Disclaimer: I don't own Beyblade… what a shame.
Warnings: Shounen-ai, fluffyness (maybe not yet, but in the future), possible ooc:ness…
Chiaki-chan: Yahhoo! I'm back again… I don't feel like babbling, so let's move straight to the chapter.
Chapter 2: Cold Days
It was the second day of our staying (if you didn't count the day we arrived). Yesterday had been so cold something around -20 Celsius so we had been staying indoors the day. To everyone's surprise the day had went surprisingly smoothly. There had been only one fight between our captain and the dragon. We had played games and even Kai had joined us in couple of them (okay, I have to admit that it took pretty much effort to make him agree) and in the end he had won almost every game he was participating in. Dizzy of course was convinced that she had beaten all of us, if she only had hands or someone to play for her. Unfortunately Takao had declared it to be cheating if Kenny took any advices from his bitbeast, so she had to accept to only mock us.
Luckily for us, it appeared that it had been just an exceptional coldwave, so today the temperature was only -7 degrees. Because most of us wasn't used to the weather under zero, it still felt cold, but after a while you got used to it.
I had woken up eight o'clock to find that our fearless leader had already gone somewhere. I had gone to living room to read. The others had come to the breakfast hour later and there hadn't still been any sign of Kai. Not that I was worried.
Takao had had a great idea of learning how to ski. From the four of us Max was the only one who had even tried cross-country skiing (and only once when he was little kid), so we decided to ask later about it from Anna. It would be nice to learn some new things while having a chance. So instead of that we had gone outside to build a snowman.
If I may correct, the turtle and dragon had built it. As for me and Kenny we were satisfied just making snowballs for the snow lanterns, putting candles inside them, so that they would make nice scenery at night. Takao, being as smart as he is, had gotten a bright idea of stealing one of Kais white scarves for the snowman. The blond boy was so kind of lending one of his knitted hats so that any other of us didn't have to find some of our clothes missing.
The team captain had come back around midday to drop a handful of snow under Takao's shirt because of the snowman. Ignoring the other boy's complains he just drank a glass of water taking a slice of bread in his mouth and disappeared again. This time he only went to the backyard training. Not coming inside since.
It was already six o'clock and the dinner had prepared was ready, though I didn't want to start without Kai. It wouldn't be fair that the blue-haired blader could eat all of it. So instead of informing the others (who were watching some soap opera) I decided to go out to drag the phoenix inside.
I took my coat and slipped the warm shoes on and exited the house as quiet as I could. Hearing the familiar sound of blading I made my way to the backyard.
I stopped as I noticed my captain standing little further away where the snow was still untouched, except for what Dranzer had done to it. The first thought that went through my head was probably something like, how good Kai looked, but it had been quickly pushed aside when the other clothes that caught my attention. There was nothing wrong with them. He was wearing his normal baggy-pants and sleeveless polo neck. But considering the temperature the clothing was way too little. Of course there wasn't a chance that the captain would actually admit this.
"You want something?" The phoenix asked bluntly still concentrating on his blade.
"Just wanted to tell you that the dinner is ready." I informed still wondering didn't the other freeze. The blade that had been spinning on the ground made its way to Kai and stopped. Picking it up the Ice Prince turned to face me.
"Enjoy your dinner then." He said walking past me.
"You're not joining us?" I couldn't help it that I sounded little disappointed. Not getting any answer I continued. "There won't be anything left after Takao gets his hands on it."
"I'm taking the risk." He spoke starting to go down the stairs to the sauna.
Sighing I went back inside and declared the meal to be ready. It seemed that the old Kai was back again.
"I take it that Mr. Sourpuss isn't joining us." Takao said while piling food on his plate. Before I could open my mouth he interrupted me. "Don't say it. Let me guess… He's too busy with training."
I just nodded as I started eating, not really paying any attention to what the others were talking about.
We were half way through the meal the captain entered the house yet again, joining us. I was surprised that there really were something left. He probably went to get a shower knowing that he had changed his clothes and his hair was still wet.
After the dinner was eaten and the dishwasher was filled the others (except the phoenix of course) sat back to the couch.
"You know what." Takao stated. "I feel like going to the sauna and trying to go swimming."
"Sounds good to me." Max smiled as he switched the TV on turning his whole attention to zap through the channels.
"So are we going?" The dragon asked. I couldn't help but chuckle. He really didn't think before acting.
"Takao, it has to be warmed up you know. Or else you will be sitting in a cold room." Kenny informed.
"More waiting… great." the midnight-haired boy muttered. He was just about to continue his whining when the Russian youth interrupted him.
"Just shut up and go." He said with a warning tone leaning against our room's doorframe. "It probably is too hot for you anyway."
"Why you…" But before Takao managed to say anything more Max spoke. It seemed he also had figured that Kai had already warmed up the sauna.
"Did you actually prepare the sauna for us?" The blue-eyed boy asked in disbelief. "Can you see in the future or something?"
"Hn. You're just predictable."
"Argh! This is so frustrating!" I cursed as I tried to brush my hair. I hadn't felt like going to the sauna, so I had just taken a shower and came back to the cottage. Somehow my hair had managed to get more tangled than normally and I hated it. And it didn't help that Kai was amused about my struggling.
"You want to try?" I asked angrily and turned to face him. But the fury was soon replaced with surprise as he gestured me to sit in front of him. Not sure what to do I seated myself on the floor between the coffee table and sofa. The brush was soon taken from my hand by the slate-haired one.
I felt tense, uncertain what to think or expect, but as he started softly brushing my hair I relaxed at once. I never had actually thought that the phoenix could do something with such care. As my thoughts was threatening to start wandering in some directions, which I certainly didn't want them to in the Russian company, I decided to start a conversation to distract myself.
"So where were you in the morning?" What a lame question. Well, it was always better than talking about the weather, wasn't it.
"Training." Why wasn't I surprised? He really had a way to stop the conversations before it even started.
After a moment of thinking I tried again. "You know, you'll catch cold someday, if you don't dress up properly."
"Since when had you been concerned about my welfare?" I could hear that he was amused.
"Since the day we met." I answered truthfully making the brushing stop.
The room was filled with an uncomfortable silence for way too long, for my liking and I was just about to stand up and leave, when he continued his task.
He didn't say anything, so I decided to shut my mouth, even if it would continue the awkwardness between us. Things were really going out of my hands. Giving a sigh I closed my eyes and tried to enjoy the feeling. Apparently I managed to fall into some kind of trance as I soon felt the other's breathing next to my ear.
"Never thought you'd actually purr." He said with a low voice making me shiver, in a pleasant way.
"Well, guess you learned something new about me then." I said smiling sadly as a continued with a whisper. "And I'm still in the square one."
I knew he had heard what I had said, because he put the brush aside and sighed. "Why are you doing this?" He asked calmly, but as I turned I could see annoyance in his eyes.
"Because I want to." I simply said standing up and now completely facing my captain. "I know that I am probably pushing you, but I can't help it. I want to know you! And I don't mean the cold façade, I mean the real Kai."
"Well, sorry to disappoint you." He said also standing up walking towards our room filling the air with his cold aura. It was my turn to be fuming. This time I wasn't going to let the conversation end here.
"Do you know how much it hurts?" I asked him with angry tone. I couldn't bring myself to yell at him, so I just tried to keep my voice in control, in order to give him a piece of my mind. "Every time we have this argument! Every time you turn your back to me! Every time you give me a cold stare that tells me you've put up your barrier! Every time that I realize that you are untouchable…" All my efforts were useless as my voice broke and my vision started getting blurry as the unshed tears filled my eyes. He had stopped on the doorway, still his back towards me.
Finally I realised, how much the whole thing had worsened. Not the part we were arguing, but now I knew my feelings were past the crush. I had fallen in love with him. Even if my words weren't more than a whisper I continued knowing he could still hear me. "It hurts, Kai. It really does. It feels like I can't breathe, like someone was ripping my heart from my chest…"
"Have you ever thought about my motives?" The phoenix spoke quietly. "Have you ever thought, that maybe I didn't open up, because of you…"
My eyes widened as my mind registered what the scarlet-eyed captain had just said. I could feel my heart break into pieces as the tears started to make their way down my cheeks. I just couldn't take it anymore. I had to get out; somewhere where I could think, somewhere where I could breathe. So I broke into run.
Still having some sense in my mind I grabbed my jacket and put my shoes on as I passed my other team mates who had just came back. Not caring I closed the door before any questions and started running.
It didn't matter how much I ran, the sorrow and agony still followed. Knowing it wouldn't help anymore I collapsed on the ground. Lean against the nearest tree as Kai's words started to crawl from the darkest parts of my mind back on the surface.
Was it really because of me Kai hadn't opened up? Would he have opened up to the others if I wouldn't be here? Was I really the one to blame?
I couldn't think straight anymore. Questions filled my mind as the tears just continued falling. I was starting to feel the cold. The temperature probably had dropped or maybe I just had been here quite long. How long exactly, I didn't know.
I just sat there, watching as the snowflakes started to fall. Wasn't it times like these, when it started raining, making everything look more miserable. I gave a small laugh. Well, it was too cold for raining; instead it froze into snow making things more beautiful.
I sighed. I was probably just overreacting. I hadn't given Kai even chance to explain what he meant. How ironic. I always wanted him to open up, but when he said something, I run away afraid to hear what he said. What a friend I am.
But what if it turned out to be something I had expected? Would I break down completely? Would I leave the BladeBreakers? Would I go back to China to drown my worries? I was thinking too much again. Why is it that Kai is the one who makes me think? When I have an argument with Takao (which doesn't happen very often) I normally just keep my head, but if the Russian speaks to me I always start to question my decisions.
I stood up brushing the snow from my clothes and hair. Great, now my hair was double as messy as before. It was only now, when I realized that I really didn't feel my fingers and toes anymore. As I started to move I could feel the cold taking over my body, little by little. I hadn't even noticed that I had run so far. Or maybe it just felt like it.
Again my mind started to race. I was all alone right now and that was the thought that scared me the most. Was I going to freeze here? Would someone find me, if I just collapsed? What would the others think? Would they worry? Would Kai worry? My feet just didn't carry me anymore. My vision was starting to get blurry, but this time it wasn't because of the tears. The world started spinning and I could feel it as the blackness took over me.
TBC
Chiaki-chan: Ta-da! There was the second chapter!
Thank you for your reviews! I hope I got more of them!
Of course if you don't want me to update, then don't review, but… -mumbles something drawing circles on the sand-
