Disclaimer: Only going to say this once. I dont own Beyblade, k?

Chapter 1

And After All These Years...

The 18 year old boy pushed his way through the crowded airport, listening closely to the announcements being called. It was only 8:30pm, but even so, the flight was already late. Sighing, the boy made his way over to some empty seats and sat down. He wished Kon would get here soon, yet at the same time, dreaded his arrival.

Light blue hair fell into the small boy's face as he leaned back in the chair. People rushed around him, but he merely closed his eyes, shutting out the curious looks he was getting. Ok, so maybe it was a little strange to see the famous Kai Hiwatari in an American airport such as this, but he couldn't help it. In fact, he didn't care. Why was it his problem that people couldn't keep their eyes off him? He didn't even want to be here, but due to circumstances beyond his control...

Felling something hard press up against his leg, Kai opened his eyes and reached into his pocket, pulling out a blue Beyblade. Dranzer gleamed in the middle, and for a moment her gaze seemed almost accusing. Then the boy shook his head and blinked. It was just his imagination, wasn't it? Still feeling slightly guilty, Kai reached into his other pocket and pulled out another blade. This one was dark red and black, and it too had a phoenix situated in the center. Black Dranzer... why he hadn't gotten rid of it, he didn't know. But then again, why should he? Why should he throw away the most powerful bit beast in the world? 'Its evil' said a small voice, 'that's why'

Kai frowned. 'Its only evil if you let it control you' he argued. 'And believe me, I don't intend to allow it.' But... did he have a choice? Again, there was that feeling of power, that feeling that he was the best, that no one could stop him. No one could stand in his way... Kai hated that feeling. He changed into a different person when the power took over him. Quickly he put both blades back into his pocket. He didn't want anyone to see them. He got enough attention as it was. As if to prove that thought, he suddenly felt a light touch on his arm. Kai quickly looked up into the blue eyes of a small American kid, no older than 10. Kai glared, knowing what was coming next.

Unfazed by the cold look, the young boy stared down at him with wide eyes. "Are you really Kai Hiwatari? Wow! I never thought I would actually meet you!" he beamed down at the older blader. Kai just rolled his eyes and opened his mouth, intending to snap at the kid to leave him alone. But... Kai closed his mouth with a snap. Something about the look on the boys face made him stop. Those eyes. They were- they were exactly like... 'No, I can let myself think about that again.' He thought firmly and stood up, ignoring the gasps and whispers coming his way. He was used to this, but would never like it, unlike the rest of his teammates.

Leaving the disappointed kid behind, Kai moved over to the large glass windows that looked out over the rest of the landing grounds. It was nearly dark out, and the blue haired blade could barely make out the people walking towards the doors that lead inside. The plane should have been here half an hour ago! He didn't have all day to wait around. It was bad enough that Tate and Kinomiya were arriving tomorrow, without him being stuck in the airport for the rest of the night, waiting for the neko-jin. "Damn, why couldn't Mr Dickenson come to get Kon? Why did it have to be me? Stupid bloody puffed up arrogant—"

"Now, Hiwatari, do you really want to finish that? I didn't think we said goodbye on that bad of terms."

Kai whirled around, and looked up at the smirking boy that was standing before him. Long black hair was braided down his back, while the rest fell over his forehead, held up by a white headband. One of his fangs poked over his bottom lip, and his yellow eyes glinted with raw humour. Kai let his gaze travel down the others body slowly, taking in the tight white shirt and dark blue baggy pants, and then glared back into the golden stare of his teammate.

"Kon," he growled threateningly. "Do you have any idea how fucking long I've been waiting?"

"That eager to see me, Hiwatari? I thought you didn't care... anymore." Rei said coolly, watching with satisfaction as the smaller boy's eyes flashed dangerously. Kai curled his lip, then turned around and started to walk towards the exit, people hurrying to get out of his way. Smirking slightly, Rei followed.

Outside a taxi was waiting for them. Kai stalked over to it, the neko-jin followed, eyeing the yellow cab with interest. "What, no limo? This some sort of new style for you, Hiwatari?" Ignoring the fuming look Kai was giving him, Rei opened the door cheerfully and got in, the blue haired blader following suit. Kai stared out the window, determinately not looking at Rei. The neko-jin smiled to himself, and let his gaze travel over the other boy. He liked being able to observe his captain, without being caught. And since Kai was so resolutely staring away from him, now was the perfect time to do it. Until, of course, Kai turned, feeling eyes watching him.

"What are you looking at, Kon?" he spat, glaring at Rei with a heated look.

The neko-jin just shook his head, avoiding the question. "Remind me why we are doing this again?"

Kai shrugged indifferently. "Dickenson didn't tell me. He only said to pick you up, and then meet him at the hotel we're staying in." Rei nodded, and then looked in the back. Kai's bags were there too, mixed in among his own. "Hey, Hiwatari? Why is your stuff back there to? Why isn't it at the hotel?"

"Because I just got off the damn plane from Russia an hour ago. I had to come straight here to meet you."

"Oh." Rei quickly glanced over at the other boy. He had closed his eyes, and was leaning against the window. Now that the neko-jin looked closer, Kai did seem pretty tired. The blue paint on his cheeks was slightly smeared, and he had faint dark shadows under his eyes. The silver long sleeved shirt he was wearing was all wrinkled, and the black pants he was wearing, similar to Rei's own, were covered in dirt. Only the long white scarf around his neck seem perfect. Smiling gently, Rei turned and closed his own eyes. It was quite a ways into the city.

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Did you really think that I'd forget? You can erase the past, Rei...

Mr. Dickenson watched the two team mates glare at each other from opposite sides of the table, before finally clearing his throat, breaking the uncomfortable silence. "I suppose you two are wondering why I decided to bring the team back together?" when the boys nodded, he continued. "Well, I have my reasons, and no doubt the other will want to hear them as well. Therefore, I am going to wait until Tyson, Kenny and Max get here to explain. That—" he held up his hand, for Rei and Kai had opened their mouths to protest, "is my decision. It will be much easier to tell it once, than twice. Now, here is the key to your room, boys. You will share one, and Tyson and Max will have another with the chief." The old man stood up. "Be down here by 10am, and we will all go to the airport to meet the rest. Goodnight!"

Kai watched him walk out the doors with a look of horror on his face. "We have to share a room?" the boy asked, glaring coldly over at Rei.

The neko-jin smirked. "What's wrong Hiwatari? Back then, you would have been thrilled! Something change?" he looked across the table, and saw the blue haired blader clench his fist angrily, and stand up, crimson eyes flashing dangerously.

"Watch yourself, Kon," Kai spat, "you know everything changed." He picked up the key that was lying on the table and looked at it. "We're in room 315." He pushed back his chair and walked towards the elevator, not looking back to see if Rei was following. The neko-jin sighed, and stood up as well, walking towards the stairs. He didn't feel like being trapped inside a small box with an angry Kai at the moment. Especially after that...

Kai stood outside the room for a moment, glancing down the hall to see if Rei was coming. When they remained empty, he growled, and opened up the door, leaving it open so Rei could come in. flicking on the lights, Kai glanced around the room, then stared in shock. He couldn't believe it! Why the hell would Dickenson give them a room with only one bed! Kai felt his hands begin to tremble a bit, so he clenched them into fists. He was still standing there, wondering what to do, when Rei walked in. "What wrong, Hiwatari?"

Kai whirled around. "There's only one bed." He hissed. "So I guess that means you'll be sleeping on the floor." Rei raised an eyebrow at the small boy who was glaring so icily up at him. "And what makes you think that I will sleep on the floor?" the neko-jin asked mildly.

"Because I don't intend to, and there's no way in hell we're sharing!"

"But I want to sleep on the bed! You sleep on the floor!"

"I'm your captain. I should get the damn bed!"

"Language, Hiwatari. You never used to be this vulgar!"

"Shut up, Kon. I'm not sleeping on the floor!"

"But your way smaller than me! You take up less room!" Rei argued. "What happened?" he continued, not thinking. "You always used to be so nice to me!" Apparently, that last one hit a nerve. The small boy's eyes began to glow dark red as he stalked towards Rei. Rei looked a bit scared, and slowly backed up. "Now, Hiwatari, calm down—"

"I told you to watch yourself, Kon." Kai spat. "What does it take to get it through your thick head—" A man in the background was laughing, while the black haired blader tried desperately to explain himself. "No! Please, I didn't want— you have to believe me! Just let me explain—" he was pushed to the floor, golden eyes filled with pain... Kai cried out, and suddenly his eyes faded back to normal as he stumbled, almost falling to the floor.

Rei caught Kai before he hit the ground. The boy was swaying slightly, unable to stand on his own. The neko-jin stared into his captain's eyes, and was startled to see how tired Kai suddenly looked. For a moment, Rei felt extremely guilty, but he pushed it aside. "Look Hiwatari. Lets share the bed for tonight, and tomorrow we can talk to Mr. Dickenson about switching rooms, ok?" Kai just nodded. "Ok, now go get ready. I'll use the bathroom after you." again Kai nodded, and stumbled off, closing the door behind him. For a moment Rei just stood there blinking, wondering what just happened. Then, shaking his head, he pulled off his pants so he was in just his boxers and the white t-shirt.

When Kai walked out of the bathroom, Rei brushed past him without looking at him, and closed the door with a snap. It was too late to have a shower, so the neko-jin turned to the big mirror, and began to un-braid his hair. Completely undone, the soft black strands fell to his knees, floating around his face. He also unwrapped the while binds from around his arms, and placed them by the side of the sink. Looking up into the mirror, he gazed at himself for a moment, then reached up and brushed his hair out of his eyes, running his fingers through it.

If only the past could be changed... if only it had never happened...

When Rei finally opened the door and walked out, the room was dark, and Kai was already curled up under the blankets. The neko-jin silently made his way over to the other side of the bed, and slipped under the covers next to the other boy. Rei rolled over onto his stomach and closed his eyes, feeling the warmth spread over him. He didn't know what had made Kai act like that tonight. The swift change I personalities was almost alarming. He felt Kai shift slightly beside him, and smiled to himself. He hadn't realized how much he had missed the other boy...

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He awoke late that night, and for a moment, he couldn't figure out why. Beside him, Kai turned again, tossing this way and that, one hand clenched tightly to his pillow. Quickly Rei sat up and looked over at him. Kai was shivering violently, and mumbling in his sleep. Rei hesitated, then slowly reached out a hand and touched Kai's shoulder. The boy visibly tensed, and froze for a second, before rolling over to face the neko-jin. "No, no he wouldn't! You're lying!" Rei's eyes grew wide, but he didn't release his hand. Kai whimpered softly, his hand tightening in the pillow. "Why did you do it, Rei?" he mumbled softly, and this time Rei did withdraw his hand, as though he had been burned. 'What should I do?' the neko-jin thought silently, staring down at the beautiful boy. Silent tears were now running down Kai's cheeks, as he whimpered again.

Rei sighed, and did the only thing he could think of. He lay back down and pulled the shaking boy into his arms. Immediately, Rei felt something click. Kai fit into him perfectly. It was... it brought back... so many unwanted memories... He felt Kai slowly calm down, and the shivering stopped, although a few tears still clung to his dark lashes. The smaller boy clutched the neko-jin's shirt in his fists, and buried his face into the others neck, sighing contentedly. Rei sighed to, feeling a dull ache in his heart. 'You're going to kill me tomorrow, Kai.' He thought sadly, gazing down at the sleeping boy. But... it felt so right. He reached down and stroked Kai's cheek, running his fingers over the paint free skin. 'He looks so vulnerable like this, like someone could break him at any moment...' The small boy mumbled something unintelligent, and moved closer into Rei's body, nuzzling at his neck. Sighing softly, Rei gently kissed the top of Kai's head, before closing his own eyes.

"Goodnight, Kai." He whispered softly into the darkness. "Sleep well, my love."

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A/N: New story! Yay! Please review!