The next few days dragged on slowly. The championships were getting closer, and the tension in the house hadn't exactly cooled just yet.

"I don't see why we should let him stay…"

Tyson hissed, leaning forwards to whisper in Rei's ear.

"He's not even part of the team, he could be a spy!"

Rei leant his elbow against the kitchen counter and exhaled noisily, rubbing his temple with his thumb and forefinger.

"Well if Kai says he's staying then I guess that's it"

Tyson could feel his cheeks grow hot; he slammed his fist against the counter surface and pointed furiously in the direction of the living room with his other hand.

"Do you always have to do what Kai says; if he told you to jump off a cliff, would you!?"

Rei cleared his throat awkwardly and stared at the floor, his long bangs fortunately covering his flushed face.

"I…"

"Oh, just forget it Rei!"

Tyson growled, spinning on his heel and marching furiously into the next room, his hands clenched into tight fists. Rei watched him leave with a blank expression, beads of sweat visible on his pale forehead. After a few moments, Tala shuffled into the kitchen, carrying various plates and bowls in either hand.

"Hello, Rei!"

He beamed awkwardly, balancing the cutlery on his forearm with extreme difficulty. Rei stepped forwards and offered a hand.

"Here, let me help you"

He muttered, taking a few plates and glasses from him. Tala smiled and placed his load by the draining board, wiping his brow with his sleeve.

"Thanks"

He replied, smiling briefly at the neko. Rei gave him a rather vacant stare in return and hurried out the kitchen, his head pounding against his temple. He strode through the living room and made his way into the hallway, eagerly trotting up the stairs until he reached the landing.

"Kai?"

No reply. He sighed noisily before knocking lightly on his bedroom door, quickly checking over his shoulder before twisting the handle and stepping inside, closing the door silently behind him.

Kai was perched on the end of his bed with his head hung low, clutching Tala's beyblade tightly in his fist. Rei frowned and moved stiffly towards him, crouching down so that he was more-or-less at his level. Kai made no attempt to respond, he simply continued to stare fondly at the beyblade in his hand. Rei could feel the blood rush to his face, he gritted his teeth and got to his feet again, arms folded.

"Kai, I need to speak to you"

Kai rolled his eyes and raised his head, eyebrow raised elegantly.

"Go ahead"

Rei tossed his head so that his long ponytail hung limply over his shoulders; he stroked it lightly and suddenly felt at a loss for words. He cleared his throat and dragged his eyes down towards the carpeted floor, biting his lip lightly with his fangs.

"There's no easy way to say this Kai…"

"Whatever you've got to say, Rei, just say it now, I haven't got the time, or the patience…"

Rei felt his heart banging against his chest; he suddenly felt an overwhelming sensation of jealously, anger, hatred. He stamped his bare foot and swung his fist awkwardly.

"Tala has to go!"

He yelled; his face crimson. Kai simply got to his feet and moved towards the door, turning his head to face the former White Tiger as he placed his hand on the cool metal handle.

"No he doesn't"

He replied blankly, a small, uncontrollable smirk touching the corners of his mouth. Rei pressed his lips together, suddenly feeling incredibly foolish. He watched as Kai left the floor and descended down the creaky staircase. Cursing, he kicked the bedpost hard with his left foot and stormed into his own bedroom, slamming the door behind him.

"What was all that about?"

Kenny asked, averting his gaze from his laptop to the bluenette, who had just collapsed on the futon beside Tala.

"Nothing"

Kai replied, tilting his head back and closing his tired eyes.

"Well it was obviously something Kai; we heard shouting and doors slamming"

Hilary piped up, appearing from inside the kitchen.

"Hey, when did you get here? And mind your own business!"

Hilary rolled her eyes and sat down, cross legged on the floor beside Kenny, watching him as he worked on his laptop.

Tala coughed quietly and laced his fingers together on his lap, his eyes darting suspiciously round the room.

"Erm, I think I might go grab a cup of coffee. Anyone want to join me?"

His eyes darted subjectively in Kai's direction, his head tilted slightly, indicating towards the door. Kai smirked shortly and got to his feet, leaning back to stretch.

"Sure, I'll come"

Rei suddenly appeared from behind the door leading to the hallway, his coat draped casually over one shoulder.

"I'll come too; I'm in the mood for mocha"

Tala stared blankly at the neko boy, his face tinted a light pink. Kai simply glared, his crimson eyes blazing.

"Let's go then"

The three bladers gathered round a small circular table and sipped their coffee's silently, there head's bent low. Rei was the first to speak; he placed his mocha on the glass surface and smiled lightly, his eyes gleaming, boring into Kai's head.

"So, not long till the championships, we better start some serious training, eh Kai?"

"Mmm…"

Tala could feel his cheeks grow hot; clearly Rei was attempting to shun Tala from the conversation. He got to his feet and cleared his throat quietly.

"I'm, err…just nipping to the mens room"

Kai watched him leave with a void expression before averting his gaze back to his coffee cup. Rei leant back nonchalantly in his seat and sighed, lacing his hands together behind his head.

"I think we should hold a team meeting, discuss our tactics, our strategies; of course that also means Tala will have to return to his own team until we're fully prepared, we don't want him passing any information on"

Kai slammed his polystyrene cup onto the table, his face red with anger and frustration.

"Tala isn't going anywhere! I'm the team leader, I'll decide what we do and how we do it, and if you're not happy with that then that's your problem, not mine; so just leave it, Rei!"

Standing and kicking his chair back heatedly, Kai seized Tala by the arm as he passed and dragged him through the glass doors, leaving Rei alone in the shop.

"Hey, what's going on?"

Tala squeaked, as Kai released his grip on his arm and began kicking a brick wall furiously.

"Kai, calm down!"

Tala grasped his shoulders tightly and pulled him close, pressing his lips forcefully upon his own. Kai allowed his shoulders to sag as he melted into the sweet, comforting kiss.

"I'm sorry Tal, I'm just so sick of all of this. Rei is determined to get rid of you and Tyson is just acting like a complete brat…"

"No change there then"

Tala butted in, smirking cheekily. Kai raised an eyebrow and chuckled quietly, turning on his heel and pulling Tala round so that they switched places. Tala smiled as he was pushed up against the wall with Kai pressed against him, preventing him from moving.

"Well at least we're alone now"

Kai whispered, breathing heavily in Tala's ear. Tala could feel his body quiver and his heart race; he wound his arms round the older boys' neck and smiled lightly, staring longingly at his pale lips. Kai grinned and lowered his head so he was level with Tala, then he held the back of his head gently in his palm and urged him forward, until their lips were connected once more. Tala ran his tongue slowly along Kai's lower lip, asking for entrance, Kai smiled and opened his mouth no more than an inch, pushing deeper into the kiss. After a few moments, the two boys pulled back and sighed blissfully; ignoring the disgusted looks they received from passer-by. Tala slid his hand loosely into Kai's and squeezed it gently, his head still spinning. Kai kissed his head lovingly and locked their fingers together tightly, tugging gently and indicating towards the direction of the park. Together, the two lovers made their way down the street, hand-in-hand, unaware that they were being closely watched by a jealous, former-member of the White Tigers.

Dun, dun DUNNNN! OO Anyway, firstly, a huge apology to all those people who have been reading and commenting on my fanfic, I know that I haven't posted in absolutely ages so I want to apologise for that. I know this chappy is kinda short but at least I'm making some form of progress! X3 I really need to work on my writing techniques when describing lovey-dovey bits CX I'm terrible at them! Haha, anyhoo, R & R! Oh and a big thank you to my fans who have been waiting so patiently for this chapter X3 I hope it's worth it 3