Journeys

Disclaimer: Don't own the Beyblade characters. Rest of them are mine.

"Talking"

"Thinking"

Before I forget. I just have to rant about this. I was on the net looking for some good picks of Kai and Ray when I got on this site that

had all the Bladebreakers Bios and whether their compatible to Kai. All I can say is that person has no idea what their talking about.

Kai and Ray say more than four words to each other through the series. Out of the three of them Ray gets the most advice from Kai, and Kai never yells at him. So NANANANAH. Childish I am. And I shall now quote from someones fic.(Dont know who but Max says it) Long live SUGAR! Ahem, back to the story. By the way this is my longest chapter so far. Random yes, but still.

Ever wondered the meaning of life, or rather existance? I do. Ever since I was a child I pondered it.

Why was I different? What made me so special? What did I do in a past life to deserve such a burden?

What is my burden? It is something few knew the whole story of, many didn't wish for it. I didn't wish for it.

At the beginning of time the Gods created the ten sacred tribes, only six of their names were known. The others had died out long before. After centuries of guardianship five out of the six decided to start living like the non neko-jin tribes. Soon afterwards the only pure blood to be found was the remaining tribe, The White Tigers. My tribe.

Time passed and the Tigers became a myth. Strife came to the valley, on the wind created by the Mountian dog clan, they were vicious, they would plunder and kill all those around them. At the same time a new leader took over the Tiger tribe. His name was Drigaro, unlike his predesesar, he wanted to help. A war between the Tigers and the Dogs was formed, it lasted a long time, both sides numbers were severely depleted. All thought the war would never end, then the Dogs started attacking the Tiger tribes homes. A last battle was fought. The Tigers won and lost. They won the fight and war, but they lost their people. None save children lived, and one elder. They stayed with the main tribe till they were grown, then they disappeared into the forest of their birth, there they stayed. At a time it seemed that our tribe would prosper, but it wasn't to be. There were too few. Numbers dwindled till there were none left but two, Gale Kon and Miriam Lin. They married and had one child, a son. Me. I grew and learnt all that they taught me, somethings I knew instinctively, other things I learnt the hard way. Life was wonderful, I had a family who loved me and I had a home that I loved.

It all ended after my fifth birthday, the Mountian Dogs had learnt that some Tigers still lived, they attcked and killed my parents. Sometimes I wonder how I survived. I had almost been caught twice by them. Jaco had told me that I had used my magic to shield me. I like to believe that my mother was still there.

Why is this all so important? It was for my people and it is important for me. Imagine you have the ability to protect life, or destroy it. Everyone can to a degree, but imagine being able to do it with a simple thought. One thought and a whole village could be massacred. Scary? I think so. Too much power for one person.

"Little Tiger."

Ray turned to face the voice, it was Calypsa. She smiled at him." Welcome to the meeting place." He nodded in answer. She smiled more sitting on the ledge that appeared." You do not recognise me do you? I do not blame you, it has been a long time since we last met, but that will all change. It is almost time."

Ray froze.' Almost time, what does she mean? Who does she think I am?' She smiled." They didn't tell you? You are his spitting image. It is no surprise you are him, not only in body and spirit but you are also his direct descendant. Your lineage goes directly back to the Blessed One."

Ray's eyes widened as his mind went through all he had ever been told, and all she had said. He slowly looked up at her, his realisation shone in his eyes as well as his disbelief.

"But I can't be!"

Kai lay in the bed. He hadn't been able to fall asleep again after the nightmare. A soft sigh and jerky shift pulled his attention to Ray. 'Maybe he is having nightmares too. I wonder what happens in them?'

His thoughts were cut off abruptly when Ray let out a frightened scream. Kai shot off his bed and ran up to the struggling neko-jin.

" Ray. What's wrong? Wake up, you're having a nightmare." Kai found himself startled as his crimson eyes met wide amber ones. ' Weren't they closed a second ago?' He shook his head and sat on the bed nex to Ray, waiting for him to catch his breath.

" What happened?" Ray looked up at him, eyes wide and unguarded. Kai had to keep from gasping when he saw what lay before him. Ray looked back down." It was just a nightmare, nothing else." Kai realised he shouldn't push Ray." Okay, but if you need to talk about it I'm here." Ray nodded smiling. Kai felt he wanted to say something. Ray sighed and lay back down. Kai gave a slight grimace and followed suit. Kai found him dozing off when he was pulled away from it. A soft voice filled his ears and drove the sleep away, pulling him to attention.

" Everyone thinks I'm always happy. They think I don't know what it's like to be sad, but I do." Kai stood up and sat on Ray's bed, watching as the other lay on his back and stared at the ceiling, a few moments past and Kai began to think that as all Ray was going to say. He was wrong again." Everyone thinks nothing can get me down, that I will always be calm and collected and always be strong, but I'm not. I'm not calm or collected and I am not strong. I act like I am and it works, I fool everyone, but when it comes to the crunch I can't hide how scared I am. All I wanna do is hide, go somewhere where no one knows me and I don't have to do anything I don't want to." Kai watched him silently, he noted each emotion as it exposed itself with painful clarity while flitting over the distressed boy's face. He had realised that the conversation had gone from how people percieve Ray to Ray's feeling about what was happening. He placed his hand gently on the others arm, stroking it in a soothing manner.

The silent moment was shattered as Ray let out a heartbroken cry and flew into Kai's arms. Kai was shocked but managed to wrap his arms around the other as he sobbed into his shoulder. ' I hope the others didn't hear that.' His hopes were proved true when no one came to investigate. He turned his attention back to the shuddering bundle in his arms, for the first time registering that Ray's head was buried in the crook of his neck, not only that his lips were very close to his Adams apple. Tension flowed through his body as quickly as his blood could set alight, very quick.

Ray seemed to not realise the change in his companions composure as he still was quietly gasping for breath, he never was much of a crier, it was the moments afterwards that he took a long time to recover from. He shifted his head slightly as his neck protested the angle it was twisted into, he rested it a little futher into the crook of Kai's neck, he felt a shudder go through the others body and slowly lifted his head. His own amber eyes met Kai's crimson, but something told him there was a change in the other's eyes.

Kai had been hoping Ray would be too busy to feel him shudder, the slight movement of Ray's head told him he was wrong. 'Damn it.' Was all that went through his mind before he found himself faced by the being in questions amber gaze, he saw a hint of understanding flow into them as they focused on his own eyes. He felt his heart stop. Ray was right infront of him, his head not even more than five centimetres away. He couldn't stop the little thoughts running in his head, nor the images that followed them. He found himself caught between wanting to close that distance and express his feelings for the other or being the friend Ray needed and suggesting he get some rest. ' What have you got to lose? ' The little voice asked. ' His friendship and trust.' The little voice seemed to think then came back. ' What do you have to gain?' Kai froze in realisation. ' His love.' He looked down into Ray's eyes, taking in every little fleck of variation in them, noting how as the light shifted his pupils grew to regain the lost light. How his hair fell slightly over his one eye, then swept back to carress his cheek.

His hand moved on it's own accord and brushed the wild hair from his face. He leant forward and ,with a short prayer to whatever Gods were out there, closed the distance between them, covering Ray's lips with his own. He was sure he was in heaven, the other had the softest lips he ever thought possible. He decided to push for more and coaxed the other to deepen the kiss, his euphoria was heightened when the other responded. Kai was sure he would burst with joy, he was kissing Ray and Ray was responding. He wanted to shout to the world his happiness and joy. He felt Ray's arms come to rest on his shoulders, his own had slipped to the younger boys waist, molding the softer body to his own. He finally pulled away, giving the other a soft nip before fully releasing his lips.

He watched as Ray looked down at the covers, he smiled as a blush blossomed on Ray's face, going from his nose to his ears, making them go red. Kai felt he had left the other in suspense enough and slowly, gently used his hand to lift his chin, all the while marveling at the softness of his skin. His heart skipped a beat as Ray finally looked him fully in the eye, still blushing, he offered a gentle smile. Kai returned it. An awkward silece follwed as both tried to pull their thoughts into order. Kai was caught off guard when Ray spoke first." I always... wanted you... to do that,... I just...I just thought you didn't ...like me... in that way... I ...like you a lot... Kai." Kai felt another smile tug at his lips with Ray's confession. He pulled Ray into a hug, softly stroking the others back as Ray snuggled closer." I feel the same way."

Kai sat there for what seemed like a few minutes, just stroking Ray's back as the other lay snuggled in his arms. His eyes momentarily caught sight of his watch. ' 2 in the morning, we've been sitting here for almost three hours. I wouldn't mind sitting for longer, but Ray has to sleep.' With that thought in mind he gently pulled Ray away so that he could look him in the eye.

He didn't know if he should laugh or feel insulted, Ray had fallen asleep. He chuckled to himself as he tucked Ray into bed. He softly kissed his forehead and double checked that he was comfortable. One last smile and he climbed into his own bed. His head had barely hit the pillow and he was out like a light, dreaming about all the fun he and Ray could have.

Eyes watched as the two slept, it wasn't much longer. Then all would be revealed. The last Tiger would not be allowed to reach adult hood, they would finish what had been started. HIS descendant would pay for all that had happened. All that had been done, tey would make sure of it.

A smile formed on the thin lips, a short but sharp canine stuck out, glinting in the moonlight. It wasn't long now.

With a last glance at the sleeping boy, followed by a glare and ill wishes, the intruder scampered off. It's presence not seen, but felt, for as it moved off both occupants in the beds frowned. Even their dreams couldn't shield them from the hate.

Nothing could shield the sleeping boy from what was coming. Hate on it's own was a cruel emotion, a century worth was a lethal tool to a deadly force.

tbc

Well there you go, they finally kissed! I tried for a cliffy, not sure if I managed it. R&R. Praise and such is greatly appreciated. If you have any advice or ways to improve this story feel free to send it. I'm so Happy. I saw Kai and Ray! I saw Kai and Ray! Ahem. Sorry, just had coffee, it's 1 in the morning at my house. Anyway, to explain my outburst, I saw the episode where Kai and Ray fight and I can't believe he hurt Ray like that. Ray's my fav character, Kai's my second fav. ( I'm not that far behind it's just my friend taped it for me as I missed it and she only gave the tape now. Me very Peeved. We're on the episode where Tyson is fighting Brooklyn. Kai has a bandage over his eye!) Sorry I'm ranting again. Goodnight. Sleep well. Thank you again goes to Reis#1gurl for the support, also to Platinum Rei.