The brunette rested her chin in her hand, sighing deeply. It had been a hard day for the G-revolutions and the rest of the Beybladers helping them fight against Boris' BEGA league. They had tried to find a suitable Blader to battle in the next match from those who were eager to take on the league's team but to no avail. They had tried everything; from discussing statistics to battling it out for the chance to fight in tomorrow's match. BEGA was in the lead with one point more than them. It would be over for Beyblading's future if they lost the next Beybattle.

We need somebody who will win it for sure or we won't stand a chance against Boris, Hilary thought. Tyson's been taking out his frustration on the other Bladers in training – he's been beating them for the last four hours! It didn't look like he'd stop anytime soon so that's why I'm here at the park to clear my mind and get some peace and quiet...but it's not working at all.

She glanced up at the sky. It was streaked with orange, gold and red as the sun began to set, late afternoon giving way to early evening. It's so pretty. If I had someone to share the view with it'd be perfect. Like Kai for instance. Her ruby eyes widened at the notion. What the heck am I thinking! She shook her head furiously, mentally scolding herself. Another sigh escaped her. I can't deny that we need him though. He'd be our best bet. If only he were here...

"Are you okay?" a voice asked. It sounded vaguely familiar for some reason.

Hilary's ruby eyes met emerald ones. "It's you. It's been a while."

"Sure has – more like years," Sakura remarked, sitting down beside her on the bench and adjusting the red headband in her pink hair.

She was taller, her figure more lithe and slender, her once long, flowing magenta hair now a neat shoulder-length. The girlish, ditzy demeanour had been replaced by a more restrained, mature persona. She radiated a strength and determination Hilary had not seen in her before. She had become a woman, just like Hilary herself. It was strange how in such a short time people could change.

"I'm tired and worried," Hilary admitted. "Things have been rough lately. I'll explain about it later." Her frown became a smile. "What brings you to town? I like the new hairstyle, by the way."

"Thanks. I decided it was time for a change," the pink-haired ninja chuckled. "The Village Hidden In The Leaves allowed me to take a break from missions so I thought I'd visit Bay City. A lot has changed since we last talked which is why I haven't been writing to you as often."

"That's okay. We've all been busy. It's just good to see you again in person!" Hilary grinned. Chatting to Sakura always cheered her up and took her mind off pressing matters.

She remembered how she, her and Alexis – another girl she had not seen in years now that she thought about it – had met clearly. Two years ago, at the age of thirteen – a year before she had met the Bladebreakers – she had gone for a walk in the park to get some fresh air after being cooped up at home for two rainy weeks of the summer holidays. The sun had shone down warmly from a clear blue sky, the breeze cool and caressing. So lost in her daydream, Hilary had not realised two people were coming her way before it was too late.

Once they had picked themselves up and apologised to each other, introductions were made. A tall girl with shoulder-length golden brown hair wearing a blue-and-white uniform introduced herself as Alexis Rhodes. The other girl had waist-length pink hair secured by a dark-blue headband with a metal plate bearing a leaf symbol and wore a short-sleeved red dress trimmed with white that had a mandarin collar. Her name was Sakura Haruno.

They sat down and talked about themselves. Alexis was a student at a school called Duel Academy and was in the top group Obelisk Blue along with her twin brother Atticus and best friend Zane Truesdale. It was obvious she admired Zane, for she talked about him the most and admitted shyly to having a crush on him.

Sakura had attended a ninja academy at Konoha, the Village Hidden In The Leaves, until just recently (she graduated), training to become a skilled shinobi. She had been one of the top students there along with Sasuke Uchiha, a handsome and mysterious prodigy who was the only surviving member of the famous Uchiha clan. She was not afraid to reveal her crush on Sasuke; she and many other girls fancied him and never stopped vying for his attention. Ninja teams were going to be formed soon and she hoped to be working with him – maybe he would even notice her long hair which she had let grow to such a length.

Hilary told Alexis and Sakura about herself too. When asked about fancying boys, she responded honestly and quite proudly that she had no crushes whatsoever and had never had any. This surprised the other two girls; surely she had at least noticed a boy. Her answer remained the same. No, she had never taken any interest in one. School was far more important. How could they deal with their crushes and stay top of the class? She could not understand it.

"One day you will," was Alexis' reply. "One day you'll have feelings for a boy just like us."

"That's right," Sakura agreed. "Just you wait!"

Back then, Hilary had not believed them. Little had she known what would happen when she saw Kai for the first time.

The three girls had agreed to write to each other, going their separate ways after spending just four days with one another. They had remained in contact ever since.

"You guys really have changed..." remarked somebody, breaking the brief silence between Sakura and Hilary.

The girls glanced up to see Alexis approaching them, wearing the same Obelisk Blue uniform. She, like Sakura, had grown taller and matured. Her hair was now waist-length. Her kind but occasionally bossy and stubborn nature had not changed.

"Hi!" they greeted her together.

"Hey," the brown-haired teen smiled. "Nice to see you two again. It's been two years now." She seated herself beside Hilary.

"Yes," the brunette nodded. "How are things?"

"Okay I guess..." Alexis trailed off. "Loads of things have been happening."

"Same here," she sighed. "Sakura's had this too."

There was a short pause.

"Who wants to start first?" asked Alexis some minutes later.

"I will," Sakura volunteered. "But first, let's talk guys. Who's got one they like?"

Alexis and Hilary nodded.

Alexis confirmed her crush remained on Zane although she had had one briefly on Jaden Yuki at one point, a hotheaded, courageous Duelist in the Slifer Red dormitory. It had passed soon enough and her feelings for Atticus' friend had only grown stronger.

Hilary explained that she had a crush on Kai which had begun a year after she had met the girls and had remained constant for almost two years.

"That's great!" beamed Alexis. "I told you you'd find someone."

"Sure is. Good on you, Hil," laughed Sakura.

"Uh...thanks," Hilary smiled weakly, her cheeks colouring a slight red.