A/N: The story takes place six years after the Bladebreakers(A.K.A. BBA Revolution) breaks up. It is told from Kai's point of view.(Unless otherwise stated.) I tried my best to keep everyone in character, so please don't write a review like: "Dude Kai was so OOC! like OMG it so totally unbelievable!!!111one one ... Your story sucks, man!" I gladly welcome criticism, but please don't bash my story.
I respect your opinion as a reader/reviewer, so please respect mine as the author.
Moving on...
Also note that I used their Japanese names: Ray...Rei, Tyson...Takao, Kenny...Kyouju, Hiro...Hitoshi, Hilary...Hitomi
Warnings: Language, sexual content, alcohol use and yaoi
Pairings: undecided. (KaiRei for sure but there may be more)
Bide Your Time
Chapter 1: The Reunion
I sigh heavily as rain begins to fall from the darkening sky. I flip on my windshield wipers and lean back further into my cold leather seat. My eyes strain to keep sight of the road in the darkness.
"Stupid rain, thanks to you I'm gonna be late," I murmur beneath my breath. My grip on the wheel tightens as I glance over at the clock. "Damn it…"
I'm on my way to the Hotel Kira-Kira to meet up with my former team mates before the tournament next week. It's been six years since our last tournament together; six years since we've last seen each other; six years since I've held a beyblade in my hands. None of us kept in contact after the team broke up. We just went on with our old lives like we'd never met.
Last year I graduated from collage and moved into my own apartment in Tokyo. I'm a chef at a traditional Japanese restaurant downtown, it pays pretty well too. Not much to brag about but I'm happy with my simple existence.
After a long, boring drive I finally arrive. Stepping inside of the hotel my stomach clenches. What should I say to them? What if they don't even remember me? I shake off my ever-persistent pessimism and stroll up to the front desk.
"Excuse me, Miss," I begin, clutching my bag tightly. "KAI!!!" I turn to see who called my name, but am suddenly knocked onto the floor.
I lift my head slowly and see that I have been glomped by a little Japanese boy. "Dude, what the hell?" I mumble. The boy smiles at me and gives me another hug.
"It's me, Takao! Didn't you recognize me? Kai I missed you so much! Wow, you haven't changed a bit! In fact, I think I'm taller than you now. Hey, where are those blue thingies you used to have on your face? Ha ha I thought they were tattoos or something but I guess they must have just been face paint," Takao blurts in my ear.
I shove him off and quickly stand to my feet. "You haven't changed either," I reply coldly. Takao stands up as well and I get a better look at him. He looks basically the same as the last time I saw him. His clothes are a little less bright, his hair is a bit shorter and he's a bit taller as well. But that's about it.
"Come on, buddy. I'll show you which room we're staying in," Takao says as he pulls me to the elevator. "Rei and Max are at the pool right now, but I'm sure they'll be back soon," He explains as we get in the elevator.
I nod absent-mindedly as I let myself lean against the elevator wall. It's all so surreal. Is this really happening?
"It's funny, huh?" Takao says out of the blue. I lift my head and look at him. "I mean, I honestly never thought I'd see you again, Kai. None of us did. Rei even bet you wouldn't come today," he sighs as he leans back too.
I don't respond. The elevator stops and we both step out. I follow him silently as he takes me to our room.
"We have two queen sized beds and a pull-out couch. Rei already claimed the couch, and we figured you'd want you own bed; so Max and I will share one bed and you can have the other. Sound okay?" The boy asks, flopping down on his bed. He switches the T.V. on and immediately starts flipping through the channels.
I snap out of my daydream. "Uh, yeah, sure," is all that comes out of my mouth. I set down my suitcase in a corner and slip off my jacket. My eyes are tired from driving, so I close them and curl up on my bed. I think about getting changed and going down to the pool to see the others, but in the end I decide I'm too tired.
Maybe I should talk to Takao more but I really could care less right now… The light above my bed is warm on my cold skin and the buzz of the T.V. doesn't seem to bother me. My mind wanders to some other time in a distant place as I slip into a dream.
A warm hand gently caresses my neck and I unconsciously lean into the touch, longing for more. An arm is around my waist and someone is holding me. "Mm." I roll over and snuggle closer to the warmth.
Wait a minute… My eyes flutter open and I stare into a familiar face. "Good morning, Sunshine," Hitoshi whispers in my ear.
"What the fuck?!" I sit up and nearly fall off the bed. "What in Dranzer's name do you think you're doing, bastard?" I blurt as a blush creeps onto my face.
"Ha ha You should have seen the look on your face," The older man chuckles. He observes my disturbed expression and gives me a warm smile as he ruffles my hair. "Chill out, Kai. You were just so cute, I had to tease you a little," He pleads.
I cross my arms and clench my teeth. "Nice one, Hitoshi," someone giggles. I spin around to see Rei and Max sitting with Takao on the other bed. I grab a pillow, hold it to my chest and burry face into it. God I can't believe he would do that. What a creep…
"Why are you even here?" I ask, my voice muffled by the pillow. Hitoshi seizes the pillow and props it up behind his back. "I coach one of the teams that will be competing in the tournament," He answers as he leans back into the pillow. "I thought I'd drop by and say hi to you guys, but you Takao said you'd been sleeping ever since he brought you up here."
As he said that I remember that I'm extremely tired, so I let myself sink back into the soft bed. "Don't molest me while I'm sleeping, pervert," I spit. Everyone burst out laughing.
"Did you know lots of old teams are getting together for this tournament, Kai?" Rei inquires quietly. That catches my attention. "Really? Like who?" I ask groggily.
"Well, I know the White Tigers are here and I think the Blitzkrieg Boys are too. Then Borcloff's old bladers, who Hitoshi is coaching. Some others too but I can't remember everyone's names," Rei says with a smile. I take a moment to look at him to see what has changed over the years. His hair is as long as ever, only it's braided instead of being wrapped. He still wears traditional Chinese clothing.
"Where are Kyouju and Hilary?" I ask as I finally notice they're not here. "Kyouju's busy with collage and Hiromi committed suicide two years ago," Max answers blankly. "Oh," is all I can think of to say. I guess I never really liked Hiromi anyway…
I sigh deeply, wishing I could chat happily with them and act like we'd never been apart. But it isn't that simple. I feel like something's holding me back. I'm so afraid that if I get caught up in all of this again, I'll be heart-broken when I have to go back to the real world. It's foolish, I know.
"Want something to drink, Kai? You're finally of age, right(1)?" Max teases. I realize that without Kyouju here, I'm the youngest one(2). "Uh, sure," I mumble, half asleep.
"Awe, you're so young and innocent," Hitoshi swoons, and I begin to wonder how much he's had to drink already. Max hands me a small glass and I chug it in one gulp. My throat burns and my head aches.
"Dude did you just drink it all at once?" Max gapes. I nod slowly. "That's pretty impressive. This stuff is some of the strongest sake on the market," he adds with a smile. Thanks for telling me that now, Max. "Want some more?" he asks light-heartedly. "I guess so," I sigh.
Hitoshi finishes off his glass and pours himself some more. "So, Kai," he begins unevenly , "do you have a girlfriend yet?" The question catches me off guard and I nearly choke on my sake.
"Whoa, that was random. Actually, uh, no. I never really got into the whole dating thing, I guess," I reply. Everyone in the room stares at me for a few minutes. "What?" I snap.
Rei lets out a nervous laugh. "Don't freak out, Kai. I don't have anyone either," he says in consolation. I take another swig of my sake and gesture for Hitoshi to pass me the bottle. He complies and falls back on his pillow.
"What about you guys?" I ask in a desperate attempt to get myself out of the spotlight. They all stare at each other for a while, waiting for the other to go first.
"I'm engaged," Max blurts suddenly. "Dude, really?" Takao yells. "Congrats, man," Rei chimes in.
"Thanks, guys. I've been dating her for about a year now and we just decided last week to get married. Oh, and you're all invited to our wedding!" Max says happily, smiling at the thought of his bride-to-be, or maybe it's just all the alcohol…
Takao claps his hands excitedly. "Good for you, Maxie. As for me, I have a girl that I've been dating for a while now. It's nothing serious, but she's good company," he explains. I roll my eyes and sigh at his boasting.
"Single," Hitoshi says simply. "Same here," Rei agrees. "Okay now that that's settled," Takao starts, "I think we're out of sake already." Various moans of discontentment rose up from around the room. "I think we have a few beers left in the fridge," Rei pipes up.
I stand up to go get one but stumble on my way. Damn refrigerator, stop spinning! I grab a beer and hop back into bed.
"Had a bit too much to drink there, Kai?" Takao taunts. "Shut up, bitch," slides off my tongue. He just laughs in reply. I chug the beer down and crumple the can in my fist.
The world begins to blur and I rub my eyes in an attempt to see correctly. "Hand me another one, Max," I blurt. "Uh, I think you've had enough for now, Kai," he giggles. I am beginning to feel my tiredness again and decide not to argue.
"Okay guys, I think I'm going back to my room while I can still walk straight," Hitoshi says as he slides off the bed. "See everyone in the morning."
Max helps Rei set up the pull-out couch and Takao falls asleep the minute his head hit's the pillow. I take off my shirt and slip under my covers. The lights go out and everything is quite and calm. I pull my blankets closer in an attempt to draw warmth to myself but find none there.
I quietly slide out of bed and stumble over to the couch. My eyes are adjusted to the darkness so I just stare at Rei for a moment or two. Then I jump in bed and cuddle up to the Chinese blader.
"What are you doing, Kai?" Rei mumbles. "I'm cold," I whimper as I cuddle closer. "God, you are so wasted," he sighs. "Fine, I guess you can stay, but don't blame me when you wake up in the middle of the night and wonder what's going on."
I close my eyes and fell asleep in Reis arms.
To be continued...
(1) The legal drinking age in Japan is twenty years old.
(2) In the end of G Revolution, Kai and Kyouju are fourteen, Max and Takao are fifteen and Rei is sixteen.(approximately)