ACROSS THE PAGES
CHAPTER 14
If Kai didn't know better he would have been not a little alarmed at the fact that Rei had woken earlier than him. He did, after all, wake at six in the morning. As it was, he had found out days before that Rei did actually usually wake up earlier than him, but preserved Kai's dignity by going back to bed. That was the answer to the mystery cup of coffee that waited for him in the mornings.
He'd been half amused and half shocked when he'd found that out, but had refused to let Rei 'coddle him'.
Besides, there was the rather interesting-looking note beside his bed to lift his worries.
Unfolding it rapidly –Kai was never a one to waste time –he allowed himself to read the contents.
Kai,
I need to talk to you. I kind of need your help with something, but don't let the others know.
Rei.
Looking at the note for a few seconds, he headed towards the one place that he knew Rei would be.
"Hey," he said, casually, as he sat down on the steps at the dojo. Rei turned to him; he knew Kai would find him, because he'd frequently seen Kai coming back from some early-morning training from this exact same spot. Plus he usually did his thinking here, or on the roof.
"Hey to you too," said Rei. They sat a few minutes in silence, before Rei opened his mouth again. "About that favour…" He hesitated a little, then decided to barrel ahead.
"It's about Tyson and Max."
There was a long pause, as Rei tried to test the metaphorical waters. "I'd like you to find out if Tyson likes Max back in that way." He knew he did not have to elaborate –Kai was incredible observant in his own way.
Kai looked at him sharply. "And why me?" he drawled. Rei knew better than to underestimate the languid tones of the words –Kai's voice was often very deceiving.
Rei smiled. "Because you're the one that he would confide everything to. You're the one, next to Max, that he would admire most."
"And you're not envious at all," Kai said, after a long pause.
"Nope," said Rei, his smile growing even larger. "'Cause I know you deserve it."
Kai looked at him for a little while, just a little stunned at the quiet youth sitting next to him, then got up, heading back towards the dojo.
"Hey! Are you going to do it?" yelled Rei after him. Kai stopped, but didn't look back.
"Yes," he said, and entered the dojo. Rei looked after him, a little dazed, then grinned.
"Idiot."
-
It was mid-afternoon and the bladers were training yet again. Kai was training with Tyson –something that was not just purely accidental. Rei was training with Max indoors, and this had been the situation since the beginning of the session, when Rei had exchanged a little glance with him.
Through his own observations, Kai too, had known what was wrong.
Unlike Rei, he only took his sightings from the way that Tyson battled; Tyson his most of his worries behind a mask of smiles, laughter and gluttony outside of blading, but in battle there was nothing he could hide.
And by the look of the completely purpose-less random offence that he had been using lately, there was something wrong.
After the sixth beybattle that he'd won in a row, Kai caught Dranzer coolly and looked up. "You're not concentrating," he stated. Tyson looked up, Dragoon still spinning haphazardly in the dish.
"I—"Dark blue eyes looked up at him, haunted. Tired. Weary.
"You're getting distracted," he said calmly. "I want to know why."
Tyson breathed, rising up like the opponent, the champion that he was. And then, just as suddenly, he broke.
"Because I love him, okay?" he said, softly. "Is that what you want?" he asked, turning his head to the windows.
Even if Kai had hesitated before, in helping the couple, in helping Rei, this would have clinched it. This wasn't the Tyson that the Bladebrakers that his friends knew: a Tyson that was miserable, that had no energy.
He nodded a little absently then added: "You haven't told him." It wasn't a question, merely a statement that needed an added confirmation.
"No," Tyson said, sighing. "How can I? I have no idea what he feels for guys, let alone me."
Kai looked at him again; saw the exhaustion that weighed down on those shoulders. "Perhaps it would be better if you said…" he said cautiously.
Tyson shook his head, already retreating to the dojo. "You know it's hopeless."
"What if I made it not hopeless?" asked Kai quietly, though he himself also found his words outrageous.
Tyson stopped at the doors. "I'll believe it when I see it."
And then Kai was left standing, Dranzer enclosed in his hands.
-
"How did it go?" Rei asked, as Kai climbed onto the roof to his side.
There was a quiet that was interrupted only by swirling breezes.
"You were right." Rei only nodded. He'd known; this was just a verification.
"Well, what do you want to do about it?" said Kai after a while, watching the dojo door carefully. Actually he knew he didn't have to –the other three would stay inside –they would not be spotted unless by outside pedestrians.
Rei spoke, letting the wind run through his hair and clothes. Kai watched him, resisting the urge to grin a little as the neko crossed his eyes as he tried to blow a strand of hair. "Something. I haven't thought about what yet."
Kai nodded. "Let me know when you've thought of what it was."
Rei looked at him sharply. "You want to help?" he said, clearly not just a little surprised.
Kai looked at him, red eyes glowing in the moonlight. If Rei suited the golden sun that shed light that invaded every dark corner, then Kai suited the silver moon, which revealed things the sun could not; hid things that the sun knew not, until it was convenient. Until it was time.
"They're destroying the team," Kai stated matter-of-factly. "I won't let them do that." He stood, brushing the dust off his trousers, then headed back in, with Rei watching him wonderingly.
And found another note in his pocket later on, just before he went to bed.
If Kinomiya and Tate don't get together fast, I will personally place them into a pool of sharks just to see them bond. Knowing the idiot and his unfortunate mile-wide streak of luck, he'd probably survive and somehow confess his rather sappy affections to the blonde.
That said, you better do something Kon, because if you don't I can carry out my threat rather easily and you know it.
Kai.
P.S. And never, ever tell the two bakas that I even said anything.
Rei let his face curve into a rather amused expression, then entered the house, only falling into bed after a successful bout of scheming…
Replies to Reviewers: queenOfanime535: You are? I'm glad, though I'm surprised. It's not really much.
Soko: Well, I hardly think that Kai would have done it any other way. But yes, I was amused too!
Echo in the Dark: Well, I love long reviews, so I can't very well tell you to stop can I? Why were you checking in on the reviews, I wonder. And yes, this story is going to be looong, baby. Nope, sorry, I don't usually hint in my KR fics, because I tend to spill. But I did hint a lot in my HPDM fics…-laughs-
Animelover6000: I'm doing SAT I, SAT IIs (Eng lit, math, Bio, and maybe French), I.B. (Highers: Eng, Phil, Bio, Standards: Econ, French, Math Standard) a violin exam (5) a Japanese exam (highest level but one) and a piano exam (8) and GCSE Mandarin in November. I am SWAMPED. But I love this story, and I love my reviewers, so hey, what the heck right? I will tell you that I am trying to get one every 2 weeks. I have no idea when this whole story finishes, but I am saying it will at least be 24 chapters long, and probably even more, because the lead-up to this bit took so long, It was only supposed to be 7 chapters before this, but I couldn't have resisted the festival trio chapters even if I'd tried, and I certainly didn't try. I probably won't do sequels, though it may have side-fics. Hope you keep checking in though!
darksaphire: Did you roll on the floor or did you just giggle? How do you laugh anyway? –wonders-
NKingy: Are you so sure it'll become disastrous?
Stunstar: Well, we went to Delhi first then to Kashmir, then to Delhi again, and then way back to Hong Kong! I went sledging in Kashmir! And yes, I know that's Pakistan, but even Delhi was a bit nippy. And didn't I say not to worry about Kai and Rei getting it together, hm? I would never leave that couple stranded!
SilkYuzu: Oh hell, they're both hot year round, I don't care if they're mad or not!
JJ CJ: It's too bad that you had such a terrible day; I'm glad this fic cheered you up, and forever hope that it finds you on a bad day again! You like Pocky? I like butter cookies…especially ones with chocolate chips in them. Hong Kong chocolate chip cookies suck.
Hoshicat: How can you doubt me? Of course the couple was going to turn up this is me we're talking about! They're even more of a guarantee than KaiRei, because sometimes I'm tempted to pair Rei up with one of the other Demo. Boys.
Dark-night-sky: Don't let UKL see that, she adores Japan way too much for her own good. –covers mouth- Did I say that! I'd like to try that Sakura cake. Damn…AND you went to Japan! I'm going next year, so tell me some good spots, okay? And thanks about the comment on the story, I still can't really believe how many people love it. People abandoned my HPDM one so fast when I didn't update for so long.
Darktigeress: Yes, very typical Rei!
Reis1gurl: What did you get grounded for? I've actually never been grounded in my life, though my toys and video tapes were thrown out a few times. Quite depressing really. Hope you get out of your predicament soon!