Notes: Some more of Kai's past coming up here. I filled in some blanks, such as Kai's mother's role in the corporation (as far as I know, it is never brought up in the manga), but the majority of it is based on the actual storyline. I'd like to also state that in the manga and the anime, it is not suggested that Kai grew up in the Abbey at all. If anything, he visited occasionally on day trips, but if you look into the anime, his memories of the place only refect one day- the day he set eyes on and tried to use Black Suzaku/ Dranzer. Also, sadly this disproves that he knew Yuriy before the World Tournament when he joined Neo Borg.

Chances are, Kai just lived a cushy life in his Grandfathers house in Japan and occasionally went around enacting his revenge on Beyblades with the Blade Sharks.

(Part 6)

Rei had to admit, he was extremely impressed with the vast amounts of utensils and cooking equipment that was readily available to the resident cook. He was about to reach out and run his fingers along a particularly shiny wok when a voice interrupted his thoughts.

"How about I show you what Kai can really do in the kitchen Rei?" Rei looked up and blinked in utter confusion. Kai too looked bemused at the seemingly random announcement.

"Ah… okay Mrs. Hiwatari." Rei replied, unsure of what she was suggesting.

Alexia set about readying a baking tray and some other necessary utensils. "You said that you wanted to see the gardens right Rei?" Rei opened his mouth to say that it was Kai who had that idea, but was cut short when Mrs. Hiwatari continued. "Well, I think I saw Kai's dad just outside, so why don't you go take a look? I'm sure that my husband won't mind." She said with a sweetness only a mother could manage.

Kai frowned, deeply annoyed. "Mama, I said that I would show him the gardens about three minutes ago. You suggested coming in here." In response, his mother waved her hand.

"Yes, we are going to bake something nice for Rei, that's why I said about coming in here. Plus, you honestly didn't think that a kitchen would interest Rei for long did you?" Kai opened his mouth to protest against his mother's extremely difficult and strange behaviour. "And don't argue with me. How can you show Rei the gardens when you're helping me to bake a cake?" Kai looked incredulous.

"You want me to help you bake a cake? Mama, we have hired help for that sort of thing, and I don't know if you've noticed, but I'm not five anymore. I no longer enjoy baking things with mommy. It's really not my style!" he tried to come across as threatening, but in front of his mother he just looked like a cute, brat.

"I bet that Rei makes things for you Kai. Just because it's your birthday doesn't mean that you can be selfish. You should do something nice for Rei; after all, you dragged him all the way here, when he probably wanted to stay at home with you and his friends."

Kai's mouth popped open, closed and opened again. "You insisted that I bring him! You said that you'd love to meet him that, that you wanted to get to know him, so don't make out like I made him come here! I told him that you wanted to meet him and he said that he wanted to meet you too, so don't you dare make out like I'd force my Rei to go somewhere he didn't want to and put him through all of this shit for the fun of it!" Kai vented, furious with his mother.

And so, Alexia decided to help. "Kai really! Rei's standing right there; don't talk about him like he's not." She turned to Rei, ignoring her stunned son for a moment. "Now sweetheart, why don't you pop outside while we bake?" she said with a broad smile.

Rei nodded nervous after the exchange he had just witnessed and scampered out of the door on the opposite side of the room which just happened to lead to a paved dining area outside. He only just caught the sound of Kai's voice behind him as he left, the tone scathing.

"You'd better not-" the rest was lost on Rei as the door closed behind him. He took a moment to pause and breathe a sigh of relief, glad to be away from the impending argument between mother and son. He briefly wondered why Kai seemed to hold so much mistrust in his parents. All Rei knew was Kai was still angry that Susumu had left Hiwatari Enterprises, Kai and his mother for something to do with Beyblading, and that was something that Takao had told him. Still, Rei was Rei, and despite his curiosity, he owed it to Kai to trust him. He knew that Kai would tell him if he wanted to. It wasn't like there was some huge mystery about the boys past; it was probable that he just didn't think that his childhood was worth talking about.

A voice broke him from his thoughts "Ah, Rei! Have you been banned from the kitchen?" Rei's gaze rose from the marbled slabs, finding Susumu Hiwatari standing before him.

"Yes sir." He answered smiling at the amused tone in the father's voice.

Susumu shook his head in mock shame, "You must excuse my wife. She's a little strange, but she is well meaning, though I doubt you'd believe me if I told you that she's a marketing genius and is extremely gifted in the science of economics. That's how I first met her you see. My dad- who's possibly the most dislikeable man in the face of the planet- made the one good decision he's ever made the day that he hired Alexia to help run his Russian branch. If he hadn't, there would be no Kai, and I would be the mindless drone that he wanted me to be." Rei felt shock. He barely knew the man, yet within hours of meeting him, he had told him more about his life then his own boyfriend ever had. Susumu seemed to notice the boy's surprise and gestured for him to follow as he began to make his way towards the gardens. "Forgive me for being blunt, but since before today you'd only ever met my father, the last thing I'd ever want for you to do is think that I'm anything like him." He laughed, the sound unusually merry for the topic of discussion. "It's the fact that I'm nothing like him that got me 'disowned' by him. Well, not so much disowned, it just got me into his bad books. I chose my dream over his company. He thought that I was pathetic. Despite the scale of it all, it was a pretty normal father- son argument come to think on it. Still though, I couldn't have been what he wanted, even if tried. I'm too 'soft' you see, and I could never be a ruthless enough businessman to run a company as huge as HE. And I know that you've experienced first hand just how ruthless that is." Rei nodded solemnly, wincing as he remembered his fateful battle with Boris which had landed him in hospital.

Rei felt stupid for asking, but his curiosity got the better of him "I-if you don't mind sir, may I ask why you are telling me all of this?" Mr. Hiwatari threw him a small smile.

"Not at all, and you don't have to be so polite. I won't shoot you, you know. If I can be entirely honest, I'm still getting used to the idea of my only child being… gay, but I'm not a monster. I can see that you make him happy, so I'm going to try and get used to it." Rei nodded, meek all of a sudden. "Besides, I'd rather see him with someone who knows him, and who loves him for who he is as a true friend then some beautiful little bimbo who's after him for his wealth and his fame. To be honest, that's why I wanted to talk to you. I want to get to know you better, though I can say that after studying you through broadcasted Beybattles and actually meeting you, my mind is far more at ease." Rei's eyes widened when he realised that the whole visit to the kitchen had been an elaborate plan hatched by Kai's parents to separate Kai and himself for individual questioning. Rei suddenly paled.

His lover's father wanted a 'man to man' chat.

With him.

""Thank you, sir," Rei replied when his brain caught up with him. He was pleased that he had managed to keep the panic from his voice. They carried on walking, passing a grove of what looked to be apple trees. Once Rei actually looked around, he came to realise just how beautiful the grounds around the house were.

"Now, the reason that I told you a little of my history, is because you are now, whether you like it or not, an honorary member of this family, and since I've no doubt that Kai would never think to tell you anything other then he has to, I thought that I may as well fill in some blanks." Susumu continued.

Rei glanced at him and felt a little more comfortable when he saw the genuine kindness upon the elders face. "I appreciate it very much Mr. Hiwatari. Kai has a habit of not… talking about himself. I mean, I don't try and force him to or anything, it'd just be nice to know a little… more."

"Well, you have told him about your past, and if you don't mind me saying so, your past was considerably harsher then his own, so it is only fair." He faltered a moment, as if considering what he was about to say next. Rei felt worry creep upon him when he saw Susumu's hesitance. "Rei, as a father, I must ask you…" he trailed off and forced a smile, though Rei could see the seriousness in his eyes. "Have you and my son… I mean… are you and Kai… are… have you considered… with Kai… experiencing… have- are you…and….my son…" Rei stared at him blankly as he stuttered, searching for the right words. Susumu sighed and chuckled. "How childish am I being? I apologise for how rude this is of me, but… have you and Kai ever slept together?"

Rei paled once again and considered the question. Maybe he was asking… "We share a bed sir, so we sleep next to each other ever night." He seriously hoped that that was the answer to the other mans question.

"No, I meant" Mr. Hiwatari replied "… are you and my son having sex?" Rei's felt his cheeks turn a horrible shade of red in response and he quickly ducked his head in an attempt to get his jet hair to cover it. It didn't work. "I see." The father replied. Rei felt his face burn hotter still. He sent a quick glance at the sky with embarrassed golden eye as if to say 'why me?' "I…" 'Oh God', Rei thought. "I mean, are you using… protection?" Susumu asked almost conversationally.

Rei paused and blinked, confusion flooding over him, replacing his mortification. "But sir," he reasoned, "I can't get pregnant."

Mr. Hiwatari froze in his tracks. The comment caused him to feel both amusement and disbelief. Rei's terror passed when the man before him began to grin at him, leaving him feeling bemused and strangely pleased. It seemed that his answer has satisfied Kai's father.

Susumu nodded and chuckled, continuing in his walk. Well that answered that question. He was pretty damned sure that a boy that naïve wasn't the type to go sleeping around and subject his son to God knows what STD's. He could also rest assured that the Hiwatari honour had been maintained in its own… queer… way.

Kai was definitely on top.

"Come on Rei, I'll show you the pond, and then we'll go back and see how much of a mess Kai's made in the kitchen." He called out to the inquisitive boy behind him. "I'd imagine that Kai is being a real help in baking that cake."

Both laughed at the image the comment conjured.

How very naive is Rei. Trust him to say something like that XD! Oh and seriously, this time, I will be behind. Part seven has been done, but part eight is very slow in coming -,-