Journeys

Disclaimer: Don't own the Beyblade characters. Jaco and Kiara are mine, as well as the plot. Unless of course another has it or the series are similar.... I'm rambling aren't I. Sorry!

"Talking"

"Thinking"

Kai looked down at his side. His shirt was slashed. A thin line of blood dripped onto the grass. He looked up to his assailant only to come face to face with the same amber eyes he dreamt about so many times. Except they weren't really the same. Not to Kai anyway.

These eyes were cold, wild. Evil. Kai couldn't help but shudder as he looked at Ray. The usually beautiful face was contorted into a snarl. Fangs gleamed from under those red lips, blood stained lips. He knew Ray would never intentionally hurt him, but like this he proved to have no problems slicing him. He winced slightly as he moved and the skin tore. A hiss greeted his movements. He looked from his torn side to the crouching tiger. Fear took hold of every nerve in his body, making it impossible for him to move as the other slowly approached him.

He was caught in his morbid fascination. Crimson eyes went from the amber eyes down, taking in the bunched muscles that screamed to be freed. He gulped. He was facing a predator, pure and simple. Now he understood Kiara's fear for Ray. He felt fear and he was in love with the creature. Creature. He almost frowned at the word. Ray was many things. Beautiful, mysterious, enchanting, smart, brave and a thousand others, but a creature. No. He was pulled from these thoughts by a chuckle. He looked up to see Ray less than two metres from him. A smile graced his features, but it didn't soften them. "I can smell your fear Kai. You are practically pouring it out into the air." Kai shivered at the voice. It wasn't Ray's, atleast not only Ray's. It was in essence the neko-jin's deep and soft voice, but it had a gravely edge that wasn't Ray. It spoke of more dangerous and darker things. Ray laughed at Kai's shiver. His laugh was cut short as another body collided with his.

Kiara leapt away before the tiger could regroup and attack. She landed next to Kai, followed by the rest of the group. Ray's smile was gone and he seemed surprised. Kai watched in amazement as he seemed to become smaller again. His eyes lost their darkness. Kai watched in fear as Ray looked around in confusion. He stepped forward slightly."Ray?" THe other lifted his head hesitantly. Amber eyes met crimson as the silence filled the emptiness. Kai never got an answer. Ray's eyes closed and his body relaxed. He felt Kai him. He was safe, Kai wouldn't let them hurt him. Ray mentally shivered. They would hurt Kai if he tried to get in the way. No, he would protect Kai. With these thoughts in mind he let go his hold on consciousness and welcomed the peace of it's counterpart. He never heard Kai's worried voice. Nor feel Jaco shaking him. He felt, saw and heard nothing. Nothing but silence.

Kai sat with Jaco at Ray's bedside. It had been almost four days since the incident, Kai was confused. The only person who could help him was staring at the unconciouss neko-jin lying before them. After waiting a few moments in, for him, uncomfortable silence he spoke.

" What is happening to him?" Jaco looked up, frowning at Kai. His gaze returned to Ray." He is to turn 19 in less than a week. As the last he has certian obligations, and abilities. He must perform the ritual on his birthday. It is a binding ritual. It binds the white tiger with the human side." He almost laughed at Kai's confusion." Let me explain things more for you. When everything was still young and the Earth was still a child there were said to be ten tribes. These ten tribes were the original and true neko-jins. The Black lions, the Mountian cats, the Desert cats, the Jungle cats, the Snow leopards and the White tigers. All of them were guardians. The lions guarded the lands that the White tiger team's village lives in, the Mountian cats guarded the mountians, Desert cats the desert, the Jungle cats the jungle and the Snow leopards the top mountians where there is snow. The White tigers were the protectors of all. None knew where they lived, only that it was somewhere in the Valley of the tigers. While the other tribes started to mix with the normal people the White tigers refused. They would keep the blood pure so that there would always be guardians. Time passed and they were forgotten, becoming nothing but a legend. Then came the raids on the villages. The Mountian wolves have always been vicious, but this was far worse. They thought themselves strong enough to attack the main village, which is the village that Lee and the others live in, they got an enormous surprise when they got there. They weren't greeted by the weaker and more submissive inhabitants of the valley. Their opponents were far faster and stronger than any 'normal' neko-jin. Those that managed to survive and returned telling stories of flitting shadows with glittering eyes and sharp claws. Creatures that could take the shape of man and beast. That had cut them down in open fields and through the forest. But mostly they spoke of the leader of this mysterious tribe. It was said he had golden cat-like eyes that seemed to shine with inner fire, dark midnight hair and a slender but powerful body. One had come face to face with the leader. He had told his tribe that he had marks, like tiger stripes on his face. But none believed him. Till they attacked again and met the leader themselves. Many vicious and bloody battles ensued afterwards. The Mountians wolves didn't have the strength of the tigers, but they had the numbers. The last battle was fought in the a place called Moon tigress glade. It is now the resting place of those that fought. None go there save one today. None but he is allowed admittance to that place."

Kai nodded, his thoughts following Jaco as he looked to Ray. Jaco nodded." Yes. He is the only one allowed there. He is given the right to mourn the loss of his family, and his tribe. Unlike our.... kind he feels their abscence. It was a bleesing to the tigers of old. But a curse for him." Kai frowned." Why?" Jaco smiled sadly. " They would never be alone. They could talk to eachother whenever they wished. Ray had that same bond with his parents, it is in the blood. Unlike the tigers of old he has no others. He feels the lack of others as his mind will forever be open to the tigers, though none will ever answer his call." Kai nodded sadly. Rembering the times he had yelled at Ray, he had told he other that he didn't understand how Kai felt. THe pain and lonliness. It was the other way around. Kai could ignore it. Ray couldn't. He softly placed his hand on Ray's. It was warm and relaxed. Jaco spoke again, pulling Kai out of his thoughts." When he has performed the ritual he will be given all the tigers of olds abilities." Kai frowned again as he realised he had no idea what they were. Jaco laughed again, then became serious." You cannot tell the others." Kai nodded, his eyes shiftig to Ray. ' Ray has kept my secrets, it's only fair I keep his.' Jaco seemed to be satisfied that Kai wouldn't tell." He will be a shapeshifter, changing from a neko-jin to a tiger. The ability to heal minor to slightly serious injuries is another. His link with Driger will increase, as will his speed and strength. His senses will be heightened and he will be telepathic. Oh yes, I forgot he will also be able to use his inner power as a shield and such.... I know there was something else... Something with children... Oh well. Those are the important ones." He paused as he looked at the stunned Russian.

Kai was in shock. ' Ray.......shapeshifter....telepathic... super strong and fast..... healing, How!!?'

A soft moan broke his train of thought. He turned to the bed to see the object of their conversation stretch slightly. He couldn't help it as his eyes followed the way the tiger's muscles became taut as he stretched, a few pops accompanying it. Newly revealed amber eyes met his crimson gaze from under long black lashes. Kai's attention was drawn to Ray's uncovered side. Or more importantly, the stripes that adorned it!

To be continued