Author:           Mirai Shinranui

                        Please direct all questions and flames to       jasmineflameAThotmail.com

Rating:            PG.

Notes:             Oh dear, this did take me a long time, didn't it? Well, to make up for it, this chapter is 1000 words longer than usual! (My chapters usually hover on the 2000 word mark, but this one was above 3000.) I really am sorry this took so long, but I've been lumped with so much work. I barely have time to eat these days! A lot more was supposed to happen in this chapter, but it didn't turn out that way, so I didn't force it. I prefer to let things evolve naturally, only occasionally pulling my characters back into line. In general, though, I'm pleased with this chapter. It took me a long time to write, but I think it was worth it. I really want to thank everyone for reviewing, because it always makes me work extra hard to produce the next chapter. You are all an inspiration!

                        I've received a few reviews wondering about the nature of this story. Yes, this will be Kai x Rei (note the summary), but I am completely against throwing them together with some lame excuse, solely for the purpose of them being cute and cuddly. I'm up to Chapter Eight and they're just realizing how much they care for each other as friends. I don't intend to drag this fiction out, but I will not omit things that I think are important. If it takes me 20 chapters to get my idea across, then that's fine with me. However, there will be no lime or lemon in this story, because there is simply no place for it. (Plus I can't write a lemon to save my life!) So, now that I have those questions answered, on with the story!

Part Eight – Stormy Weather

Rei pulled the thick blankets over his head as another flash of lightning illuminated the previously dark room. A shiver ran up his spine, the hairs on the back of his neck standing on end. He raised his hands to cover his ears and waited for the boom of thunder he knew would follow. Rei jumped in fright when the sound crashed around him, the windows clattering together. Was the wind doing that? The storm must be right overhead now; the thunder was so loud, and there was barely a pause between flashes of lightning. Rei pulled the covers tighter around him, a slight whimper rising in his throat.

Rei wished he were still with Kai. Kai was not a very comforting person, but right now, he would have been glad for any company. Having another person around made him feel safe. The thought of venturing to Kai's room had entered his mind briefly, but he decided against it in the end; he didn't think Kai would appreciate being disturbed two nights in a row. Rei tugged on the end of his ponytail, tangling his fingers in the long, black strands. He cast a hesitant look towards the balcony doors. The wind howled around the house, looking for a way in, pushing against the barriers it found.

Rei shifted, tugging the blankets with him. He moved himself closer to the middle of the bed, putting the most space between him and the doors either side of the room. He wanted nothing to do with them. Rei knew it sounded childish to be afraid of a thunderstorm, but he didn't care. He dared anyone to tell him that to his face.

Out of all the places he could be, Rei didn't rate this one very high. Kai's house was scary enough during the daytime, let alone at night, during a storm. He wanted to be back at Tyson's; during thunderstorms he would sit with Max and drink hot chocolate, talking and playing board games until the storm passed. Max was always comforting and understanding. Max would never make fun of anyone. He and Tyson were so different…

Rei yelped as another clap of thunder tore through the sky. It was louder, as if the storm was trying to get into the house. He raised his hands to his head, tapping on his temple. He didn't think he could take the noise for much longer. Something rang constantly in his ears, dulling all the noises around him. The persistent racket was beginning to give him a headache, and he didn't even want to think about trying to find some painkillers. Rei fell sideways, the mattress cushioning his fall. He slipped back under the blankets, the world disappearing behind the comforting folds. His eyes drifted shut, a somewhat poor imitation of sleep, but he couldn't pretend for long. Rei curled himself into a ball as more thunder followed, the sound rolling around the room, reverberating off the walls.

If he didn't think it so completely immature, he probably would have cried. He was tired, and his bones ached with cold; all he wanted to do was get a good night's rest, but with the storm just overhead, there was no chance of that happening. With a whine, he buried his face against the mattress. He pressed his hands hard against his ears, grabbing fistfuls of his hair. He lay like that for a while, kicking his feet in frustration every time a boom of thunder interrupted his momentary silence.

"A little childish, don't you think?"

Rei's ears pricked at the voice. He jumped in fright, scuttled away from the intruder, found the edge of the bed, and tumbled off. The ground approached fast, faster than he would have liked. With a nasty bump, he landed on his rear, the blankets landing on his head as they followed him down. From under the blankets, he heard the mattress creak as the intruder loomed over him. Rei squeezed his eyes shut, kneading his hands into the folds of the blanket around him.

"You better not have broken anything…"

Rei opened his eyes. That uncaring voice and those heartless words… Who else could it be? He yanked the blankets from off his head, glaring up at Kai. Kai lay across the width of the bed, his arms folded in front of him. Rei didn't know what he was thinking, but he hardly seemed concerned. Rei ran his tongue over one of his white fangs; he knew Kai had deliberately scared him, in fact, he probably found it hilarious.

"What are you doing here?" Rei could feel his own irritability niggling him. His nerves were already a mess, and he had not had any sleep yet. There was little need to question his bad temper.

Kai sighed, closing his eyes. Rei could only stare at him; what on Earth did he want?

"Did you hurt yourself?"

Rei narrowed his eyes. What exactly was Kai getting at? "I asked what you were doing here."

Kai opened his eyes, hesitant perhaps. "Do you want me to leave?"

Rei felt his answer stick in his throat. No, he didn't want Kai to leave. Despite how angry he was, the last thing he wanted Kai to do was leave. Rei piled the blankets around his waist, burying his hands into the warmth they offered. With the storm still raging outside, Kai seemed like great company.

The bed creaked as Kai sat up. He ran his hand through his sleep-tousled hair, holding the other out to Rei. "Get up," he said.

Rei frowned, folding his arms against his chest. He didn't need Kai to help him. He was hardly an invalid. He looked away, jutting his chin out.

"Fine! Just get off the floor."

Rei glanced back at Kai. He ground his teeth together, his pointed canines running against his lower lip. It was cold on the floor, especially when compared to the bed, but he wasn't about to play into Kai's little games. Why did he have to be so stubborn? Rei sighed, making sure Kai knew how he felt. He stood, gathering up the twisted mass of blankets he had brought down in his fall. He wanted to dump the lot on Kai's lap and walk out, except he had no idea where he was supposed to go. Rei didn't want to be anywhere else except under the blankets to wait out the storm.

"Leave it." Kai wrapped his hand around Rei's arm, pulling him towards the door.

Dropping the mass of blankets, Rei had little choice except to follow. He resisted for only a second, as he grabbed Driger from the nightstand. He clutched the Blade against his chest; the faint green glow was familiar and comforting. Cold stung his feet as he walked barefoot down the hall, a step behind Kai. Light flickered through the many windows on the other side of the hall as lightning lit up the night sky, creating long shadows behind them. Rei put his hand on Kai's, closing the slight distance between them. He could feel Kai against him, his skin warmer than Rei could ever remember. Safety and support seemed to waft from Kai. He knew better than to trust such an unstable source of protection, but his own desperation clouded his better judgment. Rei let himself be led, following with almost blind obedience. Kai felt so warm…

Kai pulled Rei into his room. One of the lamps on the nightstand threw light into the room, long shadows stretching from the large pieces of furniture, creeping along the ceiling. Rei looked around, his gaze flitting to each shadow. Kai let go of his arm, pulling away as if he had been stung. He moved to his side of the bed, slipping under the covers, his back facing the door. Rei folded his arms; what was that supposed to mean? Sometimes he really hated Kai.

"Why did you drag me in here?"

There was no reply. Kai acted like nothing had even happened! Rei felt his lips twitch, turning into something of a frown. Despite his fears, his room was beginning to look a lot better. It was certainly better than being here! Why was he forced to put up with Kai's stupid, childish—?

The light disappeared as thunder rolled overhead, the room slipping into complete darkness. Rei squeaked, clutching Driger to his chest. He dove at the bed, landing with a heavy thud. With the blankets pulled over his head, he let Driger's light chase away the dark and protect him. Waves of nausea crashed over him, blood pounding in his head. He groaned, curling himself into a ball.

"Go to sleep."

Rei felt the bed move, the blankets pulling away from his head. He grabbed at the receding hem, only to have it jerked out of reach.

"I can't believe you dragged me in here just to be nasty," Rei said. He leaned over and grabbed the blanket from Kai. He pulled it up to his neck, falling back against the pillow. From over the hem, he glared at Kai, his brows pulled into a neat line.

"I didn't," Kai said.

"Oh? Well that's what it seems like to me!"

Kai placed his hands behind his head, looking up at the dark ceiling. Rei looked for any sign of emotion, any hint that might give him away. There was nothing. Kai had a blank look on his face, not a muscle twitching in response to the statement. Rei peered through the darkness, clutching the blanket tight in one hand, Driger in the other. At least he had Driger with him. He didn't need Kai and his bad attitude.

The weight on the mattress shifted again, the blankets pulling and twisting. Rei nibbled at his lower lip; he could feel Kai looking at him. He jumped when he felt Kai's hand apply gentle pressure on his own.

"You can sleep now."

Rei closed his eyes, his body tensing. Everything he knew about Kai equaled to nothing; whenever he thought he had his Captain figured out, he would do something to throw everything into a spiral. The pressure Kai placed on his hand was reassuring, comforting, perhaps even pleasing. The shield that hovered around Kai now protected his own vulnerabilities as well.

"Tell me something…"

"What?"

Kai shifted closer, lying on the very edge of his pillow. "What makes you so scared?" He pressed his fingers between Rei's, forcing him to give up his death-like grip on the blankets.

"I'm…not scared…"

"You're allowed to be."

"Well I'm not," Rei said. Despite his protests, Rei could not deny how terrified he became during a storm. He lapped up the subtle comfort Kai gave to him.

"Tell me," Kai said.

Driger's attack ring dug into Rei's palm as he clutched it tight, pain coursing up his arm. He bit back the yelp he would have sounded if Kai were not there. Pain blossomed in his palm, a warm wetness spreading to his fingers. He brought his closed hand to his chest, Driger forgotten on the blankets surrounding him. He hissed, his palm stinging, heat rising through his wrist. Rei held his eyes shut tight, biting down hard on his lower lip. When Kai reached over, wrapping his fingers around Rei's wrist, he didn't protest, extending his fingers one by one, wincing as he pulled the ripped skin. Easing himself into a sitting position, Kai kept a careful hold on Rei's hand. He traced a finger along Rei's palm, leaving a line in the drying blood.

"Ouch…" Rei attempted to pull his hand back, shying from the pain, but Kai had a good hold on him. "Kai…"

"You're always hurting yourself."

"I am not!"

Kai made some sort of a reply, but Rei had no idea what the sound tried to represent. Kai sometimes seemed to lack the skill of language all together. The bed shifted as Kai slipped out, his feet landing on the wooden floor with a 'thump.' Rei scanned the darkened room, but Kai was gone. He pulled at the blankets with his uninjured hand, glaring at Driger as if this was all somehow the Blade's fault.

"Kai…?"

Panic welled in his throat, the room silent. He closed his bleeding hand, sliding further under the blankets. Rei could feel himself shaking, his shoulders heaving as he sucked in quick breaths.

"Kai!"

"Here."

"Geez, don't disappear like that!"

"Hold out your hand."

Rei sat up, but he didn't offer his hand.

"Stop being so stubborn. I'm not going to hurt you."

That was something Rei agreed with. Kai was cold, and distant, but Rei never really believed he would hurt them. He held out his hand, uncurling his fingers.

"Be more careful in future," Kai said. He sat on the bed in front of Rei, holding his hand steady. With a damp cloth, he dabbed at Rei's hand, wiping away the blood that spread across his skin. He worked with quiet determination, his gaze not moving from what he was doing. Only once did Rei yip in pain as Kai cleaned the wound.

"I'm not clumsy…"

"I know," Kai said. His focus never left what he was doing.

"Then why did you say I'm always hurting myself?"

"…because you do stupid things."

"I do not!"

Kai sighed. He reached for the bottle he had brought out from the bathroom, his other hand still holding Rei's steady.

"You think I'm an idiot."

This time, Kai looked up. His brow furrowed, red eyes glowing behind dark lashes. Shaking his head back and forth, a small smirk creased his lips. "…I don't think that."

"Then why… Hey! Ow… That hurts!" Rei tugged at his hand, tears prickling at the corner of his eyes as the hot sting of antiseptic ran up his arm.

"Don't be such a child. Sit still!"

Taking a deep breath, Rei rubbed at his eyes with his other hand. He stuck out his lower lip, facing away from Kai. "I don't understand you, Kai…"

"I didn't ask you to."

"God, Kai, you don't get it! We just… I just want to be your friend."

Kai tied a small bow in the ends of the bandage tied around Rei's hand. He ran his fingers down the length of the bandage, stopping at any loose or frayed ends. With a nod, he pulled away, retreating to his side of the bed.

"You asked a question before, and I'm going to answer it. That's what you're supposed to do, y'know? You want to know why I'm scared. I don't know why. I just don't know. Does it even matter?"

"…it doesn't matter."

"I hope you're happy now." Rei slipped under the blankets, drawing them up around his ears. The frustration he had felt before was nothing compared to this. He just wanted to go to sleep and forget about everything. At least the storm was slowing, though he didn't think the rain would cease before morning. He could deal with rain and wind though. Rei closed his eyes, fiddling with the strands of hair that fell over his shoulder, free from their binds.

"You're allowed to be frightened."

"Oh, thank you. Now that I have your permission…"

"That's not what I meant."

Rei rolled over, facing away from Kai. He lowered his hand to the bandage around his other, toying with the scruffy ends. What did he expect from Kai? He sighed; he expected entirely too much.

"When we were in China—"

"What about it?"

"Let me finish. When we were in China, the time Driger…"

"When Driger left me."

"Yes. There was a storm that night… You weren't afraid."

Rei felt a laugh bite at him, sarcasm nibbling at the edges. Yeah right! He'd been terrified. "You're wrong," he said.

"You weren't like this."

"No… I had Driger with me, and I wasn't alone. You guys were there. When I followed Kevin, I had no idea what I was thinking. I just wanted to stop him. It was so cold and wet outside…" Rei shivered, curling his arms around himself. He didn't want to think about being outside in the cold, the rain pelting down upon him.

"I'm here now," Kai said. "You're not alone." He placed his hand on Rei's shoulder, shifting closer, so close they were almost sharing the same pillow. He reached over, his arm around Rei's waist, holding him near. Kai placed his hand over Rei's, tracing his fingers along the bandage

Rei expected to feel crowded, disturbed by their close contact, but he didn't. Kai was warm, comforting, and very much welcome. There was no way he was going to figure this one out, though, so he didn't even begin to think about it. Rei stretched his fingers, the muscles taught and strained. He sighed, rubbing his feet together. His hand itched, and he was exhausted. Kai laced their fingers together, stopping Rei from pulling the wound and injuring himself further.

"Go to sleep."

Rei shook his head, long strands of hair falling across his face. He pushed them away with his other hand, tugging on a few a little too hard.

"You're tired."

"I want to ask you something."

"…what?" Kai tightened his hold on Rei's hand.

"Kai… What are you afraid of?" Rei felt Kai's hand twitch in response, the uncontrollable action clearly noticeable in such close contact. A small smile played across his lips. So, you do feel, Kai Hiwatari.

"Not much," Kai said.

"It's just a question. If you never explain anything else to me, then just answer me this once."

"It's not important."

"It's important to me."

Rei felt Kai cease to breathe, his body still. Agonizing seconds rolled past, each seeming longer than the one before. The silence was deafening, louder than the rain and wind outside, and just as terrifying. Kai's hand twitched again, a small breath escaping his lips. Rei sighed in relief.

"I'm scared of a lot of things."

"Like what?"

"…I'm scared of hurting you."

Kai's hand was shaking, despite his efforts to keep it still. Lifting his other hand, Rei placed it atop Kai's, bringing both to his chest. Kai was serious, almost painfully so. Why had he insisted on asking? Stupid! Rei shuffled back a touch, his back pressed against Kai. He didn't like this feeling at all. It was as if Kai was miles away, despite being so close.

 "Thank you." Rei squeezed Kai's hand, and waited for a response.

"Rei…"

The quiet whisper was all Rei required. He could hear the emotion in Kai's voice. A gentle smile eased onto his lips, giddiness welling in his chest. His eyes drifted shut, security surrounding him as he lay in Kai's arms. Rei's mind began to wander, succumbing to the darkness, lulled by Kai's rhythmic breathing and the gentle feeling of someone's fingers in his hair.