Beyblade Fan Fiction ❯ Have You Ever ❯ Chapter 20 ( Chapter 20 )

************************************

Warnings: Yaoi, Lemon(s), language, angst, violence, etc. and that cavity warning I mentioned before. Rated NC-17. This chapter: Nothing special.

************************************

Kali: sweatdrops heavily. Yes, people. I know the last chapter was long.

Dryad: Really, really long.

Tyson: So? I think it went really well.

Kai: Besides, you've got a life outside of writing.

Kali: Thanks, guys. But I'm nearing the end with this fic…

Dryad: Hard to believe, ain't it?

Tyson: sniffles. The end? Already?

Kai: ALREADY?! O.o It's been forever as it is!

Kali: sighs. Yeah. And this chapter will be no shorter than the last one, I'm afraid.

Dryad: ^-^ She's got a lot to say and she's gonna pack it into fewer chapters.

Kai & Tyson: O.O''

Kali: Anyhow…on with this chapter.

Dryad: Kali doesn't own Beyblade. So don't bother suing her.

Authoress' Notes: Just so you know, I'm not going to go into detail for the battles in the tournament. It's just not that important to anything in the story. Sorry to disappoint!

*************************************

Pairs: Tyson/Kai, Rei/Max, others to be decided.

FYI: {telepathy}, //bit-beast speech aloud//, thoughts, normal speech

*************************************

Chapter 20

*************************************

Tyson went into their room, quietly closing the door behind him and going into the bathroom.

Kai was standing again, having scrambled to his feet when he heard Tyson come in. He leaned over the sink, his makeup kit open to one side, though he had yet to put on the triangles.

{I thought I told you to leave me alone.} Kai said, trying to sound angry and annoyed. He failed miserably, though, because Tyson just came up behind him, wrapped both arms around his stiff from and buried his face in the back of Kai's neck.

{Never happen. I came to grovel.} Tyson told him softly. {I shouldn't have poked at you like that. I know better - even if what I said was true and all, I should have kept my mouth shut. I'm sorry, Kai.}

Kai shuddered at the sincerity and guilt in Tyson's tone. He went limp with a sigh and turned around to face his boyfriend, dropping his forehead to rest against Tyson's. {Forgiven. God, Ty! I don't want to fight with you. I don't like it.}

{Neither do I.} Tyson ran his hands up Kai's chest and let his palms rest over the muscles there as Kai's arms curled around his waist and drew him closer. {I love you.}

{I love you. I'm sorry, too.}

{For what? You didn't do anything.}

{I'm sorry for always being such a serious jerk that I can't even laugh at myself. And I'm sorry for getting all embarrassed over something so stupid.} Kai felt a tear run down his cheek. {I try not to be but…}

{Oh, Kai.} Tyson interrupted, kissing away the salty drop from his cheek. {I know you do. I'm so proud of you for it, too. Don't ever be sorry for your emotions and especially not for feeling them, Kai.} He ran his fingers through dual-shaded hair.

{Tyson…Gods, what would I do without you?} Kai murmured, letting himself curl into Tyson's arms. {I've been fighting against depending on anyone for anything for so long, and yet, here I am needing you - and I don't even mind.} He smiled wryly. {Oh how the mighty have fallen.}

Tyson snorted and looked into Kai's eyes, smiling and eyes laughing. {Mighty, huh? Well, your Mightiness, we have a tournament to get to. Put on your war paint and let's go.}

{Yeah. Hey, Tyson?}

"Hmm?" Tyson made a questioning noise.

"Do you…need me?" Kai asked, hesitantly.

Tyson stared at him. "Of course I do! Who else is going to keep my ego in check? Who else would put up with me and my shit all the time? Who else, Kai, can know exactly how to push me to try harder, be better, and grow stronger?"

"I…I do all that? For you?"

"Yep." Tyson stepped up close. "But most importantly? Who, but you, Hiwatari Kai, can love me like you?"

Kai's breath caught in his throat and he bent to capture Tyson's mouth in a breath-taking kiss. {No one. You're mine.} He ran his fingertips gently over the hicky on Tyson's neck hidden by his shirt collar. The Dragon shivered and moaned a little, his hands delving into Kai's hair and grasping his head as Kai kissed him boneless - all his love conveyed in that simple act.

Tyson broke the kiss reluctantly with a final quick peck on Kai's mouth then backed out of the bathroom. "Ah…I'll just get out of temptation's way before I do something to make us very late." He scrambled out the door, hearing Kai's silent laughter in his head - along with a statement that sorely tested his willpower - not to mention his hormones.

{Save it fore later, lover. Because when I get through, we're going to find out just how loud you can be when you come…}

Tyson had just stepped into the sitting room when Kai said that and he got so flustered that he stumbled and did a face plant, hitting the floor with a THUMP.

He pushed himself up on his forearms and scowled at the smirk he received from his lover. "Sadistic jerk!" He yelled over his shoulder down the hall.

Kai poked his head out the door and grinned evilly. "Duh. You love me anyway."

Tyson's answering smile blazed like the sun. "I do! We're both perverted masochists aren't we?"

Kai laughed and disappeared again.

Rei, Max, Kenny stood there staring at Tyson as he picked himself up and straightened his clothes a bit. He looked up still smiling and noticed them gaping at him. "What?"

"Ah…nothing." Kenny shook his head, smiling faintly. "Ready to go?"

"Yep!" Tyson grabbed his jacket and shrugged into it, slipping Dragoon's blade into his jacket pocket and tucking his launcher into the waistband of his shorts at the small of his back. He turned and yelled down the hall again. "Kai! It doesn't take that long to put on your makeup! We're going to be late!"

Kai came out wearing a different shirt than he had been wearing earlier. He now wore a tank top underneath it that was showing off his toned stomach and the Phoenix tattoos. "It's not makeup." He protested.

"Why'd you change your shirt?" Max asked. They left the hotel suite and went to the elevator.

"I'm not complaining." Tyson muttered, his arm around Kai's waist and that hand pressed against his bare stomach.

"My tube of blue paint sprang a leak and I got it all over my shirt." Kai shrugged.

They found a BBA van waiting to take them to the stadium when they got outside. They hopped in and made the short trip in relative silence. It was a calm, peaceful quiet though.

The Bladebreakers were welcomed at the stadium by a crowd of screaming, cheering fans as they stepped out of the van and made their way inside, where they were met by Mr. Dickenson.

"Well, boys! You made it! I was beginning to worry."

"Sorry about that, Mr. D." Tyson apologized.

"No time for chatting, kids! Hurry to your locker room now and check out the main screen. That's where the matches will be shown as we draw." The CEO ushered them down the hall toward their locker room. "Good luck!"

Kai pushed open the locker room door and led them inside. "Okay, guys. Let's find out who the unlucky team is."

Tyson was turning on the flat screen TV on one wall and searching for the tournament listings.

"When we find out, we'll have to decide our beybattle order." Kenny sat at a small table and flipped open Dizzi.

"Oh! Hey! I found it." Tyson sat down on a bench and studied the screen. "What?! Them first?!"

Kai stood next to him, arms folded over his chest. "Interesting. I see Tala and his boys decided to do the circuit after all."

"Wow. What a way to start off the tournament." Max stared at the screen.

"No kidding." Rei sighed. "With a bang."

"Okay then. Now we just need to…" Kenny was interrupted by a voice over the stadium intercom system.

"Attention bladers! Would all teams please report to beystadium immediately!"

"Alright! Let's do it!" Max jumped up and led the way out to the main arena.

"Hey, Kai? Do you think it's odd that we're battling the Demolition Boys first?" Tyson inquired, waving at all the screaming fans as the World Champions emerged in the stadium.

"Not really. It's a random draw, remember?" Kai replied, ignoring the fans - as usual.

"Doesn't matter." Rei said as they took their seats in the blader's pit set aside for them. "No matter who we had to face first, we would have had to fight them eventually anyway."

" 'We?'" Kai raised an eyebrow at him. "And you think you're blading today?"

Rei scowled. "Yes. For the millionth time, I'm fine! I'm not missing a match, Kai."

"Oh yes, you are. I will not risk your health just because you don't want to be left out." Kai stated. "You're sitting out today's matches, Rei, at the least. You'll battle me in the morning and I'll see how you fare then. If you do all right you'll be back blading tomorrow."

Rei growled, golden eyes flashing. "No way! Damn it, Kai! You can't bench me! Especially not against them!" He gestured across the stadium at the blader's pit where Tala and his team were sitting.

Max frowned at the implications in that statement. "Hey! What am I? Chopped liver?"

Kai looked at Rei. "I can and I have. You're not blading today, Kon. If you don't care about yourself at least have a little consideration for your bit-beast. Driger deserves a rest, too." He held out his hand. "Hand over your blade, Rei. Kenny will watch over it for you."

Rei stood up angrily. "How dare you? First of all, my word about my health means nothing to you. Secondly, you imply that I don't care about Driger. And now you just…just order me to turn over my blade? I don't think so."

Kai's crimson eyes narrowed as he slowly rose to his feet, arms still crossed, to face Rei.

Kenny edged away from the two bladers as Dizzi's readings warned him that their powers were rising rapidly. Tyson just stood by watching carefully, ready to jump in if he had to. Max laid a hand on Rei's arm in an effort to calm him down.

"Rei? Hey, you know Kai didn't mean it like that. He's just looking out for you. He's our captain, after all."

"Oh really? Well, maybe I don't think he should be captain anymore!"

Kai's temper flared. "If that's so, Kon, you're shit out of luck. You're stuck with me. If you have a problem with me - and I have noticed that you seem to be challenging me an awful lot lately - you and I can discuss it later. After today's matches and not in front of everyone in the stadium."

Rei's power swelled visibly and the ground shuddered under their feet with Rei's anger.

Kai glared at him. "Cool it, Kon. We aren't doing this here. Stop glowing and ease off."

Rei growled something very unflattering and turned on his heel, stalking off back toward the locker rooms. Kai watched him go then relaxed, swallowing back his own power as the ground quit shivering.

In his and Tyson's heads, he heard Driger say, {I'll talk to him.}

{Thanks, Driger.} Tyson replied as the White Tiger's presence disappeared.

"Shit. Damn his temper. Let's hope not many people noticed that little display." Kai sighed and sat back down next to Tyson.

"I…" Max was staring worriedly at the direction his boyfriend had gone. "I should go after him."

"No, Max. Leave him alone for now. Let's just get through the battles today and then we can worry about Rei's hormones." Kai looked at Kenny. "You monitoring?"

"Yes. That was very close, Kai."

"I know it."

DJ Jazzman appeared finally. "Alright Beyblade fans! Welcome to this year's Asian Tournament! It's time to get it on! In our first battle of the semi-finals we have the White Tigers against a new team to the blading scene - the Saint Shields!" He gestured at the two teams in question as the spotlights highlighted them.

"The Saint Shields?" Tyson shrugged. "Never heard of 'em."

"Chief?" Kai looked at him.

"Sorry Kai. I've got nothing on them, either."

"Hmm…then this could be interesting."

And it was. Whoever this new team was, they weren't half-bad. In a best of three matches, Gary won against Joseph of the Saint Shields, Miriam of the Saint Shields won against Mariah (which had her steaming furiously) and in a tie-breaking all out battle between the two team captains - Lee & Ozuma - Ozuma defeated Lee and the Saint Shields advanced.

On their way back to their lockers, the White Tigers stopped by the Bladebreakers' pit to wish them good luck and to find out what was going on with Rei.

"It's difficult to explain, Lee." Kai sighed, running a hand through his hair in frustration. "We'll deal with it, though, don't worry. Why don't you stop by our suite after dinner tonight and visit?"

"Yeah! I'm sure Rei will be glad to see you all again." Max smiled.

Lee nodded and shook Kai's hand. "We'll do that. Thanks, Kai. Good luck with the tournament, guys - though I'm sure you'll do fine." With a final wave, the White Tigers left the stadium.

"On to our next match! We have the World Champions - the Bladebreakers!!" This was followed by a roar of cheers and screams. "They'll be battling their worthy foes - the Demolition Boys!!" More cheers rang out, though in slightly less volume.

The first match saw Max pitted against Spencer. After a lengthy battle, Max and Draciel lost to Spencer and Seaborg - but just barely.

"Whew! That was close, guys!" Max exclaimed as he bounded back over to his team. "If Kai would have let me use my powers I probably could have won that easily."

"Sorry, Max." Kai shook his head. "But no powers. For one thing, it's not fair to the competition. For another, we just plain don't need our powers to win this."

Tyson nodded in agreement. "Besides! It's more interesting to test out our skills and those of our friends this way. We earn the Asian title, too."

"Yeah…I suppose you're right about that." Max sat next to Kenny looking sheepish. "Sorry."

"Don't worry about it, Max." Kai watched their competition decide on the next blader to try and win. "Hmm…Tyson? You want this one or shall I take it?"

"Who's up?" Tyson looked over his shoulder. "Ian, huh? Sure. I'll take this one."

The battle was fairly short. And Tyson won, of course.

He came back with a wide grin. "That was fun!"

Kenny shook his head, Max giggled, and Kai rolled his eyes.

"Oh boy…" Max's eyes widened. "Looks like Tala's decided to get into things himself." They watched the red-haired Russian walk up to the dish.

"Have fun, lover." Tyson grinned at Kai mischeviously. "And try not to do too much damage to his blade."

Kai snorted and went up to face off with Tala for a battle that was unprecedented and eagerly awaited by fans everywhere.

"Tala." He greeted his nemesis.

"Kai." Tala returned.

As was to be expected, the battle between the rival team captains was furious, explosive, and vastly entertaining. However, it had to end sometime and with one final blazing attack, Kai and Dranzer defeated Tala and Wolborg.

The Bladebreakers advanced to the finals to meet the Saint Shields, which was to be held the next day.

They met up with the Demolition Boys outside the locker rooms.

"Great battles, guys!" Tyson congratulated them, ever the good sportsman. "Man, you gave us a run for our money!"

"As usual!" Max added.

"Maybe. But I get the feeling we had no chance of beating you, Tyson." Tala smiled faintly. "We've got to get going, but we'll see you at the American Tournament, I'm sure."

"See ya around!" Tyson waved goodbye. Kai just nodded a silent farewell. Max and Kenny waved, too.

They walked into their locker room in wary silence to find Rei sitting on a bench seat watching the matches on the flat screen TV.

"Rei?" Max went over to him immediately and sat down beside him, curling against his side and taking one of Rei's hands in his own.

"Are you still mad at us, Rei?" Tyson asked with a sigh. Rei looked up at him, squeezing Max's hand, and then glanced towards Kai.

"No, I suppose I really can't be." He looked really ashamed. "I'm sorry, Kai. I think I overreacted out there, didn't I? I have no excuse for it. And you were right. I wasn't being very considerate toward Driger." He smiled, though there was little humour in it. "He gave me a scolding for that already."

Kai closed his eyes and sat down on his other side. "I'm sorry you couldn't be in the game today, Rei. But I really was only trying to look out for your health. I can tell you're still tired."

"I know. I'm sorry."

Kenny was packing up their equipment with relief. He hadn't wanted to break up a fight if it had been necessary. "Well, now that all that is settled, can we get going? I don't know about you guys, but I've got a headache from all those screaming fans out there and I could use some peace and quiet."

Tyson nodded. "I could go for some down time. Why don't you head out and see if the van's ready for us, Chief?"

"Sure. I'll ask if they can pick us up at a side entrance so we can avoid the press and the fans outside." Kenny slung his carry-bag with Dizzi ensconced inside over a shoulder and walked out.

"As much as I like pleasing the fans," Tyson laughed, "I have to agree with him this time."

"Yeah, but you're such a spotlight hog, Ty-love." Kai pointed out.

Max giggled.

"I've been a real pain in the ass lately, haven't I?" Rei suddenly stated. "I'm not sure why. Maybe I'm finally getting used to the fact that you all have become my family and I'm learning how to deal with being a part of one again. Even if it is something I've always wanted, I haven't truly belonged anywhere until now."

"But Rei!" Max protested. "You've been our friend and teammate for years now. And before that, what about the White Tigers? And your home village?"

"Yes. Part of me agrees with you, Max. Part of me doesn't. I lost my parents when I was very young. They were the only family I had. But the elders of my village would not abandon a kitten such as me to fend for myself. So the whole village took over my upbringing. I was taught, clothed, fed, and given shelter by the communal charity of the village - Lee's family in particular which is why we grew up so close.

"When I was given Driger and I left the village…it wasn't just to see the world and learn new blading skills, though that was a big part of the reason I left. I was searching for my place in the world. I needed a family - a position where I was needed and where others would fulfil my need to belong. Something told me I'd found it when I met all of you and Mr. Dickenson put us together to form the Bladebreakers."

"Now you are a part of a family, Rei, just like I am. Your place is with us." Kai stated firmly.

Rei sniffled and buried his face in Max's mass of blonde hair.

"Hmm…we're too serious, guys." Tyson grinned at them. "Group hug!"

Everyone groaned and Kai grabbed him in a headlock. "Smart ass!"

"You know it." Tyson muttered from under his arm and sneakily ran his fingertips over Kai's bare stomach, tickling him to get him to release him. "Lemme go!"

"Make me!"

"AGH!" Tyson began struggling but he was laughing and so was Kai. They ended up rolling around on the floor, a tangle of flailing limbs as Kai continued trying to make his lover give in, although he found the Dragon extremely difficult to pin down.

Max and Rei watched with vast amusement.

"Should we help?" Max wondered idly.

"No…I think we should just let them battle it out." Rei chuckled at a startled yelp from Tyson.

Tyson growled in frustration then blinked when he noticed a slightly evil glint light up Kai's crimson eyes. "What are you going to…" He was cut off as Kai swooped in and captured his mouth in a slow, teasing kiss, their tongues stroking one another and battling to see who would break first.

The Phoenix didn't let up until he felt any and all resistance from his lover's body beneath him dissolve and Tyson went limp, one hand tangling in Kai's hair with a tiny sigh of pleasure. Kai drew back and grinned down at Tyson's flushed face, glazed, stormy eyes, and swollen lips from the kiss.

"That's cheating." Tyson finally grumbled when he could speak coherently again. "Not fair."

"Quit complaining." Kai rubbed the pad of one thumb over Tyson's lips, eyes narrowing as they parted slightly and Tyson's tongue snuck out to just barely lick it. {Damn. I wish we were alone right now. It's amazing how we still have the energy to turn each other on…}

{Hmm…I hear that. You are going to keep that threat that you made before we left this morning?} Tyson inquired, eyes hot as he stared up into Kai's flaming crimson gaze.

{Oh yes…} Kai's other hand lazily trailed down Tyson's neck and over his shoulder, brushing lightly against the hidden bite mark. {You're all mine tonight, lover.} He cuddled into Tyson and they lay there on the floor comfortably attached to one another.

"That's kind of spooky how they go all silent and still like that when their talking mentally, huh, Rei?" Max observed, turning in his boyfriend's arms.

Rei smiled at that and looked down into Max's crystalline blue eyes. "I'm sorry if I hurt your feelings at all today, Max." He bent down and kissed the blonde softly in apology.

"Shh." Max shook his head and placed a finger over Rei's lips to silence him. "You didn't. Can I just hold you now? I was worried about you, my love."

"You never have to ask, little sprite." Rei sighed in peacefulness as Max cuddled him close and lightly stroked Rei's arm. The neko-jin began to purr again, quietly, and closed his eyes in weariness.

After a few minutes, Kai reluctantly rolled off Tyson and stood, helping him to his feet. He looked over at Rei and Max and frowned a little when he saw the dozing neko-jin.

"Is he alright, Max?"

"He's tired, Kai. I think we should hurry and get him back to the hotel." Max told him softly, continuing to stroke Rei's arm slowly.

Kai nodded. "We will." He glanced over as the locker room door opened and Kenny poked his head in.

"Van's ready. But I ran into some people we know on the way back here." Kenny stepped inside and allowed his team to see the people behind him.

"Wyatt? And…HILARY?!" Tyson stared at the girl, shocked and already feeling annoyed. "What the hell…"

Kai slapped a hand over his mouth. "What he means to say is, what are the both of you doing here? In Hong Kong?"

Tyson scowled at Hilary over Kai's hand. She glared back silently.

Max sighed and shook his head. Rei opened his eyes and blinked sleepily. "What's all the commotion about? Oh…"

"Hey guys! It was so great to see you battle in the tournament today! I'm sorry to intrude, but I had to come and congratulate you all when I ran into Kenny." Wyatt smiled at them. "You see, my father was coming to Hong Kong for a business meeting and he said I could bring a friend if I wanted to go to the tournament while we were here. So I invited Hilary because she told me that she wanted to know what all the fuss was about over some 'stupid spinning top game' since you all got special permission to miss so much school."

Hilary winced and nudged Wyatt in the ribs with an elbow. "Wyatt!"

"Leave him alone, Hilary." Tyson scowled some more. "We all know your opinion of our existence and our sport."

She frowned. "What are you talking about, Tyson? You never make any sense."

Max stared at her. "Come on, Hilary. We've all heard on the grapevine at school what you've said about Beyblading and us."

Kenny was watching her with a keen gaze. "She doesn't know, guys. The rumours…she hasn't got a clue what we're talking about." He stepped up to her and studied her. "So I guess that means you don't think of us as stuck up, lazy, teacher's pets?"

"WHAT?! Where did you hear that I ever said anything like that?!" She yelled indignantly. Rei winced.

"Ow! My ears…"

"Keep it down, Hilary." Kai advised. "Rei's not feeling well and your yelling isn't helping anything. As for the gossip, forget about it. It's just that - gossip. Now that we know it's not true, we can just continue as we were."

Tyson looked confused. "I'm lost. You mean Hilary hasn't really been being an irritable, PMS-ing bitch after all?"

She death glared him, walked up and smacked him hard over the head. "Ass! You know nothing about me, Tyson!"

Wyatt watched this with apprehension. He leaned down and said to Kenny, "I'm sorry, Kenny. I didn't know that there was problems between Hilary and any of you. If I had known, I wouldn't have brought her back here."

Kenny shook his head. "It's okay, Wyatt. Those two in particular have been battling each other for a long time now."

Hilary turned to him. "Hey Kenny? Do you think you'd be able to explain this whole game to me? I still don't think I understand it." She glanced at Wyatt. "Sorry, Wyatt, but despite your efforts to teach me, I still don't get it."

Wyatt smiled. "No problem, Hil. I'm not very good at teaching others anyway."

Kenny flushed. "Ah…sure, Hilary. I can try to…"

"Great! Do you mind if we catch a ride back to the hotel with you? Since we're all staying in the same place, I mean?"

"I suppose…"

Kai rolled his eyes. "That's fine. We have more than enough room in the van for all of us. Let's go." He shot Tyson a warning glance. {Don't start feuding with her, lover. I don't want a migraine tonight.}

Tyson pouted cutely and followed along behind him as they left.

Max helped Rei up and stuck close to him since he was still a little shaky.

************************************

Kali: sighs. That's one chapter down…approximately four to go!

Dryad: Finally. R/R!