Title: Our First Noel
Authoress: Ladya C. Maxine
Rating: T
Summary: see chapter one
Warnings: see chapter one
Disclaimer: I do not own Beyblade or any of its characters. Any and all unrecognizable characters belong solely to me and are not to be touched. I am not making any money off of this and I write with the sole intent to entertain.
I've finally figured it out.
At least, I've come up with a plan that should help me finally figure it out. 'It' being this runny pile of dismally pathetic moments that is my life. I've just got to get my facts straight, then deal with them one by one, instead of getting all confused and helpless. Alright then, got my pen, got my paper. Actually, they belong to Kenny but I don't think he's used anything as primitive as pen and paper since he was three, so he won't notice that I have taken the liberties borrowing them for an extended period of time. I'll most likely lose them during the course of the day anyways. So, what am I up against?
1. Myself.
I've got to pull myself together. I, Ray Kon, China's strongest blader and part of the world champion Bladebreakers, am not living up to my name and title. There was a time when I was bold and self-confident. I was even called egoistical by some, but that sounds so self-centered. Since joining the team, however, I have been bumbling my way through my personal life for the past three years and I'm running out of bumble-power. The Ray Kon I used to be did not let others walk all over him. That Ray Kon did not worry and cry over everything. That Ray Kon would have slammed Kai up against a wall and ripped his clothes off faster than Tyson serving himself at the buffet table. I timed it once, by the way: 2 minutes and 35 seconds. I kid you not. I bet the Ray Kon I used to be would have been done with Kai in less than half the time though, so I really want to reacquaint myself with that Ray Kon.
2. Kai
Kai knows me. Well, he's knows I'm alive, which is something since Kai doesn't actually acknowledge the rest of earth's 6 billion inhabitants, and gets pretty pissed when they make themselves known by crossing in front of him or asking him if he has the time. So the knowledge that he knows I'm around is a good thing. And we have spoken. And we have spend not one, not two, but three separate occasions alone together. The last encounter came to a…messy ending, and things just degenerated from there. Problem with Kai is that I don't really know what his attitude towards me is. He hasn't spoken to me for two days now, but Kai is known to go mute for weeks. He's barely around when I am because he's with Tala and Bryan and amongst the three of them they cannot accumulate the patience that is needed to appreciate the rest of us and our bad habits, namely being merry during this merry season. With those two here Kai is even more remote than usual. I'm going to have to find a way to get him alone for a few minutes. Oh, I wish I could use those few minutes to fall to my knees and beg him to love me, but I promised myself to start thinking rationally so I'm going to apologize and explain about the chocolates the moment I have him all to myself.
3. Mariah
Poison...Shoot...Hang...Shove off a cliff...Push into the path of a truck...Tell her I'm gay: So many ways to get rid of her, so little guts to carry them out. Even the Ray Kon from three years ago had a hard time dealing with her. She's been plaguing me for so long…So, so long. But unless I get her off my back, and other parts of me that she just can't seem to go an hour without touching or stroking, the chances of me and Kai being together will remain a nice, rounded nil. She's clever, that girl. As Lee's little sister, the White Tigers' second strongest blader (when I'm not a member) and a social butterfly back in the village she is pretty confident that having chosen me as a mate will get her nothing but praise and blessings from our people, making it harder for me to break it to her that all her revealing outfits and make-up make me about as turned on as a microwave that isn't even plugged in. I've got to nip this one in the bud before she starts picking out wedding gowns. If she does, I'm doomed.
4. Bryan
Now what does he have to do with my life? Nothing, if I had something to say about it. Never wanted him here in the first place. He just invited himself in and is now stomping around with his muddy boots, leaving a mess everywhere he goes. He punched me in the restaurant yesterday and just this morning he tripped me. Can you imagine? I was walking to put my breakfast plate in the sink when suddenly my foot jerked and down I went, shrill yelp and all. And he had been sitting on the other side of the table! Even more infuriating was that no one saw him do it and just assumed that I had tripped over a crack in the floor. The guy's sneaky and damn good at it, and he knows it. While Mariah, who had barely given me time to get up before throwing herself on me, thus sending the both of us back down, had checked me for bruises I glared over at Bryan. That bastard had put on a pretty innocent…Wrong word, nonchalant face but he was giving me The Look, meaning that he was feeling pretty sure of himself, meaning that he had done it.
5. Tala
Another one. These Russians travel in groups, ya know. I've already told you how friendly and Christmas spirited this guy is and that he lives in a world where he handles most everyone the same way one turns off a light switch. It's like: Switch on, find fault in individual and mock them relentlessly in Russian; switch off, forget that they even exist. I'd say he has a very short attention span, but he can pick out one unfortunate person and rat on him or her for hours on end. I like to think of him as a combination of both Kai and Bryan; he lives in his own world and may Buddha help those who enter without permission, but is also terribly evil so no one really minds that he denies their very existence most of the time. Not evil like Bryan, who is more like sadistically cruel, but just...mean! Heartless! Thoughtless even! The way he looks at us, the way he talks to us, the way he acts around us; keep in mind that when doing all these he's actually being 'nice' as in polite. As in not walking pass us and totally blowing us off when we try to talk to him. With 'mean' I'm referring to his whispering. It's not really whispering since it is loud enough for us to hear him, plus no one knows a word Russian, though Kenny has tried to translate. Emphasis on 'tried'. Tala had almost willed him to death with those eyes of his when he caught the Chief straining to understand him.
6. The rest
Not to brag, but I am well liked and respected by the other bladers, and the feeling is mutual, barring a few individuals. I am an all-around balanced competitor who can be wicked fast while battling as well as strategic. I'm friendly and can get along with most people with no problem. I'm the stable one in the group. Tyson's too pigheaded. Daichi's too impulsive. Max is too hyper. Kai is too Kai-ish. Kenny is too geeky. Hillary is too bossy. Next to Lee I am a possible candidate for village leader once Lee's grandfather passes away. What will they all think of me if they found out my deepest secret? I'm willing to do anything to be with Kai, but that doesn't mean that I wouldn't be put down if my orientation turns them against me. Not counting me torturing myself over Kai, and me griping and moping a lot, I have to be honest and say that I do love my life and the people in it. What worries me is how I'm going to face them once the truth is out. I'm especially worried about Lee, who has shown traits of being somewhat homophobic. Didn't know that? Must have slipped my mind. One memory that stands out vividly in my mind is the time he grumbled something about being sick when we saw two guys walking hand-in-hand down the street. I personally thought that it was rather mild, and cute, but Lee had scrunched up his face and looked away as if they were both banging on the pavement. I had been seriously considering telling him that I am gay up until that moment. Since then I have been living in constant fear that he'll catch me staring at other guys (specifically Kai)or notice my lack of interest in girls. If it wasn't for Mariah catapulting herself at me every five minutes Lee may have been suspicious. Who would have thought that she's actually good for something?
7. Woody
Not that this thing is out to ruin my chances with Kai. It's just out to get me. I've got proof. Yesterday, before going to the restaurant, we had all been sitting in the training room, exchanging horror stories concerning travelling. By ill luck I had gotten a space on the ground in Woody's shadows. At the time I wasn't all that unnerved by that, mainly since I had Mariah to deal with as she had insisted on sitting in my lap. Between me and you, she should lay off the rice balls for a few months. However, two hours had passed before I noticed that, even though the sun had moved further west in the sky, I was still in Woody's shadow! All our shadows had evolved around our bodies but Woody's darkness was fixed on one spot. Mine. And all the ornaments on the branches were looking at me. Those innocent looking reindeer, Santa Clauses, snow men and turtle doves were giving me stink eyes. I know you're laughing at my phobia-like behaviour but I am not making this up.
Seven problems. Seven things to deal with before I can be happy again. Woody has been on my hit list since Day 1, but I'm going to have to wait until after Christmas to put it in its place. No one has come to close to suspecting anything so I still have some time before I'll have to deal with my friends. I'm most definitely going to have to rid myself of Mariah. Tala will probably ignore all attempts of mine to…uh…Actually, I'm not sure why I want him gone. He just makes me uncomfortable. Bryan too, only a lot more physical (I'm sporting a temporary fist-patterned tattoo on my stomach). If I want to be presentable when I confront Kai I have to either avoid Bryan or find something to distract him. Only, he shows about as much interest in things as Tyson does in diet commercials. The only objects worthy of the falcon's attention are Kai, Tala, beyblading and hurting people, and, lately, me. I'm so not honoured. And lastly, there's Kai. If I don't get back on track I'll be permanently derailed and get all rusty and a whole bunch of homeless bums will try to sleep in me...Egad! Did I just say that? I kinda got carried away with the whole train thing.
But in order to deal with these four, I have to take the first step. A baby-step, but at least it's something. I have to improve myself. Re-find the old Ray Kon.
"Beautiful evening, isn't it?"
Well, slap my butt and call me Spanky, it's Brooklyn. Haven't seen him all day. Shouldn't have counted my blessings so soon. That is, if I had any to begin with. Judging by how things have been going…let's just say that I don't need a calculator to do the math there. So here I am, sitting at the table with Kenny's stolen stationary, trying to figure out a way to lose my virginity before boxing day by offing a few of my 'friends' and a carrot top's gazing out the kitchen window. Just as I've always imagined my ideal Christmas.
"Sunsets are so entrancing. It's like the whole world has come to a halt. All movements stop. The sky glows orange. The birds sing their sweet lullabies as the day creatures settle down for the night…"
...I wonder if I should buy Kai chocolates.
"…And the trees whisper to one another in the setting sun as the winds lull…"
White chocolate? Nah, maybe dark. Matches his usually sombre personality.
"…Darkness seeps so steadily and threateningly, but once it is here all is peaceful and one feel so secure. Listening only to the music of the night…"
Or maybe a new scarf. Hmm, it has to be Christmassy. Red or green...?
"…if we were to just welcome the natural flow of the wilderness and all the harmonious creatures that live alongside one another in such a balanced lifestyle. None care for wealth and fame, but where the best nuts are and how to build suitable homes to raise their young to carry on the utopian circle. It is so…mesmerizing!"
Yeah, definitely red.
"Do you not agree, Ray?"
You're still here?
"Absolutely."
I don't really give a damn, but sure, I'll agree.
"Are you writing a poem?"
Five random names and a stick figure with cat ears, a ponytail and a bulldozer raging towards her. Not really William Blake, but I do see potential in it. You never know with art and literature. Wuthering Heights bored me to tears but apparently it's considered a masterpiece.
The chair scrapes as he takes a seat.
"You're strange."
Hypocrite.
"Is something bothering you?"
Yeah, you, at the moment. Can't you see that I am scheming against three of our guests? Go help a squirrel find its nuts or attend a PETA meeting.
A soft laugh.
"You should stop and enjoy what Fate has given you. It truly is the only way to find your inner peace."
"Fate is what has been disrupting my inner peace," I mutter, shielding the paper with a hand as I draw a heavy boulder (though it looks more like a blob of lumpy mashed potatoes) above Mariah's head.
"Oh?" he asks politely, leaning on his elbows and watching me with those teal eyes of his. "Then maybe you should prove to Fate that you can stand on your own two feet."
That is the first rational thing I have ever heard him say; no nature or birds or flow of river's music, but some good advice.
"You think?"
"I know. Life is like the wind; you can't stop it from blowing, but you can shield yourself from it."
Wind…Oh, sneaky bastard. I knew it was too good to be true.
"There you are, Brooklyn," a voice enters itself into the conversation as Hiro steps into the kitchen. " Garland is asking for you."
"Oh dear, I lost track of the time. I'd best be going."
Getting to his feet, he looks down at me.
"Find your shield, Ray. Nice picture."
…C-R-E-E-P-Y.
Politely (I'm getting sick of all his politeness), he bows to me in farewell and turns, heading for the doorway where Hiro is standing casually, hands in his pockets. Though I can't see Brooklyn's eyes I can see Hiro's as they watch him as he passes his former coach.
And now it's time for my drastic measure!
It is really all coincidence that Hiro happened by while Brooklyn was around, but their(presumed) shared looks have boosted my confidence in my plan. Because now I'm going to let you in on all those hints I've been dropping for the past few days. To refresh your memories: when I mentioned that Hillary will never have a chance with Hiro (other than because she's so damn ugh!), and when I was busy comparing Brooklyn to common garage-sale items. Seeing both their names twice, can you get the hint...?
Good morning to you too! Attraction, people. I'm talking serious attraction about as strong as Tyson and television.
It shouldn't be so surprising that I'm not the only queer guy in the sport of beyblading. With so many gag-inducing girls and gorgeous guys around during so many tournament it isn't all that strange that one will start turning his eyes to members of the same sex...At least...that's how I think. I mean, just make a few comparisons: Dorky, know-it-all Emily or spontaneous, fun-loving Michael? Prissy, self-absorbed Ming Ming or dedicated, honour-bound Garland? Mathilda or Miguel? Salima or Kane? Hillary or Tyson? (Based off of who is less likely to throw things at you). And don't forget Mariah, next to whom any guy looks good. If She, Boris Balcov and I were the last three people on earth and I had to choose one of them to be my lover…I'd rather not think about it, but let's just say that humanity would be doomed. With such dismal pickings I am surprised that there are so few of 'our kind' in the sport. So far it's me, Oliver, Mystel, Brooklyn and Hiro. And, hopefully, Kai.
And to get Kai, I need to get Hiro. Observe:
Hiro and Brooklyn have the hots for each other, but I'm the only outsider who has noticed that. Brooklyn is too vague for me to even want to attempt to have a serious talk with, so Hiro is the man for the job. If I can get him to admit it, then I can admit my own feelings for Kai. I will have a confidant and an ally, who will give me more courage and who can offer me much needed advice. How will this guarantee that this will give me the opportunity to tell Kai how I feel about him? It won't, I've just realized, but I need someone to back me up and right now the only sane and mature enough person in this place is...
"Hiro?"
He's still watching Brooklyn's retreating form but quickly turns to me in a rare moment of being caught off guard. Ah, have I gotten the great Hitoshi Granger to blush? Alright, so Brooklyn did, but I saw him do it. Clearing his throat, he walks over and takes a seat, resuming his cool exterior.
"Yeah?"
"Do you like him?"
A lot of people would have gaped or begin sputtering but Hiro manages to keep his composure, looking at me steadily.
"Why do you ask?"
"Because I couldn't help noticing that the two of you spend a lot of time looking at each other when you think that no one is watching you and that you gave him a lot of private lessons during the BEGA tournament even though everyone knows that Brooklyn doesn't need to train at all."
And because I heard you jerking off while calling his name in the bathroom your first night here. Ha! Can I keep a secret or what? I had been only assuming for the past few months but that one little discovery at 3 a.m. proved that I wasn't a complete pervert imagining other guys together. For once I was glad that I have to get up at ungodly hours for my glass of milk. I'm also grateful for my keen hearing, though anyone could have heard him with their ear pressed against the bathroom door. Not that I did… In any case, I'll keep that to myself for now. Can't go scaring him off by making him think I'm some peeping, or eavesdropping, Tom. But yeah, he doesn't like Brooklyn. He loves Brooklyn. He needs Brooklyn. He's going to rip his head off and slam it repeatedly against the wall and then feed it to a pack of ravenous dogs if he can't be with Brooklyn.
I can relate to that.
"So do you?" I insist.
Hiro folds his arms across his chest, leans back in his seat and sighs. Hiro doesn't sigh often so this is big. Poor guy. He's really got it bad.
"Yes, I do."
"Thought as much."
"You and Kai?"
"If only," I mutter, resting my head in my hands, staring blankly at my artwork. "At least you know he returns the feelings. Kai's…He's Kai. You don't have a lot of those walking around One never knows what to expect from him."
We are silent, glad to have finally spilled the beans to someone other than our reflections in the bathroom mirrors. I half-heartedly draw a space ship shooting lasers at Mariah. The thrill is gone, though.
"Have you…" I blush, not believing that I am having a private conversation with a guy I just barely know. Not even Lee knows that I am gay and he's my childhood best friend. Then again, he's also homophobic. Sorry, Lee. Your loss. "Have you and Brooklyn…you know…"
"No," Hiro says. "We want to…but I can't…"
Now it's getting to personal. Not that that's ever stopped me.
"Can't get it up?" I ask.
"No!" he fiercely denies. "Nothing like that. There's nothing wrong in that department. It's just…It's not legal."
I scoff.
"It's not really accepted, but we aren't criminals because we prefer guys."
"I'm talking about the fact that Brooklyn's 16 and I'm 25. If anyone was to find out about us I could go to jail and then I can't be with him anymore. I don't want to risk getting either of us in trouble just for the sake of sleeping together."
Now that's one obstacle I am very glad to be well cleared of. It didn't occur to me that their age could influence their relationship.
"That sucks," I offer my sentiments. "So you have to hide it?"
"Until he's 18," Hiro sighs again, running a hand through his spiky hair. "We've even considered running away, but I can't abandon my family like that and people would notice him missing and could put two and two together."
Again silence for a while. I add some man-eating plants with legs to the paper, which is getting pretty crowded right now.
"What's holding you back?" Hiro asks, hinting openly that it is my turn to pour my heart out.
Writing DIE above stick figure Mariah's head, I drop the pencil and slide the paper over to him. Why talk when a picture is worth a thousand words? My little sketch pretty much sums up my problems. Despite the subtle use of symbolisms, Hiro figures it out quickly and chuckles as he studies the drawing. He then squints as he reads the short list.
"Woody?"
"Christmas tree."
"What's that thing got to do with anything?"
"You don't want to know. Trust me on this one. And if you want to live I suggest you stay clear of it too."
"Now that's very messed up."
"Not encouraging," I grumble.
Casually dropping the paper back onto the table, he leans forward on his forearms, staring me dead in the eyes.
"All that's standing in my way are two years. Any idea how you are going to solve your problem?"
"Not unless you know where I can hire an assassin-for-rent."
"I don't."
Making a pitiful sound, I let my forehead fall onto the table. Painful, I assure you. Wood has this really bad habit of being hard and unrelenting.
"But until you find a way to deal with these last five, why don't you focus on the first two?"
"Because the fourth and the fifth are always with the second and the third is always buzzing around the first."
"But if the third is out grocery shopping with the sixth and the fifth went with out the fourth, who has gone out for a jog, that means that the second is alone and the first can use this opportunity to talk with the second before the third, fourth, fifth and sixth return. And the seventh can't get to the first as long as the first stays clear of the training room."
One moment, I've got to process all that…
Ooh.
"Are you sure about that?" I ask nonetheless.
"Positive. I also saw the second sitting on the back porch. Alone..."
Bruce's voice calls him from somewhere in the dojo. Hiro stands, giving me a wink.
"Secret?" he holds out a hand.
"Secret," I nod, taking it and giving it a firm shake.
"I can't do much about the fourth and the fifth, but if you want I can distract the third and sixth when they come back for a while."
Have I mentioned how much I like this guy?
Heart of the tiger. Will of the tiger. Balls of the tiger.
I'm not very good with mantra's, but you've got to admit, this one is pretty catchy. I've been saying it myself for about a minute now, which is the time it takes to reach the back patio, and it's stuck in my brain like one of those TV jingles that grates on everyone's nerves, including the people who made it.
Heart of the tiger. Will of the tiger. Balls of the tiger.
Baby steps, Ray. One foot ahead of the other. Don't leap into anything. Just keep a level head and do not get distracted. Go in, say what you have to say, leave. I'm only going to tell him the truth about the chocolates and that I am sorry for the misunderstanding.
Heart of the Tiger. Eye of the tiger, Balls of the-- Eye of the tiger? Wait, isn't that a song?
No time to correct myself now. I have stepped outside. Seeing as the remaining teens are out in the front yard, beyblading amongst each other just for kicks, the back is completely empty. Perfect. Now to find…Hellooo.
There are only three things that are infinite: time, a circle and Kai's sex appeal, and like the universe, his sex appeal is forever growing and expanding. I swore this morning that he had never looked so good in the three years I have known him. He proved me wrong during lunch when he showed up even sexier, and now he's gotten even better. How does he do it? Apparently, he doesn't give much thought on how erotically enticing he is, which makes him even more desirable than ten seconds ago. He's laying on the wooden floorboards, his hands behind his head and one leg crossed over the other as he stares up at the ceiling, chewing on a toothpick. Despite it being pretty nippy out here he's wearing a sweater with the sleeves rolled up till his elbows and baggy cargo pants that just barely reveal his feet, which have on only socks. Does this guy honestly plans to spend the rest of his life with no one else to enjoy his body? Talk about selfish.
"Kai?"
"Hn."
I haven't taken him off guard. He's way too alert for that.
"I need to talk to you about something."
"About what?" he asks.
Now that he has actually spoken I can conclude that he still hasn't forgiven me for 'giving away' those chocolates.
"About what happened two days ago...It's now what it looked like."
He doesn't respond. Instead he closes his eyes. Again, three years of acquaintance finally pay off as I can interpret this as him giving me the green light to say what it is I have to say, then to get the hell away from him. Well, that's what it meant the last time when Tyson had gotten the same reaction from him. Then again, Kai is always telling Tyson to get the hell away from him. Risking a limb, I sit down next to him. He doesn't growl or chase me off, so I assume it's okay.
"I was really happy with those chocolates. I still can't get over how nice it was of you to buy them for me. Especially after what I did to your boots, for which I am still very sorry."
He doesn't flinch, so I trod on.
"It was all a big mistake--" like Mariah "--I didn't know that Hillary had invited everyone and when she came back and had us all lined up and waiting I was caught off guard when Mariah and the other showed up and Mariah thought that I had bought the chocolates for her and started to hand them out to everyone and…and then you came and--"
"And you couldn't take them from her because…?" Kai says, eyes still close, body relaxed.
"I…I don't know," I admit. "I tried but…things aren't that easy with Mariah. She kinda…how do I say it…Sucks the living breath out of you."
"Hn."
And now I don't know what to do. I said what I had to say, now what? What is supposed to happen now? Is Kai supposed to tell me that it's okay and that he forgives me? Am I supposed to offer a way to make up for 'losing' his gift? Should one of us say something right about now? I'll go first since Kai isn't a loyal supporter of instigating chats.
"Are you still mad at me?"
"Yes."
"Oh…"
So much for that plan. All I've managed to do is make an even bigger loser of myself. Why does Kai have to be so difficult all the time? Sure, I could have tried a little harder to get those chocolates back, and yeah, I could have just told Mariah that they weren't meant for her, but he knows how Mariah is. He's seen the way she acts around me, much to my great embarrassment. Trying to get through to Mariah is like trying to get Tala to go five minutes without being an ass. Impossible, my dear Watson, impossible.
It's high time I retreat and rethink my tactics. I'll have to recruit Hiro and see if he can offer me some better ideas. In return for his help I know this one club where there are rentable rooms that are surveillance-camera free. He and Brooklyn do make a cute couple, now that I think of it. Both are so quiet (at least, Brooklyn is when he isn't going on and on and on about all things boringly natural) and they are very gentle and patient. It's almost sad that they can't openly be together.
"I guess I just wanted to tell you the truth. Sorry if it didn't help," I say with a sigh, getting to my feet.
"I appreciate knowing what really happened," Kai says. He hasn't moved an inch but those dark red eyes open, staring up at me through his bangs. Again, he has upped the level of studliness a few notches, "but that doesn't change the fact that you allowed it to happen."
That's…kinda reassuring. No it isn't. I'm still hurt. So much even that I manage to put an end to my admiration of his body, laid out before me so temptingly, to just shrug off his words and say what sounded conspicuously a lot like what the old Ray Kon would have said,
"Whatever."
A first, ladies and gentlemen. I have just pretty much snubbed my captain and crush. Maybe it is the helpless feeling that has been boiling within me for the past 48 hours. Maybe it is the frustration of the old 'one step forward, two steps back' routine that I have landed myself in. Maybe it is that even my renown patience is beginning to run dry. I love Kai. I love Kai so much it hurts, and I have not given up on him, but I can't take this shit anymore! Turning my back to him without another word, I leave, not looking back once.
Not looking forward either, apparently, because entering the house I turn the corner and walk smack dab into someone else. Neither of us lose our balance but the person before me doesn't lose his composure either, whereas I am badly startled. A familiar chill goes down my spine and for one brief second I fear that it's Bryan. Nope, it's Tala, who is adjusting his clothes as I must have rumpled them in our collision. I panic for a second time as Tala is hardly ever seen without Bryan nearby but the tall blader is strangely absent, though I can honestly say that I don't miss him. Stuck with Tala, however, isn't that much better an alternative.
"Sorry," I say, though it's not all that clear if he has realized that I am another human being as he could be in one of his I-can't-see-you-so-I-won't-talk-to-you moments. By the way he suddenly looks up at the sound of my voice I could be right.
Oh great, those eyes have just narrowed.
"Aren't we a bit clumsy today?"
I have just dismissed the love of my life; I am so ready to let out the rest of my frustration.
"We would have had a 50 percent less chance of colliding if you had done your half and watch where you were going."
Naturally, it is only after I say it that my brain warns me that Tala could share Bryan's habit of letting his fists do the talking for him. Bryan's taller and though he looks thin he has the muscles capable of bringing someone like Gary down to his knees, but Tala is still much of a mystery to me. I'm not stupid enough to think him to be the weakest member of the Russian team just because of his soft features (excluding his eyes); there has to be a reason why he's their captain and why the others listened to him obediently during the tournaments. I have seen this guy go from delicate to demonic in a blink of an eye. And I have even seen him, in the two days he has been here, put Bryan down with a simple look. I think that that's what scares me the most about him. There's more to him that meets the eye, something that gives him total control over others, even Bryan, but no one knows what. Not that I'm eager to find out, but since my back is now against the wall and a hand is planted firmly in the middle of my chest, holding me there, I am hoping that whatever he is planning, it doesn't involve skinning neko-jin and making key fobs out of our eyes.
"You're rather vocal today, Ray-Ray," he comments, using Mariah's horrible nickname for me. "Did it take you the entire meal last night to think that one up all by yourself? I don't remember you contributing anything of much value to the conversation."
"If you'd stop talking bull about others in Russian you'd might have heard enough of our conversation to remember a word or two."
He tilts his head to one side in a chilling moment of silence, leering at me with those cold eyes.
"...I don't think I like your tongue, Ray-Ray," he concludes.
"Too bad. It's the only one I have."
A hand clenches my lower jaw in a grip so sudden and strong that it forces my mouth open. That is painful, but not as freakish as what happens next. Two fingers plunge into my open mouth and effortlessly capture my tongue between the knuckles and roughly pulls it out. Tears spring to my eyes and I try to cry but I can't as my tongue has been immobilized.
"You're right, Ray-Ray. It's too bad...for you," he corrects calmly as if he isn't twisting my tender flesh in his clutch. "Because if this the only tongue you have then you won't be able to make any more foolish comebacks once I've torn it out."
His fingers tighten.
Holy crap! This really hurts! Even more so than the time Mariah tried to sneak up on me while I had been napping high up in a tree and I fell out and broke an arm and dislocated my shoulder. He won't really tear it out…will he? And where has this hand of his been? Maybe if I gross myself out enough thinking up places this hand could have been I might throw up on him. Revenge would be sweet, no matter how bitter bile tastes. The icy eyes gleam and I know that he's going to make good of his threat. More tears fall as I realize that the last word I said to my crush was 'Whatever' and that I will never be able to apologize for that again.
Suddenly, a voice speaks up. From the incomprehensible yet sharp dialect I can conclude that it is Russian. From the sexy voice and clear command I know it is Kai. The hand holding my tongue hostage relaxes though doesn't let go as the blue eyes turn to where Kai is standing. My head still caught in the wolf's hold, I cannot turn and thus he remains just out of my line of sight but my stomach is fluttering. Kai-sensors. My jaw line is throbbing. Tala-torture. I'm going to have a hard time explaining the bruises that will no doubt appear within a couple of hours. More Russian is spoken. From Kai's tone I'm guessing that he is telling Tala to let me go. I am hoping he is. Tala's detached replies hint that he doesn't see why he should. That jerk. Has he ever tried this on himself? Why don't I go get some pliers and let him feel what it's really like? They keep on talking but I am not feeling any more secure since Tala's grip is slowly tightening again. Kai, a little physical help here would be much appreciated.
Finally, when I can no longer feel the tip of my tongue, Kai's hand comes into view and with a rather rough twist he breaks the contact. I would be grateful, but that hadn't been the most delicate way of making Tala let go and I curse beneath my breath, spitting and gagging as I step away, wiping my mouth. My jaw feels slightly swollen. Even my gums hurt! My tongue has got to be doing a good impersonation of a slug, not to mention that I am just outraged, and disgusted, at the redhead's nerves. On the other hand, I have to admit that that is one wicked move. Still, I think I prefer Bryan's punch to this Claw of Death.
I'm no closer to figuring out what is going on when Tala, now bored and/or irate, snaps something to Kai, who answers in English, most likely a slip of the tongue;
"Yes, he is!" he hisses in a defensive but commanding voice.
At the risk of sounding vain, I believe that he's referring to me about something Tala said. I'm torn between being surprised to hear Kai say something to defend me against the other teen and the very fact that they are arguing. I don't think that they've ever done it before. Both usually agree with one another. Both usually think along the same line. Kai doesn't tolerate Tyson's pigheadedness or Max's endless bouts of energy, but he has somehow managed to put up with Tala and his mood swings for years. If that isn't a sign of friendship then I don't know what is. If Lee ever acted like Tala I would have shoved him off a mountain back home years ago.
Suddenly, Tala turns and walks away. I don't know if they have come to some kind of agreement or if he's just walked out on their argument, but all that matters to me is that fact that he is leaving. Kai looks like he's about to follow the redhead. Don't worry about me, Kai. I'm alright. No need to ask. I'd give him a piece of my mind (not that I have much to spare, but you get the gist) if I was capable of speech. However, Kai appears to have changed his mind and is looking at me.
"He won't do that again."
Maybe not, but who knows how creative Tala is. I'm sure he'll find other ways of inflicting harm upon me. Resourceful little bugger. In any case, I can only nod, testing the flexibility of my tongue. I can make it twitch upwards…and that's about it. Not very useful. First I get the wind knocked out of me by Bryan, then I am at a loss for words courtesy of Tala. Why can't my secret crush have normal, none-destructive pals? Hundreds of other boys in that abbey and these are the two Kai chooses to befriend? I liked that Alexander kid. Hmm, wonder what happened to him after Boris had him dragged off through those ominously tall and heavy doors. He looked so terrified…Maybe he was forced into sharing rooms with Tala or blading with Bryan. That's a fate worse than death.
It may seem like I've zoned out for a while mulling over all that, but it has only taken a few seconds really. And though my mind was elsewhere, my eyes never left Kai's, with any luck conveying how much I appreciated his best friend's bad habit of sticking his fingers down my throat. I also use the chance to decide that Kai is now seventy-five percent hotter than when I left him back on the patio. He's going to explode one day with all that sexiness.
He reaches out with a hand and I stiffen (and by that I mean my entire body, so take your heads out of the gutter before you drown) as his fingers brush my chin. With a lot less pain and force than his Russian bud, he pulls my mouth open. Please don't make me have anything stuck between my teeth.
"It will fade away within the hour," he says, studying my almost dead appendage.
I dearly hope that he is referring to the pain and not my tongue. Wouldn't it be divine if he massaged my tongue the way he did my back? Preferably with his own tongue. Now that I wouldn't mind having in my mouth, instead of Tala's nasty claws.
"Ray-Ray!"
Kai calmly takes a step back and it takes all my will power not to follow him as his hand removes itself from my jaw. Footsteps thunder towards us as a bouncing sphere of pink and noise spots me. She pauses, frowns to find Kai here with me but shrugs it off and throws her arms around me, nuzzling my shoulder.
"I'm back! Did you miss me?"
Does a toe miss a hangnail?
"I bought you those crème-filled cookies you like and your favourite soda. I would have been here sooner but Hiro had to talk to us about baking for some reason and held me up for five minutes."
Hiro, you're a saint. I am going to get him something very nice for Christmas. He seems to be fond of sunglasses and jackets.
"So what have you been doing without me?" she asks, shooting Kai meaningful looks that request him to get lost.
Kai returns them with an I-don't-care-if-you-are-a-girl-I-will-hurt-you-if-you-think-you-can-order-me-around glare. That's a fifty percent increase in sex appeal in my books. Throw in an extra ten percent for blatantly dismissing Mariah like she's five-day-old sushi.
My tongue is still throbbing so I don't even try answering her. And we all know how much women love that.
"Ray-Ray? Are you listening to me?"
If only I had a choice…
"You're so quiet. Are you angry that I was gone for so long? Did I make you worry? I didn't mean to make you think that I had forgotten you or anything!"
Yippee. Hold me down before I jump with joy. The very idea of life without Mariah reduces me to sitting in a corner in a foetal position crying red hot tears. How could I ever go on without her shrill voice deafening me, her roving hands sexually molesting me and her breasts being practically shoved in my face as she shows me her newest revealing top? I'd just have to settle for Kai then, I guess. Too bad.
I better ease up on the sarcasm before I say something I will regret later.
"Did you hurt yourself? Do you want me to examine you and make you feel better?"
Shy our little Mariah isn't. Her hands are beginning to get a mind of their own. The fact that Kai is still here seems to have slipped her own mind. I freeze. I never am in the mood to be fondled by her, but right now, with my tongue squashed and my pride already dented, I really would prefer to go on a date with Boris. He probably was better looking in his younger years. Too bad photography hadn't been invented yet at the time. Mariah is beginning to purr and I turn desperate eyes to Kai, praying that he is in a generous enough mood to save me twice in one day.
At first I'm afraid that he's just going to walk off and find Tala, who has probably tongue-lashed five other bladers by now, but when Mariah starts to sink to her knees before me and I urgently beg him with the most intense puppy-dog eyes I can manage he steps forward.
"We have to train."
Mariah frowns fiercely, looking up over her shoulder at him.
"During the holidays? Stop being such a slave driver, Kai. If you ask me I think that you're just trying to ruin our special moment."
"If I ask you what?"
"If you ask me if I…um…why we…uh…"
Leaving her to sort that one out, he tilts of his head in silent command for me to follow him. I try but Mariah, still kneeling, grabs me by the sash tied around my waist.
"Ray-raaaaaaay," she whines, nuzzling my thigh. "Tell that grouch that you want to stay here with me."
"I…"
Too hard to speak. And Painful. If Tala has permanently impaired my speech I'll shave his eyebrows off in his sleep. I can't tell her no…
"He has other things to do," Kai speaks up for me.
"Butt out! Raaaay-Raaaaaaay, tell him!"
"He can decide for himself."
"And he's decided to stay with me! Haven't you, Ray-Ray?" she looks up at me confidently, offering me the sight of her licking her lips seductively.
If I had any indecisions, which I didn't really, that definitely made up my mind. Since I can't voice my opinion, I look over at Kai and nod. Mariah's mouth falls open and she squeaks out a few random words. Detangling her fingers from the wrinkled cloth, I give her a polite smile, taking a page out of Brooklyn's book. Kai begins walking and I follow, leaving Mariah kneeling with a flustered pout on her face. I can feel her glare as it passes my right ear to pin itself on the back of Kai's head. He doesn't flinch, even when a sudden cry of insulted anger, followed by the sound of fists slamming down on the floor, erupted from behind us.
Neither of us look back or even meet the other's eyes until we are at the foot of the stairs. I'm going to go hide out in my room for a while and nurse my tongue back to health and Kai still has a pissy redhead to find so this is where we'll part ways. I want to thank him for saving me, twice, but Tala Tongue-Twister has really done a number on me. This is getting really frustrating!
Luckily for me, Kai is a gifted mind reader. He looks on as I barely contain my aggravation, composedly leaning against the banister post. He watches my different expressions as I try to figure out how to go about thanking him for moment. Then he shakes his head…with a small smile! Still smiling, though now it is more like an good-natured smirk, he meets my amazed stare.
"You really are too amusing to stay mad at."
And then everyone jumped out from their various hiding places as an entire camera crew hurries in from the living room wearing the official Candid Camera logo and a field host with unnaturally white teeth tells me that I have just been suckered on national television!
...But nothing of the sort happens. So this is a genuine remark coming from Kai? He…He is no longer going to look mean at me and ignore me? I have been forgiven? You bet your pumpkin pie I have! I have officially been pardoned! I could kiss someone right about now!
Luckily, I'm not that big an airhead to obey my every thought but…but…I can't resist. When I get my vocabulary back I'll explain to Kai why I did it, but for now I'm going to take advantage of his amnesty. Grinning my best grin, I take a small step and after a second hesitation, I hug him tightly. Dear Buddha, his chest feels so good! And does his back, the muscles taunt at the unexpected move. Mariah couldn't get this reaction out of me even if she were to spend the rest of her life kneeling before me.
Since I don't want to bowl the poor guy over with my emotions I pull away and pat him in a friendly, guy-to-guy buddy way on his shoulder, giving him the impression that I have just thanked him for helping me out of two tight situations, though I wish he could help me out of this new tight situation he has brought upon me. Hadn't I told myself to not wear pants that weren't very baggy? I have to go deal with this while I can still feel his body against mine. Good thing Lee is such a heavy sleeper; I'm going to be having some dreams tonight.
Kai returns the pat after a moment's scrutiny, assuring me that he won't be ripping my arms off now for touching him without his permission. As if he ever gives it. This Kai is somewhat different from the blader I met three years ago. That one had never allowed anyone within five meters of his three foot radius personal space. Over the course of the matches and years he has mellowed out ever so slightly and now will stand for a brief contact with others. He has never hugged anyone, though. Tyson claims that he was hugged by the phoenix during the BEGA challenge, but I still argue that Kai simply tripped after that exhausting battle with Brooklyn and Tyson had been the first to reach and catch him. I actually have one over on the dragon! But I won't go bragging it around.
As Kai leaves, heading for the main entrance in search of the wayward jerk we all know as Tala I catch sight of someone standing just beyond an open doorway down the hall that leads to the basement. Hiro. Our eyes meet and he smiles, flashing me a double thumbs up. Since we've disclosed so much to each other already I no longer hide my elation and grinning giddily, I return the gesture gratefully, mouthing 'Thank you'. Winking, he retreats back down to where I can hear Bruce and Papa G talking as the three are busy with something down there. Buddha bless that guy's soul and may he have many steamy nights with his underage lover. I for one am rooting for them, even if Brooklyn is a bit too mind-boggling.
There is an extra bounce in my step as I climb the stairs, humming a Christmas song Tyson has not yet massacred: 'It's the most wonderful time of the year'. Given my past I shouldn't be getting ahead of myself. I still have to deal with my listed seven concerns. But I now had a confidant (Hiro), a new attitude, and the assurance that Kai is once again talking to me. Who knows, maybe he'll even keep Tala and Bryan away from me, though it would be easier to ask him to nail Jell-O to a solid concrete wall. I'll just have to fend for myself for now.
5 days till the big day. I hope my good fortune can last till then.
Tbc…
Next time: Hillary has yet another brilliant plan and Mariah is doing some scheming of her own. Reappearance of Bryan with some interesting results and revelations…
Read & Review, please.