Here's the next chapter. I would like to give a shout out to Fletty and Beyblade Community Project.


"You have five minutes to make it to the boardroom before I give out penalty training." Hiro warned before sauntering off.

"That was close." Max whispered to Tyson.

"It will be even closer if we don't leave now." Tyson pointed out hastily.


Chapter Four – Rendezvous


Tyson fidgeted nervously. He checked his phone quickly to reassure himself he was on time. During the 'team brief' he had received a text message from Kai. Worried as to what it might be he had quickly agreed to meet the older youth later that night.

It was a little before ten and half an hour after Hiro's stupid curfew. Tyson was concerned that his older brother would find out but Max had agreed to cover for him. He hadn't told Max who he was meeting and was wracked with guilt about it. So involved in his thoughts he didn't hear the light footfalls behind but jumped when a hand lightly touched his shoulder. He spun around to see Ray, not Kai.

He stared at the Chinese fighter confused. A small smile lit up Ray's face. "I didn't think you'd come." He said quietly.

"I-I thought it was Kai. He-he said it was an emergency." Tyson said embarrassed at his slight stutter.

"Sorry. I didn't have your number so I pinched Kai's phone. You did say you wanted to meet up so you could set up Max and Kai." Ray reminded Tyson with amusement. He studied the younger boy with interest.

"Y-yes." The blunette answered slowly. "I didn't think you took me seriously though."

A glint of mischief entered the raven haired man's eyes. He blew his bangs out of his face before answering. "Well. Your right its time they stopped tip toeing around each other. I want to help you."

Tyson gave Ray a sunny smile which he returned. Unbeknownst to the blunette it was a mixture of revenge for a prank the crimson eyed youth had played on him earlier that night and the desire to get to know Tyson better.

Tyson looked nervously around waiting for Hiro to appear out of know where. "Is there something wrong?" Ray asked noticing the wariness.

"Umm. It's just past curfew and Hiro, my coach, is very strict. Last time I did something stupid I had to do intensive 3 hour sessions everyday for six months." Tyson said shifting from foot to foot.

"Are you serious? You have a curfew?" Ray said trying not to laugh. "Kai wasn't kidding when he insinuated your brother was strict. I know a place close by that we can go. Coming?"

"He told you about Hiro?" Tyson asked as he followed the raven haired man.

"Not much. Just that he's your older brother and he feels sorry for you." Ray said looking sideways at Tyson. The blush that had been endearing to him was slowly starting to recede and the younger man was keeping his attention to the footpath. "Why doesn't he compete?"

"He injured himself quite badly a few years ago and he was told that he wouldn't be able to compete at an elite level. The institute jumped at the chance of having him being a coach and mentor to some of the younger fighters. He can still train but just not as intensely as he once did." Tyson said quietly remembering the hard decision that Hiro had had to make.

"That would be a hard sacrifice to make." Ray said sympathetically. Tyson flashed him a smile of gratitude. He could tell the younger man adored his older brother. "Why haven't I seen you on the circuit earlier?"

"Dad had agreed with Gramps that is was probably best not to let me compete till I was at least 16. They refused to explain why. Then Hiro hurt himself and they upped the age. I was so angry but they told me it was for my own good. My birthday was just after the cut off limit for the last championship so I had to wait until this one." Tyson said with increasing anger at the injustice of it all.

Ray saw how worked up he was getting and decided to change the subject. They were nearing their destination rapidly. "Sorry to change the subject but how did you meet Max?" Rask asked with curiosity.

"Purely by chance." Tyson said with a laugh. "One of the local bullies was picking on my buddy Kenny; the git took his laptop and bolted so I chased after him. I ran into Max and knocked him over. I helped him up, apologised and explained why I was wasn't paying much attention to where I was going. He was pretty pissed and helped me get the bastard in the end. We ended up becoming best friends and have been for almost five years now."

"Sounds like Max to get caught up in trying to fix a bully." Ray said with an amused laugh. "That's how Kai and I met him a long time ago. Kai was being his normal self and Max told him off. It impressed Kai no end that this younger kid stood up to him and wouldn't back down."

"Sounds like Maxie." Tyson said eyes sparkling with amusement finally relaxing. The entrance to the local park loomed above them. "We're going here?"

"There's something I want to show you." Ray said with an easy smile. He began to walk towards the lake much to Tyson's consternation.

"Do you have any ideas on how to set them up?" Tyson asked suddenly remembering the reason for the meeting.

Ray gave a sheepish laugh. "No. Not really..." he trailed off.

Tyson gave Ray a big smirk and replied teasingly. "Well it's probably for the best. If I do use plan A Kai will probably try and kill me."

"I dread to think. What is it?" Ray asked his curiosity piqued.

"Nope. I can't tell." Tyson said smirk getting bigger.

"And why not?" Ray asked slightly annoyed.

"Cause if I do tell you he will try and kill you too and then there will be no one to rescue me from the big bad Kai." Tyson replied fluttering his eyelashes at the raven haired boy.

Ray gave the youth a strange look to which Tyson blushed and laughed sheepishly. "You'll see." The blunette muttered embarrassed at his flirtatious behaviour.

All of a sudden a cheery little tune interrupted the awkward silence that had fallen. Tyson grabbed his phone out of his pocket and looked at it. He pressed the decline button when he saw Hiro's name. Ray gestured for him to follow him down to the edge of the lake.

Tyson looked around furtively to see if anyone was following them before joining the raven haired man at the edge. "This way." Ray breathed in his ear. A tug at his hand makes Tyson blush at the sudden contact but he managed to keep up with the Chinese fighter as he jumped from rock to rock to get to the island in the middle of the lake

After they reached the bank of the island Ray tugged his hand leading him into the trees out of sight of any passersby. He stumbled along behind fighting his way through the tangled mess until they entered a small clearing. Ray went to the middle and sat tugging Tyson down next to him. The raven haired youth slid down until he was lying on his back looking at the stars.

Once again Tyson's phone went off, much to his annoyance. Again it was Hiro. With a sudden impulse he turned the phone off and cautiously followed Ray's example looking at the sky. "Wow. This is beautiful." The blunette gasped upon seeing the view. "How'd you find it?"

Ray took his time before answering surreptitiously moving closer to the younger man. "By accident; we were here for the championships about 8 years ago and my coach said something that made me really angry so I ran off. I saw the stones and managed to jump them until I got here. When I am in Beycity I come here every time I need to centre myself."

Tyson said a soft oh. Ray inched closer until his arm gently brushed against the blunette's.

Tyson turned his head to look at Ray and noted an odd look in the golden eyes. All of a sudden a strange noise interrupted the spell that had fallen over them.

Ray sat up suddenly and pulled his phone out of his pocket Missed call. 'Kai?' he thought to himself as he unlocked the phone. Shaking his head at the strangeness of it Ray opened his contact list before his phone went off for a message. He opened the message quickly.

Kai: Even though you used MY phone I thought I would warn you that Hiro is on the warpath and looking for Tyson. I suggest you come up with a good story.

"It seems your brother has found out you are missing and has been asking around to see if anyone has seen you." Ray said looking down at the younger boy. Tyson pouted at him not wanting to leave just yet.

"Do we have to?" he whined giving the older boy a puppy dog look.

"Nice try. Unfortunately that doesn't work on me." Ray said with a small laugh. Rising gracefully to his feet he offered his hands to help the blunette up.

Tyson took the proffered hands but managed to stumble as he got to his feet blundering into Ray causing them to fall back. Tyson lay on top of Ray slightly dazed. Ray pushed him into a seated position with Tyson sprawled over his lap.

"Sorry." Tyson said thoroughly embarrassed managing to push himself up out of the raven haired man's lap.

"That's ok. I don't mind." Ray said quietly looking at Tyson intently.

Tyson look up, red faced and noticed the intense look he was being given. A hand brushed his hair away from his face. A mouth gently brushed against his.

A soft gasp escaped him before the hand cupped back of his head pulling him closer. Tyson shut his eyes entranced by the mouth moving gently against his. When a tongued probed against his lips he gave into the demand and opened his mouth. Ray's tongue explored his mouth, pushing lightly against his before continuing on. He moaned pulling away slightly to catch his breath.

He glanced shyly at Ray as he took a couple of deep breaths before leaning forward slightly and pressing his mouth back to Ray's. Ray smiled against Tyson's lips before cupping his hands around Tyson's face and pulling him deeper into the kiss. Leaning back he pulled Tyson down with him and gently rolled them so he was on top. He pulled away and began to trail kisses down the blunette's jaw and neck. He pulled Tyson's shirt away from his collarbone before sucking and nipping lightly at the salty skin. Tyson gasped for breath.

A strange noise interrupted the pair. Ray sat back moving to sit on his heels irritated at the sudden disruption. He pulled his phone out of his pocket; a strange number came up on the screen.

"What the hell." Ray snapped irritably. " 991? Who the hell is ringing me?"

Tyson sat up and pried the phone from Ray's grip and looked at the number with a frown. "How'd Hiro get your number?" he asked looking back at the Chinese fighter in confusion.

"That's your brother's number? Probably Max or Kai." Ray replied softly moving to kiss the corner of Tyson's mouth.

Tyson blushed wildly looking down at the phone. "You got a message." He said shyly handing back the phone.

Hiro: If you are with or know where Tyson is please send him back to the hotel.

"I think it might be time to go back. I think he knows you're with me." Ray said looking up at Tyson. He got back to his feet and pulled Tyson in for a quick kiss.

"I think I should leave first. If he is nearby I don't want you to get into trouble. I know how to handle Hiro." Tyson said quietly looking down at his shoes. Ray tilted his head up and looked searchingly into his eyes.

"I'll see you tomorrow?" he asked quietly.

"Of course. You have a bout."Tyson replied. Impulsively he leant in and brushed his mouth quickly against Ray's. "Good night."

"Good night." Ray said softly following Tyson to the edge of the trees. He watched as the younger boy jumped carefully from rock to rock making it safely to shore. With a smile on his face he went back to the little clearing and lay down again gazing at the stars. He hadn't meant to kiss Tyson just try to get to know him a little better. He closed his eyes remembering; the feel and taste of the blunette on his lips, it was addictive and he wanted more. His parents had told him that when he met that person he would know. And he knew - Tyson was the one.


ts


Tyson wandered back along the path in a daze thinking about the events that had just occurred. His face burned slightly at the memories.

"Where the hell have you been?" A voice snarled from behind him. Tyson spun around to the angry visage of Hiro. He shrunk back slightly before looking at his shoes.

"I'm sorry Hiro. I couldn't sleep so I decided to have a walk. It's been a bit overwhelming being here and I haven't been feeling very well." Tyson said shifting from foot to foot. He glanced up briefly before looking back at his shoes.

A hand pushed his hair back and pressed against his forehead and then his cheeks. He closed his eyes at the cool sensation. "You are a bit hot." Hiro said with a bit of concern.

Hiro gently grabbed his elbow pulling him back towards the hotel. Tyson looked back fleetingly before turning his attention back to the path.

"You can't just wander off like that Ty especially without anybody nearby. Somebody could have attacked you." Hiro scolded lightly. "Next time you feel like taking a walk let me know and I will go with you."

"Yes Hiro. Tyson replied meekly. He listened with half an ear to the lecture letting his mind return briefly to his encounter with Ray.

The bright lights of the hotel foyer blinded him temporarily but Hiro kept walking forcing him to follow. The elevator dinged as the doors open. A couple got in with them and Hiro fell silent refusing to continue the lecture in their presence. Tyson was glad for the short reprieve. He leaned back against the wall with his eyes closed.

When the doors opened on their floor Hiro shook him and he followed his older brother. Hiro opened his door and motion for Tyson to precede him. He trudged in and made his way his way to his bed pulling off his hoodie and chucking it on his suitcase. He ignored the disapproving noise his older brother made as he pulled off his shoes and socks.

Picking up his old shirt and shorts he wandered into the bathroom and changed as he listened to Max and Hiro. Chucking his clothes in the basket he had bought opened the door and moved back into the bedroom. He quickly walked over to his bed and slid in.

"I expect to see you at training tomorrow morning unless you are really sick." Hiro said warningly. "If you are not feeling well Max will get me and I will judge whether you will train."

'Hiro hadn't totally bought his story from those remarks.' Tyson thought nodding.

"Good night." Hiro said curtly as he left turning the lights out behind him.

"Where were you?" Max hissed a couple of minutes later.

"I'll tell you tomorrow." Tyson whispered back. "Hiro might still be out there."

Turning on his side a silly smile enveloped his face; he let his mind drift back over his first real kiss.


I hope you like this chapter - its a little different I know and maybe going a little fast but all will be explained in the next few chapters and you will get to see a little more Max and Kai. :)

Constructive criticism, suggestions and reviews are welcome.

Lots of love

Storm

p.s. Rating has been changed for future chapters.