Passion

His team was elated by the win, as elated as they were about their new beyblades, ones that could stand up to the power of the bitbeasts they contained but still something was bothering Jonouchi. If things went as he thought they would, the White Tigers and Bladebreakers, both in Block B, would take each other on near the end. They would battle the winner of that. While a part of him wanted to show the White Tigers that they weren’t pushovers another part of him wanted to face off against the Bladebreakers. He wanted to pit himself against Takao and prove to Rei that he wasn’t the same blader. But what’s more he wanted to prove to Kai.

He had never been loyal to a romantic relationship but something about the cold captain had hooked him and he kept coming back to him. As he walked down the streets he shook his head, growling lightly. He couldn’t get him out of his head no matter how hard he tried. It had been one time and now he couldn’t forget about it. What was it about that boy that distracted him so much?

Growling slightly his fist hit the wall outside the location where the BBA was housing the team. Each team was separated but in identical buildings. Flexing his fist Jonouchi shoved his hand into his pocket, deciding it would be best to just have a walk to cool off. Yes, a walk would help him get his mind off him.

“We need to stop meeting like this,” Jonouchi glanced up, turning and regretting it as soon as his eyes met the red that had been haunting his dreams for too many nights.

“Kai Hiwatari, right?”

There was a brief nod at that. “You never gave me your name.”

“Do you often want to know the names of the people you beat,” he snapped turning on him as he stepped closer. The movement was faster than Jonouchi realized and he could have sworn the other was going to attack him but instead it pulled him closer.

“No, but I do like to know the names of the people I sleep with.” The red bore into the brown and Jonouchi was forced to turn his head away. He couldn’t look at him like that, not when the sound of his voice and his piercing eyes made his heart pound.

“Jonouchi, Katsuya Jonouchi.” His gaze flickered across Kai’s face, unable to start the pounding of his heart as he leaned in close. The other’s hand reflexively went to his cheek as Jonouchi leaned in to kiss him. He wasn’t about to protest even though he had previously claimed not wanting this.

Instinctively his fingers buried into Kai’s hair, pressing closer and kissing him. One arm wrapped around him as his lips parted slightly, starting to deepen the kiss. Jonouchi’s mind rebelled against the kiss, never willing to kiss anyone unless they meant the world to him. How long had he spent with Kai? He shouldn’t be feeling this way. He only wanted to kiss someone he loved. A crush? Was that it? Had he developed a crush on the other blader? It didn’t seem possible but the way his body responded to such close proximity…

Pulling back he shook his head. He absolutely had to know and there was only one way to go about this. With his hand on the wrist partially covered by the gauntlet he glanced up. “Do you just want to spend some time together?”

There was the barest of nods and Jonouchi felt his heart leap even as he swore at his traitorous body. Kai was part of a rival team and shouldn’t make him feel this way but there was really no escape.

Jonouchi glanced back as his hands slid in his pockets and headed down the road, Kai watching next to him. They were walking down the street before Jonouchi glanced back at Kai. “Hey Kai, I want to show you something,” he said as he grabbed the surprised blader and pulled him down the street, not pausing until they stood at a bridge, the sun high in the sky over the Chinese skyline. Sighing slightly he glanced back, hands resting on the edge of the bridge.

“I love it here… able to see beyond the city and the wide world out there.” He sighed slightly, leaning against it as he glanced over, seeing Kai stare out across the horizon. There wasn’t a word said but Jonouchi didn’t mind, glancing back at Kai for a moment.

A hand reached up, brushing his hair out of his face but it fell back in his face regardless of what he did. It was comfortable to just stand there in silence, not a word said to each other. When it got awkward Jonouchi talked and Kai just listened to the inu-jin tell of his journeys.

“Why waste your time with that moron,” Kai finally said as he glanced over at Jonouchi. “I saw you around him.”

At that Jonouchi glanced over with a smile. “Kai, you can’t choose your friends. Takao may not be someone I’d choose but he’s what I was landed with.” Glancing up he gave a brief smile, unconsciously letting his hand rest under Kai’s.

Rei was headed back to the rooms that the team was staying in when he saw the figures on the bridge. He shook his head, disbelieving what he was seeing. Kai and Jonouchi? He had never liked the inu-jin for personal reason and this was just too weird.

Sighing to himself Rei hurried into the shared rooms, glancing around. “Hey Takao, where’s the others?” He asked, seeing only the bluenette.

“Kyouju and Max are sightseeing,” he explained as he looked up, bouncing onto the bed as he stretched out. “So it’s just us for now buddy,” he flashed a grin, rolling over onto his stomach as Rei sat on the bed next to him. Reaching up he undid his shirt, letting the top shirt slide off to reveal the blue t-shirt underneath.

“Oh, don’t tell me you’re going to bed already,” Takao complained as he saw Rei sitting there in his t-shirt.

“No! I was just trying to get more comfortable,” he glanced over, seeing Takao’s confused expression. Rei leaned over, distracted by the cute look on his face and as Takao looked up their lips met and Takao jumped, acting disgusted and wiping at his mouth.

“How come it’s always you?”

“Just lucky I guess,” Rei shrugged as Takao looked at him like he had lost his mind. Those large eyes were just too adorable and Rei swallowed hard. If he had been thinking straight he never would have done it.

Catching Takao’s wrists in one hand Rei leaned forward, his hair falling down next to Takao. The others’ heart was pounding as he stared at him, eyes wide in shock as they met the too nearby golden ones.

“Takao… I can’t…” Rei’s hand tightened slightly and his other one crept up slowly, touching Takao’s soft hair but let go at the fear in his eyes. Hurrying over to another bed Rei said there, legs crossed and his back to Takao. “I’m sorry Takao, I shouldn’t have.”

Panting hard he glanced over at the Chinese blader, seeing his back turned to him and crawled over, not sure if he should or could say anything. There was a slight shake of Rei’s head as his hands clenched in his black pants.

“I shouldn’t have done that.”

At that Takao grinned, slapping him on the shoulder. “Oh, don’t worry so much buddy,” though he stopped from saying anything more when Rei turned and looked at him. Giving a groan he flopped back as Max walked in with Kyouju.

“Hey guys, I can’t wait for tomorrow, can’t you guys? We’re so going to clean up,” Max grinned broadly at his teammates and Takao was on his feet in an instant.

“Oh yeah, we so are,” Takao said as he crawled off the bed and hurried to Max’s side. “The three of us are going to sweep this tournament!”

Max jumped up in celebration of that, both grabbing Rei and dragging him off the bed.

He had to destroy Driger and that was the only way to eliminate one of two threats. The small green haired neko-jin snuck out quietly, tiptoeing past Rai who was still sleeping. Kiki had seen the battle put on by the Silver Wolves and knew they could only risk one threat. He wasn’t stupid enough to mess around with the inu-jins, especially with the demonic Shizuka probably able to hear breathing a mile away.

Though blind that girl made him shudder and that was only one of the girls. Rumiko was just as bad, if not worse, but at least she didn’t give an innocent act. Enough said, that team was made out of complete psychos, the only halfway normal being their captain.

At that thought Kiki quickly covered his mouth, his cheeks flushing. The Silver Wolves captain would have been a better sex advertisement than he would have a blader, everything, even the way he held himself, being an intent to seduce.

But even though he knew better than to try to get rid of the inu-jins Rei was another matter. He would destroy Driger to teach that jerk a lesson about deserting them. Jumping from the roof he snuck inside, moving past Kyouju and his computer. It was all too easy and Kiki took Galmon out. Rei was just there, sleeping with Driger in an open hand. It would be easy to strike and destroy the bitchip in an instant and Driger would be no more.

However as Kiki readied himself Mao’s voice rang in his head and he gave a growl. Well, she never said anything about stealing their data and Kyouju had just gone to get some tea. He would find some way to get what he wanted.

Sneaking closer he copied the data onto a disc before removing it, knowing that if they were in town there was certainly a computer that could read all the data. Kiki grinned to himself as he slid it into his shirt for safekeeping just as he heard a crash. The little computer geek was standing there and raising the alarm. Kiki gave a growl as he rushed out just to be stopped by Rei.

“Kiki, give it back,” he said, holding out a hand and waiting for the small neko-jin to hand it over. At that Kiki glanced over and shook his head.

“Kiki, Kyouju spent his whole life collecting that data, now where is the honor in what you’re doing?” Rei took a step closer, hand still held out. “If you give it to me now we’ll forget this whole thing ever happened.”

At that Kiki growled, holding it tighter with a growl. “Like I’d give it to you, you traitor! You betrayed us and hurt everyone. I used to look up to you… you were the best,” he shook his head at that, glaring up at Rei as he took out his Galmon. Well, it would be a ‘fair’ fight.

At that a sigh escaped from Rei as he loaded Driger into the launcher. “I don’t want to do this Kiki, but if it’s the only way…” He shook his head and Kiki growled slightly. He didn’t care anymore what Rai or Mao said. They would thank him when he defeated Rei and proved that he wasn’t the best, not anymore. He was all washed up and they would all realize it. Him and his new team were no threat and the only ones they had to worry about were those they were familiar with.

“3… 2… 1… Go shoot!”

Kiki smirked as he watched the beyblades crash against each other, each pushing at the other. Even though he knew Rei was pushing him around he didn’t do anything until he let his body collapse. “Don’t do this! All I wanted was to be like you… and you destroyed that,” he gave a stifled cry. “You’re nothing but a traitor!”

Rei froze at that, holding his hand out to his once teammate. Was that really what they all thought about him, that he was nothing but a traitor? “Kiki…” he paused for a moment as his beyblade buckled slightly, the spin slowing.

Kiki grinned at that, exactly what he had been waiting for as the green light shot out from Rei’s beyblade, abandoning it. He could have almost laughed at how stupid Rei had just been. “You idiot,” he said with a grin. “Don’t you remember that if you hesitate your bitbeast will leave you? Now, Galmon attack!”

Two beyblades shot from different sides, Kiki growling as one knocked his beyblade out while the other spun to protect Driger from his attack, ready to attack if need be. At that Rei looked up in shock, his heart catching in his throat. “Takao…” he paused for a minute, looking at the other blader with arm outstretched. “Jonouchi… why did you protect me?”

There was a slight growl at that as Jonouchi glanced over towards Kiki. “We may be rivals but that doesn’t mean anything. I have never approved the use of a bitbeast to attack a defenseless opponent. You should win on skill, not because of your bitbeast.” His brown eyes turned, glaring at Rei. “But I’m guessing he learned that from you. After all you’re a master at gaining up on defenseless opponents,” he said as he walked past Rei, the black beyblade returning to his hand.

“I came here to make sure we meet in battle and make sure it’s fair this time, bitbeast on bitbeast.”

Rei’s eyes widened at that, staring at Jonouchi for a moment. “You have a bitbeast now?”

There wasn’t a single response as the inu-jin walked away through the rain, the drops drenching his body. Jonouchi didn’t say anything as he walked past Takao even as the bluenette reached out to grab at his shoulder. Once he was gone Takao looked at Rei but then his gaze focused on Kiki. “Hey you! We’re not done yet!”
His team was elated by the win, as elated as they were about their new beyblades, ones that could stand up to the power of the bitbeasts they contained but still something was bothering Jonouchi. If things went as he thought they would, the White Tigers and Bladebreakers, both in Block B, would take each other on near the end. They would battle the winner of that. While a part of him wanted to show the White Tigers that they weren’t pushovers another part of him wanted to face off against the Bladebreakers. He wanted to pit himself against Takao and prove to Rei that he wasn’t the same blader. But what’s more he wanted to prove to Kai.

He had never been loyal to a romantic relationship but something about the cold captain had hooked him and he kept coming back to him. As he walked down the streets he shook his head, growling lightly. He couldn’t get him out of his head no matter how hard he tried. It had been one time and now he couldn’t forget about it. What was it about that boy that distracted him so much?

Growling slightly his fist hit the wall outside the location where the BBA was housing the team. Each team was separated but in identical buildings. Flexing his fist Jonouchi shoved his hand into his pocket, deciding it would be best to just have a walk to cool off. Yes, a walk would help him get his mind off him.

“We need to stop meeting like this,” Jonouchi glanced up, turning and regretting it as soon as his eyes met the red that had been haunting his dreams for too many nights.

“Kai Hiwatari, right?”

There was a brief nod at that. “You never gave me your name.”

“Do you often want to know the names of the people you beat,” he snapped turning on him as he stepped closer. The movement was faster than Jonouchi realized and he could have sworn the other was going to attack him but instead it pulled him closer.

“No, but I do like to know the names of the people I sleep with.” The red bore into the brown and Jonouchi was forced to turn his head away. He couldn’t look at him like that, not when the sound of his voice and his piercing eyes made his heart pound.

“Jonouchi, Katsuya Jonouchi.” His gaze flickered across Kai’s face, unable to start the pounding of his heart as he leaned in close. The other’s hand reflexively went to his cheek as Jonouchi leaned in to kiss him. He wasn’t about to protest even though he had previously claimed not wanting this.

Instinctively his fingers buried into Kai’s hair, pressing closer and kissing him. One arm wrapped around him as his lips parted slightly, starting to deepen the kiss. Jonouchi’s mind rebelled against the kiss, never willing to kiss anyone unless they meant the world to him. How long had he spent with Kai? He shouldn’t be feeling this way. He only wanted to kiss someone he loved. A crush? Was that it? Had he developed a crush on the other blader? It didn’t seem possible but the way his body responded to such close proximity…

Pulling back he shook his head. He absolutely had to know and there was only one way to go about this. With his hand on the wrist partially covered by the gauntlet he glanced up. “Do you just want to spend some time together?”

There was the barest of nods and Jonouchi felt his heart leap even as he swore at his traitorous body. Kai was part of a rival team and shouldn’t make him feel this way but there was really no escape.

Jonouchi glanced back as his hands slid in his pockets and headed down the road, Kai watching next to him. They were walking down the street before Jonouchi glanced back at Kai. “Hey Kai, I want to show you something,” he said as he grabbed the surprised blader and pulled him down the street, not pausing until they stood at a bridge, the sun high in the sky over the Chinese skyline. Sighing slightly he glanced back, hands resting on the edge of the bridge.

“I love it here… able to see beyond the city and the wide world out there.” He sighed slightly, leaning against it as he glanced over, seeing Kai stare out across the horizon. There wasn’t a word said but Jonouchi didn’t mind, glancing back at Kai for a moment.

A hand reached up, brushing his hair out of his face but it fell back in his face regardless of what he did. It was comfortable to just stand there in silence, not a word said to each other. When it got awkward Jonouchi talked and Kai just listened to the inu-jin tell of his journeys.

“Why waste your time with that moron,” Kai finally said as he glanced over at Jonouchi. “I saw you around him.”

At that Jonouchi glanced over with a smile. “Kai, you can’t choose your friends. Takao may not be someone I’d choose but he’s what I was landed with.” Glancing up he gave a brief smile, unconsciously letting his hand rest under Kai’s.

Rei was headed back to the rooms that the team was staying in when he saw the figures on the bridge. He shook his head, disbelieving what he was seeing. Kai and Jonouchi? He had never liked the inu-jin for personal reason and this was just too weird.

Sighing to himself Rei hurried into the shared rooms, glancing around. “Hey Takao, where’s the others?” He asked, seeing only the bluenette.

“Kyouju and Max are sightseeing,” he explained as he looked up, bouncing onto the bed as he stretched out. “So it’s just us for now buddy,” he flashed a grin, rolling over onto his stomach as Rei sat on the bed next to him. Reaching up he undid his shirt, letting the top shirt slide off to reveal the blue t-shirt underneath.

“Oh, don’t tell me you’re going to bed already,” Takao complained as he saw Rei sitting there in his t-shirt.

“No! I was just trying to get more comfortable,” he glanced over, seeing Takao’s confused expression. Rei leaned over, distracted by the cute look on his face and as Takao looked up their lips met and Takao jumped, acting disgusted and wiping at his mouth.

“How come it’s always you?”

“Just lucky I guess,” Rei shrugged as Takao looked at him like he had lost his mind. Those large eyes were just too adorable and Rei swallowed hard. If he had been thinking straight he never would have done it.

Catching Takao’s wrists in one hand Rei leaned forward, his hair falling down next to Takao. The others’ heart was pounding as he stared at him, eyes wide in shock as they met the too nearby golden ones.

“Takao… I can’t…” Rei’s hand tightened slightly and his other one crept up slowly, touching Takao’s soft hair but let go at the fear in his eyes. Hurrying over to another bed Rei said there, legs crossed and his back to Takao. “I’m sorry Takao, I shouldn’t have.”

Panting hard he glanced over at the Chinese blader, seeing his back turned to him and crawled over, not sure if he should or could say anything. There was a slight shake of Rei’s head as his hands clenched in his black pants.

“I shouldn’t have done that.”

At that Takao grinned, slapping him on the shoulder. “Oh, don’t worry so much buddy,” though he stopped from saying anything more when Rei turned and looked at him. Giving a groan he flopped back as Max walked in with Kyouju.

“Hey guys, I can’t wait for tomorrow, can’t you guys? We’re so going to clean up,” Max grinned broadly at his teammates and Takao was on his feet in an instant.

“Oh yeah, we so are,” Takao said as he crawled off the bed and hurried to Max’s side. “The three of us are going to sweep this tournament!”

Max jumped up in celebration of that, both grabbing Rei and dragging him off the bed.

He had to destroy Driger and that was the only way to eliminate one of two threats. The small green haired neko-jin snuck out quietly, tiptoeing past Rai who was still sleeping. Kiki had seen the battle put on by the Silver Wolves and knew they could only risk one threat. He wasn’t stupid enough to mess around with the inu-jins, especially with the demonic Shizuka probably able to hear breathing a mile away.

Though blind that girl made him shudder and that was only one of the girls. Rumiko was just as bad, if not worse, but at least she didn’t give an innocent act. Enough said, that team was made out of complete psychos, the only halfway normal being their captain.

At that thought Kiki quickly covered his mouth, his cheeks flushing. The Silver Wolves captain would have been a better sex advertisement than he would have a blader, everything, even the way he held himself, being an intent to seduce.

But even though he knew better than to try to get rid of the inu-jins Rei was another matter. He would destroy Driger to teach that jerk a lesson about deserting them. Jumping from the roof he snuck inside, moving past Kyouju and his computer. It was all too easy and Kiki took Galmon out. Rei was just there, sleeping with Driger in an open hand. It would be easy to strike and destroy the bitchip in an instant and Driger would be no more.

However as Kiki readied himself Mao’s voice rang in his head and he gave a growl. Well, she never said anything about stealing their data and Kyouju had just gone to get some tea. He would find some way to get what he wanted.

Sneaking closer he copied the data onto a disc before removing it, knowing that if they were in town there was certainly a computer that could read all the data. Kiki grinned to himself as he slid it into his shirt for safekeeping just as he heard a crash. The little computer geek was standing there and raising the alarm. Kiki gave a growl as he rushed out just to be stopped by Rei.

“Kiki, give it back,” he said, holding out a hand and waiting for the small neko-jin to hand it over. At that Kiki glanced over and shook his head.

“Kiki, Kyouju spent his whole life collecting that data, now where is the honor in what you’re doing?” Rei took a step closer, hand still held out. “If you give it to me now we’ll forget this whole thing ever happened.”

At that Kiki growled, holding it tighter with a growl. “Like I’d give it to you, you traitor! You betrayed us and hurt everyone. I used to look up to you… you were the best,” he shook his head at that, glaring up at Rei as he took out his Galmon. Well, it would be a ‘fair’ fight.

At that a sigh escaped from Rei as he loaded Driger into the launcher. “I don’t want to do this Kiki, but if it’s the only way…” He shook his head and Kiki growled slightly. He didn’t care anymore what Rai or Mao said. They would thank him when he defeated Rei and proved that he wasn’t the best, not anymore. He was all washed up and they would all realize it. Him and his new team were no threat and the only ones they had to worry about were those they were familiar with.

“3… 2… 1… Go shoot!”

Kiki smirked as he watched the beyblades crash against each other, each pushing at the other. Even though he knew Rei was pushing him around he didn’t do anything until he let his body collapse. “Don’t do this! All I wanted was to be like you… and you destroyed that,” he gave a stifled cry. “You’re nothing but a traitor!”

Rei froze at that, holding his hand out to his once teammate. Was that really what they all thought about him, that he was nothing but a traitor? “Kiki…” he paused for a moment as his beyblade buckled slightly, the spin slowing.

Kiki grinned at that, exactly what he had been waiting for as the green light shot out from Rei’s beyblade, abandoning it. He could have almost laughed at how stupid Rei had just been. “You idiot,” he said with a grin. “Don’t you remember that if you hesitate your bitbeast will leave you? Now, Galmon attack!”

Two beyblades shot from different sides, Kiki growling as one knocked his beyblade out while the other spun to protect Driger from his attack, ready to attack if need be. At that Rei looked up in shock, his heart catching in his throat. “Takao…” he paused for a minute, looking at the other blader with arm outstretched. “Jonouchi… why did you protect me?”

There was a slight growl at that as Jonouchi glanced over towards Kiki. “We may be rivals but that doesn’t mean anything. I have never approved the use of a bitbeast to attack a defenseless opponent. You should win on skill, not because of your bitbeast.” His brown eyes turned, glaring at Rei. “But I’m guessing he learned that from you. After all you’re a master at gaining up on defenseless opponents,” he said as he walked past Rei, the black beyblade returning to his hand.

“I came here to make sure we meet in battle and make sure it’s fair this time, bitbeast on bitbeast.”

Rei’s eyes widened at that, staring at Jonouchi for a moment. “You have a bitbeast now?”

There wasn’t a single response as the inu-jin walked away through the rain, the drops drenching his body. Jonouchi didn’t say anything as he walked past Takao even as the bluenette reached out to grab at his shoulder. Once he was gone Takao looked at Rei but then his gaze focused on Kiki. “Hey you! We’re not done yet!”