Beyblade Fan Fiction ❯ Endure ❯ Counting the Days ( Chapter 1 )

Authoress' Notes: *thinks* What to say? Oh, I know…beg forgiveness for the loooong delay in updating! *grovels* Sorry! Anyway, here we go! Does anyone else think I'll be able to keep this fic from turning epic? (Dryad: Not bloody likely. -_-)

Warnings: Yaoi, adult language, angst, & probable lemons. Specific warnings will be given each chapter if relevant.

Disclaimer: I do not own Beyblade, its characters, or anything else to do with it. I only own any OCs that will appear in this fic.

Pairings: TyKa, Rei / ?, Max / ?, Kenny/Hilary, Lee/Mariah, Tala / ?, others TBA.

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Chapter 01: Counting the Days

~ Tyson ~

The day after he'd received the letter from the BBA and Kenny and Hilary had wrung a promise not to give up on it out of him, Tyson found himself sitting at the kitchen table, with his father and Hiro opposite himself.

"What did you want to talk to us about, son?" The eldest Kinomiya inquired.

"It's about that letter you and your friends each got yesterday, isn't it? The one from the BBA?" Hiro eyed his little brother.

"Yes." Tyson sighed and pulled out the envelope from where he'd had it hidden under the table. He slid it across the table at his father and brother. "Go ahead and read it, Dad."

Hiro dumped the contents of it out and picked up the letter from Mr. Dickenson, handing it to their father. "Tyson is being offered a scholarship to that new BBA university in Canada, Dad."

"Is that so?" He read the letter through quickly and smiled at Tyson. "This is great news, son! I bet you're very excited to go…or not." Mr. Kinomiya frowned at the sad, despondent look on his youngest son's face. It didn't suit him at all. "What's wrong, Tyson? Why aren't you happier about this?

"Because I can't accept it." The bluenette leaned back in his chair, staring at the tabletop.

"Why not?" Hiro asked, confused.

"I can't leave the dojo. It's my responsibility now. Gramps always said it would be mine when he…and he taught me to take care of our family's home so that I could." Tyson answered softly, not looking at either of his remaining family members. "I can't leave."

"That may be, Tyson, and I'm proud of you for wanting to accept your responsibilities - even if you have to give up what you want. But your grandfather wouldn't have wanted you to do that. He always expected you to go to university some day." Tyson's father told him sadly. "I think he expected to around to see it, you know."

"Even if he did, it doesn't change the fact that he's gone and I'm the only one who can take care of this place." He looked away. "There's nothing I can do about it. You have to go back to work soon, Dad, and Hiro will leave again, too."

"Actually, no. I won't." Hiro shook his head and smiled faintly. "I intended to stick around for a while this time when I came back, when Gramps first go sick. If you want to go away to school, kid, then go. I can look after this place well enough, I'm sure, while you're gone."

Tyson's head snapped up and he stared at Hiro, tears welling up in his eyes. "You're serious? Are you sure, Hiro? You aren't just saying that because you just want me to go, are you?"

"Please…" Hiro waved that off, grinning at him. "Of course not. You know I wouldn't say it if I didn't mean it, Tyson."

The youngest Kinomiya sniffled back tears and got up, slowly walking around the table to throw his arms around his older brother's shoulders.

"Thanks, Hiro." He whispered, hugging him tightly. "You're the absolute best."

"Nah." Hiro chuckled, hugging him back briefly before untangling himself from Tyson. "Okay, already! Let go, Tyson."

Sniffling, the bluenette let go and, practically bouncing with joy on the spot, exclaimed, "Oh! I have to go tell Kenny and Hilary! I'll be back!" before dashing off to get his shoes.

When he'd gone, his father looked at the eldest of his two sons. "Had you really planned on staying, Hiro?"

"Yes. The team Mr. Dickenson had me coaching doesn't need me any longer, and when Gramps got sick I decided it was time to come home. Truthfully, Dad," Hiro confided, smiling slightly. "I was beginning to get a little homesick."

"You have been gone for many years, son. You were only 15…or was it 16? Well, you were barely old enough when you left home." Mr. Kinomiya looked in the direction Tyson had dashed off to. "this means a lot to him. I could see it. I don't think your brother has been this happy or excited about anything for a very long time now."

"Yeah. Not since that last World Championships where he and the cyborg, Zeo, fought, I would guess." Hiro sighed. "He deserves this."

The two Kinomiyas shared a moment of silent agreement then went off to do their errands for the day.

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Tyson went flying through the noodle house restaurant that Kenny's parents owned like a blue-black whirlwind, just barely remembering to toss a greeting at Kenny's parents as he flew past and zipped up the stairs to his friend's room. He would have just walked in, but the door was locked.

He knocked impatiently, calling out, "Chief! Hey, open up! And get Hilary off you, dude! You two can make out later." He heard two startled exclamations and a loud thump - probably Kenny tripping on something in his haste to get to the door.

"Tyson?!" Kenny threw open his door and stood aside. "What are you doing here? Is everything okay?"

"Things just got so much better, Chief! Hi, Hilary!" The bluenette gave her one of his patented smiles, one they hadn't seen in a very long time. "I get to go with you guys!"

"Really!?" Hilary got up from Kenny's desk chair where she'd been sitting and gave him a huge hug. "That's so awesome! How? I mean, how did you manage to work it out so you can?"

"Did you talk to your Dad and Hiro, Tyson?" Kenny asked, smiling at the good news.

"Yep. Hiro said he'd decided to stay home quite a while ago anyway, and he hadn't changed his mind yet so…he's staying with the dojo and I'm coming to university with the two of you!" Tyson grinned and they grinned back.

"This is fabulous! See? We told you it would work out somehow, didn't we?" Hilary couldn't resist an `I told you so' or two. Tyson just laughed and nodded ruefully.

"Yes, Hil. I'll admit it. You were right."

Her jaw dropped comically. "Quick! Kenny, record that statement! We may never hear it again!"

"Har har." Tyson rolled his eyes.

"This calls for celebration! Stay for supper, Tyson. We can get my mom to make us whatever we want, okay?" Kenny offered.

"Yeah! Sure! Can I borrow your phone to let Dad and Hiro know I'm not coming home for supper?"

"Go ahead."

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Exams were soon over and it finally came time for the graduation ceremonies. There was a bit of an emotional time for Tyson and his family, since he missed Gramps terribly and wished the old man could have been there to see him finish high school. Still, the World Champ knew wherever Gramps was, he was watching Tyson, and always would.

The three close friends exchanged small gifts with each other for graduation while at the dojo before they got ready for the formal dance that evening.

"Tyson, is my tie straight?" Kenny asked for what must have been the tenth time. The bluenette sighed and glanced over.

"Yes, Chief. Quit fooling around with it and you wouldn't have to worry about it so much."

"I'm just anxious, that's all."

"Why?" Tyson sat on the edge of his bed to pull on his dress shoes.

"I've never been to a dance - not with Hilary. Not since we started dating…"

Tyson smiled. "Oh. Well, stop getting yourself all worked up about it, Kenny. You'll give yourself an ulcer, or something."

"It's not…just that, Tyson." Kenny shuffled his feet, slowly turning a dull shade of red as he reached into the pocket of his blazer and pulled out a small box. "There's this, too…"

Tyson stood up and adjusted his pant-legs over his shoes then walked over to see what the petit brunette was trying to show him. "What, Chief?" He took the box and opened it.

"Kenny…" He sucked in a sharp breath at the sight of the simple gold band. "Is this what I think it is?"

"I…I'm going to ask Hilary to marry me, yeah." Kenny fidgeted nervously. "We probably wouldn't have the ceremony until after we're done university, but…"

"Wow." Tyson carefully closed the box and tucked it back into Kenny's blazer pocket, patting it. "There. Don't lose that, Chief." He warned. Then he grabbed Kenny in a gentle headlock and lightly rubbed his knuckles into the younger teen's head. "I'd better be invited to the wedding, dude, or I'll have to crash it `cause I wouldn't miss it for anything."

"Ah! Hey! Let go! Tyson!!" Kenny laughingly protested, jabbing his fingers into his friend's sides, trying to tickle him in defence and get the bluenette to release him.

The door to Tyson's room opened and Hiro poked his head in. "Aren't you two ready yet? Geez! You're worse than girls! Hilary's been out here waiting for nearly 10 minutes now!"

Tyson ruffled Kenny's hair one last time then let him go. "We're done and on our way, Hiro. Tell Hilary to keep her skirt on and have some patience."

"What is taking so long?" Hiro wanted to know.

"Just a little guy talk, big brother." Tyson replied, innocently.

"Well, talk later, kid, and hurry out. Dad and I still want to give you your grad gifts before you leave."

"Okay, okay!" Tyson gestured at the door, which Hiro left open as he turned and left. "We'd better get going, Chief."

"If I start to look like I'm going to fall over, catch me?" Kenny followed his friend out the door.

"Relax, Kenny, You'll be fine. She loves you." Tyson reminded him quietly.

"I know."

"Finally! What in the world took you so long?!" Hilary demanded, tapping her foot impatiently. She had done her shoulder length mahogany hair up in an elaborate style of ringlets and a twist at the back, and she wore a forest green gown with spaghetti straps that sparkled when she moved and sheathed her figure perfectly from her shoulders to the floor. Around her neck she wore as simple gold chain necklace - which had also been a present from Kenny on their first anniversary two years earlier.

Poor Kenny had to stop and stare at the vision his girlfriend made, asking himself what he could have possibly done to deserve the most beautiful girl in the world (to him at least). Hilary blushed slightly at the stare of wonder from her boyfriend and went over to him.

"Y…you look…beautifully, Hilary." Kenny stammered. Tyson snickered and got an elbow in the ribs from his brother.

"You could compliment her, too, you know." Hiro whispered in Tyson's ear.

"If I did that, I'd give Hilary a heart attack." He whispered back, watching as Kenny helped her slip the wrist corsage he'd brought for her onto her wrist.

"You two have the weirdest friendship, Tyson." Hiro shook his head.

"We have fun."

Tyson's father came into the room then, holding a digital camera. "Okay, kids! Let's take a couple of pictures, shall we? He snapped a few memories for them and handed Hiro the camera before pulling out a large box from a closet. "Here, Tyson. This is for you."

Tyson's eyes went wide and he grinned, going over to the box to start tearing away the wrapping paper. He laughed in delight when he saw the image on the cardboard. "A new stereo system! Awesome! Thanks a lot, Dad!"

"You're welcome, son." The elder gave the youngest a bear hug. "I'm very proud of you, you know."

"Thanks, Dad." Tyson sniffled and buried his face in his father's shoulder for a moment, hugging him hard. "I love you."

"I love you, too, Takao. Congratulations, son." His father let him go and propelled him toward the door. "Now it's your brother's turn. I believe his gift is outside, isn't it?"

"I'm pretty sure that's where I left it, yeah." Hiro drawled, winking at their father. Hilary and Kenny followed them outside curiously, hand in hand.

Stepping outside, Tyson looked around eagerly. "So…what is it, Hiro?"

Hiro smiled mysteriously and steered Tyson out the front gate of the dojo and stopped him on the sidewalk. "there it is. What do you think?"

Tyson blinked at the sporty little car parked there, gleaming brand new in the evening sunlight. "Is it in the car? Because I don't see it."

Hilary and Kenny fell over and Hiro sweatdropped heavily. "Uh, Tyson…it is the car."

"It is?" His eyes were huge when he looked up at his older brother in shock. "You…a car? For me?!"

"Yep. Ah…I know you can't take it with you to university, little brother, but I promise to take good care of it while you're gone. It'll be here when you come home." Hiro gave Tyson a one armed hug and laughed at his dumbfounded expression.

"I…I don't know what to say, Hiro!" Tyson was speechless.

The older Kinomiya dangled a set of keys in front of the younger one's nose. "I think you'd all better get going. You don't want to miss your Grad party, do you?"

Tyson grinned and plucked the keys from his grasp. "Definitely not. Come on, Kenny! Hilary!" Totally thrilled, he glomped his big brother briefly before running to the driver's side and getting in. His friends exchanged grins and Kenny, being a gentleman, opened the door for Hilary and helped her get in without ruining her dress, then got in, too. They waved at Hiro and Tyson's father as Tyson pulled away from the curb and drove off toward the school.

"It never ceases to amaze me how big of a heart Tyson has." Mr. Kinomiya said, watching the taillights disappear. "you and I haven't been around for much of his life and yet he doesn't hold it against us. And he has such good friends."

Hiro shrugged, smiling. "He's a Kinomiya, and he was raised by the best of us. Gramps always knew what he was doing - especially with my little brother."

"I'm so proud of you both."

"Thanks, Dad. Come on. Let's go have some tea, shall we?"

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The three teens arrived at the dance a few minutes late. Tyson had wanted to drive his new car around a little just for kicks, not that his friends had a problem with that. They enjoyed it probably just as much as Tyson did.

Walking into the gymnasium, Tyson had to wince a little as his ears were assaulted by the loud pounding of music. He wasn't particularly interested in dancing or anything, but he did want to participate in the festivities of his graduating class.

Many of the girls tried asking him for a dance, but the bluenette would just shake his head and politely (and gently) turn them down. Kenny and Hilary, on the other hand, danced as many dances as they could.

It was during one of the final slow dances that the Chief finally took his girlfriend aside, with a grinning Tyson watching nearby, and got down on bended knee in front of her.

"Hilary," Kenny began, looking up at her through his hair and reaching out to take her left hand in both of his. Hilary gasped and blushed, having a pretty good idea what the brunette genius was about to do. "You know that I love you with all my heart, and that I always will."

"Oh, Kenny…" She sniffled, tears starting to well up in her wine-coloured eyes.

"I was hoping, Hilary, that you would make me the happiest person in the world and honour me with your hand in marriage." Kenny said in a thick, somewhat shaky voice, as he dug the ring out of his jacket pocket and opened the box, taking the simple gold band with the respectable sized diamond out of it.

Tears streamed down Hilary's cheeks and she beamed at him as he slid the ring onto her ring finger - a perfect fit.

"the honour would be all mine, Kenny." She replied softly, drawing him to his feet and wrapping her arms around his neck and shoulders. Kenny hugged her back and sighed in relief when she said, "Yes, Kenny. I'll marry you."

Kenny pulled back slightly and smiled, wiping away her tears with gentle hands. "I love you, Hil."

"I love you, Kenny."

Tyson sighed and turned away to give them privacy as they kissed, wiping away a stray tear of his own. He couldn't be happier for his two closest friends, and at the same time he envied them a great deal. At that moment he wished more than ever that a certain crimson-eyed, slate-blue haired phoenix blader was with him and could love him in return.

Shaking his head at himself and shoving his sudden loneliness and sadness away, Tyson turned back to go congratulate the newly affianced couple.

~*~*~ June 28, 2004 ~*~*~

High school's finally over. No more classes, no more exams, and no more mad dashes at 8:20 am to make it to class by 8:30 am. The best part of it is, I graduated today - with honours, no less. I know a lot of people weren't expecting that, but it happened. I have to thank Kenny and Hilary for it though. Without them I'd have been so lost and clueless. And depressed. I mean, I am still down about Gramps and all, but I think it would have been so much worse if Hilary and the Chief hadn't been here for me.

I did get some good news, though. Hiro and I sat down with Dad, and together we worked out a way for me to take a BBA scholarship I've been offered. Hiro has finally decided to stay home, and so he's going to take care of the dojo for me so that I can go to the new BBA university in Canada, where the scholarship is to. Kenny and Hilary got one, too, so we're all going together. I'm glad. I don't think I could handle going there all alone, not knowing anyone. Believe it or not, I am kind of shy.

We heard from Max, and he seems to have gotten a scholarship, too. It makes me wonder if we all got one - all us Bladebreakers, that is. I don't know about all the other teams. We haven't heard from Rei yet, though, so it's hard to say. All I know, is that I hope you were offered one, too, Kai, and that you accepted because then it means I might see you again, and I want that more than anything. Just to see you again would be worth my scholarship and having to leave the dojo in Hiro's hands - even if he really is capable of running the place (though I'd never tell him that).

Here's some news I bet you were expecting: Kenny finally asked Hilary to marry him. I know you're not really into romantic stuff but even you would have had to admit how sweet it was if you'd been there to see it. The Chief did it at our grad dance tonight - went down on one knee and everything. It was beautiful. Hilary said yes, of course, and the both of them were all giddy and blushing the rest of the night. It was cute and funny at the same time. What I'd like to know, is how Kenny saved up for the ring because it a very pretty, fair-sized sparkly diamond on it. I just would like to know out of curiosity, since as far as I knew, Kenny didn't have a job…unless his parents were paying him for the casual work he did at their restaurant. Oh well. It's not important, I guess. They're extremely happy, and I'm glad for them.

I think I'll be able to get a decent amount of sleep tonight for once. I hope that wherever you are and whatever you're doing, Kai, that you're well and happy.

Yours always,

Kinomiya Tyson.

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Two months passed quickly. Tyson spent that time going over all the things he was leaving Hiro to do around the dojo while he was gone. Then he began to pack, getting ready to have his belongings shipped to the university so they'd be there when he arrived. Kenny and Hilary had done the same, though Kenny had a great deal more to ship what with all his computer equipment and stuff.

The week before they had planned to leave, an unexpected but very welcome guest arrived at the dojo.

Tyson, Kenny, and Hilary were in the dojo's backyard, where Tyson was attempting to teach Hilary how to blade - with a little more instruction from the Chief, too.

"See, if you practice your launches enough, Hil, you'll become more and more comfortable doing it until it's almost a natural movement and you don't even have to think about it anymore." Tyson explained. "You're still a beginner so it's not surprising you…"

"I suck." Hilary finished, dryly. "Maybe I'm just not meant to be a blader."

"Aw, come on, Hil! Have some confidence in yourself." Kenny scolded, wagging a finger at his fiancée. "If I can learn to actually blade, then so can you."

"Okay. What do I do next, then?" She asked, tapping her foot impatiently.

"May I suggest learning from a real teacher?" A familiar voice spoke up. The three teens looked around, recognizing it.

"Rei!" They chorused, spotting him leaning against a post and watching them with an amused grin. He pushed away from his position just in time to catch Tyson, who had launched himself at his old team mate and glomped onto him.

"Hey, guys! How's it going?" Rei grinned at them over Tyson's head then looked down at the bluenette, hugging him hard in return. "Hey, pal. How're you doing, Tyson?"

The bluenette sniffled and pulled away, giving Rei a watery smile. "I'm okay, dude. It's been hard, but I'm okay."

"Good. I was worried about you when I got Kenny's letter." Rei clasped his young friend on the shoulder and squeezed. "I mourned, too."

"Thanks, Rei. It's good to see you again."

"Right back at you, Tyson." Rei smiled and hugged Hilary when she came up to him, then shook Kenny's hand in greeting. He did a double-take and held out his hand to Hilary. "Is that what I think it is? Let me see that!"

Hilary giggled and gave her blushing fiancée a silly grin, raising her left hand and placing it in Rei's so he could study the ring. "Yep! It's official!"

Rei's grin flashed fang. "Congratulations, Hil!" He said, giving her a quick kiss on the cheek and then giving Kenny a one armed hug, ruffling his brown hair. "You, too, Chief! Way to go!"

"Ack! Thanks, Rei! Please let go?"

"Heh. Sorry, Chief."

They sat down along the board walkway and chatted for a long time, catching up after Rei's long absence.

"Hey! This is great! We all got scholarships - and the White Tigers, too!" Tyson exclaimed.

"Yeah! And Maxie too! I wonder if the All-Starz got one, too?" Rei wondered.

"It'll be really great to see everyone again." Kenny agreed.

"So you're staying here until we all leave next week, Rei?" Hilary asked.

"That was my plan. If Tyson doesn't mind an unexpected guest." Rei winked at the bluenette.

"There will always be a place for old friends in my home." Tyson declared solemnly, smiling a little. "I'm glad to have you, Rei. I hope you won't mind sleeping in my room, though. Dad and Hiro take up lots of space."

"Not at all, pal." Rei chuckled as Hiro appeared behind his younger sibling and gently whapped him upside the head.

"Brat." Hiro said fondly. "Dad's calling for take-out. Any requests?"

"Oh yeah!" They scrambled to go in and make decisions for supper.

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Authoress' Endnotes: Ta Da! Chapter one, finished! Working on chapter two, and updates for Hallowed and Majesty, as well! ^___^ Busy, busy! Please R/R!!