I actually feel a bit disappointed. The night I updated my last chapter, I actually had 2 great scenes planned out in my head only to forget most of it…I hope this will do. The better version was the one I had in my head!
Please note, some characters that only appeared in the beyblade manga will be making an appearance in this story. I just want you guys to know that before you start accusing me for bringing in OC's when they're not. They just aren't as known as the other beyblade characters apparently…
And I hope this was worth the wait!
"It's all I need…this is all I need…"
Rei stayed in his unmoved position, holding himself,
"To be this close to Takao…it's all I need…"
Unknown to Takao, he was really the reason why Rei hasn't woken up from slumberland yet. Takao visits Rei on a daily basis and stays with him for a very long time before going home. Rei, who already realized what he was doing, continued to keep his mind in a spiritual world, refusing to give Takao the excuse to be away from him.
At the same time, Kai wasn't happy with Rei's little decision; then again, no one really was happy with Rei being in a coma-like state for the past few days.
"I'm sorry, Takao, but Kai's right. If Rei stays like that, we have to take him to a hospital!" said Max when Takao protests against Kai's reasons.
"Doesn't Kai have a family doctor or something we can borrow?" Takao asked,
"No! Just because they're private doctors just for my family, doesn't mean they're any more trustworthy. I think I'll put my money on the hospital people," said Kai.
"…Can we wait? Just for a bit longer?" Takao asked, staring at the ground.
"…Until three more days. I'm not letting Rei go a week like this without getting metical help. Friday with be the last day," Kai replied and Takao hesitantly nodded.
"It'll be okay, Takao! I'm sure everything will turn out okay!" said Max trying to brighten up the mood around here.
"Yeah…maybe," said Takao and sat down next to Rei again.
"So, Rei's not doing any better huh?" Brooklyn asked Hitoshi that afternoon. Brooklyn was helping Hitoshi wash some dishes and by the way Hitoshi's been acting, Takao hasn't been doing any better and that means Rei isn't doing any better.
"…Takao hasn't been talking to me. Brooklyn, do you think I haven't done a very good job being the older brother Takao needed?" Hitoshi asked with concern and worry.
"Nonsense! You're the best brother anyone could ask for! You care about him very much. You are a tad overprotective of him, but he knows you mean well," Brooklyn replied with a smile,
"Then why does he not trust me? Why can't he tell me his problems? Why does he have to be so stubborn!?" said Hitoshi angrily as he dries the dishes. Brooklyn was afraid Hitoshi was going to break the plate he was holding.
"Well, it's just that…in Takao's defense, you treat him like a kid," said Brooklyn,
"That's because he IS a kid!"
"He's a TEENager, Hito-Chan. He needs more freedom than what you're giving him…" Brooklyn pointed out and Hitoshi sighed.
"It's just that-he's not ready-he's still a kid!"
"Hito-Chan, I'm sure Taka-Chan appreciates you more than anyone else in your family. You've been taking care of him for a long time. But he's your brother, not your child(but I hope we do have a child like cute little Taka-Chan). Taka-Chan needs to grow up too, you can't baby him forever. That's the parents' job anyway, you're his big brother, you should be the one bringing him out into the world, not keeping him away from it…"
"…Brooklyn, I just don't think he's ready to face the world on his own," said Hitoshi as he stares adown at the sink, saddened at the thought of letting Takao out on his own.
"Who says he's going to face it alone?"
Hitoshi looked at Brooklyn, and then away.
"…I'll think about it, Brooklyn."
Later that day, Hitoshi went up to Takao's bedroom to clean a bit for him. He sighed and continued to pick things off the ground. His hand reached over to the desk and he stopped. Hitoshi saw a bag of cookies lying on the desk. He picked it up and looked at it. The cookies haven't been touched and the bag is completely full.
"…Waiting to share it with Rei, aren't you Taka?" Hitoshi thought gently puts the bag back down. Hitoshi then heard the door open downstairs and he left the bedroom to greet his brother.
Friday:
"See you next Friday," said Takao as Rei starts to climb down from the balcony.
"Okay, want me to bring anything?" Rei asked and Takao shook his head,
"Your presence is enough. I need to practice my cooking and baking skills anyway!"
"Okay then, practice hard. Goodnight, Takao-Kun, I promise I'll come," said 20 Faces with a smile and disappeared into the night.
A tear slid down Takao's face and he wipes it away. All those wonderful memories…were like living in dreams. While now, he's living in a nightmare. Just a couple years ago, they had something special, and in a single day, it was all gone. First, he had to do some growing up and gain his independence. Then Rei had to do some growing up, but things turned out for the worse instead of the best.
"Rei…" Takao started to cry again, "Wake up, Rei, please…"
Rei felt wetness, Takao was crying again.
"Please, don't cry, Takao…"
The tears didn't cease, it kept coming.
"Takao…why are you so sad?"
Then Rei heard him, he began to hear Takao's voice.
"Takao…you want me to wake up? Why would you?"
Takao sniffed and rubbed his eyes. His tears kept falling onto Rei's hand and arm and on his own hands and arms.
"Please Rei…is this fair to either of us? To throw everything we had away? I'm sorry I hurt you…I'm sorry! Please forgive me!"
"Takao…" Rei struggled to decide what he really wanted. His hand covered his head as he curled up into a ball, trying to stop his headache. Suddenly, he lets his arms down,
"Takao…you're happiness should always come first…not mine. If...if this is what you…truly want. I'm sorry I was being a coward!"
Takao continued to cry, feeling guilty for being stubborn and selfish. And in the end, it hurt Rei more than it hurt himself. He held onto Rei's hand tight, and then tighter, just waiting for a reaction.
"Rei…Please forgive me…" Takao whimpered. Then, Takao froze; he slowly looked at Rei's hand, he could've sworn, he felt movement. Praying he wasn't imagining things, he held it tighter. Rei's hand moved again and Takao almost stopped breathing, trying to figure out if this is really happening. He knew that it was really happening when Rei lifted his hand up. Takao loosened his grip as Rei lifted his arm as well, and placed his hand against Takao's face.
"R-Rei?" Takao's voice cracked and he swallowed, moving himself closer to the bed. Rei's eyes still remained closed but his mouth began to move.
"You did…nothing wrong, Takao…"
Emotions filled Takao, he wasn't sure what to think anymore. But his instincts took over and Takao nearly jumped on Rei when you put his arms around Rei's neck and sobbed. That hurt Rei more than Takao realized, but Rei held in his pain.
"Rei, you're okay! I'm so sorry! Please forgive me Rei!" Takao cried and tightened his grip; that made Rei grunt in pain and Takao quickly releases Rei,
"I'm sorry!"
"It's…fine," Rei replied as he slowly opens his eyes. He only saw more tears from Takao when he got a clear vision,
"Please…no more, Takao;"
"I'm sorry…" and Takao started to wipe his tears.
"…you have nothing to apologize for," said Rei, just above a whisper. Takao looked at him, confused. How can Rei say that?! After everything's that happened, how can he saw that no blame falls on Takao?!
"Rei…" Takao looked down, he's been wishes for this for the past few days, but he's never thought about what to say…
Takao alerted the rest of Rei's friends and they surrounded Rei like bugs to light. Rei was still in bad condition according to them. He's sore and pretty stiff with a few injuries in need of new bandages. But he had nothing serious to be looked at, at least that's what Rei says. Takao was sitting as he waited outside Rei's bedroom as Rei eats and drinks in his bed and talk with the Bai Hu Tzi team. Takao twiddled with his thumb and fingers, trying to figure out what to say and how to say it.
"Takao-Kun?"
Takao snapped out of his thoughts,
"Wha?! Huh? Yeah?"
"Would you like to talk with Rei now?" Mao asked who was still halfway in the room, holding the doorknob,
"…Um, well, if you're all done…" Takao replied, standing out.
"Sure, I'll get them out for you," said Mao and turned around to the others,
"Come on guys, we can talk to Rei anytime we want. I think Takao-Kun deserves some time too," said Mao,
"Aw, but we're still discussing guy stuff!" Kiki protested and Mao's angry cat eyes formed,
"I SAID NOW!" she snapped which got them all out of the room in a second. She turned to Takao and smiled sweetly,
"There, you go right ahead!"
"Um…thanks, Mao-Chan," said Takao, who was also a bit scared himself, and he quickly walks in and closes the door behind him.
"Your sister isn't as cute and innocent as she makes herself to be," said Kiki to Rai,
"Don't push it," said Rai giving Kiki a glare.
"But Mao's right, we can see Rei anytime we want to since well all live together. Takao-Kun does deserve some time with Rei," said Gao,
"Thank you! Now, I call dibs on the remote!" said Mao and Kiki's jaw drops,
"I hate you! Because it's my turn and I called dibs long ago!" Kiki argued as the two raced towards the T.V.
"Those two get along nice," said Gao, who was the only one not getting stressed out by any of this. Rai sweat dropped and sighed,
"You seriously call that 'getting along'?"
Takao slowly let's his hand go on the doorknob; he hasn't figured out what to say to Rei yet!
"Takao…"
Takao lightly stiffened, but was relieved that Rei decided to start the conversation.
"Y-Yes, Rei?" he asked as he walks over to Rei's bedside. Rei was sitting up with his back and head against pillows.
"I…I heard what happened at Tokyo Tower from the others. I'm sorry you had to be there," said Rei, but he didn't look at Takao, he kept staring down at the sheets.
"N-No, I chose to go. I couldn't just let you go there on your own like that, knowing something could've happened to you…I'm sorry! I know you say I did nothing wrong but you and I both know I did! I was too stubborn and scared to forgive you. I wanted to run away and hoped that my problems would go away too. But it really did the exact opposite. The more I tried to avoid you, the more problems it caused for us and everyone else…I'm sorry Rei," Takao apologized and slightly bowed in apology. Rei's eyes laid on Takao but it quickly left its sight.
"…I honestly still believe you did nothing wrong. No one forced you to do what you did. You made your own choice and your own choice should affect you and you alone. I did something wrong and I paid for it. That's how life works…What is it Takao, that you really want to tell me?" Rei asked and lifts his head a bit more to look at Takao who was looking pretty nervous.
"…" Takao wasn't sure himself. Was it guilt alone that he wanted Rei to wake up? Rei bit his lip, he didn't like the empty answer.
"Takao…you know that all I ever wanted was to be by your side. You're all I need. I didn't want to wake up from my dream state. Takao, I beg you, one more time, please give our relationship another chance! We had something special, I want that back and I know you do too…" Rei slightly moved himself to face Takao better, Takao wanted to protest but Rei stopped his hand that was about to help him.
"I'm willing to do anything to be with you again. I'll give up anything for a second chance, I beg of you Takao! Please…"
"Rei…I can't really say…" Takao wasn't sure what he really wanted. He held onto Rei's hand, just like he's done for the past days. What was it that he wanted? Rei moved his hand to Takao's face again, to caress it.
"I'll end my life as a thief…I'll burn my costume and will never write another notice again. My focus will only be on you and only you, I swear it!"
Takao almost gasped upon hearing that.
"Rei…you love being 20 Menso. Other people too; giving up something like that is like me giving up beyblading! It just can't happen Rei, how can you say that?!" Takao exclaimed but Rei's hand didn't move from Takao's face.
"I say that because I can…I said I'd give up anything for you. Then I can give all my attention to you. I'll drop the Class Board if I have to. I'll give up anything to spend more time with you!"
Now that's just going too far, Takao isn't even sure if Rei's sane anymore. He took in a deep breath and lets it out. Takao puts his own hand on Rei's and felt his body head.
"I never asked for that Rei…" Takao whispered. Rei blinked, in confusion.
"I wanted quality time with you, not quantity. I don't mind seeing you even for just an hour once a week or once every two weeks. So long as that hour we spend together is special. I only asked for more of those moments, Rei, not more time. I want you to enjoy your life too. I don't care if you have some theft to pull off and you can't see me, so long as you say you're sorry and mean it I'll forgive you and we move on. I just wanted things to be the way they were back then…"
Rei and Takao exchanged glances as they stare at each other. Takao caresses Rei's hand and held it tight.
"Whenever you miss a date, you bring me gifts for an apology. When you need to cancel a date, you promise me something to make up for it. We see each other every Friday unless you had plans. But I was okay with it because I knew how much I loved you and I know you would give as much affection back as possible…but you never showed me any of those affections as time went on. I never asked you to quit being the greatest thief in the world and I don't want you to. I love seeing the amazing thefts pulled off by this thief too. And you can't quit the Class Board, what will happen to Kai and Max? I just want us to…" Takao's voice trailed off. What is it that he really wanted?
"…You want us…?" Rei asked him. He wanted to, no, needed to know, "Whatever you want, I'll give it to you, Takao…"
"…Rei, what do you want?" Takao asked and started putting Rei's hand down and away from his face. Rei only hesitated but he knew his answer.
"To be with you again! A second chance! I swear I learned from my mistakes, I won't ever leave you alone!"
"…Then say it."
Rei blinked as he stared at Takao. Say what? It took a bit for Rei ponder but he took a chance with his guts.
"Takao I…please believe me, but I swear it. I love you, Takao!" Rei tried to shout, but that only hurt his body. Takao tried to get Rei to relax before continuing,
"If I give you another chance…then will you give me one?"
Rei stared at Takao. That's all he asks for? Something that Rei doesn't even think Takao needs!
"Takao, I don't think-"
"I'm not perfect. I made mistakes in this relationship too. It's not your burden to carry alone. And Rei…" Takao lowered his head and wet his lips, they were getting dry, "I wasn't the only one hurt through our problems. You and I may have been hurt the most but others too…"
Rei looked slightly guilty, Olivier being the first person that popped into his mind about what Takao was saying.
"Daichi hasn't been doing too well either," said Takao and Rei took a grasp on reality.
"Daichi?!"
"He knows…he found out. But instead of helping the police, he helped us instead," Takao lightly explained. Rei didn't know what think anymore. He's already in a deep enough hole with Takao, now Daichi too?!
"Here, Daichi," Max dropped a small pile of folders in Daichi's arms,
"What's this for?" Daichi asked lifting the pile a bit higher for a better grip. Daichi was called into the High School after school by Max and Kai and the first thing Daichi got was a pile of papers and folders.
"Well now that you know Rei's little secret, we thought you might want some unexplained answers…" said Max with a sweatdrop.
"…How long have you guys known about it?" Daichi as putting the pile down on the snack table and then sat down.
"I found out from Kai back in Junior High School," said Max,
"I found out because I did," said Kai who was working on the computer.
"…So he didn't tell you guys himself right?" Daichi asked and Max shook his head.
"Rei wasn't really happy with Kai telling me and I'm not even sure how Kai found out. Taka found out…well, he can tell you himself. It's a pretty funny story actually. But don't take it too personally, you know Rei would've told you if he could," said Max trying to cheer up Daichi.
"What do you mean if he could?" Daichi asked raising a brow.
"Well…" Max wasn't sure how to put it to Daichi. Kai leaned over to the side to see behind the computer.
"What Max is trying to say is that out of everyone he knows, you would be the last person he would tell. Rei didn't plan on telling anyone at all in the first place but if he was going to tell anyone, again, you'd be the last person he'd tell," said Kai and Max glared at him,
"That was a mean way to put it Kai!"
"It was the truth. Look Shrimp, out of everyone Rei knows, you're closest to the police. You try to catch to for most of your short life so far. You seriously think Rei would tell you he was that very thief you were trying to catch?" Kai pointed out.
"Well…it's not like-I wouldn't-gah! Shut up! Don't call me a shrimp! I'm growing you know!" Daichi shouted,
"Is that really the best comeback you can do?"
"Kai! Be nice!" Max shouted at Kai.
"Anyway Daichi, I'm sure when Rei gets better you and him and talk it out. Okay?" Max asked, trying to reassure Daichi.
"Yeah, sure, okay…"
Later on, Max and Kai rushed over to Rei's house upon hearing him waking up.
"REI!" Max shouted and was about to glomp Rei while in bed if Kai didn't hold onto Max's collar, nearly choking the poor blonde.
"Don't kill him right after he recovered," said Kai and releases Max.
"Okay, I'm sorry…Rei! So good to see you all better now!" Max cheered and ran to his bedside.
"Thanks for your concern," said Rei with a light smile.
"So where's Taka?" Max asked looking around the room and then outside the room,
"He…went home. To think about things…" Rei's eyes start to shift, "About us…"
"Oh…uh, don't worry Rei! I'm sure everything will be alright! Takao was really worried about you…he stayed by your side the most," Max reminded,
"I know…"
Rei rested at home on Saturday. He was also told not to get up and do things and should stay and rest as much as possible. When school ended, Rei waited patiently for his friends and Takao. It hurt, when he was informed that Takao was not coming today…
When Max and Kai dropped by with a gift basket, it only cheered him up only a little…
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"Nii-Chan," Takao walked into the kitchen for his brother,
"Hm? Yes, Takao?" Hitoshi was at the table with Brooklyn, whose been coming over almost everyday, and they both laid their attention on Takao.
"Taka-Chan, it's early of you to come home. Are you not going to see young Rei-Kun?" Brooklyn asked and Takao shook his head.
"I want to ask you something. I know everyone deserves a second chance but…for me to take Rei back doesn't this count as his third chance?" Takao asked and Hitoshi blinked. He puts his hands on his knees and faced Takao.
"Well…I guess that depends on how you look at it. You and him were both young…younger back then so it was no surprise that something came up between you two. But in Rei's defense, you were more childish and were taking the relationship much faster than he was. So he needed to catch up and you needed to slow down. And boom, you're back together again. Now that you're both older and mature, an actual problem came up between you two. So…I guess you can see it either way but my personally opinion…is that it's only fair to him that this should be his second chance," Hitoshi explained and Takao nodded, sinking in the information.
"Um, I don't know what happened between you and Rei-Kun in the past, but from what I heard, I agree with your brother. You were more emotionally ready than he was in your relationship in the past so you can't blame Rei-Kun for not being emotionally ready as you were. But now, you two are both at the same level of maturity and so this is when your relationship really starts. Why not give it a second try?" Brooklyn suggested.
"I guess…"
Hitoshi pulled up a chair next to him and motioned Takao to sit down.
"It's still your decisions in the end. Yours and no one else's, understand?" Hitoshi as patting Takao's head. Takao slowly nodded,
"I'll talk to him tomorrow. We have no school; I'll talk with him tomorrow."
Takao wasn't the only one with plans the next day, Rei did too.
"What? What do you mean he left? Shouldn't he be in bed resting?" Takao asked when Rai told him that Rei left early this morning. He only knew because Rei left a note. Takao was saddened from that information.
"I'm sure he's fine. It's not like he could've gone very far…" Rai pointed out.
"Y-Yeah…when he comes back, tell him I'm looking for him. Well, if I didn't already find him myself," said Takao and turned around to go.
"Sure, Takao-Kun," said Rai and watches Takao leave.
Takao sighed and looks at his cap in his hand and puts it on his head. He even dressed nicely today for Rei. Well, Takao's version of 'dress nicely' at least.
"Takao, I thought you said you were going to dress nice for Rei," said Hitoshi earlier this morning.
"I am dressed nicely," said Takao opening his arms. Hitoshi's brow twitched at Takao's get-up,
"You look like a punk…"
"I do not! It's your own white hoodie! You don't wear it anymore so I took it. And it looks good on me," said Takao pulling on the white hoodie he's wearing along with his long black pants and of course his favorite cap. Hitoshi shook his head and pulled on Takao's sleeves,
"This thing's too big on you. Go change into some things else, you look ridicules!"
"This is comfortable and I'm more calm when I feel comfortable! I'm stressed out as it is!" Takao argued, pouting angrily.
"Okay fine have it your way," said Hitoshi giving up, "At least tie your hair, it's all over the place," said Hitoshi and pulled Takao along with him and started crushing his hair.
"Ah! Nii-Chan! I'm not a baby! I can take care of myself! And you know my hair is naturally formed into a ponytail! Stop it!" Takao struggled but Hitoshi was bigger and stronger.
"There, at least now your hair won't go all over the place," said Hitoshi after tying Takao's already formed ponytail with a rubber band much to Takao's annoyance.
Takao felt like changing his mind. It really was a bit big on him. But that didn't matter now, he had to find Rei. Instead, he ran into his ex.
"Taka-Chan! What a pleasure it is to see you early in the morning!" said Brooklyn cheerfully.
"Um, good morning…" Takao greeted,
"I was just going over to see your brother. He's awake right?" Brooklyn asked and Takao nodded,
"More than awake…." He also muttered.
"Okay then, see you around, Taka-Chan! And be careful! Say hi to Rei-Kun for me! Oh, and nice get-up, you look sexy! See ya!"
Takao turned red and stayed in that spot.
"H-Hey! Don't go around calling me that!" Takao stuttered and cried after Brooklyn.
"I'm just teasing Taka-Chan! Or am I? Doesn't matter, you'll always be cute little Taka-Chan!"
"I-I'm not that cute…" Takao muttered, still red.
Rei, dressed in his tradition Chinese clothing, walks near the small river at of the edge of BBA School. He scanned the area and found the red-head he was looking for.
"Go Gaia Dragoon! Attack!" Daichi shouted,
"Not so fast! Go Guardian Driger!" A boy with long black hair tied in an up ponytail and wearing a large crown cloak shouted.
"Go big brother!" A little girl with short black hair shouted on the sidelines.
"Come on Daichi! Win so I can battle you next!" A long haired blonde boy also tied in an up ponytail but was all over place instead of straight making his hair look like a palm tree; he had roller blades on with wore army pants.
Rei stood close enough to see but not distract Daichi. He never saw those three people before. Then again, he doesn't know many people in the school anyway. But the guy Daichi's battling doesn't even look like he even goes to school, looks more like a traveler.
"Gaia Dragoon! Great Cutter!" Daichi shouted,
"Hm, reckless as always Daichi. Guardian Driger! Go!"
Gaia Dragoon started its signature attack but Guardian Driger disappeared with blinding speed and slashes its opponent before Daichi could even land its attack.
"Ah…" Daichi bit his lip and was disappointed in his loss.
"Yay! Big Brother won!" the little girl cheered.
"Aw man, Daichi! You were supposed to win!" the blonde shouted and shook his head in disappointment.
Guardian Driger flew back to its owner who caught and it puts it away. He gripped the sword under his cloak and walks up to Daichi who just picked up his blade,
"What's the matter, Daichi? You battle smarter than that," he said to him.
"I'm sorry Kennosuke. Things have been on my mind lately. I'm sorry you, Temaru, and Hikaru had to drop by when I'm not at my best," Daichi apologized to Kennosuke.
"I see…I hope you work it out, Daichi. Until then, we will stay somewhere for a few days. Oh yes…we passed by the mountains and we met your mother. Hikaru," Kennosuke looked over at the blonde. Hikaru skated over and pulled out a letter,
"Here Daichi, from your mother, Orin. She really misses you," said Hikaru.
"Thanks Hikaru," said Daichi and stares at the letter before putting it away.
"Big brother Daichi, will we play before we go?" Temaru asked pulling on Daichi's coat that he was wearing.
"Sure thing. If that's okay with your actual big brother of course," said Daichi looking at Kennosuke.
"You know I'll be supervising…" said Kennosuke,
"Hey! Don't forget me!" Hikaru puts an arm around Daichi, "We have a lot of catching up to do!"
"Yeah…sure…"
"Wow, something really must be on your mind for you to act like this!" said Hikaru and releases Daichi.
"Is it a girl?" he asked and Daichi's eyes widened but it soon turned to angry as he grew an anime vein and whacks Hikaru over the head.
"NOT FUNNY!" Daichi shouted.
"Daichi!" Rei shouted after being within talking distance, "Daichi, hey, do you mind if borrow you from your friends for a moment?"
Rei also got the attention of Daichi's friends.
"Wow Daichi, is it a pattern that you are friends with people with long hair?" Hikaru joked,
"It's just a coincidence!" Daichi shouted and started walking towards Rei, "Excuse me for a moment."
"Of course, Daichi. Hikaru, you really need to be more mature, you know," said Kennosuke coolly,
"And you need to lighten up, samurai," said Hikaru.
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"Yes…Rei?" Daichi asked when the two were a good distance away from the others.
"So, I heard from the others you're in on my little secret too?" Rei asked and Daichi nodded,
"So…how do you feel about it?" Rei asked, this situation being very awkward. Daichi shrugged,
"I'm still trying to sink it all in but I'm doing better than I was than the night I found out. I feel…okay with it, a little betrayed, but I'm okay!" said Daichi making an O with his thumb and index finger.
"…Really?" Rei asked,
"…Kind of," Daichi replied putting his hand down, "It's just that…for all the years I've known you and everyone else, I apparently am the last one to be in on this! I just feel a little betrayal here on our friendship," said Daichi shaking his head. Rei played with his hands,
"Well…it was a little hard to tell you if you're pretty close to the police force..." Rei reminded. Daichi sighed,
"I know…I know…"
"Look at it this way. Other than the friends I'm staying with, Mystel was supposed to be the only one outside my house to know my secret. But Takao found out, plus his brother, because we're lovers. Then Kai found out because he's really nosy. Then Max found out because Kai told him. And Kaida knew because Takao told her. And I hope that's all. But no one else, besides from everyone I listed, should know. You're not really left out. Hiromi and Kyoujyu don't know, or other famous beybladers at this school…You know I would've told you if I could, Daichi. I swear it. I'm really sorry, for everything," said Rei sincerely and Daichi finally laid eyes on Rei, for he was avoiding Rei's gaze the whole time.
"That's nice to know…you know when we first met, I was just a kid, well, a really little kid and all I ever wanted to do was be number one in beyblading. Then I met you and then we battled and then I lost and we somehow became friends after that. Then 20 Faces came along and I just got so interested in this amazing thief that I actually wanted to try and catch him. Just to meet him," Daichi confessed,
"So you weren't trying to catch me because you wanted to bring me to justice?" Rei asked raising a brow,
"I just said that so the police would let me follow them around. After all my past failures I realized that if I ever do catch the thief, he'd escape right away. My original goal really was to catch him…you…but it was for the glory really. Then it quickly changed to just wanting to meet you. I guess I'm having a harder time coping with your secret because it's probably has been hidden from me the longest and because of the whole irony," said Daichi and sighed. He took out his beyblade and looked at it.
"I feel like I wasted a lot of nights chasing after you when I could've been training…"
"Daichi, you're a good beyblader without a doubt. Don't let this trouble you. Maybe you need to beybattle me again?" Rei offered. Daichi shook his head,
"Maybe all I needed was this talk…I'm gonna go back. I have to battle Hikaru too. You can make up for my troubles by watching the battle. Then tell me how to improve!"
"Uh…sure!"
Daichi smirked and started heading back to the others with Rei following.
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"Hel-lo, who's this guy, Daichi?" Hikaru asked looking at Rei with interest.
"This is Rei. Rei, this is Kennosuke, his sister Temaru, and that's Hikaru," Daichi introduced. Kennosuke bowed and his sister followed his example.
"Pleased to meet you, Rei-San," said Kennosuke politely.
"Pleasure's all mine. Thank you, Kennosuke-San," Rei greeted back. Hikaru leaned on Rei's shoulder,
"And I'm Hikaru. You can just call me Hikaru, no need to be formal with me. Any friend of Daichi's is a friend of mine!" said Hikaru with a smile.
"Um…thanks? Nice to meet you, Hikaru," said Rei, but was a bit uncomfortable with Hikaru invading his personal space so quickly.
"So…what's a pretty thing like you following around Daichi for?" Hikaru asked. Daichi lightly slapped himself and Kennosuke grew an anime vein.
"Hikaru, he's just staying for a favor I asked him. I'm sure Rei would be doing anything but this if he had the choice," said Daichi and pulled out his beyblade and launcher, "Come on Hikaru, I'm taking you on next!"
Daichi got ready and stood in his spot and waited on Hikaru.
"Hikaru?" Daichi looked over at Hikaru but he was still talking with Rei!
"Hikaru!" Daichi shouted,
"Hold on a minute, Daichi! I'm coming! Just wait a bit! So Rei-"
"Hikaru! Stop trying to flirt with Rei! He's a got a boyfriend!" Daichi shouted with an anime vein.
"Well, I might get my boyfriend back," Rei corrected, "I need go look for him after this."
"Might eh? You know, I'll be sticking around for a while-"
Suddenly, a sword was pointed at Hikaru's throat and he stopped talking,
"Don't test me Hikaru. Just go battle Daichi already!" Kennosuke growled with an anime vein.
"Hehe, just teasing! Teasing! You know you'll always be my samurai!" said Hikaru putting his hands up to calm Kennosuke down and then went to get in position to battle Daichi.
"…Well that was interesting," said Rei and sat down on the side after Kennosuke got Hikaru to leave him alone. Temaru sat down next to him,
"My big brother is very possessive! But that just shows he cares!" she said cheerfully.
"So I get this feeling that Hikaru makes your brother jealous on purpose?" Rei asked,
"Yeah! It's pretty funny!"
"You think all relationships should be like that?" Rei asked,
"Hm? Not all. Some don't work that way. So it sounds like you and your lover has had some problems. You're trying to get him back?" she asked and Rei nodded,
"I want him back more than anything. But…I don't know what else I can do. I've offered almost everything I can think of!"
"Offered? I think you'll impress him better if you actually do something rather than offer something," Temaru advised.
"You think?" Rei asked and apparently was now more focused on her than the beybattle he should be watching.
"I definitely think so! It worked for my big brother!"
"I see…alright. I'll take your advice! Thanks!"
"You're welcome! Oh, can I have your opinion on something?"
"Hm? What is it?"
"I know I just said that actions speak louder than words, but does that go for the girl in the relationship too?"
"Um…" Rei sweatdrops, "I really wouldn't know…"
"Oh, it's okay!"
"Why, who's the guy?" Rei asked and she turned slightly red,
"Um…no one you would know!" she quickly said and Rei stared at her for a few moments.
"It's Daichi isn't it?"
"Don't tell him!"
"Don't worry I won't…speaking of Daichi, I'm supposed to be watching his battle!" Rei turned his attention to the battle to see Hikaru and Daichi battling on wood floating in the river.
"She's right. I shouldn't be making promises to Takao if I have no proof that I'll go through with the promises. I need to really show him that I'm true to word…"
Next:
The man with 20 faces and 20 masks makes a return to Takao's room, asking for one more date. But this time, the thief will be the host as he takes Takao away from his home to somewhere special to him.
This will be his last chance and it might also be his last night as the infamous, or famous, thief of all time!
Notes:
-I did not do a mistake. Takao went straight to Rei after school while Max and Kai stayed at school and called Daichi over. I did have Takao skip school. I'm not sure if anyone noticed what I did but yeah...
-Rei's 'second chance' was in "Neko-Jin of Many Faces" when he indirectly, and without knowing, said he won't marry Takao in the future.
-Kennosuke and Hikaru are 2 of my most favorite beyblade characters(besides Rei, Kai, Takao, and Mystel…actually they beat Mystel)! I'm really upset that they didn't get any parts in the anime! Well they appeared for about 5 seconds at the very end of the anime. They should've at least appeared in flashbacks from Daichi!
-I honestly think the best way to describe Hikaru's hair is to say it looks like a palm tree.
-I believe Daichi's mother was named Orin but I need to check the manga again. She's pretty funny! I can see where Daichi got his toughness from.
-I had fun putting some Kennosuke/Hikaru in this. I think they can be a cute couple. If only they were in the anime then maybe they'd be more popular around here!
-Okay, to be honest, I'm too lazy to double-check Kennosuke's sister's name but I'm pretty sure it's close, or is, Temaru.
-Daichi/Temaru anyone?
-Rei and Takao's dates are always in Takao's room or balcony and Takao's always the one that treats the thief with tea and treats. Except for some exception when Rei brings his own treats to share with Takao but nonetheless, Takao's the actual 'host' for their dates. So that's what my summary for next chapter was trying to say. This time, Takao doesn't need to do anything.
R and R Please!