Journeys

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

"Talking"

"Thinking"

This is it. We have come to the end of Journeys. I can't believe it. It's about time though, I dont think I could think up anything more to do to Ray, and he deserves happiness, I've killed his parents, forced him to grow up on his own, made him lose the people he thought of as family, had him kill someone, had his 'guide' turn on him and plot his death...what more can you do to a guy?evil grin Kill him. HEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHE...okay now I'm sounding like that invader sid guy they have on Tv. I swear I wanna wring his scrawny neck!(Sorry to any of his fans, that laugh gets on my nerves.)

Kai wasn't sure what he wanted to do more. Kill Kiara, kill Lee or kill Jaco. 'I could always just kill the lot.' He smiled in agreement to that little thought as it wormed it's way out from his subconscious. Being brought up in the Abby had given him a vast amount of experience in the art of killing. Though by the look Ray was giving them he would have to wait in line. He flinched slightly as thunder sounded in the darkness, a storm was starting. A big one, the clouds had gone from gentle and fluffy to deadly and raging in a matter of hours.

The other three boys were pushing against him in their attempt to see what was going on. Kai almost turned round and whacked Tyson when the bluenette oathed to save Ray, out of them all he knew the meaning behind that little decleration.

'Dream on Tyson, I'm not gonna let you get your grubby paws on my Tiger.' Kai smirked, he had said it again. shaking his head he started to crawl forward, making his way slowly to the four figures in the clearing. The others followed shortly.

Kai was sure that he was going to make it unseen when Lee turned and smirked at something behind Kai." Come out you lot, I can hear you." Kai looked back at the others as they got up, he sighed and rose. He wanted to scream in frustration as Lee's eyes widened at the sight of him. He hadn't known Kai was there, of all the luck. Kai felt eyes on him and looked to see Ray gazing at him. The look in his eyes was enough to take the breath from Kai's lungs.

Amber eyes with streaks of emerald green were fixed on him, he felt like he was unable to move, frozen by the embers glowing within the swirling colours. Those eyes were looking deep within him, breaking through his walls, stripping his defenses of their power, and finding the soul hidden deep within the depths of it's artic cavern. It never ceased to amaze Kai how Ray could expose him with such ease, the worst part was he didn't realise the power he held over Kai. One word was all it took, one word could bring Kai to the brink of exquisite delight as quickly, or plunge him into the depths of never ending torture at the hands of his own inner demons. Yet Ray never used that control, he didn't weild it as another might try, using it like a whip to lash out and cut him to the bone nor did he treat it like a delicate artifact that had to be encased in a glass cabinet, to be displayed to others but never taken out and enjoyed. Rather he gave more than he got, for every step Kai took towards him he took ten more and for every burden Kai endured for him, he would sacrifice a part of himself to lighten it.

Now Kai found himself watching those eyes, with almost as much intensity as they watched him. The only difference was that his were filled only with this intense emotion, Ray's had fear, from his trap, mingling with them, giving them a much brighter and sharper focus. Kai was pulled out of his trance when a beam of emerald light surrounded Ray, Ray glowed in answer, his eyes losing some of their shine as he was pulled into the slightly trance like state of completion. Kai rushed forward as Jaco raised the dagger.

Before the blade could begin it's downward swing Kai gathered the raven haired boy into his arms, forming a shield of flesh and bone that barred the way for Jaco's attack. He closed his eyes and tightened his grip as the air whistled in answer to the dagger's slicing of it. He waited for the blow that never came. He moved slightly, opening his eyes and leaning a little up, a sharp prick inbetween his shoulder blade made him look over his shoulder, he couldn't stop himself from paling slightly.

The blade was against his back, the tip had cut through his shirt and was pressed against his back. It was close, too close. Before he could comment on Jaco's sense of timing Ray shifted in his grasp, he looked down and gasped as glazed over eyes met his.

"It is time."

Kai wanted to shake his head, this couldn't be Ray. but it was, he had heard Ray's voice, even as the deepr and more gravelly voice threatened to engulf it's softer, gentler counterpart. He couldn't shake his head, nor could he voice a denial of what was happening. He wasn't given any time. The glow that surrounded the boy brightened and Kai felt heat seep into him, heat that was coming from Ray. He saw from the corner of his eyes that Kiara was making her way towards them, the dagger in hand. He was about to pull Ray closer when a wave of energy almost knocked him oto his back. It did however dislodge his hold on Ray. He looked around to see the others all on the ground, their eyes fixed on their Chinese companion. Kai turned to look at Ray, only to find he wasn't seeing Ray.

A young man that looked to be in his early twenties stood on the smooth rock. Long raven hair fell down his back, swaying gently even though the storm was now raging. A flash of lightning revealed more of him. Time seemed to stop and for, what seemed to be eternity, it stayed still as if hoping to forever capture this moment. The young man looked to them, burning amber eyes mixed with an equally startling shade of green stared at the dagger lying on the ground where Jaco had dropped it. A slender, but powerful, arm stretched out lazily, reminding Kai of a cat as it pawed at a trinket with mild interest, the dagger glowed and seemd to vanish only to appear in it's summoners hand. The powerful, lean body was still clothed only in the dark green pants, but now it seemed more natural for the being to be so scantly clothed. His upper torso had black stripes that seemed to blend into his flesh, as if he were born with them, arms and forearms also seemed to be graced with the unusual markings. The head raised itself so that the whole face was revealed, rather than just the gleaming eyes. Kai gasped softly, and his body froze again. 'Now I know what a deer feels like when it's caught by a tiger.'

A raven fringe gently fell against one milky cheek, momentarily hiding one amber eye. Black stripes cut across milky skin, stopping mid cheek. Sharp white fangs pressed against the bottom length, much longer than Kai remembered them to be. He watched as the hand holding the dagger was raised so that the holder could examine it. Keen eyes swiftly took in the weapon as a hand twirled it in the air, as if testing the weapons worthiness.

The observations were cut short when Jaco stood, a madness seeming to fill his vision. The creature, which Kai realised was indeed his Ray, looked at him with disgust.

"You wished to harm one of the blessed, one of the Guardians." That voice filled the air again, it was calm, silky, deadly and it cut through the noise made by the storm as easily as a heated knife would cut through butter. Kai shivered at each word that left those lips.

Jaco stepped forward, a dark arua surrounding him. Ray frowned and let the dagger drop. Kai watched as his eyes glowed and he threw his head back, a silent scream bursting from his lips. Light filled their vision, chasing the darkness of chaos and anger, replacing it with warmth and comfort. Kai hazarded a glance at Ray, only to find he couldn't tear his eyes away from him. The lithe form was rigid, back arching as the energy within was released. Arms thrown back and bent, hands clenched in fists. green clothed legs were set slightly apart, feet hanging slightly. The river of ebony ink that had always surrounded Ray was now blown out, tendrils mixing with the energy to give it an almost dream like edge. Kai felt his eyes burn and he closed them. He felt like he was floating, then he seemd to fall. One word filled his mind through this. One name.

"Ray!"

Kai woke to find himself in a dark room, Ray stood before him. Kai wanted to speak but found he couldn't. Ray smiled at him, cupping his cheek gently.

'What happened?' Ray smile grew at Kai's question, then at the widened crimson eyes that the thought had been heard. Ray pulled him up, placing two small, delicate hands against Kai's chest and nuzzling his head against the fabric that covered it.'It's over, Jaco and Kiara are gone, Lee will not remember what happened though.' Amber eyes filled with regret as they gazed at his.'I could not save them. Lee was the closest so I could only shield him, I tried, but it was too late.' Kai nodded, he kissed the top of the younger boys head as he ran his hand through the ebony mane, marvelling at the softness. A disturbing thought crossed his mind. ' Where are we?' Ray looked around himself serenely. He then hugged Kai tightly. Kai didn't know why but he hugged him back, inhaling the scent of tiger lillies in his hair. Ray pulled away slightly to look at him. Sadness swam in the amber depths, Kai felt dread fill him.

' I'm sorry, I can't stay. I must leave you now. I don't know what to say to make it easier. All I can say is I love you, I always will Kai. Please believe me!' Kai looked into those eyes, memorising the way the colours darkened and lightened when he confessed his love and when he apologised. So beautiful, so unbelieveable. He just smiled and softly carresed the soft skin before him, memorising the face that was staring up into his. He traced the eyelids as they slid shut, he watched as the milky skin on the cheeks was darkened by the presence of long eyelashes. His fingers moved across that cheek and moved to the lips. They parted slightly in response to the pressure, Kai wanted to remember how soft they were, how supple Ray was. He leant down, pulling Ray against him as he kissed him. He wanted to remember this moment for all eternity, till the day they were reunited. He wanted to remember the joy of feeling Ray in his arms brought, the sorrow of knowing he would soon lose him and the bittersweet joy in the knowledge that they would see eachother again sometime, somewhere, somehow.

Ray pulled away relcutantly and stroked Kai's cheek again before stepping back. Kai felt as if he was being called. Ray smiled and looked behind over Kai's shoulder.'They are calling you, their worried. You haven't woken yet. Go to them. They will be there for you. I'll always be with you Kai. I promise. Good bye.' Kai nodded as he felt the hot tears trace a fiery path down his face, scalding his cheeks. Ray gave a heartbroken sigh at the sight. He started to move forward but stopped and looked down at the ground. Kai watched as two crystalline drops fell to the dark floor, only to disapear into the depths of the darkness. Ray lifted his head slowly and smiled softly to Kai. Kai wanted to rush forward and grab him, then refuse to let go of him. He carried out the first part of his plan, but as he grabbed Ray the other boy faded out becoming nothing in his arms. Kai couldn't believe it, he felt a sob force its way violently from within his throat.'Good bye Ray. I'll be waiting.' Kai wanted to cry out as the darkness overwhelmed him again, without Ray here it seemed like he was alone, and cold.

"Kai, Kai wake up."

'That sounds familiar.'

"Kai please wake up."

Kai's mind became clear. Max had been the owner of the first voice, and Kenny had spoken afterwards.

"Just give him a kick, he'll wake up faster."

Kai wanted to growl. 'Typical Tyson.'

Awareness started to over ride the confusion, and Kai slowly opened his eyes. He became aware that it was still dark. A yellow blob blocked his view of the sky. The yellow blob turned out to be Max, Kai realised this when his eye sight decided to return to normal. He sat up slowly, two arms helping him up. He nodded his thanks to Max.

"It's over." Kai turned at the sound of Tyson's voice, he was about to answer when the sun rose. He found himself frozen in awe as the colours mixed and blended till there as no way to distinguish where one started and the other ended. His moment of joy was destroyed swiftly as the reminder that Ray was gone made itself the center point in his mind. He stood straight and looked around them. The smooth rock was gone, the ground scorched around the area that it had been. Lee lay on the ground close by, his shirt singed. 'Served him right.'

"He's gone, Ray's gone."

Kai turned to look at Tyson, something told him not to believe him, he decided to follow that voice. Words flowed from him, leaving his lips before he could even register that they had even existed.

"No, not forever. Just until he's ready."

Tyson frowned." Ready for what? What does he have to do?"

Kai saw movement behind Tyson, in the forest, he focused on it. His reward was a flash of white and familiar amber eyes staring at his for a second before a sleek form slunk back into the forest. Disapearing like a spirit. Kai smiled.

"He has to finish what he started."

Tyson's frown deepened." Finish what?"

Kai started walking back to the house, back to life, back to the problems it involved. But it didn't bother him, he looked up and let the sun fall on his face fully, warming it, carressing it. He smiled slightly as he felt the wind blow by, carresing his cheek gently. He looked over his shoulder at Tyson.

"He has to finish his journey.."

He walked on. 'And when he done, I'll be waiting. Even if i have to wait forever.'

THE END...for now.

There you go. Journeys is no more. bursts out crying I'm sorry, I just got so attached to this story. It is my first actual long story and it's hard to let it go. Though hopefully you will all like a sequel. Ray has to finish his journey after all and return to Kai. And there is still Tyson's 'crush ' to work through. So do me a favour and answer my question. Would you like a sequel? I just realised this is the longest chapter of the whole story. Anyway see you all soon. Or rather write soon.

Also thanks go to the following people: