(Only Time Heals Wounds. Ch. 2)

"Hey, Kai! We're over here!" Rei yelled to his former team captain as he saw him enter through the restaurant doors, his usual emotionless visage plastered across his features. Even with that cold and recently detached stare, Rei and the others knew that he wasn't as he appeared. He had shown them all otherwise.

It had been nearly three months since the accident which had nearly cost Rei his life, and not a lot had changed in the boy's world. At least, not in his mind. Everything was still the same as it was before.

He had only been released from the hospital two and a half weeks ago and still had to be careful about his daily routine. His body had been under serious stress and it would take plenty of rest as well as some good physical therapy to get back in complete shape. Beyblading was out of the question for a while, which greatly disappointed the boy, but left him time to spend with his friends.

Two days after he was released from the hospital, the police had somehow managed to track down the car that had hit him and its owner. Apparently an onlooker had seen the car swerve around the corner and when they had seen the accident, had taken down the license plate. The only problem was that the car wasn't registered anywhere, making it even harder to track down, but still they had done it.

They had Rei and the rest of the gang come in to identify the person, but it was no use. They hadn't seen who it was that had hit him, so it was a lost cause. Even so, it was a pretty emotional experience for them all.

Though he had no way of knowing exactly, when he looked at the face of a young man just in his mid twenties, he knew that was the person. He stared blankly for a moment before placing a hand on the glass that separated them from the suspects. Slowly he slid down and to the floor, crying softly to himself as his friends watched him.

Still, he could only go on a gut feeling, which was not enough on its own to convict the man. So they left, all of them feeling sad and depressed, especially Rei, who clung to Tyson the whole way back to the hotel, still as upset as before. He sat on the couch the rest of the day, watching old black and white movies that played on TV, silent as ever.

Then just yesterday, the man who owned the car, the same young man that Rei had said it was, admitted to crashing into the teenager and running away because he didn't want to get another suit filed against him.

Rei hadn't pressed charges, but apparently the man was driving drunk and the judge wasn't about to go easy on him, especially since he had encounters similar to this one previously. Even without doing so, he was in for some serious crimes and was in prison. For how long, they did not know.

Well, like before, nothing really had changed. Tyson was still loud, obnoxious, and as big of a pig as ever; except for one thing. Now he looked about five times before crossing a street and letting anyone go. Max was as cheery as ever; still he seemed to be wary of coming to close to Rei, like he thought he would harm him in some way. Kenny simply did nothing differently, just lectured and kept up his research. Then there was Kai.

More than anything, Rei had noticed a great change in Kai, both physically and emotionally. He would suddenly be caught day dreaming from time to time, and when questioned about it, he simply shrugged and said he was sorry. Other times, when he would hear a loud noise of some sort or something would suddenly fall, he would suddenly freeze and his eyes would glaze over. Even if it were simply a cat meowing or a fork that had fallen on the floor, he still did this.

He would start breathing heavily and he would mumble incoherently to himself, shaking the whole time. At this point, none of the other boys could help him he was so lost in his own world. However, if he were somewhere that they could rest, they would pull him over to sit down, waiting until it had passed. He never explained this; in fact, he ignored the whole thing.

Physically, he was still as fit as ever, yet he was more cautious in the way he went about things. For instance, his stride was no longer confident and proud. He would trip over the tiniest things and he seemed to have lost control over some of his grace.

Kai would also do some things that were extremely rare for any person to do, even Tyson. Just the other day, he had walked into a door and when he pulled back, touching his nose which bled slightly, he looked like he was about to break down in tears. He went into another one of his little fits and sat on the floor, muttering again.

Now, if it had been a glass door that was just cleaned, the others may have understood, but this was a heavy wooden door that went to their room. He had been looking straight at the door, yet had still run right into it.

When asked about his odd behavior, he would just shrug and say that he had other things on his mind and they shouldn't worry over him too much. There was another problem. He never spoke unless spoken to and he always answered when a question was asked of him. He used to at least make a snide remark when one of them screwed up or did something foolish. And he hardly ever used to answer questions. Now he answered every one with a decent reply, none of which included a shrug.

He had changed completely.

"So Kai, where were you? I'm starving and Kenny said we had to wait for you to get back. I'd say we deserve an explanation, or are you too self absorbed and full of pride to answer me?" Tyson leaned back in his seat, his chair tilting dangerously. Ok, so that may have been a little overboard, but I am sick of his little meanderings. Not to mention his behavior! DAMN!

Kai looked to the ground before he titled his head up to meet Tyson's awaiting glare. "...I was out walking in the park. I'm sorry I kept you all waiting." His voice held no anger, just regret. I knew that I should have taken my watch.

"Kai, don't listen to Tyson. We don't mind." Max suddenly leaned over and whacked Tyson over the back of the head. "Let's just eat now." Christ Tyson, a little compassion and understanding goes a long way, but you seem to lack any sense in that department. Can you not see? Something is wrong with Kai.

"YEAH! FOOD!" Tyson yelled, waving the waiter over and running off his large order while the others just sighed.

Lunch went along with nothing too exciting happening; Tyson spilled spaghetti sauce on Kenny's laptop and was nearly shot for it. Max ended up smacking Tyson across the cheek for taking a drink of his soda and then licking the glass to be gross since his own was gone. Tyson also earned another smack for saying something crude to Kai.

Rei just laughed, finding it amusing how his teammates were so goofy at times; all but Kai that is. Rei had looked over numerous times to find the boy picking at his food, eating little but rater going through multiple glasses of iced tea. He's been eating a lot less lately. If this doesn't get better soon, we are seriously going to have to do something.

He didn't even get angry when Tyson and Max had got into a food fight and he ended up being nailed right in the face with a cinnamon roll. In fact, he had flinched and sat up abruptly, causing Max and Tyson to shrink back, thinking he was mad and awaiting the onslaught of pain. Instead, he slumped back down silently, taking a napkin from the table and dipping it in his ice water before wiping his face off while murmuring a small 'Sorry' then turning silent again.

The two boys hadn't said anything, relieved to not have the older teen rip their throats out. Kenny hadn't noticed since he was too busy worrying over his laptop. But Rei had noticed; the whole time he was watching Kai's every movement, wondering why he was acting so out of character. This just wasn't like the old Kai that he remembered from not long ago, before his accident.

Did that have something to do with it? Rei wondered, looking over as Kai once again ordered another glass of iced tea, his fifth, and Kenny started lecturing the other two on some information about their blades. He had to admit, if anything could change a person as hardened as Kai, it had to have been drastic, like his accident.

That was the only thing he could think of since nothing else had happened. Tyson, Max, and Kenny had told him all about the time they spent in the waiting room, worried about him. Even after that, all the times they had visited in his resting hours when he was oblivious to the world around him. During those times, they sat and played cards or watched TV, every so often, reading.

Something must have happened. There is no other reason why Kai would be acting so strange. Damn it! I'm just gonna have to find some way to get it out of Kai why he is acting so out of the ordinary. But I swear I can't think of a single thing! And every time I ask them about it, they look at me like I'm insane and tell me that is the whole story! But the looks they get are so false, like they are hiding something. I know they aren't telling me the whole truth and what ever it was is most likely the reason for Kai's behavior. And even so, why is he the only one that has changed? There must be a reason. But why-

"Earth to Rei? Can you hear me? Either you are busy up in the clouds or that plant over there is extremely interesting. But I gotta tell ya bud, I'm not seeing the sudden fascination with flower leaves." Tyson drawled, watching in amusement as the dark haired boy snapped his head to attention and instantly shoved a roll into his mouth. Hehehe, you just don't want to answer me.

"I-mumph...Ty..." Rei said wearily, nearly choking on his roll. Glancing around, he saw Kenny inspecting the plant on the counter, Max and Tyson looking at him with grins plastered on their faces. Turning slightly, he caught sight of Kai as he continued to nearly choke, seeing as he stared blankly at him.

Shit...what is up with Kai? Quickly Rei brought a hand up, making a fist and slamming it into his chest, causing him to swallow the bread. He took hold of his water, sipping it for a minute until he was sure the roll was down.

"Yeah...what were you saying?" He asked politely, still sipping his water and watching from the corner of his eye as Kai shook away the stare and went back to his own drink. He was surprised at the slight frown on the boy's face. It wasn't from being angry or annoyed, more like he was thinking and worried. I just don't get it. Why would-screw it for now! I'll do this later. But still…

"Hey Kai, I'm fine, don't worry." Rei said, reaching out a hand and placing it on the other bladers shoulder lightly. Kai looked up abruptly, his frown fading and being replaced with a blank look.

"Yeah, okay." He replied silently, nodding to Rei before turning back to what ever he was looking at as the hand slid from his shoulder. He could swear that the tingling sensation left on his arm was caused by the cat like boy. Why can't I just tell him? It's not like he doesn't have his suspicions, it's obvious he does. Every time he brings up the accident and what happened, none of us answer him truthfully or give him the details. Rei knows something is up. He's not that stupid and we all know it.

(SCENE CHANGE)

"Let's go swimming! Let's go let's go let's go! Swim! Go, go, go!" Max yelled loudly, his voice reverberating off the walls of the hotel hall as the boys made their way to their rooms. They take too long! I want to go swim! Swimmy swim, swim! LALALALALALA!

"Who let him have that sugar?" Kenny asked, backing off as Max ran up to him and stared for a moment before taking off down the hall again. I bet it was Tyson. He loves it when Max gets all hyper and excited. I bet it is some sick and twisted little pleasure of his.

"SWIMMING!"

"It was Tyson's fault. He's the one who had that ice cream eating contest with all sorts of toppings full of sugar." Rei smiled, watching as Max tried to wrestle the room card away from Tyson. He so did it on purpose, but it is pretty entertaining and a swim would be nice.

It was actually a really funny sight if you thought about it or watched them closely. Tyson was holding the card above his head, his other hand attempting to shove the hyperactive blonde off of him. His foot also tried to gain some distance between the two, lodged in the others gut, who was too preoccupied to notice. Max was waving his hands in the air, trying to reach the key while he bounced up and down yelling, "swimming" the whole time. It was absolutely adorable.

"Guys, get him off of me!" Tyson screeched, unlocking the door and nearly breaking the key off in it as Max rushed forward, pushing himself and the blue haired blader into the doorway. Maxie, I love ya on sugar, but not when you maul me to death! Still…

The other three walked up, seeing Max sitting on Tyson's stomach trying to pull his shirt off of all things. He was giggling like a mad man, his hands fumbling with Tyson's shirt hem at the same time while the other was blushing hard and trying to yank his hands away.

"Guys, help! He wants to go swimming, but he's practically stripping me!" Tyson whined as he looked up hopefully to the others, finding smiling faces and grins all around; with the exception of Kai that is. What am I saying? There's no way they're going to help me. They're having too much fun watching Max in his sugar high state. Though I must admit I don't mind having him sit on me...just gotta put on a good show.

"Sorry Tyson, you're on your own." Kenny laughed, stepping around the pair and heading into the room along with Kai and Rei. Hehehe...that is so funny...and…sick actually. TYSON! You are a pervert!

"But..." Tyson faded off and just lay there as Max started playing with his hair.

It was strange; he had stopped trying to get his shirt off abruptly and then leaned forward, their faces inches apart. Then without warning, he reached out a hand and started playing with a long strand of hair, extremely fascinated with it. The whole time Tyson just lay there, giving up completely and waiting for the others to gain the hyper boys attention as they soon would, whether they wanted to or not.

"Ya know, a swim would be kinda nice and a good way to blow off all that energy, especially for Max over there." Rei grinned, looking over to the pair as Kenny set Dizzy on the table and started to pull up a chair while Kai sat at the little window that let the kitchen view the dining room. Besides, maybe if I get them all off guard, I can get them to tell me...and have a little fun! INNOCENT FUN! Damn it! Why must my mind get so perverted? I'm cursed...

"YAY! SWIM!" Max jumped up from Tyson, running over to his bag and pulling his trunks out.

"Okay. What about you Kenny?" Tyson asked, sitting up and watching as Max pulled out his swim suit then dove for his bag, pouncing on it and rummaging through its contents. "Max! Get out of my stuff!" Instantly he was on his feet, grabbing all the clothing Max had strung about and then going after the blonde. No way in hell is he going to find that st-

"I guess." He smiled, shutting down his laptop and going to get his things too before turning on his heel. "What about you Kai? Are you going to join us?" Like he would...he's still so closed off, but you never know. He needs to get out more.

Max stopped fighting against Tyson, ignoring the fact that the older boy had him pinned to the floor by his wrists. Tyson had stopped trying to subdue Max, a pair of boxers hanging from his head, looking like a fool. Rei turned around from the fridge, staring directly at Kai.

They all waited for an answer, but none came; Kai simply sat at the counter, his eyes cast down to the cross word puzzle he had started working on. After a minute, they all decided that that was a no and went back to getting the things they needed.

"Where Homer is buried."

"What? Kenny asked, voicing all of their concerns. Where the hell did that come form? What is he talking about!

"Three letters across, last letter is s. It's the place where Homer is buried. Do any of you guys know?" Kai's voice was quiet and when he looked up, it was hard to tell, but faintly it could be seen that he really wanted...no, needed to know. I just want to know if they know the answer. I mean...I don't know. I feel like I should be avoiding Rei at all costs but at the same time, I want to be near him. Okay, if they can tell me and its right, I'll go. If not, I'll stay here and work on this damn thing until it's done!

"Kenny, what is it?" Tyson asked, looking up and yanking the boxers off his head as Max stuck his tongue out at him and smiled. I have no idea why Kai wants to know, but Kenny is the brains, so he will know.

"Uh…I don't know..." Kenny stammered, blushing. Crap! I don't remember a thing about that guy! I've hardly even heard of him. Dear Lord I am losing my touch...

"Ios."

Instantly, Kenny and Tyson turned to Rei, shocked looks aimed at him as he stood opposite Kai, holding a glass and flipping through a TV. guide lazily. He wasn't looking at Kai; it didn't even seem like he was addressing him.

"Does it fit?"

"Yeah...thanks. I'll go get changed first and meet you guys down there." Kai closed the book quietly and got up, walking over to his bag and grabbing a pair of shorts and a tank top before heading for the bathroom and closing the door. I guess I have to go. How did he know that? I was trying to pick a question they wouldn't get! Even Kenny didn't know it. I'm just not lucky.

"How did you know that!" Both boys stood, watching as Rei simply smiled and took his towel and stuff down to the pool. He shut the door quietly, leaving the rest of them in awe and Max stiff playing around with Tyson's hair.

(SCENE CHANGE)

Shutting the door to the room, Rei sighed as he started down the hall and to the elevator. I wonder what that was about...Kai's acting so strange. But why? What the hell happened to get him so...I'd like to say depressed or more shut off, but he's not. He's a lot more quiet and polite than he used to be, not to mention he has no temper nor does he exclude himself the way he used to. I can't stand it! WHAT DID I DO?

Absently Rei pushed the button to the elevator that would lead him down to the main floor and ignored the cleaning lady that nearly ran into him. Did I even do anything? Was it something I didn't have anything to do with? That just seems so unlikely. There's just this feeling that I'm part of the reason he's like this. But how am I ever going to find out what it is unless I get Kai or one of the guys to say something?

"Damn."

Why am I so obsessed with this anyways? Is it really that big of a deal? All I ever do in my spare time is think about Kai and what happened...do I really like him that much? I admit I think about him every waking moment when he's not near me and even then he's on my mind. I can still remember that first time I woke up in the hospital. I never thought he would be there, and then…he was...and I felt safe. I can even remember the words to that song...

"Your eyes they shine like silver."

'Your eyes they shine like silver,' that is just like his eyes. When he is in the right light they really do shine as brightly as silver. 'And sparkle like the moon.' All the time. "They dance upon the stars and all around the room,' kind of like when he's looking at you yet has that far away look in his eyes, like he's not even there...'For what we'll never know and why we cannot say, so...' I don't know the rest. I feel asleep before he finished it even...

Rei pushed the door to the pool open, barely noting that there was no one present and took a seat near the shallow end. He was still in his clothes, but his swim shorts were on underneath. He didn't remember even changing into them in the bathroom by the pool.

He was hesitant about taking his shirt off. None of the guys have really seen what my body looks like since about two months ago. Maybe they shouldn't see. I'm sure they know something is up since I always wear a shirt to bed and I never used to and the fact that I don't dress or undress in front of them. I still have a few small, almost invisible scars, but it's the one going across my side that bothers me. It's still there and it looks so...I just don't like it. I don't want them seeing...especially Kai.

"Kai…" He let out a soft sigh.

There I go again! Thinking about Kai again! Crap! Okay, just forget about everything and have some fun with your friends. Quickly Rei took off his clothes, even his shirt and sat at the edge again, letting his feet dangle in the water as he waited for the others.

(SCENE CHANGE)

"HAHA! YAY!" Max yelped as he slammed the door open and took a running leap into the water, creating a large wave that soaked nearly the entire room. Popping his head up, he screeched as loudly as he could. "Tyson, Marco!" Oh, I love this game! Especially since I can sneak up on everyone!

"I'll get you back for earlier now Maxie, POLO!" Tyson too ran for the pool aiming for the blonde and nearly landing right on him. You have no idea.

"MARCO!"

"POLO!"

"Those two both need some serious help." Kenny sighed, yet a smile was present on his face as he walked over to a chair near Rei and set down his laptop. Glad to see him actually enjoying himself.

"Where's Kai? I thought he was coming?" Rei asked, running his fingers through his hair, the water having made it frizz when Max had jumped in. He hadn't seen Kai when they came in, though he said he would join them. Maybe he changed his mind...Rei thought disappointedly. Absently, he let his arm snake around his side, hiding the scar.

"He's right over there." Kenny pointed as he walked over to the others, who were currently trying to dunk each other. Why do I feel like I am in a love…just…stuck in the middle? I give up, time for some fun.

Rei turned his head, seeing that Kai was in fact there, on the other side of the pool in his trunks and tank top. It was loose, but still left little to the imagination, which in his case, was a very, very good thing.

One leg was pulled up to his chest while the other hung in the water. This caused the shirt to ride up and reveal just a little of his pale skin and toned abs. Kai's shorts fell slightly from his waist, revealing them to be a bit big, but also showing off even more of his lower body. His cheeks were void of the blue marks he had so often worn. Actually as of late they hadn't been there as often, almost as if Kai didn't care anymore.

Ignoring the screams that came from the pool as Tyson and Max ganged up on Kenny, Rei pulled his legs up from the water and walked over to the silent teen who was indifferently watching the others. He wasn't really that focused on them, yet he paid close attention.

Even when Rei was not even three feet away from him, he didn't acknowledge him. Rei was about to speak but at that moment, Kai looked up at him, locking their eyes.

Rei didn't break that look and slowly sat down by him, once again placing his legs in the water. He watched as Kai let his gaze travel over his body and frowned when the two tone haired boy stared at the scar on his side. Instinctively, he tried to hide it by moving his arm, but to little avail.

After a minute of staring, Rei began to fidget, nervous. He didn't like the looks he was getting; it made him feel like he was deformed in some way. Kai noticed this and quickly straightened up, eyes cast back to the pool.

"Glad you actually came." Rei spoke cheerfully, deciding to strike up a conversation at the least. Perhaps now I can get him to spill just a little to me.

"Yeah...I thought it would be polite. Besides, you guys seemed like you wanted me here." Please, don't prod. I get jittery enough around you; I don't need to have a heart attack too.

Rei sighed. It didn't seem like he would get very far with this, so he reached back and took his hair out of the braid he had been keeping it in. It fell entirely around his body and down his back, long and shiny. He noticed Kai staring and instantly blushed. Kai stares an awful lot…

"...Rei..." Kai started but stopped as the boy had slide into the pool, submerging himself completely. SHIT! Missed the golden window of opportunity. That is just my luck. I need to learn to take things when they are given to me, not wait around.

A few seconds later, Rei came up, tilting his head back and running his fingers through his hair to brush it back and away from his face. He reached out, grabbing the side of the pool where he had been sitting previously, next to Kai, and pulled himself against the wall, arms resting on the side. The dark haired boy looked expectantly at the other and when nothing was said, he piped up.

"Kai, come on in. The water is really nice." He grinned, showing off little fangs and white teeth. Come on, I want to see a little. You see me, I see you. Only fair.

"No thanks...not really the type to swim." Came the easy reply. I don't like swimming. Especially not after coming close to drowning in Russia due to my own stupidity.

Rei frowned at this. "Come on. If you're not going to swim, why'd you come?" He asked, now intent on forcing a legitimate answer out of him. Jeez, it's not that bad. Not like I'm going to criticize you or anything.

"You all asked me to. I didn't want you to feel bad or guilty, like you always do." So drop it now.

"Kai please." Get in, please.

"No thank you, Rei." Give it up Rei, I will NOT come in.

Rei stared at Kai, now really pissed off though he had no notion as to why. GOD KAI! Why do you try to be all good then turn around and piss people off? You just-AH! GR! FUCK IT! I'm going to force you to get in here and have some fun at any cost! In a flash, he took hold of Kai's ankles and pulled him in, dragging the boy underwater with him.

Kai didn't even have time to kick or scream before Rei yanked him under. Water surrounded him and he choked as he opened his mouth to breathe in, coming up with only the clear, pure liquid. It was just like when he was startled and he suddenly panicked, his brain completely failing him. He took in another breath, hoping it would be air this time but to no avail. His eyes shot open then and he searched for Rei, but couldn't see him. For some reason, his body was frozen and he couldn't move. He just sank.

Rei...why did you do that? I'm so scared now, and I can't breathe. I need to get some air. Air. I have to get out of here. Where are you Rei? Get me out. Please, I don't want to be here. I want out...I don't know how…

Slowly his thoughts faded as he drank in more of the cold liquid and felt himself get light headed. He knew he could swim, but at the moment, he didn't understand that. It was just after he felt arms wrap around his chest that he closed his eyes tightly and shut his mind and body down. Everything just went blank

Kai! Why the hell did you do that! What were you thinking? All you had to do was swim! Rei was feeling very afraid as he surfaced with Kai in his arms, not moving. He couldn't tell if he was breathing or not. He had only been under for about a minute or two before the teen had noticed he wasn't really doing anything and opened his mouth to swallow water. Rei managed to pull them over to the shallow end where he drug Kai's heavy body out of the water.

The other boys were shouting at him and asking what was wrong and what happened even as he laid Kai down on the cold tile. Kai did not move and he didn't appear to be conscious.

Absently Rei moved his hand to his side for a brief moment, putting pressure on it. It had begun to sting from having to pull the boys weight along with his, but it was fading now and he was able to concentrate on the matter at hand.

"Kai...Kai? Can you hear me?" Rei asked, leaning down to listen to his heart. It was beating about once every three seconds, but his chest was not rising against his cheek. "Kai, hey, snap out of it." But he didn't move. "Shit." Rei murmured as he placed his hands over Kai's lungs, pressing down on them hard a few times before moving to breathe into his mouth.

It felt so familiar to him somehow; the feel of Kai's lips against his own. But where? Why does this feel so real? It's almost like deja vu, but not. Kai, just breathe. I know you can. If I can do it, so can you. "Kai, don't do this, don't leave us!" Rei yelled, pressing down on his lungs again. Was this how he felt when I was hurt? Was he this afraid of losing me as I am of losing him now? Then he...I knew it! He was so afraid of losing me and he didn't know of any other way to deal with all the stress. And that's resulted in him having panic attacks! Because of me…

"Kai..."

END OF CHAPTER 2!