Author:           Mirai Shinranui, AKA Jasmine Flame.

                        All flames can be directed to     jasmine_flameAThotmail.com

Rating:            PG.

Notes:             I tried to place this somewhere in the series but realized it didn't fit anywhere. It is more likely that it would take place somewhere in V‑Force except Hilary doesn't exist and people act more like they did in Series One.
I was going to edit things to make it fit into the first season, or possibly add Hilary, but both seemed unimportant. For Canon's sake I would change it, but it's pretty obvious this has little to do with Canon.

Part 5 – I Would Never Hurt You

Kai woke with a start as someone touched his arm. His hand shot out to grab whoever had disturbed him and he heard a quiet gasp in response. He opened his eyes to look at whoever had so foolishly woken him.

"Kai, I'm sorry!" Rei said, trying to free his arm from Kai's strong grasp.

Kai released his friend, a concerned look in his eyes when Rei rubbed his arm. Kai took Rei's arm again, though his hold wasn't anything like before. He pushed up the sleeve of Rei's sweatshirt, running his fingers along the red marks he'd left. Rei didn't move, knowing better than to argue with Kai when he was so intent on doing something. It wasn't as if he minded either; knowing that Kai was concerned made him feel a lot better.

"Why did you wake me?" Kai asked after a moment. He looked up at Rei but didn't release his arm. He was so confused with his own behavior as of late and everything he did just seemed to compound the problem. This sleeping thing was beginning to become a habit; why was he sleeping so soundly? This time was far worse; not only had Rei woken before him but actually walked over and touched him before he woke. Yes, Rei was quiet, but Kai never fell into that deep a sleep.

Rei stared for a moment, unsure as how to answer. He didn't want to anger Kai in any way so he had to think his answers through before voicing them. He did have an answer but Kai would think it was stupid. It was the truth and what could be better than the truth?

"I thought you might be hungry. There's a plate of sandwiches on the table. I didn't want to start without you."

Kai's gaze flashed to the small coffee table in front of the couch where a plate of sandwiches sat; the work of his butler, that was obvious. Was it really late enough for lunch? He stood, his hand still holding Rei's arm. The action brought them close, standing mere feet from one another. Rei was the first to move, pulling his arm free from Kai's weak hold. He rolled down his sleeve, looking towards the carpet as a gentle blush spread across his cheeks.

Kai watched with great curiosity. Rei had always been somewhat of a mystery, despite how open he seemed. He could always tell there was something lurking underneath the surface that Rei never told them about. Kai didn't mind that Rei wasn't always completely honest with them. He actually preferred it that way; he could be more like Tyson and that was something Kai didn't want to happen. He did notice that Rei seemed to wear his heart on his sleeve; he wasn't very good at hiding his emotions. Sometimes he wished he was a more compassionate person just so he could question Rei and perhaps make him feel better. That was a job better left for Max.

"I hope you're not mad," Rei pulled at his sleeve. Kai really wished he wouldn't do that; he already felt guilty for having reacted so badly when he was woken. He could have really hurt Rei.

"I'm not mad," Kai said. His answer came easily, the words rolling off his tongue like it was natural. But his tone was different – soft and completely honest – and he didn't have to think about it. This time he was truthful.

Rei fetched the blanket from the chair he'd been sleeping in. He hugged the warm fabric against himself. When he'd woken he'd been so surprised; he wasn't sure where the blanket had come from and he knew he didn't fall asleep with it. The only answer was his distant Captain; he found it hard to believe Kai would bring him a blanket. Yet there was no other answer. He sat down on the leather couch, the cushions creaking. The smell of leather polish filled his nostrils as it billowed around him and he leaned back into the corner that supported him so well.

With a smile he ushered Kai over, "You should eat something. I'm sorry I fell asleep…I don't know why I'm so tired. I wonder what the time is."

Kai sat on the ground next to the coffee table, taking one of the small sandwiches from the platter. He didn't particularly care what was on it because he wasn't really hungry, but for Rei's sake, he would eat.

"It's alright," Kai said, leaning one arm on the table, "You didn't get much sleep last night."

They both fell silent as they ate, though Rei did seemed pleased when he found a tuna sandwich and voiced his appreciation with great enthusiasm. Rei definitely ate more than Kai, but he hardly minded. Kai preferred that Rei eat if he was hungry, instead of spending his time worrying about whether he was taking too much.

"I won't bite, you know."

Kai glanced up to question Rei's comment. Rei was smiling at him again, his sharp teeth just visible. Kai knew this look; it usually meant Rei was up to something. Max had a similar look and when they were together everyone knew to watch out. It was that not‑so­­‑innocent look that they'd all come to fear.

"Come sit here; honestly, someone would think I've got some infectious disease. I'm not going to hurt you, Kai!"

Kai frowned, "I know. Why can't I sit here? What's the difference?"

"Why do you always have to argue?"

This time Kai glared at him. What did Rei want from him? Why did he always want to talk and question; why couldn't he just leave things alone?

Great, Kai thought, there's that look. Why am I always the bad guy?

"You know that we're your friends, don't you?" Rei asked, pulling the blanket up around him. His fingers went white as he clutched the fabric; he hated having to ask Kai questions like this. He never knew what sort of answer he would get, if he got an answer at all. He was more than a little surprised when Kai stood and sat on the chair next to him, the cold air following him. Rei shivered as the cold prickled his skin; did Kai really exude that chill? Rei pulled at the hem of the blanket as Kai stared at him. It was beginning to make him uncomfortable; had he done something wrong? He didn't dare meet Kai's gaze and focused on everything other than him.

"Why do you do that?" Kai asked.

"Do what?" Rei was surprised by the comment, not understanding what Kai meant. Why did he do what? What was he doing that had Kai so confused?

With a sigh, Kai explained, "You always talk about yourself as part of the team. You never say anything without including the others."

Rei paused, the blanket slipping from his hands and piling around his waist. He didn't…

"Don't pretend you don't do it."

Something jumped in him; anger perhaps? Rei wasn't sure. He didn't feel angry and he didn't feel hurt, so what did he feel? Kai wasn't looking at him anymore, his attention back on his lunch. Was he telling the truth? He studied his hands as he clenched them tight. What did Kai mean? When he spoke about the team it was because he meant to talk about all of them, not just himself. He'd wanted Kai to know they were all his friends. He wanted Kai to know he was a friend…

"I'm your friend, Rei."

The feeling this time was completely different. It was certainly not anger. A smile played on his lips, making him feel somewhat giddy. Out of all the things Kai had ever said to him this would be the thing he never forgot. It was conformation that he really wasn't wasting his time on Kai. Maybe they were getting through to him.

Rei stopped; had he just thought that? Maybe 'they' were…no, he had been working on things with Kai. Tyson fought with him all the time, Max seemed oblivious to him, and all Kenny cared about was his computer. He was the one that spent his time trying to win Kai over; trying to become his friend. Kai was right when he said he talked about himself only as part of the team, wasn't he? He didn't understand why he would be doing that. Maybe he could ask Kai later.

"Did I hurt you before?"

The genuine concern in Kai's voice made Rei feel even better about everything. He moved his hand to his arm; even though he knew he would probably end up with a bruise he wasn't in any pain. It just served to remind him exactly how dangerous Kai could be if startled; he would have to remember not to wake him like that in future.

"I'm sorry."

Rei glanced up, "Don't worry about it. You don't have to feel sorry. It was stupid of me to wake you like that."

"No, Rei," Kai said in a firm voice, "I should have known better."

Kai was deadly serious; he never wanted to see Rei hurt. He and Max both had the same innocence that surrounded them. Kai suspected that both were far from perfect but the air they gave off didn't change. He knew that their angelic nature put them directly in dangers path; Bryan had found Rei's lure irresistible. Kai hated thinking about that fight and what had happened to Rei. He'd wanted to storm up there and beat Bryan to the ground, and Tyson would have undoubtedly been there to aid him. It had been so difficult to leave Rei to fight him. Rei would have never forgiven them had they interfered so he had been forced to leave things as they were. That scene plagued his dreams as frequently as Black Dranzer and both he was willing to forget.

Rei placed his hand on Kai's arm, "It doesn't matter, okay? I know you wouldn't hurt me."

Despite what he said Kai picked up on the uncertainty of Rei's comment. He didn't blame him either. He'd done some bad things before, including attacking all of them. If it hadn't been for Max who knows what he would've done? Rei had every reason to be concerned for his safety. He wished Rei would realize he would rather die than let anything happen to him. He would go out of his way to protect his teammates and if that resulted in being harmed, then so be it. Kai knew that some of the things he said, or the things he did, didn't exactly make the others feel safe around him but he didn't know how to act any different. He was honestly trying, but revealing himself felt so unnatural…and scary. Kai felt that Rei understood, even if he didn't know he did. Tyson would get angry with him, and Max just didn't bother, but Rei…

Why do you care about me? The words circled in his head. He wanted to ask Rei but didn't dare; how stupid would he sound if he did? Rei wouldn't know how to answer; there were no answers to those sorts of questions. Asking would just make Rei uncomfortable and possibly destroy anything they'd worked so hard at.

Kai watched as Rei walked over to the window, staring out at the bleak day. One hand rose to the glass, pressing against the cold. He looked so sad sometimes; these were the times Kai wished he knew what to say. Where was Max when he needed him?

"Rei?"

Rei turned and the sad smile on his lips gave away exactly how he was feeling, "It's alright, Kai."

Kai frowned. What sort of an answer was that? Were his bad habits rubbing off onto Rei? It sounded just like something he'd say to stop people questioning him. He stood, picking up the soft blanket. He didn't say anything as he walked over, placing the blanket around Rei's shoulders. He didn't say anything as he steered Rei towards the chair in front of the fire. He didn't say anything as he sat Rei down. He didn't know what to say.

Rei grabbed Kai's arm before he could leave; he knew that was what his Captain planned to do. He looked so uncomfortable and uncertain. Rei knew that he'd upset him. He didn't really think Kai would hurt him, at least not intentionally. He'd grown to trust Kai with more than just his friendship. After all, he understood what it was like to be falsely labeled just because of one incident. After leaving the White Tigers he was marked as a traitor – which he wasn't – and that one event seemed to follow him wherever he went.

"I know you would never hurt me, Kai."

Kai felt the corner of his lips being pulled upwards in the somewhat unfamiliar gesture. To be able to earn Rei's trust was important to him, especially if they truly were friends. He knew Tyson and Max didn't trust him, and Kenny was just scared of him, but Rei had been so willingly with his friendship, and so ready with his acceptance. If he had to have a friend his first choice would be Rei. Maybe – if they truly did become good friends – Rei would open up to him more and answer some of the questions he'd wanted to ask every since he met the Chinese Blader.

"Sit down," Rei said, though it was more like an order. He had a way of demanding something while still sounding friendly and calm.

Kai stared at the chair Rei was sitting in for a moment. He'd never actually touched it. He reached up and put his hand on the back, feeling the soft brown leather dent under his fingers. With a dramatic sigh he sat down on the armrest and lent back, closing his eyes as he reminded himself that it was just a chair.

"You didn't have to sit there!" Rei said, humor twitching at his tone.

Kai opened one eye to look at him, but he gave no answer. There really was no other place to sit, other than the floor, and he wasn't too keen on that idea. Rei would probably reprimand him again and make him sit closer; it was just easier this way.

They were both silent for a moment, listening to the fire crack and sizzle. Rei shifted ever so slightly, the leather creaking under his weight. He glanced up at Kai; his Captain sat like usual with his eyes closed and arms folded.

"I bet Tyson is starving to death without one of us there to cook for him," Rei commented.

Kai opened his eyes and looked down. He didn't say anything for a moment and Rei began to wonder if Tyson had riled Kai more than he thought. At first the quirk of Kai's lips was almost unidentifiable but slowly he formed a visible smirk. He leaned his head back, a small laugh escaping his lips.