Fire
Within Those Crimson Eyes
Storms-Winter
Disclaimer: The making of Beyblade belongs to and is copyright of Aoki Takao, any unfamiliar OC's are mine.
Chapter One- The New Girl
At an alarming rate, two boys skidded around a corner, ducking around another before collapsing into a halt. Tense and holding their breaths, they waited. And not for long, as soon enough, a mob of cheering girls rushed dangerously close by. They disappeared, however, leaving a surprising silence in their wake.
Relieved, one slumped against the wall and sighed.
"It'sway too early to be hunted down by fan girls."
The other boy grunted and peered out, making a thorough assessment of the area before he pulled back lazily and leaned against the wall.
"We're safe." He said flatly.
Rei shook his head at Kai. He never changed.
"Well—"
"Hey! Stop!"
The two froze, thinking themselves caught. Cautiously, Rei looked out and saw two girls — instantly recognizable as major fans — who constantly stalked them, even though Kai had spoken to Mr. Dickinson about pressing charges for privacy infringement. Rei knew everything about the two (not that he'd asked): Shana and Lilia had willingly given away everything knowledgeable about them in hopes of interesting the bladers.
Watching nervously, the neko-jin saw them run up to another girl standing further ahead, whom they had hailed earlier. Facing the boys, she regarded her two inquirers blankly. "Yes?"
"Have you seen two boys come by here? Recently?" Shana demanded, tossing her (dyed) bright blue locks arrogantly.
"Their names are Kai Hiwatari and Rei Kon," her companion, Lilia, supplied.
The stranger frowned slightly, showing no sign of recognition to the names. She was petite with a delicate-looking frame, but her straight stance, almond-shaped eyes of a crimson hue, and stubbornly set face belied the innocent fragility that seemed a part of her. She had long, shining ebony hair braided loosely down her back, with bangs sweeping gently into her face.
Her burning gaze ran over the two girls quickly, as she gave a light shrug.
"Dunno," she answered in a low, slightly accented voice, "I have no idea who you're talking about."
That surprised them both. "Don't you know who they are?" Lilia asked, astonished, looking at her with a ridiculous sort of shock, "How could you not know about them?"
The girl cast her an irritated look, snapping: "If I did, I would have said so."
"Heck..." Shana muttered, staring at her hard. "Where have you been? Locked up in a closet?"
Crimson fire narrowed.
"I don't believe that's any of your business," the strange girl retorted, visibly annoyed at the inquiry. "Are you done?"
Her tone made them stare. Shana mustered a glare before she snipped: "Fine, I'll tell you, it's obvious enough by your accent you're not from around here. Kai and Rei are really famous and really hot bladers. They were a part of the team known as the Bladebreakers. Ring a bell?"
The stranger considered and nodded. "Go on," she merely said.
"Rei is from China and he's a neko-jin. He's not hard to miss in a crowd, even for someone like you. His hair is tied up like a tiger tail, he has sexy golden eyes and his trademark is his red yin-yang bandana." Lilia explained with a sigh and dreamy expression.
Shana smirked. "Kai is really tall and drop dead sexy. He has two tone hair, slate at the front and dark blue at the back, and mahogany eyes. You can spot him from a mile away because of his white scarf. Oh, and he's Russian."
A fine black brow lifted. "I see..."
"Have you seen them?" Asked the two pleadingly.
"I might have..." The girl slowly replied. "Ah, screw it. I'm covering for them." She paused as they wriggled impatiently. "They went to the track field."
"Oh! Really?"
"Really." She answered, perfectly serious.
Immediately, Shana and Lilia raced off. The girl's lips rose into a smirk. "Rule number one girls: never trust a stranger." Her low, softly accented voice was laced with dark amusement as she turned and vanished round a corner.
Rei gave a sigh and relief and glanced towards Kai. "That... was interesting."
"Hm," was the quiet response.
"Something wrong?" Rei asked curiously.
Kai frowned. "Her accent. It was Russian," he muttered.
Rei shrugged. He'd noticed, but had been busier trying to figure out where he'd seen her before…her features…if not the colouring was vaguely reminding him of someone he'd seen before.
Deciding it wasn't worth pursuing, he spoke lightly to his companion.
"I wouldn't think much of it, Kai. It's just an accent."
Nodding, his friend and team captain let the matter drop as they slipped out of hiding and went to their first period classes
If there was something that truly annoyed her, it was being late for something because of wrong directions.
"Stupid woman," the ebony-haired girl spat under her breath, "Obviously you've never left the office."
She scowled down at her timetable before crumpling it and shoving it into her pants pocket, then picked a random direction and set off down a hall in search of her Chemistry class. Irritation was etched on her small face, causing her full, pink lips to set into a straight line and her jaw to take on a stubborn stance.
Turning a corner, she gazed about, trying to get her bearings, then heard a voice behind her: "Hey, need help?"
She looked over her shoulder and gave a quick smile to a blonde boy standing there, his schoolbooks under his arm.
"Not really, but… sort of. I'm heading for the Chem lab."
He smiled. "Well, you're going in the right direction. New?"
"Yeah." She hesitated for brief, unnoticed second, before adding with a faint smile, "I'm Adrienne Fwujuii," she introduced herself.
"Name's Max Tate," he smiled, shifting his books around in his arms for a moment before shaking her hand.
Tilting her head, she took in the open, smiling face, the scattering of freckles and bright blue gaze, than studied his attire as she shook his hand. The boy was about average height. He wore a worn; light blue t-shirt and orange cargo pants covered with pockets. Covering one side of the front of his shirt was the emblem of a turtle-like creature: his bitbeast Draciel.
"Nice to meet you," Adrienne murmured.
Max tilted his head in slight amazement. No excited exclamation? No demanding of autographs? Strange…but he liked her cool calm. Finally, a girl who didn't jump on his formerly Bladebreaker name like a starving animal. It had really not helped that their team had served as advertisement for the school…
He walked her to the Chemistry lab and waved, stating gallantly: "Here's your class. Will you be needing a guide later?"
"Nah, I know where I'm going now. I just needed to look around. Thanks."
Max smiled. "Okay, well, see ya later then, Adrienne."
"Mmhmm."
She waved back as she walked into class. Most of the students didn't bother to look up as they conversed in quiet voices, until...
"Adrienne?"
Looking up, the petite girl flashed a grin, which quickly turned into a look of horror before a pink blur of a girl ran into her, knocking her effectively to the floor.
"Mariah! GET OFF!!"
Laughing sheepishly, the pink haired neko-jin did so. Adrienne rubbed the back of her head and shot Mariah a peeved look as she rose, only to be caught into a bear hug. When Mariah finally let go, Adrienne sucked in air gratefully, narrowing her gaze.
"Mari, do you have to try and kill me?" She demanded, irked.
Mariah's amber gaze shone. "Sorry, but I'm so happy to see you! It's been forever!"
"Four months," Adrienne corrected with an exasperated look.
"Whatever. So, what made you come here?"
"Ahem."
Mariah blinked and looked over at the teacher, who was watching them sternly.
"Are you going to allow me to meet your friend, Miss Lan?" He asked quietly.
"Oh...right." Mariah whispered, looking sheepish as the class chuckled and observed the newcomer with interest.
Adrienne shook her head, amused despite herself.
"Fwujuii, Adrienne," she told the man, watching intently.
He nodded and smiled. "Thank you, here is your text...you're behind so if you need help just ask."
She nodded and let Mariah drag her to the free space at her worktable as the teacher called the class to attention.
"That took forever!"
Adrienne gave an amused laugh at the other girl's exaggeratingly pained expression. "C'mon, Mari, it wasn't so bad."
"Easy for you to say, you can do that stuff. I hate Chemistry, and Math," Mariah scowled, trudging down the hall at Adrienne's side, "I especially hate math."
"If it makes you feel any better, I can help you," Adrienne told her friend, smiling as the pink haired girl's face lit up and she grinned brightly.
"You're the best, Ari!" Mariah exclaimed, relieved.
"Not really."
"Sure you are, you always help me!"
"Only to keep you from plaguing us all with your complaints," The dark-haired girl chuckled, ducking out of the way of swinging books and suddenly running into something hard. Staggering back, she just managed to keep her balance and shook her head.
"Who built the brick wall?" She muttered angrily as she glanced up.
Kai raised a brow. He instantly recognized the girl from before. He was mildly surprised at how tiny she was up close. She barely topped his chest... but then again, most girls didn't.
He studied her with mild interest: small and delicate—if you took away those fiery eyes, and the defiant stance. She wore a baggy, blood red hooded sweater and loose, black cargo pants, on which the pattern of a red and gold dragon was imprinted on the bottom of one leg. Curious despite himself, he tilted his head minutely, giving away none of his thoughts through his features. She seemed fragile…but there was something else…he could feel…power? Intrigued, he made a mental note to look further into the matter. He had the feeling she was a blader.
Unaware of his thoughts, Adrienne stared up at the boy and her eyes narrowed. Tall, a mess of slate blue hair at the front and longish dark blue at the back, pale skin, deep, neutral and emotionless mahogany eyes, stoic expression, blue shark fin face paint... firm, chiseled body and undeniable maleness... his attire was black and blue: black muscle shirt outlining his broad chest, black cargo pants held up with a belt, royal blue vest with an emblazoned red phoenix…and of course that stand out, snow-white scarf around his neck.
Bingo, she'd run into Kai Hiwatari.
Literally.
He regarded her with an arrogant air, and she could see the controlled power that radiated from him: his own and Dranzer's, tightly coiled and ready to spring out to unleash their combined strength at the next victim. She didn't like the fact that he just stood there watching her, as if expecting her to say something.
Frowning slightly, she stuck out her pointed chin.
"You know, a little 'sorry' would be nice," she lifted a brow.
Kai scowled down at her, replying: "I didn't run into you."
No accent, Adrienne remarked. His voice had a deep, darkly toned timbre.
"So? You were still in the way," she pointed out lazily and saw Mariah blink.
Kai raised a brow. "I was just walking, little one, and you ran directly into me."
Adrienne's eyes suddenly flashed at being called 'little one'. No one was allowed to call her that, except…
"Do you own the halls?" she snapped.
"In this school…" His lips curved into a smirk, "…I rule."
Her burning gaze flared visibly. "Well then, remind me to avoid running into you, 'Your Majesty', or at least take a wide turn," Adrienne stated impertinently.
Walking past Kai, she rolled her eyes as Mariah bit her lip and followed. Behind them, Kai watched with a narrowed gaze before he turned and continued on his way.
Adrienne was bored in her next class. Holding back a yawn, she allowed her gaze to wander out the window as the teacher droned on, even after papers had been handed out. It was a beautiful day outside, and she wistfully wished that she could escape the confinements of the class to run into the nearby forest.
Looking at the tall, majestic trees, she knew she would have to go and explore later on. Perhaps at lunch…
"Miss Fwujuii. Can you answer for us?"
Huh? She looked up, startled back to reality.
"Adolph Hilter," she began without much thought, holding back another yawn, "an interesting man to the world, even today. To begin with, he was born in the year 1889 at Braunau am Inn, Austria. He failed to complete his education, was rejected from the painting school he wanted to get into and was placed in jail for a five year sentencing, for which he only served one, for crimes of conspiracy and treason. He published a book called Mein Kampf, an autobiography and an exposition of his political ideology. He came to a rise in power and after much hardship, was sworn in as chancellor in January 1933…"
She paused. Stifling in her yawns was becoming difficult.
"…from there, he rose to become Fuhrer of Germany until his suicide death in 1945."
She looked back out the window as the teacher nodded, seeming somewhat dazed, but, satisfied, she carried on. At the back of the class, a pair of dark eyes studied her thoughtfully and in quiet curiosity.
In the next class, which turned out to be Physical Education, Mariah pounced on Adrienne, rushing her through the process of changing her clothes before introducing her to other girls whom she hung out with: the brainy, orange-haired Emily from the All Starz; kind, red-headed Salima from the Physics; sarcastic, blue-haired Miriam of the Saint-Shields; loud, bossy Hilary and finally, another girl as tiny as Adrienne.
Hana nodded to her seriously, her dark chocolate eyes expressionless. She tied back her dark hair, watching Adrienne in silence for a few moments before commenting: "Should be interesting."
Adrienne gave her a curious look. "Oh?"
A smile just shy of a smirk crept onto Hana's face. "They like to bully small people."
"A group of boys gang up on Hana all the time," Hilary explained with a scowl. "They think it's funny."
Crimson orbs narrowed with humour. The Russian girl's smile was cutting.
"I think I can handle it. I don't put up with being pushed around."
They walked out into the gym and Hilary declared: "Basketball!"
As she scooped up a ball, Emily wrinkled her nose, thinking of how much she preferred tennis, but she had promised to play. Adrienne spied her look of distaste and chuckled as she and the others fanned out on the court, deciding to fit in a little practice before class started. Hilary grinned and went in, handling the ball skillfully enough, but was blocked by Salima, who tossed the stolen ball to Hana. She went face to face with Adrienne and got into a rather competitive one-on-one, as the other girls looked on, grinning uncertainly.
"Look at this, the midgets have come out to play."
Adrienne let the ball fly and watched as it went through the basket with a swish. She then turned to regard the hugely tall blonde boy standing behind her. Lifting a delicate brow, she asked mildly: "Couldn't you think of anything more original?"
He frowned as a burly boy with lilac hair ambled up and set his gaze on her. Hana watched silently, her gaze traveling a bit further towards a tall, lean redhead standing beside Kai, who was watching, but seeming vaguely bored.
The blonde asked harshly: "Don't you know who I am?"
"Not a clue," Adrienne lied, knowing full well that his name was Spencer and his companion was Bryan. They were two members of the Russian team formerly called the Demolition Boys, now the Blitzkrieg Boys. Her fiery gaze swept to where the team captain, Tala Valkov, stood leaning against the wall, his ice blue gaze pinned on her.
"You're Russian," Bryan declared in a hard tone.
"So?"
"All of Russia knows about us."
Adrienne narrowed her eyes. "Then you'll have to excuse me if I was locked away from the world and forbidden to maintain all and any communication with the outside." She replied coolly. "What's so special about you, anyway?"
The two remained silent and glanced to where Tala stood. They didn't like to talk too much about their past with the Abbey and Boris. The redhead studied the new girl and she met his gaze head on, showing no expression. Shifting, he straightened and walked over to her.
"Have you never heard of how Biovolt tried to take over the world?" He asked in Russian.
Tilting her head, Adrienne listened to his smooth, deep voice before answering in the same language: "I might have, but things like that didn't concern anyone from where I was."
Curiously, Tala considered her.
"Where were you?"
"That's none of your business," she stated dismissively, "And I don't care who you are, or what you've done. It's none of my concern."
She turned away with finality and joined the other girls, who had been watching from the side with the rest of the students.
"What was that all about?" Mariah asked curiously.
"Nothing. Just small talk."
Although doubtful, the pink haired neko-jin nodded and introduced the fiery-eyed girl to the boy sitting beside her.
"This is Rei Kon, an old friend of mine from the White Tiger village," Mariah smiled proudly, "He's of the former Bladebreakers, and second in command to Kai."
Adrienne smiled at him and nodded, taking his offered hand.
"Nice to meet you, Rei. If you're anything like your captain, tell me now."
A rueful grin crossed Rei's face and caused his fangs to flash out slightly.
"Met Kai, huh? I gather you're not too impressed."
"Not really," Adrienne answered, oddly cheerful. "Two minutes around me and he's already shown me he's a stuck-up, arrogant ass."
"He does have that effect on people," Rei agreed, smiling.
Adrienne decided that she liked Rei and studied him. He was also rather tall and had a nice, lean build. His wild black hair was held out of his eyes by his red yin-yang bandana and a long tiger tail wrap fell down his back. His cat-like characteristic stood out especially: warm, deep golden eyes, fangs that hinted out over his lips as he spoke and a deeply tanned complexion. He had on his gym strip at the moment, but if memory served her well—which it did—he had been wearing a Chinese outfit, composed of a long, white tunic decorated with the emblem of a white tiger on the back, a red sash tied around his waist and black pants.
She knew this all this, of course, from having spotted him and Kai in hiding as she had been conversing with the two fan girls.
She almost smirked at the memory.
Next time… find a better hiding place, boys.
"Game of toss?" Rei suggested, raising his brows inquiringly.
Smiling, Adrienne nodded and called Hana towards her as Mariah and Rei went to pick out a ball. Together, the four spent the rest of the class chatting while playing through the various exercises.
Lunch came and group of teens sat together talking as they ate outside.
"So who's the new girl? You know, the short one?"
Lazily, Kai opened an eye as he lay dozing under a maple tree. Max answered Michael. "Her name's Adrienne Fwujuii."
Tyson looked up from his meal and swallowed. "Cool. Does she beyblade?"
"Dunno."
"She couldn't," Michael smirked, laughing, "A tiny thing like her couldn't do much damage…"
Hana looked up and cleared her throat. Seeing her dark gaze announcing impending doom, Michael amended quickly: "…but you never know, she could surprise us."
"Who could surprise us?" A new voice asked, its owner coming over.
"Hey, Johnny," Tyson greeted. "We were just talking about the new girl."
Rei nodded. "Speak of the devil, here she comes now."
They all looked to see Mariah and the small, dark-haired girl walking towards them, apparently having a lively conversation.
Johnny blinked in surprised as he saw her. Instinctively, he started to say something then halted, checking himself. Finally, he uttered incredulous. "Adrienne?"
At the sound of her name, she looked over curiously, and the sight of the redheaded Scot causing a brilliant smile to light up her face.
"Johnny!"
She ran over and leapt into his arms, granting him a sisterly hug. Grinning, Johnny lifted her petite self by the waist, spinning her around so that she laughed. His lavender eyes softened as he set her down, ignoring the befuddled looks his lunch companions were giving him.
"What are you doing here, Ari?"
"Moved again," she shrugged ruefully.
Pausing, he regarded her. "Again? Why didn't you stay in Russia?"
A shadow passed over her small face before she smiled wryly.
"You know me… can't stay in one place for very long."
Johnny sighed, looking mildly pained. "So where did you come from this time?"
"Actually," she grinned mischievously, "I was in London over the last two weeks, so I took the liberty of visiting Guinevere and Ash."
"WHAT?"
She laughed softly at his stunned expression and reached up to close his mouth. "Johnny, you look like a fish when you do that. A particularly stupid fish."
"You went and visited mother?" Johnny demanded, bypassing the fish comment.
"Yes."
He groaned and covered his face with one hand, muttering a mix of swear and nonsense words under his breath.
Confused, Mariah leaned forward from where she had sat down. "Ari? Mind explaining some things?"
Adrienne shrugged offhandedly. "What do you want to know, Mari?"
"About Johnny. How do you know him?"
"Could've just asked me," Johnny mumbled.
"Ah, that," Adrienne chuckled, taking a seat as well. "He's my cousin… although whether second or third, I can never remember..."
She looked thoughtfully into space, oblivious to their stares. Johnny pouted, seating himself with a huff.
"It's third." He grumbled.
Adrienne gave him a long look and spoke in English: "Quit acting like you're going to die. Guinevere and Ash were happy to see me," she paused, remaining unaffected by the glare he sent her, "Ash gave me something to pass on to you. She really misses you."
Johnny sighed and his gaze softened. He missed his little sister too. Named Ashleigh McGregor, she, like her older brother, hated her full name and preferred to be called Ash. She was fourteen and a handful to manage, on account of her split personality.
"Lost again," Tyson muttered as the small girl said something in a language most didn't understand.
Adrienne heard and smiled. Johnny shook his head.
"You'll have to give it to me later," he told her.
"Sure..." she nodded and looked around, "Where are the others?" she asked in a language that all of them could comprehend.
"Somewhere. I wouldn't worry too much, you'll see them."
"I'm not worried about Robert or Oliver," Adrienne said dryly in her accented voice. "More about Enrique."
Tyson frowned and protested. "Hey, c'mon, Enrique isn't that bad."
The surrounding girls gave unladylike snorts of disbelief. Adrienne looked at the navy-haired teen that sat beside the blonde Max. Earlier, Rei had mentioned two more that were also included in the group of the former Bladebreakers: Tyson Granger and Kenny, also known as "the Chief".
Before her, she surmised, was Tyson. He too was around average height, and surprisingly trim, considering the amount of food before him and how much she'd seen him consume at the time of her arrival. His brown eyes met hers with a confident and boasting air. His long hair was tied into a ponytail and he wore a blue and red cap on his head with the visor pointing back. He also wore a long-sleeved, royal blue shirt and black pants. A red vest went over his shirt and on the back was an emblazoned silver and blue dragon.
Studying her hard, he looked over her tomboyish attire and paused when he saw the decorative red and gold dragon on her pant leg.
"A dragon…" He glanced up. "Do you beyblade?"
"Can you say one-track mind?" Michael quipped, drawing chuckles from the group.
Adrienne nodded slowly and he grinned giving a challenging look.
"Wanna battle?"
"No thanks," she declined lazily.
"Whaa?" He stared, shocked, then recovered and demanded: "Why?"
Adrienne covered a yawn.
"It would be a waste of time," she vaguely replied.
Tyson scowled and folded his arms. "Yeah, right. You just don't want to lose."
Smiling slightly, Adrienne brushed falling bangs from her face. "I know for a fact I wouldn't lose. I never have."
"Really?" Max looked up, surprised.
Adrienne nodded as Tyson stubbornly snorted. "You're just saying that because you're afraid to take on a world champion. I bet you'rejust saying that to get attention."
"Believe what you want," she retorted in dismiss. "I really don't care."
Johnny snickered to one side as Tyson fumed. But abruptly a sly look entered the teen's face.
"Fine, whatever," he shrugged, "If you're too weak to go up against me..."
Adrienne looked at him sharply and narrowed her fiery gaze. She knew he was pulling the strings again to try and get her to battle, and this time he had succeeded. She didn't put up with people calling her. Ever.
"Weak?" She echoed in a dangerous voice.
"Tyson?" Johnny tried to call the navy haired teen's attention, but finding himself ignored, he sighed and muttered prayers for no deaths.
Tyson grinned to himself. Sheesh, Russians. They had so much pride.
"If you have a bitbeast, it probably isn't strong enough. I bet you aren't much of a blader anyway."
Adrienne's crimson orbs flared with fury and scorched the teen.
"You want a battle? Fine," she snarled and stood, hauling him up and dragging him towards one of the many beydishes that had been installed within the school boundaries for the bladers to keep within practice.
Curious, the others followed. Mariah looked nervous. "Tyson is soo dead," she mumbled as the two brought out their launchers and blades.
Threading her ripcord into her black launcher, Adrienne looked at her blood red blade and smirked. Snapping it into place, she waited as Max hollered out the countdown.
"In 3...2...1! LET IT RIP!"
"Go, Dragoon!" Tyson yelled.
Adrienne, silent, launched hard and gave the order of the first attack to her faithful bitbeast. Her blade glowed and crashed into the opposing grey blade with such a powerful blow that it was sent flying out of the dish before anyone could register what had happened.
Catching her returning blade, Adrienne watched as Tyson's landed in the distance behind him. The others stared.
"Holy..." Michael finally managed.
Rei was equally stunned. I've only known Kai to finish a battle that quickly, but that…
Kai stood silently, mildly impressed, and like the others, quite surprised, although he didn't show it. It was intriguing to see someone so small, so seemingly, innocently delicate, have that much strength. For a brief instant, her aura of innocence had become pure power, showing more about her than she allowed at most instances.
Abruptly, he wondered just how strong she was. Would she be a match for himself and Dranzer? As if feeling his silent question, she looked at him, frowning, before she silently slipped her blade away and turned, leaving the stunned group to try and figure out what had happened.
Adrienne's next two classes went by, boring her to tears. She finished her math in record time and sat staring out the window. Come languages she doodled absently, feeling vaguely frustrated. When her teacher caught her slacking, she rounded on Adrienne, scolding in French, then nearly reeled in shock when an irritated Adrienne snapped back. Then it had become a contest of how many languages each could speak.
Adrienne won that.
After school, she walked home to the apartment she had set herself up in. Nodding to the clerk, she took the elevator to her room. She stepped in quietly and sighed. When something brushed against her leg she looked down to see her tiny grown cat weaving between her ankles, meowing cutely in greeting.
With uncharacteristic gentleness, she picked up the cat and hugged her carefully.
"Hello, my girl."
The black cat rubbed her small face against Adrienne's and purred happily. Amused, she began to purr along with her feline familiar. Along with the same small and delicate frame as her mistress, the cat also possessed, eerily, the same red eyes, hence her name: Scarlet.
Nimbly, the tiny cat climbed up and perched itself on Adrienne's shoulder. Looking around feeling bored and lonely, the girl made an early dinner and ate unenthusiastically, feeding Scarlet tiny tidbits. Her place was large and roomy. It had a large kitchen, a living room, six bedrooms with two bathrooms and another room she'd made into an office of sorts. She and Scarlet were the sole occupants of the space, a thought that, for some reason, irritated Adrienne even more.
Dropping her dishes carelessly into the sink, she heaved a cross sort of sigh and grabbed a light jacket from the back of a chair, shrugging into it as Scarlet bounded onto her head, then once again onto her shoulder before settling. Adrienne shoved her hands into the shallow pockets, and, feeling the desired objects nestled in their depths, stalked out of the apartment.
Rei sighed. Tyson had wanted to train, but unfortunately that had become a trial in itself as fan girls had surrounded the group almost immediately. Of course, Tyson smiled and delighted at being the center of attention. Max didn't seem to mind overly, though his teammates could sense that he would rather escape. The girls completely ignored Kenny who was off to one side. Hilary, who usually joined them for their practices, had decided to forgo tonight, as she was getting sick of the pests constantly following them.
Glancing at Kai, Rei saw that the Russian teen still wore his cold, stoic expression as he ignored the gathered girls from his leaning position against a tree, but a tic in his jaw showed a storm was steadily gathering, just waiting for all hell to break loose. Wincing in prediction for when Kai finally lost his temper, Rei noticed the constant chattering had ceased. He was curious as to why, until he heard a sweet melody drifting through the area in an oddly calming lull.
"That's so pretty," a girl whispered.
"It almost sounds sad," another remarked.
"But soothing," added yet another.
They looked around, searching, until one girl declared: "We should try to find the person."
The others agreed and ran off, leaving the males to stare. Kenny grimaced.
"Good riddance," he muttered moodily.
"Where's that music coming from?" Max asked.
"Over there," Rei answered, hearing the notes clearly with his keen neko-jin senses.
Immediately, Tyson bounded towards the spot designated by Rei and paused when he came under a tree.
"It's Adrienne," he said as the others joined him.
She was sitting upon a high branch, playing what looked to be a pan flute as she leaned against the tree trunk, one leg draped down and swinging. She didn't notice the teens below her as she continued to play, her eyes closed.
"Hey, Adrienne!" Max called.
No response.
"Adrienne?"
Still nothing.
Kai frowned, then barked: "Fwujuii!"
Finally, she reacted. The notes faded and she looked down with annoyance.
"Bloody hell… what?" She snapped.
Tyson frowned. "We were calling you."
"Yes, I know. I heard you the first time, but obviously some people can't take a hint when they're being ignored."
They blinked at her cold tone. Tyson glared at her. "I want a rematch," he said loudly. They all stared at him, including Adrienne, though her look was more of amused exasperation.
"Another?" She asked, mockingly incredulous, "Didn't you learn anything from this afternoon?"
"It was an unfair match," He returned stubbornly.
Her brows shot up before she snorted.
"Forget it."
"You can't refuse!" Tyson yelled.
"Can and am," she muttered, abruptly standing on her branch and pocketing her pan.
Then she looked up and spoke, vexation heavily lacing her voice.
"Scarlet, I don't know why you climb so high when you know you hate coming back down."
"…Scarlet?"
A soft, self-piteous meow was heard. Shaking her head, Adrienne reached up and swung herself up onto another branch, easily and nimbly climbing further up in a few moments. Kenny sucked in a terrified breath of air as Max stared, looking worried. Adrienne paused on a thin branch, balancing lazily as she let the cat walk onto her shoulder, gripping her clothes carefully with her claws.
"Silly cat," Adrienne muttered as she looked down at the boys, "You're going to have to move," she called down as she began to descend to a lower and thicker branch.
Tyson looked confused.
"Why?"
Rolling her eyes, she let out a few Russian words of choice and replied: "Because I'm going to jump down. So I suggest you move, unless you want me to land on you," she added pointedly.
Frowning, they all moved, save Kenny, who protested.
"You can't jump, you'll kill yourself!"
Kai sighed and grabbed the small boy out of the way. Adrienne didn't comment and leapt down, landing on the ground safely in a cat-like crouch. Standing, she lifted a brow.
"Still alive," she said lightly, her voice hinting at mockery.
Rei smiled. "I didn't know you were neko-jin."
"Not really," she replied, looking away as certain grief entered her eyes. "I merely have the strain in me, from my mother."
She shrugged and turned to leave.
"Uhh, Adrienne?" Max called out, peering at her curiously, "What's that on your shoulder?"
Without glancing over, she tossed her hair to one side and a small, delicate-looking cat was revealed. Scarlet's red gaze lazily regarded the group, as she lay perched on her mistress's shoulder, her skinny tail wrapped loosely around Adrienne's throat.
"Ho—ly..." Max muttered.
Rei was impressed. "A familiar, huh? You don't see them often."
"I know," said Adrienne, turning her head affectionately towards the cat.
Scarlet rubbed her face against the girl's cheek, purring. Kenny was fascinated. "Amazing, she looks just like you in frame and colour…and the scarlet eyes, very unique. How long have you had her?"
"Since she was born," Adrienne smiled at the small cat, "She's nearly three, a grown cat. But to me she's still my kitten."
"Amazing," Kenny repeated in awe, opening his laptop.
"Well. Here's something you don't see everyday," A sarcastic woman's voice spoke. Blinking in bemusement, Adrienne focused on the laptop.
"Dizzi," the small brunette chided.
Adrienne glanced towards Rei with a questioning air, and he bared his fangs weakly in a sheepish grin.
"That's Kenny, or as we all know him as, the Chief. Dizzi is his bitbeast who's trapped in his laptop."
Adrienne lifted a brow silently. Well, that's definitely something interesting.
"What? No introductions?" Dizzi demanded, "Where are your manners?"
Kenny sighed and gave a shy smile to Adrienne.
"This is Dizzi. She helps me collect data on beyblades."
"Not too mention I also think up of strategies, new blade structures, plus I give information of what goes on during a battle…and I alsoanalyze and find information on teams and other bladers," Dizzi added, annoyed.
"That too," Kenny agreed, trying to calm Dizzi down.
Adrienne sensed that the trapped bitbeast was trying to gather information about her. Dizzi confirmed this thought a moment later.
"Very interesting. There's absolutely no given data on you or your bitbeast."
"Are you serious!?" Tyson stared.
"No, I was just trying to be funny."
Adrienne grinned slightly at the scene. She had a feeling she was going to like this Dizzi. Kenny looked at her. "How is that possible? The BBA has given information on every blader."
A mysterious expression rose in Adrienne's eyes. "Perhaps they haven't been able to update it."
"How long have you been blading?" Rei asked.
"A long time..." she murmured, and a far away look entered her burning orbs. Memories rose and a shadow lay hidden before she shook her head and shrugged. "I started before I turned six... I might have been four..."
Her brow furrowed as something nagged at her. "I think a friend introduced me to it."
"Wow," Kenny mumbled, "That's... how many…?"
"Thirteen years."
"Kai's the only one I know that's bladed for that long," Tyson commented.
Adrienne gave the stoic teen a cool glance. "What can I say? I'm Russian. We take blading seriously."
Kai smirked, speaking for the first time: "It's a good thing you do, little one. You'll need to be serious if you want to go against my Dranzer."
His Russian was flawless and poured over her in his deep voice. Adrienne narrowed her eyes. Battle Dranzer? She had to admit that the prospect did intrigue her. She wanted to know just how powerful the Phoenix was...
Faeryhx? She questioned mentally. A quiet approval met her and she smiled slightly.
Kai watched her and took her silence as hesitation.
"If you're too afraid, little one, I'll make Dranzer go easy."
Her gaze snapped to him. The sudden anger in her fiery gaze made it flare up hotly and scorch him as she glared. To be called little one was annoying: she was well aware of her height, and to have Hiwatari at six whatever the heck feet rubbing it in set her on edge. But to then taunt her with the power of his Dranzer and making it seem like she was afraid? She saw red.
Growling at him, she turned and stalked to the nearest dish. The others looked at Kai. "Kai, what did you say?"
He merely smirked and followed her. Adrienne waited with her blade in hand, fingering the centerpiece. In the middle of her blood red blade, her dragon bitbeast Faeryhx, glowed, giving support and comfort.
Smirking, she loaded her blade onto her launcher and waited with an expressionless face as Kai took his time. The others watched and Kenny sat with Dizzi, ready for the upcoming analysis.
"Prepare to lose, little one," Kai murmured with a smug look.
Her stubborn chin lifted as a quiet snarl was emitted. Tyson counted down eagerly. "3...2...1! LET IT RIP!!"
The two launched hard and the blades landed simultaneously, making sparks fly. Kai made the first move as Adrienne silently commanded her bitbeast to wait.
"Dranzer! Finish this!"
Fae, evade.
The two blades missed each other and Kai held in his surprise, looking sharply at the small girl. She hadn't said anything... mind link?Fine…if that's the case…
Dranzer, let's kick this up a notch.
His blade lit up and flames flared from nowhere, surrounding the dish. He nodded smugly, until he saw her amused look.
"Fire is harmless to my Fae. In fact, she rather enjoys the heat."
Mischief shone in her gaze.
"It's a nice relaxer," Adrienne added wickedly.
"Dranzer," Kai commanded coldly.
The great fire phoenix appeared, stretching out his wings and heaving a great, screeching battle cry. Adrienne frowned but called out her own bitbeast.
"Faeryhx!"
Her blade glowed and from it emerged a dragon. Faeryhx was beautiful, and dangerous; her scarlet red hide shining like flames so that the scales burned brightly, overtop, glistening black armour swept down her neck, lining over her chest. Plates of black holding deadly spines could be made out along her back between her equally black and scarlet wings. Finishing the look, along her forelegs, the armour curved around her claws, acting as a second layer of shredding lethalness.
Her deep ruby eyes glowed and as her wings snapped open to cause a gust of hot air to ravage the dish. Set within her forehead like a third unblinking eye was a ruby, glowing from an essence within.
Refusing to be impressed, Kai snapped: "Fly!"
A silent command also sent the dragon into the air. Screaming a challenge, Dranzer attacked Faeryhx in mid-air. The two blades crashed together with tremendous force then broke apart, looking for weaknesses as the two bitbeasts circled.
Kai couldn't believe that the dragon was still holding on. She shouldn't have that much power. It was impossible. He looked at her and frowned. Her aura was that of innocent delicacy, so how could she hide so much strength under it? You never saw it, until she was angry, or battling. It confused and annoyed him.
"Finish this," He growled as he fed his energy to his phoenix.
Dranzer empowered, rained attacks upon Faeryhx. The dragon and Adrienne endured it grimly until Dranzer caught a weak part in Faeryhx's underside. The dragon fell as Adrienne touched her side, wincing. Triumphant, Dranzer cried out and Kai smirked.
"I am not done!" Adrienne snarled as her crimson eyes glowed.
Suddenly, red flames erupted and flared up, surrounding the dragon. When Dranzer attacked, light exploded into the space and Faeryhx straightened from her fall, shooting upwards with a roar.
There was a blast and the teens shielded themselves protectively. Coughing from the flying dust, Tyson peered through the smoke as it cleared.
"I don't believe it!" He yelled. "They tied!"
Both blades lay on their sides outside of the dish. Grimacing in displeasure, Adrienne shook her head and spat out blood as she crouched on the ground. She touched her side again, muttering a curse.
/Are you unwell, Adrienne?./ Faeryhx spoke softly in concern.
I'm fine, Fae. Just a scratch.
/We should not have bonded like that./
You needed my strength as well, Adrienne replied firmly, I'll be fine.
Doubtful, her dragon set her mind to healing and some of the pain faded. Sighing exasperatingly but fondly, Adrienne rose as Kai scooped up his blade, but left hers. Scarlet wandered over and circled the fallen blade, purring. Kai watched the petite girl walk over and kneel to let her cat climb back up onto her shoulder. She claimed her blade, smiling before she pocketed it.
Tyson was grinning like a mad man. "That was the coolest battle!"
"And your dragon!" Kenny exclaimed, awed, "I've never seen so much power, it's off the charts!" Then he looked disappointed. "But I didn't get much data. It was too much for Dizzi to handle."
Good. That way she was still safe.
Adrienne smiled.
"Well, it's been fun, gentlemen, but I have to go. I have an appointment to keep with my bed."
She winked, causing the younger boys to chuckle. With a jaunty wave, she turned and disappeared, melting into the shadows without a sound before they could say anything else.
Eyes followed the events with a gleaming, triumphant look and a crazed smile appeared on his features. Sliding further into the shadows, the male licked his lips with anticipation as he brought out his cell phone and pressed a number, waiting until it picked up on the other end.
"Get me Scorpion."
...I'm sure by now some are frustrated with me and the constant changes I'm making...and perhaps by the lack of updates. What can I say, I'm not satisfied with this story at the moment, and motivation for it is falling away day by day. I do have ideas, but no way of writing them out fully. I can promise I'll keep trying, in the meantime, I'm making with my promise/threat and changing names of characters within this, you'll see soon enough.
If you do get confused though, and need a reminder, PM, or email me, I'm not going to bite off heads
Thanks for being so patient!
Storm