For this chapter, I do not own the title. Though I do own the Refrain of Evangelion CD that the song is on.

This chapter carries a warning- there is lots and lots of dialogue. Yes, this is the chapter where Kai's past is explained.

This is Kai's actual past. Amazing right? No abbey, no torture... what has the world come to? However, as a point I'd like to say that I filled in some blanks. The parts up until Kai and his father blading together are things I've made up to follow the general manga and anime plots. The parts about the blading and onwards are all correct and taken directly from the plot.

Random note: A reviewer asked who Yuriy was. This is Yury (Yuriy/ Yuuri) Ivanov: other wise known as Tala. I adopted this name way back in my first fiction as...well... Tala doesn't sound very Russian. Neo Borg is also the original name of the Demolition Boys. Hope that helps!

(Part 10)-The Expansion of Blockage

"Hey there kiddo."

Rei blinked, raising his head with a start, a frown marring his delicate features when confusion swamped him. It took him a moment to realise where he was, before his eyes moved up to find Kai looming above him.

"Hi, what time is it?" he asked groggily, rubbing at his heavy eyes. Kai lay back and reached into the bag that still lay on the floor next to the bed, retrieving his mobile phone.

He unlocked his keypad and narrowed his eyes when the light from the screen momentarily blinded him. "Twenty past five," he replied after his eyes had come back into focus.

Rei scrunched his eyes closed in an attempt to lift some of the gritty feeling residing in them. Giving up, he yawned and threw himself across Kai's chest, burying his head into the sleeping shirt Kai wore. "Why in God's name have I woken up so early?" he grumbled.

Kai raised a hand, trailing it through some of Rei's loose hair, "Probably because you're unsettled. You've nearly woken up twice before. In fact, I said 'Are you awake?' and you said 'yeah', so I started talking to you and before I knew it, you were gone,"

"Eh? I don't remember that," Rei replied, yawning.

"Heh, I didn't think you would. I figured out that you were asleep all along after a minute." Kai replied, still messing with strands of Rei's hair.

Rei nodded, attempting to get back to sleep when a thought struck him. Raising his head, he peered at Kai. "How long have you been awake for?"

Kai shrugged, not once stopping in brushing Rei's hair. "I haven't really been asleep. I've just dozed a bit." His response caused Rei to frown and move his face closer in an attempt to see Kai better in the gloom.

"Why?"

"I don't know. I guess I was just thinking too much." Kai replied softly. He knew the answer would worry Rei, and sure enough, he felt the grip around his chest tighten protectively.

"About what? Is everything okay, Kai?"

Kai sighed and stopped running his hand through Rei's hair. "I was just thinking about… stuff in general, I suppose. My mom and dad, blading… you…"

Rei raised an eyebrow and backed off a little, "Me?" he questioned, his voice barely above a whisper. Had he done something wrong? Had he embarrassed Kai in front of his parents? He hoped to God that he hadn't put doubts in Kai's mind about their relationship.

"Yes you." Kai responded, sensing Rei's sudden anxiousness. He reached forwards and took Rei into his arms, pulling him against his chest, trying to ease his worries. He hadn't meant for it to come out like that. "Not in a bad way of course, never in a bad way, I was just…" Kai trailed off and Rei waited patiently, snuggled against Kai's chest and listening to his heart beat. "I was just thinking about how lucky I am." Kai said eventually. Rei raised his head from its resting place.

"Lucky?" Rei echoed.

Kai sent him a lazy smile that Rei could barely make out in the darkness. "Yeah, lucky." Kai assured, reaching out again to settle Rei's head back into place. A small space of time passed, and Kai was aware that Rei was still awake. Thinking it better now than later, Kai decided to breach the subject that had gotten him so deep into thought in the first place "Rei…how did you get those tickets?" Kai felt Rei stiffen against him.

Rei seemed about ready to play innocent, but quickly decided against it. With a defeated sigh, he sagged fully against Kai. "How'd you find out about them?"

"I went to fetch Dranzer from your bag and I spotted the envelope," He explained, resuming in running his fingers once again through the dark locks of Rei's hair. He paused, as if waiting for some kind of reaction from Rei. When none came, he took in a deep breath, sighing. "How come you didn't mention them to me?" He asked.

Rei curled further into him, "I- I was going to give them to you last night, when we had returned back to the hotel, but… well… we didn't go back did we?" Rei replied.

Kai closed his eyes, downhearted by the fact that Rei hadn't fully told him the truth, "And the other reason?" He pressed.

"I…" Rei trailed off, before finding the nerve to try again. "Once I saw what your parents had gotten you, Kai, how could I compete?" He said, sadness clear in his voice.

Kai frowned, "What do you mean?"

Rei looked up at him, trying to make out Kai's features in the darkness. "What do you think I mean Kai? Your parents got you a box. What did I get you? Some shitty little seat near the back row!" Rei's voice rose at the last part and Kai winced, disliking the disappointment in Rei's tone. "When I saw how happy you were to get those tickets, I decided that I would simply sell the ones I got you on. The last thing I wanted was for you to feel awkward about having to chose whose tickets you'd use, and I would have felt awful if you turned down such a fantastic opportunity to see the show that you've always wanted to see in such style, because you felt guilty about not accepting mine." Rei looked away, feeling guilty himself for letting Kai find out.

Kai stayed silent for a moment, staring up at the ceiling, as if in deep thought. Eventually, he spoke up, "So how did you get them? I thought that they were sold out months ago."

"Five months ago, give or take a couple of weeks." Rei admitted, "Me and Yuriy rang around a lot of places to try and get some tickets, but we weren't lucky enough to get our hands on any, so we both agreed to keep a look out for anything like extra dates, or people selling on, because I was desperate to get you tickets. I knew that it was close to your birthday, and I knew that you loved the music, so I decided that I had to get them.
Anyway, about four months ago, Yuriy phoned me and told me that someone was selling two spare tickets on Ebay, so we got together and bid on them. That's how I got them, though Yuriy obviously helped me out a lot." Rei concluded.

Kai felt touched at the kindness and determination that Rei had shown, all for his sake. However, one thing concerned him. "Rei? If you were bidding on tickets to a sold out concert, a bidding war must have started. The price wasn't too high was it?"

Rei buried his face back into Kai's shirt. "I had some money put aside, and Yuriy lent me the rest, and I paid him back ages ago."

"You did all of that for me?" Kai asked in wonder, his heart swelling with emotion. He somehow managed to keep from bursting into song and swinging Rei around. He really didn't need that kind of reputation.

"Of course I did, you deserve nothing less." Rei smiled against him, "Besides, Yuu helped too. I owe a lot to him. He wanted to see it too, but he put all of his efforts into helping me. Maybe we could invite him to your box?"

Kai smiled to himself and toyed with some of Rei's hair. "Maybe."

With that, both fell silent, though neither felt tired enough to sleep. After some time, Kai decided to voice what his mind had been dwelling upon.

"Rei?" he whispered. Rei responded with a 'hmmmn' and he continued, "Would you really do anything for me?"

Rei raised his head, surprised by the strange comment. He stared at Kai, trying to discern some fragment of what could have caused Kai to ask such a thing. "Of course," he answered truthfully, when he found none.

Kai smiled to himself and shifted his arms to embrace Rei tighter when he settled back onto his chest. "Then maybe it's time that I give back a little." He announced.

"Give back?" Rei asked, his confusion clear.

Kai nodded, "Yes, give back." He sighed, and rubbed at Rei's shoulder blades idly, "You give me everything you are without hesitation, yet it's taken introducing you to my parents to get me to realise that I don't do the same for you." Rei seemed about to speak, probably to deny Kai's words, but Kai interrupted him, "No, Rei. I'm not wrong. I know all about you. I know that I can rely on you for anything that you can give me, but I realised earlier, that you don't know all about me, and that makes me feel… I don't know… dishonest I guess, and unfair to you, and I don't want to be. I want for you to be able to know me as well as I know you. I just want you to know. I never meant to keep my family life separate from my life with you. I didn't even realise that I was doing it until I actually thought about it when I was lying here awake."

"I don't mind, Kai." Rei whispered.

Kai's mouth twisted into a half smile, "Oh, I know that, but I'm sure that you still want to know. Especially since my dad probably told you some stuff about himself."

Rei intended to deny what Kai had said, but his curiosity won him over. He nodded, the sensation of his hair tickling the skin of Kai's collar bone. "Only if you want to tell me." He spoke up, subtly disguising his eagerness to know more about Kai.

"Sure," Kai took in a deep breath and let it out as a sigh, "Just don't be expecting some kind of novel here. There's not really that much to tell." He warned.

"I don't mind, Kai. As long as it's your story, I'll be happy." Rei said supportively.

Kai nodded and began. "Well. I was born and raised here, in Moscow, because that is where my parents were living at the time. By the time I was about seven, I found myself in Japan more then here; since I was required to be introduced to the company my grandfather owns and let it become a part of my every day life. When I was ten, we moved there altogether, living in an old- fashioned Japanese estate that my Grandfather owned. I never really saw my Grandfather very much, since he was so busy, and, as mama told me, he had become even more withdrawn since my Grandmother died.

"Anyway," Kai continued, "it was around that time that my dad got into something called Beyblades. He introduced me to them and helped me learn how to use them. I guess it became our favourite pastime. My dad loved Beyblades, and I loved playing with him, though he was far better then I.

"Over time, dad started putting efforts into developing blades. I used to spend hours with him, sitting in one of the development rooms, watching him as he enthusiastically designed and told me about new attack rings and spin systems. I just remember thinking that I had the greatest dad in the world. Dad was my best friend, dad spent time with me, dad asked for my opinions, unlike mama, who poured all of her efforts into her work. Dad was really all that I had, I guess. I really wasn't one for rich living and all that, so I latched onto him." Kai paused for a moment, smiling to himself at the memory. Rei waited silently for him to continue.

"When I turned eleven he gave me what he had been working on for all of that time. It was probably the best gift I'd ever received."

"Dranzer." Rei stated.

Kai nodded, "Yeah. I got Suzaku a little after, but my father gave me my original Dranzer bey. After that, we carried on blading and I tried harder, determined to win against him some day." Kai broke off from his explanation and sighed heavily.

"And then one day, my grandfather called us into his office. Mama was already there and took me into her arms. I had no clue what was going on, only that my grandfather wasn't pleased. And then, he just started yelling at my dad. It was so scary to me, to see my father, the greatest man in the world just standing there, letting someone rant at him like that. I couldn't understand why at the time, or what was going on, but my grandfather made it very clear that he was infuriated by the fact that my father had focused all of his attentions onto 'children's spinning tops', rather then the company itself. More so, he was angered by the fact that my dad had filled my head will silly notions and children's games, when I should have been started on the path to understanding how the company was run. I realise now that my grandfather was concerned over the fact that his heir and his heir's heir didn't seem to have what it took to continue his life's work, or even, didn't seem the remotest bit concerned by it. All I could see at the time was the absolute hate that he held for my father's passion, his dream- Beyblades." Kai paused and closed his eyes tightly.

"So he made my father chose. The company or his dream." Kai smiled sadly. "You can guess which one he chose. I should have known before he opened his mouth. He always said that all he wanted in life was to see the smiling faces of children as they played with his Beyblades. Still though, at the time, I just didn't understand. I looked at him, and I knew that his choice was more then that. To me it was a choice between those children who he wanted to see smiling… or me.

"He chose the other children." He whispered. The shifting of Rei's head told him that the younger was looking up at him, concerned by the sudden emotion in Kai's voice.

Kai stayed silent a while, collecting his thoughts. He knew that he had to conclude this. No. He felt that he needed to finish this. More for himself then for Rei. He needed to talk about himself for once. Needed to convey his deepest thoughts and fears.

And he knew that he could, perhaps for the first time. He knew that Rei would not judge him.

"It's something that I will never forget." He continued, "The sudden silence in the room, it chilled me, even if I was too young to fully understand, I knew that that moment was something… pivotal. I remember that I held my breath, and I remember that I nearly chocked on it when dad looked at me out of the corner of his eye. He looked so apologetic for a second.

"And then he left." Kai's grip on Rei tightened, "He swept out of the office, with a purpose that I'd never seen before. As if he was free to finally dedicate himself to what he desired to. And I wanted to go with him. I wanted to be with him always. I wanted to play our games. I wanted to see his face glow with pride when I would finally beat him… but I was held back. I found myself in my grandfather's arms, struggling to get out of his grip, screaming for my dad, but he just kept walking. My grandfather hissed at me, told me that my father was a loser. That he had abandoned both of us for a foolish dream. Mama just watched him leave and turned away when I looked to her for help. I could see that she was upset… It was that moment, everything I held for my father shattered. My adoration turned to hatred. The rejection I felt in that instant. The worthlessness… I couldn't understand how he could just leave me behind, as if I meant nothing…

"That day, I decided that I would punish him for what he had made me feel… what I was still feeling. I would turn those smiles on other children's faces to tears as I crushed their blades to dust. I promised that I would get my revenge; I would destroy all of my fathers beloved Beyblades and I would destroy his dream and make him regret ever choosing them over me. For leaving me behind…" Kai's voice caught, and he found, to his utter shock that tears had welled in his eyes. Rei silent for all of this time, reached up to his face, and stroked his cheek with his thumb, soothing him.

"It seems childish now," Kai continued, "but I was so frustrated at the time, and I was so desperate. All I could think was that my father loved his toys more then he loved me. So I… lost control I guess. My behaviour was awful, and without any parental care or guidance and in control of too much power and wealth, left to my own devices, I went completely out of control. I formed the Blade Sharks and went around picking on other kids and destroying their blades. I am ashamed to say that I got some kind of perverse satisfaction when they'd sob over their broken blades. It was as if I had scored another win against my father…

"Anyway, one day I met a kid called Takao. I thought him just another kid to crush, but, to my surprise he seemed determined not to give up, and when I looked at him I saw… I saw… something. Something that I used to feel, back when I used to blade with my dad. I realised after that it was love. Love for the sport. I found that it only increased my bitterness, which was why I was so terse with you lot when we first met and joined together, because it was something that had been torn away from me" Kai shrugged, and smiled up at Rei, though he could only see the blackness of his shape. "But time passed, and I grew up finally. I realised that my actions of those three years I had gone around enacting my vengeance had been nothing more then my own childishness making me bratty and unnecessarily spiteful. You all helped me learn the error of my ways of course. With you- my team, I learned once again what it was to love what I was doing. Slowly but surely, though it still hurt, I could- to some extent- admire my dad for following his dream. I know that it takes a certain kind of courage to do such a thing. Ironically, it was that thought that gave me the guts to finally tell you that I liked you, way back last year, and the results have made me happy. I knew that eventually, I would be able to truly understand how my father had felt, all that time ago. Still though, old habits die hard. I'm having to re-learn what it's like to have a mother and father and it's difficult, but it's up to us to try right? That is something that you have taught me."

Rei looked mildly surprised at that. "I have?"

Kai nodded, "Yeah. If it wasn't for you, God knows what I'd be like now. You've not only made me happy, you've helped me see just how important it is to not take your family for granted. I…" Kai paused suddenly, as if unsure about what he was saying. He collected himself and continued. "I know that it would never be the same as having your own, Rei, but… if you want of course… well... my family could be yours. I know that my parents are already very fond of you, and I'm more then willing to share. If you wanted to, you could look to them as your own. And I…" Kai cleared his throat, self-conscious at his unusually romantic gesture, "I want you to know that I will always be family to you. One day I will ask you to marry me, and while it will definitely be some time away, I plan to honour that promise. I don't want you ever to feel like you're lacking in something. I guess I just want you to know that."

"Kai!" Rei whispered, his voice heavy. Probably under the strain of fighting back an embarrassing emotional outburst. To stop himself from opening his mouth and saying something stupid, or worse- collapse into Kai's arms as a sobbing tangle of limbs and hair, Rei chose the best way to shut his mind off.

With a gentle smirk, he leaned down and pressed his lips to Kai's, wasting no time in working the others mouth open to show him just how much Kai's words meant to him in a lingering kiss. They exchanged soft, playful touches within the confines of their joined mouths for several minutes until, eventually; Rei broke away and placed a quick peck upon Kai's still slightly parted lips.

"Maybe I should make romantic gestures more often," Kai suggested, a hint of a smirk upon his lips.

Rei rolled his eyes and slung a leg across the other, wrapping it neatly about Kai's waist as he settled his head comfortably back into the niche the space between Kai's neck and shoulder offered. "If you do, I'll worry that you're not feeling alright and then you really wouldn't get any off me. I'd be frightened that you were carrying something contagious."

"My God, Rei. Stop! You'll make me melt into a Kai puddle if you keep spinning such beautiful words, you hopeless romantic, you." Kai made a show of begging.

Rei laughed and snuggled into him. "Well, my darling how's this for romance; the second we get home, I am sending the rest of the team to the cinema and putting on that kitty outfit you love so much. And then… well… I'll adhere to any wish that you have, my master." He purred.

Kai grinned and closed his eyes. "Yes, that is definitely, my kind of romance!"

Had enough of the talking and the innuendo?

Well tough... there is more innuendo to come in the final installment, aptly titled- The prologue.