Kuroiryu

Title: Kuroiryu
Author: Jonouchi-Kaiba-Mokie
Rating: NC-17
Parings: Rei/Takao, Kai/Jonouch, Daichi/Kyouju, Max/MOC
Disclaimer: Yu-gi-oh and Beyblade do not belong to me and I am making no money off this. I have been graciously given permission by my friend, Demitri Ivanov, to use his character, Adam Banks, within this story.

Sleep was tempting, oh so tempting but deep in his mind he knew it was too late in the day to give into that temptation. Snow fell from the sky and a yawn was covered as the young man rolled out of the bed and onto the floor with a loud thump. Eyes blinked blearily as Katsuya Jonouchi lifted himself up slowly, wiping at the frozen windowpane. It was due to be another cold day but that didn’t mean his training would slow down.

He had declined all offers to go with him, the inu-jin choosing to take part in this intense training trip on his own. It would be too easy to take advantage of the offers and deep down Jonouchi knew if his friends were there he’d depend on them too much.

Climbing out of bed he pulled a thick pair of gloves on and a coat over his clothes before stepping out into the frigid air. It was cold but that was what he had wanted. It was a brutal training session but one that would make him stronger in the long run. Eight months of training in the harsh weather, locked away from civilization and any human contact. When he had heard of it he wanted to do it, no matter what anyone said. There was only one restriction put on him: not Russia. So Jonouchi had chosen Switzerland instead, traveling up to the Alps. Soon enough it would be over and he would be back in Japan with his friends and lover.

Shielding his face from the blinding snow he glanced up, launching his beyblade as it skimmed across the snow and ice, cracking a frozen boulder in half and continuing at that speed. The attack had gotten far stronger since he had first started and with the added speed his beyblade was able to skim over the snow rather than sink into it. The balance was more difficult to manage but with the new weight disc it made for a lighter and stronger beyblade.

Catching it in his hand he smiled in response. Just one more day and he would make the trek down the mountain in order to catch his flight back home. It would feel good to return once again, where he didn’t have to worry about everything freezing. Human contact would be good but he was especially missing one certain person who he was sure would welcome him back. With the rules of no contact that also meant no letters and besides, no sane person would deliver mail all the way up the mountains. It had been a lonely eight months but it was about to end.

Loading his beyblade back into his launcher he took a deep breath, focusing on his target. He would push himself to the limit at least one more day. It had seemed forever since he had last spoken to anyone or even seen another sentient creature. He wouldn’t say human because to do that he’d have to be human himself which Jonouchi wasn’t. His hair had grown long, covering the floppy ears and his tail had been removed due to an accident years ago but he still wasn’t human, instead one of a few remaining of a species known as inu-jins. Not near as ancient as their neko-jin cousins they were created not of natural birth like the neko-jins but of a grotesque experiment.

Launching his beyblade once more he concentrated as it skimmed across the snow and ice, jumping onto the ice and making its way through a natural obstacle course. He had indeed gotten stronger and it was only a matter of time before he was able to show it to the rest of the team.

“What you doing?” Takao glanced behind him, glancing down at the young boy standing there in traditional samurai clothing, a kendo stick leaning against his shoulder. The black haired boy looked up, some of his hair falling in his eyes.

“I’m paying bills,” he said, focusing on the checkbook in front of him. The champion signed his name to the last one, groaning slightly as he checked the math. At this rate he would have to start giving more lessons and though Takao didn’t mind giving lessons he hated charging for them.

“Mom says don’t forget,” turning back Takao stared at the golden eyes of his son, his mind tracking over what he wasn’t supposed to forget. Their anniversary? No, that wasn’t for a few months. Was it Rei’s birthday? No, that had already passed. Was it Kouji’s? Also no.

He scratched his head, wondering what it was he wasn’t supposed to forget.

“You forgot, didn’t you,” Kouji said, looking up at his father.

“Why don’t you go ask your mother how many times he’s forgotten something,” Takao muttered, starting to address the envelopes for each bill. He really needed to convince Kyouju to teach him how to do that online bill pay thing.

“He said he can’t believe you’d forget about one of your best friends because he’s certainly remembering him,” Kouji said as Takao sighed. Rei already knew he would forget. Sitting there for a moment realization suddenly hit him. He, Rei had said.

Instantly Takao jumped up, rushing past his son. “Dammit,” he muttered under his breath, disbelieving that he had forgotten all about Jonouchi coming back. No doubt the others hadn’t, especially not Kai. As he ran past Rei just raised an eyebrow, placing his hands back into the dough that he was preparing for meat buns for the next day.

“What’s that for?” He asked, stepping over and took a sniff of the meat before moving to try to dip a finger into the filling and Rei gave him a glare, removing one hand from the dough to give Takao a sharp smack.

“You know what,” he scolded his husband. “Now start the rice balls or call the others and ask if they need any help.” Takao groaned in response, grabbing a rice cooker and starting the rice. He really did hate cooking.

Max had been assigned the shopping for the BBQ lunch, and groaned as he crossed the last thing off the list, dumping the final seasoning into the basket. The plan was for Kai to meet Jonouchi at the airport and bring him by the river where they used to practice, that was if Kai kept his promise and didn’t take the inu-jin home right away. There was a high possibility that he would do just that and the whole thing would be ruined.

As his cell phone rang Max reached down, answering it. “Hey babe, what’s up?” He paused for a minute before grinning. “Yeah, yeah, I’ve got everything covered,” there was a pause. “What do you mean don’t hit on the cashier? I’d never do that!” He gave an innocent look though he knew he so would. “Okay, maybe if they were cute… yeah, love you too baby.”

Hanging up the cell phone he flashed a grin at the girl in front of him ringing up the order. “Hey cutie…” He talked as she rang up his order, winking at her and turning on his charm to the full level. When she asked for his ID he handed it over, the girl giving him a dubious look at the birthdate but he just shrugged his shoulders.

“Hey, the card doesn’t lie,” Max held his hands up and gave her his most charming smile as she sighed, typing in the birthdate. Placing the last of the items in bags she handed them over to Max before leaning close.

“So this party, was this an offer to come? My shift isn’t too much longer.”

Max flashed a grin at that. “Sorry hunny, I’m gay,” he hurried off as the girl scoffed, upset by the fact that he had been hitting on her. Hurrying into the car he collapsed in the passenger’s seat next to Kyouju and threw an arm around his friend’s neck.

“Maxie…” Kyouju said with a sigh. “You really need to stop doing that. Next time you’ll hit on the wrong person.”

“Where’s the fun in that?”



A dual-haired figure was on his knees before a fire pit, fingers brushing a long strand of hair back behind his ear. He was slightly annoyed that the band that held the hair in place had broken but he hadn’t felt like grabbing another one. It had been eight months since he had seen his lover and being sentimental for once he had stated that he wouldn’t cut his hair until he was back in his arms.

A black jacket was hanging over a chair, wearing only a loose sleeveless shirt and black pants, his knees cushioned by a pillow underneath them to keep the intense ache from his legs. It had been six years since they had put BEGA under, five since they had formed a team to take down Jin and the Renegades, and it had been rather quiet since then.

The dark blue hair hung down his back before he finally gave up, stretching his legs and grabbing a small plastic band to pull it back at the nape of his neck again, kneeling down before the photo album once more. Takao and the others had given it to him on one of his birthdays and despite complaining about it then he had grown fond of it. Reaching down he traced his fingers along one of the final pictures. It had been taken the Christmas before Jonouchi had left; the inu-jin had caught him under the mistletoe.

Soon enough he would be back and Kai was more than willing to welcome him back however it would have to wait as he remembered the others had planned out. It was a full day and that was something that annoyed him to be certain. He doubted any of the others would have been all too thrilled if they had been separated from their lovers for eight months and then were expected to wait until after a daylong party.

Closing the album he stretched before glancing over towards the clock. It was still early in the evening and going to sleep now wouldn’t make the flight come any sooner. Making a drink he sighed, pouring some vodka into it before sipping at the warm beverage. The day had been dragging on while the others prepared for everything, telling him he had done enough. Collapsing into a chair a silver tabby leapt into his lap, purring loudly. Reaching down he scratched the cat’s back, remembering how it had followed him as a kitten, tugging at his scarf. Not being able to get rid of it he had given it to Jonouchi as a get well gift following his heart attack. The inu-jin had laughed lightly, shaking his head as he took the kitten.

“You miss him too, don’t you,” he said softly to the cat, scratching its back when it turned around to stare at him at the absence of movement. There was a soft meow and then the purring continued, nuzzling and purring as it curled up on Kai’s lap, its purrs growing ever louder. Eventually the sound of the purrs lulled him to sleep.

The trek down the mountains before the crack of dawn was tiring but he had finally made it. As the plane came in for the landing Jonouchi stretched, covering the yawn with the back of his hand, partially to hide the inu-jin fangs. He was still tired from the long morning but that quickly drained as he felt the plane touch down and the landing lights flared. Once they were instructed to move from the plane he stood, stepping out and glancing around. He supposed he hadn’t been expecting anything but it would have been nice if the others had been there to meet him.

Stepping fully off the plane he slowly preceded to the baggage area to wait for his luggage. Hands placed against the side of the conveyer he sighed, brown eyes focusing intently as he watched for his bag. He figured everyone, even Kai, had forgotten that he was coming in today, not that he could blame them. No doubt they all had busy lives. Daichi had finished his training and was officiating tournaments, Takao and Rei had their own problems with a six year old in the house, Kyouju was always busy with something or another, usually working with Max who had taken over his mother’s position as the head of PPB and Adam was drawing comics when he wasn’t trying to saddle Max down once and for all.

That only left Kai who was no doubt busy with work and had just lost track of time. Sighing slightly he spotted his bag and reached for it but a hand had grabbed it before he could reach it. Turning around Jonouchi was about to yell at the thief until he saw the red eyes and dual-colored hair. Instead of yelling he jumped up, arms wrapping around Kai as he buried his face in his chest. “Kai!”

He nestled closer; squirming like a happy puppy as Kai held him close to his body then suddenly Jonouchi drew back, giving him a light punch in the chest. “You’re late!”

“Katsuya, take it easy,” he placed his hands on the blond’s shoulders before pulling him into a light kiss on the nose, Jonouchi’s hands fisting in his shirt as he buried his face against Kai’s chest. He had missed his lover so much, the scent of his closeness nearly overwhelming him. He had missed him so much.

Tilting his head up he caught Kai’s lips against his own, hands fisting in the slate blue portion of his hair. “Kai, I missed you,” he murmured against his lips, pressing closer against him but the Russian pushed him back.

“Not yet, I promised the others I’d bring you by the old training grounds. Kyouju didn’t want Takao to leave before he had enough data.” There was a slight pout and Kai patted his head, kissing Jonouchi’s forehead lightly.

“Soon?”

“Soon,” he said with a nod, knowing that this was one promise he would be breaking as he led Jonouchi outside and into a car. Taking the passenger side Jonouchi sighed, leaning back as the engine started, feeling a hand lightly pat his leg. “This won’t take long and then we’ll let you get some sleep.”

At that Jonouchi pressed close, whispering in Kai’s ear. “I don’t want sleep. I want a warm bath with someone special and then a long night of you making love to me until morning,” slowly a hand slid down Kai’s chest and the Russian shot his lover a glare.

“Not now Katsuya,” he said as the inu-jin leaned back against his seat and Kai parked the car nearby the bridge, leading his lover down to the river. The others were waiting but there was no beyblading. Instead they were gathered at a table covered with food. Gathered around the table were Takao, Rei, Adam, Max, Daichi, Kyouju and Hiromi, and as the car stopped he hurried out, anxious to see his friends again. It had indeed been a long eight months.

As he hurried down Takao wrapped his arms around the blond, yanking his friend towards the table where the others were as Kai slowly joined them.

The meal had been enjoyable, Jonouchi regaling to his team the excitement of training in the north as all of them listened intently followed by a time to relax. Most of them were taking naps but Kai found himself wide awake as he glanced down at Jonouchi, his head pillowed against his chest. After eight months of the blond being gone there was so much he wanted to do and say however for the moment he was willing to let him rest.

“When are you going to ask him?” The red eyes lifted as he regarded his cousin calmly, feeling the inu-jin nestle closer to his chest. There was a sigh as he stretched slightly, glancing over at Adam leaning against the tree. His raven haired cousin glanced over at him, alone for the moment as Max spent his time paying attention to Kouji. The six year old had grown up a great deal over the years and Adam remembered the first meeting of the child, drooling, teething, and all around the center of attention. He was still very much the center of attention even with his parents needing to balance adult life as well as raising him.

“I don’t know,” Kai glanced down at the inu-jin sleeping on his chest before glancing up. “But how about you? You aren’t getting any younger.”

“I don’t think Max is ready to be saddled down quite yet,” there was a light laugh as he watched the nineteen year old.

The tall blond had laughed at something, Takao giving him a wary look as he cracked open a Sapporo beer. He asked a question and Max just shook his head, laughing lightly. “You’ll be an old man before Max is ready to be saddled down to one person.”

“He could change…” though even Adam knew he was making up excuses. He glanced over at Kai, watching him with his hopefully soon to be fiancé, assuming his cousin actually worked up the courage to ask him. “Ask him Kai, before it’s too late.”

There was a blink of confusion in response, not understanding what Adam was even talking about. They had weathered some of the worst situations and Jonouchi was still by his side. Certainly he couldn’t be afraid Jonouchi would leave him.