A/N : Thanks to everyone who reviewed for the last chapter, here's another one for you! I live in England – College isn't the same as university!

Warning : Strong language, yaoi.

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.

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All I Want : Chapter Five

December 23rd

"I'm really hungry."

"Tyson dude, you're always hungry!"

I love these guys so, so much. Ever since they arrived yesterday, we've all just been chatting about old times and how great things used to be. We have yet to chat about 'new times' though, and I'm sure looking forward to that. I can just imagine it : "Hey guys, haven't seen you for a whole year but I want you to know that I'm gay and have a huge crush on Rei." I doubt that would go down too well.

"What's been going on in your life then Kai?" Max asks, polite as ever. Ah, how I'm laughing inside. The irony. Shall I tell them? I think not.

"All sorts. I've mostly been hanging out with Tala and Bryan and going to college… You?" Wow, I didn't realise that all four of them were listening and hanging on my every word, then again, I suppose it must be strange for them to see and hear me being so casual. Compared to how I was when I last saw them, I do talk more openly, admittedly. I have Bryan to thanks for that – Congrats my Near Silent friend.

"Cool. I went to America to visit my mum for a while in the summer, started college, got a job in my dad's shop. I've been having a way cool time! How about the rest of you?"

"I've been practising my martial arts, starting college, making new friends… Are any of you homophobic?" Hmm? Not you as well Tyson… Huh? Everyone's looking at me. Oh, I get it, he asked a 'very important' question and I didn't answer. I shake my head for the sake of it, but if I'm correct, I think Tyson already knows I'm not… I still can't believe that. "Okay, well I had a girlfriend for a while but she totally broke my heart, so my brother – You remember Hiro? – Yeah, he set me up with Brooklyn and we've been dating for 5 months now." Well that's something I never thought I'd hear. Well, kudos to you Tyson, he's not bad looking, if not a bit weird… They're all just staring at me and I'm having a really horrible thought, but I get the feeling that I'll need to be kicking myself soon. I clear my throat.

"Did I say that out loud?" I ask, giving myself that promised mental kick when they all nod or make some kind of reply to say that yes, I did. Well done, Kai. I've never seen the guys look so surprised since I got beaten by Johnny of The Majestics three years ago.

"No worries Kai," Max laughs, giving me a friendly pat on the shoulder. "No worries at all." Well, I have to say, telling them the ways of my sexuality was far easier than I expected, I didn't even have to say 'the words'.

"What did you mean by 'a bit weird'?" Ah, I may have offended Tyson with that accidental outburst, I'd forgotten that small fact. This is where I am glad for my quick wit.

"The whole 'King of Darkness' thing." That will do, I remember Tyson saying that he found all a bit freaky once, so he'll buy that excuse. I actually meant that I find Brooklyn a little bit strange. For example, I've seen him sit and talk to beetles for hours, playing with the creatures in his hands. He may schizophrenic though, which wouldn't surprise me as he has many of the symptoms, like being really sweet and kind and smiley one minute, 'Destruction Derby' the next, making friends with the creatures of the Earth because "nobody will listen"… Sure, I'll bet he's a nice enough guy, I haven't seen him since he almost killed me so I guess he could be a real sweetheart by now. To my surprise, Tyson is laughing.

"Yeah, I thought that's what you were going to say. He doesn't even beyblade anymore, he works in an animal shelter instead, much to Hiro's disappointment." Brooklyn? Quit blading? My God…

"I never thought Brooklyn would leave the stadium! He was an ace blader." Rei chimes in. Mmm, Rei. He looks so good right now, all curled up in that arm chair, his hair spread across his back, the black of it contrasting perfectly with the white of his clothes, black and white, just like a tiger. He's so perfect.

"Yeah, he quit because Kai beat him and then he proceeded to nearly kill most of the population." Nicely put Tyson… Though, that was an amazing battle between those two, Tyson and Brooklyn, I mean.

"Don't blame me. I was just proving a point." I state shortly. If he hadn't been so smug all the time then I wouldn't have had to beat him so cruelly like I did, but there was no way I was going to let that little feud drop. I've always had to prove myself, all the way through my beyblading career, I've never been beaten and let it go, I have always had a rematch to prove that I can do it, and I've always come out on top. The phrase 'on top' makes me think of Rei, does that make me perverted?

"I think you well and truly proved your point, Kai." Max chuckles, before looking alternately between Kenny and Rei. "So, what have you guys been up to Chief, Rei?"

"I've been working on designing new attack rings and finding ways to increase the speed and agility of beyblades." Kenny tells us, matter-of-factly. Seriously, doesn't this kid ever just kick back and relax once in a while? "How about you, Rei?"

"I've been at home, visiting my old White Tiger tribe in the village, teaching young kids to blade. It's been great fun, there's a team of them back there who've called themselves the Mountain Cats and they're pretty good, you could probably expect to see them in the next tournament. The team captain is Kevin's cousin, Marino, and she knows all the best moves. Me, Lee and Kevin have been giving her and her team plenty of lessons and tips for the future, I think they could be the next big thing, guys!" The fact that he sounds so excited about all this proves that he is a blader at heart. He's so sweet, teaching the new kids tricks and tactics like that, his heart must be so full of love and care. I wish I could be the one that gets feel the full extent of it – No pun intended. He really does look sweet curled up like that, just like a cat in front of the fire, which I guess he is since he's half cat and he's sitting by the fire… Shush Kai, before you repeat yourself. Again.

At the moment we're all seated around my living room, me in one armchair, Rei in the other. Max and Kenny are lounging on the sofa while Tyson seems more than content sprawled out on his back on the floor, staring at the ceiling with a thoughtful smile on his calm face. I quite like Tyson these days. When I first met him, I couldn't stand the brat he was then, but these days he really has matured into a good guy and I can see us soon becoming close friends in the week that he's here. I think the fact that he's bisexual helps though, it makes me feel a little less on my own in the situation. He smokes too, and I was bad enough to share a cigarette with him this morning, even after swearing I'd never do it again. I just hope Marie doesn't find out because I know she'd go apeshit, even if it was only half.

It's early afternoon, just gone one o'clock and we're all sat around with toast and coffee or hot chocolate, which is breakfast for Rei, Max and Kenny and a simple snack for Tyson and I. I was surprised to find that Tyson has started getting up relatively early now, despite his jet-lag. He was out of bed at nine, which I though was impressive for him anyway, but then he told me that he's slept longer than usual due to lag and he'd usually be up at seven. We had breakfast together and talked, but I'm glad he didn't mention anything about the way I was practically drooling over Rei yesterday, that would have just been embarrassing. We went out for the cigarette after that, and I was pretty surprised he smoked. Of all people, I hadn't imagined Tyson to start, especially now I've found out he's dating somebody who is supposed to be a bit of an environmentalist (by 'a bit' I mean 'the biggest ever'). It's pretty ironic, really.

Rei got up just before midday, looking rather tasty walking to the bathroom in just his boxers, his loose ponytail swaying side to side with each step he took. I know that Tyson saw me looking but I don't really care, especially now I know of his sexuality. For some reason, I would have felt a lot more self-conscious about my actions if Tyson was straight. I suppose it's something to do with the fact that he understands my attraction to Rei, to a certain degree. To be honest, I hope he gets up at seven tomorrow so we can chat, I'm bored of Tala's jibes every time I try to talk to him about Rei, so talking to somebody else will no doubt be refreshing, especially as he hasn't 'heard it all before' like Tala and Bryan have. If you're wondering what exactly I want to talk about, it's just the way I feel. If it were up to me, the world wouldn't care and I'd be able to tell everyone and show the world that Kai Hiwatari does have a heart, and more to the point, that he… I am capable of loving somebody. Because I do. I love Rei.

Max and Kenny only got up about half an hour ago and are still looking pretty shattered. Kenny's downing coffee like there's no tomorrow (which there had better be since that's Christmas eve..) and Max is quietly sipping his hot chocolate, looking like he's about to fall back to sleep any second. I may mention to him in a minute that he is welcome to go back to bed if he wants to, but I think he, like the rest of us, wants to stay awake and catch up with our old team, it's been too long. That's probably something they'd all like to hear actually.

"Sounds good, Rei." I say in reply to his story, then look around the room at them all again and find the corners of my lips slowly curling up into a small smile. "It's been too long, guys." It has definitely been too long, I have missed them.

"Yeah, we should have kept in touch… I'm real glad you called us all up here Kai." Tyson says, sitting up. He looks like he's about to burst into one of those speeches about friendship and what it means to him before he breaks down into tears and invites us all to a group hug… But no, instead he grins cheesily at us all and lies back down, on his side this time, propped up on one elbow. Bless. "Can I have another drink please?" He's definitely grown up. Back when, he'd simply complain about being thirsty until someone got the gist and gave him a drink. Now he has learnt the beauty of questions.

"Of?" And I have been around Bryan for too long. One word sentences come so easily these days, maybe I should spend more time with Marie in the chocolate shop where they use lots of words… Chocolate. Damn good idea. Hn, chocolate makes me think of Rei too, and not because they're both really sweet and good for cheering you up.

"A glass of milk?" Tyson replies with a question, seemingly asking if I have any milk, which is pretty dumb considering he had some in his coffee this morning so I must have some of the white stuff in my fridge, right? I nod and stand up to go to the kitchen.. And now he's following me. The kitchen is two rooms down from the living room, yet we haven't spoken to each other on the 'journey', but now we're in the warm space and both sat at the table with a tall glass of milk for Tyson and a steaming mug of coffee for me, I think it's time I asked him why he followed. "Why'd you follow?" He seems to be thinking a little too hard for such an easy question. Should I worry yet?

"Do you like Rei?" Ah. What do I tell him? Say yes, say no, say none of your business? I think he can tell I do by the way I've been acting around the neko-jin teen since they arrived in Russia, but I wasn't expecting him to ask about it. I sigh and sip my coffee, which surprisingly gets a reaction from Tyson. He nods, an understanding sort of look on his face. He must be better at reading body language than I thought, unless I am so pathetically love struck that it's obvious. I raise my head and look him in the eye, then return to my coffee, taking a nice, long savour. Kami, I love coffee. "I'll keep it quiet, I was just wondering."

"Hn." Whatever, just don't open your mouth boy or you may just regret it. I think you're a great guy Tyson, I really do, but do not say anything… On second thoughts, that sounds a little desperate. Let's settle for something a little more 'me'. "You'd better." I grunt. I mentally nod myself a congratulations, that was perfect. Straight to the point and totally un desperate.

"I will. I thought you were acting strangely yesterday and this morning, but after your comment about Brooklyn things started to make more sense." Ten points then Tyson. "Lighten up Kai, it's Christmas the day after tomorrow." Congrats, that's half the reason I'm suddenly feeling a strange sensation in the pit of my stomach, what if things turned out perfectly and I could wake up on Christmas morning with Rei by my side? Unfortunately, that is only the 'what if' game and I have no such luck because the world has been against me since birth – Positive thinking, ne? I sigh again and he sets a look upon me, unblinking. I guess I should say something.

"Tyson…" I start, smirking slightly. I raise my head again to talk to him face to face, preparing for the cheesiest cheese I can muster. "All I want this Christmas… Is Rei." And I really wish I hadn't said that, because his serious face has suddenly cracked open to reveal a monster of a grin. Cheeky bastard is laughing at me. I mock glare at him but he knows I'm still laughing inside. We've developed something good, me and Tyson, and he's only been here just under a day. I can't wait to see his face when he and Max open the sled…

"Chill out Kai, I'm just playing around." He laughs, acting defensive. Yeah, definitely developing a good friendship. We never used to have this and I know it's because he's grown up now, far more mature and responsible than he used to be and he's good to hold a conversation with now. Brooklyn's a lucky guy. He's suddenly started grinning again, don't tell me I said that out loud too! "That little 'All I Want is Rei' speech was so sweet of you." He smiles and actually leans across the table to pat me lightly on the arm, chuckling lightly. "Don't worry. Like I said at the airport, your secret's safe with me… Only, at the airport I was just messing about because you were staring, I didn't realise that you did actually like him."

"I don't like him Tyson, I love him." You know what? I hadn't actually meant to say that. Still, I had wanted to prove the whole 'Kai has a heart' thing and so I reckon that that little outburst will get me at least fifty points on the 'Heart Scale'. Tyson's looking at me with an expression that seems to be half surprise, and half mischief. I'm scared.

"Exactly how long have you loved him, Kai?" Sigh. He would ask that, wouldn't he. Figures. I don't like that look in his eyes, but I decide to answer anyway, a smile tugging at the corners of my lips, and I mean a smile, not my usual leering smirk. Know why I'm smiling? Because he's made me remember exactly how I felt when I saw Rei blade for the very first time and the smoothness with which he beat Tyson in their match, his amazing eyes, his curvy figure and long hair… He was perfection in a person, still is, in fact. Even the time he thought about leaving when his Driger bit beast left his blade in the battle against Kevin, I still thought he was perfect. He was doing that for the team, Kevin stole Kenny's data and I have never forgotten that noble act by Rei, going against his old friends and team mates to stand up for Chief and the Bladebreakers. It was more than noble. They say "nobody is perfect", but when they say it, they mean that the person never gets anything wrong. In that particular sense, nobody is perfect. I see Rei as perfect because he knows what he's doing, he's intelligent, he knows what he wants and he will go to allsorts of lengths to get it. He has so much potential, but he knows it and yet isn't smug about it. He may get things wrong sometimes, that's only human, but he knows that he's done something wrong and does something about it. In morale, he is perfect – And that is what I mean.

"Since the day I met him." I say, still smiling at the memory of Rei's "I don't care" attitude when he first joined the team. He was so laid back, I was just completely drawn in. The gorgeous deep amber eyes, body and overall sex appeal helped though.

"Woah…" He whispers in utter surprise, before tilting his head to one side and fixing me with a questioning look. "Why didn't you ever say anything?"

"Rei and I had a good friendship, I didn't want to ruin that." I look back down into my coffee mug at the darkness of the steaming liquid inside, it suddenly seems deeper than before, though I'm not sure how. I look back up at Tyson after taking a gulp of said liquid, looking directly into those big brown eyes that always made the fan girls go nuts. "It would have hurt too much if he'd turned me down." I can't believe I'm actually telling Tyson all this, I've only ever told one other person everything that I am telling Tyson right now, and that person is Tala, the best friend I have ever had. I know I have matured and opened up, Tyson has too and I can already tell I'll miss the guy when he goes back home after the holiday. Still, I'll still have my precious little Tala. I do love that crazy redhead so very, very much.

"Hey, I understand Kai. Love isn't easy, I figured that one out." He frowns slightly, taking another mouthful of milk, practically glaring at the table as though he blames it for whatever happened in the past. I decide to voice my thoughts.

"What happened?" I ask, sipping more of my coffee (this stuff is good, tasty and strong). And I've just remembered what he said before about having a girlfriend who broke his heart and his brother 'setting him up' with Brooklyn. He's looking slightly perplexed, so I expand my question. "The girl?" He nods curtly once.

"Yeah, she was a total bitch, cheated on me and practically tore me apart. I think that Hiro setting me up with Brooklyn was probably the best thing that's ever happened to me, aside being beyblading World Champion for two years running and meeting you guys, that is." He smiles at me and laughs a bit, shaking his head. "The good old days, hey?"

"Hn, yeah." I snigger. I'm not even drunk but I feel the 'good old days' speech coming on already. Tala and I went through that one a few months back while completely plastered on Vodka. He ended up crying on my shoulder and telling me that he was 'so, so sorry', but couldn't remember what for. Bless his little ginger self. Now to ask Tyson the question that has decided to settle itself in my mind… Because I thought Tyson was straight. "How exactly did your brother set you up with Brooklyn, anyway?"

"Well," he chuckles, "I was so fucked up about this girl that I just stayed shut up in my room all the time and Hiro was getting worried so decided I needed to get over as soon as possible and the best way to do that was to find me somebody new. And apparently he explained all this to Brooklyn, because Brooklyn thought it was pretty obvious that something was bugging Hiro and then Hiro realised that all Brooklyn needed was someone to look after, so he suggested it to him and he seemed a little unsure at first, and I was too because I'd never been with a guy before, but after spending some time with him I realised he was so great for a laugh, and we had so much fun together that we even ended up sharing out first kiss that very night." Aww, nice story Tyson, and surprisingly romantic. We chuckle a bit together, he's a great guy, our Tyson, he really is. "After that I didn't want to let go. He's a really good kisser too." We both smirk again, drinking our drinks simultaneously. "So, Kai. That's my first experience, how about yours?" He grins at me, wiggling his eyebrows. Sigh.

"Maybe another time Tyson. The others will wonder where we are." He's pouting now but it's nothing like Tala's pout, and if I can resist him then I can resist anything. I prove my point by standing up and turning to leave, picking up my coffee on the way. Sighing loudly, Tyson follows me. We walk into the living room together and stop in our tracks. They're all asleep. Max is sprawled across the sofa, snoring lightly, Kenny is curled up at the other end of the same couch, half lying on Max's legs, his head on the armrest at the side, and Rei… Rei looks so peaceful. He's curled up and purring softly, obviously enjoying the warmth of the fire and the comfort of the chair. He is such a cat. The sight of him brings a smile to my face and I just wish I could go over there and stroke the hair from his eyes, but I don't know what I'd do if he woke up. Run from the room, most likely.

"Don't they look sweet?" Tyson sniggers quietly, looking up at me. I'd never noticed how short he was before, but now that he's standing right next to me it's quite surprising how small he actually is. I find a mischievous smirk creeping on to my face.

"They do look sweet… From up here." I reply, looking down at him to prove my point. A mock glare is appearing on his features but I can see that he's trying not to grin. I'll bet he's thinking along the same lines as I am – How the hell did we (of all people) manage to become so close so soon?

"You're meaner than I thought." I'm not mean, this is me being nice, but I suppose he gets that since he's smiling now. I knew that we'd get on well, me and Tyson. I had a feeling. I think the fact that he's like me helps a lot, as I've stated before, but I can tell that I'll be keeping in touch after the visit is all over and he's gone home again. Hopefully by that time, I'll be with Rei. That would definitely be the best Christmas present I could ever get and I think I can only dream considering I doubt it will really happen. I can wish though, can't I? I believe that every person is entitled to a Christmas wish, and Rei is mine. Tomorrow is Christmas eve so I hope the fairies really work their stuff, come on, make my Christmas… All I want is him. His arms around me, kissing me on Christmas morning and whispering those three sacred words…

"I love you."

I jump, making Tyson give me a questioning glance. I'm letting my imagination run away with me, those words sounded too real, like Rei actually was whispering them to me. Calm down Kai, it's just your imagination; though I do find myself glancing at Rei.

"You okay there bud?"

"Yeah." Let's not go into the fact I'm hearing things, hey? How about I try not to let on that I just may be a psycho.

"You heard him too, huh?" Uh, what? My gaze is no longer on the neko-jin, but I appear to be staring at Tyson, waiting to hear if I had just heard him correctly.

"Yeah." I feel pathetically dreamy, not that Rei was actually whispering the special words to me, but it was fantastic to hear how sensual he sounds when he does say them. I have goose bumps. And Tyson is laughing.

"Goose bumps?" Oh, that's why. He's laughing at me because I don't appear to have a fully functional inner monologue. I'd give myself a pat on the back if it wouldn't make me loose the dignity I have left, which (to be fair) can't be much. He's still looking at me expectantly, so I have two choices. Leave the room, or blush like an idiot. I take choice number one. "Red isn't your colour, Kai."

Apparently I took choice number two as well. I can feel my cheeks burning as I leave the room, hearing Tyson chuckling behind me. Time to go wash my face with some cold water. I can't believe I blushed. Still, could have been worse. It wasn't even very noticeable, Tyson just happened to be expecting it so he saw it – That's my excuse anyway. And my God, I can't believe it's Christmas eve tomorrow! This year has gone so fast! Now it's time the fairies got to work so I can have Rei as a gift under the tree, wrapped up with a little red bow on top. Or not wrapped up and just curled up in my bed next to me wearing a red bow (and only a red bow) on top… I'm definitely getting more and more perverted as time goes on. Perhaps I'm just shallow, not that I care. Sigh.

I'm looking the mirror after washing my face and slowly beginning to wonder why I'm so anxious about telling Rei how I feel, anyway. He's got such strong morals that he wouldn't turn against me, whether he was interested or not. I'm Kai Hiwatari for fuck's sake, one of the strongest and most respected bladers there has ever been, according to the papers and statistics, anyway. What do I have to hide? Nobody would say anything against me, especially Rei, he's too good. Too good for me, maybe. Still, if I've said this once I have said it a thousand times, I really do want to be with the guy, so I need to stop hiding and say something. Speaking of saying something, I wonder who he was whispering to in his dreams… I could wish all I want that it was me, it's not going to happen, but if he was whispering to someone, that means he's already in love with somebody else. If it's Mariah then I think I'll just die. Not literally of course, but I don't think I could take that kind of rejection, she's a witch.

"Irritating… Immature… Rude… Pink fur ball." … Not all that insulting, but I really have just dropped myself in it. None other than Rei is standing in the door way, looking at me with tired eyes and a confused look on his face, possibly slightly irate too. I wonder if he guessed who I was talking about, and if he has, I hope he doesn't start screaming and shouting about… What if she's his girlfriend now? A look of horror crosses my face, which gives everything away because now it's bloody obvious who I was muttering about. If it weren't for the 'pink fur ball' comment then everything would be fine. Sod's fucking law! "Sorry." I mutter, before realising that I had actually just apologised to somebody. It seems to have taken Rei by surprise too.

"No problem." He's so damn gorgeous, even when he has just woken up. "I just came to freshen up." Trust me Rei, you look wonderful anyway. Earth to Kai! He wants to use this room. I nod, smiling slightly and move out the way. He smiles softly as he passes, a nod of the head to thank me. I can feel myself blushing again but luckily he's already in the bathroom and behind a closed door. Fuck's sake. I am losing my cool. I hope I'm not going to turn into the pathetic love-sick loser of the century, that would just be awful. Maybe I'll be alright in a bit, I just need to get a hold of myself – Again, no pun intended. Not such a bad idea though.

Fuuuuck.

This is going to be one long week.

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