Recap: It was as if Ray healed over night. He was awake and smiling and laughing. Kai didn't even mind that the Demolition Boys were present because Ray was so happy.

"Kai! I want to go out. Can you take me to the hill? Please?"

Kai sat down and took Ray's hand. It was cold.

"Do you really think that's a good idea? You're getting better. Do you want to risk getting sick again?"

Ray looked down and smiled. He then lifted his gaze to meet Kai's.

"I just want to go outside. I'm tired of lying in here."

Kai watched as Ray sat down on the grassy hill before he leaned back and stared up at the sky. Kai sat next to him.

"How you feeling?"

"Much better!" He looked at Kai. "I feel as though I was never sick. How strange, hey?"

"Yeah. It is…"

Ray sat up and smiled, touching Kai's arm.

"Don't worry. I'm fine, Kai."

"Hey!" Someone called and they turned to see Tala coming toward them. Ray smiled.

"Tala. What brings you out here?"

Tala folded his arms.

"I see you're healing, Ray. That's good. You feel up to lunch?"

Ray looked at Kai who nodded. Ray kissed him on his cheek before sanding up. He stumbled slightly, his legs unused to carrying the weight. He laughed and started to walk. Tala smiled.

"It's like he's another person. I've never seen him so…happy."

Kai's stood up.

"Me neither. Something is up." He looked at Tala. "How long are you planning on staying here for?"

"Not sure, really. Why? You want us gone that badly?" Tala asked with amusement.

"No."

Kai walked away; following Ray will a little less enthusiasm.

Still a bit pale with a light flush to his cheeks, Ray sat at the table with Kai and the Demolition Boys. He broke the corner off from his slice of bread and popped it into his mouth. He saw the others watching him and swallowed.

"Uh…so what's everybody doing today?" He asked casually in hope that they'd stop staring at him. But his plan didn't work. They sat in silence for a few long and rather uncomfortable seconds. It was Kai who broke that silence, much to Ray's relief.

"I think it would be best if we all just relaxed here in the village. We'll do something tomorrow."

Ray nodded and looked down at his plate. He didn't have a problem with that suggestion. In truth he was feeling a bit light-headed and his food tasted slightly…off. He didn't dare say anything to anyone though. He was tired of just lying around and doing nothing. And he thought the dizziness was just a result of being sick for so long. It would wear off soon enough, he assured himself.

"Anyone want anything else?" Kai asked and they shook their heads. "Right. Then lets get out of here and find a nice spot to rest."

He took Ray's hand and led him out the large bunk (AN: I don't know anything about the village. Hell I don't know anything about beyblade). The six of them walked for a while until they came across a large tree that shaded an area of grass a few minute's walk from the village. They all sat down, neither of them saying anything. Ray eventually sighed.

"Come on guys! We can't just sit here and listen to the air. Someone say something! Anything!"

Kai smiled at him and gave his hand a gentle squeeze. Ian scratched his head. (Not Ray's head. His own)

"The weather here in China is nice."

"Yeah," Spencer agreed. "I could stay here for a while. It's a nice change from Russia, even Japan."

"The air's a bit thick for me," Bryan voiced and folded his arms as he gazed down at the grass. Tala saw Ray frown and smiled at the Neko-Jin, unaware what Ray was really thinking about.

"How about we play a game then?" Tala asked and looked at his team. They nodded slowly, unsure of where this was going. Ray looked at him, eyes slightly wide. Then he smiled.

"Yes! What type of game?"

"Well…truth or dare?"

Kai smirked. "Sounds good to me."

"No!" Ian cried out. "Tala is the worst person to play that game with! He humiliates us!"

Ray laughed. Sounded like fun…

"OK. Who goes first then?"

Tala looked at Ray with a glint in his eyes. "Truth or dare, Ray?"

"Me! Why do I go first? Oh hell… uh…truth." He wasn't up to do anything just yet. He was still slightly dizzy though not as bad as earlier.

"Truth, huh? Let me think. Oh I know! Are you a virgin…?"

A blush covered Ray's nose. "I don't think- " He stopped himself. 'Oh great. I walked into that one. Oh well. A game's a game. "Yeah I am…"

Kai let out a soft breath he hadn't known he'd been holding, and sent a mild glare in Tala's direction.

'What type of question is that? Typical Tala…'

"Tala," Bryan said. "Truth or dare?"

The redhead sighed. "Dare. You know everything about me anyway."

Ray raised a brow. 'Not everything my friend. Just you wait…'

"OK. Go to the village, find…Mariah and ask her if you can wear one of her dresses. If she says no tell her it's for the dare. Then put it on and come back here. If you have to wear it until I say you can take it off…"

Ray laughed softly while the others all cracked up completely. They could picture their captain in a pink dress and it didn't look good!

Tala shrugged and stood up. "Fair. I'll be right back!"

Ray watched him go and looked at Bryan.

"He's going to do it?"

Bryan remained silent, stunned that Ray had actually spoken to him like an old friend. He nodded after several seconds. "Y-yeah…he doesn't care if he makes a fool out of himself."

"Too late," Kai murmured and Ray smiled. He shifted closer to him and leaned on his shoulder. Kai put his arm around him. Spencer looked at Kai.

"Truth of dare."

"Truth," Kai replied without any hesitation.

"Why didn't you tell us about your feelings for Ray?"

Kai smirked.

"Because I didn't want you to know." He pulled Ray closer to him and Ray sighed softly.

They sat in silence before Ian and Spencer burst into uncontrollable laughter. The others followed their gazes and joined in on the mirth. Tala marched up to them wearing a pink knee-length dress. It had no sleeves and looked rather weird. Tala hadn't taken off his boots and with his set 'Tala-glare' in place he only looked more ridiculous.

"Tala! You look…fantastic!" Ray joked as he buried his face in Kai's neck to stop himself from laughing. The movement was painful and he felt like passing out. But he fought to stay awake.

Tala sat down again. "Thank you. And I didn't even need to tell her it was for a dare. She just handed it over to me. everything is pink! Wow…"

Ray lifted his head.

"Tala. I have something for you. Truth…or dare…?"

Tala studied Ray for a while. "Truth…I think…"

'Perfect.' Ray pretended to be disappointed to fool Tala and it worded when Tala smirked. "Fine. Tala, I know you like someone in this group. Who is it?"

Tala's eyes widened. "What?"

"You heard me. Now spill. Or are you too chicken to play truth or dare?"

"I'm no chicken! But I'm afraid I can't tell you that."

"You have to!" Kai pointed out. The others all agreed, curious to know who the person was. Tala sighed and looked at Rei.

"I like…everyone in this group." He smiled suddenly. "You're all my friends!"

"Tala!" Ray moaned. "I meant- "

"I know what you meant but you need to be more specific. Sorry."

Ray scowled and looked away, growling several words under his breath. Kai laughed and kissed him on his cheek.

"Don't worry. We'll get it out of him sooner of later."

"Yeah. Hopefully sooner than- " He broke off, suppressing the cry that came to his throat at the sudden pain in his chest. He couldn't stop his face from contorting in pain though.

"Ray? What is it? Ray!"

Kai got onto his knees and faced Ray. The others gathered around him, fear etched into the features.

His skin had lost all its colour; his eyes were clenched shut and his jaw was set to keep from crying out.

"Ray? Talk to me. What's wrong?"

"I-I'm…s-sorry Kai…" Ray managed to get out before he went limp, falling back. Kai wrapped his arms around Ray's back and held him.

"Ray!"

Sirfartalot: I'm sorry its so short but something came up and I had to focus on it. Hey! It's not as easy as it sounds to update. Thanks for the reviews by the way 