Warm Ice

Chapter Three: Balance and Gravity

Authors Notes: While I'm usually very good at researching before I write, I must confess that was not done entirely here. Because of my age, and my ego, I refuse to watch Beyblade. I've see all of about three episodes from the first season, and only a tad more of the second. I had absolutely no idea what Tala looked like until my nephew was watching the show a few days ago. I really didn't have a clue how large Tala's character was, or I really wouldn't have partnered him with Kai. There is absolutely no way, no matter how strong Kai is, that he could do half the moves necessary with Tala. Rei is far light enough, but never Tala. So I'm going to ask you to please ignore his size. Ignore his TV character in general. When I describe him, that's what you should go on.

Also, Thoughts are in Italics and it will be clear as to who is thinking what.

Onward:

Chapter Three: Balance and Gravity

The bed just didn't feel right. Rei shifted, rolled to one side and clutched a fluffy pillow to his chest. He had deduced, after many uncomfortable hours, that no matter how hard he tried, the bed wouldn't ever feel right. He was sinking into the middle without another warm body to balance the mattress. The blankets didn't offer nearly as much insulation as he was used to, and cuddling a pillow was a poor substitute for Max.

He groaned heavily and eyed the window warily. The sun was just beginning to come up and at this he realized just how little he had slept. He had been restless for nearly the past eight hours. He had tried desperately to sleep, knowing he would need the calming time without his mind running rampant on him. Yet sleep had alluded him.

A glare settled on Rei's smooth face. Kai's snores had been a fine indication the Russian hadn't developed any sort of insomnia. And Rei found that completely unfair. He was waiting for Karma to come back around.

He wanted to blame his sleepless night on the bed. It was too soft, and lumpy, and nothing like the bed he had shared with Max. It was smaller, and everything he didn't want it to be. However his intelligence argued he was making poor excuses because of a rather childish reason. Deep down Rei realized his own insecurities and fears of working with Kai were causing the insomnia. It came down to the facts, and he didn't know what to do with the teen sleeping in the room across from him.

Rei had thought he had developed the upper hand the night before. He had made the first real step in their new relationship. Rei had attempted to befriend Kai, but the blue haired male seemed far too distant. And after losing his tempter, he had been further insulted by Kai. How was he to know Kai spoke Mandarin? Rei decided now he was going to make an attempt to learn Russian. Kai would not get any sort of edge if Rei could help it.

Kai was Hitler reincarnated.

Yes, Rei though, as he kicked away an extra blanket. That was the only explanation. There was just no way Kai could order and command and dictate like he had done the previous day. At first Rei had assumed it was Kai's payback of sorts from their earlier falling out, but it turned out to be so much more.

They had spent nearly a lifetime at the gym. Rei had lifted weights and ran the treadmill for nearly four hours. Kai had implicated a strong and non-wavering workout that Rei knew he couldn't escape. Kai did however have the decency to allot him a fifteen minute break, and Rei truly had needed it. But then Kai was right back on his tail, nearly barking at him to work harder. Rei had been ready to bite Kai's head off at the end of their session.

He had been confident Kai understood he had limits. He and Max worked out weekly, and made sure they kept in peek physical condition, but they did nothing like Kai demanded. Rei wasn't nearly as strong as Kai, and he didn't have half the man's stamina, but Kai apparently took no notice to that.

Afterwards they had swam. Laps and laps across the pool and back. So many Rei had forgotten--so many his head spun. When he grabbed the side of the pool, heaving for breath, Kai was next to him, telling him to move again. Kai swam twice as much as him, and twice as fast, but never once seemed tired, or weak or half of the things Rei felt.

That being said, Rei didn't want to move for the next month. As crappy as the bed was, and as much sleep had evaded him, he never wanted to do anything, ever again. His muscles burned, his legs and arms ached and he mentally couldn't withstand another verbal attack from Kai. He wanted to go home. He was losing interest in skating all together.

When the sun finally hit his bed and the clock flashed 6:15am, he knew it was time to rise. As little as he wanted to, he had a sinking suspicion his partner was already up, and he'd be damned if he let Kai use anything against him.

"Oh, man," Rei hissed, sitting up slowly. He was going to need to put his foot down , and soon if he hoped to survive the next six months. He just couldn't take much more of Kai's training program.

He needed to shower. He had a feeling getting under the spray of warm water would sooth his muscles and make him a tad more bearable.

Rei composed himself for just a moment longer before kicked the rest of his blankets away. He gathered a change of clothing and headed towards the connecting bathroom.

The warm shower did make him feel immediately better. He let the spray wash over his face and unbound hair. Suddenly the bathroom aroma became that of Strawberries as he lathered his hair. Kai could shove off, Rei thought has he worked his fingers deeper. He wasn't going to let the Russian get to him, nor was he going to let Kai spoil his precious time. No, right now was for him, the warm water and his hair.

He worked diligently on his hair, washing it thoroughly, and then rinsing it clean. He was filled with serenity as he bundled his hair up in a towel, while wrapping the other around him. He dried quickly and slipped into a pair of lose, blue shorts and a cotton tee. If Nazi-Kai wanted him to change, that was just too bad. The previous night he had nearly overheated in his sweats, so today he was taking a lighter approach.

When he was fully clothed, socks included, he detached his hair from the towel and set to work brushing it through.

Without warning the bathroom door burst open. Rei shirked, very surprised and lashed out, smashing the bottom of his silver brush into Kai's nose. "Ta ma de!" He exclaimed, watching the Russian topple to the floor in a daze. "Cao," He had a tendency to slip into his native tongue at certain moments. "Are you okay?"

Kai picked himself up, wiping a trickle of blood away from under his nose. "It's seven."

Kai didn't seem phased by the hard hit, and Rei watched eyes run over him. "Pervert!" His lightening flash reflexes had him striking Kai again, this time on the side of the head. "What if I wasn't dressed in here? You can't just come barging in! This is my room, and my bathroom and my private space! Do you know the concept of private space?"

Kai seemed almost---guilty? No, that wasn't the right word. Rei searched for the proper word desperately, finding none that would fit the blue haired teen. At best the looked he was receiving was one of bashful confusion. But the words still weren't right.

"We need to go." Kai pointed to his watch. "We're running late, and tardiness is not acceptable." Ah, Nazi-Kai was back.

Rei pushed past Kai clumsily, hitting the light switch on his way out of the bathroom. "By only two minutes," He remarked, glancing up at the clock. "And it isn't my fault my hair takes so long to do. I have a lot, if you haven't noticed."

"Cut it."

Rei stopped in my stroke and spun to face Kai. "What did you say?"

Kai leveled an icy glare on him, fully recovered from the earlier incident. "You'll have to cut it no matter what."

"No way!" Rei clutched the silky strands to his chest. "I haven't cut my hair in twenty years. I don't plan on starting now."

"It's a hindrance. In competition you can't have it."

"Oh, no, you listen to me, you little Nazi." Rei marched forward, tossing his hair over his shoulder. "I am not cutting my hair off. I'd rather forego the competition, but then that would make your time here worthless, right?" He poked Kai in the chest with his brush. "I'm rather good at doing my hair, okay? I can tuck it up and around other bits of hair. It won't hang down unless I want it to. It won't be in the way."

He made to poke Kai again when a pale hand shot out to catch Rei's hand. Something sparked, and Rei's knees locked together. He felt his skin prickle and his eyes widened at the solid grasp Kai had on his hand. "Let go," He ordered softly.

"I'm not a Nazi. I'm Russian."

"Not all Nazis were German."

"Finish up." Kai released his hand and Rei allowed it to drop limply back to his side. "And keep it tied up. The first time either of us become tangled in it, it's gone." Rei didn't doubt Kai was above sneaking into his room at night and cutting it off while he slept.

"It'll go fast if you help." He didn't know what possessed him to say those words, and to Kai of all people. He wanted to take back his words right away, but he just couldn't. He didn't want Kai's hands on his hair, but he couldn't imagine brushing it without them. He didn't want Kai to look at him the way he was, but the fiery gaze was filled with something he felt would be hard to live without. He had gotten himself into a paradox. But of course all of this was irrelevant if Kai simply walked away, which was what Rei was sure would happen.

Instead he received one simple word: How.

"It's harder for me to get someone the deeper tangles," He found himself explaining. "And it's really long, so if someone brushes the harder parts, it saves me time." He held out his brush.

"It will save time?" Kai pressed, feeling his control slip. A quick nod had him snatching the brush from Rei's slender fingers. "Turn around," He commanded.

If Rei's shower was bliss, Kai's careful fingers running through his hair along with the brush was heavenly. It was so different then when Max brushed his hair, Rei noted. Max had always been so delicate, almost afraid to brush too deep or too hard. Rei had occasionally thought it sweet, but most of the time he hid his annoyance through a false smile. Kai was neither afraid nor gentle. He was careful, but firm, determined to rid the hair of tangles. For that Rei said nothing when a nasty tangle or two snagged and his head was jerked backwards.

In as few as five minutes Kai was handing the brush back to him, having done much more than was required. Rei blinked brightly at him for just a second or two before giving his hair a final brush over. Another minute later he had bound his hair, and was ready to go.

They were only ten minutes late.

Kai had decided they needed a change of pace.

That thought found both males in a deserted gymnastics training center. Rei was currently atop the long and narrow balance beam while Kai stood next to it.

"What's the purpose of this again?" Rei asked, rather bored. He supposed it was better than running ten or twenty miles, but honestly failed to see the benefit.

"It's to teach you balance." Rei scoffed at this. "Yes, I'm aware you already know how to keep your balance." True, no one skater was without advanced balance if they were to step out on the ice. Skating, ice or wheels required a sense of gravity and an awareness of body proportion equal to said gravity. In simple terms the person had to be knowledgeable of themselves and the surface they were currently on. "But your balance can always stand an improvement. We will work on this before we attempt the ice."

"I've told you a million times." Rei was losing his cool as he crossed the beam. His arms were held out in the air and he crossed the beam effortlessly. "I'm fine with my balance."

Kai crossed his arms, expression set in stone. "You aren't half as good as you think you are, Kon. Skating in a straight line is one thing, but that alone doesn't cut it. I need you to be able to work upside down, and off your feet. If you can pull it off on the beam, the ice should be possible. Flip yourself successfully here and we'll talk about the ice."

"Solitary flips are illegal." He crossed again.

"Not if I throw you."

Rei nearly faltered halfway across. "Just what are you planning for a routine?"

"Haven't worked it all out, yet. Haven't consulted with anyone."

Including me. Rei wanted to grumble. Instead he corrected a shift in his body weight and continued on to the edge. "So what do you want me to do up here?"

"Stand on your hands, flip backwards, forwards and any other way you can think of. You must become comfortable with every direction, not just right side up. When you have satisfied me here, we will proceed."

Alright, Mr. Perfection, I'll play your game. He creased his forehead in concentration and bend forward, ready to press his full body weight onto his hands for a handstand. "What about you? Your balance can't be that great, especially with a new partner." He was digging deep, but having so much fun.

"We start with you. If we try anything too soon both our lives will be at stake. I don't look forward to smashing either of us down on the ice. If we practice before we're ready either of us might be injured from something as simple as a sprain, or as life threatening as a broken neck. Do you wish to test your current abilities?"

He continued to reassure himself this was far better than working out.

"I just don't see what this," He remarked, standing upright then fluidly bending backwards for a backwards summersault, "Has to do with a Throw Double Loop for example. Or a Throw Axel?"

"It has everything to do with the stunts we'll be performing." With a solid hop Kai hoisted himself up onto the balance beam and caught Rei's arm as he exited from a cartwheel. "Give me your right foot." Kai ignored the odd look Rei was giving him. "Just give it to me." His tone gave no room for disobedience and he turned slightly to lift his foot into Kai's grasp.

"What're you doing?"

Steel eyes were planning something, and Rei wanted to yank his foot away.

"I'm going to see just how good your balance is."

Oh, no, you damn jerk---

He couldn't think any longer. In a blink of an eye, and with incredible strength Kai had flung his foot upwards, causing Rei to flip backwards. It seemed to go well at first, in both male's eyes, but the landing was poorly misjudged. Rei's right foot landed solidly on the tan beam, but his weak ankle could not support the rest of his body and he fell hopelessly off the balance beam and smashed into the mats below them.

"You fail," Kai told him coldly. "Now get back up here and try again. If you can't manage that here, you'll surely get yourself killed on the ice. That's a taste of what we'll be doing in competition, and you are not ready."

Rei didn't move other than to cross his arms and give a 'Kai Glare'. "That wasn't necessary." His glare turned into a hurt expression and he picked himself up.

"Neither was your ego. It is essential for you to realize my life and your life, not to mention our careers, are at stake here. You should have realized it when Max was hurt, but I gave you too much credit. You need to step up, and fast. We don't have time for these games. We have a lot of work and little time to do it. Back out now if you want, but don't lead me on with anything false. I'm here to win, and I hope you are as well."

With new determination Rei managed his way back up on the beam, ignoring Kai's outstretched hand. He placed his hand on his hips and waited for Kai. "You said again, right?" Immediately he was placing his foot in outstretched hands--and immediately the same result as before occurred. Again he was looking up from blue, plush mats. "What am I doing wrong?" He clambered up to his feet and this time allowed Kai to assist him up.

"You aren't doing anything wrong," Kai amended. "But you just aren't strong enough. I started us here because mats are available when we fall. We both need work up our endurance and strength. I will be throwing you on the ice, and if you can't support your own weight when you land, you're liable to break something. The beam mimics the amount of room you'll have to land on the ice. You hit it right, the first time, or you don't hit it at all on the ice. It isn't a game."

Kai motioned for them both to dismount onto the mats.

Golden eyes flashed blankly at him, and then slowly softened. "I understand. I just wanna get back on the ice. It's an itching I'm sure you understand. I also," his voice became almost timid and his hands began to twist in front of him.

Kai's hands settled over his. "Be open."

"I don't think you respect or understand what I can do. I'm not a novice at skating. I've been doing it all my life. Even if working with a partner is new, the skills I've acquired over the decades are not. I want a little faith."

A little mutual respect, Kai read perfectly.

"Alright," he gave in. "Lets go suit up and we'll hit the ice." Kai lifted his hand from Rei's, awkwardly noting the feelings the past few moments had evoked from him. He filed these emotions away for later. "But, if we go out on the ice we abide by strict rules. No jumps, no lifts and if we do anything together it's carefully choreographed. We would be stupid to risk our current physical states."

They exited the gymnastics building with higher spirits. Rei added a slight bounce to his steps, which Kai found himself noticing.

"So, you never told me anything about your previous partner," Rei pressed as they approached his car. "You said you worked with him for twelve years and that he was in an accident, but that was it." He was hesitant to inquire about Kai's personal life, and therefore chose a much easier subject.

Kai slid into the compact car, drawing his jacket on. "His name was Tala," Kai volunteered. "And we lived together all our lives. We were a team and a support system in dark times."

Rei narrowed his eyes. That was a guarded secret, he could already tell. There was something reserved and dark hidden in Kai's words. It almost hurt to listen to Kai speak in that tone. He pressed a hand to his chest, over his heart and swallowed hard. "Why did you get into skating? I mean, my parents decided for me around the age of two and didn't really give me a choice."

"It was an outlet. Better on the ice than on the streets."

They left the conversation at that.

Translations:

Ta ma de : Oh, shit

Cao: Fuck

hoggerwarty : I do not speak Chinese Mandarin, yet. I'm interested and I'll probably pick it up later, but not right now. I'll attempt to figure out the markings, but right now I'm working off a friend online and a reference dictionary. I'm attempting to make sure I get everything as accurate as possible, but I'm sure there' a mix up somewhere with proper and improper phrases and names. I am doing my best.

Thank you, everyone else. Your reviews do keep me going. Without them I'm doomed to losing interest in the plot and abandoning the story.