It began with a friendly and misleading kiss.

Safe, In Your Arms

Chapter 5: Well, It's a Start

"Hey Forrest."

She felt someone nudge her and she groaned. She slowly brought her hands to rub her eyes. Familiar faces came to her vision.

"Hey Forrest, you're crushing me," a voice came.

As Forrest heard the voice from her right ear, she heard something different from her left ear—a heart beating. She tilted her head but her gaze came upon a white shirt. She jumped and almost fell off the couch.

Ray grabbed her arm but it was no use.

Forrest winced and rubbed her thigh. She rolled her eyes and giggled. Ray chuckled.

"Sorry. Fell asleep," she apologized.

"It's okay," he replied with a half-grin, trying to hide his laughter.

For the first time, Forrest looked at Ray in the eyes and had the time to analyze the feelings that they showed. She saw happiness, and also a feeling of lost.

"Where is she?" she asked suddenly. The question came out of nowhere.

"Who?" he asked, confused.

Tyson, who finally finished his popcorn, glanced in their direction. Max was in Kai's seat, chatting on the computer and Kai was nowhere in sight and Kenny too was gone.

"Her, you know. The person who you l—" she saw Ray's face flush so she decided to stop. "Ahaha. Look at your own face, Ray Kon! It's okay, I'll stop," she said while laughing.

Ray looked away, turned his gaze to the ceiling for a few seconds and decided to redo his bandana.

"Hey, sorry. Didn't mean to embarrass you or anything," Forrest added with concern.

Ray turned his gaze back to Forrest and his grin returned.

"It's nothing," he replied.

Tyson changed the conversation and started talking about beyblading.

"Do you beyblade?" he asked the female.

Forrest blushed slightly and nodded. "For a while, yeah."

"Why don't you show us? I believe that Kai wants to get a new teammate," Max said as he walked over to the three and left the computer alone.

"Oh, no. He asked me that question before. I don't' think that he wants me in the team. I only beybladed for a year," Forest said.

"Wouldn't hurt to show us, right? We're bored anyway. And I bet Kai is outside training Dranzer. He never stops training," Tyson said as he stood up.

Forrest shrugged and got up too. She grabbed her blade from her backpack and left her backpack on the couch. By then the three boys were already in the backyard so she rushed to them and put a smile on her face.

"Told you. Kai's here," Tyson said before calling the other blue-haired boy.

Ray walked over to Kai and stood beside him.

"You should stop training. Get some entertainment. Forrest is going to show us her blade. Why don't you watch?" he asked Kai.

Kai sighed and withdrew his blade. He put Dranzer in his pockets and turned around to face Forrest. For the first time in a while, the two looked at each other in the face. Forrest felt a shudder run down her spine and Kai's brain was filled with questions.

Why is she interested in beyblading anyway? I thought that swimming was her first priority, he asked himself.

They all made their way to the dish in Kai's backyard. It wasn't extravagant but very useful. The silver paint of the dish was slightly scratched off in several places but otherwise the dish was perfect and new.

With all her strength, Forrest launched her blade into the dish.

Let's do this, Starlet!

A black and yellow blade was launched into the dish and spun at a mighty speed.

"What elements does your bit-beast control?" Kai asked, speaking for the first time to Forrest.

"You asked me that once already. I still have to the same answer for you: it depends," Forrest replied with a rather cold voice.

"What do you mean?" Max asked before Kai could say anything.

"You'll see."

The center of the blade glowed and a star shaped beast appeared. In fact, it was a star with wings on both sides.

"What is that? That's not a bit-beast!" Tyson exclaimed, confused.

"That's a shape-shifter," came a voice. They all turned around and saw Kenny with his laptop in his arms.

"You're a genius, you know," Forrest replied.

"Thanks," Kenny replied, and smiled. "Shape-shifters are rare and they come in forms with no attack powers but when they transform they take the form of a normal bit-beast. But the disadvantage to them is that whenever they transform, use their attacks or even move in their transformed shapes the beyblader loses energy."

"Told you, you are a genius. I've been with Starlet for a while now. I'm managed to make him turn into two beasts both controlling two different elements each. The first form controlling fire and wind and the second controlling earth and thunder. But none of the attacks are very strong. The problem is that before I can battle much with Starlet, I get dizzy and I faint easily," Forrest said.

Interesting, Kai thought to himself.

A second blade was launched into the dish; a blue blade shinning under the sun came into sight.

"Kai?" Ray asked, confused and startled.

"Go Dranzer!" the boy yelled, ignoring the question from his teammate.

Fine, so that's what you want, heh? A battle? Well, I'll give you my best, Forrest thought with determination. In reality, she was exhausted after the swimming tryouts, her legs and arms were sore and her head was near exploding because of the water pressure.

"Starlet!" Forrest yelled.

The black blade, which was struggling against Dranzer's attacks, shone and the bit-beast floating in the air above it metamorphosed into a horse with transparent wings and a star on the forehead.

"Thunder outrage!"

True to the name of the attack, the horse looked furious and stomped the ground making it shake slightly and then the sky turned darker and a thunder appeared. It zapped Dranzer. Starlet charged with all his force towards his enemy. His body was surrounded by electricity jolts and he pushed Kai's beyblade to the outside ring of the dish.

"Good show but there is not enough power," Kai muttered as he saw Starlet gaining on Dranzer. But he knew that Forrest didn't have enough power anyway, she was no match for him. "Go Dranzer! Gave him your final blow, show them what power means!"

The temperature around them suddenly rose and the beyblade looked like it was enflamed. The blazing phoenix appeared and charged towards Starlet. It was no use for Starlet. The horse backed itself and resisted for several seconds after giving up. Forrest didn't have enough energy to support her bit-beast; she was near collapsing on the floor. Each time Dranzer attacked Starlet, Forrest felt something burn her skin. After five attacks, Starlet turned to its original form—a star, and vanished. The black beyblade stopped spinning and just laid there while Forrest felt a huge force push against her and sent her flying in the mid-air. She landed on her back, her head hit the ground and she blacked out.

"Kai, what's wrong with you! Didn't you hear Kenny and Forrest say that she couldn't manage battle without fainting easily?" Ray told Kai with a harsh voice.

Kai gave a 'hn' and looked at the limp body. He went over to her and picked her up. He didn't dare to look at her injured body.

Ray smiled in the background, knowing that at least Kai showed his worries and minor affections for the newcomer. He turned to Max, who had a worried and confused face.

"She's going to be fine," Ray assured.

"Yeah," Max simply said.

Tyson was quite angry with Kai for starting such a fight. He frowned and glared at his team captain walking into the house. He needs to scare everyone, does he? At least he doesn't scare me anymore, Tyson Granger thought as he looked around the house.

She could see the last glimpses of the sun as it set down in the horizon. Her head ached so much that she collapsed backwards. She felt the velvety material around her body and sighed.

Wait, why am I in a gown? she asked herself as she looked at her clothing.

She was wearing a white and clean gown that reached her knees She groaned in pain as she slowly got up. She sat up, leaning against several pillows. She saw a first aid kit and some ice packs on the table beside her. She winced.

Her fingers traced over a burn on her arm and she shuddered. Her body was aching everywhere and she had difficulties standing up. She propped herself against a chair and called for Theresa. Seconds later the older woman came rushing in with a worried face.

"Oh, miss Forrest! Don't stand up. Let me see those wounds."

"No big deal, Theresa. Just some burns, you really overreacted," Forrest said, chuckling.

"You have to be careful. What happened? I got home from a visit to the hotel and they told me that you were injured."

"It's nothing. I'll still be able to swim tomorrow, right?"

"You shouldn't."

"It's okay, Theresa. I heal fast, remember? I'll be fine and besides they're burns, not scratches, some cool water will do me some good. I'm just horribly tired. Now, did you find me a Japanese tutor?"

"I'll tutor you," came a flat voice.

Forrest recognized it and sighed.

"Hiwatari. No. You have no clue how horrible my Japanese is," she said.

"Doesn't matter," he replied as he gave her a stern look.

The girl pondered over the options that she had. It would be awkward to have him tutor me in Japanese. I can barely stand without being scared of him now.

"You can help me with French," he offered.

"If you insist," Forrest said, glad.

Theresa quickly cleaned up the ice and her first aid kit and got out of the room quickly.

"Who changed me?" Forest asked as it suddenly hit her.

Kai looked at her quizzically and shrugged. "I did."

Forrest hid her blush miserably. She wanted to go over to him and smack the door in his face but she couldn't so she fumed. She rolled her eyes.

"You didn't apologize yet," she told him angrily.

"Why? For you being weak? Not my fault," he said like nothing happened.

Forrest drew in a big breath and blew her chaotic hair out of her eyes.

"Never mind. You're so…," but she didn't finish her sentence. She felt a big bump on her head as she ran her fingers through her messy hair. "Did I get hit?"

"You were blown backwards."

Forrest mouthed an 'oh' and sighed once more. Like this day could get better.

Without any other words exchanged between them, Kai closed the double wooden doors with a soft click and left her alone.

Have I done something terribly wrong? But I was curious. Maybe I was harsh but she was the one who couldn't control her beast. She needs training. Maybe with more strength she'll become a capable beyblader. She won't be good as any of us but she'll be capable, Kai thought as he went to his study room. His teammates were still there.

He entered the study room and felt very warm.

Damn. Did James turn on the heater? It's still November. Bloody hell, he thought as he sat down at his computer and opened several buttons of his white shirt revealing some few inches of flesh.

"So, is she any better?" Tyson asked.

Kai gave a grunt and Tyson took that as a 'yes'.

"You know. One day, you're going to get married and maybe your wife won't understand what your grunts mean," Ray commented, chuckling. Kai pretended not to hear that and yawned.

"It's late. Maybe we should leave," Kenny said.

Kai gave an annoying grunt, which meant that he wanted company. Ray just smirked and sat there, fondling with the backpack that Forrest left on the couch earlier.

"Whose is that?" Max asked curiously.

"Forrest's," the Chinese replied.

"Speaking about her, I think that she—" Max started.

"Oy, I heard my name!" Forrest exclaimed as she came down the stairs and turned to the big study room. As she was about to enter, she gave a quick glance to Kai but her glance lingered. His shirt was not fully buttoned and he looked, well, muscular and...

Must not look, must not look. Remember, this guy's a pervert, she thought to herself as she pretended that she was staring at the computer screen and not at Kai. After several seconds, she turned her gaze to Tyson, Max, Kenny and Ray. Fortunately she didn't blush.

"Were you talking about me?" Forrest asked as she giggled. "Oh my, that's my backpack! What are you doing with it? There are personal things in there!"

"I knew I should have opened it," Ray said, jokingly as he handed Forrest the backpack. "Doing any better?"

"Thanks for the concern, Mr. Kon. I'm fine. Just some burns. So, are you guys staying?" she asked.

"Kai's choice," Max replied as he looked at the blue-haired boy.

"Whatever," they heard Kai mumble.

"We'll stay. We have our stuff anyway," Ray offered as he turned off the TV. "You should go to sleep, Forrest, you must be exhausted. Here, I'll walk you back."

The walk back was silent and all the maids were not in sight. They were preparing dinner.

"Dinner's in forty minutes, we'll have someone bring it up to you. In the meantime, I think that you should rest. Good night," Ray said as he opened the wooden doors for Forrest.

"Thanks," she replied as she got in.

Ray was about to close the door when unconsciously he said: "You really remind me of her."

Forrest turned around and looked at him quizzically. "Of who? Oh, of her," she suddenly realized.

Ray nodded and Forrest noticed his eyes wander on the carpet.

"Come in," Forrest said as she gestured towards the inside of her room. "I'm bad with hospitality. Hope that you don't mind. This place isn't that clean, no offense to the maids."

Ray was still lost in thoughts as she sat down on a couch near the window. He stared out to the gardens below.

"You are so different yet the same," he started. "Her eyes are yellow-green while yours are dark green. You are both kind-hearted and shy and…" he trailed off.

Forrest sighed and went over to him.

"Hey, it's okay. It's the work of Cupid. Maybe it's love. Maybe it's lust. I know that I've felt lust before, but love is such a complicated thing. And I guess that I should be honored to remind you of someone who is takes such an important place in your heart," she said.

Ray looked at her and smiled gently. He lifted his hand and felt Forrest's pale skin with his fingertips. Forrest crouched down and took Ray's hand in hers. She placed his hands on his lap and smiled.

"Everything will be okay. She'll be back, I promise."
"But she was a part of me. She was like the other half of my soul."

"I know, Ray. Come on."

"Aurora…"

Forrest guessed that Aurora was the girl that Ray was thinking about. He must be lucky, to find the one soul-mate, she thought but her thoughts were blown away as she felt something soft against her lips. She melted at the touch and sighed. She almost lost her energy to stand up and she heard a thud, she had dropped her backpack. She could smell him, a weak but mesmerizing scent: cinnamon. Her body was pressed against his muscular chest; she felt every heartbeat of his.

It wasn't a demanding kiss, just an innocent one. Forrest couldn't help but to feel jealous of this Aurora.

Ray is such a nice boy. How could anyone leave him? Such compassion, such loyalty and... she was lost in her thoughts as she tried to feel his muscular contour.

She broke the contact after a few seconds and hugged him.

"It's okay, Ray. She'll be back and in the meantime, I'll be with you. I'll keep you safe," Forrest mumbled, her heart still beating fast.

Ray Kon stole her first-ever kiss. It wasn't passionate, but it was friendly and everything else.

The Chinese boy stared at Forrest for a while and sighed.

"I'm sorry," he said simply before he embraced her too.

She didn't refuse me, did she? Perhaps…, he thought before he devoured her lips with his own, but this time filled with passion.

Forrest felt a tingling sensation down in her stomach, her heart leapt and she felt like Ray and she were the only living beings on the planet. She felt his arms sneak around her waist and she moaned slightly as she kissed him back softly. Ray moved a step back and fell on the couch with Forrest on top of him. She felt him asking for entrance and she allowed it unconsciously as she tried to gain balance in her awkward position. But he didn't go any further; he just locked his lips with hers, his arms wrapped around her waist protectively. He tried to imagine Aurora in his arms, he had loved her for so long and he knew that it was love, not lust.

Ray felt his heartbeat go back to normal and he slowly pulled away from Forrest.

"Sorry, I shouldn't take advantage of you… you're still wounded and I feel so stupid, you're not her," he apologized.

Forrest shook her head and sat down correctly at the couch. "It's okay," she mumbled as she stared straight into his eyes. Am I just a replacement then? she asked herself.

Ray looked at her confused gaze and smiled, remembering his first kiss with Aurora. He decided to let the whole thing go. She is my friend. I don't want to put her in a situation like this, he told himself as he moved beside her, but not too close.

"I haven't had a snog like a long time," Ray suddenly said jokingly, grinning in his boyish ways again.

Forrest laughed out loud and almost snorted to how Ray's face turned back to his normal brilliance. His eyes not engulfed by sadness but by happiness. His face gleaming and his lips curled into a boyish grin. She elbowed him playfully.

"A snog? Guys. You guys are so pathetic. I never snogged anyone and that was my first kiss, silly Ray," Forrest said between several faded giggles.

"That was? I'm sorry, I shouldn't have then, but I was just kidding, you know," he said. Forrest felt the tension rise again and she sighed.

"It merely matters now. I think that I'll go back down for dinner. I feel revived," she said as she grinned.

Ray offered her his arm and led her to the dinning room without speaking. He was just glad that Forrest wasn't offended.

She was quite someone.

Author's Notes: I changed the title of this hcpater because... well, people were just attracted to the title.

This chapter is well. A side story, it's important but I don't like this chapter anyway.

I really don't want to turn this story into a Mary-Sue, or should I say turn Forrest into a Mary-Sue who Kai falls in love with. 'Cause from what I've seen of Beyblade, and unfortunately I haven't seen enough episodes, Kai doesn't seem like the person who would love, he might be nice to his family but no one else. Expect some changes in the later chapters.