Author's notes: Well. Umm.. that chapter wasn't actually supposed to be put up. I have no idea how it got there.. but it was a real surprise for me when I found it the other morning. 0.o" Lol- oh well, it doesn't really matter.

In reply:

Yeuh Kitsune: Sure, go straight ahead, burn here- here's some petrol ::hands petrol over:: lol, umm the uke? Ok, from what I've heard the uke is the ummm bottom, right? Sorry, I suck at this. Anyway, Kai's the leading person in the relationship, lol. Isn't he always? . Thanks for reviewing!!

Skyflyer: Lol, I hate it when people put starring instead of staring. That just pisses me off. Thanks for the review!!!!!!!

And thanks to all the other reviewers!! I love you all!!! ::hands out kai plushies:: Sorry I didn't get time to reply to all of your reviews.

Warnings: This is a YAOI fic- which means BOY/ BOY!! Don't like, then get the hell out of here!! Oh yeah- and a bit of cussing and a little weeny bit of sexual tension!!

Disclaimer: Oh yeah, I definitely own Beyblades. I mean, why else would I be here writing crap fics? Lol- no, I don't own Beyblades, however much I want to.

!#$%&()

Rei's jaw dropped and he stared at Mariah in frank shock.

I must be imagining things. Because there is no way that Mariah could've just proposed to me.

He blinked several times, trying to process the information. Okay... Mariah just proposed to me. Oh my God- she just proposed to me!!

"I- I-" he stammered.

Isn't it the guy's job to propose? he wondered. I guess she really doesn't get the fact that I don't love her.

"I'll give you some time to think about it." Mariah smiled widely, obviously thinking that he would agree. "So, would you like something else to eat?"

Rei shook his head, still dazed. "I- I'm going to go for a walk." he muttered, and stumbled out of the cafe.

I need to find Kai. I need to clear my head. If I say yes then she would become Mrs. Mariah Kon. Good lord no...

He ran back to the dojo, where Kenny sat typing away at his laptop.

"Hey Rei." the short boy waved cheerfully at him. "I thought you were with Mariah."

"Hey." Rei greeted him breathlessly. "I was with Mariah but she's -er- busy. Where's Kai?"

Kenny frowned in concentration. "Ah... I think he went to the park to train." he grinned. "Kai's always training, so I guess the answer's pretty evident."

Rei laughed as well, though the laughter didn't reach his eyes. His mind was still too preoccupied with the proposal. His twisted his hands together anxiously, and his breathing was erratic.

Kenny noticed this, and wondered why Rei was so worked up.

I wonder why he's after Kai? Kenny's agile mind immediately leaped to Mariah. I hope she's not harrassing him again. Poor Rei- breaking up with her once was hard enough for him, he doesn't need to have to go through the whole process again.

"True." Rei waved farewell to Kenny before running off in the direction of the park.

As he ran down the road he wondered how Kai would react when he heard about Mariah's proposal. He knew that Kai highly detested Mariah, though for what reason Rei didn't know.

Kai usually respected -to some degree- good bladers, and even the blunette had to admit that Mariah was a pretty good blader.

So why doesn't he like her? Rei wondered. Could he possibly be jealous?

Rei knew that Kai possessed a strong jealous streak, but usually Kai got over his jealousy by beyblading, so it wouldn't show on his exterior, keeping as calm and collected as always.

Untouchable, Rei thought somewhat wistfully. But if he was jealous, then what's he jealous about? He's a better blader than Mariah, so that can't be it. Is he jealous of me? Maybe he's in love with Mariah!

Re's heart almost stopped. No! he refused to think about Kai being in love with Mariah. It's impossible. I would've noticed it before. And that's that.

He arrived at the park and looked around for Kai. The park was crowded with families, lovers and children. It didn't look like a typical Kai hang out.

Why on earth would Kai be here? He hates all sort of human contact.

He looked around but couldn't see Kai anywhere. He strolled around the park, wondering if Kai had decided to take a day off training and not told anyone.

But he took a day off yesterday when he hung out with me. It isn't like Kai to not be training.

Rei was starting to get worried. What if something had happened to the bluenette? His slightly pointed ears picked up as he heard someone approaching him.

The neko jin whirled around and came face to face with his captain. Rei gave a nervous grin when Kai didn't say anything for a long time.

"Ah.. Kai?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. "You okay?"

"Where's Mariah?" Kai asked abruptly. His crimson eyes were narrowed with jealousy. "I thought she was with you."

So he is jealous... Rei felt his heart sink. He must be in love with Mariah... he lowered his eyes, hurt.

"Yeah- well... we talked and I kind of left..." Rei looked away uncomfortably.

"What did she do?" Kai demanded, clenching his hands into fists, ignoring Dranzer which was cutting into his right hand.

If she hurt him in away possible... I swear I'll kill her... Kai growled angrily.

Rei sighed heavily. "It's... complicated."

"How so?" Kai looked around, glaring at the happy families around him as if it was their fault that Mariah was in Japan and causing havoc. "Let's go back to that tree we were in yesterday. It's a lot quieter there than it is here."

They walked to the opposite side of the park and climbed back up the tree that they had been sitting in the day before. Kai leaned against the tree trunk, one leg hanging off the branch, the other pulled against his chest.

Rei wanted to lean against him, and have Kai wrap his arms around him, but he knew that it was impossible. He wanted someone to comfort him, to tell him that everything was alright- that if he didn't accept Mariah's proposal the world wouldn't end. That Kai really did love him back.

"Well. What happened?" Kai asked, or rather, demanded.

Rei hoped that he wouldn't kill Mariah. "Sheproposedtome." he mumbled under his breath.

"What?" Kai frowned at him, impatience lacing his voice. "Say each word clearly, Kon."

"S- she-" Rei mustered his courage. "She proposed to me."

Shocked silence followed his words. Kai stared at him, disbelief written all over his face. His hands were clenched so hard that his knuckles were white and dranzer cut into his hand.

"She what?!" his crimson eyes were burning with anger. "How dare she! And did you accept?"

He can't have accepted! That fucking bitch! The stupid whore- how dare she take my Rei away from me? Goddamn her! If Rei accepted... Kai's chest heaved with anger, tiny tears of frustration pricking his crimson eyes.

Rei shook his head. Was it just his imagination or did Kai give a small sigh of relief?

I'm just imagining things. And if he did sigh in relief, then he's probably glad that I haven't stolen Mariah away from him, Rei thought bitterly.

He could tell that Kai was absolutely fuming. The fury burning within crimson orbs caused Rei to gulp and inch away slightly.

"I have to say- I wasn't expecting that. I mean, I thought she was going to say that she loved me or something, but to propose..." Rei's shoulders slumped as he buried his face in his hands. "How can I say no? Mariah will never forgive me if I refuse."

"Who cares?" Kai demanded. He stretched out both legs and shifted closer to Rei. "Kon. This is your life, this is your choice."

I never imagined that Kai would ever give me prep talk on my personal life. Blading, yeah, but on my love life? He grinned inwardly though it was tinged with sorrow.

"I know." Rei groaned.

He felt an arm snake around his waist and pull him so that he was resting against a well toned chest. He tensed immediately, and he felt Kai move away, obviously thinking that Rei wasn't enjoying being within a close proximity with him.

"No- don't move away." Rei murmured. He rested his head on top of Kai's shoulder, breathing in the bluenette's unique, exotic scent. "What should I do?"

"What do you want to do?" Kai asked. He tried to calm his heart, and ignore the fact that the boy that he loved yet couldn't have was within his embrace.

"I don't love her. Not like that. But I don't want things to turn sour between us."

"You managed to break up with her before. Surely it can't be that hard to say no." Kai sucked in a sharp breath as he felt Rei nuzzle his neck.

"I suppose." Rei said doubtfully.

His skin is so soft... Rei thought, almost dreamily. And so smooth...

Those moist lips against his skin sent Kai's heart beat racing. His grip on the raven haired beauty within the circle of his arms tightened by a fraction.

Rei, having no idea of the havoc he was wrecking on his stoic captain, shifted so that he was practically sitting on Kai's lap.

Kai felt his pale cheeks burn bright red as the neko jin caused uncessary friction.

"Ah... Kon..." he began uncomfortably.

How am I going to phrase this? Get off my lap because you're turning me on? Kai immediately trashed that thought. Maybe not...

"Yeah I know, we'd better be getting back." Rei groaned as he thought of Mariah waiting for him back at the dojo. He didn't want to move away from Kai. Somehow the bluenette always made him feel better. "I don't want to go though."

"We don't have to. It's only around 3pm." Kai pocketed dranzer, and winced as he saw the thin red lines of cuts that dranzer had left.

Rei noticed his wince and followed the bluenette's line of sight. "Oh! How did that happen? Are you okay?" Rei tore his sleeve, ignoring Kai's protests, and reached for the bluenette's hand. "Let me bandage your hand."

Kai reluctantly allowed Rei to inspect his cuts. He ignored the warm sensation that shot through him as soon as Rei's skin came into contact with him.

"They're not bad, which is good. You must've held on to Dranzer too tightly." Rei commented. "Why did you do that?"

Kai flushed. "Just stressed that's all." he didn't say what he had been stressed about.

"Over what?" Rei asked curiously.

What is there to be stressed about? Unless it was the proposition that got him so worked up...

Kai shrugged. Rei finished bandaging Kai's hand and went back to his former position, leaning against the taller boy, resting his head on his shoulder.

"I don't know how to get rid of her." Rei spoke up suddenly. "I mean, I thought she would get the point when I broke up with her all those months ago."

"Kon. All you have to say is no." Kai said, his voice as emotionless as ever, though his crimson eyes contained a spark of sympathy.

"I know... but how can you refuse one of your best friends?" Rei asked sadly. "I've known her for all my life, Kai. I grew up with her. She's practically my sister."

"That's why you have to say no, Kon." Kai looked at him seriously. "First of all, it's illegal to marry your sister, and second- if you don't love someone, then you don't marry them. Marry for love."

Rei rolled his eyes. And thus speaks the expert on love, Kai Hiwatari himself.

"Let's get back to the dojo. I have to confront Mariah sometime, and there's no time like the present."

"We don't have to go back if you don't want to." Kai watched him carefully.

Rei shrugged. "I'm going to have to tell her that I don't love her, and the sooner I do so, the better. Otherwise I'm just going to keep putting it off, and then eventually I'll completely lose my nerve."

"Of course." Kai leapt off the branch and onto the ground. "Come on." he held out his hand, though he knew that Rei, being a neko jin, was able to get down perfectly well on his own.

He didn't expect Rei to accept his hand- if it had been him, he probably would've been insulted- but the neko jin took his pale hand in his own tanned one.

"Thanks Kai." the words sent shivers rolling down Kai's spine, and the feeling of Rei's hand in his felt so right.

"Hn." the blue haired boy grunted.

They walked back to the dojo, and found Mariah chatting away to Max who had an extremely forced smile on his face.

"That's... interesting..." the blond boy murmured, obviously not having the time of his life.

"Mariah." Rei spoke up. He saw the pink haired girl's eyes light up. He sighed inwardly, knowing that there was no backing off now. "I need to speak to you."

She grinned, obviously thinking that he would accept. "Come on, let's go into your room." she tugged on his wrist and lead him into his bedroom.

Kai looked after them, his eyes fixed on Rei's lithe figure. Don't let her toy with you Rei. She doesn't deserve you.

"So... what do you want to talk about?" Mariah asked, smiling flirtatiously at him.

"Look, Mariah, I love you-" he winced as she grinned happily "-but only as a sibling." her grin lost its brightness by several watts. "I'm really sorry, Mariah. It's just... I can never love you the way you want me to. I'm truly sorry."

To his surprise she simply smiled, and there was an almost forgiving edge to her smile.

"Err... Mariah?" Rei asked nervously.

Okaaaayyy... what's going on? She's happy? Something's not right...

"It's okay Rei." she said in a very motherly tone. "You'll open your eyes to our love sooner or later. Hopefully sooner."

"...what?!" Rei quickly recovered from his previous state of speechlessness.

"You just need some more time. And I'm sorry for bringing this upon you suddenly, but it just had to be done." Mariah winked knowingly at him and walked out of the room.

Rei stared after her, shocked.

What does it take to convince her that I don't love her?!

He groaned loudly and left the room. He saw Kai sitting at the kitchen bench and sat next to him, dropping his head into his arms.

"What happened?" Kai asked immediately, placing one hand on Rei's tense shoulder. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah, I'm fine, thanks Kai." Rei rolled his head so that he peered up at Kai with tired amber eyes. "She just won't accept the fact that I'm not in love with her, and that I won't marry her. What else do I have to do, Kai?"

Kai looked thoughtful, then his eyes lit up suddenly. "Decoy."

"Huh?" Rei frowned. "What?"

"Pretend you're with someone else. Say you're gay or something. Then she can't force you to love her!" Kai finished with a small smirk. He waited to see what Rei's reaction was.

At least now I can find out whether I have a chance with him or not.

Rei stared at him, his mouth hanging open. "... I- I suppose... that sounds like a good idea. But there are some major flaws."

"Like what?" Kai asked, frowning.

"Like the fact that I don't have a boyfriend. And besides, she'll just tell me that it's some phase I'm going through." Rei gave a groan of frustration.

"Then find someone who can pretend to be your boyfriend." Kai suggested.

Pick me!! PICK ME!! his mind screamed at Rei, though he showed nothing on his face.

"Who the hell would agree to be my boyfriend?" Rei asked, raising an eyebrow. "Tyson?" Rei shuddered. "God no. I mean, he's a nice enough guy, I just wouldn't be able to pull it off. And Maxie? Mariah would be able to see through that right away. Even think about making me pretend to go out with Kenny and I'll kill you."

Kai smirked, holding back a chuckle. To even think about putting Rei and Kenny together was... well, proposterous.

That leaves only me, Kai thought, his smirk growing wider.

Rei seemed to have just realised it as well. He went bright red and averted his gaze. "Umm... well..."

"That leaves me." Kai said, his voice as smooth and calm as ever.

"...yeah..." Rei was blushing madly. His tan helped to hide some of his blush, but even then Kai could tell he was bright red from a distance.

"Do you have a problem with that?" Kai pinched himself hard, to stop from breaking into full fledged grin when Rei nodded, somewhat shyly. "Good. I'll pick you up at 6pm then. That should give you enough time to tell Mariah that you're seeing someone else."

Rei nodded, then frowned slightly. "Where are you going to take me?"

Kai rolled his eyes. "Relax Kon. I'm not going to abduct you or anything. I'm just going to take you to the park." he frowned. "Unless people don't go there on dates anymore."

Rei went even redder, if that was possible. "That sounds gre- fine. That sounds just fine. But don't you think that you should call me by my first name?"

"Hn. Rei it is, then."

Mariah entered the room at that moment. She saw the way Kai was leaning in towards Rei and narrowed her eyes. As oblivious to Rei's lack of love for her as she was, she could tell that something was up between her "boyfriend" and his seemingly cold hearted captain.

"Rei?" she asked suspiciously, looking from one boy to the other.

Rei flinched and immediately pulled away from Kai guiltily, as if she had come across them while they were in the middle of discussing a gigantic secret. Kai reacted a bit more calmly, though there was a definite nervous gleam in his eyes.

"I'd better be off then." he said gruffly, with a meaningful look at Rei.

Mariah's eyes narrowed into tiny slits and she bared her fangs menacingly at the blue haired boy, who ignored her, as stoic as ever.

"Pick you up at 6." Kai added before disappearing out of the room.

Mariah turned upon Rei. "What was that about?" she demanded. "Treating you like his- like his lover-" she spat out of the word "-or something! I swear, someone needs to bring him off his high horse one of these days."

Rei swallowed. "Maybe he treats me like I'm his lover-" it felt so strange to say that word, especially when he was associating it with Kai "-because I am his lover."

!#$%&()

Author's notes: Okay, thanks to everyone who reviewed:

Prozacfairy, Suheil373, nekomoongirl, Mara202, Skyflyer, Death Phoenix, Yeuh Kitsune, Munku-JGSPTV, Fisou, Alea, I.lIvE.wItH.sQuIrEILeS, dragon-girl 02, Crystal Blaize

See you all in the next chapter!!!