Title: Ten Days

Rating: Teen.

Author/s: Hirurg, with a lot of help from Bljad.

Pairings: Takao/Kai, Kai/OC, Max/Enrique, Rei/Mao, Kenny/Emily, Hilary/?

Disclaimer: Bakuten Shoot Beyblade and all its characters belong to Takao Aoki

Warnings: Original Character, who you will absolutely hate, and that's okay because you're suppose to hate him. Implications of mental and mild physical abuse. Angst, a lot of this.

Author's Note: Firstly there's a fairly large authors note at the bottom I ask you read when you're done with the chapter, anyway moving on: This story takes place ten years after G Revolution, which puts Takao around 26 and Kai around 28. (by my own preference.) Takao and Kai haven't seen each other in almost as long as it has been since the BEGA incident.

So the question is: Can ten days really change everything?

DAY ONE

You've been pulling at the strings playing puppeteer for kings
And you've had enough

If some stranger had walked up to me ten years ago and told me that in a decade I'd be working on completing my doctor of medicine I would have looked them straight in the eye and asked them if they were insane before laughing it off and telling my friends all about it. Who I'm sure would have all responded the same way, throwing in a few remarks about how they must be mixing me up with someone else, someone smart even. It would have resulted in myself and Hilary likely bickering over her being jealous of my obvious brilliance and skill. It would have likely ended with a picturesque sunset and laughter filtering through the air.

But ten years ago I was admittedly in denial of just how naive I was. Ten years ago I had just won my third world beyblade championship, I was just your typical happy, carefree sixteen year old guy, I had a family I loved dearly, friends I could never forget and I had—.

Eight years ago was when everything changed. I don't think I could ever forget what happened in late spring, I don't even think those new pills that help you forget bad memories would work. Late spring, eight years ago, myself and my friends were preparing for our high school graduation, it was absolutely and truly total bliss. Kenny was preparing to go off to get his engineering and computer science degrees, Hilary going to become a lawyer (what could we say, she was good at arguing), Max was setting off to travel around the world again for leisure and not competition, Rei had already moved back to his village to be with Mao, although they intended after their wedding to move into one of the cities so Rei could study culinary arts and—.

I honestly hadn't the slightest idea what I was going to do, probably something with beyblade, probably just become a coach and help my gramps out with the dojo like I always had.

But then my brother Hiro got sick, and my entire world was flipped upside down. When I say he got sick I don't mean he got a bad cold, or the flu or any of that stuff, no he got something called Acute myelogenous leukemia, it's a nasty kind of cancer, the five year survival rate is only about 40%. Hiro fought but after only about five months he couldn't fight anymore and he passed away. I spent all five months by his side, and in those five months I came to realize that as much as I loved beyblade as much as it was an amazing part of my childhood, I needed to let it go, I needed to stop holding onto my childhood and grow. I couldn't stay where I was while all my friends moved on, and grew up around me. I had to either grow up or be left behind. I had always wanted to help people somehow, teaching kids how to beyblade, had always been a good idea. But ultimately, it had just been the easy way, it wasn't until Hiro's death that I realized that maybe I needed to take a harder path to help people to the degree I truly wanted to.

The day after my brothers funeral I left Japan, without a word.

Suffice to say, I didn't attend Rei and Mao's marriage, nor was I present to see the birth of their daughter. I wasn't there when Kenny graduated from school with not two, but three degree's and got a job for the BBA with his now fiance Emily. I wasn't there when Hilary graduated at the top of her class and got to be the speaker for her graduating class. I wasn't there when Max moved to Italy and met Enrique, becoming the unexpected romance, and I wasn't there when—.

I know, leaving and missing such huge events in my friends lives is out of character right? Maybe out of character for the sixteen year old Takao Kinomiya, but at eighteen years old having just lost my only brother I wasn't the same Takao anymore. I wasn't the same naive boy who believed that the world was innocent and as picturesque as that sunset, no, I had seen the real world, and it looked more like a murky puddle of dirty water contaminated by mankind.

So after my brother died, and I left I found myself in England, where I used all my winnings from beyblading to obtain a visa and improve my marks so I could attend university. And not once did I look back, not once did I let myself look back or contact any of my friends. In fact I did everything I could to avoid them knowing that Kenny would probably use his genius computer skills to try to find me, this included changing my name and my appearance, and guess what? Not one of them ever found me, never. Though—.

You know after all this time it's a mystery what pulled me back to beycity this late spring, almost eight years to the day I left, I found myself walking through the beycity airport, with my suitcases in tow. Perhaps I owed it to all of them, perhaps after all this time I owed them an explanation as to why I would take off like I did, and why I would run away. Perhaps I did, but perhaps I didn't, it's not like they hadn't done the same to me before. I suppose it didn't matter what the reasons behind my return truly were, all that mattered was that for the next ten days I was going to be here, and I was sure that gramps had already told my old friends that I was coming, because let's face it. He couldn't keep his mouth shut about me if his life depended on it.

I was roused from my thoughts when I heard a familiar voice, even after ten years I couldn't forget that happy go lucky voice that was running through the airport calling out my name, I stopped letting go of one of my suitcases and raised my hand to wave at the blonde who was currently charging my way.

"Takao!" He called out again with his happy laugh as he reached me before jumping at me pulling me into a bone crushing hug only Max Mizuhara could give, even though I couldn't see his face, I could tell he was grinning from ear to ear and I lowered my hand to loosely hug him back, after a few minutes like that he pulled away, allowing me to breath properly again the smile never leaving his face he spoke again: "Everyone is so excited to see you again. Even Rei, Mao and Rin are coming to Japan!" He proclaimed grabbing onto my hand and one of my suitcases and pulling me towards the exit.

I couldn't help but laugh too, I suppose some things never change.

"Maxie!" I cried out between laughter as he pulled me as fast as he possibly could, I added between laughter "What's the rush?" With that he slowed his pace, looking back at me and laughing nervously letting go of my hand and scratching the back of his head.

"Sorry Taka, I guess I got carried away, it's been so long! I don't want to waste any moment that you're back!" He looked at me with his bright blue eyes the smile as brilliant as I remembered he spoke again to me, his mood a little more somber.

"I guess most of us thought that you wouldn't be coming back. We all thought you'd pulled a Kai on a grand scale." I tensed up the minute he said those words, that name. His smile faded and he looked at me with concern not entirely sure what had caused my obvious reaction.

It took me everything to relax and look up at him and smile again, telling him we should get going, because I didn't want to be stuck in the airport all day, he agreed wordlessly and led the way to a waiting car, where I saw Enrique sitting in the drivers seat looking like this was the last place he wanted to be. That was until Max moved to open the door and his attention turned to us, well more specifically to Max, and he smiled, as if this were the only place on earth he belonged.

Man, I was really going to need to ask about how that one happened.

The drive itself wasn't very eventful, it was filled with a lot of chatter about Kenny and Hilary and how we'd be meeting them at the dojo along with chatter about what we'd do for the next week, every few minutes Max and Enrique would give each other a glance and a small smile, and every time I caught them doing it, it made my stomach churn. It's not like I was grossed out about it or anything, I was really happy Max had found someone to be a rock to him, someone who cared about him so much that their entire world became a million times better when he entered their line of sight. No I was absolutely happy Max had found that someone, but at the same time, I hated that he had. Because it was just a blatant reminder of all the things I had left behind eight years ago, after my brothers death.

I must have spaced out at some point because I didn't realize we were at the dojo until the vehicle suddenly came to a full stop and Enrique cut the engine. I looked up blinking a couple times before smiling softly looking at the home I had left all those years ago, it looked almost exactly the same, with the exception of a few new plants and tree's grandpa must have planted after my leaving. I unhooked my seat belt before throwing the car door open and stepping out, I didn't even have time to get the vehicles door shut before I came face to face with angry brown eyes.

"Where the hell have you been, Takao!" Came Hilary's shrill scream as she huffed and put her hands on her hips, glaring at me, I couldn't help but smile, noticing Kenny had moved up to stand beside me looking between nervous and happy, one thing I noticed immediately: He'd gotten a haircut, no longer did he have shaggy hair that fell into his eyes hiding them. He now stood with his hair cut and only his glasses to hide his hazel eyes, it wasn't until I felt Hilary grab onto my cheek and pull that I was removed from my miniature reverie.

"Hey! Cut it out!" I cried grabbing onto her hand and detaching it from my cheek before rubbing at the now angry and soon to be red cheek.

"Well now that I have your attention" She huffed moving her hands to cross over her chest, "Takao Kinomiya, you have a lot of explaining to do." I sighed and looked away from her, sure to avoid eye contact with Kenny and Max as well I found myself staring at Enrique, almost asking him what I should do, what I should say. But who am I kidding, I barely even know Enrique, how could he possibly give me the answers I so desperately needed.

Finally I looked back up at Hilary her eyes were still on fire, still so angry, but I managed to get it in me to speak to her, not that it was the answer she wanted: "Look, Hilary, can it wait for now. I- I want to go visit Hiro first." Her eyes softened almost immediately in realization that I hadn't just left them behind that day, I had left everything and everyone behind, and I hadn't been to Hiro's grave site since the day he was buried. Slowly her hands dropped from their crossed position and she gave me a small nod before speaking to me once more:

"You can go, but I want you back here by 8PM sharp! You aren't getting out of answering my question" Her eyes held that firm determination they had when they were a teenager, and that fire and passion that made her such a perfect lawyer type, I smiled at her in thanks before moving past her without another word to find grandpa and go see Hiro again. I owed him at least one visit.

Grandpa and I didn't have many words to say to each other, he smiled and hugged me saying he was glad to have me home, that he'd missed me, but besides that it was all just wordless understanding. We walked in the warm spring evening to Hiro's resting place, where he stood and I sat for roughly an hour just remembering all the good times I had with my older sibling. I didn't cry, not once even though I had thought I would. As the sun started to dip on the horizon I stood, moving back to the dojo where my friends awaited my return, gramps simply went quietly into the training room, I suppose it still hurt him just as much as it hurt me that my brother was gone. For a minute I felt selfish for leaving him all alone here, I suppose in reality he didn't lose one grandson that late spring eight years ago, but two. But grandpa would never hold it against me that I left, I knew he wouldn't. It's as if without me saying it, he knew that I had needed to go.

Currently Hilary, Kenny, Max, and myself were lounging on the back porch of the dojo, just enjoying the spring air, it wasn't until Hilary sat up looking at the others before myself that I knew it was time for me to answer her earlier questions, finally she spoke out as if to prompt me: "So Takao, where have you been?"

I smiled sheepishly, shifting around on the porch before looking at the trio before me and responding to the question: "Well you see..." I started before trailing off trying to think how to word the answer, or better to explain why I hadn't stayed in contact with any of my friends for eight long years, finally I decided I may as well answer truthfully, instead of trying to justify why I left, and why I hid all traces of myself.

"I've been in England, studying." I said simply all their eyes looked at me in disbelief, as if it were hard to believe the answer were so simple, if it were hard to believe that their friend Takao would just up and leave and not make effort to stay in touch. They were right though, it was hard to believe I would do such a thing... it's hard to believe that there isn't a valid excuse to my absence from the people so dear to my life.

Finally it was Kenny who spoke setting his laptop aside: "You've been studying... like in school?" He asked curiosity shining in his eyes, I grinned at him and nodded my head probably a little too enthusiastically considering Hilary looked like she was about to pass out.

"When I left after Hiro died." I started, looking down at my hands before continuing "I decided I had to go and lead my life by myself and see if I could survive... before I knew it, I found myself in England, I ended up liking the place and staying and enrolling in university." I stopped feeling uncomfortable with all their eyes on me, how strange the feeling, I used to be watched by millions without ever feeling even the smallest bit of pressure or nervousness, now I could hardly look my friends in the eyes.

"I actually... just finished my third year of medical school." I said dryly, mustering up all my strength to look up at them, and what I saw made me burst out in laughter, they all looked like they were fish out of water, they all looked like they had no idea what to say. Their eyes the size of saucers, their jaws dropped, it was a sight to see. It was Max who broke me out of my fits of laughter.

"...Wow, Takao, I never thought you had it in you." He looked at me a glint in his eyes and the other two nodded in agreement with Max, who then broke out in his huge intoxicating grin. I returned the smile, the others did too, next thing I know we're having this massively sappy group hug, all smiles and laughter and you know what? It was like I had never left, and it was like all my worries had melted away because I knew, I had the most amazing of friends, and I knew they'd always forgive me for the stupid stuff I did, and I made the decision then under the setting sun and shining stars, in that warm late spring night that I wouldn't leave again without keeping in touch, eight years was just far too long to miss the people you love and not even say a word to them.

And just as fast as the magic of the reunion occurred, it was broken, by the one voice that I dreaded more than anything in the world.

"Kinomiya" was all it said, it was simple and harmless enough, but at the same time I knew that voice was promising my a world of pain, and was filled with a world of resentment. I pulled away from the trio before me and slowly turned around to look in the direction the voice had come from. At that moment my eyes met blazing crimson, but the worst part was realizing that he wasn't alone, but beside him stood acid green, the eyes of the person who had taken my most special of people away from me.

What I never mentioned was that once during my stay in England, when I had been in downtown London waiting for a school mate of mine who I was set to have coffee with when I walked into the small cafe I came face to face with a man named Gabriel Sattiay, a man who has travelled to London with his long time lover on business, it had been innocent enough a meeting until I found out just who his lover was.

One of the events I hadn't attended was the first time that he had brought his boyfriend Gabriel to meet everyone, the first time any of the bladebreakers had ever laid eyes on the white blonde Italian.

The last thing I truly remember about him was that he had taken over his grandfathers company and estate and was running the business from Japan so that he could keep his promise to me, the promise that he would never leave.

Ten years ago when I was sixteen and so happy and carefree, I remember how he was the most important person in my life, the most precious person, my rival, my best friend, my first love, my everything.

"Kai."

But the search ends here where the night is totally clear

and your heart is fierce
So now you finally know that you control where you go
You can steer

IT'S FINISHED.

Well... it's actually only just begun but you get the idea.

I don't have a beta. So I'm really, really sorry if there's grammatical errors, I did read it over myself a couple times but I'm not perfect.

So when I started this project I was going to write 10 chapters without a doubt, but I've decided the story although it's ten days will likely be more like 12 chapters for a couple reasons:

1: Some of the days will be really intensive and simply will be too much to put into one chapter.

2: PoV shifting, this story is being written between Takao and Kai's point of view, and I really don't like the idea of writing a chapter and then in the middle changing the point of view, so I decided it would be better to split those days into two.

Also I need to be totally honest even though I've had this idea roughed out and written/rewritten over and over for two years, the ending is still very much in the air, mostly because there are three possible outcomes for this fanfiction, I won't tell you what they are, as the story unfolds they'll become very obvious, but I think when writing this story this time I'm going to follow my heart and my gut wherever it takes me. Even if it's not the ending I want. So we'll see!

Anyway! Although I personally don't feel that my writing will ever be good enough to portray the true brilliance of this story and plot, I'm going to really try to make the plot look in typing as amazing as it looks in my head, and I hope it's sufficient enough that it doesn't look like a total train wreck!

Also reviews will push me to actually update this story in a timely manner, so you probably want to do that, maybe, kinda, maybe.

In closing: Thank you so much if you read this.