Hey there! Due to my boring life I for you yet another chapter Oh yeah an' thank to those of you that reviewed !

I was struck by inspiration and changed my user name, I think I like it better than the old one. Watcha think?

Disclaimer- I , unfortunately, do not own beyblade... sigh

Ch. 2- Of Tigers and Kittens

Rei's Pov-

Exhausting. That's the one word I can think of to describe today. Kai was really pushing us out there, and for once I could sympathize with Tyson's complaining. I might have been able to stand it any other day, but today of all days… I felt as if the very air around me was trying to strangle me. The clouds looked ready to burst. Kai however, didn't seem to notice.

Maybe it isn't the thought of Kai pushing us to the brink that worries me….Maybe I'm more worried about him.

He's much harder on himself than he is with any of us. Late at night when he thinks I'm asleep, I'll watch him get out of bed, beyblade in hand. It's like he has a schedule. Every night at twelve. Heck! I don't think he even sleeps in the first place!

Tonight I had decided to confront him. I asked what he was doing up so late, he answered with the usual "Why do you care?"

"Because you disturbed my sleep that's why!" I retorted

"…" I raised an expectant eyebrow.

"I need to train." He answered bluntly. Naturally I didn't buy it, but what could I do to stop him? Once he puts his mind to something….I sigh and look towards the clock. Tic tock tic tock…. It's driving me insane! Just watching the minutes roll by like that, and not knowing whether or not he's safe. I turn my gaze back to the door, c'mon, open!

Maybe I should just get back to bed…There's no point in waiting up for him. I snuggled deeper in to the chair. Or maybe I should just yawn sleep here…

The minute my eyes close the familiar gnawing worry came back, relentlessly pounding at my innards.

I glance out the window. What was once a drizzle has now turned in to a full throttle storm, hacking away at the dojo and my conscious. Oh Kai, please be okay!

Normal Pov-

Kai opened the door as quietly as he could. He felt like one of those boys in those heart warming Disney movies. Sneaking in some sort of puppy or stray animal that he knew his parents wouldn't let him keep. But this isn't a puppy, he reminded himself.

His gaze wondered over his surroundings. Suddenly his eyes caught sight of the sleeping tiger. Had he waited up for me…? He felt a pang of guilt run through him. Maybe I should take him back to the room… An impatient mew brought him back to reality.

Carefully he reached in to the roomy pocket of his cargo pants. The touch was greeted with another mew as the kitten was pulled out.

"Here we are little Ushka." His voice was low and soft. Despite the gruffness it had an oddly calming effect.

Gently he placed the little cat on the floor. The kitten curiously bounced around the room. This was new for Kai, he had heard of cats pouncing, but bouncing? Despite the warm feeling that had been growing inside him, Kai shivered.

Suddenly a thought occurred to him. He chanced a glance behind him and saw, much to his horror, that it was a mess of muddy shoe prints and kitten paws. I'll just have to clean that later. Kai sighed as the little kitten bounded back towards him. He couldn't help but smile.

He reminded him so much of what he wanted to be, of what he had never been able to be.

"Mew?" He looked down to see Ushka staring back up at him.

"I'm alright little one. I bet you're hungry though, huh?" he was answered by an exited purr. He chuckled, like his voice it was gruff put pleasant to hear. It was to this sound that Rei awoke.

To Rei it sounded like something that hadn't used in along time…A very long time.

He peered through blurry eyes at the boy and the cat. Wait! Since does Kai have a cat!

He watched as the unlikely pair walked into the kitchen, but not before the phoenix pulled off his muddy shoes.

Rei rubbed a hand over his eyes stilled glazed by sleep. With a groan he lifted himself off the couch and walked stealthily across the floor. His curiosity had gotten the better of him.

Carefully, he peered around the door way. A smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. This was just too cute!

The little kitten sat on the kitchen floor, mewing impatiently at the phoenix who had opened the fridge door and was now staring at its contents.

Kai voiced his thoughts aloud as he searched the fridge "Now what do little guys like you eat?" he said throwing a glance at the kitten who had mover up to his side, "I bet Rei would know, after all he is part cat. But I guess it would be best not to wake him."

Rei nearly laughed at hearing his name, Man, if Kai only knew… he giggled inwardly.

Suddenly there was a loud crashing sound, "Shit!" Kai cursed as he looked at the mess he had made. Yet another thing to clean up… He thought tiredly. Hurridly he stuffed the items back into the fridge hoping no one had heard. He stopped for a moment pausing to look at the item in his hand "Cream!" he exclaimed happily. With an equally exited mew the little cat jumped on Kai's chest, pushing friend on to his back.

From his hiding position Rei was having trouble keeping his mirth in check. Who'd have ever thought that the cold captain of the Bladebreakers could be so playful?

"All right little one, cream it is." Kai said gently removing the affectionate little beast from his chest.

Carefully he poured the thick liquid in to a saucer, setting it down on the kitchen table. The kitten, despite his size, jumped swiftly after the cream.

Kai sat down, rubbing his tired eyes. "Maybe I shouldn't have gone out tonight," Kai said thoughtfully "But I needed a distraction." The kitten raised his head at Kai statement and the phoenix found he couldn't help but chuckle at the cream covered chin. "But then where would I be now, huh little Ushka?" Kai said stroking the silky coat. The little cat purred, enjoying the soft touch.

"You know Ushka, I think you're gonna like it here. The Bladebreakers are good people, even Tyson." Kai said laughter hanging in his voice, "I couldn't ask for a better team." The kitten mewed, acknowledging his statement.

Rei couldn't believe what he was hearing. Kai, actually complimenting them! Never had the phoenix complimented anyone, or at least not to his knowledge. He had only offered advice for them to become better. But now, even if Kai hadn't said it to his face, Rei couldn't help his chest swelling with pride. It felt so good to get his approval.

Suddenly the little kitten bounded off the table trotting over to Rei's hiding spot Oh no… Rei scarcely trusted himself to breath.

The small cat looked up at him with playful eyes. Please, be a good cat and just go back to the kitchen, please! Rei cried inwardly.The kitten looked at him curiously, not noticing that the cause of the peculiar behavior was himself.

Ignoring the pleading look Rei's eyes he pounced on him, unknowingly sinking little claws in to Rei's chest.

The Chinese blader yelped in surprise, the kitten withdrew his claws quickly, mewing apologetically.

Rei felt his heart warm at the sight of the little cat. He reached out with a hesitant hand to stroke the playful beast, when suddenly a familiar voice froze the blood in his veins.

"How long have you been there?"

Done! Well, that's it for now. Again, Read and Review!