Chapter 23

Prozacfairy: Ray's Ray. He gets guilty over the smallest of things. Let's just hope Kai catches up.

Bluumberry: It's a typo... just a deliberate one. I do it to the dialogue of Bryan, Kevin and Lee. That's all. Kai hardly ever talks to anyone, so who knows if he calls Kenny 'Chief' or not. Fighting to get Ray? It might be. ;)

Zap Cannon: I'm 20 on December 29, right after Christmas. And yes, tease them, all the time. And Kai will, knowing him.

autumnburn: Unlikely. Kai never opens up to anyone... well, with the exception of Bryan as you've already seen, but that's it.

Blazing Phoenix L: He's scared and unsure. Besides, he left the village without saying goodbye, as we're told in the anime. It's not strange for him at all.

animeandraia: So that was your denial stage? Thanks for that. Forgive my prying there, but I like collecting personal stories from people so that when I write it comes out natural and realistic. I myself have bi tendencies, though I doubt I'll ever actually be with a woman. I'm more centred toward men, but nothing stops me from looking. We're all born bi, after all. And Ray is too emotionally driven for his own good. He's probably running from his feelings for Kai: his own treatment of denial. :D

white-tiger-kitten: Um.... punctuation? It helps. And the answers to your questions will be revealed... eventually.

Ashla: It's part of a short story anthology filled with stories set in and around my home town (in Australia). My story got edited to death, though. However, many of the sales are because I'm in it. I know people. :p And he's not as lazy, no... or in my opinion, anyway. Just remember the anime - kendo, running, climbing... fair effort.

Chaco and Lily: The likelihood of you finding the book is slim. It's an anthology called Something Different: Tales of Contemporary Ballarat and is sold here, that is, in Ballarat. You'd have to send for it, and I'm still trying to find out how people can do that. I have one story in it. And Kai has his own theme? Where can I get it!?!? What is it!?!?

Koneko no Rei: Thanks for the congrats. And Ray may come back, or he may not. You'll simply have to read on and see.

Tariki Rania: Apocalypse? Well, that's one way of putting it. :D

lilmatchgirl007: Kai's ticked off all right, and not just cause Ray deserted the team either. And why can't he knock Ray around. :p ;)

Mizuyah: I'd say it's a once off... or is it? ((flicks eyes toward Ketsuron)) And I really should start adding commentary to the bottom. That just sounded so cool. :p

TNTiggris: Oookay. I'm not sure what to say...

keisan: Only partially right? So what's partially wrong? And I'll never get sick of hearing your thoughts. That's what I love about reviews and people who take their time with them - I love their thoughts, opinions and what they get out of what I write. Always different to what I intend, but I like that.

Kit-Cat Caitlin: Don't worry, I understand going behind teachers backs. However, I had the most interesting experience today. I downloaded the teaser trailer of Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith when no one was looking and watched it. Then one of my Uni classmates said to play it again cause he missed the start, so I did. Then he said play it again, and as I did I turned around... and the whole class was there watching it!!! Including the teacher!!! Now that's something that doesn't happen everyday. We spent 20 minutes discussing it then. Sheesh. Shock of the century, I tell you. And your friends read my stuff? You should have them write down their responses. I'm open to emails. I'd love to hear what they think, though Eclipse is fairly ordinary, but what can you expect for my very first Beyblade fic.

I'm starting to twist things…

I have to… I have to go. Ray looked out of the large glass windows of the airport as he waited in line, people talking softly around him. I should never have come here. I… I wasn't being responsible. Kai was wrong… Kai… Kai, I'm sorry. I can't stay. I just can't stay here anymore.

Ray shivered, clutching his bag tighter. Half-an-hour to the airport, and another half fighting inside himself over whether or not to go through with it. Reason had won over logic, and now he stood at the end of the long line to purchase his ticket. The BBA would pick up the tab, just as it always had. It paid to be in the know.

The line didn't seem to be moving. He looked toward the front, glad for his height as it allowed him to see over the heads of many of those in front of him. He frowned as he spotted the woman at the front fighting with the lady behind the desk, the woman's children running around and causing general havoc. Great. He hated people like this. They always seemed to turn up at the wrong mo-

"Ray!"

Ray stiffened, eyes widening. I know that voice…

"Ray, what are you doing!?"

He sighed, turning as he spotted the other approaching him. "I'm going home, Kai."

"Why?" Kai crossed his arms over his chest, scrutinising him. "You've had yourself on a guilt trip since you arrived."

Ray looked away. "It's my responsibility-"

"Do you see Lee and Kevin going back?"

Ray frowned. "No, but-"

"Exactly. You go back there and you're going to be treated like a criminal. You told me what Lee said, remember? They're going to treat you the exact same way. They don't care who you are anymore, only about your role in what happened. They don't care about your side of the story. Nobodies going to listen to you."

Ray averted his eyes. "Kai…"

"Look Ray, you're wanted here. We're your family too you know."

Ray smiled. "And what are you? The over protective big brother?"

"Right now, I'm your father." He pointed over his shoulder. "So go get in the car, young man."

Several of those listening in chuckled, and even Ray had to smile.

"Ray…" Kai sighed, watching him. "Going back isn't going to make things better, especially in terms of your conscience. It's only going to make things worse. If you feel guilty now they're just going to rub it in until you can't take it. I don't want to see you get hurt, Ray. Not by anyone."

Ray sighed. "I know."

Kai raised an eyebrow. "Now I can't stop you from going, though I'm tempted to pick you up and carry you out of here. Your choice, Ray."

Ray gritted his teeth and looked away. Kai sighed, shaking his head and turning away, walking slowly back toward the carpark. Well, he had tried…

"Kai!"

He stopped, looking back. "Yeah?"

Ray smiled faintly, adjusting the pack on his shoulder as he stepped out of the line. "It's a long drive back. Need company?"

Kai shot him a rare smile, nodding as a few people applauded. "Knew you would come to your senses."

Ray shrugged, smiling sheepishly. "Um…"

"You do realise Lee is going to give you an ear bashing once he hears about this."

"Only if someone tells him."

Kai grinned. "We'll see."

((------------------------------))

The three boys shifted uncomfortably, the apartment deadly silent. On several occasions one would think about speaking up but chose to keep his silence, unable to bring himself to break the tension that hung like a thick shroud in the air.

They jumped as the phone rang, Max rushing to get it. "Hello?"

"Hi Max, it's me."

"Ray!" Max grinned as the others crowded around. "We were so worried. Where are you?"

"On my way home."

Max's face fell. "Oh."

Ray chuckled. "In home I mean back to you guys."

"Oh!" Max grinned again. "Great to hear! We would have really missed you, you know."

"Yeah," Tyson spoke up. "There would have been no one to keep the Sourpuss in line."

There was a murmur in the background before Ray chuckled. "Kai said to say he heard that."

"Kai heard that," Max relayed before returning his attention back to the phone. "So how far off are you?"

"Um… that's the thing. The reason Kai gave me his phone to call you is cause… we're kinda stuck in a traffic jam. Radio says there was some kind of accident ahead or something. We don't know how long we're going to be stuck here."

"Oh, okay." Max frowned. "I guess we'll just have to find something to do."

"Kai suggest training."

"Sounds about right." Max smiled. "Can't wait til you get back, Ray."

"I haven't been gone long, you know."

"Well it felt long. Now you and Kai behave yourselves, k? Don't either of you throw one of your tantrums when you get frustrated."

"We'll see." Ray chuckled. "Hope to see you soon."

"We'll be looking out for you, buddy."

"Sure thing, dude."

Max hung up, turning to the other two boys. "Well it seems we have some time to fill in."

Kenny looked at the clock. "It's just after lunch, so I'm going to head for the library. How about you guys?"

Max thought for a moment. "I think I might bake Ray a 'welcome back' cake."

Tyson's eyes lit up. "Need help?"

"Ooh-no. You'll eat everything before I even get to put the mixture together."

"I will not!" Tyson shot him a glare. "And I'll prove it."

Kenny smiled, tucking Dizzi under his arm as he moved toward the door. "See you guys later."

As he vanished, Tyson looked at Max. "Are you really going to bake the cake?"

"You bet." Max grinned, moving toward the kitchen. "And you just volunteered for clean-up duty."

Tyson blinked before a scowl slid onto his face. "Aw man."

Everything seems happy. Not, though.

Hang on, did Ray just say they were stuck in a... ;)