Disclaimer : Don't own Beyblade
Kai couldn't sleep that night.
Tyson's snores filled the room, competing with Daichi's, but that was not the reason for Kai's sleepless nights. The captain was used to the noise by now. No, he was just wondering about what Max said. The young boy had looked at him so sadly when he talked about quitting. Kai was about to knock some sense into him when he suddenly threw his arms around Kai's neck and buried his head in the older boy's shoulder, wetting it almost instantly. Kai, unable to process what to do, gingerly patted his back. He was thinking of something to say when they heard Tyson's voice approaching, and Max jumped away at that, wiping his tears. No words were said after that.
Right now, Kai wondered if he should have gone with Max and stayed the night with him. He trusted Ray enough to look after him, but he knew Max wouldn't share his grief with him. About that... Kai wondered why he broke down in front of him. And the embrace... Kai could still feel Max shaking.
He needed to do something about it. He wasn't ready to have the boy quit blading, or worse, blading while he hated it. He needed to get his passion back. But how...?
Throwing off his sheets, Kai stood up. He needed to have a walk. Setting out, he strolled the deserted streets aimlessly, trying to understand what to do next. He was also trying to figure out why he cared so much. After all, it was Max's decision.
It was near the bridge when he saw a taxi approaching. The car stopped near him, and a short girl with freckles and black hair popped her head out.
"Excuse me, can you please tell me the directions to this hotel?" she said holding out a paper. Kai looked at the girl when she gasped.
"Oh! Hello Kai!" the girl said with a grin, overcoming her surprise.
"Kai?" someone said from inside, and another head popped out of the window.
Kai was surprised to find Angel Wings here. Ryan and Charlie were cousins and it was their first time competing in the world championship. They had outdone themselves, coming second. And then he suddenly remembered that it was Charlie who had defeated Maxie. It had been a very tough fight, but she had won anyway.
"Hn."
"How are you doing Kai?" Ryan asked as Kai took the paper out of Charlie's hand. Ignoring the question, he pointed to the left.
"The hotel's quite close by. Go to the left and at the crossing take the left turn again."
"Thanks so much buddy!" Charlie said with a grin, "We came here all the way to meet your team anyway."
"What?"
"Yeah," Ryan smiled, "We got a message from Tyson saying he wanted to meet up. We'll visit him tomorrow."
"Okay Kai, thanks for the help. See you tomorrow! Bye!"
Hiwatari stepped aside and let the car pass. Tyson didn't tell him that they were having a reunion with Angel Wings. He was not looking forward to it. After all, they didn't really know each other that well. Plus, Charlie looked a bit too excited most of the time, which was too much for Kai.
Max would be there too.
Kai pursed his lips at that. He didn't want Tate to meet up with Angel Wings so soon, especially since he was so upset. The idea of a walk didn't really help ultimately. How sad.
Max couldn't sleep either.
Earlier that day he had emptied his heart out to Kai. Kai! He had told him his biggest concern, his biggest pain. He didn't even think things through. What did Kai think of him now? Coward? Attention seeker? Worthless? He definitely thought of himself as worthless. But Kai... Max could never figure him out. Was he laughing at his emotions when he had cried? Was he worried?
Max was also upset about having made Kai uncomfortable. He had hugged the boy for so long and cried on his shoulder. Kai was obviously not used to that, and while he was a changed man now, Max didn't know what Kai must have thought.
He turned on his side to watch Ray sleeping. The older boy looked so much at peace... Max wished he could experience the same. His mind wandered off to the time when he was undeterred by defeat. He used to enjoy playing for the sake of playing. But the thing was, he
was naive then. He thought he was good enough and the other person would only because they were also good enough. It was now he realized that he was never a match for them. Never.
Max let out a sigh. Why was he wasting his time thinking about it anyway? Thinking wouldn't change the truth.
His tired mind wandered off to Charlie. He had almost had her in the tournament. Almost, just like always. Hadn't he almost had Kai in the tournament the previous year too? When he was battling from PPB All Starz? And what about his match with Tyson? What about the battle with BEGA, where the match was a draw. There too he'd almost had it.
Almost.
He was almost a decent blader.
It was a relief when morning came, and Ray woke up with the first light. Max had been unable to sleep anyway and seeing his friend awake kind of pulled him out of his thoughts.
"Up so early?" Ray asked, surprised by the abrupt change. Max could compete with Tyson when it came to sleeping.
"Yeah. For a change," the younger boy replied, smiling as always. However, Ray could see that it was a forced smile, and immediately a frown formed on his handsome face. Max could understand that look at any time now, and his smile broadened all the more.
"It's good to be up early sometimes Ray. Plus, I can do with some training..."
Before he could stop it, the blond was thinking again about what he had told Kai yesterday. That sounded more correct than the thought of training. The lips pouted slightly, and the blue eyes were lost. Ray decided not to push the subject just then. He'd find out sooner or later. He always did.
"Anyway, Tyson has invited us to his place to meet up with Angel Wings."
"What?!" Max looked at him sharply, being snapped out of his thoughts. How come they were here? Damn... Now he was going to be humiliated even further.
He just nodded when Ray patted his shoulder, concern etched in the older boy's eyes. But he couldn't tell Ray. He couldn't tell anyone how he felt. That was for him to know and deal with.
Thanks for the reviews on the previous chapter guys! Your support is really appreciated.