A/N : Yeah, so I like skipped a day.

Warning : Strong language, yaoi. There's some good 'ole Mariah-bashing in this chapter! (Woohoo!)

Disclaimer : I don't own Beyblade or any of the characters. The characters you do not recognise are mine and are not to be stolen/used in any story other than my own.

------------------------------------

All I Want : Chapter Four

December 22nd

I am completely psyched. Today is the day that my old team arrive here and, to be honest, I'm a lot more excited than I thought I would be. Inside I am jumping up and down, but (for dignity's sake) in reality I am sat in a small café, sipping at my coffee and staring out of the window into the misty sky, watching the aeroplanes come and go. I seriously can't wait for the guys' plane to get in, I still have another hour to wait yet, but I insisted upon getting here early, just in case. I got here, the airport that is, about 2 hours ago with Tala and Bryan, but they got bored after about forty minutes (well, Tala did; Bryan just accompanied him home to make sure he didn't get himself into any trouble) so left me here on my own, drinking said coffee and staring expectantly out of the surrounding windows out to the snowy landscape before me. I'm glad the weather has been alright, calm-ish; I would have been so pissed off if their plane had to be cancelled or delayed due to blizzards or dangerous winds, or any other 'natural disaster' that my homeland often has to offer. Knowing me, I would have hit something.

"It's him… It's Kai Hiwatari!"

Hn. There goes another one. Since I've been here I have had so many stares directed at me, whispers, exclamations of love or hate; obviously people haven't forgotten me yet. I'm just happy I haven't been flooded with a group of screaming fan girls yet, they're the most annoying thing this world has ever offered me, including Tyson when I first met him. Alright, so I learnt to put up with him, and I'd even go as far to say I found a good friend in him by the time I left the team for good last year… But I will never, and I mean ever be able to put up with those God damn fan girls, the ones that decide they have the 'charm' to be able to talk to me are the worst ones, because after their friends egg them on by saying 'Go for it! Talk to him!' they go all giggly, and there is nothing I hate more than girly-girls. Actually I don't much like tomboys either. Fuck it, I just hate girls in general, stands to reason why I'm gay, I suppose; after having to put up with a bunch of prepubescent fan girls since I was fourteen, it really does put me off them.

However, I wouldn't be surprised to find out that Tyson is now dating one of his fan girls, he was the only one on the team that actually liked getting all the attention, the rest of us hated it with a passion. I think Max liked it at first, but it slowly started to fade as he got older and more mature. Rei though, like me, never liked it. The odd compliment was accepted happily with a smile that made said fan girls squirm and giggle (it had it's effect on me too, but I dealt with it in ways that showed far more dignity), but he seemed to despise getting too much attention from them – Especially from Mariah.

Remember Mariah? That pink thing that used to follow Rei around like a moth to a flame? Oh yes. I'm sure you all know my opinion of her. I hate the bitch. For a start, she was always trying to prove how good she was right from the start : Like that day in China when we encountered Rei's old White Tiger team for the very first time and that Kevin kid battled Tyson. Straight away, Mariah was trying to prove herself to Rei, offering to battle me, accusing me of being scared and crap like that when all she was doing was trying to flirt with Rei… And in the end, I did a much better job of that than she did (not to boast or anything). All she did was talk big and use her beyblade's attack to slice a wok into pieces, while I used my Dranzer to stop Rei being hit in the face with another blade. That was years back but I still remember the 'good old times' we used to have together – And yes, I really have had a crush on Rei for that long. Back then though that's all it was, just a crush. Now it's more than that, now I feel something every time I see him, and he's the only person I have ever felt this way about. Sentimental? Not really, but it's definitely the truth.

Sigh. I shouldn't have gotten here so early. Tala did tell me that yesterday when I told him I wanted to be early, but I didn't bother listening since Tala's advice isn't usually that reliable, but this time it was. Actually, yesterday he was being strangely mature (as mature as Tala gets, anyway), it was odd seeing him so… Grown up. It's not that Tala's childish antics get on my nerves exactly, but he can be very trying sometimes. Yesterday though, he was different, like he'd suddenly turned into a responsible adult over night – I'm almost wondering if Bryan said or even did something to him to help him along, but it's doubtful; whether my close-to-silent friend admits it or not, he loves Tala just the way he is; but then again, who wouldn't? The bouncy redhead is simply adorable (60 per cent of the time, the other 40 leaves more than a lot to be desired), nobody could ever want to change him. If they did, I'd kill them.

As I was saying, yesterday he was in a good mood and was acting his age rather than his shoe size, and the three of us had… Possibly a few too many laughs, actually, but it was great fun. Marie had to work so she wasn't there to keep her usual close eye on us, and I think I'm glad for that: if she'd been there, I know for a fact that Bryan would have kept up his usual "I never smile or even think about it" stance and not enjoyed himself for once. We had the task of putting my tree up in the living room and decorating it (shock horror, without Marie's help), then we all went shopping to buy some Christmas food for the big turkey dinner that I'm going to try (and probably fail) to cook – And while we were there, Tala got the giggles and I did some serious thinking about my two friends... And nearly got into some serious trouble, of course.

- Rewind -

"You need a turkey, Kai."

"Point out the obvious, why don't you?"

"I was only saying…"

Some times I love them to bits. Other times I just want them to shut up. This is one of the 'other' times. We've only been in this two storey super-market for about ten minutes, but they're already starting on their usual Argument-of-the-Day. Yes, congrats guys, I need to buy a turkey. Actually, I'm getting two, one for Tyson and one for the rest of us… What the hell has Bryan got?

"Instead of a turkey, you could always feed them this."

Oh my God. It's dead rhinoceros. "Bryan, what is that?" It's huge… And bleeding. Oh Kami, he didn't kill and skin anyone did he?

"Beef." If that is beef then it's a whole cow. Okay, not literally, but it is a pretty damn big piece of meat. Bryan's holding it against his torso and even his broad shoulders can't be seen from behind this thing. Believe me when I say, it is one fucking big bit of animal.

"That doesn't really fit in with the Christmas spirit." Did I really just say that? Kai Hiwatari, Voice of Reason… I think not. Maybe I used to be the voice of reason on my beyblading team, but when I'm at home and in the company of my two best friends I seem to be quite a different person. By 'different' I mean 'emotionally open'.

"It would feed them all though." That is positively disgusting to look at. It makes me want to go vegetarian – Seriously.

"Thanks, but no thanks." I'll just go over here now and find a turkey. You know Bryan? Christmas Turkeys? Ever heard anybody singing about the 'Christmas Bleeding-Unidentified-Dead-Animal'? I think not. I worry about Bryan's sanity sometimes (by sometimes I mean ninety nine point nine per cent of the time).

"I've got the packaged stuffing, the ready-to-bake Yorkshire puddings and some instant gravy powder, because you don't know how to cook real food. Okay?" Yeah, thanks Tala. Bitch.

"Hn." Who says I can't cook? … Wait, that was meant to be said to Tala. Focus, brain, focus. "Who says I can't cook?"

- Pause -

Remember that giggle fit I told you about? Yeah, 'nuff said. Even Bryan had a good chuckle at my expense, I didn't realise I was such a bad cook. I actually thought I was alright in the kitchen… I like my cooking.

- Play -

"Trust us on this one Kai, if you really want to impress Rei this year, stay away from the kitchen." Am I seriously that bad?

"Thanks Tal. You're a real good friend." Hn, they're a pair of bastards. I look away for a second, glaring at the floor while they laugh at me, then turn my glare toward my wonderful redheaded friend. I have a question to pose. "If I'm supposed to stay away, then who's going to cook Christmas dinner?" Silence. And not the kind I like. They're both just looking at me as if to say… Oh shit. "I said I didn't want you guys there on Christmas day."

"Oh come on Kai!" He's giving me that sweet, pleading look. Big ice-blue eyes, just gazing at me. I know I'm cracking. I cannot give in. "We'll be really quiet." The voice! The pout! Must resist. Must resist.

"How the hell else were you expecting to feed them?" Thank you Bryan, you've successfully drawn my attention away from Tala and his pout (they are two separate things, you see) with the longest sentence you've ever said. Congratulations are in order. Wait… If my brain was in gear I would have realised that he had just insulted me. Here Bryan, feel the wrath of my 'Hiwatari Death Glare'.

"Looks can't kill Kai, but if they could I'm sure he'd be dead now. Come on, let's shop some more. We still have loads to get, right?" Is it just me or did Tala just sound suspiciously like Marie? Shudder. One's enough, I want to keep my Tala, not a new one! "Aww wow! Balloons!" … Apparently I'm in luck.

"Balloons?" I follow the elder teen with my eyes as he bounces over to a stall selling helium balloons in various colours. He had better not buy any, I'll tell you that now. He's talking to the woman in charge of the stall, smiling and nodding occasionally, casually leant up the wall next to him. He looks so at peace these days, the way his eyes sparkle when he smiles, and the mere fact that he does smile now. He never used to, not when I used to see him in the abbey or when he was part of the Demolition Boys team under Boris's control. He looks so happy and content, it really makes me feel warm inside. I love Tala. Not in the way I love Rei of course, but in the way that only two very close friends could ever love each other. He's the best friend I could ever wish for, despite him having his mood swings every now and then and screaming about hating me, I know he doesn't. He's only ever said the words "I hate you" once to me, but after seeing the look on my face he never did it again. We do still fight, but it's never anything big these days, and we only have Bryan to thank for that.

Boris's death changed them both. Tala's happy and Bryan has actually opened up a hell of a lot, even though he himself doesn't seem to notice it yet. I know that Bryan is a lot like me, scarily so in fact, and so I know that he'll get more and more open as time goes on, just like I have, and one day the 'get-away-from-me-or-else' vibe will fade from him too, like it has done with me and Tala. We were all the same. Admittedly, I wasn't as bad as those two, they stayed for many years longer than I did at the abbey and it was made sure that every last bit of emotion was crushed out of them, like they had tried to do with me. For a while it worked, it took me a long time to open up to my team, but I thank them for trying. Before I met that bunch I was with the Blade Sharks. I wasn't their friend, I was their leader and nothing more. When the Bladebreakers came to be, I wasn't their leader, I was their Team Captain. I was no longer a bird in wing with followers, I was part of something. The team didn't follow me like the Blade Sharks did, they were on the same level, often far ahead of me to be honest, and that's how I liked it. Hopefully one day it will be the same for Bryan, he deserves it.

Most people think Bryan is a bad guy, someone who is cold and heartless and nothing more than that. They couldn't be more wrong. He may not speak much, but when he does, there is ultimate confidence in his voice, I think that scares people off, but the only reason he is confident is because he can be. When he was under Boris's control, he wasn't confident, he, like Tala, just acted it because they had to. They weren't given any leeway, either they were confident and won every match or they were unconfident, lost and got severely punished. Which would you choose? Now though, now they aren't under that pressure and I know that a lot had been lifted from Bryan's shoulders. When it comes down to it, he is still just a teenager who has had a bad childhood. There are millions of us in the world, there shouldn't be, but there are, and we're all the same. We just want to live like normal people and have normal lives and do teenage things. I know for a fact that Bryan has invited Tala round for nights Vodka and video games before. They laugh, they have fun. They're just teenagers. Bryan is closer to Tala than he is to me because they went through it all together, they were always there for each other when times got rough, but I'm here for him too now and I really hope he'll open up to me too one day. He's a good guy, even if he does tend to be very negative.

I am pulled from my thoughts when Tala runs back over to us at a hurried pace, his lips curved into a mischievous smirk, his eyes shining with excitement. "Guys, I've been spotted." Just when I was about to ask what the hell he was on about, a group of four teenage girls peek round the end of an isle to glance at us, giggling. I roll my eyes, sighing. I hate fan girls.

"Hn. Let's go." I suggest, pushing the shopping trolley toward the checkouts. I don't understand why fan girls have to stare at you all the time, everybody goes shopping, it's a normal thing. If we were all running down the isles stark naked while singing the Welsh national anthem (not that any of us know it) then maybe I'd understand the stares. But we're not. We're just shopping… What's that smell? I look around and my eyes widen as their gaze lands on Bryan. "You can't smoke in here." I whisper, glaring as he shrugs, taking a drag. The fan girls are drawing nearer, still swooning pathetically over Tala's ass (not that it isn't fantastic – oops, did that slip out?) and we're still a good few isles from the checkouts.

"We're going to get in some serious trouble." The redhead points out the obvious, eyes flicking between the Giggle Mob and Bryan's cigarette. "Put it out Bryan, smoke outside… Please." It was the pout and the urging 'please' at the end that did it, despite the lilac-haired teen's immunity to Tala's cuteness, he does what he is told and stubs the thing out. Nice one Tal. We're just coming up to the checkout and the Giggle Mob appear to have backed off, for which I am glad as if we'd had to 'escape' then either my shopping wouldn't have been done or, in the worst case scenario, we would have had to shoplift everything and then let Bryan burn the place down just for good measure. Hey, I did say the worst case scenario.

- Pause -

So that was pretty much our day yesterday. After that we went home, put the shopping (which I did pay for) away in cupboards and fridges, made and ate toast and drank some coffee, I said goodbye to the guys, wrapped the last of my presents, went to bed, woke up in the morning, had breakfast, made sure the place was neat and tidy, called Tala and Bryan to come over, came to the airport, they got bored and went home… And that pretty much takes us back to where we began. So here I am, sat here in the airport, waiting for my old team to arrive so I can get to know them and share a good Christmas. Hn, how sweet. Sigh. I wonder how long I have to wait now…

"Flight 72N5R Tokyo to Moscow has arrived."

Well that answers my question. That would be Tyson and Kenny's plane. Honestly, why couldn't Rei's have got in first so I could have spent some quality time with my favourite neko-jin before 'Pain In The Backside One and Two' arrived? A little voice in the back of my mind is telling me it's sod's law. How polite. I've suddenly realised that I am in fact standing up, my excitement of seeing all the guys has taken over my brain. I hate Christmas. No… Bad Kai. Christmas is good. Best go and wait at the arrivals gate I suppose…

At the speed I'm walking I guess I am a bit over-excited. I do love the guys though, even if I'd never admit it to their faces. I want to see Rei, I'm finally noticing just how much I've missed him, his smile and his laugh. I wonder how he is? I'll find out soon enough, I'll love seeing the shine in his eyes on Christmas morning when he opens his presents and sees that I do really have a heart underneath my 'cold and distant' exterior. I'm not cold and I'm not distant and everyone will see that very soon. It's only three days until Christmas, well two, it depends how you look at it I suppose, but I can't wait for the guys' reactions when they see the gifts I've got them. I'm so considerate, I've spent so much on them.

I got all of them a scarf, a personalised chocolate plaque and two small bags of toffee pennies each, then I also got the sled and the truffles to share, plus some other things. I got a large coffee mug for Kenny because he loves the delicious dark liquid almost as much as I do; I got a huge tub of shortbread biscuits for Tyson; I bought Max a new pair of blading gloves since his got pretty battered in the last tournament; and for Rei, I paid out for a pad of cotton-paper and a box of painting equipment with paints, because I found out last year that he is quite the artist, plus I'd love to see some of his artwork so this may be the perfect chance. I'm going to give them all a Christmas card with a photo of us all slipped inside for the sake of sentiment – I searched through all my pictures and managed to find one where all of us (including me) are smiling, so got that copied for them. I love that picture, me and Rei are at the back and the other three are standing in front of us with their arms across each other's shoulders. I've actually framed it and hung it on my wall next to my bed, I thought it was great.

"Kai!"

Holy shit, is that Tyson? I guess it is because he's with Kenny, who doesn't look that much different than before, he just has slightly more sophisticated-looking glasses that show off his big green eyes. Hey, double take that! Kenny has green eyes, something I had never known before as I have never actually seen them. His hair is still the same and he still wears very neat clothing: crisp clean white trainers, khaki green trousers, a cream coloured shirt and a khaki green tie, colour co-ordinated as always. Tyson on the other hand does not look like the Tyson I remember. You can tell he is older, he looks his age now. His old red trainers have been replaced with black ones and he's wearing black jeans instead of blue ones, a red t-shirt replaces the old yellow one and a black jacket in place of his favourite red one that I never thought I'd see him without. His hair is longer and kept in a ponytail that's hanging a couple of inches below his shoulder blades, and the cap has gone – Another article I never thought he'd remove from his usual attire. He looks more like Hiro these days, but his still has that awfully cheesy grin plastered across his face. And speaking of things plastered across his face, I never imagined Tyson as one to get two lip piercings and a tongue piercing, but here he is, standing right in front of me with bits of metal poking out all over the place.

"You look different." Oh yeah, nice greeting Kai, right on track. I hope I come out with something better than that when Rei turns up.

"So do you!" Oh yeah, that's a good point. My hair is much longer these days too, probably about the same length as Tyson's used to be. I still have my scarf, of course, and the little black jacket that made the fan girls swoon when it was removed, but I've gone back to my old style: Black sleeveless top and baggy blue jeans. That's my usual anyway, but right now I am wearing a rather large grey hoodie and fur-lined trench coat because it's fricking freezing outside. Before I can register what is happening, Tyson has throw his arms around me and given me a rather painful bear hug. Thanks Tyson. Damn I've missed you guys.

"How are ya man?" He practically shouts at me. Remind me to buy ear plugs later. I smirk slightly though, his clothes may have changed but he is still the same.

"Good. You?" He nods a vigorous reply that I guess means he's fine. I turn my attention to Kenny. "Chief?" He nods, smiling.

"Yes, thanks Kai." He talks a little bit more but I don't hear a word because the heavens have sent an angel down to greet me and all I can see right now is that angel. Well, maybe not quite that cheesy, but Rei is walking towards me with that gorgeous smile on his face, his deep amber eyes dazzling with festive cheer.. It takes my breath away. And his hair! My God. It isn't in it's usual braid anymore, instead he's wearing it in a loose ponytail that sways out with every stride he takes, teasingly whipping the air at either side… Damn, I can be so romantic. Is this romance or am I just being a cheese-filled love struck teenager? The second one.. Yeah, I though so. Sigh. He looks the same as he always did in his Chinese style tabard with the red sash tied round his waist, a red Ying Yang bandana keeping his fringe out of those fucking beautiful eyes of his. The only difference is the fitted black jacket with red piping that is clinging nicely to his curvy figure.

"Earth to Kai!" I turn my head quickly back to Tyson who giving me a look that I can't quite describe, maybe he noticed the way I was staring at Rei… Maybe he's figured me out already. That would be bad. "Man, you were totally scoped out!"

"Rei's here." I say as if it wasn't obvious since he's only a couple of meters away now. Should I go and help him with that bag? It looks pretty heavy… Don't be such a tit Kai, he can handle a bag that he's been carrying all the way from China. Kami's sake. I need to get a grip.

"Yeah Kai, we noticed." He says with a sly smirk, winking. "Secret's safe with us, bud." Um, what? "Hey Rei buddy! How's it going?"

My Heaven just turned into Hell. "Hey Tyson, not bad! Chief, what's up? Kai, thanks for the invite." Or perhaps it could still be a little bit heavenly.

"No problem." Okay, all I have to do is stand here, none of them will talk to me anyhow. Just stand here, wait for Max and…

"Hey guys!"

SLAM. It was small and blond and went that way. That's what I'm going to have to tell the police when they see the hit and run mess that Max has just managed to make. I think it was supposed to be a hug, but the guy tripped over his shoelace about a meter away from us and sent himself and Tyson flying. It was quite comical, actually. I should have laughed – I've just remembered how much I have to prove.

"Hehe, sorry Tyson… Hey Kai! Thanks for inviting us, this is going to be so cool!" He hasn't changed a bit. He still looks the same, but like the rest of us, his hair is a bit longer and a little tamer. He's wearing a green t-shirt with an orange jacket shrugged loosely over the top and (what looks like) matching orange skiing trousers, a pair of white trainers with green laces poking out from underneath. Looking at all the guys, I feel a little over dressed, but I know how cold it is outside and I know they're going to freeze while we wait for a taxi.

"Max, I agree. I'm glad you could all make it." I turn my head slightly toward Tyson to cheekily add "I've got plenty of food at home, hot and cold." The others laugh, while Tyson does something I never thought I'd see him do. I thought he was innocent, but he's just given me The Finger and pulled a really sarcastic smile, but he's laughing with the rest of them now. Well, I'd best take them home. "Got everything?" This is going to be a fun week, I can tell. Everyone is ready so I guess it's time to go wait for a cab and feel smug while I'm warm and they're cold. Sorry guys, but this is Russia, and I'm feeling particularly high spirited, but if I start to act like Tala, somebody slap me.

A fun week ahead… A long fun week.

------------------------------------