Beyblade Fan Fiction ❯ Have You Ever ❯ Chapter 22 ( Chapter 22 )

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Warnings: Yaoi, Lemon(s), language, angst, violence, etc. and that cavity warning I mentioned before. Rated NC-17. This chapter: Fluff in a sad kind of way.

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Kali: stretches. Yay! Summer vacation for me! rubs hands happily. Now I can really get some writing done!

Dryad: Except for that English course you're taking…

Kali: facevaults. You had to remind me.

Tyson: More school? O.o You're crazy!

Kai: She's a University student. Of course she's insane.

Kali: >_< Thanks bunches Kai.

Dryad: Anyway…moving on, people!

Tyson: Right! Kali doesn't own Beyblade.

Kai: No point suing her, then, huh?

All: None!

Authoress' Notes: I'll apologize right now if any sort of description of Seattle doesn't actually exist. I can't say I've been there (it's on my list of places to go to someday), but the city was the closest thing I could come up with for what I wanted for the next three chapters. Sorry to all of you who are picky about those kind of things!

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

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

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Chapter 22

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"Joy. Another hotel." Kai sighed and sat heavily on the sofa.

"What's wrong, Kai?" Max asked, noting their captain's mood.

"Nothing. Just jet lagged, I guess."

Tyson came in from their room after dropping his and Kai's bags off. {Tired, lover?} He sat down next to Kai and slipped an arm around his waist, drawing him against his side.

{Yeah. I think this travelling around and living in hotels is beginning to wear on me.} Kai let himself lean against Tyson comfortably.

{Not looking forward to the tournament?} Tyson wondered, a hint of surprise in his voice.

{It's not that. I don't know what's wrong with me.}

"You know what? I say when we're through with the circuit and everything else, no matter what happens, we go on vacation. Doesn't matter where, just that we go away for a little while." Tyson stated, taking Kai's hand and twining their fingers together.

Rei, stretched out on the floor in front of Max's sofa chair on his back, agreed. "I think that's a great idea Tyson. I don't think we've ever taken a vacation."

"After graduation." Kenny felt obliged to point out.

"Yeah." Kai brushed a light kiss over Tyson's knuckles. "Good thinking love."

Tyson smiled and snuggled Kai closer.

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The next day was a series of exhibition matches and special BBA sponsored events. The Bladebreakers spent part of the day sitting at a table outside the stadium, enjoying a rare day of Seattle sunshine and signing autographs for a long line of excited fans.

"Here, guys! Have a bottle of water." Hilary came up to the table and set bottles next to each of them. "You must be getting parched out here under the sun."

"Thanks Hil!" They all chorused, grabbing the bottles and guzzling.

"How are you doing, sweetheart?" Rei asked his boyfriend, gently brushing away a lock of his blonde hair from his eyes. "Not getting dehydrated are you?"

"No. I'm okay. I sure needed this water though." He sipped again.

Kai glanced at him before scribbling his name on a t-shirt for a fangirl. "If it starts getting too much, say so Max and we'll call it a day."

"Okay. I'm alright though."

Half an hour later, they took a quick lunch break. When they came back, they sat and started signing autographs again.

As Max was signing his name to another team picture, an amused voice spoke up from in front of their table and his head snapped up in surprise.

"As much as I admire your skills, boys, I'm afraid I'm not as easily impressed as these ridiculous fangirls are. No autographs, thanks."

"Emily!" They chorused again. Hilary looked up from her magazine and took stock of the other female.

"Hey, guys! Welcome back to the States."

"How's it going, Emily?" Max asked, setting aside his marker.

"Oh…you know." She shrugged casually. "The usual. You all ready for the tournament?"

"Of course." Kai replied, shortly. "Nice try, Emily. We know you too well by now and we aren't going to give out any team strategies to the competition."

Emily faked a gasp. "Why, Kai! I'm hurt that you think I'd stoop so low!" She mocked.

Kai growled and Tyson laid a hand on his arm. "Easy, lover." He looked at Kenny and said silently, {Hey, Chief. Now would be a good time to take Emily off and talk to her, don't you think?}

Kenny jumped slightly and whirled around to look at Tyson. {Geez! Don't do that!}

{Sorry, Chief.}

Emily and Kai were still glaring at each other when Hilary spoke up. "Hey, guys? Are one of you going to introduce me or have you all lost your manners?" She set aside her magazine and stood up, stepping close to Kenny's chair and laying a hand on his shoulder possessively.

Emily's eyes narrowed, noting the action, and she smiled a little, though they could all see how false it was. "My name is Emily, of the All-Stars team. And you are?"

"I'm Hilary." She held out a hand and they shook warily.

Kenny coughed to clear his throat nervously when Max nudged him under the table. "Yes. Emily, meet Hilary. She's our team's, uh…nutritionist and medic." He paused and reached up to take Hilary's hand in his own. "And my girlfriend."

The All-Stars' genius stared at him in shock. "You're…girlfriend?"

Tyson winced inwardly at the sudden wave of sadness and hurt falling off the girl in waves. Sensing trouble brewing, he attempted to divert Hilary's attention long enough for Kenny to take Emily aside and talk to her. {Chief! I'll distract Hilary. You get Emily out of here before a cat-scrap starts.}

{Okay.}

"Hey, Hil! Maybe we should start calling you 'mom' or something!" Tyson stuck out his tongue at her and smirked, which immediately succeeded in gaining her undivided attention and riling her temper. She walked over to him and leaned in, poking him in the chest with one finger.

"Don't you dare, Tyson! I'm not a babysitter and I am definitely not your mother!"

Kenny got up and led Emily away quickly.

"Ah…don't mind them. They argue a lot on occasion." Kenny sweatdropped at a loud yelp and a crash. "They'll stop soon - or else Kai'll get annoyed. Whichever comes first."

Emily blinked, her already wide eyes going wider at another crash and Kai's voice snapping out orders.

"Damn it all! Cut that out before you break something!"

"But Kai, she's…"

"Tyson!"

"Okay, okay."

"Thank you, Kai." Hilary's voice sounded smug.

"You can just sit over there and keep quiet, Hilary." Kai's tone allowed no room for arguments or further words.

Kenny gave a sigh of relief and turned back to Emily. "Um…sorry about that. Listen, Emily…"

"You…that girl and you are going out?" Her voice was quiet and so lost. Kenny felt his heart clench and he nodded slowly.

"Yes." He honestly didn't know what more he could say.

"I…see." She turned away from him so he couldn't see her expression anymore. "Do you love her, Kenny?"

He blinked in surprise. "I hadn't really thought about it, actually." He finally replied, quite honestly. "But…" he turned and looked over at the group of his friends.

Emily faced him again when he stopped speaking, watching him as he watched her. She saw a soft smile cross his face and heard him sigh quietly. The female genius, though she was sad, disappointed, and a little depressed now, slipped her glasses off to wipe away the tears that had fallen then replaced them, sniffling a little. When Kenny turned back to her, she was composed again.

Blushing slightly, the Chief gave her a tentative smile. "I guess I really do. Huh…wonder when that happened?" He mused, almost to himself. Emily couldn't help smiling back at that.

"Well, then. I'll wish you well, Kenny. But she'd better be good to you!"

Kenny grinned. "Oh…I don't think you need to worry. I have some very protective friends after all."

As they talked quietly for a while apart from the others, Tyson was sitting back with a small, smug smile on his face, silently congratulating himself for helping Kenny and happy that he and Emily had decided to remain friends.

{Ty, love, pay attention! Quit eavesdropping!} Kai nudged him.

"Huh? Oh, sorry!" Tyson brought his attention back to the autograph signing. Kai gestured at the lady in front of them.

"This is Mrs. Candler. She wants us to sign a picture and a t-shirt for her daughter, Ginny." He told his boyfriend. "Ginny's in the hospital, Ty."

The bluenette was instantly sympathetic. "I'm sorry to hear that, ma'am." He said to the woman, signing the two items Kai pushed in front of him. "I hope your daughter feels better soon."

The woman smiled sadly and shook her head. "Thank you for your well-wishes, boys, but I'm afraid she won't be. You see, Ginny has leukemia and she's dying. The doctors wouldn't let her come down herself to meet you and get your autographs so I told her I would come myself and wait in line all day if I had to." Mrs. Candler took a tissue from her purse and sniffled. "Sorry…it's just very emotional for me."

"That's okay, Mrs. Candler." Max was sniffling too. "We're all really sorry."

"Thank you. Ginny loves blading. The Bladebreakers are her favourite team and she's always dreamed of watching a championship match where you battled someday."

Kai thought for a moment then looked over at the line of fans. Then he glanced at his watch. "I think it's time to wrap this all up, guys."

Tyson slowly smiled and nodded. {You really are a big softy aren't you? Beautiful soul that you are…}

{Oh…shut up.}

Rei stood and went to speak to the BBA officials and the guards to let them know that the Bladebreakers were done for the day. Max went to get Kenny.

"Mrs. Candler? Which hospital and what room can we find your daughter in?" Kai inquired, gently.

The woman's eyes watered and widened. "Oh! Oh…you boys don't have to…"

"We want to!" Tyson handed her the picture and T-shirt, which she hugged to her chest gratefully. "Besides, we enjoy meeting the fans and it's hardly out of our way to go see one who can't come to us."

Mrs. Candler named the hospital and room number. "Thank you, Tyson. This will mean so much to my Ginny."

Max came back with Kenny and they headed for the hospital.

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"Ginny? Ginny, honey, I'm back." Mrs. Candler went into her daughter's hospital room, gesturing for the team to hang back a moment.

"Mom!" They heard a girl's voice, weary and excited all at the same time, cry out. "Did you see them? Did you get their autographs?"

"Yes, sweetie, I did. See?"

"OH! Awesome! Thanks so much, Mom!"

"I'm glad you like them, Ginny. Do you feel up to having visitors? There's someone here to see you if you are."

"To see me? Is it Lara and Ben?"

Mrs. Candler smiled and shook her head. "No, dear. But I know you've always wanted to meet them." She waved the Bladebreakers in.

They trooped in and saw the young girl named Ginny, lying in her hospital bed looking fragile and gaunt with her illness. Tubes and wires were attached to her and her head was covered by a purple turban-like covering. But her eyes were still a bright, vivid violet and they widened in shock at the sight of them.

"AH! Oh my gosh! It's…you're…"

Tyson, in his usual personable way, stepped forward and presented the young girl with a Dragoon plushie. "Hi, Ginny! When your mom came by to get that picture and T-shirt for you she told us about your cancer. So we thought we would come down and visit you since you couldn't make it down to see us."

"I…wow! Thanks, Tyson!" She looked at them with sparkling eyes, tears pouring down her face as, one by one, the other three bladers of the team came up and handed her a plushie of their bit-beasts. Her mom handed her a tissue and kissed her on the forehead before heading for the door.

"I'll go get you some chocolate milk, Ginny and some coffee for myself while you visit." She smiled and left.

"Wow…I never thought I'd ever get to meet you!" Ginny looked around at them again, in awe. "Um…who is she? Did you add a new member to the team?"

"This is Hilary. I guess you could say she's a new team member." Max flashed his 1000 Watt smile. "She's Kenny's girlfriend and she makes sure we stay healthy and stuff."

Kenny blushed and Hilary rolled her eyes. "As long as you don't start calling me 'mother' again."

"But it suits you so well!" Tyson drawled. "OW!"

Hilary smacked him upside the head and Ginny giggled. But because of her illness, and the treatments she'd undergone, her lungs were weakened and she began to cough harshly.

Rei stepped forward quickly and laid his hand on her forehead, murmuring under his breath. A light green glow surrounded his hand and seemed to be absorbed into Ginny and she stopped coughing, her breathing eased and she took a deep breath, releasing it slowly on a sigh and opened her eyes to stare at Rei. "I…I feel better. What did you do?"

Rei smiled sadly, a dull ache in his heart, and sat down heavily beside her on the bed, taking her small hand between his own. "I didn't do much, I'm afraid. I'm sorry Ginny. It seems I can only take away your discomfort and pain. I wish I could heal you fully…"

"You have magical powers?!" She stared at him with that wide-eyed belief only a child could possess. "That's so cool! Is it because you have bit-beasts?"

"We don't really know why, Ginny. We just do." Max pulled up a chair beside her bed on Rei's side. "I'm sure our bit-beasts have something to do with it, though."

"Hey! I've got an idea!" Tyson exclaimed. "Ginny, you think you can keep a really special secret?"

Kai looked at him. {And you call me a big softy?}

{And your point is?}

"I can keep a secret, Tyson!" Ginny struggled to sit up straighter and Rei helped her, fluffing up her pillows a bit more.

"You swear not to tell anyone?"

"I swear!"

"Okay. How would you like to meet our bit-beasts, Ginny?"

Her eyes went round as saucers and she clapped her hands excitedly. "Really? Can I?"

"Yep. Max, you first."

{Draciel?}

{Yes, Max?}

{Come out for a while, and meet Ginny, okay?}

{Certainly, young Master.}

The ancient tortoise appeared on Max's lap and the blonde lifted him up and set him beside Ginny on the bed.

"This is Draciel, Ginny."

"Oh Wow! Nice to meet you, Draciel!" She looked at Max, hesitantly. "Can I pet him?"

Max smiled. "If Draciel doesn't mind."

//I don't mind at all.// The Water Spirit inched forward and nudged Ginny's hand with his head.

"Hey! You talk too!"

Before Rei could even say anything, Driger appeared on his partner's lap, his tail wrapping firmly around Rei's wrist. Rei looked down at him and sighed. "Do you ever announce yourself?"

//What for?// Driger replied and purred quietly. Rei stroked the tiger's fur and shook his head ruefully.

Tyson and Kai called out their partners too (minus Drisana, for obvious reasons). The Dragon curled around Tyson sinuously as the Phoenix settled on Kai's shoulder with a ruffle of feathers.

Ginny's eyes shone in delight and she smiled widely at the sight of all the Spirits in her room. "Oh gosh! I never thought I'd get to meet all these bit-beasts like this!"

The Team stayed for half an hour longer, then left a very happy young girl waving good-bye and her mother smiling in gratitude.

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Rei held on until he got to their hotel suite. Then he curled up into a ball against Max's side and wept silently on the sofa.

Tyson was there immediately, taking Rei's hand in his own. "Oh, Rei…don't do this to yourself."

"I tried! I really tried to heal her, but it just wouldn't happen!" The neko-jin sobbed into Max's shirt, clinging to his mate. Max held him close, murmuring consoling words in an effort to comfort.

Kai unfolded himself from his chair and came over, sitting on the couch on Rei's other side and slipping an arm around his shoulders. "Listen to me, Rei. I know this is hurting you deeply. It's never a happy thing to see someone so young ill and dying - and I can imagine its worse when you have an ability that doesn't work. But you need to realize that our powers have to be used wisely, and that perhaps it didn't work on Ginny because she wasn't meant to be healed - harsh as it sounds."

"Kai is right, Rei." Kenny spoke up, quietly. "Whatever is out there making sure we do what we're supposed to do…some things are meant to be and no matter how much we dislike it, we have to accept it."

"I may not have powers like you all do," Hilary said, quietly. "But I know one thing: today you gave a little girl something just as important and special as another chance at life. You showed her that hopes and dreams can come true and that people still care, even if they are complete strangers."

Rei looked around at them, sniffling and blinking his molten gold eyes tearfully. "You're all right. I know it. But it still hurts."

"Yeah. We know, Rei." Tyson patted his hand.

"Come on, love." Max drew the neko-jin up with him. "Let's go get you cleaned up and take a cat-nap." He led Rei to their room.

"Cat-nap? Not funny, Max."

"Sorry. No pun intended."

Kenny and Kai exchanged a glance and Kai gave a small nod.

"I think I could use a walk. All that sitting around today has me feeling restless. Let's go, Tyson!"

Tyson blinked and got up, following his lover to the door. "What? I'm going with you?"

"Well, you don't have to go." Kai made sure he sounded very disappointed.

"I didn't say that! I'm coming!" They disappeared out the door.

When they were gone, Kenny turned to Hilary. "Go remind Max and Rei of the plan and I'll call the other teams and get this party started, okay?"

"On it, Chief!" Hilary gave him a salute then kissed him on the cheek and dashed off.

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Kai and Tyson walked silently for a time, hand in hand.

"You felt badly for Ginny, didn't you?" Tyson said after a while, more of a statement than a question.

"Yes. I can't imagine what it must be like to be so sick and to know you only have so much time left to live. I would rather be dead than to have to live and suffer that way." Kai gripped Tyson's hand.

"I know what you mean, my love. But look at it from the other side of things." Tyson squeezed back. "She knows she's going to die, and yet she clings to life - no matter what she has left of it. We all do. After all, what would be the point of battling the Void if we didn't value life?"

Kai thought about that for a moment. Then he smiled. "Well that'll teach me to underestimate your intelligence. Leave it to you to put everything into perspective, Ty-love."

"I'm not as dumb as I seem." Tyson nodded, grinning slyly and raising their joined hands to kiss the back of Kai's. "Shouldn't we be getting back to the hotel soon?"

"In a hurry?"

"No, actually, I'm not. It's nice to spend some time alone with you for once." A thought struck him suddenly. "You know, we've been together for a few months now…and we've never been out on a date."

Kai glanced at him with a frown. "Sure we have. Haven't we?"

"No! We haven't!"

"Huh. Does it really matter so much?" Kai asked, taking a seat on a park bench. They had walked quite a distance from the hotel, and were currently up on one of the bluffs near the sea, overlooking Puget Sound. "We are beyond the whole dating thing, aren't we?"

"Good point." Tyson sat beside him and looked out over the water. "Sometime we should go out, though…just for the hell of it."

"Alright."

The sun was beginning to sink below the horizon by now, a huge molten red and gold disc over brilliant blue-green water. Neither blader felt the urge to leave. There was no one around and it was wonderfully peaceful and quiet, and they continued to sit and watch the sun set contentedly.

They had no idea that things wouldn't remain so peaceful for long, and that this sunset could very well be the last.

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Kali: Yes, I know. I'm evil.

Dryad: They're really going to hate you for the next couple of chapters, you know.

Kali: I know. sighs. But I've had this planned from the very beginning and I'm going to get it out of my system if it kills me.

Dryad: ……and a character.

Tyson & Kai: O.O What?!

Kali: More coming soon! The end is near…

Kai: On that ominous note, R/R!