Even though these people have different languages, in a perfect world, just pretend they understand each other, mkay? I'll explain more throughout the chapter.

Chapter One: Arrival in Japan

"Why is this so complicated?"

Jacques scratched his head as he eyed the street-signs carefully, trying to place the seemingly random scribbles of kanji with words. He sighed. Maybe studying Japanese for so long wasn't as big a help as he thought it would be. It might've been smarter to learn how to read the symbols instead of just familiarizing himself with the spoken language.

Whatever. I can ask for help, later. I don't think my hotel is supposed to be near...well, whatever this is.

"Uh, excuse me?" Jacques extended a hand to catch the attention of a passer-by; a man, with light sea-green hair that hung down over eyes of the same color. "Er, could you-"

That was all Jacques was able to get out before the strange guy flashed his palms, as though surrendering. He backed away slowly, muttering a few words, before turning and dashing away in the opposite direction, leaving Jacques to stare after him, dumbfounded.

Did I translate that right? 'Please don't hurt me?' Jacques shook his head. That can't be right!

His bag slung over one shoulder, he shoved his hands deep into the pockets of his khakis and started moving on. The incident from moments before had left people staring after him with eyes full of curiosity and even...fear? Keeping his head down to avoid the nosy looks of other people, Jacques followed the sidewalk for several long minutes. Whispers filled his ears, however faint, as he passed by people of many shapes and sizes. He chose to ignore them, however. They were too quiet for him to hear the words clearly, and it wasn't like they would be talking about him, anyway.

The streets sure were lively, though. People buzzed around like bees, calling out to each other excitedly. Some people laughed, children ran around in circles, parents called to them to be careful. It was very much like home, Jacques realized.

"Yea! Show 'im who's boss!"

The blonde boy turned to see what the commotion was about. Nearby, he could hear the little metallic clanks of some object. People were gathered around, screaming and shouting enthusiastically. Curious, Jacques made his way over to the group. But as he neared, the liveliness disappeared. Some stared in shock, others in fear.

What is with these people?

Out of the corner of his eye, Jacques caught a glimpse of a little beyblade being retrieved by its owner. Whispers erupted from those who saw him, but Jacques turned away from them.

So much for watching a bey battle.

Jacques turned to the left to head down one street, and was greeted by the warm breeze that carried with it the fresh, mouth-watering scent of food. He dragged his gaze up from the ground to take in his surroundings. He had found his way to a line of stores, mostly dives that didn't appear to be anything special on the outside. The scrumptious smell of Japanese cuisine that greeted Jacques from so far away swayed his decision to keep moving; instead, he figured he'd stop by for a bite to eat. No harm in that, right? Besides, one of the employees might be able to point him in the direction of a hotel.

Jacques pulled a hand from his pocket and placed it on the door. Before he was able to open it, he heard a voice speaking, and the words were loud enough for him to hear clearly.

"That must be him; what's he doing here?"

The blonde boy resisted the urge to turn and see who the guy was talking about before pushing the door open and vanishing into the little restaurant.

"My, my. I have reason to believe good luck will come our way!" a boy with midnight blue hair said excitedly.

"You said that yesterday, idiot. And the day before that. And the day before that," his friend snapped harshly. He glanced over to the taller teenager, his dark eyes flashing with irritation.

"It's sure to happen today!" The boy smiled at his friend for a moment before reaching for his chopsticks and retrieving a small piece of chicken. He ate it, chewing slowly and swallowing before speaking again. "Why must you be such a sourpuss, anyway, Tobio?"

His response was muffled from the food he had stuffed in his mouth. After a moment, he snapped back. "Ryutaro, that's like asking why you have to be an annoying optimist all the time."

"Humph." Ryutaro turned his nose up into the air, whipping out his fan and bringing it up to cover his mouth.

"Er...excuse me?"

"Get lost, kid. We're busy." Tobio hadn't even looked up from his plate of food. He didn't even seem to acknowledge the familiarity of that voice...

Ryutaro cast a side-glance at the boy who stood by their table, and almost immediately his eyes widened to the size of saucers. He averted his gaze to stare in the other direction, while he - not very discreetly - nudged his short friend in the side with an elbow. Despite it being mere seconds that passed in silence, both Ryutaro and the newcomer squirmed from the awkwardness of the situation.

Then Tobio broke the quiet. "What...?" he muttered to Ryutaro. Upon catching his friend's gaze, still looking past him at the person who's interrupted their lunch, Tobio groaned. "For the love of God, kid, just get-" He finally glanced up, and the moment he glimpsed the face of the blonde kid who stood over him, he broke off with a scream, which Ryutaro joined in on. The 'familiar' face looking back at them only wore an expression of utter surprise and confusion.

Standing here was the first person he'd lost a bey battle to.

Wait.

No. That couldn't be. That blader didn't have blonde hair. Nor did he wear such dorky glasses.

But then...who was he?

Ryutaro placed a hand on Tobio's shoulder a moment after falling quiet. "He's...that's not him," the fortune-teller murmured.

"Not who!?" Jacques slammed a fist down on the table, much to the surprise of the two bladers. "Why is everyone treating me so strangely? I've done nothing!"

The friends exchanged a glance, and Ryutaro, being the kinder of the two, motioned for Jacques to take a seat in the empty chair. "It's nothing you did. It's merely that you have...quite a resemblance to someone who is an infamous blader."

"Care to elaborate?" the English boy prompted, eyes narrowed.

"Whatever." Tobio shoved a hand into one of his pockets and pulled out a leather wallet. He sifted through the stacks of cards, cash, and who-knows-what-else before taking a wrinkled piece of paper, placing it on the table, and sliding it toward Jacques.

The kid's eyes widened. The photo was in black-and-white, of a person staring back at the camera with narrowed eyes that burned with the intensity of a thousand suns. His hair stuck up the same as Jacques. His face had the same pointy chin and nose, and the same tooth jutted out from his mouth like a fang. Cross-like scars were just under his eyes. Aside from those markings and Jacques glasses, the two may as well have been twins.

"Tobio. May I ask you why you have a picture of Kyoya in your wallet?" Ryutaro asked, his voice betraying amusement.

"Shut up." The short guy's face turned a little pink at his friend's insinuation.

Ryutaro grinned. "Anyway, I think this might be what the fortune meant!"

Jacques tilted his head to one side in bewilderment before standing up. "You know what, I don't have time for this. Thanks for nothing."

"Wait, kid!" Tobio snatched Jacques' wrist and pulled him back. "How would you like to make a little cash?"

I hope you enjoyed reading this! Please review!

Until next time, my friends!

(:Mizune