A/N: I'm not sure if you want it or not, but I decided to send these alternative endings as I feel you should be offered a choice. After all, many of you voted for someone else than Hilary and I believe that you should all be appreciated.
So, all ReKa fans, this is for you! I sincerely hope you'll enjoy!
It was already night when Kai sat on the bench outside the cabin, looking intently at the stars above. When he was a child, his mother had told him that one day, when his journey in this world should end, he'd become a star as well. And from up there, he'd be watching and guiding the ones he'd left behind him. Now as a teen, Kai wanted to believe the story more than ever. So many of those he'd cared about had left him. From the bottom of his heart he wanted to think that they were still up there, watching him, looking after him in their silent way.
" I need your guidance, mama", he whispered in Russian, almost sounding like a lost little child. He gave a deep breath. " I don't know what to do, how to feel…". He squeezed his eyes tightly shut to keep the tears from coming. " Mama, I need you. I miss you".
" Kai?". The familiar voice was filled with concern. Steps approached him, and after a while of hesitation, someone sat beside him. " You okay?".
" Yeah". The answer had to be forced out, for his mouth seemed unwilling to work for him.
After another moment of hesitation, Ray's hand gently took his, squeezing it.
" Rough night?".
He nodded, still not opening his eyes in fear of braking down. For a while he wanted to tell that it was the anniversary of his parents' death, but chose not to. His nightmares couldn't become Ray's.
He didn't know for how long they'd remained in silence before Ray finally spoke.
" Kai, I'm here for you", the Chinese told gently, tightening his grip on his hand. " I'm not going anywhere. Not ever".
A tear Kai couldn't hold back rolled to his cheek, so hot that it seemed to be burning.
" You have no idea of how many people have told me that before", he whispered before he could stop himself. " And they all left".
Slowly Ray let go of his hand, and put his arm around him, tenderly pulling him close.
" I'm not going anywhere", Ray repeated quietly, yet so firmly that there was no doubt of him meaning it. " I'm here for you. Always have been".
Kai almost surprised as he realised that it was true. Ray had always been there for him, even tough he'd been too blind to notice it before. Whenever he had a nightmare, when Tyson left and smashed him to pieces…
He opened his eyes and looked at Ray, eyes filled with question.
" Why?".
The simple question had a major effect on Ray. The Tiger began to shiver, seeming panicked.
" You're my friend, Kai, possibly my best friend. That's why".
" Don't lie to me, Kon". Kai had completely gathered himself, his auburn eyes were flaming as he looked at his still shivering friend. " We respect each other far too much to talk bullshit, ne?".
Ray turned his head slowly to look at him, widened amber eyes filled with fear.
" I… I'm sorry. I can't…".
The neko-jin tried to slip away, but Kai was faster. He graphed Ray's hand tightly, forcing the boy to sit back down. For a long time there was a silence between them.
" When… when Tyson and Hilary were calling me back, there was also a third voice". His voice sounded unfamiliar in his own ears as he watched Ray, who refused to look at him. " I heard you, all the way. And for a small moment, I could see what you felt".
Ray turned his head slowly and looked at him in the eyes, seeming more confused than scared.
" And you don't hate me?". The voice was thin and small, so unlike Ray's that it hurt Kai.
Kai smiled, shaking his head.
" How could I ever hate you, when…". He stopped, and this time it was he who seemed shocked and scared. The words he'd been about to say were definitely not the ones he'd expected.
Ray frowned.
" 'When' what?" the Chinese urged, gaining his composure. " And don't you dare lie to me. We don't talk bullshit, remember?".
Kai opened his mouth to speak, but the words, though they were so simple, wouldn't come out. Eventually, he decided that actions would speak louder than words. Gathering all his courage, he gently cupped Ray's chin to his other hand and leaned in, kissing Ray softly on the lips. After a while he felt Ray's response, which held all the emotions the Chinese had kept inside of him for far too long.
After a while that seemed far too short they departed, needing air. He saw tears glittering on Ray's cheeks in the pale light, and with a small smile reached his hand and tenderly wiped them away.
" There's no need to cry anymore, kitten", he assured the Tiger in a whisper.
He wrapped his hands around Ray's again quivering form and gently pulled the now sobbing Chinese close to him. As the boy pressed his head against Kai's chest, the Phoenix closed his eyes, taking in Ray's familiar, comforting eucalyptus' scent. He smiled softly, caressing Ray's hair as the boy cried into his chest.
It was you all along, he realised. (A/N: Remember in chapter 5, the person who held Kai had this scent. Yeah, the person was Ray.)
At that magical moment, the words he'd been so afraid of before came easily.
" I love you too".
And so the two sat there for a long time, both adjusting to the new-found affection between them. It was obvious to them both that the road ahead of them would be long and rocky, but for a fist time in ages they were both optimistic about it. As long as they'd be together, nothing would be impossible.
END
