Warnings: NC-17! Yaoi, language, little bit of angst, lemon…do you need more? I didn't think so.

Pairings: Kai/Tyson. Duh!

Disclaimer: No, I don't own it! Geez! How many times do I have to say it?!

Dedication: To Glay, Ranma, & Jen - my fellow mods - and all fellow TyKa fans @ Only TyKa Hotness.

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Kali: O_o;; How long has it been?

Dryad: checks stopwatch. 6 Hrs., 39 Min., 22 Sec.

Kali: Remind me not to put up mistletoe next year…

Kai & Tyson: kissing - aka. Toncil fishing, snogging, smooching, etc.

Dryad: You should have known they'd do this.

Kali: -_-;; Yeah, but not for this long.

Dryad: Let's just write the fic, shall we?

Kali: Good idea. Oh, and Dryad?

Dryad: Yes?

Kali: -_- Notify Guiness. I think these two could break some sort of record for 'longest kiss without air.'

Dryad: Uh…I'll get right on that.

Kali: Just to reinforce things, I don't own Beyblade. No money is being made either. scowls. Bah humbug!

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Author's Notes: This is a post V-Force fic. Yes, I'm over my mad…kinda. Anyway, everyone in this fic is 18, except Kenny, Emily and Kevin who are all 17, Robert who is 20, and Johnny who is 19. And no, I am not basing this on anything…I just made it all up.

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WITHOUT YOU

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"T-man!" Gramps shouted.

Tyson, bent over his desk in his room studying for his last final exam the next day, nearly fell off his chair when he heard his grandfather's yell. He turned to the door and scowled, yelling back, "What?!"

"You've got mail!"

Tyson set aside his books and hurried to the kitchen to see what it was. "Who is it from, Grandpa?"

The old man held out an expensive looking green envelope with red and gold engraved lettering on it. "It's postmarked from Scotland."

Tyson blinked in surprise. "Scotland?" He took the envelope and studied it. "Looks expensive."

He carried it to the table and sat, carefully slitting the envelope open with a letter opener. Inside was a plain white card with little gold bells embossed on the front. Flipping it open he saw it was an invitation.

"It's from Johnny and the Majestics!" He exclaimed. " 'Dear Tyson and Bladebreakers. You are cordially invited to attend New Year's festivities to be held in Scotland at Johnny's family home on December 28th to January 5th.'" Tyson read excitedly. "Awesome!" A small paper fell out of the envelope. "What's this? Hmm… 'Hey Tyson! Have Kenny email me to let me know if you're all coming and I'll send my jet to pick you up and bring you to Johnny's. You guys have to come! It's going to be so much fun! Enrique.'"

"Well, little dude, I guess you'd better go call the rest of your homeboys, huh?" Gramps pointed at the phone.

Tyson folded the invitation and stuck it back into the envelope. "Yeah! I'm just going to run over to Kenny's and Max's to let them know." He headed for the front door, pulling on a warm jacket and his shoes. "I'll be back soon, Grandpa!" He called out before jogging towards Kenny's home above his family's noodle house.

He ran in the front door and called a "Hi, Ma'am!" over his shoulder as he cruised past and flew up the stairs to Kenny's mom. He banged impatiently on Kenny's bedroom door.

"Chief! Hey! Open up!"

Kenny opened his door and blinked at his friend. "Tyson? Ah!" He quickly moved aside when Tyson pushed into his room. "What are you doing here?"

"Hey! I just got the most rad invitation! Check this out!" He shoved the envelope at Kenny, who took it and opened it up, adjusting his glasses as he read.

"Oh wow! This is cool!" Kenny exclaimed, handing it back to Tyson. "Have you talked to Max or Rei or Kai yet?"

"Nope. I came here first. Let's go over to Max's and tell him the good news!"

"But…studying!" Kenny protested, unable to stop Tyson from grabbing him by the collar and pulling him to the door.

"Bah. You need a break, Chief."

"No! At least let me take Dizzi!" Kenny managed to grab his laptop before being dragged out the door.

They hurried to the Tates' game shop, knocking on the door and Tyson rocking back and forth on his feet impatiently.

Mr. Tate opened the door. "Hello, boys!" He greeted them. "What's up?"

"Is Max home? We've got something to show him." Tyson asked.

"Sure. He's upstairs in his room, studying." Max's dad let them in and they went up to see their blonde teammate.

"Max! Hey dude! Sorry to bust in on your study time…" Tyson waved at him. Kenny gave Tyson a dirty look and muttered, "Oh sure. Be polite about it to Max but not me."

Max spun around in his desk chair and laughed. "Guys! What's happening? I didn't expect you guys to be coming over on the evening before an exam."

"I got this in the mail. Check it out!" Tyson gave him at the invitation.

"Oh cool! New Year's party at Johnny's!" Max bounced up and down in his chair. "Awesome! I'd kind of wondered what we were all going to do for New Year's."

"Wonder no more, Maxie!" Tyson agreed.

"Hey, you'd better tell Rei and Kai, before they make any plans."

Kenny opened Dizzi. "Phone him, Max. Here's his phone number." He rattled off a string of numbers.

"Thanks, Chief, but that's not necessary. I've got all of you on speed dial." Max grinned and picked up a cordless phone.

"Hey Rei! It's Max!" He told Rei all about the invitation.

"Awesome. Count me in! I could use a vacation."

"Cool!"

Max hung up. "Rei said he's coming."

"Okay. So…who's going to tell Kai?" Kenny asked.

"Uh…" Max frowned and glanced at Tyson. So did Kenny. "I think Tyson should do it."

"Yeah. Go ahead and phone him, Tyson."

To his horror, he blushed and his voice cracked slightly when he cried, "What? Why me?"

"Because he'll listen to what you have to say. You'll get away with interrupting his studying or training. The rest of us would get our heads bitten off." Max pointed out.

"That…and you've got a huge crush on him." Kenny added smugly.

Tyson ducked his head and avoided their smirking looks. "Oh shut up. See if I ever confess things to the two of you again." He muttered darkly, thoroughly embarrassed. He shoved his hands in his pockets and strode out, mumbling under his breath.

"Um…maybe we shouldn't have made fun of him, Chief."

"He'll get over it." Kenny frowned at the door. "At least, I think he will."

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Tyson's hand hovered over the gate's doorbell. He stood outside the massive steel gates of Kai's mansion.

Yes. Kai's mansion. He had taken it over when his grandfather was arrested after the last World Championships and had lived there ever since.

"Just great. Why me? Why not Max or Kenny? Hell…even Rei? And where do they get the idea that I wouldn't get my head bitten off?"

A gloved hand came down on his shoulder and scared the hell out of him. "Aahh!" He yelled, jumping nearly a foot off the ground and pressing his back to the brick wall. "Shit Marie, Kai!" He clutched his chest, feeling his heart pound at the sudden rush of adrenaline.

Kai looked at him curiously, the corner of his lips turned upwards in a reluctantly amused smile. "Tyson, what are you doing outside my gates talking to yourself?" He looked at his wristwatch. "And at this hour?"

"Uh…Hey! I wasn't…" Tyson floundered, digging into his jacket pocket for the invitation. "Team business! Yeah…I got this in the mail earlier and…" He held out the envelope.

Kai took it and studied it. He scowled at it when he read the part about it being at…ugh…Johnny's. "I suppose we've decided to go?"

"Well…the rest of us, yes. I got elected to come and see if you were coming too." Tyson looked away and shuffled one foot, absently kicking at a pebble.

The captain raised an eyebrow at his arch rival and teammate. He'd been acting rather strange lately - not his usual annoying self. Normally, Tyson couldn't keep his mouth shut and didn't usually avoid Kai's eyes as he was at that moment. Kai wondered why the change - and why it seemed like it only happened with him and none of the others.

"Kai? Hello?" Tyson scowled at him and waved a hand in front of his face. "Earth to Kai!"

"Cut that out." Kai blinked and lightly slapped at his hand.

"You were spacing out on me." Tyson stuffed his hands back into his pockets. "So are you going or not?"

"Yeah. I guess. I've got nothing better to do." Inwardly, Kai winced, asking himself if he'd finally lost it. You're going to go to Scotland, for New Year's, for nearly a week - at MacGregor's - where you're going to have to be around the brat patrol the entire time. Yep. You've lost it.

Tyson must have heard his thoughts because he was giving the duel-haired blader a suspicious look.

Kai put on his best scowl and barked, "What?"

"Are you feeling okay, Kai? You're actually agreeing to come along. When you can barely stand us at the best of times?" The slate blue haired teen gaped at him.

The Phoenix mentally frowned at the sudden feeling of hurt at Tyson's words and he didn't realize that it had escaped in his voice when he looked away and pushed a side gate open, saying, "Well if you didn't want me to come, why'd you bother coming over here to tell me about it?"

Tyson's blue eyes widened when he heard the hurt in Kai's voice, and he glared at the back of Kai's head in exasperation. "I didn't mean it like that and you know it. Of course I…we want you to come with us! You're our captain for Heaven's sake!"

"I said I would come, Tyson. So why are you making a big fuss about it?"

"Agh! You're impossible! Do you know that?!" Tyson's eyes flashed and he threw his hands in the air, waving them expressively. "Never mind. You're coming with us. That's all I came to find out." Tyson reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a small box. "Oh, and while I'm here, I may as well give you this." He grabbed Kai's hand and slapped a small box onto his palm. "Merry Christmas, Kai. Oh, and don't open it until Christmas day. You'll spoil the surprise." Tyson stalked off, glaring darkly at everything and nothing, completely missing Kai's shocked and wondrous expression.

"No one's ever given me a Christmas present before." He whispered to himself, staring at the small wrapped package.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

School was out. Christmas came and went, and the 28th came quite quickly. The Bladebreakers hopped on Enrique's jet and flew into Scotland - including an unexpected guest, courtesy of Max.

The arguments started at the airport. Rei, Max, and Kenny sweatdropped the entire time, ignoring something that happened on a regular basis so they were used to it. Kai, on the other hand, headed for the gift shop the minute Hilary opened her mouth (to yell at Tyson when he accidentally ran into her with the baggage cart) to buy an extra-large bottle of aspirin.

Kai was waiting in line to buy the aspirin when Tyson suddenly appeared at his elbow with his own bottle - extra-strength. Kai stared at him a moment then burst out laughing. Tyson glared half-heartedly then sniggered too.

The others, who were standing outside waiting for them, goggled at the teens, though it was directed more at Kai than Tyson. After all, it wasn't often they heard the captain of the Bladebreakers laugh - let alone see him crack a smile.

The flight to Scotland was a long one. Kai took his seat, and immediately closed his eyes, intending to ignore the rest of them.

Hilary sat with her boyfriend and Max grinned happily. Kenny sat across from them, his ever-present laptop open and running. Dizzi's voice occasionally spoke up with her usual dry wit.

When Tyson tried to sit next to Kenny, Rei gently hip-checked his friend aside, sat, and nodded at their team captain, winking at Tyson.

"Rei!" Tyson turned three shades of red and directed a hard glare that rivaled Kai's on Max and Kenny. "Alright. Who blabbed?"

"He did!" They chorused, pointing at each other.

"I'm missing something here." Hilary's eyes darted back and forth between each of them.

"Come on, Tyson. You're not going to leave our captain all alone over there, are you?" Rei asked.

"You three are so going to get it!" Tyson gave them all a final glare before stalking over to the other side of the plane. He hesitated when Kai cracked open one crimson eye and pinned him with it. "Um…do you mind?" He gestured at the seat across from Kai. "The others have taken all the other seats and…"

"Sit." Kai said, closing his eye again. "Just don't fall asleep and start snoring."

"I'll try." Tyson gave him a hesitant smile. "I won't make any guarantees though."

"Whatever."

For a while, Tyson just stared out the window of the jet, listening to music on his mp3 player and doing his very best to avoid looking at Kai. It didn't last long, however, and Tyson's gaze slowly wandered over his slumbering captain's relaxed form.

Kai… Tyson studied the older teen's face. Why did you have to be the one? You don't like me, and you hardly have anything nice to say about me - or anyone else for that matter.

But right now…you're so peaceful. I don't see that often. And you're even more gorgeous when you arerelaxed. Tyson felt his cheeks flush a little. That hair of yours - always looking so perfect and soft. I would like to find out, someday, if it's as silky as it looks. And your features that make you seem so cold and foreboding - even when I know better. Your face paint doesn't help either.

I do know better. Because I've seen those mysterious ruby eyes flare with passion as you stand across the stadium from me. I've seen them ignite in anger, go dark when your upset about something and reveal more pain than I ever want to know and never experience the time Zeo took Dranzer from you at the last Worlds.

Tyson had a sudden urge to reach across and brush away a stray lock of slate hair from Kai's face, but he stuffed his hands in his jacket pockets instead. You're a complete enigma to me, Kai. Every time I think I've got you pegged you go and do something that totally shatters my image of you. But that just makes me want to know more, makes me want to be closer.

I'm not sure when I started loving you. But then, I suppose it doesn't really matter. You'll never return my feelings and I'll just have to get over it. Tyson felt tears well up and he closed his eyes, turning his face to the window and curling up as best he could in his seat, feigning the need for a nap. Caught up in his own sorrows, he didn't notice that one tear escaped and slid slowly down his cheek.

He didn't know that Kai had been awake the entire time, keeping his eyes closed on purpose, one: to keep anyone from bothering him, and two: because he could feel Tyson's gaze and he wondered why the younger teen was staring at him for a good half hour.

Kai opened his eyelids just enough that he could see through his lashes. When he saw Tyson look away suddenly and curl into himself, he opened his eyes fully and frowned, watching as a single tear fell and splashed Tyson's arm. He's crying? What in the world could be bothering him? Did I do something? Kai gave himself a mental scowl. What do you care anyhow, Hiwatari? You've never cared before… But a niggling voice in the back of his mind snorted and told him he was lying. Kai did care - more than he wanted to admit to himself.

Damn it! You're loudmouthed, annoying, silly, ill-mannered…and so damn cute it's…wait, 'cute?!' I did not just think that. But Tyson was and the more Kai looked at him, the more Kai felt his heart melt towards him. Oh God…you're so beautiful and…you're the kindest person I have ever met. Kai blinked, reaching into his jacket pocket and fingering the small wrapped box Tyson had given him. He'd put it in his pocket and had forgotten it was there - and so had yet to open it. And all I ever give you in return is harsh words and a cold shoulder. I push you harder than the others, in an effort to push you away completely. I don't…I don't know how to deal with these emotions you evoke in me! And I'm afraid. I'm afraid to let you go and I'm afraid I'll succeed and you'll hate me.

Kai tore his gaze from the now sleeping Dragon and closed his own eyes once again.

I strive to be the best. And yet, the closest I've ever come to it is because of you. You bring out the best in me, Tyson. Funny that I don't know whether to be happy about it or angry - because I will never, ever be the beautiful soul that you are.

I wish I knew what to do. For us both.

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Enrique and Oliver were waiting for them at the airport.

"Hey guys!" Max waved as they approached, carrying their luggage that they'd only just claimed after going through customs.

"Hey, Max! Great to see all of you!" Enrique shook their hands in greeting. "Glad you all decided to come!" He glanced sideways at Kai.

Kai just looked at him, one eyebrow raised.

"We've got a car waiting for us." Oliver informed them, gesturing to the group to follow him. "Let's get going before it starts snowing again."

The Bladebreakers followed the two Majestics to the car - which turned out to be a limo. They all got in and enjoyed the ride to Johnny's, a good 40 minute drive, catching up on each other's news - except Kai, who did his usual sit back and observe thing, rarely making any comments.

Tyson was a bit quieter than usual, but no one mentioned it, believing it was just jet lag and hunger. Kai, however, kept an eye on him - inconspicuously, of course. He'd never had admitted it, but he was worried about Tyson now, the scene on the plane replaying in his mind.

They arrived at a huge castle-looking mansion, which Oliver informed them was the MacGregor family's manor house. As everyone was climbing out of the limo, Max stared at the landscape in awe and smiled excitedly like a child.

"Guys! Look at the snow!"

Kai rolled his eyes and ignored his teammates as they began chasing each other around trying to pelt one another with snowballs.

An amused chuckle came from behind him and Kai glanced back to see Robert and Johnny approach, Enrique and Oliver right behind them.

"It's good to see some things haven't changed." Robert commented, smiling when Max smacked Rei on the back of the head with a hastily scooped up ball of snow and Rei retaliated by pouncing on the blonde and rubbing a handful of the white-stuff into Max's hair.

Johnny stuck his hands in his pockets and laughed outright at their antics. "I agree with that, Robert." He eyed Kai. "Wasn't expecting you to show, Hiwatari."

Kai glared back, crimson eyes narrowing. "If you didn't want me to come, MacGregor, you shouldn't have addressed the invitation to 'Tyson and Bladebreakers.'"

Johnny sneered. "I'll remember that for next time."

The other three Majestics sighed and shook their heads ruefully, watching as the two bladers tried to glare each other down.

It didn't last long though, because something fairly solid and wet slammed into the back of Kai's head and dripped down his neck under the scarf. Kai growled and spun around barking, "Kinomiya!" in a very annoyed tone, pinning the most likely culprit with a glare that should have melted the snow around them within a twenty foot radius. Tyson took an involuntary step back and grinned nervously.

"Uh…oops? I was aiming for your back." He watched those deep crimson orbs that haunted him every moment of the day and night darken and narrow, and he swallowed back a squeak, raising his hands defensively. When Kai bent, scooped up a handful of snow and let fly, Tyson was so shocked and unprepared, he didn't even try to duck when the snowball hit him in the face.

Icy cold wetness slid down his face and he blinked stupidly for a moment. The other stood around watching with astonishment and amusement, unsure if they should join in or hold Kai back.

But when Tyson saw Kai come towards him with determined steps, a glint in his eyes that spoke of revenge, the Dragon yelped and turned to make a run for it.

He ran and Kai chased after him, yelling, "Oh no you don't, Kinomiya! Get your ass back here!"

"What?!" You think I'm stupid?" Tyson yelled back over his shoulder. "Not freaking likely!"

Hilary started giggling and the others weren't far behind her.

After a few minutes of watching a desperate Tyson try to continue avoiding his irate captain, Kenny sneezed and Robert frowned.

"Come on everyone. Let's get you all inside where it's warm and you can change out of those wet clothes." He said, ushering them up the grand stone stairs to the huge oak doors of the mansion.

"What about Kai and Tyson?" Hilary asked, glancing at them over her shoulder.

Rei waved them in. "I'll get them. I'm not as wet as the rest of you. Go on!"

Oliver stayed with him as the others disappeared indoors. "This is something I never thought I'd see." He watched Kai gain on Tyson, who expertly dived to the side and rolled to his feet when the Phoenix tried to tackle him, leaving Kai to do a face plant in a snow bank. Oliver winced. "Oh my…good dodge, but not a very good idea."

Rei looked pained. "Kai's going to be seriously…Holy shit he's laughing!" He and Oliver goggled.

Tyson stuck out his tongue, completely forgetting about anyone or anything else, and laughing at Kai as he wiped the snow off his face, his blue shark fins smearing slightly. "Ha! You can't catch me!"

"Nice dodge, Kinomiya." Kai chuckled, despite himself, and slowly got to his feet. "But it won't happen again!" He lunged and managed to catch Tyson off guard, knocking him to the ground and landing on top of him in a snowdrift. Tyson laughed in pure delight and began struggling. They ended up rolling around, Kai trying to push a handful of snow into the younger teen's face and Tyson doing his best to avoid it.

And then they rolled down a hill, not even realizing it until they came to a stop at the bottom, Kai on top and staring down into laughing, wide stormy blue eyes. They were both breathing heavily and their hearts were pounding in their ears, smiling like idiots at each other.

There was a moment of silence where they just stared at one another, smiles fading away as each thought the exact same thing and heat suddenly poured over them in waves.

Gods he's beautiful when he smiles.

Unaware that they were moving, Tyson grabbed Kai's shoulders and Kai leaned down from his push-up position until they were nose to nose, their hot breaths mingling in the crisp winter air and their eyes sliding closed as Kai bent his head just a little bit more…

"Tyson! Kai! Where are you guys? Are you okay?" Rei's voice shattered the silence and made them both start violently. Kai jerked back, staring at Tyson in shock and extreme embarrassment. Tyson's eyes were wide and…Kai couldn't be sure but he thought he saw annoyance and disappointment flash in his eyes for a moment - though it was gone almost as fast as it had appeared. He…wanted me to kiss him? Kai wondered, swallowing and mentally smacking himself at the jolt of lust that pooled in his groin at the thought, hastily getting up and brushing himself off.

Tyson got up a bit more slowly, cursing Rei's timing fluently but silently. He'd seen many emotions in Kai's eyes just now, and he was sure he'd seen desire there for a second. As soon as he thought it, however, he shook his head disgustedly at himself and began brushing the snow off his jeans. You're dreaming again, Tyson. He told himself. Get over it.

But what had almost happened continued to prod at him mercilessly as Kai yelled up the hill. "Over here, Rei! We're fine!"

Rei appeared at the top of the hill. "Oh! Good! Everyone's inside already. Are you coming, too?"

"Yeah! We'll be right there." Kai waved and Rei nodded turning and disappearing from view. He turned back to Tyson and saw him shiver a little, still brushing snow off of himself.

"Kai…" "Tyson…" They both said at the same time. There was a bit of nervous chuckling and Kai gestured for Tyson to speak first.

"Listen, Kai, about what just happened…"

"Don't!" Kai interrupted and Tyson watched, fascinated as the Phoenix turned an interesting shade of red. "It was my fault…and…it'll never happen again. I promise."

"Your fault?" Tyson blinked at him, confused. "Why are you apologizing?"

Kai blinked aback at him. "I almost…kissed you, Tyson! Shouldn't I be apologizing?"

"I…no!" Tyson blurted out. "Kai…I wanted you to…" He snapped his mouth shut and stared down at the ground, blushing furiously when Kai sucked in a startled breath. He didn't want to see the derision or rejection in Kai's gaze, didn't think he could bear it.

"Tyson?" Kai asked, hesitantly. A few things were beginning to make sense now. "Do you…do you like me? Is that why you've been acting so strangely lately?"

Caught and invariably trapped, Tyson shifted his weight anxiously, feeling his eyes begin to water. "Yes." He finally answered, his voice a hoarse whisper. Tears silently fell, sure that Kai was going to freak out and…well, the possibilities were endless and all were bad.

Kai just stared at him for a moment, wondering why that one little word sent his entire being flying high and made him want to jump up and down for joy. I…I can't…like him back? Can I? He watched Tyson for a moment longer, seeing what looked suspiciously like tears slide down the Dragon's face and Kai had the sudden urge to envelope him in his arms and comfort him, to make the tears stop and for Tyson to smile again and, more than anything, he wanted Tyson to look at him as he had a few minutes ago when they'd been lying in the snow and the world around them didn't exist…

Neither noticed that it was quickly growing dark and that it had begun to snow softly.

When Kai didn't say or do anything for a long time, Tyson couldn't take it anymore and brushed past him, hurrying up the hill and heading for the mansion, saying in a watery, hollow voice, "I'm sorry, Kai. I didn't mean to."

Kai chased after him, realizing he'd taken too long to say anything but it was too late. When he got to the top of the hill, Tyson was already walking into the mansion. He stared at the doors for a moment, rubbing at his face angrily and wearily.

"Great. Now what do I do? I'm no good at this emotional stuff!" Kai heaved a sigh and followed the teen that he'd just discovered he cared more for than he'd ever thought possible.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tyson ran up the stone steps and hastily rubbed his eyes and cheeks free of tears. He took a deep breath and plastered a fake smile on his face before opening one door and slipping inside.

He was met by his team and Hilary, who were just exiting a room nearby.

"Hey Tyson! Supper's going to be in a few minutes!" Max greeted him, cheerfully. "You'd better change out of your wet clothes."

"I'm not very hungry, guys." Tyson said, quietly, not noticing their surprised looks. "Could one of you show me where Johnny's put us while we're here? I'm really tired."

"Uh…sure." Max exchanged looks with his teammates in concern. Tyson had sounded incredibly sad. "I'll take you." He headed for the stairs and Tyson followed. "Oh hey! Where's Kai?" Max suddenly asked, just noticing they were one team captain short.

Said team captain came in at that moment, looking vaguely annoyed, angry, and…worried. And soaked to the bone. He looked around at everyone as he kicked off his boots. "What?" He snapped. Then he glanced up at Tyson and Max, and his eyes widened a little, his expression softening slightly.

Tyson didn't see it, though, because he turned away and began climbing stairs again. Max looked from one to the other twice, then hurried after his friend.

"Kai? Did something happen between you and Tyson?" Rei inquired, carefully. "You both seem upset."

"Not that it's any of your business, but yes. It's nothing." Kai growled before anyone could say anything. "We'll work it out ourselves."

Hilary frowned at him, but didn't comment. Max had told her about Tyson's crush on the plane. She'd been surprised at first, but after thinking about it, found it wasn't so far fetched after all. "You should get out of those wet clothes before you catch a cold, Kai. Come with me and I'll show you your room so you can change before supper." She headed for the stairs and Kai followed.

"This place is so big! Oliver said we'd get this entire floor in this wing. The other teams each have their own floors, too." Hilary informed him as they walked.

"Hn." Kai's mind was elsewhere.

She stopped outside a door and pushed it open. "Here you go. This is your room. Rei and Max are across the hall, Kenny's on your left, and Tyson's on your right. I'm across the hall from Tyson, next to Rei." Hilary gently shoved him through the door. "Hurry and change then come down for supper, Kai. She closed the door before he could ask or say anything.

Kai stared at the door, running his hands through his hair in agitation. With a sigh, he went to his bag, sitting on the bed, and dug out dry clothes.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Great room, huh, buddy?" Max spun in a circle, arms flung out to gesture at the room in general.

"Yeah. Great." Tyson replied, dully. He went to his bag and pulled out some dry boxers and his sleepwear.

Max dropped his arms and walked over, laying a concerned hand on Tyson's shoulder and feeling him stiffen at the touch. "Hey. What's wrong?"

"It's nothing. I'm just really tired. I think I'll just have a shower and go to bed, maybe read until I fall asleep." Tyson moved away, not sure he could keep himself from breaking down into a sobbing mess if Max stayed much longer.

"Okay. If you're sure…I'll tell everyone you'll see them tomorrow." Max went to the door, glancing at Tyson one more time, worry etched on his face. "Um…I'll bring you a snack later, just in case you get hungry, okay?"

"Thanks Max." Tyson gave him a slight smile and Max nodded, leaving and closing the door behind him.

Tyson took off his clothes wearily, going into the on-suite bathroom and turning on the shower. He stepped under the warm, steamy spray and leaned against the wall.

Here, where no one would see nor hear, he wept.

The sobs wracked his body and he let the tears fall. He asked himself the same questions over and over: Why did he have to fall for the one person in the entire universe that would never even remotely like him - let alone return his love? What had happened out there at the bottom of that hill? Why did he open his big mouth and tell Kai that? And why didn't Kai say anything at all?

He raised his face to the spray and let it wash away the tears. The water couldn't, however, wash away the sorrow or the dull ache in his chest.

When the water ran cold, he turned off the taps and stepped out, grabbing a towel and going through the motions of drying off. He walked back out into his bedroom and put on a clean set of clothes instead of his pajamas. He was emotionally drained and tired beyond belief. And yet, he was restless, a nervous energy that he had to get rid of if he intended to sleep.

And if he had nothing left…nothing by Dragoon…the one thing he could always count on and the only way that ever allowed him clear thought, then that was what he would do. He grabbed his blade and launcher, shrugged into his coat, and went downstairs, walking outside into the cold air and blowing snow and not even noticing it.

Kai had gotten it right. Beyblading was his life…but only because the only person he'd ever wanted to be that important to him would never return that emotion. Kai didn't know about that, even if he did understand how much blading meant to the World Champion.

Tyson launched his blade in the dark, the wind whipping his hair into his face and the icy cold snow freezing his blood until he was empty…numb. He began walking, following his blade as he sent it this way and that.

He didn't know how long he was out there, nor did Tyson know how far he'd gone from the mansion. All he knew was that suddenly he was cold - ice cold - and his body numb and exhausted.

The Dragon sunk to his knees in the snow, weakly holding out his hand to call his blade home. It came back and he gripped it, staring at the image of the ancient storm dragon on his bit-piece, barely visible in the dark and blizzard-like snowfall.

His energy finally left him and he collapsed, so unbearably tired that he could no longer stay awake. And his last thought would have broken his teams' hearts if they had heard it.

I'm sorry, Dragoon. I hope you find a partner more worthy than I am someday. I might have always been a blader, a Champion, but all I really wanted was to be someone special to him. At least now I won't be a burden or a pain any longer.

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

Kali: O_O GEEZ!!! I write way too much.

Dryad: This one-shot just became a two-parter.

Kali: -_-;; Sorry, everyone!

Dryad: R/R!