Lei-chi Kon's Rants: WOW LOOK! I updated quickly!! Hurray!!! =dances= Okay…. Thanks for all the reviews!! Much, much appreciated!! n.n I really love you people!! =glomps everyone= And I'm glad that people are liking my fic!

Hurray for the cliffies! =cheers= Though there wasn't really a cliffhanger last chapter…. =sweat drops= Anyway, I have here the… =GASP!= much-awaited…Chapter Four!!! Enjoy! Yes, I know you all will…. XP

The reviewing-reviews thingy is still at the bottom. Thanks!

Disclaimer: ……Bakuten Shoot! Beyblade belongs to that person………. points at Takao Aoki



Chapter Four – Goodbye and Hello

Li couldn't believe what he just had heard. Rei…going to Japan?! What the hell's Rei thinking again?! Trying to leave without them knowing again?! Li's not going to let Rei go again, no he wouldn't.

With bolting speed Li hurried to the door and banged it open, surprising the handsome tiger-like teen standing behind it. Rei turned around but only to be shocked when the taller boy grabbed him by the waist and embraced him, as if he was his possession. Mariah, who's equally shocked at Li's sudden movement, felt herself weakens at the knees and she collapsed on the floor, amazed at Li's courage.

"No, Rei…I won't let you go," Li whispered in Rei's ears, increasing Rei's surprise. Why was Li doing this to him? "…Not when you're finally with us again…"

The Driger-owner was surrounded with guilt, he could remember clearly how he left the White Tigers and now that they were reconciling once more, this guilt increased more. His shocked physique gave away and he numbed, falling against Li's body.

"Li…I'm really sorry, but I have to see the BladeBreakers…we can't deny the fact that I am still a member of the BladeBreakers, up until now…."

The ebony-haired taller Chinese knew Rei was right. Rei was still a BladeBreaker and they're friends, no matter how far they are apart. Even if he try to stop the Chinese BladeBreaker no one could do it and no one would ever will.

"Just…before you leave, I want you to know…" Li stuttered, hesitant to tell him at first, but told him anyway. "…I had always…always…always loved you, and I still do." With that the Galeon-owner released him and exited the room, leaving a stumped Rei standing in front of the open entrance, Mariah still shocked at the confession.

Mariah had been skeptical at him leaving them but Li kept quiet about it and Kevin and Gary just agreed to be on the side, which Rei decides to be right. Several hours later, about eleven in the morning in Chinese time, Rei was already sitting in an airplane for Japan, winning three out of four, and luckily in first class. Mr. Dickenson had helped him in getting the flight ticket and even availed him a seat in the first class even though he didn't want to.

"Here's your lunch, sir," the stewardess offered, placing the tray of food on the table beside the chair.

"Um, thank you," Rei responded, to which the lady bowed and left him alone again. Rei sighed and gaped down at the delicacies served at him. He wasn't really that hungry and he's not in a mood to eat right now. All that bothered to him at the moment was what his bestfriend Li had told him. "…I had always… always…always loved you, and I still do"…. Li…loves me…? Why didn't I notice it before…? Rei slumped into his seat and glanced at the window, pleased by the beautiful view of the clouds outside. But…I don't know if I could return his love….

Rei knew that he doesn't love Li at the same way. He only loved Li…like a bestfriend, like a brother. The White Tiger's leader obviously not for him, he deserve someone else, just…not him. Rei pitied himself for being such a heartbreaker and reached out for Driger from his bag, removing it from its case. Staring at it clutched tightly in his hand that's when thoughts suddenly entered his mind.

Several people had loved you but you only turned them down.

You're pathetic.

Do you even know how to love?

You don't deserve them.

Not anyone.

No one.

Rei gripped his head in pain, trying to block out these horrible thoughts. Of course he knows how to love!

Then why didn't you?

Rei's golden eyes widened in shock at the question barged in his mind. Why didn't he…love? It's not just the right time, the right person….

Then when's the right time? Who's the right person?

Rei couldn't answer. He didn't know! No one could tell what would happen! And he's sure the right person would come sooner or later….

Thankfully the awful musings that passed his mind has ceased, returning him to his peaceful state. He continued viewing Driger, talking to him in his head. You must be very excited now, aren't you Driger? Seeing Draciel and Dragoon again…. Then he remembered their team captain, Kai Hiwatari. Speaking of him where was he now? Seeing him with Tyson and the others would be the very least thing Rei would expect, he knew Kai had changed for the better but sometimes old habits die hard, he was still going to be the cold-hearted bastard everyone has known him of.

Rei sighed. He actually didn't know what he would do the moment he stepped on the Land of the Rising Sun. Of course, the basics, he would drop by Tyson's house, Kenny's and Max's, but what about what he's going to say? He doesn't have a clue on how to confront the distraught couple.

"Flight number 404, we are now landing at Tokyo, Japan, please standby for further announcements. I repeat, flight number 404, we are now landing…" the announcer on the speaker repeated for the passengers. Rei's thoughts began to wander off again until he felt the plane taxi to a halt, landing smoothly on the landing field. Finally he arrived at Japan, in Tokyo, in the capital city where the four BladeBreakers were residing, but quite unsure if Kai does too. Grabbing his bag and a medium-sized suitcase he prepared to get off, hoping that he wouldn't falter in front of his friends.

"The next flight for Moscow is at 12:45 PM. Passengers, please pass hall number 94 for inspection…." Rei could hear this all around the airport as he stepped on it, entering the crowd-filled building. As he was walking several people would be bumping into him, some considerate that they apologize but others…well, you know.

Rei just hoped that all of this unnecessary crap would stop and just teleport him in front of Tyson's house or something, he doesn't have time to bump around with uncaring people. Uncaring, that is, until one particular person collided with him that displaced his balance.

"Aah!" he screamed in surprise, luckily it was barely hearable from the loud noises of the crowd. He dropped his suitcase and his bag heaved open, some of the things scattering around the floor. "Shit!" he shouted and quickly picked the strewed stuff on the floor, before somebody else would step on it and destroy it. Finally when he got all of his things back he checked his bag if something was missing. Nope, oh good, wait…! Driger! He checked again the backpack, trying to make sure, and now he was sure, Driger's missing. "Damn it, Driger!" No matter how stupid he appeared he tried to search on the ground seeking for his Beyblade.

"I believe this belongs to you," a low voice from above him echoed, making his eyes turn to the hand extending out to him. There he saw his gray Beyblade, clutched tightly into the hand of his savior.

"Driger!" Rei exclaimed, quickly grabbing the Beyblade and clenching it into his own hand. It was now time to thank his savior and he looked up to meet his face…wait. He knows this person.

Kai.

The almighty leader of the Blade Sharks and BladeBreakers, Kai Hiwatari. The Russian perfectionist that only wanted to have the strongest and the perfect Beyblade. But that was what he thought, 'wanted', the past, not present, and he knew this slate-haired boy had switched personalities, and he was expecting him to be nice now.

"Kai!!!" Rei shouted, pouncing on Kai like a kitten that had found its ball of yarn. He giggled, laughed, he never felt this happy since Tyson and Max's misunderstanding, and he was really delighted that he found one of his friends at the airport. At least now he has company….

The slate-haired boy managed to show him a smile, even just a teeny bit. Both Beybladers were really happy that they had found each other again as friends. Kai shook his head and whispered to Rei, who was making him his one-of-a-kind smile, "Better get off now. Curious stares at us." Rei understood almost immediately and he blushed, standing up from Kai and helping the other boy out. Not that he liked Kai…well he did, but just like Mariah, Li, and the others, just as brothers, nothing more. 'Love', he had never felt that before, and most probably not soon enough.

Rei beamed once more before he pulled his suitcase off the ground. The taller boy watched his every move as he did this and he offered Rei a ride with his Ferrari. Nodding Rei agreed and started walking with him in the airport to the parking lot, side by side.

Kai Hiwatari, donning blue-gray hair and eyes colored like that of blood, was the BladeBreakers' appointed captain, and before that the feared Blade Sharks. He was always stoic, cold-hearted, unfeeling, he never cared for anyone but himself, always distancing from the rest and his ambition was to be the perfect Beyblader—the strongest of all. No one had ever seen him smile not filled with a tinge of maliciousness; all those smirks he had shown were of hostility. Until at that Russian World Championships, Rei's battle against the despicable Bryan.

Not anyone was expecting the sudden change in Kai, he actually tried to assure Rei that he would win the battle, and with the sweetest smile anyone could've ever imagine Kai showing. Rei felt special, his 'best' friend cheering him up for the very first time. Since then Kai was really nice at the Chinese boy, he would always smile at his presence, just the two of them, but when somebody else would be in the same place he would just frown and put on his mask, the stoic Kai Hiwatari. That really bothered Rei, but never questioned Kai.

"You're very rich," Rei spoke up, amazed at the sparkling black Ferrari model 2003. "This car has to be the most expensive one yet!"

The taller boy nodded and smoothed his hand on the hood of the automobile. "Yup, just bought it a month ago. And in counting this is my…"

"Eighth car," Rei finished for him, mentally counting the cars. It isn't obvious but Rei knows Kai more than anyone else, sometimes even more than Kai himself does. He knows almost everything about him, but it wasn't his fault, Kai loved talking to him about anything and anytime they were the only ones in a room. 'Course the Chinese BladeBreaker liked it, he was glad that their stoic captain could open up after all, and he felt lucky since he was the one who witnesses it.

"Right," Kai nodded, opening the car door. "Mind getting in?"

"Of course not! Thanks!" Rei answered, getting inside the expensive black car to which Kai closed the door and getting himself in the driver's seat. Starting the engine, the sped off from the huge airport and into the highway. "…Kai, what were you doing at the airport?" Rei asked, curious.

"I escorted my grandfather…he was going to Moscow," Kai answered with all honesty, not afraid of the other boy's reaction.

"B-b-but I thought he was imprisoned…!" Rei retorted, obviously dumbfounded at Kai's shocking response.

"He was, but his 'friends' managed to get him out because I refused to pay his bail," Kai smirked, clearly pleased with his decision. "Now he asked me a favor to drive him to this airport, he was going to be in a hide-out for a while until he comes again with another 'plan' in destroying the world." The leader of the BladeBreakers laughed, enjoying the stupid plans and strategies of his grandfather, Voltaire Hiwatari. "D'you know he taunted me that he would come back and destroy me for betraying him? I almost wanted to crash this car at him at the time, but I remembered that this is a Ferrari, priceless nonetheless, and I don't want to chip the new paint. So I held the thought."

Rei chuckled at Kai's statements. The known 'sourpuss' could be so hilarious when he wanted to, and he could be pretty talkative.

"And…Mr. Dickenson told me that you're coming, fortunately your arrival schedule is the same time for my grandfather's flight. He asked me a favor to escort you to wherever you were going to, since his men are busy at the moment. Obviously I agreed," Kai answered without hesitation, his words not faltering him. Rei smiled as his mind wandered. Kai's so nice when he's not hiding his emotions…. Rei was glad he had a friend as likable as Kai, even though other people wouldn't understand him. Sigh, they would never understand, 'cause Kai doesn't show his emotions around. Guess it's only me that know Kai? He asked himself, confused.

"By the way," Kai cut him in his thoughts, driving the car. "Where are you going?"

The Chinese raven-haired boy thought for a while, not really knowing where he should start.

"Can…can you drop me off at Max's house?" Kai nodded, pressing the gas harder and the Ferrari blasted off faster but not more than the speed limit. Anyway they were in a highway, lots of free space, so it didn't really matter.

"What's the deal? You wouldn't just go here in Japan without any big reason," the Dranzer-owner asked, getting straight into the point. The Driger-owner knew Kai doesn't like fishing around, he's straight to the point. Sighing Rei decided to answer straight to the point too.

"I want to know how Tyson and Max are doing. You know, the couple thing," Rei softly spoke, almost in a whisper, since he didn't want Kai to hear it as much as possible. Unfortunately Kai has good hearing and he heard every single word clearly, and though he hated to admit, he apprehended what the two hyper-active kids' situation in are at the moment.

"…You advised Max for them to cool off, right?" Kai asked, his crimson-blood eyes never leaving the front window, with his voice the usual coldness in which he had always had. The shorter equally handsome boy was aghast.

"How come you know…?" he inquired, earning an irritated sigh from Kai.

"Because, if Max was calling you after every fight they had…" he sighed again before he continued. "Tyson had been also to me, likewise."

Rei almost laughed his head out. Tyson…Kai…talking on the phone? He himself never even got Kai to talk to him in the phone…. As if Kai was reading his mind he replied, "I just had to talk to him. I can't get him off my back. First time he did that I refused to talk to him for about ten times and the next thing he was creating infernal noises outside the house. I knew I shouldn't have told those idiots my address…."

"Talk about persistent!" Rei exclaimed, almost chuckling at the funny imaginations in his head Tyson racketing and Kai getting pissed off.

"Like a certain kitten I know," Kai huffed, smirking. The Chinese Beyblader stuck out his tongue and crossed his arms over his chest.

"I'm not that persistent!" he countered, but he didn't react anything at the word 'kitten'. In fact he was quite used to that nickname, ever since he and Kai got close friends there would be several times he'd call Rei 'kitten', stating the fact Rei resembled like a cat with his pointy ears, pointy teeth, golden eyes, long tail-like hair and some of his attitudes. Rei couldn't react to this, he was right and decided just to live with it, even though he would like it better if Kai would call him 'tiger' instead of 'kitten'….

After an hour and a half later, which seemed like only a few minutes to Rei since he was having fun talking with Kai, they finally arrived at the subdivision, and in a few more seconds they were now parked at the front of 'Hobby Shop, Mizuhara'. The Mizuhara's family business, the Hobby Shop of Beyblade.

Stepping down the car, Rei looked around the area. The shop had grown bigger than the last time he saw it and it had gotten better from the looks of it. He waited for Kai to get out from his Ferrari, just standing there, gazing at him as Kai closed the door.

"What?" Kai asked, a bit annoyed at Rei's nuisance at staring at him.

"Oh, nothing, I was just waiting for you that's all," Rei answered casually without a bit of uncertainty in his voice. Smiling one last time he turned around and walked up to the door, which automatically opened at his weight on the mat. Once inside he glanced at different directions looking for Max or if he was there with Tyson, but only saw several cabinets with different Beyblade parts and/or assembled Beyblades, some chairs, the counter and tables for assembling Beyblades. There was no one in there, until the door next to the counter opened.

"Sorry about that—" Max's dad was cut off when he saw Rei standing in the middle of the shop, looking bewildered. "Rei! Wait, I'll get Max! Max!!!" He shouted, storming back into their house. The Chinese just couldn't help smiling at Max's father's childishness and decided to check some of the sold parts, just in case.

Suddenly the door opened again. "Dad what the hell—" The blonde stopped short when he noticed a certain raven-haired Chinese standing in front of one of the cabinets, examining spare parts. "Rei!!!" Max shouted high on sugar, like he never had the 'cool-off' with Tyson that morning. Rei had been surprised at Max's outburst and turned around, happy. But when he saw Max he felt like he was being punched in the gut. Max's eyes were so sore obviously from crying his cheeks several tear-stream-marks could still be seen clearly and his jaws flushed with deep red, burning from the fiery teardrops that overflowed on the poor face. He felt really heavyhearted but managed to hide his emotions, disguising on a fake smile for Max to see. Believe it or not Kai's not the only one who's good at hiding his true feelings, the neko-jin was an expert at it too only he doesn't do it when unnecessary. He's done it several times before and this situation was one on his list under the column, 'necessary'.

"Hey Maxie, long time hasn't seen, eh?" Rei asked, with his fake smile masked on his face, receiving the open arms Max had offered him. The young blonde embraced him back and rather tightly, his inflamed face buried on Rei's clothes.

"Rei!!! I really missed you!!!" Max exclaimed, still embracing Rei, his face still sank low on Rei's garment.

And just in time Kai entered the shop, a bit surprised at the scene unfolding before him but didn't show it.

"So, how…are you?" Rei stuttered, not really caring whatever he says, he just wanted to say something. He felt the shorter boy's arms squeeze him firmer.

"I'm fine, I'm…fine…" Max mumbled, almost inaudible to the Chinese boy, thankfully he has good hearing. Rei felt more sick, he didn't know what to say next. All this…stuff that had happened to his friend Max was too much for him to bear and he didn't want to add another problem to him.

Several seconds passed with just the two of them hugging until someone spoke up. "Ahem, I'm also here, Mizuhara."

Max quickly pulled his head out of Rei's chest and looked at another direction, and there he saw another one of his friends, Kai. "Kai!!! I also missed you!!!" he shouted, running to Kai and about to embrace him when Kai retreated backward, shaking his head. "Oh, sorry…Forgot!"

Thank you, Kai…. The raven-haired BladeBreaker thanked Kai inwardly for getting him out of that sticky situation, sighing in relief.

"Ooh, now that you two are here, how about I call Kenny and…" Rei could see in Max's face the sadness as he faltered at the next words in the sentence. "…Tyson…s-s-so we c-could have a…r-r-reunion…!" the blonde exclaimed, smiling as broadly as he can. Rei's golden eyes welled with tears as he saw Max's hands shaking in depression, and he knew Max's smile was an obvious fake.

"Maxie…" he sighed, bowing his head to the ground. "I'm sorry…that was a stupid advice…"

"No! That's…exactly…what I needed…" Max answered, closing his once-joyous cerulean-blue eyes. Rei shook his head in disapproval, feeling every ounce of depression Max was receiving and moved forward to take in his arms his friend once more.

"Max…please understand…" To that the usually hyperactive blonde burst into tears, breaking down in front of the two more mature BladeBreaker. Rei held his tears, he didn't want them to come out, Max was already doing his crying too much. Kai watched, didn't do anything, but felt the same that the Chinese had felt, but hid it expertly without any faults.

"…I thought he…he…" the American whimpered, clutching the raven-haired teen's garment. Rei just shook his head and pleaded Max to keep quiet, just continue crying all his pain and emotions out.

They stayed like that for several minutes, Rei unknowing what to do. And he how he wished he knew what.



Chapter Four – Goodbye and Hello – To be continued…



Lei-chi Kon's Rants: Kai…appeared. FINALLY!! Aren't y'all happeh?! n.n;; Oh and poor Maxie. =pats= Rei's there to cheer him up anyway ayt? Yes… "cheer" him up…XDD

Kai: ¬ ¬ Enough with the innuendos!!

Lei-chi: Oops, my bad! XP And as always, R&R!! I am always ready to hear your thoughts!! Tell me what ya wanna tell! n.n

And now the reviewing-reviews thingy:

[[ Lomelindel ]] WOW! Another original reviewer! It's nice to know that you've been looking for this fic when it disappeared. I really thought no one's gonna remember that I suddenly been banished…. -.-;; Thank you! I really love your lot of people!!
[[ A dragon's crystal ]] Hahaha, I could always use a few Mariah bashing, that's why I let Rei bit her. XD Stop calling me Lei-chi-sama! It's embarrassing me! =blushes= And you're right, we got to see Kai soon!! Haha! And now the fun begins. =winks= Thanks!
[[ Ice Dragon638 ]] NOW there's a thought…hahaha!! Nah I don't think little Rei-chan wants to hurt Riah's feelings anyway. That's why he didn't bite to hard. Now, if Kai did that I don't think Mariah will still have a nose afterwards…. XP Thanks!
[[ hyper breeze from the east ]] LOL whatta name! And yes you better believe it. Li AND Mariah likes our little uke. Surprising isn't it? XP Mariah and Li are related somehow…I just don't know how O.o; Well that's what kinky bishies do, ne?! XD Oh BTW, 'bout your reviews for my two other ficcies…yah. I forgot to say that I still hadn't reposted "Nonsense", which I'm gonna do…later. -.- AND you'll see that I reposted "Wherever you will go"…today! Yey! About Dinnertime…could I just send it to you in e-mail or something? I'm starting to fear the thought of being banned again…please just leave your e-mail addy next time ok? So I could send it to you. And I AM the Queen of Fluff. XD You'll see what I mean later. For now…THANKS! (Wow that's long….)
[[ devilburns ]] Yep here's the "more"! XP Thank you!
[[ TNTiggris ]] Heehee. You don't remember her name? XD She's not worth remembering anyway!! LOL! Oh and thank you. I knew how much you loved this fic!
[[ MadMaddie ]] YEY I am back!! =cheers= Thank you for your concern!! Like I said before, I never imagined that people would notice that I vanished…but hey, you did!! It's so cool! Yes, FFN won't be able to stop me!! NEVER!! And I will always be here no matter what happens!! MWAHAHA!! And thank you again. =blushes= I can't believe that I actually inspired someone to write. It's too flattering! XD And go spread the word! I shall rise again! XP THANK YOU!!!
[[ Forfirith-on-a-sugar-high ]] =shock= Your puppy-dog-eyes worked! I updated sooner than I thought I could!! XD Great job! Yes, torturing Mariah is one of the ultimate way to free yourself from boredom. Thank you too! n.n

That's all…Thank you all once again! See ya next chappie! And don't forget to review! You people rock!!



= Ja ne! =