Kai didn't understand. He didn't understand why Hilary was refusing to tell anyone that they were together or why was she refusing to accompany him to work-related parties and events.

God, she'd look so good in a formal dress. Something dark red, that would hug her hips. Everybody would look at her but his arm would be wrapped around her waist and he'd bring her closer and everybody would know.

They'd know.

Kai looked out the window from the backseat. He recognized the street but it wasn't the right one.

"Where are we?"

"This is the address you gave me, Mr. Hiwatari," the driver assured him.

"Right," he trailed off. They pulled in front of a familiar door. "Don't wait for me,"

"Are you sure -"

He slammed the door shut. Determined, he walked toward the door, digging in his pocket for his keys.

There were no keys. He didn't drive himself.

He tried the knob. Locked. Good. He'd hate it if she left herself vulnerable.

Banging on the door, he waited. She had to be home. Where else could she be?

It wasn't like she was dating anyone. His thoughts felt sharp and bitter. He tried to stuff them in a box - the same box he put his teenage anger into, but it seemed that box was full and overflowing.

He banged again. And waited.

Maybe she was in danger. Maybe she slipped and fell and was bleeding out on the floor in her bathroom.

Kai ran his hand threw his hair. It was already so late and he was standing outside her home, banging on the door. What would her neighbors think? He needed to act fast before they called the authorities. He couldn't have that. The board would be all over him. What kind of president got arrest banging on a girl's door?

Especially when that girl wasn't even his girlfriend?

Taking a deep breath, Kai made a fist and pushed it threw the bottom pane of the window. Finding the knob on the other side, he unlocked the door and pushed it open. Pulling his hand back out, he noted the sharp sting.

Huh. He was bleeding.

He walked in and flicked on the light only to be met with the girl's shrill screaming as she swung a stick at him.

"Kai! What are you doing?" She dropped the stick – was that a metal bat? - and put her hands on her knees. "I could have killed you!"

"You swung a bat at me,"

"You broke my window!"

"You swung a bat at me."

"Are you...happy?"

"You tried to hit me with a bat, Hil," Kai said, opening his arms so that he could hug her. She was ready to beat anybody who threatened her. He loved how tough she was. "I could kiss you right now,"

Hilary batted his arms away. "Are you drunk?"

"Just barely. I can still stand straight. And if I were to sign a contract, I think it would be valid."

She examined his eyes. "Well, you're not slurring your words,"

"But I am bleeding," he held up his hand for her to see.

Hilary's eyes widened. Grabbing his hand, she pulled him over to the small kitchen to wash it off. "I can't believe you really just punched my window,"

Kai watched as she took care of his hand. He hated the worried look on her face. Using his other hand, he brushed her now long bangs away from her face. "Why aren't you my girlfriend?"

"I don't think you'll need stitches,"

"Hilary," he said, louder this time so that she couldn't ignore him. "Why aren't you my girlfriend? Why won't you put on a beautiful dress that I paid too much for and dance with me in front of everyone?"

She looked at him, her eyes muddled with pain and restraint.

"Why do you only kiss me in secret," he said. That was definitely the alcohol.

"I don't know," she whispered. He waited. He knew she'd fill the silence. "I just keep thinking, what would people think. What would the guys think? Would they laugh at us? Would they think I'm being a fool?"

He pushed turned off her running water, grabbing a kitchen towel to wrap around his hand for pressure. "How so?"

"You, with me? Isn't it too much of a fairy tale? Am I being foolish to trust...you? You've left before, you can -"

He kissed her. Gentle and careful. Pulling away, he leaned against her forehead. "We'll go as slow as you'd like, but I'm here for good,"

She nodded, leaning up to give him a quick kiss. And then coming back again. Taking his injured hand, she unwrapped the towel. The bleeding had slowed enough, leaving just a few scrapes along his knuckles. She kissed them tenderly, lingering for a moment. Turning his hand over, she opened his palm and kissed him there as well. Resting her cheek against his palm, she looked at him, smiling softly.

Again, his hand burned where she touched, igniting a fire in him he only felt in rare moments when he knew he was doing exactly what he was meant to.

He felt the first time he touched a Beyblade. He felt it again when he got Dranzer and every time he battled Tyson.

Now, he felt it every time he saw her.

Kai knew he'd do anything to keep that fire burning.

Thank you to all of the readers who keep up with things. Next update: Friday.

Please take care of yourselves - Konix.