Hey every one! Me again, I hope you enjoy the chappie. It maybe the last one fer awhile. Don't worry, all is explained at the end of thechapter.Oh yea and thank you for all your wonderfull reviews hugs reviewers they really made my day All right, this is getting too emotional, let's move on shall we?

You know, it's odd how something can take you so long to write, and you think you've written a good deal. Then when you look it over it turns out it's really not quiet as long, or as good as you thought it was xx Anywho...Cue the disclaimer

Disclaimer: I don't own beyblade. Shocking huh?

-Ch. 4 Restless Dreamer-

The kitten mewed loudly, pawing at Kai's bed. Rei groaned slightly as he rolled the sleeping phoenix off of his back and on to the soft mattress. s

Ushka watched the Chinese blader carefully, big eyes searching for movements that might betray hidden motives.

Rei chuckled slightly at the lack of trust. The cat had only been around the phoenix for a couple of hours and was already mimicking his master's behavior.

Rei glanced at the sleeping Russian, concern evident in his gaze. Kai had curled up into the smallest ball possible, the shoulders hunched forward. The frame that had always looked so strong now looked thin and frail and it scared him. Never had he thought he would be using those words to describe Kai.

His gaze turned to the face. It seemed rounder now, almost childish. The blue triangles however, penetrated what ever look of innocence that the face had held, smothering it instead with a look of fierce concentration.

His thoughts were broken by the sound of an inquiring mew. He looked down to see Ushka, staring up at him. He got the odd feeling that the little cat was just as worried as he was.

The cat and the tiger continued to stare at each other until, finally the kitten withdrew his stare, seemingly satisfied. The large eyes wandering back to Kai.

With a graceful whoosh the cat was on Kai's bed. Cautiously, the affectionate little beast wiggled under Kai's arms. Kai smiled slightly in is sleep, rapping his arms more securely around the kitten.

Rei couldn't help but compare the sight to that of an infant, hugging a favorite nursery

toy.

Kai murmured something in his sleep; the kitten in response mewed comfortingly, rubbing his silky head against his master's cheek. Ushka snuggled closer, wanting to comfort his friends.

Rei watched the two intently; it was incredible the change the kitten had brought about their stoic leader.

Or maybe, Rei thought, maybe he hasn't changed at all. Maybe he's always been this way, but we haven't known it. He felt anger sear his insides. They hadn't known it because they had been too careless to even look.

Putting his anger aside he chanced a quick look to the clock, immediately regretting it as the clock flashed a neon 1:00 am. Damn it… It was not going to be easy waking up to morrow.

He sighed deeply and lowered his aching body on to Kai's bed. He risked closing his eyes, just for a second he told himself. Just then, a low, troubling sound found it's way to the neko-jin's sensitive ears. He stole a quick glance over at the sleeping phoenix. Kai was mumbling feverishly in his sleep.

A pang of worry jolted through Rei's tired frame. What if he was sick?

Little Ushka mewed, gently whiskering (A/N: I'm pretty sure whiskering is not a wword but it's the best way I can think to describe Ushka's actions : P) Kai's face.

The cat knew something was wrong, the heat radiating from Kai's body was far from normal.

He mewed, this time seeking Rei's attention. Pawing the Chinese blader, the small grey kitten turned his furry face towards Kai.

"What's wrong Lassie? Did Timmy fall in the well?" Rei exclaimed. (A/N: Just joking xx What Rei really did was the following…)

Rei rubbed the worried cat's head soothingly and turned his gaze towards Kai.

The phoenix's breath came quick and labored, the brow knit in pain. He took Kai gently by the shoulders, shaking him.

"Kai, c'mon Kai, wake up!" he said, trying to calm the phoenix but at the same time desperately trying to calm himself.

Suddenly Kai's feverish mumbles became audible as the phoenix raised his voice.

"No, please Tala! You've gotta wake up!" tears began streaming down his face "You promised you'd never leave me, remember? Now you're gone… and…..and it's my fault." Kai's voice was strangled by heavy sobs. "It's my fault, m-my fault…"

Kai's words clawed deep into his heart, filling him with questions. Another strained whimper turned his gaze back towards the phoenix. Tears ran freely down the round cheeks, each one, large and silvery, passed gently over the blue triangles. Odd, Rei thought, how the tears didn't smudge the triangles.

Curiosity began to hack away at his good sense, and finally it got the better of him. He reached out with a trembling hand to touch the fevered cheek. He ran his fingers over what he had assumed were painted triangles.

He rubbed the cheek a little harder, brow knitted in concentration. Why won't they smudge? Rei groaned inwardly, the obvious occurred to him, they were tattoos. But why would Kai want those on his face? The question drilled into him, Kai, what are you hiding? He had asked himself this a lot over the last couple of weeks, not that this had made any of the hazy details any clearer.

"No please, I'm sorry…" Rei attention turned back to the fallen phoenix. His pleas and apologies had died down in to whimpers. Reminding Rei very much of an injured puppy.

Ushka was sitting next to him, watching Kai intently. Slowly but surely, under the careful watch of Rei and the kitten, the blue haired teen's tense muscles had relaxed, and the fever subsided.

The little cat once again curled next to the bluenette's side. Finally assured that all was well Rei too slipped into his own bed, his thoughts, however, persuaded him to stay awake just a little longer.

Troubling ideas and possibilities attacked his sleep glazed mind. What ifs and whys scattered around his conscious. Finally, sleep's pull out weighed the nagging ideas, leaving the troubling thoughts for the morning.

Well dat's it fer now, hope you like! I'm not exactly pleased with it, I don't feel it flows as well as the others. Well I dunno... Ayway I'm going on vacation! Yep, that's right. Me and a couple of good friends are goingto Monterey V.A. where me and my beloved horse and will be running around and causing general havoc. And don't worry, I was joking about the havoc part.Have no fear, I shall return soon!

-Wolfechilde-