Il Ladro Matrice

Chapter 5:

The Reluctant Dragon Reluctantly Refuses a Favor

I'm sorry that the title changed but through the WHOLE fic I kept thinking "La Ladro doesn't sound right!" it pissed me off through the whole thing! "Ladro" means "thief" for males. La means "the" for female. "Il" is for male and I believe Rei's a male. Even tough he is going to the ball as a girl. 'Matrice" means "master" so this fic in English is "The Master Thief." Adjectives comes afterwards in Italian. I'm very sorry I guess I was so excited I failed to pay attention. So I'll change earlier fics to Il and the title. I'm very sorry.

Dragoon gets introduced in this chapter. Driger and Draciel come back too. Thank you to everyone who is polite and kind enough to review! I don't care if you aren't signed in or a member just review. I send e-mails of appreciation to people who review. Sorry I don't have time for everyone.

Disclaimer: I don't own the Beyblade because no one has gotten shot. If they got shot then you don't have to hear "I'll trash your beyblade" and worry about them ever coming back. No one has got shot and died so I obvisious don't own it.

Driger strolled in front of a reluctant Dragoon while Draciel walked in the front. Dragoon had tried to escape the two bit beast that were forcing him to cut short his trip in the Den of the Dragons. He knew he should have told the elders, but he wanted a vacation and he was just visiting his family and friends in the skies. It was in a mountain that the wind dragons, like Dragoon, lived. Often forests packed with bit beast need protection so they send some of their dragons to live their. They have a decision ether to go or not so they can easily refuse but this dragon wanted to discover the world. He loved this forest but wanted a break. The main reason was from that bit beast that wouldn't stop stalking him, flirting with him and eyeing him a little too much. They were different species! His pace began to decelerate as he thought about that stalker.

"Dragoon! If you do not accelerate turtle's pace of yours, no offense Draciel, I will compellingly move you myself it will be excruciating." Driger was already tired and didn't feel like dealing with this dragon anymore. He also wanted to make sure the young ones were safe. Rei always seemed to get in trouble when he was gone. Fabulous, now he appeared to be Mother Driger.

"None taken. We should visit Rei and Max to see if they were alright." Draciel really wanted to go to his lake and take a nap. Going to get Dragoon was tiring. "You can stay in the house with them Driger, I can go to my lake and Dragoon can go to the entrance of the bit beast forest."

"What! That isn't fair. The entrance is far and it isn't like anyone can find it. It is practically camouflage in the regular forest. Can I have a rest at your home Driger. I don't want to stay in a lake. Humans hardly ever come to the forest. Only the stupid ones and tourist. All I have to do is blow them away not like any bit beast can eat them."

"What a foolish request. You must do your duty as a guardian. Laziness is not an option so you must go to the entrance as soon as possible. Unexpected events could occur from your absence. Now go!" Driger was being not going to let this childish dragon stop doing his job for any period of time and didn't want to let him sleep around him. Who knows what kind of sleeping habits he has.

"Come on Driger. I'm tired from that long walk and by time I do get to the entrance I will be too tired to do anything then, I will most certainly die! You don't want me to die do you? Or maybe you do want me to die that's why you won't let me go to your house! How could you I'll report this to the elders." Dragoon grinned and glared at the tiger. He knew that Driger had to let him stay now. He did want to spend some time with Rei and Max .

"I'll report to the elders that you ran away from your job as the guardian to 'have some fun and relax' like you said near the early hours if I do recall correctly." Driger smiled in triumphant. Did that little dragon really think he had beat the invincible Driger? What a joke!

Draciel rolled his eyes at their childish argument. Then he spoke as an idea came to his head, "Dragoon would most likely go back to the mountain if you won't allow him to stay at your home Driger. So it really isn't a choice as along as he promises to return. So just let him and you Dragoon, you better go tomorrow." Was he the only one that though logical through the problem? They call him stupid.

"Yep, Draciel's right so let me go! I promise to go tomorrow." Dragoon hadn't really planned on running away if Driger said no, but Draciel said it so he was going to do it if Drigger wouldn't him.

"Fine, but if your petty attitude begins to annoy me you will leave."

"No need to worry! I'm not annoying." Dragoon exclaimed that with a lot of confidence. Almost like he believed it. Draciel coughed as he tried to hide his snicker and Driger raised an eyebrow as he gave Dragoon an 'Are you serious?' look. Dragoon looked very serious. Dragoon ignored them and walked with confidence in his steps.

Dragoon and Driger entered the tree house and said their goodbyes to Draciel who left to his lake.

Upon arriving to his lake he felt that the lake seem to be icier than usual (A/N: Dun, dun, dun! I know that was kind of stupid but I'm cheery from my reviews!) meaning that an ice wolf must have been to his lake recently, and the only wolf he knew that would actually leave the ice caves below the forest was Wolborg. Draciel was going have to have a talk with Max and Rei.

Driger forced Dragoon to stay in the living room while he slept in the boys' room. Dragoon wanted to argue about that too, but he knew if he kept arguing about everything Driger says then he'll have to leave. He reluctantly slept on the living room floor since the couches were to small and he and there wasn't any other rooms besides the boys' room and the living room.

Rei awoke to see Driger at the foot of his bed. He was excited that the tiger arrival but knew it would be tricky getting to Kai and Tyson now. Max was still snoozing and mumbling. It was close to sunrise when he'd awaken. Driger must have gotten home late because that was the only time he ever sleeps on the floor. He could sneak to Kai and Tyson's home! Yes he could deliver the message to meet him someplace close to the forest! No that wouldn't work because he didn't know where they lived. Duh Rei.

He wasn't a bit beast completely so he couldn't smell as far. He couldn't as Driger unless he wanted to get lectured and punished. Draciel was a little too slow it would take him forever to get out the forest. By then Driger would be awake.

Rei walked into the living to walk outside and think the predicament through clearly. He said a cerulean dragon sprawled on the floor. Isn't he suppose to protect the entrance? Rei thought as he leaned down the examine the tiger. Must have convinced Driger to let him spend the night. Wait a sec! Dragoon's a bit beast and since he can fly with the wind he can travel fast. Plus, he can smell humans. Dang I thought have anything that smells like them! Oh wait the beds! They did sleep in it and we haven't washed them yet or slept in it long enough to cover their smell so that means Dragoon may still be able to smell them. Yes I'm a genius.

Rei began lightly poking dragon as he whispered, "Dragoon wake up!"

"I will not lose this battle! I shall fight without reluctance!" Dragoon exclaimed this as he arose in a fighting stance as he awoke. He looked down to see a confused Rei looking at him with query eyes. "Oh excuse me Rei! How ya been? Why did you wake me up?"

"I need a… favor," he tried to make the favor part as low as possible but Dragoon heard it. He knew how much Dragoon hated doing favors. "It's a small favor so please don't refuse it."

"What is this small favor?" He had a feeling how small it may be it doesn't mean it was good.

"Well I have these friends but he lives in town and is human b-"

"No! I can not associate with humans. Does your friends know what you are? I might get in trouble. You too! Hasn't Drigger taught you better than that Rei?"

"I beg of you! You too know that I am half human half bit beast. I may have a tail, claws, piercing eyes and cat-like abilities but I'm still part human. I can't avoid that and my breed! Fate gifted he with these features and I must deal with it. I have acknowledge the way I am and wish they be in contact with people the same race as my other side. Didn't you go visit your family? You must know the feeling of crave. I crave is to be around people that are the same as me. Everyone has an instinct to be with a crowd were they are most comfortable at. I feel comfortable with both humans and bit beast. I can never change this fact and this is how it will always be until the day I die. Let me be with someone who might want to understand me even though I'm a half-breed. Like how you guys have done for me and Max. So please, Dragoon. Doing this will make me and Max happy. We'll try to keep them away from the elders and I'm pretty positive, no I'm absolutely positively sure Driger and Draciel will understand." He gave Dragoon a hard stare as he stood tall and proud. He was going to stand down to this opportunity and was going to keep trying and trying until the dragon gave in.

Dragoon gawked at the determined gaze Rei had. The confidence and acceptance of what he is. This boy had become a man. Maturity was what he needed to have bit beast listen. Dragoon himself was in awe at the speech he had set. He didn't detest himself for what he is and appeared proud of it. Natures beauty had given the world two beings combined of two species.

"I will need to something that has smelled like you friends," Dragoon grinned at as Rei stern face brightened up shone with delight.

"Smell my bed and Max's. Their smells should still linger on it."

Rei saw the napping tiger was still out cold. He probably wouldn't be awake for another hour or so. Most likely the time he needed to make to Kai and Tyson's home and back. He snatched the blanket off of his bed and grabbed one of Max's pillows and gave it to Dragoon so he could get a good sniff. He had to smell for a long time period since the half-breeds smells where also mixed in as well. He had to get their scent of his nose system and concentrate on the humans.

"Okay I got it we should depart."

Rei changed to his Il Ladro Matrice exterior hopped onto the back of the dragon as he left the tree house and flew into the sky. Rei looked at the marvelous scenery and felt a little scared about being so high off the ground.

"What is your friends name?" He might should at least know the name of the human that was going to enter bit beast territory.

"Kai and Tyson." Rei was so happy about meeting them again he failed to notice Dragoon flinch as he said Kai.

Kai Hiwatari…

Dragoon smelled the scents coming from a mansion in the distance. The Hiwatari mansion. I mustn't allow Rei to go there but I doubt that the person is befriending is Voltaire. I heard his grandson wasn't cold hearted because of his mother, Mitsu. I wonder how she feels? I can't go there myself and I still need to do my duty. Rei must travel there alone. Please forgive me.

Early in the morning in the Hiwatari residents, in Kai's room, Tyson had beat Kai, yet again, in a game of goldfish. They altered the ending by because if a person has two cards and anther had one it's obvious who has the joker. The person with one card ends up picking one of the two cards and if he got joker too bad.

This is generally how their games go. During the end of the game Kai would have two cards: A normal card and a joker. Tyson would have one card a normal card equivalent to the one in Kai's hand. It would Tyson turn to choose a card. Kai would pray and hope Tyson would choose the joker and let him win but no Tyson seems to have a winning streak of tremendous luck. Kai always ended up with the joker and Tyson would always get the normal card for some miraculous, lucky, ominous motive. They always play for money which makes it worse because Tyson won all of his money and not once lose or lose a cent of his own money. Naturally, somebody would give up against a person like Tyson but Kai wasn't normal. He would keep playing Tyson until he won. So far, he hadn't won.

"Oh yeah! Wanna go again Kai? You may win this time," Tyson grunted as he said the last part and counted the money he just made from Kai.

All that achieved in doing was agitating Kai more. He was going to make Kai pay for his cockiness. "Let's go!"

"Okay!" Tyson smirked as he shuffled the cars. It was so easy to make money off of Kai. Too bad Kai never discovered he marked the back of the joker with a black sharpie permanent pen. It's sharpie so you know it going to come off. He chuckled as he handed out the cards. This was going t be one easy win.

"Hey can I play?" Tyson turned around to see Kenny behind him with his laptop, Dizzi, tucked under his arm. He actually got off his laptop! This is something new.

"Yeah Chief we didn't start yet so I have to do is hand out the cards again."

"Kai did you every get theIl Ladro Matrice with the equipment I provided you with? If you didn't too bad I'm not giving you more."

"Yes." Kai was the king of short responses.

Kenny seized Kai's shoulders as he shook him viciously and questioned him. "Where is he? I want to meet him? Can you take me to him? Is he here? Is there something you aren't telling me? How could you? Tyson do you know? Were you there? Tell me!" He panted for breath as he finally let go of a pissed Kai that looked as though he wanted to rip Kenny's arms off.

"We caught him and-" Tyson begun speaking but was interrupted.

"I caught him." The interrupter, Kai, corrected Tyson.

Tyson passed out the cards as he explained to Kenny. "Kai caught him and we told him we wanted to be friends after I fixed the rude introduction Kai started. Calling people an idiot as soon as you meet them. Idiot!" Tyson shook his head in disappointment at Kai. Kenny went hysterical at what Tyson did then more hysterical as Kai punched him on top of his head. Tyson complained as he looked at Kai's hand of cards. Tyson snickered when he say Kenny's hand too when he laughed at the two of them.

"So Kai was being rude and nonsocial as usual. You fixed the problem and then…" Kenny was anxious to hear what happened. He wanted some data on the thief.

"He gladly accepted thanks to me," Tyson sustained the story and started the game. He say that a card he had Kai had because he saw it earlier so he called it. Kai grumbled all kinds of bad things about Tyson as he handed him his card. "He led us to this behind a waterfall at this lake. We had to go all the way through this hole, which Kai was scared of, and jump through. Do you have and ace's Kenny?"

"Darn! Here take it." Tyson smirked. He say that card early.

"Kai do you have any five's?" Or was it a six? Tyson was confused about which card it was. Sometimes cheating can give you baffled.

"Goldfish. You were afraid you made me go first." Kai once again corrected Tyson and his story telling ability. He had a feeling he was going to add more things that didn't intentionally happen.

"No we did rock, paper, scissors and you lost like you do in Goldfish," he quickly defended the insult Kai said about him.

"You cheat or extremely lucky, mind you, so this isn't a real reason why you win." Kai responded back to the fact Tyson just said about him.

"Or you just suck!" Well he sometimes cheated. Not all the time. Only if he's losing. He had a title to keep you know.

"I bet I could be you in anything that involves the brain and no luck. I can depend on calculations and logic while you depend on that despicable stomach of yours to tell you when to feed it."

Thus a fight began.

"Could you please get back to the story!" Kenny screamed as loud as he could to stop them and hear what happen. The two blue headed boys released each other and go back to the game.

"We went down and met Rei's friend named Max. Rei is the Il Ladro Matrice name. We spent the night there. They talked a little about how Tyson lives with me and that room behind the waterfall being Max's home and Rei's is somewhere else. That's about it." Kai placed down a pair then asked Tyson, "Do you have any three's Tyson?"

"Goldfish. You forgot I shared a bed with Maxie while you refused to share with anyone. That meanie made Rei sleep on the couch and had him cook alone even though he was awake. We left later after Kai promised to take us later. He better!" Tyson put down two pairs of cards as he took a card from Kai and Kenny.

"Hmph!"

"I lost you guys took all of my cards. Anyway, that's it to the story? That was kind of… uneventful. Next time you go can I go to. Take Dranzer to since she it a bit beast and they say bit beast live in that forest," enthusiasm filled Kenny's voice. "Kai if you know what the Il Ladro Matrice looks like how come you don't blackmail him into stealing it with just knowing that?"

Kai spent most of last night searching through his brain and his heart for that answer. Something said that would be the easy solution and he wouldn't have to see Rei again or speak with him. Then, something wanted him to meet him and speak with him. Speak with him about anything. As he kept imagining what could possibly be the answer he thought about what he wanted Rei to steal. It belonged to his grandfather and the item could easily soak a heart in darkness with misery if he didn't trust and care someone with all of his heart. That was why he desired Rei. He must trust and care him. That was why he was visiting Rei and getting to know him better to turn into friends. That was the only reason why right? That was why he had to pursue through his emotions in his heart to see if he was able to get the trust and care out. Rei was capable of these feelings and if he trusted and cared for Kai enough he would get it without reluctance. Rei was able to do these things. That was why Kai couldn't get it. He could not experience this warm feeling that others did. He was not pure enough. His bloodline was tainted and cold except his mother. She wasn't related to his grandfather so her heart and blood was warm. She was able to express it freely to him which made him love her dearly for it. Even feel a tad bit warm in his heart and blood. The day she left was the day Kai became official cold. Tyson and Kenny were able to bring some warmth to him but not enough to melt the ice.

Tyson and Kenny looked at Kai for they both didn't know why he needed to get along with Rei.

"I would not want Rei to run away with it so I need him to trust me." He couldn't tell them just yet. Tyson was aware the way his eyes looked when he lied. He knew about Kai's past and saw the sad look in his eyes, so he let it pass until later. Kai faced him and saw him nod in understanding. Kai gave him a small smile that meant he would explain later. Kenny didn't notice the exchange. He probably would have seen it if his glasses weren't on his head and stopped covering his eyes, assuming they exist, with his bangs.

"When are we going again anyway?" Tyson changed the subject before Kenny asked more questions. He also nonchalantly picked one of the two cards in Kai's hand. He didn't get the normal. This is where his luck came in. "Looks like I win again. You were so close!"

"Shut. Up." Kai glared at the gleeful Tyson while Kenny congratulated him.

Kenny turned to Kai and asked, "May I go with you?"

"Yes you may and I'm not sure when. I'll ask Rei myself. I'm not sure if he would want you to know his identity"

When Kai finished his sentence the balcony doors and his room shake as someone tried to force it open. The only one that could open the balcony was Dranzer but she did that when it was an emergency. Also, Dranzer was perched on his bed asleep. The sound had woken her because she flapped her wings and flew to the balcony. Kenny and Tyson backed away while Kai ran to see what was provoking Dranzer and to defend his friends. The doors opened much to Kai's surprise. Some lock. The wind blew and he caught sight of the midnight locks of only one person he knew with such lovely long hair.

"R-Rei?" Kai stuttered the name. He could believe the thief had located his home.

"This wouldn't have been a problem if that dragon had given me a ride. He refused to give me a ride here. I wonder why? At least he was reluctant about it I guess."

"Rei? That's the Il Ladro Matrice?" Kenny was amazed to see him but never guessed he would around their age and that thin. He assumed he would be buff and huge. His imagination about the thief was inaccurate lately.

Kai glared at Kenny and hissed, "Didn't I just say…Ah! Forget it!"

"Now he knows what I look like. Didn't you promise not to tell. All I did was want to invite you to meet with me again but now I don't even know if I can trust you!" Rei look ashamed at them and his self for wanting to get together with them again.

"Rei we're sorry but were more than sure Kenny won't tell anyone." Tyson was the first to speak since everyone appeared to be in thought. "Kenny will want to be friends with you too! He isn't cold like Kai and a little on the slow side like me! He isn't always hungry and does such great calculations that maybe he can give you a map of the next place you're going to steal from."

He looked at Tyson and saw in his face saying 'pity us and please believe us.' He looked at Kenny who was facing the floor with miserable eyes and betrayal seeing as he was the one who spoke. Lastly, he looked at Kai who he expected to look cold, but he saw the same look in Kai as he saw in Tyson. His was a look of 'I kill you for such a lame excuse to leave.' the usually calm phoenix was staring at Rei was well telling him to don't be cruel.

He didn't want to look heartless. They looked sorry.

Rei sighed, smiled then spoke, "Never frown, even when you are sad, because you never know who is falling in love with your smile! Next time don't go to the lake but the regular forest. All meet you there."

Everyone's face brightened and smiled when he said that. Even Kai had a small smile on his lips making Rei grin more. He should smile more often. Looks like I am melting that ice cube little by little. I guess I'm falling in love with his smile!

"Isn't the forest forbidden to go to because of wild animals. And it's protected?" Kai asked the question.He still had the smile on his face. A small thing Rei did and said just made him smile but also made him heart for this kind of thing is what his mother used to do.

"Don't worry I'll tell the animals not to attack you and no one will see or hear you if you stay silent and in the shadows. In two days at meet me there. Bring that phoenix too."

"Dranzer." Once again very short words.

"Okay bring Dranzer. I must go until next time bye, bye!" Rei left the occupants of the room and ran towards the forest. He was luck to have them awake this early because the town was still empty since everyone else were in bed.

Everyone stared at the window he left through then cheered. Dranzer flapped her winds rapidly since she wanted to go back to her home. It had been a while since she had see her friends. Kai didn't celebrate with Tyson and Kenny but his smile a widened.

Rei took a dip in the lake to get the smell of the humans off but took his outfit off first. He hid plain clothing behind a rock so he can exchange them when he got back. He been gone for thirty minutes. It would have been fifteen if that Dragoon took him their and back.

He dried and but on the plain clothes and ran to his home. He laid on the grass. Driger would think he had woken up first and went to the sunlight which he did often anyway.

Driger finally came out twenty minutes later. He looked displeased and angry at the neko-jin.

"Good morning Driger! How are you?" Rei kept his voice calm and natural. Things were going according to plan.

"Rei." That got Rei's attention. Driger spoke harshly as he said it. "Why do your's and Max's sheets smell of human?"

Moonlight: You're naughty Rei

Rei: I was that stupid to not change the sheets?

Max: You got me in trouble

Tala: You were so excited about meeting me you forgot.

Kenny, Kai and Tyson kick Tala

Kai: It was all because of me thank you very much

Moonlight: So you should get in trouble instead of Rei is what you are saying?

Kai: It's Rei fault!

Moonlight: I was able to get this 4000 long chapter, not including me babbling, ready in 4 days! That is a record. Half of the reason is from my reviews and the other is from Cookie crisp, Lucky Charms, Coco Puffs, lots of candy, video games, television and my long hours of sleep from this break I'm still on.

Kenny: Basically, you were sugar high and being lazy

Moonlight: I was 'Coo coo for Coco Puffs' and wanted 'Cooooooooookie Crisp' and 'Hearts, stars, horseshoes, clovers and blue moons, pots of gold, and rainbows and a red balloon'

Max and Tyson laugh at me being sugar high

Kai: That's not funny! Don't laugh at her right Rei!

Rei trying to hold in a laugh so he giggles.

Moonlight: Yes! Here are the thank you for my reviewers! I am so sugar high I finished one report and one essay and they're not due for another week so I feel stupid because the other ones are after the break. This story is jinxing me! The next update may be really late. That's why I got this one in early. Wait for the next "Il" not "La" Il Ladro Matrice!

Whitetigerkitten: I PRAISE you for reviewing EVERY CHAPTER! I was like YEEAAAHHHH! Thank you for loving this story and me babbling at the end parts with the characters to torture them.

Jennchow: The elders and Ray and Max are suspicious and mysterious. The plot is getting together now so I won't really be adding anymore unsuspecting things. Unless it's a hint about the plot.

Ray-is-sexy: Konnichiwa and thanks you saying that the little saying warm ups your heart. That's why I added it because it makes me feel hyper like you and warms my heart too! Added another one: Never frown, even when you are sad, because you never know who is falling in love with your smile!

Constantine: I forgive you for not reviewing earlier. Like how Rei forgave them! I sometimes forget so I go back to the story just to review even if they didn't update. At least I know someone is reading this but forgot to review!

Moonlight: Thank you and PLEASE REVIEW! That's why my story have been coming in later! Blame it on the people who don't review! Chapter 6: A Hell of A Lot of Meetings Lately