I hope I made this chapter worth while. Heh…


"MAKOTO! GET UP! You're going to be late! MAKOTO!" Takao was trying to get his son to wake up but Makoto showed no signs of waking up.

"MAKOTO! Ugh! REI! Your son is not waking up! He's going to be late again!" Takao called for his backup and that's when Makoto shot up and fell out of bed,

"I'm up! I'm up!" The last thing Makoto wanted was punishment from his Otosan after the night he had. Takao crossed his arms and smirked, calling for Rei always worked, whether Rei left the house already or not.

Makoto started his usual routine of running to school at least four days a week. At least this time he wore his uniform and grabbed his lunch. Makoto's not sure why he had to get his Daddy's gene of waking up late and running to school almost everyday? Why couldn't he have his Otosan's who gets up early and probably only wakes up late only once a year?

Makoto reached his classroom and got to his desk and the class cheered and clapped,

"Great job, Makoto! You made it before the bell rang and before the teacher came in!" said Tai who clapped with the others students. Makoto sat in his chair, catching his breath. He gave a peace sign with a smirk. When the teacher did come in, she was surprised that Makoto made it before she did.

"Class, today, we have a new student joining us. Some of you might already know him when he left a few years ago. But now he's moved back to Japan! Come on in!"

The door slid open and a blonde boy with tan skin and blue eyes walked in with his new uniform.

"Hello everyone, I'm Minkah, It's nice to be back in Japan again!" said Minkah and smiled.

"Good of you to join us, why don't you take that vacant seat next to Makoto,

"Minkah! Why didn't you tell me you were coming back?" Makoto asked seeing an old friend. Minkah sat in his desk,

"To surprise you of course," Minkah and Makoto sighed and nodded, he was definitely surprised.

The class started, but that didn't stop Makoto and Minkah to do some catching up,

"So, when did you decide to come back?" Makoto whispered,

"My parents wanted to visit yours, plus I was begging them to stay. I miss the thrill of 20 Faces," Minkah replied, also in a whisper,

"Not really a thrill, my fathers made me steal the school curtain last night," said Makoto,

"Really? For what?" Minkah asked, who almost laughed,

"To replace an old carpet…"

That did it, Minkah burst out laughing.


"Thanks a lot…" said Makoto,

"Sorry," Minkah apologized. Makoto sighed; he was definitely going to be in trouble now, standing outside his classroom two days in a row. Minkah didn't seem to mind though, even if getting in trouble on his first day here might add or reduce his reputation.

This is my old friend, Minkah. He's Egyptian. He's the only friend that knows about me being 20 Faces like his father knew about my Otosan being 20 Faces. I would tell Rin, Tai, or Cam, but the more people I tell, the more I risk. The only reason Minkah knows is because his father, Mystel, told him.

"So Makoto, how's Rin and Gou?" Minkah asked and Makoto sighed,

"Rin and I still talk, but Gou and I…"

"You and Gou…what?"

"We've haven't talked since he went to Junior High School," said Makoto with sadness in his voice and he sighed again.

"Oh that's right, he's a year older," said Minkah and nodded in partial understanding.

"Why didn't you start talking again when you got into Junior High?"

"He ignores me…"

"Oh…"

The two stood there for a good ten minutes until a certain pink-haired girl came by,

"Got in trouble again, Makoto?" Rin asked,

"Blame this guy," said Makoto motioning to Minkah.

"Hey Rin! Wow, you've definitely changed a bit," said Minkah,

"Minkah? Wow! It's been so long!"

The two started carrying a conversation and Makoto was automatically left out of it. Then he heard Mark's voice talking to someone, and his voice was getting closer. Makoto leaned over to see the corner of the hallway and he saw a blonde turn the corner which was Mark, then…

"Oh my go-Hide me! Hide me!" Makoto went behind Minkah and then knelt down,

"What are you doing?" Minkah asked when he almost lost his balance.

"Makoto, don't be such a-" Rin was interrupted,

"Rin! Stop chattering like chatterbox with your friend and let's get back to the office!" Gou scolded,

"Alright! No need to be so grumpy about it! Later!" Rin waved. Makoto thanked the heavens that Rin didn't say 'Later you two' or 'Later guys.'

"Hey Gou! Don't I get a 'hi' from someone from your childhood?" Minkah asked and Gou turned to look at him. Makoto wanted to die right there,

"…Nope, don't remember you," said Gou and continued walking.

"Why that jerk!"

Makoto stood back up,

"He's gone right?"

"Makoto! I thought you said he ignores you! Apparently, you're the one avoiding him by the looks of it," said Minkah,

"I know! It's just that…I don't know, I get all sweaty and nervous when I'm around him and it gets to a point that he'll start thinking I'm the weirdest guy in this school despite how good of a beyblader I am," said Makoto and hits his head against the wall.

"I just can't believe he didn't remember me! How many tan people does he know?!"

"Gou's a very busy person; he often sees a lot of people when he goes with his father on business trips. I'm sure he didn't mean to forget you," said Makoto, still with his head against the wall.

"I hope that's his reason…" said Minkah and readjusted his grip on the buckets, it was getting heavier.


"Okay, Rin, how much would supplies cost?" Mark asked at his desk,

"Still counting," said Rin,

"Gou, what's the-Hey! Gou!" Mark called Gou when Gou was all the way in the corner of room working in his usual notes of who 20 Faces is.

"What?" Gou asked and walked up to the chairman's desk,

"Never mind, Gou. I just can't believe you're losing your focus over a masked man!"

"…"

"20 Faces is pretty interesting though, maybe our festival theme can be a masquerade theme!" Rin suggested,

"That's…not bad idea," said Mark and puts a hand on his chin. "Alright then… Gou! Start on designs! Rin, you and I will start figuring out what we need and you can tell me the cost. Lets get to work," said Mark and the other two nodded.

Designs will be a snap for Gou, especially after studying 20 Faces since the 4th grade.

School's out and Gou went home in a limo. It's not to show off how rich he is, it's so he won't get killed by fan girls. Gou looked at his ideas and started thinking on it some more during the ride home. Gou walked into his home and went straight to his room. His father is still at work and his mother must be doing some art if she's not watching T.V. Gou puts his notes on his desk and continued his design idea for the festival.

Dinner time came and Gou went downstairs and was surprised to see that his father actually came home for dinner this time, this was good.

"Father? Can I ask you something?" Gou asked as he sits down,

"I don't see why not," said Kai and started eating his dinner.

"What do you think is a good way to attract 20 Faces to a crowd, such as the upcoming festival at the school?"

Kai thought about it,

"Well, you need something he wants to steal," Kai replied,

"Like what?"

"Something appealing to the eye."

"Mother! I'm not talking about what attract you!"

"I'm serious! Haven't you noticed that most of the things that 20 Faces steals has something that gets the attention to those that appreciates art?" said Gou's mother, Kaida. Gou thought about it, it is mostly true. Even if the things he stole were an ice sculpture which would eventually melt, he still steals it. How could he not notice this before?!

After dinner, Gou rushed back up to his room and took out all the notes he's taken on 20 Faces and started searching through the list of the things he stole. The only patterns he got were that 20 Faces tends to steal things that are related to dragons and tigers, especially white ones, but that's about it. Others are just unusual objects such as the curtain he stole last night. Now that his mother just gave him another clue, this might help him out.


A few days later, on a weekend, Takao and Rei were spending their time together. Well, watching the news was somewhat spending time together.

"This beautiful sapphire dragon will be on display the BBA School autumn fest. Made of real sapphire and because of its beautiful work even for a small size, its worth enough that it will be under heavy guard that the festival."

"Didn't Makoto say that festival was a masquerade theme?" Rei asked but didn't wait for an answer, "Then what in the world does that dragon have to do with anything?"

Takao didn't even answer as he stared at the T.V.

"That dragon looks so cool…"

"Takao, don't get greedy," said Rei but Takao only continued to stare,

"I'm not being greedy, I'm just admiring that," said Takao, Rei almost thought Takao didn't blink the whole time.

"Yes…more than you admire me?" Rei asked and Takao gave him a glare,

"You remember my birthday present that you stole from me when we first met?" Takao asked and Rei rolled his eyes,

"Yes, I remember, but I gave you your favorite cap that's now Makoto's!"

"But since the cap's not mine anymore, you owe me…" said Takao with a light smirk and Rei sighed,

"Alright, I'll ask Makoto to get that for you," said Rei and Takao wrapped his arms around Rei's neck,

"I knew you'd see it my way," said Takao and grinned.

"You're just too cute to resist…" Rei admitted and wrapped an arm around Takao's waist,

"I know!"

The two were about to lean in and start kissing for a good half hour if it weren't for a certain son of theirs.

"Remember the last time you two weren't in a room when doing stuff like that?" Makoto asked while holding a cup of water and his parents immediately shoved each other away from the other while blushing from embarrassment.

"Don't you have homework to do, Makoto?" Rei asked, trying to calm himself down from being caught like that again,

"Done!"

"Good…now get on your computer and don't bother us!" said Rei and Makoto shrugged and started going up the stairs. Rei turned back to Takao was giving Rei a cute, putting face.

"Oh wait! Makoto, you know that dragon that's going to be on display at your festival?" Rei asked, turning back to Makoto.

"Uh…yeah! Let me guess, you owe Daddy something and you want me to get it for you right? Don't worry, I'll do it," said Makoto and continued his way upstairs. Takao started giggling and laughing at Rei that Makoto could figure that out so easily.

"Stop that or I'm keeping myself dominate for the next couple of weeks! Whether you like it or not…" Rei threatened and pulled out some of his bondage material that was hidden under the couch to show that he was serious. Takao immediately went silent.

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In his bedroom, Makoto started writing out his notice and planning out how to steal that dragon that's going to be under heavy guard.

Soon the festival came and after seeing the notice, the dragon was under twice the guard that it was almost ridicules of putting it on display in the first place since it was hard to even see it at all.

"This is great! Yet kind of scary since I'm not sure who most of these people are," said Rin drinking some punch with Mark,

"If I knew 20 Faces would be after that dragon, I never would've said yes to Gou," said Mark.

Makoto was walking around the festival. He dressed as casually for this festival as he could, well, on the outside at least. Good thing this festival is at night thanks to the theme. Makoto stopped in front of the sapphire dragon and analyzed what he was up against. He smirked when he saw that this was still no problem at all.

"Do you think 20 Faces will really come?" Cam asked,

"The notice said he'd strike at nine, so I guess we'll find out in a minute," said Tai eating a chicken.

And on cue, on the dot of 9:00 p.m. the festival lights went off and after 5-6 seconds, then it came back on and the dragon was gone! The guards were confused at first until they saw a hole in the place of where the dragon was. 20 Faces stole it by going underground! Immediately, everyone was searching for 20 Faces and the sapphire dragon.


20 Faces knew they would be looking everywhere but the obvious so 20 Faces was escaping on foot instead of air this time. He was actually taking his time and walking home in his costume and carrying the case with the sapphire dragon in it…until he heard a police car nearby and he took off into a run. The police sirens were getting closer and he knew they would turn the corner any second so 20 Faces dived into an alley and went deeper to hide in the shadows. He sighs in relief when the cars past the alley way he was hiding in. He was about to continue on his way when he felt an arm around his waist and hand cover his mouth and was he pulled back a bit into the dead end of the alley and was quickly released. 20 Faces reached for his sword,

"Whoa! Wait! I'm not going to hurt you!"

20 Faces stopped,

"You again! Gr! Stop interfering with my life, Hiwatari!" 20 Faces exclaimed,

"Sh! You want us to get caught?" Gou asked,

"No! How come every time I steal something you are always at the scene of the crime!? And now…did you just try to kidnap me or something?!"

"No! Look, I just want to talk. Why in the world did you think I put the dragon on display at the festival even though it had nothing to do with the theme?" Gou pointed out,

"…You knew I was going steal it. How in the world-never mind, I've wasted enough time already!" said 20 Faces and was going to walk right by Gou and walk away like last time but this time, Gou stopped him,

"What do you want?! I'm not telling you who I am if that's what you're here for!"

"Well that's my main goal…but I don't see why you can't spare a few minutes to talk," said Gou and 20 Faces only looked like he was more annoyed than before.

"I don't want to talk!" 20 Faces protested,

"Why?"

"Because! My parents will be worr-I mean…" 20 Faces just realized what he just blurted out and he covered his mouth.

"Well…I guess you do have a family. Tell you what, I'll let you go, only if you come back to see me," Gou offered but before 20 Faces could reply, Gou kicked the sheathe and the sword came out a bit and Gou grabbed it,

"And don't even think of using this to threaten me," Gou added. 20 Faces stared, jaw-dropped, how did he know what he was going to do? Now he was in pickle, even as a thief, his Otosan always taught him to be honest with his word. So his only choices were to agree and go home quick or stay here until his parents send a search party.

"Alright! Fine! If you want to see me again, pick somewhere else besides here at least. I really need to get back home!"

Gou smirked,

"I knew you'd see it my way. Emerald Woods, know it?" Gou asked and 20 Faces nodded,

"We'll meet there, at the lake, tomorrow night. Be there no later then 10," said Gou and 20 Faces nodded again, he really needed to get home before his parents get really worried.

"And just to make sure you actually go there, I'll hold onto this," said Gou and swung the sword a bit,

"WHAT?!"

"Don't argue or fight with me, I've seen you fight and I'm just as good as you are so don't try," said Gou and 20 Faces groaned in anger.

"Fine! But you better bring that sword back or my-uh, parents, will kill me!"

"Deal, see you tomorrow night…" Gou moved aside and lets 20 Faces go. Though 20 Faces looked really annoyed and upset about this.

Even though Gou couldn't exactly see 20 Faces' whole face, the thief still looked cute when he looks annoyed because he pouts. Gou smirked at his own accomplishment at this. He watches as 20 Faces angrily storms off. If only 20 Faces walked away instead, that way, Gou can actually watch the thief's hips sway a bit when he walks. After watching 20 Faces so long, Gou still didn't get much and was tempted to follow the thief to see where he lived but the last thing he wanted was being caught doing that and he can say goodbye to his chances of finding anything out about 20 Faces at all.

At home, Makoto threw off part of his costume, grabbed his pillow in his room and angrily screamed into it.


Please R and R!

Thank you!