Beyblade Fan Fiction ❯ Afriad of the Light ❯ A Single Kiss with Question ( Chapter 5 )

Chapter Five

Zeo brought Ozuma outside to the front porch. Ozuma looked down at the items that are splayed out on one side of the porch floor. "Painting supplies?" The Native Japanese boy questioned, glancing once at his friend.

Zeo smiled proudly. "Yup. I brought them over so you can paint your mask," He knelt down onto the floor. His fingers quickly flipped the caps from each tub of paint then he spread the brushes out beside them. There was already news paper set underneath everything to catch the mess from stray splatters. Turning on a grin, he asks "Do you still have it?"

"Ha, I wish you would have told me about this before we came out here." Ozuma turned on his heals to open the screen door. "I'll be right back." Stepping inside the house he walked down the hall pausing a moment to prevent banging into his father who was coming out of a room.

"Weirdest thing." He was speaking to himself. "The light bulbs were in the house but, they were all broken." His fingers turned the bulb back and forth. "Oh, hey son. Sorry I didn't see you there."

"That's okay... but you said the bulbs were broken?" He inquired. "Do you think they might have burst from strain or something?" The young boy wasn't quite sure why he cared so much but he had to know. Because... his dream... the couple....

"I don't know, the wattage seems right." Himani looked down at his son, shrugging. "Maybe it was a power surge- but don't worry about it too much, we bought new ones earlier."

Ozuma nodded then continued his trail upstairs. The hall as usual was dark; his parents door was closed and so was the spare, the only light given to the hall was provided by his bedroom. He hurried along the dim hall to his room. Releasing a breath once safely inside, Ozuma skimmed the place with his eyes, spotting the mask he strolled over to it scooping it up. He smiled down at the gift his friend gave to him. He didn't think he could survive touching Zeo again if they reached for the same brush or something. "Living here is gonna be great." He announced to the empty room.

Walking out, Ozuma took it upon himself to open the door of his parents room to let a little more light in the hall, incase he had to come back in for something- you can never be too careful, right? Just a crack of the door and he was on his way.

As he broke for the stairs he stopped, light seemed to reach a lot further than what he had the door cracked too and he was sure it wasn't moving when he let go of the knob. Just go downstairs Ozuma... It's probably nothing... or mom.

"Himani, did you see the box with the kitchen ware?" He heard his mother downstairs.

"It might be in the kitchen." His father answered- also downstairs.

Ozuma's spine tingled, he didn't need a genius to tell him to run for all his legs were worth and without a second thought he dashed down the stairs into the kitchen, through the living room and out the house. Odd looks were given by his parents but they just figured he was in a hurry to go back out with his friend.

Ozuma stopped abruptly in his race out the house, panting to catch his breath.

Zeo looked at him like he had lost his mind a moment. "It wasn't a hurry, you could have walked." He teased.

Ozuma shook his head then sat down. He still felt a little rattled.

"...Ozuma?" Zeo bent over to look at the boys lowered face. "Are you alright? You look like you've seen a ghost."

"No... No, everything is fine." He smiled into a false laugh. "I was just playing a game, haha. I must have gotten a little into it."

"Oh really, what kind of game?"

"Monster upstairs," He laughed again. "it chases you down when you take too long." He shrugged feeling like a total lunatic.

"That sounds fun!" Zeo chimed. "Maybe we could play together sometime, maybe when Max and Tyson come over."

"When's that?" He grabbed a brush hoping to change the subject from his recent actions.

"I don't know, but knowing Tyson he'll come around lunch time." Watching his friends actions, Zeo looked at the blank mask then stated. "We painted ours in our favorite colors, because just one would be kinda boring."

Looking over the colors before him, Ozuma dipped the brush into the tub with Orange paint.

"Orange is a good color." Says Zeo, with a trained eye on the other boy.

"Yeah.... and maybe some red." He began to paint the mask completely orange for start, then switching brushes he dipped it into the red paint. Hmm? Maybe some triangles... He blew at the orange paint in hopes to dry it up a little before applying the red to the mask. His old school made masks in art class once and his didn't turn out so well. The under coat didn't dry before he was painting on a design and the end result was a molded hole on the cheek of his mask.

The two boys were quiet as Ozuma worked and Zeo watched. The blue haired boy looked over at his friend, his face twisted into a bit of concern. "Before, in the living room"

"Yeah?"

"You looked like you were having a nightmare... do you wanna tell me about it? I promise I won't laugh." He threw in for good measure.

Ozuma had actually forgotten about the nightmare itself, but the feeling from it remained in his bones and he shook a bit from it. "It was stupid and I kinda don't remember too much about it."

"Oh... I just wanna make sure you're all right." Zeo pats his friends shoulder. "You just seem... I don't know, kinda jumpy."

"No no, I'm fine. Really." He blew on the red triangles, giving them a quick fanning with his hand. Something was on his mind though, but nah forget it. He didn't want Zeo thinking that he was a nut or something.

Looking the mask over, he smirked and grabbed a brush dipping it into the gray paint.

"Gray?" Zeo questioned.

"Yeah... It'll look alright, just watch." He placed the brush at the top of the mask, then gave it a little twirl, moving it away he beamed at the gray dot on the forehead of it. "See. Pretty cool, huh?"

Zeo laughed, rubbing his friends back. "Don't worry I'll make you a new one."

Ozuma laughed at his friends statement. Picking up the mask, he didn't mind the paint on his fingers, he held it up to his face. "Be careful Zeo, I've got the sacred lands on my side. I can call up the wind and blow you away."

Zeo laughed to that, standing up. "Just try it!" He hurried out of the porch and down the stairs. "You'll never catch me!"

"Yes I will!" He slipped the band over his head, so that he didn't have to hold onto it. Dashing from the porch as well, he chased after his Japanese friend.

The two boys laughed and chased each other in an unannounced game of silent tag. Zeo darted this way and that through the mini forest, his goal seemed to be off in the distance toward the lake.

"You better run faster Zeo!" Ozuma taunted. "I'm right behind you."

"Haha! Yeah right, you run like a little old man with a walking stick." Seconds after he spoke his face was coming down to the ground. "Oof!" With a grunt he began to laugh hysterically. He had no idea Ozuma was close to him, he never once glanced over his shoulder as to where the boy was.

"Do you surrender?" Asked the Native Japanese child. Pulling Zeo's arm gently behind his back. "Or do I have to tickle you for it?"

"Ooh baby..." He continued to laugh. His words barely coming out. "I think you'd better tickle me, because I'll never give in to you."

"Big mistake," rising a little to flip his friend over to his back, Ozuma then began to wiggle his fingers under the boys neck causing him to shriek and shrink away.

He laughed harder and harder, pushing at the boys hands. "S-..stop! Ozuma!" He laughed on, feeling his friends fingers switching locations to under his arms.

"Ha! I've never been ticklish there, now it's your turn!" He grabbed the other boys sides. Ozuma jumped from Zeo's loose grasp and ran away from him.

"Nice try Zeo, but you'll have to catch me now!"

"Easy!" The blue haired boy got to his feet and began the chase as the hunter.

Ozuma weaved in and out of the way of the trees, he had to run faster or Zeo would surely catch up with him, especially because he knew the woods a lot better than Ozuma. His breaths were coming out steadily as he ran along. He'll never catch me now... Whoa! He froze waving his arm to keep from falling over.

"Got ya!" Zeo knocked the boy down and with a splash they both fell into the lake.

Ozuma popped his head out of the water first, spitting out any traces of water that went into his mouth. With a low cough he looked around the flat water for his friend. "Zeo?"

The blue haired boy popped up from the water, giving his head a shake to free the water from his bangs. "Haha, Ozuma, why didn't you tell me that we were so close to the lake?" He chuckled again. "So much for bathing suits, huh?" He swam over to his pen pal. "Should we take our clothes off?"

Ozuma appeared to jump out of his skin at that question. It was so... loaded. "Uuuhh... what for?"

"So they can dry." Zeo was already moving toward the ground. Pulling his self from the water he sat with his feet still in the water as he unbuttoned his red shirt.

Ozuma watched with intense interest at Zeo just stripping right before him, without a care in the world. He was almost in awe at the sight of his friends adorable boyish physique, where as he was a bit well sculpted even for his age. It wasn't uncommon for people of his race, and the naitive boy wore it well.

Zeo stood up then walked over to a tree with a low branch and he hung his shirt over it to dry. When he reached for the zipper of his pants, Ozuma's cheeks began to flare up as well as something else.

"Come on, Oz'. Take your clothes off!" He waved the boy over.

Ozuma remained where he was, praying for a way out of this. How clothes off did Zeo mean? He wasn't exactly comfortable with just... getting naked in front of someone- especially someone he had a secret crush on. It would kill his central nervous system. "No, I'm fine here."

Zeo had a knowing look on his face and he shook his head. "I don't think your mom would want you coming home in wet clothes, there's a nice breeze today so everything'll dry quickly..... I won't look."

Great, so now I'm a scaredy cat... How do I get myself into these things? Swimming to the grass, he pulled his self out hearing Zeo's laughter ahead of him.

"Atta boy, open the snake pit."

Ozuma's blush deepened on that and he mumbled as he undid his shirt. "You're dead meat Zagart," he mock threatened the boy. "...Remember, no peeking."

"I won't look." He walked back to the water, stark naked and climbed in.

Ozuma unconsciously slipped his white t-shirt over his head and hung it next to Zeo's on the branch. Glancing over his shoulder to assure that Zeo wasn't looking, he slipped off his jeans then hung them over the branch too.

Zeo didn't want to look at his friend, he was obviously uncomfortable about being naked period but, he couldn't help it. Moving over to the grass he rest his arms out of the water, laying his chin against them. A tiny smile graces his face. Ozuma's got a nice back. He thought to himself.

With a sigh, Ozuma looked down at his soaked blue boxers. Hhmm... No, the jeans is as far as I go. Turning around, he staggered in stance. "Zeo you looked."

"Hahaha, I couldn't help it." He turned away swimming to the middle of the lake. "You've got a nice body, buddy."

Well, if he had nothing to be embarrassed about than why be embarrassed. Walking over to the water with a bit more confidence then he would have a moment ago, he stepped into the water swimming toward Zeo.

"Are you uncomfortable with being naked?" He asked right out.

"Who wouldn't be?"

The blue haired boy shrugged. "We've never had a problem with it. Tyson was the first one to skinny dip and we just kinda went with it."

Ozuma made a sound of acknowledgement.

The two of them swam around in the warm water, just relaxing in the tranquility of it all. Ozuma couldn't help stealing glances at Zeo's naked body, it was distracting him. And part of him was screaming for him to be just as comfortable and take off his boxers while another part told him to keep his modesty and not just go with the crowd. So I'll let my venturing side win today. Just as his thumbs hooked the sides of his boxers, Zeo spoke out of nowhere.

"Did you know a lot of people back home?"

"Not really... I was kind of an outsider because... you know." He moved his hands from his sides. "You're the only person who seemed to understand and not laugh. Guess that's why we're such good friends."

"Yeah, you're the only person I've ever told a lot of things about myself to." He swam over to him. "You just make me feel comfortable."

"Me too."

It grew quiet between them again. Their minds seemed to be briefing them about how deep their friendship is. Zeo swam over to his friend, slipping his arms around his shoulders and before Ozuma could react, Zeo pressed his lips to his. A startled moan came from the Indian boys lips and Zeo parted his own bringing them around his friends.

My first kiss! Ozuma beamed. This is so.... He raised his hands to come up at Zeo's sides holding him close. His friends sex brushed past his own causing a tingle to run through him from the contact even through the boxers. And Zeo is a good kisser, his tongue working playfully by never going into his mouth, but just falling short of his teeth licking his upper lip.

Ozuma pressed closer into the kiss just as Zeo moved away. A nuzzle of foreheads from his blue haired friend. "Sorry about that," he backed away a little bit, though he kept close to him. A hand brushed through Ozuma's matted bangs. "I was just curious."

Ozuma smiled hazily, it was as if he had been placed on a cloud and were floating into a place that could only be paradise.

Zeo cocked his head, glad that Ozuma didn't mind but to break the tension he splashed the boy in the face with some water. "Don't head towards the light, we haven't even played yet." He teased.

Ozuma narrowed his eyes at his friend. "Remember what I said before about dead meat?" He swam after his friend who took off across the lake. Then he froze. Dead in his tracks.... His breathing began to pick up drastically as he gazed out into the forest. There right out in the open was.... The couple!

The man was rocking on his feet as though a breeze snagged his lithe body blowing it in gentle circles, his mouth hung slack open and his eyes were still bleeding like in his dream. Or was he dreaming now? He didn't want to know, but a snap of the branches in the distance and no sight of the woman anymore Ozuma freaked out.

"Zeo we have to go!" Ozuma shouted louder than he intended to.

"Go... why?" He turned looking at his friend.

"Hurry up! We have to go!" He began to swim back to the other side of the lake.

Zeo looked puzzled, glancing back to where Ozuma was looking. He saw nothing that would get him so worked up, but he followed after the boy.

Ozuma didn't waste anytime putting on his clothes, he just snatched them up into a firm grip waiting as long as he could for Zeo to come from the water, before he took off running.

"Ozuma wait!" Zeo called after him. He grabbed his boxers slipping them on, then his sneakers and he started after his best friend. Glancing over his shoulder every now and then, still seeing nothing out of the ordinary. So why was Ozuma so upset? Was it the kiss? Couldn't be, he seemed fine with that before. "Ozumaaa!!" He ran faster. "Wait up!"

................

The poor boy didn't stop running until he had made it home. Once there, he dashed onto the porch breathing hard. He hoped Zeo was behind him, he would never forgive himself if something happened to him because he was too cowardish to wait for the boy.

"Ozuma? What were you running for?" He asked when he finally made it to his friends house. Zeo had obviously stopped to get dressed somewhere along the way because he was now fully clothed and still sopping wet.

"I'm sorry..." He was still panting. "I just... saw something..."

"Where in the woods?" Asked Zeo looking behind himself. "I didn't see anything."

"They were there the couple... I saw them, from the road-... they were there!" He shouted the last part.

Zeo held up his hand. Ozuma was making no sense, couples, roads... what did any of it mean. "Do you wanna talk about it? I'll listen..."

Ozuma looked at the car port... the car was gone. Which meant his parents had obviously gone out and probably for food, Ozuma couldn't be alone right now. "Yeah, please stay with me."

"I will..." He walked up the porch stairs. "Come on inside." He put his hands on the shaken boys shoulders. Ozuma needed a good relaxer hug to calm him down and lucky for him Zeo was good at relaxing ones nerves.