Hello everyone. Hope you are doing good ^_^

I had fever and fever dreams, and this idea has been occupying my mind ever since. There is also this writing style that I wanted to experiment with. I have been wanting to write a story from first person POV for quite some time, and the wish finally comes true now.

So without further ado, read on!

...Fever Dreams...

~Hilary~

Kenny said he sounded really grumpy and irritated. Hoarse even. Maybe it's his grandfather again, I speculated, thoughts drifting in a hundred different directions, but none straying away from him or his sudden mood swing. He forbade anyone from entering his room and even called off the day's training, Ray had added. My eyes lit up at the thought. He has prohibited the team from entering his room before too, nothing to worry about that. But captain stone heart will never cancel training. Beyblading keeps him alive more than oxygen at this point.

Soon as the unexpected holiday was mentioned, Tyson and Daichi ran off to the BBA Centre. Max and Kenny decided to visit Mr. Tate's Hobby shop as Kenny had to buy some beyblade parts. Ray also excused himself with some errands.

And that's where the second mystery lies…..Ray. His eyes held a strange expression when I looked into them. Can't put a finger on it exactly, but there was something he was hiding. "Does he know about my feelings?" I shiver visibly as I said it out loud. "He can't," I try to calm myself. "Last checked I was doing a fairly successful job at keeping them in control." And with that reassurance, my thoughts are back on the matter at hand. With the guys out, I. Am. Alone. With. Him. Reality settles as if someone poured a bucket of cold water over my head, and my heart beats erratically.

A part of me feels happy and thrilled; the part that has been crushing on him ever since I was fourteen. The other, grown up, more mature part is worried for him.

"No, it won't do," I finally tell myself. "No matter how much of a cold heart he is, I need to check up on him….if only out of the goodness of my heart." Really now Hilary? I shake my head making my way to the king's lair.

"Kai?" There. I did it. A soft knock on his door. However, there is complete silence on the other side. A minute passed, then another and there's still no sign of any movement. The silence is so real, I can hear my own heart racing.

I knock again, this time more urgent. "It's me, Hilary." Fear of Kai's reaction on seeing me here is overtaken by worry. If he's sulking because of Voltaire, we can ask Mr. D to intervene. He will know how to deal with the senior Hiwatari. "Kai I'm coming in," I gently announce, turning the door knob.

What I see in front leaves me surprised. Kai is…..sleeping. His face is distorted however, as if not comfortable. I walk closer to the bed and realize it's the temperature. "Why on earth is the room so cold?" I mutter to myself, searching for the air conditioner remote. I find it on the bedside table. Sudden realization of how close my hand is to his face dawns when I'm picking up the controller; so much, that my actions halt, and I can feel the heat radiating off his face. But it is a little too much for normal body temperature. "Ray…." Kai mumbles, rolling to his left. He is now facing me.

It is then that it strikes.

If I had speculated a hundred reasons for Kai not leaving his room, his being sick was definitely the last option. He has fever. It is difficult to wrap my head around the idea because in the seven years that we have known each other, none of us has ever seen Kai being ill. Ray must've known. That explains his look from morning.

"Hn…" he mutters something again, incoherent and barely audible.

~Kai~

The last thing I remember is falling on my bed. Exhausted and heavy. My body was sweating, heat beginning to burn my insides. A hot shower will be nice, but I don't have the strength to get up. The day was long and tiring already. Despite the fatigue, sleep is evading me. God damn it.

A dull pain is coming to life in the back of my head. I groan, sinking further into the pillow. A hammering sound is echoing somewhere. I must've dozed at some point, I realize, coming back to my senses. The hammering is distinct now, accompanied by someone talking.
"You go in Ray, I will wait outside." I hear Kenny. The hammering is back, now a knock on the door.

"Hey Kai!" Ray is all bubbly sunshine as he enters. But damned if they think they can fool me. I see right through his mask, and he's scared. It pleases me. Don't get me wrong, Ray is not someone to be scared or angry at me. Rather he will give me my space and even calm the team when needed. But there's no denying he is uncertain when dealing with me. About when I might snap at them or give them a trip to hell in training. Or what I actually feel, for that matter. My headache is too severe for me to react, sadly. So I just sit half leaning against the wall. A groan involuntary escaping as I shuffle under the blanket. Every part of my body pains like it's been ripped apart and fit back countless of times. The heat from yesterday seemingly increased ten times.

"I just came to check up on you." He adds. "Hilary made breakfast today and you didn't show up so she asked me to wake you. Everything ok?" his voice holds concern that I know he truly feels. "You look really pale."

"Headache."

I am too drained and drowsy to properly focus on the Hilary making breakfast part. Ray understands my one word answer and I hope he excuses himself with that. The heat is getting in my head it seems. How much hours of sleep did I even manage?

"You think you might have fever?" he asks welcoming himself further into the room. Go away Ray, I scream mentally. Having no strength to deal with anyone at the moment. A sigh escapes my lips. He gets the hint I think. "I'm going, I'm going, Kai. No need to act like that. Just a moment." He is skimming through the table drawers at my side, clearly looking for something. My eyes shut, unable to stay open. There's a clicking sound that makes me look back at him. "Here captain, take some medicine," I take the offered tablet gingerly, gulping with some water. "You'll feel better with a few hours of rest Kai. I will ask the guys not to disturb you and we can continue the training ourselves. Do you want me to bring some breakfast here?"

The thought of not training for the day brings me unease. I look at Dranzer lying in all his glory on the bedside table. However, my lethargy is clearly evident. "Don't tell them." I manage to speak a sentence finally. They will just rush to me with all remedial advices. I am happy to know they care for me, only, I want to be left alone. "And no food."

Ray looks thoughtful for a minute, then nods in understanding. "I will tell them you are in a mood. No one will even come near here. Kenny wanted some parts to upgrade Dragoon and Drigger anyways, so the rest of us can just enjoy a break today." He pulls down the curtains and walks up to the entrance. "Though I think, a certain someone won't be able to contain herself and come to see you soon." He winked before shutting the door behind him. He means Hilary. That bastard.

The heat is now too unbearable, so I bring down the air conditioner temperature. It is not long when my senses go numb as I drift further into sleep. Thanks for the medicine, Ray!

Darkness. That is all I can see. Somewhere in the distance ahead, a beam of light is filtered from the ceiling. I run for it, wanting to know where in the seven hells I am! The stone floor is cold against my bare feet. Near the light, there are stone pillars, the walls are made of stone too….even the ceilings. I recognize the place I am in. The Abbey.

My heart is thumping in my chest. Fear clawing my insides. Not this place. Not after so many years. Please. Please. Please. There's a sudden drop in temperature and a chill passes down my spine. A faint tap echoes. I turn around, but there's nobody. Complete silence envelops the area. Wasn't I in my room at Tyson's place some time ago? Ray was there. He was talking to me five-freaking minutes ago. This is a nightmare. Unreal and far from truth, I tell myself. I try to open my eyes but they won't budge. "Kai, I'm coming," a serene voice resounds. Relief washes over me. Why does Ray sound like Hilary though?

Hilary. Just her mention is enough to bring a smile on my face. And the boys….they had saved me all those years back. We destroyed Boris and Voltaire's kingdom together. The dark abyss falls out of my mind replaced by the happy memories I made with them. My team.

The heat and pain seem to have seeped all across my body. I might as well be turning and twisting all across the bed to find a comfortable position. It is a fruitless pursuit and I give up. Unconsciousness claiming my senses once again….

My feet are about to give up. The ground ready to slip from underneath me with each passing step. But I know I can't be vulnerable. Not in front of them. Tyson has his match next. If he sees me like this, God knows how he will react. The idiot doesn't have control over his emotions as is. I cannot mess this up for him. Not when we only have one last chance to get even with Boris.

It seems like an eternity when I finally reach the inner corridor. Every last strand of strength leaves my body soon as I'm away from the prying gazes of the world. I collapse against a wall, eyes barely open. Here I am; alone. No one will judge me. No one will take advantage of my vulnerability. If death comes, I am ready to embrace it peacefully. Having taken back at Brooklyn now, and giving my all at the world championships before….I have done it all. Is there even a reason for me to live now?

A wave of heat surges from something in my palm and my eyes are forced open. Dranzer. My only companion. I know how scarred he was in this battle. The damage irreversible. He will leave me if I let go. The thought makes me shudder. I can't let this happen. Breathing is suddenly so difficult.

A screech echoes in the vicinity. My Dranzer. He tells me to let him go. That he will be with me forever. In spirit. Fuck with spirits Dranzer. Please don't go…..

"Dranzer, please don't go…." Kai mumbles once again. Never have I felt so helpless before. He has been tossing and turning continuously. A fever dream, probably. I am kneeling down beside him. I have tried calling him back, but he's deep in sleep. My voice just won't reach his ears. Come on Hilary, think something. Quick. A tear drop rolls from his eye. It shatters me more. I look around the room desperately, for something that could bring him relief. My eyes land on his beyblade on the table. It is shining in all its glory. Did Dranzer sense his master's discomfort too? I gently caress the blade, stroking a thumb over the red and golden phoenix bitchip. "Bring him back Dranzer," I kiss the bitbeast lightly before placing it in Kai's hand. His grip immediately tightens around the beyblade. "Dranzer has not left you Kai. He's still here, see?" I tell Kai, brushing his bangs aside.

If I thought it's a childish infatuation that I felt for Kai until now; seeing him in pain and the heartbreak that it caused me tells me I was wrong. I love him.

I can feel the presence of Dranzer with me. His mere presence eases all of my pains. I feel lighter than before. All sweaty and tired, yes. But better. Feverish still, but it's not burning as before. There is also a comforting spectre that I can't quite put a finger at. The shadow is soothing. Reminding me I'm not alone. Their ambience screams of femininity and only one person comes to my mind…..Mom.

"And where is my baby hiding?" Mom excitedly cooed as she tiptoed near the curtains. "Found you!" she jumped as she quickly lifted them up. And right there was my five year old self. Giggling as she scooped me up and twirled. It was an everyday thing. Me hiding behind the curtains and her twirling me after being found.

"Misaki," father called her. She put me down, telling me to be a good boy. "Coming honey!" she announced happily, disappearing into the mansion.

Mom was crying on the couch, tired of explaining herself for my sake. Grandfather had decided to send me to learn beyblading with his friend Boris. I hated him. I hated my father for leaving me for his beyblades. I hated the god damned spinning tops too!

I was eight. Grown up enough to understand what was happening. Mom was miserable. All because of grandfather and dad. I internally vowed to never be like them. Mom was the only one who ever truly loved me. And it pained me to go away from her. Why won't grandfather just understand?! I screamed mentally.

My breaths faltered as my knees dropped on the cold stone floor of Balkov abbey. "Mom, I miss you." Emotions of rejection and disappointment are raking their claws at my insides. Fresh tears oozing from my eyes.

"Kai, Kai, I'm here, look up. Open your eyes," I tap his cheek with one hand while fondling his cold hands with the other. The tears streaming from his eyes scare me more. His sleep talking has only increased. And he is constantly calling for his mom. Fever dreams can sometimes bring up old, buried memories; and for Kai, it means his torturous past. "Panicking won't do Hilary," I tell myself. Straightening up, I sit beside him on the bed, calling him one more time, "Wake up Kai. You have slept enough now." My fingers nimbly wipe his tears.

"You have slept enough now. Wake up Kai." There's authority in that tone, while also being full of affection. I want to listen. Only, my eyes are too heavy and won't budge. After what feels like an eternity I finally pry them open.

A shadow is leaning over me. Short auburn hair, eyes almost like my mom. Is mom actually here? Tears prick my eyes, eager to escape. However, I blink them away. And surprisingly enough, Hilary is sitting next to me, concern glazing her eyes.

His eyes are fluttering, and soon enough, I'm staring right into the depths of his amethyst pools. He looks groggy, blinking multiple times as if to clear his vision. "You ok Kai?" I ask, tenderly. "Gave me a heart attack almost." A tiny smile forms on his face at my playful chiding.

I'm not fully aware yet, but I know she's been by my side for a long time. A sudden impulse takes over and I draw her close in a hug. The most recent nightmare about losing mom etched in my memory. I don't want to take a chance with Hilary.

"Don't leave me Hil." Kai says in the embrace and I'm frozen. There's a fear in his voice. And also relief. I don't understand why at the moment, but return the hug, patting his back.

"Never, captain." He breaks the caress and shuffles with the blanket before finally resting his head on my lap. I am once again taken aback.
"What has gotten into you today, Kai?" I laugh, shuffling myself and resting my back against the headboard. Once I'm comfortable, he rests cozily again. My hands entangle in his hair, massaging his temples. A suppressed groan escapes his throat.

"Don't you dare to stop," I tell Hilary. Cupping her hand in both of mine, as she massages my scalp, I once again find myself dozing. This time there is comfort. And I'm sure the nightmares won't return.

~Ray~

I glance at the wall clock as I enter the kitchen. I went to the supermarket, did some grocery shopping and am back at the dojo; all within an hour and a half. New record unlocked Ray, I mentally pat my back. Kai must've been sleeping under the effects of the medicine till now, and for another hour or two if we are lucky. Enough time to make some delicious and comforting soup for him, I smile.

After freshening up, I set to work. Quickly chopping up some veggies and beginning with the broth….

Another hour and half later, the chicken soup is almost ready, as I close the lid to let everything simmer. I personally believe this step melts the flavours and nutrients together, perfect for the palates of sick and healthy alike.

Before I serve it, however, I should see if Kai is awake. It is while climbing the staircase that I find something amiss. The guys aren't back yet, and won't be until evening. Where then, is Hilary? Did she go to the BBA Centre too? Thoughts have already clouded my mind when I open Kai's bedroom door.

Of course. I'm sure I am grinning ear to ear at what I see inside.

Hilary is half sitting half lying against the headboard, clearly asleep. In her lap is a mop of navy blue hair with the unmistakable greyish-blue bangs of Kai. He too peacefully resting. Her right hand is tangled in his hair while Kai is clutching her other hand in between both of his, as if afraid to let go. Their breathings are steady, and from their peaceful expressions, I assume Kai's fever has gone down considerably. Thank God, I offer a silent prayer. He really looked in bad shape this morning. His cheeks are still flushed, although more because of Hilary's presence than the fever I'd guess.

I laugh at the thought. They really thought everyone is blind huh? I might sound cocky, but it's rightfully so, okay. Nothing escapes from my sharp cat-eyes. Not how the ever-strong, bossy manager of Bladebreakers gets nervous and starts blushing around Kai; or how our captain stone heart listens only to her without uttering a word of defiance, or how his eyes adorably soften at her sight. Being together since the last seven-eight years teaches you how to read them like an open book!

I'm still smiling broadly, as I quickly capture the moment in my phone and head downstairs. Heavens, I hope my soup is not burnt!

Hilary, Kai and Ray POVs, as the prologue, main story and epilogue respectively. Kai's and Hilary's POVs are somewhat mixed, done for effect of the story. Though easily distinguishable according to me. I'd love to hear what you guys have to say on that :D

PS: I have been receiving many commission art requests so instead of replying them individually, I have replied on my profile page itself. Anyone awaiting my reply, please check out.

Pardon any grammatical errors, and feel free to point them in the reviews, gently. Thank you for reading!

~Amber :)