Journeys

Disclaimer: Don't own the Beyblade characters.

"Talking"

"Thinking"

" Kai wake up."

Kai woke to find Ray sitting up properly and buckling up. Kai nodded and buckled himself in. His moment of disoreintation was short lived as he remembered the last day in a half of events. He looked at Ray again. Since he incident in the restuarant Ray had avoided eye contact and had not spoken to him since they boarded the plane. Kai felt his body jerk as the plane landed and came to a stop.

The two waited for all the other passengers to leave then got up and walked through the tunnel. Kai found himself watching Ray's every movement. He had forgotten the feline grace the other blader possesed. No one moved like Ray. He almost stopped.

' Come to think of it. Not even the other white tigers were so...... feline.' He looked to Ray again. Could that be part of the problem. He and Ray both looked up as a blonde streak flew towards them at a speed Kai didn't think was even legal. Said object connecting and plowing the unsuspecting neko-jin next to him.

" Ray. You came. Wow you grew bigger. Like the clothes. Hows China. How was the flight. You wont..." Max was cut off by Ray covering his mouth with his hand. " One question at a time please. Hello to you too Max." Max giggled and climbed off the flattened Ray. Kai and Ray grabbed thier bags and followed Max to the car. Max opened the boot and they put their stuff in and closed the boot. Ray stopped when Max climbed in the drivers.

" Max what are you doing?" Ray said. Max smiled." I'm about to take you guys to my place." Ray just gave a slight 'hn' and got in the back. Kai almost laughed as Ray put the seatbelt on. He followed suit after Max pulled out and took off. ' I really should trust Ray's instincts.' He mentally thought.

After two hours of nerve wracking near death experiences for the unfortunate passengers they arrived at a huge house. Max started chatting away as the two climbed out and got their bags from the boot. Kai looked to Ray worriedly as the other sighed. 'What is wrong with him?' Kai wondered. His musing was cut short by a noise inside. He followed Max and Ray into the house.

It was one of those two storey houses. The walls were off white and had some pictures and paintings on. Kai grinned as he realised that all the stuff in the house was the latest and greatest to be had. He grinned. ' Just like them.' Max led them through the house. Showing them all the rooms. Each persons room was a reflection of that person. Max's room was bright and full of green and orange. He had clippings and posters of beyblades and bands. A computer sat in one corner with a printer, scanner and head phones. Micheal's room was full of pictures of Baseball players and autographs. Kai almost laughed when he realised that the bedspread had little Baseballs on. The next on their list was Steve's room. it wasn't much of a surprise to see that the dominant theme was FootballThe same with Eddy's, except his theme was Basketball of course.

They came to Emily's room. Max stood infront and then suddenly turned to Ray." I think I hear Tyson." Ray frowned then shrugged and went to check if he was there. Max quickly pulled the frowning Kai into the room. Kai's eyes widened as he realised why Max didn't want Ray in Emily's room. There on one side of her wall was a huge poster. Kai almost grinned as he recognised where it was taken from. There stood Ray seeming to have just launched Driger, said bit beast had been placed behind him. Like always Ray's eyes were slitted. Fangs bared in a feral grin. Underneath was Ray's name and the Bladebreakers symbol in slashed writing. Max grinned." Thats not all." Kai followed him to a closet and Max opened it to reveal a shrine on one side. The inside was covered with pictures and articles concerning Ray. Kai looked to Max as they both fought back their chuckles. It seemed a certian Tennis star had a major crush on the neko-jin. Kai almost growled.' Ray is mine.' He stopped in surprise.' Where'd that come from. Since when did I consider him mine.... Great now I'm thinking of him as a possesion. Nice one Hiwatari.'

Max led him out and closed the door. Ray walked up." Max you are a flipping lier you little twerp." Max laughed." Well never mind. Anyway the last room is locked so we cant check out Emily's room." Ray nodded and suddenly stopped." Max why are all the AllStars staying with you?" Max grinned." My mom finds it easier. Plus it helps with their school work, since we have all these computers and stuff." The other two nodded. All three looked up as the front door opened and argueing voices were heard.

" I dont care what you say. We haven't heard from Ray in six years. Even Kai spoke to us more often, I wouldn't be surprised if he didn't pitch at all....." Tyson stopped as he came face to face with the person in question. He laughed nervously." Uh. HI Ray. Kai. When did you guys get here?" Ray silently turned and picked up his bag from next to the door, all watched as he opened the door and walked out. Eight speechless people looked to the now open door. Kai seemed to come out of his stupor first and rushed after Ray.

It didn't take him long as Ray was at the bus stop." Ray. Dont leave, Tyson's an idiot . He never thinks before he talks, you know that." He stopped sudenly.

" Ray."

Kai's voice wavered as he saw Ray stand there. Ray was trying to make out as if the comment had just annoyed him, but Kai saw his shoulders tremble as he tried to suppress the sobs. He watched as one crystaline drop made it's trail down the curve that was Ray's cheek. Kai wanted to go to him and brush it and his pain away. After he took a shuddering breath, Ray turned to face him. Kai felt his heart skip. This was Ray. He stood before him in all his beauty and grace, never had he seen anyone so much like Ray. He moved forward and led the other to the vacant bench. "Ray what is the matter?" He just shook his head." I haven't been through all of this and come now just to be spoken of like that. Does he think so little of me as to think that I wouldn't come." Ray suddenly stood up." Who does he think he is. How dare he think he has the right to judge me. Where was he when I needed my friends, when I ..." He stopped shaking his head. Kai moved forward and without thinking hugged Ray. Ray froze for a few moments then returned the hug. " Thank you Kai." "Don't mention it. Thats what friends are for." Ray nodded and smiled. Kai frowned when Ray's eyes seemed to glaze over. "Ray, are you alright?" Ray nodded slowly. He looked up to Kai." I just feel, odd." Kai almost cried out in alarm when Ray fell into his arms, needless to say Kai caught him. He held the shivering body to his as he pulled out his cell. He phoned Max." Max, I dont have time to talk, We're at the bus stop. Get here now." He hung up and held the neko-jin closer." It's going to be okay. Just hold on. Everythings going to be Okay." Ray suddenly latched onto him and whimpered." Don't go. Don't leave me alone." Kai just held him closer." I wont go. I promise." He hugged the other even closer, if it were possible, as he felt him pass out.

Kai lifted the neko-jin and stood as he saw Max's car. Without a word the door was opened and he got in. Max drove them back and Kai silently took him up to the roo that Max had led him to. Since there were so many visiting, they were sharing. He laid Ray on the bed gently and began to remove his wet clothes. He turned to Kenny. " Get me a bowl of water and ice blocks. Max get me a towel." He glared at Tyson as Judy came in." What's wrong?" Kai turned his attention back to Ray as Max brought the towel and Kenny placed the bowl next to Kai." He's burning up. He just passed out and started shivering. I couldn't get him to stop." Judy nodded and went to phone a friend of hers. Kai carried on sponging Ray's face. He shushed him when he whimpered again. He alternated from soothing Ray and glaring at Tyson, who for his part looked utterly miserable. Kai frowned mentally.' Could it be that Ray has one more admirer. Humph. They'll have to get through me first.'

1 HOUR LATER

A man who looked to be in his late thirties walked to Ray. He knelt next to the shivering boy lying on the bed. Without looking up from his examination he spoke to Kai."Tell me exactly what happened." Kai nodded as he looked at Ray with worry." There was an arguement and Ray left, I followed him and tried to stop him. We were just talking and he got upset. I calmed him down and thats when he passed out.... What is wrong with him?" The man didn't answer as a frown marred his features. He turned to Judy." Where is this boy from?" Judy stopped then answered." China. Why?" The man smiled." Well I thought I recognised him. Though it's been a number of years since I was called in for something like this." Kai looked at him suspiciously." Like what?" The man looked to Judy. She stared at Kai then turned to him." Tell them Jaco." Jaco nodded." I'm sure you know what your friend is." The others nodded." A neko-jin.So." Max said a little impatiently. Jaco shook his head." Not just any neko-jin." He turned Ray on his side and revealed the now bare back. All gasped as they saw what Jaco knew to be there, when Kai had taken the shirt off he hadn't turned Ray on his side so the secret was not seen.

Kai's mind started to work again.'Oh Ray. Why did you not tell me?'

To be continued...

Yamiraykon: Sorry, had to end there. I'm trying for suspense, but I'm not sure if i managed it. Oh well, please reveiw, whether critism/suggestions or plain whatever. I'm not from America so I actually have no idea if that is what you call it. Plerase dont be offended. Me sorry.