Somehow, I think no matter how much 'thank you's I do, it'll never be enough to show how grateful I am! So hopefully, this chapter will!

Many of you definitely made my day! (bright smile) xD

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Just a Game

Hit Hard with a Nervous Breakdown

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Each grabbing a piece of paper, everyone was up and around, placing the paper in the tagged bowl with the fitting descriptions. Some took their time contemplating before deciding while others had it easier. Since Rei had to be stuck with Tala, the Driger was evidently very uncomfortable with the close proximity. While trying to fight down a blush every time the Russian redhead brushed his hands against the neko-jin's person in motion of dropping the paper in the bowl, the Chinese blader was going through the many possible ways of 'accidentally' murdering Mystel.

So far, Rei concocted about fifty ways.

He's still not satisfied.

The same can be said for the slated-hair teen as he went about, subconsciously tossing the papers in the bowl after scanning it without much thought. It wasn't that difficult to decide who to give the 'Most Likely to Die Early' to a certain redhead. He originally planned to toss it in for either Tyson or Mystel, but it seemed most suiting for Tala.

...Very suiting, right after an nth blush from Rei.

Seriously, it's not like he's---no, he will not use the Kami-forsaken word---extremely annoyed for his sake but rather for the Chinese teenager. Rei looked like he's about to burst several blood vessels from all that damn blushing.

What seemed like eternity and forever, the cap was emptied of its paper content (and returned to its owner,) the motley crew of beybladers settled themselves before their tagged bowls, staring at it.

To catch their attention, Tala took it upon himself to clap his hands although to them it appeared as if Rei had sprouted another pair of arms from his sides. Poking his head from the neko-jin's side, the redhead smirked that could've been mistaken for a childishly impish smile.

Getting the signal, Robert waved his hand dismissively as the other made a grab for his bottle. "Alright, alright, I'll start."

"Good!" Tala, scarily enough, squealed.

Somehow, the thoughts of the Wolborg belonging in the loony bin with a straitjacket in the isolation chamber crossed most of the bladers' minds.

"I have...13?-!" exclaimed the indignant teen.

"Read 'em and drink," snickered Michael.

Shooting the American an uncouth glare, Robert began listing his Most Likely: to have a stick shoved all the way up his ass, to still be a virgin at 40, to die alone, to secretly be a romance novelist, to be anal-retentive, to be a machoist, to go commando at home, to cry watching chick flicks, to be a schizophrenia, to be the biggest idiot, to be the most thick-haired, to have weird fetish with leather clothes, and to be a hit-man.

All the while he was reading his list off; one would notice the increasingly growing bulge of a vein that looked ready to blow at any given second on his temple.

"Wonderfully read, Robert" Tala cheekily smiled, "Now drink your share."

The Captain of the Majestic appeared to be slightly hesitant to chug down his share, lifting the opening to his mouth, poised. With the unwanted help of Enrique, who seemed to be more than happy to help his friend in supposed need, the blond tip the bottle a little more so that Robert wounded up chugging the whole bottle with the fluid dribbling out of the corner of his mouth.

"I'd say half of another would be enough," Johnny commented that earned him an ineffective glare from his leader as the purple-headed teen drank the half of the new bottle.

Robert would've said something if it wasn't for his head to be all fuzzy and tingly and decided to allow the redhead to see another day.

Then it was Hillary's turn. She had 8 Most Likely. After she skimmed through them, you could see the tangible aura of imminent death. Even the Grim Reaper himself would've run with his bony tail between his legs.

'They are so gonna die!' her inner self screeched murderously.

Aware of a woman's fury, Tala let it slide and allowed her to drink the entire bottle. He figured it wasn't worth his life to hear her list.

'Maybe she'd pass out and then the fun will begin.'

Scooting away from her, Kenny breathed a sigh of relief once he found out that he had only 5 Most Likely: to have the smallest wiener, to wind up in an asylum, to be a genius, to have a pink room filled with posters of Ming-Ming and merchandise (wasn't that a bit too specific?), and to die while going to the bathroom.

The group chortled at the last two, figuring it was/will be true.

Staring at the liquid as if it was acid of sorts, Kenny tentatively took his five big gulps and wounded up looking faintly tipsy with a pinkish face. The same can be said for the previous two: Hillary already passed out like Tala had wished for and Robert appeared ready tip over at any given notice.

Daichi looked at the three gleefully and then proudly announced that he had 10, proceeding to down the whole bottle. He had forgotten to read his list aloud due to his eagerness and wounded up immediately passing out.

'Perfect. This is going as I planned.'

The diverse crew sweatdropped.

With Hillary and Kenny—the game hosts—knocked out, Tala took it upon himself to be the master of ceremonies and declared, "Alright, the game's over!"

You could hear the many whines, groans and disappointment throughout the group.

"As in the Most Likely," cerulean eyes rolled as he lightly bopped his head on Rei's back. "Geez, I didn't want the two lame-o's to have a say in this since I'll be the new M.C. With me as the M.C. the fun will really begin."

Insert cackle.

Cue dark background with flashing lightning and thundering thunders.

"Now, before we start a new game," Tala gave one last squeeze of a hug to the nekojin, "Kitty here will sit next to me."

Appearing to be the slightest bit insulted with a hint of blushing, Rei braved himself to give the Russian lunatic a glare after getting up.

'I am not a kitty! I am a vicious tiger! A tiger'

Prior to even taking another step, a hand reached out to grab Rei's free hand, pulling him back to his previous human-seat. Once his thoughts were completely sorted out to some reasonable sense, only then did Rei realize that he was currently lip-locking with the raving dubbed psycho.

'WHAT! AGHH!'

'You're going to die.' (1)

'Tasty!'

Motor functions come rushing back to him, the Asian blader immediately pushed the other being away and hurriedly scrambled to stand up, red-faced as he tried and failed to cover the evidence of embarrassment.

Almost everyone was stunned into silence.

'Whoa...'

"Wha-what was that for?" Rei exclaimed incredulously.

'He stole my first kiss! MY FIRST!'

"Just wanted to know what you taste like," Tala replied casually and then licked his lips. "So strawberry, eh?"

At an utter lost for words, the red-faced fuming neko-jin grudgingly seated himself next to—the bloody, evil, first-kiss stealer, as Rei would've like to call him—Tala, leaving plenty of room between them that could've seated two more people.

'He kissed me just to know what I taste like? AAGGHH! Stupid Tala! He should be in a strait jacket with a muzzle!'

'I wonder if dying by a spork will be a worthy weapon on him? No, maybe cardboard...Wait, why do I care?...Rei—No, I'm only killing Tala for being a complete asinine. Then again, that's his usual self...I'm still killing him anyways.'

"And we all shall down two bottles. Beside Robert, of course," Tala had said that so casually like nothing had transpired the few minutes before.

Everyone, beside Tala and Robert, all glanced at each other uncertainly, unsure where this will go and whether or not to trust the redhead after that mishap.

"Why?" was the icy question from a certain slated-hair teen, voicing everyone's single thoughts on their foremost mind.

"Ah, you'll see, my dear Kai" His sickeningly sweet voice was contradicted by the obvious glint in his blue eyes, "It's all for the game I have in mind—loosening them up with alcohol."

Eventually, everyone did down their share and thankfully, no one else passed out. Robert barely comprehended what was going on.

"Now, this game is called 'Nervous,'" Tala said, cackling inwardly with a smirking face outwardly, "Before I explain the rule, we'll have to change some people's seating arrangement." 'Or rather all.' (2)

No one objected to the grinning redhead's pleasure so he proceeded to move bodies around to his liking. After a few moments, Tala sat down directly across from Bryan.

Kenny, Hillary, and Daichi were placed in the many guestrooms upstairs with the help of a reluctant Rick and helpful Garland. Robert was on a couch that was up against the wall, being looked after by, to everyone's astonishment, Johnny. He shot questioning stares with his own fiery ones, daring them to voice it aloud. Gary had left the room in search of the wondrous place called the kitchen. His nose can lead the way without the help of Kai's dizzing directions. Emily declined in playing; stumbling a bit out the common room before stating over her shoulder that she was looking after the sleeping trio.

'Right...' The remaining teens rolled their eyes. It was apparent that she was going to look after Kenny and no one else. Why couldn't she say that instead? It'd save a lot of eye rolling.

"Now, as you know, this game is called 'Nervous'," frosty blue eyes twinkled in glee, "This game required us to sit in a circle, but we've already done that. Anyways, you have to go the person directly across from you."

Insert blushes, eyes averting, glares directed at Tala, disbeliefs, and, of course, thinking of many fun-filled ways to kill the redhead by 'accident.'

For now—including Rei's list—a good hundred ways...

...and counting.

At any rate, Tala knew his life was literally on the line now, however he was planning to get the most out of this and hopefully live to see the next several decades with all his limbs intact and functioning, should this 'plan' come into fruition.

"Ahem, as I was saying, you kiss them along the cheek until you get to their lips. Once there, you can do whatever you want to make them say 'Nervous' to get you to stop. But here's the thing, the person you're doing this to can do whatever they want to get you to say 'Nervous.' Whoever says 'Nervous' first has to take off an article of clothing. And drink two bottles of Mike's."

"You added that last bit," Tyson pointed out.

"You want to make that five?"

"..."

"Good, now everyone pick a number between one and a hundred. Whoever guesses the number I'm thinking of has to go first!"

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tbc...

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1) This is for Yaoi-Lover who requested that Tala kiss Rei to make Kai jealous! I couldn't pass THAT up!

2) The Nervous game. Have to give props to Kyoki Hinote for the suggestion!

Review!

Kidding! xD You guys waited for two months so this is my treat for you guys! A supposed to be two chapters combined into one equals extra long chapter! (bright smile)

Warning: I think...? I'll warn you before the action start so no flames! (I think)

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It had taken the group of twenty-two people a complete three turns to finally guess the right number, which happened to be Tala's lucky number: sixty-six...

Anyways, the (un)fortunate teen who had to go first was none other than Brooklyn.

Can you guess who he sat directly across from?

...Hiro, of course.

If one looked closely, one could see another faint pink blush blooming across the well-mannered redhead. But since he's currently tipsy from drinking two bottles of Mike's Hard Lemonade, no one would notice.

"Any time now, Brooklyn!" Tala egged on, restraining the flooding urge to squeal in absolute delight like that of a child who was given a piece of the finest chocolate ever made. The alcohol's effect was slowly but surely eroding his self-restraint.

Slowly rising, Brooklyn made his way across the circle and knelt before his coach. Before anyone could expect it, a soft kiss was planted on the older Granger's forehead, stunning everyone into silence prior to breaking out catcalls and cheering. Mariah and Ming-Ming blushed beet red and immediately understood the situation they were in. They both left together after quickly mumbling some incoherent excuse about restocking the fridge.

Apparently, some of the bladers lose sense of self-image when they down only two bottles. Geez, low tolerance much? Even Rei had some natural resistance even if by a very, very tiny margin.

Hiro faintly smiled before returning the action.

Feeling reassured that the other returned some similar affection, and thanks to the alcohol, Brooklyn continued on the feather-like kisses, trailing down towards those kissable lips. The two traded back and forth on the kisses until their destination was reached.

Hiro, completely aware that this was probably the other's first time consuming alcohol while he had his fair share, had to oversee the entire game or else a certain Russian redhead will cackle in glee that his 'plan' blossomed beautifully and possibly with extra bonuses. However, that resolve was steadily crumbling and almost fallen completely when petal-like lips brushed against his.

'So...soft.'

The duo rested their foreheads against each other before Hiro leaned forward to place his own on Brooklyn's and smiled against it.

The quiet moment was ruined when Tyson exclaimed loudly, "MY EYES! HIRO, I DIDN'T KNOW! YOU GO THAT WAY?-!"

A pair of blue eyes—no not Tala's, Brooklyn's, Spencer's, or Enrique's—clouded with a tinge of disappointment, sadden by his friend's outburst.

'Maybe I don't have a chance...'

His exclamation snapped Brooklyn back, blush returning more visibly now once he realized he was sitting on Hiro's lap and attempted to regain some shred of dignity as he stood up. That, however, failed when the person he was sitting on pulled him back down, thus causing him to fall on top of the other.

"Stay," was the whispered plea as Hiro's fingers threaded through orange-red hair affectionately.

Brooklyn softly smiled into the shirt.

"Tyson!" Tala cried in defeat. "Why do you always ruin 'The Moment'? Why?-!" For Kami's sake, he's lucky I didn't kill him in the European Tournament! SO DAMN LUCKY! If it wasn't for him...Gah, I'm such a softie...'

Evidently, the alcohol was steadily bleeding into his blood stream, already affecting his mind. When everyone had their attention held by distractions (i.e Robert, the reading of the slips etc), he took the liberty of drinking a few more bottles. He couldn't help himself. 'The bottles were just pleading to be drunk!' None of his teammates stopped him, knowing full well how Tala loved his liquor and when intervened, the redhead will fight for it.

Completely ignoring the redhead, the current World Champ was immediately on his feet, pointing an accusing finger at his brother, "EXPLAIN!"

"What's there to explain, Tyson?" Hiro mildly queried as he continued his motion of threading through Brooklyn's hair.

"THAT!" A finger pointed at a content Brooklyn. "WHY ARE YOU WITH HIM?-! I THOUGHT DAD HOOKED YOU UP WITH SOME GIRL?-!"

THUNK!

"OW!" Tyson pouted and glared at whoever threw the...three-inch thick book at his head. "Who did threw that?-!" Failed attempt at glaring, crimson-brown orbs fell upon blue ones.

Tala smirked. 'I so did not expect that.'

If it's not Tala, then...

"MAX?-!"

"You're so dense, Tyson! I can't believe you! " With that said the supposed-hyperactive blond stormed out of the room, leaving a rather baffled-looking Champ.

'What's that all about?' Tyson blinked.

"Well, what're you waiting for? Go after him, you moron!" Tala screeched.

Tala...

...Screeched.

Wow.

'I positively, absolutely, will not have anyone heartbroken or unpaired! That would only break my long standing streak of being a matchmaker!'

Complying without a word, Tyson hurried after his blond best friend.

Tala was instantly cheerfully in an evil sort of way. "Ahem, back to the game!"

"What about—" Lee began but he was soon cut off by the same individual.

"Don't worry about them—just miscommunications." Tala airily waved at the duo that had just recently left. "Brooklyn, Hiro, neither of you said 'Nervous' yet, so continue on!"

"But Tyson—" Hiro was a wee bit concerned as he subconsciously held Brooklyn tighter. Maybe he should have told him after all? But he wasn't expecting his kid brother to take it this hard. 'I mean, I could've sworn he and Max had something...?'

"No. Worries." The Wolborg's tone was that of 'End of Story. No questions asked.'

Brooklyn slightly frowned as he eased himself into a sitting position, loosening the other's hold on him. 'Maybe I shouldn't have gone first?' To take his mind off, he stared admiringly at the potted green plant he was staring at earlier in the first game, over Hiro's shoulder. 'Such pretty flowers...I wonder if the butterflies will visit when a day's nice...?'

He was brought out of his reverie when Hiro's padded thumbs caressed his cheeks, slowly shifting his head so that he was staring into crimson-brown optics.

'They look so cute together.' Rei smiled, watching them quietly bicker that soon winded up with an adorable pouting Brooklyn and a chuckling Hiro, holding the other's jacket. That left Brooklyn wearing a fitting black t-shirt.

Looks like Brooklyn was the first to say 'Nervous' after Hiro trailed those feather-like kisses near his collarbone while his hands strayed though the group couldn't see since they were underneath the white jacket.

Cerise orbs were unknowingly trained upon a particular Asian blader until his brain registered his action.

'What the hell is wrong with me?' Kai inwardly fumed at himself, shifting his gaze to bore holes into the Wolborg. 'Didn't I say that I didn't have the hots for anyone—much less within my team?' His logical part of the brain reasoned, 'Maybe it's Tala's fault. He's pressing himself against Rei, who is your teammate, and you automatically feel defensive for him. Yeah, that's why. Not because I have the 'hots' for him. No.'

In circumspect any dunce could see that Kai was falling head over heels for the Chinese beyblader and vice-versa.

"Okay, Hiro wins!" Tala happily clapped as well as a few others. "Drink your two bottles, Brooklyn! Next up is Ian and Spencer!"

Tossing the pouting Prince of Darkness the bottles, he downed them in a matter of moments and at once curled up in Hiro's lap, watching the rest of the game through half-lidded eyes as the older of the two started massaging his head with his nimble fingers.

'Mmm...'

It didn't take too long for things to get started between Ian and Spencer. Surprisingly, Ian came out victorious with Spencer's flak, who was astonishingly flustered while donning a decent blush.

It appeared that the shorter one was more of the 'take action' type.

'Never pegged Ian as one...' Rei thought.

"Way to go, Ian!" Tala giggled as he passed the blond his two bottles. It looked like the Wolborg wielder had downed several more beers. "Your turn, Lee! Kevin!"

Right away, the said two blushed crimson and avoided each other's gaze. With the unneeded help of the giggly-redhead who threatened to tell Bryan to get physical, the duo suddenly complied without complaints. Lee had easily been the first to say 'Nervous' after a lick behind his ear. Kevin waved the other teen's shirt in the air in triumph.

"Drink up, Lee-Lee!"

"What did you say?"

"Wahh, Bryan! Lee-Lee's being mean!" The supposed-psychotic redhead scampered across the circle and wounded up in said one's lap, clinging on to his shirt. The mauve-haired individual merely shot Lee a glare and as expected by Bryan's glower, the recipient had gone rigid. After drinking his fair share, Lee had calmed down a little.

"Enrique and Oliver! You're up next!"

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tbc…

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Again, sankyuu lots for reviewing! Totally made my day, it did!

Question: Between Michael, Steve, Eddie and Rick, who's going to be with whom? I already kicked out all the girls...Suggestion? Personal favorites? Or should I bring Mariah and Ming-Ming back? Dilemma!

Completely sorry if I didn't get to reply back to your reviews but be assured that with no doubt, each and every one of 'em made me all bubbly inside!

Review to keep me going?