Beyblade Fan Fiction ❯ Haunted ❯ Chapter 05 ( Chapter 5 )

Kali Notes: Gee, I'm a bit behind on this one, aren't I? At this rate it'll be Halloween again before I even finish this fic. Anyway, I think I'm going to have a lot of people feeling the need to chase me down with pitchforks and various other nasty weaponry after this chapter, so as soon as I post it, I'm running away to the Shadow Realm to disappear until I post the next chapter…

 

Disclaimer: No, we don't own Beyblade or its characters. Oh, and I don't own Hershey's (woo boy if I did, it would be delicious!).

 

Warnings: Ah…weirdness, general insanity… and the usual (yaoi, language, etc.) excepting the fido-friendly version on ffnet. Sorry, folks. You know where else to find it…

 

Pairings: TyKa, Rei/Mariah, Max/Hilary, hinted Tala/Bryan & Kenny/Emily, others to be decided.

 

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Chapter 05

 

Daichi looked around at the stunned group of boys and felt helplessly sympathetic. He stepped over to Kai and brushed a ghostly hand over the dual-haired teen's arm.

Kai shivered at a sudden cool sensation on his arm and smiled weakly. “He is very sorry about this.” He said softly. The others looked at him numbly.

“Who? Daichi?” Rei stared at Kai, who nodded. “But…how do you know?”

“I've lived in this house for many years. Daichi has been here for longer. I've gotten used to having him around, and I've learned how he communicates things sometimes.” Kai explained. He looked over at Tyson, who had begun patting his leg, looking for his hand and attention. Kai grasped it tightly and tried to reassure the very pale bluenette who was trembling as well. “It's okay, Kinomiya. I'm sure we can find another way to fix this…”

“We need more info.” Tala decided. “I mean, if the curse is to be broken by someone kissing him, and it's supposed to be like in fairytales, then it would stand to reason there's a specific someone that's supposed to do the deed, right?”

Max nodded. “Makes sense to me. Daichi? Is there a specific person who is supposed to…uh…kiss Tyson?”

Oh boy. Daichi turned and went back to the board. How am I going to explain this? If I say yes, then the next logical question will be `who?' and I can't outright say Kai…

There was no answer for quite a while, as the little spirit contemplated a response.

Max frowned. “He's not answering. Is he still here?” Daichi nudged the indicator to yes again. “Oh. Well, maybe my question was too hard…” No, Daichi indicated, rolling his eyes.

Bryan snickered. “I just think he doesn't want to answer.” The indicator hit yes again.

Max pouted cutely.

“Did the poltergeist have a reason for choosing to curse Tyson?” Rei asked. “Yes.”

“Other than mischief?” Tala added. “Yes. Okay then, why?”

“M-a-t-c-h-m-a-k-e-r.” Bryan read. “Are you serious?!”

Daichi scowled and gave an almost violent shove to the pointer. Yes, I am!

“That…is just weird.” Max stared at the board. “I mean…a matchmaking ghost? Ridiculous!”

Kai frowned at the air above the board, mulling all the information over - until a conclusion of momentous proportion slapped him in the face.

He knew Daichi knew of his…interest in Tyson. It was possible that, if there were other spirits in the house, that they would know, too. Possible, but the odds were shaky. Still, that would mean that while Tyson was the one cursed, the intended target of the matchmaking poltergeist (even Kai had to wonder about that - it did seem highly ridiculous) was not Tyson…

It was Kai.

Lucky for him, none of the others had picked up on that yet, and the crimson-eyed teen fully intended it to stay that way.

However, Kai realized that he was going to have to break the curse. Now, he didn't have any issues with kissing Tyson - actually, he rather liked the idea - but it was too soon! He hadn't even told the bluenette he liked him or was even remotely interested that way. More, he didn't know if Tyson would be, uh, receptive to the advances of someone of the same gender, let alone Kai. He knew Tyson didn't care if someone was oriented toward aliens - they were still the same person as always to the bluenette. But he didn't know if Tyson had a problem with being attractive to his own gender.

Blowing out a deep breath, Kai looked down at Max. “Mizuhara, sit here with Kinomiya for a few minutes. I'll be back.” He pretty much ordered, standing and letting the blonde take his seat before directing Tyson's hand to Max's so he knew where the blonde was. Then he made his way toward his bathroom.

Tyson gripped his friend's hand, wondering what was going on. He didn't understand anything that was going on that night. He kept hoping it was all a strange dream brought on by too much Halloween candy or something and that he'd wake up perfectly fine. At least he was getting to see a different side to the serious, silent teen he'd come to admire and respect.

“How are you doing, Tyson?” Max asked in concern, noting that his friend still appeared pale and shaky. “Whatever this is, I promise we'll find a way to fix it - hopefully without any kissing.”

Ah…thanks, Maxie. Tyson gave him a weak smile, not wanting to worry his friends any more than they already were. His mind was a whirlwind of chaotic thought at the moment, all the new information he'd heard trying to sort itself out into some semblance of order and rationality. Okay, so he was cursed by a ghost, and according to another ghost, he had to be kissed by…someone in order to break the curse and be able to see and talk again.

It seemed logical to him that it was one of the people in the room who were meant to break the curse - unless the ghost that cursed him meant for it to be exactly like the fairytales and he'd be like this for a very long time until whoever the `prince' was came along. Tyson shuddered and shoved that possibility off into a dark corner to ignore for now. He couldn't handle that possibility right then.

Mulling it over further, logic also dictated that it was someone who was unattached already - unless the person was currently with the wrong person, but Tyson doubted it. Tala and Bryan were an established, solid pair and Tyson couldn't fathom either of them with, well, himself. Ugh. No offence, guys, but hell no. He said silently in refusal.

Rei was also out of the picture. He had Mariah. No way am I getting between that one and Rei. Tyson shuddered. Even if Rei was rather attractive - in an exotic, feline sort of way - Tyson didn't think he and Rei would ever make a decent couple in a billion years. They were better friends than anything else.

As for Max…the blonde was genki, he was a lot of fun, a great friend, and all that, but quite honestly the idea was just creepy. So wrong. Tyson whimpered and gently tugged his hand from Max's. Wrong!

And then Tyson felt his face heat up as the last remaining possibility hit him full force. Oh…holy hell…what if it's Kai!? I can't just ask him to kiss me out of nowhere like that! I mean…I'd love to, but… Tyson cut off the thought before it could morph into anything more, knowing his face must be absolutely red by this time. He hoped the others wouldn't notice.

In the bathroom, Kai leaned over the sink and stared at himself in the mirror, asking his reflection over and over if he was prepared to risk losing Tyson before he even had him by doing what was necessary to help him - if indeed Kai was the one to break the curse. And if he did, and - best case scenario - Tyson was alright with it and wanted to return his interest, then what? Was he ready to start a relationship? Would Tyson be ready?

Worse case scenario - Tyson freaked out and never wanted anything to do with him ever again. Would Kai be able to pick up his broken pride (aka heart) and move on?

Crimson eyes saw his already pale skin turn even more ashen, and a bead of sweat trickled down the side of his face. He was shaking, his heart was thumping away inside his chest, and his breathing was a little fast and erratic.

“What's wrong with me?” He asked himself. “It's just a kiss, right? No big deal.” He scoffed at his mirror image, laughing humorlessly. “Yeah right. I'd only be kissing a guy I happen to like, and it would be my first…oh god.” Feeling dizzy, Kai turned on the taps to cold and splashed water on his face and neck desperately.

Daichi, worried about his housemate, had slowly followed Kai to the bathroom when it became apparent that the others weren't going to be asking more questions for the moment (while Tyson seemed to space out and get lost in thought). He'd heard Kai talking to himself and slipped through the closed door (quite literally) to check on him. The little spirit winced and managed to pick up a small hand-towel, holding it out to Kai for his face.

Startled, Kai blinked water out of his eyes and took the towel. “Thanks, Daichi. I suppose you heard all that.” It was a statement more than a question, but Daichi answered anyway, letting his presence tingle along Kai's skin and making the hair on his arms stand up. Kai shivered and dried his face, muttering, “How embarrassing…” into the towel.

Daichi sighed and tapped the countertop twice, meaning `no' in their little language. Kai gave a dull chuckle and draped the towel over the towel rack. There's nothing wrong with having waited for the right person, Kai. I'm just very sorry I had the idea of any of this in the first place, and that I don't have the power to fix it.

“Just answer a couple questions for me, Daichi, if you can. Some things the others don't need to hear, you know?” Kai ran an agitated hand through his hair and received another knocking sound - once, meaning `yes' - in answer. “Thanks. Tyson isn't the one what was intended to be set up with someone was he?”

Sighing again, Daichi rapped his knuckles on the counter twice. You're really smart, Kai, to have figured it out. I should have known.

“It's me, isn't it. I'm supposed to kiss him and then we're supposed to fall madly in love like the fairytales and live happily ever after?”

Reluctantly, Daichi rapped on the counter once. I'm sorry, Kai. It's my fault.

“God…how am I going to do this?” Kai resisted the urge to bang his head on the wall. He had a headache already. “I can't just march out there and kiss him!”

Actually, you could. It would be the fastest, easiest way of accomplishing it. Daichi would have banged his head on the wall…if it wouldn't just pass right through. But you don't do things the fast, easy way…and you have to tell him that you like him, so…

“I'll just…have to hope an opportunity comes up, I guess.” Kai straightened, forcing his expression to go neutral before he turned to leave the bathroom. “Oh god.”

Daichi frowned, but followed him back outside. He was going to keep his eyes on the teens until this whole thing had played out. He was worried about Kai - and Tyson, too, of course.

Max silently gave the crimson-eyed teen back his seat next to Tyson and sat back down on the floor where he'd been before.

“While you were in the bathroom, Kai, we all came to the conclusion that until we find someone who likes Tyson and is willing to kiss him, there's nothing we can do right now.” Rei informed him regretfully.

“We can't just give up!” Max protested loudly.

“I don't think we want to, Max, and we're not really giving up. But we need more information and how are we going to get it from a ghost? We can only get so much out of ghost.” Bryan pointed out. “Especially when it doesn't want to tell us everything.”

Kai frowned. He didn't like this either. “Daichi wouldn't keep anything so important from us. He's trying his best to help. There's probably stuff he doesn't know either, you know.” He defended the spirit.

Tala intervened before another argument could break out. “Is Daichi still here? Because I have a couple more questions.”

Daichi sighed and went back to the board on the table, flicking the pointer back to yes.

Max jumped when it moved and laughed nervously. “That…is still really spooky.”

Well, duh. Daichi sneered. He glanced at the redhead impatiently. Get on with it, Tala! Ask away!

“Okay. Daichi, can you tell us exactly what has to be done to break the curse on Takao?”

There was a moment of silence, as Daichi mulled that request over before he finally answered (Bryan reading the words formed aloud).

“Curse only broken by deed and by word.” The lavender-haired teen said. “I don't get it.”

“The `deed' would be the kiss, obviously.” Rei drummed his fingers on the table top thoughtfully. “And the `word'…”

“A confession?” Max drew his knees to his chest and hugged them. “That sounds all romantic and stuff, like fairytale.”

That's it. I'm going to be blind and mute for life. Tyson sagged against the cushions of the couch. I mean, as if Kai is ever going to tell me he lo-likes me, let alone kiss me.

Kai glanced at the bluenette when he felt him shift, and saw the despondent expression on his face. It looked very much like he was giving up. He frowned in concern, since he knew very well that Tyson didn't just give up like that on anything.

Tala caught both teens' expressions and smiled inwardly. Clever ghost, whichever one it was that did it. Kai's been watching Tyson for months now without doing anything about it. I knew he must have had some sort of interest in the kid, but now it's pretty obvious what sort of interest that it is. Looking back at the board, Tala went on questioning Daichi.

“We asked before, and you didn't seem to want to answer, but I'm going to ask again. And please answer, Daichi, because I don't think you want Tyson to suffer like this, do you?”

Daichi winced, guiltily moving the indicator to answer `no.'

“Then please, Daichi, tell us…is there a specific person who is supposed to break the curse?”

Ooooh…damn it all! Daichi wanted to pull out his hair in frustration - if he had hair, which was debatable being a spirit. Tala had successfully guilt-tripped him into answering. But then, I don't have to say who…

“Yes!” Bryan nodded, moving closer to the table with the information. “Now we're getting somewhere.”

“Okay, that's good! Thank you, Daichi.” Tala glanced at Tyson. “Who is it? Someone that was here at the party tonight?”

Daichi reluctantly indicated yes once more. Crap. At this rate, he'll figure it out by process of elimination. He's too clever! He quickly added, “But don't know exactly who.” hoping to throw them off. He didn't care if he was lying through his teeth, not when he knew Kai already had it figured out.

Kai kept his mouth shut, and felt slightly guilty about it. He could almost physically feel Tyson withdrawing from them at every question, and he was almost ready to do it just to fix it all and live with the fall out - which was sure to be bad.

“He doesn't know exactly who, but he knows it was meant to be someone specific. Great.” Max scowled, an unnatural expression for the genki blonde. “That really narrows it down.”

“It did. It's someone that was at the party.” Bryan reminded him. “It's a place to start, anyway. Hey, Kon, get that notepad and a pen. We'll make a list and narrow it down some more.”

Kai didn't think he could stand to sit there and listen to this, so he made up an excuse to leave. “We're running low on snacks. I'll go get some more popcorn and some more sodas.”

Tyson, desperately wanting to get out of there nearly as much as Kai did, grabbed the older teen by the arm and tugged as he was standing up.

“Kinomiya? What is it?” Kai asked soothingly. No matter how much he disliked the situation, he would not let Tyson suffer the silence and sightlessness alone.

The bluenette pointed at himself, then at Kai, and then in the general direction he remembered the door to be.

“You want to come with me?” Kai guessed. Tyson nodded. “Sure. You probably need a break. Come on, then. I'll lead you so you don't run into things.”

“But…” Max began to protest. “What if we…”

Kai glared down at him in warning as Tyson stood up, grasping Kai's hand tightly. The blonde snapped his mouth shut and looked away.

“If we come up with something while you're gone, we'll come tell you right away, alright?” Rei tried to pacify them. He noted how Kai was standing in front of Tyson in a protective way, as if just that would keep him safe.

“Fine.” Kai accepted that, and moved toward the door, leading the bluenette carefully.

Daichi escaped while he had the chance. Sorry guys. No more questions. I've had enough. He went quickly after his housemate.

Kai sighed in relief once he was back out in the kitchen and helped Tyson take his same seat at the counter. “Here, Kinomiya. Sit here and try to relax.” He began to bustle around, pulling out more chips and getting ready to pop more popcorn. “I know all that was starting to get to you, in there. You needed a breather.”

Tyson sighed, but offered a tiny, grateful smile. Thanks, Kai. You've been…really strong for me tonight. I appreciate it more than you'll ever know. I just wish…

“I don't suppose you want a soda, so how about tea instead?” Kai asked, interrupting his thoughts. Tyson blinked, but nodded. “Okay. I've got some green tea here, if that's alright with you.” Another nod, and Kai set the kettle to boil on the stove. “That'll be a few minutes. Okay, it's going to get noisy with the popcorn machine again, Kinomiya.” He warned, flicking the switch.

After a few more minutes, the popcorn was done and Kai was pouring boiling water into a mug with a tea-ball full of green tea leaves for Tyson when Tala came out of the bedroom.

“Hey, Kai? Come here for a second, would you?” The redhead stuffed his hands in his pockets and waited near the bedroom door, as far away as he could get from Tyson to be out of earshot.

Kai slid the mug in front of the bluenette and set one of Tyson's hands on the handle. “Here's your tea, Kinomiya. Be careful, though, because it's very hot, and the tea-ball is still in it.” He watched Tyson lift a hand to feel carefully for the chain of the ball hanging over the rim and caught a nod from him before he left. “I'll just be a moment, Kinomiya. Bang on the pot like before if you need something. It's right next to your left hand on the counter.”

Kai went over to Tala and folded his arms over his chest impatiently. “What?”

“We narrowed it down, and the only answer we could come up with…the only person at the party tonight who was single, completely unattached, and who it just didn't feel creepy pairing him up with was…” Tala met Kai's crimson eyes daringly. “You. By logic and process of elimination, we think you are the one to break the curse.”

Across the room, Tyson set his mug down with a soft `clink'. He'd heard that perfectly, despite Tala speaking softly all the way across the very large room. He sucked in a sharp breath, mind and body reeling at the knowledge being confirmed by one of the others. I knew it. And now… He strained to listen, hoping that maybe…just maybe…Kai would…

“Me. I highly doubt it.” Kai scoffed, his voice betraying his shock and the fact that he already knew with the slight cracking in it. “Tyson isn't into guys, Tala.”

Tyson froze at the comment, stung. No…just one guy. He corrected, bitterly laughing at himself. He pushed himself off the stool slowly, getting to his feet.

“You don't know that, Hiwatari.” Tala mimicked the other teen and crossed his arms, too - smugly, however. “And you two would make a good couple. Tell me, how'd you figure it out so soon, and why didn't you say anything earlier?!”

Kai rubbed at his face wearily and in great embarrassment. “Look, oh clever one, that doesn't matter. Do you realize what's being asked of me - us - here?”

Tyson felt a tear escape and trickle down his cheek. He took Kai's words to mean that the dual-haired teen didn't want to kiss him and didn't feel anything romantic for Tyson at all.

He didn't want to hear anymore, all hope dying. Stumbling blindly, he relied on his vague memories of the layout of the room, and on what senses he had left, to navigate to the balcony doors. Tyson couldn't stay another minute. He needed to leave, and he threw open the door with a silent sob of despair.

“Of course I…” Tala blinked then pointed in the direction of the kitchen. “Uh oh…”

Kai turned and in an instant was flying across the room toward the open balcony door. Luckily, Tyson hadn't gotten far and was still on the balcony clinging to the railing.

“Kinomiya! What are you doing, you idiot?!” Kai went to him and tried to take his arm to lead him back inside, but Tyson turned away and stepped back from him, shaking his head adamantly.

Don't! Tyson cried out in the silence of his mind. Don't touch me, don't help me, just let me be! Please… Tears coursed down his cheeks.

Kai didn't touch him, but he didn't go away either. “Kinomiya…I don't know what's wrong unless you help me figure it out somehow. Did I do or say something wrong?” he asked cautiously. He really did not know what to do or say faced with a crying Tyson. What he did know was that he wanted to make the tears stop, whatever was causing them.

The bluenette's head shook, stopped, nodded, then stopped again before he drove his fingers into his hair with a silent scream of frustration. Yes! No! I don't know… Kai watched helplessly and stepped forward, though he didn't attempt to touch Tyson yet.

“Hey…look at me.” The dual-haired teen waited until Tyson slowly raised his head to stare at him with forlorn, red-rimmed grey eyes before continuing. “Whatever it is that I've done or said, I'm sorry. And…I'm especially sorry that this has happened to you. I feel responsible somehow, and…”

Tyson's eyes widened in shock. No! Don't feel like that, Kai! I'm depressed and I feel sorry for myself, but I don't blame you! He reached out instinctively, shaking his head in denial. You would never have done this or allowed it to be done, Kai. I know that!

Kai stopped speaking and tentatively took the bluenette's hand so he could find him. He wasn't, however, quite prepared for the younger teen to toss both arms around him in an embrace that - while completely out of the blue - was not unwelcome. Not sure what else to do or say, Kai slowly raised his arms and carefully wrapped them around Tyson in return, enfolding him in a loose, hesitant embrace that made his breath catch just a little and his heart pound.

“Kinomiya…Tyson, I'm so sorry. I…I wish I knew what to say or do to make this all stop and make you better.” Kai lamented softly, his breath lightly ruffling the dark blue hair on top of Tyson's head as he spoke.

Tyson shook his head again and snuggled in closer without realizing it. It was the oddest thing, but now he felt safe - protected - and Kai was warm. He'd thought he'd never feel like this again, and while there was a fleeting thought that he'd not expected it to be with another guy, let alone Kai, it didn't bother him at all to be in this position, to be this intimate. The slightly taller teen's arms tightened into a full-fledged hug and it was enough to make Tyson smile just a little.

Standing in the balcony doors, Tala observed the two silently and just out of sight and hearing range. Come on, Hiwatari…you have the perfect opportunity there and I will so slap you if you pass it up! Pain! Lots of pain!

He looked away for a second as he heard footsteps in the room behind him. The others came trooping out of Kai's bedroom.

“Tala! Where's Tyson and Kai?” Max asked immediately when he didn't see either teen in the room.

“Shh!” The redhead shushed them and waved them over. “Check this out, guys, but be quiet!”

Max, Rei, and Bryan joined him at the door and the four boys huddled in secrecy as they watched the proceedings outside.

A fifth boy was there, too, unbeknownst to tall the rest. Daichi stood just outside the doors and was valiantly - though uselessly - railing at Kai to just kiss him already!

Had the two tens been able to read each other's minds, they would have discovered similar trains of thought steam rolling back and forth through their brains. Each was wondering if it was worth the risks to actually let the other know that he did in fact like the other, and - if they accepted that emotion - if they weren't averse to a kiss…what would it be like?

And would the curse really break and let Tyson go back to normal again?

Tyson slowly pulled back from Kai, coming to a firm decision after several minutes of intense thought and reflection. One hand slowly but deliberately slid from Kai's shoulder to the back of his neck and curved around it as he lifted his head and stepped up close to Kai to stand chest to chest with him. Kai's hands fell to Tyson's waist and rested there without the crimson-eyed teen realizing it. He was too busy staring down into those sightless but no less captivating stormy eyes and wondering if he wasn't in the middle of another of his dreams after all.

Oh god… Kai felt a small bubble of panic well up in his throat. I think I…fuck it. Tell him, kiss him, and…let the chips lay as they fall. He could see something in Tyson's expression, feel it in the way the bluenette's body molded itself to his own seamlessly. He could see it in Tyson's eyes, too, along with a desperate fear of rejection. Even if Kai had wanted to, he couldn't voice any kind of rejection. He seemed to have misplaced his voice, and he had to swallow hard to get the lump out of his throat. No one can over call me a coward, not after this.

He dipped his head down, pausing just out of touching range, yet so close his breath was warm and fluttering against Tyson's lips and cheek. He felt the bluenette shiver and gave a shudder of his own when the finders at the nape of his neck twitched and sent pleasant chills of sensation trickling down his spine. Kai stared deeply into those eyes in a flash of sudden wonder, as if maybe, just maybe, Tyson liked him as much as Kai had come to like Tyson…

That one possibility, one daring hope, was enough for Kai to regain a little of his confidence - enough to do what he needed to at that moment.

Daichi and the four hidden teens at the doors sucked in collective sharp breaths and held them, waiting in breathless anticipation.

And then they heard Kai's voice clearly in the still, hushed darkness, slightly husky but warm.

“Kinomiya…I have a confession to make.”

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Kali Notes: And post! Running away! *ZOOM* Please R/R!!!! *echo…echo*