SR: Sorry 'bout the long wait. I faced a very brief writer's block. Also I have decided to comment on some of my reviews ^^.

Kimbra-fire: Yes, that was the general idea I was heading in but now that you've gone and stated all that I feel obliged to change it. ^^ Therefor I dedicate not this chapter but the 'next' to you. Mainly because it's your reason it turned out that way. Personally, I like the new chapter better.

Anime Fan7: ^^ Kai and Ray are my favorites to. And for anybody else, who feels pity towards the duo-haired prince, don't worry. I'll be adding something, which might shed some new light on him. Not make him any nicer though. I just enjoy making him evil. It suits him.

Mirai Shinranui: Ah, you're the little dickens who is incredibly critical over my work x.x Good! Your comments help me make future chapters better. No worries though, no more author's notes in the middle of the fic.

SR: ^^ That's the first time I've actually answered reviews. But no more wasted space on petty little things. On with the chapter.

Disclaimer: I do not own Beyblade or any of its components. ~

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~ Troublesome Trio ~

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~ ~ It had been two hours since the incident with Kai and Ray was still feeling quite smug over the whole ordeal. Whether Kai would admit it or not that book had smarted something fierce and they both knew it. If the prince thought he was going to be able to chuck things at his slave and get away with it then he had another thing coming. Ray snorted in contempt and briefly wondered how Kai's family would regard the large bruise that was no doubt forming. Along with the marks he had received from his father, Kai was probably going to look like he had just fought the devil and lost. This thought sent Ray into a fit of snickers cut abrutly short as the bedroom door swung open. Ray looked up expecting to see a very angry Kai he was instead greeted by the confused, but certainly not angry, expression on a young boy's face. Well, perhaps not 'young'. Likely a year or two younger then himself.

"Who're you?" The boy inquired, tilting his head to the side ever so slightly. Dark blue bangs dropped into his face and he quickly shoved them out of his line of sight with an annoyed snort.

"I'm Ray. You are?" Ray sneered. He could tell that whoever this was, though they did not seem to mean him harm, a soldier and probably a high ranking one at that. Therefor, he was the enemy. The blue-haired teen lifted both his eyebrows slowly at Ray's disrespectful tone.

"Let's try that again shall we? You answer in a more respectful form and wait for another question before speaking again." Ray merely snorted and folded his arms across his chest. Shutting his eyes firmly he hoped that the boy could take a hint and get lost. A small chuckle caused Ray's eyes to flash open.

"Oh I bet things are just wonderful between yourself and Kai, ne? I'm sure he just loves our disrespectful ways." Another good-natured chuckle came forth from the boy and caused Ray's lips to twitch upward.

"You can be certain that he does. When you see him just ask about the bruise between the eyes and he'll absolutely burst out laughing." Though Ray's voice was laden with strong sarcasm it was not unpleasant or cold. Taking this as a sign that the ice was broken the blue-haired soldier marched into the room and sat himself in front of Ray.

"Hey, I'm Tyson but you can call me Ty." Tyson extended a hand for Ray to shake.

"Well, you already know my name and it's already to short for a nickname." Ray declared while shaking Tyson's hand. The longer he talked to him the more Ray found himself taking a liking to him. However, Ray remembered that they were in Kai's room and that a mere soldier, however high ranked he was, was not permitted into the area without permission from Kai. "You shouldn't be in here. In Kai walks in and sees you then your in for it."

"Don't worry about Kai! He can act real pompous at times but he won't get angry if he finds me here. After all, we are best friends." Tyson grinned at the shocked expression on Ray's face.

"Your Kai's best friend? Kai has a best friend?" Ray was completely taken aback by this statement and it showed.

"Yup. Kai Max and me. We're the troublesome trio." Tyson's grin just grew larger.

"Then how come I've never seen you before? I've been here for awhile you know." Ray demanded with a slight note of malice in his voice. Kai's best friend probably meant trouble. And exactly who was Max? Tyson's forehead creased into a frown at Ray's question.

"Me and Max got sent away to handle some business elsewhere. We've gone for a full year and just got back not long ago. Max and me have been scouring the castle looking for Kai and I thought he might be in his room.

"Ty-s-on" A slightly weary voice called as a blond head poked it's way around the doorframe. "Have you found Kai yet?"

"Nope, sorry Max but I found someone else." Here Tyson pointed at Ray. "His name is Ray and he's a very rude person." Tyson nodded his head solemnly but it was clear he was poking fun at the slave. A grin as big as Kai's ego spread across the blonde's face as he bounded into the room and seated himself with Tyson and Ray.

"Pleased to meet you Ray. You're a slave I'm guessing?" Max said making a quick gesture towards the chain. It seemed to be a perfectly innocent question so Ray just nodded his head and shrugged.

"Yup. That I am." At this moment Kai stormed into the room looking every bit as angry as when he left. He turned his glare to Ray only to find his view blocked by two others. Tyson winked at Kai and stood up and Max followed suit.

"Kai! Could you stop staring for a moment and greet your two best friends?" Tyson joked and crossed the room so he stood in front of Kai.

"Oh I could. Do you know where they are, though? Their troop came back today and I'm having a little trouble finding them." Kai responded. He flicked Tyson in the forehead earning him a quick buffet in the arm from the soldier.

"Have you gone blind since we left? Or have you just gotten denser?" Tyson quipped.

"Denser? In Kai's case that's not entirely possible." Max chirped and bounded across the room to join the other two. Kai had a smirk on but it wasn't the cruel one he usually had. This one was more of amusement and happiness. The three friends exited the room in a sort of content silence. Kai, for the first time in a year, actually managed to be pleasant. His two friends had that effect on him. They gave him his space and still managed to be there for him when he needed it. A very perplexed Ray was left sitting in the room.

"Odd," He mumbled. "One hour Kai's putting meaning to the word 'hurricane' and the next he's actually being nice. Can this day get any more odd?" Ray slowly fell to his musings over the three friends. How could two boys who seemed so nice and caring be friends with cold, mean Kai. ~

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~ SR: Okies. Rather short I know. This was mainly a fill-in chapter so that I could get Tyson and Max into the picture. Next chapter will be up tomorrow and it should be interesting. Please review or I'll send the Troublesome Trio on you.