Title: Chill Chapter 2

Author: Wyntre de Romanov

Disclaimer: No money. This fic was written for fun la-di-da-da. No infringement intended, etc.

A/N: Stupid of me to continue with this story, when I've already added a sequel… but I thought this really needed a continuation, fleshing out the Kai/Rei relationship. Feedback would be wonderful, fellow Kai/Rei fans.

Chapter 2

Rei woke up slowly, drifting serenely from slumber into the waking world. Morning sunshine beamed upon his face as he opened his eyes, golden hints glinting predator-like. He stretched, limbs tensing for a moment, bones cracking, and then relaxing. He felt sore.

He realised that it was approximately 9 in the morning, with all that damn sun in his face. That was the only thing that annoyed Rei about these travels – the early mornings and living only on what was in your backpack. Atleast he wasn't the only one who had to put up with it, therefore it made it all the more bearable sharing the frustration.

Facing the wood panelled wall, he couldn't see the others, but he could hear their soft regulated breathing and Tyson's mild snoring.

Rei had a nervous butterfly-fluttering feeling in the pit of his stomach, as if something important had occurred, but he couldn't for the life of him remember.

He yawned and wormed out the top of his sleeping back, kicking it away. He then leaned back on his arms, yawning again, when he suddenly felt a searing pain spread up his left forearm; as if someone had run a serrated knife along it.

Rei stood up, legs aching, and moved towards one of the windows to get a better look, holding up his arm to the light. He had a few cuts along his arms – one wound had reopened – and a few bruises spotted his elbows. And, the impact startling him, the memory of what had transpired last night hit him like a steam train at top speed.

The rogue BeyBlade… the spirit; ghost…

He'd defeated it, and then buried it.

Rain had fallen…

Then he and… Kai… and yeah.

Shit.

Rei spun around, promptly searching the room.

Tyson… check.

Kenny… check.

Max… check.

But no sign of Kai, his sleeping bag already packed away tidily. Good. Rei's heart beat rapidly in his chest; he didn't think he could face Kai so early in the morning. Not after what happened last night. What if it had all been a joke? Or maybe he'd only dreamed it… but then how did that explain the cuts and bruises?

Speaking of cuts, the wound that had re-opened earlier when he'd stretched had started to bleed more profusely. It was about the length of his little finger, but thinner.

Rei padded towards the cabin's kitchen, snatching up his backpack on the way – careful not to wake the others – and closed the door behind him. The shutters had been opened; sun lighting the room up and showing every crack in the walls. So, Kai had obviously already eaten breakfast in here, judging from the open shutters.

Chucking his backpack on the kitchen bench, Rei moved towards the sink and stuck his arm under the tap. Cool water ran soothingly over the bruises and washed away the blood from the cut. He stood there for a time, content to feel the refreshing water bubble against his skin, and stared at his shadowy reflection in the window in front of him.

Rei had changed into his black and grey PJ's after he'd snuck quietly back into the cabin last night, and had been too tired to unwrap his hair. As a result, the silky black was a lion's mane. It swept back off his forehead, only a few bits of fringe flicking every which way, with kawaii cherub curls resting against his neck. The rest was still wrapped up.

The grey velvety collar at his throat was open and he could see a few nip marks that Kai had left on his neck. Damn.  Rei could feel his cheeks burning up in mortification. What was his getting himself into? This was Kai, their damn team leader! What would the others say? What would… what would they think? Maybe it was all a practical joke. Or maybe Kai had just been bored, and sometimes boredom led people into doing stupid things that they regretted later. Maybe. But a little voice in the back of Rei's head really hoped that wasn't so.

Sighing, unable to reach a decision, he turned off the tap and sat up on the bench next to his backpack. He rummaged around in his bag, found the first-aid kit and opened it up, then grabbed some antiseptic cream and wrap bandages.

When rolling up his sleeves, he thought… well, he didn't really know what to think. Sure, he liked Kai. Actually, that was an understatement. He more than liked. Liked Kai enough to kiss him, but… Rei was uncertain. What did Kai want - just a quick grope in the dark or a relationship?

Rei didn't even know if he was gay, he still found girls appealing to look at. But he also found Kai appealing – enticing really – to look at. Not only that, but he was attracted to Kai's steadfast personality. He was both intelligent and sarcastically witty. And under that cold, serious exterior, he had a wicked sense of humour.

Damnit, he didn't know what to do. But hadn't Kenny hinted at something about Kai last night? About –

A noise – a small movement at the kitchen door – broke through Rei's frantic contemplative thoughts and caught his attention. Maroon eyes met Rei's own amber tints, and he felt the hair at the back of his neck stand up. Rei took a choppy breath.

Typical. Who else would it have been but Kai. Right at the time I don't want to see him the most.

There was silence for a nap of time as Kai just studied his profil. He was leaning against the doorway, arms and legs crossed elegantly. Rei wondered as to how he didn't hear Kai enter and also how long he'd been standing there before he'd finally noticed. Rei felt like an absent-brained idiot.

Why did he have to be so damn quiet? And why does he have to be such a damn enigma?

Kai Hiwatari was wearing a dark creamy coloured top, satin-like material, and black slacks, matched with a belt the same colour as his top and black knuckle gloves. The blue shaded triangles set off the effect of the ethereal, and also cast a chilly effect on his expression.

The silence stretched on, and Rei started to feel uncomfortable sitting on the hard bench under Kai's inscrutable gaze.

"So…" Rei began first.

Kai only response was to walk leisurely towards him, pausing for a second, before taking a hold of Rei's wrist gently to inspect the damage. Rei flinched back – his arms had been bare during the battle, so they had suffered the most due to the strong gusts that had thrown stones and dirt at him.

Kai raised an eyebrow at Rei's wincing, and picked up the antiseptic cream instead. Reading the label, he said:

"You should have been more careful last night."

Although Kai wasn't looking at him, Rei nodded. Licking his lips nervously, Rei couldn't help but feel a bit self-conscious. The teen infront of him was dressed impeccably for the day, whereas Rei was still in his nightclothes with rather bad bed-head.

Kai washed his hands, opened up the first-aid box – the red cross fading from wear and tear – and picked out some cotton squares. He squeezed some antiseptic onto the cotton cube, and said:

"Give me your arm. You should have looked at it last night, it could be infected."

Unflexing his arm, Rei winced again as Kai rubbed the cream in using the cotton patch. The stinging sensations faded after a while, and Rei was satisfied in the act of Kai-Watching.

The subject himself had a little frown of disapproval on his face, but his touch was gentle and sure. His feature's spoke of the aristocratic, as if he had come from a long line of upper class, rich citizens. Rei wouldn't have been surprised if this were so; Kai had always been articulate in a classy way, obviously a direct result from his blue-blood upbringing.

Kai discontinued smoothing in the cream and began wrapping the bandage around Rei's arm. This was all done in mutual silence, and Rei was happy to keep it that way. Instead, he noticed that Kai had nice long fingers, warm against his skin. They moved deftly, winding the bandage about Rei's forearm.

When Kai seemed satisfied with his work, he tied the end of the bandage down, but kept his hand on Kai's wrist.

"Done."

He looked up at Rei through dark lashes, the chestnut red of his eyes revealing nothing. But the smirk that turned the edge of his lips banished the seriousness of his gaze.

Rei swallowed nervously, not sure whether to run or just stare into those smoky red depths like a mental patient for the rest of his life. He was a bit startled when he felt the palm of Kai's other hand rest against the nape of his neck. He shivered at the contact. I'm not a damn love-struck girl, I'm a damn love-struck guy, that's what I am!  he thought to himself; get your thoughts in order!

Kai then tugged on Rei's wrist, sliding him off the kitchen bench into closer contact. Chests bumping lightly; the touch exhilarating. 

Rei realised suddenly that he was holding his breath, so he let it out slowly and, in an effort to relax, slid his hands under Kai's shirt and around his waist. He was so very warm. Kai's smirk grew, but he tilted his head forward to plant little kisses on Rei's neck and along the line of his jaw.

Rei closed his eyes, welcoming them – no longer self-conscious and worried, but instead enjoying the sensations of Kai's tender lips grazing his neck. After a few more well placed kisses, the sensations disappeared, and Rei looked about only to find Kai looking at him quite smugly, waiting for Rei's reaction. Rei ignored this and leaned forward to brush his lips against Kai's, adding more pressure.

Kissing was a bit like dancing really. And this kiss was definitely a tangled tango. Kai's mouth was earnest, tepid and very much welcoming, a contradiction to his usual wintry composure. And Rei knew, without having to ask, that Kai was not playing a game on him. That this – the whole thing – was indeed genuine.

After a moment, Kai broke the kiss, feathered another couple on Rei's neck and then considered his expression.

"I wouldn't let the others see you at the moment. You look like the cat that got the canary," Kai said, allowing a hint of humour to colour his tone.

"Well, not exactly a canary…" Rei replied.

A pause as Kai rubbed a thumb up and down the nape of Rei's neck relaxingly.

"How's your arm feeling?"

"Better than it was. Thanks."

Kai nodded tersely, a swift change in expression took place, and then he abruptly shrugged out of Rei's embrace and went over to the sink to wash his hands.

Rei frowned in puzzlement – what did I do? – when he heard a cough at the kitchen door.

"Umm… morning guys, what's for breakfast?" Kenny asked, grinning sheepishly.

*                      *                      *

After Rei had explained to the others about what had occurred that night in the forest, he left them to their discussion and deductions and walked out into the fresh air. He could hear them arguing about where to head next.

'South, no, up Kandora's Way, no, west…' and so on.

Tyson was being stubborn, but Kai's silent resolve was just a different form of argument in itself.

Rei kicked at the dust and let rip his BeyBlade, which bounded from boulder to log, then boulder again. Rei was unsure as to whether Kenny had seen anything when they'd been in the kitchen, and he'd hadn't let on if he had. Kai had just walked out without looking at either one of them, and Rei had glanced at Kenny and shrugged apologetically.

Kai obviously didn't want anyone to know about their relationship (if you could call it that). That was a blunt fact, judging from the way he'd acted earlier with Kenny. Rei could understand that decision, but he knew the rest of the team would probably find out sooner than later anyway. It caused problems though. Kai reverted to his old façade when back with the BladeBreakers and, in turn, Rei had to ignore him. But he was so acutely aware of Kai's presence that it was quite a feat in itself to concentrate whenever he was around.

Rei swiftly leapt upon a log as his BeyBlade came hurricaning past him. It felt good to be outside. He grinned inwardly, for he actually felt quite content for once. And it was also proper to train here on new ground.

The training lasted till late afternoon, when Tyson suddenly burst out of the cabin, red-faced and looking quite pissed. Max trailed after him, telling him to calm down. Rei pocketed his BeyBlade in a hurry, and got down to see what all the fuss was about.

"Tye, he's out team leader. What he says goes!" Max tried to say, sounding exasperated.

"Rei!" called Tyson, "What do you think?" he demanded, ignoring Max, black hair and brown eyes wild.

"About what?" Rei queried hesitantly.

"We'll be setting out again tomorrow, seeing as you've finished that… thing off. Kai wants us to go north, following that path from yesterday. Ya know the one."

"What's wrong with that?"

"It's totally safe now, that's what's wrong with it. We're never going to get into any battles if we're gonna follow that path!" Tyson took a breath, and then continued on, voice hard and words persuasive, " We need training. Any training possible. And if we go North we ain't gonna get any. We should go east; for sure."

Rei nodded reluctantly. He agreed that they needed more training, why else had they travelled? But he didn't want to directly disagree with Kai, and he certainly didn't want another argument between Tyson and Kai to spring up for the hundredth time.

"I say we should take a vote, " Tyson suggested slyly.

"That sounds suspiciously a bit like mutiny, Tyson," Kai's self-composed voice broke in, his chilly distain for their current topic of argument obvious. He stood behind Tyson, arms crossed and intimidating, mental and emotional shields up.

"And you'd know how to go about that, wouldn't you?" Tyson snapped, whipping around to face him.

"What are you insinuating, Granger?"

"I think you know what. I'd never put it past you to betray us," Tyson's hands clenched at his sides, knuckles white, "that's why you'd rather we followed the safer direction, so we'd miss any training out there. Then you'd leave us to join those Demolition guys again, eh? You're sabotaging us!"

"I've had about enough of you, Granger," Kai grounded out, "every decision I've made these past few months, you've found an excuse to dispute it." He pointed a finger at Tyson's chest, stabbing down to get his point across.

"Guys…" Max tried to interrupt.

"Shut up." Kai snapped.

Max took an involuntary step back, an open hurt expression on his face. Kai ignored him.

"I'm. Not. A. Traitor. But I've had enough of you showing off and strutting about like the idiot you are. If you want out of the team, you'll get it. But if you want my captain position, you'll have to fight me black and blue to get it." Kai's maroon eyes were fiery, bitter anger clear in every line and sinew of his body. Every word spat out with force.

"That can be arranged," Tyson threatened, cracking his knuckles.

Then, quick as a flash, he'd pummelled into Kai fists first, and the scuffle began. Rei stood in shock for a worrying moment, watching the tussling and the dust fly up, hoping that weren't violently injuring one another, when Kenny yelled out:

"Rei, do something!!!" A frightened note noticeable in his voice.

In an instant, Kai got the upper hand. He flipped Tyson onto his back, and held him down quite efficiently.

Getting his bearings – and pissed off with the stupid situation and for the way they'd ruined his comfortable day – Rei dashed forward, grabbed a fistful of Kai's top and yanked him off Tyson, although careful not to hurt him. He stood in-between the two brawlers, creating a barrier. Then he got stuck into the both of them. Only verbally.

"Shit. I'm sick to God of you two arguing all the time, but physically causing damage to one another? That takes the friggin' cake. Jesus, the both of you are making me sick."

Rei, in an effort to hold his own wrath back, took all the frustration that'd been building up inside of him out on the two offenders. He kicked Tyson – who was still on the ground – and shoved Kai roughly away. They looked at Rei in alarm, although they were both still quite irate.

"Max and Kenny have had enough. I've had enough. Get over the teenage angst thing and grow the hell up. Damn, better yet, you can both get fucked." With that statement made, Kai stormed off, distinctively muttering the word 'arseholes'.

Tyson watched Rei's departure in bewilderment, surprised at his use of profanities, whereas Kai just wiped the blood from his lip and walked off also. Kenny went back inside the cabin, cleaning his glasses as he did so and shaking his head, and Max shuffled over to help Tyson up.

"Shouldn't have done that, Tye."

A pause.

"Yeah, I know."

"C'mon, let's get you patched up."

*                      *                      *

It was past dinnertime when Rei returned to the cabin. He'd had time to cool off, and had been quite taken aback at his own actions and what he'd said… or rather, yelled. Plus, he usually never used vulgar language. He supposed that Kai and Tyson had had it coming to them for a long time anyway. They'd needed a waking up call, and Rei had certainly given it to them.

He could hear the gang murmuring inside, so he pushed open the door and slid inside.

Whatever conversation they'd been having immediately stopped. A lamp was lit in a corner of the room, and Rei could see Max, Tyson and Kenny sitting in various places. No Kai.

Rei coughed, clearing his throat, and asked directly:

"Where's Kai?"

"Don't know, don't care," came Tyson's predictable reply. He was chewing on a muesli bar, clearly still pissed about what had transpired that evening.

"Shut it, Tye," ordered Max, elbowing Tyson in the ribs, who rewarded him with an 'oww'.

"He's still out, Rei," Max informed him, "he came back an hour ago – I think he was looking for you – then left again."

Rei mulled over this for a fat second, a warm feeling blooming within him at the knowledge that Kai had been looking for him.

"Thanks. Ah, I'll be back later, then."

"No worries, Little Cub. We'll keep some leftovers for you."

Rei thanked him again and left the cabin. He stalked around to the back towards the sunset, and down the hill a little ways, finding Kai training in a small clearing. He gave a small sigh of relief. The flashes of red and gold hadn't been the sunset, but were that of Dranzer.

Kai immediately caught sight of Rei, called back Dranzer in a blaze of scarlet, and packed away his BeyBlade. He waited patiently as Rei paced towards him, scanning Rei from head to toe, ruby coloured eyes revealing nothing but a little concern.

When Rei got close enough to see the cut on Kai's lip, he halted his process and said:

"Look, Kai, sorry about wha – "

"Nevermind. Forget it."

"But – "

"I said forget it."

Rei nodded; glad to have that over with. He looked at the ground, unwilling to meet Kai's gaze, and scuffed his boots in the grass.

"Rei."

He looked up to find Kai standing closer. Much closer.

"I have to depart from the team tomorrow. I've been called home," Kai clued him up, then added, "I'll be relinquishing captaincy to you for the moment. You'll have to deal with Tyson's insubordination. He certainly won't like this, but he'll listen to you."

Rei tilted his head to the side, hands clasped forcefully together behind his back, nonplussed at this statement.

"Why?"

"It's… family business. Something's come up. That's why I wanted you guys to follow the safer path, because there won't be a fourth BeyBlader to help you out." Kai looked at him, gauging his reactions, but Rei just looked away and swallowed hard, waiting for the earth to open up and consume him.

"It doesn't have anything to do with me, your going away, does it?"

There was a moment's pause, when Rei felt warm fingers under his chin, lifting his gaze to Kai.

Kai's eyes were so different to Rei's. A funny slate grey, but when the light hit them at a certain angle, they gleamed a deep red. They were an attractive shape, with delicately formed smoky eyebrows. Whereas Rei's were almond shaped, feline and amber, with black slashes of eyebrows setting off the effect.

"No. It doesn't." came Kai's reply.

Rei nodded again. He'd had enough of Kai always taking the initiative, so Rei was the one who instigated this kiss, and immediately felt the tension leave the both of them. It was a careful kiss; Rei all too aware of Kai's split lip. But it was frail and passionate all in one. Kai's lips moved against his exquisitely, nibbling on Rei's bottom lip, then the top, and back again.

Rei broke the kiss to ask another question, which ended up with Kai nibbling on his earlobe instead, as if it were some dessert delight.

"Mmm… Are you okay? Did… mmm… Tyson do any – ah – damage?"

"I'm fine. The only damage Tyson did was to himself. Blockhead."

"When… mmm… are you coming back?"

"I've already discussed it with Max," came the muffled reply, annoyed at being distracted from his delicacy, "I'll be meeting up with Kenny in a couple of months, then collecting both Max and Granger at the White Ivory Hotel. Then your village after that."

"Oh. A couple of months."

"Yes. A couple of months," Kai stopped his nibbling, brushing his lips against Rei's and looked at him, " There is such a thing as a phone in existence, is there not?"

"Yes, there is," Rei replied, hardly amused at Kai's sarcasm.

"Good. Do you know how to use it?" A twinkle of humour warmed his icy demeanour.

"Yes. I do know how to use it. Smart arse."

"I knew you were an intelligent one."

Then Kai proceeded to kiss the intelligence out of him.

*                      *                      *

Rei woke so early the next morning that it was still dark. Not early enough though, for Kai had already left. No sign of his bedclothes or backpack. Rei got up and went outside, the air misty and cold at this time of the morning.

Kai had definitely gone. Well, what had he expected, an actual goodbye?

Rei sighed, breath fogging up infront of him.

"He's gone, then?"

Kenny came up behind him, and he nodded in answer.

"Yes."

"You'll see him in a couple of months," Kenny reassured.

Rei turned to look at him, and studied his face carefully. Kenny knew. And he didn't care! He. Did. Not. Care! Rei felt a great weight remove itself from his shoulders, and he seemed to breath easier than he had for quite a time. Maybe everything would turn out fine?

"Yeah. A couple of months."

A cheeky smile suddenly graced Kenny's facial features, and he said:

"You better have some real breakfast today. Swapping saliva with Kai doesn't count."

Rei blinked, amber eyes wide, shocked.

"You're spending way too much time with Tyson. He's rubbing off on you. Now get inside, imbecile."

End of Chill

Sequel: Blissful Ignorance

A/N: It was brought to my attention by one of my reviewers that Rei is meant to be taller than Kai. This fanfic is based approximately two years after the third series, so I had deliberately taken the liberty of making Kai a tad taller than Rei, seeing as teens usually have growth spurts around that age. Plus, it suited my story.