Disclaimer: Do you ever see Kai and Tyson fight together? That's right, I still own nothing.

A huge thank-you to adbhut and Little A Granger for reviewing and to all of those still reading this story!


It was the weekend and the former bladebreakers plus Hilary were having fun sparing matches in the garden of the dojo. Ray and Max both had their blades in the dish as the others sat on the sidelines, cheering and giving out advice where they could.

"Ray! Concentrate, that turn was too wide!"

Unfortunately, for everyone Kai was back to being the drill-Sargent from hell.

"Yo Kai, give the man a break! It was 2mm off!" chided Tyson.

"In a free-for-all beyblade massacre, 2mm could be the difference between winning and losing!"

"And if he loses, we'll just cheer him up with pizza!"

"Um Tyson, that's what cheers you up, not Ray." injected Hilary.

Ray and Max paid no attention to the other, too wrapped up in their battle. Drigger was attacking from every angle, trying to break through Draciel's impenetrable defence. It was then that Max saw his opening and attacked at full-power, catching the Chinese man off-guard and sent the white blade flying out of the dish.

Kai smirked in satisfaction – Ray had gone in too wide again, and Max took advantage of the situation. His look quickly became of one of concern however, when he saw the far-away look in the neko-jin's eyes. Deciding to be the voice of reason – in Tyson's world, that meant being a wet blanket – he walked up to the raven-haired blader. "Whatever you're dealing with, you need to get over it and get your head in the game."

Ray looked at him. "Y-yeah. Whatever you say Kai." he looked back to Max and Kai saw it. That hint of longing in those amber eyes, the same look he used to look at Mariah with. Oh fuck. He made a mental note to talk with the raven-haired teen in private.

"Hey, when did the chief make you guys new blades?" Asked Max, eyeing Tyson's new Dragoon. "It looks pretty sweet!"

Tyson beamed. "I know, right? Kenny made it a few weeks ago when Kai and I started training. It's super strong, it makes the MS look like a sissy in comparison."

The blonde blinked. "Wait, you mean to tell me that you have a blade that managed to survive a battle with Kai without needing repairs?"

"Yeah, totally wicked right?"

The computer geek suddenly found his personal space being invaded by both Max and Ray, each holding up their blades, begging for the brunette to update them. "AH! Ok, ok! Calm down! I'll upgrade both of your blades!" he sighed, taking both tops as their owners thanked him.

"So," Ray looked at Tyson and Kai with a mischievous look in his eye. "how about you tow have a battle so we can check out the competition?"

Both boys exchanged glances before shaking their heads, simultaneously. "We can't, not here anyway."

The long-haired blader put his hands on his hips. "Not even to spar?"

Kai stepped up and readied his launcher. "Don't say we didn't warn you."

Tyson met his rival at the dish and they released their blades. As soon as the tops clashed, the shock wave knocked both Ray and Max of their feet and sent flying back into the wall.

Tyson immediately recalled his Dragoon and rushed to his fallen friends, who were just staring at their former teammates, baffled by the raw power they had unleashed. "You guys ok?"

"Y-yeah." stuttered Ray, finding his voice and dusting himself off. Smiling brightly he said, "Looks like I have my work cut out for me!"

"Yeah, me too! That was incredible guys! You gotta let us train with you!"

Unsure cinnamon eyes drifted to the eldest blade, heart soaring when he saw the flash of approval. "Yeah guys! Wait till you see this tight-rope trick Kai invented! It's super hard!"

"Just for the love of beyblades, don't go jogging with them!" warned Kenny. "They get all competitive."

Ray flexed his muscles and stepped forward. "Sound interesting! Lee has been having a hard time keeping up with me lately, I've been looking for a challenge!"

"Don't say I didn't warn you." muttered Kenny, returning his attention back to his laptop, as the quartette started out on a nice and easy jog.


~3 hours later~

Ray and Max collapsed as their friends went on ahead of them. Kenny hadn't been kidding! Tyson's and Kai's athletic ability seemed to have reached supernatural levels in their desire to conquer each other. Of course Kai had started it, with Tyson responding by copying the move, and Ray and Max had followed suit, but straight free-running across the city for hours? That had proven to be a little too much for the Drigger and Draciel holders.

"They're...nuts." heaved Max, his sweaty blonde bangs sticking to his face.

"No...kidding..."breathed Ray. He turned his head to the side and to his delight he had discovered that they were laying right outside the dojo. Forcing himself to his feet, he helped the American stand and they both stumbled into their second home. The chief heard the commotion and promptly brought water bottles.

"Those two still at it?" the brunette questioned as the other's relieved their parched throats.

"Yeah...are they always like this?" asked Max.

"More or less. They usually can go for about 4 1/2 hours before exhaustion finally catches up to them"

Both teen's eyes widened in astonishment, before Max laid back down and sighed. "Those two need to fess up their love already." Everyone chuckled.

"Tyson's so obvious...we really need to lock them in a room or something." suggested Ray.

"Yeah, bu that's what Boris did, and that didn't do any good." pointed out Kenny. "Though, they're getting closer."

Max opened an eye. "What do you mean, buddy?"

I mean when we were in Kai's safe house, I woke up and they were sortive snuggled together on the loveseat." he recalled, "And when they woke up Kai didn't get mad or push Tyson away and Tyson didn't tease him at all."

Blue and amber eyes widened, before the neko-jin grinned. "Well, maybe there is hope for them after all."

Two hours later the Dragon and Phoenix masters collapsed into the dojo, breathing heavily, their clothes clinging to their sweat-soaked bodies. Immediately the others gave them bottles of water, which the worn out rivals drank gratefully.

"Jeez guys, if you're not careful, one of these days you're going to pass out in the middle of the road." warned Ray.

"Yeah, in your condition, I doubt either of you can pull a ripcord."

"I can so!" protested Tyson as he reached for his blade, only to find it already in Kai's hands. "Hey! Give it back!"

"Even if you could launch your blade, there's no way you have enough energy to control Dragoon." the eldest said.

"Party Pooper." muttered the bluenette. His nose caught whiff of something that made his mouth water. "Mm-mm...what's cooking?"

Ray grinned. "Chicken stir-fry."

"Man, I'm sure glad you're back buddy! I've missed your cooking!"

"Well you're in for a treat, Mariah's been giving me some lessons."

Kai noticed the quick flash of jealousy in Max's eyes and he had to suppress a chuckle. It seemed like they had all fallen for each other; Well with the exception of Tyson. Beyblading was his one true love, though food was a very close second, as the 17-year old rushed into the kitchen.

After they all ate, Kenny gave Ray and Max their newly updated blades, which they were eager to try out. Max and Tyson stepped up to the beydish, and the countdown began. "Let it rip!" the players shouted, launching their blades into the dish. Dragoon circled Draciel as the as the green blade waited the opponent's first move, which Tyson did with a vengeance. Metal grinding against metal, sparks flew as Dragoon tried to push back the emerald blade, but Draciel stayed firmly in position.

"Heh, you've gotten stronger Max!" complemented Tyson, rubbing his nose.

"You ain't so shabby either." Draciel then slammed against the white blade, catching Dragoon off-guard and pushing it back up the rim of the dish. "And yet you underestimate me." he grinned.

"Won't happen again." Dragoon charged at the enemy, striking at such an angle, that it sent both blades back into their owner's hands. "But we can save the real battle for the tournament." he smirked.

Kai found himself marvelling at Tyson's maturity. Only a few short years ago, Tyson would have pulled out all the stops to win even a practice match. He was holding his cards close to his chest, a smart move considering the circumstances.

"You're up guys!" Max said, calling out to them.

As Kai strode up to the dish and readied his launcher, he decided to follow Tyson's example and give Ray a mere taste of his power.

"3..2..1! Let it rip!" shouted Max and the blades were launched into the arena. Ray started out, guns ablazing, as Drigger unleashed a full assault on Dranzer. Concentrating, Dranzer and Kai weathered the attacks, dodging the ones that the could see. Drigger was nothing but a silver blur! When one blurr turned into 8 and Kai found himself being assaulted on all sides, he had enough.

"Hmph. So the kitty has claws, but lacks any real power." Ray's eyes went wide as the legendary blade threw off his scarf and wings of flame spread from his back. "Blazing Gig Tempest!" Flaming feathers rained from the heavens and eliminated the illusions and caged Drigger.

"The same move won't work on me twice! Thunder Claw!" at once the feathers were slashed and lightening emitted from the blade, light blinded everyone and once the dust had settled, a large crater was revealed, with Dranzer still spinning on the very narrow rim of the dish.

Kai was in awe of his former teammate's new move and the control he had over it – but still he was superior. Not yet wanting reveal his finishing move, he remembered the wires he and Tyson had practised on, concentrating his power, he willed Dranzer to deftly do a black flip over Drigger, catching the white blade on the side and lifting it into the air with such force, it was sent flying out of the dish. The teenagers were left stunned at the perfectly executed move.

Ray retrieved his blade and extended his hand. "That was some fancy footwork Kai. Great battle."

Kai smirked and took the hand. "Your attacks need more power to them, speed alone isn't enough."

"I guess I have a lot more practice ahead of me." he grinned. While he may have revealed his hand, he had gained something far more valuable – just how he stacked up against his former captain.


That night they went back to their old sleeping arrangements: Max Tyson and Kenny on one side of the room and Ray and Kai on the other. They had originally started sleeping this way because Kai insisted that he couldn't sleep through Tyson's snoring and wanted to be as far away from him as possible. A decision he sorely regretted now as he stared up at the ceiling, a bitter jealousy blossoming in his heart as he watched Max and Tyson curled up together.

Screw it. He needed to calm the raging storm that was bubbling up inside him. His stocking feet padded soundlessly as he snuck out of the room and into the garden as his ruby eyes looked up at the full moon.

Maybe it had been a mistake returning. If he had just kept his distance, Tyson wouldn't have been hurt. If only he was as cold as he pretended to be, it would make all of this easier.

"Couldn't sleep?"

He stiffened in surprise and his heart gave a flutter. "Hn."

"As talkative as ever, I see." something in the younger's voice made him turn around and his eyes widened. Sienna eyes were blood-shot and his midnight hair was dampened with sweat. The confidence Tyson usually radiated was missing.

It took all of the Russian's willpower not to act as he felt, wanting to embrace his friend and say sweet nothings until the defiant spark came back into those beautiful eyes. Instead he looked away. "When did they start?"

"I-I don't know what you're talking about." The teen said defensively, looking down at the ground.

"You can fool the other's, but not me Kinomiya." Silence engulfed the pair before Tyson finally sighed.
"The night after we came back." He mumbled, waiting for one of Kai's 'Shut-up and get over speeches'. He looked up when his friend touched his shoulder gently.

"Listen Tyson. He won't hurt you again. Even if he did get out, he'd still have to go through me. Just focus on your game and forget about him. He's not worth the grief." Tyson nodded and shivered slightly. "C'mon you're cold, we'll go watch movies or something."

Immediately Tyson beamed. "Sweet! I'll start making popcorn!" he rushed into the dojo. Kai could only shake his head in amusement. Nothing could ever come between Tyson and his food.


The following morning came and when Ray, Max and Kenny saw the empty beds of their strongest members, they raced into the garden, expecting to see the duo training together, but only saw Gramps doing his morning practices. "Um...have you seen Kai or Tyson?" asked Ray.

"Hmm? Oh, those two dawgs were up all night watching movies, I doubt they'll want to train today lil' dudes."

Max scratched his head. "Ok, Tyson up all night watching movies makes sense, but Kai?" Suddenly the old man was in their faces with a finger over his lips. They followed him into the living room and tried to desperately not "Awe" at the sight. Kai and Tyson were completely passed out, their heads resting on each other and Kai's arm wrapped around Tyson's waist.

They all smiled knowingly. The former bladebreakers were going to take full advantage of their day off, and Grandpa decided to pay his friend, Mr. Dickenson a visit.

However, much to everyone's dismay, when they returned, Kai and Tyson were in an intense training session. The four men looked at each other and sighed. Couldn't these two just admit their feelings already?


So there we have it, Chapter 12. Please send me a review letting me know what you think of this very boring chapter. I promise the action will come in a few chapters guys!