyly.
"Well we thought we'd show you where the beybattles are going to take place," she answered.
"Cool, where's that?" Ray asked.
"You'll see." She replied giving him a small wink. She turned to her friend, "Shall we, Chantel?"
"Sure, why not?" With that she rose from her chair and leaded the others out of the breakfast room. "Come on guys!"
"But I haven't finished my pancakes." Tyson protested.
"Forget about them," Kai snapped. "We've got better things to do than watch you eat yourself into your early death, so follow her." Chantel gave him a grateful smile, which he briefly returned, before they left.
The Beystadium was in a separate building behind the hotel. It was colossal. Inside they saw raised seats that could seat thousands and right in the centre of it was what looked like a circular trap door. At one end of the stadium was a large wide screened television, on the opposite was another.
"Underneath that must be the Beydish." Wondered Kenny pointing out the trap door.
"That's correct," piped Chantel.
"Wow, can we see it?" Asked Max.
"Sorry Max but it's top secret, nobody can see it until tomorrow, when the tournament begins. I've got a better idea though, how about we show you guys around town?"
"That's cool with me," said Max. Tyson, Ray and Kenny nodded their heads in agreement.
"Kai?" Chantel asked.
"Whatever."
"Great! Lets get going. I know this great shopping centre."
They walked for ten minutes past some of Bulgaria's most beautiful beaches, before catching a glimpse of the shopping centre. The Bladebreakers had never seen one as large as it. First, Chantel and Katelynne showed them around the arcade. Kai refused to play on any of the machines. However he finally gave into Chantel's pleas and played Tekken with her. Surprisingly he found he was actually really good and beat her (rather easily after the first two games) over and over again. Ray had challenged Katelynne to a dance competition on the dance mat. She thwarted Ray and he lost an embarrassing ten times.
"I let you win anyway." Ray argued.
"And why exactly would you do that?" asked Katelynne with a grin.
"Er, no reason."
"Yeah right, I won fair and square."
"You haven't seen anything yet. I'm the dude with dance moves, let's go!"
"Your on!" she said and leant closer to Ray. "I've got a move or two up my sleeves too," she whispered into Ray's ears.
Ray froze. 'Did that have a hidden meaning?'
After they went to the hotdogs stand for lunch. Chantel held her one in her hand however she tripped and fell splattering her hotdog on the floor in the process.
"Great," She muttered, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
"Here," Kai held out a hand to help her up. "You can have mine if you want. I wasn't hungry anyway."
Surprised by his kindness, she thanked him. As she chewed her hotdog, she couldn't help but wonder whether Kai had even the smallest feelings for her.
They went to a gift shop, after Max insisted he needed to get a present for his mother. It was late that afternoon before they arrived back at the hotel and went to their rooms to change for dinner. They had all agreed to meet at the hotel's lobby to have dinner together at the hotel's extravagant restaurant. The Bladebreakers were first to arrive at the hotel lobby and waited for Chantel and Katelynne.
Ray chuckled to himself as he watched his teammates. He couldn't believe how much they'd changed. None of them looked like the kids they were, instead they looked like reputable young gentlemen. They all had swapped their regular gear for shirt's and black trousers. Ray noticed that Max had even added some gel to tame his wild hair and Tyson had removed his cap and had instead, tied his hair into a neat ponytail. Ray then surveyed Kai, who was leaning against the reception desk with his eyes closed. He had to admit that Kai looked good. He wore a black shirt with the top button sexily undone. He had removed his scarf and wore a pair of neat black trousers and shoes. 'He sure does know how to scrub up,' he thought. Even Kenny had changed wearing a navy shirt, black trousers and matching shoes. Just then Ray was torn away from his thoughts when he caught sight of Katelynne and Chantel. To Ray, Katelnne looked stunning. She wore a midnight blue evening dress and her hair was tied into an elegant bun. Ray had to stop himself from drooling.
"Hey guys, you look great!" Said Chantel happily. She wore a sexy black mini dress and matching stilettos. She spotted Kai by the desk and caught her breath taking in his new look. She liked what she saw.
By know Kai could tell when Chantel stared at him. He had to admit that she looked hot. He looked up.
"Got a problem?" He asked her smirking.
"Nope, no problem at all." Chantel smiled and walked ahead to the dining hall.
"They'd make a cute couple, Ray," Katelynne whispered to him. Ray nodded in agreement however he didn't know why a part of him refused to believe so.
"Kai's just too stubborn to admit he likes her." He whispered back.
"What about you Ray?" She asked slyly.
"I-I d-don't know w-what y-you're...." The group had been eating for twenty minutes. Kai noticed that Chantel was yet again staring at him when she thought he wasn't looking. He decided to observe the others in an attempt to ignore her. He tilted his head left and saw Ray whispering into Katelynne's ears. She appeared to be giggling and to his horror he saw that one of Ray's hands had disappeared underneath the table and it appeared to have found Katelynne. At that moment Kai felt a twinge of jealousy and hate towards Katelynne but couldn't explain to himself why. All he knew was that he couldn't take watching anymore of it.
"Yo, Kai. Haven't you ever seen people make out before?" Tyson taunted from across the table.
Kai jumped. He was caught. Ray and Katelynne immediately broke apart and Kai turned to face Tyson.
"You know Kai, it's rude to stare," he laughed enjoying the look of discomfiture on Kai's face.
"Shut up, mother fucker, if you know what's good for you," Kai dangerously hissed.
"Dude, calm down! Fuck man; were your parents really that strict? Your mama probably kicked you out 'cause you caught her and your dad fucking. That would explain why you're such a sourpuss.
Kai rose abruptly to his feet and gripped the table with both hands. His muscles tensed and he glared at Tyson, a glare so cold and livid with rage, that Tyson stared back in surprise and fear. The group's table was silent as everyone watched in apprehension. The aura around Kai intensified. However as suddenly as it came it drained away. His grip on the table increased and his knuckles began to turn white. He took in deep, calming breaths and let go of the table. He lowered his head so that nobody could see his face and stormed out of the Dining hall.
"Humph, what bit him in the butt?" Tyson snorted.
"Tyson, that wasn't fair!" Kenny scolded.
"Yeah, that wasn't very nice Tyson," Max agreed. "You were out of order."
"I didn't mean to make him mad, well maybe a little." Tyson muttered, remembering cuss match he had with Kai on the plane. "Guys, I was just having a bit of fun!" Tyson defended.
"Do you think he'll be O.K?" Chantel asked worriedly. "Maybe I should follow him."
"No," Said Max. "I'll go."
"Are you sure?" Kenny asked.
"Yeah. Don't worry I'll be fine.
He then got up from his seat, waved good-bye to everyone and hurried out of the hall in search of Kai. Kai ran not caring about the stares people gave him as he passed. He eventually made it to the suite he shared with the Bladebreakers and ran straight into the en suite bathroom. Clutching both sides of the sink, he fought to gain back his breath. He stared down at his fists as they began to pale again and forced back the tears that were threatening to escape. He could not believe he lost control like he had. He looked up and stared into the mirror, which was above the sink and sighed. He couldn't decipher how he felt at that moment as a huge awry of emotions ran through him. He felt alone, a feeling he hadn't felt for a while. He balled his fists and punched the wall in frustration.
"Kai?"
Kai saw a familiar reflection in the mirror and turned to stand face to face with a shocked Max.
"Just leave me alone Max," Kai muttered through gritted teeth.
"Kai, are you O.K?"
"I'm fine." He lied.
"No you're not." Max calmly said.
"And what do you know about it?" Kai hissed as though doing so would intimidate Max and make him leave. "You don't know anything about me or how I'm feeling." He turned his back on Max in frustration however Max stood his ground, staring determinedly at Kai. "Why won't you just leave me be?"
"Because I know I wouldn't be very happy about someone talking about my parents like that if I knew they never loved me." Max sighed.
"What are you talking about?"
"I know that once your parent's tried to kill you." Max answered softly.
"H-How did y-you -?" Kai gasped as he slowly turned back to face him again.
"I overheard your grandfather and Boris talking back in the Abby in Russia, when we came looking for you." He paused. Kai however remained silent, so Max continued. "Voltaire said he brought you up after you ran away from home."
"He used me." Kai spat abruptly. "He didn't do it out of the 'goodness of his heart'. He had his own ideas and I was too fucking stupid to realise that. My parents were the same. My mother was a slut; all she cared about was booze and her cigarettes. My father, the bastard used to cheat on her, sometimes right in front her, not that she cared. She did the same thing, only he didn't know about it."
"So," Max asked hesitantly. "What happened?"
"They were into drugs big time. The hard stuff, like heroine. Anyway they owed drug dealers a lot of money and were soon unable to pay them. One evening a man broke into our house, with a gun and demanded the money there and then. He threatened to kill us all if they didn't give him the money they owed. Guess what my so called parents did?"
"What?" Asked Max apprehensively.
"As the gunman took aim, the cowards grabbed me and used me as their shield. In other words, they were prepared to let me die."
"Did he shoot?"
"Yeah, he did." Kai simply pulled up his tank top and turned to show Max a fading scar where a bullet had been on his left shoulder blade.
Max stared in horror and shuddered. Seeing his reaction Kai laughed, a hoarse and bitter laugh. It sounded so unnatural to Max like it was another person standing in front of him, not the Kai he knew.
"You could catch a fly if you keep your mouth hanging open like that Max." Max instantly clamped his mouth shut as Kai continued to laugh. "You know, Tyson's right. I've never been wanted, been shown real love, then again I don't know what that is." Kai looked intently at Max. He looked so innocent. He didn't know why, but at that moment he felt like pouring out all the bitterness, hatred and hurt he'd kept bottled up for years into him. "I don't know why I didn't just die that day. Maybe God wants to punish me, make me suffer even more. I guess I should be used to it by now." He found that tears were beginning to resurface again.
"That's not true."
"I can't blame Tyson. No real family, I was always destined to be alone. Maybe I should leave right now. This team doesn't me, if I was completely honest it never did. Tyson and Ray both won their matches in the finals of world championships. I lost. Max, I know I've never told you this but you're a good friend and you'll be great one day. But me, I'm nothing but a joke. A loser." Kai turned to leave and strode out of the bathroom door, Max sprinting after him. Before he could get to the door that would lead him out of the suite, Max blocked the exit with both his arms.
"I can't let you leave Kai."
Kai stared incredulously at him. Max's mind was made up and his face set resolutely.
"Tyson was wrong to say what he did and I know it upset you Kai. Even though you don't want to admit it, what he said brought back horrible memories from your past, and anyone would react the way you did. It's human."
"I-I was g-going to h-hurt him Max. I was really going to hurt Tyson." Kai stammered.
"But you didn't Kai, you didn't. What happened to you when you were younger was out of your control and not your fault. You're not alone. You've got us Kai you're not alone. We all care about you, even Tyson. When you're not around I know he misses annoying the hell out of you. I know he likes you and deep down inside I know you like him too." Max grasped hold of Kai's shoulders with both his hands. "Don't give up Kai."
"I-I d-don't know." Kai whispered, averting his gaze.
"GET OVER IT! SO YOU'VE HAD SOME BAD LUCK, BIG DEAL! YOU'RE STILL HERE!" Max shouted. He sighed, let go of Kai and turned away from him. "You know, I've always looked up to you Kai. I've always admired your strength and skill. I wanted to be like you. But now, I'm glad I'm not. I just never thought you'd be a quitter."
"I'm no quitter Max," Kai defended firmly. "Don't ever assume I am."
"Then prove it." He challenged turning back to face Kai, his sapphire eyes flashing with fierce passion.
Taken aback, Kai stammered.
"Please Kai, don't go."
Kai was unable speak. He knew he had always underestimated Max. He had never realised until now how wise he really was. He smiled weakly and Max beamed back. Max now had his respect, but he wasn't going to tell him that.
"Let's find the other's Kai," Max suggested.
"Whatever. Um Max you won't er-."
"-Tell anyone?" Max finished. Kai nodded gently.
"I won't tell anyone if you're not ready to."
"Thank you Max." Max and Kai finally found the others in the hotel lobby.
"Kai are you o.k?" asked Chantel worriedly.
"I'm fine."
Standing slightly apart from the group was Tyson. He spotted Kai and walked uneasily towards.
"I'm sorry Kai." He muttered sincerely.
"Forget about it, I already have."
With that, the Bladebreakers bid goodnight to their new friends and prepared themselves for the battles they would have to face the next day.
Author notes
Thanks for reading my chapter. I know this chapter was kinda slow and sucked, but please, please, please review. I'd love to hear from you guys even if it is a flame! - I promise that it will soon pick up in the next few chapters. Bear with me!!