Disclaimer: I do not own BeyBlade or any of the characters in it... o.O So, I'm sorry, I can't write you silly silly fangirls into the story.

Author's Note: Sorry it took so long everyone! I've been very busy. x.x I hope you enjoy this chapter though; any suggestions and comments and love and critique is fully welcome! ;D

A Challenge

"Kai!" Ray pushed through the doors of the café and looked around for the other male. He spotted him as he was walking away and caught a brief moment where the other turned to glance back. A frown passed over his features before he turned away again; Ray sighed to himself and set off jogging after his old teammate. "Hey! Hold on a second!" He dodged a few people, excusing himself as he went. Kai was still walking. Did he really not want to talk, then? Ray frowned and moved faster until he fell into step with Kai, "You really aren't interested in being around the group anymore, are ya Kai?" He chuckled a little, stuffing his hands in his jacket pockets to keep them warm since he wasn't sure how long he was going to end up following the other. When Kai didn't respond, Ray slanted his gaze over to see if he could tell what he was thinking. "I'm sorry if we inconvenienced you at all, or if this came at a bad time… we were just curious about where you were and how you had been doing."

"As you can see, I'm fine."

"Of course." Ray grinned and set his gaze forward. "I'm not surprised." Even if the response had been cold and sharp Ray was glad that he got any sort of response at all. If Kai had continued to not speak he would've left him alone, but now that he got the other talking he knew that he wasn't completely unwelcome.

Kai turned his head to look at Ray. "If you knew that I was going to be fine then why did you come at all?"

"I need a specific reason for wanting to see an old friend? You're harsh, Kai." Ray glanced over with a small smile, locking eyes for a moment before he shrugged and looked away. "Well, I would've have written to find out how you were doing, but I didn't know exactly where you were living." He tossed a grin at Kai, "So I couldn't exactly do that."

Kai grimaced at the small reminder that he hadn't given any information even to Ray about where he would be going. His eyes turned down to where the kitten was huddled in his jacket for warmth. The kitten had locked its claws in his shirt and buried its face as deep into the bend of his arm as it could go without suffocating. He might have smiled if Ray wasn't there with his keen eyes watching him. Instead, the crimson eyed man looked straight ahead to where he was going, pausing at an intersection. "Yes well. I didn't want to be bothered."

Again, Ray gave that grin. The quick flash of a grin that could knock a fangirl senseless. "Sorry to bother you."

Kai looked away. "It's too late to apologize now."

"Should I have apologized before it happened?"

"Don't be ridiculous."

"Then when should I apologize?"

"Just don't."

"Alright."

Kai glared at Ray as the other grinned like a satisfied cat, his face turned away. He shifted the kitten in his arms and for a moment he wondered what he was doing with the miniature cat. The animal would probably be better off with someone else... letting his eyes fall back to the small animal, he stared at it for a moment. It was sleeping, warm and content in his arms.

"So he likes you."

Kai jerked his head up, "What?"

"The kitten." Ray had leaned over and was now peering down his old teammates jacket, just enough so that he could see the kitten. "Fell right asleep in your arms."

Kai moved away from Ray, pulling his scarf down over the opening in his jacket so that neither him nor the other could peek down again. "Your point?" He had forgotten about how close and touchy the group was, and the close proximity of the other made him feel more than slightly uncomfortable. He took another step back before realizing that the light had changed and they could cross. He quickly moved to the other side of the road.

"It means that he trusts you already, that's good Kai." Ray stayed right behind him, relaxed and confident as anyone might be when seeing an old friend.

Kai looked over at Ray, his eyes narrowed slightly to make it seem less like he was watching him. It didn't matter anyway, Ray was looking around him. Did the cat-like man ever get nervous? Was he just putting on a facade? When Ray turned his head back to look at him, Kai cast his eyes ahead again. "I still fail to see the point in what you're saying."

Ray laughed a little, his voice sheepish. "There is no reason for it Kai. Just an observation."

"Nn."

Silence shrouded itself around the pair again as they walked briskly down the street. Ray sighed to himself, finding that this wasn't going as well as he had hoped. It wasn't like he had expected a welcome with tears and hugs and talk of 'the old days,' but he certainly hadn't expected to feel like they had just met again. His hands, even though they were stuffed in his jacket, were beginning to get cold. He'd probably end up turning back soon if nothing continued to be said. He had to go back to the others and make sure they were okay, and figure out what each person was doing. But... just a little bit longer, he would wait just a little bit longer.

"How long are you going to follow me?"

Ray blinked over at Kai, but he was still staring ahead. "Hmm.." He thought for a moment, looking up at the frozen sky. "As long as it takes for you to get tired of me, I guess."

Kai glared at him, but it wasn't nearly as cold of a glare as it could be. "You're bothering me."

"If I was bothering you, you wouldn't say anything. You'd just keep walking."

"What makes you say that?"

"That's what you've always done, Kai." Ray replied wryly.

"Maybe I've changed."

"I don't think so, not that much."

Kai fell silent. "You don't think I've changed?"

"Not really.." Ray stopped and added, "Well actually, now that I think about it, you've reverted back to your cold, I-care-for-no-one stage..." He eyed Kai up and down, "You learned to dress better." That got a good glare. "And maybe you're a little bit more businesslike than you had been before. No time for your friends or family."

"I don't have any friends or family."

Ray frowned. Kai was determined to keep him out, and if he was that determined then it wouldn't be right to keep imposing on him. It wasn't fair. "Well, if you say so." The black haired blader stopped in the street. "I guess I should head back then. Tell the others that we should leave and whatnot." He smiled at Kai when the other turned to look at him, stopping as well. "So, see ya." He turned to go.

"Wait-Ray-"

He turned back around. "Mm?"

Kai stared at him for a moment before he grimaced. "You're freezing."

"How do you know?" Ray quirked an eyebrow.

"I just know. I'll get you a ride back to the hotel. Come with me." He turned and began walking away again.

That was probably the closest thing he'd get as an apology from Kai. Ray grinned and moved after the other. Well, it was better than nothing. And once he was inside Kai's home, he'd probably end up staying a little bit longer than intended. Well, longer than Kai intended. Ray had already planned on figuring out exactly what was going on inside the others head and life. So... all he needed to do was wait. And he could wait.

--

"Well this place doesn't look any different than that one place we came to try and rescue you from a while ago..." Ray looked around at the spartan stone walls and floor, peering up at the ceiling where a few lanterns hung, casting their flickering light into the shadows.

"That would be because it's the same place."

"What?" Ray stared at Kai. "You mean you just... you came back here after all that?"

Kai raised an eyebrow, turning to look at Ray as he opened a heavy, oak door. "Is that so surprising?"

"Well, after all that happened...-"

"There's no reason for me to not come back here. It's just a building; there's nothing to be afraid of in here." He motioned for Ray to walk into the room and followed him, closing the door behind them.

"Well no, not if you look at it like that." Ray wandered into the room, comforted by the surroundings. It was a study, obviously, with a few chairs, a large fireplace and many lanterns lining the walls. These ones were fueled by electricity, so their light didn't waver, but they were controlled by a dimmer switch that was apparently on the lower end for the brightest light came from the fire that crackled merrily at the other end of the room. If one could call a fire burning in such a solemn place 'merry'. The floor was covered in rugs, softening their steps to dull pats, and there was a table that was covered neatly with papers and books. Ray grinned to himself. Leave it to Kai to have such a neat workplace. He turned around to see Kai setting the kitten on the floor, watching it take a few lumbering steps forward before it bounced over to a chair and clawed its way up into the seat where it sat regally and stared at them. "Looks like he's comfortable already."

"Nn." Kai moved away from the kitten, trusting that it wouldn't be idiotic enough to run into the fire, and went to his desk. "I'll get you a ride back to the hotel. What was the name of it again?"

Ray gave him the name and then leaned back, crossing his arms. "So is this where you get your work done?"

Kai looked up sharply. "Of course not."

"Too comfortable for you?" The black haired blader teased.

There was a pause before Kai picked up the phone and dialed. He murmured into the receiver to low for Ray to understand exactly what he was saying and then hung up. "You'll have a ride back shortly."

"Should I go wait for the car?" Ray felt the distinct feeling of disappointment as it slowly rolled down his chest and landed heavily on his stomach. It was clear that Kai really wasn't going to keep him here longer, and was merely going to shove him out as soon as he got the chance.

"No." Kai moved back around the desk. "When they're ready they'll come get you."

"Ah." Ray looked around the room, flexing his hands as he felt the warmth returning to them.

"Why don't you-"

"Hey Kai." Ray suddenly looked at him, an idea sparking in his mind.

The other eyed him warily. "What?"

"Let's have a beybattle."

One gray eyebrow raised. "What?"

Ray grinned. "Yeah, let's have a battle. If you win, we won't bother you again, but if I win you've gotta at least hang out a bit before we all have to go back." He watched as Kai just stared at him, an incredulous expression on his face. "Oh c'mon, just one battle."

Kai turned away. "No."

"Afraid you're gonna lose? Lost your touch after all those years of just being a businessman?" Ray goaded him jokingly, his eyes bright and glittering in the firelight and a grin cocked on his face. "I can understand how you might be worried. I've been practicing every day, and you're just sitting here at a desk all the time... kinda makes me think that Dranzer might even be upset with you for neglecting her."

Kai didn't turn back around.

Ray shrugged. "Alright. If you're sure that's what you want to do. I'll just have to tell the others that you turned down the offer-" He stopped as Kai looked back at him, the maroon eyes narrowed just enough for a warning. The other grinned. "Then are you gonna take me up on my challenge? Whaddaya say, Kai? Battle with me? Just like old times, let's see who the real winner is. I bet it'll be me."

Kai chuckled, turning back around to smirk at Ray. "Well, if you really want to get your ass kicked that badly... then I accept your challenge." There was a knock on the door. "But not tonight. I have work to do." He strode over to the door and opened it, finding a chauffeur on the other side.

"I'm here for Master Ray." The man bowed low.

Kai turned to Ray. "Come back tomorrow. I'll have a car for you at 2."

"In the morning or the afternoon?" Ray joked, strolling to the door to stop and look at Kai, amused by the way things were going.

Kai frowned at him. "Use your head."

As soon as Ray stepped out of the room, the door was shut behind him. He smiled a little at the door before turning and walking away with the chauffeur. He'd gotten what he wanted in this step, now he just had to make sure that he got what he wanted again. His hand reached down to his pocket where Drigger sat snugly against his leg and he grimaced. Now he just had to win.

Author's Note: There! Sorry that took so long guys! I got wicked busy with school. xx The main plot is coming, I swear. XD You'll see what I mean once the next couple chapters go up. :) The next chapter might be a bit shorter than the other ones, so I'm sorry about that, but the one right after that should go back to being relatively long again. :3 That is, if I can write a battle. . Anyway! I hope you enjoyed this little chapter. I know there isn't much RayxKainess in these but that's because they have to re-warm up to the idea... so deal with the fact this story has plot and isn't just smut. D:

Thanks for favorite-ing this if you did! I hope to see you all soon!