A/N: I know I have written fics to complete as well as start working on fics which I promised the readers of 'My Roomie' but this concept entered my head saying 'write me, write me' and so I decided to. Besides this is an attempt to re-establish Kai/Ray fandom since there has been a recent lack of good Kai/Ray fics. I mostly find myself seeing KaiTy and OC fics so I decided to go with this. Also it's my birthday in a little while and I wanted to post something on occasion.

Disclaimer: Don't. Own.

Linked Together

By Stunstar

Chapter 1 – The plan commences

For once in his life Tyson Granger was neither eating, nor was he challenging random people to beyblade matches. And for the first time in his life Tyson was being observant and was quietly pondering something that had been disturbing him for a long, long time. For those who know Tyson that would be the point to pass out cold from shock. Tyson being observant? Tyson quietly pondering? And most of all, Tyson not eating?

Now all of this would make one wonder what was it that captivated Tyson's attention enough to keep him from being himself. The answer would be the two older members of his team. One was Kai, the captain, who Tyson had termed 'ice-block' and a variety of other names along those lines. The other would be Ray, the cat-like member of their team.

Standing in a very safe spot behind a tree Tyson carefully observed his older (and far more talented) team members. And right now he was ready to scream with frustration. Here he was forgoing food to watch them and what were they doing? Nothing.

Yes, those two were doing absolutely nothing. Tyson had been there watching them for about twenty minutes and all they had done was sit there on the back porch in their stupid companionable silence. Ray would occasionally say something to which Kai would give a short response and that was it. Tyson was getting increasingly irritable. He didn't know what it was but something told him that those two had something for one another, and it annoyed him to no end that neither of them did anything about it. Why it annoyed him would be another unsolved mystery. Also it had been high time since he had pulled a prank, so both his goals could be accomplished hand-in-hand.

As he continued watching, Ray said something which made Kai smirk and give a retort which caused Ray to give a small frown even though his eyes glinted in amusement.

"I hate you." Tyson heard Ray say as he got up. But there was something very different about the way he said it and it made Tyson grin.

"I know you do." Tyson heard Kai reply with a smug air about him. Ray grinned and passed Kai to go back in through the back door. On his way his rope of hair smacked Kai on the arm, deliberately?

Tyson had seen enough. Grinning gleefully he made his way towards the kitchen through the front entrance, all that watching had made him hungry. Inside the kitchen Max was talking animatedly to Kenny who was characteristically clattering away at his laptop. After surrounding himself with all the eatables he could find Tyson sat down to eat.

"I've got the most brilliant plan to get Kai and Ray together," he announced as he stuffed himself.

Max and Kenny both looked dubiously at him, or rather Max did; you couldn't really tell with Kenny since he had no visible eyes.

"You wanna run that by me again Tyson, you have a what to get together who?" Max asked inquisitively.

Tyson looked at him impatiently, "You heard me Max, stop being a comic."

This time it was Kenny who spoke up, "Tyson what makes you think they want to be together? Has it occurred to you that they might not even be gay?"

Tyson waved an arm airily, "Details, details. It is clearly evident that those two have a thing for each other."

Max and Kenny exchanged a look, when Tyson used worlds like 'clearly evident' something was not right and it worried them.

Tyson continued, "They just need an incentive to get together."

"And you are going to provide that incentive?" Max asked skeptically.

"Yes, and I have a perfect plan on how to do it."

"How? Pray tell, oh mighty Tyson," Max said grinning having decided to humour his friend. He was obviously having certain problems due to serious deprivation of food or something, he would be fine after he stuffed himself or so Max thought.

"It is a wonderful scheme planned by my brilliant mind." Tyson declared pompously.

Max couldn't help himself, "Your brilliant what Tyson?"

Tyson frowned, "Mock me if you will, but I have faith in my brilliance."

"Tyson stop it, you are scaring us now," Max said nervously.

"I'll make believers of you yet," said Tyson getting up from the table (after consuming everything in sight) and walked off.

Max and Kenny stared after him.

"Do you realise that we are friends with a complete lunatic?"

Max could only nod in assent to the question.

-----

Max was sitting on the couch surfing the channels on TV. He was highly bored. Kenny was sitting in the far corner as usual with his laptop. Tyson wasn't to be seen and Kai and Ray had both gone out. The sound of the door slamming announced the arrival of someone and moments later Tyson breezed in, his hands behind his back and a grin plastered on his face. Max turned off the TV and jumped happily at the arrival of his friend.

"What's that behind your back Tyson?" Max asked eagerly.

"Are Kai and Ray here?" Tyson asked lowering his voice and looking around for the said two.

Max shook his head, "No, they've both gone out, why?"

Tyson grinned and produced a pair of shiny looking handcuffs. Max gaped and even Kenny came over to see what was up.

"Tyson where did you get that?" the Chief exclaimed.

"That doesn't matter," Tyson replied, "but remember I told you about my brilliant plan? Well, this little baby is a part of it. Actually you can say that it is the star of the show."

"What in the world do you plan to do with them?" the blond asked blue eyes wide.

"I'm going to cuff Kai and Ray to one another that way they can't escape and one way or the other they will have to tell each other how they feel."

Max sighed, "Tyson, let's go over this one more time – you don't know if they feel anything for each other besides friendship and respect. Also do you have some kind of a death wish? Kai would tear you limb from limb if you suggest the idea to him and I don't think Ray will appreciate it either."

"Who says I'm going to tell them?" Tyson asked grin still in place as though what Max had just said was in German.

Max smacked a hand to his face. Kenny sighed, "Tyson are you saying that those two won't know they are bound to one another? They aren't stupid."

"I didn't say they won't find out, of course they will, but only after I put it on them. Once I do that there is nothing they can do, they will be at my mercy."

Max leaned towards Kenny and whispered, "Kenny you keep him here, I'll go get the sedatives."

Tyson frowned, "Very funny Max."

Max tried one last time, "Okay Tyson, just tell us what makes you think those two should be together?"

Tyson sat down and looked at them and started talking as though addressing small children. He told them about his various observations the past few days, how the two flirted with each other in very subtle ways probably not even realising it themselves.

"-and to top it off I was observing them today and Ray said 'I hate you'," Tyson finished triumphantly.

Max sighed for what seemed like the millionth time, "Tyson, not meaning to sound rude but in which country's language does 'I hate you' actually mean 'I love you'?"

"You weren't there! You didn't hear the way he said it!"

Max and Kenny slumped in their seats. They knew there was no way to get Tyson to back out of this. Once his mind was set on something he saw it through the end. And this time it seemed he was heading for a very painful end.

Tyson got up, "Look even if they don't wanna be together you have to admit this is going to be one helluva prank. I'm doing it tonight, when they are asleep. I'll go keep this in my room till it's time to commence the plan." Then he jogged off to the room he and Max shared.

Max and Kenny stared after him both coming to one conclusion – their friend was soon going to be a dead lunatic.

Just then the door opened again and Ray and Kai came in. Ray smiled in greeting whereas Kai stalked off towards the kitchen without giving them a second glance. Tyson came back in and his face split into a wild grin. Max had a feeling Tyson was going to give the game away before it even began which Max felt would be better since this prank was not quite stable according to him and would lead to a certain amount of bloodshed.

"What have you guys been up to?" asked Ray conversationally.

"Nothing." they said in unison, though they were in very different tones – Tyson said it too enthusiastically, Kenny's voice took a squeaky note and Max's tone was slightly nervous. Ray arched an eyebrow. He was no fool, something was up. Before he could interrogate them further Kai came in.

"Whose turn is it to cook dinner?" he asked coldly.

"Mine," said Max bounding up, eager to get away and almost tripping in his anxiety to reach the kitchen.

"I'll help," Kenny stated and took off after Max, Tyson followed leaving Kai and Ray alone.

"What was that all about?" Ray mused half to himself. Kai shrugged not really caring.

"They've been acting strange," Ray said. Kai walked over and sat down beside him.

"In what way?" he questioned.

"I can't say. Well, forget it. I'm probably reading too much into it," said Ray. They lapsed into one of their comfortable silences. It was nothing new that they preferred each others company to the rest. Being the older members of the team they found the others to be juvenile and they could talk to each other more comfortably.

"Is it something we should be worrying about?" Kai asked after sometime.

"Dunno, I think - "

"Guys, dinner's ready get in here before Tyson finishes it all up," Max hollered from the doorway.

The two got up and made their way to the kitchen. Dinner was a quiet affair but both Ray and Kai felt the others eyes on them. The moment they looked up the others went back to eating. And it was highly unsettling to see Tyson grin at his plate. After long last Kai snapped.

"Tyson, exactly what is so amusing about your plate," he snarled, he disliked such frivolous behaviour.

"Just remembered an old joke," Tyson said half choking. Kai did not quite believe him. He exchanged a look with Ray who shrugged.

After dinner as they got ready for bed Kai was still deep in thought, he turned to Ray who was brushing his hair.

"Is this what you meant by 'they were acting strange'?" Kai asked and Ray nodded with a small smile.

"It had better not be a prank," Kai muttered.

Suddenly Ray chuckled. Kai stared at him. "Don't tell me you've started laughing for no reason?"

Ray shook his head, still grinning, a fang showing itself. "No, I just remembered the last time Tyson played a prank and you made him polish the shoes of all the bladers at the last get together." With the memory of a humiliated Tyson and the dozens of amused bladers Ray laughed again.

Kai felt a small amused smirk tug at his own face. He liked it when Ray laughed, there was something contagious about it and he felt a tiny pride at having been the one to make him laugh. Ray finished brushing his hair and started to braid it to keep it free from tangles while he slept. Kai watched the movements of his hands as he mused over the day's events.

'I wonder what it would be like to touch it.' Kai frowned at the course of his own thoughts. Since when had he given a damn about Ray's hair? Then he realised that the prank Tyson had pulled the last time had nearly caused Ray to loose a chunk of his hair. Kai assured himself that he had punished Tyson solely to fulfill his duty as the team captain and not because he thought Ray had the most wonderful hair.

"Shall I switch off the lights?" Kai looked up startled from his reverie and nodded. Ray switched off the lights and curled up on his bed.

"Goodnight Kai."

"Hn"

'Why can't I say a simple goodnight?' That was Kai's last thought before he fell asleep.

-----

"I'm sure they are asleep by now."

Max groaned, "Tyson, this is suicide! Don't do it."

The two were standing outside Kai and Ray's bedroom in the dark hallway an hour after they had seen the lights being switched off. Max had no intention of being a part of this plan which he was sure would result in death in the most painful way possible at the hands of his captain. Ray wasn't really capable of too much violence but Max had seen Ray when he was very angry and the sight wasn't pretty. If Ray had a reason he could be just as scary as Kai.

With his friend's goodwill at heart Max had tried his best to dissuade Tyson but so far he had no luck. Tyson was adamant on following this foolishness.

"I think they are asleep," Tyson whispered placing his ear to the door and listening. There was no sound from within.

"Tyson what if they are awake? What if you get caught?"

"That's where you come in Max. If they are awake I'm going to tell them you fainted and I got scared so I came to fetch them."

"It will never work, you are going to get us both killed," Max moaned.

"Relax, now I'm going in. Wait for me here. If you hear voices drop to the floor and pretend to be unconscious."

Without waiting for a response Tyson opened the door half expecting a creak, none came. He crept in closing the door softly behind him. Ray and Kai's bedroom faced the street and light from the street lamps filtered through so it wasn't completely dark. Tyson walked quietly and flinched inwardly when one of the wooden floor boards creaked. He paused, heart thudding, eyes closed, praying. He opened his eyes and noticed that the two were still sleeping.

Breathing a sigh of relief he stood at the foot of the bed assessing the situation. Ray and Kai's beds were placed close together just a foot or so apart. Ray was sleeping on the bed on Tyson's left while Kai was on the right side. Ray was curled on his side facing Kai. His right hand clutching his rope of hair and his left hand slung over the edge of the bed. Tyson silently cheered, it looked as though Ray's hand was begging to be cuffed the way it was slung halfway over to Kai's bed.

Then Tyson gazed at Kai and groaned inwardly. Kai was sleeping on his back, his arms cushioning his head.

'Trust Kai to make it difficult,' he thought.

Then he remembered Kenny's words. Tyson, if you really want to go ahead with this insanity make sure that you cuff them on opposing hands. As in, if you cuff Ray's right hand then make sure to cuff Kai's left or one of them will have to walk backwards.

The way Ray was sleeping it was easy to cuff his left hand meaning he would have to make sure Kai's right hand was free. He grinned, that would be better since Kai was right handed he couldn't inflict too much damage when he was in captivity. But the problem – how to cuff them with Kai sleeping the way he was? Tyson would either have to wait till he shifted or he would have to try some other time. As he thought this over Kai shifted. Feeling a surge of panic Tyson did the first thing he could think of and dived under Ray's bed for cover.

From his position on the floor Tyson saw Kai's feet land on the floor. Tyson waited with bated breath but Kai didn't get up or move.

'What is he doing?' Then Tyson grinned, 'maybe he's doing some late night Ray-watching.' Tyson continued grinning at his own thoughts. After a minute or so Kai's legs disappeared but Tyson knew he would have to wait till Kai fell asleep.

Tyson checked his watch for what felt like the millionth time. The glow in the dark digital numbers told him that he had been under Ray's bed for precisely 53 minutes. He was this close to falling asleep in the stifling space under the bed but somehow he managed to stay awake. Surely Kai would have fallen asleep by now?

Praying that to be true Tyson clambered out and for a minute stood straight and stretched his cramped muscles. He glanced at Kai and he half cried out in jubilance. Kai was sleeping on his side, his left hand over his stomach and right hand sprawled out like Ray's. Ray was still in the same position, peacefully sleeping.

'Bless you!' Tyson thought as he edged over to stand in between. It seemed Lady Luck seemed to prefer Tyson a lot as was evident in most of his matches. And even tonight she didn't forsake him. He carefully slipped the cuff into Ray's outstretched hand and heard the reassuring click. Now he would have to bring the two hands closer. Considering that moving Ray's hand was a lot less risky than moving Kai's he carefully pulled the tanned hand a little further until it achieved the conceivable distance. Another familiar click told him he had achieved what he wanted. Now even if they woke up there would be no problem.

He crept out just as silently as he had come in and woke Max who had fallen asleep in the hallway.

Max blinked sleepily, "Tyson, you're alive?"

Tyson grinned triumphantly, "'course I am. They are sleeping like babies in there."

Max still wasn't convinced, "Do you have any idea what's going to happen to you once they get up in the morning and discover what you've done?"

Tyson slipped into his bed without answering not really wanting to dwell on that question.

-----

When Kai woke up for some reason he felt something wasn't right. Still groggy from sleep he looked over at Ray and could barely make out his silhouette which was teetering close to the edge of his bed. Blinking Kai sat up and glanced at the clock. It read 9:15 meaning they had both overslept. He got up and felt his right arm heavier than usual.

'What the - ?' Kai thought, crimson eyes widening as he jerked his right hand up to find a tanned arm joining it with the help of a pair of handcuffs. A soft thud was heard.

Ray who had been dangerously close to the edges of his bed had suddenly been jerked at the hand causing him to loose balance and topple over the edge.

Kai felt another tug at his wrist and due to the incoherence of having just woken up lost his balance as well and fell on top of Ray in the narrow space between the two beds.

Ray groaned loudly. Firstly when he contacted unexpectedly with the floor and secondly when something heavy and warm fell right on top of him.

Kai got up off the slightly squashed nekojinn and his confused stare turned to an angry glare as he finally caught up on what was happening.

Ray sat up as well, wincing at the ache in certain parts of his body, he turned to Kai angrily, "Kai, what's the big deal! There are other ways to wake people up you know. If I have broken my hip bone or something I'll - "

He paused as Kai lifted his right hand. Ray's golden eyes widened as he saw his own left hand rising with it.

"What the hell is this?" Kai growled bringing his face dangerously close to Ray's.

"I have no idea," Ray whispered, bewilderment evident in his eyes and voice as he examined their predicament, "we've been cuffed together? But who - ? Why - ?"

"Can't you think of anyone who's been acting strange, lately?" Kai snarled furiously.

Ray's eyes widened in realisation then his pupils' slitted angrily.

"TYSON"

Tyson had been eating breakfast when he heard his name being furiously bellowed by his teammates in unison and he half-choked on his food. Gulping down the last of his breakfast he made to run just as the two angry bladers entered.

"Explain yourself!" Ray yelled. But Tyson was already out the back door.

"You'll thank me later!" he yelled as he ran.

Kai started to chase him but forgot that he was chained to Ray. His abrupt movement caused Ray to bang his knee on a chair and hiss in pain. Kai stopped and cursed. Tyson was long gone. He turned his attention to Ray who was clutching his knee, eyes closed to will the sharp pain away.

"This is fucking great," Kai fumed then forced himself to calm down, "are you all right?" he asked brusquely.

"Just dandy," Ray snarled back. Then they both paused to take deep breaths. It wasn't either of their fault so there was no use yelling at one another.

"Are you all right?" this time it was Max who asked, a tad timidly and flinched when they both glared at him.

"It was all Tyson's idea," he said desperately.

"You knew about this?" Ray asked shocked.

Max fidgeted, "Yeah well, he made me swear not to tell. Believe me I kept trying to talk him out of it."

Ray forced himself to smile, "I believe you. Now be a good boy and unlock us."

"I can't. I don't know where he's kept the keys."

Kai let out a string of obscenities constantly switching from English to Russian, "When I get my hands on him I am going to make him train till he's too old for it and even then I won't let him stop and then I'll kill him, slowly and painfully."

Ray sighed, "Look, I want to kill Tyson too but right now killing him is the least of our priorities. Maybe we should try and find the key ourselves."

Max looked doubtful, "Tyson keeps the room in a constant mess. And it is possible that he took it with him."

"I don't care," Kai growled, "just find the goddamn key!"

Ray suddenly remembered certain uncomfortable thoughts, "Um, Kai? Incase we don't find the key, how in the world are we going to, you know, get dressed and stuff?"

Kai realised what Ray was saying. Since it was summer time the two found it most comfortable to sleep only in their pants. Right now Ray was wearing only his pajama bottoms and Kai was wearing loose cotton pants – neither had shirts on. How in the world would they wear any shirts being handcuffed like that?

And that was only the beginning of their problems.

Tbc…

A/N: It's midnight! Happy birthday to me! Please review, I'll consider it as the best birthday gifts, it'll make me very happy!