Mei: Hi!! I'm back! :) Sorry about the late updates -.-;; School's started again for me. :( But… They're finally showing G-Rev where I live! D YAY!! ::skips around doing happy dance:: Anyway – aside from that, this chapter kinda has my view on what sorta happened during the whole Cyber Bit-beast incedent in V-Force -.-;; I usually think of Wyatt as dead… but uh… Since it never mentioned what happened to him in the show, I wasn't specific with it either. I think Wyatt fans would kill me if I said he died anyway n-n;;

DISCLAIMER – see previous chapters because I'm too lazy to say it again :P

Warning: contains shounen ai/yaoi-ish stuff. I'll assume you all know that by now…

Mei: This chapter's kinda boring -.-;; Sorry for that. Hopefully the next one will be more exciting... n-n;;

..::Chapter Six::..

Max knew that Kai would never pull a member out of a battle unless he had good reason to believe they were incapable of beyblading. He also knew that his captain had good judgement and could tell when team members were unable to blade. Another thing he knew was that while the older boy may appear to many to be calm and collected, he could also have quite a nasty temper.

Especially when one of the team disobeyed him.

One might have wondered why, while knowing all these things, that Max still left the hotel and headed to the stadium. One would have to continue wondering, because Max himself wasn't sure why he had done it. At first he had gone straight back to his room like Kai had told him to. In a way he was rather grateful to get away from him and into a different room, without him in it.

He had sat in his room for a few minutes, it was eerily silent and dark – the fourteen-year-old never opened the curtains, because then he would see the garden where he had spent his last night with him. After a while he began to feel quite lonely. Like Tyson, Max was a people person. He liked to be around other people, no matter what his mood.

He told himself that this was the reason for his leaving the hotel. He told himself that it was why he was heading to the stadium to see the tournament… but he knew better.

Because back in his dimly lit, quiet hotel room, Max had opened the curtains. He had stared down at the beautiful garden, all the vibrant colors of the flowers – reds, yellows, oranges, blues and violets, the bright greens and pale teals of the leaves, and the various shades of blues in the fountains and the ponds. It really didn't look the same in the daytime as it did during the night. There were so many different colors, unlike night, when everything was bathed in the silvery moonlight.

Then Max had remembered when they had first arrived at the hotel. He had begged him to take him to see the gardens. He'd never set foot in the place since he had taken him there, on their first night in Spain. Normally, the thought would have made the young blonde cry… but he didn't. Maybe he had run out of tears to cry, but suddenly he was angry. Angry at him.

How dare he toss him away like he was nothing more than an old toy? Is that all he thought of him? Well, Max wouldn't put up with that. That was why he was heading towards the stadium… Towards him. He was tired of avoiding him. Tired of running way, tired of crying. If he thought he could get away that easily then he was wrong.

"I'll make you love me again, Ray…"

"Max?"

::-::-::-::-::-::

"Kai, I think you should apologize," said Tyson tentatively leaning over his phoenix's bed. He and Ray were sulking – "like small children" as Hilary had put it – and nothing he or his brunette friend said would snap either of them out of it. So Tyson had taken it upon himself to get at least one of them to apologize, hoping that the other would follow suit. Knowing that Ray was the more reasonable one who would probably accept an apology, Tyson was trying to get his boyfriend to say the simple little 'S' word.

Easier said than done.

"Kai, I know you aren't sleeping," said Tyson, poking the elder teen.

"Hn."

"You said something! Or at least, you made a noise, some action to show your acknowledgement of my presence. That's progress!" He smiled brightly and kneeling down so that he was nose to nose with his captain, "Right?"

Kai's eyes narrowed in annoyance and he rolled over so that he was facing the opposite direction, "Hn."

The younger boy made a face. Out of all the people he could have fallen in love with, he'd just had to pick a stubborn, moody… Man, he's impossible! Why did I ever fall in love with him in the first place? He wondered grumpily.

"So…" said Kai, watching calmly as the other boy stormed in, slamming the door shut behind him and flinging his launcher across the room, "I take it you didn't have a good day?"

Tyson glared up at his team captain, "What are you doing here?" he snapped.

The older boy cast a glance around the room – which was amazingly clean given the fact that it was Tyson's bedroom, "I was looking for you," he said simply.

"Why?" shouted the younger boy, "So you can make me train some more? Well, don't bother! I already told the others that I'm sick and tired of all the training we're doing, so you can take your beyblade and go train somewhere else – since you love it so much – because I quit!!"

Kai said nothing. Apart from Tyson's heavy breathing and the occasional ringing of Grandpa Kinomiya's wind chimes, the room was silent. Both boys stared at the floor, neither saying a word. Finally, when Tyson appeared to have calmed down, Kai spoke up hesitantly.

"I… was actually hoping… that you'd come to the hospital with me…" said Kai softly, "You know," he added quietly when Tyson shot him a puzzled look, "To see Wyatt… I don't think that I could face him alone."

"Oh…" said Tyson, his tone softening. In all the training and panic that had followed the Bladebreakers ever since the attack from that cyber bit-beast, he had completely forgotten about Kai's old school friend, "Uh, yeah. I'll go with you," he wasn't quite sure why Kai was asking him of all people and not someone like Ray, who he could actually stand…

The elder teen nodded in silent acceptance and gestured for Tyson to follow him out the door, so the younger boy never had time to ask his question.

Tyson remembered that day well. It was the first time he had ever really seen his team captain's "sensitive" side. The side that wasn't constantly obsessed with perfecting his beyblade and training for tournaments, the side that wasn't detached or indifferent. He had fallen in love with that side… and gradually the rest too, despite the flaws… stubborn, moody or no.

Of course it had taken him almost two years to actually admit to that love.

"Hi guys!"

Tyson looked up as the door flew open and Hilary barged in, dragging a very disgruntled Ray behind her.

"Ray has something he'd like to say," stated the girl firmly, she turned to the Chinese teen who's arm she had locked in a death grip and asked sweetly, "Don't you, Ray?"

The neko-jin glowered as he attempted to salvage his dignity by yanking his arm out of Hilary's hands and mumbling a very tiny apology.

Hilary's eyes narrowed dangerously, "Now Ray, I don't think Kai heard you. Say it properly."

Ray scowled, but before he had a chance to say anything-

"I'm sorry," snapped Kai, not sounding particularly sorry at all, but rather like he was trying to get it out so that Tyson would stop poking him. This was followed with a strangled cry when Tyson smacked Kai over the head and basically repeated what Hilary had told Ray about saying it "properly".

"They're right," said Ray. Kai shot him a venomous glare, but he continued anyway, "We are being immature. Yes "we". Yes that means you. Don't look at me like that!" he sighed, "Listen, I'm sorry for not concentrating during the match today, Kai."

Tyson and Hilary held their breath as they waited for Kai's response.

"You're sorry? You're sorry?"

Tyson and Hilary tensed up. This wasn't looking good. Ray said nothing.

"Why are you sorry?" asked Kai shaking his head. The three of them looked at him puzzled, "No Ray, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have snapped at you, everyone can have an off day."

Ray blinked dazedly, before shaking his head and laughing slightly, "No, it was my fault. I should have been paying more attention. I'm sorry."

"Well, looks like those two are getting along again!" said Hilary cheerfully.

"No, it was my fault," said Kai, "I-"

"Don't," interrupted Ray, "It was my fault."

"No, it was my fault."

"No, it was mine."

"No. It was mine."

"It was mine."

Tyson and Hilary stared at the two older boys in disbelief.

"I think you spoke too soon," muttered Tyson.

::-::-::-::-::-::

Kenny dragged himself up the stairs and into his room. He'd really blown it. Not only had he successfully hurt some of his best friends, but he had completely embarrassed them and himself in front of a whole stadium of people. Why couldn't he just have ignored them like he always did when their conversations turned to… well, things he didn't want to hear about.

The small chestnut-haired boy sighed as he trudged over to his bed. He was so pre-occupied with his thoughts that he didn't even notice the person sitting in his bed until he was on top of them.

"Chief!" exclaimed Emily, pushing him off her and pouting slightly, "Watch where you're going!"

"Oh, hi Emily," muttered Kenny half-heartedly, not bothering to ask why the All Stars girl was in his room.

There was a long pause before the words,"We… we lost today," were uttered softly by the red-haired girl.

"What?" asked Kenny in complete astonishment. The All Stars weren't a team to lose easily, especially in the first round of a tournament, "Who? How?" he asked weakly.

Emily frowned, "Some riff-raff team called the Saint Shields," she growled.

Kenny laughed, "Oh them," he smiled remembering the days when Tyson had obsessed over beating Ozuma and his gang, "Tyson and the others lost to them too, when they first battled. The secret is their invisible bit-beasts."

"Invisible bit-beasts?" asked Emily, "But- but if they had bit-beasts, our system would have detected it! I drew up a scan on my computer and the readings were…"

Kenny relaxed as he listened to the frantic girl go on about her research, bringing up files from her database and showing them to the weary boy while complaining that there was no evidence to show bit-beast activity. It made him feel better to listen to her go on about physics, and helping her with her research. When he was working he didn't have to think about the previous events of the day. Maybe it was better not to think…

"Oh… That makes sense," said Emily softly as the Chief explained why she and her team had lost their match, "I can't believe I didn't see it before!" she shook her head looking disappointed with herself.

"Yeah, it took me a while to figure it out…" said Kenny softly. I still haven't figured out anything about those Spain's champion team…

"So, I heard your team was blading today too," said Emily conversationally, "How did they do?"

Kenny flinched involuntarily as the memory of the morning came back up, "I don't know…" he said quietly, realizing it was the truth. He didn't know how the final match had turned out. While he was more than certain that Kai could have won the match easily, there was still that one odd chance…

"You don't know?" Emily repeated puzzled, "Weren't you there?"

Kenny sighed thinking back to the days events. It was all so confusing – he shouldn't have yelled like that, but then… what gave his teammates the right to shove unwanted information in his face anyway? They were always talking about Max and Ray's relationship, discussing it in front of him and forcing him to listen to them… He clenched his fists unconsciously. He was right to get mad at them! Wasn't he? The small boy sighed, unsure what to think anymore.

"Kenny? Hello? Earth to Kenny?" Emily was waving her hand in front of his face in an attempt to gain his attention, "What's with you, Chief? You've been spacing out on me today."

"Oh, it's nothing," he replied slowly, "Why don't we just focus on trying to research that elusive Spanish championship team, okay?"

Emily gave him an odd look, but nodded amiably, accepting the fact that he didn't want to talk about it. The two began to work on their research.

::-::-::-::-::-::

"So… That's what happened," said Max softly. He was still amazed that he had been able to tell the whole story without bursting into a fit of tears, but now that it was out he felt… better somehow.

The girl walked beside him, nodding in silent understanding. She didn't say a word, instead waiting for him to continue.

"Uh… I'm sorry for just kinda dumping all my problems out to you like this," said Max, fidgeting, "I just felt like… I needed someone to talk to, you know?"

"I know," she replied quietly. There was a tinge of sadness to her voice that made Max feel that she had probably experienced something similar.

"Thank you… for telling me, Max."

"No. Thanks for listening… Miriam."

Mei: No, I'm not turning this into a Max/Miriam fic! n.n;; Don't worry, it started as Max/Ray and it'll end as Max/Ray. I just felt like throwing her in, she's one of my favourite V-Force characters. I realize I haven't updated any of my stories in a really long time -.-;; Gomen. I've been working on The Middle of Nowhere, but … ah… I think I've lost my inspiration for that story. -.- I'll still finish it, it'll just take awhile. I'll probably leave it alone for a long time and work on my others, then maybe some flash of brilliance will hit me! n.n

Kai: You were never brilliant.

Tyson: ::pokes Mei:: Answer your reviews, baka! And this time don't forget anyone! ::glares::

Mei: Hehe…::dies:: X.X

Thanks to everyone who reviewed! You guys are the best! n.n

Dark-Grace, Seto Kaiba Wheeler, Feelin Glayish, Darkarc, Enchanted Crimson Rose, Typhoon14, Animegirl171, Angel V, Fireie Gurl, Rejiita, Renanimeangel, Tyka-Forever

Crimson – Wha? When did I ever say I didn't love Ray? -.-;; Of course I still love him!

Ray: ::snorts:: Yeah right. Love to torture me, you mean.

Mei: Why do you people have so little faith in me? ::cries:: Anywho – Kai and Ty are meant for each other! You're absolutely right! They belong together forever and ever and ever and ever… but now I'm rambling too n.n;; (P.S. – Youare a better writer than I am, so nyah! n.n)

Angel V – How could I forget? Baka ::bangs head on wall:: Mei ::bang:: Baka Mei ::bang:: Stupid stupid ::bang:: stupid… I'm very cruel to Maxie… Methinks me will make him better someday. Probably when I finally finish this story o.O

Darkarc – I love Uke Kai and Seme Tyson!! ::glomps:: They ish the best! Well, they're great the other way around too, but… eh? I'm confused now. -.-;; Poor Kenny, I really made people hate him, didn't I? n.n;; Hopefully he's not hated so much in this chappie, right? Don't worry, Ray and Max will most definitely get back together in the end. O.o I think I'd get killed if they didn't.

Fireie Gurl – Nah, Ray and Kai aren't the type to hold a grudge, are they? Hehe, Kai's a girlie girl!

Kai: That does it! You. Die. NOW!!

Mei: EEP!! Gotta run!

Glay – o.O Ray doesn't win much, does he? I've also noticed that Tyson never loses Dragoon O.O whereas the others have all lost their bit-beasts at least once. Yeah, those RayKai fics seem to pop up everywhere. T.T Even before I went crazy over Tyka I hated RayKai fics -.-;; Ooooh! You and Ranma is writing another ficcy? :) I'll have to read it when you post it ::nods::

Dark-Grace – ::giggles:: Skanky Bunny Kenny ::laughs:: Haha!!

Kenny: STOP MAKING FUN OF ME!! ::cries:: I want my Tala…

Mei: O.o Where did that come from? n.n;; I don't usually write about Tala. ::huggles plushie of Neko Kai:: Awwwwww! So kawaii!

Tyson: ::snatches plushie:: Mine!

Mei: Hey! :( You have the real Kai! You don't need a Neko Kai plushie. -.-;;

Tyson: Yes I do! It's too cute! :) My Kai! No one else's! ::huggles Neko Kai plushie::

Mei: -.-;; Stupid muse.

Kai: Anyways, review Mei's story, or you'll never get to see me punish Ty by-MMMPH!!

Mei: ::claps hand over Kai's mouth:: Baka! You're giving the plot away! Besides, you'll never get to punish him because will backfire and-MMMPH!!

Tyson: ::claps hand over Mei's mouth::You're just as bad as Kai! The two of you ought to be locked up before give away the entire story! Anyways people, please ignore these two. Review instead :)