Author: Mirai Shinranui, AKA Jasmine Flame.
All flames can be directed to jasmine_flameAThotmail.com
Rating: PG.
Notes: This chapter should have been finished long ago but I've been lazy. I finished it all tonight and to make up for things it's a bit longer.
I know everyone's probably thinking, 'Hey, it's the third chapter and all they're doing is thinking! Why aren't they going at it like rabbits?' I know it's probably a bit slow but I am going somewhere. This isn't one of those fics where Kai and Rei have been secretly pining for each other but are scared of being rejected. This is a fic where they come to appreciate each other as friends, and then realize their love for one another. I don't think that's going to happen quickly, so if you're here then you're here for the long haul. I would like to thank everyone for reading though, and for leaving such nice reviews; I've had such a wonderful entrance into BeyBlade fandom. I truly do appreciate every single reader, whether you review or not.
Part 3 – Separate Showers
Kai opened his eyes with a start, his breath coming in desperate gasps. He could feel his heart beating in his chest, the rapid movement making him woozy.
His mind immediately tried to focus on exactly what he'd been dreaming about; what had woken him in such a state.
But nothing came to mind.
For the first time he could remember, nothing came to his mind. What had he been dreaming about? He didn't even remember falling asleep.
He sat up, resting his head in his hands, still gasping for the air his lungs craved. His messy hair fell through his fingers as he breathed, tickling his face to the point where he had to remove it.
Slowly he sat back, staring ahead with dead eyes. Why couldn't he remember what he'd been dreaming about? The memories were always so complete when he woke, haunting him till late at night when it could all start again. He raised a shaky hand to his forehead, wiping away the beads of sweat that gathered on his brow. With a quick glance to his right he searched for the time; red numbers showed 10 o'clock. How on Earth did he end up sleeping so long?
Kai kicked away the blankets that were beginning to stifle him. It was hardly what one would call warm but he didn't need the constricting things around him when all he wanted was some fresh air on his sweat soaked body.
A quiet sound emitted from beneath a mound of blankets and Kai watched as the share he'd just discarded got snatched up to join the pile. He frowned, furrowing his brow in earnest thought. It only took a moment for his mind to move from trying to remember his nightmares to what happened the night before. The creature under the massive pile of blankets was Rei.
Kai smirked; Rei was a blanket hog. How amusing. Well, he may as well sleep for as long as he could. Kai wasn't about to go disturbing him when there was really no need. He could probably do with the sleep since he'd gotten so little the previous night.
A shiver ran through his body when he set his feet on the ground. He quickly realized how cold it actually was and even thought about retreating to the warmth of his bed; his own stubbornness was the only thing preventing that thought from becoming reality. He did, however, opt for a nice warm shower.
He'd come to think the shower was the only place he could think to himself without being disturbed. It was more than likely the only place he'd let himself think about the things he'd otherwise push aside. The warm water had a calming effect and as the spray fell over his body his mind wandered elsewhere.
Last night had seemed much like any other night until Rei arrived at his door. He was still unsure; why had he even let Rei in? He should've told him to stop being such a baby and go back to bed. Did he truly show some sort of compassion towards Rei?
No, Kai thought. Rei had been frightened over something positively childish but his fear was real none the less. It would have been cruel to turn him away and despite everything he was just not that heartless.
The look in Rei's eyes…
Kai shook his head, his wet hair falling across his eyes. Thinking about Rei raised too many questions; questions he had no answers for. He didn't want to think about it. Rei was a subject he was willing to drop where his own behavior wasn't. He still wondered as to how he'd fallen asleep, and slept for so long. This place had its negative effects and they'd been working on him for a long time. Sleep never came easily, no matter how tired he was. When he did sleep nightmares plagued him, and he never rested long. Usually he was woken within hours of drifting off, so why last night did he sleep so well? Yes, the nightmares were still there, but he didn't remember them now, and for once he felt rested. His shoulders, which were normally knotted with such tension, seemed loose, and he had no headache stemming from a restless night.
Idly he wondered how Rei had slept; he'd seemed all right a moment ago. Kai didn't know how he could bare to be under all those blankets; it must be so oppressive. Kai couldn't help but think Rei really was just a large cat looking for a warm place to sleep and someone from whom he could steal body heat.
Kai snickered at that thought, shutting off the water. Fast cooling droplets ran down towards his feet as he dried his clean body. Securing the dark blue towel around his waist he made for his toothbrush, hating the taste that sleep left in his mouth. Halfway through brushing he heard the pitiful cry of his name from the bedroom. Rei must be awake.
He took his toothbrush with him; he wasn't about to interrupt his daily routine just because Rei called him. It was in the bedroom he saw Rei; he sat in the middle of the bed, the blankets curled around him. Long black hair was slowly escaping the satin ribbon that did such a horrible job of holding it back, while the shoulder of his nightshirt had slipped, exposing part of his shoulder. Kai frowned; Rei had a way of looking adorable without trying or even noticing what he was doing. No wonder girls and guys alike seemed to fall all over him.
Kai, however, wasn't interested in anything other than brushing his teeth. The look the crossed his features explained everything he wanted to say, and Rei understood even if no one else would have.
"I was wondering where you got to," Rei said. A sleepy smile grew on his face as he pulled the blankets up, hiding from the cold air that seemed to seep into the room.
Kai leant against the doorframe, chewing on his toothbrush. Was that the only reason Rei had disturbed him?
"I woke before but you were still sleeping," Rei continued, "So I thought it was my lucky day and slept in as well."
This made Kai stop. Rei had woken before him? He had been willing to overlook the fact he'd slept in, and even slept somewhat peacefully, but if Rei had woken earlier and he hadn't noticed…
He turned and reentered the bathroom, washing his mouth out in the sink. He didn't notice Rei peeking after him, his bright eyes watching what he was doing ever so carefully.
"I didn't think to wake you," Rei said, his voice raised so Kai could hear him, "I hope you don't mind."
He smiled when Kai returned, trying to please his Captain. He knew it never worked, but he always kept trying. There had to be a human being somewhere under that cold exterior, right?
"It's fine."
With a sigh he dismissed the flippant comment; how typical of Kai. For once he'd like to know what Kai was really thinking, but instead he always got the same sort of superficial comments that Kai gave to everyone. Well, at least Kai wasn't glaring at him.
"Will you get out so I can change?"
Rei dropped his eyes to the blankets. That was harsh, Kai.
"Haven't you heard of manners?" Rei asked. He slipped from the bed, pushing the covers aside. The wood flooring was cold against his feet, creaking under his weight
He heard a heavy sigh. Rei looked over his shoulder; Kai was just staring at him, urging him out of the room. Rei frowned and grabbed Driger and his pillow. It seemed like 'Nice Kai' only existed for very brief periods. He made for the door, his feet intentionally noisy against the wood.
"Can you please leave?"
Rei stopped in his tracks, hand poised on the door handle. Had Kai just said that? He smiled to himself, feeling the heat spread to his cheeks. Perhaps there really was a human being left somewhere inside Kai.
"I'd be happy to, Kai. I'll meet you at breakfast."
He pushed open the door and left, the smile never leaving his face.
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Rei pushed open the door to his room; it was exactly how he'd left it. It didn't seem half as scary during the day and now he felt rather stupid for having been so frightened in the first place. No shadows loomed at him, threatening him with their long, dark fingers. No strange sounds echoed around the room, filling his head with fear. He pushed open the curtains, staring out at the bleak day. The rain hadn't ceased during the night; a steady flow threatened to swamp everything around the house. Rei felt his body tingle at the sight of the water; it was cold, wet, and he wanted nothing to do with it. He guessed he'd have to stay inside all day, though the prospect didn't seem all so bad when he envisioned curling up in front of a fire with a good book.
Sitting on the edge of his bed he stared out the balcony doors. The glass was misted over, allowing him very little view of the world outside. He could imagine the gardens would be quite pretty though.
Despite his dislike for water a shower seemed like a wonderful idea. He had no objection to the warm water of a shower or bath; in fact he delighted in the small pleasure. He opened his suitcase, taking the plastic bag full of shower products with him to the bathroom.
The bathroom was just as the rest of the house; large. A stack of towels were placed on the vanity, the same color as the drapes in the bedroom. Rei noted that while his room finished in cranberry, Kai's was in dark blue. Kai seemed keen on the color blue though and didn't seem the type to like cranberry. Rei did like the color; the mix of purple and red was very pleasing, reminding him of the fruit it had taken its name from.
Rei slipped the long red ribbon from his hair, placing it next to the pile of towels. Running his fingers through his hair he tried to ease the worst of the tangles; he gave up quickly, having accomplished little. Dropping his pajamas on the floor in a pile he stepped into the shower, the cool white tiles slippery under foot. Hot water burst from the pipe almost as soon as he turned on the tap, though he stood a few feet back just incase. Fiddling with the taps he got the water temperature just right before stepping under the spray; a content sigh escaped his lips as the water gushed over him.
He was actually very lucky Kai let him stay here. He knew Kai could've just as easily made him stay at a hotel for however long the team stayed apart; at this rate they might be apart for months.
Rei couldn't believe how angry he still was with Tyson. Tyson could just be so childish sometimes. He sighed; perhaps this wasn't all Tyson's fault. Okay, he knew it wasn't entirely Tyson's fault. Rei couldn't believe how he'd acted during the whole conflict. It was such a silly argument – one that they'd probably had countless times before – and he'd gotten so crazy about it. Kai was right about one thing though; Tyson had been wrong.
Rei grabbed his shampoo, using a generous amount to clean his hair. Washing his hair was a time consuming job and it always gave him room to think. Rei knew he tended to indulge in the shower, sometimes just standing and enjoying the massage his shoulders received from the pelting spray.
Both the easiest and the hardest thing to think about was Kai. Rei felt the muscles around his mouth tighten as he frowned. Kai really confused him and his latest behavior did nothing to solve the problems Rei was faced with. Sometimes he thought Kai truly was heartless, and then something would happen that would change his whole perspective again. For example: Why did Kai let him in last night and let him sleep in his bed? Rei knew Kai well enough to know he didn't like anyone to get that close, especially when he was sleeping. Had Kai truly shown him some sort of kindness?
Rei closed his eyes with a deliberate sigh, washing the foamy shampoo from his hair. He eased his fingers through the black strands, letting them fall against his back. Perhaps he just wasn't supposed to understand Kai?
It didn't mean he couldn't try to be friends with him though.
Rei knew that Kai desired friends. Everyone wanted friends when it came right down to it, even if they thought they didn't need them. He wanted to see Kai smile when they were together, or laugh at one of their jokes; he wanted Kai to enjoy their company. Rei knew that he still cherished Kai's company, despite how cruel he could be, how cold he acted, and how insincere he always sounded. Despite everything, life just wouldn't be the same without him.