Beyblade Fan Fiction ❯ Haunted ❯ Chapter 06 ( Chapter 6 )

Kali Notes: This chapter is all for you Jen (& CJ!)!!!! I hope you don't send your yami after me…'cause she's scary. Thanks for all the reviews last chapter, everyone!

 

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.

 

~*~*~*~

Chapter 06

 

“Are they kissing? Can anyone see?” Max asked in an exaggerated whisper to the others.

“Shh…” Rei hushed him.

“I can't…I don't think they're kissing yet.” Bryan tried peering around his boyfriend's leg, since he was crouched down beside Tala. “It looks like Kai's saying something, I think.”

“He had said something about a confession, but now we're too far back to hear more. Besides which,” Tala gave them all an icy glare. “You all are so noisy I couldn't hear a scream! So shut up!”

Daichi gave the group of teens an annoyed, angry glare, then moved closer to Tyson and Kai so he could hear better. Kai was saying something in a low, husky voice.

“…confession to make.”

Ah! Yes! Daichi jumped up and down for joy. Go for it, Kai!

Tyson blinked up at Kai, his pulse suddenly in his ears. He bit his lip and gave a tiny nod to let the older teen know he'd heard and was listening. A confession? It can't be what I `m thinking it could be…no way.

“The party tonight…I had an ulterior motive for having it.”

Uh…okay. Tyson tilted his head curiously. Go on…

Kai sucked in a calming breath before continuing. I can't believe I'm doing this… He thought with an internal groan. “See, sometime ago, I found that I enjoyed having you around, and talking with you - or not talking, since I don't normally talk this much…” Kai paused, catching himself mid-babble. “Hn. Anyway, I discovered that I…I like you. I mean, like you. Um…the problem was I couldn't just…go up to you and tell you something like that because…because…”

Tyson swallowed hard past the lump of emotion in his throat. He…likes me? As in likes me! Oh…oh! And he's been…afraid? No, not Kai. He's been apprehensive about telling me - not that I blame him because I'm no better after all.

“Well, that doesn't matter, I suppose, since I'm telling you know. Look, Tyson, I…I just wanted you to know so that…I don't know…I guess because I want you to know I care and I will help you however I can until we figure this whole curse thing out, and…” Kai cut himself off again and studied Tyson's expression, searching for clues to his reaction - any at all would be good at this point. The bluenette looked dazed, mildly confused, and…relieved? “Tyson?” Kai felt a small spark of hope, and before he even realized it, he was moving in.

Mind whirling, Tyson didn't know what hit him when something soft, warm, and damp - and a little chapped - pressed against his mouth a little hard at first, then more gently. Wha-oh! Oh god! Kai's lips! That's…he's…kissing…hmm… His all to active brain shut down but for the wonderful wash of sensation pouring through him. He instinctively tried to get closer, to get more of that warmth and pleasure. His arms came up to curl around Kai's neck and he felt the hands at his waist spasm before sliding to his lower back and pulling him as close to Kai's front as possible.

Tala blinked, watching, then grinned wolfishly. Finally. Excellent work, Hiwatari. Couldn't have done better myself. He glanced down at the object of his affection, Bryan, and the two exchanged a brief grin before they turned as one to shoo the other two boys back into the house again.

“Let's give them some time, shall we?” Bryan said, nearly shoving poor Max bodily away from the doors.

Daichi, had anyone been able to see the little spirit, was jumping up and down wildly, doing somersaults in mid-air each time before landing.

Tyson let out a small moaning gasp as his body seemed to catch on fire from head-to-toe, and Kai took advantage, deepening the kiss to the point where he forgot what air was and that they'd both need it very soon. He'd wanted this, just this, for so long now, and here he was. He was finally kissing Tyson as he'd only done in dreams - and this was infinitely better than anything his imagination could come up with.

It was several minutes later when he finally had to back off and slowed the kiss to a stop. “Tyson…” he murmured against the bluenette's kiss-swollen lips, savouring the moment greedily. His crimson eyes were closed, and they were both breathing hard from the intensity of the passionate kiss.

But when a breathless, gasped reply suddenly came from the youth in his arms, Kai's eyes popped open wide.

“Kai…” Tyson frantically gasped in air, hazily wondering if he could convince the older teen to do that again, and thus was unaware he'd spoken aloud. “God…Kai…” he pried his eyes open, a lopsided, lazy smile crossing his face. He'd forgotten about everything but the moment, and blinked a little in concern at the shock he could see on Kai's face.

Kai made a strange sound, but could say or do nothing. He'd heard Tyson speak! And as he watched the bluenette's eyes open, he saw the silvery-grey colour disappear, chased away by that intensely beautiful, stormy sapphire blue that belonged there.

For a minute they just stood there, wrapped around one another, staring at each other like they'd never seen the other before.

And then, just as Tyson began to speak…

“Kai? What…”

“Tyson!”

Kai caught the bluenette and held him upright when those surreal eyes rolled back in his head and Tyson became a dead weight, passing out cold for the second time that night.

~*~*~*~

In the living area of Kai's great room, the four anxious teens sat around in silence, eagerly waiting for their two friends to come back inside and to find out if the curse was indeed broken.

Tala yawned expansively and shifted restlessly. He was lying on the sofa, with his head pillowed by Bryan's lap. The pale, lavender-haired teen was slouched in his spot, head leaning against the back cushion with his eyes closed. One arm was tossed haphazardly over Tala's chest, and the redhead was absently running his fingers up and down the limb as he contemplated the entire wild night.

Rei was stretched out like a big cat on the floor in front of the fireplace, and Max was curled up in one of the oversized, comfy sofa chairs. Though Bryan and Tala didn't seem worried or concerned about Kai and Tyson, Rei and Max were both still keyed-up enough that though they were tired, they weren't showing it outwardly.

The balcony door suddenly opened and was kicked shut as Kai came bursting in with an unconscious Tyson in his arms - again. The others were on their feet instantly and followed the crimson-eyed teen back to his bedroom.

“Kai! What happened?! Is Tyson hurt?!” Max exclaimed, very worried now, to the point where tears were welling up in his sea blue-green eyes.

“He…passed out again.” Kai nodded at his bed. “Tala, pull the covers back for me, please.”

Obligingly, Tala pulled them covers away and watched his friend gently place his burden on the mattress, then tuck him in almost…tenderly. He raised an eyebrow.

“You think it's because you broke the curse?” He asked, outright grinning when Kai turned an extreme shade of red and glared.

“Do you always spy on people?” Kai grumbled, fighting the blush in embarrassment at being so transparent emotionally.

“Please, Kai…” Rei interrupted, giving Kai a pleading look. “Tell us what happened? I'm very worried about Tyson and so is Max.”

Kai hugged himself, as if he were suddenly cold, and stared down at Tyson, refusing to meet the others' gazes as he spoke softly.

“He was upset when he ran out there, even though he couldn't see or speak. I went after him to bring him back inside but he didn't want to go. So I tried to figure out what was wrong so that I could make him feel better - enough to come back in. But…I don't know. I ended up hugging him, and then I…” Kai stopped and cleared his throat. The others weren't going to get the whole of it from him - not even if he died. He continued, hurrying to get it out and over with to end his humiliation.

“Anyway…he suddenly looked up at me and said my name quite clearly. It was the weirdest thing ever, but I watched the colour seep back into his eyes just before he…went down like a rock.”

Rei's golden, cat-like eyes widened and he moved over to the other side of the bed, gently picking up Tyson's wrist and taking a moment to check his pulse - which was steady and strong. Then he leaned over and very gently pried one eyelid open to see Tyson's eyes, and a small gasp escaped before he moved away.

“Well, it's definitely his eye colour. My guess is that his body has undergone such trauma with this whole curse thing that his mind shut down until it can cope.” Rei shook his head. “Amazing. I think he's going to be fine. He'll wake up after a while, I imagine, but I wonder if he'll remember any of this?”

No one had an answer for that, least of all Kai. In a way he was seriously hoping Tyson didn't remember. This had not been how he'd wanted to tell the younger teen how he felt nor was it how he'd wanted their first kiss - and his first ever (and Tyson's, too, for all he knew) - to come about. And yet, because he couldn't change events, he did want Tyson to remember this.

Max moved over to the bed and sat on the edge, taking his friend's hand in his own and patting it lightly. “I'm staying here with him until he wakes up.” The blonde declared in a hushed voice. He looked up at the others. “You should all go to sleep, at least for a while. If he wakes up, I'll come and get you.”

“But what about you Max?” Rei frowned. “Aren't you tired?”

“A little, but I won't sleep until he wakes up and I hear for myself that he's okay from him.” Max gave the tall teen a shadow of his usual bright smile. “I'll be alright, Rei. I promise I'm fine.”

“Okay, then we'll move out to the other room so we don't disturb him. He probably needs the rest much more than we do.” Tala ushered Kai, Rei, and Bryan from the room. “Come on, guys. Bed time!”

Max turned back to Tyson as the door closed and let out a deep sigh. “I don't know why this had to happen to you, pal, but get lots of rest. I'll be here when you wake up, I promise.”

~*~*~*~

Daichi, watching Kai distribute warm blankets to his guests in the great room, heaved a sigh of relief. Thank the gods that's over with. At least I got to see the end before I have to go. He glanced at the clock on the mantle with a pout. Damned All Saints' Day. Now I have to remain in the spirit world for the next twenty-four hours, starting at dawn. I'm not going to know what happens for a whole day! Not fair! It was just after four in the morning now, and already the little ghost could feel what energy he had left draining away, his `body' being pulled back into the realm of spirits.

Kai did make an honest attempt to fall asleep, but he just couldn't manage it. His mind was still whirling on over load, and his nerves were frazzled.

I…I can't stand this. This uncertainty and the thought of his rejection now that he's back to normal is… Kai shivered and sat up abruptly. I can't stay here. I have to…I need some time. He got to his feet as quietly as he could and stealthily - but quickly - moved toward the small closet near the doors that lead down to the rest of the house. He fished out a jacket and a pair of shoes, putting both on, then grabbed his scarf and headed for the balcony doors.

Bryan and Tala, both light sleepers, heard his moving around anyway and watched him tip-toe out the doors and very quietly close them.

“Where's he going?” Bryan wondered groggily. Tala shook his head and was moving before he even realized it, putting on his own shoes and preparing to follow Kai.

“I don't know, but I'll find out. Go back to sleep, Bry.” The redhead waved and slipped out. Bryan grunted and rolled over, dropping back off to sleep without much trouble.

Tala managed to catch up with Kai just as he was about to step out of the gates of the Hiwatari front yard and onto the sidewalk. “Kai! Wait, Hiwatari!”

“Tala…” Kai heaved a resigned sigh. “Why are you out here? Go back inside before you freeze to death, dumb ass.” He closed the gate and turned around.

“I'm fine. This is nothing.” Tala shrugged that aside, ignoring the fact that it was a tad nippy at 5:30 in the morning in…well, November, now. “Take your own advice, hot shot, and answer me your own question right back at you.”

Kai closed his eyes and sagged, propping himself up against the tall brick and stone wall that fenced in his family's property. “I can't…I had to get out of there and think. And…it's better I'm not there when he wakes up and…remembers.”

Tala frowned, folding his arms to try and hold in some body heat - under the pretense of looking stern and unimpressed. “You're not seriously running away.” He stated flatly. When Kai didn't answer, didn't even look at him, he scowled. “You are! I can't believe it!”

“Shut up, Tala! You don't understand at all!” Kai shot back, eyes blazing with emotion. “One of the most important events in my life just happened tonight but so not how I'd wanted or thought it would, and I don't even know if he returns any sort of my feelings! I've had a very shitty night, and I need a break, so don't take that superior tone with me!”

Tala listened with a neutral sort of calm as Kai wound down, then watched as he suddenly shuddered mightily and slid down the wall to the ground, legs pulled to his chest and face burying itself between his knees with a heart-wrenching sob. It was the only further sound he made, remaining huddled into himself like that and visibly trembling under the weight of stress and pent-up emotion.

The redhead joined him without a word, gingerly sitting on the grass beside his oldest friend and patiently waiting for Kai to pull himself together.

It took a bit longer than he'd expected, but Kai finally did raise his head and uncurl his form stiffly - though he didn't get up yet. Dawn was slowly breaking, softly lighting up the world with its warmth.

Exhausted in every possible way, Kai murmured, “Sorry.” without even looking at Tala. He stared up at his house, wondering if Tyson had woken yet.

“Don't be. You needed an outlet, Kai. You always did keep things bottled up for too long until the explosion came and took out innocent civilians.” Tala rolled his head to the side to look at Kai sideways. “Feel better, kid?”

Kai grimaced. “You're only a few months older than me. Do not call me `kid.'” He sighed and shook his head. “And no, not really.”

The ice-blue eyed teen nodded in understanding. “So Tyson's your first, huh? First…everything?”

Kai frowned and blushed. “Yes. Lay off, would you?”

“Nope. Never happen. It's my job and vast pleasure to tease and torment my friends when they have crushes and stuff.”

“You are such a pain in the ass, Tal.”

“I know!” Tala's wolfish grin and complete lack of modesty managed to tug a small chuckle out of Kai. Having accomplished that much, and feeling much better about it, Tala became serious. “I'm sorry the moment was…not how you wanted it, Kai. Did he give any sort of indication that he likes you back?”

“I don't know. I mean, sure he kissed me back and all, but…it could have just been the moment, you know?” Kai tunneled his fingers through his hair wearily in frustrated uncertainty. “We…were both caught up in things. If he wakes up and remembers…what if he hates me after this? I…I'm not sure I can ever show my face around him again with that possibility.”

“And if he doesn't remember?”

Kai closed his eyes. “In some ways, that's worse because it would be just that much more uncertain about…everything! And at the same time, if none of us ever tells him what happened, then I can at least pretend and…maybe someday have a second chance at my first, again.”

Tala looked up at the house, too. “So what are you going to do in the meantime? Until you do know whether he remembers or not?”

“I need time. We need time.” Kai looked down at the grass he sat on. He hated himself for it, and despised the cowardliness in him itself. “I can't go back in there right now.”

Tala sighed, sitting up straighter. “You will have to deal with it eventually. But…” he held up a hand as Kai opened his mouth to retort. “But, I get it, and you can go bunk at my place until I get home. I'll play host for you and get the others out of here first, then at least you can brood in your own home.” He rolled to his feet and waited until Kai did the same. “I'll come with you and let you in. Don't worry about the parents.” Tala made a face. “They aren't home and won't be until Monday.”

Kai nodded, his expression turning relieved and vaguely grateful. “Thanks, Tala. I owe you one.”

“You bet you do. But I'm not worried. I know you'll make it up to me.” Tala smirked in agreement, opening the gate and waving Kai through with a sweeping arm gesture.

Kai rolled his eyes and passed by, a small smile playing at the corners of his mouth.

~*~*~*~

The soft `click' of a door somewhere broke through the pleasant, warm, hazy, dream-like sleep Tyson was floating in. Feeling quite groggy - yet feeling like he'd slept for years - Tyson pried open his eyes and blinked. His eyes felt gritty and heavy, and he raised a hand to his face to try and wipe the sensations away.

When he could see properly, he lifted himself up onto his elbows and looked around in confusion. Where…oh. Kai's room. Frowning when he didn't see anyone else in the room, he sat up and ran his fingers through his hair. I remember the party, and then after, Bryan was going to get his horror movies, and then… His eyes went very wide as memory trickled back. Ohhh…shit. Oh my god! He remembered everything! But…he could see again, perfectly.

Tyson cleared his throat and tried speaking. “H-hello?” He smiled a little in relief. Well, that's a load off. Except... Tyson groaned and drew his knees up to his chest, hugging them. He also remembered how he'd been cured - every wonderful, dizzying, blissful moment. Kai…

Had he really shared such an amazing kiss with the older teen? Had Kai really said those words, confessed emotions that Tyson never honestly dared to hope for from him?

Lost in memory and thought, he didn't hear the bedroom door open, admitting his concerned, blonde friend.

“Tyson! You're awake!” Max exclaimed, zipping over to the bed in a few short steps. “How do you feel?”

The bluenette looked up at him and managed to dredge up a reassuring smile. “Hi, Max. I'm fine.”

“Ah! You spoke! Thank god.” Max sat on the bed next to him and looked him over carefully. “So everything's back to the way it should be for you then?”

“Yeah. Seems like it, at least.” Tyson sighed. “That was the weirdest, freakiest thing that's ever happened to me.”

“No kidding! We were all freaked and worried about you, pal. Especially Kai, I think.” Max admitted reluctantly. “He took good care of you while you were…uh…incapacitated.”

Tyson blushed and glanced away. “Yeah. Is everyone else up already? What time is it?”

Max glanced at Kai's alarm clock. “Nearly ten in the morning. Yeah, the rest of the group has been up for about an hour now. Well, Bryan, Rei, and I at least. Kai and Tala apparently were up much earlier and slipped out to go to the store to get something to make for breakfast.”

“Speaking of…is Kai busy? I mean, I…we should probably talk…about…things.” Tyson fought a deeper blush and lost, wishing he could just crawl into a hole somewhere.

Max grinned and nudged him with an elbow. “Spill it, Tyson! Just between you and me…”

The bluenette gave him a scowl. “What are you? A girl? Go away, Max.”

“Okay, okay. I'm sorry. I just had to tease a little.” Max smiled sympathetically and patted Tyson on the knee in apology. “So you really do like him, huh? Why didn't you just tell us instead of denying it?”

Tyson fiddled with the sheets uncomfortably. “I don't know. I guess…I didn't know how you and Kenny would react. Or anyone else, really.”

Max sighed. “Yeah, well, I guess that's to be expected. There are a lot of ignorant, intolerant people in the world. But Tyson, you know Kenny and I - and Rei and Mariah, too - don't care about that! I mean, we put up with Tala and Bryan - they have other peculiarities we can be annoyed with instead of their sexuality.”

Tyson snickered. It was true. Those two were definitely…different.

“Yeah. I know. I'm sorry,, Maxie. But…thanks for everything last night. I really appreciated your efforts to help.”

“Aww…it was nothing!” Max grinned again, brightening. “Anything for a friend!”

“So…is Kai busy?” Tyson asked again.

“Oh! I nearly forgot. Uh…actually, he's not here.” The blonde sighed and Tyson's face fell. “Tala told us his mother called him on his cell phone when he and Kai were at the store, and she asked him to run some errands for her and his father. Tala said he didn't know how long it would take and now he's playing host in Kai's stead.” Max explained, emoting sympathy waves at Tyson's expressions. “Don't worry though. I'm sure you two will find a way to get together and talk about it all.” He tired to reassure the bluenette.

“Well, I hope so. I hope…he doesn't regret what he - we - did or anything. I…I at least want to thank him for everything.”

“You will! Hey, are you hungry? We saved some pancakes for you, if you are.” Max got to his feet. “Why don't you get up and come have some?” He laughed at Tyson's dubious expression. “Don't worry. Rei made them.”

“Alright. I'll be right out.” Tyson agreed. Max nodded and left the room to give Tyson a chance to clean up and come out on his own to face the others.

~*~*~*~

Tyson was pleasantly surprised that Bryan, Tala, and Rei didn't comment - much - about the whole incident, nor did they tease him mercilessly. He ate his pancakes in relative peace, and then the group of boys finished cleaning up from the party - to thank Kai for inviting them to stay over, despite the freaky factor of Tyson's curse. The Hiwatari butler, Gregory, had appeared and left them with plenty of cleaning supplies and extra garbage bags when they'd insisted on tidying themselves and not leaving it for Gregory and Kai to do on their own.

When all was gleaming and sparkling clean, they all trooped out, leaving Kai's house and going their separate ways.

At the gates, however, Tala had paused and delayed Tyson for just a moment.

“Here, Kinomiya.” The redhead scribbled a phone number on a scrap piece of paper and handed it to the younger teen. “That's Kai's private line to his cell phone. Not too many people have that number, and if he asks where you got it, feel free to blame me.” Tala grinned. “He can yell at me or thank me all he wants later. Make sure you use it, hear?”

Tyson stared at the little slip of paper then gave Tala a grateful smile - not because of the number, but what the older teen was telling him.

Kai was as confused and unsure as he was, but there was an interest in Tyson nonetheless.

~*~*~*~

Kali Notes: Okay, so I only plan on one last chapter to this fic. Then there WILL be more…eventually. In a new fic. Yes, there will be a sequel! Anyway, more on that next chapter. For now, please R/R!!!!