Somebody I Used to Know

"But Kaaaaai!" Tala whined loudly.

"No Tala," Kai said simply.

"But Bryan and I broke up. I need something to take my mind off it!"

"You two will be back together in a week," He predicted boredly as he tried to ignore his friend and focus on filling out his paperwork for his new job at the BBA. After almost twenty years in his position, Mr. Dickenson had decided it was time for him to retire. Everyone knew the job was either Tyson's or Kai's and for a while, their old rivalry kicked in as they vied for the position. But Tyson's heart was in teaching now. He knew he wouldn't get to spend as much time with the kids as president of a huge, multimillion dollar franchise, and graciously declined after months of tough competition. That left Kai.

Mr. D was set to officially step down next month which left Kai with a mountain of paperwork and files.

Tala huffed and fell onto the leather couch in Kai's office. "…Well, what about you?" Tala questioned.

"What about me?"

"You, my friend, need to get laid." Kai sighed.

"Shut it, Tal."

"I'm serious. People are starting to ask questions Kai."

"Questions? What kind of questions?"

"Well, no one's ever seen you with a chick. They're starting to think I'm influencing you." Tala smirked and stretched provocatively. "That's not the case is it?" He purred.

"People think I'm gay?" Kai snorted. What a joke. Tala pouted.

"FYI, I'm bi. And come on Kai. One night out. That's it. It will show people you're not just some driven, workaholic robot."

"I don't give a damn what people think, Tal. You know that."

"Is that the kind of attitude you should be having going into such a coveted and high-ranking position?" For the first time in the conversation, Kai's hand stopped scribbling as he pondered his friend's words. "I mean, you're going to be the president of the BBA, a teen-directed market. You don't teach like Tyson, you don't assemble like Kenny, you're a blader-which is great, but the board makes the final decision on whether or not you're approved for the position. I'd think they'd like someone who knows how to have a little fun."

"I don't think they want someone with a party-boy rep either, Tala."

"You won't get a rep from one night, Kai. You'll get just enough press to let the world know you actually have a soul." Kai sighed. He couldn't believe he was being talked into this…

"Fine. One night. One club." Tala grinned.

"You won't regret it." Kai sighed. What was he getting himself into?

XXX

"You're going to wear that to a club?" Tala questioned. Kai looked down at himself.

"What would you suggest? Pleather and a feather boa?" He snapped.

"Where's the old Kai who wore face paint and baggy pants?"

"I haven't been that person for a long time, Tala." It was true. The minute Kai turned 19, he traded in his blade for a suit and went into business. At 22, he was too old for games.

"You don't have any of your old clothes left, do you?" Tala questioned.

"What's wrong with this?"

"You look like you're going to a dinner party! This is a club, Kai." Kai sighed. Tala was right. He turned and headed back to his room and dug into his closet.

When he returned to the foyer where his friend waited, Tala was typing away furiously on his phone.

"This better be okay because I'm not changing again." Tala looked up. Kai had traded in his dress pants for an old, baggy pair. In place of his Dockers were sneakers and a tight, muscle shirt hugged his chest. Tala nodded.

"Much better. Let's get going." Kai followed Tala out of his apartment, down the elevator and to the parking garage. "You can drive," Tala said to him with a smirk. "I plan on getting shit-faced." Kai shook his head and got into his Silver Porsche. Tala slid into the passenger side.

"So where exactly are we headed?" Kai questioned.

"V.I.P."

"Is that a club?"

"Yeah, Spencer told me about it. Supposedly the hottest chicks go there. Just head to the downtown strip."

"…Does Spencer go clubbing?"

"You'd be surprised how often."

XXX

Fifteen minutes later and Kai and Tala were standing before the club. Kai was ready to strangle his friend. Above them, a neon sign read, "V.I.P. Gentleman's club."

"Tala, you did not tell me this was a strip club."

"If I had, would you have come?" Kai didn't answer. "Come on Kai. At least come in and have a drink. You might even have fun."

"My idea of fun is not watching some trashy girls take their clothes off for money."

"Wow…you sure you're not gay?" Tala questioned before strutting into the club. Kai sighed and followed after him. The inside of the club was dark with lush, comfortable furniture and black lights. In the center of the club was a stage with 3 poles protruding from it. It was currently empty. Private booths lined the walls. Most of the curtains were open, but some were closed. Kai didn't need to guess what was going on behind them.

"What do you think?"

"It could be worse," Kai responded, thinking of men in baseball caps with beers yelling and grabbing at women.

"Spencer said this club has really elite clientele." Kai noticed the fact the few seats directly around the stage weren't seated, but almost all of the dark booths were filled.

"I bet," He responded.

"Let's grab a booth," Tala said before making his way to the nearest unoccupied one.

"…So if this is a club, where are the girls?" Kai asked. So far the only people he had seen were the shadows in the booths and the heavily muscled men at the doors and standing around the club.

"The show starts at midnight." Kai checked his watch. Any minute now. Tala waved down the bartender and handed him a twenty, ordering two whiskeys for the table. By the time the drinks arrived, the lights had dimmed and the black lights that lined the stage flicked on. A slow, rhythmic song began to play on the stereo and from behind the black curtain behind the stage, figures began to emerge.

The first thing Kai noticed was that they were all dressed in white. Well…dressed wasn't really an appropriate word. They were all scantily clad in shorts or skirts, in shirts that dipped low and revealed a lot of cleavage. They came out in twos on either side of the stage slowly dancing and gyrating to the music. It was still too dark to see much of anything besides what was outlined by the black light.

"What kind of strip club is this?" Kai questioned.

"Be patient." Suddenly, a woman emerged from the center of the curtain, unlike the others. From what Kai could see, she was busty, with long hair. She was dressed in spandex shorts that clung to her body and a tight white shirt that was unbuttoned and tied so her navel was showing. It even revealed her white bra. She had on a white baseball cap. She took the center stage. Suddenly, there was a change in lighting. Black lights above the stage lit up and engulfed the dancers in light. It was dark and the lights cast a purple hue on the girls, creating a sexy, relaxed effect. The men could now see the women's faces. Kai refocused on the woman in the center. He now noticed her long hair was dark brown, she had long, smooth legs…a nice ass. His eyes continued to travel up her body, drinking in her sight. He could see why she was the star of the show with her accentuated and overly sexual assets. She had a beautiful body. As the music slowed, the women on stage froze.

The woman on center stage's face was cast in a shadow, covered by her hair and the hat she wore. Kai watched and waited. A faster song with a catchy beat began playing and the women began to dance again. The brunette flipped her hair back over her shoulder, revealing a face that matched the body. Kai studied the girl's face for a moment. There was something familiar about her. It wasn't until she turned her face towards the table that he recognized her.

Hilary Tachibana.

Kai knocked his drink to the floor in surprise. Tala glanced back at him.

"Kai?"

But Kai's mouth had gone dry. In front of him, center-stage, was the girl who had disappeared from his life three years ago. The girl he had dated when the team was together. The girl he had loved.

"Kai? What's wrong?"

"Tala, it's Hilary," Kai finally managed.

"Hilary? What are you…?" The name finally clicked in Tala's head

"Your old manager? What about her?" Kai's eyes were glued to the stage, where the girls were already beginning to remove articles of clothing. He watched as Hilary slowly began to unbutton her shirt. Tala followed Kai's eyes to the stage. He focused on the girl in the middle and studied her, before he realized what his captain meant.

"Oh."

"What the FUCK is she doing?"

"...Is she the one who disappeared when you guys went on tour?" Kai nodded briskly. He was part-elated, angry, and horny as fuck. Not a good combination. Hilary finished unbuttoning her shirt and tossed it away. She was left in her white baseball cap, bra, shorts, and boots. Taking the hat in her hands, she threw it off stage before taking the center pole.

"I'm sure she just needs the money," Tala said, sensing the tension coming from his friend.

"If she needed money, why didn't she come to me?" Even when they were dating, Kai had serious cash. On top of being a famous beyblader, he inherited a fortune from his grandfather.

"Pride?" Tala guessed.

"If she has so much pride, why is she taking her clothes off for a few bucks?" Kai snapped.

"Don't get mad at me because your ex turned into a stripper." Kai glared daggers at Tala. He sighed. "There's nothing you can do about it, Kai. This is the path she chose."

Kai turned to the stage and watched as she continued to disrobe. He'd be damned if this was going to be her path.

So, that's the first chapter. What did you guys think? The rating to this story will most likely go up in the later chapters. The title may also change. If you guys have any ideas for what I should change it to, please post them in a review.