Beyblade Fan Fiction ❯ To Chibi, With Love ❯ Fur-balls and Training ( Chapter 2 )

Authoress: ChineseKawaiiKitten

Rating: *sings* It's PG-13, it's PG-13, it's PG-13, and etc...

Pairings: KaixRei, TakxHir, RaixMao and still possibly Yuriy/Boris.

Warning: Boy + Boy = Yaoi, not Boy + Beer + The Game = Yaoi. Yaoi is in this story. Don't like it, don't read it.

Author's Note: This is me, at 5am in the morning, finishing this chapter up. I'm afraid to tell everyone that the chibi fun stuff will be put back until chapter four. I couldn't get everything that I wanted into chapter two without making it overly long, so I'm cutting it in half. For RaixMao lovers, there is a nice fluffy part in this chapter on them.

Kai - Hn.
Kitten - What are you 'Hning' about?
Rei- Don't mind him. His just jealous that Mao and Rai get to kiss in the story and we don't.
Kitten - You will, you will. eventually. I would also like to add that two people at fanfiction.net said my story was-
Kai - Don't say it!
Kitten - BRILLIANT!!!
Kai - *growls* How come she never listens to me? She's letting it get to her head.
Rei - *watching Kitten giggling and dancing around the room* I think it's a bit too late...
Kai - Guess all the iced tea in her system at 5am in the morning doesn't help must.
Rei - Probably not.
Kai and Rei - *continue to watch Kitten-chan in her sleepy/hyper state*
Kai - *sighs* Rei, do the disclaimer please. I don't think she can handle it.
Kitten - I can so!
Kai - Whatever.
Rei - hehe. *sweatdrops*

Kitten - But I first must thank my reviewers.

Kai - Damn it.

 

RoseOfBlackFlame - Ah, thank you very much. And yes, I find on MM that it is lacking in the ReixKai fluff. Very sad indeed. Where are all my fellow KaixRei writers. *tears and pokes TyxKai with a stick* Oh, and good luck with your story. If it helps, try thinking of something original or even AU. I find that there are too many unoriginal works out there. Just pick a basic idea like pirates or ancient wars in china, and work you're way from there. Artwork even helps with ideas too.

 

Talaeka - I'm guessing the words were on how you loved the first chapter and thought it was cute, nai? Then thank you very much.


Disclaimer: I do not own Beyblade aka Bakuten Shoot Beyblade. I do however own this lovely Mocha flavored Moolatte that I legally got from Diary Queen. Mmm.. Frozen blended coffee goodness.. Oh, oh, and this popsicle which likes to annoy me with its melted juice goodness.

~

To Chibi, With Love
Chapter Two
Fur-balls and Training


Sunday morning training went on a bit earlier then normal thanks to the buffet that woke up Takao this morning. Of course, where there's food, there's Takao; and where there's Takao, the rest of the gang is unceremoniously dragged along. Mind you, with every good fortune, there is a bad fortune and since Takao and the rest of the gang came to the Hiwatari mansion early, Kai made sure to start the torture early as well.

Only fifteen minutes after Kai started his morning routine with beating on Takao in his study, the three boys head towards the dining room where Rei is eating his breakfast while talking to Hiromi and Kyoujyu. Takao was complaining most of the way about Kai not letting them have their 'Scary Movie Night' anymore till Kai whacked him on the side of the head. This lend to Takao grumbling about it instead while Max tried his best to cheer the boy up.

Kai just walked behind them, glaring at their backs while trying to reflect back on the chat that Rei and himself had in his study not too long ago. It wasn't enough time though since they arrived at their destination.

The room way very long, containing a formal look to it with it's clean cut wooden floors and striking old aged wallpaper. Little chandlers lit the room from above along with the fireplace on the wall where the head of the table would sit. The elegant dark wood table itself was six eighths as long as the room with many matching cushioned chairs along its sides. Gold candleholders with white candles decorated the table as well as whatever breakfast food that the butler had left for them at the head of the table.

This was where Rei, Kyoujyu and Hiromi where upon their entrance. They were sitting at the head of the table, Rei munching on his breakfast while listening to Kyoujyu talk about some new discovery he had with Hiromi nodding her head to the information. Takao stumbled over to where his girlfriend was seated with Max in tow while Kai lend on the door frame. This was when Kai brought out the bad news.

"Training starts as soon as Rei is finished eating and gets change." Kai stated, crossing his arms in front of his chest and smirking at his team.

"WHAT!?!!?" Takao cried, giving Kai a disbelieving look. "That's almost five hours earlier then we normally start!"

Kai nodded. "I know that."

"But why? We made a deal! We get to sleep in on Sunday and start training later!" Takao bellow while waving his arms about.

Kai glared at Takao. "Did you sleep in?"

Takao blinked. "No but-"

"Then the deal is off today. You came early, we start early." Kai declared, leaving no room for argument. Of course, Takao tried anyways.

"Come on Kai! Geesh, if I didn't know better, I would think you hated us like you did when we first became a team. First no going out with us as a team, then no 'Scary Movie Night' and now this!" Takao cried.

"Technically his right Takao." Kyoujyu piped in, taking his eyes off of Dizzi's monitor. "The deal was if we sleep in, we don't have to train early like we generally do. But since we didn't keep up with our end of the deal today, then Kai has every right to make us start ahead of schedule."

"Rats." Takao pouted, plopping into a seat.

"Don't worry buddy." Max smiled his bubbly happy smile that had gained a fair bit of charm to it and lacked the over hyper look it use to hold. He gave Takao a pat on the back. "At least we had a great breakfast. That should keep you up and running for a bit."

"And you should probably work off that energy training instead of sitting around and letting it turn into fat." Hiromi added half heartedly, poking her boyfriend in the stomach in a joking manner.

At this, Takao jumped up and glared down at his girlfriend. "It's not turning into fat! My body is very health thank you very much." Takao said, putting his hands behind his head while pretending he didn't hear the soft snort that had come from his fearless leader. "I swear I can't keep the girls off me."

Hiromi eye twitched at that as she tried to take a breath to calm herself.

She failed horribly.

"I'll show you 'can't keep the girls off me' Kinomiya!" Hiromi shouted, picking up the nearest object, which just so happened to be a knife, and chasing the navy haired boy around the room. Max and Rei laughed at the couple whilst Kai smirked and Kyoujyu kept his beloved laptop close to his chest, out of harms way.

"Come on Hiromi!" Takao called back while maneuvering passed a toppled over chair. "I can't help it if I'm sexy!"

"Stop running and I'll fix that for you!" Hiromi howled back to her boyfriend, jumping over the chair that Takao had just dodged.

"But I don't wanna be fixed!" Takao cried, running out the door with Hiromi hot on his heels.

"Leave it to Hiromi-chan to give Takao-kun a warm up." Max laughed.

Rei nodded, smiling cheek to cheek. "Knowing them, by the time we get out there they'll be 'making up' instead of fighting."

"That seems to be the pattern." Kyoujyu added, resting his laptop back on the table.

"Luckily for Takao, I believe Hiromi grabbed a butter knife. It'd be impossible to fix Takao with that." Dizzi included from her spot on Kyoujyu's laptop screen.

"With Hiromi, anything is possible." Max stated.

Kai himself didn't add any sarcastic remark to the conversation like he normally did. He was instead thinking about the line he had read to Rei.

'Love is love; it shouldn't matter what gender you are, but what you feel inside so you shouldn't be ashamed of being attracted to the same sex.'

Kai openly agreed with the statement. He wasn't ashamed of being a homosexual, even if it wasn't common knowledge.... it was just that he didn't know if the guy that he like was a homosexual as well... something he wish was common knowledge.

Answering Rei honestly about it wasn't as mortifying as he though. Sure, in a way he did admit his sexuality to the boy but it wasn't like he went out and said it or walked around in a shirt that said 'I like men now lets make out'. Plus it wasn't like Rei would question him on it. His Hiwatari Kai and no one beside Takao is stupid enough to question what he says.

Though what boggled his mind more was the fact that Rei agreed with him too. Though Rei normally did agreed with him on most things, there was something in Rei's eyes that made him wonder. This, of course, could only mean one of two things in Kai's mind:

One, Rei is open-minded to same sex relationships, which right now is a high possibility or...

Rei is the straightest gay person that Kai knows... this option Kai liked even better then the former.

Now, everyone here knows that our dear captain doesn't like not knowing things and right now, the fact that he couldn't tell from Rei's answer that he is gay or not was pissing him off to no end. The pure fact that Rei had the same opinion wasn't enough for Kai to tell if the love of his life would ever be attracted to him. If it was possible for Kai to be able to woo the neko-jin, then he was determined to find out; the sooner, the better.

Kai glared at Max with a 'Leave the room now or else' look, causing Max to jump out of his seat. "I better go warm up too." He added before disappearing out the door. Noticing this as well as the look Kai was now giving him, Kyoujyu followed suit, muttering something about making sure Hiromi really didn't 'fix' Takao.

This left only Kai and Rei in the dining room with just a table between them and their little 'chat' still on the back of their minds. This was what Kai wanted.

Upon realizing the absences of all his teammates except for his captain, Rei's golden eyes widened in panic; his mind just registering to swallow the milk in his mouth as he watched the phoenix stride around the dining room table that separated them for each other.

He had a little bit of time to think about the information he had gathered less then a half an hour ago. The fact that Yuri sent a self help book on homosexual relationships to Kai definitely gave Rei the impression that Kai is gay. This information had made Rei's day a whole lot better, despite the lack of sleep.

The only problem that was keeping Rei from jumping into the Russian's arms and showing how much he loves him was that it wasn't in his character to jump into things. (a/n: hehe, I do try my best to keep them in character, though it's hard in romantic relationships... and the fact that most of you are going to kill me for not make Rei jump into Kai's arms and doing the fluffy sap thing.) He needed to confirm that the information was valid before doing so; and with the stakes being so high, he really didn't want to muddle up their fragile friendship over something as silly as the possibility of Kai being gay.

'Okay, it's not silly.' Rei reproach himself. 'You really never know if someone is gay or straight. I just shouldn't jump into anything that I might regret later on... even if I wish it was true... like in my dreams.' Rei scold his mind for his wandering thoughts that are over the PG-13 rating, something that's been happening to much lately. 'Okay Rei, remember your training. Patience is the key to gaining knowledge, and to find out if Kai really is gay, I need to be patience and observe.'

"Rei?"

"Huh?" Rei blinked, looking up at into cold wine eyes. He was confused by the odd look of determination shining in the depths of Kai's eyes. It burn into Rei as Kai shared into his golden orbs, searching his soul for some mysterious reason. It always made Rei dread when Kai looked into his eyes. Kai had an odd way of knowing what's on your mind or if something's wrong if you gave him the time to look; and right now, Rei really didn't want Kai to know what's on his mind. Especially with his still wandering thoughts of what could be.

"I need to go change." Rei jumped out of his seat, grabbing the last piece of toast on his plate before running out the door.

Kai blinked in surprise. He was so busy at staring into Rei's yellow kitten-like eyes that he hadn't expected Rei to jump up and out the door. 'Damn it, I was distracted again! I normally could have stopped him easily! Now I have to wait till after training.'

Kai almost jumped when he felt something assail onto his lap. He blinked, looking down on his lap to see a pair of golden kitten-like eyes much like Rei's looking back at him with an innocence playful gleam. He stared at the tiny gold and white ball of fluff on his lap as it gave a little 'meow' for a greeting.

"Morning to you too Feng. Though I don't appreciate being harassed in the morning." Kai smirked, scratching the little kitten behind the ears. Feng gave a purr of enjoyment, rubbing her face into Kai's pale palm.

Kai always knew that Rei loved cats, but Kai never wanted to have to deal with a little fur-ball running around the house, scratching up the wall and furniture. It was only within the last few weeks that he finally gave in after seeing Rei laying on his bed staring at pictures of his old teammates, the Bai Fu Zu. He could see the even though the neko-jin loved being out on his own, he still felt a bit home sick from time to time.

So Kai went out and got the little kitten as a surprise for the neko-jin, something to make him not so home sick. The kitten itself was an odd breed, for it won't get any bigger then it was now; which was only a bit bigger then Kai's hand. It was mostly gold in color, with only a few streaks of white here and there.

Upon his return with the little neko, he saw Rei in the living room with the rest of the team, watching some comedy show on the television. Kai walked straight up to Rei, blocking the neko-jin's view of the screen. Rei looked up at Kai with a questioning gaze only to have Kai gentle laid the kitten on Rei's lap.

He remembered Rei's joy that day, as well as the 'thank you' hug that he received from the Chinese blader. He blushed from the unexpected contact and could only mutter a 'whatever' before leaving the room to let the others name the little neko.

He also remembered walking by the room a little while after to hear his team fighting over different names for the kitten. Everything from 'Fluffy' and 'Goldie' to 'Fang' and 'The Flesh Eating Fur-ball of Doom' was called out.

He watched in silence at Rei, who was patting the little kitten on his lap and smiling contently. Rei had inked out most of the names suggested, already knowing what he wanted to call the kitten.

"Feng-huang." He muttered, smiling as the kitten's ears twitch and she purred in answer to the name.

"Feng-huang? What does that mean?" Takao questioned.

"Phoenix." Rei replied. "Kai gave her to me, so it is only right to name her after Kai. Anyways," Rei laughed. "I don't think he would like it if I called her Kai-chan."

"That's so sweet." Hiromi sighed, joining Rei 'pay attention to the kawaii koneko' game.

"I just hope the cat doesn't take on Kai's personality." Takao muttered, picturing a Kai-like hairstyle on the little neko with a similar grumpy attitude.

Kai couldn't help but shake his head at the memory and look down at the kitten in question. He didn't regret getting the kitten for Rei. It not only made the neko-jin happy, but the little fur-ball had worked her way into his heart. More then likely, Feng would be the only female to do such a thing.

"Do you know if Rei likes boys?" He asked the little neko in his lap.

The kitten just continued to purr at the attention she was getting from the slate-haired boy, paying no heed to his words. "Hn. Spoil little thing." Kai muttered, scoping the kitten up into his arms and heading out to the training ground. "Remind me to get a more reliable source for Rei information."

~

"Rai!"

Rai looked up from his spot on a flat rock in the field outside of the neko-jin village. He nodded to his approaching teammates as they arrive, taking seats around the flat rock that Rai was occupying.

It has been a week since the night the Bai Fu Zu spied on the meeting the Elders of their village had. Since then, they haven't heard a word about the plan. Usually the Elders told them right away about anything of importance to the Bai Fu Zu, and Rai found it odd that the Elders have yet to tell them anything till this day.

Earlier this morning the Elders had summoned Rai to the hut on the northern hill where the Elders have their meetings. There he was informed of the situation and what the Elders except of the Bai Fu Zu. Of course, he had to agree with the Elders or suspicion would rise. He needed the Elders to keep their trust in the Bai Fu Zu, or it would be impossible to help Rei.

"We heard that the old geezers summoned you Rai. Took them long enough." Kiki said, lying sideways on the grass, propping his head up on his elbow.

Rai nodded. "Yes, it did. It seems that the Elders were making arrangements for the last week. They wanted to have everything ready before informing us about anything."

"Why?" Gaou asked, tilting his head to the side in show of his confusion.

"Didn't want us to have time to think about it. We are Rei's friends, and if we had time to think about what they wanted us to do, we would back down before the time came for what we believe is Rei's best interest." Rai stated.

Mao nodded, resting back on his hands from her crossed leg position. "So, what do they want us to do?"

Rai was silent, closing his eyes to keep his teammates from seeing whatever emotions they would show; but he couldn't hide how his body stiffened and the slight grinding action of his jaw. "They want us to be the ones to kidnap Rei. They know that once Rei recognizes us in his chibi form, he will come back to the village without second thought."

All the Bai Fu Zu had pained looks on their faces. Mao herself had to turn her face away in fear of showing the tears that were forming in her eyes. "How cruel. It's like the ultimate betrayal. How hypocritical it would be. It was only a few years ago that we though Rei to be a traitor, and now they wish it be us who betrays him."

Kiki stayed silent till he let all the information sink in. "Hey, wait just a second. What do you mean 'once Rei recognizes us'?"

"Just what I said Kiki." Rai spoke. "This potion that they were talking about. It not only turns Rei into a chibi, but he will only have memories up to whatever age he is."

"Then how will Rei recognize us? We are not small like we use to be." Gaou asked.

"He will." Rai stated. "From what the Elders said, it will take a minute or two, but Rei will be able to identify us in our mature bodies."

"Won't he question us or get confused?" Kiki inquired.

"No." Rai shook his head. "The potion will also not make him question our older appearance unless we try to make him remember things in more detail. We were warned by the Elders not to do so. Our job is to get Rei to remember us, then take him home immediately."

"But why?" Kiki asked, still confused by this potion's effects.

Rai shook his head again. "I don't know why Kiki. The Elders wish to keep us in the dark as much as possible."

"Then I can enlighten us." Mao stated quietly, turning to face her teammates. Whatever tears that had fallen were gone, and her glassy eyes held a serious look to them. "Rai, remember you asked me to research the potion in my grandmother's magic book?"

Rai nodded, remember his order that he gave her the morning after they spied on the Elders. "Yes, but you said that you didn't have enough information on the potion to figure out which spell it was."

"Who would have figured there would be over fifty different ways to turn someone into a chibi. And twenty of them being potions." Kiki added from his spot across from Mao. "And let's not forget the thirty different gender blender spells, and the fifteen male pregnancy spells."

Mao glared at Kiki before continuing. "Well, from what you just told us Rai, I think I know which potion you are talking about." Mao said while taking an overly large, aged leather bonded book from her bag. The book not only looked well cared for in its old age, but contented thousands of pages on spells, potions, and other magical acts.

All the male Bai Fu Zu eyes widened at the site of the black book. "MAO!!!" Kiki cried. "That's you grandmother's book!!! She'll kill us if she notices that it's missing."

Mao just waved her hand in dismissal though she grinned at her friends. "Don't worry. Last night my grandmother gave the book to me. She said that she sensed great power from me since I was young and wishes to pass her knowledge of magic to me. She gave me the book last night to read it for the next few weeks and even test some of the simpler spells on my own time. I will also receive my apprentice robes tonight."

"Ah, so that's why your grandmother always took you away from training to make you learn about herbs and tell you stories and stuff." Kiki brightened. "She wanted to make you the next Crazy Witch Lady!"

"KIKI!!!" Mao cried, slamming the bulky spell book on Kiki's head. "Don't insult my grandmother! She called the Village Healer, not Crazy Witch Lady! And it's a great honor to be chosen to be the next Village Healer!"

"Oww! Hey, I was just joking! You didn't have to hit me!" Kiki whimper, holding his head in his hands.

Gaou and Rai laughed at the two before Gaou got up and wrapped Mao in his arms, squeezing her in a bear hug. "Good Mao. You will make a great healer." Gaou said, smiling at the girl and setting her down.

Rai grinned as well, getting up from his spot on the rock and embracing his girlfriend while kissing her softly on the cheek. "Yes, you will. And if Kiki keeps it up, he will be your best patient." Rai laughed.

"Knowing Mao, I'll be dead if I let her try to heal me- OWW!" Kiki howled as the book came into contact with his already abused head. "MAO!!! Stop hitting me with that damn book already and use it right!"

Mao puffed her cheeks out childishly before sitting back down on the grass, still a bit upset by the boy's words. The Village Healer wasn't just one who uses herbs to heal the sick and wounded, but was also wise in the history of their people as well as a wielder of powerful magic. The only reason they named them as 'the Village Healer' was so outsiders would easily underestimate the healer and be oblivious to the healer's true powers of a mage. The Village Healer was indeed as deadly as their strongest warriors, and if Mao was to become one, she would be even deadlier since she had been training as a warrior like the rest of the Bai Fu Zu.

The boys all gathered around her as Mao skimmed through the index and started flipping the yellowing pages. She stopped at a page and smiled to herself. "Here it is." Mao pointed to the page in front of her. The other boys blinked, looking at the writing. All they could see was a pile of swiggles on the page.

"Ah.Mao." Rai started.

"Yes?"

"I can't read it."

"Me either."

"It looks like a pile of black lines to me."

"Opps." Mao muttered, stretching the back of her head. "I forgot about the spell on it that makes it so only Village Healers and their apprentices can read it."

"Then how come you could read it even before you became an apprentice?" Gaou asked.

"My grandmother, since I was little, planned to make me an apprentice back when we were children, but I have only just become of age a few months ago. Since it was already decided back then, the spell recognized me as a future apprentice so it let me read the book."

"So in a way, you're grandmother has been training you to be a Village Healer since childhood." Rai muttered, thinking back at all the times when Mao helped her grandmother pick herbs and make potions. It wasn't all just Mao helping her grandmother, but Mao's grandmother teaching her granddaughter early in life of the knowledge the Village Healer needed to possess.

Mao nodded, smiling up at her boyfriend. "Yup. Grandmother wishes to make me the youngest apprentice to pass the healer trials. I've always been a fast learner and already have the knowledge to do some of the advanced spells. If I keep it up, and with the help of my warrior training, I can do the trials in less then a year."

"Wow." Kiki murmured. "It usually takes years for an apprentice healer to be ready to do the trials. Your grandmother's smart to have started secretly training you when you were a kid."

Mao nodded, looking at the page in front of her. "I'm glad for that too because it looks like I'm going to need all my training so far to help Rei."

"What do you mean?" Gaou questioned.

"Listen." Mao said, reading the content on the page. "The Innocence Spell is the most powerful spell known to turn someone into a child. Its ingredients are rare and hard to find, yet powerful all the same. This spell not only turns the subject into a chibi, but they loss all memories that were obtained past the chibi's age."

"Well we already know that." Kiki snapped.

"Just listen." Mao hissed, causing Kiki's mouth to shut with a snap.

"Once under the spell, the chibi will only be able to recognize friends and family that they're closest to. Upon meeting with the subject, the chibi will go into a daze before identifying its friends and family, but will not question its situation. If you try to make them remember more, the chibi will start to get confused and have painfully headache. This is the spell keeping them from remember more. Hence, keeping them innocence."

"Pleasant." Rai muttered. "Does it mention a cure?"

Mao shook her head. "No, it doesn't mention the cure. But it mentions a spell I can use to find what the cure is. One sec." Mao turned a group of pages, going further into the back of the book before stopping on a page. Her eyes widened and she gave of a whimper at the site of the spell. "Well, now we know the other reason they pick the Innocence Spell."

Hearing the whimper, Rai swiftly wrapped his arms around Mao and pulled her against his chest and a comforting fashion. "What is it bo bui?" Rai asked against her neck, resting his head on her shoulder to look at the book.

"The Elders knew that my grandmother was going to take me on as an apprentice and must have suspected that we might try to reverse the spell if we disobey them." Mao paused, looking over the ingredients and ritual before letting out another whimper. "This spell is incredibly advanced. It involves summoning the beasts of the elements in a magic circle to see if you're worthy enough to gain the knowledge needed for the cure. That takes a lot of magic and experience, as well as preparation." She sighed, looking up at her lover. "There is a great chance that I will fail." She trailed off, not wanting to tell her boyfriend of the after effects of failing such a spell.

Rai, thinking it was just Mao underestimating her skills and thinking about not being able to turn Rei back into a teenager, hastily kissed her lips before gazing into her eyes. "You just said that you will be the youngest apprentice to take the trials. You're grandmother wouldn't tell you otherwise if she didn't think you were ready. I believe you can do this Mao. Please, for Rei's sake, just give it a try."

Mao sighed, nodded her agreement. She would do anything for Rei and Rai, no matter what the consequences. "I will," Mao stated. "but I can't do it while here in the village. I will have to wait till we get to Japan. The Elders will know what we're up to if I do the spell here."

Rai nodded, kissing Mao's forehead. "Thank you." He muttered into her ear before changing from loving boyfriend mode to fearless leader mode. "Alright. The Elders told me that someone was sent to Japan a few days ago to spy on Rei and slip him the potion. Rei is either already a chibi, or will be soon. I'm afraid this can not be helped. We leave for Japan in three days."

"Three days? Why three days? Why not tomorrow?" Kiki raised the question, hoping that maybe there would be time to safe Rei from the spell.

Rai sighed, shaking his head. "The Elders are not called the Elders for nothing. They forgot to get the plane tickets in advance. They only got them this morning, and could only get tickets for a flight from China to Japan in three days from today. We leave the village in two days, stay at a hotel for the night and get on the plane the next morning."

Everyone nodded, trying to keep a straight face from the Elders' show of age.

"Alright. I dismiss everyone from training for the rest of the day. I want you all to pack up for the trip. We will continue training in the morning as well as be informed of the situation in Japan." Everyone nodded again, Kiki and Gaou getting up and leaving the two love birds behind to rest in the fields.

"Mao?" Rai question looking down at the girl before him. He couldn't help but smile to himself. She had grown into such a beautiful person, both inside and out; and he was blessed to have her by his side. Plus now, not only is she one of the most beautiful young ladies of the village as well as one of the few achieved female warriors; she was also the future Village Healer. She would be a great bride for any man to have, but the perfect bride for the future village leader. His father and mother already said so before hand; and now that she is an apprentice healer, there would be no objections. Though he wouldn't ask for her hand so soon. They were still young after all. This was something that would have to wait till after her training as a Village Healer and his training as Village Leader.

Mao looked over her shoulder at her boyfriend upon hearing her name. "Yes Rai?"

"Are there any herbs that you need to gather for the spell?"

Mao scanned the page of the book before nodded. "Yeah, there's a lot. I would have to spend the rest of the daylight gathering them to have them all for when we leave."

"Would you like me to help?" Rai questioned, smiling down at his girlfriend.

Mao smiled up at Rai, giving him a light kiss on the lips. "I would like that." She purred, laughing as Rai pulled them both down to lay in each others arms in the grassy field. It felt so right to be in his arms and she was so glad that he returns her feelings. Rai, now that he is a young adult, was sawed after by many young girls before they started going out. He didn't have the pretty boy look that Rei has, but the rough, strong wild look, a husky voice, and soft heart under it all that made many girls drool. Plus he is the future Village Leader, and the glory of catching such a man was great.

Such glory didn't matter to Mao though. She known Rai since childhood, and his title never matter to her or their friends back then. It still didn't. All that really matter to her was the person he was on the inside, and that person cared for her deeply like she cared for him. The pain of not having Rei return her feelings was well worth it to have Rai care for her in her grief. If it wasn't for that pain, she would probably never realize the feelings she had for Rai was not brotherly love like she thought, be true love. She had mixed up the two, which explained why she thought she love Rei. It was funny to think that she use to call Rai her brother, when it really was Rei who deserve that nickname.

She sighed happily, nuzzling her face deeper into his shoulder, letting his scent engulf her and making her feel safe and protected. She wished they could just stay like this, resting in the depths of nature, but she had to go and collect the herbs for the spell. Most of the herbs would be deep in the forest or on the mountains nearby, and very hard to find. They had to use what time they had wisely. Sighing again, she looked up at Rai.

"Rai, come on. We need to start looking for the herbs." Mao said, trying to keep her leader from getting too comfortable. They would be they all day if she let him get like that. She moved to get up only to have his arm wrap around her waist and pull her back down to lie on top of Rai's strong chest.

"In a minute." Rai grinned, holding Mao's slim body close so she wouldn't escape. "I just want to lay out here with you for a little bit. It's so nice out. I don't wish to waste the whole day away looking for herbs. Let's just enjoy nature for a little while Mao."

Mao couldn't help but laugh into Rai's neck. "Alright. For a little while." She smiled up at her lover. "It wouldn't be right to not enjoy the day, just for a little bit."

So the two stayed in the grass covered field, enjoying the sounds and smells of nature as well as each other's company in the warmth of the sun.

~

Takao puffed, gasping a bit for air before continuing his jog.

Hiwatari Kai was known well for his quick and fierce battle style when it came to beyblading, but for the BBA Revolution, he was also known for his brutal 'no mercy' training routine. It use to be bad when the team first started, but now it was horrific. Kai not only made them train with their blades from dawn to supper with a half on hour lunch break seven days a week, but now he got them to train their bodies. Running laps, stretching, push ups, sit ups, and other exercises were used in a one hour warm up. Then Kai would make them all run the giant obstacle course one at a time.

The obstacle course is a timed course with consisted of not only going through the obstacles put on the course, but using your beyblade to knock down targets placed throughout it while going through the obstacles. The targets always had a new hiding place each week, but also Kai would replace an older obstacle with a new, more challenging one. That's not all though. The person with the fastest time gets to pick what's for supper.

The one fact alone always driven Takao to his hardest, but it was rare to him to actually get the fastest time since he always had bad luck with the newest obstacle on the course.

It was no different from today.

Takao ran through the narrow field that contends about fifteen hidden targets while avoiding from tripping over the ropes that hovered a foot off the ground all over the field. He launched his blade onto the course for some quick hits, each target changing from red to green upon being hit by Seiryuu with a few turning blue when he hit then dead center. He smiled to himself when he hit every target before turning around the stone wall towards the final obstacle...

And running face first into another wall and falling on his butt.

"HEY! What's the big idea!?!" Takao shouted, rubbing his face with one hand and shaking a fist at the face abuser.

"Takao you idiot!" Kai voice was heard through one of the many hidden speakers throughout the course. "You climb the wall, not run into it!"

"Wall? What wall? I don't remember there being any wall!" Takao cried out at the speaker from his spot on the grass.

"It's the newest obstacle Takao." Rei replaced Kai's voice on the speaker.

"Oh yeah. I guess it would be. I don't remember running into a new obstacle back there." Takao thought out loud, still rubbing his sore nose.

"Course you didn't buddy, cause you just ran into it now! Literary!" Max laughed through the speaker. Other snickers and giggles could be heard behind Max's voice.

"Ha ha, really funny." Takao added sarcastically. "It wouldn't have happened if Mr. Sourpuss would tell us where he puts his new obstacles."

"Quit complaining Kinomiya and climb the damn wall!" Kai shouted through the speaker, making the bush it was hiding in shudder from the vibrations.

"Yeah, yeah." Takao muttered while getting to his feet and looking at Kai's newest way to torture him. He gaped at the wall. It wasn't just a wall, it was like the side of a ten story building! It was a stone cliff with little dents and bumps all over it to place your hands and feet, and only a mat at the bottom to save you if you fall.

"You want me to climb that thing!?!?!" Takao howled, pointing at the wall with panic in his eyes.

"Hn."

"Are you NUTS!?!? I'll kill myself doing that!" Takao yelled at the talking bush.

"No one else died doing it Kinomiya. Now hurry up so we can start training in the beydishes." The Kai bush growled. Takao could just picture Kai's face if he didn't, so started to climb the wall.

It was indeed a lot harder then it looked. Takao was unsure half of the time where to put his feet and hands, and slipped several times during his climb. Finally, after fifteen minutes of struggling, Takao made it to the top... only to realize that he had to scale down the other side with the rope that was attached at the top of the wall.

"Oh man.." Takao sighed, grabbing the rope and slowly walking down the other side of the wall.

"Took you long enough." Kai muttered upon Takao's entrance to the outside of the control room.

"Hey, you try climbing that thing." Takao puffed, crossing his arms over his chest.

"I was the first to run the course idiot!" Kai countered. "And I hit every target when climbing the wall, unlike you."

"Targets?" Takao piped. "What targets?"

"The ones placed around the wall, just like all the other obstacles." Kai growled. "You were so busy trying not to fall on your face that you forgot to look at your surroundings for targets."

"Oh yeah." Takao laughed, scratching the back of his head.

"Now stop wasting time and join the others at the beydishes. They started practicing while waiting for you to climb the wall."

Takao nodded and started towards the beydishes while muttering things under his breath. Kai managed to catch 'Mr. Sourpuss' and 'dang wall' out of the jumble of hushed words that escaped the other boy's lips.

Shaking his head, Kai started down the path towards the beydishes as well. They were big dishes of course, like the ones in tournaments. Some were plain while others had barriers to overcome. Everything from rocks, water, fire, walls, wind, turning dishes and even npc beyblades controlled by the computer in the control room were present.

Resting up against a tree, he watched the progress of his team. They have all improved over the last two years, but that was to be expected. With the way beyblade tournaments are now, you not only have to have a bit beast to have any chance of winning but to be able to pull off the impossible.

Takao didn't change too much. He is able to think on his feet without needing to depend completely on Kenny and Dizzi, but was still aggressive in battle. He also didn't change much in looks. Sure, he was taller now and had a more mature body structure, but his style was the same; primary colors. Same hat, same red jacket with rolled up sleeves and little pouch strapped on his arm, and same messy blackish blue hair style. The only real change was a yellow muscle shirt instead of a t-shirt, the blue fingerless gloves, and black baggy jeans instead of the grey, more fitted ones.

Max hasn't changed that much either. He is still that happily, light-hearted boy that he once known, but trapped in a grown-up copy of himself. He toned down a bit on the sugar and is pretty mature... every now and then. His style also hasn't changed that much at all from two years ago besides in color, probably because of all the girls commenting on the more 'hot teenager' look compared to his overalls and stars look. His baggy cargo pants and jacket was now a dark green instead of the dark orange. His shirt is now white with navy blue sleeves and neck, with a dark orange trim on the sleeves and matching side pockets on his pants. A belt hung loosely on his waist and his hands were covers with teal gloves with the two fingers closest to the thumbs missing.

Kyoujyu is still the shortest of the group and still had that hair style that covered his eyes. Though he still works long night improving the team's beyblades, he is more willing to go out and do something without Dizzi always with him. Dizzi is glad for that and encourages the little guy to hang with the boys more. One time he even agreed to go shopping with Hiromi because Takao forgot and was busy training. Now the boy doesn't always wear the shorts and tie combo. Like today, he is wearing a nice clean white shirt with an open green dress shirt over it and a nice pair of dressy pants. He is sitting on the bench with Hiromi watching the bey battle while getting Dizzi to record the match.

Hiromi, like everyone else, has change a bit within the last two years. Her body has matured to that of a young lady instead of the little pre-teen body she had before, and her temper isn't as explosive as it use to be; even if Takao does have an easy time pushing the right buttons. But two things have not change, with Hiromi is known for: Skirts and pink; and her most resent outfit consist of both. A light blue jean skirt with a red belt, a dark pink tank top with light pink knee high boots and a bluish purple jacket with red trim. She sat beside Kyoujyu and Takao, watching Max and Rei battle.

Rei is pretty much the same as he was last year when he started the 'question and answer' game in the study on Sunday mornings. The baggy black pants, black vest with Chinese clasps, and black gloves combo; along with the decorative red sash, yin yang headband and hair wrapping. The only change was the white over robes, with was now a white Chinese warrior shirt with gold trim, though you could only see the bottom of it cause of the vest over it.

Yet Kai's eyes didn't leave the neko-jin like they did everyone else. His eyes lingered, watching Rei's lithe body tension when Max's blade got the upper hand, how Rei's eyes narrowed as he stared at Byakko, thinking of a counter to Max's new game plan. His hair swinging in the momentum of his movement as he thrust his arm foreword while giving Byakko his next attack.

Kai didn't see the attack that Rei made. He only saw how Rei's face lit up in victory and how Max jumped over to him, congratulating him on beating his strategy in the dish filled with steel planks. His eyes catching the spark of joy in Rei's eyes at his accomplishment, and how his lips twisted into a pleasant smile as he told Max that it was a great strategy and how hard it was for him to beat. Max laughed heading towards Kyoujyu to see his stats from the battle, leaving Rei at the dish.

That's when it happened.

Rei looked up at Kai for approval, warm gold gazing into cold wine. Everything seemed to stop. Kai's mind went up in a flare. He wished to just walk over to Rei and embrace him in show of his approval and kiss those sweet parted lips.. But he just nodded to Rei like always. It was automatic to him and he didn't realize what he had done till he saw Rei smile at him before joining the others at the bench.

He cursed himself for thinking about Rei like that. He was the team captain and right now was not the time for thinking of ways to express his love for the neko-jin. Hell, he still didn't know for sure the Rei liked guys. Rei and Mao were pretty close in the past, too close for comfort if you asked Kai. Rei still wrote letters to her one ever two weeks, checking up on the Bai Fu Zu and the village. Then there was Sarima who Rei still talked to ever so often.

Then there's the Rei fans, a group of people around the world that loved his neko-jin with their own online club and website. Sure, he had fans that were just as bad, but it wasn't like he paid attention to them. Rei would sign t-shirts and would go on the online chat one a month for a few hours to make them happy. He even tried to get Kai to do the same once just for a treat to the fans.

More like the fans tried to treat themselves. Sure, some asked questions, but it all turned out into a pre-teen plan to learn how to get past security at his mansion so, as they put it, they can tie him up and take him home. Of course, he didn't tell them, so they just hugged and kissed him online and praised him and his glory.

Damn fan girls and their clinging! Damn Rei from talking him into doing that; and damn Rei for not being the one to cling to him!

Damn his mind for its wandering thoughts. He had to train his damn team!

Man, he likes the word 'damn'. If he continues to overuse this word, I don't know want I can replace it with that will stay true to PG-13.

"Takao!"

"Yeah Kai?"

"Battle in Dish 12, now!"

Takao nodded, running to the dish that Kai had told him to go to. He readied his blade while waiting for Kai to join him. When he did, the two aimed their blades into the dish filled with pot holes and ramps.

"Go shoot Beyblade!" Takao yelled, launching Seiryuu into the dish below.

"Suzaku, go!" Kai shouted, releasing his blade to join the dragon's blade. His focus was completely on the battle making it so he didn't sense the eyes on him.

Rei watched from his spot on the bench, his eyes staring at the way Kai's arms moved while launching his blade and the intensity of his glare as he watched the battle below him, shouting out commands to Suzaku every so often. He seemed like his old self when in battle. His blading style hasn't changed that much at all.

But then again, Kai hasn't either.

Sure, the boy was more opened to them and showed that he cared for his teammates a little more then he use too. He would also go out with them to different places and actually do things beside leaning again the darkest wall and glaring at anyone who tries to interact with him. He laughed a bit more, smiled a bit more, talked openly more then he use too, and would even at the rarest of occasions, complement them. Hell, he didn't even mind being hugged that much anymore.

Basically, he was coming out of that mask that he created from the abbey. A fair bit slower then Team Neo Borg, but coming.

Besides that, he is still the same old Kai... just a bit fluffier... and taller... and muscular... and handsomer.

'Handsomer?' Rei thought, looking Kai up and down. Kai was still in love with his white scarf and has started wearing the baggy cargo pants again, but in black with red trim and belt with sliver buckle. His tight muscle shirt was black as well, with matching trim, and if he wasn't wearing the matching jacket which he left open, then he wore his red, black and silver gauntlets. For today, Kami wished to bless Rei with the site of Kai's toned upper arms and so made Kai pick the gauntlets... or maybe Kami was taunting him with the site.

"Rei?"

Rei blinked, tearing his eyes away from the phoenix and looking at the blonde beside him. "Yeah Max?"

"Kai won the obstacle course, right?"

Rei nodded. Kai had won, so what they had for dinner is up to him. "Yeah, he did Maxie."

"Do you think he will send us all home like last time?" Max inquired.

"Yeah, because the last time he took us out, Takao mess it up and now he wins the obstacle courses just so he can send us out without him" Hiromi added.

"He's been acting more distance as well." Max added. "Since Yuri last letter two weeks ago, he been all. I don't know."

"Lost in thought?" Kyoujyu piped.

"Thanks Kyoujyu! Kai's been lost in his thoughts." Max finished.

Rei nodded, letting what the three just implied sink in. It was true. Takao even mentioned it at breakfast. Kai was acting a bit more distance since that letter and book came to him from Yuri. It was like he was doing some silent soul searching. That would explain why for the last week after winning the obstacle course, he would send everyone out and order some take out that would still be untouched on the table when they returned with Kai sitting in front of it, staring at it like it was the reason why he didn't know the answers he wanted.

The signs weren't that noticeable besides that. They just brushed it off as Kai being in one of his 'I want to be alone' moods, something that he didn't use to have since the team's first tournament in Russia against Team Neo Borg. So they gave Kai his space and hoped it would go away. But now that Max brought it up again, it was odd that Kai was still in that mood. If anything, it's gotten worse. Kai is meaner to Takao, doesn't talk as much as he use to, stays in the house unless his training, and then sends them out to eat without him when he use to enjoy the odd dinners out. Plus Kai also didn't seem too happy this morning when Rei asked about the book.

Whatever the problem that was bugging Kai, it started with that letter and book. All that Rei knew was that the book was base on homosexual relationship help and Kai wasn't too happy with reading it.

Rei frowned. 'Maybe Kai's not gay. He did say that Yuri made him agree to read the book. I know when I'm made to do something I wish not to do, I'm not too happy to do it either... or maybe Yuri figured out that Kai is gay and is trying to help him realize it. Both are good possibilities... but the later would explain his lack of public time. Doesn't matter what the problem is though, two weeks of solitude is a bit much, even for Kai.'

"Don't worry Maxie. I'm sure he has a good reason to be less social then usually. Probably just has something on his mind." Rei answered, patting Max on the shoulder.

Max shook his head, looking at Rei with sad eyes. "But what if he does send us out again? Whatever is bugging him must be big to make Kai like this. The last time he was like this, it was-"

"I know Maxie." Rei replied looking at Max's worried azure eyes, knowing he was going to mention their first tournament in Russia. Rei gave a reassuring smile to the younger teen before turning back to the match. Both boys were tearing at each other's blades, roughly attacking and quickly countering each other move for move, mutually too into the battle to noticed the little chat that the four on the bench were having.

"You should talk to him Rei." Hiromi said. Rei blinked, turning to the female of the team with a questioning look.

"How Hiromi?" Rei asked. "You know how Kai gets. If you try to confront him, he escapes and keeps you from trying again."

"Well I don't know." Hiromi declared. "You're his closest friend here besides the members of Team Neo Borg. He's comfortable around you. I'm sure you can wheedle whatever it is out of him."

"If not, Daitenji-sama told me that Team Neo Borg might be coming down to Japan for a visit. He didn't tell Kai yet, but they will more then likely be staying here at Kai's house." Kyoujyu added. "I'm sure they can help if you can't."

"Can't we wait for them to come?" Rei asked, looking up at Kai. He knew someone had to talk to Kai, but the picture of Kai's strange determined look from breakfast still unnerved him. If anyone could go up against that look, it was Yuri, Boris, Sergei and Ivan.

"Rei, we got to at least try and find out what's wrong. Team Neo Borg would kill us if something's wrong with Kai and we didn't at less try to find out what it is." Hiromi stated, staring hard at Rei. "And the best person on this team to do it is you. Takao will just piss him off, and Max, Kyoujyu and I are not as close to Kai as you are. Just give it a try."

Rei sighed, nodded his agreement. "Okay, I'll try. If he sends us out to eat, I'll stay home with him and see what I can do."

Max smiled, jumping at Rei and squeezing him into a hug, equally unaware of the cold wine eyes watching the friendly act. "Thank you. And good luck."

"Good luck with what?" Takao asked, sitting down next to the blonde with Kai right behind him, looking at the two with a questioning glare.

"Nothing." Max squeaked, looking at his friends for help. The others were also clueless on how to cover up. Knowing he would be caught if he didn't answer soon; he gave the two a slightly altered version of the truth. "Rei's just agreed to do a random act of kindness for me."

"Really? What is it?" Takao pressed, not seeing the looks that the two brunettes were giving him to not ask any more questions. Max was in a panic by now, looking at Rei for help.

"Ah... it's a secret Takao." Rei said looking at Max and hoping the subject would be dropped. But it didn't.

"Come on, you shouldn't keep secrets from your buddies." Takao puffed. "It's not fair that you four know the secret and me and Kai don't."

Rei and Max both looked at each other, knowing that Takao wouldn't give up until they told them. Or at less distract everyone's attention to something else so Takao would forget about it for an hour or two.

Lady Luck answered their pleas with something that was too irresistible to not look it.

"Look its Feng." Hiromi squeaked. Everyone turned to look at the spot she was pointing to. Sure enough, there was the little gold and white kitten, scurrying through the grass towards the group in a little kitten run. She came to a sudden stop a few feet away for the group, staring with a predator's look at something on the ground. They all watched as the kitten crouched down to the ground, her butt wiggling up in the air before she attacked her prey.

Her 'prey' being the end of Kai's scarf.

Kai noticed what she was going to tackle in mid launch and grasp the tail of the scarf in his hand to move it away for the kitten, causing the neko to miss it's target. Kai smiled, sitting down next to Rei and started a game of cat and mouse with the kitten, moving the end of the scarf around to dance away from the kitten's attacks before playfully teasing the kitten with it to make her attack again.

The team watched their captain playing with the little kitten and couldn't help but smile and laugh at the kitten's attachment to Kai's scarf. Since Kai got her for Rei, Feng would always try to catch the trailing end of Kai's scarf when she thought the Russian wasn't looking. It was a very entertaining site, almost as entertaining as Feng nuzzling and attempting to eat Rei's hair after a shower. The neko seemed to love the smell of Rei's hair and thought in her little kitten mind that if it smells good, it must be eatable.

They laughed as Kai held the scarf high away from her reach. She jumped several times trying to snag the end and after failing each time, she hobbled over to Rei and stared up at him with a pleading look for help. Rei smiled and scoped the meowing kitten up and placed her on his lap, scratching her head in a 'good try' gesture.

But the kitten wasn't done yet.

In a finally attempt to catch her prey, she leaped from Rei's lap to Kai's and went into a pouncing position, staring at the scarf end still in Kai's hand. Seeing what the kitten was looking at and the wiggling of the kitty butt up at his face, he caught the kitten in mid launch and placed her back on Rei's lap with the end of his scarf. The kitten batted at it in a attempt to confuse her non-living prey before taking the end into her tiny mouth and curling up into a ball on Rei's lap, holding her catch close to her with her front paws.

Kai and Rei smiled down at the little kitten before looking at the person beside them. Kai and Rei's eyes meet, similar thoughts going through both of their minds. Feeling blood raise to his cheeks, Rei turned away; not catching the light pink tint that bless Kai's own cheeks.

Pulling himself out of his thoughts of things that could never happen he turned his attention to Max and Takao. "You two go blade now. I want to see if Takao can beat Max's new strategy like Rei did." The two both nodded and run to the beydish, readying their launchers above it.

"3!" Takao called.

"2!" Max added.

"1!" They both shouted.

"GO SHOOT BEYBLADE!"

So the BBA Revolution continued their training session, unknown to the future dangers that awaited one of their members at the end of the day.

~

Kitten - Hmm. tired.
Rei - You should get some sleep Kitten-chan. Worry about continuing work on chapter three tomorrow night.
Kitten - *yawns* Mergie?
Rei - Not mergie silly, sleep.
Kitten - I like sleep. Sleep is good. I wish I had more of it. I wish I could sleep forever and ever. *falls into Rei's arms*
Rei - *scopes Kitten-chan up and places her into her bed, covering her up* There, now sleep.
Kitten - Mmkay..
Rei - Good. Now where's Kai? Kai?
Kai - *on the floor teasing Feng with his scarf* What?
Rei - Help me finish this up so we can go to bed too.
Kai - Hn. *picks up Feng and holds it out towards the readers* This is Kitten-chan's original character. All rights go to her. If you steal the kitten, you will die a slow and painfully death!
Rei - Feng was created in honor of Kitten-chan's deceased cat, Buttercup. Also, she found the name on the internet, so she is unsure if the Chinese name Feng-huang really does mean 'phoenix'. If you know otherwise, please inform her so she can fix it.
Kai - And you all better review this story cause-
Rei - It's the nice thing to do.
Kai - I wasn't going to say that.
Rei - I know you weren't Kai-koi. Now come on, let's post this for Kitten-chan and go to bed.
Kai - Whatever. *clicks 'post' and grabs Rei's hand*
Rei - *calls to readers* Hope you enjoyed the chapter! Please R&R! *follows Kai out the door*

~

Name and Team Help (in order of appearance):
Japanese = English


Takao Kinomiya = Tyson Granger (You know, I seen fanfiction were the authors combine the two names. Like Tyson Kinomiya, or Takao Granger)
Kai Hiwatari = Kai Hiwatari (I bet they were too scared of Kai to change his name at all)
Rei Kon = Ray Kong (or Raymond. *tries not to laugh* oh dear, ahh, no offence to Raymonds out there. I just don't picture Rei as a Raymond)
Hiromi Tatibana = Hilary (....again, no comment)
Kyoujyu = Kenny aka Chief (I still don't understand why they call him the Chief, and I've seen the episode were he explains it three times!)
Max Mizuhara = Max Tate (hehe, they stole Hiromi's last name. They took off the 'bana' and changed the 'i' to an 'e', hehe)
Dizzi = Dizzi (I don't know Dizzi's Japanese name, so it's Dizzi.)
Yuri Ivanov = Tala (To those Yuri/Tala loves out there, I swear he will make an appearance. Deciding if he will be with Bryan/Boris or not is the problem)
Rai = Lee (ahh, I love having Rai and Mao as a couple. They can be so kawaii together *smiles* )
Bai Fu Zu = White Tigers (and what nice neko-jin they are *grins*)
Kiki = Kevin (I swear I want to call him Kiwi. I love that fruit)
Gaou = Gary (I mean it, I keep thinking of Gary from SBSP. Meow! =^-^=)
Mao = Mariah (Sorry to Mariah bashers out their, but I like Mao. I think she is cute and deserves to not be bashed outside of Ray/Mariah and Kai/Mariah fanfics... I don't know where people got KaixMariah. I never though of them to be a pair. *shrugs* Oh well, not in this fanfic)
Daitenji-sama= Mr. Dickenson (No comment)
Team Neo Borg = Demolition Boys (*snickers*)
Boris = Bryan (I found it hard to believe that they would change his name, just to make the evil dude to be called Boris instead.)
Sergei= Spencer (Again, no comment)
Ivan = Ian (oh, the changes. It's so drastic!!!)