Chapter Four: Countdown to the Tournament
The stadium was huge! Rei had never seen a stadium this large since his last tournament. In the twilight it looked its absolute best. Different neon lights lit up the sidewalks and the edge of the domed stadium. And the fact that it was less than a mile from the ocean made it look even more splendid. Rei walked through the front door, taking in all the sights. Beybladers of all nations were moving about the lobby or going to train in private rooms. To think that this was the place where they would be holding only a mini tournament!
Being as wrapped up in looking around as he was, Rei didn't notice the girl who was walking straight for him. Bumping right into him she pulled back.
"I'm sorry."
"Oh, that's okay." Rei smiled pleasantly.
"Will you be participating in the next tournament here?" She asked.
"Yes." Rei nodded.
"So will I!" She exclaimed excitedly. "Nice to meet you! I'm Kari!"
Rei shook her hand. "I'm Rei Kon."
"Really?! Aren't you one of the players on the Blade Breaker team? The one who defeated the Demolition Boys in the last major world-wide tournament?" Rei nodded, a little embarrassed. "Oh my god! Then I am very glad we met!" Kari shook Rei's hand again before turning and skipping out the lobby door.
Two hours of practicing was enough for Rei and Drigger. The hotel room was dark when he returned but from what he could see, Max and Kenny were the only ones in bed. Rei could really care less about Tyson but he hoped Kai was safe. Changing into his nightshirt and some shorts, Rei slid into his bed and closed his eyes. That night there was no nightmares or any dreams that Rei could remember, but his sleep was still uneasy.
Sunlight peeked in through the cracks in the blinds, waking up Rei first. It was already beginning to get hot so Rei took off his shirt and went out on the balcony to watch the rest of the sunrise. Max, being the hyper blonde he was, jumped out of bed next and woke up Tyson. Kenny awoke because of the commotion Tyson and Max were making, then again who could sleep with the two of them practically bouncing off the walls?
"KAI! GET YOUR LAZY ASS OUT OF BED!!!" Tyson bellowed at the foot of Kai's bed.
There was a loud groan from Kai. He sat up in bed and held his head. Concerned, Rei left the balcony and stood at the foot of Kai's bed. "Are you okay, Kai?" Rei asked gently.
Kai opened his hard eyes and looked at Rei, blushing because of the absence of Rei's shirt. "I-I'm okay… just a… headache…"
"Actually to be more correct, Kai has a hang-over." Kenny piped up from the table.
As if on cue, Kai lurched, covered his mouth and ran to the bathroom. There were some hurling noises that were muffled through the bathroom door.
"Well that's very disgusting…" Tyson scrunched up his nose. "Hey Rei, can you cook some breakfast? I'm starving!"
Rei was about to answer when Kai answered for him. "Rei isn't your slave, Tyson!"
"Oh yeah? You wanna try and mess with me?" Tyson taunted, pulling out Kai's voodoo doll.
Rei narrowed his eyes at Tyson and his childishness. "Don't, Tyson!"
Tyson grumbled but stopped. Rei started making breakfast anyway because he himself was hungry as well. Also, Rei made a drink that he had heard could cure even the biggest hangovers. Kai came out of the bathroom looking very pale and sick. Rei slid the drink to him and Kai gave Rei a questioning look.
"For your hang-over." Rei said simply. "You shouldn't drink anyway."
Kai took one drink of it and almost spit it out but he swallowed. "Yes, sir." He said sarcastically.
Max was clinging to Tyson while he ate his pancakes that Rei made. Rei ate his own share of pancakes and got up to change into clean clothes. When he came back Tyson was threatening to use the voodoo dolls again. Sighing, Rei once again told Tyson off and everyone continued eating. Kai was starting to look better too. But after breakfast Kai was going to take a nap, Tyson was going to go out and Max would tag along. Rei decided to just hang around the hotel room. It was certainly quieter with Max and Tyson gone. Even Kenny had left to do some touring. This left Rei and Kai all alone in the hotel room…
Rei looked over at the sleeping Kai. It was probably the only time Kai wasn't scowling was while he was sleeping. The raven-haired Chinese boy couldn't help but smile.
Tyson had separated from Max to search for some food while Max was looking around at all the different shops. A large banner was hanging outside a nearby restaurant. It read: FREE ALL YOU CAN EAT BUFFET!!!
Without a second thought, Tyson raced into the restaurant to be served.
Kai had woken up after a couple of hours. Rei was silent and standing out on the balcony.
"Hey Rei." Kai called after exiting the bathroom from taking a shower.
"Yeah?" Rei decided not to face Kai.
"I wanted to thank you." Kai spoke softly.
This surprised Rei. "What for?!"
"I heard you stop Tyson from doing whatever he was planning and also you made that drink for me." Rei turned around and Kai grinned at him. His face flushed and he turned away to hide it. "But anyway, I need to get out and I don't want to leave you here by yourself so do you want to come riding in my rental car?" It was Kai's turn to blush.
"Um… s-sure." Rei replied.
After about the seventh or eighth plate, Tyson didn't feel so good. He left the restaurant feeling miserable. A car beeped at Tyson and he groaned, knowing whom it was.
"Hey Tyson! You don't look so good." Kai yelled. "I was going to give you a ride back to the hotel but I think I've changed my mind 'cause it looks like you're about to throw-up any minute."
"Gee, thanks…" Tyson groaned.
"I was being sarcastic so get your ass in here." Kai snapped. Rei sat quietly in the front seat next to him.
Tyson climbed into the back holding his stomach, painfully.
In a dark alley, some thugs cornered the hyper American blonde. "Somebody help!" Max yelled, hoping someone would hear and come to his rescue.
"Shut up, brat!" The biggest thug snapped and they all started beating on Max.
"Leave Max alone!" Kai and Rei shouted in unison (Tyson was curled up in the back moaning).
"Run!" The thugs scattered, revealing Max lying on the ground beaten, bruised, and dirty. Rei lifted Max and carried him to the car with a little of Kai's help.
"Tyson has food poisoning and Max was bullied… the old fortune teller was right." Rei thought aloud. "Maybe this vacation wasn't the greatest idea…"
TO BE CONTINUED
I haven't updated in a long time and I'm sorry if it sucked.
