Beyblade Fan Fiction ❯ Haunted ❯ Chapter 07 ( Chapter 7 )

Kali Notes: Well, folks! This is the end of Haunted! I know…but never fear! There will be a sequel - since I believe I can continue this fic. A very big thanks to everyone who stuck around to read this thing through, and to all of you who bothered to review/comment. I really appreciate it. Don't ask when the sequel will come along…because I don't know.

 

Disclaimer: No, we don't own Beyblade or its characters.

 

Warnings: Ah…weirdness, general insanity… and the usual (shonen-ai, 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 07

 

Tyson spent the rest of Saturday coming to terms with the previous evening's events. He went about his chores almost mechanically, not really paying attention to what he was actually doing. His thoughts were just all over the place, chaotic and one-tracked at the same time.

“Little dude!” His grandfather bellowed suddenly at the dinner table that night, whacking the table with a loud BANG and making Tyson jump violently. “Where're ya at, T-man? `Cause you're certainly not here at the table!”

“Ah! Geez, Gramps! Are you trying to give me a heart attack?!” Tyson clutched at his chest dramatically. “What's the matter?”

“You're in more space than an astronaut! You've been like that since you got home from that shindig.” Gramps was eyeing Tyson critically. “Tell this old homeboy what went down, little dude.”

Tyson scowled at his dinner plate, blushing rosily. His grandfather knew he had a thing for Kai - he'd had that information dragged out of him kicking and screaming during one of Gramps' surprise attacks that resulted in an intense training session. To Tyson's shock, the old man hadn't been at all fazed that the bluenette was infatuated with someone of the same gender. When he'd expressed that shock, Gramps had just laughed heartily and given one of his typical, street-slang inspired bits of wisdom.

“Yo! The heard don't care about the flavour, ya dig?”

Knowing that, while relieving Tyson of any concerns about family acceptance - at least from the eldest Kinomiya - Tyson wasn't sure if he should tell his slightly off-kilter elder about the extreme weirdness after Kai's party or not.

“It's nothing, Gramps. Really. I just have a lot on my mind, that's all.” He finally replied, hoping Gramps wouldn't push it. Some things, however, are too good to be true.

“So tell me what they are and maybe your brain will weigh less.”

Tyson scowled again briefly, then sighed. He gave up and slowly explained what had happened with the ghosts, the curse, the whole evening - well, minus any…graphic details that Gramps didn't need to hear.

“That is one tall tale, little dude.” Gramps stared at his grandson incredulously when he'd finished. “I think you've been watching too many horror movies with Max.”

“Forget it.” Tyson shoved his plate away and pushed his chair back to get up. “Why would you believe me anyway.”

“Now, T-man, don't go getting your boxers in a bunch! Sit back down, little dude.” As the bluenette walked by, Gramps casually stuck out a foot and tripped him, sweeping his legs out from under him. Tyson flopped on the floor on his butt and growled in annoyance. Muttering under his breath, he climbed back up into the chair.

“I'm telling the truth, Gramps! It really went down like that.” Tyson crossed his arms over his chest. “That isn't what's bothering me though.”

“What's the damage then?”

“It's…I mean, I really like him, Gramps. But…I don't know if he really likes me - not in the same sense I do about him, at least. Sure he kissed me, but it was an `in-the-heat-of-the-moment' kind of thing, not to mention the both of us were highly emotional and not completely rational at the time, so…”

“Tyson…” Gramps dropped the street-slang and became completely serious. “I would say if he didn't like you, there's no way he would have…uh…”

The teen flushed, turning a bright shade of red.

Gramps coughed. “Anyway, what I'm trying to say is that you need to talk with him. Agonizing over it isn't going to solve anything and only drive you insane.”

Tyson sighed wearily and slouched, one hand creeping into his pants' pocket to pull out the piece of paper that Tala had given him with Kai's cell phone number on it. “I guess the only question left is when, huh?”

The old man chuckled, his gaze turning off into space. “Ah…young love. You know, I remember when I was your age, there was this fly chick…” A gleam glazed over Gramps' eyes and Tyson groaned inwardly, carefully sneaking out of his seat and out the door to escape.

~*~*~*~

The weekend continued uneventfully - well, in a way. Two young men, in their two separate homes, were considering each other in ways that they had before, but this time with a hopeful edge that came from the paranormal events of Friday night.

At the ancestral home of the Kinomiya clan, Tyson sat just outside his bedroom on the boardwalk that ran around the entire residence and dojo, his back leaning comfortably against a large wooden post. Here he was sheltered from the soft, misty rain that fell continuously just beyond him. His radiant storm-blue eyes stared up at light grey skies while he contemplated the coming fateful Monday, where he would return to school - and face Kai again, like it or not.

He pulled his knees up to his chest loosely and rested his forearms on them, heaving a heavy sigh. The weather wasn't inducing a cheerful mood, even though he liked storms and rain normally. Tyson glanced down at the cordless phone receiver which lay beside him, and for the hundredth time that hour tried to decide whether or not to call Kai.

But as he reached out to pick it up to make that call, he nearly jumped out of his skin when it rang loudly, startling him severely. Tyson swore, clutched his pounding heart with one hand, and answered the phone with the other.

“Kinomiya residence, Tyson speaking.” He intoned. It was probably one of Gramps' cronies…um, friends, wanting to set up a poker night again or something.

“Hey, Tyson!” Max's genki voice, extra-hyper, greeted him instead. “How's it going, pal?”

“Hey, Max. Alright, I suppose.” Tyson shifted and got comfortable again. “From your voice, I'd guess the date with Hilary went fairly well?”

He could picture the mile-wide, 1000-Watt grin on the blonde's face when he replied, “It was fantastic! Oh man, she's such a great girl, and she's really smart and beautiful, too!”

Tyson rolled his eyes, but smiled and let his friend ramble on about all the brunette's apparent virtues indulgently. When he finally wound down, the bluenette chuckled in amusement.

“You are so totally whipped, Mizuhara Max.”

“Well…I wouldn't go that far, but…yeah.” Max laughed sheepishly. “I had to call you and tell you all about it, though. I've been full of energy since last night when we went out, and I couldn't hold it in anymore.”

“I can imagine.”

“So did you talk to Kai yet?” Max asked, hesitant. Tyson sighed and shook his head, then remembered Max couldn't see it.

“No. I…I'm afraid to call him.” Max would never know how hard it was to admit that. “Now that he's had time to think about it…I'm afraid he's decided he doesn't like me and wants nothing more to do with me.”

“Tyson…” Max went silent for a moment, obviously thinking. “Look, I can't pretend to understand how you feel, what with everything that happened that night and all, but I do know that he's probably just as agonized about it as you are. Don't let your fears about things that haven't happened yet get you down, okay?”

“I'm trying Max. I really am.”

“And I'm sure it'll work out eventually.” There was a pause. “Oops! I have to get off the phone. Dad wants it. I'll talk to you to morrow in class, okay?”

“Yeah. See you, Max.”

“Bye!”

Tyson put the phone down. Max was right. He was worrying about possibilities that hadn't happened yet. So…he'd wait and see how the chips fell - so to speak.

~*~*~*~

In a nearby part of the city, the other teen sat curled up on the sofa in his bedroom, staring into the flames of his fireplace as if he could somehow see all the answers to all his questions there. A warm blanket was wrapped snuggly around him and his dual-toned grayish hair was draped over the armrest where his head was pillowed. He'd been trying to get warm again since Saturday morning, but all he felt was cold and empty. It was as if the weekend's events and Tyson's departure from the house had sucked all the warmth and energy from Kai - which was ridiculous, he knew, but it still felt that way.

Oh, he knew why. He was still afraid to confront the bluenette, and his fears were what was really making him cold and shivery. Every time fear washed through him, ending in a shudder, he mentally berated himself for being pathetic and cowardly. The flames danced and crackled merrily, and he wondered if he'd ever have that same spark and passion he'd felt when Tyson had been in his arms and their kiss had burned itself into his soul.

He barely even looked up when his mother quietly peered into the room around the door frame.

“Oh! There you are! Kai, son, what's wrong?” She moved into the room and laid a hand to his forehead. “Your father and I haven't seen you all day and when you didn't come down for dinner I got worried. You don't have a fever…are you not feeling well?”

Kai slunk down under his blanket further and hid a grimace. He just wanted to be left alone, really. But his mother wouldn't' do that until she had an answer, he knew.

“I feel fine, Mother. I'm just cold and tired.” He responded dully. She didn't buy that, though, and frowned in concern, sitting on the coffee table and blocking his view of the fire.

“Sweetheart, I can always tell when you're not giving me the whole truth so please don't try that on me. What's wrong, Kai?”

He sighed and closed his eyes. No way was he telling her exactly what happened. She'd never believe it anyway. But…

“You and Father love each other a lot, right?” Kai asked after a moment of thought, surprising his mother with question.

“Well, yes. We didn't at first. Our marriage was arranged by our families. But we were lucky, I suppose, because we found happiness with one another after a time.” She ran a hand through his hair in a motherly gesture. “Why?”

“Have you ever…done something or said something to each other - before you were married - that ever made you wonder if you had damaged the relationship? Like maybe you'd never get together because of it?”

Confused, his mother tilted her head and stared at him. “No. Nothing so dire as that, I'm happy to say.” Her eyes widened. “Kai, are you saying you think you've done something that jeopardizes your chance to be with someone? Someone you like, perhaps?”

Damn it all. She was entirely too perceptive. Kai flushed an interesting shade of pink and pulled his blanket up around his nose. “Yes.” He mumbled, his voice muffled by the blanket (which was fine by him since it came out suspiciously squeaky in embarrassment).

“Oh!” His mother smiled and sniffled. “That's wonderful, Kai! I mean, that you've fallen for someone, not the other…oh dear.” She laughed lightly and dragged the blanket away from him. “Come now. Sit up and tell me about it. Who is she? Have I met her yet?”

Kai froze halfway sitting up. Oh…shit. He cursed fluently but silently. His mother - and to some extent his father, too - were both very liberal in their views of the world. Neither had issues with Tala and Bryan being together. But they weren't their children, they weren't of the Hiwatari family. Kai wasn't sure if that liberal tolerance extended to him.

“Listen, no offence, Mother, but…I'm not ready to talk about it yet, okay? I just…I'm trying to figure out how to, uh, approach the person after I…well, let's just say I think I screwed up and they probably don't want to have anything more to do with me.” He sat up fully and hugged his knees to his chest.

The delight faded back into motherly concern and she took her son's hand and rubbed it between her own. “Son, it's never too late, and I doubt you could have done anything so regrettable that the person wouldn't be willing to discuss it calmly like an adult. Don't give up before you try, Kai.” She smiled and stood up. “Come downstairs and eat something. Gregory kept a plate for you in case you were hungry after all.” She held out a hand to him, and, though he felt like a five year old kid again, he clasped it and allowed her to pull him off the sofa and lead him to the stairs.

While she happily mothered him for the rest of the evening, he found he did feel somewhat better about everything. She was right, after all. And he never gave up anything without a down and dirty fight, if that's what was required.

School, he decided, was going to be very different the next day, and full of changes - for better or worse.

~*~*~*~

Morning dawned sunny and cheerful, a complete contrast to the weekend's dreary, damp weather. It was as if the gods were smiling on the day, and that bode well for the two nervous teens as they each made their own way to school.

The group of teens that had been present for Tyson's brush with the paranormal had all been sworn to secrecy unless Tyson, himself, chose to tell anyone about it - by Kai, through Tala. So, when Max and Rei were both obviously keeping an eye on the bluenette (no matter how sneaky they tried to be about it), it wasn't surprising that Kenny (and several others) began asking why they were acting like something was wrong with Tyson.

Tyson had no wish to try and explain the true nature of what happened, and so made up a story about eating too much junk food and getting so scared by Bryan's horror movies all night that he'd gotten no sleep at all, resulting in a very ill Tyson for the rest of the weekend.

Kenny was the only one not fooled by the tale, but he let it go, trusting and understanding that his best friend would tell him, eventually, what really went on.

Kai, on the other hand, was being pestered mercilessly by a certain red-head all morning. He'd been hoping to run into the bluenette first thing when he arrived, before classes, but had no such luck. Instead, he had to sit through his morning classes (neither of which Tyson was a part of) and be tormented by Tala's pointed looks, questioning stares, and the annoying little notes the older teen casually tossed at him from two rows away (their seats being at the back of the class and Bryan between them helped).

Lunch time came soon enough, and with relief, Tyson escaped the inquisition and retreated to the side of the school - where few people ever went to eat - in peace. Max and Kenny had followed him (after Max had explained to Hilary that there was something he “needed to talk to” the two about and couldn't eat lunch with her that day). It was a warmer day, and the shade of the trees along the side of the building provided ample shade.

Of course, by this time, Kenny's patience had worn off.

“Okay, Tyson! Spill it! What happened after I left the party?” The petit brunette demanded.

Tyson paused in opening his bento lunch and sighed apologetically. “Yeah. Sorry, Chief. I just didn't want everyone to hear about it or they'd think I was crazy.” He proceeded to explain everything with a little help from Max. When he'd finished, he gave the spectacled teen a small smile. “Crazy, huh?”

“Uh…if it were anyone but the two of you telling me this, I'd be on the phone to the nearest mental institution. But since it is you, I believe you.” Kenny moaned. “I can't believe I missed my chance to study real paranormal activity! Life is so unfair!”

Max smothered a laugh and Tyson frowned in a disgruntled way.

“Okay, getting past that…now I have to talk to him, guys. And I have no idea what to say or do.”

“You really do like him, don't you?” Kenny smiled, pushing his left-over noodles to the bluenette who proceeded to demolish them much as he had his own lunch. “Kai is a good match for you, Tyson, even if I don't understand him that well. I was hoping you'd see it yourself sooner or later. I'm glad it was sooner.”

“Don't get ahead of yourself, Chief.” Max cautioned. “Still, I have to agree with you. Tyson and Kai would make a phenomenal couple.”

The bluenette blushed and stuffed noodles in his mouth.

Tala was still pestering Kai by the time the lunch bell rang and they escaped to their usual lunch spot (on nice days) - their tree and piece of the school wall.

“Now would be the perfect time to go find him and talk to him, Hiwatari! Don't let the opportunity slip by!”

“Ivanov, I swear I'm going to drown you in the school pool if you don't lay off!” Kai gave him his very best death glare, full of murderous intent. Tala blithely ignored it.

“Yes, yes, I know.” Tala and the mostly silent Bryan followed him outside. “Besides, I know you don't want to talk to him in front of the others, and you know they're probably waiting for us at the tree, so…”

Kai scowled.

As luck would have it (or thanks to whichever meddling deity was…well, meddling) when they turned the corner to go around the side of the school and head toward their wall, they came across the bluenette, Max, and Kenny under one of the first trees with their lunches.

Blue met crimson and held, both dead silent. Tala and Bryan exchanged glances with each other, then with Max and Kenny, and as one the four teens quietly disappeared in mutual agreement.

Tyson swallowed hard and slowly got to his feet. Kai moved closer, but remained outside the younger teen's personal space. The tense silence was broken suddenly as they spoke at the same time.

“Kinomiya…”

“Kai, I…”

They stopped, looked away with twin blushes, then looked back again.

“You first.” Kai urged.

“No, you go ahead.” Tyson conceded. “Please.”

“Hn. Well…I…how are you?” Kai blurted out, mentally cursing and kicking himself for sounding ridiculous and insecure. “I mean, ah, no relapses or anything?”

Tyson shook his head, leaning against the trunk of the tree. “No. I'm perfectly normal again.” He offered a hesitant, bright, half-smile. “Thanks again, Kai. I wanted to say that Saturday when I woke up but you'd already gone before I got the opportunity.” He chuckled, though the sound was still nervous.

Kai's shoulders shrugged jerkily, and he took a step forward. “I was called away to run errands by my parents, or I would have stuck around. I apologize for being a bad host and…for what that poltergeist did to you.”

“Hey, you can't control spirits. That wasn't your fault.” Tyson responded immediately. No way was he letting Kai believe he was to blame for that. “Besides! If it hadn't been for what you did, I may not have been cured! You cured me, right? Don't beat yourself up about it…” he blushed a little more, remembering how Kai had cured him.

“Yes, but…” Kai looked up at the sky for a moment. “About that…I hope I didn't…I mean I'm sorry if you…”

A cold feeling of dread washed down Tyson's spine and settled in his gut. He was sure rejection was coming before he'd even had a chance for anything else.

“Ha ha! Oh, don't worry, Kai!” This time the laughter was as false as Gramps' teeth. “I know it was just a heat-of-the-moment kind of thing and all the stress and tension didn't help so forget about it! I swear I won't ever mention it to anyone or whatever so relax!” Looking away and swallowing around the lump in his throat that he was sure were the pieces of his breaking heart, Tyson bent and grabbed his lunch, preparing to make a hasty escape. “Anyway, thanks again, and I'll see you around, oka-mph!”

Pliable, slightly rough lips mashed against his as he stood up and, startled, he dropped his lunch. And then his widened eyes drooped shut as he was pressed back against the tree, a warm body molding into his own. Helpless and melting, the bluenette whimpered and curled his arms around strong shoulders in welcome.

Kai had barely registered moving, having only one thought which propelled him forward: he would not let Tyson believe he'd only kissed him that night because of the curse. When Tyson's arms reached up and circled his shoulders, Kai felt a jolt of giddy triumph as he sensed the acceptance being offered. It made him kiss that addictive mouth harder, more demandingly, and the whimpers of pleasure he earned washed over him in waves of heat.

He slid his hands up Tyson's arms to cup his face between his palms, angling his head just so… Tyson groaned, let the tree take their weight, and hung on, his fingers running feverishly through Kai's hair at the back of his neck.

The emotion and desire grew to be almost too much and the taller teen forced himself to end the kiss, but couldn't bring himself to separate even one millimeter from the youth he had pinned to a tree. Breathing harshly, Kai rained slow, reverent, butterfly-soft kisses over Tyson's features - from his nose, over closed eyelids, temples, forehead, and back along his jaw line. When he got back to Tyson's mouth he stopped, hovering a whisper away.

Tyson's eyes fluttered open, stormy blue, gorgeous, and glazed with passion. His heavy breathing hitched as their gazes bore into one another from mere inches apart, and his arms tightened around Kai's neck. “Kai…” he breathed the name. “Gods…”

“Everything I said that night was the truth, Tyson.” Kai murmured, watching his expression for any hint of what the bluenette was thinking. “And this, right now, was not done because of any coercion or heat-of-the-moment.”

“Good. Great!” Tyson rasped, trying to get his mind to function again, his voice thick. “Because if it had been, I'd have to kick your ass for making me feel like this when you don't mean it.”

Crimson eyes widened slightly, hope flaring. “Feel…? Like what, exactly?”

“At the moment, like I want you to kiss me again and never stop.” Tyson grinned foolishly and pressed his lips to Kai's once, just for a moment. “But outside of that…I don't know what this is inside of me, Kai, for you.” He grew serious and seemed to be studying Kai just as closely as Kai was him. “I've never felt this way before. I know I like you - probably more than I should - and I like it when you're around me.”

Kai let his forehead rest against Tyson's, relief weighing his body down until he could barely hold himself up anymore. “Me too…” he whispered. “I…this weekend was not how I would have chosen to go about telling you or finding out if you'd be interested, and I certainly would never have harmed you…”

“Shh…I know that, Kai.” Tyson hushed him, laying two fingers to Kai's lips. “I've had first-hand experience of how kind and considerate you really are.” He smirked and chuckled at Kai's wince and grimace. “Even under the attitude and indifferent exterior you show the world.”

“Yeah, well…keep it between you and me, Kinomiya. I do have a reputation to maintain.”

Tyson just laughed.

“Do we tell anyone about this now?” He wanted to know. Kai sighed.

“I don't think it's any of their business. Maybe the ones who were there that night, but outside of that, let's keep it quiet for a while.” The older teen suggested. Tyson nodded.

“Alright. I think that's best, too.”

They both looked up at the school when the warning bell for the return to classes from lunch break rang out.

With a sigh, Kai pushed himself away from the bluenette and ran fingers through his hair, a faint blush on his cheeks. “Ah…I guess lunch is over. So…”

Tyson straightened his school clothes and checked his hair to make sure it didn't look like he'd been making out with someone, blushing a little. “So…what are you doing Friday night?”

Kai blinked, then grinned (making Tyson's heart flutter madly). “Taking my boyfriend on a date. I hear there's a big pro-poker tournament in town this weekend…” He left the suggestion hanging.

“That could be fun.” Tyson nodded in mock-solemnity. “Or we could go see a movie. Hey! We could make it a double-date with Tala and Bryan! Or a triple-date with them, and with Max and Hilary!”

“He-ll no, Tyson.”

Tyson grinned and let Kai lead the way back toward the school doors.

~*~*~*~

Fin. Owari. Ende.

 

 

Kali Notes: Tada! Thanks again everyone and I hope you have a safe, spooky, and happy HALLOWEEN! ^_^ Remember…sequel! And for now, please R/R!!!!

 

~ Yami FireKali ~