I'm sorry for the shortness of this chapter, but as a transition chapter, I felt that if I'd've said much more, it would have ended up being far too rambly.

As an apology, I'll put the next one up in a couple of days.

(Part 2)

Rei tugged irritably at the hem of his shirt as it rode upwards, flashing the tiniest segment of pale midriff as it did, before his hands fisted in the fabric once again, pulling it down with stern execution.

The morning had gone by without incidence. Takao and Max had tried to give Kai 'birthday beatings' but soon stopped when Kai gave them a sadistic grin, promising them that on their birthdays, he'd get them back twice as much and twice as hard. Unsurprisingly, that had halted their plans, though Takao had insisted on poking Kai at random intervals in 'compensation for Kai not adhering to such ritualistic rules'.

The range of presents was, to be fair, as expected. A small trinket from Takao (which he insisted was 'personal'), a book and a new attack ring for Dranzer complete with blue flames and 'Kai' especially engraved into it from Kyou, a cuddly 'Suzaku' (which Kai suspected to be a parrot, but didn't question it) and a pair of socks with 'I love kitties' embroidered onto them and from Max and a new black shirt with silver wings on the back from Hiromi. Rei had elbowed him in the ribs when he had scowled, forming obvious criticisms in his mind, reminding him that these people had tried to give him worthwhile presents, and so, he had offered them a small smile, and genuine enough sounding thanks. Even Kai had to admit that the gifts were 'cute', and his mind was soon supplying him with images of Rei in that top sitting on their bed, looking like a naughty little angel. That had caused him to grin with delight, satisfying his team-mates into believing that he was thrilled with their offerings, though Rei was more then slightly suspicious with the way Kai's eyes lit up.

Rei's gift was still a mystery to him when they left the house later that morning to board the 'Hiwatari Enterprises' private helicopter. Rei had seemed awed by the sizable aircraft, which had obviously been designed with luxury in mind, a fabulous display of wealth that Kai found underwhelming and almost tacky; finding his distaste grow when he spied the initials 'HE' displayed on the side.

Without enthusiasm, he boarded, impatiently tugging Rei in when the younger paused to wave back to their friends, and sitting heavily into an oversized- and in his opinion- over the top black leather seat. Rei had quickly sat down beside him, remaining silent as his golden eyes darted around the interior, openly appreciating his lavish surroundings.

Once lifted off the ground, Rei soon lost interest in his temporary transport, preferring instead to fidget as his anxiety grew. He pulled down on the shirt again.

"Rei, will you please stop doing that?" Kai grunted. His boyfriend simply sent him a quick glance and placed his hands in his lap in response.

Two minutes later he was tugging on the shirt once again, distracting Kai from his magazine for the fifteenth time. With a defeated sigh, the Russian threw the magazine to the floor and turned on Rei.

"All right, what is wrong with your shirt?" Rei winced and looked at the floor, hating it when Kai snapped at him like that. He didn't realise that he had been wearing on the others patience so much. The team captain's annoyed scowl vanished at the realisation that he had caused Rei to flinch, and he forced himself to calm, sitting back in his seat with a heavy sigh, cursing himself for his short temper. "Sorry," he muttered, placing a hand on Rei's forearm, "now will you please tell me what is wrong with the shirt, because it looks fine to me." He tried again, his voice softer this time. Rei dragged his gaze up until it was level with Kai's.

"It keeps showing my stomach," he stated simply. Kai frowned a little.

"So?" Rei scowled in annoyance.

"So? So it keep's riding up, and not only is that annoying, but it makes me look even gayer then usual, I'm sick enough as it is of being called girly, so how is it going to look when I turn up at your parents wearing a sodding belly top with a big grin on my face that says; 'hi! I'm your son's slutty, flamboyantly-gay boyfriend. Love me?' he gasped in a breath, obviously finished with his rant, ignoring his lover's expression of surprised amusement.

"Rei, if you're that nervous then we'll turn back and go another time okay?" Kai said with a little smirk playing at the corners of his lips. Rei closed his eyes and grunted lightly in response.

"No, it's your birthday and you need to see them," he sighed, taking Kai's fingers into his grasp when said team captain slipped his hand into his, "Even if it is with me," he added as an afterthought, causing Kai to chuckle a little.

"Kitty, anyone would want to be seen with you. You light up the room, and if you think for a second that you look either flamboyantly gay or slutty, then, my dear, you really are as naïve as I believe you to be," Rei's eyes cracked open to reveal confused amber.

"I'll ignore the 'naïve' comment, but it really doesn't make me look prissy or smutty?" he questioned. Kai shook his head once in reply and chuckled again.

"No Rei, it doesn't." He said simply.

"Really?" Rei enquired, his tone once of slight mistrust. The Russian held back another laugh.

"Really Rei it doesn't. Look, if you were wearing a leopard-print PVC belly top, then maybe, you'd look a little inappropriate, but since you're wearing a red, long-sleeved Chinese shirt, I'd have to say that you look, sophisticated-come-hot, but then, what do I know?" he deadpanned, smiling as Rei blushed lightly. "Besides," he continued, "Perhaps you'll find that they way you're slumped in your seat, and the fact that your seat-belt is on too tight may have something to do with the shirt riding up." Rei's flush darkened at his silliness when Kai undid his seat-belt for him as if he were a small child. "Just a thought," the Russian added with an amused smirk.

Kai sat back in his seat, pleased to see that Rei had relaxed a little more, and stretched his arm forward, re-connecting his fingers with his Chinese lover's, drawing a small, but happy smile from the younger of the two. They sat like that, in companionable silence for several more minutes, Kai, thankful for the lack of twitching on Rei's part; at least, he was until Rei spoke up once again.

"Hey wait! Isn't red the colour that depicts danger?"

Kai let out an exasperated groan.

'Hiwatari Enterprises'- Taken from Beyblade Manga 3. The actual company of the Hiwatari's.