Title: Chinese For Two
Pairing/Characters: Kai/Hilary
Rating: T
Disclaimer: Beyblade © Aoki Takao-sama

Chinese For Two

Part: V

Her breaths came out ragged as she climbed the steps, stumbling every now and then. Hilary could hardly see over the three packages, all on top of the other. She carried them up the many steps that lead to the second floor, which would take her back to her own apartment.

She really should've considered the weight of all these blade parts before she actually went and bought them for her blue-haired friend. But, she really wasn't sure of what else to get the dragon, aside from a video game. And she really had no idea what game she should've gotten him, for she had no idea what game he didn't have.

Quickly ignoring the need to take a break, wanting to just get up to her apartment, Hilary sped up her pace until she finally reached the top of the stairs, pulling the door with her pinky and letting it swing open from the small force.

Finally she had gotten something done! Maybe now she could start focusing more on her school assignments. They were piling up more and more and most – if not all – of her reports were due after the break. Hm…well, she was busy…

Ignoring the bulging pile of work was more like it.

She stifled a small snicker at the thought. She remembered clearly when she was always pestering Tyson when it came to homework, may it be from his sheer laziness or just her maternal instincts. Looks like someone now had to pester her about it.

Walking down the hallway that lead to her apartment room, Hilary made a sharp turn once reaching a corner. Letting out a deep breath that she hadn't even realized she had been holding in, she opened her eyes and let them focus on what was in front of her.

Suddenly, her eyes widened into saucers. That was it. That was enough to make the heavy packages she had been carrying fall to the ground with a loud thump, making the person in front of her turn their attention to her with a start.

Deep mahogany bore into her light ruby intensely, seeming to be sizing her up. She felt frozen to the spot. She was stunned that he was here. Why was he here? Hilary still couldn't move, for his eyes were still on her, and she found herself unable to look away. It was like she was a moth drawn to a flame.

They flickered with an emotion that she was unable to read, for it had vanished as quickly as it had appeared. It was strange, yet comforting at the same time. After not seeing him for such a long time, it felt almost…refreshing to be able to see his face again.

That didn't erase the immense surprise though.

Hilary came back to her senses once mahogany disappeared behind shut lids. Kai blinked, looking away from her with a grunt. "Why are you just standing there?" he asked, his voice deep.

Hilary shook her head lightly, just now finding her voice, fumbling, trying to find the right words. "Uh…I-I…um…hey, what are you doing here, Kai?" Very smooth.

He didn't answer. He turned his gaze downwards, eyeing the packages that had fallen to the ground. He grunted again, slowly making his way towards her.

Nervousness welled up inside the brunette as his footsteps echoed softly, the two-toned haired man coming closer with each step he took, until he was right in front of her, towering over her just like before. Only this time, instead of fear, she felt a great acceptance wash over her as she looked back up into his eyes.

Without a word, Kai bent down, scooping up the rather large packages that were slumped at the brunette's feet. He moved away until he was once again at her door, now holding the presents in his arms, looking over at her, through her.

Hilary blinked as she watched him, not fully comprehending what this small, yet kind gesture meant.

"Are you going to stand there all day?"

The question snapped her back into reality. Her eyebrows furrowed. She sure had been spacing out a lot recently, and it was becoming quite the nuisance.

Without looking at the phoenix, Hilary strode over to him, taking out her key so that it could slide into the lock. With a final flick of her wrist, the door was unlocked, letting the two people into the room.

Taking a step inside the small room, Kai felt surprise hit him like a brick at what he saw. This place was a pig sty. He vaguely wondered if Tyson had let his Dragoon loose in this room, for it sure looked like a hurricane hit the place.

Less then a second later, Hilary strode in, a sheepish expression playing at her features as she followed his gaze around the room. Papers were still scattered across the room, piling up with a mountain of books that stood tall on the desk that was near the corner. Old food cartons of what looked like Chinese were huddling around the garbage can, which was overflowing with other similar items. A laptop lay open under the coffee table, looking as if it hadn't been turned off for awhile.

Hilary gave a sheepish laugh, not really noticing how bad it looked until now. "Um…make yourself comfortable?" she said lamely, gesturing towards the couch.

Kai set down the brunette's gifts on a random chair that was near the doorway, not really knowing where else he could put them without them becoming lost in the huge mess. The only thing he still held was the small pink present that Mariah had given him for her. It felt weightless, almost as if there was nothing in it at all. So, unless the gift was nothing but air, it must be very small.

He took a seat on the couch, hearing a loud crunch as his bottom connected with the paper. He shifted, moving his torso this way and that, trying to adjust to this new development.

Hilary sat across from him on one of the few chairs in the room. "So…um…why are you here?" She mentally winced. That sounded rude. Quickly, she tried to cover her mistake. "I mean, I wasn't expecting you and all! So, um, this is a surprise…what can I do for you?" she finished, almost biting her tongue at the end of that rushed statement.

For a moment, she could've sworn she saw a flash of amusement shine in his mahogany eyes, practically laughing at her. But, just as it had before, it disappeared instantly, all traces of it being there completely gone.

With a shake of his head, Kai held up the pink present so that the brunette could gaze at it. Hilary raised an eyebrow. "Eh…thank you?" She didn't know Kai to be the kind of guy to be going around giving people presents wrapped in pink ribbon.

Kai blinked at her, looking down at the present before shaking his head again, before he spoke. "From Mariah."

That explained it. Hilary couldn't help feeling a little disappointed, yet oddly relieved by his short statement. She reached out idly, gripping it in between her hands before replying. "Oh, well thanks for bringing it then." She was slightly confused. If this present had come from Mariah, why was the person in front of her not Mariah?

Pushing the thought aside, she looked back down at the small present before her, a wide grin suddenly appearing on her face. She shook the box next to her ear; trying to make out what could be inside…it was still early, but maybe…

Kai watched as the young brunette suddenly lunged for the box, tearing the wrapping and throwing the pieces to the floor so that it could soon join its 'brethren'. Apparently Hilary wasn't one to wait until Christmas Day.

Removing the last bits of paper away, a plain brown box now lay beneath her. Without a moment's hesitation, she flipped the lid off, her ruby eyes searching for what was inside. She felt her eyes go soft as she saw what it was. Hilary pulled out picture in a brown oak frame. Smiling back at her, was her pink-haired friend, along with the rest of the White Tiger X.

She could make out Lee grinning at her from beside Gary, who seemed to be in a sort of daze, but had a smile directed her way nonetheless. Kevin lay atop the large bear-like man's shoulder, his mischievous eyes shining back, that sly little grin evident on his features as he stared out in front of him.

In front of them, stood their trainer, the wacky Tao that had wisdom that was sometimes overlooked at first, but was always there, even through his strange, and in some ways mysterious actions. He held the largest, almost toothless smile she had ever seen as he held out two fingers upwards in a peace sign.

Finally, beside him, proudly stood Rei, his arms draped around Mariah's shoulders lovingly. His sharp fang-like teeth glistened brightly as he flashed his dazzling smile, his golden eyes shining. Mariah had a similar expression, only she held a softer, more content look as she stood next to her love.

Together, all of them looked like the perfect family in Hilary's eyes. But not only that, she realized that they were her family too.

With a bubble of warmth appearing in her belly, Hilary got up, moving over to the man in front of her, wrapping her fingers around his collar and tugging as she worked to straighten it. This was all the thanks she could muster up for the moment, but she knew he probably understood her gesture anyway.

"Hilary?" he asked softly, and inside her eyes he saw warmth, gratefulness, and something else he couldn't identify, but whatever it was it shone brightly in the brunette, causing his sharp mahogany eyes to soften to some extent at the look. "You okay?"

Hilary quickly got off the two-toned haired man, her face flushing slightly as she rubbed her hand over her eyes. She gave a soft smile. "I'm fine. Thank you for bringing it to me." Sitting back on her chair, Hilary picked up the box along with the picture that carried the smiling faces of her family.

Just before closing the lid to the box, Hilary's eyes caught sight of something else. Letting her hand grip what was inside, Hilary pulled out a small note. She let her gaze scan over it.

Hope you like the picture. Merry Christmas to you, Hilary!

Love, The White Tiger X Team

Sighing, Hilary laid the picture on the coffee table, letting it sit in the middle proudly.

Hearing the crunch of papers not even a minute later, Hilary looked over to the couch, seeing Kai beginning to get up. His back now faced her as he made his way over to the front door.

Something wasn't right though. Something was missing, and it bothered her. Then, after careful inspection, she realized what it was: He wasn't wearing his scarf. That long, silk-like scarf that she thought so graceful as it wrapped around his neck snuggly, hugging his shoulders and back as it came down to his knees. She found it strange, and in a way disappointing, that he wasn't wearing it. She was surprised with herself for not noticing earlier, for it was usually the first thing she noticed about Kai whenever she saw him. Now that he wasn't wearing it, it just seemed like the old captain was missing something.

Well, she'd change that. She let her gaze roll over towards the small stack of gifts she had gotten from the store, and already felt a smile tugging at her lips.

"I'd better go." Kai stated as he moved towards the door. He didn't need to stay any longer. He had all the information he wanted. He heard her light footsteps as she came closer, before he felt a small hand grip his shoulder. Realizing it was Hilary; Kai grasped her hand in his own gloved hand, soaking in the warmth it was radiating.

Pulling her hand back almost as if she had been burnt, Hilary gave a small wave in his direction, her eyes darting away. "I'll see you later, Kai!"

Kai nodded. "Yes." He was already half way out the door before he remembered something. "By the way…"

Hilary looked at him curiously. What was going on through his head?

A light smirk appeared on his face suddenly. "Likewise." And with that, Kai strode down the hallway, leaving the building, along with a shell-shocked brunette.

Likewise.

Hilary then remembered something, and flushed because of her sudden realization.

Hilary glanced back at Kai, whose jaw seemed to clench. "Great to see you again, Kai! Bye!" she said quickly, before rushing away from the three boys, moving over to where her friend was awaiting her.

For a moment, Hilary forgot to breathe.